cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accounting For Teaching Hospitals’ Higher Costs And What To Do About Them

Academic health centers (AHCs) have higher costs per case and also lower margins than either other teaching hospitals or community hospitals. The differences in margins stem mostly from differences in the intensity with which similar patients are treated, as well as hospitals’ ability to generate revenue to cover the costs of that greater intensity, rather than graduate medical education per se. How much patient care capacity should be supported in AHCs and who should be treated with the greater intensity they offer are open questions. If there is to be a public trust fund to subsidize AHCs, it should be financed from general revenues.
Improved Schmidt Conversion of Aldehydes to Nitriles Using Azidotrimethylsilane in 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-propanol

The Schmidt reaction of aromatic aldehydes using a substoichiometric amount (40 mol %) of triflic acid is described. Low catalyst loading was enabled by a strong hydrogen-bond-donating solvent hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP). This improved protocol tolerates a broad scope of aldehydes with diverse functional groups and the corresponding nitriles were obtained in good to high yields without the need for aqueous work up.
Shelf Stability and Safety of Fresh Produce as Influenced by Sanitation and Disinfection

Quality and safety of fresh produce depend on their microbiological flora. Every step from production through consumption will influence the microbiology of fresh produce. Improper handling and unsanitary equipment lead to increased populations of microorganisms on fresh fruits and vegetables and can compromise quality and safety. Processing steps such as cutting and peeling usually increase the population of microorganisms and shorten shelf life. Using techniques to extend shelf life can increase the risk of safety problems developing and therefore need to be carefully evaluated. Proper use of disinfectants can complement an effective sanitation program but should not be relied upon to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms from contaminated produce.
Overtime: a tool for analyzing performance variation due to network interference

Shared networks create unique challenges in obtaining consistent performance across jobs for large systems when not using exclusive system-wide allocations. In order to provide good system utilization, resource managers allocate system space to multiple jobs. These multiple independent node allocations can interfere with each other through their shared network. This work provides a method of observing and measuring the impact of network contention due to interference from other jobs through a continually running benchmark application and the use of network performance counters. This is the first work to measure network interference using specially designed benchmarks and network performance counters.
Therapeutic Alliance in the Treatment of Combat PTSD

Psychological trauma in combat veterans is commonly associated with significant shame and guilt over actions. When present, these feelings can generate resistance to treatment. Establishment of a solid therapeutic alliance is an essential element in the treatment of veterans with psychological trauma as a means of overcoming the resistance generated by feelings of shame and guilt.
Efficient parallel image clustering and search on a heterogeneous platform

We present a parallel image clustering and search framework for large scale datasets that does not require image annotation, segmentation or registration. This work addresses the image search problem while avoiding the need for user-specified or auto-generated metadata. Instead we rely on image data alone to avoid the ambiguity inherent in user-provided information.We propose a parallel algorithm exploiting heterogeneous hardware resources to generate global descriptors for the set of input images. Given a group of query images we derive the global descriptors in parallel. Secondly, we propose to build a customisable search tree of the image database by performing a hierarchical K-means (H-Kmeans) clustering of the corresponding descriptors. Lastly, we design a novel parallel vBFS algorithm to search through the H-Kmeans tree and locate the set of closest matches for query image descriptors.To validate our design we analyse the search performance and energy efficiency under a range of hardware clock frequencies and in comparison with alternative approaches. The result of our analysis shows that the framework greatly increases the search efficiency and thereby reduces the energy consumption per query.
Predicting grain size in gravel-bedded rivers using digital elevation models: Application to three Maine watersheds

Riverbed grain size controls suitability of spawning habitat for threatened fish species. Motivated by this relationship, we developed a model that uses digital elevation models (DEMs) to predict bed grain size. We tested the accuracy of our model and two existing models with channel measurements from high-resolution airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) DEMs. All three models assume that bed grain size is a function of reach-average high-flow channel hydraulics (measured by shear stress or stream power). Our test data are field measurements of median grain size ( D 50 ) at 276 stations along four rivers in Maine. Pleistocene continental glaciation strongly influences the longitudinal profiles, which have alternating steep and gradual segments. We exploit the resulting variations in sediment supply to understand the controls on model success or failure in predicting bed grain size. Results show that all three models have ∼70% success in predicting D 50 within a factor of two overall, and better where the rivers are coarse gravel bedded (∼80% success where D 50 ≥ 16 mm). This similarity is unsurprising given that the models primarily rely on channel gradient (S) and drainage area as inputs. Measurements of S from LiDAR DEMs yield only a modest improvement in model success over those from topographic maps. We find that our model works best in sediment-starved steep reaches. Model failures fall into two broad categories: (1) relatively fine-grained ( D 50 D 50 . We argue that models based on airborne infrared LiDAR DEMs may reach a maximum around 80%–85% accuracy due to these sub-reach-scale factors, which cannot be easily measured from DEMs. The overall success of the models in predicting grain size indicates that the morphology of these channels has adjusted to the imposed S and sediment load during the ∼15 k.y. since deglaciation and through the period of anthropogenic channel change over the past three centuries.
Investigation and Analysis on Cardiovascular System Abnormality Caused by Combined Exposure to Noise and Heat

