cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TeenBP: Development and Piloting of an EHR-Linked Clinical Decision Support System to Improve Recognition of Hypertension in Adolescents.

Context: Blood pressure (BP) is routinely measured in children and adolescents during primary care visits. However, elevated BP or hypertension is frequently not diagnosed or evaluated further by primary care providers. Barriers to recognition include lack of clinician buy-in, competing priorities, and complexity of the standard BP tables. Case Description: We have developed and piloted TeenBP— a web-based, electronic health record (EHR) linked system designed to improve recognition of prehypertension and hypertension in adolescents during primary care visits. Major Themes: Important steps in developing TeenBP included the following: review of national BP guidelines, consideration of clinic workflow, engagement of clinical leaders, and evaluation of the impact on clinical sites. Use of a web-based platform has facilitated updates to the TeenBP algorithm and to the message content. In addition, the web-based platform has allowed for development of a sophisticated display of patient-specific information at the point of care. In the TeenBP pilot, conducted at a single pediatric and family practice site with six clinicians, over a five-month period, more than half of BPs in the hypertensive range were clinically recognized. Furthermore, in this small pilot the TeenBP clinical decision support (CDS) was accepted by providers and clinical staff. Effectiveness of the TeenBP CDS will be determined in a two-year cluster-randomized clinical trial, currently underway at 20 primary care sites. Conclusion: Use of technology to extract and display clinically relevant data stored within the EHR may be a useful tool for improving recognition of adolescent hypertension during busy primary care visits. In the future, the methods developed specifically for TeenBP are likely to be translatable to a wide range of acute and chronic issues affecting children and adolescents.
The safe transport in hospital of PICU children in JCI standard

Objective To explore the effect of the implementation of safety transportation in the hospital,in order to improve the safety of emergency and critical care. Methods A total of 1310 patients with PICU from January 2012 to December 2013 were selected,630 patients treated with traditional transport from January 2012 to December 2012,and 680 patients were treated in JCI standard from January 2012 to December 2012. Results There were 18 cases in control group,57 cases in the receiving department,6 cases and 13 cases in experimental group,the difference was statistically significant( P0. 05,P0. 01). Conclusion In order to reduce the incidence of adverse events and improve the safety of the transportation in the hospital,the JCI standard of emergency and critical patients can reduce the incidence of adverse events.
Pathogenesis of HIV.

To understand the pathogenesis of AIDS, we must first understand the unique features of HIV that make it such a formidable pathogen. These features and their different qualities are discussed in this article.
Statistical Approaches to Assessing Crop Losses

The National Crop Loss Assessment Network (NCLAN) was developed in 1980 to coordinate research on the impact of gaseous pollutants on agricultural crops. From the beginning the program had the dual objectives of providing information for an economic assessment of the impact of gaseous pollution (i.e., ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide) on the agricultural industry, and of developing an understanding of the effects of pollutants (primarily ozone) on agricultural crops (Heck et al., 1984a, b). Over the seven-year period 1980–86, the program investigated 14 different species at six test sites across the country in a total of 43 separate studies.
Vector spaces and linear transformations

In this chapter we introduce the objects we will be studying and investigate some of their basic properties. BASIC DEFINITIONS AND EXAMPLES D efinition 1.1.1. A vector space V over a field F is a set V with a pair of operations ( u, v ) ↦ u + v for u, v ∈ V and ( c, u ) ↦ cu for c ∈ F, v ∈ V satisfying the following axioms: (1) u + v ∈ V for any u, v ∈ V . (2) u + v = v + u for any u, v ∈ V . (3) u + ( v + w ) = ( u + v ) + w for any u, v, w ∈ V . (4) There is a 0 ∈ V such that 0 + v = v + 0 = v for any v ∈ V . (5) For any v ∈ V there is a - v ∈ V such that v + (- v ) = (- v ) + v = 0. (6) cv ∈ V for any c ∈ F, v ∈ V . (7) c ( u + v ) = cu + cv for any c ∈ F, u, v ∈ V . (8) ( c + d ) u = cu + du for any c, d ∈ F, u ∈ V . (9) c(du) = ( cd ) u for any c, d ∈ F, u ∈ V . (10) 1 u = u for any u ∈ V .
Positive student response to engaging lecture videos with embedded activities implemented in hybrid online course, Biostatistics for Biology Majors

Lecture videos were developed for use in a hybrid online section of Biostatistics for Biology Majors (BIOL214-DL) piloted during the spring 2016 semester. Lecture videos were based on recordings of the face-to-face lecture course completed with the help of GMU TV in a classroom fitted with 5 cameras including one on the document camera to record course materials. During fall 2015, 22 class sessions were recorded. Video editing software was used to cut original 75 minute videos into shorter chunks by topic. Activities were added as still PowerPoint slides to present the activity, followed by a slide reading “Did you really try the activity” followed by a video explanation of the correct answer. Final videos were on average 13.5 ± 0.73 (SEM) minutes and ranged from 3 to 21 minutes. Videos had an average of 2.62 ± 0.27 (SEM) activities. In a mid-term assessment completed by 18 students, 44% “Strongly agreed” that the embedded activities helped them learn class material, 44% “Agreed” and the other 11% responded “Neither Agree nor Disagree”. Sixty one percent of students ranked lecture activities in the top two “aspects of the course that are helpful to your learning”. Current challenges of embedding lecture video activities will be discussed along with future solutions offered by Kaltura media.
The Search for Computing's Secretariat

