cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Responsiveness of the Stomach to Environmental Events

I first became interested in the motility of the stomach while working in R. C. Davis’s laboratory in 1960. It is my feeling that 20 years later we still know very little about the responsiveness of the stomach to environmental events. I will begin with a discussion of the various reasons for the paucity of knowledge in this area and then describe some of the environment-stomach relationships that have been reported.
Quantitative Single-Embryo Profile of Drosophila Genome Activation and the Dorsal-Ventral Patterning Network

During embryonic development of Drosophila melanogaster, the Maternal to Zygotic Transition (MZT) marks a significant and rapid turning point when zygotic transcription begins and control of development is transferred from maternally deposited transcripts. Characterizing the sequential activation of the genome during the MZT requires precise timing and a sensitive assay to measure changes in expression. We utilized the NanoString nCounter instrument, which directly counts mRNA transcripts without reverse transcription or amplification, to study over 70 genes expressed along the dorsal-ventral (DV) axis of early Drosophila embryos, dividing the MZT into 10 time points. Transcripts were quantified for every gene studied at all time points, providing the first data set of absolute numbers of transcripts during Drosophila development. We found that gene expression changes quickly during the MZT, with early Nuclear Cycle (NC) 14 the most dynamic time for the embryo. twist is one of the most abundant genes in the entire embryo and we use mutants to quantitatively demonstrate how it cooperates with Dorsal to activate transcription and is responsible for some of the rapid changes in transcription observed during early NC14. We also uncovered elements within the gene regulatory network that maintain precise transcript levels for sets of genes that are spatiotemporally co-transcribed within the presumptive mesoderm or dorsal ectoderm. Using this new data, we show that a fine-scale, quantitative analysis of temporal gene expression can provide new insights into developmental biology by uncovering trends in gene networks including coregulation of target genes and specific temporal input by transcription factors.
Hard to Believe: The High Cost of a Biometric Identity Card

A quarter century after the last major legalization in the United States, there is much evidence and a growing consensus that our current immigration system is unworkable and in serious need of reform. One of the proposed solutions has been the creation of a Biometric Enrollment, Locally-stored Information, and Electronic Verification of Employment (BELIEVE) card that would be mandatory for anyone — citizen or non-citizen — employed in a U.S. workplace. This plan was initially offered as part of a bi-partisan proposal on comprehensive immigration reform and is likely to be part of future comprehensive reform discussions. This paper analyzes the costs and unintended consequences of such a proposal. Our analysis shows that the BELIEVE system cannot achieve its goal of preventing unauthorized employment. We estimate that establishing a biometric employment card would cost almost $40 billion at the outset, with ongoing maintenance costs of at least $3 billion per year. Requiring all working Americans to get this identity card would fundamentally transform the information demands the United States government places on its citizens. The cards would be unreliable and inadequate to prevent fraud; would lead to privacy violations; and would place undue burdens on the poor. At the same time, the BELIEVE cards would likely be ineffective in targeting the employment of unauthorized migrants. We recommend that rather than spending tens of billions of dollars on an expensive, intrusive and ineffective program, the government examine the root causes of unauthorized migration and employment. In 1986, Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), touting the new law as a solution to the employment of unauthorized immigrants. More than two decades of experience suggests that IRCA has been unable to prevent the employment of unauthorized workers and policymakers are once again searching for quick fixes. The BELIEVE system is not the answer; it will cost us dearly at a time when we can least afford it.
The Affordable Care Act: Does It Improve Health and Does It Live Up to Human Rights Standards?

The article focuses on the right to healthcare in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and discusses the requirement of equal care for everyone under the U.S. Affordable Care Act due to the fixing of the disproportionate amount of money for health care.
Low-dose aspirin mitigates acute radiation-induced genitourinary toxicity in patients with prostate adenocarcinoma

Patients undergoing radiotherapy for prostate adenocarcinoma (PCA) primarily experience genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. Recent publications indicate associations between aspirin and PCA outcomes. The effect of daily low-dose aspirin on radiotherapy toxicity was assessed in a large patient population. A prospectively acquired database of PCA patients treated at Emory-affiliated hospitals was queried. For patients treated with definitive radiotherapy, the association between aspirin use and physician-graded acute/late GI/GU toxicity scores was measured. Patient and treatment-related factors were used as covariates. Univariate/multivariate analyses were performed. Between 2001 and 2013, 877 patients were eligible for analysis. One hundred ninety patients were on daily low-dose aspirin during treatment. On multivariate analysis, aspirin was associated with reduced acute GU toxicity (odds ratio (OR) 0.71, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.52–0.97, p = 0.032). There was no difference in acute GI (OR 0.90, 95 % CI 0.66–1.24, p = 0.534), late GU (OR 0.94, 95 % CI 0.67–1.30, p = 0.695), or late GI toxicity (OR 0.78, 95 % CI 0.52–1.18, p = 0.246). Aspirin use was associated with reduced acute GU toxicity in patients undergoing radiotherapy for PCA. While these results require prospective validation, aspirin use during radiotherapy for PCA should be considered, as low-dose aspirin is a safe, inexpensive medication separately indicated for many patients.
Further Investigations on the Recovery of Inhibited Conditioned Reactions.

