cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on dissolution test methods

Objective:This article is intended to address on developing and validating an meaningful and effective dissolution methods.Method:Developing and validating methods are summarized on the basis of some articles and technical guidelines.Result:Studies on dissolution methodology,apparatus and mediums for dissolution testing is introduced.Also robustness and the discriminatory power of dissolution method should be designed to study and demonstrate the suitability of the method.Conclusion:An effective dissolution method is important to help ensure continuous drug product quality and performance after certain post approval manufacturing changes.
Multicriteria Evaluation Model of Public Transport Networks

This paper focuses on the use of multicriteria methods as a tool for adequate decision making in urban transportation management aiming at reorganising bus transit system. In particular, it presents the main problems faced in the topic of multicriteria evaluation models, taking into account the different objectives and impacts, considering, appropriate performance indicators related to environment, safety, efficiency, quality, etc. This analysis has been performed on the urban network of Parma, a medium size Italian city, assuming as reference situation the existing public transit network and proposing three alternative networks.
Nanoparticle-enhanced radiation killing of bacteria

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections of deep wounds are hard to be treated. Physical antimicrobial agents can be used to remove bacteria from superficial wounds, but are less effective in removing bacteria deeply buried underneath the dermis. This chapter describes a nanoparticle enhanced X-ray radiation technique that can be used to kill MDR bacteria. Taking Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an example, polyclonal antibody modified bismuth nanoparticles are introduced into bacterial culture to specifically target P. aeruginosa. After washing off uncombined bismuth nanoparticles, the bacteria are irradiated with X-rays, using a setup that mimics a deeply buried wound in humans. Results show that up to 90% of P. aeruginosa are killed in the presence of 200 mg/mL bismuth nanoparticles, whereas only 6% are killed in the absence of bismuth nanoparticles when exposed to 40 kV X-rays for 10 min. The 200 mg/mL bismuth nanoparticles can enhance localized X-ray dose by 35 times higher than the control with no nanoparticles. In addition, no significant harmful effects on human cell lines have been observed with 200 mg/mL bismuth nanoparticles and 10 min of 40 kV X-ray irradiation exposure.
VLSI design of stability routing protocol for sensors in MANETs

Mobile hosts and wireless networking hardware are becoming more widely available. Data transmission between the nodes becomes more critical while considering the sensors in an ad-hoc network due to the unpredictable and variable mobility patterns of the nodes. The signal strength criteria that has been proved to be efficient for communication without any data loss between the mobile nodes is considered. A stability routing protocol (R. Dube et al., 1997; S. Xu et al., 2000) has been proposed for ad-hoc networks and is based on the signal strength and location stability. We present the architecture of the chip that can be used for communication between the surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors (Alfred Pohl, 2000) in an ad-hoc network. The architecture of the chip is divided into four main blocks, namely update and transmitter unit (UTx), routing table generation unit (RTU), packet forwarding and updating unit (PFU) and receiver unit (RU). All these blocks use a centralized memory unit to access the data and are linked to a bus arbitrator. The memory unit has four lookup tables - position LUT, stability LUT, routing LUT, emergency LUT. A VHDL model was developed and simulated using the IEEE standard packages.
Solar-Assisted Lithium-Bromide Absorption Cooling Systems

A theoretical model is developed to investigate both the static and dynamic characteristics of a solar-assisted lithium-bromide absorption type refrigeration cycle. The device consists of a solar collector, generator, condenser, evaporator, absorber and economizer. The lumped-parameter (or compartmental) analysis is employed in the formulation and is applied to study the air conditioning of a typical American residential house. Numerical results are obtained to demonstrate the static and dynamic behavior of the air-conditioning device.
The Effects of Subgroup-Specific Accountability on Teacher Turnover and Attrition

Abstract The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 required states to set cutoffs to determine which schools were subject to accountability for their racial/ethnic subgroups. Using a regression discontinuity design and data from North Carolina, this study examines the effects of this policy on teacher turnover and attrition. Subgroup-specific accountability had no overall effects on teacher turnover or attrition, but the policy caused black teachers that taught in schools that were held accountable for the black student subgroup to leave teaching at significantly lower rates, compared to black teachers that taught in schools not accountable for the black subgroup's performance. The policy also caused shifts in the students assigned to black teachers, with schools that were held accountable for the black subgroup less likely to assign black students to black teachers the following year. These findings demonstrate that subgroup-focused policies—particularly those that use cutoffs to determine subgroup accountabi...
Evaluation of a method using survey counts and tag data to estimate the number of Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) using a coastal haulout in northwestern Alaska

