cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Repayment Capacity of Farmers: A Balanced Panel Data Approach

Using a balanced panel of 184 unique Illinois farmers from 2000 to 2006, this study identifies the most pertinent factors that explain farmer repayment capacity. After correcting for endogeneity bias caused by farmer-specific effects by running a fixed effects regression model, we find that the one year lagged working capital ratio, the debt-to-asset ratio, and operator’s age are significant variables in explaining the coverage ratio, at the 10 percent, 5 percent, and 1 percent significance levels, respectively. This finding is important because it can enhance agricultural lenders’ ability to assess creditworthiness, screen borrowers, manage loan loss reserves, and price loans, thereby decreasing lenders’ costs associated with defaulted loans and ultimately reducing the costs borne by the government and taxpayers.
Determination of bromine in brine and seawater by acid fuchsin spectrophotometry

The optimum reaction conditions for oxidation of bromide ion to bromine element in HCl-H2SO4medium by potassium dichromate and reaction of bromine and fuchsin-sulfuric acid solution were studied.The maximum absorption wavelength of the orangic solution was 570nm and the optimum reaction temperature was 30℃.The experiment shows that the method features a desirable linearity and higher precision and accuracy and could be applied to determine bromine in seawater and brine.
The Effect of SOM Size and Similarity Measure on Identification of Functional and Anatomical Regions in fMRI Data

We demonstrate the advantage of larger SOMs than those typically used in the literature for clustering functional magnetic resonance images (fMRI). We also show the advantage of a connectivity similarity measure over distance measures for cluster discovery and extraction. We illustrate these points through maps generated from a multiple-subject investigation of the genesis of willed movement, where clusters of the fMRI time-courses signify functional (or anatomical) regions, and where accurate delineation of many clusters is critical for tracking the relationships of neural activities across space and time. While we do not provide an automated optimization of the SOM size it is clear that for this study increasing it up to 40 \(\times \) 40 facilitates clearer discovery of more relevant clusters than from a 10 \(\times \) 10 SOM (a size frequently used in the literature), and further increase has no benefits in our case despite using large data sets (all data from whole-brain scans). We offer insight through data characteristics and some objective justification.
10 – Latent-Class Models

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses latent-class models. The latent-class models assume that the relationships between several observed discrete variables can be explained by use of a log-linear model involving both these variables and one or more unobserved discrete variables. The usual assumption made in these models is that the manifest variables are conditionally independent given the latent variable or variables so that for any given manifest variable, the other observed variables provide no information on that given variable beyond information provided by the latent variable or variables. In this sense, the latent variables or variables fully account for the observed relationships among the manifest variables. In the traditional latent-class model, one dichotomous or polytomous latent variable and more than one dichotomous or polytomous manifest variables are present. The only assumption made is the local independence assumption that the manifest variables are conditionally independent given the latent variable. The chapter also presents the computation of maximum likelihood estimates, chi-square statistics, and adjusted residuals for the basic latent-class model in which a single latent variable is present and the only assumption made is that the manifest variables are conditionally independent given the latent variable. As with log-linear models, asymptotic variances can be computed through analogies to weighted regression problems.
Real time CCD-based neural network system for pattern recognition applications

A generic NNC (neural network classifier) capable of providing 1.9 billion programmable connections per second is described. Applications for these generic processors include image and speech recognition as well as sonar signal identification. To demonstrate the modularity and flexibility of the CCD (charge coupled device) NNCs, two generic multilayer system-level boards capable of both feedforward and feedback nets are presented. The boards demonstrate multiple LL NN chips in an adaptable, reconfigurable, expandable multipurpose system design. Although only two examples are demonstrated, the extension to larger and more complicated networks using multiple NN devices as building blocks is straightforward. >
Diplomacy Through Agents

In this paper, I argue that delegating diplomacy allows for credible diplomatic communication by constraining leaders’ ability to bluff. I show that leaders will optimally choose diplomatic agents who place value on the interests of their host countries. Such diplomats will only oppose foreign government policies when revision to those policies provides large benefits to the home country. Consequently, when diplomats transmit messages, this action indicates that the home country values the issue highly, increasing the likelihood of concessions. I show formally that the optimal diplomat is always biased towards foreign interests because the gain in credibility offsets the diplomat’s occasional failure to support the leader’s position. However, the optimal diplomat’s bias is constrained because leaders will choose to preserve some ability to bluff. As an illustration of the results, I discuss Anglo-American diplomacy during the Wilson administration, focusing on the role played by Ambassador Walter Hines Page.
Sequential decision-making in healthcare IoT: Real-time health monitoring, treatments and interventions