The slowing of Moore's law offers IEEE and its members the unique opportunity to influence research toward continued growth in computing performance.
Finding meaningful participation in volunteer geographic information and citizen science: a case comparison in environmental application

ABSTRACTVolunteer geographic information (VGI) and citizen science (CS) have been used as a way to promote a form of democratization of knowledge. Crowdsourcing facilitates the massive collection of data through nonexpert volunteers. This study compares 57 VGI and CS projects through a cross-case comparison method to explore the level of involvement of participants, based on three main analytic dimensions (project rationale, actor interaction, and data flow) and 12 sub-variables. The primary goal of this research is to analyze the purpose and the role of technology in VGI and CS projects, using three matrices to explore emerging trade-offs. Finally, we synthesized the workflow of VGI and CS project and compared based on project purposes. At the end of this study, five main purposes were found among the selected projects, uncovering that data collection is the most common purpose. A general workflow can be conceptualized, but detail implementation will involve various trade-offs, especially between local i...
Antimicrobial Activities of Phenolic Extracts Derived from Seed Coats of Selected Soybean Varieties

Soybean hulls or seed coats consist of complex carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and polyphenols such as anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins, and isoflavones. The polyphenolics in the seed coats give them various colors such as black, brown, green, yellow, or even a mottled appearance. In this study, the antimicrobial effects of phenolic extracts from the seed coats of different colored soybeans (yellow, dark brown, brown, and black) were evaluated against foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Campylobacter jejuni in broth-cultures as well as on chicken skin. The highest total phenolic content was observed for the phenolic extract from soybean variety (R07-1927) with black colored seed coat (74.1 ± 2.1 mg chlorogenic acid equivalent [CAE]/g extract) and was significantly different (P <0.0001) from the extract of the conventional soybean variety (R08-4004) with yellow colored seed coat (7.4 ± 1.2 mg CAE/g extract). The extract from black colored soybean produced reductions of 2.10 ± 0.08 to 2.20 ± 0.08-log CFU/mL for both E. coli O157:H7 and C. jejuni after 3 d when incubated in broth-culture having 4-log CFU/mL of bacteria, whereas a 6 d incubation was found to reduce S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 at 2.03 ± 0.05 and 3.3 ± 0.08-log CFU/mL, respectively. The extract also reduced S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 attached to chicken skin by 1.39 ± 0.03 and 1.24 ± 0.06-log CFU/g, respectively, upon incubation for 6 d. Soybean seed coat extracts may have a potency as antimicrobial agents to reduce foodborne bacteria contaminating poultry products.
Detection of BRAF mutation in the cytocentrifugation supernatant fluid from fine-needle aspiration of thyroid lesions may enhance the diagnostic yield.

Objective: BRAF mutations using cellular DNA from fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens are commonly used to support the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The goal of this study was to preliminarily evaluate the diagnostic utility of detecting BRAF mutations in the routinely discarded FNA specimen supernatant fluid. Materials and Methods: Seventy-eight FNAs of thyroid lesions were evaluated for BRAF mutations using both cellular and supernatant DNA. BRAF mutation data were correlated with cytology and surgical pathology. Results: Of the 78 samples evaluated, 68 (87%) had amplifiable DNA in the supernatant with 2 (3%) positive for BRAF mutations. These two samples showed no mutations in the cellular counterpart. Among the 11 samples showing morphologic findings (FNA/surgical pathology) suspicious/diagnostic of PTC, 6 (55%) samples (one supernatant and five cellulars) were positive for BRAF mutations. This suggests that testing supernatant DNA in FNA specimens may increase the diagnostic yield by 1/11 (9%) in this setting. Conclusions: The vast majority of routinely discarded FNA supernatants contain amplifiable DNA. In addition, profiling the mutations of BRAF and other genes using supernatant DNA may provide valuable diagnostic information to assist the diagnosis of PTC in patients with clinical/morphologic findings suspicious for malignancies and cellular DNA showing no mutations.
Postural Changes in Osteoporosis: Musculoskeletal Consequences

The most effortless posture in humans occurs when anatomical structures that participate in upright posture are aligned with the line of gravity or close to it. In kyphosis and forward thrust of the head, weight of the head will add to the deforming forces of the spine and further development of kyphosis. With bone loss, spinal deformities develop subsequent to the repetitive strain beyond biomechanical competence of the spine. Proper intervention could be biomechanical and include re-education of the spinal facet joints to the correct posture. Among the complications related to kyphosis, I will address flank pain or iliocostal impingement syndrome. There is a paucity of literature on the management of osteoporosis-related postural deformities. In this communication, I present interventions through biomechanical measures and facilitation of exercise to improve postural deformities as much as possible.
Rare Earth doped GaN for photonic devices

