cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of coccidiosis on the distribution of dietary lutein in the chick.

A series of experiments was run to determine whether the distribution of dietary carotenoids in chick plasma and tissue was dependent upon a saturable carrier, and to observe how infection with Eimeria acervulina affected this distribution. Broiler (Hubbard x Hubbard) and Sex Sal (Rhode Island Red x White Rock) chicks were fed a white corn and soybean meal-based diet supplemented with varying levels of a commercial lutein concentrate. Plasma, small intestine, and liver were analyzed for lutein. In the first experi­ ment, mean plasma values in control broiler chicks increased linearly from 0 to 200 ppm supplementation. Mean plasma values of infected chicks were decreased an average of 71% as compared with controls, and reached a plateau between 100 and 200 ppm dietary lutein. In the second experiment, plasma, small intestinal, and liver lutein levels in broiler chicks reached a plateau between 200 and 500 ppm. In the third experiment, plasma and liver values in Sex Sal chicks leveled off between 250 and 500 ppm whereas levels in the small intestine increased linearly. Infection of the Sex Sal chicks at 3 wk of age with E. acervulina caused plasma lutein levels to be reduced about 88%, small intestinal levels 76%, and liver levels 72%. Supplementation with 500 ppm resulted in higher proportions of lutein in tissues. Infection with E. acervulina shifted the ratios to even higher proportions in the tissues at all supplementation levels. The results of the current study are consistent with the hypothesis that a carrier is required to mobilize lutein from tissues (particularly the intestinal mucosa) to the plasma, and further, that E. acervulina infection adversely affects levels of this carrier. (Key words: chick, coccidiosis, malabsorption, lutein, tissues)
Religious Identity, Religious Attendance, and Parental Control

Using a national sample of adolescents aged 10-18 years and their parents (N = 5,117), this article examines whether parental religious identity and religious participation are associated with the ways in which parents control their children. We hypothesize that both religious orthodoxy and weekly religious attendance are related to heightened levels of three elements of parental control: monitoring activities, normative regulations, and network closure. Results indicate that an orthodox religious identity for Catholic and Protestant parents and higher levels of religious attendance for parents as a whole are associated with increases in monitoring activities and normative regulations of American adolescents.
On m-accretive Schrödinger operators in Lp-spaces on manifolds of bounded geometry

Abstract Let ( M , g ) be a manifold of bounded geometry with metric g . We consider a Schrodinger-type differential expression H = Δ M + V , where Δ M is the scalar Laplacian on M and V is a nonnegative locally integrable function on M . We give a sufficient condition for H to have an m -accretive realization in the space L p ( M ) , where 1 p + ∞ . The proof uses Kato's inequality and L p -theory of elliptic operators on Riemannian manifolds.
Ureteral Access Sheath Facilitates Inspection of Incision of Ureteropelvic Junction

ABSTRACTPurpose: The Acucise (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, California) electrocautery balloon is a highly successful device used in managing congenital and secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Correct orientation of the cutting wire is essential during insertion of the Acucise catheter to avoid injury to crossing vessels. Moreover, confirmation of the lateral ureteropelvic junction incision is typically verified by fluoroscopic identification of extravasated contrast material. We describe a technique of facilitated passage of the Acucise balloon through a ureteral access sheath followed by ureteroscopic visualization of the incision, affording the opportunity to improve the incision with the holmium laser if necessary.Materials and Methods: After retrograde pyelography and guidewire placement, a 12/14Fr, 35 cm. ureteral access sheath is fluoroscopically introduced to the proximal ureter. The Acucise balloon is advanced across the ureteropelvic junction and the balloon is partially inf...
RORTY ON REALISM AND CONSTRUCTIVISM

Abstract: This article argues that we can and should recognize the mind dependence, epistemic dependence, and social dependence of theories of mind-independent reality, as opposed to Rorty, who thinks not even a constructivist theory of mind-independent reality can be had. It accuses Rorty of creating an equivocation or “dualism of scheme and content” between causation and justification based on various “Davidsonian” irrelevancies, not to be confused with the actual Davidson. These include the Principle of Charity, the attack against conceptual schemes, the linguistification of social practice, intersubjectivism, and causal naturalism. It follows that realists and constructivists need neither follow Rorty's mischaracterizations nor succumb to his internal paradoxes.
Radiofrequency tumor ablation: principles and techniques

