cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sequential time-bin entanglement generation using periodically poled KTP waveguide

We demonstrated non-degenerate sequential time-bin entanglement using periodically poled KTP waveguide at a repetition rate of 1 GHz. The wavelengths of signal and idler are 895 and 1310 nm. The two-photon-interference-fringe visibility is 79 %.
Performance Analysis of Granular Computing Model on the Basis of S/W Engineering and Data Mining

Granular Computing is not only a computing model for computer centered problem solving, but also a thinking model for human centered problem solving.Some authors have presented the structure of such kind models and investigated various perspectives of granular computing from different application point of views. In this paper we discuss the archeitectue of Granular computing models, strategies, and applications. Especially, the perspectives of granular computing in various aspects as data mining and phases of software engineering are presented, including recquirement specification system analysis and design, algorithm design,structured programming,software tesing.AI is used for measuring the three perspective of Granular Computing model. Here we have discovered the patterns in sequence of events has been an area of active research in AI. However, the focus in this body of work is on discovering the rule underlying the generation of a given sequence in order to be able to predict a plausible sequence continuation ( the rule to predict what number will come next, given a sequence of numbers).
Frequency-domain synthesis of modified matched spatial filters

Modified matched spatial filters capable of recognition and discrimination are described. Synthesis of these filters in the frequency rather than the space domain is considered. Synthesis of a deconvolution and a binary frequency filter are discussed, and initial results are presented.
Characterization of Confined Intact and Damaged Borosilicate Glass

This article describes two different techniques utilized to characterize intact and damaged borosilicate glass at pressures up to ∼2 GPa: triaxial compression and confined sleeve. The results of the characterization experiments—for intact and damaged glass as a function of confinement pressure—are described; the results are interpreted in terms of two pressure-dependent constitutive models: Drucker–Prager and Mohr–Coulomb (MC). The MC model is successful at predicting the damage pattern. An observation is that the slopes of the two models appear to be independent of the degree of damage (intact, predamaged, and severely damaged specimens). Lastly, these data are compared with flyer-plate impact data of intact and damaged glass.
Model based, sensor directed remediation of underground storage tanks

Experimental investigations into the application of intelligent robot control technology to the problem of removing waste stored in tanks are described, with particular attention paid to the computing and software environment. Intelligent system control is achieved through the integration of extensive geometric and kinematic world models with real-time sensor-based control. All operator interactions with the system are through fully animated, graphical representations, which validate all operator commands before execution to provide for safe operation. Sensing is used to add information to the robot system's world model and to allow sensor-based servocontrol during selected operations. The results of a first critical features test are reported, and the potential for applying advanced intelligent control concepts to the removal of waste in storage tanks is discussed. >
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: THE EFFECTS OF PARTICIPATION ON ACHIEVEMENT AND TEACHERS' EVALUATIONS

ABSTRACT I use data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study to examine both the number and the types of extracurricular activities in which elementary school students participate and find significant differences in participation patterns by gender, race, and class. The number of activities in which students participate during kindergarten and first grade affects their gains in reading achievement test scores between first and third grade and third grade teachers' evaluations of mathematics skills, but does not affect gains in math achievement test scores or teachers' evaluations of language arts skills. Dance lessons, athletic activities, and art lessons, in particular, affect one or more of the dependent variables. With one exception, interactions of extracurricular activities with socioeconomic status show that less-privileged children benefit more from participation in activities than do more-privileged children, providing evidence against Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital and social reproduction.
Performance-based design methodologies for geotechnical earthquake engineering

Performance-based design offers a number of advantages over historically common design approaches. As currently practiced, performance is most commonly evaluated in terms of system response, typically displacement-related, using traditional ground motion intensity measures defined at two or more discrete hazard levels. Such approaches do not necessarily allow all of the potential benefits of performance-based design to be realized. More recently, integral performance-based procedures that account for ground shaking hazards at all hazard levels have been developed. This paper reviews basic concepts of performance and different approaches to the implementation of performance-based design. An load and resistance factor-like methodology is described and illustrated with an example.
Intracerebroventricular administration of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone increases phosphorylation of CREB in TRH- and CRH-producing neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

