cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new angle-domain imaging condition for prestack reverse-time migration

Summary Based on the full-wave equation, reverse time migration (RTM) can handle wave propagation in all directions without angle limitation. However, the wide-angle capability of full-wave propagator creates artifacts in migrated image if the conventional imaging condition (zero-lag cross-correlation) is applied. In this paper, we propose a new imaging condition to attenuate these artifacts by decomposing the full wavefields at every image location to local plane waves of different directions, followed by constructing the image by correlating certain combinations of the plane-wave components. Synthetic examples demonstrate that this imaging condition can effectively remove the undesired artifacts in both simple and complex model.
Active mapping: resisting NIDS evasion without altering traffic

A critical problem faced by a network intrusion detection system (NIDS) is that of ambiguity. The NIDS cannot always determine what traffic reaches a given host nor how that host will interpret the traffic, and attackers may exploit this ambiguity to avoid detection or cause misleading alarms. We present a lightweight solution, active mapping, which eliminates TCP/IP-based ambiguity in a NIDS analysis with minimal runtime cost. Active mapping efficiently builds profiles of the network topology and the TCP/IP policies of hosts on the network; a NIDS may then use the host profiles to disambiguate the interpretation of the network traffic on a per-host basis. Active mapping avoids the semantic and performance problems of traffic normalization, in which traffic streams are modified to remove ambiguities. We have developed a prototype implementation of active mapping and modified a NIDS to use the active mapping-generated profile database in our tests. We found wide variation across operating systems' TCP/IP stack policies in real-world tests (about 6700 hosts), underscoring the need for this sort of disambiguation.
PARAMETRIC MODELING AND SIMULATION OF JOINT PRICE-PRODUCTION DISTRIBUTIONS UNDER NON-NORMALITY, AUTOCORRELATION AND HETEROSCEDASTICITY: A TOOL FOR ASSESSING RISK IN AGRICULTURE

This study presents a way to parametrically model and simulate multivariate distributions under potential non-normality, autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity and illustrates its application to agricultural risk analysis. Specifically, the joint probability distribution (pdf) for West Texas irrigated cotton, corn, sorghum, and wheat production and prices is estimated and applied to evaluate the changes in the risk and returns of agricultural production in the region resulting from observed and predicted price and production trends. The estimated pdf allows for time trends on the mean and the variance and varying degrees of autocorrelation and non-normality (kurtosis and right- or left-skewness) in each of the price and production variables. It also allows for any possible price-price, production-production, or price-production correlation.
Physical exercise decreases neuronal activity in the posterior hypothalamic area of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Recently, physical exercise has been shown to significantly alter neurochemistry and neuronal function and to increase neurogenesis in discrete brain regions. Although we have documented that physi...
Disruption of hippocampal synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation by psychoactive synthetic cannabinoid 'Spice' compounds: comparison with Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol.

There has been a marked increase in the availability of synthetic drugs designed to mimic the effects of marijuana. These cannabimimetic drugs, sold illicitly as 'Spice' and related products, are associated with serious medical complications in some users. In vitro studies suggest that synthetic cannabinoids in these preparations are potent agonists at central cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1Rs), but few investigations have delineated their cellular effects, particularly in comparison with the psychoactive component of marijuana, Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9 -THC). We compared the ability of three widely abused synthetic cannabinoids and Δ9 -THC to alter glutamate release and long-term potentiation in the mouse hippocampus. JWH-018 was the most potent inhibitor of hippocampal synaptic transmission (EC50 ~15 nM), whereas its fluoropentyl derivative, AM2201, inhibited synaptic transmission with slightly lower potency (EC50 ~60 nM). The newer synthetic cannabinoid, XLR-11, displayed much lower potency (EC50 ~900 nM) that was similar to Δ9 -THC (EC50 ~700 nM). The effects of all compounds occurred via activation of CB1Rs, as demonstrated by reversal with the selective antagonist/inverse agonist AM251 or the neutral CB1R antagonist PIMSR1. Moreover, AM2201 was without effect in the hippocampus of transgenic mice lacking the CB1R. Hippocampal slices exposed to either synthetic cannabinoids or Δ9 -THC exhibited significantly impaired long-term potentiation (LTP). We find that, compared with Δ9 -THC, the first-generation cannabinoids found in Spice preparations display higher potency, whereas a recent synthetic cannabinoid is roughly equipotent with Δ9 -THC. The disruption of synaptic function by these synthetic cannabinoids is likely to lead to profound impairments in cognitive and behavioral function.
Bayesian Network Structure Learning with Messy Inputs: The Case of Multiple Incomplete Datasets and Expert Opinions

