cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Power and the Public Sphere: Lessons from Tahrir Square

The Arab Spring of 2011 challenged established assumptions about Arab exceptionalism and, to a certain extent, restored our faith in the ability of the public sphere to effect political change. After all, it was thanks to the brave protests of thousands of citizens that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power in February of 2011. But four years after those momentous events, the discursive power of Tahrir Square has been marginalized and limited. Moreover, Egypt’s transition to democracy was de facto suspended by the armed forces in 2013. Using the Egyptian example, this article examines the role of the public sphere in processes of political change. The article will argue that in its Habermasian formulation and in the Egyptian manifestation, the public sphere has limited ability to effect political change. Drawing on the theoretical literature on deliberative democracy, the article explores the potential of deliberative institutions to open up and even out access to the public sphere to a diversity of voices, to empower civil society actors, and therefore to act as counterweight to established political forces. The Arab Spring of 2011 challenged established assumptions about Arab exceptionalism and, to a certain extent, restored our faith in the ability of the public sphere to effect political change. After all, it was thanks to the brave protests of thousands of citizens that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power in February of 2011. But four years after those momentous events, the discursive power of Tahrir Square has been marginalized and limited. Moreover, Egypt’s transition to democracy was de facto suspended by the armed forces in 2013. Using the Egyptian example, this article examines the role of the public sphere in processes of political change. The article will argue that in its Habermasian formulation and in the Egyptian manifestation, the public sphere has limited ability to effect political change. Drawing on the theoretical literature on deliberative democracy, the article explores the potential of deliberative institutions to open up and even out access to the public sphere to a diversity of voices, to empower civil society actors, and therefore to act as counterweight to established political forces.
Paired-wavelength spectral approach to measuring the relative concentrations of two localized chromophores in turbid media: an experimental study

We present an experimental test of a new spectral approach that is aimed at quantifying the relative concentrations of two chro- mophores that are contained in a defect embedded in a turbid me- dium. The basic steps of our spectral approach are a perform a linear tandem scan of the source and detector across the defect; b measure the spectral dependence of the maximum change induced by the de- fect in the scanned intensity; c identify a set of appropriate pairs of wavelengths 1, 2 at which such maximum intensity changes are the same; and d measure the reduced scattering coefficient spectrum of the background medium. For each wavelength pair 1, 2 ,w e obtain a measurement of the relative concentrations of the two chro- mophores, where the only required parameters are the extinction co- efficients of the two chromophores and the ratio of the background scattering coefficients at 1 and 2. In a mixture of two test chro- mophores blue food coloring dye and black India ink contained in a 0.78-cm diameter cylinder, our spectral approach yielded relative concentrations values that were within 6% of their actual values. Al- though our paired-wavelength spectral approach is not generally ap- plicable to any pair of chromophores, it is suitable for oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin and is thus appropriate for oximetry of local- ized lesions in biological tissues. © 2007 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation
Organized Interests and the Politics of Federal Discretionary Grants

Despite their importance in theories of distributive spending, interest groups and other private and public organizations are largely absent from empirical research on the allocation of federal spending to subnational jurisdictions. We find that organized interests are significant determinants of the allocation of federal discretionary grants to states for 1991 through 1998 across seven policy areas. In contrast, we find only meager effects for supply-side variables suggested by the literature. We conjecture that supply-side effects are highly contingent on political circumstances and the type of spending being analyzed.
Quasi-Experimental Study to Improve Nurses’ QT-Interval Monitoring: Results of QTIP Study

BACKGROUND A collaboration led by the American Heart Association recently released the scientific statement "Prevention of Torsade de Pointes in Hospital Settings." Patients receiving proarrhythmic drugs, who have electrolyte disturbances, or who have bradyarrhythmias require QT-interval monitoring. Prior studies have demonstrated that physicians have a poor level of proficiency at calculating QT intervals. The ability of nurses at calculating QT intervals remains untested. OBJECTIVES To evaluate nurses' knowledge and ability to perform QT/QTc interval monitoring. METHODS At a single institution, 47 QT-education classes were provided to 480 eligible nurses who regularly perform cardiac monitoring. All nurses completed a researcher-developed knowledge test at baseline and after the QT-related education intervention. RESULTS Overall 379 nurses participated (mean age 39 [SD, 10] years), 71% had more than 5 years' nursing experience. Total test scores increased after intervention (46% vs 77%, P < .001). Education significantly improved marking of the QT/RR intervals (QT: 65% vs 91%, RR: 83% vs 90%, P ≤ .001 and P = .02) and measurement of the QT/RR intervals (QT: 47% vs 84%, RR: 35% vs 71% P ≤ .001 and P ≤ .001). Calculation of the QTc interval also increased significantly (6% vs 52%, P ≤ .001). CONCLUSIONS Our study results demonstrate that nurses' baseline ability to perform QT interval monitoring is extremely poor. An unacceptable amount of error persists after an educational intervention. Accurate computer-assisted methods are needed to reduce the error associated with manual QT-interval monitoring.
Spleen‐cell cytotoxicity for cytomegalovirustransformed cells. II. Inhibition by cytomegalovirus antiserum

