cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silicon-based visible light meta-devices (Conference Presentation)

Semiconducting nanostructures are promising as components in high performance metasurfaces. We show that single crystal silicon can be used to realize efficient metasurface devices across the entire visible spectrum, ranging from 480 to 700 nanometers. Alternative forms of silicon, such as polycrystalline and amorphous silicon, suffer from higher absorption losses and do not yield efficient metasurfaces across this wavelength range. To demonstrate, we theoretically and experimentally characterize the resonant scattering peaks of individual single crystal silicon nanoridges. In addition, we design high efficiency meta-gratings and lenses based on nanoridge arrays, operating at visible wavelengths, using a stochastic optimization approach. We find that at wavelengths where single crystal silicon is effectively lossless, devices based on high aspect ratio nanostructures are optimal. These devices possess efficiencies similar to those made of titanium oxide, which is an established material for high efficiency visible wavelength metasurfaces. At blue wavelengths, where single crystal silicon exhibits absorption losses, optimal devices are instead based on coupled low aspect ratio resonant nanostructures and are able to provide reasonably high efficiencies. We envision that crystalline silicon metasurfaces will enable compact optical systems spanning the full visible spectrum.
Rapid binge-like eating and body weight gain driven by zona incerta GABA neuron activation

The neuronal substrate for binge eating, which can at times lead to obesity, is not clear. We find that optogenetic stimulation of mouse zona incerta (ZI) γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons or their axonal projections to paraventricular thalamus (PVT) excitatory neurons immediately (in 2 to 3 seconds) evoked binge-like eating. Minimal intermittent stimulation led to body weight gain; ZI GABA neuron ablation reduced weight. ZI stimulation generated 35% of normal 24-hour food intake in just 10 minutes. The ZI cells were excited by food deprivation and the gut hunger signal ghrelin. In contrast, stimulation of excitatory axons from the parasubthalamic nucleus to PVT or direct stimulation of PVT glutamate neurons reduced food intake. These data suggest an unexpected robust orexigenic potential for the ZI GABA neurons.
Squamous proliferations on the legs of women: Qualitative examination of histopathology, TP53 sequencing, and implications for diagnosis in a series of 30 cases.

Background Women with multiple squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the legs have a striking clinical phenotype. Numerous tumors can develop in a short period of time. Objective Because histopathologic findings can vary in women with multiple SCC lesions, from keratoacanthoma-like to well-differentiated SCC, we hypothesized that TP53 variants might shed light on the appropriate classification. Methods We sequenced TP53 in 30 SCCs from 6 women who had multiple SCCs on their legs during a 21-month time frame. Results Histopathologic analysis showed 16 of the 30 lesions did not have prominent cytologic atypia and were distinguished by having expanded follicle-like structures composed of large, glassy, eosinophilic keratinocytes; these lesions resembled keratoacanthoma and were categorized as keratoacanthoma-like squamous proliferations (KASPs). The 14 remaining tumors had more prominent cytologic atypia and remained classified as SCC. Twenty of 30 tumors (including the KASPs) from the 6 different patients lacked detectable TP53 mutations. Ten of the 14 tumors that remained classified as SCC had detectable TP53 mutations. Limitations This is a small series. Conclusion These findings suggest that some cutaneous squamous proliferations on the legs of women with multiple lesions lack prominent cytologic atypia as well as TP53 mutations and might be more akin to keratoacanthoma than SCC or might represent a reactive phenomenon.
Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with calmodulin binding peptides

The constitutive isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS and eNOS) are regulated by calmodulin, which adopts an active conformation upon binding calcium and binds to target proteins. The inducible isoform of NOS (iNOS) copurifies with calmodulin [1] and was reported not to require calcium for activation [2]. It has been shown that a peptide corresponding to the calmodulin binding region of iNOS (iP), shown below, completely inhibits the inducible isoform at a molar ratio of peptide to enzyme concentration of 12:1 [3]. A peptide from the calmodulin binding domain of nNOS (nP), shown below, was synthesized and completely inhibited nNOS at a molar ratio of peptide to enzyme concentration of 8:1. However, this peptide is unable to inhibit iNOS at molar ratios of peptide to enzyme concentrations up to 16:1. These results suggest that calmodulin interacts differently with the two NOS isoforms. These peptides are alpha helical and show 43% identity. There are, however, striking differences in charge and hydrophobicity in nine individual amino acid residues (shown in bold below) located at corresponding positions in the two peptides.
Getting mRNA-Containing Ribonucleoprotein Granules Out of a Nuclear Back Door

