cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Male Initiative on Leadership and Excellence (Mile) and its Impact on Retention and Persistence of Black Men at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

A strong body of research has documented the supportive environments of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their impact on facilitating student success. Notwithstanding the co...
Methodology for the Prediction of Complex Skill Performance

There has been a long and continuing interest in psychomotor batteries as a viable means to improve behavioral assessment and prediction in a variety of task situations. The present paper describes the conceptual framework and a methodology which contributed to the development of a general purpose psychomotor battery. The tasks which comprise the psychomotor battery at the present time include a velocity estimation task, a four-choice discrimination task, an auditory vigilance task, and a recognition memory task. A description of each task within the battery is presented. Research on the battery has suggested the potential usefulness of the battery as a predictor of complex skill performance. A summary of the research which has been conducted on the psychomotor battery, as well as future research planned, are discussed.
A Flight-Cage Actograph for Recording Circadian Periodicity of Pink Bollworm Moths

The activity recording system used to monitor circadian periodicity in pink bollworm moths, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is presented. The actograph provides a permanent record while eliminating the use of light and direct observation for studying nocturnal periodicity. A graphic recorder, preamplifier, and power supply register the output of a vibration-sensitive transducer mounted on an isolated metal cage. Vibrations produced by movements of moths in the cage indicate the overall levels of activity which are associated with specific behavioral events. Response to light, foraging behavior, mating, and relative inactivity are indicated by characteristic patterns. Rhythms produced by 20 moths during a continuous 14-day trial include entrainment, free-run in dark, and subsequent reentrainment. Circadian periodicity was dependent on photoperiodic induction. This system is highly adaptable and may be used with a variety of arthropods.
A Deadly Connection: Aortoenteric Fistula as a Cause of Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

A 66-year-old white man with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, COPD, lung cancer, and aortoiliac bypass graft placed 6 years prior for peripheral vascular disease, presented with 3 days of melena and syncopal events associated with bowel movements. The patient reported having coffee ground emesis and dark, tarry stools with onset of his syncope. Physical exam showed bright red blood per rectum and melenic stools. Baseline hemoglobin was 14.5 g/dL, dropping to 7.1 g/dL at admission. He subsequently became hypotensive despite receiving 2 units of packed red blood cells and aggressive intravenous fluid hydration. Emergent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showed red blood throughout the esophagus, pale stomach mucosae, and an exposed aortic graft with bright blood in the third part of the duodenum (Figure 1). He underwent emergent laparotomy for takedown of aortoduodenal fistula with repair of duodenal erosion and ligation of the distal aorta. The following day, the patient’s lower extremities had increased pallor and he underwent axillofemoral and femoral-femoral bypass grafting. He went into cardiac arrest perioperatively and died.
A Method of Digital Watermark of Space Domain in Color Image

In this paper, we presented the methed of digital watermark of space domain in color image.The limit that space domain only be applied in LSB under gray image of digital watermark was changed. Then, experiment showed that the method have a better adaptability to normal attack.
A Boundary Element Method Coupled to Phase Field to Compute Ferroelectric Domains in Complex Geometries

Ferroelectrics display couplings between mechanics, electromagnetism and optics. Hence they are in use and have been proposed as elements of MEMS and nanotechnological devices. In these applications, ferroelectrics are machined to have complex geometries and electrode arrangements, and are subjected to microstructural rearrangements. Current mesoscale calculations of ferroelectric microstructure with the phase-field method are typically limited to completely periodic geometries or other special boundary conditions. This is due to the infeasible computational expense in accurately accounting for the stray electric fields caused by charges and electrodes; it requires solution of the electrostatic equations over all of space. We present a computational technique to predict ferroelectric microstructure in complex geometries. The key issue is to resolve both the internal electric fields in the ferroelectric, as well as the stray electric fields that exist outside the material. In particular, we apply a Boundary Element Method (BEM) or Dirichlet-to-Neumann map to calculate the stray electrostatic fields that are generated by a ferroelectric specimen with no a priori restrictions on geometry. This allows us to move beyond periodic boundary conditions, yet retain accuracy and numerical efficiency in computing the stray electric fields. We couple this implementation to a real-space phase-field method and elasticity solver to obtain domain patterns under electromechanical loads. We apply this to calculate the microstructural rearrangements at the tip of a notch.
Patient Insurance Profiles: A Tertiary Care Compared to Three Freestanding Emergency Departments.

