cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interseasonal and Intersexual Resource Partitioning in Hairy and White-Headed Woodpeckers

-Foraging behavior in the closely related Hairy (Picoides villosus) and Whiteheaded (P. albolarvatus) woodpeckers was examined in an area of sympatry to evaluate interseasonal and intersexual resource use. Similar foraging heights were observed for each species-sex sample during summer, but significant differences were evident during winter. Male and female White-heads maintained similar relative foraging heights between seasons, whereas male and female Hairies foraged relatively higher during winter. Use of tree species differed significantly for each class between seasons, except for male Hairies. Differences in foraging substrates and tree health also were noted interseasonally. All foraged at similar times of day during summer, but negative relationships occurred between times of foraging during winter; foraging times were significantly different between male Hairies and White-
Highway Salvage Archaeology in the Forestdale Valley, Arizona

ABSTRACTIn July 1966 under a contract with the Arizona Highway Department and the Bureau of Public Roads the Arizona State Museum in cooperation with the Museum of Northern Arizona conducted salvage excavations on two sites on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation near Forestdale, Arizona. Two phases of occupation were represented at one of the ruins investigated, the Skiddy Canyon Ruin. A kiva, pithouse and a number of burials show cultural affiliation with the Forestdale Phase dated between A.D. 600 and 800. A series of rectangular masonry rooms, a trash area, and burials were characteristic of the Linden Phase which has been dated provisionally between A.D. 1100 and 1200. A second site excavated, the Gobbler Tank site, is a small Linden Phase seasonal unit. Excavation of these sites has enabled a preliminary description of the Linden Phase in the Forestdale region.
Needle Thoracostomy for decompression of Tension Pneumothorax

Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition that must be intervened upon immediately to prevent death. Due to high failure rates of successfully decompressing tension pneumothorax, recent studies have been performed to seek alternate sites and needle size to improve success rates of needle decompression. CT, ultrasound, and cadaveric studies were performed looking at the fourth and fifth intercostal spaces at the anterior axillary line (AAL) with respect to chest wall thickness (CWT). The distance to vital structures was measured as a surrogate for unintentional injury. These studies revealed a decrease in CWT of 5–13 mm at the fourth and fifth ICS AAL. They also indicate that Increasing the needle length from 5 to 8 cm would improve success rates at all sites from roughly 70 to 96 % with no significant increase in injury to deep vital structures (DVS) assuming appropriate technique. The results of these studies indicate that using alternate sites and needle length would improve successful outcomes in the management of tension pneumothorax.
Background independent double field theory at order α ': Metric versus framelike geometry

The higher derivative corrections in double field theory are revisited to first order in ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$. In first order perturbation theory around flat space, the gauge algebra is ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ corrected, governed by two parameters $a$, $b$. One parameter choice corresponds to bosonic string theory, another to heterotic string theory. These results are generalized to second order in perturbation theory by a Noether procedure. Using consistency conditions derived from the Jacobi identity, it is shown that for general $a$, $b$ there is no generalized metric formulation. A manifestly background-independent formulation is instead given by a frame formalism, with ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-deformed frame transformations, as proposed by Marques and Nunez. Their construction is slightly generalized to an ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-deformed $GL(D)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}GL(D)$ frame formalism. The perturbation theory around flat space is matched to second order with the results obtained by the Noether procedure. We also obtain a formulation based on the ``nonsymmetric'' metric $\mathcal{E}$, the sum of metric, and $b$ field. The transformations of $\mathcal{E}$ under $O(D,D)$ receive nontrivial ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ corrections, unless $a=\ensuremath{-}b$, in which case there is a generalized metric formulation, in agreement with previous results in the literature.
The Overspent American: Upscaling, Downshifting, and the New Consumer

(1999). The Overspent American: Upscaling, Downshifting, and the New Consumer. Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 747-750.
Impact of Age at Smoking Initiation on Smoking-Related Morbidity and All-Cause Mortality

Introduction Using a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, the aims of this study were to examine the impact of early smoking initiation on the development of self-reported smoking-related morbidity and all-cause mortality. Methods National Health Interview Survey data from 1997 through 2005 were linked to the National Death Index with follow-up to December 31, 2011. Two primary dependent variables were smoking-related morbidity and all-cause mortality; the primary independent variable was age of smoking initiation. The analyses included U.S. population of current and former smokers aged ≥30 years (N=90,278; population estimate, 73.4 million). The analysis relied on fitting logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. Results Among the U.S. population of smokers, 7.3% started smoking before age 13 years, 11.0% at ages 13–14 years, 24.2% at ages 15–16 years, 24.5% at ages 17–18 years, 14.5% at ages 19–20 years, and 18.5% at ages ≥21 years. Early smoking initiation before age 13 years was associated with increased risks for cardiovascular/metabolic (OR=1.67) and pulmonary (OR=1.79) diseases as well as smoking-related cancers (OR=2.1) among current smokers; the risks among former smokers were cardiovascular/metabolic (OR=1.38); pulmonary (OR=1.89); and cancers (OR=1.44). Elevated mortality was also related to early smoking initiation among both current (hazard ratio, 1.18) and former smokers (hazard ratio, 1.19). Conclusions Early smoking initiation increases risks of experiencing smoking-related morbidities and all-cause mortality. These risks are independent of demographic characteristics, SES, health behaviors, and subsequent smoking intensity. Comprehensive tobacco control programs should be implemented to prevent smoking initiation and promote cessation among youth.
Design and analysis of computer experiment via dimensional analysis

