cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deformation and breakup of a viscoelastic drop in a Newtonian matrix under steady shear

The deformation of a viscoelastic drop suspended in a Newtonian fluid subjected to a steady shear is investigated using a front-tracking finite-difference method. The viscoelasticity is modelled using the Oldroyd-B constitutive equation. The drop response with increasing relaxation time λ and varying polymeric to the total drop viscosity ratio β is studied and explained by examining the elastic and viscous stresses at the interface. Steady-state drop deformation was seen to decrease from its Newtonian value with increasing viscoelasticity. A slight non-monotonicity in steady-state deformation with increasing Deborah number is observed at high Capillary numbers. Transient drop deformation displays an overshoot before settling down to a lower value of deformation. The overshoot increases with increasing β. The drop shows slightly decreased alignment with the flow with increasing viscoelasticity. A simple ordinary differential equation model is developed to explain the various behaviours and the scalings observed numerically. The critical Capillary number for drop breakup is observed to increase with Deborah number owing to the inhibitive effects of viscoelasticity, the increase being linear for small Deborah number.
A HABITAT BASED MODEL FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF FOREST INTERIOR NESTING BIRDS IN A FRAGMENTED LANDSCAPE

. Increased awareness of the plight of many forest dwelling species has made necessary the development of methods for projecting the spatial distribution of these populations. This is particularly important for populations that currently occupy forest fragments and that are likely to be exposed to further disruption of their natural habitat. In this paper we develop a model for predicting the distribution of a bird population that evolved as forest interior dwellers. This model uses as its basis knowledge of the relationship between demographic characteristics of the population and the qualities of the habitat where individuals reside. We make the assumption that individuals will be naturally drawn to areas where they might expect greater reproductive success and repelled from areas where there is a high degree of intraspecific competition (high density). We apply the model to the ovenbird population in a large region of the Midwest. We use the model to examine the relative extent to which the surplus production from two major source areas supports extensive sink populations. The basic diffusion model parameterized by county forest cover data projects a population distribution which compares favorably with the results from the breeding bird count.
Advances in obstetric anesthesia: ambulation during labor with combined spinal-epidural analgesia

Epidural analgesia is widely considered as the most effective method of providing pain relief in labor. However, epidural labor analgesia is not a generic procedure and many technical modifications have been invented over time. Continuous search for a balanced labor analgesia, which provides relief of pain of contractions while preserving motor function, has led to the development of the ambulatory labor analgesia. The combined spinalepidural analgesia (CSEA) performed with subarachnoid opioids (with or without local anesthetics) causes minimal motor block and is particularly applicable to ambulatory labor analgesia. While there still remains some concern about dural puncture, the CSEA technique offers many advantages to the parturient, and has gained wide spread popularity in obstetric anesthesia worldwide.
Genetic characterization of California's Central Valley chinook salmon

This data set includes genotypes for 5000 chinook salmon individuals collected from throughout California's Central Valley between 1998 and 2013. We genotyped these samples using a panel of 96 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. This is the most comprehensive genetic characterization published to date, covering all of the California Central Valley Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs) and including all major river drainages within each ESU (total of 17 rivers and 5 hatchery populations). These populations are the foci of considerable basic and applied scientific research given the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of salmonid species. Moreover, all Central Valley ESUs are listed as federally threatened, endangered, or species of concern. This data set improves our ability to study basic ecological questions about salmonid biology, including testing hypotheses about population structure, genetic diversity, introgression between ESUs, and levels of gene flow among populations. Addition...
Comparative mutagenicity of nitrofluoranthenes in Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA98NR, and TA98/1,8DNP6.

The nitration of fluoranthene, one of the most abundant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in diesel fuels, occurs in the laboratory under either electrophilic or free-radical conditions to give nitro-PAH. 3-Nitrofluoranthene (3-NF) is the major product under electrophilic ionic conditions while 2-nitrofluoranthene (2-NF) is the major product under free-radical nitration conditions. The free-radical nitration of fluoranthene also yields 1,2- and 1,3-dinitrofluoranthene (1,2-DNF and 1,3-DNF). Nitration on the 3-position of fluoranthene enhances the mutagenic potency more strongly than on the 2-position. Despite the fact that 3-NF and 1-phenyl-4-nitronaphthalene (1-P-4NN), a non-planar analog of 3-NF, have virtually identical reduction potentials, their mutagenic potencies differ by three orders of magnitude. This finding suggests that when nitro-PAH of varying steric requirements are compared, the reduction potential may not predict mutagenic potency as well as had been previously suggested.
Cellular and molecular biology of biliary tract cancers

