cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Degree ladder maps: Helping students make earlier, more informed decisions about educational goals

ABSTRACTCommunity college students who arrive on campus knowing exactly what they want to do and how to do it are more likely to succeed. However, many students need help to choose which educational goal to pursue. Typically, colleges refer undecided students to campus advisors and websites, but these resources are underfunded and poorly organized to help disadvantaged students sort through the literally thousands of course, program, certificate, and degree options available. This mixed methods study of a matched pair of community colleges develops degree ladder maps and course checklists—low cost, interactive tools that colleges can create and use to help their students make earlier, more informed choice of education goals.
Abstract 200: Outcomes of the American Heart Association’s Check. Change. Control Program: A Multi-Community Hypertension Intervention

Objectives: Previous trials have demonstrated that individual, multi-faceted and intensive community-based BP intervention programs can improve BP control. It is unknown whether such programs can be effective using a more simplified format and generalized to multiple community settings. Methods: The AHA Check.Change.Control. program was implemented over a 7-month period in 18 US cities with high minority populations and burden of cardiovascular disease. AHA staff partnered with local community organizations/businesses and trained volunteer health mentors (VHM) to develop and implement a program centered on the use of Heart360™ health information technology, health education and events, and support to participants to monitor and reduce BP. We evaluated programs based upon their performance on three outcomes of interest: participant enrollment, participant engagement (8 BPs uploaded over 4 months), and blood pressure (BP) change. BP change was defined continuously comparing first and last recorded BP. We then examined program factors associated with program success. Results: From 1/1/2013 to 7/31/2013, n=4069 participants were enrolled in the program across 18 geographically-distinct communities. Most programs were implemented in churches, work-site wellness programs, and healthcare institutions. The mean number of patients enrolled by each site was 226 (SD=106) over 3 months. Programs with the highest enrollment were more likely to recruit from senior residential institutions and service organizations, hold hypertension management classes, hold more frequent kick-off events, and utilize a combination of established and new community partners. Participant engagement ranged from 0% to 52.8%. Programs with the highest engagement were more likely to hold hypertension education classes and follow-up with participants via call or face-to-face contact. Among all participants, systolic BP decreased by a mean of -7.5 mmHg (SD 20.1 mmHg, p<0.0001) and diastolic BP by -3.3 mmHg (SD 11.2 mmHg, p<0.0001). There was significant program level variation in systolic (+7.2 to -29.3 mmHg) and diastolic (+1.84 to -9.89 mmHg) BP change. Top programs for BP change were more likely to distribute blood pressure cuffs as incentives, check BPs at engagement activities, and use volunteer leads to oversee program activities. Increasing number of BP uploads was associated with larger declines in systolic (r=-0.27, p<0.0001) and diastolic (r=-0.17, p<0.0001) BP. Conclusions: Check.Change.Control. is a novel community-based initiative that demonstrated significant reduction in BP among 18 communities. We have identified several programmatic factors associated with improved program implementation and success that may guide future implementation in other communities.
Kant’s Refutation of Idealism

The second edition of the Critique of Pure Reason contains, according to Kant, only “one addition, strictly so called”, namely a “Refutation of Idealism”. (Bxxxix)1 It is this ‘addition’ which I want to examine in the present essay. Prima facie its very existence must astonish. For as every student of Kant knows, Kant’s solution to the “proper problem” (B19) of the Critique, that is, of how synthetic judgments are possible a priori, itself depends on an endorsement of idealism. On this point, there is no obscurity in Kant: “… the possibility of synthetic knowledge a priori… was properly the problem on the solution of which the fate of metaphysics wholly rests and to which my Critique… was entirely directed. The idealism … was… taken up into the system as the sole means of solving that problem (although it then also received confirmation from other grounds)”.2
A critique of Heidegger's critique of Christian philosophy in the Introduction to Metaphysics

Martin Heidegger argues against the possibility of Christian philosophy in his Introduction to Metaphysics. Christians, Heidegger tells us, cannot authentically ask the fundamental question of philosophy – ‘Why are there beings at all rather than nothing?’ – because they already suppose that they have an answer to this question in their Creator-God. Moreover, Christianity, says Heidegger, takes philosophy to be foolishness and, thus, would never try to answer its questions in the first place. Finally, Heidegger insists that any thoughtful questioning in a Christian context is theology and not philosophy. I argue that none of these reasons for rejecting Christian philosophy ultimately holds up. I also criticize an interpretation of Heidegger on this topic proposed by Walter Kaufmann.
Two-Qubit Separability Probabilities: A Concise Formula