Increased periods of sparse sea ice over the continental shelf of the Chukchi Sea in late summer have reduced offshore haulout habitat for Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) and increased opportunities for human activities in the region. Knowing how many walruses could be affected by human activities would be useful to conservation decisions. Currently, there are no adequate estimates of walrus abundance in the northeastern Chukchi Sea during summer–early autumn. Estimating abundance in autumn might be possible from coastal surveys of hauled out walruses during periods when offshore sea ice is unavailable to walruses. We evaluated methods to estimate the size of the walrus population that was using a haulout on the coast of northwestern Alaska in autumn by using aerial photography to count the number of hauled out walruses (herd size) and data from 37 tagged walruses to estimate availability (proportion of population hauled out). We used two methods to estimate availability, direct proportions of hauled out tagged walruses and smoothed proportions using local polynomial regression. Point estimates of herd size (4200–38,000 walruses) and total population size (76,000–287,000 walruses) ranged widely among days and between the two methods of estimating availability. Estimates of population size were influenced most by variation in estimates of availability. Coastal surveys might be improved most by counting walruses when the greatest numbers are hauled out, thereby reducing the influence of availability on population size estimates. The chance of collecting data during peak haulout periods would be improved by conducting multiple surveys.
MRI and MRA of Ischemic Stroke

Abstract Magnetic resonance is the most effective imaging method for the evaluation of the acute ischemic stroke patient. It is widely available, and the time required is similar to computed tomography (CT) methods. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most precise method to establish the ischemic core size and to infer the strength of the collateral circulation. Magnetic susceptibility–sensitive sequences can reliably identify hemorrhage. Other sequences (FLAIR, T2, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images) provide complementary information on the parenchymal changes that occur with severe ischemia. MR angiography depicts cerebrovascular system with great detail. After two decades of systematic evaluation of imaging and endovascular intervention in patients with severe stroke syndromes, an optimal approach has been developed—the MGH acute stroke imaging algorithm. This approach results in a high proportion of favorable outcomes, and a far higher proportion of treated to screened patients when compared to approaches based on CT imaging alone.
Recipes for neighborhood development: A machine learning approach toward understanding the impact of mixing in neighborhoods

Scholars of New Urbanism have suggested that mixing along various dimensions in neighborhoods (e.g., income, race/ethnicity, land use) may have positive consequences for neighborhoods, particularly for economic dynamism. A challenge for empirically assessing this hypothesis is that the impact of mixing may depend on various socio-demographic characteristics of the neighborhood and takes place in a complex fashion that cannot be appropriately handled by traditional statistical analytical approaches. We utilize a rarely used, innovative estimation technique—kernel regularized least squares—that allows for nonparametric estimation of the relationship between various neighborhood characteristics in 2000 and the change in average household income in the neighborhood from 2000 to 2010. The results demonstrate that the relationships between average income growth and both income mixing and racial/ethnic mixing are contingent upon several neighborhood socio-demographic “ingredients”. For example, racial mixing is positively associated with average income over time when it occurs in neighborhoods with a high percentage of Latinos or immigrants, high population density, or high housing age mixing. Income mixing is associated with worsening average household income in neighborhoods with more poverty, unemployment, immigrants, or population density. It appears that considering the broader characteristics of the neighborhood is important for understanding economic dynamism.
Arguing about Einstein's wife

Public-broadcasting television stations across the US recently aired a documentary called Einstein's Wife. The programme examined the life of Mileva Maric – Einstein's first wife. There has been speculation about whether she tacitly collaborated on his research into relativity, quantum theory and Brownian motion in his famous papers of 1905.
Energy Efficient Loop Unrolling for Low-Cost FPGAs

Many FPGA computations, including block ciphers, require repetitive loop operations that are difficult to parallelize. Sequential loop implementation leads to significant clock powerwhile loop unrolling can lead to significant glitch power. In thispaper, we provide a low overhead approach to unroll blockciphers and other loops in low-cost FPGAs to reduce energyconsumption. A latch-based glitch filter is introduced for unrolledloops that reduces loop energy per operation by over an order ofmagnitude. Our filters and associated control for unrolled loopscan be automatically instantiated as a macro for FPGA designs, allowing for easy designer use. We demonstrate our approach forSIMON-128 and AES-256 block ciphers implemented on a XilinxArtix-7 FPGA.
Abstract 3465: Context-dependent effects of ATRX loss on telomere biology in glioma cells

