cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lamotrigine as add-on treatment to lithium and divalproex: lessons learned from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.

Kemp DE, Gao K, Fein EB, Chan PK, Conroy C, Obral S, Ganocy SJ, Calabrese JR. Lamotrigine as add-on treatment to lithium and divalproex: lessons learned from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 780–789. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objectives: A substantial portion of the morbidity associated with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder (RCBD) stems from refractory depression. This study assessed the antidepressant effects of lamotrigine as compared with placebo when used as add-on therapy for rapid-cycling bipolar depression non-responsive to the combination of lithium plus divalproex. Methods: During Phase 1 of this trial, hypomanic, manic, mixed, and/or depressed outpatients (n = 133) aged 18–65 years with DSM–IV RCBD type I or II were initially treated with the open combination of lithium and divalproex for up to 16 weeks. During Phase 2, subjects who did not meet the criteria for stabilization (n = 49) (i.e., remained in or cycled into the depressed phase) were randomly assigned to double-blind, adjunctive lamotrigine (n = 23) or adjunctive placebo (n = 26). The primary endpoint was the mean change in depression symptom severity from the beginning of Phase 2 to the end of Phase 2 (week 12) on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score. Data were analyzed by analysis of covariance with last observation carried forward and a mixed-models analysis. Results: During Phase 1, a high rate of study discontinuations occurred due to intolerable side effects (13/133; 10%) and study non-adherence (22/133; 17%). Only 14% (19/133) stabilized on the open combination of lithium and divalproex. Among the 49 (37%) patients randomized to the double-blind adjunctive treatment phase, mean ± standard error change from baseline on the MADRS total score was −8.5 ± 1.7 points for lamotrigine and −9.1 ± 1.5 points for placebo (p = not significant; mixed-models analysis). No significant differences were observed in the rates of response, remission, or bimodal response between lamotrigine and placebo. Conclusions: The poor tolerability, lack of efficacy, and high rate of early discontinuation with the combination of lithium and divalproex suggests this regimen was ineffective for the majority of patients with RCBD. Among patients who did not stabilize on lithium and divalproex, the addition of lamotrigine was no more effective than placebo in reducing depression severity. The findings suggest an opportunity for several design modifications to enhance signal detection in future trials of RCBD. The main limitation is the small number of subjects randomized to double-blind treatment.
The Causal Dimension Scale: A measure of how individuals perceive causes.

Dan RussellCollege of Medicine, University of IowaA shortcoming of previous attribution research has been the assumption thatresearchers can accurately translate causal attributions into causal dimensions.Attributional statements are often ambiguous and even when clearly stated maybe perceived quite differently by the attributor and the researcher. The studiesreported describe the development of the Causal Dimension Scale, a measuredesigned to assess how the attributor perceives the causes he or she has statedfor an event. This scale assesses causal perceptions in terms of the locus ofcausality, stability, and controllability dimensions described by Weiner. Twostudies are reported that test the reliability and validity of the Causal DimensionScale. All three subscales were found to be reliable and valid, and a three-modefactor analysis confirmed the three-dimensional structure of the scale. Resultsalso indicated differences in the perception of causes of success and failure, withattributions for success being perceived as more internal, stable, and controllablethan attributions for failure. The relationship between the Causal DimensionScale and other attribution measures (such as locus of control or "attributionalstyle" measures) is discussed.
Developing new coastal forest restoration products based on Landsat, ASTER, and MODIS data

This paper discusses an ongoing effort to develop new geospatial information products for aiding coastal forest restoration and conservation efforts in coastal Louisiana and Mississippi. This project employs Landsat, Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite data in conjunction with airborne elevation data to compute coastal forest cover type maps and change detection products. Improved forest mapping products are needed to aid coastal forest restoration and management efforts of State and Federal agencies in the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) region. In particular, such products may aid coastal forest land acquisition and conservation easement procurements. This region's forests are often disturbed and subjected to multiple biotic and abiotic threats, including subsidence, salt water intrusion, hurricanes, sea-level rise, insect-induced defoliation and mortality, altered hydrology, wildfire, and conversion to non-forest land use. In some cases, such forest disturbance has led to forest loss or loss of regeneration capacity. In response, a case study was conducted to assess and demonstrate the potential of satellite remote sensing products for improving forest type maps and for assessing forest change over the last 25 years. Change detection products are needed for assessing risks for specific priority coastal forest types, such as live oak and baldcypress-dominated forest. Preliminary results indicate Landsat time series data are capable of generating the needed forest type and change detection products. Useful classifications were obtained using 2 strategies: 1) general forest classification based on use of 3 seasons of Landsat data from the same year; and 2) classification of specific forest types of concern using a single date of Landsat data in which a given targeted type is spectrally distinct compared to adjacent forested cover. When available, ASTER data was useful as a complement to Landsat data. Elevation data helped to define areas in which targeted forest types occur, such as live oak forests on natural levees. MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index time series data aided visual assessments of coastal forest damage and recovery from hurricanes. Landsat change detection products enabled change to be identified at the stand level and at 10-year intervals with the earliest date preceding available change detection products from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and from the U.S. Geological Survey. Additional work is being done in collaboration with State and Federal agency partners in a follow-on NASA ROSES project to refine and validate these new, promising products. The products from the ROSES project will be available for aiding NGOM coastal forest restoration and conservation.
ROTATIONAL AND CYCLICAL VARIABILITY IN γ CASSIOPEIAE. II. FIFTEEN SEASONS

