cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification, introgression, and molecular marker genetic analysis and selection of a highly effective novel oat crown rust resistance from diploid oat, Avena strigosa

Oat crown rust is one of the most damaging diseases of oat. We identified a new source of resistance and developed KASP and TaqMan markers for selection in breeding programs. A new highly effective resistance to oat crown rust (Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae) was identified in the diploid oat Avena strigosa PI 258731 and introgressed into hexaploid cultivated oat. Young plants with this resistance show moderate susceptibility, whereas older plant tissues and adult plants are resistant with no virulent isolates encountered in over 8 years of testing. Resistance was incorporated into hexaploid oat by embryo rescue, colchicine chromosome doubling followed by backcrosses with a hexaploid parent, and selection for stable transmission of resistance. To mitigate flag leaf and panicle chlorosis/necrosis associated with the resistance, crosses were made with derived resistant lines to breeding lines of divergent parentage followed by selection. Subsequently, two F2 sister lines, termed MNBT1020-1 and MNBT1021-1, were identified in which the chlorosis/necrosis was reduced. These two lines performed well in replicated multi-location state trials in 2015 and 2016 out-yielding all cultivar entries. Segregating F2:3 plants resulting from crosses of MNBT lines to susceptible parents were genotyped with the oat 6K SNP array, and SNP loci with close linkage to the resistance were identified. KASP assays generated from linked SNPs showed accurate discrimination of the resistance in derivatives of the resistant MNBT lines crossed to susceptible breeding lines. A TaqMan marker was developed and correctly identified homozygous resistance in over 95% of 379 F4 plants when rust was scored in F4:5 plants in the field. Thus, a novel highly effective resistance and associated molecular markers are available for use in breeding, genetic analysis, and functional studies.
Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in pediatric Marfan syndrome patient

Abstract Marfan syndrome is a well-described autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder with a constellation of anatomic characteristics including aortic degeneration as a result of the spontaneous mutation of the fibrillin gene, FBN1. Whereas life-threatening dissection and ascending aneurysmal rupture have been thoroughly documented in the literature, aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and those present in the pediatric population have only rarely been reported. In this case report, we describe presentation, successful open surgical repair, and recovery of a pediatric Marfan syndrome patient with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Diabetes, Prenatal Depression, and Self-Rated Health in Latina Mothers

Background. Latinas in the United States have elevated rates of diabetes and prenatal depression (PND). The presence of diabetes and PND can also have a negative effect on women’s self-rated health (SRH), a commonly used indicator of health that is consistent with objective health status and is a predictor of mortality. However, the associations between PND, diabetes, and SRH have not been tested, particularly among Latinas, who have elevated risk of both medical conditions. To address this gap, this pilot study tested the association between PND and diabetes using data from Latinas enrolled during their third trimester of pregnancy and explored whether these health conditions were associated with SRH in these women. Methods. For this study, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to determine PND status, self-reported medical history to determine diabetes status, and SRH before and during the current pregnancy in a sample of 34 prenatal Latinas. Participants were invited to take part in the study in their third trimester of pregnancy. Bivariate analyses and logistic regressions were used to test associations between demographic variables, PND, diabetes, and SRH. Results. There was no significant association between PND and diabetes status in this sample of Latinas. There was a significant difference in SRH from pre-pregnancy to pregnancy, with worse ratings reported during pregnancy. Furthermore, women with PND or diabetes reported worse SRH, even after controlling for pre-pregnancy SRH. Conclusion. SRH is an important and robust variable associated with PND and diabetes in prenatal Latinas, making it an important factor to assess when treating this high-risk group.
Sequence-based manipulation of robotic arm control in brain machine interface

In brain machine interfaces (BMI), the brain activities are recorded by invasive or noninvasive approaches and translated into command signals to control external prosthetic devices such as a computer cursor, a wheelchair, or a robotic arm. Although many studies confirmed the capability of BMI systems in controlling multi degrees-of-freedom (DOF) prosthetic devices using invasive approaches, BMI research using noninvasive paradigms is still in its infancy. In this paper, a new robotic BMI platform has been developed using electroencephalography (EEG) technology to control a 6-DOF robotic arm. EEG signals were collected from the scalp using a wireless headset exploiting a new fast-training paradigm named as “imagined body kinematics”. A regression model was employed to decode the kinematic parameters from the EEG signals. The subjects were instructed to voluntarily control a virtual cursor in multiple trials to hit different pre-programmed targets on a screen in an optimized sequence. The command signals generated from hitting the targets during trials were applied to control sequential movements of the robotic arm in a discrete manner to manipulate an object in a two-dimensional workspace. This approach is derived from a basic shared control strategy where the robotic arm is responsible for carrying out complex maneuvers based on the user’s intention. Our proposed BMI platform yielded a high success rate of 70% in a sequence-based manipulation task after only a short time of training (10 min). The developed platform serves as a proof-of-concept for EEG-based neuro-prosthetic devices.
Theta Rhythm of Hippocampal CA1 Neuron Activity: Gating by GABAergic Synaptic Depolarization

