cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Subsidized Rental Housing Characteristics on Metropolitan Residential Satisfaction

Subsidized rental housing construction projects have changed substantially in the last 25 years. Programs such as HOPE VI and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit have resulted in the demolition of large, centralized, publicly owned projects and the construction of small, dispersed, privately managed subsidized housing. A cross-sectional analysis of 43,360 households in the 2005 American Housing Survey (AHS) indicates that subsidized renters report higher satisfaction with their housing unit than do similarly situated nonsubsidized renters. However, public housing residents report significantly lower satisfaction with their neighborhoods, whereas other subsidized residents report significantly higher neighborhood satisfaction. A longitudinal analysis of 488,302 observations from the AHS-Metropolitan samples taken between 1985 and 2004 initially suggests that increasing the proportion of subsidized housing has positive spillover effects on the residential satisfaction of nonsubsidized residents in the metropolitan area. A second analysis suggests that this positive spillover results primarily from the decreased size and age of the subsidized housing structures, rather than from the increased proportion of subsidized housing itself.
On the incorporation of shape priors into geometric active contours

A novel model for boundary determination that incorporates prior shape information into geometric active contours is presented. The basic idea of this model is to minimize the energy functional depending on the information of the image gradient and the shape of interest, so that the boundary of the object can be captured either by higher magnitude of the image gradient or by the prior knowledge of its shape. The level set form of the proposed model is also provided. We present our experimental results on some synthetic images, functional MR brain images, and ultrasound images for which the existing active contour methods are not applicable. The existence of the solution to the proposed minimization problem is also discussed.
THE EFFECT OF DIPHTHERIA TOXIN ON THE METABOLISM OF HELA CELLS : II. EFFECT ON NUCLEIC ACID METABOLISM.

The effect of toxin on the incorporation of uridine and thymidine into nucleic acids was investigated. P32 orthophosphate incorporation into the nucleoside phosphate fraction was also investigated. No early effect of toxin on nucleic acid synthesis was evident and only a slight effect of toxin on nucleoside phosphate formation was found prior to 1.5 hours after toxin addition. Both these processes, however, were found to be sensitive to dinitrophenol. These results are interpreted as indicating that toxin does not act by a general uncoupling of oxidation from phosphorylation. Other possible mechanisms of toxin action are proposed.
Immunity and Carcinogenesis

In the preceding section evidence has been presented that experimental tumours contain the TSTA and that the organism is often capable of reacting against this antigen, and, under certain circumstances, of destroying the tumour. This antigen occurs at the same time as the cell is rendered malignant. Despite this, the tumour grows progressively until the death of the host. Spontaneous regression of really malignant tumours, in animals or in human beings, is extremely rare. It is difficult to estimate how frequent is the regression of a few malignant, transformed cells. Some clinical observations on the so-called dormant tumour cells suggest the existence of a regulatory mechanism which for years prevents the tumour from progressive growth. The malignant cells are known to be present in the circulation more frequently than it could be expected from the incidence of metastases. Spontaneous infection of mice with polyoma virus with subsequent presence of both antiviral (haemagglutination inhibiting and neutralizing antibodies) and transplantation resistance against polyoma tumour is direct evidence that cells were rendered malignant, but were destroyed before they began to grow progressively as an established tumour.
Genome-wide analysis of Musashi-2 targets reveals novel functions in governing epithelial cell migration

The Musashi-2 (Msi2) RNA-binding protein maintains stem cell self-renewal and promotes oncogenesis by enhancing cell proliferation in hematopoietic and gastrointestinal tissues. However, it is unclear how Msi2 recognizes and regulates mRNA targets in vivo and whether Msi2 primarily controls cell growth in all cell types. Here we identified Msi2 targets with HITS-CLIP and revealed that Msi2 primarily recognizes mRNA 3'UTRs at sites enriched in multiple copies of UAG motifs in epithelial progenitor cells. RNA-seq and ribosome profiling demonstrated that Msi2 promotes targeted mRNA decay without affecting translation efficiency. Unexpectedly, the most prominent Msi2 targets identified are key regulators that govern cell motility with a high enrichment in focal adhesion and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, in addition to regulators of cell growth and survival. Loss of Msi2 stimulates epithelial cell migration, increases the number of focal adhesions and also compromises cell growth. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of Msi2's recognition and repression of targets and uncover a key function of Msi2 in restricting epithelial cell migration.
European red mite control with some new acaricides.

