cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributed Balanced Clustering via Mapping Coresets

Large-scale clustering of data points in metric spaces is an important problem in mining big data sets. For many applications, we face explicit or implicit size constraints for each cluster which leads to the problem of clustering under capacity constraints or the "balanced clustering" problem. Although the balanced clustering problem has been widely studied, developing a theoretically sound distributed algorithm remains an open problem. In this paper we develop a new framework based on "mapping coresets" to tackle this issue. Our technique results in first distributed approximation algorithms for balanced clustering problems for a wide range of clustering objective functions such as k-center, k-median, and k-means.
Masculine Socialization and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Qualitative Exploration

Aspects of masculine socialization among Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and potential corresponding influences on high-risk sexual behaviors are explored in this study. Individual interviews were conducted with 29 Black MSM in Atlanta, Georgia. Findings included (1) formative masculine socialization experiences marked by an absence of biological fathers and Black male role models, (2) negative perceptions of “gay” identities and communities, (3) race and racial identification as intersecting influences on masculine and sexual identities, (4) the influences of masculine socialization and beliefs on partner selection and sexual behaviors, and (5) general themes of trust, control, “heat of the moment” sex, and low self-love as primary factors influencing condom use. Implications for future research and HIV prevention efforts targeting Black MSM are discussed.
Techniques for task independent word spotting in continuous speech messages

The Lincoln hidden Markov model (HMM)-based word spotting system has demonstrated good performance in spotting keywords in completely unconstrained continuous speech utterances (see R.C. Rose and D.B. Paul, 1990). The word spotter has been evaluated under a number of scenarios, and has been integrated into a system that performs the higher level of classifying conversational speech messages according to topic. In all of these scenarios, anywhere from 25 to 78 examplars per keyword have been used to train the subword acoustic HMMs that are used in the word spotter. In most word spotting applications it is simply not possible to collect such a large number of spoken utterances for all the keywords in the vocabulary every time the system is to be reconfigured for a given task. Therefore, it is essential that techniques be developed to reduce the amount of task-specific speech data required for training HMM-based work spotters. >
Urethral diverticulum in the female: A meta-Analysis of modern series

Introduction Urethral diverticula are a complex problem for the female pelvic surgeon. Given the rarity of the condition most published series are small and single institutional. This is a review article and a meta-analysis including all case series of female urethral diverticulum from the year 2000 to 2015 including only those case series with a minimum of ten subjects. Evidence acquisition Twenty-five articles were included and data was sufficient to perform a meta-analysis on patient age, symptoms at presentation, physical exam findings, location of diverticulum, diverticular size, radiological findings, pathology, complications, and recurrence rates. Evidence synthesis Urethral diverticulum have variable symptom presentation and can mimic many other common conditions, but often present with a palpable urethral mass. Surgical diverticulectomy is the most commonly performed procedure, but does put the patient at risk for de novo stress incontinence and recurrent diverticula are not rare. Patients with pre-existing stress incontinence can be safely offered concomitant autologous pubovaginal sling at the time of diverticulectomy. Conclusions Pathology is benign 97% of the time but one must have a high degree of suspicion in the case of a firm mass or if MRI indicates a mass within the diverticula. Physicians need to have a high degree of suspicion particularly in those patients whose symptoms do not resolve with standard treatment and pelvic MRI is the investigation of choice.
An ensemble constrained variational analysis of atmospheric forcing data and its application to evaluate clouds in CAM5

Large-scale atmospheric forcing data can greatly impact the simulations of atmospheric process models including Large Eddy Simulations (LES), Cloud Resolving Models (CRMs) and Single-Column Models (SCMs), and impact the development of physical parameterizations in global climate models. This study describes the development of an ensemble variationally constrained objective analysis of atmospheric large-scale forcing data and its application to evaluate the cloud biases in the Community Atmospheric Model (CAM5). Sensitivities of the variational objective analysis to background data, error covariance matrix and constraint variables are described and used to quantify the uncertainties in the large-scale forcing data. Application of the ensemble forcing in the CAM5 SCM during March 2000 intensive operational period (IOP) at the Southern Great Plains (SGP) of the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program shows systematic biases in the model simulations that cannot be explained by the uncertainty of large-scale forcing data, which points to the deficiencies of physical parameterizations. The SCM is shown to overestimate high clouds and underestimate low clouds. These biases are found to also exist in the global simulation of CAM5 when it is compared with satellite data.
Reductive Elimination from Platinum(IV) Aminotroponiminate Dimethyl Complexes Promoted by Sterically Hindered Lewis Bases

A series of PtII and PtIV aminotroponimate (ATI = N-tolyl-aminotroponiminate) complexes has been prepared. The PtII complex (ATI)Pt(CH3)(SMe2) (1a) is synthesized from the reaction of [Li][ATI] wit...
A video-assisted thoracoscopic approach to transaxillary first rib resection.

ObjectiveThoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) can be associated with neurologic, arterial, or venous deficiencies. When nonsurgical treatment has failed to adequately palliate TOS, surgical intervention ...
Multiple Plasmids Contribute to Antibiotic Resistance and Macrophage Survival In Vitro in CMY2-Bearing Salmonella enterica.

Abstract Multiple drug resistance (MDR) in bacteria represents a notable problem but if carried on plasmid their spread could become a significant threat to public health. Plasmids in members of the Enterobacteriaceae family and in particular Salmonella and Escherichia coli strains have been implicated in the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. However, the mechanisms involved in the transfer of plasmid-borne resistance genes are not fully understood. Here, we analyzed the ability of Salmonella enterica clinical isolates to transfer plasmid-borne MDR to E. coli. We also determined whether possession of an Inc A/C plasmid by a S. enterica isolate would confer increased fitness compared to an isolate not carrying the plasmid. Sixteen human and animal isolates of S. enterica were screened using a three-panel multiplex PCR assay, and simplex PCR for the blaCMY-2 gene. Using these data we selected a suitable strain as a plasmid donor for the construction of a new Salmonella strain with an Inc A/C plasmid. T...
Smooth bivariate shape-preserving cubic spline approximation

Given a piece-wise linear function defined on a type I uniform triangulation we construct a new partition and define a smooth cubic spline that approximates the linear surface and preserves its shape. The key piece is a new macro-element that has the ability to combine six independent gradients coming together at an interior vertex in a smooth yet shape-preserving fashion. The shape of the resulting spline surface follows local changes in the shape of the piece-wise linear interpolant without overshooting. We prove that convexity, positivity and monotonicity of the spline depend on the local data only. Computational scheme for Bernstein-Bezier spline coefficients is local and fast. Numerical examples highlight unique shape-preserving properties of the spline. Shape-preserving splines are defined on triangulations of a new type.The key element is a combination of two-sided and classic Clough-Tocher macros.Formulas for spline coefficients are simple, explicit with respect to local data.Proofs of convexity, monotonicity and positivity preservation are included.
Research on Aerodynamic Characteristics and Fall Points Spread of Terminal Sensitive Projectile Without Parachute or Wing

To study the aerodynamic characteristics and demarcate the influence factors on the ballistic fall points distribution of terminal sensitive projectile(TSP)without parachute or wing,the system dynamics and computational fluid dynamics were applied to simulate the TSP under low Mach number and high viscosity hypothesis.The flow field of TSP without parachute or wing was simulated separately.The ballistic program was edited,and the factors influencing fall-points distribution of four projectils in cluster barrel in the dispersion process were analyzed and demarcated.The factors influencing the ballistic fall points distribution of the parachute-bomb were studied,and the results were contrasted.The important factors influencing the space between of the points of fall are the height of throwing,embroil velocity,the angle between axes and level and throwing velocity.The important factors influencing the uniformity of the points of fall are throwing height and embroil velocity.The important factor influencing the center of the points of fall is the angle between axes and level.
Cryptococcal meningitis after fingolimod discontinuation in a patient with multiple sclerosis

Fingolimod (Gilenya, Novartis) is an oral sphingosine-1-phosphate analogue used in the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Fingolimod treatment is associated with relative lymphopenia and was associated with an increased risk of herpes infection in clinical trials. In the post-marketing setting, fingolimod has been associated with several cases of cryptococcal meningitis, recently prompting an update to its prescribing information. To date, all cases have been associated with active treatment with fingolimod. In this report, we describe the first case of cryptococcal meningitis diagnosed after fingolimod discontinuation.
Emerging Adults’ Self-Identified Peer Crowd Affiliations, Risk Behavior, and Social–Emotional Adjustment in College:

Although peer crowd affiliations have been studied extensively in adolescence, less is known about the crowd structure of emerging adults. The current study tested whether college students’ self-re...
Helb site pots : Is it huff or memorex ?

