cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Path Dependent Preferences: The Role of Initial Experience and Biased Search in Preference Discovery

What is the role of early experiences in shaping preferences? What are the mechanisms by which such early encounters influence the way preferences are formed? In this research, we examine the impact of the entry position and favorability of initial (and ongoing) experiences on preference development. We predict that the starting point will heavily influence which particular region people select from initially, and favorableness of early experiences and myopic search will both limit their search to that particular region. Across four studies, we find that when the initial experiences are favorable, subjects engage in lower levels of search, experience only a narrow breadth of possible alternatives, demonstrate less ongoing experimentation, and have a reduction in the amount of preference development.
Determining the Enthalpy of Formation of A Si Interstitial Using Quantitative Tem and Sims

Some of the key parameters used in process simulators are formation energy, diffusivity and the concentration of Si self-interstitials. Unfortunately, experimental verification of these parameters is lacking. This work is therefore designed to determine the equilibrium concentration of self-interstitials at various temperatures and thus compute the formation energy for selfinterstitials in Si. Samples with thin (10 nm) buried boron layers were grown by MBE and samples with a buried type II dislocation loop layer were produced by Ge+ implantation into undoped MBE. These samples were subjected to a 40 KeV 1E14 /cm2 Si+ implant followed by anneals at temperatures between 685°C and 815°C for varying times. The loop layer was investigated to monitor the total flux of the interstitials as a function of time while the broadening of the B layer profile was analyzed by SIMS to determine the interstitial supersaturation. A combination of these two values provides an estimate of the equilibrium concentration of the Si interstitials. The results at various temperatures are then used to extract the enthalpy of formation of the Si interstitial.
Introducing Robert Smalls

Professor Davis uses events in the life of a Nineteenth Century African American Congressman and former slave to frame a critique of the Supreme Court’s narrow interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment in United States v. Morrison.
Application on Preventing Blowout Overhaul Technology of Removal Casing and Deep Channel Blocking

The expansion applicable research is carried out on the basis of the principles.The procedures of implementation and applied conditions of preventing blowout overhaul technology of removal casing and deep channel blockingto for oil wells of the oilfield are presented.In view of practical problems that overhaul technology of removal casing and deep channel blocking can solve,forth prospects of the application for overhaul technology are set out in the oilfield development.The technical direction of overhaul technology is pointed and developed from general-type to blowout preventing type gradually for oil wells of old oilfield.
A DCT-based robust video steganographic method using BCH error correcting codes

Due to the significant growth of video data over the Internet, it has become a popular choice for data hiding field. The performance of any steganographic algorithm relies on the embedding efficiency, embedding payload, and robustness against attackers. Low hidden ratio, less security, and low quality of stego videos are the major issues of many existing steganographic methods. In this paper, we propose a DCT-based robust video steganographic method using BCH codes. To improve the security of the proposed algorithm, a secret message is first encrypted and encoded by using BCH codes. Then, it is embedded into the discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients of video frames. The hidden message is embedded into DCT coefficients of each Y, U, and V planes excluding DC coefficients. The proposed algorithm is tested under two types of videos that contain slow and fast moving objects. The results of the proposed algorithm are compared with three existing methods. The results demonstrate better performance for the proposed algorithm than for the others. The hidden ratio of the proposed algorithm is approximately 27.53%, which is evaluated as a high hiding capacity with a minimal tradeoff of the visual quality. The robustness of the proposed algorithm was tested under different attacks.
Early Flap Striae

Flap striae can reduce corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). When recognized and treated immediately, striae generally can be reduced to a level that is clinically insignificant [1, 2].
In search of the first Venetians: prosopography of early medieval Venice, by Luigi Andrea Berto

Who were the early medieval Venetians? Scholars attempting to answer this question are faced with the same problem that confronts almost all historians of the era: scanty and fragmented source mate...
Connections to Solutions

This chapter analyzes several issues related to the solubility of gases in liquids. One of the issues is why do carbonated drinks go flat as they warm. Carbonation in the form of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas is introduced in beverages to add taste and effervescence to appeal to both the taste buds and the eye. The added CO 2 bubbles also enhance shelf life and prevent spoilage. The carbonation process takes advantage of the particular conditions—cold temperatures and high pressures that favor the mixing of a gas and a liquid, such as water. To introduce CO 2 gas into the water, the liquid beverage mixture is chilled below 40˚F and then cascaded over a series of plates in an enclosure containing carbon dioxide gas under pressure. The amount of gas that the water will absorb during this process is enhanced by the cold temperatures and the high pressures. Whenever a bottle or can of carbonated beverage is opened, the decrease in pressure lowers the ability of the CO 2 gas to stay dissolved in the water solution. As the temperature of the beverage rises, the solubility of the dissolved CO 2 gas also decreases. The loss of effervescence is evidence of this decrease in gas solubility.
A design-for-test solution for monolithic 3D integrated circuits

