cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence from paleosols for low to moderate elevation of the India-Asia suture zone during mid-Cenozoic time

The post-collisional uplift history of the India-Asia suture zone in southern Tibet is important for understanding the geodynamic conditions of the India-Asia collision and how it may have modified regional and global climate. Here we use stable isotope and major element analyses of paleosols preserved in the Liuqu Conglomerate to reconstruct India-Asia suture zone paleoclimate and paleoelevation. Paleosol carbonate δ13C (Vienna Peedee belemnite) average values of −9.4‰ ± 1.1‰ indicate that Liuqu paleosols were well vegetated by C3 plants, unlike thinly vegetated and arid modern Tibet. Major element weathering indices show that these soils experienced significant collapse and loss of cations due to weathering of similar intensity to that in the wet, low elevations of the Neogene Himalayan foreland. Age estimates for the Liuqu vary, but current evidence points to an early Miocene age. Our evidence requires that the India-Asia suture zone experienced wet, well-vegetated conditions during Liuqu Conglomerate deposition. Geodynamically this implies that the suture zone was at relatively low elevation and was topographically open to monsoon moisture as late as 40 m.y. after the start of the India-Asian collision. This challenges the idea that uplift of the India-Asia suture zone was monotonic and tied directly to crustal thickening.
Dark Matter and Dark Energy

The composition of the heavens was a great mystery until the spectroscopic discoveries of the mid 1800s showed that the chemical elements in stars are the same as those on Earth (as we discussed in Chap. 6).
Dynamic Importance Sampling for Anytime Bounds of the Partition Function

Computing the partition function is a key inference task in many graphical models. In this paper, we propose a dynamic importance sampling scheme that provides anytime finite-sample bounds for the partition function. Our algorithm balances the advantages of the three major inference strategies, heuristic search, variational bounds, and Monte Carlo methods, blending sampling with search to refine a variationally defined proposal. Our algorithm combines and generalizes recent work on anytime search and probabilistic bounds of the partition function. By using an intelligently chosen weighted average over the samples, we construct an unbiased estimator of the partition function with strong finite-sample confidence intervals that inherit both the rapid early improvement rate of sampling and the long-term benefits of an improved proposal from search. This gives significantly improved anytime behavior, and more flexible trade-offs between memory, time, and solution quality. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach empirically on real-world problem instances taken from recent UAI competitions.
Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring in Current Clinical Practice: How to Define Its Value?

Detecting subclinical atherosclerosis with coronary artery calcium (CAC) is promising for identifying individuals at risk for cardiovascular events and appears to be a robust tool for guiding initiation of appropriate and timely primary prevention strategies. However, how do we best determine its clinical value? It is clear that traditional risk prediction models based primarily on age, gender, and risk factors are insufficient for ideal personalization of risk estimation. It is now well established from epidemiologic studies that CAC adds to traditional risk scores for a more accurate risk prediction. However, such traditional epidemiology studies have limitations in establishing “clinical value,” and they must be supplemented by additional data before being translated into strong recommendations in clinical practice guidelines. Fortunately, over the last few years, the research around CAC has matured to include data supporting enhanced clinician-patient risk discussions, shared decision-making, flexible risk factor treatment goals, specific clinical decision algorithms, as well as favorable cost-effectiveness analyses. We had moved from a time when we asked “if CAC adds to the risk score” to a time when we are asking “does CAC facilitate a shared decision-making model matching risk, treatment, and patient preferences?” A new risk calculator incorporating CAC into global risk scoring, and 2017 guidelines on the use of CAC published by the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), reflect this new approach. In this article, we review the recent transition to this more clinically relevant CAC research that may support a stronger recommendation for its use in future prevention guidelines.
Functional Outcomes of Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Abstract Background Growing numbers of allogeneic stem cell transplants and improved posttransplant care have led to an increase of individuals with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Although cGVHD leads to functional impairment for many, there is limited literature regarding the benefits of acute inpatient rehabilitation for patients with cGVHD. Objective To assess Functional Independence Measure (FIM) outcomes of patients with cGVHD during acute inpatient rehabilitation and to compare inpatient rehabilitation outcomes with patients with burn injuries, a rehabilitation patient population with similar comorbidities. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Acute rehabilitation center at a large academic medical center. Patients (or Participants) A total of 37 adult patients with cGVHD and 30 with burn injuries admitted to inpatient rehabilitation from 2010 to 2015. Methods or Interventions Linear regression analysis to evaluate group (cGVHD versus burn) differences in functional gains. Effect size and minimal detectable change at the 90% confidence level (MDC90) were used to evaluate change in FIM outcomes. Main Outcome Measurements Total FIM gain, motor FIM gain, and FIM efficiency. Results Patients with cGVHD had statistically significant lower functional gains than patients with burn injuries, with an average of 11.66 fewer total FIM points ( P ≤ .001), 10.54 fewer motor FIM points ( P = .01), and 2.45 units less of FIM efficiency ( P = .01). At the time of discharge, 7 (18%) patients with cGVHD exceeded the MDC90 values for total FIM gain versus 9 (30%) patients with burn injuries ( P = .26). Eight (21%) patients with cGVHD exceeded the MDC90 for motor FIM gain versus 13 (43%) patients with burn injuries ( P = .048). Effect sizes for patients with cGVHD and with burn injury were moderate to large, respectively, with patients with burn injuries having nearly twice the magnitude of gains as patients with cGVHD. Conclusions Despite achieving more modest functional gains than patients with burn injuries, patients with cGVHD improved in function after acute inpatient rehabilitation. If replicated in larger studies, patients with functional impairment from cGVHD can be considered for inpatient rehabilitation. Future work should also determine minimal clinically important differences in function gain from inpatient rehabilitation for patients with cGVHD. Level of Evidence II
SUR1-TRPM4 channel activation and phasic secretion of MMP-9 induced by tPA in brain endothelial cells.

