cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Movement patterns of southern redbelly dace, Chrosomus erythrogaster, in a headwater reach of an Ozark stream

Previous research on fish movement has focused primarily on recreationally important fishes in perennial streams; however, fewer studies have examined movement patterns of small-bodied fishes in intermittent streams where abiotic and biotic conditions can be extreme compared with perennial systems. Using mark–recapture, we examined movement patterns of southern redbelly dace, Chrosomus erythrogaster, in an intermittent Ozark stream having both permanently connected and temporally isolated sections. Juvenile (60–88%) and adult (55–83%) residency rates were not significantly different for any mark–recapture sample, and movement was primarily within a section for both groups. Ontogenetic differences were detected for kurtosis, distance moved and population spread, with adults exhibiting greater variability in movement, moving more often and further. When considering only adults, there was a significantly higher number of individuals that exhibited intermovement from isolated sections compared with connected sections. In addition, a higher proportion of adults exhibiting intermovement moved to connected stream sections in May and July compared to January and March. Dace exhibited upstream bias in July, with 76% of emigrates moving to an upstream connected section. Although there were no statistically significant associations between the proportion of intermovers from connected and isolated sections and measured water quality and habitat variables, noteworthy trends were observed, and these trends were always stronger for connected sections. Understanding the factors that influence population dynamics in headwater streams is important for the survival and persistence of stream fish populations, especially considering the anticipated expansion of intermittent headwater streams as a result of future climatic changes.
Tourism demand response by residents of Latin American countries

A general-to-specific methodology was used to build international tourism demand models by residents from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela to Aruba. We seek to evaluate demand parameters, especially elasticity values, which were disaggregated on a country-to-country basis. We also aim to learn more about the structure and important variables and investigate the process of adjustment. The study has provided new and compelling evidence that, in the short run, residents in developing countries respond rationally and substantially to economic stimulus. The short-run income elasticity ranges from the low of 1.52 for Venezuela to the high of 2.34 for Argentina. These results indicate that Aruba will benefit differently from income increases in these four Latin American countries. The coefficients of the price variable had the expected negative signs, inelastic in the short-run for all countries but significant at the 5% level for Venezuela only. Any deliberate effort to expand tourist arrivals will require a much larger decline in prices than would be the case in the presence of short-run elastic response. The adjustment elasticity, being less than one, suggests that a period of more than one year is required for Latin American residents to fully adjust their tourism decisions in response to demand shocks. This study would seem to provide some useful information about international tourism demand from developing to developing countries that could form a very good and solid basis for analyses and policy action. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feline Endocrinlogy Update

This article highlights the advances in feline endocrinology, excluding diabetes mellitus and hyperadrenocorticism, which have recently been reviewed elsewhere. The goal will be to provide clinically relevant information regarding pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment options for these feline endocrine disorders.
A radiation-hardened cold sparing input/output buffer manufactured on a commercial process line

The radiation hardness of a cold sparing buffer manufactured on a commercial process line is demonstrated. The buffer is shown to be resistant to total dose ionizing radiation and immune (>128 MeV-cm/sup 2//mg) to effects from heavy ions such as single event upset (SEU) and single event latch-up (SEL).
Southern California Water Markets: Potential and Limitations

This paper explores the potential and limitations for southern California water markets using an economic-engineering network flow optimization model, CALVIN. CALVIN is used to estimate how a market would affect overall southern California water use, to preliminarily assess the economic benefit of more flexible water allocation policies, and to explore the characteristics of an ideal market. Results from CALVIN suggest substantial economic and reliability benefits exist for implementing water market or other transfer mechanisms, and these benefits could be achieved with relatively little reallocation of agricultural water. An ideal water market in southern California would reduce more costly urban water shortages, reducing the demand for increased imports from outside of southern California. Additionally, substantial economic benefits could accrue from expanding some conveyance and storage facilities, particularly the Colorado River Aqueduct and conjunctive use storage capacity.
Algebraic formulation of the product operator formalism in the numerical simulation of the dynamic behaviour of multispin systems

This paper describes the construction of a numerical code which is based solely on the product operator formalism and is aimed at simulating the full dynamical behaviour of nuclear spin systems under the influence of time-dependent radiofrequency fields, relaxation and exchange processes. To demonstrate the capabilities of the program, application of a sequence of selective shaped pulses to an AMX spin system is presented and analysed.
X‐ray diffraction studies of diisotactic polymers of cis‐ and trans‐2‐butene oxides