Information processing and memory consolidation during exploratory behavior require synchronized activity known as hippocampal theta (θ) rhythm. While it is well established that the θ activity dep...
A peacemaking approach to desistance from crime

One of the most persistent criticisms of the peacemaking perspective in criminology is that it lacks testable hypotheses and realistic policy implications. In this essay, we examine the applicability of peacemaking ideas to the mechanisms identified by scholars that are associated with desistance from crime. We argue that the process of desistance has many similarities with peacemaking ideas and may provide an avenue for testing some of the core propositions of the peacemaking perspective. We propose a model that depicts the relationships between variables that have been observed in the desistance literature and examine how they relate to the peacemaking perspective. Policy implications of these ideas are also discussed.
An Auger Electron Spectroscopy Study of Bronze Route Niobium-Tin Diffusion Layers

Nb3Sn made by solid state diffusion by the bronze route process (or one of its variants) is now commercially available from many sources and filamentary (FM) Nb3Sn conductors are being delivered for a wide range of both small and large scale devices. However, there is much that still remains unclear in the properties of FM Nb3Sn composites. The critical current density (Jc) is known to be sensitive to the state of stress existing in the Nb3Sn1,2 and to the degree of stoichiometry3 in the layer. It is also to be expected that the concentration of impurities in the Nb3Sn layer will be of importance but as yet little has been reported on this subject. As a result of this threefold dependence of Jc, most master curves for Jc for FM Nb3Sn are rather conservative and the specification of Jc for a particular composite is still generally a subject of empirical investigation, after the composite has been made.
A Growth Factor Required by Plasmacytoma Cells In Vitro

In BALB/c mice, plasmacytomas (PCT) arise and proliferate in the granulomatous tissue that forms in response to the intraperitoneal administration of pristane (Potter and Boyce, 1962; Anderson and Potter, 1969). Studies by Cancro and Potter (1976) suggest that the oil granuloma provides a special microenvironment which is necessary for the growth of early PCT’s. Although the specific contributions of this microenvironment are unknown, in vitro studies suggest that PCT’s that have not been adapted previously to cell culture require added factors for in vitro growth and proliferation. Namba and Hanaoka (1972) described a 50 kDa macrophage-derived protein that was required for the in vitro growth of the M0PC104E PCT. Metcalf (1974) demonstrated that mouse serum or peritoneal macrophages supported the clonal growth of PCT’s in soft agar. Recently, Corbel and Mel chers (1984) reported that “alpha factor-containing” supernatant from the P388D1 cell line also supported the in vitro growth of several PCT’s. We have recently reported the establishment of PCT cell lines that are totally dependent on a factor for survival and proliferation in vitro (Nordan and Potter, 1986). We discuss here our initial biological and biochemical characterizations of this factor.
New Discoveries in Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Specific chapters in this book discuss mutations in genes associated with an OI phenotype where, to date, only one clinical example has been identified. While the majority of mutations involve genes related to type I collagen synthesis, application of new gene sequencing technology has revealed involvement in metabolic systems related to osteoblast maturation and osteoblast activity that were previously unsuspected. The purpose of this closing section of this book is to describe involvement of genes related to an osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) phenotype that were not known as development of this book progressed. The inclusion of TMEM3B and Wnt1 genotypes/phenotypes, aside from their genetic and clinical importance, merely serves to keep the door open for discoveries yet to come.
“You Only Teach PE and It Doesn’t Really Matter”: Middle School PE Teachers’ Perspectives on Intervention Efforts to Increase Physical Activity:

Physical education (PE) is a frequent site of public health intervention to promote physical activity (PA); however, intervention research frequently overlooks the perspective of PE teachers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore teachers' experiences with and perceptions of a PA curriculum intervention. Six findings within three categories were identified and described in detail. In-depth one-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted with nine PE teachers from eight middle schools in Los Angeles. Feeling underappreciated and having a "muddled mission" within PE were driving factors in teacher morale and practice. Teachers had positive experiences with the curriculum, but significant barriers remained and limited the potential for PA during PE classes. PE teachers are pulled in multiple directions and perceive a lack of necessary support systems to achieve student health goals. Interventions aimed at leveraging PE as a site of PA promotion must incorporate the perspectives of PE teachers.
Euler’s Work on the Surface Area of Scalene Cones