Changes in circulating leptin levels, as determined by nutritional status, are important for the central regulation of neuroendocrine axes. Among these effects, fasting reduces TRH gene expression selectively in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which can be reversed by leptin administration. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of alpha-MSH recapitulates the effects of leptin on hypophysiotropic TRH neurons, completely restoring proTRH mRNA to levels in fed animals despite continuation of the fast, making alpha-MSH a candidate for mediating the central effects of leptin. As alpha-MSH binds to a G-protein coupled receptor that activates cAMP and alpha-MSH stimulates the TRH promoter through the phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB in vitro, we determined whether i.c.v. injection of alpha-MSH to rats regulates phosphorylation of CREB, specifically in hypophysiotropic TRH neurons of PVN. As alpha-MSH also induces the activation of CRH gene expression in the PVN, we further determined whether i.c.v. injection of alpha-MSH regulates the phosphorylation of CREB in hypophysiotropic CRH neurons. In vehicle-treated animals, only rare neurons contained nuclear phospho-CREB (PCREB) immunoreactivity in the parvocellular PVN. I.c.v. injection of 10 microg alpha-MSH dramatically increased the number of PCREB-immunolabeled cell nuclei in the PVN in fasted groups at 10 min postinjection, particularly in the medial, periventricular, anterior and ventral parvocellular subdivisions, whereas a moderate increase of PCREB immunoreactivity was observed at 30 min and PCREB immunoreactivity was lowest at 1 h postinfusion. Double immunolabeling with proTRH antiserum revealed that following i.c.v. alpha-MSH infusion at 10 min, the majority of TRH neurons contained PCREB in the anterior (71%), medial (83%) and periventricular (63%) parvocellular subdivisions. The percentage of double-labeled TRH neurons declined at 30 min and 1 h post alpha-MSH infusion. Similarly, only 16% of CRH neurons of the medial parvocellular neurons contained PCREB nuclei in vehicle treated animals, whereas 10 min following alpha-MSH infusion the percentage of CRH neurons colocalizing with the PCREB rose to 54%, then fell to 37 and 17% at 30 and 60 min postinfusion, respectively. These data demonstrate that i.c.v. alpha-MSH administration increases the phosphorylation of CREB in several subdivisions of the PVN including TRH and CRH neurons in the medial and periventricular parvocellular subdivisions, suggesting that phosphorylation of CREB may be necessary for alpha-MSH-induced activation of the TRH and CRH genes. The increase in PCREB in the anterior and ventral parvocellular subdivisions of the PVN, regions linked to nonhypophysiotropic functions such as autonomic regulation, would also imply a role for these neurons in anorectic and energy wasting responses of melanocortin signaling.
Phase formation and reactions in the Bi2O3–ZnO–Nb2O5–Ag pyrochlore system

Mixed-phase compositions in the Bi2O3–ZnO–Nb2O5 pyrochlore system have been previously identified as potential low-fire dielectric composites for high-frequency multilayer devices. However, there has been a problem with the ability to co-process this material with silver. It was found that an intermediate BiNbO4 phase that occurs during calcination can interact with silver during co-sintering, forming a deleterious phase. Processing routes to control the presence of remanent BiNbO4 were investigated, such as ZnO stoichiometric adjustment, low partial pressure of oxygen sintering atmosphere, and specific temperature-time dwells.
Bryozoa of the Antarctic

Extensive collections of Bryozoa have been made in the Antarctic but some still remain to be written up. Table I lists the bryozoologists and the expeditions which collected their Bryozoa. A key letter precedes each bryozoologist’s name, as F for Borg, B for Busk, H for Hastings, etc. The key letters will also be used in Tables II and III.
Use of Airborne LiDAR to Delineate Canopy Degradation and Encroachment along the Guatemala-Belize Border:

Tropical rainforest clearing and degradation significantly reduces carbon sequestration and increases the rate of biodiversity loss. There has been a concerted international effort to develop remote sensing techniques to monitor broad-scale patterns of forest canopy disturbance. In addition to loss of natural resources, recent deforestation in Mesoamerica threatens historic cultural resources that for centuries lay hidden below the protective canopy. Here, we compare satellite-derived measures of canopy disturbance that occurred over a three decade period since 1980 to those derived from a 2009 airborne LiDAR campaign over the Caracol Archaeological Reserve in western Belize. Scaling up fine-resolution canopy height measures to the 30 m resolution of Landsat Thematic Mapper, we found LiDAR revealed a >58% increase in the extent of canopy disturbance where there was an overlap of the remotely sensed data sources. For the entire archaeological reserve, with the addition of LiDAR, there was a 2.5% increase of degraded canopy than estimated with Landsat alone, indicating that 11.3% of the reserve has been subjected to illegal selective logging and deforestation. Incursions into the reserve from the Guatemala border, represented by LiDAR-detected canopy disturbance, extended 1 km deeper (to 3.5 km) into Belize than were derived with Landsat. Thus, while LiDAR enables a synoptic, never-seenbefore, below-canopy view of the Maya city of Caracol, it also reveals the degree of canopy disturbance and potential looting of areas yet to be documented by archaeologists on the ground.
Glucocorticoid Receptor Density Correlates with Health Risk Factors and Insulin Resistance in Caucasian and African American Subjects

Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis leads to secretion of cortisol, which binds to peripheral glucocorticoid receptor and mediates a complex series of metabolic and immune effects. Cortisol also binds to receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary, and inhibits further secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone thus preventing an excessive response. Excess glucocorticoid effect is seen in Cushings disease, adrenal adenomas/carcinomas and in glucocorticoid resistance. Within such pathology there are health consequences of excessive glucocorticoid action, including obesity, hypertension, and glucose intolerance or diabetes. We hypothesized that increased glucocorticoid receptor in peripheral tissue might mediate an excess glucocorticoid effect in the absence of increased cortisol secretion. The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between glucocorticoid receptor density in leukocytes and health risk indices relevant to obesity and diabetes in a sample of Caucasian and African American subjects. Comparison of glucocorticoid receptor concentration with subject body mass index, percentage body fat, waist circumference, insulin resistance, plasma cortisol levels, gender, and lipid profiles were conducted. Increased glucocorticoid receptor density significantly correlated with body mass index, percentage body fat, waist circumference, and insulin resistance. No significant correlation was observed for glucocorticoid receptor density with lipid profiles. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in glucocorticoid receptor density between Caucasian and African American subjects or male and female participants. Our results show that high risk health conditions, such as obesity and type-2 diabetes, may be associated with a form of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction, characterized by localized leukocyte glucocorticoid receptor over-expression.
Reproducibility of test-retest with [11C]-PK11195 using different input function approaches

152 Objectives Tracer Kinetic modeling can add value to clinical studies, but these models often require blood sampling, which has some technical and humanistic limitations, particularly in longitudinal studies within subjects. The image-derived input function (IDIF) has been developed as an alternative. This study compares the reproducibility of the kinetic modeling for a PET brain study using IDIF and AIF for [11C]-PK11195, a marker of microglial activation. Methods A test-retest protocol was executed in 7 control subjects using [11C]-PK11195. The subjects were given two injections of the tracer on the same day with a two hour interval with no pharmacological intervention. The carotid artery region was used as ROI for the IDIF. Recovery factors and spill-in factors were determined using a static phantom system. These correction factors were applied to the IDIF data to compensate for recovery and spill-in effects. Regions of interest (ROI) were placed with Free Surfer on contemporaneously acquired MRI scans. To compare test-retest reproducibility, Logan-distribution volume (VT) values were calculated three different ways: a partial volume corrected IDIF, an uncorrected IDIF, and the AIF in 22 different regions in the brain. Results The static phantom gave results that were entirely consistent with the known resolution of the scanner and the sizes of the syringes used. The uncorrected and corrected IDIFs were directly compared to the AIFs. The reproducibility was excellent in all regions. The average difference between test and retest with the uncorrected IDIF was 11.1±5%, with the corrected IDIF, this was reduced to 7.5±4.6%, while for AIF the average was 5.5±3.6%. Conclusions Corrected IDIF can be used as an alternative for AIFs to perform [11C]-PK11195 kinetic modeling in brain analyses. Test-retest reproducibility using the corrected IDIF is similar to the AIF. These conclusions support the feasibility of using a corrected IDIF in longitudinal studies that require multiple measurements within subjects.
Multiple Time Scale Models in Sport and Exercise Science.

ABSTRACTIn sport and exercise research, examining both within- and between-individual variation is crucial. The ability to investigate change both within competitive events and across a competitive season is a priority for many sport researchers. The aim of this article is to demonstrate an approach to analyzing intensive longitudinal data collected through time-scale-dependent longitudinal designs. Following didactic presentation of the approach, two illustrations from secondary data analysis are used to describe the modeling process in detail. Illustration 1 includes affective response data from an exercise intervention randomized pilot study. Illustration 2 uses referee and player distance data collected during professional soccer games in the English Premier League. Each illustration describes a process for testing and comparing multiple time scale models based on the three-level multilevel model, and results are interpreted. In the discussion, advantages and limitations of the approach are highlighted.
Photonic time-crystals and momentum band-gaps

Temporally periodic photonic-crystals develop an ω-k dispersion relation with momentum band-gaps, and offer new physical effects including frequency conversion, time-reversal and other optical phenomena in addition to their temporal control.
Oral versus Nasal Breathing during Moderate to High Intensity Submaximal Aerobic Exercise

