cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Live demonstration: Curating multi-domain investigations of electrochemical sensors for healthcare applications with a flexible hardware-software platform

A software package will be demonstrated for designing, organizing, and executing sophisticated real-world sensor interrogation protocols, archiving and annotating collected data, and performing differential analysis of experimental results. Users may describe the steps and components of an electronic experiment in abstract terms and may save and share protocol templates for later specialization and reuse. Once sufficiently specialized, an experiment may be executed on real hardware, yielding an organized and metadata-rich set of results tailored to the users' specifications. Results may be inspected at many degrees of detail, annotated, and compared with the outcomes of related experiments. Researchers can use this system to raise confidence in their conclusions, diagnose methodological problems, share their work, and determine new avenues of investigation. The presented framework is flexible enough to improve the automation and reproducibility of many sensor characterization tasks. During the demonstration, the system will be used to run a real protocol related to the authors' target application, namely electrochemical gas sensing for environmental health monitoring.
Monte Carlo Studies of Spinodal Decomposition in the 2d Kinetic Ising Model

Results obtained from extensive Monte Carlo simulations of domain growth in the two dimensional spin-exchange kinetic Ising model with equal numbers of up and down spins are presented. Using different measures of domain size — including the pair-correlation function, the energy, and circularly-averaged structure factor — the domain size is determined as a function of time (at T = 0.5 Tc) for times up to 106 Monte Carlo steps. The growth law R(t) = A + B t1/3 is found to provide an excellent fit to the data. Preliminary work, using the Connection Machine 2 (CM2) parallel-processor is also described.
An overview of the principles of clinical psychopharmacotherapy.

1. Diagnosis is the single most important criterion in determining whether pharmacotherapy might play a role in alleviating a patient's symptoms and in directing the choice of medication when indicated. 2. The optimal dose of medication can be affected by many factors including a patient's age, size and body type, ethnicity, gender, and kidney and liver function. 3. Education should be considered the cornerstone for optimal psychopharmacologic treatment.
Nuclear Spin-Lattice Relaxation Via Paramagnetic Centers in Amorphous Hydrogenated Silicon (a-Si:H)

This is the first NMR study of a-Si:H which measures the 29Si spin-lattice relaxation time, T1. Measurements of T1 are useful in learning about the silicon network structure and the localized states within the mobility gap. Dangling-bonds are randomly distributed in device quality materials but are inhomogeneously distributed in nondevice quality materials. There are two simultaneously occurring dangling-bond spin-lattice relaxation mechanisms: one is through the spin-orbit coupling modulated by thermal excitation of “two-level systems”, and the other is through hopping conduction between localized states near the Fermi level.
The Artificial Feeding of Thysanoptera

Recent investigators, among them Borden (1), Peterson (5) and Wardle & Simpson (6), have claimed that the mouthparts of Thysanoptera are used entirely for sucking, in contradistinction to the claims of earlier writers that Thysanopteran mouthparts were an intermediate between the sucking and chewing types. Some recent studies with Thrips tabaci L. confirm the more recent evidence. Thrips tabaci L. has been successfully reared by feeding the insect on sucrose solutions contained in tubes capped with fish-skin membranes as described by Carter (2), (3). The solutions used consisted of 3 per cent cane sugar to which had been added methylin blue and haematoxylin in varying proportions: 0.1 and 0.01 per cent of the former and 1 per cent of the latter. The object of the dye was to provide visual evidence feeding had actually taken place.
INITIATION OF LOOP DIURETICS HAS NO ASSOCIATION WITH 30-DAY ALL-CAUSE OR HEART FAILURE READMISSIONS OR ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY IN OLDER MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES HOSPITALIZED FOR HEART FAILURE

According to heart failure (HF) guidelines, diuretics are recommended in HF patients with fluid retention to improve symptoms. However, whether their use may lower the risk of 30-day all-cause readmission among hospitalized HF patients remains unclear. Of the 8049 Medicare beneficiaries
Adjuvant anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody therapy – ready for breast cancer?

SUMMARY A large number of patients diagnosed with early breast cancer worldwide derive improvements in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival with the use of available systemic adjuvant therapies. However, there is still much work to be done. Further improvements in clinical outcomes will significantly depend on the identification of prognostic and therapeutic targets through molecular medicine. The paradigm for these biological determinants is exemplified by HER2 and the chimeric humanized antibody that targets the extracellular domain of the HER2 gene product (HER2) in advanced breast cancer, trastuzumab. In clinical trials, this anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody has been demonstrated to be active as a single agent and has been shown to improve survival when it is added to two standard chemotherapy regimens in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Thus, it is logical that randomized phase III clinical trials have been designed and initiated to determine whether trastuzumab improves the efficacy of chemohormonal adjuvant treatment for patients at high risk of tumuor relapse based on amplification of the HER2 gene and/or HER2 protein overexpression.
Laboratory study of waste aciding fluid in Henan oilfield.