Background Hemorrhagic transformation is a major complication of ischemic stroke, is linked to matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and is exacerbated by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion is characterized by SUR1-TRPM4 (sulfonylurea receptor 1—transient receptor potential melastatin 4) channel upregulation in microvascular endothelium. In humans and rodents with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), the SUR1 antagonist, glibenclamide, reduces hemorrhagic transformation and plasma MMP-9, but the mechanism is unknown. We hypothesized that tPA induces protease activated receptor 1 (PAR1)-mediated, Ca2+-dependent phasic secretion of MMP-9 from activated brain endothelium, and that SUR1-TRPM4 is required for this process. Methods Cerebral I/R, of 2 and 4 hours duration, respectively, was obtained using conventional middle cerebral artery occlusion. Immunolabeling was used to quantify p65 nuclear translocation. Murine and human brain endothelial cells (BEC) were studied in vitro, without and with NF-κB activation, using immunoblot, zymography and ELISA, patch clamp electrophysiology, and calcium imaging. Genetic and pharmacological manipulations were used to identify signaling pathways. Results Cerebral I/R caused prominent nuclear translocation of p65 in microvascular endothelium. NF-κB-activation of BEC caused de novo expression of SUR1-TRPM4 channels. In NF-κB-activated BEC: (i) tPA caused opening of SUR1-TRPM4 channels in a plasmin-, PAR1-, TRPC3- and Ca2+-dependent manner; (ii) tPA caused PAR1-dependent secretion of MMP-9; (iii) tonic secretion of MMP-9 by activated BEC was not influenced by SUR1 inhibition; (iv) phasic secretion of MMP-9 induced by tPA or the PAR1-agonist, TFLLR, required functional SUR1-TRPM4 channels, with inhibition of SUR1 decreasing tPA-induced MMP-9 secretion. Conclusions tPA induces PAR1-mediated, SUR1-TRPM4-dependent, phasic secretion of MMP-9 from activated brain endothelium.
Thermodynamics of Ionic Liquid Cosolvent Mixtures Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation: 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Acetate

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to calculate the binary mixture properties (excess molar heats and volumes) of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate [EMIM][Ac] with six polar covalent molecules (acetic acid, acetone, chloroform, dimethyl sulfoxide, isopropyl alcohol, and methanol) over the entire composition range. All of the binary mixtures of [EMIM][Ac] with cosolvents reported negative volumes of mixing over the entire composition range while releasing heat (exothermic heats of mixing), except for the acetone mixture, which had miscibility issues at higher concentrations (xacetone ≥ 0.6). These results were attributed to the nature, size, and structure of the molecules as well as the nature of the interaction between the mixture components. Further, aggregation of the ionic liquid (IL) at higher concentrations of the cosolvent added to the above observed effects, except for the acetic acid mixture. These results have been interpreted in terms of hydrogen-bonding and intermolecular inte...
Comparative review of novel model-assisted designs for phase I clinical trials.

A number of novel phase I trial designs have been proposed that aim to combine the simplicity of algorithm-based designs with the superior performance of model-based designs, including the modified toxicity probability interval, Bayesian optimal interval, and Keyboard designs. In this article, we review these "model-assisted" designs, contrast their statistical foundations and pros and cons, and compare their operating characteristics with the continual reassessment method. To provide unbiased and reliable results, our comparison is based on 10 000 dose-toxicity scenarios randomly generated using the pseudo-uniform algorithm recently proposed in the literature. The results showed that the continual reassessment method, Bayesian optimal interval, and Keyboard designs provide comparable, superior operating characteristics, and each outperforms the modified toxicity probability interval design. These designs are more likely to correctly select the maximum tolerated dose and less likely to overdose patients.
What Is Madness

