cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Canadian Maternity Homes and the Young Adolescents they Serve

Abstract Background: the scope of maternity home services for pregnant teenagers across Canada is unknown. We sought to identify and describe ail of the group residential facilities for pregnant women admitting teenagers in Canada, and to develop a profile of the youngest adolescents living therein. Methods: we consulted the social welfare departments of the major cities in each province, enquiring as to the existence of local maternity homes. In turn, maternity homes that were contacted served to help locate additional similar facilities. After a systematic and exhaustive effort, a nationwide roster of maternity homes was assembled. An official at each maternity home was asked to provide information through a postal questionnaire. The collected data were then organized, tabulated, and analysed. Results: we found a total of 28 maternity homes admitting girls under the age of 18 years (range: Ontario 13; Alberta, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island (0), and 26 (93%) completed and returned our questionnaire. Licenses from regulatory agencies were held by 22 homes (85% of respondents), girls dependent on illicit drugs or alcohol were admitted by 13 homes (50% of respondents), and the Salvation Army sponsored a total of eight of the 28 maternity homes. Median values for some characteristics were: years in operation, 57; age of youngest current resident, 15 years; typical length of stay, seven months; bed capacity, 14; number of full-time employees, seven; annual deliveries, 16; annual adoptions, two. The most common funding sources were city or provincial public funds as reported by 25 homes (96% of respondents) and the least common was the federal government reported by three homes (12% of respondents). Benefits included: private rooms in 25 homes (96%) ; social work services from 22 homes (85%) ; classes by a certified childbirth educator provided by 16 homes (62%) ; accredited on-site schooling available in 13 homes (50%) ; and vocational training arranged by six homes (23%). Prenatal care through private physicians was reported by 19 homes (73%) and through hospital based prenatal clinics by 17 homes (65%). AH deliveries were conducted in hospitals. A sampling of 48 of the youngest pregnant teenagers served in the past year revealed: median age 15 (range: [13–18]; 32 were white [67%], 11 were Native American [23%], two were African American [4%], two were Hispanic [4%], and one was Asian [2%]). There were 25 alleged victims of sexual abuse (52%) ; 26 alleged victims of physical abuse (54%) ; seven exchanged sex for food and shelter (15%); five exchanged sex for illicit drugs (10%); 13 abused illicit drugs or alcohol (27%) ; 11 had been convicted of a criminal offense (23%) ; none sold illicit drugs. Independent living and parenting skills classes were taken by 44 of the girls (91%). Conclusion: in Canada, group residential placement and services are available to pregnant teenagers who face a variety of serious psychosocial risk factors.
Specialized Production of Hohokam Plain Ware Ceramics in the Lower Salt River Valley

ABSTRACTHohokam plain ware tempers accurately indicate the location of pottery production. Results from an analysis of Sedentary period assemblages from Las Colinas and La Lomita indicate significant movement of undecorated pots in Canal System 2 and from sites in adjacent canal systems to the south. In particular, the scale of pottery exchange from Las Colinas to La Lomita, as well as the import of jars from the South Mountain area, suggest specialized production of Hohokam plain wares. Preliminary results provide a proxy of socioeconomic interaction between Sedentary period Salt River Basin settlements.
Current Status of ALPEX Research in the United States

The Special Observing Period of ALPEX (Alpine Experiment) occurred in March and April 1982. Since that time, several types of ALPEX research have been pursued in Europe and the United States, including data analysis, theory, numerical modeling, and laboratory modeling. The current status of ALPEX research in the United States was reviewed recently in a three-day ALPEX workshop held at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. This workshop was sponsored by the ALPEX Panel of the National Research Council's U.S. Committee for the Global Atmospheric Research Program.2 Attending the workshop were 16 United States scientists and agency representatives and two scientists representing active groups in Europe.3 The purpose of this article is to report the workshop findings to the meteorological community. In addition, the nature of the ALPEX data set will be described.
Abstract 3200: Acidic microenvironment activates endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways through GPR4 in human vascular endothelial cells

The tumor microenvironment is characterized by acidosis and hypoxia due to tumor heterogeneity, aerobic glycolysis (“Warburg effect”), and defective vasculature that is inefficient to deliver oxygen and nutrients and to remove metabolic acid byproduct. How the acidic microenvironment affects the function of blood vessels, however, is not well defined. GPR4, a member of the proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptors, has high expression in endothelial cells. We have previously reported that acidosis induces a broad inflammatory response in human vascular endothelial cells through the GPR4 receptor. Acidosis also increases the expression of several endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress genes such as CHOP and ATF3. In the current study, we have thoroughly examined acidosis/GPR4-induced ER stress pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). All three arms of the ER stress/unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways are activated by acidosis in HUVEC, as we observed an increased expression of phosphorylated eIF2α, phosphorylated IRE1α, and cleaved ATF6 upon acidic pH treatment. In addition, the expression of other downstream mediators of the UPR, such as ATF4, ATF3, CHOP and spliced XBP1, were also induced by acidosis at the mRNA and/or protein levels. Through genetic modifications and a small molecule inhibitor to modulate the expression level or activity of GPR4 in HUVEC, we found that GPR4 plays an important role in mediating the ER stress response induced by acidosis stimulation. As ER stress/UPR can cause inflammation and cell apoptosis, acidosis/GPR4-induced ER stress pathways in endothelial cells may regulate angiogenesis and inflammatory response in the acidic tumor microenvironment. Citation Format: Lixue Dong, Elizabeth A. Krewson, Li V. Yang. Acidic microenvironment activates endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways through GPR4 in human vascular endothelial cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3200. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3200
Response by Bakris to Letter Regarding Article, “The Implications of Blood Pressure Measurement Methods on Treatment Targets for Blood Pressure”

