cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of discrete landscape units in controlling catchment dissolved organic carbon dynamics

[1] The spatial sources and delivery mechanisms of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to streams are poorly understood. We examined the relationship between storm DOC dynamics, catchment landscape units, and catchment scale to elucidate controls on DOC export dynamics at the Maimai watersheds, a group of highly responsive, steep, wet catchments located on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Specifically, we address the controls on the characteristic hysteresis in DOC export dynamics (i.e., DOC concentrations higher on the rising than falling limb of the discharge hydrograph) previously ascribed to a flushing mechanism. We found that during the storm event, the proportion of riparian runoff was larger on the rising than falling limb of the hydrograph, while the proportion of hillslope runoff was smaller on the rising than falling limb of the hydrograph. The delayed response of hillslope runoff resulted in a disconnection between hillslope and riparian areas early in the event and higher DOC concentrations on the rising limb than the falling limb of the event hydrograph. Later in the event, hillslope and riparian areas became connected once the hillslope soil moisture deficits were satisfied. We suggest that the relative timing of riparian and hillslope source contributions and the connections and disconnections of dominant runoff contributing areas are the first-order catchment controls on stream DOC concentrations and mass export.
Safely Transporting Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evaluation and Intervention

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate transportation practices of caregivers who transport children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Method We reviewed documented transportation evaluations of children with ASD. The evaluations were conducted by pediatric occupational therapists at an outpatient center of a large children's hospital. Results A review of 82 charts of patients diagnosed with ASD revealed that 74% of children with ASD were escaping their child safety restraint. More than 20% of parents reported that their child demonstrated aggressive or self-injurious behavior during travel, affecting not only their own safety but also that of others in the vehicle, including the driver. Conclusion Escaping from a child restraint can be a life-threatening problem among children with ASD. Parents, caregivers, and health care professionals should be aware of services available from trained therapists, certified child passenger safety technicians, or both to maximize safety during personal travel in the family vehicle.
Interobserver Variability in Grading Transbronchial Lung Biopsy Specimens After Lung Transplantation

Abstract Background Acute rejection remains a major source of morbidity after lung transplantation. Given the importance of this diagnosis, an international grading system was developed to standardize the diagnosis of acute lung-allograft rejection. The reliability of this grading system has not been adequately assessed by previous studies. Methods We examined the level of agreement in grading transbronchial biopsy specimens obtained from a large multicenter study (AIRSAC [Comparison of a Tacrolimus/Sirolimus/Prednisone Regimen vs Tacrolimus/Azathioprine/Prednisone Immunosuppressive Regimen in Lung Transplantation] trial). Biopsy specimens were initially graded for acute rejection and lymphocytic bronchiolitis by the site pathologist and subsequently graded by a central pathologist. Reliability of interobserver grading was evaluated using Cohen κ coefficients. Results A total of 481 transbronchial biopsy specimens were graded by both the site and central pathologists. The overall concordance rates were 74% and 89% for grade A and grade B biopsy specimens, respectively. When samples from biopsies performed at different time points after transplantation were assessed, there was a higher level of agreement early (≤ 6 weeks) after transplant compared with later time points for acute rejection. However, there was still only moderate agreement for both grade A (κ score 0.479; 95% CI, 0.29-0.67) and grade B (κ score 0.465; 95% CI, 0.08-0.85) rejection. Conclusions These results expand upon previous reports of interobserver variability in grading transbronchial biopsy specimens after lung transplantation. Given the variability in grading these specimens, we advocate further education of the histopathologic findings in lung transplant biopsy specimens, as well as revisiting the current criteria for grading transbronchial biopsy specimens to improve concordance among lung transplant pathologists. Trial registry ClinicalTrials.gov; No. NCT00321906; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov
A network level channel abstraction for multimedia communication in real-time networks

The design of communication protocols to support guaranteed real-time communication for distributed multimedia systems is examined. A network level abstraction called phi -channel that supports the requirements of real-time applications is proposed. A phi -channel represents a fractional, simplex, end-to-end communication channel between a source and a destination. The channel is characterized by a set of specific performance parameters associated with its traffic. The required performance characteristics of a phi -channel are specified in terms of the packet maximum end-to-end delay and the maximum number of packets that can be sent over that delay. The primary attribute supported by the phi -channel is the on-time reliability. Based on the specified parameters, the underlying delivery system verifies the feasibility of supporting such a channel. The performance of an accepted phi -channel is guaranteed under any conditions, barring hardware failures. The basic scheme that the model uses to verify the feasibility of accepting a phi -channel and the run-time support used to guarantee its performance are described. The results of a simulation experiment implementing the basic functionalities of the proposed scheme are also presented. >
Inositol Phospholipid Metabolism During and Following Synaptic Activation: Role of Adenosine

