cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endocrine-active Chemicals (EACs) in Fishes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses water as the vector for bringing anthropogenic endocrine-active chemicals (EACs) to wild populations of fishes. EACs from diverse structural classes including steroids, organochlorines, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, alkylphenolic surfactants, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals, inorganic anions, and metals can signal via various central and peripheral components of the fish reproductive axis. Fishes and other aquatic vertebrates appear to be especially susceptible to the adverse effects of EAC exposure as the aquatic environment appears to be a sink for natural and anthropogenic EACs. Exposure of fishes to EACs can potentially disrupt any and every protein-mediated interaction underlying the endocrine- and neuroendocrine-mediated regulation of reproductive differentiation, development, behavior, and function. EACs modulate fish reproduction by interfering with the production, release, transport, metabolism, binding, action, or elimination of endogenous hormones, with life-stage-specific consequences.
Two new pinicolous Arthonia (Arthoniaceae; Arthoniomycetes) from the Delmarva Peninsula of the Atlantic Coastal Plain in eastern North America

Abstract Two new non-lichenized Arthonia are described from the branches and wood of pine trees (Pinus spp.) in the Coastal Plain of southeastern North America. Arthonia samdykeana is a characterized by its lack of photobiont, large irregularly shaped ascomata, and 6–9(–10–12)-celled ascospores that are macrocephallic. Arthonia gutberletiana is characterized by its lack of photobiont, black circular apothecia with persistent margins, hyaline 2-celled ascospores and occurrence on pine wood.
Fluorescent Protein-Expressing Transgenic Nude Mice as Hosts for Patient Tumors

Labeling of patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) tumors is important, since they mostly grow and metastasize internally. Growth in transgenic nude mice expressing various colors of fluorescent proteins in most organs can serve to label the stroma of PDOX tumors. We developed the transgenic green fluorescent protein (GFP) nude mouse with ubiquitous GFP expression. In the adult GFP mice, most organs brightly expressed GFP. We also developed transgenic red fluorescent protein (RFP) nude mouse DsRed2 in essentially all tissues. The cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) nude mouse was developed by our laboratory. In the CFP transgenic nude mice, the pancreas and reproductive organs displayed the strongest fluorescent signals of all internal organs which vary in intensity. The nestin-driven GFP (ND-GFP) transgenic nude mouse was developed by our laboratory and expresses GFP in nascent blood vessels and other select organs. The ND-GFP nude mouse is a unique system to visualize nascent angiogenesis in PDOX models.
“I Want to Be Who I Am”: Narratives of Transgender Persons

ABSTRACTResearch has documented the difficulties that face persons identifying as transgender, and that research has been steadily increasing. However, the bridge between research findings and practice is often elusive, particularly for those counselors, therapists, and other mental health professionals already in their respective professional lives. This retrospective phenomenological study documented the lives of 16 persons identifying as transgender (11 transwomen, five transmen) as they narrated the difficulties they encountered beginning in childhood through transition in adult life. Eight persons identifying as transgender were younger than age 40 years and eight were older than age 40 years and brought different narratives about their childhood, teen, and adult years.
Rural counties chlamydia and gonorrhea rates in Pennsylvania among adolescents and young adults.

Abstract Background American adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 account for 50% of all sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) annually. Rural populations in this age group are often understudied, despite having factors that place them at higher risk for STDs. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of time series analysis in the assessment of rural Pennsylvania county-level chlamydia and gonorrhea rates overtime (2004–2014) for 15- to 19- and 20- to 24-year-old age groups by gender. Methods An exploratory analysis was completed using Pennsylvania STD surveillance case report and census data, to develop a linear mixed-effects model of the STD rate for each Pennsylvania county for the years 2004 through 2014 using 3-month increments. A cubic polynomial spline regression model was assumed over the 44 time points for each county to account for possible oscillations in the STD rate during the 11-year period. Results Eight out of 12 rural counties had a significant increase in chlamydia or gonorrhea rates, and five rural counties had significant decreases in chlamydia or gonorrhea rates from 2004 to 2014. Conclusions Results from this study provide the first analysis of change in rates of STDs in rural settings and demonstrate the utility of time series analysis for populations with small sample sizes.
RNA interference of two glutathione S-transferase genes, Diaphorina citri DcGSTe2 and DcGSTd1, increases the susceptibility of Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae) to the pesticides fenpropathrin and thiamethoxam.

