cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current dilemmas in court interpreting: improving quality and access through smarter testing and administration protocols

Court interpreting certifying bodies face a plethora of challenges in their quest to identify competent judicial interpreters so that speakers of all languages might be assured of due process under the law and equal access to justice. For the entities which develop and administer the oral certification exams which act as gateways to the profession of court interpreting, two such dilemmas are of particular interest: the first is high rates of exam failure, with a frustrating number of candidates not meeting minimum levels of qualification to practice in court. The second is an increasing need for qualified interpreters of languages of lesser diffusion. In the face of ubiquitous budget constraints, this article explores an abbreviated testing model as a mitigator of extreme exam failure at the same time as it reveals the results of a recent pilot project which focused on centralizing interpreting services protocols while prioritizing interpreter quality.
Security and Privacy Issues in Social Networks

Online social networks (OSNs) have become extremely popular in recent years, and their widespread adoption has led to the presence of huge volumes of users’ personal information on the Internet. The ever-increasing number of social networks’ users on one hand and the massive amount of information being shared daily on the other hand have encouraged attackers to develop and use different techniques to collect and analyze such information for a number of malicious purposes, including spear-phishing attacks and identity theft. Clearly, this trend represents a significant challenge for both users and administrators. In fact, the widespread adoption of OSNs has raised a wide range of security and privacy concerns, which have not been fully addressed yet. In many cases, users are not even aware of the disclosure of their personal information through their profiles. Leakage of a user’s private information can happen in different ways. In this chapter, we discuss the main security and privacy issues associated with online social networks and investigate some attack models used to reveal a user’s private information. We also discuss different strategies and regulations that can prevent disclosure of private information through OSNs.
Assessment of Survival and Microscopic Changes in Porcine Skin Flaps Undergoing Immediate Intraoperative Tissue Expansion

The technique of rapid intraoperative tissue expansion has been used with increasing frequency in the clinical setting over the last several years. This technique takes advantage of the skin's ability to immediately stretch and increase in surface area when expanded under a constant load. Sixteen random-pattern, rapidly expanded skin flaps on 10 domestic male pigs were studied to assess the predictive value of the fluorescein test for flap viability after rapid intraoperative tissue expansion. Partial fluorescence was found to be a more accurate predictor of flap survival in the experimental rapidly expanded flaps when compared to full fluorescence. Partial fluorescence was found to under-predict flap survival by 0.3 to 0.5 cm, whereas full fluorescence was found to under-predict flap survival by 2.5 cm. Additionally, histologic and ultrastructural changes were examined in rapidly expanded skin from the hip region in three pigs. The only microscopic change noted between control and experimental flaps was dilated capillaries in the dermis of expanded skin, which was noted by electron microscopy. Collagen and elastic tissue changes were not demonstrated in rapidly expanded pig skin by electron microscopy, direct immunofluorescence, collagen, and elastic tissue stains.
Testicular Alterations are Linked to the Presence of Elevated Antisperm Antibodies in Sprague-Dawley Rats after Vasectomy and Vasovasostomy

Abstract The relationship between alterations in testicular histology and antisperm antibodies was studied after vasectomy and vasovasostomy in Sprague-Dawley rats, which are immunologically relatively non-responsive to vasectomy. Testes were prepared for histologic study at intervals up to seven months after vasectomy, vasectomy followed three months later by vasovasostomy, or sham operations. Antisperm antibodies were assessed with an ELISA. Testicular alterations, which were observed in a minority of animals after vasovasostomy, consisted mainly of depletion of germ cells. Mean serum antisperm antibody levels were greater for animals with altered testes than for rats with normal testicular histology. In addition, the proportion of rats that showed a positive antisperm antibody response was greater among animals with testicular changes than among those with unaltered testes. When the present results on Sprague-Dawley rats were compared with previous findings on the highly responsive Lewis strain, it was evident that the incidence of testicular changes and the proportion of positive antibody responders were greater in the Lewis strain. However, elevated antisperm antibodies and testicular alterations appeared to be more tightly linked in the less responsive Sprague-Dawley rats. (J. Urol., 140:627–631, 1988)
Use of immunohistochemistry for identification of primary lymphoma of the bladder.