We report a concise answer--in the case of 2 x 2 systems--to the fundamental quantum-information-theoretic question as to "the volume of separable states" posed by Zyczkowski, Horodecki, Sanpera and Lewenstein (Phys. Rev. A, 58, 883 [1998]). We proceed by applying the Mathematica command FindSequenceFunction to a series of conjectured Hilbert-Schmidt generic 2 x 2 (rational-valued) separability probabilities p(a), a = 1, 2,...,32, with a = 1 indexing standard two-qubit systems, and a = 2, two-quater(nionic)bit systems. These 32 inputted values of p(a)--as well as 32 companion non-inputted values for the half-integers, a = 1/2 (two-re[al]bit) systems), 3/2,..., 63/2, are advanced on the basis of high-precision probability-distribution-reconstruction computations, employing 7,501 determinantal moments of partially transposed 4 x 4 density matrices. The function P(a) given by application of the command fully reproduces both of these 32-length sequences, and an equivalent outcome is obtained if the half-integral series is the one inputted. The lengthy expression (containing six hypergeometric functions) obtained for P(a) is, then, impressively condensed (by Qing-Hu Hou and colleagues), using Zeilberger's algorithm. For generic (9-dimensional) two-rebit systems, P(1/2) = 29/64, (15-dimensional) two-qubit systems, P(1) = 8/33, (27-dimensional) two-quaterbit systems, P(2) = 26/323, while for generic classical (3-dimensional) systems, P(0)=1.
Playful People: Fun is in the Mind of the Beholder

People who are playful are able to transform almost any situation into one that is amusing and entertaining by cognitively and imaginatively manipulating it in their mind. This investigation provides insight into the playfulness quality and its component factors, by delineating relationships with measures of personality, affective style, and motivational orientation for university students. Findings revealed that, overall, playfulness could be largely explained by the NEO personality dimensions, particularly extraversion, for both males and females, and beyond that, relationships differed by gender. Race/ethnicity also distinguished significant playfulness predictors, more so for females than males, and to a lesser extent than gender. The four playfulness components showed different relationships with the personality measures, and gender and race/ethnicity again played a role in some. The findings provide insight into the quality possessed by a number of people of playing in one’s mind, with virtual disregard for the characteristics of the external environment.
Queen Substance Dispersal by Messenger Workers in Honeybee Colonies

1. Worker honeybees contacting a queen can transport the queen's inhibitory signal, queen substance, to other workers unable to contact the queen. Airborne dispersal of queen substance is at most a minor mechanism for queen substance transmission. 2. This worker transport of queen substance is an important supplement to queen substance dispersal by direct queen-worker contacts. For although colonies lose their inhibition against queen rearing within 10 h of queen loss, a queen contacts only approximately 35% of the broodnest workers in 10 h. 3. The queen facilitates queen substance dispersal by frequently standing stationary, at which times workers can thoroughly contact her, and by occasionally making a major shift in her position within the nest. 4. Queen attendance by workers is strongly age-dependent, with 3–9 days being the age range for intense contact with the queen. 5. Workers that have made extensive (>30s) queen contact appear to behave as ‘messengers’ dispersing queen substance. They walk more rapidly, antennate nestmates and receive inspections more frequently, and perform fewer labor acts in the 30 min following queen contact than do randomly chosen broodnest workers of the same age (control bees). 6. The following observations support the surface transport model over the food exchange model for queen substance transmission by workers: (1) the higher frequency of antennations with nestmates and of inspections by nestmates for messenger bees relative to control bees, (2) the close correlation (r=0.76) for messenger bees between duration of queen contact and number of inspections by nestmates, and (3) the low frequency of food donations (x=1.8) compared with nestmate antennations (x=56.4) by messenger bees in the 30 min following queen contact. 7. There are no messenger bee specialists cycling rapidly between contacts with the queen and workers. 8. Messenger bees were analyzed by gas chromatography for (E)-9-oxodec-2-enoic acid. As little as 0.1 ng (=3.3x1011 molecules) of the acid per messenger bee could have been detected, but none was found. 9. The evolution of messenger behavior by workers and the significance of the findings to understanding the timing of colony reproduction are discussed.
The challenges of big data

The largely untapped potential of big data analytics is a feeding frenzy that has been fueled by the production of many next-generation-sequencing-based data sets that are seeking to answer long-held questions about the biology of human diseases. Although these approaches are likely to be a powerful means of revealing new biological insights, there are a number of substantial challenges that currently hamper efforts to harness the power of big data. This Editorial outlines several such challenges as a means of illustrating that the path to big data revelations is paved with perils that the scientific community must overcome to pursue this important quest.
“I Fear I’m a Checkbox”: College and University Victim Advocates’ Perspectives of Campus Rape Reforms

This study explores campus-based victim advocates' perspectives on the process of implementing campus rape reforms mandated by federal policy. Interviews with 14 victim advocates and sexual assault prevention specialists were analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis techniques. Participants described an increased focus on compliance as a means of managing the liability risks associated with inadequate policy implementation. These shifts toward compliance not only increased the motivation to accomplish reform but also limited those reforms by narrowing the focus. Participants described how narrow compliance resulted in decisions that may actually harm victims. Suggestions for improving policy and the implementation process are discussed.
Effect of supply of fresh poultry products on reducing environment contamination of avian influenza virus in markets