In 1970 and in 1971, 15 and 18 acaricidal treatments, respectively, were compared for effectiveness in controlling Panonychus ulmi (Koch) on apple trees. A comparison of the results for the 2 years indicates that populations of 10 to 20 mites per leaf may be brought under control with several of the tested acaricides almost as quickly as populations ranging from 0.80 to 5.5 mites per leaf. Only Stauffer R-10044 (N-[(1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-2-fluoroethyl)thio] methanesulfonanilide) caused serious injury to foli-age of ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘York Imperial’ trees, the apple cultivars in the test. Formetanate monohydro-chloride caused slight yellowing of the leaves of Golden Delicious trees. In 1970, Bay 37344 (4-(methylthio)-3,5-xylyl methylcarbamate) did not control P. ulmi effectively. In 1971, dinocap and Dikar® (74% a coordinated product of zinc ion and manganese ethylene bisdithio-carbamate plus 6% dinocap) exhibited only mite population suppression activity. In both years, of the rest of the acaricides tested, Acarol® (isopropyl 4,4-dibromo-benzilate), Acaralate® (isopropyl 4,4' dichlorobenzilate), and Shell SD-17250 ( N -[ (methylcarbamoyl) oxy]thioacetimidic acid ester with 3-mercaptopropionitrile) exhibited the least residual toxicity to P. ulmi . There were some indications in 1971 that some of the acaricides tested may be less toxic than others to the predatory mites Zetzellia mali (Ewing) and Amblyseius fallacies (Garman).
Trade-Off Analysis of Herbicide Withdrawals on Agricultural Production and Groundwater Quality

This study examines the trade-off between agricultural production and groundwater contamination potential for ten potential herbicide cancellations. Theoretical and empirical models are developed for estimating losses in consumer and producer benefits in the agricultural commodity market and changes in groundwater quality. Using com and soybean production in the southeastern Coastal Plain as a study area, the analysis concludes that (1) effects of herbicide cancellations on groundwater quality can be very significant; (2) a cancellation does not guarantee groundwater quality improvement; (3) effects of a multiple cancellation are different from the summation of the effects of independent cancellations; and (4) weed density has a very strong effect on losses to farmers and consumers from cancellations, but output demand and supply elasticities do not.
Increasing Client Voice within Involuntary Groups

ABSTRACTPartners for Change Outcome Management System (PCOMS) is a client-driven outcome management system that has been proven effective with engaging voluntary mental health client populations through several randomized clinical trials. Little is known, however, about PCOMS application to clients who are court ordered or pressured to attend group programs. This study (N = 10) interviewed group facilitators who use PCOMS with involuntary groups. Participants strongly endorsed the use of the instruments to increase client voice, respond supportively to client incongruence, and focus on client responsibility for change. Guidelines for application to involuntary groups and research and practice implications are discussed.
Effect of Preheating on the Inertia Friction Welding of the Dissimilar Superalloys Mar-M247 and LSHR

Differences in the elevated temperature mechanical properties of cast Mar-M247 and forged LSHR make it difficult to produce sound joints of these alloys by inertia friction welding (IFW). While extensive plastic upset occurs on the LSHR side, only a small upset is typically developed on the Mar-M247 side. The limited plastic flow of Mar-M247 thus restricts the extent of “self-cleaning” and mechanical mixing of the mating surfaces, so that defects remain at the bond line after welding. In the present work, the effect of local preheating of Mar-M247 immediately prior to IFW on the welding behavior of Mar-M247/LSHR couples was determined. An increase in the preheat temperature enhanced the plastic flow of Mar-M247 during IFW, which resulted in extensive mechanical mixing with LSHR at the weld interface, the formation of extensive flash on both the Mar-M247 and LSHR sides, and a sound bond. Performed in parallel with the experimental work, finite-element-method (FEM) simulations showed that higher temperatures are achieved within the preheated sample during IFW relative to its non-preheated counterpart, and plastic flow is thus facilitated within it. Microstructure and post-weld mechanical properties of the welded samples were also established.
Calibration of the APEX Model to Simulate Management Practice Effects on Runoff, Sediment, and Phosphorus Loss

Process-based computer models have been proposed as a tool to generate data for Phosphorus (P) Index assessment and development. Although models are commonly used to simulate P loss from agriculture using managements that are different from the calibration data, this use of models has not been fully tested. The objective of this study is to determine if the Agricultural Policy Environmental eXtender (APEX) model can accurately simulate runoff, sediment, total P, and dissolved P loss from 0.4 to 1.5 ha of agricultural fields with managements that are different from the calibration data. The APEX model was calibrated with field-scale data from eight different managements at two locations (management-specific models). The calibrated models were then validated, either with the same management used for calibration or with different managements. Location models were also developed by calibrating APEX with data from all managements. The management-specific models resulted in satisfactory performance when used to simulate runoff, total P, and dissolved P within their respective systems, with > 0.50, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency > 0.30, and percent bias within ±35% for runoff and ±70% for total and dissolved P. When applied outside the calibration management, the management-specific models only met the minimum performance criteria in one-third of the tests. The location models had better model performance when applied across all managements compared with management-specific models. Our results suggest that models only be applied within the managements used for calibration and that data be included from multiple management systems for calibration when using models to assess management effects on P loss or evaluate P Indices.
Programming Distributed Control Planes: Invited Demo: Demo