Abstract Primary lymphoma of the bladder is a rare entity, and when found in such an unusual location it frequently is difficult to distinguish between a lymphoma and an undifferentiated carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining techniques have been used to identify tumor cell origins when the tissue type or a primary site of involvement is unknown. We report a case of primary lymphoma (nonHodgkin’s type) of the bladder and the use of immunohistochemical staining to distinguish definitively tissue type and then specific immunotype.
Climate Sensitivity and Feedback Mechanisms

The concepts of climate feedback processes and climate sensitivity are introduced. The key climate feedback processes are described, including Planck feedback, water-vapor feedback, ice–albedo feedback, lapse-rate feedback, and dynamical feedbacks associated with meridional transport by the atmosphere. The Budyko–Sellers energy balance climate model is introduced. The sensitivity of the surface energy balance to temperature change is analyzed, with particular reference to how tropical sea surface temperature is stabilized. Cloud feedbacks and biogeochemical feedbacks are introduced. The Daisyworld model is introduced and discussed.
Formation of trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids during chlorination of functionalized carbon nanotubes

We have previously shown that nitrogen-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) represent both a precursor and source of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a nitrogenous disinfection byproduct (DBP). Here, we explore the potential for non-functionalized, oxidized (via strong acid, ozone or chlorine), and polymer-functionalized CNTs to serve as precursors for chlorinated DBPs including regulated trihalomethanes (THMs; e.g., chloroform) and chlorinated haloacetic acids (or Cl-HAAs; e.g., mono-, di- and trichloroacetic acid). During chlorination experiments (typically 10 mg L−1 CNTs, 15 mg L−1 HOCl, pH 8), formation of chloroform (CF) and Cl-HAAs was greatest for CNTs functionalized with the polymers PABS and PEG, producing as much as 3.5 μg of CF per mg-CNT and 10.2 μg of Cl-HAAs per mg-CNT after 4 h of chlorination (with yields increasing over time). Further, while CF and Cl-HAAs production in PABS-CNT systems was comparable to that generated by the free polymer (i.e., PABS in the absence of CNTs), their formation was unique for PEGylated CNTs (i.e., CF and Cl-HAAs were not observed during chlorination of PEG alone, nor for physical mixtures of CNTs and PEG). While non-functionalized and acid-oxidized CNTs did not produce any measurable CF or Cl-HAAs despite exerting a chlorine demand, the ability of CNTs to function as precursors for these DBPs increased with their extent of oxidation via ozone and chlorine. For CNTs oxidized via ozonation or chlorination we observed a strong, linear correlation between formation of CF and Cl-HAAs (primarily trichloroacetic acid) and CNT surface oxygen concentration from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Aside from CF and Cl-HAAs, chloropicrin (or nitrochloroform), a potent toxin used as a broad-spectrum pesticide, was also identified as a major DBP generated during chlorination of nitric acid functionalized CNTs, producing ∼1 μg per mg-CNT after 4 h. We propose its formation is the result of residual forms of oxidized nitrogen that persist on CNT surfaces after nitric acid oxidation. Although measured yields (along with low CNT levels expected in water/wastewater treatment) suggest DBP production from CNTs will be limited compared to traditional precursors (e.g., organic matter), some proposed CNT applications that utilize higher mass loadings (e.g., CNT-based filters) may produce appreciable DBP levels when in contact with residual chlorine.
Defects in Undoped p-type CdTe Single Crystals

Recently, the device performance of Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) solar cells have improved significantly. However, little progress has been made in understanding the defected structures responsible for carrier trapping, which have limited further cell efficiency improvements. In order to better understand the underlying electrical compensation mechanism, an undoped CdTe bulk crystal boule was grown from melt with Te-rich stoichiometry using the Vertical Bridgman technique, where the growth process was controlled to maximize net acceptor density. The samples prepared from the boule indicate low resistivity of 100–500 Ω·cm, and Hall measurements provided net acceptor density of (1–2) $\times \,{\text 10^{15}}\,{\text{cm}^{- 3}}$ , which are comparable to relevant values reported from the CdTe films after CdCl2 treatment. Infrared microscopy suggests there are significant amounts of secondary phases (SP's) present in the samples, where the SP's are believed to be Te inclusions and precipitates. The point defects are characterized by thermoelectric effect spectroscopy (TEES), where we observed six TEES current peaks associated with the defect levels ranging from 110 to 700 mV within the bandgap.
Musical Notation for Multi-Touch Interfaces

This paper explores the creation and testing of a new system for notating physical actions on a surface. This notation is conceptualized through the medium of, and initially tested on, multi-touch interfaces. Existing methods of notating movement are reviewed, followed by a detailed explanation of our notation. User trials were carried out in order to test how effective this notation was, the results of which be explained. An analysis of the collected data follows, as well as criticisms of the notation and testing process.
Lu-ECAM-1 and DPP IV in lung metastasis.