Around 1746, Euler took up the problem of the surface area of scalene cones, cones in which the vertex does not lie over the center of the base circle. Calling earlier solutions by Varignon and Leibniz insightful but incomplete and extending his solution to conical bodies with noncircular bases, Euler published his results in 1750 (On the Surface Area of Scalene Cones and Other Conical Bodies: De superficie conorum scalenorum aliorumque corporum conicorum). He had not actually calculated any particular areas—not surprisingly, as they generally lead to elliptic integrals. Instead, he showed how to reduce the problem to calculating the arclength of certain curves, carefully elucidating the many ways these curves may be defined. Although the curves seem naturally to involve transcendental quantities, he showed how to adjust so only algebraic quantities are needed. Some details of Euler’s solution for the scalene cones are presented here.
Marsh Funnel Test as an Alternative for Determining the Liquid Limit of Soils

The liquid limit of a soil is a fundamental index property that is routinely used in engineering practice to predict the behavior of cohesive soils. The Casagrande and fall cone test methods are the standard methods used to determine liquid limit. However, these methods require significant sample preparation, are time-intensive, and are subject to a range of errors dependent on the experimenter’s technique and experience. The study presented here investigates the feasibility of an alternative method for determining the liquid limit of soil. The nature of the definition of liquid limit suggests a relationship between viscosity, a mechanical fluid property, and the liquid limit. Accordingly, this study investigates the relationship between liquid limit, determined by Casagrande method, and the Marsh Funnel viscosity. The Marsh Funnel viscosity test produces an indicator of absolute viscosity by observing the time required for a fluid to flow through a calibrated funnel. Four different types of soil were prepared at a range of successively decreasing moisture contents. The liquid limit of the material was taken as the moisture content at which the Marsh Funnel viscosity approached infinity (stopped flowing). This value was then compared to the liquid limit determined using the Casagrande method in order to make preliminary conclusions regarding the suitability of using the Marsh Funnel test as an alternative method to determine liquid limit.
Abstract 566: High-density Lipoprotein Inhibits Serum Amyloid a -Mediated Inflammasome Activation

Objectives: Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) has been implicated in inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Production of bioactive IL-1β is controlled by the...
Developing Writing Assignments Across the Curriculum

This interactive session begins with an overview and rationale for teaching with writing across disciplines. Faculty will discuss how to ask relevant questions about the purpose and learning goals of their assignments, and how the assignment relates to what comes before and after in the course. The session provides advice on writing clear assignment prompts and straightforward evaluation criteria, and demonstrates strategies faculty can use to work on developing and/or revising their own course materials.
A Microwatt-Class Always-On Sensor Fusion Engine Featuring Ultra-Low-Power AOI Clocked Circuits in 14nm CMOS

A microwatt-class always-on sensor fusion engine is fabricated in 14nm CMOS and occupies 0.024mm2. Robust ultra-low-voltage And-Or-Invert (AOI) latch, integrated clock gate (ICG), flip-flop (FF) circuits achieve 19% clock power reduction with 100mV improved V MIN . Single-instruction matrix operations, complex fixed-point SIMD instructions with inline shift/permute, programmable power gates, and AOI clocked circuits enable near-threshold voltage energy consumption of 19nJ/iteration for 9-Degrees-of-Freedom (DoF) Kalman filter orientation estimation at 360mV, 25 °C.
Lifeguarding Operational Camera Kiosk System (LOCKS) for flash rip warning: Development and application

Abstract A Lifeguarding Operational Camera Kiosk System (LOCKS) is developed and implemented at the North Beach of Port Washington, WI to provide real-time flash rip warnings to beach users for the first time. LOCKS has three components. First, a real-time environmental observation system acquires timely beach view images and local environmental condition data. Second, an integrated nowcast forecast operational system, a high performance and distributed computing infrastructure, digitally detects and assesses flash rip hazards in high, moderate or low risks. Third, an automated kiosk dynamically issues real-time warnings on site by a three-color dynamic lights and a digital display monitor. Results of flash rip detection show that the combined length threshold and HSV-based segmentation method can be used in both sunny and cloudy days with an overall accuracy of 83%. Nonstationary locations and intermittent occurrences of flash rips are observed and characterized. The length of the flash rip ranges between 10 and 50 m. The duration of flash rips varies from 1 to 5 min with 65% of flash rips less than 2 min. A flash rip occurrence checklist by adding two new (storm and visual observation) factors is constructed to reliably assesses the likelihood of hazardous flash rips. Public communication through media mentions, news releases, and website usages show the strong interest and support of the LOCKS as a new approach to issue timely and dynamic flash rip warnings to beach users. LOCKS can be used to issue warnings of other types of rips like bathymetry-controlled and boundary-controlled rip currents in the future.
Importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Rural America

