cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Fight for the Coast: Is Suit Against Oil Industry Part of the 'Master Plan'?

Since 1932, the United States Geological Survey estimates Louisiana has lost more than 1,800 square miles of costal wetlands; an area roughly the size of Delaware. In an effort to address mounting catastrophic loss of coastal lands vital to the protection of Louisiana’s economic infrastructure, the state has adopted a massive 50-year, $50 Billion "Master Plan" to restore Louisiana’s coast while balancing the needs for conservation and economic growth. However, independent actions by various political subdivisions seek to resolve Louisiana’s coastal crisis in a different manner – taking the fight for the coast directly to Louisiana’s oil and gas industry. This article reviews the constitutional and statutory authority of a regional levee board to institute action against the oil and gas industry in light of post-Hurricanes Katrina and Rita legislative establishment of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, development and legislative approval of the Master Plan, amendment of the Louisiana Constitution, and the constitutional reorganization and regionalization of Louisiana’s levee boards. The scope of the levee board’s authority to sue and be sued is constitutionally constrained by the state’s police power. This beckons the question: To what extent must Louisiana's long history and deeply rooted notions of autonomous local rule yield to a comprehensive and coordinated statewide plan to repair and protect Louisiana's coastland?
Relation between myelination and binding of sodium and potassium in rat brain.

SummaryDialysis of brain homogenates from adult Long-Evans rats given intraperitoneal injections of radioactive tracers revealed that 2.5% to 3.4% of brain potassium and sodium were “bound,” i.e., had not passed a cellophane dialysis membrane after 2 hours' dialysis at room temperature. These values are similar to those we have previously observed in the guinea pig. No binding was demonstrated by this technic in newborn or 7-day-old rats. Extent of binding progressively increased from 14 days to adulthood. The development of myelination was studied in the Long-Evans rat and was found to parallel the development of sodium and potassium binding. These observations support the view that electrolyte binding, as here defined, is related to the presence of myelin.
Trichomycetes occurring in both lentic (lake) and lotic (stream) habitats within the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada1

Trichomycetes are an ecological group of fungi and protists found inside the gut lumen of aquatic insect larvae and have been reported virtually everywhere trichomycetologists have looked for them. Trichomycetes are common in freshwater aquatic habitats, both lentic and lotic, though lentic habitats have been explored less frequently. An inventory of trichomycetes inhabiting both stream (lotic) and lake (lentic) habitats was conducted within the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada, including one site at the interface where a stream emptied into a lake. Twenty-six species of trichomycetes were collected from both lotic and lentic sites, nine of which are new species, all isolated from midge (Chironomidae) larvae. These are as follows: Smittium adaiosporum sp. nov. R.T. William and Strongman, Smittium cryptancora sp. nov. R.T. William and Strongman , Smittium petilum sp. nov. R.T. William and Strongman, Smittium peculiare sp. nov. R.T. William and Strongman, Stachylina abundans sp. nov. R.T. William and Strongman, Stachylina extensiva sp. nov. R.T. William and Strongman, Stachylina infrequens sp. nov. R.T. William and Strongman, Stachylina somnisimilis sp. nov. R.T. William and Strongman, and Stachylina uranus sp. nov. R.T. William and Strongman. In addition, a new continental record for Smittium hecatei L.G. Valle & Santam. previously reported from Spain and new regional geographic records for Smittium minutisporum Lichtw., Siri & M.M. White and Smittium mucronatum Manier & Mathiez ex Manier are documented. In addition, 14 other trichomycetes previously reported from Atlantic Canada were recorded and these included both harpellid fungi and protists in the genus Paramoebidium. Insects from the orders Diptera, Ephemeroptera, and Plecoptera were all found to contain trichomycetes. Data on the frequency of occurrence and the habitat preference for some gut fungi are discussed.
Solvated First-Principles Excited-State Charge-Transfer Dynamics with Time-Dependent Polarizable Continuum Model and Solvent Dielectric Relaxation

A first-principles solvated electronic dynamics method with a solvent relaxation mechanism is introduced in this work. Both solvent and solute are described and propagated in time by coupling the solvent implicit reaction field to the time-dependent electronic density of the solute molecule. Meanwhile, the solvent is allowed to relax from being optically active to a bath-like bulk medium, modeled by a time-dependent dielectric relaxation function. This real-time, time-dependent approach is shown to demonstrate aptly the drastic effect of solvent on the dynamics of the charge-transfer process, yielding results consistent with experimental observations.
Single-Site and Monolayer Surface Hydration Energy of Anatase and Rutile Nanoparticles Using Density Functional Theory

Models of 1, 2, and 3 nm diameter anatase and rutile particles, with either a surface monolayer of water or a single water molecule at different surface sites, were subjected to energy minimization...
Temporal Dysynchrony in brain connectivity gene expression following hypoxia