Radiofrequency (RF) tumor ablation has been demonstrated as a reliable method for creating thermally induced coagulation necrosis using either a percutaneous approach with image-guidance or direct surgical placement of thin electrodes into tissues to be treated. Early clinical trials with this technology have studied the treatment of hepatic, cerebral, and bony malignancies. However, more recently this technology has been used to treat a host of malignant processes throughout the body. This article will discuss the principles and technical considerations of RF ablation with the goal of defining optimal parameters for the therapy of focal lesions. This includes technologic innovations that permit large volume tumor ablation (i.e., hooked and internally cooled electrodes), as well as methods and adjuvant therapies that can modulate tumor biophysiology to permit improved tumor destruction (i.e, altered tissue conductivity and blood flow). Potential biophysical limitations to RF induced coagulation, such as perfusion mediated tissue cooling (vascular flow) will likewise be discussed. Lastly, the principles governing safe usage of the system, such as proper grounding pad placement, will be adressed.
SPECIFICITY OF THE INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE IN VIRAL ENCEPHALITIS I. ADOPTIVE IMMUNIZATION OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSED MICE INFECTED WITH SINDBIS VIRUS

The viral-induced perivascular inflammatory response in Sindbis virus encephalitis of mice was shown to be immunologically specific. Mice were inoculated intracerebrally with Sindbis virus, and 24 hr later a single dose of cyclophosphamide was given which ablated the inflammatory response. 3 days after virus inoculation, cells and/or sera from specifically and nonspecifically sensitized donor mice were given, and the inflammatory reactions, virus content, and antibody response of recipients were examined 5 days later. Reconstitution of the viral inflammatory response required virus-specific sensitized lymph node cells and was enhanced when these lymph node cells were combined with bone marrow cells. Reconstitution was not achieved with Sindbis virus immune serum even when combined with nonspecifically sensitized cells. Combination of immune serum with Sindbis virus-sensitized cells did not produce an accentuation of the reaction. In distinction, reconstitution of the inflammatory reaction surrounding the stab wound was reconstituted with bone marrow cells from mice inoculated with Sindbis virus or control antigens. Reconstitution of the perivascular reaction was associated with a reduction in brain virus content. Although the transfer of Sindbis virus-sensitized lymph node cells and bone marrow cells resulted in the limited production of neutralizing antibody in the immunosuppressed recipient, the reduction in virus was significantly greater with the transfers of Sindbis virus-sensitized lymph node cells than with the passive transfer of immune serum alone.
Performance evaluation of a dynamic priority mechanism for the p/sub i/-persistent protocol for metropolitan area networks

The p/sub i/-persistent protocol, a probabilistic scheduling that is suitable for multiple-access communication applications requiring large bandwidth over very long distances, is considered. A dynamic control algorithm for the multipriority p/sub i/-persistent protocol that makes it possible to adapt to changing network conditions in a fully distributed manner is presented. Through a simulation model, the performance of the dynamic algorithm under various changing network scenarios is studied, and the ability of the protocol to provide the desired quality of service to each priority class of traffic is demonstrated. >
The effect of a translating research into practice intervention to promote use of evidence-based fall prevention interventions in hospitalized adults: A prospective pre–post implementation study in the U.S.

Abstract Background Falls are a major public health problem internationally. Many hospitals have implemented fall risk assessment tools, but few have implemented interventions to mitigate patient-specific fall risks. Little research has been done to examine the effect of implementing evidence-based fall prevention interventions to mitigate patient-specific fall risk factors in hospitalized adults. Objectives To evaluate the impact of implementing, in 3 U.S. hospitals, evidence-based fall prevention interventions targeted to patient-specific fall risk factors (Targeted Risk Factor Fall Prevention Bundle). Fall rates, fall injury rates, types of fall injuries and adoption of the Targeted Risk Factor Fall Prevention Bundle were compared prior to and following implementation. Design A prospective pre–post implementation cohort design. Setting Thirteen adult medical-surgical units from three community hospitals in the Midwest region of the U.S. Participants Nurses who were employed at least 20hours/week, provided direct patient care, and licensed as an RN (n=157 pre; 140 post); and medical records of patients 21years of age or older, who received care on the study unit for more than 24hours during the designated data collection period (n=390 pre and post). Methods A multi-faceted Translating Research Into Practice Intervention was used to implement the Targeted Risk Factor Fall Prevention Bundle composed of evidence-based fall prevention interventions designed to mitigate patient-specific fall risks. Dependent variables (fall rates, fall injury rates, fall injury type, use of Targeted Risk Factor Fall Prevention Bundle) were collected at baseline, and following completion of the 15month implementation phase. Nurse questionnaires included the Stage of Adoption Scale, and the Use of Research Findings in Practice Scale to measure adoption of evidence-based fall prevention practices. A Medical Record Abstract Form was used to abstract data about use of targeted risk-specific fall prevention interventions. Number of falls, and number and types of fall injuries were collected for each study unit for 3months pre- and post-implementation. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis. Results Fall rates declined 22% ( p =0.09). Types of fall injuries changed from major and moderate to minor injuries. Fall injury rates did not decline. Use of fall prevention interventions improved significantly ( p Conclusions Using the Translating Research Into Practice intervention promoted use of many evidence-based fall prevention interventions to mitigate patient-specific fall risk factors in hospitalized adults.
How is SUV affected by counting statistics in current clinical practice

