cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of obesity and extreme obesity in children aged 3–5 years

Summary Background: Early childhood adiposity may have significant later health effects. This study examines the prevalence and recognition of obesity and severe obesity among preschool-aged children. Methods: The electronic medical record was used to examine body mass index (BMI), height, sex and race/ethnicity in 42 559 children aged 3–5 years between 2007 and 2010. Normal or underweight (BMI < 85th percentile); overweight (BMI 85th–94th percentile); obesity (BMI 95th percentile); and severe obesity (BMI 1.2 ¥ 95th percentile) were classified using the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts. Provider recognition of elevated BMI was examined for obese children aged 5 years. Results: Among 42 559 children, 12.4% of boys and 10.0% of girls had BMI 95th percentile. The prevalence was highest among Hispanics (18.2% boys, 15.2% girls), followed by blacks (12.4% boys, 12.7% girls). A positive trend existed between increasing BMI category and median height percentile, with obesity rates highest in the highest height quintile. The prevalence of severe obesity was 1.6% overall and somewhat higher for boys compared with girls (1.9 vs. 1.4%, P < 0.01). By race/ethnicity, the highest prevalence of severe obesity was seen in Hispanic boys (3.3%). Among those aged 5 years, 77.9% of obese children had provider diagnosis of obesity or elevated BMI, increasing to 89.0% for the subset with severe obesity. Conclusions: Obesity and severe obesity are evident as early as age 3–5 years, with race/ethnic trends similar to older children. This study underscores the need for continued recognition and contextualization of early childhood obesity in order to develop effective strategies for early weight management.
Electron concentration and alloy composition dependence of Hall factor in GaxIn1-xAsyP1-y

The Hall factor is calculated by the iterative method over whole composition range of GaxIn1-xAsyP1-y lattice-matched to InP. The electron concentrations used are 1×1016 cm-3 and 1×1017 cm-3, with carrier compensation ratios (ND+NA/n 1, 2, and 5, which are commonly observed in grown GaInAsP alloys. The Hall factor decreases with increasing alloy content y for relatively low electron concentrations, but this is not the case in compensated alloys because of varying predominance of scattering mechanisms with composition and ionised impurity concentration.
Space-time encoding scheme for DDoS attack traceback

Several IP traceback schemes employing packet marking have been proposed to trace attacks that use source address spoofing, such as DoS/DDoS attacks. A major challenge with these schemes is the limited number of bits available for marking in the IP headers. Marking this information elsewhere could lead to packet fragmentation and/or attack amplification when a clever attack is launched. We present a novel scheme, called the space-time encoding (STE) scheme, that requires very few bits to be marked on an IP packet, by every router along the attack path deterministically. At every router, this scheme makes use of the local router connectivity information to encode (mark) the incoming physical interface across multiple packets. Our analysis of the simulation results, obtained by trial runs on large data sets available that represent Internet maps, show that we need to mark only 25 bits on every packet and in the ideal case would require only 7 packets for successful traceback. Additionally, we also propose techniques that enhance the scheme to make it scalable and easily deployable.
Erythrocyte saturated fatty acids and systemic inflammation in adults.

Abstract Objective The role of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in chronic disease remains controversial; inflammation is one pathway by which SFAs influence the risk for chronic disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between red blood cell (RBC) phospholipid SFAs and systemic inflammation. Methods As part of a randomized controlled trial, we measured RBC phospholipid FA composition in 55 generally healthy adults twice at 3-mo intervals. We estimated associations of RBC total SFAs and two major SFA subtypes, palmitic and stearic acids, with C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, white blood count (WBC), and a composite inflammation measure using generalized estimating equations in multivariable FA substitution models. Results Mean (±SD) SFA level across both visits was 45% ± 3% of the total RBC FAs, mainly palmitic (21% ± 1%) and stearic (17% ± 3%) acids. In models adjusted for age, sex, race, smoking, body mass index, statin use, aspirin use, transunsaturated FAs, and ω-3 FAs, SFAs were significantly associated with IL-6 (20% increase per 1 SD increment; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03%–43%; P = 0.05) and the composite inflammation measure ( P = 0.05) and marginally associated with CRP (34% increase; 95% CI, −1% to 81%; P = 0.06), but not associated with WBC. Stearic acid was positively associated with CRP (35% increase; 95% CI, 2%–79%; P = 0.04). Palmitic acid was marginally associated with the composite inflammation measure ( P = 0.06) and, upon additional ω-6 FA adjustment, significantly associated with IL-6 (15% increase; 95% CI, 0.4%–27%; P = 0.006). Conclusions RBC SFAs, which represent longer-term dietary intake, are positively associated with inflammation. In particular, palmitic acid was associated with IL-6, and stearic acid was associated with CRP after multivariable adjustment.
Polyglutamine disease and neuronal cell death

