cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polyaniline-tungsten oxide metacomposites with tunable electronic properties

Polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites reinforced with tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles (NPs) and nanorods (NRs) are fabricated via a facile surface-initiated-polymerization (SIP) method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterizations reveal the uniform coating of polymer on the filler surface and a good dispersion of the nanofillers within the polymer matrix. Unique negative permittivity is observed in pure PANI and its nanocomposites. The switching frequency (frequency where real permittivity switches from negative to positive) can be easily tuned by changing the particle loading and filler morphology. Conductivity measurements are performed from 50∼290 K, and results show that the electron transportation in the nanocomposites follows a quasi 3-d variable range hopping (VRH) conduction mechanism. The extent of charge carrier delocalization calculated from VRH well explains the dielectric response of the metacomposites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) reveal an enhanced thermal stability of the nanocomposites with the addition of nanofillers as compared to that of pure PANI.
Partition Frequency Distance based Filter Method for Finding Approximate Repetitions in DNA Sequences

Searching for approximate repetitions in a DNA sequence has been an important topic in gene analysis. One of the problems in the study is that because of the varying lengths of patterns, the similarity between patterns cannot be judged accurately if we use only the concept of ED ( Edit Distance ). In this paper we shall use the function Similar to compute similarity, which considers both the difference and sameness between patterns at the same time. Seeing the computational complexity, we shall also propose a new distance PFD ( Partition Frequency Distance ) and design a new filter based on PFD, with which we can sort out candidate set of approximate repetitions efficiently. We use SUA instead of sliding window to get the fragments in a DNA sequence, so that the patterns of an approximate repetition have no limitation on length. The results show that with this technique we are able to find a bigger number of approximate repetitions than that of those found with tandem repeat finder.
Distributed simulation of spatially explicit ecological models

Large-scale ecological simulations are natural candidates for distributed discrete event simulation. In optimistic simulation of spatially explicit models, a difficult problem arises when individuals migrate between physical regions simulated by different logical processes. We present a solution to this problem that uses shared object states. Shared states allow for efficient communication between LPs and for early detection of canceled events. We briefly describe an optimistic simulation environment called EcoKit, which operates on top of the WarpKit implementation of Time Warp. Our experiments with this system on a shared memory multiprocessor show that EcoKit promises to scale well both with the number of processors and the number of individuals simulated.
Targeted Gene Misexpression in Chick Limb Buds Using Avian Replication-Competent Retroviruses

The methods and applications for using avian replication-competent retroviruses to target gene misexpression in the developing limb bud of the chicken are described. These viruses provide the means to exploit the strengths of the chick as a model system in experimental embryology in conjunction with a genetic approach for ectopically expressing a gene of interest. The applications and strengths of the system are detailed. All the steps required to produce a virus carrying a transgene of interest and the methodologies behind designing and carrying out misexpression strategies are outlined, and some useful techniques for analyzing infected embryos are described.
A Radical Reconstruction of Resistance Strategies: Black Girls and Black Women Reclaiming Our Power Using Transdisciplinary Applied Social Justice©, Ma’at, and Rites of Passage

Heeding the call for Black Women's Studies to move from theory to praxis, the Transdisciplinary Applied Social Justice model provides a theoretical and methodological approach for social justice change, with an emphasis on praxis. In this article, the model is used to examine the lived reality and effects of intersectional race, class, and gender oppression on African American girls and women. Their high unemployment rates, incarceration rates, disenfranchisement rates, and health care disparity rates demonstrate that a very real "Black female crisis" exists. This article encourages a radical reconstruction of resistance strategies by African American girls and women. It suggests that they can reclaim their power by embracing ancient African thought, traditions, and practices, as symbolized by Ma'at and rites of passage programs.
Selection Procedures for Altering Specific Nutrient Requirements in Poultry

Abstract Considerable effort has been and is now being expended in selecting for lowered specific nutrient requirements in poultry. Several reports have indicated the existence of genetic variance among lines, families and individuals for dietary utilization of specific nutrients or classes of nutrients (Griminger and Fisher, 1962; Harms and Waldroup, 1962; Nesheim and Hutt, 1962; Sibbald and Slinger, 1963; Davidson and Mathieson, 1965; and Enos and Moreng, 1965). However, Lepore (1965) failed to show a lower dietary requirement for methionine when selection was for body weight at three weeks on a methionine deficient diet. This report deals with the method of measuring such traits and suggests alternative systems that may enhance selection efficiency. When selecting for lowered nutrient requirements by measuring growth (body weight at a given age or gain per unit of time) on a deficient diet, one assumes that the variation in the selected trait due to requirement differences …
The role of sexual selection in maintaining a colour polymorphism in the pygmy swordtail, Xiphophorus pygmaeus

