cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH MODEL PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS MASALAH DENGAN STRATEGI THINK TALK WRITE TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KRITIS DAN SIKAP KRITIS SISWA

Kemampuan berpikir kritis dan sikap kritis sangat diperlukan siswa, terkait dengan kebutuhan siswa untuk memecahkan masalah yang dihadapinya dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat pengaruh penggunaan model pembelajaran berbasis masalah dengan strategi think talk write terhadap kemampuan berpikir krtitis dan sikap kritis siswa. Dengan melibatkan dua kelas utuh (yang terdiri atas 54 siswa), data dikumpulkan melalui tes dan angket sebelum dan sesudah perlakuan, kemudian dianalisis secara deskriptif dengan menghitung n-gain ternormalisasi dan statistic inferensial dengan uji MANCOVA. Hasil analisis data menunjukkan kemampuan berpikir kritis dan sikap kritis siswa yang diajar menggunakan model pembelajaran berbasis masalah dengan strategi think talk write meningkat pada kategori sedang. Hasil uji MANCOVA diperoleh nilai probabilitas kemampuan berpikir kritis 0,01 dan sikap kritis <0,001 lebih kecil dari taraf signifikansi yaitu 0,05, yang artinya kemampuan berpikir kritis dan sikap kritis siswa yang diajar menggunakan model pembelajaran berbasis masalah dengan strategi think talk write lebih baik daripada siswa yang diajar menggunakan model pengajaran langsung. Namun, perlakuan ini dianggap kurang berhasil karena tidak mencapai ketuntasan klasikal. Kata Kunci: Model pembelajaran berbasis masalah, strategi think talk write kemampuan berpikir kritis, sikap kritis.
Quantum coherence selective 2D Raman-2D electronic spectroscopy

Electronic and vibrational correlations report on the dynamics and structure of molecular species, yet revealing these correlations experimentally has proved extremely challenging. Here, we demonstrate a method that probes correlations between states within the vibrational and electronic manifold with quantum coherence selectivity. Specifically, we measure a fully coherent four-dimensional spectrum which simultaneously encodes vibrational–vibrational, electronic–vibrational and electronic–electronic interactions. By combining near-impulsive resonant and non-resonant excitation, the desired fifth-order signal of a complex organic molecule in solution is measured free of unwanted lower-order contamination. A critical feature of this method is electronic and vibrational frequency resolution, enabling isolation and assignment of individual quantum coherence pathways. The vibronic structure of the system is then revealed within an otherwise broad and featureless 2D electronic spectrum. This method is suited for studying elusive quantum effects in which electronic transitions strongly couple to phonons and vibrations, such as energy transfer in photosynthetic pigment–protein complexes. Electronic and vibrational correlations report on the dynamics and structure of molecular species, yet revealing these correlations experimentally is challenging. Here the authors develop a method called GAMERS that probes correlations between states within the vibrational and electronic manifold with quantum coherence selectivity.
Successful treatment of multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae using dual carbapenem regimen in immunocompromised patient

This report describes a longitudinal case of immunocompromised patient post kidney transplant who was admitted to our institution repeatedly for treatment of various infections caused by multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of ertapenem/meropenem on multiple occasions despite the elevated MICs. Our observations corroborate previous preclinical studies and case reports showing the efficacy of double carbapenem regimens against resistant Enterobacteriaceae.
Spatial Analysis of Salt Heterogeneity in a Central Californian Grape Field

Grape is one of the major crops produced in California; however, moderate salt concentrations in the soil pore space can affect its growth. Therefore, it is important that the root zone salinity be rigorously monitored and maintained below the threshold limit for grape. Spatial analysis of salt heterogeneity can facilitate site-specific management for the crop. We conducted an electromagnetic salinity survey followed by semivariance modeling and kriging analyses in order to quantify the spatial variability and structure of salt distributions in a central Californian grape field. Soils in the study area had silty clayey texture and the salinity across the root zone remained largely elevated with random variations. Around 78 and 19 % of the salinity values remained in the 3-4 and 4-4.5 dS m -1 ranges, respectively. The 3.5-4 dS m -1 level represented one of the most abundant concentrations across the areas of salt build up in the grape field. Based on our variogram and crossvalidation analyses, the Gaussian model fitted best to the salinity data (r 2 = 0.996, RSS = 0.0003). The salt heterogeneity was characterized by high structural variance (99 %) and low nugget effect ( C 0 = 0.014). The kriging analysis demonstrated a large spatial dependence of salinity that extended beyond a 1000 m radius. The isotropic nature of the spatial correlation structure produced an omnidirectional variogram. The overall salinity levels across the field surpassed the salt tolerance threshold for grape and the spatial analyses identified sensitive zones and their structures that require precise adaptive management.
Diffusion of Bevacizumab Across Oncology Practices: An Observational Study.