Crystalline polymers derived from cis- and trans-2-butene oxides were studied by x-ray diffraction methods. X-ray fiber and powder photographs of poly(trans-2-butene oxide) were indexed by an orthorhombic unit cell with the dimensions a = 13.72 A., b = 4.60 A., and c (chain axis) = 6.90 A.; the space group is P212121. The crystal structure of this polymer has been determined in projection. The chain has an erythro-diisotactic structure with -dl, dl- carbon sequences. The polymer has a nonplanar zigzag backbone with carbon and oxygen atoms of alternate monomer units lying nearly in a plane. Two chain molecules pass through the unit cell. The unit cell of poly(cis-2-butene oxide) is orthorhombic with lattice constants a = 11.20 A., b = 10.44 A., c (chain axis) = 7.01 A. The polymer has a threo-diisotactic structure with -dd,dd- or -ll,ll- carbon sequences. Four chain molecules pass through the unit cell. The crystal lattice is body-centered but the space group has not yet been established. The polymer has an almost fully extended zigzag chain configuration. Polymers prepared by either metal halide catalysts (FeCl3, SnCl4) or organometallic catalysts were essentially identical; the latter catalysts did, however, yield more highly crystalline polymers.
Vascularized lymph node transfer and lymphovenous bypass: Novel treatment strategies for symptomatic lymphedema

Lymphedema is a debilitating disease that is commonly caused by cancer and it is treatments in the developed world. Surgery is an option for refractory disease. Lymphovenous bypass and vascularized lymph node transfer are newer modalities that show great promise. Further work is necessary to determine proper patient selection and ensure minimum donor site morbidity. Liposuction and direct excision still have a role, especially in advanced cases. Further investigations into prevention of iatrogenic lymphedema are underway. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:932-939. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A noninvasive electromagnetic perturbation approach to probe extraocular proprioception

Background Extraocular proprioception has been shown to participate in spatial perception and binocular alignment. Yet the physiological approaches used to study this sensory signal are limited because proprioceptive signaling takes place at the same time as visuomotor signaling. It is critical to dissociate this sensory signal from other visuomotor events that accompany eye movements. Methods We present a novel noninvasive and quantifiable method for probing extraocular proprioception independent of other visuomotor processing by attaching a rare-earth magnet to a real-time model eye and placing an electromagnet Results Electromagnetic activation rapidly affected ( Conclusions This method circumvented the constraints of conventional physiological manipulation of extraocular proprioception, such as manually or mechanically tugging on the eye ball. It can be applied to produce the discrepancy between the intended and the executed eye movements, so that proprioceptive reafference signals are dissociated from corollary motor discharges and other visuomotor events.
A Chimeric Switch-Receptor Targeting PD1 Augments the Efficacy of Second-Generation CAR T Cells in Advanced Solid Tumors

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified adoptive T-cell therapy has been successfully applied to the treatment of hematologic malignancies, but faces many challenges in solid tumors. One major obstacle is the immune-suppressive effects induced in both naturally occurring and genetically modified tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) by inhibitory receptors (IR), namely PD1. We hypothesized that interfering with PD1 signaling would augment CAR T-cell activity against solid tumors. To address this possibility, we introduced a genetically engineered switch receptor construct, comprising the truncated extracellular domain of PD1 and the transmembrane and cytoplasmic signaling domains of CD28, into CAR T cells. We tested the effect of this supplement, "PD1CD28," on human CAR T cells targeting aggressive models of human solid tumors expressing relevant tumor antigens. Treatment of mice bearing large, established solid tumors with PD1CD28 CAR T cells led to significant regression in tumor volume due to enhanced CAR TIL infiltrate, decreased susceptibility to tumor-induced hypofunction, and attenuation of IR expression compared with treatments with CAR T cells alone or PD1 antibodies. Taken together, our findings suggest that the application of PD1CD28 to boost CAR T-cell activity is efficacious against solid tumors via a variety of mechanisms, prompting clinical investigation of this potentially promising treatment modality.
Renal Carbonic Anhydrase

SummaryCarbonic anhydrase is present in significant concentrations in the cortex of cat, dog and rat kidneys.
Study of scalable IBS nanopatterning mechanisms for III-V semiconductors using in-situ surface characterization

Ion-beam sputtering (IBS) has been studied as a means for scalable, mask-less nanopatterning of surfaces. Patterning at the nanoscale has been achieved for numerous types of materials including: semiconductors, metals and insulators. Although much work has been focused on tailoring nanopatterning by systematic ion-beam parameter manipulation, limited work has addressed elucidating on the underlying mechanisms for self-organization of multi-component surfaces. In particular there has been little attention to correlate the surface chemistry variation during ion irradiation with the evolution of surface morphology and nanoscale self-organization. Moreover the role of surface impurities on patterning is not well known and characterization during the time-scale of modification remains challenging. This work summarizes an in-situ approach to characterize the evolution of surface chemistry during irradiation and its correlation to surface nanopatterning for a variety of multi-components surfaces. The work highlights the importance and role of surface impurities in nanopatterning of a surface during low-energy ion irradiation. In particular, it shows the importance of irradiation-driven mechanisms in GaSb(100) nanopatterning by low-energy ions and how the study of these systems can be impacted by oxide formation.
Caging the uncageable: using metal complex release for photochemical control over irreversible inhibition

