cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Directly functionalizable surface platform for protein arrays in undiluted human blood plasma.

Protein arrays are a high-throughput approach for proteomic profiling, vital for achieving a greater understanding of biological systems, in addition to disease diagnostics and monitoring therapeutic treatments. In this work, zwitterionic carboxybetaine polymer (pCB) coated substrates were investigated as an array surface platform to enable convenient amino-coupling chemistry on a single directly functionalizable and unblocked film for the sensitive detection of target analytes from undiluted human blood plasma. Using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging sensor, the antibody immobilization conditions which provided excellent spot morphology and the largest antigen response were determined. It was found that pCB functionalization and the corresponding antigen detection both increased with pH and antibody concentration. Additionally, immobilization only required an aqueous buffer without the need for additives to improve spot quality. The nonspecific protein adsorption to undiluted human plasma on both...
Numerical Study of Synthetic-Jet Actuation Effect on Leading and Trailing Edge Noise

The current study conducts numerical experiments to assess possibility of employing synthetic-jet actuators (SJAs)as active noise control devices for reduction of airfoil acoustic radiation. High-accuracy numerical efforts employ a 6-order Navier-Stokes solver implementing low-pass filtering of poorly resolved high-frequency solution content to retain numerical accuracy and stability over the range of transitional flow regimes. In the adopted numerical procedure, the actuator is modeled without its resonator cavity through imposing a simple fluctuating-velocity boundary condition at the bottom of the actuator's orifice. The orifice cavity with the properly defined boundary condition is then embedded into the airfoil surface for conducting high-accuracy viscous analysis of SJA-based active noise control. The effects of SJA location and actuation frequency on airfoil sound radiation are examined both for uniform and non-uniform upstream flow conditions.
The Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Esophageal Cancer in Huaian

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To explore the significance of genetic and environmental risk factors for ethnic esophageal cancer in Huaian.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community-based pair-matching case-control study was performed.97 patients with newly diagnosed,untreated ESCC and 97 healthy controls matched in age,sex,origin and residence were surveyed by questionnaire in the study.Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk of genetic and environmental factors for esophageal cancer.RESULTS: The conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the increased risk for esophageal cancer was significantly associated with a family history of gastrointestinal tumor(OR=4.203),environmental pollution around the residential area(OR=2.202),irregular meals(OR=1.988),and history of drinking non-tap water(OR=2.024).The protective factors of esophageal cancer included intake of eggs(OR=0.633) and tea-consumption(OR=0.669).Population attributable risk(PAR) of each factor was 12.9% with environmental pollution around the residential area,34.4% with irregular meals,25.0% with lack of intake of eggs,42.7% with lack of tea-consumption,21.4% with history of drinking non-tap water,and 30.6% with family history of gastrointestinal tumor.The combined PAR of the six factors was 86.6%.CONCLUSION: Genetic susceptibility factors play an important role in the high incidence of esophageal cancer in Huaian county.The influence of genetic factors should be considered in the surveillance and comprehensive prevention of esophageal cancer in Huaian.
Can a venous patch graft be a substitute for the tunica albuginea of the penis

Abstract We describe our experience with plaque excision and placement of a venous patch graft. Sprague Dawley rats (n = 20) underwent excision of a wedge of tunica albuginea with the defect covered by a segment of detubularized femoral vein, endothelial side towards the cavernous tissue. Erectile function, as determined by the rise in intracavernous pressure with cavernous nerve stimulation (mean 54.0 ± 4.2 cm. H20), was equal to that in a group of 10 intact age-matched controls (mean 46.9 ± 3.37 cm. H20). Penile cross-sections stained with Hart’s elastic fiber stain or Trichrome stain revealed only minimal fibrosis in the region of the patch. In 3 dogs, a wedge of tunica was removed, and the defect was covered with a segment of detubularized deep dorsal vein. When sacrificed at 3 months, all animals had retained their erectile function with histologic evidence of minimal fibrosis. On the basis of histologic and functional data, the venous patch appears to be a reasonable alternative substance to those in common use.
XRF in North America

X-ray fluorescence, or X-ray spectrometry, is a dynamic analytical method; it undergoes constant change and improvement. Because of the early successes for the analysis of difficult samples such as metals, minerals and other solid materials, the technique was widely accepted in industrial applications. This occurred prior to the onset of large government funding to develop instrumental methods such as was provided for the development of inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. As a result, many of the important developments in XRF in North America have resulted from research and development by the instrumentation vendors and developments from Industrial and mission oriented government laboratories. There are exceptions, of course.
Abstract 25: Evidence Based Aspiration Risk Tool: Improving Stroke Care

Introduction: According to the American Heart Association, approximately 65 percent of stroke patients will have swallowing impairment that needs evaluation prior to oral intake or medications. Per...
Psychometric validation of the obsessive belief questionnaire and interpretation of intrusions inventory - Part 2: Factor analyses and testing of a brief version