We describe Propane, a system that consists of a language for specifying the end-to-end routing policy for a network and a compiler for implementing the policy by generating a collection of device configurations for the BGP routing protocol that run on unmodified vendor hardware. Propane allows operators to describe their policy through high-level constraints on both the shape and preference of paths for different types of traffic. Constraints can describe paths both through the user's network, as well as through other networks that are not under the user's control. When Propane compiles a policy, the resulting BGP configurations are guaranteed to correctly implement the centralized policy in a distributed fashion -- without any centralized coordination and regardless of any number of network failures.
Shaping the Coast with Permits: Making the State Regulatory Permitting Process Transparent with Text Mining

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the California Coastal Commission's permitting process. Using several text mining techniques, including web scraping, information extraction, and supervised classification, I demonstrate how to retrieve empirical data from unstructured texts, namely public meeting agendas and staff reports. Contrary to the concern that the Commission routinely delays or rejects permitting requests, the data reveal that outright rejection of permit applications is rare. On average, eight of ten applications were approved. Single-family homes and commercial development projects were approved about 80% of the time; the rates were about 70% for seawalls and retaining walls, and 60% for land-use changes. Most applications were processed swiftly, with a median application length of 3 months. The agency's influence comes primarily from negotiating each application. Qualitative study of 50 cases pertaining to single-family home construction reveals that the agency adopts a “managed development” approac...
Infrared Spectroscopy of Hydrogen-Bonded and Van Der Waals Complexes

The assignment of vibrational spectra to a specific cluster is best accomplished by rotational analysis and the subsequent structural determination. Unfortunately, rotational line congestion, rapid vibrational relaxation and/or incomplete high resolution scans have frequently prevented the resolution and assignment of rotational lines. It is often desirable, even under these circumstances, to assign the vibrational band to a given cluster. Through the application of isotopie substitution, we have developed an approach which utilizes the positive features of mass spectroscopic detection of vibrational pre- dissociation spectra. Applications to hydrogen fluoride trimer, benzene dimer and the argon-benzene binary complex are discussed.
Workplace Discrimination against Sexual Minorities: Subtle and not-so-subtle

Sexual minorities (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals; LGBT) experience workplace discrimination that leads to decreased physical and emotional well-being, and negative job outcomes. LGBT individuals may also experience microaggressions and ostracism in the workplace. Microaggressions are brief and subtle slights or insults that can be either conscious or unconscious, which have negative consequences similar to direct “old-fashioned” forms of discrimination. Ostracism, being ignored and excluded, has similar negative outcomes. Microaggressions and ostracism are often ambiguous and difficult to substantiate legally, whereas other forms of discrimination can be observed directly. We review the literature on microaggressions and ostracism, which have recently been investigated with LGBT populations, suggesting future research directions. We suggest practices for encouraging an organizational climate of acceptance. Copyright © 2017 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Hierarchical Approach to Analysis of Cardiovascular Function in Mice: An Overview

Over the past decade remarkable progress has been made in our knowledge of the pathobiology of human disease through the use of genetically engineered mice. The ability to manipulate the murine genome by use of gain of function or loss of function strategies is providing fundamental insights into the mechanisms which underlie atherosclerosis (1), hypertension (2), cardiac hypertrophy and failure (3). The power of this approach derives from the ability to precisely overexpress or ablate a gene of interest and examine the phenotypic consequences during embryogenesis, development, maturation and senescence. In contrast to conventional experimental animal models of human disease which employ some form of environmental stress and elicit a complex array of molecular and biochemical events, genetic engineering involves a single known molecular perturbation which produces a phenotype that may or may not recapitulate human disease. Gene targeting and transgenic analysis involves a candidate gene approach. The gene of interest is believed to potentially be involved in the pathogenesis of a disease state. These approaches are now being complemented by viral or chemical mutagenesis studies which produce random disruptions in the mouse genome. This strategy holds the promise of discovering new genes responsible for a pathologic state or a previously unrecognized role in the pathogenesis of disease for known genes.
The Puromycin-Sensitive Aminopeptidase

The puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (ApPS) was identified as the major enkephalin-degrading activity in brain, but has subsequently been implicated in a variety of cellular functions. In addition to regulating the concentration of neuropeptides, ApPS has been suggested to be involved in reproductive function, cell cycle regulation, regulation of apoptosis, general protein turnover, and antigen presentation. Its involvement in these cellular functions has led to its implication in a number of diseases and disorders, including reproductive infertility, adult-onset dementia, disorders of anxiety and nociception, cancer and metastasis, growth defects, liver failure, and disorders of immune function. While its involvement in these disease states is evident, the precise pathology of these conditions is unknown, making the identification of physiological substrates of ApPS and the development of specific ApPS inhibitors an attractive field of study.
War and Peace in the Western Political Imagination, from Classical Antiquity to the Age of Reason: Manning, Roger B. London: Bloomsbury Academic 364 pp., $122.00, ISBN 978-1-4742-5870-8 Publication Date: March 2016

This book sets out to discuss what the title offers, war and peace. The author, Roger Manning, is an emeritus professor of history at Cleveland State University, where he specialized in sixteenth- ...
Is my model any good: differentially private regression diagnostics

Linear and logistic regression are popular statistical techniques for analyzing multi-variate data. Typically, analysts do not simply posit a particular form of the regression model, estimate its parameters, and use the results for inference or prediction. Instead, they first use a variety of diagnostic techniques to assess how well the model fits the relationships in the data and how well it can be expected to predict outcomes for out-of-sample records, revising the model as necessary to improve fit and predictive power. In this article, we develop $$\epsilon $$ -differentially private diagnostics tools for regression, beginning to fill a gap in privacy-preserving data analysis. Specifically, we create differentially private versions of residual plots for linear regression and of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves as well as binned residual plot for logistic regression. The residual plot and binned residual plot help determine whether or not the data satisfy the assumptions underlying the regression model, and the ROC curve is used to assess the predictive power of the logistic regression model. These diagnostics improve the usefulness of algorithms for computing differentially private regression output, which alone does not allow analysts to assess the quality of the posited model. Our empirical studies show that these algorithms can be effective tools for allowing users to evaluate the quality of their models.
A differential ISFET pH sensor

In this paper, we present a simple differential CMOS ISFET based pH sensor. The design uses two different sensing areas. The resulting sensor reduces complexity and power consumption making it suitable for implantable biomedical applications. The design is implemented in a standard 130nm process and the design constraints on sensitivity are explored. Analytical results based on theory show that sensor sensitivity increases with increasing transistor areas, biasing current levels and maximized difference in the two sensing areas. The designed differential single-chip ISFET pH sensor provides satisfactory performance for a 1–14 pH range with power consumption of 1.2 μW for bias current of 1 μA, simple structure, and sensor size of 160 μm × 80 μm.
Nacre-inspired composite design approaches for large-scale cementitious members and structures

Abstract Nacre boasts a remarkable mechanical property profile, despite being composed 95% of a chalk-like mineral. Previous research has reported the features and deformation mechanisms responsible, inspiring many synthetic, biomimetic versions of nacre. However, due to processing challenges associated with nacre's complex structure, this composite design inspiration has not been applied on a scale useful for civil engineering applications. This research investigates the utility of nacre's composite design on a scale relevant to infrastructure by exploiting the “distributed microcracking” behavior of strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCCs). With the goal of emulating nacre's deformation mechanisms, rather than simply structural mimicry, various design approaches within the constraints of construction practices are introduced and evaluated in direct tension and beam bending. An alternating layering scheme, using a geotextile mesh and a high strength SHCC, is seen to produce promising behavior, significantly outperforming the high strength SHCC in its monolithic form. Advantages are seen in tension, compression, and particularly flexure. The deformation mechanisms responsible for this enhanced performance, and those of alternate approaches, are discussed.
Improvements in Hurricane Intensity Forecasts from a Multimodel Superensemble Utilizing a Generalized Neural Network Technique

AbstractForecasting tropical storm intensities is a very challenging issue. In recent years, dynamical models have improved considerably. However, for intensity forecasts more improvement is necess...
Factors to Consider When Analyzing the Need for an Elected State Treasurer

Since 2010, public officials or other stakeholders in at least seven states have proposed the elimination of the publicly‐elected state treasurer position in their respective states. Advocates claim this would cut costs while opponents argue that it would decrease accountability and checks and balances. During the mid‐1990s and early 2000s, three states (Texas, Minnesota, and Florida) eliminated the elected state treasurer position. This paper presents case studies of what happened in those states and uses the findings, along with other information, to discuss factors to consider when evaluating whether a state should eliminate its elected state treasurer position.
Application of Cognitive Task Performance Modeling for Assessing Usability of Transradial Prostheses

