cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Failure of Mandated Disclosure

This article explores the spectacular prevalence, and failure, of the single most common technique for protecting personal autonomy in modern society: mandated disclosure. The article has four sections:(1) A comprehensive summary of the recurring use of mandated disclosures, in many forms and circumstances, in the areas of consumer and borrower protection, patient informed consent, contract formation, and constitutional rights;(2) A survey of the empirical literature documenting the failure of the mandated disclosure regime in informing people and in improving their decisions;(3) An account of the multitude of reasons mandated disclosures fail, focusing on the political dynamics underlying the enactments of these mandates, the incentives of disclosers to carry them out, and, most importantly, on the ability of disclosees to use them;(4) An argument that mandated disclosure not only fails to achieve its stated goal but also leads to unintended consequences that often harm the very people it intends to serve.
Magnetic microdrill as a modulated fluorescent pH sensor

Remotely exploring biological tissues using magnetically driven micromachines could one day allow for medical diagnostics and treatment. We developed a magnetically driven drill capable of sensing pH changes. The drill is coated on one side with a fluorescent indicator dye that blinks when the drill rotates; extracting the blinking signal reduces background interference by over a factor of 100.
Studies of the binding of a timothy pollen antigen by sera and serum fractions of atopic individuals using acrylamide gel electrophoresis.

A major antigen was isolated from timothy pollen and labeled with 125 I. By electrophoresing the material through acrylamide gels containing fractionated serum proteins, "sequential electrophoresis," it was possible to demonstrate binding of antigens in the region containing the immunoglobulins. Maximum binding occurred with those fractions containing the highest concentration of IgE. Sera of individuals sensitive to timothy pollen bound more antigen than sera from insensitive control subjects, and the amount of antigen bound corrclated with P-K titers. Desensitization did not alter the binding.
Evidence for longitudinal and transverse fiber conduction in human pulmonary veins: relevance for catheter ablation.

Background— Segmental ostial ablation of the pulmonary veins (PVs) allows for successful control of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in many patients. We hypothesized that mapping of the left atrial-PV junction with a 64-electrode basket catheter would allow characterization of conduction patterns that would identify sites where ablation is required to electrically isolate the PV. Methods and Results— A 64-electrode basket catheter was used to map the PVs of 50 patients undergoing PV isolation procedures for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Activation along each spline was classified as reflecting either longitudinal, transverse, or no activation. A longitudinal activation pattern recorded along a spline during sinus rhythm in right-sided PV and during CS pacing in left-sided PV before the delivery of any RF energy application had a sensitivity and specificity for a required ostial ablation site of 83% and 82%, respectively. When longitudinal activation along the spline was present during preablation r...
Response of Bluebunch Wheatgrass and Medusahead to Defoliation

Our objective was to determine the short-term response of bluebunch wheatgrass and medusahead to defoliation of wheatgrass designed to stimulate regrowth through tillering. We hypothesized that defoliating bluebunch wheatgrass by 20% at the 3 to 3.5 leaf stage followed by a 50% defoliation at peak standing crop would increase its tillering and biomass production. Consequently, we expected a reduction of the density and biomass of medusahead over that of bluebunch wheatgrass defoliated 50% at peak standing crop. Treatments included four initial medusahead densities (200, 333, 444, 600 plants ? m 22 ) created by hand-pulling and three defoliation regimes factorially arranged (12 treatment combinations) in a randomized complete-block design and replicated four times at two sites. In 2006 and 2007, defoliation was accomplished by hand-clipping bluebunch wheatgrass 1) by 50% once at peak standing crop (late June); 2) by 20% at the 3 to 3.5 leaf stage, then again to 50% at peak standing crop (mid May, late June); or 3) plants were not clipped. Density was sampled in 2006 and 2007, and biomass was harvested only at Star Mountain (near Riverside, Oregon) in 2007 because Warm Springs (near Drewsey, Oregon) was burned by a wildfire before final 2007 data could be collected. In 2006, no treatments applied at either site detectably altered the number of tillers produced by bluebunch wheatgrass nor did they affect bluebunch wheatgrass density or biomass in 2007 at Star Mountain. Changes in medusahead density were not detected in 2006, but this annual invasive grass increased in density and biomass in 2007 at Star Mountain in plots receiving two defoliations. The relatively short growing period caused by summer drought and the relative intolerance of bluebunch wheatgrass to grazing make the twice-over grazing an unlikely practice for arid rangelands in the western United States. In fact, it could possibly increase the risk of annual grass invasion.
Public Sector Labor Relations Scholarship: Is There a “There,” There?