Serum from hamsters immunized repeatedly with cytomegalovirus (CMV) was able to block spleen-cell cytotoxicity for CMV-infected and CMV-transformed cells. Inhibition was observed regardless of whether spleen cells were obtained from hamsters sensitized to the virus or to isografts of the transformed cells (designated Cx-90-3B, T-2). Such serum did not significantly block effector cell response against transformed cells expressing herpes simplex virus or SV40-associated membrane antigens. The mechanism of blocking was investigated. It was found that the blocking activity could be absorbed out with Cx-90-3B, T-2 cells but not by untransformed hamster embryo fibroblasts. Cx-90-3B, T-2 target cells treated with serum, and then washed, remained resistant to effector cell attack. On the other hand, if serum-treated attacker cells were washed their cytotoxic activity was not significantly impaired. These results suggest that the blocking factor in the serum is antibody-directed against cytomegalovirus-related membrane antigen. This conclusion is supported by the finding that the serum contained antibody specifically reactive with the transformed cell surface in isotopic antiglobulin tests.
Augmented reality for endoscopic sinus surgery with surgical navigation: a cadaver study

Background Augmented reality (AR) fuses computer-generated images of preoperative imaging data with real-time views of the surgical field. Scopis Hybrid Navigation (Scopis GmbH, Berlin, Germany) is a surgical navigation system with AR capabilities for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Methods Predissection planning was performed with Scopis Hybrid Navigation software followed by ESS dissection on 2 human specimens using conventional ESS instruments. Results Predissection planning included creating models of relevant frontal recess structures and the frontal sinus outflow pathway on orthogonal computed tomography (CT) images. Positions of the optic nerve and internal carotid artery were marked on the CT images. Models and annotations were displayed as an overlay on the endoscopic images during the dissection, which was performed with electromagnetic surgical navigation. The accuracy of the AR images relative to underlying anatomy was better than 1.5 mm. The software's trajectory targeting tool was used to guide instrument placement along the frontal sinus outflow pathway. AR imaging of the optic nerve and internal carotid artery served to mark the positions of these structures during the dissection. Conclusion Surgical navigation with AR was easily deployed in this cadaveric model of ESS. This technology builds upon the positive impact of surgical navigation during ESS, particularly during frontal recess surgery. Instrument tracking with this technology facilitates identifying and cannulation of the frontal sinus outflow pathway without dissection of the frontal recess anatomy. AR can also highlight “anti-targets” (ie, structures to be avoided), such as the optic nerve and internal carotid artery, and thus reduce surgical complications and morbidity.
Rapid photoperiod-induced increase in detectable GnRH mRNA-containing cells in Siberian hamster.

To determine whether changes in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are early indicators of photostimulation, Siberian hamsters were placed in short days (6:18-h light-dark) at 3 (experim...
Hybrid Quantum-Classical Hierarchy for Mitigation of Decoherence and Determination of Excited States

Using quantum devices supported by classical computational resources is a promising approach to quantum-enabled computation. One powerful example of such a hybrid quantum-classical approach optimized for classically intractable eigenvalue problems is the variational quantum eigensolver, built to utilize quantum resources for the solution of eigenvalue problems and optimizations with minimal coherence time requirements by leveraging classical computational resources. These algorithms have been placed as leaders among the candidates for the first to achieve supremacy over classical computation. Here, we provide evidence for the conjecture that variational approaches can automatically suppress even nonsystematic decoherence errors by introducing an exactly solvable channel model of variational state preparation. Moreover, we develop a more general hierarchy of measurement and classical computation that allows one to obtain increasingly accurate solutions by leveraging additional measurements and classical resources. We demonstrate numerically on a sample electronic system that this method both allows for the accurate determination of excited electronic states as well as reduces the impact of decoherence, without using any additional quantum coherence time or formal error-correction codes.
‘We're not going nowhere’: race, urban space, and the struggle for King Elementary School in New Orleans

New Orleans has become the blueprint for urban education reform in the United States, with federal, state, and local policymakers advocating its development as the nation's first all-charter school district. The destruction of the Lower 9th Ward following Hurricane Katrina provided education entrepreneurs and state allies with an ‘unprecedented opportunity’ to rewrite the geography of New Orleans. Targeted state disinvestment in black communities prepared the ground for white entrepreneurs to capitalize on public schools and create an urban space economy that serves their accumulative interests through dispossession of working-class communities of color. Based on oral history interviews with veteran teachers, administrators, and community members affiliated with Martin Luther King Elementary School in the Lower 9th Ward, this case study traverses time and space, documenting the community's history of racial resistance and more recent struggles for educational equity. I examine these struggles in the conte...
Observation of Long-Lived Excited States in DNA Oligonucleotides with Significant Base Sequence Disorder