In this paper, we present an approach to build the structure of a Bayesian network from multiple disparate inputs. Specifically, our method accepts as input multiple partially overlapping datasets with missing data along with expert opinions about the structure of the model and produces an associated directed acyclic graph representing the graphical layer of a Bayesian network. We provide experimental results where we compare our algorithm with an application of Structural Expectation Maximization. We also provide a real world example motivating the need for combining disparate sources of information even when noisy and not fully aligned with one another.
Civic Engagement Curriculum: a Strengths-Based Intervention Serving African American Youth in a Context of Toxic Stress

Chronic stress in under-resourced urban communities has been linked to negative outcomes for youth, warranting interventions to enhance resilience, an assets-building approach. This study assessed the effects of the Civic Engagement Curriculum (CEC) intervention on enhancing resilience. Data were collected from 82 low-income urban African American youth (M age = 12.92, SD = 0.80, 53.7 % female). Three schools participated in either the CEC or a health education control condition. Regression analyses revealed a positive main effect of the CEC on leadership, while bootstrap analyses revealed CEC moderation effects on leadership, life satisfaction, and coping under certain conditions of neighborhood and ethnic identity. This study underscores the value of understanding resilience-promoting factors for low-income urban youth facing chronic toxic stress.
Advanced rf Acceleration and its Applications to Future Light Sources

We present the applications of advanced RF acceleration to X-ray sources. We give an overview of high-gradient research activities and its applications to extremely high brightness electron guns and short period rf undulators. Article not available.
Early Retinal Neuronal Dysfunction in Diabetic Mice: Reduced Light-Evoked Inhibition Increases Rod Pathway Signaling.

Purpose Recent studies suggest that the neural retinal response to light is compromised in diabetes. Electroretinogram studies suggest that the dim light retinal rod pathway is especially susceptible to diabetic damage. The purpose of this study was to determine whether diabetes alters rod pathway signaling. Methods Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6J mice by three intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ; 75 mg/kg), and confirmed by blood glucose levels > 200 mg/dL. Six weeks after the first injection, whole-cell voltage clamp recordings of spontaneous and light-evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents from rod bipolar cells were made in dark-adapted retinal slices. Light-evoked excitatory currents from rod bipolar and AII amacrine cells, and spontaneous excitatory currents from AII amacrine cells were also measured. Receptor inputs were pharmacologically isolated. Immunohistochemistry was performed on whole mounted retinas. Results Rod bipolar cells had reduced light-evoked inhibitory input from amacrine cells but no change in excitatory input from rod photoreceptors. Reduced light-evoked inhibition, mediated by both GABAA and GABAC receptors, increased rod bipolar cell output onto AII amacrine cells. Spontaneous release of GABA onto rod bipolar cells was increased, which may limit GABA availability for light-evoked release. These physiological changes occurred in the absence of retinal cell loss or changes in GABAA receptor expression levels. Conclusions Our results indicate that early diabetes causes deficits in the rod pathway leading to decreased light-evoked rod bipolar cell inhibition and increased rod pathway output that provide a basis for the development of early diabetic visual deficits.
Engineering nanoscale surface features to sustain microparticle rolling in flow.

Nanoscopic features of channel walls are often engineered to facilitate microfluidic transport, for instance when surface charge enables electro-osmosis or when grooves drive mixing. The dynamic or rolling adhesion of flowing microparticles on a channel wall holds potential to accomplish particle sorting or to selectively transfer reactive species or signals between the wall and flowing particles. Inspired by cell rolling under the direction of adhesion molecules called selectins, we present an engineered platform in which the rolling of flowing microparticles is sustained through the incorporation of entirely synthetic, discrete, nanoscale, attractive features into the nonadhesive (electrostatically repulsive) surface of a flow channel. Focusing on one example or type of nanoscale feature and probing the impact of broad systematic variations in surface feature loading and processing parameters, this study demonstrates how relatively flat, weakly adhesive nanoscale features, positioned with average spacin...
Comparison of transradial coronary procedures via right radial versus left radial artery approach: A meta-analysis

Introduction Coronary angiography and angioplasty via transradial approach is shown to be associated with significant reduction in access site complications. Due to a lack of sufficient data, the use of the right or left radial approach is still operator-dependent. We performed a meta-analysis of prospective randomized studies to compare right versus left radial artery approach for coronary procedures. Methods We found 12 randomized studies meeting the predetermined inclusion criteria. A total of 6,450 patients were included in the meta-analysis of which 3,217 patients underwent coronary procedures via right radial approach and 3,233 patients via left radial approach. The primary endpoint was the comparison of fluoroscopy time, procedure time, contrast use and cross-over rates between two radial approaches. Results Pooled analysis of the included studies showed a similar rate of cross-over events (4.2% for right radial approach vs. 4.1% for left radial approach, odds ratio (OR)=1.08, P = 0.68), and similar total procedure times (18.8 ± 10.3 min vs. 18.1 ± 10.0 min, standard difference (SD) of the mean = 0.09, P = 0.162) between the two radial approaches. However, the right radial approach was found to be associated with minimally longer fluoroscopy times (5.8 ± 4.4 min vs. 5.3 ± 4.2 min, SD of the mean = 0.157, P < 0.001) and greater contrast use (84 ± 35 mL vs. 82 ± 34 mL, SD of the mean = 0.082, P = 0.003). Access site complications and the incidence of stroke were similar between two radial approaches. Conclusion Our meta-analysis suggests a small but statistically significant difference in terms of contrast use and fluoroscopy time in favor of coronary procedures performed via left radial approach in comparison to right radial approach without any significant difference in access site or other procedural complications between the two radial approaches. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Teaching Models in Marital Therapy: A Review and Research Issue

