cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mercenary Criminal Justice

Today, a growing number of bill collectors are standing in line to collect on the debt that criminals owe to society. Courts order payment of costs; legislatures levy conviction surcharges; even private, for-profit entities get a piece of the action, collecting fees for probation supervision services and the like. While legal financial obligations (LFOs) have long been a part of the criminal justice system, recent budget cutbacks have prompted an unprecedented surge in their use. The resulting funds are dedicated to sustaining and even expanding system operations. With this shift, criminal justice actors have become mercenaries, in effect working on commission. While a significant literature now exists on the adverse personal consequences of LFOs for offenders, this article is the first to examine their legal and institutional ramifications. Although any single LFO might be justifiable, the cumulative effects of assessed LFOs might overwhelm offenders. Further, when criminal justice actors find themselves collecting payments that benefit their own institutions or entities, there comes systemic risk of self-dealing. To mediate these threats, the article proposes use of LFO commissions, which could inventory and assess the propriety of current and proposed LFOs, and monitor their use going forward.
Sub-picogram resolution mass sensing in a liquid environment using low-loss quartz crystal microbalance

This paper presents a significantly improved quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) with sub-picogram mass sensing resolution in liquid while maintaining a high quality factor (Q) without much loss. Our design removes the liquid damping effect through an acoustic loss isolation layer (vacuum) and a sensing diaphragm, which reduce the direct contact area at the interface between the QCM and liquid. The vacuum-gapped QCM turns out to have a very high resonant Q in liquid of 196,340, only a 13.2% reduction from the Q in air. The device sensitivity is 6 cm2/g, corresponding to a remarkably high mass resolution of 90 fg/cm2 in liquid.
Networks are Lightly Utilized, and Will Stay that Way

The popular press often extolls packet networks as much more efficient than switched voice networks in utilizing transmission lines. This impression is reinforced by the delays experienced on the Internet and the famous graphs for traffic patterns through the major exchange points on the Internet, which suggest that networks are running at full capacity. This paper shows the popular impression is incorrect; data networks are very lightly utilized compared to the telephone network. Even the backbones of the Internet are run at lower fractions (10% to 15%) of their capacity than the switched voice network (which operates at over 30% of capacity on average). Private line networks are utilized far less intensively (at 3% to 5%). Further, this situation is likely to persist. The low utilization of data networks compared to voice phone networks is not a symptom of waste. It comes from different patterns of use, lumpy capacity of transmission facilities, and the high growth rate of the industry.
Robust multi-view car detection using unsupervised sub-categorization

This paper presents a novel approach for multi-view car detection using unsupervised sub-categorization instead of manual labeling. Cars have large variability of models and the view-point makes the appearance change dramatically. For object classes with a large intra-class variation like cars, a divide-and-conquer strategy may be applied. Instead of using manually predefined intra-class sub-categorization, we examine several non-linear dimension reduction methods and group samples in the low-dimension embedding in an unsupervised way. The clustered samples have strong view-point similarities internally. A boosting-based cascade tree classifier is trained based on these sub-categorizations. To demonstrate the capability of our multi-view car detector, we create a more challenging test set with annotations. Compared to the UIUC side-view car data set, our test set contains a large range of car models, view points, and complex backgrounds. We compare our approach with previous methods and the result shows that ours outperforms the state-of-the-art methods.
Quantifying the effects of multiple processes on local abundance: a cohort approach for open populations

A challenge for species with demographically open populations is to evaluate the relative importance of various processes that together set local abundance. We developed a cohort-based framework for quantifying the influence of an external supply of colonists and subsequent density-independent and density-dependent mortality on local abundance. Two complementary approaches - based on limitation and elasticity - revealed the nature of interactions and nonlinearities among these processes. Data for an Indo-Pacific reef fish were used to document the settler-survivor relationship and to quantify natural variation in settlement. Limitation by density-dependence was two-fold and 20-fold greater than by supply or density-independent mortality, respectively. Elasticity analyses showed that adult abundance was 40% more sensitive to small proportionate changes in supply than in density-dependence. These techniques provide a way to compare across systems, which could enhance our ability to draw general conclusions regarding the processes that shape local abundance of species with open populations.
Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Food Allergies in Pediatric Patients

