cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Site Description and Selection Process

Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen. In leading off this afternoon's session, I would like to establish a framework against which the papers that follow can be referenced. My discussion of the proposed tuff site at Yucca Mountain shall focus on:
Role of Ba2Cu3O5 for the formation of YBa2Cu4O8 in the presence of nitric acid

The formation mechanism of YBa2Cu4O8 in the presence of nitric acid was carefully studied by utilizing X-ray powder diffraction to monitor the reaction route. Contrary to the formation of YBa2Cu3O7-δ in which BaCuO2 was the dominant intermediate, an intermediate Ba2Cu3O5 was identified and its yield was proportional to the amount of the nitric acid present in the formation of YBa2Cu4O8. This seems to play an important role in determining the formation of the YBa2Cu4O8 phase. To confirm the existence of this intermediate, Ba2Cu3O5 was prepared from the same condition directly. Also, the structure similarity between Ba2Cu3O5 and BaCuO2 was discussed and emphasized.
Perforating and nonperforating Crohn's disease

Four hundred eighty-six patients who have had resections for Crohn's disease at the Cleveland Clinic were reviewed. The patients were categorized by indication for surgery into three groups: perforating (P) (135 patients), nonperforating (NP) (278 patients), and miscellaneous (M) (77) patients. One hundred ninety-four patients had two or more resections and 56 underwent a third resection. Patients were no more likely to have the same indication for surgery at the time of the second resection (P=25 percent; NP=44 percent; M=57 percent) or the third resection (P=11 percent; NP=65 percent; M=55 percent). There was also no difference in the interval between resections for the P and NP groups. The lack of agreement between resections suggests that the categorization of patients into P and NP groups does not facilitate prediction of the nature of recurrent disease. The concept of aggressive perforating and indolent nonperforating Crohn's is not substantiated by this study.
Epithelial Sodium Channels (ENaCs)

Amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium (Na+) channels (ENaCs) play a crucial role in Na+ transport and fluid reabsorption in the kidney, lung, and colon. ENaC is made up of three homologous subunits, α, β, and γ. The magnitude of ENaC-mediated Na+ transport in epithelial cells depends on the average open probability of the channels and the number of channels on the apical surface of epithelial cells. The open probability of ENaC depends upon the association of ENaCs with inositol lipid phosphates and association with a collection of chaperone proteins including calmodulin and MARCKS (myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate). MARCKS when associated with the membrane sequesters PIP2 and increases open probability and channel stability. The number of channels in the apical membrane, in turn, depends upon a balance between the rate of ENaC insertion and the rate of removal from the apical membrane. To this end, ENaC is associated with an additional collection of proteins, the ENaC regulatory complex (ERC) that contains proteins including SGK1, GILZ1, ERK, and Nedd4-2 that regulate channel stability in the membrane. The ERC under basal conditions contains several molecules including ERK and Nedd4-2 that inhibit ENaC activity. The C-terminal domain of all three subunits is intracellular and contains a proline-rich motif (PPxY) to which one isoform of the ubiquitin ligase, Nedd4-2 (neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein), binds, thereby, promoting ubiquitin conjugation of the channel subunits followed by internalization and degradation or recycling. In the presence of aldosterone, several proteins including SGK1, GILZ1, and MARCKS are recruited to the complex and stimulate ENaC activity. In addition, aldosterone promotes insertion of channels from intracellular pools and transcription/translation of new ENaC. Other agents that alter ENaC activity work by modulating PIP2 presentation to the channel or by altering the rate of retrieval, recycling, insertion, or transcription/translation of ENaC.
Reservoir evolution mode of Chegu 201 buried hill in Jiyang depression

Primary porosity is not developed in carbonate reservoir of buried hill,the secondary porosities such as solution porosity,cavern and fractures are mainly reservoir space.The present reservoir characteristic of buried hill is the integrative result of all kinds of diagenesis during tectogenesis.Yeli-Liangjiashan group underwent epidiagenesis and dolomitization and became the internal reservoir of buried hill during Huaiyuan movement.A lot of solution porosity and cavern were formed because of epidiagenesis during Caledonian movement,most of the porosities were filled by cements during subsequent burial process,but a part of porosities were preserved.Indosinian and Yashannian movements resulted in lots of faults and fractures in lower Paleozoic,reservoir spaces were reformed partly.Meteoric water leaked and dissolved the lower Paleozoic carbonate rock along faults in Paleogene because of differential upwarding of fault-block.The hills were buried completely form Neogene,diplex diaginesis of solution and filling by cements occurred in reservoir.The top unconformity of lower Paleozoic and dolomite rock of Yeli-Liangjiashan group are two very important reservoir strata.
Metastatic right ventricular mass with intracavitary obliteration.