Research in the past decade has uncovered a new class of inherited neurodegenerative diseases, the polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion diseases (1). In each, the underlying mutation is an expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat that encodes polyQ in the respective disease proteins (Table 1). All are progressive, ultimately fatal disorders that typically begin in adulthood and progress over 10 to 30 years. The clinical features and pattern of neuronal degeneration differ among the diseases, yet increasing evidence suggests that polyQ diseases share important pathogenic features. In particular, abnormal protein conformation(s) promoted by polyQ expansion seem to be central to pathogenesis (2). PolyQ diseases thus join a growing group of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and many other dementias, in which abnormal protein folding and aggregation are implicated.
Estradiol Therapy Combined With Progesterone and Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Postmenopausal Women

Background—Epidemiological studies indicate that estrogen replacement therapy decreases the risk of cardiovascular events in postmenopausal women. Estrogen may confer cardiovascular protection by improving endothelial function because it increases endothelium-dependent vasodilation. It is not known whether progesterone attenuates the beneficial effects of estrogen on endothelial function. Methods and Results—Seventeen postmenopausal women with mild hypercholesterolemia were enrolled in a placebo-controlled, crossover trial to evaluate the effect of transdermal estradiol, with and without vaginal micronized progesterone, on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in a peripheral conduit artery. Brachial artery diameter was measured with high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. To assess endothelium-dependent vasodilation, brachial artery diameter was determined at baseline and after a flow stimulus induced by reactive hyperemia. To assess endothelium-independent vasodilation, brachial artery diameter was measure...
Effect of aminophylline on seizure thresholds and brain regional cyclic nucleotides in the rat.

Abstract Male rats were given 150 mg/kg aminophylline i.p. and pentylenetetrazol and maximal electroshock thresholds were determined at 5, 20, 60, and 180 min. Maximal lowering of both thresholds occurred at 20 min postinjection. At that time, markedly elevated cyclic GMP was found in the hippocampus, with lesser elevations in striatum and cortex and no change in thalamus. Cyclic AMP markedly decreased in all regions except the cortex. These findings suggest that aminophylline may lower seizure thresholds by altering the relative concentrations of cyclic nucleotides so that cyclic GMP increases and cyclic AMP decreases. Our experiments do not exclude the possiblity that aminophylline may produce convulsions by specifically blocking the receptor for endogenous adenosine, resulting in increased and sustained neuronal firing.
Response of adult channel catfish to waterborne exposures of channel catfish virus

Abstract The response of adult channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) to channel catfish virus (CCV) was examined following waterborne exposures to the virus in the laboratory. Adult channel catfish that were survivors of experimental infections as juveniles and reared in the laboratory continued to have anti-CCV neutralizing activity in their plasmas 2 years following the last known exposures to CCV. There was no apparent increase in this activity following a second exposure to CCV. In contrast, adult channel catfish raised from the same stock but never exposed to CCV as juveniles became infected following waterborne exposures to CCV and one individual died from the viral infection. The surviving fish in this group responded to CCV exposure by producing anti-CCV neutralizing activity in the plasma, which was detected 1 week after exposure to virus and persisted until the end of the experiment 9 weeks later. Anti-CCV neutralizing activity persisted in the sera of adult channel catfish for 6 months after th...
Capillary refill — is it a useful predictor of hypovolemic states?

Study objectives: To evaluate whether the capillary refill test can correctly differentiate between hypovolemic and euvolemic emergency department patients. Design: A prospective, nonrandomized, nonblinded time series. Setting: The orthostatic and hypotensive patients were seen in a university hospital ED with 44,000 visits per year. Blood donors were studied in the hospital's blood donor center. Type of participants: Thirty-two adult ED patients who presented with a history suggestive of hypovolemia and either abnormal orthostatic vital signs (19) or frank hypotension (13), and 47 volunteer blood donors who ranged in age from 19 to 83 participated. Interventions: Capillary refill was measured before rehydration in the ED subjects and, in the donor group, before and after a 450-mL blood donation. Measurements: Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. Analyses were stratified by age, sex, and study group. Main results: For the blood donor group, mean capillary refill time before donation was 1.4 seconds and after donation was 1.1 seconds. Mean capillary refill time for the orthostatic group was 1.9 seconds and for the hypotensive group was 2.8 seconds. When scored with age-sex specific upper limits of normal, the sensitivity of capillary refill in identifying hypovolemic patients was 6% for the 450-mL blood loss group, 26% for the orthostatic group, and 46% for the hypotensive group. The accuracy of capillary refill in a patient with a 50% prior probability of hypovolemia is 64%. Orthostatic vital signs were found to be more sensitive and specific than capillary refill in detecting the 450-mL blood loss. Conclusion: Capillary refill does not appear to be a useful test for detecting mild-to-moderate hypovolemia in adults.
Computer simulation training enhances patient comfort during endoscopy

