cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using maximum entropy to predict suitable habitat for the endangered dwarf wedgemussel in the Maryland Coastal Plain

Species distribution modelling can be useful for the conservation of rare and endangered species. Freshwater mussel declines have thinned species ranges producing spatially fragmented distributions across large areas. Spatial fragmentation in combination with a complex life history and heterogeneous environment makes predictive modelling difficult. A machine learning approach (maximum entropy) was used to model occurrences and suitable habitat for the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon, in Maryland's Coastal Plain catchments. Landscape-scale predictors (e.g. land cover, land use, soil characteristics, geology, flow characteristics, and climate) were used to predict the suitability of individual stream segments for A. heterodon. The best model contained variables at three scales: minimum elevation (segment scale), percentage Tertiary deposits, low intensity development, and woody wetlands (sub-catchment), and percentage low intensity development, pasture/hay agriculture, and average depth to the water table (catchment). Despite a very small sample size owing to the rarity of A. heterodon, cross-validated prediction accuracy was 91%. Most predicted suitable segments occur in catchments not known to contain A. heterodon, which provides opportunities for new discoveries or population restoration. These model predictions can guide surveys toward the streams with the best chance of containing the species or, alternatively, away from those streams with little chance of containing A. heterodon. Developed reaches had low predicted suitability for A. heterodon in the Coastal Plain. Urban and exurban sprawl continues to modify stream ecosystems in the region, underscoring the need to preserve existing populations and to discover and protect new populations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein dynamics: Conformational footprints.

The mechanisms by which proteins evolve new functions can be slow and mysterious. Comprehensive structural analysis of enzyme variants reveal how gradual enrichments of pre-existing populations with the right productive dynamics for new functions can accomplish this aim.
Interactive effects of road salt and leaf litter on wood frog sex ratios and sexual size dimorphism

Myriad natural and anthropogenic chemicals alter aquatic vertebrate sex ratios, with implications for population dynamics. Despite 22 million metric tons of salt applied to US roads annually, with ...
A luminometer for determination of multiple metabolites in undiluted human plasma

A luminescence-based biosensor allowing for multiplex measurement of metabolites in undiluted human plasma is revealed in this study. Concurrent measurement of renal function-related metabolites including creatinine, urea, uric acid and glucose in a complex sample can be achieved in a single step using specially designed compositions which were pre-distributed into the analytical cartridge and freeze-dried into reagent-free powder. The dry-reagents allow for a rapid screening for a small amount of sample down to 10 µL. The total analysis time and required sample volume for an on-cartridge measurement of four analytes are 10 min and 150µL, respectively. We demonstrated that the system provides a good sensitivity and a wide dynamic range for metabolites measurements such that it properly meets the clinical requirements. Evaluation of long-term stability was conducted to verify the shelf life and potential applicability of the developed compositions.
OP0036 Screening for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis: Comparison of The Predictive Accuracy of Various Algorithms

Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is one of the leading causes of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and has a 3 year survival rate of approximately 50%. Early screening for PAH in SSc may improve survival. Objectives To compare the predictive accuracy of two SSc-PAH screening algorithms, DETECT and Australian Scleroderma Interest Group (ASIG), to the 2009 European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) screening recommendations in a well-defined North American cohort. Methods Consecutive SSc patients with suspected PAH according to the 2013 recommendations for screening PAH (1) undergoing right heart catheterization (RHC) were evaluated. Those patients with no pulmonary hypertension or PAH on RHC who also had clinical variables available for applying the various screening algorithms had DETECT (2), ASIG (3) and 2009 ESC/ERS (4) screening algorithms applied. For each model, contingency table analysis was used to determine sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) for PAH [defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) > or =25, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) or =70%]. Results A total of 108 patients were screened for PAH, 77 of those patients met the recommendations for RHC, and 65 of those patients underwent RHC. The prevalence of PAH was 17%. Those patients with RHC values indicating no PH (N=35) or PAH (N=11) who also had biochemical markers available for review were identified and DETECT, ASIG, and ESC/ERS algorithms were applied to all of those patients. Those patients who met inclusion/exclusion criteria for DETECT and ASIG were also separately evaluated. DETECT and ASIG both had similar performances with sensitivity of 100% for those who met the respective inclusion/exclusion criteria. ESC/ERS had a sensitivity of 80% (Table 1). Conclusions In a well-defined North American cohort, DETECT and ASIG performed similarly and were superior to 2009 ESC/ERS screening recommendations in the detection of PAH in SSc patients. Many patients who are at-risk for PAH did not meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria for DETECT and ASIG in our cohort. References Khanna D et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2013 Dec; 65(12):3194–201. Coghlan JG et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2014 Jul;73(7):1340–9. Thakkar V et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2012 Jun 12;14(3):R143. Galie N et al. Eur Heart J. 2009 Oct; 30 (20):2493–537 Acknowledgement Supported by NIH/MIAMS K24 AR063120 Disclosure of Interest A. Young: None declared, V. Nagaraja: None declared, S. Visovatti: None declared, V. McLaughlin: None declared, D. Khanna Grant/research support from: Bayer, BMS, Consultant for: Actelion, Gilead, Bayer
Intra-Specific Variation Reveals Potential for Adaptation to Ocean Acidification in a Cold-Water Coral from the Gulf of Mexico

