cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in Hippocampal Circuitry after Pilocarpine-Induced Seizures as Revealed by Opioid Receptor Distribution and Activation

The pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy was used to study the time-dependent changes in dentate gyrus circuitry after seizures. Seizures caused a decrease in μ- and δ-opioid receptor immunoreactive (MOR-IR and DOR-IR, respectively) neurons in the hilus and MOR-IR neurons in the granule cell layer. Additionally, diffuse DOR-IR, MOR-IR, and GABA immunoreactivities (GABA-IR) were increased in the inner molecular layer. Using the in vitro hippocampal slice preparation to study the physiological consequences of the anatomical changes, we found that the disinhibitory effects of the μ-opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala 2 ,MePhe 4 ,Gly-(ol) 5 ]-enkephalin (DAMGO) and the GABA A receptor antagonist bicuculline were greatly depressed 5–13 d after pilocarpine injection but returned to control levels within 6 weeks. The amplitudes of monosynaptic evoked IPSCs and the effects of DAMGO on this parameter were also slightly decreased 5–13 d after pilocarpine injection but significantly increased at 6 weeks. DAMGO significantly decreased the mean amplitude of spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs) at 6 weeks after pilocarpine injection but not in controls. The δ-opioid receptor agonist [d-Pen 2,5 ]-enkephalin (DPDPE) principally inhibited excitatory transmission in saline-treated animals without affecting either sIPSCs or evoked IPSCs. The DPDPE-induced inhibition of excitatory transmission became more pronounced at 6 weeks after pilocarpine injection. These results illustrate the anatomical reorganization and functional changes in dentate gyrus circuitry evident in an animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy and provide evidence of compensatory changes after trauma to the hippocampal formation.
Observer Based Boundary Control of an Unstable Wave Equation

We consider the problem of stabilization of a one- dimensional wave equation that contains instability at its free end and control on the opposite end. In contrast to classical collocated "boundary damper" feedbacks for the neutrally stable wave equations with one end satisfying a homogeneous boundary condition, the controllers and the associated observers designed in the paper are more complex due to the open- loop instability of the plant. The controller and observer gains are designed using the method of "backstepping," which results in explicit formulae for the gain functions. We prove exponential stability and the existence and uniqueness of classical solutions for the closed-loop system. We illustrate the applicability of our designs using simulation results.
State Agency Discretion in a Delegated Federal Program: Evidence from Drinking Water Investment

This article examines the use of discretion by state agencies in the context of multilevel policy. Research on agency discretion assumes that discretion represents a departure from legislative intent. However, Congress may delegate authority to promote policy innovation. Using data on investment in drinking water infrastructure from 2000 to 2008, we examine the relationship between agency discretion and functional expertise in implementing the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program. We focus on two areas where states can exercise discretion: (i) projects not related to compliance with federal law and (ii) support to small water systems. Our results indicate that agency expertise influences investment, but problem severity reduces differences across agencies. Initial choices over agency design affect how states adapt federal programs to meet state needs.
trans‐1‐Phenyl‐1,3‐Butadiene

trans-1-phenyl-1,3-butadiene reactant: 66.1 g. (0.50 mole) of cinnamaldehyde product: trans-1-phenyl-1,3-butadiene byproduct: trans-methylstyrylcarbinol solvent: petroleum ether Keywords: elimination, dehydration; Grignard and related reactions; Grignard and related reactions
Performance Metrics for Pulse Detonation Combustor Turbine Hybrid Systems

This paper develops performance metrics for a Pulse Detonation Turbine Engine (PDTE) which incorporates a pulse detonation combustor capable of increasing the average pressure of the flow during the combustion process. Previously reported performance of the PDTE cycles and commercial gas turbine engines are compared to an ideal Brayton cycle. This comparison is extended to form a new performance metric combining the effect of combustor pressure increase and turbine efficiency. The PDTE design space including compressor pressure ratio, combustor heat addition, combustor pressure loss, and turbine efficiency is explored to determine the effect of these variables on the proposed definition. The primary benefit of the proposed definition over those considered previously is that by combining the combustor and turbine efficiencies the difficulties associated with determining the unsteady turbine inlet state are avoided in favor of using the steady compressor discharge state.
Review: it-dependent strategic initiatives and sustained competitive advantage: a review and synthesis of the literature