The goal of this study was to investigate the use of cognitive modeling to assess the usability of an upper-limb prosthesis with a focus on mental workload responses. Prior studies have investigated usability of upper-limb prostheses with subjective surveys and physiological measures. However, these approaches have limitations, including subject recall of conditions and physiological response contamination by head and body movements and user speech during task performance as well as sensitivity to physical fatigue and room lighting conditions. Cognitive modeling was used to assess mental workload in use of transradial upper-limb prosthesis. A case study was conducted with a participant with upper-limb amputation using two different types of electromyography-based control schemes, including conventional direct control (DC) and pattern recognition (PR) control in order to compare cognitive model outcomes with mental workload assessment using eye-tracking measures. Cognitive models time estimates were also compared with actual task completion time results from the case study to further assess the validity of cognitive modeling as an analytical tool for evaluating upper limb prosthesis usability. Findings of both the cognitive models and case study revealed the PR mode to be more intuitive, reduce cognitive load, and increase efficiency in prosthetic control as compared to the DC mode. Results of the present study revealed that cognitive modeling can be used as an analytical approach for assessing upper-limb prosthetic device usability in terms of workload outcomes. Future studies should validate the present findings with more precise time estimations and a larger user sample size.
Innovations in Eye Care: Sport Vision

Optometry has a long tradition of providing vision care services to optimize daily function. While this has often focused on academic and occupational performance, sports performance is another important area where vision plays a critical role. Athletes, trainers and coaches have recognized that excellent vision is an important aspect of performance [...]
Topographical Analysis of the Hamate for Proximal Pole Scaphoid Nonunion Reconstruction.

Purpose To quantify the similarity of the surface topography of the proximal hamate and proximal pole of the scaphoid for nonunion reconstruction. Methods Using previously acquired computed tomographic scans of the wrist of 10 patients, the 2 bones were segmented and subsequently aligned using both a manual and automated technique. Surface error between corresponding articular surfaces was computed to determine the similarity of the shape of the 2 bones. Results The median distance between the 2 articulating surfaces for each patient was 1 mm or less for all cases. Maximum distance varied from 2.7 to 9.7 mm. The automated method improved alignment such that the maximum distance was 4.1 mm. Visual review of the alignment revealed that the maximum error occurred on or around the margin of the articulating surfaces. Conclusions In most cases, the proximal hamate appears to be a suitable donor match to reconstruct proximal pole scaphoid nonunions. Clinical relevance This study serves as a guide to practitioners when considering the suitability of the proximal hamate autograft for unsalvageable proximal pole scaphoid nonunions.
Emerging Neurology of COVID-19

The virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the current pandemic known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with severe respiratory illness as the predominant manifestation. Neurologic complications from COVID-19 were reported in the early stages of the pandemic and are now increasingly recognized. These include various symptoms like headache and anosmia as well as neurologic complications of severe COVID-19 like encephalopathy, seizures, and stroke. There are few reports of direct involvement of the central nervous system with SARS-CoV-2 causing meningoencephalitis. There is concern for higher incidence and severity of COVID-19 in patients with chronic neurologic conditions. Here, we review the emerging literature along with our anecdotal experience in regard to these neurologic manifestations in patients with COVID-19 and detail the putative pathophysiologic mechanisms for the same.
Synergistic effects of potassium channel blockers and pyrethroids: mosquitocidal activity and neuronal mode of action†.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this research was to explore the possibility of co-applying pyrethroids (agonists of voltage-sensitive sodium channels) with potassium channel blockers in order to potentiate the neurological effects of pyrethroids on Anopheles gambiae. We hypothesized that the toxicity of pyrethroids caused by persistent sodium currents would be augmented by blockage of outward potassium current flow, which normally repolarizes the membrane potential during a nerve membrane action potential. RESULTS Topical treatments with LD10 s (10% mortality doses) of synergists were given with pyrethroids. 2S-65465 (2S) showed the best synergism of permethrin (8.6-fold) and deltamethrin (7.2-fold), whereas piperonyl butoxide and 4-aminopyridine only showed 2.2- to 3.4-fold synergism with these pyrethroids. In electrophysiological recordings of Periplaneta americana giant axons, 2S (10 μm) and 4-AP (30 μm) caused multiple spikes after a single stimulation. Permethrin at 10 μm showed significant summating depolarization (4.5 ± 1.1 mV) after a train of ten stimuli were applied at 5 Hz, and deltamethrin at 0.03 μm showed significant membrane depolarization of 2.9 ± 0.4 mV without stimuli. 2S at 0.3 μm and 4-AP at 1-3 μm significantly synergized the effects of 3 μm permethrin and 0.01 μm deltamethrin. CONCLUSIONS Co-application of potassium channel blockers 2S and 4-AP with pyrethroids can synergize the mosquitocidal activities on An. gambiae, and these activities are correlated with synergistic effects at the level of the nerve membrane. If deployed in the field, this approach can potentially reduce the amount of chemicals needed for effective control of mosquitoes. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Exploring Cuba: Cartographers, Educators, and Creeks & Spaniards

