cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Markov Properties for Linear Causal Models with Correlated Errors

A linear causal model with correlated errors, represented by a DAG with bi-directed edges, can be tested by the set of conditional independence relations implied by the model. A global Markov property specifies, by the d-separation criterion, the set of all conditional independence relations holding in any model associated with a graph. A local Markov property specifies a much smaller set of conditional independence relations which will imply all other conditional independence relations which hold under the global Markov property. For DAGs with bi-directed edges associated with arbitrary probability distributions, a local Markov property is given in Richardson (2003) which may invoke an exponential number of conditional independencies. In this paper, we show that for a class of linear structural equation models with correlated errors, there is a local Markov property which will invoke only a linear number of conditional independence relations. For general linear models, we provide a local Markov property that often invokes far fewer conditional independencies than that in Richardson (2003). The results have applications in testing linear structural equation models with correlated errors.
The natural history of medically managed acute type B aortic dissection.

Objective Although medical management of acute uncomplicated type B aortic dissection remains the standard of care, contemporary data regarding the natural history of medically treated patients are sparse. The goal of this study was to evaluate the natural history of patients with acute type B aortic dissection who were initially managed with medical therapy alone. Methods All patients with acute type B aortic dissection who were initially managed medically between March 1999 and March 2011 were included. Failure of medical therapy was defined as any death or aorta-related intervention. Early failure occurred within 15 days of presentation. Predictors of long-term outcomes were determined using backward stepwise regression. Results A total of 298 patients with medically managed acute type B dissections were identified. The cohort had an average age of 65.9 years at presentation and was 61.7% male. There were 174 (58.4%) failures including 119 deaths and 87 interventions (24 endovascular, 63 open); 57 (66%) interventions were performed for aneurysmal degeneration. There were 37 (12%) early failures including 14 deaths and 25 interventions (10 endovascular, 15 open). Aneurysmal degeneration was the indication for intervention in six patients (24%). Mean follow-up was 4.2 years (range, 0.1-14.7 years). Kaplan-Meier estimate demonstrated that freedom from intervention was 77.3% ± 2.4% at 3 years and 74.2% ± 2.5% at 6 years. There were no predictors of freedom from intervention. Kaplan-Meier estimate demonstrated that the intervention-free survival was 55.0% ± 3.0% at 3 years and 41.0% ± 3.2% at 6 years. End-stage renal disease was predictive of failure of medical treatment (hazard ratio, 2.60; confidence interval, 1.19-5.66; P = .02), and age >70 years was protective against failure (hazard ratio, 0.97; confidence interval, 0.95-0.98; P P = .018). Conclusions The majority of patients with acute type B dissection will fail medical therapy over time as evidenced by a 6-year intervention-free survival of 41%. Patients who underwent any aortic intervention had a significant survival advantage over those who were treated with medical management alone. Further study is necessary to determine who will benefit most from early intervention.
Targeting castration-resistant prostate cancer with monoclonal antibodies and constructs.

Antibodies administered either alone or in a unique construct that can enhance targeting, immunologic recognition and cell killing, remain an area of active interest for a variety of solid tumors. Prostate cancer has unique characteristics as a target for immune-mediated therapies, particularly since it has not only a wide array of antigens expressed on its cell surface, but also has an associated biomarker, which not only can monitor the disease status but also its response to therapy. A number of unique cell surface antigens, as well as internally mediated cell molecules, have shown their clinical activity and efficacy as prostate cancer treatments. The continued evolution of novel antibody–drug and antibody–imaging constructs will probably offer more efficient ways to deliver a therapeutic to the tumor and enhance imaging of active or treated sites of disease.
Man must measure: except for cardiologists!

When Lancelot Hogben (British mathematician, zoologist, and humanist, 1895 to 1975) said “Man Must Measure” ([1][1]) he had obviously not met a cardiologist! Cardiologists interpret images from various modalities: ultrasound, nuclear medicine, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), computed
Penn: Using Word Similarities to better Estimate Sentence Similarity

We present the Penn system for SemEval-2012 Task 6, computing the degree of semantic equivalence between two sentences. We explore the contributions of different vector models for computing sentence and word similarity: Collobert and Weston embeddings as well as two novel approaches, namely eigen-words and selectors. These embeddings provide different measures of distributional similarity between words, and their contexts. We used regression to combine the different similarity measures, and found that each provides partially independent predictive signal above baseline models.
Guiding Litigation: Applying Law to Facts in Germany

"Judges should apply the law, not make it." That plea appears perennially in American politics. American legal scholars belittle it as a "simple-minded demand" that is "silly and misleading. It is not; it is what the public rightly expects from law. H.L.A. Hart, reminded U.S. jurists that "conventional legal thought in all countries conceives as the standard judicial function: the impartial application of determinant existing rules in the settlement of disputes."This essay discusses the German method of judicial applying of law to facts. called, in German, the "Relationstechnik," that is, in English, literally "relationship technique." This essay shows how it helps make German civil justice work effectively and justly.
Das PLT-Gerät von morgen