Internet of Things (IoT) technology and infrastructure have the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery. Networked body sensing devices coupled with sensors in our living environment enable the real-time and continuous collection of information related to an individual's physical and mental health and related behaviors. Captured in a continual basis and aggregated, such information needs to be effectively exploited to permit real-time, continuous and personalized monitoring, treatments and interventions. However, medical decisions are often sequential and uncertain in nature. Sequential decision-making models such as Markov decision processes (MDPs) and partially observable MDPs (POMDPs) constitute powerful tools for modeling and solving such stochastic and dynamic problems. In this paper, an overview of such models that are expected to support proactive, preventive and personalized healthcare delivery are surveyed along with the associated solution techniques. A set of representative health applications that take advantage of such tools is also described. Finally, various challenges and opportunities that arise during the realization of smart and connected healthcare IoT are highlighted.
Swahili Urbanisation, Trade, and Food Production: Botanical Perspectives from Pemba Island, Tanzania, AD 600–1500

While archaeological research on the Swahili has often focused on trade and craft-related aspects of the economy, investigation of their agricultural base is equally critical to understanding these...
The Helper T Cell's Dilemma in Tuberculosis.

Vaccination approaches eliciting strong CD4 T cell responses provide only weak protection from tuberculosis. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Moguche et al. (2017) show that T cells specific for different immunodominant vaccine antigens can fail to protect for opposite reasons, highlighting a major challenge in tuberculosis vaccine design.
Down for the count: Cryptosporidium infection depletes the gut microbiome in Coquerel’s sifakas

ABSTRACTBackground: The gut microbiome (GMB) is the first line of defense against enteric pathogens, which are a leading cause of disease and mortality worldwide. One such pathogen, the protozoan Cryptosporidium, causes a variety of digestive disorders that can be devastating and even lethal. The Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) – an endangered, folivorous primate endemic to Madagascar – is precariously susceptible to cryptosporidiosis under captive conditions. If left untreated, infection can rapidly advance to morbidity and death.Objective: To gain a richer understanding of the pathophysiology of this pathogen while also improving captive management of endangered species, we examine the impact of cryptosporidiosis on the GMB of a flagship species known to experience a debilitating disease state upon infection.Design: Using 16S sequencing of DNA extracted from sifaka fecal samples, we compared the microbial communities of healthy sifakas to those of infected individuals, across infection and rec...
Prognostic factors and occult nodal disease in mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx: An analysis of the National Cancer Database

Abstract Objectives Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is an uncommon malignancy that most commonly occurs in the parotid gland followed by the minor salivary glands of the upper aerodigestive tract, most notably in the oral cavity (OC) and oropharynx (OP). Because of its rarity, few studies have been performed that are specific to MEC within the OC and OP. The objective of this study is to describe the tumor characteristics and prognostic features for MEC of the OC and OP. Materials and Methods The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was used for this study. The primary outcome measure was 5-year overall survival (OS). The secondary outcome measure was occult nodal disease. Fischer’s exact tests, chi-square tests, log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed. Results We identified 3005 patients with MEC of the OC/OP. The 5-year overall survival for MEC of the OC and OP was 87%. Increasing age, male sex, Charlson/Deyo comorbidity score of 2+, clinical T3-4 tumors, nodal + disease, high grade tumors and positive margins were independently associated with decreased 5-year OS. Occult nodal disease occurred in 14.1% and 17.3% of high grade and clinical T3-T4 tumors respectively. Conclusion MEC of the OC/OP has an excellent survival as the majority of these patients have low/intermediate grade and early stage disease. Negative prognosticators include increasing age, male sex, Charlson/Deyo comorbidity score of 2+, clinical T3-4 tumors, nodal+ disease, high grade tumors and positive margins. Our findings justify strong consideration of prophylactic neck dissection for high grade and clinical T3-4 tumors.
Design of a randomized clinical trial of a colorectal cancer screening decision aid to promote appropriate screening in community-dwelling older adults.

Background:Appropriate colorectal cancer screening in older adults should be aligned with the likelihood of net benefit. In general, patient decision aids improve knowledge and values clarity, but ...
The Role of Relational-Cultural Theory in Mental Health Counseling

One feature that distinguishes professional counseling from other mental health and illness disciplines is its developmental, strength-based, contextually-focused, and wellness perspective. Given the multicultural paradigm that the counseling field emphasizes, it is increasingly important to identify models like relational-cultural theory (RCT) that support these principles. This article includes an overview of the basic tenets of RCT and applications to mental health counseling
Terminal transferase: past to present.

