cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Curriculum Considerations for Enhancing Baccalaureate Learning for International Students.

BACKGROUND International students studying nursing in the United States present unique teaching opportunities and challenges. Student language, culture, and academic expectations are major factors for faculty to consider in delivering international education. METHODS An RN to BSN program provides baccalaureate completion study for registered nurses residing in Israel. Students can choose to complete the final semester in the United States. FINDINGS Israeli nursing students demonstrate a strong collectivistic orientation to their academic work. Issues related to English language fluency and academic paper preparation were identified. CONCLUSION Success in international teaching endeavors is facilitated when faculty carefully evaluate course materials and assignments. Clarity of language, cultural expectations, and availability of academic resources are important considerations for promoting student success.
BACKGROUNDS TO SENSITIVE EXPERIMENTS UNDERGROUND

▪ Abstract We summarize residual background sources encountered in experiments conducted deep underground. Physical mechanisms of production and methods of estimation for the dominant sources are considered, and comparisons of the calculations with underground measurements are discussed. Principal background sources discussed include primary interactions of cosmic rays, mechanisms of neutron production by cosmic rays and low energy backgrounds from neutrons, primordial and anthropogenic radionuclides, and secondary radioactivity from spallation.
Visual Conversation Styles in Web Communities

Imagery and picture sharing are an important and growing part of online communities. Many prior studies of online interaction and collaboration rely heavily on text. This study takes a different analytic approach by focusing instead on the images that individuals use to present themselves and to interact. Image data collected from several online communities is analyzed to characterize a range of visual conversational styles. Four specific styles of visual conversation are illustrated and explained; positional play, image quote, text-in-picture and animation. These visual conversation styles are contrasted with textual communication techniques that are commonly taken for granted. The discussion identifies several tradeoffs when designing communities to promote visual conversation
Motor Cortex Organization After Stroke Is Related to Side of Stroke and Level of Recovery

Background and Purpose— The present study hypothesized that side of stroke and level of recovery influence motor system organization after stroke. Methods— Functional MRI was performed on 14 control subjects and 21 patients with chronic stroke during index finger tapping (control subjects, right; patients, recovered side). Results— On functional MRI, stroke patients with right arm involvement showed (1) significantly smaller activation in contralateral motor cortexes compared with control subjects; (2) smaller ipsilateral (nonstroke) premotor and larger contralateral (stroke-side) sensorimotor activation compared with patients with left arm involvement, although electromyogram across groups was similar; and (3) 2.7-fold–larger contralateral sensorimotor cortex activation, ventrally, in those with full recovery compared with those with partial recovery, despite similar tapping force, frequency, range of motion, and electromyogram between groups. Supplementary motor area activation was unrelated to level of...
Repeaterless transmission of 10 Gbit/s MD-RZ signal over 300 km SMF-28 by using Raman amplification

We have experimentally demonstrated 10 Gbit/s modified duo-binary RZ (MD-RZ) signal repeaterless transmission of a record length of 300 km over standard fibre (SMF-28). A Raman amplifier was used to enhance the OSNR and extend the repeaterless transmission distance with low receiver penalty.
Does oncologic specialization influence outcomes following surgery in early stage adenocarcinoma of the endometrium

Abstract Objective. To evaluate treatment outcomes in women with early-stage endometrial cancer (FIGO IA, IB, IC, or IIA) surgically managed by a general gynecologist (GYN) or a gynecologic oncologist (GYO). Methods and results. 349 women treated from 1990–2003 were studied. Median follow-up was 3.7 years. Ninety-five were classified as high-intermediate risk (HIR: stages IB grade III, IC grade II or III, any stage IIA). 110 women received adjuvant radiotherapy. The GYO group had more unfavorable tumor characteristics based on stage and grade ( P P = 0.0002), and an absolute 12% less likelihood of receiving adjuvant radiotherapy ( P = 0.04). Local and distant failures were not significantly different. Overall survival favored GYN patients ( P = 0.02) with no difference in disease-specific survival ( P = 0.38). Multivariate analysis for disease-free survival revealed HIR disease ( P = 0.04) and GYO treatment ( P = 0.049) to be significant, with a trend for age ≤64 ( P = 0.05). Multivariate analysis for overall survival found age ≤64 ( P = 0.0001), HIR disease ( P = 0.01), and adjuvant radiotherapy ( P = 0.0055) to be significant. Conclusions. Women primarily managed by a GYO for early-stage disease were significantly less likely to receive adjuvant radiotherapy. Despite significantly more unfavorable disease characteristics among GYO-managed women, disease-free and cause-specific survival were equivalent between the two groups. Favorable disease characteristics and adjuvant radiotherapy correlated with improved survival on multivariate analysis.
Modeling of Electrochemical Impedance Data of a Magnesium-Rich Primer

