cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Testing the role of patch openness as a causal mechanism for apparent area sensitivity in a grassland specialist

Area sensitivity, species being disproportionately present on larger habitat patches, has been identified in many taxa. We propose that some apparently area-sensitive species are actually responding to how open a habitat patch is, rather than to patch size. We tested this hypothesis for Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) by comparing density and occupancy to a novel openness index, patch area, and edge effects. Bobolink density and occupancy showed significant relationships with openness, but logistic models based on an openness occupancy threshold had greater explanatory power. Thresholds remained approximately consistent from June through August, and shifted to be more open in September. Variance partitioning supported the openness index as unique and relevant. We found no relationships between measures of body condition (body mass, body size, circulating corticosterone levels) and either openness or area. Our findings have implications for studies of area sensitivity, especially with regards to inconsistencies reported within species: specifically, (1) whether or not a study finds a species to be area sensitive may depend on whether small, open sites were sampled, and (2) area regressions were sensitive to observed densities at the largest sites, suggesting that variation in these fields could lead to inconsistent area sensitivity responses. Responses to openness may be a consequence of habitat selection mediated by predator effects. Finally, openness measures may have applications for predicting effects of habitat management or development, such as adding wind turbines, in open habitat.
A crossover SAFT-VR equation of state for pure fluids: preliminary results for light hydrocarbons

SAFT is perhaps the most versatile, fundamentally, based engineering equation of state in use today. However, in common with all analytic equations of state, SAFT exhibits classical behavior in the critical region rather than the non-analytical, singular behavior seen in real fluids. Recently, so-called crossover equations of state have been developed which solve this shortcoming by incorporating the scaling laws valid asymptotically close to the critical point while reducing to the original classical equation of state far from the critical point. We have combined the SAFT-VR equation of state with an analytical crossover technique to obtain the SAFT-VRX equation of state. The SAFT-VRX approach combines the accurate low temperature behavior of SAFT-VR with a precise representation of the critical region. Preliminary results are presented for hydrocarbon systems which illustrate the accuracy of the SAFT-VRX approach over the entire fluid phase region.
Accounting mechanisms for distributed work systems

In distributed work systems, individual users perform work for other users. A significant challenge in these systems is to provide proper incentives for users to contribute as much work as they consume, even when monitoring is not possible. We formalize the problem of designing incentive-compatible accounting mechanisms that measure the net contributions of users, despite relying on voluntary reports. We introduce the Drop-Edge Mechanism that removes any incentive for a user to manipulate via misreports about work contributed or consumed. We prove that Drop-Edge provides a good approximation to a user's net contribution, and is accurate in the limit as the number of users grows. We demonstrate very good welfare properties in simulation compared to an existing, manipulable mechanism. In closing, we discuss our ongoing work, including a real-world implementation and evaluation of the Drop-Edge Mechanism in a BitTorrent client.
EUROLAND AND EAST ASIA IN A DOLLAR-BASED INTERNATIONAL MONETARY SYSTEM: MUNDELL REVISITED

But therein lies a paradox. The fierce scholarly debate for more than a decade before EMU’s advent on whether a one-size-fits-all monetary policy was appropriate for Europe pitted politicians, who on the continent were mainly in favor, against economists, who generally were much more doubtful. And the doubters who opposed EMU used arguments drawn from Mundell’s own work! Specifically, his classic article, “The Theory of Optimum Currency Currency Areas (1961) comes down against a one-size-fits-all monetary policy—and seems to argue in favor of making currency areas smaller rather than larger.
A Survey of "Felt" Versus "Real" Needs of Physical Therapists

Constantly emerging knowledge has made continual learning a necessity for health-related professionals. This research deter mined some educational needs of one professional group, physical therapists, to help plan necessary continuing education. A ques tionnaire was administered to 77 physical therapists to determine and compare felt needs (personal perceptions symptomatic of problems) and real needs (actual knowledge or skill weaknesses). A literature review prompted the hypothesis (null form) of no correlation between perceived felt needs and demonstrated real needs. Statistical testing (Pearson correlation) suggested a failure to reject the null hypothesis (.05 level). The differences existing between felt and real needs indicates the complexity of the needs assessment process and the limitations of a mailed questionnaire that only solicits perceptions of need in planning continuing edu cation programs.
The power and benefits of concept mapping: measuring use, usefulness, ease of use, and satisfaction

The power and benefits of concept mapping rest in four arenas: enabling shared understanding, the inclusion of affect, the balance of power, and client involvement. Concept mapping theory and research indicate concept maps (1) are appropriate tools to assist with communication, (2) are easy to use, and (3) are seen as beneficial by their users. An experiment was conducted to test these assertions and analyze the power and benefits of concept mapping using a typical business consulting scenario involving 16 groups of two individuals. The results were analyzed via empirical hypothesis testing and protocol analyses, and indicate an overall support of the theory and prior research and additional support of new measures of usefulness, ease of use, and satisfaction by both parties. A more thorough understanding of concept mapping is gained and available to future practitioners and researchers.
Price discrimination on booking time