Objective To evaluate the effect of supply of fresh poultry products on reducing environment contamination of avian influenza virus (AIV) in markets in Guangzhou. Methods A total of 40 markets, including 20 selling alive poultry and 20 selling fresh poultry products, were selected randomly in Guangzhou to conduct environment surveillance in 80 poultry stalls every 4 months from July 2014 to April 2015. Four smear samples were collected from different sites of each poultry stall to detect nucleic acid of AIV. The positive samples were further detected for AIV subtype H5, H7 and H9 nucleic acids. Results Among 40 alive poultry stalls, 95.0% (38/40) kept alive poultry overnight, 25.0% (10/40) were disinfected daily, 95.0% (38/40) were cleaned up weekly, 95.0% (38/40) were closed for one day every month. Among 40 fresh poultry product stalls, 20.0% (8/40) were disinfected daily, 90.0% (36/40) were cleaned up weekly, and 96.0% (38/40) ever sold dressed poultry from alive poultry markets. The positive rate of AIV in alive poultry markets was 40.4% (252/623), higher than that in fresh poultry product markets (32.3%, 197/610), the difference was significant (χ2= 8.85,P=0.003), and the positive rate of subtype H9 virus in alive poultry markets was 28.6% (178/623), higher than that in fresh poultry product markets (16.2%, 99/610), the difference was significant(χ2=26.95,P<0.001). In fresh poultry product markets, the positive rate of AIV in stalls selling dressed poultry was 37.3% (180/482), higher than that in stalls selling no dressed poultry (13.3%, 17/128), the difference was significant (χ2 =26.78,P<0.001), and the positive rate of subtype H9 virus in stalls selling dressed poultry was 19.1% (92/482), higher than that in stalls selling no dressed poultry (5.5%, 7/128), the difference was significant (χ2=13.80,P<0.001). Both the positive rate of AIV and the positive rate of subtype H9 virus were highest in the second round surveillance (October 2014). The differences in AIV and its subtype H5, H7 and H9 virus positive rates of environmental samples from four different sites were not significant, respectively. In the same sample site, the positive rate of subtype H9 virus in alive poultry markets was higher than that in fresh poultry product markets the difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusions The supply of fresh poultry products could effectively reduce the level of environment contamination of AIV in markets. Dressed poultry supplement caused the risk of AIV spread in fresh poultry product markets. Key words: Avian influenza virus; Supply of fresh poultry product; Evaluation
Underwater Self-Rescue and Assisted Rescue: Training to Cope with Emergencies

Man makes highly specific adaptations to the demands associated with the surrounding environment, and thus training programmes must be focussed upon similar psychomotor elements present in the desired end behaviour. This requires that an analysis of the skill components of critical diving procedures must be undertaken before an effective training programme is developed for any specific procedure.
Feasibility of Common Bibliometrics in Evaluating Translational Science

Author(s): Schneider, M; Kane, CM; Rainwater, J; Guerrero, L; Tong, G; Desai, SR; Trochim, W | Abstract: IntroductionA pilot study by 6 Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) explored how bibliometrics can be used to assess research influence.MethodsEvaluators from 6 institutions shared data on publications (4202 total) they supported, and conducted a combined analysis with state-of-the-art tools. This paper presents selected results based on the tools from 2 widely used vendors for bibliometrics: Thomson Reuters and Elsevier.ResultsBoth vendors located a high percentage of publications within their proprietary databases (g90%) and provided similar but not equivalent bibliometrics for estimating productivity (number of publications) and influence (citation rates, percentage of papers in the top 10% of citations, observed citations relative to expected citations). A recently available bibliometric from the National Institutes of Health Office of Portfolio Analysis, examined after the initial analysis, showed tremendous potential for use in the CTSA context.ConclusionDespite challenges in making cross-CTSA comparisons, bibliometrics can enhance our understanding of the value of CTSA-supported clinical and translational research.
Intuitive Conceptions of Probability and the Development of Basic Math Skills

The idea of probabilities has been described as a “Janus-faced” concept, which can be thought of either in terms of frequencies or in terms of subjective confidence. This dualism contributes to debates about the nature of human rationality, and therefore the pedagogical assumptions and goals of education. For this reason, the present chapter explores the evidence regarding how quantitative information is intuitively understood in the human mind over the course of elementary school education. Are particular interpretations of probability equally weighted or does one interpretation predominate as mathematical concepts are being acquired? We find multiple, converging lines of evidence that indicate a frequency interpretation of probabilistic information is developmentally primary and privileged. This has implications for mathematics education, even before the introduction of actual probabilities, in areas such as learning fractions and decimals. Educational practices should work to bootstrap from these privileged representations (rather than fight them) and built towards a more inclusive and comprehensive model of probability knowledge. We conclude that a fundamental issue is not just whether students think about probabilities as a frequentist or as a subjectivist, but rather how they recognize when to be one versus the other.
Team Building, Virtue, and Personal Flourishing in Organizations