Introduction: When comparing oral breathing versus nasal breathing, a greater volume of air can be transported through the oral passageway but nasal breathing may also have benefits at submaximal exercise intensities. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine breathing efficiency during increasing levels of submaximal aerobic exercise. Methods: Nineteen individuals (males N=9, females N=10) completed a test for maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2 max) and on separate days 4-min treadmill runs at increasing submaximal intensities (50%, 65%, and 80% of VO 2 max) under conditions of oral breathing or nasal breathing. Respiratory (respiration rate [RR], pulmonary ventilation [V E ]), metabolic (oxygen consumption [VO 2 ], carbon dioxide production [VCO 2 ]) and efficiency measures (ventilatory equivalents for oxygen [Veq×O 2 -1 ] and carbon dioxide [Veq×CO 2 -1 ] were obtained. Data were analyzed utilizing a 2 (sex) x 2 (condition) x3 (intensity) repeated measures ANOVA with significance accepted at p≤0.05. Results: Significant interactions existed between breathing mode and intensity such that oral breathing resulted in greater RR, V E , VO 2 , and VCO 2 at all three submaximal intensities (p<.05). Veq×O 2 -1 and Veq×CO 2 -1 presented findings that nasal breathing was more efficient than oral breathing during the 65% and 80% VO 2 max intensities (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on this analysis, oral breathing provides greater respiratory and metabolic volumes during moderate and moderate-to-high submaximal exercise intensities, but may not translate to greater respiratory efficiency. However when all variables are considered together, it is likely that oral breathing represents the more efficient mode, particularly at higher exercise intensities.
Process control using nonlinear programming techniques

Some of the most difficult problems associated with process control are due to process nonlinearity, manipulated variable constraints, uncertain parameters and unmeasured variables. In this paper a nonlinear programming approach is developed to estimate process parameters, unmeasured state variables and process disturbances. A constrained optimization-based procedure is also used to maintain a desired output variable trajectory, similar to techniques that have proven successful for linear systems. The process model, characterized by a set of nonlinear differential equations, is transformed into algebraic equations using orthogonal collocation on finite elements. A system with inverse response characteristics and a bioreactor model are used as examples.
Valid Two-Step Identification-Robust Confidence Sets for GMM

In models with potential weak identification researchers often decide whether to report a robust confidence set based on an initial assessment of model identification. Two-step procedures of this sort can generate large coverage distortions for reported confidence sets, and existing procedures for controlling these distortions are quite limited. This paper introduces a generally-applicable approach to detecting weak identification and constructing two-step confidence sets in GMM. This approach controls coverage distortions under weak identification and indicates strong identification with probability tending to one when the model is well-identified. JEL Classification: C12, C18, C26
SMAP DATA for cropland soil moisture assessment — A case study

Timely, frequent, and complete cropland soil moisture information, acquired throughout the growing season is critical for agricultural policy, production, food security, and food prices. The NASA Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP) mission provides a reliable data source for cropland soil moisture assessment. This paper presents a case study of using SMAP soil moisture data products for agriculture land soil moisture assessment. A prototype application of interactive Web service based SMAP soil moisture data visualization, dissemination and analytics based on VegScape is used. In the study, we propose to temporally aggregate SMAP data for a better crop soil moisture assessment. The case study assesses Iowa's soil moisture status using SMAP data and compares it with the NOAA precipitation record and NASS published soil moisture survey results for a late September period in Iowa. The high correlation between the SMAP and NOAA observations is found. Moreover, we find that the SMAP results are generally consistent with NASS published survey results. The preliminary results of the study indicate the SMAP data have great potential for agricultural soil moisture assessment applications.
Integrated Care for Depression in Older Primary Care Patients

For decades, depression in older adults was overlooked and not treated. Most treatment was by primary care providers and typically poorly managed. Recent interventions that integrate mental health services into primary care have increased the number of patients who are treated for depression and the quality of that treatment. The most effective models involve systematic depression screening and monitoring, multidisciplinary teams that include primary care providers and mental health specialists, a depression care manager to work directly with patients over time and the use of guideline-based depression treatment. The article reviews the challenges and opportunities for providing high-quality depression treatment in primary care; describes the 3 major integrated care interventions, PRISM-E, IMPACT, and PROSPECT; reviews the evidence of their effectiveness, and adaptations of the model for other conditions and settings; and explores strategies to increase their scalability into real world practice.
Environmental Determinants of Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Disorders: Implications for Population Health.

Sleep is important for overall health and well-being. Insufficient sleep and sleep disorders are highly prevalent among adults and children and therefore a public health burden, particularly because poor sleep is associated with adverse health outcomes. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that environmental factors at the household- and neighborhood-level can alter healthy sleep. This paper will (1) review recent literature on the environmental determinants of sleep among adults as well as children and adolescents and (2) discuss the opportunities and challenges for advancing research on the environment and sleep. Epidemiologic research has shown that social features of environments, family, social cohesion, safety, noise, and neighborhood disorder can shape and/or impact sleep patterns and physical features such as light, noise, traffic, pollution, and walkability can also influence sleep and is related to sleep disorders among adults and children. Prior research has mainly measured one aspect of the environment, relied on self-reported sleep, which does not correlate well with objective measures, and investigated cross-sectional associations. Although most studies are conducted among non-Hispanic white populations, there is growing evidence that indicates that minority populations are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the environment on insufficient sleep and sleep disorders. There is clear evidence that environmental factors are associated with insufficient sleep and sleep disorders. However, more research is warranted to evaluate how and which environmental factors contribute to sleep health. Interventions that target changes in the environment to promote healthy sleep should be developed, tested, and evaluated as a possible pathway for ameliorating sleep health disparities and subsequently health disparities.
The design of ALPS: an adaptive learning and planning system

