cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integral Mediation: A Proposal for a Pragmatic, Adaptable, Open-Source Approach to Mediation

Mediation has become a competition between brands vying for distinction not unlike cereal manufacturers competing with each other for access to the market of potential consumers. This is not a positive development for a professional field of endeavor. Mediation has much more to offer than competing claims of superiority that attempt to deride and disparage the competition. This article, which is written from a sociological viewpoint, challenges these claims and suggests that the mediation community should develop instead a broader integrated approach to mediation that is pragmatic, flexible, open-source, and based on a robust theoretical foundation.
Kaluza-Klein gluons at 100 TeV: NLO corrections

We explore the reach of a 100 TeV proton collider to discover Kaluza-Klein gluons in a warped extra dimension. These particles are templates for color adjoint vectors that couple dominantly to the top quark. We examine their production rate at NLO in the six-flavor m-ACOT scheme for a variety of reference models defining their coupling to quarks, largely inspired by the Randall-Sundrum model of a warped extra dimension. In agreement with previous calculations aimed at lower-energy machines, we find that the NLO corrections are typically negative, resulting in a $K$ factor of around 0.7 (depending on the model) and a residual scale dependence on the order of $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}20%$, greater than the variation from the scale exhibited by the na\"{\i}ve LO estimate.
Influence of Boiling Treatment for Antimoulds Effects of Vapor Phase Acetylated Bamboo

竹材の生物劣化防止を目的に,竹材の気相アセチル化処理における煮沸処理の効果を検討し,処理した竹材に対してカビ抵抗性試験を行った。ヒゴ状に加工したマダケ(Ptyllostachys Sbambusoides Siebold et Zuccarini)を用いて無水酢酸気流中,無触媒,140℃でアセチル化した。処理時間の増加に伴い重量増加率(WPG),アセチル基含量が増加し材中の熱水抽出物,遊離糖が減少した。2時間の処理でWPG約26%が得られ,かび発生の主原因である遊離糖は検出されなくなったが,カビ抵抗性試験では3時間処理材でもわずかなカビの発生が見られた。またアセチル化処理により竹材は褐色に着色した。前処理として材を水で煮沸し水溶性成分の一部を除去した後にアセチル化すると,着色およびカビ抵抗性試験におけるカビの発生ともほとんど認められなくなった。
Sex Biases in Trapped Samples of Mustelidae

Sex ratios significantly different from 1:1 usually are observed in trap captures of mustelids. Although these ratios could be caused by skewed sex ratios in wild populations, trapped samples consistently are skewed toward males. This apparent sampling bias generally has been attributed to sexual dimorphism of home-range sizes in mustelids, postulated to result in greater exposure of males to traps. The magnitude of differences in rates of capture between sexes appears to be body-size dependent because small mustelids exhibit more strongly skewed sex ratios in trap captures than do large ones. We investigated possible causes of sexual differences in rates of capture of mustelids. Mathematical equations were derived to describe the effect of trap spacing in relation to home-range diameter as a cause of these sex biases. Large trap-spacing values in relation to home-range diameter result in these biases, but this “exclusion effect” (the effect of some smaller home ranges having no traps at all) is only one consequence of sexual dimorphism of home-range size. At low trap-spacing intervals, variations in home-range size result in differential numbers of traps in male and female home ranges (the “trap number effect”), although the density of traps is the same. Computer simulations were used to examine the interaction of known and postulated body-size-dependent factors, including home-range size, rate of travel, sensory acuity, and a body-size-independent factor, dimensionality of trap arrangement, as a possible cause of sexual differences in rates of encounter with traps. Rates of encounter with traps that favor capture of males and that produce greater differences in rates of capture between sexes in small species than in large ones were observed if home ranges were sexually dimorphic, traps were arranged in grids, rate of travel was proportional to the 0.25 power of body mass, and males perceived traps at the same distances as did females. Sex-specific behaviors, either resulting from sexual differences in territory packing, or in the way that animals respond to traps that they perceive, are hypothesized to be contributing causes of differences in rates of capture between sexes.
Disseminated Cryptococcal Infection Resulting in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) as the Initial Clinical Presentation of AIDS

Cryptococcosis is a cosmopolitan but rare opportunistic mycosis which is usually caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Although the most common and worrisome disease manifestation is meningoencephalitis, pulmonary cryptococcosis has the potential to be lethal. The diagnosis of cryptococcal pneumonia is challenging, given its non-specific clinical and radiographic features. Respiratory failure leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome as a consequence of cryptococcal disease has been infrequently addressed in the literature. We herein present a case of disseminated cryptococcal infection leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome, refractory shock, and multiorgan dysfunction as the initial clinical manifestation in a patient who was newly diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Bacillary Dysentery in Yibin City From 2004 to 2007

Objective To explore epidemiological characteristics of bacillary dysentery.Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the basis of reports of epidemic situation of bacillary dysentery in Yibin city from 2004 to 2007.Results During the four years,3 921 cases were reported.The annual incidence was 19.8/100,000.The highest incidence was 25.57/100,000 and the lowest incidence was 15.15/100,000.The cases in Cuiping district,Gao Xian county,Junlian county and Yibin county accounted for 63.5% in total cases.The cases among scattered children accounted for 34.10%,farmers and students accounted for 19.10% and 12.68%,respectively.The cases among the age group of 0-9 years accounted for 49.43%.The incidence peak was seen from July to September and 40.30% of total cases occurred during this period.Conclusions Most of bacillary dysentery cases in Yibin city were among the age group of 0-9 years.The incidence peak was seen from July to September.The prevention and control of bacillary dysentery should be emphasized by local relative departments.
Activation of the factor VII-tissue factor pathway.

