cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advancing a Culture of Sustainability at the University of Michigan

Throughout 2010 and the first half of 2011, the University of Michigan (U-M) coordinated an Integrated Assessment (IA) to analyze the U-M’s sustainability efforts to date, benchmark against other institutions, and chart a course for the future. Informed by an extensive stakeholder engagement process, the U-M CSIA represents one of the most comprehensive campus sustainability analyses completed at a US institution of higher education. Community Awareness was one of four themes that emerged from the CSIA, along with Climate Action, Waste Prevention, and Healthy Environments. The key actions within the Community Awareness theme were designed to work synergistically in fostering awareness and responsible behavior across the U-M campus. This focus on behavior change and culture is critically important for driving progress toward the quantifiable goals established by the CSIA within the other three themes. Key investment areas within the Community Awareness theme are awareness and education programs, reporting and communication, and longitudinal surveys designed to measure and track the culture of sustainability. This chapter provides an overview of the CSIA process and outcomes, with a focus on cultural change and the groundbreaking effort to develop and administer a comprehensive longitudinal study. This study—the Sustainability Cultural Indicators Program (SCIP)—used focus groups and then a comprehensive survey to measure and track sustainability knowledge, behavior, and attitudes. Starting in October 2012, more than 4,000 students and 2,000 faculty and staff members responded to the survey which included questions on transportation, waste prevention and conservation, the natural environment, climate change, and various campus sustainability initiatives. Using data collected in fall 2012, selected findings from the initial data collection are presented. Finally, plans for ongoing analyses, the use of the results by the University, possible coordination with other institutions, and subsequent data collections are outlined.
Ultra low-loss optical fiber technology

Since inception silica based optical fibers have demonstrated dramatic attenuation reduction from 20 dB/km to 0.1460 dB/km. Ultra-low level of attenuation is enabled by silica core fiber design and reduction of the largest attenuation component — Rayleigh scattering.
BENEFIT AND RISK OF DUAL ANTIPLATELET THERAPY IN FEMALES: DAPT STUDY RESULTS

Females in the DAPT Study had attenuated benefit for reduction in myocardial infarction (MI) with continued thienopyridine therapy beyond 12m when compared with males (interaction p =0.03). Whether the risk/benefit relationship of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy differs for females is unknown.
Influence of Heredity and Environment upon Number of Tumor Nodules Occurring in Lungs of Mice

SummaryEvidence is presented showing that degree of susceptibility to lung tumor in mice, as measured by the number of nodules occurring in the individual, is affected by both heredity and environment. The number of genes concerned has not been determined.
Evaluating an Immersive Virtual Environment for Organizationally Distributed Software Development

As systems become large, they are developed by complex organizations, involving dozens of companies spread over several contractual tiers and several geographic locations. As component scales shrink, systems integrate increasing numbers of diverse applications onto common computing platforms, requiring diverse expertise from diverse locations. In this environment, common media can be inadequate for coordinating and synchronizing developer efforts. An Immersive Networked Virtual Environment emulates colocation. From their PC keyboard and monitor, participants steer representations of themselves through a 3-dimensional virtual world. In some cases they communicate with each other audibly using a headset and microphone; in others communication is via text messaging. They interact to socialize, play games, develop models, assemble and animate 3-dimensional objects, and other similar activities. In some cases they can launch standard desktop applications within embedded windows to create documents, designs, and other artifacts. This paper describes one example of such an environment and how it might improve geographically distributed software development. It also describes results-to-date of an ongoing evaluation.
Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract

Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract are extremely common and are often diagnosed prenatally. Abnormalities may result in hydronephrosis, whether unilateral or bilateral, or in small dysplatic kidneys. It is important to accurately diagnose the underlying cause of the renal and urinary tract anomaly to provide timely intervention and preservation of renal function.
Color fixation and fresh-keeping processing techniques of color zea mays sinesis

This technique mainly studies color fixation and fresh-keeping of color zea mays sinesis. According to experiments, preboiled in color fixation solution, which consists of citric acid 0.15%, sodium sulfite 0.06%, salt 0.12% and Ca(OH)2 0.03%, color zea mays sinesis will effectively avoid decolouring and losing original luster. Then vacuumized in compound wrappage, it can keep fresh for a long time.
Shrinkage activates a nonselective conductance: involvement of a Walker-motif protein and PKC

The ability of all cells to maintain their volume during an osmotic challenge is dependent on the regulated movement of salt and water across the plasma membrane. We demonstrate the phosphorylation-dependent gating of a nonselective conductance in Caco-2 cells during cellular shrinkage. Intracellular application of exogenous purified rat brain protein kinase C (PKC) resulted in the activation of a current similar to that activated during shrinkage with a Na(+)-to-Cl- permeability ratio of approximately 1.7:1. To prevent possible PKC- and/or shrinkage-dependent activation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), which is expressed at high levels in Caco-2 cells, a functional anti-peptide antibody, anti-CFTR505-511, was introduced into the cells via the patch pipette. Anti-CFTR505-511, which is directed against the Walker motif in the first nucleotide binding fold of CFTR, prevented the PKC/shrink-age current activation. The peptide CFTR505-511 also induced current inhibition, suggesting the possible involvement of a regulatory element in close proximity to the channel that shares sequence homology with the first nucleotide binding fold of CFTR and whose binding to the channel is required for channel gating.
Trehalose pathway as an antifungal target

With an increasing immunocompromised population which is linked to invasive fungal infections, it is clear that our present 3 classes of antifungal agents may not be sufficient to provide optimal m...
Variability in cholesterol measurements in a worksite cholesterol screening program.

