cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Unparsimonious Origin for the Hawaiian Metrargini (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

The current hypothesis for the phylogeny and origins of the Hawaiian Metrargini is tested using cladistic parsimony methods. The most parsimonious trees support the current hypothesis, but it is argued that complex characters interpreted as homoplasious in the analysis are actually synapomorphies. A new phylogenetic hypothesis is reported, in which all the Hawaiian genera plus the New World genus Xyonysius Ashlock & Lattin form a monophyletic group. It is proposed that within the Metrargini there were at least two and possibly three independent colonizations of the Hawaiian Islands from North or South America.
Helicase Activity Plays a Crucial Role for RNase R Function in Vivo and for RNA Metabolism

RNase R is a 3' to 5' hydrolytic exoribonuclease that has the unusual ability to digest highly structured RNA. The enzyme possesses an intrinsic, ATP-dependent RNA helicase activity that is essential in vitro for efficient nuclease activity against double-stranded RNA substrates, particularly at lower temperatures, with more stable RNA duplexes, and for duplexes with short 3' overhangs. Here, we inquired whether the helicase activity was also important for RNase R function in vivo and for RNA metabolism. We find that strains containing a helicase-deficient RNase R due to mutations in its ATP-binding Walker motifs exhibit growth defects at low temperatures. Most importantly, cells also lacking polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), and dependent for growth on RNase R, grow extremely poorly at 34, 37, and 42 °C and do not grow at all at 31 °C. Northern analysis revealed that in these cells, fragments of 16S and 23S rRNA accumulate to high levels, leading to interference with ribosome maturation and ultimately to cell death. These findings indicate that the intrinsic helicase activity of RNase R is required for its proper functioning in vivo and for effective RNA metabolism.
Receptor-mediated endocytosis across human placenta: emphasis on megalin

Receptor-mediated endocytosis plays an important role in the maternal-fetal transport of various nutrients and drugs across human placenta. Megalin, a 600 kDa endocytic receptor, is expressed in placental syncytiotrophoblasts and is thought to contribute to the transport functions of the placenta. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in megalin-mediated transplacental transport of most substrates have not yet been characterized. Megalin is most extensively expressed on the apical surface of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, where it is involved in the reabsorption of proteins, vitamins, and polybasic drugs including aminoglycoside (AG) antibiotics. It has been suggested that megalin-mediated endocytosis is primarily responsible for accumulation of aminoglycosides (AGs) in the renal proximal tubule, which results in direct cellular injury and death. The role of megalin in the renal uptake and accumulation of aminoglycosides has therefore received much attention. It is not known, however, whether megalin is involved in the maternal-fetal transport of AGs and other commonly used polybasic drugs. Studies designed to characterize the role of megalin in transplacental transport and to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in megalin-mediated endocytosis across human placenta are therefore needed.
Student Reasoning about Electrostatic and Gravitational Potential Energy: An Exploratory Study with Interdisciplinary Consequences.

This paper describes an investigation into student reasoning about potential energy in the context of introductory electrostatics. Similar incorrect reasoning patterns emerged both in written questions administered after relevant instruction and in one-on-one interviews. These reasoning patterns are also prevalent in responses to questions posed about gravitational potential energy in the context of universal gravitation in introductory mechanics. This finding is relevant for interdisciplinary research, because many courses in multiple disciplines first introduce the concept of electric potential energy in analogy to gravitational potential energy. The results suggest that in introductory courses students do not gain an understanding of potential energy that is sufficiently robust to apply in more advanced physics courses or in disciplines other than physics, in which students must frequently reason with energy in the context of interactions between atoms and molecules.
Second-Harmonic Generation in Single-Crystal Thin-Films of 3-Methyl-4-Methoxy-4′-Nitrostilbene (MMONS)

Organic single-crystals have received significant research attention because of their exceptionally large optical nonlinearities.
Anterior approach in THA improves outcomes: opposes.

Abstract Total hip arthroplasty (THA) can be performed through multiple surgical approaches, including anterior, anterolateral, lateral, transtrochanteric, posterolateral, posterior, and the 2-incision technique. The overwhelming majority of THAs today are performed through a posterolateral approach, which has many advantages: it can be extended without difficulty, it is expeditious, it results in reduced blood loss and little muscle damage, and recovery is rapid. The major disadvantage of the approach is its increased dislocation rate, which has become less of a problem with the advent of larger femoral heads and dual-mobility acetabular components. The anterior approach is another hip approach with advantages and disadvantages. One disadvantage is the need for a special table on which to perform the procedure, which can cost ≥$100,000. Many surgeons also recommend the use of intraoperative fluoroscopy with this approach, which prolongs surgery and adds possible draping contamination during the fluoroscopy. Exposure of the femur may be difficult with this approach, especially in patients with increased body mass index. The operative time also tends to be longer with this approach, as exposure may be more tedious. The published data report significant complications with this procedure.
Abstract P6-09-03: No Increased Breast Cancer Risk with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in Women with Benign Breast Disease