BACKGROUND The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is an important agricultural pest of citrus globally. Foliar application of chemical insecticides is the most widely used option for reducing D. citri populations. Knockdown of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in several insect species leads to increased susceptibility to insecticides; however, information about the detoxifying role of GST genes in D. citri is unavailable. RESULTS Via a sequence homology search, we isolated and characterized three DcGST genes (DcGSTd1, DcGSTe1 and DcGSTe2) from D. citri. Phylogenetic analysis grouped DcGSTd1 into the delta class of GST genes, whereas DcGSTe1 and DcGSTe2 were clustered in the epsilon clade. Gene expression analysis revealed that chlorpyrifos treatment increased the mRNA levels of DcGSTe1 and fenpropathrin enhanced the expression level of DcGSTd1, while DcGSTe2 was significantly up-regulated after exposure to thiamethoxam at a dose of 30% lethal concentration (LC30). RNA interference (RNAi) of DcGSTe2 and DcGSTd1 followed by an insecticide bioassay increased the mortalities of thiamethoxam-treated psyllids by 23.0% and fenpropathrin-treated psyllids by 15.0%. In contrast, knockdown of DcGSTe1 did not significantly increase the susceptibility of D. citri to any of these three insecticides. Further, feeding with double-stranded RNA (dsDcGSTe2-d1) interfusion co-silenced DcGSTe2 and DcGSTd1 expression in D. citri, and led to an increase of susceptibility to both fenpropathrin and thiamethoxam. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that DcGSTe2 and DcGSTd1 play unique roles in detoxification of the pesticides thiamethoxam and fenpropathrin. In addition, co-silencing by creating a well-designed dsRNA interfusion against multiple genes was a good RNAi strategy in D. citri. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Impact of Race Versus Education and Race Versus Income on Patients’ Motivation to Participate in Clinical Trials

Our study investigates whether levels of motivation and barriers to participation in clinical trials vary with patients' education and income. A self-administered survey asked outpatients to rank potential influential factors on a "0" to "4" significance scale for their motivation to participate in clinical trials. Principal component analysis (PCA), analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U tests analyzed the impact of race, education, and income on their motivation to participate. Analysis included 1841 surveys; most respondents had a high school education or some college, and listed annual income < $30,000. There was a significant interaction between race and income on our motivation scale 1 scores (p = .0261). Compared with their counterparts, subjects with less education/lower income ranked monetary compensation (p = .0420 and p < .0001, respectively) as a higher motivator. Minorities and patients with less education and lower income appear to be more influenced by their desire to please the doctor, the race and sex of the doctor, and the language spoken by the doctor being the same as theirs. For all races, education appeared to have a direct relationship with motivation to participate, except for African-Americans, whose motivation appeared to decline with more education. Income appeared to have an inverse relationship with motivation to participate for all races.
Optical instruments synergy in determination of optical depth of thin clouds

Optically thin clouds have a strong radiative effect and need to be represented accurately in climate models. Cloud optical depth of thin clouds was retrieved using high resolution digital photography, lidar, and a radiative transfer model. The Doppler Lidar was operated at 1.5 μm, minimizing return from Rayleigh scattering, emphasizing return from aerosols and clouds. This approach examined cloud structure on scales 3 to 5 orders of magnitude finer than satellite products, opening new avenues for examination of cloud structure and evolution.
Microtubules soften due to cross-sectional flattening

We use optical trapping to continuously bend an isolated microtubule while simultaneously measuring the applied force and the resulting filament strain, thus allowing us to determine its elastic properties over a wide range of applied strains. We find that, while in the low-strain regime, microtubules may be quantitatively described in terms of the classical Euler-Bernoulli elastic filament, above a critical strain they deviate from this simple elastic model, showing a softening response with increasingdeformations. A three-dimensional thin-shell model, in which the increased mechanical compliance is caused by flattening and eventual buckling of the filament cross-section, captures this softening effect in the high strain regime and yields quantitative values of the effective mechanical properties of microtubules. Our results demonstrate that properties of microtubules are highly dependent on the magnitude of the applied strain and offer a new interpretation for the large variety in microtubule mechanical data measured by different methods.
Time-Series Forecast with Adaptive Feedback Controlled Predictor

This paper describes a novel approach to predicting time-series which blends techniques developed in the areas of observer design and numerical solvers for ODEs. The developed predictor is based on a novel feedback control architecture which leads to computationally efficient and a fairly accurate forecast even for volatile economic series. Application to series of various kinds shows that the developed forecaster possesses some basic properties of numerical solvers for ODE. In the same time it prediction horizon is favorably compared with a time step attaining in numerical simulations for the series with precisely known models whereas no knowledge of the series' global model is assumed in our forecast. We demonstrate that for noisy series the accuracy of prediction reduces to the level of noise to signal ratio as well as that reduction of noise by smoothing the series comparably increases the accuracy of prediction. It is also shown that the developed approach provides practically valuable forecast in application to volatile economic series.
Economic Evaluation of HIV Screening Interventions