The growth of marital therapy is reviewed with special emphasis devoted to recent trends toward (1) the increased use of direct teaching models for the treatment of marital dysfunction, and (2) the increased emphasis on empirical validation of theoretical approaches. Two didactic models (communication skills training and contingency contracting) are considered in detail in regard to both their theoretical bases and their empirical support. In addition, treatment packages incorporating these two models are reviewed and evaluated with special attention given to the theoretical assumptions underlying these approaches. Finally, a research question is raised involving the possible interactional and ordering effects found in these treatment packages.
Principal Components of 5 Trace Elements in Patients with Common Skin Disease and Their Nutritional Status

[Objective]This paper analyzed the content features of 5 trace elements in hair of patients with acne,alopecia areata,psoriasis,vitiligo and pityriasis simplex,by using principal component analysis.Two principal components and their equations were obtained,physicochemical meaning of two principal was explained in detail.It provided reference and evidence for the research of trace elements related diseases.
From beginning to end: how engineering students think and talk about sustainability across the life cycle

In this mixed-methods longitudinal study, 64 engineering students participated in a 15-minute lab-based engineering design task towardthe end of their second and fourth years. Fifteen of those students also participated in open-ended interviews in their senior year, inwhich they were asked about their college experiences and conceptions of sustainable development. Analysis of these data reveal thatwhile the students often talked about sustainable development in terms of limited resources and the life cycle of engineered products,relatively few considered the life cycle when actually engaged in engineering design. An in-depth examination of four students’educational experiences, narratives about sustainable development, and performance on the engineering task suggested implications forengineering education. Making sustainable development explicit in engineering classrooms and facilitating the development of self-directed learning skills in engineering students should improve students’ abilities to develop knowledge about sustainable developmentand transfer such knowledge to new engineering contexts.
Space Charge and Electrically Conductive Characteristics of CB/XLPE Nanocomposites

In order to investigate the effect of addictive carbon black(CB) on the DC dielectric properties of cross-linked polyethylene(XLPE), we fabricated CB/XLPE nanocomposite samples using the melt blending method, tested the relationship between the electrical conductivity and the applied DC electric field strength of the sampes under various temperatures, and used the pulsed electro-acoustic method to measure the space charge distribution in XLPE and the samples. The research results show that a small amount of addictive of CB can significantly reduce the space charge inside XLPE. When the CB content in XLPE is 1 phr(adding 1 g CB to every 100 g XLPE), the CB/XLPE nanocomposite has the best ability of inhibiting space charge. XLPE exhibits nonlinear conductive characteristics at relatively low electric field strength. Its conductivity is strongly affected by temperature, and the variation can reach up to three orders of magnitude. In contrast, the electrical conductivity of CB/XLPE nanocomposites is almost constant under electrical field no stronger than 20 kV/mm, and it is affected by temperature obviously less compared with that of XLPE. It is concluded that the addictive CB inhibits the space charge accumulation and improves the DC conductivity property for XLPE because it increases the trap density and depth in the CB/XLPE nanocomposites.
Effects of SQ 20881 and captopril on mesenteric, renal, and iliac vasculatures

The ability of two kininase II inhibitors, SQ 20881 and captopril, to inhibit conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II and to potentiate the vascular responsiveness to exogenous bradykinin were compared in the mesenteric, renal, and external iliac vasculatures of the dog. Basal rate of angiotensin I-to-angiotensin II conversion was found to be lower in the renal vasculature, average conversion being 4.7%, than in the mesenteric and iliac vasculatures, in which the average conversion was 30.7 and 26.3%, respectively. Inhibition of angiotensin I conversion by both kininase II inhibitors was independent of the basal angiotensin I conversion rate; however, SQ 20881 was a more potent inhibitor of angiotensin I conversion than captopril in all vascular beds tested. In the presence of equal molar doses of SQ 20881 and captopril, only 20-30% of the control bradykinin doses was needed to produce the same vascular effects in the mesenteric and iliac vasculatures. In the kidney, 70% of the control bradykinin doses was needed to produce the same vascular effects in the presence of SQ 20881; in contrast to SQ 20881, neither an equimolar nor 20 times an equimolar dose of captopril produced any change in the renal vascular responsiveness to bradykinin. In conclusion, 1) SQ 20881 is a more potent inhibitor of angiotensin conversion than captopril, and 2) captopril, unlike SQ 20881, does not alter renal vascular responsiveness to bradykinin.
Characterization of high performance waveguide-coupled linear mode avalanche photodiodes

