cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Likeness of Lawlikeness

The thesis of this paper is that extensional language alone provides an essentially inadequate foundation for the logical formalization of any lawlike statement. The arguments presented are intended to demonstrate that lawlike sentences are logically general dispositional statements requiring an essentially intensional reduction sentence formulation. By introducing a non-extensional logical operator, the ‘fork’, the difference between universal and statistical laws emerges in a distinction between dispositional predicates of universal strength as opposed to those of merely statistical strength. While the logical form of universal and statistical laws appears to be fundamentally dissimilar on the standard account, from this point of view their syntactical structure is basically the same.
Modeling the Interplay Between Knowledge and Affective Engagement in Students

Two major goals in Educational Data Mining are determining students' state of knowledge and determining their affective state as students progress through the learning session. While many models and solutions have been explored for each of these problems, relatively little work has been done on examining these states in parallel, even though the psychology literature suggests that it is an interplay of both of these states that influences how a student performs and behaves. This work proposes a model that takes into account the performance and behavior of students when working with an Intelligent Tutoring System in order to track both knowledge and engagement and tests it on data from two different systems and explores the usefulness of such models.
Three-Stage Least Squares Analysis of Postrehabilitation Pavement Performance

Recent studies have provided improvements in the forecasting accuracy of pavement performance modeling, by statistically modeling pavement performance indicators as a system of seemingly unrelated regression equations (SURE). This approach accounts for cross-equation error correlation as a means to control for unobserved factors that lead pavements in poor condition to observe poor performance indicators. In the state of Indiana, the most common pavement performance indicators are the international roughness index (IRI), the rutting depth, and the pavement condition rating (PCR). Even though the first two indicators can be accurately measured, the PCR is based on engineers’ observations of the pavement surface. Therefore, it is possible that the PCR may be measured as a function of the observable IRI and rutting depth. This paper explores this possibility by estimating a three-stage least squares (3SLS) model of IRI, rutting depth, and PCR, using data collected between 1999 and 2011 in Indiana. All three ...
Father, Son and Holy Text: Rabindranath Tagore and the Upaniṣads

The intellectual and spiritual world of Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) was infused with the spirit of the ancient Upaniṣads. His love for the Upaniṣads was shaped in large part by his father, Debendranath Tagore, who had been an influential figure in re-invigorating the Vedantic theology of the Brāhmo Samāj, a reformist movement founded by Rammohan Roy in 1828. While the trajectory of Brāhmo-inspired Vedāntic thought from Rammohan to Rabindranath is well-known, the particular story of Rabindranath’s response to his father’s Upaniṣadic legacy merits greater attention for the window it provides into the existential factors shaping the religious views of modern India’s greatest poet. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Tagore’s birth, this essay offers an interpretation of the father-son dynamic that lies at the heart of Rabindranath’s Upaniṣadic vision.
Protective effects of memantine against ischemia-reperfusion injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Memantine, an uncompetitive NMDA open-channel blocker, has been shown to be effective in preventing neuronal damage after permanent focal cerebral ischemia. Reperfusion after a long period of ischemia may aggravate the progression of neuronal damage. Those drugs that show protective effects after permanent cerebral ischemia, therefore, might fail to do so against ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this study we evaluated the effects of memantine on brain edema formation and ischemic injury volume after transient cerebral ischemia. Male Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) weighing 250–300 g were anesthetized with halothane and subjected to 1 hour of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion by an intraluminal suture. 20 mg/kg of memantine or saline were injected intraperitoneally 5 min. after the induction of ischemia. Physiological parameters and regional cerebral blood flow were monitored during the surgical procedure. Brain water content and ischemic injury volume were measured with the wet dry method and 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride monohydrate (TTC) staining, respectively, at 24 hours after occlusion. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding physiological parameters during the procedure. Memantine treatment (n=9) reduced the brain water content significantly in the cortex compared to saline treatment (n=8; 83.1±0.7% vs. 84.5±1.5%, respectively, p<0.05). The total volume of ischemic brain injury was 300±49 mm3 in the animals treated with saline (n=13). Treatment with 20 mg/kg memantine (n=14) reduced the ischemic injury volume to 233±61 mm3 (P<0.01). These results demonstrate that the harmful effects of recirculation after a period of ischemia can be attenuated by the treatment of memantine, perhaps by its action at the NMDA receptors.
Nonallergic bronchial asthma.

