cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Colonic Transit Scintigraphy: A Physiologic Approach to the Quantitative Measurement of Colonic Transit in Humans

Colonic transit scintigraphy was developed to quantitatively evaluate colonic transit. Using this technique the progression of a radiolabeled marker from cecal instillation to defecation was studied in 7 normal male volunteers. An 8-ml bolus containing 50 μCi of indium 111-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid was instilled into the cecum via a 2-mm tube, which was passed orally, and serial scintigrams were obtained over 48 h. By 48 h, 70.7% ± 9.1% (mean ± SEM) of the instilled activity had been defecated. The cecum and ascending colon emptied rapidly, with a half-emptying time of 87.6 ± 27.0 min. Geometric center analysis showed an initial logarithmic progression of activity in the proximal colon and a linear progression distally. This study suggests that the transverse colon, not the cecum and ascending colon, may be the primary site for fecal storage. Colonic transit scintigraphy is a safe, physiologic, and quantitative method for evaluating the colonic transit of fecal material and may provide a useful tool for evaluating normal and abnormal large intestinal physiology.
Reproductive biology and spawning habitat supplementation of the relict darter, Etheostoma chienense, a federally endangered species

We investigated the reproductive biology of Etheostoma chienense in the Bayou du Chien drainage of western Kentucky. Etheostoma chienense is similar in its ecology and reproductive biology to other members of the E. squamiceps complex. However, E. chienense is opportunistic in its choice of egg deposition substrates, as nests were found on a variety of natural and anthropogenic items. Due to an apparent lack of suitable spawning substrates, we added half-cylindrical ceramic tiles to several stretches of stream to increase potential nest productivity. Egg-clutches attached to artificial substrates were twice the size of egg clutches attached to naturally occurring materials. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine nest rock size and mate choice preferences. Both the size of the male and of the nest rock appeared to be important parameters to spawning females. The life history information gathered here has significant management implications. Artificial spawning substrates should be placed in appropriate microhabitats (i.e., shallow, low-flow reaches in headwaters). Nest cavity vertical height should be about 3.0 cm and tiles should be spaced at least 0.5 m apart. We feel the use of surrogates (e.g., E. oophlyax) to investigate other types of spawning cover, and restoration of riparian buffer zones among other actions, would particularly benefit recovery efforts for this endangered species.
Designing to Support Long-Term Growth and Development

Lehrer and Schauble describe the video samples that are the focus of the book, the larger context within which the work was conducted, and their longer term educational goals for the students featured in the video. They then describe each of the video clips in turn, situating them within their overarching goals for the instruction.
A shocking way to suppress inflammation

Therapeutic electricity has had a narrow scope of disease applications, but mechanistic studies have shown that stimulation of the vagus nerve releases norepinephrine into synapse-like structures in the spleen containing a subset of T cells that respond by producing acetylcholine. Acetylcholine
Unstuck in time: episodic future thinking reduces delay discounting and cigarette smoking.

Delay discounting, or the devaluation of delayed outcomes, appears to play an etiological role in tobacco and other substance-use disorders. No human studies to our knowledge have been designed to examine whether experimental reductions in delay discounting produce concomitant reduction in drug use. Using methods from prior studies on delay discounting and obesity, we examined the effects of episodic future thinking (EFT; a form of mental prospection) on delay discounting and cigarette self-administration in smokers. Consistent with prior data, EFT significantly reduced both delay discounting (Cohen’s d effect size = 0.65) and the number of cigarette puffs earned in a cigarette self-administration task (d = 0.58). The effects of EFT on delay discounting generalize to smokers; EFT also reduces laboratory-based cigarette self-administration. Potential mechanisms of EFT’s effects are discussed as well as implications of EFT for clinical treatment of substance-use disorders.
Modeling and Characterization of Advanced Phosphorus Ultra Shallow Junction Using Germanium and Carbon Coimplants

A continuum model of phosphorus diffusion with germanium and carbon coimplant has been proposed and calibrated based on secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) profiles aiming at ultra shallow junction (USJ) formation in advanced CMOS technologies. The phosphorus diffusion behaviors are well captured by our model under various implant and annealing conditions, representing a significant step towards advanced n-type USJ formation technique using phosphorus and carbon coimplant for aggressively scaled CMOS technologies.
Reconstructing Ancient Proteins to Understand the Causes of Structure and Function.

A central goal in biochemistry is to explain the causes of protein sequence, structure, and function. Mainstream approaches seek to rationalize sequence and structure in terms of their effects on function and to identify function's underlying determinants by comparing related proteins to each other. Although productive, both strategies suffer from intrinsic limitations that have left important aspects of many proteins unexplained. These limits can be overcome by reconstructing ancient proteins, experimentally characterizing their properties, and retracing their evolution through time. This approach has proven to be a powerful means for discovering how historical changes in sequence produced the functions, structures, and other physical/chemical characteristics of modern proteins. It has also illuminated whether protein features evolved because of functional optimization, historical constraint, or blind chance. Here we review recent studies employing ancestral protein reconstruction and show how they have ...
Intraoperative conversion from partial to radical nephrectomy: Predictive factors and outcomes.