The words psychology and psychiatry are derived from the Greek word for “soul.” The fields described by these words are those in which we attempt to study scientifically the most intimate and characteristic aspects of being human—how we feel, how we think, and how what we feel and think are expressed in what we do.
Statistical Design of Integrated Circuits

The presence of process variations makes it imperative to depart from the traditional corner-based methodology and migrate to statistical design techniques. In this chapter, based on a set of variational models that capture correlated as well as uncorrelated variations, we present techniques for presilicon statistical timing and power analysis to determine the performance spread over a population of manufactured parts. In order to improve this spread, we discuss presilicon statistical optimization techniques that incorporate appropriate margins to enable improved manufacturing yield. At the post-silicon stage, we then present how a set of compact sensors may be used to predict the delay of a manufactured part, with known confidence, through a small set of measurements on the sensors: such data can then be used to drive adaptive post-silicon tuning approaches that are individualized to each manufactured part.
Neutralizing antibodies and receptor constructs

Proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), appear to play an important role in contributing to organ system dysfunction and mortality in septic patients [1]. Clinical trials investigating the endogenously produced anti-IL-1 agent, interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), yielded disappointing results [2]. Several large studies have examined anti-TNF therapies in patients with sepsis, and the results of these studies, although generally negative, still suggest that there may be benefit from anti-TNF therapies in sharply defined groups of critically ill patients with overwhelming infections [3].
RAMAN SPECTROSCOPIES IN SHOCK-COMPRESSED MATERIALS

Spontaneous Raman spectroscopy, stimulated Raman scattering and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering have been used to measure temperatures and changes in molecular vibrational frequencies for detonating and shocked materials. Inverse Raman and Raman induced Kerr effect spectroscopies have been suggested as diagnostic probes for determining and phenomenology of shock-induced chemical reactions. The practicality, advantages, and disadvantages of using Raman scattering techniques as diagnostic probes of microscopic phenomenology through and immediately behind the shock front of shock-compressed molecular systems are discussed.
Antecedents of Information Systems Backsourcing

This dissertation examines backsourcing of corporate IS activities, and why IS outsourcing clients decide to backsource. Information Systems (IS) backsourcing is a business practice in which a company takes back in-house assets, activities, and skills that are part of its IS operations and were previously outsourced to one or more outside information service suppliers. Focusing on economic, strategic and relationship motives, a number of theoretical backsourcing factors is derived from transaction cost theory, agency theory, core competency perspective, IOR theory and marketing channels literature. To identify factors salient in IS backsourcing and to examine the process of backsourcing this dissertation employs exploratory case study methodology. Six outsourcing contracts within three client companies are analyzed. The evidence is collected using semi-structured interviews, archival records and company documents. Results of individual cases are reported and then triangulated to single out the primary backsourcing antecedents. Qualitative comparative analysis is employed to augment the findings. The findings indicate that service quality of the outsourcing arrangement, cost benefit of backsourcing, change in the role of IS, loss of control over the outsourcing arrangement, changes in the management and power of decision makers and other organizations impact backsourcing decisions. Strategic considerations, change in the role of IS and loss of control, dominate backsourcing decision even if costs or service quality suggest otherwise. The executives exert power through their structural position within organization and have a major influence on decisions. Executives' beliefs, prior experience and values impact their perception of backsourcing and play a role in backsourcing decisions. Additionally, the power of other organizations involved in the interorganizational relationships with the client company is important. These organizations use political maneuvering to impose their goals on the client company. While service quality and cost considerations are important deliverables in the outsourcing contract, these factors by itself do not justify the decision to backsource.
Current status of clinical testing for human papillomavirus in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

While a variety of human papillomavirus (HPV) tests and surrogate markers are available, currently there is no consensus on the best detection method(s) that should be used to identify HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas and serve as a standard test (or tests) for routine diagnostic use. As we begin to consider using the results of HPV testing for clinical purposes beyond simple prognostication, such as making decisions on treatment dose or duration or for targeted therapies that may be highly dependent on viral-mediated pathways, we need to be more rigorous in assessing and ensuring the performance of the test (or tests) used. Here we provide an overview of the platforms and technologies, including the strengths and limitations of each test, and discuss what steps are needed to generate confidence in their performance for use in clinical practice.
Rodent Skeletal Muscle Metabolomic Changes Associated With Static Cold Storage.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of static cold storage preservation on skeletal muscle metabolism using a rodent model. Methods Sixteen male Lewis rats (250 ± 25 g) were distributed into 4 groups, including naive control, warm ischemia for 2 hours, static warm storage for 6 hours, and static cold storage for 6 hours. Energy status, metabolomics profiling, and histopathology of the muscle were analyzed. Results In the warm ischemia and static warm storage groups, glycolytic pathway metabolites decreased, but the Krebs cycle metabolite of succinate and the purine degradation product of hypoxanthine accumulated. Increased succinate and hypoxanthine levels were associated with increased injury severity scores. During static cold storage, the glycolytic pathway activity and the energy status were preserved. Succinate and hypoxanthine levels showed no significant difference from the naive group. Conclusion Warm ischemia results in reduced glycolysis and Krebs cycle metabolites. Static cold storage preserves the glycolytic pathway and represents a favorable contribution to cellular energy demand. Succinate and hypoxanthine might be used as novel potential biomarkers for the assessment of viability and injury severity.
Detours on the Road to Recovery: What Factors Delay Readiness to Return to Intended Oncologic Therapy (RIOT) After Liver Resection for Malignancy?