Good teamwork is essential in today’s organizations at all levels, yet evidence suggests that dysfunctional teams occur in far too many situations. The cost of dysfunctional teams is significant, leading to improper strategic direction, inappropriate execution, operational inefficiencies, and potential organizational failure. This study examines the process of team building, specifically how human capital and social capital help teams function effectively. The cardinal virtues—moderation, courage, justice, and wisdom—are posited as essential individual characteristics of effective team members and seven propositions are offered relating these virtues to good team functioning. Finally, four recommendations are provided regarding virtue education in business schools to prepare business graduates more effectively for team participation and personal flourishing in organizations.
Invertibility of adjacency matrices for random d-regular directed graphs

Let $d\geq 3$ be a fixed integer, and a prime number $p$ such that $\gcd(p,d)=1$. Let $A$ be the adjacency matrix of a random $d$-regular directed graph on $n$ vertices. We show that as a random matrix in ${\mathbb F}_p$, \begin{equation} {\mathbb P}(\text{$A$ is singular in ${\mathbb F}_p$})\leq \frac{1+{\mathrm{o}}(1)}{p-1}, \end{equation} as $n$ goes to infinity. As a consequence, as a random matrix in $\mathbb R$, \begin{equation} {\mathbb P}(\text{$A$ is singular in $\mathbb R$})={\mathrm{o}}(1) \end{equation} as $n$ goes to infinity. This answers an open problem by Frieze [12] and Vu [29,30], for random $d$-regular bipartite graphs. The proof combines a local central limit theorem and a large deviation estimate.
Vibrational and Radial Motion

IN A HYDROGENLIKE ATOM, the electron is bound to the nucleus by a Coulomb potential. This has the form $$V(r) = - \frac{{Z{e^2}}}{{4\pi \varepsilon r}},$$ (12.1) where r is the interparticle distance, Ze the charge on the nucleus -e the charge on the electron, ande the permittivity of free space. The Schrodinger equation has form (11.64). So the angular motion separates from the radial motion. The former we have considered; the latter we will take up in the second part of this chapter.
Internal Model Control of Cycloid Trajectory for Video-Rate AFM Imaging with a SOI-MEMS Nanopositioner

We demonstrate high-performance tracking of a cycloid trajectory for video-rate atomic force microscopy imaging by employing internal model control. To acquire sequential images using cycloid scanning, the stage needs to follow a slow periodic triangular wave superimposed on a sinusoidal signal along one axis with the remaining axis tracking a purely sinusoidal signal. The sharp turnarounds in the triangular signal result in a large tracking error. We utilize a trapezoidal signal to address this issue. To obtain high-precision positioning, the controller comprises the internal model of harmonic waveforms and the ramp signal plus additional integrator to compensate for stage nonlinearities. The controller is implemented on a two degree of freedom microelectromechanical system nanopositioner and operated at scan frequencies ranging from 500 Hz to 2580 Hz in a window size of $5 \ \mu \mathrm{m}$ by $10 \ \mu \mathrm{m}$ . While the pitch size of the trajectory is set to be 46 nm, the RMS value of tracking error remains below 7 nm. The highest scan rate of 20 frames per second is achieved at $\mathbf{f}=2580\ \mathbf{Hz}$ with the maximum transient tracking error of 15 nm.
The jamming avoidance response in echolocating bats

Bats face many sources of acoustic interference in their natural environments, including other bats and potential prey items that affect their ability to interpret the returning echoes of their biosonar signals. To be able to navigate and forage successfully, bats must be able to counteract this interference and one of the ways they achieve this is by altering the various parameters of their echolocation. We describe these changes in signal design within the context of a modified definition of the jamming avoidance response originally applied to the signal changes of weakly electric fish. Both of these groups use active sensory systems that exhibit similarities in function but we take this opportunity to highlight major differences each groups' response to signal interference. These discrepancies form the basis of our need for an expanded description of the jamming avoidance response in echolocating bats.
Double emulsion optofluidic microlasers

Double emulsion droplets have found diverse applications in biosensing, chemical synthesis, drug delivery, and highthroughput screening and production. In this work, we demonstrate monodisperse double emulsion optofluidic microlasers with a dye-doped thin shell structure. In particular, robust generation of water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsion droplets in a hydrodynamic flow focusing microfluidic device is demonstrated. With careful arrangement of the three liquid components in the double emulsion, an optical microcavity is formed which supports the whispering gallery modes (WGMs) that locate near the surface of the shell layer. Low-threshold lasing has been achieved in W/O/W double emulsion droplets. Lasing emission from double emulsion droplets with different diameter and different shell layer thickness are characterized on the flow. Due to the high degree of control provided by the microfluidic device, both droplet size and shell layer thickness can be conveniently tuned, and thus the lasing properties. The unique two-phase core-shell structure of the double emulsion droplets provides great flexibility and potential in the development of biosensing platform based on the optofluidic laser system demonstrated in this work, especially in the high-throughput bioanalysis.
Changes in Sleep Quality and Associated Health Outcomes among Gay and Bisexual Men Living with HIV.

