cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethical Issues in Longitudinal Child Maltreatment Research

The ethical issues involved in the participation of children in longitudinal child maltreatment research are very complex. This article describes the approaches to human participants protection taken by the North Carolina Local Site of LONGSCAN, the Longitudinal Studies Consortium on Child Abuse and Neglect, in its first 8 years. Issues such as participant selection, proxy consent, incomplete disclosure, and confidentiality are discussed in the contexts of three ethical principles: justice, autonomy, and beneficence. As North Carolina prepares to be the first LONGSCAN site to enter the field to collect child self-reports of maltreatment at age 12, its conclusion that maintaining the confidentiality of the data is ethically superior to reporting suspected maltreatment continues to guide the research.
Fiber lasers at JDS Uniphase

Fiber lasers products have been developed at JDS Uniphase with up to 25 Watt cw output power and diffraction limited beam. Similar fiber lasers have been demonstrated with over 100 Watt cw output power. The fiber laser is based on an all fiber optic cavity with no free alignments or possibility for contamination resulting in a reliable laser cavity. A distributed pump architecture based on an array of 3-5 Watt fiber coupled pumps provides redundancy for reliability. The unpolarized, fiber delivered, compact and direct modulated fiber laser sources are ideal for a range of applications including material processing, marking and reprographics. Moreover the pump source has applications in material processing as well. The advantages of the fiber laser are illustrated in marking system.
Clock Gene Evolution: Seasonal Timing, Phylogenetic Signal, or Functional Constraint?

Genetic determinants of seasonal reproduction are not fully understood but may be important predictors of organism responses to climate change. We used a comparative approach to study the evolution of seasonal timing within a fish community in a natural common garden setting. We tested the hypothesis that allelic length variation in the PolyQ domain of a circadian rhythm gene, Clock1a, corresponded to interspecific differences in seasonal reproductive timing across 5 native and 1 introduced cyprinid fishes (n = 425 individuals) that co-occur in the Rio Grande, NM, USA. Most common allele lengths were longer in native species that initiated reproduction earlier (Spearman's r = -0.70, P = 0.23). Clock1a allele length exhibited strong phylogenetic signal and earlier spawners were evolutionarily derived. Aside from length variation in Clock1a, all other amino acids were identical across native species, suggesting functional constraint over evolutionary time. Interestingly, the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) exhibited less allelic variation in Clock1a and observed heterozygosity was 2- to 6-fold lower than the 5 other (nonimperiled) species. Reduced genetic variation in this functionally important gene may impede this species' capacity to respond to ongoing environmental change.
A parallel object-oriented framework for stencil algorithms

The authors present an object-oriented framework for constructing parallel implementations of stencil algorithms. This framework simplifies the development process by encapsulating the common aspects of stencil algorithms in a base stencil class so that application-specific derived classes can be easily defined via inheritance and overloading. In addition, the stencil base class contains mechanisms for parallel execution. The result is a high-performance, parallel, application-specific stencil class. The authors present the design rationale for the base class and illustrate the derivation process by defining two subclasses, an image convolution class and a PDE solver. The classes have been implemented in Mentat, an object-oriented parallel programming system that is available on a variety of platforms. Performance results are given for a network of Sun SPARCstation IPCs. >
Efficiency and Entropy: Long-Run Dynamics

Imagine that some investors predict continuation and other investors predict reversals. Consider two related questions. First, in terms of wealth share, which investors vanish in the long run, those that predict continuation, those that predict reversal, or neither? Second, if prices are initially inefficient, will the inefficiency be eliminated over time? The key to answering these two main questions in the chapter involves an entropy variable. The main point of the chapter is that some trading rules are fitter than others insofar as long-run survival is concerned. The fittest trading rule is that of a log-utility investor with correct beliefs. That investor's trading rule has associated with it zero entropy. Beliefs are not the only determinant of long-term fitness. Investors who choose savings rates that are too small may see their long-term wealth shares go to zero even when they have correct beliefs. This issue is extremely important. Heterogeneity in respect to time preference has other implications for asset pricing as well. Notably, the return distribution of the market portfolio, while time-invariant under homogeneous rates of time preferences, loses that invariance when investors have different rates of time preference. Finally, market efficiency prevents informed investors from exploiting investors whose beliefs feature errors. At the same time, when beliefs are heterogeneous, market efficiency is at best transitory.
Double-jeopardy: The joint impact of neighborhood disadvantage and low social cohesion on cumulative risk of disease among African American men and women in the Jackson Heart Study.