Worksite cholesterol screening programs are becoming increasingly prevalent. Variability in cholesterol measurements frequently renders the interpretation of single or repeated cholesterol determinations problematic, complicating employee counseling within screening programs. In the setting of a corporate cholesterol screening program, this study quantifies variability in cholesterol measurements and calculates a 90% confidence interval (Cl) for cholesterol measurements. We chose 15 men and 15 women to represent a broad range of cholesterol values. We obtained duplicate samples of blood from each subject at one-week intervals for a total of three weeks. We performed total cholesterol measurements in duplicate twice weekly on each blood sample for three weeks, yielding a total of 36 measurements per subject. Components of variability were estimated using a hierarchical random effects analysis of variance (ANOVA) model. The coefficients of variation for biologic and analytic variation were 5.2% and 3.4% for men and 4.7% and 3.2% for women. CIs were ±10.2% for men and ±9.3% for women. As a result of this variation, we recommend the routine use of CIs when discussing cholesterol measurements with patients.
Shameful Victory: The Los Angeles Dodgers, the Red Scare, and the Hidden History of Chavez Ravine. By John H. M. Laslett.

Shameful Victory: The Los Angeles Dodgers, the Red Scare, and the Hidden History of Chavez Ravine . By John H. M. Laslett. (Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2015. xi + 219 pp. Illustrations, maps, notes, bibliography, index. $24.95, paper; e-book.) The cover of Shameful Victory features an architectural drawing of the site plan for Dodger stadium above a photograph of four Los Angeles county Sheriffs forcibly carrying Aurora Vargas down the stairs of the Arechiga family home on the day of their eviction from Chavez Ravine, May 8, 1959. Each image tells one history of Chavez Ravine and together they reprise another story told in a mural by LA artist Judith Baca, depicting Dodger stadium as a UFO invading as Mexican American, Chavez Ravine families look up in fear. Laslett includes Baca’s and other critical counter-stories in the book’s last chapter on the … mwillar{at}calstatela.edu
Investigations on frequency agile dual polarization dielectric lens high gain antenna

A dual polarized high gain dielectric lens antenna with frequency agility from 20.8 GHz to 25.4 GHz is proposed. A plano-convex dielectric lens is used to focus the beam from the patch antenna in the forward direction resulting in higher realized gain. Co-pol and cross-pol separation of 15 dB for both polarizations is reported in the forward direction. In this antenna design, variable capacitors are implemented along the four corners of the patch to tune the operational frequency in the K-band while still maintaining the radiation pattern symmetry with respect to both the feeding ports.
Applying These Findings to Student Handbooks and Student Speech

In this chapter, Salkin and Shenkel concisely summarize their research findings while qualitatively evaluating student interpretations to student handbook policies. They link these findings to how a student handbook can ultimately be improved and lead to more rewarding classroom environments. Additionally, they address these findings in the realm of cyberspeech and social media, an area of expression that is rapidly becoming a significant challenge for public school administrators, teachers, and students alike. This chapter also addresses the critical “why” of student speech policy within student handbooks, discussing the legal, educational, and cultural benefits of clarity about speech rights.
Understanding feedbacks between ocean acidification and coral reef metabolism

Biogeochemical feedbacks from benthic metabolism have been hypothesized as a potential mechanism to buffer some effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs. The article in JGR-Oceans by DeCarlo et al. demonstrates the importance of benthic community health on this feedback from Dongsha Atoll in the South China Sea.
Voices of the Mind: Hegemonic Masculinity and Others in Mind during Young Men’s Sexual Encounters

Very little research has examined what goes on in the minds of young men during sex. Such an exploration might reveal gender-normative discourses as well as challenges to such. This discourse analy...
Eye Movements When Looking at Potential Friends and Romantic Partners

Eye movements of 105 heterosexual undergraduate students (36 males) were monitored while viewing photographs of men and women identified as a potential mate or a potential friend. Results showed that people looked at the head and chest more when assessing potential mates and looked at the legs and feet more when assessing potential friends. Single people looked at the photographs longer and more frequently than coupled people, especially when evaluating potential mates. In addition, eye gaze was a valid indicator of relationship interest. For women, looking at the head corresponded to greater interest in friendship, whereas for men looking at the head corresponded to less interest in friendship. These findings show that relational goals and gender may affect the way people scan their environment and search for relevant information in line with their goals.
Analysis and design of an adaptive parameter estimator for power electronics circuits