SummaryThe recovery of inhibited conditioned reactions occurring under the influence of insulin hypoglycemia, and electroshoek which was described earlier was subjected to further experimental analysis. It was found that:1. Several conditioned reactions which had been established and inhibited in a definite temporal sequence may recover simultaneously under the influence of hypoglycemic coma or convulsions or as the result of electrically induced convulsions. The degree of recovery is related to the degree of stability of the conditioned reaction prior to its inhibition but is within wide limits independent of the time which has elapsed since the conditioned reaction had been established.2. The restitution of inhibited conditioned reactions is not accompanied by a change in the response of positively established conditioned reactions.It is concluded that insulin coma and electroshock may act specifically on inhibited conditioned reactions without causing dedif-ferentiation.
Motion Picture Incunabula in the Library of Congress

A brief survey of the importance of the motion picture and its preservation as an outstanding part of the Nation's culture; summary of the various ways in which early films were lost, destroyed or left to decay; an analysis of recent attempts by various individuals and organizations (public and private) to minimize this significant loss to motion picture art by the rescue of remaining films, and an account of their difficulties arising from the great scarcity of early film material. — A narration of how the early film companies (Edison, Biograph, and others) sent photographic paper tape of their films to The Library of Congress for copyright as photographs; how these paper prints were stored as copyright deposits from 1897 to 1915 in an almost continuous sequence; the recent discovery by The Library of Congress that these prints could be rephotographed through optical printing to celluloid, thereby restoring almost all of the early films to the screen in a single, comprehensive project. — The importance of this discovery from social, aesthetic, and historical viewpoints is discussed.
Trophobiosis and Feeding Habits of Liometopum apiculatum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Chisos Mountains, Texas

Liometopum apiculatum Mayr is an alert and quickmoving ant, and is found in association with several kinds of insects outside its nests. In the summers of 1969 and 1970, Liometopum was routinely observed attending or soliciting from other species of insects in Big Bend National Park, Tex. The frequency and variety of insects involved is noteworthy. On Aug. 6, 1970, L. apiculatum was found attending membracids, identified by R. C. Froeschner (Department of Entomology, NMNH) as Vanduzea segmentata (Fowler). The insects were on flower stalks of beargrass, Nolina erumpens (Torr.) Watson, at 5200 ft elevation in Green Gulch in a generally grassy area. Each membracid had 5 or 6 ants clustered about it, the mouthparts of the ants on the membracid. L. apiculatum extracts juices from the flower stalk and obtains nectar or pollen from the beargrass flower.
A Decision Model in Consumer Pricing Research

The lottery is a useful model for managers making decisions under conditions of risk. The results of this experiment indicate that prospective buyers behave in a manner consistent with decision the...
Analysis on Yield Structure of II Youhang 2 and Its Cultural Techniques for High Yield

ⅡYouhang 2 has developed root system,strong tillering ability,good plant and leaf patterns,large spike with plenty of grains,high setting rate,and high and stable yield.The relationship between yield and its components of ⅡYouhang 2 was analyzed by correlation analysis and path analysis.The results showed that the number of effective spikes was significantly positively correlated with the yield,it was the major factor of affecting yield;the second one was the number of filled grains per spike;kilo-grain weight was a stable character of the cultivar and had little effect on the yield.In order to obtain the yield of 9 t/hm2,the rational yield structure was suggested as follows: 2.4 million effective spikes per hectare,140 filled grains per spike and 28.5 g per 1000-grains.So enhancing the effective spikes and filled grains per spike was the key to obtain high yield.Relevant high-yielding cultivation techniques also have been proposed as follows: ⑴ timely sowing,raising strong seedlings with more tillers;⑵ timely transplanting,proper planting density(1.5～1.8 million basic seedlings per hectare);⑶ scientific management of water and fertilizer.(applying 150 kg/hm2 pure nitrogen,105 kg/hm2 P2O5,150 kg/hm2 K2O);⑷ integrated control of diseases,pests and weeds.
Investigation of soil-borne nematode infection in the City of Chongqing,2009-2010