The B0.5 IVe star {gamma} Cas is of great interest because it is the prototype of a small group of classical Be stars having hard X-ray emission of unknown origin. We discuss results from ongoing B and V observations of the {gamma} Cas star-disk system acquired with an Automated Photometric Telescope during the observing seasons 1997-2011. In an earlier study, Smith, Henry, and Vishniac showed that light variations in {gamma} Cas are dominated by a series of comparatively prominent cycles with amplitudes of 0.02-0.03 mag and lengths of 2-3 months, superimposed on a 1.21 day periodic signal some five times smaller, which they attributed to rotation. The cycle lengths clustered around 70 days, with a total range of 50-91 days. Changes in both cycle length and amplitude were observed from year to year. These authors also found the V-band cycles to be 30%-40% larger than the B-band cycles. In the present study, we find continued evidence for these variability patterns and for the bimodal distribution of the {Delta}B/{Delta}V amplitude ratios in the long cycles. During the 2010 observing season, {gamma} Cas underwent a mass-loss event ({sup o}utburst{sup )}, as evidenced by the brightening and reddening seen in our new photometry.more » This episode coincided with a waning of the amplitude in the ongoing cycle. The Be outburst ended the following year, and the light-curve amplitude returned to pre-outburst levels. This behavior reinforces the interpretation that cycles arise from a global disk instability. We have determined a more precise value of the rotation period, 1.215811 {+-} 0.000030 days, using the longer 15-season data set and combining solutions from the V and B light curves. Remarkably, we also find that both the amplitude and the asymmetry of the rotational waveform changed over the years. We review arguments for this modulation arising from transits of a surface magnetic disturbance. Finally, to a limit of 5 mmag, we find no evidence for any photometric variation corresponding to the {gamma} Cas binary period, 203.55 days, or to the first few harmonics.« less
Time Spent in Home Production in the Twentieth-Century United States: New Estimates from Old Data

This article presents new estimates of time spent in home production in the United States during the twentieth century. Historical time-diary studies for various segments of the population are linked to estimates from recent time use surveys. The new estimates suggest that time spent in home production by prime-age women fell by around six hours from 1900 to 1965 and by another 12 hours from 1965 to 2005. Time spent by prime-age men rose by 13 hours from 1900 to 2005. Average across the entire population, per capita time spent in home production increased slightly over the century.
Analysis and design of an interference canceller for collocated radios

An active interference cancellation scheme is presented to mitigate interference between Bluetooth and wireless local area network (IEEE 802.11 b) radios operating in close proximity. This method is extensible to other mutually interfering radio devices. A reference signal correlated to the original interferer is used to generate a cancellation signal by means of amplitude and phase alignment, and filtration. The filter employed emulates the coupling channel responsible for interference. An implementation of this procedure in 0.18-/spl mu/m Si-complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) integrated-circuit (IC) technology is also presented. The circuits fabricated are tunable and are controlled by a closed-loop adaptive process including an error minimization method. The cancellation system designed achieves 15-30 dB of interference suppression for different cases. A total power of 14 mW is dissipated by the CMOS ICs designed.
The Mathematics of Supervisory Computer Control of Manipulators

This paper advances a mathematical formulation which, when combined with appropriate operator and sensor inputs, can be used to generate the control functions necessary for short, autonomous periods of remote manipulation under human supervision. It is shown that all manipulation tasks belong to one of four basic categories which are a function of the spatial variability of the task and its dynamic state. Techniques for both describing and executing tasks in each category are given and the relation between these techniques and previous efforts are discussed. Additionally, methods for measuring and tracking the task motion as a function of position, velocity and acceleration are considered.
Developing An Engineering Identity In Early Childhood

This project describes a strategy to introduce young children to engineering in a way that develops their engineering identity. The targeted age group is 3-7 year old students because they rarely experience purposeful engineering instruction. The curriculum was designed around an engineering storybook and included interactive academic discussions as well as a creative drawing activity. Results provide evidence that students developed an engineering identity based on their illustrations of themselves working as engineers. These findings lend support to the use of engineering-centered books to improve the impact of instructional strategies that emphasize the engineering design cycle. We show how both the curricular materials and the activities can work together to develop an engineering identity in this age group.
Deposition of Ni Coatings by Electrolytic Plasma Processing