The role of information systems in the creation and appropriation of economic value has a long tradition of research, within which falls the literature on the sustainability of IT-dependent competitive advantage. In this article, we formally define the notion of IT-dependent strategic initiative and use it to frame a review of the literature on the sustain- ability of competitive advantage rooted in information systems use. We offer a framework that articulates both the dynamic approach to IT-dependent strategic advantage currently receiving attention in the literature and the underlying drivers of sustainability. This framework models how and why the characteristics of the IT-dependent strategic initiative enable sustained competitive advantage, and how the determinants of sustainability are developed and strengthened over time. Such explanation facilitates the pre-implementation analysis of planned initiatives by innovators, as well as the post-implementation evaluation of existing initiatives so as to identify the basis of their sustainability. In carrying out this study, we examined the interdisciplinary literature on strategic information systems. Using a structured methodology, we reviewed the titles and abstracts of 648 articles drawn from information systems, strategic management, and marketing literature. We then examined and individually coded a relevant subset of 117 articles. The literature has identified four barriers to erosion of competitive advantage for IT-dependent strategic initiatives and has surfaced the structural determinants of their magnitude. Previous work has also begun to theorize about the process by which these barriers to erosion evolve over time. Our review reveals that significant exploratory research and theoretical development have occurred in this area, but there is a paucity of research providing rigorous tests of theoretical propositions. Our work makes three principal contributions. First, it formalizes the definition of IT-dependent strategic initiative. Second, it organizes the extant interdisciplinary research around an integrative framework that should prove useful to both research and practice. This framework offers an explanation of how and why IT-dependent strategic initiatives contribute to sustained competitive advantage, and explains the process by which they evolve over time. Finally, our review and analysis of the literature offers the basis for future research directions.
Examining Language in Context: The Need for New Research and Practice Paradigms in the Testing of English-Language Learners:

Concerns about how to ensure the valid and equitable assessment of English-language learners (ELLs) and other students from culturally non-mainstream backgrounds are longstanding. This article proposes that new paradigms in the research and practice related to ELL testing are needed to address the complexities of language and culture more effectively. Three main areas are identified as key to this paradigm shift: test review, test development, and treatment of language as a source of measurement error. Research examples are provided that illustrate that the proposed paradigm shift is not only necessary but also possible. The authors propose the combined use of generalizability theory and research designs in which ELLs are given the same items in both English and their native languages—an approach that has the potential to reveal more fine-grained understandings of the interactions among first and second language profi-ciency, student content knowledge, and the linguistic and content demands of test items.
Development and validation of a scale to assess attitudes of health care administrators toward the use of e-mail communication between patients and physicians.

Abstract Background The medical profession has been slow in embracing the e-mail as a means of improving patient communications. Today, most physicians work in group practices where administrators seek to develop standard procedures for care delivery. To understand the slow adoption of e-mail technology among physicians when communicating with their patients, it is important to understand these administrators' attitudes. Objective The purpose of this study was to develop and purify a scale to measure health care administrators' attitudes toward the use of e-mail communication and identify associations between e-mail communication attitudes and administrators' demographic and practice-related characteristics. Methods A preliminary list of features for e-mail communication was generated by reviewing the literature and Rogers' diffusion theory. The features were grouped initially into 5 hypothesized dimensions: relative advantage, norms (established rules of the social system), complexity, compatibility, and infrastructure. Following pilot testing, the main survey instrument was mailed to a total of 1500 health care administrators. Attitudes toward features of e-mail communication scale were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis with promax rotation. Internal consistency of the scale and its subscales was determined using Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlations. Results The overall response rate was 8.7%. Scale purification procedures reduced the preliminary scale of 22 items to a final scale of 20 items. The reliability of the scale measured by Cronbach's alpha was 0.81. Norms was considered the major barrier to e-mail communication, whereas infrastructure was considered a facilitator, and other features like relative advantage, complexity, and compatibility issues were perceived more as a barrier than a facilitator. The item related to and usage of e-mail by staff was statistically significant with the overall scale score ( P =0.0095), complexity subscale score ( P =0.0168), and infrastructure subscale score ( P =0.0480). The relationship between number of years of experience of the administrator and infrastructure subscale score was statistically significant ( P =0.0480). Conclusion A scale developed to determine the attitudes of health care administrators regarding e-mail communication between patients and physicians demonstrated adequate content validity and reliability.
Stereo Matching and 3D Visualization for Gamma-Ray Cargo Inspection

In this paper, stereo matching and 3D visualization issues are studied for a linear pushbroom stereo model built for 3D gamma-ray (or X-ray) cargo inspection. A fast and automated stereo matching algorithm based on free-form deformable registration is developed to obtain 3D measurements of the objects under inspection. For facilitate stereo matching, an adaptive window min-max method is used to enhance the contrasts and boundaries of the challenging gamma-ray images. For fast implementation, a multi-resolution approach is also applied. A user interface is designed for interactive 3D measurements and visualization of the objects in interests. Experimental results are presented for real gamma-ray images of a 3D cargo container and the objects inside. The 3D measurements could add more value to today's cargo inspection techniques
A new efficient retiming algorithm derived by formal manipulation

A new efficient algorithm is derived for the minimal period retiming by formal manipulation. Contrary to all previous algorithms, which used fixed period feasibility checking to binary-search a candidate range, the derived algorithm checks the optimality of a feasible period directly. It is much simpler and more efficient than previous algorithms. Experimental results showed that it is even faster than ASTRA, an efficient heuristic algorithm. Since the derived algorithm is incremental by nature, it also opens the opportunity to be combined with other optimization techniques.
Return to the Moon: Exploration, Enterprise, and Energy in the Human Settlement of Space.Harrison Schmitt (SEG 2001 F). 352 Pp. Copernicus Books, Springer Science + Business Media, New York. 2005. ISBN 0-387-24285-6. Price US$25.