ABSTRACTDesign and analysis techniques for computer experiments have been largely developed. However, empirical emulators generated based on experimental data usually fail to incorporate physical principles and dimensional constraints the computer model follows. In this article, we propose a new design and analysis framework based on dimensional analysis (DA), a widely used reduction technique in physics and engineering. We show that implementing DA in computer experiments is efficient, scalable, interpretable, robust and costless. We demonstrate the benefits and improvement in details by theoretical derivations and numerical examples of the borehole model and the damped harmonic oscillation.
Extending the survival advantage of ground glass

The ground glass opacity (GGO) is a radiographic finding that has become an increasingly informative component of lung adenocarcinomas (1).
Performing Arts-Based Education Research: An Epic Drama of Practice, Precursors Problems and Possibilities.

Metaphorically and physically structured as a drama in seven scenes, this article characterizes the contested theories, internal tensions, and conflicts across disciplinary practices of arts-based education research (ABER). The drama contributes to the field of art education by providing an overview of ABER theories and the varied manifestations across dance, drama, music, and visual arts disciplines. The author's transdisciplinary review begins by examining risks and challenges that ABER poses to traditional education research. Citing multiple performances, this article illustrates how ABER methodologies are grounded in specific sensibilities, aesthetic traditions, and social commitments. The author imagines 20th-century artists' works that might serve as precursors to contemporary ABER productions and differentiate community-based research performances from object(ive) re-searching and producing traditions. After examining obstacles arresting ABER's development, the article closes with a discussion of c...
Antigen Presentation and Antigen-presenting Cells in Graft-versus-host Disease

The initial step in graft-versus-host disease initiation is the activation of alloreactive T cells. In any adaptive immune response, this can be reduced to which cells do the priming (so called “antigen presenting cells” or APCs), where this stimulation occurs, and how this response is modified by other molecules that may affect the APCs, T cells or both. Unraveling these questions in pathogen systems has been challenging; however, understanding antigen presentation and T-cell activation in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is complicated by variables not found in pathogen systems: (i) a chimeric immune system wherein host and donor APCs can participate; (ii) recognition of allogeneic MHC molecules in addition to peptide minor histocompatibility antigens; (iii) the targeting of antigens potentially derived from any mammalian gene in contrast to only pathogen-encoded proteins; (iv) an essentially limitless supply of antigen; and (v) the lack of defined non-self innate activators of the immune system as GVHD is the attack by T cells against an organism of the same species. In this chapter we describe the many creative approaches that have been taken to dissect these questions.
Fast Dynamic Control of Stacked Low Inertia Converters

This paper explains control challenges of stacked low inertia converters (SLIC) in detail and presents a novel control method called model prediction based priority switching control (MPPS) for such converters. Low inertia converters, which feature smaller dc storage, either dc-link capacitor or inductor, dramatically reduce cost, size, and weight compared to conventional power converters. However, due to the absence of the large de-link buffer, the decoupling between input and output is reduced, leading to significant control challenges. The control becomes even more challenging when these converters are stacked for high voltage applications, which brings up coupling between the modules besides the coupling within each module. The paper discusses this multi-objective, multi-degree of freedom control problem and points out challenges of employing conventional control, such as PI, to achieve fast and stable operation of the stacked low inertia converters. A control method called model prediction based priority switching (MPPS) control is proposed. The proposed MPPS control and PI control applied to modular soft-switching solid-state transformer (S4T), a representative of the stacked low inertia converters, are compared to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
A cross-sectional survey evaluating transgender-related care education in United States pharmacy school curricula

Abstract Introduction The objectives of this study are to evaluate the extent of transgender-related care in current pharmacy school curricula, identify where transgender-related care is covered in the curriculum, describe how the content is delivered to pharmacy students, and review how student knowledge of transgender-related care is evaluated. Methods This cross-sectional study utilized an online survey of curricular contacts of 142 pharmacy schools in the United States. Survey questions regarding transgender-related care were presented as multiple choice, ranking, and free-response. The survey inquired about transgender-related care information taught, teaching methods, hours of education, and student assessment. Results Of the 66 schools that responded to the survey, 53% indicated that transgender-related education is a topic that is currently addressed somewhere within the curriculum. Twenty-two pharmacy schools incorporate this topic into the didactic curriculum, two into the experiential curriculum, and 10 into both didactic and experiential. Transgender-related care is only taught in the required curriculum of 41.2% of schools that responded to the survey. Conclusion Transgender-related care education is taught to variable degrees throughout US doctor of pharmacy programs. This study should serve as a call to action to incorporate this necessary transgender-related care education and training into pharmacy curricula to effectively reduce health disparities among this population that is increasingly seeking care.
Family and individual line selection for palmitate, saturates, linolenate and seed yield of soybean

