cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calibrate failure-based risk assessments to take into account the type of chemical processed in equipment

Currently, failure-based risk assessments in the process industry do not empirically take into account the type of chemicals processed in equipment, mainly because chemical-specific failure rate data barely exist. This paper suggests a methodology to calibrate failure-based risk assessment predicated on the chemical being processed in equipment. The methodology uses a data mining tool known as the association rule. Specifically, the lift association rule is utilized (the Lift Methodology). By extracting equipment failure information from incident databases based on the chemical involved in the process, the Lift Methodology leads to more accurate equipment-related risk assessment.
Effects of the Immunomodulator Ecteinascidia turbinata Extract on Edwardsiella ictaluri Infection of Channel Catfish

Abstract Ecteinascidia turbinate extract (Ete) dramatically decreased the survival of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus that were challenged with a virulent strain of Edwardsiella ictaluri. A 0.625-μg or a 1.250-μg dose of Ete administered intraperitoneally 2 d before, on the same day, or 2 d after a 14-d LD50 dose (dose lethal to 50% of the test fish) of E. ictaluri decreased survival to 20% or less after 14 d. The extract significantly (P = 0.05) enhanced, by approximately 2.5-fold, the ability of adherent anterior kidney cells to phagocytize. However, Ete did not significantly affect antibody titers to E. ictaluri compared to those of control fish not treated with Ete. This study demonstrated that although immunoenhancement occurred in channel catfish injected with Ete, their ability to survive infection with E. ictaluri decreased.
Surface Hydrophobicity of αs1 -I, αs1 -Casein A and B and Its Implications in Cheese Structure

Abstract The first major proteolytic cleavage during Cheddar cheese maturation is the scission of α s1 -casein to give a small peptide and α s1 -I. Previously this proteolytic step was correlated with changes in the rheological properties of cheese, notably a lower elasticity and a decrease in the force required to fracture the cheese. Using cis -parinaric acid and 1,8-anilinonaphthalene sulfonate, we showed that α s1 -I and α s1 -casein A have lower surface hydrophobicities than α s1 -casein B. The peptide segment involving residues 14 to 24 of the α s1 -casein B sequence must be important in the formation of a hydrophobic interaction site, and an extensive network of hydrophobically bonded α s1 -casein molecules is probably important in young cheese as well as in concentrated casein solutions.
The Sickle or the Rose?: Previous Regime Types and the Evolution of the Ex-Communist Parties in Post-Communist Politics

This article focuses on the development and “success” of the ex-communist parties in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. It begins by testing the effects of several commonly cited variables that have been employed to explain the development and achievements of the ex-communist parties in post-communist politics. Second, it offers an alternative explanation that focuses on regime type, the presence of left-wing competitors, and the success of the ex-communist parties, and identifies three modal patterns of development: ex-communist parties that emerged from patrimonial communist systems (as in Russia and Bulgaria), ex-communist parties that emerged from national consensus systems (as in Hungary and Poland), and ex-communist parties that emerged from bureaucratic authoritarian systems (as in the Czech Republic). According to the author, ex-communist parties that evolved from national consensus regimes are more likely to survive the passage of time than those that emerged from other types of regimes.
Assessing competition between Steller sea lions and the commercial groundfishery in Alaska: A bioenergetics modelling approach

In the last three decades the western stock of the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) has declined by more than 85%. Nutritional stress resulting in increased juvenile mortality is one of the leading hypotheses to account for this decline. Competition between Steller sea lions and the commercial groundfishery for walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) has been proposed as a mechanism underlying the nutritional stress. In order to examine the competition component of the nutritional stress hypothesis, we developed a bioenergetics-based model to project the population trends of Steller sea lions under various scenarios of continued groundfish harvest. Annual energy budgets were calculated for the Gulf of Alaska population of Steller sea lions, and compared with projected available energy from walleye pollock under a variety of harvest scenarios. Model simulations produced 50-year Steller sea lion population projections consistent with current trends, as well as with published projections for stable and increasing populations from stable age distribution life table models. Model simulations were unable to produce energy deficits sufficient to account for the decline in Steller sea lions, but do suggest areas where existing data need supplementing.
Differential treatment of corporate defendants by juries : An examination of the deep-pockets hypothesis

Evidence that juries treat corporate defendants less favorably than individual defendants is often cited in support of the widely held view that juries are biased against wealthy "deep-pocket" defendants. Such evidence confounds defendant wealth and defendant identity. In two juror simulation experiments involving citizens on jury duty, these factors were separated by manipulating whether the defendant was described as a poor individual, a wealthy individual, or a corporation; the defendant's assets were described identically in the latter two conditions. In Experiment 1, liability was significantly more likely, and awards were significantly greater, for corporate defendants than for wealthy individual defendants, but verdicts against poor versus wealthy individuals did not differ. In Experiment 2, awards were larger against wealthy individuals who engaged in commercial rather than personal activities, and awards in the personal activity condition were larger against corporations than wealthy individuals. There was little evidence for a defendant wealth effect on juror judgments. While juries do appear to treat corporations differently, the explanation may have more to do with citizens' views about the special risks and responsibilities of commercial activity.
A power efficient 26-GHz 32:1 static frequency divider in 130-nm bulk CMOS

