cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reid's Opening Attack: Nothing Is Explained

The “avidity to know the causes of things,” that is, to explain them, “is the parent of all philosophy true and false,” says Reid (EIP II, vi [260b]). In particular, this “avidity” is the parent of that false philosophy which is the Way of Ideas. “An object placed at a proper distance, and in a good light, while the eyes are shut, is not perceived at all; but no sooner do we open our eyes upon it, than we have, as it were by inspiration, a certain knowledge of its existence, of its colour, figure, and distance” (ibid.). “This is a fact which every one knows.” “The vulgar are satisfied with knowing the fact,” and don't bother trying to explain it. The philosopher wants “to know how this event is produced, to account for it, or assign its cause” (ibid.). It was this “avidity” to explain that gave rise to the Way of Ideas. Not all by itself, of course. As with anyone who attempts to explain something, the Way of Ideas theorists operated with convictions as to the principles that an explanation of perception and memory, to be satisfactory, would have to satisfy. It was their attempt to explain, coupled with their commitment to these principles, that drove the Way of Ideas theorists to postulate “ideas” as an essential ingredient in perception and memory. As we have seen, the account offered for (what is ordinarily called) perception ran, in its essentials, as follows: the conditions for a satisfactory explanation carry the implication that perception cannot incorporate immediate apprehension of some external object; the external object is always too far away for that.
Teaching efficacy: exploring relationships between mathematics and science self-efficacy beliefs, PCK and domain knowledge among preservice teachers from the United States

This mixed-methods study investigated the relationships among preservice teachers’ efficacy beliefs, pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and their domain knowledge (DK) as related to mathematics and science teaching. Quantitative results revealed that participants’ PCK was significantly correlated with their mathematics and science efficacy beliefs. Additionally, participants’ mathematics and science DK did not predict their mathematics and science personal efficacy beliefs, however, their PCK score predicted participants’ outcome expectancies. Interview analysis revealed five inter-related key themes, labeled as: Previous academic experiences, Mathematics and science PCK beliefs, Personal efficacy, Outcome expectancies and Emotions. These common themes describe participants’ views of their quality teacher training and thinking about planned instruction. Educational implications are discussed in relationship with study findings.
Steven Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in a burn unit: A 15-year experience.

Abstract Introduction The diffuse epidermal exfoliation seen in Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is similar to skin loss in second degree burns, and many of these patients are referred for treatment at burn centers. Treatment can differ markedly from center to center, and mortality can range from 25% to 70%, including a considerable morbidity. However, our experience over a 15-year period from 2000 to 2015 with 40 patients found a mortality rate of only 10% (4/40). The purpose of this paper is to discuss our treatment algorithm as a model for other centers treating SJS/TENs patients. Methods Records were reviewed for all patients admitted to the LAC + USC burn unit between 2000 and 2015 and 40 patients were identified with biopsy-proven SJS or TENS. These cases were reviewed for age, gender, initial and greatest TBSA, causative drug, pre-existing medical conditions, and morbidity and mortality. All data were entered into the SPSS statistical software package and all statistical analyses were performed using this program. Results Our treatment algorithm focused on early referral to a specialty burn unit, immediate discontinuation of the offending drug, fluid resuscitation, nutritional supplementation, and meticulous wound care. Average time to transfer to a burn unit was 3.36 days. Silver-releasing antimicrobial dressings were applied to the affected skin surface and changed every 3 days. Mupirocin coated petroleum gauze was used for facial involvement. Steroids were tapered and discontinued if initiated at an outside facility (58% of patients), and starting after 2001, all patients received a course of IVIG. All patients received fluid resuscitation and the majority received supplemental tube feedings (69%). Average length of total stay was 17.1 days and length of ICU stay 15.9 days. While 44% were transferred to another facility for further rehabilitative care, 37% of patients discharge to home. In patients discharged home with complete resolution of skin lesions, time to healing was an average of 14 days. Discussion With our 10% mortality rate in 40 patients, our study represents a relatively large study population while maintaining a relatively low mortality rate. The demographic data from our study largely aligns with the existing literature, and we therefore feel that our low mortality rate is due to our treatment algorithm, rather than to a less severe pathology in our patient population. This claim is supported by a standard mortality ratio of 1.68. This ratio proves a significantly improved mortality than would be expected based on disease severity on admission.
Going Where They Are: Intentionally Embedding Librarians in Courses and Measuring the Impact on Student Learning

ABSTRACTThe concept of embedded librarians is a way for academic librarians to be intentionally and strategically inserted in the learning and teaching process through a variety of initiatives. In a mid-size university, in order to better address the research and curricular needs of students and faculty members, librarians became more intentional about embedding themselves in academic departments and online courses. To assess the impact upon student learning, the librarians are working on a pilot project utilizing a variety of methods. This article describes the first phase of this assessment project, a survey of faculty teaching course in which faculty were embedded. Finally, information on next steps to assess the embedded librarian program using student surveys, focus groups, and interviews is presented.
Resistance to the Farnesyl Transferase Inhibitor SCH66336/Lonafarnib Caused by Mutations in the Target Protein Farnesyl Transferase Beta.

