cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Black Women’s and Girls’ Persistence in the P–20 Mathematics Pipeline: Two Decades of Children, Youth, and Adult Education Research:

Like other women and girls of color in the U.S. education system, Black1 women and girls negotiate and integrate multiple marginalized identities in mathematics. As such, this integrative review us...
Perspectives on Statistical Thermodynamics

This original text develops a deep, conceptual understanding of thermal physics, highlighting the important links between thermodynamics and statistical physics, and examining how thermal physics fits within physics as a whole, from an empirical perspective. The first part of the book is devoted to elementary, mesoscopic topics such as Brownian motion, which leads to intuitive uses of large deviation theory, one of the pillars of modern probability theory. The book then introduces the key concepts behind statistical thermodynamics, and the final part describes more advanced and applied topics from thermal physics such as phase transitions and critical phenomena. This important subject is presented from a fresh perspective and in a highly pedagogical manner, with numerous worked examples and relevant cultural side notes throughout, making it ideal as either a textbook for advanced thermal physics courses or for self-study by undergraduate and graduate students in physics and engineering.
Strategic positioning, timing of entry, and new product performance in business-to-business markets: do market-oriented firms make better decisions?

Purpose: The mechanism by which market orientation contributes to positional strength of a new product, appropriate timing of entry to the market, and new product performance is examined in a busin...
Femtosecond Laser Excitation in Argon-Nitrogen Mixtures

Argon gas is demonstrated to enhance femtosecond laser electronic excitation tagging at atmospheric pressure and temperature for unseeded velocimetry applications, primarily through two to four ord...
Program acceleration using nearest distance associative search

Data generated by current computing systems is rapidly increasing as they become more interconnected as part of the Internet of Things (IoT). The growing amount of generated data, such as multimedia, needs to be accelerated using efficient massive parallel processors. Associative memories, in tandem with processing elements, in the form of look-up tables, can reduce energy consumption by eliminating redundant computations. In this paper, we propose a resistive associative unit, called RAU, which approximately performs basic computations with significantly higher efficiency compared to traditional processing units. RAU stores high frequency patterns corresponding to each operation and then retrieves the nearest distance row to the input data as an approximate output. In order to avoid using a large and energy intensive RAU, our design adaptively detects inputs with lower frequency and assigns them to precise cores to process. For each application, our design is able to adjust the ratio of data processed between RAU and precise cores to ensure computational accuracy. We consider the application of RAU on an AMD Southern Island GPU, a recent GPGPU architecture. Our experimental evaluation shows that GPGPU enhanced with RAU can achieve 61% average energy savings, and 2.2× speedup over eight diverse OpenCL applications, while ensuring acceptable quality of computation. The energy-delay product improvement of enhanced GPGPU is 5.7× and 2.8× higher compared to conventional and state-of-the-art approximate GPGPU, respectively.
Electrons and Phonons in amorphous Si: Deformation Potentials and Solutions of the Time Dependent Schrödinger Equation

We employ first principles methods to explore the coupling between electrons and the lattice in amorphous silicon (a-Si). First we compute the adiabatic electronic response to phonon modes in a realistic model of a-Si. Then, we present a simulation of the electron dynamics of localized edge states in a-Si at room temperature by integrating the time dependent Schrodinger equation. We study the character of the spatial and spectral diffusion of the localized states and directly simulate and reveal the nature of thermally driven hopping. Phonon-induced resonant mixing leads to rapid electronic diffusion if states are available nearby in energy and real-space. We believe that many of the results we obtain are central to modeling transport involving localized states.
ATP Production III: Fatty Acid Oxidation and Amino Acid Oxidation

This chapter considers how fats and proteins make ATP. It begins with a discussion of the mobilization of depot fat by hormone-sensitive lipase. It discusses how fatty acids are transported into the mitochondria and give rise to a lot of acetyl CoA and NADH and FADH 2 through beta oxidation. It then traces the synthesis of ATP both from the beta oxidation and the complete oxidation of the acetyl CoA through the TCA cycle. It also considers the use of amino acids either to generate acetyl CoA (for the ketogenic amino acids) or glycolytic or TCA intermediates for the glucogenic amino acids. It categorizes all of the amino acids as either ketogenic, glucogenic, or both. At the end, the chapter shows how the amino acids are used to generate urea as a final end product of amino acid metabolism.
SPARE: Spiking Neural Network Acceleration Using ROM-Embedded RAMs as In-Memory-Computation Primitives

