cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Economy and Society

In the mid 1990s, Malaysia was well on the way to approaching Newly-Industrialised Country (NIC) status. In 1990, for example, nearly 27 per cent of GDP came from manufacturing industry. Nothwithstanding this, it is evident though that the level of industrialisation varies between East and Peninsular Malaysia, with the process being much more advanced in the latter. Moreover, the emergence of an integrated national economy was a slow process, arising from differing geographical locations, resource endowments and the cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The key to understanding uneven economic development in the Malaysian federation lies also in its historical and recent past and it is the aim of this chapter to examine and compare the pace of economic and social change in Peninsular and East Malaysia, taking a long-term view of their economic growth. The chapter concentrates on economic development prior to the Second World War, but also links the pre- and post- World War II periods. The chapter is structured in three parts. The first and major part focusses on economic and social change from about 1850 to 1940. It is argued that the foundations of an export-oriented economy and plural society were laid during this period. The second part analyses economic change from about 1946 to 1963 when colonial policies in Sabah and Sarawak brought these states closer to Malaya so that by the time of federation in 1963, the foundations of an integrated Malaysian economy had emerged.
Decision analysis of tamoxifen for the prevention of invasive breast cancer.

PURPOSE The recent Breast Cancer Prevention Trial has shown that tamoxifen may prevent invasive breast cancer. We used a Markov model to estimate the long-term effects of chemoprevention with tamoxifen on survival, quality-adjusted survival, and health care costs. METHODS We used a hypothetical cohort of women with breast-cancer risk similar to that of participants in the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial, and a computer-based decision analysis (Markov model and 500 Monte Carlo simulations) to model the outcomes of interest. Survival calculations were from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results (SEER) data; preference ratings from a time trade-off questionnaire administered to a group of average-risk women; and cost estimates from the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound and the Health Care Financing Administration. We obtained utility measures for quality-adjustment by administering a time trade-off questionnaire to a group of community-based women. RESULTS Use of tamoxifen prolonged the average survival of cohort members by 69 days (95% probability interval [PI] 27 to 117) for those who started use at age 35 years; 40 days (95% PI 16 to 67) for those who started use at age 50 years; and 27 days (95% PI 14 to 40) for those who started use at age 60 years. Tamoxifen extended quality-adjusted survival by 38 days (95% PI 0.1 to 82) at age 35, 25 days (95% PI 0 to 50) at age 50, and 22 days (95% PI 5 to 39) days at age 60. Chemoprevention with tamoxifen cost $46,619 (95% PI $27,928 to $98,796) per life year life saved for women who started at age 35; for women over age 50, it cost more than $50,000 per life year saved. DISCUSSION Tamoxifen use may improve long-term survival and quality-adjusted survival among women who are at increased risk of breast cancer, but this benefit diminishes with age. Tamoxifen is cost-effective in comparison with other cancer treatment strategies for younger women only.
Routine Activity Theory

This chapter presents an overview of routine activity theory, which is a sociological explanation of predatory victimization with policy implications for crime prevention that is distinct from other leading theories. The narrative identifies the intellectual origins of routine activity theory in Amos Hawley’s work on human ecology. The central concepts and assumptions of routine activity theory are then described, specifically the fact that crime can only occur with the convergence in time and space of motivated offenders, suitable targets, and weak guardianship. The chapter then outlines the research literature testing the theory and its influence on criminology and policy more generally.
Diffraction imaging and time-migration velocity analysis using oriented velocity continuation

ABSTRACTWe perform seismic diffraction imaging and time-migration velocity analysis by separating diffractions from specular reflections and decomposing them into slope components. We image the slope components using migration velocity extrapolation in time-space-slope coordinates. The extrapolation is described by a convection-type partial differential equation and implemented in a highly parallel manner in the Fourier domain. Synthetic and field data experiments show that the proposed algorithms are able to detect accurate time-migration velocities by measuring the flatness of diffraction events in slope gathers for single- and multiple-offset data.
A phase I study of ARQ 197 in combination with temsirolimus in patients (Pts) with advanced solid tumors.

2555 Background: Disregulated c-Met activity is implicated in tumor progression and metastasis. Phosporylation of c-Met leads to activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Preclinical studies demonst...
Young Men's Disclosure of Same Sex Behaviors to Healthcare Providers and the Impact on Health: Results from a US National Sample of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

Abstract Many men who have sex with men (MSM) do not disclose their same sex behaviors to healthcare providers (HCPs). We used a series of logistic regression models to explore a conceptual framework that first identified predictors of disclosure to HCPs among young MSM (YMSM), and subsequently examined young men's disclosure of male–male sexual behaviors to HCPs as a mediator between sociodemographic and behavioral factors and three distinct health outcomes [HIV testing, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination]. We determined the predictors of disclosure to HCPs among YMSM and examined the relationship between disclosure and the receipt of appropriate healthcare services. Data were collected online through a US national sample of 1750 YMSM (ages 18–29 years) using a social and sexual networking website for MSM. Sexual history, STI/HIV screening history, sexual health, and patient–provider communication were analyzed in the logistic regression models. Parti...
Complex Hierarchy Dynamics: Dominant Group Members’ Responses to Inter-Subordinate Group Relations

Motivated by the observation that intergroup and hierarchy research thus far have tended to examine the relationship between two groups, the current paper examines how members of a dominant group p...
Factors Influencing Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ Recurrence and Implications for Treatment Choice.