The forces responsible for maintaining genetic polymorphisms within populations are often unclear. Male pygmy swordtails are polymorphic at a single Y-linked locus that regulates body colour. The visually conspicuous, sex-limited polymorphism suggests that sexual selection is important for maintaining genetic variation for these conspicuous phenotypes. We performed a series of behavioural experiments that decoupled body colour from possible correlates, to detect female mating preferences for each morph and differences in male reproductive behaviour. Male body colour, male mating behaviour and male agonistic behaviour all appeared to influence male reproductive success. Females in two of three populations showed mating preferences for blue males, but gold males dominated in agonistic interactions and were more aggressive in pursuing females. Females in those populations preferred blue to gold males under optical filters that masked blue colour, but not under filters that masked gold colour, suggesting that female behaviour reflects an aversion to gold males. Females from one population
An Anxious Heart: Anxiety and the Onset of Cardiovascular Diseases

The public health burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is high both in terms of economic and social costs. Key modifiable factors identified for CVD prevention include health behaviors and health risk factors (e.g., cholesterol, blood pressure). However, a substantial body of research has also identified stress, anxiety, and depression as potentially modifiable CVD risk factors. Here we focus on the role of anxiety in the development of CVD and consider its potential as a key target for primordial prevention strategies. First, we highlight important findings and summarize the latest research on anxiety and incident CVD. We also review and summarize the findings to date on subclinical CVD outcomes and briefly consider mechanisms by which anxiety may influence CVD. We identify key issues and consider how these issues may inform our understanding of the anxiety-CVD relationship. Finally, we briefly discuss the clinical implications of this work, with specific recommendations for providers.
NMRFAM-SPARKY: enhanced software for biomolecular NMR spectroscopy

Summary: SPARKY (Goddard and Kneller, SPARKY 3) remains the most popular software program for NMR data analysis, despite the fact that development of the package by its originators ceased in 2001. We have taken over the development of this package and describe NMRFAM-SPARKY, which implements new functions reflecting advances in the biomolecular NMR field. NMRFAM-SPARKY has been repackaged with current versions of Python and Tcl/Tk, which support new tools for NMR peak simulation and graphical assignment determination. These tools, along with chemical shift predictions from the PACSY database, greatly accelerate protein side chain assignments. NMRFAM-SPARKY supports automated data format interconversion for interfacing with a variety of web servers including, PECAN , PINE, TALOS-N, CS-Rosetta, SHIFTX2 and PONDEROSA-C/S. Availability and implementation: The software package, along with binary and source codes, if desired, can be downloaded freely from http://pine.nmrfam.wisc.edu/download_packages.html. Instruction manuals and video tutorials can be found at http://www.nmrfam.wisc.edu/nmrfam-sparky-distribution.htm. Contact: ude.csiw.mafrmn@eelhw or ude.csiw.mafrmn@yelkram Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Schools and Educational Outcomes: What Causes the “Race Gap” in Student Test Scores?*

Objective. African-American and Hispanic students often have lower test scores than white students at all levels of education. In this article, we examine whether school factors impact racial groups differentially, helping reduce the test score gaps, and whether school policies benefit one racial group at the expense of another. Methods. The data is individual-level data from a school district in California. Multivariate analysis (FGLS) is used to study the effect of school factors and race on test scores, after controlling for individual and school attributes. Results. School factors have a small differential effect by race on test scores. The school policies that have a positive influence on minorities' scores often involve an environment where closer attention is paid to the needs of students. Conclusion. Most school policies have a small effect on test scores, impacting all racial groups in a similar manner, without redistributing benefits across groups.
Current understanding of the mechanism of benzene-induced leukemia in humans: implications for risk assessment

Benzene causes acute myeloid leukemia and probably other hematological malignancies. As benzene also causes hematotoxicity even in workers exposed to levels below the US permissible occupational exposure limit of 1 part per million, further assessment of the health risks associated with its exposure, particularly at low levels, is needed. Here, we describe the probable mechanism by which benzene induces leukemia involving the targeting of critical genes and pathways through the induction of genetic, chromosomal or epigenetic abnormalities and genomic instability, in a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC); stromal cell dysregulation; apoptosis of HSCs and stromal cells and altered proliferation and differentiation of HSCs. These effects modulated by benzene-induced oxidative stress, aryl hydrocarbon receptor dysregulation and reduced immunosurveillance, lead to the generation of leukemic stem cells and subsequent clonal evolution to leukemia. A mode of action (MOA) approach to the risk assessment of benzene was recently proposed. This approach is limited, however, by the challenges of defining a simple stochastic MOA of benzene-induced leukemogenesis and of identifying relevant and quantifiable parameters associated with potential key events. An alternative risk assessment approach is the application of toxicogenomics and systems biology in human populations, animals and in vitro models of the HSC stem cell niche, exposed to a range of levels of benzene. These approaches will inform our understanding of the mechanisms of benzene toxicity and identify additional biomarkers of exposure, early effect and susceptibility useful for risk assessment.
Ultraviolet-Induced Sensitivity to Visible Light in Ultraviolet Receptors of Limulus