The development of the metastatic cell is a Darwinian process involving random genetic changes and selection over many generations of tumor growth. Early events include a loosening of cell-cycle control and disabling of checkpoints and failsafe mechanisms such as cell-cell constraints on proliferation and motility (Rustgi et al. 1992; Fearson and Vogelstein 1990). Successfully metastatic cells arising from this population display an altered repertoire of cell adhesion molecules, allowing escape from the primary tumor, adhesion and penetration of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and entry into the microvasculature (Nicholson 1988; Fidler 1990; Hart and Saini 1992; Lafrenie et al. 1993). Most such cells are destroyed by geometric and hemodynamic forces in their first encounter with the narrow bore capillary net, usually in the lungs (Weiss et al. 1988). The few survivors may give rise to secondary colonies. The frequency of metastasis to the lungs has often been attributed solely to mechanical entrapment of tumor cell emboli. However, this theory does not explain the early observation that certain. tumor cell types prefer to metastasize to specific target organs. This behaviour was first noticed by Stephen Paget in 1889. He observed that breast carcinomas had very specific organ preferences for metastasis, and those preferences were not obviously related to circulatory patterns. About 70% of the patients had metastases to the liver, 20% to lungs, and only 10% to a few other organs. These observations inspired the “seed and soil” hypothesis which postulates that metastatic tumor cells are potentially unlimited in distribution but can only find purchase and prosper in a congenial soil.
Concurrent Engineering: An Introduction

The paper focuses on the need and the underlying concepts of concurrent engineering approach. It lays out the concurrent engineering methodology for product development. An attempt is made to clarify the prevailing misconceptions about concurrent engineering. Integration is the working foundation for computer-based approaches to concurrent engineering. An architecture of a concurrent engineering system is considered as four levels consisting of an object-oriented data base, an intelligent data base engine, a high-level interface and high-level tools. This architecture combines technologies such as object-oriented programming, expert systems, hypermedia, visual programming, data bases and information retrieval. Within this architecture the integration of processors, humans, tools and methods to form a concurrent engineering environment for the development of products is treated in the context of cooperating knowledge bases.
A phase I/II clinical trial of intravenous (I.V.) calcitriol with fixed doses of cisplatin and docetaxel in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

e18118 Background: In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the antiproliferative effects of 1, 25 (OH)2D3 (calcitriol) as single agent and antitumor synergy with cisplatin. The goals of this...
Metoprolol Increases Uric Acid and Risk of Gout in African Americans With Chronic Kidney Disease Attributed to Hypertension.

Background There is little evidence guiding selection of nondiuretic, antihypertensive agents with a goal of lowering uric acid (SUA) and minimizing gout risk. Methods In the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK) trial, African Americans with chronic kidney disease were randomly assigned to metoprolol (a beta-blocker), ramipril (an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEi]), or amlodipine (a dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker). SUA was measured at baseline and 12 months. Gout-related hospitalizations were based on ICD9 codes. Gout-related medication use (GRMs) was based on active prescriptions of allopurinol, colchicine, or probenecid during the baseline visit of the AASK cohort phase. We examined the effect of drug assignment on 12-month SUA (linear regression), gout-related hospitalization (Cox regression), and GRM (logistic regression). Results Of the 630 participants, 40% were female with a mean age of 55 years (SD, 10), mean SUA of 8.2 mg/dl (2.0), and mean serum creatinine of 1.8 mg/dl (0.6). After 12 months, metoprolol increased SUA by 0.3 mg/dl, while ramipril or amlodipine had no effect on SUA. Compared to ramipril, metoprolol significantly increased 12-month SUA (0.40; 0.10, 0.70 mg/dl; P = 0.009), nonsignificantly increased risk of gout-related hospitalization (hazard ratio: 3.87; 0.82, 18.26; P = 0.09), and significantly increased the odds of GRM (odds ratio: 1.62; 1.03, 2.54; P = 0.04). While metoprolol was associated with a higher 12-month SUA compared with amlodipine (0.57; 0.18, 0.95; P = 0.004), there was no difference in gout-related hospitalizations or GRM. Conclusions Metoprolol increased SUA and GRM in African American adults. Health professionals treating patients with kidney disease at risk for gout should avoid metoprolol and possibly consider an ACEi. Clinical trials registration Trial Number NCT00582777.
Copyright, Fair Use, and Free Use for US K-12 Educators: A Legal Perspective

In today's media-rich educational environment, many teachers are unsure how to uphold applicable copyright laws and avoid potential penalties. The boundaries between acceptable and unacceptable use...
Research on a New Structure of Hand Exoskeleton for Rehabilitation Usage

Hand exoskeletons for rehabilitation usage are devices for helping the stroke patients who are suffering from hand function disabilities. The present hand exoskeleton devices are cumbersome and too big in size, and are inconvenient in patients' daily life because of lacking of portability and reliability. In this paper, a new type of portable hand exoskeleton device is proposed to solve such problems as mentioned above. Issues such as the experimental setup, the mechanical design, the system configuration of the hand exoskeleton device are introduced, and evaluations toward motion characteristics are also be discussed.
Development of a Coupled Reservoir–Geomechanical Simulator for the Prediction of Caprock Fracturing and Fault Reactivation During CO2 Sequestration in Deep Saline Aquifers