BACKGROUNDNumerous treatment modalities have been reported for squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS). Risk factors for recurrence have not been systematically reviewed.OBJECTIVETo systematically review and summarize the data on risk factors that contribute to recurrence of SCCIS.MATERIALS AND METH
Refractory pain following hip arthroscopy: evaluation and management

With increased knowledge and understanding of hip pathology, hip arthroscopy is rapidly becoming a popular treatment option for young patients with hip pain. Despite improved clinical and radiographic outcomes with arthroscopic treatment, some patients may have ongoing pain and less than satisfactory outcomes. While the reasons leading to failed hip arthroscopy are multifactorial, patient selection, surgical technique and rehabilitation all play a role. Patients with failed hip arthroscopy should undergo a thorough history and physical examination, as well as indicated imaging. A treatment plan should then be developed based on pertinent findings from the workup and in conjunction with the patient. Depending on the etiology of failed hip arthroscopy, management may be nonsurgical or surgical, which may include revision arthroscopic or open surgery, periacetabular osteotomy or joint arthroplasty. Revision surgery may be appropriate in settings including, but not limited to, incompletely treated femoroacetabular impingement, postoperative adhesions, heterotopic ossification, instability, hip dysplasia or advanced degeneration.
Structural operating deflection shape estimation via a hybrid computer-vision algorithm

Non-contact optical measurements are being more commonly used in numerous industrial and research domains to obtain reliable displacement measurements, due to their unique advantageous over other instrumentations. Phasebased motion estimation and motion magnification are target-less methods to process the sequence of images captured from vibrating structures. Within this study, a new hybrid computer vision algorithm is proposed to process the motion-magnified sequence of images in an automatic fashion. Particle filter enhanced point-tracking method is employed to track the feature points in the motion-magnified videos and k-means clustering algorithm as an autonomous statistical learning method is utilized for the segmentation of the particles. The performance of the proposed algorithm is investigated on the experimental data acquired from a cantilever beam subject to vibration. By applying the proposed algorithm, human interference and supervision can be decreased dramatically compared to the state of the methods such as canny edge detectors. Therefore, the sensitivity of the structural dynamics identification is improved and the ODS vector estimation procedure can be completed in shorter time.
Internationalization at a German University: The purpose and paradoxes of English Language Master’s and Doctoral Programs

One significant phenomenon regarding the internationalization of higher education around the world is the wider use of English as the “lingua franca” for research, scientific study, and graduate education. Germany has increased its English taught Master’s programs by 13 percent since 2011, second behind the Netherlands, with a total of 733 Master’s programs taught in English. The University of Hamburg in Hamburg, Germany, currently offers 18 English Master’s programs, 10 combined German/English Master’s programs, and one English doctoral program. This paper provides findings from interviews of faculty concerning the English programs. Three main themes emerged from the interviews: 1) faculty’s ambivalence concerning the use of English instead of German in graduate programs, 2) administration’s recent emphasis on the importance of faculty publishing in English for promotion and tenure, and 3) faculty interest in further increasing English programs in their graduate programs.
Novel Human Prostate Epithelial Cell Culture Models for the Study of Carcinogenesis and of Normal Stem Cells and Cancer Stem Cells

Research into the mechanisms of prostate cancer progression has been limited by the lack of suitable in vitro systems. A hurdle in understanding the molecular genetic changes in prostate cancer has been the difficulty in establishing premalignant lesions and primary prostate tumors as in vitro cell cultures. Primary prostate epithelial cells grow for a finite life span and then senesce. Immortalization is defined by continuous growth of otherwise senescing cells and is believed to represent an early stage in tumor progression. To examine these early stages, we and others have developed in vitro models of prostate epithelial cell immortalization. Generation of primary human prostate epithelial (HPE) cells has been achieved using the serum-free condition. Retrovirus containing human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) was successfully used for the immortalization of primary HPE cells. Putative stem cell markers CD133 and CXCR4 were further identified in hTERT-immortalized primary nonmalignant and malignant tumor-derived HPE lines. In addition, an hTERT-immortlaized nonmalignant HPE cell were found to retain the properties of multipotent stem cells. These in vitro prostate cell culture models should be useful for the study of carcinogenesis and of normal and cancer stem cells. Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the Western World and second leading cause of male cancer death in the United States [1]. The therapy most widely used against advanced disease is androgen ablation and, initially, it almost always produces objective clinical responses. However, most patients eventually relapse with ablation-resistant prostate cancer and develop metastatic disease; currently, there is no treatment that will cure progressive hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer. The mechanisms of progression of prostate cancer have been extensively studied, yet are poorly understood. One of the concepts that has been evolved is that cancer arises from the neoplastic transformation of normal prostate epithelial stem cells or transit amplifying cells. Understanding normal stem cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs) may provide insight into the origin of and new therapeutics for prostate cancer. However, research in this field is limited by the lack of suitable in vitro systems.
Bioceramics and Biological Glasses