During the course of oilfield developing, it is liable to cause environmental contamination as the process of downhole operation is miscellaneous. According to the features of waste aciding fluid in Henan oilfield, the disposing method of neutralization oxidation adsorption congealment was used. The optimal additives dosage for each step of using the method to treat waste aciding fluid was determined based on water quality investigation of waste aciding fluid, i.e., adjusting pH value to 5, adding oxidizing agent O 1 of 0.5 mL/L and adsorbent A 1 of 1 g/L with agitation time of 60 min, as well as organic coagulant C 2 of 7 g/L and inorganic coagulant C 1 of 2500 mg/L. Laboratory results showed that the method can remove availably COD Cr of waste aciding fluid abetted by appropriate treating condition. The content of COD Cr was reduced from 13529 mg/L to 120 mg/L and the removal rate reached 99.8% and admitted environmental standard was satisfied assumably. The method has also properties of simple constructing process and low disposing cost.
Knowledge Acquisition by an Intelligent Acting Agent.

We present a solution to McCarthy’s Second Telephone Number Problem. This problem requires an agent to: realize that it lacks some knowledge to complete a task; know the external knowledge sources it can use to obtain the knowledge; know how to obtain the missing knowledge from those sources; actually obtain the missing knowledge; and use the obtained knowledge to complete the task. We explain how a SNePS-based agent solves the problem, and the features of SNePS and the GLAIR architecture that facilitate the solution. These features include: the integration of reasoning and acting; the ability to reason about actions; and the ability to represent and reason about the knowledge contained in external knowledge sources. This latter feature is accomplished through the process of grounding of symbols of the knowledge representation in symbols of an external language.
Development of tannic acid cross-linked hollow zein nanoparticles as potential oral delivery vehicles for curcumin

Abstract Sodium carbonate was proposed as a sacrifice template and tannic acid was used as a natural cross-linker to prepare hollow zein nanoparticles (HZN/T). The formulation of nanoparticles, including the amount of water, zein and sodium carbonate, were optimized by surface response methodology (Box-Behnken design). The optimized HZN/T exhibited a small dimension of 87.93 nm with a PDI of only 0.105 and a zeta potential of −39.70 mV, indicating the nanoparticles were homogenous and formed stable colloidal dispersion. Then curcumin was used as a model lipophilic nutrient to explore the encapsulation and delivery potentials of HZN/T, in comparison with hollow zein nanoparticles without tannic acid (HZN/NT) and solid zein nanoparticles with tannic acid (SZN/T) prepared under the same conditions. Generally, the encapsulation efficiency of HZN/T or HZN/NT was significantly higher than that of SZN/T. Interestingly, encapsulation of curcumin dramatically increased particle size of SZN/T by 50 nm, while it did not induce any expansion of the dimension of HZN/T due to its hollow structure. The molecular interactions between curcumin and zein nanoparticles were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and fluorescent spectrophotometer. The in vitro stability and release profile of nanoparticles were evaluated under the simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Although all types of zein nanoparticles showed a sustained release of curcumin, cross-linking via tannic acid played an important role to make zein nanoparticles more resistant against simulated intestinal digestion. Therefore, compared with traditional SZN/T, the HZN/T developed in this study has promising features as a potential oral delivery system for lipophilic nutrients/drugs.
Phenomenology, Structuralism, and the Human Sciences

Explaining phenomenology at the Sorbonne in February, 1929, Edmund Husserl began: No philosopher of the past has affected the sense of phenomenology as decisively as Rene Descartes … Phenomenology must honor him as its genuine patriarch … The study of Descartes’ Meditations has influenced directly the formation of the developing phenomenology … to such an extent that phenomenology might almost be called a new, twentieth century, Cartesianism.1
Less radical surgery for early-stage cervical cancer: Can conization specimens help identify patients at low risk for parametrial involvement?

Abstract Objective Radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer is associated with increased morbidity over an extrafascial hysterectomy. The goal of this study was to determine incidence of and risk factors for parametrial involvement (PI) based on conization specimen (CS) and to potentially identify candidates for less radical surgery. Methods Patients with FIGO IA2–IIA cervical cancer treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (RH) from 2000 to 2010 were retrospectively identified. Data was extracted from operative and pathology reports. Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher's exact test, t -test, and asymptotic logistic regression. Results Of 267 RH patients identified, 118 (44%) had conization prior to RH. The incidence of PI was 15.7% overall and 7.5% in patients treated with conization prior to RH. There was no association between PI and histology, stage, grade, or tumor size. Conization patients with PI were more likely to have LVSI on CS (77.8% vs. 29.4%) and positive lymph nodes (LNP) (66.7% vs. 8.3%). Of patients with positive endocervical curettage, a modest 12% had PI, which was not statistically significant. Tumor size, depth of invasion, and margin status on CS were not statistically associated with PI. In logistic regression analysis, LNP alone or LNP+LVSI were predictive of PI. Conclusions The incidence of PI in early-stage cervical cancer is significant. Only LVSI on CS and LNP were predictors of PI in the current study. While there may be select patients with early stage cervical cancer who can be spared parametrectomy, additional research is warranted.
MONITORING MILK PLANT WASTE EFFLUENT-A NEW TOOL FOR PLANT MANAGEMENT