Abstract Objectives Few studies have examined the joint impact of neighborhood disadvantage and low social cohesion on health. Moreover, no study has considered the joint impact of these factors on a cumulative disease risk profile among a large sample of African American adults. Using data from the Jackson Heart Study, we examined the extent to which social cohesion modifies the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and cumulative biological risk (CBR)—a measure of accumulated risk across multiple physiological systems. Methods Our analysis included 4408 African American women and men ages 21–85 residing in the Jackson, MS Metropolitan Area. We measured neighborhood disadvantage using a composite score of socioeconomic indicators from the 2000 US Census and social cohesion was assessed using a 5-item validated scale. Standardized z-scores of biomarkers representing cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory, and neuroendocrine systems were combined to create a CBR score. We used two-level linear regression models with random intercepts adjusting for socio-demographic and behavioral covariates in the analysis. A three-way interaction term was included to examine whether the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and CBR differed by levels of social cohesion and gender. Results The interaction between neighborhood disadvantage, social cohesion and gender was statistically significant (p = 0.05) such that the association between living in a disadvantaged neighborhood and CBR was strongest for men living in neighborhoods with low levels of social cohesion (B = 0.63, SE: 0.32). In gender-specific models, we found a statistically significant interaction between neighborhood disadvantage and social cohesion for men (p = 0.05) but not for women (p = 0.50). Conclusion Neighborhoods characterized by high levels of economic disadvantage and low levels of social cohesion contribute to higher cumulative risk of disease among African American men. This suggests that they may face a unique set of challenges that put them at greater risk in these settings.
Individual vs. network preferences

To study signals on networks, to detect epidemics, or to predict blackouts, we need to understand network topology and its impact on the behavior of network processes. The high dimensionality of large networks presents significant analytical and computational challenges; only specific network structures have been studied without approximation. We consider the impact of network topology on the limiting behavior of a dynamical process obeying the stochastic rules of SIS (susceptible-infected-susceptible) epidemics using the scaled SIS process. We introduce the network effect ratio, which captures the preference of individual agents versus the preference of society (i.e., network) and investigate its effects.
Supercontinuum Sources in CWDM Applications with Channel Protection

Wavelength division multiplexing transports bandwidth in a single fiber in a scalable manner commensurate with the number of wavelengths per fiber. However, each wavelength is sourced by an individual laser as defined by the ITU-T grid. Many individual lasers add to cost and to fault management complexity. Cost sensitive network applications such as metro and point-to-point access require robust and low cost solutions. An alternative to many lasers is a single laser source at higher power which when coupled onto a highly dispersive medium generates a wide spectral band, a supercontinuum, from which a comb of wavelengths can be obtained. In this paper, we develop a supercontinuum model using a single-wavelength laser, a highly nonlinear fiber and a spectrum slicer. We find the acceptable single-wavelength laser power for the optimum (minimum) non-linear fiber length to generate a supercontinuum spectrum with a suitable spectral width and for several center frequencies. A comb generator or spectrum slicer generates optical channels at center wavelengths, channel width and channel separation as recommended by ITU-T standards. We simulate our model for network topologies such as Metro ring, point-to-point and point-to-point with linear add-drop nodes. The OC-48 modulation rate was selected for being the most popular in low cost applications, although our model is suitable to higher rates. We determine the longest link without amplification with performance objective 10-12 bit error rate. Additionally, we examine the supercontinuum to links with 1+1 and to 1:1 optical channel protection strategies. Our conclusions are supported by simulation results, eye-diagrams, spectrum diagram and BER.
The five parameter grain boundary character distribution of α-Ti determined from three-dimensional orientation data

Abstract Commercially pure α-Ti was serial sectioned using a Xe plasma focused ion beam (PFIB) scanning electron microscope and orientation maps were obtained on the parallel layers by electron backscatter diffraction. The orientations and shapes of 13,900 grains and 92,100 grain faces were characterized. The mean number of faces per grain was 14.2. The grain boundaries were classified according to the three misorientation parameters and two grain boundary orientation parameters. There were more grain boundaries with 180°-twist and 180°-tilt character than expected in a random distribution. Furthermore, grain boundary planes with prismatic orientations were more common than those with basal orientations. The grain boundary with the greatest relative area had a 28°/[0001] misorientation and ( 31 4 ¯ 0 ) and ( 7 2 ¯ 5 ¯ 0 ) grain boundary planes. Compared to earlier instruments with Ga-ion sources, the milling speed of the PFIB makes it possible to collect ten times more data in a comparable time.
Function and Application of HVDC Transmission Control and Protection System

This paper summarizes the present research status of HVDC transmission control and protection system from the basic composition and function,allocation,the key technology and its work status of HVDC transmission control and protection system etc,and its configuration has been discussed in detail.The author points out the key technical aspects to prevent a single DC/bipolar latching outage according to the practical running.
Slowly eroding lesions in multiple sclerosis.

