cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electric Heating - Take Another Look

The advantages and disadvantages of electric heating methods are described and compared to other common methods of process heating. Brief descriptions of many electric heating methods are given, with references for the engineer who wishes to pursue any method in depth. Common process requirements, such as drying, melting, etc., are linked to the types of electric heating that are most applicable. For those unfamiliar with many types of electric heating, a guide to areas worthy of further study is provided.
Let us change the world without taking power violently

Written in the form of a letter to a comrade, this text presents a political balance sheet on the work of John Holloway on radical social change. The strength of his work lies in its acute insight ...
Arctic sea ice microwave signature and geophysical processes study

The objective of the studies described concern the validation and utilization of ERS-1 SAR derived liquid and solid ocean information and the study of the inter-regional, regional, and temporal variation of the microwave signatures of sea ice and snow. Initial interests are focussed on the accuracy of the estimates of ice type, ice form, deformation state, or thickness, and the ability to retrieve ice physical property information. Two in situ campaigns have been conducted for the purpose to "truth" ERS-1 SAR products and to gather data in support of the above science studies. >
Septic shock and acute lung injury in rabbits with peritonitis: failure of the neutrophil response to localized infection.

The major goal of this study was to investigate the mechanisms that link the host response to a local infection in the peritoneal cavity with the development of sepsis and lung injury. Rabbits were infected by intraperitoneal inoculation of fibrin clots containing Escherichia coli at 108, 109, or 1010 cfu/clot. Physiologic, bacteriologic, and inflammatory responses were monitored, and the lungs were examined postmortem. At a dose of 108 cfu/clot the animals had resolving infection, and a dose of 109 cfu/clot resulted in persistent infection at 24 h, with minimal systemic manifestations. In contrast, inoculation of 1010 cfu/clot resulted in rapidly lethal local infection, with septic shock and lung injury. The onset of septic shock was associated with a paradoxical lack of identifiable polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN; neutrophils) in the peritoneal cavity. The absence of PMN in the peritoneum was due in part to lysis of intraperitoneal PMN, because the peritoneal fluids contained free myeloperoxidase and...
Internet Retailing and ‘Free Riding’: A Post-Leegin Antitrust Analysis

This article is adapted for the Journal of Internet Law from a more in-depth article that the author has published: Resale Price Maintenance: The Internet Phenomenon and Free Rider Issues, 55 Antitrust Bulletin 473 (2010). It examines the characteristics of the Internet, online retailing, and the issues they raise pertaining to the free rider justification. It argues that, for most products, the abundance of information available online should diminish the need for in-store demonstrations or knowledgeable sales assistance and, thus, the frequency of free riding. Several recent marketing studies seem to confirm this analysis and to further suggest that free riding may be synergistic, not harmful, calling into question the usual free rider justification for resale price fixing agreements. Even if one rejects these insights and views free riding from a conventional perspective, RPM is not particularly effective in eliciting from online retailers the types of brick-and-mortar services upon which they are allegedly prone to free ride. In any event, there are other less anti-competitive means of achieving the objective of inducing dealer services. Given the many benefits of Internet retailing and the risk that prohibiting discounting would impede its growth, it is important not to allow the rule of reason to devolve into a de facto legality rule for RPM. This article concludes by suggesting a way forward that would avoid this result without running afoul of Leegin.
Book Review: After We Die: The Life and Times of the Human Cadaver, by Norman Cantor

This review discusses and recommends a highly readable, humorous, and yet thought-provoking book about the status custom and law have accorded to cadavers.
Acting with feeling from duty

A central claim in Kantian ethics is that an agent is properly morally motivated just in case she acts from duty alone. Bernard Williams, Michael Stocker, and Justin Oakley claim that certain emotionally infused actions, such as lending a compassionate helping hand, can only be done from compassion and not from duty. I argue that these critics have overlooked a distinction between an action's manner, how an action is done, and its motive, the agent's reason for acting. Through a range of examples I demonstrate how an emotion can determine an action's manner without also serving as the motive. Thus, it is possible for an agent to act compassionately from duty alone. This distinction between the manner and the motive of an action not only restores a central claim in Kantian ethics but it also allows for an expanded role of emotions in moral action.
Variation on a theme: CMR as the "one-stop shop" for risk stratification after infarction?