The association between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and breast cancer risk in women with benign breast disease (BBD) is unclear. However, others have shown that HRT use is associated with the development of proliferative breast disease (Rohan et. al, CEBP 2008). To better clarify potential risks associated with postmenopausal hormone use in women with BBD, we performed a nested case control study within the Mayo Clinic Benign Breast Disease Cohort. In the cohort, there are 11,079 women who had benign breast biopsies between 1967 and 1996 and for whom we have outcome and risk factor data, including use of HRT. We studied 947 cases (breast cancer after BBD) and two controls matched to each case based on age and year of BBD. Information on use of HRT was obtained through use of questionnaires and medical record review with a mean time of follow up of 17.4 years. HRT use, histology, involution status, and family history were all evaluated for impact on breast cancer risk in a multivariate model. As shown in Table 1, when looking at effects of histology, involution, and family history, we confirmed previously reported findings of risk (Hartmann LC et. al, NEJM 2005). Specifically, we saw increased risk in women with AH vs. PDWA or NP, decreased risk with complete involution vs. partial or no involution, and increased risk with strong family history vs. weak or no family history. Associations of hormone replacement therapy and other relevant clinical variables with risk of breast cancer Multivariate model simultaneously including all variables listed in the table. HRT=hormone replacement therapy. NP=non-proliferative. PDWA=proliferative disease without atypia. AH=atypical hyperplasia We found that women who had used HRT had no higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who had not used HRT. Specifically, with Never Users as the reference group, those with 5 years or less exposure had OR 0.80 (0.56-1.15); 6-10 years, 0.85 (0.56-1.28) and 11+ years, 0.51 (0.36-0.72), p =0.002. In conclusion, we found that HRT use among postmenopausal women with BBD was not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. In this case-control set, we confirmed previous findings regarding well established risk factors of histology, involution status, and family history. While HRT use may contribute to the development of proliferative breast disease, we do not see that HRT is associated with additional breast cancer risk, beyond that of the proliferative disease itself. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-09-03.
Integration of Oral Health Into the Well-Child Visit at Federally Qualified Health Centers: Study of 6 Clinics, August 2014–March 2015

INTRODUCTION Early childhood caries, the most common chronic childhood disease, affects primary dentition and can impair eating, sleeping, and school performance. The disease is most prevalent among vulnerable populations with limited access to pediatric dental services. These same children generally receive well-child care at federally qualified health centers. The objective of this study was to identify facilitators and barriers to the integration of oral health into pediatric primary care at health centers to improve problem recognition, delivery of preventive measures, and referral to a dentist. METHODS We collected and analyzed background data and data from structured observations and 39 interviews with administrators and staff at 6 clinics in 2 states, Maryland and Massachusetts. RESULTS Participants valued oral health across professional roles but cited limited time, lack of training and expertise, low caregiver literacy, and lack of shared medical and dental electronic records as barriers to cooperation. Facilitators included an upper-level administration with the vision to see the value of integration, designated team leaders, and champions. An administration's vision, not structural determinants, patient characteristics, or geographic location, predicted the level of integration. Interviewees generated multilevel recommendations to promote delivery of oral health preventive measures and services during a well-child visit. CONCLUSION Poor oral health contributes to health care disparities. Barriers to integrating dental care into pediatric medical practice at health centers must be overcome to improve oral health for children living in poverty, with a disability, at a rural address, or any combination of these. Implementation will require adapting delivery systems to support multidisciplinary collaboration. Strategies suggested here may point the way to enhancing children's oral health.
THE ANALYSIS OF DELAYS IN DISEASE REPORTING: METHODS AND RESULTS FOR THE ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME

In order to monitor accurately trends in disease incidence, it is necessary to account for delays in the reporting of cases to central registries. The objective of the paper is to develop simple methods for the analysis of reporting delays in order to identify the main sources of heterogeneity and to adjust reported disease incidence data. The analysis is complicated because the data are right truncated. A simple and flexible method for the regression analysis of reporting delays is proposed, which can be easily implemented with standard computing tools for generalized linear models or logistic regression. The method was used to analyze delays in reporting the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the United States among cases who met the pre-1987 surveillance definition. This analysis showed significant geographic variation. Delays were shortest in the Northeast and longest in the South. The influences of risk groups and calendar year of diagnosis were not consistent across each of the geographic regions. Variation among risk groups was attributed primarily to slower reporting of transfusion-associated and pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome cases. An overall trend toward longer delays with calendar time of diagnosis was attributed primarily to a trend toward longer delays in the Northeast. These methods and results are useful both for the evaluation of surveillance procedures in order to improve disease reporting and for adjustment of disease incidence data.
Morphological effects of aspirin and prostaglandin on the canine gastric mucosal surface: Analysis with a phospholipid-selective cytochemical stain