Background:At autopsy, 20%–40% of chronic multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions are labeled “slowly expanding” and feature myelin phagocytosis at the lesion edge. As pathological lesion classification relies on a single, terminal time point, the rate of lesion expansion cannot be directly measured.Objective:To study long-term volume changes in individual MS lesions.Methods:Volumes of individual lesions on proton density magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquired between 1992 and 2015 were measured in 22 individuals (one lesion per person). After correction for acquisition protocol, a mixed model evaluated lesion volume changes.Results:The mean (standard deviation) lesion volume at baseline was 142 (82) mL, falling to 74 (51) mL after 16 (3) years. All lesions shrank over time. Change in lesion volume did not correlate with change in supratentorial brain volume (p = 0.33). In simulations, the results could be explained by a process of slow radial expansion superimposed on substantially more rapid resorption of da...
Repeated evolution of local adaptation in swimming performance: population-level trade-offs between burst and endurance swimming in Brachyrhaphis freshwater fish

Specialization is fundamentally important in biology because specialized traits allow species to expand into new environments, in turn promoting population differentiation and speciation. Specialization often results in trade-offs between traits that maximize fitness in one environment but not others. Despite the ubiquity of trade-offs, we know relatively little about how consistently trade-offs evolve between populations when multiple sets of populations experience similarly divergent selective regimes. In the present study, we report a case study on Brachyrhaphis fishes from different predation environments. We evaluate apparent within/between population trade-offs in burst-speed and endurance at two levels of evolutionary diversification: high- and low-predation populations of Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora, and sister species Brachyrhaphis roseni and Brachyrhaphis terrabensis, which occur in high- and low-predation environments, respectively. Populations of Brachyrhaphis experiencing different predation regimes consistently evolved swimming specializations indicative of a trade-off between two swimming forms that are likely highly adaptive in the environment in which they occur. We show that populations have become similarly locally adapted at both levels of diversification, suggesting that swimming specialization has evolved rather rapidly and persisted post-speciation. Our findings provide valuable insight into how local adaptation evolves at different stages of evolutionary divergence.
Automotive Bargaining in the UK, the US, and Canada

Chapter 4 documented the increasing mobility of the automobile industry, with the exception of Chrysler’s reduction during its financial troubles of the late 1970s. In this chapter, I examine in detail the bargains made for 19 investments in the United Kingdom, the US states of Illinois, Missouri and New York, and in Canada. I also analyse the use of capital mobility to threaten workers with disinvestment in order to secure concessions. As capital mobility rises, we find that the level of investment incentives given to the firms rises as well, and that the threat of closure was increasingly directed at workers.
Identifying Rare Diseases from Behavioural Data: A Machine Learning Approach

Rare diseases are hard to identify and diagnose. Our goal is to use self-reported behavioural data to distinguish people with rare diseases from people with more common chronic illnesses. To this effect, we adapt a state of the art machine learning algorithm to make this classification. We find that using this method, and an appropriate set of questions, we can accurately identify people with rare diseases.
Modification of SRIM-calculated dose and injected ion profiles due to sputtering, injected ion buildup and void swelling

Abstract In radiation effects on materials utilizing self-ion irradiations, it is necessary to calculate the local displacement damage level and ion injection profile because of the short distance that self-ions travel in a material and because of the strong variation of displacement rate with depth in a specimen. The most frequently used tool for this is the software package called Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM). A SRIM-calculated depth-dependent dose level is usually determined under the implicit assumption that the target does not undergo any significant changes in volume during the process, in particular SRIM ignores the effect of sputtering, injected ions, and void swelling on the redistribution of the dose and injected ion profiles. This approach become increasingly invalid as the ion fluence reaches ever higher levels, especially for low energy ion irradiations. The original surface is not maintained due to sputter-induced erosion, while within the irradiated region of the specimen, injected ions are adding material, and if void swelling is occurring, it is creating empty space. An iterative mathematical treatment of SRIM outputs to produce corrected dose and injected ion profiles based on these phenomenon and without regard to diffusion is presented along with examples of differences between SRIM-calculated values and corrected values over a range of typical ion energies. The intent is to provide the reader with a convenient tool for more accurately calculating dose and injected ion profiles for heavy-ion irradiations.
Numerical simulation of seismic wave propagation in viscoelastic-anisotropic media using frequency-independent Q wave equation

ABSTRACTSeismic anisotropy is the fundamental phenomenon of wave propagation in the earth’s interior. Numerical modeling of wave behavior is critical for exploration and global seismology studies. The full elastic (anisotropy) wave equation is often used to model the complexity of velocity anisotropy, but it ignores attenuation anisotropy. I have presented a time-domain displacement-stress formulation of the anisotropic-viscoelastic wave equation, which holds for arbitrarily anisotropic velocity and attenuation 1/Q. The frequency-independent Q model is considered in the seismic frequency band; thus, anisotropic attenuation is mathematically expressed by way of fractional time derivatives, which are solved using the truncated Grunwald-Letnikov approximation. I evaluate the accuracy of numerical solutions in a homogeneous transversely isotropic (TI) medium by comparing with theoretical QP and QS values calculated from the Christoffel equation. Numerical modeling results show that the anisotropic attenuation...
SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF THIN FILM HIGH-Tc OXIDE SUPERCONDUCTORS