The application of Mg-rich primers MRPs for the protection of aluminum structures represents an attractive alternate to the environmentally unfriendly Cr-rich primers that are presently used. The protective modes of MRPs are similar to those of Zn-rich primers ZRPs on steel and include cathodic protection driven by the more active Mg particles compared to the Al substrate and a barrier-type protection due to the insulation of the substrate from the environment. Interpretation of ZRP electrochemical impedance spectroscopy EIS data has been accomplished using a transmission-line model that accounted for the contact impedance between the zinc particles, the impedance associated with the zinc dissolution, and the percolation resistance of the coating. EIS experiments results are presented here for an MRP on a gold substrate under immersion in dilute Harrison’s solution. The data were analyzed using the measurement model technique to determine the consistency with respect to Kramer–Kronig relationships. The transmission-line model was used to analyze the data to demonstrate their applicability for analyzing the protection afforded by the MRP. Gold was used as a noble substrate and to promote that the electromotive degradation of the MRP as the mixed potential of an MPR/gold system was more positive than that of an MRP/Al system. © 2008 The Electrochemical Society. DOI: 10.1149/1.2965519 All rights reserved.
Location of Beet Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Egg Mass Deposition within Canopies of Cotton and Pigweed

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), is a sporadic but devastating secondary pest of cotton. Scouting cotton for egg masses is commonly recommended for identifying potential outbreaks and for proper timing of insecticide applications. However, there is disagreement regarding where to look on the plant for beet armyworm eggs. We investigated and quantified placement of egg masses by laboratory colony females within cotton and pigweed (a preferred wild host plant) canopies of different heights. In cotton, almost all egg masses were deposited on the undersides of leaves, and ≈80% of the egg masses were consistently located in the upper 50% of the cotton canopy, and horizontally within the inner 50% of the canopy around the central axis. Although this trend was consistent among all categories of plant height tested, variation about the means decreased with increasing height. A smaller sample of wild females indicated similar vertical placement, but horizontal placement extending further distally in the canopy. Our results indicate that scouting for egg masses on the underside of leaves in the upper half of the canopy will recover ≈80% of the egg masses present on the plants. In pigweed, egg masses were commonly laid within the inner 50% of the canopy, but along the upper 80% of the vertical axis. As in cotton, variation about the means was less in taller plants. The number of eggs per egg mass was 29% less in cotton than in pigweed. This positional information will aid in further efforts to investigate, predict, and manage beet armyworm populations in cotton and noncotton hosts.
Social Networks and Religious Violence

The causes of religious violence have attracted numerous explanations in the years since the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Towers. However, most forms of religious extremism do not result in violence (e.g., the Amish, Hasidim, Jains) and religious groups have not cornered the market on egregious violence. Nevertheless, religious violence does occur, and this paper examines the interplay of social networks and religious violence. It builds on Cass Sunstein’s “law of group polarization,” which predicts that when like-minded people deliberate as an organized group, the general opinion shifts toward extreme versions of their common belief. It argues that internally dense religious groups that maintain few ties to the wider society are more likely to embrace extreme views and behavior than are those that are not as dense and/or remain tied to the wider society. The argument is then tested using social network analysis methodologies to examine the evolution of the Hamburg Cell, which played a critical role in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It concludes with a series of policy recommendations that can limit but not eliminate religious extremism and violent behavior in the future.
Summary Jury Trials in State and Federal Courts: A Comparative Analysis of the Perceptions of Participating Lawyers

The summary jury trial (SJT) has been touted as an effective means to facilitate case settlement. Created and promoted by Judge Thomas Lambros of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, it is characterized as "counsels' presentation to a jury of their respective views of the case and the jury's advisory decision based on such presentations."'The Lambros model envisions a half-day proceeding before a six member jury selected from those summoned for a regular jury trial. Following an abbreviated voir dire and opening comments by the presiding official, counsel present their cases in narrative form, reading from statements, reports, or depositions. Live witnesses are not permitted, and formal objections are discouraged. At the close of counsels' presentations, the presiding official gives the jury abbreviated instructions on the law, and the jury retires to deliberate. When the jury returns its verdict, counsel are given an opportunity to question jurors regarding the verdict. This SJT experience then provides a focal point for ensuing settlement discussions.Although the use of the SJT has become widespread, it has recently come under attack on legal and policy grounds. In Strandell v. Jackson County, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit held that a federal district court may not require a party to participate in an SJT over the party's objection. In Strandell, the district court held the attorney for the plaintiff in criminal contempt of court for failure to comply with its order to participate in an SJT. The attorney had refused to comply with the order because he did not want to reveal his trial strategy and case preparation prior to trial. In reversing the district court, the Seventh Circuit rejected the district court's notion that Rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure gives federal courts the authority to require the parties to participate in an SJT.Regardless of a court's authority to require the SJT, Judge Richard Posner questions whether it is sound judicial policy for the courts to encourage the use of the SJT. Posner argues that the SJT may not remove the parties' uncertainty over how a real jury will deal with a case to an extent great enough to actually increase the chances of settlement. He also criticizes the SJT on efficiency grounds, pointing out that scientific techniques have not been used to evaluate this Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) experiment objectively.This article presents information that should assist in informing the debate about the efficacy of the summary jury trial. It analyzes data collected in conjunction with two parallel case studies of the SJT. The data collected for the case studies were derived from court records, interviews with SJT participants, and mail questionnaire surveys of attorneys participating in SJTs in Florida's Nineteenth Judicial Circuit and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
High-spin level spectra of the nuclei /sup 195/Pb, /sup 197/Pb, /sup 199/Pb, and /sup 201/Pb