A pivotal feature of long-lasting synaptic plasticity is the localization of RNAs and the protein synthesis machinery at synaptic sites. How and where ribonucleoprotein (RNP) transport granules that support this synthetic activity are formed is of fundamental importance. The prevailing model poses that the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is the sole gatekeeper for transit of cellular material in and out of the nucleus. However, insights from the nuclear assembly of large viral capsids highlight a back door route for nuclear escape, a process referred to nuclear envelope (NE) budding. Recent studies indicate that NE budding might be an endogenous cellular process for the nuclear export of very large RNPs and protein aggregates. In Drosophila, this mechanism is required for synaptic plasticity, but its role may extend beyond the nervous system, in tissues where local changes in translation are required. Here we discuss these recent findings and a potential relationship between NE budding and the NPC.
The amenity costs of offshore wind farms: Evidence from a choice experiment

Abstract We conduct a choice-experiment with individuals that recently rented a vacation property along the North Carolina coastline to assess the impacts of a utility-scale wind farm on their rental decisions. Visualizations were presented to survey respondents that varied both the number of turbines and their proximity to shore. Results indicate that there is not a scenario for which respondents would be willing to pay more to rent a home with turbines in view, as compared to the baseline view with no turbines in sight. Further, there is a substantial portion of the survey population that would change their vacation destination if wind farms were placed within visual range of the beach. The rental discounts required to attract the segment of the survey population most amenable to viewing wind farms still indicate that rental value losses of up to 10% are possible if a utility-scale wind farm is placed within 8 miles of shore.
Biodegradation of benzene, toluene and naphthalene in soil-water slurry microcosms

Aerobic biodegradation of benzene, toluene andnaphthalene was studied in pre-equilibrated soil-waterslurry microcosms. The experiments were designed tosimulate biodegradation at waste sites where sorptionreaches equilibrium before biodegradation becomesimportant. Rates of biodegradation were reduced by thepresence of soil. For example, nearly completenaphthalene biodegradation (1.28 mg/L) by indigenoussoil bacteria occurred within 60 hours in aqueoussolution (soil-free) while it took two weeks todegrade the same amount in the presence of 0.47 kgsoil/L of water. The rate of biodegradation wasobserved to decrease with increasing organic compoundhydrophobicity, soil/water ratio, soil particle size,and soil organic carbon content. These resultsclearly indicate that the rate of biodegradation isaffected by both the extent and rate of sorption. Further analysis suggests that mass transfer couldcontrol the performance of in situ bioremediation forhighly hydrophobic organic contaminants which exhibita large extent of sorption and slow rate ofdesorption.
Cortisol suppression in cats after induction of anesthesia with etomidate, compared with ketamine-diazepam combination.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate duration and magnitude of adrenocortical function suppression after administration of etomidate to cats. ANIMALS 15 purpose-bred, healthy cats. PROCEDURE Cats were allotted to 2 groups. Anesthesia was induced with etomidate (ET, 2 mg/kg of body weight, i.v.; n = 8) or a mixture (KD, n = 7) of ketamine (5 mg/kg; i.v) and diazepam (0.25 mg/kg, i.v.). Anesthesia was maintained with halothane in all cats for 2 hours. ACTH gel (2.2 U/kg, i.m.) was administered 30 minutes after anesthesia induction. Blood samples for cortisol assay were taken before anesthesia induction (T -30), and before (T0) and at 30, 60, 120, 180, 300, and 420 minutes after ACTH administration. Anesthesia was discontinued after the T120 sample was obtained. RESULTS After anesthesia induction, median (interquartile range [Q1-Q3]) cortisol values were significantly lower in the ET group (4 [3 to 4] micrograms/dl) at T0, compared with T -30 values and with T0 values in the KD group (5 [3 to 9] micrograms/dl). After ACTH administration, cortisol values in the ET group continued to decrease two- to threefold below T -30 values and remained decreased over the 2-hour anesthesia period. After ACTH administration, cortisol values increased twofold for 2 hours in the KD group, compared with T -30 values. One hour after anesthesia recovery, cortisol values in the ET group (3 [2 to 3] micrograms/dl) remained significantly lower than values in the KD group (9 [7 to 11] micrograms/dl) and preanesthesia values. By T300, both groups had cortisol concentration near 7 micrograms/dl, similar to preanesthesia values. CONCLUSION Induction of anesthesia with etomidate caused suppression of adrenocortical function during 2 hours of halothane anesthesia and 1 hour of recovery in cats. Cortisol concentration did not return to baseline until after 2 additional hours. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results from these healthy cats suggest profound suppression of important stress hormones after anesthesia induction with etomidate, use of which could put critically ill cats at further risk.
Taking Activity-Goal Alignment into Open-Ended Environments: Assessment and Automation in Game-Based Learning

A recent emphasis has been placed on embedding automated assessment systems within open-ended virtual 3D environments. Several supporting assessment models have been identified to guide the design of technology in support of both teachers and learners, most notably within game-based learning. Current research in automated assessment systems indicates that completeness, accuracy of performance, and timeliness are useful indicators of student learning within simulations. However, a better understanding is needed to guide designers and developers of these systems when facing decisions about where and how to effectively implement the technological structures that support key functions. This chapter identifies a set of design decisions as the result of building an automated assessment prototype within an open-ended 3D environment. The results are expanded through an implementation in a context beyond the prototype, further informing the refinement for an effective development strategy and testing the validity of the proposed system.
The Knowledge Venture

As the discussion of the philosophic method revealed, it is Temple’s contention that to know anything one must trace its historical origins and the process of development which it has undergone. The mental activity of man must also be understood in terms of the history of its occurrence and development in the World-Process. An analysis of the function of thinking in the development of the human species through the evolutionary process indicates that thinking is itself an extension of the organic process from which it arose, serving as an additional means by which an organism strives to adjust to its environment.
Mental health evaluations of U.S. Air Force basic military training and technical training students.