The Obsessive Belief Questionnaire (OBQ) and the Interpretation of Intrusions Inventory (III) were designed to assess beliefs and appraisals considered critical to the pathogenesis of obsessions. In previous reports we have described the construction and psychometric properties of these measures. In this study a battery of questionnaires assessing anxiety, depression, and obsessive compulsive symptoms was completed by 410 outpatients diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, 105 non-obsessional anxious patients, 87 non-clinical adults from the community, and 291 undergraduate students. Items from 6 theoretically derived subscales of the OBQ were submitted to factor analysis. Three factors emerged reflecting (1) Responsibility and threat estimation, (2) Perfectionism and intolerance for uncertainty, and (3) Importance and control of thoughts. A 44-item version (OBQ-44) composed of high-loading items from the 3 factors showed good internal consistency and criterion-related validity in clinical and non-clinical samples. Subscales showed less overlap than original scales. Factor analysis of the III yielded a single factor, suggesting the total score be used in lieu of the 3 rationally derived subscales. The scales performed well on tests of convergent validity. Discriminant validity was promising; hierarchical regression analyses indicated that the OBQ subscales and III generally predicted OC symptoms after controlling for general distress. A revision of the OBQ, the OBQ-44, is included in the appendix.
Insomnia Symptom Severity Modulates The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Attentional Biases to Emotional Information

The present study evaluated the effect of experimental sleep deprivation on attentional biases to emotional information among a sample of 40 healthy, young adults. Participants were randomized into either a total sleep deprivation (i.e., 28 consecutive hours awake) or sleep control (i.e., 8-h sleep opportunity) condition. Participants also completed a modified version of the Dot Probe Task to assess attentional biases to positive and negative information and the insomnia severity index (ISI) to assess current insomnia symptom severity. While controlling for ISI scores, acute sleep deprivation was not associated with a greater bias to negative stimuli. In contrast, sleep deprivation predicted a significantly reduced bias to positive stimuli, but only among participants with relative low ISI scores. The present findings suggest that young adults with low levels of insomnia symptoms are particularly susceptible to the effects of sleep deprivation; such that acute sleep loss can reduce their natural tendencies to attend to positive information in the environment.
Impaired cerebral autoregulation and elevation in plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein level during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery for CHD.

Background Cerebrovascular reactivity monitoring has been used to identify the lower limit of pressure autoregulation in adult patients with brain injury. We hypothesise that impaired cerebrovascular reactivity and time spent below the lower limit of autoregulation during cardiopulmonary bypass will result in hypoperfusion injuries to the brain detectable by elevation in serum glial fibrillary acidic protein level. Methods We designed a multicentre observational pilot study combining concurrent cerebrovascular reactivity and biomarker monitoring during cardiopulmonary bypass. All children undergoing bypass for CHD were eligible. Autoregulation was monitored with the haemoglobin volume index, a moving correlation coefficient between the mean arterial blood pressure and the near-infrared spectroscopy-based trend of cerebral blood volume. Both haemoglobin volume index and glial fibrillary acidic protein data were analysed by phases of bypass. Each patient's autoregulation curve was analysed to identify the lower limit of autoregulation and optimal arterial blood pressure. Results A total of 57 children had autoregulation and biomarker data for all phases of bypass. The mean baseline haemoglobin volume index was 0.084. Haemoglobin volume index increased with lowering of pressure with 82% demonstrating a lower limit of autoregulation (41±9 mmHg), whereas 100% demonstrated optimal blood pressure (48±11 mmHg). There was a significant association between an individual's peak autoregulation and biomarker values (p=0.01). Conclusions Individual, dynamic non-invasive cerebrovascular reactivity monitoring demonstrated transient periods of impairment related to possible silent brain injury. The association between an impaired autoregulation burden and elevation in the serum brain biomarker may identify brain perfusion risk that could result in injury.
Toward Personalized Peptide-Based Cancer Nanovaccines: A Facile and Versatile Synthetic Approach.

Personalized cancer vaccines (PCVs) are receiving attention as an avenue for cancer immunotherapy. PCVs employ immunogenic peptide epitopes capable of stimulating the immune system to destroy cancer cells with great specificity. Challenges associated with effective delivery of these peptides include poor solubility of hydrophobic sequences, rapid clearance, and poor immunogenicity, among others. The incorporation of peptides into nanoparticles has the potential to overcome these challenges, but the broad range of functionalities found in amino acids presents a challenge to conjugation due to possible interferences and lack of reaction specificity. Herein, a facile and versatile approach to generating nanosized PCVs under mild nonstringent conditions is reported. Following a simple two-step semibatch synthetic approach, amphiphilic hyperbranched polymer–peptide conjugates were prepared by the conjugation of melanoma antigen peptides, either TRP2 (hydrophobic) or MUT30 (hydrophilic), to an alkyne functional...
The Meaningfulness of Organizational History

