cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Where is the carbon? Carbon sequestration potential from private forestland in the Southern United States

Uncertainty surrounding the future supply of timber in the southern United States prompted the question, “Where is all the wood?” (Cubbage et al. 1995). We ask a similar question about the potential of southern forests to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by sequestering carbon. Because significant carbon sequestration potential occurs on individual nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) lands owned by individuals, the accuracy of projections depends on how NIPF landowners respond to prices and their ability and willingness to participate in carbon offset programs. Striving to produce a more realistic assessment of the potential for southern forests to sequester carbon in response to future markets or policies, we use National Woodland Owner Survey data from the Forest Inventory and Analysis program to link landowner demographic and behavioral data with forest conditions. We also examine barriers to NIPF participation in carbon offset programs and offer recommendations for overcoming those barriers.
Synthesis and evaluation of the sensitivity and vibrational lifetimes of thiocyanate and selenocyanate infrared reporters

Two novel 2′-deoxyadenosine (dA) analogues, Si2–dA–SCN and Si2–dA–SeCN, and two novel phenylalanine (Phe) analogues, Boc–Me–PheCH2SCN and Boc–Me–PheCH2SeCN, have been synthesized and the thiocyanate (SCN) and selenocyanate (SeCN) functional groups evaluated as vibrational reporters. The syntheses of Si2–dA–SCN and Si2–dA–SeCN were accomplished in three steps in 16% and 32% overall yields, respectively, and the syntheses of Boc–Me–PheCH2SCN and Boc–Me–PheCH2SeCN were completed in four steps in 8.9% and 2.3% overall yields, respectively. The SCN and SeCN stretch vibrational modes were shown to be sensitive to the local environment by frequency shifts and full-width half-maximum (fwhm) changes in response to tetrahydrofuran (THF) and THF/water solvent mixtures. The vibrational lifetimes of the Si2–dA–SeCN (237 ± 12 ps) and Boc–Me–PheCH2SeCN (295 ± 31 ps) in THF solution were determined by ultrafast infrared pump-probe spectroscopy to be 1.5 to 3 times longer than those for Si2–dA–SCN (140 ± 6 ps) and Boc–Me–PheCH2SCN (102 ± 4 ps). The longer lifetimes for the SeCN analogues were attributed to the better insulating effects of the heavier selenium atom compared to the sulfur atom. The solvent sensitivity and longer vibrational lifetimes compared to other vibrational reporters suggest that SCN and SeCN vibrational reporters are well suited to studying several dynamic processes including protein and nucleic acid hydration and conformational changes, however stability issues may require post-synthetic modification methods to incorporate these reporters into biomacromolecules.
Tele-emergency utilization: In what clinical situations is tele-emergency activated?

IntroductionTele-emergency provides audio/visual communication between a central emergency care centre (tele-emergency hub) and a distant emergency department (remote ED) for real-time emergency care consultation. The purpose of this mixed methods study is to examine how often tele-emergency is activated in usual practice and in what circumstances it is used.MethodsTele-emergency log data and merged electronic medical record data from Avera Health (Sioux Falls, SD) were analysed for 60,193 emergency department (ED) encounters presenting over a two-and-a-half year period at 21 critical access hospitals using the tele-emergency service. Of these, tele-emergency was activated for 1512 ED encounters.ResultsAnalyses indicated that patients presenting at rural EDs with circulatory, injury, mental and symptoms diagnoses were significantly more likely to have tele-emergency department services activated as were patients who were transferred to another hospital. Interviews conducted with 85 clinicians and administ...
Effect of thermal control system on peak shaping performance of thermal power generators

The effect of power generators characteristics on the variation of loads,the effect of control mode on the power generator's peak shaping performance,and the adaptivity of the coordinated control system were analysed through on-site testing with the peak shaping power generators operating under different conditions.Tests showed that the boiler delay response mainly occurred in the powder making process,and was restricted by operating requirements,and this delay time was difficult to overcome.It is pointed out that the control strategy of the power generators should be optimized by perfecting the coordinated control system and thermal protection functions to improve the peak shaping capability of power generators.
Insufficient evidence to recommend a treatment to stop non-nutritive sucking habits in children.