There is great interest in reshaping the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) so that it better supports family nutrition, and an array of program changes have been proposed.We note the importance of considering the unique needs of rural SNAP participants when considering and implementing these changes. We also describe the SNAP-related needs and challenges unique to rural SNAP participants, and through this lens we discuss changes to SNAP that have been proposed and special considerations related to each. The special considerations we identified include allowing canned, frozen, and dried fruits and vegetables as eligible items in financial incentive programs in rural areas; changing direct education programming to address transportation-related barriers many rural families face in attending in-person classes; and supporting rigorous research to evaluate the potential benefits and unintended consequences of proposed program changes for which scant high-quality evaluation data exist.Evaluation studies should include rural SNAP participants so that effects in this important population group are known.
Risk Management and Analytics in Wildfire Response

The objectives of this paper are to briefly review basic risk management and analytics concepts, describe their nexus in relation to wildfire response, demonstrate real-world application of analytics to support response decisions and organizational learning, and outline an analytics strategy for the future. Analytics can improve decision-making and organizational performance across a variety of areas from sports to business to real-time emergency response. A lack of robust descriptive analytics on wildfire incident response effectiveness is a bottleneck for developing operationally relevant and empirically credible predictive and prescriptive analytics to inform and guide strategic response decisions. Capitalizing on technology such as automated resource tracking and machine learning algorithms can help bridge gaps between monitoring, learning, and data-driven decision-making. By investing in better collection, documentation, archiving, and analysis of operational data on response effectiveness, fire management organizations can promote systematic learning and provide a better evidence base to support response decisions. We describe an analytics management framework that can provide structure to help deploy analytics within organizations, and provide real-world examples of advanced fire analytics applied in the USA. To fully capitalize on the potential of analytics, organizations may need to catalyze cultural shifts that cultivate stronger appreciation for data-driven decision processes, and develop informed skeptics that effectively balance both judgment and analysis in decision-making.
Machine Learning in Indian Crop Classification of Temporal Multi-Spectral Satellite Image

Recently, there has been a remarkable growth in Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the development of efficient AI models and high-power computational resources for processing complex datasets. There have been a growing number of applications of machine learning in satellite remote sensing image data processing. In India, agriculture has a huge impact on the national economy and most of the critical decisions are dependent on agricultural statistics. In this work, machine learning models have been applied for crop classification of Sentinel-2 satellite temporal remote sensing image data. Guntur district region of Andhra Pradesh, India has been used as the study area. The main reasons for selecting this region are the diversity of agricultural crops and the availability of ground truth. The performance of machine learning models Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), Convolution Neural Network (CNN), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and RNN with Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) have been evaluated for crop classification. Classification accuracies are generally evaluated by using test data. In most cases the classification accuracy from test data is not commensurate to estimated crop areas from the classified image. Such methods limit the estimated crop areas acceptance for official purposes. The uniqueness of this work is the classification accuracy is evaluated by estimated crop areas. The results show that SVM has the best F1 score of 0.99 and estimated major crop areas have 95.9% agreement with the ground surveyed crop area.
A novel framework for modeling the evolution of cross-scale ecological assembly

Community assembly can be driven by species9 responses to environmental gradients, and interactions within (e.g., competition) and across (e.g., herbivory) clades. These ecological dynamics are mediated by species9 traits, which are in turn shaped by past evolution. As such, identifying the drivers of species assembly is made difficult by the differing temporal and spatial scales of ecological and evolutionary dynamics. Two recent advances have emerged to address the cross-scale challenge of modeling species assembly: phylogenetic generalized linear mixed modeling (PGLMM) and earth observation networks (EONs). PGLMM integrates through time by modeling the evolution of trait-based community assembly, while EONs synthesize across space by placing standardized site-level species occurrence data within their regional context. Here we describe a framework for combining these tools to investigate the drivers of species assembly, and so address three outstanding questions: (1) Does evolution adapt or constrain regional-scale environmental responses? (2) Do evolved responses to past competition minimize or enhance present-day competition? (3) Are species9 cross-clade associations evolutionarily constrained? We provide a conceptual overview of how PGLMM and EONs can be synthesized to answer these questions, and provide exemplar Bayesian PGLMM code. Finally, we describe the capacity of these tools to aid in conservation and natural resource management, including predicting future colonization by rare and invasive species, vulnerable mutualisms, and pest and pathogen outbreaks.
Consumer response to corporate political statements: evidence from geolocation data

I use Walmart’s 2019 statement on gun control as a setting to document a heterogeneous response within a stakeholder group to a corporate political statement. Using smartphone-location data to measure foot traffic, I find customer store visits to Walmart decreased by 3.9% relative to local competitors after Walmart’s statement. Foot traffic in highly Republican counties decreased by 8.5% but increased by 2.7% in highly Democratic counties. The effect persists throughout the post period in highly Republican counties. Time spent in store also differs along partisan lines. The results highlight the challenges of stakeholder capitalism amidst an increasingly polarized political landscape.
Stress Cardiomyopathy and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome from Influenza A in a Young Medically Complex Adult: the Importance of Transitioning Care