Predicting prognosis after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains clinically challenging, partly due to significant interpatient variability in risk profiles and what is often individualized therapeutic management. In addition, the risk of poor outcomes varies as a function of time from AMI,
Multiple view image denoising using 3D focus image stacks

In this paper, we propose an improved fast multiple-view image denoising algorithm based on plane sweeping (PS) and non-local means (NLM). Miyata et al. proposed to use PS to convert multi-view images into multi-focus images for noise suppression. It showed improved computational efficiency and comparable denoising quality compared to conventional methods. In this paper, we introduce the notion of 3D focus image stacks which we called super images, and use an adaptation of NLM algorithm to further improve the performance of multi-view denoising. Experiments show that our improved algorithm outperforms that reported by Miyata et al. with slight increase of computation time, and is much faster than conventional NLM denoising method.
Integrating Heterogeneous Information in Diagnosis and Prognosis

In this paper, a methodology for diagnosis and prognosis of a system in the presence of heterogeneous information using a dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) is proposed. Due to their ability to integrate heterogeneous information — information in a variety of formats from various sources — and give a probabilistic representation of a system, DBNs provide a platform naturally suited for diagnosis, prognosis, and uncertainty quantification therein. In the proposed methodology, a DBN is first constructed via an established machine learning algorithm from heterogeneous information. The DBN is then used to track the system and diagnose faults. Uncertainty in diagnosis is quantified. Remaining useful life is then estimated and the prognosis procedure validated. The methodology is demonstrated on a cantilever beam subject to fatigue loading and faults consisting of damage at the support or a crack.
Demineralized Bone Matrix Incorporated PLGA Matrices

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-PLGA (85:15) films incorporated with demineralized bone matrix (DBM) powder with the weight ratio of polymer: DBM (75:25) were investigated for release of agents including osteoinductive (OI) factors during the 80 day period exposing to Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) at 37 °C. The release amount of agents including OI factors from DBM/PLGA matrices were more than 2-fold higher at 70 days than at 10 days, respectively. This result demonstrated that controlled release of OI factors can be achieved for extended time period at target site using PLGA as a carrier for DBM powder. Murine Bone Marrow Stromal Cell (BMSC) attachment was studied with different time points at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 24 h for DBM/PLGA and PLGA control matrices. Significantly higher number of BMSCs was attached to the DBM/PLGA matrices at each time points compared with controls. This result suggests that BMSCs favor to attach the surfaces having OI properties. If DBM is incorporated into biodegradable 3-D polymer scaffolds and culture with BMSCs, those scaffolds could be potentially used for bone tissue engineering applications.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Long Run Postwar Aspects of Price Control

U NLIKE the authors of the two preceding articles, I am not allowed the security of discussing what is at present, or what may rather clearly be or should be in the immediate postwar period. Instead I must engage in prognosis under most unfavorable conditions. We know now that we shall win the war but we do not know when, or under what conditions-especially whether the climax will be abrupt or delayed through a gradual tapering off from general activity to limited engagements. We do not know now just what will be the specific nature of our immediate postwar problems-although we are able to label most of them so far as their kind is concerned. Now it is hazardous, perhaps foolish, to discuss long run problems and consequences when the immediate state of affairs is still so dynamic and the intermediate period can at best be characterized only in the most general terms, if at all. Yet, we must look ahead, for what we shall do during the critical transitional period should be based not only upon the immediate contingencies but upon our expectations and desires in the years to follow. As of today one can say reasonable things concerning our uncertain future only by employing the time-honored device of social science of making certain assumptions. For the purposes of this brief preview I shall assume that (i) within a few years at the most after the war, the federal government will have relinquished its wartime economic controls, and (2) the transition from the war time regimented economy will have been
Survey on Smoking Status and Smoking-related Knowledge Among Staff of Community Health Centers in Changsha

Objective To investigate the prevalence of smoking behavior and smoking-related knowledge and attitude in staff of community health centers in Changsha,and provide scientific evidence for formulating tobacco control policy. Methods Smoking-related questionnaire survey was conducted in 800 staff members from 40 community health centers with stratified random sampling method in Changsha. Results The smoking rate of the staff was 54.1%.The current smoking rate was21.3%and the passive smoking rate was 53.3%.95.1%of the staff opposed smoking in public workplace.More than 90%believed that smoking and passive smoking would lead to respiratory system disease.Fewer medical staff believed that smoking would lead to non-respiratory-system diseases.Only 32.2%often persuaded patients not to smoke. Conclusions It is necessary to enhance tobacco control training on the harm of tobacco and some smoking-quitting skills in community health staff so as to emerge the role model in the tobacco control work.
Vaginal reconstruction following pelvic exenteration: surgical and psychological considerations.

