cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linkage disequilibrium between single nucleotide polymorphisms and hypermutable loci

Some diseases are caused by genetic loci with a high rate of change, and heritability in complex traits is likely to be partially caused by variation at these loci. These hypermutable elements, such as tandem repeats, change at rates that are orders of magnitude higher than the rates at which most single nucleotides mutate. However, single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, are currently the primary focus of genetic studies of human disease. Here we quantify the degree to which SNPs are correlated with hypermutable loci, examining a range of mutation rates that correspond to mutation rates at tandem repeat loci. We use established population genetics theory to relate mutation rates to recombination rates and compare the theoretical predictions to simulations. Both simulations and theory agree that, at the highest mutation rates, almost all correlation is lost between a hypermutable locus and surrounding SNPs. The theoretical predictions break down for middle to low mutation rates, differing widely from the simulated results. The simulation results suggest that some correlation remains between SNPs and hypermutable loci when mutation rates are on the lower end of the mutation spectrum. Consequently, in some cases SNPs can tag variation caused by tandem repeat loci. We also examine the linkage between SNPs and other SNPs and uncover ways in which the linkage disequilibrium of rare SNPs differs from that of hypermutable loci.
Factors Controlling Free Air and Ocean Temperature of the Last 30 Years and Extrapolation to the Past

Relationships between global sea surface temperature, tropospheric free air temperature and oceanic surface wind patterns are explored. Data for the past 30 years show that tropical free air temperature changes are jointly related to preceding sea surface temperature changes and to stratospheric aerosol which varies with volcanic activity. Global sea surface temperature patterns show two principal modes: El Nino, which changes from a negative to a positive phase in less than one year; and the cooling trend which began in the middle 1960’s and was associated with drought in the Sahel. High latitude oceanic cooling is related to surface wind pattern changes which alter oceanic currents and to changes in energy absorbed by the Indian Ocean which is normally passed on to the Atlantic. The idea of an optimum oceanic energy flow vector is coined, this being the pattern of the curl of the surface wind stress. This pattern is shown to be different for wet and dry years in the Sahel. The pattern would also have changed during the last Ice Age as large-scale waves forced by the fixed mountain and variable ice topography interfered. These changes in the orientation of the oceanic energy flow vector may have accounted for the abrupt environmental changes observed in northwest Europe.
A cerebellar long-term depression update

Two major themes have emerged in the commentaries elicited by the target articles that concern cerebellar long-term depression (LTD) (CREPEL, VINCENT, and LINDEN). First, is a lively debate concerning the potential role of a nitric oxide/cGMP cascade in cerebellar LTD induction. Second is a much broader issue relating to the interchange of information between cerebellar physiologists concerned with mechanisms at a cellular and synaptic level and those working at the level of systems physiology, behavior, or modeling. What contributions can cellular physiologists make to the study of motor learning? Cellular physiologists can provide testable hypotheses to help determine if these synaptic phenomena do underlie particular behaviors (e.g., if cerebellar LTD underlies vestibulo-ocular reflex [VOR] adaptation or eyeblink conditioning, then blockade of cerebellar LTD via, say, mGluRl inhibition, should interfere with these forms of motor learning). In addition, we can provide descriptive parametric information about basal synaptic function and use-dependent synaptic modifications that can constrain the range of models proposed to underlie a given behavior (e.g., are the timing constraints on LTD induction consistent with VOR adaptation or eyeblink conditioning?).
A Plant Poisonous to Adult Bees

Bees moved into the Sierra mountains of California in 1932 suffered an abnormal death rate while visiting the blossoms of western false hellebore ( Veratrum caliornicum .).
Synthesis, Characterization, and Tribological Applications of Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials play important roles in tribolgy and manufacturing. This lecture provides an opportunity for us to review and learn the knowledge and techniques that have been involved in nanomaterials and nanotribology areas. Targeting tribological applications, a brief history of nanoparticulates, dated back more than 2500 years, will be given briefly. The classification and synthesis of nanoparticles will be followed by nanomaterils and nanocomposites, their characterization techniques, and mechanical, tribological, chemical, and physical properties. Discussion ends with summary of applications.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Identification of Fault-Controlled Damage Zones in Microseismic Data – An Example from the Haynesville Shale

Fault-controlled damage zones have important implications for fluid flow in fractured reservoirs. We present here a methodology for identification of fault-controlled damage zones in microseismic data using a dataset from the Haynesville shale. We first develop a discrete fracture network (DFN) model of the pre-existing faults shear activated during hydraulic fracturing stimulation. We utilize the DFN to reveal fracture concentrations, diagnostic of fault damage zones. The DFN also reveals a planar zone of diminished microseismic events which we hypothesize are correlative with the fault itself. In support of this interpretation, we show that fault density in the damage zones drops off with distance from the fault according to a power law F=F0r which has been observed in faultcontrolled damage zones at other locations.
A numerical study of brush seal leakage flow