I very much appreciate the comments of Dr Messerli and colleagues on our report1 on blood pressure measurement in SPRINT (Sytolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) and fully concur. If one looks at the manual of …
FlashBack: Immersive Virtual Reality on Mobile Devices via Rendering Memoization

Driven by recent advances in the mobile computing hardware ecosystem, wearable Virtual Reality (VR) is experiencing a boom in popularity, with many offerings becoming available. Modern VR head-mounted displays (HMDs) fall into two device classes: (i) Tethered HMDs: HMDs tethered to powerful, expensive gaming desktops, such as the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Sony PlayStation VR; (ii) Mobile-rendered HMDs: self-contained, untethered HMDs that run on mobile phones slotted into head mounts, e.g., Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR.
Valuation of Life as outcome and mediator of a depression intervention for older African Americans: the Get Busy Get Better Trial.

Objective Previously, we showed that Get Busy Get Better (GBGB), a 10-session multicomponent home-based, behavioral intervention, reduced depressive symptom severity in older African Americans. As appraising the value of life is associated with depressive symptoms, this study examined whether GBGB enhanced positive appraisals of life and if, in turn, this mediated treatment effects on depressive symptoms. Methods Data were from a single-blind parallel randomized trial involving 208 African Americans (≥55 years old) with depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9 ≥5). GBGB involved five components: care management, referral/linkage, stress reduction, depression education, and behavioral activation. A 13-item Valuation of Life (VOL) scale with two subfactors (optimism and engagement) was examined as an outcome and as mediating GBGB effects on PHQ-9 scores at 4 months. Results Of 208 enrolled African Americans, 180 completed the 4-month interview (87 = GBGB; 93 = control). At 4 months, compared with wait-list control group participants, the GBGB group had improved VOL (difference in mean changes from baseline = 4.67, 95% confidence interval 2.53, 6.80). Structural equation models indicated that enhanced VOL mediated a significant proportion of GBGB's impact on depressive symptoms, explaining 71% of its total effect, and its subfactors (optimism, explaining 67%; engagement, 52%). Conclusion Valuation of Life appears malleable through an intervention providing resources and activation skills. GBGB's impact on depressive symptoms is attributed in large part to participants' enhanced attachment to life. Attention to VOL as mediator and outcome and the reciprocal relationship between mood and attachment to life is warranted. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Function(s)/Role(s) of Polyphenol Oxidases

Plants under native conditions are exposed to different abiotic and biotic stresses that impact the plant fitness either individually or together. Under majority of situations, the plants possess a diverse range of defense traits that help in reducing or eliminating the effects of these stresses. The secondary metabolites that include defense-related proteins play a major role in plant defense. Generally, spatial and temporal differences are observed with occurrence of biotic and abiotic stresses. Additionally, multiple stresses might impact the plant growth simultaneously; therefore, plant defense mechanisms must exhibit plasticity to combat these different stresses. The flexibility of secondary metabolites is due to (i) their role in defense against several stresses both biotic and abiotic and (ii) they are inducible, i.e., secondary metabolites are only expressed or expressed under stress (Thipyapong et al. 2007).
Effect of Access to an Electronic Medical Resource on Performance Characteristics of a Certification Examination: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Electronic resources are increasingly used in medical practice. Their use during high-stakes certification examinations has been advocated by many experts, but whether doing so would affect the capacity to differentiate between high and low abilities is unknown. Objective To determine the effect of electronic resources on examination performance characteristics. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Medical certification program. Participants 825 physicians initially certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) who passed the Internal Medicine Certification examination or sat for the Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification (IM-MOC) examination in 2012 to 2015. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 conditions: closed book using typical or additional time, or open book (that is, UpToDate [Wolters Kluwer]) using typical or additional time. All participants took the same modified version of the IM-MOC examination. Measurements Primary outcomes included item difficulty (how easy or difficult the question was), item discrimination (how well the question differentiated between high and low abilities), and average question response time. Secondary outcomes included examination dimensionality (that is, the number of factors measured) and test-taking strategy. Item response theory was used to calculate question characteristics. Analysis of variance compared differences among conditions. Results Closed-book conditions took significantly less time than open-book conditions (mean, 79.2 seconds [95% CI, 78.5 to 79.9 seconds] vs. 110.3 seconds [CI, 109.2 to 111.4 seconds] per question). Mean discrimination was statistically significantly higher for open-book conditions (0.34 [CI, 0.32 to 0.35] vs. 0.39 [CI, 0.37 to 0.41] per question). A strong single dimension showed that the examination measured the same factor with or without the resource. Limitation Only 1 electronic resource was evaluated. Conclusion Inclusion of an electronic resource with time constraints did not adversely affect test performance and did not change the specific skill or factor targeted by the examination. Further study on the effect of resource inclusion on other examinations is warranted. Primary Funding Source ABIM Foundation.
Thickness dependence of structural relaxation in spin-cast polynorbornene films with high glass transition temperatures (>613 K)