Mineralogical and chemical characterizations of Helb site (39CA208) pottery indicate distinct compositions of clay deposits and crushed stone temper. Neutron activation analysis shows differences among sediment samples from five depositional environments in the Missouri River trench. Only Huff vicinity sediments compare with Helb pottery. Further research should include a systematic, intensive sourcing of clays, coupled with an evaluation of known wares and functional groupings of vessels for which the cost of production and intrinsic worth can be calculated.
States, anthropological complicity, and theorizing the political

Editor’s preface to the Hau Book Symposium on Price, David H. 2016. C old War anthropology: The CIA, the Pentagon, and the growth of dual-use anthropology . Durham: Duke University Press
Photo-Regulation of Small G Protein RhoA Signal Cascade used by Photochromic Molecules

Small G protein, known as biomolecule switch protein, has a critical role of intracellular signal transduction using GDP-GTP exchange cycles. RhoA is one of the small G-protein Rho families, which plays important roles of regulation of cellular processes such as cell motility, adhesion, and apoptosis. It has been shown that GTP bound active state of RhoA induced enzymatic reaction through downstream cascade such as Rho-associate kinase (ROCK). In this study, we performed to control the function of RhoA using photochromic molecules. We prepared the RhoA mutant Q63L that exhibits constitutive active state. Subsequently cysteine residues were introduced into the functional sites of switch 1 and 3 regions of the mutant. The mutants were modified with thiol group reactive photochromic compound 4-phenylazophenyl maleimide (PAM). Photo-regulations of the GDP-GTP exchange on the PAM modified RhoA mutants were monitored with fluorescently labeled GTP derivate Mant-GTP. Cis-PAM-mutants showed faster GDP-GTP exchange than Trans-PAM-mutants in the absence Mg. As another way, we designed the photochromic RhoA binding domain peptide, which compete with ROCK in order to control the RhoA function photo-reversibly. The peptide that has a similar amino acid sequence to the RhoA binding coiled-coil region of ROCK and a single cysteine residue at N-terminal was synthesized. The peptides were cross-linked with bifunctional azobenzene derivatives, 4,4’-azobenzene-dimaleimide (ABDM) resulting in dimerization. Interaction of the photochromic peptide with RhoA was examined by the method of pull down assay and fluorescence depolarization. Cis-ABDM peptide showed slightly more effective inhibition of RhoA and ROCK interaction than Trans-ABDM peptide.
Medicare Part D payments for topical steroids rising costs and potential savings

Importance Rising pharmaceutical costs in the United States are an increasing source of financial burden for payers and patients. Although topical steroids are among the most commonly prescribed medications in dermatology, there are limited data on steroid-related spending and utilization. Objective To characterize Medicare and patient out-of-pocket costs for topical steroids, and to model potential savings that could result from substitution of the cheapest topical steroid from the corresponding potency class. Design, Setting, and Participants This study was a retrospective cost analysis of the Medicare Part D Prescriber Public Use File, which details annual drug utilization and spending on both generic and branded drugs from 2011 to 2015 by Medicare Part D participants who filled prescriptions for topical steroids. Main Outcomes and Measures Total and potential Medicare and out-of-pocket patient spending. Costs were adjusted for inflation and reported in 2015 dollars. Results Medicare Part D expenditures on topical steroids between 2011 and 2015 were $2.3 billion. Patients’ out-of-pocket spending for topical steroids over the same period was $333.7 million. The total annual spending increased from $237.6 million to $775.9 million, an increase of 226.5%. Patients’ annual out-of-pocket spending increased from $41.4 million to $101.8 million, an increase of 145.9%. The total number of prescriptions were 7.7 million in 2011 and 10.6 million in 2015, an increase of 37.0%. Generic medication costs accounted for 97.8% of the total spending during this time period. The potential health care savings and out-of-pocket patient savings from substitution of the cheapest topical steroid within the corresponding potency class were $944.8 million and $66.6 million, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance Most topical steroids prescribed were generic drugs. There has been a sharp increase in Medicare and out-of-pocket spending on topical steroids that is driven by higher costs for generics. Use of clinical decision support tools to enable substitution of the most affordable generic topical steroid from the corresponding potency class may reduce drug expenditures.
Wireless channel model of ultra wideband radio signals for implantable biomedical devices

Implantable biomedical devices that collect vital physiological data continuously and transmit them wirelessly seemed to be a sci-fi concept just a decade ago. Today, with advancements in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), circuit fabrication technology and ultra wideband (UWB) radio technology, this concept no longer seems to be a farfetched dream. Still, there are many issues that need to be addressed to realize this dream. In this paper, we present results for wireless channel modeling of ultra wideband signals used in brain computer interface (BCI) technology. Such a channel model is an imperative part of designing wireless transmitters inside the human brain. Extensive literature survey shows that no such attempt has been made in the past to study the wireless channel inside the human brain as required for biomedical applications involving impantable sensors. In this paper, we conduct extensive experiments in an in-vitro setup. We have studied the effects of human tissue, fluids and blood (inside the human brain) on the electrocorticographic (EcoG) signals that are first sensed and then transmitted by implanted transmitters from inside the human brain to a receiver that is placed externally on the human head. Implantation depth has also been shown to have an impact on the received signal strength and quality. The received signal (at the external receiver) has been analyzed in significant detail and a channel model has been developed in this paper.
Evaluating Graduate Instruction in Physical Education