Electrolytic Plasma Processing (EPP) is an emerging cleaning and coating technology capable of high deposition rates while being relatively simple and environmentally friendly. In the present study, Ni coatings were deposited via EPP on low carbon steel substrates. Initially, experiments were carried out at different processing conditions to determine their effect on the coating characteristics and select the most appropriate conditions for Ni deposition. The coated samples were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. EPP Ni depositions were conducted at the selected processing conditions for 10, 20 and 30 s. EPP produced high purity Ni coatings with an approximate grain size of 20 nm at a deposition rate of 166 nm/s. The corrosion properties were assessed in 3.5 % NaCl aqueous solution using open circuit potential measurements, potentiodynamic polarization testing and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The microstructure and coating characteristics, both before and after corrosion testing, were studied using SEM. In spite of the short deposition time, EPP-coated Ni was shown to increase the corrosion resistance of the steel substrate by increasing the corrosion potential and significantly decreasing the corrosion rate. The EIS studies revealed that a similar corrosion mechanism prevails between pure Ni and EPP-coated Ni. Best corrosion behavior was obtained with a coating deposition time of 30 s, showing a positive shift in the corrosion potential by ~200 mV and more than an order of magnitude reduction in the corrosion rate of the low carbon steel.
Tough bonding of hydrogels to diverse non-porous surfaces

In many animals, the bonding of tendon and cartilage to bone is extremely tough (for example, interfacial toughness ∼800 J m(-2); refs ,), yet such tough interfaces have not been achieved between synthetic hydrogels and non-porous surfaces of engineered solids. Here, we report a strategy to design tough transparent and conductive bonding of synthetic hydrogels containing 90% water to non-porous surfaces of diverse solids, including glass, silicon, ceramics, titanium and aluminium. The design strategy is to anchor the long-chain polymer networks of tough hydrogels covalently to non-porous solid surfaces, which can be achieved by the silanation of such surfaces. Compared with physical interactions, the chemical anchorage results in a higher intrinsic work of adhesion and in significant energy dissipation of bulk hydrogel during detachment, which lead to interfacial toughness values over 1,000 J m(-2). We also demonstrate applications of robust hydrogel-solid hybrids, including hydrogel superglues, mechanically protective hydrogel coatings, hydrogel joints for robotic structures and robust hydrogel-metal conductors.
Corruption and Collusion: Two Sides of the Same Coin Against Productivity

In a context of economic distress and limited financial resources, a zero tolerance for corruption as well the traditional competition principles should stand as pillars of the new development agenda. These key pillars may contribute to ensure that goods and services are procured under conditions that attract private sector investments. To uphold these pillars, there is ample opportunity to improve the co-operation existing between competition and anti-corruption authorities.To bring attention to this concern, this submission delves into the relationship between corruption and bid-rigging in development projects, particularly in the Latin America and Caribbean regions. The analysis will reveal that there is a tangible need to search for stronger synergies amongst national and supranational anticorruption and competition authorities. The submission also explores the diverse co-operating mechanisms that could help to articulate this co-operation, and to bring closer the expertise of anticorruption and competition authorities for the benefit of the new development goals.
A Bayesian inversion framework for yield and height-of-burst/depth-of-burial for near-surface explosions

A Bayesian inversion framework is presented to estimate the yield of an explosion and height-of-burst/depth-of-burial (HOB/DOB) using seismic and air pressure data. This is accomplished by first calibrating the parameters in the forward models that relate the observations to the yield and HOB/DOB and then using the calibrated model to estimate yield and HOB/DOB associated with a new set of seismic and air pressure observations. The MCMC algorithms required to perform these steps are outlined, and the results with real data are shown. Finally, an extension is proposed for a case when clustering in the seismic displacement occurs as a function of different types of rock and other factors.
Pulsed and oscillating gradient MRI for assessment of cell size and extracellular space (POMACE) in mouse gliomas.