With their increasing use in gas turbine engines, brush seals have drawn the recent attention of researchers. Among the challenging problems, perhaps leakage analysis is of primary importance in investigating sealing performance. This work presents a 2-D laminar flow analysis. Using a commercially available finite element analysis software FIDAPTM, the model predicts flow rate versus pressure drop for a given flow region. The brush seal flow domain is divided into representative smaller cells in which simulation takes place. The cells are chosen such that together they can represent whole seal. At the beginning, the model consists of a single cell of five bristles, one in the middle and four at each corner of a square. Then, other cells are added in order to extrapolate the results for a full seal. In parallel to the numerical work a simple analytical model has also been developed. This simplified solution of the 2D laminar Navier-Stokes equation predicts pressure drop across two bristles. Results from the numerical work are also compared to this analytical solution. They also show good agreement with experimental static leakage test data collected on a high-speed test rig. Currently at GE Corporate Research and Development Center Professor of Mechanical Engineering INTRODUCTION The brush seal consists of a set of fine diameter metallic or ceramic fibers densely packed between retaining and backing plates. As illustrated in Figure 1, the backing plate is positioned downstream of the bristles to provide mechanical support for the differential pressure loads. The circular seal is installed in a static member with bristles touching the rotor with an angle in the direction of the rotor rotation. In the case of rotor excursions, this cant angle helps reduce the contact loads allowing bristles to bend rather than buckle. The inherent flexibility enables the seal to survive large rotor excursions without sustaining any appreciable permanent damage. With thousands of flexible bristles moving around under various loads, modeling the leakage through bristles is a real challenge. There are many difficult issues that need to be addressed in a realistic leakage model. To name a few: • compliance (individual bristles move around) • hysteresis and pressure closure • hydrodynamic lift and bristle flutter • flow in axial, radial and tangential (swirl) directions • change in bristle density with changing interference and pressure closure • change in tip clearance with pressure closure and wear. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1 R E T A I N I N G PLATE-
Dynamic Policymaking with Decay

It is often said that the only constant is change itself. As time passes, the population grows, new technologies are invented, and the skills, demographics, and norms of the populace evolve. These changes, whether in isolation or in aggregate, influence the effectiveness of policy. In particular, policies designed for today's world are unlikely to provide a perfect fit tomorrow. We develop a notion of policy decay that captures this impact formally. We introduce policy decay into a paradigmatic model of legislative policymaking and show that it leads to a starkly different perspective on legislative politics. Our results upend the classic notion of gridlock and bear implications more broadly for the practice of politics. We show how a changing world impacts the power of agenda control, how it drives the dynamic path of legislation, how it reveals a novel conception of policy expertise, and how it, ultimately, provides a foundational logic to the design of bureaucracy.
Regulation of colonic H-K-ATPase in large intestine and kidney by dietary Na depletion and dietary K depletion

Active K absorption in the rat distal colon is energized by an apical membrane H-K-ATPase, whereas K absorption in the distal collecting duct is generally believed to be modulated by a related renal H-K-ATPase. Experiments were performed to establish the mechanism(s) by which dietary Na depletion (with resulting elevated aldosterone levels) and K depletion stimulate K absorption. A colonic H-K-ATPase-specific cDNA probe and a polyclonal antibody were utilized to measure mRNA (Northern blot analyses) and protein (Western blot and immunofluorescence studies) abundance in the distal and proximal colon and renal collecting ducts and cortex of dietary Na- and K-depleted rats. Dietary Na depletion, but not K depletion, upregulated H-K-ATPase-specific mRNA and protein expression in the distal and proximal colon; Na depletion also stimulated H-K-ATPase activity in the distal colon. In contrast to the distal colon, H-K-ATPase-specific protein level in the outer medulla was enhanced by dietary K depletion, but not by Na depletion. This study establishes that 1) dietary Na depletion stimulates colonic H-K-ATPase activity most likely by a transcriptional process and 2) the regulation of colonic H-K-ATPase expression by dietary Na depletion and dietary K depletion is not identical in the large intestine and differs in the kidney from the colon, suggesting the presence of two (or more) H-K-ATPase isoforms in the rat colon.
Healthcare reform: past and future.