Background: Technological advances can improve care and outcomes but are a primary driver of health care spending growth. Understanding diffusion and use of new oncology therapies is important, given substantial increases in prices and spending on such treatments. Objectives: Examine diffusion of bevacizumab, a novel (in 2004) and high-priced biologic cancer therapy, among US oncology practices during 2005–2012 and assess variation in use across practices. Research Design: Population-based observational study. Setting: A total of 2329 US practices providing cancer chemotherapy. Participants: Random 20% sample of 236,304 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged above 65 years in 2004–2012 undergoing infused chemotherapy for cancer. Measures: Diffusion of bevacizumab (cumulative time to first use and 10% use) in practices, variation in use across practices overall and by higher versus lower-value use. We used hierarchical models with practice random effects to estimate the between-practice variation in the probability of receiving bevacizumab and to identify factors associated with use. Results: We observed relatively rapid diffusion of bevacizumab, particularly in independent practices and larger versus smaller practices. We observed substantial variation in use; the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of bevacizumab use was 2.90 higher (2.73–3.08) for practices 1 SD above versus one standard deviation below the mean. Variation was less for higher-value [odds ratio=2.72 (2.56–2.89)] than lower-value uses [odds ratio=3.61 (3.21–4.06)]. Conclusions: Use of bevacizumab varied widely across oncology practices, particularly for lower-value indications. These findings suggest that interventions targeted to practices have potential for decreasing low-value use of high-cost cancer therapies.
Differential Effects of Four Monoclonal Antibodies to Human β2-Microglobulin on in Vitro Lymphocyte Functions

Five clones secreting monoclonal antibodies to β2-microglobulin (β2m) were produced by cell fusion between the mouse myeloma P3-NS1–1-AG4–1 and spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with β2m. Two of the monoclonal antibodies are IgG1, two are IgG2 and one is IgG2. Three carry κ light chains and two carry λ chains. All five react with β2m in ELISA assay. All except one react in indirect immunofluorescence assays with cell line 1788. None react with Daudi, a cell line which lacks cell-surface β2m.
Abstract P1-10-16: In vitro delivery of model fluorescent dyes through the mammary papilla

In the United States, 100,000 women each year are diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia (AH), significantly increasing their risk of developing breast cancer. However, only 40% of patients accept breast cancer preventive treatment, in part, due to systemic side effects. The localization of pre-cancerous cells within the ducts or lobules of the breast permits a local treatment strategy employing the innate mammary ducts. This expansive tree-like structure extends throughout the entire breast and may serve as a conduit for local delivery of therapeutics, thereby minimizing side effects associated with current preventive treatment strategies. This study examines how lipophilicity influences diffusion through porcine tissue using a model hydrophilic dye, Sulforhodamine B (SRB), and a model lipophilic dye, Nile Red (NR). Porcine nipple or skin tissue was positioned in a Franz diffusion cell and the formulations were applied topically. With equivalent dye concentrations applied to the donor surface, we noted no significant difference in total dye permeation when comparing diffusion through skin versus nipple tissue or when comparing SRB versus NR after 48 hours. However, the diffusion coefficient for both NR and SRB through the nipple was almost 700-fold greater compared to through the skin indicating improved drug delivery via the nipple. Additionally, after 48 hours there was significantly higher retention of SRB in the nipple and skin compared to NR. When we further looked at the distribution of each dye within the nipple using fluorescence microscopy, we saw a distinction in the localization of each dye. Fluorescence micrographs show that lipophilic NR is retained within the ducts while the hydrophilic SRB diffuses throughout the entire tissue section, suggesting that hydrophobicity impacts the ability of molecules to diffuse from the duct into the surrounding tissue. This suggests that lipophilic carriers may be effective for delivery of cancer therapeutics or preventative agents targeting the mammary ducts, where AH is localized. Citation Format: Kurtz SL, Lawson LB. In vitro delivery of model fluorescent dyes through the mammary papilla [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-16.
A history of binge drinking during adolescence is associated with poorer sleep quality in young adult Mexican Americans and American Indians

Binge drinking during adolescence is common, and adolescents and young adults with alcohol problems may also have sleep difficulties. However, few studies have documented the effects of a history of adolescent binge drinking on sleep in young adulthood in high-risk minority populations. To quantify sleep disturbance, as indexed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), in a sample of young adult Mexican American and American Indian men and women (18–30 years, n = 800) with and without a history of alcohol binge drinking during adolescence, controlling for age, gender, and race. Gender was found to affect PSQI responses with females reporting waking up at night, having more bad dreams, and later habitual bedtimes than males, and males reporting more problems with breathing and snoring. Increasing age was associated with snoring or coughing, less hours spent in bed, and later evening bedtimes. Race also influenced the PSQI with American Indians reporting longer sleep latencies and sleep durations, more hours spent in bed, and more trouble with coughing and snoring than Mexican Americans, and Mexican Americans reporting later bedtimes. A history of adolescent regular binge drinking was associated with longer sleep latencies, more problems with breathing, bad dreams, and an overall higher PSQI total score, when controlling for age, race, and gender. This report suggests, like what has been found in young adults in general population samples, that binge drinking during adolescence is associated with deleterious consequences on sleep quality in young adulthood in these high-risk and understudied ethnic groups.
Assessing the energy and daylighting impacts of human behavior with window shades, a life-cycle comparison of manual and automated blinds