Photochemical control over irreversible inhibition was shown using Ru(II)-caged inhibitors of cathepsin L. Levels of control were dependent on where the Ru(II) complex was attached to the organic inhibitor, reaching >10:1 with optimal placement. A new strategy for photoreleasing Ru(II) fragments from inhibitor–enzyme conjugates is also reported.
Lifestyle Interventions in Preschool Children: A Meta-analysis of Effectiveness

Context With healthy behaviors becoming established in the preschool years, intervening with preschool children to assist them in establishing a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a long-term healthy weight is critical. To optimize future intervention designs, this meta-analysis aimed to estimate the effects of lifestyle interventions on BMI among preschool children and explore potential intervention moderators. Evidence acquisition In October 2015, a search of PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ERIC, and Cochrane library databases yielded 52 eligible articles with 42 randomized intervention–control comparisons (31 prevention and 11 treatment). In 2016, weighted standardized mean differences for BMI were calculated using random-effects models to estimate effect sizes. Evidence synthesis The effect sizes were –0.19 (95% CI=–0.28, –0.09) and –0.28 (95% CI=–0.48, –0.09) kg/m 2 for prevention and treatment interventions, with sustained effect sizes of –0.21 (95% CI=–0.35, –0.08) and –0.23 (95% CI=–0.43, –0.04) kg/m 2 , respectively. Child mean age, percentage Hispanic, and parental intervention sessions were common significant moderators. School-based or prevention interventions with active parental involvement did not yield better outcomes. Interventions targeting parents with parenting skill training and behavioral change strategies, and children with general health and nutrition education, resulted in greater effects. Conclusions Although publication bias limits the validity of the study findings, the meta-analysis results highlight the promising intervention approaches of parenting skill training and behavioral change strategies to target parents. However, for children, general health and nutrition education should be employed.
Limited evidence of individual differences in holistic processing in different versions of the part-whole paradigm

The part-whole paradigm was one of the first measures of holistic processing and it has been used to address several topics in face recognition, including its development, other-race effects, and more recently, whether holistic processing is correlated with face recognition ability. However the task was not designed to measure individual differences and it has produced measurements with low reliability. We created a new holistic processing test designed to measure individual differences based on the part-whole paradigm, the Vanderbilt Part Whole Test (VPWT). Measurements in the part and whole conditions were reliable, but, surprisingly, there was no evidence for reliable individual differences in the part-whole index (how well a person can take advantage of a face part presented within a whole face context compared to the part presented without a whole face) because part and whole conditions were strongly correlated. The same result was obtained in a version of the original part-whole task that was modified to increase its reliability. Controlling for object recognition ability, we found that variance in the whole condition does not predict any additional variance in face recognition over what is already predicted by performance in the part condition.
Dutch, Belgian, and Luxemburger Landscapes: Ethnicity from the Low Countries

While the Dutch founded the nation’s largest city, the visible Dutch landscape in New York today is highly muted. Although the role of the Dutch colonization—which included individuals from what is today’s Belgium—in southern New York State is described, persons of Dutch ancestry account for little of the population of that region today, even though Dutch colonial style barns and churches remain. Much of this chapter is devoted to an examination of the ethnic landscapes around 19th Century settlements of Dutch, Belgians, and Luxembourgers within rural Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Iowa, where persons of these ancestries comprise much larger proportions of the population.
Functional and evolutionary insights from the Ciona notochord transcriptome

The notochord of the ascidian Ciona consists of only 40 cells, and is a longstanding model for studying organogenesis in a small, simple embryo. Here, we perform RNAseq on flow-sorted notochord cells from multiple stages to define a comprehensive Ciona notochord transcriptome. We identify 1364 genes with enriched expression and extensively validate the results by in situ hybridization. These genes are highly enriched for Gene Ontology terms related to the extracellular matrix, cell adhesion and cytoskeleton. Orthologs of 112 of the Ciona notochord genes have known notochord expression in vertebrates, more than twice as many as predicted by chance alone. This set of putative effector genes with notochord expression conserved from tunicates to vertebrates will be invaluable for testing hypotheses about notochord evolution. The full set of Ciona notochord genes provides a foundation for systems-level studies of notochord gene regulation and morphogenesis. We find only modest overlap between this set of notochord-enriched transcripts and the genes upregulated by ectopic expression of the key notochord transcription factor Brachyury, indicating that Brachyury is not a notochord master regulator gene as strictly defined.
Saddlepoint approximation reliability method for quadratic functions in normal variables

