cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of moving people with mobile cameras by fast motion segmentation

Detecting humans from video sequences is a key and difficult problem in computer vision. The problem becomes even more challenging when the camera is mobile, and thus, the background is not static. In this case, the traditional approach of background subtraction cannot be employed. Methods based on Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) have been introduced and widely used for human detection due to reliable performance. Yet, these sliding window-based algorithms are computationally expensive to run on embedded platforms. In order to address this problem, we present a significantly faster moving human detection method that is based on fast motion segmentation, and uses HOG as the feature descriptor. First, edges are detected on two consecutive frames, and the difference between the edge images is computed. Then, a new edge-based frame alignment method is used to find the global minimum for motion compensation, and segment the motion region of interest (ROI). Instead of searching for the human(s) in the whole frame, the HOG features in sliding windows are calculated only in the ROI. Finally, Support Vector Machine (SVM) is used to classify human and non-human regions. Compared to the traditional method of using HOG and searching the whole frame, the proposed method significantly reduces the search region by motion segmentation, and speeds up the detection process. Experiments have been performed on three different scenarios, and the results show that the reduction in execution time of a frame can reach as high as 95.83%.
Neurostimulation Techniques for the Treatment of Epilepsy

For the one-third of patients with epilepsy whose seizures are refractory to medications and who are not surgical or dietary therapy candidates, alternative therapies such as neurostimulation provide a promising alternative. Neurostimulation techniques include vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation (particularly stimulation of the anterior thalamus), and responsive neurostimulation. Accumulating data support neurostimulation techniques as a safe and effective option for seizure reduction and improved quality of life for drug-refractory patients.
UTeach CS Principles: Broadening Participation Through K-12 Computer Science Education and Teacher Professional Learning and Support (Abstract Only)

UTeach Computer Science Principles (CSP) is a classroom-ready curriculum designed in alignment with the CSP framework and endorsed by the College Board for Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles implementation. Piloted in dual enrollment format with 700 high school students, and refined iteratively from 2011--2015, UTeach CS Principles is now being offered in about 300 high schools, and preliminary data suggest great promise for broadening the participation of students from historically underrepresented groups in computing. Building on UTeach's foundation of teacher preparation and advocacy, UTeach CS Principles teachers receive intensive implementation training and support, including comprehensive teacher materials, regional summer workshops, regular remote micro-workshops during the school year, dedicated phone/email coaching, and access to an online professional learning community. The UTeach professional learning model encourages the participation of teachers with a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience, and leverages participating teachers' diverse areas of expertise to strengthen learning and support opportunities for all participants. By 2017, online professional learning modules will be available to rural teachers and others who are otherwise unable to attend a summer workshop. K-12 educators and school and district administrators should plan to attend this hands-on workshop. Presenters will engage participants in demonstration lessons and activities, and participants will leave with materials for immediate use in K-12 computer science classrooms. Opportunities for professional learning and support also will be discussed. Laptops are required.
Neurobiology of REM Sleep, NREM Sleep Homeostasis, and Gamma Band Oscillations

Scientific investigations conducted in the past century have begun to describe the complex neural systems and molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating the vigilance states (wake, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep), thereby informing the development of therapies to treat sleep pathologies. This chapter presents an encompassing survey of findings, largely performed in basic animal models, employing pharmacological, electrophysiological, optogenetic, and molecular techniques describing the neurobiology of sleep. Each of the three vigilance states is reviewed, focusing on electrophysiological characteristics, relevant brain nuclei/regions, neuroanatomical interconnections, and neurotransmitters. Special emphasis is placed on recent transformative technologies for basic sleep investigations, including optogenetic and pharmacogenetic cell-specific manipulations. We describe recent evidence indicating the importance of the cortical gamma band oscillation (i.e., ~40 Hz EEG frequency range), which are prominent during wake and REM sleep, in attention and cognitive processing. The proposed role of NREM sleep in promoting metabolic and synaptic homeostasis is also reviewed. Lastly, we revisit the reciprocal interaction model of REM sleep regulation, which now integrates recent findings including circadian and GABAergic influences.
Estrogen receptor alpha mediates mandibular condylar cartilage growth in male mice.