The term ceramic is normally used in common speech when referring to a series for products for domestic use or connected with building construction. This brings to mind objects like artistic decorative kits, probably made by artisans (such as knickknacks, lampholders, ashtrays, fine boxes, etc.), kitchen pottery and food-containing sundries (pots, jars, jugs, dishes, bowls, etc.), or sanitary wares, bricks, and tiles (for roofs or for decorative and sanitary use on floors, walls, etc.). In this ambit of meaning, ceramic products are classified as earthenware, majolica, porcelain, etc. Also, the term glass (generally transparent, but sometimes opaque or colored for decorative purposes) assumes in common speech a similar meaning connected with its use in making transparent slabs for windows, the lenses of spectacles, some Pyrex containers for liquids, various customjewelery parts, or many different decorative domestic sundries. In reality, both are materials utilized for the manufacture of a wider range of products, in particular for technological and engineering applications, even biomedical applications, which is the field dealt with in this volume. Obviously, the semantics of these terms cannot be limited to narrow boundaries, even apart from any consideration as to whether they would be suitable materials or not. All ceramic typology originates from ancient times and is associated with traditional commercial terms accorded with use. It is therefore necessary not only to expand the meaning, but even
A Quasi-Scientific Method for Ethics

All too commonly nowadays, the scientific and the humanistic spirits are felt to be embodied in “two cultures” faced off against one another. The split is widened by the advocacy of the one spirit to the exclusion of the other or vice versa by technocrats and counterculturists, respectively. Nothing could be farther from the position of Henry Margenau, who in his long career as philosopher and scientist has combined the values of a deeply humanistic commitment with an unabashed admiration for the capacity of natural science.
Bayesian Statistics in Archaeology

Null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) is the most common statistical framework used by scientists, including archaeologists. Owing to increasing dissatisfaction, however, Bayesian inference h...
Real-time measurement of free radicals in renal veins from exposure to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment

Clinical studies have suggested ESWL may lead to hypertension and decreased renal function when used as therapy to treat kidney stones. ESWL may cause vascular endothelial dysfunction in the kidney...
Using spectral reflectance to distinguish between tracheal and oesophageal tissue: applications for airway management

Proper placement of the tracheal tube requires confirmation, and the predominant method in addition to clinical signs is the presence of end-tidal carbon dioxide. Such is the importance of confirmation that novel methods may also have a place. We previously demonstrated using ex-vivo swine tissue a unique spectral reflectance characteristic of tracheal tissue that differs from oesophageal tissue. We hypothesised that this characteristic would be present in living swine tissue and human cadavers. Reflectance spectra in the range 500-650 nm were captured using a customised fibreoptic probe, compact spectrometer and white light source from both the trachea and the oesophagus in anesthetised living swine and in human cadavers. A tracheal detection algorithm using ratio comparisons of reflectance was developed. The existence of the unique tracheal characteristic in both in-vivo swine and cadaver models was confirmed (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons between tracheal and oesophageal tissue at all target wavelengths in both species). Furthermore, our proposed tracheal detection algorithm exhibited a 100% positive predictive value in both models. This has potential utility for incorporation into airway management devices.
Homologous serum hepatitis occurring in Laennec's cirrhosis. Report of a case.

A known alcoholic with Laennec's cirrhosis (micronodular, portal, or septal) was awaiting elective portacaval shunt. During this period, he was observed to abstain from alcohol and maintain a good diet. Approximately 4 months after several transfusions of whole blood, he developed severe jaundice and died in hepatic coma 7 days thereafter.
Transcriptional pathways and potential therapeutic targets in the regulation of Ncx1 expression in cardiac hypertrophy and failure.

