cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Air-Entraining Admixture Partitioning and Adsorption by Fly Ash in Concrete

The adsorption of air-entraining admixtures (AEAs) on coal fly ash was evaluated and quantified using adsorption isotherm experiments. The interaction between AEAs and aggregate, cement, and fly ash were studied, and the physical and chemical processes were identified and quantified. As a result, a method of fly ash adsorption capacity determination was developed to measure the residual AEA concentration in concrete mixtures. Fly ash adsorption capacity can be used for the purpose of characterization and specification of fly ash and to assess the suitability of fly ash for the use in concrete and other applications. In addition, AEA dosage adjustments can be made accordingly to compensate for the adsorbed AEA and to attain the AEA concentration required to produce the desired air void system. The procedure reported in this paper provides a solution to the AEA adsorption problem that hinders increased use of fly ash in concrete.
Comparison of Pseudospectral and Spectral Approximation

The accuracy of pseudospectral (collocation) approximation is compared to spectral (Galerkin) approximation in some simple model problems. It is found that both approximations give similar errors, despite the inclusion of aliasing terms in pseudospectral approximation.
From Individual Contributor to Leader A Role Identity Shift Framework for Leader Development Within Innovative Organizations

This paper contributes to the leadership identity development literature by examining role identity shift from individual contributor to leader in organizations that expect and reward innovation. The challenge for new leaders is to shift their role identity from innovative individual contributor to leader and for the organization to provide the support and reward structures to develop leaders of innovation. Degrees of role identity shift range from incremental shift (remaining an individual contributor through technical updating and employee development) through substantial shift (adding elements of leadership to one’s role and identity) to radical shift (complete transformation into becoming a leader in behavior and identity). As part of this approach, we apply the idea of creative destruction to leader development and, consistent with identity literature, argue that the idea of identity destruction is sometimes a legitimate part of leader development. In a process model, we predict the degree of leader ...
Determination of acid value,free bromine and iron content in tetrabromo-phthalic anhydride

The determination principle,instrument and agent,test process and sequence,the result and calculate method of acid value,free bromine and iron content in tetra-bromophthalic anhydride(TBPA)sample import and in China were introduced and the results were discussed.The acid value,X1(KOH)in TBPA was calculated with X1=(V0-V)c×56.11/m;the free bromine content X2 in TBPA was calculated with X2=(V0-V)c×79.9×1 000/m;and the iron content X3 was calculated with X3=m1/m in which m1 was from the standard cure.Test was carried using chemical methods which was simple and easily and its repeatability was better.The determination value of correlation factor in TBPA sample import and in China was consistent with index abroad.
Foreward: genetic exceptionalism.

Collected on the occasion of the Harvard Journal o f L a w & Technology's Symposium on "Privacy, Property, and Family in the Age of Genetic Testing," the articles in this issue of the Journal sketch the landscape of contemporary genetic and reproductive law and policy. Taken together they form a provocative, if only accidentally harmonic theme: society may not always benefit from special genetic and reproduction regulations, or special "exceptions" to existing policies for genetics. Against the backdrop of dozens of ongoing attempts to craft new policies, amend existing policies, and challenge existing law regarding genetics, analysis of genetic "exceptionalism" is welcome. Lee Silver and Susan Remis Silver use a provocative thought experiment to illustrate the need to reemphasize the right to reproduce in contemporary policy: ~ a lesbian couple utilizes sperm donation, embryo fusion, gender selection, and mutual gestation to have two children, each borne by one of the partners. This imaginative case study, and subsequent legal analysis of existing policy and recent decisions, points to a future in which determining "who is the parent" will become both more complex and more crucial. Lori Andrews adapts her study of human cloning commissioned by the National Bioethics Advisory Commission, asking whether regulation of human cloning could withstand constitutional scrutiny. 2 She describes the context and significance of human cloning experiments, and claims that there may be constitutionally acceptable justifications for government interventions and policies to restrict some kinds of human cloning. Her article also illuslIates the complexity of separating the need for policy designed to protect "future" human subjects from policies and decisions aimed at
Enhanced photocatalytic performance of Fe-doped SnO2 nanoarchitectures under UV irradiation: synthesis and activity

A facile, sol–gel method has afforded highly crystalline, Fe-doped SnO2 nanoarchitectures with efficient photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under ultraviolet irradiation. The effects of iron modification to tin dioxide were investigated. The structural properties were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, gas sorption (adsorption/desorption) techniques, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The photocatalytic activity of these materials was studied by examining the degradation of RhB with pure SnO2 and each Fe modified sample (3 and 5 %), all annealed at 350 °C. Diffraction results reveal that the synthesized nanocrystals are ~3 nm in diameter. Gas sorption analyses detail high-specific surface areas (>330 m2 g−1). Electron microscopy studies illustrate the enhanced porosity brought on through annealing. EDS confirms the presence of Fe in the most active Fe-modified SnO2 sample. It is found that the 5 % Fe-modified SnO2 degrades RhB by more than half after 2 h.
Translating leukemia stem cells into the clinical setting: Harmonizing the heterogeneity.

