cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Degree-day models for predicting levels of attack by slash pine flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) and the phenology of female strobilus development on slash pine

Degree-day models were developed for predicting different levels of attack by slash pine flower thrips, Gnophothrips fuscus (Morgan), on female strobili (flowers) and for predicting the appearance of different morphological stages of flower development. The models were based on 5-yr data collected from a north Florida slash pine, Pinus elliottii Engelmann variety elliottii, seed orchard. Different starting dates and lower threshold temperatures for models were compared. Starting dates included the 1st annual incidence of temperatures below 4.4 degrees C (40 degrees F) and a range of biofix dates (20 November through 10 December). Lower threshold temperatures were compared over a range of -1.1-12.8 degrees C (30-55 degrees F). Degree-day models with a 4.4 degrees C (40 degrees F) lower threshold temperature appeared to be suitable predictors of the appearance of stage 2 flowers and the 50% level of attack by slash pine flower thrips. These models should facilitate implementation of insecticide application programs based on predicting levels of thrips attack and flower phenology.
On Two Numerical Techniques for Light Scattering by Dielectric Agglomerated Structures

Smoke agglomerates are made of many soot sphcres, and their light scattering response is of interest in fire research. The numerical techniques chiefly used for theoretical scattering studies are the method of moments and the coupled dipole moment. The two methods have been obtained in this tutorial paper directly from the monochromatic Maxwell curl equations and shown to be equivalent. The effects of the finite size of the primary spheres have been numerically delineated.
Fuel/Air Mixing Characteristics of Strut Injections for Scramjet Combustor Applications

Numerical studies were performed to determine the fuel/air mixing characteristics of several strut fuel-injection schemes for possible use in round scramjet-combustor applications. Gaseous ethylene was used as the fuel injectant. A total of fourteen strut-injection schemes were conducted with a Mach 2 inflow condition in a rectangular flow path. In addition, the StrutE-s-2 design was simulated in a Mach 3 flow to provide a better understanding of fuel/air mixing capability under various flow conditions. The fuel ports were placed in various locations on the struts, including the leading edge, side, tip and wall. The performance of these strut-injection designs is determined based on the local equivalence ratio, total pressure recovery, and mixing efficiency in a rectangular flow path. Most of the strut designs have a backward-swept angle, except Strut J, which has a forward-swept angle. In general, the backward-swept strut transports the fuel upward toward the core flow. On the other hand, a forward-swept strut carries the fuel toward the bottom wall. The numerical result indicates that StrutE-les-1 has the best performance in terms of overall total pressure recovery and mixing efficiency. These computations will be followed by an experimental program to assess mixing, pressure loss, and general flowfield characteristics.
Adaptive Processing in the Insect Olfactory System

Insects live in a complex olfactory environment containing thousands of volatile organic compounds (olfactory stimuli) at various intensities and mixture proportions, yet insects can detect and respond to specific olfactory stimuli at millisecond timescales. In this chapter, we describe the mechanisms by which the insect olfactory system can efficiently process an olfactory stimulus and how it filters the signal from background noise. Highlighting recent results from a variety of insect species, we consider: (1) the nature of the olfactory environment, (2) how olfactory information is filtered in the periphery, and (3) how the central nervous system efficiently and adaptively processes olfactory information. We propose that plasticity encoded in state- and learning-related processes allows the insect olfactory system to process and distinguish olfactory signals efficiently from background and to allow both the large-scale (e.g., meaning or value) and fine-scale (e.g., identity and composition) features of a stimulus to be encoded.
Effect of water rinsing on sodium content of selected foods

Since hypertension is a major problem in the United States, any strategy that would inexpensively and simply foster adherence to a low-salt dietary regimen could have significant public health impact.
Ferroelectric polymer nanopillar arrays on flexible substrates by reverse nanoimprint lithography

With the increasing interest in deploying ferroelectric polymer in flexible electronics and electro-mechanics, high-throughput and low-cost fabrication of 3D ferroelectric polymer nanostructures on flexible substrates can be a significant basis for future research and applications. Here, we report that large arrays of ferroelectric polymer nanopillars can be prepared directly on soft, flexible substrates by using low-cost polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) soft-mold reverse nanoimprint lithography at 135 °C and at pressures as low as 3 bar. The nanopillar arrays were highly uniform over large areas of at least 200 × 200 μm and had good crystallinity with nearly optimum (110) orientation. Furthermore, the method leaves little or no residual polymer layer, fully isolating the nanopillars to avoid cross-talk and, obviating the need for additional etching processes that arises with conventional low-contrast nanoimprinting. The ferroelectric properties of individual nanopillars were probed by piezoresponse force microscopy, which showed that they exhibited switchable and bi-stable polarization. In addition, the polarization hysteresis loops probed by pyroelectric measurements of the entire array showed that the nanopillar capacitor arrays had good ferroelectric switching characteristics, over areas of at least 1 mm × 1 mm.
Computationally and statistically efficient model fitting techniques

