cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of distal tubular chloride transport in Amphiuma kidney

To characterize the mechanism of chloride transport across individual cell membranes, experiments were carried out on early distal tubules in the doubly perfused Amphiuma kidney and net chloride flux, transepithelial and transmembrane cell potentials, and intracellular chloride activity measured. Net chloride flux was evaluated by a modified stationary microperfusion technique, and intracellular and intraluminal chloride activities by means of double-barreled liquid ion exchange microelectrodes. Control conditions were characterized by significant net volume and chloride reabsorption, a transepithelial potential difference of +9.0 +/- 0.5 mV (lumen positive), and cell chloride activities above electrochemical equilibrium across both luminal and peritubular cell membranes. Following luminal application of furosemide (5 X 10(-5) M) or perfusion with either a sodium- or chloride-free solution, net flux of chloride fell dramatically, the transepithelial potential difference was abolished, and cell chloride activity dropped sharply to approach electrochemical equilibrium. The decrease in transepithelial potential difference was fully accounted for by hyperpolarization of the basolateral cell membrane potential. These results are consistent with a furosemide-sensitive, electrically neutral sodium chloride cotransport mechanism across the luminal cell membrane.
Abstract 3712: The relationship of Procollagen alpha 1 type 1 (Col1A1) / DDR2 signaling in malignant glioma and sensitivity to STAT 3/5 inhibitor

We have previously shown that Procollagen alpha 1 type 1 (Col1A1) is found in low and intermediate grade glioma and in less aggressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (Cancer Invest. 23:577, 2005). However, these tumor cells are more prone to ER stress -inducing agents such as Befeldine (BFA) which block the transport of Procollagen to the cell surface. We also found that GBM cells which possess Col1A1 also express DDR2. The role of Col1A1/ DDR2 signaling in glioma is not known. We have used three GBM cell lines: Glioma1 established in our laboratory from a patient who progressed from grade 3 to grade 4, U-118, A-172 and U-373 to study this signaling pathway. Both Glioma1 and U-118 express Col1A1 and DDR1 and 2. A-172 and U-373 do not express Col1A1 but express both DDR2. U-373 does not express HSP47 which is an essential protein to fold collagen. In order to define the function of DDR2/ Col1A1 in GBM, we have used knock down COL1A1 and DDR2. Silencing Col1A1 leads to a significant increase in invasiveness by Matrigel assay which indicated that Col1A1 is important in preventing invasion in GBM and hence is found more in low and intermediate grade glioma. However, it has minimal effect on cell cycle or cell proliferation. Next, we have silenced DDR2 in all 4 cell lines and studied the biochemical changes. We found that silencing DDR2 does not affect cell proliferation, cell death or cell cycle. However, it does affect the sensitivity to BFA. In cell lines which possess Col1A1, the cell viability increased by 20 -30% (p Citation Format: Shumei Chen, Chunjing Wu, Ying-Ying Li, Medhi Wangpaichitr, Ronald J. Benveniste, James Turkson, Niramol Savaraj, Lynn G. Feun. The relationship of Procollagen alpha 1 type 1 (Col1A1) / DDR2 signaling in malignant glioma and sensitivity to STAT 3/5 inhibitor. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3712.
Operating under stress and strain [electrical power systems control under emergency conditions]

Power system control objectives for various levels and types of emergencies, e.g., overloads, faults, frequency drop, equipment damage, control system failure, are defined. Normal system operation, emergency prevention, emergency control, and recovery from emergencies are discussed. The need for ongoing research in power system control and for a concerted effort to develop an approach to system planning, design, and operation that properly recognizes all the system operating states and the state-transition mechanisms is emphasized. (LCL)
Vitamin D Nutrient-Gene Interactions and Healthful Aging

Abstract 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1,25D) is the endocrine metabolite of vitamin D that signals through binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The ligand–receptor complex transcriptionally regulates genes that encode factors promoting intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption plus bone remodeling, maintaining a skeleton with reduced risk of age-related osteoporotic fractures. 1,25D/VDR signaling further exerts feedback control of mineral ions via regulation of FGF23, klotho, and CYP24A1 to prevent age-related, ectopic calcification, and associated pathologies. Vitamin D also elicits xenobiotic detoxification, oxidative stress reduction, antimicrobial defense, immunoregulation, anti-inflammatory/anticancer actions, and cardiovascular benefits. 1,25D exerts neuroprotective actions against excitotoxicity, and induces serotonin mood elevator to support cognitive function and prosocial behavior. Nutrient, low-affinity VDR ligands including curcumin, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and delphinidin/anthocyanidins initiate VDR signaling, whereas longevity agents such as resveratrol and SIRT1 potentiate VDR signaling. Therefore, liganded VDR modulates the expression of a network of genes that facilitates health span by delaying the chronic diseases of aging.
Engineering Virus-like Particles for Antigen and Drug Delivery

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are nanoscale biological structures consisting of viral proteins assembled in a morphology that mimic the native virion but do not contain the viral genetic material. The possibility of chemically and genetically modifying the proteins contained within VLPs makes them an attractive system for numerous applications. As viruses are potent immune activators as well as natural delivery vehicles of genetic materials to their host cells, VLPs are especially well suited for antigen and drug delivery applications. Despite the great potential, very few VLP designs have made it through clinical trials. In this review, we will discuss the challenges of developing VLPs for antigen and drug delivery, strategies being explored to address these challenges, and the genetic and chemical approaches available for VLP engineering.
Blood loss at the time of surgical abortion up to 14 weeks in anticoagulated patients: a case series.

