cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blood-Based Oligomeric and Other Protein Variant Biomarkers to Facilitate Pre-Symptomatic Diagnosis and Staging of Alzheimer's Disease

Oligomeric forms of amyloid-β (Aβ), tau, and TDP-43 play important roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and therefore are promising biomarkers. We previously generated single chain antibody fragments (scFvs) that selectively bind disease-related variants of these proteins including A4, C6T, and E1, which bind different oligomeric Aβ variants; D11C, which binds oligomeric tau; and AD-TDP1 and AD-TDP2, which bind disease related TDP-43 variants. To determine the utility of these disease-related variants as early biomarkers, we first analyzed 11 human sera samples obtained ∼2 years prior to an initial mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis. While the subsequent diagnoses for the cases covered several different conditions, all samples had elevated protein variant levels relative to the plasma controls although with different individual biomarker profiles. We then analyzed a set of longitudinal human plasma samples from four AD (encompassing time points prior to MCI diagnosis and continuing until after conversion to AD) and two control cases. Pre-MCI samples were characterized by high TDP-43 variant levels, MCI samples by high Aβ variant levels, and AD samples by high Aβ and tau variant levels. Sample time points ranged from ∼7 years pre-MCI to ∼9 years after AD conversion. Bivariate correlations showed a negative correlation with TDP-43 levels and positive correlations with cumulative Aβ and oligomeric tau levels indicating an increase in neurodegenerative processes with time in AD. Detection of disease related protein variants not only readily selects AD cases from controls, but also stages progression of AD and holds promise for a pre-symptomatic blood-based biomarker profile for AD.
Routine versus selective upper gastrointestinal contrast series after omental patch repair for gastric or duodenal perforation

There are no guidelines on the routine or selective use of contrast upper gastrointestinal series (UGI) after omental patch repair (OPR) of a gastric (GP) or duodenal perforation (DP). This study aims to elucidate whether the use of selective versus routine contrast study will lead to worse clinical outcomes. A retrospective analysis of 115 (n = 115) patients with OPR of GP or DP was performed. Data were obtained from seven Florida Hospital campuses. Patients aged 18 and older from 2006 to 2016 were identified by ICD9 billing information. Patients were divided into two groups: UGI and no UGI. The UGI group was subdivided into selective versus routine. A selective UGI was defined as one or more of the following after post-operative day 3: WBC >12,000, peritonitis, fever >100.4 F, tachycardia >110 bpm on three or more assessments, and any UGI performed after POD 7. Perioperative symptoms, perforation location, size, abdominal contamination, laparoscopic or open, leak detection, length of stay, mortality, and reoperation within 2 weeks were also examined. No differences between the UGI group and non-UGI group relating to preoperative symptoms, leak detection, death, and reoperation rate were revealed. Differences in length of stay were found to be statistically significant with the UGI group and non-UGI at a median of 15.5 and 8 days, respectively. In the UGI subgroup, 20 of the 29 patients received selective studies. There were no statistical differences identified in leak detection, death, and reoperation. Rates of leak detection, reoperation, and death in patients with GP or DP repaired with omental patch utilizing an UGI study were not statistically significant. An increased length of stay was observed within the UGI group. There was no advantage demonstrated between a selective versus routine UGI; therefore, the use of selective UGI should be based upon clinical indications.
Frugal: Building Degree-Constrained Overlay Topology from Social Graphs

Efficient and secure device to device communication is a necessary enabler for realization of fog and edge computing models. With an ever-increasing number, diversity, and geographical distribution of heterogeneous devices, ranging from pervasive sensor networks to edge cloudlets, the interconnection and network management of these devices emerges as a major challenge. Peer-to-peer (P2P) network overlays provide a scalable, decentralized and autonomous solution for interconnecting devices at the edge, and from the edge to the core of the cloud. This paper considers a networking system for edge computing that leverages trust embedded in online social networks (OSNs) to establish P2P overlays that offer the opportunity of private, authenticated device to device communications within the scope of a virtual private network (VPN). Mapping the social graph of OSNs onto an overlay network's topology presents challenges, since every social link that is mapped to an overlay has a cost associated with it, in terms of energy and resources consumed on link-setup and maintenance (especially for power-constrained devices). This paper addresses one key challenge in this context: dealing with high-degree social nodes. We propose a distributed mechanism - Frugal - that allows devices bound to a social user to make co-operative, but independent decisions to select social links to be mapped to overlay links. The approach leverages existing heuristics on computing minimum cost degree constrained spanning trees for graphs, but is novel in how it applies costs to graph edges using only local neighborhood information at each node, and how it operates in a distributed fashion. Simulation studies consider Frugal and two other policies (Greedy, Random) for capping the number of links in high-degree social nodes. Our simulation study carried out on social datasets indicates that significant degree reduction for high degree nodes/devices can be achieved without incurring major degradation in connectivity or performance loss in resulting overlay networks.
Evaluation of 3 Serological Tests for Early Detection Of Leptospira-specific Antibodies in Experimentally Infected Dogs.