Abstract Background It has been speculated that freestanding emergency departments (FEDs) draw more affluent, better-insured patients away from urban hospital EDs. It is believed that this leaves urban hospital−based EDs less financially secure. Objective We examined whether the distribution of patients with four types of insurance (self-pay, Medicaid, Medicare, and private) at the main ED changed after opening three affiliated FEDs, and whether the insurance type distribution was different between main ED and FEDs and between individual FEDs. Methods A retrospective analysis of insurance status of all patients presenting to our EDs from July 2006 through August 2013. Insurance was divided into self-pay, Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance across three time periods, which reflect the sequential opening of each FED. Insurance types for each facility were compared for individual time periods and across time periods. χ 2 was used to analyze the data. Results In the three studied time frames (periods B, C, and D), there were less privately insured patients and more self-pay, Medicaid, and Medicare patients at the main than at each FED ( p p p Conclusions There were less privately insured patients and more self-pay, Medicaid, and Medicare patients at the main ED compared to the FEDs. Privately insured patients decreased at both the FEDs and main ED during the study. Insurance distribution was significantly different between the main ED, and three FEDs, and between individual FEDs.
PROMOTING STUDENTS` AUTONOMY THROUGH MILADA BROUKAL`S STRATEGIES OF LEARNING: THE CASE OF ENGLISH 101 AND ENGLISH 102

Promoting Students`Autonomy through Milada Broukal`s Strategies of Learning: The Case of English 101 and English 102endeavors to measure the students` autonomy and learning skills regarding two credit courses that I taught at Al Khawarizmi International College-University, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The two courses—English 101 and English 102—and their learning outcomes are based on Milada Broukal`s book, Weaving it Together: Connecting Reading and Writing, which presents some considerable strategies to enhance and boost students` autonomy and learning skills in English language. More significantly, part from its well-organized and well-chosen content, the strategies are very inclusive and can be easily understood by non-native English speakers. These strategies encompass vocabulary in context, vocabulary in a new context, vocabulary building, looking for main ideas, looking for details, making inferences and drawing conclusions.Additionally, these strategiesand their significance in terms of learners` autonomy have been tested through some individual and group assignments. Specifically, the aim of this article is to inspect students` ability to apply Broukal`s strategies to improve their learning skills.
The public multi-coil information (PUMCIN) policy.

Purpose Multi-coil (MC) magnetic field modeling has emerged as a viable alternative to conventional field generation based on spherical harmonic shapes, and an active MC community is forming. Although all MC applications share the same modeling concept, the specific MC designs can largely differ as a result of disparities in region of interest (eg, human versus rodent), intended MR application (eg, B0 shimming versus spatial encoding), or other experimental constraints (eg, available bore space or integration with radiofrequency technology). To date, a lack of detailed information on existing MC designs complicates the assessment and precludes a meaningful comparison. Methods Here, we suggest that future publications involving the MC technique not only report the benefits for the application at hand, but also include an explicit description of the MC wire pattern used. Results This public multi-coil information (PUMCIN) policy represents a voluntary commitment to promoting free public access to the details necessary for reproducing and benefiting from MC research. Conclusions The PUMCIN policy is expected to initiate a paradigm shift with respect to the way MC innovation is reported. By setting an example, we hope to encourage the evolving MC community to maximize the benefits for science and society by embracing it. Magn Reson Med, 2016. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Addressing Nature of Scientific Knowledge in the Preparation of Informal Educators

The ultimate goal of science instruction has been, and continues to be, the development of a scientifically literate citizenry. In short, we want our citizens to possess foundational science knowledge and be able to use this knowledge to make informed decisions about scientifically based personal and societal issues. Understanding the limits of scientific knowledge, as derived from how it is developed, is critical to such decisions and is commonly referred to as nature of scientific knowledge (NOS) in the science education literature. Current reforms are emphasizing the importance of both formal and informal education venues in achieving the goal of scientific literacy. Educators in informal settings have the potential to influence the public understanding of science and nature of scientific knowledge in many ways that are not possible in formal education. Consequently, it is imperative for informal educators themselves to possess coherent understandings of nature of scientific knowledge. This chapter addresses what informal educators need to know about NOS, current research on teaching NOS and how ISI educators can effectively use informal environments to communicate NOS understanding to the public.
Long-term survival after the Fontan operation: Twenty years of experience at a single center

Abstract Objective Existing studies of patients palliated with the Fontan operation are limited by heterogeneous patient populations and incomplete follow-up. This study aimed to describe long-term post-Fontan survival in a modern patient cohort. Methods All 773 patients who underwent a first Fontan operation at our institution between 1992 and 2009 were reviewed. The primary outcome was the composite endpoint of Fontan takedown, heart transplantation, or death before 2013. Results Follow-up rate was 99.2%. Survival with intact Fontan circulation was 94% at 1 year (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 92%-95%), 90% at 10 years (95% CI, 88%-92%), 85% at 15 years (95% CI, 82%-88%), and 74% at 20 years (95% CI, 67%-80%). Distinct risk factors were identified for early (≤1 year) and late composite outcomes. Independent risk factors for early outcome included prolonged pleural drainage (hazard ratio [HR], 4.4; P 1 week (HR, 2.4; P P P P P ≤ .001), and post-Fontan ICU stay >1 week (HR, 2.4; P Conclusions Long-term mortality after Fontan operation remains substantial. Risk factors for death or loss of Fontan circulation differ between the early and late postoperative periods. Long-term survival has not improved appreciably over the last decade, suggesting that alternatives to the Fontan are warranted.
Fatigue strain mapping via digital image correlation for Ni-based superalloys: The role of thermal activation on cube slip