Advances in our knowledge of the biochemistry of coagulation have facilitated the development of sensitive and specific assays that are able to detect the generation of coagulation enzymes in vivo. It has been demonstrated that the factor VII-tissue factor pathway functions under normal conditions to generate factor Xa and convert prothrombin to thrombin. Furthermore, the factor VII-tissue factor pathway is also mainly responsible for the activation of factor IX with minimal contribution from the contact phase. However the relatively high levels of factor IXa generated are unable to convert factor X to factor Xa under basal conditions. Prospective studies are required to determine whether "biochemically" hypercoagulable individuals (i.e., those with elevated levels of free factor VIIa, activation peptides of factor IX, factor X, or prothrombin) are more likely to develop arterial or venous thrombosis.
James Bond and Gravity's Rainbow : A Possible Connection

Pinpointing the origins of ideas in a writer's work is an often difficult task with not always relevant results. Nevertheless, much excellent scholarship has been devoted to discovering and explicating possible sources for motifs and episodes in Pynchon's work. Pynchon himself, in both his fiction and the few published remarks he has made about his own work, has indicated some of the most important influences on him, some serious, others pop cultural. In the introduction to Slow Learner, for example, Pynchon admits he "had grown up reading a lot of spy fiction, novels of intrigue." And in apologizing for the "racist, sexist, and proto-Fascist talk" in "Lowlands," he explains, "The best I can say for it now is that, for its time, it is probably authentic enough. John Kennedy's role model James Bond was about to make his name by kicking third-world people around, another extension of the boy's adventure tales a lot of us grew up reading" (11). Pynchon's familiarity with Ian Fleming's James Bond novels may account for how a specific idea in one of them, Moonraker, found its way also into Gravity's Rainbow.
Towards Verified Artificial Intelligence

Verified artificial intelligence (AI) is the goal of designing AI-based systems that that have strong, ideally provable, assurances of correctness with respect to mathematically-specified requirements. This paper considers Verified AI from a formal methods perspective. We describe five challenges for achieving Verified AI, and five corresponding principles for addressing these challenges.
Deep-level defect distribution as a function of oxygen partial pressure in sputtered ZnO thin-film transistors

Abstract Deep-level defect states in sputtered ZnO thin-film transistors were investigated as a function of oxygen partial pressure during sputtering growth. Photo-induced threshold voltage-shift measurements under monochromatic illumination were used to characterize the deep-level defect distribution. Intrinsically, the defect states of oxygen vacancies were ionized to V o + and V o 2+ while the photon energy was absorbed within the bandgap, resulting in the shift of threshold voltage. Extracted deep-level defect distribution from this shift of threshold voltage was clearly confirmed in the range of 1.8–2.1 eV below the conduction band minimum and this region was suppressed with increasing oxygen partial pressure. These deep-level defect states can have a detrimental effect on device performance, such as threshold voltage shift and photo-induced leakage current. The photo instability of the devices occurred under visible light due to the photo-ionization of deep-level trapped charges associated with oxygen vacancies.
Commentary on: Thoughts on the Divide between Theoretical and Empirical Research in Accounting

ABSTRACT: This paper provides our comments on Chen, Gerakos, Glode, and Taylor's (2016) panel session held at the 2015 Junior Accounting Theory Conference on the relation between theoretical and em...
Immune Mechanisms and Novel Targets in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Significant progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis. It is widely recognized that early institution of treatment is one of the best predictive factors for response to therapy. Several novel approaches are currently being investigated and several novel biologics are in various stages of development. With advances in the fields of proteomics, genomics, and metabolomics, specific phenotypes of the disease can be better identified and specific therapies for particular phases of the disease and specific patients will allow for improved control of this condition.
Oxygen withdrawal, copper valency, and interface reaction for Fe/La1.85Sr0.15CuO4.