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] genotypes with reduced paimitate, stearate, and linolenate have been developed to improve the nutritional characteristics and oxidative stability of the seed oil. The reduction of paimitate and stearate in soybean is necessary to comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations for vegetable oils that are labeled as being low in saturated fatty acids (U.S. FDA, 1994). The reduction of linolenate should improve the oxidative stability and reduce the formation of undesirable flavor compounds in the oil (Dutton at al., 1951; Smouse, 1979; Mounts et al., 1988; White and Miller, 1988). Plant-row-yield tests (PRYT) are used by soybean breeders for the initial yield evaluation of experimental lines. The highest yielding lines in the PRYT are advanced for evaluation in replicated tests. The objectives of this study were to compare the family and line methods of selection for reduced paimitate, paimitate stearate (saturates), linolenate, and for increased seed yield, determine the influence of the combination of reduced paimitate and linolenate on agronomic and seed traits, and determine the effectiveness of selecting lines from unreplicated plots. Four random Fs-derived lines from 21 F2 families from each of four populations were evaluated in a PRYT in 1995 and in replicated tests at four locations in 1996. For the family method, the mean paimitate, paimitate stearate (saturates), linolenate, and seed yield of the four Fs-derived lines of each F2 family was used to identify families from which to select individual lines. For the line method, lines were selected without regard to the family structure. The fatty ester contents or seed yield of the selected and unselected lines based on data from the PRYT were compared with their mean perfomnance in the 1996 environments. Selection of lines based on data from one 1996 environment was compared with their mean performance in the other three environments. The total number of lines selected by the family method was less than for the line method for all traits in the four populations. The percentage of selected lines that were correctly classified for ail traits was similar for both methods. There was a greater percentage of lines incorrectly rejected by the family method than by the line method for all traits. For development of cultivars with reduced paimitate, saturates, and linolenate, and with increased seed yield, breeding methods that rely on family performance
Ferroelectric films on metal substrates: The role of thermal expansion mismatch on dielectric, piezoelectric, and pyroelectric properties

We present here a comprehensive analysis of the effect of thermal stresses on the functional properties of ferroelectric oxides on metal substrates. We use a Landau-Devonshire formalism to quantitatively assess the role of in-plane thermal strains that arise from the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between lead zirconate titanate [PbZrxTi1–xO3, PZT x/(1 – x)] films and Al, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Ti-based substrates. Specifically, we compute Curie transition temperatures, spontaneous polarizations, dielectric permittivities, piezoelectric coefficients, and pyroelectric responses of tetragonal PZT compositions as a function of the growth/processing temperature. To provide a rapid evaluation, we also develop Ashby diagrams of property coefficients as a function of PZT composition, processing temperature, and CTE of the substrate. Our results show that thermal strains in PZT may significantly alter the ferroelectric transition temperature, dielectric, piezoelectric, and pyroelectric properties. For example, for PZT 50/50 films on Ni-based superalloys processed/annealed at 700 °C, we predict monodomain intrinsic dielectric, piezoelectric, and pyroelectric responses to be 234, 152 pC/N, and 0.021 μC cm−2 °C−1, respectively, compared to bulk PZT 50/50 values of 381, 326 pC/N, and 0.045 μC cm−2 °C−1. These are substantial variations which show that thermal strains must be considered in the design and development of built-in functionality obtained through ferroelectric films in structural, aerospace components.
A Physics-Based Compact Model for Ultrathin Black Phosphorus FETs—Part I: Effect of Contacts, Temperature, Ambipolarity, and Traps

We report a physics-based surface-potential compact model to describe current–voltage ( $I$ – $V$ ) relationship in a few-layered ambipolar black phosphorus (BP) transistors. To model the device electrostatics, the 2-D density of states of carriers and Fermi–Dirac statistics are used, while carrier transport is described using the drift-diffusion formalism. The model also comprehends the effects of interface traps and voltage-dependent Schottky-type source/drain contact resistances. Compared with prior BP FET models that are mainly suited for near-equilibrium transport and room-temperature operation, the model developed here is applicable over broad bias and temperature range. Validation of the model against measurement data of BP transistors with gate lengths 300–1000 nm and operating temperature from 200–298 K is demonstrated in a companion article.
gahwat al-murra: the N + DEF-ADJ syntagm and the *at > ah shift in Arabic