Ocean acidification, the decrease in seawater pH due to the absorption of atmospheric CO2, profoundly threatens the survival of a large number of marine species. Cold-water corals are considered to be among the most vulnerable organisms to ocean acidification because they are already exposed to relatively low pH and corresponding low calcium carbonate saturation states (Ω). Lophelia pertusa is a globally distributed cold-water scleractinian coral that provides critical three-dimensional habitat for many ecologically and economically significant species. In this study, four different genotypes of L. pertusa were exposed to three pH treatments (pH=7.60, 7.75, and 7.90) over a short (two-week) experimental period, and six genotypes were exposed to two pH treatments (pH=7.60, and 7.90) over a long (six-month) experimental period. Their physiological response was measured as net calcification rate and the activity of carbonic anhydrase, a key enzyme in the calcification pathway. In the short-term experiment, net calcification rates did not significantly change with pH, although they were highly variable in the low pH treatment, including some genotypes that maintained positive net calcification in undersaturated conditions. In the six-month experiment, average net calcification was significantly reduced at low pH, with corals exhibiting net dissolution of skeleton. However, one of the same genotypes that maintained positive net calcification (+0.04% day-1) under the low pH treatment in the short-term experiment also maintained positive net calcification longer than the other genotypes in the long-term experiment, although none of the corals maintained positive calcification for the entire 6 months. Average carbonic anhydrase activity was not affected by pH, although some genotypes exhibited small, insignificant, increases in activity after the sixth month. Our results suggest that while net calcification in L. pertusa is adversely affected by ocean acidification in the long term, it is possible that some genotypes may prove to be more resilient than others, particularly to short perturbations of the carbonate system. These results provide evidence that populations of L. pertusa in the Gulf of Mexico may contain the genetic variability necessary to support an adaptive response to future ocean acidification.
Jumping Performance is Preserved but Not Muscle Thickness in Collegiate Volleyball Players After a Taper

Bazyler, CD, Mizuguchi, S, Sole, CJ, Suchomel, TJ, Sato, K, Kavanaugh, AA, DeWeese, BH, and Stone, MH. Jumping performance is preserved but not muscle thickness in collegiate volleyball players after a taper. J Strength Cond Res 32(4): 1020-1028, 2018-The purpose of this study was to examine changes in muscle architecture and jumping performance in NCAA division I women's volleyball players throughout a competitive season and in preparation for conference championships. Ten women volleyball players were tested at preseason (T1), pretaper (T2), and post-taper (T3) on measures of vastus lateralis muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA) and fascicle length (FL) using ultrasonography, and unloaded and loaded squat jump height (SJH) and peak power allometrically scaled to body mass (SJPPa) on a force platform. Rating of perceived exertion training load and strength training volume load were monitored weekly. Player's MT (p < 0.001, Glass's Δ = 2.8) and PA increased (p = 0.02, Δ = 3.9) after in-season training. However, MT decreased after the taper (p = 0.01, Δ = 0.6) but remained elevated above preseason values (p < 0.001, Δ = 1.7). There were no statistical changes in FL, SJH, or SJPPa. Large-to-very large negative relationships (r = -0.51 to -0.81) were observed between preseason relative maximal strength and changes in SJH and SJPPa with various loads over the season. These findings demonstrate that relatively low volumes of strength training and concurrent sport training during a tapering period are capable of preserving jumping performance, but not MT in women's volleyball players; however, jumping performance changes seem to be related to the player's strength level. Stronger players may benefit from an overreaching microcycle before the taper to preserve previously accrued muscular adaptations and jumping performance.
Abstract LB-091: CpG island DNA methylation regulates alternative cleavage and polyadenylation

