cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attention and Engagement Aware Multimodal Conversational Systems

Despite their ability to complete certain tasks, dialog systems still suffer from poor adaptation to users' engagement and attention. We observe human behaviors in different conversational settings to understand human communication dynamics and then transfer the knowledge to multimodal dialog system design. To focus solely on maintaining engaging conversations, we design and implement a non-task oriented multimodal dialog system, which serves as a framework for controlled multimodal conversation analysis. We design computational methods to model user engagement and attention in real time by leveraging automatically harvested multimodal human behaviors, such as smiles and speech volume. We aim to design and implement a multimodal dialog system to coordinate with users' engagement and attention on the fly via techniques such as adaptive conversational strategies and incremental speech production.
A computational geometry method for optimal resource allocation in network localization

Wireless network localization (WNL) is an emerging paradigm for providing high-accuracy positional information in GPS-challenged environments. The localization performance of a node in WNL is determined by the allocation of transmit resources among its neighboring nodes. To achieve the best localization performance, we develop a computational geometry framework for optimal resource allocation in WNL. We first determine an affine map that transforms each resource allocation strategy into a point in 3-D Euclidian space. By exploiting geometric properties of these image points, we prove the sparsity property of the optimal resource allocation vector, i.e., the optimal localization performance can be achieved by allocating resources to only a small subset of neighboring nodes. Moreover, these geometric properties enable the reduction of the search space for optimal solutions, based on which we design efficient resource allocation strategies. Numerical results show that the proposed strategies can achieve significant improvements in both localization performance and computation efficiency. Our approach provides a new methodology for resource allocation in network localization, yielding exact optimal solutions rather than ϵ-approximate solutions.
Characterizing Metal Arc Welding Under Oil (MAW-UO)

Metal arc welding under oil (MAW-UO) is a new, revolutionary process for the repair of pipelines without the need of hot tapping and constructing bypass lines. The process uses an automated metal arc welding setup with a continuous wire feed. This process was developed for in-situ internal repairs of in-service cross-country pipelines, tanks and vessels by using a smart-pig with a modified mechanical design that allows for welding. Since some of the cross-country pipeline segments are either buried or under highways making access difficult, the new process will provide great flexibility to the repair of these pipelines. In this paper, the development of the MAW-UO process is described. Process parameters that successfully produced weldments are identified and the consumables tested are reported and discussed. The unique characteristics found in the under oil welds will be discussed in detail and related to the processing parameters and the oil environment. Welding is possible under oil because of the vaporization of the oil to form an oil vapor bubble that surrounds the welding arc plasma and protects the molten steel weld pool. Contrary to general belief, oil does not combust in the presence of a welding arc. The low oxygen content within the oil itself and the low diffusivity of oxygen within the oil even at elevated temperatures are the two main factors that prevent oil combustion during welding. Decomposition of the oil and the decomposed products are expected to significantly affect the weld metal composition and microstructure.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Summer Records of Myotis sodalis in Indiana

Although the breeding range of Myotis sodalis remains a mystery, bat collecting in Indiana during the past decade has shed some light on its summer distribution. Lyon (1936) recorded the species from only Crawford (Wyandotte Cave, the type locality), Greene and Knox counties. Some of these were June and August specimens, but no mention was made of this fact. This may have been because sodalis was then so little known, having been described a short time previously by Miller and Allen (1928). Kirkpatrick and Conaway (1948) published a record of a female (Purdue Wildlife Laboratory Coll. 366) taken May 13, 1947, at Lafayette, Tippecanoe County. We have examined recent specimens from Clay, Kosciusko, Lawrence, Monroe, Montgomery, Parke, Steuben, Tippecanoe, Washington and Wayne counties. With the exception of the Lawrence and Monroe county records (which are for the wintering period) these additional localities from which sodalis has been taken are of considerable interest. Due to the paucity of published records for sodalis in summer, we have included all of …
CINEPHILIA IN POSTWAR FRANCE

Cet article revient sur l'emergence dans la France de l'apres guerre de la consommation cinematographique. Les AA. se penchent sur l'epanouissement du cinema francais et des facteurs socioculturels qui ont favorise des generations de cinephiles
SMARCA4 regulates gene expression and higher-order chromatin structure in proliferating mammary epithelial cells