Monolithic three-dimensional integrated circuits (M3D ICs) are being advocated as the next generation of 3D integration beyond 3D ICs based on through-silicon-vias. Testing of the bottom layer of an M3D IC is necessary to target defects arising from the layered manufacturing process. We present an efficient design-for-test (DfT) method for the bottom layer by isolating it from the top layer. A bypass structure based on e-fuses is proposed to connect pairs of inter-layer vias (ILVs). In order to minimize the wire length between paired ILVs, an ILV-pairing problem is formulated and then solved using a technique based on maximum-weighted bipartite matching. The independent ILVs, i.e., those that are not paired, are made controllable and observable using four different types of DfT structures. A cost-optimization problem is solved to minimize the DfT cost. We present ILV-pairing and cost-optimization results for designs based on the ITC′02 benchmarks as well as for an industry design. We also present HSpice simulation results to show that testing using e-fuses is feasible.
Strain Dependent Genetic Networks for Antibiotic-Sensitivity in a Bacterial Pathogen with a Large Pan-Genome.

The interaction between an antibiotic and bacterium is not merely restricted to the drug and its direct target, rather antibiotic induced stress seems to resonate through the bacterium, creating selective pressures that drive the emergence of adaptive mutations not only in the direct target, but in genes involved in many different fundamental processes as well. Surprisingly, it has been shown that adaptive mutations do not necessarily have the same effect in all species, indicating that the genetic background influences how phenotypes are manifested. However, to what extent the genetic background affects the manner in which a bacterium experiences antibiotic stress, and how this stress is processed is unclear. Here we employ the genome-wide tool Tn-Seq to construct daptomycin-sensitivity profiles for two strains of the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. Remarkably, over half of the genes that are important for dealing with antibiotic-induced stress in one strain are dispensable in another. By confirming over 100 genotype-phenotype relationships, probing potassium-loss, employing genetic interaction mapping as well as temporal gene-expression experiments we reveal genome-wide conditionally important/essential genes, we discover roles for genes with unknown function, and uncover parts of the antibiotic’s mode-of-action. Moreover, by mapping the underlying genomic network for two query genes we encounter little conservation in network connectivity between strains as well as profound differences in regulatory relationships. Our approach uniquely enables genome-wide fitness comparisons across strains, facilitating the discovery that antibiotic responses are complex events that can vary widely between strains, which suggests that in some cases the emergence of resistance could be strain specific and at least for species with a large pan-genome less predictable.
Incidental findings on chest computed tomography are common and linked to inflammation in HIV-infected adults.

Background Chest imaging is performed for a variety of reasons in HIV-infected adults. There are limited data on the prevalence of incidental findings, progression of these findings over time and the relationship with inflammation in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated HIV-infected adults. Methods This study utilized data from a randomized clinical trial of rosuvastatin in HIV-infected adults on ART. Incidental findings were reported from chest computed tomography (CT) scans obtained for coronary artery calcium score at entry, week 48 and 96. Markers of immune activation and inflammation were measured concurrently. Poisson regression and generalized estimating equations were used. Results A total of 147 participants were enrolled. Median age was 46 years, 78% were male, 68% African American and 63% current smokers. At baseline, 57% of participants had at least one incidental lung finding (ILF) and four additional participants had at least one ILF by week 96. At baseline, older age, current smoking, lower nadir CD4+ T-cell count and low-density lipoprotein and higher lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) were independently associated with having a greater number of ILFs. In the longitudinal analyses, older age, lower nadir CD4+ T-cell count and higher baseline soluble tumour necrosis factor α-receptor I (sTNF-RI) were independently associated with having a greater number of ILFs over 96 weeks. Conclusions Over half of participants had at least one incidental finding on chest CT. Beyond traditional factors of older age and smoking, lower nadir CD4+ T-cell count and higher markers of inflammation were associated with having a greater number of ILFs in HIV-infected adults on ART.
Processing gain and noise in multi-electrode impedance cytometers: Comprehensive electrical design methodology and characterization