A 2000 report by Staal, Cigrang, and Fiedler and a 1998 report by Cigrang, Carbone, Todd, and Fiedler described the attrition of U. S. Air Force basic military trainees due to mental health disorders for the year 1997. This article looks at the population of Air Force basic military trainees and technical training school students located at the same base during the year 2001. In addition, we look at the effect of allowing basic trainees and those in technical school to refer themselves for mental health evaluations as opposed to only evaluating those referred by secondary sources. Primary results of the data analysis suggest that mental health-related separation rates for calendar year 2001 basic military trainees are consistent with past years at 4.2%, For both basic trainees and technical school training students, adjustment disorders and depressive disorders are the top diagnostic categories related to recommendation for separation.
Quantifying performance thresholds for recommending screening mammography: a revealed preference analysis of USPSTF guidelines.

During ongoing controversies about mammography screening, many investigators have stated that performance improvements in screening mammography may mitigate concerns about harms. However, there have been few attempts to quantify performance improvements required to recommend mammography screening. Based on USPSTF benchmarks, we utilized revealed preference methods to ascertain quantitative thresholds at which screening mammography would be recommended beyond biennial screening in women 50 and older. Benefits of routine screening mammography (breast cancer deaths averted) were from published USPSTF meta-analyses. Potential harms (10-year cumulative probability of at least one false-positive) were from published Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium estimates. We identified the implicit threshold (benefit/harm ratio) to recommend biennial screening starting at age 50. Using this threshold, we ascertained reductions of false-positives required to recommend more frequent screening and screening initiation under age 50 using revealed preference analyses. Using USPSTF implied benefit/harm ratio, routine biennial screening would be recommended starting at 40 if false-positives declined by at least 62%. Reductions of false-positive proportions of 74% would be required to recommend annual screening starting at 40 and reductions of false-positive proportions of 31% would be required to support annual screening starting at 50. Using USPSTF revealed preferences, 31–74% reductions in false-positives would be required to recommend mammography screening beyond biennial screening starting at age 50. Widespread implementation of tomosynthesis and reducing recall rates to the lower end of recommended recall rates (5–12%) would provide support for expanding screening beyond biennial screening in women age 50.
Neuroscience bridging scientific disciplines in health: Who builds the bridge, who pays for it?

The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamics of cross-disciplinary research in health-related fields as affected by individual and institutional factors. We examine the topics of more than 500,000 doctoral dissertations from U.S. institutions in six major disciplines in 1996–2014. We find that (1) the overall extent of cross-disciplinary studies has remained steady over the years, while there is an increasing trend of cross-disciplinary research between biological sciences and engineering, as well as biological sciences and behavioral sciences, especially in recent years; and (2) at the subject level, the cross-disciplinary research around neuroscience is rapidly increasing, and neuroscience is becoming one of the most important bridges across subjects in various disciplines. A further investigation shows that the tendency to conduct cross-disciplinary neuroscience research is driven by an institutional trend that occurs across various departments, and there is an association between lagged neuroscience funding input and the production of cross-disciplinary neuroscience dissertations. Overall, our results offer new insights into the dynamic nature of cross-disciplinary research in health, the role of topics as bridging different disciplines, and human and funding capital in building the bridges.
An "Uncommon" Role for Cyclic Enterobacterial Common Antigen in Maintaining Outer Membrane Integrity.

ABSTRACT Although discovered over 50 years ago, the physiological role of enterobacterial common antigen, a surface antigen produced by all members of the Enterobacteriaceae, has been poorly understood. In the work of Mitchell et al. (mBio 9:e01321-18, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01321-18), the cyclized version of enterobacterial common antigen has been shown to play a role in maintaining the outer membrane permeability barrier, possibly through the inner membrane protein YhdP. This work also provides the tests needed to separate true effects from the numerous possible artifacts possible with mutations in enterobacterial common antigen synthesis.
Evaluating Autonomous Behaviors for Plume Tracking