A two-phase investigation of food plants consisted of field visits to 55 locations to view waste handling methods and then a single site analysis in which in-plant waste reduction was emphasized. Phase I showed that personnel in one plant only measured waste discharge volumes. Only 16 of the 55 plant supervisors could assign a dollar value to their firm's waste handling program. The total sampling indicated that 41.7% of the sites had waste disposal systems approved by an appropriate regulatory agency, 29.3% used systems that did not have such approval, 29% utilized municipal systems, and 16.6% discharged wastes as land irrigation. Phase II singled out one processing plant which was subjected to measures emphasizing in-plant actions to minimize waste. This plant reduced its waste volume by 50%. Segregation of product rinsings reduced the daily pounds of BOD generated by as much as 50%. In addition, data were collected to show the value of detergent reuse. A new use for waste recording information develope...
Muscular Imaginings—A Phenomenological and Enactive Model for Imagination*

AbstractA phenomenological model (labeled ‘EC’) is developed as an alternative to current analyses of the imagination in sport philosophy, heirs to an Enlightenment notion that conceptualizes imaginings as abstract, eidetic, and representational. EC describes how Eidetic and Corporeal Imaginings (EIs & CIs) phenomenologically structure our imaginative undertakings. EIs keep the ‘ideal’ aspect, but CIs—enacted, corporeal, non-representational—are more fundamental and foundational. Sports are particularly suited to express CIs’ muscular imaginings, which result in novel performances. An enactive framework theorizes CIs as non-representational interactions.
Classification of seed dormancy and treatment of gibberellic acid to improve germination of arrowleaf balsamroot

With its perennial showy flower, soil-stabilizing taproot, and energy-rich winter foliage, arrowleaf balsamroot ( Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt. [Asteraceae]) has several traits that lend it to ornamental and conservation applications, if it can be propagated successfully and cost efficiently. Percent germination remains low, however, because of its unknown seed dormancy classification and dormancy-release mechanism. Based on a series of germination tests, seeds exhibit nondeep physiological dormancy, type 2; intermediate physiological dormancy, type 2; and deep physiological dormancy, types 1 and 3 according to the Baskin and Baskin (2004) classification. In the Schwienbacher and others (2011) reclassification, seeds exhibit the class and level, physiological deep dormancy. Gibberellic acid (GA3) followed by cold-moist incubation at 5°C (41 °F) significantly increased percent final germination, with a maximum final germination of 81 ±2%.
Receptivity and the Welcoming Cities Movement: Advancing a Regional Immigrant Integration Policy Framework in Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia

Welcoming America is a nonprofit organization based in Decatur, Georgia. Their focus is on making communities more inclusive for everyone, including racially and ethnically diverse foreign-born res...
First mover or higher quality? Optimal product strategy in markets with positive feedbacks

Conventional wisdom holds that in markets with positive feedbacks being first to market can matter more than product quality. In this paper, we test that intuition within a generalized Polya urn model. We find that if we assume constant feedbacks, in the long run, higher quality products dominate the market regardless of initial market shares, contradicting the common wisdom. However, when we allow for variable feedbacks, initial advantages persist almost indefinitely. Thus, the choice of whether to rush to market or focus on quality depends on market characteristics such as whether the positive feedbacks result from more consistent returns to scale or from more variable social influences.
Theranostics with radiation-induced ultrasound emission (TRUE)

Two novel ultrasound imaging techniques with imaging contrast mechanisms are in the works: X-ray-induced acoustic computed tomography (XACT), and nanoscale photoacoustic tomography (nPAT). XACT has incredible potential in: (1) biomedical imaging, through which a 3D image can be generated using only a single X-ray projection, and (2) radiation dosimetry. nPAT as a new alternative of super-resolution microscopy can break through the optical diffraction limit and is capable of exploring sub-cellular structures without reliance on fluorescence labeling. We expect these new imaging techniques to find widespread applications in both pre-clinical and clinical biomedical research.
Efficient double-scattering proton therapy with a patient-specific bolus.