Abstract We introduce a novel technique for minimizing false positives and improving the fidelity of signals detected with impedance cytometry. We make use of interdigitated multi-finger electrodes for introducing redundancy and robustness in impedance based detection of micro- and nanoparticles. Multi-electrode impedance sensors provide multiple peaks and unique signatures for single cells and particles, and can be used in conjunction with match filters to provide processing gain. This approach is particularly useful in minimizing false positives, which is particularly difficult for signals with low signal-to-noise ratio. The unique signature provided by multi-electrode sensors results in higher signal-power compared to single electrode pair sensors, and can also result in more fidelity in distinguishing particles from noise. This technique holds the potential of using micro-scale channels for detection of nanoscale particles such as viruses and even individual proteins. Previous work has shown extraction of signal from noise using multi-electrode sensors. To the best of our knowledge, this manuscript presents the first comprehensive attempt to characterize processing gain improvement and system noise in multi-electrode sensors by directly comparing simultaneous measurements obtained from sensors fabricated along the same channel. By measuring simultaneously the electrode pairs along a single channel, consistency in flow rate and buffer conditions is ensured, while other experimental assay-to-assay variations are minimized. We achieve high SNR for particles as small as 1 um in a 30 μm wide by 10 diameter tall pore. SNR and noise measurements for different electrode configurations and excitation frequencies is thoroughly studied. The results of this study demonstrated that while increasing number of electrodes resulted in increased processing gain, noise levels also increased with larger number of electrode fingers, thus total SNR remained relatively unchanged. Our investigations showed that this increase in noise is likely due to electrochemical reactions at the surface of the electrode dominating the total noise.
Application of acoustoelasticity to evaluate non-linear modulus in ex vivo kidneys

Dynamic elastography techniques estimate the elastic shear modulus in order to evaluate the health of different soft tissues. However, the diagnostic potential of these methods is limited as the knowledge of shear elasticity may not be sufficient to reach a clinical diagnosis. To better understand pathologies, new methods that investigate non-linear tissue mechanical properties have been proposed. It has previously been shown that shear wave speed changes with respect to an applied stress, a phenomenon called acoustoelasticity (AE). Using AE by compressing a medium and measuring the shear wave speed at different compression levels, we can estimate the third order non-linear modulus, A. The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of performing AE in ex vivo kidneys. We evaluated the non-linear characteristics of ten ex vivo porcine kidneys embedded in 10% gelatin. Measurements were performed under three different conditions: a) presence or absence of a plate attached to the transducer, b) progressive or regressive compression and (c) views of the kidney (longitudinal and transverse). The results obtained demonstrated that it is possible to recover the non-linear modulus A by monitoring changes in strain and shear modulus during kidney deformation.
Chapter 10 – Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a dietary essential for only a few species, including humans. Vitamin C is the generic descriptor for all compounds exhibiting qualitatively the biological activity of ascorbic acid. For animals that cannot synthesize vitamin C, the best dietary sources include fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C is water soluble and is absorbed through active and passive transport. It functions as a water-soluble antioxidant by reacting with free radicals and reducing reactive oxygen species to protect against the oxidation of lipids, proteins, and DNA. It also functions as a cosubstrate for a series of enzymes, including those responsible for collagen synthesis. Vitamin C deficiency results in scurvy, which is manifested by poor appetite, hemorrhaging, impaired wound healing, and skeletal muscle atrophy.
Distinct Metabolic Dependency of Normal and Leukemic Cells in a Mouse Model

Abstract 759 We hypothesized that metabolic differences between leukemia initiating cells and their normal counterparts represent a vulnerability in the leukemia initiating cell, which can be therapeutically exploited. To test this hypothesis, we used the MLL-AF9 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) model in mice. Actin-DsRed mouse bone marrow transduced with MLL-AF9 expressing retrovirus was used to produce serially transplantable leukemia. Leukemic granulocyte-monocyte precursors (L-GMPs), defined by others to be the leukemia initiating cells were flow sorted from secondary recipient mice and compared with normal GMPs (N-GMPs) from actin Ds-Red mice. Gene expression profiling, metabolomic profiling via liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry and an in vitro shRNA screen were used to identify metabolic pathways preferentially activated in leukemia initiating cells. Of 1574 defined metabolic enzymes, 44 were found to be differentially expressed between L-GMPs and their normal counterparts (N-GMPs). These together with 117 classic rate limiting enzymes were subjected to shRNA knockdown in vitro. Metabolomic profiling of both cell populations was used to corroborate findings from shRNA knockdowns. L-GMPs and N-GMPs were transduced with lentivirus expressing shRNAs of interest (5 shRNAs per gene) in a 384 well format, selected with puromycin and cultured for 72–96 hours in the presence of GFP-positive primary bone marrow stroma. The number of cells in each well at the end of this experiment was quantitated using an Image Xpress microscope. Genes, the knockdown of which by at least two independent shRNAs produced a two fold or more decrease in L-GMPs as compared to control wells and did not similarly decrease N-GMPs, were chosen for in vivo validation. Ten genes in the glycolysis pathway and TCA cycle, fatty acid metabolism and detoxification, and ketohexokinase were identified. Ketohexokinase, a rate-limiting enzyme in fructose metabolism was particularly potent and of interest given its potential to be exploited therapeutically. In vivo assessment of its relative ability to inhibit malignant versus normal hematopoietic cells is ongoing. These studies provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that specific metabolic circuits are differentially active in leukemia initiating cells in MLL-AF9 AML and may represent unique points of vulnerability that can be targeted therapeutically. Authors 1 and 2 contributed equally. Authors 3 and 4 contributed equally. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Representative Weather Profiles in Airport Planning