The isothermal structural relaxation (densification) of a family of glassy polynorbornene films with high glass transition temperatures (Tg > 613 K) is assessed via spectroscopic ellipsometry. Three polymers were examined: poly(butylnorbornene) (BuNB), poly(hydroxyhexafluoroisopropyl norbornene) (HFANB), and their random copolymer, BuNB-r-HFANB. The effective aging rate, β(T), of thick (∼1.2 μm) spun cast films of BuNB-r-HFANB is approximately 10−3 over a wide temperature window (0.49 < T/Tg < 0.68). At higher temperatures, these polymers undergo reactions that more dramatically decrease the film thickness, which prohibits erasing the process history by annealing above Tg. The aging rate for thick BuNB-r-HFANB films is independent of the casting solvent, which infers that rapid aging is not associated with residual solvent. β (at 373 K) decreases for films thinner than ∼500 nm. However, the isothermal structural relaxation of thin films of BuNB-r-HFANB exhibits nonmonotonic temporal evolution in thickness for films thinner than 115 nm film. The thickness after 18 h of aging at 373 K can be greater than the initial thickness. The rapid aging of these polynorbornene films is attributed to the unusual rapid local dynamics of this class of polymers and demonstrates the potential for unexpected structural relaxations in membranes and thin films of high-Tg polymers that could impact their performance. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 53–61
Chapter 15 – Diffusion Tensor Imaging and its Application to Schizophrenia and Related Disorders

Since its introduction, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has become one of the major tools in clinical and experimental neuroscience, and the most important imaging technique to investigate brain white matter in vivo. Schizophrenia, a widely studied but still poorly understood neuropsychiatric disorder, has been characterized as multifocal brain disease, involving abnormal brain connectivity. The idea of quantifying abnormalities within white matter fiber tracts, which subserve anatomical connections between distant as well as proximal brain regions, has thus fueled an interest in DTI studies in schizophrenia, resulting, to date, in more than 150 original peer-reviewed publications. In this chapter, we review DTI studies in schizophrenia, discussing the findings and their relevance in terms of what we know and do not know about white matter dysfunctions in schizophrenia in order to understand better the nature of schizophrenia pathology.
Fibromyalgia syndrome and small fiber, early or mild sensory polyneuropathy.

Introduction Pain mechanisms in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are not clearly understood. Growing evidence appears to suggest a role for small fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN) in some FMS patients, as measured by epidermal nerve fiber density (ENFD). We aimed to better characterize and distinguish the subset of patients with both fibromyalgia and small fiber, early or mild sensory polyneuropathy (FM-SFSPN). Methods 155 FMS patients with neuropathic symptoms completed a Short Form McGill Questionnaire and visual analog scale in addition to having skin biopsies, nerve conduction studies (NCS), and serologic testing. Results Sural and medial plantar (MP) response amplitudes correlated with ENFD, with markers of metabolic syndrome being more prevalent in this subset of patients. Pain intensity and quality did not distinguish patients. Discussion The FM-SFSPN subset of patients may be identified through sural and MP sensory NCS and/or skin biopsy but cannot be identified by pain features and intensity. Muscle Nerve 58: 625-630, 2018.
Where Caring for Self and Others Lives in the Brain, and How It Can Be Enhanced and Diminished: Observations on the Neuroscience of Empathy, Compassion, and Self-Compassion

Abstract In this, the final chapter of our book, we provide reviews of each chapter, summarizing the main points and presenting our (Woodruff’s and Stevens’) own comments where appropriate. We pull together implications of a number of these chapters into an integrated neurological portrait of compassionate experiencing. Next, we present a new model of the empathy-to-compassion process, which conceives of the process as a modulation of egocentric and allocentric representations as the observer comes to understand the other and to ultimately focus attention on the other’s well-being. We conclude by noting some pressing issues needing to be addressed by future research into the neuroscience of empathy, compassion, and self-compassion.
Improving Access to Health Care Among African-American, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Latino Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations

In the United States, lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons (LGBPs) of color may experience great difficulty obtaining high quality health care and/or health-related interventions. Issues surrounding access to health care may explain the disproportionate numbers of LGB ethnic minorities experiencing poor health outcomes relative to nonminority and non-LGB persons. This chapter presents research that may help to explain why African American, Asian and Pacific Islander (API), and Latino LGBPs have a lack of access to quality health care and a higher prevalence of poor health outcomes than other populations. The chapter also explores the ways in which access to health care can be improved for minority LGBPs and presents suggestions for institutional-, community-, and policy-level interventions.
The future of the EU in the context of scenarios for its development by 2025

Розглянуто запропоновані Європейською Комісією сценарії майбутнього розвитку ЄС до 2025 р.: «Продовжуємо роботу», «Нічого, крім єдиного ринку», «Ті, хто бажають більшого, роблять більше», «Робити менше, але більш ефективно», «Робити набагато більше разом». Європейська Комісія наголошує, що роль ЄС як позитивної глобальної сили є за сучасних умов більш важливою, ніж коли-небудь. Однак, під тиском глобальної конкуренції місце й економічна вага об’єднаної Європи в світі зменшуються, що є вагомою підставою для збереження єдності Союзу заради досягнення більшого. Визначені та стисло охарактеризовані переваги й недоліки кожного зі сценаріїв. З’ясовано спільні риси цих сценаріїв: по-перше, всі вони виходять з того, що Велика Британія вийде з ЄС, по-друге, жоден із них не ставить під сумнів необхідність збереження спільної валюти євро та Шенгенської зони, по-третє, в жодному сценарії не згадується подальше розширення ЄС. Оскільки жоден із запропонованих сценаріїв не передбачає повну дезінтеграцію ЄС, тобто зникнення його як суб’єкта геополітики, зроблено висновок про те, що у стратегічній перспективі всі окреслені моделі майбутнього розвитку Союзу влаштовують Україну. Більше того, запропоновані нещодавно Президентом України та Європейським Парламентом кроки щодо поглиблення економічної інтеграції України з ЄС та асоціації з Шенгенською зоною також не суперечать будь-якому зі сценаріїв.
Organ donation and family refusal. Bioethical reasons for a change

Cases of next-of-kin veto, i.e., a family refusal to allow organs harvest contrary to donor wishes or when the law presumes consent, is a widespread practice that seriously harms thousands of people. This is a practice settled in many countries Family refusal to donate reduces an already shallow donor pool by approximately 43% in the Americas, 25% in Europe (37,3% in United Kingdom) and 54% in Asia. Some countries, such Argentina, France, Colombia and Wales, current reversed its policy on organ donations to a system that prevents next of kin to dishonoring the donor’s wishes restricting the confirm donor status only with the National Donor Registry and unless evidence of their objection is produced. In part I we review the latest amended transplant legislation of those countries that are trying to change this scenario. In part II we question the most frequently cited arguments to uphold the next-of-kin veto right and the countries that successfully changed their legislation banning this practice to encourage organ donation. We conclude that it is imperative to change this practice because the harm caused by promoting the family veto is greater and more serious than the potential harm of not allowing it.
UNIT 3.9 Finding Protein and Nucleotide Similarities with FASTA

The FASTA programs provide a comprehensive set of rapid similarity searching tools (fasta36, fastx36, tfastx36, fasty36, tfasty36), similar to those provided by the BLAST package, as well as programs for slower, optimal, local, and global similarity searches (ssearch36, ggsearch36), and for searching with short peptides and oligonucleotides (fasts36, fastm36). The FASTA programs use an empirical strategy for estimating statistical significance that accommodates a range of similarity scoring matrices and gap penalties, improving alignment boundary accuracy and search sensitivity. The FASTA programs can produce “BLAST-like” alignment and tabular output, for ease of integration into existing analysis pipelines, and can search small, representative databases, and then report results for a larger set of sequences, using links from the smaller dataset. The FASTA programs work with a wide variety of database formats, including mySQL and postgreSQL databases. The programs also provide a strategy for integrating domain and active site annotations into alignments and highlighting the mutational state of functionally critical residues. These protocols describe how to use the FASTA programs to characterize protein and DNA sequences, using protein:protein, protein:DNA, and DNA:DNA comparisons. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: similarity; homology; expectation; E()-value; alignment annotation; scoring matrices
Prominence of the tropics in the recent rise of global nitrogen pollution.

Nitrogen (N) pollution is shaped by multiple processes, the combined effects of which remain uncertain, particularly in the tropics. We use a global land biosphere model to analyze historical terrestrial-freshwater N budgets, considering the effects of anthropogenic N inputs, atmospheric CO2, land use, and climate. We estimate that globally, land currently sequesters 11 (10–13)% of annual N inputs. Some river basins, however, sequester >50% of their N inputs, buffering coastal waters against eutrophication and society against greenhouse gas-induced warming. Other basins, releasing >25% more than they receive, are mostly located in the tropics, where recent deforestation, agricultural intensification, and/or exports of land N storage can create large N pollution sources. The tropics produce 56 ± 6% of global land N pollution despite covering only 34% of global land area and receiving far lower amounts of fertilizers than the extratropics. Tropical land use should thus be thoroughly considered in managing global N pollution. Nitrogen pollution is influenced by many stressors, and their combined effects are poorly constrained. Here the authors used a global land biosphere model to analyse the past two and a half centuries of land N pollution budgets and fluxes to the ocean and atmosphere and found that land sequesters 11% of global annual reactive N inputs.
Whiteboard patient tracking system improves radiation oncology treatment planning workflow