A 32:1 static frequency divider consisting of five stages of 2:1 dividers using current mode logic (CML) was fabricated in a 130-nm bulk complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) logic process. By optimizing transistors size, high operating speed is achieved with limited power consumption. For an input power of 0dBm, the 32:1 divider operates up to 26GHz with a 1.5-V supply voltage. The whole 32:1 chain including buffers consumes 8.97mW and the first stage consumes only 3.88mW at a 26-GHz operation. The power consumption of the first 2:1 stage is less than 15% of other bulk CMOS static frequency dividers operating at the same frequency.
Central Corneal Thickness and Visual Field Loss in Fellow Eyes of Patients With Open-Angle Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship of central corneal thickness (CCT) and visual field loss between fellow eyes in primary open-angle glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational case series. METHODS: Records review of glaucoma patients seen at local Veterans Administration eye clinic. Those with CCT measurements performed within one month of visual field testing were included. Patients were excluded with vision below 20/40 or disease that would affect visual fields. Intrasubject (between fellow eyes) differences in CCT, mean deviation (MD), and pattern standard deviation (PSD) were calculated by subtracting left eye value from right eye value. RESULTS: Of the 100 subjects (94 males), the Spearman correlation coefficient between intrasubject differences in CCT vs intrasubject differences in MD was 0.36 (P = .0003). The Spearman correlation for differences in CCT vs differences in PSD was -0.31 (P = .0019). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that worse visual field changes tend to occur in the eye with the thinner cornea.
Rate of loss of cloud droplets by coalescence in warm clouds

[1] An approximate analytical expression for the rate of loss of cloud droplets by coalescence in warm clouds is derived from the stochastic collection equation (SCE). The expression depends only upon precipitation rate and cloud droplet concentration and compares well with estimated loss rates derived using observed cloud drop size distributions and the complete collection kernel. Loss rates are found to be surprisingly high even for the modest precipitation rates found in drizzling boundary layer clouds and can be used to infer the loss rate of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) through coalescence. The expression can be used to better represent the interdependence of aerosol and cloud properties in the boundary layer.
The Ryutin Affair and the “Terrorism” Narrative of The Purges

Described by one prominent Russian historian as “the only genuine conspiracy against Stalin," and by another as “the process that would lead to the Terror," the Ryutin Affair of the 1930s is inextricably tied to the events that surround the consolidation of Stalin's dictatorship. It serves as a common thread linking Stalin's repudiation of the NEP in 1928, the internal party resistance of the Right Opposition, the destruction of intra­ party dialogue on important policy questions, the systematic elimination of Stalin's perceived rivals within the leadership, and the public show trials that punctuated the Terror. And yet, detailed accounts of the Ryutin Platform and the political affair that followed are largely absent from the English-language historiography of the period. Rather, the Ryutin Affair, despite its key role in the story of Stalin's consolidation of power and radical turn to the Left after 1928, has gone largely underspecified in the literature. This paper seeks to contribute to a remedy by tracing the impact of the Ryutin Affair - predicated as it was on a 194-page philosophical denunciation of Stalin and his policies written and circulated within party circles by Moscow party official Martem'ian Ryutin - in the events surrounding Stalin's key claim during the period of the purges that leading figures of the Bolshevik leadership (Zinoviev, Kamenev, Bukharin, Tomsky, Rykov and others) were engaged in a terrorist conspiracy against Stalin and his inner leadership. As one after another of Stalin's rivals are eliminated, and as one after another of the key protagonists in these events admit to terroristic plans against “Stalin and his clique," Ryutin steadfastly denied terroristic intent and refused to be a willing participant in the denunciations that were part and parcel of the purge trials. The paper reveals Stalin's determination to defend his “terrorism" narrative - a narrative rejected by the Politburo in 1932 when Stalin initially sought Ryutin's execution but resurrected successfully in 1936 as the basis of the Show Trials.
Milestone Report - Level-2 Milestone 5589: Modernization and Expansion of LLNL Archive Disk Cache