In the UV-sensitive photoreceptors of the median ocellus (UV cells), prolonged depolarizing afterpotentials are seen following a bright UV stimulus. These afterpotentials are abolished by long-wavelength light. During a bright UV stimulus, long-wavelength light elicits a sustained negative-going response. These responses to long-wavelength light are called repolarizing responses. The spectral sensitivity curve for the repolarizing responses peaks at 480 nm; it is the only spectral sensitivity curve for a median ocellus electrical response known to peak at 480 nm. The reversal potentials of the repolarizing response and the depolarizing receptor potential are the same, and change in the same way when the external sodium ion concentration is reduced. We propose that the generation of repolarizing responses involves a thermally stable intermediate of the UV-sensitive photopigment of UV cells.
AGU signs memorandum of agreement with Asia Oceania Geosciences Society

AGU has taken the latest step in building strategic alliances with partner groups by signing a memorandum of agreement with the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS). This agreement is based on the common interests of our members and will allow us to strengthen our respective organizations by exchanging information on key programs and initiatives; expanding membership of both our organizations through possible joint programs; offering additional educational opportunities, professional services, and student programs; and extending benefits to members of both organizations.
RECQL5 cooperates with Topoisomerase II alpha in DNA decatenation and cell cycle progression

DNA decatenation mediated by Topoisomerase II is required to separate the interlinked sister chromatids post-replication. SGS1, a yeast homolog of the human RecQ family of helicases interacts with Topoisomerase II and plays a role in chromosome segregation, but this functional interaction has yet to be identified in higher organisms. Here, we report a physical and functional interaction of Topoisomerase IIα with RECQL5, one of five mammalian RecQ helicases, during DNA replication. Direct interaction of RECQL5 with Topoisomerase IIα stimulates the decatenation activity of Topoisomerase IIα. Consistent with these observations, RECQL5 co-localizes with Topoisomerase IIα during S-phase of the cell cycle. Moreover, cells with stable depletions of RECQL5 display a slow proliferation rate, a G2/M cell cycle arrest and late S-phase cycling defects. Metaphase spreads generated from RECQL5-depleted cells exhibit undercondensed and entangled chromosomes. Further, RECQL5-depleted cells activate a G2/M checkpoint and undergo apoptosis. These phenotypes are similar to those observed when Topoisomerase II catalytic activity is inhibited. These results reveal an important role for RECQL5 in the maintenance of genomic stability and a new insight into the decatenation process.
US public accountancy firms and the recruitment of UK immigrants: 1850‐1914

Reports on the role of UK emigrants to the USA in the creation and early development of its public accountancy profession. Explains findings in the context of US public accountancy firms founded by UK immigrants and focuses on the recruitment of qualified and unqualified public accountants from the UK. The study is based on searches of relevant archives in the UK and USA. The evidence reveals UK immigrants played a substantial part in the formation and early development of both public accountancy firms and institutions in the USA. However, the recruitment of immigrants by US firms appears to have been a temporary phenomenon pending the supply of US‐born accountants with suitable training and experience. The firms examined include local and national firms. Subject to data retrieval limitations, a major conclusion of the study is that unqualified immigrants played significant roles in the early histories of firms and institutions of US public accountancy.
Localization of TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3, gelatinase A and gelatinase B in pathological human corneas

PURPOSE. Determine the tissue distribution patterns for tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3), gelatinase A and gelatinase B in normal and pathologic corneas. METHOD. Corneas were examined by immunohistochemistry, using antibodies to TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3, gelatinase A or gelatinase B. RESULTS. In normal corneas, TIMP-1 antibody stained the epithelium and endothelium. TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 stained the epithelium, keratocytes and endothelium. Gelatinase A staining was weak and restricted to the epithelial cells. Radial keratotomy scars showed increased staining for TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 around the epithelial cell plug and along the incision. Bullous keratopathy corneas showed TIMP staining patterns similar to normal corneas and increased gelatinase A staining in regions of subepithelial fibrosis. Stromal scars of keratoconus corneas also had increased staining with TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 antibodies. In many keratoconus corneas, the TIMP-3 staining pattern was similar to normal corneas. Howev...
Septic Arthritis of Two Joints Following Blunt Trauma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Septic arthritis necessitates prompt recognition and treatment, which optimally includes a combination of medical and surgical interventions. Initial management includes adequate surgical drainage of the infection site, collection of joint and blood specimens for culture and antibiotic-susceptibility testing, and prompt initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy1. Delayed diagnosis can produce substantial long-term morbidity, including damage to the articular cartilage, physeal injury with growth disturbance, pathologic fractures, and joint stiffness or dislocation2,3. Septic arthritis is becoming more common in the pediatric population, with an estimated incidence of 1/10,000 per year in children younger than twelve years of age4. A variety of bacteria may cause septic arthritis, but the most commonly identified pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus, which causes between 25% and 60% of cases3-5. Posttraumatic septic arthritis is relatively common following open injuries and fractures, but septic arthritis from a closed injury is rarely reported and can be challenging to diagnose2. We present the case of a five-year-old patient who sustained relatively minor trauma and developed septic arthritis in two joints. Permission from both the patient and the family was obtained prior to the submission of this article. A five-year-old otherwise healthy girl with left elbow and left hip pain who refused to walk was transferred to our local pediatric hospital for evaluation. The left elbow pain started eight days prior to presentation, after she was pushed off of a bicycle and landed on her left side. The left leg pain started six days prior to presentation after she had been playing on a trampoline. The day after the hip pain began, the patient was taken to a hospital for evaluation of the pain and refusal to bear weight on the lower limb. Radiographs of the left hip (Fig. …
A generation 2.5 drug-eluting stent?

