cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Transformation and Formation Maps to Study the Role of Air-Sea Heat Fluxes in North Atlantic Eighteen Degree Water Formation

Abstract The Walin water mass framework quantifies the rate at which water is transformed from one temperature class to another by air–sea heat fluxes (transformation). The divergence of the transformation rate yields the rate at which a given temperature range is created or destroyed by air–sea heat fluxes (formation). Walin’s framework provides a precise integral statement at the expense of losing spatial information. In this study the integrand of Walin’s expression to yield transformation and formation maps is plotted and used to study the role of air–sea heat fluxes in the cycle of formation–destruction of the 18° ± 1°C layer in the North Atlantic. Using remotely sensed sea surface temperatures and air–sea heat flux estimates based on both analyzed meteorological fields and ocean data–model syntheses for the 3-yr period from 2004 to 2006, the authors find that Eighteen Degree Water (EDW) is formed by air–sea heat fluxes in the western part of the subtropical gyre, just south of the Gulf Stream. The f...
Response Bias: Effect on Outcomes Evaluation by Mail Surveys After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: Mail survey questionnaires are increasingly being used for follow-up evaluations to gauge satisfaction and performance after total joint arthroplasty. Responses to questionnaires are subject to a variety of possible biases. We evaluated response behavior in a mail survey of patients who had had a total knee arthroplasty. Methods: A ten-question survey that evaluated satisfaction, general health, and Knee Society knee function and clinical scores was mailed to 472 patients who had undergone consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties from 1996 to 1998. The 83% who responded were stratified as early, late, and repeat-mailing responders. The 17% who failed to respond after two mailings were considered nonresponders. All of the nonresponders were eventually contacted. The groups were compared with regard to their scores at the preoperative office visit, at the most recent office visit, and on the mail survey. Results: In the mail survey, the patients who responded earliest gave the highest satisfaction ratings and the nonresponders gave the poorest ratings (p < 0.001). Similarly, the mean Knee Society knee score (and standard deviation) was significantly higher for the early responders (82.7 ± 19.0) than for the nonresponders (66.9 ± 16.0), as was the mean function score (68.8 ± 24.1 compared with 48.4 ± 12.5) and the mean pain score (39.8 ± 13.9 compared with 27.0 ± 9.7) (all p < 0.0001). The change between the preoperative and mail survey Knee Society knee scores was significantly higher for the early responders (46.12 ± 25.71) than for the nonresponders (28.45 ± 23.62), as was the change in the mean function scores (18.87 ± 22.52 compared with 5.34 ± 20.05) and the change in the mean pain scores (23.57 ± 17.76 compared with 10.67 ± 12.93) (all p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Patients who do not respond to mail surveys used for follow-up are unique in that they report significantly poorer outcomes than do responders. This potential response bias should be considered in all follow-up analyses. Because it may be difficult to attain 100% response rates in very large series of patients, division of the study cohort into more manageable segments is advised to achieve a more complete response rate. The assessment of patients who are lost to follow-up is an important and necessary component in the accurate analysis of outcomes after arthroplasty.
Varactor Loaded Tunable Printed PIFA

Varactor tuned printed planar inverted-F antennas (PIFA) are investigated. The low-proflle printed antennas are fabricated together with the layouts of its DC control circuits and other RF/base- band circuit footprints. A surface mounted (SMT) varactor is applied as a frequency-tuning element at the middle of the long radiating arm in PIFA. Passive lumped DC bias circuits are implemented with good isolation. Both single and dual-band varactor tuned PIFA antennas are investigated. For a single-band PIFA, prototype designs show the in-band frequency (return loss is <10dB) is tunable from 1.6GHz to 2.3GHz when the bias voltage varies from 0V to 9.5V. Measured results show about 70»75% e-ciency and 2»3dB maximum gain. For a dual band PIFA with two varactor loadings, both the 800»900MHz and 1.7»2.2GHz bands are tuned individually by a varactor. By varying low-band capacitance, the operation frequency is tuned from 780MHz to 1020MHz, with little change on the higher frequency band. By varying high-band capacitance, the operation frequency is tuned from 1700MHz to 2140MHz, with little change on the lower frequency. Measurement shows antenna radiation e-ciencies within operation bands are about 55% at the low band and about 45% at the high band. The proposed frequency reconflgurable antennas could be useful for personal mobile terminal applications.
Ambulance collisions in an urban environment.