Screening for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a potentially beneficial intervention because it enables providers to offer early medical intervention to people who have HIV and to provide counseling that may encourage these people to reduce high-risk behavior that can transmit HIV. Despite this relatively straightforward medical rationale, few topics in public health have been more controversial than screening for HIV. Certain authors have vilified targeted screening for HIV as unethical,1 whereas other authors have considered HIV screening for certain groups to be an important preventive public-health tool.2 Screening for HIV is controversial in part because of the social stigmatization and discrimination that may accompany disclosure that a person has HIV. Evaluation of the social and ethical concerns about HIV screening should play a central role in policy makers’ decisions to implement programs. In this chapter, however, I focus on the medical and economic consequences of screening for HIV. The outcomes associated with an HIV screening program are fundamental considerations in decisions about screening because if screening is either medically ineffective or too costly, we do not need to consider the other difficult potential problems associated with screening.
“Thought Experiments” and Applied Social Psychology

One of the key functions of applied social psychological research is to provide policymakers with information relevant to potential outcomes associated with new or changing policies. Unfortunately, most policy decisions are made in a limited time frame, which rarely allows for appropriate studies to be conducted. Thus, if research results are used at all in policy decisions, they are usually based on extrapolations from previous research. However, the circumstances surrounding previous research endeavors rarely provide a close match to the current situation. This has led some to doubt the efficacy of social psychological research for informing social policy (e.g., Gergen, 1973; Hendrick, 1976). For example, the U.S. Supreme Court recently made a ruling on the use of “death-qualified” juries that conflicted with the majority of psychological research findings (Bersoff, 1987). The lack of research directly addressing the question involved in that specific case (whether the presence of jurors opposed to the death penalty would have influenced the final jury verdict) was cited as one reason for ignoring the previous findings.
Towards virtual passthrough I/O on commodity devices

A commodity I/O device has no support for virtualization. A VMM can assign such a device to a single guest with direct, fast, but insecure access by the guest's native device driver. Alternatively, the VMM can build virtual devices on top of the physical device, allowing it to be multiplexed across VMs, but with lower performance. We propose a technique that provides an intermediate option. In virtual passthrough I/O (VPIO), the guest interacts directly with the physical device most of the time, achieving high performance, as in passthrough I/O. Additionally, the guest/device interactions drive a model that in turn identifies (1) when the physical device can be handed off to another VM, and (2) if the guest programs the device to behave illegitimately. In this paper, we describe the VPIO model, and present preliminary results in using it to support a commodity network card within the Palacios VMM we are building. We believe that an appropriate model for an I/O device could be produced by the hardware vendor as part of the design, implementation, and testing process.
Hydroxyl Free Radical Mediated Strand Breaks in PBR322 Plasmid DNA

Oxygen free radicals react with and cause damage to DNA. Hydroxyl free radicals (·OH) add to DNA to yield several products, one of which is 8-hydroxydeoxyguanine (1). Digestion of DNA to the nucleoside level yields 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) which can be very sensitively quantitated (to 20 femtomoles) by HPLC-electrochemical detection (2,3). The potential significance of the 8-OHdG adduct in living systems has been demonstrated by its presence in the DNA of human granulocytes following TPA-stimulated oxidative damage (3). The amount of 8-OHdG present in the granulocyte DNA was decreased by the addition of superoxide dismutase and/or catalase, thus emphasizing that oxygen free radical intermediates are the responsible agents (3).
A Simple Model for Deglacial Meltwater Pulses

Evidence from radiocarbon dating and complex ice sheet modeling suggests that the fastest rate of sea level rise in Earths recent history coincided with collapse of the ice saddle between the Laurentide and Cordilleran ice sheets during the last deglaciation. In this study, we derive a simple, two-equation model of two ice sheets intersecting in an ice saddle. We show that two conditions are necessary for producing the acceleration in ice sheet melt associated with meltwater pulses: the positive height-mass balance feedback and an ice saddle geometry. The amplitude and timing of meltwater pulses is sensitively dependent on the rate of climate warming during deglaciation and the relative size of ice sheets undergoing deglaciation. We discuss how simulations of meltwater pulses can be improved and the prospect for meltwater pulses under continued climate warming.
Beyond Bitcoin: The Economics of Digital Currencies (Introduction)