Abstract Objective To describe estimated blood loss (EBL) with surgical abortion ≤14 weeks’ gestation in anticoagulated patients. Study design We invited 170 clinicians involved in a professional listserv to report cases when they performed a surgical abortion on a patient ≤14 weeks’ gestation taking an anticoagulant. Clinicians reported EBL and bleeding-related complications (need for a blood transfusion, additional surgical procedures to treat bleeding). We contacted clinicians 30 days postprocedure to capture postoperative complications. Results Clinicians reported 52 cases between February 2011 and October 2013. Thirty percent of patients (16/52) stopped the anticoagulant with adequate time for the effects to abate prior to surgery (6 h for heparin, 24 h for low-molecular-weight heparin, International Normalized Ratio ≤1.7 the day prior to surgery for warfarin), while 69% (36/52) continued the anticoagulant either at therapeutic (25/36) or subtherapeutic (16/36) doses. Seventy-eight percent (28/36) of patients who continued the anticoagulant had an EBL of 50 mL or less compared to 88% (14/16) of those who stopped the anticoagulant with adequate time for its effects to abate (p=.73). Bleeding-related complications occurred in four anticoagulated patients and none of the patients who discontinued anticoagulant therapy. Conclusion Continuation of anticoagulation for planned surgical abortion under 84 days does not appear to be associated with heavy bleeding.
Management of Septic emboli in patients with infectious endocarditis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Septic emboli (SE) associated with infectious endocarditis (IE) can result in splenic abscesses and infectious intracranial aneurysms (IIA). We investigated the impact of SE on patient outcomes following surgery for IE. METHOD From January-2000 to October-2015, all patients with surgical IE (n = 437) were evaluated for incidence and management of SE. RESULTS Overall SE was found in 46/437 (10.52%) patients (n = 17 spleen, 13 brain, and 16 both). No mortality was seen in the brain emboli groups, but in the splenic abscess group the in-hospital mortality was 8.69% (n = 4); and was associated with Age >35 (OR = 2.63, 1.65-4.20) and congestive heart failure (OR = 14.40, 1.23-168.50). Patients with splenic emboli had excellent mid-term outcome following discharge (100% survival at 4-years). Splenic emboli requiring splenectomy was predicted by a >20 mm valve vegetation (OR = 1.37, 1.056-1.77) and WBC >12000 cells/mm (OR = 5.58, 1.2-26.3). No patient with streptococcus-viridians infection had a nonviable spleen (OR = 0.67, 0.53-0.85). Postoperative acute-kidney-injury was higher in the splenectomy group (45.45% vs 9%) (p = 0.027). There were 6 patients with symptomatic IIAs that required coiling/clipping which was associated with age <30 years, (OR = 6.09, 1.10-33.55). Survival in patients with cerebral emboli decreased to 78% at 3-4 years. Patients with both splenic and brain emboli had a 92% survival rate at 1-year and 77% at 2-4 years. CONCLUSION Septic emboli is common in endocarditis patients. Patients with high preoperative WBC level and large valve vegetations require CT imaging of the spleen. Both spleen and brain interventions in the setting of IE can be performed safely with excellent early and mid-term outcomes.
How international studies contributed to educational theory and methods through measurement of opportunity to learn mathematics

The international comparative studies in 1959 were conducted by International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) researchers who recognized that differences in student ...
Making Vaccine Messaging Stick: Perceived Causal Instability as a Barrier to Effective Vaccine Messaging.

Health officials often face challenges in communicating the risks associated with not vaccinating, where persuasive messages can fail to elicit desired responses. However, the mechanisms behind these failures have not been fully ascertained. To address this gap, an experiment (N = 163) tested the differences between loss-framed messages—one emphasizing the consequence of not receiving a flu vaccine; the other emphasizing the consequence of receiving the flu vaccine. Despite an identical consequence (i.e., Guillain–Barre syndrome), the message highlighting the consequence of not receiving the flu vaccine produced lower negative affect scores as compared to the message highlighting the consequence of receiving the flu vaccine. Mediation analyses suggest that one reason for this difference is due to non-vaccination being perceived as temporary and reversible, whereas vaccination is perceived as being permanent. Implications on health communication and future research are discussed.
Young Adult Cancer: Influence of the Obesity Pandemic