It has been said that cells do not make proteins for irrelevant reasons. This means that every protein has a specific function. If we fail to understand that function the flaw is in human nature, not in Nature itself. A corollary of this logic is that if a unique kind of cell produces a unique protein, then that unique protein must be related to a special function of the unique class of cells. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) is such a protein, existing only in a limited population of lymphoid cells. The purpose of this meeting is to consider the phenomenology associated with the occurrence of this protein, and hopefully deduce Nature’s reason for producing it.
Association of HIV Suppression With Kidney Disease Progression Among HIV-Positive African Americans With Biopsy-Proven Classic FSGS.

Background:In the era of combined antiretroviral therapy, classic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is the most common histopathological finding in African American HIV-positive patients with kidney disease. We sought to determine whether HIV suppression is associated with lower risk of prog
Highly stretchable and nonvolatile gelatin-supported deep eutectic solvent gel electrolyte-based ionic skins for strain and pressure sensing

There is a growing demand for devices that exhibit human skin-like sensory capabilities due to their broad applications in soft robotics and healthcare. Ionically conductive hydrogels have long been studied for wearable, flexible sensor applications; however, the volatility of water inevitably leads to dehydration issues that can limit the long-term use of hydrogel-based devices. In this report, highly stretchable, gelatin biopolymer-supported deep eutectic solvent (DES) gel electrolytes are presented as a promising nonvolatile alternative to hydrogels for ionic skin applications. The DES gel containing 22 wt% gelatin exhibited high stretchability (fracture strain > 300%) and a room temperature ionic conductivity of 2.5 mS cm−1. Capacitive-type pressure and strain sensors fabricated using gelatin-supported DES gel electrolytes provided linear responses over a wide range; an applied pressure as low as 1 kPa could be detected using a 1 V bias. A 3 × 3 sensor array was also constructed, which exhibited excellent performance for identifying the (multi)touch location(s) of applied pressure. These characteristics not only demonstrate the suitability of gelatin-supported DES gels for ionic skin applications, but also present a new class of materials for developing future nonvolatile sensors.
Magnetic field production at a first-order electroweak phase transition

We study the generation of magnetic field seeds during a first-order electroweak phase transition, by numerically evolving the classical equations of motion of the bosonic electroweak theory on the lattice. The onset of the transition is implemented by the random nucleation of bubbles with an arbitrarily oriented Higgs field in the broken phase. We find that about 10% of the latent heat is converted into magnetic energy, with most of the magnetic fields being generated in the last stage of the phase transition when the Higgs oscillates around the true vacuum. The energy spectrum of the magnetic field has a peak that shifts towards larger length scales as the phase transition unfolds. By the end of our runs the peak wavelength is of the order of the bubble percolation scale, or about a third of our lattice size.
Repurposing FK506 to Increase BMPR2 Signaling and Improve Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Fast Track From Cells to People

To improve long-term survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), new treatment approaches that target occlusive vasculopathy instead of vasoconstriction of pulmonary arteries are necessary. ...
Hardened By Design All-Digital Pulsed Multiplying DLL for DDR2-3 Interfaces

This abstract proposes a novel radiation hardened all-digital multiplying delay locked loop. The design uses pulse-clocking to create a high frequency clock for use in DDR2 and DDR3 data recovery and transmit without intermediate frequency generation. Implementation on a 55 nm low standby power process, can achieve DDR3-800 speeds at all corners with a peak to peak jitter of 22 ps. The energy dissipation is 14 pJ/MHz in active mode and 1.65 pJ/MHz in low-power standby mode. The full block area is 0.11 mm2. Control and filter circuits use a proven interleaved automated placement and routing providing full triple mode redundant domain separation for multiple critical node collection immunity.
The development and feasibility of treadmill-induced fall recovery training applied to individuals with chronic stroke

Exercise has failed to reduce falls in those with chronic stroke. A limitation of traditional exercise is that the motor responses needed to prevent a fall are not elicited (i.e. they lack processing specificity). Balance reactions often require compensatory steps. Therefore, interventions that target such steps have the potential to reduce falls. Computerized treadmills can deliver precise, repeatable, and challenging perturbations as part of a training protocol. The objective of this study was to develop and determine the feasibility of such training applied to those with chronic stroke. We developed the training to address specificity, appropriate duration and repetition, and progressive overloading and individualization. We hypothesized that our intervention would be acceptable, practical, safe, and demonstrate initial signs of efficacy. In this single-arm study, thirteen individuals with chronic stroke (29–77 years old, 2–15 years post stroke) performed up to six training sessions using a computer-controlled treadmill. Each session had separate progressions focused on initial steps with the non-paretic or paretic limbs in response to anterior or posterior falls. Perturbation magnitudes were altered based on performance and tolerance. Acceptability was determined by adherence, or the number of sessions completed. Practicality was documented by the equipment, space, time, and personnel. Adverse events were documented to reflect safety. In order to determine the potential-efficacy of this training, we compared the proportion of successful recoveries and the highest perturbation magnitude achieved on the first and last sessions. The training was acceptable, as evident by 12/13 participants completing all 6 sessions. The protocol was practical, requiring one administrator, the treadmill, and a harness. The protocol was safe, as evident by no serious or unanticipated adverse events. The protocol demonstrated promising signs of efficacy. From the first to last sessions, participants had a higher proportion of successful recoveries and progressed to larger disturbances. Using a computerized treadmill, we developed an approach to fall-recovery training in individuals with chronic stroke that was specific, considered duration and repetition, and incorporated progressive overloading and individualization. We demonstrated that this training was acceptable, practical, safe, and potentially beneficial for high-functioning individuals with chronic stroke. Retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT03638089 ) August 20, 2018.
Program to improve mobility in aging (PRIMA) study: Methods and rationale of a task-oriented motor learning exercise program.

