cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What do genic mutations tell us about the structural patterning of a complex single-celled organism?

Structural inheritance in the ciliate cortex.Ciliates make up a distinctive group of unicellular organisms characterized by dualism of germ line and somatic nuclei, sex by reciprocal exchange of gametic nuclei with subsequent replacement of the somatic nucleus, and an extraordinarily complex
Hypothesis Testing Using the Films of The Three Stooges

Summary The use of The Three Stooges' films as a source of data in an introductory statistics class is described. The Stooges' films are separated into three populations. Using these populations, students may conduct hypothesis tests with data they collect.
The Open Door Mission: Measuring and Predicting Outcomes of One Community-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Program

This study tracked graduates of a community-based substance abuse treatment program for homeless men in Houston, Texas. A standardized assessment instrument was developed to determine what characteristics were associated with a more favorable outcome. The authors found that abstinence was strongly predicted by employment, 12-Step work with Alcoholics Anonymous sponsors, and service with others in sobriety. In contrast to expectations, abstinence was not predicted by the programmatic goals of affiliation with a home church and/or identification of a mentor. Results support continued use of evidence-based outcome determinants for the Open Door Mission and other community-based substance abuse treatment programs.
Imágenes corporales: construcciones del cuerpo femenino en las hermanas Agüero de Cristina García

Los cuerpos femeninos en Las hermanas Aguero son espacios de control en los que se imponen las politicas de control establecidas por el discurso hegemonico.El presente trabajo analiza la manera en que las convenciones sociales (nacionales y transnacionales) y la memoria/nostalgia causadas por el exilio se inscriben en los cuerpos de los personajes determinando no solo el comportamiento, sino tambien su apariencia, funciones fisicas y significado social. El analisis muestra que los valores y significados atribuidos a los cuerpos de estos personajes estan literalmente esculpidos sobre ellos, ya que la sociedad que habitan no se conforma con educar a los individuos para que cumplan los preceptos socioculturales que su ideologia promulga, sino que ademas los talla forzandolos a replicar una imagen corporal predeterminada.
Bellaire Clinical Labs, Inc. (A)

This case exposes students to (1) basic assumptions in the creation of an operating plan; (2) analyzing the difference between actual and planned financial results, including the development of flexible expense budgets, quantifying the profit impact of various business risks that impact profit, and preparing a comprehensive reconciliation of actual and planned profits; and (3) thinking through some basic issues associated with performance evaluation of the functional manager. It may be used as a stand-alone case on flexible budgeting, or it may be paired with the A case (UVA-C-2178) in a module on budgeting and strategic-profitability analysis or flexible expense budgeting.
Heteroepitaxy of Nonpolar and Semipolar GaN

There has been increasing research interest in nonpolar and semipolar GaN for high brightness light-emitting diode (LED) and laser diode applications. Due to the very limited supply of GaN bulk substrates, the feasible way of obtaining cost-effective large-areanonpolar and semipolar GaN materials in the foreseeable future is still through heteroepitaxy on foreign substrates. The major challenge in the heteroepitaxy of nonpolar and semipolar GaN is the high density of stacking faults and partial dislocations, which are responsible for the poor performance of heteroepitaxial nonpolar and semipolar LEDs. This chapter presents kinetic Wulff plots (v-plots) of GaN as a novel and powerful methodology to understand and control GaN heteroepitaxy along various crystallographic orientations. Based on the v-plots, a two-step growth scheme is rationally designed and experimentally confirmed in reducing the defect density for nonpolar and semipolar GaN heteroepitaxy on planar substrates. A defect reduction model is proposed based on the correlation between the morphological evolution and the microstructural development. With the orientation of nucleation decoupled from the final film surface orientation, orientation controlled epitaxy has been demonstrated as a very promising approach for device quality nonpolar and semipolar GaN materials. The material research timeline of nonpolar and semipolar GaN is summarized and discussed.
On the Number of Prime Factors of a Pair of Relatively Prime Amicable Numbers

(1975). On the Number of Prime Factors of a Pair of Relatively Prime Amicable Numbers. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 48, No. 5, pp. 263-266.
Ultrasonic Computed Tomography for Imaging Bones and Adjoining Soft Tissues

The application of ultrasonic CT method is still in the early stages of development Although there are several attractive features about using ultrasound several key questions need to be further answered before the technique can find application in clinical medicine. The results shown here demonstrate that it is technologically feasible to obtain high resolution images without using ionizing radiation. The data can be used for reconstructing three dimensional images and thus overcome the problems accompanying single line measurements. Further validation and quantification of this technique is now under progress.
David A. Wells, the Democracy, and Tariff Reduction, 1877–1894