Foods that account for 90% of allergic reactions in children are cow's milk protein, eggs, peanut, soy, tree nuts, fish, and wheat. Food allergy can manifest as urticaria/angioedema, anaphylaxis, atopic dermatitis, respiratory symptoms, or a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. GI allergic manifestations can be classified as immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated (immediate GI hypersensitivity and oral allergy syndrome); "mixed" GI allergy syndromes (involving some IgE components and some non-IgE or T-cell-mediated components) include eosinophilic esophagitis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Non-IgE-mediated or T-cell-mediated allergic GI disorders include dietary protein enteropathy, protein-induced enterocolitis, and proctitis. All these conditions share a common denominator: the response of the immune system to a specific protein leading to pathologic inflammatory changes in the GI tract. This immunological response can elicit symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, dysphagia, constipation, or GI blood loss, symptoms consistent with a GI disorder. The detection of food allergies can be accomplished by the use of radioallergosorbent (RAST) testing and skin prick tests in helping to assess the IgE-mediated disorders. Patch tests may help evaluate delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Treatment of GI allergic disorders ranges from strict dietary elimination of offending food(s), use of protein hydrolysates, and use of L-amino acid-based formula when protein hydrolysates fail. Treatment with topical (for eosinophilic esophagitis) or systemic steroids is used if all dietary measures are unsuccessful. Maternal breast feeding or the use from birth of hydrolysate formulas (extensive or partial hydrolysates) may be efficacious in the prevention of atopic disease in "high-risk" families (with at least 1 parent or sibling with a history of atopic disease).
Chemistry and uses of pectin--a review.

Abstract Pectin is an important polysaccharide with applications in foods, Pharmaceuticals, and a number of other industries. Its importance in the food sector lies in its ability to form gel in the presence of Ca2+ ions or a solute at low pH. Although the exact mechanism of gel formation is not clear, significant progress has been made in this direction. Depending on the pectin, coordinate bonding with Ca2+ ions or hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions are involved in gel formation. In low‐methoxyl pectin, gelation results from ionic linkage via calcium bridges between two carboxyl groups belonging to two different chains in close contact with each other. In high‐methoxyl pectin, the cross‐linking of pectin molecules involves a combination of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions between the molecules. A number of factors—pH, presence of other solutes, molecular size, degree of methoxylation, number and arrangement of side chains, and charge density on the molecule— influence the gelation o...
Citizens Not United: The Lack of Stockholder Voluntariness in CorporatePolitical Speech

As the Supreme Court reconsiders prior decisions upholding limits on corporate electioneering from general funds, this Essay suggests that the longstanding concern about the lack of stockholder assent to corporate political speech is more compelling than ever. Patterns of U.S. stockholding have significantly changed in the past several decades so as to heighten the concern and caution against a broad overruling of precedents. Stockholders' ability to sell their securities or pursue a derivative action, and other means of "corporate democracy," do not alleviate the concern. A broad decision in favor of Citizens United could leave even stockholders who carefully screen and monitor their investments at risk of having money they invested used for political advocacy they oppose.
Tuning the Kondo effect in Yb ( Fe 1 − x Co x ) 2 Zn 20

We study the evolution of the Kondo effect in heavy fermion compounds, $\mathrm{Yb}{({\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Co}}_{x})}_{2}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{20}$ ($0\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}1$), by means of temperature-dependent electric resistivity and specific heat. The ground state of ${\mathrm{YbFe}}_{2}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{20}$ can be well described by a Kondo model with degeneracy $N$ = 8 and a ${T}_{K}\ensuremath{\sim}30$ K. The ground state of ${\mathrm{YbCo}}_{2}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{20}$ is close to a Kondo state with degeneracy $N$ = 2 and a much lower ${T}_{K}\ensuremath{\sim}$ 2 K, even though the total crystalline electric field (CEF) splittings are similar for ${\mathrm{YbFe}}_{2}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{20}$ and ${\mathrm{YbCo}}_{2}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{20}$. Upon Co substitution, the coherence temperature of ${\mathrm{YbFe}}_{2}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{20}$ is suppressed, accompanied by an emerging Schottky-like feature in specific heat associated with the thermal depopulation of CEF levels upon cooling. For $0.4\ensuremath{\lesssim}x\ensuremath{\lesssim}$ 0.9, the ground state remains roughly the same, which can be qualitatively understood by Kondo effect in the presence of CEF splitting. There is no clear indication of Kondo coherence in resistivity data down to 500 mK within this substitution range. The coherence reappears at around $x\ensuremath{\gtrsim}$ 0.9 and the coherence temperature increases with higher Co concentration levels.
The Economics of Endangered Species: Why Less is More in the Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Designations