ABSTRACTA significant challenge in fitting metamodels of large-scale simulations with sufficient accuracy is in the computational time required for rigorous statistical validation. This paper addresses the statistical computation issues associated with the Bootstrap and modified PRESS statistic, which yield key metrics for error measurements in metamodelling validation. Experimentation is performed on different programming languages, namely, MATLAB, R, and Python, and implemented on different computing architectures including traditional multicore personal computers and high-power clusters with parallel computing capabilities. This study yields insight into the effect that programming languages and computing architecture have on the computational time for simulation metamodel validation. The experimentation is performed across two scenarios with varying complexity.
Quantifying unused orders for as-needed medications

Nonuse of as-needed (p.r.n.) medication orders in a university hospital was quantified. A total of 882 patient charts for the last six months of 1984 were reviewed (seven randomly selected patients per month from each of 21 medical-surgical services). Orders for p.r.n. medications were quantified by therapeutic category and by whether the order was written on admission. Use or nonuse of orders was determined from pharmacy records of doses administered. Of 7735 p.r.n. orders, 4793 (62%) were unused. By therapeutic category, antacids were the least prescribed p.r.n. medications but also had the highest rate of nonuse. In every therapeutic category, the rate of unused orders was higher for orders written on the day of admission than for subsequent orders. By patient's medical-surgical service, the percentages of p.r.n. orders unused ranged from 50% for renal transplant patients to 81% for ophthalmology patients. Nonuse of p.r.n. medications in all therapeutic categories decreased as length of stay increased; the overall rate of nonuse was 80% for patients hospitalized for two days or less. Reduction of the number of p.r.n. orders written but not used should begin in two areas: orders written on day of admission, and orders for patients with short hospital stays.
Creep elongation of bolt holes subjected to bearing loads in a polymer matrix composite laminate

To assess the long-term durability of advanced composite joints, the localized creep response of a quasi-isotropic ([45/0/-45/90] 2 s ), graphite fiber/polymer matrix (G40-800/ 5260) composite laminate subjected to bolt-bearing loads at ambient and elevated temperatures was investigated. Monotonic tension tests and static creep tests were performed on single-hole bolted joints at temperatures of 23, 100, and 150°C. The influence of lateral constraint on the creep response was studied by performing creep tests with bolt clampup torques of 5.65 N.m and a "finger-tight" level. While the ultimate monotonic bearing strength was affected only marginally by temperature, substantial changes in the initial joint stiffness and the hole elongation at fracture were observed in the monotonic tests as the temperature was increased. In the creep tests, significant time-dependent hole elongations were observed at high bearing stress levels and temperatures, with the creep component of the hole elongation found to exceed 5% of the original hole diameter in one case. The lateral constraint had a large influence on the creep behavior of the joints. As the clampup torque was reduced from 5.65 N.m to a finger-tight level, the rate of hole elongation increased by a factor of 2 to 4, indicating the importance of maintaining high clampup conditions in bolted laminate joints. A simple empirical expression was proposed to model the creep behavior of the joints. This expression correlated the experimental data reasonably well and is useful for indicating trends in the creep response of bolted laminate joints.
Orientation–free and differentially pumped addition of a low-flux reactive gas beam to a surface analysis system

We describe an example of a piecewise gas chamber that can be customized to incorporate a low flux of gas-phase radicals with an existing surface analysis chamber for in situ and stepwise gas-surface interaction experiments without any constraint in orientation. The piecewise nature of this gas chamber provides complete angular freedom and easy alignment and does not require any modification of the existing surface analysis chamber. In addition, the entire gas-surface system is readily differentially pumped with the surface chamber kept under ultra-high-vacuum during the gas-surface measurements. This new design also allows not only straightforward reconstruction to accommodate the orientation of different surface chambers but also for the addition of other desired features, such as an additional pump to the current configuration. Stepwise interaction between atomic oxygen and a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite surface was chosen to test the effectiveness of this design, and the site-dependent O-atom chemisorption and clustering on the graphite surface were resolved by a scanning tunneling microscope in the nm-scale. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to further confirm the identity of the chemisorbed species on the graphite surface as oxygen.
Unidentified Flying Objects

We have seen in the first section that an attempt to determine the likelihood of observing extraterrestrial civilizations using currently known science and the Drake equation does not yield a useful quantitative result, though it constrains the possibilities significantly. This is almost entirely because not enough is known about prebiotic chemistry, but at this time that is a serious difficulty. However, there is another approach to this question which uses the fact that there are no reliably confirmed observations of any extraterrestrial biospheres or civilizations. The scientific community almost universally acknowledges this. The so-called ‘Fermi Paradox’ arises because some of the estimates from the Drake equation discussed in Part I predict large number of biospheres and civilizations, whereas none have been observed.
Abstract P5-13-12: Symptom burden, unmet need for assistance, and psychosocial adaptation among longer term breast cancer survivors