INTRODUCTION: Decisions to send an ambulance with or without lights and siren are made every day. While travel with lights and siren is presumed to have relatively more risk associated with it than travel without, little epidemiologic analysis has been conducted to compare the two modes of travel or to characterize collisions in general. OBJECTIVE: To characterize ambulance collisions and assess the risk of traveling with lights and siren in an urban 9-1-1 environment. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all consecutive ambulance collisions of the Paramedic Division of the San Francisco Department of Public Health during a 27-month period. RESULTS: The overall collision rate for lights and siren (LS) travel was higher than that for non-lights and siren travel, although the difference was not statistically significant (45.9 collisions per 100,000 LS patient travels, 95% confidence limits 29.7, 62.1, versus 27.0/100,000 for non-LS travel, 95% confidence limits 18.3, 35.7). However, the rates of resulting injuries displayed a statistically significant difference (22.2 injuries per 100,000 LS patient travel, 95% confidence limits 11.0, 33.5, versus 1.5/100,000 for non-LS travel, 95% confidence limits -0.6, 3.5). While the majority of collisions (60.0%) occurred during patient-related travel, 35.6% occurred while the ambulance was available awaiting assignment, and 4.4% in a hospital parking lot. The majority of collisions were due to inattention, failure of on-coming traffic to yield, or unsafe parking; unsafe speed was an infrequent cause. Most crashes occurred during daylight, in dry weather, and involved another vehicle. CONCLUSION: There is some elevated risk for collision and added injury during lights and siren travel compared to travel without LS. The causes for these collisions suggest that interventions designed to improve driver skills and increase citizen awareness of an approaching ambulance could help reduce the number of collisions. Language: en
Rates of Crime and Unemployment: An Analysis of Aggregate Research Evidence

The unemployment/crime rate relationship (U-C) has been described recently as “inconsistent,” “insignificant,” and “weak.” Prior assessments of the U-C relationship have used no more than 18 U-C studies, and no more than 7 with 1970s data. In this paper, I review the findings of 63 U-C studies, 40 of which involve data from the 1970s when unemployment rose dramatically. My analysis shows the conditional nature of the U-C relationship. Property crimes, 1970s data, and sub-national levels of aggregation produce consistently positive and frequently significant U-C results. I discuss the implications of these results and argue that it is premature to abandon “this now well-plowed terrain” and suggest potentially fruitful paths for future studies of the U-C relationship.
Specificity and mechanism of metal ion activation in UDP-galactose:beta -galactoside-alpha -1,3-galactosyltransferase

UDP-galactose:beta-galactosyl-alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase (alpha3GT) catalyzes the synthesis of galactosyl-alpha-1,3-beta-galactosyl structures in mammalian glycoconjugates. In humans the gene for alpha3GT is inactivated, and its product, the alpha-Gal epitope, is the target of a large fraction of natural antibodies. alpha3GT is a member of a family of metal-dependent-retaining glycosyltransferases that includes the histo blood group A and B enzymes. Mn(2+) activates the catalytic domain of alpha3GT (alpha3GTcd), but the affinity reported for this ion is very low relative to physiological levels. Enzyme activity over a wide range of metal ion concentrations indicates a dependence on Mn(2+) binding to two sites. At physiological metal ion concentrations, Zn(2+) gives higher levels of activity and may be the natural cofactor. To determine the role of the cation, metal activation was perturbed by substituting Co(2+) and Zn(2+) for Mn(2+) and by mutagenesis of a conserved D(149)VD(151) sequence motif that is considered to act in cation binding in many glycosyltransferases. The aspartates of this motif were found to be essential for activity, and the kinetic properties of a Val(150) to Ala mutant with reduced activity were determined. The results indicate that the cofactor is involved in binding UDP-galactose and has a crucial influence on catalytic efficiency for galactose transfer and for the low endogenous UDP-galactose hydrolase activity. It may therefore interact with one or more phosphates of UDP-galactose in the Michaelis complex and in the transition state for cleavage of the UDP to galactose bond. The DXD motif conserved in many glycosyltransferases appears to have a key role in metal-mediated donor substrate binding and phosphate-sugar bond cleavage.
Avian influenza virus subtypes inside and outside the live bird markets, 1993-2000: a spatial and temporal relationship.

SUMMARY. Between 1993 and 2000, gallinaceous birds, waterfowl, and environmental specimens from the live bird markets (LBMs) of the northeastern United States and non-LBM premises were tested for the presence of avian influenza virus (AIV), pathogenic properties of AIV subtypes, especially of hemagglutinin (H) subtypes H5 and H7, and a possible association between LBM and non-LBM infections. Ten H subtypes of AIV were isolated from the LBM specimens: H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, H7, H9, H10, and H11. During this period, the 10 subtypes also were isolated from birds in non-LBM premises. In the LBMs, subtypes H2, H3, H4, H6, H7, and H11 were present for 5–8 yr despite efforts to clean and disinfect the premises. The H5 or H7 subtypes present during the same year in both LBMs and non-LBMs within a state or in contiguous states were (subtype/year): H5N2/1993, 1999, and H7N2/1994–99. The AIV subtypes including the H5 and H7 that were evaluated for pathogenicity in chickens were low pathogenic. The deduced amino aci...
A Working Model of Mentors’ Contributions to Youth Mentoring Relationship Quality: Insights From Research on Psychotherapy