Organizational history serves a more strategic purpose than just commemorating the past and celebrating milestones-the history of an organization can also elicit in organizational members emotions ...
State-Space Search for Problem Solving

Search is the primary technique used in Computer Science and Operations Research for solving computation-intensive combinatorial optimization problems, typically those in the NP-hard class [35]. The goal of a search is to quickly find an optimal or near-optimal solution from a finite or infinite but countable set of solutions. The size of the solution space of an NP-hard problem is exponential in term of the problem size in the worst case. Even in an average case, a search algorithm typically explores an exponential number of solutions in order to find an optimal one.
Explanation of change study update to examine the cost, schedule, and technical changes to NASA projects

The original National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Explanation of Change (EoC) study was conducted in 2010 to understand the underlying causes of cost and schedule growth. The first study consisted of 25 missions launched from 2000 to 2010 and looked at the events that led to growth. These events were categorized into different “bins” that were rolled up to quantify whether the growth was due to internal planning, or internal execution, or from external forces and found that the growth was evenly distributed among those three categories. The result of the study presented nine considerations focused at reducing growth due to project external events and internal planning events. Although no one “magic bullet” consideration was discovered in the previous work, the nine considerations taken as a whole were postulated to help reduce cost and schedule change in future NASA missions. A recent update was conducted that included investigating 8 missions developed since the previous study to determine if the results were different. Cost, schedule, and mass increases were analyzed from the start of Phase B through Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review to Launch. As shown in this paper, the results are better with overall cost and schedule growth being reduced. The paper will show a comparison of the previous results to the updated results to show specific reductions and provide an explanation of which recommendations were followed.
Owners of the Map. Motorcycle Taxi Drivers, Mobility, and Politics in Bangkok

When ethnographic fieldwork meets a bloody uprising involving some of the anthropologist’s informants, several dilemmas, opportunities and challenges arise. Claudio Sopranzetti, then a graduate stu...
Cholestasis Related to Systemic Disorders

A wide variety of systemic conditions can indirectly affect the liver and cause cholestasis, including infectious, hormonal, cardiac, genetic, infiltrative, and rheumatologic disorders. Hepatobiliary injury from systemic disease can occur at any anatomic level ranging from the small biliary canaliculi to large intrahepatic bile ducts, and cause a spectrum of manifestations from asymptomatic liver function test abnormalities to acute liver failure. The objective of this chapter is to review an array of systemic disorders affecting the liver and to discuss the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Interface Phenomena in Advanced Batteries

A variety of interfacial phenomena occurring in selected advanced batteries are reviewed. The effect of passive film formation, corrosion, reaction product layers, wetting and other factors on electrode and battery performance is discussed. The types of batteries considered are the sodium-sulfur, lithium/aluminum — ironsulfide, lithium-organic, zinc-chlorinehydrate and zinc-bromine systems.
Provider Determinants of Health Behavior

This chapter integrates major points and findings presented in Volume II. Although its contents primarily reflect the contributions to this volume, rather than the larger body of scholarship about how providers—health care professionals and institutions—affect health behavior, they are consistent with this knowledge. The section on future directions is the major exception to this principle, and includes additional perspectives. The chapter’s organizing framework is a “work in progress” and is intended to become the foundation for a future synthesis and integration of this larger body of knowledge.
Extraction chromatographic studies of rutherfordium and dubnium homologs

Extraction Chromatographic Studies of Rutherfordium and Dubnium Homologs by Megan E. Bennett Dr. Ralf Sudowe, Examination Committee Chair Assistant Professor of Radiochemistry University of Nevada, Las Vegas Studying the chemistry of transactinide elements does not only allow for these elements to be properly placed in the Periodic Table, but it also permits for the extrapolation of the electronic structure based upon the position of the element in the Periodic Table. In addition it enable for the assessment of the role that relativistic effects play in the chemical behavior of the heaviest elements. An improved understanding of the role of relativistic effects in chemistry of the heaviest elements allows for a better understanding of the fundamentals principles that govern the Periodic Table. In order to investigate the chemistry of the transactinides, chemical studies on the homologs and pseudo-homologs of the element must first be performed. Chemical studies of the homologs and pseudo-homologs can be completed in a number of ways. Gas-phase chemistry, solvent extraction and ion-exchange chromatography have all been used to study a number of transactinide elements as well as their respective homologs and pseudo-homologs. No matter the method of study, a given system must fulfill the following requirements to be considered suitable; fast kinetics, high separation factors, large number of exchange steps, highly selective and samples easily prepared for alpha spectroscopy. The system must allow for rapid separation due to the short half-
Innate Immune Cells Are Regulated by Axl in Hypertensive Kidney