Recent results of the synthesis of thin films of the high-Tc oxide superconductors are described. The methods employed include electron-beam co-evaporation and co-sputtering in the case of YBa2Cu3O7 and molecular beam epitaxy in the case of DyBa2Cu3O7. The films exhibit high, sharp transition temperatures (~90K and <2K wide) and large critical current densities (106–107 A/cm2 at 4.2 K). Measurement of the optical transmission of some of these films shows no evidence for a charge transfer resonance indicating excitronic superconductivity. Measurement of the fluctuation conductivity above Tc appears to show a distinct 3D to 2D dimensional crossover.
TELOS: a language for building well-structured AI models

TELOS is an attempt to provide powerful abstraction mechanisms and other structuring facilities within a language that provides the special capabilities needed for AI research. TELOS includes PASCAL as a subset and also is implemented in PASCAL. A full description is available in [1] and [2].
A rapid screening procedure for some “street-drugs” by thin-layer chromatography : II. Cocaine, heroin, local anesthetics and mixtures

Abstract The extraction of illicit cocaine and heroin (diacetylmorphine) samples with 95% ethanol and subsequent analysis on pre-coated thin layers of silica gel (Merck) made the tentative identification of cocaine, heroin and some local anesthetics possible. Two detecting reagents were used, p -dimethylaminobenzaldehyde and acidic iodoplatinate. p -Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde was used for the detection of procaine, butacaine and benzocaine, acidic iodoplatinate for cocaine, heroin and some local anesthetics. The thin-layer chromatographically derived characteristics of cocaine, heroin, benzocaine, procaine, and lidocaine were unique, allowing for the relatively easy detection of these five compounds. The procedure is useful for the rapid screening of illicit cocaine and heroin samples for the presence or absence of the compounds listed. The unequivocal identity of these compounds is not established but the procedure does permit tentative identification.
Transport modeling of convection dominated helicon discharges in Proto-MPEX with the B2.5-Eirene code

Data-constrained interpretative analyses of plasma transport in convection dominated helicon discharges in the Proto-MPEX linear device, and predictive calculations with additional Electron Cyclotron Heating/Electron Bernstein Wave (ECH/EBW) heating, are reported. The B2.5-Eirene code, in which the multi-fluid plasma code B2.5 is coupled to the kinetic Monte Carlo neutrals code Eirene, is used to fit double Langmuir probe measurements and fast camera data in front of a stainless-steel target. The absorbed helicon and ECH power (11 kW) and spatially constant anomalous transport coefficients that are deduced from fitting of the probe and optical data are additionally used for predictive simulations of complete axial distributions of the densities, temperatures, plasma flow velocities, particle and energy fluxes, and possible effects of alternate fueling and pumping scenarios. The somewhat hollow electron density and temperature radial profiles from the probe data suggest that Trivelpiece-Gould wave absorpti...
Metabolic Feedback Circuits Provide Rapid Control of Metabolite Dynamics

Metabolism constitutes the basis of life, and the dynamics of metabolism dictate various cellular processes. However, exactly how metabolite dynamics are controlled remains poorly understood. By studying an engineered fatty acid-producing pathway as a model, we found that upon transcription activation a metabolic product from an unregulated pathway required seven cell cycles to reach to its steady state level, with the speed mostly limited by enzyme expression dynamics. To overcome this limit, we designed metabolic feedback circuits (MeFCs) with three different architectures, and experimentally measured and modeled their metabolite dynamics. Our engineered MeFCs could dramatically shorten the rise-time of metabolites, decreasing it by as much as 12-fold. The findings of this study provide a systematic understanding of metabolite dynamics in different architectures of MeFCs and have potentially immense applications in designing synthetic circuits to improve the productivities of engineered metabolic pathways.
Systolic heart failure in a patient with primary aldosteronism.

A 53-year-old African man with a 25-year history of uncontrolled hypertension and systolic heart failure presented with an acute congestive heart failure exacerbation. He was found to have severe hypokalaemia, so additional testing was performed, and primary aldosteronism was confirmed. CT scan showed a 1.2×2.4 cm well-defined, homogeneous adenoma of the left adrenal gland. Adrenal vein sampling confirmed unilateral primary aldosteronism with lateralisation to the left adrenal gland. The patient was started on spironolactone and was referred to surgery for laparoscopic left adrenalectomy. Primary aldosteronism is associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality due to activation of cardiac mineralocorticoid receptors. Studies suggest these negative effects can be reduced with early intervention and treatment. This case highlights the importance of investigating secondary causes of hypertension in young patients and the potential adverse cardiac effects of primary aldosteronism when it goes undiagnosed and untreated for years.
Modern Subjectivities, Religious Belief and Irony in Everyday Life