Telomeres progressively shorten with each cell division, leading to critically short telomeres during tumorigenesis. While most cancers activate telomerase to maintain their telomeres, a subset of cancers utilize a recombination-based process known as alternative lengthening of telomeres, or ALT. ALT has been widely characterized mostly in the context of immortalized cells, and characteristic features include ultrabright telomeric foci, colocalization of telomere foci with PML (ALT-associated PML bodies, or APBs), extrachromosomal telomeric DNA (e.g. c-circles), and overall telomere length heterogeneity. While the overall rate of ALT in cancer is low (roughly 5%, overall), the prevalence of ALT is concentrated in certain cancer subtypes, including gliomas. Gliomas employing ALT have a common genomic signature: inactivating mutation of ATRX, a chromatin-modifying protein that functions at the telomeres. In order to study the role of ATRX loss in the biology of ALT in cancer, we have characterized a panel of six human cell lines derived from pediatric high grade glioma, two of which are ALT(+) and lack functional ATRX. Furthermore, in four pediatric and three adult high grade glioma cell lines that endogenously express functional ATRX, we knocked out ATRX using CRISPR/Cas9n and knocked down ATRX expression using a stable shRNA-mediated approach. Knockout or knockdown of ATRX was successful in these seven glioma cell lines. Overall, knockout and/or knockdown of ATRX induced the formation of ultrabright telomeric foci, as assessed by telomere FISH, in two out of seven glioma cell lines. However, the effect of ATRX loss on formation of c-circles and APBs was more variable: the presence of ultrabright telomeric foci was not predictive of the presence of c-circles or ALT-associated PML bodies. These results indicate that ATRX loss, alone, is not necessarily sufficient to activate the ALT pathway in gliomas. Further examination of ALT-competent and ALT-resistant cell lines from our cohort will yield clues as to additional ALT-associated gene expression changes. In addition, our results suggest that previously identified hallmarks of ALT (notably c-circles and APBs) may be more variable in cancer cells compared to immortalized normal cell lines. The ALT pathway is an intriguing target for synthetic lethality in the cancer subtypes that employ it; our hope is to better understand the ALT phenotype in cancer so that we may effectively translate ALT-specific therapeutics to the clinic. Citation Format: Jacqueline A. Brosnan-Cashman, Ming Yuan, Anthony J. Rizzo, Kaylar M. Myers, Walter T. Barry, Christine Davis, David M. Esopi, Dinesh Rakheja, Eric H. Raabe, Charles G. Eberhart, Christopher M. Heaphy, Alan K. Meeker. Context-dependent effects of ATRX loss on telomere biology in glioma cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3465. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3465
Growth of functional glial cells in a serumless medium.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the growth of functional glial cells in a serumless medium. The medium that is chosen for use in these studies is generally richer in synthetic nutrients than are other available media and because of the possibility that certain nutrients, reducing agents, trace metal salts, and folinic acid present in this medium, but not in others, would be significant factors in the ability of cells to grow without serum. The chapter discusses the ingredients of the medium, the amounts that are used in the preparation of stock solutions and the final concentrations of each ingredient; and describes the procedure that is employed in preparing the medium. It is generally advisable to add the calcium and magnesium salts last to avoid possible precipitation of some of the salts. Most of the stock solutions could be stored frozen for long periods of time (more than 1 year), and some are best stored at 4°C to avoid precipitation of the ingredients. The medium itself, once prepared, could be stored at 4°C for at least 2-3 months, and probably for periods of time up to 6 months. Without added serum, if the medium is frozen, some precipitation of salts and insoluble amino acids would occur.
Effector CD8 T cells dedifferentiate into long-lived memory cells

Memory CD8 T cells that circulate in the blood and are present in lymphoid organs are an essential component of long-lived T cell immunity. These memory CD8 T cells remain poised to rapidly elaborate effector functions upon re-exposure to pathogens, but also have many properties in common with naive cells, including pluripotency and the ability to migrate to the lymph nodes and spleen. Thus, memory cells embody features of both naive and effector cells, fuelling a long-standing debate centred on whether memory T cells develop from effector cells or directly from naive cells. Here we show that long-lived memory CD8 T cells are derived from a subset of effector T cells through a process of dedifferentiation. To assess the developmental origin of memory CD8 T cells, we investigated changes in DNA methylation programming at naive and effector cell-associated genes in virus-specific CD8 T cells during acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection in mice. Methylation profiling of terminal effector versus memory-precursor CD8 T cell subsets showed that, rather than retaining a naive epigenetic state, the subset of cells that gives rise to memory cells acquired de novo DNA methylation programs at naive-associated genes and became demethylated at the loci of classically defined effector molecules. Conditional deletion of the de novo methyltransferase Dnmt3a at an early stage of effector differentiation resulted in reduced methylation and faster re-expression of naive-associated genes, thereby accelerating the development of memory cells. Longitudinal phenotypic and epigenetic characterization of the memory-precursor effector subset of virus-specific CD8 T cells transferred into antigen-free mice revealed that differentiation to memory cells was coupled to erasure of de novo methylation programs and re-expression of naive-associated genes. Thus, epigenetic repression of naive-associated genes in effector CD8 T cells can be reversed in cells that develop into long-lived memory CD8 T cells while key effector genes remain demethylated, demonstrating that memory T cells arise from a subset of fate-permissive effector T cells.
Autoparametric amplification of two nonlinear coupled mass–spring systems