From the little we know about the human brain, the inherent cognitive mechanism is very different from the de facto state-of-the-art computing platforms. The human brain uses distributed, yet integrated memory and computation units, unlike the physically separate memory and computation cores in typical von Neumann architectures. Despite huge success of artificial intelligence, hardware systems running these algorithms consume orders of magnitude higher energy compared to the human brain, mainly due to heavy data movements between the memory unit and the computation cores. Spiking neural networks (SNNs) built using bio-plausible neuron and synaptic models have emerged as the power efficient choice for designing cognitive applications. These algorithms involve several lookup-table (LUT) based function evaluations such as high-order polynomials and transcendental functions for solving complex neuro-synaptic models, that typically require additional storage and thus, bigger memories. To that effect, we propose ‘SPARE’–an in-memory, distributed processing architecture built on ROM-embedded RAM technology, for accelerating SNNs. ROM-embedded RAMs allow storage of LUTs (for neuro-synaptic models), embedded within a typical memory array, without additional area overhead. Our proposed architecture consists of a 2-D array of Processing Elements (PEs), wherein each PE has its own ROM-embedded RAM structure and executes part of the SNN computation. Since most of the computations (including multiple math-table evaluations) are done locally within each PE, unnecessary data transfers are restricted, thereby alleviating the problems arising due to physically separate remote memory unit and the computation core. SPARE thus leverages both, the hardware benefits of distributed, in-memory processing, and also the algorithmic benefits of SNNs. We evaluate SPARE for two different ROM-Embedded RAM structures–CMOS based ROM-Embedded SRAMs (R-SRAMs) and STT-MRAM based ROM-Embedded MRAMs (R-MRAMs). Moreover, we analyze trade-offs in terms of energy, area and performance, for using the two technologies on a range of image classification benchmarks. Furthermore, we leverage the additional storage density to implement complex neuro-synaptic functionalities. This enhances the utility of the proposed architecture by provisioning implementation of any neuron/synaptic behavior as necessitated by the application. Our results show up-to $\sim\! 1.75\times$∼1.75×, $\sim\! 1.95\times$∼1.95× and $\sim \!1.95\times$∼1.95× improvement in energy, iso-storage area, and iso-area performance, respectively, by using neural network accelerators built on ROM-embedded RAM primitives.
Long-term oncologic outcomes of fertility-sparing surgery in young women with stage IB1 cervical cancer.

e17010Background: Our objective was to evaluate the associated factors and oncologic outcomes of women with stage IB1 cervical cancer treated with fertility-sparing surgery (FSS, defined as conizat...
Ambient carbon nanoparticles activated Nrf2 signaling through adsorbed iron or quinones

Evidence indicates that oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of harmful effects caused by airborne nanoparticle (ANP), a health hazard associated with various diseases. Carbon nanoparticles are a major component of urban ANP, and usually adsorbs transition metals especially iron and organics on the surface. Nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a major transcription factor that is activated and regulates the induction of a series of antioxidant and detoxification genes upon oxidative stress. How Nrf2-regulated protective mechanism responds to the exposure of different forms of carbon nanoparticle is largely unclear. Here we examined the activation of Nrf2 signaling in human macrophages in response to carbon nanoparticles (CNP, 20-50 nm in diameter)), and CNP-doped with iron (CNP-Fe) or 1,4-naphthoquinone (CNP-Q). In contrast to ANP collected from urban area and CNP-Q, neither CNP nor CNP-Fe increased H2O2 level in macrophages. However CNP-Fe (but not CNP and CNP-Q) increased lipid peroxidation. Nrf2 nuclear translocation (marker of Nrf2 activation) was increased in response to exposure of CNP-Fe and CNP/Q, but not by CNP. Consistently, the mRNA expression of Nrf2-regulated genes (GCLC, GCLM, HO-1, and NQO1) was significantly induced by CNP-Fe and CNP/Q, but not by CNP. In summary, these data demonstrated that iron and quinones adsorbed on the surface of carbon nanoparticle were involved in the Nrf2 activation, but that the mechanisms likely differ.
U.S. county prevalence of retail prescription opioid sales and opioid-related hospitalizations from 2011 to 2014

Abstract Background The role of prescription opioids in the opioid crisis has been well established. How the prevalence of prescription opioids relates to opioid hospitalizations has been understudied. Hospitalizations due to opioids are a distinct indicator of opioid misuse, have cost implications for health care systems, and may be an entry point into substance use treatment. Methods Administrative data were drawn for counties in 32 U.S. states from 2011 to 2014 to associate retail opioid sales rates with opioid-related hospitalization rates. Data on hospitalizations comes from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Data on opioid sales come from the Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System. Statistical models were run accounting for error in the opioid sales measure and controlled for county and year effects and other factors. Sub-analyses explored hospitalizations by metropolitan status and maternal/neonatal stays. As a point of comparison, the analysis estimated the relationship of opioid sales to alcohol hospitalizations. Results Retail opioid sales rates have a positive relationship with opioid-related hospitalization rates where a one morphine kilogram equivalent (MKE) increase in sales per 10,000 people predicts a 9.0% (CI 4.6%–13.7%) increase in opioid-related hospitalization rates. The relationship is higher in non-metropolitan counties. Maternal and neonatal opioid-related hospitalization rates increase by 14.1% (CI 4.9%–24.2%) with a one MKE increase in retail sales rates. There is no statistically significant relationship between opioid sales and alcohol hospitalizations. Conclusions Though not causal, results inform understanding of how opioid prescribing relate to adverse consequences of opioid use and misuse.
The influence of maternal body mass index and physical activity on select cardiovascular risk factors of preadolescent Hispanic children