Metastatic cardiac tumors are more common than the primary cardiac tumors. Cervical cancer metastasizing outside of the pelvis is commonly spread to the lungs, liver, bones and lymph nodes than to the heart. Right-sided metastasis to the heart is more common than to the left side. Intramural spread is more common than intracavitary growth of metastatic cardiac tumors leading to delayed clinical presentation. Intracavitary mass can be confused with intracavitary thrombus which can be seen in the setting of pulmonary embolism. Transthoracic echocardiography plays a major role in the decision making and management of pulmonary embolism, and this modality can also be used to diagnose cardiac masses. Other modalities like TEE, cardiac CT, cardiac MRI and PET-CT scan have further utility in delineating these masses. This may help to plan appropriate management of the right ventricular mass particularly in cases where the patient history and CT pulmonary angiography results favor the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. We present the case of a 49-year-old woman with a history of supracervical hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy on oral estrogen therapy who was admitted with complaints of pleuritic chest pain and respiratory insufficiency after a long flight. Initial work-up showed sub-segmental pulmonary embolus in the right posterior lower lobe pulmonary artery, and the patient was managed on intravenous heparin. Lack of appropriate response to standard therapy led to further evaluation. Multimodality imaging and biopsies revealed a large right intracavitary ventricular metastatic squamous cell tumor, with the cervix as the primary source. Keywords: metastatic right ventricular mass; pulmonary embolism (Published: 6 July 2016) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2016, 6 : 31679 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v6.31679
The Procedural Rhetorics of Mass Effect: Video Games as Argumentation in International Relations

Popular culture is a significant interest for scholars of International Relations and world politics. This article explores the capacity of video games to articulate, represent, and simulate the practice of international politics in both narrative and procedural capacities through a study of the highly popular Mass Effect science fiction series of video games. The introduction of procedural rhetoric as a means of textual criticism is argued to address existing concerns within the study of International Relations to articulate the significance of representation with cultural texts and to extend the implications of claims about science fiction as a compelling set of contingent arguments about the broader sphere of social life that constitutes International Relations.
Furosemide as an Agent Enhancing Peritoneal Dialysis Efficiency

Beneficial effect of furosemide /F/ on peritoneal sodium removal was reported by Giordano et al. /l/. Further publications show differences in evaluation of F action on peritoneal transfer of water, electrolytes and low molecular weight substances /2–6/. Thus, we decided to determine which way of F administration - intraperitoneal or intravenous - is more useful for augmenting peritoneal dialysis /PD/ efficiency.
The Effects of Literacy on the Earnings of Hispanics in the United States

In March 1989, close to 20 million persons (or about 8%) of the population of the United States was of Spanish origin. In recent years, the economic condition of Hispanics has received much attention, and studies examining the determinants of earnings among this group have proliferated (see, for instance, Bean & Tien-da, 1987; Borjas & Tienda, 1985; and DeFreitas, 1990). One aspect that has not received much attention in this literature is the role that literacy skills play in constraining the economic opportunities of Hispanics.
Trends and compositional changes in fertility: California circa 1970-1990.

Since 1970 California has been the prime destination of the high numbers of both legal and illegal U.S. entrants. Fertility consequences have been dramatic. Births to U.S.-born women, after the decline in the 1970s and mild rebound in the 1980s, neared the 1970 level of 325,000. Yet total births rose from 360,000 to 600,000 in 1992. White non-Hispanic women bore nearly 70% of births in 1970 but 38% in 1992; Hispanic women, 20% in 1970 and 44% in 1992; others (primarily Asian ancestry), 3% and 10% respectively; and blacks, 9% and 7.5%. In the same period the proportion of births to U.S. natives fell from 89% to 56%; that to Mexican nationals rose from 7% to 27% (a six-fold increase absolutely); and that to women of all other birthplaces rose from 3% to 18%. Filipino women (the second largest category of foreign-born women) have borne 2% of all births since 1980. The increase in Mexican-born mothers was especially sharp after 1985, while the estimated Hispanic TFR rose 30% to 3.5 children per woman. In 1992 California's TFR was 2.42—18% above the U.S. average. In 1970 nearly 95% of teen mothers were U.S.-born, and 20% were Hispanic. In 1992, 61% of teen mothers were U.S. nationals; 60% were Hispanic, over half of them Mexican-born. The large increase in births in the 1980s, especially those to cultures supporting early childbearing, presages a sharp increase in births beginning in 2000. Meanwhile, the 5 years' median schooling of Mexican migrants has resulted in a parallel decline in parental education. Given the positive correlation of parental education and school achievement and attainment, California can expect a decline in the latter and hence lower labor productivity, incomes, and tax revenues by the young adults of the twenty-first century.
Relationship Between Meditation Depth and Waking Salivary Alpha-Amylase Secretion Among Long-Term MBSR Instructors