[Objective]To understand the combined effect of noise and heat on steel workers' health,through investigation and analysis on the cardiovascular diseases of workers in a steel plant,and explore the effective ways to reduce occupational damage on workers.[Methods]The stratified random sampling method was adopted to investigate 186 workers only exposed to heat,only exposed to noise,exposed to noise and heat,without exposure to noise and heat.Their abnormalities of cardiovascular system were investigated.[Results]The abnormal rates of cardiovascular system were significantly different between workers only exposed to heat,only exposed to noise,exposed to noise and heat,without exposure to noise and heat.The abnormal rates of ECG and blood pressure of worker only exposed to heat,only exposed to noise,exposed to noise and heat,without exposure to noise and heat were 30.8%,33.3%;32.2%,35.6%;50.0%,46.6%;22.0%,23.6%;respectively,the differences were significant(P0.05),the highest abnormal rates were detected in workers with exposure to noise and heat.The difference of ECG abnormal rate was significant between workers with different length of service,it increased with the extending length of service..[Conclusion]Noise and heat exposure causes significant damage on the cardiovascular system of workers which increases with the extending length of service,combined noise and heat causes even more serious injuries.Therefore,labor protection measures must be taken to reduce occupational injury on operating workers,.
Contribution of supraglottal mechanoreceptor afferents to respiratory-related evoked potentials in humans.

We used the global field power (GFP) to estimate the magnitude and timing of activation of the somatosensory cortex by respiratory mechanoreceptor afferents in normal humans in response to brief, n...
Development and refinement of augmented treatment regimens for pediatric high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Overview:The 5-year survival rate for children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is now at least 90%. However, clinical features (age and initial white blood cell count [WBC])...
Core Issue from Round One (replies by country) Maintaining an active and independent life for as long as possible

The UN, in its call for the World Assembly, uses the phrase: “Older people as contributors to and not just the beneficiaries of development”. This is not just an ideal hope, if we believe that many older people are demonstrably competent and that more could be if we worked at it.
Necessity of carbapenem use when prescribed per infectious diseases specialists.

Abstract Preauthorization strategies, including restricting broad-spectrum antimicrobials such as carbapenems to infectious diseases physicians (ID) are commonly employed by stewardship programs. The appropriateness, or “necessity” of empiric carbapenem therapy by ID, defined as an isolated organism sensitive to the carbapenem and resistant to cefepime, was evaluated over a 6 month span and included 84 patients. Additionally, 30 patients followed by ID who were not prescribed a carbapenem until final susceptibilities were included as a definitive therapy group. Differences in multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO) risk factors between groups were non-significant. Carbapenem therapy was necessary for only 6 (7%) empiric therapy patients, while four times as many definitive group patients required a carbapenem but did not receive one empirically. Overall, ID's ability to accurately gauge which patients required carbapenems appeared poor in this study. Alternative risk stratification strategies may better guide broad-spectrum antimicrobial use than ID judgment alone.
A Method for the Immunohistochemical Identification and Localization of Osterix in Periosteum-Wrapped Constructs for Tissue Engineering of Bone:

A novel immunohistochemistry (IHC) approach has been developed to label and localize osterix, a bone-specific transcription factor, within formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, tissue-engineered const...
Costa Rica 2016: Elecciones, partidos cantonales y autonomía local

La presencia e importancia de los partidos politicos cantonales en Costa Rica han crecido en la ultimas dos decadas. El presente estudio bosqueja la participacion de partidos cantonales en las elecciones municipales del 2016 y analiza el papel que, desde su perspectiva, juegan en la arena politica nacional. El estudio se basa en el analisis cualitativo de informes mediaticos, documentos oficiales de los partidos y entrevistas telefonicas con lideres partidarios. La principal conclusion es que los partidos cantonales se consideran participes en un proceso de redemocratizacion nacional fundamentado en la actividad politica local de base. Son conscientes, al mismo tiempo, de los importantes obstaculos que les impiden adquirir protagonismo en la politica nacional.
The effect of race on postsurgical ambulatory medical follow-up among United States Veterans