Despite the fundamental biological importance and clinical relevance of characterizing the effects of chronic hypoxia exposure on central nervous system (CNS) development, the changes in gene expression from hypoxia are unknown. It is not known if there are unifying principles, properties, or logic in the response of the developing CNS to hypoxic exposure. Here, we use the small vertebrate zebrafish (Danio rerio) to study the effects of hypoxia on connectivity gene expression across development. We perform transcriptional profiling at high temporal resolution to systematically determine and then experimentally validate the response of CNS connectivity genes to hypoxia exposure. We characterized mRNA changes during development, comparing the effects of chronic hypoxia exposure at different time-points. We focused on changes in expression levels of a subset of 1270 genes selected for their roles in development of CNS connectivity, including axon pathfinding and synapse formation. We found that the majority of CNS connectivity genes were unaffected by hypoxia. However, for a small subset of genes hypoxia significantly affected their gene expression profiles. In particular, hypoxia appeared to affect both the timing and levels of expression, including altering expression of interacting gene pairs in a fashion that would potentially disrupt normal function. Overall, our study identifies the response of CNS connectivity genes to hypoxia exposure during development. While for most genes hypoxia did not significantly affect expression, for a subset of genes hypoxia changed both levels and timing of expression. Importantly, we identified that some genes with interacting proteins, for example receptor/ligand pairs, had dissimilar responses to hypoxia that would be expected to interfere with their function. The observed dysynchrony of gene expression could impair the development of normal CNS connectivity maps.
Blood flow dynamics in the vertebrobasilar system: Correlation of a transparent elastic model and MR angiography

PURPOSE To describe the flow patterns in a model of the vertebrobasilar artery and use these observations to explain the appearance of the flow on the MR images. METHODS We created an anatomically precise, transparent elastic model of the human vertebrobasilar artery containing a basilar tip aneurysm and perfused the model with non-Newtonian fluid which has similar rheologic properties to blood. Flow patterns in the vessels were directly observed. MR angiogram images were obtained with commercially available two-dimensional time-of-flight, three-dimensional time-of-flight, and 3-D phase-contrast MR angiographic pulse sequences, and they were correlated with the directly seen flow patterns. Quantitative flow velocity measurements were performed with 2-D cine phase-contrast MR angiography and correlated with the flow measured with an electromagnetic flow meter. RESULTS Visualization studies showed the dye stream patterns in the vertebrobasilar arteries to be extremely complex and variable. During the MR experiments we found that often the same segment of a vessel could appear very different depending on the pulse sequence. In some instances, the model experiments helped to explain the MR appearance of the vessels. Flow profiles measured with 2-D cine phase contrast were found to be consistent with those measured directly with an electromagnetic flow meter. CONCLUSION Clear elastic models can be used to duplicate the flow in human cranial vessels and thus provide a unique means to observe these flow patterns directly. The flow patterns helped to explain the variation in appearance of the vessels and the artifacts with different MR angiography pulse sequences. The artifacts depend on both the geometry of the vessel and the flow pattern within it. Two-dimensional cine phase-contrast MR provides temporal flow field information that is directly related to physiological information about flow volumes and velocity patterns.
The capacitive Transducer Performance Test and Result Analysis

The capacitive transducer is widely used in geotechnical engineering at home and abroad. This paper describes the principle and basic characteristics of capacitive transducer and main content and method of its performance test. The result analysis of more than 60 transducer type tests shows that the capacitive transducer is high in accuracy,harsh environment-resistant,stable in performance,etc. It is suitable for safety monitoring of geotechnical engineering.
[The etiological identification of an aseptic encephalitis outbreak (ten cases) in a hospital of Xiamen city, 2011].

Objective To identify the etiology of an aseptic encephalitis outbreak (ten cases) in a hospital of Xiamen city from 11 to 17 May, 2011.Methods A total of ten patients′ throat swabs, anal swabs and cerebrospinal fluid were collected and detected by RT-PCR for pan-enterovirus. The samples containing detectable pan-enterovirus were tested by PCR with genotype-specific general primers located in VP1 region of enterovirus genotype A, B and C (HEV-A, B and C). The PCR products of VP1 segment were purified and sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was performed. Meanwhile, the pathogens in those samples were isolated in Vero cell culture. Homologous analysis of VP1 sequences were carried out for the cultured virus samples and the original clinical samples to identify the outbreak etiology.Results Among the ten cases, seven cases were positive for pan-enterovirus nucleic acid. When tested by genotype-specific PCR, the throat and anal swab samples from those 7 patients were positive with HEV-B VP1 primers. Meanwhile, the HEV-B VP1 segments were sequenced and phylogenetic analyzed, which indicated the seven cases were all infected by enterovirus Echo 30. The sequences from those samples had homology of 95.3%-97.1% with the epidemic strains in Zhejiang, 2004. Out of the seven cases, the sequences of XM2,XM3,XM4,XM8 throat swab samples and XM3,XM6 throat samples showed 99.4%-100.0% homology which were different from the sequence of XM1, and the homology was 92.8%-93.4%. Furthermore, the viruses were isolated using Vero cells from XM1,XM2,XM3,XM4 and XM8 throat swab samples,and the VP1 sequence showed more than 99.9% homology with the original specimens.Conclusion The local outbreak of aseptic encephalitis was caused by Echo 30 of enterovirus genotype B, and the epidemic strains may have different genetic background. Key words: Encephalitis; Enterovirus; Echo virus 30
Reoperation on prosthetic heart valves. An analysis of risk factors in 552 patients.