Abstract Walking difficulty is a common and costly problem in older adults. A potentially important yet unaddressed strategy to enhance walking ability through exercise intervention is to add a timing and coordination component in gait training (i.e. task specific timing and coordination exercise intervention) to the usual strength, endurance, and flexibility training. We describe the methods and rationale of a randomized single-blind, physical therapist supervised, exercise intervention trial to compare the effects of a standard strength, endurance, and flexibility program to a standard plus timing and coordination program in community-dwelling older adults walking slower than the desired gait speed of 1.2 m/s. Exercise sessions are twice weekly for 12 weeks. Participants are assessed at baseline, 12 weeks (post intervention), 24 weeks and 36 weeks. The primary outcome is gait speed, secondary outcomes represent components of the interventions (strength, endurance, flexibility, timing and coordination), and tertiary outcomes are measure of activity and participation (Late Life Function and Disability Instrument and physical activity). The findings of this trial will (1) establish if a standard-plus task specific timing and coordination program is superior to a standard strength and endurance program in improving mobility, activity and participation and (2) determine if the improvements are sustained over time. The information derived from this project will provide valuable insight into the prevention and management of walking difficulty, which is so common in older Americans.
Health and Health-Related Resources in Newly Designated Federally Qualified Opportunity Zones: United States, 2012–2016

Objectives. To characterize health and health-related resources in the new qualified opportunity zones (QOZs) relative to tracts not selected or not eligible for this federal investment incentive.M...
How to select the appropriate method(s) of cytotoxicity analysis of mammalian cells at biointerfaces: A tutorial

Many individuals perform cell viability assays as a measure of biocompatibility whether the focus of their research is on novel drug discovery, development of novel biomedical devices, or the study of biointerfacial phenomena. In this tutorial paper, the most commonly used methods available to users to perform biocompatibility testing are discussed. This includes a brief introduction into the benefits and drawbacks of the techniques, including which are best used as screening assays, which are better suited to experienced users, the relative cost of the assays per unit, and what detection techniques are most appropriate for use in conjunction with the assays. In addition to helping users ensure the rigor and reproducibility of their research design, this tutorial is meant to assist reviewers of interdisciplinary journals (such as Biointerphases itself), whose expertise is in other areas of this research but do not have the experience with cell-based assays themselves.
Evaluation of one-dimensional and two-dimensional HEC-RAS models to predict flood travel time and inundation area for flood warning system

The objective of this research is to evaluate the predictive capability of one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), HEC-RAS models, for the computation of the travel time of a flood event and it...
Baechi: fast device placement of machine learning graphs

Machine Learning graphs (or models) can be challenging or impossible to train when either devices have limited memory, or the models are large. Splitting the model graph across multiple devices, today, largely relies on learning-based approaches to generate this placement. While it results in models that train fast on data (i.e., with low step times), learning-based model-parallelism is time-consuming, taking many hours or days to create a placement plan of operators on devices. We present the Baechi system, where we adopt an algorithmic approach to the placement problem for running machine learning training graphs on a small cluster of memory-constrained devices. We implemented Baechi so that it works modularly with TensorFlow. Our experimental results using GPUs show that Baechi generates placement plans in time 654X--206K X faster than today's learning-based approaches, and the placed model's step time is only up to 6.2% higher than expert-based placements.
High Thermoelectric Performance and Defect Energetics of Multipocketed Full Heusler Compounds