This paper presents the analysis and design of an adaptive parameter estimator for power electronics circuits. Adaptive parameter estimation has been demonstrated to be a useful technique for enabling novel controls, monitoring, and fault diagnosis techniques in power electronics systems. We present an analysis of factors that affect the performance, stability, and feasibility of a gradient-type parameter estimation, along with simulation and experimental results that validate the analysis. Moreover, we derive theoretical limits on the convergence speed of the parameter estimation and demonstrate design techniques to maximize this limit while maintaining the robustness of the estimation. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis and design process for adaptive estimation schemes as applied to systems of switching power converters.
Replicating MOOC predictive models at scale

We present a case study in predictive model replication for student dropout in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) using a large and diverse dataset (133 sessions of 28 unique courses offered by two institutions). This experiment was run on the MOOC Replication Framework (MORF), which makes it feasible to fully replicate complex machine learned models, from raw data to model evaluation. We provide an overview of the MORF platform architecture and functionality, and demonstrate its use through a case study. In this replication of [41], we contextualize and evaluate the results of the previous work using statistical tests and a more effective model evaluation scheme. We find that only some of the original findings replicate across this larger and more diverse sample of MOOCs, with others replicating significantly in the opposite direction. Our analysis also reveals results which are highly relevant to the prediction task which were not reported in the original experiment. This work demonstrates the importance of replication of predictive modeling research in MOOCs using large and diverse datasets, illuminates the challenges of doing so, and describes our freely available, open-source software framework to overcome barriers to replication.
Teaching and learning styles in quality improvement: Identification and impact on process outcomes

Background A quality improvement collaborative uses multiple approaches, including coaching, to teach the necessary skills to the change leader in an effort to teach them quality improvement skills and to enhance their knowledge acquisition in order to implement effective organizational changes. However, little is known about the individual teaching and learning styles of the coach or change leader and how a particular style or a match between teaching and learning style influence quality improvement outcomes. This study builds on the NIATx200 results. It seeks to answer two research questions: 1) What are the learning and teaching style typology in a quality improvement collaborative? (2) How do levels of convergence and divergence between staff learning style and coach teaching style influence the outcomes in a quality improvement collaborative?
Development of an Anion Exchange Process for Arsenic Removal from Water

Publisher Summary Arsenate (As(V)) anions are readily removed from drinking water by anion exchange with chloride form strong-base resins. However, the process is not simple ion exchange, because anion resins can convert monovalent arsenate (H2AsO4−) to divalent arsenate (HAsO42−) with the expulsion of a proton and a lowering of pH. A similar but more significant pH change results from the conversion of bicarbonate to carbonate within the resin, and these pH changes can affect process design. Another surprising aspect of the chloride-for-arsenate ion-exchange process is that spent NaCl brine, heavily contaminated with arsenic (As), may be reused directly to regenerate the exhausted ion-exhange bed. Finally, in spite of the low level (≤2 μg/L) to which As must be treated, empty bed contact times (EBCTs) as short as 1.5 minutes may be employed in the process. In lab studies at the University of Houston and in field studies carried out in McFarland, California, Hanford, California, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, several versions of the anion-exchange process for As removal have been tested at bench and field scale. Currently, the optimal process comprises the use of a type 2 polystyrene divinylbenzene, strong-base anion resin, 1.5 minutes EBCT, 1 M NaCl regenerant, and regenerant reuse up to twenty five times with the chloride concentration maintained at approximately 1.0 M. Typically, 400 to 800 bed volumes of water can be treated before As breakthrough, and the As concentration in the process effluent is consistently below 2 μg/L. The process will be tested at full scale in Albuquerque in the near future.
The dimension of the Hitchin component for triangle groups

Let $$ p,q,r $$ be positive integers satisfying $$ 1/p + 1/q + 1/r < 1 $$ , and let $$ \Delta (p,q,r) $$ be a geodesic triangle in the hyperbolic plane with angles $$ \pi /p \,,\,\pi /q \,,\,\pi /r $$ . Then there exists a tiling of the hyperbolic plane by triangles congruent to $$ \Delta (p,q,r) $$ , and we define the triangle group $$ T(p,q,r) $$ to be the group of orientation preserving isometries of this tiling. Representation varieties of closed surface groups into $$ \mathrm {SL(n,{\mathbb {R}})}$$ have been studied extensively by Hitchin and Labourie, and the dimension of a certain distinguished component of the variety was obtained by Hitchin using Higgs bundles. Here we determine the corresponding dimension for representations of triangle groups into $$ \mathrm {SL(n,{\mathbb {R}})}$$ , generalising some earlier work of Choi and Goldman in the case $$n = 3$$ .
Genetics, Genomics, and Precision Medicine in End-Stage Kidney Disease.