Structured AbstractObjectives In the appendicular skeleton, estrogen via ERα signalling has been shown to mediate endochondral growth plate fusion in both males and females. However, the role of ERα in mediating growth of the mandibular condylar cartilage is unknown. Thus, this study focuses on the characterization of the mandibular condylar cartilage phenotype in young and adult male ERαKO mice. Setting Columbia University Medical Center. Material and Methods WT and ERαKO C57BL/6 male mice were sacrificed at 49 days or 9 months for phenotypic analysis. Changes to MCC thickness, cell number and cell density were measured using histomorphometric methods. Cartilage-specific gene expression and OARSI scores were investigated for 49-day and 9-month-old male ERαKO and WT mice. Results In young mice, a significant increase in the number of mandibular condylar cartilage cells and a significant decrease in the expression of Col10, Runx2 and DMP1 were observed in the male ERαKO mice compared to WT. In 9-month-old mice, we found a similar increase in the number of cells but no change in osteoarthritic histological scoring in ERαKO mice compared to WT mice. Conclusion In summary, estrogen plays a role in mediating mandibular condylar maturation in young male mice. However, according to this study, it does not play a role in mediating long-term growth or age-related mandibular condylar cartilage degeneration in males.
Storage of Fruits and Vegetables

The market life of fresh vegetables and fruits can be extended by prompt conditioning and storage in a proper environment. The storage period varies from a few days to two weeks for apricots, green peas, and ripe tomatoes. For some other fruits and vegetables the safe storage period is considerably longer, up to 8 months for apples and potatoes.
Soliton Pulse Gated InGaAs/InP Avalanche Photodiode for Low Dark Count Rate Single Photon Detection

A mathematical model for dark count rate of soliton pulse gated InGaAs/InP SPAD is developed. The results are compared with experimental counts of Gaussian gating. Simulation results show that Soliton gating width reduced the DCR.
Price Rigidity and Wage Rigidity: Market Failure or Market Efficiency

We observe that money wage and price level are not only rigid but also flexible in different business cycles. For example, there are inflationary recessions (e.g., oil crisis in U.S.) versus deflationary recessions (e.g., Great Depression between 1929 and 1933) as well as price rigidity (e.g., Great Depression between 1934 and 1939). Thus, the general price theory, including wage, should explain both price flexibility and price rigidity. When demand curve shifts during business cycle, the best strategy of the firm is to adjust capital and labor (i.e., size of the firm) so as to shift supply curve toward the same direction as demand curve shifts. If both supply curve and demand curve shift toward the same direction proportionally, there is perfect price rigidity. When product price is rigid, the firm is willing to pay previous wage. Thus, price rigidity and wage rigidity are effect (i.e., not only ex-post phenomenon that we observe but also endogenous market efficiency that arises from to the coordination of supply and demand), not exogenous market failure to disturb economy.
Qualitative Analysis of Ride-Hailing Regulations in Major American Cities

Ride-hailing services, which are provided by companies such as Uber and Lyft, are increasingly common in many American cities. Several cities are now regulating or considering regulation of these services. However, regulation has not been well documented across jurisdictions, and city planners and policy makers often want to understand what regulations are being put in place in comparable metropolitan areas. Therefore, the objective of this research was to provide a qualitative comparison of the regulations of ride-hailing companies between major American cities. This goal was accomplished through the evaluation of five driver-related and three company-related types of ride-hailing regulations in 15 major American cities. The driver-related regulations included requirements for background checks, driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, special licenses such as business licenses, and external vehicle displays. The company-related regulations included requirements for the number of ride-hailing vehicles o...
Gate-tunable transport characteristics of Bi 2 S 3 nanowire transistors

Abstract Electrical transport and resistance noise spectroscopy measurements are performed on individual, single crystalline Bi2S3 nanowires in the field-effect geometry. The nanowires exhibit n-type conduction and device characteristics such as activation energy, ON/OFF ratio, and mobility are calculated over a temperature range of 120–320 K and at several bias values. The noise magnitude is measured between 0.01 and 5 Hz at several gate voltages as the device turns from it's OFF to ON state. The presence of mid-gap states which act as charge traps within the band gap can potentially explain the observed transport characteristics. Sulfur vacancies are the likely origin of these mid-gap states which makes Bi2S3 nanowires appealing for defect engineering as a means to enhance its optoelectronic properties and also to better understand the important role of defects in nanoscale semiconductors.
Candida albicans Hyphae: From Growth Initiation to Invasion

Candida albicans is a commensal resident of the human gastrointestinal and genital tracts. Under conditions such as dysbiosis, host immune perturbances, or the presence of catheters/implanted medical devices, the fungus may cause debilitating mucosal or fatal systemic infections. The ability of C. albicans to grow as long filamentous hyphae is critical for its pathogenic potential as it allows the fungus to invade the underlying substratum. In this brief review, I will outline the current understanding regarding the mechanistic regulation of hyphal growth and invasion in C. albicans.
Periprocedural Bleeding Risk Assessment in Chronic Liver Disease