Abstract If the state of a component can be predicted by a limit-state function, the First and Second Order Reliability Methods are commonly used to calculate the reliability of the component. The latter method is more accurate because it approximates the limit-state function with a quadratic form in standard normal variables. To further improve the accuracy, this study develops a saddlepoint approximation reliability method that does not require additional transformations and approximations on the quadratic function. Analytical equations are derived for the cumulant generating function (CGF) of the limit-state function in standard normal variables, and then the saddlepoint is found by equating the derivative of the CGF to the limit state. Thereafter a closed form solution to the reliability is available. The method can also apply to general nonlinear limit-state functions after they are approximated by a second order Taylor expansion. Examples show the better accuracy than the traditional second order reliability methods.
DeepLoco: Fast 3D Localization Microscopy Using Neural Networks

Single-molecule localization super-resolution microscopy (SMLM) techniques like STORM and PALM have transformed cellular microscopy by substantially increasing spatial resolution. In this paper we introduce a new algorithm for a critical part of the SMLM process: estimating the number and locations of the fluorophores in a single frame. Our algorithm can analyze a 20000-frame experimental 3D SMLM dataset in about one second - substantially faster than real-time and existing algorithms. Our approach is straightforward but very different from existing algorithms: we train a neural network to minimize the Bayes9 risk under a generative model for single SMLM frames. The neural network maps a frame directly to a collection of fluorophore locations, which we compare to the ground truth using a novel loss function. While training the neural network takes several hours, it only has to be done once for a given experimental setup. After training, localizing fluorophores in new images is extremely fast - orders of magnitude faster than existing algorithms. Faster recovery opens the door to real-time calibration and accelerated acquisition, and future work could tackle more complicated optical systems and more realistic simulators.
Capsaicin, acid and heat-evoked currents in rat trigeminal ganglion neurons: relationship to functional VR1 receptors

Abstract Activation of primary trigeminal (TG) neurons by protons, capsaicin, or heat can evoke a variety of sensations, including tingling, stinging, warmth, and burning. Capsaicin and acid are trigeminal stimulants that are important in gustatory physiology. These stimuli can activate H+-gated ion channels and heterologously expressed VR1 receptors (vanilloid receptor 1). We have obtained evidence by using electrophysiological and pharmacological measurements on TG neurons that these three stimuli can activate many receptors, and we have determined the extent they behave similarly to VR1 receptors and H+-gated channels from the DEGenerin/ENaC superfamily. Whole-cell recordings from rat TG neurons revealed that protons evoked transient (Tp), sustained (Sp), and biphasic (TSp) currents. Tp currents had reversal potentials (Vr) of 24–45 mV, a pH0.5 range from 5.5 to 6.5, and were inhibited by amiloride, suggesting the presence of functional H+-gated channels. Sp currents were inhibited by the VR1 antagonist capsazepine, had Vr's ∼0 mV, and had pH0.5 = 6.4. Capsaicin also activated transient (Tc), sustained (Sc), and biphasic (TSc) currents. At pH 5.9, the sensitivity of the Sc currents increased by about a factor of 10, which may partially account for the synergistic responses of acid in foods containing capsaicin. Heating TG neurons evoked a thermally active, capsazepine-inhibitable current with threshold temperature of 43°C and Vr = 5 mV that is also present in neurons activated by and protons (Sp) and capsaicin (Sc). These data suggest that TG neurons have functional receptors that behave similarly to VR1. Activation of such receptors should result in a burning sensation, whereas activation of the transient and biphasic currents should result in other taste descriptors.
Assessing the need for nanotechnology education reform in the United States

Historically, the U.S. has been the global leader in the development of nanotechnologies that are widely believed to be the foundation of the next industrial revolution. However, unless fundamental changes are made in the educational infrastructure in the U.S. to reverse the general erosion of science, technology, engineering, and math (“STEM”) education, and to address the specific growing need for a robust nanotechnology workforce, current trends in the global demographic of the high-technology talent pool and R&D infrastructure will lead to a shift in the global dominance in science, technology, and engineering from the U.S. to Asia. For the U.S. to reverse these trends and thus maintain its technological and economic leadership, the infrastructure for nanotechnology education needs to be significantly enhanced. In particular, this infrastructure should include educational models and curricula that will institutionalize an interdisciplinary education, thus exposing students to the connections between disciplines and their relationship to nanotechnology at all levels. The future nanotechnology workforce will also require an increased role for demographic groups that have historically been underrepresented in STEM related fields. Nanotechnology research universities are positioned to play an important role in initiating this educational reform. While programs in nanotechnology are currently being developed for the K-16 level and the general public, significantly more effort is needed to develop effective and comprehensive nanotechnology education reform.
Empirical exploration of perfect phylogeny haplotyping and haplotypers