The level structures of the light lead nuclei /sup 195/Pb, /sup 197/Pb, /sup 199/Pb, and /sup 201/Pb have been studied by in-beam ..gamma..-ray spectroscopy in bombardments of isotopically enriched HgO targets with /sup 3/He and /sup 4/He ions. The measurements included ..gamma..-ray singles, comprehensive (..gamma gamma..t) coincidences, half-life determinations, and ..gamma..-ray angular distributions. High-spin level spectra above previously known 13/2/sup +/ isomers are reported for the four nuclei, and are interpreted in terms of the weak coupling of an i/sub 13/2/ neutron hole to established states of the adjacent even-A core nuclei.
Older, Less Regulated Medical Marijuana Programs Have Much Greater Enrollment Rates Than Newer ‘Medicalized’ Programs

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have passed laws implementing medical marijuana programs. The nineteen programs that were in operation as of October 2014 collectively had over one million participants. All states (including D.C.) with medical marijuana laws require physicians directly or indirectly to authorize the use of marijuana at their discretion, yet little is known about how medical marijuana programs vary regarding adherence to basic principles of medical practice and associated rates of enrollment. To explore this, we analyzed marijuana programs according to seven components of traditional medical care and pharmaceutical regulation. We then examined enrollment rates, while controlling for potentially confounding state characteristics. We found that fourteen of the twenty-four programs were nonmedical and collectively enrolled 99.4 percent of participants nationwide, with enrollment rates twenty times greater than programs deemed to be “medicalized.” Policy makers implementing or ...
Establishing Batch Processes for E-books

In 2013, the Kennesaw State University Library System's Technical Services Department conducted a workflow analysis project. Following this workflow analysis project, the department implemented batch processes, beginning with the batch cataloging of e-books in 2014. Batch cataloging, or the editing and importing of large batches of vendor-supplied records into the catalog, is increasingly popular, despite any challenges it presents. When implementing batch processes, it is important to consider the effect on cataloger morale, the tools required for maintaining quality control, methods of increasing staff comfort with newly required skillsets, and the ability to maintain thorough and accurate documentation.
Application of Degenerately Doped Metal Oxides in the Study of Photoinduced Interfacial Electron Transfer.

Degenerately doped In2O3:Sn semiconductor nanoparticles (nanoITO) have been used to study the photoinduced interfacial electron-transfer reactivity of surface-bound [RuII(bpy)2(4,4′-(PO3H2)2-bpy)]2+ (RuP2+) molecules as a function of driving force over a range of 1.8 eV. The metallic properties of the ITO nanoparticles, present within an interconnected mesoporous film, allowed for the driving force to be tuned by controlling their Fermi level with an external bias while their optical transparency allowed for transient absorption spectroscopy to be used to monitor electron-transfer kinetics. Photoinduced electron transfer from excited-state -RuP2+* molecules to nanoITO was found to be dependent on applied bias and competitive with nonradiative energy transfer to nanoITO. Back electron transfer from nanoITO to oxidized -RuP3+ was also dependent on the applied bias but without complication from inter- or intraparticle electron diffusion in the oxide nanoparticles. Analysis of the electron injection kinetics ...
Role of the Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Pheromone and Other Factors in the Capture of Bumblebees (Hymenoptera: Aphidae) by Universal Moth Traps

The International Pheromone Systems Universal moth trap (Unitrap), when baited with the pheromone of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), has intermittently been observed to capture large numbers of bumblebees in addition to fall armyworm males. Studies were undertaken in Graham County, N.C., in 1988 and 1989 to determine the contributing factors. Investigation revealed that the yellow color of the traps was attractive to bumblebees, but the color alone did not influence their subsequent movement into the trap and resulting capture. Fall armyworm pheromone alone, particularly when used in combination with a No-Pest resin strip containing dichlorovos insecticide (to kill trapped insects), significantly increased the capture of bumblebees in yellow Unitraps. The green Unitrap alone was totally unattractive to bumblebees. Unitraps captured the greatest number of bumblebees when positioned adjacent to, and at the same height as, pollinating corn tassels. The number of captured bumblebees declined progressively as Unitrap height was lowered at 1-meter intervals from 4 to 1 m. Eleven species of bumblebees were identified from Unitrap captures. Abundant early spring rainfall in 1989 appeared to be primarily responsible for substantial reductions in the number of ground-nesting species of bumblebees during the summer.
Egg Masses of Nearctic Sericostomatid Caddisfly Genera (Trichoptera)