Abstract We developed a thermal–hydrological–mechanical reservoir simulator that is applicable to assessing the sealing capability of caprock. The geomechanical portion consists of an equation for mean stress, derived from linear elastic theory for a thermoporoelastic system, and equations for stress tensor components that depend on mean stress and other variables. The fluid and heat flow portion of our simulator is for general multiphase, multicomponent, multiporosity systems. We added the capability of simulating caprock failure scenarios, namely, tensile failure, fracture and fault reactivation, and shear failure, to the formulation. We verified our geomechanical formulation by running a series of example problems. The first two had analytical solutions: the displacement caused by a uniform load on a semiinfinite elastic medium and the two-dimensional Mandel–Cryer effect. The next two showed comparisons of our simulator to published results: a single-phase depletion problem and a simulation of CO2 injection into a depleting gas reservoir. Finally, we ran a problem that illustrated the normal effective stress dependence of fracture permeability and porosity and another that simulated an experiment of pressure-induced fracturing of a concrete block that included tensile failure.
Comparison of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) with open versus percutaneous screw fixation for adult degenerative scoliosis

Abstract Study design Retrospective Review Objectives Compare clinical outcomes and radiographic correction of adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) patients treated with lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), combined either with percutaneous (no laminectomy) versus open laminectomy/pedicle screw instrumentation. Methods Twenty-two ADS patients undergoing combined LLIF and posterior instrumentation were divided into two groups: thirteen patients underwent LLIF with open laminectomy and posterior pedicle instrumentation (Group-1, six revision); nine patients underwent LLIF with percutaneous pedicle instrumentation (no decompression) (Group-2). Radiographs, CT/MRI, peri-operative complications, VAS, SF-12, and ODI were measured. Results Average follow up was 22 months. In Group-1 and Group-2, respectively: Mean coronal Cobb angle corrected 12.6° and 5.8°; Mean regional lumbar lordosis improved 11.1° and 3.8°; Pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis mismatch corrected to within +/−9° in 46% and 0% of patients; Mean VAS improved from 5.4 to 2.8 and 6.3 to 1; Mean ODI improved 19% and 22%. Improvements were found in SF-12 PCS and MCS scores. Conclusions Both open and percutaneous posterior techniques following LLIF significantly improved clinical outcomes. Open procedures resulted in significantly better radiographic improvements but also higher complication rates. LLIF with percutaneous posterior fixation, without decompression, should be considered part of the algorithm in select ADS patients with remaining compensatory mechanisms and understanding that greater degrees of correction may require an open, more extensive approach.
Communication Disparities between Genetically-Diverging Populations of Deermice

In nature there is considerable genetic variation between populations belonging to the same species. Members of a population share a common gene pool. Gene pools, however, are uniquely dynamic, and since no two populations experience identical selection pressures, one expects that even closely related populations will diverge genetically with time. Developing reproductive isolation is a normal consequence of such divergence and, by classical definition, the process of speciation is complete when the populations can no longer interbreed. Speciation can be rapid if an abrupt chromosomal change occurs, or it can be a slow process involving the steady accumulation of subtle behavioral and physiological incompatibilities that progressively reduce the probability of successful reproduction between members of two populations.
Rotating Target 14-MeV Neutron Generators

Accelerators that use the T(d,n)4He reaction to generate 14-MeV neutrons are discussed. Most of the discussion concerns the Rotating Target Neutron Source II (RTNS-II) facility, which was the most ...
Representing and Analyzing Adaptive Decision-Making Frameworks

This chapter presents a view of agent autonomy based on decision-making control. Theoretical and empirical research results are presented supporting the performance improvements that can be leveraged by implementing adaptive autonomy through the capability of Adaptive Decision-Making Frameworks (ADMF). This analysis shows, in theory, that ADMF should outperform static or random decision-making frameworks as agents operate in a multi-agent system. ADMF is also shown, through empirically defined performance measures, to be more robust and to perform better over time than other types of decision-making framework policies. ADMF is therefore a form of adaptive agent autonomy with very great potential power.
Usefulness of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients With Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

The benefit of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients supported by a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is unknown. There are currently no guidelines regarding the continuation, discontinuation or pacemaker (PM) settings post-LVAD implant. The aim of the study was to assess the hemodynamic benefit of biventricular (BiV) pacing in LVAD patients. We studied 22 patients supported by LVADs (age 62 ± 9, 21 males) who had received a BiV PM before LVAD implant. A total of 123 complete sets of hemodynamics were obtained during BiV pacing (n = 54), right ventricular (RV) pacing (n = 54), and intrinsic rhythm (n = 15). There were no significant differences in right atrial (RA) pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPA), PCWP, cardiac output, PA saturation (PASat) and right ventricular stroke work index between BiV and RV pacing. Hemodynamics obtained during intrinsic rhythm in 15 non–PM-dependent patients were not significantly different compared with those obtained during BiV or RV pacing. Furthermore, hemodynamics were similar at different heart rates ranging 50 to 110 beats/min. Right ventricular stroke work index was significantly lower at the highest heart rate compared with baseline and lowest heart rates suggesting decreased RV performance at higher heart rate. In conclusion, BiV pacing does not have any acute hemodynamic benefit compared with RV pacing or intrinsic rhythm in LVAD patients. A lower heart rate may confer better RV performance.
Friendship Quality Over Time in Youth With Spina Bifida Compared to Peers.