Excited electronic states with lifetimes longer than those of mononucleotides have been observed in a variety of DNA and RNA base multimers. Most studies reported to date were performed on repetiti...
Reactive and Pore Structure Changes in Carbon Dioxide Sequestration

The importance of reactions involving CO2, brine, and rock formations into which CO2 is injected for CO2 sequestration in saline aquifers is understood. However, the pore-level changes that occur due to these reactions under flow conditions and their impact on the ultimate fate of CO2 in the repository have not received the same level of attention because of the perceived slowness of the carbonation reactions. In this paper we examine these reactive changes and their impact on the pore structure in sandstones and limestones at realistic aquifer pressure and temperatures, and under reactive flow conditions. The changes observed at the pore-level by direct porosity and microcomputer tomography measurements were complemented by the measurements of time-dependent effluent concentrations of target cations. It is observed that iron chemistry plays an important role in the dissolution and precipitation reactions in Berea sandstone. Illite dissolution leads to a peak in iron concentration in effluent brines. A hi...
Cabbage Loopers: Gamma Irradiation of Eggs

The sensitivity of Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) eggs to gamma irradiation depended upon age and dose: no hatch occurred when 0- to 24-h-old eggs were exposed to 4 krad, 24- to 48-h-old eggs were exposed to 30 krad, or 48- to 72-h-old eggs were exposed to 70 krad. Also, when 24- to 48-h-old eggs were treated with 15 and 20 krad, none of the larvae pupated, but when they were treated with 10 krad, 6% pupated; even when these eggs were exposed to only 4–5 krad, the percentage that pupated, that emerged as normal adults, or that mated was lower than in the control. There were little differences in results between eggs irradiated when 24–48 hand 48–72 h old. Eggs 48–72 h old irradiated with 1.5–3.5 krad produced females that were more sterile than similarly exposed males, but the sterility was not sufficient to permit the use of the females in a sterile-insect release program. All Fl progeny of parents from treated eggs were fertile
Exogenous timing of rat spontaneous activity periods.

Summary1. A white rat displayed in constant low illumination a rhythm of spontaneous running of precise lunar-day frequency over 60-day study. This obviously resulted in accurate monthly recurrence...
Restricted access to standard or high fat chow alters sensitivity of rats to the 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2- aminopropane

Feeding conditions can impact sensitivity to drugs acting on dopamine receptors; less is known about the impact of feeding conditions on the effects of drugs acting on serotonin (5-HT) receptors. This study examined the effects of feeding conditions on sensitivity to the direct-acting 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOM; 0.1-3.2 mg/kg) and the direct-acting dopamine D3/D2 receptor agonist quinpirole (0.0032-0.32 mg/kg). Male Sprague-Dawley rats had free access (11 weeks), followed by restricted access (6 weeks), to high fat (34.3%, n=8) or standard (5.7% fat; n=7) chow. Rats eating high fat chow became insulin resistant and gained more weight than rats eating standard chow. Free access to high fat chow did not alter sensitivity to DOM-induced head twitch but increased sensitivity to quinpirole-induced yawning. Restricting access to high fat or standard chow shifted the DOM-induced head twitch dose-response curve to the right and shifted the quinpirole-induced yawning dose-response curve downward in both groups of rats. Some drugs of abuse and many therapeutic drugs act on 5-HT and dopamine systems; these results show that feeding conditions impact sensitivity to drugs acting on these systems, thereby possibly affecting vulnerability to abuse, as well as the therapeutic effectiveness of drugs.
An Analysis of Hematologic Disorders Presenting in the Private Practice of Hematology

Many residents and fellows enter specialty training programs with vague notions as to what the clinical practice of their specialty will be like. Such speculation on the author’s part seems reasonable because the house staff is usually exposed to the specialty only in the hospital environment, and not in the private practitioner’s office. As well, there is little written information about the composition of a specialty practice. In order to evaluate the composition of a private hematology practice, 939 consecutive patients were evaluated as to their diagnostic categories. Such analysis reveals the following broad categories: anemias, 42%; white blood cell disorders, 12%; lymphomas and other nodes disorders, 12%; no hematological disorders, 12%; thrombocytopenia and allergic purpuras, 7%; plasma clotting disorders, 7%; splenic disorders, 4%; erythrocytosis, 2%; and plasma cell disorders, 2%. Each of the aforementioned categories were further subdivided into their specific diseases.
Proofs, Explanations, and Correctness: Putting It All Together

This chapter presents a formal, non-procedural description of explanation-based learning. My aim is to provide a theoretical model that complements the experimental work described in the previous chapters. The model will characterize the term “explanation” precisely, enabling us to prove that the EBS algorithm is correct with respect to the model.
Identifying Specific Combinations of Multimorbidity that Contribute to Health Care Resource Utilization: An Analytic Approach.