Purpose To review changes in the healthcare delivery system and project the challenges that practitioners and consumers will face in a reformed environment. Data sources Professional journals and books, print media, and government releases. Data synthesis Analysis of projected reform plans, discussions of issues related to complex social, economic, and political factors, and considerations for practice changes for oncology nurses. Conclusions The pending dominance of healthcare delivery through managed-care systems will challenge oncology care providers and consumers. Implications for nursing practice Oncology nurses must identify the opportunities, master the challenges, and adapt to the trends of the reformed healthcare system. The delivery of long-term care to senior citizens, patients with AIDS, and individuals from diverse cultures will shift to more community, ambulatory, and rural managed-care settings. Oncology nursing practice in these environments raises questions about prevention and screening, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, alternative care, and research. Oncology nurses, especially advanced practice nurses, will play a pivotal role in reshaping the delivery of patient care and in designing the future of their profession.
Balancing collective and individual interests in transactive energy management of interconnected micro-grid clusters

Abstract The emerging technology, transactive energy network, can allow multiple interconnected micro-grids (a.k.a. micro-grid clusters) to exchange energy for greater energy efficiency. Existing research has demonstrated that the micro-grid clusters can achieve some collective interests (e.g., minimizing total energy cost). However, some micro-grids may have to make sacrifices of their individual interests (e.g., increasing cost) for collective interests of the clusters. To bridge these research gaps, we propose four different transactive energy management models for micro-grid clusters where each micro-grid is allowed to have energy transactions with others. The first model focuses on maximizing collective interests, both the collective and individual interests are considered in the second model, and the last two models aim to maximize both the collective and individual interests. The performances of the proposed models are evaluated using a cluster of sixteen micro-grids with different energy profiles. It is demonstrated that 1) all of the four models can maximize the collective interests, 2) the third model can maximize the relative individual interests where each micro-grid can achieve the same percentage of cost savings as the clusters, and 3) the fourth model can maximize the absolute individual interests where each micro-grid can achieve the same amount of cost savings.
Expression and localization of prostaglandin EP3 receptor mRNA in the immature rabbit kidney

Arginine vasopressin (AVP)-stimulated cAMP generation is decreased in the immature collecting duct (CD). This is the result of prostaglandin antagonism, most likely via the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gi). The EP3-subtype prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor, which is coupled to Gi, could mediate this effect. We studied the developmental expression of EP3 receptor in the rabbit kidney. Higher levels of EP3 mRNA were observed in the immature kidney using three different assays: 1) reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with internal standard, 2) competitive PCR, and 3) ribonuclease protection assay. The highest levels were observed at 2 wk of age. RT-PCR from isolated nephron segments detected EP3 mRNA in the medullary thick ascending limb, cortical CD (CCD), and inner medullary CD (IMCD) of adult and immature kidneys. We conclude that 1) renal expression of EP3 mRNA is increased in immature kidneys and 2) EP3 mRNA is localized in the distal nephron. This suggests that EP3 receptor may play a role in the regulation of distal tubular transport during development.
Neogene biomarker record of vegetation change in eastern Africa

The evolution of C4 grassland ecosystems in eastern Africa has been intensely studied because of the potential influence of vegetation on mammalian evolution, including that of our own lineage, hominins. Although a handful of sparse vegetation records exists from middle and early Miocene terrestrial fossil sites, there is no comprehensive record of vegetation through the Neogene. Here we present a vegetation record spanning the Neogene and Quaternary Periods that documents the appearance and subsequent expansion of C4 grasslands in eastern Africa. Carbon isotope ratios from terrestrial plant wax biomarkers deposited in marine sediments indicate constant C3 vegetation from ∼24 Ma to 10 Ma, when C4 grasses first appeared. From this time forward, C4 vegetation increases monotonically to present, with a coherent signal between marine core sites located in the Somali Basin and the Red Sea. The response of mammalian herbivores to the appearance of C4 grasses at 10 Ma is immediate, as evidenced from existing records of mammalian diets from isotopic analyses of tooth enamel. The expansion of C4 vegetation in eastern Africa is broadly mirrored by increasing proportions of C4-based foods in hominin diets, beginning at 3.8 Ma in Australopithecus and, slightly later, Kenyanthropus. This continues into the late Pleistocene in Paranthropus, whereas Homo maintains a flexible diet. The biomarker vegetation record suggests the increase in open, C4 grassland ecosystems over the last 10 Ma may have operated as a selection pressure for traits and behaviors in Homo such as bipedalism, flexible diets, and complex social structure.
Self-Assembly of Full-Size Amyloid Beta 40 Proteins in Dimers