An iodoplatinate technique that selectively stains phospholipid was used to evaluate morphologically the effects of aspirin and 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 on canine gastric mucosa in an in vitro Ussing chamber system. The association between these morphological alterations and the changes in mucosal surface hydrophobicity as determined by contact angle analysis was also investigated. Prostaglandin (1 μg/ml) did not alter aspirin-induced cell injury, although it reduced (45%) the detachment of damaged cells from the lamina propria. Mucus release appeared to be stimulated independently both by aspirin and prostaglandin treatment and by the blotting and drying procedure routinely performed before contact angle analysis. When an extracellular mucus gel coat was present, it contained numerous iodoplatinate-reactive vesicles and myelinated or lamellated structures. Iodoplatinate-reactive substances also appeared at the luminal surface of the mucus gel as a filamentous band. This band of reactivity was frequently seen after simultaneous treatment with prostaglandin and aspirin but only sporadically observed after aspirin treatment alone. The hydrophobic nature of the canine gastric mucosa under the above experimental conditions correlated well (r = 0.743, p < 0.005) with the percentage of mucosal surface covered by this filamentous band, and less so with the density of iodoplatinate-reactive structures within the mucus gel. We conclude that phospholipid structures in the mucus gel may account for the hydrophobic nature of the gastric mucosal surface and the ability of damaging and “cytoprotective” agents to influence both surface wettability and barrier integrity.
Agonist-Induced Desensitization of β-Adrenoceptors of Bovine Bronchial Epithelial Cells

1. Cultured bovine bronchial epithelial cells express a large number of beta-adrenoceptors of the beta 2 subtype which are coupled to activation of adenylate cyclase and synthesis of cyclic AMP. The mechanisms involved in agonist-induced desensitization of beta-adrenoceptor function in these cells were investigated. 2. Preincubation of cells with the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline induced a rapid desensitization of adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by isoprenaline (40% at 30 min) with little or no decrease in forskolin stimulation or in the number of beta-adrenoceptors detected by radioligand binding, indicating that uncoupling of beta-adrenoceptors from adenylate cyclase had occurred. 3. Uncoupling of beta-adrenoceptors from the stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein Gs was indicated by the loss of GTP effects on agonist competition for radioligand binding. Results from subcellular fractionation by sucrose density gradient centrifugation suggest that rapid internalization or sequestration of beta-adrenoceptors occurred along with the desensitization. 4. Preincubation with isoprenaline for longer times led to a marked decrease in total receptor number (85% at 18 h), indicating that receptor down-regulation also occurs. Recovery of receptors after down-regulation was prevented by cycloheximide and by actinomycin D, suggesting that degradation of both receptor protein and receptor mRNA may be involved in down-regulation.
Static cosmic strings in space–time with torsion, and strings with electromagnetism

Cosmic strings are considered in space–time with torsion derived from a two-form potential, and in Minkowski space–time with electromagnetism. Using the curvature scalar as the geometrical part of the Lagrangian density, and the natural coupling to strings, the field equations are derived. It is shown a static string loop may satisfy the string equations of motion in the presence of an external torsion field. The gravitational field of the static string are derived in the weak field limit, and it is shown the gravitational field is repulsive exterior to the string. In Minkowski space–time, it is shown an external magnetic field can also give rise to a static loop.
Development of the Mammalian 'Vestibular' System: Evolution of Form to Detect Angular and Gravity Acceleration

Abstract The mammalian ear consists of a hearing organ (the cochlea) and a gravity- and angular acceleration-perceiving vestibular ear. The vestibular ear consists of a labyrinth of ducts and recesses with associated sensory epithelia that provide sensory input to neurons that project such information to the hindbrain (vestibular nuclei and cerebellum). The hindbrain incorporates these sensory impulses with other sensory inputs from the eyes and limbs to maintain balance. In this chapter, we provide evolutionary insights into the origins of the vestibular ear and discuss the genes that are needed for its formation and function. We will provide first an overview of evolutionary changes in the vestibular ear, such as the addition of an extra lateral (horizontal) canal and segregation of a single otoconia-bearing macula into two or three distinct endorgans, each located in their distinct recess. Subsequently we discuss atavistic phenotypes identified in loss of function mouse mutants, which we interpret as evidence of how the addition of those genes could have driven the evolution of morphological changes. In addition, we discuss how neurons form, how they migrate, and lastly, what keeps them alive. Our discussion will incorporate the newest theories of inner ear development based on comparative phylogenetics and genetically manipulated mice that allow us the unique opportunity to look back in time while keeping our vision on the future. As our knowledge of these complicated processes is incomplete, it is imperative that additional research builds on the past and enlightens our way to understanding the molecular definition of inner ear evolution and its development.
Quadrotor drones thrust measurement apparatus