We report excitation mechanisms, quantum efficiency as well as the thermal quenching of photoluminescence processes in rare earth ions (Er and Nd) in GaN grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition.
Dynamics of microtubules: highlights of recent computational and experimental investigations

Microtubules are found in most eukaryotic cells, with homologs in eubacteria and archea, and they have functional roles in mitosis, cell motility, intracellular transport, and the maintenance of cell shape. Numerous efforts have been expended over the last two decades to characterize the interactions between microtubules and the wide variety of microtubule associated proteins that control their dynamic behavior in cells resulting in microtubules being assembled and disassembled where and when they are required by the cell. We present the main findings regarding microtubule polymerization and depolymerization and review recent work about the molecular motors that modulate microtubule dynamics by inducing either microtubule depolymerization or severing. We also discuss the main experimental and computational approaches used to quantify the thermodynamics and mechanics of microtubule filaments.
Body mass and wing shape explain variability in broad-scale bird species distributions of migratory passerines along an ecological barrier during stopover

Migrating birds are under selective pressure to complete long-distance flights quickly and efficiently. Wing morphology and body mass influence energy expenditure of flight, such that certain characteristics may confer a greater relative advantage when making long crossings over ecological barriers by modifying the flight range or speed. We explored the possibility, among light (mass <50 g) migrating passerines, that species with relatively poorer flight performance related to wing shape and/or body mass have a lower margin for error in dealing with the exigencies of a long water crossing across the Gulf of Mexico and consequently minimize their travel time or distance. We found that species-mean fat-free body mass and wing tip pointedness independently explained variability among species distributions within ~50 km from the northern coast. In both spring and autumn, lighter (i.e., slower flying) species and species with more rounded wings were concentrated nearest the coastline. Our results support the idea that morphology helps to shape broad-scale bird distributions along an ecological barrier and that migration exerts some selective force on passerine morphology. Furthermore, smaller species with less-efficient flight appear constrained to stopping over in close proximity to ecological barriers, illustrating the importance of coastal habitats for small passerine migrants.
Inappropriately Timed Pediatric Orthopaedic Referrals From the Emergency Department Result in Unnecessary Appointments and Financial Burden for Patients.

BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal injuries are among the most common reasons for emergency department (ED) visits in the pediatric population. Many such injuries can be managed with a single follow-up outpatient visit. However, untimely (ie, premature) referrals by emergency physicians to orthopaedic surgeons are common and may inadvertently create need for a second visit, generating unnecessary expenditures. We sought to elucidate the cost of premature musculoskeletal follow-up visits to the patients, families, and the health care system. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of pediatric patients with acute musculoskeletal injuries referred from our ED (without a formal orthopaedic consult) to our outpatient clinic. Patients were retrospectively reviewed in a consecutive fashion. The appropriateness of the recommended follow-up time interval was determined for each patient, and the direct and indirect cost of the inappropriate services were calculated utilizing a combination of traditional cost accounting techniques and time-driven activity-based costing. The characteristics of patients with appropriate and untimely follow-up referrals were compared. RESULTS Two hundred consecutive referrals from the ED were reviewed. Overall, 96.5% of the follow-up visits recommended by the ED were premature, which led 106 (53%) patients to require a second visit to complete their clinical care. Patients who required a second visit were significantly younger (P=0.005), more likely to be male (P=0.042), more likely to have a fracture (P<0.001), and less likely to have a sprain (P<0.001) or dislocation/subluxation (P<0.001). Over 40% of second visits were accounted for by 3 diagnoses (distal radius buckle fractures, nondisplaced Salter-Harris 1 fractures of the ankle, and buckle fractures of the finger). Across the whole cohort, the total financial impact of untimely visits was $36,265.78, representing an average cost of $342.93 per patient. CONCLUSIONS Untimely referrals for follow-up of acute pediatric musculoskeletal conditions are very common and represent a significant financial burden to patients, families, and the health care system. Over 40% of unnecessary visits resulted from just 3 diagnoses. Improved orthopaedic follow-up guidelines, particularly for these readily recognizable conditions, and feedback to referring providers may reduce poorly timed clinic visits and decrease costs in the treatment of common orthopaedic injuries in pediatric patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III.
Conserved cysteine residues are necessary for nickel-induced allosteric regulation of the metalloregulatory protein YqjI (NfeR) in E. coli.