The packaging of DNA into chromatin plays an important role in transcriptional regulation and nuclear processes. Brahma-related gene-1 SMARCA4 (also known as BRG1), the essential ATPase subunit of the mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, uses the energy from ATP hydrolysis to disrupt nucleosomes at target regions. Although the transcriptional role of SMARCA4 at gene promoters is well-studied, less is known about its role in higher-order genome organization. SMARCA4 knockdown in human mammary epithelial MCF-10A cells resulted in 176 up-regulated genes, including many related to lipid and calcium metabolism, and 1292 down-regulated genes, some of which encode extracellular matrix (ECM) components that can exert mechanical forces and affect nuclear structure. ChIP-seq analysis of SMARCA4 localization and SMARCA4-bound super-enhancers demonstrated extensive binding at intergenic regions. Furthermore, Hi-C analysis showed extensive SMARCA4-mediated alterations in higher-order genome organization at multiple resolutions. First, SMARCA4 knockdown resulted in clustering of intra- and inter-subtelomeric regions, demonstrating a novel role for SMARCA4 in telomere organization. SMARCA4 binding was enriched at topologically associating domain (TAD) boundaries, and SMARCA4 knockdown resulted in weakening of TAD boundary strength. Taken together, these findings provide a dynamic view of SMARCA4-dependent changes in higher-order chromatin organization and gene expression, identifying SMARCA4 as a novel component of chromatin organization.
APPENDIX A – Landau Free-Energy Coefficients

In (2), the set of coefficients, α, γ and ω, in the Helmholtz free energy correspond to those measured under a clamped boundary condition. Under the stress-free boundary condition, the macroscopic shape change of a crystal due to the ferroelectric phase transition is described by the spontaneous strain that can be obtained through the derivative of the Helmholtz free energy (2) with respect to strain, i.e.,
Polyguanine-conjugated antigens for scavenger receptor targeting and self-adjuvanting vaccines (VAC13P.1125)

We have recently developed a novel vaccine strategy that involves conjugating antigens to polyguanine sequences to fabricate aggregated particulates with exposed scavenger receptor ligands for in vivo targeting to antigen presenting cells. We have previously demonstrated that polyguanine-conjugated ovalbumin (Poly(dG)-OVA) leads to enhanced antigen-specific T cell and antibody responses. In this study, we show that exposing dendritic cells (DCs) to Poly(dG)-OVA results in increased antigen internalization that is inhibited by scavenger receptor ligands. Further, DCs internalizing Poly(dG)-OVA complexes exhibit increased cytokine secretion and inflammatory marker expression. In vivo, intradermal injection of Poly(dG)-OVA results in complex persistence in the skin for up to 7 days. Intradermally immunized mice demonstrated increased immune infiltrates in the skin and a persistent inflammatory cytokine profile. In these immunized animals, Poly(dG)-OVA particles reach the draining lymph nodes directly and in association with migratory DCs. We further demonstrate that Poly(dG)-OVA immunization of mice with established OVA-expressing melanoma tumors exhibited delayed tumor growth and improved survival. Taken together, these results suggest that immunization with polyguanine-conjugated antigens can induce more effective antitumor immunity by targeting DCs through scavenger receptors and inducing proinflammatory DC activation.
Lepidic Predominant Pulmonary Lesions (LPL): CT-based Distinction From More Invasive Adenocarcinomas Using 3D Volumetric Density and First-order CT Texture Analysis.

Rationale and Objectives This study aimed to differentiate pathologically defined lepidic predominant lesions (LPL) from more invasive adenocarcinomas (INV) using three-dimensional (3D) volumetric density and first-order texture histogram analysis of surgically excised stage 1 lung adenocarcinomas. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was institutional review board approved and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant. Sixty-four cases of pathologically proven stage 1 lung adenocarcinoma surgically resected between September 2006 and October 2015, including LPL (n = 43) and INV (n = 21), were evaluated using high-resolution computed tomography. Quantitative measurements included nodule volume, percent solid volume (% solid), and first-order texture histogram analysis including skewness, kurtosis, entropy, and mean nodule attenuation within each histogram quartile. Binomial logistic regression models were used to identify the best set of parameters distinguishing LPL from INV. Results Univariate analysis of 3D volumetric density and histogram features was statistically significant between LPL and INV groups (P Conclusions Both 3D volumetric density and first-order texture analysis of stage 1 lung adenocarcinoma allow differentiation of LPL from more invasive adenocarcinoma with overall accuracy of 85.9%–81.3%, based on multivariate analyses of either size and % solid or size and Hu_Q3, respectively.
Perceived harm as a mediator of the relationship between social norms and marijuana use and related consequences among American Indian youth