Even with growing evidence for the involvement of protein oligomeric nano-assemblies in the development of protein misfolding diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) among others, very limited knowledge exists regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes. This is primarily because the protein aggregates are stabilized by weak interactions that are typically transient in nature and difficult to measure. Therefore, only mixtures of aggregates with different morphologies have been studied thus far; in turn, it is unknown how the aggregation process is initiated and how the growth of oligomers progresses. On the other hand, computational approaches can provide detailed descriptions of how monomers bind to the segments of fibrils. However, these powerful simulations, which provide the structure and dynamics of aggregates at the atomic level, require knowledge of the initial nanoassembly structure; in turn, computational analysis primarily models the elongation process of fibrils. Thus, available computational approaches can be applied to modeling the assembly of oligomers if the structure of the oligomer is known. Herein, we have conducted in silico simulations of Aβ40 monomer assembly in dimers. The simulated structures were validated by comparing Monte Carlo pulling simulations with experimental data from single molecule AFM force spectroscopy enabling us to identify dimers structures rupture of which were in good agreement with the experimental results. One important observation from our long time-scale MD simulations is that the dimer does not have the extended beta-structures observed in fibrils. Rather, it remains largely unstructured and is stabilized by hydrophobic interaction and local hydrogen bonds. The results suggest that the Aβ40 aggregation is a complex process in which the monomer structure depends on the aggregate size.
Estimators for micro-robot leg dynamics with uncertain jump conditions and infrequent sampling

This paper examines estimation of micro-robotic leg dynamics across uncertain ground impact conditions. A model for impact of compliant micro-structures with unknown ground geometries is adapted to a switched system format having explicit random parameters associated with uncertain impact conditions. Estimation schemes for dynamic states of the robot leg are derived based on Kalman filtering, including a novel ad hoc method for incorporating inter-sample impact events based on linear interpolations. Model and estimation schemes are tested against experimental motion of a meso-scale compliant piezoelectric robot test bed. The impact model improves on prior modeling techniques in capturing mean impact time and variability of step height, though impact time variation is overstated in open-loop. Impact time estimates are much improved using the estimator with inter-sample events, though estimation error over the entirety of leg motion is inferior to that of a more conventional hybrid Kalman filter.
Parallel boolean matrix multiplication in linear time using rectifying memristors

Boolean matrix multiplication (BMM) is a fundamental problem with applications in graph theory, group testing, data compression, and digital signal processing (DSP). The search for efficient BMM algorithms has produced several fast, albeit impractical, algorithms with sub-cubic time complexity. In this paper, we propose a memristor-crossbar framework for computing BMM at the hardware level in linear time. Our design leverages the diode-like characteristics of recently studied rectifying memristors to resolve the pervasive sneak paths constraint that is ubiquitous in crossbar computing.
To Mrs. Finklebean: The Truth About Conjunctions as Sentence-Starters

This short piece debunks the myth that it's improper to start sentences with "But" or "And." The cited sources — referenced in 46 footnotes — confirm, for example, that every U.S. Supreme Court Justice begins sentences with "But" and "And," as do the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
Ultrafast charge and energy exchanges at hybrid interfaces involving 2D semiconductors (Conference Presentation)

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (2D-TMD) semiconductors are new class of functional materials with a great promise for optoelectronics. Despite their atomic thickness, they strongly interact with light. This allows 2D-TMDs to become suitable converters of photons into useful electric charges in heterostructures involving 2D-TMDs and metallic nano-plasmonics or semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). In this talk, I will illustrate how femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy can reveal a sub-45 fs charge transfer at a 2D/QDs heterostructure composed of tungsten disulfide monolayers (2D-WS2) and a single layer of cadmium selenide (CdSe)/zinc sulfide (ZnS) core/shell 0D-QDs. In another heterostructure involving 2D-TMDs and plasmonics, I will describe how plasmons of an array of aluminum (Al) nanoantennas are excited indirectly via energy transfer from photoexcited exciton of 2D-WS2 semiconductor. In particular, femtosecond spectroscopy measurements indicated that the lifetime of the resulting plasmon-induced hot electrons in the Al array continue as long as that of the 2D-WS2 excitons. Conversely, the presence of these excited plasmons almost triples the lifetime of the 2D-WS2 excitons from ~15 to ~44 ps. This exciton-plasmon coupling enabled by such hybrid nanostructures may open new opportunities for optoelectronic applications. This research was conducted at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility. Synthesis of the two-dimensional materials was supported by the Materials Science and Engineering Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy.
The natural productome.