Abstract A deformation mechanism map for a Ni-based superalloy is presented during cyclic loading at low (300 °C), intermediate (550 °C), and high (700 °C) temperatures for low (0.7%) and high (1.0%) applied strain amplitudes. Strain mapping is performed via digital image correlation (DIC) during interrupted fatigue experiments at elevated temperatures at 1, 10, 100 and 1000 cycles, for each specified loading and temperature condition. The DIC measurements are performed in a scanning electron microscope, which allows high-resolution measurements of heterogeneous slip events and a vacuum environment to ensure stability of the speckle pattern for DIC at high temperatures. The cumulative fatigue experiments show that the slip bands are present in the first cycle and intensify with number of cycles; resulting in highly localized strain accumulation. The strain mapping results are combined with microstructure characterization via electron backscatter diffraction. The combination of crystal orientations and high-resolution strain measurements was used to determine the active slip planes. At low temperatures, slip bands follow the {111} octahedral planes. However, as temperature increases, both the {111} octahedral and {100} cubic slip planes accommodate strain. The activation of cubic slip via cross-slip within the ordered intermetallic γ’ phase has been well documented in Ni-based superalloys and is generally accepted as the mechanism responsible for the anomalous yield phenomenon. The results in this paper represent an important quantifiable study of cubic slip system activity at the mesoscale in polycrystalline γ-γ’ Ni-based superalloys, which is a key advancement to calibrate the thermal activation components of polycrystalline deformation models.
Disproportionation of Paraffins I. Pentanes

At 240°C n- and iso-pentanes isomerize and disproportionate over ZSM-4 with a rate more than 20 times higher than other zeolites including REX and mordenite. The disproportionation reaction is promoted by a trace concentration of olefins. The uniqueness of HZSM-4 suggests that the disproportionation reaction is influenced by the size and shape of the intracrystalline pore structure and by the acid site density of the zeolite. It is proposed that the disproportionation reaction is promoted by the interaction of two carbenium ions on adjacent sites within the zeolite such that the olefin formed from one carbenium ion is condensed with another carbenium ion. Also noteworthy is the result that at low conversions, the products of disproportionation are largely stoichiometrically simple products, viz., molecules with one carbon more or one carbon less than the reactant molecule with negligible C 2 − products. The study was carried out batchwise in a 300 ml stirred autoclave at 100-235 atm. The use of such pressures was primarily to maintain the reaction mixture above its critical temperature in a dense fluid state in which the powdered catalyst could be properly suspended.
Inviscid Irrotational Flows

In this chapter the LSFEM is applied to the solution of inviscid irrotational flow problems. Both incompressible and subsonic compressible flows are considered. The flow of incompressible, irrotational fluids is governed by the div—curl system that has been studied in Chap. 5. From understanding of the physical principles underlying compressible flows, we derive the associated governing equations in the form of a first-order system appropriate for LSFEM computation. In aerodynamic applications, uniform flow past a profile is of particular interest. Boundary conditions at the profile and in the far field, and the Kutta condition for lifting profiles are described. Applications of LSFEM to airfoil problems are presented.
Cooperative and Non-cooperative Game Theory

This article outlines the differences between cooperative and non-cooperative game theory. It introduces some of the main concepts of cooperative game theory as they apply to strategic management research.
A Globalist Manifesto for Public Policy

The worldwide trend towards privatisation, liberalisation and globalisation has produced substantial economic benefits. Nevertheless, liberalisation has had its shortcomings and there are potential threats to further progress, including in particular an anti-liberalisation backlash. Continuing progress depends on the ability to articulate a clear vision of the positive effects of global liberalisation and to establish institutions and policies which can help realise that vision. Reversing globalisation would harm the world's poorest inhabitants. Professor Calomiris, well known for his work on national and international financial markets, examines the successes and failures of recent global liberalisation and derives a 'globalist manifesto' for public policy. His paper is a revised version of the tenth annual IEA Hayek Memorial Lecture given in July 2001.
Alteration of Skin Surface Protein with Dihydroxyacetone: A Useful Application of the Maillard Browning Reaction

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) undergoes the Maillard reaction with skin surface protein to produce a durable brown color. This pigment protects persons sensitive to ultraviolet and visible radiation. Interest in photosensitivity encouraged us to examine browning activities of DHA and other hydroxycarbonyl compounds. Our observations provide clues of general interest in understanding the Maillard reaction. Although DHA has been used in the popular sunless tanning preparations for over 30 years, a more effective substitute has not been developed.
"The Only Thing We Can Do is Treat Them Well Here": Public Health With Latinos in a New Immigrant Destination.