PRESIDENT Grover Cleveland in his famous 1887 annual message dramatically committed the Democratic party to drastic tariff reduction. David A. Wells was a primary protagonist in the events that led to this address.' He developed a sophisticated case for low tariffs, and he influenced leading Democrats in the 1880s and 1890s as they increasingly identified the party with tariff reduction. Within the constricted framework of a dogmatic laissez-faire philosophy, Wells joined low tariffs with the needs of an economy beset by the recurrent depressions of the late-nineteenth century. He evolved a concise and uncomplicated explanation of these depressions. The American economy produced too much for the market that it served. Tariff reduction, by lowering the cost of raw materials and imported machinery, would cut the costs of American production and make American manufactured products competitive with those of other nations, especially Great Britain. Lower import duties would supposedly aid the American farmer by facilitating a general increase of exports, including agricultural products. Cheaper agricultural implements, a lower cost of living, and a domestic economy made healthier because of increased exports of manufactured goods were other benefits which advocates of tariff reduction promised farmers. Since increased exports meant increased production, labor stood to gain from greater employ-
Genetic analysis of Parkinson's disease-linked leucine-rich repeat kinase 2.

Mutations in LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) are the most common genetic cause of PD (Parkinson9s disease). To investigate how mutations in LRRK2 cause PD, we generated LRRK2 mutant mice either lacking its expression or expressing the R1441C mutant form. Homozygous R1441C knockin mice exhibit no dopaminergic neurodegeneration or alterations in steady-state levels of striatal dopamine, but they show impaired dopamine neurotransmission, as was evident from reductions in amphetamine-induced locomotor activity and stimulated catecholamine release in cultured chromaffin cells as well as impaired dopamine D 2 receptor-mediated functions. Whereas LRRK2 −/− brains are normal, LRRK2 −/− kidneys at 20 months of age develop striking accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein and ubiquitinated proteins, impairment of the autophagy–lysosomal pathway, and increases in apoptotic cell death, inflammatory responses and oxidative damage. Our further analysis of LRRK2 −/− kidneys at multiple ages revealed unique age-dependent biphasic alterations of the autophagic activity, which is unchanged at 1 month of age, enhanced at 7 months, but reduced at 20 months. Levels of α-synuclein and protein carbonyls, a general oxidative damage marker, are also decreased in LRRK2 −/− kidneys at 7 months of age. Interestingly, this biphasic alteration is associated with increased levels of lysosomal proteins and proteases as well as progressive accumulation of autolysosomes and lipofuscin granules. We conclude that pathogenic mutations in LRRK2 impair the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway, and LRRK2 plays an essential role in the dynamic regulation of autophagy function in vivo .
Dedifferentiated fat cells: A cell source for regenerative medicine

The identification of an ideal cell source for tissue regeneration remains a challenge in the stem cell field. The ability of progeny cells to differentiate into other cell types is important for the processes of tissue reconstruction and tissue engineering and has clinical, biochemical or molecular implications. The adaptation of stem cells from adipose tissue for use in regenerative medicine has created a new role for adipocytes. Mature adipocytes can easily be isolated from adipose cell suspensions and allowed to dedifferentiate into lipid-free multipotent cells, referred to as dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells. Compared to other adult stem cells, the DFAT cells have unique advantages in their abundance, ease of isolation and homogeneity. Under proper condition in vitro and in vivo, the DFAT cells have exhibited adipogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic, cardiomyogenc, angiogenic, myogenic, and neurogenic potentials. In this review, we first discuss the phenomena of dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation of cells, and then dedifferentiation of adipocytes in particular. Understanding the dedifferentiation process itself may contribute to our knowledge of normal growth processes, as well as mechanisms of disease. Second, we highlight new developments in DFAT cell culture and summarize the current understanding of DFAT cell properties. The unique features of DFAT cells are promising for clinical applications such as tissue regeneration.
Molecular properties of gas phase clusters: a microscopic approach to the study of nucleation. A new experimental program

A new experimental program has been introduced to study the physical properties and the chemical reactions of atmospheric constituents, with emphasis on the role of pollutants arising from the use of fossil fuels. Special effort is being placed on understanding nucleation phenomena through the study of the molecular properties of gas phase clusters. A new apparatus to be used in this work is under construction and nearing completion.
Geospatial Resource Integration in Support of Homeland Defense and Security

The U.S. Department of Defense DoD has faced numerous challenges within the realm of Geospatial Information Systems and Science in fostering a Common Operational Picture suitable to homeland defense and security. This paper details the challenges and successes since September 11th, 2001 to build common ground for all federal, state, local governments, and non-government organizations that depend on geospatial data to provide for the safety and security of the Nation. An analysis of the protracted integration of commercial GIS technologies within the DoD and the speed, openness, and scale this expertise can bring is discussed as an issue for the Federal response to disasters. Finally, distinct successes of collaboration and integration of common standards and data currently in use at military commands is discussed as a robust path to improve future geospatial efforts.
The big picture, science, and democracy