We present AHI, a deterministic behavior for controlling the WANDA III, a highly maneuverable bio-inspired autonomous underwater vehicle, in a mission where the vehicle must use a sensor to locate the source of a chemical plume. We test this behavior in a two-dimensional simulation and compare it to the Adaptive Mission Planner (AMP), a set of behaviors developed for controlling a REMUS vehicle on a similar task. Our results provide preliminary indications that, on the WANDA vehicle, the AHI behavior guides the vehicle on a shorter, less time-consuming path than AMP with no meaningful loss in accuracy of source detection.
Exploring modalities of reflection using social online portfolios for maker-oriented project-based learning

This short paper presents an ongoing research project that examines how elementary school-aged students in a maker-oriented, project-based learning environment document their work using a social, mobile online portfolio tool. For this research study, we are interested in how students choose to use certain features of the online portfolio tool to present, explain and reflect on their work. We are also interested in finding out how students present their reflections to do with learning concepts or about their personal emotions in their posts in the portfolio tool. Preliminary results from this qualitative study have demonstrated that students primarily use either video/audio recording or text-based captions or labels to describe and explain their work, and the older elementary school students are more likely to spontaneously reflect on conceptual understanding or emotional feelings related to their projects.
Democratizing Psychological Insights from Analysis of Nonverbal Behavior

The affective computing community has invested heavily in building automated tools for the analysis of facial behavior and the expression of emotion. These tools present a valuable, but largely untapped, opportunity for social scientists to perform observational analyses of nonverbal behavior at very large scale. Various tech companies are collecting huge corpora of images and videos from around the world that could be used to study important scientific questions. However, privacy restrictions and intellectual property concerns render these data inaccessible to most academics. Unfortunately, this limits the potential for scientific advancement and leads to the consolidation of data and opportunity into the hands of a few powerful institutions. In this paper, we ask whether similar psychological insights can be gained by analyzing smaller, public datasets that are more within reach for academic researchers. As a proof-of-concept for this idea, we gather, analyze, and release a corpus of public images and metadata and use it to replicate recent psychological findings about smiling, gender, and culture. In so doing, we provide evidence that psychological insights can indeed by democratized through the automated analysis of nonverbal behavior.
Development and Monte-Carlo Sensitivity Analysis of Identical Planar Space Robots for the Purpose of Validating the Recreation of On-Orbit Motion

This paper describes the development of two planar space robots with nearly identical dynamics. The paper begins by describing the configuration of the space robots and highlights the design decisions made to achieve similar dynamics. In a simulated microgravity environment, two space robots are created with identical dynamic models. A series of five-second simulated experiments are performed, and each test slightly modifies a physical parameter of the robot under test. A Monte Carlo simulation experiment is designed and implemented to analyze what physical parameters are most important to achieving similar dynamics. An analysis of the space robot’s kinematics, mechanical dynamics, and electromechanical dynamics is discussed. Finally, the results of the Monte Carlo simulation are presented and discussed, and the DC motor torque constants are shown to have the greatest effect on the positional and rotational error.
Energetics of Seamount Wakes. Part I: Energy Exchange

AbstractSeamounts have been theorized to act as “stirring rods,” converting barotropic flow into an unsteady wake, turbulence, and diapycnal mixing. The energetics of these processes are not well u...
Transvaginal repair of Neobladder Vaginal Fistula with Martius Flap.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Neobladder vaginal fistula (NVF) is a known complication after cystectomy and orthotopic diversion in women, occurring in 3-5% of women. Possible risk factors for fistula formation include compromised tissue vascularity due to surgical dissection and/or radiotherapy, suture line proximity, local tissue recurrence, and injury to the vaginal wall during dissection. The surgical repair of a NVF can be challenging secondary to vaginal shortening, atrophy, local inflammation from chronic exposure to urinary leakage, and the proximity of the neobladder to the anterior vaginal wall. In this video, we present transvaginal repair of a NVF with Martius flap interposition. Materials and Methods: This is the case of a 47 year old woman with a history of radical cystectomy and creation of a Studer pouch secondary to bladder cancer two years prior who subsequently developed a NVF. Evaluation included an office cystoscopy which demonstrated a 3-4mm left-sided neobladder vaginal fistula at the level of the ileal-urethral anastomosis. No pelvic organ prolapse or evidence of bladder cancer recurrence was appreciated. Results: A vaginal approach for the NVF repair was performed with a Martius flap interposition. A water-tight closure was achieved without any intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications. The urethral Foley was removed at 2 weeks and by 4 weeks the patient did not report any urinary leakage. Conclusions: Neobladder vaginal fistula is a rare complication following cystectomy and orthotopic urinary diversion that can be repaired using a transvaginal approach. A Martius flap interposition is important to augment success of the repair. If a transvaginal approach fails a transabdominal approach or conversion to cutaneous diversion may be necessary.
The mysteries of the musical Family Heindl

The paper presents and hopes to elucidate the biographical details of the large musical family Heindl, which have confused historians of the flute until now, chiefly because of the coincidence of the professional names of Edward Martin Heindl (1837-1896), who emigrated to Boston and became flutist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and his older brother Johann Eduard Heindl (1826-1849), a prodigy who died tragically young after a spectacular career. Johann Eduard studied flute directly with Theobald Boehm, and was one of the first great flutists to use Boehm’s new instrument.
Alcohol screening and brief intervention in emergency departments: Review of the impact on healthcare costs and utilization.