Multiple varieties of Arabic attest a definite noun + adjective syntagm in which only the adjective is marked morphologically with the article, e.g., Lebanese bēt iz-zġīr “the small house”. The feminine ending *-ah is everywhere realized -(v)t, e.g., Baghdadi sint il-māḍye “last year”. Most have assumed that it was originally appositional, and re-analysed as a construct, prompted perhaps by the loss of case (Hopkins 1984; Pat-El 2017). A few scholars (Reckendorf 1921; Retso 2009) have argued that this syntagm was originally construct. In this article I draw on relevant Arabic data, including parallels with dialectal tanwīn, as well as comparative Semitic evidence, to argue that this syntagm is, diachronically and synchronically, one of apposition and not annexation. I propose that the feminine -at here represents a retention of proto-Arabic *-at, which was protected by the close relationship between a noun and following attribute. I conclude with a discussion of historical and comparative implications.
The mixed model for repeated measures for cluster randomized trials: a simulation study investigating bias and type I error with missing continuous data

Cluster randomized trials (CRTs) are a design used to test interventions where individual randomization is not appropriate. The mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) is a popular choice for individually randomized trials with longitudinal continuous outcomes. This model’s appeal is due to avoidance of model misspecification and its unbiasedness for data missing completely at random or at random. We extended the MMRM to cluster randomized trials by adding a random intercept for the cluster and undertook a simulation experiment to investigate statistical properties when data are missing at random. We simulated cluster randomized trial data where the outcome was continuous and measured at baseline and three post-intervention time points. We varied the number of clusters, the cluster size, the intra-cluster correlation, missingness and the data-generation models. We demonstrate the MMRM-CRT with an example of a cluster randomized trial on cardiovascular disease prevention among diabetics. When simulating a treatment effect at the final time point we found that estimates were unbiased when data were complete and when data were missing at random. Variance components were also largely unbiased. When simulating under the null, we found that type I error was largely nominal, although for a few specific cases it was as high as 0.081. Although there have been assertions that this model is inappropriate when there are more than two repeated measures on subjects, we found evidence to the contrary. We conclude that the MMRM for CRTs is a good analytic choice for cluster randomized trials with a continuous outcome measured longitudinally. ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02804698.
Multicentric infantile myofibromatosis of the skull: a clinical observation

Objective We present a case of multicentre infantile myofibromatosis with involvement exclusively of the skull. Method An 8 - month - old girl presented with left temporal and right occipital calvarial lesions was underwent total resection of the temporal mass. The histopathological study gave a diagnosis of infantile myofibromatosis. The other lesion was left untreated. Serial follow - up by neuroimaging was obtained to explore the natural history of the disease. Results Six months after surgery, a new lesion in the midline of frontal bone was found and there was partial regression of the occipital lesion. Complete regression of the untreated lesions was shown at 2 years after operation. Conclusions Based on our case and literature review,we believe the multicentre infantile myofibromatosis of the skull is a disease of spontaneous regression. Key words: Infantile myofibromatosis; Multicentric; Skull
Aspirin versus low-molecular-weight heparin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in orthopaedic trauma patients: A patient-centered randomized controlled trial.

Background Emerging evidence suggests aspirin may be an effective venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis for orthopaedic trauma patients, with fewer bleeding complications. We used a patient-centered weighted composite outcome to globally evaluate aspirin versus low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for VTE prevention in fracture patients. Methods We conducted an open-label randomized clinical trial of adult patients admitted to an academic trauma center with an operative extremity fracture, or a pelvis or acetabular fracture. Patients were randomized to receive LMWH (enoxaparin 30-mg) twice daily (n = 164) or aspirin 81-mg twice daily (n = 165). The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of bleeding complications, deep surgical site infection, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and death within 90 days of injury. A Global Rank test and weighted time to event analysis were used to determine the probability of treatment superiority for LMWH, given a 9% patient preference margin for oral administration over skin injections. Results Overall, 18 different combinations of outcomes were experienced by patients in the study. Ninety-nine patients in the aspirin group (59.9%) and 98 patients in the LMWH group (59.4%) were event-free within 90 days of injury. Using a Global Rank test, the LMWH had a 50.4% (95% CI, 47.7-53.2%, p = 0.73) probability of treatment superiority over aspirin. In the time to event analysis, LMWH had a 60.5% probability of treatment superiority over aspirin with considerable uncertainty (95% CI, 24.3-88.0%, p = 0.59). Conclusion The findings of the Global Rank test suggest no evidence of superiority between LMWH or aspirin for VTE prevention in fracture patients. LMWH demonstrated a 60.5% VTE prevention benefit in the weighted time to event analysis. However, this difference did not reach statistical significance and was similar to the elicited patient preferences for aspirin.
Transient Nonlinear Refraction of Air in the Mid-IR

By exciting in both the Near-IR and Mid-IR and probing in the mid-IR, using the polarization-resolved Beam Deflection Technique, the bound electronic nonlinear refractive index of air is measured below the ionization threshold.
Maternal Education at Birth and Youth Breakfast Consumption at Age 15: Blacks' Diminished Returns.