This report documents Livermore Computing (LC) activities in support of ASC L2 milestone 5589: Modernization and Expansion of LLNL Archive Disk Cache, due March 31, 2016. The full text of the milestone is included in Attachment 1. The description of the milestone is: Description: Configuration of archival disk cache systems will be modernized to reduce fragmentation, and new, higher capacity disk subsystems will be deployed. This will enhance archival disk cache capability for ASC archive users, enabling files written to the archives to remain resident on disk for many (6–12) months, regardless of file size. The milestone was completed in three phases. On August 26, 2015 subsystems with 6PB of disk cache were deployed for production use in LLNL’s unclassified HPSS environment. Following that, on September 23, 2015 subsystems with 9 PB of disk cache were deployed for production use in LLNL’s classified HPSS environment. On January 31, 2016, the milestone was fully satisfied when the legacy Data Direct Networks (DDN) archive disk cache subsystems were fully retired from production use in both LLNL’s unclassified and classified HPSS environments, and only the newly deployed systems were in use.
The Investigation of the Work Load of Operating Staff on Duty in a Certain Railway

To understand the work load conditions of railway operating staff on duty and provide the basis for the reasonable railway shift and employment handwork,the physiological fatigue and health indexes of 117 operating staff on duty before and after work in a certain railway were investigated.The physical and physiological health level during their work t,he physical fatigue level before and after work and the work load situations were evaluated too.Survey data was obtained by way of inquiry.Survey results show that the change of the physiological fatigue and physiological health indexes before and after work between three shifts and four shifts on duty was significant.The shift system,monotonous work and responsibilities of the job maybe the main reasons.This suggested that the shift system reformation,health education and intervention be the main means to ensure the health of the operating staff on duty.
Comparative Evaluation Of Three Interactive Multiobjective Programming Techniques As Group Decision Suppport Tools

AbstractThe difficulty involved in finding a compromise solution to a multiobjective problem increases drastically when the participation of multiple decision makers becomes necessary. This is primarily due to the unique preference structures of the decision makers whose individual judgments of the ‘best compromise’ rarely coincide. In spite of the difficulty associated with such multiple-objective, multiple decision maker problems, nominal and/or interacting groups have been foimd to improve overall decision making effectiveness.This paper compares the performance of thlree interactive multiobjective programming procedures in determining a compromise solution to a group decision problem. Three multiobjective programming techniques originally designed for a single decision maker are augmented with a practical preference aggregation component in order to capture the preferences of several individual decision makers.Analysis of variance was used to study data collected through a repeated measures design in ...
Identifying Goals For Ares 1-X Modal Testing

A series of modal tests was planned for validation of the Ares 1-X Flight Test Vehicle (FTV) analytical model for control purposes. To support the controls analyses, knowledge of the first three pairs of vehicle bending modes is required. Planned modal testing consists of three tests: two subsystem tests and the FTV attached to its Mobile Launch Platform (MLP). Since the FTV as a whole would not be tested in its flight configuration, and the FTV / MLP testing would not be performed until late in the program schedule, it was necessary to identify appropriate goals for the subsystem tests that support the overarching goals for the FTV. This paper describes the analytical process employed to trace structural modes of the FTV to the tested subsystems. This traceability analysis – based on subsystem coupling and energy distribution – identifies subsystem modes important in describing the FTV modes of interest and evaluates the ability of different test configurations to provide data relevant to the system goals.
‘Amadeus’: Shaffer’s Supreme Achievement

Amadeus is Peter Shaffer’s most accomplished and successful drama to date. Starting from a tantalising rumour regarding the untimely death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1791, Shaffer fashions an absorbing costume spectacle built on ambition, aesthetics, politics and metaphysics. During the final weeks of his life, an ailing and destitute Mozart claimed aloud that he was being poisoned by Antonio Salieri, court composer to Emperor Joseph II and, at the time, more successful than Mozart. The story erupted again thirty years later when an aged and deranged Salieri confessed in writing to having killed Mozart. And then, lending still more credence to the gossip, Salieri unsuccessfully tried to take his own life. Artists before Shaffer — Pushkin and Rimsky-Korsakov, among others — had drawn on the dubious murder theory,1 but Shaffer’s approach to the mystery is unique, because Amadeus moves well beyond a simple dramatisation of the juicy gossip. The competitive antagonisms between the two musical figures are reconfigured into a metaphysical enigma. Moreover, Shaffer’s design approaches the themes imaginatively from an unlikely perspective by centring Amadeus on Salieri, not Mozart.
Cord blood lead level in an urban inner-city hospital.

Lead levels were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in umbilical cord blood samples of 150 neonates in an urban inner-city hospital. The mean (SD) gestation and birth weight of our cohort were 38.8 (1.7) weeks and 3,217 (519) grams. There were 89% African-Americans, 53% males and 79% were born via vaginal delivery. Mean (SD) maternal age was 24.5 (5.8) years. History of drug abuse and smoking was reported in 8.7% and 10.7% respectively, with only 1 mother reporting a history of high lead level in childhood. Prenatal vitamin intake was reported in 99.3%. Cord blood lead level was available in 144 patients, with lead level of 1 in 3 (2.1%) patients. No patient had cord blood lead level of >2μg/dL. High lead levels during childhood in high-risk urban population, however, suggest the need for intensive efforts for prevention of environmental exposure to lead in early childhood.
Novel Multi-Modal Sub-Diffraction Imaging Modalities Enabled by Structured Illumination Microscopy

We demonstrate structured illumination microscopy as generalized platform for sub-diffraction resolution fluorescence microscopy, quantitative phase imaging, and refractive index tomography.
Prevention training and medical residency.