This chapter analyzes the religious individual as a “religious modern subject” arguing that religious identity, belief and practice involve technologies of the self that are revealing and even critical of the modern subject given the location of sovereignty in modern society. The chapter analyzes the discourse and interaction rituals (technologies of the self) through which religious people enact modern subjectivities in everyday life. It explores belief and irony as useful for bridging religious and modern subjectivities, contrasting different conceptualizations of irony by Kierkegaard and by Richard Rorty and their practical implications for religions and religious people. The paper concludes by considering belief as a political category.
Temperature Influences Persistence of Chlorothalonil and Iprodione on Creeping Bentgrass Foliage

Fungicides play a critical role in the management of plant diseases, yet the impact of temperature on foliar fungicide persistence remains unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the relative persistence of chlorothalonil and iprodione on creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) leaf blades at 10, 20, and 30°C during two separate experiments in 2011. A commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess the relative concentration of both fungicides remaining both on and within the leaf tissue. Dissipation of both fungicides was greatest at 30°C and slowest at 10°C, while dissipation at 20°C was intermediate between 10 and 30°C and often not statistically different from either of the temperatures. Iprodione half-life over both trials averaged 51.2 days at 10°C, 7.8 days at 20°C, and 4.0 days at 30°C. Chlorothalonil half-life averaged 9.5 days, 4.3 days, and 4.0 days at 10, 20, and 30°C, respectively. These results indicate that fungicide persistence decreases with increasing temperature, which may help explain why fungicides more commonly fail to provide adequate disease protection during periods of hot temperatures.
Longitudinal and Reciprocal Relationships Between Psychological Well-Being and Smoking.

Introduction Smoking cessation treatments currently succeed at a rate of approximately 20%-30%, underscoring the importance of exploring factors that might increase intervention effectiveness. Although negative affect has been studied extensively in relation to smoking cessation, psychological well-being (PWB; eg, life satisfaction, optimism, positive affect, purpose in life) has received little attention. This study tested longitudinal and reciprocal relationships between PWB and smoking status in older adults. Methods Panel data were obtained from the biennial, longitudinal Health and Retirement Study. Using structural equation modeling, we developed cross-lagged models to examine the relationships of PWB in 2006 with smoking status in 2010 and of smoking status in 2006 with PWB in 2010 while controlling for covariates (Ns = 2939-4230, 55% women, 89% white, mean age = 64 years, mean years of education = 13, 25% smokers in 2006 and 21% smokers in 2010). Separate cross-lagged models were developed for each of the PWB variables: life satisfaction, optimism, positive affect, and purpose in life. Results Greater life satisfaction (standardized path coefficient = -0.04), optimism (standardized path coefficient = -0.07), and positive affect (standardized path coefficient = -0.08) in 2006 predicted a reduced likelihood of smoking in 2010. Being a smoker in 2006 predicted lower life satisfaction (standardized path coefficient = -0.25), optimism (standardized path coefficient = -0.10), positive affect (standardized path coefficient = -0.10), and purpose in life (standardized path coefficient = -0.13) in 2010. Conclusions Findings warrant further exploration of the relationships between PWB and smoking, and support the incorporation of PWB-boosting components into existing treatments. Implications Given the relatively low success rate of current smoking cessation treatments, the present results suggest that increasing PWB might promote abstinence and therefore warrant consideration as a focus of future cessation treatment research. Moreover, these results suggest that smoking might inhibit PWB, illuminating a negative consequence of smoking not previously identified. Helping smokers increase their PWB may benefit them beyond promoting cessation and contribute to a flourishing society. These results warrant further investigation of PWB and smoking, and support the continued evaluation of PWB-boosting components in smoking cessation treatments.
Characteristics of and current practice patterns of pacing for high-degree atrioventricular block after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in comparison to surgical aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the current practice patterns of permanent pacing, especially the timing of implantation, for high-degree AV block (HDAVB) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). BACKGROUND Comparative data regarding current practice patterns of permanent pacing for HDAVB between TAVI and SAVR is limited. METHODS Using the National Inpatient Sample database, we identified patients who underwent TAVI or SAVR between 2012 and 2014. The incidence of HDAVB, the rate of permanent pacemaker implantation, and the timing of implantations were compared between TAVI and SAVR groups. RESULTS We identified 33 690 and 202 110 patients who underwent TAVI and SAVR, respectively. HDAVB occurred in 3480 patients (10.3%) in the TAVI group and 11 405 patients (5.6%) in the SAVR group (P < 0.001). Among the patients who developed HDAVB, patients in the TAVI group were more likely to undergo permanent pacemaker implantation than those in the SAVR group (74.1% vs 64.7%; P < 0.001). The median interval from TAVI to pacemaker implantation was 2 days (interquartile range 1-3 days) vs 5 days (interquartile range 3-7 days) from SAVR to pacemaker implantation (P < 0.001). Among the patients who developed HDAVB, TAVI was associated with higher rates of permanent pacemaker implantation after adjusting for other comorbidities (odds ratio 1.41:95% confidence interval 1.13-1.77; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS HDAVB occurred more commonly after TAVI compared to SAVR. HDAVB after TAVI compared to SAVR was associated with a higher rate of permanent pacemaker implantation at an earlier timing from the index procedure.
Biomechanical Properties of Bioabsorbable Fixation for Osteochondral Shell Allografts.