Background: Based on the Marginalization-related Diminished Returns (MDRs) framework, high socioeconomic status (SES) such as parental education shows weaker effects for Blacks than Whites. For example, high SES Black individuals report a high level of depression, anxiety, suicide, chronic disease, smoking, and mortality. Limited knowledge exists on MDRs of parental education on dietary behavior. Aims: Built on the MDRs framework, we tested the hypothesis of whether the effect of parental education on eating breakfast differs for Black compared to White families. We hypothesized that there is an association between mothers’ educational attainment and eating breakfast and compared Blacks and Whites for the effect of mothers’ educational attainment on the frequency of eating breakfast. Methods: The Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study is a 15-year follow up study of a random sample of births in cities larger than 200,000 population. The predictor was parental education at birth. The outcome was the frequency of eating breakfast at age 15. Linear regression was used for data analysis. Results: Maternal educational attainment at birth was positively associated with youth frequency of eating breakfast among Whites, not Blacks. We also found a significant interaction between maternal educational attainment at birth and race, suggesting that the association between maternal education and youth frequency of eating breakfast at age 15 was weaker for Black than White families. Conclusions: Diminished returns of maternal educational attainment on healthy youth diet may contribute to the racial disparities in poor health of high SES Black families. That is, a smaller protective effect of maternal education on changing health behaviors for Black than White youth may be one of the mechanisms by which health is worse than expected in high SES Black families. The health disparities are not only due to racial differences in SES but also the diminishing returns of socioeconomic status indicators such as education for racial minorities. Research should study contextual and structural factors that reduce Black families’ ability to mobilize their human capital and secure health outcomes in urban settings.
Porphyria cutanea tarda presenting as a lichenoid eruption.

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a phototoxic cutaneous disease linked to elevated liver iron levels and photosensitizing heme precursors. Here, we report a 65-year-old man with a history of hypertension and heavy alcohol and tobacco use who presented to clinic for evaluation of an intensely pruritic rash on his arms present for 6 years. A biopsy completed 3 years prior demonstrated a lichenoid drug eruption.
Effect of Gender Differences on Patient-Reported Outcomes and Complications in Total Ankle Replacement.

Background:The purpose of this study was to evaluate gender differences in patient outcomes and complications following total ankle replacement (TAR).Methods:Consecutive patients who underwent prim...
Aerodynamic resuspension and contact removal of energetic particles from smooth, rough, and fibrous surfaces.

Abstract Surface sampling for trace explosives residues is a critical step in the security screening in which microparticles are collected for subsequent chemical analysis. The current surface swabbing approach suffers from limited sampling area coverage, uncertainty in harvesting efficiencies, and user bias. Non-contact sampling has received interest due to its ability to interrogate large surface areas without the redeposition of the collected sample. However, the aerodynamic liberation of energetic particles from different types of substrates has not been parameterized or directly compared with the contact sampling methods. Here, we report aerodynamic resuspension rates of TNT, RDX, and HMX microparticles from smooth, rough, and fibrous surfaces. The resuspension thresholds are correlated to the boundary layer properties, i.e., wall shear stresses (τw = 50–500Pa). These rates are then compared to contact sampling for five commercial swabs using a standardized swabbing method. LC-MS analysis is used for the quantification of particle removal efficiencies. Contact sampling has an advantage over the low shear stress cases for particle liberation from the smooth surfaces. Aerodynamic particle resuspension rates increase with the wall shear stress. It shows better results for rough and fibrous surfaces than contact removal for tested analytes.
Health care costs associated with primary care physicians versus nurse practitioners and physician assistants

Background Significant primary care provider (PCP) shortage exists in the United States. Expanding the scope of practice for nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) can help alleviate this shortage. The Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) has been a pioneer in expanding the role of NPs and PAs in primary caregiving. Purpose This study evaluated the health care costs associated with VA patients cared for by NPs and PAs versus primary care physicians (physicians). Methods A retrospective data analysis using two separate cohorts of VA patients, one with diabetes and the other with cardiovascular disease (CVD), was performed. The associations between PCP type and health care costs were analyzed using ordinary least square regressions with logarithmically transformed costs. Results The analyses estimated 12% to 13% (US dollars [USD] 2,626) and 4% to 5% (USD 924) higher costs for patients assigned to physicians as compared with those assigned to NPs and PAs, after adjusting for baseline patient sociodemographics and disease burden, in the diabetes and CVD cohort, respectively. Given the average patient population size of a VA medical center, these cost differences amount to a total difference of USD 14 million/year per center and USD 5 million/year per center for diabetic and CVD patients, respectively. Implications for practice This study highlights the potential cost savings associated with primary caregiving by NPs and PAs. In light of the PCP shortage, the study supports increased involvement of NPs and PAs in primary caregiving. Future studies examining the reasons for these cost differences by provider type are required to provide more scientific evidence for regulatory decision making in this area.
Readability of Commonly Used Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Laryngology