Objective Examine friendship qualities (i.e., control, prosocial skills, positive affect, support, companionship, conflict, help, security, and closeness) and perceived self-efficacy in friendships of children with spina bifida (SB) and chosen peers over time through observed behaviors and self-report. Methods Families of children with SB (aged 8-15) were asked to invite the child's "best friend" to participate in-home assessment visits; 127 friendship dyads were included in the current study. Mixed-effects models were used to examine children with SB and their peers across age on observed behaviors and self-reported data about their friendships. Results For observed behaviors, peers displayed more control (p = .002) and prosocial behaviors (p = .007) with age than youth with SB. Male peers displayed higher control in their interactions as they aged (p = .04); and males with SB maintained their level of prosocial behaviors with age, compared to an increase in prosocial behaviors with age for all other groups (p = .003). For self-reported data, there was no evidence to suggest significant differences in friendship qualities across age (ps ≥ .2), with the exception of increased help (p = .002). Female peers reported increases in companionship across age compared to the other groups (p = .04). Conclusions Differing from previous examinations of social characteristics in SB, most longitudinal trends in friendship qualities did not differ for youth with SB compared to their peers. Promotion of this existing social strength may be a key intervention target for future strategies that promote positive outcomes for youth with SB.
Circularly and elliptically polarized light under water and the Umov effect

Total internal reflection occurs when light is incident on the interface of high- and low-refractive-index materials at an angle greater than the critical angle. Sunlight with high degree of linear polarization, such as atmospheric scattered skylight, can be converted with a high efficiency up to 53% to circular and elliptical polarizations by total internal reflection under water in the region outside Snell’s window. The degree of circular polarization is observed to be inversely dependent on the albedo of underwater objects and is shown to be a direct consequence of the Umov effect. Our results are important for underwater polarimetry, surveillance applications and studies of marine animals’ polarized vision near the water-air interface.
The knowledge base of Chinese as a second language teaching in K-12 settings: Staking out the territory

Abstract The field of teaching Chinese as a second language (CSL) is expanding and growing in importance worldwide. Related fields, such as Chinese language pedagogy, language policy, and the acquisition of Chinese as a second language, are attracting increased attention in research. However, research into K-12 CSL teacher cognition (what teachers know, think, and believe) has been very limited. It has been reported that more understanding of language teacher cognition has significant impacts on the development of teacher training and professional development programs (Borg, 2015; Kubanyiova & Feryok, 2015). Many aspects of CSL teacher cognition are underexplored when compared with language teacher cognition research in general and K-12 language teacher cognition research specifically. This article reviews current theoretical and empirical research into language teacher cognition with a particular focus on existing studies in the field of CSL teaching in the context of K-12 education. The purposes of the review article are (1) to document the current knowledge base of CSL teaching, and (2) to discuss current gaps in and future directions of teacher cognition research in this area. It first discusses general theories and research concerning second language teacher cognition within current research paradigms, and then provides a review of CSL teacher cognition research. Finally, it reviews pressing issues and suggests directions for future research in K-12 Chinese teacher cognition.
Survey of Insect Pests in Shelled Corn Stored On-Farm in Kentucky

Shelled corn stored in metal bins was sampled for insects on farms in the three westernmost crop reporting districts of Kentucky during 1989 and 1990 to identify pest insects present, determine the relative abundance of insect pests, and determine their geographic distributions. Thirty-six species or species groups were found in this survey. The most abundant insects were maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky; Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier); flat grain, rusty grain, and flour mill beetles, Cryptolestes spp.; sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.); foreign grain beetle, Ahasverus advena (Waltl); red and confused flour beetles, Tribolium spp.; and hairy fungus beetle, Typhaea stercorea (L.). Greater densities and numbers of species were caught later during the storage season and greater numbers were captured from the center versus edges of bins. The unexpectedly high abundance and widespread distribution of maize weevil and Angoumois grain moth suggests that gre...
Ecophysiological determinants of sexual size dimorphism: integrating growth trajectories, environmental conditions, and metabolic rates

