cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
β-Hairpin Crowding Agents Affect α-Helix Stability in Crowded Environments

The dense, heterogeneous cellular environment is known to affect protein stability. It is now recognized that attractive “quinary” interactions with other biomacromolecules in the cell, referred to as the crowding agents, play a significant role in determining the stability of the protein of interest or test protein. These attractive interactions can reduce or overcome the stabilizing effect of the excluded volume of the crowding agents. However, the roles of specific interactions, such as hydrogen bonding and side chain–side chain hydrophobic interactions, are still unclear. Here, we use molecular simulation to investigate the roles played by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding between a small helical test protein and equally sized crowding agent proteins in a fixed β-hairpin configuration. The test protein and crowding agents are represented by a coarse-grained protein model, and we use multicanonical molecular dynamics to study the folding thermodynamics of the test protein. Our results confi...
Review of Paul Babie and Neville Rochow, Eds., Freedom of Religion Under Bills of Rights

Review of an interesting collection of comparative articles on the state of religious freedom in various Western countries, with critique of the church’s resistance to a bill of rights for Australia.
Atmospheric teleconnection patterns associated with severe and mild ice cover on the Great Lakes, 1963–2011

Atmospheric teleconnection circulation patterns associated with severe and mild ice cover over the Great Lakes are investigated using the composite analysis of lake ice data and National Center of Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data for the period 1963–2011. The teleconnection pattern associated with the severe ice cover is the combination of a negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) or Arctic Oscillation (AO) and negative phase of Pacific/North America (PNA) pattern, while the pattern associated with the mild ice cover is the combination of a positive PNA (or an El Nino) and a positive phase of the NAO/AO. These two extreme ice conditions are associated with the North American ridge–trough variations. The intensified ridge–trough system produces a strong northwest-to-southeast tilted ridge and trough and increases the anomalous northwesterly wind, advecting cold, dry Arctic air to the Great Lakes. The weakened ridge–trough system produces a flattened ridge and trough, and promotes a climatological westerly wind, advecting warm, dry air from western North America to the Great Lakes. Although ice cover for all the individual lakes responds roughly linearly and symmetrically to both phases of the NAO/AO, and roughly nonlinearly and asymmetrically to El Nino and La Nina events, the overall ice cover response to individual NAO/AO or Nino3.4 index is not statistically significant. The combined NAO/AO and Nino3.4 indices can be used to reliably project severe ice cover during the simultaneous –NAO/AO and La Nina events, and mild ice cover during the simultaneous +NAO/AO and El Nino events.
The Gastric Augment Single Pedicle Tube Catheterizable Stoma: A Useful Adjunct to Reconstruction of the Urinary Tract

Since 1990 we have used stomach for bladder augmentation and continent urinary diversions in 73 patients, of whom 15 received a gastric tube catheterizable stoma and are the subject of this report. The gastric tube receives its blood supply from the same vascular pedicle as the gastric patch and, therefore, it can be moved anywhere along with the patch. The tube is then reimplanted in the reservoir or bladder following the Mitrofanoff principle and brought to the skin as a catheterizable stoma. Patient age ranged from 12 to 60 years. Three patients underwent augmentation cystoplasty and 12 received a composite gastrointestinal continent reservoir (in 10 a prior bowel conduit was detubularized and used as part of the reservoir). The appendix was either previously removed (10 patients) or not suitable as a catheterizable limb (4). All patients are continent. Catheters used to empty the reservoir varied from 12F to 18F. Complications included an early traumatic perforation of the tube in 1 patient, distal stenosis in 1 and mucosal redundancy in 1. Of these patients 2 required revision. Two patients had mild peristomal skin irritation without ulceration. Anatomical and technical aspects of this procedure are presented. In summary, we believe the gastric augment single pedicle tube to be a useful tool for the reconstructive urologist, which in select cases may obviate the need for additional bowel anastomosis to create a tapered intestinal catheterizable limb.
Insidious Entanglements: Health, Mobility, and Nutrition

Living with warfare after Wari’s decline dramatically reconfigured quotidian lifeways. Violence impacted decisions on where people could live, where they could travel, and the manner in which they eked out an existence. While political and social affiliations were crucial axes that structured physical confrontations in the post-collapse era, the nature of violence was simultaneously shaped by vulnerabilities in health and mobility. Nutritious food, clean water, and productive terrain all existed in the perilous no-man’s-lands beyond the ramparts that encircled capricious and congested settlements. Somewhat uniquely, in mountainous regions like Andahuaylas, the things an individual eats and the nature of the water imbibed are firmly fixed to vertically-stacked environmental zones. For bioarchaeologists, the contextualized analysis of stable isotopes of oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen extracted from ancient teeth and bones can elucidate individual patterns in diet and transhumance over the life course. Coupled with skeletal signs of chronic disease, these data clarify how actual physical assaults and the persistent threat of violence exacerbated disparities regarding freedom of movement, nutrition, and overall wellbeing even within individual families. These intimate inequalities stemmed from survival strategies which ultimately—and perhaps expectedly—contributed to highs rates of sickness from some individuals and violent deaths for others. Scrutinizing these tangled intersections clarifies how conflict and deprivation become imbedded and embodied in skeletal remains.
Pediatric Shoulder Injuries

