cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current research on profile monitoring

In many applications the quality of a process or product is best characterized and summarized by a functional relationship between a response variable and one or more explanatory variables. Profile monitoring is used to understand and to check the stability of this relationship over time. At each sampling stage one observes a collection of data points that can be represented by a curve (or profile). In some calibration applications, the profile can be represented adequately by a simple linear regression model, while in other applications more complicated models are needed. The purposes of this paper are to review recent research on the use of control charts to monitor process and product quality profiles and to encourage further research in this area.
Study of mixing efficiency in kneading discs of co‐rotating twin‐screw extruders

Co-rotating twin-screw extruders are widely used for compounding and blending in polymer processing. In a modular machine, the dominant elements determining dispersive mixing efficiency are the kneading discs. A fluid dynamics analysis package - FIDAP, using the finite element method was implemented to simulate the 3-D isothermal flow patterns in the kneading disc region of a Werner & Pfleiderer ZSK-53 co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The kneading discs simulated are three-lobe discs. The flow field characteristics relevant for dispersive mixing are shear stresses generated and elongational flow components. We compare these flow characteristics for the three-lobe kneading discs of the ZSK-53 with the two-lobe discs of a ZSK-30 machine. We also discuss the influence of processing parameters on the flow field mixing efficiency.
Locations of neurons with respiratory-related activity in the ferret brainstem

Previous transneuronal tracing studies conducted in the ferret revealed that a large population of neurons that provides inputs to diaphragm and abdominal motoneurons is located in the ventral magnocellular portion of the medial medullary reticular formation. These observations raise the possibility that the neural substrate underlying respiratory rhythmogenesis may be different in the ferret than in other species in which this circuitry has been explored. In the present study, systematic tracking was conducted through the ferret medulla to map the locations of neurons with activity related to the contractions of respiratory muscles. As in the cat, rat, and rabbit, neurons with respiratory-related discharges were distributed either lateral or ventrolateral to the solitary nucleus (dorsal respiratory group) or in the vicinity of nucleus retroambigualis, nucleus ambiguus and the retrofacial nucleus (ventral respiratory group). Although the general organization of respiratory group neurons appeared to be similar in the ferret to that in other mammals, a difference was that few expiratory neurons were located rostrally in the ventral respiratory group. These data suggest that the ventral magnocellular medullary reticular formation is not essential for respiratory rhythm generation, at least during quiet breathing, but may participate in regulating the excitability of respiratory motoneurons or in coordinating the contractions of respiratory muscles during nonrespiratory responses (e.g. coughing or emesis).
Apoptosis: the biochemistry and molecular biology of programmed cell death.

I. Introduction DEATH, along with growth and differentiation, is a critical part of the life cycle of a cell. Homeostatic control of cell number is thought to be the result of the dynamic balance between cell proliferation and cell death. It is only in the past few years, however, that attention has been focused on the physiological occurrence of cell death and its role in homeostasis. Researchers have become increasingly more aware during this time that this type of “natural” death, which is now called apoptosis or programmed cell death, is a widespread phenomenon that plays a crucial role in a myriad of physiological and pathological processes. This review first briefly covers some historical perspective on the discovery of apoptotic cell death, the characteristic morphology that accompanies this process, and the numerous cell types and mediators with which programmed cell death is associated. The bulk of the review discusses our current understanding of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which...
Fallout Dosages at Washington, D.C

It has been assumed that the fission product conglomerate emits one gamma ray per beta particle throughout its lifetime. The fallout velocities are not accurately known, and in some cases the detonation and response times have been approximated. For these reasons, the dosages reported in this paper can be accurate in order of magnitude only. With these reservations, an infinity dose of 0.2 roentgen or less due to all explosions between January 1951 and May 1955 is reported for Washington, D.C. Therefore, it is probable that the total fallout from all weapons tests that have so far been conducted will produce only a fraction of the lifetime dosage due to natural radioactivity and cosmic radiation ( 6 ). Most of the dosage comes from the Nevada tests, and only a small part from the Pacific thermonuclear tests ( 7 ). Fission products contained in that part of the cloud of a thermonuclear explosion which extends above the level of precipitation is found to contribute only very slightly to the dosage at great distances. No analysis was carried out for air activity data taken at other locations, but their qualitative similarity to those taken in Washington suggests that infinity doses in most other locations in the northern hemisphere will not be greatly different. Present results are in essential agreement with two other measurements that have been reported. Eisenbud and Harley ( 8 ) have measured fallout deposited on gummed papers ( 9 ) at various locations in the United States and have found an average dose of 0.001 roentgen per year. Stewart, Crooks, and Fisher ( 10 ) have measured the activity of air, rainwater, and ground deposits in England and report an infinity dose of 0.055 roentgen. This somewhat lower figure may result from their greater distance from Nevada, which appears to be the source of most of the fallout in the United States. The authors wish to thank Dr. H. Friedman and Dr. L. B. Lockhart for their continued support and for many helpful discussions.
Teaching Enhanced Milieu Language Teaching Skills to Parents in Multiple Risk Families.