Introductory thoughts, and preview of topics discussed in later chapters. For Chapter 2 (Means of Exchange: Ever-present Competition), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3135028. For Chapter 3 (Platform-based Currencies), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3135030. For Chapter 4 (Cryptocurrencies), see https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3135043. For Chapter 5 (Conclusions), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3135057.
Modafinil for the Improvement of Patient Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objective: The goal of this study was to obtain preliminary data on the usefulness of the combination of phentermine and topiramate extended release (phentermine-topiramate) in binge-eating disorder (BED) associated with obesity or overweight. Design: Ten participants with BED and obesity or overweightness with at least one weight-related complication received phentermine-topiramate in an open-label, prospective, 12-week trial. The primary outcome measure was change in weight. The study was registered under the identifier NCT02659475 at ClinicalTrials.gov. Results: Seven participants completed the study. Phentermine-topiramate treatment was associated with significant reductions in weight, body mass index, binge-eating episode frequency, and measures of global clinical severity, eating disorder psychopathology, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Mean daily dose of phentermine-topiramate at endpoint was 6.8 to 41.4mg per day. The most common adverse event (AE) was dysgeusia. There were no serious AEs, and no participants displayed symptoms of medication misuse or withdrawal. Conclusion: Phentermine-topiramate could be helpful for weight loss and reduction of binge-eating symptoms in patients with obesity or overweight in addition to BED. Controlled studies are warranted.
Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica: Two Clinical Cases and a Review of the Literature

Abstract Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica has been identified as an emerging pathogen predominantly associated with cutaneous myiasis and poor hygiene. Traditional biochemical methods can be unreliable and misleading when identifying this organism, and modern molecular techniques are often necessary for high-confidence identification. There have been very few cases of human infection with W. chitiniclastica reported in the literature. We present two recent cases identified at the University of Kentucky Medical Center (a male with myiasis related to gangrene and an elderly female with a left-leg wound and myiasis), both of which were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for identification, and describe the clinical and microbiologic characteristics associated with this microorganism.
A Global Constrained Optimization Method for Designing Power Grid with Small Diameters

The grid design problem is to optimize the grid by selecting paths that improve or add paths in the existing grid under certain constraints. Due to its multi-objective nature, the grid design problem is based on experience, the smaller the grid diameter, the higher the grid connection efficiency. Based on this observation, we propose a constrained convex model for designing small-diameter power grids. Specifically, we theoretically prove the diameter of the grid, which is estimated by the line loss in the network and can be limited by the algebraic connectivity in the spectral theory, since the upper and lower bounds of the diameter are inversely proportional. Algebraic connectivity. Then, we can focus on increasing algebraic connectivity instead of reducing the network diameter under budget constraints. The formula leads to a semi-defined program, and we can easily get its global solution. Then, we present some simulation experiments to prove the correctness of our method. Finally, we compare our approach to existing methods based on genetic algorithms.
Characterization of Vitamin A Metabolome in Human Livers With and Without Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Retinoids are essential endogenous compounds involved in regulation of critical biologic processes, including maintenance of metabolic homeostasis in the liver. Much of the knowledge of altered retinoid homeostasis in human disease states is derived from changes in indirect markers such as mRNA expression of retinoid-related genes and circulating concentrations of retinol or its binding protein RBP4. We hypothesized that in the human liver, concentrations of the active retinoid all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) correlate with the concentrations of retinyl palmitate (RP), the storage form of atRA, retinol, the inactive vitamin A, and the mRNA expression of retinoid-related genes. On the basis of existing knowledge of altered vitamin A homeostasis in metabolic syndrome, we also predicted that in human livers with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) retinoid concentrations would be decreased. Using novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods, the hepatic vitamin A metabolome was quantified in normal human livers (n = 50) and 22 livers from donors with NAFLD. The hepatic concentrations of RP, atRA, 13-cisRA, and 4-oxo-atRA were significantly decreased in NAFLD samples in comparison with normal liver samples, whereas retinol levels remained unchanged. The concentrations of atRA were positively correlated with RP and 13-cisRA but not with retinol or the relative mRNA expression of LRAT, ALDH1A1, CYP26A1, RARα, and RARβ An active metabolite of atRA, 4-oxo-atRA was, for the first time, detected in human tissues at comparable concentration with RA isomers, suggesting this retinoid may contribute to retinoid signaling in humans. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study shows that in NAFLD liver vitamin A homeostasis is disrupted potentially contributing to disease progression. The results show that interpretation of retinoid homeostasis on the basis of indirect markers such as retinol concentrations or mRNA data is probably misleading when evaluating human disease processes, and analysis of the broader retinoid metabolome is needed to characterize disease effects on retinoid signaling.
Exploring Web 2.0 political engagement: Is new technology reducing the biases of political participation?

This article explores the relationship between political participation taking place on online social networking websites, defined as “cyber participation,” and turnout in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election and the 2010 U.S. Midterm Election. The paper presents two studies, the first using data from the 2008 Pew Internet & American Life Project survey and the second using data from the 2010 Pew Internet & American Life Project. Each study is conducted in two parts. The first part identifies who is utilizing social networking websites as political participation tools. The second then examines the association between these forms of cyber participation and turnout in order to demonstrate that cyber participation has a positive effect on turnout. Findings suggest, 1) younger individuals are more likely to utilize cyber participation, 2) traditional predictors of participation are not correlated with cyber participation, and 3) people who engage in cyber participation are more likely to turnout to vote.
Developing Students’ Coaching Ability Through Peer Coaching:

Our study adds to the existing literature by documenting an improvement in students’ coaching effectiveness over the course of the semester, as well as identifying the most important factors contri...
Comparing faculty evaluations of student journal club presentations with student self- and peer evaluations during advanced pharmacy practice experiences.