The unique egg masses of the three North American sericostomatid caddisfly genera are described and illustrated. Agarodes forms a tetrahedral egg mass; Fattigia and Gumaga produce egg masses with two subequal halves constricted at the middle and folded into a “V” and a “U” shape, respectively. Under certain circumstances, Gumaga can produce a spherical egg mass. These egg masses support the view that Fattigia and Agarodes should be considered separate genera.
Abstract 1083: Alpha-santalol, a chemopreventive agent against skin cancer, causes G2/M cell cycle arrest in both p53 mutated human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells, and p53 wild-type human melanoma UACC-62 cells

α-Santalol, an active component of sandalwood oil, has shown chemopreventive effects on skin cancer development in murine models by either chemical- or UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis. α-Santalol has shown induction of apoptosis in both murine models and epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. However, to the best of our knowledge, effects of α-santalol on cell cycle have not been studied. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of α-santalol on cell cycle progression and protein components involved in the regulation of cell cycle in both p53 mutated human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells and p53 wide-type human melanoma UACC-62 cells to elucidate the mechanism(s) of action. MTT assay was used to determine cell viability in A431 cells, UACC-62 cells and monkey kidney CV-1 cells; fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of propidium iodide staining was used for determining cell cycle distribution in A431 cells and UACC-62 cells, and Western immunoblotting was used for determining the expression of various proteins involved in the cell cycle progression. Results showed that α-santalol at concentration of 25 to 75 μM resulted in a concentration-and time-dependent decrease in cell viability from 24 h treatment in both A431 and UACC-62 cells. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry showed that α-santalol at 50 μM and 75 μM induced G 2 /M phase cell cycle arrest starting from 6 hour treatment in both UACC-62 and A431 cells. Furthermore, Western immunoblotting data showed that α-santalol altered the expressions of cell cycle proteins such as cyclin A, cyclin B1, cell division cycle 2 (cdc2), cdc25c and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) in A431 cells which are required for G 2 /M transition. α-Santalol treatment upregulated the expression of p21 CIP1/WAF1 and suppressed the expression of mutated p53 in A431 cells; whereas, α-santalol treatment increased the expressions of wide-type p53 in UACC-62 cells. Taken together, this study for the first time identifies the effects of α-santalol in G 2 /M phase arrest and describes the detailed mechanisms of G 2 /M phase arrest by this agent in both p53 mutated A431 cells and p53 wide-type UACC-62 cells, which might be contributing to its overall cancer preventive efficacy in various mouse skin cancer models in addition to induction of apoptosis by α-santalol. (Supported by 2010 Research Initiative Grant from the State of South Dakota funded as Translational Cancer Research Center). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1083.
Quantifying photovoltaic fluctuation with 5 kHz data: Implications for energy loss via maximum power point trackers

We aim to systematically quantify photovoltaic (PV) variability contained within different frequency bands, primarily for applications in PV maximum power point tracking (MPPT) design. We first discuss the usefulness in quantifying energy capture for various maximum power point (MPP) update rates from nearly 500 days of 5 kHz photovoltaic recordings. Next, we justify the methods used to convert MPP sweep data to single-point, usable, current, voltage, and power values. We discuss fitting methods that yield the MPP under calm irradiance dynamics and explore the approach used during periods of more stochastic changes. This is followed by analysis of raw, high-frequency content and a proposed method to calculate associated energy capture reduction. The conclusion finds an absolute upper bound on solar data variability for a given MPP update rate in terms of energy capture. Finally, we use the previous results and demonstrate an economic analysis that can aid in designing future MPP tracker specifications.
Re-Introducing Bunky at 125: E. M. Jellinek's Life and Contributions to Alcohol Studies.