Objectives Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used to evaluate patients' symptoms and clinical improvement after an intervention. Advocacy efforts and increased provider awareness regarding health literacy have helped to improve the readability of PROMs. Recent studies in otolaryngology in rhinology, pediatric otolaryngology, and head and neck reported PROM readability scores above the sixth-grade level. However, there is limited data regarding the readability of laryngology PROMs. Thus, this study aims to report the readability levels of PROMs in laryngology by assessing different readability indices and describing the relationship of readability levels to equitable healthcare. Methods This is a bibliometric study that received approval from institutional review board (IRB) review as a nonhuman subject research study. Recent and widely utilized laryngology PROMs were selected from a publicly available literature search by reviewing laryngology systematic reviews, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Laryngology PROMs were selected from voice, dysphagia, airway, and other PROMs including voice questionnaires administered to patients seeking gender affirming voice care from systematic reviews and expert opinion. There were 37 PROMs included in this study. PROMs were analyzed via Gunning Fog, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), FORCAST, and Flesch Reading Ease Score. Results All laryngology PROMs had readabilities above the recommended sixth-grade level. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of Gunning Fog was 7.30 (2.59), SMOG was 8.70 (1.51), FORCAST was 10.05 (1.51), and Flesch Reading Ease Score was 8.08 (2.76). Conclusion Laryngology PROMs are above the recommended middle school reading level. To further promote health equity, readability should be considered when developing future PROMs. Level of evidence N/A Laryngoscope, 2021.
Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation of cardiac (Na+ + K+)-ATPases. Effect on calcium binding.

1. 1.|Calcium binding to (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) preparations from beef and pig heart preparations of varying degrees of purity was measured. 2. 2.|Binding was inhibited by Mg2+, Na+ and K+. Inhibition by Na+ and K+ appeared to be due to an ionic strength effect. 3. 3.|Four classes of binding sites were identified with Kd values for calcium of about 0.03, 1, 15 and 200 μM. 4. 4.|Cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of the enzyme by protein kinase (ATP : protamine O-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.70) had no effect on (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. 5. 5.|Phosphorylation also had no effect on either Kd or Bmax for calcium binding at any of the four sites whether measured in the presence or absence of NaCl or KCl. 6. 6.|It is concluded that previous reports of an effect of phosphorylation on calcium binding to a (Na+ + K+)-ATPase preparation may have been due to the presnece of membrane material not directly associated with (Na+ + K+)-ATPase.
Learning to Imitate Human Actions through Eigenposes

Programming a humanoid robot to perform an action that takes into account the robot’s complex dynamics is a challenging problem. Traditional approaches typically require highly accurate prior knowledge of the robot’s dynamics and the environment in order to devise complex control algorithms for generating a stable dynamic motion. Training using human motion capture (mocap) data is an intuitive and flexible approach to programming a robot but direct usage of kinematic data from mocap usually results in dynamically unstable motion. Furthermore, optimization using mocap data in the high-dimensional full-body joint-space of a humanoid is typically intractable. In this chapter, we purposes a new model-free approach to tractable imitation-based learning in humanoids by using eigenposes.
The Blind Man and the Loon: The Story of a Tale

In The Blind Man and the Loon, Craig Mishler presents a comprehensive examination of a single folktale found throughout many cultures of the Arctic and Subarctic, representing forty years of docume...
Isolation and characterization of a gene, pmrD, from Salmonella typhimurium that confers resistance to polymyxin when expressed in multiple copies.

We have isolated from Salmonella typhimurium a gene, designated pmrD, that confers resistance to the membrane-damaging drug, polymyxin B when expressed from the medium-copy-number plasmid pHSG576. The gene maps to 46 min on the standard genetic map, near the menB gene, and is therefore distinct from the previously described pmrA locus. We have mapped the polymyxin resistance activity to a 1.3-kb ClaI-PvuII fragment which contains a small open reading frame that could encode an 85-amino-acid peptide. When an omega-Tet insertion was made into the putative pmrD open reading frame (pmrD2::omega-Tet), the resulting plasmid no longer conferred polymyxin resistance, whereas an omega-Tet insertion into vector sequences had no effect. Maxicell analysis confirmed that a protein of the expected size is made in vivo. The PmrD protein shows no significant homology to any known protein, but it does show limited homology across the active site of the p15 acid protease from Rous sarcoma virus, indicating that the protein may have proteolytic activity. However, changing the aspartic acid residue at the putative active site to alanine reduced but did not eliminate polymyxin resistance. When pmrD2::omega-Tet replaced the chromosomal copy of pmrD, the resulting strain showed wild-type sensitivity to polymyxin and could be complemented to resistance by a plasmid that carried pmrD. The pmrA505 allele confers resistance to polymyxin when present in single copy on the chromosome or when present on a plasmid in pmrA+ pmrD+ cells. In combination with the pmrD(2)::-Tet mutation, the effect o the pmrA505 allele on polymyxin resistance was reduced, whether pmrA505 was present in the chromosome or on a plasmid. Conversely, a strain carrying an insertion in pmrA could be complemented to polymyxin resistance by a plasmid carrying the pmrA505 allele but not by a plasmid carrying pmrD. On the basis of these results, we suggest that polymyxin resistance is mediated by an interaction between PmrA or a PmrA-regulated gene product and PmrD. Images
Specific inhibition of AT1-AAs by direct binding improves maternal and fetal outcome in response to placental ischemia during pregnancy: emphasizing the importance of novel drug development in the treatment of preeclampsia (860.15)