Cancer of the biliary tract has been associated with point mutations of K-ras and beta-catenin proto-oncogenes; alterations of p53, p16, APC, and DPC4 tumor suppressor genes by a combination of chromosomal deletion, mutation, or methylation; and infrequently microsatellite instability. The frequencies of these alterations vary by location and race of the patient, tumor subsite, histology, and associated disease. Advances in the understanding of the genetics of this disease will help in diagnosing biliary tract cancer, screening at-risk patients, and developing therapies.
Insensitivity of d -wave pairing to disorder in the high-temperature cuprate superconductors

Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 37831, USA(Dated: February 2, 2009)Using a dynamical cluster quantum Monte Carlo approximation, we investigate the eﬀect of localdisorder on the stability of d-wave superconductivity including the eﬀect of electronic correlationsin both particle-particle and particle-hole channels. With increasing impurity potential, we ﬁndan initial rise of the critical temperature due to an enhancement of antiferromagnetic spin correla-tions, followed by a decrease of T
Which Sry locus is the hypertensive Y chromosome locus

The Y chromosome of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) contains a genetic component that raises blood pressure compared with the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) Y chromosome. This research tests the Sry gene complex as the hypertensive component of the SHR Y chromosome. The Sry loci were sequenced in 1 strain with a hypertensive Y chromosome (SHR/Akr) and 2 strains with a normotensive Y chromosome (SHR/Crl and WKY/Akr). Both SHR strains have 7 Sry loci, whereas the WKY strain has 6. The 6 loci in common between SHR and WKY strains were identical in the sequence compared (coding region, 392-bp 5′ prime flanking, 1200-bp 3′ flanking). Both SHR strains have a locus (Sry3) not found in WKY rats, but this locus is different between SHR/Akr and SHR/Crl rats. Six mutations have accumulated in Sry3 between the SHR strains, whereas the other 6 Sry loci are identical. This pattern of an SHR-specific locus and mutation in this locus in SHR/Crl coinciding with the loss of Y chromosome hypertension is an expected pattern if Sry3 is the Y chromosome–hypertensive component. The SHR/y strain showed a significant increase in total Sry expression in the kidney between 4 and 15 weeks of age. There are significant differences in Sry expression between adrenal glands and the kidney (15 to 30 times higher in kidneys) but no significant differences between strains. These results, along with previous studies demonstrating an interaction of Sry with the tyrosine hydroxylase promoter and increased blood pressure with exogenous Sry expression, suggest the Sry loci as the hypertensive component of the SHR Y chromosome.
Infinite Dynamic Bayesian Networks

We present the infinite dynamic Bayesian network model (iDBN), a nonparametric, factored state-space model that generalizes dynamic Bayesian networks (DBNs). The iDBN can infer every aspect of a DBN: the number of hidden factors, the number of values each factor can take, and (arbitrarily complex) connections and conditionals between factors and observations. In this way, the iDBN generalizes other nonparametric state space models, which until now generally focused on binary hidden nodes and more restricted connection structures. We show how this new prior allows us to find interesting structure in benchmark tests and on two real-world datasets involving weather data and neural information flow networks.
Civil Society Engagement and Communal Violence: Reflections of Various Hypotheses in the Context of Indonesia

This paper aims to examine how several types of engagements within civil society, namely (a) inter-communal civic engagement, (b) self (community) policing and (c) elite integration, can contain communal violence, at the proximate level, in Indonesia. Based on Indian data, Varshney found that inter-communal civic engagement can moderate ethnic violence. Fearon and Laitin theoretically proposed that self policing can mitigate communal violence. Casual observation of Indonesian data indicates that elite integration may also help in avoiding communal violence. These hypotheses are employed to Indonesian context to examine their relevance. Given the nature of Indonesian society, namely (a) the highly segregated setting, (b) the paternalistic structure, and (c) the fact that communal violence is usually triggered by a clash at the individual level, no single mechanism can fully explain the role of civil society mechanism in mitigating communal violence. The three mechanisms have to work together in a more integrated way, not separately, in order to create a society immune to being infected - to borrow a medical term - by the virus of communal violence.
Hepatitis B immunization of Asian Pacific Islanders in the United States.

Background. There are numerous strategies recommended in the United States for control of the hepatitis B virus, including universal vaccination of infants and adolescents and vaccination of all high risk populations. A recent hepatitis B vaccination program conducted in Philadelphia, PA, focused on effective ways to educate and vaccinate the high risk Asian Pacific Islander population. Methods. Multiple intervention activities were used for both health care providers and Asian Pacific Islander community members, including one-to-one educational programs. Results. Intervention activities did increase hepatitis B vaccination coverage to 34%, but coverage increase was less than has been shown with other programs. Conclusion. The intervention program, however, may have a long-lasting positive impact on vaccination coverage because postintervention, study participant health care providers began to offer a more flexible vaccination delivery system. It is likely that the total cost of $135 943 for all intervention activities will prevent future costly cases of chronic hepatitis B and its serious related sequelae among this high risk population.
Field Tests to Evaluate Experimental Spray Equipment and Techniques for Protection of Sweet Corn from Insects

Field tests were conducted to compare experimental sprayers with a conventional sprayer for controlling corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), in sweet corn. A sprayer system that mixes nonmiscible matelials with water concurrently with spraying was used along with a ULV sprayer and a ULV sprayer that was equipped to recapture and recirculate spray particles that do not impinge on plant foliage. A new design of hollow cone nozzle that reduces the percentage of fine droplets was included in the tests. When equal quantities of insecticide were applied with the experimental equipment and conventional equipment, insect control with the experimental equipment was as good as that with the conventional sprayer or beller.
A new species of phlebotomine sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Guatemala.