Summary: Recent advances in genetics of renal disease have deepened our understanding of progressive kidney disease. Here, we review genetic variants that are of particular importance to progressive glomerular disease that result in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Some of the most striking findings relate to APOL1 genetic variants, seen exclusively in individuals of sub-Saharan African descent, that create a predisposition to particular renal disorders, including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and arterionephrosclerosis. We also review the genetics of cardiovascular disease in ESKD and note that little work has been published on the genetics of other ESKD complications, including anemia, bone disease, and infections. Deeper understanding of the genetics of ESKD and its complications may lead to new therapies that are tailored to an individual patient's genetic profile or are discovered based on genetic approaches that identify novel pathways of renal cell injury and repair.
Exploring attitudes of acceptance of males in nursing among registered nurses.

Aims To explore attitudes of acceptance of male nurses and examine correlations between female nurses' levels of acceptance and certain demographic variables. Background Collaboration and teamwork are essential skills for the nursing profession and for successful health care environments. Attitudes of acceptance between male and female nurses can impact the ability to sustain these skills and influence nursing satisfaction. Methods Female (n = 251) and male (n = 60) nurses from three medical centres in or near a large, Midwestern city participated. Data were collected via an anonymous online survey using the Sexist Attitude Inventory. Results Male nurses' attitudes of acceptance of male nurses were greater than female nurses' attitudes of acceptance. A small, positive correlation was found between the female nurse's level of education and her acceptance of male nurses. Male and female nurses' responses were also significantly different on 35% of the inventory items-providing areas of focus for relationship improvement. Conclusions and implications for nursing management The significant difference between male and female nurses' acceptance of male nurses necessitates further investigation. Addressing male/female perspective differences on professional work issues may improve both groups' work experience, job satisfaction, and acceptance of all nursing colleagues, regardless of gender.
Funding and services needed to achieve universal health coverage: applications of global, regional, and national estimates of utilisation of outpatient visits and inpatient admissions from 1990 to 2016, and unit costs from 1995 to 2016

Summary Background To inform plans to achieve universal health coverage (UHC), we estimated utilisation and unit cost of outpatient visits and inpatient admissions, did a decomposition analysis of utilisation, and estimated additional services and funds needed to meet a UHC standard for utilisation. Methods We collated 1175 country-years of outpatient data on utilisation from 130 countries and 2068 country-years of inpatient data from 128 countries. We did meta-regression analyses of annual visits and admissions per capita by sex, age, location, and year with DisMod-MR, a Bayesian meta-regression tool. We decomposed changes in total number of services from 1990 to 2016. We used data from 795 National Health Accounts to estimate shares of outpatient and inpatient services in total health expenditure by location and year and estimated unit costs as expenditure divided by utilisation. We identified standards of utilisation per disability-adjusted life-year and estimated additional services and funds needed. Findings In 2016, the global age-standardised outpatient utilisation rate was 5·42 visits (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 4·88–5·99) per capita and the inpatient utilisation rate was 0·10 admissions (0·09–0·11) per capita. Globally, 39·35 billion (95% UI 35·38–43·58) visits and 0·71 billion (0·65–0·77) admissions were provided in 2016. Of the 58·65% increase in visits since 1990, population growth accounted for 42·95%, population ageing for 8·09%, and higher utilisation rates for 7·63%; results for the 67·96% increase in admissions were 44·33% from population growth, 9·99% from population ageing, and 13·55% from increases in utilisation rates. 2016 unit cost estimates (in 2017 international dollars [I$]) ranged from I$2 to I$478 for visits and from I$87 to I$22 543 for admissions. The annual cost of 8·20 billion (6·24–9·95) additional visits and 0·28 billion (0·25–0·30) admissions in low-income and lower-middle income countries in 2016 was I$503·12 billion (404·35–605·98) or US$158·10 billion (126·58–189·67). Interpretation UHC plans can be based on utilisation and unit costs of current health systems and guided by standards of utilisation of outpatient visits and inpatient admissions that achieve the highest coverage of personal health services at the lowest cost. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Implementation of an intimate partner violence screening program in a university health care clinic.

Objectives: To examine whether an intimate partner violence (IPV) screening program is related to a positive change in health care providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of IPV screenin...
DIRECT METHODS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ATOMIC SHORT-RANGE ORDER IN AMORPHOUS SOLIDS

A critical review is presented of the direct methods available for the determination of the topological and chemical short-range order in amorphous solids, i.e., (1) diffraction experiments, and (2) absorption measurements.
An Update on Blood-Based Markers of Alzheimer's Disease Using the SiMoA Platform.