: The metabolic pathway of inositol phospholipids represents a series of synthetic and hydrolytic reactions with inositol as a by-product. Hence, the rate of [3H]inositol release from prelabeled phospholipids can be used as a reflection of activity of this pathway. In the frog sympathetic ganglion prelabeled with [3H]inositol, we studied the effect of synaptic activity (orthodromic stimulation) on release of 3H-label into the medium. This release was interpreted as [3H]inositol release. The value was low at rest and increased significantly by 32% during orthodromic stimulation (20 Hz for 5 min). However, on cessation of the stimulation, [3H]inositol release increased rapidly by 148% and remained elevated for at least 45 min. This increase in [3H]inositol release during and after the stimulation period was reduced by suffusion of the ganglia with adenosine. We hypothesized that synaptic activation releases a long-lasting stimulatory agonist and a short-lasting inhibitory (adenosine) agonist or agonists affecting [3H]inositol release. To demonstrate the presence of a stimulatory agonist, two sympathetic ganglia were used. One was prelabeled with [3H]inositol, and the other was not. The two ganglia were placed together in a 5-μl droplet of Ringer's solution containing atropine. Orthodromic stimuli applied to the nonlabeled ganglion elicited release of [3H]inositol from the nonstimulated ganglion. To test whether the adenosine formed during orthodromic stimulation inhibits [3H]inositol release, we destroyed endogenous adenosine by suffusion of the ganglia with adenosine deaminase during the stimulation period. We found that adenosine deaminase induced large increases in [3H]inositol release during the stimulation period, in contrast to an increase seen only during the poststimulation period when adenosine deaminase was omitted. Because [3H]inositol release is assumed to parallel changes in content of inositol phosphates, we anticipated no changes of the levels of these compounds during orthodromic stimulation. However, measurements showed that levels of inositol phosphates and inositol phospholipids were all elevated except for phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate. On termination of the stimulus, they remained elevated, with a further increase in levels of inositol trisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate. We conclude that endogenous adenosine inhibits [3H]inositol release, possibly by modulating several of the steps of the inositol phospholipid pathway. The various alternatives are discussed.
Real-time robot motion planning using rasterizing computer graphics hardware

We present a real-time robot motion planner that is fast and complete to a resolution. The technique is guaranteed to find a path if one exists at the resolution, and all paths returned are safe. The planner can handle any polyhedral geometry of robot and obstacles, including disjoint and highly concave unions of polyhedra.The planner uses standard graphics hardware to rasterize configuration space obstacles into a series of bitmap slices, and then uses dynamic programming to create a navigation function (a discrete vector-valued function) and to calculate paths in this rasterized space. The motion paths which the planner produces are minimal with respect to an L1 (Manhattan) distance metric that includes rotation as well as translation.Several examples are shown illustrating the competence of the planner at generating planar rotational and translational plans for complex two and three dimensional robots. Dynamic motion sequences, including complicated and non-obvious backtracking solutions, can be executed in real time.
Spontaneous breaking of parity in (2 + 1)-dimensional QED

The spontaneous generation of parity- ($P$) and time-reversal- ($T$) violating masses in (2+1)-dimensional QED is studied in the large-$N$ limit, where $N$ is the number of two-component complex fermions. Energy considerations of various symmetry-breaking patterns indicate that $P$ and $T$ are not spontaneously broken, even though masses which individually violate these symmetries are dynamically generated.
Enhancing clinician communication skills in a large healthcare organization: a longitudinal case study.

Abstract Objective: This article describes the approach taken over the past 16 years by one large healthcare organization, Kaiser Permanente (KP), to enhance the clinical communication and relationship skills of their clinicians. Methods: The centerpiece of KP's approach has been the creation and dissemination of a unifying clinician-patient communication (CPC) framework for teaching and research called the Four Habits Model. Results: The Model has served as the foundation for a diverse array of KP programs. Sustained improvement in patient satisfaction scores has been demonstrated. Clinician-patient communication training has become a well-established component of professional development in KP. Discussion: Enhancing clinicians’ communication with patients is a complex task requiring planning and organizational commitment. Factors that have contributed to the success and lessons learned from incorporating clinician communication skills across the organization are described. Conclusion: The KP experience attests to the feasibility of bringing the vital skills of effective communication to large numbers of busy clinicians. Practice implications: Healthcare practices wishing to enhance clinician-patient communication skills should consider using a consistent teaching model, ensuring strong sponsorship from leaders, and emphasizing clinician satisfaction in the design of programs. Enhancing clinician communication skills in a large healthcare organization: A longitudinal case study.
Achieving high efficiency and cyclability in inexpensive soluble lead flow batteries