Our time is characterized by new demands upon scientists in policy and politics. But experience and research show us that science is well suited to contribute directly to the resolution of political conflicts only in the most simple of decision contexts. In more complicated contexts, looking to science to enable a political consensus may in fact compromise both the odds for consensus and the valuable role that science can provide to policy-making. In the light of these findings, which some scientists may admittedly find uncomfortable, this book considers options available for scientists in policy and politics. The arguments presented in this book have benefited from, and indeed are derived from, a large literature on Science, Technology, and Society (STS) and Science and Technology Policy (STP). For many scholars of STS or STP the arguments presented in this book may be quite familiar, even old news. But my experiences over the past decade and a half working on a day-to-day basis with many scientists suggest that, with some notable exceptions, most scientists, including social scientists, are simply unaware of the understandings of the scholarly community who study science in society. Hence, it is appropriate to view this work as an attempt to connect scholarly understandings of science in society with the practical world of scientists who increasingly face everyday decisions about how to position their careers and research in the context of policy and politics.
Collimated focal ratio degradation testing for highly multiplexed fiber systems—an improvement to a standard test

A simple method for determining the focal ratio degradation of optical fibers has been developed. The method involves splitting the light from the test fiber and recording ring patterns that have traveled over two different, and known, optical paths. This new method will be valuable for testing many fibers as will be needed for new multiobject astronomical spectrographs.
Changes in the Risk Tolerance of US Households During 1992-2013

This research extends the work of Yao, Hanna, and Lindamood (2004) and others in attempting to ascertain how stock market fluctuations affect the risk tolerance of households. We used the 1992 to 2013 datasets of the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), and found that whether respondents were willing to take some risk varied somewhat during the period, with proportions increasing in the 1990’s with the increases in stock market levels, and decreasing since 2001. In contrast, the proportion of respondents willing to take substantial or above average investment risk (“high risk tolerance”) fluctuated much more during the period in relative terms, and generally was high after a sustained period of stock market gains. The proportion of respondents with high risk tolerance was low in the 2013 SCF, but is likely to be higher in the 2016 SCF. Logistic regression analyses controlling for age, racial/ethnic status, household composition, and other characteristics had generally similar results to the descriptive patterns, so the changes do not seem related to changes in household composition.
Stability of nanosized oxides in ferrite under extremely high dose self ion irradiations

Abstract A nanostructured ferritic alloy (NFA), 14YWT, was produced in the form of thin walled tubing. The stability of the nano-oxides (NOs) was determined under 3.5 MeV Fe +2 irradiations up to a dose of ∼585 dpa at 450 °C. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) show that severe ion irradiation results in a ∼25% reduction in size between the unirradiated and irradiated case at 270 dpa while no further reduction within the experimental error was seen at higher doses. Conversely, number density increased by ∼30% after irradiation. This ‘inverse coarsening’ can be rationalized by the competition between radiation driven ballistic dissolution and diffusional NO reformation. No significant changes in the composition of the matrix or NOs were observed after irradiation. Modeling the experimental results also indicated a dissolution of the particles.
Masspersonal communication: A model bridging the mass-interpersonal divide

Theoretical discussions about the false dichotomy between interpersonal and mass communication scholarship continue while the emergence of powerful and flexible digital communication tools have mad...
Plasma kallikrein mediates brain hemorrhage and edema caused by tissue plasminogen activator therapy in mice after stroke

Thrombolytic therapy using tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in acute stroke is associated with increased risks of cerebral hemorrhagic transformation and angioedema. Although plasma kallikrein (PKal) has been implicated in contributing to both hematoma expansion and thrombosis in stroke, its role in the complications associated with the therapeutic use of tPA in stroke is not yet available. We investigated the effects of tPA on plasma prekallikrein (PPK) activation and the role of PKal on cerebral outcomes in a murine thrombotic stroke model treated with tPA. We show that tPA increases PKal activity in vitro in both murine and human plasma, via a factor XII (FXII)–dependent mechanism. Intravenous administration of tPA increased circulating PKal activity in mice. In mice with thrombotic occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, tPA administration increased brain hemorrhage transformation, infarct volume, and edema. These adverse effects of tPA were ameliorated in PPK (Klkb1)–deficient and FXII-deficient mice and in wild-type (WT) mice pretreated with a PKal inhibitor prior to tPA. tPA-induced brain hemisphere reperfusion after photothrombolic middle cerebral artery occlusion was increased in Klkb1−/− mice compared with WT mice. In addition, PKal inhibition reduced matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity in brain following stroke and tPA therapy. These data demonstrate that tPA activates PPK in plasma and PKal inhibition reduces cerebral complications associated with tPA-mediated thrombolysis in stroke.
Effect of Rater Expertise on Subjective Agility Assessment