Lutzomyia guatemalensis is a new species of phlebotomine sand fly from tropical lower montane rain forests in Guatemala; it appears to be most closely related to the species of the L. shannoni group. Unlike other species in this group, the antennal ascoids of L. guatemalensis have a short posterior spur with an acute tip. The spermathecal capsule is finely annulated. The size of several morphologic characters differed significantly ( P < 0.5) between males and females. The most pronounced differences ( P < 0.001) were in head height, interocular space, clypeus, labrum, pharynx, maxillary palpomeres 1+2, maxillary palpomere 3, wing width, and antealar setae.
Electroexcitation of even-parity states in 27 Al

Inelastic electron scattering form factors were measured for the even-parity states of $^{27}\mathrm{Al}$ below 7 MeV. The data span a momentum transfer range of $q\ensuremath{\simeq}0.57\ensuremath{-}2.80$ ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Separate longitudinal and transverse information was obtained, especially for the lowest-energy excitations. For excitations below 3.7 MeV, the longitudinal form factors were found to be well described by shell model calculations provided appropriate effective charges were introduced. These effective charges appear to exhibit little dependence on momentum transfer up to $q\ensuremath{\simeq}2$ ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. In contrast, effective charges or magnetic moments were not required to account for the corresponding transverse form factors. The shell model was somewhat less successful in its description of the higher-energy excitations, although tentative ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ assignments were made for some currently ambiguous states on the basis of a comparison with the theoretical predictions.
Efficacy of open focus training in reduction of state anxiety.

Summary.-The purpose of the present research was to investigate the claim that Open Focus Training@ reduces anxiety. Subjects were 29 female, undergraduate nursing students, 15 treated (Open Focus) and 14 controls. The state-anxiety items from the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were administered prior to and following the treatment/control conditions. A one-way analysis of variance indicated that the Open Focus Training@ procedure did not produce a significant reduction in levels of state anxiecy. Possible reasons for this are discussed. In recent years, numerous methods have been employed to assist in the reduction of anxiety. These techniques, including biofeedback, meditation, and relaxation training, typically require an individual to focus awareness on specific internal processes, while reducing awareness of environmental events. This report concerns a contrastins method, Open Focus Training@, which was developed by Lester G. Fehmi at the Princeton Medical Center (5). According to a report released by Biofeedback Computers, Inc. (5), Open Focus Training@ 1s a technique designed to broaden one's perceptual field, to include the srmultaneous awareness of both internal and external stimuli. This is reportedly achieved through the visualization of spaces and distances within the body and in the surrounding environment. In addition, the individual is instructed to avoid the exclusion of either internal or external stimuli from awareness, instead allowing such stimuli to enter and become integrated into consciousness. The result is claimed to be a dissipation of anxiety and an enhancement of psychological integration (5). Given its anxiety-reduction properties, the technique is reportedly useful in the treatment of stress-related disorders, including tachycardia, migraine headache, and essential hypertension. To evaluate the claim thzt Open Focus Training@ reduces anxiety, the technique was administered as part of a larger study of anxiety. Subjects were 29 female, undergraduate nursing students at the School of Nursing, Murray State University. The treatment sanlple was composed of two groups of subjects (ns = 10 and 5 ) whose mean age was 20.8 yr.; the control sample included two groups (ns = 9 and 5) whose mean age was 22.3 yr. In each treatment group, subjects were asked to listen and perform the tasks requested in the Introductory ( 1) , Head and Hands Emphasis (2), and Long Form (3) cassettes from the Open Focus tape series. Immediately preceding and follow
Effects of bacterial infection and irradiation on serum colony-stimulating factor levels in tolerant and nontolerant CF1 mice.