Abstract Background and purpose Self-evaluation is a critical step in professional development. Peer evaluation may enhance student learning and help peer evaluators recognize their own limitations. However, these evaluations may not accurately assess performance. This study's purpose is to evaluate differences between faculty, self-, and peer evaluations of student journal club (JC) presentations during advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). Educational activity and setting Student JC presentations for three APPE sites were identified between May 2015 and April 2018 and included if at least one faculty, self-, and peer evaluation were complete. Overall grades and individual rubric ratings were compared. Findings Seventy-four students had complete data sets. The mean overall scores for JC presentations were 82.72%, 86.05%, and 91.01% for faculty, self-, and peer evaluations, respectively. Self-evaluation ratings were significantly higher than faculty on each domain, except for “presentation and communication skills” (mean difference: −0.2, p = .034) and “ability to answer questions” (mean difference: −0.1, p = .247). Linear regression showed a statistically significant relationship between self-evaluation and faculty evaluation ratings for ability to answer questions (beta = 0.5, p Summary Faculty scores on JC presentations completed during APPEs were lower compared to student evaluations of themselves and their peers. Further incorporation of self- and peer evaluation throughout pharmacy school curricula may improve student competence in performing these evaluations. Formal training is needed to improve students' ability to complete self and peer evaluations.
Emotional violence in childhood and health conditions, risk-taking behaviors, and violence perpetration among young adults in Nigeria

Abstract Background Globally, over 1 billion children are victims of violence against children annually. Studies examining the health consequences of childhood violence have mostly focused on childhood physical violence (PV) and sexual violence (SV). Recent evidence suggests that childhood emotional violence (EV) may also be deleterious to the health and wellbeing of victims. Objective This study examines the independent association between EV and some health conditions, risk taking behaviors, and violence perpetration among Nigerian young adults ages 18–24 years. Participants and setting Data from 2014 Nigeria Violence Against Children Survey (n = 4,203), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of individuals ages 13–24 were used. Methods Childhood EV was defined as EV victimization before age 18 perpetrated by a parent, adult caregiver or other adult relative. Logistic regression analyses assessed the association between EV in childhood and mental distress in the past 30 days, ever self-harm behaviors and history of sexually transmitted infections; risk behaviors such as having multiple sex partners in the past 12 months; and ever violence perpetration. Results After controlling for study covariates, EV in childhood was associated with mental distress in both males and females, and self-harm behaviors in females; excessive alcohol use and infrequent condom use in males, and multiple sexual partners in females; and PV perpetration in males and SV perpetration in females. Conclusion EV in childhood is associated with some health conditions, risk taking behaviors, and violence perpetration. Implementing programs that address all forms of violence in childhood, including EV may benefit children.
Impact of Lymph Node Yield in Patients Undergoing Total Laryngectomy and Neck Dissection.

Objectives:To determine the impact of lymph node yield (LNY) in patients undergoing neck dissection at the time of total laryngectomy (TL). To determine the impact of radiation therapy (RT) on LNY....
Evaluation of iodine speciation and 129I/127I ratios at low concentrations in environmental samples using IC-ICP-MS

Subterranean radioiodine contamination at the Hanford Site in Washington State is believed to be present as iodide, iodate, and organo-I species, with iodate being the predominant form. Because these species have different sediment-sorption characteristics, understanding their distribution is important for developing an accurate understanding of iodine migration in the subsurface. Herein, we report a novel, rapid technique for simultaneous iodine speciation (iodide/iodate) and isotopic ratio (129I/127I) measurements using ion chromatography (IC) joined with collision/reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), collectively referred to as IC-ICP-MS. This approach employs online dynamically regenerated eluent suppression post chromatographic separation of the samples and collision cell technology, with pure oxygen as a collision gas for the active suppression of 129Xe (which naturally exists in the argon supplied to the ICP source) to rapidly (< 15 min) achieve precise and reproducible results. Speciated standard reference materials yielded detection limits for 127I of approximately 23.8 ng/L for iodate and 24.3 ng/L for iodide, and for 129I of approximately 1.81 ng/L for iodate and 2.62 ng/L for iodide. The method was demonstrated by analyzing groundwater samples from six wells from 129I-contaminated regions of the Hanford Site; iodate was the primary species for both 127I and 129I. Small quantities of 127I-iodide were also detected in most of the samples, but all 129I-iodide results were below the detection limit. An interference from molybdenum prevented the estimation of organo-iodine concentrations but did not affect the iodate and iodide results. This new analytical capability will enable rapid, simultaneous characterization of speciated inorganic iodine in vadose zone sediments and groundwater samples at levels below the US federal drinking water standard for 129I of 1 pCi/L (~ 5.6 ng/L).
Correlated mixed logit modeling with heterogeneity in means for crash severity and surrogate measure with temporal instability.