Five hundred fifty-two patients underwent a total of 617 reoperations for repair or replacement of a prosthetic heart valve. Operative mortality for first reoperation (530 patients) was 5.9% for the aortic position and 19.6% for the mitral position. Overall operative mortality was 14% for second reoperation (69 patients) and 7% for third reoperation (14 patients). In addition to valve position, operative mortality for first reoperation appeared to be related to pre-reoperation functional class and urgency of operation. First reoperation for mitral valve patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II was 4.2%; for Class III. 9.3%; and for Class IV, 41%. In the aortic position, operative mortality was 2.4% for Class I, 1.6% for Class II, 6.3% for Class III, and 20.8% for Class IV. The mortality for elective mitral valve reoperation was 0%; for urgent operation, 20.3%; and for emergency procedures, 54.5%. Elective aortic valve reoperation carried a 1.4% mortality; urgent procedures, 8%; and emergency procedures, 37.5%. No significant differences in bleeding complications were noted between reoperations and initial valve replacement. The data appear to suggest that when significant valve dysfunction is first noted, reoperation should be undertaken to minimize operative risk.
SU-F-T-453: Improved Head and Neck SBRT Treatment Planning Using PlanIQ

Purpose: Treatment planning for Head and Neck(HN) re-irradiation is a challenge because of ablative doses to target volume and strict critical structure constraints. PlanIQ(Sun Nuclear Corporation) can assess the feasibility of clinical goals and quantitatively measure plan quality. Here, we assess whether incorporation of PlanIQ in our SBRT treatment planning process can improve plan quality and planning efficiency. Methods: From 2013–2015, 35 patients (29 retrospective, 6 prospective) with recurrent HN tumors were treated with SBRT using VMAT treatment plans. The median prescription dose was 45 Gy in 5 fractions. We retrospectively reviewed the treatment plans and physician directives of our first 29 patients and generated score functions of the dosimetric goals used in our practice and obtained a baseline histogram. We then re-optimized 12 plans that had potential to further reduce organs-at-risk (OAR) doses according to PlanIQ feasibility DVH and plan quality analysis and compared them to the original plans. We applied our new PlanIQ-assisted planning process for our 6 most recently treated patients and evaluated the plan quality and planning efficiency. Results: The mean plan quality metric(PQM) and feasibility adjusted PQM(APQM) scores of our initial 29 treatment plans were 77.1±13.1 and 88.7±11.9, respectively (0–100 scale). The PQM and APQM scores for the 12 optimized plans improved from 75.9±11.0 and 85.1±10.2 to 80.7±9.3 and 90.2±8.0, respectively (p<0.005). Using our newly developed PlanIQ-assisted planning process, the PQM and APQM scores for the 6 most recently treated patients were 93.6±6.5 and 99.1±0.6, respectively. The planning goals were more straightforward to minimize OAR doses during optimization, thus less planning and revision time were used than before. Conclusion: PlanIQ has the potential to provide achievable planning goals and also improve plan quality and planning efficiency.
Specifying and executing optimizations for generalized control flow graphs

Abstract Optimizations performed by compilers, usually expressed as rewrites on program graphs, are a core part of modern compilers. However, even production compilers have bugs, and these bugs are difficult to detect and resolve. In this paper we present Morpheus, a domain-specific language for formal specification of program transformations, and describe its executable semantics. The fundamental approach of Morpheus is to describe program transformations as rewrites on control flow graphs with temporal logic side conditions. The syntax of Morpheus allows cleaner, more comprehensible specifications of program optimizations; its executable semantics allows these specifications to act as prototypes for the optimizations themselves, so that candidate optimizations can be tested and refined before going on to include them in a compiler. We demonstrate the use of Morpheus to state, test, and refine the specification of a variety of transformations, including a simple loop peeling transformation for single-threaded code and a redundant store elimination optimization on parallel programs.
Are Sponsored Blog Posts a Good Thing? Exploring the Role of Authenticity in the Fashion Blogosphere

Making an appearance in the mid-1990s, blogs were first viewed primarily as “internet sites that served as a platform for open communication and detailed discussions” (Rocamora 2011, p. 408). Although blogs were promoted as a tool for everyone, at the time, the technology was mostly used for political and educational discourse. It was not until the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001 that blog use achieved worldwide popularity (Rocamora 2011). As bloggers began to see the benefits of blogs as a communication tool, they started to expand beyond the topics of politics and education. Many researchers consider this moment in history to be the birth of personal blogging (Chittenden 2010; Rocamora 2011).
Language contact, language learning, and language change