The balance between adaptive and innate immunity in kidney damage in salt-dependent hypertension is unclear. We investigated early renal dysfunction and the influence of Axl, a receptor tyrosine kinase, on innate immune response in hypertensive kidney in mice with lymphocyte deficiency (Rag1-/-). The data suggest that increased presence of CD11b+ myeloid cells in the medulla might explain intensified salt and water retention as well as initial hypertensive response in Rag1-/- mice. Global deletion of Axl on Rag1-/- background reversed kidney dysfunction and accumulation of myeloid cells in the kidney medulla. Chimeric mice that lack Axl in innate immune cells (in the absence of lymphocytes) significantly improved kidney function and abolished early hypertensive response. The bioinformatics analyses of Axl-related gene-gene interaction networks established tissue-specific variation in regulatory pathways. It was confirmed that complement C3 is important for Axl-mediated interactions between myeloid and vascular cells in hypertensive kidney. In summary, innate immunity is crucial for renal dysfunction in early hypertension, and is highly influenced by the presence of Axl.
A Multivariate Regression Reconstruction of the Quasi-Global Annual Precipitation on 1-Deg Grid From 1900 To 2015

This paper presents a multivariate linear regression reconstruction for the near-global annual precipitation anomalies with 1-deg latitude–longitude resolution from 1900 to 2015. The regression’s e...
A Microbiota Assimilation.

While the gut microbiota's malleability makes it highly responsive to our environment, it also renders it susceptible to rapid selection by factors associated with an industrialized lifestyle. Recently, in Cell, Vangay et al. (2018) have tracked and revealed rapid and profound changes in the gut community of immigrants to one that resembles long-term residents of the U.S.
Breathing-Mimicking Electrocatalysis for Oxygen Evolution and Reduction

Summary Electrocatalytic oxygen evolution and reduction reactions play a central role in clean energy technologies. Despite recent efforts to achieve fast gas reactant delivery to the reaction interface, efficient gas product evolution from the catalyst/electrolyte interface remains challenging. Inspired by the mammalian breathing process, here we developed an efficient electrocatalytic system to enable ample gas-solid-liquid three-phase contact lines and bidirectional gas pathways for evolution and consumption. During the oxygen evolution reaction, the newly formed O2 molecules quickly diffuse to the gas phase, waiving the bubble formation energy in the electrolyte. A record low overpotential of 190 mV at 10 mA⋅cm−2 was achieved using Au/NiFeOx catalysts. During the oxygen reduction reaction, O2 gas can transport to the catalyst/electrolyte interface, overcoming low O2 solubility in water and leading to ∼25-fold higher current densities for Ag/Pt bilayer nanoparticle catalysts. This breathing-mimicking design demonstrates efficient three-phase catalysis with a minimal catalyst thickness.
Use of Emergency Department Pharmacists in Emergency Medicine Resident Milestone Assessment.

Author(s): Bedy, Starr-Mar'ee C.; Goddard, Kara B.; Stilley, Julie A.W.; Sampson, Christopher S. | Abstract: Introduction: The use of competency-based milestones for emergency medicine (EM) was mandated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in 2013. However, clinical competency committees (CCC) may lack diverse, objective data to assess these new competencies. To remedy the lack of objective data when assessing the pharmacotherapy sub-competency (PC5) we introduced a unique approach that actively involves departmental clinical pharmacists in determining the milestone level achieved by the resident. Methods: Our pharmacists assess the pharmacotherapy knowledge of the residents through multiple methods: direct observation of orders, communication with the residents while performing patient care within the emergency department (ED), and real-time chart review. This observation occurs informally on a daily basis in the ED and is incorporated into the routine work of the pharmacist. The pharmacists use the PC5 sub-competency as their standard evaluation tool in this setting to keep all assessments consistent. Results: Since our residency program introduced pharmacist assessment of resident pharmacotherapy knowledge, the CCC has conducted seven biannual meetings. Of the 120 separate PC5 sub-competency assessments made during those meetings there was 100% agreement between the pharmacist’s assessment and the CCC’s final assessment of the trainee. A survey of the CCC members concluded that the pharmacists’ assessments were useful and aided in accurate resident evaluation. Conclusion: The use of ED pharmacists in assessing the pharmacotherapy sub-competency provides important information used in resident assessment of the PC5 milestone.
An Efficient Complementary Topology Switched-Capacitor Based DC-DC Converter

This paper proposes a complementary topology for Switched-Capacitor (SC) DC-DC converter to enhance the dynamic response. For battery charging unit with faster charging time requirement, one of the major restrictions comes from the equivalent output resistance of the SC DC-DC converter. By connecting one completely symmetric SC converter as complementary topology with the original single converter, the proposed SC DC-DC converter topology decreases the equivalent output resistance down to half. Simulated in 0.13-$\mu$m standard CMOS process, the simulation results show that this complementary SC converter gains faster dynamic response, shorter charging time, and higher energy-conversion efficiency.
Sensory and Consumer Evaluation of Smoked Pulled Pork Prepared Using Different Smokers and Different Types of Wood.