One might easily ask: “Do we really need another second-generation limus-eluting stent?” To answer this question, one has to look at the limitations of first-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) and the improvements demonstrated with second-generation DES. The initial Cypher and Taxus products
Mental Health and Medical Health Disparities in 5135 Transgender Veterans Receiving Healthcare in the Veterans Health Administration: A Case-Control Study.

Abstract Purpose: There are no large controlled studies of health disparities in transgender (TG) or gender dysphoric patients. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest healthcare system in the United States and was an early adopter of electronic health records. We sought to determine whether medical and/or mental health disparities exist in VHA for clinically diagnosed TG veterans compared to matched veterans without a clinical diagnosis consistent with TG status. Methods: Using four ICD-9-CM codes consistent with TG identification, a cohort of 5135 TG veterans treated in VHA between 1996 and 2013 was identified. Veterans without one of these diagnoses were matched 1:3 in a case–control design to determine if medical and/or mental health disparities exist in the TG veteran population. Results: In 2013, the prevalence of TG veterans with a qualifying clinical diagnosis was 58/100,000 patients. Statistically significant disparities were present in the TG cohort for all 10 mental health condi...
The “Impossible Trinity,” The International Monetary Framework, and the Pacific Rim

We examine the development of open macroeconomic policy choices among developing economies from the perspective of the powerful ―trilemma‖ hypothesis. Using the ―trilemma indexes‖ (Aizenman, Chinn, and Ito, 2010) that measure the extent of achievement in monetary independence, exchange rate stability, and financial openness, we observe that the three dimensions of the trilemma configurations are converging towards a ―middle ground‖ among emerging market economies with managed exchange rate flexibility, underpinned by sizable holdings of international reserves, and intermediate levels of monetary independence and financial integration. We also find emerging market economies with more converged policy choices tend to experience smaller output volatility in the last two decades. Emerging markets with low levels of international reserves holding could experience higher levels of output volatility when they choose a policy combination with a greater degree of policy divergence while it does not apply to economies with high levels of international reserves holding. These results indicate that holding a high volume of international reserves may give room to emerging market economies to choose a policy combination from a wider spectrum of policy combinations.
EBITDA Disclosure and Overinvestment in Capital

This paper investigates the association between firms’ EBITDA reporting practices in earnings announcements and their capital investment decisions. I find that firms that include EBITDA in their earnings announcements over-invest in capital, are smaller, and have lower market-to-book ratios and lower profitability than non-EBITDA-reporting firms. These results are not explained by opportunistic disclosure behavior. Specifically, the results provide little evidence that firms report EBITDA specifically when the EBITDA metric shows superior performance. The paper contributes to the prior literature in various ways. First, these results suggest that managers’ reliance on EBITDA leads them to overinvest, which is a form of real earnings management that – to the extent that it exists – is sustainable in a steady state as long as EBITDA is considered an appropriate performance measure. In addition, this paper provides new evidence on the inferior characteristics and implications of non-GAAP earnings. Lastly, the paper provides evidence that in contrast with prior literature, which claims that managements report opportunistically.
Coblockade of the LFA1:ICAM and CD28/CTLA4:B7 pathways is a highly effective means of preventing acute lethal graft-versus-host disease induced by fully major histocompatibility complex-disparate donor grafts