Abstract This study employs the correlated mixed logit models with heterogeneity in means by accounting for temporal instability to estimate both injury severity and vehicle damage. Two years of intersection crash data from Connecticut were analyzed based on driver characteristics, highway and traffic attributes, environmental variables, vehicle and crash types. These elements were used as independent variables to explore the contributing factors to crash outcome. The likelihood ratio test highlights that the temporal instability exists in both injury severity and vehicle damage models. The model estimation results illustrate that the means of some random parameters are different among crashes. The correlation coefficients of random parameters verify that these random parameters are not always independent, and their correlations should be considered and accounted for in crash severity estimation models. The investigation and comparison between injury severity models and vehicle damage models verify that the injury severity and vehicle damage are highly correlated, and the effects of contributing factors on vehicle damage are consistent with the results of injury severity models. This finding demonstrates that vehicle damage can be used as a potential surrogate measure to injury severity when suffering from a low sample of severe injury crashes in crash severity prediction models. It is anticipated that this study can shed light on selecting appropriate statistical models in crash severity estimation, identifying intersection crash contributing factors, and help develop effective countermeasures to improve intersection safety.
Clozapine-Induced Pericardial Effusion Presenting with Persistent Tachycardia.

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic used in refractory schizophrenia and depression. Its use is often complicated by its vast side-effect profile including cardiovascular reactions, agranulocytosis, and seizures. Specifically, the cardiac complications of clozapine have been shown to predominantly cause myocarditis and pericarditis. In this case report, the case of a 58-year-old male being treated for treatment-resistant depression and schizophrenia who suffers from tachycardia is presented. He is treated empirically for orthostatic hypotension with IV fluids without much success. Further imaging and echocardiography demonstrated a pericardial effusion, a rare reaction (≤1 : 10000) that has only been documented in a handful of case reports. This anecdotal evidence highlights the significance of polyserositis/pericardial effusion in the context of clozapine-induced orthostatic hypotension resistant to rehydration. When starting a patient on clozapine, it is important to consider further workup and monitoring with laboratory baseline biomarkers and cardiac evaluation with symptomatic individuals. Upon immediate cessation of clozapine, the pericardial effusion should spontaneously resolve without complication and should not be rechallenged.
Introduction—The Rise of Net Zero

.The driving force of this book is an investigation into the data, metrics, and impact of climate action, which is increasingly framed by a new emphasis on achieving “Net Zero” targets. Net Zero describes a state of balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and removed from the atmosphere, and it has emerged as the organizing principle for climate action. This introduction offers an account of the sequences, direction, meaning, and appeal by three turns in the climate action story: the Turn to Green Finance, the Turn to Risk and the Turn To Net Zero. These turns have redefined the counters of climate action, putting finance at the center.
Demonstrations of Neural Network Computations Involving Students

David Marr famously proposed three levels of analysis (implementational, algorithmic, and computational) for understanding information processing systems such as the brain. While two of these levels are commonly taught in neuroscience courses (the implementational level through neurophysiology and the computational level through systems/cognitive neuroscience), the algorithmic level is typically neglected. This leaves an explanatory gap in students' understanding of how, for example, the flow of sodium ions enables cognition. Neural networks bridge these two levels by demonstrating how collections of interacting neuron-like units can give rise to more overtly cognitive phenomena. The demonstrations in this paper are intended to facilitate instructors' introduction and exploration of how neurons "process information."
Low thermal conductivity without oxygen vacancies in equimolar YO1.5 + TaO2.5- and YbO1.5 + TaO2.5-stabilized tetragonal zirconia ceramics

Abstract A narrow range of composition exists along both the ZrO 2 –YTaO 4 and ZrO 2 –YbTaO 4 quasi-binaries over which the tetragonal zirconia phase can be retained on cooling. Unlike other stabilized zirconia materials which have low thermal conductivity as a result of phonon scattering by oxygen vacancies, these compositions do not contain oxygen vacancies and yet an equimolar YO 1.5 + TaO 2.5 composition has been reported to also exhibit low thermal conductivity [1] . We find that zirconia compositions along the quasi-binaries have low and temperature-independent thermal conductivities, and that the thermal conductivities and their temperature dependence are consistent with a defect scattering model that takes into account a minimum phonon mean free path due to the inter-atomic spacing. Furthermore, the conductivities of the Yb and Y trivalent-doped compositions scale in a predictable manner with atomic site disorder effects on the cation sub-lattice associated with the lighter Y 3+ ions and the heavier Yb 3+ and Ta 5+ ions. The lowest thermal conductivity measured was ∼1.4 W mK –1 at 900 °C. The low thermal conductivity and phase stability makes these systems promising candidates for low conductivity applications, such as thermal barrier coatings.
Territoriality among male red-winged blackbirds. III: Testing hypotheses of territorial dominance