Solid tumor microstructure is related to the aggressiveness of the tumor, interstitial pressure and drug delivery pathways, which are closely associated with treatment response, metastatic spread and prognosis. In this study, we introduce a novel diffusion MRI data analysis framework, pulsed and oscillating gradient MRI for assessment of cell size and extracellular space (POMACE), and demonstrate its feasibility in a mouse tumor model. In vivo and ex vivo POMACE experiments were performed on mice bearing the GL261 murine glioma model (n = 8). Since the complete diffusion time dependence is in general non-analytical, the tumor microstructure was modeled in an appropriate time/frequency regime by impermeable spheres (radius Rcell, intracellular diffusivity Dics) surrounded by extracellular space (ECS) (approximated by constant apparent diffusivity Decs in volume fraction ECS). POMACE parametric maps (ECS, Rcell, Dics, Decs) were compared with conventional diffusion-weighted imaging metrics, electron microscopy (EM), alternative ECS determination based on effective medium theory (EMT), and optical microscopy performed on the same samples. It was shown that Decs can be approximated by its long time tortuosity limit in the range [1/(88 Hz)–31 ms]. ECS estimations (44 ± 7% in vivo and 54 ± 11% ex vivo) were in agreement with EMT-based ECS and literature on brain gliomas. Ex vivo, ECS maps correlated well with optical microscopy. Cell sizes (Rcell = 4.8 ± 1.3 in vivo and 4.3 ± 1.4 µm ex vivo) were consistent with EM measurements (4.7 ± 1.8 µm). In conclusion, Rcell and ECS can be quantified and mapped in vivo and ex vivo in brain tumors using the proposed POMACE method. Our experimental results support the view that POMACE provides a way to interpret the frequency or time dependence of the diffusion coefficient in tumors in terms of objective biophysical parameters of neuronal tissue, which can be used for non-invasive monitoring of preclinical cancer studies and treatment efficacy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Center for Human Development in Guatemala: An Innovative Model for Global Population Health.

Edwin J. Asturias, MD, Gretchen Heinrichs, MD, DTMH, Gretchen Domek, MD, MPhil, John Brett, PhD, Elizabeth Shick, DDS, MPH, Maureen Cunningham, MD, MPH, Sheana Bull, PhD, Marco Celada, MD, Lee S. Newman, MD, MA, Liliana Tenney, MPH, Lyndsay Krisher, MPH, Claudia Luna-Asturias, MSW, Kelly McConnell, MD, Stephen Berman, MD* Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health Partners with Children’s Hospital Colorado, 13199 E. Montview Boulevard, Campus Box A090, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13123 E. 16th Avenue, Campus Box B065, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E. 17th Place, Campus Box C290, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Anthropology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Colorado-Denver, PO Box 173364, Campus Box 103, Denver, CO 80217, USA; School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13065 E. 17th Avenue, Campus Box F833, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Center for Health, Work & Environment, Colorado School of Public Health, 13001 E. 17th Place, Campus Box B186, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
Descriptive theory of choice under uncertainty

Don't gamble. Take all your savings and buy some good stock and hold it till it goes up. If it don't go up, don't buy it. Will Rogers Although the normative principles of choice appear reasonable enough to most people, psychological research has shown that we violate these principles systematically when we make decisions. That is, the violations are not just a consequence of the random variation to be found in any difficult judgment; rather, they are usually in a particular direction. On the face of it, the descriptive models presented in this chapter differ considerably from the normative models presented in Chapter 10. This raises a familiar question: Is the normative model really normative? I shall argue that it is still normative but that some of the descriptive findings raise interesting and complex questions about how the model should be interpreted in certain situations, particularly those in which decision makers have, or expect to have, emotional responses to the decision itself (as distinct from the consequences of the option chosen). We shall also explore the reasons why people deviate from the normative model, and I shall suggest that most deviations are caused by misleading heuristics. This chapter concerns the way in which we respond to uncertainty about the outcome of an option. Uncertain, or risky, options are those that could lead to outcomes much better (or much worse) than the outcomes of less risky options.
Pseudo-vitamin D Deficiency

Publisher Summary Pseudo-vitamin D deficiency rickets (PDDR) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding 1α-OHase (CYP27B1), leading to an inability to synthesize 1,25(OH)2D. This disease was the first described inborn error of vitamin D metabolism and has contributed in a major way to the understanding of vitamin D biology. Patients with PDDR are healthy at birth and the first symptoms usually appear within the first year of life. The distribution of presenting signs and symptoms seems to differ somewhat between PDDR and vitamin D deficiency rickets. Hypocalcemia is the cardinal feature in PDDR. Serum calcium concentration drops below 2 mmol/l (8 mg/ dl). This, particularly if the decrease is rapid, may give rise to tetany and convulsions, which may occur prior to any radiological evidence of rickets. The treatment of choice for PDDR patients is replacement therapy with small daily doses of calcitriol. Started in infancy, this treatment results in short- and long-term correction of all clinical, biochemical, and radiological abnormalities related to PDDR, without serious adverse events. Because of the easiness and efficacy of the replacement therapy, it is unlikely that any form of gene-based therapy will be considered anytime soon.
The Role of Web and E-Commerce in Poverty Reduction: A Framework Based on Ecological Systems Theory

Web and eCommerce enabled by easy access to Internet on mobile devices have a great potential to reduce poverty by improving access to education, health, government, financial and other services, and by providing access to potential global markets for the products and services they can offer. However, the role of Web/eCommerce in poverty reduction has not been well studied in IS research; specifically no theoretical framework for such studies exist. The purpose of this study is to develop a theoretical framework that can help identify causes of poverty and help examine how Web/eCommerce can intervene to reduce poverty. Our framework is based on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. We apply the resulting framework to rural farming families.
A within-person approach to observing cyclical patterns of motivation

Though motivation has a rich history at the between-person level of analysis, less empirical work at the within-person level of analysis exists. There is virtually nothing known about how motivatio...
Macrocyclic peptides decrease c-Myc protein levels and reduce prostate cancer cell growth.