Abstract Background & Aims: Computer-based endoscopy simulator (CBES) training's impact on patient-based outcomes has never been examined. This study examines whether the endoscopy skills of trainees are improved and patient discomfort is reduced as a result of CBES training. Methods: From July 2001–June 2002, 38 residents received either 1 week of patient-based training (PBT) alone in flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) or 3 hours of simulator-based training (SBT) before a week of training in FS. Patients completed questionnaires grading the discomfort experienced during endoscopy (1, no pain; 10, worst pain of life). In addition, residents' performance was graded by the supervising staff and themselves with 8 performance parameters by using a 1–10 Likert scale (1, strongly agree; 5, neutral; 10, strongly disagree). Results: Nineteen SBT and 19 PBT residents performed 150 and 175 FS, respectively. During this same period, staff completed 585 FS. The median patient discomfort score for SBT residents was significantly less than for PBT residents, 3 (25%–75% interquartile range [IQR], 2–5) vs. 4 (IQR, 2–6) ( P P
Pocket Implant-Dependent Channel Mobility in Advanced p-MOSFETs With Strain Engineering

A new approach to channel mobility engineering using strained-Si technology is described with a complete data analysis. It is discussed that [110]/(100) Si channel mobility in p-MOSFET with embedded SiGe source/drain and compressive stress liner can be strongly dependent on pocket implant dose, resulting from a change in piezoresistance coefficient as a function of p-type carrier dopant concentration in the vicinity of the channel, whereas channel mobility of n-MOSFETs shows weaker dependence on pocket implant dose due to: 1) smaller piezoresistance coefficient of n-channel and 2) less channel strain relative to p-MOSFETs.
Accounting Education Development in Papua, New Guinea

Publisher Summary This chapter describes accounting education development in Papua, New Guinea (PNG). Interest in higher education in general, and business education in particular is a relatively phenomenon in PNG. The Institute of Technology located in Lae was the first institution of higher education to offer a business curriculum in PNG. The Institute began the program by offering a certificate, and a diploma. The first graduates with accounting degrees did not enter the employment market until after 1973, when the Institute had gained university status. UPNG in Port Moresby had its first intake of students in 1966. It offered courses in humanities, economics, science, law, medicine, and agriculture. One or two accounting courses were introduced to economics students. The first diploma for part-time students in employment was offered in 1968. The degree program was introduced in 1971, and accounting graduates entered the labor market in 1974. Selected aspects of the two universities in PNG offering degree programs in accounting are summarized.
High-Resolution Multi-Pinhole Imaging Using Silicon Detectors

TThe use of pinhole collimation for small-animal SPECT imaging has been recognized as a powerful tool for about a decade now +Jaszczak, 1994, Weber, 1994-. A common approach has been to fit clinical gamma cameras with pinhole apertures for this purpose. Large magnification factors can be used with this method,making it possible to attain good image resolution despite the modest spatial resolution of the gamma camera. A chief drawback to pinhole SPECT is the poor sensitivity overall due to the rapid falloff with increasing distance from the pinhole and with increasing distance away from the pinhole axis.Several researchers have recently begun using multiple pinhole collimation to improve the overall sensitivity + Schramm, 2002, Meikle, 2002-. Multi-pinhole collimation schemes can result in multiplexing of the image projections on the detector, which can be thought of as a reduction in the information content of each detected photon owing to the uncertainty in which pinhole it passed through.
Interdisciplinary Lessons: The Two Social Psychologies from the Perspective of a Psychologist Practicing Sociology

Although my graduate training was to a large extent in psychological social psychology and my graduate degree itself from a department of psychology, through a combination of accident and intellectual proclivity a substantial portion of my professional career has taken place in the arena of sociology. Over forty percent of the papers in my bibliography are in sociological publications. This split in my professional identity has given me an unusual vantage point from which to observe the relationships between the two fields and their respective sub-disciplines of social psychology.
Management strategies for mares at risk for periparturient complications

Perinatal death accounts for a large percentage of foal mortality. The most serious threats to perinatal survival remain septicemia, hypoxia, and dysmaturity. Topics discussed in this article include biochemical indices of fetoplacental function and evaluation and management of the high-risk mare.
Possible mechanisms accounting for the growth factor independence of hematopoietic progenitors from umbilical cord blood