Abstract Background American Indian (AI) youth are at increased risk for marijuana use with marijuana use rates on or near reservations 1.6–4.8 times higher compared to non-AI youth in the same regions (Stanley et al., 2014). One outcome of the changing social and legal acceptance of marijuana is a decrease in perceived risk among adolescents. It is unknown whether these changes in perceptions of marijuana-related harm will presage higher rates of use among AI youth. Perceptions of others use (i.e., descriptive norms) and approval (i.e., injunctive norms) are consistent predictors of marijuana use and consequences. Moreover, large scale surveys have shown that gender is an important moderator of the relationship between norms and marijuana use in AI samples. Method The current study is a large epidemiologic study of 7th-12th grade self-identified American Indian students (N = 3050). We examined the direct relations between descriptive and injunctive norms and marijuana use/consequences among AI youth, as well as the mediating role of perceived harm and the moderating role of gender. Results Results of a multi-group path analysis revealed a similar pattern of findings for males and females. In addition, there were direct effects for descriptive but not injunctive norms on marijuana use/consequences, and the sequential pathway from norms to use/consequences via perceived harm held. Discussion Findings suggest that normative perceptions and perceived harm are antecedents of marijuana use/consequences and are prime targets for large scale interventions on AI reservations.
Association Among Gut Microbes, Intestinal Physiology, and Autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by two core symptoms: social deficits and increase in stereotypic/repetitive behaviors. Along with the core symptoms of ASD, other comorbid conditions can be observed in certain populations of people with ASD, such as gastrointestinal (GI) complications and altered gut microbiome (Adams et al., 2011 ; Parracho et al., 2005). Homeostasis of the GI system is closely regulated by the gut microbiota. Therefore, whether the gut microbiota is a contributing factor for ASD has been postulated recently. Several key questions have been raised. Do gut microbes contribute to the behavioral symptoms in ASD? How do gut microbes affect behavioral output through the gut–brain axis? How do gut and brain communicate with each other? Due to the complexity of the distal connection between gut and brain, these are the key questions that remain unanswered in the field.
The 1978–1991 Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Vietnam Standoff

This chapter examines ASEANs’ response to the Vietnamese military invasion of Cambodia between 1978 and 1991. Despite the fact that ASEAN began as an economic and cultural cooperative entity in 1967, the primary successes of its first decade lay in its providing a means whereby Member States could manage intraregional disputes and the stresses of the Cold War. Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia constituted a turning point in the Association’s willingness to assume leadership to address conventional security threats. The conflict in Cambodia was perceived as a genuine security threat to ASEAN Member States and to the political and economic goals of the organization. ASEAN employed diplomacy to contain Vietnamese influence in Cambodia while seeking to manage fractious politics within Cambodia and ASEAN itself, laying the foundation for a nascent security community in Southeast Asia.
Testing traditional assumptions about regional migration in bats

While some bats cover long distances during migration, moving thousands of kilometers, most migratory bats are considered regional migrants, thought to move relatively short distances ( 100 km, suggesting that longer-distance movements may be outliers. In autumn, only two bats visited multiple known hibernacula, and after swarming, some females moved > 100 km to areas without known hibernacula. Common generalizations about regional migrant movements may not be representative of population behavior and care should be taken with respect to management decisions based on those assumptions.
Drd3 Signaling in the Lateral Septum Mediates Early Life Stress-Induced Social Dysfunction

Summary Early life stress (ELS) in the form of child abuse/neglect is associated with an increased risk of developing social dysfunction in adulthood. Little is known, however, about the neural substrates or the neuromodulatory signaling that govern ELS-induced social dysfunction. Here, we show that ELS-induced downregulation of dopamine receptor 3 (Drd3) signaling and its corresponding effects on neural activity in the lateral septum (LS) are both necessary and sufficient to cause social abnormalities in adulthood. Using in vivo Ca 2+ imaging, we found that Drd3-expressing-LS (Drd3 LS ) neurons in animals exposed to ELS show blunted activity in response to social stimuli. In addition, optogenetic activation of Drd3 LS neurons rescues ELS-induced social impairments. Furthermore, pharmacological treatment with a Drd3 agonist, which increases Drd3 LS neuronal activity, normalizes the social dysfunctions of ELS mice. Thus, we identify Drd3 in the LS as a critical mediator and potential therapeutic target for the social abnormalities caused by ELS.
Microstructures and mechanical properties of Ni 3 Al alloyed with iron additions

The alloying behavior of iron in B-doped Ni3Al was studied using optical and transmission electron microscopy for microstructural analysis and tensile testing for mechanical property evaluation. The aluminide dissolves less than 15 at. pct iron. At iron levels of 15 pct, depending on the aluminum level, formation of both transformed B2 phase (β′) and disordered fee phase (γ) is observed. The phase relationships in the aluminide containing 10 pct iron were studied in detail by quenching from temperatures below 1370 °C. Tensile properties of nickel-iron aluminides were determined as functions of iron content and test temperature. The tensile results are discussed in terms of solid-solution hardening, atomic size misfit, and precipitation of γ, β′, and carbides.
Collective Modes and Nonlinear Acoustics in Superfluid 3He-B

We discuss the relationship of collisionless sound propagation and attenuation to the order parameter collective modes of superfluid 3He-B. These modes, which reflect the symmetries of the normal state as well as the broken gauge and relative rotational symmetries of the condensate, play a central role in the high-frequency acoustic response of the superfluid. We review the theory of acoustic spectroscopy based on the linear coupling of the J=2+/- modes. We develop the theory of the nonlinear acoustic response of superfluid 3He-B for the case of a three-wave resonance between two sound waves of different frequencies and the J=2+/- modes, as well as the generation of higher harmonic sound waves. The J=2+ modes couple nonlinearly to two zero-sound waves. The predictions for the nonlinear absorption and velocity anomalies resulting from the J=2+ modes depend on relatively well understood material properties of 3He.
Thoughts on load distribution and the role of programmable switches