The purpose of this study was to characterize sympathetic activity by using waking salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) concentrations in a group of long-term meditation instructors and to examine the association between meditation (depth, dose and duration) and the waking alpha-amylase response. Salivary alpha-amylase samples were collected (immediately upon waking and at 15-min, 30-min and 45-min intervals after waking) from mindfulness-based stress reduction instructors to determine both the area under the curve and the awakening slope (difference in alpha-amylase concentrations between waking and 30-min post-waking). It was determined through general linear models that neither years of meditation nor meditation dose were associated with the awakening sAA slope, but higher scores for meditation depth (greater depth) was associated with a more negative (or steeper) awakening slope [Quartile (Q)1: -7 versus Q4: -21 U/mL; p = 0.06], in fully adjusted models. Older age (p = 0.04) and a later time of waking (p < 0.01) also were associated with less negative awakening slope values. Smoking was associated with lower area under the curve values (smokers: 1716 U/mL versus nonsmokers: 2107 U/mL; p = 0.05) in fully adjusted models. The results suggest a 'healthy' sAA waking slope among individuals who meditate more deeply. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Libraries at the Crossroads of the Digital Content Divide: Pathways for Information Continuity in a Youth-Led Geospatial Technology Program

This article reviews the implementation and outcomes of a social action research, university-community partnership titled Building Information Technology Skills (BITS). BITS trains high school–age youth in geographic field methods to gather and analyze geospatial information as a means of fostering their civic engagement and motivation to persist in the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines. The program was designed from its inception to be culturally, historically, and geographically relevant. In order to accomplish this, the authors leveraged access to and use of the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection as a beginning point for the youth in the program to consider and focus on the relationships between place, history, and digital geospatial technologies. This was achieved by introducing the youth involved in the program to geographic information through an inventory of historic markers depicting African American sites of interest in Philadelphia. The primary aim o...
Measured Progress in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

> “…inspiration is easy. Implementation is the hard part.” > > –Bob Taylor, Taylor Guitars Eight months after Kouwenhoven et al1 published their 1960 landmark report of successful closed chest cardiac compressions for 2 children and 2 adults who developed perioperative cardiac arrest,1 a cardiologist provided that same closed chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the operating suite after my 4-year-old brother experienced cardiac arrest during induction of anesthesia. My brother is alive today because of published resuscitation science applied to practice. In 1961, Peter Safar proposed combining mouth-to-mouth ventilation with closed chest compressions in a poster for the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Heart Association (AHA), and the ABCs of CPR were born. In 1966, the National Academy of Sciences–National Research Council conference on CPR charged the AHA with teaching CPR to healthcare providers. In 1973, the second conference on CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care recommended expanding teaching of CPR to the lay public. This conference also recommended that the AHA establish resuscitation guidelines based on scientific data and develop standards for basic and advanced life support training. The American Red Cross and other organizations, such as the Citizen CPR Foundation, soon supported the lay rescuer CPR training effort. Great enthusiasm existed for the potential of CPR, but little scientific data on which to base recommendations, with more emphasis on teaching CPR skills than on measuring CPR outcomes. By 1991, the chain of survival provided a metaphor for the priorities of resuscitation and training, emphasizing early bystander recognition of cardiac arrest and access to the emergency medical …
I Can and So I Search More: Effects Of Memory Span On Search Behavior

Search effort is an important aspect of Interactive Information Retrieval (IIR). Prior findings show that higher cognitive ability searchers tend to perform more actions than lower ability searchers. In an eye-tracking lab study we investigated the effects of working memory (WM) on search effort. The findings show that higher WM searchers perform more actions and that most significant differences are in time spent on reading results pages. We also show that behavior of high and low WM searchers changes differently in the course of a search task performance.
Seasonally derived components of the Canada Basin halocline

The Arctic halocline stratification is an important barrier to transport of deep ocean heat to the underside of sea ice. Surface water in the Chukchi Sea, warmed in summer by solar radiation, ventilates the Canada Basin halocline to create a warm layer below the mixed-layer base. The year-round persistence of this layer is shown to be consistent with the seasonal cycle of halocline ventilation. We present hydrographic observations and model results to show how Chukchi Sea density outcrops migrate seasonally as surface fluxes modify salinity and temperature. This migration is such that in winter, isopycnals bounding the warm halocline are blocked from ventilation, while the cool, relatively salty and deeper halocline layers are ventilated. In this way, the warm halocline is isolated by stratification (both vertically and laterally) each winter. Results shed light on the fate and impact to sea ice of the warm halocline under future freshening and warming of the surface Arctic Ocean.
Surveillance for enterovirus D68 in colorado children reveals continued circulation.