In “the call for papers” for this special issue of Terrae Incognitae, we envisioned a thematic issue examining “multiple aspects of discovery, exploration, and settlement of Cuba.” The process of E...
Independent restaurant operator perspectives in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic

The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions and attitudes of South Carolina independent full-service restaurant operators in relation to the operational and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study utilized a mixed-methods approach that first partnered with local administrative and governmental bodies to disseminate a short survey. The survey was open to respondents for a 5-week period, beginning May 4th, 2020, which was when restaurants were permitted to reopen indoor dining, but with seating capacity restrictions to ensure social distancing. The second qualitative stage employed semi-structured post-survey interviews with selected independent restaurant operators from across the state. The results indicated that 25% of the restaurants polled did not survive the nearly two-month closure. Less than a quarter of respondents were unable to bring back their company's employees to pre-pandemic levels. The CARES Act financial relief programs were favored by most (81%) of the surveyed restaurant operators. Approximately 65% of the respondents did not feel they could keep their restaurants open if the pandemic restrictions remained in place until 2021. The respondents were split as to the future viability of the hospitality and tourism industry. The study offers guidance and managerial strategies for other independent full-service restaurant operators, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.
Facilitators Associated With Building and Sustaining Therapeutic Alliance in Advanced Pediatric Cancer.

Importance Therapeutic alliance is a core component of patient- and family-centered care, particularly in the setting of advancing cancer. Communication approaches used by pediatric oncologists to foster therapeutic alliance with children with cancer and their families are not well understood. Objectives To identify key oncologist-driven facilitators associated with building and sustaining therapeutic alliance in the setting of advancing pediatric cancer and to develop a framework to guide clinical practice and future investigation of therapeutic alliance. Design, Setting, and Participants In this qualitative study, serial disease reevaluation discussions that occurred in the clinic, inpatient hospital, or off campus via telephone were recorded among pediatric oncologists, patients with high-risk cancer, and their families across 24 months or until death, whichever occurred first, from 2016 to 2020. This analysis focused on recorded discussions for pediatric patients who experienced progressive disease during the study period. Content analysis was conducted across recorded dialogue to derive inductive codes and identify themes. Participants were patient-parent dyads for whom a primary oncologist projected the patient’s survival to be 50% or less, all family members and friends who attended any of their recorded disease reevaluation conversations, and their oncologists and other clinicians who attended the recorded discussions. Results A total of 33 patient-parent dyads were enrolled and followed longitudinally. From this cohort, 17 patients experienced disease progression during the study period, most of whom were female (11 [64.7%]) and White (15 [88.2%]) individuals. For these patients, 141 disease reevaluation discussions were audio recorded, comprising 2400 minutes of medical dialogue. Most children (14 [82.4%]) died during the study period. A median of 7 disease reevaluation discussions per patient (range, 1-19) were recorded. Content analysis yielded 28 unique concepts associated with therapeutic alliance fostered by oncologist communication. Ultimately, 7 core themes emerged to support a framework for clinician approaches associated with optimizing therapeutic alliance: human connection, empathy, presence, partnering, inclusivity, humor, and honesty. Conclusions and Relevance In this qualitative study, pediatric oncologists used diverse communication approaches associated with building and deepening connections across advancing illness. These findings offer a framework to support clinical and research strategies for strengthening therapeutic alliance among pediatric oncologists, patients, and families.
Absorption, translocation, and metabolism of florpyrauxifen-benzyl and cyhalofop-butyl in cyhalofop-butyl-resistant barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.]

Abstract Dose-response experiments were conducted to assess the sensitivity of one susceptible and three putative resistant (R1, R2, and R3) barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.] biotypes to florpyrauxifen-benzyl and cyhalofop-butyl alone and as a formulated premix. Subsequently, potential resistance mechanisms of the barnyardgrass were evaluated. Based on biomass reduction results, resistant/susceptible ratios were calculated for R1 (7.0–50), R2 (7.0–150), and R3 (18–214) biotypes. Absorption and translocation of [14C]-florpyrauxifen-benzyl decreased in R1 and R3 biotypes, but not for [14C]-cyhalofop-butyl. The metabolism of [14C]-florpyrauxifen-benzyl to [14C]-florpyrauxifen-acid was >2-fold less in resistant biotypes (9–11%) than in the susceptible biotype (23%). Moreover, the production of [14C]-florpyrauxifen-acid in susceptible barnyardgrass (not in the R biotypes) increased 3-fold when florpyrauxifen-benzyl and cyhalofop-butyl were applied in mixture compared to florpyrauxifen-benzyl applied alone. The tested barnyardgrass biotypes had no mutation in the Transport Inhibitor Response1, auxin-signaling F-box, and acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase genes. Although further studies on cyhalofop-butyl resistance with respect to analysis of specific metabolites are needed, our findings in this study demonstrates that the evolution of florpyrauxifen-benzyl resistance in multiple resistant barnyardgrass can be related to non-target-site resistance mechanisms reducing absorption and translocation of the herbicide and causing reduced conversion or rapid degradation of florpyrauxifen-acid.
Intercellular Communication and Cancer