Agility performance is often quantified using completion time, which provides little information about which factors contribute to or limit an individual’s performance. The objective of this study was to determine how novices and experts working in athletic, clinical, and military environments qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate agility performance. Formalizing expert definitions will inform the development of objective biomechanical metrics, which have the potential to inform strategy development for training and rehabilitation. Thirty-three participants completed a survey which involved scoring 16 athletes on a 7 point Likert scale of not agile to agile. The spread of the scores indicated that even within groups, participants had different opinions about which aspects of technique contributed to high performance. Participant responses were used to link several terms to agility technique. Future work includes quantitatively defining and evaluating these terms.
Multimode Nonlinear Fiber Optics: Massively Parallel Numerical Solver, Tutorial, and Outlook

Building on the scientific understanding and technological infrastructure of single-mode fibers, multimode fibers are being explored as a means of adding new degrees of freedom to optical technologies such as telecommunications, fiber lasers, imaging, and measurement. Here, starting from a baseline of single-mode nonlinear fiber optics, we introduce the growing topic of multimode nonlinear fiber optics. We demonstrate a new numerical solution method for the system of equations that describes nonlinear multimode propagation, the generalized multimode nonlinear Schrodinger equation. This numerical solver is freely available, implemented in MATLAB and includes a number of multimode fiber analysis tools. It features a significant parallel computing speed-up on modern graphical processing units, translating to orders-of-magnitude speed-up over the conventionally-used split-step Fourier method. We demonstrate its use with several examples in graded- and step-index multimode fibers. Finally, we discuss several key open directions and questions, whose answers could have significant scientific and technological impact.
Polity or Policy? Explaining Ordinary Muslims’ Support for Suicide Bombing

Public opinion research shows there is considerable, albeit varied, support for Islamist terrorism among the world’s Muslim populations. To identify respondent-level determinants of support for suicide bombings (and other forms of political violence) perpetrated by Islamist militants, scholars have used country-specific and multi-national surveys samples as well as novel survey techniques. One explanatory variable which is frequently used in such empirical models is support for Shari’ah (Islamic law). Fair, Littman and Nugent (2018), based upon their analysis of survey data from Pakistan, argued for conceptualizing and instrumentalizing Shari’ah in multivalent ways, including: support for textual literalism such as Hudood punishments; support for good governance; and restrictions on women. They find only the first explains support for terrorism. Here, we explore whether their proposed formalization offers explanatory power for support for Islamist violence beyond the niche case of Pakistan. To do so, we employ data collected by the Pew Foundation in 2011 which allows us to replicate and augment the methods employed by Fair, Littman and Nugent for twenty countries. We find strong evidence that this framework is robust well beyond Pakistan.
Prenatal Motherese? Newborn Speech Perception May Be Enhanced by Having a Young Sibling

Prenatal experience with infant- and child-directed speech (IDS/CDS) may affect newborns' speech perception. We examined this possibility using an existing neonatal database from a recent cross-language study (Moon, Lagercrantz, & Kuhl, 2011). Seventy-three American and Swedish neonates (Mage = 32.58 hr, SD = 13.58 hr) were retrospectively coded as either having High (n = 32) or Low (n = 41) prenatal IDS/CDS exposure based on whether there were any children younger than 4 years old in the household during pregnancy. We compared the mean sucks for contingent presentations of prototypes and nonprototypes of vowel stimuli (native or foreign) among groups. A mixed 3-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction: Neonates responded to prototypes and nonprototypes differently in the High IDS/CDS group, whereas there was a lack of differential responses in the Low IDS/CDS group. Future research with well-controlled measurement of prenatal speech is warranted.
FTC V. Garvey: A New Trend or an Aberration?

Over the past several decades, society has become increasingly infatuated with celebrity endorsements. The success of an endorsement depends upon many factors, including the type of product and the celebrity promoting it. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has specific guidelines and rules that address false and misleading advertising, including misuse of endorsements. This paper examines the legal impact of FTC v. Garvey under FTC Endorsement Guidelines for advertising and infomercials. FTC v. Garvey suggests that the FTC may vigorously pursue celebrity endorsers when products they endorse fail to produce their advertised results.
Trainees' Perceptions of Feedback: Validity Evidence for Two FEEDME (Feedback in Medical Education) Instruments.