Here we report on the significant improvements made in the energy efficiency and cycle life of full-cell soluble lead flow batteries (SLFBs). We describe energy efficiency loss mechanisms, particularly in context to the deposition of PbO2 at the positive electrode. The morphology and crystal structure of deposits formed at the positive electrode, under galvanostatic and potentiostatic conditions, were characterized using both powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Rietveld refinements were performed to quantitatively determine the phase fraction of α- and β-PbO2 formed. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to describe the charge-transfer reaction occurring at the positive electrode during conditions that promote the formation of various PbO2 morphologies. These features were used to evaluate and predict the long-term cycling stability of SLFBs as well as to diagnose potential problems arising during battery operation. We demonstrate that conditions optimized to preferentially deposit nanoscale PbO2 leads to long battery lifetimes, exceeding 2000 cycles at 79% energetic efficiency.
Atomic-Scale Mechanisms for Low-NIEL Dopant-Type Dependent Damage in Si

While calculated non-ionizing energy loss (NIEL) generally correlates well to first order with radiation-induced displacement damage rates, it does not account for some well-known differences in damage rates for n- and p-type Si. Here we show that the magnitude of these differences, DeltaKn-p, correlates closely with the fraction of total displacement damage due to low-energy primary knock-on atom (PKA) recoils. The primary products of these displacement damage events, with PKA recoils <~ 2 keV, are close vacancy-interstitial pairs, or Frenkel Pairs (FPs). Based on previous studies of vacancy-dopant complex stabilities in Si, and new parameter-free quantum mechanical calculations of FP properties, details of the stable defect profiles arising from low-energy PKA recoil events are shown to give rise to non-zero values of DeltaKn-p
The proximity paradox: the legislative agenda and the electoral success of ideological extremists

This paper presents a new approach to spatial models of legislative elections in which voters have preferences over the bundles of roll call votes implied by candidate loca- tions rather than over the locations themselves. With such preferences, voters with single- peaked, symmetric preferences and perfect information can sincerely prefer a distant candi- date to a more proximate candidate. Moreover, negative agenda control in Congress makes such preference orderings inevitable, so party agenda control can allow majority party ex- tremists to defeat more centrist minority party candidates. The model has implications for theories of parties in Congress, and spatial modeling more broadly.
USING A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE ENZYME IMMUNOASSAY TO QUANTIFY TESTOSTERONE IN AVIAN PLASMA

Abstract ABSTRACT Using a commercially available testosterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA), we developed and validated an assay procedure for determining testosterone levels in small-volume (20 µL) avian plasma samples. We evaluated this EIA's utility by measuring plasma testosterone levels in Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura), White-eyed Vireos (Vireo griseus), Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus), and Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea). Standard biochemical validations (e.g., parallelism, recovery of exogenous testosterone) demonstrated that the assay accurately and precisely measured testosterone in avian plasma. We compared plasma testosterone levels in males and females of all four species and Indigo Buntings in various reproductive stages to physiologically validate the assay's ability to determine biologically important changes in testosterone levels. Plasma testosterone levels were higher in males compared to females in three of four species. Prebreeding and breeding male Indigo Buntings had higher circu...
Ambiguity and the Cross-Section of Stock Returns

We derive a simple capital asset pricing model under Knightian uncertainty or model ambiguity by solving a static constrained robust control problem. We show that under the reference or approximating model the resulting “Beta form” regression displays intercepts (or alphas) that reflect each asset’s relative ambiguity (with respect to the market). Under the “worst-case” scenario however, the usual CAPM obtains. Consistent with this view and the well-known fact that the empirical test of the CAPM is an ill-posed problem, we introduce a novel estimation method based on “entropy” as proxy of investors’ state of knowledge. We show that the “ambiguity” component of the equity premium is statistically and economically significant with an average size commensurable with the usual risk premium. The results are robust to different time periods, rolling regression windows, and sample of test assets. Finally, we discuss the role of book-to-market and size as proxies of investors’ concern to model ambiguity in the stock market.
Advising by E-Mail: Some Advisors' Perceptions

E-mail has become an integral part of how advisors and students communicate. Advisors at multiple colleges and universities were surveyed to determine how advising by E-mail has affected their dail...
Theory of the perfect lens