The electronic databases searched included The Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Central), MEDLINE via Ovid, PsycINFO via Ovid, CINAHL via EBSCO, the US National Institutes of Health Trials Register (Clinical Trials.gov) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. No restrictions regarding language and date of publication were used and reference lists from relevant articles were screened. Authors from eligible studies were contacted for further information. Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials in children with a non-nutritive sucking habit that compared one intervention with another intervention or a non-intervention control group. The primary outcome of interest explored was the cessation of the habit. Study selection, data extraction and risk bias assessment were carried out independently. Three reviewers screened the records, two performed data extraction, two assessed risk of bias and two assessed the overall quality of the evidence. Meta-analysis could not be done. Six trials involving 252 children (aged 2½ to 18 years). Data were available for only 246 children. Only digit sucking was assessed in the studies. The studies compared single or multiple interventions. All studies were considered high risk of bias due to limitations in the methodology and reporting. The studies had a very small number of participants. Follow up ranged from one to 36 months. The review found low quality evidence that orthodontic appliances and psychological interventions (including positive and negative reinforcement) are effective at improving sucking cessation in children. There is very low quality evidence that palatal crib is more effective than palatal arch. The orthodontic appliance was more likely to stop digit sucking than no treatment, whether it was used over the short term, risk ratio (RR)= 6.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.67 to 25.53; or long term RR =5.81, (95% CI 1.49 to 22.66); or used in combination with a psychological intervention RR= 6.36, (95% CI 0.97 to 41.96).
On the Bellman's principle of optimality

Abstract Bellman’s equation is widely used in solving stochastic optimal control problems in a variety of applications including investment planning, scheduling problems and routing problems. Building on Markov decision processes for stationary policies, we present a new proof for Bellman’s equation of optimality. Our proof rests its case on the availability of an explicit model of the environment that embodies transition probabilities and associated costs.
Physics from the G-Bundle Viewpoint

On etudie des operateurs differentiels (et leur spectre) associes a des systemes qui sont classiquement modelises sur des fibres de fibres principaux equipes d'un tenseur metrique sur la base ainsi que d'une connexion
Sex and menstrual cycle effects on chronic oral cocaine self-administration in rhesus monkeys: Effects of a nondrug alternative reward

In previous studies, female monkeys self-administered more oral phencyclidine (PCP) than males, and PCP intake differed by phase of menstrual cycle. The purpose of this study was to examine sex and hormonal influences on oral cocaine self-administration in male and female rhesus monkeys in the follicular vs. luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, with concurrent access to an alternative nondrug reward, saccharin (SACC) vs. water. Concurrent access to cocaine (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/ml) and SACC or water was available from two drinking spouts under concurrent fixed-ratio (FR) 2, 4, and 8 schedules during daily 3-h sessions. Cocaine deliveries were similar in males and females in the females’ luteal phase, but cocaine deliveries were higher in females during the follicular phase than the luteal phase and compared to males. When SACC was available, cocaine deliveries were reduced in females in the follicular phase of the cycle, and cocaine intake (mg/kg) was reduced in males and in females’ follicular and luteal phases. Access to concurrent SACC (vs. water) reduced cocaine intake (mg/kg) in males and in females during both menstrual phases, and the magnitude of the reduction in cocaine intake was greatest during the females’ follicular phase. Thus, a nondrug alternative reward, SACC, is a viable alternative treatment for reducing cocaine’s rewarding effects on male and female monkeys, and reductions in cocaine seeking were optimal in the females’ luteal phase.
Improving the angular response of DFWM in atomic vapors

Atomic vapors, such as those of Na, K, and Cs, have such a large and fast nonlinear response on or near resonances that they are capable of processing images, with milliwatt lasers at submicrosecond time scales. However, the atomic motion can wash out the induced population gratings, so that the degenerate four-wave-mixing (DFWM) signal is greatly reduced for angles above -10 mrad.
The History and Identity of East African Football within the African Context

The East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have carved a niche of perpetual failure to qualify for major football competitions at continental and global levels despite the sport being fervently supported in the respective countries. Association football is the world’s most popular form of sport, being played in every nation without exception (FIFA, 2013a; Murray, 1998; Reilly, 1994,1996). The sport is played by millions of people, and has billions of fans and supporters all over the world including 208 nations and members of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA). The game is rated Africa’s best sport with 53 countries affiliated to Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) (CAF, 2013; Rintaugu et al., 2012). In an effort directed towards development of football in Africa, several management and administrative structures of the sport have been set up, with the umbrella governing body being the CAF. In addition, regional governing bodies have been established to oversee the growth and development of the sport in specific geographical regions of Africa. One such organization is the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), which has organized annual football tournaments for the countries of the Eastern and Central Africa region since 1973. However, each of the countries has a national federation that manages the sport. Due to the popularity of football, most African countries have invested heavily in the sport so as to bring about success.
Transmembrane Substrate Determinants for γ-Secretase Processing of APP CTFβ

The amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is generated by proteolysis within the transmembrane domain (TMD) of a C-terminal fragment of the amyloid β protein-precursor (APP CTFβ) by the γ-secretase complex. This processing produces Aβ ranging from 38 to 49 residues in length. Evidence suggests that this spectrum of Aβ peptides is the result of successive γ-secretase cleavages, with endoproteolysis first occurring at the e sites to generate Aβ48 or Aβ49, followed by C-terminal trimming mostly every three residues along two product lines to generate shorter, secreted forms of Aβ: the primary Aβ49–46–43–40 line and a minor Aβ48–45–42–38 line. The major secreted Aβ species are Aβ40 and Aβ42, and an increased proportion of the longer, aggregation-prone Aβ42 compared to Aβ40 is widely thought to be important in AD pathogenesis. We examined TMD substrate determinants of the specificity and efficiency of e site endoproteolysis and carboxypeptidase trimming of CTFβ by γ-secretase. We determined that t...
Customized 3D-Printed Surface Topography Governs Species Attachment Preferences in a Fresh Water Periphyton Community

Abstract Periphyton cultivation systems have few controls over species composition, thereby limiting their applications for production of biomass. A promising approach for controlling species composition in cultivation systems is through design of substratum characteristics. 3-D printing is used to design substratum topographic sections to test for selectivity of colonization of periphyton algae in streams. Experimental tiles were designed with six different topographic sections composed of tightly-packed hemispheres over a range of diameters from 100 to 2000 μm. These tiles were deployed in a local stream for 30 days, retrieved and analyzed for species occurrence and relative abundance on each of the tile sections. Twelve species of periphyton algae in four divisions were identified across all topographic sections. The distribution and relative abundance of these species were found to vary as a function of topographic feature size, with the greatest diversity observed on the surfaces with topographic feature sizes of 500 μm. Of the twelve identified species, two exhibited abundance patterns that were significant. Microspora wileana displayed a preference for surfaces with topographic feature sizes Stigeoclonium tenue displayed a preference for surfaces with topographic feature sizes less than or equal to 100 μm and greater than or equal to 1500 μm. These results suggest that substratum design using 3D printing or other technologies may be useful to influence species composition and dominance relationships in mixed communities in engineered periphyton cultivation systems.
Trends in fetal monitoring through phonocardiography: Challenges and future directions

Abstract Monitoring the well-being of a fetus through Fetal Phonocardiography (FPCG) has been occurring for more than a century. Throughout history, there have been continuous advances in sensor development, data acquisition systems, and signal processing techniques. Despite these advancements, FPCG based point of care technologies are facing serious challenges in translating from basic research to clinical trials and commercialization. This is partly due to the noisy characteristic associated with FPCG, to the lesser clinical knowledge about fetal and maternal physiological profiles, to the unavailability of gold standard databases, and to the limited application of reliable signal processing techniques. In order to understand why FPCG continues to be underutilized, it is necessary to know about the existing standards of fetal monitoring, data collection trends, and the signal processing aspects. To serve this purpose, this paper will first provide an overview of the existing standards of fetal monitoring and then provide a comprehensive survey on Fetal Phonocardiography with focus on trends in data collection, signal processing techniques and synthesis models that have been developed to date. Finally, a set of guidelines will be proposed for future research and use in signal analysis, processing and modeling based on the outlined challenges.
Is there a role for stem cells in recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

B218 Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body, and can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. An increasing body of research is showing that cancers might contain their own stem cells. In fact, cancer cells, like stem cells, can proliferate indefinitely through a deregulated cellular self-renewal capacity. This raises the possibility that some features of tumor cells may be due to cancer stem cells. Stem cell-like cancer cells were isolated from several solid tumors, and new evidence has shown that brain cancers contain cells that may be multipotent neural stem cell-like cells. Researchers have successfully grown adult olfactory stem cells harvested from the human nose, but so far there is no evidence supportting that head and neck cancers are derived from multispecialized, pluripotential cells. In this review, we discuss the possibility of some molecular leads and poteins involved in carcinogenic pathways that could be involved in stem cell physiopathology of head and neck cancer.
SSB and the RecG DNA helicase: An intimate association to rescue a stalled replication fork

In E. coli, the regression of stalled DNA replication forks is catalyzed by the DNA helicase RecG. One means of gaining access to the fork is by binding to the single strand binding protein or SSB. This interaction occurs via the wedge domain of RecG and the intrinsically disordered linker (IDL) of SSB, in a manner similar to that of SH3 domains binding to PXXP motif-containing ligands in eukaryotic cells. During loading, SSB remodels the wedge domain so that the helicase domains bind to the parental, duplex DNA, permitting the helicase to translocate using thermal energy. This translocation may be used to clear the fork of obstacles, prior to the initiation of fork regression.
Measurement of primordial non-Gaussianity using the WMAP 5-year temperature skewness power spectrum