Poor recovery after oncologic hepatic resection delays Return to Intended Oncologic Therapy (RIOT) and shortens survival. In order to identify at-risk patients, this study was designed to determine which psychosocial and perioperative factors are associated with delayed RIOT readiness. A prospectively maintained database was queried to identify consecutive patients undergoing hepatectomy for malignancy from 2015 to 2017. Perioperative factors were compared between patients with early (≤ 28 postoperative days) vs. delayed (> 28 postoperative days) clearance to RIOT. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed. Of 114 patients, 76 patients (67%) had an open surgical approach, 32 (28%) had a major hepatectomy, and 6 (5%) had a major complication, with no mortalities. Eighty-two patients (72%) had early and 32 patients (28%) had delayed RIOT readiness. Patients with high preoperative symptom burden were more likely to have delayed RIOT readiness (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1–8.4, p = 0.024). On multivariable analysis, open surgical approach (OR 6.9, 95% CI 1.4–34.7, p = 0.018), length of stay > 5 days (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4–9.4, p = 0.010), and any complication (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1–10.7, p = 0.033) were associated with delayed RIOT readiness. Postoperative factors associated with delayed RIOT readiness included nutritional and wound-healing parameters. This study highlights the previously under-described importance of preoperative patient symptom burden on delayed postoperative recovery. As a cancer patient’s return to oncologic therapy after hepatectomy has a substantial impact on survival, it is critical to adhere to enhanced recovery principles and address all other modifiable factors that delay recovery.
Review of Morphing Laminated Composites

Abstract Morphing structures, defined as body panels that are capable of a drastic autonomous shape transformation, have gained importance in the aerospace, automotive, and soft robotics industries since they address the need to switch between shapes for optimal performance over the range of operation. Laminated composites are attractive for morphing because multiple laminae, each serving a specific function, can be combined to address multiple functional requirements such as shape transformation, structural integrity, safety, aerodynamic performance, and minimal actuation energy. This paper presents a review of laminated composite designs for morphing structures. The trends in morphing composites research are outlined and the literature on laminated composites is categorized based on deformation modes and multifunctional approaches. Materials commonly used in morphing structures are classified based on their properties. Composite designs for various morphing modes such as stretching, flexure, and folding are summarized and their performance is compared. Based on the literature, the laminae in an n-layered composite are classified based on function into three types: constraining, adaptive, and prestressed. A general analytical modeling framework is presented for composites comprising the three types of functional laminae. Modeling developments for each morphing mode and for actuation using smart material-based active layers are discussed. Results, presented for each deformation mode, indicate that the analytical modeling can not only provide insight into the structure's mechanics but also serve as a guide for geometric design and material selection.
Drought and climate teleconnection and drought monitoring

Abstract Drought is a complex natural phenomenon with different connotations in different fields of study. Driven by the different oceanic basin ocean-atmospheric interaction processes, meteorological drought is seen as a strict atmospheric phenomenon whose effect extends from atmospheric dryness that propagates to influence agricultural productivity, freshwater sustainability, and disruption in a socioeconomic system. Among the many ocean-atmospheric interaction processes, El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITZ) have an extensive spatial influence with different timescales. As results, drought can occur in any area at various intensities in one or any combined forms of the four-drought type—meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic droughts. However, its impact is a function of the vulnerability of the physical environment and societal coping capacity. A sustained drought can prominently affect agricultural productivity that could lead to famine and death. Severe drought is a drought that persists for a considerable period impacting both surface and groundwater resources causing a dwindling of water supply and freshwater-dependent infrastructure development. A society with low coping ability, limited disaster risk management strategy, and preparedness is liable to socioeconomic drought. To tackle such challenges, a clear understanding of the cause and effect of drought in a given location is necessary. Drought monitoring techniques have a wide range of applicability and importance to address such challenges. In this chapter, the causes of drought, types of drought, and the propagation of drought as a system dynamic process are discussed. Drought monitoring techniques and applications to freshwater management are summarized.
Analysis of Aortic Growth Rates in Uncomplicated Type B Dissection