Abstract Farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs) are target specific anti-cancer agents in clinical trials for the treatment of multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), breast cancer, and other malignancies. FTIs were developed to block Ras prenylation; however, their cytostatic properties likely relate to activity against multiple farnesylated targets. The FTI Lonafarnib is showing activity against CML both as a single agent and in combination with the ABL-kinase inhibitor Gleevec. Though Gleevec is remarkably effective, treatment selects for drug-resistant mutations in the BCR/ABL target oncoprotein. Previously, we performed in vitro mutagenesis of BCR/ABL and identified a large catalogue of resistance mutations, anticipating essentially all mutations that have proven to be clinically problematic (Azam et al., Cell 2002). Thus we set out to determine whether FTIs would select for resistance mutations in Farnesyl Transferase Beta (FTase β), a normal target protein in the cell. We mutagenized (FTase β) by plasmid propagation in mutagenic E. coli, thus generating a random, unbiased library of mutated FTase β. This library was then introduced into K-Ras expressing BaF3 cells, which rely on K-Ras activity for cell survival, and undergo apoptotic cell death when treated with Lonafarnib. K-Ras transformed cells carrying mutated FTase (KR/MutFTB) were plated in soft agar in varying Lonafarnib concentrations. Lonafarnib-resistant colonies were harvested, and plasmids carrying mutant FTase βwere recovered and sequenced. Thus far we have identified 14 mutations that confer resistance to Lonafarnib. Among the mutations is W361L, previously shown to confer resistance to SCH56582 and SCH44342 , compounds which are structurally similar to Lonafarnib (Del Villar et al. 1999). Most but not all mutations are positioned in the active site of the enzyme. To verify the drug resistant phenotype, 7 mutations were recreated de-novo by site-directed mutagenesis and transduced into BaF3-KRas cells. These cells were tested by a colony forming assay in the presence of drug. FTase activity in the presence of drug was also assessed by immunoblotting of HDJ2, a farnesylated protein. Cells transduced by mutated FTase showed increased ability to grow in the presence of Lonafarnib compared to controls. Interestingly, protein analysis showed reduced inhibition of farnesylation of HDJ2 only in the 361 mutants. This suggests that the mutant FTase may prenylate only a select set of substrates (not including HDJ2), a possibility consistent with previous reports of altered substrate specificity in FTB mutants in yeast (Del Villar et al. 1997). This catalogue of Lonafarnib-resistant FTase mutations will be useful for determining mechanisms of disease refractoriness or relapse in clinical trials, and can be used to profile drug activity of other farnesyl transferase inhibitors to find non-cross-resistant drug combinations.
Low Semen Volume

Low semen volume refers to the consistent finding of low volume of ejaculated fluid on semen analysis. This is usually defined as a semen volume consistently less than 1.5 mL. It is important to remember that this semen parameter is highly variable and depends critically upon an appropriate abstinence period of at least 2 days prior to sample collection. Low semen volume (or perceived low semen volume) may be a bothersome symptom for which a man seeks clinical evaluation and treatment, or may be discovered during evaluation for subfertility.
Faculty and Career Advising: Challenges, Opportunities, and Outcome Assessment

Psychology prioritizes students’ professional or career development by including it as one of the five undergraduate learning goals. Faculty advisors are critical to that development but likely feel less prepared for the role. Departments face challenges assessing associated student learning outcomes. We introduce an instrument programs can use to evaluate outcomes and advisors can use to measure students’ advising needs, perceptions, and preferences. We share results from an undergraduate sample (N = 91) to illustrate potential data and uses. For example, these students viewed faculty as knowledgeable career advisors and expressed confidence in their major selection but simultaneously reported feeling unprepared for postgraduation life and thought the major was not highly marketable. We offer specific recommendations for using such data to promote professional development.
A Novel Rice Xylosyltransferase Catalyzes the Addition of 2-O-Xylosyl Side Chains onto the Xylan Backbone