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is the paradigmatic "absolutist" statute of American environmental law. One provision, however, allows economic considerations to play a role in a particular determination - the designation of an area as "critical habitat" for an endangered species. Though largely ignored for many years, this provision has been recently reinvigorated by a landmark decision from the Tenth Circuit, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association v. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 248 F.3d 1277 (10th Cir. 2001). This article examines recent economic analyses performed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the wake of this decision, observing an emerging trend toward increased quantification, formalization, and complexity. This reflects a more general trend toward an increasing faith in cost-benefit analysis in both government and academia. But the ascendancy of cost-benefit analysis has distracted our attention from other ways of taking economic costs into account in environmental standard setting. In fact, throughout the 1970s, Congress generally eschewed the use of formal economic cost-benefit analysis and opted instead for "short-cut" standards that provide for some consideration of the costs of regulation - through, for example, a rough apples-to-oranges comparison of costs and benefits - without requiring the substantial investment of resources necessary for a fully quantified analysis. Considering this provision of the ESA against the backdrop of this rich tradition of "short-cut" standards in American environmental law, this article concludes that application of formal economic cost-benefit analysis to critical habitat designations is inconsistent with congressional intent and, moreover, simply a bad idea. It illogically forces incommensurable values into a common metric; it produces hopelessly indeterminate results; it clouds transparency and undermines public participation by giving controversial and uncertain predictions a false patina of scientific accuracy and objectivity; and it delivers all this regulatory imperfection for a price that is outrageously high, draining needed resources from the real business of saving species.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related Kaposi's sarcoma of the male genitalia: management with radiation therapy.

AbstractKaposi’s sarcoma of the genitalia is an infrequent complication of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome but it often is difficult to manage. A total of 19 men (mean age 39 years) with penile and/or scrotal lesions underwent radiotherapy at dosages of 600 to 3,000cGy. in fractions of 150 to 800cGy. Of the patients 6 achieved a complete and 10 a partial response, while 2 had no response and 1 died too soon after treatment to be evaluated. Recurrences were noted in 8 patients, 7 of whom received additional radiation (1 patient had 2 recurrences and both responded). Of the retreatments 3 effected complete and 4 partial responses. Over-all, of 25 evaluable treatment courses 9 complete (36%) and 14 partial (56%) responses yielded a total response rate of 92%. There was 1 complication, a skin ulceration. Radiation therapy is well tolerated and will result in effective palliation in the majority of patients with Kaposi’s sarcoma of the genitalia.
What Makes Underwriting and Non-Underwriting Clients of Brokerage Firms Receive Different Recommendations? An Application of Uplift Random Forest Model

I explore company characteristics which explain the difference in analysts’ recommendations for companies that were underwritten (affiliated) versus non-underwritten (unaffiliated) by analysts’ brokerage firms. Prior literature documents that analysts issue more optimistic recommendations to underwriting clients of analysts’ brokerage employers. Extant research uses regression models to find general associations between recommendations and financial qualities of companies, with or without underwriting relationship. However, regression models cannot identify the qualities that cause the most difference in recommendations between affiliated versus unaffiliated companies. I adopt uplift random forest model, a popular technique in recent marketing and healthcare research, to identify the type of companies that earn analysts’ favor. I find that companies of stable earnings in the past, higher book-to-market ratio, smaller sizes, worsened earnings, and lower forward PE ratio are likely to receive higher recommendations if they are affiliated with analysts than if they are unaffiliated with analysts. With uplift random forest model, I show that analysts pay more attention on price-related than earnings-related matrices when they value affiliated versus unaffiliated companies. This paper contributes to the literature by introducing an effective predictive model to capital market research and shedding additional light on the usefulness of analysts’ reports.
First Trimester Screening for Fetal Aneuploidy

First trimester screening for fetal aneuploidy is now the standard of care for pregnant women residing in the United States and other developed nations. Today screening includes both biochemical and ultrasonographic parameters; however, ongoing research and advances in ultrasound and cell-free fetal DNA make this a rapidly evolving and exciting field. For example, it is conceivable that noninvasive fetal genotyping in the first trimester may one day (not so distantly in the future) be incorporated into routine screening paradigms. This review aims to explore advances in first trimester screening and also discusses several potential future directions.
PLANNING POST-DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS OF DAMAGED TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS

Planning the reconstruction efforts of damaged transportation networks in the aftermath of natural disasters is a challenging task due to the limited availability of construction resources. The utilization of these limited resources can have a significant impact on the societal needs of minimizing the reconstruction costs and the performance loss of the damaged transportation network. These resources therefore need to be deployed and utilized in an effective and efficient manner that accomplishes these two critical objectives. This paper presents the development of a planning model for post-disaster reconstruction efforts for damaged transportation networks. The model is developed in four stages: (1) allocating the available reconstruction resources to competing recovery projects; (2) estimating the reconstruction costs; (3) measuring the performance loss during the recovery period; and (4) optimizing the reconstruction efforts to minimize reconstruction costs and performance loss. An application example is analyzed to illustrate the use of the model and demonstrate its capabilities in planning post-disaster reconstruction efforts.
Putting the Mr. Big technique back on trial:a re-examination of probative value and abuse of process through a scientific lens

Purpose – A recent Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) ruling resulted in stricter rules being placed on how police organizations can obtain confessions through a controversial undercover operation, known as the Mr. Big technique. The SCC placed the onus on prosecutors to demonstrate that the probative value of any Mr. Big derived confession outweighs its prejudicial effect, and that the police must refrain from an abuse of process (i.e. avoid overcoming the will of the accused to obtain a confession). The purpose of this paper is to determine whether a consideration of the social influence tactics present in the Mr. Big technique would deem Mr. Big confessions inadmissible. Design/methodology/approach – The social psychological literature related to the compliance and the six main principles of social influence (i.e. reciprocity, consistency, liking, social proof, authority, scarcity) was reviewed. The extent to which these social influence principles are arguably present in Mr. Big operations are discussed. F...
Don’t stress: What do we really know about teaching gifted children to cope with stress and anxiety?