Invasive procedures are common in the management of cirrhosis-related chronic liver disease (CLD). Assessing bleeding risk prior to these procedures is challenging because of commonly seen laboratory abnormalities among traditional testing used to evaluate bleeding risk in patients with advanced liver disease. However, this ‘coagulopathy’ seen in advanced liver disease is not a true bleeding or clotting disorder. The prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR) test is frequently elevated in CLD patients, but has been shown to poorly correlate with bleeding risk in this population. A traditional interpretation of this laboratory test can lead to unnecessary transfusion of blood product, procedure delay, or even potential harm to the patient. An understanding of the ‘coagulopathy’ of advanced liver disease and alternative methods, to more accurately assess bleeding risk, allows clinicians to treat safely CLD patients.
Thick tissue diffusion model with binding to optimize topical staining in fluorescence breast cancer margin imaging

Intraoperative tumor/surgical margin assessment is required to achieve higher tumor resection rate in breast-conserving surgery. Though current histology provides incomparable accuracy in margin assessment, thin tissue sectioning and the limited field of view of microscopy makes histology too time-consuming for intraoperative applications. If thick tissue, wide-field imaging can provide an acceptable assessment of tumor cells at the surface of resected tissues, an intraoperative protocol can be developed to guide the surgery and provide immediate feedback for surgeons. Topical staining of margins with cancer-targeted molecular imaging agents has the potential to provide the sensitivity needed to see microscopic cancer on a wide-field image; however, diffusion and nonspecific retention of imaging agents in thick tissue can significantly diminish tumor contrast with conventional methods. Here, we present a mathematical model to accurately simulate nonspecific retention, binding, and diffusion of imaging agents in thick tissue topical staining to guide and optimize future thick tissue staining and imaging protocol. In order to verify the accuracy and applicability of the model, diffusion profiles of cancer targeted and untargeted (control) nanoparticles at different staining times in A431 tumor xenografts were acquired for model comparison and tuning. The initial findings suggest the existence of nonspecific retention in the tissue, especially at the tissue surface. The simulator can be used to compare the effect of nonspecific retention, receptor binding and diffusion under various conditions (tissue type, imaging agent) and provides optimal staining and imaging protocols for targeted and control imaging agent.
32.2 ABNORMALITIES OF SYNAPTIC PROTEOMES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

Background The human brain is comprised of billions of neurons that form networks of connections within and between brain regions. These connections facilitate neuroplastic events that underlie learning and memory, critical aspects of cognitive function often perturbed in neuropsychiatric illnesses. Neuronal signaling is mediated by fast and slow transmission events, encompassing receptors, ligands, ions, enzymes, and other substrates. These elements are spatially arranged in subcellular microdomains, facilitating juxtaposition of proteins that coordinate various biological processes. For example, synaptic transmission is modulated via release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft, where receptors are activated and the postsynaptic cell modulated via electrical and chemical signals. The pre- and postsynaptic compartments include highly specialized protein clusters, with elegant and complex regulatory mechanisms that traffic proteins to and from these zones. In particular, postsynaptic densities are microdomains comprised of about 1000 unique proteins that are interacting with one another via specialized multipotent scaffolding molecule. Postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) is a multipotent scaffolding, trafficking, and clustering protein that links glutamate receptors, signaling molecules, and other structural proteins at postsynaptic sites. More than 95% of PSD-95 expression is localized to excitatory synapses, and it is the most abundant scaffolding protein within the postsynaptic density. Mounting genetic, proteomic, and pharmacological evidence converges on alterations in the postsynaptic density of excitatory synapses in subjects with schizophrenia. Cognitive and negative symptoms associated with dysfunction of limbic circuitry, including working memory and motivation, are particularly implicated by this mechanism. To investigate excitatory postsynaptic protein hubs in schizophrenia, we assessed the PSD-95 protein interactome from brain tissue of subjects with schizophrenia and controls.
Genomics and Proteomics in Neuro-Oncology

Abstract The development of whole genome (-omics) technologies, including whole genome approaches to measuring mRNA or miRNA expression levels (genomics/transcriptomics), DNA methylation levels (methylomics/epigenomics), and protein expression levels and phosphorylation levels (proteomics and phosphoproteomics), has revolutionized mechanistic research, disease classifications, drug development, and biomarker research in neuro-oncology. The chapter discusses fundamental principles of gene expression microarrays, next-generation sequencing, bisulfite sequencing, mass spectrometry, and reverse-phase protein arrays. Bioinformatic and analytic principles including tissue preparation, heterogeneity, batch effects, and hierarchical clustering are discussed. Examples of applications of -omics to the classification, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of medulloblastoma and glioblastoma are given.
History of ACL Treatment and Current Gold Standard of Care

The history of ACL surgery has evolved from recognition of this injury, through conservative treatment, to primary suture repair and complete replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL reconstruction). Current treatment is based on the knowledge learned in these myriad of studies. In this chapter, we will review some of the highlights of this evolution in treatment, with a particular eye towards developments that have had a sustained impact on our understanding and treatment of this important clinical problem.
It is Logic Rather Than Whom You Trust: A Rejoinder to Prof. Cohen