Abstract Study objective To investigate the association between self-identified black or African American race and the presence of ambulatory internal medicine follow-up in the year after surgery. Our hypothesis was that among US Veterans who presented for surgery, black or African American race would be associated with a decreased likelihood to receive ambulatory internal medicine follow-up in the year after surgery. Design Retrospective observational. Setting All US Veterans Affairs hospitals. Patients A total of 236,200 Veterans undergoing surgery between 2006 and 2011 who were discharged within 10 days of surgery and survived the full 1-year exposure period. Interventions None. Measurements Attendance at an internal medicine follow-up appointment within 1 year after surgery. Main results After controlling for year of surgery, age, age ≥65 years, sex, Hispanic ethnicity, and number of inpatient days, black or African American patients were 11% more likely to lack internal medicine follow-up after surgery (adjusted odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.16). When accounting for geographic region, this difference remained significant at the Bonferoni-corrected P P Conclusions The disparity in ambulatory medical follow-up following surgery among black or African American vs nonblack or non–African American Veterans in the Midwest region deserves further study and may lead to important quality improvement initiatives aimed specifically at this population.
The Enteric Network: Interactions between the Immune and Nervous Systems of the Gut

Interactions between the nervous and immune systems enable the gut to respond to the variety of dietary products that it absorbs, the broad spectrum of pathogens that it encounters, and the diverse microbiome that it harbors. The enteric nervous system (ENS) senses and reacts to the dynamic ecosystem of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract by translating chemical cues from the environment into neuronal impulses that propagate throughout the gut and into other organs in the body, including the central nervous system (CNS). This review will describe the current understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the GI tract by focusing on the ENS and the mucosal immune system. We highlight emerging literature that the ENS is essential for important aspects of microbe-induced immune responses in the gut. Although most basic and applied research in neuroscience has focused on the brain, the proximity of the ENS to the immune system and its interface with the external environment suggest that novel paradigms for nervous system function await discovery.
Development of an Interdisciplinary Pediatric Pain Rehabilitation Program: The First 1000 Consecutive Patients

Abstract Objective To describe the development of a clinically and financially successful interdisciplinary pediatric pain rehabilitation program at a large tertiary academic medical center and present demographic and clinical information on the first 1000 patients. Patients and Methods All patients who were consecutively admitted to this program between October 1, 2008, and March 31, 2015 were included in this review. The patients ranged in age from 9 to 24 years. The program is a 3-week, hospital-based outpatient treatment program that requires substantial parental involvement. At admission and discharge, patients completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression Scale for Children, the Functional Disability Inventory, and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Children. Opioid use was also assessed. Results At admission, patients reported substantial pain-associated disability and depressive symptoms; they had elevated pain catastrophizing scores, and 16% were taking opioids. Primary sites/types of pain included head, abdomen, and generalized. Functional disability scores decreased significantly, from 27 to 9 after the program ( P P Conclusion Participation in a multidisciplinary pediatric pain rehabilitation program can be successful, with significant decreases in disability, depression symptoms, and pain catastrophizing, as well as discontinuation of opioid use.
Toward attack-resilient state estimation and control of autonomous cyber-physical systems

This project develops techniques to protect against sensor attacks on cyber-physical systems. Specifically, a resilient version of the Kalman filtering technique accompanied with a watermarking approach is proposed to detect cyber-attacks and estimate the correct state of the system. The defense techniques are used in conjunction and validated on two case studies: i) an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) in which an attacker alters the reference angle and ii) a Cube Satellite (CubeSat) in which an attacker modifies the orientation of the satellite degrading its performance. Based on this work, we show that the proposed techniques in conjunction achieve better resiliency and defense capability than either technique alone against spoofing and replay attacks.
Energy Myth Six – The Barriers to New and Innovative Energy Technologies are Primarily Technical: The Case of Distributed Generation (DG)

For almost a century, the electric utility system had been well served by gigantic generating plants that delivered energy to customers through an intricate grid of power lines. But traditional generation technology appeared to reach limits to improvement by the 1970s, hindering companies’ ability to lower the cost of power. Moreover, as consumption grew and as utility firms and independent generating companies put new demands on the grid, especially during the period of utility restructuring that began in the 1990s, the transmission and distribution network became constrained. Parts of the grid became unstable, leading to events such as the cascading Northeast blackout of 2003. Advocates of distributed generation (DG) facilities have suggested a novel approach to the challenges facing the conventional network of power production, transmission, and distribution. Employing small, modular (and sometimes renewable-energy) generators that produce power close to end users, they foresee a host of potential benefits. In contrast to the customary use of a few largescale generators distantly located from load centers, employment of numerous, but small plants can provide power onsite with little reliance on the distribution and transmission grid. DG technologies produce power in capacities that range from a fraction of a kilowatt (kW) to about 100 megawatts (MW); utility-scale generation units have capacities that sometimes reach beyond 1,000MW. Distributed generators can also offer, in many cases, lower-cost electricity and higher power
Catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: have we been targeting the wrong organ?