We examined male site fidelity and territorial movements in a population of individuallyidentifiable red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) over an 8-year period. Based on general theory and knowledge of the ecology of this population, we predicted that males would be site conservative, and that they would voluntarily change territories only when they could expect to improve significantly their reproductive success. Because males are absent from their territories for only short periods, and probably have accurate comparative information only about nearby territories on which to base their decisions, we predicted that most moves would be over short distances. About 70% of males that bred for more than 1 year retained their original territories between breeding years. Most of the 30% of males that changed territories moved less than 200 m, often to adjacent territories. As predicted, males moving less than 200 m tended to have better reproductive success after moving than before, whereas long distance movers did not improve their success after moving. Territorial male redwings appear to monitor breeding activity on nearby territories and move when significant potential benefits are perceived and opportunities exist. Long-distance moves may be involuntary ones. The amount of information possessed about present and alternative sites, and the time and opportunity required to collect the information, are probably major constraints influencing site conservatism in this and other territorial species.
Are developmental dysplastic lesions epileptogenic

Summary Cortical dysplasia of various types, reflecting abnormalities of brain development, have been closely associated with epileptic activities. Yet, there remains considerable discussion about if/how these structural lesions give rise to seizure phenomenology. Animal models have been used to investigate the cause–effect relationships between aberrant cortical structure and epilepsy. In this article, we discuss three such models: (1) the Eker rat model of tuberous sclerosis, in which a gene mutation gives rise to cortical disorganization and cytologically abnormal cellular elements; (2) the p35 knockout mouse, in which the genetic dysfunction gives rise to compromised cortical organization and lamination, but in which the cellular elements appear normal; and (3) the methylazoxymethanol-exposed rat, in which time-specific chemical DNA disruption leads to abnormal patterns of cell formation and migration, resulting in heterotopic neuronal clusters. Integrating data from studies of these animal models with related clinical observations, we propose that the neuropathologic features of these cortical dysplastic lesions are insufficient to determine the seizure-initiating process. Rather, it is their interaction with a more subtly disrupted cortical “surround” that constitutes the circuitry underlying epileptiform activities as well as seizure propensity and ictogenesis.
Gulag Boss: A Soviet Memoir, by Fyodor Vasilevich Mochulsky

In the study of the Soviet Union's labor camp network there is a consistent gap when compared with our current understanding of the Holocaust and its implementation throughout Europe. Accounts from...
Protein unfolding. Trapped in the act.

When a protein has been selected for destruction it is usually tagged with a specific destruction signal then it is thought to be unfolded and fed into the protein-digesting machinery. Such global unfolding is now demonstrated directly for the first time, in the ClpAP bacterial protein-destruction system, through the clever use of a green fluorescent protein as the target.
Superconducting phase of La2CuO4-y: Superconducting composition resulting from phase separation.

Superconducting samples of ${\mathrm{La}}_{2}\mathrm{Cu}{\mathrm{O}}_{4+\ensuremath{\delta}}$ are shown by neutron powder diffraction to consist of two nearly identical orthorhombic phases. The primary phase has a stoichiometry near ${\mathrm{La}}_{2}$Cu${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$. The second phase is an oxygen-rich phase that is superconducting. The abundance of the second phase increases with the oxygen pressure at which the samples are annealed. Neutron-diffraction measurements as a function of temperature show that the phase separation occurs reversibly near 320 K.
Wavelet neural network based battery state-of-charge estimation for portable electronics applications

A wavelet neural network-based battery state-of-charge estimator is designed and validated. It possess the following advantages: high accuracy with a limited error of /spl plusmn/3%, easy to implement by using minimized network with only one node, and low cost since no current measurement is required and only battery voltage is measured.
Genetic Testing and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988: Present and Future

CLIA '88 superseded CLIA '67. CLIA '88 set standards designed to improve quality and expanded federal oversight to virtually all clinical laboratories in the United States. Presumably because genetics testing was then in its infancy, CLIA '88 did not devote a special section to genetics testing. Biochemical and immunochemical tests used to evaluate inborn errors of metabolism and other genetic entities were categorized as analytes in the Clinical Chemistry section, and DNA probes used primarily in infectious disease were included in Microbiology. The legal, social, economic, and ethical implications of genetic testing and the rapid commercialization of these tests led to recommendations that genetic testing be defined as a laboratory specialty with a subsection in CLIA. The advisory committee created under CLIA was assigned to review these recommendations. The committee agreed that genetics testing was sufficiently different from other areas already included in CLIA to warrant a separate section. Two definitions were adopted. The more clear-cut one is for molecular genetic and cytogenic tests. This includes the analysis of human DNA/RNA in evaluating genetic diseases. The second definition is not as clear-cut and is for the analysis of proteins and metabolites used predominantly to detect inborn errors of metabolism. Many of these analytes already are categorized according to their uses for other purposes. The recommendations for genetic testing include detailed and specific proposals concerning personnel, confidentiality and informed consent, quality control, contamination, proficiency testing, validation of tests, special reporting, retention of records, and reuse of tested specimens.
A Preliminary Study on Pace Rating Using Video Technology