As care delivery becomes ever more complex, and physicians and health care systems face increasing demands, improved efficiency within radiation oncology departments is essential. The workflow required for quality radiation treatment delivery necessitates detailed communication between multiple specialized team members and emerging technologies, sometimes at different locations. In this study, we compare the time required for completion of several components of this process, before and after whiteboard implementation, hypothesizing that whiteboard usage would decrease the time required to complete the designated task, thereby improving workflow. We retrospectively reviewed dosimetric workflow data from 578 patients treated between January 2015 and January 2017 (320 pre- and 258 post-whiteboard). The whiteboard system cataloged various patient clinical factors as well as workflow metrics. Departmental workflow was then examined and time from simulation date to contour approval, plan approval, and start date of the prescribed therapy were compared. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney tests or paired t tests. There was a 17% reduction in the time from simulation to contour approval, 3.0 to 2.5 days, respectively (p = 0.007). There was also a 24% reduction in the time from simulation to plan approval, 6.3 to 4.8 days (p < 0.001). On subset analysis by individual disease site, head and neck cancer as well as lung cancer cases showed statistical improvement in the time from simulation to plan approval. Two of the three physicians evaluated demonstrated a statistical improvement in the time from simulation to plan approval. Physician 1 improved from 6.9 to 5.5 days (p = 0.001) and physician 3 from 8.7 to 8.3 days (p = 0.002). Whiteboard implementation resulted in a significant decrease in time from CT simulation date to contour approval and plan approval. When used effectively, an automated whiteboard system facilitates improved workflow.
Low short-term and long-term cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in absence of coronary artery calcium: A 22-year follow-up observational study from large cohort

Abstract Objectives We sought to evaluate the gender-specific predictive value of coronary artery calcium (CAC) score on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in individuals with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). Background CAC score is a robust predictor of CVD and all-cause mortality during long-term follow-up in large cohorts in adults with DM. However, less is known about its sex-specific impact on all-cause mortality in DM. Methods We evaluated 25,563 asymptomatic participants with no known history of coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent clinically indicated CAC. 1999 (7.8%) individuals had diabetes. CAC was characterized as an Agatston score of 0, 1–99, 100–300, and ≫300. We evaluated the association between CAC and all-cause mortality and CVD mortality. Results Overall, 1345 individuals died (5.3%) from all causes during a mean follow-up of 14.7 ± 3.8 years. CAC score was 0 in 57.5% females and 34.4% of males without DM, while 36.6% females and 20.3% males with DM had CAC-0. The frequency of CAC ≫ 300 was 18% and 36% in females and males with DM, respectively. CAC score of zero was associated with low all-cause mortality event rate in females and males with diabetes (1.7 and 2.5 events per 1000 person-years, respectively). Cardiovascular mortality per 1000 person years was ≪1 in females and males with CAC score of 0 irrespective of their diabetes. Adjusted multivariable analysis, compared to CAC-0, HR for all-cause mortality associated with CAC 1–99, 100–299 and ≫300 were 1.74(95% CI 0.65, 4.63, P-0.20), 5.54(95% CI 2.16, 14.22, P ≪ 0.001) and 5.75(95% CI 2.30, 14.37, P ≪ 0.001) in females with DM respectively; in males with DM HR associated with CAC 1–99, 100–299 and ≫300 were 1.87(95% CI 0.95, 3.66, P-0.06), 2.15(95% CI 1.05, 4.38, P-0.035) and 2.60(95% CI 1.34, 5.0, P-0.004), respectively. Conclusion Presence of subclinical atherosclerosis varies among individuals with DM. The absence of CAC was associated with very low cardiovascular as well as all-cause mortality events in all subgroups during long term follow-up.
Behavioral economic demand assessments in the addictions.

Behavioral economics in the addictions is the application of both economics and psychology to study multifaceted components of substance use decision-making behavior. One such component is demand: the relative value of a substance for a user (i.e., the association between drug use and cost). The degree to which a user values a substance can be measured via performance on hypothetical purchase tasks which replicate drug purchase and consumption. Demand has been evaluated across substances, including alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and alternative tobacco products. Recent advances in the study of demand have greatly improved the assessment of drug value, including application to novel products, selection of optimal task unit, assessment of demand in naive or potential future users, and the importance of instructional set specificity.
Trimethylamine Oxide Induced Decarbonylation of M(CO)2Cl2(PPh3)2 (M: Ru, Os) Complexes.