Comprehensive evaluation of pediatric proximal humerus and clavicle fractures includes determination of open versus closed, neurovascular status, intraarticular versus extra-articular, postreduction stability, associated injuries, displacement, and physeal involvement.
No Longer Durable? The Rise of Streaming Music and Implications for the Bundled Album

In this paper, we model the potential for streaming music, a non-durable product, to upend and displace durable music sales, thereby completing the unbundling of artists' music. As the popularity of streaming music increases producers will switch their focus to the non-durable channel. We identify conditions under which the changing industry will encourage musicians to release fewer songs, but higher quality songs, leading to market deepening and increased listeners. We find that increases on the extensive margin are larger than the intensive margin from this strategy. This result could extend to information goods increasingly provided as a non-durable product. Beyond a model of consumer utility and producer profit, we analyze the most played songs of the large streaming music platform, Spotify, and compare those results to traditional album sales using Nielsen data.
331 Why research is indispensable to smart public policy

Background Laws are essential in all efforts to save young lives. It is important to reinforce the indispensable role evidence plays in winning an advocacy effort, just as evidence is the foundation for all aspects of public safety campaigns, messaging and education. Description of the problem In 2013, 2,163 kids 16–19 were killed in U.S. car crashes. Drivers aged 16–19 are nearly three times more likely to be in a fatal car crash than those aged 20 and older. The risk is greater because teens are less likely to recognise road dangers than older drivers and more likely to exceed speed limits. Of kids 13–20 dying in motor vehicle crashes, only 56% were wearing seat belts. Results There is a body of evidence that stronger Graduated Driver License (GDL) laws save lives as demonstrated in the U.S., and also in Canada, Sweden and New Zealand. Since Illinois passed a tougher GDL law there’s been a 57% reduction in teen motor crashes. Connecticut has one of the most stringent GDL laws in the U.S., and in 2014, not a single 16- or 17- year old passenger was killed in a crash involving a driver in the same age group. In addition, evidence based online applications can predict how many lives are saved through various GDL interventions. As an example, a “calculator” created by the respected Insurance Institute for Highway Safety predicts that if Arkansas raised its permit age to 16 and limited night driving, there could be a 26% reduction in fatal crashes. Safe Kids has cited the calculator in a successful advocacy effort in the U.S. Senate and it was used in an effort in New Jersey. The combination of real time data and modelling tools from a credible research organisation are powerful weapons to influence child safety policy change. Conclusions Advocacy campaigns require a foundation of data and evidence, and the research function should be part of the planning process in developing a campaign.
Why and How Prison Museums/Tourism Contribute to the Normalization of the Carceral/Shadow Carceral State: The Primacy of Economic Realities

Around the world, both natural and human-built structures attract tourists. The ones constructed by people run the gamut from buildings to towers, to dams, to religious institutions, to museums, and so on. Sometimes, the draw or interest of these lies in the breathtaking architecture and/or incredible feats of engineering that have been achieved, while at other moments the significance is related to the activity that took place at that site. Occasionally, both factors capture the public’s attention. One of the human-built institutions that has attracted both public and scholarly attention has been prison museums and the related practice of penal tourism (e.g., Wilson 2008; Ferguson, Piche, and Walby 2015). Over the past few decades, the number of prison museums throughout the world has increased (Ross 2012a).
Power Analysis for t -Test with Non-normal Data and Unequal Variances

A Monte Carlo-based power analysis is proposed for t-test to deal with non-normality and heterogeneity in real data. The step-by-step procedure of the proposed method is introduced in the paper. For comparing the performance of the Monte Carlo-based power analysis to that of conventional pooled-variance t-test, a simulation study was conducted. The results indicate the Monte Carlo-based power analysis provided well-controlled empirical Type I error rate, whereas the conventional pooled-variance t-test failed to yield nominal-level Type I error rate. Both an R package and its corresponding online interface are provided to implement the proposed method.
Gate tunable 2D WSe 2 Esaki diode by SiNx doping