ABSTRACTObjectives/Background: Although gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) bear a disproportionate burden of HIV in the U.S., they are underrepresented in HIV-related sleep ...
An Arts-Informed Parent Education Program About Play: Exploring a New Approach to Science Outreach and Community Engagement:

Background: Parent education programs take many forms and attempt to raise parents’ awareness of factors that positively affect child development. Program effectiveness varies greatly depending on ...
Countermanding Perceptual Decision-Making.

Summary We investigated whether a task requiring concurrent perceptual decision-making and response control can be performed concurrently, whether evidence accumulation and response control are accomplished by the same neurons, and whether perceptual decision-making and countermanding can be unified computationally. Based on neural recordings in a prefrontal area of macaque monkeys, we present behavioral, neural, and computational results demonstrating that perceptual decision-making of varying difficulty can be countermanded efficiently, that single prefrontal neurons instantiate both evidence accumulation and response control, and that an interactive race between stochastic GO evidence accumulators for each alternative and a distinct STOP accumulator fits countermanding choice behavior and replicates neural trajectories. Thus, perceptual decision-making and response control, previously regarded as distinct mechanisms, are actually aspects of a common neuro-computational mechanism supporting flexible behavior.
Paravertebral block for percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is performed commonly in patients with large kidney stones, but the management of their postoperative pain presents a major challenge. While it is not routinely performed in PCNL patients, paravertebral block (PVB) has been described as an effective strategy for pain control after various non-urologic surgeries. This trial aims to assess the effect of paravertebral blockade on intraoperative and postoperative opioid use as well as postoperative pain control in patients undergoing PCNL. This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients who consented to participate were randomly assigned to undergo either PVB or a placebo intervention preoperatively. The patient, surgeon, and anesthesia team were all blinded to the randomization. The outcome parameters were intraoperative opioid requirement, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, postoperative opioid use, and postoperative antiemetic use. 23 patients were enrolled in each arm of the study, and the two groups had no significant differences in baseline demographic or clinical characteristics. Patients in the PVB group had significantly lower intraoperative opioid use, postoperative opioid use, frequency of opioid use, and antiemetic. Patients in the PVB group also had lower postoperative VAS pain scores. There were no patients who suffered from complications attributable to PVB. The results of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial suggest that PVB should be considered an effective strategy to reduce opioid requirement and improve pain control for patients undergoing PCNL.
Nanoscale control by chemically vapour-deposited polymers

Chemical vapour deposition (CVD) enables nanoscale control for the synthesis of high-purity polymer thin films. Ultrathin (<20 nm) and ultrasmooth (<1 nm r.m.s. roughness) layers of CVD polymers can conform to the geometry of the growth surface. This Review focuses on CVD polymerization methods adapted from solution chemistry for selectively forming different classes of macromolecules. The mechanistically based CVD approaches provide full retention of the monomer’s organic functional groups and thus provide a rational basis for designing and optimizing film characteristics for a diverse array of applications. These include conjugated polymers for energy storage, thin dielectrics for low-power, flexible devices and responsive hydrogels for controlled drug release. Systematic variation in the CVD process parameters provides remarkable control of π–π stacking in conducting polymers, mesh sizes in hydrogels, crystallographic texture, surface energy, permeation rates of molecules and ions, optoelectronic properties and switchable smart behaviour. The initial research focus on process fundamentals, including adsorption, reaction kinetics, mass transport and conformality, formed a strong basis for the recent rapid expansion of materials, applications and scale-up activities in multiple laboratories. The materials and approaches used in CVD polymerization are also extending into hybrid inorganic/organic materials and devices. Chemical vapour deposition (CVD) enables the synthesis of high-purity, pinhole-free and conformal polymer thin films. This Review discusses the recent breakthroughs in mechanistically based CVD polymerization processes and designing CVD polymers for a diverse array of applications.
Hereditary Predisposition to Hematopoietic Neoplasms: When Bloodline Matters for Blood Cancers