Introduction Any account of human language must address a host of facts and observations about the structure and use of language varieties of the world, including non-standard varieties such as immigrant speech, pidgins, creoles, and mixed languages. Most linguists, as well as scholars who study different languages from other perspectives (e.g., psychologists, sociologists, etc.), would likely agree with Givon (1998:41) that human language combines two major ‘mega functions’ of representation of knowledge and communication of represented knowledge . As the point of departure for a functional approach to human language, Givon (ibid.:42) proposes the evolutionary-adaptive approach in biology, in which structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) are studied not as separate from, but rather as complements to, one another. Rather than positing a single mutation in human kind that triggers the change from a protolanguage into a full human language (that is, a ‘catastrophic’ event which was the cause for the emergence of basic phrasal–clausal structure (Bickerton 2000:281)), functionalists such as Givon assume a gradual process whereby the link between proto- and full human language is gradual and incremental. Givon frames the distinction not in terms of language, but rather in terms of communication systems, differentiating between pre-grammatical and grammatical communication. He notes that ‘humans can – under a variety of developmental or neurological conditions – communicate readily without grammar, using a well-coded lexicon with some rudimentary combinatorial rules’ (1998:49). The differences between pre-grammatical and grammatical communication are expressed by Givon in terms of the structural, functional, and cognitive properties, shown in Table 1.1, which I have adapted slightly to express the differences as being a matter of degree rather than being dichotomous.
THE DISCONNECTED JUROR: SMART DEVICES AND JURIES IN THE DIGITAL AGE OF LITIGATION

As we progress toward a post-digital age of individuals becoming one with technology, the legal profession will encounter an increasing number of jurors who have never known life without the Internet, social media or mobile devices. At the same time an increasing number of citizens are becoming dependent on digital technology, state supreme courts, state trial judges, and federal judges from across the nation are banning and confiscating cell phones, tablets, and other devices of connection to prevent jurors from engaging in misconduct. This article illuminates the unintended consequences that arise when courts remove from a sitting juror an individual mechanism of connection and possession. Combining research in the field of digital networking with the Supreme Court’s opinion in Riley v. California, the Author argues that individual expectations of constant connection and digital privacy will result in rushed verdicts and distracted deliberations when jurors are forced to separate from their smart phones.
Long Reinforced Concrete Columns: A Symposium: Ultimate Strength of Hinged Columns

Theoretical analyses are presented for the ultimate strength of long hinged reinforced concrete columns. Both concentric and eccentric loads are considered. The treatment of concentrically loaded c...
The Effect of Thermal Cycling on Mechanical Behavior of U-10Mo Monolithic Mini-Plate

Mini fuel plates used in Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) undergo five steps during the reator operation: startup, ATR Cycle 146A, transition from Cycle 146A to 146B, ATR Cycle 146B, and shutdown. Although the overall irradiation behavior of U-10Mo fuel is expected to be similar to the reactors operating at comparable power levels, there is a concern regarding how variation in operation schedules (that is, how many start-ups and shut-downs could be inserted during the Cycle A and Cycle B) may affect the mechanical behavior of the fuel plate during operation. To investigate any potential effect of number of start-stop activities, we simulated the thermo-mechanical behavior of L1P756 mini-plate, one of fuel plates inserted in ATR under RERTR-12 irradiation conditions with various numbers of start-stop activities artificially added at different points of time in irradiation cycle.This paper reviews four cases by varying the number of thermal cycles. Finite Element (FE) analyses were performed on the cases to investigate the effect of thermal cycling on the mechanical performance of L1P756 mini-plate. As a result, we observed that U-10Mo is in low stress level during the irradiation Cycle A and B due to creep behavior and that the maximum stress of aluminum cladding increases as the irradiation Cycle A and Cycle B proceeds. However, the number of thermal cycles did not affect the maximum stresses of U-10Mo, liner, and aluminum cladding.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Comparative outcomes in glioblastoma based on age and MGMT analysis: The Cleveland Clinic experience.

e13514Background: Half of glioblastoma (GBM) patients are > 65 years old (yo). We report our experience with GBM patients treated at a tertiary care center and compared outcomes in the two age groups. Methods: Half of glioblastoma (GBM) patients are > 65 years old (yo). We report our experience with GBM patients treated at a tertiary care center and compared outcomes in the two age groups. Results: 1165 patients were included in the final analysis. 598 patients were 65 yo. Patients who received chemotherapy + radiation (chemoRT) had a lower risk of death compared to patients who received RT only (p < 0.001). Although the benefit of chemoRT seems more pronounced in patients ≥ 65 years of age [HR 0.45 (95% CI 0.36, 0.57) vs 0.61 in patients < 65 yo (0.48, 0.80), (p = 0.04)], the difference in effects is not significant (p = 0.07). For both MGMT-unmethylated and MGMT-methylated patients, although chemoRT had a better OS/PFS than RT only, the impact was similar in both age groups. Pati...
From “Jewish Memory” to Jewish History: Two Perspectives