Background Uncomplicated type B dissections have historically been treated medically with hemodynamic control. Early progression of the disease and late aneurysmal dilation have been considered as indications for intervention. The aim of this study is to analyze growth rate patterns of type B dissections based on computed tomography (CT) measurements over time. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of patients with acute type B dissection from 2008 to 2014 who had at least 2 follow-up CT scans. Patients with rapid progression requiring interventions were also included. Using M2S software (M2S, Lebanon, NH), we calculated the mean centerline diameter of the true and false lumens at 3 different sites of the descending aorta. Growth rate was calculated as the change in maximal diameter between the first interval and last available CT scans. Primary outcome was to compare the growth rate pattern between the 2 time intervals. Secondary outcomes included early and delayed aortic intervention and overall mortality (OM). Results A total of 108 patients were included. Average age of patients was 58.7 years. Median follow-up time was 3 months for the first CT and 32 months for the second. OM was 27.8% (n = 30), whereas the disease-specific mortality was 11.1% (n = 12). Thirty-seven percent (n = 40) required operative intervention (18 open and 22 endovascular repair): 20 at 30 days, 12 at 12 months, and 8 patients at >1 year. Mean aortic growth rate was higher in the first time interval compared with the second: 0.89 vs. 0.19 mm/month (P Conclusions Type B dissection is associated with aortic growth over time. The overall growth rate was not linear with a more prominent initial phase. Faster aortic growth rate is associated with an increased intervention rate, whereas advanced age and number of comorbidities are associated with increased mortality. Prospectively designed studies are needed to identify the subgroup of patients who may benefit from early intervention based on growth rate measurements.
Communicating Identities: by Gary Barkhuizen and Pat Strauss, New York, NY, Routledge, 2020, x+276 pp., $35.96 (paperback), ISBN: 978-1-138-29552-0

… when I came here in Grade 4 the teachers didn’t know what I was capable of. I was given a pack of crayons and a colouring book and told to get on colouring with it. And after I felt so bad about ...
Human tumor cell sensitivity to pemetrexed decreases as extracellular folate increases: evidence for minimizing the level of folate supplementation in clinical regimens with pemetrexed

550 Pemetrexed (PMX) is a new-generation antifolate recently approved for cancer treatment. Current regimens require coadminstration of 350 -1000 μgm of folic acid +vitamin B12 to minimize toxicity. Previous studies have established that 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methylTHF), the major blood folate, increases with oral folate supplementation. The current study evaluates the impact of extracellular (EC) 5-methylTHF or 5-formylTHF levels on the antitumor activity of PMX in vitro and whether the preservation of PMX activity with loss of reduced folate carrier (RFC) function, observed in human carcinoma cell lines grown with 5-formylTHF, also occurs in cells grown with 5-methylTHF. The HCT-15 colon cancer cell line, and its RFC-deficient subline PT1, were adapted for at least one week to either 5-formylTHF or 5-methylTHF. In the latter case 0.1 mM β-mercaptoethanol was present in the growth medium and half the initial concentration of 5-methylTHF was added qd to compensate for oxidative degradation (estimated half -life of 5-methylTHF in growth medium is about 24 hours). The IC50 of trimetrexate (TMQ), a lipophilic antifolate that is very sensitive to levels of intracellular folate pools, was utilized to estimate changes in cellular folate levels. The IC50s for TMQ were similar when cells were grown in either 5-formylTHF or 5-methylTHF, ∼70 nM and ∼65 nM for HCT-15 and ∼1.2 and ∼1.8 nM for RFC-null PT1 cells, respectively. This supports the equivalence of 5-methylTHF and 5-formylTHF in replenishing intracellular folate pools, whether RFC is present or absent. IC50s for PMX were similar in HCT-15 (∼110 and ∼100 nM), and nearly similar in PT1 cells (∼70 nM and ∼110 nM) with 5-formylTHF or 5-methylTHF, respectively, confirming preservation of PMX activity despite loss of RFC function. Next, EC 5-formylTHF was varied from 1.6 nM to 62.5 nM in 2.5 fold increments and effects on intracellular folate and sensitivity to PMX was assessed in HCT-15 colon and A549 lung cancer cell lines. While TMQ IC50s increased to a similar extent in both cell lines from ∼3 nM to ∼85 nM over this EC folate range, the PMX IC50 increased in A549 cells to a greater extent (from ∼12 nM to ∼300 nM) than in HCT-15 cells (from ∼10 nM to ∼180 nM). Hence, as observed previously in murine leukemia cells, PMX antitumor activity in vitro is markedly decreased as EC and intracellular folates are increased, even over the range of physiological folate concentrations, although different cancer cell-lines are affected to different extents. These observations suggest that (1) excessive folate supplementation in clinical regimens with PMX may decrease chemotherapeutic efficacy, (2) no more than the lowest recommended level of folate supplementation (350-400 μgm) should be utilized and (3) other non-dietary sources of folate should be avoided.
A componential approach for evaluating the sources of trace metals in municipal solid waste.