Background Leptospirosis in dogs is a disease of global importance. Early detection and appropriate therapeutic intervention are necessary to resolve infection and prevent zoonotic transmission. However, its diagnosis is hindered by nonspecific clinical signs and lack of rapid diagnostic tests of early infection. Recently, 2 rapid point-of-care tests (WITNESS Lepto [WITNESS Lepto, Zoetis LLC, Kalamazoo, MI, USA] and SNAP Lepto [SNAP Lepto, IDEXX Laboratories, Westbrook, ME, USA]) for detection of Leptospira-specific antibodies in canine sera were developed. Hypothesis Immunoglobulin M-based WITNESS Lepto containing multiple detection antigens can detect Leptospira-specific antibodies to common leptospiral serovars earlier in the course of infection as compared to microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and SNAP Lepto. Animals Four groups of 8 6- to 8-month-old male Beagle dogs were used. Methods Thirty-two healthy seronegative dogs were inoculated experimentally with serovars Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Pomona (8 dogs/serovar). Acute-phase sera were collected at regular intervals and monitored for Leptospira-specific antibodies by WITNESS Lepto, MAT, and SNAP Lepto. Results Seroconversion was detected in all dogs by day 10 by WITNESS Lepto and in 30 of 32 dogs by day 14 by MAT. The SNAP Lepto test detected seroconversion in 3 dogs during the 2 weeks postchallenge. Conclusions Immunoglobulin M-based WITNESS Lepto detected immune responses specific to multiple leptospiral serovars early in the course of infection and identified seroconversion in all animals earlier than did the gold standard MAT. The SNAP Lepto test displayed considerably lower and inconsistent performance during the study period. At the point-of-care, WITNESS Lepto should be the test of choice for rapid and reliable screening of acutely ill dogs suspected to have leptospirosis.
The Anatomy of Public Shaming

This chapter spotlights public shaming blogs as echoes of the Menippean satire tradition. Like, for example, Robert Burton’s Anatomy of Melancholy, public shaming sites provide their readers a curious service: dissecting, bemoaning and paradoxically substantiating abnormal behavior after that behavior is shown to be woven inextricably into normativity. While these “encomiums” of shame-worthy behavior seem to invite readers to dwell on the problems of hatred, ignorance and hypocrisy as constant threats to social welfare, their structural aesthetics obscure this invitation. Readers of blogs, like readers of Anatomy, find themselves tumbling toward Burton’s charitable horror, his stupid humanism that suggests it is almost as foolish to reject abnormality proven to be universal as it is foolish to endorse it, but since endorsement offers the consolation of company alongside the challenge of charity, we ought to choose the greater of two follies as the lesser of two evils.
Transferable Self-Consistent Charge Density Functional Tight-Binding Parameters for Li–Metal and Li-Ions in Inorganic Compounds and Organic Solvents

When a Li–metal electrode immerses in the electrolytes containing organic solvents, it is always covered by a thin layer of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) containing both inorganic and organic compounds. While simulating the electrochemical reactions occurring at this interface is essential to understand electrolyte decomposition and Li dendrite formation that impact the life and safety of Li-ion batteries, conventional density functional theory (DFT) or force field methods are either limited by size or by accuracy. Therefore, the self-consistent-charge density functional tight-binding (SCC-DFTB) approach was taken in this research. We first developed a parametrization scheme for mixed valence lithium (Li0 and Li+) within the SCC-DFTB framework and then developed a new set of parameters for Li–X (X = Li, H, O, and C) interactions. The newly developed parameters were validated through comparison with DFT predictions for a range of materials, including Li, Li2O, and Li2CO3, and Li+ ions dissolved in eth...
Public Choice, Rent-Seeking and the Forest Economics-Policy Nexus

Although Adam Smith’s recognition of humans’ propensity to ‘truck, barter, and exchange’ was made in the context of private markets, this same propensity also applies to political markets. With the increasing recognition of, and appreciation for, the fact that forests generate multiple values, some of which are public goods, comes a strong implication that our understanding of sustainable forest management generally and forest economics specifically will be enhanced by explicitly incorporating principles of decision-making in a collective market context—public choice analysis. The self-interested behavior of politicians (elected), bureaucrats (unelected), and voluntary associations of individuals (NGOs) combined with the agency problems inherent to representative government has strong implications for the decision-making environment of private timberland owners. Unlike individuals who plant traditional row crops that are harvested after one growing season, timber growers make decisions that span (perhaps several) dozens of years. As public-ness aspects of forests increase in value, collective decisions increasingly will influence forest management generally and private decision-making by landowners. But long-term decisions made even under conditions of scientific certainty necessarily are made in a context of political uncertainty. This political uncertainty must be integrated into models of sustainable forest management.
Semantic-Based Resume Screening System