We have developed an in vitro system in which C57BL/6 donor splenocytes are exposed to B10.BR host alloantigens in the context of deficient CD28:B7 signaling as a means of preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Although 54% to 82% of MLR alloresponse was inhibited by cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4)-Ig treatment of host stimulator cells, treated splenocytes were still capable of causing GVHD when infused in vivo. By adding anti-leukocyte function antigen 1 (anti-LFA1) antibody to hCTLA4-Ig in vitro to coblock the LFA1:intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) signaling, splenic alloresponse was inhibited by > or = 89%, yet GVHD induction capabilities were retained. Because antigen-primed cells might be more susceptible to CD28:B7 blockade, we investigated whether hCTLA4-Ig alone, anti-LFA1 antibody alone, or the combination of both added to donor-antihost in vitro primed cells could reduce GVHD. To facilitate hyporesponsiveness induction and to block B7 and ICAM ligands that are upregulated during GVHD, these reagents were also administered to recipients post-BMT. We have shown that hCTLA4-Ig plus anti-LFA1 antibody is highly effective in preventing GVHD-induced lethality (88% to 100% of treated mice surviving versus 0% to 28% of controls surviving). For optimal prevention, both hCTLA4-Ig and anti-LFA1 must be used in vitro in the context of donor-antihost primed splenocytes and continued in vivo. This in vitro-in vivo combined approach was associated with donor engraftment, and recipients were not globally immunosuppressed. We conclude that blocking both the CD28/B7 and the LFA1:ICAM pathways are critical to effective GVHD prevention and may offer advantages to in vitro donor T-cell removal.
Coated-Platelet Levels and Cerebral Microbleeds in Patients with Non-Lacunar Brain Infarction (P02.185)

Objective: To examine the relationship between coated-platelet levels and the presence of cerebral microbleeds in non-lacunar ischemic stroke. Background Microbleeds are increasingly observed neuroimaging findings in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Coated-platelets are a subset of platelets with high procoagulant potential observed upon dual-agonist stimulation with collagen and thrombin. Coated-platelet levels are elevated in patients with non-lacunar ischemic stroke compared to controls, although those patients with lower coated-platelet levels experience more frequent early hemorrhagic transformation. In contrast to brain infarction, patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage have lower coated-platelet levels, and these levels inversely correlate with bleed size. We, therefore, undertook a study to investigate a relationship between coated-platelet production and the presence of microbleeds in patients with ischemic stroke. Design/Methods: Coated-platelet levels were determined in 110 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of non-lacunar stroke defined by TOAST criteria. Microbleeds were detected using T2*-weighted MRI sequences (1.5 T) based on published criteria. Patients receiving anticoagulation or thrombolytics were excluded. The presence of microbleeds was determined by an experienced stroke neurologist who was blinded to the coated-platelet levels. Individuals performing the coated-platelet assay were not aware of the clinical diagnosis. Results: Among 110 patients with non-lacunar stroke, 22 patients (20%) had microbleeds. Coated-platelet levels (mean±SD) for all patients were 42.9±13.9% (range 3.7-77.6%). Statistical analysis of coated-platelet levels, distributed as tertiles (lowest 3.7-36.2%, middle 36.8-49.2% and highest 49.3-77.6%), showed a significant inverse correlation with the presence of microbleeds (P=0.019). Microbleeds were present in 13/36 patients in the lowest tertile compared to 4/37 in the middle tertile and 5/37 in the highest tertile of coated-platelets. Conclusions: Lower levels of coated-platelets are associated with the presence of microbleeds in patients with non-lacunar ischemic stroke. Larger prospective studies are needed to better establish the potential connection between altered coated-platelet synthesis, microbleeds, cerebral infarction and possible hemorrhage-prone vascular changes. Supported by: Clinical Science Research & Development Service of the VA Office of Research and Development (award number1I01CX000340) and AHA. Disclosure: Dr. Prodan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gordon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dale has nothing to disclose.
Some comments on the cuff.

This issue of Respiratory Care includes a detailed study of a novel device to maintain a stable pressure within the cuff of an endotracheal tube (ETT).[1][1] Why all the bother? Why do ETTs need cuffs anyway? These seem like silly questions on the surface. A certain level of occlusion between the
Quantifying the Subjective Evaluation of Occupied Space

The subjective human response to occupied space involves the measurement of affectivity. The measurement of the human affective state (i.e., how one feels or how some feature of the environment feels to the individual) tends to be arbitrary and dependent upon the bias of the investigator. Almost universally, the rating scale is selected to accomplish the measurement. Recent advances in rating scale development have moved the measurement of affectivity out of a purely arbitrary domain and into a more quantifiable modality. In this paper four scaling techniques and representative rating scales are presented for use in assessing the subjective human response to the environment.
Assistant professors of color confront the inequitable terrain of academia: a community cultural wealth perspective