PLT-Feldgerate stellen die Basis der Automatisierung dar. Sie sind in Stuckzahl und Investitionsvolumen sowohl bei der installierten Basis als auch im Projektgeschaft die dominierende Grose. Bei der Messtechnik sind technologische Innovationen in den letzten Jahren vor allem in der Analysenmesstechnik zu verzeichnen gewesen, bei den klassischen Messaufgaben wie Druck, Stand, Temperatur und Durchfluss waren sie eher die Ausnahme. In diesem Gebiet der "reifen" PLT-Feldgerate sind technische Optimierung, Standardisierung und Zusatznutzen die Schlagworte fur einen weitergehenden innovativen Entwicklungsprozess. Aufgrund der hohen Stuckzahlen und der damit verbunden grosen Hebelwirkung lohnen auch kleine Innovationsschritte die Anstrengung der Umsetzung. Anhand von konkrekten Beispielen im Lebenszyklus eines PLT-Feldgerates werden die Anforderungen an das "PLT-Feldgerat von morgen" formuliert.
Production, Detection, Spectroscopy and Collisions of Ultracold KRb Molecules*

The production, detection, spectroscopy, Raman transfer and reactive and nonreactive collisions of ultracold KRb molecules will be surveyed and discussed.
Assessing current trends in resident hysterectomy training.

OBJECTIVES : Our survey assessed the current trends in hysterectomy experience in US obstetrics and gynecology (OG) residency programs and residents' and program directors' perceptions of robotic surgery's effect on surgical training. METHODS : An online survey was e-mailed to program directors and graduating residents of 42 US OG programs. RESULTS A total of 21 program directors and 35 graduating residents responded. There was no significant difference between the number of hysterectomies residents and program directors thought should be performed. Only 38.1% of program directors and 27.8% of residents reported graduating residents as being "completely prepared" to perform a vaginal hysterectomy compared with 76.2% and 58.3% for abdominal, 28.6% and 22.2% for laparoscopic, and 0% and 2.8% for robotic hysterectomies. Only 12.1% of graduating residents and 17.7% of program directors reported residents sitting at the console "often" or "always" during robotic surgery. Only 34.3% of residents plan to perform robotic hysterectomy after graduation. Both residents (77.2%) and program directors (71.5%) reported that robotic surgery is having a negative impact on residents' training nationally. CONCLUSIONS : Graduating residents report adequate numbers of vaginal and abdominal hysterectomies. Both residents and program directors report that graduating residents are not prepared to perform all types of hysterectomies. Both residents and program directors express concern that robotic surgery is negatively impacting surgical training. Further efforts are needed to ensure that residents are graduating with surgical proficiency in these basic gynecologic procedures.
The massive weight loss patient.

These patients present a unique problem to the plastic surgeon who is accustomed to excising small to moderate amounts of redundancy of isolated areas such as the arms, abdomen, thighs, or breasts. Here he is confronted with massive redundancy of skin in all of these areas, plus the back, buttocks, and other sundry areas.
Transcriptome sequencing reveals a profile that corresponds to genomic variants in Waldenström macroglobulinemia.

Abstract Whole-genome sequencing has identified highly prevalent somatic mutations including MYD88, CXCR4, and ARID1A in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM). The impact of these and other somatic mutations on transcriptional regulation in WM remains to be clarified. We performed next-generation transcriptional profiling in 57 WM patients and compared findings to healthy donor B cells. Compared with healthy donors, WM patient samples showed greatly enhanced expression of the VDJ recombination genes DNTT, RAG1, and RAG2, but not AICDA. Genes related to CXCR4 signaling were also upregulated and included CXCR4, CXCL12, and VCAM1 regardless of CXCR4 mutation status, indicating a potential role for CXCR4 signaling in all WM patients. The WM transcriptional profile was equally dissimilar to healthy memory B cells and circulating B cells likely due increased differentiation rather than cellular origin. The profile for CXCR4 mutations corresponded to diminished B-cell differentiation and suppression of tumor suppressors upregulated by MYD88 mutations in a manner associated with the suppression of TLR4 signaling relative to those mutated for MYD88 alone. Promoter methylation studies of top findings failed to explain this suppressive effect but identified aberrant methylation patterns in MYD88 wild-type patients. CXCR4 and MYD88 transcription were negatively correlated, demonstrated allele-specific transcription bias, and, along with CXCL13, were associated with bone marrow disease involvement. Distinct gene expression profiles for patients with wild-type MYD88, mutated ARID1A, familial predisposition to WM, chr6q deletions, chr3q amplifications, and trisomy 4 are also described. The findings provide novel insights into the molecular pathogenesis and opportunities for targeted therapeutic strategies for WM.
A Systematic Review of Methods and Procedures Used in Ecological Momentary Assessments of Diet and Physical Activity Research in Youth: An Adapted STROBE Checklist for Reporting EMA Studies (CREMAS)