Abstract Even if consumers are forward looking and free to choose when to purchase, a firm can price discriminate on booking time if consumers learn their valuations at different times and consumers who learn later have higher valuations. The model is related to our work on optimal screening with returns contracts Akan, Ata, and Dana [1], but here we consider a simpler binary-valuation distribution and consider more realistic consumer learning assumptions. The main contribution is to show that the profitability of screening on time is robust to relaxing the assumption that consumers learn instantaneously. In addition to analyzing a bad-news model in which information arrives gradually, we characterize a general bound on consumer optimism that guarantees that the instantaneous learning results are robust.
Computer Programs for Temperature in Fins and Slab Bodies With the Method of Green's Functions

Heat conduction in fins and slab bodies, a traditional undergraduate topic, is treated with the Green’s function (GF) method. A variety of boundary conditions and heating conditions are included. Computer programs are described which are designed to improve student learning of the GF method. The programs are available from the author.
High-responsivity intersubband infrared photodetector using InGaAsP/InP superlattice

A 4-7- mu m infrared detector made of an InGaAsP/InP short-period superlattice is demonstrated with materials grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). A single current blocking layer of InP is used to reduce the dark current. At 40 K, the detector shows a low dark current of less than 4 pA at a bias voltage of 4 V. At 35 K, a peak responsivity of 4.0 A/W is obtained at 5.6 mu m at a bias of 1 V. >
Variational Assimilation of Radiometric Surface Temperature and Reference-Level Micrometeorology into a Model of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Land Surface

Abstract Data assimilation provides a useful framework that allows us to combine measurements and models, by appropriately weighting the sources of error in both, to produce a statistically optimal and dynamically consistent estimate of the evolving state of the system. In this paper a variational approach is used to estimate regional land and atmospheric boundary layer states and fluxes via the assimilation of standard reference-level temperature and humidity and radiometric surface temperature measurements into a coupled land surface–atmospheric boundary layer model. Results from an application to a field experiment site show that using both surface temperature and reference-level micrometeorology measurements allows for the accurate and robust estimation of land surface fluxes even during nonideal conditions, where the evaporation rate is atmospherically controlled and processes that are not parameterized in the model (i.e., advection) are important. The assimilation scheme is able to provide estimates...
Regulation of Cerebral Artery Diameter by Potassium Channels

One remarkable feature of the cerebral circulation is the maintenance of near-constant blood flow to the brain, even under the most extreme circumstances. Diameter regulation of cerebral resistance arteries to ensure this constant flow of oxygen and other nutrients to the brain involves the integration of a multitude of neural, humoral, endothelial, metabolic, and physical factors. Further complexity in the study of cerebral artery regulation arises when one considers that although total cerebral blood flow (accounting for approximately 20% of the entire blood flow in adult humans) remains constant, blood flow patterns within the brain can shift dramatically with changing electrical activity patterns. Although the factors regulating cerebral arterial diameter are both diverse and complex in nature, most, if not all, of these vasoactive stimuli ultimately act to control the contractile state of cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells via changes in the global intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+] i ) of these cells. These fluctuations in [Ca2+] i largely mirror membrane potential changes in these cells, due to changes in the open-state probablity of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels, the major Ca2+ influx pathway in this tissue (see Nelson et al., 1990 for a review).
Single Molecule Wobbling in Cylindrical Mesopores

Simultaneous single molecule tracking (SMT) and single molecule emission dichroism (SMED) measurements are used to investigate the translational and orientational motions of fluorescent probes diffusing within mesoporous silica films. The results afford a quantitative measure of molecular confinement within the mesopores and allow for the accessible pore diameter to be determined with higher precision than can be achieved by common SMT methods alone. In these studies, dual-polarization wide-field video microscopy is used to obtain SMT data simultaneously in two orthogonal polarizations. A rod-shaped perylene diimide dye (C11OPDI) is employed as the probe and is excited by circularly polarized light. SMT reveals a predominance of one-dimensional dye diffusion within the mesopores. The SMED data demonstrate that the molecules diffuse in an oriented state, with their long axes parallel, on average, to the long axis of the mesopores. Theoretical expressions quantitatively relating the SMED and SMT results to ...
P2.103 Differential Effect of Standard Therapies For Non-Gonococcal Urethritis Against Ureaplasma Species