Hematopoietic progenitors obtained from the bone marrow of healthy adults fail to undergo clonogenic maturation in vitro if a source of hematopoietic growth factors is not included in the culture dishes. In contrast, a fraction of similarly purified progenitors obtained from umbilical cord blood undergo clonogenic maturation even in the absence of added growth factors. We postulated that production of hematopoietic growth factors within the culture dishes containing the progenitors of umbilical cord blood origin might be responsible. We postulated further, that this production might be by non-progenitor cells co- plated along with the progenitors, or alternatively by CD34+ cells themselves, or by cells clonally derived from CD34+ cells. To test these possibilities we first assessed the effect of including in the cultures neutralizing antibody directed against various growth factors. Inclusion of anti-granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM- CSF) and anti-interleukin-3 (IL-3) (but not anti-IL-2) significantly reduced the growth factor independence of cord blood progenitors (P > .005 and P > .01). Inclusion of both anti-GM-CSF and anti-IL-3 almost completely ablated the spontaneous colony growth (P > .001). Inclusion of IL-10 also reduced, in a concentration-dependent fashion, the spontaneous generation of umbilical cord blood-derived colonies. Transcripts for GM-CSF and IL-3 were detected, by reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in the CD34+ cells from cord blood and from adult marrow. When plated without added growth factors, however, the CD34+ cells of adult marrow origin failed to produce colonies, whereas 6% of cord blood CD34+ cells similarly cultured did so. When these growth factor independent colonies were plucked from culture, transcripts for GM-CSF and IL-3 were identified in all. We conclude that production of GM-CSF and IL-3 occurs within culture dishes containing hematopoietic progenitors of umbilical cord origin, and that this explains some of their apparently unique features of in vitro growth.
Influence of ZnO Facets on Pd/ZnO Catalysts for Methanol Steam Reforming

A series of Pd/ZnO catalysts with different Pd loadings were prepared using needlelike ZnO crystallites (ZnO-N) with predominant (10–10) nonpolar facets exposed and commercial ZnO (ZnO-P) without any dominant facets. The Pd/ZnO catalysts were characterized using complementary techniques, such as nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of adsorbed CO (CO-FTIR). The effect of ZnO crystallite faceting on the activity and selectivity of the Pd/ZnO catalysts was studied in methanol steam reforming (MSR). It was found that the Pd-rich phases (PdxZny, x > y) are predominantly formed at low Pd loadings on both ZnO supports (ZnO-N and ZnO-P), resulting in high CO selectivity. As Pd loading increases, the x/y ratio in the PdxZny phases decreases, leading to decreased CO selectivity. At similar Pd loadings, Pd/ZnO-P catalysts are more selective in MSR than Pd/ZnO-N, which is due to more facile form...
Frequency Analysis of a Frame-Membrane Lunar Habitat Considering Extreme Temperatures and Internal Pressure

The ambient environmental factors present on the lunar surface pose the most difficult challenges for long term human settlement of the Moon. Aside from the dangerous radiation levels and the lack of atmosphere, the temperature on the surface can range from very cold during the night (-233°C) to very hot during the daytime (134°C) posing a variety of complications including the alteration of the structural response of the habitat due to thermal expansion and contraction. This paper presents the study of the membrane attachment and variation of both surface temperature and internal pressure and their effects on the frequency response of a lunar habitat made of an aluminum frame with a Kevlar membrane attached to contain the internal air pressurization. The frame-membrane structure was considered pinned at bottom periphery of the structure. For the frame alone without the membrane attached, the hot external temperatures increased deflections and decreased frequencies slightly while the cold temperatures had the opposite effect of increasing the natural frequency of vibration by a small amount. When the membrane was attached, the initial modes were dominated by local membrane vibrations with lower frequencies when no internal pressure was applied. The internal pressure and high daytime external temperatures were observed to increase the frequency of the structure further when considering global vibrations and the low nighttime temperature was found to enhance local membrane vibrations and decrease the natural frequency of vibration throughout all of the first twenty-five modes.
Independent Association of Younger Age with Hemoptysis in Adults with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND The risk factors for mild to moderate hemoptysis in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) are not entirely clear. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the independent association of risk factors with the occurrence of hemoptysis in PTB patients. DESIGN Cross-sectional study of adult patients newly diagnosed with microbiologically proven PTB in a New York City hospital. Patients were categorized into subjects with and without hemoptysis and compared using univariate analysis. Independent associations of variables with hemoptysis were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS Of 194 subjects with PTB, 44 (23%) had hemoptysis. In univariate analysis, subjects with hemoptysis were significantly younger (P = 0.003), and more likely to be undocumented foreign-born (P = 0.038) compared to subjects without hemoptysis. In multivariate analysis, only younger age was independently associated with hemoptysis. This association was significant for a continuous decrease in age per year, or per decade (adjusted OR 1.59, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Younger age is an independent risk factor for hemoptysis in PTB. It is conceivable that a stronger inflammatory response in younger than in older age could contribute to pulmonary pathogenesis and injury in PTB.
Baby steps on the road to HIV eradication.