This paper discusses a new excitation condition for two coupled mass–spring systems under autoparametric resonance. In particular, we are interested in analyzing the force and frequency response of the pitch–roll ship mathematical model. A new excitation condition of this model is investigated by directly exciting each degree of freedom using an external force while keeping the excitation frequency near the resonance frequency of each degree of freedom. We found that by choosing certain excitation parameters, the amplitude of oscillation of the primarily mode increases when the force that directly excites the secondary mode is elevated. This phenomenon has some similarity with the parametric amplification condition; therefore, we call this excitation condition the autoparametric amplification. Other interesting behaviors were captured such as autoparametric attenuation and two types of amplitude saturation. Finally, we show that a T-shaped microresonator can experience autoparametric amplification by choosing appropriate geometrical design and actuation conditions.
FLAWS, FRACTURE MECHANISMS AND HERTZIAN CRACKS IN BRITTLE SOLIDS

ABSTRACT This paper treats the problem of predicting fracture in a brittle solid loaded by a spherical indenter. Two quite different approaches have been take in the literature. One is based on the Weibull probabalistic treatment of brittle strength while the other makes use of concepts from linear elastic fracture mechanics. It is shown that both approaches provide useful information for this fracture problem and their advantages and limitations are discussed. Finally, it is shown that the classical Auerbach's law which relates mean fracture load P to the indenter radius R in the form p ~ R is a simple consequence of linear elastic fracture mechanics if it is assumed that the brittle solid contains a large range of flaw sizes at all locations.
Computer-aided detection of polyps in CT colonography: effect of feature-guided polyp segmentation

We evaluated the effect of our novel feature-guided polyp segmentation technique on the reduction of false-positive (FP) colorectal polyp findings generated by our computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) scheme for the detection of colonic polyps in CT colonography (CTC). A total of 72 patients, including 14 patients with 21 colorectal polyp findings, were used in the evaluation. At a 100% (95%) by-patient (by-polyp) sensitivity level, the FP rate was 1.9 FPs (1.9 FPs) per patient for the round-robin analysis. The results indicate that our CAD scheme has the potential of making CTC a viable option for screening of colonic polyps in large patient populations.
Effects of phosphate depletion on the myocardium.

Indirect evidence suggests that cardiac function may be affected by phosphate depletion (PD). Coburn and Massry (l) found that glomerular filtration rate is reduced during phosphate depletion and it returned to normal with phosphate repletion. They suggested that this phenomenon may be related to alteration in cardiac function. O’Connor, Wheeler and Bethune (2) evaluated the effect of PD on cardiac function in seven patients. They found that stroke work was reduced but returned to normal after phosphate administration. Cardiac output, as well as left ventricular stroke volume, were decreased and correlated with the rise in pulmonary artery wedge pressures. The authors showed that with the correction of the hypophosphatemia, left ventricular stroke volume improved and pulmonary artery wedge pressure decreased. Their studies were the first direct demonstration that phosphate depletion may affect cardiac function in man.
Gamification of Information Security Awareness Training

The need for well-trained Information Security and Assurance (ISA) professionals, as well as general information security awareness, has increased considerably in the last decade and shows no sign of slowing. To address this need, both industry and academia have been driven to innovative approaches. The use of digital games and game mechanics to further education has received growing attention and respect in the last several years. There is strong evidence that thoughtful employment of gaming elements can improve motivation and understanding. This paper provides a broad background on the topics of game-based learning, gamification, and serious games. Further, it describes our ongoing approach to developing and promoting digital games for information security awareness, including two game designs and a gamification system architecture.
"Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?" An Exercise in Suspending Judgment When Interacting with "Difficult" People.