Abstract Manual and automated blind controls are typically not included in energy and daylight simulation in part because there is no consensus in the research or practice communities about the way users operate manual blinds or override automated blinds. In order for blind use patterns to become part of energy and daylight simulation best practices, the range of annual energy and daylighting impacts associated with blind use must be understood. This paper addresses these aspects by comparing four leading candidates of manually-controlled blinds plus two automated blind control algorithms using a high-rise office building located in Boise, ID. This study revealed that all four current “manual” blind use algorithm choices perform relatively similarly to automated systems, and surprisingly sometimes even more efficiently. LM-83 currently has the lowest average occlusion during regularly occupied hours, followed by Lightswitch-2002, while Blindswith-A and -B have the highest average occlusion. The IES-recommended manual blind algorithm resulted even in lower average blind occlusion and lighting energy consumption than automated systems. Finally, life-cycle cost analysis was calculated. The results show that the cost savings from interior automated shading system are substantial over a 30-year time horizon, when compared with common passive manual blinds ($25 versus $7.6 Net Present Value per SF glazing area).
Impact of power amplifier non-linearities on simultaneous RF emissions from an array

Signal interference constraints and limited RF spectrum space have made it necessary to further study ways of addressing the coexistence of radar and communications systems. In this work, we build on prior research towards simultaneous emission of multiple RF signals from a common array. We study the impact of non-linearities in power amplifiers on the resultant emitted wavefront. To do this, we examine the strength of radiation in the space orthogonal to the two transmit signals. We show that the previously proposed amplitude limiter introduces significant distortion when the two wavefronts are transmitted with equal power, and that the effects of power amplifier non-linearities are minimal when measured by the strength of the orthogonal subspace and the subspaces of the two intended RF tasks.
Anion Exchange Membranes’ Evolution toward High Hydroxide Ion Conductivity and Alkaline Resiliency

The development of alkaline fuel cells over the past decade has led to exciting developments in low resistant and alkaline stable anion exchange membranes (AEMs). This Review highlights new material chemistries and macromolecular designs that have fueled AEMs with ionic conductivities greater than 100 mS cm–1, while demonstrating stability for extended periods in base bath solutions of 1 M potassium (or sodium) hydroxide solutions at temperature of 80 °C or greater. The new AEMs have led to AEM fuel cells (AEMFCs) with power density values that exceed 1 W cm–2 with hydrogen and oxygen. AEM research activities are motivated in large part by their prospect to realize fuel cells free of platinum group metals, which is paramount for cost reduction of fuel cell technology. In addition to highlighting the remarkable achievements of AEMs in the past 4 years, this Review discusses future priorities for the scientific community to address in AEM development. These priorities include stability and conductivity unde...
[18-OR]: Enhanced angiogenic balance and vasorelaxation during pregnancy in obese MC4R-deficient rats

Objectives While obesity is a major risk factor for preeclampsia, which is new-onset hypertension in pregnancy, the mechanisms linking obesity and hypertension during preeclampsia are not understood. Hypertension in preeclampsia is associated with placental ischemia-induced release of factors such as anti-angiogenic sFlt-1 into the maternal circulation which antagonizes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and promotes endothelial dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of obesity on angiogenic factors and endothelial function in obese melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) knockout rats (MC4R+/−, n = 4–9) and lean control MC4R+/+ rats ( n = 4–8). Methods EchoMRI for measuring total body fat mass; carotid arterial catheters for measuring mean arterial blood pressure; ELISAs; wire myography. Results At gestational day (GD) 18, body weight (362 ± 6 vs. 336 ± 5 g) and total body fat mass (62 ± 6 vs. 45 ± 5 g) were greater ( P P P P Conclusions These data indicate that during normal pregnancy, obesity is associated with greater circulating VEGF levels and nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation in resistance arteries. Because soluble factors from the ischemic placental target reduce nitric oxide bioavailability, we propose that the hypertensive and endothelial dysfunction responses to reductions in uterine perfusion may be exaggerated in obese pregnant animals. Funding: HL105324, HL51971. Disclosures F.T. Spradley: None. A.C. Palei: None. J.P. Granger: None.
Scoped synchronization constraints for large scale actor systems