Objective The purpose of this article is to review the association of the obesity pandemic with appearance of cancers in young adults under age 50 and to define potential mechanisms by which obesity may accelerate the development of malignancy. Methods A comprehensive narrative review was performed to integrate preclinical, clinical, and epidemiologic evidence describing the association of obesity with cancer in young adults based on a search of PubMed and Google databases. Results Results from more than 100 publications are summarized. Although they differ in age groups analyzed and incidence of obesity, sufficient data exists to suggest an influence of the obesity pandemic on the increase of cancer among young adults. Conclusions Cancer in young adults is occurring with increasing frequency. Overweight and obesity have become major public health issues reaching pandemic proportions. Excess weight is associated with increased cancer risk, morbidity, and mortality. Multiple murine models indicate that obesity not only increases cancer incidence but also accelerates its development. Thus, the possibility exists that overweight and obesity may be contributing to the appearance of specific malignancies at younger ages. This prospect, in association with the worldwide expansion of obesity, suggests an impending explosive increase in obesity-associated cancers in young adults.
Detection and Quantification of Airborne Claviceps purpurea sensu lato Ascospores from Hirst-Type Spore Traps using Real-Time Quantitative PCR

The U.S. Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Washington are major producers of cool-season grass seed. Ergot, caused by fungi in the Claviceps purpurea sensu lato group, is an important seed replacement disease of grass worldwide. Microscopic methods that are currently used to quantify airborne Claviceps ascospores captured by spore traps are not currently rapid enough to allow for detecting and reporting of spore numbers in a timely manner, hindering growers from using this information to help manage ergot. We developed a SYBR Green real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based assay for fast and efficient detection and quantification of C. purpurea sensu lato ascospores from Hirst-type spore traps. Species-specificity of the qPCR assay was confirmed against 41 C. purpurea sensu lato isolates collected from six hosts and six other Claviceps spp. Significant relationships were observed between cycle threshold (Ct) values and standard curves of serial dilutions of DNA ranging from 1 pg to 10 ng (R2 = -0.99; P = 0.0002) and DNA extracted from a conidial suspension representing 8 to 80,000 conidia (R2 = -0.99; P = 0.0004). Ct values from qPCR were significantly correlated with results from microscopic examination of spore trap samples from the field (r = -0.68; P < 0.0001) and the procedure was able to detect a single ascospore from spore trap tape samples. The qPCR procedure developed in this study provided a means for quantifying airborne Claviceps ascospores that was highly specific and useful over a wide range of spore densities, and could be performed in a matter of hours instead of days. The qPCR assay developed in this study could be part of an integrated pest management approach to help grass seed growers make risk-based fungicide application decisions for ergot management in grass grown for seed.
Georeferenced Social Multimedia as Volunteered Geographic Information

We argue that georeferenced social multimedia is really a form of volunteered geographic information. For example, community-contributed images and videos available at websites such as Flickr often indicate the location where they were acquired, and, thus, potentially contain a wealth of information about what-is-where on the surface of the Earth. The challenge is how to extract this information from these complex and noisy data, preferably in an automated fashion. We describe a novel analysis framework termed proximate sensing that makes progress towards this goal by using the visual content of georeferenced ground-level images and videos to extract and map geographically relevant information. We describe several geographic knowledge discovery contexts along with case studies where this new analysis paradigm has the potential to map phenomena not easily observable through other means, if at all.
How should learning be structured in inquiry-based science instruction?: investigating the interplay of 1 st - and 2 nd -hand investigations

Inquiry-based elementary school science curricula present science learning as predominantly 1st-hand investigations where students directly interact with phenomena. Text-based experiences are limited and not generally integrated with 1st-hand experiences. We conceptualize inquiry instruction as the interplay of 1st- and 2nd-hand investigations that are text-based. Our study of 2nd-hand investigation utilized texts that are modeled after key elements of the notebook of a scientist. In an experimental study, we investigated the efficacy of four interplay conditions created by counterbalancing type of investigation (1st- or 2nd-hand) and context of investigation (ramp or table) for learning about the role of mass and force on the motion of objects. Participants were 4th grade students from a low SES working-class community. Results of non-parametric statistical tests of pre-post instruction items on a paper-pencil assessment indicated a preferred sequence and mode of investigation of contexts to support learning when 1st- and 2nd-hand investigations are in interplay. We argue that these results suggest it is possible and important to examine learning from instruction at this level of specificity.
Postharvest technology: Rice drying

Abstract Rice, depending on the cultivar and growing region, is typically harvested at 14%–24% moisture content on a wet basis. Soon after harvest, rice needs to be dried to ∼12.5% moisture content (MC) to minimize respiration rates and to inhibit microbial and insect growth. Dried rough rice is stored, then dehulled and typically milled before consumption or processing to other products. The rice drying methods use traditional and mechanical systems with different technological complexity and capacities for either on-farm or off-farm commercial operations. This chapter provides an overview of the basics of grain drying, drying methods and equipment, as well as impacts of the drying on the milled rice quality. In addition, the chapter sheds some light on recent advances in research related to alternative rice drying methods for addressing specific needs in the rice industry. The chapter narrative targets academicians, research engineers, extension professionals, and may also serve as a good reference guide for students, as well as rice growers and processors.
The Connected Intensive Care Unit Patient: Exploratory Analyses and Cohort Discovery From a Critical Care Telemedicine Database.