We design a model negative index metamaterial (NIM) based on Mie resonances in cylinders with positive permittivity ($\ensuremath{\varepsilon}$) and permeability (\ensuremath{\mu}). In the effective medium theory (EMT) the composite is a homogeneous material with $\ensuremath{\varepsilon}$ $=$ \ensuremath{\mu} $=$ \ensuremath{-}1. Transmission of plane waves through a flat lens composed of the NIM is calculated using both EMT and a microscopic model that preserves the NIM's internal structure and is further used to predict the image profile of a point-light source. By comparing both results with fully vectorial simulations, we find that EMT significantly overestimates the range of evanescent waves that can be recovered by the NIM because of neglect of its microstructure. We discuss the implications of this result in constructing a perfect lens and on our understanding of artificially engineered metamaterials.
Design and use of a collector for the in situ isolation of particulate trace organic species in precipitation

Extracts of particulate organic matter were examined for discrete rainfall events from metropolitan Los Angeles, California, using an in situ filtration technique. Filtration efficiency was 98 % for the collection of extractable organic C associated with particles having nominal diameters greater than 0m22 μm Organic background levels of less than 260 ng per sample were determined. Rainwater particle samples were extracted with repeated hexane and benzene: isopropanol (2: 1) solvent additions using ultrasonic agitation. Extract mixtures were quantified by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) and were adjusted for component losses with perdeuterated recovery standards. Yields for the neutral fractions ranged from 130 to 669 μg with flux rates corresponding to 371 to 1097μg m−2 day−1. Aliquots of the neutral solvent extracts were derivatized with diazomethane to convert acidic hydroxy and carboxylic acid groups to the respective methyl ether and methyl ester analogs. This step produced increased yields of 8 to 188 %, and resulted in yields for the acid +neutral extracts that ranged from 374 to 8681μg with flux rates of 591 to 2343 μg m−2 day−1. Source identification was conducted by high-resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HRGC/MS) analyses. Molecular analyses indicated major anthropogenic contributions from petroleum and combustion sources, and for some samples, the significant input of microbial lipid components as well. Minor amounts of vascular plant waxes were also present in most cases. These mixed inputs of both anthropogenic and biogenic materials compared closely with previous source determinations for carbonaceous aerosol particles in the Los Angeles air basin.
A Summary on 2010 Smart Grid Technology for Power System Control Centers

This paper summarized the state-of-the-art of technology on smart power system control centers based on literatures from 2010 international conferences.It includes: power system control center configuration,state estimation,N-1-1 contingency analysis,smart generation schedule,dynamic security assessment(online stability assessment),smart restoration control and strategy.Some suggestions are proposed in the conclusion for reference of power system operation and research organizations in China.
183 DOES ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AFFECT ERYTHROPOIETIN CONCENTRATION IN THE BLOOD AND BRAIN OF NEONATAL RATS

Purpose of Study Erythropoietin (Epo) is neuroprotective in neonatal animal models of brain injury at doses ranging from 1,000 to 30,000 U/kg intraperitoneal (IP) or subcutaneous (SC). At these high doses, it is not clear if route of administration affects either blood or brain Epo concentrations and/or if brain injury affects blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. We hypothesized that (1) serum Epo concentration (s[Epo]) depends on route of administration, (2) measured brain Epo correlates with s[Epo], and (3) brain injury will increase BBB permeability to Epo. Methods P7 rats underwent right common carotid artery occlusion followed by 90 minutes of 8% oxygen exposure. Control and brain-injured rats received Epo (5,000 U/kg) IP or SC and were euthanized at timed intervals from 1 to 10 hours after injection ( n = 3-6 per time point). Blood was collected, and brains were quickly removed and homogenized in cold buffer containing protease inhibitors. [Epo] was measured by ELISA (R&D) and normalized to protein concentration (BSA assay). Results Three hours after dosing IP, s[Epo] is approximately double that achieved by SC (Figure). The timing of peak s[Epo] differed by route of administration. Control brain [Epo] is also time dependent, mean ± SD 2,037 ± 2,092 mU/g at 3 hours and 2,532 ± 490 mU/g at 10 hours following SC injection. Serum to brain [Epo] correlations were 0.88 IP and 0.57 SC (both p Conclusions We conclude that route of Epo administration affects both peak and steady state s[Epo] and that s[Epo] correlates with control brain Epo concentrations. Such pharmacokinetic profiles are necessary to determine optimal dosing regimens for experimental neuroprotection. Supported by NIH R21 HD042213-01. The first author is a fellow in training.
Effect of titanium surface characteristics on the behavior and function of oral fibroblasts.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different titanium surface characteristics on the behavior and function of oral fibroblasts as well as the deposition pattern of collagen within the extracellular matrix. Materials and methods Titanium surfaces created by machining, acid etching with sulfuric acid (AE1), or acid etching with hydrofluoric acid (AE2) were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Rat oral fibroblasts were cultured on different surfaces. Cell spread and morphology of extracellular matrix were evaluated using SEM. Attachment and proliferation of cells were examined by comparing the numbers of attached to detached cells and cell count, respectively. Gene expression was analyzed via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Collagen production and deposition were examined via a Sirius red-based stain assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results The machined surface showed a flat profile with isotropic grooves, the AE1 surface showed a uniformly microscale roughened surface, and the AE2 surface had a grooved profile with intermediate surface roughness. The AE2 surface contained fluoride atoms (2.45%+/-0.44% as F/Ti atomic ratio). Cell attachment was significantly weaker on the machined surface than on the AE1 and AE2 surfaces, whereas no differences were observed between the AE1 and AE2 surfaces. The cell counts on the machined and AE2 surfaces were higher, with a parallel orientation, whereas the cell count was lower and randomly distributed on the AE1 surface. The expression level of fibroblastic genes was similar among surfaces for all time points tested. Collagen production was highest on the machined surface, followed by AE2 and AE1 surfaces. Collagen deposition displayed a parallel pattern on the machined surface, while it was multidirectional on the AE1 and AE2 surfaces. Conclusion The surface characteristics of titanium affect attachment, spread, and proliferative activity of oral fibroblasts as well as the deposition pattern of collagen in vitro.
Task categorization and the limits of human performance in extreme heat.