We developed a questionnaire to assess training and perceived competence in prevention skills during medical residency. We asked residents at a university training program about 20 prevention interventions recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Primary care and categorical medicine residents rated the adequacy of training and the perceived relevance to clinical practice of these interventions as well as basic skill and knowledge areas (such as patient education) on five-point Likert-type scales (1 = very inadequate or very unimportant and 5 = very adequate or very important). Fifty-eight residents (n = 19 primary care and 39 categorical medicine) completed the questionnaire (response rate = 63%). Primary care residents felt significantly (P
The reference signal for MMM expert systems

Abstract: The first step of a methodological approach to the validation of the metal magnetic memory (MMM) method in non-destructive testing (NDT) applications and in systems used for the diagnosis of early stages of material fatigue in mechanical constructions (SHM, PHM) has been presented in the paper. The study is focused on the properties of the external natural source of magnetisation of the object under MMM examination and the impact of its components. The precise data of the Earth's geomagnetism measurements (from ground stations and satellites) and the revised model of the Earth's magnetism can be applied in order to calibrate high sensitive magnetic field sensors, validate measurement results and extend the functional capacity of the MMM method. Keywords: magnetic field, magneto-mechanical effects, structural health monitoring Streszczenie: W artykule przedstawiono pierwszy krok metodycznego podejścia do uwiarygodnienia metody magnetycznej pamieci metalu (MPM) w aplikacjach badan nieniszczących i systemach diagnozowania wczesnej fazy zmeczenia materialu konstrukcji mechanicznych. Uwage skupiono na wlaściwościach zewnetrznego naturalnego źrodla magnesowania materialu badanego elementu i wplyw jego sklado
Interpretation of Experiments that Delineate Transfer RNA Recognition in Vivo and in Vitro

The specific aminoacylations of transfer RNAs by aminoacyl tRNA synthetases establish the relationships between amino acid and trinucleotide sequences that can be summarized in tabular form as the genetic code. These enzymes recognize a limited set of nucleotide determinants that are necessary and sufficient for attachment of each amino acid to the tRNA bearing the cognate anticodon. The tRNAs are comprised of 74 to 93 nucleotides (76 is the most frequent; Sprinzl et al. 1989). Fifteen nucleotides are conserved and some of these interact through specific tertiary interactions that stabilize the three-dimensional L-shaped structure (Kim et al. 1974; Robertus et al. 1974; Rich and RajBhandary 1976). The remaining nucleotides vary within the constraint of maintaining the helical arms of the secondary structure and the specific interactions of the tertiary structure. It is these sequence variations which determine the unique amino acid acceptance associated with each tRNA.
Scavenger receptor-mediated delivery of antisense mini-exon phosphorothioate oligonucleotide to Leishmania-infected macrophages: Selective and efficient elimination of the parasite

Abstract Targeted delivery of a 17-mer antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxyribonucleotide, complementary to the common 5′-end of every mRNA of the parasite cells, to the phagolysosomes of cultured murine macrophages infected with Leishmania mexicana amazonensis selectively and efficiently eliminated the parasite cells without causing any detectable harm to the host cells. The antisense mini-exon oligonucleotide (ASM) was encapsulated into liposomes coated with maleylated bovine serum albumin (MBSA), the artificial ligand for macrophage scavenger receptors. MBSA-coating of the liposomes allowed specific binding of the liposomes to the macrophages, their receptor-mediated uptake, and subsequent degradation of the liposomes inside macrophage phagolysosomes to release ASM. When incubated with Leishmania-infected macrophages, MBSA-liposome-encapsulated ASM (10 μM) was able to kill >90% of the parasites within 5 hr as compared with 20% killing within this time period by free ASM. Oligonucleotides with complementary nucleotide sequence or with the same base composition as ASM but scrambled sequence had no antileishmanial effect under the conditions of the assay. This study reflects the efficacy of scavenger-receptor-mediated delivery of antisense phosphorothioate oligos in killing intraphagolysosomal pathogens.
Imaging and the child with abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is a common presenting symptom in children. A substantial percent of unscheduled paediatric office visits and paediatric emergency room visits are due to abdominal pain. Children may present with an acute episode of pain or with chronic, recurrent pain. Only a small fraction of children presenting with abdominal pain will prove to have an organic cause necessitating interventional management. In this essay, a discussion of abdominal pain is presented, with particular emphasis on the role of radiologic imaging tests to investigate potential causes of abdominal pain. The more common and clinically significant causes of abdominal pain in a child will be discussed in greater detail.
Enhanced skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in year-old rats adapted to hypergravity