Changes in cardiac gene expression contribute to the progression of heart failure by affecting cardiomyocyte growth, function, and survival. The Na+-Ca2+ exchanger gene (Ncx1) is upregulated in hypertrophy and is often found elevated in end-stage heart failure. Studies have shown that the change in its expression contributes to contractile dysfunction. Several transcriptional pathways mediate Ncx1 expression in pathological cardiac remodeling. Both α-adrenergic receptor (α-AR) and β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling can play a role in the regulation of calcium homeostasis in the cardiomyocyte, but chronic activation in periods of cardiac stress contributes to heart failure by mechanisms which include Ncx1 upregulation. Our studies have even demonstrated that NCX1 can directly act as a regulator of “activity-dependent signal transduction” mediating changes in its own expression. Finally, we present evidence that histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyltransferases (HATs) act as master regulators of Ncx1 expression. We show that many of the transcription factors regulating Ncx1 expression are important in cardiac development and also in the regulation of many other genes in the so-called fetal gene program, which are activated by pathological stimuli. Importantly, studies have revealed that the transcriptional network regulating Ncx1 expression is also mediating many of the other changes in genetic remodeling contributing to the development of cardiac dysfunction and revealed potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of hypertrophy and failure.
Dissociative recombination of Ar 2

We present calculated cross sections and rate coefficients for dissociative recombination of the ${{\mathrm{Ar}}_{2}}^{+}$ molecular ion in the low-energy region $(l0.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV})$. In this region, the cross section is dominated by resonances, the repulsive Rydberg states converging to the excited states of the ion, which cross the ground state of the ion near equilibrium geometry. The resonance curves and their parameters were determined from electron scattering calculations using the complex Kohn variational method and molecular quantum chemistry techniques. The nuclear dynamics were studied using a time-independent, nonlocal potential model solved using a discrete variable representation and exterior complex scaling. The calculated cross sections and rate coefficients are reported and compared to available experiments. The temperature dependence of the rate coefficients is examined as well as the branching fractions of the resulting atomic fragments.
Factors Influencing the Perception of Pain in Pregnancy

Personal and social attitudes toward pain may affect the perception of pain in pregnancy. Anxiety states and fear can increase susceptibility to pain. Low level of education, and misinformation may affect the pain experience. The pain experience is personal and abstract. The centrally received stimulus gets filtered, processed and perceived through a range of motivations, emotions, past experiences, cognitive, psychosocial, and cultural variables. Fear of birth pain is strongly associated with higher use of epidural analgesia, with lower satisfaction scores, and with less effective analgesia.
Approach to the Poisoned Patient

Treating ingestions whether purposeful or not, is a skill every emergency medicine physician must have. One must always think of possible toxicological causes for the presentation of a patient with unexplained signs or symptoms. The physician who misses a significant acetaminophen overdose on first presentation, has little ground to stand on when the patient returns in liver failure. This chapter will go over the approach to the poisoned patient and then present several cases, stressing critical points.
The Role of Aging, Age Diversity, and Age Heterogeneity Within Teams

In the USA, baby boomers are aging and choosing to remain in the workforce longer than previous generations of workers. Likewise, many countries are experiencing demographic shifts toward a more age-diverse population. Meanwhile, organizations continue to rely on teams to accomplish tasks and solve difficult problems. Together, this means that workplaces and teams will be populated by a wider variety of ages. This chapter reviews and synthesizes the literature on aging, age diversity, and age heterogeneity in teams. The authors begin by delineating the relevant social and organizational theories that can explain findings about teams and their relationship with age diversity. This chapter will cover (a) the effects of age in teams, including performance effects; (b) challenges associated with an age-diverse team and potential pitfalls; and (c) strategies for organizational promotion and inclusion of age-diverse teammates, including leadership practices. Finally, the chapter concludes with directions for future research on aging in teams and age diversity.
Hospitalization Rates and Outcomes Among Persons Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the Southeastern United States, 1996-2016.

BACKGROUND Antiretroviral therapy (ART) advances, aging, and comorbidities impact hospitalizations in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive populations. We examined temporal trends and patient characteristics associated with hospitalization rates and outcomes. METHODS Among patients in the University of North Carolina Center for AIDS Research HIV Clinical Cohort receiving care during 1996-2016, we estimated annual hospitalization rates, time to inpatient mortality or live discharge, and 30-day readmission risk using bivariable Poisson, Fine-Gray, and log-binomial regression models. RESULTS The 4323 included patients (29% women, 60% African American) contributed 30 007 person-years. Overall, the hospitalization rate per 100 person-years was 34.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 32.4-36.4) with a mean annual change of -3% (95% CI, -4% to -2%). Patients who were black (vs white), older, had HIV RNA >400 copies/mL, or had CD4 count .05 for both 2010-2016 and 2003-2009 vs 1996-2002), and higher among black patients, those with detectable HIV RNA, and those with lower CD4 cell counts (all P < .05). Higher inpatient mortality was associated with older age and lower CD4 cell count (both P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Hospitalization rates decreased from 1996 to 2016, but high readmissions persisted. Older patients, those of minority race/ethnicity, and those with uncontrolled HIV experienced higher rates and worse hospitalization outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of early ART and care engagement, particularly at hospital discharge.
Species Conservation and Recovery through Adequate Regulatory Mechanisms