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) often results in dramatic differences in body size between females and males. Despite its ecological importance, little is known about the relationship between developmental, physiological, and energetic mechanisms underlying SSD. We take an integrative approach to understand the relationship between developmental trajectories, metabolism, and environmental conditions resulting in extreme female-biased SSD in the crab spider Mecaphesa celer (Thomisidae). We tested for sexual differences in growth trajectories, as well as in the energetics of growth, hypothesizing that female M. celer have lower metabolic rates than males or higher energy assimilation. We also hypothesized that the environment in which spiderlings develop influences the degree of SSD of a population. We tracked growth and resting metabolic rates of female and male spiderlings throughout their ontogeny and quantified the adult size of individuals raised in a combination of two diet and two temperature treatments. We show that M. celer’s SSD results from differences in the shape of female and male growth trajectories. While female and male resting metabolic rates did not differ, diet, temperature, and their interaction influenced body size through an interactive effect with sex, with females being more sensitive to the environment than males. We demonstrate that the shape of the growth curve is an important but often overlooked determinant of SSD and that females may achieve larger sizes through a combination of high food ingestion and low activity levels. Our results highlight the need for new models of SSD based on ontogeny, ecology, and behavior.
Patient Centered Studies Focusing on Diabetes Self-Management: A Scoping Review.

Background Type 2 diabetes continues to be a significant burden to patients and health systems globally. Addressing this condition from an alternative perspective, patients and various other stakeholders from three northern Mississippi communities co-created patient-centered research questions focused on type 2 diabetes management. Objective The objective of this scoping review was to explore current literature focusing on nine patient- centered research questions to establish current knowledge and identify future research needs in the area of type 2 diabetes. Methods A scoping review was conducted to obtain an overview of research related to the study purpose. The PubMed database was searched from March 2013 to March 2018 to identify patient-centered studies focused on type 2 diabetes and relevant to one of the nine research questions. Results A total of 33 studies were identified and included. For five of the research questions, there was either no previous research literature or only "related" studies could be identified. These largely unexplored topics included how the understanding of guidelines by healthcare providers, specialty, and communication of medication side-effects impact patients' understanding and outcomes, the impact of improving patients' preparedness to communicate with providers, and whether younger patients require weight management programs that account for this populations' needs. Conclusion This lack of previous literature presents a unique opportunity to partner with patients to conduct this study and help improve the management of type 2 diabetes.
Eriophyid mite vector of Rose Rosette Disease (RRD) Phyllocoptes fructiphilus Keifer (Arachnida: Acari: Eriophyidae)

Phyllocoptes fructiphilus Keifer, a tiny eriophyid mite, is the vector of a devastating viral disease of roses called Rose Rosette Disease (RRD). This mite can be spread by the wind and by contaminated clothing and equipment. It also is possible that it can disperse through phoresy (attaching itself to insects). As a result, the distribution of the mite and RRD is expanding. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Marjorie Hoy and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in999
GPCR-dependent biasing of GIRK channel signaling dynamics by RGS6 in mouse sinoatrial nodal cells

How G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) evoke specific biological outcomes while utilizing a limited array of G proteins and effectors is poorly understood, particularly in native cell systems. Here, we examined signaling evoked by muscarinic (M2R) and adenosine (A1R) receptor activation in the mouse sinoatrial node (SAN), the cardiac pacemaker. M2R and A1R activate a shared pool of cardiac G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels in SAN cells from adult mice, but A1R-GIRK responses are smaller and slower than M2R-GIRK responses. Recordings from mice lacking Regulator of G protein Signaling 6 (RGS6) revealed that RGS6 exerts a GPCR-dependent influence on GIRK-dependent signaling in SAN cells, suppressing M2R-GIRK coupling efficiency and kinetics and A1R-GIRK signaling amplitude. Fast kinetic bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assays in transfected HEK cells showed that RGS6 prefers Gαo over Gαi as a substrate for its catalytic activity and that M2R signals preferentially via Gαo, while A1R does not discriminate between inhibitory G protein isoforms. The impact of atrial/SAN-selective ablation of Gαo or Gαi2 was consistent with these findings. Gαi2 ablation had minimal impact on M2R-GIRK and A1R-GIRK signaling in SAN cells. In contrast, Gαo ablation decreased the amplitude and slowed the kinetics of M2R-GIRK responses, while enhancing the sensitivity and prolonging the deactivation rate of A1R-GIRK signaling. Collectively, our data show that differences in GPCR-G protein coupling preferences, and the Gαo substrate preference of RGS6, shape A1R- and M2R-GIRK signaling dynamics in mouse SAN cells.
Privacy Self-Help