1226 Objectives Three-dimensional (3D) PET-CT studies using dose suitable for 2D acquisition has resulted in enhanced sensitivity (1). However, it is not clear how quantitation is affected by a decrease in dose or the imaging time. We have evaluated the precision of standardized uptake value (SUV) with the objective of reducing the dose using 3D acquisition. Methods Twenty five consecutive PET-CT studies using 15 mCi F18-FDG were evaluated retrospectively. All studies were acquired in list mode (LM) and images were reconstructed with 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3-min-per bed position. They were evaluated by a board certified nuclear medicine physician, who was aware of the clinical diagnoses, in terms of the image quality with selected lesions measured in size, maximum SUV (SUVm), and average SUV (SUVavg) at each time interval. A large region of interest was drawn in the normal liver and SUVavg as well as SUVm were quantified to serve as a reference to biodistribution. Results Statistically significant differences in SUVm and SUVavg were found only at 0.5 min compared to 3 min acquisition with variation at other time intervals decreasing as they approach to 3 min. Alternatively, the Bland Altman plots demonstrated decreasing mean differences, and hence, smaller standard deviation from these differences, to be in very good agreement between 2, 2.5 and 3 min acquisitions. Conclusions We have demonstrated a threshold beyond which the quantitation can be confidently reported with minimal variation. Furthermore, we can confidently decrease either injected dose or imaging time without compromising the validity of SUVs from previous studies
The Immortal, the Intrinsic and the Quasi Meaning of Life

Through the examination of the lives (or afterlives) of several immortal beings, this paper defends a version of Moritz Schlick’s claim that the meaning of life is play. More precisely: a person’s life has meaning to the extent it there are things in it that the person values (1) intrinsically rather than merely instrumentally and (2) above a certain threshold of intensity. This is a subjectivist account of meaning in life. I defend subjectivism about meaning in life from common objections by understanding statements about life’s meaning in quasi-realist terms.
Broadband electromagnetic metamaterials with reconfigurable fluid channels

We present the design, characterization, and experimental verification of broadband and tunable metamaterials based on reconfigurable fluid channels. We demonstrate through simulation that a finite-height cylinder of water in a background medium behaves as a nonresonant metamaterial. By changing liquid type or adjusting liquid level, we tune the effective material parameters of the metamaterial through altering the composition and amount of water used. We verify the efficacy of the metamaterial through experiment, demonstrating a design procedure for a metamaterial with broadband and tunable properties.
CONIDIAL NUCLEI IN THREE SPECIES OF DIATRYPACEAE AND DIAPORTHE VACCINII

Morphology of conidial nuclei in Cryptosphaeria populina, Eutypella vitis, and Diatrype stigma was studied and compared with that of nuclei in conidia of Diaporthe vaccinii. Giemsa and DAPI stains revealed that the diatrypaceous conidial nuclei were elongate and centrally located, often occupying a large cellular volume. Diaporthe vaccinii beta conidial nuclei were shorter and located near the basal ends of spores, while those of alpha conidia were ovoid and usually in the central regions of the spores. Similarities between conidial nuclei of diatrypaceous and xylariaceous fungi are noted. The significance of these findings in relation to the taxonomy of the Diatrypaceae, Xylariaceae, and Diaporthales is discussed.
Information theory and polyhedral combinatorics

The theory of extended formulations is concerned with the optimal polyhedral representation of a (combinatorial) optimization problem. In this context, information-theoretic methods recently gained significant attention as a convenient way to provide strong lower bounds on the size of such representations. We will provide an introduction to information-theoretic methods in extended formulations, an overview of recent results, and discuss important open problems in extended formulations, which might be amenable to information-theoretic approaches.
Transforming Straight Guilt Into Collective Action for LGBs via Close Cross-Group Friendships A Gender-Moderated Process

In the current study, I tested a gender-moderated process model to explain when members of one relatively privileged group are oriented toward collective action for the rights of a relatively disadvantaged group. My model integrated three factors—gender, collective guilt, and close cross-group friendships—to explain collective action. I expected that among women collective guilt would not directly increase collective action, but having more close friendships with members of a disadvantaged group, an other-focused experience, would override the self-focused experience of collective guilt, and redirect guilt toward collective action. I tested the predictions in the context of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) rights. The sample of 85 undergraduates who self-identified as straight was racially diverse and ranged from 17 to 41 years old. Participants reported collective guilt, the extent of close friendships with people who are LGB, and their willingness to engage in collective action for LGB rights. Among wom...
Population-based study of outcomes of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) compared to non-JIA subjects