Introduction: Advances have improved survival among breast cancer (BC) patients and 89% can expect >5 year survival. The price for this survival, however, may be physical and psychosocial symptoms that persist many years into the survivorship trajectory. Unmet needs for symptom management and the relationships between unmet needs, symptom burden, and psychosocial adaptation remain unclear. We examined these relationships among longer term BC survivors. Method: Eligibility included non-metastatic BC survivors diagnosed > 3 years prior and attendance at a survivorship-focused appointment. Nineteen common symptoms of disease and treatment were evaluated and participants reported unmet need for assistance for each symptom they experienced. Psychosocial adaptation was assessed through the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: 103 primarily white (72%), middle aged (M=62.7 yrs) BC survivors were recruited. Participants were, on average, 11.4 yrs from diagnosis and most (78.2%) reported Stage I or II BC. Participants reported an average of 9.2 symptoms, most commonly fatigue (67%), joint pain (66%), weight gain (60%), decreased sexual drive (55%), and insomnia (52%). Participants reported an average of 2.8 unmet needs for assistance with symptoms, most commonly joint pain (29%), fatigue (25%), weight gain (23%), and difficulty with memory (21%). Overall levels of depressive (M=2.45) and anxiety (M=4.89) symptoms were low, and elevated depressive and anxiety symptoms were reported by 3% and 18% of the sample, respectively. Number of symptoms and anxiety were unrelated to any demographic, disease or treatment variables. Depressive symptoms and unmet needs were related younger age (p 0.49, p 0.31, p Conclusion: Among long term BC survivors symptoms are common, while unmet need and symptoms of anxiety and depression are more modest. However, both symptoms and unmet need are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety and represent a potentially missed opportunity for improving outcomes among BC survivors. Citation Format: Palmer SC, Blauch AN, Pucci DA, Jacobs LA. Symptom burden, unmet need for assistance, and psychosocial adaptation among longer term breast cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-13-12.
Using Beads and Divided Containers To Study Kinetic and Equilibrium Isotope Effects in the Laboratory and in the Classroom

The purpose of this laboratory experiment is to study fundamental concepts of kinetics and equilibria and the isotope effects associated with both of these concepts. The concepts of isotopes in introductory and general chemistry courses are typically used within the contexts of atomic weights and radioactivity. Kinetic and equilibrium isotope effects are typically covered in upper-level courses in the chemistry curriculum, but the concepts behind these isotope effects are also relevant to introductory chemistry. Beads (specifically “airsoft” pellets) of the same size but with two different masses can be used to represent isotopes of two different masses in classroom activities. Plastic Petri dishes with dividers can be modified so that the chambers can represent different states of matter or different chemical species. When the Petri dishes containing a number of beads of each mass are shaken, the beads will be distributed among the chambers in a manner similar to isotope distributions in matter. The bead...
Rapid synthesis of transition metal dichalcogenide-carbon aerogel composites for supercapacitor electrodes.

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials have recently demonstrated exceptional supercapacitor properties after conversion to a metallic phase, which increases the conductivity of the network. However, freestanding, exfoliated transition metal dichalcogenide films exhibit surface areas far below their theoretical maximum (1.2 %), can fail during electrochemical operation due to poor mechanical properties, and often require pyrophoric chemicals to process. On the other hand, pyrolyzed carbon aerogels exhibit extraordinary specific surface areas for double layer capacitance, high conductivity, and a strong mechanical network of covalent chemical bonds. In this paper, we demonstrate the scalable, rapid nanomanufacturing of TMD (MoS2 and WS2) and carbon aerogel composites, favoring liquid-phase exfoliation to avoid pyrophoric chemicals. The aerogel matrix support enhances conductivity of the composite and the synthesis can complete in 30 min. We find that the addition of transition metal dichalcogenides does not impact the structure of the aerogel, which maintains a high specific surface area up to 620 m2 g−1 with peak pore radii of 10 nm. While supercapacitor tests of the aerogels yield capacitances around 80 F g−1 at the lowest applied currents, the aerogels loaded with TMD’s exhibit volumetric capacitances up to 127% greater than the unloaded aerogels. In addition, the WS2 aerogels show excellent cycling stability with no capacitance loss over 2000 cycles, as well as markedly better rate capability and lower charge transfer resistance compared to their MoS2-loaded counterparts. We hypothesize that these differences in performance stem from differences in contact resistance and in the favorability of ion adsorption on the chalcogenides. A fast and scalable technique for manufacturing nanoscale supercapacitors could lead to better performing energy-storage technologies. Supercapacitors made from transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have the potential to replace lithium batteries as an energy-storage technology. However, they are prone to mechanical failure and their production often requires unstable, dangerous chemicals, which restricts their application. To address these limitations, Peter Pauzauskie and colleagues from the University of Washington in Seattle, United States, have developed a method for fabricating operationally stable nanocomposite supercapacitors that combines the high-capacitive properties of TMDs with the the electrically conductive, porous characteristics of pyrolyzed carbon aerogels. By encapsulating sheets of TMDs in a resorcinol-formaldehyde resin, the researchers demonstrate a safe, ultrafast, and inexpensive process that could lead to new devices for photovoltaic and catalytic applications.
Functional Diversity of GAPDH in Infection and Immunity: The Complexity of “Simple” Organisms