At present, XML becomes one of the best choices for storing semi-structured electronic resumes. Most of the companies let the candidates fill out their resumes online on the company’s website and store these electronic resumes uniformly. This paper assumes that all candidates’ electronic resumes will be saved in the form of XML, and proposed a Semantic-based Resume Screening System (RSS). The RSS could improve the accuracy and efficiency in the hiring process by using the Ontology Knowledge Base and the Pace XML Validator.
Healthcare access and services use among US children with autism spectrum disorder

This study aimed to determine associations of healthcare access problems with services use among US children with autism spectrum disorder. We analyzed 2011–2014 National Health Interview Survey da...
Coefficients of thermal expansion of single crystalline β-Ga2O3 and in-plane thermal strain calculations of various materials combinations with β-Ga2O3

The coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of single crystalline, monoclinic β-Ga2O3 were determined by employing high-resolution X-ray diffraction measurements. This work reports the CTE measurements on a single crystalline β-Ga2O3 substrate. The CTE values along the “a,” “b,” and “c” axes are 3.77 × 10−6 °C−1, 7.80 × 10−6 °C−1, and 6.34 × 10−6 °C−1, respectively, and the CTE of the angle β (the angle between the “a” and “c” axes) is determined to be 1.31 × 10−4 ° K−1. All CTE values reported here are linear under the temperature regime between room temperature and 1000 °C. All measurements were performed in a controlled nitrogen gas environment, and no surface degradation was observed after these measurements. Thermal strain calculations with different material combinations involving β-Ga2O3 are also presented relevant to both epitaxial and wafer bonding applications for Si, InP, 3C–SiC, 6H–SiC, GaN, and sapphire.
GenESysV: a fast, intuitive and scalable genome exploration open source tool for variants generated from high-throughput sequencing projects

High throughput sequencing technologies have been increasingly used in basic genetic research as well as in clinical applications. More and more variants underlying Mendelian and complex diseases are being discovered and documented using these technologies. However, identifying and obtaining a short list of candidate disease-causing variants remains challenging for most of the users after variant calling, especially for people without computational skills. We developed GenESysV (Genome Exploration System for Variants) as a scalable, intuitive and user-friendly open source tool. It can be used in any high throughput sequencing or genotyping project for storing, managing, prioritizing and efficient retrieval of variants of interest. GenESysV is designed for use by researchers from a wide range of disciplines and computational skills, including wet-lab scientists, clinicians, and bioinformaticians. GenESysV is the first tool to be able to handle genomic variant dataset ranging in size from a few to thousands of samples and still maintain fast data importation and good query performance. It has a very intuitive graphical user interface and can also be used in studies where secured data access is an important concern. We believe this tool will benefit the human disease research community to speed up discoveries for genetic variants underlying human genetic disorders.
Clustering Large Datasets by Merging K -Means Solutions

Existing clustering methods range from simple but very restrictive to complex but more flexible. The K-means algorithm is one of the most popular clustering procedures due to its computational speed and intuitive construction. Unfortunately, the application of K-means in its traditional form based on Euclidean distances is limited to cases with spherical clusters of approximately the same volume and spread of points. Recent developments in the area of merging mixture components for clustering show good promise. We propose a general framework for hierarchical merging based on pairwise overlap between components which can be readily applied in the context of the K-means algorithm to produce meaningful clusters. Such an approach preserves the main advantage of the K-means algorithm—its speed. The developed ideas are illustrated on examples, studied through simulations, and applied to the problem of digit recognition.
The impact of cathode surface roughness and multiple breakdown events on microscale gas breakdown at atmospheric pressure

Gas breakdown is typically driven by Townsend avalanche and predicted mathematically by Paschen’s law (PL). Gas breakdown deviates from PL at microscale due to field emission, which depends critically on electrode condition; however, understanding of the impact of initial electrode surface roughness and multiple breakdown events on breakdown voltage is incomplete. This paper assesses the variation of breakdown voltage for a pin-to-plate electrode setup in air at atmospheric pressure for gap distances of 1 ± 0.5 μm, 5 ± 0.5 μm, and 10 ± 0.5 μm with different surface roughnesses. Breakdown voltage generally increases with increasing gap distance and decreasing surface roughness for a single breakdown event; however, the breakdown voltage after ten breakdown events does not depend on initial gap distance. Atomic force microscopy and optical microscopy show that multiple discharges create circular craters on the flat cathode up to 40 μm deep, with more pronounced craters created at smaller gap sizes and greater cathode surface roughness. The resulting effective gap distances (deff, the sum of cathode placement distance and crater depth) for subsequent breakdown events are similar to those of the initially larger gap distances. Moreover, deff becomes sufficiently large to exceed the Meek criterion for streamer formation, indicating a potential for breakdown mechanisms to change from field emission to Townsend avalanche to streamer formation for a single electrode separation distance. The resulting impact of this change in the breakdown mechanism could have significant implications for ensuring consistent microdevice operation.Gas breakdown is typically driven by Townsend avalanche and predicted mathematically by Paschen’s law (PL). Gas breakdown deviates from PL at microscale due to field emission, which depends critically on electrode condition; however, understanding of the impact of initial electrode surface roughness and multiple breakdown events on breakdown voltage is incomplete. This paper assesses the variation of breakdown voltage for a pin-to-plate electrode setup in air at atmospheric pressure for gap distances of 1 ± 0.5 μm, 5 ± 0.5 μm, and 10 ± 0.5 μm with different surface roughnesses. Breakdown voltage generally increases with increasing gap distance and decreasing surface roughness for a single breakdown event; however, the breakdown voltage after ten breakdown events does not depend on initial gap distance. Atomic force microscopy and optical microscopy show that multiple discharges create circular craters on the flat cathode up to 40 μm deep, with more pronounced craters created at smaller gap sizes and great...
Density and egg parasitism of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in mimosa