Public sector union membership is thriving compared to the private sector. Moreover, public employee unions play a significant role in policy making at every level of government. Yet research on public sector labor relations is sporadic and uneven, perhaps negligible. Why so? This article surveys the literature on public sector unionism and seeks to answer that question. Its conclusion points to a course of action for renewing interest in this seminal field among public administration, management, and policy scholars.
Marine EM techniques for gas-hydrate detection and hazard mitigation

Marine controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) sounding is a new tool available to geophysicists for offshore hydrocarbon exploration. Although the technique has been developed for the detection of deep hydrocarbon reservoirs with relatively high resistivities, it also has the potential to be a useful tool for geohazard mitigation via gas hydrate detection. The hydrate target occurs in the shallow section (hundreds of meters in depth), and is manifested by subtle resistivity contrasts (a few Ω-m). This requires modifications to the CSEM technique to extend its capability of imaging the shallower hydrate section.
A memory efficient serial LDPC decoder architecture

We present a memory efficient serial low density parity check (LDPC) decoder that implements a modified sum product algorithm (SPA). The modification is similar to the approximate min constraint presented by C. Jones et al. (see IEEE Conf. Military Commun., MILCOM 2003, p.157-162, 2003) but differs in hardware implementation to suit a serial architecture. Our main contribution is the proposed architecture that exploits the min constraint to reduce the storage of extrinsic messages which forms the bulk of the hardware. The least reliable bit to check input along with the check sum are the only quantities stored in the decoder. Extrinsic message memory reduction increases with the rate of the code and up to 68% saving is achieved for a rate 9/10 code. Simulation results show that the proposed changes do not degrade the bit error rate performance.
Value of express T2-weighted pelvic MRI in the preoperative evaluation of severe pelvic floor prolapse: a prospective study.

Abstract Objectives To report our prospective experience with extended-phase conjugate-symmetry rapid spin-echo sequence (EXPRESS) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the female pelvis in the preoperative staging of severe pelvic floor prolapse (PFP). Severe PFP represents a significant diagnostic and reconstructive challenge for clinicians. Although the clinical utility of dynamic MRI has already been demonstrated, EXPRESS MRI has not been prospectively studied in the evaluation of PFP. Methods Between January 1999 and December 2001, 31 consecutive female patients with severe PFP were referred to our institution. Twenty of them underwent EXPRESS dynamic pelvic MRI. The physical examination, MRI, and intraoperative findings were statistically correlated. Results The mean age of the 20 patients undergoing preoperative EXPRESS MRI was 67 years. The mean duration of prolapse was 6.1 years. All 20 patients underwent surgery for symptomatic PFP with or without associated voiding dysfunction. No postoperative complications or recurrent PFP had occurred at a median follow-up of 19 months. Significant correlations were found between the preoperative pelvic examination findings and operative findings of cystourethrocele and vaginal cuff prolapse, and significant correlations were found between MRI findings and operative findings of enterocele, cystourethrocele, vaginal cuff prolapse, and uterine prolapse. Conclusions EXPRESS MRI can accurately stage PFP. The technique is rapid, precise, and noninvasive. Practitioners should consider obtaining dynamic, rapid-sequence sagittal pelvic MRI scans in cases of severe PFP when the diagnosis is not clear before surgery. More accurate preoperative information may ultimately result in improved long-term surgical outcomes and guide the refinement of surgical techniques.
Agreement-Based Learning

The learning of probabilistic models with many hidden variables and non-decomposable dependencies is an important and challenging problem. In contrast to traditional approaches based on approximate inference in a single intractable model, our approach is to train a set of tractable submodels by encouraging them to agree on the hidden variables. This allows us to capture non-decomposable aspects of the data while still maintaining tractability. We propose an objective function for our approach, derive EM-style algorithms for parameter estimation, and demonstrate their effectiveness on three challenging real-world learning tasks.
Rightful Radical Resistance: Mass Mobilization and Land Struggles in India and Brazil*

An examination of mass mobilizations to promote land rights of the landless and near-landless by Ekta Parishad in India and the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST) in Brazil identifies a similar strategy of rightful radical resistance that incorporates key elements of rightful resistance but also transcends it. The comparable strategy is due to similarities in context: India and Brazil are semiperipheral countries with relatively high-capacity states and representative democratic political structures, but have inequitable distributions of agricultural land despite constitutional principles and laws that embody equitable land distributions. However, given the substantial variation across India and Brazil in culture, geography, and demography, the specific forms assumed by rightful radical resistance vary. This study contributes to the social movements and civil resistance literatures by explicating the strategic logic of the mass mobilizations, explaining similarities and differences across the two cases...
Brief Online Mindfulness Training Immediate Impact