Background: Many intensive care units (ICUs) utilize telemedicine in response to an expanding critical care patient population, off-hours coverage, and intensivist shortages, particularly in rural facilities. Advances in digital health technologies, among other reasons, have led to the integration of active, well-networked critical care telemedicine (tele-ICU) systems across the United States, which in turn, provide the ability to generate large-scale remote monitoring data from critically ill patients. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore opportunities and challenges of utilizing multisite, multimodal data acquired through critical care telemedicine. Using a publicly available tele-ICU, or electronic ICU (eICU), database, we illustrated the quality and potential uses of remote monitoring data, including cohort discovery for secondary research. Methods: Exploratory analyses were performed on the eICU Collaborative Research Database that includes deidentified clinical data collected from adult patients admitted to ICUs between 2014 and 2015. Patient and ICU characteristics, top admission diagnoses, and predictions from clinical scoring systems were extracted and analyzed. Additionally, a case study on respiratory failure patients was conducted to demonstrate research prospects using tele-ICU data. Results: The eICU database spans more than 200 hospitals and over 139,000 ICU patients across the United States with wide-ranging clinical data and diagnoses. Although mixed medical-surgical ICU was the most common critical care setting, patients with cardiovascular conditions accounted for more than 20% of ICU stays, and those with neurological or respiratory illness accounted for nearly 15% of ICU unit stays. The case study on respiratory failure patients showed that cohort discovery using the eICU database can be highly specific, albeit potentially limiting in terms of data provenance and sparsity for certain types of clinical questions. Conclusions: Large-scale remote monitoring data sources, such as the eICU database, have a strong potential to advance the role of critical care telemedicine by serving as a testbed for secondary research as well as for developing and testing tools, including predictive and prescriptive analytical solutions and decision support systems. The resulting tools will also inform coordination of care for critically ill patients, intensivist coverage, and the overall process of critical care telemedicine.
Long-term olfaction outcomes in transnasal endoscopic skull-base surgery: a prospective cohort study comparing electrocautery and cold knife upper septal limb incision techniques.

Background Olfactory nerve fibers are at risk of injury during transnasal endoscopic skull-base approaches. Olfactory outcomes for various techniques have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aims to report long-term olfactory outcomes when a cold knife upper septal limb incision technique is used compared to monopolar cautery. Methods A prospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary referral center. Adult patients undergoing endoscopic approaches with septal incisions were randomized to cold knife or monopolar cautery groups. Patient demographics, clinical history, surgical data, and outcomes were collected. Preoperative, 3-month, and 12-month postoperative scores on the University of Pennsylvania Smell Inventory Test (UPSIT) and 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) were measured. Fisher's exact tests were performed for categorical variables and t tests were performed for continuous variables. Results Twenty-two (22) patients (10 cold knife, 12 cautery) were enrolled between March 2016 and August 2017. The average age ± standard deviation was 50.2 ± 14.0 years (p = 0.59), 54% (p = 0.69) were female, and the primary pathology was pituitary adenoma (73%, p = 1.00). Preoperative, 3-month, and 12-month postoperative UPSIT scores were similar between the cold knife and cautery groups (32.8 vs 32.4, p = 0.80; 33.1 vs 33.0, p = 0.96; 33.6 vs 33.3, p = 0.84). On the "sense of smell/taste" question of the SNOT-22, there was also no difference at all time points (p > 0.22). Conclusion There was no significant change in patient UPSIT scores 1 year after transnasal skull-base approaches, and no short-term or long-term differences between cold knife and cautery upper septal limb incision techniques. Our study supports an individualized approach based on surgeon preference.
PERCEPTION OF WELL BEING: A COMPARISON OF PUERTO RICAN AND COLOMBIAN SUGAR CANE WORKERS

ABSTRACT This is an analysis of the concepts of well being used by sugar cane workers in Puerto Rico and Colombia to describe their lives. Some concepts are common to the two groups and suggest structural similarities, but others are unique to one group, suggesting historical differences.
A critical review of reactive vapor deposition for conjugated polymer synthesis

Reactive vapor deposition (RVD) is a nascent, single-step processing method for forming electronic polymer films on unconventional substrates and is increasingly important for creating flexible and wearable electronics. RVD can be interpreted as a solvent-free synthetic technique, where multiple reagents converge in the vapor phase to effect a polymerization reaction. Here, we review reactive vapor deposition of conjugated polymers from a synthetic perspective, starting by establishing its roots in inorganic chemical vapor deposition, tracking its evolution over the recent decade, discussing state-of-the-art monomer and polymer scope, and concluding with an examination of shortcomings where increased attention from the synthetic community would yield impactful advances.
MBDA: A Valuable Tool for Medical Decision Making.