Obliteration or marked foreshortening of the vagina with termination of normal sexual activities may be one of the unfortunate consequences of pelvic exenterative therapy. Whereas not all such patients are candidates for vaginal reconstruction, it is the responsibility of the surgeon to aid in the sexual rehabilitation of interested patients. The creation of a neovagina by the use of free split-thickness skin grafts has been gratifying. Thirty patients were interviewed concerning their sexual activity and interests following pelvic exenteration. The results support the importance of sexual rehabilitation in these patients. The technique utilized is described.
Effects of Nutritional and Hormonal Factors on the Formation of Anti-plant-viral Protein by Mirabilis jalapa L. Cells in Suspension Culture

To obtain basic information of the production of anti-plant-viral protein by Mirabilis jalapa cells in suspension culture, the cultural conditions, especially the nutritional ones, for MAP formation and cell growth were investigated. It was found MAP formation was greatly repressed by a high concentration of 2, 4-D and the addition of cytokinin. The concentration of nitrogen sources, phosphate, and CaCl2 had marked effect. Revised medium was prepared due to the corresponding optimum concentration obtained from our investigations. MAP productivity in the revised medium became twice that in the basal medium. Changes in MAP content were also examined during successive subculturing. It was recognized that MAP content increased in the early generations, then decreased slowly during subculturings.
Bullying and incivility in the most caring profession nursing

W bullying has become increasingly prevalent in healthcare and there is significant data to support bullying befalls and carries destruction. The zone of silence that surrounds and insulates this surreptitious behavior is real. In an environment in which bullying is not addressed, it often spreads. Many ramifications of workplace bullying affect employees as well as patients and can lead to decreased reimbursement, unsafe conditions and increases in errors in addition to an overall negative reputation for an organization. Recently, studies have suggested there is a direct correlation between professional nursing educational programs and decreased incivility in the workplace. Research studies support that when bullies in the workplace are held accountable, staff are more empowered to come forward and report these events. Through education, prevention and awareness, nursing educational programs can be instrumental in eradicating this behavior both in the academic world and hospital based settings. Undergraduate nursing students in the academic arena could benefit from evidence-based education on ramifications of buying and how to address it in their practice. Hospital based nursing education programs outlining policies and acceptable behaviors are another forum that could help to prevent workplace violence. Researchers agree additional studies are needed in order to examine the effectiveness of nursing educational programs on eliminating covert bullying.
Abstract 11683: Recurrence of Atrial Arrhythmias Following Ablation in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: New Substrate Formation or Late Procedural Failure?

Introduction: Using current mapping and ablation tools, high acute success rates can be achieved in repaired adult congenital heart disease (CHD) patients with atrial arrhythmias, but recurrences are common. We examined the nature of recurrence in a cohort of repaired adult CHD patients. Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis that recurrences after ablation in repaired CHD patients represent the development of new substrates. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on all repaired adult CHD patients undergoing ablation for atrial arrhythmias, excluding atrial fibrillation (AF), at our institution from Jan. 2003-Nov. 2013. CHD lesions were grouped as tetralogy-type, atrial switch, single ventricle, and other. Latest follow-up data were obtained on all patients. Acute procedural success was defined as ablation of all targeted circuits. All recurrences warranting clinical intervention were noted. Results: A total of 118 patients underwent 157 ablation procedures, and 253 tachycardias were targeted. Of these, 99 utilized the cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI), 88 were non-isthmus-dependent scar-related macro-reentry, 55 were focal tachycardias, and 13 were atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardias. Acute procedural success was obtained in 147/157 (94%) procedures and 237/253 (94%) targeted arrhythmias. Recurrence was observed after 78 (50%) procedures after a median time of 6 months. Of those undergoing repeat ablations, new substrates were found to be the cause of recurrence in 18 (23%), while recurrence of the original substrate was documented in 20 (26%). AF accounted for 9 (12%) of the recurrences. By lesion type, recurrence was most common among single ventricle patients (81% vs. all others 42%, p <0.001).By substrate, recurrence was lowest with CTI-dependent circuits (35% vs. all others 56%, p=0.016). Conclusions: Despite high acute procedural success rates, patients with repaired CHD had frequent recurrence of atrial arrhythmias. These represented both new substrates, including the development of AF, and recurrence of previously-ablated substrates with a similar frequency. Repeat ablation may be warranted in those with recurrences as a new target for ablation may be identified.
Attitude of Iranian EFL Learners and Teachers Towards Using Movie Clips in Teaching Idioms

Without having efficient command of idiom comprehension and use, the natural flow of speaking and listening processes in a language are impaired. Given the salience of teaching idioms effectively and the challenges language teachers normally grapple with in doing so, finding functional techniques to teach idioms have been the central focus of many studies after the emergence of postmethod era. The present study aims to explore the attitude of 40 Iranian EFL learners and teachers towards the use of movie clips as a new method of English idioms instruction. As a mixed-method study, interviews and questionnaires were both used to gauge the attitude of 30 EFL learners and 10EFL teachers. The results revealed that both groups have a strong positive attitude towards the use of movie clips as a new method of English idioms instruction. The findings of this study bear implications for both language teaching practitioners and syllabus designers.
Distance and environmental difference in alpine plant communities

