cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correctional Executives’ Leadership Self-Efficacy and Their Perceptions of Emotional Intelligence

Correctional leadership is virtually an unexamined category, lacking literature regarding what is necessary to be a successful correctional executive. This quantitative study involved examining a leadership model of the relationship between emotional intelligence and leader self-efficacy perceptions among correctional executives and senior-level leaders. A convenience sampling of 112 correctional leaders from across the US participated in the study. Participants were asked to complete the WLEIS (Wong & Law Emotional Intelligence Scale) and the Leader Efficacy Questionnaire (LEQ). A correlation and Multivariate Analysis of Variance Analyses (MANOVA) were subsequently conducted. The study findings yielded a statistically significant difference among leaders’ perceptions of their utilization of emotional intelligence and leader self-efficacy in the work environment. The study findings further suggest that gender is predictive across the instrumentation models for this study, with women exhibiting higher levels of emotional intelligence, self-emotional appraisal, use of emotion, leader self-efficacy, and leader self-regulation efficacy.
Modeling of Toluene Sulfonic Acid Catalyzed Oxide Addition Reaction for Soy-Based Polyol

Polyol oligomers formed from reactions of mono-, di-, and triethylene glycols with epoxidized soybean oil were synthesized and the reaction conversions were modeled. The data verified the effectiveness of a model that is based on the simultaneous solution of eight ordinary differential equations. In addition, the data demonstrated that di- and triethylene glycols produced lower viscosity oligomers than monoethylene glycol. Since the model is fundamentally based, it provides insight into the reaction mechanisms and allows for simulation of reaction conditions with reasonable extrapolation. Within the accuracy of the data, the reaction rate coefficients for all alcohol and epoxy moieties were equal, independent of the molecule to which they were attached—reaction rates varied based only on temperature and dilution of reacting moieties. The model provides an effective means to simulating concentration, viscosity, and temperature profiles including estimates of degrees of polymerization, which are dependent o...
Energy level alignment of self-assembled linear chains of benzenediamine on Au(111) from first principles

Using density functional theory (DFT) with a van der Waals density functional, we calculate the adsorption energetics and geometry of benzenediamine (BDA) molecules on Au(111) surfaces. Our results demonstrate that the reported self-assembled linear chain structure of BDA, stabilized via hydrogen bonds between amine groups, is energetically favored over previously studied monomeric phases. Moreover, using a model, which includes nonlocal polarization effects from the substrate and the neighboring molecules and incorporates many-body perturbation theory calculations within the GW approximation, we obtain approximate self-energy corrections to the DFT highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy associated with BDA adsorbate phases. We find that, independent of coverage, the HOMO energy of the linear chain phase is lower relative to the Fermi energy than that of the monomer phase, and in good agreement with values measured with ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
A survey of clinical training in music therapy: degree of compliance with NAMT guidelines.

This study compared the experiences and responsibilities of music therapy interns with requirements outlined in the Guidelines for Establishing and Maintaining Music Therapy Clinical Training Programs (National Association for Music Therapy, Inc., 1983). Subjects were 134 music therapy clinical training directors and 75 music therapy interns. Results from the intern survey indicated that over 80% of the interns were more than satisfied with their clinical training experiences. However, the data revealed several areas of concern. First, 75% of the directors and 92% of the responding interns were female; this response suggests that music therapy is not recognized as a viable career choice among male music majors. In addition, 22% of the responding clinical training facilities were not affiliated with the closest NAMT-approved college or university; reported range between these facilities and the nearest university was 5 to 1,500 miles, with a mean of 392 miles. The authors concluded that the affiliate process is often meaningless. While the Guidelines require training in "Administrative skills, i.e., budgeting, program proposals, organizational structures," nearly 63% of intern respondents had not received such training. The authors recommend that the Guidelines be rewritten and professionally printed, that interns and clinical training directors be required to complete annual questionnaires, and that the affiliation between clinical training facility and academic institution be strengthened.
In vivo photoacoustic flowmetry in the optical diffusive regime based on saline injection

We propose a saline-injection-based method to quantify blood flow velocity in vivo with acoustic-resolution photoacoustic tomography. By monitoring the saline-blood-interface propagating in the blood vessel, we can resolve the flow velocity. In phantom experiments, a root-mean-squared error of prediction of 0.29 mm/s was achieved. By injecting saline into a mouse tail vein covered with 1 mm chicken tissue, we showed that the flow velocity in the tail vein could be measured at depth, which is especially pertinent to monitoring blood flow velocity in patients undergoing intravenous infusion.
Models for water retention and unsaturated permeability in full range of water content

