cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compliance, cooperation, and credibility: institutions and enforcement in California groundwater

The success of any groundwater management plan depends on user compliance. There is an intimate relationship between regulatory regimes and pumper perceptions. As well as its enforcement powers, an agency's behavior sends information to users. While enforcement power need not always be used to be effective, it must be seen as credible as well as legitimate. Perceived legitimacy has different sources – or may be lacking – depending on the origins, and implementation, of the regulatory apparatus. This paper examines a number of California groundwater basins, employing variables from Ostrom's analytical frameworks. In comparison with a West Australian regulated basin - where compliance is low, monitoring weak, and enforcement ineffective - we examine the effect on compliance of the adjudicated basin approach. We focus on the role of enforcement provisions, and their origins and implementation, in shaping appropriator attitudes towards compliance. Key attributes of effective systems include perceived legitimacy among users, mutual visibility of actions, and the credible threat of enforcement or sanction. We examine the extent to which 'administrative adjudications' may more cost-effectively provide the benefits of court adjudications. The paper illustrates that monitoring and enforcement are more effective and less costly when institutions encourage cooperation than when they promote competition. While norms, social capital, and trust must bear upon and inform the types of rules chosen at the collective-choice level, they also arise from the operation of those rules – i.e., from users' iterative reactions to the arrangements chosen. Groundwater management plans should incorporate design elements encouraging collaborative attitudes among users.
Bayesian policy search with policy priors

We consider the problem of learning to act in partially observable, continuous-state-and-action worlds where we have abstract prior knowledge about the structure of the optimal policy in the form of a distribution over policies. Using ideas from planning-as-inference reductions and Bayesian unsupervised learning, we cast Markov Chain Monte Carlo as a stochastic, hill-climbing policy search algorithm. Importantly, this algorithm's search bias is directly tied to the prior and its MCMC proposal kernels, which means we can draw on the full Bayesian toolbox to express the search bias, including nonparametric priors and structured, recursive processes like grammars over action sequences. Furthermore, we can reason about uncertainty in the search bias itself by constructing a hierarchical prior and reasoning about latent variables that determine the abstract structure of the policy. This yields an adaptive search algorithm--our algorithm learns to learn a structured policy efficiently. We show how inference over the latent variables in these policy priors enables intra- and intertask transfer of abstract knowledge. We demonstrate the flexibility of this approach by learning meta search biases, by constructing a nonparametric finite state controller to model memory, by discovering motor primitives using a simple grammar over primitive actions, and by combining all three.
Advances in implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy

ABSTRACTSince the first implant in 1980, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) technology has progressed rapidly. Modern ICD’s have hundreds of programmable options with the general goal of preventing inappropriate shocks and providing shocks for truly life threatening symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias. New studies on ICD programming have shown the benefits of prolonged detection intervals in reaching this goal. Anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy has become an important adjunct to defibrillator shocks. Remote monitoring technologies have surfaced which have been shown to identify arrhythmias and problems with the device in an expedient fashion. The subcutaneous ICD offers the advantage of avoiding intravascular leads and their inherent risks. Lastly, the current understanding of the effects of MRI in ICD patients has advanced creating new opportunities to provide MRI safely to such patients.
Perfusion and Diffusion Abnormalities of Multiple Sclerosis Lesions and Relevance of Classified Lesions to Disease Status.

Objective Hemodynamic abnormality and disruption of white matter (WM) integrity are significant components in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. However, the roles of stratified lesions with distinct degrees of hemodynamic and structural injury in disease states remain to be explored. We tested the hypothesis that hemodynamic and structural impairment, as assessed by cerebral blood volume (CBV) and fractional anisotropy (FA), respectively, characterizes the extent of tissue injury, and the load of lesion with substantial tissue destruction would reflect the disease status and therefore, would be related to clinical disability. Methods Seven relapsing-remitting MS patients and seven healthy controls underwent perfusion, diffusion and conventional MRI scans. Based on T2-FLAIR and T1-weighted image, WM plaques were classified. After image coregistration, values of CBV and FA were estimated in three distinct lesion types (active, T1-hypointense and T1- isointense lesion) and compared with those obtained in WM from controls. A total of 1135 lesions were evaluated. Brain volumetric measurement and correlative analysis between brain atrophy, lesion volume and clinical disability were also performed. Results Compared with normal WM, significantly reduced CBV and FA were present in the T1-hypointense lesion, while insignificant changes in both parameters were exhibited in the T1-isointense lesion. However, increased CBV but significantly decreased FA was detected in the active lesion. A close spatial relationship between active and T1- hypointense lesion was observed. Lesion load represented by T1-hypointense plus active lesion volume significantly correlated with brain atrophy, which, in turn, significantly correlated with the severity of clinical disability. Conclusion A distinct combination of CBV and FA characterizes the status of a specific lesion type. A severe structural impairment does not solely occur in the T1-hypointense lesion, but is also associated with the active lesion. The burden of the lesion with extensive structural damage provides an image index, indicative of disease status.
Optimizing Resident Care in Assisted Living Communities