AbstractDifferences in plant communities are a response to the abiotic environment, species interactions, and dispersal. The role of geographic distance relative to the abiotic environment is explored for alpine tundra vegetation from 319 plots of four regions along the Rocky Mountain cordillera in the USA. The site by species data were ordinated using nonmetric multidimensional scaling to produce dependent variables for use in best-subsets regression. For independent variables, observations of local topography and microtopography were used as environmental indicators. Two methods of including distance in studies of vegetation and environment are used and contrasted. The relative importance of geographic distance in accounting for the pattern of alpine tundra similarity indicates that location is a factor in plant community composition. Mantel tests provide direct correlations between difference and distance but have known weaknesses. Moran spatial eigenvectors used in regression based approaches have gre...
Locomotor Adaptation and Leading Limb Asymmetries in Neonatal Chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes )

We assessed laterality for leading limb in crawling and leading limb in stepping in 13 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) during the first 3 months of life. Overall, there is a significant populational right-side bias for crawling but not for stepping. There is a significant negative correlation between laterality in stepping and crawling. The females are more right-sided in lateral bias than the males across both measures. These data suggest that asymmetries in postural organization are present early in life and are specific to the inherent locomotor behavior of a given species.
Longitudinal assessment of dairy farm management practices associated with the presence of psychrotolerant Bacillales spores in bulk tank milk on 10 New York State dairy farms

The ability of certain spore-forming bacteria in the order Bacillales (e.g., Bacillus spp., Paenibacillus spp.) to survive pasteurization in spore form and grow at refrigeration temperatures results in product spoilage and limits the shelf life of high temperature, short time (HTST)-pasteurized fluid milk. To facilitate development of strategies to minimize contamination of raw milk with psychrotolerant Bacillales spores, we conducted a longitudinal study of 10 New York State dairy farms, which included yearlong monthly assessments of the frequency and levels of bulk tank raw milk psychrotolerant spore contamination, along with administration of questionnaires to identify farm management practices associated with psychrotolerant spore presence over time. Milk samples were first spore pasteurized (80°C for 12 min) and then analyzed for sporeformer counts on the initial day of spore pasteurization (SP), and after refrigerated storage (6°C) for 7, 14, and 21 d after SP. Overall, 41% of samples showed sporeformer counts of >20,000 cfu/mL at d 21, with Bacillus and Paenibacillus spp. being predominant causes of high sporeformer counts. Statistical analyses identified 3 management factors (more frequent cleaning of the bulk tank area, the use of a skid steer to scrape the housing area, and segregating problem cows during milking) that were all associated with lower probabilities of d-21 Bacillales spore detection in SP-treated bulk tank raw milk. Our data emphasize that appropriate on-farm measures to improve overall cleanliness and cow hygiene will reduce the probability of psychrotolerant Bacillales spore contamination of bulk tank raw milk, allowing for consistent production of raw milk with reduced psychrotolerant spore counts, which will facilitate production of HTST-pasteurized milk with extended refrigerated shelf life.
Embryonic Factors Associated with Recurrent Implantation Failure

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a frustrating clinical scenario for the patient, physician, and embryology team alike. When seemingly “good-quality embryos” fail to implant in a normal uterus following multiple embryo transfers, there is often no immediate obvious reason. Despite considerable improvements in both clinical protocols and laboratory technologies over the last 30 years of assisted reproduction, the question remains as to how best to select the most developmentally competent embryo from a given cohort. The purpose of this chapter is not to provide a comprehensive review of the normal developmental kinetics or morphologic scoring systems of the human preimplantation embryo (reviewed by Matchinger and Racowsky (Reprod Biomed Online 26:210–21, 2013)). Rather, this chapter will (1) focus on embryonic factors associated with implantation in general and RIF specifically and (2) identify interventions in the IVF laboratory at the cleavage and blastocyst stages that may optimize pregnancy rates in this challenging patient population.
Simulation of Natural Processes

“If one wishes to learn what are the methods theoretical physicists use do not listen to their words, fix your attention on their deeds.”
Facile Strategies to Synthesize Dual Location Dual Acidic pH/Reduction-Responsive Degradable Block Copolymers Bearing Acetal/Disulfide Block Junctions and Disulfide Pendants.