Mentoring is a flexible approach to youth development that can promote positive outcomes through informal learning. Not all mentoring relationships are beneficial, however, as lower quality mentoring relationships tend to have little effect. A mentor’s overall approach to the relationship has been found to influence relationship quality. But what does it take to engage a young person in such a relationship and sustain it over time? In this paper, I draw from the research on psychotherapy and other related literatures to briefly sketch out a working model for the determinants of mentoring relationship quality and then focus in detail on one of these—the contributions of the mentor.
Die Personalfürsorge in der Industrie

Ich kann mir vorstellen, das diejenigen meiner Leser, die selbst an leitender Stelle in der Industrie tatig sind, nach der Lekture der vorausgehenden Kapitel etwa folgendermasen argumentieren werden: „Sie haben ausfuhrlich dargelegt, das wir, die Fuhrer der Industrie, es nicht vermocht haben, unseren Arbeitern angemessene Moglichkeiten fur ein soziales Leben zu schaffen. Sicherlich besteht in der Industrie eine bestimmte Spannung zwischen der Betriebsleitung und der Arbeiterschaft, aber wir unsererseits besitzen keineswegs unbegrenzte Geldmittel. Wir mussen im Rahmen unseres Etats arbeiten und die berechtigten Anspruche unserer Aktionare berucksichtigen. Trotzdem ist es nicht richtig, das das Gluck und Wohlergehen unserer Arbeiter bei dem fortschrittlichen Typ des Betriebsleiters nicht an erster Stelle stunde, oder das wir nicht sowohl Zeit als auch Geld zur Forderung dieser Ziele aufbrachten.“
Communication by Other Means

In the aftermath of the accounting scandals and stock collapses of Enron, WorldCom, et al., much was made of "conflicted" securities analysts - so much, in fact, that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act prohibits a conflicted analyst from issuing reports on securities that the analyst's firm is underwriting. But the analyst research report, and the promise to issue the report prior to the time of the offering, allowed the underwriter and issuer a means to communicate an underlying degree of confidence to the marketplace. The underwriter was putting its money on the line by committing ahead of time, on the basis of what it knew before the offering, to a positive recommendation. The threat of fraud liability under the Exchange Act, and damage to the underwriter's reputation, provided a check upon untruthful disclosures in those communications. Disclosure of the nature of the conflicts of interest - which were required by National Association of Securities Dealers rules well before the recent analyst scandals - provided the market with the information it needed to evaluate and discount the analyst reports accordingly.
Class and Social Status in the Lydia Pinkham Illustrated Ads: 1890–1900

The illustrated advertisements produced by the Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company during the 1890s were unique among newspaper advertisements of the period. They created rich images portraying women in a variety of social settings and were very close in format to the articles being published on the popular women's and society pages. Though the company's target audience was lower- and working-class women, the majority of the illustrated advertisements portrayed middle- and upper-class women, pioneering what became the advertising strategy of appealing to the public's desire for upward mobility.
Losses in Investment-Grade Tranches of Synthetic CDO's: A Large Deviations Analysis

Rare events are an important part of the financial world. For instance, investment-grade financial products by design should suffer losses only rarely. In many cases, this is accomplished by pooling a large number of assets and trancheing the losses. This often leads to a very complex system. We the theory of large deviations, a collection of tools for studying the origination and transformations of rare events, to address some of these issues in losses in senior tranches of synthetic collateralized debt obligations, which in some sense is an archetype of structured finance. Our calculations are fairly self-contained.
Surveillance Results of In-school Unintentional Injuries among Primary and Middle School Students in Shenzhen during 2009-2010

[Objective]To explore the risk factors of in-school unintentional injuries among primary and middle school students,provide the reference for prevention and control of student unintentional injury.[Methods]The active sentinel surveillance was conducted in 21 primary and middle schools in Shenzhen during the period of 2009 to 2010 school year.The Cards for injury report of primary and middle school students in Shenzhen were filled in after injury,and were reported to Center for Disease Control and Prevention by school doctors.[Results]A total of 212 in-school unintentional injury cases were reported,the incidence was 0.53%.The average age was(13.83±3.031) years old.The incidence of males students were higher than that of female students(χ2=101.18,P0.01).Most injury wound occurred in upper 1imb(49.50%),lower limb(28.8%) and head(15.6%).The major injury types were drop and fall(38.2%),sharp injury(24.1%) and sport-related injury.The consequences of injury were fracture(33.5%),contusion(24.1%),open injury(24.1%) and sprain(5.2%).93.60% of students got fully recovered after injury.[Conclusion]The control and prevention of in-school unintentional injuries should be based on community,focus on mutual responsibility,require intersectional and interdisciplinary collaboration,strengthen the level of school safety management,so as to reduce the incidence of unintentional injury in schools.
Predicting heavy alcohol use in college students: interactions among socialization of coping, alcohol use onset, and physiological reactivity