A multiple baseline design across three parent-child dyads of families with multiple risk factors was used to determine the effectiveness of teaching parents to use milieu language teaching procedu...
Propagation of innovative information in non-linear least-squares structure from motion

We present a new technique that improves upon existing structure from motion (SFM) methods. We propose a SFM algorithm that is both recursive and optimal. Our method incorporates innovative information from new frames into an existing solution without optimizing every camera pose and scene structure parameter. To do this, we incrementally optimize larger subsets of parameters until the error is minimized. These additional parameters are included in the optimization by tracing connections between points and frames. In many cases, the complexity of adding a frame is much smaller than full bundle adjustment of all the parameters. Our algorithm is best described us incremental bundle adjustment as it allows new information to be added to art existing non-linear least-squares solution.
Seismic fragility of RC shear walls in nuclear power plant part 2: Influence of uncertainty in material parameters on fragility of concrete shear walls

Abstract Part 2 of this two-part manuscript builds upon the conclusions from Part 1 by evaluating whether or not it is important to considering uncertainties in material constitutive model parameters in the fragility assessment of concrete shear walls. A particular application of a box-shaped shear wall is considered because this particular specimen was tested in the past under the JNES/NUPEC program in Japan and has been used extensively by various researchers around the world to conduct studies on reconciliation of experimental and analytical results. A simulation-based fragility evaluation framework is presented in this paper. The uniqueness of this framework lies in incorporation of the uncertainties and randomness associated with the parameters of damage plasticity model as well as earthquake input motions, which are essential for estimating the demands. Unlike most of the previous studies that focus mostly on shear capacity, two different performance limit states based on maximum shear strains and maximum shear force are considered in the fragility assessment. For each performance limit state, variation in the probability of failure due to uncertainties in the material constitutive model is determined for illustrating the significance of considering such uncertainties.
Regularized model of post-touchdown configurations in electrostatic MEMS: bistability analysis

This paper considers the problem of stiction in electrostatic–elastic deflections whereby elastic surfaces adhere to one another after coming into physical contact under attracting Coulomb interactions. This phenomenon is studied in a family of recently derived models which account for forces which become important when the elastic surfaces are in close proximity. The presence of bistability in these models results in hysteresis, or nonreversibility, which accounts for the difficulty in achieving separation after an initial contact event. We use singular perturbation techniques to derive explicit formula for the critical parameters over which bistability occurs and discuss new operational modes which arise when bistability is present.
Phase separation behavior of mixed lipid systems at neutral and low pH: coarse-grained simulations with DMD/LIME.

We extend LIME, an intermediate resolution, implicit solvent model for phospholipids previously used in discontinuous molecular dynamics simulations of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) bilayer formation at 325 K, to the description of the geometry and energetics of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-l-serine (DSPS) and 1,2-dihenarachidoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (21PC) and mixtures thereof at both neutral and low pH at 310 K. A multiscale modeling approach is used to calculate the LIME parameters from atomistic simulation data on a mixed DPPC/DSPS system at different pH values. In the model, 17 coarse-grained sites represent DSPS and 18 coarse-grained sites represent 21PC. Each of these coarse-grained sites is classified as 1 of 9 types. LIME/DMD simulations of equimolar bilayers show the following: (1) 21PC/DSPS bilayers with and without surface area restrictions separate faster at low pH than at neutral pH, (2) 21PC/DSPS systems separate at approximately the same rate regardless o...
High Performance Front Camera ADAS Applications on TI's TDA3X Platform

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are designed to increase driver's situational awareness and road safety by providing essential information, warning and automatic intervention to reduce the possibility/severity of an accident. Of the various types of ADAS modalities available, camera based ADAS are being widely adopted for their usefulness in varied applications, overall reliability and adaptability to new requirements. But camera based ADAS also represents a complex, high-performance, and low-power compute problem, requiring specialized solutions. This paper introduces a high performance front camera ADAS based on a small area, low power System-on-Chip (SoC) solution from Texas Instruments called Texas Instruments Driver Assist 3x (TDA3x). The paper illustrates compute capabilities of the device in implementation of a typical front camera ADAS. The paper also introduces key programming concepts related to heterogeneous programmable compute cores in the SoC and the software framework to use those cores in order to develop the front camera solutions. These aspects will be of interest not only to the ADAS developers but for computer vision and compute intensive embedded system development.
Foot pressure analysis of adults with flat and normal feet at different gait speeds on an ascending slope.