483Background: Predictive risk factors for intraoperative conversion from partial to radical nephrectomy (RN) are poorly quantified. We evaluated preoperative predictors of conversion in a cohort of patients undergoing planned partial nephrectomy (PN). Methods: A prospectively maintained database was reviewed to identify patients who were scheduled to undergo (open, laparoscopic, or robot-assisted) PN that were converted to RN between 1990 and 2015. Reasons for conversion were collected from the operative report. Patient demographics and perioperative variables were evaluated including body mass index (BMI), tumor size, nephrometry score, hilar tumors, procedure type, intraoperative complications, and oncologic outcome. Results: A total of 2298 patients underwent successful PN. The rate of conversion to RN was 4% (n=99) patients. The median patient age was 60 years and median BMI was 30 kg/m2. The median American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score was 3 and median Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) wa...
Decentralized refueling of compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet vehicles in Southern California

Abstract While some compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle fleets have a station at their base for central refueling, others lack refueling capability at their fleet depot and must rely on publicly available stations. To understand this kind of decentralized refueling behavior, we surveyed 133 drivers of CNG fleet vehicles at six public stations across the Los Angeles region. Nearly one-third of CNG fleet drivers were solely reliant upon public refueling for their operations. For each driver's refueling trip, we used GIS to compare the chosen station's proximity to the driver's fleet base and their deviation from the shortest path between their previous and next stops relative to all other stations they could have chosen. This revealed-preference approach shows that fleet drivers chose the station with the smallest deviation over the station closest to base by a 6:1 ratio, though this ratio varied by the driver's availability of central refueling and type of vehicle and route. Given that public stations remain essential to meeting decentralized refueling demand for other fleets as well as consumers, these findings have important implications for fleets that are both considering the adoption of CNG vehicles and the additional investment of hosting central refueling infrastructure at their base.
Industrialization and Urbanization in Early Capitalism

The theoretical ideas set out in Chap. 2 are now mobilized to provide a reasoned description of the emergence and form of cities in the nineteenth century. Special attention is given to the agglomerative tendencies of the workshop and factory system, and to the breakdowns of social reproduction in early capitalist cities.
Traffic and Transit Travel Time Reliability Indexes and Confidence Intervals

As congestion worsens, the importance of rigorous methodologies to estimate travel time reliability increases. Exploiting fine-granularity transit GPS data, this research proposes a novel method to...
Feature-based Process Planning Based on STEP

This chapter begins by describing characteristics a process planning language should have. Then it discusses the extent to which four process planning languages have these characteristics. The first two of these are STEP standard process planning languages (all of AP 240 and part of AP 238). The third is part of ISO 14649. The fourth, called FBICS-ALPS, is a version of the ALPS language adapted for FBICS, a system that does automatic feature-based process planning. Next the chapter summarizes the machining features available in AP 238, ISO 14649, and AP 224. The way in which FBICS does feature-based process planning is presented and a system is described that translates FBICS plans into ISO 14649 plans (which are conceptually identical to AP 238 plans). Finally, the chapter is summarized, and improvements in FBICS needed to make it industrially useful are presented.
Considering diamond-backed terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) nesting habitat and reproductive productivity in the restoration of Gulf of Mexico coastal ecosystems

Abstract Diamond-backed terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) are coastally distributed between south central Texas in the Gulf of Mexico along the Gulf and Atlantic Coast north through Massachusetts. Throughout their range many different biotic and abiotic factors have been shown to influence terrapin abundance, distribution and nesting success. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) implemented a multi-year (2013–2015) project which evaluated diamond-backed terrapin nesting ecology along Louisiana's coastline, principally within the Deltaic Plain. We focused on identifying nest site locations, nest predators and predation rates, nest surface characteristics, nest depth, clutch size, egg morphometrics, nest and nest survivorship. Our results indicate that terrapin nesting occurs coast-wide in locations where suitable nesting substrates exist. Nests are laid in open areas and beneath dense vegetative cover with surface slopes in all orientations. Depredation rates range between 50 and 100 percent depending on nesting beach location. Intact clutch size averages 6.5 eggs and varies between one and 15 eggs. Statewide, average egg morphometrics are: mass 10.6 g, length 36.9 mm and width 23.6 mm. Average nest ceiling depth is 7.7 cm and average nest floor depth is 11.8 cm. Seventy-six percent of all nests surveyed were fully or partially depredated. In 2015 we studied in detail 92 nests from a single nesting site; 49% of nests hatched at least 1 egg, 43% of eggs were depredated, 31% of the eggs hatched and 26% had unknown fate. We provide Louisiana's first evaluation of diamond-backed terrapin nesting ecology critical for determining the conservation status of diamond-backed terrapins within Louisiana. Our findings provide natural resource managers with critical life history information that can be incorporated into current and future coastal restoration plans to benefit diamond-backed terrapins.
Graph-based extraction of shape features for leaf classification