The trend towards powerfully programmable network switching hardware has led to much discussion of the exciting new ways in which it can be used. In this paper, we take a step back, and examine how it should be used.
Sustained NF-κB-STAT3 signaling promotes resistance to Smac mimetics in Glioma stem-like cells but creates a vulnerability to EZH2 inhibition

Glioblastoma is an incurable and highly aggressive brain tumor. Understanding therapeutic resistance and survival mechanisms driving this tumor type is key to finding effective therapies. Smac mimetics (SM) emerged as attractive cancer therapeutics particularly for tumor populations that are highly resistant to conventional apoptosis-inducing therapies. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of SM on Glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) and showed that this family of compounds stimulates an adaptive response triggered by TNFα. Increased expression of TNFα results in a prolonged and sustained activation of NF-κB and STAT3 signaling thus activating several tumor cell resistance mechanisms in GSCs. We show that STAT3 activation is contingent on EZH2 activation and uncover a synergistic lethality between SM and EZH2 inhibitors. Therapeutic inhibition of EZH2 impaired the viability of SM-treated GSCs. Our study outlines the molecular underpinnings of SM resistance in glioblastoma and provides mechanistic insight to overcome this resistance and increase therapeutic efficacy.
Writing the Lives of Philosophers: Reflections on Spinoza and Others

This essay begins with some thoughts on the challenges and pitfalls of writing philosophical biography, on why biographies of philosophers tend to fall between the literary cracks, and on what makes for a successful biography of a philosopher. This is followed by a more specific discussion of the specific problems facing someone writing a biography of Spinoza, on whose life so little documentary material is available.
Physician Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Breast Density

Background: Many states have enacted breast density laws, requiring that women be informed of their breast density status; however there is currently no consensus for screening guidelines or recommendations for women with dense breasts. The objective of this study is to access physician views about breast density and their practices for breast cancer screening of women with dense breasts in light of breast density laws. Materials and Methods: Setting: Academic medical centers, community and private practices mostly in New York City. Participants: Primary care providers (PCPs), radiologists and gynecologists. Procedure: We conducted the study through anonymous, self-administered surveys about physician knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding screening of women with dense breasts. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess differences between PCPs and specialists. Results: We received 155 responses of which 75% were female, 77% were attending-level physicians, 42% were PCPs, 28% were radiologists, 17% were gynecologists, and 9% other. Almost half of the respondents (48%) were unaware of breast density laws, and two-thirds (67%) felt they needed more education about breast density and supplemental screening. More than half of the respondents (62%) were unaware of the increased risk of breast cancer related to dense breasts. Compared to specialists, PCPs were less aware of their state's breast density laws (odds ratio [OR] 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09-0.50) and of the increased breast cancer risk for women with dense breasts (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.09-0.60). Conclusion: Breast density laws have not translated into greater knowledge of breast density and recommendations for supplemental screening among PCPs.
The effects of mountain pine beetle outbreaks on avian communities in lodgepole pine forests across the greater Rocky Mountain region

Abstract Disturbance is an integral component of forest ecosystems. Therefore, contemporary changes to the frequency and severity of disturbances in forests may have lasting ecological consequences. In recent decades, widespread mountain pine beetle (MPB; Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks have contributed more to total tree mortality than other disturbances such as wildfire. Past studies have used a broad range of measurements to evaluate the local effects of beetle outbreaks on birds (e.g., dead trees per acre versus percent mortality) and this has led to some challenges and inconsistencies in generalizing results across larger spatial scales. We sought to address these inconsistencies by using a single data source estimating outbreak-related tree mortality across the western United States to better understand the effect of beetle outbreaks on avian communities in lodgepole pine forests. This study uses five years of avian monitoring data (2008–2012) from the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions program, collected across Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. We developed a hierarchical multispecies occupancy model to quantify changes in the forest bird community following beetle outbreaks while accounting for the imperfect detection of species. Mean species richness (N) did not differ between MPB outbreak sites (N = 19.35, 95%CRI = 17.00, 22.01) and sites with no outbreak (N = 20.23, 95%CRI = 16.83, 24.25). Furthermore, we found weak evidence for a community-level response to increasing outbreak severity and time since outbreak, due in part to the variability among species within each of the four nesting guilds analyzed in this study (canopy, cavity, shrub, and ground nesting birds). However, we did find evidence of turnover in community composition with just over 50% of species (28 of 55) having statistically different occurrence rates following MPB outbreaks. Our study underscores the notion that species richness alone does not fully express changes in the forest bird community. Our results also suggest many species, particularly cavity nesters, utilize beetle-killed forests and persist at higher occurrence rates for up to 10 years post-outbreak. This period includes the timeframe when beetle-killed trees are most readily salvageable and emphasizes the need for continued evaluation of snag-retention policies prior to the implementation of post-outbreak management activities.
Improvement of RNA Simulations with Torsional Revisions of the AMBER Force Field