Human service agencies in new immigrant destinations often lack the experience and bilingual staff required to provide inguistically and culturally appropriate services to Latino immigrant ...
Model-Driven Development of Mobile Applications Allowing Role-Driven Variants

This research aims to simplify the creation of applications for mobile platforms by developing a high-level and platform independent model of an application, and automatically transforming this high-level model to platform specific code. The research method is a combination of the model-driven development (MDD) approach in software development and application of techniques in the field of human-computer interaction (HCI) particularly on user centered system design. This research involves developing a graphical modeling language which is specific to mobile applications, and coming up with a generic algorithm for the conversion of this graphical model into code. The main focus of the research however, will be on the design of the graphical model, and the interaction techniques which will allow non-expert people 1 to create specialized mobile applications with ease. Key research questions that need to be answered are: Which level of abstraction and modeling constructs are adequate for non-expert people to create specialized mobile applications? How can technical details such as device limitations, transmission of information to other devices or to the network, etc., be abstracted from the non-expert user as they model the application so that they can focus more on the design and logic of their application, but at the same time take advantage of advance capabilities of mobile devices (GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.)? How can the design of interaction with other devices that connects to mobile applications become simpler? Do non-experts want the modeler interface to look like the actual application or do some high level form just like in UML would be enough?
A Data Transformation Adapter for Smart Manufacturing Systems with Edge and Cloud Computing Capabilities

The manufacturing industry is constantly seeking novel solutions to improve productivity and gain a competitive advantage. Considering the large amount of data that manufacturing operations generate, the capability to make a smart decision is tied to the ability to process plant floor data gaining insight into machine and system level performance. This work aims to bridge the gap between the plant floor operation and “Big Data” analysis solutions to help improve manufacturing productivity, quality, and sustainability. The proposed framework incorporates three main elements: data sourcing, analysis, and visualization. The combination of these aspects lays the groundwork for processing large amounts of data on a multi-layer infrastructure that leverages both edge and cloud computing. The data processing framework was tested using a manufacturing testbed with with machines, robots, conveyors, and different types of sensors to replicate the diverse data sources in a manufacturing plant. The data processing infrastructure was used to monitor machine health, detect anomalies, and evaluate throughput.
Shock Front Field Structure in Low-density Systems

It is known that shock front is not a simple discontinuity as depicted in commonly used hydro codes but consists of selfgenerated fields [1]. A quasi-planar platform using broadband proton radiography has been developed to study the field structure at a shock front. The broad bandwidth offers energy-dependent measurements which quantitatively constrain both the potential and field width at the shock front. Experiments were conducted on the OMEGA EP, where three long pulse beams delivered 6 kJ in 2 ns for shock initiation in a gas filled tube and a short pulse of 850 J, 10 ps generated broadband protons for point-projection radiography. Simultaneous spatially resolved soft-x-ray spectroscopy provided shock velocity, particle velocity and thermal emission measurements, constraining density and temperature for the field generation. The data and modeling indicate that a multi-KeV potential was present at the shock front where a strong electron pressure gradient existed.
Level of development and income inequality in the United States: Kuznets hypothesis revisited once again

Abstract This study revisits the well-known Kuznets hypothesis that postulated an inverted-U relation between the level of development of a country or region and its degree of income inequality. We address the widely-shared view that, in recent years, a regular-U, and not a Kuznets-type inverted-U, has characterized the relation between income and inequality in the United States and some other developed countries. The paper works with data for the US states and has two main distinguishing features. First, it permits cross-state spillovers, which seem conceptually relevant and statistically significant, but, to our knowledge, have not been included in the fairly extensive literature on the topic. Second, we use the most reliable recent annual panel covering the period 2006–2016, which has also not been included in any existing research. The pooled-OLS, as well as the two-way fixed-effects panel estimates, indicate the existence of a significant regular-U pattern which is consistent with the influential view in the literature. However, the estimates that adjust for cross-state spillovers indicate a weak regular-U pattern in which the (log) linear and quadratic terms lack statistical significance at the usual levels. We conclude that when cross-state spillovers are appropriately accounted for, statistically significant evidence is lacking to support the view that a regular-U pattern describes the relation between income and inequality in the United States in recent years.
Corrector/Quadrupole/Sextupole Power Leads for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory

In RHIC (Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider), there are 492 CQS (Corrector/Quadrupole/Sextupole) assemblies which require leads to carry the current from the power supply to the magnet. The lead assemblies will contain these leads along with instrumentation voltage taps and current carrying wires that are used only for magnet warm-up. These lead assemblies are analyzed for two cooling schemes: 1) gas flow through the lead tube and 2) heat sinking the lead tube along a 40–70 K heat shield (without gas flow). The analysis was extended to include the modeling of the cold and warm ends and effects of superinsulation shielding the lead assembly against radiation (including heat conduction due to residual gas pressure in the surrounding vacuum). Extensive parametric studies of heat exchange areas, specific copper properties, length of the lead, etc. are also included in the analysis.
Practical approaches to chemical tanker scheduling in ports: a case study on the Port of Houston

The objective of this study was to develop practical scheduling solutions for chemical tankers visiting the Port of Houston (PoH). Chemical tanker movements represent approximately 42% of the Houston Ship Channel traffic. Historically, chemical tanker scheduling has been problematic and has resulted in long waiting times for tankers. Scheduling is difficult because chemical tankers carry several liquid cargoes and must visit multiple terminals for loading and unloading. Physical constraints (layout of the port and draft) and commercial constrains (such as terminal and personnel readiness for cargo handling operations, tank cleaning processes, and inspection requirements) create a complex scheduling problem, long waiting times, and unnecessary tanker movements in the port. These problems cause an increase in the business costs for shipowners, risk of collisions and allisions, production of additional air emissions, and decreases in the operating capacity of terminals. The recent expansion decisions for chemical and petrochemical plants in Houston, Texas, will exacerbate the problem. Significant benefits could thus be gained even for small scheduling improvements. Currently, the scheduling practice of loading/unloading activities in the PoH involves primarily the manual and de-centralized use of the “first come, first served” (FCFS) rule, which results in inefficiencies such as long waiting times and poor resource utilization. We propose two mathematical methods to address the tanker scheduling problem in the port: a mixed-integer programming (MIP) method, and a constraint programming (CP) method. The two methods are formulated as open-shop scheduling problems with sequence-dependent post-setup times. MIP yields optimum results that minimize makespan. However, computation time increases significantly as the number of tankers, or the number of terminals, increases. CP achieves better makespan results in a shorter run time, compared to MIP, for medium to large-scale problems including the problem considered in this case study. Overall, the results show that MIP is more suitable for real-time scheduling tools (hourly and daily), whereas CP is the better option for longer-horizon scheduling problems (weekly or monthly). Our models gave good alternative schedules under short optimization run times. Hence, they can afford decision makers sufficient time to complete multiple optimization scenarios and implementation setups.
A new species of Bonfilsus Scherer 1967 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) from the Dominican Republic

A new species of previously monotypic genus of flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), Bonfilsus Scherer 1967, is described from the Dominican Republic. This is the first record of Bonfilsus from the island of Hispaniola. The new species is compared to the only known species of the genus [B. subpubenscens (Bechyne)] and its distinguishing features as well as other morphological characters are illustrated and described.
What happens when a celebrity feminist slings microaggressive shade?: Twitter and the pushback against neoliberal feminism

Bouncing off the excitement expressed on Twitter and onstage at the 2015 Video Music Awards ceremony involving Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and music fans, this case study explores the p...
On the (In)security of Approximate Computing Synthesis.

The broad landscape of new applications requires minimal hardware resources without any sacrifice in Quality-of-Results. Approximate Computing (AC) has emerged to meet the demands of data-rich applications. Although AC applies techniques to improve the energy efficiency of error-tolerant applications at the cost of computational accuracy, new challenges in security threats of AC should be simultaneously addressed. In this paper, we introduce the security vulnerability of the concurrent AC synthesis. We analyze the threat landscape and provide a broader view of the attack and defense strategy. As a case study, we utilize AC synthesis technique to perform malicious modifications in the synthesized approximate netlist. Similarly, we provide a scalable defense framework for trustworthy AC synthesis.
Comparing Prophylactic Versus Threshold-Based Insecticide Programs for Striped Cucumber Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Management in Watermelon

In cucurbit crops such as watermelon, implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) is important due to the high reliance on bees for fruit set, along with mounting evidence of the risks of insecticide use associated with pollinator health. Yet, IPM adoption, on-farm pesticide use behaviors, their costs, and impacts on the primary insect pest (striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum F.) are poorly known in one of the key watermelon-growing regions, the Midwestern United States. To better understand how to implement IPM into watermelon production, we assessed pest management practices on commercial watermelon farms using 30 field sites in Indiana and Illinois over 2 yr in 2017 and 2018. Across all sampling dates, beetles never crossed the economic threshold of five beetles/plant at any farm and most were maintained at densities far below this level (i.e., <1 beetle/plant). Moreover, we documented a wide range of insecticide inputs (mean ca. 5 applications per field per season; max. 10 applications) that were largely dominated by inexpensive foliar pyrethroid sprays; however, insecticide application frequency was poorly correlated with pest counts, suggesting that most of these applications were unnecessary. We calculated that the cost of the average insecticide program far exceeds the cost of scouting, and thus IPM is estimated to save growers ca. $1,000 per field under average conditions (i.e., field size, insecticide cost). These data strongly indicate that current management practices on commercial farms in the Midwest would benefit from implementing more threshold-based IPM programs with potential increases in both farm profitability and pollination services.
Carbon Cycle Implications of Forest Biomass Energy Production in the Northeastern United States