This study compares bioabsorbable nail to metal screw fixation of shell osteochondral allograft (OCAs) for compression and shear strength. Cadaveric distal femurs (n = 5) yielding six 1.5 cm shell grafts (n = 30) were used. Three different fixation methods (2.0 and 2.4 mm headed screws, and copolymer absorbable nail) were compared for statistically significant differences (p
The labour income share and the relative price of investment in the US: an empirical investigation

Several studies argue that the recent decline in the secular trend of the labour income share is mostly driven by capital-embodied technological progress which is typically identified with trend re...
Production of Six Woody Landscape Plants in Copper-coated and Styrene-lined Containers

Abstract Growth of Rhododendron L. ‘Hershey's Red’ (azalea), Magnolia grandiflora L. (magnolia), Ilex × meserveae S.Y. Hu. ‘Blue Princess’ (holly), Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.) Ait. (pittosporum), Gardenia jasminoides Ellis ‘August Beauty’ (gardenia), and Nerium oleander L. (oleander) were evaluated for 8 months in 3.8 liter (#1) containers treated with (+) or without (−) copper hydroxide (Cu) and with (+) or without (−) a styrene lining. Plants were then repotted into 10.3 liter (#3) untreated containers to determine treatment effects on root regeneration and shoot growth. In addition, azalea, gardenia, and holly were planted in the ground to evaluate root regeneration and shoot growth during landscape establishment. All species tested had less root growth at the substrate-container interface at the end of the first growing season when grown in Cu-treated containers. Other growth parameters measured (height, trunk diameter, growth index) varied among species in response to Cu treatment. One growing season...
High-Resolution Bisulfite-Sequencing of Peripheral Blood DNA Methylation in Early-Onset and Familial Risk Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose:Understanding and explaining hereditary predisposition to cancer has focused on the genetic etiology of the disease. However, mutations in known genes associated with breast cancer, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, account for less than 25% of familial cases of breast cancer. Recently, specific epigenetic modifications at BRCA1 have been shown to promote hereditary breast cancer, but the broader potential for epigenetic contribution to hereditary breast cancer is not yet well understood. Experimental Design: We examined DNA methylation through deep bisulfite sequencing of CpG islands and known promoter or regulatory regions in peripheral blood DNA from 99 familial or early-onset breast or ovarian cancer patients, 6 unaffected BRCA-mutation carriers, and 49 unaffected controls. Results: In 9% of patients, we observed altered methylation in the promoter regions of genes known to be involved in cancer including hypermethylation at the tumor suppressor PTEN and hypomethylation at the proto-oncogene TEX14 . These alterations occur in the form of allelic methylation that span up to hundreds of base-pairs in length. Conclusions: Our observations suggest a broader role for DNA methylation in early-onset, familial risk breast cancer. Further studies are warranted to clarify these mechanisms and the benefits of DNA methylation screening for early risk prediction of familial cancers.
A phase II trial of low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) and bevacizumab in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC)

5103 Background: Interleukin-2 and bevacizumab, a VEGF ligand-binding antibody, have each demonstrated antitumor activity in mRCC. Increased VEGF levels can lead to immunosuppression and resistance to immunotherapy through inhibition of dendritic cell (DC) differentiation and increase in immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). To further evaluate the clinical and immunomodulatory effect of low-dose IL-2 and bevacizumab in mRCC, a phase II trial was conducted. Methods: Previously untreated good and intermediate risk mRCC pts received 8-week cycles of IL-2 (250,000 U/kg/d SC D1–5 during week 1 and 125,000 U/kg/d SC D1–5 during weeks 2–6, followed by a 2 week break). Bevacizumab 10mg/kg was administered IV every 2 weeks starting on day -14. Eligibility included RECIST-defined measurable disease, clear cell histology, normal organ function, and prior nephrectomy. A Simon 2 stage phase II design was employed to test the hypothesis of a 40% improvement in the 3-month PFS vs. historical IL-2-treated contro...
Culture-Based Education: Lessons from Indigenous Education in the U.S. and Southeast Asia

Cultured–based pedagogy has been positively related to students’ socio-emotional well-being, civic engagement, school motivation and higher academic outcomes, particularly with culturally-diverse s...
When neighbors cheat: a test of the dear enemy phenomenon in southern red-backed salamanders