Our current knowledge on the unique roles of RNA in cells makes it vital to investigate the properties of RNA systems using computational methods because of the potential pharmaceutical applications. With the continuous advancement of computer technology, it is now possible to study RNA folding. Molecular mechanics calculations are useful in discovering the structural and thermodynamic properties of RNA systems. Yet, the predictions depend on the quality of the RNA force field, which is a set of parameters describing the potential energy of the system. Torsional parameters are one of the terms in a force field that can be revised using physics-based approaches. This chapter focuses on improvements provided by revisions of torsional parameters of the AMBER (Assisted Model Building with Energy Refinement) RNA force field. The theory behind torsional revisions and re-parameterization of several RNA torsions is briefly described. Applications of the revised torsional parameters to study RNA nucleosides, single-stranded RNA tetramers, and RNA repeat expansions are described in detail. It is concluded that RNA force fields require constant revisions and should be benchmarked against diverse RNA systems such as single strands and internal loops in order to test their qualities.
Implications of accumulative stress burdens during critical periods of early postnatal life for mortality risk among Guale interred in a colonial era cemetery in Spanish Florida (ca. AD 1605-1680).

OBJECTIVE Research situated within the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease demonstrates that stressors are correlated with future mortality risk, especially if experienced frequently and during early periods of postnatal life. This study examines if the developmental timing and frequency of early life stressors influenced mortality risk for Indigenous Guale in Spanish Florida during the 17th century. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study examines internal enamel microgrowth disruptions (accentuated lines-AL) from Guale individuals (n = 52) interred at Mission Santa Catalina de Guale on St. Catherines Island, Georgia (AD 1605-1680). Teeth were thin-sectioned and microscopically analyzed to document AL variables as predictors of age-at-death. RESULTS Individuals with AL died earlier than those without AL. This difference, however, was not significant. Individuals who exhibit AL formed during their first year of life died on average three times earlier than those who did not. The frequency of AL and age-at-first-AL are significantly correlated with age-at-death, and Cox hazard analyses indicates that individuals with early forming and frequent AL had increased risks of early death. DISCUSSION This study emphasizes how the lived experiences of Guale children shaped demographic patterns during the 17th century. The survival of early life stressors resulted in life history trade-offs and increased risks for early death. Mortality risks were exacerbated for individuals who experienced frequent stressors during the earliest periods of life. This underscores a role for bioarchaeology in understanding of how accumulative stress burdens during the earliest years of postnatal life may influence mortality risk.
Checking Rights at the Border: Migrant Detention in International and Comparative Law

Human rights laws, both international and domestic, present a challenge to the sovereign rights of states. The right to determine who may enter a state is one of the fundamental attributes of sovereignty. Under international law, however, states cannot return a migrant with a potentially valid asylum claim to a place where his life will be in danger, and cannot return any migrant to a place where he might be tortured. States often detain migrants while processing their asylum claims, and pending deportation if those claims should fail. Yet international law, and many states’ domestic laws, prohibit prolonged detention and restrict detention conditions. As migration flows and detention rates have swelled globally, high courts have increasingly decided cases involving the rights of detained migrants. On February 27, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a critical decision on this issue in Jennings v. Rodriguez, allowing thousands of immigrants and asylum seekers to be detained indefinitely, without bail hearings, while remanding the case for consideration of their constitutional claims. This article compares court cases involving detention of migrants in the United States, Australia, and Europe to determine how states can comply with human rights law while preserving their right to protect their borders. Based on these cases, the article proposes best practices for state compliance with international law on detention. This comparison illuminates how courts strike a delicate balance between human rights and state sovereignty where national security interests are at stake.
Improving spatial resolution of PM2.5 measurements during wildfires

Abstract This study proposes an approach to improve the spatial resolution of ground-level concentrations of PM2.5 that is required to assess health risks associated with exposure to pollutants released during wildfires. We use this approach to analyze the impact on air quality of the wildfire complex consisting of the Atlas, Nuns, Tubbs, Pocket, and Redwood Valley fires in northern California that started on October 8, 2017 and the Camp Fire in northern California that was first reported on November 8, 2018. The PM2.5 concentrations measured in populated areas downwind of these fires were well above the 24-h standard of 35 μ g / m 3 during several days of both fires. To estimate health risks at locations where ground-based monitors did not provide sufficient spatial coverage we first estimate the emissions from the fires by fitting concentration estimates from two models, a Lagrangian model and a segmented plume dispersion model, to corresponding concentrations from ground monitors. We also use a power law model to fit the measured PM2.5 concentrations to the ratio of aerosol optical depth (AOD) to planetary boundary layer measured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) carried by NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites. Dispersion model estimates are then combined with estimates from the AOD model to compute ground-level concentrations at a resolution of 1 km. Kriged residuals between estimates from the combined model and measured PM2.5 concentrations are then added to obtain high resolution maps that can be used for exposure studies.
A Telehealth Initiative to Overcome Health Care Barriers for People Experiencing Homelessness.