Background Maternal obesity and physical inactivity have been identified as correlates of overweight and obesity and physical inactivity in older preadolescents; however, no study has explored this relationship in Hispanic preadolescents. Furthermore, the relation between maternal physical activity (PA) and blood pressure (BP) in Hispanic preadolescents has not been examined. Purpose This study aimed to assess the associations between Hispanic mothers' PA and body mass index (BMI) and their preadolescents' PA, screen time, BP, and BMI. Methods Data of 118 mother-child (aged 2-10 years) dyads enrolled in a cross-sectional study of metabolic syndrome in Hispanic preadolescents at a community health center in Johnson City, TN were used. Parent and child questionnaires were used to ascertain mothers' BMI and PA and preadolescents' PA and screen time. Preadolescents' height, weight, and BP were measured. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between child and maternal variables, adjusting for mother's education and the child's sex and age. Results Pradolescents of obese mothers were more likely than preadolescents of mothers with normal weight to engage in less than three days of at least 60 min of vigorous PA per week (OR: 6.47, 95% CI [1.61-26.0]). Preadolescents whose mothers did not engage in moderate PA were more likely to engage in less than three days of at least 60 min of vigorous PA per week (OR: 2.92, CI [1.18-7.24]); and have elevated BP (OR: 2.50, 95% CI [1.02-4.53]) than preadolescents whose mothers engaged in moderate PA. Discussion Our results show a negative relationship between maternal obesity and preadolescent PA, and a positive relationship between lower maternal PA and elevated BP and lower PA in Hispanic preadolescents. This suggests that interventions aimed at improving Hispanic preadolescents' PA and BP may use maternal PA and maternal BMI (for preadolescent PA) as a modification strategy to improve health in Hispanic preadolescents.
Is Workplace Kin

When health care workers receive health care at their workplace, an ethical question arises if the workplace is considered kin.
Acute testosterone administration does not affect muscle anabolism

We previously demonstrated that improved net muscle protein balance, via enhanced protein synthetic efficiency, occurs 5 days after testosterone (T) administration. Whether the effects of T on muscle protein kinetics occur immediately upon exposure is not known. We investigated the effects of acute T exposure on leg muscle protein kinetics and selected amino acid (AA) transport using the arteriovenous balance model, and direct calculations of mixed-muscle protein fractional synthesis (FSR) and breakdown (FBR) rates. Four healthy men were studied over a 5 h period with and without T (infusion rate, 0.25 mg·min− 1). Muscle protein FSR, FBR, and net protein balance (direct measures and model derived) were not affected by T, despite a significant increases in arterial (p = 0.009) and venous (p = 0.064) free T area under the curve during T infusion. T infusion had minimal effects on AA transport kinetics, affecting only the outward transport and total intracellular rate of appearance of leucine. These data indicate that exposing skeletal muscle to T does not confer immediate effects on AA kinetics or muscle anabolism. There remains an uncertainty as to the earliest discernable effects of T on skeletal muscle protein kinetics after initial administration.
An Early Nominalist Critique of Platonic Realism: Ibn Ḥazm’s Metaphysics of the Created Corporeal World

This study examines how Ibn Ḥazm (d. 456 AH/1064 CE) articulated his nominalist critique of Platonic realism in the context of a larger rejection of ontological dualism in philosophy. It draws on evidence in Al-Fiṣal fī l-Milal wa-l-Ahwāʿ wa-l-Niḥal ( The Book of Opinions on Religions, Heresies, and Sects ) and his Marātib al-ʿUlūm ( Categories of the Sciences ). In response to those who “claim to follow philosophy ( falsafa ),” and in dialogue with earlier theologians and philosophers such as al-Bāqillānī (d. 403/1012–1013) and al-Kindī (d. 258/873), Ibn Ḥazm redefined the universal soul ( al-nafs al-kulliyya ) and universal intellect ( al-ʿaql al-kullī ) as linguistic references to the total of all particular souls and particular intellects, which he defined as corporeal accidents inhering in the body. Ibn Ḥazm’s identification of souls and intellects as corporeal was part of his larger conception of the world as discrete and finite in both space and time. The world, in other words, is measurable in numbers and therefore limited by the volume of its visible and invisible air-like corporeality to the exclusion of philosophical notions of a perfect void or prime matter. In his additional critique of contemporary Muslim epistemology and the theologians’ reliance on dialectical argumentation, Ibn Ḥazm held that a true scholar of Islam should turn to logic-oriented deductive methods and scriptural evidence together in order to ascertain the possibilities and, more importantly, the limits of human knowledge about both the corporeal created world and the ontological unknown ( ghayb ) of the divine realm.
Pathways to Motivational Impairments in Psychopathology: Common Versus Unique Elements Across Domains