The world is experiencing the sixth episode of mass extinction for life on earth. The National Academy of Sciences reports that this “biological annihilation” is even more dire than previously believed. Unlike previous episodes of mass extinction, this one is caused by human overpopulation, overconsumption, and anthropogenic climate change. The United States has been a world conservation leader for over a century, but its commitment to biodiversity is flagging while its contributions to the causes of extinction are growing. Although the United States is only one player in the global crisis, it is a major one, and its legal mandates for biodiversity protection, when assessed in the context of both global leadership and on-the-ground impacts, are essential for combatting extinction. Due to its broad influence, this article focuses on the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and analyzes its overarching conservation mandate and the delisting process for formerly listed species. The nation cannot afford to allow newly recovered species to slip back into danger because of inadequate post-listing protections. As we near the close of the second decade of the 21st century on a rapidly warming planet, the time has come to transition from generalized discussion of recovery to an actionable plan to improve post-listing outcomes, one which includes adequate regulatory measures to protect the species and its habitat in the present and in the foreseeable future. A logical starting point is to apply the candidate conservation agreement (CCA) approach, used to keep a species from being listed in the first place, to newly-recovered species to keep them from requiring relisting. We assess the merits of CCAs, recovery plans, and delisting decisions to reach our recommendation of a new tool for species conservation, the Recovery Conservation Agreement. Such an agreement would incorporate components of recovery plans and CCAs, where critical players (federal, state, tribal, and private) work across jurisdictional lines to provide a roadmap to lasting recovery.
The effect of vug distribution on particle straining in permeable media

Abstract Most studies of particulate transport have been performed in porous and permeable media of uniform pore size, such as sandstones and sandpacks. Carbonates often contain large openings, called vugs, which can affect the flow and transport properties (particle straining) of the porous medium. Here we perform straining experiments on artificial vuggy media with two different vug distributions. Changes in porosity, permeability, vug size, and particle effluent volume are monitored using pressure measurements and computed tomography (CT) scanning. We find that vugs that are parallel to the flow direction behave independently, with retention profiles similar to single vugs of the same volume (Khan et al., 2019). For vugs in series, different retention profiles are observed in each vug and injected particles penetrate deeper in the series vug configuration. We perform flow simulations for both configurations and find the experimentally observed particle deposition is consistent with changes in the flow streamlines. In particular, retention is enhanced where streamlines converge, which in turns alters the vug size and straining potential of the porous medium over time.
Finite Arithmetic Subgroups ofGLn

Abstract We discuss the following conjecture of Kitaoka:If a finite subgroup G of GLn(OK)is invariant under the action ofGal(K/ Q ) then it is contained inGLn(Kab). HereOKis the ring of integers in a finite Galois extensionKof Q andKabis the maximal abelian subextension ofK. Our main result reduces this conjecture to a special case of elementary abelianp-groupsG. Also, we construct some new examples which negatively answer a question of Y. Kitaoka.
Estimating and tracking renal function in children and adults with spina bifida.

Summary Purpose Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the general population is stable in children after 2 years of age until adulthood. In the first three decades after age 18, eGFR decreases by 0.3–0.8 ml/min/1.73 m2/year. Little data exists regarding eGFR changes in the spina bifida (SB) population given variability in muscle mass. In the absence of a validated SB-specific eGFR formula, the performance of different eGFR formulas may vary. We performed a cross-sectional study (1) to determine trends in eGFR with increasing age in children and adults with SB and (2) to compare eGFRs calculated using different formulas. Methods We retrospectively reviewed records of patients 2–50 years old with SB followed at our institution (2014–2019). We determined eGFR using four pediatric formulas (2–17 years: CKiDSCr, CKiDCys, CKiDSCr-Cys, ZappitelliSCr-Cys) and four adult formulas (18 + years: MDRDSCr, CKD-EPISCr, CKD-EPICys, CKD-EPISCr-Cys). One eGFR per patient was included (most recent eGFR for those with serial measurements). Patients were categorized as chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 2 (eGFR 60-89) and Stage 3+ ( Results Among 209 children with SB (median age 10.3 years), depending on the formula used, eGFR decreased by −0.7 to −1.8 ml/min/1.73 m2/year (CKiDCys, CKiDScr, p ≤ 0.001), remained stable (CKiDSCr-Cys, p = 0.41), or increased by +2.7/year (ZappitelliSCr-Cys, p Among 164 adults (median age 26.3), eGFR decreased for each formula (range: −1.3 to −2.2/year, p ≤ 0.01) (Figure). The proportion of adults with CKD 2 or higher varied between formulas (9.2–30.5%, p Comment We cannot reliably determine whether eGFR changed during childhood. Among adults, eGFR decreased with age for every formula evaluated at greater than twice the general population rate. Without a validated SB-specific eGFR formula, we are left with formulas providing different results. Conclusions Estimated GFR among adults with SB appears to deteriorate at a higher rate than in the general population. Due to lack of precision of accepted eGFR formulas in the SB population, this may be a real phenomenon, an artifact of inaccurate eGFR formulas, or both. A validated SB-specific eGFR formula is needed. Download : Download high-res image (188KB) Download : Download full-size image Summary Figure . Estimated glomerular filtration rate among 209 children and 164 adults with spina bifida calculated using different published formulas. Formulas for children included: CKiDSCr (blue), CKiDCys (green), CKiDCSCr-ys (black), ZappitelliSCr-Cys (red), adults: MDRDSCr (black), CKD-EPISCr (red), CKD-EPICys (green), CKD-EPISCr-Cys (blue). Curves were drawn using locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS function).
Harvesting Energy from Tree Trunks