We present experimental results for a Ge on Si separate absorption and charge multiplication (SACM) integrated waveguide coupled avalanche photodiode (APD) compatible with our silicon photonics platform. Our linear mode APD has a gain-bandwidth product in excess of 200 GHz. Furthermore, we demonstrate error free operation (BER< 10−12) with our waveguide coupled linear mode APD using pseudo-random bit sequence (PBRS) data at 10 Gb/s.
Endocrine Regulation of Phosphate Homeostasis

Publisher Summary Ingested phosphate (Pi) is absorbed by the small intestine through a process involving the sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter, deposited in bone and filtered by the kidney where it is reabsorbed and excreted in amounts that are determined by the specific requirements of the organism. Thus, the kidney is a major determinant of Pi homeostasis by virtue of its ability to increase or decrease its Pi reabsorptive capacity to accommodate Pi need. In the adult with zero Pi balance, net intestinal absorption of Pi (dietary Pi minus fecal Pi) is approximately 60–65% of dietary intake. To satisfy the demands of rapid growth of bone and soft tissue, net intestinal absorption of Pi in infants is higher than in the adult and can exceed 90% of dietary intake. Metabolic balance studies in healthy adult humans reveal that over the customary range of dietary Pi, net intestinal absorption is a linear function of intake, with no indication of saturation. Thus, Pi deficiency results primarily from decreased availability of Pi rather than from changes in the intrinsic capacity of intestinal Pi transport.
Consumer Electric Energy Management Strategies and Preferences in Emergency Demand Response: Results from a Survey

Demand response has not been widely accepted by the residential consumer, in part due to the lack of understanding of how average residential energy consumers will behave under different scenarios. The objective of this study is to examine consumer energy management strategies in emergency demand response using a survey. Participants were given a scenario where they were the owner of a single-family house and had participated in an emergency demand response program, and answered questions related to electricity usage. Results showed that between 27 and 39 % of the participants were willing to turn off the AC in the emergency demand response. More than 86 % of the participants were willing to change the AC setting to some extent. The higher the bonus was, the more participants were willing to do so. Willingness of postponing the use of other appliances highly depends on the category of the appliances.
Behavioral Hierarchy: Exploration and Representation

Behavioral modules are units of behavior providing reusable building blocks that can be composed sequentially and hierarchically to generate extensive ranges of behavior. Hierarchies of behavioral modules facilitate learning complex skills and planning at multiple levels of abstraction and enable agents to incrementally improve their competence for facing new challenges that arise over extended periods of time. This chapter focuses on two features of behavioral hierarchy that appear to be less well recognized: its influence on exploratory behavior and the opportunity it affords to reduce the representational challenges of planning and learning in large, complex domains. Four computational examples are described that use methods of hierarchical reinforcement learning to illustrate the influence of behavioral hierarchy on exploration and representation. Beyond illustrating these features, the examples provide support for the central role of behavioral hierarchy in development and learning for both artificial and natural agents.
Improved Package Modeling and Correlation Methodology for High Speed IO Design

Predicting and optimizing the package electrical performance for high speed input/output (IO) design requires an accurate and robust modeling methodology. Such a methodology requires high fidelity representation of physical structures and accurate characterization of broadband frequency dependent material properties. In addition, a modeling to measurement correlation flow that can very accurately de-embed the parasitics of probe pads and transitions from measured data is also required to validate both the modeling methodology itself and the modeling input parameters. In this paper, a comprehensive flow for an improved package modeling and a correlation methodology for high speed IO design is presented that is verified with measured and modeled results for both single-ended and differential package transmission lines.
Biomarker signatures of aging.

Summary Because people age differently, age is not a sufficient marker of susceptibility to disabilities, morbidities, and mortality. We measured nineteen blood biomarkers that include constituents of standard hematological measures, lipid biomarkers, and markers of inflammation and frailty in 4704 participants of the Long Life Family Study (LLFS), age range 30–110 years, and used an agglomerative algorithm to group LLFS participants into clusters thus yielding 26 different biomarker signatures. To test whether these signatures were associated with differences in biological aging, we correlated them with longitudinal changes in physiological functions and incident risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and mortality using longitudinal data collected in the LLFS. Signature 2 was associated with significantly lower mortality, morbidity, and better physical function relative to the most common biomarker signature in LLFS, while nine other signatures were associated with less successful aging, characterized by higher risks for frailty, morbidity, and mortality. The predictive values of seven signatures were replicated in an independent data set from the Framingham Heart Study with comparable significant effects, and an additional three signatures showed consistent effects. This analysis shows that various biomarker signatures exist, and their significant associations with physical function, morbidity, and mortality suggest that these patterns represent differences in biological aging. The signatures show that dysregulation of a single biomarker can change with patterns of other biomarkers, and age-related changes of individual biomarkers alone do not necessarily indicate disease or functional decline.
Theory and Practice in Policy Analysis: Including Applications in Science and Technology