When I think back on my decision to pursue a career in cardiac electrophysiology, I recall how much I enjoyed this field in which almost every disease state and its specific treatment seemed logical. I was fascinated by the physiology of electrophysiology, how arrhythmias were generated, and how an
The Structure of the Y Chromosome and Its Role in Male Infertility

Male infertility accounts for a significant proportion of reproductive failure. Although ejaculatory disorders and impotence can be successfully treated with medical therapy, disorders of genetic origin are more difficult to successfully overcome. Recent advances in our knowledge of Y chromosome structure and function have provided insight into many aspects of the genetic basis of spermatogenic failure and its possible inheritance when assisted reproductive technologies are used to produce offspring.
Structures of Histidine and Ornithine Decarboxylases from Lactobacillus 30a

SUMMARY We report progress on the x-ray structures of the pyruvoyl-dependent histidine decarboxylase (HDCase) and its proenzyme (proHDCase), and of the pyridoxal-5'-phosphate dependent ornithine decarboxylase (ODCase), both isolated from Lactobacillus 30a. The w.t. HDCase structure and two inhibitor complexes have been refined to high resolution and mutant forms of proHDCase have also been studied. The ODCase structure is at 3.4a resolution. A holo-apo difference map has revealed the location of one PLP site per 85 kDa subunit. Chain tracing and gene sequencing studies are currently in progress.
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in small bowel adenocarcinomas (SBA).

3619 Background: SBAs are rare, resulting in a paucity of data on effective treatments. Highly active immune surveillance within all parts of the intestine may explain the rarity. In such an enviro...
Thiobacillus intermedius nov.sp.

A new Thiobacillus has been isolated which, though capable of strictly autotrophic growth, requires the addition of organic substrates to a mineral-thiosulfate medium for optimum development. The effects of such supplements on growth have been described and tentatively interpreted. The organism also grows with yeast extract and glucose or glutamate in the absence of sulfur compounds. The new isolate has been named T. intermedius, and a description of the species has been provided.
Characterization of near-bed coherent structures in turbulent open channel flow using synchronized high-speed video and hot-film measurements

High-speed video recordings (500 Hz) of flow visualizations in the near wall region of a turbulent open channel flow were synchronized with hot-film measurements of flow velocity and bed shear stress. Analysis of the video images provided information about the main characteristics of coherent flow structures associated with the occurrence of low-speed streak ejections near the bed. These structures consisted mainly of oscillating shear layers that were converted in the downstream direction and lifted away from the bed. A visual detection criterion was developed to obtain ensemble averaged profiles of the velocity and shear stress data during ejection events, allowing for the characterization of the associated flow field during the occurrence of coherent structures. Conditional averaging suggests that the occurrence of such coherent patterns affects mainly the turbulence structure in the wall region, and that the observed events reveal a plausible mechanism by which energy is extracted from the mean flow by large scale turbulent fluctuations, and then further transferred towards smaller eddies, while the structures lose their coherence. The intermittent nature of production and dissipation of turbulent energy becomes noticeable, taking place about 21% of the time. The results obtained also provide evidence that seems to link the structures responsible for the turbulent vertical transport of momentum, and for the maintenance of the turbulent state, with the mechanism that triggers the entrainment of sediment into suspension. Comparison of present results with other experiments conducted in different types of flows strongly confirms a universal structure of coherent events in wall bounded flows.
Controlled adsorption of polymers and surfactants in particulate separatioin processes

Ultrapurification of fine powders and processing of low-grade, finely disseminated ores can be achieved by selectively flocculating one of the constituents (impurity or value component) and separating it from the bulk suspension by sedimentation or floc flotation. Controlled adsorption of polymers and/or surfactants is known to govern the separation efficiency. In this paper, the role of relative adsorption, as dictated by active sites constituing a given particulate surface, and its implications in the selective flocculation technology for ultrapurification of fine powders are discussed.
Legal Protection of Children in Armed Conflict: The Iraqi Children Genocide

During the summer of 1991 I was contacted on behalf of several mothers in Iraq whose children were dying at astounding rates because of the genocidal economic sanctions that had been imposed upon them by the Security Council in August of 1990 at the behest of the Bush Senior administration. They requested that I do something in order to save these innocent children from perishing in agony in front of their mothers’ very own eyes. Using the format of the Writ for World Habeas Corpus that had been previously provided to me by my friend and colleague, the late Luis Kutner, Esq. of Chicago, Illinois, I filed a class-action Complaint on behalf of the 4.5 million children of Iraq against President George Bush Senior and the United States of America with the United Nations Organization that was dated September 18, 1991.
L 1-2 Regularized Logistic Regression