Objective:Elvin Morton Jellinek (1890–1963) was one of the founders of modern addiction science. This overview is a brief survey of his life and achievements, intended to re-introduce alcohol scholars to his contributions (and possible failings) as well as stimulate interest and historical research in the field.Method:The article draws largely from the archival collection of the Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies (CAS) Library and the Jellinek memorial issue of the CAS Information Services Newsletter. Scholarly works and personal and institutional records by or about E. M. Jellinek were assembled and, when necessary, translated into English.Results:Born in 1890 in New York and raised in Hungary, Jellinek studied at several European universities and worked for various institutions and organizations in Budapest (1914–1920), Sierra Leone, Honduras, and at the Worcester State Hospital, in Massachusetts. In 1941 he became an associate professor of applied physiology at Yale University, where he directed the Yal...
The Place of Languages in the Space of Post-Globalism: Bilingualism, Bullhorns, and Blunders

We now inhabit a post-global world—well over a decade past globalization, and where it is increasingly apparent that the world is not completely “flat” (Friedman 2005). One of the most striking features of a post-global society is the inherent tension between the push and pull of on the one hand, monolingualism, and on the other, multilingualism. Using Orwellian aphorisms, we witness evidence that all languages are equal at the very same time that we experience evidence of a qualification—but some languages are more equal than others. With the emergence of deterritorialization of the nation-state and the rise of supranational spaces, we are witnessing what seems to be an apparent contradiction between the increased visual prominence of nationally-bounded l anguages—a linguistic exhibitionism of s orts—at the very same time that we are witnessing a strengthening of linguistic hierarchies—forms of linguistic monolingualism in which languages vie for value. No better instantiation of such linguistic workings occurs than in the seemingly innocuous display of actual exhibitionism at The 2010 Shanghai Expo. This ‘world’ trade-fair with its 149-year tradition of public-diplomacy par excellence witnessed a particular linguistic shift at the outset of this decade.
Self-understanding in Kant's Transcendental Deduction

I argue that §§15–20 of the B-Deduction contain two independent arguments for the applicability of a priori concepts, the first an argument from above, the second an argument from below. The core of the first argument is §16's explanation of our consciousness of subject-identity across self-attributions, while the focus of the second is §18's account of universality and necessity in our experience. I conclude that the B-Deduction comprises powerful strategies for establishing its intended conclusion, and that some assistance from empirical psychology might well have produced a completely successful argument.
FLAVOR QUALITY OF VARIOUS GRAIN FLOURS AND OILSEED, MILK, AND MARINE PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS1

Comparative sensory and analytical flavor evaluations of whole wheat flour (WWF), non-fat dry milk (NFDM), sodium caseinate (Na Cas), buttermilk solids (BMS), corn flour (CF), defatted soy flour (DSF), full-fat soy flour (FFSF), isolated soy proteinate (ISP), rice flour (RF), fish protein concentrate (FPC), peanut flour (PF) and cottonseed flour (CTF) were performed. The odor of CF, FFSF, RF, and PF was judged to be more bland in the liquid-suspended state than in the dry state. The flavor intensity of all products except CF and CTF was judged to be less bland than their liquid-state odors. Sensory panel results indicated that NFDM, BMS, and RF were the most bland, while FPC and PF were the least bland. Total GLC peak areas were lowest in Na Cas and highest in ISP. Total carbonyl content ranged from 4 ppm in BMS and ISP to 230 ppm in FFSF.
ACUTE DECOMPENSATED HEART FAILURE: THE JOURNEY FROM PATIENTS’ PERSPECTIVE

Background: Although innumerable therapy and outcome studies have been done on acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), few have addressed patient reported outcomes. Gaining insights into patients’ perspective of their ADHF journey can help to design effective patient centered care. Methods: We
Topology optimization in nonlinear nanophotonics: from frequency conversion to exceptional points

We apply a large-scale inverse design strategy based on topology optimization (TO) toward the automatic discovery of complex nanophotonic structures-new kinds of micropillars, photonic-cyrstal slabs, and waveguides comprising complicated arrangements of subwavelength dielectrics-exhibiting unusual nonlinear and spectral properties. The structures support multiple, tightly confined resonances at far-away wavelengths and exhibit the largest nonlinear confinement factors predicted thus far (oders of magnitude larger than state-of-the-art ring resonators or PhC cavities), leading to highly efficient nonlinear frequency conversion (NFC). The same TO approach can be exploited to design PhCs supporting dual-polarization, dual-wavelength, or highly degenerate Dirac cones, with implications to zero-index metamaterials, topological photonics, and exceptional points (EP).
Guest Editorial Special Issue on Nanoelectronic Devices and Circuits for Next Generation Sensing and Information Processing

The articles in this special issue focus on novel device technology and circuit designs to implement smart, efﬁcient, reliable and secure sensing, control, and computing paradigm.
Rat mPFC and M2 Play a Waiting Game (at Different Timescales)

In this issue of Neuron, Murakami et al. (2017) relate neural activity in frontal cortex to stochastic and deterministic components of waiting behavior in rats; they find that mPFC biases waiting time, while M2 is ultimately responsible for trial-to-trial variability in decisions about how long to wait.
Estimation of the proportions of dogs and cats that are surgically sterilized.