According to the dear enemy phenomenon, territory owners decrease costs of ownership by decreasing aggression toward neighbors once territory boundaries have been established. To maintain this cooperation, when territorial neighbors are caught in the act of “cheating” by failing to respect territory boundaries, they should be “challenged” via increased aggression. Most studies examining this prediction tested neighbor recognition through playback of advertisement calls. We tested whether territorial terrestrial salamanders, Plethodon serratus, would identify cheating neighbors via chemical or visual cues. In separate experiments, focal residents were exposed to either territorial substrate markings from another salamander or to a mirror (simulating a territorial neighbor) on one side of their territory for several days. During subsequent testing, the chemical or visual (mirror) cues were presented at either the trained location (cooperating) or on the opposite (cheating) side. Either olfactory or visual cues alone were sufficient for discrimination of cheating/cooperating neighbors, with cheating neighbors receiving the most aggressive displays and chemosensory sampling behavior from focal residents. Aggressive displays were particularly high in trials with visual cues, which likely indicated a more immediate threat. Moreover, responses to the visual threat may have been more escalated because the “neighbor” did not back down following threat posturing from the focal resident. Qualitatively, focal residents attempted to physically interact with the mirror images even in cooperating neighbor treatments. Therefore, in accordance with the dear enemy hypothesis, cheating neighbors elicited a higher level of threat displays than cooperating neighbors, but even cooperating neighbors could sometimes be challenged at the territory border. For territorial neighbors, cooperating by respecting territorial boundaries can reduce the cost of ownership by reducing aggressive interactions between neighbors. Cooperating neighbors (“dear enemies”) remain in their own territories, whereas cheating neighbors travel beyond their territory boundaries. Evolutionarily, cooperation can be maintained if neighbors that “cheat” must pay a cost. Thus, location of individuals (detected via advertisement signals) is predicted to influence aggressive behavior by adjacent neighbors. We demonstrated that territorial southern red-backed salamanders responded with a higher level of aggressive displays to cheating neighbors whose presence was detected via either chemical (substrate markings) or visual (mirror) displays. In mirror trials, focal residents paced back and forth with their mirror images, exhibiting short bursts of threat posturing and tapping the image with their snouts, which is consistent with behavior toward other salamanders. Therefore, cooperation between neighbors can be maintained via increased aggression toward cheaters.
National Quality Improvement Participation Among US Radiation Oncology Facilities: Compliance with Guideline-Concordant Palliative Radiation Therapy for Bone Metastases

Purpose To characterize the participation of radiation oncology (RO) in reporting quality metrics through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Hospital Compare database and to describe the association of hospital characteristics with RO-specific quality metrics. Methods and Materials Data from the CMS Hospital Compare, International Atomic Energy Agency’s Directory of Radiotherapy Centre, 2010 US Census, and CMS Inpatient Prospective Payment System were linked to create an integrated data set of geographic information, facility characteristics, and quality measures, focusing on the use of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for bony metastases. Results Of 4829 hospitals in the Hospital Compare database, 2030 had access to radiation therapy. Among these, 814 (40%) reported on the rate of guideline-concordant EBRT for bony metastases, a RO-specific quality measure. A total of 33,614 eligible cases of bony metastases treated with EBRT were sampled. Participation in quality reporting varied significantly by geography, population type, teaching status, hospital ownership, hospital type, and hospital size. The median rate of guideline-concordant palliative EBRT utilization was 89%. Nine percent of 814 centers had a compliance rate of less than 50%. On multivariable analysis, increasing number of cases sampled (odds ratio 0.93, P = .028), increasing hospital star-rating, and above-average patient experience rating (odds ratio 0.58, P = .024) remained significantly associated with decreased odds of falling into the lowest quartile of guideline-concordant EBRT utilization. Conclusions RO participation in a large, national quality improvement effort is nascent and reveals potential quality gaps between hospitals offering palliative EBRT for bone metastases. More robust RO-specific quality measures are needed.
Functional Tissue Architecture, Homeostasis, and Responses to Injury

Abstract The goal here is to two-fold: 1) describe how biological structure is adapted to perform physiologic function; this concept extends from cells (and their subcellular constituents) to the organization of tissues and organs. 2) introduce the physiologic responses to environmental stimuli, and the mechanisms of and responses to cell injury and implantation of biomaterials.
Neurophysiological responses to safety signals and the role of cardiac vagal control.