Objective To ascertain the status of infection with soil-borne nematodes in Chongqing.Methods Sites surveyed were 38 counties in the City of Chongqing.A standardized questionnaire was used to survey the local population in 4 villages in the 4 cardinal directions.Stool samples were collected from subjects and examined using the Kato-Katz technique.Enterobius vermicularis eggs were detected in infants 3-12 weeks of age using a cellophane tape anal swab.Results In total 77 981 people were surveyed.The general rate of infection with soil-borne nematodes was 14.46% and this rate was lower than that in 2001.The rate of infection with roundworms,hookworms,whipworms,and pinworms was 8.13%,6.10%,0.62%,and 3.56%,respectively.The rates in different county ranged from 0.15%-75.01%.The rate of infection differed significantly among counties(χ2=16114.40,P0.01).The rate of infection in the city and western,southeast,and northeast parts of the City of Chongqing was 7.00%,13.52%,21.47%,and 16.63%,respectively.The rate of infection with soil-borne nematodes and hookworm increased with age.The general rate of infection in Tujia and Miao was higher than in the Han ethnic group.The rate of infection among farmers and students was higher than that in other groups.The infection rate was highest among illiterate individuals.The rate of infection decreased with the level of education.Conclusion The rate of infection with soil-borne nematodes has decreased in the City of Chongqing,but the rate differs widely among different counties.Farmers,the elderly,and individuals with little education had a higher rate of infection.
Introduction to Pediatric Esophago-Gastroduodenoscopy and Enteroscopy

Pediatric esophagogastroduodenoscopy is now an integral part of the practice of pediatric gastroenterology. Children are not just small adults. The differing clinical indications, approaches to patient preparation, sedation, and complications are discussed in this article.
Understanding number sequences leads to understanding mathematics concepts

abstractNinety-six first grade students in an urban school system were tested in October and May on reading, mathematics, and their understanding of sequences of letters and numbers. A time lag analysis was subsequently conducted. In such analyses, cross-correlations between the first measurement of one variable and the second measurement of another are compared. The larger of the correlations indicates the direction of the relationship; i.e., which variable is most likely to be causal. Correlations of the fall scores on the number sequences with spring scores on the mathematics concepts scale were significant, while correlations of the fall mathematics concepts scores with spring number sequence scores were negligible. This indicates that understanding such complex sequences has a directional effect on understanding mathematics concepts. Fall–spring cross-correlations for the letter sequences and reading test, although significant, did not differ, and hence provided no indication of the direction of the ...
Concussion-like symptom reporting in non-concussed adolescent athletes.

AbstractObjective: The primary goals of this study were (1) to report rates of concussion-like symptoms in healthy adolescent student athletes assessed using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, 3rd edition (SCAT3) at baseline, (2) to examine rates of psychiatric diagnoses in this population, and (3) to evaluate effects of baseline symptoms on SCAT3 cognitive and balance performance.Methods: 349 adolescent student athletes (245 male) were administered the SCAT3 during pre-participation physical examinations. We described the prevalence rate of student athletes meeting criteria for International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, post-concussional syndrome (ICD-10 PCS) diagnosis at baseline, and evaluated associations between symptom reporting and demographic/medical history factors using chi-square tests. Rates of self-reported psychiatric diagnosis were compared to general population estimates with one-sample binomial tests. We also compared SCAT3 cognitive and balance performance between adoles...
Biologically inspired approaches to automated feature extraction and target recognition

Ongoing research at Boston University has produced computational models of biological vision and learning that embody a growing corpus of scientific data and predictions. Vision models perform long-range grouping and figure/ground segmentation, and memory models create attentionally controlled recognition codes that intrinsically combine bottom-up activation and top-down learned expectations. These two streams of research form the foundation of novel dynamically integrated systems for image understanding. Simulations using multispectral images illustrate road completion across occlusions in a cluttered scene and information fusion from input labels that are simultaneously inconsistent and correct. The CNS Vision and Technology Labs (cns.bu.edu/visionlab and cns.bu.edu/iechlab) are further integrating science and technology through analysis, testing, and development of cognitive and neural models for large-scale applications, complemented by software specification and code distribution.
Integrated topological photonics with time-reversal symmetry breaking

The bottleneck of bandwidth limitation and power dissipation in today's electronic microchips is conflicting with the exceeding demand for information communication and processing. Light, due to its intrinsic high frequency and environment-insensitivity (owing to its charge neutrality), is expected to bring solutions to this fundamental challenge. However, by the same token, certain functionalities in optical information processing will require sophisticated control of light in nanoscale structures interfacing different materials and light-matter interactions. In this regard, the emerging field of topological photonics brings new degree of freedom to realize manipulation of light propagation with unprecedented properties. In this talk, I will present works of integrated topological photonics based on dynamic modulation scheme. Since dynamic modulation breaks time-reversal symmetry, topological photonic states realized in this way are distinctive to those in passive or static dielectric platform. I will introduce two integrated architectures: optoelectronic integration and optomechanical integration. For the optoelectronic integration, external electric drives are applied through the integrated metal electrodes and PN diodes to dynamically modulate the refractive index of silicon photonic structures. By controlling the phase of the electrical modulation, we can realize an effective magnetic field for photons and topological light propagation. These novel manipulations are unreachable in static dielectrics and provide a solution for on-chip optical isolation that is essential for stable and energy efficient optical communication. In the second part of my talk, I will present work in another hybrid architecture that interfaces light and sound: optomechanical crystals. This architecture allows for simultaneously engineering of optical and mechanical properties as well as photon-phonon interactions at nanoscale. Time-reversal symmetry is broken through the radiation-pressure force driven mechanical vibrations, and both topological photonic and phononic states can be realized in this architecture. Combining electron beam lithography and scanning probe microscope tuning, we fabricated cavity-optomechanical circuits on silicon microchips that exhibits optical non-reciprocity, which paves the way towards realizing effective magnetic field for photons and phonons in the cavity-optomechanical architecture. These achievements hold promise for the application of topological photonics for light-based communication and processing in an integrated, chip-scale platform.
Direct Spectroscopic Evidence for Isolated Silanols in SiOx/Al2O3 and Their Formation Mechanism