Abnormal DNA methylation pattern is a hallmark of human cancer, and our work in genomic profiling of DNA methylation patterns in prostate and colon cancers have identified the majority of unique DNA hypermethylation to occur outside of gene promoters. While promoter hypermethylation causes transcriptional silencing, the functions of non-promoter DNA methylation are poorly defined. Thus, we began investigating the impact of non-promoter DNA methylation on the transcriptome and specifically focused on studying the functions of DNA methylation near gene 39 ends. Using a pair of isogenic cancer cells (HCT116 and DKO cells) that differ specifically in their ability to maintain DNA methylation, we discovered an intriguing association between gene 39 end differential DNA methylation and alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) events. Briefly, pre-mRNAs undergo cleavage and polyadenylation as part of normal mRNA 39 end formation, and alternative sites of cleavage and polyadenylation can be utilized to produce transcripts with varying regulatory sequences in the 39 untranslated regions (39 UTRs) or protein isoforms via APA within coding sequences. Previous studies have demonstrated that cancer cells can hijack the APA pathway to skew expression of short 39 UTRs in oncogenes to evade negative regulation, highlighting APA as an important process involved in cancer initiation and progression. By using pharmacologic inhibition of DNA methylation and reporter constructs, we demonstrated that CpG island DNA methylation near polyadenylation sites is necessary and sufficient for determining relative usage, most likely by modulating RNA polymerase II elongation rate. By leveraging the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Roadmap Epigenomics data, we could observe the correlation between gene 39 DNA methylation and APA at select loci in vivo. The results of our study will improve overall functional understanding of non-promoter DNA methylation, provide a novel mechanism for APA regulation, and ultimately accelerate discovery of novel targets for cancer management. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Thomas Sweet, Lihua Jin, Josephine Dermawan, Angela H. Ting. CpG island DNA methylation regulates alternative cleavage and polyadenylation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-091. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-091
The Theory of Info-dynamics: An Introduction to Its Conceptual Frame

It is useful now to provide an epistemic framework on which the theory of info-dynamics is being developed. This theory is a follow up of the theory of info-statics. It is developed as a unified foundational theory of informing through acquaintances, knowing and learning through epistemic processes which take the forms of teaching and educating through transmission and communication processes of conditions on transformation of varieties and categorial varieties. The transformations of varieties and categorial varieties take through decision-choice processes and the mimicking of nature to satisfy the needs of engineering processes.
Unraveling Interactions between the Microbiome and the Host Immune System To Decipher Mechanisms of Disease.

ABSTRACT In recent years, there has been a deluge of papers linking altered microbiome compositions to a myriad of diseases. Mechanistic insight into microbial drivers of disease phenotypes is essential for translation to novel therapies. A key mechanism by which microbes influence health is immune modulation by components of their capsule and cell envelope and their metabolites. A major research focus of my laboratory is to gain mechanistic insight into which microbes modulate host immunity generally and in the context of disease. Using 16S rRNA-targeted sequencing, we have established associations between gut microbiome composition and immune-modulated disease phenotypes in diseases such as graft-versus-host disease in cancer patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. By integrating omics and computational approaches with laboratory experiments, we have expanded knowledge of mechanisms used by host-associated microbes to dampen inflammatory responses. This work has promise for development of novel microbiome-targeted therapeutics.
In situ nonlinear ultrasonic technique for monitoring microcracking in concrete subjected to creep and cyclic loading

This research conducts in situ nonlinear ultrasonic (NLU) measurements for real time monitoring of load-induced damage in concrete. For the in situ measurements on a cylindrical specimen under sustained load, a previously developed second harmonic generation (SHG) technique with non-contact detection is adapted to a cylindrical specimen geometry. This new setup is validated by demonstrating that the measured nonlinear Rayleigh wave signals are equivalent to those in a flat half space, and thus the acoustic nonlinearity parameter, β can be defined and interpreted in the same way. Both the acoustic nonlinearity parameter and strain are measured to quantitatively assess the early-age damage in a set of concrete specimens subjected to either 25 days of creep, or 11 cycles of cyclic loading at room temperature. The experimental results show that the acoustic nonlinearity parameter is sensitive to early-stage microcrack formation under both loading conditions - the measured β can be directly linked to the accumulated microscale damage. This paper demonstrates the potential of NLU for the in situ monitoring of mechanical load-induced microscale damage in concrete components.
Synergistic effects of environmental exposures on polymer matrix with or without metallic coating protection

Epoxy and vinyl ester resins are widely being used in fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites due to their superior physical and mechanical properties; however, they suffer significant degradati...
Cracking “Economies of Scale”: Biomanufacturing on Methane-Rich Feedstock

Methane is considered a “dream energy package” for chemical production. The large amount of energy stored in methane (CH4) and the current market trend toward lower CH4 price make the use of CH4 as a carbon and energy source for higher-value chemical production desirable. With a substantial stored energy capacity of 47 MJ/kg as determined by the lower heating value (LHV), CH4 represents a driving force behind only hydrogen (120 MJ/kg) as a high-energy feedstock for chemical production (Boundy et al. 2011). Recent natural gas prices put methane costs around $5/thousand cubic feet in 2016, one of the lowest trends since the early 2000s (Fig. 17.1a; U.S. Energy Information Administration 2017). While CH4 production volumes are increasing, due in part to transitions in oil and gas recovery techniques (Fig. 17.1b), the distributed and small-scale nature of many sites, together with CH4’s inherent chemical properties including flammability and gaseous nature, complicate its recovery and transportation using conventional technology (Fig. 17.1c; U.S. Energy Information Administration 2016). Rather, standard protocols at distributed or small-scale sites typically rely on flaring or venting of CH4 to the atmosphere to remove the gas (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1991). Remote CH4, however, represents a potentially lucrative opportunity given the viable technology to recover and transform CH4 into a more readily transportable form, such as a liquid or solid value-added product (Haynes ans Gonzalez 2014; Conrado and Gonzalez 2014; Clomburg et al. 2017). Unique opportunities for industrial biomanufacturing that are not considered to be feasible for chemical manufacturing via traditional routes may be well-suited to address several challenges associated with remote CH4 recovery, such as utilizing small feedstock volumes, erecting compact facility operations at or near well sites, pursuing biological mechanisms for direct conversion of CH4 to higher-value fuels and chemicals in liquid or solid form, and considering early separation requirements during process design for efficient scale-up to commercial operation.
Conformational and Dynamic Properties of Poly(ethylene oxide) in BMIM+BF4–: A Microsecond Computer Simulation Study Using ab Initio Force Fields