A primary goal of assisted living communities is to help residents maintain their health and wellbeing. One method by which this is accomplished is that caregivers continually monitor residents for cues that might signal problems or concerns, and then respond appropriately. The critical role of knowledge in caregiving has been recognized in the literature, but the existent research has demonstrated that those who provide care directly to assisted living residents may be lacking critical facets of knowledge. Although psychological science has recognized the value of comparing novices to experts for the purposes of understanding and training skill development (e.g., Chi, 2006; Rogers, Maurer, Salas, & Fisk, 1997), the literature in this area has not examined caregiving as a function of expertise or experience. Therefore, we contend that a research priority should be to investigate the cognitive processes involved in detecting resident issues, including problem detection (i.e., using cues to make a judgment ...
The Constitutional Accuracy of Legal Presumptions

This paper identifies the general analytic structure of the US constitutional doctrine that demands, for any legal presumption, at least “some rational connection between the fact proved and the ultimate fact presumed.” Although presumptions pervade every legal domain, and despite over a century’s worth of case law, this doctrine’s rationale and structure remain obscure. The paper shows how the doctrine might be justified as requiring likely-accurate presumptions, as well as how lawyers and judges applying this doctrine face distinctive selection bias and reference class problems. The paper illustrates these issues with four examples: the McDonnell-Douglas presumption in employment discrimination law; the Bail Reform Act’s presumption about a bail applicant’s level of danger to others based on being charged with certain drug-sale crimes; res ipsa loquitor; and a presumed damages amount for emotional distress. In so doing, this paper contributes to the legal and philosophical literatures on presumptions in legal argumentation.
Replicating Four 'Quasi-Experiments' and Three Facts from Oberholzergee/Strumpf's Piracy Article

The influential piracy paper by Professors Oberholzer-Gee and Strumpf, although mainly based on proprietary data, contained an “important complement” to the main results, consisting of four “quasi-experiments” using publicly available data. This replication examines all of these quasi-experiments, narrowly using identical data and statistical methods, as well as in a broader sense by extending or augmenting the data or methods. The results of these replications are that the great majority of their claims are unsupported by the narrow replications and none of their economic conclusions hold up under narrow or broad replication.
The Early Years of Practice: An Assessment of Operative Efficiency and Cost of Free Flap and Implant Breast Reconstruction at an Academic Institution.

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term costs, and financial implications of improvements in operative efficiency of free flap and implant-based breast reconstruction within an academic practice. Methods The billing records of 162 patients who underwent postmastectomy implant-based or free flap breast reconstruction by two newly hired microsurgeons at an academic institution during the 2011, 2012, and 2013 fiscal years were reviewed. Actual data on professional revenue, relative value units (RVUs), and facility costs for the first stage of reconstruction as well as costs of postoperative complications were assessed. Results Free flaps consistently generated more revenue and RVUs than implants (p < 0.001). Rates of major complications and associated costs were greater for free flaps during the first 2 years of practice; however, by the 3rd year rates were similar between free flaps and implants (14.3 vs. 18.2%, p = 0.72). There was a 26% reduction in free flap operative time in 2013 as compared with 2011. Operative efficiency (hourly RVU) of first stage procedures increased each year for both modalities. At the completion of reconstruction, flaps and implants had comparable hourly reimbursement ($1,053 vs. $947, p = 0.72) and hourly RVU (22 vs. 29, p = 0.06). Conclusions Contrary to perceptions that free flap breast reconstructions are financially inefficient for the surgeon, we have found that these complex reconstructive procedures are profitable. Even in the early years of practice, hourly reimbursements from completed flap reconstructions are similar to reimbursements received from similar staged implant reconstructions.
Prospective Randomized Comparison of Intravesical with Percutaneous Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Versus Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin in Superficial Bladder Cancer

AbstractConflicting reports of the necessity for percutaneous bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) administration with intravesical BCG prompted us to evaluate its benefit in a randomized prospective comparison of intravesical versus intravesical with percutaneous BCG therapy. Intravesical Tice BCG was given in a dose of 50mg. with or without percutaneous BCG weekly for 6 weeks, at 8, 10 and 12 weeks, at 6 months and every 6 months thereafter. Tumor recurrence was documented in 13 of 30 patients (43%) receiving only intravesical BCG and in 15 of 36 patients (42%) receiving intravesical plus percutaneous BCG. The addition of percutaneous BCG to intravesical therapy did not increase treatment efficacy in this study.
The Application for Accreditation