With the coming advent of smart devices, remote monitoring and long-range radio communication, there has been an increasing interest in alternative power sources and energy harvesting techniques to prolong indefinitely the smart devices life. One of these alternatives is to take advantage of the Seebeck effect, a natural occurring phenomenon by which the temperature difference between two different types of conductive materials produces a slight voltage difference between them. By leveraging the thermal difference between the core and the surface of a tree trunk there may be enough energy to power IoT devices. This paper discusses the design of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) based energy-harvesting module designed to power IoT Sensor networks that uses Xbee/Zigbee RF modules for communication. It shows how the energy harvesting devices are implemented in the field, as well as the discrete components designed for harvesting energy from a tree. It also shows the proposed solution for future experiments.
Diversity Appreciation Among White First-Year Residential Students

In this study, the authors explored diversity appreciation among White first-year residential students (n = 1,617) using residential curriculum survey data from a large public university in the Sou...
Predictors and moderators of response to brief interventions among adolescents with risky alcohol and marijuana use

Background: Brief interventions have shown promise in reducing adolescent alcohol and marijuana use. This manuscript presents a secondary analysis of a randomized trial that compared a brief parent motivational intervention (Family Check Up; FCU) to brief psychoeducation (PE) condition and found no effect of treatment condition on either binge drinking or marijuana use days. The current analyses explored whether the response to treatment may have varied as a function of six empirically-based baseline moderators and predictors: biological sex, age, race/ethnicity, mental health problems, parent-adolescent communication, and peer deviance. Methods: Data from the parent trial randomizing 102 parents to either the FCU (n = 51) or PE (n = 51) interventions were re-analyzed across four time points (baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-months). Moderators and predictors were tested via a series of hierarchical linear models. Results: Parent-adolescent communication and peer deviance emerged as significant predictors of adolescent treatment response. Specifically, low-levels of parent-adolescent communication or peer deviance were associated with worse treatment response (i.e., significant increases in binge drinking days and marijuana use days) in the PE condition, but not in the FCU condition. Non-Hispanic Whites and girls had worse treatment response, regardless of treatment condition. Conclusions: The FCU condition appeared to mitigate risks of poor parent-adolescent communication and affiliation with deviant peers better than the PE condition. Clinical recommendations for decision-making around assignment to brief interventions are discussed.
Identification of Modifiable Social and Behavioral Factors Associated With Childhood Cognitive Performance.

Importance Inequities in social environments are likely associated with a large portion of racial disparities in childhood cognitive performance. Identification of the specific exposures associated with cognitive development is needed to inform prevention efforts. Objective To identify modifiable factors associated with childhood cognitive performance. Design, Setting, and Participants This longitudinal pregnancy cohort study included 1503 mother-child dyads who were enrolled in the University of Tennessee Health Science Center–Conditions Affecting Neurodevelopment and Learning in Early Life study between December 1, 2006, and July 31, 2011, and assessed annually until the children were aged 4 to 6 years. The analytic sample comprised 1055 mother-child dyads. A total of 155 prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal exposures were included to evaluate environment-wide associations. Participants comprised a community-based sample of pregnant women who were recruited between 16 weeks and 28 weeks of gestation from 4 hospitals in Shelby County, Tennessee. Women with high-risk pregnancies were excluded. Data were analyzed from June 1, 2018, to April 15, 2019. Exposures Individual and neighborhood socioeconomic position, family structure, maternal mental health, nutrition, delivery complications, birth outcomes, and parenting behaviors. Main Outcomes and Measures Child’s full-scale IQ measured by the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Edition, at age 4 to 6 years. Results Of 1055 children included in the analytic sample, 532 (50.4%) were female. Among mothers, the mean (SD) age was 26.0 (5.6) years; 676 mothers (64.1%) were Black, and 623 mothers (59.0%) had an educational level of high school or less. Twenty-four factors were retained in the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis and full models adjusted for potential confounding. Associations were noted between child cognitive performance and parental education and breastfeeding; for each increase of 1.0 SD in exposure, positive associations were found with cognitive growth fostering from observed parent-child interactions (β = 1.12; 95% CI, 0.24-2.00) and maternal reading ability (β = 1.42; 95% CI, 0.16-2.68), and negative associations were found with parenting stress (β = −1.04; 95% CI, −1.86 to −0.21). A moderate increase in these beneficial exposures was associated with a notable improvement in estimated cognitive test scores using marginal means (0.5% of an SD). Black children experienced fewer beneficial cognitive performance exposures; in a model including all 24 exposures and covariates, no racial disparity was observed in cognitive performance (95% CIs for race included the null). Conclusions and Relevance The prospective analysis identified multiple beneficial and modifiable cognitive performance exposures that were associated with mean differences in cognitive performance by race. The findings from this observational study may help guide experimental studies focused on reducing racial disparities in childhood cognitive performance.
A Novel Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian Finite Element Method for a Mixed Parabolic Problem in a Moving Domain