The pathology of infectious disease involves not only mechanisms through which organisms invade their host but also their maneuvers to evade host defense mechanisms, i.e., the immune response. Recent studies suggest fundamental roles for moonlighting GAPDH in bacterial, protozoal, and fungal infection. These include the use of membrane GAPDH as a means for target cell attachment; the function of secreted GAPDH as an extracellular and intracellular Fe++ scavenging and transport protein; its role in subcellular trafficking as well as in the construction of infectious disease protein structures. In host evasion, secreted GAPDH induces macrophage apoptosis, inhibits the immune response, and affects immune response–related host cell gene expression. In toto, these findings suggest complex roles for moonlighting GAPDH as basic mechanisms required for infection and immunity.
D-shaped Left Ventricle, Anatomic, and Physiologic Implications

Right ventricular loading/pressure influences left ventricular function because the two ventricles pump in series and because they are anatomically arranged in parallel, sharing the common ventricular septum. Flattening of the interventricular septum detected during echocardiographic examination is called D-shaped left ventricle. We present a case of an elderly male of African descent, who presented with increased shortness of breath. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed flattening and left sided deviation of interventricular septum causing a decreased size in left ventricle, secondary to volume/pressure overload in the right ventricle. While patient received hemodialysis therapy and intravascular volume was removed, patient blood pressure was noted to increase, paradox. Repeated transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated less left deviation of interventricular septum compared with previous echocardiogram. We consider that it is important for all physicians to be aware of the anatomic and physiologic implication of D-shaped left ventricle and how right ventricle pressure/volume overload affects its function and anatomy.
Suicide Among East Asian Youth

As the nation faces the sobering statistics of an increased suicide rate and growing population of East Asian youth in the United States, providing culturally competent mental health care to this unique population becomes critical. Through a clinical case, this book chapter focuses in depth on potential suicide risk factors most relevant to this population in an attempt to provide mental health professionals with knowledge and foundations to work with this population as well as to develop more effective interventions to prevent suicide.
An optimized method for the isolation and the molecular characterization of cerebral microvessels in vivo

ABSTRACT The molecular characterization of cerebral microvessels in experimental disease models has been hindered by the lack of a standardized method to reproducibly isolate intact cerebral microvessels, with consistent cellular compositions, and without the use of enzymatic digestion, which causes undesirable molecular and metabolic changes. Herein, we describe an optimized method for microvessel isolation from mouse brain cortex, which yields microvessel fragments (diameter
Transport Processes in Cells

The efficient delivery of proteins and other molecular products to their correct location within a cell (intracellular transport) is of fundamental importance to normal cellular function and development [3]. Moreover, the breakdown of intracellular transport is a major contributing factor to many degenerative diseases.
The Role of Tumor Hypoxia in Head and Neck Cancer Radiotherapy

Tumor hypoxia, or the condition of low tumor oxygenation, has been a focus of considerable debate in radiation therapy for almost 50 yr since the pioneering work of Gray and colleagues (1) demonstrating an oxygen dependency in the radiosensitivity of cells and tissues. During this period, interest among researchers has waxed and waned as promising new directions emerged from the laboratory, only to fail in clinical trials. However, with the emergence of new concepts and the development of new tools, the prospect of targeting tumor hypoxia and identifying patients who would most benefit from this approach appears more tangible clinically. This chapter discusses the significance of tumor hypoxia in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) as well as past, present, and future strategies for targeting this microenvironmental factor.
Children in Kinship Foster Care Speak Out: “We Think We're Doing Fine”

This article describes the findings from interviews with six African American children currently living in kinship foster care. The general purpose of the interviews was to explore successful aspects of the kinship foster care experience from the children's perspective. Hermeneutic phenomenology guided the interpretation of the texts. Implications for casework practice are discussed.
A Generalized Valence Bond View of Chemisorption and Reactions on Transition Metal Surfaces