In his influential Zakhor: Jewish History and Jewish Memory, Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi analyzed brilliantly the transition in Jewish conceptions of Jewish history from premodern to modern times. The present paper discusses a number of alternative perspectives on this transition. Yerushalmi argued convincingly the importance of the traditional conception of Jewish history, which he labeled “Jewish memory,” for Jewish survival. This paper challenges the terminology, agrees with the role played by the traditional Jewish thinking in Jewish survival, and emphasizes the premodern circumstances that made the traditional thinking so vital and effective. With respect to modern conceptions of Jewish history, which Yerushalmi associates with Jewish history writing, this paper argues that an examination of the circumstances of modernity reveals the creativity of this altered view of the Jewish past and the ways in which it in turn has fostered Jewish survival in the face of radically new challenges.
Trusting homeostatic cues versus accepting hedonic cues: A randomized controlled trial comparing two distinct mindfulness-based intervention components

Abstract Objective Mindfulness-informed cognitive behavioral interventions for obesity are promising. However, results on the efficacy of such treatments are inconsistent which in part may be due to their substantially different methods of practice. This study is the first direct comparison of two theoretically distinct mindfulness-based weight loss approaches: increasing awareness of homeostatic/innate physiological cues versus hedonic/externally-driven cues for eating. Methods Overweight adults were randomized to one of three group-based workshops: Mindful Eating (ME; n = 21), Mindful Decision-Making (MD; n = 17), or active standard behavioral control (SC; n = 19). Outcome measures included percent weight change and reduction in caloric intake from baseline to 6 weeks. Results Differences in weight loss and calorie reduction did not differ significantly among groups. However, the difference in weight loss between the MD and ME groups trended towards significance, with medium-large effect sizes. Conclusions Results provide modest preliminary evidence for the utility of mindful decision-making strategies over mindful eating for short-term weight loss and calorie reduction.
Choice Between Fluorescent and Poultry-Specific LED Lights by Pullets and Laying Hens

Light plays an important role in poultry development, production performance, health, and well-being. Light technology continues to advance, and accordingly new light products are finding applications in poultry operations. However, research concerning responses of young and adult laying hens to light sources is relatively lacking. This study assessed the choice between a Dim-to-Red poultry-specific light-emitting diode (LED) light (PS-LED, correlated color temperature or CCT = 2000K) and a warm-white fluorescent light (FL, CCT = 2700K) by pullets and laying hens (W-36 breed) via preference test. Birds with different prior lighting experiences were evaluated for their light choice, including (1) pullets (14 to 16 weeks of age or WOA) reared under incandescent light (designated as PINC), (2) layers (44 to 50 WOA) under PS-LED (LLED) throughout the pullet and laying phases, and (3) layers under FL (LFL) throughout the pullet and laying phases. Each bird category consisted of 12 replicates, three birds per replicate. Each replicate involved a 6-day preference test, during which the birds could move freely between two interconnected compartments that contained PS-LED and FL, respectively. Time spent and feed intake by the birds under each light were measured and then analyzed with generalized linear mixed models. Results showed that regardless of prior lighting experience, birds in all cases showed stronger choice for FL (p = 0.001 to 0.030), as evidenced by higher proportions of time spent under it. Specifically, the proportion of time spent (mean ±SEM) under FL versus PS-LED was 58.0% ±2.9% vs. 42.0% ±2.9% for PINC, 53.7% ±1.6% vs. 46.3% ±1.6% for LLED, and 54.2% ±1.2% vs. 45.8% ±1.2% for LFL. However, the proportions of daily feed intake occurring under FL and PS-LED were comparable in all cases (p = 0.419 to 0.749). The study thus reveals that prior lighting experience of the pullets or layers did not affect their choice of FL versus PS-LED. While the birds exhibited a somewhat stronger choice for FL, this tendency did not translate into differences in the proportion of feed use under each light type.
Portable Diagnostic for Malaria Detection in Low-Resource Settings

We have designed a novel device to identify malaria in both symptomatic and asymptomatic populations by detecting the presence of hemozoin. Here, we detect clinically relevant concentrations of β-hematin, a synthetic mimic of hemozoin.
Cervical Puncture to Deliver Nusinersen in Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and no Lumbar Access (P2.333)