With the advent of precision genomics, hereditary predisposition to hematopoietic neoplasms- collectively known as hereditary predisposition syndromes (HPS)-are being increasingly recognized in clinical practice. Familial clustering was first observed in patients with leukemia, which led to the identification of several germline variants, such as RUNX1, CEBPA, GATA2, ANKRD26, DDX41, and ETV6, among others, now established as HPS, with tendency to develop myeloid neoplasms. However, evidence for hereditary predisposition is also apparent in lymphoid and plasma--cell neoplasms, with recent discoveries of germline variants in genes such as IKZF1, SH2B3, PAX5 (familial acute lymphoblastic leukemia), and KDM1A/LSD1 (familial multiple myeloma). Specific inherited bone marrow failure syndromes-such as GATA2 haploinsufficiency syndromes, short telomere syndromes, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, Diamond-Blackfan anemia, severe congenital neutropenia, and familial thrombocytopenias-also have an increased predisposition to develop myeloid neoplasms, whereas inherited immune deficiency syndromes, such as ataxia-telangiectasia, Bloom syndrome, Wiskott Aldrich syndrome, and Bruton agammaglobulinemia, are associated with an increased risk for lymphoid neoplasms. Timely recognition of HPS is critical to ensure safe choice of donors and/or conditioning-regimen intensity for allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation and to enable direction of appropriate genomics-driven personalized therapies. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of HPS and serve as a useful reference for clinicians to recognize relevant signs and symptoms among patients to enable timely screening and referrals to pursue germline assessment. In addition, we also discuss our institutional approach toward identification of HPS and offer a stepwise diagnostic and management algorithm.
Commonly Encountered Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common clinically significant congenital defect, occurring in approximately 1 in 100 live births (Thorne et al., Adult Congenital Heart Disease, 2017). With modern advances in pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery, over 90% of children born in the developed world with CHD will now survive into adulthood (Moons et al., Circulation 122:2264–2272, 2010). There are currently more adults than children living with CHD in the United States. Therefore, familiarity with CHD is essential, and this chapter will provide an overview of commonly encountered CHD in hospitalized adults. First, we will specifically discuss the three most common congenital cardiac conditions—the atrial septal defect, patent foramen ovale, and ventricular septal defect. Next, we will review tetralogy of Fallot, the most common cyanotic heart defect. We will then conclude with a discussion of the general principles of the care of the patient with cyanotic CHD.
Technical Performance Score: A Predictor of Outcomes After the Norwood Procedure.

Background The Technical Performance Score (TPS) can predict outcomes after congenital cardiac surgery. We sought to validate TPS as a predictor of both short- and long-term outcomes of the Norwood procedure. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent the Norwood procedure from 1997 to 2017. We assigned TPS (class 1, no residua; class 2, minor residua; class 3, major residua or reintervention for major residua before discharge) based on subcomponent scores from discharge echocardiograms or unplanned reinterventions, or both. Multivariable Cox or competing risk analysis, adjusted for preoperative patient- and procedure-related covariates, examined the association of TPS with postoperative hospital length of stay, transplant-free survival, and postdischarge reinterventions. Results Among 500 patients, 319 (64%) were male, 54 (11%) were premature, 56 (11%) had noncardiac anomalies/syndromes, 146 (29%) had preoperative risk factors, and 480 (96%) were assigned TPS. On multivariable analysis, class 3 had greater hazard for reinterventions in transplant-free survivors (class 3: subdistribution hazard ratio [HR], 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-3.16; P = .001) and was associated with increased hospital length of stay vs class 1 (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.18-0.34; P Conclusions TPS predicts early and late outcomes after Norwood. Absence of residual lesions results in improved long-term prognosis for single-ventricle patients. TPS may improve outcomes after Norwood by identifying patients warranting closer follow-up and potentially earlier reintervention.
Future Kaon Programs at BNL and FNAL

Future kaon decay programs at BNL and FNAL are discussed. The primary focus of these programs is the measurement of the golden modes, the neutral and charged kaon decays to a pion and two neutrinos. The observation of the charged mode by E787 at BNL is the first step in a series of measurements which will completely determine the unitarity triangle within the kaon system.
Lumbosacral Radiculoplexus Neuropathy: Neurological Outcomes and Survival in a Population-based Study

Objective To determine whether patients in the community with lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy (LRPN) have milder neuropathy than referral patients, we characterized the outcomes and survival of population-based compared to referral-based LRPN cohorts. Background Previously, we found that the incidence of LRPN is 4.16/100,000/y, a frequency greater than other inflammatory neuropathies. The survival of patients with LRPN is uncharacterized. Methods Sixty-two episodes in 59 patients with LRPN were identified over 16 years (2000–2015). Clinical findings were compared to previous referral-based LRPN cohorts. Survival data were compared to those of age- and sex-matched controls. Results At LRPN diagnosis, median age was 70 years, median Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) 22 points, 92% had pain, 95% had weakness, 23% were wheelchair-bound, and median modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) was 3 (range 1–4). At last follow-up, median NIS improved to 17 points (p Conclusion LRPN is a painful, paralytic, asymmetric, monophasic, sometimes bilateral pan-plexopathy that improves over time but leaves patients with impairment. Although having LRPN increases mortality, this increase is probably due to comorbidities (diabetes) rather than LRPN itself.
Sex differences in threat sensitivity: Evidence from two experimental paradigms