Construct: Medical educators consider feedback a core component of the educational process. Effective feedback allows learners to acquire new skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Learners' perceptions of feedback are an important aspect to assess with valid methods in order to improve the feedback skills of educators and the feedback culture. BACKGROUND Although guidelines for delivering effective feedback have existed for several decades, medical students and residents often indicate that they receive little feedback. A recent scoping review on feedback in medical education did not reveal any validity evidence on instruments to assess learner's perceptions of feedback. The purpose of our study was to gather validity evidence on two novel FEEDME (Feedback in Medical Education) instruments to assess medical students' and residents' perceptions of the feedback that they receive. APPROACH After the authors developed an initial instrument with 54 items, cognitive interviews with medical students and residents suggested that 2 separate instruments were needed, one focused on the feedback culture (FEEDME-Culture) and the other on the provider of feedback (FEEDME-Provider). A Delphi study with 17 medical education experts and faculty members assessed content validity. The response process was explored involving 31 medical students and residents at 2 academic institutions. Exploratory factor analysis and reliability analyses were performed on completed instruments. RESULTS Two Delphi consultation rounds refined the wording of items and eliminated several items. Learners found both instruments easy and quick to answer; it took them less than 5 minutes to complete. Learners preferred an electronic format of the instruments over paper. Factor analysis revealed a two- and three-factor solution for the FEEDME-Culture and FEEDME-Provider instruments, respectively. Cronbach's alpha was greater than 0.80 for all factors. Items on both instruments were moderately to highly correlated (range, r = .3-.7). CONCLUSIONS Our results provide preliminary validity evidence of 2 novel feedback instruments. After further validation of both FEEDME instruments, sharing the results of the FEEDME-Culture instrument with educational leaders and faculty may improve the culture of feedback on specific educational rotations and at the institutional level. The FEEDME-Provider instrument could be useful for faculty development targeting feedback skills. Additional research studies could assess whether both instruments may be used to help learners receive feedback and prompt reflective learning.
Predictors of vasomotor symptoms among breast cancer survivors

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are a common side effect of breast cancer treatment, yet modifiable factors that may predict VMS among breast cancer survivors are unknown. We estimated multivariable-adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (aOR, 95% CI) for predictors of VMS among 3595 breast cancer survivors enrolled in the Life and Longevity after Cancer (LILAC) study, an ancillary study of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). VMS post-diagnosis were reported by 790 (22.0%) participants. Risk of VMS after diagnosis was positively associated with prior chemotherapy (aOR 1.80, 95% CI 1.21–2.68) and adjuvant hormone therapy (aOR 2.73, 95% CI 2.08–3.58), postmenopausal hormone therapy use (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.30–2.13), prior VMS (aOR 2.20, 95% CI 1.73–2.80), bilateral oophorectomy (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.37–2.27), and baseline antidepressant use (aOR 1.49, 1.06–2.09). VMS post-diagnosis were less likely among younger women (aOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.93–0.96), women younger at menopause (aOR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97–1.00), women with more time since diagnosis (aOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.90–0.94), and diabetics (aOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.21–0.95). Metabolic syndrome was not associated with post-diagnosis VMS (aOR 0.76, 95% CI 0.45–1.28). VMS following breast cancer diagnosis was related to a number of modifiable factors, but was unrelated to metabolic syndrome. Identification of factors that predispose women to VMS following a breast cancer diagnosis may allow clinicians to recognize and address VMS in the subset of women who are most likely to experience such symptoms.
Targeted deep sequencing of the PEAR1 locus for platelet aggregation in European and African American families.

AbstractCoronary artery disease (CAD) remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The aggregation of activated platelets on a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque is a critical step in m...
Tissue factor and hemostasis

Cette etude compare le facteur tissulaire et le facteur VII du point de vue structure, liaison et activites
Altering the edge chemistry of bicelles with peptoids.

Abstract Cell function is tied to the interactions that occur within and across the cell membrane. Therefore, understanding membrane-affiliated interactions is important to many biomedical applications. Advancing the body of knowledge about these interactions will lead to discoveries in biomarker detection and therapeutic targets for disease detection and treatment. Model membrane systems are an effective way to study membrane proteins for such discoveries, allowing for stable protein structure and maintaining native activity. Bicelles, disc-shaped lipid bilayers created by combining long- and short-chain phospholipids, are the model membrane system of focus in this study. Bicelles are accessible from both sides and have a wide size range, which makes them attractive for studying membrane interactions without affecting function. In this work, bicelles were functionalized with peptoids to alter the edge chemistry. Peptoids are suitable for this application because of the large diversity of available side chain chemistries that can be easily incorporated in a sequence-specific manner. The peptoid sequence consists of three functional regions to promote insertion into the edge of bicelles. The insertion sequence at the C-terminus contains two alkyl chains and two hydrophobic, chiral aromatic groups that anchor into the bicelle edge. The facially amphipathic helix contains chiral aromatic groups on one side that interact with the lipid tails and positively charged groups on the other side, which interact with the lipid head groups. Thiol groups are included at the N-terminus to allow for visualization of peptoid location in the bicelle. Bicelle morphology and size were assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Peptoid location in the bicelle was determined by attachment of gold nanoparticles, which confirmed preferential incorporation of the peptoid into the bicelle edge with 82% specificity. Additionally, the peptoid-functionalized bicelles are of similar size and morphology to non-functionalized bicelles. Results from this study show that peptoid-functionalized bicelles are a promising model membrane system with potential applications in biosensors or bioseparations.
Reconstructing the origins of the Perrins Ledge cremains using strontium isotope analysis