Considerable evidence suggests that rare leukemia cells with stem cell features, including self-renewal capacity and drug resistance, are primarily responsible for both disease maintenance and relapses. Traditionally, these so-called leukemia stem cells (LSCs) have been identified in the laboratory by their ability to engraft acute myeloid leukemia (AML) into immunocompromised mice. For many years, only those rare AML cells characterized by a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) CD34+CD38- phenotype were believed capable of generating leukemia in immunocompromised mice. However, more recently, significant heterogeneity in the phenotypes of those AML cells that can engraft immunocompromised mice has been demonstrated. AML cells that engraft immunocompromised mice have also been shown to not necessarily represent either the founder clone or those cells responsible for relapse. A recent study found that the most immature phenotype present in an AML correlated with genetically defined risk groups and outcomes, but was heterogeneous. Patients with AML cells expressing a primitive HSC phenotype (CD34+CD38- with high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity) manifested significantly lower complete remission rates, as well as poorer event-free and overall survivals. Leukemias in which the most primitive cells displayed more mature phenotypes were associated with better outcomes. The strong clinical correlations suggest that the most immature phenotype detectable within a patient's AML might serve as a biomarker for "clinically relevant" LSCs.
Genetic Ablation of Fibroblast Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Increases Myofibroblast Transdifferentiation and Exacerbates Fibrosis in Myocardial Infarction

When the heart is injured, fibroblasts transition from a structural role into contractile, synthetic myofibroblasts. This is crucial for scar formation after myocardial infarction to prevent ventricular rupture, but excessive fibrosis is maladaptive and leads to heart failure. While intracellular calcium (iCa2+) elevation has been shown to be necessary for myofibroblast transdifferentiation, the mitochondrial calcium (mCa2+) domain has not been explored. Mcu encodes the channel-forming portion of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex and is required for acute mCa2+ uptake. We generated a conditional, fibroblast-restricted Mcu knockout mouse by crossing Mcufl/fl mice with a mouse expressing a tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase under control of the collagen1a2 promoter (fibroblast Mcu-cKO). Fibroblast Mcu-cKO mice and controls were subjected to ligation of the left coronary artery and cardiac function was examined weekly by echocardiography. Deletion of fibroblast Mcu worsened left ventricular dysfunction and increased fibrosis. To examine cellular mechanisms responsible we isolated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from Mcufl/fl mice and deleted Mcu using Cre-adenovirus. When challenged with pro-fibrotic ligands, Mcu-/- MEFs exhibited decreased mCa2+ uptake and enhanced iCa2+ transient amplitude. Mcu-/- MEFs displayed enhanced myofibroblast transdifferentiation as evidenced by decreased migration and proliferation as well as increased α-SMA expression and gel contraction. Metabolically, Mcu-/- MEFs display a shift towards more glycolysis with less oxidative phosphorylation, correlating with increased phosphorylation (inactivation) of the pyruvate dehydrogenase subunit E3. These results suggest that alterations in mitochondrial buffering of pro-fibrotic iCa2+ signaling and changes in energetic pathways may be mechanisms driving myofibroblast transdifferentiation and fibrosis.
Exploring the Effect of Scripted Roles on Cognitive Presence in Asynchronous Online Discussions

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of scripted roles on students’ level of cognitive presence in asynchronous online threaded discussions. A mixed methods design was used to investigate: (1) what level of cognitive presence is achieved by students’ assigned roles in asynchronous online discussions; (2) differences between students’ cognitive presence when the asynchronous online discussions occur during a 5-week intensive summer courses versus 15-week regular semesters (fall and spring); and (3) the impact of the types of questions on students’ cognitive presence in role-based asynchronous online discussions across three semesters in an online introductory nutrition course. The participants of this study were 129 undergraduate students at a major public University in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The results of this research corresponds to the findings of previous research that scripted roles can be an effective strategy to improve both learning processes and outcomes. In addition, this study didn’t find any differences in students’ level of cognitive presence when they enrolled in 5-week summer courses or 15-week regular semesters in fall and spring. Finally, this study found evidence that the types of questions related to the level of cognitive presence, i.e., higher level questions can lead to higher level of cognitive presence and vice versa.
Factors Influencing the Rate of Lost to Followup after Suburethral Synthetic Sling Removal