(1961). Evaluating Graduate Instruction in Physical Education. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 34-35.
The quality of systematic reviews about interventions for refractive error can be improved: a review of systematic reviews

Systematic reviews should inform American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Preferred Practice Pattern® (PPP) guidelines. The quality of systematic reviews related to the forthcoming Preferred Practice Pattern® guideline (PPP) Refractive Errors & Refractive Surgery is unknown. We sought to identify reliable systematic reviews to assist the AAO Refractive Errors & Refractive Surgery PPP. Systematic reviews were eligible if they evaluated the effectiveness or safety of interventions included in the 2012 PPP Refractive Errors & Refractive Surgery. To identify potentially eligible systematic reviews, we searched the Cochrane Eyes and Vision United States Satellite database of systematic reviews. Two authors identified eligible reviews and abstracted information about the characteristics and quality of the reviews independently using the Systematic Review Data Repository. We classified systematic reviews as “reliable” when they (1) defined criteria for the selection of studies, (2) conducted comprehensive literature searches for eligible studies, (3) assessed the methodological quality (risk of bias) of the included studies, (4) used appropriate methods for meta-analyses (which we assessed only when meta-analyses were reported), (5) presented conclusions that were supported by the evidence provided in the review. We identified 124 systematic reviews related to refractive error; 39 met our eligibility criteria, of which we classified 11 to be reliable. Systematic reviews classified as unreliable did not define the criteria for selecting studies (5; 13%), did not assess methodological rigor (10; 26%), did not conduct comprehensive searches (17; 44%), or used inappropriate quantitative methods (3; 8%). The 11 reliable reviews were published between 2002 and 2016. They included 0 to 23 studies (median = 9) and analyzed 0 to 4696 participants (median = 666). Seven reliable reviews (64%) assessed surgical interventions. Most systematic reviews of interventions for refractive error are low methodological quality. Following widely accepted guidance, such as Cochrane or Institute of Medicine standards for conducting systematic reviews, would contribute to improved patient care and inform future research.
Governance, Public Administration, and the Challenges of Globalization

The chapter explains globalization and the implications from the point of public administration. The term globalization refers to the revolutionary changes in the Internet and communication technology that has transformed politics and economics of the world. There is a globalization of demands as a result of the internationalization of the media. Globalization has facilitated greater openness and transparency of the affairs of the government. The actions of the government are under scrutiny by the public because of the international media. The rise of the global society has brought about the revolutionary changes in the world. The civil society has been instrumental in bringing the issues of global concern to the forefront of the media coverage. Khan investigates the challenges of outsourcing, multinational companies, the exploitation of labor, terrorism, dependency, cultural imperialism, dominance of financial institutions, network management to understand the complexities faced by modern public administration.
Writing in Graduate School: A Found Poem

The author presents and reflects on a found poem she composed from the final papers of students in her multidisciplinary graduate writing class.
A comparative analysis of hedonic models of nutrition information and health claims on food products: An application to soup products

Over time, the quality of data on food purchases and label information has improved such that hedonic analyses to determine the implicit prices of product attributes can be conducted using more det...
Mandibular advancement for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Objectives Mandibular distraction osteogenesis and mandibular advancement, collectively referred to as mandibular advancement surgeries (MAS), have been used to treat children with mandibular insufficiency and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The objective is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis for MAS as treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Methods Three authors searched multiple databases (including PubMed/Medline) from inception through April 25, 2018. Results 1198 studies were screened, 128 were downloaded and 37 met inclusion criteria (376 patients, mean age: 1.5 years). Meta-analysis demonstrated a reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), from a mean ± SD of 41.1 ± 35.8 to 4.5 ± 6.0 events per hour (89.1% decrease). The lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) in 211 patients increased from a mean ± SD of 76.8 ± 13.0 to 91.1 ± 8.6 (14.3 oxygen saturation point increase). Individual patient data (105 patients) demonstrated AHI surgical success in 73.4% of patients and respiratory disturbance index (RDI) surgical success in 100% of patients. AHI surgical cure was seen in 25.5% of patients and RDI surgical cure was seen in 37.5% of patients. Conclusions This study's major finding is that obstructive sleep apnea has dramatically improved in pediatric patients with mandibular insufficiency when they have been treated with mandibular advancement or mandibular distraction osteogenesis.
Uncovering True Cellular Phenotypes: Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neurons to Study Early Insults in Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

