cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wood ash as a liming amendment

Abstract Greenhouse and laboratory experiments were carried out to determine the effectiveness of a wood‐derived ash as a lime replacement. Treatments included wood ash, wood ash and lime admixtures, and lime amendments (ash amendment ranged from 0 to 20.17 and lime amendment from 0 to 4.06 g/kg soil on a dry weight basis). Treatments were compared for influence on soil pH, capacity to supply mineral nutrients to spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. ‘America'), and for effects on soil nutrient retention, leaching and electrical conductivity (EC). Plant dry weight did not differ within lime alone or wood ash alone treatments. However, in admixtures of the two, plant dry weight increased with increasing rate of wood ash addition. Wood ash containing amendments had a greater positive effect on soil pH than did lime only treatments. Wood ash treatments increased soil EC, while lime only treatments had no effect. Losses of mineral elements decreased with successive leachings for treated and control soils. Calcium, K,...
New Digital Media and Their Potential Cognitive Impact on Youth Learning

Our research project sought to capture changes in adolescent cognitions in the last decade as observed by 40 experienced educators in central New England. Through this approach, we captured data and narratives relating to changes in youth over time relating to new digital media (NDM), with a particular emphasis on how these tools impact the typical classroom setting.
The impacts of hysteresis on variably saturated hydrologic response and slope failure

This investigation employs 3D, variably saturated subsurface flow simulation to examine hysteretic effects upon the hydrologic response used to drive unsaturated slope stability assessments at the Coos Bay 1 (CB1) experimental catchment in the Oregon Coast Range, USA. Slope stability is evaluated using the relatively simple infinite slope model for unsaturated soils driven by simulated pore-water pressures for an intense storm that triggered a slope failure at CB1 on 18 November 1996. Simulations employing both hysteretic and non-hysteretic soil–water retention curves indicate that using either the drying soil–water retention curve or an intermediate soil–water retention curve that attempts to average the wetting and drying retention curves underestimates the near-surface hydrologic response and subsequently the potential for slope failure. If hysteresis cannot be considered in the hydrologic simulation, the wetting soil–water retention curve, which is seldom measured, should be used for more physically based slope stability assessment. Without considering hysteresis or using the wetting soil–water retention curve, the potential for landsliding in unsaturated materials may be underestimated and a slope failure could occur when simulations predict stability.
Value of Priority - Is Prioritization Worth It When You Pay for It?

The paper examines prioritization in a queuing system and analyzes whether, in the presence of heterogeneous customers and a costly sorting process, it pays to prioritize. In particular, in our model, the task of gathering information to prioritize/sort jobs consumes resources. We investigate a stylized model in which there are two classes of jobs -- one whose waiting cost is high, called urgent, and the other whose waiting cost is low, called non-urgent. There are two types of employees -- sorters who collect information on a job and then decide whether it is urgent or a non-urgent, and processors who execute the job or provide the service.This paper has three parts. In the first, we study a queuing process with a given exogenous budget. We compare two system designs, a sorter-plus-processor system in which some of the budget is allocated to sorters and the remainder to processors, and a processor-only system in which the entire budget is allocated to processors. We find that when the probability that the arrival is an urgent job has an intermediate value (neither too low nor too high), sorting is beneficial. We also conclude that there is a threshold cost ratio (ratio of waiting cost of urgent jobs to non-urgent jobs) such that if the cost ratio exceeds this threshold, sorting is beneficial and if it does not, it is not beneficial. In the second part, there is no budget, but we minimize the sum of labor costs and waiting costs, and show that both system designs have unique optimal labor costs. We then compare the optimal total costs of the two systems and find which one performs better. In both these parts, we just consider the "only-sorting" scenario in which the information collected by the sorter is just useful for sorting jobs. In the third part, we analyze the two systems in more general cases in which the information collected by the sorter is valuable to the processor and may reduce her processing time.
Hyperbolic Policymakers and Economic Growth

In this note I explore how a non-constant rate of time preference on the part of policymakers affects economic growth. In a simple dynamic general equilibrium model I show that if the incumbent government has a rate of time preference in the form of a quasi-hyperbolic discounting function tax rates can be substantially higher and economic growth considerably lower than the standard case of exponential discounting.
Engineered antifouling microtopographies: Surface pattern effects on cell distribution

Microtopography has been observed to lead to altered attachment behavior for marine fouling organisms; however, quantification of this phenomenon is lacking in the scientific literature. Here, we present quantitative measurement of the disruption of normal attachment behavior of the fouling algae Ulva linza by antifouling microtopographies. The distribution of the diatom Navicula incerta was shown to be unaffected by the presence of topography. The radial distribution function was calculated for both individual zoospores and cells as well as aggregates of zoospores from attachment data for a variety topographic configurations and at a number of different attachment densities. Additionally, the screening distance and maximum values were mapped according to the location of zoospore aggregates within a single unit cell. We found that engineered topographies decreased the distance between spore aggregates compared to that for a smooth control surface; however, the distributions for individual spores were unchanged. We also found that the local attachment site geometry affected the screening distance for aggregates of zoospores, with certain geometries decreasing screening distance and others having no measurable effect. The distribution mapping techniques developed and explored in this article have yielded important insight into the design parameters for antifouling microtopographies that can be implemented in the next generation of antifouling surfaces.
Experimental manipulations of Polemonium foliosissimum: effects on subsequent nectar production, seed production and growth