This paper examines human performance limitations in differing task categories in conditions of elevated ambient temperature. Analysis of extant data affirms that decrement in the three task categories, namely: 1.) mental and cognitive skills; 2.) tracking and 3.) dual task performance, may be expected as environmental exposure exceeds 85 degrees F, effective temperature (E.T.). Further, the systematic changes in impairment onset with tasks requiring differing levels of response complexity in varying time, E.T. conditions, are documented. These changes imply earlier heat stress related decrement in those task categories which require greater response complexity. The proposed thresholds of performance impairment are subsequently equated with absolute, physiologically noncompensable, rises in deep body temperature. Support for the notion that prescribed rises in deep body temperature may delimit efficient performance in each category is found in studies which have examined task performance in situations where deep body temperature has been independently manipulated. Performer skill level is posited as potentially most influential in the mitigation of such heat induced decrement.
Conducting an Initial Assessment

In this chapter we look at what an initial assessment does and how to conduct one. Using a generic, unstructured session as an efficient means to gather pertinent data, we examine how to establish and maintain empathic attunement and to show the patient how to share his or her inner world. We examine why it is valuable for therapists to explore causes and how to cope with our inability to see into the patient’s mind. A list of key observations along with hints about how to mine these will help us make sense of the patient’s problems. Hints are given to help translate our understanding into a plan for helping.
Spatial–spectral Schroedinger embedding for target detection in hyperspectral imagery

The Schroedinger eigenmaps (SE) algorithm using spatial and spectral information has been applied to supervised classification of hyperspectral imagery (HSI). We have previously introduced the use of SE in spectral target detection problems. The original SE-based target detector was built on the spectral information encoded in the Laplacian and Schroedinger operators. The original SE-based detector is extended such that spatial connectivity of target-like pixels is explored and encoded into the Schroedinger operator using a “knowledge propagation” scheme. The modified SE-based detector is applied to two HSI data sets that share similar target materials. Receiver operating characteristic curves and rates of detection and false alarm at object level are used as quantitative metrics to assess the detector. In addition, the Schroedinger embedding performance in target detection is compared against the performances of principal component embedding and the Laplacian embedding. Results show that the SE-based detector with spatial–spectral features outperforms the other considered approaches.
Connecting music education and virtual performance practices from YouTube

ABSTRACTThe Internet has inspired musicians to explore technologies to produce recorded music performances. Social media sites like YouTube provide spaces for musicians to share their works, and the advances of technologies that afford venues and opportunities for performers to share their crafts. As amateur Internet musicians develop practices to create and produce performances, educators may benefit by understanding their processes so that music making practices from outside of the classroom can be incorporated into formal educational settings. This case study explores how David Wesley Francois, a virtual ensemble creator who published arrangements on YouTube, acquired the skills needed to become a productive virtual performer. A narrative describes Francois's formal music education, which was supplemented by informal music and technological learning. By exploring cases such as this, educators may be able to translate virtual performance practices to the classroom, thus preparing students to create digi...
Referral Patterns of Clergy