Preeclampsia, (PE) hypertension with proteinuria during pregnancy, is associated with antibodies that activate the angiotensin II receptor (AT1-AA). Infusion of AT1-AA increases blood pressure (MAP...
A fuzzy discrete particle swarm optimization classifier for rule classification

The need to deduce interesting and valuable information from large, complex, information-rich data sets is common to many research fields. Rule discovery or rule mining uses a set of IF-THEN rules to classify a class or category in a comprehensible way. Besides the classical approaches, many rule mining approaches use biologically-inspired algorithms such as evolutionary algorithms and swarm intelligence approaches. In this paper, a Particle Swarm Optimization based discrete classification implementation with a local search strategy (DPSO-LS) was devised and applied to discrete data. In addition, a fuzzy DPSO-LS (FDPSO-LS) classifier is proposed for both discrete and continuous data in order to manage imprecision and uncertainty. Experimental results reveal that DPSO-LS and FDPSO-LS outperform other classification methods in most cases based on rule size, True Positive Rate (TPR), False Positive Rate (FPR), and precision, showing slightly improved results for FDPSO-LS.
Large Scale Structure and Galaxy Evolution in COSMOS

Galaxy evolution and AGN growth in the early universe are believed to be strongly driven by merging (hierarchical growth) and galaxy dynamical interactions. Thus, a full exploration of the environmental influences is absolutely essential to understanding this early evolution. The Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS; Scoville et al. in Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser. 172:1, 2007) is specifically designed to probe the correlated coevolution of galaxies, star formation, active galactic nuclei (AGN) and dark matter (DM) large-scale structures (LSS) over the redshift range z>0.5–3. The survey includes multi-wavelength imaging and spectroscopy from X-ray to radio wavelengths covering a 2 deg2 equatorial field. Given the very high sensitivity and resolution of these datasets, COSMOS also provide unprecedented samples of objects at z>3 and will be a fundamental resource for future cosmology studies. I review the characteristics of the COSMOS survey and show exciting initial results mapping large scale structures in galaxies and dark matter.
Elements Of Power Electronics

Building on the tradition of its classic first edition, the long-awaited second edition of Elements of Power Electronics provides comprehensive coverage of the subject at a level suitable for undergraduate engineering students, students in advanced degree programs, and novices in the field. It establishes a fundamental engineering basis for power electronics analysis, design, and implementation, offering broad and in-depth coverage of basic material. Streamlined throughout to reflect new innovations in technology, the second edition also features updates on renewable and alternative energy. Elements of Power Electronics features a unifying framework that includes the physical implications of circuit laws, switching circuit analysis, and the basis for converter operation and control. It discusses dc-dc, ac-dc, dc-ac, and ac-ac conversion tasks and principles of resonant converters and discontinuous converters. The text also addresses magnetic device design, thermal management and drivers for power semiconductors, control system aspects of converters, and both small-signal and geometric controls. Models for real devices and components-including capacitors, inductors, wire connections, and power semiconductors-are developed in depth, while newly expanded examples show students how to use tools like Mathcad, Matlab, and Mathematica to aid in the analysis and design of conversion circuits. Features: *More than 160 examples and 350 chapter problems support the presented concepts*An extensive Companion Website includes additional problems, laboratory materials, selected solutions for students, computer-based examples, and analysis tools for Mathcad, Matlab, and Mathematica
Defining transcriptional networks through integrative modeling of mRNA expression and transcription factor binding data.