AbstractIntroduction: We report on variables associated with lost to followup in women undergoing suburethral synthetic sling removal for complications of mid urethral slings.Methods: Following institutional review board approval a prospectively maintained database of consecutive women with nonneurogenic bladder who underwent 1 synthetic sling removal only was reviewed. Data reviewed by a third party investigator included distance traveled for appointment, marital status, employment status, if the patient received primary care from the institution, if patient’s last followup visit was routine or for ongoing urological treatment, type of insurance coverage and UDI-6 (Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form) questionnaire scores. Patients who did not reach a minimum followup length of 6 months were contacted via phone and interviewed using a standardized script.Results: From 2005 to 2015, 129 patients had a mean followup of 25 months (range 6 to 114). Of the 38 women lost to followup 19 could not be reache...
How does perception at multiple levels influence collective action in the commons? The case of Mikania micrantha in Chitwan, Nepal

Collective action has played a vital role in managing common pool resources in numerous global contexts. This article explores the factors affecting collective action related to the removal of the mile-a-minute weed (Mikania micrantha, referred to as Mikania), an invasive plant, in community forests in the buffer zone region around Chitwan National Park in Chitwan, Nepal. Few studies have combined larger sample size quantitative data with greater generalizability and nuanced, qualitative data to explore what factors influence collective action or focused on how perception of the issue at multiple levels affects outcomes. This research employs household and community forest management survey data from 21 community forests in and near the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park in Nepal. Our multilevel econometric analyses, including an analysis examining geographic space using eigenvectors, investigate what influences local people's participation in Mikania removal and we contextualize the findings with case-study interview data. Our results indicate that reliance on community forest resources, perception of the issue, and neighborhood sizes influence are influential factors in their participation in Mikania removal. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of increasing the effectiveness of Mikania removal efforts and influencing collective action in relation to other global human-environment issues.
Improving Recognition of Pediatric Severe Sepsis in the Emergency Department: Contributions of a Vital Sign–Based Electronic Alert and Bedside Clinician Identification

Study objective Recognition of pediatric sepsis is a key clinical challenge. We evaluate the performance of a sepsis recognition process including an electronic sepsis alert and bedside assessment in a pediatric emergency department (ED). Methods This was a cohort study with quality improvement intervention in a pediatric ED. Exposure was a positive electronic sepsis alert, defined as elevated pulse rate or hypotension, concern for infection, and at least one of the following: abnormal capillary refill, abnormal mental status, or high-risk condition. A positive electronic sepsis alert prompted team assessment or huddle to determine need for sepsis protocol. Clinicians could initiate team assessment or huddle according to clinical concern without positive electronic sepsis alert. Severe sepsis outcome defined as activation of the sepsis protocol in the ED or development of severe sepsis requiring ICU admission within 24 hours. Results There were 182,509 ED visits during the study period, with 86,037 before electronic sepsis alert implementation and 96,472 afterward, and 1,112 (1.2%) positive electronic sepsis alerts. Overall, 326 patients (0.3%) were treated for severe sepsis within 24 hours. Test characteristics of the electronic sepsis alert alone to detect severe sepsis were sensitivity 86.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 82.0% to 89.5%), specificity 99.1% (95% CI 99.0% to 99.2%), positive predictive value 25.4% (95% CI 22.8% to 28.0%), and negative predictive value 100% (95% CI 99.9% to 100%). Inclusion of the clinician screen identified 43 additional electronic sepsis alert–negative children, with severe sepsis sensitivity 99.4% (95% CI 97.8% to 99.8%) and specificity 99.1% (95% CI 99.1% to 99.2%). Electronic sepsis alert implementation increased ED sepsis detection from 83% to 96%. Conclusion Electronic sepsis alert for severe sepsis demonstrated good sensitivity and high specificity. Addition of clinician identification of electronic sepsis alert–negative patients further improved sensitivity. Implementation of the electronic sepsis alert was associated with improved recognition of severe sepsis.
A symmetry measure for damage detection with mode shapes

Abstract This paper introduces a feature for detecting damage or changes in structures, the continuous symmetry measure, which can quantify the amount of a particular rotational, mirror, or translational symmetry in a mode shape of a structure. Many structures in the built environment have geometries that are either symmetric or almost symmetric, however damage typically occurs in a local manner causing asymmetric changes in the structure's geometry or material properties, and alters its mode shapes. The continuous symmetry measure can quantify these changes in symmetry as a novel indicator of damage for data-based structural health monitoring approaches. This paper describes the concept as a basis for detecting changes in mode shapes and detecting structural damage. Application of the method is demonstrated in various structures with different symmetrical properties: a pipe cross-section with a finite element model and experimental study, the NASA 8-bay truss model, and the simulated IASC-ASCE structural health monitoring benchmark structure. The applicability and limitations of the feature in applying it to structures of varying geometries is discussed.
The effect of large uniaxial stress on resonant phonon scattering in n-type germanium☆