The UAV field has been growing rapidly and is poised for even larger growth in the coming years. While the military has been using UAV aircrafts for years, there is potentially room for growth in the civilian market. UAVS with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities have generated much interest. For these reasons, a few years ago, Quadrotor UAV undergraduate research and development studies were started at Western New England University Controls Laboratory. One major design concern of any Quadrotor drone development platform is how to measure the torque developed at the output shaft of each of the Quadrotor motors. Fraction horsepower (HP) DC motor dynamometers are hard to find and very expensive. Research publications on how to measure and estimate a brushed or brushless DC motor characteristic parameter methodology are also too complex for undergraduate students to understand in order for them to design and develop a measurement apparatus [1-6]. In this paper we will discuss the design and development of an affordable torque measurement apparatus to measure efficiency and estimate characteristic parameters of fraction horsepower brushed and brushless DC motors.
Toe spatiotemporal differences between transition steps when ascending shorter flight stairways of different heights

Abstract Background Studies have typically treated the first and second floor-to-stair transition steps (TS1 and TS2) as one stride. However, because the foot is devoid of plantar cutaneous input from the stair surface at TS1, these steps may have different toe spatiotemporal profiles, and resultantly, different susceptibilities to a trip and/or a fall. This study compared vertical toe clearance, forward velocity, and their respective variability magnitudes between TS1 and TS2 when ascending stairs of different heights. Methods Twenty young adults (seven males and 13 females) (21.68 ± 2.49 years; 169.70 ± 9.56 cm; 63.91 ± 9.62 kg) negotiated an intervening three-step staircase placed midpoint on a 10 m walkway. There were three stair heights: low stairs (LS), medium stairs (MS), and high stairs (HS). Vertical toe clearance, forward velocity, and their variability magnitudes were calculated. Results Vertical toe clearance was only higher ( P P Conclusion The locomotor system appeared cautious by exaggerating vertical toe clearance at both TS1 and TS2 only in low stairs, possibly due to higher forward toe velocity. If the exaggeration strategy consistently persists, this finding may suggest decreased trip or fall risk at both TS1 and TS2 only when transitioning onto low stairs.
ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS IN ATHLETES: A COMPARISON OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Depression is a common post-concussion symptom. The depressive symptoms and its effects seemingly appear to be more long term, with some patients still reporting three months to nine years’ post-concussion. School apathy post head trauma can negatively influence prognosis and essentially make the condition worse. Student disruptions post head trauma will result in an inability to reason, problem-solve, set goals, self-monitor, initiate or inhibit response behavior, and effectively execute purposeful behavior. The current investigation examines the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among school-aged athletes (ages 13- to 18-years-old) compared to same-aged athletes who did not have a diagnosis/history of TBI. A Multivariate analysis and t -test are utilized to address the self-reported data in relation to students’ feelings, disruption, and school apathy with and without head trauma. It is expected that the results will show adverse effects in those student athletes who had reported head trauma when examining their feelings, disruptions, and school apathy when compared to those student athletes without head trauma. Article visualizations:
Assembly, Storage, and Secretion of Von Willebrand Factor.

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays a central role in hemostasis, and dysregulation of VWF can cause either bleeding or thrombosis. Endothelial cells assemble VWF multimers in two stages that occur in distinct intracellular compartments: proVWF subunits dimerize in the endoplasmic reticulum through “tail-to-tail” disulfide bonds between C-terminal CK domains, and the proVWF dimers form enormous multimers in the Golgi through “head-to-head” disulfide bonds between N-terminal D3 domains. The finished multimers are packaged into ordered tubules within storage organelles called Weibel-Palade bodies (WPB), and tubular packing is necessary for the secretion of VWF filaments that have normal hemostatic function. We have recreated VWF tubule assembly in vitro, starting with pure VWF propeptide (domains D1D2) and disulfide-linked dimers of adjacent N-terminal D’D3 domains. No other cellular proteins or components of WPB are needed. Assembly requires low pH and calcium ions, similar to conditions in the Golgi. Quick-freeze deep-etch electron microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction of negatively stained images show that tubules contain a repeating unit of one D’D3 dimer and two propeptides arranged in a right-handed helix with 4.2 units per turn. The symmetry and location of interdomain contacts suggest that decreasing pH along the secretory pathway coordinates the disulfide-linked assembly of VWF multimers with their tubular packaging. Secretion into the blood exposes VWF tubules to neutral pH conditions, releasing the constraints that maintain tubular packing and permitting the orderly unfurling of large VWF multimers. Some VWF multimers bind platelets and initiate the growth of platelet-rich thrombi. Under normal circumstances, these thrombi are limited in size by ADAMTS13, a metalloprotease that cleaves VWF multimers and releases the platelets. The absence of large VWF multimers causes bleeding that is typical of von Willebrand disease. Conversely, congenital or acquired deficiency of ADAMTS13 prevents the dissolution of VWF-platelet aggregates, which can cause the widespread microvascular thrombosis that characterizes thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Interestingly, ADAMTS13 deficiency alone need not trigger TTP. Some patients persist for months or years without active disease but become ill whenever they suffer additional inflammatory stress associated with infection, surgery, or pregnancy. Thus, interactions between inflammatory mediators and endothelial cells can determine the course of VWF-dependent thrombosis. The mechanisms responsible for these phenomena remain poorly understood.
387. Gene Delivery of APOE2 Reduces Amyloid Pathology in Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease

The deposition of amyloid β-peptides (Aβ), cleavage products of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β- and γ-secretases, in brain represents a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 allele carriers have an increased risk to develop AD and an earlier age of onset, whereas carriers of the e2 allele have reduced risk and a delayed age of onset. APOE is also a major determinant of brain Aβ and amyloid burden in humans and in several transgenic mouse models of AD (E4>E3>E2). We have previously reported that lentivirus-mediated intraparenchymal gene delivery of APOE2 significantly reduces brain Aβ levels and amyloid plaque burden in PDAPP mice. To extend these findings, we administered an rh.10 serotype adeno-associated viral vector expressing the gene (AAVrh.10-APOE2, 1.0X1010 viral genomes (vg)) directly into the hippocampus of 9-month-old PDAPP mice, a mouse model of AD-related amyloidosis. Eight weeks post-injection, AAVrh.10-APOE2 administration resulted in 5-6 times higher levels of APOE2 expression than targeted replacement (wild-type) mice and a marked decrease in both soluble (~33% reduction. P<0.05) and insoluble Aβ42 levels (~70% reduction. P<0.001) compared to control mice. Given the important role of APOE4 in AD risk and amyloid burden, we next assessed how gene delivery of APOE2 affects amyloid pathology in APP.PS1/TRE4 mice where brain Aβ/amyloid deposition is dependent on APOE4 expression. AAVrh.10-APOE2 (0.25X1010, 0.5X1010, or 1×1010 vg) was bilaterally administered into the hippocampus of 2.5-month-old APP.PS1/TRE4 mice. Eight weeks post-injection, there was a dose-dependent increase in APOE expression and a corresponding dose-dependent decrease in insoluble and soluble Aβ levels in the hippocampus of mice treated with AAVrh.10-APOE2, suggesting that overexpression of APOE2 effectively counteracts the detrimental effects of APOE4 on amyloid pathology. We also investigated the effects of AAVrh.10-APOE2 treatment on various proteins associated with Aβ production and clearance by Western analysis. No significant differences were observed in the relative hippocampal levels of APP, β-secretase, C99 (APP cleavage product of β-secretase), or C83 (a non-amyloidogenic APP cleavage product by α-secretase) between mice treated with AAVrh.10-APOE2 or a control vector, suggesting no effect on Aβ production. By contrast, the levels of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE, an Aβ-degrading enzyme) and ATG5/LC3 (the signaling pathway responsible for autophagy) were significantly (P<0.001 and P<0.05 respectively) elevated in the hippocampus of AAVrh.10-APOE2-treated mice. Taken together, the data demonstrates that AAVrh.10-mediated delivery of APOE2 effectively reduces Aβ pathology in the hippocampus of APP mutant mice expressing either murine Apoe or APOE4. The latter may be due to an enhancement of Aβ metabolism or clearance. Gene delivery of APOE2 may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for treating or preventing AD.
Two-Year Impact of Prevention Programs on Adolescent Depression: an Integrative Data Analysis Approach

This paper presents the first findings of an integrative data analysis of individual-level data from 19 adolescent depression prevention trials (n = 5210) involving nine distinct interventions across 2 years post-randomization. In separate papers, several interventions have been found to decrease the risk of depressive disorders or elevated depressive/internalizing symptoms among youth. One type of intervention specifically targets youth without a depressive disorder who are at risk due to elevated depressive symptoms and/or having a parent with a depressive disorder. A second type of intervention targets two broad domains: prevention of problem behaviors, which we define as drug use/abuse, sexual risk behaviors, conduct disorder, or other externalizing problems, and general mental health. Most of these latter interventions improve parenting or family factors. We examined the shared and unique effects of these interventions by level of baseline youth depressive symptoms, sociodemographic characteristics of the youth (age, sex, parent education, and family income), type of intervention, and mode of intervention delivery to the youth, parent(s), or both. We harmonized eight different measures of depression utilized across these trials and used growth models to evaluate intervention impact over 2 years. We found a significant overall effect of these interventions on reducing depressive symptoms over 2 years and a stronger impact among those interventions that targeted depression specifically rather than problem behaviors or general mental health, especially when baseline symptoms were high. Implications for improving population-level impact are discussed.
Update on the Management of Adults With Arterial Switch Procedure for Transposition of the Great Arteries