Abstract Transition metal homeostasis is necessary to sustain life. First row transition metals act as cofactors within the cell, performing vital functions ranging from DNA repair to respiration. However, intracellular metal concentrations exceeding physiological requirements may be toxic. In E. coli, the YqjH flavoprotein is thought to play a role in iron homeostasis. YqjH is transcriptionally regulated by the ferric uptake regulator and a newly discovered regulator encoded by yqjI. The apo-form of YqjI is a transcriptional repressor of both the yqjH and yqjI genes. YqjI repressor function is disrupted upon binding of nickel. The YqjI N-terminus is homologous to nickel-binding proteins, implicating this region as a nickel-binding domain. Based on function, yqjI and yqjH should be renamed Ni-responsive Fe-uptake regulator (nfeR) and Ni-responsive Fe-uptake flavoprotein (nfeF), respectively. X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy was employed to characterize the nickel binding site(s) within YqjI. Putative nickel binding ligands were targeted by site-directed mutagenesis and resulting variants were analyzed in vivo for repressor function. Isothermal titration calorimetry and competitive binding assays were used to further quantify nickel interactions with wild-type YqjI and its mutant derivatives. Results indicate plasticity in the nickel binding domain of YqjI. Residues C42 and C43 were found to be required for in vivo response of YqjI to nickel stress, though these residues are not required for in vitro nickel binding. We propose that YqjI may contain a vicinal disulfide bond between C42 and C43 that is important for nickel-responsive allosteric interactions between YqjI domains.
Clinical features of acute stroke in young adults – a qualitative study of patient experiences (P3.260)

Objective: To characterize the clinical features of acute stroke in young adults. Background: Many young adults with acute stroke present to the hospital late, and strokes are often misdiagnosed in young adults. This has been attributed to a lack of awareness of stroke symptoms and limited recognition of stroke as a disease affecting all ages. However, it is not known how much atypical clinical features contribute to late presentations and misdiagnosis. We hypothesized that young adults with acute stroke may have atypical clinical features that interfere with their care. Design/Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients age 18–55 with acute stroke. We used purposeful sampling to obtain variation in participant age, sex, race, stroke etiology, stroke severity, and center (academic or community). Currently, 10 interviews have been completed with an estimated sample size of 20 to reach thematic saturation. We used a constant comparative method to develop a coding schema, find consensus, and iteratively modify the interview guide. Results: The primary domains in this study were preceding symptoms, symptom characteristics, perception of symptoms, and reaction to symptoms. A minority of participants had preceding neurologic symptoms due to ischemia, but those who did had symptoms lasting one or more days prior to the day of presentation. While young adults experienced typical stroke symptoms, several described dramatic fluctuations in severity, especially with occlusions of large or distal intracranial arteries. Although many recognized their symptoms as potentially representing stroke, fluctuation in symptoms generated uncertainty. Despite prior knowledge of stroke, participants frequently described denial and disbelief regarding their symptoms, even when experiencing and recognizing very severe symptoms. Conclusions: Young adults with acute stroke may have atypical clinical features that interfere with accessing care and receiving an accurate diagnosis. Disclosure: Dr. Jones has nothing to disclose. Dr. Huggins has nothing to disclose. Dr. Thaler has received personal compensation for activities with St. Jude Medical WL and Gore Associates as a consultant. Dr. Han has nothing to disclose. Dr. Leung has nothing to disclose.
Case Study. Invasive Insects in Plant Biosecurity: The Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program

Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), Anoplphora glabripennis (Motschulsky), is a highly destructive wood-boring pest of maple and other hardwood trees. ALB is native to East Asia; its range covers much of the eastern half of China and the Korean peninsula (Acta Entomol Sin 41: 284–290, 1998; Lingafelter SW, Hoebeke ER (2002) Revision of Anoplophora (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Entomological Society of Washington, Washington, DC). ALB was first discovered in the USA in August 1996 in Brooklyn, New York. Infestations were subsequently detected in Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Ohio.
Sum rules for higher-twist parton distributions

In deep-inelastic scattering experiments, there is a general connection between subtractions in dispersion relations, violations of sum-rules and $\delta$-functions in parton distribution functions. It is explained why one might expect a small violation in sum rules for the twist-3 distribution functions $g_T(x)$ and $h_L(x)$ when the sum-rules are applied to $x\neq 0$ data only. The non-perturbative predictions are studied in the context of a one-loop model.
A Boundary Integral Method for Transient Heat Diffusion in Isotropic Non-Homogeneous Media

This paper presents a Laplace transform-based BEM method for transient heat conduction in heterogeneous media. The method uses the generalized boundary integral method developed by Kassab and Divo[l] as a point of departure. The BIE is modified to solve the resulting modified variable coefficient Helmholtz problem in Laplace domain. Subsequently, the BEM solution is thereafter inverted to the time-domain using the Stehfest transform. Numerical examples for variable conductivity are presented and show agreement between BEM-predicted temperatures and analytical solutions.
The Effects of Alcohol on Blood Pressure and Electrolytes

The interaction between alcohol abuse, changes in blood pressure, and electrolyte abnormalities is complex. Some effects of alcohol are seen only with acute ingestion, some during withdrawal, and some only in chronic drinkers. Careful attention to the interactions between the metabolism of various electrolytes can prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality in alcoholic patients.
Disruption, Metallization, and Electrical Properties of Metal GaAs and InP Semiconductor Interfaces

Despite dedicated efforts of many people over many decades, we are still struggling with the problem of Schottky barrier formation [1–11]. Perhaps this is because the emphasis has been on discovering a single mechanism which could explain everything. Monch [12] has already suggested the importance of multiple mechanisms, and this approach will be emphasized in this paper.
Expectation of movement generates contrasting changes in multifinger synergies in young and older adults.