The durable suppression of plasma human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA that is conferred by potent antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been associated with dramatic improvements in immunologic and clinical well-being and reductions in morbidity and mortality from opportunistic complications. It has also brought the restoration of normal life expectancies within our grasp, has effectively eliminated the vertical transmission of HIV in resource-unconstrained settings in women who receive antenatal care, and can substantially reduce horizontal transmission.1 Concomitantly, the ability to drive plasma HIV-1 RNA to levels below the limits of quantification of sensitive clinical assays has unveiled the limitations of . . .
Simultaneous Determination of 31 Preservatives and Antioxidants in Liquid Preparation and Healthcare Dietetic Liquid by GC/MS

In order to meet the need of drug supervision,an analytical method was developed to determine the preservatives and antioxidants of medicines and healthcare dietetic liquid in the matrix of water,alcohol and other liquid by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC/MS).Selected ion monitoring(SIM)technology was used in this method.28 preservatives,including acetonchloroform hemihydrate,phenol,benzyl alcohol,sorbic acid,benzoic acid,methylisothiazolinone,dehydroacetic acid,ethoxyquin,hexyl resorcinol,parabens etc,and 3antioxidants,including TBHQ,BHA,BHT,which were used in eyedrops,injection,drops,paint,and healthcare dietetic liquid,were able to be determined by this method simultaneously.Good linearity is obtained in the range of 0.005—1mg/L with the correlation coefficients of 0.998 5—0.999 9.The mean recoveries of all the preservatives in the range of 0.02—0.30mg/L are between 73.6%and 109.9%,and the relative standard deiations are between 1.2%and 13.6%.The limits of detection(LODs)are in the range of 0.001—0.008mg/L,and the limits of quantification(LOQs)are in the range of0.003—0.020mg/L.The method is used in the analysis of multiple batches of sample.The result indicates that it is sensitive,accurate,stable,reliable and widely usable.
Mapping Agency: Global Geography and Naturalism in Willa Cather’s One of Ours

In One of Ours ([1922] 1991), Willa Cather puts a distinctive spin on naturalist fiction by having geography function as a major component of her characters’ powerlessness and at the same time having maps function as a means of self-determination. Cather’s literary maps represent the way that growing U.S. engagement with the world in the early twentieth century enables the protagonist, Claude, to develop a sense of purpose and agency and to recuperate his tarnished masculinity. Ultimately, One of Ours is best seen as Cather’s alternative to the isolationist visual rhetoric of Mercator projection maps, which were extremely popular in the early twentieth-century United States, particularly in schools.
The role of demand-side narratives in opportunity formation and enactment

Abstract Our understanding of how entrepreneurs capture knowledge about market needs and identify and exploit promising opportunities remains limited, despite the abundance of studies on the origins of opportunities. We propose that demand-side narratives —the cumulative articulations of needs, desires, ideas and experiences of demand-side participants—form a key micro-foundation of opportunity formation and enactment. New digital infrastructures such as social media facilitate the co-creation, sharing and collective interpretation of these narratives. We further propose that entrepreneurs’ success in forming and enacting opportunities revealed by these narratives is enhanced by their cognitive capabilities related to demand articulation and resource mobilization. Our discussion seeks to improve our understanding of the cognitive underpinnings of opportunity formation and enactment and holds important implications for future research and practice in entrepreneurship.
AIDS epidemiology and pathology. Implications for intensive care units.

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) evolves from infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV attacks the hosts’ immune and neuroendocrine systems, rendering the host susceptible to a myriad of chronic and acute conditions requiring intensive care. This article reviews epidemiologic and pathologic trends associated with HIV infections that have the potential to increase demands for admission to intensive care units. Research describing potential predictors of survival among patients with HIV-related conditions is also described. In addition, possible implications for practice, education, and research are discussed.
Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty: The Radiologist’s Contribution to the Treatment of Vascular Disease

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is a nonsurgical treatment for vascular disease. It is relatively safe and economical and may be an alternative, or an adjunct, to surgery, or may be helpful where no surgical alternative exists. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is applicable to nearly every system, except the carotid bifurcation plaque.
Policies to overcome stagnation: the crisis, and the possible futures, of all things euro

This article argues that the Europe’s continuing economic underperformance, particularly in the eurozone, is neither a function of insufficient information (policymakers do not know the right policies) nor ideology (policymakers are unable to recognize the right policies due to ideological priors). Rather, this article places the continuation of policies that cause stagnation in a longer historical context. Building upon the insights of Kalecki (1943) regarding the political limits of full employment policies, it is argued that the shift from a regime that generated inflation, low profitability, and a high degree of equality to one that generates deflation, high profitability, and inequality has hamstrung the ability of policymakers to respond positively to the situation at hand. This has generated structural pressures for political realignment across cases that compound the economic problems of stagnation while exacerbating tensions between different European ‘Varieties of Capitalism.’ The result is a set of ‘second-best’ strategies that lead to second-best outcomes in both politics and economics that further stress the already stressed economies and polities of Europe.
Resolving solvophobic interactions inferred from experimental solvation free energies and evaluated from molecular simulations