Logistic regression has become a fundamental tool to facilitate data analysis and prediction in a variety of applications, including health care and social sciences. Depending on different sparsity assumptions, logistic regression models often incorporate various regularizations, including l 1 -norm, l 2 -norm and some non-convex regularizations. In this paper, we propose a nonconvex l 1-2 -regularized logistic regression model assuming that the coefficients to be recovered are highly sparse. We derive two numerical algorithms with guaranteed convergence based on the alternating direction method of multipliers and the proximal operator of l 1-2 . Numerical experiments on real data demonstrate the great potential of the proposed approach.
Towards real-time processors: Electro- and all-optical photonic neural networks (Conference Presentation)

While the data throughput of electronic processors is rather high (TFLOP range), the question arises whether optical neural networks (NN) enable a value proposition for zero-delay (real-time) processing? The answer might be ‘yes’, since once the network is trained, the time to perform an inference tasks is simply given by the time-of-flight of the photon through the processor’s NN. Here we discuss how the three functions of the perceptron (dot-product synaptic weighting, summation, and nonlinear thresholding) can be mapped onto a) optoelectronic [George et al. Opt.Exp. 2019], and b) all-optical hardware [Miscuglio et al. OMEx 2018]. The latter is realized via co-integration of phase-change-materials atop Silicon photonics. Once trained, the weights only require rare updating, thus saving power. Performance wise, such an integrated all-optical NN is capable of < fJ/MAC using experimental demonstrated pump-probe [Waldecker et al, Nat. Mat. 2015] with a delay per perceptron being ~ps.
Nonlocal continuum modeling of dense granular flow in a split-bottom cell with a vane-shaped intruder

Shear flow in one spatial region of a dense granular material-induced, for example, through the motion of a boundary-fluidizes the entire granular material. One consequence is that the yield condition vanishes throughout the granular material-even in regions that are very far from the "primary," boundary-driven shear flow. This phenomenon may be characterized through the mechanics of intruders embedded in the granular medium. When there is no primary flow, a critical load must be exceeded to move the intruder; however, in the presence of a primary flow, intruder motion occurs even when an arbitrarily small external load is applied to an intruder embedded in a region far from the sheared zone. In this paper, we apply the nonlocal granular fluidity (NGF) model-a continuum model that involves higher-order flow gradients-to simulate the specific case of dense flow in a split-bottom cell with a vane-shape intruder. Our simulations quantitatively capture the key features of the experimentally observed phenomena: (1) the vanishing of the yield condition, (2) an exponential-type relationship between the applied torque and the rotation rate, (3) the effect of the distance between the intruder and the primary flow zone, and (4) the direction-dependence of the torque/rotation-rate relation, in which the observed relation changes depending on whether the intruder is forced to rotate along with or counter to the primary flow. Importantly, this represents the first fully three-dimensional validation test for a nonlocal model for dense granular flow in general and for the NGF model in particular.
Social Media as an Early Proxy for Social Distancing Indicated by the COVID-19 Reproduction Number: Observational Study.

Background: The magnitude and time course of the COVID-19 epidemic in the United States depends on early interventions to reduce the basic reproductive number to below 1. It is imperative, then, to develop methods to actively assess where quarantine measures such as social distancing may be deficient and suppress those potential resurgence nodes as early as possible. Objective: We ask if social media is an early indicator of public social distancing measures in the United States by investigating its correlation with the time-varying reproduction number (Rt) as compared to social mobility estimates reported from Google and Apple Maps. Methods: In this observational study, the estimated Rt was obtained for the period between March 5 and April 5, 2020, using the EpiEstim package. Social media activity was assessed using queries of “social distancing” or “#socialdistancing” on Google Trends, Instagram, and Twitter, with social mobility assessed using Apple and Google Maps data. Cross-correlations were performed between Rt and social media activity or mobility for the United States. We used Pearson correlations and the coefficient of determination (ρ) with significance set to P<.05. Results: Negative correlations were found between Google search interest for “social distancing” and Rt in the United States (P<.001), and between search interest and state-specific Rt for 9 states with the highest COVID-19 cases (P<.001); most states experienced a delay varying between 3-8 days before reaching significance. A negative correlation was seen at a 4-day delay from the start of the Instagram hashtag “#socialdistancing” and at 6 days for Twitter (P<.001). Significant correlations between Rt and social media manifest earlier in time compared to social mobility measures from Google and Apple Maps, with peaks at –6 and –4 days. Meanwhile, changes in social mobility correlated best with Rt at –2 days and +1 day for workplace and grocery/pharmacy, respectively. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the potential use of Google Trends, Instagram, and Twitter as epidemiological tools in the assessment of social distancing measures in the United States during the early course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their correlation and earlier rise and peak in correlative strength with Rt when compared to social mobility may provide proactive insight into whether social distancing efforts are sufficiently enacted. Whether this proves valuable in the creation of more accurate assessments of the early epidemic course is uncertain due to limitations. These limitations include the use of a biased sample that is internet literate with internet access, which may covary with socioeconomic status, education, geography, and age, and the use of subtotal social media mentions of social distancing. Future studies should focus on investigating how social media reactions change during the course of the epidemic, as well as the conversion of social media behavior to actual physical behavior.
Breed differences in placental development during late gestation between Chinese Meishan and White crossbred gilts in response to intrauterine crowding.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate placental development during late gestation (day 100) between Chinese Meishan (CM; n = 7) and White crossbred (WC; n = 5) gilts following intrauterine crowding induced by unilaterally hysterectomy-ovariectomy. Gross placental morphology and areolae density as well as histological morphology (i.e., folded bilayer and placental stroma) were analyzed using computer-assisted morphometry for placentas of the smallest and largest fetuses within each litter. There was a breed by fetal size interaction (P
AI for Social Good: Between My Research and the Real World