Negative Differential Resistance (NDR) has recently been observed in van der Waals heterojunctions made of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials, evidencing Esaki tunneling diodes in vertical structures [1-5]. However, the lack of fundamental understanding on vertical tunneling mechanisms, interface quality, band off-set, etc. hinders their practical applications. On the other hand, extensive knowledge has been obtained on conventional lateral tunneling junctions [6]. Experimentally, although a number of sub-60mV/dec tunneling field-effect transistors (TFETs) have been demonstrated [7], many did not show a steep slope due to the wrong material choices, trap charges, and non-optimized device structures. In this paper, we focus on WSe 2 , a 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) layered material whose bandgap is a function of its layer number. We demonstrate the first gate tunable Esaki diode with NDR in a WSe 2 homojunction by combing strong n-type doping from a SiNx passivation layer [8] and a top gate controlled p-type region. Simulations are presented to compare with experimental measurements and to provide guidance to further improve tunneling efficiency.
Age, Sex, and STEM Education Influence Spatial Processing Performance:

Previous research has demonstrated that individual differences can influence spatial processing performance. In the present study, the relationship between age, sex, and participation in science, t...
Foreign Issues in Europe (Emissions Ã©trangÃ¨res en Europe) (Emisiones extranjera en Europa)

Le volume des A©missions sur les marchA©s des capitaux europA©ens, qui A©tait extrAamement bas dans l'immA©diat aprA¨s-guerre, s'est considA©rablement accru depuis, spA©cialement aprA¨s 1958. Toutefois la part de l'A©pargne nationale qui s'investit sur les marchA©s de capitaux reste dans l'ensemble relativement faible. De plus, le regain d'activitA© s'est traduit principalement par une augmentation des A©missions d'actions et obligations intA©rieures, et le volume des A©missions A©trangA¨res est restA© mince, sauf toutefois en Suisse et, en 1961, aux Pays-Bas. Les A©missions A©trangA¨res ont A©tA© freinA©es principalement par les restrictions de divers ordres que la plupart des pays europA©ens ont appliquA©es et aussi par le fait que le coA»t des A©missions publiques (taux d'intA©rAat, commissions, impA´ts) est gA©nA©ralement plus A©levA© en Europe qu'A New York. Du rassemblement des statistiques nationales, il ressort que le volume brut des A©missions publiques A©trangA¨res au cours de la pA©riode 1958-62 s'est A©levA© A 2.077 millions de dollars en Europe et A 3.029 millions de dollars aux Etats-Unis. Les A©missions A©trangA¨res en Europe furent surtout placA©es au Royaume-Uni et en Suisse. Durant la pA©riode 1958-62, les A©missions A©trangA¨res dans les pays membres de la CommunautA© A©conomique europA©enne ont reprA©sentA© 31 pourcent des A©missions A©trangA¨res en Europe. /// Las emisiones de valores en los mercados europeos de capital, que fueron extremadamente bajas en los aA±os immediatos a la terminaciA³n de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, han aumentado notablemente desde entonces, en especial desde 1958. Sin embargo, el monto total de los ahorros recogidos mediante las nuevas emisiones en los mercados de capital en Europa permanece, en conjunto, bastante reducido. AdemAis, el aumento de la actividad se ha reflejado mayormente en un aumento en las emisiones de tA­tulos internos; el total de las emisiones extranjeras se ha mantenido bajo, excepto en Suiza y, en 1961, en Holanda. Las emisiones extranjeras en Europa han sido limitadas principalmente por las diversas restricciones establecidas por la mayorA­a de los paA­ses, y por el hecho de que el costo de las emisiones pAoblicas (tipos de interA©s, comisiones por garantA­a de emisiA³n, e impuestos) ha sido generalmente mAis alto que en Nueva York. Una compilaciA³n de las estadA­sticas nacionales muestra que, en los cinco aA±os de 1958-62, el total bruto de las emisiones pAoblicas extranjeras ascendiA³ a US$2.077 millones en los paA­ses europeos y a US$3.029 millones en Estados Unidos. La mayor parte de las emisiones extranjeras en los paA­ses europeos fueron colocadas en el Reino Unido y en Suiza. Las emisiones extranjeras en los paA­ses pertenecientes a la Comunidad EconA³mica Europea en 1958-62 ascendieron al 31 por ciento del total emitido en toda Europa.
Selective Process Steps for the Recovery of Scandium from Jamaican Bauxite Residue (Red Mud)

We report the development of a process allowing the selective, sustainable recovery of scandium (Sc) with 75% efficiency from Jamaican bauxite residue (red mud), a waste product from aluminum production. The process design is inspired by green chemistry principles and focuses on establishing highly selective process steps (sulfation, leaching, and precipitation) in order to minimize costs and waste produced. In addition to scandium oxide, the chosen approach produces mixed rare earth oxides as a side product, thus isolating an average of 88% of all rare earth elements contained in red mud. Furthermore, in light of predicted supply shortages of the critical material Sc and the need to establish cost-effective bauxite residue remediation techniques, a systematic Monte Carlo-based economic performance assessment framework is developed in order to evaluate the economic prospects of the proposed process system in the presence of irreducible uncertainty.
Phloem structure and development in Illicium parviflorum, a basal angiosperm shrub