Background: Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a method of collecting real-time data based on careful timing, repeated measures, and observations that take place in a participant’s typical environment. Due to methodological advantages and rapid advancement in mobile technologies in recent years, more studies have adopted EMA in addressing topics of nutrition and physical activity in youth. Objective: The aim of this systematic review is to describe EMA methodology that has been used in studies addressing nutrition and physical activity in youth and provide a comprehensive checklist for reporting EMA studies. Methods: Thirteen studies were reviewed and analyzed for the following 5 areas of EMA methodology: (1) sampling and measures, (2) schedule, (3) technology and administration, (4) prompting strategy, and (5) response and compliance. Results: Results of this review showed a wide variability in the design and reporting of EMA studies in nutrition and physical activity among youth. The majority of studies (69%) monitored their participants during one period of time, although the monitoring period ranged from 4 to 14 days, and EMA surveys ranged from 2 to 68 times per day. More than half (54%) of the studies employed some type of electronic technology. Most (85%) of the studies used interval-contingent prompting strategy. For studies that utilized electronic devices with interval-contingent prompting strategy, none reported the actual number of EMA prompts received by participants out of the intended number of prompts. About half (46%) of the studies failed to report information about EMA compliance rates. For those who reported, compliance rates ranged from 44-96%, with an average of 71%. Conclusions: Findings from this review suggest that in order to identify best practices for EMA methodology in nutrition and physical activity research among youth, more standardized EMA reporting is needed. Missing the key information about EMA design features and participant compliance might lead to misinterpretation of results. Future nutrition and physical activity EMA studies need to be more rigorous and thorough in descriptions of methodology and results. A reporting checklist was developed with the goal of enhancing reliability, efficacy, and overall interpretation of the findings for future studies that use EMAs. [J Med Internet Res 2016;18(6):e151]
Trust framework for social networks

We are developing a trust framework for social networks. The framework includes new metrics for trust evaluation and its confidence. We consider trust assessments similar to physical measurements. Therefore, we apply measurement theory of errors in trust evaluation. We have tested our framework with real datasets from social networks. Our results confirm the validity of our approach. Furthermore, we show some great advantages of our framework, for example the trust view in an experiment was increased more than 2000 times. Our framework can be used to build security mechanisms for social networks, including filters against DDoS and untrusted information, detection of cliques of attackers and much more.
Vitamin D, Childhood Wheezing, Asthma, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the relation of vitamin D to childhood wheezing and asthma, along with emerging evidence on the role of vitamin D among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Vitamin D deficiency appears to increase risk of acute respiratory infections, which cause incident childhood wheezing and asthma exacerbations. Few studies have also suggested that vitamin D deficiency affects risk of incident asthma. Research studies have also indicated that Vitamin D may contribute to human lung development. Vitamin D's myriad effects on innate and adaptive immunity provide biological plausibility for how vitamin D deficiency—increases risk of infection, lowers therapeutic response to corticosteroids, and increases risk of other atopic conditions, such as eczema and food allergy. However, the role of vitamin D in the etiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its exacerbations remain uncertain. Further studies, especially randomized controlled trials (RCTs), are needed to better establish the effects of vitamin D on acute respiratory infections and other respiratory disorders, particularly in fall or winter at higher latitudes.
Reading The Amanda Project: The Lifecycle of a Pioneering Multiplatform Book (2009–2012)

Chapter 5 presents a case study of an early multiplatform book-and-integrated-website project called The Amanda Project, on which the publisher, HarperCollins, solicited users’ feedback, comments, and storylines, which would allegedly be incorporated into future books in the series. The Amanda Project study demonstrates how user-generated content could be extended from the type of participation on the RandomBuzzers and TwilightSaga sites by actually having the readers contribute content that would be used in future books in the series.
Duplex ultrasound evidence of fat embolism syndrome

Fat embolism syndrome is a potentially fatal disease process most commonly associated with long-bone and pelvic fractures. Reports describing ultrasound evidence of fat emboli are restricted to echocardiography. We propose a new objective finding on venous duplex ultrasound imaging of the lower extremities as a useful diagnostic criterion by presenting the case reports of two patients with acute long-bone fractures, possibly leading to earlier orthopedic fixation and allocation of resources to those patients at higher risk of fat embolism syndrome.
A Multi-Step Adaptive Interpolation Approach to Mitigating the Impact of Nonlinearity on Dynamic State Estimation