Conventional approaches to feature extraction based on shape typically focus on using mathematical descriptors such as aspect ratio, rectangularity, area, etc., or the Centroid Contour Distance Curve (CCDC) to describe the shape based upon edge points. Such descriptors are able to achieve modest success when classifying leaf species with example-limited datasets. In this paper, we propose the use of Medial Axis Transformation (MAT) to convert the complex shapes of leaves to graph structures that describe the topological skeleton of the leaves, and utilize the topological skeleton to extract features. From a data set composed of 99 different leaf classes with 10 samples per class, we show that 18 features extracted from the topological skeleton outperforms 64 features obtained from CCDC with ‘10-fold’ cross validation accuracies of 73.84% and 58.08% respectively when using random forest as a classifier. This result suggests that MAT-graph-based features are able to more succinctly distinguish shapes when compared with conventional approaches.
Immunologic biosensing of foodborne pathogenic bacteria using electrochemical or light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) detection platforms

Abstract This chapter discusses rapid, biosensor-based immunoelectrochemical methods for the detection of pathogenic bacteria in foods. Though electrochemical detection is rapid and highly sensitive, bacteria essentially do not move in aqueous environments and thus must be translocated to conductive sensor surfaces before the generation of the highest signal response is possible. Several immunoelectrochemistry (IEC) formats are presented with focus on combination with sequentially improved bacterial separation, concentration, and/or capture techniques, thus improving overall assay time and/or limits of detection. Finally, a unique IEC method, light-addressable potentiometric sensing, is also covered with respect to rapid bacterial detection.
Anxiety Diagnoses and Their Relationship to the Number of Prescribed Psychotropic Medications

We designed this study to explore the relationship between an anxiety disorder diagnosis and the number of prescribed psychotropic medications. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 337 psychiatry outpatients, who were being seen in a psychotherapy training clinic, with regard to psychiatric diagnosis and the number of psychotropic medications.We grouped diagnoses into three categories: (a) anxiety disorders, (b) mood disorders, and (c) other Axis I disorders.Approximately 16% of persons were prescribed no psychotropic medications, while 41.5%, 30.0%, 8.6%, 2.7%, and 0.9% were prescribed one, two, three, four, and five psychotropic medications, respectively. The proportion of individuals on more than one medication with anxiety disorders was significantly greater than the base rate in the overall sample (z = 3.21, p < .001) or the proportion diagnosed with mood (z = 2.53, p = .01) or other Axis I disorders (z = 3.90, p < .001). In addition, for persons who were diagnosed with different diagno...
Abstract 611: PD-1-based combination immunotherapy reinvigorates CD8+ T cells in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with improved survival

Background: Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is lethal with a 5-year survival rate of 2%. Single-agent immunotherapies fail to show clinical activity due to a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) and lack of effector T cells. We previously showed that an irradiated, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-secreting, allogeneic PDAC vaccine (GVAX) given as neoadjuvant recruited T cells into the tumor and upregulated the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. Here we described the first testing of GVAX prime given with attenuated listeria monocytogenes expressing mesothelin (CRS-207) boost given with or without nivolumab to block PD-1 signaling and evaluated changes in the TME. Experimental Design: Metastatic pancreatic tumor biopsies were obtained at baseline and after 2 GVAX prime and 1 CRS-207 boost from vaccinated patients. Nivolumab was administered with each vaccine in patients randomized to the nivolumab arm. Biopsies containing high density of tumor cells (>30%) were chosen for multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC) to examine changes in the immune cell subtypes and their signals in tumors. We did a comparative analysis looking at lymphoid, myeloid complexity, and immune functional status in the tumor microenvironment of patients who have overall survival 6 months [long OS]. Results: Post-immunotherapy changes in immune cell profiles correlated with overall survival. After prime-boost, expansion of CD8+ T cells was observed in the long OS group. Evaluation of the functional status of CD8+ T cells after prime-boost of short OS group showed an EOMES+PD1+ exhausted phenotype. In the myeloid compartment, low CSF1R+ tumor associated macrophages and CD68+ CD163+ and CD163- myeloid frequency in post-immunotherapy tumors were associated with less exhaustion of CD8+ T cells and long OS. The clinical trial is ongoing and blinded to study arm; thus, we have not yet analyzed whether nivolumab influences results. These data will be available at the time of abstract presentation. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that longitudinal changes in immune cell complexity profiles can be correlated with overall survival. Increases in CD8+ early effectors and decreases in monocytes in baseline versus post-immunotherapy tumors are associated with improved survival. The exhausted CD8+ T cell profile in short OS patients may predict early responders versus nonresponders to vaccine containing immunotherapy. Citation Format: Annie A. Wu, Takahiro Tsujikawa, Gina Choe, Teresa Beechwood, Lisa M. Coussens, Jennifer N. Durham, Elizabeth M. Jaffee, Dung T. Le. PD-1-based combination immunotherapy reinvigorates CD8+ T cells in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with improved survival [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 611.
Abstract IA22: Integrating immunotherapy and targeted therapy in breast cancer