The preparation and unambiguous characterization of isolated Bronsted-acidic silanol species on silica–alumina catalysts presents a key challenge in the rational design of solid acid catalysts. In this report, atomic layer deposition (ALD) and liquid-phase preparation (chemical liquid deposition, CLD) are used to install the SiOx sites on Al2O3 catalysts using the same Si source (tetraethylorthosilicate, TEOS). The ALD-derived and CLD-derived SiOx sites are probed with dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP)-enhanced 29Si–29Si double-quantum/single-quantum (DQ/SQ) correlation NMR spectroscopy. The investigation reveals conclusively that the SiOx/Al2O3 material prepared by ALD and CLD, followed by calcination under an O2 stream, contains fully spatially isolated Si species, in contrast with those resulting from the calcination under static air, which is widely accepted as a postgrafting treatment for CLD. Insight into the formation mechanism of these sites is obtained via in situ monitoring of the TEOS + γ-Al2O...
Effect of optimizing particle size on directed energy deposition of Functionally Graded Material with blown Pre-Mixed Multi-Powder

Abstract Functionally Graded Material (FGM) is often fabricated by directed energy deposition with pre-mixed multiple powders (PMM-powder). Since the supplied PMM-powder directly affects FGM’s composition, investigation on PMM-powder’s property is greatly needed. This paper employed experimental method to observe an important problem: PMM-powder separation in fabricating FGM. A novel particle size optimization method was introduced as solution to eliminate the powder separation. Pre-mixed pure Cu and 4047 Al powders were used to do two experiments. The first experiment result disclosed the existence of powder separation. By optimizing the particle size, the PMM-powder separation was effectively solved in the second experiment result.
Ten practical tips to make the PLAB 2 exam easier

Despite the rumours, Abdul Rashid Sheikh found it surprisingly easy to pass PLAB 2. Here, he gives some practical tips on coping with the exam
Differences in Perceptions of and Practices Regarding Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders Among VA Primary Care Providers in Urban and Rural Clinics.

BACKGROUND Effective behavioral and pharmacological treatments are available and recommended for patients with alcohol use disorders (AUD) but rarely received. Barriers to receipt and provision of evidence-based AUD treatments delivered by specialists may be greatest in rural areas. METHODS A targeted subanalysis of qualitative interview data collected from primary care providers at 5 Veterans Affairs clinics was conducted to identify differences in provider perceptions and practices regarding AUD treatment across urban and rural clinics. Key contacts were used to recruit 24 providers from 3 "urban" clinics at medical centers and 2 "rural" community-based outpatient clinics. Providers completed 30-minute semistructured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS Thirteen urban and 11 rural providers participated. Urban and rural providers differed regarding referral practices and in perceptions of availability and utility of specialty addictions treatment. Urban providers described referral to specialty treatment as standard practice, while rural providers reported substantial barriers to specialty care access and infrequent specialty care referral. Urban providers viewed specialty addictions treatment as accessible and comprehensive, and perceived addictions providers as "experts" and collaborators, whereas rural providers perceived inadequate support from the health care system for AUD treatment. Urban providers desired greater integration with specialty addictions care while rural providers wanted access to local addictions treatment resources. CONCLUSIONS Providers in rural settings view referral to specialty addictions treatment as impractical and resources inadequate to treat AUD. Additional work is needed to understand the unique needs of rural clinics and decrease barriers to AUD treatment.
The Association Between Distances Traveled for Care and Treatment Choices for Pelvic Floor Disorders in a Rural Southwestern Population

Objectives To determine if distance traveled for care influenced patient choice for conservative vs. surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods Retrospective chart review of all new patients seen in the Urogynecology clinic at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) from January 2007 through September 2011. Data collected included medical history, Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POPQ) examination, and validated quality of life questionnaires. Results 1384 women were identified with POP and/or SUI. Women traveled an average of 50 miles to receive care at UNMH. After multivariable analysis, greater distance traveled was associated with increased likelihood of choosing surgery, OR 1.45 [1.18-1.76]. More advanced disease as measured by higher stage of prolapse, OR 3.43 [2.30-5.11], and positive leak with empty supine cough test, OR 1.94 [1.45-2.59] were also associated with choosing surgical management. Conclusions Women who travel further for care and women with more advanced pelvic organ prolapse and/or stress urinary incontinence are more likely to choose surgical management for pelvic floor disorders.
Two Paths to Populism: Explaining Peru’s First Episode of Populist Mobilization