Recent studies in canopy-dominant trees revealed a structure-function scaling of the phloem. However, whether axial scaling is conserved in woody plants of the understory, the environments of most basal-grade angiosperms, remains mysterious. We used seedlings and adult plants of the shrub Illicium parviflorum to explore the anatomy and physiology of the phloem in their aerial parts, and possible changes through ontogeny. Adult plants maintain a similar proportion of phloem tissue across stem diameters, but scaling of conduit dimensions and number decreases the hydraulic resistance towards the base of the plant. Yet, the small sieve plate pores resulted in an overall higher sieve tube hydraulic resistance than has been reported in other woody angiosperms. Sieve elements scaled from minor to major leaf veins, but were shorter and narrower in petioles. The low carbon assimilation rates of seedlings and mature plants contrasted with a three-fold higher phloem sap velocity in seedlings, suggesting that phloem transport velocity is modulated through ontogeny. While the overall architecture of the phloem tissue in basal-angiosperm understory shrubs scales in a manner consistent with trees, modification of conduit connections may have allowed woody angiosperms to extend beyond their understory origins.
On the computational complexity of clustering and related problems

The problem of clustering a set of n points into k groups under various objective functions is studied. It is shown that under some objective functions clustering problems are NP-hard even when the points to be grouped are restricted to lie in the two dimensional euclidean space. Our results can be extended to show that their corresponding approximation problems are also NP-hard. It is shown that some restricted graph partition problems are also NP-hard.
Efficacy of orthotic devices for increased active proximal interphalangeal extension joint range of motion: A systematic review.

Abstract Study Design Systematic review. Introduction/Purpose of the Study To determine the efficacy of orthotic devices for increased active proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint range of motion and optimal wearing schedule of the devices to guide clinical practice. The secondary purpose is to capture the outcome measures used by the authors. The final purpose was to determine if recent studies addressed patient satisfaction and adherence in the orthotic management of a PIP joint injury. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the search terms splint, orthotic device, hand orthotic, brace, proximal interphalangeal joint, occupational therapy, and physical therapy using PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and ProQuest. The following data were extracted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines: background statement, objectives, data sources, study eligibility criteria, participants, and interventions, study appraisal and synthesis methods, results, limitations, conclusions, and implications of key findings. Results Best results were achieved when the PIP orthoses were worn for a longer duration especially for the treatment of extension deficits. Discussion Studies that provided a wearing schedule of a minimum of 6 hours obtained the greatest improvements in extension deficits of the PIP joint. Conclusion Recommended orthotic dosage to treat PIP joint injury is at least 6 hours a day for 8-17 weeks.
Skating on thin ice: Identifying the need for species‐specific data and defined migration ecology of Rajidae spp.

Skates (class Chondrichthyes; subclass Elasmobranchii; order Rajiformes; family Rajidae) comprise one quarter of extant chondrichthyans, yet have received little attention in the scientific literature likely due to their relatively low economic value and difficulties in species identification. The absence of species‐specific information on catch, life history and migration of skates has often precluded the development of single‐species stock assessments and led to the use of cursory multispecies assessments, which lack the ability to track species‐specific catch and abundance trends. This has resulted in undetected local extirpations, as has been previously reported for common (Dipturus batis, Rajidae), white (Rostroraja alba, Rajidae) and long‐nose (Dipturus oxyrhinchus, Rajidae) skates in the Irish Sea. Here, we (a) use case studies to illustrate how the perception of skate population structure and stock status has historically been masked through multispecies assessment and management practices, (b) review current information on the movement of skates and identify gaps in knowledge, and (c) identify biases associated with the use of various tagging technologies, which have confounded our understanding of movement and migration ecology of skates. Considering that over 40% of extant Rajidae species are listed as “Data Deficient” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, we illustrate a critical need to broaden the current understanding of skate life history, movement and migration ecology by providing recommendations on the further application of electronic tags and biogeochemical natural tags in movement studies and highlight the benefits that studies using these approaches have for novel management frameworks.
The Role of Maternal Relationship in the Persisting Effect of Combat Exposure