[Purpose] This study was conducted to determine the difference in foot pressures between flat and normal feet at different gait speeds on an ascending slope. [Subjects] This study enrolled 30 adults with normal (n=15) and flat feet (n=15), with ages from 21 to 30 years old, who had no history of neurological disorders or gait problems. A treadmill was used for the analysis of kinematic features during gait, using a slope of 10%, and gait velocities of slow, normal, and fast. [Methods] A foot pressure analyzer was used to measure changes in foot pressure. [Results] Compared to the normal subjects, the foot pressure of the flatfoot subjects showed a significant increase in the 2–3rd metatarsal region with increasing gait speed, whereas there were significant decreases in the 1st toe and 1st metatarsal regions with increasing gait speed. [Conclusion] The body weight of adults with flatfoot was concentrated on the 2–3rd metatarsal region during the stance phase and increased with walking speed on the ascending slope due to weakening of function of the medial longitudinal arch.
Preserved acoustic hearing in cochlear implantation improves speech perception.

Background With improved surgical techniques and electrode design, an increasing number of cochlear implant (CI) recipients have preserved acoustic hearing in the implanted ear, thereby resulting in bilateral acoustic hearing. There are currently no guidelines, however, for clinicians with respect to audio-metric criteria and the recommendation of amplification in the implanted ear. The acoustic bandwidth necessary to obtain speech perception benefit from acoustic hearing in the implanted ear is unknown. Additionally, it is important to determine if, and in which listening environments, acoustic hearing in both ears provides more benefit than hearing in just one ear, even with limited residual hearing.
Mass spectrometry in structural and stereochemical problems-XCVII

Abstract Aliphatic aldoxime and ketoxime spectra are characterized by substantial McLafferty rearrangement peaks, the site specificity of the accompanying hydrogen rearrangements having been demonstrated by deuterium labeling. In contrast to dipropyl ketone, the McLafferty rearangement of its oxime is accompanied to a small extent by methyl migration. Another diagnostic, though less prevalent process of such oximes is fission of the γ-bond. Alicyclic ketoximes, such as cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone axime, yield more complex spectra with many hydrocarbon ions. A characteristic heteroatom fission is the loss of an oxygen atom from the molecular ion—a reaction which is not observed in aliphatic oximes but does occur in aromatic ones such as benzophenone oxime. The previously claimed occurrence of an electron impact-induced Beckmann rearrangement in benzophenone oxime could not be substantiated. In terms of fragmentation-directing ability, the oxime function does not surpass the carbonyl group as shown by the mass spectra of the oximes of 2-, 3- and 11-keto steroids. Through the aid of several deuterated analogs plausible structures and reaction paths could be presented for several characteristic ions.
Floral heat rewards and direct benefits to insect pollinators.

Some Arctic and alpine flowers are bowl-shaped solar collectors whose temperatures are significantly warmer than ambient air temperatures. One explanation for this trait is that it represents plant-pollinator coadaptation. Just as flowers providing nectar and pollen may be attractive to insects, warm flowers providing thermal refuges in a cold environment may also serve to attract insects. In this article I present data on the actual benefits obtainable to insects basking in flowers or on the ground, and I demonstrate that if insects seek heat alone, then warm flowers cannot be explained by plant-pollinator coevolution. Instead, exclusively botanical explanations for the origins of this trait seem more reasonable.
Polymorphism Analysis for Four Mainly Restore Lines of Hybrid Rice with SSR Markers

The genetic evolution analysis of four mainly restore lines for hybrid rice including Minghui63,Minghui86,Hang1and Hang2with similarly genetic background were carried out in the paper.A total of 134pairs of simple sequence repeats(SSR)were selected distributed evenly from twelve chromosomes of rice(Oryzae sativa L.).The results indicated that there were a lot of polymorphic loci between breeding varieties under space flight mutation(Hang1,Hang2)and original variety(Minghui86),39polymorphic loci with a polymorphic ratio of29.10%.The number of alleles per loci ranged from 1to 4with an average of 2.1.The value of polymorphism information content(PIC)was 0.37.The four mainly restore lines were classified into 2groups by clustering.It is distinction between Hang 1,Hang2and Minghui 86when the threshold value is 0.87.A further analysis on SSR markers distributed in two sides of marker RM234 which have key gene regions,indicated that there were 5polymorphism sites from 7pairs of SSR markers.Bioinformatics analysis showed that those loci have important biological function in Minghui 86,was mutated under space flight mutation.Furthermore,breeding excellent restoring line Hang 1and Hang 2,provided a molecular evidence that advantageous variations are in space flight mutation for rice breeding.
Genetic and environmental influences on echocardiographically determined left ventricular mass in black twins.