Xylan is a major hemicellulose in both primary and secondary walls of grass species. It consists of a linear backbone of β-1,4-linked xylosyl residues that are often substituted with monosaccharides and disaccharides. Xylosyl substitutions directly on the xylan backbone have not been reported in grass species, and genes responsible for xylan substitutions in grass species have not been well elucidated. Here, we report functional characterization of a rice (Oryza sativa) GT61 glycosyltransferase, XYXT1 (xylan xylosyltransferase1), for its role in xylan substitutions. XYXT1 was found to be ubiquitously expressed in different rice organs and its encoded protein was targeted to the Golgi, the site for xylan biosynthesis. When expressed in the Arabidopsis gux1/2/3 triple mutant, in which xylan was completely devoid of sugar substitutions, XYXT1 was able to add xylosyl side chains onto xylan. Glycosyl linkage analysis and comprehensive structural characterization of xylooligomers generated by xylanase digestion of xylan from transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing XYXT1 revealed that the side chain xylosyl residues were directly attached to the xylan backbone at O-2, a substituent not present in wild-type Arabidopsis xylan. XYXT1 was unable to add xylosyl residues onto the arabinosyl side chains of xylan when it was co-expressed with OsXAT2 (Oryza sativa xylan arabinosyltransferase2) in the gux1/2/3 triple mutant. Furthermore, we showed that recombinant XYXT1 possessed an activity transferring xylosyl side chains onto xylooligomer acceptors, whereas recombinant OsXAT2 catalyzed the addition of arabinosyl side chains onto xylooligomer acceptors. Our findings from both an in vivo gain-of-function study and an in vitro recombinant protein activity assay demonstrate that XYXT1 is a novel β-1,2-xylosyltransferase mediating the addition of xylosyl side chains onto xylan.
Observed Boundary Layer Controls on Shallow Cumulus at the ARM Southern Great Plains Site

AbstractThe boundary-layer controls on shallow cumulus (ShCu) convection are examined using a suite of remote and in-situ sensors at ARM-SGP. A key instrument in the study is a Doppler lidar that measures vertical velocity in the CBL and along cloud base. Using a sample of 138 ShCu days, the composite structure of the ShCu-CBL is examined, revealing increased vertical velocity (VV) variance during periods of medium cloud cover and higher VV skewness on ShCu days than on clear sky days.The subcloud circulations of 1791 individual cumuli are also examined. From these data we show that cloud base updrafts, normalized by convective velocity, vary as a function of updraft width, normalized by CBL depth. It is also found that 63% of clouds have positive cloud base mass flux and are linked to coherent updrafts extending over the depth of the CBL. In contrast, negative mass flux clouds lack coherent subcloud updrafts. Both sets of clouds possess narrow downdrafts extending from the cloud edges into the subcloud l...
Influence of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Strategy and Valve Design on Stroke After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement : A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Literature

Objectives The study undertook a systematic review to establish and compare the risk of stroke between the 2 widely used approaches (transfemoral [TF] vs. transapical [TA]) and valve designs (CoreValve, Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota vs. Edwards Valve, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California) for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Background There has been a rapid adoption and expansion in the use of TAVR. The technique is however far from perfect and requires further refinement to alleviate safety concerns that include stroke. Methods All studies reporting on the risk of stroke after TAVR were identified using an electronic search and pooled using established meta-analytical guidelines. Results 25 multicenter registries and 33 single-center studies were included in the analysis. There was no difference in pooled 30-day stroke post-TAVR between the TF and TA approach in multicenter (2.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.4 to 3.4] vs. 2.8% [95% CI: 2.0 to 3.9]) and single-center studies (3.8% [95% CI: 3.1 to 4.6] vs. 3.4% [95% CI: 2.5 to 4.5]). Similarly, there was no difference in pooled 30-day stroke post TAVR between the CoreValve and Edwards Valve in multicenter (2.4% [95% CI: 1.9 to 3.2] vs. 3.0% [95% CI: 2.4 to 3.7]) and single-center studies (3.8% [95% CI: 2.8 to 4.9] vs. 3.2% [95% CI: 2.4 to 4.3]). There was a decline in stroke risk with experience and technological advancement. There was no difference in the outcome of 30-day stroke between TAVR and surgical aortic valve replacement. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the risk of 30-day stroke after TAVR is similar between the approaches and valve types. There has been a decline in stroke risk after TAVR with improvements in valve technology, patient selection, and operator experience.
The Neurobiology of Cooperation and Altruism

Much of the cooperation and altruism observed in nonhuman animals is directed toward genetic relatives. However, cooperation among non-relatives also occurs, particularly in social mammals such as lions and meerkats, as well as in several species of primates. Most examples of cooperation among non-relatives in nonhuman animals are best explained by mutualism, in which both partners gain immediate benefits from their behavior (Clutton-Brock, 2009b). For example, in wild dogs, cooperation between hunting partners can increase their per capita success in catching or defending prey (Creel and Creel, 2001). An alternative form of cooperation among non-relatives is reciprocal altruism, in which providing assistance has net costs at the time it is provided which are offset by subsequent benefits (Trivers, 1971). One significant difference between mutualism and reciprocal altruism is that selection can favor cheating and exploitation in the latter but not in the former. It may be this barrier to the evolution of reciprocal altruism that accounts for the limited number of documented cases of reciprocal altruism among nonhuman animals. In contrast to the situation in nonhuman animals, however, reciprocal altruism is pervasive in human society (Clutton-Brock, 2009a), as evidenced by massive holiday gift exchanges and by the social debt we feel after having accepted a favor, as reflected in the commonly heard phrase, “I owe you one.” Our penchant for reciprocity is also the very foundation of the division of labor upon which our economy is based.
Paying more for less? Insurer competition and health plan generosity in the Medicare Advantage program.