Abstract Purpose To review the published evidence of the impact of alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) delivered in emergency departments (EDs) on healthcare utilization and costs. Principal results This scoping review used existing literature reviews supplemented with an electronic database. We included studies if they assessed SBIs for alcohol delivered in an ED setting and reported healthcare utilization and/or costs. We abstracted methodological approaches and healthcare utilization outcomes from each study and categorized them based on substance of focus (alcohol only vs. alcohol and other substances). We updated cost estimates from each study to 2018 U.S. dollars. We identified seven studies published between 2010 and 2019 that met study inclusion criteria. Two of the seven studies evaluated SBI that targeted both alcohol and other substances. Six studies found a reduction in healthcare utilization or costs, and one found an increase in healthcare utilization. Major conclusions This literature review suggests that SBI delivered in ED settings can be a cost-reducing approach to treating excessive alcohol consumption, a factor that policy-makers and payers might consider in prioritizing interventions.
Analysis of Absorbing Sets using Cosets and Syndromes

Absorbing sets are combinatorial structures in a Tanner graph that have been shown to characterize iterative decoder failure, and particularly error floor behavior, of LDPC codes. In this paper, we examine the connection between absorbing sets and the syndromes of their support vectors. Using this framework, we provide a new characterization of fully absorbing sets, which have been considered the most harmful for iterative decoders. We also show how the sets of absorbing set support vectors appear as translates of codewords in subspaces of the code. These techniques are used to derive new search methods for absorbing sets.
Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome Without Significant Sodium Fluctuation in a Patient with NASH Cirrhosis (1328)

Objective: To present a case of osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) in a patient with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis without clinically significant changes in serum sodium and subsequent improvement with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG). Background: ODS is a disorder encompassing central pontine myelinolysis and extrapontine myelinolysis, in which rapid shifts in serum sodium (>8mEq/24hr) result in the demyelination of the pons and extrapontine regions, usually in the context of chronic hyponatremia. Clinical symptoms range from encephalopathy to seizures, and patients can present with pontine or extrapontine features. Recently both IVIG and plasmapheresis have shown potential therapeutic benefit in limited case reports. Design/Methods: NA Results: A 68-year-old male was admitted for acute encephalopathy and mild dysphagia in the setting of decompensated NASH cirrhosis. Serum sodium was 127 and serum ammonia was 205 at the time of admission. He was treated for presumed hepatic encephalopathy with the standard of care including lactulose and rifaximin, with some symptomatic improvement. No critical sodium levels or rapid shifts in sodium (highest was 7mEq/24hr) were detected throughout his prolonged hospital stay. Approximately three weeks after admission, the patient developed dysarthria, right-sided hyperreflexia and progressive generalized weakness. Subsequent MRI brain revealed T2 FLAIR signal abnormalities in the pons, thalami, and right midbrain, consistent with ODS. The patient was then started on IVIG treatment (0.4g/kg × 5 doses) with improvement in dysarthria by time of discharge on hospital day 36, and improvement in strength and pathologic reflexes by outpatient follow up at 5 weeks. Conclusions: This presents a unique case of ODS in a patient with cirrhosis without significant fluctuation in serum sodium. Thus, more conservative sodium correction goals should be considered in these patients. Furthermore, this case adds to the literature for the potential success with IVIG in patients who do not improve with supportive care. Disclosure: Dr. Gullo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kamdar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Thakur has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kisanuki has nothing to disclose. Dr. Alhafez has nothing to disclose.
Modeling morphological adaptations of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) to light spectra

Abstract Plant growth lighting research has typically focused on the effects of specific lamps with spectra resulting from the various materials used in building the lamps (eg HPS, Metal Halide, etc). In recent years a single waveband or the pairing of two wavebands as become common as part of LED lamp technology. In this work, we developed eight models to predict height, stem diameter, shoot dry weight, leaf area, dry weight partitioning between leaves and the rest of the shoot, specific leaf weight, and two compactness scores of pepper seedlings. Bell pepper plants were grown under eight light treatments with various combinations of blue, green, red, and far-red light. Physiological measurements were recorded, and the data were fit using general linear models based on spectral quality. Our models explained 82%–98% of the between-groups variation for predicted variables, demonstrating the ability of empirical models to accurately predict growth outcomes for bell pepper seedlings based on light quality. Phytochrome photostationary state, a measure of active to inactive phytochrome under steady illumination, was the most impactful variable in every model, supporting the importance of phytochrome in regulating a wide variety of physiological responses. Blue light played an important role in reducing plant height and increasing stem diameter, partitioning of dry weight into leaves, and both compactness scores, while green light increased leaf area.
Clinical characteristics and viral load dynamics of COVID-19 in a mildly or moderately symptomatic outpatient sample.