AI for social good (AI4SG) is a research theme that aims to use and advance AI to improve the well-being of society. My work on AI4SG builds a two-way bridge between the research world and the real world. Using my unique experience in food waste and security, I propose applied AI4SG research that directly addresses real-world challenges which have received little attention from the community. Drawing from my experience in various AI4SG application domains, I propose bandit data-driven optimization, the first iterative prediction-prescription framework and a no-regret algorithm PROOF. I will apply PROOF back to my applied work on AI4SG, thereby closing the loop in a single framework.
This Event is Me!: How Consumer Event Self-Congruity Leverages Sponsorship

ABSTRACT Based on a real-world field study of 21 sponsored promotional events (more specifically, sponsored fashion shows) ( n = 535), we provide a self-congruity theory-based model explaining the role of mall shoppers9 self-congruity on the effectiveness of experiential mall promotions. We find that self-congruity with the event is a key influencer of promotion effectiveness. Specifically, we show that (1) more expertise with the sponsor affects self-congruity with the sponsor; (2) in turn, self-congruity with the promotional event enhances persuasiveness of the event; and (3) this event persuasion enhances the consumer9s likelihood to shop at the sponsor9s store. Further, when entertained shoppers like the promotional events and wish for more of such promotions, they tend to think more positively about the sponsor, view the promotional event as a good way to highlight the sponsor, and desire to shop more at the retail sponsor. These are important findings for advertising research practitioners, as they suggest that event attendees focus on how the sponsoring retailer fits with their image and sense of self.
Microbial cysteine degradation is a source of hydrogen sulfide in oxic freshwater lakes

The sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine is abundant in the environment including in freshwater lakes. Biological degradation of cysteine can result in hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a toxic and ecologically relevant compound that is a central player in biogeochemical cycling in aquatic environments, including freshwater lakes. Here, we investigated the ecological significance of cysteine in oxic freshwater lake environments, using model systems of isolated cultures, controlled growth experiments, and multi-omics. We screened bacterial isolates enriched from natural lake water for their ability to produce H2S when provided cysteine. In total, we identified 29 isolates that produced H2S and belonged to the phylum proteobacteria Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. To understand the genomic and genetic basis for cysteine degradation and H2S production, we further characterized 3 freshwater isolates using whole-genome sequencing, and quantitatively tracked cysteine and H2S levels over their growth ranges: Stenotrophomonas maltophila, Stenotrophomonas bentonitica (Gammaproteobacteria) and Chryseobacterium piscium (Bacteroidetes). We observed a decrease in cysteine and increase in H2S, and identified genes involved in cysteine degradation in all 3 genomes. Finally, to assess the presence of these organisms and genes in the environment, we surveyed a five-year time series of metagenomic data from the same isolation source at Lake Mendota and identified their presence throughout the time series. Overall, our study shows that sulfur-containing amino acids can drive microbial H2S production in oxic environments. Future considerations of sulfur cycling and biogeochemistry in oxic environments should account for H2S production from degradation of organosulfur compounds. ImportanceHydrogen sulfide (H2S), a naturally occurring gas with biological origins, can be toxic to living organisms. In aquatic environments, H2S production typically originates from anoxic (lacking oxygen) environments such as sediments, or the bottom layers of lakes. However, the degradation of sulfur-containing amino acids such as cysteine, which all cells and life forms rely on, can be a source of ammonia and H2S in the environment. Unlike other approaches for the biological production of H2S such as dissimilatory sulfate reduction, cysteine degradation can occur in the presence of oxygen. Yet, little is known about how cysteine degradation influences sulfur availability and cycling in freshwater lakes. In our study, we found that multiple bacteria originating from a freshwater lake can not only produce H2S, but do so in oxic conditions. Overall, our study highlights the ecological importance of oxic H2S production in natural ecosystems, and necessitates a change in our outlook of sulfur biogeochemistry.
Abstract 44: Cardiometabolic Responses to Weight Change are Different between Obese and Normal Weight Adults Who are Metabolically Healthy: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Introduction: The 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS Guideline for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults recommended weight loss for obese adults in order to reduce their cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, not all obese adults develop CVD and approximately 17% of obese Americans in the 1999-2004 NHANES were metabolically healthy. The absence of abnormal CVD risk factors in this subgroup of obese adults indicates that some individuals are resistant to excess adiposity and positive energy balance, and raises the question of whether all obese adults should be recommended for weight loss treatment. We know of no study that has examined whether metabolically healthy obese (MHO) adults respond to weight changes the same way as metabolically healthy normal weight adults (MHNW). Also, no study has compared the effects of weight loss, weight maintenance and weight gain on CVD risk factors in MHO adults. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the effects of weight change would be different in MHNW and MHO adults, wit...
The Madden–Julian Oscillation’s Influence on Spring Rainy Season Precipitation over Equatorial West Africa*