Previous studies of germ-free and conventional irradiated mice led to the hypothesis that the increased levels of serum colony-stimulating factor (CSF) observed after whole-body irradiation (WBI) might be due to endotoxemia. Other investigations showed that CF1 mice preinjected with Salmonella typhosa endotoxin became tolerant or resistant to the CSF-elevating effect of endotoxin. In the current studies, tolerant CF1 mice were subjected to 1000 rads WBI; they developed serum CSF elevations comparable to those seen in control irradiated mice. Tolerance was not abolished by 1000 rads WBI or reversed by infection with gram-negative or gram-positive bacteria. Changes in inhibitor levels did not explain these results. These data indicated that serum CSF elevations observed after WBI may not be due solely to endotoxemia, despite the observation that limulus-reactive material, presumably endotoxin, was detected in 61.5% of CF1 mice 1-12 days after 1000 rads. In these studies, 29.4% of normal pooled plasma samples also were limulus positive, suggesting that transient endotoxemia may occur in some strains of normal mice. Infection of CF1 mice with gram-negative or gram-positive bacteria caused serum CSF elevations 6-24 hr after infection; levels returned to baseline by 48-144 hr in all groups. The return to normal in serum CSF levels in mice infected with gram-negative or gram-positive bacteria coincided with the development of tolerance to the CSF-elevating effect of endotoxin. Infected mice developed marked increases in marrow granulopoiesis and continued to show evidence of accelerated marrow granulocyte release 6-144 hr after infection.
Isolation of an mRNA-Binding Protein Involved in C-to-U Editing

This chapter describes the technique of RNA affinity chromatography, which is a powerful approach for isolating RNA-binding proteins. This method takes advantage of the fact that sequence-specific RNA-binding proteins often bind their targets with high affinity. Here we outline a protocol for purifying Apobec-1 complementation factor (ACF), the RNA-binding subunit of the apolipoprotein-B (apo-B) mRNA-editing enzyme. ACF was purified using synthetic wild-type and mutant apo-B RNAs, which were coupled to cyanogen bromide (CNBr)- activated Sepharose. The methods are plasmid construction for in vitro transcription, affinity chromatography column preparation, protein purification by RNA affinity chromatography, and analysis of the purified protein.
A 2-D VIPA-grating pulse shaper with a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulator for broadband, high resolution, programmable amplitude and phase control

We demonstrate programmable amplitude and phase shaping with simultaneous broad-bandwidth(>40nm) and high-resolution(∼3.3GHz) using a 2-D VIPA-Grating pulse-shaper with a 2-D LCOS SLM. We demonstrate results with sources having continuous spectra and with optical frequency combs.
Water whitening of polymer films: Mechanistic studies and comparisons between water and solvent borne films

Abstract Water whitening of polymer films derived from solution, bulk and emulsion polymerization processes was studied by the use of UV–vis-NIR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as visual observations. In addition to quantifying the wavelength dependent light scattering of the films over time, the different physical forms of water present in blushed films were quantified by DSC. SEM was used to observe sections of the films and characterize the scattering domains responsible for the whitening phenomenon. We studied the same polymers with and without the surfactants and salts used in emulsion polymerization, and compared the blushing of water borne and solvent borne films. We have found that all of the wide variety of (co)polymers we used water whiten under the right conditions of time and temperature. Residual surfactants and salts in latex derived films make the blushing process more rapid and more extensive than for the same polymer without them, but they are not the principal cause for water whitening. Neither is the particulate nature of the starting point for latex films, as the same whitening process occurs in solvent borne films of the same polymer. Both absorbance measurements and SEM images show that there is water domain size growth within the polymeric matrix over time. The size and number of the water domains are responsible for the water whitening effect and both can be restricted by the stiffness of the polymeric matrix. Mechanistic modeling of the time dependence of whitening has led to the prediction that the extent of whitening of non-latex based polymer films is directly proportional to the inherent water solubility in the polymer as well as the diffusivity of water within the polymer at the temperature of testing.
Patient-Reported Outcomes — Harnessing Patients’ Voices to Improve Clinical Care

Recording patient-reported outcomes electronically in real time and allowing clinicians to review longitudinal PRO reports can improve patients' quality of life, enhance patient–clinician communication, reduce emergency department utilization, and lengthen survival.
Internationalisation Des PME De La Région Fès Meknès (Maroc) : Cartographie Des Liens Et Tendances Actuelles

Globalization is not a recent phenomenon in the social sciences. The advocates argue that companies of all sizes are increasingly integrating into globalization processes. In Morocco, as in other countries, this phenomenon affects several aspects and manifests in several forms. In this paper, we analyze the impact on the mapping of links and the exchange of trade flows between firms in the Fez Meknes region (Morocco) and their foreign companies. The aim is to study the applicability of the concept of "psychic distance", particularly the importance of geographical, cultural, institutional and legislative distance in the choice of foreign partner companies.
Prevalence of malignant hyperthermia diagnosis in hospital discharge records in California, Florida, New York, and Wisconsin.