ABSTRACT Animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders have provided invaluable insights into the molecular-, cellular-, and circuit-level defects associated with a plethora of genetic disruptions. In many cases, these deficits have been linked to changes in disease-relevant behaviors, but very few of these findings have been translated to treatments for human disease. This may be due to significant species differences and the difficulty in modeling disorders that involve deletion or duplication of multiple genes. The identification of primary underlying pathophysiology in these models is confounded by the accumulation of secondary disease phenotypes in the mature nervous system, as well as potential compensatory mechanisms. The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cell technology now provides a tool to accurately model complex genetic neurogenetic disorders. Using this technique, patient-specific cell lines can be generated and differentiated into specific subtypes of neurons that can be used to identify primary cellular and molecular phenotypes. It is clear that impairments in synaptic structure and function are a common pathophysiology across neurodevelopmental disorders, and electrophysiological analysis at the earliest stages of neuronal development is critical for identifying changes in activity and excitability that can contribute to synaptic dysfunction, and identify targets for disease-modifying therapies.
Preventing Credit-Card Fraud: A Goal-Setting and Prompting Intervention to Increase Cashiers’ ID-Checking Behavior

A goal-setting and prompting intervention was promoted by a restaurant manager to increase the frequency of cashiers’ ID-checking behavior. An A-B-A (Baseline-Intervention-Withdrawal) reversal desi...
Resilient Distributed Estimation: Exponential Convergence Under Sensor Attacks

This paper studies fully distributed parameter estimation under measurement attacks. A connected network of agents makes measurements of a parameter while an adversary manipulates a subset of the measurements. The goal of the agents is to recover the parameter in the presence of measurement attacks. This paper presents an iterative consen-sus+innovations algorithm for resilient distributed estimation. The algorithm ensures that all agents correctly recover the parameter of interest, with exponentially fast rate of convergence, so long as less than $\frac{3}{10}$ of the agents' measurements are under attack, regardless of the (connected) network topology. We demonstrate the performance of the algorithm through numerical examples.
Inversion of synthetic aperture radar interferograms for sources of production-related subsidence at the Dixie Valley geothermal field

We used synthetic aperture radar interferograms to image ground subsidence that occurred over the Dixie Valley geothermal field during different time intervals between 1992 and 1997. Linear elastic inversion of the subsidence that occurred between April, 1996 and March, 1997 revealed that the dominant sources of deformation during this time period were large changes in fluid volumes at shallow depths within the valley fill above the reservoir. The distributions of subsidence and subsurface volume change support a model in which reduction in pressure and volume of hot water discharging into the valley fill from localized upflow along the Stillwater range frontal fault is caused by drawdown within the upflow zone resulting from geothermal production. Our results also suggest that an additional source of fluid volume reduction in the shallow valley fill might be similar drawdown within piedmont fault zones. Shallow groundwater flow in the vicinity of the field appears to be controlled on the NW by a mapped fault and to the SW by a lineament of as yet unknown origin.
Clinical decision support systems: From medical simulation to clinical practice

Medical simulation has become an integral part of the training of medical students, residents, and faculty. While our traditional sense of medical simulation involves scenarios, manikins, resuscitation, and procedures, we must now expand this vision. With the development of the electronic medical record and the resultant large data sets (“Big Data”) that encompass each patient's record, there is an opportunity to engage in the modeling and prediction of individual patient outcomes and trajectories of care. Here, medical simulation delves into the arena of clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) which leverage advanced algorithms, analytics, and machine learning approaches. The advent and continued adoption of health information technologies such as CDSSs into real-world health-care operations can lead to improved patient care, safety, and cost savings. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: System-based practice, Practice-based learning, and Patient care.
Fall Water Effects on Growing Season Soil Water Content and Plant Productivity

Abstract Understanding fall precipitation effects on rangelands could improve forage production forecasting and inform predictions of potential climate change effects. We used a rainout shelter and water addition to test effects of seasonal precipitation on soil water and annual net primary production of C3 perennial grass, C4 perennial grass, annual grasses, forbs, and all plants combined. Treatments were 1) drought during September−October and April−May (DD); 2) drought plus irrigation during September−October and drought during April−May (WD); 3) year-long ambient conditions (WW); and 4) ambient plus irrigation during September−October (W + W). Treatments created conditions ranking among the driest and wettest September−October periods since 1937. Fall water effects on soil water were not detectable by May at 15 cm and 30 cm. Effects persisted into July at 60 cm and 90 cm, depths below the primary root zone. With spring drought, annual net primary production was 344 kg ha−1 greater when the previous fall was wet rather than dry. No differences were detected between fall water treatments when spring was wet and fall was about 184% (1 938 ± 117 kg ha−1) or 391% of the median (1 903 ± 117 kg ha−1). Fall water increased C3 perennial grass when spring was also wet and had no effect under spring drought, when forage production concerns are greatest. Fall water did not affect C4 perennial grass, and extremely wet fall conditions reduced forb production about 50%. The greatest effect of fall water was increased annual grass production. Even record high levels of fall water had minor effects on biomass, functional group composition, and soil water that were short-lived and overwhelmed by the influence of spring precipitation. Movement of fall water to deep soil by the growing season suggests plants that would most benefit from fall precipitation are those that could use it during fall (winter annuals), or deep-rooted species (shrubs).
Habitat fragmentation influences genetic diversity and differentiation: Fine-scale population structure of Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud)