AbstractThis qualitative study adopted Yosso’s community cultural wealth (CCW) framework to examine how 16 assistant professors of color (APOC) drew upon various forms of capital (navigational, aspirational, social, resistant, linguistic, familial) to deal with racism and marginalization in academia. Findings revealed how APOC: dealt with students’ stereotypes of them, maintained their authentic selves to make academia more accessible and relevant, persevered with integrity despite hostility or marginalization, self-advocated for quality mentorship, and engaged in strategic service while avoiding cultural taxation and tokenism. Findings highlighted the positive cultural assets APOC enact within the academy while reiterating the need to address racist and marginalizing policies and practices in higher education. Variations in experiences based on gender and international status that can be explored further in future research also emerged. Working at a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) also did not elimina...
Vesicoureteral Reflux in Recurrent Carcinoma of the Bladder—Implications for Treatment and Prognosis

AbstractIn an evaluation of the use of topical triethylenethiophosphoramide for therapy and prevention of recurrent multiple superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder retrograde cystography was done. Unilateral or bilateral vesicoureteral reflux was demonstrated in 9 consecutive patients studied. Retrospective analysis uncovered 9 additional patients with bladder cancer and reflux. The discovery of vesicoureteral reflux prompts currently unanswerable questions regarding the etiology and pathogenesis of urothelial malignancy, as well as the role of topical chemotherapy in superficial tumors.
Characterization of stiffness degradation caused by fatigue damage of additive manufactured parts

Abstract A study of the cyclical fatigue behavior of additive manufactured components, fabricated by the fused deposition modeling (FDM) process, is presented. Experimentation was designed to focus on the effect of deposition strategy or specimen mesostructure on tensile fatigue life and effective stiffness. Testing included consideration of unidirectional laminates with parallel plies having fiber orientations ranging from θ = 0° to θ = 90°, and bidirectional laminates with alternating orthogonal plies that form a layering pattern of θ°/(θ - 90°) fiber orientations. Results highlight the orthotropic behavior of FDM components and suggest that tensile performance is improved by aligning fibers of unidirectional laminae more closely with the axis of applied stress. The bidirectional laminae display incrementally improved tensile fatigue performance from what appears to be an offsetting effect associated with alternating orthogonal layers. An empirical model of effective elastic modulus and an analytical model of the accumulated damage state, as defined on the basis of stiffness degradation during cyclical loading, are presented as functions of specimen mesostructure. The actual damage accumulation due to cyclical loading is compared with the model predictions, and the coefficient of determination R2 indicates reasonable agreement for each factor combination.
Searching for Quality Diversity When Diversity is Unaligned with Quality

Inspired by natural evolution’s affinity for discovering a wide variety of successful organisms, a new evolutionary search paradigm has emerged wherein the goal is not to find the single best solution but rather to collect a diversity of unique phenotypes where each variant is as good as it can be. These quality diversity (QD) algorithms therefore must explore multiple promising niches simultaneously. A QD algorithm’s diversity component, formalized by specifying a behavior characterization (BC), not only generates diversity but also promotes quality by helping to overcome deception in the fitness landscape. However, some BCs (particularly those that are unaligned with the notion of quality) do not adequately mitigate deception, rendering QD algorithms unable to discover the best-performing solutions on difficult problems. This paper introduces a solution that enables QD algorithms to pursue arbitrary notions of diversity without compromising their ability to solve hard problems: driving search with multiple BCs simultaneously.
Tests of Hypotheses Concerning Matched Samples

McNEMAR (1947) considered the problem of testing the significance of the difference between two correlated sample proportions or frequencies, and Cochran (1950) presented one generalization of the problem in which there are c (> 2) matched or correlated samples. For example, specimens from each of a series of n patients may be subjected to a number of clinical tests for results concerning positive or negative findings. There is then the question about the possible significance amongst some or all of the clinical tests as regards the total number of positive results. In this paper it is shown that these are equivalent to problems of tests of linear hypotheses for multinomial and binomial variates. Appropriate chi-square tests and their limiting power functions are derived. An example using Maxwell's data (1961) is given which illustrates the case: c = 3. 2. MCNEMAR'S TEST (c = 2) Suppose then that there are only two observers or clinical test readings, the outcomes of which are represented by n pairs of l's or O's, respectively. The results may1ibe represented in the array given in Table 1.
In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion Model to Monitor the Antioxidant Properties and Bioavailability of Phenolic Antioxidants from Elderberry

The sustainability of the elderberry antioxidants during gastrointestinal (GI) digestion was monitored using an in vitro GI digestion model involving pepsin digestion (to simulate gastric digestion) and pancreatin digestion (to simulate small intestine conditions). The potential bioavailability of elderberry antioxidants after GI digestion was further determined by employing a membrane model using dialysis tubing. Our results showed that simulated GI digestion significantly decreased 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the elderberry antioxidant extract, but had no effect on its total phenolic content (TPC) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value. After GI digestion, more than 75% of phenolic content in the elderberry extract was absorbable according to our simulated dialysis experiment. The impact of GI digestion on individual antioxidants in the elderberry extract was determined by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ten individual antioxidants were identified and quantified by HPLC with chlorogenic acid, rutin, catechin, p-coumaric acid, and quercetin as the major phenolic compounds in the elderberry extract. GI digestion increased the concentrations of chlorogenic acid and p-coumaric acid but decreased epicatechin and quercetin 3-glucoside content in the elderberry extract.
The Effects of Nutrition Education on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Food Pantry Clients