Genetic and environmental influences on left ventricular mass were examined in normotensive black twins. Left ventricular mass was measured echocardiographically in 7 sets of monozygotic (MZ) and 15 sets of dizygotic (DZ) twins and adjusted for body surface area (LVMI). Regression analyses showed significant effects of gender (R2 = 0.48; P less than .01), systolic blood pressure (R2 = 0.21; P less than .01) and age (R2 = 0.10; P less than .05) on LVMI but did not show an effect for either diastolic blood pressure or caloric expenditure. Monozygotic twins showed smaller within-pair differences (7 +/- 5) than DZ twins (17 +/- 11) for LVMI following adjustment for gender, systolic blood pressure and age (P less than .03). The intraclass correlation for MZ twins was 0.90 (P less than .01) and 0.33 (P = NS) for DZ twins. These results indicate that both genetic and environmental factors are important determinants of left ventricular mass in blacks, independent of gender, blood pressure and age.
Meatal advancement for distal hypospadias without chordee.

AbstractA simple 1-stage procedure is described for correction of distal hypospadias in patients with a mobile ventral penile shaft skin.
Products of lengths of line segments associated with elliptical chords

Suppose the unit circle is divided into n > 1 equal arcs and points are placed at the ends of the arcs. Choose one of these points to be the ‘base point’ and draw chords connecting each of the other points to the base point. (See Figure 1 for the case n = 8.) Then the product of the lengths of these chords equals n (see Sichardt). In a related article, Eisemann considered the product of the lengths of the (nondegenerate) perpendiculars drawn from the centre of the unit circle to these chords.
Diabetic Neuropathy in Children

Nerve conduction studies and renal function were evaluated prospectively in 144 diabetic children followed from the time of diagnosis and at 2, 5 and 10 years in the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Anticorrelation between Local Photoluminescence and Photocurrent Suggests Variability in Contact to Active Layer in Perovskite Solar Cells

We use high-resolution, spatially resolved, laser beam induced current, confocal photoluminescence, and photoconductive atomic force microscopy (pcAFM) measurements to correlate local solar cell performance with spatially heterogeneous local material properties in methylammonium lead triiodide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskite solar cells. We find that, for this material and device architecture, the photocurrent heterogeneity measured via pcAFM on devices missing a top selective contact with traditional Au-coated tips is significantly larger than the photocurrent heterogeneity observed in full devices with both electron- and hole-selective extraction layers, indicating that extraction barriers at the Au/perovskite interface are ameliorated by deposition of the organic charge extraction layer. Nevertheless, in completed, efficient device structures (PCE ≈ 16%) with state-of-the-art nickel oxide and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid (PCBM) methyl ester contacts, we observe that the local photoluminescence (PL) is weakly ...
Path‐dependency versus Reform in Pensions and Family Policy Re‐examined: Dual Trajectories of the Polish Welfare State since the 1990s

Many studies of the welfare state in Poland underestimate continuity in pension policy and overlook evidence of change in family policy. I argue that each of these policies evolves historically along dual trajectories. One trajectory represents a set of constantly reproduced and politically reinforced norms and structures, and the other exemplifies cyclical, emergency adjustments and innovations, enabling incremental and cumulative change that may potentially produce path-departure. Even though the paradigms which guide the two policy areas originate in the same period of the golden age of the European welfare state, pensions, which more closely resemble the overall development of Polish social policy as a whole, are likely to remain path-dependent more consistently into the future, whereas family policy exhibits clear signs of change, indicating a gradual but significant break with the past.
Improving the Classifier Performance in Detecting People Based on Denoising Wavelet Transform

This paper presents the effects of the noise on the performance of the classifier in detecting people using Infrared (IR) camera, and then improve its performance by using denoising wavelet transformer techniques. The local binary pattern (LBP) detector is used in detecting person in IR images. The LBP features are extracted to train the classifier using a support vector machine (SVM). Experimentally, we find the classifier performs very poorly with a noisy image. Three wavelet functions (Harr, db2, and db4) are used in denoising process with different levels in an effort to find an efficient denoising method. Three type of noise models are added to the original test data set and three metrics namely- True positive Rate (TPR), False Negative per Frame (FNPF) and False Positive Per Frame (FPPF) are used to evaluate the performance of the classifier in detection process. The results show that denoising using db2 and db4 wavelet transforms with level 4 improve the classification results by removing successfully the three types of noise preserving the texture features of the original image which are used by the LBP detector.
Tunisia and Israel: relations under stress