Objective:Early age at onset of alcohol use is a risk factor for later heavy alcohol use, but some individuals are buffered from this risk. To better understand this process, this study investigated the interactive contributions of parental coping suggestions, skin conductance level reactivity (SCLR), and age at onset of alcohol use on heavy alcohol use in college students.Method:College students (N = 146, 77% female) reported their age at onset of alcohol use, frequency of recent heavy alcohol use, and their parents’ coping suggestions; SCLR was monitored as participants completed a laboratory challenge task. In addition, students’ parents (N = 73, 77% mothers) reported on their coping suggestions.Results:Results indicated that in the presence of physiological risk only (blunted SCLR, late age at onset of alcohol use), higher frequencies of engagement and disengagement parental coping suggestions were protective against heavy alcohol use in college students. However, if both risk factors were present (bl...
The Design of a CRT Computer Terminal—A Human Factors Dream or Nightmare?

Designing a CRT-type computer terminal within a short period of time is a significant challenge to engineers, the marketing staff, and the human factors specialists. During the entire design phase of a new CRT terminal,1 human factors requirements were generated using a number of techniques including empirical studies, evaluations, and application of basic human factors data and techniques. This paper (1) describes in detail how the human factors requirements were determined and (2) illustrates how human factors can have total involvement in a product, from initial conceptualization to hardware testing.
The Employee Engagement Scale: Initial Evidence for Construct Validity and Implications for Theory and Practice

Interest in the employee engagement construct has gained increasing attention in recent years. Measurement tools focused on nuanced areas of engagement (i.e., job engagement and organizational engagement) have been offered; however, no measure of employee engagement has been advanced despite persistent calls in the research. We present the development, method, and results of a three-dimensional employee engagement measurement tool developed for use in the human resource and management fields of study. Across four independent studies, the employee engagement scale (EES) was found to consist of three subfactors (cognitive, emotional, and behavioral) and a higher-order factor (employee engagement). Across a series of four studies, we explored the factor structure and reliability of the EES (Study 1), then refined the scale, confirmed the factor structure, and examined reliability and both convergent and nomological validity evidence (Study 2). Next (Study 3), we completed a final reduction in scale items and examined additional evidence of reliability and nomological validity as well as evidence of discriminant validity. Finally (Study 4), we tested for evidence of incremental validity. In the implications for theory and practice section, we discuss the importance of an employee engagement measure aligned alongside an agreed-upon definition and framework. Limitations and future directions for research—such as the need for further psychometric testing and exploring issues of measurement invariance—are discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Social media engagement: What motivates user participation and consumption on YouTube?

Abstract This study unearths the motives for YouTube user engagement that has been conceptualized as active participation and passive content consumption. In light of the Uses and Gratifications framework, a sample of 1143 registered YouTube users completed online surveys that helped gauge user behavior. Results showed that for participation on YouTube, the strongest predictor for liking and disliking videos was the relaxing entertainment motive; commenting and uploading being strongly predicted by social interaction motive; sharing being strongly predicted by information giving motive. Passive content consumption in the form of video viewing was most strongly predicted by relaxing entertainment motive, and reading comments predicted by information seeking motive. Greater YouTube experience negatively predicted liking, and anonymity played a role in sharing and uploading videos. Males were more likely to dislike YouTube videos in comparison with females.
Impact of decadal cloud variations on the Earth/'s energy budget

Cloud feedbacks strongly influence the magnitude of global warming. Climate model simulations show that these feedbacks vary strongly as the spatial patterns of sea surface temperatures change over time.
Dietary blueberry improves cognition among older adults in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

As populations shift to include a larger proportion of older adults, the necessity of research targeting older populations is becoming increasingly apparent. Dietary interventions with blueberry have been associated with positive outcomes in cell and rodent models of aging. We hypothesized that dietary blueberry would improve mobility and cognition among older adults. In this study, 13 men and 24 women, between the ages of 60 and 75 years, were recruited into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which they consumed either freeze-dried blueberry (24 g/day, equivalent to 1 cup of fresh blueberries) or a blueberry placebo for 90 days. Participants completed a battery of balance, gait, and cognitive tests at baseline and again at 45 and 90 days of intervention. Significant supplement group by study visit interactions were observed on tests of executive function. Participants in the blueberry group showed significantly fewer repetition errors in the California Verbal Learning test (p = 0.031, ηp 2 = 0.126) and reduced switch cost on a task-switching test (p = 0.033, ηp 2 = 0.09) across study visits, relative to controls. However, no improvement in gait or balance was observed. These findings show that the addition of easily achievable quantities of blueberry to the diets of older adults can improve some aspects of cognition.
Feluda on Feluda: a letter to Topshe

This article is written as a letter by ‘Feluda,’ Satyajit Ray’s detective hero (formally named as Prodosh C. Mitter) to his cousin/assistant Topshe (Tapesh Ranjan Mitter). The choice of format enab...
Assessing the Biochar Effects on Selected Physical Properties of a Sandy Soil: An Analytical Approach

Biochar application to soils is a promising practice with agronomic and environmental benefits. Our analysis is based on an experiment in which soil columns were incubated with three biochar applic...
THE EFFECT of ONE-ON-ONE INTERVENTION in ATHLETES with MULTIPLE RISK FACTORS for INJURY.