We constrain the primordial non-Gaussianity parameter of the local model ${f}_{\mathrm{NL}}$ using the skewness power spectrum associated with the two-to-one cumulant correlator of cosmic microwave background temperature anisotropies. This bispectrum-related power spectrum was constructed after weighting the temperature map with the appropriate window functions to form an estimator that probes the multipolar dependence of the underlying bispectrum associated with the primordial non-Gaussianity. We also estimate a separate skewness power spectrum sensitive more strongly to unresolved point sources. When compared to previous attempts at measuring the primordial non-Gaussianity with WMAP data, our estimators have the main advantage that we do not collapse information to a single number. When model fitting the two-to-one skewness power spectrum, we make use of bispectra generated by the primordial non-Gaussianity, radio point sources, and lensing-secondary correlation. We analyze $Q$, $V$, and $W$-band WMAP 5-year data using the KQ75 mask out to ${l}_{\mathrm{max}﻿}=600$. Using $V$ and $W$-band data and marginalizing over model parameters related to point sources and lensing-secondary bispectrum, our overall and preferred constraint on ${f}_{\mathrm{NL}}$ is $11.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}23.7$ at the 68% confidence level ($\ensuremath{-}36.4l{f}_{\mathrm{NL}}l58.4$ at 95% confidence). We find no evidence for a nonzero value of ${f}_{\mathrm{NL}}$ even marginally at the $1\ensuremath{\sigma}$ level.
Evaluation of wetland implementation strategies on phosphorus reduction at a watershed scale

Abstract Excessive nutrient use in agricultural practices is a major cause of water quality degradation around the world, which results in eutrophication of the freshwater systems. Among the nutrients, phosphorus enrichment has recently drawn considerable attention due to major environmental issues such as Lake Erie and Chesapeake Bay eutrophication. One approach for mitigating the impacts of excessive nutrients on water resources is the implementation of wetlands. However, proper site selection for wetland implementation is the key for effective water quality management at the watershed scale, which is the goal of this study. In this regard, three conventional and two pseudo-random targeting methods were considered. A watershed model called the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was coupled with another model called System for Urban Stormwater Treatment and Analysis IntegratioN (SUSTAIN) to simulate the impacts of wetland implementation scenarios in the Saginaw River watershed, located in Michigan. The inter-group similarities of the targeting strategies were investigated and it was shown that the level of similarity increases as the target area increases (0.54–0.86). In general, the conventional targeting method based on phosphorus load generated per unit area at the subwatershed scale had the highest average reduction among all the scenarios (44.46 t/year). However, when considering the total area of implemented wetlands, the conventional method based on long-term impacts of wetland implementation showed the highest amount of phosphorus reduction (36.44 t/year).
Abstract 020: Stress and Achievement of Cardiovascular Health Metrics: The American Heart Association Life’s Simple 7TM in African-Americans of the Jackson Heart Study

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death for African-American (AA) adults. There is a low prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) (as defined by the Ameri...
The Experimental Tobacco Marketplace II: Substitutability and sex effects in dual electronic cigarette and conventional cigarette users.

Abstract Aim The aim of the current study was to evaluate tobacco product purchasing in the Experimental: Tobacco Marketplace (ETM) among male and female smokers who also use e-cigarettes. We hypothesized a high substitution profile for e-cigarettes and that males would purchase more Snus than females. Methods The ETM is an online market used in clinical abuse liability research to mimic real-world purchasing patterns. Tobacco products, including each participant’s usual choice of conventional and e-cigarettes, were presented along with a price and description of nicotine content. Participants were endowed with an account balance based on the number of cigarettes and e-cigarettes consumed per week. Each participant was exposed to four ETM sessions in random order during which the price of conventional cigarettes was manipulated. Results Cigarette consumption decreased as price increased. A mixed factor three-way ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of price (i.e., more alternative products were purchased at higher cigarette prices), product (i.e., more e-cigarettes were purchased than gum, lozenges, and Snus), and sex (i.e., males purchased more than females). A significant three-way interaction indicated that males purchased more e-cigarettes, Snus, and dip than females at higher cigarette prices. Conclusion This study suggests that the user profile of cigarette smokers is associated with behavioral economic measures of alternative product substitution and indicates that the evaluation of nicotine replacement products should be considered for both males and females separately.
Contribution of NIH funding to new drug approvals 2010–2016

This work examines the contribution of NIH funding to published research associated with 210 new molecular entities (NMEs) approved by the Food and Drug Administration from 2010-2016. We identified >2 million publications in PubMed related to the 210 NMEs (n = 131,092) or their 151 known biological targets (n = 1,966,281). Of these, >600,000 (29%) were associated with NIH-funded projects in RePORTER. This funding included >200,000 fiscal years of NIH project support (1985-2016) and project costs >$100 billion (2000-2016), representing ∼20% of the NIH budget over this period. NIH funding contributed to every one of the NMEs approved from 2010-2016 and was focused primarily on the drug targets rather than on the NMEs themselves. There were 84 first-in-class products approved in this interval, associated with >$64 billion of NIH-funded projects. The percentage of fiscal years of project funding identified through target searches, but not drug searches, was greater for NMEs discovered through targeted screening than through phenotypic methods (95% versus 82%). For targeted NMEs, funding related to targets preceded funding related to the NMEs, consistent with the expectation that basic research provides validated targets for targeted screening. This analysis, which captures basic research on biological targets as well as applied research on NMEs, suggests that the NIH contribution to research associated with new drug approvals is greater than previously appreciated and highlights the risk of reducing federal funding for basic biomedical research.
The Hydrology of Peatlands