OBJECTIVE To determine an estimate of the proportions of dogs and cats in Texas that are surgically sterilized and whether those proportions differed according to species and sex of the animal, level of responsibility of the owner, or geographic location. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS 43,831 dogs and cats > or = 6 months old. PROCEDURE Information on sterilization rates was provided by 14 licensing agencies and 16 animal shelters in diverse regions of Texas. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare sterilization rates among subpopulations of animals (dogs vs cats, males vs females, sheltered vs licensed, rural vs urban location). RESULTS Overall, 12,893 (29.4%) of the animals (26.9% of dogs and 32.6% of cats) were sterilized. Proportions of animals sterilized were significantly different among subpopulations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although the cause of pet overpopulation is multifaceted, failure of owners to spay and castrate their animals is a major contributing factor. Significant differences in sterilization rates among subpopulations of dogs and cats suggest that organizations encouraging spaying and castration should use motivational techniques specific for the pet owners they are targeting.
Co-editors’ introduction: The central role of advocacy in ensuring excellence in education for English learners

To be effective advocates for English learners (ELs), educators must recognize areas in which advocacy is needed and understand actions needed to improve programs and services for ELs and their fam...
Correlations in prompt neutrons and gamma-rays from Cf-252 spontaneous fission

New event-by-event fission models have prompt neutrons and gamma-rays that are correlated in time, energy, and multiplicity, however there is limited measurement data available to validate these models. Measurement of high-order fission neutron and gamma-ray coincidences is difficult and there has previously been little motivation to measure properties of both particle types simultaneously. High-order Cf-252 spontaneous fission neutron and gamma-ray coincidences were measured with a cylindrical array of 22 liquid organic and 8 NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors, 50 cm from a central axis. Waveforms were acquired and saved for post-processing using four time-synchronized CAEN V1720 digitizers. Liquid organic scintillator waveforms were analyzed with off-line pulse shape discrimination techniques to categorize neutron and gamma-ray detections. Detected multiplicity was compared with MCNPX-PoliMi simulation results, where built-in fission models and event-by-event fission models, CGMF and FREYA, have been implemented. Additionally, measured neutron energy by time-of-flight and gamma-ray energy correlated by detected multiplicity were compared to simulated results.
Forensic DNA Advisory Groups: DAB, SWGDAM, ENFSI, and BSAG

A number of organizations exist around the world that work on a national or international level to aid quality assurance and to promote accurate forensic DNA testing. These organizations are made up primarily of working scientists who coordinate their efforts to benefit the DNA-typing community as a whole. The DNA Advisory Board (DAB) was established by the United States' Congress in 1994 and operated for 5 years from 1995 to 2000 to develop the initial quality assurance standards (QAS) used in the United States. The FBI Laboratory's Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods has inherited the role of the DAB and meets twice a year to discuss methods and produce guidance documents to aid the forensic DNA community (including revisions to the QAS). Other groups that play a similar role around the world include the DNA Commission of the International Society for Forensic Genetics, the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes DNA Working Group, and the Australia/New Zealand Biology Specialist Advisory Group.
Action and agency

The relationship between communication and action and agency is discussed. Crucial themes pertaining to action are presented in their intersection with communication. The question of intentionality is contrasted with the pragmatic view of communication. The role communication plays in providing alternate descriptions of action is also discussed, as well as the importance of communication in the individuation of action, i.e. in bringing together the many elements that constitute a single action. The entry then discusses the shared character of action, as well as the action of collectives, including organizations, for which conventional models of action struggle to account. The conventional opposition between “real” action and less than real communication is also discussed.
Containment strategies to address the expanding threat of multidrug-resistant Candida auris.

Introduction: Candida auris is an emerging multidrug resistant human yeast pathogen associated with nosocomial transmission and high mortality. The organism can be a challenge to diagnose, may be e...
Enzymology of the refractory media of the eye. IX. On the role of monoamine oxidase in the regulation of aqueous humor dynamics of the rabbit eye.

To find out whether monoa7nine oxidase (MAO) plays any role in the dynamics of the aqueous humor, we tried to block this enzyme in the anterior part of the rabbit eye. Since trans-2-phenylcyclopropylamine, which combines the properties of a sympathomimetic ainine and MAO inhibitor, appears in the anterior chamber within a few minutes after conjunctival instillation as indicated by mydriasis, it was considered probable that another aralkyl-amine, N-benzyl-N-methypropynylamine (pargyline), one of the most potent MAO inhibitors, would reach intraocular MAO. Actual determinations with a sensitive photometric method of MAO activity in the homogenate made of iris and ciliary body confirmed this assumption. Albino rabbits, after extensive tonographic determination of their aqueous humor dynamics, received repeated instillations of the pargyline solution into the right eye. As early as 4 hours after the first instillation, we observed highly significant depression of the intraocular pressure, apparently caused by a significant reduction of the rate of aqueous formation, since no alteration in the outflow facility occurred. For two weeks of treatment the tonographic data remained essentially the same. In contrast to the phenylcyclopropylamine experiments, no change in the pupillary size took place after pargyline instillations. In the left eyes of treated rabbits and in eyes of various control animals, these changes were entirely absent. The observational data remained essentially the same for the two weeks of treatment. The mechanism of this reaction remains to be elucidated. Transfer of catecholamines or serotonin into the aqueous sufficient to produce pupillary dilatation had to be excluded as a critical event.
Conclusions and Future Directions for the Neuroscience of Mathematical Cognitive Development

