cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Prior Knowledge on Decisions Made Under Perceptual vs. Categorical Uncertainty.

Humans use prior knowledge to bias decisions made under uncertainty. In this fMRI study we predicted that different brain dynamics play a role when prior knowledge is added to decisions made under perceptual vs. categorical uncertainty. Subjects decided whether shapes belonged to Category S – smoother – or Category B – bumpier – under both uncertainty conditions, with or without prior knowledge cues. When present, the prior knowledge cue, 80/20 or 50/50, indicated that 80% and 20% (or 50% and 50%) were the chances that responding "S" and "B" (or vice versa) would be correct. During perceptual uncertainty, shapes were degraded with noise. During categorical uncertainty, shapes were ambiguous. Adding the 80/20 cue increased activation during perceptual uncertainty in bilateral lateral occipital cortex and left middle frontal gyrus (MidFG), and decreased activity in bilateral lateral occipital cortex during categorical uncertainty. Right MidFG and other frontoparietal regions were active in all conditions. The results demonstrate that left MidFG shows activation changes, suggestive of an influence on visual cortex, that depend on the factor that makes the decisions difficult. When sensory evidence is difficult to perceive, prior knowledge increases visual cortical activity. When the sensory evidence is easy to perceive but difficult to interpret, prior knowledge decreases visual cortical activity.
Effect of Dietary Carbohydrate Composition and Availability on Utilization of Ruminal Ammonia Nitrogen for Milk Protein Synthesis in Dairy Cows

A trial with four ruminally and duodenally cannulated, late-lactation dairy cows was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary carbohydrate (CHO) composition and availability on ruminal ammonia N utilization and transfer into milk protein. Two diets were fed at 8-h intervals in a crossover design. The diets differed in CHO composition: the ruminally fermentable non-structural carbohydrates (RFSS) diet (barley and molasses) contained a larger proportion of ruminally available CHO in the nonstructural carbohydrate fractions and the ruminally fermentable fiber (RFNDF) diet (corn, beet pulp, and brewer's grains) contained a larger proportion of CHO in ruminally available fiber. Nitrogen-15 was used to label ruminal ammonia N and consequently microbial and milk N. Fermentation acids, enzyme activities, and microbial protein production in the rumen were not affected by diet. Ruminal ammonia concentration was lowered by RFNDF. Ruminal and total tract digestibility of nutrients did not differ between diets except that apparent ruminal degradability of crude protein was lower for RFNDF compared with RFSS. Partitioning of N losses between urine and feces was also not affected by diet. Milk yield and fat and protein content were not affected by treatment. Average concentration of milk urea N was lower for RFNDF than for RFSS. Proportion of milk protein N originating from ruminal microbial N (based on the areas under the 15N-enrichment curves) was higher for RFNDF than for RFSS. Cumulative recovery of 15N in milk protein was 13% higher for RFNDF than for RFSS indicating enhanced transfer of 15N-ammonia into milk protein with the former diet. The results suggested that, compared to diets containing higher levels of ruminally fermentable starch, diets providing higher concentration of ruminally fermentable fiber may enhance transfer of ruminal ammonia and microbial N into milk protein.
Frequency-dependent interference by magnetic fields of nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth in PC-12 cells

The authors have shown that 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields within the 5--10 microTesla ({micro}T) rms range cause an intensity-dependent reduction in nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation of neurite outgrowth (NO) in PC12- cells. Here they report on the frequency dependence of this response over the 15--70 Hz range at 5 Hz intervals. Primed PC-12 cells were plated in collagen-coated, 60 mm plastic petri dishes with or without 5 ng/ml NGF and were exposed to sinusoidal magnetic fields for 22 h in a CO{sub 2} incubator at 37 C. One 1,000-turn coil, 20 cm in diameter, generated vertically oriented magnetic fields. The dishes were stacked on the center axis of the coil to provide a range of intensities between 3.5 and 9.0 {micro}T rms. The flux density of the ambient DC magnetic field was 37 {micro}T vertical and 29 {micro}T horizontal. The assay consisted of counting over 100 cells in the central portion (radius {le}0.3 cm) of each dish and scoring cells positive for NO. Sham exposure of cells treated identically with NGF demonstrated no difference in the percentage of cells with NO between exposed and magnetically shielded locations within the incubator. Analysis of variance demonstrated flux density-dependent reductions inmore » NGF-stimulated NO over the 35--70 Hz frequency range, whereas frequencies between 15 Hz and 30 Hz produced no obvious reduction. The results also demonstrated a relative maximal sensitivity of cells at 40 Hz with a possible additional sensitivity region at or above 70 Hz. These findings suggest a biological influence of perpendicular AC/DC magnetic fields different from those identified by the ion parametric resonance model, which uses strictly parallel AC/DC fields.« less
Differential swimming performance of two natricine snakes exposed to a cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticide

Environmental contaminants have direct effects on organisms at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels, but the net results of these sub-organismal effects are only consequential to exposed populations if they alter organism-level traits that ultimately influence fitness (e.g., growth, locomotor performance, reproduction, and survival). Here, we explore the possibility that the swimming performance of neonate black swamp snakes (Seminatrix pygaea) and diamondback water snakes (Nerodia rhombifer) may be affected by exposure to carbaryl (2.5 and 5.0 mg/L). The highest concentration of carbaryl caused greater reductions in swim velocity in S. pygaea than in N. rhombifer. Most individuals recovered from the effects of carbaryl on swimming performance within 96 h, but recovery was significantly slower in S. pygaea than in N. rhombifer. We hypothesize that the sensitivity of S. pygaea may arise from its highly permeable integument compared to other natricines. Our findings suggest that performance can serve as an ecologically relevant response to contaminant exposure in reptiles and warrants further study.
Design and performance of an ultrawide-band ceramic-loaded slot spiral

The miniaturization of a broadband square slot spiral antenna is proposed using high-contrast (/spl epsiv//sub r/>30) dielectric materials. A previously developed circular slot spiral antenna is the starting point of the design. This spiral is first modified in terms of its feed and termination to facilitate the dielectric loading of the antenna by means of a superstrate. The subsequently placed superstrate is also modified by tapering its thickness to improve impedance matching. Several measurements were carried out using square spiral apertures having diameters of 2'' and 6'', respectively. It is demonstrated that the ceramic loading of a 2'' spiral with an /spl epsiv//sub r/=90 shifts the initial operating frequency by nearly 320 MHz down to 564 MHz representing a size reduction of 36%. Additionally, a 6'' aperture loaded with a superstrate having /spl epsiv//sub r/=30 is shown to operate down to 270 MHz corresponding to a size reduction of 18%.
Tracing firing technology through clay properties in Cuzco, Peru

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify changes in firing practices that occurred during a timeframe that saw the introduction of European kiln technology to the Andes (AD 900–1800). Pottery from an excavated context at the archaeological site of Aqnapampa in the southern highlands of Peru was examined for changes in paste recipes that adapted local materials to increased firing temperatures indicative of evolving firing technologies. Sherds (60) and fragments refired to 890 °C from 12 stratigraphic levels were compared by style, surface treatment, paste color, and vitrification structures (ESEM). Four technological phases of the Cuzco pottery sequence emerged and were used to evaluate the trajectory of a single decorative style (Killke). Previously thought to have been produced in pre-Inca times and curated into later periods, the Killke sherds presented evidence that the style was produced using technologies introduced in the Inca and Spanish Colonial Period.
A Discrete Event Simulation Model to Evaluate Operational Performance of a Colonoscopy Suite

Background and Aims. Colorectal cancer, a leading cause of cancer death, is preventable with colonoscopic screening. Colonoscopy cost is high, and optimizing resource utilization for colonoscopy is important. This study’s aim is to evaluate resource allocation for optimal use of facilities for colonoscopy screening. Method. The authors used data from a computerized colonoscopy database to develop a discrete event simulation model of a colonoscopy suite. Operational configurations were compared by varying the number of endoscopists, procedure rooms, the patient arrival times, and procedure room turnaround time. Performance measures included the number of patients served during the clinic day and utilization of key resources. Further analysis included considering patient waiting time tradeoffs as well as the sensitivity of the system to procedure room turnaround time. Results. The maximum number of patients served is linearly related to the number of procedure rooms in the colonoscopy suite, with a fixed ro...
Theorems and fallacies in the theory of long-range-dependent Processes

It is frequently claimed in the literature that long-range dependence has equivalent formulations in the time domain and the frequency domain. Although many researchers understand that this is only "operationally true," i.e., it holds in cases of interest, many state this equivalence as a mathematical theorem. In particular, it is claimed as a theorem in the literature that if a covariance function decays like one over a fractional power of n, then the corresponding power spectral density tends to infinity at the origin. It is shown here that the power spectral density need not exist. Conversely, if the power spectral density exists and tends to infinity at the origin, it is shown here that the covariance may not have the claimed decay. To conclude, a new theorem is proved that gives sufficient conditions on the power spectral density to guarantee that a process is asymptotically second-order self-similar (ASOSS). This result is used to provide a counterexample to the claim in the literature that asymptotic second-order self-similarity implies long-range dependence
Non-global social contracts: A note on inefficient social institutions*

This paper explores some perverse features that can emerge when social contracts are moved from a social vacuum to a setting of social interdependence. In particular we note incentives that might exist in conjunction with externality problems that yield situations in which: (1) social contracts reduce social wealth; (2) sub-global social contracts are Pareto inferior to the absence of social contracts; (3) there are no incentives for global social contracts. While previous works emphasized the benefits of contracts, this paper focuses on their costs. A conclusion reached is that perhaps justice and efficiency demand not a single global social contract but rather a rich melange of sub-global contracts with appropriate interstices of anarchy.
Rare Variants in Cardiomyopathy Genes Associated With Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy.