High-resolution x-ray photoemission spectroscopy was used to study reactive interface formation for Fe adatoms deposited onto the high-temperature superconductor ${\mathrm{La}}_{1.85}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{0.15}$Cu${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$. Fe deposition reduces the emission within \ensuremath{\approx}3 eV of the Fermi level, indicating disruption of the hybrid $\mathrm{Cu} 3{d}_{{x}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{y}^{2}}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{O} 2{p}_{x,y}$ states responsible for superconductivity. Strong reaction of Fe adatoms with substrate oxygen is observed for coverages ranging from 0.25 to 8 \AA{}, and oxygen is withdrawn to form Fe-O. The chemical states of Cu are selectively changed with a quenching of the ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{2+}$ configuration concurrent with the persistence of the ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{1+}$ configuration.
Erectile Dysfunction: Treatment

The willingness to pursue treatment for ­erectile dysfunction (ED) is dependent on many factors but associated patient bother and distress is a key factor. Other relevant factors to consider include the presence of contraindications to therapy, the absence of partner, lack of willingness of partner to participate in sexual relations, and cost of treatment. As outlined in the other ED algorithms, some patients will have undergone extended evaluation and others will have forgone further assessment. While 50 % of men over 40 years of age have some degree of ED, less than 10 % ever seek treatment, presumably because many of them are not bothered by the ED and are capable of having satisfactory sexual relations despite their ED.
Pazopanib with low fat meal (PALM) in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

683Background: Pazopanib, a highly lipophilic standard first-line therapy for metastatic RCC, is conventionally taken in a fasting state but has significant gastrointestinal toxicities and 96% of ingested drug is fecally excreted, with major financial implications. Single dose studies with fat meals suggested bioavailability is increased two-fold. We sought to evaluate toxicity/safety, bioavailability and anti-tumor efficacy of daily pazopanib taken with a low fat meal over 12 weeks. Methods: Enrolled pts had unresectable locally advanced or metastatic RCC with clear cell component, RECIST 1.1 measurable disease, ECOG PS ≤2, adequate organ function, and up to 3 prior therapies including VEGF(R) and checkpoint inhibitors. Subjects took pazopanib, starting dose of 400 mg, once daily with low-fat meal ( < 400 cal with < 20% fat/10 g of fat) in 2 wk cycles with MD discretion to dose-escalate q2wks up to 800 mg or irreversibly dose-reduce as low as 200 mg based on tolerance/toxicity for 12 wks. Baseline and en...
Distal Femoral Fractures

Distal femoral fractures are located in the supracondylar area of the distal femur (5 cm’s proximal to the joint line). They have a bimodal age distribution: the young (high energy, high comminution) and the elderly (low energy, low comminution, periprosthetic). Like all traumas about the knee they carry the risk of popliteal artery injury; hence, the importance of the vascular exam and need for angiogram if such an injury is suspected or documented. The treatment is usually open reduction and internal fixation. The preferred implants are fixed angle devices/locking plates or retrograde intramedullary nails. The most common complications are malunion (varum), nonunion, and symptomatic hardware.
Biomedical and Psychosocial Predictors of Anginal Frequency in Patients Following Angioplasty with and Without Coronary Stenting

This study examined the contribution of biomedical and psychological variables in the report of anginal frequency at 6-week, 6- and 12-month follow-up in patients who received angioplasty with and without stent. Patients (N = 70) completed a battery of standardized questionnaries, including measures of depression, anxiety, and anger. Principal components analysis computed a single factor of negative emotion for use as a predictor in regression analyses. For the 6-week model, only baseline anginal frequency predicted anginal freqency. Negative emotion joined baseline anginal frequency in the prediction model for 6-month anginal frequency, and collectively accounted for 23% of the variance. For the 12-month model, baseline anginal frequency, female sex, and negative emotions remained in the model, accounting for 46% of the variance in anginal frequency. These results highlight the importance of biomedical and psychosocial variables in predicting anginal frequency with psychological variables sustaining predictive value over the course of recovery.
Achieving Resilient Data Availability in Wireless Sensor Networks

Currently, most Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) utilize sleeping mechanisms to conserve energy, which introduces the problem of data availability. To address this problem, we designed DSSN, a Dataset Synchronization protocol for WSN with Sleeping sensors over Named Data Networking (NDN). DSSN divides sensors into groups, each has a shared dataset; through dataset synchronization within each group, DSSN ensures that the group's latest dataset is always accessible from its active sensors. DSSN utilizes State Vector to enable reliable dataset synchronization, and utilizes NDN's Interest aggregation and Data caching to optimize energy consumption. We evaluated DSSN through extensive simulation experimentation, and our results show that DSSN ensures data availability close to 100% under various network conditions with negligible overhead.
Heterogeneous bioapatite carbonation in western painted turtles is unchanged after anoxia