Abstract This paper explores the relationship between insurer competition and health plan benefit generosity by examining the impact of a regulatory change that caused the cancellation of 40% of the private plans in Medicare. I isolate cancellation's causal effect by using variation induced by insurers canceling all plans nationally. Results show that insurers in markets affected by cancellation reduced the benefit generosity of the plans remaining in the market. In the average market, out-of-pocket costs for a representative beneficiary enrolled in plans not directly affected by the policy increased by $91 annually. In the least competitive markets, out-of-pocket costs increased by roughly $64–$127 a year for enrollees in those plans. Meanwhile in the most competitive markets, benefit generosity barely changed. These findings have crucial implications for markets such as health insurance exchanges, as they suggest that plan generosity is degraded when competition declines.
Cerebellar injury and impaired function in a rabbit model of maternal inflammation induced neonatal brain injury.

Abstract Cerebellum is involved in higher cognitive functions and plays important roles in neurological disorders. Cerebellar injury has been detected frequently in patients with preterm birth resulting in cognitive dysfunction later in life. Maternal infection and inflammation is associated with preterm birth and in neonatal brain injury. We have previously shown that intrauterine lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure induces white matter injury and microglial activation in the cerebral white matter tracts of neonatal rabbits, resulting in motor deficits consistent with the clinical findings of cerebral palsy (CP). Here we investigated whether intrauterine LPS exposure induced cerebellar inflammation and functional impairment. Timed-pregnant New Zealand white rabbits underwent a laparotomy on gestational day 28 (G28) and LPS (3200 EU, endotoxin group) was injected along the wall of the uterus as previously described. Controls did not receive surgical intervention. Kits born to control and endotoxin treated dams were euthanized on postnatal day (PND)1 (3 days post-injury) or PND5 (7 days post-injury) and cerebellum evaluated for presence of inflammation. The microglial morphology in cerebellar white matter areas was analyzed using Neurolucida and Neurolucida Explorer. mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines was quantified by real-time-PCR. We found that intrauterine exposure to LPS induced intensive microglial activation in cerebellar white matter areas, as evidenced by increased numbers of activated microglia and morphological changes (amoeboid soma and retracted processes) that was accompanied by significant increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines. The Purkinje cell layer was less developed in endotoxin exposed kits than healthy controls. In kits that survived to PND 60, soma size and cell density of Purkinje cells were significantly decreased in endotoxin exposed kits compared to controls. The findings of altered Purkinje cell morphology were consistent with impaired cerebellar function as tested by eye-blink conditioning at 1 month of age. The results indicate that the cerebellum is vulnerable to perinatal insults and that therapies targeting cerebellar inflammation and injury may help in improving outcomes and function.
Differential disease incidence and mortality of inner and outer reef corals of the upper Florida Keys in association with a white syndrome outbreak

The Florida Keys Reef Tract has suffered extraordinary losses in live coral cover over the past four decades and is now battling an unprecedented coral disease outbreak. Here, colonies of Siderastrea siderea (Ellis and Solander, 1786) and Pseudodiploria strigosa (Dana, 1846) were tracked over 3 yrs (2015–2017) across two pairs of inner and outer reef sites in the upper keys, offering a unique perspective into the distribution of disease throughout the reef tract. We found that outer reef colonies of both coral species exhibited greater disease incidence and mortality associated with this ongoing epidemic, while inner patch reef colonies remained largely unaffected. These findings suggest that ecological or biological factors that differentiate coral populations across these reef zones may play an important role in susceptibility to disease.
Merging Photoredox PCET with Ni-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling: Cascade Amidoarylation of Unactivated Olefins

The integration of amidyl radicals with cross-coupling chemistry opens new venues for reaction design. However, the lack of efficient methods for the generation of such radical species has prevented many such transformations from being brought to fruition. Herein, the amidoarylation of unactivated olefins by a cascade process from non-functionalized amides is reported by merging, for the first time, photoredox proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) with nickel catalysis. This new technology grants access to an array of complex molecules containing a privileged pyrrolidinone core from alkenyl amides and aryl- and heteroaryl bromides in the presence of a visible light photocatalyst and a nickel catalyst. Notably, the reaction is not restricted to amides - carbamates and ureas can also be used. Mechanistic studies, including hydrogen-bond affinity constants, cyclization rate measurements, quenching studies, and cyclic voltammetry were central to comprehend the subtleties contributing to the integration of the two catalytic cycles.
Financial Markets and Financial Institutions in Russia in 2016