Abstract Purpose Passive scattering proton radiotherapy utilizes beam-specific compensators to shape the dose to the distal end of the tumor target. These compensators typically require therapists to enter the treatment room to mount between beams. This study investigates a novel approach that utilizes a single patient-specific bolus to accomplish the role of multi-field compensators to improve the efficiency of the treatment delivery. Methods Ray-tracing from the proton virtual source was used to convert the beam-specific compensators (mounted on the gantry nozzle) into an equivalent bolus thickness on the patient surface. The field bolus contours were combined to create a single bolus. A 3D acrylic bolus was milled for a head phantom. The dose distribution of the compensator plan was compared to the bolus plan using 3D Gamma analysis and film measurements. Boluses for two clinical patients were also designed. Results The calculated phantom dose distribution of the original proton compensator plan was shown to be equivalent to the plan with the surface bolus. Film irradiations with the proton bolus also confirmed the dosimetric equivalence of the two techniques. The dose distribution equivalency of the bolus plans for the clinical patients were demonstrated. Conclusions We presented a novel approach that uses a single patient-specific bolus to replace patient compensators during passive scattering proton delivery. This approach has the potential to reduce the treatment time, the compensator manufacturing costs, the risk of potential collision between the compensator and the patient/couch, and the waste of compensator material.
Cascading impacts of climate change on southwestern US cropland agriculture

The interior southwest United States is one of the hottest, driest regions on the planet, yet irrigated cropland agriculture is successfully practiced where there is access to surface water and/or groundwater. Through climate change, the southwest is projected to become even hotter and drier, increasing the challenges faced by farmers across the region. We can assess the vulnerability of cropland agriculture, to assist in developing potential solutions to these challenges of warming temperatures and water scarcity. However, these types of biophysical vulnerability assessment usually generate technological or policy-level solutions that do not necessarily account for farmers’ ability to respond to climate change impacts. Further, there are non-climatic factors that also threaten the future of agriculture in the region, such as population increase, loss of agricultural land, and increasing competition for depleting water resources. In this paper, we assert that to fully address how southwestern farmers may respond to climate change impacts, we must consider both biophysical outcome and contextual vulnerabilities. Future research on individual localities and/or specific commodities and including cross-disciplinary analysis of socio-economic, institutional, cultural, and political factors alongside biophysical factors will help to develop more substantive understanding of system vulnerabilities and feasible adaptive solutions.
Künstliche Intelligenz als Weg zur wahren digitalen Transformation

An erster Stelle fur Investitionen deutscher Unternehmen in kunstliche Intelligenz stand bisher haufig die Erwartung, Prozesse effizienter gestalten und dadurch Kosten einsparen zu konnen. Eher seltener ging es um die grundsatzliche Veranderung der Geschaftsprozesse oder gar neue Geschaftsmodelle. Stattdessen werden bestehende Ablaufe mit neuer Technologie umgesetzt, um Ablaufe zu vernetzen, zu beschleunigen, kurz: um die Erhohung der Produktivitat. Mit Digitaler Transformation hat das wenig zu tun. Datengetriebene Services, Wertschopfung aus Information, effizientere Betriebsablaufe auf Basis von komplexen Vorhersagemodellen sind die Schritte auf dem Weg in eine digitale Zukunft. Mithilfe von kunstlicher Intelligenz lasst sich dieser Weg schneller und einfacher beschreiten.
Abstract TP210: Histopathological Evaluation of Thrombus in Acute Stroke and Correlation with Stroke Etiology

Background: While more endovascular treatments for acute stroke are being performed, few studies evaluate clot composition with variable results. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of collecting...
Improving Liquidity in Secondary Spectrum Markets: Virtualizing Spectrum for Fungibility

Pricing mechanisms in the form of auctions have been the main method for spectrum assignment in the United States for over 20 years. The spectrum auctions carried out by the federal communications commission constitute a primary market for spectrum and have been affected by lack of flexibility which has resulted in inefficiencies in spectrum assignment, especially in environments where spectrum is considered scarce. In recent years, we have observed significant efforts to increase efficiency in spectrum assignment and use. Among those efforts is the design and adoption of secondary markets . Secondary markets have the potential to address inefficiencies arising in primary markets over time or those that occur through features of auction mechanisms by enabling spectrum to be assigned to users who value it the most. Furthermore, liquid secondary markets have enabled the explicit management of risk in other markets, such as agriculture and commodities, through futures and options trading. In this paper, we advance the study of liquidity in secondary markets that was begun in our previous work. We explore: 1) the reasons that may have hindered the emergence of liquid secondary markets for radio spectrum and 2) what we might change to promote secondary markets. With these objectives in mind, we study various configurations for the design of secondary markets, which account for the physical constraints inherent to electromagnetic spectrum. In addition, we study technical alternatives that would permit us to develop an appropriate, tradeable, and spectrum-related commodity. The results of our analysis show that lack of fungibility has an adverse impact on secondary market liquidity. To address this outcome, we propose virtualization of spectrum resources into fungible chunks and show that this improves market liquidity by yielding viable market outcomes in all the scenarios we tested.
RSS-Based Detection of Drones in the Presence of RF Interferers