Among the several different forms of cell interactions known to exist in multicellular organisms intercellular communication provides the most direct form of communication by allowing free exchange of ions and small molecules between neighboring cells via permeable membrane junctions. This type of communication has been implicated in various biological functions such as cell differentiation, embryonic development, and tissue growth regulation. In this chapter we will review highlights of functional and structural evidence of junctional communication in normal and cancerous tissues and discuss the existing hypotheses concerning the possible significance of cell junctions in cancer.
Requirement and Availability of Soil Water

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the broad aspects of water requirement, the consumptive use of water in plant growth, total use of water on the farm, and the availability of water as related to the nature and distribution of plant roots and to moisture stress in the soil. In planning for irrigation it often becomes essential to know about the quantity of water consumed in growing a crop and the efficiency with which water can be applied. Such information is not only necessary in planning for large irrigated projects, but is also needed in planning individual farm systems or layout and in improving irrigation practices. It is noted that consumptive use varies with soil moisture level. The higher the average soil moisture level, the higher the value for consumptive use. The effect of soil moisture levels on the efficiency of water use by plants are conditioned by the influence of moisture levels on crop growth.
Constitutional Rights for Non-People: Citizens United and the Quiet Emergence of Associations as Rights-Bearing Political Actors

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is arguably one of the most politically significant decisions of the modern United States Supreme Court. The 2010 opinion fundamentally reshaped American political campaigning by offering a radical new conception of what it means to be a democratic participant. The Court struck down, on First Amendment grounds, a federal law prohibiting independent political expenditures by unions and corporations. Yet, among the approximate one-hundred and eighty pages of opinion, there is strikingly sparse discussion of just what “speech” is. Nor do any of the justices adequately explore the rationale behind the phrase “corporate speech,” an arguably paradoxical syntactical combination rooted in the Court’s “freedom of expressive association” jurisprudence – a doctrine of relatively recent vintage. Justice Stevens’ passionate dissent is laced throughout with the concession that corporations themselves engage in “speech” – a term that, on its face, would seem to require a human “speaker.” Thus even the dissent implicitly accepts the default position that corporations are potentially eligible for protections clearly designed by the Amendment’s framers for human beings. Legal academics and journalists of all stripes have likewise blithely accepted the conclusion that there is something called “corporate speech.” In doing so, the dissent and others who find the Citizens United decision troubling have unwittingly and unwisely ceded unnecessary ground. By reifying corporations and imbuing them with the sympathetic qualities of individual American citizens seeking to assert their fundamental First Amendment freedoms, the majority is able to craft an opinion that resembles constitutional common sense. I examine how the Court ultimately arrived at this destination. In the decades prior to Citizens United the Court had established that associating with others has a close nexus with the textual freedoms of speech and assembly; but the contours of the “right to associate” remained far from clear. I argue that the right to enhance individual expression through association, gradually, and without acknowledgement, morphed into a right of the association itself. I trace and critique this development, looking closely at Court precedent, the view of the founding fathers and the core philosophical underpinnings of free speech. After Citizens United, the fiction of the “corporate speaker,” useful in other contexts, was inappropriately accorded First Amendment status. The result, I argue, is contrary to democratic and republican ideals -- allowing corporations and other associations to become potent players in political contests intended for individual citizens.
SOUTH CAROLINA'S "EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS"

The pending challenge to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act presents the Court with competing narratives, one of a problem solved and a statute that has run its course, and another depicting a vulnerable work in progress that requires the sustained attention the VRA provides. There is an additional narrative the Justices should consider when they evaluate how far places subject to the VRA’s regional provisions have evolved. This narrative posits that Section 5 is far from obsolete, and operates not only as a restraint on the ill-intentioned, but also as an affirmative tool of governance. On this account, one of the VRA’s most critical, albeit least appreciated, functions is the way in which it helps public officials navigate complex contemporary questions concerning equality of opportunity in the political process. A good example of the VRA’s role in this regard is found in the “evolutionary process” through which voter identification recently came to be approved in South Carolina.
Two Dollar Challenge: Learning how the Other Half Lives