Our ability as humans to engage in goal-directed actions that allow us to obtain outcomes that we desire is a core component of life satisfaction and achievement. Sadly, many forms of mental illness involve impairments in varying facets of motivation that are important contributors to the all too frequent impaired life function and reduced quality of life experienced by such individuals. As such, both the field of psychopathology research broadly and the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative have recognized the centrality of examining motivation and incentive processing in psychopathology. This review will focus on the types of motivational impairments seen in disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. Some individuals with depression do not engage in occupational, educational, or social behaviors that they might participate in when not depressed and may spend much of their time alone and engaged in very passive activities (sleeping, watching TV, etc.). Similarly, in schizophrenia, motivational impairments can also take the form of reduced efforts to engage in occupational, educational, or social experiences. In this review, we argue that elements of the final common pathway to impairments in motivation in depression and schizophrenia may be shared and are likely to involve deficits in what can be referred to as effort-cost decision-making (ECDM). This hypothesis suggests that a proximal cause of reduced engagement in occupational, educational, and social pursuits in both depression and schizophrenia is a reduced willingness to exert effort to obtain potentially rewarding or positive outcomes. However, we also argue that these ECDM deficits in depression and schizophrenia reflect differing distal mechanisms. More specifically, we argue that ECDM impairments in depression may be strongly related to reductions in hedonic experience of reward and pleasure, while ECDM deficits in schizophrenia may more strongly reflect difficulties with cognitive control and internal representation of future or past events and use of incentive information that is not currently available in the environment.
Chapter 10 – Atmospheric Corrosion

This chapter describes basic atmospheric corrosion principles resulting from metal exposure at ambient and near-ambient temperatures in humid air. It starts by presenting atmospheric classification, common industrial pollutants, atmospheric corrosion factors, and atmospheric corrosion classification according to the International Standard Organization. Atmospheric pollutants such as sulfur-containing compounds, chlorine-containing compounds, and nitrates are discussed in the chapter through recent literature. By the end of the chapter, iron and low-alloy steel corrosion and atmospheric corrosion of nickel, magnesium alloys, zinc, and bare and anodized aluminum show the role of industrial pollutants in controlling atmospheric corrosion. How alloying elements such as copper, tin, zinc, and lead influence bronze corrosion and prevention is explained through recent literature.
Research Review: Conflicts of Interest (COIs) in autism early intervention research - a meta-analysis of COI influences on intervention effects.

Background The presence, types, disclosure rates, and effects of conflicts of interest (COIs) on autism early intervention research have not previously been studied. The purpose of this study was to examine these issues. Methods This study is a secondary analysis of a comprehensive meta-analysis of all group-design, nonpharmacological early intervention autism research conducted between 1970 and 2018. We coded reports for the presence/absence of COI statements, the types of COIs that were disclosed, and for 8 types of COIs, including (a) the author developed the intervention, (b) the author is affiliated with a clinical provider, (c) the author is employed by a clinical provider, (d) the author is affiliated with an institution that trains others to use the intervention, (e) the author receives payment or royalties related to the intervention, (f) the study was funded by an intervention provider, (g) the study used a commercially available measure developed by the author, and (h) proceeds of the intervention fund the author's research. Frequencies and proportions were calculated to determine prevalence of COIs and COI disclosures. Meta-analysis was used to estimate summary effects by COI type and to determine if they were larger than for reports with no coded COIs. Results Seventy percent of reports were coded for ≥ 1 COI, but only ~ 6% of reports contained COI statements fully accounting for all coded COIs. Metaregressions did not detect significant influences of any COI type on summary effects; however, point estimates for each COI type were larger than for reports with no coded COIs. Conclusions Conflicts of interest are prevalent but under-reported in autism early intervention research. Improved reporting practices are necessary for researcher transparency and would enable more robust examination of the effects of COIs on research outcomes.
Nonlocal Chemical Potential Modulation in Topological Insulators Enabled by Highly Mobile Trapped Charges

Topological insulators (TIs) host unusual surface states with Dirac dispersion and helical spin texture and hold high potential for applications in spintronics and quantum computing. However, unint...
Acoustic source localization in imperfectly known environments using frequency-differencing techniques