Background:Multimorbidity affects the majority of elderly adults and is associated with higher health costs and utilization, but how specific patterns of morbidity influence resource use is less understood.Objective:The objective was to identify specific combinations of chronic conditions, functiona
Correlating motion of internal organs with the displacements of fiducial markers during respiration

The purpose of the presented work is to establish quantitative correlations between displacements of markers on the human torso with displacement of internal anatomical points. Two sets of 5-15 points are selected. The external set {Rext} consists of points on the human chest and abdomen defined with respect to external anatomic features such as nipples, navel, floating ribs, abdominal muscles or bone joints. These points are used as pre-defined locations for attaching fiducial markers. The internal set {Rint} consists of points uniquely identifiable using MR images: coordinates of heart apex and heart center, diaphragm lobes, organ boundaries and other distinct features of internal anatomy. Short breathhold MR scans of the torso are acquired for various respiratory stages: full exhalation, full inhalation and several intermediate positions. For each stage, both {Rint} and {Rext} are determined from the MR images - the internal set from examining the anatomy and the external one from vitamin-E markers attached to the skin. Displacements of each of the points in the two sets with respect to the reference frame are computed in three dimensions. Correlations in the displacements are established from a series of patient studies. The information is used for two primary applications: motion correction in tomographic reconstruction and mechanical modeling of human anatomy. The motion correction application uses the established mapping for reconstruction of projections acquired during motion on a moving grid. Grid motion is deduced from optical tracing of fiducial markers placed at {Rext}. In constructing mechanical models of the human anatomy, the mapping between {Rint} and {Rext} can be used either both as an independent experimental test or explicitly as an extra set of spatiotemporal constraints.
Long Noncoding RNAs in Erythropoiesis and Megakaryopoiesis.

Abstract 2331 Lnc (long noncoding) RNAs are RNA transcripts greater than 200nt that regulate gene expression independent of protein coding potential. It is estimated that thousands of lncRNAs play vital roles in diverse cellular processes and are involved in numerous diseases, including cancer. We hypothesize that multiple lncRNAs regulate erythrocyte and megakaryocyte formation by modulating gene expression. To identify lncRNAs in erythro-megakaryopoiesis, we purified two biological replicates each of murine Ter119+ erythroblasts, CD41+ megakaryocytes and bipotential megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors (MEPs) [Lin− Kit+, Sca1−, CD16/32−, CD34−]. We performed strand-specific, paired-end, 200nt-read-length deep sequencing (RNA-Seq) to a depth of ∼200 million reads per sample using the Illumina GAII platform. We used the Tophat and Cufflinks suite of bioinformatic tools to assemble and compare de-novo transcriptomes from these three cell types, producing a high-confidence set of 69,488 transcripts. We confirmed that the RNA-seq assemblies accurately reflect gene expression predicted from prior studies. For example, Ter119+ cells were highly enriched for key erythroid transcripts encoding globins, heme synthetic enzymes and specialized membrane proteins. Megakaryocytes expressed high levels of gene encoding lineage-specific integrins and platelet markers. MEPs expressed numerous progenitor genes including Gata2, Kit and Myc. Thus, the RNA-seq data are of high-quality and sufficient complexity to accurately represent erythroid, megakaryocytic and MEP transcriptomes. We used a series of Unix-based bioinformatic filtering tools to identify lncRNAs that are expressed in these transcriptomes. We identified 605 “stringent” lncRNAs, and 813 “potential noncoding” transcripts. 47% of the lncRNAs are novel unannotated transcripts, validating the use of de-novo RNA-Seq in unique cell populations for lncRNA discovery. Among the 605 “stringent” lncRNAs, 103 are erythroid-restricted, 133 are meg-restricted and 280 are MEP-restricted, consistent with reports that lncRNAs exhibit exquisitely cell-type specific expression. Current efforts are aimed at generating a more comprehensive map of lncRNA expression at specific stages of erythroid and megakaryocyte/platelet development, and performing high throughput functional screens to analyze currently identified lncRNAs. Our studies are beginning to define new layers of gene regulation in normal erythro-megakaryopoiesis and are relevant to the pathophysiology of related disorders including various anemias, myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic syndromes and leukemias. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Sideways Urbanism: Rotating the Pyramid

Thomas Campanella recently touched a nerve in the planning field by exposing a concern that it had become a “trivial profession” (Campanella 2011). Asking “How did a profession that roared to life with grand ambitions become such a mouse?”Campanella (2011) posed this challenge:
This Fissured Land: An Ecological History of India. Madhav Gadgil and Ramachandra Guha. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1992

This Fissured Land: An Ecological History of India . Madhav Gadgil and Ramachandra Guha. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1992. xiv, 274 pp. Reviewed by Sonja Brodt , Professor of Geography, University of Hawaii, Manoa Honolulu, HI 96822
History and reality of the genus ‘Homo’: What is it and why do we think so?