The next high-priority phase of human genomics will involve the development of a full Haplotype Map of the human genome [15]. It will be used in large-scale screens of populations to associate specific haplotypes with specific complex genetic-influenced diseases. A key, perhaps bottleneck, problem is to computationally determine haplotype pairs from genotype data. An approach to this problem based on viewing it in the context of perfect phylogeny was introduced in [14] along with an efficient solution. A slower (in worst case) variation of that method was implemented [3]. Two simpler methods for the perfect phylogeny approach that are also slower (in worst case) than the first algorithm were later developed [1,7]. We have implemented and tested all three of these approachs in order to compare and explain the practical efficiencies of the three methods. We discuss two other empirical observations: a strong phase-transition in the frequency of obtaining a unique solution as a function of the number of individuals in the input; and results of using the method to find non-overlapping intervals where the haplotyping solution is highly reliable, as a function of the level of recombination in the data. Finally, we discuss the biological basis for the size of these tests.
US Environmental Protection Agency’s Baltic Technical Assistance Program: From Capacity Building to Environmental Security

The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) Baltic assistance program had its genesis under the United States/ Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (US/USSR) Environmental Exchange Program in the mid-1980’s when, with significant resistance from the Soviet side, a Lithuanian component was recognized in the formal agreement. Attempts to develop Latvian or Estonian components were not successful. The Lithuanian project focused on environmental degradation rates of toxic substances, water quality modeling and biological effects of environmental contamination. The program introduced studies of neoplasms in natural systems, screened the Nemunas River mainstem for toxic hot spots, trained Lithuanian scientists in Qual IIe and other models and produced an analysis of Hydromet’s historical water quality data for Latvia. It became dominant during the 1992-93 period as the Agency’s priorities switched from scientific exchange programs in Eastern Europe to government capacity building focus driven by US Agency for International Development funding.
Writing the Taiping War into the History of the Southern Ming: Xu Zi, the Militia of Luhe, and the Annals of a Fallen State

Between 1853 and 1858, the militia and hired braves of Luhe county, Jiangsu, distinguished themselves by successfully defending against Taiping attack when surrounding counties and cities all fell. The historian Xu Zi (1810–62) served as a militia leader, commanding a company of troops and working to raise funds to pay for provisions. At the same time, he was writing his history of the Southern Ming Courts: Annals of a Fallen State, With Appended Annotations ( Xiaotian jinian fukao ). In his history, Xu Zi included anecdotes of his wartime experiences, writing the Taiping War into the history of the Southern Ming. What does history do? Xu Zi hoped it could help establish and maintain the coherence of the forces fighting the Taiping. To that end, he presented exemplary figures from the past for people of his own time to emulate, and he narrated those stories to his fellow soldiers. At the same time, his work suggests that the practices of the historian—including investigation of sources, expressions of emotion, and evaluation of policy—could provide avenues for defeating the Taiping. By writing himself into his history of the Southern Ming, he showed how the past could become a tool of war.
Abnormal screening mammogram follow-up: Improving time and timeliness benchmarks.

6631 Background: Abnormal screening mammograms cause significant patient distress. Current benchmarks for timeliness of care for additional imaging after abnormal screening assess the time interval...
Food insecurity patterns before and after initial receipt of Supplemental Security Income.

Objective To assess patterns of food insecurity before and after initial receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Design We analysed data from a nationally representative sample. We estimated two difference-in-difference models comparing food insecurity patterns among eventual SSI recipients with patterns among eligible non-recipients during two time frames. The first model assessed changes in food insecurity immediately before SSI benefits were first received and the second model assessed changes in food insecurity after programme entry. Setting 2008 panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation.ParticipantsNon-institutionalized population of the USA. Results The percentage of eventual SSI recipients experiencing food insecurity rose from 18 to 30 % in the year before programme entry, compared with a change from 17 to 18 % for eligible non-recipients. Adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, the difference-in-difference estimator for this comparison was statistically significant (P=0·01). Additionally, the percentage of recipients experiencing food insecurity fell from 28 % in the year before programme entry to 16 % in the year after entry, compared with a change from 16 to 17 % for eligible non-recipients. Adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, the difference-in-difference estimator for this comparison was marginally significant (P=0·07). Conclusions Food insecurity rises prior to SSI entry but may be alleviated by programme benefits. Greater nutritional supports for SSI applicants awaiting decisions may reduce the burden of food insecurity in this population and improve health outcomes.
A Chopper Extension to model neutron transport with non-static surfaces and high-speed moving media in MCNPX 2.7

Abstract Neutron beamlines frequently include moving components such as neutron choppers. These components are typically wheels that rotate about a fixed axis in order to preferentially transmit or absorb neutrons of the desired energies. Capabilities were developed and implemented into MCNPX to include materials and surfaces in motion. The Chopper Extension implements rotating surfaces and media in MCNPX in order to provide a direct way to include rotating components in models for background calculation purposes.
Heterogeneous Consequences of Teenage Childbearing