The title dicarbonyl complexes (I) are monodecarbonylated by 0.5 equiv. trimethylamine oxide in the presence of phenanthroline (II) to give the cationic complexes (III) isolated as their hexafluorophosphates.
Efficient Photo Crowdsourcing in Delay-Tolerant Networks with Evolving POIs

In a disaster or battlefield zone, the rescue workers, soldiers and other survivors (referred to as nodes) may need to survey the damages and send images to the command and control center (the server) in a hop by hop fashion in the absence of any communication infrastructure. The server considers some area/landmark as the point of interest (POI), and distributes the request to the nodes to collect more information about them. Nodes take photos of POIs and share them among each other using store and forward paradigm, called Delay-tolerant Networks (DTNs) to send them to the server. Due to highly intermittent contact characteristics of nodes in a DTN network, and bandwidth and storage limitations, redundant photos need to be omitted in this forwarding technique whereas photos that cover different angles and views of the targets need to be shared. Another challenge is that, over time, some server-listed POIs may not be of importance whereas some new POIs might be of interest. In this work, we propose a scheme that is able to dynamically update the list of POIs based on the current photo metadata, with reduced consumption of the bandwidth, energy and the storage at nodes by sending only important photos of POIs. We compare our proposed schemes with a related well-known scheme [21] to show the scalability of our approaches which provide the same level of photo coverage, but consumes much less energy and bandwidth.
Agroforestry as a pathway to agricultural yield impacts in climate-smart agriculture investments: Evidence from southern Malawi

Abstract Agroforestry is widely promoted for delivering not only the main food security objective of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) but also increasing resilience and mitigating climate change. Yet rigorous estimates of the impact of this pathway on agricultural yields in CSA interventions remain limited. Here we analyze maize yield effects of agroforestry within a large CSA project, funded by the US Agency for International Development and implemented from 2009 to 2014 in southern Malawi. Using original survey data from 808 households across five districts, we apply a double hurdle specification with a control function approach to account for the endogeneity of CSA program participation and the intensity of agroforestry fertilizer trees (as a proxy for agroforestry adoption) in the study area. We find a positive and statistically significant yield effect of CSA program participation and the intensity of agroforestry fertilizer trees: maize yields increased, on average, by 20% for participation, and 2% for the intensity of fertilizer trees – a modest but useful result with implications for increasing agricultural productivity among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere. More broadly, our results show that incorporating agroforestry into CSA interventions could enhance agricultural yields among smallholder farmers in the face of climate change — a crucial aspect of sustainable development goals on hunger and climate adaptation.
[Application of dispersive solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry in 15 dyes and pigments of wolfberry].

Objective A method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry( LC-MS / MS) has been developed for the simultaneous determination of fifteen dyes and pigments in wolfberry. Methods The wolfberry was immersed by water, purified by dispersive solid-phase extraction( d SPE) method with ethylenediaminefunctionalized magnetic polymers( EDA-MPs) as adsorbent. The UFLC separation was performed on a Shim-pack XR-ODS II column( 75 mm × 2. 0 mm, 2. 2 μm) with a linear gradient elution program of acetonitrile and ammonium acetate( Am Ac, 5 mmol / L) as the mobile phase. Electrospray ionization was applied and operated in the negative ion mode. Results The limits of quantitation( LOQs) and limits of detection( LODs) for the fifteen dyes and pigments were in the range of 0. 5- 10. 0 μg / kg and 0. 2- 3. 0 μg / kg. The calibration curves showed good linearities for the fifteen analytes in their detection ranges, and the correlative coefficients( r) were more than 0. 999. The recoveries were between90. 3%- 108. 7% with the RSDs in the range of 2. 07%- 6. 20%. Conclusion Themethod is quick, reproducible, sensitive, and adapts to the simultaneous determination of fifteen dyes and pigments in wolfberry.
A study of cognitive ability and value degree of 3-year paramedical students'legal knowledge

Objective To know about grasp and value degree of 3-year paramedical students'legal knowledge.Methods A study on a same questionaire was answered by 648 students who were going to enter the clinical practice.For their consecutive years,the pre-designed questionnaire and a unified database would be used by designated persons and not only respomible for recalling questionnairs and inputting data but also respomible for pretest and middle examination.Results An average of 56.1% of 3-year paramedical students can't correctly answer questions about the legal knowledge and also lack of interest of learning legal knowledge.These student knew little about long-term and temporary laws and regulations issued by the State Council and the Ministry of Health and knowledge outside the books as well Conclusions Paramedical students should strengthen the learning of legal knowledge relmed courses,laws and regulations and nursing bill in order to lay theoretical foundation for future clinical work and avoid legal risks and unnecessary legal disputes. Key words: Paramedical student; Legal knowledge
Prognostic value of baseline elevated red cell distribution width in DLBCL.

e20031Background: Elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) has been associated with all-cause mortality, risk of developing cancer and cancer mortality in large retrospective studies. The underly...
Fundamental speed limit of dynamic Brillouin fiber sensing