Many books instruct readers on how to use the tools of policy analysis. This book is different. Its primary focus is on helping readers to look critically at the strengths, limitations, and the underlying assumptions analysts make when they use standard tools or problem framings. Using examples, many of which involve issues in science and technology, the book exposes readers to some of the critical issues of taste, professional responsibility, ethics, and values that are associated with policy analysis and research. Topics covered include policy problems formulated in terms of utility maximization such as benefit-cost, decision, and multi-attribute analysis, issues in the valuation of intangibles, uncertainty in policy analysis, selected topics in risk analysis and communication, limitations and alternatives to the paradigm of utility maximization, issues in behavioral decision theory, issues related to organizations and multiple agents, and selected topics in policy advice and policy analysis for government.
Supercentenarians in the United States

We have identified 325 persons who lived in the United States during the prior two decades beyond their 110th birthday, and were deceased as of June 2003. In this chapter we discuss how these supercentenarians were identified, and tabulate their characteristics and mortality.
Segmentation-based cNMF for hyperspectral unmixing

This paper presents a modification to the cNMF for unmixing where the image is first segmented and the cNMF is applied to individual segments for endmember extraction. Extracted spectral endmembers from individual segments are clustered in endmember classes to describe the entire image. The approach is compared with the global cNMF. The segmentation-based cNMF better captures subtle differences between spectrally similar classes. Experimental results are presented using an image chip from an AVIRIS image collected over AP Hill.
The state of the art and future directions of robotic-assisted thoracic surgery

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been widely adopted in early-stage lung cancer as an oncologically sound and minimally invasive approach with certain proven short-term advantages over open thoracotomy especially in terms of postoperative morbidity. Nevertheless, VATS is associated with visual and mechanical limitations, many of which were overcome with the introduction of robotic surgical techniques. Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) can approximate the visual perspective of open surgery, while utilizing instruments that mimic the maneuverability of the human wrist and provide magnified three-dimensional imaging. The added cost in addition to the effort required of surgeons to master RATS may be ultimately compensated by enhanced surgical efficiency, access to rapidly developing technical innovations, and the potential for improved patient outcomes.
A Basic View of Solid State Electronics

Solid State Electronics includes the study and development of a large class of devices which are replacing vacuum tube techniques and revolutionizing the applications of electrical engineering. The most famous member of this new family of devices is the transistor. All of us are influenced by these developments right in our homes since all modern radio and television sets use the transistor as a basic element. The success of our space effort is largely due to the advances in solid state electronics. Virtually all industries, including the citrus industry, have felt the impact of these developments in making available whole new concepts in instrumentation, control devices, and computers. The future possibilities are unlimited. Already we are seeing the expression of solid state electronics in a whole new concept of design and manufacture called microelectronics. Although one does not need to understand the theory of solid state electronics to enjoy the fruits of the developments, I thought it would be interesting to you to have a brief basic view of a subject which is having a significant impact on the citrus industry.Paper published with permission.Compilation Copyright © 2018 ASME
Catechol-O-Methyltransferase moderates effect of stress mindset on affect and cognition

There is evidence that altering stress mindset—the belief that stress is enhancing vs. debilitating—can change cognitive, affective and physiological responses to stress. However individual differences in responsiveness to stress mindset manipulations have not been explored. Given the previously established role of catecholamines in both placebo effects and stress, we hypothesized that genetic variation in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that metabolizes catecholamines, would moderate responses to an intervention intended to alter participants’ mindsets about stress. Participants (N = 107) were exposed to a stress mindset manipulation (videos highlighting either the enhancing or debilitating effects of stress) prior to engaging in a Trier Social Stress task and subsequent cognitive tasks. The associations of the COMT rs4680 polymorphism with the effect of stress mindset video manipulations on cognitive and affective responses were examined. Genetic variation at rs4680 modified the effects of stress mindset on affective and cognitive responses to stress. Individuals homozygous for rs4680 low-activity allele (met/met) were responsive to the stress-is-enhancing mindset manipulation as indicated by greater increases in positive affect, improved cognitive functioning, and happiness bias in response to stress. Conversely, individuals homozygous for the high-activity allele (val/val) were not as responsive to the stress mindset manipulation. These results suggest that responses to stress mindset intervention may vary with COMT genotype. These findings contribute to the understanding of gene by environment interactions for mindset interventions and stress reactivity and therefore warrant further investigations.
Post-traumatic stress symptom development as a function of changing witnessing in-home violence and changing peer relationship quality: Evaluating protective effects of peer relationship quality