(1) The carbon budgets of Polemonium foliosissimum individuals were experimentally manipulated. The amount of available carbon was decreased by defoliating 50% of each plant, while available carbon was enhanced by daily watering and by removing either 50% or 100% of the flower buds. (2) Rates of nectar production per flower were constant across all treatments except for a significant increase observed in the watered individuals. (3) There were no consistent changes in average seed set per flower or per plant across treatment groups. (4) Defoliated and control individuals did not differ significantly from one another with respect to average seed weight, but end-of-season underground biomass was significantly less for defoliated plants relative to controls. (5) In the year following treatment, no differences were observed in nectar production per flower, seed production per flower or seed production per plant, although a significant difference in rate of growth was observed. Defoliated plants grew least during the 2-year period, followed by control individuals. The debudded plants increased in size by the greatest margin. (6) The trade-offs between resources allocated to nectar, flowers, seeds and vegetative growth can apparently be expressed in terms of biomass.
18 Velvet Regulation of Fungal Development

The velvet gene, or veA, is a fungal global regulator that has been shown to control diverse cellular processes, including asexual and sexual development. This regulator is conserved in numerous fungal species. Our knowledge of the velvet regulatory system has greatly expanded through studies of the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans, providing insight into its roles, such as control of morphogenesis, as well as its mechanism of action. Furthermore, over the last decade, the velvet regulator has been a research focus of numerous groups within the fungal scientific community, leading to experimental characterization of other velvet homologs in other Aspergillus species and in fungi of other genera. Research efforts have led to the discovery of other fungal proteins presenting a conserved velvet domain, similar to that originally identified in the veA gene product, VeA. These proteins form dimers, heterodimers, and heterotrimeric complexes with other proteins also involved in the regulation of morphogenesis, as well as metabolism and other cellular functions, in response to environmental stimuli, such as light or carbon source. This review focuses mainly on the current knowledge of the velvet regulatory system and its function in development and briefly describes other velvet-dependent roles in fungal species. The increasing advances in the elucidation of the mechanism of action of velvet proteins and interacting partners could facilitate the enhancement of beneficial aspects of fungi while decreasing detrimental impacts.
Research for the CAN Controller Driver in Linux

Corresponding drivers should be designed for the use of all kinds of the Can devices in the embedded operation system of Linux.This article takes the driver of the CAN controller MCP2510 in AT91RM9200 for example,and analyzes the develop- ment process and skill of the CAN driver.The relevant important data structures and operating codes are written by combining with the technological characteristics of the CAN bus.Finally,the methods of load and test about the driver are introduced.
Animal model of human disease. Diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis in mice induced by treatment with butylated hydroxytoluene and oxygen.

It is proposed that the pulmonary fibrosis induced in mice by treatment with BHT and oxygen is a good experimental model for human pulmonary fibrosis. The mechanism of synergistic and additive effects of various agents on pulmonary injury and the epithelial mesenchymal interactions occurring during the early and late phases of lung repair could be studied. This model could be used for study of the effects of various concentrations of oxygen on diffusely damaged lung and assessment of the efficacy of drugs in preventing or resolving excessive collagen accumulation in lung. In addition, the relationship between pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema could be studied.
Growth, development, and carcass composition in five genotypes of swine.

An experiment with 127 barrows representing five genotypes, 1) H x HD, 2) SYN, 3) HD x L[YD], 4) L x YD, and 5) Y x L (H = Hampshire, D = Duroc, SYN = synthetic terminal sire line, L = Landrace, and Y = Yorkshire), was conducted to evaluate growth and development of swine from 59 to 127 kg live weight. Animals were allowed ad libitum access to a pelleted finishing diet containing 18.5% CP, .95% lysine, and 10.5% fat, with an energy density of 3,594 kcal of ME/kg. Pigs were serially slaughtered at either 59, 100, 114, or 127 kg live BW. After slaughter, carcasses were chilled and backfat was measured at four locations. The right side of each carcass was fabricated into primal cuts of ham, loin, Boston Butt, picnic, and belly. Composition of each primal cut was determined by physical dissection into lean, fat, bone, and skin. Estimated allometric growth coefficients for carcass length, carcass weight, and longissimus muscle area relative to BW; carcass lean, fat, bone, and skin relative to both BW and carcass weight; and lean in each of the primal cuts relative to total carcass lean did not differ (P greater than .05) among genotypes. Relative to BW, the pooled growth coefficient(s) for carcass weight was (were) greater (P less than .001) than unity, whereas those for carcass length, longissimus muscle area, and backfat at first rib were smaller (P less than .001) than unity. Those for other backfat measurements were close to 1.00. Relative to either BW or carcass weight, the pooled coefficient(s) for fat was (were) greater (P less than .001) than unity, whereas those for lean, bone, and skin were smaller (P less than .001) than unity. Growth of lean, backfat, bone, and skin in the carcass were nearly linearly associated with increases in BW. The increase in fat weight was curvilinear as the pig grew and was accelerated in later growth stages, indicating that carcass fat percentage increased with increased BW.
From Enmity to Amity