Educational institutions seeking initial accreditation must first establish their institution’s commitment to pursuing the accreditation, determine if they are eligible, and then formally apply. To determine the institutional commitment, it must be emphasized to the educational community applying for accreditation that the effectiveness of self-regulatory accreditation depends largely upon an institution’s acceptance of certain responsibilities, including involvement in and commitment to the accreditation process (NASC 2002). An institution is expected to apply and then conduct a self-study within the interval specified by the accrediting body. At the conclusion of the self-study, the educational institution must be willing to accept an honest and forthright peer assessment of institutional strengths and weaknesses. For regional accreditation, the self-study will assess every aspect of the institution; involve personnel from all segments of the institution, including faculty, staff, students, administration, and the governing board; and provide a comprehensive analysis of the institution, identifying its strengths and weaknesses.
Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathies

The phenotypic variability associated with sodium channel alpha 1 subunit gene SCN1A mutations was studied in 188 patients with various infantile epileptic encephalopathies referred to the Universities of Adelaide and Melbourne, Australia; and centres in Glasgow, UK; Wellington, New Zealand; Montreal and Vancouver, Canada; Worcester, MD, USA, Israel, and Denmark.
Educating project managers in the 21st-century economy: a field study on the adoption of social and collaborative tools as low-cost alternatives for project communication

Social and collaborative tools such as instant messaging, e-mail, Facebook and the myriad of other social technology tools that support the 21st-century economies and their business communities, particularly the project teams, are redefining ways how they communicate today. Social media, for example, has not only broadened communication scope but has also helped to intensify global business development and competition. The paper reports the research experience of project managers in training on their field research into project teams that adopted collaborative and social media tools for project communication. The teams that were investigated represented organisations in consumer services, real estate and banking and finance. Two of the organisations are located in North Carolina (USA) and the other two organisations are located in Asia (Vietnam/Cambodia) and Mexico (South America). In the study, it was found that technology innovations such as collaborative and social media tools such as Skype, NetMeeting, SharePoint, Yammer and Twitter enabled the project teams to effectively communicate as well as support their development initiatives and information sharing. The banking organisation in Asia (Vietnam and Cambodia) in particular significantly deployed Skype, Yammer and SharePoint as low-cost alternatives and more economically effective tools for project communication and team work.
Response to Scott Gregory, “DAYDREAMING DYNASTY”

Ming Studies ISSN: 0147-037X (Print) 1759-7595 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ymng20 Response to Scott Gregory, “DAYDREAMING DYNASTY” Sarah Schneewind To cite this article: Sarah Schneewind (2016) Response to Scott Gregory, “DAYDREAMING DYNASTY”, Ming Studies, 2016:74, 100-103, DOI: 10.1080/0147037X.2016.1228885 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0147037X.2016.1228885 Published online: 12 Oct 2016. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 1 View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=ymng20 Download by: [University of California, San Diego] Date: 14 October 2016, At: 08:37
Pedagogies of Resistance and Survivance: Learning as Marronage

For anyone who is fascinated by the mystifying and quixotic nature of learning, places of formal schooling present an almost constant mixture of promise and heartbreak. Because schooling is undenia...
Enhancing reproducibility for computational methods.

Over the past two decades, computational methods have radically changed the ability of researchers from all areas of scholarship to process and analyze data and to simulate complex systems. But with these advances come challenges that are contributing to broader concerns over irreproducibility in the scholarly literature, among them the lack of transparency in disclosure of computational methods. Current reporting methods are often uneven, incomplete, and still evolving. We present a novel set of Reproducibility Enhancement Principles (REP) targeting disclosure challenges involving computation. These recommendations, which build upon more general proposals from the Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) guidelines ( 1 ) and recommendations for field data ( 2 ), emerged from workshop discussions among funding agencies, publishers and journal editors, industry participants, and researchers representing a broad range of domains. Although some of these actions may be aspirational, we believe it is important to recognize and move toward ameliorating irreproducibility in computational research.
Radiative transfer equation and direct simulation prediction of reflection and absorption by particle deposits

Abstract Two methods for computing the normal incidence absorptance and hemispherical reflectance from plane parallel layers of wavelength–sized spherical particles are presented. The first method is based on an exact superposition solution to Maxwell's time harmonic wave equations for a system of randomly–positioned spherical particles excited by an incident plane wave. The second method is based upon the scalar radiative transport equation (RTE) applied to a plane parallel medium. Comparisons are made using five values of particle refractive index, sphere size parameters ranging from 1 to 4, and particle volume concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.4. The results indicate that the multiple sphere T matrix method (MSTM) and RTE predictions of hemispherical reflectance and absorptance converge when particle volume fraction becomes small. At higher volume fractions the RTE can yield results for hemispherical reflectance that, depending on the particle size and refractive index, significantly depart from the exact predictions. On the other hand, RTE and MSTM predictions of absorptance have a much closer agreement which is largely independent of the sphere optical properties and volume concentration.
Cell Biology and Pathophysiology of α-Synuclein.