There has been enormous interest in the use of forest biomass as a component of the renewable energy portfolio of the northeastern United States. While often touted as an inherently “carbon-neutral” energy source, it has become clear that a wide range of factors need to be considered to evaluate the net carbon and climate impact of biomass energy production (Cook and Beyea 2000; Abbas et al. 2011; Schulze et al. 2012; Zanchi et al. 2012). Net growth in northeastern forests currently provides an important offset to fossil fuel emissions of greenhouse gases, but most studies predict that carbon sequestration rates in forests both regionally and nationwide will decline over the next 20–50 years (Hurtt et al. 2002; USDA Forest Service 2012). The decline in the magnitude of the annual net carbon sequestration in the US forests is believed to be a product of three main factors: a stabilizing or even reversal of the century-long trend of an increasing forestland base due to reforestation of abandoned farmland (Drummond and Loveland 2010), declining rates of net growth at the stand level because of forest maturation (Hurtt et al. 2002), and increasing rates of forest harvest (Radeloff et al. 2006). All of these raise important questions about the magnitude of the sustainable supply of biomass feedstocks from northeastern forests (Buchholz et al. 2011) as well as questions about the future of regional forest carbon stocks under new demand for biomass energy.
Practical lessons learned for assessing and treating bipolar disorder via telehealth modalities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We briefly frame challenges and steps to overcoming those challenges in delivering care for patients with bipolar disorder via telehealth or telephone during COVID-19. Telehealth provides an invaluable opportunity to provide care for patients even under circumstances of social isolation. The issues discussed in this debate are intended to guide and assist clinicians, both in assessment and intervention, in adjusting to the use of virtual care for patients with bipolar disorder.
Regional differences in prolonged non-operative therapy utilization prior to primary ACDF surgery

Abstract There is a paucity of data characterizing regional variations in the utilization and costs of conservative management in patients suffering from cervical stenosis prior to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. An understating of these regional trends becomes critical as outcomes-based reimbursement strategies become standard. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate for regional differences in the utilization and overall costs of maximal non-operative therapy (MNT) prior to ACDF surgery. Medical records from patients with symptomatic cervical stenosis undergoing a ≤3-level index ACDF procedure between 2007 and 2016 were accessed from a large insurance database. Geographic regions (Midwest, Northeast, South, and West) reflected U.S. Census Bureau definitions. MNT utilization within 2-years prior to ACDF surgery was analyzed. An index ACDF surgery was performed in 15,825 patients. Patient regional breakdown was as follows: South (67.6% of patients), Midwest (21.8% of patients), West (8.9% of patients), Northeast (1.6% of patients). Regional variations were identified in the number of patients utilizing NSAIDs (p
Acetylcysteine for the Treatment of Suspected Remdesivir-Associated Acute Liver Failure in COVID-19: A Case Series

Remdesivir is a direct-acting nucleoside RNA polymerase inhibitor with activity against the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus used in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Here, we present two cases of suspected remdesivir-associated acute liver failure (ALF) in which the liver failure improved after continuous infusion acetylcysteine and withdrawal of remdesivir. Both patients had significant increases in transaminases between day 3 and day 10 of remdesivir therapy accompanied by coagulopathy and encephalopathy. After initiation of continuous infusion acetylcysteine, the transaminases of both patients rapidly improved. Ultimately, one patient fully recovered while the other died of suspected septic shock. Due to its novel nature and only recent widespread use, there are very little data on the risk of ALF from remdesivir. Additionally, the data for the use of acetylcysteine to manage non-acetaminophen-induced ALF are limited. It is important to consider the risk of remdesivir-associated ALF when weighing the risk versus benefits of use, and acetylcysteine may have a role in its management.
Contextualizing the COVID-19 Era in Puerto Rico: Compounding Disasters and Parallel Pandemics.