Background Lower extremity injuries in soccer players are extremely common. Implementation of group injury prevention programs has gained popularity due to time and cost-effectiveness. Unfortunately, players with greater number of risk factors are most likely to sustain an injury, yet less likely to benefit from a group injury prevention program. The purpose of this study was to determine if targeting these high risk players with one-on-one treatment would result in a reduction in the number of risk factors they possess. The authors hypothesized that fifty percent or more of subjects receiving one-on-one intervention would have a reduction of ≥1 risk factor(s). Study Design Quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design. Methods Division I men's and women's soccer players were screened for modifiable risk factors using a battery of tests which assessed mobility, fundamental movement pattern performance, motor control, and pain. Players with ≥ 3 risk factors ("high risk") received one-on-one treatment from a physical therapist via an algorithm twice per week for four weeks. Players with < 3 risk factors ("low risk") did not receive one-on-one intervention. Results The proportion of treatment successes in the intervention group was 0.923 (95% CI 0.640-0.998). A significant proportion of high risk subjects (0.846) became low risk at posttest (p = 0.003). A significant between group difference was noted in risk factor change from pretest to posttest (p = 0.002), with the median risk factor change in the intervention group being -3. Conclusion Utilizing one-on-one interventions designed to target evidence-based risk factors is an effective strategy to eliminate LE musculoskeletal injury risk factors in high risk individuals. Levels of Evidence 2b.
Wireless resistive analog passive temperature sensors for smart & connected community

Next generation smart and connected community (SCC) requires novel low-power technologies that will disperse in the environment to seamlessly collect data. Thus new technologies for wearables need to address this challenge to enhance mobile health (mHealth). As such, we are developing fully-passive body-worn Wireless Resistive Analog Passive (WRAP) sensors using inkjet printing (IJP) technology for various physiological signal monitoring. In this work, we present two WRAP temperature sensors to monitor core-body temperature. The paper outlines the designs, layouts, and functional test results. In one design, a manual switch is utilized to measure relative change due to the temperature sensor (NTC) in contrast to a known load. In the other design, an automated version is presented where the switching is performed with a RC-delayed transistor. The signal transition occurs after the RC-delay, where R is the resistance of the NTC. Functional evaluation shows change of transition time for different temperatures. Quantitative characterizations are currently being conducted. In combination with other WRAP sensors under development, this novel technology has promise to detect various diseases at home using smartphones that will enhance mHealth capabilities for improved SCC health.
The demonstration of pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia with tumorlets in a patient with chronic cough and a history of multiple medical problems.

ABSTRACT A 58-year-old woman presented with chronic cough felt to be multifactorial secondary to asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic sinusitis. Additional medical history included obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. She had a 40-year history of tobacco use, but quit 10 years ago. Her examination was significant for obesity and cobble stoning of the oropharynx. Pulmonary function testing and arterial blood gases were unrevealing. Chest films were normal. High-resolution computed tomography revealed multiple focal lucencies in a mosaic pattern consistent with air trapping and small airways disease. Bronchoscopy revealed normal airways and a noninflammatory bronchoalveolar lavage. Transbronchial biopsies revealed inflammatory infiltrates of the peribronchiolar interstitium. Lung biopsy revealed pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia with tumorlets that stained positive for neuroendocrine tissue. We present the case of a woman with chronic cough, multiple medical pr...
Ternary Alloys of Titanium-Niobium with Simple Metals

This chapter deals with the effects of the so-called “simple metals” on the superconducting properties of Ti-Nb alloys. Simple metals to be considered, listed in order of increasing atomic number, are: Al, Si, Cu, Ga, Ge, Y, Ag, In, Sn, Sb, Au, Pb, and U. The treatment proceeds in that order, excepting that the effects of Cu and Ge additions which have been dealt with quite extensively in the literature are considered separately and sequentially in the latter part of the chapter.
Enabling, promoting and protecting the entrepreneur, philanthropist, entrepreneur-philanthropist, and the American way of life