Paleoanthropologists who worry about how nature is organized into species, and about what we should call them, are very often accused by their peers of «just arguing about names». This implies that basic taxonomy is a boring clerical operation that should be dispensed with as quickly as possible or even ignored, so that we can get to the really interesting questions about human evolution. Yet the reality is that we shall never understand the events of the intricate human evolutionary play if we cannot accurately identify the actors who participated in that drama. This article looks briefly at how our current supremely woolly concept of the genus Homo has come about, as background for urging a more rational approach to defining it.
Effect of Emergency Department and ICU Occupancy on Admission Decisions and Outcomes for Critically Ill Patients.

Objectives:ICU admission delays can negatively affect patient outcomes, but emergency department volume and boarding times may also affect these decisions and associated patient outcomes. We sought to investigate the effect of emergency department and ICU capacity strain on ICU admission decisions a
Transport Theory of the Quantized Hall Effect

A transport theory is discussed which views the sample as a target permitting transmission and reflection of carriers. This approach allows us to include current and voltage contacts. The approach is applied to the quantized Hall effect. The approach is extended to include thermal fluctuations at equilibrium and to include fluctuations away from the average currents in the presence of transport. These fluctuations arc discussed for a sample with contacts which exhibit internal reflection. It is shown that even in the presence of internal reflection there is no shot noise as long as the contact resistances are quantized.
The effect of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) on MHC Class II (la) antigen by expression on the neonatal enterocyte

The class II major histocompatibility antigen (Ia) is a glycoprotein heterodimer expressed on the surface of antigen-presenting cells that is required for the presentation of exogenous antigens to T-cells (1). Ia is constitutively expressed in adult mice on the differentiated absorptive cells covering the upper 2/3 of the villus in the small intestine (2). Although no in vivo role has been confirmed for Ia on enterocytes, in vitro studies have demonstrated that enterocytes can act as antigen-presenting cells (3). Induction of Ia expression in crypts is associated with graft-versus-host disease in rodents and its expression in mature mice has been induced by administration of IFN- γ (4). In the rat, Ia is not expressed on intestinal epithelial cells until after weaning. In this study, we sought to determine the time-course of appearnace of Ia during neonatal development and its susceptibility to induction by IFN- γ.
Ultrasound Storage Correlator Arrays for Real-Time Blood Flow Velocity Vector Imaging

Conventional speckle tracking method can be used for blood flow velocity vector imaging. However, it requires a large amount of computations. In this paper, storage correlator array is used to perform the correlations for blood flow velocity vector imaging at a high frame rate. In the method, sliding correlations are used for speckle tracking and matching. Previous speckle patterns are stored as reference signals in the storage correlator arrays, waiting for tracking current speckle patterns. The reference signals stored can be easily programmed, rewritten, or erased at any time. A blood flow velocity vector image can be obtained from peaks of correlations between the previous and the current speckle patterns.
DNA barcoding Brooklyn (New York): A first assessment of biodiversity in Marine Park by citizen scientists.

DNA barcoding is both an important research and science education tool. The technique allows for quick and accurate species identification using only minimal amounts of tissue samples taken from any organism at any developmental phase. DNA barcoding has many practical applications including furthering the study of taxonomy and monitoring biodiversity. In addition to these uses, DNA barcoding is a powerful tool to empower, engage, and educate students in the scientific method while conducting productive and creative research. The study presented here provides the first assessment of Marine Park (Brooklyn, New York, USA) biodiversity using DNA barcoding. New York City citizen scientists (high school students and their teachers) were trained to identify species using DNA barcoding during a two–week long institute. By performing NCBI GenBank BLAST searches, students taxonomically identified 187 samples (1 fungus, 70 animals and 116 plants) and also published 12 novel DNA barcodes on GenBank. Students also identified 7 ant species and demonstrated the potential of DNA barcoding for identification of this especially diverse group when coupled with traditional taxonomy using morphology. Here we outline how DNA barcoding allows citizen scientists to make preliminary taxonomic identifications and contribute to modern biodiversity research.
Retail Investors Get a Sweet Deal: The Cost of a SIP of Stock Market Data

High quality data are essential for markets to function efficiently. This study describes the production and dissemination of U.S. stock market data and explores how much individual investors are paying for the data. The joint nature of the production of information along with trading, surveillance, and listing services makes it difficult to allocate the fixed costs to customer classes. Data from the competing exchanges are consolidated and distributed through entities known as Securities Information Processor (SIPs). The costs of providing this data fall mainly on the professional investors who value it the most. Professional traders pick up over 80% of the cost of the SIP data. The SIPs intentionally provide real-time data at very low cost to nonprofessional investors and delayed data for free. The inflation-adjusted price of real-time Tape C nonprofessional data has fallen 96.3% since 1987. Since 2008, inflation-adjusted SIP revenues allocated to the exchanges have fallen 23.7%. These cost reductions are one of the many contributors to the massive reduction in trading costs that has occurred in recent years. Not only has the price fallen, but the latency, the amount of time the SIPs take to process and report trades and quotes, has fallen as well. Latency has fallen 99.7% since 2010. The cost for nonprofessional data is quite low. For a very large broker, the cost of real-time nonprofessional data is about $0.17 per customer per month, about the same as a sip of Starbucks.
Reflection in Learning.