Abstract Background The largest, most widespread outbreak of enterovirus D68 respiratory disease occurred from August to December of 2014 in the United States with 1153 confirmed infections in 49 states. The epidemiology of enterovirus D68 following the 2014 outbreak is unknown. Objectives This study seeks to describe the epidemiology of enterovirus D68 circulation amongst Colorado children from 2014 to 2016. Study design This is a prospective observational surveillance study of enterovirus D68 infection amongst children tested for respiratory pathogens from July-October 2014–2016 at Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO), a quaternary care children’s hospital in Aurora, CO. Results Amongst rhinovirus/enterovirus positive respiratory specimens from intensive care unit patients, ninety-eight of 314 (31.2%) in 2014, none of 307 (0%) specimens in 2015, and 19 of 240 (7.9%) specimens in 2016 were identified as enterovirus D68. Amongst respiratory specimens from all patients during the prospective active surveillance period, none of 1469 (0%) in 2015 and 46 of 1403 (3.3%) were positive for enterovirus D68. Conclusions Surveillance for enterovirus D68 amongst respiratory specimens at a quaternary care children’s hospital revealed a seasonal pattern of circulation in the late summer to early fall of 2014 and 2016. Continued surveillance of respiratory specimens is necessary to define the circulation pattern and understand the epidemiology of this emerging pathogen.
Individual and contextual factors that influence AA affiliation and outcomes.

This chapter addresses the role of various factors moderating (1) affiliation with AA and (2) the effects of AA on substance use and other outcomes. These may include personal characteristics as well as environmental and situational factors. Meta-analyses indicate that there is substantial variation in twelve-step involvement and outcomes among studies, depending at least in part on characteristics of the sample (Tonigan, Toscova, & Miller, 1996). To some extent, the relevant personal characteristics may overlap with those discussed in the preceding chapter on special populations. It is important to note that the factors that affect AA affiliation, and the effects of these factors, are not necessarily the same as those that influence the effect of AA affiliation on distal outcomes.
Identification of New Features from Known Bacterial Protective Vaccine Antigens Enhances Rational Vaccine Design

With many protective vaccine antigens reported in the literature and verified experimentally, how to use the knowledge mined from these antigens to support rational vaccine design and study underlying design mechanism remains unclear. In order to address the problem, a systematic bioinformatics analysis was performed on 291 Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial protective antigens with experimental evidence manually curated in the Protegen database. The bioinformatics analyses evaluated included subcellular localization, adhesin probability, peptide signaling, transmembrane α-helix and β-barrel, conserved domain, Clusters of Orthologous Groups, and Gene Ontology functional annotations. Here we showed the critical role of adhesins, along with subcellular localization, peptide signaling, in predicting secreted extracellular or surface-exposed protective antigens, with mechanistic explanations supported by functional analysis. We also found a significant negative correlation of transmembrane α-helix to antigen protectiveness in Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, while a positive correlation of transmembrane β-barrel was observed in Gram-negative pathogens. The commonly less-focused cytoplasmic and cytoplasmic membrane proteins could be potentially predicted with the help of other selection criteria such as adhesin probability and functional analysis. The significant findings in this study can support rational vaccine design and enhance our understanding of vaccine design mechanisms.
Learning via active hypothesis testing over networks

This paper considers a problem of distributed active hypothesis testing. At every time instant, individual nodes in the network adaptively choose a sensing action and receive noisy local (private) observations as sensing outcomes. The distribution of observations is parameterized by a discrete parameter (hypotheses). The marginals of the joint observation distribution conditioned on each hypothesis and the action are known locally at the nodes, but the true parameter/hypothesis is not known. An update rule is analyzed in which nodes first choose a possibly randomized action as a function of their past observations and actions. Nodes then perform a Bayesian update of their belief (distribution estimate) on each hypothesis based on their current local observations. Each node communicates these updates to its neighbors, and then performs a “non-Bayesian” linear consensus using the log-beliefs of its neighbors. Under mild assumptions and for a general class of action selection strategies, we show that the belief of any node on a wrong hypothesis converges to zero exponentially fast, and the exponential rate of learning is characterized by the nodes' influence of the network and average distinguishability between the observations' distributions for the (randomized) action under the true hypothesis.
Editing plant genes one base at a time.

A new class of gene-editing reagents precisely alters plant genomes without creating a DNA double strand break.
Greening and opening the public space of the Nile banks. A demonstration case study in Maadi, Cairo