The development of blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology as tools for screening the general population, and as the first step in a multistep process to determine which non-demented individuals are at greatest risk of developing AD dementia, is essential. Proteins that are reflective of AD pathology, such as amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42), tau proteins [total tau (T-tau) and phosphorylated tau (P-tau)], and neurofilament light chain (NfL), are detectable in the blood. However, a major challenge in measuring these blood-based proteins is that their concentrations are much lower in plasma or serum than in the cerebrospinal fluid. Single molecule array (SiMoA) is an ultrasensitive technology that can detect proteins in blood at sub-femtomolar concentrations (i.e., 10−16 M). In this review, we focus on the utility of SiMoA assays for the measurement of plasma or serum Aβ42, P-tau, T-tau, and NfL levels and discuss future directions.
Mesoscale Reaction-Diffusion Phenomena Governing Lignin-First Biomass Fractionation.

Lignin solvolysis from the plant cell wall is the critical first step in lignin depolymerization processes involving whole biomass feedstocks. However, little is known about the coupled reaction kinetics and transport phenomena that govern the effective rates of lignin extraction. Here, we report a validated simulation framework that determines intrinsic, transport-independent kinetic parameters for the solvolysis of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose upon incorporation of feedstock characteristics for the methanol-based extraction of poplar as an example fractionation process. Lignin fragment diffusion is predicted to compete on the same time and length scales as reactions of lignin within cell walls and longitudinal pores of typical milled particle sizes, and mass transfer resistances are predicted to dominate the solvolysis of poplar particles that exceed approximately 2 mm in length. Beyond the approximately 2 mm threshold, effectiveness factors are predicted to be below 0.25, which implies that pore diffusion resistances may attenuate observable kinetic rate measurements by at least 75 % in such cases. Thus, researchers are recommended to conduct kinetic evaluations of lignin-first catalysts using biomass particles smaller than approximately 0.2 mm in length to avoid feedstock-specific mass transfer limitations in lignin conversion studies. Overall, this work highlights opportunities to improve lignin solvolysis by genetic engineering and provides actionable kinetic information to guide the design and scale-up of emerging biorefinery strategies.
Mothers Frequent Caves: Lactation Affects Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) Cave Use in Southeastern Senegal

Caves play an important ecological role for nonhuman primates in Africa and Asia. Savanna chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) living in the Mandingue plateau of Senegal and Mali use caves for thermoregulation, where these refugia provide a cool microclimate during the hot, dry season. In this study, we examined cave use frequency for a chimpanzee community in southeastern Senegal. We used images from a camera trap placed at the mouth of a large laterite cave to investigate the hypotheses that sex, reproductive state, and seasonality influence the frequency of cave use. The camera collected 14,053 still images of chimpanzees between 2011 and 2013 over 325 camera trap days. Our results indicate no difference in cave use frequency between males and females overall. However, female reproductive state did significantly influence cave use, with lactating mothers using the cave more frequently than both males and nonlactating females. Chimpanzees used the cave during the hottest times of the day and were more likely to visit the cave during periods of low water availability and high maximum temperatures associated with the dry season. These results suggest the importance of thermoregulation in extreme heat for all individuals, and specifically for lactating females with nursing infants that likely experience higher metabolic and hydration stress. This study provides insight into the dynamics of primate cave use by contributing evidence that chimpanzee cave use may be influenced by reproductive states in addition to thermoregulatory needs.
Mechanical testing of two-dimensional materials: a brief review

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have dominated nanoscience for the last two decades. Among all 2D materials, graphene, MoS2, and h-BN are extremely popular and have been tentatively scaled up to fab...
Observed variability in soil moisture in engineered urban green infrastructure systems and linkages to ecosystem services

Abstract Soil-water-climate-vegetation interactions jointly determine the ability of landscapes to provide ecosystem functions and services. In particular, spatio-temporal patterns in soil moisture underpin landscape ecohydrology. Though these patterns have been of interest to researchers for some time, there is new interest in the topic today as city managers engineer green infrastructure (GI) into urban landscapes. This paper presents soil moisture data collected from 2012 to 2014, and weighing lysimeter observations continuing through 2016, in two urban GI systems. Relationships between precipitation history, season, soil depth, hydraulic loading ratio (HLR) on the frequency and magnitude of soil moisture responses are described quantitatively. A logistic regression model is used to quantify the odds that each of these variables triggers a detectable soil moisture response. The results suggest that the higher HLR site (Site 2, HLR = 3.8) had 129.7% higher odds of a soil moisture response than Site 1 (HLR = 1). The results also indicate that there are 82.9% lower odds of a response in summer than in winter. Moreover, the odds of a response decrease with increasing soil depth. The linkage between GI siting and design decisions that impact soil moisture and ecosystem services is illustrated by also reporting evapotranspiration (ET) rates at the sites as determined by the lysimeter. Higher ET observed during wetter conditions supports the hypothesis that GI siting and design factors that lead to higher moisture content can engender greater ecosystem services associated with this hydrologic process. Indeed, the higher HLR of Site 2 sustained higher soil moisture levels during the summer compared to Site 1.
Exercise Pulmonary Hypertension