Abstract Sex differences in fear and pain suggest the possibility of sex differences in an underlying threat reactivity (or punishment sensitivity) system. This system would prime vigorous behavioral responses to threatening input and give rise to stronger, more quickly changing feelings within threatening contexts. Two studies sought to model such processes. Study 1 focused on emotion-primed losses of motor control in response to aversive, threatening noise. Women, but not men, exhibited a reactivity pattern of this type. Study 2 then examined subjective responses to affective pictures within a task that probed moment-by-moment changes. Women did not react more quickly to unpleasant pictures, but their reactions were larger in size and they were more dynamic, as reflected in a velocity of change metric. The results highlight processes of explanatory value in understanding and organizing a broader literature concerned with sex differences in motivation and emotion.
TcO2 oxidative dissolution by birnessite under anaerobic conditions: a solid–solid redox reaction impacting the environmental mobility of Tc-99

Remediation efforts for the abatement of Tc-99 contamination in the environment have traditionally focused on the reduction of soluble pertechnetate (Tc(VII)O4−) to insoluble, and less mobile, technetium(IV) oxide (TcO2). Effectiveness of the reductive immobilization of Tc-99 depends on the susceptibility of TcO2 to oxidation to TcO4−in situ, as it is subject to dissolution by oxidizing agents, such as oxygen. Manganese minerals can be a liability for the long-term in situ immobilization of Tc-99, even in suboxic and anoxic systems due to their strong oxidizing capacity. This study presents for the first time the oxidative dissolution of TcO2 to pertechnetate by birnessite under anaerobic conditions. Oxidative dissolution of TcO2 was studied as a function of pH and birnessite:TcO2 ratios and in the presence of Ca2+ and Mn2+. As low as 5 mg of birnessite dissolved ∼65% of the original TcO2 in the suspensions and subsequently released TcO4− in the aqueous phase at both pH 6.5 and 8 in the absence of oxygen. On the other hand, the ability of birnessite to sequester calcium and manganese on its surface at pH 6.5 through sorption was shown to inhibit the oxidative capacity of birnessite. Maximum TcO4− release in the aqueous phase by Ca- and Mn-loaded birnessite was ∼50% less compared to pure birnessite, indicating that divalent cations sorb on active centers responsible for birnessite's oxidative capacity and potentially passivate the mineral. In summary, birnessite exerts strong geochemical controls over the mobility of Tc-99 in anoxic systems by oxidatively mobilizing the otherwise insoluble Tc(IV) to Tc(VII) and their presence in natural systems needs to be taken into account when long-term remediation strategies are being designed.
Question the System

This note was prepared for the Minnowbrook 50th anniversary conference, held at Blue Mountain Lake, New York in August 2018. In many ways, the system that binds young scholars in public administration today is exactly what the generation of 1968 sought to avoid. Over decades, the field of public administration has been marketized, rationalized and corporatized. Here are seven reasons why it deserves to be challenged.
Hydrogels based on carrageenan

Abstract With its innumerable features, carrageenan and its associated hydrogels are a group of promising candidates for various biomedical applications. The requirement of smart drug delivery platforms and solutions for various biomedical needs finds a great scope in these natural polysaccharides. Strong negative charge, unique gelling mechanism, the abundance of functional groups, and strong water absorption property make this seaweed-derived, natural, sulfated, linear polysaccharide a versatile candidate for sustained and controlled drug delivery applications. Carrageenan has extensive applications in the field of drug delivery as well as in the fields of tissue engineering and wound healing. The abundance of functional groups opens ample scope for chemical modification for the enhancement of the physicochemical properties of the hydrogel. In this chapter, we outline the diverse applications of carrageenan in the fields of tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing. The recent progress made by carrageenan-based hydrogels highlighted in this chapter reaffirms the fact that carrageenan and related hydrogels are effective biomaterials for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.
Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections in older adults: Clinical outcomes and risk factors for in-hospital mortality

OBJECTIVES: To assess clinical outcomes and identify risk factors for mortality in older adults with Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (SAB). DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor. PARTICIPANTS: All patients aged 80 and older with SAB between January 2004 and July 2008. MEASUREMENTS: Clinical data, including comorbid conditions, SAB source, echocardiography results, Charlson Comorbidity Index, mortality (in-hospital and 6-month), and need for rehospitalization or chronic care after discharge. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients aged 80 and older (mean 85.5 ± 4.2) with SAB were identified. Infection sources included 14 (18.4%) vascular catheter associated, 16 (21.1%) wound related, seven (9.2%) endocarditis, five (6.6%) intravascular, and 19 (25%) with unknown source; 46 (60.5%) patients had methicillin-resistant strains. Twenty-two (28.9%) patients underwent surgery or device placement within 30 days of developing SAB; 10 of these 22 had SAB associated with surgical site infection (SSI). Twenty two (28.9%) patients died in the hospital or were discharged to hospice care; at least 43 (56.6%) patients died within 6 months of presentation, and eight were lost to follow-up. Unknown source of bacteremia (odds ratio=5.2, P=.008) was independently associated with in-hospital death. Echocardiography was not pursued in 45% of patients. Of surviving patients, 40 (74.1%) required skilled care after discharge; eight (20%) required rehospitalization. CONCLUSION: SAB was associated with high mortality rates in patients aged 80 and older. The observed association between SAB and SSI may direct preventive strategies such as perioperative decolonization or antimicrobial prophylaxis. Interventions to optimize clinical care practices in elderly patients with SAB are essential given the associated morbidity and mortality.
Markedness and Subject Choice in Optimality Theory