Abstract Objective Evaluate healthcare utilization and occurrence of comorbidities in a population-based cohort of patients of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with an age- and sex-matched comparator group. Methods Prevalent cases of JIA in 1994–2013 were identified in Olmsted County, Minnesota, along with age- and sex-matched non-JIA comparators. Surgeries, hospitalizations, pregnancies, and comorbidities were identified by medical record review. Poisson methods were used to generate rate ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to compare outcomes between JIA and non-JIA cohorts separately during childhood (age Results A total of 89 JIA and 89 non-JIA comparators were identified [64% female; mean (SD) age 8.6 (5.1) years at JIA incidence/index date and mean follow-up in childhood 6.3 (4.4) years for JIA; similar for comparators]. Among them, 38 pairs had follow-up into adulthood with mean follow-up of 8.0 (5.5) years for JIA. Children with JIA were more likely to have joint surgery (RR = 3.93, 95% CI: 1.18–24.94), non-joint surgery (RR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.05–3.67), and hospitalizations (RR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.04–5.53) than non-JIA comparators. As adults only joint surgeries remained significantly different (RR = 8.5, 95% CI: 2.27–120.1). Depression during childhood was more common in JIA (RR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.01–6.13). There were no differences in educational achievement, employment status, or pregnancy outcomes between the 2 groups. Conclusions In a population-based cohort, inpatient healthcare utilization is higher for patients with JIA including surgery and hospitalization during childhood but not extending into adulthood. Understanding long-term comorbidities and healthcare needs for patients with JIA is necessary to provide comprehensive care.
Natural User-Controlled Ambulation of Lower Extremity Exoskeletons for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Natural-quality, independent ambulation is a prerequisite for community use of lower extremity exoskeletons by individuals with disabilities. In general, current exoskeletons generate pre-programmed gait, where the user cannot exercise volitional control necessary to navigate over uneven surfaces and avoid obstacles. This project introduces an intuitive control strategy that allows the user to determine and sense the exoskeleton movement in real time using trajectories produced by the hands. The concept allows neurally defined ambulation control to be expressed through alternative biological articulators. This novel approach uses admittance control to compute each exoskeleton’s foot position from Cartesian forces exerted by the user’s hand on a trekking pole that is connected to foot through a multi-axis load cell. The algorithm has been evaluated by naive, non-disabled users who walked a 10 degree of freedom, ½ scale biped robot on a treadmill. The results show that the algorithm produced robot-generated gait kinematics that are similar to human gait kinematics. A human-scale exoskeleton has been developed to allow further exploration of this control method.
Biochar characterization and a method for estimating biochar quality from proximate analysis results

Biochar has gained significant interest in the literature, mainly for its ability to improve soil quality and sequester carbon. This work investigated if results from proximate analysis could be used to assess the quality of the biochar. Normally, ultimate analysis results are used for this purpose. A large set of data was collected from literature and various mathematical correlation were investigated to determine if quality parameters such as carbon mass fraction and H/C and O/C mol ratios could be estimated from proximate analysis results. It was determined that the mass fraction of carbon in the biochar could be correlated to the mass fractions of volatile matter (VM), fixed carbon (FC), and ash (ASH) by the relationship C = 0.474 × VM+0.963 × FC+0.067 × ASH. The mass fraction of oxygen in biochar could also be correlated to VM, FC, and ASH, while hydrogen was best correlated to a relationship with VM, FC, and VM/FC. Atomic ratios, such as H/C and O/C, used for biochar classification by international standards and carbon sequestration potential, were best correlated to VM/FC by the expressions H/C = 0.379 × VM/FC+0.251 and O/C = 0.188 × VM/FC+0.035. The developed correlations were proven to accurately classify biochar when the biochar had been made at ≥400 °C.
Adaptive Control for Weakly Minimum Phase Linear Infinite-Dimensional Systems in Hilbert Space Using a Zero Filter

Given a linear continuous-time infinite-dimensional plant on a Hilbert space and disturbances of known waveform but unknown amplitude and phase, we show that there exists a stabilizing direct model reference adaptive control law with persistent disturbance rejection and robustness properties. The plant is described by a closed, densely defined linear operator that generates a continuous semigroup of bounded operators on the Hilbert space of states. For this paper, the plant will be weakly minimum phase, i.e., there will be a finite number of unstable zeros with real part equal to zero. All other zeros will be exponentially stable.
Upregulating the positive affect system in anxiety and depression: Outcomes of a positive activity intervention