Abstract Trace metals concentrations of 25 elements were determined for 22 subcomponents of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste samples representing the United States municipal solid waste (MSW) stream collected during three separate waste sorts. The subcomponent trace metal concentrations and estimated composition results were used to predict trace metal concentrations present in the overall MSW stream along with MSW compost and waste to energy (WTE) ash, which were compared to health-based standards (i.e., US EPA regional screening levels) and to values previously reported in the literature. These estimates for potentially problematic elements like As and Sb could be attributed to abundant base materials in MSW, while other elements, such as Pb, were calculated at much lower concentrations than other published studies. This suggests that trace metals measured in actual MSW compost and WTE ash could originate not only from MSW base components but also from other sources, such as highly concentrated low-mass wastes (e.g., e-waste). While the removal of small quantity components with high metal concentrations may reduce concentrations of some potentially problematic metals (e.g., Pb), others (e.g., As and Sb) are likely to persist in quantities that impede reuse and recycling since they are present in the more abundant base MSW components (e.g., papers, plastics, organics). Promoting meaningful reductions in potentially problematic trace metals in MSW-derived materials may require reevaluating their presence in higher-volume, lower-concentrated MSW components such as paper, plastics, and organics.
A twist in the non-slanted H-mers to control π-conjugation in 2-dimensions and optical properties

Understanding the structural parameters that determine the extension of π-conjugation in 2-dimensions is key for controlling the optical, photophysical, and electronic properties of 2D-π-conjugated materials. In this article, three non-slanted H-mers including a donor–acceptor H-mer (H-mer-3) with an increase in dihedral angle (twist) between the strands and rungs are synthesized and studied. These non-slanted H-mers represent the repeat units of 2D-π-conjugated materials. H-mer-3, containing donor-strands and an acceptor-rung, is an unexplored donor–acceptor architecture in both slanted and non-slanted H-mers. The H-mers displayed both acid and base dependent optical properties. While the rungs have a little impact on the H-mer absorption spectra they play a key role in the emission and fluorescence lifetime. H-mer-3 (i.e., donor–acceptor H-mer) shows a higher Stokes shift and fluorescence lifetime than the other two H-mers. The twist and the presence of an electron deficient rung in H-mer-3 facilitated an intramolecular charge transfer in the excited state from the strands to the electron deficient rung, and therefore control over the H-mer emission properties. The lack of insulating pendant chains, reduced π–π interactions in thinfilms, and longer fluorescence lifetimes make these H-mers interesting candidates for various electronic and optoelectronic applications.
Chains of Adversity: The Time-Varying Consequences of Paternal Incarceration for Adolescent Behavior

I draw on general strain theory, a framework often used to understand adolescent behavior, and augment it with aspects of the stress process perspective to examine the time-varying consequences of paternal incarceration for adolescent behavior. I use six waves of data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a cohort of children born around the turn of the twenty-first century, and inverse probability of treatment weighting models to estimate the time-varying relationship between paternal incarceration and adolescent behavior problems and the mechanisms underlying this relationship. Results document three main findings. First, adolescents exposed to paternal incarceration at any point in the life course have more behavior problems than their counterparts not exposed to paternal incarceration. Second, exposure to paternal incarceration during early childhood, but not during middle childhood or early adolescence, is positively associated with behavior problems. Third, this relationship is partially explained by family adversities stemming from paternal incarceration. This research builds on our criminological understanding of how strains, such as paternal incarceration, can facilitate inequalities in adolescent behavior by considering dynamic selection into paternal incarceration, the time-varying repercussions of paternal incarceration, and the mechanisms linking paternal incarceration to adolescent behavior. Early life course paternal incarceration facilitates chains of adversity that accumulate throughout early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.
Seasonal Variability in Weight Gain Among American Indian, Black, White, and Hispanic Children: A 3.5-Year Study.

Introduction Several studies have reported that children gain more weight during the summer season. Despite high obesity rates, little research has included American Indian/Alaskan Native children, and few studies have been longitudinal. This observational study examines seasonal weight variability over 3.5 years among ethnically diverse children, including 2,184 American Indian/Alaskan Native children. Methods Children's height and weight were measured before and after the summer from 2012–2015 and analyzed in 2019–2020, including children with ≥2 consecutive measurements (N=7,890, mean age=8.4 [SD=2.8] years). Mixed-effects models tested whether the percentage of the 95th BMI percentile and BMI differed by season (summer versus the rest of the year) and ethnicity. Results American Indian/Alaskan Native (23.7%), Hispanic (19.8%), and Black (17.8%) children had significantly higher baseline obesity rates than White children (7.1%). The percentage of the 95th BMI percentile significantly increased during the summer compared with the percentage during the rest of the year, with the strongest effects for children who were obese (b=2.69, 95% CI=1.35, 4.03, p Conclusions Children gained significantly more weight during the summer season, with the strongest effects for children who were obese. American Indian/Alaskan Native children had less seasonal variability than White children, but higher overall obesity rates. These data underscore summer as a critical time for obesity prevention among children who are overweight/obese but suggest that seasonal patterns may vary for American Indian/Alaskan Native children.
Sarcoidosis Causing Complete Nasal Obstruction.