Background Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) is a poorly understood condition associated with periods of emotional and physical stress. The clinical approaches for management of SIC are supportive and reactive to patient symptoms. Objective To utilize next-generation exome sequencing to define genetic variation associated with, and potentially responsible for, this disease. Methods We performed exome sequencing of 7 white female patients with SIC. Filtering of the identified variants was performed to limit our investigation to those sequences that passed quality control criteria, were rare or novel, were determined algorithmically to have high impact on the associated protein, and were within regions of high species conservation. All variants were verified by using Sanger sequencing. Results Exome-sequencing analysis revealed that each patient carried predicted deleterious variants affecting known cardiomyopathy genes. In each case, the identified variant was either not previously found in public human genome data or was previously annotated in a database of clinical variants associated with cardiac dysfunction. Conclusion Patients with SIC harbor deleterious mutations in established cardiomyopathy genes at a level higher than healthy controls. We hypothesize that patients at highest risk for SIC likely live in a compensated state of cardiac dysfunction that manifests clinically only after the myocardium is stressed. In short, we propose that SIC is another example of an occult cardiomyopathy with a distinct physiological trigger and suggest that alternative clinical approaches to these patients may be warranted. Abbreviations CADD, Combined Annotation Dependent DepletionFPKM, fragments per kilobase pair of exon per million fragments mappedNHLBI GO ESP, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grand Opportunity Exome Sequencing ProjectPCR, polymerase chain reactionSIC, stress-induced cardiomyopathy.
The Emergence of Knowledge Analysis: Change and Knowledge Management in Large Law Firms

Knowledge management (“KM”) teams in large law firms have new internal customers: the managers of the firms, the finders who are generating new business, the marketing chairs who are positioning the firms and the finance directors who are struggling to price the professional services of the firms as they face increasing demand for creative alternative fee arrangements. This white paper outlines why these new customers of KM need more than reliable information and knowledge; they need analysis of information and knowledge to be able to do their job. KM is beginning to broaden its vision and expand its arsenal to meet these new challenges.
Characterization of a human milk factor that inhibits binding of HIV GP120 to its CD4 receptor.

Infants born to mothers infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at high risk for HIV infection, with reported rates of transmission of between 20 and 50%1–3. Breast milk has been suggested as one of the agents of transmission, based on reports of isolation of HIV from breast milk4, and on the seroconversion of infants breastfeeding on the milk of mothers who had recently seroconverted5,6. This has resulted in the medical dilemma that breastfeeding has been questioned in populations in which HIV is a major health concern, despite the knowledge that it is often these very populations in which breastfeeding has its greatest effect in reducing non-HIV associated infant morbidity and mortality7,8.
Ground and Excited State Dynamics of Blue Cu Active Site from Resonance Raman Spectroscopy of Azurin

Azurin belongs to a family of small blue (or type 1) Cu proteins known for their intense absorption near 600 nm, facile electron transfer dynamics, an axial or rhombic EPR signal with narrow hyperfine splitting constants (<60×10-4cm-1), and a wide range of relatively high redox potentials (170–680 mV). The Cu active site consists of three (conserved) strongly interacting ligands: one thiolate S atom from cysteine and two imidazole N atoms from histidines forming a distorted trigonal planar geometry with highly covalent Cu-ligand bonds (2.0–2.1 A) [1]. The crystal structures also implicate weaker (2.9–3.2 A) axial interactions with a thioether S atom from methionine, and, in the case of azurin, an O atom from the peptide carbonyl group.
A Convenient Seat in God's Temple: The Massachusetts General Colored Association and the Park Street Church Pew Controversy of 1830

Abstract The Massachusetts General Colored Association was the most advanced black civil rights organization of its day. In 1830, the MGCA backed a protest against segregated pews in Boston s Park Street Church, an event that provided a crucial opening for the alliance between black abolitionists and William Lloyd Garrison s New England Anti Slavery Society.
Niche partitioning among mule deer, elk, and cattle: Do stable isotopes reflect dietary niche?

AbstractWe examined dietary niches of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), North American elk (Cervus elaphus), and free-ranging cattle (Bos taurus) that frequently co-occur in western North America. We tested the hypothesis that those three species would exhibit little overlap in diet and that mule deer, the smallest in body size of the three species, would forage more selectively than either elk or cattle. We determined diet composition from microhistological analysis and used principal components analysis to assess dietary niches. In addition to those conventional methods, we also assessed whether dietary overlap among those three ruminants would be reflected in stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) from fecal pellets. Principal component 1 represented a foraging axis based on plant classes, whereas principal component 2 represented a continuum from grazing to browsing, which revealed complete separation among those three large herbivores. Similarly, δ13C and δ15N differed significantly among species and i...
Hosts and guests in early Cuba tourism

ABSTRACTDrawing upon travel narratives, this paper proposes that early tourist movements within Cuba depended on negotiated relationships between Cuban hosts and American guests, particularly invalids (acutely or chronically sick persons) in search of places to alleviate their illness. Nance's (2007) facilitated access model provides the theoretical framework. In this model, hosts are active players in negotiations with guests in contact zones where tourism development is rudimentary or even nonexistent. Invalid tourists, residing as guests on the estates of wealthy rural planters, primed local economies and helped pave the way for general tourism. Cuban planter-hosts lavished hospitality on invalid guests as a way to consolidate their social status with American elites, at the same time shielding them from the brunt of African slavery as a self-protective measure.
Submyeloablative Allografts for Hematologic Malignancies: Validation of a Prognostic Model Based on Pre-Transplant Variables.