Functional genomics studies are yielding information about regulatory processes in the cell at an unprecedented scale. In the yeast S. cerevisiae, DNA microarrays have not only been used to measure the mRNA abundance for all genes under a variety of conditions but also to determine the occupancy of all promoter regions by a large number of transcription factors. The challenge is to extract useful information about the global regulatory network from these data. We present MA-Networker, an algorithm that combines microarray data for mRNA expression and transcription factor occupancy to define the regulatory network of the cell. Multivariate regression analysis is used to infer the activity of each transcription factor, and the correlation across different conditions between this activity and the mRNA expression of a gene is interpreted as regulatory coupling strength. Applying our method to S. cerevisiae, we find that, on average, 58% of the genes whose promoter region is bound by a transcription factor are true regulatory targets. These results are validated by an analysis of enrichment for functional annotation, response for transcription factor deletion, and over-representation of cis-regulatory motifs. We are able to assign directionality to transcription factors that control divergently transcribed genes sharing the same promoter region. Finally, we identify an intrinsic limitation of transcription factor deletion experiments related to the combinatorial nature of transcriptional control, to which our approach provides an alternative. Our reliable classification of ChIP positives into functional and non-functional TF targets based on their expression pattern across a wide range of conditions provides a starting point for identifying the unknown sequence features in non-coding DNA that directly or indirectly determine the context dependence of transcription factor action. Complete analysis results are available for browsing or download at http://bussemaker.bio.columbia.edu/papers/MA-Networker/ .
Telehealth and ergonomics: A pilot study

Objectives: As an emerging model of health care delivery, telehealth has the potential to provide individuals living in remote regions with access to health care services that are otherwise not available. This paper provides a review of the feasibility, comparative effectiveness, cost effectiveness, client and clinician satisfaction, and the barriers to providing telehealth services. A proof-of-concept study that examined the feasibility of telehealth-based ergonomic assessment and intervention is included in this paper to demonstrate the application of telehealth in occupational therapy and ergonomics.Methods: Ten computer users received a telehealth ergonomic assessment and intervention for their computer workstations via the Telerehabilitation Computer Ergonomics System tele-CES --a platform for computer users to access web-based assessments and to communicate with researchers via tele-conferencing. The tele-CES was used to assess participants' computer workstations and pain and comfort levels at baseline and at 4-month follow-up. Ergonomic recommendations were also provided via the tele-CES. Results: Although there was no significant improvement in pain and comfort for participants, a high rate of compliance with ergonomic recommendations --88% of all recommendations --was observed. Conclusion: Further research examining the comparative effectiveness of telehealth ergonomic assessment and intervention relative to in-person ergonomic assessment and intervention is warranted.
Endogenous Angiogenesis Inhibitors Prevent Adaptive Capillary Growth in Left Ventricular Pressure Overload Hypertrophy

Background In left ventricular (LV) pressure-overload hypertrophy, lack of adaptive capillary growth contributes to progression to failure. Remodeling of the hypertrophied myocardium requires proteolysis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) carried out by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs, specifically MMP-9, are known to cleave ECM components to generate angiogenesis inhibitors (angiostatin, endostatin, tumstatin). We hypothesize that MMP-9 releases antiangiogenic factors during compensated and decompensated hypertrophy, which results in lack of adaptive capillary growth. Methods Newborn rabbits underwent aortic banding. Myocardial tissue from age-matched and banded animals at compensated (4 weeks) and decompensated hypertrophy (7 weeks), as identified by serial echocardiography, was analyzed by immunoblotting for angiostatin, endostatin, and tumstatin. MMP-9 activity was determined by zymography. A cell-permeable, potent, selective MMP-9 inhibitor was administered intrapericardially to animals with hypertrophied hearts and tissue was analyzed. Results MMP-9 is activated in hypertrophied myocardium versus in control hearts (22 ± 2 versus 16 ± 1; p = 0.04), which results in significantly increased levels of angiostatin (115 ± 10 versus 86 ± 7; p = 0.02), endostatin (33 ± 1 versus 28 ± 1; p = 0.006), and tumstatin (35 ± 6 versus 17 ± 4; p = 0.04). Zymography confirms inhibition of MMP-9 (hypertrophy + MMP-9 inhibitor, 14 ± 0.6 versus hypertrophy + vehicle, 17 ± 1; p = 0.01) and angiostatin, endostatin, and tumstatin are down-regulated, accompanied by up-regulation of capillary density (hypertrophy + MMP-9 inhibitor, 2.99 ± 0.07 versus hypertrophy + vehicle, 2.7 ± 0.05; p = 0.002). Conclusions Up-regulation of angiogenesis inhibitors prevents adaptive capillary growth in pressure-overload hypertrophied myocardium. Therapeutic interventions aimed at inhibition of angiogenesis inhibitors are useful in maintaining capillary density and thereby preventing heart failure.
Size Variation in the Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis) and Late Quaternary Climatic Change in South Africa

The average adult size of the rock hyrax varies greatly across South Africa. Regression analysis suggests that mean hyrax size is more closely linked to precipitation than to temperature, probably because precipitation has a much greater impact on preferred hyrax food plants. The relationship between mean size and precipitation is curvilinear, such that size increases up to about 700 mm/annum and declines thereafter. This parallels a tendency for less palatable grasses to replace more palatable ones where rainfall exceeds 700 mm/annum. In conjunction with other indicators of past climate, hyrax size variation can be used to reconstruct precipitation history near deeply stratified South African late Quaternary sites, including Elands Bay Cave, Die Kelders Cave 1, and Nelson Bay Cave.