cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diatom-Based Bioassessment in Wetlands: How Many Samples Do We Need to Characterize the Diatom Assemblage in a Wetland Adequately?

Diatom-based bioassessment in wetlands requires quantitative characterization of spatial and temporal variability of the diatom assemblages within each wetland. The purpose of this study was to examine surface-sediment diatom distributional patterns in a wetland to determine how best to sample these systems to capture spatial variability in the assemblage. Diatoms and environmental conditions were characterized from 29 sampling points within a wetland in the floodplain of the Columbia River, Oregon, USA. A total of 159 diatom taxa were identified in the surface-sediment samples. Species richness was high at each sampling point (median: 42, range: 23-57), and relative abundances of common taxa varied between 15 and 39% throughout the wetland. Assemblages contained taxa with both benthic (e.g., Staurosira construens, Nitzschia palea, Fragilaria capucina, Achnanthidium minutissimum )a nd planktonic (e.g., Aulacoseira granulata and Tabellaria spp.) preferences. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) techniques detected differences in the low marsh and upper marsh sediment diatom assemblages. Geostatistical analysis showed spatial autocorrelation of the diatom assemblage in the wetland, measured as semivariance and Moran's I. A simulation procedure indicated that changes in diatom species richness stabilized after approximately five samples were composited. Our results suggest that the wetland surface sediment diatom assemblage is heterogeneous and that hydrologic gradients may be an important structuring force. Diatom-based bioassessment has the potential to be a useful tool in assessing wetland environmental conditions; however, the shallow nature and complex hydrology of these systems require careful sampling design to adequately characterize the diatom assemblage.
Intellectual Property Negotiations, the BRICS Factor and the Changing North-South Debate

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the entering into effect of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) — the most comprehensive international intellectual property agreement to date. It is therefore apropos to revisit the negotiation of this historical agreement. Even better, the TRIPS negotiations can be instructively contrasted with the ongoing negotiation of various TRIPS-plus bilateral, regional and plurilateral trade agreements. Because of the wide range of nonmultilateral agreements, this article focuses on only the comparison between the TRIPS and Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. After examining these negotiations, this article, which was commissioned for a symposium on "Emerging Powers and the Future of the WTO," explores the indirect and direct roles that China has played in international trade and intellectual property negotiations. This discussion seeks to highlight the China factor in these negotiations. The article then concludes by identifying four sets of changes that have transformed the international intellectual property normsetting environment. These changes involve not only China, but also Brazil, India and other large developing countries.
Gaussian Random Variables

Classical probability theory has shown us that ℝ d -valued Gaussian random variables appear naturally as limits of random walks that take their values in ℝ d . Later on, in Chapter 6, we shall see that such limit theorems are part of an elegant abstract theory. At the heart of such a theory is an understanding of Gaussian variables that take values in a rather general state space. This chapter is concerned with the development of a theory of Gaussian variables that is sufficiently general for our later needs.
High Strain Crack Growth in Zircaloy-2 Welds

The high strain crack growth rate in isotropic Zircaloy-2 welds was measured using strain cycling with controlled limits of plastic strain. The crack growth rate was found to be a function of the longitudinal plastic strain range or the longitudinal elastic strain range. This isotropic crack growth is compared to low cycle fatigue and crack propagation tests performed on the anisotropic starting material from which the welded specimens were fabricated. The behavior of the weldments was consistent with that observed in the anisotropic plates. The crack growth rate in the welds was between the upper and lower extremes measured with different orientations of the anisotropic plates.
A Time for Renewal

Renewal entails monitoring and evaluating what is working, reaffirming what is essential, and making the adaptations to the changing environment. Renewal is a process that every established organization and profession must go through in changing times if they are to remain vibrant and relevant. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has a renewal process, a dynamic strategic plan, in place for our organization. This was developed with broad-based input from members. This living document is constantly renewed by the Board of Directors. This renewal process for our organization is working. The challenge before us is the renewal of our profession and the role that the orthopaedic surgeon will play in the health-care-delivery systems of the twenty-first century. Because the changes that we are experiencing in our professional lives as orthopaedic surgeons are so profound, I want to reassure you that I am focused on the present. While I feel strongly that renewal for our future members is a commitment that we need to address, I want you to know that I am here to serve the current members of The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the patients whom we serve. You will be hearing the details of the multiple array of current and ongoing projects and programs that The Academy is engaged in from our President, Dr. Ken DeHaven, at this meeting. You will be hearing the progress of these ongoing projects in the coming year through the methods of communication that we have with you. In addition, two areas of special renewal will occur this year. This March, your Board of Directors and Council on Education will hold a workshop, which will culminate one year of preparation looking at the education of orthopaedic surgeons in the year 2001. The changes impacting adult continuing education will require the renewal …
“Deadly conversions”: Louise Erdrich’s indictment of Catholicism in Tracks, Love Medicine, and The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse

This article presents a refutation of Catherine Rainwater’s seminal essay on spirituality in Louise Erdrich, contending that while Rainwater is correct to argue that Ojibwe and Catholic spirituality are presented as “conflicting codes” in Erdrich, she is wrong to argue that Erdrich does not “endorse one theological view over the other.” I will argue that Erdrich does in fact endorse Ojibwe spirituality over Catholicism. By contrasting Pauline Puyat’s conversion to Catholicism first with Marie Lazarre’s rejection of Catholicism and then with Father Damien’s conversion to Ojibwe beliefs, this essay demonstrates that while Erdrich sees Native Americans’ conversion to Christianity as “deadly,” she represents the conversion of a Catholic priest to Native American spirituality as beneficial.
Evaluation of IgE-mediated food hypersensitivities.

During the past 25 years the diagnostic assessment of IgE-associated food hypersensitivity has improved substantially. The double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge has become the gold-standard against which all other diagnostic approaches can be measured. Having a standard which gives a correct answer almost all of the time, has enabled us to move to more accurate diagnoses in both the clinic and the laboratory. Food allergy has gone from being a medical mystery to being a clear component of allergy evaluation. Histories are obtained from patients which may be used to design food challenges. The role of skin testing and its interpretation has moved from the fringe to having a central role in eliminating foods incriminated as causes of immediate-onset allergic reactions. The material used for skin testing for foods has improved and we have learned when we must use fresh substances to supplement the commercial extracts. Recently the CAP radioallergosorbent test has shown promise in raising the probability of food reactions to the point that for a few foods in specific individuals, challenges may not be needed. Progress in this area will continue. We have been able to clarify which foods have a high probability of producing symptoms and which foods and which constellation of complaints are unlikely to be confirmed. These patterns of food allergic reactions have now been reproduced in many research centers throughout the world giving us confidence in their validity.
ABSENCE OF POLLEN DISCOUNTING IN A GENOTYPE OF IPOMOEA PURPUREA EXHIBITING INCREASED SELFING

Throughout southeastern North America, the annual morning glory Ipomoea purpurea exhibits a polymorphism at a locus that influences the intensity of floral pigmentation. Previous studies have shown that when rare, the homozygous white genotype has a greater selfing rate than the homozygous dark genotype. In the absence of pollen discounting (a reduction in transmission of pollen to other plants by genotypes that exhibit increased selfing) and inbreeding depression, this increased selfing rate should favor the white allele. Experiments reported here confirm that the white genotype has elevated selfing rates when rare but indicate pollen discounting is not associated with elevated selfing. Rather, white genotypes contribute more pollen to the outcross pollen pool. The disparity between genotypes in both selfing rates and success at pollen contribution to other plants disappears at intermediate to high frequencies of the white allele. Pollinator move- ments are consistent with the pattern of selfing. These results suggest that elevated selfing and enhanced success at pollen donation contribute to maintenance of the white allele in natural populations of morning glories.
Vasodysfunction That Involves Renal Vasodysfunction, Not Abnormally Increased Renal Retention of Sodium, Accounts for the Initiation of Salt-Induced Hypertension.

It has long been recognized that in some people substantially increasing dietary intake of salt (NaCl) increases blood pressure, whereas in others, “salt loading” has little or no effect on blood pressure.1 Blood pressure so affected by salt has been called salt sensitive and salt resistant, respectively. Although the blood pressure response to salt is a continuous variable and the trait of salt sensitivity, like that of hypertension, is arbitrarily defined,2 it has been estimated that 30% to 50% of hypertensive humans are salt sensitive and ≈25% of normotensive humans are salt sensitive.3,4 Salt sensitivity confers an increased risk for the occurrence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.5–7 Furthermore, pathophysiological mechanisms mediating salt sensitivity may contribute to the risk for cardiovascular disease beyond their effects on blood pressure.5 Accordingly, the mechanisms of salt sensitivity continue to be studied intensively with the hope that better understanding of those mechanisms could lead to improved approaches to the prevention and treatment of salt-induced increases in blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Response by Hall on p 893 Prevailing theory holds that an abnormally large increase in renal retention of salt8–16 is an early pathophysiological event in the causation of salt sensitivity and salt-induced hypertension. In accord with this theory, it is held that a substantial increase in dietary salt does not induce a pressor effect in salt-resistant subjects because they excrete a salt load more rapidly and retain less sodium than salt-sensitive individuals.12,17 In the present analysis, we challenge this conventional view of salt sensitivity/salt resistance and make the case for a “vasodysfunction” theory for the initiation of salt-induced hypertension: An abnormal vascular resistance response to increases in salt intake, in the absence of an abnormally large increase in renal …
On the Discourse of Affirmative Action and Reservation in the United States and India Clarifying HRD’s Role in Fostering Global Diversity