The oncoprotein c-Myc is often overexpressed in cancer cells, and the stability of this protein has major significance in deciding the fate of a cell. Thus, targeting c-Myc levels is an attractive ...
Mass Communication Theory and Research: An Overview

Current mass communication research is characterized by the study of a vast number of variables. This overview article looks at the variables studied in some recent work and points to the need for ...
Free-space Optical Mach-Zehnder Modulator based on Two Cascaded Metasurfaces

An approach to realize Mach-Zehnder type modulators in free-space is presented. Modulation is based on the relative distance between two parallel gradient metasurfaces. We numerically study the device performance and discuss its potential applications.
The U.S. Supreme Court, the War on Terror, and the Need for Thick Constitutional Review

Commentators have praised the U.S. Supreme Court’s three famous “war on terror” cases (Hamdi, Hamdan, and Boumediene) for showing the Court’s courage in rejecting broad wartime claims of executive power. By contrast, this symposium essay criticizes the Court for failing to provide essential legal criteria to govern how the lower courts should handle enemy combatants and the military commission system. Justice O’Connor’s position in Hamdi that the detainees could be held for the duration of the conflict, in a war that could last indefinitely, is just one example. Due to its omissions, the Court effectively allowed many of the Bush Administration’s questionable detention policies to continue with only minor legal adjustments. Indeed the D.C. Circuit was given license to develop the law to problematic effect. This essay argues that the only viable solution left, to preserve the rule of law and the international stature of the U.S., would be for Article III judges to adjudicate any Guantanamo prosecutions. The commission’s procedural rules should also be as court-like as possible. Unfortunately, the Obama Administration has failed to alter certain key Bush policies on the commissions, even conceding Congressional obstacles. In addition, the essay poses the question of whether the U.S. Supreme Court should remain deferential to the other branches during wartime, given the consistent recent history of government deception on war related issues (as shown by Korematsu, the Gulf of Tonkin incident, the Pentagon Papers, the supposed weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and Yaser Hamdi’s purported dangerousness).
Osteoarthritis year in review 2018: mechanics.

Summary Objective To review recent biomechanics literature focused on the interactions between biomechanics and articular cartilage health, particularly focused on macro-scale and human studies. Design A literature search was conducted in PubMed using the search terms (biomechanics AND osteoarthritis) OR (biomechanics AND cartilage) OR (mechanics AND osteoarthritis) OR (mechanics AND cartilage) for publications from April 2017 to April 2018. Results Abstracts from the 559 articles generated from the literature search were reviewed. Due to the wide range of topics, 62 full texts with a focus on in vivo biomechanical studies were included for further discussion. Several overarching themes in the recent literature were identified and are summarized, including 1) new methods to detect early osteoarthritis (OA) development, 2) studies describing healthy and OA cartilage and biomechanics, 3) ACL injury and OA development, 4) meniscus injury and OA development, and 5) OA prevention, treatment, and management. Conclusions Mechanical loading is a critical factor in the maintenance of joint health. Abnormal mechanical loading can lead to the onset and progression of OA. Thus, recent studies have utilized various biomechanical models to better describe the etiology of OA development and the subsequent effects of OA on the mechanics of joint tissues and whole body biomechanics.
Use of a Large Tenaculum Clamp as a Reduction Technique for Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures.

Distal radius fractures are common upper extremity injuries requiring surgical treatment. In the context of management with a volar locking plate (VLP), a number of described techniques assist with restoration of individual anatomical parameters such as radial length, volar tilt, and articular congruity. We present a surgical technique that utilizes a large tenaculum bone clamp to provide an efficacious reduction in several planes. With anteroposterior compression, the clamp enables volar translation of the distal fracture fragment. This compression also decreases the interval between the distal portion of the VLP and the fracture fragments. With a rotational force, the clamp can restore volar tilt of the articular surface. By positioning the tines of the clamp across the fracture in the coronal plane, a clamping force can correct medial or lateral translation of the distal fracture fragment. Proper reduction substantially minimizes complications such as abrasion or rupture of the flexor tendons along the VLP.
Undergraduate Chemistry Students’ Conceptualization of Models in General Chemistry

Understanding the nature and purpose of models, including mathematical models, is critical to enabling undergraduate chemistry students to use models to predict and explain phenomena. However, students often do not have systematic conceptions about different kinds of models. To gain a sense of how students understand different models in the general chemistry curriculum, we developed a survey to examine students’ reasoning about models generally and in some specific contexts within the general chemistry curriculum. The findings suggest that students have some productive ideas about what kinds of representations are scientific models and the characteristics of those models; however, students may not recognize these characteristics in models which are mathematical or graphical in nature.
Metal-insulator transition in a semiconductor nanocrystal network