ABSTRACTGifted children may experience additional stressors due to their unique characteristics. While empirical evidence suggests otherwise, qualitative studies and clinical observations indicate that gifted individuals may suffer from higher levels of stress due to perfectionistic tendencies, heightened sensitivity, social challenges, and additional external pressures. Nevertheless, empirical research regarding counseling and stress-reducing intervention outcomes remains scant. The few interventions conducted, such as Gaesser’s (2014) work using Cognitive Behavioral and Emotional Freedom techniques with gifted students, have demonstrated promising results. Recommendations include offering incentives in the form of grants and funding to researchers interested in investigating intervention outcomes and investigating stress-reducing methods and approaches, such as mindfulness, which have shown positive impact.
The Oklahoma City Bombing

The Oklahoma City Bombing was the largest detonation by a domestic terrorist in US history. The blast occurred at 9:02 on April 19, 1995. The explosive consisted of at least 4000 pounds of ammonium nitrate fertilizer along with a petroleum accelerant housed in a rental truck. The truck was parked in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building in downtown Oklahoma City. At street level, there were 2 day care centers as well as a federal credit union. There were 167 people killed directly by the blast, mostly by building collapse, and one volunteer rescue worker killed by falling debris. There were 324 buildings damage to some degree with costs of the damage estimated at over half a billion dollars. On April 19, 2000, The Oklahoma City National Memorial was dedicated at the site of the bombing.
Simulation on Frequency Control of Doubly Fed Induction Generator Based Wind Turbine

The mechanical and electrical systems are decoupled and controlled in doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) using double PWM converters. That leads to poor responding performance of DFIG wind turbines generator to the change of the power system frequency. According to its characteristic and scheme, a frequency control loop based on the model of DFIG based wind turbines is proposed and it is implemented in the simulation package of DIgSILENT/PowerFactory. During the deviation of power system frequency, the DFIG based wind turbine with frequency control loop can release (or absorb) a part of the kinetic energy stored in rotor, so as to increase (or decrease) active power injected to power system to realized the frequency control. Validity and practicability are verified by simulation. It lays a foundation for wind farm participating system frequency regulation.
Effect of a helping skills transfer program on dietitians' helping behavior.

In this study, dietetic students were taught how to use interpersonal communication shills in nutrition counseling.
Text and Authority in the South African Nazaretha Church

The Church of the Nazaretha is one of the largest African churches in South Africa. Since its founding in 1910 by the prophet Isaiah Shembe, the church has grown to an estimated six million followe...
Sub‐seasonal teleconnections between convection over the Indian Ocean, the East African long rains and tropical Pacific surface temperatures

Since 1999, the increased frequency of dry conditions over East Africa, particularly during the March–May (MAM) season, has heightened concerns in a region already highly insecure about food. The underlying mechanisms, however, are still not yet fully understood. This article analyses a proxy for daily convection variations over a large region encompassing East Africa and the whole Indian Ocean basin by applying a cluster analysis to more than 30 years of daily outgoing longwave radiation (OLR). Focusing on the MAM season to investigate relationships with East African long rains, four recurrent convection regimes associated with wet/dry conditions in East Africa are identified. Interestingly, all four regimes are related to western/central Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and rainfall. Wet regimes are associated with cool and dry/warm and wet conditions over the Maritime Continent (MC)/tropical Pacific east of the date line. Dry regimes exhibit opposite SST/rainfall dipole patterns in the Pacific compared to wet regimes, with the Indian Ocean found to modulate impacts on East African rainfall. Significant relationships between off-equatorial warming in the west Pacific and a more frequent dry regime in May since 1998–1999 suggest an earlier onset of the monsoon and Somali jet, consistent with the recent abrupt shift observed in East African long rains and their modulation at multi-decadal time scales of the Pacific.
Growth Prospects for Advanced and Emerging Market Economies

This paper examines the reasons for the slow growth in the advanced countries since the recent global financial crisis, the slowdown in growth or recession in emerging market economies, the danger ...
The Time Synchronization Capabilities of the Navstar Global Positioning System