Both major contenders in Peru’s 1931 presidential contest made populist mobilization a centerpiece of their political strategies. Never before had a candidate for national office so completely flouted traditional channels of political power and so thoroughly staked his political aspirations on the mobilization of support from non-elite segments of the population. This paper asks: Why did these two candidates pursue novel populist strategies at this particular historical juncture? The first part of the paper identifies the conditions that encouraged Peruvian politicians to pursue populist mobilization in 1931; it also explains why populist mobilization had never before been undertaken in Peru. An adequate explanation of populist mobilization, however, must also trace the social processes by which objective conditions translate into the selection of specific lines of action by political leaders. The second part of this paper thus assesses the socially-conditioned strategic vision of the various political actors operating in 1931. Only by adding this second step to the inquiry is it possible to answer the question of why, if all encountered the same objective conditions, some actors in the political field pursued populist strategies while others did not. Ultimately, I identify two paths to populist mobilization: an ideological route and an accidental route. Other political actors chose not to pursue populist mobilization for one of two reasons: some saw it as going too far in undermining the elite bases of the traditional political structure; others saw it as not going far enough toward fostering revolutionary change.
Detection and options for remediation of leakage from underground CO2 storage projects

Publisher Summary This chapter demonstrates that early detection of CO2 leakage should be possible and that remediation options are available that could be applied in the event that leakage occurs. Additional detailed studies are needed to further assess the feasibility of applying these to geologic storage projects—based on more realistic scenarios, simulations and field studies. In particular, the chapter recommends carrying out controlled release experiments and experiments at sites with natural CO2 seeps to confirm our ability to detect and remedy leakage. The chapter highlights that even small rates leakage should be possible to detect and demonstrates that remediation options are available for many of the leakage scenarios that can be envisioned.
Non-Variable Horizontal-Branch Stars

For 25 years our ignorance of the physical basis of this mass loss process has been the barrier to progress in understanding horizontal branch morphology. I review some recent observational and theoretical results which may be giving us clues about the nature of the mass loss process.
Utilization of imaging during staging and surveillance of localized colon cancer in a large insured population.

6616Background: It is unknown if staging and surveillance imaging in Stage I/II colon cancer are under- or over-utilized. On one hand, the Choosing Wisely campaign advocates against positron-emissi...
Intergenerational Relationships and Aging: Families, Cohorts, and Social Change

This chapter addresses issues in the continuing drama of intergenerational relationships, focusing on families, aging, and social change. It focuses on data concerning: the "American family decline" debate; solidarity and conflict within multigenerational families; and solidarity and conflict between age cohorts. Based on the discussion a model for research on multigenerational family relationships over time is developed, leading to a speculative forecasting of intergenerational relationships in the early twenty-first century. A. S. Rossi and P. H. Rossi have documented the extensiveness of intergenerational solidarity in their Boston-area study–providing a model for the complexities of "bonding" activities involving older and younger generational kin. M. Silverstein and V. L. Bengtson examine the long-term consequences of parent-child solidarity over time in the Longitudinal Study of Generations, and find that close ties enhance not only the psychological well-being but also the survival of aging parents.
The Sense Madhyamaka Makes as a Buddhist Position: Or, How a ‘Performativist Account of the Language of Self’ Makes Sense of ‘No-Self’

Revisiting the author’s characteristic line of interpretation of the Madhyamaka philosophy of Nāgārjuna and Candrakīrti, this essay responds to critiques thereof by arguing for the sense Madhyamaka makes, on the author’s interpretation, as a Buddhist position. For purposes of the argument, it is allowed that especially on the author’s characteristic interpretation, Madhyamaka appears to have affinities with the “personalist” (pudgalavāda) doctrine long regarded by Indian and Tibetan Buddhist traditions as unorthodox. In particular, it is accepted that on this interpretation, Mādhyamika arguments to the effect that conventional truth cannot be explained away by any “ultimate” truth are tantamount to the view that a personal level of description cannot coherently be thought superseded by the kind of impersonal analysis typical of Abhidharma literature. The main burden of the essay is to explain the sense it makes to think this supposedly unorthodox embrace of the category person counts, in fact, as elaborating the tradition’s orienting no-self doctrine (anātmavāda).
Automated Office-Based Blood Pressure Measurement: an Overview and Guidance for Implementation in Primary Care.