Drones will have extensive use cases across various commercial, government, and military sectors, ranging from delivery of consumer goods to search and rescue operations. To maintain the safety and security of people and infrastructure, it becomes critically important to quickly and accurately detect non-cooperating drones. In this paper we formulate a received signal strength (RSS) based detector, leveraging the existing wireless infrastructures that might already be serving other devices. Thus the detector can detect the presence of a drone signal buried in radio frequency (RF) interference and thermal noise, in a mixed line-of-sight (LOS) and non-LOS (NLOS) environment. We develop analytical expressions for the probability of false alarm and the probability of detection of a drone, which quantify the impact of aggregate interference and air-to-ground (A2G) propagation characteristics on the detection performance of individual sensors. We also provide analytical expressions for the average network probability of detection, which capture the impact of sensor density on a network's detection coverage. Finally, we find the critical sensor density that maximizes the average network probability of detection for a given requirement of the probability of false alarm.
Relationship between metolachlor sensitivity and Mn toxicity tolerance in sorghum cultivars

Four sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivars were evaluated for metolachlor resistance and degradation. LD50 for TAM 428 and SC 599 exceeded 3 ppmw metolachlor. This was a > 5 × increase in metolachlor resistance. SC 283 and GP 140 LD50’s were 0.4 and 0.5 ppmw metolachlor which were ~ 2 × as sensitive to metolachlor as the reference cultivar Funk G-522 DR. Degradation rates did not parallel resistance. TAM 428 (LD50 3 ppm in bathing solution) had the same degradation rate as GP 140 (LD50 0.5 ppm). Sorghum genotypic selectivity to metolachlor is not explicable as a differential herbicide degradation rate.
Utilising behavioural analytics in a blended programming learning environment

In this work, we study students' behaviours from a blended programming learning environment that integrates learning analytics across physical and digital learning spaces. We designed a classroom s...
An exploratory analysis of Relational Density Theory: Relational resistance and gravity

Abstract We conducted an initial exploration of several model assumptions in Relational Density Theory (Belisle & Dixon, in press) across two experiments with 18 college student participants. The first experiment showed that relational density (response accuracy/response time) may be influenced by relative rates of reinforcement or training exposure, and that denser classes were more resistant to counterconditioning (i.e., relational resistance). In the second experiment, two classes were established that differed in size, and for most initial participants, greater density was obtained for the smaller class. When a third class was established, and a class member from the third class was presented as a sample along with competing comparison stimuli from the initial two classes, most participants matched the new class member with the denser class (i.e., relational gravity). Additional participants were added, and a familiar stimulus was substituted into the larger class. For all additional participants, greater density was observed for the larger class containing the familiar stimulus, and participants matched the new class member with the larger-denser class. Results support several model assumptions, but several model inconsistent findings are presented as avenues for future research.
The “Ought-Is” Problem: An Implementation Science Framework for Translating Ethical Norms Into Practice

We argue that once a normative claim is developed, there is an imperative to effect changes based on this norm. As such, ethicists should adopt an “implementation mindset” when formulating norms, a...
Ultrasound in the Management of Glaucoma

Ultrasound can provide diagnostic information to guide the management of glaucoma. The utility of echography is especially evident in cases where direct visualization or optical imaging techniques are precluded by normal anatomy or media opacities. Conventional ultrasound can overcome opacities such as dense cataracts or corneal scars to produce images of the posterior segment and provide evidence of glaucoma etiologies. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) can acquire high-resolution images of the anterior segment and of structures obscured by and posterior to the iris that may glaucoma. Recent developments in ultrasound technology have also enabled the measurement of biomechanical properties of ocular tissues to establish a relationship between ultrasound elastography and glaucoma. Despite the development of high-resolution optical imaging techniques, ultrasound remains a useful clinical tool with an evolving scope in the management of glaucoma.
Ophthalmology Program Director Perspectives of Scoring Step 1 Pass/Fail

Background Scoring for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 was recently announced to be reported as binary as early as 2022. The general perception among program directors (PDs) in all specialties has largely been negative, but the perspective within ophthalmology remains uncharacterized. Objective This article characterizes ophthalmology residency PDs' perspectives regarding the impact of pass/fail USMLE Step 1 scoring on the residency application process. Methods A validated 19-item anonymous survey was electronically distributed to 111 PDs of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited ophthalmology training programs. Results Fifty-six PDs (50.5%) completed the survey. The median age of respondents was 48 years and the majority were male (71.4%); the average tenure as PD was 7.1 years. Only 6 (10.7%) PDs reported the change of the USMLE Step 1 to pass/fail was a good idea. Most PDs (92.9%) indicated that this will make it more difficult to objectively compare applicants, and many (69.6%) did not agree that the change would improve medical student well-being. The majority (82.1%) indicated that there will be an increased emphasis on Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores, and many (70.4%) felt that medical school reputation will be more important in application decisions. Conclusion Most ophthalmology PDs who responded to the survey do not support binary Step 1 scoring. Many raised concerns regarding shifted overemphasis on Step 2 CK, uncertain impact on student well-being, and potential to disadvantage certain groups of medical students including international medical graduates. These concerns highlight the need for reform in the ophthalmology application process.
Parent Guidance of Young Children’s Scientific and Mathematical Reasoning in a Science Museum