Although the theory that bronchial asthma is a manifestation of allergy is often true, there are many patients with asthma in whom no allergen can be identified as the cause of paroxysms. This paper discusses methods of differentiating between allergic and nonallergic asthma and offers procedures to be followed in treating the latter type of the disease.
Shock waves generated by XeCl excimer laser ablation of polyimide in air and water

Pressure transients of several hundred bars with rise times of a few nanoseconds can be created by UV-laser ablation of organic polymers as well as of tissue.1,2 We demonstrate, we beEeve for the first time, that ablation of polyimide by 308-nm XeCl excimer laser radiation generates shock waves at fluences of several times the threshold of ablation. This is a significant finding, because a shock wave, characterized by a picosecond rise time and a supersonic propagation speed, differs qualitatively from an acoustic wave. Our measurements were intended to simulate the ablation of cornea at 193 nm, but are also relevant to material processing of lasers.
Nuclear Medicine Imaging in Genitourinary Oncology

Noninvasive diagnostic imaging with radioactive pharmaceuticals is often referred to as nuclear imaging or scintigraphy. General nuclear medicine texts offer technical details of nuclear imaging technology and the large pharmacopoeia of radiopharmaceuticals in clinical use and research. This chapter focuses on radiolabeled agents given intravenously in small, nontherapeutic trace amounts for scintigraphic tumor detection as part of disease staging and response evaluation in genitourinary (GU) oncology, including preeminent radiotracers in current use and selected new tracers now in trials, which likely will be more widely available in clinical practice to GU oncologists in the next 10 years. Sentinel lymph node scintigraphy is also discussed as a promising diagnostic adjunct for nodal staging being explored in certain GU malignancies.
An Exploratory Analysis of the Use of Stop-Offs in Physical Distribution Systems

In recent years freight consolidation has received increased attention as a way to reduce both transportation costs and investments in inventories and warehouse facilities both of which are desirable objectives in an environment of high interest rates and inflation. Research of freight consolidation reported in the literature has dealt only with one method or technique of freight consolidation, namely, pool distribution (Masters, 1980; Jackson, 1981).1 Besides pool distribution there are several other methods which can be employed to consolidate small orders into large shipments such as multiple tenders and stop-offs to load or unload. It is the purpose of this paper to present a detailed description of stop-offs through a review of the literature dealing with stop-offs and to present the results of an exploratory analysis of the use of stop-offs in physical distribution.
Looking Forward: Surgical Resection, Liver Transplantation, and Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

This is a review of recent clinical advances impacting the management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary liver malignancy, with an incidence in the USA of approximately 1.2 in 100,000. At present, there are no effective medical therapies, and thus far, the only potentially curative options include surgical resection or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by liver transplantation. Although surgical resection remains the standard of care, the majority of patients unfortunately present with unresectable disease. Hilar CCA arises in two subsets of patients: those with de novo disease and those with underlying inflammation, which in western countries is typically primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). For patients with early-stage unresectable de novo disease and for patients with hilar CCA arising in the setting of PSC, liver transplantation is the only surgical option and can achieve 65% 5-year survival. While surgical resection remains the standard approach for patients with resectable disease, determining resectability continues to be difficult, and careful consideration must be undertaken in this decision process. Recent changes in surgical technique, primarily the use of en bloc resection, have resulted in improved surgical outcomes. Because adjunct medical therapies remain limited, current work has aimed to identify prognostic factors influencing patient outcomes and to improve endoscopic detection of CCA through optimization of biliary fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). At present, surgical resection and liver transplantation continue to be the only effective treatment options for hilar CCA. Recent advances in treating hilar CCA have resulted in refinements of surgical technique, improvements in diagnostic testing, as well as the identification of prognostic factors impacting patient outcomes and survival.
Analysis of ? twinning via automated atomistic post-processing methods

twinning is the most prominent and most studied twin mode in hexagonal close-packed materials. Many works have been devoted to describing its nucleation, growth and interactions with other defects. Despite this, gaps and disagreements remain in the literature regarding some fundamental aspects of the twinning process. A rigorous understanding of the twinning process is imperative because without it higher scale models of plasticity cannot accurately capture deformation in important materials such as Mg, Ti, Zr and Zn. Motivated by this necessity, we have studied twinning using molecular dynamics, focusing on automated processing techniques which can extract mechanistic information generalisable to continuum scale deformation. This demonstrates for the first time the automatic identification of twinning dislocation lines and Burgers vectors, and the elasto-plastic decomposition of the deformation gradient inside and around a twin embryo. These results confirm predictions of most authors regarding the dislo...
The Quantum Origin of Life: How the Brain Evolved to Feel Good