Given the expensive and protracted nature of airport improvement projects, they must be planned by using careful forecasting and reliable estimates of demand and capacity. The processes aimed at improving airports and satisfying the time and financial constraints constitute airport planning. In airport planning, when considering the limitations of an airport and potential improvements, one needs also to consider daily capacity variations attributable to local weather and how they compare with the airport’s demand profile. The current representation of capacity in the planning process does not capture this variation and dependence on local weather. A weather profile of a given day is defined as a series of weather conditions observed or predicted for every hour of that day. Weather profiles can be translated to a series of hourly capacity estimates by using analytical and empirical models. When the capacity estimates are combined with a representative demand profile, queuing delay can be estimated. In capt...
Sleep and Alternative Medicine: I

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), in addition to allopathic medicine, has become an area of increasing interest amongst the scientific and patient community, in search for efficacious, tolerable, and safe options for treatment of ailments. This is especially applicable to sleep disorders that are becoming increasingly prevalent in the sedentary, electronics-based, “24/7”, and multi-tasking lifestyles of modern society. This chapter presents a brief review of the CAM treatment options for various sleep disorders, citing scientific or anecdotal evidence available for these therapies.
Soft Tissue Tumors of the Mediastinum

The mediastinum is a defined anatomic space in which organs and major blood vessels reside with admixed soft tissue elements. Many of the masses encountered in the mediastinum are related to the thymus. Most neoplasms diagnosed in the mediastinum are epithelial tumors (thymomas and thymic carcinomas), lymphomas, or germ cell tumors. In contrast, soft tissue tumors of the mediastinum are rare. Because of their rarity, most mesenchymal tumors in the mediastinum have been reported as case reports or small series. Mediastinal soft tissue tumors encompass the wide spectrum of soft tissue tumors that occur in other locations with lipomatous and neurogenic tumors comprising some of the most common types. In addition to primary sarcomas of the mediastinum, secondary “somatic-type” malignancy may occur in a mediastinal germ cell tumor. Development of a sarcomatous component has been reported to occur more frequently in mediastinal germ cell tumors than in other sites. This chapter will emphasize on the primary mesenchymal tumors of the mediastinum in accordance with the current WHO classification of soft tissue tumors.
AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF HYPOPHOSPHATEMIC RICKETS

ABSTRACT Objective: Availability and absorption of phosphate is crucial for bone mineralization. Hypophosphatemia can lead to defective bone mineralization and consequently, rickets. Maintenance of phosphate levels relies on dietary intake, gastrointestinal absorption, renal re-absorption, and renal excretion. We report a case of an 8-month-old girl with hypophosphatemic rickets that exhibited appropriate dietary intake of phosphate and appropriate renal re-absorption of phosphate. Methods: Case report and literature review. Results: The most widely encountered mechanism for hypophosphatemic rickets is renal phosphate wasting. In this patient, decreased gastrointestinal absorption of phosphate was the most likely etiology of hypophosphatemia. With a simple dietary maneuver, she achieved resolution of hypophosphatemia and improvement in bone mineralization. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of considering extra-renal etiologies of hypophosphatemic rickets and careful dietary history, even in ...
Reservoir Correction for the Central and North Kuril Islands in North Pacific Context

We present new marine reservoir ΔR correction terms for the central and northern Kuril Islands. We estimate ΔR from a series of archaeological charcoal-shell pairs from two archaeological sites using standard calibration procedures and Monte Carlo simulation. The combined ΔR estimate for all paired samples for the Kuril samples is 508±127 yr. In the context of available North Pacific Rim ΔR estimates, the new Kuril data support the interpretation of a well-mixed, 14C-depleted North Pacific Subarctic Gyre. For the broader subarctic North Pacific region, a ΔR estimate in the range of 440±127 yr is a reasonable correction for any coastal marine shell date, and may be applied to fish and marine mammal dates for taxa known to reside within these waters throughout their life-histories. This generalization fails as one moves south from Hokkaido along the East Asian coast. There, well-equilibrated subtropical water minimize the ΔR offset.
An Analysis of United States Federal District Court Admission Requirements

This Article analyzes the question of whether an attorney who is not a member of the state bar in the state where a federal district court is located can be admitted to the federal district court when they are admitted in good standing to the state bar of another state. The first section of the Article briefly outlines what various federal district courts actually require on the question of whether an attorney is required to be a member of the state court bar where the federal district court is located. The Article then discusses and analyzes the constitutional challenges against the rules of federal district courts which require that an attorney admitted in the court be a member of the state court bar where the federal district court is located. Essentially all of the constitutional challenges to these rules have been unsuccessful thus far. This Article recommends that in examining their local admission rules, federal district courts should reflect and consider the standards they set for qualifications for United States Magistrate Judges. Such reflection inexorably leads to the outcome that attorneys properly admitted and in good standing with the state courts of at least one state should be permitted admission before any federal district court.
Anticipation in a family with primary familial brain calcification caused by an SLC20A2 variant.