Objectives The COVID-19 outbreak has worsened the ongoing economic crisis in Puerto Rico by creating "parallel pandemics" that exacerbate socioeconomic and health inequalities experienced by its most vulnerable residents. Unfortunately, conditions on the island have been largely overlooked by national media outlets and the mainland U.S. population. Thus, this research report aims to draw attention to the disparate burden multiple and compounding disasters have on older island-dwelling Puerto Rican adults' health and well-being. Methods We characterize the lived experiences of the older population in Puerto Rico by incorporating data from numerous sources and contextualizing the effects of compounding disasters, the fiscal pandemic, and health care challenges to provide a more nuanced portrait of existing compounding factors that negatively affect the health and well-being of older adults in the era of COVID-19. Results We highlight two main factors that exacerbate pre-pandemic inequities experienced by the older adult population amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico: 1) the impact of multiple and compounding disasters; and 2) health care challenges. Discussion The human suffering of the Puerto Rican population is compounded by the consequences of fiscal austerity, increasing levels of income and wealth inequality, the debt crisis, significant emigration, and a dysfunctional health care system. Future governmental actions are required to lessen the burden of parallel pandemics on older adults in Puerto Rico.
Abstract PS5-11: Prospective HER-2 testing using simultaneous immunohistochemistry (IHC) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH): Experience of dual testing in a single academic institution

Background: HER-2 testing informs prognosis and critically guides therapy in breast cancer. Current guidelines for immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing define 3+ as positive, 0 and 1+ as negative, and 2+ as equivocal with additional testing recommended. Guidelines for in situ hybridization (ISH) testing are more complex and generally define a HER-2/CEP17 ratio of ≥2.0 with average HER-2 copy number of ≥4.0 copies/cell as HER-2 positive. Further, HER-2 copy number between 4 and 6 per cell, with a ratio of 6 per cell is frequently confirmed positive. Limited data suggest that an elevated HER-2 copy number alone has clinical relevance, however most clinical trials addressing HER-2 targeted therapeutics define HER-2 positive based on HER-2/CEP17 ≥2.0. Design: From 2013-2016, all new invasive breast cancer cases diagnosed at the University of Vermont Medical Center were prospectively tested for HER-2 using both IHC and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) simultaneously. All testing was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue, using the 4B5 Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody (Ventana) for IHC and the INFORM dual ISH DNA probe (Ventana) for CISH. Interpretation was performed using published criteria, and all cases were independently analyzed by two experienced reviewers. Results: 1906 patients underwent HER-2 testing by both IHC and CISH. 1671 (87.7%) patients had a HER-2/CEP17 ratio of 4. In IHC 0 and 1+ cases with HER-2/CEP17 ratio of 4 HER-2 copies/cell (see table). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date that has examined the concurrent use of both IHC and ISH HER-2 assays prospectively in a real-time clinical setting. In the IHC 2+ cohort, only 12.5% were amplified by ISH testing. Interestingly, of those in the IHC 2+ cohort not amplified by CISH, 10.8% had an equivocal or excess HER-2 copy number. Further, while based on a very small sample size, 41.2% of IHC 3+ patients with a CISH ratio of Citation Format: Kara K Landry, Abiy B Ambaye, Donald L Weaver, Peter A Kaufman. Prospective HER-2 testing using simultaneous immunohistochemistry (IHC) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH): Experience of dual testing in a single academic institution [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS5-11.
UAV Trajectory Planning With Probabilistic Geo-Fence via Iterative Chance-Constrained Optimization

Chance-constrained optimization provides a promi-sing framework for solving control and planning problems with uncertainties, due to its modeling capability to capture randomness in real-world applications. In this paper, we consider a UAV trajectory planning problem with probabilistic geo-fence, building on the chance-constrained optimization approach. In the considered problem, randomness of the model, such as the uncertain boundaries of geo-fences, is incorporated in the formulation. By solving the formulated chance-constrained optimization with a novel sampling based solution method, the optimal UAV trajectory is achieved while limiting the probability of collision with geo-fences to a prefixed threshold. Furthermore, to obtain a totally collision-free trajectory, i.e., avoiding the collision not only at the discrete time-steps but also within the entire time horizon, we build on the idea of an iterative scheme. That is, to iterate the solving of the chance-constrained optimization until the collision with probabilistic geo-fence is avoided at any time within the time horizon. At last, we validate the effectiveness of our method via numerical simulations.
Temporal associations between character strengths and civic action: A daily diary study

Positive youth development (PYD) models propose that character is an important antecedent to civic action, yet few studies have examined temporal links between character strengths and civic behavio...
An Extensive Reference Guide for Terahertz Electronics [Book/Software Reviews]

Author Dr. Jae-Sung Rieh received his Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan in 1999. His dissertation title was “Development of SiGe/Si HBTs and Their Applications to Microwave and Optoelectronics Monolithic Integrated Circuits.” He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Korea’s Seoul National University and worked in the IBM Microelectronics R&D Center, where he was involved in R&D activities in DiGe BiCMOS technologies. He also led the development of the 350-GHz SiGe HBT, the first Si-based transistor to operate in the submillimeter waveband. After he returned to Korea to teach at Korea University, he spent his sabbatical leaves with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and with the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Rieh has received many awards, including the IBM Faculty Award, IEEE Electron Device Society’s George E. Smith Award, and many more. He is a Fellow of IEEE.
Wind Engineering: Recent Investigations, and Research Needs