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are primary pests in most fruit, vegetable, grain, and row crops worldwide. The polyphagous habits of these pest species compels them to forage within and between closely associated non-crop and crop habitats across farmscapes in response to changing food resources. The exotic mimosa tree, Albizia julibrissin Durazz (Fabaceae), commonly grows in thickets along roadsides and in woodlands adjacent to agricultural crops across the southeastern USA. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine if mimosa was a host plant of stink bugs in southwest Georgia. Chinavia hilaris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) fed and developed on mimosa during early Jul through mid-Aug. Nymphs and adults of C. hilaris fed more frequently on fruit than on leaves of mimosa. Other stink bugs viz., Euschistus servus (Say), E. tristigmus (Say), E. obscurus (Palisot), Nezara viridula (L.), Thyanta custator custator (F.), and Loxa flavicollis (Drury) (all Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), also were detected on mimosa, but only as adults feeding on fruit. Trissolcus edessae Fouts (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was the most prevalent parasitoid of C. hilaris eggs on mimosa, but Anastatus reduvii (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) also emerged from eggs of this stink bug. Overall, 46.6% of the C. hilaris eggs found on mimosa were parasitized. In conclusion, C. hilaris is the primary stink bug species developing on mimosa in southwest Georgia, serving as a potential source of this stink bug into nearby crops.
Life-threatening heat-related illness with severe hyponatremia in an aluminum smelter worker.

Heat stress is a recognized occupational hazard in aluminum smelter pot rooms. This is the report of an unusual and complex case of heat-related illness in an aluminum smelter worker. The 34-year-old male US worker developed life-threatening heat-related illness in August 2018, on his first day back at work after a 7-day absence. The worker initially presented with bilateral hand then all-extremity cramping followed some hours later by a generalized seizure and acute mental status changes, including combativeness. Emergency room evaluation identified a serum sodium level of 114 mmol/L. Acute liver and kidney injury ensued along with profound rhabdomyolysis, with peak total creatinine phosphokinase level reaching over 125 000 units/L at 3 days post incident. Initial ventilatory support, careful fluid resuscitation, and electrolyte management were provided. Metabolic encephalopathy resolved. Complications included sepsis. After 5 days in the intensive care unit and eight additional days of inpatient management, observation, and the initiation of rehabilitation, the worker was discharged. Residual effects include polyneuropathy of upper and lower extremities and the postdischarge magnetic resonance imaging finding of a cerebellar lesion. Prevailing considerations in the differential diagnosis included exertional heat stroke and/or exertion-associated hyponatremia with encephalopathy.
CS principles with POGIL activities as a learning community

In spring 2015, Westminster College offered a learning community titled "Where Genetic Coding Meets Software Coding". All the students in the learning community were required to register for the same computer science and biology classes, which were each taught by the authors. Both classes had no pre-requisites and were targeted at introducing non-majors to the respective discipline. Students learned significant portions of the course content by working in groups on Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) activities, many of which were developed by the authors for the new learning community. Several assignments drew connections between the two disciplines. The activities were relatively effective in incorporating voice and higher order thinking to better teach for diversity, but the authors are still working to better incorporate differentiation, access, social justice, and equity into their activities. A comparison of survey answers from the start and end of the course show more negative attitudes toward computers, yet a promising and marked increase in interest to take additional CS courses.
Characterization of RCAs and their concrete using simple test methods

From a sustainability point of view, the use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in concretes is of great interest in the present day. The original virgin concrete from which RCA is obtained deter...
VIII – Using Definitions

Publisher Summary This chapter explains the use of function definitions. As a function definition is just an equation, there is in principle no difference between using function definitions and using other equality theorems. The chapter discusses non-recursive functions, computing values, and recursive and non-recursive expansions. If there is a function call of f and f is non-recursive, it is clear that expanding its definition is safe in the sense that it will not lead to infinite loops. The function f is called an explicit value preserving if and only if, f is TRUE, FALSE, IF, EQUAL, one of the functions introduced by the shell principle, or f was defined under the principle of definition and the body of f calls only f or explicit value-preserving functions. Making intelligent decisions about whether to use a definition is crucial to proving theorems in a theory with a definition principle (be it a recursive one or not). Unnecessary expansion of definitions will swamp a theorem-prover (mechanical or otherwise) with irrelevant detail. Failure to expand a definition can prevent a proof from being found at all. This chapter highlights three heuristics that are useful to know while considering whether to expand a recursive definition. The heuristics are non-recursive functions, computing values, and diving in to see.
Abstract 5262: Identifying the role of AXL in fusion kinase inhibitor resistant non-small cell lung cancer