Author(s): Taylor, Charles T; Lyubomirsky, Sonja; Stein, Murray B | Abstract: BackgroundResearch suggests that the positive affect system may be an important yet underexplored treatment target in anxiety and depression. Existing interventions primarily target the negative affect system, yielding modest effects on measures of positive emotions and associated outcomes (e.g., psychological well-being). The objective of the present pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new transdiagnostic positive activity intervention (PAI) for anxiety and depression.MethodTwenty-nine treatment-seeking individuals presenting with clinically impairing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression were randomly allocated to a 10-session protocol comprised of PAIs previously shown in nonclinical samples to improve positive thinking, emotions, and behaviors (e.g., gratitude, acts of kindness, optimism; n = 16) or a waitlist (WL) condition (n = 13). Participants were assessed at pre- and posttreatment, as well as 3- and 6-month follow-up, on measures of positive and negative affect, symptoms, and psychological well-being. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02330627 RESULTS: The PAI group displayed significantly larger improvements in positive affect and psychological well-being from pre- to posttreatment compared to WL. Posttreatment and follow-up scores in the PAI group were comparable to general population norms. The PAI regimen also resulted in significantly larger reductions in negative affect, as well as anxiety and depression symptoms, compared to WL. Improvements across all outcomes were large in magnitude and maintained over a 6-month follow-up period.ConclusionsTargeting the positive affect system through a multicomponent PAI regimen may be beneficial for generating improvements in positive emotions and well-being, as well as reducing negative affect and symptoms, in individuals with clinically impairing anxiety or depression.
A three-dimensional spatial mapping approach to quantify fine-scale heterogeneity among leaves within canopies.

Premise of the study: The three-dimensional structure of tree canopies creates environmental heterogeneity, which can differentially influence the chemistry, morphology, physiology, and/or phenology of leaves. Previous studies that subdivide canopy leaves into broad categories (i.e., “upper/lower”) fail to capture the differences in microenvironments experienced by leaves throughout the three-dimensional space of a canopy. Methods: We use a three-dimensional spatial mapping approach based on spherical polar coordinates to examine the fine-scale spatial distributions of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and the concentration of ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing compounds (A300) among leaves within the canopies of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans). Results: Linear regressions revealed that interior leaves received less PAR and produced fewer UV-absorbing compounds than leaves on the exterior of the canopy. By allocating more UV-absorbing compounds to the leaves on the exterior of the canopy, black mang...
Common Injuries in Professional Football Quarterbacks

Professional football quarterbacks are at particular risk for upper extremity injuries due to the physical demands of their position coupled with the inherent risks associated with professional football. This review sought to evaluate current clinical literature to better characterize the injury profile unique to this athletic population. Shoulder injuries are the most prevented upper extremity injury among professional football quarterbacks. The quarterback position is disproportionately impacted by shoulder injuries when compared to professional athletes at other positions. Moreover, contrary to other professional throwing athletes, the majority of upper extremity injuries in the professional quarterback result from direct contact as opposed to the throwing motion. The injury profile among professional quarterbacks is unique compared to other positions and other overhead professional throwing athletes. Overall, a paucity of high quality clinical evidence exists to support the management of injuries in this elite population.
Quantitative morphological analysis of microvasculature in thyroid nodules using non-contrast high-resolution Doppler imaging

We hypothesize that pattern of microvasculature in the thyroid nodules can be a biomarker of thyroid cancer. In this study, morphological features of microvasculature networks are assessed as potential biomarkers for differentiation of benign, suspicious and malignant thyroid nodules. This prospective study included n = 81 patients, with a total of 61 benign, 12 suspicious and 8 malignant nodules verfied by pathology and cytology findings. Thyroid nodules were first identified using conventional B-mode ultrasound. A sequence of raw ultrasound data were acquired from each nodule site in two perpendicular planes at ~600 frames/sec. Power Doppler image of the microvasculature was formed using singular value decomposition clutter removal filtering. Gross images were further processed using a combination of morphology and Hessian-based vessel enhancement filtering. Background-free images of the microvasculature networks were segmented (vessels segment length >385μm and diameter >90μm) for morphological analysis. Using a Bayesian framework, measures of vessels density, diameter and tortuosity were tested for significant differences in the three groups. Among all measures, the probability of vessel diameter >600μm in benign cases was significantly higher than that in malignant cases with the p-value <0.01 using Wilcoxon-Rank-Sum test, suggesting reliable cancer detection performance of the proposed method. [Acknowledgment: NIH Grant EB17213.]
HIV Testing in the Emergency Department

This review explores data from the past 5 years with regard to HIV testing and diagnosis in the emergency department, as well downstream linkage to care and several adjuvant approaches. We offer perspectives on futures directions for care. There are many approaches to HIV testing in the ED. The largest overarching question is that of testing strategies (universal vs targeted, opt in vs out), where data is mixed and there is a lack of randomized control trials. Other studies address different aspects of ED testing, including where to integrate testing into ED workflow, and supplementary approaches such as electronic tablets. In the USA, the emergency department plays a unique role in healthcare and is positioned to offer significant benefits to HIV testing and diagnosis. There are many ways to improve HIV testing rates, and we await further controlled trials to determine an optimal approach.
The Prize Collecting Traveling Salesman Problem and its Applications

Few combinatorial optimization problems have such widespread applicability as the traveling salesman problem (TSP). Practically any situation involving decisions that affect the sequence in which various actions, tasks or operations are to be executed, has a TSP aspect to it. Often such problems can be formulated as special TSP instances, but even more frequently the problem at hand turns out to be some “relative” of the TSP, or, mathematically speaking, some generalization of the TSP.
Integral Equation Solution for Transonic and Subsonic Aerodynamics