Very large scale systems of autonomous concurrent objects (Actors) require coordination models to meet two competing goals. On the one hand, the coordination models must allow Actors to dynamically modify protocols in order to adapt to requirement changes over the, likely extensive, lifetime of the system. On the other hand, the coordination models must enforce protocols on potentially uncooperative Actors, while preventing deadlocks caused by malicious or faulty Actors. To meet these competing requirements, we introduce a novel, scoped semantics for Synchronizers [7,6]--a coordination model based on declarative synchronization constraints. The mechanism used to limit the scope of the synchronization constraints is based on capabilities and works without central authority. We show that the mechanism closes an attack vector in the original Synchronizer approach which allowed malicious Actors to intentionally deadlock other Actors.
Economics of Meeting Peak Electricity Demand Using Hydrogen and Oxygen from Base-Load Nuclear or Off-Peak Electricity

The Hydrogen Intermediate and Peak Electrical System (HIPES) is a new proposed system that uses low-cost off-peak electricity or base-load nuclear energy to economically produce electricity for pea...
ASSESSMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION IN THE MEDINA OF MAHDIA IN THE 21ST CENTURY

The paper deals with the architectural conservation of the Medina of Mahdia in Tunisia in the 21st century. This millenary ancient Fatimid capital offers an example of urban heritage that continues to impose rougher debates about the uncertainty and the lack of its conservation, promotion and valorisation nowadays. The research examines multiple dimensions related to actual state of the case study, proceeded conservation projects and different actors’ points of view mainly local population and involved institutions. It aims to find out if the case study is recognised as valuable heritage, and how much did the proceeded projects succeeded in ensuring urban and architectural conservation. By assessing and criticising, experimentations are displayed, faults are revealed and thus more suggestions are announced to mend the degradation and improve future projects that will be initiated on built heritage in the case study or in other Medina of the country.
An implementation of real-time feedback control of cured part height in Exposure Controlled Projection Lithography with in-situ interferometric measurement feedback

Abstract Exposure Controlled Projection Lithography (ECPL) is an in-house additive manufacturing process that can cure microscale photopolymer parts on a stationary transparent substrate with a time sequence of patterned ultraviolet beams delivered from underneath. An in-situ interferometric curing monitoring and measurement (ICM&M) system has been developed to measure the ECPL process output of cured height profile. This study develops a real-time feedback control system that utilizes an empirical process model and an online ICM&M feedback to automatically and accurately cure a part with targeted height. Due to the nature of photopolymerization, the total height of an ECPL cured part is divided into exposure cured height and dark cured height. The exposure cured height is controlled by a closed-loop feedback on-off controller. The dark cured height is compensated by an empirical process model obtained from the ICM&M measurements for a series of cured parts. A parallel computing software application is developed to implement the real-time measurement and control simultaneously. The experimental results directly validate the ICM&M system’s real-time capability in capturing the process dynamics and in sensing the process output. Meanwhile, it evidently demonstrates the feedback control system’s satisfactory performance in achieving the setpoint of total height, despite the presence of ECPL process uncertainties, ICM&M noises and computing interruptions. A comprehensive error analysis is reported, implying a promising submicron control with enhanced hardware. Generally, the study establishes a paradigm of improving additive manufacturing with a real-time closed-loop measurement and control system.
Genetic Determinants of IgA Nephropathy: Western Perspective

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) represents a genetically complex multifactorial trait. Its prevalence and clinical features vary geographically, and the disease has a range of clinical presentations that suggest multiple subtypes. Although familial aggregation of IgAN has been reported and prior linkage studies have highlighted significant locus heterogeneity, specific genetic variants underlying familial IgAN have not yet been defined. Population-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have discovered nearly 20 IgAN risk loci, providing novel insights into disease epidemiology and molecular mechanisms, shifting old paradigms of the disease pathogenesis. Follow-up fine-mapping studies have identified specific causal variants, and genotype-phenotype correlation studies have begun to delineate clinical consequences of GWAS risk alleles. The association between IgAN and galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1), a validated serum biomarker of IgAN, presented another avenue for genetic discovery because elevated serum levels of Gd-IgA1 are highly heritable. Recent GWAS for serum Gd-IgA1 levels provided novel insights into genetic regulation of this trait, but the genetic link between Gd-IgA1 and IgAN has not yet been established. In this review, we discuss these developments in the broader context of modern genetic approaches to complex traits, and provide our perspective on the critical challenges that need to be addressed to advance the field.
Rethinking the role of theory in exploratory experimentation

To explain their role in discovery and contrast them with theory-driven research, philosophers of science have characterized exploratory experiments in terms of what they lack: namely, that they lack direction from what have been called “local theories” of the target system or object under investigation. I argue that this is incorrect: it’s not whether or not there is direction from a local theory that matters, but instead how such a theory is used to direct an experiment that matters. Appealing to contemporary exploratory experiments that involve the use of experimental techniques – specifically, examples where scientists explore the interaction of neural activity and human behavior by magnetically stimulating brains – I argue that local theories of a target system can inform auxiliary hypotheses in exploratory experiments, which direct these experiments. These examples illustrate how local theories can direct the exploration of target systems where researchers do not aim to evaluate these theories.
The Lived Experience of Religiosity and Stress among Middle-Aged Vietnamese American Catholic Immigrants