Abstract Study objective Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare yet potentially fatal pharmacogenetic disorder triggered by exposure to inhalational anesthetics and the depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent succinylcholine. Epidemiologic data on the geographic variation in MH prevalence is scant. The objective of this study is to examine the prevalence of recorded MH diagnosis in patients discharged from hospitals in four states in the United States. Design Observational study. Setting Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) State Inpatient Database (SID) for California (2011), Florida (2011), New York (2012) and Wisconsin (2012). Patients A total of 164 hospital discharges that had a recorded diagnosis of MH using the International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification code 995.86. Methods MH prevalence was assessed by patient demographic and clinical characteristics. Main results The prevalence of MH per 100,000 hospital discharges ranged from 1.23 (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.80–1.66) in New York to 1.91 (95% CI, 1.48–2.34) in California, and the prevalence of MH per 100,000 surgical discharges ranged from 1.47 (95% CI, 0.93–2.02) in New York to 2.86 (95% CI, 2.00–3.71) in Florida. The prevalence of MH in male patients was more than twice the prevalence in female patients. Of the 164 patients with MH diagnosis, 11% were dead on discharge. Conclusions There exists a modest variation in the prevalence of recorded MH diagnosis in hospital discharges in California, Florida, New York and Wisconsin. Epidemiologic patterns of MH diagnosis in hospital discharges appear to be similar across the four states. Further research is needed to better understand the geographic variation and contributing factors of MH in different populations.
Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy of a Busulfan Test Dose in Adult Patients Undergoing Myeloablative Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Abstract Owing to interpatient variability in busulfan exposure, therapeutic monitoring of busulfan is often used in myeloablative allogeneic transplantation to ensure that patients are near the optimal steady-state goal of 900 ng/mL. One challenge in therapeutic monitoring of busulfan is the brief course of busulfan treatment, requiring prompt analysis and dose adjustments as needed. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of a busulfan test dose before the start of the conditioning regimen would allow for all conditioning regimen doses to be given at the calculated optimized dose. An observational study was completed to evaluate the effects of a busulfan test dose of 0.9 mg/kg administered before the start of a myeloablative intravenous busulfan-based conditioning regimen. Sixty adult patients who received a busulfan conditioning regimen were reviewed, including 30 patients prior to the implementation of the busulfan test dose (pretest dose group) and 30 patients who received the busulfan test dose (posttest dose group). The primary objective was a pharmacokinetic evaluation of the percentage of patients who achieved the desired steady-state goal using the test dose strategy. The safety and efficacy of the busulfan test dose were evaluated as well. The average busulfan steady-state level after the first dose of the conditioning regimen was significantly lower in the pre-test dose group compared with the post-test dose group (660 ng/mL versus 879.9 ng/mL; P
The Six Day War and Its Aftermath

Discusses developments immediately following the Six Day War, which marked the beginning of a convergence between Israeli national identity and Jewish religious identity, and Palestinians’ rejection of secular Arab nationalism.
Optimizing Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

The mainstay of treatment for early-stage and locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is chemotherapy. Anthracycline−/alkylator- and taxane-based regimens are considered the standard of care for the systemic treatment of high-risk triple-negative disease. Common approaches include sequential anthracycline/alkylator followed by taxane or concurrent delivery of an anthracycline, an alkylator, and a taxane. Shorter courses of treatment are considered appropriate for lower-risk triple-negative, node-negative tumors less than 1 cm. Despite treatment with anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapy regimens, about 30% of early-stage TNBC develop recurrent and metastatic disease, and many efforts are focused on how to optimize our current neoadjuvant and adjuvant approaches. Incorporation of platinum agents in the neoadjuvant setting appears promising, but long-term outcome data are needed. Treatment of high residual disease burden with additional chemotherapy after completion of neoadjuvant therapy is becoming an important area of investigation. The hope is that newer biologically driven strategies and development of biomarkers will lead to more effective and individualized therapy for TNBC.
Cyberpunk und Open-Source-Religion

Auch Religion ist ein geschichtliches und evolutives Phanomen. Das wird nicht dadurch gemindert, dass sich die Religionsgemeinschaften der grosen Weltreligionen gemeinhin auf ein fixes Korpus heiliger Texte verstandigt haben und bestimmte Einsichten oder Regeln als unveranderlich betrachten. Tatsachlich treten die Religionen jeweils erst zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt in der Menschheitsgeschichte auf; diese sich weiter entwickelnde Geschichte geht zudem nicht spurlos an ihnen voruber, ja sie selbst kennen eine interne Entwicklung, die im Austausch auch mit extern bleibenden oder als extern betrachteten historischen Entwicklungen geschieht.
Targeting Neuronal Fiber Tracts for Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy Using Interactive, Patient-Specific Models