ABSTRACTCourses: Interpersonal Communication, Health CommunicationObjectives: In this single-class activity, students gain awareness and practice in suspending judgments about “difficult” people in...
Spatial ecology of river otters in a human-modified landscape

River otter populations have expanded across much of their historical range, including in Illinois where they were reintroduced from 1994 to 1997. These expanding populations are recolonizing a wide range of landscapes with different levels of human modification, which could influence how river otters use space in relation to habitat characteristics and each other. Our objectives were to quantify 1) home ranges and core areas, 2) sociality, and 3) habitat selection across all available habitats and within home ranges (second- and third-order selection, respectively) of 22 radiomarked river otters (Lontra canadensis) in southern Illinois during 2014–2016. Our study area contained a diverse mix of forest, agriculture, aquatic and wetland habitats, and a range of urban development intensity. We examined sociality using the frequency at which individuals were located 2-fold larger home ranges and core areas than females in southern Illinois. Several lines of evidence indicated males were more social than females. Males were located close to a conspecific more frequently than were females, and overlap of home ranges and core areas among males was greater than it was among females or between sexes. As observed in other landscapes, river otters strongly selected herbaceous and wooded wetlands at both second- and third-order scales. River otters selected terrestrial cover types with vegetative cover potentially due to shelter or prey availability. Forests were selected over crop fields at the third-order scale, which was consistent with studies using sign surveys. River otters in our study had home ranges containing 0–40% developed land cover, but we found no evidence that otters living in more developed areas used their home ranges more selectively. River otters in this landscape were plastic in regard to social behavior and habitat selection, highlighting their generalist nature and providing insight into their ability to successfully recolonize areas of the Midwest with sufficient vegetative cover and aquatic habitat, among other factors.
Embracing the Spiral: An Action Research Assessment of a Library-Honors First Year Collaboration

Abstract Librarians often use assessment methodologies to evaluate the efficacy and impact of their information literacy instruction sessions and programs. In this article, researchers use an action research methodology to explore the effect of information literacy instruction on first-year honors student assignments. The researchers explain how they implemented multiple cycles of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting in order to better understand student needs, increase the impact of library instruction, and communicate that impact to library and external stakeholders. Robust and cyclical assessment gave librarians and their strategic partners the opportunity to make iterative improvements to instruction, address issues of overconfidence in students, and make the case for additional information literacy instructional opportunities for honors students.
Elective induction of labor.

T H E K E have been many publications in the recent literature regarding the elective induction of labor. Not all of these papers have reported favorably on the procedure; a few suggest that it is not safe and therefore that it is not justifiable.l, 3, 4. 5 An increa.sing number of reports, however, indicate that more and more obstetricians are apparently using some form of induction for the convenience of the patient, the nursing staff, or the doctor himself.“, ‘. * Another report of our experience with induction would seem ,justifiable simply as additional data in an effort to determine whether elective induction is or is not desirable. The present study has been entirely retrospective, and as such lacks planning and is occasionally dependent upon incomplete information. Our study does, however, present a true picture of the manner in which inductions have been employed in routine practice, rather than the way they might have been managed during a projected study period when greater than usual care might have been exercised in an effort to avoid unfavorable experiences. The induced labors in this study were managed by many different obstetricians, rather than by one or two, which fact may help to at least suggest the results which might be anticipated with a more general use of this practice. The inductions considered here were done for purely elective indications, all medically or obstetrically indicated inductions being
Functional Anatomy of the Human Spine

The objective of this chapter is to cover the anatomy and signaling pathways that contribute to our understanding of signal transduction from the peripheral to the central nervous system. This chapter provides the basis for understanding pain pharmacology and various interventions undertaken by pain practitioners.
Nematode resistance: A useful tool for root-knot nematode (RKN) management in tomato.

Tomatoes are a major commodity in Florida, with an estimated production value of $453 million. Among the many pests and diseases that affect tomatoes, nematodes are one of the major problems. Since the ban on methyl bromide, these ubiquitous soil pests have become much more difficult to manage. This 5-page fact sheet written by Homan Regmi and Johan Desaeger and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department discusses the use of nematode-resistant tomato cultivars as a tool to help manage root-knot nematodes in Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1250
Eight Priorities for Improving Primary Care Access Management in Healthcare Organizations: Results of a Modified Delphi Stakeholder Panel