Author(s): Park, J; Xia, Y; Ganose, AM; Jain, A; Ozoliņs, V | Abstract: We report a first-principles density-functional study of electron-phonon interactions in and thermoelectric transport properties of the full Heusler compounds Sr2BiAu and Sr2SbAu. Our results show that ultrahigh intrinsic bulk thermoelectric performance across a wide range of temperatures is physically possible and point to the presence of multiply degenerate and highly dispersive carrier pockets as the key factor for achieving this. Sr2BiAu, which features ten energy-aligned low-effective-mass pockets (six along Γ-X and four at L), is predicted to deliver n-type zT=0.4-4.9 at T=100-700 K. Comparison with the previously investigated compound Ba2BiAu shows that the additional L pockets in Sr2BiAu significantly increase its low-temperature power factor to a maximum value of 12 mW m-1 K-2 near T=300 K. However, at high temperatures the power factor of Sr2BiAu drops below that of Ba2BiAu because the L states are heavier and subject to strong scattering by phonon deformation, as opposed to the lighter Γ-X states, which are limited by polar-optical scattering. Sr2SbAu is predicted to deliver a lower n-type zT=3.4 at T=750 K due to appreciable misalignment between the L and Γ-X carrier pockets, generally heavier scattering, and a slightly higher lattice thermal conductivity. Soft acoustic modes, which are responsible for the low lattice thermal conductivity, also increase the vibrational entropy and high-temperature stability of these Heusler compounds, suggesting that their experimental synthesis may be feasible. The dominant intrinsic defects are found to be Au vacancies, which drive the Fermi level towards the conduction band and work in favor of n-doping.
Improving NAND flash performance with read heat separation

The continuous growth in 3D-NAND flash storage density has primarily been enabled by 3D stacking and by increasing the number of bits stored per memory cell. Unfortunately, these desirable flash device design choices are adversely affecting reliability and latency characteristics. In particular, increasing the number of bits stored per cell results in having to apply additional voltage thresholds during each read operation, therefore increasing the read latency characteristics. While most NAND flash challenges can be mitigated through appropriate background processing, the flash read latency characteristics cannot be hidden and remains the biggest challenge, especially for the newest flash generations that store four bits per cell. In this paper, we introduce read heat separation (RHS), a new heat-aware data-placement technique that exploits the skew present in real-world workloads to place frequently read user data on low-latency flash pages. Although conceptually simple, such a technique is difficult to integrate in a flash controller, as it introduces a significant amount of complexity, requires more metadata, and is further constrained by other flash-specific peculiarities. To overcome these challenges, we propose a novel flash controller architecture supporting read heat-aware data placement. We first discuss the trade-offs that such a new design entails and analyze the key aspects that influence the efficiency of RHS. Through both, extensive simulations and an implementation we realized in a commercial enterprise-grade solid-state drive controller, we show that our architecture can indeed significantly reduce the average read latency. For certain workloads, it can reverse the system-level read latency trends when using recent multi-bit flash generations and hence outperform SSDs using previous faster flash generations.
Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Disease and Cognitive Dysfunction in Rural West Elderly Texans.

Background The prevalence of cognitive dysfunction increases in elderly due to cardiovascular disease related risk factors in rural communities like West Texas. Objective The purpose of this study was to find risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) related to cognitive dysfunction and their impact on elderly adults in rural West Texans. Methods Statistical methods such as Pearson's chi-squared and a multinomial logistic regression were utilized to analyze data. We used SPSS software to detect and understand the nature of the risk factors. Results A summary of statistics was obtained by using Pearson's chi-squared test for categorical variables. CVD, diabetes mellitus, and depression were significantly associated with cognitive dysfunction for both males and females (p = 0.0001), whereas anxiety was found to be significantly associated with cognitive dysfunction for females (p = 0.0001). Age group and race/ethnicity were significantly associated with cognitive dysfunction for both males and females (p = 0.0001). By performing a multinomial logistic regression method and controlling for confounders, the significant risk factors (p < 0.05)- age (65- 84 years), diabetes, and memory loss for age-associated cognitive impairment; diabetes for cognitive impairment no dementia; age (65- 84, ≥85 years), CVD, diabetes, depression, memory loss, non-Hispanic Whites, and Black/African-Americans for mild cognitive impairment; and age, memory loss, non-Hispanic Whites, Black/African-Americans, and male gender were found for dementia. Conclusion CVD related risk factors in developing cognitive dysfunction exist and integrating such risk variables may guide relevant policy interventions to reduce Alzheimer's incidence or dementia in rural communities in West Texans.
ESTÁGIO CURRICULAR SUPERVISIONADO E LABORATÓRIO DE ENSINO DE MATEMÁTICA: AÇÕES FORMATIVAS COMPARTILHADAS COM ESCOLAS DE EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA

This article explores the learning process of Math graduated teachers in the supervised stage. It is a qualitative research that aims to understand the movement of formative action on graduates when they carry out pedagogical workshops with students of Elementary School, in a teaching mathematics laboratory. Based on the assumptions of the Historical-Cultural approach and the Activity Theory, we analyse formative episodes recorded in reports written between 2015 and 2018, which explain the reflections, challenges and possibilities of teaching elaborated by academics. The analyses indicate that the moments of planning, development and evaluation of the workshops, from a collective perspective; contribute to the constitution of a new way of thinking presented by the graduated teachers on the pedagogical activity.
Enhancing Surveillance: New Data, New Technologies, and New Actors

New data are being used and new actors are engaging in surveillance by, for, and about public health. This chapter surveys many of these developments: interoperable electronic health records, retained blood spots from newborn screening, biobanks and other genetic databases. patient registries, information gained in research, direct to consumer testing (including genetic testing), smartphones and smartphone apps, wearables and biosensors, and robots and smart devices. It explores the possibilities for bias introduced by the use of artificial intelligence and questions common assumptions about the permissibility of using deidentified data. It also considers how private sector actors such as social media platforms may further public health but have economic interests orthogonal to or in tension with public health. These developments in data use and analysis carry the potential for great benefit but also significant risks of harm. The chapter concludes that regulation is uneven at best and that increased oversight and transparency are imperative to avoid backlash and sustain trust in these novel forms of data use.
Analog Switched-Capacitor Circuits for Solving the Schrödinger Equation

This paper describes a circuit theoretic formulation for simulating the Schrodinger equation using classical analog circuits. Update equations for a finite difference time domain (FDTD) Schrodinger equation solver with absorbing boundary conditions (ABCs) are used to derive signal flow graphs that naturally map to switched capacitor (SC) circuits. A prototype implementation of a fully-parallel SC FDTD solver with 128 spatial points and a clock frequency of 2 MHz is analyzed and simulated using a standard 180 nm CMOS process.
Differences in Patient and Parent Informant Reports of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in a Clinical Sample of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

Purpose: We assessed characteristics of patients at a pediatric gender clinic and investigated if reports of mental health concerns provided by transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth patients differed from reports provided by a parent informant on their behalf. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 259 TGD patients 8 to 22 years of age attending a pediatric gender clinic in the southeast United States from 2015 to 2020. Pearson correlations and paired sample t-tests compared patient-reported mental health concerns at patient intake with those provided by a parent informant. Clinical symptom severity was assessed with standardized T-scores. Level 2 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Emotional Distress-Depression Scale and Level 2 PROMIS Emotional Distress-Anxiety Scale assessed depression and anxiety symptoms of patients. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Parent/Guardian-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure was used with parents. Results: Patients had a mean age of 14.9 at first visit, with most identifying as White (85.5%), non-Hispanic (91.1%), and as a boy or man (63.6%). Half had moderate-to-severe depression (51.2%) or anxiety (47.9%) symptoms. There was a moderate, positive correlation between patient-reported and parent-reported depression symptoms, with no correlation for anxiety symptoms. Informant type differences were statistically significant (patients reporting greater depression and anxiety symptoms). Conclusions: TGD youth patients reported more severe depression and anxiety symptoms compared with parent informants. Despite moderate agreement on depression symptoms, parents did not accurately detect their child's anxiety symptoms. These discrepancies highlight a need for interventions which increase parental recognition of child mental health status.
The history of ground ice at Jezero Crater Mars and other past, present, and future landing sites

Abstract Shallow subsurface water ice on Mars is currently stable poleward of about 45° latitude and unstable in the equatorial regions. Past climate cycles driven by orbital oscillations are expected to result in significant changes to this distribution of ground ice over geologic history. In the present study we model the 2.5-Myr history of ground ice at 11 past, present, and planned future landing sites, employing new views of the martian climate and new ground truth observations. We specifically evaluate the potential for detecting ground ice at current and future GPR-equipped-rover landing sites at Jezero Crater, Utopia Planitia, and Oxia Planum. We find that, while ground ice is stable at the past Phoenix and Viking Lander 2 sites, it is presently unstable at all others. However, ground ice would have been stable at all the landing sites for extended periods of 10's of kyrs when the obliquity exceeded about 29°–33°. The most recent such episode would have occurred about 500 kyrs ago. On thousand-year time scales water-vapor diffusion through porous soil and ice condensation are rapid enough to keep pace with these climate changes, such that the presence of ground ice can be equated with its stability. Prior to 5 Myr ago the obliquity is predicted to have experienced a secular shift to a higher average of ~36°. During this time extensive subsurface ice deposits may have formed that may persist unstably today as a relict of this past condition.
The Impact of a Mediterranean Diet on the Gut Microbiome in Healthy Human Subjects: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Despite the reported salutary benefits of a Mediterranean diet (MD) on a wide variety of health conditions, the specific microbial changes associated with an MD within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are not well studied. Specifically, although population and survey-based studies have shown microbial changes, there are no published data on how an MD alters the gut flora in a controlled setting. METHODS We recruited 10 healthy subjects, each of whom gave a stool sample at baseline and then was provided with prepared meals of a "typical" American diet; after 2 weeks, a second stool sample was collected. All subjects were then provided with prepared meals based on the MD for another 2 weeks, followed by a final stool sample collection. Stool samples were batch analyzed with DNA extraction, and sequencing libraries were generated. Measures of bacterial diversity, species richness, and enterotypes were performed. RESULTS All ten subjects tolerated the diets well. Bacterial diversity increased with an MD, as measured by alpha diversity via the Simpson index. Furthermore, there were significant differences in 5 bacterial genera between the 2 diets. CONCLUSION This small pilot study of controlled diets demonstrates that the MD can rapidly alter the gut microbiome in healthy subjects at the level of global microbial diversity and individual genera. These data confirm the findings of previous observational studies and establish the feasibility of conducting longer term studies on the impact of the MD on the flora of the GI tract and its relationship to digestive diseases.
Effect of target removal on goldfish optic nerve regeneration: analysis of fast axonally transported proteins