The ProblemDiscriminatory practices appear to be part of the human condition and these practices negatively impact historically oppressed and marginalized groups. The United States developed the sy...
Theory Research of Suspended Substance Detector Based on Neural Network

The adoption of casts-light to measure the quantity density that the method suspends the thing in the water,the result expresses the intensity of absorb-light and quantity densities present actually non-line function relation.Applying the BP nerve network and GA-BP studying algorithm and carry on modeling to the equation of measuring,researching of suspended substance detector,have the higher examination accuracy.
Enforced outpatient treatment of advantaged pseudosociopathic neurotically disturbed young women.

This paper reviews the psychotherapeutic treatment of twenty-five young women who presented with problems of disturbed and antisocial behaviour including promiscuity, failing in school, alcohol and...
Rooming-In to Treat Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Improved Family-Centered Care at Lower Cost

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The incidence and associated costs of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) have recently risen sharply; newborns with NAS occupy 4% of NICU beds. We implemented a coordinated program for NAS including standardized protocols for scoring, medications and weaning, and a calm rooming-in environment, to improve family-centered care and to decrease both length of stay (LOS) and hospital costs. METHODS: In early 2013, a multidisciplinary quality improvement team began consecutive plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles. We trained nurses in modified Finnegan scoring, ensured scoring only after on-demand feeds during skin-to-skin care, and standardized physician score interpretation. We provided prenatal family education, increased family involvement in symptom monitoring and nonpharmacologic treatment, and treated otherwise healthy infants on the inpatient pediatric unit instead of in the NICU. We measured outcomes using statistical process control methods. RESULTS: At baseline, 46% of inborn infants at-risk for NAS were treated with morphine; by 2015, this decreased to 27%. Adjunctive use of phenobarbital decreased from 13% to 2% in the same period. Average LOS for morphine-treated newborns decreased from 16.9 to 12.3 days, average hospital costs per treated infant decreased from $19 737 to $8755, and costs per at-risk infant dropped from $11 000 to $5300. Cumulative morphine dose decreased from 13.7 to 6.6 mg per treated newborn. There were no adverse events, and 30-day readmission rates remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: A coordinated, standardized NAS program safely reduced pharmacologic therapy, LOS, and hospital costs. Rooming-in with family and decreased use of NICU beds were central to achieved outcomes.
Bcl-2 inhibits selective oxidation and externalization of phosphatidylserine during paraquat-induced apoptosis

Oxidative stress is a potential component of the final common pathway leading to apoptosis following many diverse stimuli. Here, we document that the oxidant paraquat caused apoptosis in mouse 32D cells. We examined early paraquat-induced lipid peroxidation after metabolic incorporation of the oxidant-sensitive fluorescent fatty acid cis-parinaric acid (cis-PA) into phospholipids and high-performance liquid chromatography separation of specific phospholipid classes. Paraquat induced peroxidation of cis-PA primarily in phosphatidylserine (PS) and to a lesser extent in phosphatidylinositol (PI) within 2 h. The selective oxidation of PS occurred before signs of cytotoxicity and preceded the externalization of PS as assessed by annexin V binding. Overexpression of Bcl-2 afforded significant protection against paraquat-induced apoptosis, early PS and PI oxidation, and PS externalization but not the ultimate formation of high-molecular-weight DNA fragments. Therefore, both selective phospholipid peroxidation and DNA damage occurred after paraquat exposure, but only the former was specifically associated with apoptosis. We suggest Bcl-2 may inhibit oxidant-induced apoptosis by preventing the peroxidation of specific membrane phospholipids.
Matching the Four Arenas of Hypercompetition with Marketing Strategies: An Integrative Framework

This paper links the four arenas of hypercompetitive rivalry suggested in D’Aveni’s (1994) framework with the appropriate generic strategies of Porter (1980). The different sets of firm-specific capabilities upon which generic strategies are based, translate into differing degrees of effectiveness under the four arenas of hypercompetition.
Distinct Impacts of Aerosols on an Evolving Continental Cloud Complex during the RACORO Field Campaign