We report new dual acidic pH/reduction-responsive degradable amphiphilic block copolymers featured with dual acidic pH-labile acetal linkage and a reductively-cleavable disulfide bond at the hydrop...
Computational investigation of arranged scintillating particle composites for fast neutron detection

Abstract Composite materials have the potential to play an important role in enabling high-performance and cost-effective neutron detectors for fundamental science, global security, and dosimetry applications. This study presents neutron and gamma transport simulation results on composites consisting of 6Li-containing GS20 scintillator glass particles arranged in an organic matrix. These composites achieve high sensitivity for neutrons while suppressing signals from gamma rays. The simulations successfully identified optimal composite parameters such as particle size, geometry, and inter-particle pitch. This information is key to the subsequent fabrication and scale-up of the desired GS20-in-acrylic composite. The simulation results presented in this paper demonstrate that arranged composites can provide high neutron detection efficiency with gamma misidentification values of
Effects of Promotility Agents on Gastric Emptying and Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background & Aims Studies have reported a lack of association between improvements in gastric emptying (GE) and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms with promotility drugs. However, GE test methods were suboptimal in some studies. We assessed improvements in GE and UGI symptoms in patients given promotility agents in studies with optimal or moderate test methods (scintigraphy or breath test, solid meal, >2 hours duration) compared to studies with suboptimal GE test methods. Methods With an expert librarian, we completed an extensive search of publications in the Ovid MEDLINE (1946 to present), EMBASE (1988 to January 2018), and EBM Reviews Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, without restrictions on language or year. Two independent reviewers evaluated the following inclusion criteria: randomized, blinded, parallel, or crossover trials of 5HT4 agonists, D2 receptor antagonist, or ghrelin agonists; trials that measured change in GE (T1/2) or composite UGI symptoms; trials of patients with functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis; and trials of GE test methods. Standardized mean differences (units expressed as SD) were used to standardize symptom assessments that were not uniform across studies. Random effects model was used to analyze data and meta-regression was used to evaluate the association between change in GE and UGI symptoms. Results Of 899 studies considered, 22 studies assessed change in GE; 23 evaluated UGI symptoms; and 14 evaluated GE and UGI symptoms. Promotility agents significantly accelerated GE (T1/2) in all studies (mean reduction in T1/2, 16.3 minutes; 95% confidence interval, –22.1 to –10.6 minutes) and in studies that used optimal GE test methods (mean reduction in T1/2, 23.6 minutes; 95% confidence interval, –32.3 to –14.9 minutes). Promotility agents also significantly reduced UGI symptoms (mean reduction, 0.25 SD; 95% confidence interval, –0.37 to –0.13 SD). Meta-regression found no significant association between change in GE and UGI symptoms. However, when only studies with optimal GE test methods were evaluated, there was a significant positive association between improvement in GE and UGI symptoms (P = .02). Conclusions In a meta-analysis of published trials, we found promotility agents to significantly accelerate GE (when optimal test methods were used) and to produce significant improvements in UGI symptoms.
Utility of bevacizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A veterans affairs experience

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a challenging to treat malignancy with few available systemic therapies. Angiogenesis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of HCC and prior studies have suggested a role for anti-VEGF therapy. Prior to FDA approval of second-line therapy for advanced HCC, from 2008 until 2017, we initiated bevacizumab monotherapy (5-10 mg/kg every 2-3 weeks) in 12 patients with intolerance of or progression during sorafenib therapy. Bevacizumab therapy was well tolerated with only 1/12 patients experiencing a grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse event (transient ischemic attack) and only 2/12 patients discontinued the therapy due to adverse events. Median overall survival was 20.2 months (IQR, 7.0-43.5), with a median time to radiologic progression of 10.4 months (IQR, 2.8-16.1) and a disease control rate of 54%. Taken together, our experience provides rationale for further prospective investigation of bevacizumab for the treatment of advanced HCC.
Mental health competencies for pediatric practice

Pediatricians have unique opportunities and an increasing sense of responsibility to promote healthy social-emotional development of children and to prevent and address their mental health and substance use conditions. In this report, the American Academy of Pediatrics updates its 2009 policy statement, which proposed competencies for providing mental health care to children in primary care settings and recommended steps toward achieving them. This 2019 policy statement affirms the 2009 statement and expands competencies in response to science and policy that have emerged since: the impact of adverse childhood experiences and social determinants on mental health, trauma-informed practice, and team-based care. Importantly, it also recognizes ways in which the competencies are pertinent to pediatric subspecialty practice. Proposed mental health competencies include foundational communication skills, capacity to incorporate mental health content and tools into health promotion and primary and secondary preventive care, skills in the psychosocial assessment and care of children with mental health conditions, knowledge and skills of evidence-based psychosocial therapy and psychopharmacologic therapy, skills to function as a team member and comanager with mental health specialists, and commitment to embrace mental health practice as integral to pediatric care. Achievement of these competencies will necessarily be incremental, requiring partnership with fellow advocates, system changes, new payment mechanisms, practice enhancements, and decision support for pediatricians in their expanded scope of practice.
Adjective Learning in Young Typically Developing Children and Children With Developmental Language Disorder: A Retrieval-Based Approach.