Despite increased attention to math and science education in the United States, relatively few studies have explored parent guidance of young children’s mathematical and scientific reasoning in everyday activities. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of providing explicit guidance instructions on parent guidance and young children’s reasoning during joint exploration in a science museum exhibit. Participating families were randomly assigned to an instruction group provided with specific guidance suggestions related to conservation of volume, or a control group who received no additional information but were reminded to read posted instructional signs. Findings indicated that all parents incorporated math talk into their conversations and fostered scientific reasoning by encouraging children to predict and evaluate, though the nature of their explanations and the amount of guidance provided differed widely. Parents in the instruction group provided more total guidance, asked significantly more why and how questions, and discussed the complexity of the size of the containers more frequently than parents in the control group. Children in the instruction group had a greater percentage of correct responses to explaining and reasoning prompts as compared with control group children. The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of the ways that parent–child conversations in informal settings support children’s developing mathematical and scientific reasoning. Implications for museums are considered.
CLINICAL AND LABORATORY FEATURES OF ANCA ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS: EXPERIENCE AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Objective: To determine the clinical and laboratory features during the disease course in patients of anticytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis in Pakistani patients presenting to a tertiary care center. Study Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: Fatima Memorial Hospital Shadman Lahore, from Dec 2018 to Mar 2019. Methodology: A collection of 20 patients regarding demographic data, constitutional symptoms, mucocutaneous symptoms and signs, upper respiratory symptoms, lower respiratory symptoms, orbital and ocular manifestation, cardiovascular, peripheral vascular manifestation, central and peripheral neurologic manifestation, abdominal manifestation and renal manifestation Results: Sixteen patients (80%) had a diagnosis of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, and 4 patients (20%) wereof microscopic polyangiitis. The most common systemic involvement in descending order were constitutionalsymptoms (75%), ear nose and throat symptoms (50%), renal (50%), respiratory (45%), ocular (40%) and neurologic (40%). Most common laboratory abnormalities in our patients included leukocytosis (45%), anemia (35%), hematuria (50%), proteinuria (45%), and elevated serum creatinine (45%). Cytoplasmic-anti cytoplasmic antibody (C-ANCA) was positive in 11 (55%), all cases were of granulomatosis with polyangiitis, P-ANCA was positive in 5 (25%) of all patients, with 4 (100%) in Microscopic polyangiitis. Analysis of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis according to gender and cytoplasmic-anti cytoplasmic antibody status showed correlation of renal involvement with cytoplasmic-anti cytoplasmic antibody status with statistical significance of p=0.036. Plain chest X-rays showed infiltrates in 2 (10%), nodularity 2 (10%), cavitation in 2 (10%), effusion in 1 (5%), and reticulonodular showing in 1 (5%) patients. High-resolution computed tomography findings included ground-glass opacification in 5
Yield response of canola as a biofuel feedstock and soil quality changes under treated urban wastewater irrigation and soil amendment application

Abstract Treated urban wastewater (TWW) is seen as a potential alternative for agricultural irrigation in arid west Texas region, due to scarcity of Freshwater (FW) supplies. However, TWW can potentially cause soil salinization and affect soil quality and crop productivity. Therefore, crops that are salt-tolerant and less water-intensive are needed to sustain agriculture in this region. Canola (Brassica napus L.) as an edible oilseed and biodiesel/biofuel crop, is salt-tolerant and relatively less water-intensive than crops that are traditional to this area. This two–year field study evaluated the performance of canola under TWW irrigation in terms of its seed yield potential and seed quality (oil content, oil yield and salt constituents), along with quantifying changes in soil salinity and sodicity. Experimental design included a randomized block split-plot with water quality (FW and TWW) as the main-plot and soil amendment (gypsum + sulfur and no-amendment) as the subplot factor. Results show that TWW application did not significantly affect canola seed yields in any of the two years. On average, seed yields were 1975 kg ha−1 across all treatments and years. Seed oil content, oil yield and mineral constituents were also not affected by TWW irrigation. Nevertheless, average seed oil content was 42 % and oil yield was 849 kg ha−1. Other than the effects on soil salinity and sodicity, Gypsum + Sulfur application did not influence canola seed productivity and quality. Changes in soil salinity and sodicity were more prominent under TWW irrigation but the levels were below the thresholds after two years. Gypsum + Sulfur application significantly reduced soil sodicity, especially in TWW irrigated soils. These results highlight that TWW can be successfully used to grow canola as a biofuel feedstock in this arid region while following appropriate soil management practices to alleviate sodicity hazard of TWW in the long-term.
Nasopharyngeal metabolomics and machine learning approach for the diagnosis of influenza.