Background U. urealyticum (UU) but not U. parvum (UP) is associated with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), while UP may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Treatment failure may differ byspecies; therefore, we examined the efficacy of CDC-recommended therapies for NGU against UU and UP separately. Methods From May 2007 to July 2011, men aged ≥ 16 years attending an STD clinic in Seattle, Washington with NGU (urethral discharge or urethral symptoms plus ≥ 5 PMNs/HPF) were enrolled in a randomised treatment trial. Participants received active azithromycin (1g) and placebo doxycycline or active doxycycline (100 mg bid × 7d) and placebo azithromycin. Ureaplasma species were detected in broth urine culture followed by species-specific PCR. Microbiologic failure (detected by PCR) was determined at 3, 6, and 9 weeks. At 3 weeks, men who failed initial treatment received the alternate therapy (active doxycycline if they first received active azithromycin and vice versa). Persistent failures received moxifloxacin at 6 weeks. Results Of 479 enrolled men, 107 (22.3%) and 59 (12.3%) were infected with UU and UP, respectively, and returned at 3 weeks. Among men who received azithromycin, microbiologic failure at 3 weeks occurred in 46.7% (14/30) of UP-infected men and 25.0% (13/52) of UU-infected men (P = 0.04). Among doxycycline-treated men, failure occurred in 24.1% (7/29) and 30.9% (17/55), respectively (P = 0.64). At 6 weeks, 80% (4/5) of UP and 58% (7/12) of UU-infected men originally treated with doxycycline and re-treated with azithromycin were failures; failure among men originally treated with azithromycin and re-treated with doxycycline was 57% (8/14) and 55% (6/11), respectively. At 9 weeks, failure after treatment with moxifloxacin occurred in 27.3% (3/11) of UP and 36.4% (4/11) of UU-infected men. Conclusion Azithromycin was less effective against UP than UU. Failure after re-treatment with alternate therapy and moxifloxacin was common for both UU and UP.
Theoretical and Experimental Determination of Nuclear Charge Distributions

Because of their purely electromagnetic interaction, charged leptons provide the most precise probe of the nuclear many-body wave function presently available. Although, in principle, precise scattering data for e +, e -, μ, +, and μ -, and bound-state energy levels for e - and μ - could provide a wealth of complementary information, in practice the most useful information presently arises from muonic X-rays in medium and heavy nuclei and from electron scattering data. The challenge to which this present review is addressed is to utilize the available information from muonic X-rays and elastic electron scattering as a tool to critically test our present theoretical understanding of the nuclear wave function.
What is known and unknown about chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment in patients with haematological malignancies and areas of needed research.

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is an important clinical problem for cancer patients and survivors. In this review, we summarize studies investigating the occurrence of impaired cognition in patients with haematological malignancies. Most published studies focus on survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and primary central nervous system lymphoma. We also discuss studies conducted in acute myeloid leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, chronic myeloid leukaemia, Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), non-HL and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Although research in this area is still emerging, it appears that a subset of chemotherapy-treated haematological malignancy survivors experience CRCI. Future research should focus on expanding the literature reviewed here with larger studies appropriately powered to assess cognition via objective and subjective measures in a longitudinal fashion to tease apart the impact of disease and the various forms of cancer treatment.
The role of religious context in children's differentiation between God's mind and human minds.

The current study examined the cultural factors (i.e., religious background, religious participation, parents' views of prayer, and parents' concepts of God) that contribute to children's differentiation between the capabilities of human minds and God's mind. Protestant Christian, Roman Catholic, Muslim, and Religiously Non-Affiliated parents and their preschool-aged children were interviewed (N = 272). Children of Muslim parents differentiated the most between God's mind and human minds (i.e., human minds are fallible but God's is not), and children who had greater differentiation between God's and humans' minds had parents who had the least anthropomorphic conceptions of God. Additionally, there was a unique effect of being raised in a Religiously Non-Affiliated home on the degree of children's differentiation between God's and human minds after religious context factors had been accounted for; in other words, children of Religious Non-Affiliates differentiated between humans and God the least and their differentiation was unrelated to religious context factors. These findings delineate the ways in which religious context differences influence concepts of God from the earliest formation. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Children's concept of God develops during the preschool years. The degree of anthropomorphism in children's concept of God varies. What does this study add? Muslim children have a strong differentiation between what God's mind and human minds can do. Religiously Non-Affiliated children have almost no differentiation between God's and human minds. Parent anthropomorphism explains variance in children's God concepts, both within and across religious groups.
Electrocardiography: Principles and Applications in Sleep Medicine

It is possible to think about cardiac rhythm during sleep in the same way as during wakefulness. Arrhythmias can be separated into two large groups. Those that originate in the sinus node, atria, or atrioventricular node are referred to as supraventricular arrhythmias. Those that originate in the ventricles are classified as ventricular arrhythmias. Arrhythmias can be genetic. There may be underlying structural heart disease. Patients may have an implanted pacemaker. Sustained ventricular arrhythmias require immediate attention. The patient needs to be awakened, and blood pressure and mental status must be determined. If an arrhythmia causes hypotension or if the patient is unarousable, emergency measures may be required.
Pharmacist-Driven Strategies for Hypertension Management in Los Angeles: A Community and Stakeholder Needs Assessment, 2014–2015