Abstract Adsorbed and structurally incorporated carbonate in bioapatite, the primary mineral phase of bone, is observed across vertebrates, typically at 2–8 wt%, and supports critical physiological and biochemical functions. Several turtle species contain elevated bone-associated carbonate, a property linked to pH buffering and overwintering survival. Prior studies of turtle bone utilized bulk analyses, which do not provide spatial resolution of carbonate. Using Raman spectroscopy, the goals of this study were to: (1) quantify and spatially resolve carbonate heterogeneity within the turtle shell; (2) determine if cortical and trabecular bone contain distinct carbonate concentrations; and (3) assess if simulated overwintering conditions result in decreased bioapatite carbonation. Here, we demonstrate the potential for Raman spectroscopic analysis to spatially resolve bioapatite carbonation, using the western painted turtle as a model species. Carbonate concentration was highly variable within cortical and trabecular bone, based on calibrated Raman spot analyses and mapping, suggesting heterogeneous carbonate distribution among crystallites. Mean carbonate concentration did not significantly differ between cortical and trabecular bone, which indicates random distribution of crystallites with elevated and depleted carbonate. Carbonate concentrations (range: 5–22 wt%) were not significantly different in overwintering and control animals, deviating from previous bulk analyses. In reconciling bulk and Raman analyses, two hypotheses explain how overwintering turtles potentially access carbonate: (1) mobilization of mineral-associated, surface components of bone crystallites; and (2) selective, dispersed crystallite dissolution. Elevated bioapatite carbonate in the western painted turtle, averaging 11.8 wt%, represents the highest carbonation observed in vertebrates, and is one physiological trait that facilitates overwintering survival.
The effect of iron deficiency anemia on experimental dental caries in mice.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between iron deficiency and caries susceptibility in a mouse model. Materials and methods Three-week-old C57BL/J6 mice were fed a cariogenic diet containing either standard iron (48 ppm Fe) or low iron (4 ppm Fe) levels. Concurrently, groups of mice with both diets were orally inoculated with Streptococcus mutans (1 × 10 8 ) cells on three consecutive days. At the end of the 5th week after infection, mice were sacrificed and jaws were collected for caries scoring, rating the number and severity of lesions using a modified Keyes method applicable to mice. Results Blood analysis by the end of the 5th week revealed marked reduction in the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of the mice fed the iron deficient diet (IDA and IDA- S. mutans ). Anemic mice in both groups lacked the incisor enamel pigmentation observed in mice fed an iron deficient diet. Anemic infected mice had the highest caries severity scores reflecting extensive deep lesions (P S. mutans infected mice fed a standard iron diet had similar numbers of lesions and severity scores as un-infected IDA animals (p S. mutans CFU counts in infected animals (P Conclusion These results demonstrated that IDA mice are at a higher risk of developing deep dental caries compared to non-anemic mice; highlighting the protective role of iron against dental caries.
Flight of Birds

IN reply to J. H.'s query respecting the flight of the albatross mentioned in a paper of mine on the flight of birds, read at the November meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society, I beg to assure him that no bird is able to fly without flapping its wings.
Formation of P+QB- Via B-Branch Electron Transfer in Mutant Reaction Centers

The crystallographic observation of two symmetry-related branches of electron transfer cofactors in the structure of the bacterial reaction center (RC) 13 years ago [1] remains an enigma in light of experimental observations which show that only the A branch is active in the initial electron transfer steps in wild-type RCs. The cofactors include dimeric (P) and monomeric (BA, BB) bacteriochlorophylls, bacteriopheophytins (HA, HB) and quinones (QA, QB; Figure 1). Unidirectional electron flow has been attributed to localized amino acid asymmetries which affect (i) the electronic couplings between the cofactors, and/or (ii) their local and global electrostatic and dielectric environments and thus the free energies of the charge-separated states for the A versus B branches [2–5]. Photo-induced bleaching of H„ has been observed in wild-type RCs following trapping of H A - [6], or in modified RCs where the redox potentials of cofactors were manipulated by mutagenesis [7] or pigment exchange [8]. Transient reduction of HB is more easily observed in the mutant RCs because the spectral signature of the dominant A-pathway is shifted out of the HB region due to the incorporation of a bacteriochlorophyll, denoted β, at the HA site [7]. Electron transfer from HB to QB was not probed in either type of modified RCs.
Usefulness of Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test for Prediction of Adverse Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Thoracolumbar Spine Surgery.

BACKGROUND Spine surgery rates have increased and the high postoperative morbidity in these patients result in increased costs. Consequently, it is essential to identify patients at risk of adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVE To assess whether preoperative Timed Up and Go (TUG) test performance can predict high-grade postoperative complications. METHODS A prospective cohort study of patients undergoing elective thoracolumbar spine surgery in a tertiary care hospital between 2017 and 2018. Patients were assessed preoperatively and assigned to the slow-TUG group if unable to perform or test performance time was ≥18.4 s. Primary outcome: high-grade postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes: overall complications, length of stay (LOS), discharge to healthcare facility, readmission and emergency department (ED) presentation. Patients were followed-up until 6 wk after surgery. RESULTS One hundred three patients (mean age 62.95 ± 10.97 yr) were enrolled. Slow-TUG group were more likely to be classified as American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) class 3 (74.1% vs 47.4%, P = .02), non-independent (25.9% vs 5.3%, P < .01), and frail (92.3% vs 42.1%, P < .01). TUG was an independent predictor of high-grade complications (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 4.97, 95% CI: 1.18-22.47), overall complications (OR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.33-11.81), discharge to a skilled-nursing facility (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.00-10.70), readmission within 6 wk of surgery (OR: 9.14, 95% CI: 2.39-41.26) and LOS (adjusted incident rate ratio (IRR): 1.45, 95% CI: 1.16-1.80). CONCLUSION Compared to traditional risk factors, TUG is an important predictor of adverse postoperative outcomes and may be used preoperatively to identify high-risk thoracolumbar surgery patients.
What counts as an exemplar model, anyway? A commentary on Ambridge (2020):