Remote unknown sound-source localization is a challenging task with applications in a variety of fields, such as underwater acoustics, atmospheric acoustics, structural acoustics, bio-medical ultrasound, animal bio-acoustics, and seismology. In nearly all cases, the localization algorithm is only successful when there is good cross correlation between remotely measured and predicted acoustic fields, a possibility that exits at low frequencies and/or short ranges in imperfectly known environments. However, at sufficiently high frequency and/or long range, the requisite measured-to-predicted-field correlation might never be high enough for successful source localization. However, recent investigations of the frequency-difference autoproduct, a quadratic product of two complex field amplitudes having different frequencies, suggest that it may have the phase structure of an acoustic field at the difference frequency. Thus, using sufficiently low difference frequencies, unknown sources may be localized at ranges where conventional techniques are unsuccessful by correlating measured and predicted (ideal) autoproducts. The underlying formulation of frequency-differencing techniques is presented along with examples drawn from simulations, laboratory experiments, and ocean propagation measurements that involve frequencies from fractions of a Hertz to more than 100 kHz, and propagation distances from tens of centimeters to hundreds of kilometers. [Sponsored by ONR, NAVSEA, and NSF.]
Initial experience with the Ellipsys Vascular Access System for percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation in adolescents: A case report

This retrospective, single center, case report describes the first use of the Ellipsys Vascular Access System for percutaneous arteriovenous fistula (pAVF) creation in children. Two adolescent (<20 year of age) patients (18 and 19-year-old females), one of whom was developmentally delayed, were not considered candidates for traditional surgical arteriovenous fistula creation. pAVF creation was successful in both patients using the Ellipsys device and physiologic maturation of the fistula was achieved within 8 weeks of creation with subsequent 2 needle cannulation. No complications or adverse events were encountered. pAVF creation with the Ellipsys device can be safely performed in adolescents. Further studies will be needed to validate the expanded use of these devices in children.
Slums Amidst Ghost Cities: Incentive and Information Problems in China’s Urbanization

Contrasting elements of China's “urban sickness” are empty new apartment complexes abutting dilapidated but overcrowded structures. While scholarship has explored these issues separately, we show t...
A Semantics-aware Transformer Model of Relation Linking for Knowledge Base Question Answering

Relation linking is a crucial component of Knowledge Base Question Answering systems. Existing systems use a wide variety of heuristics, or ensembles of multiple systems, heavily relying on the surface question text. However, the explicit semantic parse of the question is a rich source of relation information that is not taken advantage of. We propose a simple transformer-based neural model for relation linking that leverages the AMR semantic parse of a sentence. Our system significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art on 4 popular benchmark datasets. These are based on either DBpedia or Wikidata, demonstrating that our approach is effective across KGs.
O43 Timing of WIC Enrollment and Exclusive Breastfeeding: Results from the National WIC Infant Toddler Feeding Practices Study 2

Background Participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is associated with lower breastfeeding rates, compared to similar income non-participants. Breastfeeding decisions are often made before birth hence; the prenatal period may be critical for breastfeeding support. Objective To explore whether timing of WIC enrollment has an effect on breastfeeding exclusivity at 3, 5, and 7 months. As there are racial/ethnic disparities in breastfeeding, the association of timing of enrollment and race/ethnicity with breastfeeding outcomes was also assessed. Study Design, Setting, Participants This is a secondary analysis of data collected from the WIC Infant Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2, the most recent longitudinal assessment of mother-child dyads participating in WIC nationally. Only data collected from the prenatal through 7-months post-partum were included. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Logistic regression models analyzed the association between the timing of WIC enrollment - categorized as prenatal (1st, 2nd or 3rd trimester) or post-partum and exclusive breastfeeding - defined as being fed “only breastmilk” at each time point. Covariates included race/ethnicity, maternal age, education, parity, nativity, and poverty level. Results Prenatal WIC enrollment was associated with a 1.51 (95% CI: 1.08-2.17) and 1.37 (1.01-1.89) increased likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding at 5 and 7 months, respectively, as compared to post-partum enrollment. There were no significant differences at 3 months or by trimester of pregnancy. Mothers who were Hispanic and enrolled during the 2nd trimester had a 0.55 (0.33-0.91) decreased odds of breastfeeding at 3 months, with a similar trend observed (P = 0.062) during the third trimester for breastfeeding at 7 months. Conclusion Timing of WIC enrollment was associated with mother's infant feeding choice hence, supporting the prenatal period as an opportune time for breastfeeding education. A focus on prenatal breastfeeding education for Hispanic women who enroll during the 2nd trimester or later may be warranted.
Is It Possible to Save the Deep Brain Stimulation Hardware when Presenting with Wound Dehiscence or Hardware Infection