Forest fragmentation may negatively affect plants through reduced genetic diversity and increased population structure due to habitat isolation, decreased population size, and disturbance of pollen-seed dispersal mechanisms. However, in the case of tree species, effective pollen-seed dispersal, mating system, and ecological dynamics may help the species overcome the negative effect of forest fragmentation. A fine-scale population genetics study can shed light on the postfragmentation genetic diversity and structure of a species. Here, we present the genetic diversity and population structure of Cercis canadensis L. (eastern redbud) wild populations on a fine scale within fragmented areas centered around the borders of Georgia-Tennessee, USA. We hypothesized high genetic diversity among the collections of C. canadensis distributed across smaller geographical ranges. Fifteen microsatellite loci were used to genotype 172 individuals from 18 unmanaged and naturally occurring collection sites. Our results indicated presence of population structure, overall high genetic diversity (H E = 0.63, H O = 0.34), and moderate genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.14) among the collection sites. Two major genetic clusters within the smaller geographical distribution were revealed by STRUCTURE. Our data suggest that native C. canadensis populations in the fragmented area around the Georgia-Tennessee border were able to maintain high levels of genetic diversity, despite the presence of considerable spatial genetic structure. As habitat isolation may negatively affect gene flow of outcrossing species across time, consequences of habitat fragmentation should be regularly monitored for this and other forest species. This study also has important implications for habitat management efforts and future breeding programs.
Negative online reviews and consumers’ service consumption

Abstract The growing reliance on the Internet as an information source for services raises the need for more research focusing on electronic word of mouth (eWOM). Drawing on construal level theory and the sunk costs fallacy, we examine how psychological distance and prior investments in information search influence service consumers’ reactions to negative eWOM. We find that when consumers perceive the service consumption to be psychologically proximal, temporal investments in information search diminish the impact of negative eWOM on behavioral intentions. This effect is so robust that even a highly negative forum consensus does not mitigate it. Conversely, when the consumption experience is perceived as distal, temporal investments fail to buffer the impact of negative eWOM, and a forum consensus magnifies the impact. Our findings have important implications for service firms, as service consumers may make many of their evaluations and decisions under the influence of psychological distance and sunk costs.
Video summarization approaches in wireless capsule endoscopy: A review

Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is medical examination process for gastrointestinal tract (GIT). This noninvasive multi advantageous procedure can be made more popular by overcoming the problem of prolonged analysis time. Video summarization is a concise and meaningful representation of a video. Along with automated detection and segmentation methods, summarized video will serve as an additional source for confirming the analysis of WCE video before the final diagnosis without any dropouts. Nowadays, Internet of Things (IoT) environments are predominant in healthcare sectors. Considering limited resources of smart phones and long duration of WCE process, it is impractical to send all the WCE data to health-care centers or gastroenterologists. This paper reviews video summarization types and the techniques used for WCE video summarization by various researchers. Feature set selection, clustering methods and key frame selection techniques play important role in performance of summarization technique.
Preparing for Mars 2020 and future space missions: technology advancements driving contamination control requirements and cleanroom protocols

Future space exploration missions will force contamination control requirements to become more strict to support increasingly sensitive instrumentation and search for life missions. Driving issues for these extremely clean requirements include increased instrument sensitivity, return sample science, and protecting ambitious mission science objectives. Preparing to meet these requirements mandates that contamination control provide new guidelines and more involved support for the cleanrooms during flight hardware assembly, including establishing better methods for setting cleanroom personnel limits to reduce particle fall out in cleanrooms. Limited literature exists for universal methods of determining cleanroom personnel limits, and what does exist includes mostly theory and assumptions on determining the limit. In this work, published method will be assessed against particle fall out data collected from the ISO 5 cleanrooms of the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover assembly. Additional evaluations will assess contamination control required cleanroom protocols and the overall success of meeting strict cleanliness requirements of the Adaptive Caching Assembly (ACA) and sample tubes to safeguard future scientific endeavors.
Current joint therapy usage in equine practice: Changes in the last 10 years.

BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis is a common clinical condition in the performance horse. In the last 10 years, there has been substantial growth in understanding of the disease and in the development of novel therapies. OBJECTIVES To document changes in clinical use of joint therapies over the past 10 years. We also aimed to understand how newly developed therapies have been added to routine clinical practice. STUDY DESIGN Survey of veterinary professionals. METHODS We administered an electronic survey to members of the American Association of the Equine Practitioners. Questions from a similar survey in 2009 were repeated and new questions were added. The responses were tabulated, analysed and compared to those of the previous survey. RESULTS A total of 407 completed surveys were returned. There were no significant differences between the current and previous surveys with respect to demographic parameters. Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) remained the most common corticosteroid used to treat high-motion joints. Methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) remained the most common corticosteroid to treat low-motion joints. The use of MPA for high-motion joints was significantly more common in 2009 than in 2019 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.66-3.42, P = .001). Biological therapies became more popular, and the likelihood of respondents reporting having used autologous conditioned serum was substantially higher in 2019 than in 2009 (OR: 4.24, 95% CI: 3.16-5.68, P < .001). Concomitant use of antibiotics with intra-articular medications became more common as well. MAIN LIMITATIONS This is a report of survey data and not directly measured treatments. CONCLUSIONS There is a decrease in the use of MPA to treat high-motion joints. The use of biological therapies in joints has become more prevalent. There are clear differences in the use of joint therapies over time. While some differences agree with the scientific evidence, others are not fully concordant or are in direct conflict with the scientific literature.
P-036 Sensitivity of the RACW score in the detection of large vessel occlusions during working and non-working hours

Introduction Multiple studies have shown that faster treatment times for ischemic strokes result in improved clinical outcomes. Pre-hospital triage scores aim to identify large vessel occlusions in the field and allow earlier activation of stroke teams in the hospital. Objective To compare the sensitivity of the pre-hospital Rapid Arterial oCclusion Evaluation (RACE) score for the detection of large vessel occlusions during working hours and non-working hours. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients presenting with a RACE score of ≥ 5 to one comprehensive and one thrombectomy capable hospital between July 2015 and December 2019. Baseline demographics, time of hospital arrival, presenting NIHSS score, intravenous tPA and mechanical thrombectomy metrics, ninety day modified Rankin scores, discharge disposition, and final discharge diagnosis were recorded. Patients presenting between 7 AM to 6 PM during weekdays were considered to present during ‘Working hours’ whereas patients presenting between 6 PM - 7 AM on weekdays or anytime during weekends were considered to present during ‘Non-working hours’. The primary outcome of interest was diagnosis of large vessel occlusion. Secondary outcomes included diagnosis of neurovascular event, discharge diagnosis, and good clinical outcome defined as ninety day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of ≤ 2. Results Over a 4.5 year period, this study analyzed 687 patients who presented to the hospital via Emergency Medical Services with a RACE score of 5 or more. The average age of the cohort was 71.4 years and women comprised 55% of the cohort. Median NIHSS was comparable in the Working (13) and Non-working (14; p=0.48) groups. Intravenous tPA administration (21.7% vs. 26.5%; p=0.15) and risk factors including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke, and prevalence of atrial fibrillation were comparable between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the diagnosis of large vessel occlusion (36.4% vs 34.6%) or final discharge diagnosis. Sensitivity of the RACE score for detection of neurovascular events (TIA, ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage) was improved during non-working hours (75.1%) compared to working hours (67.2%; p=0.02). Although door to groin puncture & recanalization times were shorter during working hours, there was no significant difference in the rate of good clinical outcomes (54.1% vs. 51.5%; p=0.76) in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Conclusion The sensitivity of the RACE score for detecting large vessel occlusions does not vary significantly during working and non-working hours. However, patients who present with high RACE scores during working hours are more likely to have a diagnosis of a stroke mimic than those presenting off hours. Disclosures E. Hitomi: None. M. Jumaa: None. S. Zaidi: None. J. Shawver: None. A. Korsnack: None. A. Castonguay: None. R. Burgess: None. V. Kung: None. H. Salahuddin: None.
Cloning and sequencing of a human pancreatic tumor mucin cDNA.