In older to perform adequately in real-world situations, a planning system must overcome intractable domains, limited planning time, incorrect and uncertain world knowledge, dynamic environments, and real-time response. ALPS, an adaptive learning and planning system, combines traditional components of hybrid planners with innovative techniques from machine learning, distributed computing, and probabilistic reasoning to create a unique architecture ideally suited to address these complex issues.
Superheating in He II

While there is considerable evidence that liquid He II can exist in metastable states produced by the isothermal reduction of the pressure below the vapor pressure P v (T) (tensile strength measurements),1’2 the complementary process of superheating (isobaric increase of temperature beyond the vaporization temperature) has not been observed. Several recent papers suggest that metastable superheating in fact does not occur.3 This is difficult to reconcile with the finite tensile strength, unless one considers the extreme sensitivity of the tensile strength to mechanical vibrations. A very small mechanical shock is sufficient to nucleate vapor phase in the super-stressed liquid. Our observations of superheating are on small samples of He II which are highly vibration-isolated.
Inflammatory mediators: a causal link to hypertension during preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder that occurs after 20 weeks of gestation, implicating the placenta as a key offender. PE is associated with an imbalance among B lymphocytes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, NK cells and increased inflammatory cytokines. During early onset PE, trophoblast invasion and placentation are impaired, leading to reduced blood flow to the fetus. In all spectrums of this disorder, a shift towards a pro-inflammatory state where regulatory cells and cytokines are decreased occurs. Specifically, inflammatory CD4+ T-cells and inflammatory cytokines are increased while CD4+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) and immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10 are decreased resulting in B cell activation, production of autoantibodies, endothelial dysfunction and hypertension associated with PE. However, the stimulus for these imbalances is unknown and need to be fully understood so that effective treatments that target the pathogenesis of the disease can be designed. Therefore, this review will focus on the pathways involving CD4+ , TH1, TH2, Tregs, TH17s, B cells, and NK cells in the pathophysiology of PE. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Immune Targets in Hypertension. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.12/issuetoc.
Developing a Platform for Community-curated Mixed Reality Play Spaces

Establishing Mixed Reality(MR) spaces for play in communities imposes a series of political, social, and ethical consequences. To clarify these concerns, a mobile MR application and platform called Invisible Cities was developed to provide communities with a tool to curate MR within their geographic boundaries. The system was designed to encourage critical reflection on campus spaces through the creation of MR statues in a ubiquitous MR play space. We utilize and build upon the spatial framework established by Hitesh Sharma and his colleagues to explore how Invisible Cities' implemented solutions provide some answers to the issues of placemaking and MR play spaces.
Climate Assessment for 1995

The El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is a major contributor to the observed year-to-year variability in the Pacific Ocean and in the global atmospheric circulation. The short-term climate system witnessed the return to the mature phase of warm ENSO conditions (commonly referred to as the El Nino) during early 1995 for the third time in four years. This frequency of occurrence is unprecedented in the last 50 years and is comparable to that observed during the prolonged 1911–15 ENSO episode. These warm ENSO conditions contributed to a large-scale disruption of the normal patterns of wind, rainfall, and temperature over much of the tropics and middle latitudes, particularly during the December 1994–February 1995 period. This period was followed by a dramatic decrease in sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific, resulting in a complete disappearance of all warm episode conditions during June–August and in the development of weak coldepisode conditions during September–November. Changes i...
Some Considerations for Investors Exploring ESG Strategies

Investors who are concerned about environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors face numerous questions. In the author’s opinion, investors need to determine which ESG issues are important for them, and how these issues should be reflected in a portfolio. For some strategies, ESG factors are integral to the investment process, whereas for other strategies, ESG factors are best captured via simple and transparent rules (screens and/or tilts). Investors also face several practical implementation choices. Should each company be evaluated on the basis of its current ESG profile, or is the trend more relevant? Should a company be analyzed on a stand-alone basis or relative to its industry peers? And for the strategy, what is the appropriate level of active risk (tracking error) relative to the policy benchmark? In addition, investors need to determine how to monitor any ESG strategy over time, which will help ensure the strategy is performing as expected. In the author’s opinion, perhaps the biggest challenge facing investors is articulating an investment thesis for an ESG strategy. Which ESG factors are already reflected in security prices, and which ESG factors have the potential to drive outperformance? Finally, the article identifies some differences between equity and fixed income strategies as they relate to ESG.
The role of biomarkers in the diagnosis and treatment of oligodendrogliomas