Background Studies of outpatients with mild or moderate COVID-19 are uncommon. We studied: 1) association of symptoms with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results; and 2) association of initial RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) in relation to duration of RT-PCR positivity in outpatients with mild or moderate COVID-19. Methods This was a cohort study of outpatients with confirmed COVID-19 and at least one symptom. Participants had repeat nasopharyngeal swabs and symptom checklists every 3–5 days until two consecutive RT-PCR tests were negative. RT-PCR tests were used to assess viral load. Antibody tests for COVID-19 were performed at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after symptom onset. Results Twenty-five patients (nine females) were enrolled, ranging in age from 19–58 (median age 28 years). All patients reported at least one symptom, with a median of six symptoms per patient. Symptoms persisted for 6–67 days (median duration 18 days). In all 25 patients, blood samples collected a median of 13 days after symptom onset were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 15 (60%). After a median of 28 days following symptom onset, 23/23 patients with available samples tested positive for antibodies. The longest duration of positive RT-PCR test was 49 days from first positive PCR test (Mean = 27.4, SD = 12.5, Median = 24). Initial Ct was significantly associated with longer duration (β = -1.3, SE = 0.3, p<0.01 per 1 cycle higher) of RT-PCR positivity. Conclusions In mildly or moderately ill COVID-19 outpatients, RT-PCT tests remained positive for as long as 49 days and test positivity and symptom duration correlated with initial viral load.
Nassarius shells: Preferred beads of the Palaeolithic

Abstract Over the past decade, research has shown that in Middle Palaeolithic sites in both Africa and Eurasia, members of the genus Nassarius were the preferred mollusks selected for use as beads. Species of this genus continued to be exploited as part of the shell bead corpus during the Upper Palaeolithic as well as in later periods. The choice of N. gibbosulus in Mediterranean sites and N. kraussianus is South African sites is a function of their availability in the vicinity of the sites, but does not explain why this genus was preferred over other shells of similar size and shape. A comparison of the morphological traits of both species offers some possible answers.
Labor Arbitration in Costa Rica

Arbitration is one mechanism for the settlement of labor disputes in Costa Rica. Article 43 of the Constitution of Costa Rica, in the Chapter on "Rights and Individual Guarantees," acknowledges the right to submit disputes to arbitration. Article 43 states that "[e]very person has the right to settle disputes of an economic nature by arbitration, even if the dispute is pending before the courts."
Children: Suggestibility of

Suggestibility is of special concern when children provide eyewitness accounts. Although research is mixed on the extent to which misinformation adversely affects children's memory per se, it is clear that young children's reports can be susceptible to internal and external influences. Risks of suggestibility can be reduced by interviewing children as soon as possible after incidents, avoiding presentation of false information, limiting parental and peer pressure on children to conform to false suggestions, and refraining from induction of false stereotypes. Additionally, research shows that interview techniques utilizing free recall and open-ended questions help reduce suggestibility in children's memory reports. Examples of such interviews include the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) protocol and revised cognitive interview. Individual differences in children, such as in language ability, parental attachment style, and inhibition skill, may be associated with reduced suggestibility, but often inconsistently; caution should be taken when considering these factors' predictive power. Research is mixed in terms of whether child witnesses of negative/traumatic events as opposed to neutral events are more or less suggestible. It is important to reduce suggestibility in interview contexts both to prevent wrongful convictions and to protect the credibility of accurate child witnesses. Keywords: suggestibility; children; eyewitness memory; memory reports; interview techniques; individual differences; trauma; forensic interviews
Wave Scattering Calculations From Multiple Inclusions Using a Volume Integral Equation

Elastic wave scattering problems have important applications in a variety of engineering fields including NDE. Scattering problems have been investigated by numerous authors with different solution schemes. For simple geometries of the scatterers (e.g., cylinders or spheres), the analysis of steady-state elastic wave scattering has been carried out using analytical techniques [1,9]. For arbitrary geometries and multiple inclusions, numerical methods have been developed [2]. Special finite element methods, e.g., the infinite element method and Global-Local finite element method [3] have also been developed for this purpose. Recently, the boundary integral equation method has been used successfully to solve scattering problems [4–5]. In this paper, a volume integral equation (VIE) method is proposed as a new numerical solution scheme for the solution of general elastodynamic problems involving single or multiple inclusions sketched in Fig. 1. The relative advantages of the boundary and volume integral methods in solving multiple inclusion problems are discussed.
Abstract 13433: Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Regulates Skeletal Myoblast Differentiation: Implications for treatment of Cachexia and Skeletal Muscle Wasting