Pace rating has always been recognized and treated as difficult, subjective, and even controversial. Recently, a new idea of pace rating using video technology by showing work motions on a reference video and an actual real-life video simultaneously on a screen has been proposed. By adjusting the speed and thus the pace of the reference video, industrial engineers or workers without extensive background in time study can synchronize the motion patterns in both videos, thus quantifying the actual pace of the method under study using their visual sense. However, the impact of motion pattern compatibility between the two stimuli work motions on the reference video and the actual video has not been investigated in detail. In this study, we elaborate that motion pattern compatibility between the reference video and the actual video has a significant effect on correct determination of the response the rated pace in terms of both the accuracy and the precision. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preserving Functional Capacity as Opposed to Tissue Preservation in the Diabetic Patient A Single Institution Experience

The authors performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of all diabetic patients who underwent transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) for toe gangrene or neuropathic ulceration from May 2006 to June 2009. Twenty-nine TMAs were performed in diabetic patients during the study period, including 24 men and 5 women with a mean +/- SD age of 66.3 +/- 7.5 years. The indications for TMA were gangrene of > or = 2 digits in 12 patients (41%) and neuropathic ulceration with underlying osteomyelitis or abscess and a concomitant dysfunctional forefoot in 17 patients (59%). Of the 12 patients who presented with toe gangrene, 7 (58%) underwent endovascular intervention and 5 (42%) underwent open vascular bypass. Equinus contracture was present in 27 patients (93%), and 26 (96%) of these patients underwent tendo-Achilles lengthening or gastrocnemius recession. Correction of equinus contracture was not performed in 1 patient as it was deemed not feasible. Forefoot varus deformity was present in 22 (76%) patients, and balancing was performed in 17 of these patients (77%) with skeletal stabilization or tendon transfer. Balancing was not performed in the remaining patients as it was not necessary or not feasible. Sixteen patients (55%) healed primarily and 5 patients (17%) developed minor wound separation that healed via secondary intention. An additional 4 patients were able to maintain functional revision procedures confined to the foot (1 TMA revision, 3 Chopart amputations). Three patients (10%) required below-knee amputation, and there were 2 deaths (7%) during the time period. Functional amputation confined to the foot was achieved in 86% of ambulatory diabetic patients. These results support a more aggressive initial approach in ambulatory diabetic patients with multiple digital ulcerations, allowing this patient population to remain functional and avoid multiple reoperations and ultimately major amputation.
Biogeochemistry of hydrothermal vent mussel communities: the deep-sea analogue to the intertidal zone

Continuous measurements of sulfide, silicate and temperature were made in situ from the submersible Alvin in the Rose Garden and New Vent hydrothermal fields of the Galapagos Spreading Center. Continuous measurements of temperature also were made for an 18 day period in the Rose Garden field. The results demonstrate several adaptations that appear to have contributed to the success of the vent mussel Bathymodiolus thermophilus in the Rose Garden. Dense clusters of B. thermophilus can disperse the hydrothermal fluids laterally for distances of several meters. This results in a large increase in the area of the redox transition zone, where both dissolved oxygen and hydrogen sulfide are available. As a result, the animal communities can grow to occupy areas that would not otherwise provide adequate reduced substrates. Measurements of the temperature demonstrate a distinct tidal periodicity. This periodicity will result in a large range of environmental conditions within the vent community. The mussel can tolerate these wide ranges in condition because of its ability to accept long periods of anoxia and to filter feed.
The “Traffic” in Graduate Students: Graduate Students as Tokens of Exchange between Academe and Industry

This study analyzes interview data from 37 science and engineering faculty involved in university-industry relations. Faculty are particularly concerned about how these relations affect their work with graduate students. Our analysis is guided by ritual exchange theory and network theory. First, we explore the ways faculty define and redefine what makes industrial or corporate research appropriate or inappropriate for training graduates. Second, we examine difficulties and tensions faculty face when they work with students on industrial or corporate projects. These difficulties and tensions center on intellectual property and we look at how faculty negotiate with industry over restrictions on publication of graduate student and faculty research results, on faculty and graduate student involvement in start-up companies, and on faculty and graduate student ownership of intellectual property.