Ambridge calls for exemplar-based accounts of language acquisition. Do modern neural networks such as transformers or word2vec – which have been extremely successful in modern natural language proc...
Response to the letter to editor

This extended comment is in response to the letter of Barlat (Int J Mater Form 2020) concerning our recent article (Chandola et al. (Int J Mater Form 12(6):943–954 2019)). The main issue raised is an apparent “mismatch” between some of the F.E. results presented and cup forming data of Tucker (Acta Metall 9:275-286 1961). There is no mismatch because the simulation results presented in our paper correspond to a different material than the one used by Tucker (Acta Metall 9:275-286 1961). Specifically, the F.E. results correspond to an Al-Cu single crystal for which uniaxial tension characterization data were reported in Karnop and Sachs (Z Fur Phys 49:480–497 1928) and was processed differently than Tucker’s material. Furthermore, in the letter of Barlat (Int J Mater Form 2020), the scope and findings of our study are misrepresented, and all the quotations from our paper are taken out of context. Detailed responses to the issues raised by Barlat (Int J Mater Form 2020) are given.
Equipping TFC Parents as Treatment Providers: Findings from Expert Interviews

As U.S. policy and practice further constrains the prevalence of residential treatment for youth with emotional and behavior challenges, treatment foster care (TFC) placements are expected to expand and serve challenging youth who were previously receiving group care placement. Treatment foster parents play an essential role in the delivery of TFC and its potential to be a transformative and healing environment for youth. Using qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews from 23 experts in TFC practice as well as more general child welfare training and implementation science, this paper seeks to build knowledge around the training and support needs of TFC parents from the perspectives of TFC experts. Findings suggest the importance of TFC parents viewing themselves as treatment providers and not just parents. They need to have competencies specific to working as a member of a treatment team, knowledge of public systems, and skills to manage youth challenging behaviors. Best practices in equipping TFC parents should follow adult learning principles that focus on experiential learning with peer support and ongoing coaching or reinforcement.
The political novel in our still-evolving reality: Kamila Shamsie’s Home Fire and the Shamima Begum case

This essay revisits the relationship between literature and politics by focusing on a ‘current’ event – Sajid Javid’s 2019 repatriation of Shamima Begum – and Kamila Shamsie’s 2017 novel Home Fire,...
Reuse of Grade 23 Ti6Al4V Powder during the Laser-Based Powder Bed Fusion Process

Titanium alloy powder used for laser-based powder bed fusion (L-PBF) process is costly. One of the solutions is the inclusion of a powder recycling strategy, allowing unused or exposed powder particles to be recuperated post manufacture, replenished and used for future builds. However, during a L-PBF process, powder particles are exposed to high levels of concentrated energy from the laser. Particularly those in close proximity to the melt pool, leading to the formation of spatter and agglomerated particles. These particles can settle onto the powder bed, which can then influence the particle size distribution and layer uniformity. This study analysed extra-low interstitial (ELI) Ti6Al4V (Grade 23) powder when subjected to nine recycle iterations, tracking powder property variation across the successive recycling stages. Characterisation included chemical composition focusing upon O, N, and H content, particle size distribution, morphology and tapped and bulk densities. On review of the compositional analysis, the oxygen content exceeded the 0.13% limit for the ELI grade after 8 recycles, resulting in the degradation from Grade 23 level.
Archimedes Spiral Drawing in Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease Patients Showed More Variability in Jerkiness in Patients with Freezing of Gait (4882)

Objective: To determine if objective measurements of Archimedes spiral drawing can be used as a marker for idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) with freezing of gait (FOG). Background: Archimedes spiral analysis can help in the clinical setting to differentiate healthy individuals from those with PD. PD patients subjectively have a smaller spiral size (with more revolutions in the same space), skew in spiral angle, and tremor. Motor blocks have been demonstrated during during writing tasks in patients with freezing of gait (FOG) yet no objective analysis of spiral characteristics has been reported in FOG patients. Design/Methods: PD patients with FOG and without (noFOG), and healthy controls (HC) were consented after IRB approval. Subjects performed Archimedes spirals in a defined space using an inking Pen (Wacom) on paper affixed to a WaCOM Intous pro tablet (Portland, OR) and data was collected and analyzed using Movalyzer software (Neuroscript, Tempe, AZ) for 23 pre-defined features. Results: 22 HC and 29 PD patients (17 noFOG and 12 FOG) were enrolled and analyzed. Analysis of right and left hand spiral drawing showed no significant difference between HC and PD patients. Re-analysis grouping by side of disease dominance or non-dominance based on the right/left ratio of items on UPDRS scale also showed no difference between PD patients and HC. Splitting the PD group into FOG and noFOG, the variability in right side normalized jerk was significantly higher in FOG compared to noFOG (107±78 FOG vs. 47±16 no FOG, p=0.022 Kruskal-Wallis) corrected for multiple comparisons. However while normalized jerk variability was still higher when comparing dominantly effected hands (79±56 FOG vs. 52±16 no FOG) this did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Increased variability in spiral jerkiness may help differentiate PD FOG from noFOG subjects. Larger cohorts are needed to confirm these findings. Disclosure: Dr. Pillai has nothing to disclose. Dr. Glover has nothing to disclose. Dr. Syeda has nothing to disclose. Dr. Virmani has nothing to disclose.
Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID 19: review of the pharmacological properties, safety and clinical effectiveness.