The existing models for water retention and unsaturated permeability are successful at higher water contents but often give poor results at lower water contents. The water retention curve can be divided into capillary and adsorption segments by a dividing point, where the residual volumetric water content is assumed to vary with the matric suction, which can improve the applicability of Van Genuchten model to range of lower volumetric water content, and further extend it to the full range of volumetric water content. In addition, a permeability model for film flow in an even spherical particle assembly is modified by introducing a correction factor. The total unsaturated permeability is then considered to be the sum of those due to capillary and film flows. The two modified models are then verified using the test data of water retention and unsaturated permeability at higher and lower volumetric water contents for six loams in the existing literatures. The results show that the two modified models mach the measurements of water retention and unsaturated permeability better than the traditional models in the full range of volumetric water content.
Thermodynamic Analysis of BF Slag Waste Heat Recovery System Using Enthalpy-Exergy Diagram

The heat recovery efficiency of different BF slag waste heat recovery systems were analyzed by using enthalpy-exergy diagram.Enthalpy and exergy efficiency were calculated and compared by physical recovery method to produce hot water or steam and chemical recovery method by endothermic reactions of decomposition of limestone,coal gasification,methane reforming.The results showed that the heat efficiency of applying the waste heat of BF slag to produce hot water is 76.9%,equal to that of producing steam.While the enthalpy efficiency of the two is different,the former is 14.4%,and the later is 34.2%.The heat efficiency of chemical reaction with BF slag is as high as 92.2%,while the enthalpy efficiency is 62.7%.Both are higher than those of physical heat recovery method.Applying the coal gasification to recover the waste heat of BF slag can absorb 165 kg per tone of slag,which attribute to realize the goal of energy conservation and slow down the greenhouse effect.
Delineating the respective impacts of stochastic curl- and grad-forces in a family of idealized core genetic commitment circuits

Stochastic dynamics pervades gene regulation. Despite being random, the dynamics displays a kind of innate structure. In fact, two stochastic forces combine driving efforts: one force originates from the gradient of the underlying stochastic potential, and the other originates from the mathematical curl of the probability flux. The curl force gives rise to rotation. The gradient force gives rise to drift. Together they give rise to helical behavior. Here, it is shown that around and about the vicinity of attractive fixed points, the gradient force naturally wanes but the curl force is found to remain high. This leads to a locally noticeably different type of stochastic track near and about attractive fixed points, compared to tracks in regions where drift dominates. The consistency of this observation with the experimental fact that, in biology, fate commitment appears to not be a-priory locked-in, but rather necessitating active maintenance, is discussed. Hence attractive fixed-points are not only fuzzy, but may effectively be, locally, “more free”.
Interactions of Immunopathological Mediators (Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, TGF-β, Prostaglandin E2) in Traumatized Individuals

Characterization of monokine action in septic shock is complicated by the interactive nature of the cytokines and the unusual activation status of the posttrauma macrophage-monocytes (MO). The response of preseptic trauma patients’ MO to bacterial stimuli is exaggerated when compared to normals’ MO [1, 2]. MO from trauma patients not only produce elevated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, but the TNF-α which patients’ MO produce is primarily cell-associated rather than secreted TNF-α as produced by normals’ MO [1, 3, 4]. The trauma patients’ MO TNF-α is often resistant to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) downregulation [3]. One hypothesis explaining this posttrauma aberrant monokine function is that the microenvironment around trauma patients’ MO consists of high concentrations of secondary inducers of monokines (for example, substance P, immunoglobulin monomers, and complement split products), as well as elevated cytokines. It is the concomitant presence of these trauma-induced mediators during subsequent MO induction that results in deranged monocyte responses, such as exaggerated production of some monokines and depression of both MO antigen-presenting function and MO plasmin-ogen-activator production. Some examples of altered cytokine response capacities of trauma patients’ MO versus normals’ MO are given in this section, and the implication for prophylactic therapy is discussed.
Obesity and government.

Purpose of reviewDespite much effort, obesity prevalence and disease severity continues to worsen. The purpose of this review is to describe the leading government supported food and nutrition interventions and policies to prevent and address obesity in the USA. The review also summarizes obesity in
Relative Survival of Older Patients with Indolent Lymphoma–Analysis From the SEER Database

Abstract 5214 Background: Indolent lymphomas account for 35–40% of Non-Hodgkin9s lymphomas (NHL). The treatment choices, and as a result, the overall outcome of these indolent lymphomas seem to be changing with the introduction of chemoimmunotherapy. However, the impact of these new treatment approaches on the survival in older patients has not been specifically studied. Methods: We used data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database to determine survival for older patients diagnosed with indolent lymphomas. We compared trends in survival between 1977–86, 1987–96 and 1997–2006 in men and women, for three age groups 65–74, 75–84 and 85+ years. Survival rates were calculated up to 9 years post-diagnosis. Results: Between 1977 and 2006, survival rates increased for both men and women in all three age groups. The greatest improvement in survival was seen at 5 years. Between 1977–86 and 1997–2006, 5-year survival rates increased in men/women by 21%/22%, 23%/29% and 16%/24% in the 65–74, 75–84 and 85+ age groups respectively. Survival gains increased with each decade in all age groups for both sexes with the most marked improvements between 1987–1996 & 1997–2006. Women in the first two groups consistently demonstrated a better survival than men. The oldest old men (85+) had the lowest survival rate with the majority of the deaths occurring in the first year of diagnosis. Conclusions: Survival for older patients has increased considerably in the interval between 1977–2006 with the largest improvement seen in the 75–84 year old age group. Larger increases in the survival rates between 1987–1996 and 1997–2006 might be accounted for by the benefits of immunotherapy with the introduction of rituximab in 1998. The increased early deaths noted in men 85+, could be related to treatment toxicity. While earlier treatment is being advocated for patients diagnosed with indolent lymphoma, the data we present imply that more careful consideration should be given to the selection of patients above the age of 85 for such treatment. Male-female differences in survival are interesting and further study would seem important to elucidate the causes. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Home, domestic work and the state: The spatial politics of domestic workers’ activism:

This article explores the spatialities associated with the recent emergence of a social movement of domestic workers in the United States. Domestic work is rendered invisible, not only as a form of...
Alpha-Linolenic Acid Treatment Reduces the Contusion and Prevents the Development of Anxiety-Like Behavior Induced by a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats.

Approximately, 1.7 million Americans suffer a TBI annually and TBI is a major cause of death and disability. The majority of the TBI cases are of the mild type and while most patients recover completely from mild TBI (mTBI) about 10% result in persistent symptoms and some result in lifelong disability. Anxiety disorders are the second most common diagnosis post-TBI. Of note, TBI-induced anxiety disorders are difficult to treat and remain a chronic condition suggesting that new therapies are needed. Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated that a mild TBI induced an anxiety-like phenotype, a key feature of the human condition, associated with loss of GABAergic interneurons and hyperexcitability in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in rodents 7 and 30 days after a controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury. We now confirm that animals display significantly increased anxiety-like behavior 30 days after CCI. The anxiety-like behavior was associated with a significant loss of GABAergic interneurons and significant reductions in the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous and miniature GABAA-receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in the BLA. Significantly, subchronic treatment with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) after CCI prevents the development of anxiety-like behavior, the loss of GABAergic interneurons, hyperexcitability in the BLA and reduces the impact injury. Taken together, administration of ALA after CCI is a potent therapy against the neuropathology and pathophysiological effects of mTBI in the BLA.
Biodiversity of Mammoth Cave

The first cave-limited species found in Mammoth Cave was described in 1842 by DeKay. By 1888, 19 stygobionts and troglobionts were known. At present, there are 32 described troglobionts (terrestrial obligate cave dwellers) and 16 stygobionts (aquatic obligate cave dwellers) from Mammoth Cave. It is the third richest cave worldwide in terms of terrestrial species. Globally, the aquatic species richness is unremarkable, but it is one of the most diverse aquatic caves in the USA. Possible reasons for the high terrestrial species richness include high levels of available organic matter, a unique geographic position at the intersection of several major cave fauna regions, and its immense size. In comparison with Vjetrenica, a global hot spot of terrestrial species richness in Bosnia and Herzegovina, taxonomic diversity in Mammoth Cave is similar, although Vjetrenica has more families of beetles.
The Impact of Operating Room Layout on Circulating Nurse’s Work Patterns and Flow Disruptions: A Behavioral Mapping Study:

Aim:To assess how the adjacencies of functionally different areas within operating rooms (ORs) can influence the circulating nurse’s (CN) workflow patterns and disruptions.Background:The CN plays a...
Studying Celebrity Practices on Twitter Using a Framework for Measuring Media Richness

Social media enables the performative actions needed for celebrities to build and maintain audiences. Platforms like Twitter mediate identity construction and interaction with fans while enabling e...
Ignorance Is Bliss, or Is It? The Effects of Pay Transparency, Informational Justice and Distributive Justice on Pay Satisfaction and Affective Commitment:

Pay transparency—open access to comparative wages—may help reduce wage discrepancies and otherwise benefit organizations. A 2 × 2 × 2 between-subjects factorial design was used to test the effects ...
Effectiveness of Transurethral Resection plus Systemic Chemotherapy as Definitive Treatment for Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer in Population Level Data.

Purpose: We investigated the characteristics and outcomes of patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer treated with transurethral resection plus chemotherapy alone in a large observational cohort reflecting the continuum of practice settings in the United States.Materials and Methods: In the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2015 we identified 1,538 patients treated with transurethral resection plus multi-agent chemotherapy as definitive treatment of cT2-T4aN0M0 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. For comparison purposes we included in study 17,866 patients treated with radical cystectomy with or without perioperative chemotherapy. Baseline characteristics were compared between the 2 groups by multivariable logistic regression. Treatment outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and a Cox regression model.Results: On multivariate analysis several variables, including patient demography (older age, African American race, prior malignancy and lack of insurance), tumor characteristics (highe...
Prolonged Activation Of Transcription Factor AP-1 During NGF-Mediated Rescue from Apoptotic Cell Death in PC12 Cells

Rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells exhibit apoptotic cell death when deprived of serum and can be rescued by nerve growth factor (NGF). We characterized AP-1 DNA binding activity in PC12 cells after serum deprivation in the presence or absence of NGF or other neurotrophic agents. There was a decline in AP-1 DNA binding activity concomitant with apoptosis in PC12 cells after serum deprivation. Treatment of serum-deprived PC12 with NGF induced persistent AP-1 binding activity that was blocked by the Trk receptor inhibitor K252a. PC12 cells treated with dibutyryl cyclic AMP or insulin also displayed increased AP-1 DNA binding activity. While NGF somewhat increased c-Fos and c-Jun protein levels transiently, it had a more robust and persistent stimulatory effect on Jun B protein levels. AP-1 transcriptional activity increased after NGF, dibutyryl cAMP, or insulin treatment under serum free conditions. Curcumin, which inhibits AP-1 activity, blocked the NGF-mediated rescue. These results would suggest that the rescue of serum-deprived PC12 cells from apoptosis requires increasing endogenous levels of specific Fos/Jun components of AP-1.
Assessment of glucocorticoid lung targeting by ex-vivo receptor binding studies in rats.

Triamcinolone acetonide (TA, 22 µg) was given to rats by intravenous (IV) injection or intratracheal (IT) instillation. Free glucocorticoid receptors were monitored over time in liver and lung using an ex-vivo receptor binding technique. After IV administration of a TA solution, the reduction of free receptors over time was very similar in lung and liver (AUCLung = 280 ± 47 %*h; AUCLiver = 320 ± 76 %*h). Intratracheal instillation of the same solution produced time profiles which mirrored those of IV injection (AUCLung = 260 ± 41 %*h; AUCLiver = 330 ± 50 %*h). The lack of lung targeting was also reflected in the failure to show any significant difference in the pulmonary targeting factor T (AUCLung/AUCLiver) between IV (T = 0.84 ± 0.18) and IT (T = 0.78 ± 0.03) administration. In contrast, a certain degree of lung specificity was observed after IT instillation of a glucocorticoid suspension (22 µg; AUCLung = 160 ± 135 %*h; AUCLiver = 65 ± 91 %*h, T = 2.3 ± 0.5) as indicated by significant differences in T between IV injection and IT instillation (p = 0.038). The method presented provides a means of simultaneously assessing pulmonary and systemic effects after different forms and routes of administration and might be of value in further studying multiple aspects of inhalation glucocorticoid therapy.
Unprecedented direct cupric-superoxo conversion to a bis-μ-oxo dicopper(III) complex and resulting oxidative activity

Abstract Investigations of small molecule copper-dioxygen chemistry can and have provided fundamental insights into enzymatic processes (e.g., copper metalloenzyme dioxygen binding geometries and their associated spectroscopy and substrate reactivity). Strategically designing copper-binding ligands has allowed for insight into properties that favor specific (di)copper-dioxygen species. Herein, the tetradentate tripodal TMPA-based ligand (TMPA = tris((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine) possessing a methoxy moiety in the 6-pyridyl position on one arm (OCH3TMPA) was investigated. This system allows for a trigonal bipyramidal copper(II) geometry as shown by the UV–vis and EPR spectra of the cupric complex [(OCH3TMPA)CuII(OH2)](ClO4)2. Cyclic voltammetry experiments determined the reduction potential of this copper(II) species to be −0.35 V vs. Fc+/0 in acetonitrile, similar to other TMPA-derivatives bearing sterically bulky 6-pyridyl substituents. The copper-dioxygen reactivity is also analogous to these TMPA-derivatives, affording a bis-μ-oxo dicopper(III) complex, [{(OCH3TMPA)CuIII}2(O2−)2]2+, upon oxygenation of the copper(I) complex [(OCH3TMPA)CuI](B(C6F5)4) at cryogenic temperatures in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran. This highly reactive intermediate is capable of oxidizing phenolic substrates through a net hydrogen atom abstraction. However, after bubbling of the precursor copper(I) complex with dioxygen at very low temperatures (−135 °C), a cupric superoxide species, [(OCH3TMPA)CuII(O2 −)]+, is initially formed before slowly converting to [{(OCH3TMPA)CuIII}2(O2−)2]2+. This appears to be the first instance of the direct conversion of a cupric superoxide to a bis-μ-oxo dicopper(III) species in copper(I)-dioxygen chemistry.
Resource-Scalable CNN Synthesis for IoT Applications.