Abstract Background Respiratory virus infections are significant causes of morbidity and mortality, and may induce host metabolite alterations by infecting respiratory epithelial cells. We investigated the use of liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/Q-TOF) combined with machine learning for the diagnosis of influenza infection. Methods We analyzed nasopharyngeal swab samples by LC/Q-TOF to identify distinct metabolic signatures for diagnosis of acute illness. Machine learning models were performed for classification, followed by Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) analysis to analyze feature importance and for biomarker discovery. Findings A total of 236 samples were tested in the discovery phase by LC/Q-TOF, including 118 positive samples (40 influenza A 2009 H1N1, 39 influenza H3 and 39 influenza B) as well as 118 age and sex-matched negative controls with acute respiratory illness. Analysis showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 1.00 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.99, 1.00), sensitivity of 1.00 (95% CI 0.86, 1.00) and specificity of 0.96 (95% CI 0.81, 0.99). The metabolite most strongly associated with differential classification was pyroglutamic acid. Independent validation of a biomarker signature based on the top 20 differentiating ion features was performed in a prospective cohort of 96 symptomatic individuals including 48 positive samples (24 influenza A 2009 H1N1, 5 influenza H3 and 19 influenza B) and 48 negative samples. Testing performed using a clinically-applicable targeted approach, liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, showed an AUC of 1.00 (95% CI 0.998, 1.00), sensitivity of 0.94 (95% CI 0.83, 0.98), and specificity of 1.00 (95% CI 0.93, 1.00). Limitations include lack of sample suitability assessment, and need to validate these findings in additional patient populations. Interpretation This metabolomic approach has potential for diagnostic applications in infectious diseases testing, including other respiratory viruses, and may eventually be adapted for point-of-care testing. Funding None.
Chapter 5 Biochemical Analyses of Nuclear Receptor‐Dependent Transcription with Chromatin Templates

Chromatin, the physiological template for transcription, plays important roles in gene regulation by nuclear receptors (NRs). It can (1) restrict the binding of NRs or the transcriptional machinery to their genomic targets, (2) serve as a target of regulatory posttranslational modifications by NR coregulator proteins with histone-directed enzymatic activities, and (3) function as a binding scaffold for a variety of transcription-related proteins. The advent of in vitro or "cell-free" systems that accurately recapitulate ligand-dependent transcription by NRs with chromatin templates has allowed detailed analyses of these processes. Biochemical studies have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms of gene regulation, including the role of ligands, coregulators, and nucleosome remodeling. In addition, they have provided new insights about the dynamics of NR-mediated transcription. This chapter reviews the current methodologies for assembling, transcribing, and analyzing chromatin in vitro, as well as the new information that has been gained from these studies.
Gradient Instabilities as Possible Causes of Irregularities in the Ionosphere

Ionospheric irregularities explained by gravitational field and positive electron density gradient joint effect on ionospheric region below electron distribution peak
Gene expression of type I phospholipase A2 in pancreatic beta cells. Regulation of mRNA levels by starvation or glucose excess.

Abstract Messenger RNA from intact rat pancreatic islets, or from transformed hamster beta (HIT) cells, hybridized with the cDNA probe for type I (but not type II) phospholipase A2. The levels of phospholipase A2 mRNA increased in islets from fasted rats: they decreased in islets cultured in a high glucose concentration (control values at 5.5 mM glucose = 150±6% of those at 22 mM) which impaired subsequent insulin secretion (reduction in second-phase release = 70±11%). These studies uniquely demonstrate that type I phospholipase A2 is expressed specifically in beta cells and that nutrient availability modulates transcript levels, an effect which could contribute to the detrimental influence of prolonged hyperglycemia on islet function.
Manpower Use in High-Rise Residential Construction

The paper reports on the manpower utilization patterns in high-rise residential construction. In the analysis of 57 high-rise structures built in New York City, the writer observes an uneven distribution of manpower and the comparatively long construction time for conventional high-rise residential structures is primarily due to the long lead time required for fabrication of the concrete superstructure and masonry skin. The addition of resources to this “critical path” would not significantly reduce its time for completion because of the curing time needed at each stage of construction. In addition, the observed method results in a severely skewed distribution of labor utilization. The superstructure and masonry cycle require massive amounts of manpower in comparison to the other trades.
The Kinetics and Mechanism of Fe(III) Exchange between Chelates and Transferrin III. THE AMOUNT OF IRON-ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE INITIALLY BOUND TO PROTEIN

Abstract With the use of Sephadex gel and collodion membrane filtrations it has been possible to determine the fraction of iron-ethylenediaminetetraacetate which reacts rapidly with apotransferrin. The values obtained for ratios of iron-EDTA to protein binding site of 1:1 (4 to 7% of binding sites occupied) and 5:1 (37% of binding sites occupied) correspond with similar values obtained by spectrophotometry. The suggested participation of a chemically active iron-EDTA species in the reaction is further strengthened.
Regulation of ribosomal and transfer ribonucleic acid synthesis in Escherichia coli B-r.

