cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A validity assessment of consumer satisfaction to measure performance of water services in Guatemala

This article studies the validity of consumer satisfaction reports as a tool for assessing the performance of water services in Guatemala. Using survey data from 500 households, item-total correlations and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were computed and a factor analysis was conducted to investigate whether qualitative measures of consumer satisfaction with service hours, water treatment, pressure and prices are associated with a single latent scale. In addition, probit and regression models were estimated to identify underlying factors that influence consumer satisfaction. Results show that a considerable percentage of respondents are dissatisfied with current water services, particularly with the number of daily hours of water provision and pressure levels. Findings also indicate that consumer satisfaction is related to service attributes (i.e. frequency of service interruptions and pressure levels) and some personal characteristics. This lends some support to using consumer satisfaction reports, with due caution, to assess service performance in contexts where performance indicators are lacking.
Interaction of Zinc Ions with Hydroxylapatite

The interaction between zinc ions in aqueous nitrate solutions and hydroxylapatite, the structural prototype for the principal inorganic constituent of tooth and bone, was studied. The nature of this interaction may be important in elucidating the role of zinc oxide commonly dissolved in the phosphoric acid solutions used to etch hard tooth tissues prior to the application of dental resins. This study has also a direct bearing on the suitability of zinc ions as candidate “mordants” for use with surface-active comonomers that promote adhesion between restorative resins and hard tooth tissues.
Successful Comparison of US Food and Drug Administration Sentinel Analysis Tools to Traditional Approaches in Quantifying a Known Drug-Adverse Event Association

The US Food and Drug Administration's Sentinel system has developed the capability to conduct active safety surveillance of marketed medical products in a large network of electronic healthcare databases. We assessed the extent to which the newly developed, semi-automated Sentinel Propensity Score Matching (PSM) tool could produce the same results as a customized protocol-driven assessment, which found an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 3.04 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.81 to 3.27) comparing angioedema in patients initiating angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors versus beta-blockers. Using data from 13 Data Partners between January 1, 2008 and September 30, 2013, the PSM tool identified 2,211,215 eligible ACE inhibitor and 1,673,682 eligible beta-blocker initiators. The tool produced a HR of 3.14 (95% CI, 2.86 to 3.44). This comparison provides initial evidence that Sentinel analytic tools can produce findings similar to those produced by a highly customized protocol-driven assessment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A Systematic Review of Effects of Waterpipe Smoking on Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health Outcomes

Background: Waterpipe smoking (WPS) is a social custom common in many Middle Eastern, North African, and Asian countries and has become increasingly popular in the US, especially among youth; however, WPS smoking may be increasing in the US adult population as well. There is a common belief among waterpipe (WP) smokers that WPS is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. Thus, this review aims to systematically explore the literature on the effects of WP tobacco smoking with a particular focus on cardiovascular and respiratory health outcomes as well as on oxidative stress, immunity, and cell cycle interference health outcomes. Methodology: We conducted a systematic review, guided by the criteria of The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, using the following online databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, PMC, and Cochrane Library. Results were summarized qualitatively. Results: Forty studies met the inclusion criteria established for this review. Based on the existing evidence, several cardiovascular and respiratory physiologic health indicators and conditions have been shown to be negatively affected by WPS. In addition to the effects of nicotine and chemical toxicant exposures, WPS was significantly associated with an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and lower pulmonary function test results, as well as a number of health conditions such as lung cancer, alterations in oxidative stress, immunity, and cell cycle interference. Conclusion: The current literature provides evidence that WPS is associated with a number of negative health indicators and outcomes. There is need for more research related to WPS and its effects on health so that appropriate campaigns and prevention interventions can be implemented to control the epidemic increase of WPS in the US.
Prevalence of Thyroid Nodules and Its Relationship with Iodine Status in Shanghai: a Population-based Study

Abstract Objective This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid nodules (TNs) and its relationship with urine iodine concentrations (UICs) after the regional rapid economic growth and lifestyle changes. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the general population aged 15-69 years. A questionnaire regarding general and personal characteristics and relevant information was administered. Ultrasonography of the thyroid was performed, and serum triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4), serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free tetraiodothyronine (FT4), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) levels were measured for each individual subject. Results The prevalence rates of TNs in the whole population, females and males were 27.76%, 34.04%, and 21.60%, respectively. The prevalence of multiple nodules increased with age, whereas the prevalence peaks differed between males and females. The median UICs in the whole population and females with non-TNs were higher than those of subjects with TNs ( P =0.0035, P =0.0068). The median UICs in subjects with a single TN were higher than those in subjects with multiple TNs ( P =0.0164, P =0.0127). The result showed a U-shaped curve relationship between UIC and prevalence of TNs. The prevalence of TNs was the lowest when the UIC was 140-400 μg/L. Conclusion The prevalence of TNs was nearly 30% and increased with age. The relationship between UIC and prevalence of TNs is U-shaped, with an increase in risk when the UIC was 400 μg/L. Very low or high UIC levels need attention and correction.
Semiotic Interpretation and Rhetoric in the German Enlightenment 1740–1760