Objective: To report our experience of delivering intrathecal nusinersen through cervical puncture in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients with no lumbar access. Background: SMA is a fatal autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder characterized by profound muscle weakness, atrophy, and paralysis due to degeneration of the anterior horn cells. Nusinersen, an antisense oligonucleotide, was approved as first treatment by FDA in Dec 2016 based on rigorous clinical trials showing dramatic improvements in muscle strength and function in patients with infantile-onset SMA (likely to develop type 1 SMA). Nusinersen is administered intrathecally via lumbar puncture; however, many patients with SMA have scoliosis and/or solid spinal fusion with hardware that make lumbar access impossible. Studies have demonstrated better spinal cord tissue concentration with intrathecal injections than with intracerebral ventricular injections in non-human primates. Therefore we have used cervical C1/C2 puncture as an alternative way to administer nusinersen. Design/Methods: Retrospective chart review Results: Intrathecal nusinersen via lateral cervical puncture was given to three patients who had thoracic and lumbosacral spinal fusion: 12 year old girl with type 1 SMA and two 17 year old girls with type 2 SMA. Cervical puncture was performed without sedation under fluoroscopic guidance by interventional radiology. Thecal sac was punctured using a 25 or a 24 -gauge Whitacre needle in the posterior aspect of C1–C2 interspace and full dose of nusinersen (12 mg/5 ml) was injected after visualizing free cerebrospinal fluid flow. All three patients completed their loading doses of nusinersen and tolerated the procedure well. No complications were experienced in any of these three patients. No patient had headaches with any of the injections. Conclusions: Lateral cervical puncture appeared to be a safe and tolerable route to administer intrathecal nusinersen in those patients with longstanding SMA and spine anatomy precluding lumbar access. Disclosure: Dr. Veerapandiyan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pal has nothing to disclose. Dr. DAmbrosio has nothing to disclose. Dr. Young has nothing to disclose. Dr. Eichinger has nothing to disclose. Dr. Collins has nothing to disclose. Dr. Westesson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kwon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ciafaloni has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Sarepta, Santhera.
The Visual Network Model

The term logistics network was defined in Chapter 2 (Section 2.4), as an ordered set of logistics nodes (bases, facilities, plants, logistics units) and lines of communication (LOCs). The logistics network embodies the physical components and attributes of an operational logistics (OpLog) system. In particular, it represents the logistics deployment in the theater of operations and the logistics support chain (see definitions of these terms in Chapter 2, Section 2.4). The logistics nodes and the LOCs constitute the OpLog deployment, while the logistics flow in this network is generated by the logistics support chain. Thus, the logistics network is a tangible, observable and measurable entity. It is the physical manifestation of the OpLog system.
Facile and Massive Aluminothermic Synthesis of Mayenite Electrides from Cost-Effective Oxide and Metal Precursors.

Subnanoporous mayenite electride [Ca24Al28O64]4+(O2–)2–x(e–)2x (C12A7:e–) as the first room temperature-stable inorganic electride has attracted intensive attention because of its fascinating chemical, electrical, optical, and magnetic properties. However, it usually needs to be synthesized through a complicated multistep process involving high temperature (e.g., 1350 °C) precrystallization, severe reduction (e.g., 700–1300 °C for up to 240 h in Ca or Ti metal vapor atmosphere), and postpurification. Herein, a facile one-step aluminothermic synthesis method was developed for the massive production of C12A7:e– powders directly from a mixture of cost-effective CaO, Al2O3, and Al powders under much milder conditions (e.g., calcination at 1100 °C in flowing Ar for 8 h). By merely adjusting the amount of Al, the electron densities (Ne) in the as-synthesized C12A7:e– can be optimized up to 1.23 × 1021 cm–3, covering the insulator–metal transition (MIT). The further mechanistic studies of this new aluminothermic...
Multi-functional Biomaterials with Clinical Utility.

This manuscript reports the development of a new multi-functional biomaterial to treat periodontal disease that possesses antimicrobial—as well as adhesive—properties and supports bone regeneration. The impact of this work is larger than just the specific application of antimicrobial dental materials; results impact tissue engineered biomaterials, antimicrobial peptides, and osteoimmunology.
Bankruptcy’s Role in the COVID-19 Crisis

Policymakers have minimized the role of bankruptcy law in mitigating the financial fallout from COVID-19. Scholars too are unsure about the merits of bankruptcy, especially Chapter 11, in resolving business distress. We argue that Chapter 11 complements current stimulus policies for large corporations, such as the airlines, and that Treasury should consider making it a precondition for receiving government-backed financing. Chapter 11 offers a flexible, speedy, and crisis-tested tool for preserving businesses, financing them with government funds (if necessary), and ensuring that the costs of distress are borne primarily by investors, not taxpayers. Chapter 11 saves businesses and employment, not shareholders. For consumers and small businesses, however, bankruptcy should serve as a backstop to other policies, such as the CARES Act. Consumer bankruptcy law’s primary goal is to discharge debts, but that’s not what most consumers need right now. What they need is bridge financing, and perhaps forbearance, until the crisis ends, they get back to work, and they regain their ability to pay their debts again. These key policy levers—bridge financing and forbearance—are available in theory to small businesses in Chapter 11, especially if the government supplies the bridge financing when credit markets are dysfunctional. The practical reality is that bankruptcy is expensive for small businesses, which may deter them from using it in the first place. Equally important, our courts will be flooded if Chapter 11 is the primary rescue policy for small businesses.
Thermal transport in compensated semimetals: Effect of electron-electron scattering on Lorenz ratio