Anticipatory synergy adjustment (ASA) is a feed-forward control mechanism that describes a continuous decrease in the stability of the current motor state beginning about 150 ms prior to a state transition. Recently, we described an associated phenomenon in which the system stability was reduced solely in response to a cue that generates an expectation of a state change, independent of whether the state change actually occurs. Both phenomena are of the same kind (stability reduction), but evoked by distinct antecedent conditions. Since, logically, cuing for movement must occur before the initiation of that movement, we named this new phenomenon ‘Stage-1 ASA’ and rechristened the well-established version ‘Stage-2 ASA’. Here, we used a four-finger, isometric force production task to explore (1) the effect of healthy aging on Stage-1 ASA, and (2) if Stage-1 ASA resulted in a more rapid state change. Young and older adult participants produced 10% of their maximal force when they did not expect to produce any change in the force, and when they expected to change their force in an unknown direction and at an unknown time. In the latter condition, the 10% constant-force phase was followed by a choice reaction time task, in which the participants rapidly changed their force to follow a moving target presented on a computer monitor. Both young and older adults displayed equivalent amount of Stage-1 ASA. This was driven by a 42% reduction in finger-force variability in young adults. In contrast, it was driven by a 38% increase in finger-force variability in older adults. We speculate that the reduction in finger force variability assists the young adults in rapid state changes via two mechanisms: (1) the finger forces occupy a restricted set of states that are optimal for quick state transitions, and (2) lower variability during steady state translates into lower self-motion during state transition. Self-motion is the covariation between finger forces that fails to change the total force. The older adults are unable to adopt this strategy, and the increase in finger-force variability arises from (1) the adoption of an alternative strategy of destabilizing the attractor associated with the current state to facilitate state transitions and (2) the inability to coordinate multiple finger forces. Finally, older adults displayed longer reaction times than young adults, but a clear relation between Stage-1 ASA and consequent behavioral benefit in terms of reduced reaction time remained elusive.
Characterization of higher-order scattering from vegetation with SMAP measurements

Abstract Vegetation cover absorbs and scatters L-band microwave emission measured by SMOS and SMAP satellites. Misrepresentation of this phenomena results in uncertainties when inferring, for instance, surface soil moisture in retrieval algorithms that commonly utilize the tau-omega model which is most applicable for a weakly scattering medium. In this study, we investigate the degree to which multiple-scattering is prevalent over a range of land cover classifications (from lightly vegetated grasslands to dense forests) at the satellite scale by explicitly accounting for multiple-scattering in a first-order radiative transfer model, developed here. Even though the tau-omega model with effective parameters can possibly capture higher-order scattering contributions, deliberately partitioning scattering into different components is required to estimate multiple-scattering properties. Specifically, we aim to determine how one can partition between zeroth and first-order radiative transfer terms within a retrieval algorithm without ancillary information, determine whether this method can detect first-order scattering at the SMAP measurement scale without ancillary information, and quantify the magnitude of detected scattering. A simplified first-order radiative transfer model which characterizes single interactions of microwaves with a scattering medium is developed for implementation within retrieval algorithms. This new emission model is implemented within a recently developed retrieval algorithm, the multi-temporal dual channel algorithm (MT-DCA), which does not require ancillary land use information. Scattering parameters as well as SM and vegetation optical depth (τ) are retrieved simultaneously in Africa and South America using the first year of SMAP brightness temperature measurements on a 36 km grid. Specifically, an introduced time invariant first-order scattering coefficient (ω1) is retrieved representing microwave emission interaction with the canopy. We find that ω1 is typically zero in lightly vegetated biomes and non-zero (~0.06) in 74% of the forest pixels. In forest-dominated pixels, the median first-order emissivity is 0.04, or about 4.3% of a given SMAP radiometer brightness temperature measurement. Additionally, explicitly accounting for first-order scattering terms in the radiative transfer model tends to increase SM and τ retrievals by a median of 0.02 m3/m3 and 0.1, respectively, only in forested regions. This study demonstrates the first attempt to explicitly partition higher-order scattering terms in a retrieval algorithm at a satellite scale and ultimately provides a fundamental understanding and quantification of multiple-scattering from grasslands to forests.
Unusual Design Influences a Building s Biocolonization Pattern and Complicates Remediation