State-of-the-art image recognition systems use sophisticated Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) that are designed and trained to identify numerous object classes. Such networks are fairly resource intensive to compute, prohibiting their deployment on resource-constrained embedded platforms. On one hand, the ability to classify an exhaustive list of categories is excessive for the demands of most IoT applications. On the other hand, designing a new custom-designed CNN for each new IoT application is impractical, due to the inherent difficulty in developing competitive models and time-to-market pressure. To address this problem, we investigate the question of: "Can one utilize an existing optimized CNN model to automatically build a competitive CNN for an IoT application whose objects of interest are a fraction of categories that the original CNN was designed to classify, such that the resource requirement is proportionally scaled down?" We use the term resource scalability to refer to this concept, and develop a methodology for automated synthesis of resource scalable CNNs from an existing optimized baseline CNN. The synthesized CNN has sufficient learning capacity for handling the given IoT application requirements, and yields competitive accuracy. The proposed approach is fast, and unlike the presently common practice of CNN design, does not require iterative rounds of training trial and error.
Challenges for the clinical development of PI3K inhibitors: Strategies to improve their impact in solid tumors

The PI3K pathway is mutated and aberrantly activated in many cancers and plays a central role in tumor cell proliferation and survival, making it a rational therapeutic target. Until recently, however, results from clinical trials with PI3K inhibitors in solid tumors have been largely disappointing. Here, we describe several factors that have limited the success of these agents, including the weak driver oncogenic activity of mutant PI3K, suboptimal patient selection in trials, drug-related toxicities, feedback upregulation of compensatory mechanisms when PI3K is blocked, increased insulin production upon PI3Kα inhibition, lack of mutant-specific inhibitors, and a relative scarcity of studies using combinations with PI3K antagonists. We also suggest strategies to improve the impact of these agents in solid tumors. Despite these challenges, we are optimistic that isoform-specific PI3K inhibitors, particularly in combination with other agents, may be valuable in treating appropriately selected patients with PI3K-dependent tumors. SIGNIFICANCE: Despite the modest clinical activity of PI3K inhibitors in solid tumors, there is an increasing understanding of the factors that may have limited their success. Strategies to ameliorate drug-related toxicities, use of rational combinations with PI3K antagonists, development of mutant-selective PI3K inhibitors, and better patient selection should improve the success of these targeted agents against solid tumors.
Defining and implementing local-plan land-use consistency in California

Changes in the enforcement of California's laws on zoning and local land-use planning have placed new power in the hands of private individuals and the state government to see that these laws are enforced. The background and functions of local planning and land-use requirements are described, and two remedies are outlined for coping with unplanned development. The new practice of initiative zoning is examined in terms of consistency requirements to force planned development of communities. (DCK)
Correlation between Disease Severity and the Intestinal Microbiome in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Infected Rhesus Macaques

The factors that determine host susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) are poorly defined. The microbiota has been identified as a key influence on the nutritional, metabolic, and immunological status of the host, although its role in the pathogenesis of TB is currently unclear. Here, we investigated the influence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure on the microbiome and conversely the impact of the intestinal microbiome on the outcome of M. tuberculosis exposure in a rhesus macaque model of tuberculosis. Animals were infected with different strains and doses of M. tuberculosis in three independent experiments, resulting in a range of disease severities. The compositions of the microbiotas were then assessed using a combination of 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing in fecal samples collected pre- and postinfection. Clustering analyses of the microbiota compositions revealed that alterations in the microbiome after M. tuberculosis infection were of much lower magnitude than the variability seen between individual monkeys. However, the microbiomes of macaques that developed severe disease were noticeably distinct from those of the animals with less severe disease as well as from each other. In particular, the bacterial families Lachnospiraceae and Clostridiaceae were enriched in monkeys that were more susceptible to infection, while numbers of Streptococcaceae were decreased. These findings in infected nonhuman primates reveal that certain baseline microbiome communities may strongly associate with the development of severe tuberculosis following infection and can be more important disease correlates than alterations to the microbiota following M. tuberculosis infection itself.IMPORTANCE Why some but not all individuals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis develop disease is poorly understood. Previous studies have revealed an important influence of the microbiota on host resistance to infection with a number of different disease agents. Here, we investigated the possible role of the individual's microbiome in impacting the outcome of M. tuberculosis infection in rhesus monkeys experimentally exposed to this important human pathogen. Although M. tuberculosis infection itself caused only minor alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota in these animals, we observed a significant correlation between an individual monkey's microbiome and the severity of pulmonary disease. More importantly, this correlation between microbiota structure and disease outcome was evident even prior to infection. Taken together, our findings suggest that the composition of the microbiome may be a useful predictor of tuberculosis progression in infected individuals either directly because of the microbiome's direct influence on host resistance or indirectly because of its association with other host factors that have this influence. This calls for exploration of the potential of the microbiota composition as a predictive biomarker through carefully designed prospective studies.
Correction to: A Tool to Generate Grain-Resolved Open-Cell Metal Foam Models

Readers should note that this article was originally published without the electronic supplementary material with which it is now published.
Life cycle cost savings analysis on traditional drainage systems from low impact development strategies