Hydrogeologic investigations over the past 20 years have largely confirmed the concepts developed by peatland ecologists that stress the close linkage between hydrology and peatland ecology. However, these studies have also shown how groundwater flow systems interacting with the climate, geology, and biota of large peat basins largely shape the ecological development of these waterlogged ecosystems. Hydrogeologic methodology therefore provides a rigorous quantitative approach based on first principles of chemistry and physics to constrain the largely empirical statistical methods favored by ecologists.
Protein Molecules: Evolution's Design for Kinematic Machines

The study of geometry in motion can be traced back to the scientists of the ancient world. Since then, kinematics developed into a mature and sophisticated set of tools that can be used to describe and analyze the motion of geometry. Since folding of proteins is fundamentally nothing but coordinated movement of geometry (atoms) under the influence of internal constraints and external stimuli, kinematics can naturally play a key role in the understanding of how proteins fold, which, in itself, is one of the crucial problems in science today. In this chapter we review some of the central kinematic elements used to model proteins and study their folding and flexibility.
Pedicle screw accuracy assessment in ExcelsiusGPS® robotic spine surgery: evaluation of deviation from pre-planned trajectory

The ExcelsiusGPS® (Globus Medical, Inc., Audubon, PA) is a next-generation spine surgery robotic system recently approved for use in the United States. The objective of the current study is to assess pedicle screw accuracy and clinical outcomes among two of the first operative cases utilizing the ExcelsiusGPS® robotic system and describe a novel metric to quantify screw deviation. Two patients who underwent lumbar fusion at a single institution with the ExcelsiusGPS® surgical robot were included. Pre-operative trajectory planning was performed from an intra-operative CT scan using the O-arm (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN). After robotic-assisted screw implantation, a post-operative CT scan was obtained to confirm ideal screw placement and accuracy with the planned trajectory. A novel pedicle screw accuracy algorithm was devised to measure screw tip/tail deviation distance and angular offset on axial and sagittal planes. Screw accuracy was concurrently determined by a blinded neuroradiologist using the traditional Gertzbein-Robbins method. Clinical variables such as symptomatology, operative data, and post-operative follow-up were also collected. Eight pedicle screws were placed in two L4-L5 fusion cases. Mean screw tip deviation was 2.1 mm (range 0.8–5.2 mm), mean tail deviation was 3.2 mm (range 0.9–5.4 mm), and mean angular offset was 2.4 degrees (range 0.7–3.8 degrees). All eight screws were accurately placed based on the Gertzbein-Robbins scale (88% Grade A and 12% Grade B). There were no cases of screw revision or new post-operative deficit. Both patients experienced improvement in Frankel grade and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score by 6 weeks post-op. The ExcelsiusGPS® robot allows for precise execution of an intended pre-planned trajectory and accurate screw placement in the first patients to undergo robotic-assisted fusion with this technology.
“What can I offer America?” A postcolonial analysis of faculty motivations and perceptions in North-South university partnerships

International university partnerships are a prevalent internationalization strategy for both North American and African higher education institutions, yet the predominance of discourses that reflect the inequities of the global knowledge economy among participants perpetuate the very challenges that they are designed to address. Using a postcolonial framework, this study provides a critical analysis of qualitative interviews conducted with faculty members from one West African and one U.S. university participating in an international higher education partnership. The paper examines the motivations and perceived benefits of the partnership among participants at both institutions. It argues that the history of inequitable relationships perpetuated by globalization continues to shape understandings and pose challenges to achieving mutuality in North-South university partnerships. Findings show, for both institutions, motivations for partnership participation are based on the expectations and anticipated benefits to their institution as well as an alignment with the individual’s personal goals and objectives. Furthermore, perceptions of power imbalances between participants at the two institutions are evident. Despite the partnership’s intent for mutuality and reciprocity, the narratives of both West African and U.S. participants reinforce inequitable hierarchies. However, they also highlight opportunities for working toward greater mutuality and intercultural learning through North-South partnerships. Recommendations for cultivating reciprocity in North-South university partnerships are provided.
Performance Validity Testing in an Older Adult Population: Considerations for Clinical Practice