In this paper, a novel arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) mapping, thus a novel ALE-mixed finite element method (FEM), is developed and analyzed for a type of mixed parabolic equations in a moving domain. By means of a specific stabilization technique, the mixed finite element of a stable Stokes-pair is utilized to discretize this problem on the ALE description, and, stability and a nearly optimal convergence results are obtained for both semi- and fully discrete ALE finite element approximations. Numerical experiments are carried out to validate all theoretical results. The developed novel ALE–FEM can be also similarly extended to a transient porous (Darcy’s) fluid flow problem in a moving domain as well as to Stokes/Darcy- or Stokes/Biot moving interface problem in the future.
Spatial Properties of a Mixed Linear-Nonlinear Model for Opinion Formation in Networks

A standard model for opinion formation in networks, which comprises a linear model for opinion-evolution coupled with a non-linear model for self-confidence dynamics, is considered. The main contribution of this study is to characterize the spatial pattern of the model dynamics in response to a local disruption. Specifically, we show that both the linear and nonlinear models exhibit a diffusive structure, such that responses to disruptions decay in amplitude along cutsets away from the disruption source in the network’s graph. The spatial characterization is then used to motivate and develop a model reduction technique for the nonlinear self-confidence dynamics. Finally, the formal results and model reduction algorithm are illustrated in an example.
Salt deficiency, iodine toxicity and when you say "It must be the feed" you may have to say it in court

We have encountered several herd complaints which have had salt deficiency as the primary cause of production decline or loss.
A Comparative Pilot Study of Bacterial and Fungal Dysbiosis in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Gastrointestinal Disorders: Commonalities, Specificities and Correlations with Lifestyle

Gastrointestinal disorders (GIDs) are a common comorbidity in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), while anxiety-like behaviors are common among patients with gastrointestinal diseases. It is still unclear as to which microbes differentiate these two groups. This pilot study aims at proposing an answer by exploring both the bacteriome and the mycobiome in a cohort of 55 volunteers with NDD, GID or controls, while accounting for additional variables that are not commonly included such as probiotic intake and diet. Recruited participants answered a questionnaire and provided a stool sample using the Fisherbrand collection kit. Bacterial and fungal DNA was extracted using the Qiagen Stool minikit. Sequencing (16sRNA and ITS) and phylogenetic analyses were performed using the PE300 Illumina Miseq v3 sequencing. Statistical analysis was performed using the R package. Results showed a significant decrease in bacterial alpha diversity in both NDD and GID, but an increased fungal alpha diversity in NDD. Data pointed at a significant bacterial dysbiosis between the three groups, but the mycobiome dysbiosis is more pronounced in NDD than in GID. Fungi seem to be more affected by probiotics, diet and antibiotic exposure and are proposed to be the main key player in differentiation between NDD and GID dybiosis.
Novel epigenetic age estimation in wild-caught Gulf of Mexico reef fishes

Cutting-edge DNA methylation-based epigenetic aging techniques were applied to Gulf of Mexico northern red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus; n = 10; 1–26 years old) and red grouper (Epinephelus morio;...
Financing Energy Access

Modern energy services are essential to human development, productivity, competitiveness, and economic growth [1–3]. Despite gains over the last three decades, based on 2010 data, about 1.3 billion people do not have access to electricity and about 2.6 billion people still rely on traditional biomass fuels such as fuelwood, charcoal, agricultural waste, and animal dung for cooking and heating [4]. Most of the people without access to modern energy services live in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The majority of them, about eight out of ten people, live in rural areas [4]. It is projected that close to 1 billion people will lack access to electricity and 2.6 billion will continue to use traditional biomass fuels in 2030. Innovative financial mechanisms blending public and private sector resources are required to address this development challenge.
Occupational Status Within the Household: An Approach to Segmentation