This article continues the exchange between Professor Stephen Cohen and the author concerning the validity of criticisms leveled by Chief Justice John Roberts on an opinion by then-Judge Sonia Sotomayor writing for the Second Circuit in the case of William L. Rudkin Testamentary Trust v. Commissioner. This article outlines the conflicting views about the broader issues and the proper approach for courts to take in interpreting statutes.
Using Structural Social Work Theory to Drive Anti-Oppressive Practice With Latino Immigrants

Using Structural Social Work Theory to Drive Anti-Oppressive Practice With Latino ImmigrantsArturo CarrilloCaitlin L. O'GradyAbstract: Social work practice with marginalized populations not only requires intervention to address individuals’ immediate service needs, but also requires intervention to address the larger structural context that impacts well-being. Critical theoretical frameworks, such as Structural Social Work (SSW) theory, are essential in helping social workers to develop a comprehensive understanding of the manner in which social systems are intentionally designed to oppress marginalized populations, including immigrant and refugee communities. SSW serves to both understand how society’s structure causes social problems and to identify how these structures must be changed in order to alleviate harm. Focusing specifically on Latino immigrants, this article presents an overview of SSW theory and discusses its relevance to social work practitioners. This SSW framework will then be applied to analyze two U.S. social systems, the labor regulatory and mental health systems, that are integrally connected to Latino immigrant well-being. Finally, drawing from two case examples of research conducted in Chicago, alternative models of practice in the realms of labor and mental health are presented. Findings from these case examples illustrate how social workers can engage in anti-oppressive practice when they implement interventions that promote personal healing while simultaneously challenging oppressive elements of social systems.
Implementing Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts: A Meta-aggregation of Process Evaluations:

Juvenile drug treatment courts (JDTCs) continue to be popular. However, results of a recent meta-analysis raised doubts regarding their effectiveness over traditional juvenile justice system proces...
Standardized Tests and the Diagnosis of Speech Sound Disorders

Purpose The purpose of this tutorial is to provide speech-language pathologists with the knowledge and tools to (a) evaluate standardized tests of articulation and phonology and (b) utilize criteri...
Towards Finding Maximal Subrelations with Desired Properties

As soon as data is noisy, knowledge as it is represented in an information system becomes unreliable. Features in databases induce equivalence relations—but knowledge discovery takes the other way round: given a relation, what could be a suitable functional description? But the relations we work on are noisy again. If we expect to record data for learning a classification of objects then it can well be the real data does not create a reflexive, symmetric and transitive relation although we know it should be. The usual approach taken here is to build the closure in order to ensure desired properties. This, however, leads to overgeneralisation rather quickly.
Regioselective preparation of α,β-unsaturated ketones via the direct dehydrogenation of triisopropylsilyl enol ethers

Treatment of the triisopropylsilyl enol ethers 1a-h with ceric ammonium nitrate in dimethylformamide at 0 °C afforded the α,β-unsaturated ketones 2a-h in 63–98% yield.
Das Ökosystem rund um Amazon

Durch den rasanten Umsatzzuwachs von Amazon in den letzten Jahren bietet sich nicht mehr nur eine Geschaftsgrundlage fur aktive Verkaufer, die ihre Waren vertreiben, sondern ebenso fur Dienstleister und Toolanbieter, die Seller und Vendoren beim Auf- und Ausbau ihres Geschaftsmodells auf Amazon unterstutzen. Hierbei handelt es sich schon lange nicht mehr nur um vereinzelte Anbieter, sondern mittlerweile um ein gesamtes Okosystem auserhalb von Amazon, das Verkaufer unterstutzt und selbst von deren und dem Erfolg von Amazon profitiert. Angeboten werden neben dem klassischen Consulting ebenso Analyse- und Marketingtools sowie Tools zum Managen von Produktbewertungen. Doch auch Dienstleister, die sich um die Logistik kummern, oder aber auch Rechtsanwalte und Steuerberater haben das lukrative Business rund um die E-Commerce Plattform erkannt und wollen selbst ein Teil davon sein. Neben E-Commerce-Dienstleistern, die ihr Angebotsportfolio um Amazon-Losungen erweitert haben, gibt es zahlreiche Anbieter, die sich detailliert mit den Herausforderungen des Marktplatzes befassen.
How One Social Marketing Organization Is Transitioning From Charity to Social Enterprise

The financing model of the U.S. non-profit social marketing organization DKT International has changed dramatically since it was founded 31 years ago. In the early days, DKT was reliant on donor fu...
Joint SpeechA Musical Perspective (or, In Praise of Singing)