To make valid inferences regarding the meaning of test scores, neuropsychologists must verify that the patient exerted credible performance during the evaluation. Performance validity tests (PVTs) are routinely employed to determine whether test data reflect genuine cognitive ability or response bias (i.e., malingering or noncredible performance) (Martin PK, Schroeder RW, Odland AP. Clin Neuropsychol 29:741–776, 2015; Sharland M, Gfeller J. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 22:213–223, 2007). Historically, most research concerning the application of PVTs has been conducted on populations with clear external incentives, such as individuals with mild traumatic brain injury involved in civil lawsuits (Larrabee GJ. Clin Neuropsychol 17:410–425, 2003; Carone DA, Bush SA (2013) Mild traumatic brain injury: symptom validity assessment and malingering. Springer, New York). However, neuropsychologists commonly administer PVTs in clinical practice, so their use is not restricted to forensic contexts (Bush SS, Ruff RM, Troster AI, Barth JT, Koffler SP, Pliskin NH, Reynolds CR, Silver CH. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 20:419–426, 2005; Heilbronner RL, Sweet JJ, Morgan JE, Larrabee GJ, Millis SR. Clin Neuropsychol 23:1093–1129, 2009). For example, PVTs have been studied for use in pain, psychiatric conditions, intellectually disabled, and pediatric populations (Donders J, Kirkwood MW (2013) Symptom validity assessment with special populations. Carone, Dominic A, Bush, Shane S, Mild traumatic brain injury: symptom validity assessment and malingering (pp 399–410) Xvii, 430 pp, New York, NS: Springer Publishing Co; US, 399–410) in addition to older adults. This chapter will focus on concepts and research relating to PVT use with older adults and illustrate these issues with two contrasting case vignettes.
Dynamin‐like protein 1 cleavage by calpain in Alzheimer’s disease

Abnormal mitochondrial dynamics contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In the current study, we reported that DLP1, the key mitochondrial fission GTPase, is a substrate of calpain which produced specific N-terminal DLP1 cleavage fragments. In addition, various AD-related insults such as exposure to glutamate, soluble amyloid-β oligomers, or reagents inducing tau hyperphosphorylation (i.e., okadaic acid) led to calpain-dependent cleavage of DLP1 in primary cortical neurons. DLP1 cleavage fragments were found in cortical neurons of CRND8 APP transgenic mice which can be inhibited by calpeptin, a potent small molecule inhibitor of calpain. Importantly, these N-terminal DLP1 fragments were also present in the human brains, and the levels of both full-length and N-terminal fragments of DLP1 and the full-length and calpain-specific cleavage product of spectrin were significantly reduced in AD brains along with significantly increased calpain. These results suggest that calpain-dependent cleavage is at least one of the posttranscriptional mechanisms that contribute to the dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics in AD.
Contraceptive risk: the FDA, Depo-Provera, and the politics of experimental medicine

When most people are introduced to the subject of research ethics, it is almost invariably in reference to a series of extreme cases concerning the unethical treatment of study participants. In fac...
Effects of case library recommendation system on problem solving and knowledge structure development

Case-based reasoning posits that learners can use their prior experience to solve new problems. This theory is cited to explain the benefits of problem-based learning (PBL), especially as it relates to knowledge structure development. However, critics argue that learners lack the relevant knowledge structures to simultaneously learn new content and solve complex problems. In terms of learning design, theorists suggest a set of cases (case library) can be used as vicarious memory and thus bridge the experience gap. While this may be beneficial in theory, studies show experts and novices tend to process the details of a case in markedly different ways, which would be problematic in terms of case libraries' ability to scaffolding problem-solving. To address this challenge, this study compared the following conditions in terms of argumentation and knowledge structure development: PBL only, PBL with static case library, PBL with recommendation system case library. Both the case library conditions outperformed the PBL-only condition in terms of initial argument development. However, the PBL with recommendation system case library outperformed the other conditions on rebuttal development. Implications for PBL, CBR, knowledge structure development, and learning design are discussed.
Fast spectral x-ray CT reconstruction with data-adaptive, convolutional regularization

Advancements in deep learning and GPU computing have exponentially driven the application of neural networks to classic medical imaging problems: denoising, segmentation, artifact removal, etc. Deep learning solutions are particularly attractive for processing multi-channel, volumetric image data, where processing and reconstruction methods are often computationally expensive. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are commonly applied to multi-channel image data by matching the number of network input channels to the number of data channels, learning explicit relationships between channels. This provides a high degree of specificity to a particular problem, but may fail to generalize to a broader class of closely related problems. We propose a solution to this generalization problem in the context of spectral x-ray CT, where the scanning kVps (energy bins) and contrast are often variable. Specifically, we propose a novel CNN architecture which handles variable numbers of input channels, variable noise levels between channels, and variable modes of spectral contrast. We demonstrate our architecture in the application of preclinical, photon-counting, micro-CT, effectively replacing 1-2 hours of iterative reconstruction, with <10 minutes of analytical reconstruction and CNN regularization. Experimental validation shows the effectiveness of our approach when applied to both in vivo photon-counting validation data (4 energy thresholds) and to simulated, dual-energy CT data virtually acquired with an energy integrating detector. In both cases, the results output by the CNN provide greater spectral accuracy than analytical reconstruction alone, but suffer from some degradation of spatial resolution. We conclude by proposing several extensions of our work to better preserve spatial resolution.
Do Veterinarians recognize a Role for Physical Therapist in