Abstract Background Deficits in safety signal learning are well-established in fear-related disorders (e.g., PTSD, phobias). The current study used a fear conditioning paradigm to test associations among eye blink startle and event-related brain potential (ERP) latency measures of safety signal learning, as well as the role of cardiac vagal control (a measure of top-down inhibition necessary for safety learning). Methods Participants were 49 trauma-exposed women ages 17 to 28 years. Eyeblink startle response and ERP amplitudes/latencies were derived for conditioned stimuli associated (CS+) and not associated (CS-) with an aversive unconditioned stimulus. ERPs included the P100 and late positive potential (LPP), which index early visual processing and sustained emotional encoding, respectively. Cardiac vagal control was assessed with resting heart rate variability (HRV). Results P100 and LPP latencies for the CS- (safety signal stimulus) were significantly negatively associated with startle to the CS-, but not the CS + . LPP CS- latencies were significantly negatively associated with PTSD Intrusion scores, and this relationship was moderated by vagal control, such that the effect was only present among those with low HRV. Conclusions ERP-based markers of safety signal learning were associated with startle response to the CS- (but not CS+) and PTSD symptoms, indicating that these markers may have relevance for fear-related disorders. Cardiac vagal control indexed by HRV is a moderating factor in these associations and may be relevant to safety signal learning.
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Identifies Patients With Worse Cardiorespiratory Fitness In Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction And Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important prognostic indicator of morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF), especially in those with comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an objective and reproducible method to estimate the edema index (EI), a surrogate for extracellular volume status. Whether an increase in the EI estimated by BIA can identify patients with reduced CRF is unknown. We hypothesized that in patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and T2DM, an increased EI would inversely correlate with measures of CRF. Methods We measured peak oxygen consumption (VO2), a measure of CRF, during maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing and the EI (percentage of extracellular water divided by total body water) with BIA in 72 patients. Subjects underwent venipuncture during the same visit to collect biomarkers. Data are reported as median and interquartile range (IQR). To determine the relationship between peak VO2 and EI, we used Spearman rank correlation and linear regression models with and without adjustments for age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), serum creatinine, C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin, NTproBNP, sodium, and comorbidities (hyperlipidemia, hypertension). Results The majority of the 72 patients were female (69%), black (47%), had age of 58 (52-62) years and median BMI of 33.9 (31.2-37.6) kg/m2. Peak VO2, EI and NTproBNP were 15.7 (12.8-18.4) mL•kg−1•min−1, 45.5 (43.8-47.9) % and 344 (111-698) pg/mL, respectively. Peak VO2 inversely correlated with EI, BMI, NTproBNP and hemoglobin at univariate analysis (R=-0.307, p Conclusion In patients with HFrEF and T2DM, edema index is an independent predictor of CRF, with a greater EI reflecting increased extracellular volume being associated with lower CRF. These findings propose that using BIA to measure the EI have potential implications from a diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic standpoint that clearly need to be explored in future studies.
Radiation Therapy for Primary Cutaneous Gamma Delta Lymphoma Prior to Stem Cell Transplantation.

We present a patient with widespread PCGD-TCL of the bilateral arms and legs, who underwent radiotherapy with 34 Gy in 17 fractions using circumferential VMAT and 3-D printed bolus to the 4 extremities prior to planned stem cell transplant, who was then found to have progression in the liver, lung, and skin, followed by drastic regression of all in and out-of-field lesions on imaging 1.5 months later. The cause of regression may be related to a radiation-induced abscopal effect from the immunomodulatory effects of radiation, or related to immune reactivation in the setting of cessation of systemic immunosuppressive agents.
Androgens and corticosteroids increase in response to mirror images and interacting conspecifics in males of the Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens.

Abstract The role of hormones as modulators of aggressive behavior in fish remains poorly understood. Androgens and corticosteroids, in particular, have been associated with aggressive behavior in fish but it is still not clear if animals adjust the secretion of these hormones to regulate behavior during ongoing fights, in response to fight outcomes in order to adjust aggressive behavior in subsequent fights, or both. With its stereotyped displays and high aggression levels, the Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens is an excellent model to investigate this question. Here, we compared the behavioral and endocrine response of male B. splendens to fights where there is no winner or loser by presenting them with a size-matched live interacting conspecific behind a transparent partition or with a mirror image. The aggressive response started with threat displays that were overall similar in frequency and duration towards both types of stimuli. Fights transitioned to overt attacks and interacting with a live conspecific elicited a higher frequency of attempted bites and head hits, as compared with the mirror image. There was a pronounced increase in plasma androgens (11-ketotestosterone and testosterone) and corticosteroids (cortisol) levels in response to the aggression challenge, independent of stimulus type. Post-fight intra-group levels of these hormones did not correlate with measures of physical activity or aggressive behavior. A linear discriminant analysis including all behavioral and endocrine data was a poor classifier of fish from the conspecific and mirror trials, showing that overall the behavioral and endocrine response to mirror images and conspecifics was similar. The results show that fight resolution is not necessary to induce an evident increase in peripheral levels of androgens and corticosteroids in B. splendens. However, the function of these hormones during present and future aggressive contests remains to be clarified.
The new noir: Race, identity, and diaspora in Black suburbia, by Orly Clergé: Berkeley, CA, University of California Press, 2019

The New Noir: Race, Identity, and Diaspora in Black Suburbia is a refreshingly novel approach to ethnography that offers much about race, class, culture, and urban community-building. The fact that...
Impact of Protocolized Pharmacist Intervention on Critical Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Values With Heparin Infusions.

Background: Unfractionated heparin (UFH) infusions are commonly managed with nurse-driven nomograms titrated to activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). In some patients, anti-Xa values may be...