Background and Objectives The veteran population is aging. Combat exposure is associated with negative health and psychological outcomes in some, but not all veterans; others even appear to experience gains. One mechanism driving these varied responses might be early life relationships. This study investigated the extent to which the quality of early maternal relationships influences the association between combat exposures and life satisfaction (LS) among older male veterans. Research Design and Methods Data were drawn from a pooled sample of male veterans in the Health and Retirement Study who completed the 2013 Veteran Mail Survey (N = 1,160). We used ordinary least squares regression to examine the association between combat exposures (with and without exposure to death) and LS, and the moderating effect of maternal relationship quality on this association. Results We found a significant positive association between maternal relationship quality and LS, and a significant association of combat that was dependent on maternal relationship quality. Specifically, combat-exposed veterans with poor maternal relationship quality reported lower LS, whereas combat-exposed veterans with high relationship quality reported higher LS-relative to their noncombat-exposed counterparts. The effects of exposure to death of hazardous toxins did not mediate or moderate this relationship. Discussion and Implications Findings indicate that maternal relationships had a lasting influence on whether combat contributed to a positive, negative, or neutral long-term effect on wellbeing. Findings support previous studies that suggest early life factors may play an important role in the fostering of resilient health outcomes over the life course. Implications for preventative strategies in soldiers are discussed.
Determinants of Blog Success

There has been an explosive growth of blogs over the past decade. Using information from eBizMBA Rank, timelines of top ranked blogs were created for identifying key factors that determine growth and success. The findings show that top blogs were created by well-connected individuals with access to unique content not found elsewhere, which subsequently allowed them to better target and grow their audience base. Finally, these blog founders were continuously innovative with a plan for business expansion; including, an approach for seeking investments and promoting their blog continuously.
Utility peak power messaging: Eliciting consumer response through traditional and social media channels

Abstract Modern utilities are taking on a dual role, as both energy providers and civic stewards of power consumption that best serves the environment. Power consumed during peak energy periods is expensive and is many times sourced from side management programs not in the best interests of the community. Utility managers need to communicate peak power messaging to constituents in an engaging, authentic manner. This study provides a comparative analysis of messaging across digital and traditional communication channels, prompting customers to reduce “Peak Power” consumption. The alert was framed through simulated treatments on an energy bill, in text message, though email, on a company webpage, and through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram posts. Perception of messages were measured for Creativity, Clarity and Credibility. Instagram elicited the highest scores from respondents (N = 391). The lowest ranking media platform was text messaging. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed two dimensions among the platforms, the powerful “Visual Energy Messaging” (Energy bill, Instagram, Facebook, Website) and the weaker “Word Based Energy Messaging” (Twitter, Email and Text). Creativity and Clarity were significant predictors of consumer attitude towards Instagram messaging. There was a significant difference among age groups related to Instagram messaging. Those aged 18–24, and 25–31, were significantly different than those in the “over 73” age category. Implications for practitioners indicate visual messaging is most effective, using a cross-pollination technique sharing specific messages across visual platforms. Special attention should be paid to the consumption habits of older consumers who may receive and interpret messaging in a different context.
Non-genomic Omic Techniques

‘Omic’ technologies, which adopt a holistic view of the molecules that make up an organism, are aimed primarily at the global detection of genes (genomics), mRNA (transcriptomics), proteins (proteomics) and metabolites (metabonomics) in a given biological sample. Application of genomic techniques in the field of diagnostic microbiology has limitations as genomics targets microbial organism-specific nucleic acids; therefore, a positive result can occur with both active and inactive microorganisms. Transcriptomics has progressed along with advances in microarray and real-time reserve transcriptase PCR technology, while proteomics and metabonomics have benefited greatly from the increasing sophistication of mass spectrometrical techniques that detect protein and metabolic analytes. Together, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabonomics are helping to address questions about gene expression, thereby providing ‘functional’ diagnosis and assessment of microbial infections.
Designing ESD Protection Devices for Ultrafast Overvoltage Events

This article provides an understanding of the transient voltage overshoot physics observed with electro-static discharge (ESD) n-type, p-type, and n-type diffusions (NPN) bipolar devices through the use of calibrated technical computer-aided design (TCAD) with measured silicon results. This analysis graphically steps through each stage of the measured transient electrical response, to explain the inertia that limits the speed of the NPN ESD cell, and then uses this knowledge to provide a fully characterized silicon solution for ultrafast ESD events to achieve an 8-kV IEC61000-4-4 rating. This solution is developed by exploring five different integrated designs that are constructed on an 80-V bipolar and complimentary double-diffused metal-oxide semiconductor (BiCDMOS) process platform to protect against a product level 125-V voltage overshoot gate oxide ruptures as measured with a 0.6-ns rise time transmission line pulse (TLP). The fully characterized electrical results for each test overshoot structure with a fixed layout area of $200\,\,\mu \text{m}\,\,\times200\,\,\mu \text{m}$ , are in parallel to NPN ESD cells arranged with two in series and two in parallel ( $200\,\,\mu \text{m}\,\,\times 80\,\,\mu \text{m}$ ) and compared in terms of the current-carrying capability before the gate oxide rupture voltage of 125 V is reached. The results show that a diode engineered with a vertical breakdown achieves an ESD strength of 9.7 A before the overshoot voltage reaches the target of 125-V, resulting in a net 0.17 mA $\mu \text{m}^{-{2}}$ . The combined use of this vertical diode structure in parallel to the NPN ESD cell translates into a 7-A improvement in the strength of a conventional NPN for ultrafast timescales, which achieves the 8-kV International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) ESD performance for this case study.
Fused Sensor Analysis and Advanced Control of Industrial Field Devices for Security: Cymbiote Multi-Source Sensor Fusion Platform