It is well known that the electronic thermal conductivity of clean compensated semimetals can be greatly enhanced over the electric conductivity by the availability of an ambipolar mechanism of conduction, whereby electrons and holes flow in the same direction experiencing negligible Coulomb scattering as well as negligible impurity scattering. This enhancement---resulting in a breakdown of the Wiedemann-Franz law with an anomalously large Lorenz ratio---has been recently observed in two-dimensional monolayer and bilayer graphene near the charge neutrality point. In contrast to this, three-dimensional compensated semimetals such as ${\mathrm{WP}}_{2}$ and Sb are typically found to show a reduced Lorenz ratio. We investigate the reasons for this difference, focusing on the low-temperature regime where the electron-electron scattering is expected to dominate over other scattering mechanisms. We show that the different regimes of Fermi statistics (nondegenerate electron-hole liquid in graphene versus degenerate electron-hole liquid in compensated semimetals) are not sufficient to explain the reduction of the Lorenz ratio in the latter. We propose that the solution of the puzzle lies in the large separation of electron and hole pockets in momentum space, which allows compensated semimetals to sustain sizable regions of electron-hole accumulation near the contacts. These accumulations suppress the ambipolar conduction mechanism and effectively split the system into two independent electron and hole conductors. We present a quantitative theory of the crossover from ambipolar to unipolar conduction as a function of the size of the electron-hole accumulation regions, and show that it naturally leads to a sample-size-dependent thermal conductivity.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Highly Effective but Often Overlooked

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receive a range of treatments including but not limited to inhaled bronchodilators, inhaled and systemic corticosteroids, supplemental oxygen, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary intervention that seeks to combine patient education, exercise, and lifestyle changes into a comprehensive program. Programs 6 to 8 weeks in length have been shown to improve health, reduce dyspnea, increase exercise capacity, improve psychological well-being, and reduce healthcare utilization and hospitalization. Although the use of pulmonary rehabilitation is widely supported by the literature, controversy still exists regarding what should be included in the programs. The goal of this review was to summarize the evidence for pulmonary rehabilitation and identify the areas that hold promise in improving its utilization and effectiveness.
Task-based interactional sequences in different modalities: A comparison between computer-mediated written chat and face-to-face oral chat

Abstract Recent research on Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) showed the efficacy of using computer-mediated communication (CMC) to promote second language (L2) learning (Ziegler, 2016). However, few studies compared the interactional sequences during task-based interaction across different modalities (e.g., oral and written chat). It is thus not clear how different task modalities mediate task-based interaction and L2 learning opportunities. To fill this gap, this study compared CMC written chat and face-to-face (FTF) oral chat for interactional sequences during decision-making tasks. Participants were 20 learners of Chinese (high-elementary to intermediate level) in a U.S. university. Ten participants completed the tasks in CMC, while the other 10 completed the same tasks in FTF. The interaction data were analyzed for frequency and patterns of interactional strategies. Three types of interactional sequences emerged in both groups: orientating to tasks, suggesting actions and evaluating suggestions. CMC participants suggested actions more frequently than FTF participants. While both groups predominantly agreed with proposed suggestions, CMC dyads expressed disagreement three times more than FTF dyads. CMC dyads also used more utterances to manage task progress. Findings are discussed in terms of the interactional organizations and their potential influence on task-based language use in different modalities.
Toward a political economy of public safety power shutoff: Politics, ideology, and the limits of regulatory choice in California

Abstract California utilities have chosen to shut off electricity delivery to consumers by employing a “Public Safety Power Shutoff” (PSPS) strategy when gusty winds and dry conditions heighten the risk of wild fires, which pose a major threat to life, property, and public health and safety. This paper examines the public policy rationale underlying the PSPS strategy within the context of the policy framework for advancing the commercialization of microgrids as a means of mitigating the effects wildfires and PSPS events. The analysis centers on a case study of the outcome of the first phase of the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) microgrid rulemaking proceeding, pursuant to Senate Bill 1339. The theory of structural interests is used to explain how political and ideological conflict among key stakeholders, including developers, environmentalists and social justice advocates, and the clash between investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and community choice aggregators (CCAs) over market share, fought in the regulatory arena, reveal contrasting visions about the future of energy delivery, and expose the limitations of policy choices faced by regulators in adjudicating disputes. Qualitative content and documentary analysis, supplemented with participant observation, were the principal research methods used to support the analysis and the interpretative narrative presentation. This case study provides some cautionary lessons for the nation’s public utility regulators to avoid “regulatory inertia” in their decision-making process, and to confront practical tradeoffs when balancing legitimate interests in serving the public good against the desire to promote long-term environmental goals.
Extracellular Vesicle Analysis Allows for Identification of Invasive IPMN.