Die Theorie der Interpretation in der deutschen Aufklarung 1740–1760 wird hinsichtlich ihrer Beziehung zur klassischen Semiotik und Rhetorik in den Texten von J. M. Chladenius (1710–1759) und Georg Friedrich Meier (1718–1777) untersucht. Beide Autoren entwickelten eine Interpretationstheorie auf der Grundlage der allgemeinen Charakteristik oder Zeichentheorie, die den interpretatorischen Umgang mit Texten nach bestimmten Masstaben und Prinzipien der Vernunft und der Rhetorik definiert. Die Theorien werden abschliesend in einer historischen Konstellation gelehrter Disziplinen gesehen und der modernen hermeneutischen Theorie gegenubergestellt.
Human Rights and Human Dignity

Human rights are intimately related to the notion of human dignity. Both notions are connected in such a way that one cannot be understood without the other. The importance of human rights and the requirement to respect everyone’s rights is based on the notion of human dignity. In that sense, human dignity is considered to be the foundation of human rights. Advocates of human rights and different social movements resort to human dignity in order to justify their claims and their actions. The attack against global poverty, the fight against discrimination, torture and inhumane treatments, and the condemnation of injustice, are all grounded in the notion of human dignity. This central role of human dignity leads to the question of its justification: where does the power of human dignity come from? Or better, why does a person have the dignity that justifies the requirement to respect his rights? The answer to this question depends on the perspective from which one is speaking. That is, from a religious point of view, a philosophical point of view, or an experiential point of view. This chapter will explore these different perspectives. Grasping the relationship between human rights and human dignity enables us to understand that human rights are more about the kind of world rational and reasonable beings would like to live in.
Structure, coercive control, and autonomy promotion: A comparison of fathers' and mothers' food parenting strategies.

This study explored differences in mothers’ and fathers’ food parenting strategies, specifically coercive control, structure, and autonomy promotion, and whether parenting style and parental respon...
A Temperature Compensated Triple-Path PLL With $K_{\mathrm {VCO}}$ Non-Linearity Desensitization Capable of Operating at 77 K

A novel triple-path PLL (TPPLL) is presented to compensate the VCO frequency drift caused by the large temperature variations meanwhile maintaining a stable bandwidth and good jitter performance. The proposed PLL architecture splits the VCO tuning loop into three paths as the proportional, the integral, and the temperature compensation (TC) path, respectively. The feed-forward TC path with a large VCO gain but a small bandwidth is adopted to realize the compensation for the VCO frequency temperature drift in a closed-loop manner without affecting the high-frequency performance of the VCO. The fixed control voltage on the proportional path and limited control-voltage variation on the integral path desensitize the VCO gain ( $K_{\mathrm {VCO}}$ ) non-linearity and stabilizes the loop bandwidth over large temperature range. The small VCO gain on the proportional and integral paths contributes to low phase noise and spurs. In addition, the different gain settings for the separate proportional and integral paths work as a capacitor multiplier, leading to saving on the silicon area of the loop filter. A prototype TPPLL at 2.56 GHz using a 65-nm CMOS process has been implemented and measured. The core circuits occupy an area of 0.08 mm2, and consume 8.5 mW. The silicon measurement results show that this PLL can continuously work (without calibration) when the temperature changes from 300 K down to 77 K, and has a frequency drift reduction by 99%, while keeping good jitter performance across the entire temperature range.
Comparing the effect of aperture extension on the peak sidelobe level of sparse arrays

The reduced number of sensors in sparse arrays create high peak sidelobe levels (PSLs). This letter compares the PSLs of minimum redundancy arrays (MRAs), minimum hole arrays (MHAs), and co-prime sensor arrays (CSAs) (conventionally beamformed and product processed) with fully populated uniform linear arrays (ULAs) as a function of aperture using both numerical simulations and experimental data. This letter finds that PSLs of MRAs, MHAs, and conventionally processed CSAs are much higher than the ULA PSL and are largely insensitive to aperture extension. In contrast, CSA product processing decreases the PSL with increasing aperture, eventually matching the ULA PSL.
The Commodity of Errors: Shakespeare and the Magic of the Value-Form

The Comedy of Errors is uniquely occupied with both money and magic. Yet, while the play delivers on its monetary conceit nothing remotely magical takes place in Ephesus. This article attempts to r...
An Introduction to Distributed Detection Theory