Embedded field devices that sense and control physical processes in critical infrastructure are soft targets for cyber-attack because they lack the fundamental features for existing cyber security monitoring and control. In this paper we present a new platform to collect and fuse data across multiple cyber and physical streams from these field devices to enable the host based attack detection and security control capabilities that have become common within IT environments. Experiments of different attack behaviors are discussed and initial machine learning detection approach analysis is presented.
Scalable microplasma array for argon metastable lasing medium

Optically pumped rare gas laser systems require a lasing medium of high density metastable atoms. A scalable two-dimensional array of quarter-wave resonators produces high microwave electric fields suitable for generating a dense gas of argon 1 s 5 states. This resonator array is immersed within an evacuated waveguide in order to create a volume of plasma in a relatively wide discharge gap (13 mm) at argon-helium pressures up to 100 Torr using 30 W of continuous microwave power at 2.3 GHz. Spatial density profiles of argon 1 s 5 states are measured using diode laser absorption spectroscopy with 0.5 mm resolution. The region of argon 1 s 5 states is mapped in the discharge and shown to have an estimated density in excess of 1 × 10 18 m − 3 within a volume of 11.6 × 3.2 × 0.8 m m 3.
Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training Increases Stretch- Shortening Cycle Potentiation and Walking Economy in Postmenopausal Women

Purpose Secondary analyses were performed to test whether combined aerobic and resistance training altered walking economy (i.e., net oxygen uptake) and/or stretch-shortening cycle potentiation (SSCP). A further objective was to determine if walking economy and SSCP were related before or after training. Methods Ninety-two postmenopausal women were enrolled wherein 76 completed 16 weeks of supervised aerobic and resistance training. Participants were randomized to one of three training groups based on frequencies: (a) 1 d⋅wk-1 (n = 23); (b) 2 d⋅wk-1 (n = 30) or; (c) 3 d⋅wk-1 (n = 23). Following assessments were performed at baseline and post-training. Indirect calorimetry was used to measure maximal oxygen uptake () and walking economy (submaximal - resting = net ) during a graded exercise test and steady-state treadmill task, respectively. SSCP was determined by measuring the difference between a concentric (CO) and counter-movement (CM) leg press throw. Results , walking economy, CO and CM velocity were significantly improved (p < 0.05) for all training groups, however; no time by group interactions were observed. Paired t-tests revealed participants exercise training 2 d⋅wk-1 exhibited a significant time effect for SSCP (+0.04 ± 0.09 ms-1; p = 0.03). At baseline, multiple linear regression showed a negative relationship between walking net and SSCP (r = -0.22; p < 0.04) adjusted for relative proportion of . No such relationship was found post-training. Conclusion Among older postmenopausal women, our results indicate that irrespective of frequency of training, 16 weeks of combined aerobic and resistance exercise training increased ease of walking and economy. Additionally, only participants exercising 2 d⋅wk-1 exhibited significant improvement in SSCP.
Biomarkers of Inflammation and Fibrosis in Kawasaki Disease Patients Years After Initial Presentation With Low Ejection Fraction

Background Coronary artery aneurysms and myocarditis are well-recognized complications of Kawasaki disease (KD) but no systematic evaluation of the consequences of myocarditis has been performed in the subset presenting with low ejection fraction (EF). We postulated that more severe myocardial inflammation as evidenced by low EF during the acute phase could lead to late myocardial fibrosis. Methods and Results We measured the carboxyterminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PIPC), soluble suppressor of tumorigenicity 2, galectin-3 (Gal-3), growth-differentiation factor-15, and calprotectin by ELISA in late convalescent blood samples from 16 KD patients who had an EF ≤55% on their initial echocardiogram. Results were compared with samples from sex- and age-matched KD patients with initial EF >60%. In the univariate analysis, the median Gal-3 and PIPC levels in the low EF group were significantly higher than those in the normal EF group (Gal-3: low EF 6.216 versus normal EF 4.976 mg/dL P=0.038, PIPC: low EF 427.4 versus normal EF 265.2 mg/dL, P=0.01). In a multivariable analysis, there were significant differences for Gal-3 and PIPC levels between the low and normal EF groups, adjusting for age, sex, and worst z score. Conclusions Convalescent KD patients with a history of low EF during the acute illness had significantly elevated levels of Gal-3 and PIPC when compared with matched-control KD patients with normal EF. These findings raise concern for myocardial fibrosis as a potential late sequela of the more severe myocarditis experienced by a subset of KD patients during the acute phase.
Cloaked caged glutamate eliminates off-target GABA-A receptor antagonism and opens a new door in neuroscience.