We present a previously undescribed fundamental limit to dynamic Brillouin strain sensing resulting from strain induced non-local Doppler frequency shifts. We demonstrate how to surpass this limit using dual gain and loss probes.
Secondary Applications and the CASPer Test

Completing the unique secondary applications which are required for every MD/PhD program is an arduous task. With an average of several pages of required essays for each school, MD/PhD applicants may have to write upward of 100 pages of essays. However, with ample time devoted to outlining and prewriting these essays, along with appropriate recycling of material, the secondary applications can be successfully conquered. This chapter aims to delineate an effective approach to tackling this portion of the application process to greatly reduce the amount of work and stress involved. Several frequently asked secondary essay prompts are discussed in detail along with common mistakes applicants make when selecting topics for these essays. This includes topics such as diversity, challenges faced, interest in specific programs, and reasons for pursuing the combined degree program. Lastly, this chapter devotes a section to discussing the CASPer exam, including its structure, its purpose for admissions committees, and how to prepare for the exam.
Unpacking Tornado Disasters: Illustrating Southeastern US Tornado Mobile and Manufactured Housing Problem Using March 3, 2019 Beauregard-Smith Station, Alabama, Tornado Event

AbstractThis study illustrates and describes how Southeast US tornado disasters commonly unfold by examining the 2019 Beauregard-Smith Station, Alabama, tornado event from spatiotemporal and struct...
The Utility of Televisits in Patients with a Left Ventricular Assist Device

Purpose Televisits are an alternative method of patient assessment and monitoring used to replace or complement traditional clinic visits. The aim of this study was to assess the utility and effectiveness of televisits in LVAD patients. Methods Prospective cohort study of consecutive LVAD patients undergoing televisits between March 1st and May 30th, 2020 in a large academic medical center. Patient demographics, baseline medications, and details of televisit encounters were collected from electronic medical records. Patients were followed for 3-months from their initial televisit for medication changes, in-person visits, hospital admissions and mortality. Results 133 patients were enrolled; Mean age was 60.9 (±14.6) years and 111 (83.5%) were male. Mean time between LVAD implantation and first televisit was 33.6 months. The number of televisits per patient varied from 1-7 with the majority (45.1%) having 2 televisits during the study period. (Figure 1a). 86 patients (64.7%) had medication changes, primarily warfarin (82.6 %) followed by diuretics (31.4%). 63 patients (47.4%) visited the hospital in person for an urgent clinic visit or a right heart catheterization (Figure 1b). 21 patients (15.8%) had at least one admission to the hospital (total 29 admissions). 3 patients (2.3%) died (1 from sepsis and 2 from heart failure (HF) secondary to aortic regurgitation). Of the hospital admissions, 11 occurred within two weeks of televisits (37.9%). Admissions were due to infection in 8 (27.6%), HF in 5 (17.2%), arrythmia/syncope in 4 (13.8%), heart transplantation in 2 (6.9%), gastrointestinal bleeding in 2 (6.9%), LVAD alarms in 1 (3.4%) stroke in 1 (3.4%) and other causes in 6 (20.7%) Conclusion Televisits are a viable strategy for management of LVAD patients leading to significant changes in anticoagulation and diuretic management. However, the high complexity of LVAD patients together with their severity of their illness results in multiple person clinic visits, admissions, and incidences of death.
A morphological subset of circulating tumor cells in advanced prostate cancer reveals a potential biomarker for clinical outcomes.

e17008Background: A morphological subset of prostate cancer (PCa) circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with particularly small nuclei (< 8.5 μm), named very-small-nuclear CTCs (vsnCTCs), were found to be...
Raman Spectroscopy as a Robust New Tool for Rapid and Accurate Evaluation of Drought Tolerance Levels in Both Genetically Diverse and Near-Isogenic Maize Lines