Abstract Conscious behavior serves to optimize feelings, eg, Epicurean delight, “dopaminergic reward,” Freud's “pleasure principle,” spiritual bliss, and altruism (it feels better to give than to receive). However, Darwinian evolution is viewed as genetic survival, perhaps because science cannot yet account for feelings or consciousness (“qualia,” the “hard problem”). Sir Roger Penrose proposed mental properties including qualia accompany self-collapse of the quantum wave function by objective reduction (OR), a threshold in the structure of spacetime geometry. Such OR qualia would be occurring ubiquitously in random environments throughout the universe, but be noncognitive and merely protoconscious. The Penrose-Hameroff Orch OR theory suggests OR events in cytoskeletal microtubules within brain neurons are organized, or orchestrated by inputs, memory, and vibrational resonances, and terminate by orchestrated OR to give meaningful conscious moments. Supporting evidence for Orch OR includes (1) anesthetic gases act to erase consciousness in pi resonance quantum channels within microtubules, and (2) microtubules have quantum resonances coupled to mechanical vibrations, eg, in megahertz. On a grand scale, Orch OR implies life originated, and the brain evolved to orchestrate and optimize pleasurable protoconscious OR qualia present in the universe. It is suggested here that billions of years ago in the primordial soup, pi resonance clouds of dopamine-like amphipathic molecules coalesced within micelle-like precursors of biomolecules, organelles, and cells. In these quantum channels (collectively the quantum underground), quantum events were shielded from random, polar interactions, enabling more intense and pleasurable OR qualia. Pi stack geometry in micelles and biomolecules optimized OR qualia and precipitated life. Microtubules, and eventually the brain, evolved to orchestrate OR-mediated resonance, optimizing pleasure and its behavioral pursuits.
When Natural Disaster Follows Economic Downturn: The Incremental Impact of Multiple Stressor Events on Trajectories of Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether there were incremental mental health impacts, specifically on depression trajectories, as a result of the 2008 economic crisis (the Great Recession) and subsequent Hurricane Sandy. METHOD Using latent growth mixture modeling and the ORANJ BOWL dataset, we examined prospective trajectories of depression among older adults (mean age, 60.67; SD, 6.86) who were exposed to the 2 events. We also collected community economic and criminal justice data to examine their impact upon depression trajectories. Participants (N=1172) were assessed at 3 times for affect, successful aging, and symptoms of depression. We additionally assessed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology after Hurricane Sandy. RESULTS We identified 3 prospective trajectories of depression. The majority (83.6%) had no significant change in depression from before to after these events (resilience), while 7.2% of the sample increased in depression incrementally after each event (incremental depression). A third group (9.2%) went from high to low depression symptomology following the 2 events (depressive-improving). Only those in the incremental depression group had significant PTSD symptoms following Hurricane Sandy. CONCLUSION We identified a small group of individuals for whom the experience of multiple stressful events had an incremental negative effect on mental health outcomes. These results highlight the importance of understanding the perseveration of depression symptomology from one event to another. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:173-182).
Afrocentric Approaches to Social Work

This article explores the use of ‘Afrocentricity’ as a conceptual framework for social work practice and service intervention in African-based communities. As developed and defined by Asante (1980) , Afrocentricity is a theory of social change that affirms the importance of African history, culture, and values as a foundation for understanding the contemporary experiences of African descendant peoples throughout the world. This article will examine the emergence of the concept and advocates efforts to link Afrocentricity to social work practice in the African diaspora.
Beta-hydroxybutyrate reduces superoxide production in cultured U87 cells and hippocampal neurons: implications for metabolic therapy in cancer and CNS oxygen toxicity

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are signaling molecules implicated in the etiology of numerous pathologies including CNS oxygen toxicity (seizures) and cancer growth. Ketogenic diets have a profound ...
Hyperuniform flow fields resulting from hyperuniform configurations of circular disks

Motivated by cancer cell capture and sorting applications, we investigate the scalar velocity field of two-dimensional (2D) laminar flows through configurations of fixed congruent circular disks with a disordered hyperuniform (HU) distribution of the disk centers. Disordered HU many-particle systems suppress large-scale density fluctuations like perfect crystals and yet possess no Bragg peaks, and are endowed with many novel physical properties. Here, we generate 2D HU configurations of congruent nonoverlapping (hard) circular disks with various packing densities via Monte Carlo simulations and obtain the corresponding scalar velocity fields of laminar flows via the lattice Boltzmann method. Using numerical spectral analysis, we find that hyperuniform configurations of the disks can lead to hyperuniform flow fields for a certain range of disk packing fraction $\ensuremath{\phi}$ and normalized flow rate $q$ over porosity $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=1\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\phi}$. The degree of hyperuniformity of the flow fields, as quantified via the spectral density value at the zero-wave-number limit, reduces as $\ensuremath{\phi}$ and $q$ increase and eventually the fields become nonhyperuniform. The transition from HU flow fields to non-HU fields as $\ensuremath{\phi}$ and $q$ vary is captured using a ``phase diagram.'' For purpose of comparison, disordered nonhyperuniform configurations of circular disks are generated via the random sequential addition process and the resulting flow field is found to be nonhyperuniform. To complement our numerical analysis, we show analytically that HU configurations of circular disks, in the dilute (low-packing-density) limit, lead to HU flow field. Our findings have implications in the design and optimization of microfluidic chips for capture and differentiation of subpopulations in circulating tumor cells.
Male reproductive tract cilia beat to a different drummer.