Case Presentation: A 22 year old woman with a history of poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus complicated by gastroparesis (not on metoclopramide), stricturing Crohn’s disease status post ileocecectomy, severe malnutrition (BMI 12.98), opioid use disorder (on suboxone) presented as a transfer to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) with Influenza A infection, streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia, cardiogenic and septic shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). On initial presentation, she was intubated and appeared severely cachectic, with coarse and scattered crackles on respiratory exam, and atrophic extremities …
Evading the Eighth Amendment

The greater the “slippage” between Eighth Amendment norms and their enforcement, the broader the judicial permission conferred on correctional officers to treat people in prison cruelly. This chapter examines the governing standards for Eighth Amendment prison conditions claims, tracing their evolution towards enabling cruelty on the part of the state actors charged to keep people safe while they are in custody. It argues that the Supreme Court’s early efforts to shape those standards looked set to enable judicial determinations consistent with fundamental Eighth Amendment moral imperatives, but that, in later cases, the Court betrayed that early promise by several doctrinal moves that have allowed courts to dismiss prisoners’ claims without ever squarely confronting either the character of the challenged conditions or their consistency with core Eighth Amendment values. The effect was to leave the people in prison without judicial protection from needless pain and suffering. And recent signs from the new Roberts Court suggest that people in prison may soon face an Eighth Amendment regime even less protective than the already diminished standards that currently govern. Chapter available online: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108653732.013
Quantification of steroid hormones in low volume plasma and tissue homogenates of fish using LC-MS/MS.

Abstract Quantification of steroid hormones in fish is an important step for toxicology and endocrinology studies. Among the hormone analysis techniques, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has widely been used for measuring hormones in various biological samples. Despite all improvements in the technique, detection of several hormones in a low volume of serum or plasma is still challenging. We developed a robust method for simultaneous quantification of 14 steroid hormones including corticosterone, cortisol, 11-ketotestosterone, progesterone, testosterone, 17OH-progesterone, aldosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol, ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel and equilin from volumes as low as 10 µL serum or plasma in a short run by LC-MS/MS. The lowest limit of detection in 10 µL serum was 0.012 ng/mL measured for cortisol, progesterone, testosterone, 17OH-progesterone and estrone. Use of high (25 times more) serum volume improved detection limit of hormones by 2–40 times. The method was compared with the radioimmunoassay technique in which testosterone and 17β-estradiol were highly correlated with R2 of 0.95 and 0.96, respectively. We validated the method by measuring four selected hormones, in low and high plasma volumes of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). In addition, we developed a method to quantify hormones in whole body fish homogenates of small fish and compared the values to plasma concentrations, using fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). Calculated concentrations of the hormones in plasma were consistent with those in the homogenate and 11-ketotestosterone and 17β-estradiol were significantly different in males and females. The ability to measure hormones from whole body homogenates was further evaluated in two model small fish species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and juvenile silverside (Menidia beryllina). These results suggest that whole tissue homogenate is a reliable alternative for hormone quantification when sufficient plasma is not available.
Rates of Bleeding and Discontinuation of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis.

Background & Aims Studies of the effects of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with cirrhosis have been limited by their small sample size, inclusion of patients with well-compensated cirrhosis, short follow-up times, inadequate validation of cirrhosis diagnoses, and non-standard definitions of bleeding. We aimed to systematically determine the characteristics, indications, and outcomes of patients with cirrhosis of all severity classes who received DOACs. Methods We performed a retrospective study of 138 patients with confirmed cirrhosis (93 with Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores of B or C) at a single center who started DOAC therapy (58,984 person-days; median, 181 days per patient) from September 2011 through April 2019. We collected data on clinical characteristics, indications for DOAC use, and outcomes. Standardized and validated definitions for bleeding complications were used. Results Twenty-nine patients (21%) stopped therapy due to a diagnosis of or perceived bleeding. The most common bleeding events were non-variceal upper and lower intestinal bleeding. No pretreatment laboratory parameters were associated with bleeding while patients received treatment, including platelet count (P = .50), international normalized ratio (P = .34), creatinine (P = .27), and model for end-stage liver disease score (P = .22). Frequency of bleeding events related to DOAC did not differ significantly among patients of different Child-Turcotte-Pugh classes (P = .81), DOAC indications (P = .60), or DOAC dosages (P = .10). Higher proportions of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (P = .01) had major bleeding while receiving. Conclusions Patients with decompensated cirrhosis have significant bleeding and rates of discontinuation of DOACs when they take them long term. Pretreatment laboratory parameters, DOAC dose, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh class were not associated with bleeding; hepatocellular carcinoma was associated with major bleeding.
Utilizing Telemedicine in a Novel Approach to COVID-19 Management and Patient Experience in the Emergency Department.