Based on findings from an interpretative phenomenological study, this article reports the lived experiences of religiosity and stress among six middle-aged Vietnamese-born American Catholic immigrants. The findings indicate how midlife is defined; types of midlife stressors; how participants coped with midlife stressors; religious strategies for coping with midlife stressors; and wisdom related to midlife. Implications for both clinical and congregational practice with Vietnamese American Catholic immigrants are outlined and include insights regarding how religious beliefs and practices can promote healthy coping with midlife stressors and facilitate resilience. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
The Phase Field Method: Mesoscale Simulation Aiding Material Discovery

Mesoscale modeling and simulation approaches provide a bridge from atomic-scale methods to the macroscale. The phase field (PF) method has emerged as a powerful and popular tool for mesoscale simul...
Reducing late evening bedtime electronic device intentions and use among young adults.

Abstract Objectives We examined (Study #1) the association of attitudes, subjective norms (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) with intentions to reduce late evening electronic device (e-device) use and (Study #2) the impact of a brief theory-driven message on reducing the use. Methods Young adults aged 18-30 years participated in Internet surveys to assess sleep quality, attitudes, SN, PBC, and intentions to reduce and patterns of late evening e-device use. In Study #1, participants (n = 160) were randomized to receive a Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)–driven message based on information from the National Sleep Foundation and were assessed for intentions to decrease late evening e-device use immediately afterward. In Study #2, participants (n = 148) were given the same message but were assessed for behaviors 24 hours–1 week afterward. Results In Study #1, regressions indicated that less supportive attitudes and higher PBC were associated with higher intention to reduce e-device use at baseline (P Conclusion Attitudes and PBC were associated with intention to reduce late evening e-device use, and our brief TPB-driven message benefited young adults with attitudes inconsistent with use. TPB-based interventions can decrease late evening e-device use and promote better quantity and quality of sleep.
Building a Culture of Honor and Integrity in a Business School

We describe a unique co-curricular honor and integrity program at a large, research university’s business school. We discuss the evolution of the program as well as the array of stakeholders who we...
PD-1 Inhibition Achieves a Complete Metabolic Response in a Patient with Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor

High-grade malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) have a poor prognosis with limited responsiveness to systemic therapy. We document a case of a complete metabolic response to pembrolizumab monotherapy in metastatic disease. Tumor molecular profiling identified programmed-death ligand-1 (PD-L1) positivity. This characteristic provided a rationale for immune-checkpoint therapy. Treatment with pembrolizumab resulted in a complete metabolic response after four cycles of therapy. Patients with PD-L1-positive, metastatic MPNST may be candidates for immune-checkpoint therapy, which may produce a durable complete remission. Future study of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy is warranted.
Hemoglobin Blocks Von Willebrand Factor Proteolysis by ADAMTS-13: A Mechanism Associated with Acquired ADAMTS-13 Deficiency in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

One of the hallmark events of sickle cell disease (SCD) is vasoocclusion and episodic pain crisis. Although the mechanism of vascular occlusion is very complicated, processes like thrombosis and thromboembolism have been recognized to play an important role in the development of such clinical manifestation in SCD. Studies have shown that the von Willebrand factor (VWF), especially the ultra-large (UL) multimers play a major role in vasoocclusion, which clearly indicates a possible impairment of the VWF-cleaving metalloproteae ADAMTS-13 in these patients with SCD. In a recent work, indeed we have mentioned that the plasma ADAMTS-13 in patients with SCD having normal antigen level showed 35% less protease activity than the normal. There may be several plasma factors responsible for the acquired deficiency of ADAMTS-13 in SCD. Since, the increasing evidences suggest that the elevated level of extracellular hemoglobin (Hb) in plasma parallely associated with the pathogenesis of SCD, we investigated the effects of extracellular Hb on VWF proteolysis by ADAMTS-13. We observed that purified Hb dose-dependently inhibited the ADAMTS-13 cleavage of recombinant(r) VWF and endothelial ULVWF multimers under static and flow conditions. Hb bound to VWF multimers in a saturation-dependent manner and more potently to the rVWFA2 domain (affinity Kd~24nM), which contains the cleavage site for ADAMTS-13. Hb bound also to the ADAMTS-13 (Kd~65nM), with 2.7 times less affinity than to VWFA2. The bindings were neither calcium-dependent nor affected by haptoglobin. However, it is the Hb-binding to VWF that prevented the substrate from being cleaved by ADAMTS-13. These in vitro findings are consistent with the in vivo observations in patients with SCD. An elevated level of extracellular Hb in plasma was inversely correlated (linear regression, r 2 =0.6354) with the low activity of ADAMTS-13 in a cohort of ten adult patients with SCD (mean±SE, Hb 346±138 mg/l; activity 33.3±30%) compared to age and gender-matched normal individuals (n=10; Hb 24±8 mg/l; activity 76.2±16%). The data together suggest that patients with SCD suffer from acquired ADAMTS-13 deficiency, primarily because Hb competitively binds and inhibits the proteolysis of VWF multimers, leading to ULVWF accumulation on vascular endothelium and in circulation. The Hb-VWF interaction may therefore be considered as a therapeutic target for reducing thrombotic and vasoocclusive complications in patients with severe hemolysis such as those with SCD.
Distinguishing Disease Activity and Damage in Myositis