The purposes of this study are to review evidence supporting the use of automated office blood pressure (AOBP) measurement and to provide practical guidance for implementing it in clinical settings. Mean AOBP readings correlate with awake ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM) values and predict cardiovascular outcomes better than conventional techniques. However, heterogeneity among readings suggests that AOBP does not replace ABPM. Blood pressure (BP) measurement protocols differ among commonly described AOBP devices, but all produce valid BP estimates. Rest periods should not precede AOBP with BpTRU devices but should occur before use with Omron HEM-907 and Microlife WatchBP Office devices. Attended and unattended AOBP appear to produce similar results. This review also describes a framework to aid AOBP’s implementation in clinical practice. Evidence supports AOBP as the preferred method for measuring BP in office settings, but this approach should be a complement to out-of-office measurements, such as self-measured BP monitoring or 24-h ABPM, not a substitute for it.
Pollution and the Renegotiation of River Goddess Worship and Water Use Practices Among the Hindu Devotees of India’s Ganges/Ganga River

The Ganga (or Ganges) is the most sacred of all rivers in Hinduism and is revered as a goddess with purificatory and emancipatory powers. Worship of the river traditionally involves bathing in and drinking her waters in order to cleanse the body of physical and spiritual ills, and to hasten the path to Moksha (or Mokṣa) or liberation from the karmic cycle of reincarnation. Today, the river is also widely regarded as one of the most polluted in the world, with water quality measuring far lower than either national or international standards for drinking and bathing at most sites. This chapter explores the changing religious significance of the Ganges in the face of decreased river water quality, with particular attention to how river worshippers and devotees of the Ganga are renegotiating water use practices. Drawing on semi-structured interviews and survey data collected in 2008 and 2009 in the central river basin city of Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), I argue that popular awareness of the presence and risks of pollution in the river is leading goddess worshippers to reduce contact with river water during devotional practices, to change the sites or frequency of their worship or to abandon the practices traditionally associated with worship of the Ganga. These renegotiations have significant consequences related to how devotees conceive of and portray the river as an inviolable goddess, as well as the success of efforts to inspire pollution abatement by appealing to the traditional religious values associated with the goddess Ganga.
Constructing a Cultural Logic From a Swedish Context

Cultural logics reveal a culture’s way of reasoning or a belief system. When paired with International Patient Experience Design (I-PXD), cultural logics provide insight into cultural contexts to h...
Defending Democracy: Inoculation’s Efficacy in Protecting First Amendment Attitudes

ABSTRACTAlthough it may be tempting to assume that people’s attitudes toward the First Amendment are resolute, extant research and the findings of this investigation suggest the opposite: that Amer...
Seeing though the clutter: A case report of Posterior Cortical Atrophy and patient-centered care.

Objective: Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a neurodegenerative disease, with complex and heterogeneous neurological/neuropsychological sequelae but with similar pathophysiology to Alzheimer's disease. This case report demonstrated the complexity of this disorder and the challenges from the provider and patient perspective.Method: Case report focused on a 57-year-old, Caucasian, right-handed woman. Initially, presentation with chronic headaches, vague cognitive complaints, and seemingly confounding mood factors triggered a referral to neurology with a normal neurological exam, grossly normal cognitive performance on a screening measure, and normal imaging studies.Results: After serial neuropsychological evaluation, antidepressant medication therapy, and a successful course of psychotherapy to address past trauma, evolution of symptoms (i.e., Gerstmann's syndrome and visuoperceptual deficits) allowed for a diagnosis of PCA to be reached. Follow-up interview with patient and her partner gave unfiltered insight into the personal impact of living with PCA.Conclusions: With high-quality patient-centered care, the burden of coping with progressively debilitating deficits is slightly lessened. As said best by the patient, "to me it's awful" and balanced by her partner's reminder of "cherishing every good moment."
Differentiation of Patients with Symptomatic Low von Willebrand Factor from Those with Asymptomatic Low von Willebrand Factor

Background Accurate diagnosis of symptomatic low von Willebrand factor (VWF) remains a major challenge in von Willebrand disease (VWD). However, present tests do not adequately take into account flow forces that, at very high shear rates, reveal a weakness in the VWF-platelet glycoprotein glycoprotein Ib bond in normal subjects. The degree of this weakness is greater in symptomatic, but not asymptomatic, low VWF. Objective The aim of this study is to distinguish patients with symptomatic low VWF (levels in the 30–50 IU/dL range) from those with asymptomatic low VWF and normal subjects. Methods We measured platelet adhesion (PA)/aggregation in our novel microfluidic flow system that permits real-time assessment of PA (surface coverage) and PA/aggregation (V, aggregate volume) using epifluorescence digital videomicroscopy in flowing noncitrated whole blood at 4,000 second−1. Blood samples from 24 low VWF patients and 15 normal subjects were collected into plastic tubes containing 4 U/mL enoxaparin. MetaMorph software was used to quantify rates of PA and V increase. Results Rates of PA increase showed a bimodal distribution, with values for 16/24 patients (Group I) all below the 2.5th percentile of normal, and values for 8/24 patients (Group II) similar to controls. Bleeding scores (mean ± standard error) were 5.50 ± 0.45 versus 2.75 ± 0.45 (p = 0.00077), and 10 clinically significant bleeding events were observed in seven versus zero (p = 0.0295) Group I and Group II subjects, respectively. Conclusion The present approach may offer a definitive means to distinguish symptomatic low VWF from either asymptomatic low VWF or normal controls.
Identification of Three Endotypes in Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by Nasal Transcriptomic Profiling

1 ABSTRACT Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pediatric ARDS (PARDS) can be triggered by multiple pulmonary and non-pulmonary insults and are the source of substantial morbidity and mortality. The nasal and lower conducting airways have similar cell composition and nasal transcriptomes identify disease state and sub-classes in lung cancer, COPD, and asthma. We conducted an observational, prospective trial to determine whether this technique could identify PARDS endotypes in 26 control and 25 PARDS subjects
UBE-Shopping: An Unintended Consequence of Portability?