Rats adapted to hypergravity by continuous centrifugation at 4.15 g for 7 mo exhibit increased glucose uptake at lower plasma insulin levels than weight-matched control animals following oral glucose administration. To assess insulin sensitivity of specific tissues, glucose uptake by perfused skeletal muscle and liver from year-old hypergravic rats was compared with perfused tissue from weight-matched control rats (2.5-mo-old). The results show that metabolic clearance of glucose by skeletal muscle from hypergravic rats ws not significantly greater than control muscle when perfused in the absence of insulin (10.6 vs. 8.1 microliter.min-1.g muscle-1) but was twofold faster (23.0 vs. 9.5) at perfusate insulin levels of 35 microunits/ml. Conversely, glucose uptake by hypergravic livers was significantly decreased (P less than 0.001) compared with control livers (10.3 vs. 27.8) at perfusate insulin levels of 40 microunits/ml. These findings suggest that skeletal muscle rather than liver is the tissue primarily responsible for enhanced sensitivity to insulin observed in older rats adapted to hypergravity.
Impact of dosing schedule on uptake of neuroprotective magnesium sulfate.

Background: Preterm delivery <32-week gestation is associated with significant neurodevelopmental morbidity ranging from mild delay to profound disability. Several randomized trials have shown that...
Sialylated Variants of Lacto-N-Tetraose Exhibit Antimicrobial Activity Against Group B Streptococcus

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) possess antimicrobial activity against a number of bacterial pathogens. HMOs prevent infection by serving as decoy receptors that competitively bind pathogens thus preventing pathogen attachment to host epithelial cell receptors. In a second mechanistic pathway, we recently demonstrated that heterogenous HMO extracts exert antimicrobial action against Group B Streptococcus by increasing cellular permeability. As human milk contains ca. 200 unique glycans however, our understanding of which pharmacophores are most important to HMO antimicrobial activity remains immature. In the present study, we describe the first evaluation of the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of five structurally defined, ubiquitous sialylated HMOs against Group B Streptococcus.
‘I’ll be the hero’: how adolescents negotiate intersectional identities within a high school dual-language program

In this study, we examine how adolescents in a dual-language program negotiate intersectional identities through interaction, while engaged in small-group exploratory talk around the task of a coll...
Centering, Affective Regulation, and Exposure (CARE) Group: Mindful Meditation and Movement for Youth with Anxiety

Anxiety is common in adolescents, when acuity spikes, higher intensity services may be required. However, it can be challenging to retain these adolescents in ongoing care once a crisis resolves. T...
The role of diet in chronic disease

Summary Chronic disease incidence and prevalence has been growing rapidly throughout the globe over the past several decades. Many of these diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, are largely preventable with healthy lifestyle. Key lifestyle factors include physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, and dietary quality. This chapter provides a brief overview of the dietary factors known and hypothesized to relate to risk of these cardiometabolic diseases. Due to the complexity of nutrient effects on the body, interactions with other factors, and the long-term development of chronic disease, research to prove cause and effect for specific components of the diet is difficult. Numerous studies across differing populations are needed to obtain confidence in associations. There is a current debate regarding how to assess the evidence for creating dietary guidelines. Despite this, we do know a great deal about diet and health, and there is no doubt that overall quality of the dietary pattern, involving a variety of nutrients and foods in the right balance, has a major effort on chronic disease risk. There is general consensus that diets high in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, omega-3 fatty acids, and low-fat dairy and low in refined grains, sugary foods and beverages, salty snacks, and processed meats are protective against these conditions. Efforts to limit the rapidly increasing use of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods at the expense of basic natural foods are critical to stem the tide of these chronic diseases.
A historical perspective on the regulation of cellulose biosynthesis

Cellulose is a β-1,4 linked glucose polymer that is synthesized by higher plants, algae and even by some bacteria and animals, making it the most abundant polymer on earth. As the major load bearing structure of the plant cell wall, it is hugely important in terms of plant growth and development, and in recent years it has gained interest for its biotechnological applications. Naturally, there has been a large concerted research effort to uncover the regulatory mechanisms underpinning cellulose synthesis. During the last century, several major breakthroughs in our understanding of cellulose synthesis in algae, bacteria, and plants have been pivotal in advancing the field of cellulose research, improving the likelihood that cellulose synthesis could be feasibly adapted for sustainable purposes. In this review, we will summarize the major hypotheses and advancements made during the last century on the regulation of cellulose biosynthesis, focussing on Arabidopsis thaliana.
Community engagement and linkage to care efforts by peer community-health workers to increase PrEP uptake among sexual minority men.