Accurate estimation of dynamic states (such as synchronous machine rotor angle and speed) is critical for monitoring and controlling transient stability. Extended Kalman filter (EKF)-based approaches have been developed for estimating dynamic states. In order to improve the EKF’s performance in estimating dynamic states of a synchronous machine, this paper proposes a multi-step adaptive interpolation (MSAI) approach to achieve a balance between estimation accuracy and computational time. This approach consists of three major steps. First, two indexes are calculated to quantify the nonlinearity of the state transition function and measurement function, respectively. Second, based on the nonlinearity indexes, the interpolation factor is determined using a finite state machine model. And finally, to mitigate the negative impact of nonlinearity on the estimation accuracy, pseudo-measurements are added between consecutive measurements through linear interpolation. A simple example is used to validate the proposed nonlinear indexes. The two-area four-machine system and 16-machine 68-bus system are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed MSAI approach. It is shown through the Monte-Carlo method that the estimation accuracy can be improved through interpolation. In addition, a good tradeoff between estimation accuracy and computational time can be achieved effectively through the proposed MSAI approach.
Carbon Mineralization and Water-Extractable Organic Carbon and Nitrogen as Predictors of Soil Health and Nitrogen Mineralization Potential

ABSTRACTThe United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) launched a national “Soil health initiative” in 2012; as a part of that effort, a soil health index (SHI) has been developed. The SHI is calculated using results of three soil tests: 24-h carbon mineralization following rewetting of air-dried soil (Cmin, by the “Solvita” proprietary method) and water-extractable organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). These tests are being promoted both as the inputs into the SHI calculation and as predictors of soil N mineralization potential. Soil was collected from 35 California fields in annual crop rotations; 20 fields were under certified organic management and the other 15 under conventional management, to provide a range of soil properties and management effects. Carbon mineralization was determined by the Solvita method, and by a comparison method utilizing head space carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring by infrared gas analyzer (IRGA); additionally, two soil wetting protoco...
The Role of Leadership Support for Health Promotion in Employee Wellness Program Participation, Perceived Job Stress, and Health Behaviors:

Purpose:The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between leadership support for health promotion and job stress, wellness program participation, and health behaviors.Design:A cross-sectional survey design was used.Setting:Four worksites with a range of wellness programs were selected for this study.Participants:Participants in this study were employees (n = 618) at 4 organizations (bank, private university, wholesale supplier, and public university) in the southeastern United States, each offering an employee wellness program. Response rates in each organization ranged from 3% to 34%.Measures:Leadership support for health promotion was measured with the Leading by Example instrument. Employee participation in wellness activities, job stress, and health behaviors were measured with multi-item scales.Analysis:Correlation/regression analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the relationships among the scaled variables.Results:Employees reporting higher levels of leadership supp...
Less suppressed μ→eγ and τ→μγ loop amplitudes and extra dimension theories

Abstract When μeγ (or τμγ) loop involves a vector boson, the amplitude is suppressed by more than two powers of heavy particle masses. However we show that the scalar boson loop diagrams are much less damped. Particularly, the loop amplitude in which the intermediate fermion and scalar boson have comparable masses is as large as possible, as allowed by the decoupling theorem. Such a situation is realized in the “universal extra dimension theory”, and can yield a large enough rate for μeγ to be detectable in current experiments. Our investigation involves precise calculation of the scalar boson loop's dependence on the masses of the intermediate states.
Early Digital Literacy: Learning to Watch, Watching to Learn

Young children find it challenging to use video for learning. Infants learn to navigate the conflicting perceptual cues that make video look both similar to and distinct from reality, with social support helping them learn to take a “referential stance” toward 2D images. Toddlers' developing concept of the distinction between video and reality appears to affect their learning from the medium. Both experience with video's capacity to represent ongoing events and active parental co-viewing help children learn to use video-presented information. Now and in the future, the development of children's digital literacy may be affected by the broad adoption of interactive digital technology. The affordances of video chat, touchscreens, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality may change how children understand and learn from video.
Incidence of Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolus and Deep Vein Thrombosis After Knee Arthroscopy in the Pediatric and Adolescent Population

Objective The incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) after pediatric knee arthroscopy is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after knee arthroscopy in the pediatric and adolescent population in a high-volume center. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary care children's hospital. Patients All patients who underwent arthroscopy of the knee for a sports-related injury by 2 surgeons were reviewed. Chief complaint, past medical/surgical history, medications, procedure performed, intraoperative findings, intraoperative complications, and postoperative recovery were reviewed. The incidences of postoperative VTE within 30 days after the procedure were reviewed. Results Seven hundred forty-six (358 male and 388 female patients) knee arthroscopies performed from September 2011 to October 2016 by 2 pediatric orthopedic surgeons specializing in sports-related injuries were included. The average age was 15.2 ± 2.72 years. Five patients were suspected to have either DVT or PE postoperatively (0.67%). The overall incidence of symptomatic confirmed VTE after knee arthroscopic procedures was 0.27% (one DVT after a partial lateral meniscectomy and one PE after fixation of an osteochondral lesion). Conclusions The incidence of VTE after pediatric sports medicine knee arthroscopies is low, 0.27%. Patients who present with calf swelling or pain, chest pain, or shortness of breath after arthroscopic surgery should be examined closely. Level of evidence Level III.
Postoperative Complications of Scleral Buckling