Abstract Strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) analyses have been used effectively to reconstruct the origin of osteological remains that have not been exposed to increasing temperatures. However, previous research has shown that no thermally induced changes occur to original strontium isotope values (87Sr/86Sr) of bone and tooth specimens that have been subjected to temperatures between 100 and 1000 degrees Celsius, though the published literature regarding strontium isotope ratio stability and survivorship in thermally altered bone and teeth is limited. This is surprising given the potential implications for geolocation inquiries of cremains. This research demonstrates the utility and potential of strontium isotope analysis (87Sr/86Sr) in the contexts of thermally altered osteoarchaeological materials with the focus to reconstruct the geographic origins of the prehistoric cremated human remains from the Late Woodland period (600–850 CE) Perrins Ledge crematory, located in the Lower Illinois River Valley of the American Midwest. This mortuary site is unique in both regional and temporal contexts as an isolated crematorium structure containing at least 13 individuals (ten adults and three non-adults) represented by burned human skeletal remains of unknown origins. Strontium isotope signatures derived from bone and enamel samples of the cremains are compared with values obtained from osteoarchaeological faunal remains from three contemporary neighboring sites (Carlin, Apple Creek, and Newbridge) using thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Results indicate that the majority of the Perrins Ledge individuals reflect signatures beyond the standard (two-sigma) range considered local, with one adult bone and enamel sample and two of the three non-adult enamel samples that mirror local signatures.
Human Activity Recognition for Edge Devices.

Video activity Recognition has recently gained a lot of momentum with the release of massive Kinetics (400 and 600) data. Architectures such as I3D and C3D networks have shown state-of-the-art performances for activity recognition. The one major pitfall with these state-of-the-art networks is that they require a lot of compute. In this paper we explore how we can achieve comparable results to these state-of-the-art networks for devices-on-edge. We primarily explore two architectures - I3D and Temporal Segment Network. We show that comparable results can be achieved using one tenth the memory usage by changing the testing procedure. We also report our results on Resnet architecture as our backbone apart from the original Inception architecture. Specifically, we achieve 84.54\% top-1 accuracy on UCF-101 dataset using only RGB frames.
Cooperative Algorithms in Adaptive Signal Processing

Advanced adaptive signal processing algorithms commonly used in optimization, filtering, and estimation are subjects of seeking innovations and advancements. The important performance factors of algorithms are adaptation or convergence (the probability of, and the speed of), and computational cost (proportional to the algorithm complexity). The improvement in convergence often comes with higher computational needs. In this report we exploit the diversity in algorithms by using cooperative processes. An odd number of cooperative processes running simultaneously participate in a simple majority-vote decision method to improve the convergence speed of the corresponding application. The iterative algorithms concurrently progressing require higher computational resources, however only the most computationally-efficient algorithm remains active after the initial convergence is achieved. Additional technique is essential to synchronize the process delays of participating algorithms.
Ideology among Russian elites: attitudes toward the United States as a belief system

ABSTRACTThis article examines ideological constraint among Russian foreign policy elites, using all seven waves of the Survey of Russian Elites 1993–2016 to explore four questions: (1) Do attitudes...
Input Use Efficiency in Sunflower Production; A Case Study of Konya Province (Karatay District)

The aim of the study is to analyse the efficiency of input use in sunflower production in Karatay district. Turkey ranks 10th in sunflower production in the world and Konya province has 13.39% capacity of sunflower production in Turkey, placing the 2nd place in terms of production. 97% of sunflower produced in Konya province is sunflower for oil. Data used in this study was determined as 51 enterprises manufacturing sunflower according to the Stratified Sampling Method. The economic efficiency results of sunflower production were calculated with Data Envelopment Analysis (DEAP) method. The total Gross Production Values (GPV) obtained from the enterprises is 50,221.43 $, the GPV acquired from the sunflower production is 23,844.70 $, the total gross profit is 36,927.29 $ and the sunflower gross profit is 18,285.16 $. According to the efficiency results, economic efficiency was found to be 0.604, resource efficiency was 0.604, technical efficiency was 0.868, and pure efficiency was 0.922 while scale efficiency was 0.942. It should be ensured that enterprises use their resources effectively. Information meetings should be held for enterprises on resource use.
Optimization of confined direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS)

Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) is seeing increased use in many fields, including forensic science, environmental monitoring, food safety, and healthcare. With increased use, novel configurations of the system have been created to either aid in detection of traditionally difficult compounds or surfaces, provide a more reproducible analysis, and/or chemically image surfaces. This work focuses on increasing the fundamental understanding of one configuration, where the DART ionization gas is confined in a junction, such as with thermal desorption (TD) DART-MS. Using five representative compounds and a suite of visualization tools, the role of the DART ionization gas, Vapur flow rate, gas back pressure, and exit grid voltage were examined to better understand both the chemical and physical processes occurring inside the confined configuration. The use of nitrogen as a DART ionization gas was found to be more beneficial than helium because of enhanced mixing with the analyte vapors, providing a more reproducible response. Lower Vapur flow rates were also found to be advantageous as they increased the analyte residence time in the junction, thus increasing the probability of its ionization. Operation at even lower Vapur flow rates was achieved by modifying the junction to restrict the DART gas flow. The DART exit grid voltage and gas back pressure had little observed impact on analyte response. These results provide the foundation to better understand and identify best practices for using a confined DART-MS configuration.
Central CYP1B1 (Cytochrome P450 1B1)-Estradiol Metabolite 2-Methoxyestradiol Protects From Hypertension and Neuroinflammation in Female Mice.