Background.Online training is feasible, but the impact of brief mindfulness training on health professionals needs to be better understood.Methods.We analyzed data from health professionals and trainees who completed self-reflection exercises embedded in online mindfulness training between May 2014 and September, 2015; their changes in mindfulness were measured using standardized scales.Results.Participants included nurses (34%), physicians (24%), social workers and psychologists (10%), dietitians (8%), and others (25%); 85% were women, and 20% were trainees. The most popular module was Introduction to Mindfulness (n = 161), followed by Mindfulness in Daily Life (n = 146), and Mindful Breathing and Walking (n = 129); most (68%) participants who took 1 module took all 3 modules. There were no differences in participation in any module by gender, trainee status, or profession. Completing modules was associated with small but significant improvements on the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale–Revised, ...
Characterization of modems and error correcting protocols using a scintillation playback system

The performance of free space optical (FSO) communication systems is strongly affected by optical scintillation. Scintillation fades can cause errors when the power on a detector falls below its noise floor, while surges can overload a detector. The very long time scale of scintillation compared to a typical bit in an FSO link means that error-correcting protocols designed for fiber optic links are inappropriate for FSO links. Comparing the performance effects of different components, such as photodetectors, or protocols, such as forward error correction, in the field is difficult because conditions are constantly changing. On the other hand, laboratory-based turbulence simulators, often using hot plates and fans, do not really simulate the effects of long-range propagation through the atmosphere. We have investigated a different approach. Scintillation has been measured during field tests using FSO terminals by sending a continuous wave beam through the atmosphere. A high dynamic range photodetector was digitized at a 10 KHz rate and files of the intensity variations were saved. Many hours of scintillation data under different environmental conditions and at different sites have been combined into a library of data. A fiber-optic based scintillation playback system was then used in the laboratory to test modems and protocols with the recorded files. This allowed comparisons using the same atmospheric conditions allowing optimization of such parameters as detector dynamic range. It also allowed comparison and optimization of different error correcting protocols.
Properties of Weakly Bound Molecular Oxygen on the Rutile TiO2(110) Surface from Density Functional Theory

We have used density functional theory with van der Waals (vdW) corrections to study the energetics, structure, and vibrational modes of physisorbed O2 on the rutile TiO2(110) surface. We find that vdW interactions dominate the adsorption energy of physisorbed O2 molecules. We have identified the ground state geometry for physisorbed O2 on the TiO2(110) surface from the vdW corrected potential energy surface. We have computed the vibrational frequencies of O2 molecules in various physisorbed conformations from the partial dynamical matrix of O2 and have identified conformations that have frequencies close to the gas phase Raman displacement of O2, in agreement with recent experimental infrared (IR) measurements of physisorbed O2 on TiO2 [J. Phys. Chem. C 2010, 114, 11924]. The intensities of the modes were calculated through dipole moment displacements and were found to be in qualitative agreement with experimental findings. Our calculations show that the appearance of IR modes for physisorbed O2 on the T...
Barnacle Settlement on Pleustes Panopla Tuberculata (Amphipoda) in the Chukchi Sea

Abondante fixation de Balanus crenatus et d'un hydroide Sertularella elegans sur l'amphipode Pleustes panopla tuberculata dans la mer de Chukchi pres de l'ile de Dionede (Alaska))
Transitivity is Not Obvious: Probing Prerequisites for Learning.

Empirical results from a fraction addition task reveal a surprising gap in prior knowledge: difficulty applying the transitive property of equality in a symbolic context. 13 out of the 182 4 and 5 graders (7%) correctly applied the transitive property of equality to identify the sum of two fractions in a step-by-step worked example. This difficulty was robust to brief instruction on transitivity (after which performance rose to 11%). Students’ demonstrated difficulty with transitivity is surprising, especially because common instructional techniques, such as worked examples, assume that the learner understands this concept and where it applies.
Probability plots for assessing multivariate normality

A method of assessing multivariate normality by decomposition of measures of multivariate skewness and kurtosis into orthogonal components is described. The components can readily be inspected analytically, as well as graphically with probability plots. Examination of the individual components can often reveal departures from multivariate normality that may be masked in their underlying measures of skewness and kurtosis. There exist many techniques for assessing multivariate normality; see, for example, extensive reviews by Gnanadesikan (1977), Cox and Small (1978), Mardia (1980) and Koziol (1986). One graphical method devolves from the 'radius and angles' approach, which is based on the well-known transformation of Euclidean to spherical coordinates. Gnanadesikan (1977) in particular describes various informal tests for multivariate normal- ity with graphical procedures for examining the radii and angles following spherical coordinate transformation; Small (1978), Koziol (1982, 1983), Royston (1983), Szkutnik (1987) and Quiroz and Dudley (1991) among others have considered more formal procedures related to this approach. A different paradigm for assessing multivariate normality is based on the attributes of multivariate moments. In a series of seminal papers (Mardia, 1970, 1974, 1975; Mardia & Foster, 1983; Mardia & Kanazawa, 1983), Mardia introduced affine invariant measures of multivariate skewness and kurtosis, and comprehensively examined their properties under various circumstances. From a different perspective, Koziol (1986, 1987) considered measures of multivariate skewness and kurtosis suggested from the notion of Neyman's smooth tests; upon deriving smooth tests for assessing multivariate normality, he further found that the smooth test for multivariate skewness coincides with Mardia's measure of multivariate skewness, but the smooth test for multivariate kurtosis differed somewhat from Mardia's measure of multivariate kurtosis. Koziol noted that the smooth tests may be decomposed into individual components, which are distributed as independent %2 random variables, each with one degree of freedom. See also Mardia (1987) and Mardia and Kent (1991) for a unifying treatment devolving from Rao's score tests. The purpose of this note is to describe graphical techniques for depicting the components, and to demonstrate that examination of the individual components can be a valuable tool for assessing multivariate normality. For completeness, the smooth tests and their components are briefly reviewed in Section 2; examples of assessing multivariate normality with the components are found in
A Series of Diamagnetic Pyridine Monoimine Rhenium Complexes with Different Degrees of Metal-to-Ligand Charge Transfer: Correlating (13) C NMR Chemical Shifts with Bond Lengths in Redox-Active Ligands.