AbstractA continental cloud complex, consisting of shallow cumuli, a deep convective cloud (DCC), and stratus, is simulated by a cloud-resolving Weather Research and Forecasting Model to investigate the aerosol microphysical effect (AME) and aerosol radiative effect (ARE) on the various cloud regimes and their transitions during the Department of Energy Routine Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Aerial Facility Clouds with Low Optical Water Depths Optical Radiative Observations (RACORO) campaign. Under an elevated aerosol loading with AME only, a reduced cloudiness for the shallow cumuli and stratus resulted from more droplet evaporation competing with suppressed precipitation, but an enhanced cloudiness for the DCC is attributed to more condensation. With the inclusion of ARE, the shallow cumuli are suppressed owing to the thermodynamic effects of light-absorbing aerosols. The responses of DCC and stratus to aerosols are monotonic with AME only but nonmonotonic with both AME and ARE. The DCC is invigorate...
Tacitus and Poetic History: The End of Annals XIII

For classical antiquity the division between history and poetry is often arbitrary and misleading. The history-writing of antiquity not only subsumes what we would call political science, sociology, and psychology, but is also linked to epic poetry and to moral speculation on the good life and the good community. Just as Herodotus is not fully intelligible without Homer nor Thucydides without the tragedians, so not only Livy, but also Tacitus cannot fully be understood without reference to Virgil. Like Gorgias or Apuleius, Tacitus also reminds us that the division between poetry and prose is more fluid in ancient than in modern literature. Scholars have long recognized Tacitus' debt to Virgil, especially in vocabulary and expression. Yet there is another, more elusive quality in Tacitus which is ultimately traceable to the influence of the great epic poet. This is the creation of an atmosphere around events which confers on them a weight, penetration, and richness of suggestion which the bare facts could not possibly convey.
Destiny of the West: The International Pacific Highway and the Pacific Borderlands, 1929–1957

This article examines the construction of the International Pacifc Highway, from Los Angeles to Mexico City, between 1929 and 1957. The highway project created opportunities for tourism, trade, and political alliances far beyond the U.S.-Mexico borderline. Highway promoters constructed an alternative borderland, one that ran north to south along the countries' shared coastline.
Patterns of palliative care service consultation in a sample of critically ill ICU patients at high risk of dying

Abstract Objective Describe patterns of palliative care service consultation among a sample of ICU patients at high risk of dying. Background Patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) face threats to comfort, social connectedness and dignity due to pain, heavy sedation and physical restraint. Palliative care consultation services may mitigate poor outcomes. Methods From a dataset of 1440 ICU patients with ≥2 days of MV and ≥12 h of sustained wakefulness, we identified those at high risk of dying and/or who died and assessed patterns of sub-specialty palliative care consultation. Results About half (773/1440 [54%]) were at high risk of dying or died, 73 (9.4%) of whom received palliative care consultation. On average, referral occurred after 62% of the ICU stay had elapsed. Primary reason for consult was clarification of goals of care (52/73 [72.2%]). Conclusions Among MV ICU patients at high risk of dying, palliative care service consultation occurs late and infrequently, suggesting a role for earlier palliative care.
Abstract 5561: Violacein inhibits matrix metalloproteinase mediated CXCR4 expression: Potential anti-tumor effect in cancer invasion and metastasis

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and -9) play an important role in the tumor metastasis through cleavage of proinflammatory chemokines. Violacein a small molecule naturally produced by Chromobacterium violaceum has been implicated with anti-tumor effects. In this study we investigated the molecular basis of violacein mediated downregulation of CXCL12-CXCR4, chemokine-receptor expression. Gelatin zymography analysis demonstrated that violacein significantly inhibited the cytokine (TNFα and TGFβ) mediated MMP-2 activation in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. MMP-2 plays a critical role in the secretion of inflammatory CXCL12 a cell migration chemokine. ELISA analysis demonstrated that violacein induced significantly decreased secretion of CXCL12 from cytokine induced MCF-7 cells. Further, we show that MMP-2 and MMP-9 act synergistically at two distinct steps towards the membrane expression of the tumor metastasis chemokine receptor, CXCR4. Violacein efficiently downregulated the CXCR4 membrane expression through MMP-9 inhibition. Taken together, these studies demonstrate the unique mechanism of action of violacein towards potential anti-tumor effect through reduction of CXCL12-CXCR4 expression by inhibition of proteolytic MMP activity. Based on these studies violacein could offer a novel therapeutic venue in cancer therapy. Citation Format: Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi. Violacein inhibits matrix metalloproteinase mediated CXCR4 expression: Potential anti-tumor effect in cancer invasion and metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5561. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5561
Awareness of Sexual Violence Services Among LGBQ-Identified College Students

ABSTRACTThe sexual victimization of sexual minorities enrolled in college is not a topic that has been well researched. The present study examines the awareness that college minority students have of services they can access in the event they experience sexual violence. The results indicate that many students are unaware of specific services that they can access if they are sexually victimized. Disclosing an incident of sexual violence, or being the recipient of a disclosure of sexual violence, is related to knowledge of aftercare services. Non-White students demonstrate less awareness of services than White students, indicating that these students may not receive aftercare in the event of sexual victimization because they do not have the knowledge of which services are available. Several policy recommendations and directions for future research stem from these findings.
Phase-Matching in Nonlinear Optical Compounds: A Materials Perspective