This study explored the impact of reflection on learning in an online learning environment. Twenty-five students from four online courses participated in this research project. Reflection was purposefully designed and embedded in various assignments. Data were mainly collected from interviews and students’ different types of reflections. The inductive content analysis method was employed to analyze data. Five themes were generalized in terms of how reflection impacts learning: Increasing the depth of knowledge, identifying the areas which are missing or deficient, personalizing and contextualizing knowledge, providing comparative references in learning, and helping learners build structural connections in knowledge and social connections among learners. This study provides foundational ideas for designing reflective activities to promote students’ learning in an online learning environment.
Robust Genome Editing of Single-Base PAM Targets with Engineered ScCas9 Variants

Programmable CRISPR enzymes are powerful and versatile tools for genome editing. They, however, require a specific protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) flanking the target site, which constrains the accessible sequence space for position-specific genome editing applications, such as base editing and homology-directed repair. For example, the standard Cas9 from Streptococcus pyogenes requires a PAM sequence of 5’-NGG-3’ downstream of its RNA-programmed target. Recently, three separate Cas9 enzymes (xCas9-3.7, SpCas9-NG, and ScCas9) have been independently engineered or discovered to reduce the PAM specificity to a single guanine (G) nucleotide, thus greatly expanding the number of targetable sequences. In this study, we have employed motifs from closely-related orthologs to engineer and optimize ScCas9 to exhibit enhanced genome editing and higher fidelity. Our engineered variants demonstrate superior activity within gene repression and nucleolytic contexts and possess effective base editing capabilities.
Biological Risk Profiles Among Latino Subgroups in the Health and Retirement Study.

Background and Objectives Latinos residing in the United States exhibit an increased risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases compared to non-Latino whites. This elevated risk contributes to a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among Latino adults. Examining biological risk profiles of older Latinos as a "pan-ethnic group" and by Latino subpopulations may help to explain the increased burden of disease in later life among this population. The objective of this study is to document biological risk profiles among a nationally representative sample of older U.S. Latinos by nativity and country of origin. Research Design and Methods We use the 2006-2012 Health and Retirement Study to compare cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory and cumulative biological risk among U.S.-born Mexicans, foreign-born Mexicans, U.S.-born Puerto Ricans, island-born Puerto Ricans, U.S.-born "other" Latinos, foreign-born "other" Latinos, and non-Latino whites. Results Older Latinos exhibit heterogeneous biological risk profiles. U.S.-born Mexicans, foreign-born Mexicans, U.S.-born "other" Latinos, and foreign-born "other" Latinos exhibited a higher rate of cardiovascular risk relative to non-Latino whites. In addition, U.S.-born Mexicans, foreign-born Mexicans, island-born Puerto Ricans, and foreign-born "other" Latinos had a higher rate of metabolic risk than non-Latino whites. Island-born Puerto Ricans were the only group to exhibit higher inflammation than non-Latino whites. The observed differences were largely attenuated by socioeconomic status, indicating that high levels of risk among older Latino subpopulations compared to non-Latino whites are associated with lower socioeconomic status. Discussion and Implications Older U.S. Latinos are a demographically diverse population with unique sociocultural characteristics which may contribute to differences in biological risk across the life course that influence disease progression. Examining Latinos by nativity and country of origin may help identify risks specific to individual subpopulations that can lead to culturally appropriate interventions which help prevent and reduce the burden of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
The effect of CO2 sequestration on oll well cements

Publisher Summary Depleted oil- and gas-bearing formations represent likely locations for the disposal of CO2. Oil-and gas-bearing formations have proved capable of trapping fluids over geologic times. Because of the removal of hydrocarbons from these formations via wells, a potential avenue for leakage has been created. Cements are used in the construction (primary cement) and abandonment (plug cement) of oil and gas wells. Because wells represent a potential leakage pathway, it is important to study the effects of sequestration on the integrity of materials used to make them. Experiments are conducted to examine the effects of CO2 sequestration conditions on cements used to construct and abandon oil and gas wells. The experimental conditions consist of two influent pH 2.4 and 3.7, and two temperatures, 23° and 50°C, are considered likely for potential sequestration formations. The results show that significant damage, including complete loss of the calcium hydroxide phase, can take place over a time span as short as seven days.
Trends in Rural Electric Cooperatives (Co-ops) in USA: Challenges and Opportunities