Abstract Ben-Naim estimated the solvent-mediated interaction between methanes based on experimental solvation free energy differences between chemically similar hydrocarbons. Interactions were predicted to be strongest in water, dominated by characteristic entropic gains. We use molecular simulations in combination with an empirical interpolation procedure that bridges interactions from outside methane’s excluded volume down to overlap to test Ben-Naim’s estimates. While Ben-Naim’s approach captures many distinctive trends, the alchemical differences between methane and a methyl unit play a non-trivial role on the predicted association strength and the sign of enthalpic and entropic components of the interaction free energy in water and ethanol.
An efficient sixth-order solution for anisotropic Poisson equation with completed Richardson extrapolation and multiscale multigrid method

We present an efficient numerical method for anisotropic Poisson equations. The sixth-order accuracy is achieved through applying completed Richardson extrapolation on two fourth-order solutions computed from different scale grids with unequal mesh size discretization. Theoretical analysis is conducted to demonstrate that the Richardson extrapolation is able to obtain a sixth-order solution by removing the leading truncation error terms of the fourth-order solution from grid with unequal mesh sizes. The gain in efficiency is obtained through adopting partial semi-coarsening multigrid method to solve the resulting linear systems and multiscale multigrid computation to speed up the whole solution. Numerical experiments are conducted to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method and the results are compared with the existing fourth-order methods for solving 2D and 3D anisotropic Poisson equations.
An Examination of Terminal Archaic Bone and Antler Implements from the Firehouse Site, Dearborn County, Indiana

ABSTRACTThe Firehouse site (12D563) is a Terminal Archaic Riverton culture site located on a bluff overlooking the confluence of the Ohio and Great Miami Rivers in Dearborn County, Indiana. Excavations at the site in 2003 and 2004 yielded a highly diverse assemblage of around 300 bone and antler implements. Such large assemblages of organic tools are rare outside of wet sites, rockshelters, and shell middens and provide a unique opportunity for the study of tool forms not typically recovered in the Midwest. A typological analysis of the Firehouse assemblage indicates some similarities between these tools and Riverton culture bone and antler implements from the type sites in Illinois. Additionally, a microscopic analysis of manufacturing microtraces indicates that most tools were made using a lithic shaving (rather than an abrasion) technique.
A new cosmic messenger

The first observation of gravitational waves from two merging neutron stars that was recently made by the LIGO and Virgo detectors has – along with date from telescopes across the globe and in space – kicked off a new era in multimessenger astronomy. Imre Bartos describes this watershed moment, which crowned decades of research and will shape the future of observational astronomy
The Adverse Outcome Pathway: A Multifaceted Framework Supporting 21st Century Toxicology.

Abstract The adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework serves as a knowledge assembly, interpretation, and communication tool designed to support the translation of pathway-specific mechanistic data into responses relevant to assessing and managing risks of chemicals to human health and the environment. As such, AOPs facilitate the use of data streams often not employed by risk assessors, including information from in silico models, in vitro assays and short-term in vivo tests with molecular/biochemical endpoints. This translational capability can increase the capacity and efficiency of safety assessments both for single chemicals and chemical mixtures. Our mini-review describes the conceptual basis of the AOP framework and aspects of its current status relative to use by toxicologists and risk assessors, including four illustrative applications of the framework to diverse assessment scenarios.
Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-Step Alcoholism Treatment Programs

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) self-help groups are the most commonly accessed component of the de facto system of care for alcohol problems in the United States. Further, AA’s concepts and approach have strongly influenced a significant number of professional treatment programs. Nevertheless, only a modest number of longitudinal, comparative outcome studies on AA and on professional 12-step treatment programs have been conducted, which has limited both the certainty and scope of conclusions that can be drawn about these interventions. Research indicates that participation in Alcoholics Anonymous and in 12-step treatment are associated with significant reductions in substance abuse and psychiatric problems. Further, such interventions, it has been found, reduce health care costs over time in naturalistic, quasi-experimental, and experimental studies. Evaluation studies have also begun to illuminate the processes through which self-help groups and 12-step treatment programs exert their effects. To build on this knowledge base, future research should (1) be methodologically flexible and well-matched to its phenomenon of interest, (2) include evaluation of the unique features of self-help organizations, (3) increase representation of African-Americans and women in research samples, and (4) increase statistical power through larger sample sizes and more reliable measurement. Key content areas for future enquiry include further longitudinal evaluation of the outcomes of participation in AA and 12-step treatment (particularly in outpatient samples); better specification of the aspects of AA that influence outcome; and individual-, community-, and health organization-level controlled studies of the health care cost consequences of 12-step interventions.
Self-esteem in Adulthood