The arterial switch operation (ASO) is now the most frequently performed surgical correction in individuals with dextro-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA). Patients who undergo this procedure as neonates have overall good clinical outcomes yet continued clinical follow-up is important to evaluate for postoperative complications. In this group, the highest mortality is in the immediate postoperative period and is generally associated with reimplantation of the coronary arteries. As these patients live into adulthood, longitudinal follow-up for other ASO complications including neo-pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction, or neo-aortic root dilation and resulting aortic insufficiency should be performed. In adults, extra care should be taken to identify and treat traditional cardiovascular risk factors as individuals with coronary obstruction may not present with typical anginal symptoms. Management of these patients should be performed in collaboration with an adult congenital heart center of excellence. This population offers a unique opportunity to provide timely feedback to adult congenital heart community of providers regarding late outcomes from surgical intervention and in the next decade will hopefully demonstrate a model for clinical feedback cycles in lifelong congenital care.
Performance Feedback, Pay Gaps, and Risky Corporate Strategic Change

Extant literature assumes high organizational performance positively influences internationalization because outperforming firms are expected to compete successfully in foreign markets. This assump...
Sleep hygiene practices in a population-based sample of insomniacs.

Study objectives The present study was designed to assess selected aspects of sleep hygiene from a population-based sample of individuals with insomnia compared to age- and sex-matched controls. Design A random-sample phone survey of 258 individuals meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition-based criteria for insomnia was compared to age- and sex-matched normal sleepers on specific measures of sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene practices measured included cigarette smoking, smoking near bedtime, alcohol use, caffeine use, napping, time in bed, and reported likelihood of sleeping in on weekends. Setting Detroit tricounty population. Participants 258 individuals 18 to 65 years old with insomnia and 258 age- and sex-matched controls. Interventions N/A. Measurements and results Insomniacs reported poorer sleep hygiene, as evidenced by an increase in prevalence of smoking close to bedtime and increased use of alcohol. They also reported more naps per week and sleeping in on days not worked. Caffeine use did not differ between groups. Time in bed was also comparable between insomniacs and controls. Conclusion Insomniacs do engage in specific poor sleep hygiene practices, such as smoking and drinking alcohol just before bedtime. These particular aspects of sleep hygiene may be important components that exacerbate or perpetuate insomnia.
INDIVIDUALISM, NORMATIVITY AND THE EPISTEMOLOGY OF UNDERSTANDING

We commonly think that it is by virtue of a shared language that one person understands another’s words. Shared language seems sufficient, other things being equal, for understanding. But is it necessary? Can we think of linguistic understanding as occurring between speakers who do not share a language? This question is not mere idle, counterfactual speculation; it bears directly on the initial common thought, that shared language is the typical explanation of paradigm cases of understanding. Does that common thought harbor or instead mask over a deep truth about language and understanding? According to a powerful and influential line of argument, the common thought is forced on us because of the very nature of linguistic meaning. A speaker’s meanings are constituted by norms ‐ conditions of correct and incorrect usage; and according to this argument, such norms can be publicly accessible ‐ understandable to others ‐ only if they belong to a linguistic practice that is shared. This paper formulates that argument, uncovers controversial assumptions on which it depends, and responds to it by offering a conception of linguistic meaning and understanding that does not require shared language but that nonetheless accounts for the normative and public nature of meaning. In doing so, it defends a form of individualism about meaning. As understood here, individualism is the view that the meanings of a speaker’s expressions are determined by her linguistic and nonlinguistic dispositions and behavior, specifiable without embedding that speaker in some larger, shared linguistic practice. Individualism is not committed to internalism ‐ the view that the nature or existence of the external environment is not relevant to the individuation of meanings. The important question for the purposes of this paper
HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device Implantation for Pediatric Heart Failure-A Single Center Approach.

While pediatric HeartWare HVAD application has increased, determining candidacy and timing for initiation of pediatric VAD support has remained a challenge. We present our experience with a systematic approach to HVAD implantation as a bridge to pediatric heart transplantation. We performed a retrospective, single center review of pediatric patients (n = 11) who underwent HVAD implantation between September 2014 and January 2018. Primary endpoints evaluated were survival to heart transplantation, need for right ventricular assist device (RVAD) at any point, ongoing HVAD support, or death. Median patient age was 11 years (range: 3-16). Median BSA was 1.25 m2 (range: 0.56-2.1). Heart failure etiologies requiring support were dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 8), myocarditis (n = 1), congenital mitral valve disease (n = 1), and single ventricle heart failure (n = 1). Median time from cardiac ICU admission for heart failure to HVAD placement was 15 days (range 3-55), based on standardized VAD implantation criteria involving imaging assessment and noncardiac organ evaluation. The majority of patients (91%) were INTERMACS Level 2 at time of implant. Three patients (27%) had CentriMag RVAD placement at time of HVAD implantation. Two of these three patients had successful RVAD explanation within 2 weeks. Median length of HVAD support was 60 days (range 6-405 days). Among the 11 patients, survival during HVAD therapy to date is 91% (10/11) with 9 (82%) bridged to heart transplantation and one (9%) continuing to receive support. Posttransplant survival has been 100%, with median follow-up of 573 days (range 152-1126). A systematic approach to HVAD implantation can provide excellent results in pediatric heart failure management for a variety of etiologies and broad BSA range.
P050 Unusual DP alleles are being found on a regular basis and may not be “unusual”