The Generalized Valence Bond (GVB) approach to ab-initio electronic structure theory has been used extensively in studies of chemisorption and reactions on transition metal surfaces. Its appeal lies in its relative computational simplicity, its self-consistent treatment of important electron correlation effects, and perhaps most significantly, in the conceptual appeal of the one-electron orbitals that result from this approach to electron correlation. In this review, we explore the basic elements of the method and describe how GVB wavefunctions for chemisorption on metal surfaces may be interpreted. We make extensive use of comparisons between GVB descriptions of intramolecular bonding and chemisorptive bonding. In addition, we provide a review of the varied applications of the method to chemisorption and reaction on transition metal surfaces, and present a discussion of methodological limitations and future directions in applications to surface problems.
Impact ionization in β-Ga2O3

A theoretical investigation of extremely high field transport in an emerging wide-bandgap material β-Ga2O3 is reported from first principles. The signature high-field effect explored here is impact ionization. The interaction between a valence-band electron and an excited electron is computed from the matrix elements of a screened Coulomb operator. Maximally localized Wannier functions are utilized in computing the impact ionization rates. A full-band Monte Carlo simulation is carried out incorporating the impact ionization rates and electron-phonon scattering rates. This work brings out valuable insights into the impact ionization coefficient (IIC) of electrons in β-Ga2O3. The isolation of the Γ point conduction band minimum by a significantly high energy from other satellite band pockets plays a vital role in determining ionization co-efficients. IICs are calculated for electric fields ranging up to 8 MV/cm for different crystal directions. A Chynoweth fitting of the computed IICs is done to calibrate ionization models in device simulators.
Returns to Late Aged College Degrees

The benefits of a college education are well documented. However, the majority of existing research focuses on students who matriculate soon after high school graduation. There is little empirical evidence illustrating whether a college degree is similarly beneficial to those already in the workforce, particularly individuals over 50. Nonetheless, the coming years will see the dramatic growth of older individuals, many of whom will continue to be active in the labor force, and policymakers would benefit from effective strategies to improve the labor market outcomes of older individuals. This research proposes to evaluate the labor market outcomes of individuals in Georgia who obtain a bachelor’s degree at age 50 or older by merging state-level individual level labor force (Dpt of Labor) with individual level educational data from the University System of Georgia (USG). Specifically, we explore whether these later-age degrees result in employment opportunities with higher wages and increased retention in the labor force beyond the traditional retirement age of 65 than those who do not attain a bachelor’s degree. The results will provide policymakers across the United States with information to make informed decisions regarding higher education incentives and policies for older students.
Risk assessment indexes for shellfish poisoning outbreak caused by red tide

Objective To establish the indexes and weights of risk assessment of shellfish poisoning outbreak caused by red tide. Methods The risk assessment indexes were developed with the methods of literature review, brainstorm and expert consultation, and the weights of indexes were calculated by the method of analytic hierarchy process. The established indexes contained the risk possibility, impacts of public health, population vulnerability and resilience. The relative risk indexes(integrated risk indexes) of different shellfish poisoning were computed by combining hierarchy process and TOPSIS methods. Moreover, the weights of indexes were further used to generate absolute risk values by multiplying indexes. Results Four primary indexes and 17 secondary indexes were identified for risk assessment of shellfish poisoning outbreak. Of 17 secondary indexes, the knowing rate of shellfish poisoning, medical accessibility, the number of people being affected, laboratory testing capacity and the habits of eating seafood of local residents had relatively large weights (0.0876, 0.0840, 0.0716, 0.0703 and 0.0644, respectively), which accounted for nearly 38% of the total weight. All consistency ratio (CR) were less than 0.1. The index system was applied in Cangnan county of Zhejiang province. The results showed the relative risk indexes of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) and amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) were 0.4526, 0.7116, 0.1657 and 0.2884, and the absolute risk values were 0.2542, 0.2668, 0.1907 and 0.2184, respectively. The risk orders of the 4 kinds of shellfish poisoning sorted by relative risk indexes and absolute risk values were consistent. Conclusions The indexes and weights of risk assessment of shellfish poisoning outbreak caused by red tide are established, which can provide scientific advice for prevention and control of shellfish poisoning outbreak.
Changes in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors with Unintentional Versus Intentional Weight Loss: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study.