Purpose There are strong retention benefits when learners frequently test themselves during the learning period. This practice of repeated retrieval has recently been applied successfully to childr...
Superconductivity found in meteorites

Meteorites can contain a wide range of material phases due to the extreme environments found in space and are ideal candidates to search for natural superconductivity. However, meteorites are chemically inhomogeneous, and superconducting phases in them could potentially be minute, rendering detection of these phases difficult. To alleviate this difficulty, we have studied meteorite samples with the ultrasensitive magnetic field modulated microwave spectroscopy (MFMMS) technique [J. G. Ramirez, A. C. Basaran, J. de la Venta, J. Pereiro, I. K. Schuller, Rep. Prog. Phys. 77, 093902 (2014)]. Here, we report the identification of superconducting phases in two meteorites, Mundrabilla, a group IAB iron meteorite [R. Wilson, A. Cooney, Nature 213, 274-275 (1967)] and GRA 95205, a ureilite [J. N. Grossman, Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 33, A221-A239 (1998)]. MFMMS measurements detected superconducting transitions in samples from each, above 5 K. By subdividing and remeasuring individual samples, grains containing the largest superconducting fraction were isolated. The superconducting grains were then characterized with a series of complementary techniques, including vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and numerical methods. These measurements and analysis identified the likely phases as alloys of lead, indium, and tin.
An empirical investigation of online review helpfulness: A big data perspective

Abstract This study investigates the determinants of online review helpfulness, adopting various predictors from three dimensions of the online review management: source factors, review factors, and context factors. Based on a large, comprehensive dataset that includes 14,051,211 online reviews in 24 product categories from an ecommerce retailer, Amazon.com , this study provides empirical evidence on the effect of source and reviews factors on perceived review helpfulness, which the extant literature has reached inconsistent conclusions. In addition, this study considers the effects on review helpfulness created by context factors: product satisfaction, product popularity, product intangibility, and product variety. These factors are scarcely discussed in the existing literature. The major findings include (1) review extremity, review depth, and reviewer expertise have a positive effect on review helpfulness; (2) review inconsistency, product intangibility, product satisfaction, product popularity, product variety, and reviewer experience have negative effects; and (3) product intangibility moderates the effect of review extremity and depth on review helpfulness.
David Oliver: Heed HSIB on covid transmission in hospital

The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) recently published its report of a four month safety investigation into covid-19 transmission in hospitals.1 The findings are complex and nuanced, and its recommendations are many. It has significant implications for our work, colleagues, and patients. Hospital acquired covid infection can’t easily be separated from transmission to, and infection of, patients and colleagues by patient facing staff or our ability to access testing or personal protective equipment (PPE). In July the Academy of Medical Sciences reported that “at least 10% of all covid-19 infections in England between 26 April and 7 June were among patient facing healthcare workers and resident facing social care workers.”2 It didn’t give definitive data on the percentage of covid cases transmitted in hospital, noting only limited and disconnected data sources on infections acquired in hospitals. However, these infections were of particular concern …
Evaluation of spatial and temporal water and soil quality in the Buffalo and Brays Bayou watersheds of Houston, Texas

Abstract The Buffalo and Brays Bayous are two of the primary drainage channels in the city of Houston. Both the Buffalo and Brays Bayou Watersheds (BBW, BrBW) are impacted by frequent flooding, rapid urbanization and intense land cover changes. The goal of this research is to assess and compare the soil and water quality and land cover changes in the BBW and BrBW. The specific objectives of the study are 1) to monitor and assess the nutrient and metal concentrations in the water and soil samples along the Buffalo and Brays Bayou, 2) to map the long-term land cover changes within these urban watersheds, and 3) to assess the effect of land cover changes on the bayou discharge, water and soil quality of the watersheds. Water and soil samples from several locations along the Brays and Buffalo Bayous were collected during multiple seasons and processed for chemical analysis. Our water sample analysis revealed that the Cu, As and Pb concentrations were higher in the fall compared to the summer and exceeded the critical limit in both the bayous. The soil analysis indicated that the Zn and Pb concentrations were higher in the fall over summer season and exceeded the background concentrations in both BBW and BrBW. The remote sensing analysis revealed that there was a 145% and 140% increase in impervious surface and 34.8% and 34.5% decrease in the vegetative surface in the BBW and BrBW, respectively, due to urbanization during 1984–2019. The contamination of soil and water in BrBW is substantially higher than the BBW. The results of this study provide insights for adoption of best sustainable management practices in urban watersheds.
Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is associated with lower quality of the non-SSB diet in US adolescents and young adults.