The role of physical therapy and rehabilitation of an injured or aging small animal offers great potential. The increase in the use of domestic small animals, particularly canines, as companion animals, service animals and for athletic competition, advances in medical and surgical techniques in veterinary medicine and personal experiences participating in physical therapy appears to have created a desire from owners regarding the animal’s quality of life and quantity of years. There is little literature addressing small animal physical therapy rehabilitation and how such services might be accessed. We present an interview-based study to assess opinions of veterinarians to gauge whether they perceive a need for small animal physical therapy and rehabilitation. We further examine which health care professionals these veterinarians perceive are most qualified to render these rehabilitative services. Eight veterinarians from a rural, northeastern region of Georgia were interviewed. The results demonstrate that many veterinarians may not have received curriculum instruction in small animal physical therapy through veterinary school. Still, results reveal that veterinarians in this study support physical therapists playing a role in the rehabilitative treatment of small animals. This study further supports the need for interprofessional education and collaboration in the treatment of small animals and their physical therapy needs.
Nitrogen flux into metabolites and microcystins changes in response to different nitrogen sources in Microcystis aeruginosa NIES-843

The over-enrichment of nitrogen (N) in the environment has contributed to severe and recurring harmful cyanobacterial blooms, especially by the non-N2 -fixing Microcystis spp. N chemical speciation influences cyanobacterial growth, persistence and the production of the hepatotoxin microcystin, but the physiological mechanisms to explain these observations remain unresolved. Stable-labelled isotopes and metabolomics were employed to address the influence of nitrate, ammonium, and urea on cellular physiology and production of microcystins in Microcystis aeruginosa NIES-843. Global metabolic changes were driven by both N speciation and diel cycling. Tracing 15 N-labelled nitrate, ammonium, and urea through the metabolome revealed N uptake, regardless of species, was linked to C assimilation. The production of amino acids, like arginine, and other N-rich compounds corresponded with greater turnover of microcystins in cells grown on urea compared to nitrate and ammonium. However, 15 N was incorporated into microcystins from all N sources. The differences in N flux were attributed to the energetic efficiency of growth on each N source. While N in general plays an important role in sustaining biomass, these data show that N-speciation induces physiological changes that culminate in differences in global metabolism, cellular microcystin quotas and congener composition.
Embryo transfer training in fellowship: national and institutional data.

Objective To evaluate current national practices in embryo transfer (ET) training in United States reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) fellowship programs and live birth rates after ET performed by fellows versus attending physicians. Design Cross-sectional survey of U.S. fellowship program directors and fellows in 2019 and retrospective cohort study of IVF cycle outcomes after ET performed by fellows versus attending physicians. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) Fellowship program directors and fellows completed a survey. Embryo transfers from 2015–2018 were analyzed. Intervention(s) A survey assessed experiences with ET training. Cycle outcomes were analyzed. Main Outcome Measure(s) Proportion of fellows performing ET during training, and live birth rate following fellow and faculty ETs. Result(s) Anonymous surveys were sent to 51 REI fellowship program directors and 142 fellows. Twenty-one percent (15/73) reported that no ETs were performed by fellows. Forty-four percent of third-year fellows had performed fewer than ten ETs during fellowship training. Retrospective review of 940 blastocyst ETs revealed no difference in live birth rates between fellows and attending physicians: 51.6% (131/254) versus 49.4% (339/686), respectively. Conclusion(s) This study revealed striking differences between fellowship programs regarding the adequacy of ET training; nearly one-half of third-year fellows had performed fewer than ten ETs. With appropriate supervision, there is no difference in live birth rate between ETs performed by fellows and attending physicians. Efforts should be made to address barriers and set minimums for the number of transfers performed during fellowship.
Motivating Preservice Physics Teachers to Low-Socioeconomic Status Schools.

Physics teachers successfully serving low-socioeconomic communities must have enthusiasm not only for physics teaching but also for working in low socioeconomic schools.
Impact of obesity on pulmonary function: current understanding and knowledge gaps.

Purpose of review Obesity is an increasing world-wide public health concern. Obesity both causes respiratory symptoms and contributes to many cardiorespiratory diseases. The effects of obesity on commonly used lung function tests are reviewed. Recent findings The effects of obesity on lung function are attributed both to mechanical factors and to complex metabolic effects that contribute to a pro-inflammatory state. The effects of obesity on lung function correlate with BMI and correlate even better when the distribution of excess adipose tissue is taken into account, with central obesity associated with more prominent abnormalities. Obesity is associated with marked decreases in expiratory reserve volume and functional residual capacity. Total lung capacity, residual volume, and spirometry are less affected by obesity and are generally within the normal range except with severe obesity. Obesity decreases total respiratory system compliance primarily because of decreased lung compliance, with only mild effects on chest wall compliance. Obesity is associated with impaired gas transfer with decreases in oxygenation and varied but usually mild effects on diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, while the carbon monoxide transfer coefficient is often increased. Summary Obesity has significant effects on lung function. The relative contribution of the mechanical effects of obesity and the production of inflammatory cytokines by adipose tissue on lung function needs further study.
Merged Logic and Memory Fabrics for AI Workloads