I read with interest the editorial by Dr. Roy Fleischmann on the limitations of the multibiomarker disease activity test (MBDA) in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)1. He provides a comprehensive review of some of the key studies of MBDA in clinical trials and concludes that the “MBDA has not met the test of being a biomarker that can predict who will or will not respond to a specific therapy, who will or will not be able to taper or stop therapy or who will or will not have radiographic progression.” While overall I tend to agree with him that this biomarker, along with ALL biomarkers, will fail to answer these questions in a binary fashion, I still disagree with his conclusions. Medicine in general and rheumatology in particular are professions immersed in diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainty. Rheumatologists share a ritual when confronting new patients with RA of appraising their disease activity and severity, … Address correspondence to Dr. L.H. Calabrese, Professor of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University 9500 Euclid Ave., Desk A50, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. E-mail: CALABRL{at}ccf.org
Continuous-Source Fuzzy Extractors: Source uncertainty and insecurity

Fuzzy extractors (Dodis et al., Eurocrypt 2004) convert repeated noisy readings of a high-entropy source into the same uniformly distributed key. The functionality of a fuzzy extractor outputs the key when provided with a value close to the original reading of the source. A necessary condition for security, called fuzzy min-entropy, is that the probability of every ball of values of the noisy source is small.Many noisy sources are best modeled using continuous metric spaces. To build continuous-source fuzzy extractors, prior work assumes that the system designer has a good model of the distribution (Verbitskiy et al., IEEE TIFS 2010). However, it is impossible to build an accurate model of a high entropy distribution just by sampling from the distribution.Model inaccuracy may be a serious problem. We demonstrate a family of continuous distributions ${\mathcal{W}}$ that is impossible to secure. No fuzzy extractor designed for ${\mathcal{W}}$ extracts a meaningful key from an average element of ${\mathcal{W}}$. This impossibility result is despite the fact that each element $W \in {\mathcal{W}}$ has high fuzzy min-entropy. We show a qualitatively stronger negative result for secure sketches, which are used to construct most fuzzy extractors.Our results are for the Euclidean metric and are information-theoretic in nature. To the best of our knowledge all continuous-source fuzzy extractors argue information-theoretic security.Fuller, Reyzin, and Smith showed comparable negative results for a discrete metric space equipped with the Hamming metric (Asiacrypt 2016). Continuous Euclidean space necessitates new techniques.
Der Effekt von Antrektomie und Gastroduodenostomie auf den Druck des unteren Oesophagussphinkter (UÖS) und Serumgastrinwerte

Exogenes Gastrin fuhrt in pharmakologischen Dosen zur Erhohung des Druckes am unteren Oesophagussphinkter [1]. Die Beobachtung, das Perfusion des Magens mit Saure und Alkali zu Sphinkterdruckanderungen fuhrt [2, 3], wurde durch Freisetzung bzw. Hemmung endogenen Gastrins erklart. Diese Theorie wird jedoch durch neuere Untersuchungen in Frage gestellt, die weder bei Alkalinisieren [4], noch bei Azedifizieren [5] des Magens Veranderungen im Serumgastrinspiegel nachweisen konnten. Um weitere Informationen uber die Bedeutung endogenen Gastrins fur die Aufrechterhaltung bzw. Regulation des UOS-Druckes zu gewinnen, wurden in der vorliegenden Untersuchung Sphinkterdrucke in Ruhe und nach Perfusion des Magens mit Saure und Alkali bei Patienten mit Antrektomie und normalen Kontrollpersonen untersucht.
Consumer Reaction to Energy Conservation Messages: An Experimental Design

An experimental design was utilized to test the effectiveness of different energy conservation messages. No treatment effects occured which lead to the conclusion that the respondents may regard energy conservation, in general, as a low interest, low involvement area. Given this situation, there may be more productive means of obtaining consumer energy consumption than through advertising.
Laser ablation at high repetition rate coupled to laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for analysis of non-matrix matched standards

Abstract Laser ablation at kilohertz repetition rate coupled to laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (kHz LA-LIBS) was used for the analysis of non-matrix matched metallic standards. Kilohertz LA-LIBS exploited the demonstrated advantages of the analytical technique referred to as laser-ablation laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LA-LIBS), while at the same time increased the amount of ablated mass available for analysis. By separating the laser ablation process from the excitation and analysis stages, every configuration of LA-LIBS has demonstrated to produce better analytical results during the analysis of non-matrix matched samples. This research reports the analytical response of five analytes (Al, Cu, Fe, Mg and Mn) from eight standard reference materials. The standards included four aluminum alloys, a high temperature alloy, a cupro‑nickel alloy, a stainless steel and a low alloy steel. The analytical performance of kHz LA-LIBS was evaluated through the estimation of the signal-to-noise ratio, relative standard deviation, linearity and y-intercept of calibration curves and limits of detection. Calibration plots relating the analyte concentration to the Fe-normalized (internal standard), peak-to-background and net intensities were constructed. The increased amount of ablated mass in kHz-LA-LIBS rendered superior figures compared with traditional LIBS and other LA-LIBS configurations. The limits of detection of kHz LA-LIBS were improved by 3 to 14 times as compared to those reported previously and were estimated in the range of 0.07 and 0.30% by mass.
Relationships between Local Green Space and Human Mobility Patterns during COVID-19 for Maryland and California, USA