Chromosomal rearrangements involving ALK, ROS1, RET and others generate novel fusion kinases which comprise approximately 10% of the oncogenic drivers in lung adenocarcinoma. Several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are approved or in development for each of these oncogenes and have shown marked clinical improvement for patients, but resistance inevitably occurs, a significant proportion of which is not currently druggable. AXL is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is often upregulated in resistant cancers in response to both chemotherapy and targeted therapies such as EGFR inhibitors. AXL can promote resistance to targeted therapy by signaling through the MAPK and Akt pathways or heterodimerizing with other receptors to maintain growth and survival signaling. However, the role of AXL in mediating resistance to ALK, ROS1, and RET TKIs is not well understood. In screening our unique panel of patient-derived lung adenocarcinoma cell lines harboring ALK, ROS1 or RET gene fusions, we found elevated AXL expression was correlated with resistance to cognate TKIs, as well as mesenchymal features including spindle morphology and vimentin expression. Combining the AXL inhibitor R428 with TKI treatment, such as crizotinib for ALK and ROS1 driven cell lines, was effective at inhibiting colony formation and wound healing in fusion kinase inhibitor resistant cell lines. Combination treatment downregulates Akt phosphorylation in resistant cells, and we found the resistant cell lines were also more sensitive to PI3K inhibition than cell lines that are still sensitive to their specific TKI. Interestingly, we also identified AXL cross talk with other receptor tyrosine kinases. In a RET inhibitor resistant model expression of both AXL and EGFR are elevated and the receptors interact, which can be disrupted upon EGF stimulation, to drive resistance. Collectively, we show that AXL upregulation is a common marker of TKI resistance among ALK, ROS1, and RET fusion kinase driven lung adenocarcinoma models, and provide rationale for AXL as a clinical target for combination therapy to overcome drug resistance. Citation Format: Tara Peters, Anastasios Dimou, Anh Le, Robert Doebele. Identifying the role of AXL in fusion kinase inhibitor resistant non-small cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 5262.
Sex, death, and alienation: the burdened history of classroom pets in the American curriculum

While both human-animal studies (HAS) and explorations of the educative potential of animals in classrooms have exploded in recent decades, the different roles served by classroom pets in the histo...
Ultra-Low Power Scaled III-V-on-Si 1T-DRAMs With Quantum Well Heterostructures

We demonstrate 1T-DRAMs based on the floating body effect in InGaAs-on-Si FETs. Using optimized quantum well channel heterostructures, retention times are enhanced and overall energy consumption is strongly reduced, resulting in the lowest write and read energies for IT-DRAMs - together with an extremely scaled gate length of 14 nm. Two different channel heterostructures are explored with regards to their impact on memory operation, energy consumption and endurance. The high electron mobility of the channel material enables a refresh power consumption of only 3.9 pW, the lowest reported for a 1T memory and matching state of the art 1T1C DRAM cells. These devices are highly promising for embedded memory applications in III-V high-frequency and future high-performance logic node technologies.
Facilitators and barriers to the utilization of the ACT SMART Implementation Toolkit in community-based organizations: a qualitative study.

Evidence-based practices (EBPs) have been shown to improve behavioral and mental health outcomes for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research suggests that the use of these practices in community-based organizations is varied; however, the utilization of implementation guides may bridge the gap between research and practice. The Autism Community Toolkit: Systems to Measure and Adopt Research-Based Treatments (ACT SMART) Implementation Toolkit is a web-based implementation toolkit developed to guide organization-based implementation teams through EBP identification, adoption, implementation, and sustainment in ASD community-based organizations. This study examined the facilitators and barriers (collectively termed “determinants”) to the utilization of this toolkit, based on the perspectives of implementation teams at six ASD community-based organizations. Two independent coders utilized the adapted EPIS framework and the Technology Acceptance Model 3 to guide qualitative thematic analyses of semi-structured interviews with implementation teams. Salient facilitators (e.g., facilitation teams, facilitation meetings, phase-specific activities) and barriers (e.g., website issues, perceived lack of ease of use of the website, perceived lack of resources, inner context factors) were identified, highlighting key determinants to the utilization of this toolkit. Additionally, frequent determinants and determinants that differed across adapted EPIS phases of the toolkit were noted. Finally, analyses highlighted two themes: (a) Inner Context Determinants to use of the toolkit (e.g., funding) and (b) Innovation Determinants (e.g., all website-related factors), indicating an interaction between the two models utilized to guide study analyses. Findings highlighted several factors that facilitated the utilization of this implementation guide. Additionally, findings identified key areas for improvement for future iterations of the ACT SMART Implementation Toolkit. Importantly, these results may inform the development, refinement, and utilization of implementation guides with the aim of increasing the uptake of EBPs in community-based organizations providing services to children with ASD and their families. Finally, these findings contribute to the implementation science literature by illustrating the joint use of the EPIS framework and Technology Acceptance Model 3 to evaluate the implementation of a web-based toolkit within community-based organizations.
Analyzing growers’ pest management decisions in the U.S. ornamental horticulture industry