Therapeutic resistance is a major obstacle in the clinic for cancer treatment. Utilizing our novel genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of cancer driven by inducible expression of oncogenic PIK3CA or HER2, coupled with pharmacologic approaches, we identified several significant resistance mechanisms to PI3K- or HER2-targeted therapy. For example, we found spontaneous focal amplification of Met and Myc, recurrent mutations in Ras and β-catenin, and compensatory activation of the MAPK pathway render resistance to PI3K inhibition. We recently identified Cyclin D1-CDK4 mediated resistance to HER2-targeted therapy through a signaling feedback loop. Beyond suppressing cell cycle progression, we found that CDK4/6 inhibitors promote antitumor immunity and increase cytotoxic T cell-mediated clearance of tumor cells, which is further enhanced by the addition of immune checkpoint blockade. More importantly, these results led to the design of clinical trials with CDK4/6 inhibitor in combination with HER2-targeted therapy and PD1 blockade for patients with metastatic, refractory HER2+ breast cancer. Parallel to GEMMs, we have led the efforts to establish and characterize novel cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, with an emphasis on brain metastases, an emerging clinical challenge. I will discuss how we have used these models to discover therapeutic strategies that integrate targeted therapy and immunotherapy to overcome resistance and to drive these discoveries to the clinical trials. Citation Format: Jean Zhao. Integrating immunotherapy and targeted therapy in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Breast Cancer Research; 2017 Oct 7-10; Hollywood, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2018;16(8_Suppl):Abstract nr IA22.
The spatial pattern of methacholine bronchoconstriction recurs when supine independently of posture during provocation but does not recur between postures

The spatial pattern of methacholine bronchoconstriction in the supine posture is recurrent and skewed toward the dependent lung, regardless of whether inhaled methacholine is administered while sup...
Antihypertensive therapy prescribing patterns and correlates of blood pressure control among hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease.

We used electronic health records (EHRs) data from 5658 ambulatory chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with hypertension and prescribed antihypertensive therapy to examine antihypertensive drug prescribing patterns, blood pressure (BP) control, and risk factors for resistant hypertension (RHTN) in a real-world setting. Two-thirds of CKD patients and three-fourths of those with proteinuria were prescribed guideline-recommended renoprotective agents including an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB); however, one-third were not prescribed an ACEI or ARB. CKD patients, particularly those with stages 1-2 CKD, who were prescribed regimens including beta-blocker (BB) + diuretic or ACEI/ARB + BB + diuretic were more likely to have controlled BP (<140/90 mm Hg) compared to those prescribed other combinations. Risk factors for RHTN included African American race and major comorbidities. Clinicians may use these findings to tailor antihypertensive therapy to the needs of each patient, including providing CKD stage-specific treatment, and better identify CKD patients at risk of RHTN.
Urban Data Integration Using Proximity Relationship Learning for Design, Management, and Operations of Sustainable Urban Systems

AbstractThe world is rapidly urbanizing, with 66% of the world’s population expected to reside in cities by 2050. This massive influx of new urban citizens is putting enormous pressure on city syst...
Beamforming and range-migration localization algorithms using the retrieved Green's function

In this work, the localization of acoustic noise sources and scatterers in an outdoor environment using Green's function retrieval methods is presented. Of particular interest is the implementation of cross-correlation and multidimensional deconvolution into localization algorithms. Conventional beamforming and range-migration algorithms, implemented with Green's function retrieval methods, are compared as localization techniques for an array system. The accuracy of both algorithms to reconstruct the position of targets (noise sources and scatterers) is investigated. Additionally, the added localization enhancements using the retrieved Green's functions are discussed.
Effect of Clear Speech on the Duration of Silent Intervals at Syntactic and Phonemic Boundaries in the Speech of Individuals With Parkinson Disease

Purpose The purpose of the current investigation was to determine the extent to which individuals with and without Parkinson disease (PD) modified silent interval durations when using a clear speak...
Combining Doxorubicin-Loaded PEGylated Poly(Lactide-co-glycolide) Nanoparticles with Checkpoint Inhibition Safely Enhances Therapeutic Efficacy in a Melanoma Model

Doxorubicin (DOX) has been widely used for the treatment of various cancers, however, the use of soluble DOX is limited by its low therapeutic index and improved formulations are therefore sought. ...
What’s in a Font?: Ideological Perceptions of Typography

Although extensive political communication research considers the content of candidate messages, scholars have largely ignored how those words are rendered – specifically, the typefaces in which th...
Atomic force microscopy–based characterization of the interaction of PriA helicase with stalled DNA replication forks