This study finds heterogeneous effects of teen childbearing on education and labor market outcomes across socioeconomic status and race. Using miscarriages to put bounds on the causal effects of teen childbearing, results show that teen childbearing leads to lower educational attainment, lower income, and greater use of welfare for individuals who come from counties with better socioeconomic conditions. However, there are no significant adverse effects for individuals who come from counties with worse socioeconomic conditions. Across race, teen childbearing leads to negative consequences for white teens but no significant negative effects for black or Hispanic and Latino teens.
Challenges and Approaches for Sensor Reflective Solar Calibration

Significant advances have been made in recent years by many countries and agencies in Earth observations via remote sensing instruments operated onboard LEO and GEO satellites. For passive optical sensors, reflective solar (RS) calibration remains extremely challenging in terms of calibration traceability, accuracy, stability, and consistency. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of sensor RS calibration approaches with examples from the MODIS on the Terra and Aqua spacecraft and the VIIRS on the S-NPP and N-20. Lessons and calibration strategies developed to address various challenging issues are also discussed.
Semi-quantitative myocardial perfusion MRI in heart transplant recipients at rest: repeatability in healthy controls and assessment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

Abstract Background Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy (CAV) is a major cause of chronic cardiac allograft failure. Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) are the current diagnostic methods. Myocardial perfusion MRI has become a promising non-invasive method to evaluate myocardial ischemia, but has not been thoroughly validated in CAV. Our objective was to assess the repeatability of myocardial rest-perfusion MRI in healthy volunteers and its feasibility in detecting CAV in transplant patients (Tx). Methods Twelve healthy volunteers and twenty transplant patients beyond the first year post- transplant underwent cardiac MRI at 1.5 T at rest including first-pass perfusion imaging in short axis (base, mid, apex) after injection of gadolinium. Volunteers underwent repeated cardiac MRI on different days (interval = 15.6 ± 2.4 days) to assess repeatability. Data analysis included semi-automatic contouring of endocardial and epicardial borders of the left ventricle (LV) and quantification of peak perfusion, time-to-peak (TTP) perfusion, and upslope of the perfusion curve. Results Between scans and re-scans in healthy volunteers, peak signal intensity, slope, and TTP demonstrated moderate agreement (ICC = 0.53, 0.48, and 0.59, respectively; all, p Conclusion Cardiac MRI is a moderately repeatable method for the semi-quantitative assessment of first-pass myocardial perfusion at rest. Semi-quantitative surrogate markers of LV perfusion could play a role in CAV detection.
A Novel Dual Fluorochrome Near-Infrared Imaging Probe for Potential Alzheimer’s Enzyme Biomarkers-BACE1 and Cathepsin D

A molecular imaging probe to fluorescently image the β-site of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and cathepsin D (CatD) enzymes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) was designed and synthesized. This imaging probe was built upon iron oxide nanoparticles (cross-linked dextran iron oxide nanoparticles, or CLIO). Peptide substrates containing a terminal near-infrared fluorochrome (fluorophore emitting at 775 nm for CatD or fluorophore emitting at 669 nm for BACE1) were conjugated to the CLIO nanoparticles. The CatD substrate contained a phenylalanine-phenylalanine cleavage site more specific to CatD than BACE1. The BACE1 substrate contained the sequence surrounding the leucine-asparagine cleavage site of the BACE1 found in the Swedish mutation of APP, which is more specific to BACE1 than CatD. These fluorescently-labeled peptide substrates were then conjugated to the nanoparticle. The nanoparticle probes were purified by gel filtration, and their fluorescence intensities were determined using a fluorescence plate reader. The CatD peptide substrate demonstrated a 15.5-fold increase in fluorescence when incubated with purified CatD enzyme, and the BACE1 substrate exhibited a 31.5-fold increase in fluorescence when incubated with purified BACE1 enzyme. Probe specificity was also demonstrated in the human H4 neuroglioma cells and the H4 cells stably transfected with BACE1 in which the probe monitored enzymatic cleavage. In the H4 and H4-BACE1 cells, BACE1 and active CatD activity increased, an occurrence that was reflected in enzyme expression levels as determined by immunoblotting. These results demonstrate the applicability of this probe for detecting potential Alzheimer's enzyme biomarkers.
Laparoscopic fundoplication for refractory GERD: a procedure worth repeating if needed.