In this chapter, I call attention to progress that has been made over the past 20 years in children’s mathematics achievement and in using neuroscience to understand mathematical cognitive development. Evidence supporting the triple-code model of numerical processing is mounting and we are beginning to understand how domain-specific and domain-general cognitive processes related to mathematics are instantiated in the brain and how they change with age and experience. I note that there is a great deal of work ahead in studying and applying the results of neuroscience research on mathematical cognitive development. Future studies should focus on longitudinal changes for the various components of numerical processing and how they interact in children with and without mathematical difficulties and on the effects of intervention and instructional approaches using a pre-/post-design.
There's no place like home: Racial disparities in household formation in the 2000s

Abstract This paper uses the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to explore the decisions of black and white young adults to remain in their parents' home or to form their own household during the tumultuous 2001-2013 period. We use MSA fixed effects to capture geographic heterogeneity and develop exogenous measures of housing and labor market contexts using Census and ACS PUMS data. We then run a Oaxaca-Blinder style decomposition analysis to explain the race gap in household formation over this 13-year period, and conduct several robustness checks. We find strong support for the influence of economic context, with strikingly different results by race. Blacks were most sensitive to rents, which increased more dramatically for black young adults over most of the 2001-2013 period compared with whites' rents. The results also suggest that blacks were operating in strongly segmented housing markets throughout this period. In contrast, whites were most sensitive to employment rates, which decreased for white young adults over this period from 75 percent in 2001 to 70 percent in 2013. Despite their unrestricted access to the entire labor market, falling employment proved a significant deterrent to new household formation for white young adults.
CHAPTER 7 – A Bibliography of Turtle Feeding

The bibliography in the chapter is hardly exhaustive, but it does serve as an introduction to the literature on turtle feeding. General references on natural history and diet are not included, but a number of important papers on digestive physiology are. Also omitted are references on the systematics of turtles. The emphasis here is on the morphology of the feeding apparatus, feeding function, and behavioral observations of feeding in turtles. Historically, the functional morphology of feeding in turtles has been sadly neglected, but several recent contributions suggest that the trend is changing. In any case, turtle feeding is badly in need of investigation. One of the attractive features of turtles as a group is their diversity. Among other things, they span the range from fully terrestrial to fully aquatic, with everything in between. Thus, turtles, like salamanders, offer the opportunity to examine phenotypic changes in the feeding system associated with a change in the feeding medium.
Infiltrative keratitis with contact lens wear--a review

Background "Infiltrates" of white blood cells aggregating in the superficial cornea are common with corneal inflammation. The etiologies of such inflammation vary widely and include an association with contact lens wear. Methods This paper reviews the literature regarding corneal infiltrative keratitis with contact lens wear. Basic mechanisms in the development of corneal infiltrates as well as etiologies are presented. Associations and causes, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, course, and treatment for corneal infiltrates in contact lens wearers are reviewed. Conclusions Corneal infiltrates associated with contact lens wear may stem from a variety of causes including factors related to the lens material, design, condition; the lens wearing schedule; environmental factors such as external environment; and lens care patterns, procedures, and products. Individuals who wear contact lenses are also subject to the many non-contact lens-related stimuli to corneal infiltration. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of corneal infiltrates with contact lens wear is important, especially due to the possibility of infectious etiology.
The Normal Immune Response and What Can Go Wrong: A Classification of Immunologic Disorders

It is difficult to summarize any discussion of a subject when its vitality and growth increases and changes almost daily. It has been clearly demonstrated that the immune response is important in all organ systems of the body. Although we have learned a great deal about cellular recognition and the regulatory aspects of immunity, we are literally only scratching the surface of its complexity and applicability. A totally comprehensive review of the immune response is impossible in this short space. We do hope, however, that we have set the stage for the following in-depth reviews of the immunologic disorders in adults.
Sovereign Debt Management During Debt Distress Periods

Sound public debt-management policies during sovereign debt distress periods are key to efficiently resolving a debt crisis and regaining market access. In addition to understanding the causes, processes, and outcomes of sovereign debt restructurings, this article analyzes the role of the debt manager along with determinants and strategies to maintain/regain market access. The sovereign’s debt sustainability analysis and determination of loss of market access are two crucial elements in the IMF’s lending decisions to countries in debt distress. Various indicators used in assessing whether the sovereign can tap international capital on a sustained basis are discussed. When a sovereign debt restructuring needs to be undertaken, it is necessary to determine the financial terms of the debt operation. Some key principles in designing sovereign debt restructuring scenarios and ways in securing full-financing of the economic program and regaining market access are presented. We conclude by offering a few best practices on preventing and managing sovereign debt restructurings.
Sensor-Based Human Activity Recognition for Smart Healthcare: A Semi-supervised Machine Learning