Background and Aims Advances in cross-sectional imaging have resulted in increased detection of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), and their management remains controversial. At present, there is no reliable noninvasive method to distinguish between indolent and high risk IPMNs. We performed extracellular vesicle (EV) analysis to identify markers of malignancy in an attempt to better stratify these lesions. Methods Using a novel ultrasensitive digital extracellular vesicle screening technique (DEST), we measured putative biomarkers of malignancy (MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC6, Das-1, STMN1, TSP1, TSP2, EGFR, EpCAM, GPC1, WNT-2, EphA2, S100A4, PSCA, MUC13, ZEB1, PLEC1, HOOK1, PTPN6, and FBN1) in EV from patient-derived cell lines and then on circulating EV obtained from peripheral blood drawn from patients with IPMNs. We enrolled a total of 133 patients in two separate cohorts: a clinical discovery cohort (n = 86) and a validation cohort (n = 47). Results From 16 validated EV proteins in plasma samples collected from the discovery cohort, only MUC5AC showed significantly higher levels in high-grade lesions. Of the 11 patients with invasive IPMN (inv/HG), 9 had high MUC5AC expression in plasma EV of the 11 patients with high-grade dysplasia alone, only 1 had high MUC5AC expression (sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 100%). These findings were corroborated in a separate validation cohort. The addition of MUC5AC as a biomarker to imaging and high-risk stigmata allowed detection of all cases requiring surgery, whereas imaging and high-risk stigmata alone would have missed 5 of 14 cases (36%). Conclusions MUC5AC in circulating EV can predict the presence of invasive carcinoma within IPMN. This approach has the potential to improve the management and follow-up of patients with IPMN including avoiding unnecessary surgery.
miRNAs and Müller Glia Reprogramming During Retina Regeneration.

The use of model systems that are capable of robust, spontaneous retina regeneration has allowed for the identification of genetic pathways and components that are required for retina regeneration. Complemented by mouse models in which retina regeneration can be induced after forced expression of key factors, altered chromatin accessibility, or inhibition of kinase/signaling cascades, a clearer picture of the key regulatory events that control retina regeneration is emerging. In all cases, Muller glia (MG) serve as an adult retinal stem cell that must be reprogrammed to allow for regeneration, with the end goal being to understand why regenerative pathways are blocked in mammals, but spontaneous in other vertebrates such as zebrafish. miRNAs have emerged as key gene regulatory molecules that control both development and regeneration in vertebrates. Here, we focus on a small subset of miRNAs that control MG reprogramming during retina regeneration and have the potential to serve as therapeutic targets for treatment of visual disorders and damage.
Fear, fuel, and fire!: Black STEM doctoral students’ career decisions during the Trump presidency

President Trump’s education policies continue to marginalize Black STEM students at the highest levels of education. Responding to a survey on their racialized educational experiences and future ca...
Har-P, a Short P-Element Variant, Weaponizes P-Transposase to Severely Impact Drosophila Gonad Development

When Drosophila mothers lacking P-element-piRNAs (i.e. ISO1) mate with certain fathers harboring active P-elements (i.e. Harwich, Har), hybrid daughters suffer from gonadal dysgenesis (GD), where ovaries collapse from uncontrolled P-element transposition. To discover the P-element driving GD, we selected hybrid D. melanogaster lines with portions of Har DNA within the ISO1 genome. We generated HISR-D and HISR-N lines retaining or losing GD induction, respectively. Despite greatly-reduced numbers of P-elements, HISR-D lines produced as many P-element piRNAs as parental Har. In these lines, we discovered a highly-truncated P-element variant: “Har-P”, which mobilized de novo in all HISR lines. Crossing P-transposase with Har-Ps in HISR-N lines restored GD and revealed a paternal P-element-piRNA-directed imprint on Har-Ps to suppress lethal somatic transposition. Har-P may weaponize P-transposase during catastrophic transposition.
Barriers to Uptake of Insulin Technologies and Novel Solutions

Diabetes-related technology has undergone great advancement in recent years. These technological devices are more commonly utilized in the type 1 diabetes population, which requires insulin as the primary treatment modality. Available devices include insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors, and hybrid systems referred to as automated insulin delivery systems or hybrid closed-loop systems, which combine those two devices along with software algorithms to achieve advanced therapeutic capabilities, including automatic modulation of insulin delivery based on sensor-derived glucose levels to minimize abnormal glucose trends. Use of diabetes technology is associated with significant positive health and psychosocial outcomes, yet utilization rates are generally lacking across both adult and pediatric type 1 diabetes populations in the United States and other countries. There are consistent themes in existing barriers to technology uptake reported by individuals with type 1 diabetes or parents of children with type 1 diabetes, including physical burdens associated with wearing the devices, concerns in navigating the technology and the devices' abilities to meet user expectations, high cost, inadequate resources within the healthcare team to support device use, disparities in technology access, and psychosocial barriers. It is important to understand the common barriers to uptake of not only the automated insulin delivery systems but also their component devices (insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors) to fully support individuals in utilizing these devices and optimizing health benefits. The purpose of this article is to summarize the current automated insulin delivery devices that are available for use in management of type 1 diabetes, review common barriers to uptake of those systems and their component devices, and provide expert opinion on existing and future solutions to identified barriers.