Getting our students ready for the UBE, may require more than just learning the law; it also means learning in which jurisdiction you should take it. While there is not much that is new about the UBE’s individual components — the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) — what is new is that where you take the UBE may make the difference between passing and failing. This is possible because of the convergence of bar exam test practices of “portability,” “relative grading,” and “scaling” of scores. By adopting the UBE, jurisdictions agree to weight the MEE at 30%, the MPT at 20%, and the MBE at 50% in determining an examinee’s score. As a result, the UBE, as currently administered, leads to the situation where the same skill level could result in different UBE scores depending on where the candidate takes the exam, fails to ensure that the scores used to grant licensure in a UBE jurisdiction are sufficiently reliable for high-stakes testing when it is possible to achieve different outcomes on the same test by the same candidate if taken in different UBE jurisdictions, results in a “portable” score but not an “accurate” one because the written score — 50% of the total — depends on the strength of the applicant pool in the jurisdiction where the candidate wrote the exam, presents a candidate with the opportunity to “UBE shop” and “game the system” by taking the UBE in a jurisdiction where the same essay and MPT performance would result in a higher score and then transferring that inflated score for admission in a “harder” jurisdiction, makes it possible for a candidate to file a discrimination lawsuit challenging his or her UBE results.
Reducing opioid use in post-operative otolaryngology patients: A quality improvement project.

Abstract Purpose In opioid-naive patients, many low-risk surgical procedures are associated with an increased risk of chronic opioid use. The goal of this quality improvement project was to reduce the amount of opioid prescriptions after commonly performed surgeries in otolaryngology. Materials and methods Pre-intervention opioid prescribing state was measured using anonymous provider and patient surveys, as well as pharmacy provider prescription data. Next, this information was used to develop an opioid prescription protocol that both standardized opioid prescribing practices and encouraged multimodal analgesia following routine surgery. Finally, post-intervention data were gathered and compared to pre-intervention data to assess changes in prescribing patterns. Results By patient survey, the worst pain and average pain after surgery (scale of 1–10) were unchanged after the intervention (5.1 to 4.8, p = 0.52; 4.1 to 3.6, p = 0.35, respectively). Post-intervention, 41% of patients reported receiving no opiates, whereas pre-intervention 100% of patients surveyed received opiates. The amount of ibuprofen and acetaminophen prescribed post-intervention increased 113% and 71%, respectively. By survey, the average number of opioid doses decreased from 24.0 ± 7.0 to 18.4 ± 6.6 (p = 0.018). Conclusions The implementation of a standardized physician opioid prescription protocol did not affect patient pain perceptions, resulted in an increase in multimodal analgesia prescription, and increased provider awareness of opioid over prescription.
A BLOCK VARIANT OF THE GMRES METHOD FOR UNSYMMETRIC LINEAR SYSTEMS

Iterative methods that take advantage of efficient block operations and block communications are popular research topics in parallel computation. These methods are especially important on Massively Parallel Processors (MPP). This paper presents a block variant of the GMRES method for solving general unsymmetric linear systems. It is shown that the new algorithm with block size s, denoted by BVGMRES(s,m), is theoretically equivalent to the GMRES(s. m) method. The numerical results show that this algorithm can be more efficient than the standard GMRES method on a cache based single CPU computer with optimized BLAS kernels. Furthermore, the gain in efficiency is more significant on MPPs due to both efficient block operations and efficient block data communications. Our numerical results also show that in comparison to the standard GMRES method, the more PEs that are used on an MPP, the more efficient the BVGMRES(s,m) algorithm is.
SAGE: Whitebox Fuzzing for Security Testing: SAGE has had a remarkable impact at Microsoft.

Most ACM Queue readers might think of "program verification research" as mostly theoretical with little impact on the world at large. Think again. If you are reading these lines on a PC running some form of Windows (like 93-plus percent of PC users--that is, more than a billion people), then you have been affected by this line of work--without knowing it, which is precisely the way we want it to be.
Provider Satisfaction with Infectious Diseases Telemedicine Consults for Hospitalized Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our institution transitioned ID consultations on hospitalized patients to telemedicine. We evaluated satisfaction with telemedicine among referring providers and ID consultants. Respondents were satisfied with telemedicine consults for hospitalized patients, though there were significant differences in perceptions of quality and timeliness between consultants and referring providers.
Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II in Aging Rat Prefrontal Cortex Impairs Working Memory Performance