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), which involves insertion of an electrode to deliver stimulation to a localized brain region, is an established therapy for movement disorders and is being applied to a growing number of disorders. Computational modeling has been successfully used to predict the clinical effects of DBS; however, there is a need for novel modeling techniques to keep pace with the growing complexity of DBS devices. These models also need to generate predictions quickly and accurately. The goal of this project is to develop an image processing pipeline to incorporate structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) into an interactive, patient specific model to simulate the effects of DBS. A virtual DBS lead can be placed inside of the patient model, along with active contacts and stimulation settings, where changes in lead position or orientation generate a new finite element mesh and solution of the bioelectric field problem in near real-time, a timespan of approximately 10 seconds. This system also enables the simulation of multiple leads in close proximity to allow for current steering by varying anodes and cathodes on different leads. The techniques presented in this paper reduce the burden of generating and using computational models while providing meaningful feedback about the effects of electrode position, electrode design, and stimulation configurations to researchers or clinicians who may not be modeling experts.
Effects of Teacher-Implemented Coaching to Increase the Accuracy of Data Collected by Paraeducators

The purpose of the present study was to assess the impact of coaching with performance feedback from teachers on accuracy of paraeducators’ momentary time sampling (MTS) data of students’ on-task behavior. Two lead teachers and three paraeducators participated in the study. The relation between coaching and accuracy of the data collection was evaluated using a multiple-baseline across paraeducators design. Baseline data from this study suggest that some paraeducators need explicit instruction in how to collect data with fidelity. Once coaching with performance feedback from teachers was implemented, there was an immediate increase in accuracy of data collection by paraeducators, as measured by inter-rater agreement, indicating a functional relationship between the independent and dependent variables. These results highlight that teacher-led coaching is feasible and effective for increasing paraeducators’ MTS data collection accuracy and provides preliminary evidence that the accuracy maintained 1–2 months following cessation of formal coaching sessions. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Stability analysis of networked control systems with bounded random delay and state compensation: How large is the actual system scale?

In order to overcome the constraints of Networked Control Systems (NCSs) such as random packet delays or dropouts, it is a natural idea to estimate the system state and compensate for the time delays on the controller side. This paper provides an estimate on the scale of the complete dynamical system that uses this idea of control. The structure of the complete system is clearly illustrated. Then a concise sufficient and necessary stability condition is provided. In the numerical example, it is shown that this seemingly small system turns out to have a very large scale.
Nanohybrid electrolytes for high-energy lithium-ion batteries: recent advances and future challenges

Next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) will have a two to three times increase in energy density compared to today's technology due to the adoption of new cathode and anode materials. In addition, their safety properties need to be further enhanced to allow large-scale applications. In this context, new electrolytes with high lithium-ion (Li+) conductivity as well as good stability should be developed. Recently, there has been a growing interest in developing nanohybrid electrolytes. By combining organic (polymers, ionic liquids) and/or inorganic (Li+-conductive ceramics and glasses) functional constituents, a broad range of nanohybrid electrolytes with interesting chemical, mechanical and electrochemical properties have been designed and evaluated in different cell chemistry. This article aims to conduct a comprehensive review on the development of nanohybrid electrolytes in recent years (2012 to present). Specifically, we summarize and analyze the recent progress of gel-, inorganic- and polymer-based nanohybrid electrolytes with enhanced physicochemical properties and specified functionalities for their application in LIBs. Challenges and perspectives for future development of better nanohybrid LIB electrolytes are also discussed.
Subcutaneous Emphysema as a Result of Loss-of-resistance Identification of Epidural Space

The use of an air-filled syringe to identify the epidural space via the loss-of-resistance technique is a convenient and usually benign procedure. We describe a patient in whom cervical subcutaneous emphysema developed as a result of air injected into the epidural space.
Method validation and determination of heavy metals in cocoa beans and cocoa products by microwave assisted digestion technique with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract In this article, an easy and quick method based on microwave assisted acid digestion technique prior to quantification using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the analysis of heavy metals in cocoa beans, cocoa powder and chocolate was established and validated for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and antimony (Sb). Limit of quantification for all elements were product dependent and varies from 7.84 to 194.52 µg/kg. The recoveries of the heavy metals at 250 and 1000 µg/kg spiking levels were ranged between 96.27–108.75%, 90.43–101.97% and 89.72–106.26% for cocoa beans, cocoa powder, and chocolate, respectively. Relative standard deviation values obtained were all below 20% and the expanded uncertainty measurements for the elements were less than 25%. The analysis of real samples found that the concentration level is far from the national alarming level except for cadmium in cocoa beans.
Domestic Courts and the Paris Agreement's Climate Goals: The Need for a Comparative Approach

Domestic courts enjoy generous attention in international political and legal climate change literature. As a result of the reluctance of national governments to pursue climate protection measures, courts are called on to enforce international climate goals. This article assesses two domestic climate change cases (the Thabametsi Case and the Vienna Airport Case) in the light of Anthea Roberts’ functional understanding of the role of domestic courts in international law. It argues that domestic courts play a pivotal role in linking international obligations of conduct with national obligations of result. This role depends on domestic contexts and, therefore, requires a comparative approach.
Parental Status in Treatment Decision Making among Women with Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer

Background. Having dependent children may affect cancer treatment decisions. We sought to describe women’s surgery and chemotherapy decisions in nonmetastatic breast cancer by parental status. Meth...
Fifteen-minute consultation: Point of care ultrasound in the management of paediatric shock

The use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in the assessment of the acutely shocked adult patient has been well established for over a decade. Comparatively, its use in paediatrics has been limited, but this is starting to change with the recent introduction of Children's Acute Ultrasound training. This article highlights the pathophysiology of shock in children and demonstrates how bedside ultrasound can be used to assist decision making in the clinical assessment of the neonate, infant or older child presenting with undifferentiated shock. We discuss a structured protocol to use when performing the POCUS examination and explain how this could lead to a more rapid correlation of the ultrasound findings with the underlying cause of shock.
Additions to the knowledge of Dysphenges Horn, 1894 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), with one new species from Guatemala and one new combination from Mexico

A new species of DysphengesHorn, 1894 is described from Guatemala. Dysphenges vittatus (Jacoby, 1891), new combination, is transferred from CyrsylusJacoby, 1891. Habitus and male genitalia images are provided for both species, and a revised key to the known species of Dysphenges is provided.
Induced thermoluminescence as a method for dating recent volcanism: The Blue Dragon flow, Idaho, USA and the factors affecting induced thermoluminescence

Abstract In order to continue our investigation into the possible utility of induced thermoluminescence as a chronometer for volcanic activity we have measured the induced thermoluminescence properties of twenty-eight samples collected from the almost 3 km long Blue Dragon flow at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho. The properties of the samples are consistent with previous conclusions that the major mineral causing the luminescence is feldspar and that variation in the glow curves (light emitted as a function of heating temperature) is caused by variations in the thermal history of the samples. However, in nine of the 28 samples a there is a significant contribution to the TL signal from apatite. The induced thermoluminescence level along the flow is essentially constant, showing at most a factor of four decrease from beginning to the end (from ∼16 to ∼4, on a scale of the Dhajala meteorite = 1000), and this is not statistically significant. Thus sampling distance from the vent should not be a problem for the proposed TL dating method. However, there are details that might pose a problem for dating. (1) There is considerable (factor of 10 or so) scatter in the TL data due to the high heterogeneity of the samples. (2) There are abundant highly luminescent spherules which could explain some of the scatter; however, they are restricted to samples taken very close to the vent and could be screened from TL samples using cathodoluminescence, a microscopic means of identifying components producing the TL. (3) There is a factor of three increase in crystallization along the core (from ∼20 vol% to ∼60 vol%) but no factor of three increase in induced TL value. This is additionally problematic because crystallization is accompanied by a small decrease in anorthite content of the feldspar which should further increase induced TL values. While empirical data suggest that there is a weak correlation between induced TL and age for volcanics from Idaho and Hawaii, our detailed study of the Blue Dragon flow removes one complication for the dating method but reveals many details that need to be kept in mind as this possible dating method is explored. Most importantly, we need a method for reducing the scatter in induced TL displayed by samples from a single volcanic eruption.
Lattice : A Vision for Machine Learning, Data Engineering, and Policy Considerations for Digital Agriculture at Scale

Digital agriculture, with the incorporation of Internet-of-Things (IoT)-based technologies, presents the ability to control a system at multiple levels (individual, local, regional, and global) and generates tools that allow for improved decision making and higher productivity. Recent advances in IoT hardware, e.g., networks of heterogeneous embedded devices, and software, e.g., lightweight computer vision algorithms and cloud optimization solutions, make it possible to efficiently process data from diverse sources in a connected (smart) farm. By interconnecting these IoT devices, often across large geographical distances, it is possible to collect data at different time scales, including in near real-time (i.e., with delays of only a few tens of seconds). This data can then be used for actionable insights, e.g., precise applications of soil supplements and reduced environmental footprint. Through LATTICE, we present an integrated vision for IoT solutions, data processing, and actionable analytics for digital agriculture. We couple this with discussion of economics and policy considerations that will underlie adoption of such IoT and ML technologies. Our paper starts off with the types of datasets in typical field operations, followed by the lifecycle for the data and storage, cloud and edge analytics, and fast information-retrieval solutions. We discuss what algorithms are proving to be most impactful in this space, e.g., approximate data analytics and on-device/in-network processing. We conclude by discussing analytics for alternative agriculture for generation of biofuels and policy challenges in the implementation of digital agriculture in the wild.
Perioperative outcomes of a hydrocortisone protocol after endonasal surgery for pituitary adenoma resection