The On-line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences [5] is well-known. It is of major assistance to numerous mathematicians and fuses together diverse lines of mathematical research. For example, searching for 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 14, 22, 35, 56, 90, 145, . . . leads to sequence A001611, the “Fibonacci numbers + 1”, listing about א0 comments, references, links, formulas, Maple and Mathematica programs and crossreferences to other sequences. Everybody can see that Sequence A000071, which lists the “Fibonacci numbers 1”, has even more material, so by the continuum hypothesis, it must contain at least א1 comments, references, links, formulas, Maple and Mathematica programs and crossreferences to other sequences; and Extensions. Though there are two (unpublished) links common to the two sequences, the respective lists of references of the two sequences have an empty intersection; even in the “Adjacent sequences”, there is no acknowledgment of the other. Moreover, there is no crossreference from one sequence to the other. This is astonishing, bordering on the offensive, since both sequences stem from the same source, the Fibonacci numbers. Are they antagonistic to each other? Our purpose is to show that there should be no animosity between the two sequences; both coexist peacefully in some applications.
Quantitative structure-property relationship model leading to virtual screening of fullerene derivatives: Exploring structural attributes critical for photoconversion efficiency of polymer solar cell acceptors

Abstract The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of pure polymer solar cells (PSCs) remains low, although significantly higher values could be achieved by using PSCs as carrier donors in conjunction with composite fullerene derivative (FD) acceptors. Significant resources, however, are required to experimentally develop and screen FDs that may serve as efficient acceptors in PSCs. Often, the materials are expensive, the methods are time consuming, and the production processes can generate toxic hazards. As an alternative approach, we introduce a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model for predicting the PCE of 59 FDs, including both C60 and C70 FDs. The QSPR model enables identification of the essential structural attributes necessary for quantifying the molecular prerequisites of diverse FDs, chiefly responsible for high PCE of PSC acceptors in composition with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). The identified properties and structural fragments are particularly valuable for guiding future synthetic efforts for development of FDs with improved power conversion efficiency. Furthermore, a large number of FDs are collected to generate a database. Virtual screening of the database employing the developed QSPR model allows for identification of nine FDs with higher PCE than previously studied FDs.
Hemophilia: Past and Present

This chapter examines the doctor–patient relationship using the paradigm of hemophilia. It describes how this relationship was severely tested between 1981 and 1985, when boys and young men discovered that they had been infected with physician-prescribed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-contaminated clotting factor concentrates. The availability of safe concentrates in late 1984 and the introduction of effective treatment for HIV infection in 1985 restored the faith of hemophiliacs in the medical establishment. In addition, many of their physicians became expert in the management of HIV infection. Although health care in the United States has greatly improved, hemophiliacs in developing countries still lack safe and effective blood products and antiviral medications. Even in wealthy countries, the cost of recombinant clotting factor imposes a tremendous financial burden on hemophiliacs and their families. To avoid the need for repeated intravenous infusions of clotting factor, current research is focused on curing inherited diseases such as hemophilia by replacing the mutated gene with a healthy counterpart.
Association Between Cesarean Birth and Risk of Obesity in Offspring in Childhood, Adolescence, and Early Adulthood

Importance Cesarean birth has been associated with higher risk of obesity in offspring, but previous studies have focused primarily on childhood obesity and have been hampered by limited control for confounders. Objective To investigate the association between cesarean birth and risk of obesity in offspring. Design, Setting, and Participants A prospective cohort study was conducted from September 1, 1996, to December 31, 2012, among participants of the Growing Up Today Study, including 22 068 offspring born to 15 271 women, followed up via questionnaire from ages 9 to 14 through ages 20 to 28 years. Data analysis was conducted from October 10, 2015, to June 14, 2016. Exposure Birth by cesarean delivery. Main Outcomes and Measures Risk of obesity based on International Obesity Task Force or World Health Organization body mass index cutoffs, depending on age. Secondary outcomes included risks of obesity associated with changes in mode of delivery and differences in risk between siblings whose modes of birth were discordant. Results Of the 22 068 offspring (20 950 white; 9359 male and 12 709 female), 4921 individuals (22.3%) were born by cesarean delivery. The cumulative risk of obesity through the end of follow-up was 13% among all participants. The adjusted risk ratio for obesity among offspring delivered via cesarean birth vs those delivered via vaginal birth was 1.15 (95% CI, 1.06-1.26; P = .002). This association was stronger among women without known indications for cesarean delivery (adjusted risk ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.09-1.54; P = .004). Offspring delivered via vaginal birth among women who had undergone a previous cesarean delivery had a 31% (95% CI, 17%-47%) lower risk of obesity compared with those born to women with repeated cesarean deliveries. In within-family analysis, individuals born by cesarean delivery had 64% (8%-148%) higher odds of obesity than did their siblings born via vaginal delivery. Conclusions and Relevance Cesarean birth was associated with offspring obesity after accounting for major confounding factors. Although additional research is needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying this association, clinicians and patients should weigh this risk when considering cesarean delivery in the absence of a clear indication.
Porous Pillared Clays and Layered Phosphates