The Nile, in general, and particularly in Cairo, is an ecological, cultural and social corridor that is not yet fully utilized. The 2011 Cairo workshop “Connecting Cairo to the Nile” identified the potential to increase accessibility to the river, suggested longitude trail system, proposed connecting the waterfront with adjacent neighborhoods and proposed expanding the ferry system. I studied a 2-km reach of the east bank in Maadi, a wealthy suburb about 10 km upstream of the city center, with relatively greener banks, availability of resources at the district level, higher awareness of local residents, physical setting allow for banks re-use, existence of community organizations (i.e. Tree Lovers and Midan). Findings of fieldwork and interviews show that: (i) species of native vegetation found are Phoenix Dactylifera, Jacaranda, Cortedarea and Papyrus alba; these are concentrated along 115 meter in southern part of the study area. (ii) Public access was categorized into: public space (accessible), private or semi-public space (accessible with conditions), and prohibited (inaccessible). Along this representative stretch of the Nile, the public access was limited to 16%, the private or semi-public makes 29% and the prohibited zones are 55%. (iii) Boating operations found to be in three categories, floating hotels (Nile cruises), motor boats (including ferries) and sailing boats, all are scattered along the banks without an overall plan or organization, which affects water flow and block public access to the banks. To better develop the banks, I recommend (i) maintaining existing riparian vegetation and expand it to other areas with healthy banks or planted nurseries, (ii) connecting open public spaces to create a pleasant walking trail along the banks in addition to improving public access by relocating government buildings (such as the police or military facilities) and facilitate access to the river for general public, (iii) reducing the anchoring points to two locations and redistribute boating operations to group all motor boats to use the ferry anchoring points and all the sailing boats to use Al-Yacht club marina.
Asymptotic exchange coupling of quasi-one-dimensional excitons in carbon nanotubes

An analytical expression is obtained for the biexciton binding energy as a function of the interexciton distance and binding energy of constituent quasi-one-dimensional excitons in carbon nanotubes. This allows one to trace biexciton energy variation and relevant nonlinear absorption under external conditions whereby the exciton binding energy varies. The nonlinear absorption line shapes calculated exhibit characteristic asymmetric (Rabi) splitting as the exciton energy is tuned to the nearest interband plasmon resonance. These results are useful for tunable optoelectronic device applications of optically excited semiconducting carbon nanotubes, including the strong excitation regime with optical nonlinearities.
Ethnic and Gender Differences in Bone Erosion in Allergic Fungal Sinusitis

BackgroundErosion of the bony sinus walls in allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is an established phenomenon. Reports of the incidence of bone erosion in AFS vary widely, and definitions of bone erosi...
The Kind of Physical Education Program I Should like for My Boy: Personal Interviews with Parents

(1933). The Kind of Physical Education Program I Should like for My Boy. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 16-53.
Obtaining a Genetic Family History Using Computer-Based Tools

Family health history has long been known to be a powerful predictor of individual disease risk. It can be obtained prior to DNA sequencing in order to examine inheritance patterns, to be used as a proxy for genetic information, or as a tool to guide decision-making on the utility of diagnostic genetic testing. Increasingly, it is also being obtained retrospectively from sequenced individuals to examine familial disease penetrance and to identify at-risk relatives for cascade testing. The collection of adequate family history information to screen patients for disease risk and guide decision-making is a time-consuming process that is difficult to accomplish exclusively through discussion between patients and their providers. Engaging individuals and families in data collection and data entry has the potential to improve data accuracy through re-iterative review with family members and health care providers, and to empower patients in their healthcare. In addition, electronic datasets can be shared amongst relatives and stored in electronic health records or personal files, enabling portability of family history information. The U.S. Surgeon General, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and others have developed tools for electronic family history collection to help families and providers obtain this useful information in an efficient manner. This unit describes the utility of the web-based My Family Health Portrait (https://familyhistory.hhs.gov) as the prototype for patient-entered family history. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Bilateral Metacarpal Hands: Reconstruction With 6 Toe Transfers:

Background: Bilateral metacarpal hand injuries are extremely rare, but probably represent the most difficult reconstructive challenge in hand surgery. Methods: We discuss the various options for metacarpal hand reconstruction, including the Krukenberg procedure, bionic prostheses, multiple toe-to-hand transfers, and possibly hand transplantation, and present the long-term functional outcomes, gait analysis, and psychological evaluation after a 4-stage reconstruction of bilateral metacarpal hands in a child using 6 toe-to-hand transfers-bilateral great toe transfers to reconstruct both thumbs and bilateral combined second-third monobloc transfers to reconstruct 2 fingers in each hand. Results: Reconstruction of bilateral metacarpal hands with 6 toe transfers yielded excellent functional results and patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Bilateral metacarpal hand injuries result in a devastating functional deficit and a major psychological impact. Multiple toe transfers (4, 5, or 6) provide an excellent reconstructive outcome with acceptable donor site morbidity.
Scalable computational methods in quantum field theory

Matrix eigenvalue problems arise in several areas of science and engineering. Particle physicists, in particular, are interested in solving eigenvalue problems that describe relativistic subatomic interactions. Quantum field theory provides a formal mathematical approach for specifying the eigenvalue problems, but it also introduces some complications. A particularly problematic complication is accounting for an infinite number of particles. It is not necessary to deal practically with infinities: the system maybe truncated to a discrete number. In the case of strong coupling, however, it is inaccurate to truncate at small particle numbers. Scalable computational methods are vital to the exploration of quantum field theory since they facilitate inclusion of increasing numbers of particles.
Radioactivity studies on farm raised and wild catfish produced in Mississippi, USA