In 2016, Russia's stock market, in terms of its rates of return, set a world record among all the other stock markets. Over that year, the RTS Index gained 52.3%, and the MICEX Index –26.8% (Fig. 1). The faster growth rate of the RTS Index, which reflects the price of shares in US dollar terms, can be explained by the ruble's strengthening in 2016. The other forces behind the growth of the Russian stock indexes were the rising oil prices, the inflow of non-residents' money in response to the strengthening ruble and the stably high key interest rate, and investor expectations of recovery economic growth.
Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices and Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Morbid Obesity and Heart Failure - A Systematic Review

Purpose A body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg/m2 is a contraindication to transplantation in patients with end-stage heart failure. In these patients, bariatric surgery can be considered either concomitantly with continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) placement, or staged after CF-LVAD has been placed. We sought to evaluate the outcomes for these approaches. Methods An electronic search was performed to identify all relevant studies. After assessment for inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight original studies were pooled for systematic review and meta-analysis . Results Of 53 patients, 24 (45%) underwent simultaneous bariatric surgery with CF-LVAD placement while 29 (55%) underwent staged bariatric surgery after CF-LVAD. The average age of all patients was 43.6 years (95% CI: 36.9-50.2) with 40% female. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed in 89% (95% CI: 74-96); gastric banding was performed in the remaining 11% (95% CI: 4-26). Average time between CF-LVAD implantation and bariatric surgery was 30.0 months (95% CI: 15.4-44.6) for staged procedures. Mean BMI at recent follow-up (34.2 kg/m2, 95% CI: 31.4-36.9) was significantly lower than mean preoperative BMI (45.9 kg/m2, 95% CI: 43.2-48.7) (p=0.01). There was no significant difference in incidence of postoperative complications [simultaneous, 17% (95% CI, 2-65) vs staged, 20% (95% CI, 6-51), p=0.89] or overall survival [simultaneous, 92% (95% CI, 72-98) vs staged, 81% (95% CI, 62-92), p=0.29] for average follow-up time of 10.6 months (Table). Surgery resulted in 67% of patients (95% CI: 52-79) being listed for heart transplantation , including 31% (95% CI: 19-46) who were transplanted. Conclusion Both simultaneous and staged approaches have comparable outcomes, which can allow previously ineligible patients to undergo heart transplantation. Increased complication rate in both groups likely reflects the complexity of the patients and not the timing of the procedure.
The Two Sides of NaV1.7: Painful and Painless Channelopathies.

Sodium channel NaV1.7 is a major target in pain research, largely because of genetic validation. In this issue of Neuron, McDermott et al. (2019) now present a comprehensive assessment of congenital pain insensitivity due to NaV1.7 loss of function. This work and studies on NaV1.7 gain of function raise important questions about how channelopathies produce disease.
Exposure to environmental level pesticides stimulates and diversifies evolution in Escherichia coli towards greater antibiotic resistance

Abstract Antibiotic resistance is one of the most challenging issues in public health. Antibiotic resistance can be selected by antibiotics at sub-inhibitory concentrations, the concentrations typically occurring in natural and engineered environments. Meanwhile, many other emerging organic contaminants such as pesticides are frequently co-occurring with antibiotics in agriculture-related environments and municipal wastewater treatment plants. To investigate the effects of the co-existing, non-antibiotic pesticides on the development of antibiotic resistance, we conducted long-term exposure experiments using a model Escherichia coli strain. The results revealed that 1) the exposure to a high level (in mg/L) of pesticides alone led to the emergence of mutants with significantly higher resistance to streptomycin; 2) the exposure to an environmental level (in µg/L) of pesticides together with a sub-inhibitory level (in sub mg/L) of ampicillin synergistically stimulated the selection of ampicillin resistance and the cross-selection of resistance to three other antibiotics (i.e., ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline). Resistance levels of mutants selected from co-exposure were significantly higher than those of mutants selected from ampicillin exposure only. The comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses indicate that distinct and diversified genetic mutations in ampicillin- and ciprofloxacin-resistant mutants were selected from co-exposure, which likely caused holistic transcriptional regulation and the increased antibiotic resistance. Together, the findings provide valuable fundamental insights into the development of antibiotic resistance under environmentally relevant conditions, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms of the elevated antibiotic resistance induced by the exposure to pesticides. Significance statement Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health globally. Besides clinically relevant environments, the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria in non-clinical environments can also potentially pose risks of therapy failures. This study showed that the long-term, environment-level exposure to pesticides with and without antibiotics significantly stimulated the development of greater antibiotic resistance. The resistant strains selected from the exposure to pesticides are genetically and metabolically distinct from the ones selected by the antibiotic only. Although it is still being debated regarding whether or not a large use of antibiotics in plant agriculture is harmful, our findings provide the first fundamental evidence that greater concerns of antibiotic resistance may result if antibiotics are applied together with non-antibiotic pesticides.
Intrathecal Agents and Algorithms: Review of PACC 2012 and 2017 Guidelines and Beyond