α-Synuclein is an abundant neuronal protein that is highly enriched in presynaptic nerve terminals. Genetics and neuropathology studies link α-synuclein to Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Accumulation of misfolded oligomers and larger aggregates of α-synuclein defines multiple neurodegenerative diseases called synucleino-pathies, but the mechanisms by which α-synuclein acts in neurodegeneration are unknown. Moreover, the normal cellular function of α-synuclein remains debated. In this perspective, we review the structural characteristics of α-synuclein, its developmental expression pattern, its cellular and subcellular localization, and its function in neurons. We also discuss recent progress on secretion of α-synuclein, which may contribute to its interneuronal spread in a prion-like fashion, and describe the neurotoxic effects of α-synuclein that are thought to be responsible for its role in neurodegeneration.
Therapeutic Hypothermia for Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury

Induced hypothermia or targeted temperature management has been studied as a potential therapy for improving outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to a lesser extent, spinal cord injury (SCI). Hypothermia has been clearly demonstrated to improve clinical outcome following cardiac arrest. Preclinical TBI models have shown efficacy. Unfortunately, to date, this is not true for clinical moderate to severe TBI in humans. The same is true for spinal cord injury (SCI). As a result, there is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of induced hypothermia for improving outcome following TBI or SCI. The one clinical condition for which induced hypothermia may be useful is reducing elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) that is recalcitrant to standard medical therapy.
Indications for gastrointestinal endoscopy in children

Gastrointestinal endoscopy has revolutionized the diagnosis and management of many gastrointestinal diseases and is now an integral part of the evaluation and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in children and adolescents. Endoscopic gastrointestinal procedures are now common in most major pediatric centres and they can be safely performed in small infants, including newborns. Over the past few years, experts in committees and scientific societies have been working to establish indications for performing gastrointestinal endoscopy in children. With the development of pediatric gastroenterology new diseases emerged and indications for performing endoscopies had changed. The aim of the present review article is to summarize the most recent data on the indications for performing endoscopy in the most common pediatric gastrointestinal disorders.
Tandem High-grade Stenoses in the Innominate and Right Internal Carotid Arteries Diagnosed with Carotid Duplex Ultrasound:

Peak systolic velocity criteria for assessing the severity of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis may be inadequate in the setting of a critical proximal lesion. A 54-year-old man with a history...
What Parents Think About the Risks and Benefits of Antibiotics for Their Child's Acute Respiratory Tract Infection.

Background Parental pressure is often cited as a reason for why pediatricians overuse antibiotics for children with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI). We sought to capture parent perceptions of antibiotics at the time of their child's presentation with an ARTI. Methods We conducted semistructured interviews with parents of children who presented with ARTI symptoms to 1 of 4 diverse practices in a large hospital-affiliated network of pediatric primary care practices. Parents were interviewed before their child was seen by the pediatrician and asked about their perceptions of antibiotics. Results Interviews were conducted with 109 parents. None of the parents said they planned to ask the pediatrician for antibiotics but instead expected to gain reassurance and a plan to minimize symptoms. Three perceptions about antibiotics were identified: parents have a sense of wariness when their child is prescribed antibiotics, they have an understanding that antibiotic overuse is a problem but that it is driven by the demands of other parents, and they have a preference for alternative treatment. The majority of the parents were not concerned about antibiotic resistance. In response to closed-ended questions designed to assess their level of concern with adverse effects, parents were most concerned with their child developing an upset stomach, having an allergic reaction, and experiencing diarrhea. The parents were not concerned with antibiotic treatment failure. Conclusions Parents in our study expressed a sense of caution about antibiotics and an awareness that they should be used judiciously. Our findings indicate that parents are aware of the downsides of antibiotics and might be willing to partner with healthcare providers to improve appropriate use.
New tricks for old dogs: improving the accuracy of biomolecular force fields by pair-specific corrections to non-bonded interactions