PURPOSE Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevents HIV yet uptake remains suboptimal across the United States. This paper evaluates the impact of outreach activities led by nurse supervised community healthcare workers (CHWs) on the PrEP care cascade. METHODS This is an observational programmatic evaluation of LGBTQ + community outreach between March 1, 2016, to March 31, 2020, as part of a public health initiative. Descriptive statistics are used to characterize the data by outreach type. RESULTS 2,465 participants were reached. Overall, a PrEP appointment was scheduled for 94 (3.8%) with 70 (2.8%) confirmed to have completed a PrEP visit. Success for each type of community outreach activity was evaluated with virtual models outperforming face-to-face. Face-to-face outreach identified nine persons among 2,188 contacts (0.41%) completing an initial PrEP visit. The website prepmaryland.org identified 4 among 24 contacts (16.7%) and the PrEP telephone/text warm-line identified 18 among 60 contacts (30%). The PrEPme smartphone application identified 39 among 168 contacts (23.2%). CONCLUSIONS Face-to-face community outreach efforts reached a large number of participants, yet had a lower yield in follow-up and confirmed PrEP visits. All virtual platforms reached lower total numbers, but had greater success in attendance at PrEP visits, suggesting enhanced linkage to care.
Surgical aortic valve replacement in small aortic annulus

Background Although aortic valve replacement (AVR) has been the standard of treatment for severe aortic stenosis, a small aortic annulus (SAA) poses significant challenges. Improvements in valve designs and evolution in surgical techniques have led to improved outcomes, however, the ideal prosthetic valve remains elusive. Methods We performed a comprehensive literature review to discuss the surgical management of aortic stenosis, with a special focus on patients with SAA. Results Stentless valves and root replacement techniques have been shown to overcome the hemodynamic challenges associated with conventional stented bioprostheses, but are technically challenging and require longer cross-clamp times. Sutureless and rapid deployment valves mitigate the long operative time while maintaining the hemodynamic advantages. The use of transcatheter AVR has emerged as another reasonable alternative and has shown promise among patients with SAA, however, long-term outcomes are awaited. Conclusion There is no consensus regarding the type of valve prosthesis or replacement technique among patients with SAA. Consideration of patient comorbidities and valvular anatomy is paramount in planning the optimal strategy for AVR. Further long-term clinical trials are necessary to assess outcomes and achieve progress toward the development of the ideal prosthesis.
Examining the Relation of Correct Knowledge and Misconceptions Using the Nominal Response Model.

Cluster analysis of Force Concept Inventory scores suggests that students can be classified as Newtonian thinkers still retaining some misconceptions, non-Newtonian thinkers strongly applying Newton's third law misconceptions, and non-Newtonian thinkers weakly applying those misconceptions.
Salivary Biomarkers for Non-invasive Early Detection of Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is among the most common cancers in the world. The delayed diagnosis of HNC is a major cause of the increasing mortality rate. Thus, in recent years, there has been an increased interest in finding a source for early diagnosis of HNC. The limitations of using tissue biopsies have increased consideration for liquid biopsies. Liquid biopsies analyze circulating tumor-derived material called tumor circulome, which includes circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, and exosomes. This chapter discusses the potential role of exosomes, among others, in the early diagnosis of HNC. Exosomes have a potential role as an early diagnostic marker as they contain protein components consistent with the cell type of its origin and also contain miRNAs, which are used as diagnostic biomarkers for several cancers. Among the several sources of liquid biopsy, the advantages and shortcomings of saliva have been discussed in detail in this chapter due to its ready availability, which makes it beneficial for the non-invasive diagnosis of HNC.
Diagnosis and Management of Infertility: A Review.

Importance In the US, approximately 12.7% of reproductive age women seek treatment for infertility each year. This review summarizes current evidence regarding diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Observations Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Approximately 85% of infertile couples have an identifiable cause. The most common causes of infertility are ovulatory dysfunction, male factor infertility, and tubal disease. The remaining 15% of infertile couples have “unexplained infertility.” Lifestyle and environmental factors, such as smoking and obesity, can adversely affect fertility. Ovulatory disorders account for approximately 25% of infertility diagnoses; 70% of women with anovulation have polycystic ovary syndrome. Infertility can also be a marker of an underlying chronic disease associated with infertility. Clomiphene citrate, aromatase inhibitors such as letrozole, and gonadotropins are used to induce ovulation or for ovarian stimulation during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Adverse effects of gonadotropins include multiple pregnancy (up to 36% of cycles, depending on specific therapy) and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (1%-5% of cycles), consisting of ascites, electrolyte imbalance, and hypercoagulability. For individuals presenting with anovulation, ovulation induction with timed intercourse is often the appropriate initial treatment choice. For couples with unexplained infertility, endometriosis, or mild male factor infertility, an initial 3 to 4 cycles of ovarian stimulation may be pursued; IVF should be considered if these approaches do not result in pregnancy. Because female fecundity declines with age, this factor should guide decision-making. Immediate IVF may be considered as a first-line treatment strategy in women older than 38 to 40 years. IVF is also indicated in cases of severe male factor infertility or untreated bilateral tubal factor. Conclusions and Relevance Approximately 1 in 8 women aged 15 to 49 years receive infertility services. Although success rates vary by age and diagnosis, accurate diagnosis and effective therapy along with shared decision-making can facilitate achievement of fertility goals in many couples treated for infertility.
Implementing family-based behavioral treatment in the pediatric primary care setting: Design of the PLAN study.