In charting the “territory between speech and song,” Cummins (2020) identifies various forms of vocal behavior involving “multiple people uttering the same thing at the same time”—what the author calls “joint speech.” I interrogate this conceptual framework in light of specific examples both musical and linguistic, which suggest a usefully expanded category: “collaborative vocality.” At the same time, I also propose a distinctly musical account of joint speech that ultimately affirms the conventional separation between music and language. Central to this account is an analysis of the unique character of singing and an insistence on the centrality of pleasure in musical experience.
Marcia Zeng, PhD: From Indexing to Knowledge Organization Systems, One Woman's Journey Across the Globe and Into the Future of Library and Information Science

Abstract In an interview, Marcia Lei Zeng, Professor of Library and Information Science at Kent State University, discusses her education, career path, important trends and their implications for digital libraries. Her professional interests are highlighted beginning in the early part of her career with indexing, classification, and information retrieval, and continuing with more recent interests in metadata and knowledge organization systems.
Chapter 36 – Ascites

Ascites is the most common decompensating event in patients with cirrhosis and one that is associated with the highest mortality. The main mechanisms in the development of ascites are portal (sinusoidal) hypertension and sodium retention due to vasodilatation and activation of neurohumoral sodium-retaining systems. Although ascites per se is not a cause of death, covert or overt infections (e.g., spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) will lead to worsening vasodilatation resulting in renal failure and death. First-line therapies for new onset ascites (diuretics) and refractory ascites (serial large-volume paracenteses) act downstream of the pathogenic cascade and are mainly symptomatic. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt acts on the pathophysiological mechanisms and its earlier placement in patients with refractory ascites should be considered. Efforts to avoid drugs/procedures that will lead to worsening vasodilatation in patients with cirrhosis and ascites are essential.
On-Chip Synchronization of Kerr Frequency Combs

We demonstrate synchronization of two coupled soliton Kerr frequency combs on a single silicon nitride chip. We observe frequency-locking between the two solitons over a large range of comb spacing mismatches up to 2 MHz.
Reconstruction of hidden 3D shapes using diffuse reflections.

We analyze multi-bounce propagation of light in an unknown hidden volume and demonstrate that the reflected light contains sufficient information to recover the 3D structure of the hidden scene. We formulate the forward and inverse theory of secondary scattering using ideas from energy front propagation and tomography. We show that using Fresnel approximation greatly simplifies this problem and the inversion can be achieved via a backpropagation process. We study the invertibility, uniqueness and choices of space-time-angle dimensions using synthetic examples. We show that a 2D streak camera can be used to discover and reconstruct hidden geometry. Using a 1D high speed time of flight camera, we show that our method can be used recover 3D shapes of objects “around the corner”.
Pole-based analysis of coupled modes in metal–insulator–metal plasmonic structures

A second-order transfer function analysis is performed on plasmonic modes with disparate quality factors. This generalized analysis technique is applied to the coupling of modes in metal–insulator–metal structures in the mid-wave infrared, which are systematically studied, both experimentally and with computational modeling. Coupling between these disparate modes is observed from the asymmetric Fano-like lineshape at the resonant crossings in both finite element method simulations and angle dependent spectra. The pole analysis method applied to both experimental and numerical data allows for extraction of the coupling coefficient for this system and is applicable to other plasmonic and photonic coupled resonances.
Optical Coherence Tomography in Nail Research and Diagnosis

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive and in vivo real-time diagnostic approach that allows for the visualization of skin architecture and cutaneous blood vessels. OCT provides a quick and useful diagnostic imaging technique for a number of nail disorders including psoriasis, glomus tumors, and subungual myxoid cysts and is a valuable addition to other noninvasive imaging tools such as dermoscopy and high-frequency ultrasound.
Great Saphenous Vein Endovenous Treatment

Treatment methods for addressing great saphenous venous insufficiency have evolved over the past several decades. The standard treatment technique for saphenous insufficiency for many years involved surgical ligation at the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) and stripping of the great saphenous vein (GSV). This approach was noted to be associated with prolonged recovery time and high recurrence rates of 25% at 5 years. Endovenous ablation is now the primary mode of treatment for symptomatic insufficiency of the great saphenous vein; saphenous vein ligation and stripping are rarely performed.
Determining elastic anisotropy of textured polycrystals using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy

Polycrystalline materials can have complex anisotropic properties depending on their crystallographic texture and crystal structure. In this study, we use resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) to nondestructively quantify the elastic anisotropy in extruded aluminum alloy 1100-O, an inherently low-anisotropy material. Further, we show that RUS can be used to indirectly provide a description of the material’s texture, which in the present case is found to be transversely isotropic. By determining the entire elastic tensor, we can identify the level and orientation of the anisotropy originated during extrusion. The relative anisotropy of the compressive (c11/c33) and shear (c44/c66) elastic constants is 1.5% ± 0.5% and 5.7% ± 0.5%, respectively, where the elastic constants (five independent elastic constants for transversely isotropic) are those associated with the extrusion axis that defines the symmetry of the texture. These results indicate that the texture is expected to have transversely isotropic symmetry. This finding is confirmed by two additional approaches. First, we confirm elastic constants and the degree of elastic anisotropy by direct sound velocity measurements using ultrasonic pulse echo. Second, neutron diffraction (ND) data confirm the symmetry of the bulk texture consistent with extrusion-induced anisotropy, and polycrystal elasticity simulations using the elastic self-consistent model with input from ND textures and aluminum single-crystal elastic constants render similar levels of polycrystal elastic anisotropy to those measured by RUS. We demonstrate the ability of RUS to detect texture-induced anisotropy in inherently low-anisotropy materials. Therefore, as many other common materials have intrinsically higher elastic anisotropy, this technique should be applicable for similar levels of texture, providing an efficient general diagnostic and characterization tool.
The Effectiveness of Saltwater Gargling on the Prevention of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Upper respiratory tract infections (URI) are prevalent in the United States. URIs can also be debilitating and costly. The most common etiology for an URI is viral, and there are currently no antiviral medications for the common cold. Therefore, cost-effective preventative measures are essential in the prevention of URIs. This literature review intends to compare the few studies evaluating the effectiveness of saltwater gargle for preventing URIs. The goals of this review include commenting on the potential for a saltwater gargle in preventing URIs, shortcomings of the few studies performed and recommendations for further research in evaluating saltwater gargle as an effective prevention method. This review looks explicitly at three studies evaluating the effectiveness of saltwater gargling and the prevention of URIs. Conclusions derived from this review include both physiological and clinical evidence of the potential for saltwater gargling in URI prevention. The first two studies demonstrate patient-derived evidence for saltwater gargling, potentially providing a decreased risk of URI when used preventatively. The third study demonstrates the potential for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in evaluating the effectiveness of saltwater gargling in reducing the duration of illness. Additionally, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, cost-effective treatment options targeting viral URIs, such as SARS-CoV-2, warrant further evaluation and discussion.
Design and evaluation of a rural intersection conflict warning system and alternative designs among various driver age groups.

Abstract Advanced Rural Intersection Conflict Warning Systems (RICWS) were deployed as countermeasures to reduce severe right-angle crashes at rural thru-STOP controlled intersections across the United States (U.S.). The simulator study designed and evaluated alternative RICWS designs to existing RICWS interventions, in varying rural driving scenarios, across age groups (N = 40 novice teenage, 40 middle-aged, and 40 older drivers). Each participant was randomly assigned to a RICWS design, either the original or an alternative, and drove through sequences of 17 thru-STOP controlled rural intersections (nine RICWS intervention and eight control intersections). Drivers’ gap acceptance performance, intersection driving performance, traffic violation behaviors and self-reported workload were evaluated between intervention and control intersections. Regression models, applying the Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE), enabled efficacy determination of each RICWS design and an aggregated RICWS intervention effect, averaged across all simulated RICWS designs, among different levels of moderating factors. The safety performance and possible risks associated with the use of different RICWS designs were identified. Specifically, the original RICWS design had a significantly greater risk of STOP-sign violations at clear-view intersections with low traffic volumes, compared with control intersections (Risk Ratio = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.03 to 4.64). Except for Alternative RICWS Design 1, the alternative RICWS designs did not appear to outperform the Original RICWS Design. The moderating effects of drivers’ ages and intersection types on aggregated RICWS intervention effects were also examined. This study provides important safety implications for development and evaluation of intelligent intersection warning systems, targeted to vulnerable driver populations at high-risk rural intersections.
Assessing a Spatial Boost Model for Quantitative Trait GWAS

Bayesian variable selection provides a principled framework for incorporating prior information to regularize parameters in high-dimensional large-p-small-n regression models such as genomewide association studies (GWAS). Although these models produce more informative results, researchers often disregard them in favor of simpler models because of their high computational cost. We explore our recently proposed spatial boost model for GWAS on quantitative traits to assess the computational efficiency of a more representative model. The spatial boost model is a Bayesian hierarchical model that exploits spatial information on the genome to uniquely define prior probabilities of association of genetic markers based on their proximities to relevant genes. We propose analyzing large data sets by first applying an expectation–maximization filter to reduce the dimensionality of the space and then applying an efficient Gibbs sampler on the remaining markers. Finally we conduct a thorough simulation study based on real genotypes provided by the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium and compare our model to single association tests.
Creating an effective teaching lab: using LANSchool in the classroom