Patients with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have increased angiotensin II (Ang II) levels and cachexia. We previously demonstrated that Ang II infusion in rodents causes skeletal muscle wasting and decreases muscle regenerative potential via Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) signaling, likely contributing to cachexia in CHF and CKD. However, the potential role of Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R) signaling in skeletal muscle physiology remains unknown. We found that AT2R expression was robustly increased in mouse skeletal myoblasts during differentiation, suggesting that the AT2R plays an important role in skeletal muscle regeneration. To test this hypothesis, we infused mice with AT2R antagonist PD123319 (PD, 30 mg/kg/d) or agonist CGP123319 (CGP, 1 μg/kg/min) during cardiotoxin (CTX)-induced muscle injury and regeneration. PD reduced the size of regenerating myofibers (727.5±54.6 and 516.0±37.0 μm2 in sham and PD, respectively, p<0.05) and expression of the myoblast differentiation markers myogenin and eMyHC (56.9% and 40.2% decrease in PD, respectively. p<0.01), whereas CGP had the opposite effects. siRNA mediated AT2R knockdown in mouse primary myoblasts suppressed the increase of myogenin and desmin, resulting in lowered differentiation. We analyzed changes in phosphoprotein levels in myoblasts after AT2R knockdown by phosphoprotein array and identified multiple changes, including increased phospho-ERK1/2 levels. Importantly, inhibition of ERK1/2 restored normal myoblast differentiation in the setting of AT2R knockdown, suggesting the AT2R positively regulates myoblast differentiation by reducing ERK1/2 activity. Furthermore, we found that skeletal muscle regeneration was reduced (decreased regenerating myofiber size and myogenin/desmin expression) in a mouse myocardial infarction model of CHF, concomitantly with markedly blunted increase of AT2R expression, strongly suggesting that the AT2R plays an important role in the reduction of skeletal muscle function in CHF. These data indicate that AT2R signaling positively regulates myoblast differentiation and potentiates skeletal muscle regeneration, providing a new therapeutic target in wasting disorders such as CHF and CKD.
Hox genes in time and space during vertebrate body formation

Vertebrae display distinct morphological features at different levels of the body axis. Links between collinear Hox gene activation and the progressive mode of body axis elongation have provided a fascinating blueprint of the mechanisms for establishing these morphological identities. In this review, we first discuss the regulation and possible role of collinear Hox gene activation during body formation and then highlight the direct role of Hox genes in controlling cellular movements during gastrulation, therefore contributing to body formation. Additional related research aspects, such as imaging of chromatin regulation, roles of micro RNAs and evolutional findings are also discussed.
Low molecular weight deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase in mammalian cells.

Abstract Extracts of mammalian cells contain a 3.3 S deoxynucleotidyltransferase activity in addition to the 6 to 8 S DNA polymerase. The 3.3 S enzyme extracted from rabbit bone marrow uses template information for nucleotide selection and is therefore a DNA polymerase and not a terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase. The 3.3 S enzyme also differs from the 6 to 8 S DNA polymerase in its behavior on phosphocellulose and its optimum activity at alkaline pH.
Case studies in the use of a hyperplane animator for neural network research

Neural network researchers can quantitatively examine several aspects of networks during training, such as changes in training set error, generalization error, and weights. However, a visual tool is often more appropriate for developing hypotheses about network learning behavior. When developing new neural network algorithms, insights can often be gained by visualizing the behavior of two-input networks geometrically; later the new method may be evaluated on higher dimensional problems. This paper presents case studies in which the animation of hyperplanes illustrated several new principles that govern neural network learning dynamics, and so led to new algorithms for network skeletonization, transfer, and training with positive examples only. >
Forming State Collaborations to Diversify the Nation's Health Workforce: The Experience of the Sullivan Alliance to Transform the Health Professions

Diversifying the nation's health professions is essential in order to maintain a vigorous health workforce, able to respond to the needs of all Americans. The inability of the health workforce to keep pace with the changing demographics of the nation is a major cause of the persistent inequities in access to quality health care for ethnic and racial minorities in the U.S. Ethnic and racial minorities have been underrepresented in the genetic counseling profession since its inception, despite vigorous professional initiatives to remedy this situation. Mittman and Downs published a critical review of these initiatives detailing recommendations for change in this journal in 2008. One of their major recommendations was the need to learn from, and join, efforts with other health professions in seeking to increase professional diversity in genetic counseling. This paper reviews new findings on issues impacting health workforce diversity in the nation, presents a case study of a national best practice to diversify the health workforce and illuminates actions that can be taken by the genetic counseling profession. The Sullivan Alliance to Diversify the Health Professions is a culmination of two historic initiatives for addressing the dearth of minority health professionals and is a national catalyst for increasing diversity within the health professions by forging state collaborations among institutions of higher education, health professions schools and other key stakeholders.
A numerical study of resolution and contrast in soft X‐ray contact microscopy