Everyone faces decision-making problems at each step of his or her life. A timely decision of high quality can spell the difference between success and failure. In a decision-making scenario, observations regarding a certain phenomenon are available and one needs to select a particular course of action from several possibilities. Such problems arise in many applications. For example, in a radar detection context, a decision is to be made regarding the presence or absence of a target based on the radar return. In a digital communication system, one of several possible waveforms is transmitted over a channel. Based on the received noisy observation, we need to determine the symbol that was transmitted. In a biomedical application, based on a smear of human tissue, one needs to determine if it is cancerous. In a pattern recognition problem, one needs to determine the type of aircraft being observed based on some aircraft features. In all of the above applications, the common underlying problem is to make a decision among several possible choices. This is carried out based on available noisy observations. The branch of statistics dealing with these types of problems is known as statistical decision theory or hypothesis testing, [1-2]. In the context of radar and communication theory, it is known as detection theory, [3-6].
Choosing the appropriate stress modality. A clinical cardiologist's perspective

The principle application of stress testing is the detection of myocardial ischemia in patients suspected of having coronary artery disease. Stress testing is also used to assess physical exercise capacity in normal controls and patients with various types of heart disease, such as cardiomyopathy and valvular disease. The various choices of stress modalities are discussed in this article.
Elements of Convex Analysis, Linear Algebra, and Graph Theory

We shall review a number of fundamental properties of convex sets and functions which will be usefull in the following chapters. This review is based on the latest monographies in convex analysis and optimization, mainly, [Psh 69], [HUL 93], [Roc 70], [Roc 82a], [IT 79], [DV 85].
South Asian Studies: Economics

This article examines the economic development experience of South Asia as one of lost opportunities for the region's people. It examines long-standing issues of growth vs. development, state vs. market, and agriculture vs. industry, as well as the more recent themes of political economy, decentralization, liberalization, and reform. It discusses the role of economics and economists in shaping the course of economic policies and the region's economies.
A 32-Year-Old Man With HIV Infection, Pleural Effusions, and Lymphadenopathy

Case Presentation A 32-year-old man presented with fever, nonproductive cough, diffuse lymphadenopathy, and polyarticular pain for 2 weeks. His medical history included HIV diagnosed 10 years ago, anal intraepithelial neoplasia, Kaposi sarcoma, and herpes simplex virus-2 infection. The patient was not receiving antiretroviral therapy or antibiotic prophylaxis, and his last known CD4 count a month before was 45 cells/mm3. He was prescribed a course of doxycycline by his primary care physician, which did not improve his symptoms.
Embedding Training Within Warnings Improves Skills of Identifying Phishing Webpages.

Objective:Evaluate the effectiveness of training embedded within security warnings to identify phishing webpages.Background:More than 20 million malware and phishing warnings are shown to users of ...
Optimal Distributed Energy Storage Management Using Relaxed Dantzig-Wolfe Decomposition

This paper focuses on optimal management of energy storage systems in distribution grids. Performance and operation objectives are formalized in an optimal power flow formulation, where charging and discharging inefficiencies of the batteries are accounted for. Binary optimization variables are utilized to avoid meaningless solutions where a battery is required to simultaneously charge and discharge. Leveraging linearized AC power flow models, the resultant optimization becomes a mixed-integer linear program. A decentralized scheme is then devised based on the Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition algorithm. The efficacy of the developed algorithm is demonstrated using an IEEE distribution feeder equipped with storage units and photovoltaics.
"He's worth the extra work": The employment experiences of adults with ASD who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) as reported by adults with ASD, family members, and employers.

Background Employment is a key determinant in quality of life. However, less than 50% of adults with ASD are employed. Objective In order to better support community-based employment for persons with ASD who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), there is a need to better understand those situations in which successful outcomes have been achieved. Method This study utilized a multiple case design to investigate the experiences of seven individuals with ASD who use AAC and are successfully employed in the community. Results Results provide evidence that individuals with ASD who use AAC can be successfully employed, when provided with appropriate supports. Expressive and receptive communication were commonly identified as challenges, however, mobile devices provided support to communication and participation for many of the participants with ASD. Conclusions Results from the current study provide evidence that successful employment for individuals with ASD who use AAC is possible when intervention addresses three key areas: the development of skills that are valued in the workplace, the identification and creation of good job matches, and access to needed supports.
Abstract 134: Can Coronary Calcification Scores Be Approximated by Routine Clinical CT?

Introduction: Coronary calcification scores (CAC) scores are established predictors of coronary atherosclerosis and are useful, independent measures of cardiovascular risk. More recently, medical i...
Knee Abduction and Internal Rotation Moments Increase ACL Force During Landing Through the Posterior Slope of the Tibia.