A set of pyridine monoimine (PMI) rhenium(I) tricarbonyl chlorido complexes with substituents of different steric and electronic properties was synthesized and fully characterized. Spectroscopic (NMR and IR) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of these complexes showed that the redox-active PMI ligands are neutral and that the overall electronic structure is little affected by the choices of the substituent at the ligand backbone. One- and two-electron reduction products were prepared from selected starting compounds and could also be characterized by multiple spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction. The final product of a one-electron reduction in THF is a diamagnetic metal–metal-bonded dimer after loss of the chlorido ligand. Bond lengths in and NMR chemical shifts of the PMI ligand backbone indicate partial electron transfer to the ligand. Two-electron reduction in THF also leads to the loss of the chlorido ligand and a pentacoordinate complex is obtained. The comparison with reported bond lengths and ^(13)C NMR chemical shifts of doubly reduced free pyridine monoaldimine ligands indicates that both redox equivalents in the doubly reduced rhenium complex investigated here are located in the PMI ligand. With diamagnetic complexes varying over three formal reduction stages at the PMI ligand we were, for the first time, able to establish correlations of the ^(13)C NMR chemical shifts with the relevant bond lengths in redox-active ligands over a full redox series.
Hazards of blood transfusion.

(1956). Hazards of Blood Transfusion. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 19, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital, pp. 41-44.
Dental Avulsion Management

The tooth is completely displaced out of its socket, leading to severance of the neurovascular pulp supply and separation of the periodontal ligament (Fig. 67.1).
Si(100) Surface Cleaning Using Sr and SrO

A method for removing SiO2 and producing an ordered Si(100) surface using Sr or SrO has been developed. In this technique, a few monolayers of Sr or SrO are deposited onto the as received Si(100) wafer in a ultrahigh vacuum molecular beam epitaxy system. The substrate is then heated to ∼800°C for about 5 minutes, the SiO2 is removed to leave behind a Sr terminated Si(100) surface. This Sr terminated Si(100) surface is well suited for the growth of crystalline high k dielectric SrTiO3 films. Temperature programmed desorption measurements were carried out to understand the mechanism of removing SiO2 from Si(100) using Sr or SrO. The species we observed coming off the surface during the temperature cycle was mainly SiO and O, no significant amount of Sr containing species was observed. We conclude that the SiO2 removal is due to the catalyst reaction SiO2 + Sr (or SrO) → SiO (g) + O + Sr (or SrO). The reaction happened through several intermediate steps. The reaction SiO2 + Si → 2SiO (g) at the SiO2/Si interface is limited and the pit formation is suppressed. The main roles that Sr or SrO play during the oxide removal process are catalysts promoting SiO formation and preventing further etching and the formation of pits in the substrate.
Dispersant adsorption and effects on settling behavior of iron ore

The effectiveness of reagent adsorption onto hematite ore particle surfaces is critical during beneficiation to promote effective selective flocculation and dispersion and increase iron oxide recovery. The relationship between aqueous calcium in the process water and the effectiveness of common iron ore dispersants has never before been studied. The nature of common dispersants was studied in the presence and absence of calcium in the process water. The settling behavior of hematite-rich iron ore at pH 11 was assessed in the presence of calcium and inorganic dispersants: sodium silicate, sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) and organic dispersant ethylenediamenetetraacetic acid (EDTA). It was found that inorganic dispersants are ineffective at a pH of 11 without activating the surface sites of the ore particles with calcium. Organic dispersants, however, were found to be effective with and without surface site activation.
Corrigendum to “Taut Foliations, Left-Orderability, and Cyclic Branched Covers”