The purpose of this research was to explore the referral pattern of a group of clergy in a large midwestern city; to examine the type of problems being seen in counseling by clergy; and, to determi...
Risk factors for readmission following ileal pouch-Anal anastomosis: an American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program analysis.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to identify preventable reasons for readmission and to delineate risk factors for readmission in the perioperative period for patients with chronic ulcerative colitis undergoing ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA). Methods Patients with a diagnosis of chronic ulcerative colitis undergoing either total proctocolectomy with IPAA or proctectomy with IPAA were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2012-2015. Unplanned 30-d readmissions were reviewed and categorized by reason for readmission. The unplanned readmission rate within 30 d was calculated by the person-days method. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models determined independent risk factors for overall 30-d unplanned readmissions and readmissions sorted by primary readmission diagnosis. Results Three thousand four hundred one patients had an IPAA performed during the study period. The overall unplanned readmission rate was 32.9% per 30 person-days. Leading diagnoses for unplanned readmission included infectious complications, dehydration, and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Multivariable analysis found Hispanic white and black/African American race/ethnicity (both versus non-Hispanic white) to be independently associated with unplanned 30-d readmission. Obesity, operative time 330+ min (versus Conclusions One-third of patients undergoing IPAA experience an unplanned 30-d readmission. Infectious complications and dehydration account for most of the unplanned readmissions. Outpatient pathways to prevent dehydration and the use of extended VTE prophylaxis after two-stage IPAA may help reduce the rates of readmission following IPAA.
Identification of major matrix metalloproteinase-20 proteolytic processing products of murine amelogenin and tyrosine-rich amelogenin peptide using a nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy based method.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to identify major matrix metalloproteinase-20 (MMP20) proteolytic processing products of amelogenin over time and determine if the tyrosine-rich amelogenin peptide (TRAP) was a substrate of MMP20. Design Recombinant15N-labeled murine amelogenin and 13C,15N-labeled TRAP were incubated with MMP20 under conditions where amelogenin self-assembles into nanospheres. Digestion products were fractionated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography at various time points. Product identification took advantage of the intrinsic disorder property of amelogenin that results in little change to its fingerprint 1H-15N heteronuclear single-quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum in 2% acetic acid upon removing parts of the protein, allowing cleavage site identification by observing which amide cross peaks disappear. Results The primary product in five out of the six major reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography bands generated after a 24 h incubation of murine amelogenin with MMP20 were: S55-L163, P2-L147, P2-E162, P2-A167, and P2-R176. After 72 h these products were replaced with five major reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography bands containing: L46-A170, P2-S152, P2-F151, P2-W45, and short N-terminal peptides. TRAP was completely digested by MMP20 into multiple small peptides with the initial primary site of cleavage between S16 and Y17. Conclusions Identification of the major MMP20 proteolytic products of amelogenin confirm a dynamic process, with sites towards the C-terminus more rapidly attacked than sites near the N-terminus. This observation is consistent with nanosphere models where the C-terminus is exposed and the N-terminus more protected. One previously reported end-product of the MMP20 proteolytic processing of amelogenin, TRAP, is shown to be an in vitro substrate for MMP20.
A Pilot Study of Ultrasonography-Naïve Operators' Ability to Use Tele-Ultrasonography to Assess the Heart and Lung.

Introduction:Remotely tele-mentored ultrasound (RTMUS) involves the real-time guidance of US-naive providers as they perform point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) by remotely located, US-proficient prov...
Estimation of keyhole geometry and prediction of welding defects during laser welding based on a vision system and a radial basis function neural network

In keyhole welding, welding quality is closely related to the stability of the keyhole, which is primarily determined by keyhole geometry during the welding process. Three essential attributes to describe the simplified three-dimensional keyhole shape include keyhole size, penetration depth, and keyhole inclination angle. However, when using traditional measurement techniques, it is very challenging to take in-process measurements of penetration depth and inclination angle, even if the keyhole size can be detected by using a visual monitoring system. To realize the on-line estimation of keyhole dynamics and welding defects, a data-based radial basis function neural network state observer is adopted for estimating penetration depth and inclination angle in the transient state when welding parameters change suddenly. First, a static neural network is trained in advance to establish a correlation between the welding parameters and unobservable keyhole geometry. The dynamic state observer is trained based on the transient welding conditions predicted by a numerical model and then used to estimate the time-varying keyhole geometry. Meanwhile, a coaxial monitoring system is used to observe the keyhole shape from the top side in real time, which not only provides input to the neural network but also indicates the potential welding porosities. The predicted results are validated by experimental data obtained by welding of stainless steel 304 and magnesium alloy AZ31B.
Early College Credit Programs Positively Impact Student Success

This article presents an exploratory case study examining the effects of different early college credit programs on time to baccalaureate degree attainment at a metropolitan Midwestern United State...
Think Globally, Act Locally: A Global Perspective on Mobilizing Adults for Positive Youth Development