There are almost 900 Electric Cooperatives (Co-ops) in 47 states in USA (excluding Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island) provide electric service to more than half (56%) of the nation’s landmass. Currently Co-ops serve more than 19 million homes and other businesses in 88% of all counties. In 2016, total energy sold by the Co-ops was 435 TWh which is about 11.5% of the total electric energy used in USA. Because of a relatively low annual energy density of 220 (MWh/mi2), Co-ops do not get much attention in the national electric energy discussion. This paper takes a fresh look at the Co-ops electricity markets and their importance for the quality of life for the rural USA, backbone of the nation; future trends in electricity delivery markets; and challenges and opportunities for the 21st century and beyond.
Soil–Reinforcement Interaction: Effect of Reinforcement Spacing and Normal Stress

AbstractThis paper presents, evaluates, and discusses experimental results of soil–reinforcement interaction tests conducted using a new device developed to assess the mechanical interaction betwee...
Learning at Noon: Teacher Education and Lunch as Curriculum

In the context of the unrelenting neoliberal reality of schooling, teacher education focuses largely on the formal, structured spaces in which children learn: predominantly the classroom. Yet, critical educators also recognize that children learn in informal spaces at school, including at lunch. This essay examines how school lunch can be used to teach about humans’ relationships with other humans, animals, and the environment through innovative school, community, and university-based programs. In conclusion, this essay suggests that critical teacher educators should understand the pedagogical importance of school lunch in students’ lives, and begin to incorporate it into preservice teacher education programs.
Foreign Policy Interests and International Disaster Assistance

How does international financial assistance reflect strategic political interests? The "buying influence" argument predicts that countries provide more support to governments that pursue antithetical foreign policy objectives to induce favorable policy shifts. However, such efforts seem unlikely to persuade highly antithetical governments to engage in drastic policy changes and may not be necessary if a recipient country already pursues compatible foreign policies. We analyze international responses to natural disasters using data for 203 countries from 2000 to 2014 and find that donors provide more relief to countries whose foreign policies are moderately aligned. We also explore donors' delivery tactics and find that the probability of providing disaster assistance directly to the recipient country's government is more likely as political affinity with the donor country increases. Overall, the relationships between foreign policy interests and international assistance seem more consistent with a political efficiency logic than with the standard buying influence argument.
Early Steps of Glycolonitrile Oligomerization: A Free-Energy Map

Building on our previous free-energy map (J. Phys. Chem. A 2018, 122, 6769–6779) examining the reactions of monomeric glycolonitrile, we explore the formation of its dimers and trimers in aqueous s...
A Rare Case of Symmetrical Cutaneous Alternaria Infections after Bilateral Lung Transplant

Introduction Lung transplant recipients are prone to opportunistic infections like fungi in view of the high levels of sustained immunosuppression required to avoid graft rejection. We report an unusual fungal pathogen, Alternaria, presenting with bilateral, cutaneous lesions with an atypical morphology. Case Report A 73-year-old male underwent bilateral lung transplantation in October 2017 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with basiliximab induction. The patient was on typical three-drug immunosuppression of tacrolimus (goal trough 7-8ng/ml), prednisone, and mycophenolate mofetil (lower dose 250mg bid). At his one year follow up, he was noted to have symmetrical, keratotic lesions on both lower extremities. The patient reported no traumatic source, except for fire ant bites or minor scratches while gardening. Punch biopsies were performed and histopathology revealed epidermal hyperplasia with associated underlying granulomatous host response. After assessing morphology and Fontana masson stain, a differential of Blastomyces species was favored over Cryptococcus. However, serum tests were negative for Blastomyces and fungal cultures from the biopsy grew Alternaria. Given non-contiguous sites and concern for dissemination, a chest CT was performed, but did not note changes consistent with pulmonary involvement. He was treated with posaconazole (300mg daily) for a 3-month regimen with a decrease of tacrolimus levels. With noted regression of nodules after three months, posaconazole was stopped. A year later, a recurrence of Alternaria appeared on his lower extremities, distal to the previous infections, with the same raised violaceous appearance. Treatment with posaconazole (200mg daily) was initiated. Due to recurrence, mycophenolate was halted and serum tacrolimus levels were targeted lower. After 6 months, posaconazole was stopped as the lesions had healed. Summary Our path to diagnosis in this case highlights the challenges in confirming infectious species by histopathology alone and hence the importance of culture and molecular diagnosis. This case was particularly unusual with the presentation of symmetrical lower extremity lesions as it was not clear if this represented dual inoculation or a disseminated infection. A high level of suspicion needs to be maintained for lesser known fungal pathogens, like Alternaria, in highly immunocompromised hosts.
Dermatologic infections in cancer patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors.