Family-based behavioral treatment (FBT) is an evidence-based treatment for pediatric obesity. FBT has primarily been implemented in specialty clinics, with highly trained interventionists. The goal of this study is to assess effectiveness of FBT implemented in pediatric primary care settings using newly trained interventionists who might implement FBT in pediatric practices. The goal is to randomize 528 families with a child with overweight/obesity (≥85th BMI percentile) and parent with overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25) across four sites (Buffalo and Rochester, New York; Columbus, Ohio; St. Louis, Missouri) to FBT or usual care and obtain assessments at 6-month intervals over 24 months of treatment. FBT is implemented using a mastery model, which provides quantity of treatment tailored to family progress and following the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for effective dose and duration of treatment. The primary outcome of the trial is change in relative weight for children, and secondarily, for parents and siblings who are overweight/obese. Between group differences in the tendency to prefer small immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards (delay discounting) and how this is related to treatment outcome is also evaluated. Challenges in translation of group-based interventions to individualized treatments in primary care settings, and in study implementation that arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed. It is hypothesized that the FBT intervention will be associated with better changes in relative weight for children, parents, and siblings than usual care. The results of this study can inform future dissemination and implementation of FBT into primary care settings.
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: risk factors for severe disease.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a pregnancy-associated hepatic disorder characterized by pruritus in the setting of elevated serum bile acids (BA). Risk factors for the disease inclu...
MEASURES OF WORKLOAD, STRESS AND SECONDARY TASKS

In the context of my approach, the concept of operator workload is defined in terms of the human’s limited processing resources. Operator workload scales monotonically with the extent to which the tasks performed by the operator utilize these limited resources. Since workload is defined in terms of the hypothetical construct of “processing resources”, some operational definition must be provided of the latter term. This definition is provided in terms of secondary task performance.
From Genes to Environment: Using Integrative Genomics to Build a “Systems-Level” Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders that affect an estimated 1 in 110 individuals. Although there is a strong genetic component associated with these disorders, this review focuses on the multifactorial nature of ASD and how different genome-wide (genomic) approaches contribute to our understanding of autism. Emphasis is placed on the need to study defined ASD phenotypes as well as to integrate large-scale “omics” data in order to develop a “systems-level” perspective of ASD, which in turn is necessary to allow predictions regarding responses to specific perturbations and interventions.
Mammary gland immunity and mastitis susceptibility.

Lactation is considered the final phase of the mammalian reproductive cycle, and the mammary gland provides milk for nourishment and disease resistance to the newborn. However, the cellular and soluble immune components associated with mammary tissues and secretion also can play an important role in protecting the gland from infectious diseases, such as mastitis. Mastitis can affect essentially all lactating mammals, but is especially problematic for dairy cattle. The most recent estimates from the National Mastitis Council suggest that mastitis affects one third of all dairy cows and will cost the dairy industry over 2 billion dollars annually in the United States in lost profits (National Mastitis Council (1996) Current Concepts in Bovine Mastitis, National Mastitis Council, Madison, WI). The overall impact of mastitis on the quality and quantity of milk produced for human consumption has provided the impetus to better understand the pathophysiology of the mammary gland and develop ways to enhance disease resistance through immunoregulation. As such, the bovine species has played a critical and prominent role in our current understanding of mammary gland immunobiology. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of mammary gland immunity and how the stage of lactation can impact important host defenses. While this review emphasizes the bovine system, comparisons to humans and other domestic mammals will be addressed as well.
Future Inequality in CO2 Emissions and the Impact of Abatement Proposals

This paper analyzes future carbon emissions inequality using a group decomposition of the Gini index. Business-as-usual projections to the year 2100 for 135 countries show inequality in per capita emissions declines slowly. Next, the impact on emissions levels and inequality of the Kyoto Protocol and other abatement proposals for Annex II countries in 2010 are measured, with a focus on the gap-narrowing and reranking effects. Substantial reranking of per capita emissions between Annex II and non-Annex II countries will not occur unless the former reduce their emissions by at least 50% (versus 1990 levels) and the latter continue growing unabated.
Reliability of event‐related EEG functional connectivity during visual entrainment: Magnitude squared coherence and phase synchrony estimates