ABSTRACTThis article provides an analysis of the relations between Tunisia and Israel. The author argues that Israel's attempt to establish diplomatic relations with Tunisia was motivated largely by its quest to reach the countries in the periphery of the Middle East. In addition, the author argues the Israeli leaders were concerned about the fate of the Jewish community in Tunisia. At the same time, the Tunisian ruling Neo Destour party was motivated by the pragmatic considerations of its leader Habib Bourguiba who sought to pursue a unique policy towards Israel based on a willingness to recognize its existence and a just solution to the Palestinian question. Furthermore, the author argues that although the Tunisian regime criticized Israel for its occupation of Arab territories, the contacts between the two countries never ceased entirely. The bilateral connections reached their climax after 1993, when the Oslo accord between Israel and the Palestinians was signed. Despite the continuing tension, both s...
Buddhist Tales of Lü Dongbin

During the early thirteenth century, a story began to appear within texts associated with the Chan 禪 Buddhist movement, which portrays an encounter between the eminent transcendent Lu Dongbin 呂洞賓 and the Chan monk Huanglong Huiji 黃龍誨機 that results in Lu abandoning his alchemical techniques of self-cultivation and taking up the practice of Chan. This article traces the development of this tale across a number of Buddhist sources of the late imperial period, and also examines the ways in which later Buddhist and Daoist authors understood the story and utilized it in advancing their own polemical claims. Au debut du treizieme siecle apparait dans les textes du bouddhisme Chan un recit qui met en scene une rencontre entre le celebre immortel Lu Dongbin et le moine Chan Huanglong Huiji. Au terme de cette rencontre, Lu abandonne ses pratiques alchimiques de perfectionnement de soi et adopte celle de la meditation Chan. Le present article retrace le developpement de ce theme narratif au travers des sources bouddhiques de la fin de l’epoque imperiale, et examine la maniere dont des auteurs bouddhistes et taoistes ont compris le recit et l’ont manipule en fonction de leurs propres objectifs polemiques.
The Design and Implementation of the NDN Protocol Stack for RIOT-OS

The Named Data Networking (NDN) architecture has been proposed as a promising solution for supporting communications in IoT environments. An important class of IoT platform is the constrained devices that have limited computing resources and are connected by constrained networks. This paper presents the design and implementation of the NDN protocol stack for RIOT-OS, a popular operating system for constrained IoT platforms. We succeeded in integrating the core NDN packet forwarding logic into the RIOT-OS kernel together with a high-level application interface with data security support. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of using NDN protocol stack to support applications on constrained devices with only 10s of KB of RAM and flash memory.
Correlation between pre-ramadan glycemic control and subsequent glucose fluctuation during fasting in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.

Even though patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are exempted from fasting, the vast majority elect to fast against the advice of their healthcare providers. We have previously reported the incidence of wide fluctuations in blood glucose (BG) along with “unrecognized” severe hypoglycemia during Ramadan fasting in adolescents with T1DM. This report compares the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data during fasting in adolescents with T1DM according to their Pre-Ramadan diabetes control. Children and adolescents with T1DM who intended to fast the month of Ramadan were asked to wear the CGM during fasting for a minimum of 3 days. Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and severe hyperglycemia were identified as BG 300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L) respectively, while normoglycemia was identified as BG 70–200 mg/dL (3.9–11.1 mmol/L). Patients were categorized as well-controlled (Group 1) and poorly controlled (Group 2) if the pre-fasting HbA1C was ≤8% (64 mmol/mol) and >8%, respectively. We compared the mean BG and the percentages of time spent in hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and severe hyperglycemia between the two groups using Chi-square (significant difference when P value was <0.05). A total of 21 patients were enrolled (15 females), age 15 ± 4 years, duration of diabetes 6 ± 3 years, and HbA1C 8.5 ± 1.0% (70 mmol/mol). There were 7 subjects in Group 1, mean HbA1C 7.5 ± 0.4, and 14 subjects in Group 2, mean HbA1C 9.1 ± 0.9. The mean ± SD BG was 174 ± 76 mg/dL versus 199 ± 98, (P < 0.05) in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. The percentages of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and severe hyperglycemia were significantly higher in Group 2, while there was a higher percentage of normoglycemia in Group 1. The overall durations of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and severe hyperglycemia in Group 2 were longer by 30, 14, and 135%, respectively, than those in Group 1. Glycemic control before Ramadan in adolescents with T1 DM appears to correlate with blood glucose profile during Ramadan fasting. Our data suggest that optimal glycemic control before Ramadan may reduce the potential risks associated with fasting and minimize glucose fluctuation.
Assessment of paleoseismic shaking that caused a sand blow at Fort Dorchester, SC