In 2014, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health received federal funding to improve the prevention and control of hypertension in the population through team-based health care delivery models, such as pharmacist-led medication therapy management. To inform this work, the department conducted a 3-part needs assessment consisting of 1) a targeted context scan of regional policies and efforts, 2) a key stakeholder survey, and 3) a public opinion internet-panel survey of Los Angeles residents. Results suggest that political will and professional readiness exists for expansion of pharmacist-led medication management strategies in Los Angeles. However, several infrastructure and economic barriers, such as a lack of sufficient payment or reimbursement mechanisms for these services, impede progress. The department is using assessment results to address barriers and shape efforts in scaling up pharmacist-led programming in Los Angeles.
Ventricular Arrhythmias and Defibrillators

Ventricular tachyarrhythmias have heterogeneous etiologies, clinical consequences, and treatment strategies. Distinguishing ventricular tachyarrhythmias from supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with aberrancy clinically and on the surface electrocardiogram can be challenging, yet has substantial therapeutic implications. A wide body of randomized clinical trial data has emerged addressing the efficacy of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) for the prevention of sudden cardiac death. In this chapter we discuss these issues as well as consensus guideline recommendations for the implantation of ICDs.
Rhythm: A Unified Measurement Platform for Human Organizations

To understand and manage complex organizations, we must develop tools capable of measuring human social interaction accurately and uniformly. Current technologies that measure face-to-face communication do not measure interaction in a unified manner and often ignore remote interaction, an increasingly common communication modality. In this article we present Rhythm, a platform that combines wearable electronic badges and online applications to capture team-level and network-level interaction patterns in organizations. The platform measures conversation time, turn-taking behavior, and the physical proximity of both co-located and distributed members. Our goal is to empower organizations and researchers to measure formal and informal social interaction across teams, divisions, and locations. We describe two pilot studies that use this platform and discuss how measurement systems like Rhythm may further the fields of computational social science and organizational design.
Preputial surgery in the bull

Failure of normal extension and retraction of the penis and prepuce in the male bovine animal of breeding age is cause for concern. Injury to the tender preputial tissue is a common occurrence, particularly in the young, sexually aggressive male. Many promising young herd sires, and many older proven sires, have been removed prematurely from the breeding herd because of trauma to the preputial tissue. Corrective surgery and proper aftercare should reduce this loss. The purpose of the study reported here was to investigate a technique designed to prevent unwanted complications following surgical treatment of preputial injuries.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Energy Management Strategies [Bookshelf]

Hybrid electric vehicles have a long history, dating as far back as the development of the Lohner-Porsche Mixte in 1899. A hybrid vehicle, by definition, is one with multiple propulsion power sources, one example being the combination of an internal combustion engine plus an electric drive. The tools of dynamic programming and optimal control lend themselves quite elegantly to the hybrid vehicle energy management problem. This has motivated a very substantial body of peer-reviewed conference and journal papers on the application of optimal control theory to hybrid vehicle energy management. This textbook addresses a critical gap in that it introduces students, scholars, and practitioners to the main ideas in the literature and the interconnections between these ideas.
Mechanism of rapid tumor lysis by human ADCC: mediation by monoclonal antibodies and fragmentation of target cell DNA.

Immunologically programmed cell destruction is an important defense mechanism for limiting the spread of invasive intracellular parasites and malignant cells in the body (1,2). However, when such processes are misdirected, in autoimmune diseases for example, they can be very harmful to normal tissues and can interfere with vital tissue functions (2). Thus, it is of considerable value to understand the mechanisms of cytolytically induced cell destruction as mediated by the immune system. Several such mechanisms have evolved with the immune system of man, and each is characterized by distinct antigen recognition requirements and/or distinct lytic processes. Some cytolytic mechanisms require only the secreted products of cells and not the direct intervention of an effector cell for cytolysis to occur, as with complement plus antibody-mediated cytotoxicity (CAMC), for example. Other mechanisms, however, do require that intimate contact be made between an effector cell and its target cell. Various lymphocytes, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), natural killer (NK) cells, and killer (K) cells all appear to initiate the lytic process only after contact is made with the target cell (1–4).
Brain Damage: Neuropsychological Rehabilitation

One of the most significant changes in neuropsychological rehabilitation over the last two decades has been its evolution from a field focused almost exclusively on cognitive and memory dysfunction to one that is holistic and that is concerned with entire human beings as multifaceted individuals, members of relationships, and responsive organisms trying to survive and flourish within complex environments. This article reviews briefly some of the major ideas and theories that gave rise to contemporary neuropsychological rehabilitation as well as recent advances and innovations, and challenges for the future of the field.
Trisomy 18 and Congenital Heart Disease: Single-Center Review of Outcomes and Parental Perspectives.