Among the most robust generalizations in syntactic markedness is the association of semantic role with person/animacy rank, discussed first in Silverstein (1976). The present paper explores how Silverstein's generalization might be expressed in a formal theory of grammar, and how it can play a role in individual grammars. The account, which focuses here on the role of person, is developed in Optimality Theory. Central to it are two formal devices which have been proposed in connection with phonology: harmonic alignment of prominence scales, and local conjunction of constraints. It is shown that application of harmonic alignment to scales involving syntactic relations and several substantive dimensions characterizes the universal markedness relations operative in this domain, and provides the constraints necessary for grammar construction. Differences between languages can be described as differences in the ranking of universal constraints.
Evaluation of Ultrafiltration Failure

The evaluation of ultrafiltration failure is embarked upon when a patient has persistent problems with symptoms and signs of fluid overload. Fluid overload is a common problem in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and the risk of its occurrence increases with time on dialysis. Although often attributed to changes in peritoneal membrane function (membrane failure), there are a number of potential, and frequently more common factors that can contribute to the failure of adequate fluid removal in patients on PD. Many of the causes of ultrafiltration failure may be apparent after an initial informal evaluation. However, if after this the etiology remains unexplained, a systematic approach to the differential diagnosis of this problem can be utilized with the use of the peritoneal equilibration test. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, a logical therapeutic plan can be formulated.
Isolation and Identification of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza-Stimulatory Compounds from Clover (Trifolium repens) Roots.

Two isoflavonoids isolated from clover roots grown under phosphate stress were characterized as formononetin (7-hydroxy,4′-methoxy isoflavone) and biochanin A (5,7-dihydroxy,4′-methoxy isoflavone). At 5 ppm, these compounds stimulated hyphal growth in vitro and root colonization of an undescribed vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza, a Glomus sp. (INVAM-112). The permethylated products of the two compounds were inactive. These findings suggest that the isoflavonoids studied may act as signal molecules in vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis.
Transmission Line Fault Location

Fault location on transmission lines is an important application in power systems. It allows operators, as well as protection and maintenance staff, to pinpoint where the fault has occurred and initiate corresponding effort to repair and restore the affected transmission line. Once the protective relays have detected a transmission line fault and tripped (disconnected) the line by issuing a control command to circuit breakers, the fault location application determines the location by measuring voltages and currents at either or both transmission line ends. Over the years, many different fault location techniques were developed, but very few have used synchronized samples or synchrophasors. Most recently, the use of synchronized samples and phasors in fault location has become a subject of interest since the technology has matured and is readily available.
Blind ending ureters--clinical significance?

Blind ending ureters are a rare anomaly with less than 100 cases reported in the literature. They are generally described as symptomatic, often requiring surgical intervention. We present 12 new cases of blind ending ureters. Each of the patients was asymptomatic and none required surgery.
Concentration, reactivity and fate of copper, nickel, and zinc associated with a cooling-water plume in estuarine waters, II. The particulate phases

A particulate copper and zinc load of up to 0·5 μg litre−1 is imposed on Long Island Sound waters utilised by a coastal power plant for cooling, as compared with imposed dissolved metal burdens of approximately 1 μg litre−1. The metal-rich particulates are unstable and undergo dissolution during mixing between the cooling waters and the receiving waters, such that the particulate-metal anomaly of the thermal plume disappears more quickly than it would by conservative dilution of the effluent alone. This re-partitioning produces excess dissolved copper and zinc in the plume, as recognised in an earlier study which focused on behaviour of the dissolved phase.
Inhibitton of prolactin release by stimulation of presynaptic serotonin autoreceptors

Abstract The effects of 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT), a serotonin agonist with a preferential action on presynaptic autoreceptors, on prolactin release in male rats was determined. Basal serum prolactin levels were not altered after administration of 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 10.0 or 20.0 mg/kg of 5-MeODMT. Pretreatment with 5-MeODMT reduced prolactin release by agents that depend on serotonergic neurotransmission for part of their prolactin release stimulation. Prolactin release in response to L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) or morphine was significantly reduced by pretreatment of the rats with 5-MeODMT. The results of this experiment indicate that 5-MeODMT act as a presynaptic serotonin autoreceptor stimulant and not as a postsynaptic serotonin agonist on the neuronal systems that control prolactin release.