A sand blow from a paleo-earthquake was identified at Fort Dorchester, South Carolina in 2007. Geotechnical field investigations indicate the thickness of the source sand layer ranges from 1.2 to 3.1 m and the depth below the ground surface to the top of the layer ranges from 2.3 to 3.9 m. The layer is predominantly angular to subangular silty quartz sand with a fines content of 4 to 22% and the predominant mean grain diameter of 0.18–0.26 mm. The geotechnical data were used with paleoliquefaction evaluation methods and two independent relations to account for soil aging to estimate the minimum magnitude and peak ground acceleration of the prehistoric earthquake. Four regionally proper Ground Motion Prediction Equations were used in combination with the back-calculated peak ground accelerations to obtain proper estimation of a max -M. For a range of site-to-source distance from 4 to 10 km, the minimum earthquake magnitude and peak ground acceleration of prehistoric earthquakes at the Fort Dorchester site ranges from 5 to 6.3 and 0.19 to 0.39 g respectively.
Scalable Algorithms for Bayesian Inference of Large-Scale Models from Large-Scale Data

One of the greatest challenges in computational science and engineering today is how to combine complex data with complex models to create better predictions. This challenge cuts across every application area within CS&E, from geosciences, materials, chemical systems, biological systems, and astrophysics to engineered systems in aerospace, transportation, structures, electronics, biomedicine, and beyond. Many of these systems are characterized by complex nonlinear behavior coupling multiple physical processes over a wide range of length and time scales. Mathematical and computational models of these systems often contain numerous uncertain parameters, making high-reliability predictive modeling a challenge. Rapidly expanding volumes of observational data—along with tremendous increases in HPC capability—present opportunities to reduce these uncertainties via solution of large-scale inverse problems.
IDENTIFICATION METHODS | Multilocus Enzyme Electrophoresis

Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) differentiates organisms by assessment of relative electrophoretic mobilities of intracellular enzymes. For more than three decades, this technique served as benchmark tool for the evaluation of phylogenetic relationships among microorganisms. This chapter provides a concise description of the principle and methodology of MLEE and discusses its application in the study of population genetics, epidemiological typing, and identification of microorganisms. Finally, the present status and future of MLEE in comparison to recent molecular typing methods is put forward.
Alcohol Use Among Concerned Partners of Heavy Drinking Service Members and Veterans

Heavy drinking in relationships is complex and we focus on an understudied sample of concerned partners (CPs) worried about their U.S. service member/veteran partner's drinking. We evaluated the link between CP drinking and their own mental health, and how CP drinking moderated the efficacy of a web-based intervention designed to address CPs' mental health and communication. CPs (N = 234) were randomly assigned to intervention or control and completed assessments at baseline and 5 months later. CP drinking was associated with greater CP depression, anxiety, and anger independent of partner drinking. Moreover, the intervention was more efficacious in reducing depression for heavy drinking CPs. CPs are often an overlooked population and resources to help support them are needed.
How much does student engagement with videos and forums in a MOOC affect their achievement

Engagement in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) is based on students who self-organize their participation according to their own goals and interests. Visual materials such as videos and discussion forums are basic ways of engaging students in MOOCs. Student achievement in MOOCs is typically measured using assessments distributed throughout the course. Although there is research on the basic forms of student’s engagement and assessment in MOOCs, little is known about their effect on students’ achievement in the form of students completing a MOOC. Using binomial logistic regression models, this paper addresses this gap in the literature by presenting the degree to which student engagement with videos and forum posts can predict students’ probability of achievement in a MOOC. It also explores the extent to which participation behaviors and their intention to receive the course certification can be used to predict achievement in MOOCs. Using qualitative content analysis, this paper discusses the quality of the forum posts exchanged by participants in this MOOC. The findings from quantitative analysis support MOOC’s pedagogical assumptions, showing that students’ engagement in forums and with videos increases the probability of course achievement. It also shows that intention to certify plays a moderator effect on the number of videos watched, enhancing achievement in MOOCs. The findings from qualitative analysis reveal that most students’ posts in forums display more information acquisition than critical thinking. Implications for practice suggest MOOC designers and MOOC instructors foster engagement in forums by implementing discussion prompts that foster interactions about deep meaning of concepts or application of concepts covered in the MOOC. In regard to videos, implications for practice suggest the creation of interactive videos that promote students’ engagement and control such as inserting guiding questions and segmenting the video content. Future research comprising multiple MOOC cohorts is suggested to validate the empirical model presented in this study.
Muscle recruitment and coordination during upper-extremity functional tests.