The chapter focuses on how core principles in America’s Declaration of Independence and the Constitution have shaped opportunity recognition and risk taking characteristics shared by entrepreneurs and certain approaches to philanthropy. Of particular focus are principles that relate to the “pursuit of happiness” and “blessings of liberty.” The chapter asserts that America’s extensive entrepreneurship and philanthropy experiences both are made possible by these principles and are exemplars or manifestations of these principles in action. By advancing these core American principles this paper contends that we can expand on centuries-old traditions of hard work, innovation, and creativity that has contributed so much to economic growth, individual opportunity, improved quality of life, and advances in human welfare.
Adenosine Improves Cerebral Recovery in Rat after Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation

Cardiac arrest and resuscitation produce global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion damage to the brain, which lead to high mortality and delayed neuronal death. Adenosine (ADO) has been suggested as an endogenous neuroprotective molecule, acting through multiple potential mechanisms (Sweeney, 1997). In this study we investigated the possible neuroprotective effects of adenosine on cerebral recovery following global ischemia induced by cardiac arrest and resuscitation.
SOLID STATE FORMATION OF BARIUM, STRONTIUM AND LEAD FELDSPARS IN CLAY- SULFATE MIXTURES

Mixtures of kao;in-type clays and sulfates with theoretical compositions of the barium, strontium, and lead feldspars were x rayed continuously during heating to 1400 deg C at a rate of 5 deg C per minute. Formation of the feldspars in the solid state is characterized by the appearance of a metastable phase with a structure similar to hexagonal celsian and hexagonal anorthite. The barium hexagonal phase is very persistent. Prolonged heating is necessary to convert it completely to the feldspar, the conversion proceeding more rapidly with increasing temperature. The strontium and lead hexagonal phases are, however, very unstable, having been detected only during continuous x-ray investigation. They also change to the feldspars, the change occurring more rapidly with increasing temperature. The presence of small amounts of impurities has a marked effect on the formation temperatures and reaction rates. Titania tends to lower formation temperatures of the reaction products and to enhance the x-ray diffraction maxima. Potash tends to inhibit formation of the hexagonal phases and to promote formation of the feldspars in the barium and strontium compositions but has little effect on the lead phases. (auth)
TIGIT checkpoint inhibition for myeloma.

In this issue of Blood, 2 companion papers by Guillerey et al1 and Minnie et al2 investigate mechanisms underlying immune effector dysfunction in myeloma and highlight T-cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domains (TIGIT) blockade as a novel checkpoint inhibition strategy.
Crowd Dynamics in Virtual Reality

Collecting empirical data on crowd dynamics is challenging. The methods available to researchers typically need to compromise between ecological validity and experimental control. The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate that virtual reality (VR) offers a promising solution to the dilemma. The first section of this chapter introduces VR as a research tool and touches on its strengths and weaknesses. The second section covers a range of studies in which VR was used to study crowds, beginning with a discussion of differences between human behavior in real and virtual settings (e.g., walking and social interactions). Using the behavioral dynamics framework as a theoretical foundation, several studies demonstrating that people coordinate dynamically with their neighbors in a crowd are presented, contributing toward a data-driven approach to modeling human crowds. Then, a series of VR studies that cover various aspects of crowd behavior in emergency evacuation scenarios are introduced, covering topics such as evacuation decision-making, way-finding, and exit choice when people evacuate in a crowd. Finally, the third section of this chapter offers an outlook on the road ahead, discussing some of the technical and methodological challenges for VR as a research tool.
Regio- and Stereoselective Cross-Coupling of Substituted Olefins and Imines. A Convergent Stereoselective Synthesis of Saturated 1,5-Aminoalcohols and Substituted Piperidines

A mild and efficient alkoxide-directed C−C bond-forming reaction is described that provides a regio- and stereoselective route to 1,5-aminoalcohols based on cross-coupling of substituted olefins an...
Lignin Biopolymers in the Age of Controlled Polymerization

Polymers made from natural biomass are gaining interest due to the rising environmental concerns and depletion of petrochemical resources. Lignin isolated from lignocellulosic biomass is the second most abundant natural polymer next to cellulose. The paper pulp process produces industrial lignin as a byproduct that is mostly used for energy and has less significant utility in materials applications. High abundance, rich chemical functionalities, CO2 neutrality, reinforcing properties, antioxidant and UV blocking abilities, as well as environmental friendliness, make lignin an interesting substrate for materials and chemical development. However, poor processability, low reactivity, and intrinsic structural heterogeneity limit lignins' polymeric applications in high-performance advanced materials. With the advent of controlled polymerization methods such as ATRP, RAFT, and ADMET, there has been a great interest in academia and industry to make value-added polymeric materials from lignin. This review focuses on recent investigations that utilize controlled polymerization methods to generate novel lignin-based polymeric materials. Polymers developed from lignin-based monomers, various polymer grafting technologies, copolymer properties, and their applications are discussed.
Spotlight from the American Society for Preventive Cardiology on Key Features of the 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guidelines on the Management of Blood Cholesterol