Scleral buckling has an important role in the repair of certain categories of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. These include detachments in young phakic patients, detachments associated with dialysis, and also in conjuction with vitrectomy in patients who have sustained trauma or have developed proliferative vitreoretinopathy. However, it can be associated with significant postoperative complications. The most important ones are refractive change, intrusion or extrusion, infection, globe ischemia, and choroidal detachments, amongst others. Careful planning, appropriate patient selection, and good intraoperative technique can reduce the rate of these complications.
Optimization of Quantitative Dynamic Postgadolinium MRI Technique Using Normalized Ratios for the Evaluation of Temporomandibular Joint Synovitis in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR imaging has been shown to be useful in the diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint. Prior MR imaging approaches have relied mainly on the subjective interpretation of synovial enhancement as a marker for synovial inflammation. Although, more recently, several attempts have been made to quantify synovial enhancement, these methods have not taken into account the dynamic enhancement characteristics of the temporomandibular joint and the effect of sampling time. Our aim was to develop a clinically feasible, reproducible, dynamic, contrast-enhanced MR imaging technique for the quantitative assessment of temporomandibular joint synovitis in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and to study the effect of sampling time on the evaluation of synovitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of all patients who had dynamic, contrast-enhanced coronal T1 3T MR imaging through the temporomandibular joint at our institution between January 1, 2015, and July 8, 2016. Patients in this cohort included those with a history of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and control patients who underwent MR imaging for other routine, clinical purposes. Synovial enhancement was calculated for each temporomandibular joint using 3 different types of equations termed normalization ratios. The enhancement profiles generated by each equation were studied to determine which provided the best discrimination between affected and unaffected joints, was the least susceptible to sampling errors, and was the most clinically feasible. RESULTS: A ratio of synovial enhancement (defined as the difference between the postgadolinium and the pregadolinium T1 signal of the synovium) to the postgadolinium signal of the longus capitis provided the best discrimination between affected and unaffected joints, the least susceptibility to sampling error, and was thought to be the most clinically feasible method of quantification of synovial inflammation. Additional synovial enhancement ratios studied did not provide the same level rates of discrimination between the affected and unaffected joints and were thought to be too temporally variable to provide reliable clinical use. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a robust, reproducible, dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging technique for the quantitative assessment of temporomandibular joint synovitis in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Increased left atrial size is associated with higher atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients treated with antiarrhythmic medications.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is highly prevalent, and antiarrhythmic therapy is often used to help with rhythm control. Some common echocardiographic parameters may be useful in predicting AF recurrence among these patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between 3 common echocardiographic parameters (left atrial [LA] size, left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF], and mitral regurgitation [MR]) and AF recurrence among patients treated with antiarrhythmic medications. Hypothesis We hypothesized that LA size, LVEF, and severity of MR are predictors of AF recurrence in this population. Methods A real-world cohort of AF patients who had transthoracic echocardiograms was analyzed. Data on LA size, LVEF, and MR were collected retrospectively from echocardiography reports. Patients were followed from the time of the echocardiogram until first recurrence of AF. Results A total of 2522 patients had echocardiography reports available for review. LA size showed the strongest prognostic relationship with AF recurrence; neither LVEF nor MR was significantly associated with AF recurrence. These results persisted after adjusting for age, sex, race, tobacco use, alcohol use, drug use, body mass index, and Charlson Comorbidity Index in a multivariable model. Conclusions In a cohort of patients treated with antiarrhythmic medications that had transthoracic echocardiogram data, LA size was a significant predictor of AF recurrence. The clinical utility of this finding would be strengthened by replication in a multicenter setting.
Fundamentals of Adsorption Equilibrium and Kinetics in Microporous Solids

This chapter is intended to provide a general introduction to the basic principles of adsorption equilibrium and kinetics, which is the focus of the present volume. The discussion of adsorption equilibrium (Sect. 2) includes a brief review of the many different expressions that are commonly used for correlation and prediction of equilibrium isotherms, with a short discussion of the underlying assumptions and approximations. Section 3 provides a short summary of diffusion in microporous adsorbents with emphasis on the phenomenological behavior and the generalized Maxwell–Stefan theory. Representative examples of the practical importance of micropore diffusion in zeolite-based adsorption separation and catalytic processes are presented in Sect. 4.
The Common Saporous Units for Taste