The behavior of polymers in complex solvents is interesting from a fundamental perspective and of practical importance from the standpoint of polymer processing. There has been recent interest in the conformational and dynamic properties of polymer in room temperature ionic liquids, with conflicting predictions from computations using models with different resolutions and conflicting results of experiments from different groups. In this work, we develop a first-principles, nonpolarizable united atom (UA) force field for a mixture of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in the ionic liquid BMIM+BF4–. The UA force field is benchmarked against ab initio calculations, and the PEO atomic charges are parametrized to implicitly capture the polarization contribution to the solvation energy of a single PEO molecule in BMIM+BF4–. The UA model allows one to perform multi-microsecond molecular dynamics simulations. This is necessary because the conformational relaxation correlation times are of the order of 100 ns. The simulat...
Sources of error in reflection oximetry

Stability, accuracy, and convenience of a fiberoptic reflection oximeter utilizing CdSe photocells were improved by simple alterations of the optical system and of the Wheatstone bridge readout circuit. Use of a halogen-cycle lamp and neutral-density optical wedges, together with a two-standard calibration technique, improved the stability and precision of the transducer. Continuous illumination of the photocells between periods of use and matching of the photocell sensitivities reduced losses of precision and accuracy previously encountered with these photodetectors. The output of the oximeter was made linear and direct-reading by simple adjustments of the Wheatstone bridge parameters. Evidence of increased erythropoietic activity appeared every four months following acute massive blood loss in dogs. Each period of activity lasted approximately 30 dsys, and such crises were readily detected even a year after the hemorrhage. Each erythropoietic crisis was accompanied by decreases in RBC, PCV, and total hemoglobin; increases in MCV, MCH, MCHC, and resistance of erythrocytes to osmotic hemolysis; and increased anisocytosis and polychromatophilia on Wright's-stained smears of venous blood. Cyclic erythropoiesis results from synchronization of life cycles of erythrocytes produced in response to the hemorrhage; it is detectable by virtue of changes in physical characteristics of these cells as they age. Effects of changes in PCV, plasma protein concentration, degree of hemolysis, osmotic pressure, pH, , temperature, and mean erythrocyte age on accuracy of reflection oximetry were studied using canine blood. Decreases in PCV below 30% or increased plasma osmotic pressure caused
Digitizing Peircean semiotics to analyze students’ peer-review comments: classroom use of an application in open-source R

ABSTRACTStatistical software applications are increasingly used to measure student engagement in the classroom. However, more work remains to be done to clarify how meaning is created and measured ...
Assessment of acute kidney injury in neurologically and traumatically injured intensive care patients receiving large vancomycin doses

Background: Previous reports note that in a mixed patient population, vancomycin doses >4 g/day are associated with increased rates of acute kidney injury (AKI). Objective: The objective of the study is to determine if vancomycin regimens >4 g/day are associated with a higher incidence of AKI in neurocritical care unit (NCCU) and trauma/burn Intensive Care Unit (TBICU) patients. Materials and Methods: This single-centered, retrospective study enrolled adult patients initiated on vancomycin in the NCCU and TBICU at an academic medical center during 2016. Based on maximum steady-state dose exposure, patients were separated into two groups: ≤4 g/day and >4 g/day. The primary outcome of incidence of AKI was defined by the AKI Network criteria. Results: A total of 284 patients were screened for eligibility; 165 patients met inclusion criteria, 98 patients received ≤4 g/day and 67 patients received >4 g/day. The >4 g/day group had a lower mean age (32.6±11.1 vs. 47.8±16.2, P 4 g/day which was not statistically significant (14% vs. 7%, P = 0.22). Conclusions: Our results indicate that administering >4 g/day of vancomycin to achieve therapeutic vancomycin troughs does not appear to lead to an increased incidence of AKI in a mixed NCCU and TBICU population.
Effect of prehospital tourniquets on resuscitation in extremity arterial trauma.