Abstract In the present study, witnessing in-home violence and peer relationship quality are evaluated as to their relative impact on Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms among children aged 8 to 17 investigated by child protective services (CPS) for maltreatment exposure. The sample included 2151 children from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II (NSCAW II). Linear growth models were estimated to assess associations between changes in PTS symptoms, witnessing in-home violence, and peer relationship quality over time. Greater frequency of witnessing in-home violence at baseline (i.e. wave 1) was associated with higher baseline PTS symptoms (β = 0.44). Increases in witnessing in-home violence frequency over time (average annual change across three years) had a strong association with increases in PTS symptoms over time (β = 0.88). Baseline peer relationship quality was associated with fewer PTS symptoms at baseline (β = −0.45). Increases in peer relationship quality over time were strongly associated with declines in PTS symptoms over time (β = −0.68). Peer relationship quality at baseline did not moderate baseline or over time associations between witnessing in-home violence and PTS symptoms. The average decline in PTS symptoms due to decreases in witnessing in-home violence and increases in peer relationship quality was 0.51 and 0.65 standard deviations respectively, over the three-year study period. Reducing chronic witnessing in-home violence and promoting the development of healthy social relationships with peers are critical for PTS symptom recovery.
Discovery of Small Molecule Modifiers of microRNAs for the Treatment of HCV Infection

While RNA has traditionally been viewed as a mechanism to transfer genetic information, its importance and functionality has only truly been demonstrated in the past 20 years. One prime example of this significance can be found within microRNAs (miRNAs), which are involved in the regulation of a substantial number of human genes. Consequently, these miRNAs represent a novel target for therapeutic agents towards the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders. Specifically, misregulation of miR-122 has been demonstrated to be relevant in the cellular propagation of Hepatitis C (HCV), and thus modulators of miR-122 can have a substantial effect on viral loads. This protocol describes the development of an assay for the discovery of small molecule regulators of miR-122, and ultimately HCV therapeutics. Due to the excellent pharmacokinetic properties of small molecule libraries, these regulators represent a substantial advantage over traditional antisense agents.
Images and Drawings: A Study of Prospective Teachers’ Perceptions of Teaching and Learning Mathematics

Through a series of drawings, narratives, and focus groups interviews, this study examined prospective teachers' perceptions of teaching and learning mathematics at the elementary level. They were asked to illustrate mathematics teaching situations of their past, present, and idealized future classrooms. A theoretical framework guided data collection and analysis, which characterized three unique experiences: past reflection of mathematical experiences as a student (Remembering), current experience as a prospective teacher (Apprenticing), and the future image of the student in the role of the practicing teacher (Actualizing). Analysis of the drawings applied a method developed by Haney, Russell, Cengiz, and Fierros (Schools Middle: Theory Pract 6(5):38–43, 1998), which included creating a coding scheme, then, applying Kappa estimates to measure for inter-rater reliability. These drawings and additional focus group interviews revealed that the prospective teachers’ perceptions of old, new, and idealized mathematical teaching experiences demonstrated an evolving awareness of pedagogy and curricula that constitute effective mathematics instruction.
Value of FDG-PET in predicting dementia within 3 years among patients clinically diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment

1249 Objectives To assess the predictive value of clinically-evaluated FDG PET for imminent risk of conversion to dementia among patients clinically diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), who were enrolled in the Alzheimer9s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study and for whom longitudinal follow-up data for at least 3 subsequent years was available. Methods Baseline FDG PET scans from MCI patients, prospectively recruited for ADNI, were examined. The first 87 subjects (mean age 76 ± 6 years, range 55-88) to complete 3 years and whose data were acquired in DICOM format (or readily convertible to DICOM format) by October 2010 were included. Activities in 240 standardized regions of interest (sROIs) were automatically generated for each scan. Six dementia-specific posterior cortical brain volume activities were linearly combined and internally normalized to both pontine and whole brain volume activity to form a dementia prognosis (DP) index. Results All MCI subjects had a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) of 0.5 at time of baseline PET. By 3 years, 32 of the 87 MCI patients (37%) demonstrated progression (MCI-P) to dementia (CDR ≥1), while the other 55 (63%) demonstrated no progression (MCI-N), remaining stable (CDR 0.5) or reverting to a state of normal cognition (CDR 0). Progression to dementia was powerfully predicted by the DP index (p = 0.0001) alone. An average value of posterior cortical volumes of at least 4% above regional whole brain activity provided a greater than 93% probability of remaining cognitively stable for at least 3 years. Conclusions A normalized hypometabolism index, derivable automatically from routine regional analysis of brain PET scans, may provide substantial additive value above the initial clinical evaluation for accurately predicting which MCI individuals are at imminent risk of developing dementia. Research Support Funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Aging
Preoperative Preparation and Anesthesia in Blepharoplasty