Abstract Aim of the study To describe a family with primary familial brain calcification (PFBC) due to SLC20A2 variant showing possible genetic anticipation. Materials and methods We conducted historical, genealogical, clinical, and radiologic studies of a family with PFBC. Clinical evaluations including neurological examination and head computed tomography (CT) scans of a proband and her father were performed. They provided additional information regarding other family members. To identify a causative gene variant, we performed whole-exome sequencing for the proband followed by segregation analysis in other affected members using direct sequencing. Results In this family, nine affected members were identified over four generations. The proband suffered from chronic daily headache including thunderclap headache. We identified an SLC20A2 (c.509delT, p.(Leu170*)) variant in three affected members over three generations. Interestingly, the age of onset became younger as the disease passed through successive generations, suggestive of genetic anticipation. Conclusions and clinical implications For clinical purpose, it is important to consider thunderclap headache and genetic anticipation in PFBC caused by SLC20A2 variants. Further investigation is required to validate our observation.
iPSC-derived neurons as a tool for probing molecular pharmacology of antipsychotic action.

Background Induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons (iPSC-Neurons) provide a potential way to investigate molecular mechanisms of psychotropic drug action in human neurons. Until now such studies have relied on animal models or artificial expression systems in transfected cells. Methods: Induced pluripotent stem cells were subjected to a dual SMAD inhibition differentiation protocol. Resulting neurons were examined using qPCR, immunocytochemistry, viral transduction, and calcium imaging. Results: Here we report the presence of target receptors for antipsychotic drugs in human iPSC-neurons. A cortical neuronal differentiation protocol resulted in cells that expressed D2, 5HT2A, and other target receptors. Moreover, stimulation with glutamate, dopamine, or the 5HT2A agonist DOI evoked calcium transients. We analyzed single cell responses, and found cells with signature response profiles to these ligands. In addition, pre-incubation of iPSC-neurons with clozapine altered the proportion of cells that responded to glutamate or DOI in a subpopulation of neurons. Conclusions: Our results support the use of iPSC-neuron single cell pharmacology for studying how psychotropic medications modulate neuronal responses. Because these cells can be derived directly from patients, results derived from using iPSC-neurons have immediate relevance for personalized medicine.
Enhanced phase retrieval using quantum illumination

We use quantum illumination to improve classical phase retrieval algorithm. The quantum-assisted algorithm shows improved performance over the classical methods.
Bacterially Synthesized EBNA as a Reagent for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays

We have synthesized the oarboxy-terminal one third of the EBNA protein as a fusion polypeptide in bacteria. When inoculated into rabbits the purified 28K EBNA polypeptide elicited antibodies which gave the same immunofluorescence staining patterns on lymphoblastoid cell lines as EBNA-positive human serum. The 28K EBNA polypeptide bound tightly to double-stranded DNA suggesting that the carboxy-terminal portion of EBNA is a DNA binding domain. The bacterially synthesized EBNA polypeptide was also employed in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The pattern of anti-EBNA antibody titers measured by the ELISA method in sera from normal individuals and from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Burkitt lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and acute infectious mononucleosis was comparable to that observed in previous serological studies which had employed the classical anti-complement immunofluorescence assay (ACIF). However, in contrast to the ACIF assay, the more sensitive ELISA method was able to detect anti-EBNA antibody in acute infectious mononucleosis serum.
Computer Animated Mathematics Videotapes

Visualization — the representation of ideas, principles or problems by images — has always played an important role in both teaching and learning mathematics. Visual images make a much greater impact than printed or spoken words. People tend to forget words that they read or hear, but images are retained for a long time because they have emotional as well as intellectual appeal. This is especially true when the images are in motion and are accompanied by music and sound effects. The impact of well-crafted televised images on the human mind has been exploited by entertainers, advertisers, and politicians since the advent of television.
Weak Grid Impacts on Stability of Voltage Source Inverters —Asymmetrical Grid

This paper presents the stability analysis of voltage source inverters (VSIs) in the presence of asymmetrical weak grids. Large grid impedances associated with weak grids can make grid-connected VSIs unstable. State-of-the-art research on the stability in weak grids focuses solely on symmetrical grid impedances, with little attention paid to the asymmetrical grid impedance case. The stability analysis of VSIs in asymmetrical weak grids is studied in this paper based on a developed state-space model of a grid-connected VSI considering asymmetrical grid impedances. Root locus studies of the eigenvalues of the model show that an asymmetrical increase in the grid impedance could result in instability for an otherwise stable system in the balanced case. The results are verified through simulations and experiments for a three-phase 208V grid-connected hardware setup for both symmetrical and asymmetrical weak grid cases.
Small molecule binders recognize DNA microstructural variations via an induced fit mechanism