Angle phase-matching in nonlinear optical (NLO) materials is critical for technological applications. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the concept of phase-matching for the materials synthesis NLO community. Refractive index and birefringence are defined with respect to uniaxial and biaxial crystal systems. The phase-matching angle and wavelength range, Type I and Type II, are explained using real NLO materials, K3B6O10Cl (KBOC) and Ba3(ZnB5O10)PO4 (BZBP) In addition, we describe how refractive index measurements are performed on single crystals and how the resulting birefringence impacts the phase-matching. Our goal is to provide a description of phase-matching that is relevant for the materials synthesis NLO community.
Darwin and Vygotsky on Development: An Exegesis on Human Nature

This chapter re-visits Vygotsky’s cultural-historical activity theory and its roots in Darwinism to articulate and expand an approach to human nature in which evolutionary origins of humanity in the animal world are acknowledged yet people are seen as capable of superseding these origins and transcending any biological imperatives. This unique ability to transcend biological constraints has to do with the advent of human beings’ new relationship to the world and their new mode of existence realized through collaborative labor mediated by collectively invented cultural tools. This new relationship represents a unified realm where forces of history, culture, and society reign and which, therefore, is not rigidly predetermined by any initial conditions and endowments. It consists in an active transformation of environment – a process through which human beings create their world while at the same time creating themselves and essentially coming into Being as agents of their own development and history. This approach opens up ways to employ the notion of evolution in ways that are radically different from the ones that dominate evolutionary psychology and much of the popular discourse still mired in outdated mechanistic views on human nature.
What About the Trees? Trees as Nature-Based “Shade Sails”

An editorial is presented which addresses the concept of trees as nature-based shade sails for individuals, and it mentions articles in the journal which deal with topics such as interventions aimed at reducing skin cancer. According to the article, a lack of sufficient time outdoors in a natural setting (nature deficit) can lead to obesity, hypertension, and other chronic diseases. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation and trees in urban areas are examined.
Temporal trends in safety and complication rates of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is increasingly common, but is associated with potential major complications. Technology, experience, and protocols have evolved significantly in recent times, and may have impacted procedural safety. We sought to compare AF ablation safety profiles, including complication rates and fluoroscopy times in a "modern" versus "historical" cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated consecutive patients undergoing AF ablation from a modern cohort (MC) from 2014 to 2015 and a historic cohort (HC) from 2009 to 2011 for complications. Major complications were categorized according to Heart Rhythm Society guidelines. We included 1,425 patients, 726 in the HC and 699 in the MC. The MC was older, had more OSA and less valvular AF. Fifty-two (3.5%) procedures suffered major complications across the cohorts, with significantly fewer in the MC (5.0% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.007). The largest reductions were seen in vascular, hemorrhagic, ischemic stroke, and perforation/tamponade related complications. Periprocedural antiplatelets drugs (aHR 2.1 [95 CI 1.1-3.9], P = 0.02) and force-sensing catheters (aHR 0.4 [95 CI 0.2-0.9], P = 0.03) were independently related to major complication rates. Direct oral anticoagulants and uninterrupted anticoagulation were not associated with complications. There was a decrease in both fluoroscopy (-17.4 minutes [95 CI 19.2-15.6], P < 0.0001) and radiofrequency ablation times (-561 seconds [95CI -750 to -371], P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The safety profile of AF ablation has improved significantly in less than a decade.
Electrospun Mat of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Graphene Oxide for Superior Electrolyte Performance.

Here, we describe an electrospun mat of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and graphene oxide (GO) as a novel solid-state electrolyte matrix, which offers better performance retention upon drying after infiltrated with aqueous electrolyte. The PVA–GO mat overcomes the major issue of conventional PVA-based electrolytes, which is the ionic conductivity decay upon drying. After exposure to 45 ± 5% relative humidity at 25 °C for 1 month, its conductivity decay is limited to 38.4%, whereas that of pure PVA mat is as high as 84.0%. This mainly attributes to the hygroscopic nature of GO and the unique nanofiber structure within the mat. Monolithic supercapacitors have been derived directly on the mat via a well-developed laser scribing process. The as-prepared supercapacitor offers an areal capacitance of 9.9 mF cm–2 at 40 mV s–1 even after 1 month of aging under ambient conditions, with a high device-based volumetric energy density of 0.13 mWh cm–3 and a power density of 2.48 W cm–3, demonstrating great promises as a mo...
Desiccation Tolerance in Bare-rooted Apple Trees Prior to Transplanting