In bacteria, the restart of stalled DNA replication forks requires the DNA helicase PriA. PriA can recognize and remodel abandoned DNA replication forks, unwind DNA in the 3′-to-5′ direction, and facilitate the loading of the helicase DnaB onto the DNA to restart replication. Single-stranded DNA–binding protein (SSB) is typically present at the abandoned forks, but it is unclear how SSB and PriA interact, although it has been shown that the two proteins interact both physically and functionally. Here, we used atomic force microscopy to visualize the interaction of PriA with DNA substrates with or without SSB. These experiments were done in the absence of ATP to delineate the substrate recognition pattern of PriA before its ATP-catalyzed DNA-unwinding reaction. These analyses revealed that in the absence of SSB, PriA binds preferentially to a fork substrate with a gap in the leading strand. Such a preference has not been observed for 5′- and 3′-tailed duplexes, suggesting that it is the fork structure that plays an essential role in PriA's selection of DNA substrates. Furthermore, we found that in the absence of SSB, PriA binds exclusively to the fork regions of the DNA substrates. In contrast, fork-bound SSB loads PriA onto the duplex DNA arms of forks, suggesting a remodeling of PriA by SSB. We also demonstrate that the remodeling of PriA requires a functional C-terminal domain of SSB. In summary, our atomic force microscopy analyses reveal key details in the interactions between PriA and stalled DNA replication forks with or without SSB.
Management of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Toxicities: A Review and Guideline for Emergency Providers

Abstract Background Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an adoptive cellular immunotherapy that is being utilized more frequently due to its initial success in advanced-stage cancers. Unfortunately, CAR T-cell therapy is often associated with acute systemic toxicities, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and CAR T-cell–associated neurotoxicity (neurotoxicity). Objective We created a review that addresses the potential common emergency department (ED) presentations associated with CAR T-cell therapy. We reviewed the relevant research and clinical guidelines to develop a guide tailored toward addressing the needs of the emergency medicine community to manage these complications. In addition, a case is presented and the evaluation and management of CRS and neurotoxicity are reviewed in detail. Discussion Despite CAR T-cell designs showing promising results, the risk of acquiring an acute toxicity is high, with CRS and neurotoxicity reported most often. The systemic toxicities associated with these adverse events can lead to end-organ damage and compromise the patient acutely or jeopardize the continuation in treatment of their underlying malignancy. Depending on the severity of the toxicity, treatment typically starts with vigilant supportive care, but may include administration of tocilizumab and possibly high-dose corticosteroids if the toxicity is deemed of high severity. Conclusions With the increasing administration of CAR T-cell therapy, emergency physicians will likely encounter more patients with associated adverse events, including CRS and neurotoxicity. It is increasingly important that emergency physicians are aware of these potential toxicities in order to rapidly diagnose and treat patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy.
The backscattering contribution of soybean pods at L-band

Abstract L-band (1.25 GHz) radar measurements of a soybean canopy indicate that the emergence of seed pods is a significant contributor to the backscatter during the late stages of the growing season. In order to validate the measured data, a realistic scattering model of the soybean canopy is developed. The parameters of the soybean canopy and underlying soil used in the model vary over the growing season based on in situ measurements. Scattering amplitudes for soybean leaves are modeled analytically by using a thin disk approximation; stem and pods are jointly modeled using a numerical electromagnetic field solver. These scattering amplitudes are together incorporated into a coherent scattering model to obtain the backscattering coefficient for VV- and HH-polarizations. The modeling results show good agreement with the radar field measurements, having RMSEs of 0.51 dB for VV-pol and 1.1 dB for HH-pol. Both measured data and modeled results show that the change of soil moisture can be accurately monitored by L-band backscatter. It is also found that the difference between HH- and VV-polarized backscatter increases as the size of the soybean pods becomes larger. A method is developed here to estimate the number of pods in a soybean canopy based on polarimetric radar backscatter at L-band.
Interpretation of Schrödinger equation based on classical mechanics and spin

Schrodinger equation is a corner stone of quantum mechanics, but its simple derivation and it means its understanding is still missing. It is accepted that Schrodinger equation is based both on wave mechanics and quantum mechanics, but it does not have information about spin. Here, based on classical mechanical action and spin precession, we present elementary derivation of an analog of time-dependent Schrodinger equation in the presence of field without particle–wave duality principle. We also derive an analog of relativistic Klein–Gordon–Fock equation. The results are useful for interpretation of quantum mechanics, Pauli exclusion principle, for magnetic field-sensitive reactions, spin-related ESR spectroscopy, and ENDOR.
Client-Driven Project on Sustainability within First-Year Cornerstone Design

EDSGN 100 is the cornerstone engineering design course at The Pennsylvania State University. During the second half of the spring 2020 semester, students across 19 sections of the course were presented with the same design prompt: how can you improve sustainability at Penn State and in the local communities? Throughout the course of the project, students were expected to view their identified sustainability challenge and proposed solution from a systems perspective. In developing and evaluating their designs, teams were expected to draw connections between the sustainability challenge they identified, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other grand challenges, and climate change solutions posed by Drawdown. Further, teams were expected to explore the direct and indirect impacts of implementing their proposed design on society, the environment, and the economy.
Implementing Telemedicine Visits in an Underserved Ophthalmology Clinic in the COVID-19 Era.