Abstract Analysis of pre-transplant variables affecting the outcome of submyeloablative HSCT in 63 adult patients with hematologic malignancies identified refractory disease, poor performance status (ECOG 2/3), elevated LDH, and donor age >45 years as significant adverse prognostic factors (Mehta et al. ASH 2005, BMT 2006). The outcome of the next 28 patients treated identically was studied to see if the prognostic model developed from the first group was predictive of outcome of the second. The conditioning was 100 mg/m2 melphalan with (no prior auto) or without (prior auto) 50 mg/kg cyclophosphamide. GVHD prophylaxis comprised cyclosporine-mycophenolate (HLA-matched sibs) or tacrolimus-mycophenolate (others). G/GM-CSF were not administered routinely. All supportive care was uniform. As the table shows, the two groups of patients were comparable with reference to the major prognostic factors. Reference group (n=63) Test group (n=28) P Refractory disease 60% 64% 0.72 Performance status 2 or 3 25% 14% 0.28 Donor age >45 y 52% 61% 0.46 High LDH 44% 18% 0.21 The upper part of the first figure shows adjusted overall survival curves based on the number of adverse prognostic factors derived from the Cox model in the first 63 patients (reference group). The lower part shows actuarial overall survival of the next 28 patients by the number of adverse prognostic factors. Download : Download high-res image (137KB) Download : Download full-size image Similarly, the upper part of the second figure shows adjusted disease-free survival curves based on the number of adverse prognostic factors derived from the Cox model in the first 63 patients, and the lower part shows actuarial disease-free survival of the next 28 patients by the number of adverse prognostic factors. Download : Download high-res image (139KB) Download : Download full-size image As the figures show, the actual outcome of the second cohort of patients is similar to the outcome predicted by the prognostic model derived from the first cohort - validating the applicability of the model. It should be noted that the prognostic model may be different for other conditioning regimens. Also, while advanced patient age and HLA mismatch did not emerge as significant variables in this series, these variables need to explored further because the number of patients with these characteritics, expected to be adverse, was small (22% over 60 y and 12% HLA-mismatched). These data suggest that the combination of performance status, donor age, LDH, and disease chemosensitivity can be used to predict post-transplant prognosis in patients with hematologic malignancies. Identifying patients who are likely to experience a poor outcome post-transplant would then enable appropriate modification of the treatment regimen - such as reduction in the intensity of the regimen if toxicity is likely to be a concern, and intensification of the regimen and/or measures to augment graft-vs-tumor reactions if relapse is likely to be a concern.
New airbag technologies

The development of airbag modules requires safe fulfillment of legal standards and technical specifications. In many cases this means a limitation to the realization of new designs. With its vacuum folding technology and micro module concept, Takata-Petri offers an innovative approach to realize revolutionary or retro designs not alone in vehicle studies but also to bring them onto the streets as series applications.
Chronotropic Response and Cognitive Function in a Cohort at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

The objective of this study was to examine the association of chronotropic response (CR) and heart rate (HR) recovery- two indices of cardiovascular function within the context of a graded exercise test- with cognitive performance in a cognitively healthy, late-middle-aged cohort at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ninety participants (age = 63.52±5.86 years; 65.6% female) from the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention participated in this study. They underwent graded exercise testing and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment that assessed the following four cognitive domains: Immediate Memory, Verbal & Learning Memory, Working Memory, and Speed & Flexibility. Regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, and education, were used to examine the association between CR, HR recovery, and cognition. We found significant associations between CR and cognitive performance in the domains of Immediate Memory, Verbal Learning & Memory, and Speed & Flexibility. In contrast, HR recovery was not significantly associated with cognitive function. The association between CR and cognition persisted even after controlling for HR recovery. Together, these findings indicatethat, in a cognitively normal, late-middle-aged cohort, CR is a stronger correlate of cognitive performance than HR recovery. Overall, this study reinforces the idea that cardiovascular health plays an important role in cognitive function, specifically in a cohort at risk for AD; and that interventions that promote vascular health may be a viable pathway to preventing or slowing cognitive decline due to AD.
On the Lennard-Jones and Devonshire theory for solid state thermodynamics