Introduction Remdesivir is a nucleoside analog that inhibits viral RNA replication by blocking RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. First developed and tested during the Ebola epidemic, repurposed, and gained prominence during the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Based on data from three major trials, remdesivir became the first and only medication to obtain approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat patients hospitalized with COVID-19 disease. Areas covered The purpose of the article is to review available preclinical, clinical, and post-marketing data to assess the safety and efficacy of remdesivir in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. We performed a comprehensive literature review of articles published on remdesivir until January 2021. Expert opinion The substantial evidence of its effectiveness in a few trials together with the favorable safety profile makes remdesivir a primary therapeutic candidate for treatment in adult and pediatric patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19 and requiring oxygen supplementation. While remdesivir does not improve mortality, it has been shown to reduce the recovery time and increase the odds for clinical improvement, specifically in patients with early presentation and moderate COVID-19 disease. Remdesivir is well tolerated and has an acceptable safety profile in the pediatric and adult populations.
Gas-Chromatographic Mass-Spectrometric Studies on the Isoprenoids and Other Isomeric Alkanes in Meteorites

A detailed study of a number of hydrocarbons observed in gas chromatographic analyses of six carbonaceous chondrites (Essebi, Grosnaja, Mokoia, Murray, Orgueil, and Vigarano) has resulted in the identification of nine homologous series of isomeric alkanes in addition to the normal alkane series. Two of them show isoprenoid structures corresponding to 2, 6, 10-trimethyl and 2, 6, 10, 14-tetramethyl alkanes. The individual members identified in each of these two series cover the ranges C14-C19 and C19-C21, respectively. The rest is made up of five series of monomethyl alkanes (6-, 5-, 4-, 3-, 2-methyl alkanes) and two of monocycloalkanes (cyclohexyl and cyclopentyl). The presence of members of the n-paraffin series between C11 and C21 inclusive was also confirmed by mass spectral data. The hydrocarbon content ranged from 6.7 to 82.8 ppm.
Mandating Precontractual Disclosure

Parties negotiating an arm’s length contract are generally not required to disclose facts to one another. Although this default rule is supported by both centuries of common law and freedom of contract principles, courts and legislatures treat certain transactions differently. This is particularly true in circumstances in which the default rule results in an unacceptable harm suffered by a broad group of persons. In such cases, lawmakers have acted to impose precontractual disclosure obligations. These decisions and statutes are largely reactive: a harm is identified in a certain transaction’s precontractual period and disclosure is mandated to rectify the harm. These reactive measures, although helpful, are insufficient in some instances. Large scale economic calamities are often caused by information asymmetries in individual contracts. This was true in the Great Depression (unregulated contracts for sales of stock) and the Great Recession (unregulated contracts for sales of mortgage-backed securities). This article proposes an analytical tool to prospectively identify such transactions. This tool, the Disclosure Framework, provides lawmakers a means of identifying circumstances in which it is appropriate to mandate precontractual disclosure. To accomplish this task, the Disclosure Framework directs lawmakers to identify the information asymmetry in a transaction and balance the respective harms of either disclosure or nondisclosure on the affected stakeholder group. Precontractual disclosure is a matter of compelling immediacy. Because regulatory agencies are currently struggling with how to structure the disclosure mandates of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the question of when it is appropriate to mandate precontractual disclosure is both timely and important. Although designed for legislators, the Disclosure Framework may also serve as a tool for consumer rights groups and agencies (such as the recently established Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) to help spur legislative action. Ultimately, the Disclosure Framework provides support for the imposition of precontractual disclosure that is both theoretically sound and consistent with common law and statutory exceptions to the default rule.
THE J-CURVE AT THE INDUSTRY LEVEL: EVIDENCE FROM TRADE BETWEEN THE US AND AUSTRALIA*

Previous studies that tested the J-curve phenomenon for Australia used trade data either between Australia and the rest of the world or between Australia and its trading partners on a bilateral basis. They were unable to find support for the J-curve in the short run nor any significant relation between the trade balance and the exchange rate in the long run. In this paper we disaggregate the data between Australia and its second largest trading partner, the US, and consider the trade between 108 industries. Using annual data over the 1962–2003 period and bounds testing approach to cointegration and error-correction modelling, we are able to discover short-run effects of currency depreciation on the trade balance in 64 industries. The long-run and positive effects were only evidenced in 35 cases, supporting the J-curve.
Enhancement by theophylline of the butyrate-mediated induction of choriogonadotropin α-subunit in HeLa cells: II. Effect of both agents on mRNA turnover☆