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) opened its doors for the first time to the public on September 21, 2004. Designed by Douglas Cardinal, the building stands out from other museums on the National Mall in Washington, DC, because of its curvilinear shape and the yellow golden color of its stone, which are intended to recall cliff dwellings of the American Southwest. Biocolonization on the stonework, a consequence of both the building’s design and the stone’s porosity and facture, has resulted in five cleaning campaigns over the 13 years since the building’s inauguration. Such frequent cleaning, three times with the same biocide, is expensive and potentially self-defeating. Microorganisms tend to become resistant to biocides, and/or new organisms may develop that are even more aggressive. Since a pristine building is preferred by its stakeholders, alternative approaches are being explored to prevent biocolonization. Any alteration of the building’s architecture has been rejected, and pressurized water washing is considered inadvisable as an alternative to biocidal cleaning. Good results reported for inhibition of biocolonization by zinc strips led to their testing on a Kasota limestone block, which proved very effective, and in February 2012 zinc strips were installed in two locations on the NMAI building. After several years the blocks showed localized reduction of biocolonization, but the strips have not yet been proven successful in reducing biocolonization on the building’s facade. Installation of zinc sheets to cover top surfaces of capstones is in the process of implementation in two test areas. The nonuniform flow of water over the irregular surfaces on the facade below, however, is likely to result in incomplete inhibition of biocolonization by the zinc. Moreover, randomly projecting blocks scattered across the facade cannot be protected by zinc strips without interfering with the building’s appearance. Alternative biocides and methods of inhibition are also being considered. These include incorporation of zinc compounds in hydraulic lime parging on capstones, a technique that might be used on window sills and capstones that are not visible from the ground; it should inhibit biocolonization on these surfaces and possibly on the facade below them.
Your Uber Is Arriving: Managing On-Demand Workers Through Surge Pricing, Forecast Communication, and Worker Incentives

On-demand platforms (e.g., Uber, Lyft) often rely on independent workers, who are not directly under the platform’s control, to be available at the “right” time and locations to serve consumers at ...
The Chemistry of Vicinal Tricarbonyls: Total Syntheses of Elastase Inhibitors YM-47141 and YM-47142

We have completed the total syntheses of elastase inhibitors YM-47141 and YM-47142, the first natural products containing a vicinal tricarbonyl group. The work establishes the configuration at C(4) of the macrocyclic depsipeptide and demonstrates the generality of the phosphoranylidene-ylide activation and protection methodology employed earlier in syntheses of α-keto amides. Key steps involve the coupling of a carboxylic acid with a phosphorane to form a stable ylide intermediate, which contains the highly electrophilic carbonyl group in protected form. The tricarbonyl unit was unmasked at the final stage of the synthesis by oxidative cleavage of the C=P bond.
Polyamine Catabolism in Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) refers to an abrupt decrease in kidney function. It affects approximately 7% of all hospitalized patients and almost 35% of intensive care patients. Mortality from acute kidney injury remains high, particularly in critically ill patients, where it can be more than 50%. The primary causes of AKI include ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), sepsis, or nephrotoxicity; however, AKI patients may present with a complicated etiology where many of the aforementioned conditions co-exist. Multiple bio-markers associated with renal damage, as well as metabolic and signal transduction pathways that are involved in the mediation of renal dysfunction have been identified as a result of the examination of models, patient samples, and clinical data of AKI of disparate etiologies. These discoveries have enhanced our ability to diagnose AKIs and to begin to elucidate the mechanisms involved in their pathogenesis. Studies in our laboratory revealed that the expression and activity of spermine/spermidine N1-acetyltransferase (SAT1), the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine back conversion, were enhanced in kidneys of rats after I/R injury. Additional studies revealed that the expression of spermine oxidase (SMOX), another critical enzyme in polyamine catabolism, is also elevated in the kidney and other organs subjected to I/R, septic, toxic, and traumatic injuries. The maladaptive role of polyamine catabolism in the mediation of AKI and other injuries has been clearly demonstrated. This review will examine the biochemical and mechanistic basis of tissue damage brought about by enhanced polyamine degradation and discuss the potential of therapeutic interventions that target polyamine catabolic enzymes or their byproducts for the treatment of AKI.
Does the Tax Code Favor Robots