ABSTRACTThe Lennard-Jones and Devonshire theory is developed into a self-consistent scheme for essentially complete thermodynamic information. The resulting methodology is compared with molecular simulation of the Lennard-Jones system in the face-centred-cubic solid state over an excessive range of state points. The thermal and caloric equations of state are in almost perfect agreement along the entire fluid–solid coexistence lines over more than six orders of magnitude in pressure. For homogeneous densities greater than twice the solid triple point density, the theory is essentially exact for derivatives of the Helmholtz energy. However, the fluid–solid phase equilibria are in disagreement with simulation. It is shown that the theory is in error by an additive constant to the Helmholtz energy A/(NkBT). Empirical inclusion of the error term makes all fluid–solid equilibria indistinguishable from exact results. Some arguments about the origin of the error are given.
Essay on Moral Marketer Behaviour: Beyond Corporate Social Responsibility:

Many marketing professionals have a myopic vision of their responsibilities to various constituencies as they are focused almost exclusively on their consumers. This strategy should come as no surp...
Abstract P280: Leptin is Associated With Lower Mortality in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease: The Heart and Soul Study

Background: Leptin is an adipocyte-derived cytokine that is thought to be involved in the link between obesity and cardiovascular disease. However, leptin has pleiotropic actions with both protective and harmful effects on the cardiovascular system. Prospective studies evaluating the association between leptin and cardiovascular outcomes have yielded conflicting results. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of 985 outpatients with stable coronary artery disease. Leptin levels were measured in fasting venous samples using the Millipore Milliplex Map kit. We used proportional hazards models to evaluate the association of baseline leptin levels with subsequent all-cause mortality. Results: Over a mean follow-up of 5 years, there were 270 deaths. Each standard deviation increase in log leptin predicted a 14% decreased risk of death (unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-0.97, p = 0.01). This association persisted after multivariate adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity and waist-to-hip ratio (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.97, p = 0.02). After additional adjustment for clinical characteristics (hypertension, history of myocardial infarction, history of congestive heart failure, diabetes, smoking, statin use, exercise capacity) and laboratory biomarkers (cholesterol, creatinine, C-reactive protein, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and cystatin C), the association remained strong (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.70-0.94, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Leptin is associated with decreased mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease. This association is independent of known factors affecting leptin levels, including gender and abdominal obesity. Whether leptin has direct effects on coronary artery disease, or functions as a marker of other protective pathways, deserves further study.
High temperatures are not responsible for lack of infection of citrus roots by Phytophthora citrophthora during the summer, but suppressive soil microorganisms may inhibit infection by P. citrophthora

In regions with a mediterranean climate such as southern California, P. citrophthora infection of citrus does not normally occur during the summer. However, in this study, P. citrophthora was isolated abundantly from alternative hosts planted in an infested citrus grove, in the middle of the summer. Citrus root infection from P. citrophthora did occur in this study but it was extremely low. Citrus seedlings grown in autoclaved soil from Pauma Valley, artificially infested with P. citrophthora, contained significantly higher levels of infection than seedlings grown in infested, non-autoclaved, soil or in part autoclaved, part non-autoclaved, infested soil. This suggests that the Pauma Valley soil contains microorganisms naturally suppressive to P. citrophthora.The low occurrence of P. citrophthora infection of citrus roots during the summer may be partially due to soil microorganisms associated with the citrus host and not the inability of P. citrophthora to grow well at the soil temperatures found during the summer in southern California.
[89-OR]: Elevated placental adenosine signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia

Objectives Although placental hypoxia has been speculated to contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE), the specific mechanisms linking placental hypoxia to the pathogenesis of PE are poorly understood. Adenosine (Ado) is a signaling molecule known to be induced by hypoxia and to orchestrate the cellular response to hypoxia. Our study aimed to examine the contribution of placental Ado signaling to the pathogenesis of PE. Methods We generated genetically-engineered pregnant mice with elevated placental Ado, resulting from the placenta-specific deficiency in adenosine deaminase (ADA), an enzyme that converts Ado to inosine. Additional pharmacologic and genetic approaches were taken to examine the significance of placental Ado signaling in these mice. To expand mouse studies to humans, we utilized human placenta samples and human villous explant culture. Results Pregnant mice harboring placentas with excess Ado due to the placental ADA deficiency displayed spontaneously-developed PE features including hypertension and proteinuria which appeared late in pregnancy and returned to base line postpartum, elevated production of sFlt-1, and small fetuses and placentas characterized by impaired vasculature. ADA enzyme therapy or genetically restoring ADA to the placentas of ADA-deficient mice successfully prevented all the defects in these mice by restoring normal Ado levels in the placentas. Among four Ado receptors, only the A 2 B Ado receptor (ADORA2B) was significantly increased in the mouse placentas with elevated Ado. Genetic deletion of ADORA2B prevented elevated placental Ado-induced PE features. Translational studies showed elevated Ado and increased ADORA2B in placentas of PE patients compared to normal controls. Finally, we demonstrated that ADORA2B activation directly induced FLT-1 gene expression and sFLT-1 secretion in cultured human villous explants. Conclusions Our studies revealed that elevated placental Ado coupled with ADORA2B activation is a previously unrecognized pathogenic placental signaling pathway contributing to PE and thereby highlights novel therapeutic targets. Disclosures T. Iriyama: None. K. Sun: None. N. Parchim: None. J. Lee: None. S. Blackwell: None. B. Sibai: None. L. Chan: None. T. Chan: None. M. Blackburn: None. R. Kellems: None. Y. Xia: None.
A Synthesis of Technology-Mediated Mathematics Interventions for Students With or at Risk for Mathematics Learning Disabilities:

With the increasing availability of technology and the emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, there is an urgent need to understand the impact of technology-mediat...
9 The same but different – variations in stakeholders’ priorities, views on randomisation and funding of prehospital critical care for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Aim Prehospital critical care for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a complex and largely unproven intervention. During research to examine this intervention, we noted significant differences in stakeholders’ views about research, randomisation and the funding of prehospital critical care for OHCA. Method We aimed to answer the following questions: What are stakeholders’ priorities for prehospital research? What are stakeholders’ views on randomisation of prehospital critical care? How do stakeholders consider allocation of resources in prehospital care? We undertook a qualitative framework analysis of interviews and focus group with five key stakeholder groups: patients and public, air ambulance charities, ambulance service commissioners, prehospital researchers and prehospital critical care providers. Results Despite sharing a common appreciation of the concepts of scientific enquiry, fairness, and beneficence, the five relevant stakeholder groups displayed divergent views of research and funding strategies regarding the intervention of prehospital critical care for the condition of OHCA. The reasons for this divergence could largely be explained through the different personal experiences and situational contexts of each stakeholder group. Many aspects of the strategies suggested by the stakeholder groups only partially aligned with principles of traditional evidence-based medicine, but were held with strong conviction. Conclusion Analysis of the views of five stakeholder groups regarding research and the funding of prehospital critical care for OHCA revealed shared values, but a variety of different strategies to achieve these. This knowledge can help researchers in similar fields in the planning and presentation of their research, to maximise impact on decision making. Conflict of interest Johannes von Vopelius-Feldt and Jonathan Benger work as prehospital physicians with the Great Western Air Ambulance. Funding This work is funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) doctoral research fellowship for Johannes von Vopelius-Feldt (DRF-2015–08–040). The funder is not involved in the design of the study or collection, analysis and interpretation of data, or in writing the manuscript. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
Inharmonic Spectra with a Rock Guitar Effects Pedal

10.1119/1.5064555.1Students in introductory physics courses encounter harmonics when they study standing waves on strings and in pipes. The Fourier spectrum, which plots amplitude against harmonic number, can describe all periodic tones imaginable. However, most sounds are aperiodic and therefore have additional spectral components. A real-world application that includes frequencies outside the harmonic series can be found in guitar pedal effects used by rock musicians. A four-minute video accompanying this paper includes the exotic sound of guitar playing when the guitar pedal adds inharmonic frequency components. The principle underlying the pedal effects discussed in this paper is balanced modulation. Some inharmonic spectra based on balanced modulation can easily be sketched after students have learned about timbre and Fourier spectra.
Abstract TP516: Mobile Health mHealth for Secondary Stroke Prevention is Feasible and Effective

Background: Evidence indicates inadequate access to secondary stroke prevention (SSP) in rural and poor urban areas. While self-management support (SMS) soon after stroke results in improvements, t...
Outcomes of Direct Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Without Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty Using a New Generation Valve.

Abstract Purpose We investigated the outcomes of patients who underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) with and without Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty (BAV) using the SAPIEN 3 (S3) valve. Methods All patients who underwent TAVR using S3 valve were included. The primary outcomes were the incidence of stroke and significant paravalvular leak (PVL). Secondary outcomes were the incidence of mortality, balloon post dilation, and need for permanent pacemaker . Results From July-2014 to April-2018, 34 (9%) patients underwent BAV prior to TAVR and 344 (91%) patients underwent direct TAVR without BAV using the S3 valve. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk score was similar between two groups; 5.8 ± 3.5 in no BAV group and 5.4 ± 3.3 in BAV group, p = 0.53. After TAVR, 6 (1.7%) patients in no BAV group but no patient in BAV group developed stroke (p = 1.0). No patient had severe PVL and only 5 patients (1.3%) had moderate PVL at 30-day; 4 (1.2%) in no BAV group and 1 (2.9%) in BAV group (p = 0.38). Forty-six patients (13.4%) in the no BAV group and 4 (11.8%) patients in the BAV group needed balloon post dilation (p = 1.0). Six (1.6%) patients died during hospitalization, all in the no BAV group (p = 1.0). Forty-five (11.9%) patients needed new pacemaker implantation ; 44 (12.8%) patients in no BAV group and 1 (2.9%) patient in BAV group ( p = 0.1). Two-year survival rate was 85% in no BAV group and 84% in BAV group (p = 0.46). Conclusions TAVR using S3 valves is associated with very low rates of post-TAVR stroke and significant PVL. Outcomes of direct TAVR are similar to the outcomes of TAVR with BAV, without an increased rate of stroke, significant PVL, or balloon post dilation.
The Religion of Chiropractic: Populist Healing from the American Heartland