Current wind engineering practice as reflected, for example, in the American National Standard ANSI A58.1-1982, incorporates results of research conducted in large part in the 1960’s and 1970’s in three main areas: (1)micrometeorology, (2)extreme value climatology, (3) and wind tunnel testing in turbulent flow.
Evoked Potential Testing in Clinical Neurotoxicology

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the use of evoked potential (EP) in clinical neurotoxicology. EPs are electrical cortical responses produced by specific stimulation of specific sensory pathways or by complex endogenous events. Sensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) refer to those responses produced by peripheral sensory stimuli. Event-related potentials (ERPs) are produced by the processing of complex data or by motor planning. Although ERPs provide interesting information about cognitive processing, they have little clinical utility. In contrast, SEPs are commonly used to assess the function of sensory pathways. Clinically, the most frequently used of these tests are the visual-evoked potentials, brain stem- or auditory-evoked responses, and the somatosensory-evoked potentials. These fundamental tests are used in practice to screen for multifocal diseases and to uncover clinically silent lesions. Chemosensory-evoked potentials are used to test additional sensory pathways in patients exposed to inhaled toxins. Unlike EEG activity, EPs are time-locked to the stimulus and are reproducible. They can therefore, provide a means of following the effect of a toxin over time. This chapter reviews the use of EPs in neurotoxicology, discusses the anatomical basis of the tests, and indicates the effect of various known toxins.
Differentiation and generation of taylor coefficients in PASCAL-SC

Evaluation of derivatives and Taylor coefficients of functions defined by computer programs has many applications in scientific computation. The process of automatic differentiation of such functions has as its goal the production of machine code for the evaluation of derivatives and Taylor coefficients. This is in contrast to symbolic differentiation, where the desired output is a more or less pretty formula, and numerical differentiation, which is inaccurate and unstable. Another distinction between automatic and symbolic differentiation is that the latter usually involves considerable computational overhead, while automatic differentiation can be carried out at compile time by a compiler which permits user-defined data types and operators. This paper shows how PASCAL-SC, a compiler of this type, can be used to generate the real derivative types GRADIENT, HESSIAN, TAYLOR, and the corresponding interval types IGRADIENT, IHESSIAN, ITAYLOR. Applications of these types to solution of systems of nonlinear equations, sensitivity analysis, constrained and unconstrained optimization, and the solution of initial-value problems for systems of ordinary differential equations are indicated.
The modified Pisarenko's algorithm for adaptive spectrum estimation

The authors present a computationally efficient gradient-type algorithm for adaptively implementing Pisarenko's method. Using the property that the Z-transform of the error filter equation has linear phase, they adaptively implement Pisarenko's method with the weight vector p(n) whose dimension is (L+1), instead of the weight vector W(n) whose dimension is (2L+1), where L is the number of sinusoids buried in noise. The required computational complexity per iteration is about half that of previous implementations of Pisarenko's method. Simulation results are presented. The authors derive the convergence properties of the modified Pisarenko's algorithm in the vicinity of a stationary point. Additionally, they derive an expression for the range of the feedback coefficient for stable convergence. >
Analysis of Immunoprecipitated Surface Glycoproteins in Measles Virions and in Membranes of Infected Cells

Abstract Measles viral envelope proteins were immune precipitated from membranes of infected cells and from purified virus and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under reducing conditions, specific precipitates contained two major polypeptide bands, designated virus glycopeptides 1 and 2 (VGP-1 and VGP-2). Both polypeptides appeared to be glycosylated, as indicated by their incorporation of [14C]glucosamine in infected cells. VGP-2 appeared as a single band in specific precipitates of infected cells and as a double band in precipitates of purified virus. Trypsin treatment of infected cells showed that reduced VGP-2 may be composed of two unrelated polypeptides. One may be F1, which is unglycosylated, and the other may correspond to the proteolytic cleavage product of VGP-1, which is glycosylated. The relation of VGP-1 and VGP-2 to smaller surface antigens (X and Y) obtained by tryptic treatment of infected cells remains to be elucidated. In cells taken at various times postinfection and analyzed for viral membrane proteins, VGP-1 was detected at all times, indicating that the input virus VGP-1 was inserted into the cell and could not be differentiated from newly synthesized VGP-1. VGP-2 was not detectable before 24 h postinfection. In precipitates of cells 4 h postinfection and of infected cells incubated at pH 5.8, an additional polypeptide band migrated immediately ahead of VGP-1. We conclude that VGP-2 (molecular weight, 42,000) possibly consists of two components, one of which is the tryptic cleavage product of VGP-1 and the other of which is the unglycosylated polypeptide, F1.