Introduction Deep brain stimulation (DBS) hardware complications have been traditionally managed by removal of the entire system. Explantation of the system results in prolonged interruption to the patient's care and potential challenges when considering reimplantation of the cranial leads. The purpose of this study was to understand whether complete explantation can be avoided for patients initially presenting with wound dehiscence and/or infection of hardware. Methods We performed a retrospective study that included 30 cases of wound dehiscence or infection involving the DBS system. Patients underwent reoperation without explantation of the DBS system, with partial explanation, or with complete explantation as initial management of the complication. Results A total of 17/30 cases were managed with hardware-sparing wound revisions. The majority presented with wound dehiscence (94%), with the scalp (n = 9) as the most common location. This was successful in 76.5% of patients (n = 13). Over 11/30 patients were managed with partial explantation. The complication was located at the generator (91%) or at the scalp (9%). Partial explantation was successful in 64% of patients (n = 7). In cases that underwent a lead-sparing approach, 33% of patients ultimately required removal of the intracranial lead, and 2/30 cases of hardware infection were managed initially with total explantation. Discussion/conclusion Wound dehiscence can be successfully managed without complete removal of the DBS system in most cases. In cases of infection, removing the involved component(s) and sparing the intracranial leads may be considered. Wound revision without removal of the entire DBS system is safe and can improve quality of life by preventing or shortening the withdrawal of DBS treatment.
Working-Class Environmentalism: The Case of Northwest Timber Workers

Despite contemporary media narratives of unions and environmentalists being inherently opposed, the history of organized labour demonstrates a robust environmental tradition. This chapter examines the history of timber unionism in the United States’ Pacific Northwest to demonstrate how workers have used their unions to promote their own environmental agendas through the twentieth century. The International Woodworkers of America led the nation’s labour movement in critiquing unsustainable environmental practices, demanded sustainable forests as early as the late 1930s, and fought to protect wilderness. Only with the structural changes to the national economy in the 1980s did its robust relationship with environmental organizations break apart.
Sex differences in atrial fibrillation: patient-reported outcomes and the persistent toll on women.

Abstract Background Women have worse patient-reported outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF) than men, but the reasons remain poorly understood. We investigated how comorbid conditions, treatment, social factors, and their modification by sex would attenuate sex-specific differences in patient-reported outcomes in AF. Methods In a cohort with prevalent AF we measured patient-reported outcomes with the Short-Form-12 (SF-12, an 8-domain quality of life measure), and the AF Effect on QualiTy of Life (AFEQT), an instrument specific to AF, both with range 0-100 and higher scores indicating superior outcomes. We examined sex-specific differences in patient-reported outcomes in multivariable-adjusted regression analyses incorporating demographics, comorbid conditions, treatment, social factors, and their sex-based modification. Results In 339 individuals (age 72±10, 45% women), women (vs. men) reported worse physical functioning on the SF-12 (49.7±39.0 versus 65.0±34.0), social functioning (69.8±31.8 versus 79.7±25.8), and mental health (67.4±20.2 versus 75.0±18.6). These differences were attenuated with adjustment for comorbid conditions and depression. Women had worse composite AFEQT scores (73.8±18.4 versus 78.5±16.6) and symptoms and treatment scores than men with differences remaining significant after multivariable adjustment. There were not significant interactions by sex and the array of covariates when examining differences in patient-reported outcomes between women and men. Conclusions We identified sex-specific differences in patient-reported outcomes assessed with general and AF-specific measures. Compared to men, women with AF reported worse overall health-related quality of life, even after consideration of both relevant covariates and their modification by sex. Our research indicates the importance of consideration of sex-based inequities when evaluating patient-reported outcomes in AF.
Real-Time Trimodal Ultrasound, Photoacoustic, and Thermoacoustic Imaging for Biomedical Applications

As a real-time high resolution imaging modality, pulse echo ultrasound (US) is a common screening tool for breast, thyroid, and other types of cancer. However, US has low specificity for detecting cancer due to poor contrast in soft tissue. Hybrid US techniques like photoacoustic (PA) and thermoacoustic (TA) imaging provide additional sources of contrast for cancer detection but are still mostly independent research tools not readily available in the clinic. The goal of this study was to develop and demonstrate advantages of a real-time trimodal imaging system that combines US, PA, and TA integrated into a commercial US system. Our trimodal system provided real-time feedback on near-infrared absorbing contrast agents, water content, and acoustic backscatter for structure, all important contrast features for accurate diagnostics and feedback during thermal therapy. Real-time video of the pumped Methylene Blue (MB, 0.025% in diH2O) was captured at a velocity resolution of 280 mm/s. Spectrally probed MB resulted in unique PA spectral responses, as well as qualitative images in false colors. Thermometry revealed a correlation between the PA and TA signal responses and MB temperature each with $\mathrm{R}^{2}=0.99$ . By combining all three modalities, the system is capable of detecting different sources of contrast, including acoustic backscatter (US), optical (PA) and microwave (TA) absorption, and changes in temperature (PA and TA).
Population genomics analysis with RAD, reprised: Stacks 2