Background The incidence of dermatologic infections in patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) has not been systematically described. Objective Identify the incidence of dermatologic infections in patients who received CPIs. Methods Retrospective review of dermatologic infections in patients who received CPIs between 2005 and 2020 and were evaluated by dermatologists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Results Of 2061 patients in the study, 1292 were actively receiving CPIs (≤ 90 days since the last dose) and 769 had previously been on CPIs (> 90 days since the last dose). The dermatologic infection rate was significantly higher in patients with active CPI treatment (17.5%) than in patients not actively being treated (8.2%; P Limitations Retrospective design and sample limited to patients referred to dermatology. Conclusions Patients actively receiving CPIs are more susceptible to dermatologic infections, with anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 monotherapy carrying the highest risk, suggesting that the index of suspicion for infections should be increased in these patients to minimize morbidity and optimize care.
Draft Genome Sequences of Three Strains of Acidithiobacillus spp. Isolated from Acidic Cold Springs in a Freshwater Wetland.

ABSTRACT We isolated three strains of Acidithiobacillus spp. from an acidic spring in a freshwater wetland. Here, we report the draft genomes of these three strains, which were obtained using Illumina-based sequencing technology.
ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF CYTOTOXIC COMPONENTS FROM BRYOPHYLLUM PINNATUM

A potent cytotoxic bufadienolide orthoaoetate has been isolated from Bryo-phyllum pinnatum. Based on spectral study methods, its structure was identified as bersalaegenin 1, 3, 5-orthoaoetate.
Multi-specialty physician perspectives on barriers and facilitators to the use of neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Abstract Background Neoadjuvant therapy (NT) is increasingly utilized for patients with localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Given the importance of completing multimodality therapy, the purpose of this qualitative study was to characterize physician perspectives on barriers and facilitators to delivering NT. Methods A purposive sample of surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed and coded by 3 independent researchers, iteratively identifying themes until saturation was achieved. Results Participants (n = 27) were heterogeneous in specialty, years of experience, practice setting, gender, and geography. The most commonly cited advantage of NT was the ability to downstage patients. The most commonly cited barriers included lack of access and limited evidence. Patient preference for immediate surgery was frequently cited as a barrier, but most participants felt that patients eventually understood the treatment recommendation after informed discussion. Recommendations to enhance the delivery of NT included improved patient education, communication, and better evidence. Conclusion In this qualitative study, indications for, barriers to, and opportunities to improve the delivery of NT for localized PDAC were identified. These results highlight the need for better evidence and protocol standardization for NT as well as methods of improving care coordination, communication, and education to improve patient-centered outcomes.
Deurbanization and the Struggle to Sustain a Black Teaching Corps: Evidence From Michigan:

From 2005 to 2015, the number of Black teachers in Michigan dropped by 48%, substantially exceeding declines in the corresponding K–12 Black student population. These teacher losses are an acute ph...
Plasma Protein Survey

When blood is drawn, allowed to clot, and centrifuged, the supernatant obtained is called serum. Serum, in addition to other components, contains all the proteins of the blood other than those involved in the clotting mechanism (mainly fibrinogen) and the cell proteins. If the blood is mixed with an anticoagulant, such as heparin, or a calcium complexing agent, such as sodium fluoride or ethylene diamine tetraacetate, and then centrifuged, the supernatant obtained is called plasma and contains all the proteins of serum, plus fibrinogen and other clotting factors. The proteins of the plasma may be divided into three main categories: albumin, the clotting factors (including fibrinogen), and the globulins. The globulins include the proteins of the complement system, the immunoglobulins, and numerous other proteins with special functions (Table 3.1).
Glass-forming ability and crystallization of bulk metallic glass (HfxZr1−x)52.5Cu17.9Ni14.6Al10Ti5

Abstract We have produced a series of bulk metallic glasses of composition (Hf x Zr 1− x ) 52.5 Cu 17.9 Ni 14.6 Al 10 Ti 5 (with x =0–1) by an arc melting/suction casting method. The density of these alloys increases by nearly 67% with increasing Hf content from 6.65 g/cm 3 ( x =0) to 11.09 g/cm 3 ( x =1). Over the same composition range the glass-forming ability decreases, as demonstrated by the size of the largest amorphous ingots that can be cast without crystallization. Although both the glass transition temperature and the melting temperature increase linearly with increasing Hf content, the reduced glass transition temperature ( T g / T m ) decreases, from 0.64 ( x =0) to 0.62 ( x =1), which suggests that the `confusion principle' correlating increased glass-forming ability with increased number of components, does not apply in this case due to the chemical similarity between Zr and Hf. A different crystallization behavior is observed for Zr-based and Hf-based glasses. The final crystalline phases are CuZr 2 and Zr 2 Ni for Zr-based alloys, and Al 16 Hf 6 Ni 7 and CuHf 2 for Hf-based alloys.