People experiencing homelessness (PEH) encounter barriers to health care, increasing their vulnerability to illness, hospitalization, and death. Telehealth can improve access to health care, but its use in PEH has been insufficiently evaluated. Needs assessment surveys completed by clients at an urban drop-in center for PEH (n = 63) showed mental (58.7%) and physical (52.4%) health challenges were common, as was emergency department (ED) use (75.9%, n = 54). Surveys collected after in-person and telehealth clinical visits showed patient satisfaction was >90% for both visit types (n = 125, 44.0% telehealth and 56.0% in person). Without access to telehealth visits, 29.1% of patients would have gone to the ED and 38.2% would not have gotten care. Providers (n = 93, 69.6% telehealth and 30.4% in person) were more likely to agree/strongly agree they made a positive impact on patients' health through telehealth (92.2%) than in person (71.4%) (p = 0.019). Telehealth is a feasible and potentially cost-effective method to increase access to health care and reduce health outcome disparities in PEH.
Wetting indicators, modes, and trade-offs in membrane distillation

Abstract In this study, we propose and demonstrate a simple solute mass balance to determine vapor flux and liquid flux in membrane distillation for several membrane materials under baseline and wetting conditions. We observe that distillate salinity can increase due to an experimental artefact, but that liquid flux can be used to conclusively diagnose wetting, quantify wetting rates, and indicate the relative number of wetted pores. We identify two wetting modes: “constant wetting”, characterized by increasing distillate salinity and constant liquid flux, and “increasing wetting”, characterized by increasing distillate salinity and increasing liquid flux. Constant wetting indicates that isolated pores remain wetted throughout operation, while increasing wetting indicates that more pores wet over time. Constant wetting may be tolerable at low liquid flux, requiring no intervention and resulting in no trade-off between wetting resistance and water production. In contrast, increasing wetting requires intervention. Reducing membrane pore size or increasing thickness can increase wetting resistance and delay liquid flux – but can also reduce vapor flux, resulting in trade-offs between wetting resistance and vapor flux. These results provide new understanding of wetting modes and trade-offs in membrane distillation and can guide membrane design and operation, for conventional and challenging applications.
Dentist's Guide to Medical Conditions and Complications

Dentist's guide to medical conditions and complications , Dentist's guide to medical conditions and complications , کتابخانه مرکزی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی تهران
Generation of a proteolytic signal: E3/E2-mediated polyubiquitination of IκBα.

Abstract A key regulatory node in NF-κB signaling is the removal of the IκBα inhibitor, whose levels are tightly controlled by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. In response to signal activation and transmission, ubiquitin E1, E2, and E3 enzymes are employed to generate a lysine 48-linked ubiquitin chain that triggers degradation of IκBα by the proteasome. In this chapter we describe an in vitro biochemical approach to reconstitute the ubiquitination system. To do so, we detail methods for the preparation of the relevant enzymes and substrate, as well as for the execution of the reaction with high efficiency. This sensitive and highly reproducible readout can be applied to the study of proteins, small molecules, and other factors that modulate IκBα ubiquitination, thereby producing outcomes that impact NF-κB signaling to advance the course of improving human health.
Elucidating the Influence of Solvation on the Dynamics of Cluster Reactions

The ionization of neutral ammonia clusters mainly leads to the formation of protonated cluster ions,1–9 although unprotonated species (intact (NH3)n +) are sometimes observed in single photon experiments conducted under varying conditions.4–6 By contrast, unprotonated species (NH3)n +) are not observed in typical nanosecond multiphoton ionization experiments, and they have only been detected under very low fluence conditions. Some fraction of unprotonated clusters is always observed in femtosecond MPI, for which there is no dependence on fluence over a wide range of values.
RECOVER evidence and knowledge gap analysis on veterinary CPR. Part 5: Monitoring