This chapter deals with the pillaring of two important classes of layered materials, clays, and tetravalent metal phosphates. An enormous amount of effort has been put forth toward the investigation of the synthesis, structural characterization, and chemical properties of pillared clays. The motivation for this endeavor is the development of materials with pores larger than those of the zeolites, primarily for the cracking of the heavy oil fractions into desired transportation fuels. The tetravalent metal phosphates are remarkable in that they are ion exchangers, can be easily exfoliated, and intercalate a variety of compound types. Their conversion into porous materials by pillaring with metal oxides or organic ligands holds some surprising chemistry.
O-037 MRI-Guided Sclerotherapy for Intraorbital Vascular Malformations: An Updated Experience

Introduction/purpose Despite benign histology, many congenital intra-orbital lesions have an aggressive prognosis owing to the confined orbital space and the intimate optic nerve association – resulting in pain, disfigurement, and vision loss. Complete surgical excision while preserving function may not be possible1 The use of conventional fluoroscopically guided interventions is limited due to inability to visualize soft tissue anatomy. We have previously presented our work evaluating the feasibility of applying interventional MRI technology to access and treat these challenging intraorbital lesions, and now present an update with new patients and multi-year follow up. Materials and methods Ten MRI-guided sclerotherapy procedures were performed on 4 patients (4M, 0F, age = 3–30y) presenting with cystic congenital intraorbital lesions. Patients presented with proptosis (n = 3), visual impairment (n = 2), diplopia (n = 1), ecchymosis (n = 2), and/or pain (n = 1). All procedures were exclusively performed within an interventional MRI suite with an in-room monitor used for real-time needle guidance, injection monitoring and bedside scanner operation. A 22 g MR-compatible needle was inserted into the targeted lesions under “MR-fluoroscopy” using triorthogonal image plane guidance2 to interactively monitor the needle on continuously updated sets of true-FISP images (TR/TE, 4.35/2.18; FA, 60°; NSA, 3; TA, 3.11 s/slice). 0.6% gadolinium was mixed with 5% Ethanolamine Oleate (Ethamolin®) (0.15 ml:1.0 ml vol.) and injected under real-time monitoring using a triorthogonal FLASH sequence (TR/TE,2484/5.4). Follow up on the earliest patients is available for three years. Results Intra-orbital needle insertion and subsequent repositioning were sucesfully performed in all cases. The flexibility of triorthogonal guidance was most helpful in accessing the intraconal retrobulbar space. Active monitoring of sclerosing agent was persistently achieved on 3 planes. Targeted lesions ranged between 1.5 and 4 cm. Three lesions encircled/abutted the optic nerve. Between 1–5.5 mls of sclerosing material were injected per procedure. The smallest lesion was completely filled with sclerosant during each of 2 treatment sessions, with 3 partially filled to avoid excessive intraorbital pressure. Local edema and bruising were a standard finding for 1–2 weeks afterwards. Complete imaging resolution of one lymphatic malformation occurred. The 3 other lesions significantly shrank, without delayed complications. Conclusion This report demonstrates long term success in using MRI technology to treat congenital intraorbital lesions, with no long term or delayed complications to date. This offers a new avenue for those patients who are typically deprived of surgical and other conventional interventional options. References 1 Chung EM, et al. Radiographics 2007;(27):1777–799. 2 Derakhshan JJ, et al. Proc ISMRM 15:487 (2007). Disclosures A. Nicholson: None. T. Powell: None. J. Saunders: None. B. Hayek: None. T. Wojno: None. S. Nour: None.
Development of a novel carbon nanotube based printed and flexible pressure sensor