Human mobility is a significant factor for disease transmission. Little is known about how the environment influences mobility during a pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate an effect of green space on mobility reductions during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland and California, USA. For 230 minor civil divisions (MCD) in Maryland and 341 census county divisions (CCD) in California, we obtained mobility data from Facebook Data for Good aggregating information of people using the Facebook app on their mobile phones with location history active. The users’ movement between two locations was used to calculate the number of users that traveled into an MCD (or CCD) for each day in the daytime hours between 11 March and 26 April 2020. Each MCD’s (CCD’s) vegetation level was estimated as the average Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) level for 1 January through 31 March 2020. We calculated the number of state and local parks, food retail establishments, and hospitals for each MCD (CCD). Results showed that the daily percent changes in the number of travels declined during the study period. This mobility reduction was significantly lower in Maryland MCDs with state parks (p-value = 0.045), in California CCDs with local-scale parks (p-value = 0.048). EVI showed no association with mobility in both states. This finding has implications for the potential impacts of green space on mobility under an outbreak. Future studies are needed to explore these findings and to investigate changes in health effects of green space during a pandemic.
Predicting language recovery in post-stroke aphasia using behavior and functional MRI.

Language outcomes after speech and language therapy in post-stroke aphasia are challenging to predict. This study examines behavioral language measures and resting state fMRI (rsfMRI) as predictors of treatment outcome. Fifty-seven patients with chronic aphasia were recruited and treated for one of three aphasia impairments: anomia, agrammatism, or dysgraphia. Treatment effect was measured by performance on a treatment-specific language measure, assessed before and after three months of language therapy. Each patient also underwent an additional 27 language assessments and a rsfMRI scan at baseline. Patient scans were decomposed into 20 components by group independent component analysis, and the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) was calculated for each component time series. Post-treatment performance was modelled with elastic net regression, using pre-treatment performance and either behavioral language measures or fALFF imaging predictors. Analysis showed strong performance for behavioral measures in anomia (R2 = 0.948, n = 28) and for fALFF predictors in agrammatism (R2 = 0.876, n = 11) and dysgraphia (R2 = 0.822, n = 18). Models of language outcomes after treatment trained using rsfMRI features may outperform models trained using behavioral language measures in some patient populations. This suggests that rsfMRI may have prognostic value for aphasia therapy outcomes.
Investment Performance of US High-Yield Real Estate Debt: An Empirical Analysis

This article uses a multimanager sample of loan-level data to assess the performance of commercial real estate (CRE) subordinate debt from 2010 through 2020. The author compares its performance to various real estate alternatives, including senior mortgage loans and real estate equity. Risk-return trade-offs within CRE subordinate debt are examined using a subsample of loans that originated and were fully realized during the sample period. TOPICS:CMBS and commercial mortgage loans, performance measurement, risk management, financial crises and financial market history Key Findings ▪ Over the sample period, average returns from subordinate CRE debt were higher than those produced by senior loans and lower than what real estate equity generated. Income was the main driver of return achieved by subordinate debt. ▪ Investors were, on average, compensated for taking on both greater financial risk (higher position within a property’s capital stack) and greater real estate risk (e.g., value-add vs. stabilized properties). ▪ During the sample period, loan defaults were infrequent. However, high loss severity caused meaningful effects on composite or portfolio outcomes.
Prognostic Utility of Serum Biomarkers in Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review:

Background. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10–20% of all strokes and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have identified serum biomarkers as a means to impr...
Methodological Issues in Zooarchaeology

The main goal of zooarchaeology, as a specialty within archaeology, is to interpret human and environment interactions based primarily on the animal remains recovered from archaeological sites. This chapter is not meant to be a comprehensive text on zooarchaeology; rather it is a guide to some of the analytical methods and terminology that are used commonly by practitioners of zooarchaeology. While each researcher has her/his own way of analyzing and interpreting animal remains, some methods, terms, and analytical tools are considered standard. The purpose of this chapter is to give the reader an overview of basic methodological issues and applications within zooarchaeology. I acknowledge that not all the faunal remains recovered from archaeological sites are related to subsistence activities; however, as the chapters included in this volume are centered on discerning s'bsistence behaviors through the integration of multiple datasets, I focus more on subsistence practices here. This chapter addresses taphonomic and recovery issues as well as sampling and analytical methods to enable the reader to understand the case studies included in this volume (for a similar treatment of paleoethnobotanical remains, see Wright, Chapter 3 this volume).
Leveraging Stress and Intrinsic Motivation to Assess Scaffolding During Simulation-Based Training