Among the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), disease activity relates to the inflammatory manifestations of illness in the muscles, skin, lungs, joints, and other systems that are reversible with treatment, whereas disease damage relates to irreversible changes and long-term side effects of medication and comorbid conditions that have accumulated over time. Most patients with IIM have a combination of active disease and damage. Disease activity and damage may be discordant in different organs at any point in time. There are multiple modalities to assess disease activity and damage including muscle strength and functional testing, serum muscle enzymes, imaging, muscle biopsy, electromyographic findings, extra-muscular symptoms, and skin findings. In the assessment of IIM, muscle strength and physical function are key components but, by themselves, cannot distinguish active disease and damage. While serum levels of muscle enzymes can discriminate active disease from damage or remission and correlate relatively well with disease activity in some IIM subgroups, such as polymyositis and necrotizing myopathies, they do not correlate well with muscle strength, endurance, or physical function in many patients. Magnetic resonance imaging of proximal muscles can demonstrate areas of muscle edema, suggesting muscle inflammation, and areas of muscle atrophy, fatty replacement, or fibrosis, reflecting chronic changes. Occasionally further testing that reveals an irritable electromyogram or muscle biopsy findings of inflammation is required to demonstrate active disease. Dyspnea may be related to pulmonary and non-pulmonary etiologies with difficulty ascertaining active lung inflammation from chronic fibrosis. A comprehensive evaluation utilizing echocardiography, high-resolution chest computed tomography, and respiratory physiology at rest and during exercise is often required. Most skin manifestations are signs of either disease activity (e.g., erythema) or disease damage such as cutaneous scarring. A careful skin examination can distinguish active disease from damage. Tender and swollen joints are often a sign of active arthritis that can be seen in some subsets of myositis like the anti-synthetase syndrome. Often a combination of modalities is most appropriate to assess disease activity and disease damage in individual IIM patients.
Dubrovin Valuation Rings

A few years ago Dubrovin defined a new notion of valuation ring for division rings and matrices over division rings. These valuation rings have better extension properties than the usual valuation rings on division rings. In addition, a Dubrovin valuation ring B of a division ring D is uniquely determined up to conjugacy by the valuation ring B ⋂ Z (D) if [D:Z(D)J < ∞. In this paper some of the basic results on Dubrovin valuation rings will be reviewed, and a theorem will be described which uses Henselization to relate these rings back to the more traditional valuation rings in division rings.
Death Narrative in 19th-Century China: How Did Newspapers Frame Death and Dying:

This study explored the death narrative in the late Qing dynasty as expressed in Chinese newspapers in the 19th century. Using textual analysis, this study identified three themes regarding death a...
B-PINNs: Bayesian Physics-Informed Neural Networks for Forward and Inverse PDE Problems with Noisy Data

Abstract We propose a Bayesian physics-informed neural network (B-PINN) to solve both forward and inverse nonlinear problems described by partial differential equations (PDEs) and noisy data. In this Bayesian framework, the Bayesian neural network (BNN) combined with a PINN for PDEs serves as the prior while the Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) or the variational inference (VI) could serve as an estimator of the posterior. B-PINNs make use of both physical laws and scattered noisy measurements to provide predictions and quantify the aleatoric uncertainty arising from the noisy data in the Bayesian framework. Compared with PINNs, in addition to uncertainty quantification, B-PINNs obtain more accurate predictions in scenarios with large noise due to their capability of avoiding overfitting. We conduct a systematic comparison between the two different approaches for the B-PINNs posterior estimation (i.e., HMC or VI), along with dropout used for quantifying uncertainty in deep neural networks. Our experiments show that HMC is more suitable than VI with mean field Gaussian approximation for the B-PINNs posterior estimation, while dropout employed in PINNs can hardly provide accurate predictions with reasonable uncertainty. Finally, we replace the BNN in the prior with a truncated Karhunen-Loeve (KL) expansion combined with HMC or a deep normalizing flow (DNF) model as posterior estimators. The KL is as accurate as BNN and much faster but this framework cannot be easily extended to high-dimensional problems unlike the BNN based framework.
YASS: Yet Another Spike Sorter applied to large-scale multi-electrode array recordings in primate retina