Previously, we showed that peripheral administration of 2-ME (2-methoxyestradiol), a CYP1B1 (cytochrome P450 1B1)-catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) generated metabolite of E2 (17β-Estradiol), pro...
The psoas muscle index distribution and influence of outcomes in an Asian adult trauma population: an alternative indicator for sarcopenia of acute diseases

Sarcopenia has been shown to be an independent negative predictor in various diseases. The measurement of pre-defined criteria of skeletal muscle in patients with acute disease is usually unavailable. Therefore, we evaluate the psoas muscle area based on computed tomography (CT) imaging as an alternative for sarcopenia in an Asian trauma population. 939 trauma patients were enrolled and had CT imaging performed primarily for trauma indications. The cross-sectional area of psoas muscle at the base of the fourth lumbar vertebral was measured on these CTs. Psoas muscle index (PMI) was calculated and analyzed to determine sex-specific cut-off values to define the “extremely low psoas muscle index” (ELPMI) group. Psoas muscle index was significantly higher in males (1065.09 ± 230.51 mm2/m2 in males vs 719.57 ± 147.39 mm2/m2 in females, p < 0.001) and decreased gradually with aging (p < 0.001). PMI of the subset of patients aged 18–40 (n = 462) weas analyzed to determine sex-specific cut-off values for ELPMI. PMI cut-off values for ELPMI (2 SD below mean) were 675 mm2/m2 for males and 490 mm2/m2 for females. The entire trauma cohort was further analyzed, and ELPMI was identified as an independent risk factor for a longer length of intensive unit stay (β coefficient = 3.881, p = 0.011). Data from young trauma adults were used to establish cut-off values for ELPMI, which is a longer ICU stay predictor. These cut-off values for ELPMI may apply to other acute disease entities.
Linking instream wood recruitment to adjacent forest development in landscapes driven by stand-replacing disturbances: a conceptual model to inform riparian and stream management

Instream wood plays an important role in stream morphology and creation of fish habitat in conifer forests throughout the temperate zone. In some regions, such as the US Pacific Northwest, many str...
Mexiletine in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Objective To assess mexiletine9s long-term safety and effect on 6-minute walk distance in a well-defined cohort of patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Methods We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of mexiletine (150 mg 3 times daily) to evaluate its efficacy and safety in a homogenous cohort of adult ambulatory patients with DM1. The primary outcome was change in 6-minute walk distance at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included changes in hand grip myotonia, strength, swallowing, forced vital capacity, lean muscle mass, Myotonic Dystrophy Health Index scores, and 24-hour Holter and ECG results at 3 and 6 months. Results Forty-two participants were randomized and 40 completed the 6-month follow-up (n = 20 in both groups). No significant effects of mexiletine were observed on 6-minute walk distance, but hand grip myotonia was improved with mexiletine treatment. There were no differences between the mexiletine and placebo groups with respect to the frequency or type of adverse events. Changes in PR, QRS, and QTc intervals were similar in mexiletine- and placebo-treated participants. Conclusions There was no benefit of mexiletine on 6-minute walk distance at 6 months. Although mexiletine had a sustained positive effect on objectively measured hand grip myotonia, this was not seen in measures reflecting participants9 perceptions of their myotonia. No effects of mexiletine on cardiac conduction measures were seen over the 6-month follow-up period. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class I evidence that for ambulatory patients with DM1, mexiletine does not significantly change 6-minute walk distance at 6 months.
Change in Consumption Growth and the Cross-Section of Expected Returns

We conduct empirical tests of a simplified version of the ratio habit model developed in Abel (1990), in which habit is extended beyond the preceding period. We show that change in four-year consumption growth---the measure of consumption resulting from our ratio habit preference---explains the joint equity premium--risk-free rate puzzle with a risk aversion coefficient much lower than any existing consumption measures under the standard consumption model. This outperformance of our ratio habit model over the standard model is robust across 18 non-U.S. countries. From 1928-2017, change in four-year consumption growth encompasses other consumption measures in explaining the cross-sectional variation of expected returns on various portfolios and it is the only consumption measure that passes the robust tests of the factor risk premium proposed by Kleibergen and Zhan (2020). While our measure constructed from nondurables does better at pricing the equity premium and risk-free rate, our service-based measure outperforms in explaining the cross-sectional variation of stock returns.
Spatialising procedural justice: fairness and local knowledge mobilisation in nuclear waste siting