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of a nutrition education program on increasing the fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) in adult food pantry clients using mixed methods approaches. MethodsA...
An Exploratory Study of Communication Practices Affecting Church Leadership Team Performance

This study extends top management team (TMT) research by examining the “black box” of teams’ communication processes through survey data collected from church senior leadership teams. Seven hundred...
Limited Resources for Self-Regulation: A Current Overview of the Strength Model

This chapter provides an overview of my efforts to develop a new model of self-regulation over the past 25 years. The strength model sees self-regulation as dependent on a limited energy resource, and self-regulatory capacity functions like a physical muscle: It seems to get tired after use, it conserves energy for upcoming challenges or when fatigued, and it gets stronger with regular exercise. The same resource is used for decision-making. Recent findings and theoretical challenges have pointed the way toward a new and better theory but in my view have not provided a viable alternative to the limited resource model. Integrating recent work on selective allocation, motivational changes, subjective beliefs, and bodily processes has greatly improved our understanding of self-regulation as a limited capacity.
Hyperspectral band selection using Kullback-Leibler divergence for blueberry fruit detection

This paper explores the feasibility of using hyperspectral imagery for blueberry fruit detection. Some bands of hyperspectral images offer redundant information. A Kullback-Leibler divergence (KLD) based band selection method is used to select the most useful bands. Forty hyperspectral images of blueberry plants were taken from the field with 1-millimeter special resolution. The proposed KLD based band selection method took advantage of the high spatial resolution of the blueberry hyperspectral images. The performance of the selected bands was compared with an unsupervised band selection strategy. The selected bands may be used for developing a blueberry detection system with a multi-spectral camera, which is of much lower cost than a hyperspectral camera.
In Vivo and In Vitro Toxicity of Cyclopiazonic Acid (CPA)

There has been considerable interest in recent years concerning the relationships between mycotoxins and diseases of animals and humans. Most of this interest has centered upon the aflatoxins (Jelinek et al., 1989), however, the number of mycotoxins implicated as potential causes of disease has increased steadily. Jelinek et al. (1989) have recently reviewed the worldwide occurrence of mycotoxins in feeds and foods and concluded that expanded efforts to monitor mycotoxin concentrations, including cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), in foodstuffs be initiated. CPA is an indole tetramic acid that was first isolated by Holzapfel (1968). It is produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species, including A. flavus, A. tamarii, A. oryzae, A. versicolor, P. patulum, P. puberulum, P. veridicatum, P. crustosum and P. camemberti (Dorner et al., 1983; LeBars, 1979; Gallagher et al., 1978; Lansden and Davidson, 1983; Leistner and Pitt, 1977; Luk et al., 1977; Ohmomo et al., 1973; Orth et al., 1977; Rao and Husain, 1985; Still et al., 1978; Trucksess et al., 1987), which have been isolated from various commodities, meats, dried foods and nuts. However, only limited data regarding the natural occurrence of this mycotoxin is available. CPA has been found in the crust of camembert cheese (Still et al., 1978; LeBars et al., 1979). The highest concentration, 4 ppm, was found in a sample stored under unusual (five days at 25 °C) conditions (Still et al., 1978) and most samples contained considerably less CPA (0.1 to 1.5 ppm) (LeBars et al., 1979).
The Impact of Public and Private Research on Premature Cancer Mortality and Hospitalization in the United States, 1999-2013:

This article provides evidence about the impact that public and private research had on premature mortality and hospitalization due to cancer in the United States during the period 1999-2013. We es...
Teaching about Gender Issues in the Art Education Classroom: Myra Sadker Day

This article is a description and analysis of the course processes and project outcomes of an an education class where feminist issues were a significant part of the course. Final projects were designed to contribute to Myra Sadker Day, established to honor Sadker's significant work to expose gender bias in U.S. classrooms and to encourage equitable practices in the classroom. Sadker Day was thought to be important in promoting education about feminist issues in classrooms by actively involving students in feminist issues. Four themes from scholarship on feminist pedagogy will be used to analyze class discussions and projects: mastery, authority, voice, and positionality.
Telelactation via Mobile App: Perspectives of Rural Mothers, Their Care Providers, and Lactation Consultants

Abstract Background: Rural–urban disparities exist in breastfeeding rates and availability of lactation support. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) telelactation that uses two-way video through personal devi...
Health Care Expenditures and Utilization Among Older Mexican Adults.

Objectives: Examine differences in health care utilization and out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures among older Mexican adults in 2001 and 2012, and identify individual characteristics associated with ...
Multi-Level Mesa.