Background:In patients with trisomy 18, congenital heart surgery is controversial due to anticipated poor patient outcome. Data are lacking regarding clinical outcomes and family opinions about car...
Integrated physician and clinic scheduling in ambulatory polyclinics

This paper presents an integrated physician and clinic scheduling problem arising in ambulatory cancer treatment polyclinics, where patients may be assessed by multiple physicians from different cl...
Steam oxidation behavior of Ni-base superalloys 690, 725 and X-750 at 600 and 650 °C

Abstract The 1-bar steam oxidation behavior of Ni-base superalloys 690, 725, and X-750 was evaluated at 600 and 650 °C for up to 5000 h. In addition to monitoring mass changes, microstructures of the 5000-h-exposed samples were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Together with thermodynamic calculations, the scale constitution and possible exfoliation was discussed. Alloy X-750 exhibited the best resistance to steam oxidation with the least metal thickness loss at 600 °C while alloy 690 at 650 °C. Alloy 725 exhibited more than two times metal thickness loss than the other two alloys at 650 °C.
Structured Local Minima in Sparse Blind Deconvolution

Blind deconvolution is a ubiquitous problem of recovering two unknown signals from their convolution. Unfortunately, this is an ill-posed problem in general. This paper focuses on the {\em short and sparse} blind deconvolution problem, where the one unknown signal is short and the other one is sparsely and randomly supported. This variant captures the structure of the unknown signals in several important applications. We assume the short signal to have unit $\ell^2$ norm and cast the blind deconvolution problem as a nonconvex optimization problem over the sphere. We demonstrate that (i) in a certain region of the sphere, every local optimum is close to some shift truncation of the ground truth, and (ii) for a generic short signal of length $k$, when the sparsity of activation signal $\theta\lesssim k^{-2/3}$ and number of measurements $m\gtrsim\poly\paren{k}$, a simple initialization method together with a descent algorithm which escapes strict saddle points recovers a near shift truncation of the ground truth kernel.
Double-D-Shaped Multi-Core Fiber with Suppressed Dimensional Fluctuation

We improved the longitudinal fluctuation of a multi-core fiber with a concaved double-D shape cladding for improved passive fiber alignment. The cladding dimensions were controlled to an accuracy of $\pm 0.4\mu m$ , at 250 m/min drawing speed.
Cognitive decline on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status in progressive supranuclear palsy

Objective: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is associated with a variety of cognitive deficits, but few studies have reported on its cognitive trajectory across time, especially on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS).Methods: Two hundred twenty participants diagnosed with Richardson's syndrome of PSP (PSP-RS) were evaluated with the RBANS at baseline, six months, and one year with alternate forms.Results: When using dependent t-tests, significant declines were observed on all Indexes of the RBANS from baseline to six months (ps < 0.01). Between six months and one year, significant declines were observed on three Indexes of the RBANS (ps < 0.05). Using existing regression-based change formulae from cognitively intact older adults, these participants with PSP showed significant decline on all RBANS Indexes (ps < 0.01) across one year. Finally, new regression-based change formulae were developed on this sample of individuals with PSP-RS to more precisely evaluate cognitive change in this condition.Conclusion: In this large, longitudinal cohort of participants with PSP-RS, many (but not all) showed notable cognitive decline across six months and one year on the RBANS. The different methods of examining change across time yielded different results, with regression-based methods appearing to more accurately capture decline in this sample. These findings are expected to allow clinicians to more accurately evaluate cognitive trajectories in patients with PSP, as well as make better estimates of prognosis and offer more appropriate treatment recommendations. Such findings are also expected to inform clinical trials as to the changes in cognitive outcomes with this neurological condition.
Identifying and analyzing the factors utilized by superintendents in achieving their "personal best" in education

The major purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the factors utilized by superintendents in achieving their "personal best" in education. The data for this study were gathered from fifty-two superintendents from California, Iowa, Missouri, and New York during the months of December 1989 and January 1990. The superintendents each filled out and returned a "Personal Best Survey" from which the data for the study were
Asymmetrically severe internal auditory canal hypoplasia: A case report

We present a case of an otherwise healthy 20-month-old with congenital sensorineural hearing loss. CT and MR imaging demonstrated bilateral asymmetrically severe hypoplasia of the internal auditory canals and vestibulocochlear nerves. Additional developmental inner ear anomalies were present in this patient, including unilateral semicircular canal hypoplasia and suspected bilateral cochlear hypoplasia. The patient retained normal facial nerve function bilaterally. We highlight the current research and understanding of congenital IAC abnormalities.
Biotin: Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Assessment of Biotin Status