The mechanism underlying non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is multi-factorial and still an object of debate. Computational models, in combination with in vivo and cadaveric studies, can provide valuable insight into the contribution of the different factors involved. The goal of this study was to validate four knee finite element models (two males and two females) to kinematic and strain data collected in vitro with an impact-driven simulator and use them to assess how secondary external knee loads (knee abduction moment [KAM], anterior shear force, and internal rotation torque [ITR]) affect tibiofemoral contact forces and ACL force during impact. Four subject-specific knee models were developed from specimen computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Patellofemoral and tibiofemoral ligament properties were calibrated to match experimentally measured kinematics and ligament strain. Average root mean square errors and correlations between experimental and model-predicted knee kinematics were below 1.5 mm and 2°, and above 0.75, respectively. Similar errors and correlations were obtained for ACL strain ( 0.9). Model-predicted ACL forces were highly correlated with the anterior component of the tibiofemoral contact force on the lateral plateau occurring during impact (r = 0.99), which was increased by larger KAM and ITR through the posterior tibial slope and a larger contact force on the lateral side. This study provides a better understanding of the mechanism through which secondary external knee loads increase ACL injury risk during landing. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1730-1742, 2019.
Abstract 3821: Taxane resistance in breast cancer controlled by the APC tumor suppressor

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) is a multi-domain tumor suppressor protein that binds to proteins including β-catenin, axin, and microtubules (MTs). APC is lost in many epithelial cancers and up to 70% of sporadic breast cancers, with a tendency towards triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs). In a mouse breast cancer model of APC loss, MMTV-PyMT;ApcMin/+, our laboratory previously demonstrated that APC loss resulted in metaplastic-like tumors, a subtype of TNBCs that often develops resistance to chemotherapy. Using the human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-157, we created APC knockdown cells (APCKD) using lentiviral mediated shRNA knockdown of APC, which demonstrated resistance to the Taxane family chemotherapeutic agent, Paclitaxel (PTX). Given that PTX and APC both alter MT dynamics, we sought to understand the molecular mechanisms of APC-mediated resistance. Based on the mechanism of action of PTX, we hypothesized that genes involved in the G2/M transition would be responsible for PTX resistance. We have also performed an unbiased analysis of transcriptomic changes downstream of APC loss to identify potential therapeutic targets to overcome PTX resistance. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that the cell cycle profile of APCKD cells was not drastically changed after PTX treatment. However, PTX induction of p21 specifically in the APCKD cells suggests that APCKD cells may become senescent to avoid apoptosis. We next analyzed the expression of the G2/M checkpoint proteins, CDK1 and cyclin B1, by western blot. CDK1 expression was significantly increased in APCKD cells compared to control with no changes in CDK1 phosphorylation (Thr14, Thr161, Tyr15). Interestingly, there was no effect of PTX treatment in either cell line. Based on these findings, we performed combination studies using a CDK1 inhibitor (RO-3306) with PTX treatment. PARP (total and cleaved) was used to measure apoptosis, and showed enhanced cleavage in the APCKD cells specifically after combination treatment. In addition to the cell cycle analysis, we performed RNA-sequencing on parent and APCKD cells to understand the transcriptomic changes downstream of APC loss. Upon validation of results by qRT-PCR and western blot, we identified that APCKD cells had altered expression of ZNF366, ADAMTSL1, SELENBP1, and CYB5R2. These 4 genes are known to be involved in the development of breast cancer and response to chemotherapy. Ongoing studies in the laboratory will investigate the effect of manipulating expression of these genes. Overall, our studies strive to understand the molecular nature of PTX resistance in APCKD cells, and to identify a therapeutic target to work as a targeted treatment for some TNBC types. Citation Format: Emily Astarita, Megan Dieringer, Jenifer R. Prosperi. Taxane resistance in breast cancer controlled by the APC tumor suppressor [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3821.
Engaging Emergency Medicine Influencers in Sex- and Gender-based Medicine: Lessons Learned from the Sex and Gender Interest Group in Emergency Medicine and the SAEM Jeopardy Game.