The ability to synchronize distant atomic clocks is required by a number of diverse technological disciplines including geodesy, astronomy, navigation, communications, computer networking, deep-space tracking, and data encryption. Portable atomic clocks often furnished acceptable synchronization, but in recent years, the precisely timed binary pulse trains transmitted by the Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites have provided an attractive alternative. Each Block II satellite carries two cesium and two rubidium atomic clocks with long-term stabilities exceeding 2 × 10-13 for a 1-day averaging time. If the GPS clocks could be made to operate that long, they would require at least 160,000 years to lose or gain 1 second. Yet, they must be updated from the ground at least once per day to maintain a maximum lo timing error of 13 nanoseconds with respect to the other satellites in the GPS constellation.
Predictors of Suicide Risk in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans

The rate of suicide among veterans has grown substantially. One potential explanation is increased psychiatric risk in recent veterans. This retrospective chart review study tested associations bet...
High Cardiovascular Reactivity to Stress

Recently, considerable debate has been sparked concerning the strength of published evidence supporting what has been called “the Reactivity Hypothesis.” This hypothesis, as most broadly defined, is that greater cardiovascular reactivity to behavioral stressors may play some role in the development of sustained arterial hypertension. Thus, when focusing on the wide individual differences in blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, or any other cardiovascular responses that are evoked by a stressor, it is postulated that the high reactors will have an increased risk of becoming hypertensive over time. Some researchers (Pickering & Gerin, 1990) do not find the current evidence supporting this hypothesis to be compelling, citing, among other things, the lack of many prospective investigations showing that high reactivity is a significant independent risk factor. Other authorities (Manuck, Kasprowicz, & Muldoon, 1990) prefer to see the glass half full rather than half empty, and they find the combination of a great deal of consistently supportive indirect evidence and positive results from the relatively few prospective studies to encourage further, better-designed tests of the Reactivity Hypothesis.
RASA1 mutation in a family with capillary malformation–arteriovenous malformation syndrome: A discussion of the differential diagnosis

We describe a family who presented with several scattered, vascular, cutaneous lesions and was found to have a novel mutation in RASA1, diagnostic of capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation syndrome. Our patient was initially given a presumptive clinical diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation syndrome shares several features with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and hereditary benign telangiectasia, but it can be distinguished clinically according to its morphologic appearance and distribution of cutaneous vascular lesions, the presence of internal fast-flow lesions, and genetic analysis.
Biomimetic microfluidic platform for the quantification of transient endothelial monolayer permeability and therapeutic transport under mimicked cancerous conditions

Therapeutic delivery from microvasculature to cancerous sites is influenced by many factors including endothelial permeability, vascular flow rates/pressures, cancer secretion of cytokines and permeabilizing agents, and characteristics of the chosen therapeutics. This work uses bi-layer microfluidics capable of studying dye and therapeutic transport from a simulated vessel to a cancerous region while allowing for direct visualization and quantification of endothelial permeability. 2.5 to 13 times greater dye transport was observed when utilizing small dye sizes (FITC) when compared to larger molecules (FITC-Dextran 4 kDa and FITC-Dextran 70 kDa), respectively. The use of lower flow rates/pressures is shown to improve dye transport by factors ranging from 2.5 to 5 times, which result from increased dye diffusion times within the system. Furthermore, subjecting confluent endothelial monolayers to cancerous cells resulted in increased levels of vascular permeability. Situations of cancer induced increases in vascular permeability are shown to facilitate enhanced dye transport when compared to non-diseased endothelial monolayers. Subsequent introduction of paclitaxel or doxorubicin into the system was shown to kill cancerous cells resulting in the recovery of endothelial confluency overtime. The response of endothelial cells to paclitaxel and doxorubicin is quantified to understand the direct influence of anti-cancer therapeutics on endothelial growth and permeability. Introduction of therapeutics into the system showed the recovery of endothelial confluency and dye transport back to conditions experienced prior to cancer cell introduction after 120 h of continuous treatment. Overall, the system has been utilized to show that therapeutic transport to cancerous sites depends on the size of the chosen therapeutic, the flow rate/pressure established within the vasculature, and the degree of cancer induced endothelial permeability. In addition, treatment of the cancerous region has been demonstrated with anti-cancer therapeutics, which are shown to influence vascular permeability in direct (therapeutics themselves) and indirect (death of cancer cells) manners. Lastly, the system presented in this work is believed to function as a versatile testing platform for future anti-cancer therapeutic testing and development.
Edge computing framework for distributed smart applications