Abstract Performance-based tests, such as the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test or Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory, are commonly used to assess functional performance after neurologic injury. However, the muscle activity required to execute these tasks is not well understood, even for unimpaired individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate unimpaired muscle recruitment and coordination of the dominant and non-dominant limbs during common clinical tests. Electromyography (EMG) recordings from eight arm muscles were monitored bilaterally for twenty unimpaired participants while completing these tests. Average signal magnitudes, activation times, and cocontraction levels were calculated from the filtered EMG data, normalized by maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs). Overall, performance of these functional tests required low levels of muscle activity, with average EMG magnitudes less than 6.5% MVIC for all tests and muscles, except the extensor digitorum, which had higher activations across all tasks (11.7 ± 2.7% MVIC, dominant arm). When averaged across participants, cocontraction was between 25 and 62% for all tests and muscle pairs. Tasks evaluated by speed of completion, rather than functional quality of movement demonstrated higher levels of muscle recruitment. These results provide baseline measurements that can be used to evaluate muscle-specific deficits after neurologic injury and track recovery using common clinical tests.
Antitrust Implications of Patent Settlements: An Incentives Modifying Approach

Recent patent settlement agreements in pharmaceutical cases have involved payment of large sums by branded drug producers to generic challengers to abandon or delay entry. While the law generally favors settlements, patent and other intellectual property settlements can become powerful vehicles for antitrust abuse when patent rights are invalid. Some have called on antitrust courts to resolve the validity of the patent rights in antitrust cases, but such an approach is impractical. It would burden antitrust courts with intractable complexity and require litigation of an issue where the parties with the best information - the patentee and the alleged infringer - are both aligned against the antitrust plaintiff. We urge that a better approach is to modify the incentives of the economic actors to align them with the public interest in competition. This can be done in three ways: (1) changing patent law in ways that would reduce the number of invalid patents issued, (2) requiring disclosure to public antitrust agencies of heretofore undisclosed patent settlements, and (3) limiting the terms of settlement agreements to the date of entry by the alleged infringer and the royalty to be paid to the patent holder.
The Ability to Provide Quality Chest Compressions Over Lacrosse Shoulder Pads.

Context: Performance of quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation is essential for improving patient outcomes. Performing compressions over football equipment inhibits compression depth and rate, but lacrosse equipment has not yet been studied. Objective: To assess the effect of lacrosse shoulder pads on the ability to provide quality chest compressions on simulation manikins. Design: Crossover study. Setting: Simulation laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Thirty-six athletic trainers (12 men: age = 33.3 ± 9.7 years; 24 women: age = 33.4 ± 9.8 years). Main Outcome Measure(s): No shoulder pads (NSP), Warrior Burn Hitman shoulder pads (WSP), and STX Cell II shoulder pads (SSP) were investigated. Outcomes were chest-compression depth (millimeters), rate (compressions per minute), rating of perceived exertion (0−10), hand-placement accuracy (%), and chest recoil (%). Results: We observed a difference in mean compression depth among shoulder-pad conditions (F2,213 = 3.73, P = .03, ω2 = 0.03), with a...
Ecclesiology today and its potential to serve a missionary church

This article engages the theme of the 2017 meeting of the American Society of Missiology: “Missiology’s Dialogue Partners: Practitioners and Scholars Conversing about the Future of Mission.” It see...
Antibiotic-loaded cement in total hip replacement: current indications, efficacy, and complications

Antibiotic-loaded bone cement has been used since the 1960s, and its advantages in the treatment of existing prosthetic infections have been repeatedly demonstrated. Care should be taken to match the antibiotic to the infecting organism, and cement intended for long-term prosthetic fixation should not contain >2 g of antibiotic powder per 80 g of polymethylmethacrylate. The use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement for prophylaxis against infection is controversial and should be used on an individual risk-benefit basis for patient groups at highest risk for development of deep infection.
Studies of DNA Alterations in In Vivo Somatic Cell Mutations in Humans

Gene mutations that arise in vivo in humans are now amenable to study. One method involves the direct cloning in vitro of T-lymphocytes that have undergone mutations in vivo of the X-chromosomal gene for hypoxanthineguanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) (Albertini et al., 1982; Morley et al., 1983, O’Neill et al., 1987; O’Neill et al., 1989). This method, called the T-cell cloning assay, permits recovery of the mutant clones for further characterization. Therefore, in addition to quantitating in vivo mutant frequencies, “mutational spectra” can be defined, at least for hprt. This paper summarizes results of recent studies in our laboratory that have characterized in vivo hprt T-cell mutations for normal young adults, normal newborns, and individuals exposed to total body ionizing irradiations delivered by internal gamma emitters.
Sites and Regions in Prehistoric Central Western Iran

This chapter reviews prehistoric data for the central Iranian Zagros and discusses the time depth for a few environmental features and cultural patterns. In this area, archeological excavations and surveys permit a partial reconstruction of features of ancient land use and shed light on the content and spatial patterning of early villages. The chapter focuses on late prehistoric occupation in central western Iran. Although additional data are sorely needed, palynological, sedimentological, paleozoological, and archeological data combine to support a fairly unified if thus far coarse-grained picture of the early post-Pleistocene epoch. These data suggest that by about 3500 B.C., many features of modern climate and vegetation were established in the Kermanshah−Hamadan area and that in broad outline the environmental constraints affecting contemporary villagers are similar to those operating for most of the period extending from the present to the early fourth millennium.
Microscopic Imaging of Intracellular Calcium in Live Cells Using Lifetime-Based Ratiometric Measurements of Oregon Green BAPTA-1