Abstract Oligodendrogliomas are rare primary brain tumors that are molecularly distinct from astrocytomas and tend to be more chemosensitive and less aggressive. The diagnosis of oligodendroglioma is now based on the presence of mutations in both isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 or 2 genes and co-deletion of chromosome arms 1p and 19q. The optimal treatment for anaplastic oligodendrogliomas remains controversial and there is significant heterogeneity of practice within the field of neuro-oncology. Here we review the biology of oligodendrogliomas focusing on IDH mutations, 1p/19q co-deletion, and mutations in the TERT promoter. Treatment trials leading to current practices are discussed.
Effects of Expert System Advice within Curriculum-Based Measurement in Teacher Planning and Student Achievement in Spelling.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of computerized expert system advice within curriculum-based measurement (CBM) on teacher planning and student achievement in spelling. Thirty te...
Polyhalogenated testing and reporting requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Abstract Certain halogenated dibenzo- p -dioxins and dibenzofurans (HDDs and HDFs) are recognized as having potential public health and environmental significance because of their potential to produce toxic effects at very low doses. As a result, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recently promulgated regulations under Sections 4 and 8 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for chemicals that may be contaminated with chlorinated and brominated dibenzo- p -dioxins and dibenzofurans. The regulations require analytical testing of certain chemicals for HDD and HDF contamination, submission of existing test data on this contamination, submission of health and safety studies on HDDs and HDFs, and submission of worker allegations of significant adverse reactions to HDDs and HDFs. The data and information submitted to the USEPA will be used for exposure and risk assessments.
Analysis of IoT mechanisms for media streaming

Abstract One critical component of many Internet of Things (IoT) applications that rely on audio, speech and video for decision making is Real Time Communication (RTC). One known problem of this situation, however, is the fact that RTC imposes computational and networking complexities that are not always compatible with the limitations of the simple embedded IoT devices used for sensing and actuation. Moreover, this problem is further aggravated when using traditional RTC based Real Time Protocol (RTP) mechanisms that are not typically intended for use in Low Power Lossy Networks (LLNs). In this paper we explore well-known IoT session protocols, like the Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) and the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport Sensor Network Protocol (MQTT-SN), in order to accomplish efficient media transport over LLNs. Specifically, we analyze, model and compare CoAP and MQTT-SN against traditional RTP to define and specify a solution that provides efficient RTC and limits the effects of the computational and networking restrictions associated to embedded IoT devices.
Inferring Social Media Users’ Mental Health Status from Multimodal Information

Worldwide, an increasing number of people are suffering from mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. In the United States alone, one in every four adults suffers from a mental health condition, which makes mental health a pressing concern. In this paper, we explore the use of multimodal cues present in social media posts to predict users’ mental health status. Specifically, we focus on identifying social media activity that either indicates a mental health condition or its onset. We collect posts from Flickr and apply a multimodal approach that consists of jointly analyzing language, visual, and metadata cues and their relation to mental health. We conduct several classification experiments aiming to discriminate between (1) healthy users and users affected by a mental health illness; and (2) healthy users and users prone to mental illness. Our experimental results indicate that using multiple modalities can improve the performance of this classification task as compared to the use of one modality at a time, and can provide important cues into a user’s mental status.
Judging memory: strong verbal confidence and lineup context influence inferences about eyewitnesses

Recent research demonstrated that people readily integrate contextual information when interpreting eyewitnesses’ verbal expressions of confidence. Identifications justified by memory for a facial ...
Modified intermediate pore blockage model describes fouling behavior during sterile filtration of glycoconjugate vaccines

Abstract Sterile filtration using 0.2 μm pore size membranes is used to insure sterility of almost all biopharmaceuticals. Sterile filtration can be particularly challenging with large complex molecules such as glycoconjugate vaccines that are nearly 200 nm in size, leading to low yield and capacity. The objective of this study was to develop a fundamental understanding of the fouling behavior during sterile filtration of a glycoconjugate vaccine through the Durapore® PVDF sterile filtration membrane. Confocal microscopy with a fluorescently-labeled glycoconjugate demonstrated that fouling was limited to a thin region near the entrance of the homogeneous membrane. A modified intermediate pore blockage model was developed to describe the rate of flux decline accounting for the fouling at the pore entrance and the highly interconnected pore structure of the Durapore® membrane. Model calculations were in very good agreement with the fouling data during both constant pressure and constant flux filtration. These results provide important insights into the fouling behavior during sterile filtration of glycoconjugate vaccines that are used to provide immunization against significant bacterial infections.
Integrin β1 Establishes Liver Microstructure and Modulates Transforming Growth Factor β during Liver Development and Regeneration.