Areas that are covered with natural vegetation have been converted into asphalt, concrete, or roofed structures and have increased surface impermeability and decreased natural drainage capability. Conventional drainage systems were built to mimic natural drainage patterns to prevent the occurrence of waterlogging in developed sites. These drainage systems consist of two major components: 1) a stormwater conduit system, and 2) a runoff storage system. Runoff storage systems contain retention basins and drywells that are used to store and percolate runoff, whereas conduit systems are combination of catch basins and conduit pipes used to collect and transport runoff. The construction of these drainage systems is costly and may cause significant environmental disturbance. In this study, low impact development (LID) methods that consist of extensive green roofs (GRs) and permeable interlocking concrete pavements (PICPs) are applied in real-world construction projects. Construction project documents were reviewed, and related cost information was gathered through the accepted bidding proposals and interviews of specialty contractors in the metropolitan area of Phoenix, Arizona. Results indicate that the application of both LID methods to existing projects can save an average of 27.2% in life cycle costs (LCC) for a 50-year service life and 18.7% in LCC for a 25-year service life on the proposed drainage system, respectively.
Advanced Head-Up Display System for Closed Circuit Rebreathers

U.S. Navy Special Warfare (NSW) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Divers perform critical underwater missions while diving Closed Circuit Rebreather Underwater Breathing Apparatus (CCR-UBAs). Military CCR-UBAs are typically back-worn, electronically controlled, mixed gas diving systems with the oxygen in the diver's breathing gas mix monitored and controlled via a battery-powered electronic module. Two separate electronic visual displays monitor the status of the rebreather with oxygen and diluent bottle pressures monitored on two separate analog pressure gauges. The electronic visual displays are comprised of a primary display module (PDM) and a secondary display module (SDM). The PDM connects to the CCR-UBA electronics module via a cable and is a simple series of red and green light emitting diodes (LEDs) that alert the diver to any equipment malfunctions or warnings. The PDM attaches to the dive mask on the upper right or left side, or to the regulator slightly below the diver's normal field of vision. The SDM is an alphanumeric liquid crystal display (LCD) handset that displays detailed data on oxygen sensor voltages, and batteries' status. It connects to the CCR-UBA electronics module via a separate cable. Depth is monitored on a separate depth gauge. During dive missions in high turbidity and zero visibility conditions (which is very common in military dive missions), the diver is unable to see the critical information on the SDM, oxygen and diluent gauges, and the depth gauge. Under a project funded by the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO), the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Panama City Division (NSWCPCD) developed two (2) concept prototype systems that fully integrate the critical CCR-UBA display data into a single head-up display capability, clearly visible by the NSW/EOD diver even in high turbidity and zero visibility conditions. The paper will describe the different design approaches taken for the two different prototype systems developed, use of additive manufacturing/3D printing to design and build the prototypes, the unique optical system design, and results of design reference mission testing by military divers.
Weakly coupled markov decision processes with imperfect information

Weakly coupled Markov decision processes (MDPs) are stochastic dynamic programs where decisions in independent sub-MDPs are linked via constraints. Their exact solution is computationally intractable. Numerical experiments have shown that Lagrangian relaxation can be an effective approximation technique. This paper considers two classes of weakly coupled MDPs with imperfect information. In the first case, the transition probabilities for each sub-MDP are characterized by parameters whose values are unknown. This yields a Bayes-adaptive weakly coupled MDP. In the second case, the decision-maker cannot observe the actual state and instead receives a noisy signal. This yields a weakly coupled partially observable MDP. Computationally tractable approximate dynamic programming methods combining semi-stochastic certainty equivalent control or Thompson sampling with Lagrangian relaxation are proposed. These methods are applied to a class of stochastic dynamic resource allocation problems and to restless multi-armed bandit problems with partially observable states. Insights are drawn from numerical experiments.
Struggles of Korean Second-Generation Leaders: Leaving the Immigrant Church:

The Korean immigrant church has served as not only a religious institution but also a cultural base for the first generation of immigrants, who have a common interest in keeping their traditional v...
Initial management of esophageal anastomotic strictures after transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer with dilations up to 18-20 mm.

Esophageal anastomotic stricture is a well-known complication after transhiatal esophagectomy (THE), but there is limited data regarding the initial management and subsequent outcomes after stricture dilation. There is concern that dilating to larger diameters upon the initial encounter, specifically with high-grade strictures, will lead to increased risk for complications. We therefore reviewed one surgeon’s experience with esophageal dilations after THE and provided data and treatment recommendations based upon these findings. A retrospective review of patients who underwent esophageal dilations ≥ 18 mm up to 20 mm after THE between 2006 and 2019 at our institution was performed. Patient demographics were n = 97, age = 70, 81 males. For all cases, the mean location, length, diameter of the stricture, and number of days from surgery and initial dilation were 20 cm, 1.9 cm, 6.7 mm, and 106 days, respectively. Most dilations (79%) occurred within 2 weeks to 3 months from surgery. 29.9% were dilated up to 18 mm, 10.3% were dilated up to 19 mm, and 59.8% were dilated up to 20 mm upon initial dilation. Even 1-mm-diameter lesions could be safely dilated upon 18–20 mm. In this study group there were no complications after endoscopic dilation that required hospitalization or further surgical or endoscopic interventions. These results suggest that early aggressive endoscopic management of esophageal anastomotic strictures after THE can be safely performed.
You Must Roll 18 or Higher for Your Claims to Succeed: Common Law Trademarks, Unauthorized Merchandise, and the Podcast 'The Adventure Zone'

Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy are among the people who found notoriety and fame during the podcast boom of the 2010s. In addition to their main podcast, “My Brother, My Brother and Me,” thousands of people listen to their tabletop role playing game podcast, “The Adventure Zone,” which they make with their father, Clint. “The Adventure Zone” has been adapted into a graphic novel and a streaming television adaptation is in development. With this comes fans who show their love for the podcast through fan art, some of which is sold online. The McElroys have stated they do not want fans selling items based on their podcasts, although presently have not taken any legal action against fans. The McElroys are one example of people who have become extraordinarily successful because of their podcasts and have reason to protect their creation. Using trademark law, I examine if the McElroys have any legal recourse for infringement. As they do not have any registered trademarks, all possible issues are examined as common law trademarks. The McElroys’ ability to protect characters, as well as items appearing in the podcast, as marks varies depending on the story-line of “The Adventure Zone.” The McElroys and other podcast creators have varying levels of protection for elements of podcasts used as marks. The idea there is broad legal recourse seems like an empty threat made against fan artists. Further, the idea of “bad faith” appears both in trademark infringement and unfair competition. With the statements made by the McElroys, they have presented all people selling unlicensed merchandise as acting in bad faith. This runs contrary to the very roots of artistic expression and courts indiscriminately finding for podcast hosts could harm the delicate relationship between podcast hosts and fans, as well as the ability for fans to interpret and share their love of a property.
On validating peridynamic models and a phase-field model for dynamic brittle fracture in glass

Abstract We test two peridynamic models and one phase field model against recent experimental tests on dynamic fracture/crack branching in glass induced by impact. We find important differences in results among the two peridynamic models (one using the meshfree discretization, the other being the LS-DYNA’s discontinuous-Galerkin implementation) and the phase-field model. We monitor the crack branching location, angle of crack branching, the time-profile of crack propagation speed, and some fine features seen experimentally: small twists/kinks in the crack paths near their end. The results shown here provide guidance in selecting the most appropriate solution method for dynamic brittle fracture in glass and explain likely reasons behind the failure of some of the models to correctly predict the observed behavior.
Taming the Dark Side of the New Globalization

Advanced digital technology enables the new globalization. Together, these forces have improved living standards for millions of people, but there is also a dark side to the story. Digital technology and globalization create “losers” as well as “winners,” leading to economic and social disruption. Developing countries are especially at risk; their advances in recent decades may be reversed (Bremmer, Us vs. Them: The Failure of Globalism. New York: Penguin Random House, 2018). They need to address the negative impacts to reap the full benefit of digitally enabled globalization. This chapter highlights the negative impacts of digitally enabled globalization on individuals, communities, and nation-states, then reviews proposals for mitigating these impacts, derived from literature. Various proposals involve curbs on monopoly power, regulatory reform, restoring the proper role of government, improved education, labor market reform, universal basic income, and increased international cooperation. At the level of implementation, there is significant integration among these proposals. For example, curbing monopolies will involve regulatory reform, and increased international cooperation may be necessary to achieve other reforms. This topic is timely: a recent statement of purpose by nearly 200 CEOs of global corporations suggests that business leaders may be ready to acknowledge the dark side of the new globalization and join efforts to mitigate the harm.
The Tribes of Machine Learning and the Realm of Computer Architecture.

Machine learning techniques have influenced the field of computer architecture like many other fields. This paper studies how the fundamental machine learning techniques can be applied towards computer architecture problems. We also provide a detailed survey of computer architecture research that employs different machine learning methods. Finally, we present some future opportunities and the outstanding challenges that need to be overcome to exploit full potential of machine learning for computer architecture.
Enhanced light outcoupling from OLEDs by suppressing guided modes formation using an ultrathin flexible transparent conductor

All previous waveguide mode decoupling methods used to increase external quantum efficiency (EQE) and power efficiency of OLEDs are complex in structure and not scalable in fabrication. Here, we introduce a novel yet simple approach of using an ultrathin (~ 5 nm) copper-seeded silver (Cu-Ag) film to completely eliminate waveguide modes and enhance outcoupling efficiency of OLEDs. We experimentally verified waveguide mode elimination in the organic waveguides using index matching fluid and prism. In essence, the OLED structure can be designed to below the cutoff thickness of waveguide modes using the ultrathin Cu- Ag electrode, leading to a theoretical maximum EQE of 76.1% without compromising other characteristics of OLEDs. This EQE is higher than any other theoretically expected values reported previously without increasing fabrication steps/complexity.
Structure-activity mapping of the peptide- and force-dependent landscape of T-cell activation