Today, millions of consumers practice privacy self-help. Some cover their laptop cameras; others communicate through encrypted messaging apps; still others delete sensitive documents. But while self-help has emerged as one of the primary ways that consumers manage privacy risks, it has attracted little scholarly attention. To fill that gap, this Article offers a descriptive account of the relationship between privacy doctrine and self-help. As it turns out, privacy law relies on self-help to solve some of its most pressing problems. From the Fourth Amendment to the FTC’s unfairness authority, courts and regulators look to self-help to decide which disputes deserve attention and to conserve scarce resources. The upshot is that harnessing self-help has become a pervasive feature of modern privacy law. Turning from the descriptive to the normative, this Article asks how law should respond to privacy self-help. Too often, self-help exposes the data it promises to protect. When self-help backfires, the conventional wisdom holds that courts and regulators should install legal remedies to replace it. But displacing self-help would disable the many doctrines that depend on it. Challenging the conventional wisdom, this Article shows that legal institutions protect consumers best when they facilitate—rather than replace—self-help. By arming individuals with intelligence about self-help, courts and regulators can empower them to spot successful strategies and sidestep self-defeating ones. This approach promises to transform self-help from a popular yet unreliable practice into a potent weapon in the hands of millions of consumers.
Legitimizing the First Black Presidency: Cinematic History and Rhetorical Vision in Barack Obama’s 2008 Victory Speech

Rhetorical studies has traditionally separated the mental images of rhetorical vision from other forms of visual rhetoric. This essay seeks to ease this distinction and show how visual culture comp...
Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system consists of two groups of structures, the internal genitalia (Figs. 17.1 through 17.3) located in the pelvic cavity, and the external genitalia (Figs. 17.3 and 17.38) located in the perineum. The former include the ovaries, oviducts (fallopian tubes), uterus, and vagina; the latter include the labia minora, labia majora, and clitoris. Although the breasts are glands ofthe integument and have been described in Chapter 11, they are importantly related to reproductive function and these aspects will be included here.
Recent developments in antimicrobial therapy for gastrointestinal infections.

Purpose of review This focused, narrative review summarizes human clinical trial data for direct-acting antimicrobials in development for the treatment of gastrointestinal infections that were published in the past 18 months (1 January 2019 to 30 June 2020). Recent findings Antimicrobial agents for Clostridioides difficile infection (n = 6), cryptosporidiosis (n = 1), cytomegalovirus infection (n = 3) and Helicobacter pylori infection (n = 1) have completed and/or are undergoing human clinical trials. Summary Although this review highlights significant advances in four disease states, many common gastrointestinal pathogens have no antimicrobials in human clinical trials, emphasizing the need for continued prioritization in this field of study.
Modeling and simulation of autonomous quadrotor systems and their onboard sensors

Simulators are valuable tools to evaluate autonomous systems and methods of their control in a cost-effective and safe fashion. There are several implementations of simulators for autonomous system...
Long Range, Low SWaP-C FMCW Radar

A method is developed, analyzed, and tested to adapt low-cost, automotive-grade radar chipsets for long-range sensing. These disruptive chipsets offer impressive performance at low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) that could benefit applications with tight SWaP-C budgets such as urban air mobility and urban air logistics. The short range of these radars currently prevents their deployment in long-range applications, so this paper employs extended measurement intervals coupled with sophisticated motion modeling and signal processing to significantly extend their range. After deriving the optimal maximum likelihood estimator, the paper presents suboptimal, more efficient techniques for target range estimation that are robust to target motion uncertainty. These techniques are validated in simulation and demonstrated via experiment. The results show that low SWaP-C radar chipsets are capable of operating at low SNR to perform long-range sensing when augmented with this paper's motion modeling and signal processing techniques. This potent combination of low SWaP-C hardware and advanced signal processing will drive innovation in urban air mobility, urban air logistics, and other areas in need of long-range sensing.
Role identities and self-efficacy: Examining the effect of conventional versus idiosyncratic role identity meanings

For decades, social psychologists have theorized that role identities contain both conventional (culturally influenced) and idiosyncratic (uniquely interpreted) meanings, though comparatively, there has been a dearth of empirical research that addresses these distinctions. Recently, identity scholars have attempted to rectify this gap in the literature by beginning to address these discrete meaning structures empirically, showing that more conventionally defined role identities tend to be more prominent and salient within the self-concept. In the present study, we examine how the conventional versus idiosyncratic balance of role identity meanings relates to self-efficacy. We administer a survey to 934 study participants that measures individuals’ degree of self-efficacy and the conventional/idiosyncratic balance of their student, worker, and friend role identities. Results show that generally, individuals have a higher level of self-efficacy when their role identities are defined more idiosyncratically than conventionally.
Chapter 13 Reliability and maintainability