We correct an error in the statement and proof of Theorem 1.4 of our paper in Acta Mathematica Vietnamica (2014) 39(4), 599-635.
Endophytic N-Fixation: Controversy and a Path Forward

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), the conversion of atmospheric dinitrogen gas into organic forms of N, is achieved by the microbial nitrogenase enzyme complex. Symbiosis with N-fixing (diazotrophic) bacteria can provide plants with sufficient levels of this essential macronutrient for growth. While the symbioses between rhizobia and legumes as well as between Frankia and actinorhizal plants are well-known, BNF in root nodules by these bacteria is not the only way in which plants can procure fixed N. Diazotrophic endophytes, microorganisms within the plant host, can also provide significant levels of organic N and have a much broader host range than nodulating bacteria. While there is great potential for improving the sustainability of agriculture using diazotrophic endophytes, research has been limited due to the strong belief that only nodulating bacteria can alleviate host plant N-deficiency. This review describes the arguments and summarizes the data in support of the significance of endophytic N-fixation. It then proposes research directions with the aim of optimizing endophyte-host interactions for reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers.
Conserved Fatty Acid Composition of Proteolipid Protein During Brain Development and in Myelin Subfractions

Myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) is modified after translation by the attachment of long-chain fatty acids to several cysteine residues. In this study, the amount and pattern of fatty acids covalently bound to rat PLP were determined during brain development and in myelin subfractions. For this purpose, PLP was isolated by gel-filtration chromatography in organic solvents, subjected to alkaline methanolysis, and the released fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. At all ages examined, PLP had the same amount of covalently-bound fatty acids (3–4% w/w) and palmitate, oleate and stearate were always the major acyl chains. In contrast to myelin lipids, the fatty acid composition of PLP showed only minor changes between 15-days and 90-days of age. The amount and pattern of fatty acids bound to PLP prepared from three myelin subfractions were also indistinguishable. The conservation of a characteristic PLP-fatty acid make-up during brain development and in various myelin compartments suggests that this post-translational modification is essential for the normal functioning of the protein.
Photoactivated Molecular Layer Deposition through Iodo−Ene Coupling Chemistry

This work introduces photoactivated molecular layer deposition (pMLD) as a route to deposit organic nanoscale polymer films with molecular-level control. Surface-tethered acrylate polymers are obtained through a radical step-growth polymerization where a diene and a diiodo monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGM) and 1,3-diiodopropane (DIP), respectively, are sequentially dosed in the vapor-phase under pulsed UV irradiation. pMLD occurs with a constant growth rate of 3.7 A/cycle, and both monomers display self-limiting saturation. Films deposited by pMLD exhibit excellent stability in organic solvents. Furthermore, annealing studies with in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals thermal stability up to 350 °C in vacuum. The mechanism behind pMLD of EGM and DIP is proposed based on detailed characterization of the polymer films by XPS and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, growth modeling, and comparison with control studies of pMLD involving monofunctional precursors. The coupling ...
When Is Accreting/Deleting Texture Seen as In Front? Interpretation of Depth From Texture Motion.

Standard accounts of accretion/deletion of texture treat it as a definite cue to depth ordering: The accreting/deleting surface is interpreted as being behind the adjoining surface. Froyen, Feldman...
Fault Diagnosis of Chemical Processes

Operation of chemical and related process plants presents a range of important problems such as quality control, safety, availability, and efficiency. The computer, while well established in regulatory control functions, has had little impact on the broader range of process operations problems which are often difficult to formulate using conventional numerical/algorithmic approaches to computer programming. Knowledge-based systems offer an alternative to algorithmic programming and have been regarded as a promising approach to application of the computer in this domain.
Cell Replacement Therapy for Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant progressive neurodegenerative disease that is well defined in both genetic and molecular terms. While neurological and genetic diagnosis is very precise, there are currently no neuroprotective or restorative treatment available to patients suffering from this illness. This painful reality drives a large and worldwide research effort to define both the toxic cellular consequences of the mutated huntingtin gene and therapeutic or curative molecular and cellular science to prevent disease in carriers, or restore brain function in HD patients. In HD, while there is a genetically predetermined process causing neuronal death of neurons most dramatically within the patient’s caudate-putamen, implanted neural tissue (neurons and glia) lacking the mutated gene may substitute for the disease-prone neurons and reconstitute functional neuronal connections. Such transfer of neurons and/or glia may also contribute to a slowing down of the neurotoxic processes evident in HD striatum since progenitor cell or fetal neural grafts produce neurotrophic factors. Furthermore, the demonstrated reconnection of host brain connections with the new implanted neurons, and presence of normal glia, may offer resistance to cell loss caused by the progressive pathology. An effective cell regeneration therapy for HD will likely involve anatomical precision and feedback control of local neurotransmitter release. In the future, neural replacement could perhaps be combined with other factors that promote regeneration and recovery of function.
Recent Advances on the Genomics of Litter- and Soil-Inhabiting Agaricomycetes