From early embryonic development through adulthood, cilia play crucial roles in unicellular to multicellular organisms. Current taxonomy classifies cilia as two types: motile (conventional) and nonmotile. Motile cilia possess the classic 9 + 2 organization of microtubules, typical of multiciliated epithelia and spermatozoon flagellum, whereas nonmotile cilia characteristically lack the two central microtubules and are common in the primary cilium or monocilium (1). This simplified classification, however, does not accommodate all cilia, leading to calls for reexamining this classification scheme (2). In the embryonic node, some monocilia are motile and others are immotile. Motile nodal cilia have a sloping rotational movement that is essential for establishing left–right asymmetry (1). Patients with Kartagener’s syndrome show reverse orientation of organ development, immotile sperm, and ciliary defects in respiratory epithelium (3), suggesting that both types of cilia are affected. During development, cilia of choroid plexus epithelial cells begin as immotile primary cilia, and then transition through multiple primary cilia before undergoing motile multiciliogenesis after birth (2, 4), which is essential for cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) flow. Although motile nodal monocilia are important for fluid movement during the short period of embryonic development, most cilia responsible for fluid movement are found in differentiated epithelium as motile cilia with the classic 9 + 2 microtubule arrangement (5). The role of motile cilia extending into the extracellular space is generally assumed to be propulsion of fluid or particles suspended in the fluid through the luminal space of a given organ. In this scenario, cilia merely act as hockey sticks pushing luminal contents from one biological arena to the next. This kind of cilia is typically found in the central nervous system, the trachea and lungs, and the female and male reproductive tracts. Cilia-lined ependymal cells in the brain and spinal cord generate complex flow … [↵][1]1Email: rosenfeldc{at}missouri.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
The Sound of Fear

Within human society, vocalizations (words, sounds, and songs) are used to convey information or thoughts from the sender to the receiver. Just as surely as the elephants created seismic waves for greeting family and friends, we use words in an identical fashion. A friendly “hello,” “what’s up,” or “nice to meet you” are used as greetings and undoubtedly depend upon the familiarity of the two parties. Aside from these phrases, we use words and sounds to engage in two-way dialogues. Constructing sentences out of a series of vocalizations has the ability to powerfully transfer the feelings and objects in one person’s brain into the other person and vice versa. A back and forth of words can create structures for deep thought and is really the basis of modern human sociality.
Observations of patterned flow in slush on a small pond

Abstract This study documents cell planiforms resulting from natural convection in a pond located in northeastern Pennsylvania, U.S.A. The cell planiforms were recorded in a slush layer on the pond surface. Nine-hundred twenty-two cells were observed in a 1115 m2 portion of the pond. Cell diameter/depth ratios were typically between 2 and 5 consistent with the observed convection patterns. The conditions that allowed the convection patterns to be observed occur infrequently and provide insight into the types and scales of convection. Weakly supercritical conditions may have produced hexagonal and spoke convection patterns.
Depression and Anxiety in Children

This chapter reviews information about co-occurring anxiety and depression. There is a genetic predisposition for both of these mental health problems. Learning and parental behaviors also can influence the development of these disorders. A focus is to discuss treatment of symptoms to improve child functioning. Cognitive-behavioral techniques, including reframing negative thoughts with more positive ones and positive self-talk, can be helpful intervention techniques. Involvement in more social activities and graded exposure to overcome fears may be other interventions. Parental involvement in teaching new ways of thinking and acting may improve the success of treatment. School-based prevention programs are also reviewed. A case study involving peer bullying and depression for an anxious youth is presented. Interventions included using relaxation, an anxiety hierarchy, improving social involvement, and enhancing family communication.
Inhibition of TrkB kinase activity impairs transdiaphragmatic pressure generation