Preoperative regimen includes verification of findings and restating of goals. Preoperative medications include oral analgesic and sedative. Intraoperative regimen includes topical corneal anesthesia, local anesthetic injection, use of protective eye shields, oxygen barrier, and optional use of intravenous sedation.
(267) The Influence of Long-Term Western Diet and Voluntary Exercise in an Early Life Stress Mouse Model of Co-Morbid Disorders

Early life stress is associated with the development of chronic pain, mood, and obesity-related metabolic disorders in adulthood. Although the underlying mechanisms of these syndromes are unknown, altered regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been implicated. It is hypothesized that early life stress induces HPA axis dysfunction leading to the development of overlapping disorders. We have established a mouse model of early life stress, neonatal maternal separation (NMS), that displays molecular evidence of altered HPA axis regulation and urogenital hypersensitivity and dysfunction, which can be mitigated by voluntary exercise. Adult NMS mice also weigh more and have greater body fat percentage than naive mice. Therefore, the present study is investigating whether outcomes of NMS are exacerbated by a Western diet and what effect voluntary exercise has on these outcomes. NMS was performed by separating whole litters from the dam for 3h/day starting on postnatal day 1 (P1) to P21. At 4 weeks of age, NMS and naive (non-separated) male mice either received access to a running wheel in their home cage (exercised) or remained in sedentary housing. At 16 weeks of age, a subset of mice received a high-fat/high-sucrose diet (20% kcal protein, 35% kcal carbohydrate (15% sucrose), 45% kcal fat) for 11 weeks. Perigenital mechanical sensitivity, weight, and body composition were measured throughout the study, and glucose tolerance was measured before sacrifice. Our results suggest that NMS mice were more susceptible to diet-induced weight gain and glucose intolerance compared to naive mice. Additionally, exercise had a stronger protective effect in naive mice, although both NMS and diet had a significant negative impact on running distance. We also observed a significant impact of NMS and diet on perigenital sensitivity. Future work will investigate a potential underlying mechanism for susceptibility to weight gain associated with stress and diet.
A Structured Curriculum for Interprofessional Training of Emergency Medicine Interns.

Interprofessional education (IPE) has been shown to improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction. IPE is now represented in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s emergency medicine (EM) milestones given the team-based nature of EM. The Highland Allied Health Rotation Program (H-AHRP) was developed by residents to enhance and standardize IPE for EM residents in a single hospital setting. H-AHRP was incorporated into the orientation month for interns starting in the summer of 2016. EM interns were paired with emergency department preceptors in registered nursing (RN), respiratory therapy (RT), pharmacy (PH), laboratory (LAB), and social work (SW) in either a four-hour shadowing experience (RN, RT, PH) or lecture-based overview (LAB, SW). We conducted a survey before and after the program. Overall, the EM interns reported an improved understanding of the scope of practice and day-to-day logistics after working with the preceptors. They found the program helpful to their future as physicians and would recommend it to other residencies. The H-AHRP program allows for the early incorporation of IPE into EM training, enhances interns’ understanding of both the scope and logistics of their colleagues, and is a well-received effort at improving team-based care.
The Effect of a Magnetic Field on the Absorption of X-rays

Effect of a magnetic field on the absorption of x-rays.\char22{}A continuation of previous work (Phys. Rev. 20, p. 134, 1922) with improved specimen holders and technique. Iron, aluminum, and carbon showed no changes in the absorption coefficient as great as one part in 10,000 (due to a magnetic field of 17,000 gauss) when the tube was operated at 90 kv peak. Carbon, wood, and lithium also showed effects smaller than the limit of accuracy of the apparatus\char22{}2 parts in 10,000 for 61 kv, 4 parts in 10,000 for 46 kv, and 10 parts in 10,000 for 30 kv. If the effect exists, then, it is very small.
Validity Evidence in Science Achievement Assessments Found in a Sample of Published Research Articles on Science Teaching

The authors add to published empirical findings that an appropriate range of validity evidence for achievement tests, including science and mathematics, has either not been gathered, not reported, or is not accessible for independent review. The current study focuses on a sample of published, peer reviewed science intervention studies from a single journal using science achievement measures, over an 11-years period, with some discussion of validity, and finds results similar to previous studies that were conducted in other STEM areas and broader contexts. The consensus of the educational measurement profession is that validity is assessed by the extent to which evidence and theory support the proposed interpretation of test scores for proposed uses. What is troublesome is that a shortfall in validity evidence raises concerns about faulty, or insubstantial, test score interpretation to inform student short-term and long-term education and career trajectories, and to inform curricula intervention improvements. Discussion cautions readers that though the study findings report shortfalls in some kinds of validity evidence, this simply raises a flag for the test user to consider what kinds of validity evidence apply to her test use. It also raises a flag for the profession to explore the reasons for shortfalls.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN – MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses matrices and determinants, presenting an introduction to linear algebra. The study of matrices and determinants concentrates on their application to the problem of solving systems of linear equations. The method of Gaussian elimination can be neatly implemented using matrices. Determinants provide an additional technique, known as Cramer's rule, for the solution of special linear systems. The properties and applications of matrices and determinants are both extensive and important. The chapter reviews coefficient matrix and augmented matrix. It also reviews determinant of second order and determinant of order 3. To evaluate a determinant, form the sum of the products obtained by multiplying each element of any row or any column by its cofactor. This process is called expansion by cofactors.
A practical phosphorus-based anode material for high-energy lithium-ion batteries