There is an increasing trend towards using noninvasive electroencephalography (EEG) to quantify functional brain connectivity. However, little is known about the psychometrics of commonly used functional connectivity indices. We examined the internal consistency of two different connectivity metrics: magnitude squared coherence and phase synchrony. EEG was recorded during visual entrainment to elicit a strong oscillatory component of known frequency. We found acceptable to good split-half reliability for the connectivity metrics when computing all possible pairwise interactions and after selecting an a priori seed reference. We also compared reliability estimates when using average referenced sensor versus reference independent current source density EEG data. Additional considerations were given to determining how reliability was influenced by factors including trial number, signal-to-noise ratio, and frequency content.
Models for Automated Earthmoving

We present a composite forward model of the mechanics of an excavator backhoe digging in soil. This model is used to predict the trajectories developed by a closed-loop force based control scheme given initial conditions, some of which can be controlled (excavator control parameters), some directly measured (shape of the terrain), and some estimated (soil properties). Since soil conditions can vary significantly, it is necessary that soil properties be estimated online. Our models are used to both estimate soil properties and predict contact forces between the excavator and the terrain. In a large set of experiments we have conducted, we find that these models are accurate to within approximately 20% and run about 10 times faster than real-time. In this paper we motivate the development of these models and discuss experimental data from our testbed.
Human-defined, machine-optimized - gesture recognition using a mixed approach

Wearable computing devices are now mainstream. Many such devices have capable MEMS sensors that can be exploited for recognizing dynamic, in-the-air gestures. The somewhat limited compute capacity and battery life of today's devices requires a computationally efficient approach to gesture recognition; one that can be effectively used inside an app running on standard, off-the-shelf hardware, such as an Android Smartwatch. The goal of this project is to test the feasibility of this idea. In a two-phased approach, a class of finite state machines (FSM1) for gesture recognition were first constructed and then the FSM were further tuned for higher accuracy with the help of some training data and a suitable optimization method, in the second phase. A novel approach is presented that leverages techniques from functional programming languages to define rich yet compact FSM. In order to demonstrate effectiveness, a prototype gesture recognition system for an automotive scenario using an Android Smartwatch app was developed. Then the system was tuned using a blended approach that combined a swarm-based evolutionary algorithm, Cultural Algorithms, and human parameter estimates with experimentally derived training data. The Blended approach using Cultural Algorithms achieved a 77% gesture recognition accuracy which is on par with more computationally intensive techniques such as Hidden Markov Models (HMM). The 'functional' FSM are human defined but machine optimized with Cultural Algorithms. By the blending of the two approaches, an improved balance between computational requirements and recognition accuracy was achieved.
The effect of corpus size in predicting reaction time in a basic word recognition task: Moving on from Kučera and Francis

Word frequency is one of the strongest determiners of reaction time (RT) in word recognition tasks; it is an important theoretical and methodological variable. The Kucera and Francis (1967) word frequency count (derived from the 1-million-word Brown corpus) is used by most investigators concerned with the issue of word frequency. Word frequency estimates from the Brown corpus were compared with those from a 131-million-word corpus (the HAL corpus; conversational text gathered from Usenet) in a standard word naming task with 32 subjects. RT was predicted equally well by both corpora for high-frequency words, but the larger corpus provided better predictors for low- and medium-frequency words. Furthermore, the larger corpus provides estimates for 97,261 lexical items; the smaller corpus, for 50,406 items.
A revision of Ilyarachna (Crustacea, Isopoda) in the Atlantic with four new species

Summary The evolutionary radiation of isopods in the deep sea has been substantial. This paper documents the taxonomy of a genus which has played an important role in biogeographic and phylogenetic studies of this rich fauna. The revision includes analyses of intraspecific and interspecific variation, species-level biogeography, formal taxonomy of the Atlantic species and a key. Four new species are described: Ilyarachna argentina, I. armata, I. plana and I. una.
What is the smallest number of dicycles in a dicycle decomposition of an eulerian digraph

A digraph D with n vertices is said to be decomposable into a set S of dicycles if every arc of D is contained in exactly one member of S. Counterexamples are given to the following conjectures which are generalizations of three well-known conjectures by G. Hajos, P. Erdős, and P.J. Kelly: (1) [B. Jackson] Every eulerian-oriented graph is decomposable into at most dicycles. (2) [W. Bienia & H. Meyniel] Every eulerian digraph is decomposable into at most n dicycles. Certain observations lead us to make three other conjectures: (a) Every eulerian-oriented graph is decomposable into at most dicycles. (b) Every symmetric digraph with n > 1 is decomposable into at most 2n – 3 dicycles. (c) Every eulerian digraph with n > 1 is decomposable into at most – 3 dicycles.