Exercise pulmonary hypertension (ePH) is an underrecognized cause of exertional limitation that resides on a continuum between normal resting pulmonary vascular pressures and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Patients experience symptoms with physical activity with a reduction in aerobic exercise capacity. ePH is a clinical syndrome where a disproportionate increase in pulmonary artery pressures relative to cardiac output defines an abnormal total pulmonary resistance. This pulmonary vascular response with exercise delineates ePH from normal resting hemodynamics. At the present time there is no accepted definition for ePH. Recent significant scientific contributions in defining normal and abnormal values at rest and during exercise have moved the field of exercise pulmonary hypertension forward. This chapter will focus on the controversial topic of exercise pulmonary hypertension, in particular the precapillary (arterial) syndrome measured by invasive cardiopulmonary hemodynamics.
Support for Programmed Instruction in an eTextbook

Students often skip through instructional material without paying enough attention to the content, resulting in less understanding. Inspired by the Programmed Instruction (PI) technique, we implemented extensions to an eTextbook system to support instructional slideshows with a large number of interspersed questions. Students must answer a question correctly to pass to the next slide. This completely changes how students interact with the material. Our initial results show a significant increase in students' grades when they used PI for a Formal Languages course.
Evaluation of an evidence-based practice mentorship programme in a paediatric quaternary care setting:

BackgroundEvidence-based practice (EBP) is essential for clinical decision-making, improving care, reducing costs and achieving optimal patient outcomes. The Evidence-based Practice Mentorship Prog...
Predictors of 30-Day Unplanned Readmission After Carotid Artery Stenting Using Artificial Intelligence

This study aimed to describe the rates and causes of unplanned readmissions within 30 days following carotid artery stenting (CAS) and to use artificial intelligence machine learning analysis for creating a prediction model for short-term readmissions. The prediction of unplanned readmissions after index CAS remains challenging. There is a need to leverage deep machine learning algorithms in order to develop robust prediction tools for early readmissions. Patients undergoing inpatient CAS during the year 2017 in the US Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) were evaluated for the rates, predictors, and costs of unplanned 30-day readmission. Logistic regression, support vector machine (SVM), deep neural network (DNN), random forest, and decision tree models were evaluated to generate a robust prediction model. We identified 16,745 patients who underwent CAS, of whom 7.4% were readmitted within 30 days. Depression [p < 0.001, OR 1.461 (95% CI 1.231–1.735)], heart failure [p < 0.001, OR 1.619 (95% CI 1.363–1.922)], cancer [p < 0.001, OR 1.631 (95% CI 1.286–2.068)], in-hospital bleeding [p = 0.039, OR 1.641 (95% CI 1.026–2.626)], and coagulation disorders [p = 0.007, OR 1.412 (95% CI 1.100–1.813)] were the strongest predictors of readmission. The artificial intelligence machine learning DNN prediction model has a C-statistic value of 0.79 (validation 0.73) in predicting the patients who might have all-cause unplanned readmission within 30 days of the index CAS discharge. Machine learning derived models may effectively identify high-risk patients for intervention strategies that may reduce unplanned readmissions post carotid artery stenting. Figure 2: ROC and AUPRC analysis of DNN prediction model with other classification models on 30-day readmission data for CAS subjects We present a novel deep neural network-based artificial intelligence prediction model to help identify a subgroup of patients undergoing carotid artery stenting who are at risk for short-term unplanned readmissions. Prior studies have attempted to develop prediction models but have used mainly logistic regression models and have low prediction ability. The novel model presented in this study boasts 79% capability to accurately predict individuals for unplanned readmissions post carotid artery stenting within 30 days of discharge.
Assessment of Farmers Role in Relation to the Support of Rural Communities

All EU countries prepare new Rural Development Plan 2014-2020 for agriculture and rural areas incl. LEADER. An integral part of the planned document is analysis of rural areas and the LEADER programme. Some key questions were solved during the analysis. Such as: “How to target financial support to rural areas to achieve high effect in the social, economic and environmental terms.” The analysis requires objective documented data of results of many studies and surveys. Experience shows that often it is not easy to obtain the required data concerning awareness among applicants, the potential of social capital or the needs to improve infrastructures or level of enterprise in rural areas. Very important source was the RDP 2011 Mid-term review in the Czech Republic. The main results of the analysis showed that it is vitally necessary to increase employment in rural areas by strengthening rural economy and social capital. It is very important to exchange experience among European countries during the preparation, implementation delivery and evaluation of the RDP.
Consequences of Rapid Telehealth Expansion in Nursing Homes: Promise and Pitfalls.