Abstract The application of a shear strain to n -type Ge along the [111] or [110] crystallographic axis destroys the equivalence of the four conduction-band valleys. In this note, we report some calculations on the consequences of this ‘valley-repopulation effect’ on the resonance fluorescence phonon scattering at liquid helium temperatures. It is found that the effect of strain depends critically on whether the resonant frequency in the unstrained sample is larger or smaller than v / r 0 , where v is the sound velocity and r 0 the mean donor radius. Probably the most clearcut prediction is that the thermal conductivity of As or P -doped Ge should decrease under a large tensile stress. The case of a large compression along the [111] axis is particularly interesting since scattering is mainly due to donor electrons in an excited state.
Estimation of isotope variation of N 2 O during denitrification by Pseudomonas aureofaciens and Pseudomonas chlororaphis : implications for N 2 O source apportionment

Abstract. Soil microbial processes, stimulated by agricultural fertilization, account for 90 % of anthropogenic nitrous oxide ( N2O ), the leading source of ozone depletion and a potent greenhouse gas. Efforts to reduce N2O flux commonly focus on reducing fertilization rates. Management of microbial processes responsible for N2O production may also be used to reduce N2O emissions, but this requires knowledge of the prevailing process. To this end, stable isotopes of N2O have been applied to differentiate N2O produced by nitrification and denitrification. To better understand the factors contributing to isotopic variation during denitrification, we characterized the δ15 N, δ18 O and site preference (SP; the intramolecular distribution of 15N in N2O ) of N2O produced during NO 3 - reduction by Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens and P. c. subsp. chlororaphis. The terminal product of denitrification for these two species is N2O because they lack the gene nitrous oxide reductase, which is responsible for the reduction of N2O to N 2 . In addition to species, treatments included electron donor (citrate and succinate) and electron donor concentration (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mM) as factors. In contrast to the expectation of a Rayleigh model, all treatments exhibited curvilinear behaviour between δ15 N or δ18 O and the extent of the reaction. The curvilinear behaviour indicates that the fractionation factor changed over the course of the reaction, something that is not unexpected for a multi-step process such as denitrification. Using the derivative of the equation, we estimated that the net isotope effects ( η ) vary by as much as 100 ‰ over the course of a single reaction, presenting challenges for using δ15 N and δ18 O as apportionment tools. In contrast, SP for denitrification was not affected by the extent of the reaction, the electron donor source or concentration, although the mean SP of N2O produced by each species differed. Therefore, SP remains a robust indicator of the origin of N2O . To improve apportionment estimates with SP, future studies could evaluate other factors that contribute to the variation in SP.
Trade, Trade Agreements and the Environment

This article shows the impact of trade on income that, in turn, impacts the environment. It discusses the plausibility of international trade agreements as a vehicle for environmental change.
Blocks of small defect in symmetric and simple groups

Let p be a prime, G a finite group, and r≥1. We say a p-block B with defect group D of G is r-small if |D|≤|G|pr. In this paper, we show that almost all simple groups have r-small p-blocks, and we explicitly construct them for An and Sn for all primes p. Of course, it is known that for p≥5 that An has a block of defect zero, but little is known about specifically constructing such blocks. Here, however, our explicit construction of r-small p-blocks allows us to construct certain oddly behaved embeddings of q-blocks into p-blocks, where q is a prime distinct from p.
Measles, Rubella, and Tetanus Vaccinations: a Brief Global Review

The study aims to review the prevention efforts for vaccine preventable diseases. Significant progress in global vaccination coverage has been made since World Health Organization established the Expanded Programme on Immunization to ensure that all children have access to routinely recommended vaccines. Global coverage with vaccines to prevent tetanus, poliomyelitis, or measles has increased from < 5 to ≥ 85% in multiple countries, and for the first time, in 2016, global estimated measles deaths were fewer than 100,000. However, vaccination rates for the third dose of polio vaccine, diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and pertussis-containing vaccine and first dose of measles-containing vaccine have remained unchanged at 84–86% since 2010, demonstrating a need for new strategies to improve immunization rates especially in low-income regions. In addition to political commitment from governments, disease surveillance efforts should be strengthened. In developed countries, vaccine refusal should be continuously addressed. In this review, tetanus, measles, rubella, and polio vaccinations are discussed with their unique success stories and challenges.
Solution Caves in Regions of Moderate Relief

Caves in regions of moderate relief are widely regarded as the standard to which all others are compared. Tectonic stability is their most significant characteristic. The presence of moderate relief implies that uplift of the land is slow and erosional processes are able to keep pace. As a result, rivers easily erode to their local base levels, and base-level control is reflected in cave passages. The relation between caves and regional geomorphic history is stronger than in any other setting. Examples are given from the Illinois Basin (Kentucky and Indiana), the Ozark Plateau (Missouri), and the Appalachians.
Blastic Transformation of Classic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