Natural products have inspired many highly impactful human medicines, crop protectants, food preservatives, and biological probes. They also make the world a more wonderful place to see, smell, taste, and feel, by serving as many of the most popular colorants, perfumes, seasonings, and lotions (Fig. 1). Having the capacities to disrupt or promote protein–protein interactions (1), allosterically modify protein activities (2), and even autonomously perform protein-like functions (3), natural products continue to inspire the medicines of tomorrow. With such an extensive track record of contributions to society, the question of how much untapped potential natural products possess is an important one. Pye et al. (4) report in PNAS a quantitative analysis of the structural novelty of most of the microbial and marine-derived natural products discovered over the past 70 y. Their findings support what may seem at first glance to be paradoxical conclusions: natural product chemical space is largely bounded, and the opportunity for future discovery in this arena is substantial (Fig. 1). Fig. 1. Natural products have already made extensive contributions to society. The finding that the chemical space they occupy is largely bounded paradoxically reveals substantial opportunity for future impact. Previous support for the notion that natural product chemical space is limited can be drawn from various angles. It has been theorized that because many natural products have coevolved with protein-binding partners, the boundedness of protein fold-space and the small number of structurally distinct ligand-binding pockets (5) has reciprocally imparted limitations on the structural space they occupy (6). Analogous to the assembly and folding of proteins, even the most topologically complex natural products are typically derived from modular assembly of just a few building blocks and intramolecular cyclizations of the resulting linear structures. These processes are fundamentally bounded by the laws of physical chemistry (5). The tailoring of these … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: mdburke{at}illinois.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Relationship of Sodium Intake and Blood Pressure Varies With Energy Intake: Secondary Analysis of the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)-Sodium Trial.

Dietary Na recommendations are expressed as absolute amounts (mg/d) rather than as Na density (mg/kcal). Our objective was to determine whether the strength of the relationship of Na intake with blood pressure (BP) varied with energy intake. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)-Sodium trial was a randomized feeding trial comparing 2 diets (DASH and control) and 3 levels of Na density. Participants with pre- or stage 1 hypertension consumed diets for 30 days in random order; energy intake was controlled to maintain body weight. This secondary analysis of 379 non-Hispanic black and white participants used mixed-effects models to assess the association of Na and energy intakes with BP. The relationships between absolute Na and both systolic and diastolic BP varied with energy intake. BP rose more steeply with increasing Na at lower energy intake than at higher energy intake ( P interaction P P =0.001). Sodium density should be considered as a metric for expressing dietary Na recommendations.
Intrapersonal Communication (Inner Dialogue or Inner Speech)

The chapter discusses the mechanisms involved in learning values, beliefs, and biases and their implicit and explicit interactions with an individual’s thinking styles to form intrapersonal communication (inner dialogue, inner speech, or self-talk). The chapter explores the powerful role of a provider’s intrapersonal communication on her perception, worldview, interpersonal communication, and her ability to view the client’s worldview which is the foundation for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
DYNAMIC MODELING AND PNEUMATIC SWITCHING CONTROL OF A SUBMERSIBLE DROGUE

This paper analyzes the dynamic properties of a submersible drogue for which buoyancy control is imple- mented by a flexible membrane and pneumatic actuation. It is shown how a simple on/off switching algorithm tuned on the basis of depth measurements and an estimated depth velocity can be used to achieve accurate depth control with small fluctuations. The switching control makes the pneumatically controlled drogue an inherent hybrid system and conditions for contraction and stability are given for the proposed switching con- trol algorithm. Numerical evaluation of the conditions for stability and experimental data of the switching control implemented on a pneumatic submersible drogue further demonstrates the soundness of the proposed switching control algorithm.
Locke and Hume on Belief, Judgment and Assent

Hume's account of belief has been much reviled, especially considered as an account of what it is to assent to or judge a proposition to be true. In fact, given that he thinks that thoughts about existence can be composed of a single idea, and that relations are just complex ideas, it might be wondered whether he has an account of judgment at all. Nonetheless, Hume was extremely proud of his account of belief, discussing it at length in the Abstract, and developing it in the Appendix. Furthermore, he claimed several times that his account was new. It was not just a new answer to an old question, but an answer to a new question as well. Why did Hume think he was raising, and answering, a new question? Is his answer really so appalling? Why did he define belief in terms of a relationship with a present impression? In this paper, I propose answers to these questions. The answers emerge by contrasting Hume with Locke. Locke thought that belief was a pale imitation of knowledge, and that the assent we give to propositions is constituted in the very same act as forming those propositions. Hume saw the problems such a theory faced concerning existential beliefs. By ceasing to treat existence as a predicate, Hume was confronted with the issue of what it was to judge something to be true, or to assent to something. This issue had to be solved independently of the question of what it was to conceive something, or understand the content of a proposition. Hume thought this problem was new. He should be looked at, not as giving a bad answer to an important question, but rather as being the first in the early modern period to recognize that there was an important question here to be answered.
STUDIES OF THE SPECIES (e22−)am