Abstract In the accompanying paper it was demonstrated that among several methylxanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitors, only theophylline significantly increased production of the glycoprotein hormone α-subunit in HeLa cells, and that this action was synergistic with that of sodium butyrate. A correlation between α-subunit induction and cAMP concentrations was not evident. In this report we characterized the effect of these two drugs on the metabolism of α-subunit mRNA. Sodium butyrate decreased the apparent half-life of mRNAs encoding α-subunit, β 2 -microglobulin, and α-tubulin, as well as that of total poly(A) + RNA and rRNA. Theophylline produced a two- to threefold increase in the apparent half-life of α-subunit mRNA but had no effect on the turnover of β 2 -microglobulin, α-tubulin, or total poly(A) + mRNA. An inverse correlation was noted between the apparent half-life of the mRNA and the degree of destabilization elicited by butyrate. It is concluded that α-subunit induction by theophylline is in large part due to mRNA stabilization, and that the concerted effect of theophylline and butyrate results from inhibition by theophylline of the butyrate-mediated destabilization of α-subunit mRNA combined with the elevation in α-subunit gene transcription known to be produced by the fatty acid.
Serial analysis of plasma lipids and lipoproteins from individuals 9–21 y of age

Total cholesterol (TC) and low-density- (LDL-C) and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were recorded annually from 9 to 21 y of age to study tracking and predictive values for adulthood lipid concentrations associated with cardiovascular disease. The tracking coefficients for TC and LDL-C were congruent to 0.7 for 4-, 6-, and 12-y intervals, indicating good predictive value at ages 9-11 y for risk of elevated concentrations at ages 19-21 y. Tracking of HDL-C was less marked but the patterns were similar. The risk ratios for high concentrations at 19-21 y were 3.8 for TC, 2.6 for LDL-C, and 4 for HDL-C for 9-y-olds with values of 5.17 mmol/L for TC, 3.36 mmol/L for LDL-C, and 0.90 mmol/L for HDL-C, relative to 9-y-olds with values of 4.65 mmol/L for TC, 2.84 mmol/L for LDL-C, and 1.29 mmol/L for HDL-C.
Implementing a University‐Wide Change Initiative

This paper provides an account of the pilot and first year of a university improvement initiative, developed in response to a reaffirmation mandate from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The initiative focused on increasing student retention and enhancing learning through the campus-wide use of team-based learning (TBL) (Michaelsen, Knight, & Fink, 2004). The strategy used in implementing the initiative was based on a conceptual framework created from the integration of E. M. Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation theory (2003), J. P. Kotter's Leading Change strategies (1996), and T. Littman's Planning Principles and Practices (2013). To date, the initiative appears to have been very successful in terms of both faculty involvement and improvements in student outcomes. A total of 11 faculty participated in the pilot year. In year 1, that number increased to 60 and based on current enrollment, that number will be approximately 150 in year 2. Assessment data indicate that for both the pilot and year 1, using TBL resulted in significant gains in student persistence and a wide variety of learning outcomes.
Cytochrome o (cyoABCDE) and d (cydAB) oxidase gene expression in Escherichia coli is regulated by oxygen, pH, and the fnr gene product.

Abstract The aerobic respiratory chain of Escherichia coli contains two terminal oxidases that catalyze the oxidation of ubiquinol-8 and the reduction of oxygen to water. They are the cytochrome o oxidase complex encoded by cyoABCDE and the cytochrome d oxidase complex encoded by cydAB. To determine how these genes are regulated in response to a variety of environmental stimuli, including oxygen, we examined their expression by using lacZ protein fusions in wild-type and fnr mutant strains of E. coli. Anaerobic growth resulted in a 140-fold repression of cyoA'-'lacZ expression relative to aerobic growth and a 3-fold increase in cydA'-'lacZ expression. Anaerobic repression of both fusions was mediated in part by the fnr gene product, as evidenced by a 30-fold derepression of cyoA'-'lacZ expression and a 4-fold derepression of cydA'-'lacZ expression in an fnr deletion strain. Supplying wild-type fnr in trans restored wild-type repression for both fusions. Fnr thus functions as an anaerobic repressor of both cyoABCDE and cydAB expression. Reduced-minus-oxidized difference spectrum analyses of cell membranes confirmed the effect of the fnr gene product on the production of cytochrome d oxidase in the cell. Based on the pattern of anaerobic cydAB expression observed, we propose the existence of a second, as yet unidentified, regulatory element that must function either to activate cydAB expression as oxygen becomes limiting or to repress cydAB expression aerobically. Whereas cytochrome o oxidase encoded by cyoABCDE appears to be produced only under oxygen-rich growth conditions, in keeping with its biochemical properties, cytochrome d oxidase is expressed moderately aerobically and is elevated yet further when oxygen becomes limiting so that the organism can cope better under oxygen starvation conditions. We also examined cyoABCDE and cydAB expression in response to growth on alternative carbon compounds and to changes in the culture medium pH and osmolarity.
Dynamic mechanisms of power system instability