Almost half of the world's population lives on less than $2 a day. This number motivates the Two Dollar Challenge. Each year my students and I choose a partner, set a monetary goal, and take the Challenge. For five days and four nights we constrain our daily income to two dollars. Those four nights are spent in makeshift shelters on campus. We also limit our access to water, clothing, and other preexisting sources of wealth. For every day and night successfully completed sponsors donate funds to the Challenge. Our first partner was KIVA.org. Together, with these funds, we were able to extend relatively low-cost business loans to entrepreneurs in developing and transitioning economies. This exercise in experiential learning touches upon a number of concepts covered in an Economic Development course - most importantly the daily choice calculus of those in poverty.
Predictors of Delinquent Behaviors Among Latino Youth

This study used an ecological framework to examine predictors of delinquent behaviors among 91 sixth-grade Latino youth. Both proximal and distal contextual factors were assessed to determine their impact on various forms of delinquency, such as violent behaviors, violent thoughts, substance abuse, and general delinquency (e.g., skipping school). Attitudes toward school, mobility (number of moves to new schools and neighborhoods), and exposure to community violence were distal variables, whereas attachment to parents and attachment to peers were considered more proximal variables. Environmental experiences or exposure to distressing community violence was the strongest predictor of delinquent outcomes. The results were discussed in terms of school officials' developing linkages with the community to promote safe environments for youth.
Switching characteristics of an IGBT

The switching characteristics of an IGBT connected in a DC chopper were measured using a digital oscilloscope and personal computer system. The system and obtained measurements are described. The waveforms of the device's voltage, current, and power were obtained for various operating conditions. The power dissipated by the IGBT was computed using a data processing software available on the computer. The effects of snubber circuit and reverse gate voltage on the switching losses are studied. The suitability of an IGBT for high frequency switching applications is discussed. >
Solution Separation Versus Residual-Based RAIM

Future multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) will offer the possibility to fulfill stringent navigation integrity requirements using Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM). This paper presents a detailed comparison of residual-based (RB) and solution separation (SS) RAIM. A complete step-by-step derivation of the two methods, which is currently missing in the literature, is given for the detection of single and multi-measurement faults, starting from common definitions of the integrity and continuity risks. In addition, a parity-space representation of SS RAIM is developed. It is shown that the integrity monitoring performance of SS RAIM can be superior to RB RAIM because SS test statistics are tailored to the fault hypotheses, and to the state of interest. However, for practical reasons of computational efficiency in conventional SS implementations, which are fully detailed in the paper, RB RAIM ultimately provides tighter bounds on integrity risk. Copyright © 2014 Institute of Navigation.
Systematic investigation of protein phase behavior with a microfluidic formulator

We demonstrated a microfluidic device for rapidly generating complex mixtures of 32 stock reagents in a 5-nl reactor. This "formulation chip" is fully automated and allows thousands of experiments to be performed in a single day with minimal reagent consumption. It was applied to systematically study the phase behavior of the protein xylanase over a large and complex chemical space. For each chemical formulation that demonstrated a pronounced effect on solubility, the protein phase behavior was completely mapped in the chip, generating a set of empirical phase diagrams. This ab initio phase information was used to devise a rational crystallization screen that resulted in 72-fold improvement in successful crystallization hits compared with conventional sparse matrix screens. This formulations tool allows a physics-based approach to protein crystallization that may prove useful in structural genomics efforts.
Where in the World? Demographic Patterns in Access Data

As learning environments become increasingly available online, the fine-grained records of user activities can be captured and analyzed (generally called webmetrics) to better understand the characteristics of teachers and learners. The purpose of this paper is three-fold. First, we describe how two web-based educational systems were engineered to collect webmetrics. This is followed by a description of our methods for collecting geo-referenced data, joining these data with demographic and educational datasets for the United States, and mapping these using geographic information system (GIS) techniques to visually display relationships. We conclude with results from statistical analyses of these relationships that highlight areas of significance.
A simulation of quantum logic gates and qubits using Ruby

This purpose of this project was twofold. As a Physics major, Computer Science minor, my focus was to learn and use an object oriented scripting language to model an aspect of physics. Quantum computing is at the intersection of computer science and physics. I chose the Ruby programming language to model quantum logic gates and qubits.
Interface constrained processor specification and scheduling

The authors propose a novel specification for tightly constrained processing elements based on recognizing concurrent sequences of data flow. This specification has several benefits, notably it allows a very concise representation of complex internal semantics and interface protocols. Particular advantages exist with specifying timing constraints and performance cost functions for control dominated applications. The specification can be made canonical and leads to an interesting formulation of the scheduling problem. >