A monospecific polyclonal antiserum against deglycosylated human pancreatic tumor mucin was used to select human pancreatic mucin cDNA clones from a lambda gt11 cDNA expression library developed from a human pancreatic tumor cell line. The full-length 4.4-kilobase mucin cDNA sequence included a 72-base pair 5‘-untranslated region and a 307-base pair 3‘-untranslated region. The predicted amino acid sequence for this cDNA revealed a protein of 122,071 daltons containing 1,255 amino acid residues of which greater than 60% were serine, threonine, proline, alanine, and glycine. Approximately two-thirds of the protein sequence consisted of identical 20-amino acid tandem repeats which were flanked by degenerate tandem repeats and nontandem repeat sequences on both the amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal ends. The amino acid sequence also contained five putative N-linked glycosylation sites, a putative signal sequence and transmembrane domain, and numerous serine and threonine residues (potential O-linked glycosylation sites) outside and within the tandem repeat position. The cDNA and deduced amino acid sequence of the pancreatic mucin sequence was over 99% homologous with a mucin cDNA sequence derived from breast tumor mucin, even though the native forms of these molecules are quite distinct in size and degree of glycosylation.
Report: Low Frequency Predictive Skill Despite Structural Instability and Model Error

Abstract : Identifying and quantifying the effects of uncertainty in long range prediction for complex systems such as long range weather forecasting or short term climate change, OBJECTIVES The development of new techniques to quantify the response of complex systems to changes in external conditions, to assess the behavior of imperfect models for long range forecasting for complex systems and their model errors, and to devise new strategies to mitigate these model errors through efficient algorithms. This includes strategies for using data assimilation to make judicious model errors.
Government Has No “Religious Agency”: James Madison's Fundamental Principle of Religious Liberty

Religious liberty has reemerged as a problem in liberal democracy. For guidance we can turn to James Madison. Unfortunately, his fundamental principle of religious liberty has been misunderstood. Madison believed that power over religious conscience always remains with the individual, which means that government never has a power to attempt to cause or prohibit religious opinions or profession and only has the power to prohibit religious practices that are “adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.” Madison's fundamental principle of religious liberty is therefore that government has no “religious agency.” In matters of religious establishment, “no agency” means that government lacks even the power to cognize religious opinions or practices. But in matters of free exercise, “no agency” means that government can accommodate citizens’ religious consciences, even if that accommodation requires cognizing their religious opinions. An important but widely overlooked example of Madison's complex but principled approach to religious liberty is his 1790 proposal for a statutory exemption from federal militia service for religious objectors.
Quality assurance and quality control in mammography: A review

A mammogram is among the most technically demanding radiographic procedures. The early detection of breast cancer relies on the radiologist’s ability to perceive subtle changes in the image that are only perceptible with high-quality imaging. Early detection of breast cancer is only as reliable as the mammogram with which a diagnosis is made, and a mammogram is only as accurate as the system that produces it. A quality assurance (QA) program maximizes the likelihood that the mammographic images will provide adequate diagnostic information for the least possible radiation exposure and cost to the patient. The QA program monitors each phase of operation of the imaging facility beginning with the request for an examination and ending with the interpretation of the referring physician and ensures that the imaging equipment used for the examination will yield the information desired. Because image quality is the most important technical aspect of mammography, this review summarizes the most important QA and quality control issues.
Religious Studies: A Bibliographic Essay

The earliest scholarly studies of religion as a distinct subject occurred in and were shaped by the broader conditions of Western modernity— the philosophical legacies of the Enlightenment, the engagement of Western thinkers with religious otherness, and the sociopolitical contexts of the American and French revolutions. These intellectual, cultural, and political conditions challenged the established traditions of knowledge and social institutions, religion and religious authority in particular. Although the dominant religious institutions in Western societies, and many of their respective theologians, rejected the earliest cha(lle)nges of modernity philosophically and politically, a number of theologians entered a dialogue with it. They conversed with and responded to the
The Corporation as a Tocquevillian Association

The Supreme Court’s 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. FEC re-energized the debate over the proper role of corporations in the political process. Some have welcomed the decision as an application of the Constitution’s limits upon governmental regulation of political speech. Others have bemoaned the decision for equating corporate spending with free speech, thereby depriving government of the power to effectively safeguard the electoral process. Both sides of the debate, however, appear fixated upon a “one-size-fits-all” answer to the question of corporate political involvement. This is both unfortunate and inaccurate, for it undermines the construction of a positive path forward and obfuscates the truth of things. Corporations are marked by a tremendous degree of variation and diversity, and our approach to corporate involvement in the political process ought to take this important fact into account. Many corporations live up to their characterization as simply profit-maximizing machines. To equate their “speech” with the speech of a human being would seem odd and problematic. But some corporations belie such characterization. Some are genuine communities – a coming together of investors, business people, employees and customers around a particular vision of the good. They are marked by specific cultures, and adhere to certain principles. Such corporations provide people with not merely goods, services, and jobs, but the harmony that accompanies a life lived consistently – a life where employment and purchasing decisions are not separate from the value judgments that are constitutive of human character. These corporations should be recognized as “Tocquevillian Associations.” And their participation in the political process ought to be vigorously welcomed. Indeed, their participation in the political process is arguably essential to the health of our democratic republic.