Instructional designers in the Simulation-Based Training (SBT) community are becoming increasingly interested in incorporating scaffolding strategies into the SBT pedagogical paradigm. Scaffolding models of instruction involve the adaptation of instructional delivery methods or content so that the learner may gradually acquire the knowledge or skill until mastery and independence are achieved [1, 2]. One goal for incorporating scaffolding models into SBT is to bridge the gap between trainees’ immediate knowledge and skill with their potential level of understanding when provided with scaffolded support. This gap represents an optimal level of learning often referred to as the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). ZPD may be maintained dynamically through the adjustment of instructional support and challenge levels [3]. Theoretically, for ZPD to be achieved, the training experience should be neither too easy nor too difficult. A challenge in implementing scaffolding in SBT and assessing its effectiveness is the lack of metrics to measure a trainee’s ZPD. Therefore, this study investigates the use of stress and intrinsic motivation metrics using the Dundee Stress State Questionnaire (DSSQ) and the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) to assess the level of challenge elicited by selected instructional strategies in SBT for behavior cue analysis. Participants completed pre-test, training, practice, and post-test scenarios in one of three conditions including a Control and two instructional strategy conditions, Massed Exposure and Highlighting. Participants reported their stress using the DSSQ after each training and practice scenario and overall intrinsic motivation using the IMI at the end of all scenarios. Results compared stress and intrinsic motivation levels between conditions. Ultimately, the results indicate that Massed Exposure strategy may be preferable to maintain ZPD during SBT for behavior cue analysis.
Dijet angular distributions at D0

Measurements of the dijet angular distributions are relatively insensitive to parton distribution functions and thus offer an excellent method of testing the LO and NLO predictions of perturbative QCD. The authors present measurements of the dijet angular distributions for {vert_bar}{eta}{vert_bar} < 3.0 in p{anti p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.8 TeV.
DIRECT VS. FISCAL-MONETARY CONTROLS: A CRITIQUE†

When the old farmer heard the word "prose" for the first time, the word had a strange sound, and it was a shock to him to realize that he had been -talking prose all his life. Perhaps the first observation that should be made, in an analysis of the use of direct versus fiscal-monetary controls, is that the society in which we live has been using direct controls in peacetime, to affect economic activity, for a long time. Among the most elementary examples is the prohibition of certain gainful occupations, for example, robbery and counterfeiting. Or consider child labor laws, the control of agricultural production which is a part of the farm price support program, or the regulation of public utility corporations. It is therefore pertinent to note that what is in point in today's discussion is not the use of direct vs. fiscal-monetary controls for economic ends in general-for no one on sober thought would deny the desirability of direct controls for certain economic purposes-but the use of these alternative types of control specifically to control the level either of employment or of prices.
Do endocrines play an etiological role in diabetic and nondiabetic sexual dysfunctions

Sexually dysfunctional diabetic and nondiabetic males were compared with a group of normal controls using different endocrinological, psychophysiological, and psychological parameters. One hundred male subjects participated in this study: 47 diabetics with sexual dysfunction (DD), 31 nondiabetics with sexual dysfunction (NDD), and 22 normal controls (C). They were evaluated by an internist (physical examination and medical history), a psychologist (psychological and sexual functioning tests), a psychiatrist (psychiatric history and mental status examination), a urologist (genitourinary physical examination), and an endocrine biochemist (evaluation of endocrine factors). Additionally, subjects were evaluated for nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) during three nights in the sleep laboratory to obtain a differential diagnosis of impotence, that is, psychogenic vs. organic. Both sexually dysfunctional groups showed significant differences on several measures in the psychological and psychophysiological evaluations. There were also significant differences between these two groups and the control group. Plasma levels of total testosterone and serum levels of prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) showed no significant differences among the three groups, but there were some significant correlations between the endocrine and psychological measures. No significant correlations were found between the endocrine and psychophysiological measures.
Biliary excretion of nicotinamide riboside. A possible role in the regulation of hepatic pyridine nucleotide dynamics.

Abstract Female rats fed approximately 5 mg/day/kg of body wt of nicotinic acid-14C excreted 10 per cent of the daily ingested label in bile and 57 per cent in urine. Approximately two-thirds of the label in bile was present as nicotinamide riboside. Chemical analysis of nicotinamide riboside indicates that about 7 μmoles/day/kg of body wt are excreted into bile. Chemical and radiochemical analyses both indicate that biliary nicotinamide riboside excretion may account for a major fraction of the hepatic pyridine nucleotide turnover. Nicotinamide riboside was not detected in urine, while 1-methylnicotinamide was present in urine but not in bile. Of the daily dietary intake, 6.7 per cent was excreted in bile as nicotinamide riboside while 19.6 per cent was excreted in urine as 1-methylnicotinamide. After intra peritoneal administration of 150 mg/kg of nicotinic acid or 500 mg/kg of nicotinamide, the hepatic NAD+ content increases 2 to 4-fold, accompanied by a marked increase in the turnover of this newly formed NAD+. The biliary excretion of nicotinamide riboside increases up to ten times the normal rate during this period of increased hepatic NAD+ turnover. The nicotinamide riboside excretion appears to be related to the elevation of NAD+ and is independent of whether nicotinic acid or nicotinamide is used as the precursor. Comparison of the biliary nicotinamide riboside excretion with published values for the urinary excretion of NAD+ metabolites during a similar hepatic NAD+ increase indicates that the biliary route may be a major pathway for the elimination of hepatic NAD+ metabolites. 1-Methylnicotinamide was not found in bile unless very large intravenous doses were given to animals with ligated renal pedicles. The possible role of the biliary system in pyridine nucleotide dynamics and the possible relation of biliary nicotinamide riboside excretion to the secretion of other organic cations into bile are discussed.
Location utility-based map reduction