Abstract Background: It is well known that total and intentional weight loss (IWL) are associated with reductions in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, however, associations with unintentio...
A Historical Approach to Webcomics: Digital Authorship in the Early 2000s

Available on the web and often excerpted by the visually-oriented algorithms of social media feeds, webcomics arguably have the broadest reach of any form of comics, yet they remain under-theorized. Given the close association with the development of the mode (digital technology) and the medium (webcomics) that Campbell (2006) points out in his history of the form, webcomics ought to be studied alongside other digital media, approached not just as comics, but as a series of websites and webpages where comics appear amidst such elements as ads, banners, links, and comments, all of which shift over time. By discussing not just the comics, but also the contextual elements of the webpages and websites of reciprocal guest comics from Jeph Jacques’s Questionable Content (QC) and Sam Logan’s Sam and Fuzzy, this article applies a historically-focused approach to webcomics as digital media to demonstrate how the attention economy, where ‘eyeballs’ are a form of currency, recasts relationships between authors so they are characterized by cooperative competition via webcomics collectives. Webcomics, as serial texts published by the same author over long periods of time, can teach us much about how developments in digital technology have shaped digital media over time.
Length Spectrum Theory, Non-backtracking Cycles, and Two Graph Analysis Tasks

Two basic tasks in graph analysis are: (1) computing the distance between two graphs and (2) embedding of the graph elements (i.e., nodes or links) into a lower-dimensional space. The former task has numerous applications from k-nearest neighbor search, to clustering a collection of graphs, to transfer learning. Unfortunately, there exists no canonical way of computing the distance between two finite graphs because the dissimilarity problem is ill-defined. Despite this fact, the relevant literature contains many methods for measuring graph distance with different heuristics, computational efficiency, interpretability, and theoretical soundness [1]. We introduce a graph distance, called the Non-Backtracking Spectral Distance (NBD), which is theoretically sound and interpretable. NBD is based on a mathematical construct from algebraic topology (in particular, homotopy) called the length spectrum. The length spectrum of a graph is a function defined on the graph's first homotopy group (a.k.a. the fundamental group); and it uniquely characterizes a graph's 2-core up to isometry [2].1 Thus, if two graphs have the same length spectra, then their 2-cores are isometric. We show the relationship between a graph's length spectrum and its non-backtracking cycles; and present a method based on computing the eigenvalues of a graph's non-backtracking matrix. For the second task (i.e., graph embedding), most existing methods are stochastic and depend on black-box models such as deep networks. Both of these characteristics make their output difficult to analyze. We propose the Non-Backtracking Embedding Dimensions (NBED) for finding a graph embedding in low-dimensional space by computing the eigenvectors of the non-backtracking matrix. Both NBD and NBED are interpretable in terms of features of complex networks such as hubs, triangles, edge centrality, and communities. We showcase the usefulness of both NBD and NBED in experiments on synthetic and real-world networks.
Creating Highly Qualified Teachers

The “highly qualified teacher” requirement of No Child Left Behind has put pressure on rural school districts to recruit and retain highly qualified regular and special education teachers. If necessary, they may utilize uncertified, rural teachers with provisional certification; however, these teachers may find completing the necessary certification difficult due to time, distance, and geographic barriers. The University of Nebraska at Kearney has been able to address this need by: (1) creating access to the university’s certification program, (2) providing professional supports, (3) tailoring assignments, projects, and field based practicum experiences and (4) building capacity for rural teachers who have completed certification to mentor others in their regions.
Systemic analysis of a drug trafficking mess

In an effort to combat drug trafficking at the federal level, the USA faces an unenviable task. Trying to address this situation involves consideration of drug production, importation and consumption. The think-act-observe (TAO) approach of Hester and Adams (2017) provides a systems theory-based multi-methodology for addressing these and other complex, interconnected problems. After an articulation of the constituent problems of the mess and their collective stakeholders, the problems are individually subjected to systemic analysis in the think stage; further, the production problem analysis is reported in detail as a case study. These problem-level analyses are then integrated and utilised in the act stage to analyse the systemic impact of potential mess interventions. Recommendations for future action are provided in support of the observation stage. Problem owners can then move forward in an effort to resolve the mess in a manner satisfactory to all affected parties.
Metal–Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition of ZnGeGa2N4

An alloy of ZnGeN2 and GaN in equal proportions can form the octet-rule-preserving quaternary heterovalent nitride semiconductor ZnGeGa2N4. Single-crystal films of the alloy targeting this composit...
The role of addiction-medicine specialists in the global fight against addiction.

The opioid epidemic in the USA has brought many to examine their antiquated understanding of addiction, which has led to the professionalization of addiction medicine. How can translational researchers learn from these cross-cutting specialists to open new avenues for discovery?
Enabling Efficient and Accurate Computational Studies of MOF Reactivity via QM/MM and QM/QM Methods

Electronic structure calculations can provide unique insight into metal–organic framework (MOF) reactivity and defect formation. Such calculations can be broadly categorized as utilizing either per...
It's the Wild, Wild West: Lessons Learned From IRB Members' Risk Perceptions Toward Digital Research Data