Introduction:Many of the potential barriers to providing telehealth services already disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the incorporation of s...
On the Need for All Academics, Especially Philosophers and Economists, to Bypass Pp.112-118 and Pp.264-273 of C. Misak’s 2020 Biography of Ramsey Dealing with J M Keynes, Due to the Presence of Far, Far Too Many Errors of Omission and Commission: The Keynes-Townshend Correspondence of 1937-38 Shows that Ramsey’s 1922 Critique of Keynes Had No Influence on Keynes Whatsoever

C. Misak’s 2020 biography of Ramsey has major errors in it, as regards the influence of Ramsey on Keynes with respect to the issue of probability, as well as her completely unsubstantiated retelling of the R B Braithwaite myth that an 18 year old Frank Ramsey showed up at Cambridge University and published a small, three page, unrefereed critical note in the January, 1922 issue of the Cambridge Magazine that supposedly demolished and destroyed Keynes’s logical theory of probability. Ramsey had no idea about what Keynes’s logical theory of probability was. For instance, Ramsey had no idea that Keynes’s logical, objective probability relations are practically identical to logical, objective similarity relations. Ramsey also had no idea that Keynes’s "mysterious non numerical probabilities", that did not obey the rules of additivity, complementarity, and linearity of the precise mathematical calculus of probability were, in fact, interval valued probabilities that Ramsey did not understand were non additive and imprecise. It appears that Misak has been far too influenced by Braithwaite and his followers, such as H.D. Mellor, I. Hacking, and D. Gillies, and simply accepted their unsupportable and unsubstantiated claims that Ramsey did destroy and demolish Keynes’s theory, a theory that is the backbone of Keynes’s 1936 General Theory. Apparently, it appears that academics are already accepting Misak’s myth about Keynes and Ramsey as of early 2021.
Sequencing of Coastal Lagoon Samples from the Piñones Lagoon, Puerto Rico, Reveals Important Role of Bacterial Sulfur Metabolism in the Lagoon Ecosystem.

ABSTRACT This initial microbial analysis of the Pinones Lagoon shows a high representation of sulfur-oxidizing Sulfurimonas and sulfur-reducing Sulfurospirillum bacteria. These species are likely responsible for maintaining sulfur homeostasis and prevent the buildup of toxic sulfur components, but may contribute to nitrogen buildup, in the mangrove ecosystem.
Genes go digital: Mendelian Inheritance in Man and the genealogy of electronic publishing in biomedicine.

Mendelian Inheritance in Man (MIM), a computerized catalogue of human genetic disorders authored and maintained by cardiologist and medical genetics pioneer Victor A. McKusick, played a major part in demarcating between a novel biomedical science and the eugenic projects of racial betterment which existed prior to its emergence. Nonetheless, it built upon prior efforts to systematize genetic knowledge tied to individuals and institutions invested in eugenics. By unpacking the process of digitizing a homespun cataloguing project and charting its development into an online database, this article aims to illuminate how the institution-building efforts of one individual created an ‘information order’ for accessing genetic information that tacitly shaped the norms and priorities of the field toward the pursuit of specific genes associated with discernible genetic disorders. This was not by design, but rather arose through negotiation with the catalogue's users; it accommodated further changes as biomedical research displaced the Mendelian paradigm. While great effort was expended toward making sequence data available to investigators during the Human Genome Project, MIM was largely taken for granted as a ‘legacy system’, McKusick's own labour of love. Drawing on recent histories of biomedical data, the article suggests that the bibliographical work of curation and translation is a central feature of value production in the life sciences meriting attention in its own right.
The effect of unequal strand length on short DNA duplex hybridization in a model microarray system: A Monte Carlo simulation study

Abstract Monte Carlo molecular simulations of DNA decamer–hexamer strands were carried out over a range of temperatures, both free in solution and bound to a surface in several possible fashions, to investigate the effect of dangling end nucleotides on hybridization. For comparison, analogous hexamer duplexes were also studied in solution. Duplex stability was analyzed in terms of energetic, hydrogen bonding, and structural properties. Of the systems studied, shorter solution sequences interacting with longer surface-bound sequences generally had weaker interactions than the opposite.
Na+/K+-ATPase