Fungi, particularly the Agaricomycetes, play a pivotal role cycling nutrients in forest soils. Although these filamentous fungi are clearly responsible for lignocellulose decomposition, the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. This article reviews current understanding of Agaricomycete physiology as it relates to lignocellulose conversions. Fresh insights into the mechanisms of plant cell wall degradation have been made possible by recently available genome sequences. For efficient lignin degradation, the repertoire of genes and expression analyses support an important role for high oxidation potential peroxidases working in conjunction with peroxide-generating oxidases. Generally associated with dead wood, some of these “white rot” fungi are also tree pathogens and litter-inhabiting saprophytes. In contrast, certain wood-decay fungi are unable to remove lignin but have adapted to rapidly depolymerize cellulose. Such decay patterns are typically classified as brown rot, and evidence suggests the involvement of small molecular oxidants such as hydroxyl radical. Uncertainty remains in part due to the dearth of experimental tools, but progress in transcriptomics, proteomics, and genetic transformation offers opportunities for rapid advances.
Co-Kriging — New Developments

Co-Kriging or Joint Estimation utilizes data from correlated variables to improve the estimation of all variables or to compensate for missing data on some variables. The general formulation of Co-Kriging in matrix form was given by the author. The matrix form emphasizes the analogy with Kriging of one variable utilizing only spatial dependence. General conditions are obtained for covariance matrix functions and variogram matrix functions. The extension to block co- kriging is delineated including the Co-Kriging variance. A simple algorithm is given for obtaining the “under-sampled” case from the general matrix formulation. Finally a method for reducing the size of the system of equations is given and a iterative method provided which allows solution of even singular systems in which entries are matrices.
Quantum Medicine With Ultraviolet Aluminum Nanolasers

Nanotechnology has been widely used in biomedical research in the form of plasmonic gold and silver nanoparticles interacting with visible and infrared radiation for biosensing, antimicrobial treatment, and cancer therapy. Recently, aluminum nanoparticles were introduced as a cheaper alternative with a spectral range extending into the ultraviolet region. This provides additional physical mechanisms, which may be used to improve the controllability and effectiveness of biomedical treatment. However, the plasmonic enhancement of aluminum is smaller than that of silver and gold, which may limit applications. We propose and investigate the role of quantum coherence in ultraviolet aluminum nanolasers and discuss their possible experimental implementations. We optimize the drive field in order to enhance the effectiveness of the medical treatment, and show that quantum coherence can improve the performance of aluminum nanoshell lasers to reach similar and higher levels than silver. Our approach may be used for improving the efficiency of ultraviolet-range nano-devices and for facilitating the applications of ultraviolet bactericidal and cancer treatments.
Trends in the Occurrence of Reactive and Proactive Aggression Among Children and Adolescents: Implications for Preparation and Practice in Child and Youth Care

Research has identified two distinct subtypes of youth aggression—reactive aggression and proactive aggression. Although reactive and proactive aggression require different prevention and intervention methods, most approaches to youth aggression have been applied without consideration of specific subtype. This study examined the prevalence of the two subtypes of aggression, the impact of demographic variables on their prevalence, and emergent trends over time in the nature and frequency of their occurrence. It also examined the extent to which reactive and proactive aggression were topics addressed in professional education and training. Results indicate a significant trend toward increasing proactive aggression among children and adolescents, a trend for which most youth service providers are reportedly ill-prepared. Implications of the findings and recommendations for youth service preparation and practice are discussed.
Translational Health Disparities Research in a Data-Rich World

Abstract Background: Despite decades of research and interventions, significant health disparities persist. Seventeen years is the estimated time to translate scientific discoveries into public hea...
Activation energy of conduction for use in temperature corrections on electrical measurements of concrete

The formation factor obtained through electrical resistivity measurements is becoming a popular method to determine transport properties of concrete. Resistivity measurements are dependent on multiple factors, including degree of saturation, pore solution conductivity, and temperature. The Arrhenius equation is used to correct electrical resistivity for temperature effects using an activation energy of conduction (Ea-cond). This parameter has been measured on a wide variety of materials, including pore solutions, pastes, mortars, and concretes (with a variety of saturation states). The reported values of Ea-cond typically range from 9 to 39 kJ/mol. This article examines the factors affecting Ea-cond in order to select an appropriate temperature correction. In this study, Ea-cond was determined from data measured on various concrete mixtures used in transportation infrastructure applications as well as extracted and simulated pore solutions. The Ea-cond of pore solutions remains relatively constant (an average value of 13.9 ± 1.5 kJ/mol) for typical pore solutions and was slightly lower than the Ea-cond of saturated specimens (an average value of 15.8 kJ/mol). It was found that Ea-cond increases as the degree of saturation of the specimen is reduced. Drying increases the ionic concentration of the fluid in the pores; however, this does not explain the changes in Ea-cond. The effects of drying were determined to be primarily due to a change in the volume of the conductive fluid film in the concrete and in the connectivity of the fluid-filled pores. While it is better to directly measure the Ea-cond of a concrete mixture, this is not always feasible or practical. In such cases, for pore solutions, a value of 13.9 kJ/mol can be used, and for saturated concretes, a value of 15.8 kJ/mol can be used. For concretes with a varying degree of saturation, the Ea-cond can be estimated using the developed equation.
A biophysical model of striatal microcircuits suggests θ-rhythmically interleaved γ and β oscillations mediate periodicity in motor control