To understand the contribution of radiation dose to human from consumption of catfish, a comparative radiological assessment study was performed on farm and river raised fish. Gamma spectroscopic analyses of catfish indicated the presence of isotopes of 40K, 226Ra, and 228Ra with activity values of 99.4 ± 14.5, 0.41 ± 0.05, and 0.89 ± 0.08 Bq kg−1 respectively in farm catfish and 101 ± 15.7, 0.47 ± 0.05, and 0.97 ± 0.050 Bq kg−1 respectively in river catfish. The measured activities in two sets of samples were statistically compared using a two-tailed t test at 95 % confidence interval and results indicated that activities of 226Ra and 228Ra were significantly different.
Uber service area expansion in three major American cities

Abstract Chiefly led by Uber, on-demand ride-hailing services have transformed the urban American transportation landscape in merely the past decade. Utilizing the proliferation of internet-enabled smartphones, this app-based company has provided city inhabitants with a convenient and reliable door-to-door mobility service, which has arguably improved car-based accessibility while also generating a host of negative environmental and societal externalities. While to date the utilization of Uber has largely been an urban phenomenon, the lasting success of this new mobility option likely rests within its ability to expand its services into suburban communities. Yet, given the competitive nature of the ride-hailing marketplace and genuine concerns over passenger and driver anonymity, transportation planners and urban policymakers have been stymied in their ability to access the disaggregate data sets needed to help assess whether these services are in fact extending beyond city centers and identify which factors may be contributing to any expansion into more peripheral suburban neighborhoods. By introducing a creative strategy using the privacy-related suppression processes of Uber Movement data, this study quantifies the continued expansion of Uber's ride-hailing service into outlying communities from 2016 to 2018 by employing a multilevel modeling approach to recognize the neighborhood-level socioeconomic and built environment factors most related to this service expansion in three major American cities: Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.
Determination of the dehydration pathway in a flexible metal–organic framework by dynamic in situ x-ray diffraction

Understanding guest exchange processes in metal-organic frameworks is an important step toward the rational design of functional materials with tailor-made properties. The dehydration of the flexible metal-organic framework [Co(AIP)(bpy)0.5(H2O)]•2H2O was studied by novel in situ dynamic x-ray diffraction techniques. The complex mechanism of dehydration, along with the as-yet unreported metastable structures, was determined. The structural information obtained by the application of these techniques helps to elucidate the important guest-host interactions involved in shaping the structural landscape of the framework lattice and to highlight the importance of utilizing this technique in the characterization of functional framework materials.
Associations among state-level physical distancing measures and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among U.S. adults during the early COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify leading sources of stress, describe rates of mental health outcomes, and examine their associations among U.S. adults during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method In a cross-sectional, general population survey conducted from March 18 to April 4, 2020, U.S. adults (n = 10,625) were recruited through Qualtrics Panels using quota sampling methods. Results Life stressors, probable depression, past-month suicide ideation, and past-month suicide attempts were not elevated among participants subject to state-level stay-at-home orders and/or large gathering bans. Multiple life stressors were associated with increased rates of probable depression. Past-month suicide ideation was significantly higher among participants reporting ongoing arguments with a partner and serious legal problems. Past-month suicide attempt was significantly higher among participants reporting concerns about a life-threatening illness or injury, but was significantly lower among participants reporting an unexpected bill or expense. Conclusions Results failed to support the conclusion that physical distancing measures are correlated with worse mental health outcomes. Concerns about life-threatening illness or injury were uniquely associated with increased risk of suicide attempt.
A standardized method for rearing Rhizoglyphus robini (Astigmata: Acaridae)

Rhizoglyphus robini Claparede (Acari: Astigmata: Acaridae) is a mite infesting crop such as saffron corms, onions, garlic, leeks and lilies. Bulb mites were observed associated with diseased saffron corms in Vermont research sites, confirming their pest status in New England. To assess the efficacy of different IPM and biological controls a standard method to rear bulb mites in the laboratory was essential. This study focused on developing an efficient laboratory medium to rear R. robini. Bulb mites were extracted from infected saffron corms in Vermont (USDA plant-hardiness zone 5a [− 20° to − 15 °F]). A bulb mite culture was first established on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium with an average moisture content of 67% at the Entomology Research Laboratory, University of Vermont. Bulb mite species identification and R. robini separation were done, and bulb mites were incubated in a dark chamber at 25 °C. While establishing the R. robini laboratory culture, contamination of microbial disease restricted populations. Experiments were conducted to determine the most suitable growth medium that supported bulb mite population and minimized microbial disease. Three treatments were tested: 1. antibiotics (chloramphenicol) + fungicide (dodine) + PDA, 2. antibiotics + PDA and 3. PDA only. The results showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) larger populations of R. robini in Petri dishes containing PDA with antibiotics compared to other treatments. The greatest number of bulb mites was observed 14 to 20 days after introduction on the growth media.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with failure of non-operative treatment for sternoclavicular joint infection.