Background Timely tourniquet placement may limit ongoing hemorrhage and reduce the need for blood products. This study evaluates if prehospital tourniquet application altered the initial transfusion needs in arterial injuries when compared with a non-tourniquet control group. Methods Extremity arterial injuries were queried from our level I trauma center registry from 2013 to 2017. The characteristics of the cohort with prehospital tourniquet placement (TQ+) were described in terms of tourniquet use, duration, and frequency over time. These cases were matched 1:1 by the artery injured, demographics, Injury Severity Score, and mechanism of injury to patients arriving without a tourniquet (TQ−). The primary outcome was transfusion within the first 24 hours, with secondary outcomes of morbidity (rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, compartment syndrome), amputation (initial vs. delayed), and length of stay. Statistical tests included t-test and χ2 for continuous and categorical variables, respectively, with p Results Extremity arterial injuries occurred in 192 patients, with 69 (36%) having prehospital tourniquet placement for an average of 78 minutes. Tourniquet use increased over time from 9% (2013) to 62% (2017). TQ+ patients were predominantly male (81%), with a mean age of 35.0 years. Forty-six (67%) received blood transfusion within the first 24 hours. In the matched comparison (n=69 pairs), TQ+ patients had higher initial heart rate (110 vs. 100, p=0.02), frequency of transfusion (67% vs. 48%, p Discussion Tourniquet use has increased over time in patients with extremity arterial injuries. Patients having prehospital tourniquets required a higher frequency of transfusion and initial amputation, without an increase in complications. Level of evidence Therapeutic study, level IV.
The role of sex, executive functioning, and perceptions of safety on urban adolescent substance use

AbstractBackground: Perceptions of safety within one’s activity space (commonly frequented locations) reduces risk for adolescent substance use. Less is known about urban adolescents’ neuropsycholo...
Behind Closed Doors: The Role of Depressed Affect on Risky Choices Under Time Pressure:

Previous research suggests that depressive symptoms are associated with altered sensitivity to reward and punishment in various decision-making contexts. Building on this work, this study investiga...
The Experience of Early Extubation After Paediatric Congenital Heart Surgery in a Chinese Hospital.

Background Early extubation has become widely adopted in cardiac surgery practices. This study aimed to present experience of early extubation after congenital heart surgery and to explore the factors that affect successful immediate postoperative extubation and early extubation. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients who underwent congenital heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at Shenzhen Children’s Hospital between 01 May 2015 and 30 September 2019. The demographic and cardiac surgery information were derived from the medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the influence factors for successful immediate postoperative extubation and early extubation. Results This study consisted of 2,060 patients, 65.0% of whom were extubated in the operating room and 16.1% of whom were extubated early (within 6 hours) in the Intensive Care Unit. The overall rates of reintubation and nasal continuous positive airway pressure were 2.0% and 6.4%, respectively. Preoperative weight (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.20–1.29), preoperative pneumonia (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.44–0.80), CPB type (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.06–1.43), CPB time (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.98–0.99), deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.25–0.70), and Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery Congenital Heart Surgery (STAT) categories (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.45–0.65) were included in the immediate postoperative extubation model. In addition to the above six variables, ultrafiltration (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.44–0.89) was also included in the early extubation model. Similar results were found in the immediate postoperative extubation model for non-newborns. The influencing factors for early extubation in the non-newborn population included preoperative weight, preoperative pneumonia, ultrafiltration, CPB time, and STAT categories. Conclusions Early extubation for children with congenital heart surgery was successful in this hospital. Patients with early extubation had a lower reintubation rate and nasal continuous positive airway pressure rate, and a shorter length of stay in the ICU and hospital. Early extubation was influenced by age, weight at surgery, preoperative pneumonia, CPB type, CPB time, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, ultrafiltration, and STAT categories.
Shortage of Male Nursing Students: The Experience of a Growing Nursing Program

Background and ObjectiveThe shortage of male nurses in the United States is a well-known phenomenon that the nursing academia is trying to remedy. This case study examines the experience of a new southwest US nursing program in its recruitment and retention of male nursing students. In the process, the case study will attempt to explore insights on opportunities to improve nursing workforce policies to better attract male recruits into the profession. MethodsData related to application, enrollment, and retention were retrieved and merged from the school’s application and enrollment systems. Overall, 978 students were enrolled from 2011 to 2019, with 837 females and 141 males. For applications, from 2014 to 2018, there were 2185 applicants, with 1879 females and 306 males. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS version 25 (IBM). Results are shown as means±standard deviation. ResultsResults show that 14% of the applicants to the program were male, while 14.4% of the enrollees were male. In terms of retention, males had lower (73.8%) retention rates than females (83.9%), although it is not statistically significant (p=0.08). On average, there were significantly fewer male applicants and enrollees (p<0.001) than females, and the differences are getting larger (p<0.001). ConclusionNursing shortage and, more specifically, the lack of male nurses is a well-known phenomenon in healthcare. Nursing schools have attempted to diversify enrollment through the recruitment of more male nursing students; however, their efforts seem to have hit a barrier with a continued shortage of male applicants. To change outcomes, the nursing profession and academia should consider providing more community education and outreach programs targeting students and their parents earlier in their academic careers.
What Motivates Participation in Corruption and How Does Such Participation Affect Firm Performance

What motivates local executives to participate in corruption, to what extent do external factors such as bureaucratic and economic constraints affect bribing activity, and how does bribing activity...
A Brand’s Referral of Another Brand: Does it Work?