Abstract Ten types of apple (Malus domestica L.) trees (six different scions on M.7 rootstock and four ‘Red Delicious’ scions on M.7, MM. 111, MM.106 and seedling rootstocks) were subjected to air drying for periods of 0 to 48 hr with or without 3 months of cold storage at 0°C (32°F). The kinetics of water loss during drying treatment and the transplanting survival and regrowth vigor were recorded. Both the scions and rootstocks influenced the tolerance of apple trees to desiccation stress. Among the plant materials tested, ‘Red Delicious’ on MM. 111 rootstock had the highest level of tolerance to desiccation. Three months of cold storage at 0°C (32°F) resulted in the considerable loss of tissue water, but the grafted trees survived if no further desiccation occurred prior to planting. Only ‘Red Delicious’/MM. 111 tolerated desiccation from the combination of three months of cold storage followed by a 48 hr exposure to air drying, while other scion/rootstock compound systems seldom survived. The analyses ...
Couples’ symptom burden in oncology care: perception of self and the other

The literature suggests that psychological distress and quality of life are interdependent in couples coping with cancer. The current study seeks to extend these findings to physical symptom burden, examining differences in symptom self-rating and perception of partner symptoms. Couples were approached while waiting for an integrative oncology service. Fifty patients and their partners completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS-FS; twelve symptoms, scores 0–10, 10 worst possible) and a Global Health measure (PROMIS10). Patient and partner each also completed the ESAS-FS as it related to their perception of the other’s symptoms. ESAS distress subscales analyzed included Global (GDS), Psychosocial (PSS), and Physical (PHS). Analyses included paired t tests to examine all measures. Fifty-eight percent of patients were female with most common cancer diagnoses of breast (22%), gastrointestinal (16%), and thoracic/HN no differences were found for mental health between patients and caregivers. Patient rating of partner physical distress (PHS, p = 0.01) was significantly higher than partner self-rating, with no significant difference observed in ratings for psychosocial distress. Partner rating of patient psychosocial distress (PSS, p < 0.001) and physical distress (PHS, p = 0.001) was significantly higher than that of patient self-rating. Our findings suggest that both patients and partners perceive physical distress of the other higher than self; however, patients may be more sensitive to psychosocial distress in their partners.
Algorithmically-Defined Random Function Models

Three criteria are proposed to select an appropriate stochastic simulation technique: 1) the implementation of the technique must allow realizations to be generated with a reasonable amount of human-involvement and CPU time, 2) all relevant prior information must be honored, and 3) the realizations should generate the largest space of uncertainty. These criteria are independent of the mechanism or random function (RF) underlying the stochastic simulation technique. This paper compares algorithmically-defined random function models, such as those based on simulated annealing, to analytically defined random function models, such as the multiGaussian model.
Seventeenth-Century Metal Production at San Marcos Pueblo, North-Central New Mexico

Histories of the early colonial period of the remote New Mexican colony (A.D. 1540–1680) are framed in terms of pueblo conversion, conflicts between church and state, and accommodation-resistance between the pueblos and the colonizers. Missing from these histories are detailed discussions of mining and metal production, even though it is widely recognized that spaniards came north looking for metal beginning with Coronado’s entrada in A.D. 1540. Accumulating archaeological evidence is beginning to change historical understanding of this neglected part of colonization history. In north-central New Mexico, San Marcos Pueblo is a microcosm of early colonial mining activity in the colony. To elucidate the San Marcos story, relevant histories, geology, archaeology, and materials are used. This broad methodological approach helps reveal the pattern of 17th-century metal production in the colony. The results are important for building knowledge about metal production in the New Mexico colony and for expanding scholarly understanding about this significant part of Spanish colonization on the far northern frontier.
Afterdepolarizations and triggered activity.

One of the possible cellular mechanisms for certain types of ventricular arrhythmias is afterdepolarizations. There are two types of afterdepolarization. The delayed afterdepolarization (DAD) arises from the resting potential after full repolarization of an action potential and it may reach threshold for activation. It is favored by cellular Ca overload, and rapid preceding activation rates. The inward current generating the DAD is caused by one of two mechanisms: a Ca-dependent opening of non-specific cation channels, or Ca activation of a rheogenic Na/Ca exchange. The early afterdepolarization (EAD) arises on the shoulder of a preceding action potential plateau and it is favored by slow preceding activation rate and prolonged action potentials. Ca channels are usually responsible for the inward current for EAD’s, and cellular Ca overload is not related. These afterdepolarizations have characteristics that suggest their etiological role in certain arrhythmias found in heart failure.
Group Intervention Strategies with Domestic Abusers

The author describes and advocates a sequential approach to treatment of domestic abuse starting with commitment to nonviolence, anger management, transformation in attitudes about power and contro...
Prevalence and resource utilization for vocal fold paralysis/paresis after esophagectomy.