Smoked and barbecued meats have continued to gain popularity in recent years, however, no consensus exists on the best methods for preparation. Several smoker types and many varieties of wood are used for smoking meat in the restaurant industry and by amateur ?pit-masters.? In this research, pork was smoked with an outdoor offset smoker and an indoor electric smoker using four wood types: hickory, apple, oak, and mesquite. Descriptive and consumer acceptance tests were conducted to evaluate the different treatments and determine drivers of liking. Pork smoked with the offset smoker using hickory wood had the highest overall acceptance. Appearance characteristics, such as intensity of red color, were the top drivers of liking for the smoked pork product. Practical Application This research demonstrates the drivers of liking for smoked pork products commonly found in American barbecue, specifically Kansas City-style barbecue. The results have application in both retail and restaurant environments and can be used to produce an optimized smoked pork product.
Maximizing the Revenue of Energy Storage Participants in Day-Ahead and Real-Time Markets

Determining the expected revenues from services provided by energy storage in a market is very important for investment decisions. Arbitrage in day-ahead and real-time markets provides revenue streams that depend on the operational strategy, energy market prices, and uncertainty. This paper proposes optimization models to maximize the revenue of energy storage systems (ESS) that participate in both day-ahead and real-time energy markets. We proposed a strategy where the real-time market can increase the total revenue while keeping its risk decoupled from day-ahead market revenue. A quadratic programming model is used to determine the optimal day-ahead dispatch that maximizes the operator’s revenue of a price-maker ESS. The optimal dispatch is then modified by the results of a dynamic mixed integer optimization problem, which models the real-time market participation. Uncertainties in the day-ahead and real-time price forecasts are handled by back-casting and by normal error models, respectively. PJM market historical prices are used in this paper. Price sensitivities with respect to the energy storage operation are modeled as a part of the method. Results show that both day-ahead and real-time markets can provide significant arbitrage opportunities. The economic viability of four ESS technologies is assessed.
Abstract 4772: Evaluation of immune response following ultrasound targeted gene therapy in a murine model of prostate cancer

Human Adenoviruses (hAd) have been broadly used as gene delivery tool in preclinical and clinical studies of cancer gene therapy. The main challenges associated with systemic delivery of hAds are their high immunogenicity and host-specificity. Adenoviruses can elicit strong innate and acquired immune responses that reduce therapeutic gene transfer and expression in malignant sites. Murine cells generally lack some of the receptors necessary for hAd adhesion and internalization making them not permissive to infection and replication and limiting translational studies using murine models. We have developed a gene transfer method, which uses lipid-encapsulated perfluorocarbon microbubbles (MBs) and ultrasound (US) to protect the hAds from the immune system and to deliver them to a targeted tissue, bypassing the necessity for specific receptors. The expression of the Ad-receptors (CAR, Integrins αvβ3 and αvβ5), transduction efficiency of Ad-GFP, and GFP transgene expression were measured in vitro in murine (TRAMP-C2) and human (DU145) prostate cancer cells lines by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The activation of the innate and acquired immune system following the injection of Ad-GFP/MBs complexes was evaluated in vivo in C57BL/6 mice healthy or bearing a TRAMP-C2 syngeneic tumor graft. ELISA was used to quantify the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and measure Neutralizing Antibodies. ELISpot assay was performed to measure the frequency of DBP-specific CD8+ T cells secreting INF-γ. We showed in vitro that murine TRAMP-C2 cells display an expression pattern of Ad-receptors comparable to human DU145 prostate cancer cells. We also demonstrated that both murine and human cells showed a dose dependent increase in the percentage of cells transduced by Ad-GFP at 24 hours. Additionally, we showed that TRAMP-C2 cells efficiently express the GFP transgene at 48 and 72 hours post transduction. To assess in vivo if our gene transfer method could effectively protect the Ads form both the innate and adaptive immunity, we injected C57BL/6 mice with the hAds-GFP/MBs complexes +/-US. Notably we did not observe activation of either innate (secretion of TNF- and IL-6 cytokines) or acquired immunity (neutralizing antibodies and presence of adenovirus-specific CD8+ T cells producing INF-γ). Our data provides evidence that the TRAMP-C2 syngeneic model of prostate cancer is a suitable system to study in immunocompetent mice the capability of the MBs/US to protect the Adenoviruses from the immune system while delivering them to a targeted site bypassing the requirement of specific receptors. Citation Format: Flavia De Carlo, Elliot T. Varney, Pier Paolo Claudio, Candace M. Howard. Evaluation of immune response following ultrasound targeted gene therapy in a murine model of prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4772.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the elderly: pathophysiology, diagnostic and therapeutic approach