Caged neurotransmitters are widely used to study neurobiological processes such as synaptic transmission and plasticity. However, uncaging has been primarily restricted to in vitro and ex vivo experimental systems. Using caged neurotransmitters in vivo has posed a huge hurdle because photoactivatable cages bind to GABA-A receptors, acting as competitive antagonists towards GABA. This reduced inhibition leads to epileptiform-like activity, which can cause problems for circuit level studies in vivo. To circumvent this off-target effect, a recent publication introduces a new caged glutamate: G5-MNI-glutamate. Using a novel technique called ‘cloaking,’ GABA-A receptor antagonism is abolished, opening up new possibilities for future in vivo studies with caged neurotransmitters.
Patient reported symptom outcomes during medication titration for adult heart failure management

Abstract Aims and objectives This project used the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) tools to evaluate heart failure patient's experiences of dyspnea, fatigue, and physical mobility during initiation and up titration of drugs in an outpatient setting. Background Investigating patient reported outcome may improve adherence to GDMT. Theoretical support for this study is found in the University of California, Theory of Symptom Management. Design Exploratory, repeated measures design. Methods Patients (n = 21) completed three PROMIS questionnaires for dyspnea, fatigue and physical mobility when GDMT was started or up titrated, and again at a follow up appointment within 30 days (+/− 14 days) of the baseline measures. Patients were asked open- ended queries regarding the usefulness of these questionnaires in identifying and managing symptoms. Provider input was sought on usefulness of the tools in clinical practice and decision making. Results Dyspnea change scores significantly decreased (p = .001), physical mobility scores significantly increased (p = .017), and fatigue scores did not change (p = .319). Duration of HF diagnosis was associated with dyspnea change scores. Patients reported PROMIS tools were easy to use, while providers felt the tools were easy for patients to use but were too long and time intensive for usual office practice. Conclusions Dyspnea and physical mobility improved with up titration of GDMT but fatigue did not change. Relevance to clinical practice PROMIS tools could be helpful in tracking selected symptom changes during GDMT HF medication initiation or up titration for HF management if reformulated into shorter format.
High-Speed Railways: Do They Produce Economic Growth?

The debate surrounding the economic benefits of extending the US high-speed passenger rail system beyond the small stretch between Washington, DC, and New York City has abated somewhat but remains of policy interest. One of the justifications advocates cite for high-speed rail (HSR) is that it can provide important stimuli to the national and select regional economies. That argument is difficult to assess in the abstract, but it may be possible to glean some insights by studying systems that operate elsewhere. To that end, this paper examines the information available regarding the worlds three largest HSR systemsthose of China, Japan, and Spain. The approach is not only to look at the broad effects of those systems on the macroeconomic development of the countries involved but also to consider their more localized, regional implications. The investigation is hindered by fragmented data and data gaps, particularly gaps in data about the financial costs and opportunity costs of HSR systems. What does emerge is that, although politicians and rail enthusiasts have widely supported HSR infrastructure investment as a catalyst for economic development, academic writings abound with considerable skepticism about the economic value of such investment. Furthermore, in virtually all cases, the development argument presented in support of HSR has proved to be overly optimistic, and the anticipated economic growth effects have been minimal or even negative. Where ex ante justification has been for a geographical shift of economic activitytypically away from congested to economically deprived locationsthe outcomes have seldom been as hoped.
Does Occupational Training by the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program Really Help Reemployment? Success Measured as Occupation Matching

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Program provides various retraining opportunities to workers displaced due to import competition. This paper investigates whether successful skill acquisition through training—as opposed to general exposure to federal assistance—improves the post-participation outcomes using the Trade Act Participant Report. Success in skill acquisition is indicated by a match between occupations of training and entered employment. The average matching rate for the sample is 37.53%. Trainees with a match display wage replacement rates that are 2 to 3 percentage points higher than those without one, while they display very similar post-participation earnings that are inferior to that of non-trainees. This generally indicates that participants with limited skill sets with lower pre-participation earnings select into training, and successful skill acquisition offsets the negative impacts of their lack of marketable skills. Matching itself does not improve the retention at the job. However, participation in various training programs improves retention.
Making Smart Contracts 'Smarter' with Arbitration

Amy J. Schmitz describes the development of "smart contracts" and the challenges in resolving disputes in this arena. She explains the need for sound dispute system design complete with an arbitration provision built into smart contracts. She is the Elwood L. Thomas Missouri Endowed Professor at the University of Missouri School of Law.
Polarized image of equatorial emission in the Kerr geometry