The Sex and Gender in Emergency Medicine (SGEM) interest group of the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) was established to increase research and to disseminate knowledge about the influence of sex and/or gender in acute care medicine and on patient outcomes. To help facilitate these goals, over the past 4 years, SGEM has created, delivered, and honed a Jeopardy-like scientific quiz game for the annual SAEM national meeting. Here we describe the SAEM Jeopardy Game's development, implementation, evolution, and outcomes as well as our targeted approach to access and engage emergency medicine stakeholders in its participation.
Anatomic Causes for Delayed Puberty

Background: Anatomic abnormalities resulting in absent menses and delayed puberty occur with an incidence of 23.7 %. An understanding of the embryology, diagnosis, and treatment is critical in order to offer appropriate treatment. In many cases, menses can be restored, however, some anatomic abnormalities will not allow for menstrual restoration; therefore, careful counseling about the condition, future expectations, and options for fertility is important. Purpose: To systematically review the anatomic causes for delayed puberty in females. Conclusion: There are many anatomic causes which can explain delayed puberty. Some of these anatomic causes may be addressed with surgery. For those anatomic causes which cannot restore menses or the connections of the outflow tract due to congenital absence of the uterine or vaginal structures, there are medical and surgical options available to minimize pain, reduce the risk of endometriosis, and to create a functional vaginal space for intercourse.
Naming a Transnational Black Feminist Framework: Writing in Darkness

By writing Black feminist texts into the international relations (IR) canon and naming a common Black feminist praxis, this text charts a path toward a Transnational Black Feminist (TBF) Framework in IR, and outlines why a TBF Framework is a much needed intervention in the field. Situated at the intersection of IR and Black feminist theory and praxis, the book argues that a Black feminist tradition of engaging the international exists, has been neglected by mainstream IR, and can be written into the IR canon using the TBF Framework. Using research within the Black indigenous Garifuna community of Honduras, as well as the scholarship of feminists, especially Black feminist anthropologists working in Brazil, the author illustrates how five TBF guiding principles—intersectionality, solidarity, scholaractivism, attention to borders/boundaries, and radically transparent author positionality—offer a critical alternative for engaging IR studies. The text calls on IR scholars to engage Black feminist scholarship and praxis beyond the written page, through its living legacy. This interdisciplinary volume will be of interest to feminist scholars, international relations students, and grassroots activists. It will also appeal to students of related disciplines including anthropology, sociology, global studies, development studies, and area studies.
Itch and pain intensity in skin cancer: Why should dermatologic surgeons assess it?

Abstract Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Due to its rising incidence, better screening modalities assessing patient symptomatology are imperative. We reviewed the literature regarding pain and pruritus as presenting clinical manifestations of cutaneous malignancies and elucidate the clinical presentations among skin cancer subtypes. Multiple studies have indicated a higher prevalence of reported pain for squamous cell carcinoma than basal cell carcinoma, but no statistically significant difference was found between these subtypes for itch. Transplant patients, a subset of patients commonly affected with aggressive nonmelanoma skin cancers, ranked the severity of their pain higher in comparison to nontransplant patients. The following cutaneous tumors: keratoacanthomas, infiltration sclerosing BCCs, morpheaform BCCs types and those with perineural invasion, were reported as eliciting the most pain. With the increasing incidence of skin cancer, it is important to recognize the associated presenting clinical manifestations of pruritus and pain, which are shown to be useful in the identification of undiagnosed cutaneous malignancies. Implementation of a numerical rating scale should be considered when evaluating patients with a history of skin cancer or those at high risk, such as transplant recipients.
Estimation of the Incident Homebound Population in the US Among Older Medicare Beneficiaries, 2012 to 2018.

This cohort study examines the incidence of becoming homebound, being placed in a nursing home, and death in the US from 2012 to 2018 among Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older.
Seed-Transmitted Wheat Mosaic Virus in Sweet Corn in Utah

Wheat mosaic virus (WMoV) (syn. High Plains virus) causes chlorotic streaks and mosaic on corn foliage, and it stunts ear development. In 2016 and 2017, plants in a sweet corn crop in northern Utah...
Air Injection of Subsurface Drip Irrigation Water Improves Tuber Yield and Quality of Russet Potato

Irrigation water for potato production is becoming an issue in most irrigated production regions. Producing potatoes under drip irrigation has proven to reduce irrigation water use. However, tuber productivity has to increase under drip irrigation to offset the initial cost of installing the drip system. Ambient aeration of drip irrigation water may improve tuber yield and quality. A field study was conducted at Colorado State University’s San Luis Valley Research Center, Colorado, USA, to evaluate the effect of ambient air injection of subsurface drip irrigation water on leaf growth and tuber performance of potato cultivar Rio Grande Russet. Treatments included aerated and non-aerated drip irrigated plots that were randomly assigned within four replicated blocks. The Mazzei Venturi system was inserted in the main drip line to inject ambient air into drip tapes that supplied aerated water to the air injected treatment plots. Plants that received aerated drip irrigation water produced higher total tuber yield and increased the yield of large marketable size (> 170 g and > 285 g) tubers compared to plants grown under non-aerated drip irrigation water. The yield increases were, 8%, 19%, and 5%, for total, > 170 g, and > 285 g tuber yield, respectively. Early tuber bulking was observed, Leaf Area Index increased, and root mass production increased in plants that received aerated drip irrigation water compared to plants that received non-aerated irrigation water. Tuber external defects (growth cracks, knobs, and misshapes) were reduced by 9.2% in tubers produced under aerated drip irrigation water. Data from this study clearly indicate that ambient air injection of subsurface drip irrigation water can improve potato productivity and tuber quality. AJPR-D-20–00030R1.
Does the Intestinal Microbiome Impact Athletic Performance