Review of: "The Religion of Chiropractic: Populist Healing from the American Heartland," by Holly Folk.
Petroleum Distillâtes and Turpentine

Companion animal exposures to volatile hydrocarbons and turpentine accounted for 2% of all calls received by the IAPIC in 1987. Volatile hydrocarbons are also used as vehicle solvents (e.g., pesticides), and both vehicle and active ingredients pose a significant hazard to companion animals. The most significant clinical effects of the hydrocarbons are related to aspiration pneumonia. The likelihood of aspiration is generally related to the compound's viscosity, with more volatile and most widely available compounds posing the greatest risk. Treatment generally is conservative. Gastrointestinal decontamination methods (e.g., emetics and activated charcoal administration) are used only in massive ingestions or when other toxicants are present in conjunction with the hydrocarbons. Oxygen therapy and cage rest are recommended for the dyspneic animal. Close monitoring of an exposed animal and symptomatic care as needed are also recommended for at least 12 hours after exposure.
A New Digital Method for Assessing the Diversity of Creator Identities in the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library Media Services DVD Collection

ABSTRACTPopular discussions of representation within the media industry often focus on the sexual orientation, racial, or gender-identities of the production staff and performers. Although this giv...
Investigation of the effect of cement mixing energy on cement strength and porosity using NMR and UPV methods

Abstract Cement is a key element of wellbore integrity. Cement mixing conditions and how cement properties are affected are of great importance but often ignored in the oilwell cement design. The oilfield cement is a complex mixture of water, solids and other additives which are mixed together in order to produce expected properties in a very consistent manner. Evaluating and understanding cement properties becomes essential for the purpose of short- and long-term integrity of the wells. It is known that cement properties may change with downhole conditions such as pressure or temperature, but as shown in this paper, the mixing energy affects the short- and long-term development of cement properties. The major objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of mixing energy and curing time using destructive and non-destructive evaluation methods in order to evaluate their impact on different cement properties. By conducting comprehensive laboratory tests, new correlations have been developed that show the mechanical properties and changes of cement performance. Finally, a relationship between porosity (obtained from NMR) and UCS was generated as a function of mixing energy and shear rate. Furthermore, results of NMR testing and porosity measurements help to evaluate the impact of cement mixing condition on porosity development and pore size distribution.
Comparison of the mechanical properties between treated and untreated ham nets

In this study, 100% polyester mesh fabrics were used as ham nets. The nets were treated with 40% propylene glycol (PG), 1% propylene glycol alginate (PGA), and 1% carrageenan. The treated and untre...
3D printed mesh reinforcements enhance the mechanical properties of electrospun scaffolds.

There is substantial interest in electrospun scaffolds as substrates for tissue regeneration and repair due to their fibrous, extracellular matrix-like composition with interconnected porosity, cost-effective production, and scalability. However, a common limitation of these scaffolds is their inherently low mechanical strength and stiffness, restricting their use in some clinical applications. In this study we developed a novel technique for 3D printing a mesh reinforcement on electrospun scaffolds to improve their mechanical properties. A poly (lactic acid) (PLA) mesh was 3D-printed directly onto electrospun scaffolds composed of a 40:60 ratio of poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) to gelatin, respectively. PLA grids were printed onto the electrospun scaffolds with either a 6 mm or 8 mm distance between the struts. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to determine if the 3D printing process affected the archtitecture of the electrospun scaffold. Tensile testing was used to ascertain mechanical properties (strength, modulus, failure stress, ductility) of both unmodified and reinforced electrospun scaffolds. An in vivo bone graft model was used to assess biocompatibility. Specifically, reinforced scaffolds were used as a membrane cover for bone graft particles implanted into rat calvarial defects, and implant sites were examined histologically. We determined that the tensile strength and elastic modulus were markedly increased, and ductility reduced, by the addition of the PLA meshes to the electrospun scaffolds. Furthermore, the scaffolds maintained their matrix-like structure after being reinforced with the 3D printed PLA. There was no indication at the graft/tissue interface that the reinforced electrospun scaffolds elicited an immune or foreign body response upon implantation into rat cranial defects. 3D-printed mesh reinforcements offer a new tool for enhancing the mechanical strength of electrospun scaffolds while preserving the advantageous extracellular matrix-like architecture. The modification of electrospun scaffolds with 3D-printed reinforcements is expected to expand the range of clinical applications for which electrospun materials may be suitable.
“Nothing much had happened”: Settler colonialism in Hannah Arendt:

Hannah Arendt’s account of imperialism has become an unlikely source of inspiration for scholars invested in anti-colonial and postcolonial critique. However, the role of settler colonialism in her...
Quantifying Disciplinary Voices: An Automated Approach to Interactional Metadiscourse in Successful Student Writing:

This article reports on a study that explored cross-disciplinary variation in the use of metadiscourse markers in advanced-level student writing, put forward as a realistic target for novice writer...
Prolonged Remission of Major Depressive Disorder After Single Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Treatment.