To identify priorities for improving healthcare organization management of patient access to primary care based on prior evidence and a stakeholder panel. Studies on healthcare access show its importance for ensuring population health. Few studies show how healthcare organizations can improve access. We conducted a modified Delphi stakeholder panel anchored by a systematic review. Panelists (N = 20) represented diverse stakeholder groups including patients, providers, policy makers, purchasers, and payers of healthcare services, predominantly from the Veterans Health Administration. A pre-panel survey addressed over 80 aspects of healthcare organization management of access, including defining access management. Panelists discussed survey-based ratings during a 2-day in-person meeting and re-voted afterward. A second panel process focused on each final priority and developed recommendations and suggestions for implementation. The panel achieved consensus on definitions of optimal access and access management on eight urgent and important priorities for guiding access management improvement, and on 1–3 recommendations per priority. Each recommendation is supported by referenced, panel-approved suggestions for implementation. Priorities address two organizational structure targets (interdisciplinary primary care site leadership; clearly identified group practice management structure); four process improvements (patient telephone access management; contingency staffing; nurse management of demand through care coordination; proactive demand management by optimizing provider visit schedules), and two outcomes (quality of patients’ experiences of access; provider and staff morale). Recommendations and suggestions for implementation, including literature references, are summarized in a panelist-approved, ready-to-use tool. A stakeholder panel informed by a pre-panel systematic review identified eight action-oriented priorities for improving access and recommendations for implementing each priority. The resulting tool is suitable for guiding the VA and other integrated healthcare delivery organizations in assessing and initiating improvements in access management, and for supporting continued research.
Women who received varicella vaccine versus natural infection have different long-term T cell immunity but similar antibody levels.

Abstract Background Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection during pregnancy is associated with serious fetal anomalies. The live-attenuated VZV vaccine was approved in 1995, so many vaccinated women are now of childbearing age. The question of long-term immunity to varicella is critical because breakthrough chickenpox can occur after vaccination. Objective To compare humoral and T cell immunity between women of childbearing age who were immunized by vaccination or chickenpox disease. Study design Non-pregnant females between 18 and 36 years old with a history of VZV immunization (n = 20) or prior chickenpox disease (n = 20) were recruited. IgG antibody titers and T cell responses were measured by flow cytometry-based methods in serum and peripheral blood, respectively. Results There were no significant differences in median antibody titers between vaccinated and chickenpox groups (p = 0.34). The chickenpox group had significantly higher levels of VZV antigen-specific CD4 T cells (p = 0.004). Conclusion Natural infection induced higher VZV-specific T cell immune responses than vaccination.
Whistleblowing or leaking? Public opinion toward Assange, Manning, and Snowden:

The release of classified documents through outlets like WikiLeaks has transformed American politics by shedding light on the innerworkings of governments, parties, and corporations. The high-profi...
Global Studies at Texas Tech

A report on program evaluation of the Global Studies degree. Students were asked about important aspects of classes and the overall curriculum. Generally positive student self-reporting was found.
A Clock-Driven Neural Network Critical for Arousal

The daily cycling of sleep and arousal states is among the most prominent biological rhythms under circadian control. While much is known about the core circadian clock1,2, how this clock tunes sleep and arousal remains poorly understood3. In Drosophila, we previously characterized WIDE AWAKE (WAKE), a clock-output molecule that promotes sleep at night4,5. Here, we show that the function of WAKE in regulating circadian-dependent neural excitability and arousal is conserved in mice. mWake+ cells are found in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH). mWakeDMH neurons drive wakefulness and exhibit rhythmic spiking, with greater firing during the night vs the day. Loss of mWAKE leads to increased spiking of mWake+ SCN and DMH neurons and prominent behavioural arousal, specifically during the night. Single-cell sequencing, imaging, and patch-clamp experiments reveal that mWakeDMH neurons constitute a glutamatergic/GABAergic population that projects widely, receives neuromodulatory input, and acts on neuromodulatory neurons. Strikingly, broad chemogenetic silencing of mWake+ cells leads to profound loss of behavioural responsiveness and low amplitude, low frequency electroencephalography waveforms. These findings suggest that the genetic mechanisms regulating circadian control of sleep and arousal are conserved across >500 million years of evolution and define a clock-regulated neural network critical for arousal.
Stress Analysis of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Leaflets Under Dynamic Loading: Effect of Reduced Tissue Thickness.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY In order to accommodate transcatheter valves to miniaturized catheters, the leaflet thickness must be reduced to a value which is typically less than that of surgical bioprostheses. The study aim was to use finite-element simulations to determine the impact of the thickness reduction on stress and strain distribution. METHODS A 23 mm transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) was modelled based on the Edwards SAPIEN XT (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA). Finite-element (FE) analysis was performed using the ABAQUS/Explicit solver. An ensemble-averaged transvalvular pressure waveform measured from in-vitro tests conducted in a pulse duplicator was applied to the leaflets. Through a parametric study, uniform TAV leaflet thickness was reduced from 0.5 to 0.18 mm. RESULTS By reducing leaflet thickness, significantly higher stress values were found in the leaflet's fixed edge during systole, and in the commissures during diastole. Through dynamic FE simulations, the highest stress values were found during systole in the leaflet fixed edge. In contrast, at the peak of diastole high-stress regions were mainly observed in the commissures. The peak stress was increased by 178% and 507% within the leaflets after reducing the thickness of 0.5 mm to 0.18 mm at the peak of systole and diastole, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The study results indicated that, the smaller the leaflet thickness, the higher the maximum principal stress. Increased mechanical stress on TAV leaflets may lead to accelerated tissue degeneration. By using a thinner leaflet, TAV durability may not atch with that of surgical bioprostheses.
Analysis of Affordance Detection Methods for Real-World Robotic Manipulation