Two methods are presented to solve for the subsonic and transonic flows around airfoils. The first method is based on the integral solution of the full-potential equation with a shock-capturing technique only or with shock capturing-shock fitting technique. In the second method, the integral solution of the full potential equation is coupled with an embedded region of Euler equations around the shock location. The second method is a computationally efficient technique for flows with strong shocks where the entropy increase and vorticity production across the shock are not small. Several numerical examples are presented and compared with the experimental data and other computational results.
Cartographic Symbols Depicting Ecoregion Properties

The goal of this study was to develop a visual language about ecoregion properties which allowed for customisation at various spatial scales and delineations. The sub-objectives of this study were to: (1) determine a range of data values for the biophysical variables typical of global ecoregions, (2) develop a methodology to create multivariate symbols depicting ecoregion properties, and (3) demonstrate the symbol design with a set of Colorado ecoregions. Multivariate symbols were created to represent the complex array of biophysical properties associated with ecoregions, including temperature, precipitation, landforms, lithology, and representative vegetation. The symbol design accommodated more than 23 temperature and precipitation levels and multiple nested landform categories. Further research into the perception and cognition of sub-elements, as well as their application to a variety of ecoregion definitions will help to hone this prototypical symbol framework. The development of multivariate symbols is a concise tool to communicate complex interrelationships in a way that is not possible with single variable symbols.
Video Gambling Adoption and Tax Revenues: Evidence from Illinois

Illinois legalized video gambling in 2009 but afforded municipalities the option of allowing or prohibiting it within their jurisdictions. Using municipal‐level data, this paper seeks to shed light on the underlying factors influencing this decision process and, conditional on adoption, the primary drivers of video gambling tax revenues. The analysis suggests that political and moral considerations, rather than fiscal needs or defensive legalization, underpin the decision to adopt. Conditional on adoption, the exposure to and prevalence of video gambling is associated with greater tax revenues. Video gambling also appears to be a substitute for casino gambling, leading to some intra‐industry cannibalization.
Quantifying robustness of DFT predicted pathways and activity determining elementary steps for electrochemical reactions.

Density functional theory calculations are being routinely used to screen for new catalysts. Typically, this involves invoking scaling relations leading to the Sabatier-type volcano relationship for the catalytic activity, where each leg represents a unique potential determining an elementary step. The success of such screening efforts relies heavily not only on the prediction robustness of the activity determining step, but also on the choice of the descriptor. This becomes even more important as these methods are being applied to determine selectivity between a variety of possible reaction products. In this work, we develop a framework to quantify the confidence in the classification problem of identifying the potential determining step for material candidates and subsequently the pathway selectivity toward different reaction products. We define a quantity termed as the classification efficiency, which is a quantitative metric to rank descriptors on the basis of robustness of predictions for identifying selectivity toward different reaction products and the limiting step for the corresponding pathway. We demonstrate this approach for the reactions of oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution, and identify that ΔGOOH* is the optimal descriptor to classify between 2e− and 4e− oxygen reduction. We further show that ΔGOH* and ΔGOOH* have comparable performance in identifying the limiting step for 4e− oxygen reduction reaction. In the case of oxygen evolution, we study all possible 2 descriptor models and identify that {ΔGOOH*,ΔGO*} and {ΔGOH*,ΔGO*} both are highly efficient at classifying between 2e− and 4e− water oxidation. The presented methodology can directly be applied to other multi-electron electrochemical reactions such as CO2 and N2 reduction for improved mechanistic insights.
Cerebral oxygenation in preterm infants receiving transfusion

The influence of severity of anemia and cardiac output (CO) on cerebral oxygenation (CrSO2) and on the change in CrSO2 following packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion in preterm infants has not been evaluated. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the effect of pre-transfusion hemoglobin (Hb) and CO-weighted oxygen delivery index (ODI) on CrSO2 and on the post-transfusion CrSO2 change. Preterm infants of <32 weeks gestational age (GA) receiving PRBC transfusion were enrolled. Infants received 15 ml/kg PRBC over 3 h. CrSO2 by near-infrared spectroscopy and CO by electrical velocimetry were recorded for 1 h pre-ransfusion and post transfusion. ODI was defined as pre-transfusion Hb × CO. Thirty infants of 26.6 ± 2.0 weeks GA were studied at 19 ± 12 days. Pre-transfusion Hb was 9.8 ± 0.6 g/dl. Pre-transfusion CrSO2 correlated with pre-transfusion ODI (R2 = 0.1528, p = .044) but not with Hb level. The pre-transfusion to post-transfusion CrSO2 change correlated with pre-transfusion ODI (R2 = 0.1764, p = .029) but not with Hb level. CrSO2 increased from 66 ± 6% to 72 ± 7% post transfusion (p < .001), while arterial oxygen saturation, heart rate, and CO did not change. In these infants, the pre-transfusion ODI was a better indicator of brain oxygenation and its improvement post transfusion than Hb alone. The role of CO and tissue oxygenation monitoring in assessing the need for transfusion should be evaluated.
Internal carbon pricing: rationale, promise and limitations