Laparoscopic fundoplication is the current gold standard for medically refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease. Over a 10-year period following surgery, 5–10% of primary laparoscopic fundoplication patients undergo reoperative surgery. Our objective was to compare the symptomatic outcomes and morbidity of primary and reoperative fundoplication procedures. This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent laparoscopic primary or reoperative fundoplication between 2011 and 2017. A single surgeon with a more than 10-year experience in reoperative foregut surgery performed all procedures. Patients in both groups completed the GERD health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) survey prior to surgery and postoperatively. Outcomes were reflected by the composite GERD-HRQL scores (0 to 50, with lower scores representing a better GERD-related quality of life), which were compared between groups postoperatively. Demographics, perioperative data, and complications were compared. Patient data were analyzed using Chi-Square tests and outcomes were analyzed using independent samples t tests and Mann–Whitney U tests. There were 136 primary and 82 reoperative fundoplications. Prior to surgery, GERD-HRQL scores were similar for primary and reoperative patients. Both groups experienced significant improvement in GERD-related quality of life at 2 years, although this improvement was greater in primary patients (8.7 ± 7.8 primary vs. 14.3 ± 13.6 reoperative, p = 0.02). Operative time and length of stay were longer following reoperative cases. The rate of moderate to severe 30-day complications requiring radiologic, endoscopic, or surgical intervention was similar (2.9% primary vs. 1.2% reoperative, p = 0.65). Patients who undergo reoperative fundoplication experience a significant improvement in their GERD-related symptoms, although not to the degree seen in primary antireflux surgery patients. Perioperative morbidity rates following reoperative and primary procedures can be similar in the hands of an experienced surgeon.
The prevalence of sickle cell trait in Division I university athletics programs.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of student-athletes with sickle cell trait (SCT) and describe their demographics, prior knowledge of status, and hemoglobin (Hb) profile.Methods: A retrospec...
Zooming out of the crisis: Language and human collaboration

Language teachers are often masters of using the physical space in their language classrooms, rearranging furniture, groups, and artifacts to facilitate meaningful encounters with and among learners. Indeed, during the COVID‐19 crisis, many language teachers are sharing that these human encounters—reading learners' needs through body language, moving in and out of conversations, or engaging each other face‐to‐face—are the biggest felt loss in their emergent digital language classrooms. Yet, the new digital realities do not necessarily mean that teachers must sacrifice real collaboration among their learners. Digital tools were often designed to explicitly facilitate multimodal collaboration, and, with a wider variety of humans and human stories than may be found within the four walls of the typical classroom. This article aims to help language teachers facilitate more diverse interactions in the target language through the use of tools, spaces, and strategies that can be easily incorporated into our digital classrooms. We describe three categories of such activities (mobile‐assisted learning, tandem learning, and service‐learning) and explain how these can be most effectively incorporated into an online language class.
Microvariation in Multilingual Situations: The Importance of Property-by-Property Acquisition--Pros and Cons.

This provocative article raises many important issues that need to be addressed and in so doing will advance the fields of second language (L2) and third language (L3) acquisition in several import...
Hematopoietic Jagged1 Is Required for the Transition of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from the Fetal Liver to the Adult Bone Marrow Niche

Notch signaling is known to play important roles in hematopoietic development and differentiation. Notch1 is required for emergence of the definitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from the hemogenic endothelium, and we have previously shown that Notch signaling is essential for survival and function of HSCs in the fetal liver. Activation of canonical Notch signaling requires direct cellular contact; thus, the identity of the ligand and the ligand-presenting cell during hematopoietic development would provide valuable information of the Notch signaling mechanism in HSCs as well as the identity of key niche cells that drive the expansion and cell fate decisions of embryonic HSCs. In the present study, we have taken a comprehensive approach to determine the ligands and cells that initiate Notch signaling in the mouse fetal liver. To this end, we have performed single-cell PCR analysis for all Notch signaling proteins in E14.5 fetal HSCs and compared the findings to the adult bone marrow HSCs. We also have analyzed fetal liver endothelial cells for surface expression of all Notch ligands. We determined that Jagged1 (Jag1) is highly expressed in both endothelial cells as well as in fetal HSCs but not adult HSCs. We have performed conditional loss-of-function analysis of Jag1 in fetal endothelial cells using inducible Ve-cadherinCreERT2 as well as in fetal hematopoietic lineages using constitutive VavCre. Our results indicate that while loss of endothelial Jag1 has severe effects in embryonic vascular development, loss of hematopoietic Jag1 allows for normal fetal morphology, yet severely impedes the functional ability of fetal liver HSCs to expand and differentiate both in vitro and in vivo. Fetal to adult transplantation of VavCre+Jag1f/f HSCs indicated a defect in reconstitution potential of fetal HSCs that lack Jag1 expression. Our findings indicate that hematopoietic Jag1 is essential for maturation of HSCs in the fetal liver and for homing and reconstitution potential of HSCs into the post-natal bone marrow microenvironment. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Immune-keratinocyte crosstalk in healthy and cancerous epidermis

The skin houses a vibrant ecosystem of immune cells, which are crucial for protecting the organism. However, recent years have also uncovered a close relationship between these skin immune cells and keratinocytes. Crosstalk between these populations has been shown to regulate various areas including stem cell division as well as which immune cells enter the healthy skin. Further, recent studies have also highlighted the skin immune system’s involvement in cancerous settings. These insights have meaningful implications for the treatment of skin cancers as novel therapies increasingly leverage the immune system.
Comparison of Use of Health Care Services and Spending for Unauthorized Immigrants vs Authorized Immigrants or US Citizens Using a Machine Learning Model.