Regulation of gene-expression by specific targeting of protein–nucleic acid interactions has been a long-standing goal in medicinal chemistry. Transcription factors are considered “undruggable” because they lack binding sites well suited for binding small-molecules. In order to overcome this obstacle, we are interested in designing small molecules that bind to the corresponding promoter sequences and either prevent or modulate transcription factor association via an allosteric mechanism. To achieve this, we must design small molecules that are both sequence-specific and able to target G/C base pair sites. A thorough understanding of the relationship between binding affinity and the structural aspects of the small molecule–DNA complex would greatly aid in rational design of such compounds. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of sequence-specific DNA association of a synthetic minor groove binder using long timescale molecular dynamics. We show how binding selectivity arises from a combination of structural factors. Our results provide a framework for the rational design and optimization of synthetic small molecules in order to improve site-specific targeting of DNA for therapeutic uses in the design of selective DNA binders targeting transcription regulation.
A rapid and sensitive method for the determination of inorganic chloride in oil samples.

Abstract A novel isotope dilution method for the analysis of inorganic chloride in fuel oil matrix is presented. The samples were diluted by isopropyl alcohol:toluene, mixed with 37Cl− internal standard and reacted with triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate at room temperature. This reagent promoted conversion of Cl− into stable ethyl chloride (EtCl) which was selectively detected by headspace GC–MS/MS with no matrix effects. A limit of detection of 0.2 mg kg−1 Cl− was obtained in fuel oil. The method was tested on the NIST SRM 1634c (trace elements in residual fuel oil) and validated through a series of robustness tests. Over 18 days, the variation in the signal response was less than 10% and the RSD for quantitative isotope dilution results was below 3%. Overall, the method is fast, simple and allows robust quantitation of inorganic chloride directly in the non-aqueous media.
Characteristics of Emergency Department Visits and Select Predictors of Hospitalization for Adults With Newly Diagnosed Cancer in a Safety-Net Health System

PURPOSE:There is little description of emergency department (ED) visits and subsequent hospitalizations among a safety-net cancer population. We characterized patterns of ED visits and explored non...
First fossil record of the genus Reissa Evenhuis & Báez (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae: Mythicomyiinae) from the Eocene Green River Formation of North America, and discussion of biogeographical implications

The genus Reissa Evenhuis & Baez in Greathead & Evenhuis (2001) was originally described based on a short series of extant specimens from the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. No further species of the genus have been discovered since. A related fossil genus (Riga Evenhuis) was described from Eocene Rovno amber (Evenhuis, 2013) and has some characters in common with the fossil specimen but differs in thoracic and antennal features. The new species described and illustrated here is represented by a single compression fossil of the new species Reissa kohlsi sp. nov. from the Parachute Creek member of the Green River Formation of Wyoming/Utah/Colorado, USA, the site of which dates from 51.2–48.7 my (Smith et al., 2008). It marks the first fossil record of the genus and its first record from the New World, and the first fossil record of the family Mythicomyiidae from North America. The family was previously known in the New World fossil record from the Miocene Dominican amber (cf. Evenhuis, 2013), including two representatives from the Mythicomyiinae (Mythicomyia dominicana Evenhuis, 2002 and Pieza dominicana Evenhuis, 2002).
Voice, Strength, and No-Contest Clauses

The will is a unilateral written disposition of probate property to be effective upon the will-maker’s death. To have any legal effect, however, the will-maker’s family, beneficiaries, and personal representatives, along with the probate court, need to implement the will provisions. To buttress the strength of the will, the language of the will is definitive, certain, and strong. But when the will relies upon standardized language, the voice of the will-maker is flattened or even non-existent. The absence of the willmaker’s voice may jeopardize the legal effect of the will. This Article argues that the over-reliance on “time-tested” formulaic language endows the will with a mechanical, masculine voice that is ill fitting for most testators and does not advance the goals of testators. Specifically, this Article will focus on the use and language of the no-contest clause. Will-makers and will-drafters have long abandoned the language of in terrorem clauses that threaten eternal damnation for anyone who seeks to alter the terms of the will. The replacement language uses false strength to intimidate beneficiaries by referencing a potential forfeiture of a testamentary gift. The standard no-contest clause has continuing appeal to testators and drafters, despite concerns raised about the flattening of the testator’s voice and provocative nature of the language. This Article argues that the value of the no-contest clause is undermined by the generic, hollow language replicated in form no-contest clauses. Rather than discouraging will contests, the language may actually encourage will contests. After all, a will is more than a mere legal instrument that transfers widgets and greenacres. The voice in the will should be authentic and genuine.
Enabling Runtime SpMV Format Selection through an Overhead Conscious Method