Maps used for navigation often include a database of location descriptions for place recognition (loop closing), which permits bounded-error performance. A standard pose-graph SLAM system adds a new entry for every new pose into the location database, which grows linearly and unbounded in time and thus becomes unsustainable. To address this issue, in this paper we propose a new map-reduction approach that pre-constructs a fixed-size place-recognition database amenable to the limited storage and processing resources of the vehicle by exploiting the high-level structure of the environment as well as the vehicle motion. In particular, we introduce the concept of location utility - which encapsulates the visitation probability of a location and its spatial distribution relative to nearby locations in the database - as a measure of the value of potential loop-closure events to occur at that location. While finding the optimal reduced location database is NP-hard, we develop an efficient greedy algorithm to sort all the locations in a map based on their relative utility without access to sensor measurements or the vehicle trajectory. This enables pre-determination of a generic, limited-size place-recognition database containing the N best locations in the environment. To validate the proposed approach, we develop an open-source street-map simulator using real city-map data and show that an accurate map (pose-graph) can be attained even when using a place-recognition database with only 1% of the entries of the corresponding full database.
A New Method for Failure Detection and Location in Complex Dynamic Systems

A new man-machine method is proposed for detecting and locating failures in complex dynamic systems. The method compares the power variables of a system with their corresponding variables in an on-line computer model of the system. The model is cut or disaggragated in a special way to enable detection and location of system failures. The human operator is expected to set criteria for automatic discrimination, and, when alerted by the computer, make quick confirmation of the detection/location. Simulation tests with this method, still in progress, are quite promising.
Differences in one-year health outcomes and resource utilization by definition of prolonged mechanical ventilation: a prospective cohort study

The outcomes of patients ventilated for longer than average are unclear, in part because of the lack of an accepted definition of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). To better understand the implications of PMV provision, we compared one-year health outcomes between two common definitions of PMV as well as between PMV patients and those ventilated for shorter periods of time. We conducted a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from medical and surgical intensive care units at an academic tertiary care medical center. The study included 817 critically ill patients ventilated for ≥ 48 hours, 267 (33%) of whom received PMV based on receipt of a tracheostomy and ventilation for ≥ 96 hours. A total of 114 (14%) patients met the alternate definition of PMV by being ventilated for ≥ 21 days. Survival, functional status, and costs were measured at baseline and at 2, 6, and 12 months after discharge. Of one-year survivors, 71 (17%) were lost to follow up. PMV patients ventilated for ≥ 21 days had greater costs ($140,409 versus $143,389) and higher one-year mortality (58% versus 48%) than did PMV patients with tracheostomies who were ventilated for ≥ 96 hours. The majority of PMV deaths (58%) occurred after hospital discharge whereas 67% of PMV patients aged 65 years or older had died by one year. At one year PMV patients on average had limitations in two basic and five instrumental elements of functional status that exceeded both their pre-admission status and the one-year disability of those ventilated for < 96 hours. Costs per one-year survivor were $423,596, $266,105, and $165,075 for patients ventilated ≥ 21 days, ≥ 96 hours with a tracheostomy, and < 96 hours, respectively. Contrasting definitions of PMV capture significantly different patient populations, with ≥ 21 days of ventilation specifying the most resource-intensive recipients of critical care. PMV patients, particularly the elderly, suffer from a significant burden of costly, chronic critical illness and are at high risk for death throughout the first year after intensive care.
Dawn‐dusk asymmetries in the Earth's magnetosheath

[1] Statistical observations by the THEMIS spacecraft show a dawn-dusk asymmetry in plasma parameters within the Earth's magnetosheath. Proton density and temperature are greater on the dawnside while the magnetic field strength and bulk flow are greater on the duskside. The asymmetry has been measured just outside the magnetopause in the dayside magnetosheath through 1114 boundary crossings from 2008 through 2010. These results are compared with modeling from the BATS-R-US global MHD code and are consistent with the expected asymmetries that would result from the interactions of the Parker spiral interplanetary magnetic field with the Earth's bow shock. Solar cycle variations are analyzed for the current and past studies to predict the influence of upstream conditions during different time periods.