In recent years, many firms have adopted the practice of putting a price on carbon for internal decision-making as a tool to achieve their carbon strategy goals. This article asks why firms would a...
Introduction: (Re)Turning to Truth

This book examines three Lukan narratives including an enslaved female character: Luke 22, Acts 12, and Acts 16. Utilizing the literary theory of Mikhael Bakhtin, narratology, and feminist hermeneutics, the voices of the enslaved women of Luke-Acts are brought to the surface of the narrative. Using Julia Kristeva’s concept of intertextuality, these passages in Luke-Acts are placed in dialogue with other ancient narratives, including Greek novels, the Apocryphal Acts of Apostles, and evidence from material culture as exhibited by ancient funerary monuments. This first chapter provides a broad overview of the methodological framework for this project, as well as the basic assumptions concerning the date, authorship, setting, and genre for the bodies of literature addressed and evidence from material culture.
Validating a Quick Spectral Modulation Detection Task.

OBJECTIVES The Quick Spectral Modulation Detection (QSMD) test provides a quick and clinically implementable spectral resolution estimate for cochlear implant (CI) users. However, the original QSMD software (QSMD(MySound)) has technical and usability limitations that prevent widespread distribution and implementation. In this article, we introduce a new software package EasyQSMD, which is freely available software with the goal of both simplifying and standardizing spectral resolution measurements. DESIGN QSMD was measured for 20 CI users using both software packages. RESULTS No differences between the two software packages were detected, and based on the 95% confidence interval of the difference between tests, the difference between the tests is expected to be <2% points. The average test duration was under 4 minutes. CONCLUSIONS EasyQSMD is considered functionally equivalent to QSMD(MySound) providing a clinically feasible and quick estimate of spectral resolution for CI users.
Estimating Cash Flows

Linking marketing activities and expenditures to financial performance requires translating the outcomes of marketing into cash flow. Cash flow estimates are essential for the evaluation of marketing plans, activities, and budgets. Estimating cash flows that are attributable to marketing activities is the most important input into the evaluation of marketing activities. Yet, it is also the most difficult part of the task of evaluation. This chapter explores approaches for and challenges associated with the estimation of cash flows.
P204 Comparing Website Data From Food Newsletter Subscribers with General “Organic” Search Traffic Data

Objective Assess demographic differences for a food website between online newsletter subscribers and general organic website visitors. “Organic” traffic arrives at a website through search engines vs. referring channels. Use of Theory or Research In-person programing is limited and the Internet has become a significant source for disseminating information, making it important to evaluate potential differences in users. Ninety-eight percent of ages 18-65+ use the Internet (Pew Research Center, 2018). Target Audience Adult food newsletter subscribers and organic website visitors interested in consumer food-related issues. Program Description The University's food website connects all Extension food-related areas on one “umbrella” website. Email newsletters are one part of the website. Evaluation Methods To assess online newsletter subscribers, a survey was distributed during 2018. Survey completion incentive was entry into a random gift card drawing. Google Analytics was used to assess 2018 organic website traffic. Results The website had more than 1.6 million users. Google Analytics showed over 80% of visitors found the website through an organic search. The newsletter subscribers survey (21% return rate; n = 992) indicated only 20% of respondents found the website through an organic search; other methods included electronic mailing list announcement (14%), professional conferences (13%), forward from email (13%), other (13%), and co-worker (11%). Though both data sets showed a website visitor age span of 18-65+ years, the highest percent of organic visitors was 25-34-years-old (30%) while 70% of newsletter subscribers fell into the 40-69-year-old range. Most subscribers (94%) were female compared to 65% of general visitors. Similar topics of interest for both groups were: food safety, storage, and cooking. Conclusions Data highlighted how using additional venues to promote website materials, such as newsletters, should be used beyond only placing content online. Newsletters may appeal to a more specific age and gender than organic search traffic. Though general topic interest may be similar, newsletter surveys helped tease out more specific interests. Funding None.
Transitioning house: a “safe umbrella” from criminal stigmatization?

Building on prior work on criminal stigma, this article presents empirical findings on how criminal stigma operates within a confined environment: a transitioning house in Chicago. The study adopts...
Best Practice Recommendations for Pediatric Otolaryngology during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ObjectiveTo review the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pediatric otolaryngology and provide recommendations for the management of children during the COVID-19 pandemic.Data Sources...
Parental Education on Youth Inhibitory Control in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study: Blacks' Diminished Returns.