Former NASA Astronaut Harrison Schmitt, the only geologist to walk on the moon, presents a compelling case for returning man to the moon. Using fusion energy development as the economic driving force, he lays out a detailed program for human settlement of the moon, with centers of science and commerce to be later used as jump-off outposts for future Mars expeditions. He advocates a sustained commitment of human presence and exploration in deep space. Schmitt believes that increasing terrestrial power requirements in the near future can be fulfilled economically …
A Linear Program for Economic Lot Sizes using Labor Priorities

This paper presents the development of a mathematical model to generate economic lot sizes, on a weekly basis, for an assembly-type shop. The model appears as a linear program which optimizes assigned labor priorities. Included is a description of the results achieved from a successful implementation of the model into the assembly operations. The paper also identifies this shop's problem within the general context of multi-product, multi-period scheduling. In particular, a certain class of scheduling problems is formulated using described techniques.
On implant-based multiple gate oxide schemes for system-on-chip integration

Integrating the entire system on a chip (SoC) is one of the main challenges for many researchers all over the world. One of the major breakthroughs toward achieving this goal has been the ability to manufacture multiple gate oxides for different requirements on the same chip. The most attractive of the techniques currently in the literature is the implantation of nitrogen in silicon, which can be used to achieve the goal of multiple gate oxide thickness. The rate of oxidation depends on the amount of nitrogen incorporated at the silicon/silicon oxide interface. By modulating the amount of nitrogen incorporated at the interface, the rate of oxidation and hence the oxide thickness can be moderated. This paper reviews the diffusion, oxidation, and device issues pertaining to the use of nitrogen implants in silicon and also compares it to other implant-based techniques related to the achievement of multiple oxide thickness across the chip for SoC integration.
Synonymous address compaction for energy reduction in data TLB

Modern processors can issue and execute multiple instructions per cycle, often performing multiple memory operations simultaneously. To reduce stalls due to resource conflicts, most processors employ multi-ported L1 caches and TLBs to enable concurrent memory accesses. In this paper, the authors observed that data TLB lookups within a cycle and across consecutive cycles are often synonymous - they go to the same page. To exploit this finding, two new mechanisms were proposed - intra-cycle compaction and inter-cycle compaction of address translation requests in order to save energy in the data TLB. The results showed that average energy savings of 27% using intra-cycle, 42% using inter-cycle in a conventional d-TLB, and 56% using inter-cycle compaction in semantic-aware d-TLBs can be achieved. When these 2 compaction techniques are combined together and applied to both the i-TLB and semantic-aware d-TLBs, an average energy savings of 76% (up to 87%) is obtained.
Blindness: Assassins of eyesight.

A molecular cascade involving the transcription factor SIX6 and its target gene p16INK4a causes the death of neurons that link the eye to the brain. This discovery deepens our understanding of a common form of blindness, glaucoma.
Are random forests better than support vector machines for microarray-based cancer classification?

Cancer diagnosis and clinical outcome prediction are among the most important emerging applications of gene expression microarray technology with several molecular signatures on their way toward clinical deployment. Use of the most accurate decision support algorithms available for microarray gene expression data is a critical ingredient in order to develop the best possible molecular signatures for patient care. As suggested by a large body of literature to-date, support vector machines can be considered “best of class” algorithms for classification of such data. Recent work however found that random forest classifiers outperform support vector machines. In the present paper we point to several biases of this prior work and conduct a new unbiased evaluation of the two algorithms. Our experiments using 18 diagnostic and prognostic datasets show that support vector machines outperform random forests often by a large margin.
Language and Hume's Search for a Theory of the Self

In his Treatise Hume makes a profound suggestion: philosophical problems, especially problems in metaphysics, are verbal. This view is most vigorously articulated and defended in the course of his investigation of the problem of the self, in the section "Of personal identity." My paper is a critical exploration of Hume's arguments for this influential thesis and an analysis of the context that informs this 1739 version of the nature of philosophical pro- blems that anticipates the linguistic turn in philosophy.
Third-order optical nonlinearity effect of DNA- and polyvinylpyrrolidone-functionalized carbon nanotubes

We have used single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to disperse multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in water solution through sonication and centrifuge procedures. The advantage of these two polymers is that they do not need toxic organic solvents to distribute the carbon nanotubes. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) technique has been used to investigate the interaction between polymer molecules and MWNTs. The images show that MWNTs can be distributed effectively into the two polymer solutions. The third-order optical susceptibility, nonlinear optical absorption coefficient and optical power limiting of these dispersions have been characterized experimentally using a femtosecond laser system with a tunable range of 750–850 nm. The imaginary part of the third-order optical susceptibility has also been computed.
Life-Cycle Cost–Based Decision Framework for Failed Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Materials in Indiana:

The purpose of this study is to create a decision framework based on life-cycle cost (LCC) for failed portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP) materials in Indiana. The Indiana Department of Transportation (DOT) has a standard practice in testing and accepting the construction of PCCP. The challenge, though, is to make informed decisions concerning PCCP sections of failed materials and whether they should be removed and replaced or be accepted with a heavy penalty. This paper presents a decision framework for failed materials based on the long-term performance of PCCP and its LCC. The framework incorporates the PAVESPEC LCC module, a tool package developed as part of the performance-related specifications research efforts. The comparison of as-designed LCC and as-constructed LCC reveals the financial impact of failed PCCP materials. Probability and user confidence were incorporated to address the risk of accepting failed materials because of inferior pavement performance and shortened service life. Many s...
Quantitative Ultrasound for Monitoring High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Treatment In Vivo

The success of any minimally invasive treatment procedure can be enhanced significantly if combined with a robust noninvasive imaging modality that can monitor therapy in real time. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) imaging has been widely investigated for monitoring various treatment responses such as chemotherapy, radiation, and thermal therapy. Previously, we demonstrated the feasibility of using spectral-based QUS parameters to monitor high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of in situ tumors in euthanized rats [ Ultrasonic Imaging 36(4), 239–255, 2014]. In the present study, we examined the use of spectral-based QUS parameters to monitor HIFU treatment of in vivo rat mammary adenocarcinoma tumors (MAT) where significant tissue motion was present. HIFU was applied to tumors in rats using a single-element transducer. During the off part of the HIFU duty cycle, ultrasound backscatter was recorded from the tumors using a linear array co-aligned with the HIFU focus. A total of 10 rats were treated with HIFU in this study with an additional sham-treated rat. Spectral parameters from the backscatter coefficient, i.e., effective scatterer diameter ( ESD ) and effective acoustic concentration ( EAC ), were estimated. The changes of each parameter during treatment were compared with a temperature profile recorded by a fine-needle thermocouple inserted into the tumor a few millimeters behind the focus of the HIFU transducer. The mean ESD changed from $121 \pm {6}$ to $81 \pm {8}\, \upmu {\rm{m}}\, (p{\text{-value}}=0.0002)$ , and the EAC changed from $33 \pm {2}$ to $46 \pm {3}\, \hbox{dB/cm}^{3}\, (p{\text{-value}}=0.0002)$ during HIFU exposure as the temperature increased on average from $38.7 \pm 1.0 ^\circ{\rm C}$ to $64.2 \pm 2.7 ^\circ{\rm C}$ . The changes in ESD and EAC were linearly correlated with the changes in tissue temperature during the treatment. When HIFU was turned off, the $ESD$ increased from $81 \pm {8}$ to $121 \pm {7}\,\upmu{\rm{m}}$ and the EAC dropped from $46 \pm {3} $ to $36\pm {2}\, \hbox{dB/cm}^{3}$ as the temperature decreased from $64.2 \pm 2.7 ^\circ{\rm C}$ to $45 \pm 2.7 ^\circ{\rm C}$ . QUS was demonstrated in vivo to track temperature elevations caused by HIFU exposure.
CT Findings of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Children with Acute Leukemia

Objective To explore the clinical features and CT characteristics of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis(IPA) in children with acute leukemia.Methods CT scanning of chest was performed in 13 cases with IPA proved clinically and sputum culture in children with acute leukemia.All cases followed up by CT 4 to 10 times.The clinical features and CT findings were analyzed retrospectively.Results The early CT findings included single nodule in 2 cases,multi-nodular shadow in 10 case and sub-pleural wedge-shaped consolidation in 5 cases,of these 5 cases,4 accompanied multi-nodules.Halo sign around the nodules in 9 cases.The follow-up CT showed air crescent sign or cavity in 11 cases,halo sign around the nodules in 7 cases and around cavity in 2 cases.Conclusion IPA has some characteristic manifestations on CT.CT is of important value in observing the evolution and evaluating the prognosis for the patients with IPA.
EDTITRATE (Emergency Department Telemedicine Initiative to Rapidly Accommodate in Times of Emergency).

Objective Emergency Department (ED) patient volumes are unpredictable, which can result in service delays and patients leaving without care. We initiated a programme of emergency physician (EP) telepresence in the ED with the objectives of assessing feasibility, safety, patient and provider acceptance, and throughput time. Methods This was a prospective convenience study. Patients presenting to the ED during operation of the study who were planned for placement in the waiting room were considered for enrolment. A faculty EP conducted patient evaluations via telepresence with confirmatory evaluation by the onsite faculty EP prior to disposition. Patient care was either taken to completion by the telemedicine EP or initiated and handed off to the onsite team. Measures included patient demographics, triage class (ESI 1-5), throughput time and a single question satisfaction survey (rating 1-5, 5 most favourable) completed by patients, registered nurses and EPs. Patients were called within 3 days and the electronic health record reviewed at 7 days looking for unscheduled visits and adverse events. Results In total, 130 patients were enrolled. Mean triage class was 3.9 with a median throughput of 150 minutes (IQR = 116.5, 206). Non-telemedicine patients during the same time period with similar triage classes had a median throughput of 287 minutes (IQR = 199, 408). Mean satisfaction scores were: patient 4.91, nurse 4.75, onsite EP 4.47 and telemedicine EP 4.79. There was one potential misdiagnosis and no adverse events. Conclusion Patient evaluation by EP via telepresence is feasible, safe, readily accepted by patients and providers and associated with reduced throughput time.
Closure of the bladder neck in patients undergoing continent vesicostomy for urinary incontinence.