Striatal oscillatory activity is associated with movement, reward, and decision-making, and observed in several interacting frequency bands. Local field potential (LFP) recordings in rodent striatum show dopamine- (DA-) and reward-dependent transitions between two states: a "spontaneous" state involving beta (∼15-30 Hz) and low gamma (∼40-60 Hz), and a state involving theta (∼4-8 Hz) and high gamma (∼60-100 Hz) in response to DAergic agonism and reward. The mechanisms underlying these rhythmic dynamics, their interactions, and their functional consequences are not well understood. In this paper, we propose a biophysical model of striatal microcircuits that comprehensively describes the generation and interaction of these rhythms, as well as their modulation by DA. Building on previous modeling and experimental work suggesting that striatal projection neurons (SPNs) are capable of generating beta oscillations, we show that networks of striatal fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs) are capable of generating theta and gamma rhythms. Our model consists of three interconnected populations of single or double compartment Hodgkin-Huxley neurons: a feedforward network of FSIs exhibits a D-type potassium current as well as DA-modulated gap junctional and inhibitory connectivity, and two networks of SPNs exhibit an M-type potassium current and express either excitatory D1 or inhibitory D2 DA receptors. Under simulated low DAergic tone the FSI network produces low γ band oscillations, while under high DAergic tone the FSI network produces high gamma band activity nested within a theta oscillation. SPN networks produce beta rhythms in both conditions, but under high DAergic tone, this beta oscillation is interrupted by theta-periodic bursts of gamma-frequency FSI inhibition. Thus, in the high DA state, packets of FSI gamma and SPN beta alternate at a theta timescale. In addition to a mechanistic explanation for previously observed rhythmic interactions and transitions, our model suggests a hypothesis as to how the relationship between DA and rhythmicity impacts motor function. We hypothesize that high DA-induced periodic FSI gamma-rhythmic inhibition enables switching between beta-rhythmic SPN cell assemblies representing the currently active motor program, and thus that DA facilitates movement by allowing for rapid, periodic shifts in motor program execution.
Ocean Scattering and Emission Using Nystrom/NIBC Combined with SMCG

In passive microwave remote sensing, the change of ocean emissivity is very small due to the roughness and salinity change, particularly for the polar region. This puts forward a strict requirement of the simulation accuracy. The ultra-wideband software-defined microwave radiometer (UWBRAD) is developed to measure the ocean salinity over polar region using wide-frequency microwave from 0.5 GHz to 2 GHz. In this paper, in order to meet the high accuracy requirement for sea surface salinity detection with UWBRAD, the Nystrom method is used in solving surface integral equations with moment method (MoM). A neighborhood impedance boundary condition (NIBC) technique is also applied to solve the matrix equation efficiently. Moreover, to save the memory and further accelerate the calculation speed, the sparse matrix canonical grid (SMCG) method is firstly combined with Nystrom/NIBC. Simulation results are illustrated for 0.5-2 GHz and show that emissivities using Nystrom/NIBC combined with SMCG are accurate to the magnitude of 10-4, which meet the accuracy requirement of retrieving polar ocean salinity within 0.2 psu.
How Social Workers Can Use a Human Rights Approach to Disasters: Lessons Learned from the International Community

Disaster management strategies have often relied on a humanitarian approach which responds to societal needs through the use of support and assistance. A growing trend has been to apply a human rights approach to disaster management, which emphasizes human dignity, participation, equitable use of resources, transparency, accountability, and the obligations of governments to protect people’s rights during disasters. In this paper, I introduce the reader to the human rights approach, and international human rights bodies that have operated during disasters, as well as to the international laws and guidelines that have been produced by these bodies in relation to disasters. Then I examine the ways in which a human rights approach has been used during disaster mitigation, preparation, response and recovery efforts, and how a human rights approach can be enhanced in these efforts in the future. Finally, I make a case for why social workers should consider using a human rights approach to disaster management, and discuss how social work practitioners, researchers, and advocates can promote this approach in their disaster-related work.
Sc3N@C80 and La@C82 doped graphene for a new class of optoelectronic devices