Women’s employment has been researched as a crucial consumer behavior construct, particularly if distinctions between nonworking, just-a-job, and career orientations are maintained. Cultural role changes as well as increased unemployment in some sectors have caused females to adopt coprovider and primary provider status within the household. This suggests that male participation in the labor force as well as degree of commitment to it might also prove of importance to the marketer. A model of household role structure formation and resulting marketplace tactics will be offered, together with possible areas of investigation within this broadened typology of employment by both spouses.
Critical solution temperatures of aliphatic compounds: IV. Glyceryl ethers and alkoxyglycerides

Abstract Alkyl glyceryl-(1) ethers, dialkyl glyceryl-(1.2) ethers, trialkyl glyceryl-(1.2.3) ethers, 1-alkoxy-diglycerides, and 1.2-dialkoxy-glycerides were characterized by their upper critical solution temperatures (CST values) with nitromethane and acetonitrile. Isorefractive temperatures (IRT values) of some representative compounds were determined.
Global Precipitation Measurement

This report provides a synopsis of the proceedings of the First Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Partners Planning Workshop held at the University of Maryland, College Park, from May 16 to 18, 2001. GPM consists of a multi-member global satellite constellation (i.e., an international set of satellite missions) and the accompanying scientific research program, with the main goal of providing frequent, accurate, and globally distributed precipitation measurements essential in understanding several fundamental issues associated with the global water and energy cycle (GWEC). The exchange of scientific and technical information at this and subsequent GPM workshops between representatives from around the world represents a key step in the formulation phase of GPM mission development. The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA), the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), and other interested agencies from nations around the world seek to observe, understand, and model the Earth system to learn how it is changing and what consequences these changes have on life, particularly as they pertain to hydrological processes and the availability of fresh water resources. GWEN processes are central to a broader understanding of the Earth system.
Child Neuropsychological Assessment

There has been a tremendous growth of interest in child neuropsychology as a distinct subspecialty within the broader field of clinical neuropsychology. Whereas it was not too long ago that one could find only selected chapters dealing with children in some of the major texts within the field (e.g., Filskov & Boll, 1981; Reitan & Davison, 1974), there are now entire volumes devoted exclusively to the topic (Gaddes, 1985; Hynd & Obrzut, 1981; Hynd & Willis, 1988; Ivan, 1984; Obrzut & Hynd, 1986a, 1986b; Rourke, 1985; Rourke, Bakker, Fisk, & Strang, 1983; Rourke, Fisk, & Strang, 1986; Rutter, 1983; Spreen, Tupper, Risser, Tuokko, & Edgell, 1984). Likewise, there has been a proliferation of symposia, workshops, and journal articles covering various aspects of neuropsychological research and practice with children. All of this certainly attests to the emergence of child neuropsychology as a focus of vigorous interest and inquiry.
Out of the foxhole-moving toward accountability

Newly formed employee teams, over a period of two to five years, tend to move away from self-serving behavior (or "foxholing" in research jargon) toward the ideal of a complete partnership with the parent organization and its customers. The initial foxholing condition, where team members focus on personal entitlement and internal objectives (sometimes at the expense of global objectives), should be accepted by management so that teams can build a strong identity which, in turn, will engender powerful synergistic behavior. This paper discusses the leader's role in helping self-directed work teams at IBM's semiconductor manufacturing facility in Essex junction, Vermont, to achieve their highest potential. The collection of teams, called Wenoti's (we, not I's) have learned to operate with a strong emphasis on balancing both relationships and business-task responsibilities. Described are examples (and measurements) of over-entitled teams and how the "foxhole" culture manifests undesirable group behavior and poor business performance. Comparisons between foxhole teams and "accountable" teams (often the same group of individuals over time) are shown. The paper also presents information from studies conducted by Cornell University, individual case histories, and objective measurables to illustrate the connection between a team's growing maturity and the increasing excellence of its work product.
Exploring Anopheles gut bacteria for Plasmodium blocking activity.

Summary Malaria parasite transmission requires the successful development of Plasmodium gametocytes into flagellated microgametes upon mosquito blood ingestion, and the subsequent fertilization of microgametes and macrogametes for the development of motile zygotes, called ookinetes, which invade and transverse the Anopheles vector mosquito midgut at around 18–36 h after blood ingestion. Within the mosquito midgut, the malaria parasite has to withstand the mosquito's innate immune response and the detrimental effect of its commensal bacterial flora. We have assessed the midgut colonization capacity of five gut bacterial isolates from field-derived, and two from laboratory colony, mosquitoes and their effect on Plasmodium development in vivo and in vitro, along with their impact on mosquito survival. Some bacterial isolates activated the mosquito's immune system, affected the mosquito's lifespan, and were capable of blocking Plasmodium development. We have also shown that the ability of these bacteria to inhibit the parasites is likely to involve different mechanisms and factors. A Serratia marcescens isolate was particularly efficient in colonizing the mosquitoes' gut, compromising mosquito survival and inhibiting both Plasmodium sexual- and asexual-stage through secreted factors, thereby rendering it a potential candidate for the development of a malaria transmission intervention strategy.