Abstract An increasing number of retailers in the U.S. have required labels indicating the use of controversial neonicotinoid insecticides in plant production. Recent research shows that banning neonicotinoids decreased yield, increased production cost and pest resistance. Using a nationwide survey, we analyze production practices in the ornamental horticulture industry with an emphasis on the use of neonicotinoid insecticides. We are interested in investigating how U.S. ornamental plant growers who use neonicotinoids in their production practices may be different from those who do not use them, and the factors that would affect growers’ adoption of non-neonicotinoid insecticides. A reduced-form decision model is empirically estimated using a sample of 166 growers. Results reveal discrepancies in firm and production characteristics between neonicotinoids users and non-users. Type of operation and anticipated cost changes are found to be strong indicators of pest control adoption decisions. Specifically, growers with open field are more likely to adopt non-neonicotinoids practices. Growers anticipating larger increases in labor factor input or labor cost are less likely to switch to non-neonicotinoids practices, indicating growers become reserved when environmentally friendly pest management practices have the potential to increase labor input factor and associated cost, and as a result, lead to lower revenues and profitability.
Blood and blood treatments

During 2020, COVID-19 or CoV2-SARS dominated the public and medical community's discourse, thus prompting a preponderance of COVID-driven research. Despite the many resulting studies, few new insights emerged regarding blood components and blood treatments, the focus of this chapter. The pandemic led to a resurgence of interest in convalescent plasma and, by extension, freeze-dried plasma as treatment options for Coronavirus. Several such studies are summarized. Other research topics include blood coagulation, treatments for iron deficiency anemia, and newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. While this volume is devoted to exploring and reporting pharmacological side effects, most studies detailed few significant adverse events.
Probability of Glaucoma Determined from Standard Automated Perimetry and from Optic Disk Topography using Relevance Vector Machine Classifiers

Purpose: To evaluate relevance vector machine (RVM) as a machine learning classifier for detecting glaucoma from standard automated perimetry (SAP) and from Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) optic disk topographic measurements. The advantages of RVM over support vector machines are optimized learning and the availability of the probability of a diagnosis. Methods: For evaluation of SAP using RVM, we compared normal eyes (n=189) to glaucoma eyes (n=156). Glaucoma was defined as the presence of glaucomatous optic neurapthy based on evaluation of stereophotographs. The inputs for the RVMs were 52 visual field locations from SAP plus age. For evaluation of HRT optic disk topography using RVM, we compared normal eyes (n=135) to glaucoma eyes (n=95). Glaucoma was defined as repeatable SAP visual field damage. The inputs were 22 global, 84 regional, and 72 sectoral topographic optic disk parameters. Cross validation was used in all training to present to the trained RVMs cases not previously seen by the RVMs. Results: For SAP, the area (±SD) under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve using RVM was 0.916±0.016. The sensitivity was 76% at a fixed specificity of 90%. For HRT optic disk topography, the area (±SD) under the ROC curve using RVM was 0.939±0.016, and the sensitivity was 83% at a fixed specificity of 90%. For each of the test groups, the mean (±SD) probability of disease in the glaucoma group was significantly higher than the normal group, for SAP: 0.77±0.31 and 0.18±0.21, respectively, and for HRT topography: 0.80±0.31 and 0.13±0.20, respectively. Conclusions: RVMs performed at the level of the best previously reported machine learning classifiers, including support vector machines and mixture of Gaussian. Compared to these classifiers, RVM has the advantage of providing the probability of diagnosis, which can be used by the clinican in conjunction with risk factor and other diagnostic test information to determine the individual patient's likelihood of having glaucoma.
Ultrasonic Characterization of Ceramic Joints

Une ceramique de zircone PSZ a ete brasee sur une piece de fonte a l'aide d'un alliage Ag-Cu-Sn-Ti apres vaporisation de Ti pour faciliter le mouillage. On a developpe une methode ultrasonore permettant de caracteriser l'integrite de la liaison a l'interface ceramique-metal. On decrit egalement le developpement d'une technique utilisant les ondes de Lamb pour la caracterisation de joints entre des pieces d'alumine
Satellite-Derived Tropical Cyclone Intensities and Structure Change (TCS-08 and ITOP)

Abstract : Long-term goals: To understand tropical cyclone (TC) structure and the time evolution from genesis to a mature storm while focusing on environmental conditions that impact rainband and inner core changes that are directly related to a TC's intensity and resultant wind and rain fields. Objectives: Develop accurate automated satellite-based techniques to estimate TC intensity and intensity changes under all conditions (e.g., 24 hr/day, any global location, and strengths ranging from tropical depression to Category 5). Create products that enable the TC community to monitor the three dimensional (3-D) TC environment (winds, moisture, and sea surface temperatures) and advance our ability to forecast TC intensity changes with a special emphasis on western Pacific (WPAC) typhoons.
Social Development Trends in the Middle East, 1970–1997: the Search for Modernity