In contrast to ordinary polymers, the vast majority of biological macromolecules adopt highly ordered three-dimensional structures that define their functions. The key to folding of a biopolymer into a unique 3D structure or to an assembly of several biopolymers into a functional unit is a delicate balance between the attractive and repulsive forces that also makes such self-assembly reversible under physiological conditions. The all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) method has emerged as a powerful tool for studies of individual biomolecules and their functional assemblies, encompassing systems of ever increasing complexity. However, advances in parallel computing technology have outpaced the development of the underlying theoretical models-the molecular force fields, pushing the MD method into an untested territory. Recent tests of the MD method have found the most commonly used molecular force fields to be out of balance, overestimating attractive interactions between charged and hydrophobic groups, which can promote artificial aggregation in MD simulations of multi-component protein, nucleic acid, and lipid systems. One route towards improving the force fields is through the NBFIX corrections method, in which the intermolecular forces are calibrated against experimentally measured quantities such as osmotic pressure by making atom pair-specific adjustments to the non-bonded interactions. In this article, we review development of the NBFIX (Non-Bonded FIX) corrections to the AMBER and CHARMM force fields and discuss their implications for MD simulations of electrolyte solutions, dense DNA systems, Holliday junctions, protein folding, and lipid bilayer membranes.
Law as a Source of Democratic Principles and Public Administration

Countermajoritarian Difficulty: The concern that legal branches will overturn laws passed by democratically elected officials. Judicial Review: The ability of courts to examine whether laws or policies are in accordance with a state’s constitutional or legal framework. Rights-Bearing: The notion that citizens or humans are entitled to make certain claims against the government because of their status.
Bony Regrowth After Deep Lateral Orbital Decompression.

Purpose To report on 2 cases of late bony regrowth with clinically apparent proptosis after deep lateral orbital decompression for thyroid orbitopathy. Methods A retrospective review of 2 cases identified by the authors as having late bony regrowth. The authors review the clinical, historical, radiologic, and anatomical findings and discuss the significance thereof. Results Bony regrowth with bowing toward the middle cranial fossa is observed at postoperative month 8 in the first case. Cortical bone and marrow was observed to regrow at 2 years postoperatively in the second case. Both patients underwent successful repeat deep lateral orbital decompression with resolution of proptosis and clinical symptoms. Conclusions Late bony regrowth should be considered as a possible cause of recurrent proptosis after orbital decompression in thyroid eye disease.
Sustainable Urban Development

If there is a master trope applied to the growing concern regarding impending ecological disaster, it is the term ‘sustainable.’ This term or its common synonym, ‘green,’ is appended to myriad disciplines addressing a wide range of environmental conditions and human issues. Chief among these areas of concern is that of housing. Here ‘sustainable’ is paired with the trope most often proffered as a remedy to the conjoined threats of population explosion and economic disaster: ‘development.’ Taken together in the form of the phrase ‘sustainable development,’ these two terms therefore suggest that methods and strategies for securing an ecological and economical future are ready at hand.
Transferring Stroke Knowledge from Children to Parents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Community Stroke Educational Programs.

Abstract Background The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis on child-to-parent communication of stroke information (Child-Mediated Stroke Communication, CMSC) is to provide the highest levels of evidence supporting the role of this approach in community education. Methods Databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and CINHAL were searched to gather information on CMSC followed by a meta-analysis. The eligibility criteria were as follows: (a) children aged 9-15 years and parents, (b) randomized or nonrandomized trials, and (c) outcome variables that included the proportions of parents answering the pretest and post-test on stroke knowledge regarding risk factors, symptoms, and what to do in the event of stroke. Results Of the 1668 retrieved studies, 9 articles were included. Meta-analytical findings yielded that the proportions of correct answers for stroke symptoms and its risk factors among parents were 0.686 (95% CI: 0.594-0.777) at baseline and increased to 0.847 (95% CI: 0.808-0.886) at immediate post-test and 0.845 (95% CI: 0.804-0.886) delayed post-test. The proportions of correct answers for behavioral intent to call 911 when witnessing stroke was 0.712 (95% CI: 0.578-0.846) at baseline, rising to 0.860 (95% CI: 0.767-0.953) at immediate post-test, and 0.846 (95% CI: 0.688-1.004) at delayed post-test. Conclusions CMSC is effective for educating families. More work is needed to increase the use of validated stroke literacy instruments and behavioral theory, and to reduce parental attrition in research studies.
Million-fold Relaxation Time Enhancement across a Series of Phosphino-Supported Erbium Single-Molecule Magnets

Maintaining strong magnetic anisotropy in the presence of collective spin interactions has become a defining challenge in the advancement of single-molecule magnet (SMM) research. Herein we demonst...
Controversy about the “Bad Luck” Cancer Hypothesis Could Lead to a Useful Tool for Planning Primary Prevention Cancer Research

A controversial study has claimed that most cancer is due to random processes unrelated to external causes, i.e., bad luck. The controversy has obscured the study’s importance toward spurring scientific understanding of how best to prevent cancer.
Allowing RVNs to inspect practices.