Understanding the set of actions an object affords is the first step to granting robots the intelligence required to operate in everyday environments. These actions, called affordances, are intrinsic to the structure and properties of an object. In this paper, we present a novel summary of the state-of-the-art affordance detection approaches. Building on the object segmentation problem that is common in the computer vision community, affor-dance detection seeks to assign possible actions according to an object's class using convolutional neural networks that are trained on 2D or 3D image data. We compare the performance of recent approaches to the state-of-the-art and identify areas in need of further research.
Taking a Shortcut: Direct Power-to-X Conversion

Power-to-X technologies provide avenues to help de-fossilize a range of large-scale technologies in the mobility, manufacturing, chemical, as well as energy delivery industries. This relates to energy carriers such as hydrogen and hydrocarbons as well as availability of feedstock materials, such as methanol. Technologies for solar and wind-generated electricity and subsequent electrochemical processing are available and are further developed for efficiency and yields. An alternative pathway can be pursued by fully integrating the electricity generation and chemical conversion into one device, thereby reducing technical complexity and removing inefficiencies due to multi-step cascading of processes. In this perspective article, we provide an overview on the recent developments and prospects of artificial photosynthesis, i.e., the chemical transformation of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into high-energy-rich fuels. Primary discussions will be focused on the recent development of scalable artificial photosynthesis technology using common semiconductors, e.g., silicon and gallium nitride, for solar fuel production. Technology advances for both hydrogen production from solar water splitting and liquid fuel generation from CO2 reduction will be discussed. The basic operating principles, key design principles, critical components, and potential integration with existing and emerging energy infrastructures will be analyzed. The challenges, future prospects of achieving sustainable, large scale applications will also be presented.
Hate Crime Data Collection Systems

This chapter is a review of data collection systems that measure hate crime at a national level. We discuss how hate crime is measured by the UCR Hate Crime Statistics Program and the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), the two primary sources for hate crime statistics, and we include the School Crime Supplement (SCS), the School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS), and the Campus Safety and Security (CSS) reporting system, which measure hate crimes nationally for educational environments. The history of each data collection system is presented respective to the measurement of hate crime. We show how each system defines and operationalizes hate crime, with particular attention given to which bias motivations and criminal offenses are included in the measurement process. Furthermore, we note any important changes to these data collections systems that can impact the measurement of hate crime. Our discussion in this chapter identifies those systems that collect hate crime data in this country, outlining how each measures hate crime, but more importantly, showing how each system measures hate crime differently.
Vapor-Cell-Based Atomic Electrometry for Detection Frequencies below 1 kHz

Rydberg-assisted atomic electrometry using alkali-metal atoms contained inside a vacuum environment for detecting external electric fields at frequencies below a few kilohertz has been quite challenging due to the low-frequency electric-field-screening effect that is caused by the alkali-metal atoms adsorbed on the inner surface of the container. We report a very slow electric-field-screening phenomenon with a time scale up to the order of seconds on a rubidium-vapor cell that is made of monocrystalline sapphire. Using this sapphire rubidium-vapor cell with an optically induced, internal bias electric field, we demonstrate vapor-cell-based, low-frequency atomic electrometry that responds to the electric field strength linearly. Limited by the given experimental conditions, this demonstrated atomic electrometer uses an active volume of $11\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{mm}}^{3}$ and delivers a spectral noise floor of around $0.34\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mV}/\mathrm{m}\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$ and a 3-dB low cutoff frequency of around 770 Hz inside the vapor cell. This work investigates a regime of vapor-cell-based atomic electrometry that was seldom studied before, which may enable more applications that use atomic electric-field-sensing technology.
The Association between Choice of Diagnostic Imaging Modality and Long-term Treatment Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Nonsurgical Root Canal Treatment on Maxillary First Molars.