Self-esteem refers to a global judgment of the worth or value of the self. Self-esteem is strongly related to the subjective quality of life, and to motivational orientations such as self-enhancement and self-protection. However, self-esteem is linked only weakly to behavior and objective outcomes such as school achievement, physical attractiveness, and popularity with peers. Several issues in the literature on self-esteem are considered, including whether self-esteem is a state or a trait, is primarily affective or cognitive, what it is based on, whether high self-esteem is defensive or genuine, and whether there is a universal need to have high self-esteem.
Challenges to Religious Liberty in the Twenty-First Century: The Establishment Clause and the “Problem of the Church”

This essay, presented at a conference on Law and Religion at Princeton in April 2009, argues that Thomas Jefferson was right - the establishment clause was intended to erect a 'wall of separation between church and state' - but that those today (such as Justice Souter) who are wont to invoke Jefferson routinely misconceive this purpose. The establishment clause is best understood as a response to the age-old problem of delineating the separate jurisdictions of church and state, and it effectively disavowed the Erastian power of the state to control the church. For modern interpreters, however, the classical, jurisdictional problem has largely disappeared from view, and they have accordingly seen the clause as a response to a different problem - namely, the problem of secularization. They have accordingly construed the clause as a mandate for the secular state. But this construction not only mistakes the clause’s original purpose; it puts the (misconceived and redirected) clause in tension with much in the American political tradition and culture. Hence the notoriously unsatisfactory state of establishment clause jurisprudence today. The essay urges a recovery of the clause’s original and real purpose.
Interpersonal and achievement orientations and specific stressors predicting depressive and aggressive symptoms in children

This prospective study of 486 fifth and sixth grade children examined the contributions of interpersonal (Neediness and Connectedness) and achievement (Self-Criticism and Individualistic-Achievement) orientations, specific stressors, and their interactions to the prediction of depressive symptoms and level of anger/aggression. For both genders, Neediness directly predicted increases in depressive symptoms, whereas Connectedness interacted with social stressors to predict level of anger/aggression. There was a significant main effect of Connectedness for girls and a significant Connectedness × social stressors interaction for boys when predicting depressive symptoms. Neither achievement orientation factor directly predicted or interacted with achievement stressors to predict depressive symptoms. In contrast, the I-Achievement factor interacted with achievement stressors to predict level of anger/aggression for girls, but not boys. Results were consistent with the personality–event congruence hypothesis in that none of the vulnerability factors interacted with noncongruent stressors to predict either depressive symptoms or level of anger/aggression.
Formation Specification for Control of Active Agents Using Artificial Potential Fields

The work presented in this paper presents a general method for formation shape specification and proves convergence for a class of parametrically defined formations with closed form, nearest-point solutions. In addition to a more general specification of formation shape, the method results in a system that is robust in the presence of a variable number of agents. Each agent observes the positions of its neighbors and independently constructs a formation curve about the center of its neighborhood. The attractive point on this formation curve is found by employing a local minimization with respect to the observed center of mass of an agent’s neighborhood rather than a fixed global field. Given a common objective or goal state, this approach results in a general method to drive a time varying number of agents into a desired geometric configuration without specific individual locational or structural pre-assignment. The application of LaSalle’s invariance principal to the system’s Hamiltonian shows stability and convergence of the flock to the desired configuration. Simulation results verify convergence and robustness to instantaneous changes in the number of agents.
A qualitative study of sexual and reproductive health communication with adolescent and young adult oncology patients

Background Adolescent and young adult patients with cancer (AYAs) identify sexual and reproductive health (SRH) as an important but often neglected aspect of their comprehensive cancer care. The purpose of this study was to explore AYA perceptions and experiences of SRH communication with oncology clinicians. Methods Twenty-three AYA patients and survivors ages 15-25 years from a large academic oncology center participated in semistructured qualitative interviews investigating their experiences discussing SRH issues, including specific topics discussed, conversation barriers and facilitators, suggestions for clinicians on how to improve conversations, and education and resource needs. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded using a thematic analysis approach. Results Interviews with AYAs revealed two primary themes-a need for oncology clinicians to discuss SRH and critical gaps in current SRH communication practices. AYAs reported a need for improved SRH communication for the purposes of general education, addressing specific SRH issues experienced, and understanding the long-term impact of cancer and treatment on SRH. The current communication gaps are exacerbated by patient discomfort initiating conversations and the presence of family members. AYAs shared six key recommendations for clinicians on how to improve SRH communication. Conclusions AYAs identify a role for oncology clinicians in discussing SRH as a primary aspect of comprehensive health care during cancer treatment and in survivorship; however, multiple gaps and barriers interfere with such discussions. Future efforts must focus on clinician education and training in SRH as well as education and intervention opportunities for AYAs to optimize the care provided.
Transfer Operator Based Approach for Estimating After Release Contaminant Distribution in Indoor Environment