Many envisioned applications of semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs), such as thermoelectric generators and transparent conductors, require metallic (nonactivated) charge transport across an NC network. Although encouraging signs of metallic or near-metallic transport have been reported, a thorough demonstration of nonzero conductivity, σ, in the 0 K limit has been elusive. Here, we examine the temperature dependence of σ of ZnO NC networks. Attaining both higher σ and lower temperature than in previous studies of ZnO NCs (T as low as 50 mK), we observe a clear transition from the variable-range hopping regime to the metallic regime. The critical point of the transition is distinctly marked by an unusual power law close to σ ∝ T1/5. We analyze the critical conductivity data within a quantum critical scaling framework and estimate the metal-insulator transition (MIT) criterion in terms of the free electron density, n, and interparticle contact radius, ρ.
Concluding Remarks and Future Directions

The organizers and sponsors are to be commended for assembling this high quality, exciting, and enjoyable symposium: the third in a series of scientific interchanges spanning various aspects of hematopoiesis. Drs. Nader G. Abraham, Joao Ascensao, Mehdi Tavassoli, Esmail Zanjani, and especially Richard D. Levere and the Department of Medicine, New York Medical College deserve special recognition for this successful event to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the National Institutes of Health.
Biografia em história ambiental: consolidando a virada cultural

Recent literature promotes the idea that environmental history could consolidate its “cultural turn” (White 2004) by focusing on individuals who were significant in human-environment interactions. An approach based on Margadant’s notion of biography is suggested, and recent papers in environmental history using a biographical approach are noted.
The Test of Curriculum: A Single-Case Study of How Early Educational Experiences Enable Agency Throughout Life

This single-case study uses the narratives of a 75 yearold participant to understand something about the ways in which educational experiences influence a person’s decision-making processes throughout life. For the purpose of this study, educational experiences are learning experiences made both in a formal school setting and out of school. The findings of this study point to how curriculum can be utilized to enable relational self-understanding, which is an understanding of the self in terms of one’s capability to design a meaningful social life. Further, the findings show how this kind of understanding is a prerequisite for agency. As such, this study contributes to the conversation about what the purpose of school is and what it means to be an educated person.
A Marginal Adjustment Rank Histogram Filter for Non-Gaussian Ensemble Data Assimilation

AbstractAn extension to standard ensemble Kalman filter algorithms that can improve performance for non-Gaussian prior distributions, non-Gaussian likelihoods, and bounded state variables is descri...
Evaluation of an integrated pest management program for central Washington pear orchards

Abstract Pear psylla and honeydew marking to fruit cause significant economic damage to pears in Washington, a key pear growing region of the United States. The goal of this project is to compare an integrated pest management (IPM) program using materials which selectively target pests and relies on large natural enemy populations to grower standard conventional and organic pear pest management. In six locations throughout the growing region three management techniques organic, conventional and IPM were designated to 2 ha plots in grower managed orchards. Natural enemy and pest populations were monitored using beat tray, leaf brush and trapping methods. Pest excreted honeydew levels on leaves as well as fruit marking were measured to compare the relative success of pest management programs. IPM programs, using materials which selectively target pests, successfully increased natural enemy populations and kept psylla and honeydew levels low at the end of the season. However, early season pest populations resulted in fruit marking in some years. Fruit quality in IPM programs was similar to organic orchards in 2018, and organic and conventional in 2019, but fruit quality varied by orchard. In order to maintain consistent season-long control, further revision of IPM programs for Pacific Northwest pears is necessary including management tools such as targeted insecticide applications, honeydew washing systems using designated overhead sprinklers, and natural enemy thresholds.
Role of Trichomes in Plant Stress Biology

In this chapter, we will examine the role of trichomes in plant stress biology. Trichomes have been long studied as the first line of defense against herbivores. We review the studies that have examined the structure, classification, and diversity of trichomes in flowering plants, followed by their modes of action against abiotic and biotic stressors. We also review the studies on herbivore X trichome interactions and how trichomes play a role in both direct and indirect plant defenses. Next, we use results from our research to highlight the importance of trichomes as an effective measure of plant defense and how genetic variation affects trichome-mediated defenses. And, finally we propose some exciting new areas of research on trichomes and trichome-mediated defenses for future work.
Improving surface passivation on very thin substrates for high efficiency silicon heterojunction solar cells