Spike sorting is a critical first step in extracting neural signals from large-scale multi-electrode array (MEA) data. This manuscript presents several new techniques that make MEA spike sorting more robust and accurate. Our pipeline is based on an efficient multi-stage 9triage-then-cluster-then-pursuit9 approach that initially extracts only clean, high-quality waveforms from the electrophysiological time series by temporarily skipping noisy or 9collided9 events (representing two neurons firing synchronously). This is accomplished by developing a neural network detection and denoising method followed by efficient outlier triaging. The denoised spike waveforms are then used to infer the set of spike templates through nonparametric Bayesian clustering. We use a divide-and-conquer strategy to parallelize this clustering step. Finally, we recover collided waveforms with matching-pursuit deconvolution techniques, and perform further split-and-merge steps to estimate additional templates from the pool of recovered waveforms. We apply the new pipeline to data recorded in the primate retina, where high firing rates and highly-overlapping axonal units provide a challenging testbed for the deconvolution approach; in addition, the well-defined mosaic structure of receptive fields in this preparation provides a useful quality check on any spike sorting pipeline. We show that our pipeline improves on the state-of-the-art in spike sorting (and outperforms manual sorting) on both real and semi-simulated MEA data with > 500 electrodes; open source code can be found at https://github.com/paninski-lab/yass.
Cochlear Implants in Neurologically Impaired Children: A Survey of Health-Related Quality of Life.

ObjectivesEvaluate health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) measures in noncommunicative, neurologically impaired, developmentally delayed (NCNIDD) children compared to normally developing children (...
Soil type and water level treatments influence peatland CO2 efflux in simulated restoration

Peatlands are characterized by accumulation of organic matter primarily in response to soil anoxia and soil saturation. In the Cavalier Wildlife Management Area (CWMA) of southeastern Virginia, weirs were installed within ditches in an effort to restore peatlands. The purpose of this research was to determine the water levels that restore soil respiration functions and encourage carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration. Core microcosms of two soil types (histosol and ultisol) were collected and established in the laboratory with differing water level treatments with simulated depth to water table. Incubations continued for 1 month and CO2 emission rates of the soil cores were measured twice per week using a portable photosynthesis instrument. Results from a mixed linear model and Tukey post-hoc tests demonstrated water level treatments were inversely correlated to CO2 emissions regardless of soil type and that the ultisol soil type exhibited lower percent volumetric water content and higher CO2 emissions overall. This suggests that higher water tables suppress CO2 emissions and can increase carbon sequestration, and that natural resource managers should evaluate soil types when establishing restoration and carbon sequestration goals, as soil types have differing responses to hydrologic restoration.
Scientific Inquiry and the Evolution of Language

Empirical inquiry involves the coevolution of predictive theory and descriptive language. Here we consider how one might model this coevolution using the tools of evolutionary game theory. We will see how subsequently evolved languages might exhibit semantic drift, invention, and discard. These evolutionary models also illustrate how subsequently evolved languages might be incommensurable yet nevertheless provide faithful descriptions of nature. Finally, we will consider how a model for the coevolution of predictive theory and descriptive language accounts for endogenous epistemic norms.
Tracking Child Language Development With Neural Network Language Models.

Recent work on the application of neural networks to language modeling has shown that models based on certain neural architectures can capture syntactic information from utterances and sentences even when not given an explicitly syntactic objective. We examine whether a fully data-driven model of language development that uses a recurrent neural network encoder for utterances can capture the process of child language development over time in a way that is comparable to what is achieved using established models that use language-specific information carefully designed by experts. Given only transcripts of child language utterances from the CHILDES Database and no prespecified information about language, our model learns the language development process surprisingly accurately, showing not only that our utterance encoder learns relevant language structures, but that the model learns how these structures reflect language development over time. We establish an evaluation methodology with which we can examine how well our model tracks language development compared to three known approaches: Mean Length of Utterance, the Developmental Sentence Score, and the Index of Productive Syntax. We discuss the applicability of our model to data-driven assessment of child language development, including how a fully data-driven approach supports the possibility of increased research in multilingual and cross-lingual issues.
Developing and Maintaining a Global Research Training Infrastructure for Cancer Education.

This manuscript illustrates the 20-year process of establishing research sites that have been developed and maintained by the authors in collaboration with oncology colleagues at institutions in low- and middle-income countries. This infrastructure has been created for research training of US public health graduate students over the past 20 years for the Cancer Epidemiology Education in Special Populations (CEESP) Program funded by the US National Cancer Institute (R25 CA112383). We describe the history and resources that were utilized for developing and maintaining the research training infrastructure. We then define the elements needed for selecting and nurturing these global sites for education and research training of students. The elements include data and field resources, patient population, facilities for cancer management, laboratory resources, academic collaborators, and population parameters and cultural characteristics. These elements have also been essential in our US domestic training sites. We then emphasize the strengths and limitations of our global sites. Finally, we elaborate on our learning experience over the past 20 years. We believe that the material provided in this manuscript will serve as a useful toolkit for faculty, mentors, students, and trainees interested developing and/or utilizing research sites for cancer epidemiology and cancer prevention and control research training programs in global settings.
Tortz: A Study of American Tort Law (Chapters 1 to 7)