AbstractThe continent vesicostomy has been done on 24 patients, 10 of whom had severe urinary incontinence requiring closure of the bladder neck or urethra as well. Therefore, the bladder was converted to a closed cavity and intermittent catheterization is done through an abdominal stoma. No dressings or appliances are necessary. Bladder neck (or urethral) closure was successful in 8 of the 10 patients. One of the failures had been incontinent and was rendered continent on attempted bladder neck closure and there is urethral leakage at night in the other patient. Intermittent catheterization through a vesicostomy stoma has been cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing to the patients. The bladder neck closure has resulted in a dry perineum with fewer skin problems.
Pigmentary traits and use of indoor tanning beds in a cohort of women

Frequent use of indoor tanning with artificial UV radiation likely contributes to the rising incidence of skin cancer1,2. Despite known risks, indoor tanning is very common, with a prevalence of 36% among adults in Western countries1. Reasons for individuals’ use of indoor tanning include perceived aesthetic benefits, improved mood, and socialization3,4. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The European Impulse Revived: The Birth of European Political Cooperation, 1969–73

Unlike the creation of the Eurogroup, which was motivated largely by the possibility of US troop reductions, the movement toward political cooperation was rooted in the longstanding if hitherto failed effort to extend European unity beyond the economic sphere of the ec. Following the aborted Fouchet negotiations in 1962, it had proved impossible to generate sufficient consensus among the six founding members of the ec to revive progress toward political unity or even regularised cooperation on foreign policy matters. The general malaise in this area was compounded by the continued French veto on British membership in the ec and by interruption of the planned supranational evolution in the Council of Ministers whereby many important decisions were to have been taken by weighted majority vote after 1965. Having failed in his earlier attempt during the Fouchet negotiations to shift ec matters under the purview of an intergovernmental union, de Gaulle launched a challenge against the ec institutions themselves by insisting upon a more delimited role for the supranational Commission and by demanding a national veto prerogative within the Council of Ministers. ec business virtually ground to a halt while France boycotted Council proceedings during the so-called ‘empty chair’ crisis in 1965/66.
Review of "The Small Library Manager's Handbook," edited by Alice Graves

THE SMALL LIBRARY MANAGER'S HANDBOOK. Edited by Alice Graves. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014, 299 pp., ISBN: 978-1-4422-3987-6, $90.00.In her introduction, editor Alice Graves describes thi...
Monitoring Mexican Rice Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Populations in Sugarcane and Rice With Conventional and Electronic Pheromone Traps.

The Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), is a major pest of sugarcane, Saccharum spp., rice, Oryza sativa L., and other graminaceous crops in Texas and Louisiana. The ability of conventional and electronic pheromone traps to monitor E. loftini in sugarcane and rice habitats was evaluated in two separate 2-yr field studies. Bucket traps baited with a synthetic female sex pheromone monitored E. loftini populations in commercial sugarcane fields in Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis Parishes throughout the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. The number of E. loftini captured differed among months, but not between years or parishes. The percentage of E. loftini-injured stalks was greater in 2015 than in 2014, peaking in September of both years. Daily trap capture was correlated with the percentage of injured stalks. Injury from E. loftini in Louisiana sugarcane remained relatively low (<3% bored internodes) in both 2014 and 2015. In a second experiment, electronic traps were compared with conventional pheromone traps for monitoring E. loftini populations in sugarcane and rice habitats in Texas in 2013 and 2015. Performance of earlier electronic trap prototypes in 2013 was inconsistent and less effective than conventional traps. Improved trap design in 2015 resulted in more than threefold greater moth capture in electronic traps than in conventional pheromone traps. Electronic traps demonstrated potential to improve monitoring strategies for this pest and should be evaluated for lepidopterous pests in a variety of cropping systems.
Nanoscale scanning electrochemical microscopy: Emerging advances in applications and theory

Nanoscale scanning electrochemical microscopy is emerging as a powerful electrochemical technique due to recent pioneering advances in tip fabrication and handling, instrument and cell design, and awareness of airborne and solution organic contamination which impact tip and substrate handling. Applications, accompanied by theory usually as finite-element simulations, are beginning to appear as discussed in this review.
Urbanization Impacts on the Summer Heavy Rainfall Climatology over the Eastern United States