Online startup brands’ primary, if not the only, sales channel is their online stores. Operating primarily online can be limited in acquiring new customers. In an emerging low-cost marketing partnership, a brand inserts another brand’s promotional messages in its marketing emails. This is akin to a brand’s referral of another brand. The current study’s objective was to test the effectiveness of this strategy, relative to social media marketing and a consumer referral by a close friend. This study employed a one-way between-subjects design with four brand promotion conditions: a referral by a close friend, a referral by a high-loyalty brand, a referral by a low-loyalty brand, and social media marketing. Results showed that a high-loyalty brand’s referral can be as effective as a close friend’s referral, and even a low-loyalty brand’s referral can be as effective as social media marketing. This indicates that brands’ referrals can be an effective, yet low-cost marketing strategy.
Quantum Fokker-Planck modeling of degenerate electrons

Abstract An implicit and conservative numerical scheme is proposed for the isotropic quantum Fokker-Planck equation describing the evolution of degenerate electrons subject to elastic collisions with other electrons and ions. The electron-ion and electron-electron collision operators are discretized using a discontinuous Galerkin method, and the electron energy distribution is updated by an implicit time integration method. The numerical scheme is designed to satisfy all conservation laws exactly. Numerical tests and comparisons with other modeling approaches are shown to demonstrate the accuracy and conservation properties of the proposed method.
The influence of multi-morbidities on colorectal cancer screening recommendations and completion.

Patients’ chronic disease burden can influence the likelihood that providers will recommend cancer screening and that patients will participate in it. Using data from the STOP CRC pragmatic study, we examined associations between chronic disease burden and colorectal cancer screening recommendation and use. Participating STOP CRC clinics (n = 26) received either usual care or training to implement a mailed fecal immunochemical test (FIT) outreach program. Selected clinic patients (n = 60,187 patients) were aged 50–74 and overdue for colorectal cancer screening. We used logistic regression to examine the associations between FIT recommendations and completion and patients’ chronic disease burden, calculated using the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the Chronic Illness and Disability Payment System. For each index, FIT recommendation odds were 8–9% higher among individuals with minimal chronic disease burden and 13–23% lower among individuals with high chronic disease burden (inverted U-shaped association). Among adults who were ordered a FIT, FIT completion odds were 20% lower for individuals with any, versus no, chronic condition and diminished with increasing disease burden (inverse linear association). Analysis showed an inverted U-shaped association between patients’ chronic disease burden and providers’ recommendation of a FIT and an inverse linear association between patients’ chronic disease burden and FIT completion. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT01742065
Method and Atlas to Enable Targeting for Cardiac Radioablation Employing the American Heart Association Segmented Model

Purpose Cardiac radioablation using stereotactic body radiation therapy is gaining popularity as a noninvasive treatment for otherwise refractory ventricular arrhythmias. As radiation oncologists might be unaccustomed to the lexicon used by cardiologists to describe the location of arrhythmogenic foci, a preliminary guide to cardiac-specific anatomy and orientation is needed to foster effective communication between the radiation oncologist and cardiology team. Methods and Materials Electrocardiogram-gated and respiratory-gated computed tomography imaging was acquired per institutional protocol. Additional relevant imaging modalities are described. The American Heart Association 17-segment model is described in detail because this framework is used frequently by cardiologists to describe the location left ventricular abnormalities. Results A step-by-step guide is provided for properly rotating the heart from standard orthogonal views obtained during radiation simulation to the cardiac-specific orientation needed to appreciate the 17-segment model. Once the proper configuration is achieved, the location of each segment is defined in detail. Conclusions This atlas serves as an introduction to the relevant anatomy and principles, and it provides a suggested approach to help delineate cardiac radioablation targets using the established American Heart Association 17-segment model.
Identification and analysis of misclassified work-zone crashes using text mining techniques