Our case demonstrates the rare presentation of sinonasal sarcoidosis causing severe nasal obstruction. While the patient had a remote history of pulmonary sarcoidosis, she was in remission and had ...
Mostly positive implications of long-haul truck electrification

Recently in the July 6, 2021 issue of Environmental Science & Technology, Tong et al. estimated health and climate impacts from large-scale long-haul truck electrification. The monetized damages range from a 47%–54% increase to a 77%–88% reduction. However, with adjustments to the marginal emission and static assumptions, impacts are found to be almost certainly positive, a 7%–94% reduction in damages.
Voltage-Control Reference Estimation-based Quadratic Integration-exploited Model Predictive Current Control- driving Binary Capacitor Voltage Control-based MMC

We recently developed the quadratic integration- exploited model predictive current control (QIMPCC) and the binary capacitor voltage control-based modular multilevel converter (BCVC-MMC) with a new hybrid arm design to effectively enhance the DC-AC power-conversion quality-and- efficiency and the closed-loop control performance of MPCC- based multilevel converters in low nominal DC-voltage applications. Due to the technical limits of its predicted cost- function optimization method utilizing a finite three-phase switching combination set, QIMPCC cannot be directly applied to BCVC-MMC; moreover, there is room for improved closed-loop control performance. To address these drawbacks, this paper proposes the voltage-control reference estimation (VCRE)-based QIMPCC exploiting the QI method’s superior accuracy. The proposed algorithm substantially improves the closed-loop control performance of this class of converters. Finally, simulation results demonstrate and quantify the claimed technical advantages.
Towards Speaker Adaptive Training of Deep Neural Network Acoustic Models

We investigate the concept of speaker adaptive training (SAT) in the context of deep neural network (DNN) acoustic models. Previous studies have shown success of performing speaker adaptation for DNNs in speech recognition. In this paper, we apply SAT to DNNs by learning two types of feature mapping neural networks. Given an initial DNN model, these networks take speaker i-vectors as additional information and project DNN inputs into a speaker-normalized space. The final SAT model is obtained by updating the canonical DNN in the normalized feature space. Experiments on a Switchboard 110hour setup show that compared with the baseline DNN, the SAT-DNN model brings 7.5% and 6.0% relative improvement when DNN inputs are speaker-independent and speakeradapted features respectively. Further evaluations on the more challenging BABEL datasets reveal significant word error rate reduction achieved by SAT-DNN.
Headache in childhood and adolescence.

Headaches are the most common type pain symptom in childhood and adolescence; they not only create difficulties for the patient and his/her family, but may also cause the treating physician to shake his head. The concerns of the parents become those of the physician and as a result headaches are the most reason for referring school children for tertiary pediatric neurology consultation (1). The first question concerns the possible causes: how certain can the physician be when employing just history and clinical examination that he/she is not dealing with symptomatic (secondary) headaches, especially as a sign of an underlying a brain tumor? The next question is the diagnosis of what type of headache: how reliable and valid are the international criteria for the classification of headaches in children and adolescents? Even after the physician has decided his/her patient has chronic primary headaches, a third question remains to be answered: what is the appropriate management in this special age group. The article in this issue of Deutsches Artzeblatt International by Straube et al. (2) reviews this complex subject while providing some answers for these practical daily questions.
Optimal filtering with multirate observations

This paper considers the problem of optimal filtering for several channels of observations occurring at different sampling rates. The problem is formulated in general terms with arbitrary sampling rates for the observations. The set of observation sequences (channels) are jointly cyclostationary and the resulting optimal filters are linear and periodically time-varying (LPTV). A formula for the period of the system is given and the explicit forms of the Wiener-Hopf equations and the estimation error variance are derived. Simulation results are presented for estimation of a signal with known correlation function in noise using two observation sequences with sampling rates differing from that of the underlying signal to be estimated.
Implementing a Dynamic Leadership Program: A Moral Construct for Adding Cultural Value

The dynamic leader must have a basic understanding of their organization's affirmative moral obligation and operate from a humanistic paradigmatic perspective. Every organization has a positive moral obligation to do "good" for its stakeholders and not harm them in any way. Based upon this premise, it can be argued that the corporation has a moral obligation to do "good" for its employees who are non-owner stakeholder. Hence, the dynamic leader must place significant emphasis on moral and ethical factors in order to enhance cultural values. The cultural value creation has the potential to produce positive outcomes for all organizational stakeholders including employees, shareholders, suppliers, customers, communities, and governments. This paper will present a concise model for implementing a paradigm shifting model that focuses on enhancing and developing cultural values.
Gamma‐Ray Spectrometers