Background: Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) youth are at a higher risk of high-risk behaviors compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) youth. Some of this racial gap is shown to be due to weaker effects of parental educational attainment on reducing the prevalence of behavioral risk factors such as impulsivity, substance use, aggression, obesity, and poor school performance for NHBs, a pattern called Minorities’ Diminished Returns. These diminishing returns may be due to lower than expected effects of parental education on inhibitory control. Aim: We compared NHW and NHB youth for the effect of parental educational attainment on youth inhibitory control, a psychological and cognitive construct that closely predicts high-risk behaviors such as the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis that included 4188 youth from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. The independent variable was parental educational attainment. The main outcome was youth inhibitory control measured by the stop-signal task (SST), which was validated by parent reports on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Results: In race/ethnicity-stratified models, high parental educational attainment was associated with a higher level of inhibitory control for NHB than NHW youth. In the pooled sample, race/ethnicity showed a statistically significant interaction with parental educational attainment on youth inhibitory control suggesting that high parental educational attainment has a smaller boosting effect on inhibitory control for NHB than NHW youth. Conclusion: Parental educational attainment boosts inhibitory control for NHW but not NHB youth. To minimize the racial gap in youth brain development, we need to address societal barriers that diminish the returns of family economic and human resources, particularly parental educational attainment, for racial and ethnic minority youth. Social and public policies should address structural and societal barriers such as social stratification, segregation, racism, and discrimination that hinder NHB parents’ abilities to effectively mobilize their human resources and secure tangible outcomes for their developing youth.
Pharmacological disinhibition enhances paced breathing following complete spinal cord injury in rats.

Abstract Respiratory dysfunction is one of the most devastating and life-threatening deficits that occurs following cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Assisted breathing with mechanical ventilators is a necessary part of care for many cervical injured individuals, but it is also associated with increased risk of secondary complications such as infection, muscle atrophy and maladaptive plasticity. Pre-clinical studies with epidural stimulation (EDS) have identified it as an alternative/additional method to support adequate lung ventilation without mechanical assistance. The full potential of EDS, however, may be limited by spinal inhibitory mechanisms within the injured spinal cord. The goal of the present work is to assess the potential improvement for EDS in combination with pharmacological disinhibition of spinal circuits following complete high cervical SCI. All experiments were performed in decerebrate, unanesthetized, non-paralyzed (n = 13) and paralyzed (n = 8) adult Sprague-Dawley rats 6 h following a complete C1 transection. The combination of high-frequency EDS (HF-EDS) at the C4 spinal segment with intrathecal delivery of GABA and glycine receptors antagonists (GABAzine and strychnine, respectively) resulted in significantly increased phrenic motor output, tidal volume and amplitude of diaphragm electrical activity compared to HF-EDS alone. Thus, it appears that spinal fast inhibitory mechanisms limit phrenic motor output and present a new neuropharmacological target to improve paced breathing in individuals with cervical SCI.
Confluence of 4G LTE, 5G, Fog, and Cloud Computing and Understanding Security Issues

“Cloud” is a commonly used word for multiple developments and possibilities. This is not an idea, but a “practical innovation,” merging many prior innovations into something fresh and convincing. In addition, cloud computing will help companies convert their existing server resources into complex ecosystems, increasing server capacity as necessary. Since “Fog Computing” as an extension of cloud computing, by placing resources to the edge of the network that minimizes latency and network congestion may be a comparatively a recent pattern. Although growing cloud and fog computing offer identical infrastructure and facilities, the latter is distinguished by low latency, with larger distribution and globally dispersed nodes to support contact with quality and time. In the near future, and with very fast network bandwidth as they call it 5G cloud computing and fog computing going to run the world and become more important and secure them is highly important too. People will no longer use PlayStation and X-box as devices but play digitally via cloud storage. Many self-drive cares often focus on cloud and fog computing to collect and communicate with the world through telecommunication.
Lithuania's Household Expenditures and Income: March 1992 – January 1993

In 1992, the Lithuanian Department of Statistics and Ministry of Social Welfare began a new household budget and expenditures survey to monitor changes in household welfare and expenditures. The primary purpose of the survey would also be used as the basis for the consumer price index, for assessing poverty and unemployment levels, and for evaluating the level and structure of income and consumption. The report provides an initial overview of the data, with particular attention to conditions for the low-income households and to changes occurring over the period of the survey in expenditures and income.
Effects of Demand Complexity on Echolalia in Students With Autism

Echolalia is a linguistic phenomenon common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. We examined the relationship between demand complexity and immediate echolalia in four students with an autism diagnosis in a university-based academic setting. Mastered and novel antecedent verbal demands that required an intraverbal response were systematically alternated using a multielement design to test whether participants’ immediate echolalia was socially mediated. Results showed that immediate echolalia was more likely to occur during complex novel intraverbal tasks than in any other condition. Implications for function-based treatment strategies are discussed.