A flexible carbon nanotube (CNT) based capacitive pressure sensor was developed for the detection of varying applied pressures. The sensor was successfully fabricated using the screen printing technique. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was used as a dielectric layer and it was prepared using a PDMS pre-polymer and a curing agent mixed in a 10:1 ratio. The electrode was directly screen printed using conductive CNT ink onto the PDMS. The capability of the sensor to distinguish between varying applied pressures were investigated based on its capacitive response. It was observed that the CNT-based pressure sensor produced an 8.2% change in capacitance when compared to the base capacitance, for a maximum detectable pressure of 337 kPa. A 0.021% change in capacitance per kPa and a correlation coefficient of 0.9971 was also determined for the CNT-based pressure sensor. The capacitive response of the printed sensor demonstrated the feasibility of employing CNT-based electrodes for the development of efficient, flexible and cost-effective pressure sensors for sports, military, robotic, automotive and biomedical applications.
Characterization of the macrophage infiltrate in a case of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare chronic infectious process of the kidney that results in diffuse destruction of the renal parenchyma [1,2]. The majority of cases of XGP occur in the setting of obstructing nephrolithiasis and are histologically characterized by the presence of lipid-laden foamy macrophages. To date, little is known regarding the molecular and functional phenotype of the infiltrating macrophages observed in cases of XGP. Human CD14+ monocytes can differentiate into macrophages and then become polarized towards two distinct phenotypes [3–5]. Classically activated (also known as M1) macrophages have the ability to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α. Conversely, alternatively activated (also known as M2) macrophages secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10, IL-23, and VEGF. Characterization of the immune infiltrate in cases of XGP is necessary for understanding the pathogenesis of this disease process. Moreover, this knowledge may form the basis of future non-invasive treatment strategies for XGP. Herein, we report the phenotypic characterization of the macrophage infiltrate in a case of XGP.
The Effect of Nonnutritive Sweeteners Added to a Liquid Diet on Volume and Caloric Intake and Weight Gain in Rats.

Objective Long-term effects of diet beverage consumption on the regulation of caloric intake is unclear. The goal of this study was to investigate whether the chronic intake of a liquid diet with nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) would lead to greater appetite and weight gain. Methods Wistar rats were fed a liquid diet (Osmolite) sweetened with nutritive sweetener (NS; sucrose) and NNS (stevia and saccharin) or a nonsweetened control. Intakes and weight gain were measured. Phases 1 and 2 investigated sweetness preference, phase 3 used diets with or without sweeteners, and phase 4 measured the effect on volume of food and caloric intake of alternating between NNS, NS, and control diets. Results In phase 1, rats preferred: stevia, 0.10%; saccharin, 0.20%; and sucrose, 15%. In phase 2, rats preferred the sweetened diet over the control. In phase 3, rats fed the NS diet consumed less volume and more calories but gained less weight. In phase 4, when altering diet from NNS to NS, no differences were observed in appetite or weight gain. Conclusions Using sucrose-sweetened diet as a control, increased weight gain with the ingestion of NNS was observed. However, using a nonsweetened control, neither increased caloric intake nor weight gain occurred with NNS intake. Alternating diets between NNS, NS, and control did not affect the appetite.
“Back to the Future: Françoise d'Eaubonne, Ecofeminism and Ecological Crisis.”

Although most scholars writing in English about feminist thought credit Francoise d'Eaubonne with coining the term "ecofeminism", very few actually discuss the content of any relevant texts written by her. Many also assert that ecofeminism is an essentialist, apolitical, and ahistorical movement with no relevance to current feminist or ecological concerns. This paper will present a response to such critiques through an analysis of the original French text of d'Eaubonne's "Ecologie-Feminisme: Revolution ou Mutation?" ("Ecology-Feminism: Revolution or Mutation", 1978) and will provide a reflection on the historical evolution of the term "ecofeminism" within international feminist circles.
Acoustic Emissions Associated with Drop Impacts

When a liquid drop falling through the air strikes a flat horizontal surface there are acoustic emissions associated with this impact in both the air and the liquid. Under certain conditions, a small air bubble can be entrained in the liquid by the impacting drop and stimulated into volume pulsations that radiate quite strongly. When several drops impact the surface in a short time interval, as in rainfall, the acoustic emissions associated with the drops can be a major contribution to the total acoustic emission over a considerable bandwidth. This paper demonstrates that the major portion of the acoustic emission associated with rainfall is probably not due to the direct impact of the drop with the surface but is primarily due to volume pulsations of gas bubbles entrained in the liquid by the impacting drop.
Airborne LiDAR Measurements and Model Simulations of Tides, Waves, and Surface Slope at the Mouth of the Columbia River

Airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) measurements and model simulations are used to investigate the temporal and spatial variability of the water surface elevation at the mouth of the Columbia River. A series of 15-km transects repeated in 2–3-h flights over a two week period resolve processes at a range of scales that are important to the dynamics of the river mouth region, including tides, surface slope, surface gravity waves, and wave setup. Water surface elevations agree well with a nearby tide gauge with an average difference of 0.01 m and an root mean square error of 0.39 m. Significant wave heights derived from the LiDAR measurements agree well with in situ wave drifter measurements and are observed to react to both bathymetry and spatial/temporal variations in currents, increasing up to 228 % on large ebb tides. Surface slopes varied from $2.7\times 10^{-5}$ to $-2.6\times 10^{-5}$ over the course of a typical tide to as large as $6.3\times 10^{-5}$ to $-4.8\times 10^{-5}$ during a larger tide. The magnitude of the setup and set down due to wave height amplification during ebb tide was estimated to be $4\times 10^{-6}$ . These observations demonstrate that many of the key dynamical variables at river mouths can be determined from airborne remote sensing measurements of water surface elevation and suggest that forthcoming altimetry products, such as those from the Surface Water Ocean Topography altimeter, may be able to provide new insight on monitoring in these complex regions.
Prevention of Recurrent Intracerebral Hemorrhage

The incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has remained unchanged in the last few decades and continues to carry high morbidity and mortality. However, limited data are available on the occurrence of recurrent ICH, in particular, how best to prevent it. Of note, survivors of an initial ICH are at elevated risk of both recurrent ICH and ischemic stroke, which necessitates that the potential benefits and hazards of antithrombotic (antiplatelet and anticoagulant) drugs be carefully considered in these high-risk patients. In view of the relative paucity of prospectively generated data, including dedicated clinical trials, current strategies for secondary prevention of ICH are primarily informed by retrospective analyses, as well as extrapolation from primary ICH and secondary stroke prevention studies. This review summarizes the current data on risk of ICH recurrence, risk factors associated with an increased risk of ICH recurrence, as well as management of antithrombotics, statins, and other modifiable risk factors in the context of avoiding recurrent ICH.
Evaluating ventricular assist device outcomes internationally with a focus on neurological events

Geographical variations in healthcare lend us valuable insight in how a complex array of patient and external factors affects disease processes, treatments and outcomes. Differences in patient demographics, genetics, socioeconomic conditions, clinical practice patterns and regulatory policies provide us with empirical data and sometimes natural experiments to answer questions that are either impractical or unethical to answer with randomised control trials. In the realm of advanced heart failure therapies, ventricular assist devices and heart transplantation have been widely adopted therapies in the USA, Canada and Europe. Facing different regulations on device indication (bridge to transplant (BTT) vs destination therapy (DT)), donor heart availability and heart allocation priority systems, how does the experience of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy compare in these different regions? Does longer transplant waiting time significantly impact the effectiveness and complications of BTT LVAD therapy? And more importantly, what lessons can we learn from each other’s experience? In their Heart paper, Parameshwar et al add to our collective LVAD experience by describing the survival and outcomes of the BTT LVAD population in the UK.1 In the UK, LVAD therapy is funded as a BTT at six approved centres and destination therapy is not funded. All centres are required to submit LVAD therapy data to a national database, adding strength to the comprehensiveness of the study. Utilising this database, the authors analysed all 342 patients who received a HeartMate II or HeartWare HVAD from January 2007 to December 2013 (HeartMate 3 not yet available) and made a few important observations. First, compared with the Interagency Registry for Mechanically …
Optimal Technological Choices After a Structural Break: The Case of the Former Communist Economies

This article analyzes the transition observed after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. It uses a general equilibrium model whereby skill bias in production technol...
P162 EFNEP Nutrition Education Outcomes for Low-Income Youth in Los Angeles County

Objective To improve youth nutrition knowledge and behaviors by implementing and evaluating the USDA Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). EFNEP teaches youth how to develop healthy eating habits, increase physical activity, and practice safe food handling. Use of Theory or Research School-based nutrition education programs have demonstrated effectiveness in improving dietary habits and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Research shows that low-income communities suffer from higher rates of pediatric obesity. Target Audience Low-income youth (ages 5-18) in Los Angeles County. Program Description Trained nutrition educators implemented a six-lesson nutrition class series in schools, after-school programs, or summer programs. Alternately, nutrition educators trained and supported teachers or agency-paid staff to implement the lesson series. Classes were typically held once a week for one hour. The curriculum used varied by grade-level; all curriculum was developed and tested by the University of California and collaborators. Evaluation Methods Randomly selected program participants completed pre/post lesson evaluations. Four separate evaluation tools were used to evaluate students across grade levels. National EFNEP designed and tested the evaluation tools. Results In Federal Fiscal Year 2107/2018 Los Angeles EFNEP graduated 6,761 youth, and selected 1,295 participants to evaluate. Eighty-one percent of evaluated youth improved their abilities to choose foods according to Federal Dietary Recommendations or gained knowledge, 42% improved their physical activity practices or gained knowledge and 44% used safe food handling practices more often or gained knowledge. Improvements were greatest for 9th-12th grade youth, where 99% improved in one or more core area. K-2nd grade youth experienced lower results: 80% improved in one or more core area. Conclusions Los Angeles EFNEP is successful in improving the nutrition, physical activity and food safety knowledge of urban low-income youth. Improvements in knowledge appear to be greater for older youth; more research is needed to determine if these differences are significant. This research has implications for future nutrition education program development including effective targeting of health education topics by grade level. Funding None.
Improved instance segmentation of immune cells in human lupus nephritis biopsies with Mask R-CNN