Introduction In pituitary adenomas (PAs), the use of postoperative steroid supplementation remains controversial, as it reduces peritumoral edema and sinonasal complaints but disrupts the detection of adrenal insufficiency (AI). It is unclear whether postoperative cortisol supplementation has a measurable effect on improving outcomes in patients with pituitary adenoma undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS). The objective of the study was to evaluate a postoperative steroid treatment protocol on various surgical outcomes in patients with PA undergoing ETS. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed for patients undergoing ETS from 2005 to 2020 for PA at a single tertiary academic center. Patients were divided into two groups: those managed by a routine postoperative glucocorticoid supplementation protocol (steroid protocol) and those who received supplementation based on postoperative cortisol laboratory assessment (steroid sparing protocol). Management was otherwise the same between groups. Evaluation of length of stay (LOS), sinonasal outcomes, 30-day readmission, and perioperative complications, including AI, were performed. Results Among 535 patients, 21% (n = 111) received postoperative steroids, while the remainder (n = 424) did not. There were no differences in mean LOS (3 vs. 3 days, p = 0.72), sinonasal complaints (27 vs. 19%, p = 0.12), 30-day readmission (5% vs. 5%, p = 0.44), and perioperative complications (5 vs. 5%, p = 0.79) between both the groups. A multivariate model supported that both groups were comparable in predicting LOS, 30-day readmission, and complications. No reduction in readmission for AI was seen. Conclusion Routine administration of postoperative glucocorticoids did not significantly improve patient outcomes in patients with PA who underwent ETS.
Human brain organogenesis: Toward a cellular understanding of development and disease.

The construction of the human nervous system is a distinctly complex although highly regulated process. Human tissue inaccessibility has impeded a molecular understanding of the developmental specializations from which our unique cognitive capacities arise. A confluence of recent technological advances in genomics and stem cell-based tissue modeling is laying the foundation for a new understanding of human neural development and dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disease. Here, we review recent progress on uncovering the cellular and molecular principles of human brain organogenesis in vivo as well as using organoids and assembloids in vitro to model features of human evolution and disease.
A Student's Guide to Vectors and Tensors

Vectors and tensors are among the most powerful problem-solving tools available, with applications ranging from mechanics and electromagnetics to general relativity. Understanding the nature and application of vectors and tensors is critically important to students of physics and engineering. Adopting the same approach used in his highly popular A Student's Guide to Maxwell's Equations, Fleisch explains vectors and tensors in plain language. Written for undergraduate and beginning graduate students, the book provides a thorough grounding in vectors and vector calculus before transitioning through contra and covariant components to tensors and their applications. Matrices and their algebra are reviewed on the book's supporting website, which also features interactive solutions to every problem in the text where students can work through a series of hints or choose to see the entire solution at once. Audio podcasts give students the opportunity to hear important concepts in the book explained by the author.
A pilot study to investigate bioavailability of strawberry anthocyanins and characterize postprandial plasma polyphenols absorption patterns by Q-TOF LC/MS in humans

BACKGROUND: Information on absorption and metabolism of strawberry polyphenols is limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize and quantify plasma polyphenols/anthocyanins across 4 doses of strawberry using Q-TOF LC/MS and LC-MS/MS analysis. METHOD: Plasma was collected from 5 subjects (n = 5) every 30–60 min for 6 h after consuming beverages containing 0, 10, 20 or 40 g freeze-dried strawberry powder with a meal. RESULTS: Q-TOF LC/MS and LC-MS/MS analysis of plasma revealed 33 compounds; 7 not reported previously. Pelargonidin-O-glucuronide (PG) was the most abundant metabolite. Maximum concentrations (Cmax) of PG were achieved at 148 ± 31 min and were significantly different among beverages containing 0, 10, 20, 40 g strawberry powder: 0, 93.4 ± 21.9, 166.5 ± 16.2 and 226.7 ± 36.7 nmol/L, respectively (P < 0.05). Area under the concentration curve (AUC) also increased with dose (P < 0.05); however, Cmax and AUC of PG was reduced as a percent of pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside (P3G) delivered in the strawberry beverages (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Use of both Q-TOF LC/MS and LC-MS/MS allowed for detection of compounds in plasma not previously reported, which may be a useful approach for characterizing postprandial plasma metabolites of lesser known plant foods. Additionally, higher concentrations of key strawberry compounds/metabolites are achieved with eating more strawberry; however, saturation of absorptive capacity of pelargonidin-based anthocyanins was suggested.
Analog VLSI neural network implementations of hardware annealing and winner-take-all functions

Hardware annealing and winner-take-all (WTA) functions have been implemented in 2.0- mu m technology. The hardware annealing technique has been demonstrated using a 4*4 synapse network. Measurement results of a new WTA circuit are presented. The WTA circuit uses transistors biased in saturation to achieve high-speed performance. Since the comparison among the inputs is performed on one common signal line, the circuit can be easily extended to a larger dimension with that common signal line connected throughout the entire circuit. The new high-speed analog winner-take-all circuit can be extended linearly to at least 1024 inputs. >