Signaling via the tropomyosin-related kinase receptor subtype B (TrkB) regulates neuromuscular transmission, and inhibition of TrkB kinase activity by 1NMPP1 in TrkBF616A mice worsens neuromuscular transmission failure (NMTF). We hypothesized that acute inhibition of TrkB kinase activity will impair the ability of the diaphragm muscle to produce maximal transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) without impacting the ability to generate forces associated with ventilation, consistent with the greater susceptibility to NMTF in motor units responsible for higher-force nonventilatory behaviors. Adult male and female TrkBF616A mice were injected with 1NMPP1 (n = 8) or vehicle (DMSO; n = 8) 1 h before Pdi measurements during eupneic breathing, hypoxia/hypercapnia (10% O2/5% CO2), tracheal occlusion, spontaneous deep breaths ("sighs") and during maximal activation elicited by bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation. In the vehicle-treated group, Pdi increased from ~10 cmH2O during eupnea and hypoxia/hypercapnia, to ~35 cmH2O during sighs and tracheal occlusion, and to ~65 cm H2O during maximal stimulation. There was no effect of acute 1NMPP1 treatment on Pdi generated during most behaviors, except during maximal stimulation (~30% reduction; P < 0.05). This reduction in maximal Pdi is generally similar to the worsening of NMTF previously reported with TrkB kinase inhibition in rodents. Accordingly, impaired TrkB signaling limits the range of motor behaviors accomplished by the diaphragm muscle and may contribute to neuromuscular dysfunction, primarily by impacting fatigable, higher force-generating motor units.NEW & NOTEWORTHY TrkB signaling plays an important role in maintaining neuromuscular function in the diaphragm muscle and may be necessary to accomplish the various motor behaviors ranging from ventilation to expulsive, behaviors requiring near-maximal forces. This study shows that inhibition of TrkB kinase activity impairs maximal pressure generation by the diaphragm muscle, but the ability to generate the lower pressures required for ventilatory behaviors is not impacted.
Regional planning as cultural criticism: reclaiming the radical wholes of interwar regional thinkers

This paper examines the first appearance of the term ‘regional planning’ in the 14th edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1929) in order to foreground the centrality of cultural criticism in the...
COVID-19: My Perspective

Lying in bed with covers nearly suffocating my face and head in a futile attempt to alleviate my chills, beads of sweat trickling down my face and a temperature to 102.9°F, I never imagined feeling this ill or experiencing such emptiness. I was alone and sick. The deep burning sensation in my chest
Construct validity of the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale among women high in eating disorder symptoms: a cross-sectional study.

The Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS), a measure of the ability to identify and describe one’s own and others’ emotions, may complement work with women with disordered eating symptoms. The study purpose was to (a) examine differences in hand (LEAS) versus computerized (e-LEAS) scoring methods and (b) examine the e-LEAS’ psychometric properties, including convergent and discriminant validity, among women endorsing eating disorder symptoms. Forty women (ages 18–21) scoring high on a self-report measure of disordered eating symptoms completed the LEAS and measures of convergent validity including a self-report measure of alexithymia (the perceived ability to identify and describe one’s own emotions) and a measure of facial affect recognition as well as discriminant validity, including affect and facial memory. Inter-rater reliability was assessed via a two-way mixed effects model and correlations between the LEAS and the study constructs were examined. Computerized scoring (e-LEAS) offered benefits over hand scoring and correlations between LEAS and e-LEAS were statistically significant. Better total emotional awareness scores on the e-LEAS were significantly associated with more perceived difficulty identifying and describing emotions. Better total emotional awareness scores were also significantly associated with better facial memory and greater depression scores. The e-LEAS showed weak associations with facial affect recognition. The e-LEAS offers practical advantages over the LEAS in the assessment of emotional awareness among women endorsing eating disorder symptoms. Results suggest that the e-LEAS measures the ability to describe emotional experiences in oneself and others, but not facial affect recognition. Level V: Evidence obtained from a cross-sectional descriptive study.
Evidence‐Based Practice Competence in Nursing Students Preparing to Transition to Practice

Background Opportunities to embed and evaluate evidence-based practice (EBP) competency in the clinical setting across nursing curricula are not well described in the literature. Aims This research aims to describe how clinical learning environments influence senior nursing students' integration of EBP competencies in their practice and perceptions of EBP competence development in a traditional baccalaureate nursing program. Methods A sequential, mixed-methods design was used with senior students upon completion of their last two clinical experiences in the nursing program. Students completed the EBP Work Environment Scale (Pryse, McDaniel, & Schafer, 2014) and semi-structured interviews. Findings Students appraised EBP Work Environments positively during preceptor-led experiences as opposed to instructor-led, group clinical experiences. Students described the evolution of emerging EBP competence throughout their nursing education and emphasized the importance of coursework in intentionally developing EBP competence. Linking evidence to action Assessment of clinical experiences and models that contribute to EBP competence is needed. Participants in this study emphasized the importance of coursework that builds on EBP competencies, and the tremendous value of nurse preceptors that encouraged growth in their ability to engage with EBP in clinical practice.
Abstract 15720: Transmembrane Stem Cell Factor Delivered in Nanocarriers Promotes Angiogenesis in Ischemia Without Mast Cell Activation