A unique and complex microstructure underlies the diverse functions of the liver. Breakdown of this organization, as occurs in fibrosis and cirrhosis, impairs liver function and leads to disease. The role of integrin β1 was examined both in establishing liver microstructure and recreating it after injury. Embryonic deletion of integrin β1 in the liver disrupts the normal development of hepatocyte polarity, specification of cell–cell junctions, and canalicular formation. This in turn leads to the expression of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and widespread fibrosis. Targeted deletion of integrin β1 in adult hepatocytes prevents recreation of normal hepatocyte architecture after liver injury, with resultant fibrosis. In vitro, integrin β1 is essential for canalicular formation and is needed to prevent stellate cell activation by modulating TGF-β. Taken together, these findings identify integrin β1 as a key determinant of liver architecture with a critical role as a regulator of TGF-β secretion. These results suggest that disrupting the hepatocyte–extracellular matrix interaction is sufficient to drive fibrosis.
How to diSARM the executioner of axon degeneration.

The protein SARM1 is an executioner of axon degeneration through its NAD+ hydrolase activity. Three groups now report structures of human SARM1 in an inactive state and identify NAD+ as an allosteric inhibitor, illuminating an elegant mechanism of how SARM1 is activated at lower NAD+ levels and causes NAD+ collapse and axon degeneration.
The Social Cost of Cheap Food: Labour and the Political Economy of Food Distribution in Britain, 1830-1914: by Sébastien Rioux, Montreal & Kingston, London and Chicago, McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2019, 256 pp., £22.39 (paperback), ISBN: 9780773559004

The Victorian and Edwardian Eras heralded great shifts in the political, economic, social, and cultural facets of British life. Domestically, large public works projects such as the rail system wro...
Courageous Conversations About Race in an Online Education Course

We must create a forum in institutions of higher education for discussions about race in order to create successful multiracial campuses and to combat racism in society. Creating such a forum can pose challenges in a traditional face-to-face course, doing so in an online course both increases and alters these challenges. This chapter examines the experiences of students participating in conversations about race in a fully online sociocultural foundations course. Analysis of an asynchronous discussion about the white privilege reveals low levels of knowledge construction among learners in the course. Findings from the study provide important insights into how to design and teach fully online courses in ways that engage students in conversations about race and in the construction of knowledge related to race, racism, and racial justice.
Evaluation of a biofuel residue-derived recycling agent with a low carbon footprint