One heuristic principle of taste chemistry is that there is a common chemical feature (saporous group, saporophoric group) among substances with the same taste quality. Presumably then, those groups are isosteric (iso-functional) for a given taste (Section 2.9). As a consequence, different tastes may have different modes of chemical interaction with the taste receptor. This chapter explores the possible existence of an acidophore for sourness, a halophore for saltiness, a glycophore for sweetness, and picrophores for bitterness. There is an imbalance with respect to the extent with which each is treated. This is because the saporous groups increase in complexity in the order sour > salt > (sweet, bitter). It is also due to the disproportionate amount of study devoted to sweetness because of its economic importance.
Nonprofit and Charitable Uses of LLCs

The overwhelming first choice in new, for-profit business entity formations is the limited liability company (“LLC”). Less well known, however, is the increasing use of LLCs for nonprofit and charitable endeavors. Accordingly, this chapter explores in four parts the emerging use of LLCs for nonprofit and charitable purposes, including the use of LLCs in hybrid for-profit/nonprofit arrangements. Part 2 provides necessary background information on the nonprofit and charitable sector. Part 3 surveys the relatively common use of LLCs as nonprofit subsidiaries or affiliates. Part 4 examines how LLCs are used to facilitate certain charitable or quasi-charitable activities, including program-related investments and social enterprise. Part 5 concludes with some very recent, innovative uses of LLCs by donors to charities.
A Comparative Analysis of the Use of Student Response Devices (“Clickers”) in University Learning Environments at a Large Southeastern University

Reforms in STEM education call for the broad implementation of student-centered strategies and instructional technologies support this integration. An instructional technology that has received much attention in the last decade is student responses systems, or “clickers”. There is little literature that has examined the widespread diffusion of clickers and their appropriate use. This cross-sectional survey study explores use of clickers in postsecondary settings across multiple disciplines, how clickers are used, and why faculty chose to use (or not) clickers. Survey responses revealed that clickers were differentially used by faculty based on discipline. Logistic regression determined class size as the only predictor of clicker use. Implications are discussed in terms of providing professional development to impact instructor knowledge and beliefs towards instructional technology.
Evaluation of Low-Cost, Automated Lake Ice Thickness Measurements

AbstractClimate change is expected to decrease ice coverage and thickness globally while increasing the variability of ice coverage and thickness on midlatitude lakes. Ice thickness affects physica...
One Foot in Prison and One Foot Out: State-Appointed Local Journalistic Labor in North Korea

Foreign correspondents are often required to work with government-appointed fixers or minders in authoritarian regimes. This article is a case study of these frequently overlooked journalistic work...
Peripheral electrical stimulation reduces postoperative hypoxemia in patients at risk for obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized-controlled trial

Severity of hypoxemic events resulting from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is correlated with increased risk of complications and sudden death. We studied the use of a peripheral transcutaneous electrical stimulus (TES) on the magnitude and duration of sleep apnea associated hypoxemia in postoperative patients at high risk for OSA. In this randomized, double-blind, controlled, single-centre trial, 106 adult patients undergoing elective surgery who were at medium to high risk for OSA (sleep apnea clinical scores of 18–35) were randomized to either TES (active stimulus group, n = 53) or control (non-stimulus group, n = 53) during their stay in the postanesthesia care unit. Transcutaneous electrical stimuli were delivered at threshold oxygen saturation measurements (SpO2) ≤ 93%. The primary endpoint was the SpO2 area under the curve (AUC) < 90%. Secondary endpoints included the percentage of patients with SpO2 < 90%, duration SpO2 < 90%, lowest SpO2 in the first hour, and adverse events associated with TES. Compared with controls (n = 45), those in the active group (n = 34) showed a decreased SpO2 AUC < 90% (median 0.0 vs 15.2 % sec, respectively; P = 0.009), a smaller percentage of subjects with SpO2 < 90% (47% active vs 71% control; P = 0.03), a shorter duration of SpO2 < 90% (median 0.0 vs 19.1 sec, respectively; P = 0.01), and a higher nadir of SpO2 recorded during the first hour (median 90.5% vs 87.9%, respectively; P = 0.04). Among patients with at least one SpO2 < 93%, there were fewer with SpO2 < 90% in the active group (55% vs 84%, respectively; P = 0.009). No adverse events related to TES were reported. In postoperative surgical patients at risk for OSA, peripheral transcutaneous electrical stimulation applied during apneic episodes decreased the duration and magnitude of hypoxemia. www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02554110); registered 18 September, 2015.
Foliar Fertilization as a Strategy to Increase the Proportion of Mature Pods in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

ABSTRACT Foliar application of nutrients is used by growers to remediate crop nutrient deficiencies, but anecdotal reports indicate there may be associated effects of accelerated crop maturity, par...
Re-Modeling Basic Writing.