Work zone safety management and research relies heavily on the quality of work zone crash data. However, it is possible that a police officer may misclassify a crash in structured data due to: restrictive options in the crash report; a lack of understanding about their importance; lack of time due to police officers' work load; and ignorance of work zone as one of the crash contributing factors. Consequently, work zone crashes are under representative in crash statistics. Crash narratives contain valuable information that is not included in the structured data. The objective of this study is to develop a classifier that applies text mining techniques to quickly find missed work zone (WZ) crashes through the unstructured text saved in the crash narratives. The study used three-year crash data from 2017 to 2019. The data from 2017 to 2018 was used as training data, and the 2019 data was used as testing data. A unigram + bigram noisy-OR classifier was developed and proven to be an efficient and effective means of classifying work zone crashes based on key information in the crash narrative. The ad-hoc analysis of misclassified work zone crashes sheds light on when, where and the plausible reasons as to why work zone crashes are more likely to be missed.
Structural Change and Economic Growth in India: Patterns and Heterogeneity Among the States and Possible Implications for Post-Pandemic Recovery

This paper empirically examines the relationship between economic growth and structural change in India over recent decades. It first estimates panel regressions with state-level data, to examine the impact of structural change on growth and vice versa. Bidirectional causality is found, which holds across different specifications and estimation methods: each variable positively impacts the other, in a positive feedback loop. The second part of the analysis relaxes assumptions of constant impacts across states and over time, estimating time-varying auto-regressive models for each state and each pair of variables. The impacts of structural change and growth on each other seem to vary across different states, as well as over time, and are differentially affected by state per capita income levels and national growth rates. Similar variability across states and over time is found in an alternative method: labor productivity decompositions using employment data. Some possible reasons for these differences are discussed. The analysis suggests that national economic policy formulation may benefit from closer consideration of the structural differences across states, and the resulting differences in growth responses. The paper concludes with some possible implications for post-pandemic recovery.
"Its Changes so Often": Parental Non-/Use of Mobile Devices While Caring for Infants and Toddlers at Home

Parents' use of mobile devices (tablets and mobile phones) while caring for children is considered to be beneficial, but also problematic. In this study, we aimed to understand parents' technology non-/use practices around infants and toddlers in the domestic setting and to survey parents' opinions about their partners' practices. To this end, we collected data from parents from seventeen families, using diaries and interviews. We found that as parents grapple with multiple and often conflicting motivations and needs, they adopt or shift among four non-/use positions. Our findings also show that adult family members believe that their partner's use is more problematic than theirs and that the other person does not abide by mutually decided norms. Furthermore, parents often have conflicting opinions about how one should shape one's technological practices around children. Based on our findings, we propose new design directions for technology that can support caregivers in the domestic setting.
Using the workload indicators of staffing need method to determine the staffing requirements for primary healthcare service delivery in Nigeria

# Background Weak health governance mechanisms and inequitable distribution of health investments exist in Nigeria, and this is negatively affecting the health system, and health workforce availability and performance. This is evident at the primary level of care and necessitates the need to ensure that staffing levels are informed by workloads. # Methods This study applied the workload indicators of staffing need (WISN) method to determine the staffing requirements for nurses, midwives, community health officers (CHO), community health extension workers (CHEWS), and junior community health extension workers (JCHEWS). It was conducted in 11 purposefully selected primary-level health facilities in two local government areas in Cross River State, Nigeria. # Results Eighteen health service activities were identified for the primary level of care across the life course. Whilst nurses, midwives, CHO and CHEWS perform all the activities, the JCHEWS performed 10 of these functions. The staffing requirement findings for the facilities in Calabar Municipal indicated that there were staffing shortages for nurses and midwives in 4 of the 5 sampled facilities, three facilities had sufficient or excess numbers of CHO/CHEWS, and 4 facilities had sufficient or excess numbers of JCHEWS. In Calabar South local government area, the calculated requirement showed a cumulative shortage of 5 nurses/midwives and 26 CHO/CHEW, and appropriate staffing of JCHEWS in 4 facilities. # Conclusions The results of this study illustrate the staffing needs of nurses, midwives, CHO, CHEWS and JCHEWS in the sampled facilities and indicate the need for using evidence for staffing decisions. This is pertinent considering it ultimately contribute to improvements in service delivery and health indices. The evidence from the application of the WISN tool and the scale-up of its application has the potential of contributing to the achievement of national goals as well as universal health coverage and sustainable development goals.
Activists, Alliances, and Anti-U.S. Base Protests

Anti-U.S. base protests, played out in parliaments and the streets of host nations, continue to arise in different parts of the world. In a novel approach, this book examines the impact of anti-base movements and the important role bilateral alliance relationships play in shaping movement outcomes. The author explains not only when and how anti-base movements matter, but also how host governments balance between domestic and international pressure on base-related issues. Drawing on interviews with activists, politicians, policy makers and U.S. base officials in the Philippines, Japan (Okinawa), Ecuador, Italy and South Korea, the author finds that the security and foreign policy ideas held by host government elites act as a political opportunity or barrier for anti-base movements, influencing their ability to challenge overseas U.S. basing policies.
Mechanisms of the adjuvant action of hemoglobin in experimental peritonitis. 2. Influence of hemoglobin on human leukocyte chemotaxis in vitro.