Abstract State-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries cannot satisfy the increasing energy demand worldwide because of the low specific capacity of the graphite anode. Silicon and phosphorus both show much higher specific capacity; however, their practical use is significantly hindered by their large volume changes during charge/discharge. Although significant efforts have been made to improve their cycle life, the initial coulombic efficiencies of the reported Si-based and P-based anodes are still unsatisfactory (
The heterogeneous nature of the Coronavirus receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in differentiating airway epithelia

ABSTRACT Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is transmitted through respiratory droplets containing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) particles. Once inhaled, SARS-CoV-2 particles gain entry into respiratory ciliated cells by interacting with angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). It is known that ACE2 functions within the renin-angiotensin system to regulate blood pressure, fluid homeostasis and inflammation. However, it is largely unknown what roles ACE2 has in ciliated cells of the airway. Therefore, understanding the function and nature of ACE2 within airway tissue has become an essential element in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. Airway mucociliary tissue was generated in-vitro using primary human nasal epithelial cells isolated from nasal turbinates of donors and the air-liquid interface (ALI) model of differentiation. Using ALI tissue we cloned transcripts for three distinct variants of ACE2, one of which encodes the full-length ACE2 protein, the other two transcripts are truncated isoforms that had only been predicted to exist via sequence analysis software. We demonstrate that all three isoforms have the capacity to be glycosylated, a known modification of full-length ACE2. Immunofluorescence microscopy of individual ACE2 isoform transfected cells reveals distinct localization of variant 1 relative to X1 and X2. Double staining immunohistochemistry of ALI tissue using antibodies to either the N-term or C-term region of ACE2 revealed distinct and overlapping signals in the apical cytosol of ciliated cells. Most notably only the ACE2 C-term antibody displayed plasma-membrane localization in ciliated cells. We also observed a decrease in the total amount of ACE2 in ALI tissue derived from a 33 year-old male donor when compared to a 34 year-old female donor, thus there may be variation in the abundance of ACE2 protein in the airway among the population. Together, our data begins to highlight the dynamic status of the ACE2 protein in airway mucociliary tissue and we propose multiple ACE2 parameters that may impact an individual’s susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. These parameters include the balance of cytosolic versus membrane bound ACE2, isoform expression levels, maintenance of post-translational modifications and the impact of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors on these processes.
g J Factor of the Lowest 1 P 1 and 3 P 1 States of Ba; Level-Crossing Determination of A( 1 P 1 )μ 0 g J ( 1 P 1 ) of Hg 199

The ${g}_{J}(^{3}P_{1})$ and ${g}_{J}(^{1}P_{1})$ factors of the ($6s6p$) configuration in barium have been determined in a double-resonance experiment. The ratio $\frac{A(^{1}P_{1})}{[{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{0}{g}_{J}(^{1}P_{1})]}$ of the ($6s6p$) configuration in ${\mathrm{Hg}}^{199}$ has been measured in a level-crossing experiment. The results are: ${g}_{J}(^{1}P_{1}, \mathrm{Ba})=1.0039\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0008$, ${g}_{J}(^{3}P_{1}, \mathrm{Ba})=1.4973\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0007$, $\ensuremath{-}\frac{hA(^{1}P_{1}, {\mathrm{Hg}}^{199})}{[{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{0}{g}_{J}(^{1}P_{1}, {\mathrm{Hg}}^{199})]}=2523.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.0$ G. From the values of $A(^{1}P_{1}, {\mathrm{Hg}}^{199})$ obtained from optical spectroscopy, a value of ${g}_{J}(^{1}P_{1}, \mathrm{Hg})$ is derived: ${g}_{J}(^{1}P_{1}, \mathrm{Hg})=1.0127\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0050$. We have summarized all lifetime and ${g}_{J}$ values for the first excited $\mathrm{sp}$ configuration of the group-II elements. With these results, a comparison of the three different methods of calculating the intermediate coupling coefficients is presented and all methods are found to be in excellent agreement. Previous level-crossing results for the lifetime and hfs of ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{137}$ have been corrected using the presently determined value of ${g}_{J}(^{1}P_{1})$. These corrected results are in much better agreement with other experiments.