Background Expectations regarding use and potential benefits of telehealth (TH) in nursing homes (NHs) are high; however, unplanned and unexpected consequences can occur as a result of major policy and technological changes. Objectives The goal of this study was to elicit stakeholder perspectives of consequences of rapid TH expansion in NHs. Methods Using a qualitative descriptive design, we drew a sample based on findings from a national study examining trends in NH information and technology (IT) maturity, including TH use. We used maximum variation sampling to purposively select participants who (1) participated in our IT maturity survey for two consecutive years, (2) completed year 1 of the IT maturity survey prior to TH expansion (before March 6, 2020) and year 2 after TH expansion (after March 6, 2020), (3) represented a broad range of facility characteristics, and (4) were identified as an end user of TH or responsible for TH implementation. Using six questions from the IT maturity survey, we created a total TH score for each facility and selected participants representing a range of scores. Results Interviews were conducted with (n = 21) NH administrators and clinicians from 16 facilities. We found similarities and differences in perceptions of TH expansion according to facility TH score, NH location, and participant role. Desirable consequences included four subthemes as follows: (1) benefits of avoiding travel for the NH resident, (2) TH saving organizational resources, (3) improved access to care, and (4) enhanced communication. Undesirable consequences include the following five subthemes: (1) preference for in-person encounters, (2) worsening social isolation, (3) difficulty for residents with cognitive impairment, (4) workflow and tech usability challenges, and (5) increased burden on NH staff/infrastructure. Participants from rural NHs perceived lack of training, poor video/sound quality, and internet/connectivity issues to be potential pitfalls. Conclusion Clinicians and NH administrators should consider leveraging the desirable consequences of rapid TH expansion and implement mitigation strategies to address the undesirable/unanticipated consequences.
Poverty, War, and Violence in South Africa

Poverty and violence are issues of global importance. In Poverty, War, and Violence in South Africa, Clifton Crais explores the relationship between colonial conquest and the making of South Africa's rural poor. Based on a wealth of archival sources, this detailed history changes our understanding of the origins of the gut-wrenching poverty that characterizes rural areas today. Crais shifts attention away from general models of economic change and focuses on the enduring implications of violence in shaping South Africa's past and present. Crais details the devastation wrought by European forces and their African auxiliaries. Their violence led to wanton bloodshed, large-scale destruction of property, and famine. Crais explores how the survivors struggled to remake their lives, including the adoption of new crops, and the world of inequality and vulnerability colonial violence bequeathed. He concludes with a discussion of contemporary challenges and the threats to democracy in South Africa.
Asymptotic properties of Hulthén model form factors on the light front

We use light-front dynamics to calculate the electromagnetic form factor for the Hulthen model of the deuteron. For a small momentum transfer Q{sup 2}<5 GeV{sup 2}, the relativistic effects are quite small. For Q{sup 2}{approx}11 GeV{sup 2} there is a {approx}13% discrepancy between the relativistic and nonrelativistic approaches. For asymptotically large momentum transfer, however, the light-front form factor {approx}lnQ{sup 2}/Q{sup 4} differs markedly from the nonrelativistic version {approx}1/Q{sup 4}. This behavior is also present for any wave function, such as those obtained from realistic potential models, which can be represented as a sum of Yukawa functions. Furthermore, the asymptotic behavior is in disagreement with the Drell-Yan-West relation. We investigate precisely how to determine the asymptotic behavior, and confront the problem underlying troublesome form factors on the light front.
Status of Wave and Tidal Power Technologies for the United States

This paper presents the status of marine applications for renewable energy as of 2008 from a U.S. perspective. Technologies examined include wave, tidal, and ocean current energy extraction devices.
Judicial Review in Review: A Four-Part Defense of Legal Constitutionalism - A Review Essay on Political Constitutionalism, by Richard Bellamy

This review focuses on the powerful critique of judicial review published in 2007 by Richard Bellamy. It responds to his central theses, drawing in significant part from the work of Mattias Kumm and, at the same time, offering a novel defense of constitutionalism and judicial review. This defense argues that certain of the costs of judicial review are worth bearing in order to keep alive the lessons of history embodied in constitutions, lest future generations forget history and, thereby, prove doomed to repeat it.
Cellular destruction and protein breakdown induced by exposure to x-rays. II. Further studies using the concept of the dynamic glycine pool.

Abstract 1. 1. The isotope concentration was determined in the urinary hippuric acid of starved irradiated and non-irradiated control rats which previously had been given eight daily doses of glycine-2-14C. In addition, the specific activity of glycine isolated from various tissues of the same rats was determined 48 hours after irradiation. 2. 2. The specific activity of the hippuric acid excreted by the irradiated rats was increased, reaching a maximum of almost twice the normal value during the period 6–24 hours after irradiation. This is interpreted as reflecting increased 14C-activity in the “free” glycine pool after irradiation owing to the release of 14C-glycine from degraded tissue proteins. The increase in protein catabolism due to X-irradiation is approximately 200% during the first two days after irradiation. 3. 3. The specific 14C-activity in the glycine moiety of hippuric acid exceeded the specific activity of tissue glycine in the irradiated as well as non-irradiated animals; however, the difference was considerably greater in the case of the irradiated rats. 4. 4. The total 14C-activity in the glycine fraction of the liver was increased and the total 14C-activity in the glycine fraction of muscle was decreased in the irradiated rats. The increase in 14C-activity of the irradiated livers could not be accounted for by translocation of the isotope from atrophied lymphatic tissue. The 14C-activity lost from the irradiated muscle could well account for the increase in 14C-activity of the irradiated liver. 5. 5. Some of the implications of the findings are discussed.
Amplification of the semiconductor spin valve effect by a third ferromagnetic metal terminal