Introduction: The current standard cares for peripheral artery disease (PAD) include surgical revascularizations with bypass grafting or percutaneous interventions. However, these interventions can...
Interests and needs of eye care providers in clinical decision support for glaucoma

Objective To study whether clinicians who treat glaucoma are interested in using clinical decision support (CDS) tools for glaucoma, what glaucoma clinical decisions they feel would benefit from CDS, and what characteristics of CDS design they feel would be important in glaucoma clinical practice. Methods and analysis Working with the American Glaucoma Society, the Utah Ophthalmology Society and the Utah Optometric Association, we identified a group of clinicians who care for patients with glaucoma. We asked these clinicians about interest in CDS, what glaucoma clinical decisions would benefit from CDS, and what characteristics of CDS tool design would be important in glaucoma clinical practice. Results Of the 105 clinicians (31 optometrists, 10 general ophthalmologists and 64 glaucoma specialists), 93 (88.6%) were either ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ interested in using CDS for glaucoma. There were no statistically significant differences in interest between clinical specialties (p=0.12), years in practice (p=0.85) or numbers of patients seen daily (p=0.99). Identifying progression of glaucoma was the clinical decision the largest number of clinicians felt would benefit from CDS (104/105, 99.1%). An easy to use interface was the CDS characteristic the largest number of clinicians felt would be ‘very important’ (93/105, 88.6%). Conclusion Of this group of clinicians who treat glaucoma, 88.6% were interested in using CDS for glaucoma and 99.1% felt that identification of glaucomatous progression could benefit from CDS. This level of interest supports future work to develop CDS for glaucoma.
Reply to Liu et al.: Specific mutations matter in specificity and catalysis in ACE2.

In response to our recent publication describing affinity-enhanced, long−half-life ACE2-based receptor traps for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) neutralization (1), Liu et al. (2) point to their parallel work showing substrate-dependent peptidase activity of ACE2 active site mutants (3). Understanding the physiologically relevant ACE2 peptidase activity determinants is critical, as several groups are developing ACE2-based receptor traps with intact (4, 5), modestly attenuated (6), or ablated activity (1, 7, 8) to separate the effects of blocking on angiotensin II (Ang II) conversion. Toward this end, we introduced an H345L mutation that is postulated to form part of the oxyanion binding site (9); mutations in the oxyanion hole for zinc metalloproteases (10) are well known to disrupt the tetrahedral oxyanion in the transition state and dramatically … [↵][1]2To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: jim.wells{at}ucsf.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Why college students procrastinate in online courses: A self-regulated learning perspective

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine why college students procrastinated in online courses from a self-regulated learning perspective. A sample of 207 college students participated in this study. Using path modeling, the results showed that students' perceived content relevance and technology usability indirectly predicted academic procrastination through the roles of task value and emotional cost. Conscientiousness was also an important predictor of academic procrastination. Perceived instructor engagement and peer interaction did not predict academic procrastination. These findings revealed that academic procrastination in online courses was a complex phenomenon and stemmed from the interrelationships between college students' perceptions of learning context, personal characteristics, and motivational beliefs. Practical implications for addressing academic procrastination in online courses are discussed in this paper.
David Oliver: A vision for transparent post-covid government.

Among widespread calls for a public inquiry into England’s response to the covid-19 pandemic, the King’s Fund has proposed a potential framework for an inquiry under five key headings: “Intrinsic risk,” “Public health response,” “Healthcare system response,” “Measures in wider society,” and “Adult social care response.”1 All partly depend on the role of government and its agencies. I realise that a public inquiry can produce an evidenced narrative and recommendations, but the need and demand for one highlights a serious failure of open elected government and leadership at the highest levels. It shouldn’t take inquiries, whistleblowers, legal actions, investigative journalists, and public campaigns to get at truths that should already be in the public domain, even if we need policy analysis and health services research to make sense of the information. I want to imagine a utopian, post-covid-19 world, where transparency is the norm and where we openly acknowledge and learn from the positives, the failings, and the gaps in our response to this pandemic, …
The Politics of Work–Family Policies: Comparing Japan, France, Germany and the United States

Preface 1. Why work-family policies matter, and how best to study them 2. Demographic and policy trends in OECD countries 3. Familialist policies in France 4. Germany enacts change 5. Japan confronts low fertility and rapid aging 6. The US relies on families and markets 7. Evaluating work-family policies 8. Why the US can't be Sweden.
The Regulation of the Alternative Splicing of Caspase 9