Abstract Silicon solar cells are now less than 3% absolute from the theoretical efficiency limit. Advanced passivated contact architectures have demonstrated surface saturation current densities close to 1 fA/cm2. We have optimized the thin intrinsic hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer by controlling the deposition temperature and the silane-to-hydrogen dilution ratio. Thin wafers were used as a testbed to increase the sensitivity to surface passivation. By optimizing the intrinsic layer, we reduced the surface saturation current densities from 1.7 fA/cm2 to 0.6 fA/cm2 on textured wafers with thicknesses ranging between 40 and 180 μm. Implied open-circuit voltages over 760 mV were accomplished on p-i/c-Si/i-n structures deposited on n-type CZ wafers with wafer thicknesses below 50 μm. Further, we demonstrated experimentally the potential of using very thin wafers by manufacturing screen-printed silicon heterojunction solar cells on 40 μm thick standalone wafers while achieving an efficiency of 20.48%.
A Simple and Robust Controller Design for High-Frequency WBG-Based Current-Source-Inverter-Fed AC Motor Drive

Wide-bandgap (WBG) monolithic bidirectional (BD) power devices that feature reverse voltage blocking (RVB) capabilities are well suited for current-source inverters (CSIs) since they eliminate the need to add lossy power diodes in series with conventional power devices. With the efficiency improvements enabled by such WBG monolithic BD devices, CSIs become significantly more attractive for a wide range of applications. However, there is still a knowledge gap regarding the operation of CSIs at high switching frequencies (100s of kHz) using WBG devices and their impact on control strategies, components sizing, and system performance. This paper proposes a simple yet effective control architecture tailored for high switching frequency WBG-based CSIs. CSI drive system analysis shows that the adoption of this straightforward and robust control algorithm makes it possible for the CSI to achieve high performance.
Diazotrophic Nitrogen Fixation in the Rhizosphere and Endosphere

A wide variety of nitrogen (N)-fixing Bacteria and Archaea inhabit plant rhizospheres and endospheres. This diazotrophic community is often dominated by α-Proteobacteria, although many other taxa are also present. Diazotrophic community composition is influenced by physicochemical factors, including land use, geography, climate, and soil type. Similarly, soil N fixation rates are predicted by short-term soil physicochemical conditions (e.g., moisture, temperature, nutrient concentrations). Microbial community composition may also influence N fixation rates, but it is unclear if it does so through taxon-specific N fixation abilities, or if the physicochemical template influences the microbial community and N fixation rates similarly. In agricultural ecosystems, rhizosphere and endosphere N fixation is often assumed to be minimal, but recent mass balance data suggest that N fixation contributes nearly 25% of crop N requirements. In natural ecosystems, N fixation inputs are highly variable and uncertain, exceeding those of legumes in some systems, and barely detectable in others. Critical knowledge gaps and priorities for research include better estimates of rhizosphere and endosphere fixation rates, defining the role of diazotrophic community composition in influencing fixation rates, and elucidating the relationship between N-fixing microbes and plants.
Coronary Artery Vasospasm: A Under-recognized Phenomenon in Orthotopic Heart Transplant

Introduction Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is known as the primary cause of death in the first year after orthotopic heart transplant (OHT). Coronary artery spasm (CAS) in OHT is a rare and under-recognized phenomenon in patients undergoing surveillance. The mechanism of coronary vasospasm in OHT remain largely unknown. The presentation can vary from an incidental finding to severe episodes of symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias, high-degree atrioventricular block, syncope, cardiac arrest, or even myocardial infarction in cases of prolonged ischemia. Case Presentation 65 yo female with history of chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and orthotopic heart transplantation with CMV mismatch in 2016 secondary to apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Prior coronary angiography (CA) done at our institution had shown no evidence of vasculopathy. During one of her follow-up visits in the Clinic, she complained of increasing dyspnea on exertion, prompting urgent referral for CA, as per our surveillance protocols. Prior to the procedure, echocardiography was performed which revealed normal graft function and no valvular abnormalities. She underwent CA which showed a proximal significant diffuse luminal narrowing of the right coronary artery (RCA) (Image 1) and normal left coronary artery anatomy (Image 2). We proceed to repeat CA with intracoronary administration of nitroglycerin (ICN) and measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) of RCA (Image 3, 4). Angiography revealed near resolution of the RCA lesion, ultimately suggesting that transient vasospasm had been responsible for the previous angiographic appearance (Image 1). Summary CAS can present in patients with or without vasculopathy. It can produce luminal narrowing and can be difficult to distinguish angiographically from CAV. Misdiagnosis of this entity has led to the incorrect diagnosis of CAV and subsequent unnecessary stenting. ICN use can improve angiographic visualization, and prevent the adverse effects of coronary spasm. In conclusion, CAS is a rare and potential complication post OHT. It is a difficult entity to prognosticate due to scarcity of clinical evidence, as prevalence ranges from 4.9% to 12.1%. Some authors hypothesize that CAS in OHT carries a poor prognosis as it is often an early manifestation of CAV. However, this remains largely hypothetical and further studies are needed to better understand this disease.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cardiac Electrophysiology Training: A Survey Study.

Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a significant decrease in volume of electrophysiology (EP) procedures. There has been concern that trainees may not achieve the procedural numbers required to graduate as independent electrophysiologists within the usual timeline. We sought to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the percentage of clinical cardiac EP (CCEP) fellows in jeopardy of not meeting procedural volume requirements and overall sentiments regarding preparedness of fellows for independent practice. Methods We surveyed CCEP fellows and program directors about baseline procedural volumes, curriculum changes due to the pandemic, and attitudes about preparedness for board examinations and independent practice. Results Ninety-nine fellows and 27 program directors responded to the survey. Ninety-eight percent of responding fellows reported a decrease in procedural volume as a result of the pandemic. Program directors reported an overall decrease in annual number of ablations and device procedures performed by each fellow during the 2019-2020 academic year compared to the preceding year. Despite this, a minority of fellows and program directors reported concerns about meeting Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education procedural requirements for devices (9% and 4%, respectively) and ablation (19% and 9%) or preparedness for independent practice after a 2-year fellowship. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a decrease in procedural volume for CCEP trainees, but the majority of fellows and program directors do not anticipate major barriers to timely graduation. This may change with COVID-19 resurgence and further interruptions in training.
Striking heterogeneity of somatic L1 retrotransposition in single normal and cancerous gastrointestinal cells

Somatic LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposition has been detected in early embryos, adult brains, and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and many cancers, including epithelial GI tumors. We previously found numerous somatic L1 insertions in paired normal and GI cancerous tissues. Here, using a modified method of single-cell analysis for somatic L1 insertions, we studied adenocarcinomas of colon, pancreas, and stomach, and found a variable number of somatic L1 insertions in tumors of the same type from patient to patient. We detected no somatic L1 insertions in single cells of 5 of 10 tumors studied. In three tumors, aneuploid cells were detected by FACS. In one pancreatic tumor, there were many more L1 insertions in aneuploid than in euploid tumor cells. In one gastric cancer, both aneuploid and euploid cells contained large numbers of likely clonal insertions. However, in a second gastric cancer with aneuploid cells, no somatic L1 insertions were found. We suggest that when the cellular environment is favorable to retrotransposition, aneuploidy predisposes tumor cells to L1 insertions, and retrotransposition may occur at the transition from euploidy to aneuploidy. Seventeen percent of insertions were also present in normal cells, similar to findings in genomic DNA from normal tissues of GI tumor patients. We provide evidence that: 1) The number of L1 insertions in tumors of the same type is highly variable, 2) most somatic L1 insertions in GI cancer tissues are absent from normal tissues, and 3) under certain conditions, somatic L1 retrotransposition exhibits a propensity for occurring in aneuploid cells.
Some Results on Fuzzy ω-Covering Dimension Function in Fuzzy Topological Space

The purpose of this paper is to study a new class of fuzzy covering dimension functions, called fuzzy
Strain evaluation for mitral annular disjunction by echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging: A case-control study.

Abstract Background Mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is an increasingly recognized entity associated with mitral valve prolapse (MVP), ventricular arrhythmias and death. Few studies have investigated the utility of myocardial deformation analysis in MAD. We compared chamber quantification including strain by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) between MVP patients with and without MAD. Methods Forty-two patients with MVP (21 with MAD, 21 without MAD) and 21 controls were studied. Global, basal and basal inferolateral (BIL) segmental strains were measured and compared using velocity-vector imaging TTE and feature-tracking CMR. Results Mean age was 54 ± 17 years, 19 (46%) were female, and 19 (46%) underwent surgical mitral valve repair with no deaths during follow-up in the 2 groups with MVP. Patients with MAD and MVP had lower basal longitudinal strain by TTE than those with MVP without MAD. Those with MAD and MVP had lower magnitude in BIL and basal segments by circumferential and radial strain by CMR compared to those with MVP without MAD and controls. Amongst global strain parameters, CMR-derived global circumferential strain was independently associated with MAD diagnosis odds ratio 1.49 (per 1%), 95% confidence interval 1.09–2.05, P = 0.014, with optimal threshold of −18.0% having 76% sensitivity and specificity for MAD. Conclusion Abnormal circumferential and radial strain patterns in the basal segments by CMR may be useful for identifying regional LV dysfunction associated with MAD.
Self-Organized High-Hardness Thermal Spray Coatings

We present a new dealloying-based technique to form fully-dense and high-hardness metal composite coatings. By depositing then heat treating a TiCr alloy coating on a Ni-base superalloy, a eutectic reaction occurs at the coating/substrate interface, which drives spontaneous pattern formation in both alloys analogous to liquid metal dealloying. The coating exhibits a significantly higher hardness (15 GPa) than both the starting alloy (3.7 GPa) and precursor coating (6 GPa), measured by micro- and nanoindentation, while maintaining the ability to plastically deform during micro-indentation experiments without apparent cracking or spallation. The flexibility and scalability of the dealloying process used here demonstrates a promising route towards protective coatings for structural alloys.