Restriction enzymes have been one of the primary tools in the population genetics toolkit for fifty years, being coupled with each new generation of technology to provide a more detailed view into the genetics of natural populations. Restriction site-Associated DNA protocols, which joined enzymes with short-read sequencing technology have democratized the field of population genomics, providing a means to assay the underlying alleles in scores of populations. More than ten years on, the technique has been widely applied across the tree of life and served as the basis for many different analysis techniques. Here, we provide a detailed protocol to conduct a RAD analysis from experimental design to de novo analysis -- including parameter optimization -- as well as reference-based analysis, all in STACKS version 2, which is designed to work with paired-end reads to assemble RAD loci up to 1000 nucleotides in length. The protocol focuses on major points of friction in the molecular approaches and downstream analysis, with special attention given to validating experimental analyses. Finally, the protocol provides several points of departure for further analysis.
Chapter 15. Chemotherapy of Malaria

Publisher Summary Malaria is caused by the protozoan parasite, Plasmodium , a member of the phylum apicomplexan. Malaria is mainly transmitted by the female Anopheline mosquito, and in rare cases by the transfusion of infected blood. Infective sporozoites injected by the mosquito invade hepatic parenchymal cells. The circumsporozoite protein on the sporozoite surface attaches to the hepatocyte receptor that has been identified to be a proteoglycan. Research suggests that there is a possibility that new transporters, presumably synthesized by the parasite, can be blocked by chemotherapeutic agents that would selectively act on the parasite-infected cells and not normal cells. This is of substantial importance as malaria is becoming increasingly refractory to the treatment through resistance of the parasite to many anti-malarials. Several classes of drugs are widely used therapeutically and prophylactically in malaria. The anti-folates—an example of such drug—inhibit DNA synthesis and include dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors and the sulfa drugs. The cinchona alkaloids or quinoline containing drugs include quinine and its derivatives (chloroquine, amodiaquine, and mefloquine) that are the more frequently used. Other anti-malarials are gaining importance as resistance mounts and include the tetracyclines and the artemisinin derivatives. Drugs, such as the chalcones (1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-lone), have been identified as novel potential anti-malarials. The series screened in vitro showed activity against both chloroquine sensitive and resistant strains of P. falciparum in the nanomolar range.
Question Answering System using Open Source Software

To get the answers of a question there are lots of search engine availbale. But the problem with the search engine is that instead of giving a straight forrward answer they usually gives the links/URL to the webpages which might have the answers. Instead of providing links Question Answering System will provide the straighforward answer to user's question. Tasks intended by the project : • Takes question as an input from the user. • Analyses the sentiment behinds the question. • Lookover the information availbale in the knowledge base related to question. • Compute the answer of the question from the knowledge base. • Present the answer to the user if it is available. Strightforward answer will be very useful and time efficient and it is really helpful for the users who are using small screen devices, since in those devices it is very hard to find answers in webpage with lots of irrelevant content.
Small states, small problems?

Small states have attracted a good deal of research. The authors test whether micro-states are any different from other states in income, growth, and volatility. They find that, controlling for location, smaller states are actually richer than other states in per capita GDP. This income advantage largely reflects a productivity advantage--evidence against the idea that micro-states are unable to exploit increasing rates of return to scale. Small states do not have different per capita growth rates, with or without controls. Their annual growth rates are more volatile, partly because of their greater volatility in responses to terms-of-trade shocks--to which they are exposed because of their greater openness pays off positively in growth. The authors do recommend that small states diversify their risk by opening up more to international capital markets, although the benefits of doing so are still unresolved in the literature. In general, they conclude, small states are nor different from large states and should receive the same policy advice large states do.
Performance of Frequency-Time MMSE Equalizer for MC-CDMA over Multipath Fading Channel

A cyclic prefix of sufficient length is inserted (longer than the maximum delay spread of the channel) in Multi-Carrier CDMA (MC-CDMA) transmission over dispersive channels such that the channel, as seen by subcarrier, is a simple multiplicative distortion in the frequency domain, that can be compensated for by a one-tap Frequency Equalizer (FE). If, in addition to the spectral inefficiency caused by insertion of the cyclic prefix, the delay spread should exceed the designed prefix length, the FE will attempt to compensate for the mismatched signal model and the system performance will degrade significantly. In this paper, we derive a multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) model for received signal in synchronous MC-CDMA system over a multipath channel. Based on this model, a Frequency-Time MMSE Equalizer (FTE) is proposed. The performance of the FTE is studied as a function of key system parameters, such as prefix length and number of subcarriers, as well as sensitivity to channel estimation errors. The numerical result shows that system performance degradation due to insufficient guard time can be recovered with the FTE; i.e., full spectral efficiency can be achieved at the price of additional receiver complexity.
Pseudoisozymes of Hepatic Tyrosine Aminotransferase