Importance Knowledge about use of health care services (health care utilization) and expenditures among unauthorized immigrant populations is uncertain because of limitations in ascertaining legal status in population data. Objective To examine health care utilization and expenditures that are attributable to unauthorized and authorized immigrants vs US-born individuals. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used the data on documentation status from the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey (LAFANS) to develop a random forest classifier machine learning model. K-fold cross-validation was used to test model performance. The LAFANS is a randomized, multilevel, in-person survey of households residing in Los Angeles County, California, consisting of 2 waves. Wave 1 began in April 2000 and ended in January 2002, and wave 2 began in August 2006 and ended in December 2008. The machine learning model was then applied to a nationally representative database, the 2016-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), to predict health care expenditures and utilization among unauthorized and authorized immigrants and US-born individuals. A generalized linear model analyzed health care expenditures. Logistic regression modeling estimated dichotomous use of emergency department (ED), inpatient, outpatient, and office-based physician visits by immigrant groups with adjusting for confounding factors. Data were analyzed from May 1, 2019, to October 14, 2020. Exposures Self-reported immigration status (US-born, authorized, and unauthorized status). Main Outcomes and Measures Annual health care expenditures per capita and use of ED, outpatient, inpatient, and office-based physician care. Results Of 47 199 MEPS respondents with nonmissing data, 35 079 (74.3%) were US born, 10 816 (22.9%) were authorized immigrants, and 1304 (2.8%) were unauthorized immigrants (51.7% female; mean age, 47.6 [95% CI, 47.4-47.8] years). Compared with authorized immigrants and US-born individuals, unauthorized immigrants were more likely to be aged 18 to 44 years (80.8%), Latino (96.3%), and Spanish speaking (95.2%) and to have less than 12 years of education (53.7%). Half of unauthorized immigrants (47.1%) were uninsured compared with 15.9% of authorized immigrants and 6.0% of US-born individuals. Mean annual health care expenditures per person were $1629 (95% CI, $1330-$1928) for unauthorized immigrants, $3795 (95% CI, $3555-$4035) for authorized immigrants, and $6088 (95% CI, $5935-$6242) for US-born individuals. Conclusions and Relevance Contrary to much political discourse in the US, this cross-sectional study found no evidence that unauthorized immigrants are a substantial economic burden on safety net facilities such as EDs. This study illustrates the value of machine learning in the study of unauthorized immigrants using large-scale, secondary databases.
Understanding Cities Through Networks and Flows

Complexity theory has become a popular frame for conceptualizing and analyzing cities. The theory proposes that certain large systems are characterized by the nonlinear, dynamic interactions of their many constituent parts. These systems then behave in novel and unpredictable ways — ways that cannot be divined by examining the components of the system. Complexity theory problematizes traditional reductionist, linear methods of scientifically analyzing and predicting cities. It also opens up a new world of scholarship to researchers keen to formulate new kinds of sciences that take complexity into account. These attempts usually follow Kuhn’s theory of paradigm shifts: new evidence and modes of thinking undermine an established science, and a new science emerges to replace it.
Cannabis dabbing: An emerging trend.

ABSTRACT Cannabis dabbing refers to the recreational inhalation of extremely concentrated tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychotropic cannabinoid derived from the marijuana plant. The practice carries significant health and legal risks. This article discusses what nurses need to know about dabbing and how they can educate patients who may be engaging in risky behavior.
Predicting Broadband Expansion: An Analysis of Geographic and Demographic Influences

High-speed Internet access (’broadband’) is available nearly everywhere in urban and suburban parts of the contiguous U.S. However, there are many rural areas which do not have broadband access yet. We implemented a machine learning framework consisting of multiple supervised models for accurately predicting broadband expansion using geographic and demographic data on a census block group level. We then utilized these models to gain an understanding of how these features relate to broadband expansion. Also, we discussed how this data must be considered differently when investigating unsubsidized broadband expansion rather than government subsidized expansion. Understanding relationships between geographic and demographic features with respect to broadband speed and accessibility is reliant upon publicly available data provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), United States Census Bureau, and the Universal Service Administrative Company. The project included identifying, cleaning, and aggregating the data as well as creating a cloud-based-storage infrastructure with Google BigQuery. We found that by considering geographic and demographic data, effective models can be constructed to both understand previous broadband expansion and predict future expansion. Notably, we found that road, housing and population density, winter temperature, and elevation are of significant importance in determining whether an area receives broadband.