AbstractThe relationship between rainfall characteristics and urbanization over the eastern United States was examined by analyzing four datasets: daily rainfall in 4593 surface stations over the last 50 years (1958–2008), a high-resolution gridded rainfall product, reanalysis wind data, and a proxy for urban land use (gridded human population data). Results indicate that summer monthly rainfall amounts show an increasing trend in urbanized regions. The frequency of heavy rainfall events has a potential positive bias toward urbanized regions. Most notably, consistent with case studies for individual cities, the climatology of rainfall amounts downwind of urban–rural boundaries shows a significant increasing trend. Analysis of heavy (90th percentile) and extreme (99.5th percentile) rainfall events indicated decreasing trends of heavy rainfall events and a possible increasing trend for extreme rainfall event frequency over urban areas. Results indicate that the urbanization impact was more pronounced in the...
Total Synthesis of (+)-Pancratistatin by the Rh(III)-Catalyzed Addition of a Densely Functionalized Benzamide to a Sugar-Derived Nitroalkene

Herein, we report the concise total synthesis of (+)-pancratistatin, accessed in a 10-step linear sequence from commercially available inputs. The convergent synthesis features a highly diastereoselective Rh(III)-catalyzed C–H bond addition to a d-glucose-derived nitroalkene and a late-stage intramolecular transamidation to furnish the B ring lactam.
Applying preoperative dipyridamole thallium-201 scintigraphy for preventing cardiac mortality and complications for patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing parathyroidectomy

Summary Background To evaluate the value of preoperative dipyridamole thallium-201 scintigraphy for reducing cardiovascular complication in secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPTH) patients. Methods Thallium scintigraphy was arranged for all dialysis patients who underwent parathyroidectomy from Jan 2011 to July 2015. Management of defects on thallium scintigraphy included cardiac catheterization and ultrasonography. Analysis includes 30-day mortality, morbidity and the predicting factors for thallium scintigraphy defect. Results Of 249 patients with SHPTH, 19 (7.6%) had defects on thallium scintigraphy, 15 (88%) of whom had coronary artery disease on angiography. History of acute coronary syndrome (ACS, p Conclusion Preoperative dipyridamole thallium-201 scintigraphy is useful for SHPTH patients to minimized surgical mortality and morbidity.
Association of Maternal Preeclampsia With Infant Risk of Premature Birth and Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Importance Studies report conflicting associations between preeclampsia and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This study provides explanations for the discrepancies to clarify the relationship between preeclampsia and ROP. Objective To evaluate the association of maternal preeclampsia and risk of ROP among infants in an unrestricted birth cohort and a restricted subcohort of preterm, very low birth weight (P-VLBW) infants. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective review of 290 992 live births within the Intermountain Healthcare System in Utah from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2010, was performed. Generalized estimating equations for logistic regressions with covariate adjustment were applied to relate ROP to preeclampsia among the full cohort and in a subcohort of P-VLBW infants born at younger than 31 weeks’ gestation and weighing less than 1500 g. Main Outcomes and Measures The occurrence of ROP was related to maternal preeclampsia in the full cohort and in a subcohort of P-VLBW infants. Results In the full cohort, 51% of the infants were male and the mean (SD) gestational age was 38.38 (1.87) weeks. In the P-VLBW cohort, 55% were male and the mean (SD) gestational age was 26.87 (2.40) weeks. In the full cohort, preeclampsia was associated with an increased risk of all ROP (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.46; 95% CI, 2.17–2.79; P P P = .006), and giving birth to a P-VLBW infant (aOR, 7.74; 95% CI, 6.92–8.67; P P = .003), severe ROP (aOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.36–1.06; P = .08), and infant death (aOR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.11-0.32; P Conclusions and Relevance Preeclampsia was associated with an increased risk of developing ROP among an unrestricted cohort but with a reduced risk of ROP among a restricted subcohort of P-VLBW infants. Although the conflicting associations in the full and P-VLBW cohorts may reflect true differences, the association of a reduced risk of ROP among the P-VLBW subcohort also may reflect biases from restricting the cohort to prematurity, because prematurity is an outcome of preeclampsia.
Critical Use of Utilitarian Arguments: Szasz on Paternalism

Thomas Szasz’s criticism of present public policies with regard to what he calls behavioral deviants must be reconstructed on the basis of utilitarian reasoning, if the criticism is to make sense. If this thesis can be defended, then a direction for future discussion of problems presented by those policies is indicated. After all, the authors contributing to that discussion within the present volume have either ignored or failed to consider adequately the radical, philanthropic, and influential theories of Szasz that happen to oppose their reasonings.
Using Experience Books to Foster the Narrative Skills of English Learners

The need to address the language and literacy development of children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds continues to rise with the increasing number of English learners (...
Synthesis and transport properties of Cu-excess Cu(Zn,Cd)2InTe4 quaternary chalcogenides