High-performance hybrid graphene photodetectors were prepared with endohedral fullerenes deposited on graphene using electrophoretic methods for the first time. Endohedral Sc3N@C80, which acts as an electron acceptor, was used and the ensuing electronic and optoelectronic properties were measured. Another endohedral fullerene, La@C82, was also adsorbed on graphene, which acts as an electron donor. Upon optical illumination, for the Sc3N@C80–graphene hybrid, the photoinduced free holes are injected into graphene, increasing the hole carrier concentration in graphene, while the photoexcited electrons remain in Sc3N@C80; this leads to a high photoresponsivity of ∼109 A W−1, detectivity D of ∼1015 Jones, and external quantum efficiency EQE ∼ 109 % for the Sc3N@C80–graphene hybrid. This is ∼10 times higher compared to other reports of quantum dot-graphene and few layer MoS2–graphene heterostructures. Similarly, for the La@C82–graphene hybrid, ∼ 108 A W−1, D ∼ 1014 Jones, and EQE ∼ 106 % were achieved, with electrons being injected into graphene. The exceptional performance gains achieved with both types of hybrid structures confirms the potential of endohedrals to dope graphene for high performance optoelectronic devices using a facile and scalable fabrication process.
Phenotypic Characterization of Targeted Knockdown of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases in the Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are serine/threonine kinases that regulate cell cycle and have been vigorously pursued as druggable targets for cancer. There are over 20 members of the CDK family. Given their structural similarity, selective inhibition by small molecules has been elusive. In addition, collateral damage to highly proliferative normal cells by CDK inhibitors remains a safety concern. Intestinal epithelial cells are highly proliferative and the impact of individual CDK inhibition on intestinal cell proliferation has not been well studied. Using the rat intestinal epithelial (IEC6) cells as an in vitro model, we found that the selective CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib lacked potent anti-proliferative activity in IEC6 relative to the breast cancer cell line MCF7, indicating the absence of intestinal cell reliance on CDK4/6 for cell cycle progression. To further illustrate the role of CDKs in intestinal cells, we chose common targets of CDK inhibitors (CDK 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9) for targeted gene knockdown to evaluate phenotypes. Surprisingly, only CDK1 and CDK9 knockdown demonstrated profound cell death or had moderate growth effects, respectively. CDK2, 4, or 6 knockdowns, whether single, double, or triple combinations, did not have substantial impact. Studies evaluating CDK1 knockdown under various cell seeding densities indicate direct effects on viability independent of proliferation state and imply a potential noncanonical role for CDK1 in intestinal epithelial biology. This research supports the concept that CDK1 and CDK9, but not CDKs 2, 4, or 6, are essential for intestinal cell cycle progression and provides safety confidence for interphase CDK inhibition.
Surgical infection prophylaxis prior to left ventricular assist device implantation: A survey of clinical practice.

Background Short duration, antimicrobial prophylaxis that includes antistaphylococcal activity is recommended at the time of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation to reduce infection-related complications. There continues to be wide variability in surgical infection prophylaxis (SIP) regimens among implantation centers. The aim of this study is to characterize current SIP regimens at different LVAD centers. Methods A survey study was conducted from 26 September 2017 to 25 October 2017. Surveys were distributed electronically to LVAD coordinators and infectious diseases specialists at 75 US medical centers identified as having an LVAD program. Data collection included information about antimicrobial selection, duration, Staphylococcus aureus screening, and decolonization procedures. Results We received 29 survey responses. The majority of surveys were completed by infectious diseases physicians (72.4% [21 out of 29]). Most responding centers reported LVAD programs established for greater than 10 years (20 out of 29 [69%]). Cardiac transplantation was performed in 28 out of 29 (96%) centers. Of centers reporting a defined SIP regimen for non-penicillin allergic patients (96% [28 out of 29]), 17.9% (5 out of 28) reported a four-drug regimen, 35.7% (10 out of 28) reported a three-drug regimen, and 46.4% (13 out of 28) reported a two-drug regimen, while no centers reported a single-drug regimen. Empiric fluconazole was common (50% [14 out of 28]) and 96.4% (27 out of 28) of regimens included vancomycin. Duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis (24 hours to 5 days), S. aureus screening, decolonization procedures, and alterations due to drug allergies varied across participating centers. Conclusions Our survey results indicate wide variation in SIP regimens among participating LVAD centers. These results highlight the need for studies evaluating the implications of SIP regimens, and whether clinical factors that prolong antimicrobial duration impact postoperative infection rates.
The Female Muselmann in Nazi Concentration Camp Discourse

A study of the ‘female Muselmann’ is long overdue. Here I question the male figure of the Muselmann as a universal trope of concentration camp debasement, by examining it through a gendered lens. T...