We consider the case of soft X-ray contact microscopy using a laser-produced plasma. We model the effects of sample and resist absorption and diffraction as well as the process of isotropic development of the photoresist. Our results indicate that the micrograph resolution depends heavily on the exposure and the sample-to-resist distance. In addition, the contrast of small features depends crucially on the development procedure to the point where information on such features may be destroyed by excessive development. These issues must be kept in mind when interpreting contact microradiographs of high resolution, low contrast objects such as biological structures.
SiH4 on TiSi2: an investigation of gas adsorption on metal-like compounds

Abstract Although titanium disilicide is composed mostly of a nonmetallic element, its electrical conductivity is metal-like. The question therefore arises as to whether the reactivity of TiSi 2 toward gases resembles metals, nonmetals, or some admixture. To investigate this question, the adsorption/desorption kinetics of SiH 4 on polycrystalline TiSi 2 were measured by temperature programmed desorption. SiH 4 interacts strongly with the surface, and only H 2 is observed as a desorption product near 300 K. The kinetics shift from second to first order as the coverage increases above 0.07. There is a crudely Gaussian distribution of desorption energies centered near 19 ± 2 kcal/mol, with a full width at half maximum near 9 kcal/mol. In these and other respects, the behavior of TiSi 2 toward SiH 4 and H 2 mirrors that of typical metals. Coadsorption studies with TiCl 4 further support this conclusion and also give insights into the chemical vapor deposition of TiSi 2 from these two source gases.
A new wavelet multigrid method

The standard multigrid procedure performs poorly or may break down when used to solve certain problems, such as elliptic problems with discontinuous or highly oscillatory coefficients. The method discussed in this paper solves this problem by using a wavelet transform and Schur complements to obtain the necessary coarse grid, interpolation, and restriction operators. A factorized sparse approximate inverse is used to improve the efficiency of the resulting method. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the versatility of the method.
Coronal gas in the galactic halo: ORFEUS obser vations of NGC 346 #1☆

We present high resolution (lambda/delta lambda = 3000) observations of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) star NGC 346 #1 near the O VI resonance doublet (1031.9, 1037.6 A). The data were collected with the Berkeley extreme/far ultraviolet (EUV/FUV) spectrometer in the ORFEUS telescope aboard the space platform Astro-SPAS during the missiom of space shuttle Discovery flown in September 1993. The O VI features shows broad absorption centered near nu(sub LSR) is approximately equal to +140 km/sec. This is almost certainly associated with the OB cluster NGC 346 itself, which also shows deep absorption at Si IV and C IV at comparable velocities. An absorption feature corresponding to O VI near nu(sub LSR) = -230 km/sec is present in our data, but this feature is caused by contamination from a second star, probably an early B-type main sequence star at lower standard of rest (LSR) velocity, which is also present in the 20 min circular aperture. Between these velocity extrema lies one broad feature (b is approximately equal 70 km/sec) or multiple narrower features, with a combined column density of about 1.4 x 10(exp 14)/sq cm. Assuming an exponential distribution of O VI with the in-plane density of Jenkins, we infer a scale height, H(sub 0), of no more than approximately equal 1.2 kpc toward NGC 346 #1. Our O VI column density is about a factor of 4 below the predictions of cooling fountain models, but our low scale height is consistent with more recent predictions.
Linear low density polyethylenes and their blends: Part 1. Molecular characterization

Ten commercial linear low-density polyethylenes (LLDPE) were characterized by solution viscosity, size exclusion chromatography, SEC, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. The resins were copolymers of ethylene with butene, hexene, or octene. They were prepared in gas phase (with narrow or very broad molecular weight distribution), or in solution. The macromolecules were found to be linear. For all but the very broad molecular weight distribution resins the average comonomer sequence length was found to be 1; in the other case diad formation was observed. The weight average molecular weights calculated from SEC, and intrinsic viscosities agreed quite well. Mechanical degradation of LLDPE was observed during the solution viscosity measurements.
The effectiveness of Pilates training in healthy adults: An appraisal of the research literature

Summary Pilates has gained momentum and attention in the past 5 years as a modality for improving flexibility, strength and mind–body awareness. What is not revealed, however, is the scientific basis for this practice. The two-fold purpose of this review was to (1) critically appraise published research on Pilates in healthy adults and (2) propose future research options for this method in healthy adults. An extensive literature search was conducted, using Pilates as the search word. A total of 277 articles were found. Thirty-nine articles and abstracts were published in refereed, professional journals, of which there were only three clinical trials in healthy adults. The strengths of these three clinical trials were the (1) use of established measurements for stated outcomes and (2) documented need for research in this area. The weaknesses were (1) lack of true experimental designs, (2) small sample sizes, and (3) lack of a defined method of Pilates. There is cautious support for the effectiveness of Pilates in improving flexibility, abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability and muscular activity, primarily due to a lack of sound research methodology surrounding each study. Utilizing a true experimental design and stating the Pilates method utilized can strengthen and improve future Pilates research in healthy adults.