Intrathecal (IT) drug delivery has been increasingly utilized as an analgesic option for patients with chronic refractory pain since its origins in the 1980s. Since 2000, the Polyanalgesic Consensus Conference (PACC) has developed an IT drug selection algorithm and has continually updated consensus opinions on the safety and efficacy of IT based on best evidence, literature review, and expert opinion. Although there are newer technologies that have become available for pain control, specifically spinal cord stimulation with nonparesthesia systems (high frequency and burst), intrathecal therapy is still a reliable and durable method of delivering analgesia, especially for complex and multiple areas of pain.
Could canopy, bark, and leaf litter traits of encroaching non-oak species influence future flammability of upland oak forests?

Abstract Shade-tolerant, fire-intolerant tree species are expanding in historically oak-dominated landscapes in the central and eastern U.S. Once established, these species are hypothesized to accelerate their own expansion through canopy, bark, and leaf litter traits that decrease forest flammability, consequently hindering the growth and survival of pyrophytic, shade-intolerant upland oaks (Quercus spp.). To better understand how canopy, bark, and leaf litter traits associated with flammability differ between oaks and common competitors, we quantified these traits in an upland oak forest in western Kentucky for four oak species and five non-oak species varying in shade and fire tolerance. Compared to oaks, American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.), and sugar maple (A. saccharum Marshall.) had: (1) wider, deeper canopies, traits associated with shadier, cooler understory conditions and higher fuel moisture; (2) thinner, smoother bark, traits that increase fire susceptibility, yet produce higher stemflow volume and potentially moister fuels near the tree’s bole; and (3) leaf litter with a higher specific leaf area and surface area:volume ratio, traits linked to higher fuel bed bulk density and fuel moisture. Hickory (Carya spp.) and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) traits were generally similar to that of oaks. Our findings show that non-oak tree competitors commonly found in upland oak forests display canopy, bark, and leaf litter traits often associated with low flammability, but that the number and array of non-flammable traits varies widely by species and sometimes changes with tree size, leading to a gradient of traits and potentially fire dampening abilities. If these species continue to expand, reduced flammability could limit prescribed fire effectiveness in upland oak restoration.
C−N‐Coupled Metabolites Yield Insights into Dynemicin A Biosynthesis

The biosynthesis of the three structural subclasses of enediyne antitumor antibiotics remains largely unknown beyond a common C16 -hexaene precursor. For the anthraquinone-fused subtype, however, an unexpected iodoanthracene γ-thiolactone was established to be a mid-pathway intermediate to dynemicin A. Having deleted a putative flavin-dependent oxidoreductase from the dynemicin biosynthetic gene cluster, we can now report four metabolites that incorporate the iodoanthracene and reveal the formation of the C-N bond linking the anthraquinone and enediyne halves emblematic of this structural subclass. The coupling of an aryl iodide and an amine is familiar from organometallic chemistry, but has little or no precedent in natural product biosynthesis. These metabolites suggest further that enediyne formation occurs early in the overall biosynthesis, and that even earlier events might convert the C16 -hexaene to a common C15 intermediate that partitions to enediyne and anthraquinone building blocks for the heterodimerization.
Spinal cord injury in infancy: activity-based therapy impact on health, function, and quality of life in chronic injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) in infancy magnifies the complexity of a devastating diagnosis. Children injured so young have high incidences of scoliosis, hip dysplasia, and respiratory complications leading to poor health and outcomes. We report the medical history, progression of rehabilitation, usual care and activity-based therapy, and outcomes for a child injured in infancy. Activity-based therapy (ABT) aims to activate the neuromuscular system above and below the lesion through daily, task-specific training to improve the neuromuscular capacity, and outcomes for children with acquired SCI. A 3-month-old infant suffered a cervical SCI from a surgical complication with resultant tetraplegia. Until age 3, her medical complications included scoliosis, kyphosis, and pneumonia. Even with extensive physical and occupational therapy, she was fully dependent on caregivers for mobility and unable to roll, come to sit, sit, stand or walk. She initiated ABT at ~3 years old, participating for 8 months. The child’s overall neuromuscular capacity improved significantly, especially for head and trunk control, contributing to major advances in respiratory health, novel engagement with her environment, and improved physical abilities. From injury during infancy until 3 years old, this child’s health, abilities, and complications were consistent with the predicted path of early-onset SCI. Due to her age at injury, severity and chronicity of injury, she demonstrated unexpected, meaningful changes in her neuromuscular capacity during and post-ABT associated with improved health, function and quality of life for herself and her caregivers.
Tongues of fire: language and evangelization in Colonial Mexico

For almost a century, the evangelization of New Spain has drawn enhanced scholarly attention. Whereas Spaniards and dedicated ecclesiastics initially dominated as protagonists in these studies, the...
Practical Recommendations for Stronger, More Usable Passwords Combining Minimum-strength, Minimum-length, and Blocklist Requirements