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses various aspects of reliability theory. The chapter discusses the simplest case of the states being only “up” and “down” to the most general case where the state space is a continuum. It highlights various measures of importance in reliability theory. These include reliability and availability measures. The computational ideas, which are involved in deriving expressions for these measures, are given and are illustrated for some particular repairable and nonrepairable systems. Performability measures, which can be used for indicating how well a system works, are also discussed in the chapter. An important concept in reliability theory is of the “hazard” rate. It is useful for modeling purposes and for characterizing distributions by their “aging” properties. The chapter describes basic replacement policies and shows the ways in which aging properties can influence the choice of an optimal replacement policy. Some repair policies, such as minimal repair and imperfect repair, are also described. The notion of the hazard rate can be used for describing the probabilistic dependence of lives of different components. Moreover, the ways in which the basic tool of multivariate conditional hazard rate functions can be used to model the joint distribution of dependent components is also discussed in the chapter.
Emotionally Responsive Virtual Counselor for Behavior-Change Health Interventions

In this paper, we discuss a novel approach to design an emotionally responsive system in the context of virtual health interventions for behavior change. We describe the system’s design with a focus on enabling a multimodal Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA) to deliver the interventions empathetically. This is done by adapting its verbal and non-verbal behavior, in real-time, to those of the clients. Our current approach is based on a successful existing patient-centered intervention for behavior change - the Drinker’s Check-Up (DCU). Although, the DCU uses a text-only web interface, it has been reported to reduce alcohol consumption in problem drinkers. We discuss the results of users’ evaluation of the DCU intervention compared to the same intervention delivered with empathic and non-empathic ECAs. Results show that, the empathic virtual counselor has better acceptance than the other two systems.
Detection and quantification of regional cortical gray matter damage in multiple sclerosis utilizing gradient echo MRI.

Cortical gray matter (GM) damage is now widely recognized in multiple sclerosis (MS). The standard MRI does not reliably detect cortical GM lesions, although cortical volume loss can be measured. In this study, we demonstrate that the gradient echo MRI can reliably and quantitatively assess cortical GM damage in MS patients using standard clinical scanners. High resolution multi-gradient echo MRI was used for regional mapping of tissue-specific MRI signal transverse relaxation rate values (R2*) in 10 each relapsing–remitting, primary-progressive and secondary-progressive MS subjects. A voxel spread function method was used to correct artifacts induced by background field gradients. R2* values from healthy controls (HCs) of varying ages were obtained to establish baseline data and calculate ΔR2* values – age-adjusted differences between MS patients and HC. Thickness of cortical regions was also measured in all subjects. In cortical regions, ΔR2* values of MS patients were also adjusted for changes in cortical thickness. Symbol digit modalities (SDMT) and paced auditory serial addition (PASAT) neurocognitive tests, as well as Expanded Disability Status Score, 25-foot timed walk and nine-hole peg test results were also obtained on all MS subjects. We found that ΔR2* values were lower in multiple cortical GM and normal appearing white matter (NAWM) regions in MS compared with HC. ΔR2* values of global cortical GM and several specific cortical regions showed significant (p < 0.05) correlations with SDMT and PASAT scores, and showed better correlations than volumetric measures of the same regions. Neurological tests not focused on cognition (Expanded Disability Status Score, 25-foot timed walk and nine-hole peg tests) showed no correlation with cortical GM ΔR2* values. The technique presented here is robust and reproducible. It requires less than 10 min and can be implemented on any MRI scanner. Our results show that quantitative tissue-specific R2* values can serve as biomarkers of tissue injury due to MS in the brain, including the cerebral cortex, an area that has been difficult to evaluate using standard MRI.
Racial and ethnic disparity in low birth weight in Syracuse, New York.

Abstract This case—racial and ethnic disparity in low birth weight—is one of a series of teaching cases in the Case-Based Series in Population-Oriented Prevention (C-POP). It has been developed for use in medical school and residency prevention curricula. The complete set of cases is presented in this supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine . Low birth weight is a leading cause of infant mortality. Unfortunately, despite declining rates of infant mortality, racial and ethnic disparities in both low birth weight and infant mortality rates persist. In this teaching case, a clinical vignette is used to draw attention to this public health priority in Syracuse, New York. Students learn essential epidemiology skills such as identifying limitations of sources of data and calculating relative risks, using the example of low birth weight. In performing these skills, students also identify etiologies for such disparity. Finally, students discuss interventions that, when implemented, may decrease infant mortality rates.
Quality of life in dementias.

Publisher Summary This chapter explains that quality of life (QOL) includes the cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of a person's existence. Improving QOL is a common goal for individuals affected by cognitive impairment, their families, and healthcare professionals and society-at-large. QOL is a bridge to economic and ethical issues concerning dementia. The chapter emphasizes that there is a strong subjective component to the assessment of QOL, which in individuals affected by cognitive impairment creates challenges for our understanding and measurement. There are a variety of methods used to assess QOL in other fields of medicine, but the application of these approaches in dementia is relatively new. The chapter considers some specific issues surrounding QOL in research and in the clinical care of people with dementia. The chapter examines the common and variable features in the dementias that may affect an individual's QOL. It is considered that the assessment of QOL in several selected common dementias includes some discussion of the use of QOL measurement to assess interventions for persons with dementia and their families.