Abstract Polycrystalline quaternary chalcogenides with compositions Cu1.1Cd1.8In1.1Te4, Cu1.3Cd1.9In0.8Te4, Cu1.2Zn1.8InTe4 and Cu1.2Zn1.6In1.2Te4 were synthesized by reacting the constituent elements and subsequent solid state annealing followed by densification by hot-pressing in order to investigate the transport properties with varying compositions, and therefore carrier densities. The thermal conductivity of these compositions, as well as stoichiometric CuZn2InTe4 and CuCd2InTe4, are reported for the first time. In addition to the thermal conductivity, resistivity, Seebeck coefficient and compositional stability measurements are also discussed. These materials are p-type semiconductors with very low thermal conductivity values. The potential for improved thermoelectric performance is also discussed.
A Flow-Through Hydrothermal Method for the Synthesis of Active Nanocrystalline Catalysts

Publisher Summary The rapid thermal decomposition of precursors in solution (RTDS) process is a novel powder synthesis method involving hydrothermal reactions of particle-forming precursor species in continuously flowing solutions. It uses short reaction times, on the order of seconds, to quickly form particulate species and then terminates the growth process by abruptly removing the resulting suspension from the hydrothermal environment through a pressure let-down device. This method is an attractive approach for the large-scale generation of active nanocrystalline oxide and oxyhydroxide powders for a variety of catalytic applications. Specific benefits of the process include the nanocrystalline character of the powder products, the capability to adjust product characteristics by varying the process conditions, a wide range of product materials, the ability to generate doped single phase or biphasic powders, and the potential to operate in a continuous mode for large-scale nanocrystalline powder generation.
Parathyroidectomy versus Cinacalcet in the Management of Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism: Surgery Improves Renal Transplant Allograft Survival.

Background Renal transplant allograft function in patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism who are treated with cinacalcet versus parathyroidectomy remains unclear. Methods This is a retrospective, single-center review of patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism between 2000 and 2017. We compared clinical parameters and outcomes, including renal allograft failure in patients who had undergone parathyroidectomy versus treatment with cinacalcet therapy. Results A total of 133 patients were included (33 who received parathyroidectomy and 100 who received cinacalcet); median renal allograft survival was 5.9 years (interquartile range 4.0–9.0). There were no differences in age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, duration of pretransplant dialysis, cadaveric donor utilization, or rates of delayed allograft function between cohorts. In the parathyroidectomy cohort, normalization of parathyroid hormone occurred more frequently (67% vs 15%, P Conclusion Parathyroidectomy for tertiary hyperparathyroidism is associated with lesser rates of renal allograft failure compared with cinacalcet management. Patients with inadequate parathyroid hormone control on cinacalcet at 1 year posttransplant should be considered for parathyroidectomy to prevent potential allograft failure.
On Women’s Health and Women’s Power: A Feminist Appraisal of Humanae Vitae:

Catholic feminism has flourished in the decades following Humanae Vitae. Still, Catholic women do not speak with one voice on the issue of birth control. I argue that Humanae Vitae has had far-reac...
Comparative Validity of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's National Outcomes Measurement System, Functional Oral Intake Scale, and G-Codes to Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability Scores for Dysphagia

Background The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) advocates using the National Outcomes Measurement System (NOMS) scales to assist speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the mandat...
Extending Design Science Research Through Systems Theory: A Hospital System of Systems

Labor planning and allocation are critical success factors for hospitals in today’s low margin, competitive healthcare environment. This research investigated the design and evaluation of an innovative labor planning and allocation system co-created with a practitioner team responsible for nursing labor management across departments in multiple hospitals within a North American hospital system. The research found a unique means to extend Design Science Research theory and practice using a Systems Theory approach to the design, build and evaluation of innovative labor allocation information and management systems within the existing hospital systems. The “system of systems” approach identified conflicting structures of management processes that prevented system balancing feedback loops from operating efficiently. An elaborated Action Design Research (eADR) method used a guided, emergent approach to redesign the structure, roles, and tasks of labor planning and allocation within this system of systems framework. The instantiated innovative nursing labor-management model was shown to benefit from its theory-ingrained approach to deliver a significantly improved labor allocation outcome for each level of the system.
2028 - PULSATION IN BLOOD VESSELS STIMULATES MECHANOSENSITIVE AND EPIGENETIC MECHANISMS TO PROMOTE THE BIRTH OF HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS

During fetal development, a subset of endothelial cells changes their fate to become HSCs in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region. However, the mechanisms regulating the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT) remain largely unknown. Our machine learning and confocal imaging demonstrate that the rhythmic contraction in ventral part of dorsal aorta is concurrent with EHT events. We also found that pulsation-mediated cyclical contraction stretches AGM in circumferential direction. Using serial transplant, limiting dilution, and replating assays, we found that the circumferential stretching of hemogenic endothelial cells or Piezo1 activation yields 3-times higher amounts of Long Term (LT)-HSC formation; which reconstitute to normal multi-lineage adult blood. Using vaccine-challenge, adult globin expression, MPO enzyme activity, immunoglobulins, and T-cell receptor rearrangement analyses, we found that circumferential stretching or Piezo1 activation-derived HSCs reconstitute to functional T and B cells, adult erythrocytes, and myeloid cells. Our Piezo1fl/flxScl-Cre conditional knockout, gene-silencing, & confocal imaging further demonstrate that circumferential stretching of blood vessels activates Piezo1; which enhances epigenetic regulator Dnmt3b expression to stimulate the EHT. Our Cut&Run & MassArray analyses demonstrate that Dnmt3b suppresses endothelial genes during EHT. In conclusion, we found that pulsation-mediated circumferential stretching of AGM stimulates the EHT by Piezo1 activation and Dnmt3b over-expression. This leads to the formation of long-term self-renewing HSCs engrafting upon serial transplantations and reconstituting normal adult blood. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating how biomechanical forces utilize epigenetic machinery to promote cell fate transition as well as a bioreactor to develop and expand LT-HSCs.
Vacancy-mediated complex phase selection in high entropy alloys

Abstract Phase selection in Ti-Zr-Hf-Al high-entropy alloys was investigated by in-situ high-energy X-ray diffraction, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and density-functional theory based electronic-structure methods that address disorder and vacancies, predicting formation enthalpy and chemical short-range order (SRO). Samples with varying Al content were synthesized, characterized, and computationally assessed to ascertain the composition-dependent phase selection, as increased Al content often acts as a stabilizer of a body-centered-cubic structure. Equiatomic TiZrHfAl was especially interesting due to its observed bcc superstructure – a variant of γ-brass with 4 vacancies per cell (not 2 as in γ-brass). We highlight how vacancy ordering mediates selection of this variant of γ-brass, which is driven by vacancy-atom SRO that dramatically suppress all atomic SRO. As vacancies are inherent in processing refractory systems, we expect that similar discoveries await in other high entropy alloys or in revisiting older experimental data.
404: by Sabri Louatah, Paris, Flammarion/Versilio, 2020, 368 pp., €21.00 (softcover), ISBN: 978-2-0815-1031-9

Although Amar 404 specifically refers to the censorship of political activism on social media during the Ben Ali era, Louatah's title appears to run contrary to the spirit of Amar 404 His novel recounts the creation of a fictitious Internet application, '404', by a Franco-Algerian math prodigy, Allia, to prevent online content from going viral - an application that would have certainly impeded the popular uprisings in the early 2010s Given these socio-political consequences of Allia's application, readers are not surprised when Kader later uses 404 and his 5G network, Wilaya, to create a national counter-history [Extracted from the article] Copyright of Journal of North African Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )
An experimental study on the scavenging effect of ascorbic acid on iodate ions in simulated gastric juice

Objective To explore the conversion rate of iodate ions (IO3-) being reduced to iodide ions (I-) by ascorbic acid (C6H8O6, VC) in simulated human gastric juice, and to provide references for further safety evaluation of edible salt iodized with potassium iodate. Methods An ion chromatography method was developed to detect iodide ions in simulated gastric juice. The conversion rate of iodate ions being reduced to iodide ions was used as the index for scavenging rate of iodate ions. In simulated gastric juice in vitro and in 37 ℃ water bath, the scavenging effects of VC on iodate ions were determined in simulated gastric juice with different VC concentrations and simulated gastric juice acidities, as well as for different reaction time. Ion chromatography column: Dionex IonPac AS19 (250 mm × 4.0 mm); eluent: KOH 30 mmol/L (online produced), isocratic eluting, flow rate 1.0 ml/min, injection volume 100 μl, and detected by a conductivity detector. Results Performance of the method: within the range of 0-5 000 μg/L, iodide ions concentration and the chromatographic peak area had a good linearity (correlation coefficient r= 0.999 7), and the detection limit of iodide ions was 20 μg/L. For quantification of iodide ions in simulated gastric juice, the relative standard deviation (RSD) of repeated measure for 6 times was < 2.0%, the standard addition recovery rate was 97.6%-102.4%, and the overall average recovery rate was 99.4%. In the simulated gastric juice with a pH of 1.4 containing 5 mg/L and ≥10 mg/L VC, the reaction time to achieve 100% conversion rate of iodate ions being reduced to iodide ions was 5 min and 2 min, respectively. In the simulated gastric juice with a pH of 3 containing 10 mg/L ascorbic acid, the reaction time to achieve 100% conversion rate was 15 min. VC quantitatively reduced iodate ions to iodide ions by the stoichiometric relationship between reactants of the reduction reaction equation, and every 100 μg VC quantitatively reduced 24.0 μg of iodine in iodate to iodide ions. Conclusions In simulated gastric juice, the reaction of iodate ions being reduced to iodide ions by VC is a stoichiometric reaction with relatively fast reaction rate, the scavenging rate of iodate ions by VC within the concentration level in human gastric juice can reach 100%. The results prompt that the iodate ions from edible salt iodized with potassium iodate in daily diet are reduced to iodide ions mainly in the human stomach. Key words: Gastric juice; Iodine; Salts; Iodate ions; Ascorbic acid; Conversion rate; Scavenging rate