GCPII (glutamate carboxypeptidase II) expression in brain is increased by inflammation, and reduces NAAG (N-acetyl aspartyl glutamate) stimulation of mGluR3 signaling. Genetic insults in this signaling cascade are increasingly linked to cognitive disorders in humans, where increased GCPII and or decreased NAAG-mGluR3 are associated with impaired prefrontal cortical (PFC) activation and cognitive impairment. As aging is associated with increased inflammation and PFC cognitive deficits, the current study examined GCPII and mGluR3 expression in the aging rat medial PFC, and tested whether GCPII inhibition with 2-MPPA (2-(3-mercaptopropyl) pentanedioic acid) would improve working memory performance. We found that GCPII protein was expressed on astrocytes and some microglia as expected from previous studies, but was also prominently expressed on neurons, and showed increased levels with advancing age. Systemic administration of the GCPII inhibitor, 2-MPPA, improved working memory performance in young and aged rats, and also improved performance after local infusion into the medial PFC. As GCPII inhibitors are well-tolerated, they may provide an important new direction for treatment of cognitive disorders associated with aging and/or inflammation.
Investigating low temperature tolerance and winter protection systems for herbaceous perennials

Five structureless overwintering systems were evaluated for temperature moderation and protection of 18 container-grown herbaceous perennials from low-temperature injury. Two light-excluding treatments; 30-cm (1-ft) of straw between two layers of 4-mil white polyethylene, and 18-cm (7-in) deep, in-ground beds protected with one layer of 4-mil white polyethylene and 30-cm (1-ft) of woodchips, provided the greatest moderation of winter low and early spring high temperatures, but also resulted in severe etiolation. A bonded white polyethylene/microfoam overwintering blanket (thermoblanket) with translucent properties provided comparable plant survival percentages despite dramatic temperature extremes recorded beneath this cover and, in late winter, created an environment conducive to moderate plant growth without formation of etiolated tissue. Additional index words. Achillea taygetea xmillefolium L. "The Beacon', Coreopsis lanceolata L. "Goldfink', Coreopsis vertidllata L. "Moonbeam' and "Zagreb', Delphinium elatum L. "Giant Pacific Hybrid', Gaillardia xgrandiflora Van Houtte. "Goblin', Geum quellyon Sweet. "Mrs. Bradshaw', Heuchera sanguinea Engehn. "Bressingham Hybrids' and "Splendens', Physostegia virginiana (L.) Benth. "Pink Bouquet' and "Summer Snow', Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC. "Fuji Blue', Salvia xsuperba Stapf. "Stratford Blue', Sedum spectaUle x-telephium L. "Autumn Joy', Sedum spectabile Boreau. "Brilliant', Tanacetum coccineum WUld. "Robinson's Mix', Veronica repens Loisel., Veronica spicata L. "Icicle', etiolation, temperature monitoring, thermocouple, winter protection
Agent augmented community-information: the ACORN architecture

The ACORN architecture is a multi-agent based system deployed across networks which provides a means for augmenting community-based systems of communication between people. In the system, information and queries are embodied as autonomous agents which contain metadata information about the information and also data about the community in which they exist. Using this data, the agents are able to direct themselves towards interested readers or knowledgeable information sources in order to disseminate information or submit queries. The agents are able to learn about their community of users, adapting so as to reach users who may have been unknown originally, to better fulfil their task.This paper describes the ACORN system and the philosophy behind it. An overview of the system's current working implementation is given, and related and further work discussed.
A SIMPLE PROCEDURE FOR ESTABLISHING IGNITION CONDITIONS IN TOKAMAKS

A method of establishing ignition conditions and plasma operating regimes over large regions of parameter space (R 0/a, b/a, aB 0 2/q, etc.) under various physics assumptions (χe, χi, q Ψ , β crit, n crit, etc.) using a simple global model is presented. Contour plots of ignition, supplementary power, and plasma heating and operating windows are generated. These are then used to analyze the potential physics design space, operating regimes, and plasma performance characteristics of small (R 0 ~ 1–2 m), high-field (B 0 ~ 8–13 T) tokamak ignition experiments.
Molecular Dynamics Evaluation of Dielectric Constant Mixing Rules for H2O–CO2 at Geologic Conditions

Modeling of mineral reaction equilibria and aqueous-phase speciation of C-O-H fluids requires the dielectric constant of the fluid mixture, which is not known from experiment and is typically estimated by some rule for mixing pure-component values. In order to evaluate different proposed mixing rules, we use molecular dynamics simulation to calculate the dielectric constant of a model H2O-CO2 mixture at temperatures of 700 K and 1000 K at pressures up to 3 GPa. We find that theoretically based mixing rules that depend on combining the molar polarizations of the pure fluids systematically overestimate the dielectric constant of the mixture, as would be expected for mixtures of nonpolar and strongly polar components. The commonly used semiempirical mixing rule due to Looyenga works well for this system at the lower pressures studied, but somewhat underestimates the dielectric constant at higher pressures and densities, especially at the water-rich end of the composition range.