Background: The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted telemedicine as a care delivery tool uniquely suited for a disaster pandemic. Introduction: With support from emergency department (ED) leadership, our institution rapidly deployed telemedicine in a novel approach to large-scale ED infectious disease management at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center (NYP/WCMC) and NewYork-Presbyterian/Lower Manhattan Hospital (NYP/LMH). Materials and Methods: Nineteen telemedicine carts were placed in COVID-19 isolation rooms to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and mitigate infectious risk for patients and providers by decreasing in-person exposures. Results: The teleisolation carts were used for 261 COVID-19 patient interactions from March to May 2020, with 79% of overall use in March. Our urban academic site (NYP/WCMC) had 173 of these cases, and the urban community hospital (NYP/LMH) had 88. This initiative increased provider/patient communication and attention to staff safety, improved palliative care and patient support services, lowered PPE consumption, and streamlined clinical workflows. The carts also increased patient comfort and reduced the psychological toll of isolation. Discussion: Deploying customized placement strategies in these two EDs maximized cart availability for isolation patients and demonstrates the utility of telemedicine in various ED settings. Conclusions: The successful introduction of this program in both academic and urban community hospitals suggests that widespread adoption of similar initiatives could improve safe ED evaluation of potentially infectious patients. In the longer term, our experience underscores the critical role of telemedicine in disaster preparedness planning, as building these capabilities in advance allows for the agile scaling needed to manage unforeseen catastrophic scenarios.
(3α,5α)3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP) regulation of hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic corticotropin releasing factor (CRF): Sexual dimorphism and brain region specificity in Sprague Dawley rats

Abstract CRF is the main activator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to stress. CRF neurons are found mainly in the hypothalamus, but CRF positive cells and CRF1 receptors are also found in extrahypothalamic structures, including amygdala (CeA), hippocampus, NAc and VTA. CRF release in the hypothalamus is regulated by inhibitory GABAergic interneurons and extrahypothalamic glutamatergic inputs, and disruption of this balance is found in stress-related disorders and addiction. (3α,5α)3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP), the most potent positive modulator of GABAA receptors, attenuates the stress response reducing hypothalamic CRF mRNA expression and ACTH and corticosterone serum levels. In this study, we explored 3α,5α-THP regulation of hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic CRF mRNA and peptide expression, in male and female Sprague Dawley rats, following vehicle or 3α,5α-THP administration (15 mg/kg). In the hypothalamus, we found sex differences in CRF mRNA expression (females +74%, p
Range-coherent matched field processing for low signal-to-noise ratio localization

Range-coherent matched field processing (MFP) coherently combines snapshots to localize a moving, narrowband source. This approach differs from existing MFP approaches that treat each snapshot as having a random phase due to both unknown motion through the medium and imprecise knowledge of the source frequency. Range-coherent MFP requires determination of the source phase acquired between snapshots. With that information, MFP can be applied to the cross-spectrum of snapshots acquired at different times, since relative phase between snapshots is determined by the medium properties, source location, and source velocity. Viewed another way, range-coherent MFP is simply MFP applied to a passive synthetic aperture formed from a moving source. The synthetic aperture geometry depends on source velocity, which is included in the MFP search space. Range-coherent MFP produces robust velocity estimates at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which permits the use of a longer fast Fourier transform in pre-processing. The synthetic aperture array gain plus the increased input SNR afforded by the enhanced pre-processing significantly lowers the required signal level for successful localization. In data from the SWellEx-96 experiment, range-coherent MFP successfully localizes a source that is too quiet for conventional methods to localize.
Road to automating robotic suturing skills assessment: Battling mislabeling of the ground truth.

Abstract Objective To automate surgeon skills evaluation using robotic instrument kinematic data. Additionally, to implement an unsupervised mislabeling detection algorithm to identify potentially mislabeled samples that can be removed to improve model performance. Methods Video recordings and instrument kinematic data were derived from suturing exercises completed on the Mimic FlexVR robotic simulator. A structured human consensus-building process was developed to determine Robotic Anastomosis Competency Evaluation technical scores across 3 human graders. A 2-layer long short-term memory–based classification model used instrument kinematic data to automate suturing skills assessment. An unsupervised label analyzer (NoiseRank) was used to identify potential mislabeling of skills data. Performance of the long short-term memory model’s technical skill score prediction was measured by best area under the curve over the training runs. NoiseRank outputted a ranked list of rated skills assessments based on likelihood of mislabeling. Results 22 surgeons performed 226 suturing attempts, which were broken down into 1,404 individual skill assessment points. Automation of needle entry angle, needle driving, and needle withdrawal technical skill scores performed better (area under the curve 0.698–0.705) than needle positioning (0.532) at baseline using all available data. Potential mislabels were subsequently identified by NoiseRank and removed, improving model performance across all domains (area under the curve 0.551–0.766). Conclusion Using ground truth labels from human graders and robotic instrument kinematic data, machine learning models have automated assessment of detailed suturing technical skills with good performance. Further, an unsupervised mislabeling detection algorithm projected mislabeled data, allowing for their removal and subsequent improvement of model performance.
Safety of apraclonidine eye drops in diagnosis of Horner syndrome in an outpatient pediatric ophthalmology clinic.