Digital technology that is prevalent in people's everyday lives, including smart home devices, mobile apps and social media, increasingly lack regulations for how the user data can be collected, used or disseminated. The CSCW and the larger computing community continue to evaluate and understand the potential negative impacts of research involving digital technologies. As more research involves digital data, Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) take on the difficult task of evaluating and determining risks--likelihood of potential harms--from digital research. Learning more about IRBs' role in concretizing harm and its likelihood will help us critically examine the current approach to regulating digital research, and has implications for how researchers can reflect on their own data practices. We interviewed 22 U.S.-based IRB members and found that, for the interviewees, "being digital" added a risk. Being digital meant increasing possibilities of confidentiality breach, unintended collection of sensitive information, and unauthorized data reuse. Concurrently, interviewees found it difficult to pinpoint the direct harms that come out of those risks. The ambiguous, messy, and situated contexts of digital research data did not fit neatly into current human subjects research protection protocols. We discuss potential solutions for understanding risks and harms of digital technology and implications for the responsibilities of the CSCW and the larger computing community in conducting digital research.
Malignancy-associated endocrine disorders

Abstract Overall, cancers of the endocrine system comprise a small percentage (3%) of all cancer cases. The overwhelming majority of which are thyroid cancer (95%). The majority of the nonthyroid cancers are rare, defined as fewer than 6 cases per 100,000 people per year. This chapter on malignancy-associated endocrine disorders examines the laboratory tests, as well as the epidemiology, risk and hereditary factors, pathology, clinical features, and additional diagnostic tests for cancers of the endocrine system with a focus on multiple endocrine syndromes, gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors, adrenal tumors, neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, parathyroid tumors, and thyroid tumors.
Electromagnetic p-Polarized Wave Propagation Across an Achiral/Chiral Interface with First-Order Material Dispersion and Dielectric Loss

Propagation of p-polarized electromagnetic waves across an achiral/chiral (ACC) interface is re-visited using Fresnel coefficients (FCs) to examine the effect of first-order material dispersion and dielectric loss in the chiral region on the transmitted wave.
Lifecycle Management Protocols for Batteryless, Intermittent Sensor Nodes

Nodes in batteryless sensor networks operate intermittently, making tasks such as node-to-node communication and coordinated computation extremely challenging. Adding to this challenge, a node typically has little control over its intermittency. Therefore, in this paper, we introduce a new class of protocols, which we call lifecycle management protocols (LMPs), to better control and manage the intermittency of batteryless nodes. These protocols may be designed and optimized for a particular task; here, we propose and evaluate a set of LMPs designed to enable direct communication between intermittent batteryless sensor nodes with active radios.
Quaternary Structure and Activity Modulation in Human Ribonucleotide Reductase

Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) catalyzes the conversion of nucleotides to 2´-deoxynucleotides, providing the monomeric precursors necessary for DNA replication and repair. Precise regulation of RNR activity is essential for fidelity of DNA replication, as RNR is responsible for maintaining both the correct absolute cellular concentration of deoxynucleotides, as well as the appropriate relative concentration ratios. The class Ia RNRs found in many aerobic bacteria and all eukaryotes consist of 2 protein subunits. The larger subunit α houses the active site where nucleoside diphosphate substrates (CDP, ADP, GDP, UDP) are reduced, and two additional sites for allosteric effector (ATP, dGTP, TTP, and dATP) binding. The specificity site dictates which substrate is reduced, while the activity site binds ATP/dATP and regulates the overall reduction rate. Nucleotide reduction depends on precise interaction of α with a dimeric smaller subunit β2 that contains a diferric-tyrosyl radical cofactor essential for catal...
A Teaching Method for Reinforcement Learning

This paper presents a method for accelerating the learning rates of reinforcement learning algorithms. Reinforcement learning algorithms are known for their slow learning rates, and researchers have focused recently on increasing those rates. In this paper, a method that allows a human expert to interact in real-time with a reinforcement learning algorithm is shown to accelerate the learning process. Two experiments, each with a different domain and a different reinforcement learning algorithm, illustrate that the unobtrusive method accelerates learning by more than an order of magnitude
A shipboard data acquisition, logging and display system

A shipboard system for acquisition and logging of oceanographic data currently under development utilizes seagoing microVAX computers running the VMS operating system. The separate functions of data acquisition, logging, and display are performed by independent programs. Data are transferred between programs by using a common database resident in the computer memory. An example of the system is a working system of routines to acquire, log, and display oceanographic data collected by a shipboard SAIL (Serial ASCII Instrumentation Loop) system. >
Aerosol studies by light scattering

Abstract Sulfuric acid aerosols consisting of droplets of narrow size distribution in the tenth micron size range have been prepared by an evaporation-condensation technique, and the particle size distribution has been determined by light scattering. The particle size increased with increasing boiler temperature and decreased sharply with flow rate. The use of foreign nuclei such as NaCl was of no advantage in the preparation. The spread of the distribution as measured by the coefficient of variance ranged from about 0.10 to 0.30. These aerosols could be grown by passing over dilute solutions of sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid droplets absorbed water until their vapor pressure reached that of the master solution. The extent of growth depended upon contact time varying from about 3% increase in average radius for 10−1 sec. to equilibration for about 100 sec. The coefficient of variance remained approximately constant upon growth, indicating that the rate of growth was proportional to particle volume.
A viral vaccine vector that expresses foreign genes in lymph nodes and protects against mucosal challenge.