To analyze current research involving elite athletes and the gut microbiome, with the goal to expand knowledge of potential sports performance strategies and interventions. Most of the current research focuses on theoretical applications from microbiome research and known characteristics of performance, as few studies have actually been conducted in elite athletes. However, of the studies that have been conducted, the research is promising that dietary strategies may provide targeted interventions in the future. The majority of sports nutrition takes an external approach to diet: manipulating macronutrient intake based on type of training and performance goals. However, shifting to an internal focus, prioritizing the health of the gut microbiome, could be a new frontier for a competitive edge in athletics.
The ‘book’ as fieldwork: ‘textual institutions’ and nature knowledge in early modern Japan

The analysis of a painting attributed to the rangaku scholar Shiba Kōkan is the occasion to recover the genesis of a stereotypical narrative of Japanese scientific modernization and to survey the role of books in the intellectual life of Tokugawa naturalists. For the practitioners of materia medica (honzōgaku), the knowledge of nature began and ended with, and in between continuously referred to, books – Chinese, Japanese and later ‘Dutch’. Canonical texts gave scholars terminology, taxonomy, philosophical justification and legitimation, but not all books had equal value in affecting scholars’ practices. A precise hierarchy, in fact, organized texts, from canonical encyclopedias to private fieldnotes, into ‘textual institutions’ that encouraged further research at the same time that they regulated and framed scholars’ cognitive claims.
Internet Access and Usage Among Stroke Survivors and Their Informal Caregivers: Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Web-based interventions have shown promise for chronic disease management but have not been widely applied to populations with stroke. Existing barriers may inhibit the adoption of web-based interventions among stroke survivors and necessitate the involvement of informal caregivers. However, limited information is available on internet accessibility and usability among stroke survivors and their caregivers. Objective: This study aims to investigate internet access and usage in a cohort of stroke survivors and their caregivers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 375 participants (248 stroke survivors and 127 caregivers). Descriptive statistics were generated using cross-tabulation. Comparisons with categorical data were conducted using the chi-square test, whereas the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparisons involving ordinal variables. Results: Overall, 86.1% (323/375) of the participants reported having internet access. Caregivers were more likely than stroke survivors to access the internet (N=375, χ21=18.5, P 12 months after a stroke reported higher internet access than those who survived <3 months (P<.001). The number of hours per week spent using the internet was higher for caregivers than for stroke survivors (P<.001). Conclusions: Future feasibility and acceptability studies should consider the role of the informal caregiver, participant age, race and ethnicity, the use of smartphone apps, email and text correspondence, and the amount of time elapsed since the stroke event in the design and implementation of web-based interventions for populations with stroke.
Newspeak in Court Rules: “Restyled” Civil Procedure Rules Need Further Review

Largely unnoticed by either the public or the legal profession, the federal procedural rulemaking committees have been embarked for the past fifteen years on a project to “restyle” all of the federal rules of procedure. This year’s product is an entirely new set of “restyled” Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that will take effect on December 1, 2007, unless Congress enacts postponing legislation before that date. Given the enormous costs imposed on the system, we should resist the temptation to ignore “restyling” as another exercise in bureaucratic trivia. We also should ask how our federal judicial committees became enmeshed in such a project, which wastes both public and private resources. Either they have nothing worthwhile to do, in which case they should be abolished or curtailed, or they are “restyling” in lieu of addressing real problems. Either way, there is serious dysfunction in the rulemaking process.
Synthesis of α-sulfonyl ketoximes through a salicylic acid-catalyzed four-component reaction involving radical sulfonylation followed by arylsulfonylation and oximation

Abstract A four-component reaction of styrene derivatives, anilines, t-butyl nitrite, and DABSO was used to prepare α-sulfonyl ketoximes. The reaction was realized through a salicylic acid-catalyzed aryl radial formation and ensuing sulfonylation by DABSO, followed by arylsulfonylation and oximation of styrenes. Under the optimized conditions, the title compounds were obtained in good yields within 30 min.
Conference Keynote Synthesizing Interpretable Behavior for Human-Aware AI Systems