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by symptoms and sings of heart failure with elevated left ventricular filling pressures at rest or during exercise. It is the most common type of heart failure in the elderly and its prevalence increases with age and is higher in females at any given age. HFpEF is frequently accompanied of comorbid conditions such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, atrial fibrillation and renal dysfunction. The diagnosis relies in the integration of clinical information, laboratory data and interpretation of cardiac imaging and hemodynamic findings at rest and during exercise. Conditions that have a specific treatment such as coronary artery disease, valvular disease, cardiac amyloidosis and constrictive pericarditis should be considered and evaluated as appropriate. Aggressive management of comorbidities, optimization of blood pressure control and volume status using diuretics as needed are among the current treatment recommendations. There are no specific therapies that have shown to decrease mortality in HFpEF. In symptomatic patients with history of hospital admission for decompensated heart failure, the implantation of a wireless pulmonary artery pressure monitor should be considered. Finally, given the high mortality of this condition, goals of care discussion should be initiated early and involvement of palliative care medicine should be considered.
Sonographic features of benign and malignant axillary nodes post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

The aim was to determine whether sonographic features of metastatic axillary lymph nodes predict pathologic nodal status post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) and help to tailor less invasive surgical management of the axilla. Patients with biopsy-proven cN1 primary breast malignancy who received NCT between January 2011 and December 2014 and had performed ultrasound were included in this study. Sonographic features of biopsy-proven clipped metastatic axillary nodes pre- and post-NCT were retrospectively reviewed by two independent readers. Changes in lymph node shape, fatty hilum status, cortical thickness, and cortical echogenicity were compared in patients with and without nodal pathologic complete response (pCR) using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Inter-reader variation was analyzed to determine the reproducibility of data. Of the 195 patients included in the study, 75 (45%) showed nodal pCR and 90 (55%) persistent metastatic disease post-NCT. pCR was significantly more likely in lymph nodes with isoechoic or hypoechoic cortical echogenicity post-NCT, (P = .02), conversion to normal cortical thickness (P = .0001), and oval shape (odds ratio = 0.17, P = .004), compared to lymph nodes with anechoic cortical echogenicity, persistent or diffuse cortical thickening, and irregular shape, respectively. The overall accuracy of sonographic nodal features in the prediction of pCR was 65% (95% CI: 58%-72%). The overall accuracy of sonographic features of biopsy-proven metastatic axillary lymph nodes post-NCT is not sufficiently high to predict pCR of axillary nodal status and thereby should not be solely used in guiding less invasive surgical approaches to the axilla.
Advancing a Deliberative Paradigm to Bolster Democratic Engagement in Student Affairs

This article explores the historical and contemporary commitment of the student affairs profession to fostering democratic engagement. Shortcomings of current approaches are analyzed, and a deliber...
Learning From Context-Agnostic Synthetic Data.

We present a new approach for synthesizing training data given only a single example of each class. Rather than learn over a large but fixed dataset of examples, we generate our entire training set using only the synthetic examples provided. The goal is to learn a classifier that generalizes to a non-synthetic domain without pretraining or fine-tuning on any real world data. We evaluate our approach by training neural networks for two standard benchmarks for real-world image classification: on the GTSRB traffic sign recognition benchmark, we achieve 96% test accuracy using only one clean example of each sign on a blank background; on the MNIST handwritten digit benchmark, we achieve 90% test accuracy using a single example of each digit taken from a computer font. Our performance is competitive with state-of-the-art results from the few-shot learning and domain transfer literature, while using significantly less data.
Pharmacological characterization of the mechanism of action of R523062, a promising antiviral for enterovirus D68

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a re-emerging virus that causes moderate to severe respiratory diseases in children. In severe cases, EV-D68 infection can lead to neurological complications called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). There is currently no antiviral or vaccine available for EV-D68. The goal of this study is to delineate the mechanism of action of a promising antiviral drug candidate R523062 that was identified through a phenotypic cytopathic effect (CPE)-based high-throughput screening. R523062 inhibits multiple contemporary EV-D68 strains with single-digit micromolar EC50 values and is less effective against the enterovirus A71 strains. Resistant mutants identified through serial viral passage experiments were mapped to four viral proteins including VP1-G178S, 2A-V112I, 2C-I227L/Q322R, and 3A-V54A. The involvements of VP1-G178S, 2A-V112I, and 3A-V54A mutants in drug resistance were ruled out by the drug time-of-addition experiment, protease enzymatic assay, and the plaque assay with recombinant virus, respectively. In contrast, recombinant virus encoding the 2C-I227L/Q322R double mutants confers significant drug resistance, which is consistent with the result from serial passage experiments. The thermal shift binding assay showed R523062 binds to the wild-type EV-D68 2C and 2C-Q322R but not 2C-I227L or 2C-I227L/Q322R, confirming 2C as the direct drug target of R523062 and 2C-I227L alone confers drug resistance. The 2C inhibitor R523062 also showed additive antiviral activity with the viral 2A protease inhibitor telaprevir as well as the viral capsid VP1 inhibitor R856932. Collectively, this study identified a promising EV-D68 antiviral drug candidate R523062 with a confirmed mechanism of action by targeting the viral 2C protein.
Magnetic resonance imaging features of intra-articular tenosynovial giant cell tumor in children