A candidate live-virus vaccine strain of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) was configured as a replication-competent vector for in vivo expression of heterologous immunogens. Three features of VEE recommend it for use as a vaccine vector. (i) Most human and animal populations are not already immune to VEE, so preexisting immunity to the vector would not limit expression of the heterologous antigen. (ii) VEE replicates first in local lymphoid tissue, a site favoring the induction of an effective immune response. (iii) Parenteral immunization of rodents and humans with live, attenuated VEE vaccines protects against mucosal challenge, suggesting that VEE vaccine vectors might be used successfully to protect against mucosal pathogens. Upon subcutaneous (s.c.) inoculation into the footpad of mice, a VEE vector containing the complete influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) gene expressed HA in the draining lymph node and induced anti-HA immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA serum antibodies, the levels of which could be increased by s.c. booster inoculation. When immunized mice were challenged intranasally with a virulent strain of influenza virus, replication of challenge virus in their lungs was restricted, and they were completely protected from signs of disease. Significant reduction of influenza virus replication in the nasal epithelia of HA vector-immunized mice suggested an effective immunity at the mucosal surface. VEE vaccine vectors represent an alternative vaccination strategy when killed or subunit vaccines are ineffective or when the use of a live attenuated vaccine might be unsafe.
Corporation Nation: Rise and Demise of the American Economic Juggernaut

The corporate governance breakdowns of the first decade of the 21st century, including the misaligned incentives that helped to cause the crisis of 2008, suggest an urgent need for reforms beyond those mandated by Dodd-Frank. This book offers reform recommendations based on the relatively successful corporate governance system employed by the over 22,000 U.S. corporations formed before the Civil War. Contrary to common belief, the corporate form became important in the U.S. after passage of the Constitution, not after the Civil War, and was largely a domestic product and not an import from Britain. Most early U.S. corporations were well-governed because of a system of checks and balances built into corporate charters, by-laws, and case law. Even partial replication of that system could prevent another round of corporate scandals or crisis-inducing governance breakdowns.
The Fungible Value of Government and Employer Provided In-Kind Health Benefits

In this paper we discuss the issue of whether and how to value government and employer provided in-kind medical benefits in determining who is poor. Consideration of this issue leads to the suggestion that the fungible portion of medical care transfers should be included in the income of the poor as they constitute a significant percentage of their resources available for the purchase of goods and services. Fungible medical care transfers are defined as third party payments for medical benefits except those for hospital and nursing home care, on the premise that the latter are for nonroutine medical services that do not increase an individual's well-being. Estimates of the fungible portion of government and private in-kind medical benefits are developed from Health Care Financing Administration data that indicate that of the two, the former is less fungible.
A half century of frontiers of engineering educational research

Engineering education has a long history of conducting comprehensive national, regional and institutional studies. Many of those studies have utilized educational research to launch critical educational frontiers. Engineers love of numbers, and problem solving resulted in a wide range of educational studies during the past century! This work in progress paper reviews the status of a comprehensive analysis of the various studies and research that have had a significant impact on engineering education.
Effect of temperature on the immune system of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)—II. Adaptation of anterior kidney phagocytes to 10°C

1. 1. Anterior kidney phagocytes from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) exposed to 10 and 24°C from 1 day to 5 weeks were assayed for phagocytic ability and respiratory burst activity to Aeromonas hydrophila and Edwardsiella ictaluri. 2. 2. The results of this study indicated that phagocytosis in channel catfish remained partially functional at low temperature without adaptation, although partial suppression was observed. 3. 3. Adaptation to low temperature did lead to an improvement in the respiratory burst which would imply improved bacterial killing ability. 4. 4. Our study suggests that phagocytosis may play a significant role in preventing disease at low environmental temperature.
Why only one of two common Central Texas Anostraca atop Enchanted Rock

Branchinecta packardi Pearse, 1912 grows rapidly and begins reproducing at the age of seven days. The first clutch contains only one or two eggs. Females deposit a clutch each day. Reproductive populations occur during all seasons in Central Texas. Streptocephalus texanus Packard, 1871 has a slower growth rate and does not begin reproduction until 11 days of age. Females deposit a clutch every second day. The species is a warm season form in Central Texas. These life history differences most likely explain why B. packardi inhabits the shallow, exposed weather-pit pools atop Enchanted Rock and S. texanus does not.