We demonstrate an instance segmentation method with Mask R-CNN using a ResNet-101 plus Feature Pyramid Network convolutional backbone to segment and classify T cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs) in multi-channel fluorescence confocal images. This network improves on our previous cell distance mapping (CDM) pipeline, which used a custom 10- layer convolutional neural network for cell segmentation. We have validated Mask R-CNN on two independent datasets of fluorescence confocal images: 1) mouse lymph node tissue, and 2) human lupus nephritis (LuN) biopsies. For dataset 1, mice were injected with fluorescent dendritic cells and two populations of fluorescent T cells. Mask R-CNN improved sensitivity averaged across all cell types from 0.88 to 0.94. Specificity improved from 0.92 to 0.95 across all cell types, and intersection over union score (IOU) improved significantly from 0.82 to 0.86 (p < 0.0001). Human LuN biopsies in dataset 2 were stained with two T cell markers and two APC markers, with separate staining panels to identify different populations of APCs. Mask R-CNN again improved segmentation and classification averaged across all cell types, increasing overall sensitivity from 0.72 to 0.76, specificity from 0.86 to 0.93, and significantly increasing IOU from 0.71 to 0.81 (p < 0.0001). Improved IOU scores are particularly important in CDM to be able to quantify cell shape for identification of functional interactions of immune cells. Mask R-CNN is therefore a superior method for instance segmentation of immune cells in microscopy images for image analysis of cellular function in pathological immune states.
Conjugated polymer with dynamic and thermoreversible hydrogen bonding on the backbone

Abstract Two conjugated polymers containing isoindigo (IIDG) or 3,3-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(indolin-2-one) (EBI) with latent hydrogen bonding were synthesized and characterized. The tert-butyloxycarbonyl (t-Boc) side unit could be removed by facile thermal annealing treatment, generating the actual hydrogen-bonded, fully conjugated polymers. Despite the similar structure of IIDG and EBI, the hydrogen bonds formed in two polymers are different. The polymer based on IIDG possesses a “fixed” hydrogen bonding, which won't be dissociated before thermal degradation. On the contrary, the polymer based on EBI exhibits dynamic and thermoreversible hydrogen bonds upon heating and cooling cycles. The dynamic hydrogen bonding enables the investigation of these special conjugated polymers under the decoupling conditions of hydrogen bonding and other intermolecular interactions. Kinetic FTIR was applied to study the association/dissociation process of hydrogen bonds in the polymer. It is demonstrated that the ratio of hydrogen-bonded donor-acceptor units in the polymer thin film could be determined and its impact on optical properties and charge transport was investigated. The results also suggested that the hydrogen bonding driven molecular aggregation in the polymer thin film enhanced the charge transport mobility in the thin film transistor devices.
Cellular neural networks for NP-hard optimization problems

(Dated: February 11, 2008)Nowadays, Cellular Neural Networks (CNN) are practically implemented in parallel, analog com-puters, showing a fast developing trend. Physicist must be aware that such computers are appropri-ate for solving in an elegant manner practically important problems, which are extremely slow onthe classical digital architecture. Here, CNN is used for solving NP-hard optimization problems onlattices. It is proved, that a CNN in which the parameters of all cells can be separately controlled,is the analog correspondent of a two-dimensional Ising type (Edwards-Anderson) spin-glass system.Using the properties of CNN computers a fast optimization method can be built for such problems.Estimating the simulation time needed for solving such NP-hard optimization problems on CNNbased computers, and comparing it with the time needed on normal digital computers using thesimulated annealing algorithm, the results are astonishing: CNN computers would be faster thandigital computers already at 10 ×10 lattice sizes. Hardwares realized nowadays are of 176 ×144size. Also, there seems to be no technical diﬃculties adapting CNN chips for such problems and theneeded local control is expected to be fully developed in the near future.
Cloning and characterization of human estrogen receptor beta promoter.

Estrogen receptors beta (ERbeta) belong to the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors that play critical roles in regulating genes involved in a wide array of biological processes. To investigate regulation of tissue-specific expression of ERbeta, we cloned and characterized a 2.1-kilobase 5'-flanking region of the human ERbeta gene. Two major transcription start sites were identified by primer extension and rapid amplification of 5'-cDNA end. The human ERbeta proximal promoter contains both TATA box and initiator element (Inr) and is GC-rich with a GC content of 65%. An Alu repeat sequence containing an ER-dependent transcription enhancer exists between -1416 and -1703. The full-length 5'-flanking sequence of ERbeta fused to a luciferase reporter exhibited functional promoter activity in ERbeta-positive TSUPr1 cell, but not in ERbeta-negative DU145 cells. In addition, DNase I protection assays of the proximal promoter showed unique protection patterns with nuclear extracts from TSUPr1 cells and ERbeta negative HeLa cells, suggesting presence of cell-specific trans-acting factors that mediate tissue/cell-specific ERbeta expression. Serial deletion analysis revealed that a 293-bp region encompassing the TATA box and Inr element possesses basal promoter activity.
High-Temperature Superconductivity in Size-Selected Metal Nanoclusters: Gas-Phase Spectroscopy and Prototype Devices for Deposition Studies