As AI technologies enter our everyday lives at an ever increasing pace, there is a greater need for AI systems to work synergistically with humans. This requires AI systems to exhibit behavior that is explainable to humans. Synthesizing such behavior requires AI systems to reason not only with their own models of the task at hand, but also about the mental models of the human collaborators. Using several case-studies from our ongoing research, I will discuss how such multi-model planning forms the basis for explainable behavior. I will also touch on the cognitive intelligence aspects of human-AI interaction by discussing how explicit shared knowledge and vocabularies are critical (and how it is important for AI researchers to resist Polanyi's revenge c.f. https://bit.ly/2ZdAXye).
Examining patterns and drivers of variability in playa water status on the High Plains of western Kansas, 2016–2019

Playa wetlands are widely distributed across the High Plains of the central United States, providing a range of ecosystem services, such as groundwater recharge, surface water storage, and wetland habitat. Although playas are essential resources, few studies have examined the variability and controls on playa water storage. The purpose of this project is to determine how playa and watershed morphology, watershed land cover, and precipitation patterns affect timing and duration of water storage in playas. This project focuses on 92 playas distributed throughout a 10-county region in western Kansas. Playa and watershed morphology were calculated in a GIS environment and classified into quartiles based on playa and watershed surface area. Watershed tilled index (i.e., percent cropland versus grassland) was determined using 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Cropland Data Layers available from the National Agricultural Statistics Service and classified as either cropland (more than 75% cropland), grassland (more than 75% grassland), or mixed. Monthly precipitation data for 2016–2019 were compiled from the Oakley 22S High Plains Regional Climate Center weather station. Playa water status for 2016–2019 was classified monthly as either standing water or dry (i.e., no visible standing water) by visually examining four-band satellite imagery with 3.7 m resolution available from Planet Explorer (www.planet.com). Playa water status is influenced by a combination of factors, including playa and watershed morphology, watershed land cover, and precipitation patterns. Larger playas have larger watersheds and standing water more frequently and for longer periods than smaller playas. Playas in cropland watersheds store water more frequently and for longer periods than playas in grassland watersheds, though differences are not statistically significant. Standing water within playas is positively correlated with monthly precipitation and reflects a short-term response to precipitation patterns, regardless of playa size or watershed land cover. The strongest controls on playa water status are playa area, monthly precipitation, and watershed area. Playas are critical resources for the High Plains, providing a range of ecosystem services that are dependent upon the playa’s ability to store water. Playa functions are under continued threat from cropland expansion, climate change, and playa and watershed modifications. To sustain playa functions in Kansas, efforts should focus on conserving larger grassland playas and reducing sediment inputs to playas in cropland watersheds.
Auditory Brainstem Responses Predict Behavioral Deficits in Rats with Varying Levels of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Abstract Intense noise exposure is a leading cause of hearing loss, which results in degraded speech sound discrimination ability, particularly in noisy environments. The development of an animal model of speech discrimination deficits due to noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) would enable testing of potential therapies to improve speech sound processing. Rats can accurately detect and discriminate human speech sounds in the presence of quiet and background noise. Further, it is known that profound hearing loss results in functional deafness in rats. In this study, we generated rats with a range of impairments which model the large range of hearing impairments observed in patients with NIHL. One month after noise exposure, we stratified rats into three distinct deficit groups based on their auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds. These groups exhibited markedly different behavioral outcomes across a range of tasks. Rats with moderate hearing loss (30 dB shifts in ABR threshold) were not impaired in speech sound detection or discrimination. Rats with severe hearing loss (55 dB shifts) were impaired at discriminating speech sounds in the presence of background noise. Rats with profound hearing loss (70 dB shifts) were unable to detect and discriminate speech sounds above chance level performance. Across groups, ABR threshold accurately predicted behavioral performance on all tasks. This model of long-term impaired speech discrimination in noise, demonstrated by the severe group, mimics the most common clinical presentation of NIHL and represents a useful tool for developing and improving interventions to target restoration of hearing.
Chapter 10 Dynamics of Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junctions

Publisher Summary Tight junctions in this epithelium are crucial to barrier function and may be regulated and such regulation plays a role in the uptake of nutrients. Given the plasticity of the tight junction in health, studies suggest that this structure may be functionally altered in disease states, even when the epithelium remains confluent. This chapter discusses tight junctions (zonula occludens (ZO)), as potentially regulated barriers, intestinal ZO, as a regulated transport pathway, and its function in disease states. There exist two pathways for passive permeation across intestinal epithelia: the paracellular or the transcellular pathways. The paracellular pathway is composed of the tight junction— that is, the ZO and the underlying intercellular space. The ZO consists of a belt that wraps the epithelial cells at the apical pole. Within this belt, the lateral membranes of adjacent cells are focally fused and these fusion points circumferentially belt the apex of the cell in an anasomosing fashion. Cytoskeleton may be involved in transducing the signals that lead to ZO alterations. Actin microfilaments associate with the ZO-associated peripheral plaque-like condensations, so ZO could be more directly affected by the cytoskeleton. Nutrient exposure alters ZO permeability and provides an additional (paracellular) pathway for nutrient absorption. Using T 84 monolayers of model intestinal epithelia studies have been carried out in hopes of modeling disease-related phenomena for mechanistic studies. T 84 cells grow as confluent monolayers, display high baseline resistance, and have ZOs with subunit structure–function correlates not dissimilar to those seen in native intestinal epithelium.
Replication of Sindbis virus: I. Relative size and genetic content of 26 s and 49 s RNA