The rapid growth in technology and wide use of internet has increased smart applications such as intelligent transportation control system, and Internet of Things, which heavily rely on an efficient and reliable connectivity network. To overcome high bandwidth work load on the network, as well as minimize latency for real-time applications, the computation can be moved from the central cloud to a distributed edge cloud. The edge computing benefits various smart applications that uses distributed network for data analytics and services. Different from the existing cloud management solutions, edge computing needs to move cloud management services towards distributed heterogeneous edge nodes for multi-tenant user applications. However, existing cloud management services do not offer remote deployment of multi-tenant user applications on the cloud of edge nodes. In this paper, we propose a practical edge cloud software framework for deploying multi-tenant distributed smart applications. Having multiple distributed end nodes, auto discovery of all active end nodes is required for deploying multi-tenant user applications. However, existing cloud solutions require either private network or fixed IP address, which is not achievable for the distributed edge nodes. Most of the edge nodes connected through the public internet without fixed IP, and some of them even connect through IEEE 802.15 based sensor networks. We propose to build a software platform to manage the distributed edge nodes as well as support services to deploy and launch isolated, multi-tenant user applications through a lightweight container. We propose an architectural solution to remotely access edge cloud management services through intermittent internet connections. We open sourced our whole set of software solutions, and analyzed the major performance metrics of the edge cloud platform.
Diagnosis of cornual obstruction by transcervical fallopian tube cannulation

Interstitial fallopian tube obstruction (IFTO) occurs in 15% of hysterosalpingograms (HSG) performed for infertility. Conventional HSG or laparoscopy may not differentiate cornual spasm or other temporary cause from true obstruction. We used transcervical cannulation of the proximal oviduct with a 3-F Teflon catheter and flexible guidewire 0.018 inch (0.043cm) in diameter under hysteroscopic or fluoroscopic guidance to evaluate IFTO in 28 patients. Fluoroscopic catheterization techniques with selective salpingography demonstrated patency in 84% of obstructed tubes. Hysteroscopic cannulation with direct visualization by laparoscopy or laparotomy was successful in 92%. In one patient, perforation of the isthmus occurred without sequelae. Transcervical coaxial cannulation of the proximal oviduct is an effective method for evaluating cornual obstruction.
Using Design Capability Indices to Satisfy Ranged Sets of Design Requirements

For robust design it is desirable to allow the design requirements to vary within a certain range rather than setting point targets. This is particularly important during the early stages of design when little is known about the system and its requirements. Toward this end, design capability indices are developed in this paper to assess the capability of a family of designs, represented by a range of top-level design specifications, to satisfy a ranged set of design requirements. Design capability indices are based on process capability indices from statistical process control and provide a single objective, alternate approach to the use of Taguchi's signal-to- noise ratio which is often used for robust design. Successful implementation of design capability indices ensures that a family of designs conforms to a given ranged set of design requirements. To demonstrate an application and the usefulness of design capability indices, the design of a solar powered irrigation system is presented. Our focus in this paper is on the development and implementation of design capability indices as an alternate approach to the use of the signal-to-noise ratio and not on the results of the example problem, per se.
Pell Sums and Products

In this chapter we investigate some finite and infinite Pell and Pell–Lucas sums; some infinite sums involving the Fibonacci and Pell families; a Pell inequality; and then an infinite product involving Pell numbers. In Chapter 14, we will study additional Pell and Pell–Lucas sums.
Graphene-Nickel interaction in layered metal-matrix composites

Abstract Graphene can be utilized as reinforcing interlayers in metal-matrix composites to improve their mechanical properties. This improvement is due to the ability of the graphene layers to transfer their exceptional strength to the metallic matrix, and their ability to hinder the propagation of dislocations inside the metallic systems. In these composites, the structure of the graphene layer (or nanoparticles) in the matrix and the interaction between graphene and metallic atoms play a vital role in the improvement of metal-graphene composites’ mechanical properties. While the interaction between metal and graphene interface, when the graphene is on the top of a metallic layer, has been extensively studied, details of the interaction when the graphene is embedded inside a metal matrix are still highly unexplored. In this paper, we considered the structure of graphene and the interaction between graphene nanoparticle edges and nickel atoms when the graphene is embedded in the nickel matrix. Using ab-initio calculations, we found that when the graphene is embedded inside a nickel matrix, the most stable graphene structure is topfcc (with graphene nano-sheets being parallel to Ni(111) surface), which is a different configuration compared to the case of having graphene on the surface of a nickel slab. Also, we found that armchair edge energy is 0.8022(eV/A) and zigzag edge energy is 2.5048(eV/A) which implies armchair edge is more stable and creates less distortion inside the nickel matrix. Less distortion by armchair edge implies that nucleation of dislocation in composites will start later at armchair edges in comparison to zigzag edges during mechanical loading.
The combination of BET and PARP inhibitors is synergistic in models of cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract Our previous finding that the BET inhibitor (BETi) JQ1 increases levels of the DNA damage marker γH2AX suggested that JQ1 might enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to PARP inhibitors (PARPi), which are selectively toxic to cells that harbor relatively high levels of DNA damage. To address this hypothesis, we evaluated the effect of a BETi (JQ1 or I-BET762) combined with a PARPi (olaparib or veliparib) in KKU-055 and KKU-100 cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cell lines and of JQ1 with olaparib in a xenograft model of CCA. Each combination was more effective than any of the four drugs as single agents. Combination indices ranged from 0.1 to 0.8 at the ED50 for all combinations, indicating synergy and demonstrating that synergy was not limited to a specific combination. Mechanistically, downregulation of BETi molecular targets BRD2 or BRD4 by shRNA sensitized CCA cells to BETi as single agents as well as to the combination of a BETi + a PARPi. Our data indicate that combinations of a BETi with a PARPi merit further evaluation as a promising strategy for CCA.
A Survey Based Study on the Sun Safety Knowledge of Students Attending Public Schools in San Antonio, TX