The 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol retains focus on recommendations for statin treatment in the original four statin-eligible groups [those with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), diabetes, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥ 190 mg/dL, and higher risk primary prevention] without the use of treatment initiation or target LDL-C levels from the earlier 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guideline, but has several new features. First, patients with primary prevention are divided into those who are at low (< 5%), borderline (5% to < 7.5%), intermediate (7.5% to < 20%), and high (≥ 20%) risk based on the ASCVD risk estimator. Moreover, the new guideline goes further to consider a wider range of factors [now called “risk enhancers”—premature family history of ASCVD, persistently high LDL-C, chronic kidney disease (CKD), metabolic syndrome, conditions specific to women, inflammatory diseases, and high-risk ethnicities] that can be used to better inform the treatment decision. Moreover, more detailed recommendations on how the results of coronary calcium scanning can be used to inform the treatment decision are provided, including how it may be used to “de-risk” certain patients for delaying or avoiding the use of statin therapy. There are also specific sections for cholesterol management in other patient subgroups including women, children, certain ethnic groups, those with CKD, chronic inflammatory disorders and HIV, as well as discussion on the management of hypertriglyceridemia. Importantly, for persons with known ASCVD, a distinction is made for those who are at “very high risk” based on having had two major ASCVD events or one major event and two or more other high risk conditions, such as diabetes or other major risk factors, or bypass surgery or percutaneous intervention. Finally, the concept of a threshold LDL-C for initiating a non-statin therapy (after considering highest tolerated statin dosage) is provided, with ezetimibe recommended as the key non-statin to be added if the LDL-C still remains ≥ 70 mg/dL for all ASCVD patients, and in those who are at “very high risk”, further consideration for using a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor. While the new guideline does have greater detail (and arguably, complexity), the refinements provide a strategy for guiding the clinician to target both statin and non-statin therapy to those most likely to derive benefit.
Time Scales Nabla Iyengar Inequalities

Here we present the necessary background on nabla time scales approach. Then we give general related time scales nabla Iyengar type inequalities for all basic norms. We finish with applications to specific time scales like \( \mathbb {R},\) \(\mathbb {Z}\) and \(q^{\overline{\mathbb {Z}}}\), \(q>1.\) See also [4].
Flattening the curve in oncologic surgery: Impact of Covid-19 on surgery at tertiary care cancer center.

INTRODUCTION: Covid-19 has ushered in drastic changes to the healthcare system in order to "flatten the curve"; in particular, surgical operations that can consume vital, limited resources, not to mention the risk to staff, anesthesiologists, and surgeons. However, under unique circumstances with diligent preparation, vital oncologic operations can be performed safely. METHODS: Prospective comparison of surgical cases during the pandemic from December 2019 to May 2020 to the correlating time frame from December 2018 to May 2019. RESULTS: A significant decline in case volume was not appreciated until the United States declared a national state of emergency, allowing patients with cancer to continue to undergo curative tumor resection until then (428.3 ± 51.5 vs 166.6 ± 59.8 cases/week; P < .001). The decrease was consistent with the mean case volume during the holidays (213.8 ± 76.8 vs 166.6 ± 59.8 case/week; P = .648). Evaluation of surgical subspecialties demonstrated a significant decrease for all subspecialties with the greatest decline in sarcoma (P = .002) and endocrine (P = .001) surgeries, while vascular (P = .004) and thoracic (P = .011) surgeries had the least. CONCLUSIONS: The novel coronavirus has drastically reduced oncologic operations, but with proper evaluation of patients and allocation of resources, surgery can be performed safely without compromising the aim to flatten the curve and control the coronavirus pandemic.
Imperfect Condition-Based Maintenance Strategy for a Deteriorating Rail Track System with Multiple Competitive Failure Modes

AbstractThis paper modeled rail track segments subject to multiple competitive failure modes and shock deterioration processes caused by passing trains. To determine the optimal inspection interval...
Strategic Pathways for Interdisciplinary Design Education

Pathways for understanding critical components of interdisciplinary design education are necessary in the expanding universe of design. As the design of interactive products, environments, systems, and services expands, the shift has been profound for an academy historically immersed in product design education. New disciplines think and work differently. Facilities are often outdated and are not well-designed or equipped for interactive learning. Some collaborative partners are overly bureaucratic, isolated, and often have low budgets. Understanding the critical components of interdisciplinary design education is key to the development of new and more effective models. The author draws from over four decades of experience in education conducting interdisciplinary product design studies for industry.
Localism “Reimagined”: Building a Robust Localist Paradigm for Overcoming Emerging Conservation Challenges