In recent months, a number of scholars and commentators have articulated versions of the following argument: (1) U.S. tax law favors capital over labor; (2) Robots are capital; (3) Therefore, U.S. tax law favors robots over labor. Three implications tend to be drawn from this syllogism: (a) that U.S. tax law leads to inefficient investments in automation; (b) that automation — because it is capital-intensive and capital is tax-favored — will result in a reduction in tax revenues; and (c) that policymakers should respond to the automation trend either by imposing explicit taxes on robots or by raising taxes on all capital. This short essay — an edited version of remarks at the Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Tax Law Symposium at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law — seeks to illustrate why the line of argument above is misguided. First, the claim that U.S. tax law is biased toward capital rests entirely on an unstated (and uncertain) normative premise: that the United States should tax income rather than consumption. If an income tax is the baseline, then U.S. tax law exhibits a pro-capital bias; if a consumption tax is the baseline, then U.S. tax law exhibits an anti-capital bias. Which baseline we choose depends on normative choices that claims of capital-favoritism tend to occlude. Second, robots do not only (or even primarily) represent “capital”; they also embed the labor of engineers and others. The labor of robot makers is often taxed at unfavorable rates relative to the labor of the workers whom automation threatens to displace. Third, the idea that U.S. tax law incentivizes firms to replace human workers with robots rests on doubtful logic, and the claim that automation will erode the tax base finds little support either. This essay is not an argument against capital income taxation or a defense of the current Code, which does tax capital income but not all that much. The case for capital income taxation will be stronger, though, if it is based on firm foundations rather than on dubious claims of robot favoritism. The essay also is not a full treatment of the arguments for and against taxing capital. Its objective is to evaluate one such argument and to show why it is unpersuasive. Part I of the essay examines the claim that the U.S. tax system favors capital over labor. Part II turns to the question of whether robots represent capital or embedded labor. Part III considers the case for explicit taxation of robots or broader taxation of capital once illusions about the tax code’s pro-robot bias are cleared away.
Incident Chronic Kidney Disease Risk among Hispanics/Latinos in the United States: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

Background Although Hispanics/Latinos in the United States are often considered a single ethnic group, they represent a heterogenous mixture of ancestries who can self-identify as any race defined by the U.S. Census. They have higher ESKD incidence compared with non-Hispanics, but little is known about the CKD incidence in this population. Methods We examined rates and risk factors of new-onset CKD using data from 8774 adults in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Incident CKD was defined as eGFR Results Mean age was 40.3 years at baseline and 51.6% were women. In 5.9 years of follow-up, 648 participants developed CKD (10.6 per 1000 person-years). The age- and sex-adjusted incidence rates ranged from 6.6 (other Hispanic/mixed background) to 15.0 (Puerto Ricans) per 1000 person-years. Compared with Mexican background, Puerto Rican background was associated with 79% increased risk for incident CKD (incidence rate ratios, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.33 to 2.40), which was accounted for by differences in sociodemographics, acculturation, and clinical characteristics. In multivariable regression analysis, predictors of incident CKD included BP >140/90 mm Hg, higher glycated hemoglobin, lower baseline eGFR, and higher baseline urine albumin/creatinine ratio. Conclusions CKD incidence varies by Hispanic/Latino heritage and this disparity may be in part attributed to differences in sociodemographic characteristics. Culturally tailored public heath interventions focusing on the prevention and control of risk factors might ameliorate the CKD burden in this population.
Keratinocyte-Specific Peptide-Based Surfaces for Hemidesmosome Upregulation and Prevention of Bacterial Colonization

Percutaneous devices like orthopedic prosthetic implants for amputees, catheters, and dental implants suffer high infection rates. A critical aspect mediating peri-implant infection of dental impla...
RELEASE OF GLUCONEOGENIC PRECURSORS FROM SKELETAL MUSCLE

SUMMARY The rate of gluconeogenesis is determined by the rate of amino acid release from muscle. Several factors, including insulin, glucose, leucine, and contractile activity, were shown to influence the balance between rates of protein synthesis and breakdown in isolated rat muscles. Thyroid hormones were found to promote protein catabolism as well as protein synthesis in muscle and appear to be essential for the mobilization of body proteins during starvation. The composition of amino acids released by skeletal muscle is different from that in muscle protein. Alanine and glutamine are synthesized de novo and released in large amounts. Nearly all of the pyruvate used in alanine synthesis comes from exogenous glucose and not from amino acids generated from protein breakdown in muscle. These findings support the existence of the glucose-alanine cycle. Aspartate, asparagine, glutamate, isoleucine, and valine are the only amino acids that can be converted to tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates and may serve as precursors of glutamine or pyruvate. Degradation of these amino acids and leucine contribute amino groups for alanine and glutamine production. Most of the carbons of the amino acids that enter the tricarboxylic acid cycle are converted to glutamine, while the remainder are converted via pyruvate for complete oxidation or lactate production. Thus, glutamine formation may be an important step in gluconeogenesis from muscle protein. In muscles from fasted but not fed rats, leucine at physiological concentrations inhibited pyruvate oxidation and promoted lactate release. These effects may contribute to preserve gluconeogenic precursors during fasting.
Vagal Nerve Stimulator Placement by a Vascular Surgeon

BackgroundRefractory seizure activity represents a difficult problem for both patients and practitioners. Implantation of the vagal nerve stimulator has been posited as an effective treatment for r...
COVID-19 Disruption and Service Firms’ Adaptation Strategies: Institutional Theory Perspectives