Multi-level Mesa is an extension to support the Python based Agents Based Model (ABM) library Mesa. Multi-level Mesa provides ABM infrastructure to allow for the inclusion of complex networks, which have modules (groups) and hierarchies (layers) of agents. This approach allows for users to define and simulate multi-layered adaptions of complex networks. This study reviews other multi-level libraries currently in the field, describes the main functions and classes of the Multi-level Mesa, and describes its implementation and impact in numerous varieties using the seminal ABM - Sugarscape. Multi-level Mesa and Sugarscape examples are available on GitHub at this https URL and this https URL.
IceSat-2 ATLAS photon-counting receiver: initial on-orbit performance

Photon-counting receivers are deployed on the NASA Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat2) Advance Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS). The ATLAS laser altimeter design has total six ground tracks with three strong and three weak tracks. The strong track has nominally 4 times more laser power than the weak track. The receiver is operated in photon counting mode. There are 16 photon-counting channels for each strong track and 4 photon-counting channels for each weak track. Hamamatsu photomultiplier with a 4x4-array anode was used as photon counting detector. This receiver design has high counting efficiency (>15%) at 532 nm, low dark count rate (<400 counts per second), low jitter (less than 285ps), short dead time (<3 ns), long lifetime under large solar background radiation, radiation harden for space operation, and ruggedized for survives the harsh vibration during the launch. In this paper, we will present the initial on-orbit performance of this photon-counting receiver.
Applications of Optical Pumping and Polarization Techniques in NMR: I. Optical Nuclear Polarization in Molecular Crystals

In certain systems, the application of resonant optical fields may be used to enhance the nuclear spin polarization by several orders of magnitude. Such large, non-equilibrium enhancements can translate directly into dramatic improvements in NMR detection sensitivity, and thus offer a variety of novel experimental possibilities. This multi-installment report concerns the development of optically enhanced NMR and MRI, spanning applicable systems that include noble gases, semiconductors, and molecular and ionic crystals, as well as the exploitation of photo-initiated radical pairs in solution and biological solids. Realized and potential NMR applications include void-space imaging of materials and living organisms; probing structure and dynamics in proteins and inclusion complexes; enhanced NMR of bulk and nanostructured materials; quantum computing; fundamental studies of various photophysical and photochemical processes; and low-field and remotely-detected NMR and MRI. Moreover, in some circumstances the presence of gated optical fields can permit novel time-resolved studies as well. Following a brief introduction for the entire review, this installment concerns the principles and practice of optical nuclear polarization (ONP) in organic molecular crystals. Work over the >35-year history of ONP-enhanced NMR is reviewed, with particular emphasis placed upon recent developments including the use of sample-shuttling and field-ramping in ONP experiments; microwave- and radio frequency-driven ONP; enhanced high-resolution NMR of single crystals; the observation of high (order unity) 1H polarization; and ONP in polycrystalline substances. This installment concludes with a brief discussion of future possibilities concerning ONP, including the expansion of such approaches to other (e.g., biological) systems.
Band gap bowing for high In content InAlN films

The InAlN alloy system has bandgap energies that span the entire visible range and is a promising candidate for bandgap engineering. To facilitate bandgap engineering, the bandgap bowing for the entire composition range must be well characterized. In rich InxAl1−xN (x > 0.60), films were grown via plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy on freestanding GaN substrates. The InxAl1−xN film compositions were determined using high resolution X-ray diffraction. On-axis 0002 ω-2θ scans were used to determine the c spacing of the films, reciprocal space maps of the 1¯015 peaks were used to determine that the films were completely relaxed, and the film compositions were calculated from that information assuming Vegard's law. The bandgaps were independently measured using absorbance spectroscopy and fitting to the linear region of a Tauc plot (dependence of α2 hν on hν) as determined by interpolating the second derivative of the data and selecting a region of low curvature. Compared with the literature, the data were fit to a composition-independent bandgap bowing model, and a bowing parameter of b = 4.0 ± 0.2 eV was calculated, which is consistent with previous results.The InAlN alloy system has bandgap energies that span the entire visible range and is a promising candidate for bandgap engineering. To facilitate bandgap engineering, the bandgap bowing for the entire composition range must be well characterized. In rich InxAl1−xN (x > 0.60), films were grown via plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy on freestanding GaN substrates. The InxAl1−xN film compositions were determined using high resolution X-ray diffraction. On-axis 0002 ω-2θ scans were used to determine the c spacing of the films, reciprocal space maps of the 1¯015 peaks were used to determine that the films were completely relaxed, and the film compositions were calculated from that information assuming Vegard's law. The bandgaps were independently measured using absorbance spectroscopy and fitting to the linear region of a Tauc plot (dependence of α2 hν on hν) as determined by interpolating the second derivative of the data and selecting a region of low curvature. Compared with the literature, the data we...