Abstract Biotin, vitamin B7, is essential for life. The major biological function of biotin is to act as a covalently bound cofactor for the biological activities of five mammalian biotin-dependent carboxylases. These biotin-dependent carboxylases have crucial role in essential biological processes including fatty acid synthesis, gluconeogenesis, and amino acid metabolism. Humans cannot synthesize biotin but the gut bacteria are capable of producing biotin. The daily biotin requirement (30 μg) is mostly satisfied by diet, so the role of biotin synthesized by gut bacteria in the overall biotin status of humans is not known. Nutritional biotin deficiency is rare, but consumption of raw eggs on a regular basis may cause biotin deficiency because avidin, a protein present in raw eggs, strongly binds to biotin thus making biotin unavailable for intestinal absorption. However, cooking eggs denatures avidin and makes biotin available for absorption. Most biotin in food is protein bound and must be released prior to intestinal absorption. Biotin is water soluble and as a result free biotin is absorbed almost 100%. Almost 50% of ingested biotin is excreted unchanged in urine. Biotin has no known toxicity.
Evaluating cultural and linguistic load of IQ scores for English language learners

The assessment of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students, including students who are learning English as a second language (English language learners, ELL), is a challenge for many sc...
Identifying message content to reduce vaping: Results from online message testing trials in young adult tobacco users.

Abstract Introduction Young adults’ e-cigarette use is associated with perceptions that e-cigarettes are less harmful or addictive than cigarettes, socially acceptable, and appealing. This study developed and tested vaping educational messages addressing these factors: 1) Harm Perceptions, 2) Addictiveness, 3) Social Use, and 4) Flavors. Methods Two message trials were conducted in U.S. Amazon Mechanical Turk workers aged 18–24 using a 2 (content: addiction, harm) × 3 (theme: alone, + flavors, + social) design with multiple messages in each of the six categories. Participants were assigned to view a random subset of messages and report on likeability and perceived message effectiveness (PME). Phase 1 (n = 200) tested 33 messages and 32 images. Phase 2 (n = 769) tested combinations of Phase 1′s 24 most effective messages with 6 images rated most likeable or effective. Linear mixed effects models assessed the effect of content, theme, image, and their interactions on message response. Results In both trials, most participants were past 30-day tobacco users. Harm content messages produced higher PME ratings than addiction content messages, and flavor theme messages were correlated with higher likeability scores than “content alone” theme messages. In Phase 2, flavor and social message themes decreased the PME of harm messages. There was no effect of images on either outcome controlling for the independent or interaction effects of content, theme, and image. Conclusions Messages conveying the harms of vaping may be best for reducing vaping in young adult tobacco users; flavor and social themes may diminish their effectiveness.
Earlier Times and Radiation

The CMB at present is very cold and has a very low energy density; however if we extrapolate back to earlier times, to a redshift of more than about 1000, we find that the temperature and energy density of the radiation was high enough that it was critically important in the evolution and behavior of the universe and its constituents. Indeed the atoms we observe today did not exist and a hot plasma dominated the universe until a few hundred thousand years. In this chapter we will study the scale factor and properties in the radiation era. The nearly perfect current isotropy of the CMB presents a theoretical problem and has led to the idea of inflation, wherein the universe underwent an extraordinary expansion in the very beginning. Moreover the very small anisotropies of the current CMB constitute essentially a photograph of the big bang which can give us a great deal of information about the earliest times.
The 1990s: The Glass Ceiling

In the 1990s the number of women matriculating in accredited US medical schools reached a new level, and women physicians made up a significant percentage of the workforce in medicine. Women assumed greater responsibilities including leadership positions, but these roles often came with the designation of “interim” or “acting” and were for unspecified or protracted periods of time and with little compensation. In this chapter, the slow rate of career advancement is examined through the lens of individual as well as institutional factors. The issues of gender bias, discrimination, and harassment are examined in detail, as are some of the initiatives designed to address them that were developed during this decade.
Injection and Non-Injection Drug Use Among Adults with Diagnosed HIV in the United States, 2015–2018

Understanding behavioral characteristics and health outcomes of people with HIV (PWH) who inject drugs and PWH who use drugs, but do not inject, can help inform public health interventions and improve HIV clinical outcomes. However, recent, nationally representative estimates are lacking. We used 2015–2018 Medical Monitoring Project data to examine health outcome differences among adults with diagnosed HIV who injected drugs or who only used non-injection drugs in the past year. Data were obtained from participant interviews and medical record abstraction. We reported weighted percentages and prevalence ratios with predicted marginal means to assess differences between groups (P < 0.05). PWH who injected drugs were more likely to engage in high-risk sex; experience depression and anxiety symptoms, homelessness, and incarceration; and have lower levels of care retention, antiretroviral therapy adherence, and viral suppression. Tailored, comprehensive interventions are critical for improving outcomes among PWH who use drugs, particularly among those who inject drugs.
RNA-guided cell targeting with CRISPR/RfxCas13d collateral activity in human cells