Background A standardized treatment algorithm for sternoclavicular joint infection management is lacking in the literature. While major risk factors for sternoclavicular joint infection, including immunosuppression, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, indwelling catheters, and intravenous drug use have been identified, clear association with treatment outcome has not been established. As our safety net hospital treats a patient population with high incidence of intravenous drug use, we sought to identify risk factors associated with failure of non-operative management of sternoclavicular joint infection. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study, reviewing charts of patients diagnosed with sternoclavicular joint infection between January 2001 and December 2017 to collect demographic information as well as clinical risk factors and treatment patterns. A chi-square test was performed to determine any association between clinical variables and management, as well as relation to treatment outcome. Results The study cohort consisted of 35 patients with diagnosis of sternoclavicular joint infection and complete follow-up. Intravenous drug use was prevalent, seen in 45.6% (16/35) of subjects, though there was no association with failure of non-operative management (P=0.50). Operative management was the initial treatment for 25.7% (9/35) of subjects and was associated with abscess on presentation (P=0.03). Failure of non-operative management was seen in 26.9% (7/26). Type 2 diabetes was associated with failed initial non-operative management, present in 42.9% (3/7) of patients (P=0.03) experiencing failure. Conclusions This study constitutes the largest series of sternoclavicular joint infection with intravenous drug use. While intravenous drug use was not associated with failure of non-operative management, we observed that type 2 diabetes is associated with failure of non-operative management and could be considered in determining management of sternoclavicular joint infection patients.
A Review on Penile Length and Girth Issues in Penile Prosthetic Surgery.

Purpose of review The goal of this paper is to understand the reasons behind penile length and girth issues after penile prosthesis surgery and review the literature for current strategies employed to decrease these issues. Recent findings Measurement inconsistencies triggering further studies have shown there is a real loss of penile length and girth after prosthesis surgery. There have been varying hypotheses of why this happens, and numerous approaches have been proposed to help combat this in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative settings. Erectile dysfunction prevalence is expected to increase; therefore it is important for urologists to understand the treatment options, including prosthesis surgery. Numerous techniques have been hypothesized and studied in smaller settings in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative settings with regard to prosthetics surgery. However, larger studies are still needed to confirm these findings in order to help to counsel and educate patients preoperatively in addition to employing tactics to help minimize penile shortening.
Glycosuria alters uropathogenic Escherichia coli global gene expression and virulence

ABSTRACT Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the principal etiology of more than half of urinary tract infections (UTI) in humans with diabetes mellitus. Epidemiological data and studies in mouse model of ascending UTI have elucidated various host factors responsible for increasing the susceptibility of diabetic hosts to UPEC-UTI. In contrast, the nature of alterations in UPEC physiology mediated by diabetic urinary microenvironment and the contributions of altered UPEC physiology in shaping UPEC-UTI pathogenesis in diabetes have not been examined. Our central hypothesis is that glycosuria directly induces urinary virulence of UPEC. We compared virulence characteristics and gene expression in human UPEC strains UTI89 (cystitis) and CFT073 (pyelonephritis) exposed for 2h, in vitro to human urine either in the presence or absence of glycosuria (600mg/dl glucose). Compared to control UPEC exposed to nutrient-rich culture medium LB, glycosuria-exposed UPEC exhibited significant increase in biofilm formation and reduction in the hemagglutination of Guinea pig erythrocytes (a surrogate measure of type 1 piliation). In addition, analysis of UTI89 transcriptome by RNA sequencing revealed that 2h-long, in vitro exposure to glycosuria also significantly alters expression of virulence and metabolic genes central to urinary virulence of UPEC. In summary, our results provide novel insights into how glycosuria-mediated early changes in UPEC fitness may facilitate UTI pathogenesis in the diabetic urinary microenvironment. IMPORTANCE Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is an important causative agent of urinary tract infections in diabetic humans. We examined the effects of in vitro exposure to glycosuria (presence of glucose in urine) on the virulence and gene expression by UPEC. Our results show that glycosuria rapidly (in 2h) alters UPEC gene expression, induces biofilm formation, and suppresses hemagglutination. These results offer a novel insight into the pathogenesis of UPEC in the urinary tract.
Systematic review of human biomonitoring studies of ethylenethiourea, a urinary biomarker for exposure to dithiocarbamate fungicides