Abstract Purpose To describe the efficacy and systemic side effects of apraclonidine drops 0.5% in children clinically suspected of having Horner syndrome. Methods The medical records of patients with clinically suspected Horner syndrome who underwent testing with apraclonidine 0.5% eyedrops were reviewed retrospectively. The following data were retrieved from the record: allergic reactions, somnolence, shallow respiration, pallor, or excessive fussiness noted by the examiner or parents. Results A total of 46 patients presenting with anisocoria and tested with apraclonidine 0.5% were included. Of these, 15 had a positive result, with reversal of anisocoria. The mean age of patients was 3.2 years (median, 0.91; mode, 0.25 years). Twenty-four patients were ≤1 year of age; 19 were ≤6 months. No systemic side effects were noted during the examination or reported by parents in any patients. Conclusions The use of topical apraclonidine eyedrops has been described as an effective test for Horner syndrome. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential systemic side effects in children, especially those under the age of 6 months. In our cohort, no systemic side effects were reported, including in those under 6 months of age.
A Numerical Scattering Chamber for Studying Reverberation in the Seafloor

A numerical scattering chamber, based on the finite difference solution to the two-way elastic (or anelastic) wave equation in the time domain, is a powerful and convenient approach to studying the physics of surface and volume reverberation at the seafloor. Scattering from both surface roughness and volume heterogeneities at scale lengths comparable to wavelengths can be treated. The method includes all shear wave and interface wave effects and all multiple interactions between scatterers. Bottom parameters varying from soft sediments (with shear wave velocities much less than water velocity) to hard basalts (with shear velocities higher than water velocity) are studied. We use a Gaussian pulse-beam as the incident field and we compute the resultant scattered field (in compressional and shear wave energy density) on arrays of receivers surrounding the scattering region. Backscatter coefficients, defined as the ratio of the energy in the scattered beam at a given angle to the energy in the incident beam, can be computed. For example, for an incident beam at fifteen degrees grazing angle, the coefficient for direct backscattering from a very rough, basaltic seafloor is -17dB.
The Etymology, Evolution and Social Acceptability of 'Nigger', 'Negro', and 'Nigga'

Current understanding of the epithets (slurs) 'nigger', 'negro', and 'nigga' associated with social acceptability is based primarily from subjective sources. Usage of such terms has shifted from a cultural phenomenon to a social phenomenon. This exploratory analysis presented an evolutionary and comparative analysis of the original usage, classical, slavery (antebellum), and civil rights era perspectives of the racial epithets as well as the first term’s usage by African Americans and perspectives concerning probable future uses and meanings of the word. A quantitative survey was employed to gain a clearer understanding of associated perceptions regarding the usage of the racial epithets cultural and social suitability. Studies suggest users of these terms perceive a transformation from an opprobrious connotation into a positive reclamation of a cultural identity occurs. The objective of this study was to assess the beliefs, and acceptability regarding the origins to the usage of the term in America from a contemporary perspective. A comparative analysis explored the historical, sociological, political, literary, psychological and societal factors that influence how the words have been used and how they have evolved. The results of this study suggest a false perception of the terms racial epithets as socially acceptable. Additionally, the findings of the study raise awareness of cultural implications and provide insight for social context from historical and contemporary views. These findings highlight the need for further research to determine the extent of the social acceptance in the United States.
A vida como ela é/pode ser/deve ser? O programa Aquí Agora e cidadania no Brasil

Resumo Este artigo investiga a maneira pela qual brasileiros da classe trabalhadora utilizaram o programa popular Aqui Agora, transmitido pelo SBT nos anos 90, para articular o significado da cidadania em um periodo pos-transicao democratica. O artigo apresenta um estudo de recepcao do programa a partir de entrevistas realizadas com moradores da Baixada Fluminense, no Rio de Janeiro. Palavras-chave : Aqui Agora; televisao realidade; publicos; cidadania. Resumen Este articulo investiga las maneras en las cuales brasileinos de la clase obrera usan Aqui Agora, un programa popular de television que se presento en la cadena SBT en los 90s, para articular significados de ciudadania durante el periodo transicional post-democratico. Este articulo constituye un estudio de la recepcion basado en entrevistas realizadas con residentes de la Baixada Fluminese en Rio de Janeiro. Palabras-clave : Aqui Agora; television realidad; publicos; ciudadania. Abstract This article investigates the ways in which working-class Brazilians uti- lize Aqui Agora, a popular program on the SBT network in the 90s, to articulate citizenship meanings in the post-democratic transitional pe- riod. This article presents a reception study based on interviews conducted with residents from the Baixada Fluminese in Rio de Janeiro. Keywords : Aqui Agora; reality show; audience; citizenship.
Dielectric strength of high power ignitrons in axial magnetic fields