Here, we present a case where a patient with severe recurrent treatment resistant major depression experienced full remission, which lasted more than one month, after a single nitrous oxide inhalation treatment.
These nanoparticles are just right

Optimizing nanoparticle size, charge, and route of delivery enables highly efficient and selective targeting of tumor-associated macrophages.
Computational method for optimizing segmented nonimaging concentrators

We propose a computational optimization method for designing segmented nonimaging concentrators with planar or tubular absorbers. Concentrators are represented as concatenated linear segments, forming a faceted reflector. Ray tracing is then employed to compute the optical concentration ratio equivalent for a given concentrator configuration. The user may chose to systematically optimize the locations of the concentrator vertices or the interior angles between adjacent segments. Since gradient-based solvers become easily trapped in local minima for this problem, generalized pattern search is used to obtain optimized concentrator configurations. For a small and fixed number of segments, we show that optimized segmented concentrators preform better than an equivalent number of uniformly spaced segments of the collocated ideal shape. We also show that concentrators with a lower number of segments are more robust to manufacturing errors.
Response Profiles of Retinal Ganglion Cells to Sinusoidal Electric Stimulation vary for Low vs. High Frequencies

Microelectronic retinal prostheses electrically stimulate retinal neurons with the goal of restoring vision in patients blinded by outer retinal degeneration. Despite some success in clinical trials, the quality of vision elicited by these devices is still limited. To improve the performance of retinal prostheses, our group studied how retinal neurons respond to electric stimulation. Our previous work showed that responses of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are frequency-dependent and different types of RGCs can be preferentially activated with a specific frequency and current amplitude. In the present study, we systemically examined responses of RGCs to sinusoidal electric stimulation with varying frequencies and amplitudes. We found that ON sustained alpha RGCs show distinct stimulus-response relationships to low and high frequency stimulation. For example, RGCs showed monotonic response curves to 500 Hz sinusoidal stimulation, whereas they showed non-monotonic response curves to 2000 Hz stimulation. We also described how increasing stimulus frequency gradually changed the response curves of RGCs.
Multiplex SARS-CoV-2 Genotyping PCR for Population-Level Variant Screening and Epidemiologic Surveillance

Emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with concerning phenotypic mutations is of public health interest. Genomic surveillance is an important tool for pandemic response, but many laboratories do not have the resources to support population-level sequencing. We hypothesized that a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) to genotype mutations in the viral spike protein could facilitate high-throughput variant surveillance. We designed and analytically validated a one-step multiplex allele-specific reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to detect three non-synonymous spike protein mutations (L452R, E484K, N501Y). Assay specificity was validated with next-generation whole-genome sequencing. We then screened a large cohort of SARS-CoV-2 positive specimens from our San Francisco Bay Area population. Between December 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021, we screened 4,049 unique infections by genotyping RT-qPCR, with an assay failure rate of 2.8%. We detected 1,567 L452R mutations (38.7%), 34 N501Y mutations (0.84%), 22 E484K mutations (0.54%), and 3 (0.07%) E484K+N501Y mutations. The assay had perfect (100%) concordance with whole-genome sequencing in a validation subset of 229 specimens, and detected B.1.1.7, B.1.351, B.1.427, B.1.429, B.1.526, and P.2 variants, among others. The assay revealed rapid emergence of L452R in our population, with a prevalence of 24.8% in December 2020 that increased to 62.5% in March 2021. We developed and clinically implemented a genotyping RT-qPCR to conduct high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 variant screening. This approach can be adapted for emerging mutations and immediately implemented in laboratories already performing NAAT worldwide using existing equipment, personnel, and extracted nucleic acid.
Great Valley Root

The production supervisor of a global equipment supplier is facing two problems on the factory floor: excess overtime on the assembly line and unacceptable manufacturing lead times through the entire production process. After calculating the capacity and throughput time of the existing system, students must determine the best alternatives to realize the dual goals of 50% reduction in overtime and 50% reduction in throughput time. Excerpt UVA-om-1509 Rev. Mar. 24, 2014 GREAT VALLEY ROOT Great Valley Root (GVR) was a leading global supplier of fuel-dispensing equipment. One of its key products was the Echo line of fuel dispensers. The production process for the Echo product line consisted of three distinct stages: (1) molding plastic parts, (2) automated machining, and (3) assembly. The molding and machining stages were independent of each other. They both produced parts that were sent to the assembly stage. (See Figure 1 for a depiction of the Echo production process.) Figure 1. Echo production process. Notes: Triangles represent inventory and rectangles represent production stages. . . .