As we approach the end of the silicon roadmap, we observe a steady increase in both the research effort toward and quality of embedded non-volatile memories (eNVM). Integrated in a dense array, eNVM such as resistive random access memory (RRAM), spin transfer torque based random access memory, or phase change random access memory (PCRAM) can perform compute in-memory (CIM) using the physical properties of the device. The combination of eNVM and CIM seeks to minimize both data transport and leakage power while offering density up to 10× that of traditional 6T SRAM. Despite these exciting new properties, these devices introduce problems that were not faced by traditional CMOS and SRAM based designs. While some of these problems will be solved by further research and development, properties such as significant cell-to-cell variance and high write power will persist due to the physical limitations of the devices. As a result, circuit and system level designs must account for and mitigate the problems that arise. In this work we introduce these problems from the system level and propose solutions that improve performance while mitigating the impact of the non-ideal properties of eNVM. Using statistics from the application and known properties of the eNVM, we can configure a CIM accelerator to minimize error from cell-to-cell variance and maximize throughput while minimizing write energy.
Point-of-care Ultrasound to Distinguish Subgaleal and Cephalohematoma: Case Report

Author(s): Acuna, Josie; Adhikari, Srikar | Abstract: Introduction: Cephalohematomas generally do not pose a significant risk to the patient and resolve spontaneously. Conversely, a subgaleal hematoma is a rare but more serious condition. While it may be challenging to make this diagnostic distinction based on a physical examination alone, the findings that differentiate these two conditions can be appreciated on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). We describe two pediatric patient cases where POCUS was used to distinguish between a subgaleal hematoma and a cephalohematoma.Case Reports: We describe one case of a 14-month-old male brought to the pediatric emergency department (PED) with concern for head injury. A POCUS examination revealed a large fluid collection that did not cross the sagittal suture. Thus, the hematoma was more consistent with a cephalohematoma and less compatible with a subgaleal hematoma. Given these findings, further emergent imaging was deferred in the PED and the patient was kept for observation. In the second case an 8-week-old male presented with suspected swelling over the right parietal region. A POCUS examination was performed, which demonstrated an extensive, simple fluid collection that extended across the suture line, making it more concerning for a subgaleal hematoma. Given the heightened suspicion for a subgaleal hematoma, the patient was admitted for further imaging and evaluation.Conclusion: Point-of-care ultrasound can be used to help differentiate between a subgaleal hematoma and a cephalohematoma to risk-stratify patients and determine the need for further imaging.
Increasing the CO2 Reduction Activity of Cobalt Phthalocyanine by Modulating the σ-donor Strength of Axially Coordinating Ligands

Axial coordination of a pyridyl moieties to CoPc (either exogenous or within poly-4-vinylpyridine polymer) dramatically increases the complex’s activity for CO2RR. It has been hypothesized that axial coordination to the Co active site leads to an increase in the Co dz2 orbital energy, which increases the complex’s nucleophilicity and facilitates CO2 coordination compared to the parent CoPc complex. The magnitude of the energy increase in the Co dz2 orbital should depend on the σ-donor strength of the axial ligand—a stronger σ-donating ligand (L) will increase the overall CO2RR activity of axially coordinated CoPc(L) and vice versa. To test this, we have studied a series of CoPc(L) complexes where the σ-donor strength of L is varied. We show that CoPc(L) reduces CO2 with an increased activity as the σ-donor ability of L is increased. These observed electrochemical activity trends are correlated with computationally-derived CO2 binding energy and charge transfer terms as a function of σ-donor strength. The findings of this study supports our hypothesis that the increased CO2RR activity observed upon axial coordination to CoPc is due to the increased energy of the dz2 orbital, and highlight an important design consideration for macrocyclic MN4-based electrocatalysts.
The formation and melting of He-3 clusters in phase-separated solid He-3-He-4 mixtures.

Melting pressure measurements have been made on the He-3-rich phase formed by cooling a solid mixture of 0.6% He-3 in He-4 through phase separation, at pressures between 2.78 and 3.56 MPa. For comparison, simultaneous observations were made with the mixture confined in the pores of a silver sinter and in an open volume connected to the same fill-line. Samples in the sinter cell solidify at higher pressures than the open cell and equilibrate more quickly. Both cells exhibit hysteresis between melting and freezing temperatures, and the transitions are broader in the open-volume cell. Relative to pure He-3, the melting pressure is elevated by as much as 60 kPa in the sinter cell and 20 kPa in the open cell. The size of the pressure change on melting indicates that a large fraction of the He-3 remains solid at pressures below the melting curve, and this effect is more pronounced in the sinter cell. Measurements are in progress to measure the magnetisation through the magnetic ordering transition.