Using a model which considers the interaction of one and two electrons bound in a cavity composed of a first layer of twelve or eighteen ammonia molecules oriented by the enclosed charge and a polarizable continuum beyond, we have found stable configurations in each case. The twelve dipole case has the lower heat of solution. For the one-electron cavity, however, it has a void radius of only 1.82 a and an excitation energy of 1.54 eV. In the eighteen dipole case the same species has a void radius of 3.3 a and a transition energy of 0.88 eV with a heat of solution estimated at —0.76 eV. In each case the two-electron species appear relatively stable and of similar size to the one-electron species (radii 1.5 and 2.7 a, respectively) and higher transition energies (3.02 and 1.55 eV). The energy of a quasi-free electron in ammonia was assumed to be zero. This and the large coordination numbers used may be incorrect. A positive energy for the electron-ammonia interaction would yield results in closer agreement with experimental values. The model is now being refined to include these other contributions.
An Empirical Examination of the Educational Impact of Text Message-Induced Task Switching in the Classroom: Educational Implications and Strategies to Enhance Learning

Today´s Net Generation university students multitask more than any prior generation, primarily using electronic communication tools (Carrier et al., 2009). In addition, studies report that many students text during class (Tindell & Bohlander, 2011). This research examines the impact of receiving and sending text messages during a classroom lecture. Recent laboratory research (Ophir, et al., 2009) reported that multitasking impaired performance, particularly among heavy multitaskers. Further, experimental research has shown that "technologically induced" interruptions can be disruptive, causing increased errors and decreased performance (Monk, et al., 2008). This study is the first to experimentally examine the direct impact of text message interruptions on memory recall in a classroom environment. Participants viewed a 30-minute videotaped lecture during which they were interrupted by receiving text messages requiring responses. Participants in four classrooms were randomly assigned to three groups receiving no text messages, four text messages or eight text messages. Based on the actual number of texts received and sent— including those not sent by the experimenter—three comparison groups were defined: No/Low Texting Interruption (zero to 7 text messages sent and received), Moderate Texting Interruption (eight to 15 texts), and High Texting Interruption (16 or more texts). Following the videotaped lecture, a recall test assessed the impact of text message interruptions on memory. In addition, participants were asked about their typical monthly texting and their attitudes toward classroom texting behaviors. Results indicated that the High Texting group scored significantly worse (10.6% lower) than the No/Low Texting Interruption group although there was no significant difference between No/Low Texting Interruption and Moderate Texting Interruption group nor was there a significant difference between the Moderate Texting Interruption group and the High Texting Interruption group. In addition, while nearly three fourths of the participants felt that receiving and sending text messages during class was disruptive to learning, 40% felt it was acceptable to text in class. Results also indicated that those participants who received and sent more words in their texts performed worse on the test although this was moderated by the elapsed time between receiving (or sending) a text with longer delays resulting in better performance. The results of these studies are discussed in terms of Salvucci et al.´s (2009) Unified Theory of the Multita sking Continuum plus the potential use of metacognitive strategies when faced with potentially disruptive multitasking. Educational implications are highlighted and strategies outlined for maximizing performance in media-rich multitasking environments.
"Let's go to the park." An investigation of older adults in Australia and their motivations for park visitation.

Abstract What motivates older adults to visit and use parks? Do older adults access parks for different reasons than younger adults? Prior studies determine age influences park visitation, but we know little about why. Older adults are particularly disadvantaged if their specific needs, preferences, or constraints in frequenting parks are not considered as lack of visitation and potential health decline result. Referencing self-determination theory from the social psychology literature, this study focuses on fulfillment of autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs in older adults as a precursor to motivation for park visitation. To build deeper understanding of older adult motivation to visit and use parks, the study develops and tests a theoretical model of motivation for park visitation using quantitative methods to investigate psychological needs in the motivation to visit parks and elements of parks required to satisfy these needs. Providing support for hypothesized relationships in the model, findings indicate that older adults differ from younger adults in the level and type of motivation to visit parks. Specifically, older adults are motivated to revisit parks that fulfill their autonomy needs. Natural environment, a common park amenity, was the strongest predictor of autonomy need fulfillment in older adults, followed by location elements of convenience and community. Finally, results indicated that when older adult autonomy needs are fulfilled, park revisitation is likely. Results confirm that park design must be specific to older adults to entice visitation.
Multiple biomarker algorithms to predict epithelial ovarian cancer in women with a pelvic mass: Can additional makers improve performance?