1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime but 80% of skin cancer is preventable. According to the World Health Organization, the majority of sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. Because children spend much of their time outdoors, teachers should ensure students have enough knowledge to protect themselves from the sun. After speaking with various educators and parents in the San Antonio, TX community, it became apparent that insufficient knowledge is provided to students and families regarding sun damage and protection. A 1 hour powerpoint presentation was created and given to 3 rd grade and 5 th grade classes at 10 public elementary schools in San Antonio, TX. An 8 question pre test and post test was also provided to the students. The 8 question test assessed how much the students had learned from the presentation, if they currently protect themselves from the sun, and whether they use sunscreen. 106 students in 3rd grade and 95 students in 5 th grade took the pre- and post-test. Both classes improved their score from the pre to the posttest. 3rd graders missed an average of 2.45 questions on the pretest and 2.12 questions on the posttest. 5th graders missed an average of 3.29 questions on the pretest and 1.21 questions on the posttest. Additionally, only 37% of 3rd graders and 15% of 5th graders claimed that they always use sunscreen. From the results of the study, it is apparent that students improved their knowledge regarding sun damage and protection by listening to the presentation. Therefore, it is imperative that children, parents, and teachers continue to be educated in San Antonio, TX so that the next generation can protect themselves from the sun.
Plan-Do-Study-Act Methodology: Refining an Inpatient Pediatric Sepsis Screening Process

Pediatric sepsis remains a leading cause of death of children in the United States. Timely recognition and treatment are critical to prevent the onset of severe sepsis and septic shock. Electronic screening tools aid providers in identifying patients at risk for sepsis. Our overall project goal was to decrease the number of sepsis-related emergent transfers to the pediatric intensive care unit by optimizing sepsis screening tools, interruptive alerts, and a new paper tool and huddle process using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology. Methods Our team utilized historical data to develop inpatient electronic sepsis screening tools to identify pediatric patients at risk for sepsis. Using PDSA iterative cycles over 3 months, we tested the design of an interruptive alert, paper tool, and a new sepsis huddle process. Results During the PDSA, the clinical teams conducted huddles on all patients who received an interruptive alert (n = 35). Eighty percent of huddles had a 5.7 minute average response time and an average duration of 5.3 minutes. Completion of the huddle outcome notes occurred 83% of the time, and 70% had feedback related to the alert, paper form, and huddle process. The number of days between sepsis-related emergent transfers to the pediatric intensive care unit increased from a median of 17.5 to 57.5 days, with a single point as high as 195 days between events. Conclusions The inpatient sepsis team learned valuable lessons using PDSA methodology. The results of the iterative cycles allowed the team to optimize and refine the tests of change. System-wide implementation benefited from the application of this quality improvement tool.
Valchlor® in the Treatment of Lichen Planopilaris and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Single Arm, Open-label, Exploratory Study.

Background: Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) is a lymphocyte-mediated scarring alopecia that frequently is treatment resistance to both topical and systemic therapies. Aims and Objectives: The object of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of topical mechlorethamine 0.016% gel (Valchlor®) in decreasing disease activity in LPP and the related clinical variant frontal fibrosing alopecia (FAA). Methods: Twelve patients with biopsy-proven LPP/FAA who failed prior topical or systemic therapy with active disease were included. Participants applied mechlorethamine 0.016% gel to involved areas daily for 24 weeks. Outcome measures included LPP Activity Index (LPPAI) score, Physician Global Assessment (PGA) score, Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DQLI) score, and phototrichograms assessing follicular counts before and after six months of therapy. Results: LPP Activity Index (LPPAI) before and after treatment was significantly different (5.0 before treatment, 2.0 after treatment; p value=0.006). Mean follicular density and follicular units were unchanged during the treatment period. Conclusion: Treatment with mechlorethamine 0.016% gel for 24 weeks resulted in statistically significant improvement of LLP/FFA with no change in phototrichogram parameters. Treatment duration was limited by high rate of contact dermatitis. Further investigation to optimize dosing frequency and to assess the role of combination topical therapy is needed.
Moon and Mars: A Comparison of the Two