BACKGROUND Since 2003-4, the United States has seen large declines in sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake overall, especially among non-Hispanic white (NHW) subpopulations. However, obesity prevalence has not shown comparable declines in the 2 highest SSB-consuming groups, adolescents and young adults. Little is understood about the quality of the diet excluding SSBs (non-SSB diet). OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in non-SSB diet quality in SSB consumers and nonconsumers in adolescents and young adults and in the 3 major race/ethnic subgroups. METHODS This study utilized data from the NHANES, a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of the US population. Data from 6426 participants aged 12-29 y from the NHANES (2009-2014) was included. Quality of the non-SSB diet was measured using the 2015 Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Multivariate linear regressions controlled for sociodemographic characteristics and included interactions by race/ethnicity [NHWs, non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs), Hispanics]. Individuals were classified as non-, low- (<10% of daily calories), or high-SSB consumers (≥10% of daily calories), according to the US Dietary Guidelines added sugar intake recommendation. RESULTS Non-SSB HEI scores differed among SSB consumer groups (53 for adolescent nonconsumers compared with 46 for high consumers, P < 0.001; 57 for young adult nonconsumers compared with 45 for high consumers, P < 0.001), although all scores were low and require improvement. Among NHBs, significant differences in non-SSB HEI were found only between non- and low-SSB consumers. In Hispanics, associations varied by age group, with significant differences found for young adults but no association found for adolescents. CONCLUSIONS Low non-SSB HEI scores in SSB consumers suggest that reducing SSB consumption alone will not be a sufficient strategy for improving dietary quality in adolescents and young adults. Future policies must also consider improving the non-SSB diet.
Proposal for a trial of early left ventricular venting during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiogenic shock

Abstract Objective Patients with profound cardiogenic shock may require venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for circulatory support most commonly via the femoral vessels. The rate of cardiac recovery in this population remains low, possibly because peripheral VA-ECMO increases ventricular afterload. Whether direct ventricular unloading in peripheral VA-ECMO enhances cardiac recovery is unknown, but is being more frequently utilized. A randomized trial is warranted to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of percutaneous left ventricle venting to enhance cardiac recovery in the setting of VA-ECMO. Methods We describe the rationale, design, and initial testing of a randomized controlled trial of VA-ECMO with and without percutaneous left ventricle venting using a percutaneous micro-axial ventricular assist device. Results This is an ongoing prospective randomized controlled trial in adult patients with primary cardiac failure presenting in cardiogenic shock requiring peripheral VA-ECMO, designed to test the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous left ventricle venting in improving the rate of cardiac recovery. Conclusions The results of this nonindustry-sponsored trial will provide critical information on whether left ventricle unloading in peripheral VA-ECMO is safe and effective.
Pricing competition: a new laboratory measure of gender differences in the willingness to compete

Experiments have demonstrated that men are more willing to compete than women. We develop a new instrument to “price” willingness to compete. We find that men value a $2.00 winner-take-all payment significantly more (about $0.28 more) than women; and that women require a premium (about 40 %) to compete. Our new instrument is more sensitive than the traditional binary-choice instrument, and thus, enables us to identify relationships that are not identifiable using the traditional binary-choice instrument. We find that subjects who are the most willing to compete have high ability, higher GPA’s (men), and take more STEM courses (women).
CO2 Exchange at Low PPFD and Low CO2 Levels: Measurement and Simulation

Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and CO2 concentration are critical determinants of net CO2 exchange rate (CER) in leaves. The interaction of these environmental variables through their effects on metabolic processes controlling photosynthesis is not completely understood, especially at the leaf level. There are at least two possible methods by which light intensity could affect the photosynthetic response of a leaf to changing CO2 concentration: 1) changes in ribulose-1,5-isphosphate (RuP2) concentration (Collatz, 1978) and 2) changes in the activation of the enzyme, RuP2 carboxylase (Perchorowicz et al., 1981). The interaction of PPFD with CO2 concentration would be most evident when neither CO2 nor PPFD are saturating. The aim of the research reported here was to investigate the effect of PPFD on the initial slope of the photosynthetic response.
Eikenella corrodens Osteomyelitis

A 9-year-old boy developed osteomyelitis of the calcaneus following a puncture wound by a toothpick. Culture of the bone yielded a pure culture of Eikenella corrodens, an organism that is normally found in oral secretions. Recovery was complete following incision and drainage and antibiotic treatment with penicillins.
cART and Supportive Care for HIV-Associated Malignancies

cART is an abbreviation for combined antiretroviral therapy and generally refers to a three- or four-drug combination regimen of antiretroviral medications, which is considered standard treatment for human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. Another name for cART is highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This treatment is important for suppressing HIV-1 replication and has greatly increased the longevity of individuals with this infection. As part of the treatment of malignancies in HIV-infected patients, cART and other supportive measures such as antiemetics, hematopoietic growth factors, blood transfusions, prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotics, anti-diarrheal medications, and psycho-social support for each individual undergoing the stressful therapy for these often life-threatening cancers have greatly enhanced both the efficacy and tolerability of these treatments and allowed patients to achieve remissions and/or cure of their cancers.
Thermodynamic aspects of Schrödinger's probability relations