Calcium is a ubiquitous intracellular messenger that has important functions in normal neuronal function. The pathology of Alzheimer's disease has been shown to alter calcium homeostasis in neurons and astrocytes. Several calcium dye indicators are available to measure intracellular calcium within cells, including Oregon Green BAPTA-1 (OGB-1). Using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, we adapted this single wavelength calcium dye into a ratiometric dye to allow quantitative imaging of cellular calcium. We used this approach for in vitro calibrations, single-cell microscopy, high-throughput imaging in automated plate readers, and in single cells in the intact living brain. While OGB is a commonly used fluorescent dye for imaging calcium qualitatively, there are distinct advantages to using a ratiometric approach, which allows quantitative determinations of calcium that are independent of dye concentration. Taking advantage of the distinct lifetime contrast of the calcium-free and calcium-bound forms of OGB, we used time-domain lifetime measurements to generate calibration curves for OGB lifetime ratios as a function of calcium concentration. In summary, we demonstrate approaches using commercially available tools to measure calcium concentrations in live cells at multiple scales using lifetime contrast. These approaches are broadly applicable to other fluorescent readouts that exhibit lifetime contrast and serve as powerful alternatives to spectral or intensity readouts in multiplexing experiments.
RefSoil+: A reference for antimicrobial resistance genes on soil plasmids

Plasmids harbor transferable genes that contribute to the functional repertoire of microbial communities, yet their contributions to metagenomes are often overlooked. Environmental plasmids have the potential to spread antibiotic resistance to clinical microbial strains. In soils, high microbiome diversity and high variability in plasmid characteristics present a challenge for studying plasmids. To improve understanding of soil plasmids, we present RefSoil+, a database containing plasmid sequences from 922 soil microorganisms. Soil plasmids were relatively larger than other described plasmids, which is a trait associated with plasmid mobility. There was no relationship between chromosome size and plasmid size or number, suggesting that these genomic traits are independent in soil. Soil-associated plasmids, but not chromosomes, had fewer antibiotic resistance genes than other microorganisms. These data suggest that soils may offer limited opportunity for plasmid-mediated transfer of described antibiotic resistance genes. RefSoil+ can serve as a baseline for the diversity, composition, and host-associations of plasmid-borne functional genes in soil, a utility that will be enhanced as the database expands. Our study improves understanding of soil plasmids and provides a resource for assessing the dynamics of the genes that they carry, especially genes conferring antibiotic resistances.
The readability, suitability, and content features of eczema action plans in the United States

Background/objectives Little is known about the reading grade level (readability), appropriateness of design (suitability), and content variability of written eczema action plans (EAPs), which can impact the effectiveness of these patient education tools. Here, we assess the readability, suitability, and content of EAPs currently used by pediatric dermatologists in the United States. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of EAPs submitted by members of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology (n = 26). Readability, suitability, and content of sampled plans were systematically assessed. Results Mean (SD) reading grade level was 9.0 (2.1); one in five was written at the recommended level of 6th grade or lower. While the majority of EAPs were found to be adequately suitable, one in five was unsuitable and only two superior. Documents scored most poorly in layout/design and learning stimulation. Plans scored best in the categories of content and literacy demand. EAPs focused on similar content themes, though specific recommendations and descriptors of atopic dermatitis (AD) disease states varied considerably. Conclusions The health literacy burden of EAPs in the United States could be lowered by improving their readability, incorporating graphics, stimulating reader engagement, and developing standards for how AD flares are defined.
Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry of membrane proteins in lipid nanodiscs

Hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (H/DX MS) provides a quantitative comparison of the relative rates of exchange of amide protons for solvent deuterons. In turn, the rate of amide exchange depends on a complex combination of the stability of local secondary structure, solvent accessibility, and dynamics. H/DX MS has, therefore, been widely used to probe structure and function of soluble proteins, but its application to membrane proteins was limited previously to detergent solubilized samples. The large excess of lipids from model membranes, or from membrane fractions derived from in vivo samples, presents challenges with mass spectrometry. The lipid nanodisc platform, consisting of apolipoprotein A-derived membrane scaffold proteins, provides a native like membrane environment in which to capture analyte membrane proteins with a well defined, and low, ratio of lipid to protein. Membrane proteins in lipid nanodiscs are amenable to H/DX MS, and this is expected to lead to a rapid increase in the number of membrane proteins subjected to this analysis. Here we review the few literature examples of the application of H/DX MS to membrane proteins in nanodiscs. The incremental improvements in the experimental workflow of the H/DX MS are described and potential applications of this approach to study membrane proteins are described.