Abstract Dexamethasone, insulin, and serum induce an additive increase in the activity of tyrosine aminotransferase (l-tyrosine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.5) in hepatoma cells in tissue culture. By the criteria of immunotitration, heat stability, and electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels, we have shown previously that all three effectors increase the cellular concentration of the same protein (Gelehrter, T. D., Emanuel, J. R., Spencer, C. J. (1972) J. Biol. Chem. 247, 6197–6203). During the course of these studies however, we observed an apparent isozyme of tyrosine aminotransferase whose activity is not enhanced by these three inducers. This minor, more cathodal form is also a heat-stable, cytoplasmic enzyme which differs from the major anodal form in net charge but not molecular weight. Unlike the anodal form, however, this enzyme can utilize oxalacetate in place of α-ketoglutarate in the transamination of tyrosine, and can transaminate aspartate as well as tyrosine. A similar, heatstable, cathodal form with these same biochemical properties has also been found in cytoplasmic extracts of adult and fetal rat liver. We have used immunologic criteria to characterize further the apparent heterogeneity of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase. Incubation of extracts of hepatoma cells, and adult, and fetal rat liver with antiserum to purified rat liver soluble tyrosine aminotransferase inactivates only the anodal enzyme; whereas incubation with antiserum to purified pig heart soluble aspartate aminotransferase (l-aspartate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.1) inactivates only the cathodal form. Thus, the latter activity presumably represents cytosol aspartate aminotransferase which, because of its broad substrate specificity for aromatic amino acids, was detected as a "pseudoisozyme" of tyrosine aminotransferase. These observations stress the need for caution in the interpretation of apparent multiple forms of enzymes.
Strong solidity of group factors from lattices in SO(n,1) and SU(n,1)

Abstract We show that the group factors LΓ, where Γ is an ICC lattice in either SO ( n , 1 ) or SU ( n , 1 ) , n ⩾ 2 , are strongly solid in the sense of Ozawa and Popa (2010) [13] . This strengthens a result of Ozawa and Popa (2010) [14] showing that these factors do not have Cartan subalgebras.
Novel investigational therapies for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension

Introduction: Despite the development of new therapies, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has a median survival of 6 – 7 years. This is likely because the currently approved therapies affect predominantly pulmonary vasoconstriction. The past two decades have witnessed greater insights into the pathogenesis of PAH, from the role of inflammation to molecular signaling and epigenetics. Multiple pharmacological agents targeting these newly identified pathways are currently being investigated in preclinical and early clinical studies.Areas covered: Herein, the authors review the modalities targeting recently identified molecular targets in PAH. These include: prostaglandin receptor agonists, agents that alter the cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathways, vasoactive peptides, receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Rho-kinase inhibitors, serotonin pathway inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, antioxidants, agents that alter nitric oxide signaling, various cardiac medications, ...
Regulation of Latent Membrane Protein 1 Signaling through Interaction with Cytoskeletal Proteins

UNLABELLED Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) induces constitutive signaling in EBV-infected cells to ensure the survival of the latently infected cells. LMP1 is localized to lipid raft domains to induce signaling. In the present study, a genome-wide screen based on bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) was performed to identify LMP1-binding proteins. Several actin cytoskeleton-associated proteins were identified in the screen. Overexpression of these proteins affected LMP1-induced signaling. BiFC between the identified proteins and LMP1 was localized to lipid raft domains and was dependent on LMP1-induced signaling. Proximity biotinylation assays with LMP1 induced biotinylation of the actin-associated proteins, which were shifted in molecular mass. Together, the findings of this study suggest that the association of LMP1 with lipid rafts is mediated at least in part through interactions with the actin cytoskeleton. IMPORTANCE LMP1 signaling requires oligomerization, lipid raft partitioning, and binding to cellular adaptors. The current study utilized a genome-wide screen to identify several actin-associated proteins as candidate LMP1-binding proteins. The interaction between LMP1 and these proteins was localized to lipid rafts and dependent on LMP1 signaling. This suggests that the association of LMP1 with lipid rafts is mediated through interactions with actin-associated proteins.
Revista Romanica Silesiana n. 2 – La réécriture dans la littérature québécoise. Katowice: Universidade Slaskiego (Polônia, 2007).

Resenha da Revista Romanica Silesiana n. 2 – La reecriture dans la litterature quebecoise. Katowice: Universidade Slaskiego (Polonia, 2007).
SYMEVAL: A Theorem Prover Based on the Experimental Logic

SYMEVAL is a theorem prover which is based on a rather simple, yet effective principle about deduction, namely that deduction is fundamentally a process of replacing expressions by logically equivalent simpler expressions. To facilitate this principle, an experimental logic called Symmetric Logic has been developed. The symmetric logic is a collection of rewrite rules regarding propositional and quantificational logic, equality and abstraction logic. The deduction process is implicitly controlled by the way the rewrite rules of the system are constructed. In particular, quantification rules of the symmetric logic are designed so as to reduce the scope of quantifiers in order to eliminate them. [Brown1] gives a detailed description of the symmetric logic, the theorem prover SYMEVAL, the user interface and some example runs. S~WIEVAL is implemented in Zetalisp on a Symbolics lisp machine.