How is axonal transport in regenerating neurons affected by contact with their synaptic target? We investigated whether removing the target (homotopic) lobe of the goldfish optic tectum altered the incorporation of 3H-proline into fast axonally transported proteins in the regenerating optic nerve. Regeneration was induced either by an optic tract lesion (to reveal the changes in the original axon segment that remained connected to the cell body) or by an optic nerve lesion (to reveal the changes in the newly formed axon segment). Of 26 proteins analyzed by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and fluorography, all but one showed increased labeling as a result of tectal lobe ablation. By 2 d after the lesion, significantly increased labeling of some proteins was seen with a 6-hr labeling interval, but not with a 24-hr labeling interval. This is probably indicative of an increased velocity of transport, which may have been a nonspecific consequence of the surgery. Otherwise, tectal lobe removal had relatively little effect until 3 weeks, when there was a transitory increase in labeling of transported proteins in the new axon segments of the tectum-ablated animals. Beginning at 5 weeks, tectal lobe ablation caused considerably higher labeling of many of the proteins in the original axon segments. Because this was seen with both 6-hr and 24-hr labeling intervals, it is probably indicative of increased protein synthesis. The increased synthesis lasted until at least 12 weeks, though some proteins were beginning to show a diminished effect at this time. In the late stages of regeneration (8-12 weeks), there was also increased labeling of proteins in the new axon segments as a result of the absence of the target tectal lobe. This included a disproportionately large increase in the relative contribution of cytoskeletal proteins and of protein 4, which is the goldfish equivalent of the growth-associated protein GAP-43 (neuromodulin). We conclude that, after the regenerating axons begin to innervate the tectum, the expression of most of the proteins in fast axonal transport is down-regulated by interaction between the axons and their target. However, the changes in expression may be preceded by a modulation of the turnover and/or deposition of proteins in the newly formed axon segment.
The five E's in festival experience in the context of Gen Y: Evidence from a small island destination

Abstract The purpose of this study is threefold. First, to test the experience economy framework in the context of a small island destination (SID) in order to determine if a music festival may be used as an experiential product to lure a cohort replacement. Second, to examine a music festival's experiential domains that may influence the overall experience of Generation Y (Gen Y) tourists. And, third to determine if the overall experience of Gen Y tourists who attend a music festival may predict their behavioral intentions to return to and recommend a SID. The study investigates whether a music festival may be used as an experiential attraction to draw the Gen Y market segment to a SID as a cohort replacement for the baby boomer generation. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to test the application of the experience economy framework to a generational cohort's behavioral intentions after the consumption of an experiential product in the context of a SID. The study suggests that in the case of Gen Y it may be necessary to reference economic value as part of the second-order construct for overall experience in order to predict future intentions.
Understanding & Modeling State Stability: Exploiting System Dynamics

The potential loss of state stability in various parts of the world is a source of threat to U.S. national security. Every case is unique, but there are common processes. Accordingly, we develop a system dynamics model of state stability by representing the nature and dynamics of 'loads' generated by insurgency activities, on the one hand, and by articulating the core features of state resilience and its 'capacity' to withstand these 'loads', on the other. The problem is to determine and 'predict' when threats to stability override the resilience of the state and, more important, to anticipate propensities for 'tipping points', namely conditions under which small changes in anti-regime activity can generate major disruptions. On this basis, we then identify appropriate actionable mitigation factors to decrease the likelihood of 'tipping' and enhance prospects for stability.
Reshaping Metropolitan America: Development Trends and Opportunities to 2030