I write in response to Josh Loeb’s report ‘Calls to allow RVNs to inspect practices’ ( VR , 18 May 2019, vol 184, p 607). While I don’t want to deprive Andrea Jeffrey of her ‘bottom dollar’, I can assure her that there are practices where veterinary surgeons and other non-registered veterinary nurse (RVN) staff administer Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) assessments. I also object to Jo …
Active Learning for Speech Emotion Recognition Using Deep Neural Network

Deep neural networks (DNNs) have consistently pushed the state-of-the-art performance in many fields, including speech emotion recognition. However, DNN-based solutions require vast amounts of labeled data for training. In speech emotion recognition, the cost and time needed to annotate data with emotional labels can be prohibitive. The available corpora normally have a few thousand recordings collected by a limited number of speakers. As a result, models trained on such corpora fail to generalize to samples from new domains. This study explores practical solutions to train DNNs for speech emotion recognition with limited resources by using active learning (AL). We assume that data without emotional labels from a new domain are available and we have resources to select a limited number of recordings to be annotated with emotional labels. We actively select samples using greedy sampling (GS) and uncertainty-based methods, evaluating the performance on regression problems where the goal is to predict scores for arousal and valence. We show that the use of active learning leads to competitive performance with limited training data.
Marijuana Use in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: JACC Review Topic of the Week.

Marijuana use is increasing as more states are legalizing cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes. National survey data estimate that >2 million Americans with established cardiovascular diseases currently use or have used marijuana in its variety of forms, including inhalation and vaping. Cannabinoid receptors are distributed in multiple tissue beds and cells, including platelets, adipose tissue, and myocytes. Observational data suggest associations between marijuana and a broad range of adverse cardiovascular risks. Marijuana is becoming increasingly potent, and smoking marijuana carries many of the same cardiovascular health hazards as smoking tobacco. Synthetic cannabinoids have been linked to more sustained and deleterious pharmacodynamic effects. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance, thus limiting its rigorous study for cardiovascular health effects. This review summarizes cardiovascular considerations related to marijuana use, pharmacological interactions, and future steps to provide clearer guidance regarding its cardiovascular safety. Screening for marijuana use is encouraged, especially in young patients presenting with cardiovascular disease.
Analysis on the results of sputum culture from 147 smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis cases after treatment for 2 months

Objective To analyze the results of sputum culture from smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis cases after treatment for 2 months.Methods Sputum specimens from newly diagnosed 147 smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis cases after treatment for 2 months were fast cultured by BacT/ALERT 3D.Poeitive cultures were further detected by HAIN test in Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and prevention and compared with L-J meditun.Results Mycobacteria were found in 45 specimens by Bact/ALERT 3D in contrast to 22 by Lonswtein-Jenson method.The median time was 19.3 days for the whole Bact/ALERT 3D test while the whole procedure would cost 3 months for traditional L-J test.Conclusion Results from sputum smear could not reflect tuberculosis progress properly while BacT/ALERT 3D fast culture would help to find drug resistant patients promptly and accurately. Key words: Tuberculosis,pulmonary; Fast medium culture; HAIN test; Bacterial typing techniques; Sputum
An improved 4′-aminomethyltrioxsalen-based nucleic acid crosslinker for biotinylation of double-stranded DNA or RNA

Nucleic acid crosslinkers that covalently join complementary strands of DNA/RNA have applications in both pharmaceuticals and as biochemical probes. Psoralen is a popular crosslinking moiety that reacts with double stranded DNA and RNA upon exposure to longwave UV light. The commercially available compound EZ-link psoralen-PEG3-biotin has been used in numerous studies to crosslink DNA and double-stranded RNA for genome-wide investigations. Here we present a new probe, AP3B, which uses the psoralen derivative, 4′-aminomethyltrioxsalen, to crosslink and biotinylate nucleic acids. We show that AP3B is 4 to 5 times more effective at labeling DNA in cells and produces a comparable number of crosslinks with over 100 times less compound and less exposure to UV light in vitro than EZ-link psoralen-PEG3-biotin.
Personalized Distance-Learning Experience through Virtual Oral Examinations in an Undergraduate Biochemistry Course

In-person interactions between faculty and students personalize the learning experience and are the hallmark of primarily undergraduate institutions. These invaluable student–faculty interactions were disrupted during the 2019 SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic and led to a rapid, unprecedented shift to distance-learning. Within the space of virtual distance-learning, individualized interactions and assessments of student-learning were largely relegated to online exams and quizzes administered via computer randomized multiple-choice, matching, true–false, and fill-in-the-blank type questions. This article describes the implementation of a virtual oral examination in an undergraduate biochemistry course at Towson University. Individual oral exams were arranged during the last 2 weeks of the semester and replaced a traditional written final exam. Each oral exam was conducted via Webex and had an average time of 20 min. On the basis of detailed, anonymous student feedback and survey data collected, the oral exam experience was valued by the students, and students agreed that participation in the oral exam personalized the distance-learning experience.
Hypersensitivity and Chemotherapy Desensitization.