Governance gaps at both the federal and state level increasingly necessitate local action and remain a key driver of community-based solutions. A localist paradigm-encompassing models such as community-based management, citizen science, and cooperative research-offers a promising approach for bridging governance gaps by engaging citizens, co-producing knowledge, fostering trust, and developing innovative solutions to address complex conservation challenges. Yet, despite notable successes, significant barriers constrain widespread implementation of localist approaches. This is particularly evident in natural resource-dependent communities. Rural communities are increasingly faced with a range of conservation challenges related to rapid climate and land-use changes but often they lack the capacity to support locally based initiatives to better anticipate, plan for, and mitigate these changes. We examined four diverse conservation cases based on localist approaches in Maine, USA, to bring to the fore key factors that influence outcomes in different social-ecological contexts. We compared cases along three frequently discussed dimensions-governance systems, social adaptive capacities, and technology and data characteristics and found that localist outcomes vary widely depending on key metrics within each of these dimensions. There is no single way to advance localism, but we offer multiple ways to incorporate a community-based perspective into management. This synthesis of data from our collective participatory research projects provides guidance to maximize the potential of localist conservation approaches in complex social and biophysical arenas.
H → ggg(gqq) at two loops in the large-Mt limit

We present a calculation of the two-loop helicity amplitudes for the processes H → ggg and H → gqq in the large-Mt limit. In this limit the calculation can be performed in terms of one-loop diagrams containing an effective Hgg operator. These amplitudes are required for the next-to-leading order (NLO) corrections to the Higgs transverse momentum distribution and the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) corrections to the Higgs production cross section via the gluon fusion mechanism.
From Identity to Enaction: Identity Behavior Theory

The article deals with the meaning of identity in action regulation. A strengths-based action model, Identity Behavior Theory (IBT), is concerned with the role that identity plays in the prediction of behavioral enaction, and implications for education, science, and clinical practice. With this respect the article explores and discusses how enacted behavior, including intention and action, depends on level of subscription to identity as well as on resilience and attitudes that are related to such a behavior. The article also illustrates fields of application of IBT, use of IBT with underrepresented and marginalized groups, and as an instrument for assessing and testing possible effects of resilience, attitudes, and identity on the enacted behavior. IBT is now used to examine behavior in a variety of educational contexts in the United States, and more studies are needed to satisfactorily validate application of the model empirically.
Opicapone for the treatment of Parkinson's disease: a review.

Purpose: Levodopa formulations are the workhorses of the labor against motor symptoms management in Parkinson's disease (PD). Progression of PD on levodopa inevitably leads to motor fluctuations. It is important to understand the safety and efficacy of opicapone, the most recent addition to the clinician's armamentarium against these fluctuations.Materials and Methods: We review the development of COMT inhibitors in the treatment of PD as well as the efficacy and safety data reported in the currently published literature of opicapone in PD. The "currently published literature" is defined as all published, PubMed indexed trials including the word "opicapone." Finally, we compare opicapone to the competitor pharmaceuticals on the market to treat symptom fluctuations in PD and share our opinion of opicapone's place in clinical practice.Results: From the reported results of phase 3 and 4 trials of opicapone in PD, it is a safe and efficacious option to combat motor fluctuations for our PD patients taking levodopa. A reduction of "off" time by up to 1 h per day can be expected, increasing "on" time with fewer dyskinesias. Opicapone is not generally hepatotoxic, and the most reported side-effects-dyskinesia, dry mouth, dizziness, diarrhea, and constipation-were seen in only 1.4% of the OPTIPARK (a large phase 4 clinical trial) study population.Conclusions: One should consider utilizing opicapone, perhaps in combination with other augmenting medications with different mechanisms of action, to help treat motor and non-motor fluctuations in PD.
Pain Intensity and Pain Interference in People With Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Compared With People With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Abstract Objective To describe pain intensity and interference in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), compare these with people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), and identify common and unique factors associated with pain intensity in people with progressive MS and RRMS. Design Observational, cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from a longitudinal survey on quality of life in participants with MS. Setting Community. Participants A total of 573 adults with MS (N=573; progressive MS, n=142; RRMS, n=431). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Average pain intensity was measured by an 11-point numeric rating scale, and pain interference was measured by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference Short Form. Results Participants with progressive MS reported moderate average pain intensity (3.22±2.50) and elevated pain interference (T score of 55.55±9.13). They did not differ significantly from those with RRMS in average pain intensity or pain interference. Common factors associated with higher average pain intensity were more severe disability, lower education level, unemployment, and current smoking. In those with progressive MS, older age was associated with lower average pain intensity. Conclusions Pain intensity and interference are similar across MS types. In addition to assessing and treating pain, it is important to screen for modifiable pain-related factors, such as smoking cessation, in this population.
Widening the Lens: Expanding the Research on Intimate Partner Violence in Black Communities

The purpose of this article is to further “widen the lens” by identifying future research directions. In the first section, I will briefly define intersectionality and highlight the survivors’ iden...