Investigation of holdoff voltage behavior in axial magnetic fields was carried out on three types of ignitrons: a commercial metal-walled NL-2909 ignitron, a large glass-walled ignitron, and a custom-made, metal-walled, demountable ignitron. The NL-2909 and the demountable ignitron displayed profound reductions in their respective holdoff voltages dropping to less than 4% of their original value at relatively low axial magnetic fields. Furthermore, both of these tubes showed a very slow recovery toward full holdoff potential as the axial magnetic field was increased. However, the recovery of the NL-2909 was almost twice as fast as the recovery of the demountable ignitron. With an applied field, the holdoff voltage of the glass-walled tube dropped to around 30% of its original value. The magnetic field value at which the reduction took place was almost the required field of the demountable ignitron and over four times the field required by the NL-2909. The reduction of the breakdown voltage in the presence of an axial magnetic field is shown to be caused by the deflection of primary electrons of suitable energy into a cycloidal motion around the anode. >
Controlling Coupled Flexible Links Rotating in the Horizontal Plane

This paper reports progress in an ongoing effort toward identification and control of slewing flexible-member systems from both an analytical and an experimental viewpoint. Currently the laboratory effort is focused upon experimentation on a two-link apparatus in which both members are very flexible, and where each member is instrumented with acceleration sensing and is driven by a separate motor equipped with velocity and position sensing. Emphasis in analytical and experimental investigations are given to the interaction effects (coupling) between the two flexible members as flexible modes from each become evident in the responses measured relative to one another.
Higgs boson finder and mass estimator: The Higgs boson to W W to leptons decay channel at the LHC

We exploit the spin and kinematic correlations in the decay of a scalar boson into a pair of real or virtual $W$-bosons, with both $W$-bosons decaying leptonically, for Higgs boson discovery at 7 TeV LHC energy with $10\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ luminosity. Without reconstruction of the events, we obtain estimators of the Higgs mass from the peak and width of the signal distribution in ${m}_{ll}$. The separation of signal and background with other distributions, such as the azimuthal angle between two $W$ decay planes, the rapidity difference between the two leptons, missing ${E}_{T}$, and the ${p}_{T}$ of leptons, are also prescribed. Our approach identifies the salient Higgs to dilepton signatures that allow subtraction of the continuum $W*W*$ background.
Calculating Finite-Dimensional Approximations of Infinite-Dimensional Linear Systems

We consider calculating finite-dimensional approximations of a class of infinite-dimensional linear systems via modal approximation. An H ? error bound for modal approximation is derived and an inverse power method for finding eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of linear operators arising from distributed parameter linear systems is developed. The inverse power algorithm applies to systems that do not have closed-form eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. The error bound and inverse power method are applied to a heat equation system with spatially varying parameters in order to compute a finite-dimensional transfer function and associated H ? error bound.
The Lure of The Animal: The Theoretical Question of the Nonhuman Animal

Educational critical theory has exposed many oppressive features of contemporary society. However, the literature remains fixed on the human experience, despite the fact that the representations of nonhuman animals provide a rich context in which to explore ideology, power, and what Michel Foucault called regimes of truth . In this paper, the author attempts to theorize animal studies within educational theory, an interdisciplinary approach in rethinking the ways that the notion of “animal” has been constructed by human societies in the West. The author provides a brief summary of the animal studies scholarship that has implications for educational theory: anthropomorphism, the representation of nonhumans, and speciesism. The author demonstrates the discursive construction of nonhumans is riddled with assumptions based upon Enlightenment notions of empirical science and rationality that expose human representational practices and has implications for how Other humans are represented. He ends with examining Deleuze and Guattari’s becoming-animal and argues can be a theoretical location in which we can begin to challenge the human/nonhuman binary.
Community Risk and Protective Factors and Adolescent Substance Use

This paper researches the impact of the contextual characteristics of the community on self-reported 8th grade ATOD use. The study addresses a criticism of past research by relying on objective measures of community contextual characteristics and aggregated data from self-reported, individual substance use surveys. By analyzing 40 counties in the state of Illinois, we test the results of multivariate models for youth use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Results indicate that community disorganization is an important risk factor for ATOD use while family supports is an important protective factor. Contrary to expectations, greater economic constraints decreases, rather than increases, substance use. Findings regarding the other variables were mixed.