Abstract The relative rates of tRNA, rRNA, and DNA synthesis were measured for steady state cultures of Escherichia coli B/r growing in succinate and glucose minimal media which support growth rates of 0.67 and 1.46 doublings per hour, respectively. Following a 2-fold increase in growth rate, the rate of tRNA synthesis increased approximately 2-fold relative to the rate of DNA synthesis and decreased 10 to 15% relative to the rate of rRNA synthesis. It is concluded that the synthesis of tRNA is regulated in a manner similar to the mechanism regulating rRNA synthesis. The 10 to 15% difference in the relative rates of synthesis is not the result of an increase in the relative frequency of ribosomal RNA cistrons at the higher growth rates, and therefore it seems that the mechanisms controlling rRNA and tRNA synthesis are at least partially independent.
Climbing Our Hills: A Beginning Conversation on the Comparison of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The history and developmental program of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and relational frame theory (RFT) is described, and against that backdrop the target article is considered. In the authors’ comparison of ACT and traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), traditional CBT does not refer to specific processes, principles, or theories but to a tribal tradition. Framed in that way, comparisons of ACT and CBT cannot succeed intellectually, because CBT cannot be pinned down. At the level of theory, change processes, and outcomes, ACT/RFT seems to be progressing as measured against its own goals.
Effect of relaxin on the uterus of monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with observations on the cervix and symphysis pubis

Abstract This is a study of the effects of relaxin on the growth-promoting action of estrogen and progesterone on the uterus, uterine cervix, and pubic symphysis of monkeys (Macaca mulatta) . It was found that the effects of relaxin on the uterus were greatest when given in conjunction with a combined dosage of estrogen and progesterone that was favorable for a synergistic response to the two hormones. Comparisons were made by determining endometrial-myometrial ratios ( m E ) of sections through the greatest diameter of the fundus; the average being for 11 experimental animals 1.04 (range 0.65 to 1.5) and for 4 controls given only the steroids 2.9 (range 1.6 to 2.7). The uterine cervices of animals given relaxin under these conditions were usually more flaccid and the walls thinner than those of controls. Relaxin also increased mobility at the pubic symphysis.
Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis Presenting as Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Abstract Background Metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) is a rare but life-threatening adverse drug reaction of metformin, the most frequently prescribed medication for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The diagnosis of MALA is difficult to make because of diverse clinical presentations that can masquerade as other critical illnesses. Case Report A 52-year-old woman presented with altered mental status, hypoglycemia, and shock. A prehospital electrocardiogram showed findings consistent with posterolateral ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and the cardiac catheterization laboratory was activated before patient arrival. On arrival to the emergency department, she was found to have severe metabolic derangements and hypothermia, and the catheterization laboratory was canceled. Aggressive supportive measures and emergent hemodialysis were instituted. A metformin concentration was sent from the ED and returned at 51 μg/mL (therapeutic range 1–2 μg/mL), making MALA the most likely diagnosis. She recovered after prolonged critical illness and was discharged in good condition. No alternate diagnoses were found despite extensive work-up. Why Should An Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Metformin is the most prescribed antidiabetic drug in the world. Although MALA is a rare complication, it is important for emergency physicians to keep MALA on the differential for diabetic patients presenting with severe metabolic acidosis.
Of Fish, Butterflies and Birds: Relativism and Nonrelative Valuation in the Zhuangzi

I argue that the main theme of the Zhuangzi is that of spiritual transformation. If there is no such theme in the Zhuangzi, it becomes an obscure text with relativistic viewpoints contradicting statements and stories designed to lead the reader to a state of spiritual transformation. I propose to reveal the coherence of the deep structure of the text by clearly dividing relativistic statements designed to break down fixed viewpoints from statements, anecdotes, paradoxes and metaphors designed to lead the reader to a state of spiritual transformation. Without such an analysis, its profound stories such as the butterfly dream and the Great Sage dream will blatantly contradict each other and leave us bereft of the wisdom they presage. Unlike the great works of poetic and philosophic wisdom such as the Dao de Jing and the Symposium, the Zhuangzi will be reduced to a virtually unintelligible, lengthy, disjointed literary ditty, a potpourri of paradoxical puzzles, puns and parables, obscure philosophical conund...
Measurement of nutritional status in simulated microgravity by bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy

The potential of bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) for assessing nutritional status in spaceflight was tested in two head-down-tilt bed-rest studies. BIS-predicted extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), and total body water (TBW) measured using knee-elbow electrode placement were compared with deuterium and bromide dilution (DIL) volumes in healthy, 19- to 45-yr-old subjects. BIS was accurate during 44 h of head-down tilt with mean differences (BIS - DIL) of 0-0.1 kg for ECW, 0.3-0.5 for ICW, and 0.4-0.6 kg for TBW (n = 28). At 44 h, BIS followed the within-individual change in body water compartments with a relative prediction error (standard error of the estimate/baseline volume) of 2.0-3.6% of water space. In the second study, BIS did not detect an acute decrease (-1.41 +/- 0.91 kg) in ICW secondary to 48 h of a protein-free, 800 kcal/day diet (n = 18). BIS's insensitivity to ICW losses may be because they were predominantly (65%) localized to the trunk and/or because there was a general failure of BIS to measure ICW independently of ECW and TBW. BIS may have potential for measuring nutritional status during spaceflight, but its limitations in precision and insensitivity to acute ICW changes warrant further validation studies.