This book provides statistics about changes in population, housing, jobs, nonresidential space, and other key factors to shaping the built environment. Contemporary development trends are analyzed and shifts that will affect metropolitan areas in the coming years are identified. The ways in which redevelopment can meet new and emerging market demands by creating more compact, walkable, and enjoyable communities are shown. A policy agenda for reshaping America that meets the new market demand for sustainable places is outlined.
FUEL CELL SYSTEMS FOR VEHICULAR APPLICATIONS

The phosphoric acid fuel cell is used as the base line in these evaluations. Two cell sizes (15 and 60 kW) and two fuel options (methanol and propane) are included. Four vehicle types, the city bus, highway bus, delivery van, and general-purpose consumer car are selected for evaluation. Typical drive cycles and economics for these vehicles are compiled, and comparisons are made between the fuel-cell vehicle and current internal-combustion and diesel-engine vehicles. The conclusions of these evaluations are briefly related. Then, the initial results of two aspects of the fuel-cell-powered vehicle evaluation program ongoing at LASL are described. The first part of the program presents the results of detailed computer simulations to illustrate a number of the important system-design considerations in configuring a fuel cell/battery electric vehicle. The next program describes a fuel-cell-powered golf cart currently being used as an engineering test bed.
How Can We Trust an Autonomic System to Make the Best Decision

Autonomic computing has gained widespread attention over the last few years for its vision of developing applications with autonomic or self-managing behaviors (Kephart and Chess, 2003). New approaches to the design and implementation of autonomic systems have emerged, including the use of goal policies (Kephart and Walsh,2004), utility functions, intelligent monitoring, data mining, reinforcement learning, and planning. Unfortunately, these new approaches do nothing to reduce administrators' skepticism towards automation - how is an administrator to believe that an autonomic system will help his systems perform better? In this report, we describe an approach by which an autonomic system can win the trust of its users, and can continuously adjust itself to make better decisions based on the users' preferences
Electroporation-induced transformation of intact cells of Clostridium perfringens

Electroporation-induced transformation of intact cells of Clostridium perfringens 3624A with plasmids pAMB1 and pHR106 resulted in 3.8 X 10(-5) and 4.2 X 10(-4) transformants per viable cell, respectively. With respect to shuttle plasmid pHR106, these values represent a greater than 100-fold increase in transformation frequency when compared with the values reported with polyethylene glycol-induced L-phase variants.
Studies Related to Turbulent Flows Involving Fast Chemical Reactions

We report on a series of investigations concerned with turbulent flows involving chemical reactions in the simplest chemical system, fuel-oxidizer resulting in a single product. The conditions of the flow are assumed to be such that at a molecular level the reactions are infinitely fast. In this limiting case the properties of the turbulence determine the extent of chemical reaction. The physical picture of the chemical aspects of the flow which results from the assumption of “fast chemistry” and the experimental evidence to support this picture are emphasized. The mathematical consequences appropriate for the case of highly dilute reactions is then developed; it is shown that the crux of the problem of describing analytically the mean composition field resides in knowledge of rather detailed properties of a synthetic scalar quantity ζ whose behavior can be related to that of a passive scalar in turbulent flows, for example, temperature or the concentration of helium in helium-air mixtures. In particular, we show that if at each point in the flow in question we know the probability density function of ζ, then the mean composition and the mean rate of creation of each species is completely and readily determined. With this relation between ζ and the behavior of passive scalars in mind, we review recent data on the pdf’s of temperature and of helium concentration in order to indicate the various possibilities which must be taken into account in an adequate analysis. The role of intermittency is emphasized in this regard. The theoretical difficulties of an a priori calculation incorporating these possibilities are pointed out. Nevertheless, we show the results of some calculations of a two-dimensional mixing layer with fuel in one stream and with oxidizer in the second stream. The results show the expected finite reaction zone. We conclude by emphasizing the problems needing further attention before the analysis of even this simplest chemical can be considered to be in good order.
Identification of representative sampling heights for specific gravity and moisture content in plantation-grown loblolly pine (Pinus taeda)

Conventionally, increment cores collected at breast height (1.4 m) have been used to measure wood properties of standing loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees. This height has been used because of t...
A comparison of several different approaches for target tracking with clutter

Five different methods suitable for tracking single targets in clutter are compared: the nearest neighbor algorithm, the probabilistic multi-hypothesis tracking filter, the probabilistic data association filter, the mixture reduction algorithm, and the mean-field event-averaged maximum likelihood estimator. Across a range of clutter densities, comparison results were generated for a common, fixed set of Monte Carlo target, target measurement, and clutter measurement realizations. The relative performances, as measured by track lifetime, RMS tracking error, and computational complexity are compared.