This textbook represents a survey study of American tort law suitable to American 1L students and foreign law students. When complete, chapters will cover: (1) introduction, (2) intentional torts, (3) defenses to intentional torts, (4) negligence, (5) defenses to negligence, (6) subjective standards, (7) strict liability, (8) necessity, (9) damages, (10) res ipsa loquitur, (11) multiple liabilities, (12) attenuated duty and causation (scope of liability), (13) affirmative duty, (14) nuisance, (15) media torts, (16) business torts, (17) worker compensation, and (18) government liability and "constitutional tort." This pedagogy is built on the teachings of Professor Marshall S. Shapo. Chapters will be added as they are completed, anticipating the full work by the end of 2022. (Updated with chapters 6 and 7 on November 9, 2021.)
COVID-19 Survival and its Impact on Chronic Kidney Disease.

Up to 87% of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experience chronic sequelae following infection. The long-term impact of COVID-19 infection on kidney function is largely unknown at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, we highlight the current understanding of the pathophysiology of COVID-19-associated kidney injury and the impact COVID-19 may have on long-term kidney function. COVID-19-induced acute kidney injury may lead to tubular injury, endothelial injury, and glomerular injury. We highlight histopathologic correlates from large kidney biopsy and autopsy series. By conducting a comprehensive review of published literature to date, we summarize the rates of recovery from COVID-19-associated-AKI. Finally, we discuss how certain genetic differences, including APOL1 risk alleles (a risk factor for collapsing glomerulopathy), coupled with systemic healthcare disparities, may lead to a disproportionate burden of post-COVID-19-kidney function decline among racial and ethnic minority groups. We highlight the need for prospective studies to determine the true incidence of chronic kidney disease burden after COVID-19.
Polarized Political Communication, Oppositional Media Hostility, and Selective Exposure

Previous research has consistently documented a hostile media effect in which people see bias in balanced reporting on political controversies. In the contemporary fragmented media environment, partisan news outlets intentionally report political news from ideological perspectives, raising the possibility that ideologically biased news may cause viewers to become increasingly suspicious of and antagonistic toward news media—which we call oppositional media hostility. However, the fragmented media environment also gives television viewers ample opportunities to tune out news outlets with which they disagree as well as the news altogether, and this should moderate oppositional media hostility. We investigate the effects of partisan news shows on media perceptions across six laboratory-based experiments. We find that counterattitudinal news programming is more likely to induce hostile media perceptions than proattitudinal programming, but that the presence of choice blunts oppositional media hostility. We ex...
Evasive behaviours of female dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) during exploitative scramble competition

When males engage in scramble competition, are females non-evasive recipients of male coercion or evasive? Small groups of male dusky dolphins ( Lagenorhynchus obscurus) engage in exploitative (non-interference) scramble competition for access to oestrous females near Kaikoura, New Zealand. We conducted behavioural sequence analyses of videos of 48 mating groups with continuous records and focal individual follows of females. We determined (1) the frequency and type of behaviours (non-evasive vs. evasive), (2) the variation in simple transition probabilities of behaviours leading to a copulatory position associated with female resistance and non-resistance and (3) the variation in female responses to male behaviours throughout focal follows. Females exhibited frequent active evasive manoeuvers following male behaviours. Copulation sequences were highly variable and most complex when terminated by females. Females altered responses to male signals, one aspect of mate choice potentially favouring male endurance.
Annexin hypothesis for exocytosis

Publisher Summary Membrane fusion processes in cells underlie the structural integrity of the cytoplasm and are crucial to directing synthesis and export of enzymes, hormones, and transmitters. Export is accomplished by a process of exocytosis in which the membranes of secretory vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane. The fusion mechanism may involve a class of calcium-binding proteins termed “annexins.” This chapter discusses the annexin hypothesis for exocytosis. It focuses on function and molecular biology synexin (annexin VII) in secretory cells. Results from several laboratories have also shown that annexins I, II, and VII aggregate chromaffin granules and liposomes in vitro , and that annexin VII drives fusion of granule ghosts and liposomes. These data lend support to the hypothesis that these annexins may be secretory factors in vivo . The above mutagenesis experiments revealed the importance in annexin I of repeat one for aggregation activity and of repeats 2, 3, and 4 for calcium-binding sites. As all annexins bind to phospholipids in a calcium-dependent manner, membranes continue to be a focus for understanding annexin activity. Annexin II was detected in postpartum mammary epithelial cells, when calcium-dependent casein secretion starts and immunogold labeling of annexin VII in chromaffin cells was shown to decrease following treatment with a secretagogue. In addition, annexin II has been reported to insert into artificial membranes in the presence of calcium and to produce voltage-dependent channels.