Maintaining indoor environment quality requires availability of effective estimation and control measures. In hazardous substances release scenario, a prompt estimation of contaminant distribution in the space is essential to enable quick control action. In this paper, we discuss the use of Perron-Frobenius (P-F) operator based approach for the design of an estimator to efficiently track the contaminant in an indoor environment. While the contaminants are evolving under the influence of nonlinear fluid flow field, the linear nature of the P-F operator is exploited for the design of estimator dynamics. In particular, the linear nature of the P-F framework is used for the design of a Kalman filtering algorithm to track the contaminants under an impulsive release scenario. Simulation results involving International Energy Agency (IEA) two dimensional building system model are presented to verify the main findings of the paper.
The relationship between subjective effects induced by a single dose of ketamine and treatment response in patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review.

Abstract Objective The relationship between ketamine's hallucinogenic- and dissociative-type effects and antidepressant mechanism of action is poorly understood. This paper reviewed the correlation between subjective effects defined by various psychometric scales and observed clinical outcomes in the treatment of patients with Major Depressive Disorder ( MDD ). Methods Based on PRISMA guidelines, we reviewed the dissociative and psychotomimetic mental state induced with ketamine during MDD treatment. Our selected studies correlated depression rating with validated scales collected at regular intervals throughout the study period such as the Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and the 5-Dimensional Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (5D-ASC). We excluded studies with bipolar depression or with repeated dosing and no single-dose phase. We included 8 of 556 screened reports. Results Two of five CADSS studies found significant negative correlations between increases in CADSS scores and depression scores. One of six BPRS studies demonstrated correlations between BPRS scores and depression scores. The 5D-ASC's one study found no correlation with the MADRS. Conclusions Ketamine's dissociative and psychotomimetic effects were correlated with depression changes in 37.5% of studies, but most studies did not examine this relationship and future studies should consider this association since it appears important for MDMA and psilocybin therapies.
La Granada en Florida: Una fruta de árbol para Florida?

El potencial economico en la produccion comercial para el cultivo de granadas en Florida es actualmente desconocido en este momento. La investigacion cientifica continua sobre la posibilidad de encontrar variedades de granadas que puedan crecer en Florida. Las condiciones ambientales, con una alta temporada humeda en la Florida, y un clima caluroso, son factores que son favorables para las enfermedades en las granadas y eso reduce la calidad de esta fruta, especialmente para las variedades de temporada tardia como la variedad ‘Wonderful’. ‘Wonderful’ es el principal cultivar comercial que se origino en la Florida. Para reducir las enfermedades y evitar la competencia de comercializacion con las granadas de California, la investigacion para la produccion de granadas en la Florida debe centrarse en buscar variedades de temporada temprana que puedan cosecharse en julio y agosto. This six-page document is the Spanish translation of HS44, The Pomegranate. Written by Ali Sarkhosh and Jeff Williamson, translated by Eva Pabon, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs294
Abstract IA18: Targeting K-Ras directly

Somatic mutations in the small GTPase K-Ras are the most common activating lesions found in human cancer and are generally associated with poor response to standard therapies. Efforts to directly target this oncogene have faced difficulties due to its picomolar affinity for GTP/GDP and the absence of known allosteric regulatory sites (1). Oncogenic mutations result in functional activation of Ras family proteins by impairing GTP hydrolysis. With diminished regulation by GTPase activity, the nucleotide state of Ras becomes more dependent upon relative nucleotide affinity and concentration. This gives GTP an advantage over GDP and increases the proportion of active GTP-bound Ras. I will discuss the development of small molecules that irreversibly bind to a common oncogenic mutant, K-RasG12C (2). These compounds rely on the mutant cysteine for binding and therefore do not affect the wild-type protein (WT). Crystallographic studies reveal the formation of a new pocket that is not apparent in previous structures of Ras, beneath the effector binding switch-II region. These data provide structure-based validation of a novel allosteric regulatory site on Ras that is targetable in a mutant-specific manner. References 1. Stephen AG, Esposito D, Bagni RK, McCormick F. Dragging Ras back in the ring. Cancer Cell 2014;25: 272–81. 2. Ostrem JM, Peters U, Sos ML, Wells JA, Shokat KM. Nature 2013;12796:503, 548–51. Citation Format: Kevin Shokat. Targeting K-Ras directly [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Targeting RAS-Driven Cancers; 2018 Dec 9-12; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(5_Suppl):Abstract nr IA18.
Load-dependent mechanical demands of the lower extremity during the back and front squat

The purpose of this study was to examine load-dependent differences in lower-extremity biomechanics between the back squat (BS) and front squat (FS) exercises. Eleven NCAA Division-I athletes perfo...