Even though Elon Musk envisions humans living and working on Mars, NASA and its partners are preparing to undertake the quest of returning men and women astronauts to the Moon. All of the human beings on planet Earth will benefit as we embark on these adventures and explore other celestial bodies. Our universe is awe-inspiring—and when we look up into the night sky, it is impossible to deny how grand and impressive it is! This fascination is what motivates us to stand behind our national space agencies as they conceive and construct the necessary architecture to venture into the unknown. Yes, we have been to the Moon, but we envision and dream of going to Mars. But which destination is the best choice at this time in our history? This chapter will seek for an answer by comparing the two destinations and the unique set of challenges that should be considered for each one. We will need to examine what natural resources exist, proximity to Earth, soil content, atmosphere and weather, temperature, gravitational issues, and many other components to make a sound and logical conclusion (Fig. 5.1).
Design of a Low-Voltage Analog-to-Digital Converter Using Voltage-Controlled Stochastic Switching of Low Barrier Nanomagnets

Their inherent stochasticity makes nanoscale devices prospective candidates for low-power computations. Such devices have been demonstrated to exhibit probabilistic switching between two stable states to achieve stochastic behavior. Recently, superparamagnetic nanomagnets (having low-energy barrier $E_B \approx 1\,kT$ ) have shown promise of achieving stochastic switching at gigahertz rates, with very low currents. On the other hand, voltage-controlled switching of nanomagnets through the magneto-electric effect has shown further improvements in energy efficiency. In this letter, we model a voltage-controlled spintronic device based on superparamagnetic nanomagnets exhibiting telegraphic switching characteristics and analyze its behavior under the influence of external bias. Subsequently, we show that the device leverages the voltage-controlled stochasticity in performing low-voltage 8 bit analog-to-digital conversions. This eliminates the need for comparators, unlike the CMOS-based Flash analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). This device allows for a simple and compact design of low-power approximate ADCs, which have become quintessential elements with the recent developments in neuromorphic computing and “Internet of Things.”
Anomaly Detection and Mitigation for Wide-Area Damping Control using Machine Learning

In an interconnected multi-area power system, wide-area measurement-based damping controllers are used to damp out inter-area oscillations, which jeopardize grid stability and constrain the power flows below to their transmission capacity. The effect of wide-area damping control (WADC) significantly depends on both power and cyber systems. At the cyber system layer, an adversary can inflict the WADC process by compromising either measurement signals, control signals, or both. Stealthy and coordinated cyber-attacks may bypass the conventional cybersecurity measures to disrupt the seamless operation of WADC. This paper proposes an anomaly detection (AD) algorithm using supervised Machine Learning and a model-based logic for mitigation. The proposed AD algorithm considers measurement signals (input of WADC) and control signals (output of WADC) as input to evaluate the type of activity such as normal, perturbation (small or large signal faults), attack, and perturbation-and-attack. Upon anomaly detection, the mitigation module tunes the WADC signal and sets the control status mode as either wide-area mode or local mode. The proposed anomaly detection and mitigation (ADM) module works inline with the WADC at the control center for attack detection on both measurement and control signals. It eliminates the need for ADMs at the geographically distributed actuators. We consider coordinated and primitive data-integrity attack vectors such as pulse, ramp, relay-trip, and replay attacks. The performance of the proposed ADM algorithms was evaluated under these attack vector scenarios on a testbed environment for a 2-area 4-machine power system. The ADM module shows effective performance with 96% accuracy to detect anomalies.
Evaluating Consumer Loans using Neural Networks

A number of credit-scoring models that accurately classify consumer loan applications have been developed to aid traditional judgmental methods. This study compares the performance of multiple discriminant analysis and neural networks in identifying potential loan. While there is not a significant improvement in the performance of neural network over discriminant analysis model in identifying good credit loans, the neural network models consistently perform better than the multiple discriminant analysis models in identifying potential problem loans. To alleviate the problem of bias in the training set and to examine the robustness of neural network classifiers in identifying problem loans, we cross-validate our results through seven different samples of the data.
Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo.

Summary Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic with untapped therapeutic potential. There are hints that the use of psychedelics can produce neural adaptations, although the extent and timescale of the impact in a mammalian brain are unknown. In this study, we used chronic two-photon microscopy to image longitudinally the apical dendritic spines of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the mouse medial frontal cortex. We found that a single dose of psilocybin led to ∼10% increases in spine size and density, driven by an elevated spine formation rate. The structural remodeling occurred quickly within 24 h and was persistent 1 month later. Psilocybin also ameliorated stress-related behavioral deficit and elevated excitatory neurotransmission. Overall, the results demonstrate that psilocybin-evoked synaptic rewiring in the cortex is fast and enduring, potentially providing a structural trace for long-term integration of experiences and lasting beneficial actions.
Pathological fracture: 50 lessons from the Medical/Surgical floor

1. She’ll learn to flush her mother’s PICC line with a syringe of saline, and2. To ask for necessary, doable exceptions from the rules over and over and over again, until someone in power accepts t...