The BCR-ABL negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) of essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, and primary myelofibrosis have an increasing predisposition over the course of a patient’s illness to transform to overt acute leukemia what is referred to as MPN-Blast Phase (MPN-BP). Current therapies for the MPNs are limited, and no therapy other than allogeneic stem cell transplant has clearly altered the natural history of these neoplasms. Pathogenetic mechanisms which lead to an MPN progressing to MPN-BP are incompletely understood, but seem to correlate with accumulation of additional karyotypic abnormalities as opposed to increases in MPN-associated molecular lesion burden (such as JAK2V617F). The development of MPN-BP is heralded by worsening cytopenias, constitutional symptoms, and a very poor survival despite therapeutic intervention. Risk factors for developing MPN-BP include both features at diagnosis (such as increased peripheral blood blasts, karyotypic abnormalities, and thrombocytopenia), as well as exposure to established agents which enhance leukemogenesis (i.e., P-32 and alkylators). Salvage of MPN-BP by induction chemotherapy followed by allogeneic stem cell transplant is possible, but a successful option in a small minority of patients. Multiple avenues of therapeutic investigation are ongoing to treat, or prevent, MPN-BP including early allogeneic stem cell transplantation, hypomethylating agents, and JAK2 inhibition. An improved understanding of the pathogenetic underpinings of MPN-BP are necessary if more effective targeted therapies are to be developed.
Performance-based and self-assessed measures of visual function as related to history of falls, hip fractures, and measured gait time: The beaver dam eye study

Objective: The purpose of the study is to report relationships between visual function parameters and falls, hip fractures, and gait time in adults. Design: Population-based study. Participants: The 3722 persons who participated in the 5-year follow-up of the Beaver Dam Eye Study cohort. Main Outcome Measures: The visual functions measured at the examination were best-corrected visual acuity, current binocular acuity, near acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual threshold to light. Information on falls and hip fractures was obtained by structured interview. Gait time was measured by standardized protocol. Results: History of falls and hip fractures increased with age, as did time to walk a measured course. Falls were more commonly reported for all persons who had poorer visual function, although not all relationships were significant in persons less than 60 years of age. In persons 60 years of age and older, hip fractures after the age of 40 were significantly related to all measures of visual function. Time to walk a measured course was significantly related to all measures of visual function. Conclusions: These data indicate a consistent relationship between falls, fractures, gait time, and visual functions. Longitudinal data are necessary to accurately determine temporal relationships and to determine the likelihood of a causal association. In the interim, these data suggest that improving visual function may have benefits such as decreased traumatic events and improved mobility.
Barriers to Drug Delivery for Brain Trauma

One of the most opposing barriers—both literally and figuratively—challenging the translational advancement of therapeutics targeting brain trauma involves effective delivery of potentially neuroprotective agents to the damaged brain. Aspects distinguishing delivery of drugs to the injured brain relative to other tissues include: (1) several unique physical features of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) vs. other blood–tissue barriers; (2) added diffusion distance associated with astrocyte swelling (in addition to interstitial edema) away from the therapeutic target; and (3) membrane transporters at both the BBB and blood–CSF barriers (BCSFB), such as ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, organic anion transporters (OAT), and organic anion transporting peptides (OATP) that have the capacity to move drug substrates out of the brain, actively reducing brain bioavailability. While these “barriers” represent unique challenges to the development of efficacious neuroprotective agents for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI), recent pharmacological advancements provide an optimistic outlook for designing strategies that impact outcome for victims of TBI in the near future.
Merold Westphal, Suspicion and Faith: The Religious Uses of Modern Atheism

Are there legitimate uses for atheists' critiques of religion? Westphal says yes, if we take a closer look not at the atheists' arguments against the existence of God, but at their observations about the sometimes disreputable functions of religious practice and belief, as demonstrated in the "atheism of suspicion", put forth by Freud, Marx, and Nietzsche.
Proteolytic Pathways: Intersecting Cascades in Cancer Development