The unprecedented global COVID-19 crisis has jolted service businesses whose raison d’etre is delivering satisfaction through human interaction. Faced with this existential threat, services must suddenly become resilient and pivot towards futuristic strategies. This paper draws upon institutional theory to develop a conceptual model that explains how service firms can transition to effective crisis management, grapple with pandemic disruption, and engender resilient strategies. In particular, institutional theory advocates tinkering and theorizing approaches for recovery and future growth. While tinkering provides a baseline layer of social acceptance and stimulates innovation via marginal changes such as adherence to norms (e.g., social distancing), theorizing creates legitimacy through new institutional logics (e.g., frames of references) and radical innovations as customers learn new meanings about service firms. Using examples from past pandemics such as the Spanish Flu of 1918 that killed more than 20 million people worldwide, and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, this paper articulates how firms have historically created theorizing by framing the cause of pandemics and disasters as unique attributions that engender social connectedness and resilience. For example, during past pandemics, institutional theory research shows that service firms which created social connections gained rapid legitimacy and success in the post pandemic era. In fact, social bonds forged through local charities magnified embeddedness and provided firms with long lasting loyalty and reputation outcomes. The paper concludes by providing several managerial applications of tinkering and theorizing strategies in the COVID-19 era. In particular, it highlights how service firms can tackle the new normal of social distancing, sheltering at home, and demand decrement through tinkering and theorizing. Finally, the study discusses how the COVID-19 situation can spur theorizing and innovation via machine learning (ML) and artificial (AI) applications in the areas of customer service and new product development.
Visible-NIR Spectral Feature of Citrus Greening Disease

Citrus greening(Huanglongbing,or HLB)is a devastating disease caused by Candidatus liberibacter which uses psyllids as vectors.It has no cure till now,and poses a huge threat to citrus industry around the world.In order to diagnose,assess and further control this disease,it is of great importance to first find a quick and effective way to detect it.Spectroscopy method, which was widely considered as a fast and nondestructive way,was adopted here to conduct a preliminary exploration of disease characteristics.In order to explore the spectral differences between the healthy and HLB infected leaves and canopies,this study measured the visible-NIR spectral reflectance of their leaves and canopies under lab and field conditions,respectively.The original spectral data were firstly preprocessed with smoothing(or moving average)and cluster average procedures,and then the first derivatives were also calculated to determine the red edge position(REP).In order to solve the multi-peak phenomenon problem, two interpolation methods(three-point Lagrangian interpolation and four-point linear extrapolation)were adopted to calculate the REP for each sample.The results showed that there were obvious differences at the visible NIR spectral reflectance between the healthy and HLB infected classes.Comparing with the healthy reflectance,the HLB reflectance was higher at the visible bands because of the yellowish symptoms on the infected leaves,and lower at NIR bands because the disease blocked water transportation to leaves.But the feature at NIR bands was easily affected by environmental factors such as light,background, etc.The REP was also a potential indicator to distinguish those two classes.The average REP was slowly moving toward red bands while the infection level was getting higher.The gap of the average REPs between the healthy and HLB classes reached to a maximum of 20nm.Even in the dataset with relatively lower variation,the classification accuracy of threshold segmentation method by the REP could reach to more than 90%.The four-point linear extrapolation method had slightly better result than the three-point Lagrangian interpolation method.This study provided useful theoretical foundation to detect HLB by spectral reflectance.
Visualization Techniques to Enhance Automated Event Extraction.

Robust visualization of complex data is critical for the effective use of NLP for event classification, as the volume of data is large and the high-dimensional structure of text makes data challenging to summarize succinctly. In event extraction tasks in particular, visualization can aid in understanding and illustrating the textual relationships from which machine learning tools produce insights. Through our case study which seeks to identify potential triggers of state-led mass killings from news articles using NLP, we demonstrate how visualizations can aid in each stage, from exploratory analysis of raw data, to machine learning training analysis, and finally post-inference validation.
The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act and its Rules of Origin : Generosity Undermined?

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), signed into American law on May 18, 2000, is a major plank of U.S. initiatives toward the African continent. The Act aims broadly at improving economic policymaking in Africa, enabling countries to embrace globalization, and securing durable political and economic stability. As an incentive for Africa to adopt the necessary policy reform, AGOA offers increased preferential access for African exports to the United States. This paper describes the provisions of AGOA and assesses its quantitative impact on African exports, particularly in the apparel sector. Its main conclusions are: 1) AGOA will provide real opportunities to Africa. Even on conservative estimates about Africa's supply response, Africa's non-oil exports could be increased by about 8-11 percent. 2) However, the medium-term gains could have been much greater if AGOA had not imposed certain conditions and not excluded certain items from its coverage. The most important condition is the stringent rule-of-origin, that is, the requirement that exporters source certain inputs from within Africa or the United States. Estimates suggest that the absence of these conditions would have magnified the impact nearly five-fold, resulting in an overall increase in non-oil exports of US$0.54 billion compared with the US$100-US$140 million increase that is expected in the presence of these restrictions. These restrictions, particularly on apparel, will come at a particularly inopportune time, as Africa will be exposed to competition from other developing countries when the quotas maintained on the latters' exports under the Multi-Fiber Arrangement (MFA) are eliminated. Africa's apparel exports will be lower by over 30 percent with the dismantling of the MFA. If, on the other hand, AGOA had provided unrestricted access, the negative impact of the dismantling could be nearly fully offset.