Abstract The influence of hemoglobin on the chemotactic response of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and monocytes under agarose was evaluated. Hemoglobin present at the site of the chemotactic factor, E. coli culture filtrate (BFE) or zymosan-activated serum (ZAS), in a concentration of 4% causes depression of the chemotactic response of cells of both types. The degree of depression of the response is directly proportional to the concentration of hemoglobin (2–10%) at the site of chemotactic factor. If hemoglobin is added to the cells, much lower concentrations (0.001–0.1%) are sufficient to elicit the same effect. Hemoglobin did not interfere with the spontaneous migration of the cells in this experiment unless its concentration at the site of the cells was higher than 0.1%. The presented evidence supports the idea that hemoglobin inhibits the chemotactic response of PMNs by interfering with the effective interaction of the cytotaxin to the receptor on the cell wall. These findings are consistent with the findings that the influx of PMNs into the peritoneal cavity in response to intraperitoneal bacterial inoculum is inhibited by hemoglobin and that the mechanism by which PMNs are prevented from responding to bacteria in vivo involves the interference by hemoglobin with the natural chemotactic response of PMNs.
Abstract W P17: Factors Associated With DWI Lesion Growth After Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: The factors impacting infarct evolution after intra-arterial(IA) intervention for acute ischemic stroke remain uncertain. We studied the infarct evolution on MRI DWI among acute stroke patients who underwent IA therapy. Methods: We reviewed the early ischemic stroke imaging database at Cleveland Clinic Cerebrovascular Center for those undergoing IA therapy in anterior circulation from 2009 to 2012. Patients with both pre-treatment and follow-up MRI were included. Infarct volume was measured on initial and follow-up DWI by region of interest demarcation. Patients were grouped into quartiles by infarct growth from initial to follow-up. Outcome were defined as modified Rankin Score 0-2 at 30 days. Results: Among the 76 patients, the median (range) infarct growth of four quartiles were 0.5 cc (-19.1-4.2), 13.8 cc (4.8-25.8), 38.8 cc (28.0-77.6), and 166.3 cc (78.0-314.5). Baseline characteristics of age, gender, race, diabetes, and hypertension were similar among groups except more smokers (p=0.017) and fewer patients on anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents in large-growth group (p=0.049). Compared to No-growth group (Quartile 1), large-growth group (Quartile 4) had more Hyperdense M1 MCA sign ( 26.3% vs 73.7%, p=0.004), larger initial ischemic lesion measured by CT ASPECT (p=0.002) and DWI volume (p=0.012), and absence of full collaterals on CTA ( 36.8% vs 0, p=0.004). There was a trend of lower recanalization rate in large-growth group (73.7% vs 47.4%, p=0.097). With the increment of infarct growth, there is a decrement in favorable outcomes (mRS 0-2) at 30 days: 42%, 37%, 26% and 10.5% (p=0.027). Conclusion: Infarct growth after IA therapy determines outcome. Initial ischemic lesion size, collaterals, and hyperdense vessel sign are associated with infarct growth.
Leading Teams Note, Module Note

This note which describes the architecture and processes that characterize effective teams, begins by detailing the steps involved in designing a team, from diagnosing the complexity, interdependence, and objectives of the task to harnessing the key resources teams need from their environment. It describes the qualities to search for when selecting team members, including finding the right number of people, individual skills along both technical and interpersonal dimensions, and a mix of skills appropriate for the task. Once the team is designed, team leaders and members need to shape and monitor team processes, starting with the team launch. Describes how to diagnose emergent team processes such as information exchange, collaboration, decision making, impression formation, and underlying identity dynamics. Includes steps managers can take to improve dysfunctional team processes such as restructuring and shaping the social forces within the team. Ends with a discussion of bridging differences in teams across both geographic and cultural divides.
Starting Out: Changing Patterns of First Jobs for Michigan Law School Graduates

In the early 1950s, the typical graduate of Michigan Law began his career working as an associate in a law firm with four other lawyers and earned about $5,000 in his first year. Surprising to us today, in his new job he would have earned slightly less than other classmates whose first jobs were in government.Fifty years later, in the early 2000s, the typical graduate still started out as an associate in a law firm, but the firm she worked for had more than 400 lawyers. She earned about $114,000 in her first year, about three times as much as her classmates who began their careers in government.These and other fundamental changes in the beginnings of legal careers are findings from the University of Michigan Law School's Alumni Survey. For 40 consecutive years, from 1967 through 2006, the Law School surveyed its graduates 15 years after graduation about their law school experiences and their careers. For more than 30 years (from 1973 through 2006), the survey included the graduates five years out, and for 10 years (from 1997 through 2006), the graduates 25, 35, and 45 years out.During the 40-year period, nearly 17,000 persons were asked to complete a questionnaire, with all classes except the five-year graduates of 1992-2001 surveyed more than once. On average, 67 percent of the surveyed graduates responded each year, an extraordinarily high rate for a mail questionnaire.