Matrix remodeling proteases, including metalloproteinases, serine proteases, and cysteine cathepsins, have emerged as important regulators of cancer development due to the realization that many provide a significant protumor advantage to developing neoplasms through their ability to modulate extracellular matrix metabolism, bioavailability of growth and proangiogenic factors, regulation of bioactive chemokines and cytokines, and processing of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion molecules. While some proteases directly regulate these events, others contribute to cancer development by regulating posttranslational activation of other significant protease activities. Thus, understanding the cascade of enzymatic activities contributing to overall proteolysis during carcinogenesis may identify rate-limiting steps or pathways that can be targeted with anticancer therapeutics. This chapter reviews recent insights into the complexity of roles played by extracellular and intracellular proteases that regulate tissue remodeling accompanying cancer development and focuses on the intersecting proteolytic activities that amplify protumor programming of tissues to favor cancer development.
Estimating Surgical Risk in Younger and Older Children With Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract Background As management of congenital heart disease (CHD) improves, children with CHD increasingly present for noncardiac surgery. Prior studies report conflicting results on the association between CHD and adverse outcomes in noncardiac surgery. Studies reporting no such association predominantly analyze older children and adolescents. We evaluated whether the association between CHD and adverse surgical outcomes was attenuated by increased age. Methods Patients aged 0-17 y, undergoing elective noncardiac surgery, were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric registry. CHD status was classified as none, minor, major, or severe. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the association of CHD status with the occurrence of any postoperative complication for groups defined by quintiles of patient age ( Results The analysis included 131,164 children, of whom 6420 had minor CHD, 3825 had major CHD, and 963 had severe CHD. The overall rate of complications was 9%. In multivariable analysis, children Conclusions In pediatric noncardiac surgery, an independent association of CHD with postoperative complications was only evident among children
Being and becoming professionally other: Identities, voices, and experiences of U.S. trans* academics by E. N. Pitcher

While research on trans1 college students has grown tremendously in the past decade, little has been written about the experiences of trans faculty and staff in higher education. This fact alone ma...
The Informational Value of U.S. Securities Registration:Evidence from Secondary Public Offerings

Adverse selection costs are a significant component of the cost of issuing public securities that arise from information asymmetry between issuers and investors. An extensive literature has emerged on how regulatory and market institutions can reduce these costs. Yet little is known about whether information asymmetry actually declines around the offering process, whether the decline persists, and how it affects the cost of capital. This is partly due to a previous lack of models and measures of information asymmetry. We address this gap in the literature by presenting evidence that public companies experience significant declines in information asymmetry around seasoned offerings, and that the magnitude of the declines can be explained by factors related to the value of information improvement, and its cost, around the offer date. We find relatively large information improvement around offers characterized by equity (versus debt), traditional regulatory review (versus streamlined shelf offerings), and companies that are infrequent offerors (versus frequent recent offers) of securities. In addition, we evaluate the possible cause of the sustained improvement and its consequence for cost of capital, following the previous literature. What we find is that analyst coverage grows significantly around the seasoned offering process by amount that is positively related to the measured reduction in information asymmetry. These findings are robust and consistent with our information improvement hypothesis in which seasoned offering transactions have a sustained effect on the information environment. Both the registration process and heightened market scrutiny, such as through increased analyst coverage, play a strategic role in the evolution of investor information around the offering. We also document a relation between measures of information improvement and Jensen's alpha (obtained from a four factor model) which is consistent with a decrease in cost of capital due to a better information environment. This is consistent with Easley and O'Hara's model on information asymmetry as a source of priced risk.
Distress among African American and White adults with cancer in Louisiana.

Purpose/Objectives: Screening for distress is a key priority in cancer care, and African American patients may experience increased distress compared to White patients. However, this question has n...
Multimodal intravascular imaging technology for characterization of atherosclerosis

Early detection of vulnerable plaques is the critical step in the prevention of acute coronary events. Morphology, composition, and mechanical property of a coronary artery have been demonstrated to be the key characteristics for the identification of vulnerable plaques. Several intravascular multimodal imaging technologies providing co-registered simultaneous images have been developed and applied in clinical studies to improve the characterization of atherosclerosis. In this paper, the authors review the present system and probe designs of representative intravascular multimodal techniques. In addition, the scientific innovations, potential limitations, and future directions of these technologies are also discussed.
Matching Vocational Aptitude and Employment Choice for Adolescents and Adults with ASD

As individuals age out of the public school system, they encounter what is colloquially referred to as the "services cliff." Although supports and services are readily available during school-age years, the lack of available resources for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is striking. Although schools are charged with preparing students for life after graduation, individuals with ASD are often woefully unprepared for integration into the workforce. Employment rates for adults with autism are lower than those reported for any other population of adults with disabilities (Burke, Andersen, Bowen, Howard, & Allen, 2010; Bush & Tasse, 2017; Newman, Wagner, Cameto, Knokey, & Shaver, 2010). In the present investigation, a skill-based vocational assessment was developed and implemented with 6 individuals diagnosed with ASD. The results of the assessment were used to design matched and unmatched jobs to determine if performance varied as a function of the assessment's results. The assessment resulted in varied job profiles across the participants. All the participants performed better (i.e., more on-task, less disruptive behavior) while completing jobs matched to their assessment results. In addition, when participants were allowed to choose between matched and unmatched jobs, they consistently chose to complete jobs that matched their profile results. Results from the current investigation suggest that a brief, skill-based vocational assessment may be a viable tool for improving employment outcomes for adolescents and adults with ASD.
Pitfalls in Patch Testing: Minimizing the Risk of Avoidable False-Negative Reactions