AbstractThis paper characterizes the influence of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) on spring rainy season (March–June) convection variability over equatorial West Africa (EWA) and investigates mechanisms of association. It is found that the MJO has a significant impact on convection and precipitation anomalies over the region. Over large portions of EWA, MJO impacts on rainfall constitute a difference on the order of 20%–50% from average daily rain rates for the season. This impact is primarily due to the direct influence of the eastward movement of the MJO convective core into EWA, which is associated with westerly low-level wind anomalies that advect moisture from the Atlantic Ocean to the region. In addition, equatorial Rossby and Kelvin waves triggered by MJO convection anomalies over the Indian Ocean have a significant and systematic influence on EWA spring rainy season precipitation. The Kelvin wave contribution and the relative strength of the direct MJO convective influence compared to that of ...
Site-specific phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase after KCl depolarization and nerve growth factor treatment of PC12 cells.

Abstract The phosphorylation and activation of tyrosine hydroxylase was examined in PC12 cells following depolarization with KCl or treatment with nerve growth factor. Both treatments activate tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and increase enzyme phosphorylation. Site-specific analysis of the tryptic phosphopeptides of TH isolated from [32P]phosphate-labeled PC12 cells demonstrated that the major phosphorylated peptide (termed "H25") did not contain any of the previously reported phosphorylation sites. Phosphoamino acid analysis of this peptide demonstrated that the phosphorylated residue was a serine. Synthetic tryptic peptides containing putative phosphorylation sites were prepared, and subjected to high performance liquid chromatography analysis and isoelectric focusing. The tryptic phosphopeptide containing serine 31 comigrated with the H25 peptide during both of these analytical techniques. The tryptic phosphopeptide produced by the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase by the recently discovered proline-directed protein kinase and the phosphorylated synthetic phosphopeptide TH2-12 are clearly separated from H25 by this analysis. We conclude that serine 31 is phosphorylated during KCl depolarization and nerve growth factor treatment of PC12 cells and that this phosphorylation is responsible for the activation of tyrosine hydroxylase. Since this site is not located in a sequence selective for any of the "classical" protein kinases, we suggest that a novel protein kinase may be responsible for the phosphorylation of this site. Since serine 31 has a proline residue on the carboxyl-terminal side, the possibility that this kinase may be related to the recently reported proline-directed protein kinase is discussed. Other sites that are also phosphorylated on TH during KCl depolarization include serine 19, which is known to be phosphorylated by calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. A schematic model for the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity by phosphorylation of the NH2-terminal regulatory domain is presented.
Very low frequency radio astronomy from the moon

Lunar development is virtually certain to occur in the next 10–20 years. Very low frequency radio astronomy observations can and should begin with the first lander. A modest yet powerful near-side array should be built if backside development will be substantially delayed. A major backside array should be constructed when technology and funding permit. Ultimately the full dimensions of the radio-quiet backside of this splendid natural spacecraft will be exploited to give several arcsecond resolution at 10–20 MHz and fractional arcminute resolution below 1 MHz. It is already time to begin long-range planning for these developments, and in particular to preserve through internationally recognized bodies as much as possible of the radio-quiet status of the lunar backside.
Inherent and coerced gradability across categories: manipulating pragmatic halos with sorta

In this paper I provide an analysis of the English hedges sorta and kinda, which show a cross-categorial distribution and can induce gradability with non- gradable predicates. I analyze sorta and kinda as degree words and provide a formal analysis of their behavior. With gradable predicates, these behavior similar to other degree words such as very, but with non-gradable predicates, a mismatch of logical type forces the predicate to typeshift to a gradable type, making available a degree argument that represents imprecision. The analysis is developed using Morzycki’s (2011) implementation of Lasersohnian pragmatic halos (Lasersohn 1999), and presents a case study in how gradability may be coerced from non- gradable expressions.
Climate Change in Private Child Welfare Organizations