Abstract Toxicological and epidemiological studies implicate exposure to dithiocarbamate (DTC) fungicides in adverse health outcomes. However, there is limited information about human exposure to these chemicals. This systematic review determined to which extent human populations worldwide, including children, pregnant women, and adults, are exposed environmentally or occupationally to DTC pesticides and how these exposures compare to the NHANES 2003–2008 population, using urinary ETU data as an outcome measure. PubMed, Embase, and SciFinder were searched using the keywords “ethylenethiourea” or CAS No.: 96-45-7, and urine or urinary. Duplicates and irrelevant studies were removed from the search results based on predetermined exclusion criteria. This screening process identified 17 relevant papers. One additional paper was found independent of this search. Data from studies were extracted using a pre-established data collection form. Ten, two, and five manuscripts reported urinary levels in environmentally exposed adults, children, and pregnant women, respectively. Median ETU levels ranged from 0.15 to 4.7 μg/g creatinine in adults (1994–2017), 0.24–0.83 μg/g creatinine in children (2011), and 2.6–5.24 ng/ml in pregnant women (2011). Eight studies reported urinary ETU levels in mostly agriculturally exposed populations, with median ETU levels ranging from 0.42 to 49.6 μg/g creatinine (1999–2011). With one exception, all studies were conducted between 1994 and 2011. ETU levels in the NHANES 2003–2008 population appeared to be generally lower than most studies identified in this review. This finding suggests that, historically, DTC fungicide exposures in the general population of high-income countries, such as the US, were low, whereas agricultural populations may have experienced higher exposure. Unfortunately, more recent exposure data are missing, especially in countries where DTC pesticides are not being phased out.
Detecting Causal Structure on Cloud Application Microservices Using Granger Causality Models

The loosely-coupled microservices architecture has become increasingly popular due to the advantage of its modularity and elasticity in cloud applications. However, it also seriously complicates cloud management and degrades the performance of IT operations. Today, AI has been the locus of commerce and transactions, and transforming traditional IT operations for speed and growth. Inferring the dependencies among an application's microservices can greatly help SREs diagnose possible root causes of performance issues, which is a hard task due to the complex topology of microservices is often unknown in practice. Prior literature on detecting causal structure for cloud services requires significant application instrumentation, which rarely holds in reality. In this work, we leverage Granger causality models on just monitored log data of a microservice-based application to infer the impact of dependencies between microservices. We first describe the approach of modeling discrete log data as time series, and then formally define the Granger causality problem using both linear and nonlinear autoregressive models. Finally, we conduct an extensive comparative study to show the performance of the state-of-the-art linear and nonlinear (i.e., neural) Granger causality methods on both synthetic data and real-world log data from a publicly available benchmark microservice system. Our preliminary results indicate that neural Granger causality models outperform traditional Granger causality methods on both linear and nonlinear time series data, while for large linear time series, linear Granger causal models are more efficient with high accuracy. Using the real-world log data, we also demonstrate our interesting findings on inferred dependency graph of microservices by linear and neural Granger causality models.
Attentional modulation in the human lateral geniculate nucleus and pulvinar

Attentional mechanisms are important for selecting relevant and filtering out irrelevant information from cluttered visual scenes. Selective attention has been shown to affect neural activity in extrastriate and even in striate visual cortex. Here, we review evidence from functional magnetic resonance imaging studies (fMRI) demonstrating that attentional response modulation is not confined to cortical processing, but can occur as early as at the thalamic level. Neural activity in the human lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) was modulated by attention in multiple ways. The LGN, traditionally viewed as the gateway to visual cortex, may play an important role as a gatekeeper in controlling attentional response gain. In the human pulvinar, a dorso-medial region was identified that responded to attended but not to unattended visual stimuli. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that fMRI can be used effectively to study attentional mechanisms of thalamo-cortical circuits in the human brain.
Molecular beam epitaxy of InN nanowires on Si

Abstract We report on a systematic growth study of the nucleation process of InN nanowires on Si(1 1 1) substrates using plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE). Samples are grown with various substrate temperatures and III/V ratios. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and photoluminescence are carried out to map out the variation in structural and optical properties versus growth conditions. Statistical averages of areal density, height, and radius are mapped as a function of substrate temperature and III/V ratio. Three different morphological phases are identified on the growth surface: InN, α-In and β-In. Based on SEM image analysis of samples grown at different conditions, the formation mechanism of these phases is proposed. Finally, the growth phase diagram of PAMBE grown InN on Si under N-rich condition is presented, and tapered versus non-tapered growth conditions are identified. It is found that high growth temperature and low III/V ratio plays a critical role in the growth of non-tapered InN nanowires.
A new hybrid active neutral point clamped flying capacitor multilevel inverter

This paper proposes a new five-level hybrid topology combining features of neutral point clamped and flying capacitor inverters. The proposed topology provides a tradeoff between different component counts to achieve a good loss distribution, avoid direct series connection of semiconductor devices, keep the balanced operation of dc-link capacitors while keeping the number of costly components such as capacitors and switches low. The required modulation strategy is developed and the operation of the proposed topology is studied. The features of the proposed topology are investigated and compared to other available topologies. Simulation results are provided to verify the performance of the converter for medium voltage applications.