Objective To systematically examine the evidence on patient monitoring before, during, and following veterinary CPR and to identify scientific knowledge gaps. Design Standardized, systematic evaluation of the literature, categorization of relevant articles according to level of evidence and quality, and development of consensus on conclusions for application of the concepts to clinical practice. Relevant questions were answered on a worksheet template and reviewed by the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) monitoring domain members, by the RECOVER committee and opened for comments by veterinary professionals for 3 months. Setting Academia, referral practice, and general practice. Results Eighteen worksheets evaluated monitoring practices relevant for diagnosing cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA), monitoring CPR efforts, identifying return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and post-ROSC monitoring. Conclusions Although veterinary clinical trials are lacking, experimental literature using canine models and human clinical trials provided relevant data. The major conclusions from this analysis of the literature highlight the utility of end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) monitoring to identify ROSC and possibly to evaluate quality of CPR. In addition, recommendations for ECG analysis during CPR were addressed. Unless the patient is instrumented at the time of CPA, other monitoring devices (eg, Doppler flow probe) are likely not useful for diagnosis of CPA, and the possibility of pulseless electrical activity makes ECG inappropriate as a sole diagnostic tool. Optimal monitoring of the intra- and postcardiac arrest patient remains to be determined in clinical veterinary medicine, and further evaluation of the prognostic and prescriptive utility of EtCO2 monitoring will provide material for future studies in veterinary CPR.
Class Action Settlements: An Opt-in Proposal

The outcome of a class action binds all class members except the few who take the trouble to opt out. This default rule enables plaintiffs' lawyers and defendants to settle class lawsuits on mutually beneficial terms that exploit class members. Judges approve such settlements because, among other things, they have a strong incentive to clear their dockets. This article suggests changing the default rule so that class settlements include only those who assent expressly to the terms of the settlement by opting in. This change would, ideally, decrease the incentive to settle collusively, discourage frivolous class lawsuits, and reward those plaintiffs who have the most meritorious claims.
Nitric oxide inhibitors attenuate excitotoxicity in rat hippocampal slices

Abstract To investigate whether nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in the neurotoxicity produced by N- methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) we have examined the effects of NO inhibitors on NMDA-mediated neurodegeneration in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices. l -N G -Monomethylarginine , l -N G -nitroarginine and hemoglobin markedly diminished the toxicity produced by activation of NMDA receptors without interfering with NMDA receptor-mediated ion currents or synaptic responses. The neuroprotective effects are reversed by coapplication of l -arginine with the NO synthase inhibitors. These results suggest that activation of the NO system is an important component of the biochemical cascade leading to neurodegeneration produced by NMDA receptors.
Growth of Listeria monocytogenes Inoculated in Waste Fluids from Clean‐up of a Meat Grinder

The potential of waste fluids from clean-up of a meat grinder to support growth (8°C and 35°C) of artificially inoculated Listeria monocytogenes Scott A was examined. Estimated generation times were 10.1 and 2.3 hr at 8°C, and 8.9 and 2.2 hr at 35°C for a fluid collected during rinsing of the meat grinder and a fluid collected from the floor drain, respectively. A sanitizer fluid (25 ppm titratable iodine), collected after sanitation of the grinder, inactivated the inoculated cells. Thus, waste fluids may support growth of L. monocytogenes in meat processing facilities, but frequent sanitation should inactivate the pathogen.
Self-Reported Goals of Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Enabling patients to manage their own chronic illnesses is well recognized as a vital component of successful chronic disease management.1 Multiple studies of self-management interventions across an array of chronic conditions have shown that increasing patient involvement in daily care responsibilities can improve health behaviors, health status, and healthcare utilization.2,3 A key element in this process is effective patient-provider communication.1 For providers, communicating with patients about a uniform prevention or treatment goal already represents a significant challenge. Such communication presents an even greater challenge when caring for older patients (≥65), for whom the goals of chronic disease management may differ from individual to individual. In the setting of diabetes mellitus care, it is unclear whether it is appropriate to apply general population standards of care to all older patients because few clinical trial data are directly applicable to the care of elderly, frail patients4–6 and because the population is clinically and functionally heterogeneous.7–9 To address these issues, the California Healthcare Foundation/American Geriatrics Society Panel on Improving Care for Elders with Diabetes has recommended that diabetes mellitus treatment goals be individualized for older patients.10–12 In such guidelines, the goals of preventing microvascular and cardiovascular complications are distinct for frail and non-frail patients, and the importance of common geriatric syndromes related to diabetes mellitus, such as polypharmacy, depression, and cognitive impairment,13 is greater for frail patients. An underlying assumption of these recommendations is that providers will make such care decisions in collaboration with patients, but little is known about how such complex discussions with patients occur in real practice. Exploring the healthcare goals of patients is a logical first step in developing an approach to effectively communicating with older patients with diabetes mellitus about individualization of their care. Identifying the goals of patients enables providers to reframe benefits of treatments from patients’ perspectives.14–16 Studies of patient-provider communication in diabetes mellitus care have evaluated the effect of enhanced patient-provider communications17,18 and the differences in perceptions and language of patients and providers regarding components of diabetes mellitus care.19–21 Although these studies have illustrated the general value of understanding patients’ perspectives, they have rarely examined patients’ self-expression of healthcare goals. Other qualitative studies regarding the general healthcare goals of older patients have found that older patients define health in ways that integrate physical, mental, spiritual, and social aspects of their lives.22,23 The present study has been designed to specifically examine how older patients define their healthcare goals, what factors shape their goals, and the extent to which their goals relate to self-care behavior.
The Politics of Bank Deregulation: Campaign Money, Exclusionary Rents, and the Garn - St. Germain Stand-Off, 1983-84