There seems to be no doubt that the Na+/K+-ATPase is the enzyme that represents the machinery of active transport of sodium and potassium across cell membranes. Very early in evolution, critical ion gradients must have been established; movement involving the expenditure of energy across membrane barriers must also have represented an early development, for without this mechanism, important biological processes could not exist. These include nerve excitability, motility, maintenance and possible regulation of cell volume, excretion, and reabsorption, a variety of sodium-dependent or -coupled transport processes, and electrical and mechanical activity of muscle. While an ATP-dependent process for transport was recognized for many years, it was not until the work of J. C. Skou (1957, 1960) that a specific enzyme system was recognized. Among the criteria for recognition of this enzyme is the very potent inhibition of ATP hydrolysis by cardiac glycosides. Thousands of papers have been published using ouabain, a water-soluble glycoside, as a marker for this important enzyme. When we examine the structure of a typical cardiac glycoside, we are struck with its apparent similarity to hormonal steroids. The geometrical configuration, however, is quite different Like the steroids, the glycosides are used in very low concentrations to produce their effects. The primary effect on the intact organism is an increased force of contraction of heart muscle, a discovery made by William Withering more than 200 years ago. This class of drugs is still the most widely used in the treatment of heart failure. The fascination with this drug also arises from its very potent inhibitory effect on Na+/K+-ATPase, so it is not illogical that it is employed as a “chemical tool” to, on the one hand, dissect the mechanism of action of the Na+/K+-ATPase and on the other hand to search for the mechanism of its action on the heart.
Abstract W P24: Choice of Thrombectomy Device and Degree of Collateral Flow Predict Reperfusion in DEFUSE 2

Background: Endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke is an effective tool for recanalizing occluded vessels. We sought to determine the factors associated with successful reperfusion and whether any differences in reperfusion rates existed between hospital sites. Methods: Stroke patients underwent endovascular treatment as part of the DEFUSE 2 study at nine hospital sites between 2008 and 2011. Patients were included for analysis if they had a baseline TICI score of 0 or 1. Successful reperfusion was defined as a TICI reperfusion score of 2b or 3 at the completion of the procedure. Collaterals were assessed using the Collateral Flow Grading System and were dichotomized as poor (0-2) or good (3-4). The relationship between clinical, neuroimaging and treatment variables and TICI reperfusion was assessed using logistic regression. Results: Eighty-nine patients had a baseline TICI score of 0 or 1; thirty-six patients achieved successful TICI reperfusion. Patients were treated with the Merci clot retriever (n=25), the Penumbra device (n=19), both Merci and Penumbra (n=17), or other endovascular therapies (n=28). Other interventions included manual aspiration (n=20), stent retrievers (n=7) and angioplasty (n=7). Variables associated with successful reperfusion in univariate analyses were: good collaterals (p Conclusion: In acute stroke patients who undergo endovascular therapy, good collateral flow to the ischemic brain region and use of the Merci retriever are associated with successful reperfusion. The rates of successful reperfusion differed between hospital sites. This may have been driven by variation in the rates of use of the Merci retriever.
Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Field Theory: A Mathematical Primer

Explaining the concepts of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory in a precise mathematical language, this textbook is an ideal introduction for graduate students in mathematics, helping to prepare them for further studies in quantum physics. The textbook covers topics that are central to quantum physics: non-relativistic quantum mechanics, quantum statistical mechanics, relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. There is also background material on analysis, classical mechanics, relativity and probability. Each topic is explored through a statement of basic principles followed by simple examples. Around 100 problems throughout the textbook help readers develop their understanding.
Reflection in Higher Education: A Concept Analysis

Despite the widespread adoption of reflective practices across many fields of study, a critical analysis of the concept of reflection and its application within higher education has been lacking. This article provides an examination of several major theoretical approaches to reflection including those of Dewey; Loughran; Mezirow; Seibert and Daudelin; Langer; Boud, Keogh and Walker; and Schon. Commonalties in terminology, definitions, antecedents, context, process, outcomes, and techniques to foster reflection are addressed. The implications of the findings for higher education are explained.
An aqueous algorithm for finding the bijections contained in a binary relation

Given a subset R of a set A × B, one may ask whether R contains a subset F which is a bijective function from A onto B. A wet lab algorithm for answering this question is presented. Moreover, when such a bijection is contained in R, the algorithm produces a test tube containing a set of DNA plasmids, each of which encodes such a bijection. The number of steps required by the given procedure grows linearly with the number of ordered pairs in the relation R. All known algorithms for solving this bijection problem on conventional computers require a number of steps that grows exponentially in the number of pairs. Various forms of the Hamiltonian path problem are subsumed by the problem of finding such bijections. The algorithm presented is illustrated by outlining its application to the binary relation determined by the directed graph that occurs in the instance of the directed Hamiltonian path problem with which L. Adleman initiated DNA computing.
Protein excretion patterns in pregnancy

Abstract Serum and urinary protein fractions were determined simultaneously in a group of normal and abnormal pregnant patients by electrophoretic separation. A comparison of these urinary and serum protein fractions revealed differences in the pattern of urinary protein excretion which suggest that this method affords a means for differentiating the entities associated with proteinuria in pregnancy.
Monocyte-mediated inhibition of lymphocyte blastogenesis in Hodgkin disease