Abstract Introduction Radiography has played a fundamental role in the advancement of nonsurgical root canal therapy (NSRCT), allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment. Typically, providers choose to perform NSRCT using periapical (PA) radiographs alone or, often in more difficult cases, in conjunction with cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of NSRCT based on imaging modality selection for the initial treatment of maxillary first molars. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted using 1385 cases of NSRCT on maxillary first molars. Charts were reviewed for patient demographics and treatment outcomes. Based on the imaging modality used, patients were stratified into 2 groups (PA radiographs alone or PA radiographs + CBCT imaging). Those who required additional treatment(s) after the completion of NSRCT were classified as having “posttreatment disease.” Statistical analysis was performed to assess the differences between groups. Results After the completion of primary endodontic therapy, 5.8% (n = 81) of the entire sample had posttreatment disease. CBCT imaging was used in 13.4% (n = 185) of NSRCTs. Although not significant, cases that were difficult enough to require the use of CBCT imaging had a higher rate of posttreatment disease compared to those that could be completed with PA radiographs alone (8.6% vs 5.4%, P > .05). Results from a multivariable logistic regression model showed that the need for CBCT imaging had a nonsignificant positive association with posttreatment disease (P > .05). Conclusions The decision to use CBCT imaging appears to serve as a proxy for case complexity and the associated increase in risk of posttreatment disease. This is important to keep in mind when assessing treatment prognosis.
Modelling collective belief

What is it for a group to believe something? A summative account assumes that for a group to believe that p most members of the group must believe that p. Accounts of this type are commonly proposed in interpretation of everyday ascriptions of beliefs to groups. I argue that a nonsummative account corresponds better to our unexamined understanding of such ascriptions. In particular I propose what I refer to as the ‘joint acceptance’ model of group belief. I argue that group beliefs according to the joint acceptance model are important phenomena whose aetiology and development require investigation. There is an analogous phenomenon of social or group preference, which social choice theory tends to ignore.
Binge drinking before and after a COVID-19 campus closure among first-year college students.

Abstract Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with reports of increased substance use. College students are a population of concern for high risk binge drinking and their behavior may be particularly impacted by COVID-19 campus closures. Therefore, we examine first-year college students’ binge drinking soon after their university’s pandemic-related suspension of in-person operations. Methods Students from a single campus (N = 741; age: M = 18.05, SD = 0.22) completed one assessment in April-May 2020 post-campus closure (March 2020) including theoretically-informed measures (e.g., drinking motives, norms) and two items of self-reported pre- and post-closure binge drinking frequency, the focus of these analyses. Results About half of students consistently reported not binge drinking pre- and post-closure; 6.75% reported a consistent frequency of binge drinking pre- and post-closure. Many (39.41%) reported lower 30-day binge drinking post-campus closure compared to their pre-closure reports; few (4.18%) reported higher 30-day binge drinking frequency post-campus closure. Students reporting lower binge drinking post-closure showed differences in coping, social, and enhancement drinking motives and isolation. Students reporting greater post-closure binge drinking reported higher perceived drinking norms and were more likely to be in Greek life. Conclusion This study demonstrates self-reported patterns in binge drinking among first-year college students at the point of COVID-19 campus closures. Pandemic-related college closures may have been a temporary environmental intervention on this high-risk behavior for some students. Although many students were not binge drinking, some continued binge drinking after closure and may benefit from preventive interventions.
Shear response in crystalline models of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide)

The high anisotropy of polymer-based fibres confers them high tensile strength, but also makes them more vulnerable against non-uniform mechanical loads. This is even more important for Kevlar® fib...
Immunoreconstitution by Bone Marrow Transplantation Decreases Lymphoproliferative Malignancies in Wiskott-Aldrich and Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Data linking immunodeficient individuals to a high incidence of malignancy has been collected through the analysis of outcomes in renal allograft recipients (1) and patients with naturally occurring immunodeficiency states such as severe combined immune deficiency (SCID), Wiskott-Aldrich syndr ome (WAS) and ataxia telangiectasia (2–4). The mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of malignancy in patients with naturally occurring or acquired immunodeficiencies are poorly understood. In large part this is due to the heterogeneity in the scope and severity of immune deficiency in these patients. In addition, some patients are exposed to potentially oncogenic agents, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), that may influence the development of malignancy. Despite the complexity of these patients, certain aspects of the relationship between naturally occurring immune deficiency and malignancy can be studied. Many patients with SCID and WAS have been successfully immunoreconstituted by bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Therefore, it has become possible to ask whether immunoreconstitution prevents the development of malignancy in these patients. This chapter addresses this question by analyzing cases of malignancy in immunodeficient individuals that have undergone either BMT or thymus transplantation. These data will be compared to previously reported cases of malignancies in untransplanted immunodeficient patients.