This paper presents a review of current research in voltage stability and a new model encompassing three mechanisms of dynamic voltage collapse. These three mechanisms are on-load tap changer effects, load dynamics, and generator dynamics. A small power system model simulates the combination of these three effects, showing how a long-term voltage collapse occurs. Insight into the effects of adding generator dynamics to current models are discussed. Finally, the popular idea of ignoring the small changes in frequency while studying voltage stability is analyzed.
The Homeless Shelter Family Experience: Examining the Influence of Physical Living Conditions on Perceptions of Internal Control, Crowding, Privacy, and Related Issues

Parents with children are a growing segment of the U.S. homeless population. Sources indicate that homeless shelter dormitory bedrooms are highly crowded with low privacy, which may affect quality of experience that lead to residents' perceived loss of control and helplessness. Research suggests that personal environmental control features may lessen these effects and increase a resident's sense of internal control (that outcomes are based on one's own behavior). Internal control can support one's motivation to seek a permanent place to live and find employment. To enhance the sense of internal control, the author of this study altered a homeless shelter bedroom, adding a series of control features including lighting for reading, bed curtains, and increased storage. This case study then examined perceptions of bedroom controls, and the features' effects on the sense of internal control and related issues. The two shelter parents perceived that their unaltered bedrooms were crowded, lacked privacy, and were stressful because their possessions could not be stored. Their children did not wish to stay in the bedrooms, and reportedly increased misbehavior. The altered bedroom was perceived as more private and less crowded than the unaltered room (with unchanged square footage), and supported the parents' need for child monitoring and ability to act as an authority figure. One parent reported that the bedroom reduced her stress level, and preliminary data suggests her sense of internal control increased. Observations of increased territoriality and personalization further supported this finding.
Dynamic front-end accessory loading control system for laboratory vehicle simulation

The ability to simulate customer usage accurately in the laboratory during the design process is important to the rapid and cost effective development of world-class automotive powertrain packages. The key in early laboratory powertrain development is the need to accurately simulate torque consumption characteristics of the front-end accessories. The Dynamic FEAD loading control system provides the test engineer with the control of the air-conditioning compressor clutch, air-conditioning discharge and suction pressures, power-steering pump pressure and temperature, and alternator current. It is a portable system that is easy to install and operate. The system is the product of an intensive development project to identify the appropriate system requirements and a control system design to properly addresses the wide spectrum of dynamic loads encountered during vehicle operation. This paper describes the fundamental system design, host integration, and the current automotive testing applications.
Regulation of ornithine decarboxylase synthesis. Effect of a nutritional deficiency of vitamin B6.

Abstract In vitamin B 6 deficiency there is an increase in the activity of the pyridoxal phosphate dependent enzyme ornithine decarboxylase. In the rat liver: the apoenzyme and holoenzyme activity increased 1.6 and 4 fold respectively. Concomitantly, putrescine and spermidine concentrations were halved. The lack of correspondence between product concentration and enzymic activity suggests a control mechanism other than ornithine decarboxylase activity.
NON-FATAL CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS BACTEREMIA*

Sixteen cases of bacteremia due to Clostridium perfringens are documented. None of these patients had hemolytic phenomena or shock, and all survived the bacteremic episode; 9 of them were more than 50 years old (mean age, 64). A review of these 16 cases and the 34 in the literature indicates that invasion of the blood by Clostridium perfringens may take two clinical forms: 1) a septicemia with intravascular hemolysis, shock and a high mortality rate; and 2) a benign bacteremia without hemolysis. Of the 50 reported cases of the benign bacteremic form, 68 per cent occurred in patients past the age of 50 (mean age, 64), and the recovery rate was 90 per cent.
Principal risk of peritumoral edema after stereotactic radiosurgery for intracranial meningioma is tumor-brain contact interface area

Objective Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) of meningiomas is associated with posttreatment peritumoral edema (PTE). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of post-SRS PTE for intracranial meningiomas. Methods A total of 163 patients with 182 meningiomas treated with SRS were retrospectively reviewed. Tumors were divided into 4 pre-SRS groups according to whether they had undergone previous surgery and whether they had preexisting PTE. Several risk factors were investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis in all tumors, tumors without previous surgery, tumors without preexisting PTE, and preexisting PTE. Results Of 182 tumors, 45 (24.7%) developed post-SRS PTE. Compared with tumors without preexisting PTE, the odds of developing post-SRS PTE in tumors with preexisting PTE were 6.0 times higher in all tumors, and 6.9 times higher in tumors without previous surgery. A 1-cm2 increase in tumor-brain contact interface area increased the odds of developing post-SRS PTE by 17% in all tumors, 16% in tumors without previous surgery, and 26% in tumors without preexisting PTE. Of 118 tumors without previous surgery, 13 had preexisting PTE, the existence of which had a significant relationship to both tumor-brain contact interface area and tumor volume. Conclusion Post-SRS PTE is common in patients with meningioma. Tumor-brain contact interface area and preexisting PTE were the most significant risk factors for post-SRS PTE. Tumor volume and tumor-brain contact interface area were significant risk factors for the development of preexisting PTE.