We develop a simple toy model for polarized images of synchrotron emission from an equatorial source around a Kerr black hole by using a semianalytic solution of the null geodesic equation and conservation of the Penrose-Walker constant. Our model is an extension of Narayan et al., which presented results for a Schwarzschild black hole, including a fully analytic approximation. Our model includes an arbitrary observer inclination, black hole spin, local boost, and local magnetic field configuration. We study the geometric effects of black hole spin on photon parallel transport and isolate these effects from the complicated combination of relativistic, gravitational, and electromagnetic processes in the emission region. Expanding in $1/{r}_{\mathrm{s}}$, we find an analytic approximation, consistent with previous work, for the geometric effect of spin on observed face-on polarization rotation in the direct image: $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}\mathrm{EVPA}\ensuremath{\sim}\ensuremath{-}2a/{r}_{\mathrm{s}}^{2}$, where $a$ is the black hole spin and ${r}_{\mathrm{s}}$ is the emission radius. We further show that spin introduces an order unity effect on face-on subimages: $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}\mathrm{EVPA}\ensuremath{\sim}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}a/\sqrt{27}$. We also use our toy model to analyze polarization ``loops'' observed during flares of orbiting hot spots. Our model provides insight into polarimetric simulations and observations of black holes such as those made by the EHT and GRAVITY.
Time From HIV Infection to Diagnosis in the U.S., 2014-2018.

Introduction Understanding the role of sociologic, structural, and biomedical factors that influence the length of time from HIV infection to diagnosis and reducing the time from infection to diagnosis are critical for achieving the goals of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. In a retrospective analysis, the length of time from HIV infection to diagnosis and its association with individual- and facility-level attributes are determined. Methods Data reported by December 2019 to the U.S. National HIV Surveillance System for people with HIV diagnosed during 2014–2018 were analyzed during December 2020. A CD4 depletion model was used to estimate the time from HIV infection to diagnosis. Results During 2018, the median time from HIV infection to diagnosis was shorter for those infections diagnosed using the rapid testing algorithm (30.3 months, 95% CI=25.5, 34.5) than those diagnosed using the recommended (41.0 months, 95% CI=39.5, 42.0), traditional (37.0 months, 95% CI=29.5, 43.5), or other (35.5 months, 95% CI=32.5, 38.0) diagnostic testing algorithms. From 2014 to 2018, the time from HIV infection to diagnosis remained stable overall for all testing methods except for the traditional diagnostic testing algorithm. In multivariate analyses, those more likely to have HIV diagnosed closer to the time of infection were younger, were White, had transmission risk factors of injection drug use or heterosexual contact (for female individuals) or male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use, or had HIV diagnosed at a correctional or screening facility (p Conclusions Providing access to expanded testing, including rapid testing in nonclinical settings, is likely to result in a decrease in the length of time a person is unaware of their HIV infection and thus reduce onward transmission of HIV infection.
Cases in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Cardiac sarcoidosis continues to be a very challenging diagnosis and can prove to be even more challenging to manage. In this case series, the authors will walk the reader through difficult cases in the management of real-life cases of sarcoidosis with cardiac involvement. Imaging results, catheterization and biopsy results, clinical scenarios, and pitfalls in the care of these patients will be reviewed through case examples with summaries of key points.
Interconnect design challenges in source synchronous simultaneous bi directional links

Source synchronous simultaneous bi-directional (SS-SBD) link modeling and correlation to measured data are discussed. Source synchronous implementation details such as strobe-data routing, cross talk minimization, and pseudo-differential reference voltage routing are also elaborated.
Digital Techniques for Wideband Receivers

From the Publisher: With the most comprehensive description available of digital processing applicable to wideband receivers, this book helps you better understand the requirements of wideband digital RF receivers, learn numerous solutions to receiver problems, and get an overview of future trends in receiver development.
Simultaneously modeling humans' preferences and their beliefs about others' preferences

In strategic multiagent decision making, it is often the case that a strategic reasoner must hold beliefs about other agents and use these beliefs to inform its decision making. The behavior thus produced by the reasoner involves an interaction between the reasoner's beliefs about other agents and the reasoner's own preferences. A significant challenge faced by model designers, therefore, is how to model such a reasoner's behavior so that the reasoner's preferences and beliefs can each be identified and distinguished from each other. In this paper, we introduce a model of strategic reasoning that allows us to distinguish between the reasoner's utility function and the reasoner's beliefs about another agent's utility function as well as the reasoner's beliefs about how that agent might interact with yet other agents. We show that our model is uniquely identifiable. That is, no two different parameter settings will cause the model to give the same behavior over all possible inputs. We then illustrate the performance of our model in a multiagent negotiation game played by human subjects. We find that our subjects have slightly incorrect beliefs about other agents in the game.