Patch testing is the gold-standard diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis; unfortunately, it is a procedure with potential for errors, including false-negative reactions. Some of the factors responsible for this are likely unavoidable; however, others may potentially lie within the control of the user. Knowledge and management of these controllable factors may improve the outcome of patch testing and minimize the incidence of false-negative patch test results.
Choosing Earlier Therapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

One of the most difficult clinical challenges urologists face is the management of superficial bladder cancer. Approximately 70% of patients who present with bladder cancer have tumors confined to the mucosa or submucosa, so-called superficial bladder cancers. These superficial bladder tumors represent a heterogeneous group of cancers with varying degrees of malignant potential. The overall treatment goals for superficial bladder cancer are twofold: 1) reducing tumor recurrence and the subsequent need for additional therapies (ie, cystoscopy, transurethral resection, and intravesical therapy) and the morbidity associated with these treatments, and 2) preventing tumor progression and the subsequent need for more aggressive therapy.
A Checklist of the Vascular Flora of Butler County, Alabama

The vascular flora of Butler County, Alabama, was surveyed from 1985 to 2019. A total of 1,524 species, hybrids, or subspecific taxa in 654 genera from 170 families are reported. Fifty-seven species represented by herbarium specimens from Butler County were not re-collected during this study. The Inventory List of Rare, Threatened and Endangered Plants, Animals and Natural Communities of Alabama as compiled by the Alabama Natural Heritage Program contains 36 of the species collected. Approximately 20% of the flora (310 species), are considered non-indigenous. Families with the largest number of species, hybrids, or subspecific taxa were Asteraceae (205), Poaceae (179), Fabaceae (103), Cyperaceae (92), Rosaceae (53) and Lamiaceae (36).
La alimentación saludable y el nivel socioeconómico: Voces de los jefes de hogar

La presente investigacion fue realizada con el objetivo de interpretar las voces de los jefes del hogar en cuanto a la alimentacion y el nivel socioeconomico de sus familias en una comunidad de Barquisimeto Estado Lara. Esta investigacion esta adscrita al enfoque cualitativo, utilizando tecnicas propias del metodo etnografico. La informacion fue recabada a traves de la observacion participante y entrevistas semi-estructuradas. Una vez obtenida la informacion se procedio a analizarla a traves de la categorizacion de las entrevistas para posteriormente realizar la interpretacion y consideraciones finales. Esto genero como resultado que las familias de dicha comunidad presentan problemas de alimentacion graves debido a que tienen un muy bajo consumo de proteinas, frutas y vegetales y que a su vez esto se relaciona con el alto costo de los alimentos y que ademas a los jefes de hogar no les alcanza el sueldo que obtienen en sus trabajos formales y por eso algunos han tenido que buscar otras maneras de obtener ingresos adicionales
Aicardi-Goutières syndrome-associated mutation at ADAR1 gene locus activates innate immune response in mouse brain

Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome (AGS) is a severe infant or juvenile-onset autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory encephalopathy with an elevated type 1 interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression signature in the brain. Mutations in seven different protein-coding genes, all linked to DNA/RNA metabolism or sensing, have been identified in AGS patients, but none of them has been demonstrated to activate the IFN pathway in the brain of an animal. The molecular mechanism of inflammatory encephalopathy in AGS has not been well defined. Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) is one of the AGS-associated genes. It carries out A-to-I RNA editing that converts adenosine to inosine at double-stranded RNA regions. Whether an AGS-associated mutation in ADAR1 activates the IFN pathway and causes autoimmune pathogenesis in the brain is yet to be determined. Mutations in the ADAR1 gene found in AGS patients were introduced into the mouse genome via CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Molecular activities of the specific p.K999N mutation were investigated by measuring the RNA editing levels in brain mRNA substrates of ADAR1 through RNA sequencing analysis. IFN pathway activation in the brain was assessed by measuring ISG expression at the mRNA and protein level through real-time RT-PCR and Luminex assays, respectively. The locations in the brain and neural cell types that express ISGs were determined by RNA in situ hybridization (ISH). Potential AGS-related brain morphologic changes were assessed with immunohistological analysis. Von Kossa and Luxol Fast Blue staining was performed on brain tissue to assess calcification and myelin, respectively. Mice bearing the ADAR1 p.K999N were viable though smaller than wild type sibs. RNA sequencing analysis of neuron-specific RNA substrates revealed altered RNA editing activities of the mutant ADAR1 protein. Mutant mice exhibited dramatically elevated levels of multiple ISGs within the brain. RNA ISH of brain sections showed selective activation of ISG expression in neurons and microglia in a patchy pattern. ISG-15 mRNA was upregulated in ADAR1 mutant brain neurons whereas CXCL10 mRNA was elevated in adjacent astroglia. No calcification or gliosis was detected in the mutant brain. We demonstrated that an AGS-associated mutation in ADAR1, specifically the p.K999N mutation, activates the IFN pathway in the mouse brain. The ADAR1 p.K999N mutant mouse replicates aspects of the brain interferonopathy of AGS. Neurons and microglia express different ISGs. Basal ganglia calcification and leukodystrophy seen in AGS patients were not observed in K999N mutant mice, indicating that development of the full clinical phenotype may need an additional stimulus besides AGS mutations. This mutant mouse presents a robust tool for the investigation of AGS and neuroinflammatory diseases including the modeling of potential “second hits” that enable severe phenotypes of clinically variable diseases.
Interval growth across gestation in pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND Gastroschisis is often complicated by fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery, and prolonged neonatal hospitalization. Prenatal management and delivery decisions are often based on estimated fetal weight and interval growth; however, appropriate interval growth from week to week across gestation for these fetuses is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the median increase in overall estimated fetal weight and individual biometric measurements across each week of gestation in pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis and to assess whether lower in utero fetal weight gain is predictive of postnatal growth or adverse neonatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective cohort study of pregnancies with gastroschisis evaluated at 5 institutions of the University of California Fetal-Maternal Consortium from December 2014 to December 2019. The inclusion criteria were prenatally diagnosed gastroschisis with at least 1 ultrasound performed at a University of California Fetal-Maternal Consortium institution. Estimated fetal weight and individual biometric measurements were recorded for each ultrasound performed at a University of California Fetal-Maternal Consortium institution from the time of gastroschisis diagnosis to delivery. Median estimated fetal weight and biometric measurements were calculated for each gestational age in 1-week increments. Neonatal outcomes collected were birthweight, length of stay, complications of gastroschisis (bowel atresia, bowel stricture, ischemic bowel before closure, or severe pulmonary hypoplasia), and growth failure at discharge. RESULTS We identified 95 pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis who, in aggregate, had 360 growth ultrasounds at a University of California Fetal-Maternal Consortium institution. The median interval growth was 130 g/wk. The median estimated fetal weight and abdominal circumference in fetal gastroschisis cases were approximately the tenth percentile on the Hadlock growth curve across gestation. Moreover, the median biparietal diameter, head circumference, and femur length measurements remained below the 50th percentile on the Hadlock growth curve across gestation. The median birthweight for neonates with less than the median weekly prenatal weight gain was less than for those with greater than the median weekly prenatal weight gain (2185 g vs 2780 g; P CONCLUSION In this multicenter cohort of pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis, the median interval growth was 130 g/wk, and overall, in utero growth closely followed the tenth percentile on the Hadlock curve. Poor prenatal growth in cases of fetal gastroschisis correlates with lower neonatal weights but did not predict a more complicated course.
Low field electron transport in α − G a 2 O 3: An ab initio approach

Trigonal α − G a 2 O 3 is an ultrawideband semiconductor with potential applications in power electronics and ultraviolet opto-electronic devices. In this Letter, we calculate the low field electron mobility in α − G a 2 O 3 from first principles calculations. The effect of all the 30 phonon modes is taken into account for the transport calculation. The phonon dispersion and the Raman and Infrared spectra are calculated under the density functional perturbation theory formalism and compared with experiments. The electron–phonon interaction (EPI) elements on a dense reciprocal space grid are obtained using the Wannier function interpolation. The full energy dispersion of the phonons is included in both the polar and nonpolar EPI calculations. The electron mobility is then evaluated incorporating the effects of the polar, nonpolar, and ionized impurity scattering using Rode's iterative method. At room temperature, the low field isotropic average electron mobility is estimated to be ∼220 c m 2 / V s predominantly limited by the polar optical phonon scattering at a doping density of 1.0 × 1 0 15 c m − 3. The anisotropy in the mobility arising from the phonon scattering is also evaluated. Temperature and dopant concentration variation of mobility is also studied, which can help in optimization of the growth for transport measurements.
Smartcards - From Security Tokens to Intelligent Adjuncts

Smartcards have traditionally been used as secure tokens in the corporate IT environment – for system logon, remote access, etc. With the increased programmability of smartcards, a new enhanced model of interaction between the smartcard and the corporate computing infrastructure is made possible. We define this new model of interaction as the Intelligent Adjunct model. It enables the use of smartcards to dynamically personalise the environment of the computing terminal and automate user-defined tasks (the terminal can be any computing device with a smartcard reader). In this paper, we describe various usage scenarios of a smartcard as an Intelligent Adjunct (IA) and we consider how such a model can be built using existing smartcards, specifically JavaCards. Various inadequacies of ISO standards are pointed out, an extension of the JavaCard API to support this new model is proposed, and a possible integration into the PC/SC infrastructure is described.