Agency-based design teams effectively address workforce issues in public child welfare agencies. This article presents findings from an adaptation of a design team intervention for private child welfare agencies. A longitudinal mixed-methodology design measures effects of the intervention and conditions of implementation. Pre–post surveys of workers (n = 137) and a comparison group (n = 153) measure climate, job satisfaction, perceptions of child welfare, and intent to leave. Statistically significant increases of 0.37 points on dimensions of organizational justice and support (justice: p = 0.01; support: p = 0.03) parallel the team’s perceived effect of their work—that it will make the organization more fair and accountable.
A Difference-Education Intervention Equips First-Generation College Students to Thrive in the Face of Stressful College Situations

A growing social psychological literature reveals that brief interventions can benefit disadvantaged students. We tested a key component of the theoretical assumption that interventions exert long-term effects because they initiate recursive processes. Focusing on how interventions alter students' responses to specific situations over time, we conducted a follow-up lab study with students who had participated in a difference-education intervention 2 years earlier. In the intervention, students learned how their social-class backgrounds mattered in college. The follow-up study assessed participants' behavioral and hormonal responses to stressful college situations. We found that difference-education participants discussed their backgrounds in a speech more frequently than control participants did, an indication that they retained the understanding of how their backgrounds mattered. Moreover, among first-generation students (i.e., students whose parents did not have 4-year degrees), those in the difference-education condition showed greater physiological thriving (i.e., anabolic-balance reactivity) than those in the control condition, which suggests that they experienced their working-class backgrounds as a strength.
36Cl fluxes in dispersed-cell aggregates of the submandibular salivary gland of early postnatal rats.

Abstract Salivary cells were isolated from the gland of rats (1, 7, 14 and 21 days old) by enzymic digestion. They formed small aggregates with typical morphological characteristics and were functional units with characteristic 36Cl fluxes. The rates of isotopic uptake in the absence of secretagogue (basal uptake) were similar at all ages. Uptake was time-dependent, leading to a steady-state isotope content of 6.7–8.9 nmol/mg protein after 3–5 min of incubation. 36Cl accumulation (uptake) in the unstimulated condition was inhibited 33–39 per cent by exposure to 1 mM furosemide at all ages, but was reduced significantly less (50 per cent) by 1 μM acetylcholine in cells of 1-day-old animals than in older ones. In aggregates exposed to 36Cl for 12 min (preloaded with tracer), acetylcholine caused a net efflux of isotope which was significantly less in cells of 1-day-old rats (18 versus 35 per cent in cells of older animals). Thus it was shown (1) that functional cell aggregates can be obtained from early postnatal rats; (2) that when not stimulated, their time-dependent Cl accumulation is partially inhibited by loop diuretics, and so likely to involve a cation/anion cotransport system; and (3) that Cl efflux, which may occur by way of membrane channels, is significantly reduced early in the postnatal period. The putative Cl channels are therefore either not fully developed, or they do not become responsive to stimulation until later. This reduced Cl efflux could be related to differences in Ca2+ mobilization at early and late phases of postnatal glandular development as Cl efflux is a Ca2+-dependent phenomenon in salivary cells.
GPS Visitor Tracking and Recreation Suitability Mapping: tools for understanding and managing visitor use.

Understanding space in parks and protected areas is becoming more important as recreation and other uses in these areas change and increase. Spatial demand and space utility are of particular importance to multiple-use forests, which may have competing demands and limited acreage. For managers to balance the demands of society, maintain healthy ecosystems, and generate revenue these demands must be integrated on some level. Spatial data and analysis can help with integration; however, social science data can be difficult to integrate into spatial modeling and analysis. This study examined the integration of two mapping methods that can assist in the incorporation of social science data into spatial models: Recreation Suitability Mapping (RSM) and GPS Visitor Tracking (GVT). Visitor use preferences were spatially mapped to create recreation suitability models for competing recreation activity groups, and GPS tracking of visitor use was used to compare and contrast actual user patterns with mapped preferences. Combining RSM and GVT proved useful for informing visitor management in a small acreage, multi-use public forest experiencing high spatial demand. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications are discussed.
In vitro activity of amdinocillin in combination with other beta-lactam antibiotics against aminoglycoside-susceptible and resistant gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract Amdinocillin alone and in combination with other beta-lactam antibiotics was tested for in vitro activity against aminoglycoside-susceptible and resistant gram-negative bacteria. Amdinocillin alone or in combination with ampicillin, ticarcillin, piperacillin, cefazolin, cefoxitin, and cefamandole had little to no activity against aminoglycoside-resistant E. coli, E. cloacae, K. pneumoniae, andS. marcescens. There was better activity with aminoglycoside-susceptible organisms, however, Overall, there was significantly more antagonism of amdinocillin combinations when tested with aminoglycoside-resistant organisms than with aminoglycoside-susceptible strains.