Objectives/hypothesis Vocal fold paralysis/paresis (VFP) is an uncommon but serious complication following esophagectomy. The objectives of this study were to: 1) identify the prevalence of VFP and associated complications after esophagectomy in the United States, and 2) determine the utilization and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery/speech-language pathology (OHNS/SLP) and predictors of such utilization in the management of these patients. Study design Retrospective database analysis. Methods The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) represents a 20% stratified sample of discharges from US hospitals. Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, patients undergoing esophagectomy between 2008 and 2013 were identified in the NIS. Subcohorts of patients with VFP and OHNS/SLP utilization were also identified. Weighted logistic regression models were used to compare binary outcomes such as complications; generalized linear models were used to compare total hospital charges and length of stay (LOS). Results We studied 10,896 discharges, representing a weighted estimate of 52,610 patients undergoing esophagectomy. The incidence of VFP after esophagectomy was 1.96%. Compared to those without VFP, patients with VFP had a higher incidence of postoperative pneumonia, more medical complications, and were more likely to undergo tracheostomy; hospital charges and LOS were also higher. Of the patients with VFP, 35.0% received OHNS/SLP intervention. Conclusions VFP after esophagectomy is associated with postoperative complications, prolonged LOS, and higher hospital costs. OHNS/SLP intervention occurred in roughly one-third of postesophagectomy VFP patients, suggesting there may be opportunities for enhanced evaluation and management of these patients. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 128:2815-2822, 2018.
Patient dissatisfaction following total knee arthroplasty: external validation of a new prediction model

Tools designed to predict patient satisfaction following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have the potential to guide patient selection. Our study aimed to validate a model that predicts patient satisfaction following TKA. Phone surveys were administered to 203 patients who underwent TKA between 2009 and 2016 at the University of Illinois. We utilized health records to document age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and comorbidities. First, we compared the descriptive variables between the satisfied and dissatisfied groups. We then performed multivariate linear regression and multiple logistic regression to assess the predictive value of the questions in the Van Onsem et al. model. The true satisfaction rate in our study was 65%. The Van Onsem et al. model predicted a satisfaction rate of 70%. The scatter plot of predicted satisfaction score versus observed satisfaction score showed poor agreement between actual satisfaction and predicted satisfaction. Comparing satisfied and dissatisfied groups, there was a significant difference with respect to pain prior to surgery and BMI. The validity of the Van Onsem et al. prediction tool was not supported. While the predicted satisfaction rate was near the measured satisfaction rate, the model misidentified which patients were likely to be satisfied. Preoperative variables including pain, anxiety/depression, and a patient's ability to control pain symptoms showed potential for inclusion in future prediction models. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, developing a decision model.
10.1 An Energy Measurement Front-End with Integrated In-Situ Background Full System Accuracy Monitoring Including the Current and Voltage Sensors

Millions of utility electricity meters are deployed globally to determine billable energy consumption. These devices are factory calibrated, and then perform measurement without interruption over their lifetime. Once in the field their accuracy is unknown due to component aging and high voltage/current events [1]. Meters are periodically replaced as a preventive measure, leading to the unnecessary replacement of perfectly good meters while some inaccurate meters may remain in field. This paper presents an energy-measurement front-end that enables continuous background Condition Base Monitoring (CbM) over the lifetime of a meter. Crucially it monitors the performance of its voltage and current sensors, which are typically the largest sources of inaccuracy and drift. During normal operation, small test signals (“stimuli”), with adaptable but well-defined characteristics are injected into the sensors. Their amplitudes at the front-end’s output are then extracted to determine the gain accuracy of the full signal chain. In order to do this, the system must meet 3 main challenges. First, it must be able to generate and inject highly stable and accurate stimuli signals into the sensors. Second, it must have a wide dynamic range in order to accurately extract the stimuli in the presence of unknown and significantly larger load signals. Third, it must incorporate all the digital signal processing involved with stimuli signal selection, extraction and removal. This paper describes the circuit techniques used to address the first two challenges.
A Postmodern Framework for Developing Critical Thinking Skills: The International Monetary Fund as a Live Case.