An African American deceased donor was typed by Luminex rSSO (One Lambda) as A23, 30; B45, 52; Cw6, 16; DR7, 18; DR 52, 53; DQ 2, 4; DPB1*01:01, 425/522. Follow-up re-typing of the DP locus by SSP showed DRB1*01:01, 354:01/375:01/584:01. The second DP did not share any alleles between the SSP and rSSO strings, making it impossible to call a type for the second allele. Interestingly, another African American donor showed the same unusual strings by rSSO and SSP within a few weeks of the first typing. The occurrence of these unusual and discrepant strings (SSP vs rSSO) in two patients of the same ethnicity suggested that this may not be a rare allele and identification of this allele is needed. The sample results were sent to the manufacturer who reported that DPB1*584:01 was a shared allele with both methods and was the probable allele. However, our Luminex analysis did not show DPB1*584:01 as an ambiguity with either of these samples. NGS was requested to confirm the DP type. This case demonstrates some of the difficulties laboratories face when performing DP typing, especially on deceased donor samples. More and more “unusual” DP typings are being found on a regular basis. We do not yet have a clear understanding of which DP antigens are unusual or rare. Analysis software for a particular lot may not be updated in a timely fashion to include the latest alleles that should be in the list of ambiguities. Confirmation of these unusual antigens is also not possible during the time constraints of performing deceased donor typing. An even greater problem may be that the DP antibody testing is drastically behind in identifying antibodies to an ever-growing number of possibly “common” DP antigens. Even if we were able to confirm the DP in this sample as DPB1*584:01, we would not be able to identify specificity against this particular antigen, using the currently available DP antibody reagents.
Clinical Feeding-Swallowing Evaluation: Overview for the Healthcare Provider

The clinical feeding-swallowing evaluation is the most widely used method by the speech-language pathologist for assessing a child’s ability to feed safely and efficiently. It is typically the first step taken in the overall assessment process and the most important as it often sets a plan in motion. The clinical feeding-swallow evaluation has various purposes and goals. Per the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the goals include (1) diagnosing or suspecting a feeding and/or swallowing impairment, (2) determining the phase of the swallow that may be involved in the disorder, (3) determining if the patient should be referred to an interdisciplinary team assessment or other medical specialists, (4) determining if an instrumental evaluation is warranted, and (5) developing a therapy/treatment program. The patient’s age and history may influence the overall goal of the evaluation, but the overriding objective is to determine safety and efficiency of eating for all patients.
A Multiple Streams Analysis of Recent Changes to State-Level Dyslexia Education Law:

This article provides an overview of recent changes to state-level dyslexia legislation. It begins by applying a variant of Kingdon’s multiple streams approach to explain how the dyslexia education...
Effect of anodic current density on the spreading of infiltrated nickel nanoparticles in nickel-yttria stabilized zirconia cermet anodes

Abstract Nickel – yttria stabilized zirconia (Ni-YSZ) anodes for solid oxide fuel cells were infiltrated with nickel nanoparticles with the objective of improving its performance by increasing the density of triple phase boundaries (TPBs). However, the nanoparticles deposited on the YSZ grains are not connected to one another, so the additional TPBs are not electrochemically active. It is postulated that at highly humid conditions (>95% H2O) created by high current density, nickel nanoparticles near the anode-electrolyte interface will spread and percolate, becoming electrochemically active. To study this behavior, infiltrated nickel nanoparticles were exposed to low, high and extreme humidity conditions during testing. When exposed to low humidity, no performance improvement or changes to the nanoparticle morphology was observed. At high humidity, the cell showed performance improvement and when cooled they showed nanoparticle coarsening. Exposure to extreme humidity (≈100%) caused performance to degrade back towards that of an un-infiltrated cell and severe nickel nanoparticles coarsening was observed in the cooled cell. This study validates the hypothesis that exposure to controlled high local humidity conditions can lead to the right amount of spreading of the deposited nickel nanoparticles to achieve percolation, thereby activating their TPBs and improving cell performance.
Performance modeling of pulse detonation engines using the method of characteristics