Multiple mechanisms exist to encourage users to create stronger passwords, including minimum-length and character-class requirements, prohibiting blocklisted passwords, and giving feedback on the strength of candidate passwords. Despite much research, there is little definitive, scientific guidance on how these mechanisms should be combined and configured to best effect. Through two online experiments, we evaluated combinations of minimum-length and character-class requirements, blocklists, and a minimum-strength requirement that requires passwords to exceed a strength threshold according to neural-network-driven password-strength estimates. Our results lead to concrete recommendations for policy configurations that produce a good balance of security and usability. In particular, for high-value user accounts we recommend policies that combine minimum-strength and minimum-length requirements. While we offer recommendations for organizations required to use blocklists, using blocklists does not provide further gains. Interestingly, we also find that against expert attackers, character-class requirements, traditionally associated with producing stronger passwords, in practice may provide very little improvement and may even reduce effective security.
Predictive relationship between gender, ethnicity, science self-efficacy, teacher interpersonal behaviors, and science achievement of students in a diverse urban high school

We examined the predictive relationship between high school students’ gender, ethnicity, science self-efficacy as measured by the Science Self-Efficacy Questionnaire composite score, teacher interpersonal behaviors (TIP) as measured by the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI) scale scores, and science grade point average in an urban Title I school in the United States using hierarchical multiple regression. The overall model was statistically significant. Individually, a statistically-significant relationship was found between students’ gender, science self-efficacy, and science GPAs, as well as a between the teacher interpersonal behavior subscales of student responsibility/freedom and uncertainty. Previous literature supports the current findings that demonstrate a predictive relationship between gender, self-efficacy, and student achievement. However, current findings deviate from previous literature that has demonstrated a predictive relationship between students’ perceptions of TIP and science achievement. The contribution of the current study to the existing research literature is discussed together with the conceptual basis that supports the predictive relationship of gender, ethnicity, science self-efficacy, the dimensions of TIP, and the subscales of TIP on students’ GPAs. In light of the findings, implications for practice and the need for further investigation are discussed.
Phononics of Graphene Interfaced with Flowing Ionic Fluid: An Avenue for High Spatial Resolution Flow Sensor Applications

While ionic flow over graphenic structures creates electromotive potential, there is a need to understand the local carrier density induced in graphene without any electrode-induced Fermi-level pinning. Here, we show the electrolyte-flow induced localized doping in graphene via inspecting its Raman phononic energy. Graphene's Fermi energy level has a logarithmic dependence to the flow velocity over 2 orders of magnitude of velocity (∼100 μm s-1 to 10 mm s-1). A theoretical model of the electric double layer (EDL) during ionic transport is used to correlate the Fermi level of graphene with the flow rate and the electronic structure (HOMO-LUMO levels) of the ionic species. This correlation can allow us to use graphene as a reliable, non-invasive, optical flow-sensor, where the flow rates can be measured at high spatial resolution for several lab-on-a-chip applications.
Discussion on Application of Context Aware Computing Technology in Agricultural Internet of Things

Agricultural internet of things(IOT) has provided mass sensor data for agricultural production and scientific research.Context-aware computing is an important technical means to resolve the problems of effective utilization of perceptual information and implementing comprehensive agricultural services.However,at present a theoretical and technical system directing at context aware computing for agricultural internet of things is still not established.According to the main requirement target,this paper analyzed the core problems facing this field and discussed feacible solution.The paper also summarized the connotation of this system and prospects the future development trends,so as to provide reality basis and technical reference for theoretical and technical research and relevant applying software development.
A case of ablepharon macrostomia syndrome requiring multidisciplinary care

Ablepharon macrostomia syndrome (AMS) is a rare condition characterised by absent or extremely short eyelids and a large fish-like mouth.1–3 The lack of eyelids results in exposure keratopathy and ...
A Method for Representing and Querying Temporal Information in OWL

Ontologies are becoming a core technology for supporting the sharing, integration, and management of information sources in Semantic Web applications. As critical as ontologies have become, ontology languages such as OWL typically provide minimal support for modeling the complex temporal information often contained in these sources. As a result, ontologies often cannot fully express the temporal knowledge needed by many applications, forcing users and developers to develop ad hoc solutions. In this paper, we present a methodology and a set of tools for representing and querying temporal information in OWL ontologies. The approach uses a lightweight temporal model to encode the temporal dimension of data. It also uses the OWL-based Semantic Web Rule Language (SWRL) and the SWRL-based OWL query language SQWRL to reason with and query the temporal information represented using our model.
Periconceptional Multivitamin Use and the Occurrence of Conotruncal Heart Defects: Results From a Population-based, Case-Control Study