Human action recognition is an integral part of smart health monitoring, where intelligence behind the services is obtained and improves through sensor information. It poses tremendous challenges due to huge diversities of human actions and also a large variation in how a particular action can be performed. This problem has been intensified more with the emergence of Internet of Things (IoT), which has resulted in larger datasets acquired by a massive number of sensors. The big data based machine learning is the best candidate to deal with this grand challenge. However, one of the biggest challenges in using large datasets in machine learning is to label sufficient data to train a model accurately. Instead of using expensive supervised learning, we propose a semi-supervised classifier for time-series data. The proposed framework is the joint design of variational auto-encoder (VAE) and convolutional neural network (CNN). In particular, the VAE intends to extract the salient characteristics of human activity data and to provide the useful criteria for the compressed sensing reconstruction, while the CNN aims for extracting the discriminative features and for producing the low-dimension latent codes. Given a combination of labeled and raw time-series data, our architecture utilizes compressed samples from the latent vector in a deconvolutional decoder to reconstruct the input time-series. We intend to train the classifier to detect human actions for smart health systems.
The Relationship of Capillary Blood Flow Assessments with Real Time Myocardial Perfusion Echocardiography to Invasively Derived Microvascular and Epicardial Assessments.

Background The basis for abnormal microvascular flow responses to demand stress in coronary artery disease (CAD) is affected by resistance changes at both the epicardial stenosis level and within the downstream capillary network. We hypothesized that abnormal microvascular perfusion (MVP) responses during demand stress in patients with intermediate coronary stenoses occur when fractional flow reserve (FFR) across the epicardial stenosis is normal, because of increased microvascular resistance. Methods In 49 coronary arteries of 41 patients with intermediate stenoses (40%-80%) who were referred for both coronary angiography and demand stress MVP assessment, invasive coronary hemodynamics were obtained across the stenosis to measure FFR, coronary flow reserve (CFR), and hyperemic microvascular resistance (HMR) during adenosine infusion. MVP in each coronary artery territory (CAT) during demand stress was evaluated by an independent expert reviewer blinded to clinical and angiographic data. Results Thirty-four of the 49 CATs with intermediate stenoses exhibited abnormal MVP. Although the sensitivity of MVP was high for detecting abnormal FFR (100%), FFR Conclusions Although abnormal MVP has high sensitivity for detecting abnormal FFR, MVP is frequently abnormal when FFR is normal. In a large percentage of these patients, invasive assessments of microvascular resistance are abnormal.
Biliary reflux as a causal factor in hypopharyngeal carcinoma: New clinical evidence and implications

Background Recent preclinical explorations strongly support the tumorigenic potential of bile on laryngopharyngeal mucosa. Herein, the authors describe, in bile-related human hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC), NF-κB-related messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) oncogenic phenotypes similar to those previously identified in acidic bile-exposed premalignant murine hypopharyngeal mucosa. Methods In this pilot study, the authors included human HSCC specimens paired with their adjacent normal tissue (ANT) derived from 3 representative patients with documented biliary laryngopharyngeal reflux (bile[+]) compared with 5 control patients without signs of bile reflux disease (bile[-]). Immunohistochemical, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and miRNA analyses were used to detect the levels of activated NF-κB and expression levels of STAT3, EGFR, BCL2, WNT5A, IL-6, IL-1B, ΔNp63, cREL, TNF-α, TP53, NOTCH1, NOTCH2, NOTCH3, miR-21, miR-155, miR-192, miR-34a, miR-375, miR-451a, miR-489, miR-504, and miR-99a. Results Bile(+) HSCC demonstrated an intense NF-κB activation accompanied by significant overexpression of RELA(p65), EGFR, STAT3, BCL-2, cREL, ΔNp63, WNT5A, IL-6, and IL1B; upregulation of oncomir miR-21; and downregulation of tumor suppressor miR-375 compared with their respective ANTs. Bile(+) HSCC demonstrated significantly higher mRNA levels of all the analyzed genes, particularly RELA(p65), IL-6, EGFR, and TNF-α compared with bile(-) tumors. The miR-21/miR-375 ratio, which previously has been linked to tumor aggressiveness, was found to be >260-fold and >30-fold higher, respectively, in bile(+) HSCCs compared with their ANTs and bile(-) tumors. Conclusions Although limitations apply to this pilot study due to the small number of patients with HSCC, the novel findings suggest that a history of bile as a component of esophageal reflux disease may represent an independent risk factor for hypopharyngeal carcinogenesis.