Abstract Objectives Hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) are defined as reactions with reproducible signs and symptoms, triggered by an exposure to a stimulus at a dose tolerated by normal subjects. Although discontinuing the allergenic medication can eliminate the potential for HSRs, it can also lead to significant morbidity and mortality due to suboptimal treatment of the underlying disease. Therefore, desensitization protocols have been developed that offer a safe process that delivers full therapeutic doses in an incremental fashion without eliciting life-threatening reactions. Data Sources This article uses a case study to discuss the process of chemotherapy desensitization, associated complications, and identify areas of improvement in the management of HSRs within an academic medical center. Conclusion HSRs are a complex pathophysiologic response that requires an experienced oncology nurse at the bedside to manage potentially life-threatening symptoms. Implications for Nursing Practice Thorough education and training is needed among nursing staff to manage HSRs during the chemotherapy desensitization process.
Preparation and characterization of neutrally-buoyant oleosin-rich synthetic lipid droplets.

Abstract Lipid droplets also known as oil bodies are found in a variety of organisms and function as stores of high-energy metabolites. Recently, there has been interest in using lipid droplets for protein production and drug delivery. Artificial lipid droplets have been previously prepared, but their short lifetime in solution and inhomogeneity has severely limited their applicability. Herein we report an improved methodology for the production of synthetic lipid droplets that overcomes the aforementioned limitations. These advancements include: 1) development of a methodology for the expression and purification of high-levels of oleosin, a crucial lipid droplet component, 2) preparation of neutrally-buoyant synthetic lipid droplets, and 3) production of synthetic lipid droplets of a specific size. Together, these important enhancements will facilitate the advancement of lipid droplet science and its application in biotechnology.
Christian Churches and the Prevention of Preadolescent Aggression and Violence in Puerto Rico: Regional Leaders' Perspective.

Preadolescents’ involvement in religious congregations may serve as a distal protective factor against aggression. Interviews were conducted to explore Puerto Rico (PR) Christian church and faith-based organization (FBO) leaders' knowledge and perceptions about preadolescent violence, and the role of congregations in its prevention. Bullying was perceived as the most common type of aggression among PR preadolescents. Education, positive role modeling, and relationships with pro-social adults are considered important in its prevention. While willing to engage in violence prevention efforts, congregations may possess limited knowledge on the topic and its relevance. Findings can help inform the development of collaborative research and prevention efforts at the family and community levels.
Regulatory mechanisms ensuring coordinated expression of functionally related genes

Coordinated spatiotemporal expression of large sets of genes is required for the development and homeostasis of organisms. To achieve this goal, organisms use myriad strategies where they form operons, utilize bidirectional promoters, cluster genes, share enhancers among genes by DNA looping, and form topologically associated domains and transcriptional condensates. Coexpression achieved by these different strategies is hypothesized to have functional importance in minimizing gene expression variability, establishing dosage balance to ensure stoichiometry of protein complexes, and minimizing accumulation of toxic intermediate metabolites. By combining gene-editing tools with computational modeling, recent studies tested the advantages of adjacent genes located in pairs and clusters. We propose that with the advancement of gene editing, single-cell sequencing, and imaging tools, one could readily test the functional importance of different coexpression strategies in a variety of biological processes.
Least-Squares Fitting of Multidimensional Spectra to Kubo Lineshape Models

We report a comprehensive study of the efficacy of least-squares fitting of multidimensional spectra to generalized Kubo lineshape models and introduce a novel least-squares fitting metric, termed the Scale Invariant Gradient Norm (SIGN), that enables a highly reliable and versatile algorithm. The precision of dephasing parameters is between 8× to 50× better for nonlinear model fitting compared to the CLS method, which effectively increases data acquisition efficiency by one to two orders of magnitude. Whereas the center-line-slope (CLS) method requires sequential fitting of both the nonlinear and linear spectra, our model fitting algorithm only requires nonlinear spectra, but accurately predicts the linear spectrum. We show an experimental example in which the CLS time constants differ by 60% for independent measurements of the same system, while the Kubo time constants differ by only 10% for model fitting. This suggests that model fitting is a far more robust method of measuring spectral diffusion than the CLS method, which is more susceptible to structured residual signals that are not removable by pure solvent subtraction. Statistical analysis of the CLS method reveals a fundamental oversight in accounting for the propagation of uncertainty by Kubo time constants in the process of fitting to the linear absorption spectrum. A standalone desktop app and source code for the least-squares fitting algorithm are freely available with example lineshape models and data. We have written the MATLAB source code in a generic framework where users may supply custom lineshape models. Using this application, a standard desktop fits a 12-parameter generalized Kubo model to a 106 data-point spectrum in a few minutes.
Rydberg atom-based sensors for radio-frequency electric field metrology, sensing, and communications