Abstract Introduction Management of a woman with a pelvic mass is complicated by difficulty in discriminating malignant from benign disease. Many serum biomarkers have been examined to determine their sensitivity for detecting malignancy. This study was designed to evaluate if the addition of biomarkers to HE4 and CA125, as used in the Risk of Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA), can improve the detection of EOC. Methods This was an IRB approved, prospective clinical trial examining serum obtained from women diagnosed with a pelvic mass who subsequently underwent surgery. Serum biomarker levels for CA125, HE4, YKL-40, transthyretin, ApoA1, Beta-2-microglobulin, transferrin, and LPA were measured. Logistic regression analysis was performed for various marker combinations, ROC curves were generated, and the area under the curves (AUCs) were determined. Results A total of 184 patients met inclusion criteria with a median age of 56 years (Range 20–91). Final pathology revealed there were 103 (56.0%) benign tumors, 4 (2.2%) LMP tumors, 61 EOC (33.1%), 2 (1.1%) non-EOC ovarian cancers, 6 (3.3%) gynecologic cancers with metastasis to the ovary and 8 (4.3%) non-gynecologic cancers with metastasis to the ovary. The combination of HE4 and CA125 (i.e. ROMA) achieved an AUC of 91.2% (95% CI: 86.0–96.4) for the detection of EOC vs benign disease. The combination of CA125, HE4, YKL-40, transthyretin, ApoA1, Beta 2 microglobulin, transferrin, LPA and menopausal status achieved the highest AUC of 94.6% (95% CI: 90.1–99.2) but this combination was not significantly better than the HE4 and CA125 combination alone (p = 0.078). Conclusions The addition of select further serum biomarkers to HE4 and CA125 does not add to the performance of the dual marker combination for the detection of ovarian cancer.
Bimetallic Channel Wall Nozzle Development and Hot-Fire Testing Using Additively Manufactured Laser Wire Direct Closeout Technology

NASA has been developing and advancing regeneratively-cooled channel wall nozzle technology for liquid rocket engines to reduce cost and schedules associated with fabrication. One of the primary methods being advanced is Laser Wire Direct Closeout (LWDC). LWDC was developed to provide an additively manufactured laser deposited closeout of the coolant channels that also forms the structural jacket in-situ. This technique has been previously demonstrated through process development and hot-fire testing on a series of subscale nozzles at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The hot-fire test articles were fabricated using monolithic alloys to simplify the fabrication process. Ongoing research is being conducted to further expand use of this process for increased scale and bimetallic or multi-alloy options. The use of multi-alloys is desired to fully optimize the combination of materials in the radial and axial directions to reduce overall weight of the nozzle and allow for higher thermal and structural margins on the channel wall nozzle. NASA recently completed process development and hot-fire testing of a series of channel wall nozzles that incorporate a copper-alloy as the hotwall liner material and a superalloy and combination thereof for the structural jacket using the LWDC technique. The fabrication process was further advanced by using a multi-alloy axial joint using explosive bonding integrating a copper-alloy at the forward end of the nozzle hotwall and a stainless-alloy for the remaining length. A third alloy was then used for the channel closeout using the LWDC process. This paper will describe the process development using the LWDC process for channel closeout utilizing the multi-alloys, hardware design and results from hot-fire testing on subscale multi-alloy LWDC channel cooled nozzles.
The Interdependence of Shared Context: Autonomous Human-Machine Teams

Continuing to report on our work-in-progress with our research on interdependence, the key phenomenon in social interaction, we have proposed a mathematical model of interdependence for human-machine teams to develop optimum and efficient performance. Humans will have difficulty with their understanding of this model since it directly involves them; since it provides no grand sketch of meaning and even finds the notion of meaning from an engineering perspective meaningless; and since its results are counterintuitive but highly predictive. To review the progress of our research until now, in our first major study, we found no relationship between education and the performance of physical skills (namely, the book knowledge and air-to-air combat skills of USAF pilots); however, we also found a significant relationship between training and air-to-air combat skills of these same pilots. In our second study, we found that excess personnel in work teams (redundancy) decreased interdependence and performance in the workplace for top global oil-firm teams, replicated in our third study with leading military teams. In our fourth study, we found that intelligence as determined by the average levels of academic schooling in a nation was significantly related to the performance of its teams, as determined by a nation’s patent productivity. Interestingly, the apparently contradictory findings of our last and first study on education and training appear to be orthogonal, a perfect opening to discuss our new work already underway on a social uncertainty principle between orthogonal operators.
Building Community-Engaged Learning into the Online Political Science Classroom

Translating community engagement activities from face-to-face courses, where students share a common space and community, to online courses, which lack a shared place, is challenging. This paper presents two approaches that have been used to successfully connect online undergraduate students to their communities and increase their level of civic engagement. Both of these approaches focus on building attachment to place as an alternative to service learning that leads to higher civic engagement. The success of these approaches in terms of student satisfaction and learning outcome attainment also demonstrates how alternatives to service-learning based civic engagement efforts in online classrooms can be more attainable and accessible for online students and for non-traditional students.
Incorporation of rapid diagnostic tests to improve time to antimicrobial therapy for gram-positive bacteremia and candidemia