THE REGULATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE SPLICING OF CASPASE 9 By: Rachel Wilson Goehe, Ph.D. A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Ph.D. at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010 Major Director: Charles E. Chalfant, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology The pro-apoptotic, caspase 9a, and the anti-apoptotic, caspase 9b, are derived from the caspase 9 gene by alternative splicing. This study demonstrates that the alternative splicing of caspase 9 is dysregulated in a large percentage of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors of the adenocarcinoma type. Furthermore, modulation of the levels of splice variants of caspase 9 had dramatic effects on the anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenic capacity of NSCLC cells. Due to these findings, the molecular mechanisms regulating the post-transcriptional processing of caspase 9 were therefore examined and an exonic splicing silencer (ESS) regulating the pre-mRNA processing of caspase 9 was identified. To study the possible RNA trans-factors interacting with this RNA sequence, we utilized an electromobility shift assay (EMSA) coupled with competitor studies and demonstrated three specific protein:RNA complexes for this ESS. Affinity purification and mass spectrometry analysis identified hnRNP L as part of these protein:RNA complexes. Downregulation of hnRNP L induced a significant increase in caspase 9a/caspase 9b mRNA ratio, which translated to the protein level. Expression of hnRNP L verified the siRNA specificity lowering the caspase 9a/9b ratio, but expression of hnRNP L produced the contrasting effect in non-transformed cells suggesting a post-translational modification specific for NSCLC cells. Indeed, the phospho-status of hnRNP L was significantly increased in NSCLC cells, and mutagenesis studies identified Ser 52 as a critical residue regulating the ability of hnRNP L to repress the inclusion of the exon 3,4,5,6 cassette into the xiv mature caspase 9 mRNA. The biological relevance of this mechanism was demonstrated by stable downregulation of hnRNP L in NSCLC cells, which induced a complete loss of both anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenic capacity. This effect of hnRNP L downregulation was due to distal modulation of the alternative splicing of caspase 9 as the loss of both phenotypes was “rescued” by ectopic expression of caspase 9b. Therefore, this study identifies cancer-specific mechanism of hnRNP L phosphorylation and subsequent lowering of the caspase 9a/9b ratio, which is required for the tumorigenic capacity of NSCLC cells.
The Fate of Nontargeted Endocardial Leads during the Extraction of One or More Targeted Leads in Pediatrics and Congenital Heart Disease

Introduction Extraction of targeted endocardial leads can lead to inadvertent damage or dislodgement of nontargeted leads, though the frequency of this has not been reported in pediatrics and congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods This is a retrospective review of lead extraction procedures from 2002 to 2010 from two pediatric and CHD centers evaluating unplanned interventions on nontargeted leads during the extraction of one or more targeted leads. Results Nontargeted leads were present in the 22 lead extraction procedures performed on 20 patients with median age 15 years (interquartile range, 11.5–18.5 years): 11 (55%) with structurally normal hearts and nine (45%) with CHD. Twenty of 23 targeted leads (86%) were extracted with complete success. Of the 22 nontargeted leads, including 17 atrial leads and five ventricular leads, seven (32%) required further intervention including: five extracted due to damage, dislodgement, or change in device location; one abandoned due to damage; and one dislodged requiring a second procedure for repositioning. The remaining 15 nontargeted leads (68%) were unharmed. Nontargeted leads requiring further intervention had a shorter lead duration in situ (median 2 years, interquartile range 0.5–3.5 years) than unharmed nontargeted leads (median 6.6 years, interquartile range 4.1–9.1 years; P = 0.01). Age at extraction, CHD, implantable cardioverter defibrillator leads, atrial lead position, or primary extraction modality did not predict further intervention for nontargeted leads. Major complications occurred in one procedure (4.5%) with no deaths. Conclusions In pediatrics and CHD, nontargeted leads are frequently damaged or dislodged during the extraction of targeted leads. The risk of lead damage or dislodgement has implications for procedural planning and counseling for patients and families of pediatric and CHD patients requiring lead extraction.
Development of a Non-Thermal Plasma Reactor Electrical Model for Optimum NOx Removal Performance

A double dielectric barrier discharge reactor driven by an alternating voltage is a relatively simple approach to promote oxidation of NO to No2 for subsequent reduction in a catalyst bed. The chemical performance of such a non-thermal plasma reactor is determined by its current and electric field behavior in the gap, and by the fraction of the current carried by electrons, because the key reactants which initiate the NO oxidation and accompanying chemical changes are produced there, mostly by electron impact. We have tried to determine by models and experiments the bounds on performance of double dielectric barrier reactors and guidelines for optimization. Model reported here predict chemical results from time-resolved applied voltage and series sense capacitor data.
Inference for volatility-type objects and implications for hedging