Abstract A quasi-one-dimensional method of characteristics (MOC) model is developed to evaluate the single-cycle gasdynamic flow field and associated propulsive performance of a fully- and partially-filled pulse detonation engine (PDE), and PDEs equipped with diverging nozzles. A detailed description of the PDE thrust chamber flow field is provided to highlight the dominant gasdynamic wave processes encountered in a general single-cycle operation. The MOC model is developed using a simplified unit process approach with an explicit inverse time marching algorithm in order to readily construct the complex thrust chamber flow field along a predefined grid. A grid dependency study is carried out to determine the appropriate grid resolution for the purposes of minimizing computational expense and maximizing numerical accuracy. Lastly, the MOC model is validated with existing numerical and experimental performance data for PDEs operating with oxyhydrogen and hydrocarbon mixtures in both atmospheric and sub-atmospheric environments. It is shown that the current MOC model has good agreement with existing numerical and experimental data for a variety of PDE configurations and operating conditions.
Linguistic Creativity in Japanese Discourse: Exploring the multiplicity of self, perspective, and voice

Using theoretical concepts of self, perspective, and voice as an interpretive guide, and based on the Place of Negotiation theory, this volume explores the phenomenon of linguistic creativity in Japanese discourse, i.e., the use of language in specific ways for foregrounding personalized expressive meanings. Personalized expressive meanings include psychological, emotive, interpersonal, and rhetorical aspects of communication, encompassing broad meanings such as feelings of intimacy or distance, emotion, empathy, humor, playfulness, persona, sense of self, identity, rhetorical effects, and so on. Nine analysis chapters explore the meanings, functions, and effects observable in the indices of linguistic creativity, focusing on discourse creativity (style mixture, borrowing others’ styles, genre mixture), rhetorical creativity (puns, metaphors, metaphors in multimodal discourse), and grammatical creativity (negatives, demonstratives, first-person references). Based on the analysis of verbal and visual data drawn from multiple genres of contemporary cultural discourse, this work reveals that by creatively expressing in language we share our worlds from multiple perspectives, we speak in self’s and others’ many voices, and we endlessly create personalized expressive meanings as testimony to our own sense of being.
Foreign direct investment flows to Mexican states: A study of the automobile industry, 2004–2014

This study examines the subnational flow in foreign direct investment (FDI) to Mexican states, with a focus on the finished vehicle industry. Although prior studies have examined subnational FDI in Mexico, research on the automobile sector has been scant. Utilizing a framework associated with the theory of asset specificity, we examine the influence of human capital and labor conditions, infrastructure, subnational policies, and security. The study employs a data set on finished vehicle FDI across 31 states and the Federal district for the period of 2004–2014. We adopt a two‐part model. The first part, which includes all states and the Federal district, is estimated with pooled logistic and Firth logistic regressions. In the second part, we examine variation in levels of FDI among states selected for investment with pooled ordinary least squares with panel‐corrected and Driscoll Kraay standard errors. Labor conditions are significant for both state selection and levels of FDI, but education is influential only in the selection stage. In addition, states with trunk rail lines linked to the U.S. border are more likely to be selected and receive higher FDI. After controlling for these influences, murder and homicide rates, and state development have no significant effects.
Screen Smashing: Iconoclasty in an Age of Illusionary Intelligence

"Late twentieth-century machines have made thoroughly ambiguous the difference between natural and artificial, mind and body, self-developing and externally designed, and many other distinctions that used to apply to organisms and machines. Our machines are disturbingly lively, and we ourselves are frighteningly inert." - Donna Haraway. Simians, Cyborgs, and Women: The Reinvention of Nature. The boundaries that Haraway lamented in 1990 were further eroded by the World Wide Web, wireless networks, smartphones, and today by social media, fake news, claims about Artificial Intelligence and an impending "Singularity". Are all boundaries truly illusionary? Or can we question illusions of illusion by actively asserting boundaries between ourselves and our machines? Artistic collaborators Shlain and Goldberg will describe how their art projects and experiences with technology are leading them to rediscover old barricades.
Gravitational potential and non-relativistic Lagrangian in modified gravity with varying G

We have recently shown that the baryonic Tully-Fisher (BTF) and Faber-Jackson (BFJ) relations imply that the gravitational "constant" G in the force law vary with acceleration alpha as 1/alpha . Here we derive the converse from first principles. First we obtain the gravitational potential for all accelerations and we formulate the Lagrangian for the central-force problem. Then action minimization implies the BTF/BFJ relations in the deep MOND limit as well as weak-field Weyl gravity in the Newtonian limit. The results show how we can properly formulate a nonrelativistic conformal theory of modified dynamics that reduces to MOND in its low-acceleration limit and to Weyl gravity in the opposite limit. An unavoidable conclusion is that alpha-0 , the transitional acceleration in modified dynamics, does not have a cosmological origin and it may not even be constant among galaxies and galaxy clusters.