While single-cell sequencing has allowed rapid identification of novel cell types or states and associated RNA markers, functional studies remain challenging due to the lack of tools that are able to target specific cells based on these markers. Here we show that targeting a single marker RNA with CRISPR/RfxCas13d led to collateral transcriptome destruction in human cells, which can be harnessed to inhibit cell proliferation or to suppress cell state transition.
Klass: Kennedy Launch Academy Simulation System

Software provides access to many sophisticated scientific instrumentation (Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), a Light Microscope, a Scanning Probe Microscope (covering Scanning Tunneling, Atomic Force, and Magnetic Force microscopy), and an Energy Dispersive Spectrometer for the SEM). Flash animation videos explain how each of the instruments work. Videos on how they are used at NASA and the sample preparation. Measuring and labeling tools provided with each instrument. Hands on experience of controlling the virtual instrument to conduct investigations, much like the real scientists at NASA do. Very open architecture. Open source on SourceForge. Extensive use of XML Target audience is high school and entry-level college students. "Many beginning students never get closer to an electron microscope than the photos in their textbooks. But anyone can get a sense of what the instrument can do by downloading this simulator from NASA's Kennedy Space Center." Science Magazine, April 8th, 2005
Vapor Phase Homogeneous Nucleation of Polar Molecules

Homogeneous nucleation in supersaturated vapors of highly polar substances such as CH3CN, CH3NO2, C6H5CN and C6H5NO2 has been studied by use of a diffusion cloud chamber. The results are in serious disagreement with the predictions of the classical nucleation theory. The discrepancy has been explained in terms of dipole-dipole interaction within the curved surface of the embryonic droplets.
Whole Body MRI: Strategies for Improving Imaging Efficiency

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 k-Space Formalism 3 Classification of Imaging Techniques 4 Various Embodiments of Spin Warp Imaging 5 Multiline Scanning Techniques 6 Other Methods of Scanning k-Space 7 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
Health Disparities, Local Knowledge, and Public Policy

A 2009 geospatial analysis produced by the Virginia Department of Health identified a low relative risk for breast cancer in eleven geographic clusters, three of which were located in the rural, southwest region of Virginia. This finding was at odds both with higher levels of breast cancer incidence in other parts of the state, and with the fact that rural areas, Appalachia in particular, typically are characterized by relatively high rates of cancer and other disease. We investigated this apparent anomaly in Smyth County, which lies within one of the low rate clusters found in southwest Virginia. Relying upon a community based participatory research (CBPR) framework, we engaged local citizens in elucidating community perceptions of health and risk associated with breast cancer and other types of disease in southwest Virginia, and in exploring related health-seeking behaviors and health services consumption. Data collected revealed a strong community beset by factors likely to reduce mammography utilization and, thus, the possibility of breast cancer diagnosis. This paper describes our study and reports briefly on its results as a means of assaying CBPR as an approach for studying complex social problems.
Vla and Spacecraft Observations of Solar Activity

We describe the world's largest synthesis radio telescope, the Very Large Array (VLA), and how it can be used to complement observations with the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the Yohkoh solar spacecraft. The VLA provides images with high spatial and temporal resolution, often across the visible solar disk. The VLA also detects nonthermal radiation that is not observed with SOHO and Yohkoh, and provides estimates for the coronal magnetic field strengths that are not directly measured by these spacecraft. The VLA data can be combined with SOHO CDS, SOHO EIT, or Yohkoh SXT observations to provide new insights to the compact, variable sources, called blinkers and bright points, in the solar transition region or low corona. A new 400 cm VLA system provides images of nonthermal burst activity associated with Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), and may detect thermal emission from CMEs, that can be compared with SOHO's LASCO and EIT instruments to obtain new information about the origin and evolution of CMEs.
Improvements to amorphous silicon radiation detectors by doping profile changes

Application of thick ( approximately 50 mu m) amorphous Si p-i-n diodes as direct radiation detectors for minimum ionizing particles is hampered by the need to apply large bias voltages in order fully to deplete the detecting intrinsic layer, which typically contains 5-10*10/sup 14/ ionizable dangling bonds per cm/sup 3/. A voltage of about 1 kV is required to deplete a 50- mu m-thick detector and a large field (500 kV/cm) builds up at the p/i contact. This leads to an undesirable leakage current and related noise. These problems can be mitigated by addition of thin doped layers within the intrinsic layers. By insertion of thin p-type layers at equal intervals within the intrinsic layer, the required depletion voltage can be reduced by a factor of at least 1/(n+1), where n is the number of layers inserted. This principle is demonstrated for devices approximately 12 mu m in thickness. Electron losses within the p-type layer can be kept to a minimum by choice of a low doping concentration for the introduced p-layers. The electric field at the contacts can also be reduced by doped layers buried in the intrinsic layer close to the main p/i and i/n interfaces. >
Development and evaluation of an automatic interstitial catheter digitization tool for adaptive high dose rate brachytherapy