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a critical role in disease characterization of intra-articular tenosynovial giant cell tumor. To characterize the MRI features of intra-articular tenosynovial giant cell tumor in children with respect to disease subtype and anatomical location. This retrospective study included children with tenosynovial giant cell tumor who underwent preoperative MRI between January 2006 and May 2020. Two radiologists reviewed each examination to determine disease subtype, signal intensities and the presence of an effusion, osseous changes, chondromalacia, juxtacapsular disease and concomitant joint involvement. Fisher exact, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used to compare findings between subtypes and locations. Twenty-four children (16 girls, 8 boys; mean age: 13.1±3.8 years) with 19 knee and 5 ankle-hindfoot tenosynovial giant cell tumor had either diffuse (n=15) or localized (n=9) disease. An effusion (P=0.004) was significantly more common with diffuse than localized disease. There was no significant difference in MRI signal (P-range: 0.09–1) or other imaging findings (P-range: 0.12–0.67) between subtypes. Children with knee involvement were significantly more likely to present with diffuse disease while those with ankle-hindfoot involvement all presented with focal disease (P=0.004). Juxtacapsular (n=4) and concomitant proximal tibiofibular joint involvement (n=5) were observed with diffuse disease in the knee. Erosions (P=0.01) were significantly more common in the ankle than in the knee. In our study, diffuse tenosynovial giant cell tumor was more common than localized disease, particularly in the knee where juxtacapsular and concomitant proximal tibiofibular joint disease can occur.
Stable isotope evidence for the origins of waters in the Guayas estuary and Gulf of Guayaquil

Abstract The Guayas estuary in Ecuador is the largest estuary system along the western coast of South America. It is formed by interactions of fresh waters from the Guayas River and numerous smaller rivers, and marine waters flowing through the Gulf of Guayaquil from the Pacific Ocean. To better understand the sources of waters and their distribution in the Guayas estuary, we collected a suite of water samples at the end of consecutive dry (December) and rainy seasons (May) from locations distributed across whole estuary system plus a limited amount of historical information about precipitation. The measured salinities together with oxygen (δ18O) and hydrogen (δ2H) isotopic ratios of these samples were used to characterize the end-member compositions of waters flowing into the Guayas estuary from the ocean and primary riverine sources, and to consider environmental factors that affect end-member compositions. Inverse relationships exist between the isotope ratios of river waters and the mean elevations of the drainage basins of the rivers, which are situated along the western flank of the Andes Mountains; δ18O and δ2H values of river waters were more positive at the end of the dry season than the end of the rainy season. Observed δ18O–salinity and δ18O–δ2H relationships confirm the Babahoyo River, and to a lesser extent, the Daule River (e.g., Salado sub-estuary), are principal sources of fresh water for the entire Guayas estuary. Spatial and temporal variations of the δ18O–salinity relationships of waters within five estuary regions indicate how river influx, tidal circulation, resultant mixing of waters from different sources, and evaporation affect these regions during dry and rainy seasons. Taxonomy Estuarine Circulations, Water Cycle
'Pain of No Gain' - Using Hypocrisy to Increase Commitments to Physical Fitness

At the start of every year, millions of Americans vow to commit themselves to improving their physical health through joining a gym. Unfortunately, many of these promises go unfulfilled as surveys indicate that many members fail to attend their club as frequently as they’d like, and thus aren’t achieving their health goals. I propose a psychologically-based intervention to help increase gym attendance through a cognitive-dissonance based approach to psychological change. New gym members will film videos in which they state their fitness-related goals and commit to a regular attendance schedule. These videos will be sent to them every month as well as shown to other gym members. The goal of this intervention is to: 1) provide new gym members with a way to make public commitments to their health and, 2) to invoke a hypocritical state-of-mind amongst participants who fail to maintain commitment to these goals. When members have publicly committed to a course of action to improve their health and fail to uphold it, their need for self-integrity will be threatened as they may fear being seen (or view themselves) as hypocritical. To relieve the resulting cognitive dissonance, I propose that members will increase their gym attendance to realign their thoughts and commitments with their behaviors, thus reducing dissonance and increasing health.
The Rule of Law: What is it? Can We Measure it? Do We Have it? An Analysis of Variations in Case Outcomes in Bankruptcy and Federal District Courts

In this paper, I empirically test one definition of the rule of law by examining whether federal criminal sentencing cases and federal bankruptcy decisions are applied in a predictable and consistent manner to individuals similarly situated. Using data bases created by the Federal Judicial Center and the United States Sentencing Commission, I analyze cases with the same fact patterns for each respective area of the law. I find that there are statistically significant differences in the outcomes of these cases despite the fact that I control for the case facts and the law applied. Such an outcome has significant implications to our understanding of both the rule of law and the role it plays in an advanced democracy.
Helping parents provide vegetable snacks: Investigating price and taste as barriers.