Overcoming student inattentiveness and off-subject activity in the computer lab using LANSchool broadcast software is demonstrated. Increased learning engagement, improved retention, and deeper understanding of content are the expected outcomes. Dealing with student resistance and monitoring students for inappropriate computer use is also discussed.
The hollow cathode plume: A plasma emission source for solids

Abstract A hollow cathode discharge serves to form an energetic plasma plume which exhibits intense emission characteristics. The sample cathode is sputtered in the discharge to produce an atomic population which then flows into the plume through an exit orifice for subsequent excitation. Atomic absorption and emission profiles in the plume are shown. Emission spectra of major and minor elements show strong atomic and ionic lines of sputtered species, particularly from the inner core of the plume. A sample in the form of a small disc can serve as the base of the hollow cathode for more convenient sample preparation. The source is believed to have potential also in elemental analysis by mass spectrometry.
Biomaterials: An Overview

Biomaterials are materials of metallic, ceramic, polymeric, or composite origin that are used or that have been designed for use in medical devices or in contact with the body in order to augment, replace, or restore the function of diseased or damaged tissues or organs. Applications involving biomaterials range from load bearing orthopedic devices to degradable sutures to living skin equivalents. Although the types of materials used as biomaterials is diverse, most implanted biomaterials elicit a very similar inflammatory and foreign body response. In an attempt to minimize adverse biological responses and improve the performance of biomaterials at a tissue, cellular, and molecular level, current research in biomaterials has led to a paradigm change in which biomaterials consist of, mimic, or are designed to interact specifically with biological elements and systems. Continued adaptation of biomaterials design to biological responses will result in better performing devices that work with the body to promote tissue regeneration and healing. Keywords: biomaterials; metals; ceramics; polymers; tissue engineering; drug delivery; hydrogels; biological interactions; biomimetics
Backlash: Social Incentives for Gender Differences in Negotiating Behavior

Authors demonstrate the potential for backlash against assertive female negotiators in a hiring experiment. Participants were 119 North American undergraduate students who assessed the impression created by a job candidate based on a resume and interview notes. Interview notes indicated whether the candidate was male or female and whether s/he negotiated for special job benefits during the interview. Results reveal a significant interaction effect between gender and negotiating behavior, such that participants judged female candidates who negotiated for benefits to be less hireable than females who did not negotiate or than males in either condition.
Comparisons of F Factors and R Factors: Existence of Independent Regulation Groups in F Factors

The similarity of sex pili mediated by F factors and R(fi(+)) factors and the ability of R(fi(+)) factors to control by repression the functioning of pilus genes encoded by the F factor suggested that F factors and R(fi(+)) factors are closely related. Further comparisons of the episomal properties of F factors and R(fi(+)) factors, however, indicated many differences. F factors contain information for a restriction system for phages phiII and T7. Cells containing R factors are sensitive to these phages. Furthermore, R(fi(+)) factors do not repress the F factor phiII restriction system in cells containing both an R(fi(+)) factor and an F factor. R factors and F factors are heteroimmune episomes. In addition, an R(fi(+)) factor in cells containing both an R factor and an F factor does not fully repress the expression of F-factor immunity to an incoming second F factor. R-factor and F-factor replication systems are not identical. Wild-type F-factor replication genes will complement the mutant F(ts114)lac(+) replication genes in cells containing two F factors. The F(ts114)lac(+) episome is retained when these cells are grown at 42 C; however, cells containing an R(fi(+)) factor and F(ts114)lac(+) lose the F(ts114)lac(+) when grown at 42 C, at the same rate as cells containing only the F(ts114)lac(+). The replication system of the R(fi(+)) factor will not complement the mutant F(ts114)lac(+) replication system.
A Novel Communication Protocol and Delay Model for Networking Satellites

Satellite systems, which can extend the communication of data and multimedia, have drawn a great enthusiasm in the research environment. These systems involve a large number of satellites communicating with each other via inter-satellite links for satellites in the same layer and via inter-orbital links between satellites in different layers. The system can be extended beyond the existing LEO, MEO and GEO configuration as future requirements might evolve. But in case of long distance dependent and multimedia traffics, performance of these systems can degrade and become a permanent natural obstacle for communications. In this paper we propose an architecture pattern of Inner Planet Solar Network and mathematically model the total delay on them. We also propose a new communication protocol called IP2X and study its performance. Simulation results confirm that the total delay will determine key features of the future space exploration related satellite communication networks. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed network architecture can be improved by the proposed protocol.
Separate Modal Analysis using Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) with Digital Image Elasto Tomography (DIET) for breast cancer screening test