Sparse matrix-vector multiplication (SpMV) is an important kernel and its performance is critical for many applications. Storage format selection is to select the best format to store a sparse matrix; it is essential for SpMV performance. Prior studies have focused on predicting the format that helps SpMV run fastest, but have ignored the runtime prediction and format conversion overhead. This work shows that the runtime overhead makes the predictions from previous solutions frequently sub-optimal and sometimes inferior regarding the end-to-end time. It proposes a new paradigm for SpMV storage selection, an overhead-conscious method. Through carefully designed regression models and neural network-based time series prediction models, the method captures the influence imposed on the overall program performance by the overhead and the benefits of format prediction and conversions. The method employs a novel two-stage lazy-and-light scheme to help control the possible negative effects of format predictions, and at the same time, maximize the overall format conversion benefits. Experiments show that the technique outperforms previous techniques significantly. It improves the overall performance of applications by 1.21X to 1.53X, significantly larger than the 0.83X to 1.25X upper-bound speedups overhead-oblivious methods could give.
Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis triggered by emotional stress.

A 22-year-old woman presented with disorganized behaviors, restlessness, and subacute decline in mental status in the setting of stress. Extensive workup for autoimmune diseases disclosed positive ...
What Do We Supervise for? A Self-Study of Learning Teacher Candidate Supervision

This self-study of teacher education practices explores an emerging teacher educator’s development as a supervisor of teacher candidates. The purpose was the development of a rationale for teaching...
Conserved Patterns of Symmetric Inversion in the Genome Evolution of Bordetella Respiratory Pathogens

ABSTRACT Whooping cough (pertussis), primarily caused by Bordetella pertussis, has resurged in the United States, and circulating strains exhibit considerable chromosome structural fluidity in the form of rearrangement and deletion. The genus Bordetella includes additional pathogenic species infecting various animals, some even causing pertussis-like respiratory disease in humans; however, investigation of their genome evolution has been limited. We studied chromosome structure in complete genome sequences from 167 Bordetella species isolates, as well as 469 B. pertussis isolates, to gain a generalized understanding of rearrangement patterns among these related pathogens. Observed changes in gene order primarily resulted from large inversions and were only detected in species with genomes harboring multicopy insertion sequence (IS) elements, most notably B. holmesii and B. parapertussis. While genomes of B. pertussis contain >240 copies of IS481, IS elements appear less numerous in other species and yield less chromosome structural diversity through rearrangement. These data were further used to predict all possible rearrangements between IS element copies present in Bordetella genomes, revealing that only a subset is observed among circulating strains. Therefore, while it appears that rearrangement occurs less frequently in other species than in B. pertussis, these clinically relevant respiratory pathogens likely experience similar mutation of gene order. The resulting chromosome structural fluidity presents both challenges and opportunity for the study of Bordetella respiratory pathogens. IMPORTANCEBordetella pertussis is the primary agent of whooping cough (pertussis). The Bordetella genus includes additional pathogens of animals and humans, including some that cause pertussis-like respiratory illness. The chromosome of B. pertussis has previously been shown to exhibit considerable structural rearrangement, but insufficient data have prevented comparable investigation in related species. In this study, we analyze chromosome structure variation in several Bordetella species to gain a generalized understanding of rearrangement patterns in this genus. Just as in B. pertussis, we observed inversions in other species that likely result from common mutational processes. We used these data to further predict additional, unobserved inversions, suggesting that specific genome structures may be preferred in each species.
Assays to Evaluate Toxoplasma –Macrophage Interactions

The obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect any nucleated cell from a warm-blooded host. However, its interaction with host macrophages plays a critical role in shaping the immune response during infection. Therefore, assessing Toxoplasma-macrophage interactions at a cellular level is important. In this chapter, we describe assays that can be used to characterize Toxoplasma-macrophage interactions. These assays can also be used to evaluate other host-pathogen interactions. We describe multiplex approaches for measuring arginase activity, indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase activity, cell death, and parasite growth during Toxoplasma-macrophage interactions. These assays can be used to compare how different Toxoplasma strains differ in their interaction with macrophages, and we describe how to properly assess Toxoplasma strain differences in Toxoplasma-macrophage interactions.
Electrical Activity of the Diaphragm in a Small Cohort of Preterm Infants on Noninvasive Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: A Prospective Comparative Pilot Study