Abstract The recent redefinition of the SI bolsters the push towards quantum-based sensors. Rydberg atoms provide a natural link between atomic quantities and electromagnetic fields, where direct absolute measurements can be challenging. We review recent demonstrations of SI-traceable electric field metrology for both high frequency and static fields, communications reception, and angle-of-arrival detection using Rydberg atom spectroscopy.
Symmetry Studies: An Introduction to the Analysis of Structured Data in Applications

1. Symmetry, classification and the analysis of structured data, 2. Sorting the labels: groups actions and orbits, 3. Connecting symmetries and data: linear representations, 4. Data reduction and inference: the canonical projections and their invariants, 5. Examples and techniques, 6. Symmetry studies of short symbolic sequences, 7. Symmetry studies of curvature data, 8. Symmetry studies of planar chirality.
A Study of Interlaminar Shear Strength at Cryogenic Temperatures

Interlaminar shear (ILS) strength is the load-carrying capacity of a layered filamentary composite under shear forces parallel to the layers. The term “strength” is commonly applied to a material. Actually, it is the property of a structure made from that material. A strength test is a structural test. By convention, however, the term “strength” and the numerical value of the test results have been assigned to the material of the test specimen.
Posterior Sagittal Approach for the Treatment of Other Conditions

The authors illustrate with pictures and artwork the operations using the posterior sagittal approach to repair urogenital sinus with normal rectum, urethral strictures, giant seminal vesicles, resection of different types of tumors of the posterior urethra, and reconstruction of acquired rectourethral or rectovaginal fistula.
Growth and bioenergetics of alkaliphilic Bacillus firmus OF4 in continuous culture at high pH.

The effect of external pH on growth of alkaliphilic Bacillus firmus OF4 was studied in steady-state, pH-controlled cultures at various pH values. Generation times of 54 and 38 min were observed at external pH values of 7.5 and 10.6, respectively. At more alkaline pH values, generation times increased, reaching 690 min at pH 11.4; this was approximately the upper limit of pH for growth with doubling times below 12 h. Decreasing growth rates above pH 11 correlated with an apparent decrease in the ability to tightly regulate cytoplasmic pH and with the appearance of chains of cells. Whereas the cytoplasmic pH was maintained at pH 8.3 or below up to external pH values of 10.8, there was an increase up to pH 8.9 and 9.6 as the growth pH was increased to 11.2 and 11.4, respectively. Both the transmembrane electrical potential and the phosphorylation potential (delta Gp) generally increased over the total pH range, except for a modest fall-off in the delta Gp at pH 11.4. The capacity for pH homeostasis rather than that for oxidative phosphorylation first appeared to become limiting for growth at the high edge of the pH range. No cytoplasmic or membrane-associated organelles were observed at any growth pH, confirming earlier conclusions that structural sequestration of oxidative phosphorylation was not used to resolve the discordance between the total electrochemical proton gradient (delta p) and the delta Gp as the external pH is raised. Were a strictly bulk chemiosmotic coupling mechanism to account for oxidative phosphorylation over the entire range, the deltaGp/deltap ration (which would equal the H+/ATP ratio) would rise from about 3 at pH 7.5 to 13 at pH 11.2, dropping to 7 at pH 11.4 only because of the rise in cytoplasmic pH relative to other parameters. Moreover, the molar growth yields on malate were higher at pH 10.5 than at pH 7.5, indicating greater rather than lesser efficiency in the use of substrate at the more alkaline pH. Images
Bacterial Infections: Overview

Bacterial infections have a large impact on public health. Disease can occur at any body site and can be caused by the organism itself or by the body's response to its presence. Bacteria are transmitted to humans through air, water, food, or living vectors. The principal modes of transmission of bacterial infection are contact, airborne, droplet, vectors, and vehicular. Preventive measures have a dramatic impact on morbidity and mortality. Such measures include water treatment, immunization of animals and humans, personal hygiene measures, and safer sex practices. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a growing concern mandating their prudent use.
The Public Sector in the Crisis

Against the background of governments’ consolidation strategies, ETUI researcher Vera Glassner provides an overview of recent developments in terms of pay, employment and reforms of the pay system in the public sector. Cuts and freezes of public sector wages were most frequently imposed unilaterally by the state. The author argues that the re-establishment of collective bargaining as a mechanism to settle public sector pay is of vital importance in order to prevent downward pressures on wages, maintain workers’ purchasing power and contribute to a stable and balanced economic development within the Eurozone and across the business cycle.