I examine both depository (commercial bank and thrift) and non-depository (brokerage and insurance) stock price reactions and political action committee (PAC) campaign contributions during the bank deregulation debate in the 98th Congress (1983-84). Contributions by depository firm PACs appear not only to purchase access to legislators serving on important banking committees crucial to their interests, but are also a significant determinant of votes for repealing the exclusionary clauses of the Glass-Steagall Act. Non-depository contributions do not appear to influence votes directly, even though the brokerage and insurance sectors appear to have effectively lobbied House Banking Committee chairman Fernand St. Germain to enforce the regulatory status quo. When I measure the rents at stake in the legislation using a two-factor, market model approach, I find that passage of the legislation in the Senate had a positive affect on depository firm returns, implying the sector's lobbying effort was justified. However, non- depository PACs lobbied just as extensively, and did not experience significant abnormal returns over the same event period, even though this round of deregulation should have been a zero-sum game between the affected sectors of the industry. I then measure the correlation between the market value impacts of new legislation and contribution amounts for individual firms within the sectors. I find rents are correlated with political activity, even for firms in the non-depository sectors.
Health Beliefs of Muslim Women Living in the United States and Implications for Cultural Competency in Physical Therapy Evaluation and Treatment

Purpose: This study investigated specific health beliefs of Muslim women and their decision to access and follow through with physical therapy evaluation and treatment. Design and Methods: A survey of health beliefs constructed from Purnell's cultural competence model was randomly distributed to twenty Muslim women in three cluster groups across the USA. Fourteen (n=14) were completed for analysis. Results: Results suggest that Muslim women perceive specific health beliefs as important and may effect their participation in physical therapy evaluation and treatment. Conclusion and Discussion: Health beliefs of Muslim women should be considered and future research explored in physical therapy practice.
Visualizing Multidimensional Data with Glyph SPLOMs

Scatterplot matrices or SPLOMs provide a feasible method of visualizing and representing multi-dimensional data especially for a small number of dimensions. For very high dimensional data, we introduce a novel technique to summarize a SPLOM, as a clustered matrix of glyphs, or a Glyph SPLOM. Each glyph visually encodes a general measure of dependency strength, distance correlation, and a logical dependency class based on the occupancy of the scatterplot quadrants. We present the Glyph SPLOM as a general alternative to the traditional correlation based heatmap and the scatterplot matrix in two examples: demography data from the World Health Organization (WHO), and gene expression data from developmental biology. By using both, dependency class and strength, the Glyph SPLOM illustrates high dimensional data in more detail than a heatmap but with more summarization than a SPLOM. More importantly, the summarization capabilities of Glyph SPLOM allow for the assertion of "necessity" causal relationships in the data and the reconstruction of interaction networks in various dynamic systems.
The effects of desipramine, zimelidine, electroconvulsive treatment and lithium on rat brain biogenic amines: A comparison with peripheral changes

Abstract The effects of 4 common treatments for affective disorders on total body norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) turnover and metabolism were evaluated in rats. The treatments were chronic desipramine (DMI), zimelidine (ZMI), electroconvulsion (ECT) and lithium (Li). The central effects of ECT and Li were also assessed in the brain. The results obtained were compared with the effects of these 4 treatments on total NE (Sum NE) and DA (Sum DA) turnover in depressed patients. We have also evaluated central and /or peripheral effects of these treatments on phenylethylamine, p-tyramine and serotonin metabolism. The urinary changes in Sum NE and DA observed after DMI, ZMI and Li in the rat were similar to those found in depressed patients; Sum NE was significantly reduced. In contrast to its effects on depressed patients, chronic ECT significantly increased Sum NE. Similar to depressed patients, ECT reduced the fraction of NE escaping re-uptake in the rat. Sum DA was not affected by DMI, ZMI or ECT, but was significantly reduced by chronic Li treatment. All 4 treatments significantly reduced serotonin metabolism as indicated by reduced 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion rates. DMI, ZMI and Li treatments significantly reduced phenylethylamine urinary but not p-tyramine urinary outputs. The opposite effect was observed after ECT. Consistent with their efefcts on Sum NE, Li reduced while ECT increased hypothalamic NE turnover as deduced from the changes in 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol's rate of formation. As for Sum DA, Li had no effect on 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid or homovanillic acid's rates of formation in the caudate nucleus. Chronic ECT produced a small, but significant increase in homovanillic acid's rate of formation in the caudate nucleus.