Abstract Protecting environment, conserving natural resources by recycling and replacing non-renewable materials with renewable ones, reducing material cost, and utilizing sustainable processes are actively pursued by asphalt industry. Consistent with those efforts, Recycling Agents (RAg) with different technologies have been introduced which allow using high amounts of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in construction of new pavements. RAgs, depending on their type and chemical composition, affect the mechanical properties of the asphalt binders differently. This study was undertaken to characterize effectiveness of using a relatively new plant-based RAg produced from biofuel residue in a low-carbon footprint process when used in asphalt binder blends containing a high amount of RAP. Effects of using different amounts of RAg, namely 0, 4, 6, and 8% (by binder weight) incorporated in a blend of a PG 58-28 containing 30% laboratory-simulated RAP binder (RAPsb) on binder blends’ rheological properties were studied by testing them in a dynamic shear rheometer and a bending beam rheometer and by conducting Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) tests. In addition, effect of using RAg by its optimum dosage in a blend of PG 58-28 binder containing 30% RAPsb on its adhesion with granite and quartzite aggregates and moisture-induced damage was characterized. As a result, a Superpave grade of PG 58-34 was found to be achievable by incorporating 4% RAg in a blend of PG 58-28 and 30% RAPsb. Also, incorporating 4% RAg in a blend of PG 58-28 and 30% RAPsb improved the fatigue resistance of the RAPsb-laden binder to an extent which exceeded that of the neat PG 58-28. Furthermore, an elastic recovery response significantly higher than and a non-recoverable creep response equivalent to those observed in neat PG 58-28 were achieved by incorporating 4% RAg in a blend of PG 58-28 and 30% RAPsb, both having an MSCR grade of PG 58S. Finally, an overall improvement in resistance to moisture damage in PG 58-28 binder containing 30% RAPsb with granite and quartzite was observed as a result of incorporating 4% RAg in the blend.
Comparison of Postoperative Esophagectomy Outcomes in Esophageal Cancer Patients Receiving Preoperative Radiotherapy at an Academic Medical Center vs. Community Medical Centers.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Treatment for locally-advanced esophageal cancer commonly involves upfront radiotherapy and chemotherapy prior to surgery. Esophagectomy is a complex oncologic procedure that results in lower perioperative morbidity and mortality when performed in high-volume hospitals by experienced surgeons. Radiotherapy is a critical component of management and can lead to both acute and chronic local toxicity that directly impacts risk of surgical complications. Limited data exists evaluating the importance of radiation delivery at high vs low volume centers. We sought to compare postoperative toxicity amongst patients treated with preoperative radiotherapy delivered at an academic medical center (AMC) versus community medical centers (CMC). MATERIALS/METHODS Consecutive patients undergoing esophagectomy for locally-advanced esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer at an academic medical center between 2008 and 2018 were reviewed. Patients treated for stage IVB or recurrence were excluded as were patients with incomplete treatment details. All patients were treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D CRT). Rural-Urban Continuum Codes were assigned to patients' residential addresses. Differences between groups were compared using chi-squared or t-tests. RESULTS 148 consecutive patients were identified: 89 CMC and 59 AMC. Median follow up was 30 months (0.33-124 months). Most patients were male (85.8%) with adenocarcinoma (90%) located in the distal esophagus or GEJ (95%). Distance between residential address and surgery center differed between groups (78 miles CMC vs 41 miles AMC, P < 0.01) with a trend towards more rural patients from CMCs (28% vs 15%, P = 0.07). AMC patients consisted of more women (25.4% vs 6.7%, P < 0.01) otherwise groups were balanced. The median time to surgery in CMC was 51 days and 49 days for AMC. Median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy (39.6 - 61.2 Gy) for CMC and 50.4 Gy (41.4 - 56 Gy) for AMC (P = 0.60). IMRT was more commonly used in CMCs than AMCs (66% vs 41%, P < 0.01). No difference between AMC and CMC was observed when comparing length of hospitalization, 90-day readmission rate, or wound, pulmonary or cardiac complications. Radiotherapy at CMCs required higher rates of re-operation after esophagectomy (19% vs 7%, P = 0.03). Anastomotic leak occurred in 38% CMC patients compared to 17% AMC patients (P < 0.01). Overall anastomotic stenosis rates were higher among CMC patients compared to AMC (35% vs 16%, P = 0.01) with a median time to stenosis of 2.8 months. CONCLUSION Esophageal cancer patients receiving preoperative radiotherapy had higher rates of postoperative toxicity when radiotherapy was completed at a community medical center versus academic medical center. Explanations for these differences are uncertain but further exploratory analyses regarding dosimetry and radiation field size are warranted.
Real-world clinical outcomes of meropenem/vaborbactam for treatment of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales infections.

ABSTRACT Objectives : Real-world data regarding the effectiveness of meropenem/vaborbactam (MVB) in the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections remain limited. In this retrospective case series, we describe the outcomes of patients who received MVB for serious CRE infections. Methods : This study included adult patients with MVB-susceptible CRE infection who received ≥48 h of MVB. Clinical and microbiological outcomes were ascertained via chart review. Results : Among 15 patients with CRE infection who were treated with MVB, 9 (60.0%) had a positive clinical response. Among five patients with CRE bone and joint infection, three (60.0%) experienced a positive clinical response. One patient developed a microbiologically confirmed recurrent CRE infection and one patient developed Clostridioides difficile infection. Conclusion : MVB was well tolerated and effective for the majority of patients in this case series.
The limits of pandemic precautions: Tympanostomy tube placement in children with cleft palate during COVID-19.

Purpose Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) mitigation measures have led to a sustained reduction in tympanostomy tube (TT) placement in the general population. The present aim was to determine if TT placement has also decreased in children at risk for chronic otitis media with effusion (COME), such as those with cleft palate (CP). Materials and methods A cohort study with medical record review was performed including consecutive children, ages 0-17 years, undergoing primary palatoplasty at a tertiary children's hospital February 2019-January 2020 (pre-COVID) or May 2020-April 2021 (COVID). Revision palatoplasty (n = 29) was excluded. Patient characteristics and middle ear status pre-operatively and at palatoplasty were compared between groups using logistic regression or Wilcoxon rank-sum. Results The pre-COVID and COVID cohorts included 73 and 87 patients, respectively. Seventy (44%) were female and median age at palatoplasty was 13.5 months for CP ± cleft lip (CP ± L) and 5.5 years for submucous cleft palate (SMCP). In patients with CP ± L, TT were placed or in place and patent at palatoplasty in 28/38 (74%) pre-COVID and 37/50 (74%) during COVID (P = 0.97). In patients with SMCP, these proportions were 5/35 (14%) and 6/37 (16%), respectively (P = 0.82). Examining only patients Conclusions Reduced infectious exposure has not decreased TT placement or effusion at palatoplasty. Future work could focus on non-infectious immunologic factors underlying the maintenance of COME in these children.