Improving drought tolerance of crops has become crucial due to the current scenario of rapid climate change. In particular, development of new maize germplasm with increased drought tolerance is viewed as a major breeding goal to ensure sustainable food and feed production. Therefore, accurate rapid phenotyping techniques for selection of superior maize genotypes are required. The objectives of this study were to determine whether Raman microscopy technique can be applied for accurate assessment of drought-tolerance levels in both genetically diverse and near-isogenic maize lines that differ in their levels of drought-tolerance. Carotenoid degradation is known to be a direct stress response initiated by reactive oxygen species during osmotic stress such as drought. Using Raman mapping, we observed real-time changes in the rate of carotenoid degradation in chloroplasts that was dependent on the strength of osmotic stress. In addition, we showed that the rate of carotenoid degradation as measured by Raman spectroscopy correlates directly with drought tolerance levels of diverse maize genotypes. We conclude that Raman technique is a robust, biochemically selective and non-invasive phenotyping technique that accurately distinguishes drought tolerance levels in both genetically diverse and near-isogenic maize genotypes. We conclude that this technique can be further developed to render it suitable for field-based early assessment of breeding materials with superior drought-tolerance traits.
Changes in psychosocial functioning among urban, school-age children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND There is concern about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychosocial functioning among school-age children, who have faced unusual stressors during this time. Our goal was to assess mental health symptoms and social risks during COVID-19, compared to before the pandemic, for urban, racial and ethnic minority school-age children, and investigate the relationship between mental health and social risks. METHODS We conducted a cohort study from September 2019 until January 2021 of children age 5-11 years old recruited from an urban safety net hospital-based pediatric primary care practice. We measured emotional and behavioral symptoms (including attention, internalizing, and externalizing symptoms) before and during the pandemic with the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17). We measured social risks (including food and housing insecurity) before and during the pandemic with the THRIVE screener. We measured additional mid-pandemic COVID-related stressors with items on school participation, screens/media use, illness exposure, and caregiver mental health. We compared pre- and mid-pandemic PSC-17 symptom scores across 4 domains (total, attention, internalizing, and externalizing) and used path analysis to examine the relationship between mental health and social risks pre- and mid-pandemic. RESULTS Caregivers of 168 children (54% non-Hispanic Black, 29% Hispanic, and 22% non-English speaking) completed the study. Children had significantly higher levels of emotional and behavioral symptoms midpandemic- vs. pre-pandemic in all domains. Significantly more children had a positive PSC-17 total score (18% vs. 8%, p < 0.01) and internalizing (depression and anxiety) score (18% vs. 5%, p < 0.001) during the pandemic vs. before, indicating clinical concerns in these areas. Caregivers reported significantly more social risks during vs. before the pandemic (p < 0.001). Mental health symptoms significantly correlated with number of social risks before the pandemic, but not during the pandemic. Less school assignment completion, increased screen time, and caregiver depression were all significantly associated with worse mid-pandemic mental health in children. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in depression/anxiety problems and social risks among urban, racial and ethnic minority school-age children compared to before the pandemic. More research is needed to understand if these changes will persist.
Gene Therapy for Cerebrovascular Disease and Central Nervous System Trauma

Neurologic diseases are frequently encountered acute medical conditions that have been proposed as potential targets for gene therapy. Numerous studies have demonstrated that various types of vectors (e.g. herpes simpex virus, adenovirus) can be used to transfect neurons, astrocytes, smooth muscle and endothelial cells in cell culture (1, 2). Selected in vivo studies are reviewed.
Introduction The archaea: Their history and significance

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the history and significance of the archaea. A prokaryote had originally been defined as an organism that did not possess certain eukaryotic cellular features—that is, a membrane-bounded nucleus and mitochondria. The early evidence for the existence of the archaea came in the main from an odd collection of organisms that lived in extreme environments. At that time conventional wisdom held that organisms living in extreme environments represent evolutionary adaptations to their environments, and such adaptations required an organism to undergo unusual phenotypic changes. A very few biologists actually did find the initial claim of a third form of life interesting and important. Many of them were microbiologists who worked with one or more of the archaea and found phylogenetic uniqueness a satisfying explanation for the phenotypic uniqueness they were increasingly encountering. The translation apparatus, an incredibly complex molecular aggregate that today involves of the order of 100 different molecular species, had to have evolved in stages from a far more rudimentary and inaccurate mechanism.
Vascular endothelial growth factor is present in glial cells of the retina and optic nerve of human subjects with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose To determine whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), which have been implicated in the development of retinal and choroidal neovascularization, are present in the retinas and optic nerves of patients with diabetes before proliferative retinopathy appears. Methods Light microscopic immunocytochemistry using antibodies to VEGF, bFGF, vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and factor VIII on frozen sections from eyes of patients with diabetes without proliferative retinopathy, eyes of patients without diabetes and without known ocular disease, and eyes with disciform age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Retinal vascular digest preparations to evaluate microvascular abnormalities. Results Based on morphology and on GFAP and vimentin immunopositivity, retinas from all subjects with diabetes immunostained strongly to VEGF in elongated processes that appeared to be Muller cells. Glial cells within septa surrounding axons in the anterior optic nerve also immunostained for VEGF, as did endothelial cells of some posterior retinal blood vessels and some retinal pigment epithelial cells. Retinas from eyes with disciform ARMD immunostained for VEGF, though less extensively than did those of subjects with diabetes. Retinas and optic nerves from subjects without ocular disease were VEGF negative. Basic fibroblast growth factor was expressed minimally in the inner retinal layers of subjects with and without diabetes, but it was substantial in the photoreceptor layer of all eyes. Vascular endothelial growth factor immunopositivity was present in eyes with no, or little, retinal vascular anatomic abnormality in digest preparations. Conclusions Vascular endothelial growth factor expression precedes retinal neovascularization in the retinas and the optic nerves of humans with diabetes. Its localization to glial cells of the inner retina and the anterior optic nerve suggests a relationship to neovascularization in these sites. That VEGF immunopositivity may occur when there is no anatomic evidence of retinal nonperfusion and little likelihood of retinal neovascularization suggests the possibility that ischemia may not be the sole stimulus for VEGF expression.