SUMMARY Adaptive immunity relies on T lymphocytes that use αβ T-cell receptors (TCRs) to discriminate amongst peptides presented by MHC molecules (pMHCs). An enhanced ability to screen for pMHCs capable of inducing robust T-cell responses could have broad applications in diagnosing and treating immune diseases. T cell activation relies on biomechanical forces to initiate triggering of the TCR. Yet, most in vitro screening technologies for antigenic peptides test potential pMHCs for T cell binding without force and thus are often not predictive of activating peptides. Here, we present a technology that uses biomechanical force to initiate T cell triggering in high throughput. BATTLES (Biomechanically-Assisted T-cell Triggering for Large-scale Exogenous-pMHC Screening) displays candidate pMHCs on spectrally encoded ‘smart beads’ capable of applying physiological loads to T cells, facilitating exploration of the force- and sequence-dependent landscape of T-cell responses. BATTLES can be used to explore basic T-cell mechanobiology and T cell-based immunotherapies.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D values and risk of incident cardiovascular disease: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

Abstract Background Concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] below 20 ng/mL and above 50 ng/mL have been associated with chronic adverse events including cardiovascular disease. Objective To conduct a comprehensive population-based study in the United States of the relationship of low and high serum 25(OH)D levels with cardiovascular disease. Methods We identified all serum 25(OH)D measurements in adults age 18 years and older residing in Olmsted County, MN between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2011, using the resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Any new diagnosis of cardiovascular disease was the primary outcome, and time zero was 30 days after first 25(OH)D measurement. Patients were followed until their last clinical visit as an Olmsted County resident, December 31, 2014, or death. Categories of 25(OH)D values were examined using predetermined ranges of interest: 50 ng/mL. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were adjusted for age, BMI, sex, race, smoking history, season of 25(OH)D measurement, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, socioeconomic status and Charlson comorbidity index at time of 25(OH)D measurement. Results A total of 11,002 unique persons had a 25(OH)D measurement, with a mean (±SD) value of 30.0 ± 12.9 ng/mL. Mean age was 54.3 ± 17.2 years, and the majority were female (77.1 %) and white (87.6 %). There were 4124 new diagnoses of cardiovascular disease in this cohort after a median overall follow-up of 4.8 years (IQR 3.4–6.2). Adjusted cardiovascular disease hazard ratios (HRs) (95 % confidence interval) for 25(OH)D values 50 ng/mL, compared to the reference range 20−50 ng/mL, were 1.28 (1.12–1.46), 1.19 (1.09–1.31), and 1.10 (0.95–1.26), respectively. Conclusion Values of 25(OH)D 50 ng/mL and cardiovascular disease.
An Introduction to California’s Consumer Privacy Laws (CCPA and CPRA)

This is an excerpt from the privacy chapter in my Internet Law casebook. It provides an overview of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), including a discussion of how the laws got enacted, what they say, and what the future holds.
The Young Men and Media Study: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Community-Informed, Online HIV Prevention Intervention for 14–17-Year-Old Sexual Minority Males

The Young Men and Media study developed and pilot tested a community-informed, online HIV prevention program for adolescent sexual minority males (ASMM) in the United States. The developed intervention uses nine interactive modules to increase sexual health knowledge, promote critical examination of pornography, and decrease sexual risk among ASMM. Participants (N = 154, age 14–17 years) were recruited online in Spring 2020 and randomized to the intervention (n = 77) or other existing HIV websites (n = 77). Of the 65 intervention participants who logged in to the website, most completed all nine modules and found the content useful (average module score 4.3 out of 5 stars). The intervention also showed improved HIV/STI knowledge, increased pornography knowledge, and reduced beliefs that pornography is an accurate depiction of male-male sex. Results indicate that the Young Men and Media intervention is feasible, acceptable, and may positively impact sexual health outcomes.
Rapid Glomerulotubular Nephritis as an Initial Presentation of a Lethal Diquat Ingestion.

Introduction Diquat is an herbicide that can lead to rapid multiorgan system failure upon toxic ingestion. Although Diquat shares a similar chemical structure with paraquat, diquat is still readily available to the general population, and in contrast to paraquat, it is not regulated. We present a case of an intentional diquat poisoning which emphasizes the necessity of the early recognition due to atypical symptoms within the first 24 hours and certainly enhanced regulatory restrictions on this very toxic compound. Case A 60-year-old male with a history of severe depression presented to the emergency department after intentional ingestion of a commercial herbicide containing diquat dibromide 2.30%. The earliest manifestations of this acute diquat intoxication comprised a glomerulonephritis and proximal tubular dysfunction. Progressive multiorgan system failure then developed with a significant delay (24-38 hours) including acute renal, liver failure, and then respiratory failure with refractory hypoxemia. Despite maximal supportive care, the end organ failure was lethal. Discussion. Diquat intoxication should be suspected in patient presenting an acute glomerulonephritis with coma. Diquat should undergo the same regulatory restrictions as paraquat-containing compounds.