We have put forth a theoretical proposition of a spin-valve like device, which is well-suited for integration with existing semiconductor-based electronics. The three-terminal design takes advantage of the diffusive character of transport in the SC channel, and all the modeling was done at room temperature, using conservative parameters. Our device can be used as a spin transistor, or as a building block of reprogrammable magnetic logic gate
In situ structure of FtsZ mini-rings in Arabidopsis chloroplasts

Chloroplasts are essential plant organelles that divide by binary fission through a coordinated ring-shaped division machinery located both on the outside and inside of the chloroplast. The first step in chloroplast division is the assembly of an internal division ring (Z-ring) that is composed of the key filamentous chloroplast division proteins FtsZ1 and FtsZ2. How the individual FtsZ filaments assemble into higher-order structures to form the dividing Z-ring is not well understood and the most detailed insights have so far been gleaned from prokaryotic FtsZ. Here, we present in situ data of chloroplast FtsZ making use of a smaller ring-like FtsZ assembly termed mini-rings that form under well-defined conditions. Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) permitted their mean diameter to be determined as 208 nm and also showed that 68 % of these rings are terminally attached to linear FtsZ filaments. A correlative microscopy-compatible specimen preparation based on freeze substitution after high-pressure freezing is presented addressing the challenges such as autofluorescence and specific fluorescence attenuation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning TEM (STEM) imaging of thin sections exhibited ring-like densities that matched in size with the SIM data, and TEM tomography revealed insights into the molecular architecture of mini-rings demonstrating the following key features: (1) overall, a roughly bipartite split into a more ordered/curved and less ordered/curved half is readily discernible; (2) the density distribution in individual strands matches with the X-ray data, suggesting they constitute FtsZ protofilaments; (3) in the less ordered half of the ring, the protofilaments are able to assemble into higher-order structures such as double helices and supercoiled structures. Taken together, the data suggest that the state of existence of mini-rings could be described as metastable and their possible involvement in filament storage and Z-ring assembly is discussed.
Hepatic low density lipoprotein receptors, HMG-CoA reductase, and plasma lipids and apolipoproteins in high- and low-responding rhesus monkeys: effect of cholestyramine treatment

Plasma lipids and apolipoproteins, and hepatic LDL receptor and HMG-CoA reductase activities in biopsy samples were measured in high- and low-responding rhesus monkeys maintained on a cholesterol-rich and regular diets. The effect of a 30-day cholestyramine treatment on the above parameters under both dietary conditions was also determined. On the cholesterol-rich diet the high-responders, when compared to the low-responders, had several-fold increased plasma cholesterol and apoB concentrations and significantly lower HDL apoA-I and cholesterol concentrations. Hepatic LDL receptor and HMG-CoA reductase activities were not detectable in the high-responders, while the low-responders expressed a reduced number of LDL receptors of normal affinity. Administration of cholestyramine resulted in a rapid induction of the hepatic LDL receptors in the high-responders and a small additional increase in the low-responders. Cholestyramine treatment also stimulated the expression of the hepatic HMG-CoA reductase in both groups of monkeys. These changes were accompanied by a dramatic drop in plasma cholesterol and apoB concentrations in the high-responders and, to a lesser extent, in the low-responders. Plasma HDL concentrations in the high-responders rose to levels higher than those seen in the low-responders. The affinity and receptor number were similar in both groups of monkeys on the control diet, but the low-responders had significantly higher HMG-CoA reductase activities. Administration of cholestyramine during the control diet had a small but significant additional effect on the hepatic LDL receptors of the low-responders but not of the high-responders.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A systematic approach to delimited control with multiple prompts

We formalize delimited control with multiple prompts, in the style of Parigot's λμ-calculus, through a series of incremental extensions by starting with the pure λ-calculus. Each language inherits the semantics and reduction theory of its parent, giving a systematic way to describe each level of control.
LAS1L interacts with the mammalian Rix1 complex to regulate ribosome biogenesis

Ribosome synthesis is a multistep process initiated in the nucleolus with the transcription of a precursor rRNA that is subjected to a series of modification and processing steps to generate the ma...
Fabrication of coupled mode photonic devices in glass by nonlinear femtosecond laser materials processing

Coupled mode devices are fabricated in transparent glasses by nonlinear materials processing with femtosecond laser pulses. Using the direct output of an extended cavity femtosecond laser, without the need for a laser amplifier, single mode waveguides can be rapidly fabricated with well controlled parameters. A variety of photonic waveguide devices are demonstrated. Directional couplers with various interaction lengths and coupling coefficients are fabricated and their coupling properties are characterized. Measurements demonstrate coupled mode behavior consistent with theory. An unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer is also fabricated and demonstrated as a spectral filter.