Metal nanoclusters, composed of tens to thousands of atoms, display the phenomenon of electronic shell structure. This quantum size effect, with its associated level degeneracy, turns out to be highly propitious for superconductivity. Spectroscopy of free aluminum nanoclusters has revealed a pairing phase transition in their electron density of states at a temperature two orders of magnitude higher than the bulk. In addition to gas-phase research on this new family of high-Tc systems, it is important to pursue their use as building blocks for superconducting networks and assemblies. The development of devices suitable for the detection of superconductivity in surface-deposited nanoclusters is outlined.
Recurrent Divergent and Mass Selections in Maize with Physiological and Biochemical Traits: Preliminary and Projected Application

This manuscript was prepared for presentation at a workshop. We have intentionally included controversial and speculative points with the hope that this would stimulate discussion. Our goal has been and is to identify physiological or biochemical traits that will be useful in the selection of superior cultivars.
Preventive Strategies for Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections

Millions of intravascular catheters are purchased each year by hospitals and clinics, placing many patients at risk for serious catheter-related infections. This chapter summarizes the rapidly expanding body of literature concerning prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections in the hope of reducing the risk posed to present and future patients. Prophylaxis with vancomycin or teicoplanin during central venous catheter insertion does not reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection. The addition of prophylactic vancomycin to flush solutions or total parenteral nutrition solutions significantly reduces the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection; however, use of systemic antimicrobial agents to prevent intravascular catheter-related infections is not recommended. Administering very low doses of warfarin reduces thrombosis due to long-term central venous catheters. Use of prophylactic heparin by bolus infusion or when it is added to intravenous solutions does not significantly reduce the risk of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection. Prophylactic heparin significantly reduces the incidence of catheter-related central venous thrombosis in patients with central venous and pulmonary artery catheters. A number of different strategies can be used to prevent serious intravascular catheter-related infections.
Retail Patronage Profile: Rebate Users versus Non-Users

This study examines and compares attitudes of consumers who take advantage of rebate offers with those who have not used such deals. Specifically, consumer attitudes toward store attributes and shopping are examined. The findings suggest that rebate users are more price sensitive and less store loyal than non-users. They look for stores with frequent price promotions and seek information about such stores by monitoring retail advertisements. Planning and strategic issues for the retailer are discussed.
Fault tolerance via component redundancy for a modularized sensitive skin

The objective of this work is to develop a fault tolerant system for a sensitive skin-based motion planning system. The purpose of the skin is to provide real-time collision avoidance for a machine (e.g. a mobile robot or an arm manipulator) operating in an uncertain environment with obstacles. The skin is designed to cover virtually any kind of machine; in the version used in this project the skin covers an industrial arm manipulator and contains about 1000 infrared sensors. In order to operate such a complex system in real time, effective fault tolerance is necessary. The latter is achieved in our system via component redundancy: the distance measurements necessary for motion planning are done using a particular scheme for sensor grouping. The system achieves safe motion planning even if some of the sensors are dead or partially inoperative. Based on the fault tolerance model used a fault tolerance algorithm is developed, tested and demonstrated experimentally.
Efficient Model Checking Using Tabled Resolution

We demonstrate the feasibility of using the XSB tabled logic programming system as a programmable fixed-point engine for implementing efficient local model checkers. In particular, we present XMC, an XSB-based local model checker for a CCS-like value-passing language and the alternation-free fragment of the modal mu-calculus. XMC is written in under 200 lines of XSB code, which constitute a declarative specification of CCS and the modal mu-calculus at the level of semantic equations.
Diet, Obesity and Reflux in the Etiology of Adenocarcinomas of the Esophagus and Gastric Cardia in Humans

Incidence rates for esophageal adenocarcinoma have increased >350% since the mid-1970s. Rates for gastric cardia adenocarcinoma have also increased, although less steeply. This led to the initiation of large population-based case-control studies, particularly in the United States and Sweden, aimed at identifying risk factors for these cancers. Results have been emerging from these studies, with the consistent finding that obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease are important risk factors for these cancers. Analyses of dietary factors are also available and indicate that diets high in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of these cancers, whereas several nutrients, particularly those found in plant foods (fiber, vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate), are associated with a reduced risk. Considering the incidence trends of these cancers and the trends in the prevalence of risk factors, the increasing prevalence of obesity in the United States likely accounts for some of the increased incidence. However, other contributors to the increasing trends have been suggested and will be discussed. Because diet, obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease may not act independently in contributing to these cancers, current research is attempting to identify associations between the three risk factors and potential mechanisms of action to better understand the etiology of these cancers.