The genome of Sindbis virus, 49 s RNA, is a single, intact polynucleotide chain having a molecular weight of 4.3±0.3 x 10^6 daltons. This has been determined using a variety of methods including polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, sedimentation after reaction with formaldehyde, determination of the molecular weights of the double-stranded forms of Sindbis-specific RNA and hybridization competition. The second major species of single-stranded RNA made after infection with Sindbis, 26 s RNA, has been found to have a molecular weight of 1.6 x 10^8 daltons as determined by sedimentation in dimethylsulfoxide. Hybridization-competition experiments carried out between these two species of RNA, using double-stranded forms of Sindbis RNA isolated from infected cells, showed that 26 s RNA contains only one-third of the base sequences in 49 s RNA and thus represents a unique fraction of the viral genome.
On the representations of NC and log-space real numbers

We study the representations of NC and Log-space real numbers in this paper. We show that the classes of the NC and Log-space real numbers under the general left cut representation are among the most expressive representations. On the other hand, although the general left cut representation and the Cauchy function representation have the same expressive power in P, the expressive power of the Cauchy function representation is weaker than that of the general left cut representation in NC if P1 ≠ NC1. In addition, although the expressive power of the standard left cut representation is weaker than that of the Cauchy function representation in P, the expressive powers of these two representations are incomparable in NC if P1 ≠ NC1. Similar results hold in Log-space.
Pulmonary lamellar bodies in human amniotic fluid: their relationship to fetal age and the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio.

Abstract We investigated the appearance of pulmonary lamellar bodies (LBs) in human amniotic fluid as a function of fetal age. We also studied their relationship to the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio and to the results of the rapid surfactant test (RST). LBs observed in amniotic fluid generally ranged in diameter from 1.5 to 2.0 μ and were seen as single structures or in clusters. When patients were grouped by gestational age, there was a significant difference (P
Africans and the Industrial Revolution in England: Slave-Based Commodity Production and the Growth of Atlantic Commerce

THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED in the two preceding chapters makes it clear enough that the Industrial Revolution in England was the first example of trade-led economic development, and that the sources of trade expansion, or the “Commercial Revolution,” which propelled the process to higher grounds in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, were located in the Atlantic world. The task in this chapter is to show the factors that made possible the expansion of Atlantic commerce between 1500 and 1850. For this purpose, it is pertinent to examine the state of trade and production in the major regions of the Atlantic world in the middle decades of the fifteenth century before the establishment of regular seaborne contact across the Atlantic. This exercise helps to show the factors which operated to promote or constrain the growth of trade in the major regions of the Atlantic in the centuries preceding the development of multilateral trade across the Atlantic. It is argued that in the centuries or decades preceding the opening up of the Atlantic to regular seaborne commerce, the main constraint to the growth of production and consumption in the individual regions was limited opportunity to trade. In turn, limited opportunity to trade resulted from several factors – the range of resources in each region of the Atlantic; the level of development of the division of labor (local, regional, and international); inland transportation costs; and government trade policies.
Modelling dry season deciduousness in Mexican Yucatán forest using MODIS EVI data (2000–2011)

This study maps interannual variation in the spatial extent of deciduousness in the dry tropical forests of the southern Yucatan (Mexico) from 2000 to 2011 using seasonal variability thresholds based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) data and relates deciduousness to precipitation- and temperature-derived climate variables using linear regressions. The annual occurrence of deciduousness is most frequently observed in forests located in a regional rain shadow at moderate elevations. Regression results suggest that deciduousness is more strongly associated with atypically hot conditions (–2°C; R 2 = 0.44) than with atypically dry conditions (R 2 = 0.19), in contrast to other phenological processes (e.g. leaf growth, peak productivity) driven primarily by precipitation.
Progress in the Rapid, Contactless Measurement of Thermal Diffusivity

We describe progress in the rapid, contactless and accurate measurement of thermal diffusivity of materials. The technique is based upon pulsed heating of a slab, using a geometric pattern, followed by observation of time-dependent heat flow on the opposite surface of the slab, using a fast infrared video camera to acquire the time evolution of the thermal shadows at various edges of the heating pattern.