PURPOSE Even with rapid diagnostic technology to swiftly identify infectious organisms, prompt response is needed to translate results into appropriate actions. The purpose of this study was to determine if the introduction of real-time pharmacist response to positive rapid diagnostic test results would decrease time to antimicrobial therapy for gram-positive bacteremia and candidemia in a community hospital setting. METHODS A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2 community hospitals. The study comprised 2 cohorts of adult patients who tested positive for gram-positive bacteremia involving Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, or Candida species. The preintervention cohort consisted of patients admitted from November 2017 through May 2018. The intervention cohort consisted of patients admitted from July 2018 through January 2019, after the intervention went live. The primary outcomes were time to optimal antimicrobial therapy and time to effective antimicrobial therapy. RESULTS A total of 140 patients were included in the preintervention group, with 124 patients included in the intervention group. The mean (SD) time to effective therapy decreased from 13.9 (21.6) hours in the preintervention group to 8.6 (12.5) hours in the intervention group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89-1.48; P = 0.29). The mean (SD) time to optimal therapy significantly decreased from 53.7 (57.7) hours in the preintervention group to 38.4 (31.5) hours in the intervention group (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.33-2.26; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The introduction of real-time pharmacist response to positive rapid diagnostic test results led to a significant decrease in time to optimal antimicrobial therapy but did not significantly affect time to effective therapy. The results showed that the allocation of limited resources of a community hospital to such a stewardship program is justifiable.
Phase Function Effects on Identification of Terahertz Spectral Signatures Using the Discrete Wavelet Transform

We describe the application of the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) in extracting the characteristic absorption signatures of materials from terahertz reflection spectra. We compare the performance of different mother wavelets, including Daubechies, least asymmetric (LA), and Coiflet, based on their phase and gain functions and filter lengths. We show that the phase functions of the wavelet and scaling filters result in spectral shifts to the absorption lines in the wavelet domain. We provide a solution by calculating advancement coefficients necessary to achieve effective zero-phase-function DWT. We demonstrate the utility of this signal processing technique using $\alpha$ -lactose monohydrate/polyethylene samples with different levels of rough surface scattering. In all cases, the DWT-based algorithm successfully extracts resonant signatures at 0.53 and 1.38 THz, even when they are obscured by the rough surface scattering effects. The DWT analysis with accompanying phase corrections can be utilized as a robust technique for material identification in nondestructive evaluation using terahertz spectroscopy.
Scientific Modeling Using Large Scale Knowledge

The intelligent research assistant, VERA, supports inquiry-based modeling by supplying contextualized large-scale domain knowledge in the Encyclopedia of Life. Learners can use VERA to construct conceptual models of ecological phenomena, run them as simulations, and review their predictions. A study on the use of VERA by college-level students indicates that providing access to large scale but contextualized knowledge helped students build more complex models and generate more hypotheses in problem-solving.
Statistical Quality Control

Statistical Quality Control (SQC) is a method for ensuring product quality. Quality means conformance to customer requirements and specifications. Customers may be internal or external. External customers buy the company’s products. Internal customers add value to work in process (WIP). Each manufacturing operation is a customer of the preceding one and a supplier to the following one.
Small irrigation users’ perceptions of environmental change, impacts, and response in Nepal

This paper focuses on smallholders’ perceptions of environmental variability and its impacts, their responses, and the role of Water Users’ Associations (WUA) in governing the irrigation system in ...
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ophthalmic Care at an Eye-Specific Emergency Department in an Outbreak Hotspot.

Purpose: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there is growing concern that patients are forgoing necessary care. Emergency departments (ED) represent an important site of eye care. We analyzed patterns of ED visits at an eye-specific ED since the declaration of the public health crisis. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective, cross-sectional single center study, medical records of 6744 patients who presented to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear ED between March 1st and April 30th in 2018, 2019, and 2020 were studied. The primary outcome measures were total volume of ED visits, proportion of urgent ED visits, and proportion of surgical visits. Results: Overall, the median number of daily visits to the ED decreased by 18 visits per day since the declaration of public health guidelines (interquartile range, 9-24, p < 0.001). This accounted for a 32% decrease in the total volume of ED visits in 2020 compared to prior years during the study period (p < 0.001). There was a 9% increase in the proportion of primary diagnoses considered urgent (p = 0.002). The proportion of visits requiring urgent surgery increased by 39% (p = 0.004). Conclusion: The total number of eye-specific ED visits dropped compared to prior years while the proportion of urgent visits increased. Patients were likely more reluctant to seek eye care, deferring less urgent evaluation.