Digital Image Elasto Tomography (DIET) is noninvasive approach for detection and screening test of breast cancer at an early stage. In DIET mechanical vibrations are applied on the surface of breast after applying fiducial markers and images are taken to capture surface motion using five digital cameras. Applying Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) on the unmarked surface of the breast to produce reference points for tracking surface motion. Using Separate Modal Analysis frequency and amplitude response of oscillations are evaluated using markers. SIFT features are used to detect change in stiffness which refers to presence and/or location of tumor. This increases motion data and reduces noise for detection of cancerous tumours.
A complementary evaporation approach to the scalar roughness length

[1] A method is developed to estimate the scalar roughness length for water vapor z0v using the complementary evaporation concept. On the basis of the advection-aridity approach, estimates of z0v and of kB−1 (kB−1 = ln(z0/z0v), where z0 is the momentum roughness length) are available that do not require any estimate of surface temperature or humidity or of stomatal resistance. When applied to grassland data from Cooperative Atmosphere-Surface Exchange Study-1997, the resulting values of kB−1 corresponded well with those found from surface temperatures measured with a radiometer having an oblique view of the surface. They also displayed variability with z0+ (z0+ = u*z0/ν, where u* is the friction velocity and ν is the kinematic viscosity), which corresponded well with theoretical and wind tunnel test results from the literature. These results imply that useful estimates of kB−1 are available with this method, and they seem to support the complementary evaporation concept. Strict screening of the data was required to select only those data yielding the smallest uncertainties in the resulting values of kB−1.
Differential expression of fibromodulin mRNA associated with tendon fibril growth: isolation and characterization of a chicken fibromodulin cDNA

include an additional glycosylation site as well as a decreased number of tyrosine residues that could be sulphated, and therefore potential changes in the charge of the molecule. In addition, there was little similarity among the untranslated regions. When compared with chicken decorin and lumican, fibromodulin showed greater similarity to the other keratan sulphate-containing proteoglycan, lumican. Northern blot analysis revealed a 6‐8-fold increase in the fibromodulin mRNA level from day 14 to day 19 of development. In the chicken tendon, collagen fibril growth is a process characterized by a precipitous increase in length during a short developmental period. The necessary changes would require the expression of dierent genes regulating fibril formation and growth, and interactions between fibromodulin and collagen fibrils may participate in the regulation of collagen fibril growth and matrix assembly.
Occupational Therapy’s Challenge: Caregiving and Research

This article is based on the closing General Session presentation at the 1984 AOTA Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. The paper addresses the need for clinicians to become committed to research endeavors. The occupational therapy profession must heighten its commitment to the systematic documentation of its principles and the efficacy of its therapeutic approaches. The practicing clinician has the potential to maximize the outcome of these endeavors by contributing current practice knowledge and by participating in research projects themselves. The factors that seem to be having an impact on clinicians are addressed. External factors include social, technological, and economic pressures, and internal factors include lack of knowledge about the research process and the resulting anxieties about approaching a new territory. Acknowledging these factors, a variety of proposals are made to help the clinician make the transition to clinical researcher.
Resveratrol: Isomeric Molar Absorptivities and Stability

Resveratrol has attracted interest as a wine constituent that may reduce heart disease. Published data on the molar absorptivity and chemical stability of cis- and trans-resveratrol have varied greatly. Accurate values for UV absorbance for trans-resveratrol [UV λmax (EtOH) nm (e) 308 (30 000)] and cis-resveratrol [UV λmax (EtOH) nm (e) 288 (12 600)] were determined and are used to improve chromatographic quantitation methods. Trials conducted under a variety of commonly encountered laboratory conditions show that trans-resveratrol is stable for months, except in high-pH buffers, when protected from light. cis-Resveratrol was stable only near pH neutrality when completely protected from light. Keywords: Antioxidant; phenolic; wine; grape; stilbene; isomer; UV spectroscopy; absorptivity
Pronouns and quantifier-scope in English

This paper is truly a joint effort and it could not have been written without the contribution of both authors. Garson, though, deserves credit (or blame) for first seeing the need for two kinds of quantifier scope, and also for devising essentials of the positive theory.
A study of cyclic fatigue, damage initiation, damage propagation, and fracture of welded titanium alloy plate

In this paper, the influence of test specimen orientation and microstructure on cyclic stress-amplitude controlled fatigue response, damage initiation, damage propagation and fracture behavior of samples taken from a welded plate of titanium alloy is presented and discussed. Test specimens from the chosen alloy were prepared from an as-welded plate of the material with the stress axis both parallel (longitudinal) and perpendicular (transverse) to the deformed (rolling) direction of the plate. The test specimens were cyclically deformed at different values of maximum stress at a constant load ratio of 0.1, and the resultant cycles-to-failure was recorded. The fracture surfaces of the deformed and failed test specimens were examined in a scanning electron microscope to establish the macroscopic fracture mode, the intrinsic features on the fatigue fracture surface and the role of applied stress-microstructural feature interactions in establishing the microscopic mechanisms governing failure.