Gamma rays are the highest energy photons in the electromagnetic spectrum. Their detection techniques exploit the different mechanisms by which they interact with matter. Factors affecting the determination of their total energy, position, and arrival time are discussed, along with the trade-offs encountered in large detector arrays. Keywords: Bremsstrahlung; calorimeter; cascade shower; Cherenkov radiation; Compton scattering; hermiticity; pair production; photoelectric absorption; photomultiplier tube; spectral quality
Identification and Characterization of a Ca2+-Sensitive Nonspecific Cation Channel Underlying Prolonged Repetitive Firing in Aplysia Neurons

The afterdischarge of Aplysia bag cell neurons has served as a model system for the study of phosphorylation-mediated changes in neuronal excitability. The nature of the depolarization generating the afterdischarge, however, has remained unclear. We now have found that venom from Conus textile triggers a similar prolonged discharge, and we have identified a slow inward current and corresponding channel, the activation of which seems to contribute to the onset of the discharge. The slow inward current is voltage-dependent and Ca 2+ -sensitive, reverses at potentials slightly positive to 0 mV, exhibits a selectivity of K ≅ Na ≫ Tris > N -methyl-d-glucamine (NMDG), and is blocked by high concentrations of tetrodotoxin. Comparison of these features with those observed in channel recordings provides evidence that a Ca 2+ -sensitive, nonspecific cation channel is responsible for a slow inward current that regulates spontaneous repetitive firing and suggests that modulation of the cation channel underlies prolonged changes in neuronal response properties.
Young adults’ responses to product placement in movies and television shows

This research examines young adults’ attitudes towards product placement in films and television shows from two countries that represent contrasting cultural distinctions: the US and Korea. The results suggest that young adults in both countries perceive film product placement in a similar way but, with respect to television, Korean respondents tend to perceive it as less effective in enhancing content realism and more unethical and misleading. In addition, the findings suggest that, for both film and TV, materialism, attitude towards advertising, and realism enhancement appeared to be significant predictors of consumer cognitive response to product placement. However, cross-cultural differences were observed for TV product placement. In the US, materialism and realism enhancement were found to be most powerful predictors of cognitive response to product placement. In contrast, attitude towards advertising and materialism were found to be the strongest predictors in Korea. Implications for both advertisin...
Watershed Project Performance in India: Conservation, Productivity, and Equity

The semiarid tropics are characterized by seasonally concentrated rainfall, lowagricultural productivity, degraded natural resources, and severe poverty. Concentrated in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, these regions were little affected by the green revolution that transformed agriculture in the more favorable areas of developing countries. In the 1980s and 1990s, agricultural scientists and planners turned to watershed development as a way to raise rainfed agricultural production, conserve natural resources, and reduce poverty in semiarid regions (Lal; Farrington, Turton and James). A watershed or catchment is an area from which all water drains to a common point, making it an attractive unit for technical efforts to manage water and conserve soil for production and conservation. In water-scarce areas, the objective is to capture water during rainy periods for subsequent use in dry periods. This involves conserving soil moisture to support crop growth, encouraging water infiltration to recharge aquifers, and harvesting surface runoff water in small ponds or tanks. Often, the main project activity is the construction of water harvesting structures (e.g., small dams) in the drainage lines of upper catchments where runoff water is captured. To be sustainable, local water harvesting requires protecting upper reaches of small catchments against erosion that would reduce storage capacity of water harvesting ponds. Watersheds cover a broad range of sizes, but many projects operate at the level of small microwatersheds that lie within a
VPA inhibits myo-inositol phosphate synthase activity by inhibition of Gsk3 (LB150)

Valproic acid (VPA) has been used for decades for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Yet, the therapeutic mechanism of VPA is not understood, hindering the development of more effective drugs. VPA ...
Information Risk and Fair Values: An Examination of Equity Betas

Using a sample of U.S. financial institutions, we exploit recent mandatory disclosures of financial instruments designated as fair value level 1, 2, and 3 to test whether greater information risk in financial instrument fair values leads to higher cost of capital. We derive an empirical model allowing asset-specific estimates of implied betas, and find evidence that firms with greater exposure to level 3 financial assets exhibit higher betas relative to those designated as level 1 or level 2. We further find that this difference in implied betas across fair value designations is more pronounced for firms with ex ante lower quality information environments: firms with lower analyst following, lower market capitalization, higher analyst forecast errors, or higher analyst forecast dispersion. Overall, the results are consistent with a higher cost of capital for more opaque financial assets, but also suggest that differences in firm’s information environments can mitigate information risk across the fair value designations.