Educators, social scientists, and human service workers have contributed importantly to theorizing youth development and to investigating and defining normal development and its vicissitudes. More recently, those with applied interests have designed and evaluated programs and engaged in more hands-on advocacy with and for youth. Despite this crucial work the editors of this volume, among others, argue that a large percentage of the adult population is not involved with youth, and they urge that we consider new strategies for mobilizing adults for positive youth development. A series of questions emerged for us as we considered this mandate from the perspective of our international fieldwork and years of collaborating with youth and adults in community-based psychosocial and development programs. Specifically, we have been challenged to consider: What do youth today really need? And, what do they want? Who is best positioned to identify, evaluate, prioritize, and address youth’s needs and concerns? It is perhaps a truism among social scientists today that the development and best interests of youth are likely to be defined differently in different social contexts. Based
Studying Learner Behavior in Online Courses With Free-Certificate Coupons: Results From Two Case Studies

The relationship between pricing and learning behavior is an important topic in research on massive open online courses (MOOCs). We report on two case studies where cohorts of learners were offered coupons for free certificates to explore how price reductions might influence behavior in MOOC-based online learning settings. In Case Study 1, we compare participation and certification rates between courses with and without free-certificate coupons. In the courses with a free-certificate track, participants signed up for the verified-certificate track at higher rates, and completion rates among verified students were higher than in the paid-certificate track courses. In Case Study 2, we compare learner behavior within the same courses by whether they received access to a free-certificate track. Access to free certificates was associated with lower certification rates, but overall, certification rates remained high, particularly among those who viewed the courses. These findings suggest that some incentives, other than simply the cost of paying for a verified-certificate track, may motivate learners to complete MOOCs.
From Evidence to Practice: Are Low-Risk Breast Cancer Patients still Enduring Unnecessary Costs of Radiation?

Radiation is routinely recommended after conservative surgery for breast cancer, despite longstanding Level I evidence showing no survival benefit for elderly patients with favorable disease using ...
Expenditures for First- and Second-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Before and After Transition of Imatinib to Generic Status.

Importance Imatinib introduced a paradigm shift in the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), allowing a lifespan that is almost comparable to the general population. However, the health care expenditures associated with imatinib have increased steadily since its introduction in 2001. Since the generic market entry of imatinib on February 1, 2016, it became possible to determine the effect of generic entry on the health care expenditures associated with imatinib, along with the concurrent pricing trends of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Objective To compare health care expenditure related to imatinib treatment for patients with CML prior to its generic status with expenditures after, in a real-world setting. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective cohort study using data from the Truven Health MarketScan Database was carried out including 1301 commercially insured patients or patients with Medicaid between the ages of 18 and 64 years with a CML diagnosis between September 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017. A single interrupted time series (ITS) method was used to evaluate monthly expenditures associated with imatinib for the health plan from September 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017, with imatinib switching to generic on February 1, 2016, as the interruption. The initial 6-month period postinterruption was excluded to allow for the new price structure to stabilize. Nilotinib and dasatinib were evaluated using a comparative ITS design. The analysis took place between September 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures Commercial and Medicaid health plan expenditure and patient cost responsibility for 30-day blocks per patient for imatinib, dasatinib, and nilotinib were calculated from September 1, 2014 through December 31, 2017. Pricing was adjusted via 2017 consumer price index for medical services. Results The sample included a total of 1301 patients (1102 commercially insured and 199 insured through Medicaid) with a median (range) age at diagnosis of 50 (18-62) years for commercially insured patients and 50 (47-52) years for patients with Medicaid. Of the 1301 patients, 704 (54.1%) were men. There was a significant pregeneric increase in expenditure (commercially insured: $143 per patient per month,P Conclusions and Relevance The modest decline in expenditure associated with imatinib after generic entry accompanied by the increasing expenditure trends associated with the second-generation TKIs suggest a need for measures to facilitate cost reduction as well as standardization of CML treatment.
Bootstrap Methods for Covariance Structures

The optimal minimum distance (OMD) estimator for models of covariance structures is asymptotically efficient but has much worse finite-sample properties than does the equally weighted minimum distance (EWMD) estimator. This paper shows how the bootstrap can be used to improve the finite-sample performance of the OMD estimator. The theory underlying the bootstrap's ability to reduce the bias of estimators and errors in the coverage probabilities of confidence intervals is summarized. The results of numerical experiments and an empirical example show that the bootstrap often essentially eliminates the bias of the OMD estimator. The finite-sample estimation efficiency of the bias-corrected OMD estimator often exceeds that of the EWMD estimator. Moreover, the true coverage probabilities of confidence intervals based on the OMD estimator with bootstrap-critical values are very close to the nominal coverage probabilities.
IBM's Evolving Research Strategy

IBM's Research heritage dates back to 1945, starting as a laboratory on the campus of Columbia University in New York City. Since then, its investments have been aimed at delivering innovations tha...
Let the Prince Win His Spurs: Agency Theory and Agency

Agency theory allows leaders and theorists to reflect on issues of efficiency and ethics. The relationship of an agent who acts on behalf of a principal may arise because of opportunity for greater work, contexts where specific skill or knowledge or presence is required. At times, discrepancies may emerge between the agent’s aims and the principal’s aims. Lewis provides an opportunity for reflection on agency theory by showing that leadership often includes acting on behalf of another and that the agent takes on certain characteristics of the principal. Leadership should also focus on developing agents who are capable of self-leadership, taking meaningful, responsible action.
Patients' Understanding of Oncology Clinical Endpoints: Environmental Scan and Focus Groups.