composition have the same objectives and requirements as non-SWW sections and award the same credit, enabling basic writers to progress towards completion of the Composition I and Composition II sequence in two semesters. Now in its eleventh year, the SWW Program has proven to be successful in terms of the way its students compare with their cohorts in the areas of retention and graduation rates, and overall GPAs. While further research, including more thorough qualitative analysis, needs to be done, it is our hope that the success of this model can be used to inform the ongoing conversations about the future of basic writing in the academy.
The utilization status of Lanzhou lamb rotavirus vaccine among children at a vaccination center in Fengtai district Beijing

Objective To understand the vaccine coverage and the immunization schedule of Lanzhou Lamb Rotavirus vaccine and to develop a reasonable immunization schedule.Methods To analyze the vaccine coverage,age of immunization and vaccination season of a birth cohort from January 1st 2007 to December 31st 2010 who registered in one vaccination center in Fengtai District Beijing.Results The vaccine coverage was 39.7％ in total,among which children immunized for 1dose,2 doses and 3 doses accounted for 81.6％,15.8％ and 2.6％,respectively.There were 79.7％ children who took their first dose by the age of 18 months.10 months of age is the peak immunization age.The intervals between the first and the second dose was 12 months. The peak season of administration was from July to September.Conclusion The current recommended immunization schedule is not proper according to the rotavirus epidemiology in China.Lanzhou Lamb Rotavirus vaccine is recommended to be administered b at 2-4,5-7 or 9-11months of age. Key words: Rotavirus vaccines; Vaccination; Immunization schedule
Housing Play in LEGO Construction Toys

This chapter draws upon the philosophy of architecture and the history of construction toys to explore construction play—the material bricolage of tangibly constructing LEGO structures—from the Town Plan to LEGO City. As the otherwise abstract processes of LEGO construction become inextricably tied to architectural significances, this chapter explores how miniature LEGO houses, towns, and cities embrace a suburban ethos that domesticates its construction play.
Long-Term Modeling of SARS-CoV-2 Infection of In Vitro Cultured Polarized Human Airway Epithelium.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replicates throughout human airways. The polarized human airway epithelium (HAE) cultured at an airway-liquid interface (HAE-ALI) is an in vitro model mimicking the in vivo human mucociliary airway epithelium and supports the replication of SARS-CoV-2. Prior studies characterized only short-period SARS-CoV-2 infection in HAE. In this study, continuously monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 infection in HAE-ALI cultures for a long period of up to 51 days revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection was long lasting with recurrent replication peaks appearing between an interval of approximately 7 to 10 days, which was consistent in all the tested HAE-ALI cultures derived from 4 lung bronchi of independent donors. We also identified that SARS-CoV-2 does not infect HAE from the basolateral side, and the dominant SARS-CoV-2 permissive epithelial cells are ciliated cells and goblet cells, whereas virus replication in basal cells and club cells was not detected. Notably, virus infection immediately damaged the HAE, which is demonstrated by dispersed zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression without clear tight junctions and partial loss of cilia. Importantly, we identified that SARS-CoV-2 productive infection of HAE requires a high viral load of >2.5 × 105 virions per cm2 of epithelium. Thus, our studies highlight the importance of a high viral load and that epithelial renewal initiates and maintains a recurrent infection of HAE with SARS-CoV-2.IMPORTANCE The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to >35 million confirmed cases and >1 million fatalities worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 mainly replicates in human airway epithelia in COVID-19 patients. In this study, we used in vitro cultures of polarized human bronchial airway epithelium to model SARS-CoV-2 replication for a period of 21 to 51 days. We discovered that in vitro airway epithelial cultures endure a long-lasting SARS-CoV-2 propagation with recurrent peaks of progeny virus release at an interval of approximately 7 to 10 days. Our study also revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes airway epithelia damage with disruption of tight junction function and loss of cilia. Importantly, SARS-CoV-2 exhibits a polarity of infection in airway epithelium only from the apical membrane; it infects ciliated and goblet cells but not basal and club cells. Furthermore, the productive infection of SARS-CoV-2 requires a high viral load of over 2.5 × 105 virions per cm2 of epithelium. Our study highlights that the proliferation of airway basal cells and regeneration of airway epithelium may contribute to the recurrent infections.
‘No better story to tell’: framing anti-colonialism in the aid exposé documentary

This essay identifies the emergence of the aid expose documentary, a set of contemporary films that overtly challenge the moral benevolence and economic function of humanitarian and development aid...
Exploiting block copolymer phase segregation to tune vitrimer properties

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.1px; font: 16.0px Times; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} In this paper, phase-segregating acrylic block copolymers are used to construct vitrimers. The resulting phase-segregated vitrimers display markedly different thermal and mechanical properties relative to those of homogeneous statistical copolymer-derived vitrimers. Importantly, the volume fraction of the functional block (i.e., the nominal cross-link density) can be used to modulate the stress relaxation profile of block vitrimers, while statistical copolymer-derived vitrimers display no change in relaxation behavior as a function of cross-link density. This study demonstrates that block copolymers offer additional design space to tune vitrimer properties, independent of polymer and cross-link identity and dynamic exchange chemistry.
The Legal Framework for Offshore Carbon Capture and Storage in Canada