Objective: To compare the electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi) of premature infants placed on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) with the Edi of premature infants placed on noninvasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV NAVA). The secondary aim was to evaluate the feasibility of the use of NIV NAVA mode in the busy tertiary neonatal unit. Study Design: This was a prospective crossover pilot study of premature infants requiring noninvasive respiratory support. Infants were randomized to initially receive either CPAP/biphasic (group 1) or NIV NAVA (group 2) and were then crossed over to the alternate group. Continuous Edi signals were recorded for 24 h, with 12 h each on CPAP/biphasic, and NIV NAVA along with other clinical and respiratory parameters. Results: Ten infants with a mean gestation age of 29 weeks (range 25-34 weeks) were enrolled, with a total cumulative Edi monitoring of 240 h. The average Edi peak on the biphasic/CPAP group (15.6 ± 7 mcV) was significantly higher (P < 0.005), compared to the Edi Peak on the NIV NAVA group (10.8 ± 3.3 mcV). The Edi min values were 3.23 ± 1.1 mcV, and 3.07 ± 0.5 mcV on CPAP/biphasic and NIV NAVA (P = 0.69) respectively. There were no significant differences in other clinical parameters between the two groups. No major adverse events were recorded during Edi catheter monitoring. Conclusion: The Edi peak values were significantly lower in NIV NAVA mode compared to CPAP/biphasic mode. The Edi catheter and NIV NAVA may also be used safely in premature infants.
Protection for 'Inferences Drawn:' A Comparison between the General Data Protection Rule and the California Consumer Privacy Act

A relatively new area of concern regarding privacy and data protection is the increasing use made of inferences drawn upon the vast amounts of personal information that is routinely collected. Ever since the early days of what has become the era of big data, people have massaged data with hopes of gaining insight into human behavior. While the European Union has generally been far ahead of the United States in protecting data with respect to its collection and use, the sophistication of analytical tools may have outpaced the protection provided by the General Data Protection Rule (GDPR). While the GDPR clearly provides protection for the data itself, there may not be sufficient protection for some of the inferences drawn from that data. Probably not surprisingly, the brand new California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) specifically addresses this issue. While there are a number of articles that examine the similarities and the differences between the GDPR and the CCPA, this is one of the first that focusses on “inferences drawn” from data.
Extracting Green's functions between ships of opportunity using a vertical array

A theoretical method for estimating the Green's function between two points in an acoustic waveguide was proposed using a vertical source array that spans sufficient waveguide depth [Roux and Fink, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 113, 1406–1416 (2003)]. This paper shows that by reversing the role of sources and receivers, the Green's function between two ships (sources) can be extracted using a vertical receiver array with a limited aperture. First, the Green's functions from each ship are estimated along the array via blind deconvolution. Then the Green's function between two ships is obtained by either correlation or convolution of the individual Green's functions summed over the array, depending on the array position with respect to the ships. The feasibility of extracting Green's functions between ships of opportunity radiating random broadband (100–500 Hz) noise is demonstrated using a 56.25-m aperture vertical array in approximately 100-m shallow water.
Virtual Standardized Patients vs Academic Training for Learning Motivational Interviewing Skills in the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the US Military: A Randomized Trial.

Importance Despite the need for effective and scalable training in motivational interviewing (MI) that includes posttraining coaching and feedback, limited evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of using virtual (computerized) standardized patients (VSPs) in such training. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of training with a VSP on the acquisition and maintenance of MI skills compared with traditional academic study. Design, setting, and participants This study was a 2-group, parallel-training randomized trial of 120 volunteer health care professionals recruited from a Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense medical facility. Motivational interviewing skill was coded by external experts blinded to training group and skill assessment time points. Data were collected from October 17, 2016, to August 12, 2019. Interventions After a computer course on MI, participants trained during two 45-minute sessions separated by 3 months. The 2 randomized training conditions included a branching storyline VSP, which provided MI skill rehearsal with immediate and summative feedback, and a control condition, which included academic study of content from the computerized MI course. Main outcomes and measures Measurement of MI skill was based on recorded conversations with human standardized patients, assessed using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity 4.2.1 coding system, measured at baseline, after training, and after additional training in the randomized condition 3 months later. Results A total of 120 volunteers (83 [69%] women), with a mean (SD) of 13.6 (10.3) years of health care experience, participated in the study; 61 were randomized to receive the intervention, and 59 were randomized to the control group. Those assigned to VSP training had significantly greater posttraining improvement in technical global scores (0.23; 95% CI, 0.03-0.44; P = .02), relational global scores (0.57; 95% CI, 0.33-0.81; P = .001), and the reflection-to-question ratio (0.23; 95% CI, 0.15-0.31; P = .001). Differences were maintained after the 3-month additional training session, with more improvements achieved after the 3-month training for the VSP trainees on the reflection-to- question ratio (0.15; 95% CI, 0.07-0.24; P = .001). Conclusions and relevance This randomized trial demonstrated a successful transfer of training from a VSP to human standardized patients. The VSP MI skill outcomes were better than those achieved with academic study and were maintained over time. Virtual standardized patients have the potential to facilitate dissemination of MI and may be useful for training in other evidence-based skills and treatments. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04558060.