Objective. The preventive efficacy of the periconceptional use of multivitamins is well established for neural tube defects, much less so for other birth defects. We conducted a population-based, case-control study to assess the effects of multivitamin use on the risk for conotruncal defects, a group of severe heart defects that includes transposition of the great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot, and truncus arteriosus. Methods. From the population-based Atlanta Birth Defects Case-Control Study, we identified 158 case infants with conotruncal defects and 3026 unaffected, randomly chosen control infants, born from 1968 through 1980 to mothers residing in metropolitan Atlanta. Periconceptional multivitamin use was defined as reported regular use from 3 months before conception through the third month of pregnancy. We present the results of the crude analysis, because the multivariate model yielded essentially identical results. Results. Mothers who reported periconceptional multivitamin use had a 43% lower risk of having infants with conotruncal defects (odds ratio [OR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33 to 1.00) than did mothers who reported no use. The estimated relative risk was lowest for isolated conotruncal defects (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.84) compared with those associated with noncardiac defects (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.33 to 2.52) or a recognized syndrome (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 0.31 to 10.67). Among anatomic subgroups of defects, transposition of the great arteries showed the greatest reduction in risk (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.15 to 089). Conclusions. Periconceptional multivitamin use is associated with a reduced risk for conotruncal defects. These findings could have major implications for the prevention of these birth defects.
A low-power, reconfigurable adaptive equalizer architecture

This paper presents an architecture for an adaptive equalizer that is dynamically reconfigurable for low-power operation. The equalizer is composed of a signal processing block which accomplishes the filtering operations and a signal monitoring block which controls reconfiguration by monitoring the equalizer performance and dynamically powering up or down filter taps in order to conserve energy. This reconfigurable equalizer is used in the design of a 51.84 Mb/s VDSL receiver core, and simulation results are shown which demonstrate the power savings accomplished through reconfiguration.
12 Factor Analysis and Related Methods

Abstract This chapter introduces exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA) with brief mention of the closely related procedures principal components analysis and multidimensional item response theory. For EFA, emphasis is on rotation, the principal factors criterion, and methods for selecting the number of factors. CFA topics include identification, estimation of model parameters, and evaluation of model fit. EFA and CFA are introduced for continuous variables, and then extensions are described for non-normal continuous variables, and categorical variables. Study characteristics that influence sample size (for EFA or CFA) are discussed, and example analyses are provided which illustrate the use of three popular software programs.
Information literacy for off‐campus graduate cohorts: Collaboration between a university librarian and a Master's of Education faculty

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the practice of information literacy by showing the role that extensive collaboration plays in a graduate off‐campus cohort program.Design/methodology/approach – A case study of an innovative project that uses a collaborative approach to information literacy embedded into an off‐campus graduate cohort program offered in the field of graduate education.Findings – In this paper, it is not stated or implied that the traditional library or librarian will be irrelevant to higher education in the twenty‐first century. Nor, however, is it suggested that the collaboration between (for example) librarian and graduate education programs that is necessary to stave off such obsolescence takes place inevitably. It is known that the literature and classroom observations to date clearly demonstrate that existing collaborative efforts between these two entities have been successful in benefiting graduate students. However, this model needs to become more pervasive i...
Designing Superhard Materials

In their Perspective, [ Kaner et al. ][1] describe recent efforts to make a material that matches or exceeds the hardness of diamond. Such a material must contain highly directional, short, and strong bonds. Hardness may also be increased by introducing a nanometer-scale structure that hinders the migration of dislocations. Despite all the scientific efforts to find a material that surpasses it, diamond remains the hardest known material. And hardness is not enough: To replace diamond in practical applications, a new superhard material must also match its other properties, such as chemical inertness. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/308/5726/1268
Development of neural control of alimentary motor function in the vertebrates. A comparative study.

Abstract The neurophysiological mechanisms that control alimentary motility were studied in representatives of three vertebrate classes: cyclostomes ( Myxine glutinosa ), elasmobranchs ( Squalus acanthias ), and amphibians ( Rana catesbiana ). Stimulus response data, using mechanical stimulation plus acetylcholine, serotonin, and epinephrine intravenously, intraarterially, and intraluminally in innervated and denervated gastrointestinal segments, were obtained in vivo. From these results major trends in the phylogeny of alimentary motor control are suggested. The primitive Myxine have no intrinsic alimentary neuromotor mechanisms. Intestinal propulsion is dependent on movements of the body wall. Squalus has two neuronally controlled alimentary motor mechanisms: (1) vomiting, controlled by nerves entering the cephalic end of the stomach, and (2) peristalsis, confined to the distal stomach and pylorus and controlled by celiac nerves. In each instance the motor response is largely controlled by ganglion cells located in the C.N.S. Squalus intestine has no neuronal control. In the Rana the ganglion cell has migrated to the intestinal wall and the entire alimentary tract is capable of propulsive motor activity independent of C.N.S. neuronal connections. Certain neurophysiological implications from this research are discussed.