MBA education has historically focused on the acquisition of knowledge about existing business arrangements and functions at the expense of how to generate or acquire new knowledge. In this paper w...
Heterogeneous Von Neumann/dataflow microprocessors

General-purpose processors (GPPs), which traditionally rely on a Von Neumann-based execution model, incur burdensome power overheads, largely due to the need to dynamically extract parallelism and maintain precise state. Further, it is extremely difficult to improve their performance without increasing energy usage. Decades-old explicit-dataflow architectures eliminate many Von Neumann overheads, but have not been successful as stand-alone alternatives because of poor performance on certain workloads, due to insufficient control speculation and communication overheads. We observe a synergy between out-of-order (OOO) and explicit-dataflow processors, whereby dynamically switching between them according to the behavior of program phases can greatly improve performance and energy efficiency. This work studies the potential of such a paradigm of heterogeneous execution models, by developing a specialization engine for explicit-dataflow (SEED) and integrating it with a standard out-of-order (OOO) core. When integrated with a dual-issue OOO, it becomes both faster (1.33x) and dramatically more energy efficient (1.70x). Integrated with an in-order core, it becomes faster than even a dual-issue OOO, with twice the energy efficiency.
Features of the competence of the political and governing elite in the information society

The article describes the features of electronic and media culture, which include openness for owners of information resources, digitality, interactive nature of interaction between the subject and objects, content pluralism, including ethical and value, the status of simulation of cultural objects, the prevalence of visual perception over the meaning, rapid updating and the aging of objects, entertainment and gaming character, the increased role of media, communications and communications, which themselves become objects of electronic culture and its moderators. The key importance of information culture in the system of competence of representatives of the political and governing elite in the information society and the priority of soft skills – soft or social skills, which are formed when people interact in the process of solving practical and theoretical problems, are shown. The basic characteristics and differences between hard and soft skills, which are in the universality of the latter, the relevance of the actions, the tendency to feedback and slow development, which requires great efforts at an unguaranteed result, are considered. The most significant competences of the representatives of the political and governing elite which demand the soft skills are defined: personal development, support of interpersonal relations, stress resistance, goal orientation and managerial skills. The study emphasized that in the conditions of information media realism, the most important social skills are also the selection, critical processing and use of information, the ability to create new things, learn, have flexibility, readiness to move to new resources and technologies, the ability to manage projects and teams using information systems, social networks and remote control forms. The directions of improvement of the education system aimed at the formation of the mentioned competencies are accented, namely, the change of training formats, development of project work, increase of the role of interaction between students, increase of personal responsibility and freedom.
Machine learning: Deepest learning as statistical data assimilation problems

We formulate an equivalence between machine learning and the formulation of statistical data assimilation as used widely in physical and biological sciences. The correspondence is that layer number in a feedforward artificial network setting is the analog of time in the data assimilation setting. This connection has been noted in the machine learning literature. We add a perspective that expands on how methods from statistical physics and aspects of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics play a role in how networks can be trained and designed. Within the discussion of this equivalence, we show that adding more layers making the network deeper is analogous to adding temporal resolution in a data assimilation framework. Extending this equivalence to recurrent networks is also discussed. We explore how one can find a candidate for the global minimum of the cost functions in the machine learning context using a method from data assimilation. Calculations on simple models from both sides of the equivalence are reported. Also discussed is a framework in which the time or layer label is taken to be continuous, providing a differential equation, the Euler-Lagrange equation and its boundary conditions, as a necessary condition for a minimum of the cost function. This shows that the problem being solved is a two-point boundary value problem familiar in the discussion of variational methods. The use of continuous layers is denoted "deepest learning." These problems respect a symplectic symmetry in continuous layer phase space. Both Lagrangian versions and Hamiltonian versions of these problems are presented. Their well-studied implementation in a discrete time/layer, while respecting the symplectic structure, is addressed. The Hamiltonian version provides a direct rationale for backpropagation as a solution method for a certain two-point boundary value problem.
DNA methyltransferase inhibitors upregulate CD38 protein expression and enhance daratumumab efficacy in multiple myeloma.

Author(s): Choudhry, Priya; Mariano, Margarette C; Geng, Huimin; Martin, Thomas G; Wolf, Jeffrey L; Wong, Sandy W; Shah, Nina; Wiita, Arun P
Changes in anger and aggression after treatment for PTSD in active duty military.

Objective To examine whether treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reduces anger and aggression and if changes in PTSD symptoms are associated with changes in anger and aggression. Method Active duty service members (n = 374) seeking PTSD treatment in two randomized clinical trials completed a pretreatment assessment, 12 treatment sessions, and a posttreatment assessment. Outcomes included the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale and state anger subscale of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Results Treatment groups were analyzed together. There were small to moderate pretreatment to posttreatment reductions in anger (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.25), psychological aggression (SMD = -0.43), and physical aggression (SMD = -0.25). The majority of participants continued to endorse anger and aggression at posttreatment. Changes in PTSD symptoms were mildly to moderately associated with changes in anger and aggression. Conclusions PTSD treatments reduced anger and aggression with effects similar to anger and aggression treatments; innovative psychotherapies are needed.