Abstract Snacks contribute nearly one-quarter of children's daily energy intake in the USA. Snack time therefore represents an opportunity for parents to provide foods with key nutrients. Instead, the most common snack foods are major contributors to children's consumption of added sugars and sodium. Parents face major barriers to providing healthier snacks, including perceptions of high cost and lack of child acceptance. We obtained both economic and qualitative data to inform and optimize interventions for parents to promote vegetable snacks for children. We conducted a survey with parents (n = 368) to estimate how much of a discount would influence vegetable snack purchases by estimating willingness-to-pay using the contingent valuation method, using baby-cut carrots as a sample product. We conducted three focus groups (n = 19) and 1 group interview (n = 2) with children to help understand how to increase the appeal of vegetable snacks. Most (70%) parents accepted the reference price for the vegetable snack. Among those who did not, contingent valuation analysis revealed that a mean discount of approximately 30% would shift consumers to purchasing the snack. Focus group results revealed that the appeal of vegetable snacks to children was influenced by how they were prepared and presented, and the child's familiarity with the vegetables and ability to choose among them. This study lays the groundwork for effective interventions to promote the provision of vegetable snacks by parents.
An enactivist reconceptualization of the medical model

According to the medical model that prevails in the Western world, mental disorder is a form of illness, parallel to bodily illness, which can be diagnosed by a doctor on the basis of symptoms and ...
Characteristics of Persons with Secondary Detection of SARS-CoV-2 ≥90 days After First Detection - New Mexico, 2020.

New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) conducted a matched case-control study to compare 315 persons (cases) with and 945 persons (controls) without SARS-CoV-2 secondary detection (i.e., positive SARS-CoV-2 test ≥90 days after first detection as of December 10, 2020). Compared with controls, cases had greater odds of higher SARS-CoV-2 testing frequency (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.2), being female (aOR = 1.6), being non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native (aOR = 2.3), having diabetes mellitus (aOR = 1.8), and residing/working in detention/correctional facilities (aOR = 4.7). Diagnostic tools evaluating infectiousness at secondary detection are urgently needed to inform infection control practices.
An Introduction to Programming and Proving with Dependent Types in Coq

Computer proof assistants vary along many dimensions. Among the mature implementations, the Coq system is distinguished by two key features. First, we have support for programming with dependent types in the tradition of type theory, based on dependent function types and inductive type families. Second, we have a domain-specific language for coding correct-by-construction proof automation. Though the Coq user community has grown quite large, neither of the aspects I highlight is widely used. In this tutorial, I aim to provide a pragmatic introduction to both, showing how they can bring significant improvements in productivity.
Big Business and the Golden Straitjacket

The rise of large domestic corporations in Russia, China, India, Brazil, Mexico, and others is transforming competition, regulation, and business government relations in these economies. Big business is appearing in very different national settings simultaneously. Western multinationals have had a virtual free ride there in the past decade. This will change as large home companies increasingly control access to key markets. The political economy of big business in the emerging markets has received scant attention to date. Its impact goes far beyond business. The large domestic corporation is becoming a powerful new political actor, at the expense of government, labor, and NGOs. It is the key institution for balancing the centrifugal forces of globalization with the consolidating need of national identity.
People's Analyses of the Causes of Ability-Linked Performances1

Publisher Summary The chapter outlines how ordinary people perceive the ability-linked performances and explores the ways that they actively construct accounts of their own and other people's abilities in the service of both self-evaluative and self-presentational concerns. The chapter presents a model through which people conceptualize the links between performances, the underlying abilities that those performances are thought to reflect, and the other factors that can raise or lower the level of a performance. The chapter reviews earlier attempts to conceptualize the relationship and then suggest factors present in ordinary people's conceptualization of the link between performance and ability. It considers how the analyses of performances are carried out in the everyday social contexts in which the need to do such analyses arises. The chapter indicates the role the performance equation plays in social comparison processes in which people learn about their own abilities. The perceived causes of task performances, the social uses of the equation: accuracy searching for stable components, the role of self-esteem and face-saving motives, determining the abilities and motivation of others, and the social comparison processes are discussed in detail.
History of the spruce–fir forest in the Catskill Mountains of New York

Red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) were present by 13,700 years B.C.E. in the Catskills Mountains of southeastern New York State. These conifers were, and still are, largely confined to the eastern and far western portions of the region. A gap in the distribution exists between these populations. Both species are absent from the intervening East Branch Delaware River watershed. No red spruce macrofossils were found in this watershed, suggesting that this conifer never colonized the gap postglacially. Rare macrofossils of balsam fir were found in only three of the 24 peatlands in this watershed, the conifer having disappeared between 11,300 and 8,200 years B.C.E.