Recent shifts in energy infrastructure siting have seen movement toward more procedurally just participatory decision-making processes. The energy justice literature emphasises both the normative n...
The Virtual Mock Oral Examination: A Multi-institutional Study of Resident and Faculty Receptiveness

Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, several American Board of Medical Specialties members have implemented board exams in an online format. In response, we decided to evaluate the efficacy and receptiveness of otolaryngology faculty and residents to a web-based virtual mock oral examination (MOE). Faculty and residents from DC-metropolitan institutions were recruited for decentralized virtual MOE in early 2020. A total of 28 faculty and 20 residents signed up. Follow-up included a survey study consisting of Likert scale and free-text questions to evaluate receptiveness. Helpfulness of the exercise was rated as an average of 8.8 and 9.06, respectively, by faculty and residents on a 10-point Likert scale. Likelihood to recommend a similar exercise to others was 9.2 and 9.3, respectively, for faculty and residents. All survey respondents said they would participate again if given the opportunity. We conclude that existing videoconferencing technologies can be effective tools for conducting virtual MOE by otolaryngology residency programs.
"Is there anything else you would like me to know?": Applying a trauma-informed approach to the administration of the adverse childhood experiences questionnaire.

Nearly ubiquitous agreement exists regarding the potentially negative impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health and well-being across the lifespan. This has propelled a movement across the nation for consistent screening of ACEs. Despite agreement regarding the consequences of ACEs, little research related specifically to the administration of the ACE questionnaire exists. Using data from a mixed-methods study of first-time mothers as means of illustration, this paper examines shortcomings of the ACE questionnaire. Participant responses revealed ambiguity with item structure, limited breadth of included events, and failure to capture the gravity of the experience. These shortcomings underscore inadequacies of the measure in accurately understanding individuals' lived experiences and call for the application of trauma-informed (TI) values, both in its content and administration. We apply the main tenets of a TI framework to the ACE questionnaire and make recommendations for its administration, translating theoretical underpinnings of a TI approach into action.
Measuring cognitive health in ethnically diverse older adults.

Objective Understanding racial/ethnic disparities in late-life cognitive health is a public health imperative. We used baseline data from the Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences (KHANDLE) study to examine how age, education, gender, and clinical diagnosis, a proxy for brain health, are associated with cross-sectional measures of cognition in diverse racial/ethnic groups. Method Comprehensive measures of cognition were obtained using the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scales and the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Health Battery in a sample of 1695 KHANDLE participants (Asians 24%, Blacks 26%, Latinos 20%, Whites 29%). A 25% random subsample was clinically evaluated and diagnosed with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or dementia. Cognitive test scores were regressed on core demographic variables and diagnosis in the combined sample and in multiple group analyses stratified by racial/ethnic group. Results Race/ethnicity and education were variably associated with test scores with strongest associations with tests of vocabulary and semantic memory. Older age was associated with poorer performance on all measures, and gender differences varied across cognitive tests. Clinical diagnosis of MCI or dementia was associated with average decrements in test scores that ranged from -0.41 to -0.84 SD, with largest differences on tests of executive function and episodic memory. With few exceptions, associations of demographic variables and clinical diagnosis did not differ across racial/ethnic groups. Discussion The robust associations of cognitive test results with clinical diagnosis independent of core demographic variables and race/ethnicity supports the validity of cognitive tests as indicators for brain health in diverse older adults.
Understanding hydrogen sulfide impact on a portable, commercial, propane-powered solid-oxide fuel cell

Abstract A portable commercial solid-oxide fuel cell that consisted of 56 stacked cells and used an indirect internal reforming strategy with a rhodium catalyst on an yttria-stabilized zirconia structure for its reformer and a nickel anode on an yttria-stabilized zirconia structure electrolyte was tested with propane fuel intentionally blended with 0 to 15 ppmv H2S. The voltages of cell pairs and stack were recorded during 7-h poison and recovery tests. Results indicated that with higher H2S concentrations, the rate of stack voltage decrease could vary from 181.4 mV/h at 3 ppmv to 432.0 mV/h at 15 ppmv. The voltage losses of individual cell pairs showed a consistent trend as well. Results from recovery tests indicated that a longer recovery time may be necessary at higher H2S concentration. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was employed to better understand the role of varying phenomena within the solid-oxide fuel cell. An equivalent circuit model was constructed to fit electrochemical impedance spectral data that was taken at the system level. Effects of individual components within the system (fuel cell, battery, and DC/DC converter), determined by using electrochemical impedance spectra, were then used to deduce the behaviour of the SOFC. A clear charge transfer resistance increase was observed due to H2S poisoning, consistent with the blocking of active sites on the catalyst in the anode layer. The effect was found to be completely reversible by a period of operation with sulfide-free fuel.