Abstract Purpose To develop and evaluate an automatic interstitial catheter digitization algorithm for use in adaptive high-dose-rate brachytherapy for gynecologic cancers using the Syed-Neblett template. Methods and Materials We developed an automatic catheter digitization tool, which uses a region growing algorithm in conjunction with a spline model of the catheters. Seed locations were selected in each catheter for the region growing algorithm. The region growing was constrained by a spline model of the catheters, which prevents intercatheter crossover or incorrect digitization due to air pockets. Plan reoptimization was performed on successive day computed tomography scans using dwell positions for the Day 1 computed tomography. This method was applied to 10 patients who had received high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy using the Syed–Neblett template. The prescribed dose was 18.75 or 20 Gy delivered in five fractions, twice daily, and more than 3 consecutive days. Dosimetric comparisons were made between automatically and manually digitized plans. Results The region growing algorithm was able to successfully digitize all catheters. The mean difference between automatic and manually digitized positions was 0.4 ± 0.2 mm. No significant difference was found in dosimetric parameters between the automatic and manually digitized plans. The mean D90% of the clinical target volume over all 3 days of treatment of the manual vs. reoptimized automatic plans was 94.3 ± 6.58% and 92.32 ± 8.34%, respectively (p = 0.50). Conclusions The algorithm discussed in this article is the first developed for adaptive interstitial brachytherapy for a large number of catheters (14 on average). The algorithm has future potential in digitization quality assurance. A region growing algorithm was developed to automatically digitize interstitial catheters in high-dose-rate brachytherapy. This automatic digitization tool was shown to be accurate compared with manual digitization.
SOLUTIONS OF NONLINEAR PLANAR ELLIPTIC PROBLEMS WITH TRIANGLE SYMMETRY

Abstract In this paper we continue the study of the nodal domain structure of doubly periodic solutions of certain nonlinear elliptic problems initiated in Fifeet al.(Physica D100(1997), 257–278). More precisely, we consider small amplitude solutions ofΔu+λf(u)=0 in R 2whose nodal domains consist of equilateral triangles tiling the plane. If this equation is suitably perturbed, then for genericfwe prove the existence of unique nearby solutions with triangle symmetry and show how their nodal domain geometry breaks up. Furthermore, we treat the non-generic rectangular cases which had to be excluded in Fifeet al.(Physica D100(1997), 257–278) as well as other nodal domain structures.
Radiographic exposure calculator and mammographic dose calculator

A set of dose calculators has been designed to facilitate quick and easy calculation of surface exposure (or skin dose) for routine radiography and average glandular dose in mammographic studies. Acceptance by technologists has been good, and in two inspections by the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, the calculators were deemed adequate to satisfy the diagnostic radiology standards that doses be monitored.
Hypertrophy of gonadotropin releasing hormone-containing neurons after castration in the teleost, Haplochromis burtoni.

In the African cichlid fish, Haplochromis burtoni, males are either territorial or nonterritorial. Territorial males suppress reproductive function in the nonterritorial males, and have larger gonads and larger gonadotropin-releasing hormone- (GnRH) containing neurons in the preoptic area (POA). We describe an experiment designed to establish the causal relationship between large GnRH neurons and large testes in these males by determining the feedback effects of gonadal sex steroids on the GnRH neurons. Territorial males were either castrated or sham-operated, 4 weeks after which they were sacrificed. Circulating steroid levels were measured, and the GnRH-containing neurons were visualized by staining sagittal sections of the brains with an antibody to salmon GnRH. The soma areas of antibody-stained neurons were measured with a computer-aided imaging system. Completely castrated males had markedly reduced levels of circulating sex steroids [11-ketotestosterone (11 KT) and testosterone (T)], as well as 17β-estradiol (E2). POA GnRH neurons in castrates showed a significant increase in mean soma size relative to the intact territorial males. Hence, in mature animals, gonadal steroids act as a brake on the growth of GnRH-containing neurons, and gonadal products are not responsible for the large GnRH neurons characteristic of territorial males. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
On PI-subrings of matrix rings over some classes of skew fields

Let Δ be a field of fractions of a torsion free nilpotent group ring KG, and Dk×k a matrix subring of Δn×n. We prove that if the field D has dimension m2 over its center, then (km)∣n. The result remains true when G is residually torsion free nilpotent and Δ is the subfield of the Malcev-Neumann power series ring K 〈 G 〉, generated by KG.