The paper studies inference for volatility type objects and its implications for the hedging of options. It considers the nonparametric estimation of volatilities and instantaneous covariations between diffusion type processes. This is then linked to options trading, where we show that our estimates can be used to trade options without reference to the specific model. The new options “delta” becomes an additive modification of the (implied volatility) Black-Scholes delta. The modification, in our example, is both substantial and statistically significant. In the inference problem, explicit expressions are found for asymptotic error distributions, and it is explained why one does not in this case encounter a biasvariance tradeoff, but rather a variance-variance tradeoff. Observation times can be irregular. A non-rigorous extension to estimation under microstructure is provided.
Staphylococcal acid phosphatase: preliminary physical and chemical characterization of the loosely bound enzyme.

At temperatures between 45 and 50 C, staphylococcal acid phosphatase purified 44-fold had maximal activity at pH 5.2 to 5.3. However, the enzyme was most stable in the alkaline range (pH 8.5 to 9.5) at temperatures below 50 C. Iodoacetate and ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid were effective inhibitors, whereas mercaptoethanol and Cu2+ acted as stimulators. The energy of activation for hydrolytic cleavage of the synthetic substrate, p-nitrophenyl phosphate, was 19.5 Kcal/mole. Km for the same substrate was 4.5 × 10−4m. The purified enzyme was most active against the substrates p-nitrophenyl phosphate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate.
Comments on the resulting equilibrium state of a system with adiabatic internal constraints

The extremum principle for the entropy of a compound system is investigated. It is shown that the extremum principle may or may not be satisfied for subsystems separated by an adiabatic wall. The question of the need for a new condition for equilibrium is raised.
H II Emission from a Complete Spectroscopic Survey of Be Stars in h and χ Persei

We describe data for emission-line B stars observed in a spectroscopic survey of h and χ Persei. The survey is complete to V = 12.5 and covers an area of ~1100 arcmin2 roughly centered on the two clusters. We detect 32 Be stars; some have low Hα emission strength. Seven of these are new identifications; seven others are confirmations of Be stars previously identified using photometry. Five of the observed Be stars show significant Hα profile variations from epoch to epoch. We show that spectral indices yield physical characteristics of the H II emission region. This automatic method is robust and easily applied to large spectroscopic samples. We infer Hα : Hβ flux ratios of 2–5 and observe a linear relationship between Hα emission and J-K color for these stars. We include a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for the B-type stars in the clusters.
Extrinsic and intrinsic forcing of abrupt ecological change: case studies from the late Quaternary

Summary 1. Abrupt changes and regime shifts are common phenomena in terrestrial ecological records spanning centuries to millennia, thus offering a rich opportunity to study the patterns and drivers of abrupt ecological change. 2. Because Quaternary climate changes also often were abrupt, a critical research question is to distinguish between extrinsic versus intrinsic abrupt ecological changes, i.e. those externally driven by abruptly changing climates, versus those resulting from thresholds, tipping points, and other nonlinear responses of ecological systems to progressive climate change. Extrinsic and intrinsic abrupt ecological changes can be distinguished in part by compiling and analysing regional networks of palaeoecological records. 3. Abrupt ecological changes driven by spatially coherent and abrupt climate changes should manifest as approximately synchronous ecological responses, both among different taxa at a site and among sites. However, the magnitude and direction of response may vary among sites and taxa. Ecological responses to the rapid climatic changes accompanying the last deglaciation offer good model systems for studying extrinsic abrupt change. 4. When abrupt ecological changes are intrinsically driven, the timing and rate of ecological response to climate change will be strongly governed by local biotic and abiotic processes and by stochastic processes such as disturbance events or localized climatic extremes. Consequently, at a regional scale, one should observe ‘temporal mosaics’ of abrupt ecological change, in which the timing and rate of ecological change will vary among species within sites and among sites. These temporal mosaics are analogous to the spatial mosaics observed in ecological systems prone to threshold switches between alternate stable states. The early Holocene aridification of the North American mid-continent and the middle-Holocene aridification of North Africa may be good examples of temporal mosaics. 5. Synthesis. Past instances of extrinsic and intrinsic abrupt change are of direct relevance to global-change ecologists. The former allow study of the capacity of ecological systems to quickly adjust to abrupt climate changes, while the latter offer opportunities to understand the ecological processes causing abrupt local responses to regional climate change, to test tools for predicting critical thresholds, and to develop climate-adaptation strategies.