Mononuclear leukocytes isloated from the blood of previously treated patients with advanced active Hodgkin disease contained high concentrations of monocytes and showed poor lymphocyte blastogenesis to mitogens. In five of eight patients with disseminated disease, blastogenesis became normal or improved markedly when the leukocyte suspensions were depleted of monocytes before culture. Addition of autologous macrophages to the monocyte-depleted lymphocytes resulted in a reappearance of the inhibition of blastogenesis. Monocyte inhibition was associated with the presence of active disease, lymphocytopenia, and low lymphocyte/monocyte ratios in the peripheral blood. The role of previous treatment is uncertain, since inhibition tended to disappear when the patients were retreated. Inhibitory monocyte-lymphocyte interactions may be one of the causes of impaired cell-mediated immunity in Hodgkin disease.
Surgical Decompression in Dogs with Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Disease and Loss of Deep Pain Perception: A Retrospective Study of 46 Cases

The case details and outcome after surgical decompression of 46 dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease with loss of deep pain perception prior to surgery were reviewed. Nineteen dogs (41.3%) recovered with a median follow-up period of 12.5 months. Recovery was defined as an ambulatory paraparesis, or better, with urinary and fecal continence. There was a better outcome in dogs with loss of deep pain for less than 24 hours prior to surgery (19/41; 46.3% recovered) than in dogs without deep pain perception for more than 24 hours (0/5; 0% recovered). Dogs with deep pain perception present at two weeks postoperatively had significantly higher success rate (8/12; 66.7% recovered) than dogs without deep pain perception at this time period (1/10; 10.0% recovered). The return of deep pain perception by two weeks postoperatively can be a useful positive prognostic indicator.
Production of Drip Irrigated Potatoes as Affected by Plastic Mulches and Row Covers

ABSTRACT Field studies were conducted during 1998 and 1999 to determine the effect of different color plastic mulches and row covers on total and marketable yield and US grades of three varieties of potatoes, ‘Kueka Gold’, ‘AF1437-1’ and ‘Dark Red Norland’. Although there was an observed increase in the rate of emergence and growth of the potato plants with row covers, there was no significant effect on yield of any of the varieties. In both years all mulch treatments significantly increased marketable yields compared to no mulch. In 1998, yields of ‘Dark Red Norland’ showed a statistically significant difference between mulch color, with metallized silver and red being higher than black. In 1999, both total and marketable yields of ‘Dark Red Norland’ were significantly higher with the use of metallized silver rather than black mulch. For ‘AF1437-1’ total yield, with the use of metallized silver, was significantly higher than that of red mulch, and for marketable yield only metallized silver was significa...
A cohort evaluation of the laryngeal mask airway-Supreme™ in children.

Summary Objectives: To assess the clinical performance of the laryngeal mask airway-Supreme in children. Aim: The purpose of this prospective audit was to evaluate the feasibility of the laryngeal mask airway-Supreme in clinical practice and generate data for future comparison trials. Background: The laryngeal mask airway-Supreme is a new second-generation supraglottic airway that was recently released in limited pediatric sizes (sizes 1, 2). Methods: One hundred children, ASA I-III, newborn to 16 years of age, and undergoing various procedures requiring a size 1, 2, or 3 laryngeal mask airway-Supreme were studied. Assessments included insertion success rates, airway leak pressures, success of gastric tube insertion, quality of airway, and perioperative complications. Results: The first-time insertion success rate was 97%, with an overall insertion success rate of 100%. The mean initial airway leak pressure for all patients was 22.3 ± 6.6 cm H2O. Gastric tube placement was possible in 98% of patients. Complications were noted in six patients: coughing or laryngospasm (n = 3), sore throat (n = 1), and dysphonia (n = 2). Conclusions: The laryngeal mask airway-Supreme was inserted with a high degree of success on the first attempt by clinicians with limited prior experience with the device. It was effectively used for a variety of procedures in children undergoing spontaneous and mechanical ventilation with minimal complications. The leak pressures demonstrated in this study, along with access for gastric decompression, suggest that the laryngeal mask airway-Supreme may be an effective device for positive pressure ventilation in children.
Cosmological Information from New Types of Radio Observations

So far, we have mainly discussed what might be called classical methods for investigating cosmological models using radio observations. These mostly involve the number counts as a function of measured flux, angular diameters, and spatial distribution of radio sources at cosmological distances, as well as the measurements of the microwave background. In this review, I have been asked to give a brief description of some new, or non-classical, measurements that might be made. It seems that such measurements fall into one of three categories: Observations which are being made now and which may bear fruit in the next several years, observations which may be possible in the intermediate future several decades from now, and observations which may be possible in the far future — if ever. Naturally I’ll try to concentrate on the first two categories since they will be of more interest to most living astronomers during their working lifetimes. Also, since time is short and it is very difficult to predict the future, I’m afraid that this review will be somewhat impressionistic rather than exhaustive. I hope people will describe additional methods during the discussion.