The nations of the Middle East have arrived at a historic crossroad.Anchored in centuries-old political and economic systems, bitterethnic rivalries, recurrent intra-regional warfare, and risingfundamentalism, the majority of the region’s countries haveremained largely apart from the transformative processes that areshaping development in other world regions. Indeed, the impressionexists that no development “miracles“ are occurring in theMiddle East and that, to a very great extent, the region isseeking to remain on the “sidelines” of modern history. And,yet, if the countries of the Middle East are to flourish in thenext century they, too, must restructure themselves for dealingwith the complex realities associated with increasing globalizationand internationalization. This paper reports on the socialdevelopment successes and failures of 22 Middle Eastern countriesbetween 1970 and 1997. Also identified are the region’s SocialLeaders (SLs), Socially Least Developing Countries (SLDCs),and Middle Performing Countries (MPCs). The social, political,and economic factors most closely associated with each country’sdevelopment classification are identified.
“Cultural Acupuncture”: Fan Activism and the Harry Potter Alliance

Written two decades apart, these statements by Fiske and Slack illustrate shifts in how fan activity connects the popular imagination and real-world politics. Both claim that fandom’s “sense of solidarity… [and] shared resistance” empowers individuals to make decisive steps towards collective action. Fiske sees fandom as an informal set of everyday practices and personal identities, while Slack describes organisations with institutional ties to NGOs. In Fiske’s view, participants’ fantasies shape how they see themselves and the world, while Slack describes a conscious rhetorical strategy mapping fictional content worlds onto
Value of human chrionic somatomammotropin in managing high-risk pregnancies

Abstract Studies of placental human chorionic somatomammotropin (HCS) in maternal serum were done to assess its usefulness as a placental function test. With the use of a solid-phase radioimmunoassay, HCS was measured in 1,378 serum samples from 506 pregnant women. The HCS values were similar in the normal, the blood factor Rh-sensitized, and the diabetes mellitus-complicated pregnancies. There was a decrease in the HCS values in proportion to the severity of maternal hypertension. An abnormally low fetal danger zone for HCS was determined, and the high-risk hypertensive pregnancies could be divided into those where serum HCS was above the zone (stillbirth rate zero) and those where the HCS values were in the zone (stillbirth rate 24.1). Significant correlations were found when comparisons were made between serum HCS and urinary estriol excretion or serum heat-stable alkaline phosphatase levels. It is hoped that the easy identification of a small group of hypertensive women whose fetuses are at great risk might lead to more intensive obstetric care of this group and an eventual lowering of the perinatal death rate.
Adolescent Substance Use and Unplanned Pregnancy: Strategies for Risk Reduction

Substance use among adolescents increases the risk of unplanned pregnancies, which then increases the risk of fetal exposure to addictive, teratogenic substances. Specific interventions are necessary to target pregnancy planning and contraception among reproductive-age substance users. Screening for substance use using the CRAFFT is recommended in all health care settings treating adolescent patients. Screening for tobacco and nicotine use is also recommended along with the provision of smoking cessation interventions. Using motivational interviewing style and strategies is recommended to engage adolescents in discussions related to reducing substance use, risky sexual behavior, and probability of unplanned pregnancy or late-detection pregnancy.
Investigation of deep brain stimulation mechanisms during implantable pulse generator replacement surgery.

Background Direct testing of deep brain stimulation (DBS) mechanisms in humans is needed to assess therapy and to understand stimulation effects. Objective We developed an innovative paradigm for investigation of DBS on human movement disorders. Temporary connection to the DBS electrode during implantable pulse generator (IPG) replacement permitted analysis of novel patterns of stimulation on motor symptoms, which could enhance efficacy and improve battery life. Materials and Methods Patients enrolled in this prospective, Institutional Review Board-approved study underwent IPG replacement using local (monitored) anesthesia. Following device explant, the DBS electrode was connected to an external, isolated electrical stimulator using a sterile adapter cable. Different temporal patterns of stimulation were delivered while quantifying upper-extremity tremor (tri-axial accelerometry) or bradykinesia (finger-tapping). Upon experiment completion, the new IPG was implanted. Results Among 159 IPG replacements from 2005 to 2011, 56 patients agreed to the research study (16 essential tremor [ET], 31 Parkinson's disease [PD], 5 mixed ET/PD tremor, 3 multiple sclerosis, 1 tremor/myoclonus). Surgical procedures were extended by 42 ± 8.2 min in 37 patients completing the study. Motor symptoms varied with stimulation pattern, with some patterns showing improved tremor or bradykinesia control. No postoperative infections or complications were observed in the 159 patients. Conclusion IPG replacement occurs when the DBS/brain interface is stable and patients demonstrate symptom reduction with known stimulation parameters. Conducting research at this time point avoids DBS implant issues, including temporary microlesion effects, fluctuating electrode impedances, and technical limitations of contemporary IPGs, providing advantageous conditions to conduct translational DBS research with minimal additional risk to research subjects.
The changing relationship between ENSO variability and moisture balance in the continental United States