Averting catastrophic climate change requires immediate action to prevent additional carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere. However, even that may not be sufficient, with many scientists now warning that it will likely also be necessary to reduce the existing atmospheric carbon dioxide load. That could be achieved using negative emissions technologies that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store or utilize it in some way. One promising technology is direct air capture (“DAC”) which uses liquid chemical solutions or solid sorbent filters to capture carbon dioxide from the air and concentrate it into a pure stream. Current DAC technologies are highly energy intensive and must be powered by renewable energy sources to achieve negative emissions. Ideally, DAC equipment would be co- located with a renewable energy facility, at a site where carbon dioxide can be stored or used. There is growing interest in the possibility of locating systems offshore in areas with high wind energy capacity and sub-seabed geologic formations that are suitable for storing carbon dioxide. One possible site off the west coast of Canada—known as the Cascadia Basin—is currently being explored in a Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions study, called Solid Carbon. This paper was developed as part of that study. It provides a comprehensive analysis of legal issues associated with deploying an offshore DAC system, powered by offshore wind turbines, in Canadian waters and storing the captured carbon dioxide in sub-seabed rock formations.
Dynamic load balancing for predictions of storm surge and coastal flooding

Abstract As coastal circulation models have evolved to predict storm-induced flooding, they must include progressively more overland regions that are normally dry, to where now it is possible for more than half of the domain to be needed in none or only some of the computations. While this evolution has improved real-time forecasting and long-term mitigation of coastal flooding, it poses a problem for parallelization in an HPC environment, especially for static paradigms in which the workload is balanced only at the start of the simulation. In this study, a dynamic rebalancing of computational work is developed for a finite-element-based, shallow-water, ocean circulation model of extensive overland flooding. The implementation has a low overhead cost, and we demonstrate a realistic hurricane-forced coastal flooding simulation can achieve peak speed-ups near 45% over the static case, thus operating now at 80−90% efficiency.
Rhyme as resonance in poetry comprehension: An expert–novice study

Previous research has identified alliteration as a powerful device for investigating implicit memory effects. For example, alliterative phrases can provide retrieval cues that extend to a sublexical level and reactivate previous information that shares alliterative content (Lea et al., Psychological Science, 19[7], 709-716, 2008). But it is an open question if other surface forms might provide similar effects in line with these empirical findings, and in accord with writer intuitions. The present study examined whether rhyme produces analogous memory-reactivation effects, given the ubiquity of its use and endorsement of its power in a range of materials and experiences. We also examined whether the surface benefits attributed to rhyme might support anticipatory processes such as those traditionally examined with semantic content. In Experiment 1, participants exhibited faster recognition responses to previous poetic content as a function of rhyming cues. In Experiment 2, we recruited participants identified as experts on the study and use of rhyme, replicating the probe facilitations obtained in Experiment 1, but also revealing anticipations of imminent rhymes. The results are discussed in terms of implications for theories of memory-based text processing and of nonsemantic anticipatory processes during the reading of poetry, and perhaps for discourse experiences more generally.
The impact of childhood trauma on substance use trajectories from adolescence to adulthood: Findings from a longitudinal Hispanic cohort study

Abstract Background Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) are associated with substance use in adolescence and adulthood. However, there is a lack of longitudinal research examining the effect of ACE on substance use trajectories from adolescence through emerging adulthood. Objective This study examined the role of ACE in substance use trajectories among Hispanic emerging adults. Participants We surveyed a cohort of Hispanic adolescents (n = 1399) in Southern California across eight survey waves (beginning in 9th grade and continuing through emerging adulthood). Methods Growth curve models were used to examine the effect of ACE on past 30-day cigarette, marijuana, and alcohol use over seven time points, and an interaction term of ACE ∗ time was included to investigate the cross-level effect of ACE. Results ACE was a significant predictor at 9th grade across all substances. Every additional ACE was associated with significantly higher past 30-day cigarette use (β = 0.05, 95%CI = 0.01, 0.10), marijuana use, (β = 0.15, 95%CI = 0.06, 0.25) and alcohol use (β = 0.14, 95%CI = 0.06, 0.21). Across all models, cross level interactions between ACE and time indicated that young adults exposed to more ACE experience significantly steeper inclining trajectories of 30-day cigarette use (β = 0.05, 95%CI = 0.02, 0.68), marijuana use (β = 0.07, 95%CI = 0.03, 0.11), and alcohol use (β = 0.02, 95%CI = 0.02, 0.68) than young adults with fewer ACE. Conclusion ACE continue to have an impact on substance use trends through emerging adulthood. Results highlight the graded effect of ACE on substance use during and beyond adolescence and illustrate that ACE exposure is linked to an escalation of substance use frequency.