Using Schrodinger's generalized probability relations of quantum mechanics, it is possible to generate a canonical ensemble, the ensemble normally associated with thermodynamic equilibrium, by at least two methods, statistical mixing and subensemble selection, that do not involve thermodynamic equilibration. Thus the question arises as to whether an observer making measurements upon systems from a canonical ensemble can determine whether the systems were prepared by mixing, equilibration, or selection. Investigation of this issue exposes antinomies in quantum statistical thermodynamics. It is conjectured that resolution of these paradoxes may involve a new law of motion in quantum dynamics.
The p-n Junction

As the name suggests, a p-n junction depicts the combination of two semiconductors having n- and p-type conductivities. If the two semiconductors forming the junction are of the same crystal, the term homojunction is used to describe the resulting structure. On the other hand, if two different semiconductors with very similar structural, but varying electrical and optical properties are used, the term heterojunction is applied. In modern LEDs and lasers, heterojunctions are employed for a variety of purposes which include carrier injection, and carrier and light confinement. In fact, before the advent of heterojunctions many optoelectronic and electronic devices were not possible among which was the CW (Continuous Wave) RT (Room Temperature) laser. Being such an integral part of lasers and LEDs, a concise description of the principles of p-n junctions and their characteristics is warranted. Detailed descriptions of heterojunction properties can be found elsewhere [9.1].
On the short-distance limit of strong interactions

The problem of the short-distance behaviour of strong interactions is approached through a study of scattering amplitudes in co-ordinate representation. It is conjectured thata) strong interactions do not die out in the short-distance limit,b) the short-distance limit of scattering amplitudes is covariant under conformal transformations of Minkowski space. Explicit representations are found for the scattering amplitudes in the short-distance limit. Those amplitudes are dual in a weak sense and are free of ultraviolet divergences. Detailed study of a simple example reveals a physically reasonable connection between the threshold and Regge regions of inelastic structure functions. On the basis of simple models it is conjectured that results found in the short-distance limit are not destroyed by the long-range part of strong interactions: thus a close connection between light-cone behaviour and duality may be found.
Isolation of cytomegalovirus from the amniotic fluid during the third trimester

Abstract A case is presented in which cytomegalovirus was isolated from the amniotic fluid at 36 weeks' gestation in a pregnancy complicated by cytomegalovirus hepatitis at 10 weeks of gestation. Abnormalities noted in the newborn infant included an undescended testis, right equinovarus, and hypotonia. All cutures revealed cytomegalovirus. Subsequent immunoglobulin studies, chest x-ray film, and bone films were all normal.
Disruption of an ATP-dependent isomerization of the recA protein by mutation of histidine 163

We have used site-directed mutagenesis to replace histidine 163 of the recA polypeptide with an alanine residue. The new [Ala-163]recA protein catalyzes single-stranded (ss) DNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis with a turnover number that is similar to that of the wild-type recA protein. Despite being proficient in ssDNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis, the [Ala-163]recA protein is unable to promote the ATP-dependent three-strand exchange reaction under standard reaction conditions, pH 7.5. The [Ala-163]recA protein does exhibit three-strand exchange activity at pH 6.0-7.0, however, and the induction of strand exchange activity at low pH correlates directly with the activation of an ATP-dependent isomerization of the mutant protein. Thus, the [Ala-163]recA protein is functionally similar to our previously described mutant [Asn-160]recA protein (Bryant, F.R. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 8716-8723; Muench, K.A., and Bryant, F. R. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 11560-11566). Trypsin proteolysis studies indicate that the [Ala-163]recA and [Asn-160]recA proteins, like the wild-type recA protein, are organized into carboxyl-terminal and amino-terminal domains of nearly equal size. According to this structural model, the [Ala-163]recA and [Asn-160]recA mutations may lie in a linker region joining these two domains. We speculate that the [Ala-163]recA and [Asn-160]recA mutations interfere with an ATP-dependent conformational change of the recA protein that perhaps involves a change in the relative orientation of the carboxyl-terminal and amino-terminal domains.
Truck Transportation Management and Information Network

This paper offers a brief explanation of Isuzu Transport Auto Control (I-TAC), a system used to accurately collect and control information in transit. I-TAC was developed as a means to meet needs for transportation by truck.