The El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) system orchestrates a well-documented suite of climate anomalies worldwide. The details of ENSO's extratropical influence vary among events, but this variability has not been described or diagnosed beyond the past few decades, and previous descriptions have looked at inter-event differences rather than decadal patterns. We use a new tree-ring based drought reconstruction for the continental U.S. and instrumental ENSO indices to document systematic decadal changes in the U.S. drought-ENSO relationship since the late 19th century. Significant ENSO-drought correlation occurs consistently in the southwest U.S., but the strength of penetration of moisture anomalies into the continent varies substantially. The most striking change over the past 130 years is the initiation of a “bipolar” ENSO-drought signature around 1920, producing opposite-sign moisture anomalies in the southwest and mid-Atlantic states. Shifts in teleconnection patterns coincide with variations in the strength of ENSO and in a North Pacific mode.
Effective Randomness of Unions and Intersections

We investigate the μ-randomness of unions and intersections of random sets under various notions of randomness corresponding to different probability measures. For example, the union of two relatively Martin-Lof random sets is not Martin-Lof random but is random with respect to the Bernoulli measure $\lambda_{\frac{3}{4}}$ under which any number belongs to the set with probability $\frac{3}{4}$ . Conversely, any $\lambda_{\frac{3}{4}}$ random set is the union of two Martin-Lof random sets. Unions and intersections of random closed sets are also studied.
A Frequency Stable Vacuum-Sealed Tube High-Power Microwave Vircator Operated at 500 Hz

Operation of repetitive high-power microwave (HPM) sources is predominantly limited by thermal properties of anode and cathode materials. This letter presents a reflex-triode virtual cathode oscillator (vircator) capable of operating at 500 Hz at current densities between 100–200 A/cm $^{2}$ for multiple burst durations of 1–2 s. Stable vircator operation under such a thermally punishing environment is facilitated by the use of a thin pyrolytic graphite anode. The results presented focus on two anode–cathode (A–K) gap spacings: 11 and 21 mm, which produce stable microwave radiation at 4.6 and 1.6 GHz, respectively. Characteristic voltage, current, and microwave waveforms in conjunction with short-time Fourier transforms, frequency spectrographs, and HPM power density data for 1000 and 500 pulses at 1.6 and 4.6 GHz, respectively, are presented.
On the mod p2 determination of ((p − 1)4(p − 1)2)

Abstract The Gross-Koblitz formula and a formula of Diamond are used to prove the congruence A= 1+ 2 p−1 −1 2 2a− p 2a ( mod p 2 ) (p a prime number ≡ 1 (mod 4), p = a2 + b2 (a, b ∈ Z , a ≡ 1 (mod 4))), proposed by F. Beukers which refines the well-known congruence A ≡ 2a (mod p) for the binomial coefficient A= p−1 2 p−1 4
Relationship Education for Lesbian Couples: Perceived Barriers and Content Considerations

The current authors evaluated perceived barriers to relationship education services for female same-sex couples as well as possible content and process changes for these programs to better serve this population. Data were collected and qualitatively analyzed from focus groups with 32 women who had been or were in same-sex relationships. Results indicate that barriers to participating in relationship education programs included a lack of lesbian-affirming services, concerns of feeling comfortable and safe, and skepticism regarding leaders’ competence and program relevance. Participants expressed a desire for program content on the external challenges lesbian couples face from others and content sensitive to the dynamics within lesbian relationships that may differ from other couples. Clinical implications for overcoming these barriers and developing more lesbian-affirming relationship education programs are discussed.
Analysis of phosphorus herbicides by ion-pairing reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with octapole reaction cell

Abstract A reversed phase ion-pairing high performance liquid chromatographic (RPIP-HPLC) method is developed for the separation of two phosphorus herbicides, Glufosinate and Glyphosate as well as Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), the major metabolite of Glyphosate. Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide is used as the ion-pairing reagent in conjunction with an ammonium acetate/acetic acid buffering system at pH 4.7. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) is coupled to the chromatographic system to detect the herbicides at m/z 31P. Historically, phosphorus has been recognized as one of the elements difficult to analyze in argon plasma. This is due to its relatively high ionization potential (10.5 eV) as well as the inherent presence of the polyatomic interferences 14N16O1H+ and 15N16O+ overlapping its only isotope at m/z = 31. An octapole reaction cell is utilized to minimize the isobaric polyatomic interferences and to obtain the highest signal-to-background ratio. Detection limits were found to be in the low ppt range (25–32 ng/l). The developed method is successfully applied to the analysis of water samples collected from the Ohio River and spiked with a standard compounds at a level of 20 μg/l.