Background Understanding treatment options is important for patients with cancer and their caregivers. This may be difficult, however, because oncology treatments are often approved based on complex clinical endpoints. The study aimed to explore lay understanding of oncology clinical endpoints by assessing the definitions of clinical endpoints available online and gathering qualitative focus group data on cancer survivors' and the general public's understanding of clinical endpoints. Methods We conducted an environmental scan to find Web sites accessible by a general audience that defined three clinical endpoints: overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rate. Next, we conducted a series of eight focus groups across the U.S. with cancer survivors (n = 36) and general population adults (n = 36). Results We found several online resources defining each endpoint; however, many of the definitions we identified used technical language that may not be easily understood by patients and caregivers. Few focus group participants were familiar with the technical terms for these endpoints. When presented with the endpoint terms and definitions, participants had misconceptions about treatment efficacy. Specifically, they tended to expect that all endpoints were a variation on living longer. Conclusion The results point to the need for more patient-friendly definitions of clinical endpoints developed with input from the general public and from patients with cancer. Implications for practice As the number of oncology prescription drug approvals and the advertising of those drugs to consumers increase, it is timely and critical to understand how to discuss treatment benefits with patients. Patient-friendly definitions of common clinical endpoints, such as overall survival and progression-free survival, would help health care providers describe treatment benefits to patients. This research provides evidence regarding patients' understanding of these endpoints and suggests definitions for additional research. This represents a first step in creating evidence-based patient-friendly language to describe clinical endpoints.
Rainbows Revisited: Modeling Effective Colormap Design for Graphical Inference

Color mapping is a foundational technique for visualizing scalar data. Prior literature offers guidelines for effective colormap design, such as emphasizing luminance variation while limiting changes in hue. However, empirical studies of color are largely focused on perceptual tasks. This narrow focus inhibits our understanding of how generalizable these guidelines are, particularly to tasks like visual inference that require synthesis and judgement across multiple percepts. Furthermore, the emphasis on traditional ramp designs (e.g., sequential or diverging) may sideline other key metrics or design strategies. We study how a cognitive metric-color name variation-impacts people's ability to make model-based judgments. In two graphical inference experiments, participants saw a series of color-coded scalar fields sampled from different models and assessed the relationships between these models. Contrary to conventional guidelines, participants were more accurate when viewing colormaps that cross a variety of uniquely nameable colors. We modeled participants' performance using this metric and found that it provides a better fit to the experimental data than do existing design principles. Our findings indicate cognitive advantages for colorful maps like rainbow, which exhibit high color categorization, despite their traditionally undesirable perceptual properties. We also found no evidence that color categorization would lead observers to infer false data features. Our results provide empirically grounded metrics for predicting a colormap's performance and suggest alternative guidelines for designing new quantitative colormaps to support inference. The data and materials for this paper are available at: https://osf.io/tck2r/
Signal transduction induced by immunostimulatory CpG DNA

The immune recognition of unmethylated CpG motifs appears to be an example of the ability of the immune system to detect molecular patterns which are characteristic of microbes, but are not present in vertebrates. This detection is accomplished by the means of pattern recognition receptors (PRR). Unlike some other examples of PRR, immune recognition of CpG DNA appears to require cell uptake and to be accomplished through an intracellular PRR system. This then results in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, culminating in the phosphorylation of transcription factors and the activation of transcription and translation. The rapid activation of these pathways by CpG DNA leads to the induction of protective immune responses.
The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics May Not Be Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects

Psychedelics represent one of the most promising classes of experimental medicines for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders due to their ability to promote neural plasticity and produce both rapid and sustained therapeutic effects following a single administration. Conventional wisdom holds that peak mystical experiences induced by psychedelics are a critical component of their therapeutic mechanisms of action, though evidence supporting that claim is largely correlational. Here, I present data suggesting that the subjective effects induced by psychedelics may not be necessary to produce long-lasting changes in mood and behavior. Understanding the role of subjective effects in the therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics will have important implications for both basic neuroscience and for increasing patient access to the next generation of medicines developed as a result of psychedelic research.