cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geographic cohesion, chromosomal evolution, parallel adaptive radiations, and consequent floral adaptations in Calochortus (Calochortaceae): evidence from a cpDNA phylogeny

Summary •W e developed a molecular phylogeny for Calochortus (Liliaceae) to reconstruct historical patterns of evolution. • Three cpDNA segments were sequenced and analyzed using parsimony. •W e identified seven major, geographically cohesive clades centered mainly in the California Floristic Province. Section Calochortus is monophyletic; section Mariposa , paraphyletic; and section Cyclobothra , polyphyletic. Calochortus arose in the Coast Ranges, which were uplifited 3‐5 million yr ago. Three of the four major floral syndromes evolved at least twice, associated with particular environments. Serpentine tolerance evolved at least seven times. •W e argue that limited dispersal led to the narrow endemism of individual species, the geographic cohesion of clades, and parallel radiations in habitat preference, floral morphology, and serpentine tolerance. Chromosomal evolution allowed Calochortus to ‘double-up’ its regional radiations, preventing crosses between pairs of clades with overlapping ranges. Floral evolution in Calochortus is an example of consequent radiation, with selection for local diversification in habitat driving secondary specialization of flowers on the range of pollinators and abiotic conditions within each habitat, rather than selection to partition pollinators within habitats driving adaptive radiation.
Jejunum for bridging long-gap esophageal atresia

Objective Exploring pros and cons of bridging long-gap esophageal atresia with an orthotopic jejunal pedicle graft. Retrospective series of 19 patients. Methods From 1988 through 2005, 19 patients with long-gap esophageal atresia received a jejunal graft. Median age at reconstruction was 76 days. The technique involved an initial right-sided thoracotomy or thoracoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of long-gap esophageal atresia. Through a median laparotomy, a small pediculated jejunal graft was prepared and placed transmesocolically and transhiatally in an orthotopic position in the right chest. Results All patients survived and none of the grafts were lost. Four intrathoracic and one intraabdominal leak occurred. One intrathoracic and one intraabdominal leak were surgically repaired. One early distal stenosis was reoperated as well. There were always signs of distal functional subobstruction, responding to dilation in all but one patient. Gastroesophageal reflux was not a problem except for one patient whose distal esophagus was eventually resected because of ongoing distal obstruction with dilation of the graft. Except for one patient, all patients are eating normally and most of them grow well. Respiratory problems were rare. Grafts did not become redundant and retained peristaltic activity. Conclusion Orthotopic jejunal pedicle graft reconstruction of the esophagus in children is a demanding operation with considerably early morbidity but good long-term results. It should be part of the pediatric surgical armamentarium for reconstruction of the esophagus.
Prisonization, Staff, and Inmates Is it Really about Us Versus Them?

It was argued that implicit in the concept of prisonization is the assumption that the relationship between the staff and inmate social systems is oppositional both normatively and behaviorally. Th...
Reynolds Stress Relaxation Turbulence Modeling Applied to a Wingtip Vortex Flow

A Reynolds stress relaxation model, specifically the lag Reynolds stress transport model, is applied to a wingtip vortex flow, and its performance is assessed and compared with other aerospace standard turbulence models. A Reynolds stress relaxation model allows for Reynolds stress history effects due to streamline curvature, which are seen to play an important role in the nondiffusive nature of turbulent vortices. This study shows that the lag Reynolds stress transport turbulence model is capable of predicting mean flow results as accurately as those of the well-performing Spalart–Allmaras model with correction for streamline curvature and system rotation. Furthermore, in this wingtip vortex flow, the lag Reynolds stress transport model predicts turbulence quantities more accurately than the rotation/curvature-corrected Spalart–Allmaras model. Although the lag Reynolds stress transport model well predicts this flow, it is more computationally intensive to solve than the rotation/curvature-corrected Spala...
Spreading rate independence of oceanic seismic layer 2

Comparison of travel-time and amplitude data from two Oblique Seismic Experiments located on 110 m.y. old oceanic crust in the western Atlantic and northwestern Pacific Oceans shows that compressional velocities within layer 2 are, within experimental error, identical at the two sites. This result implies that, at least for 110 m.y. old crust, the velocity structure in layer 2, where extrusive lavas grade downward into a sheeted dike complex, is independent of the spreading rate at which the crust was created.
A mechanism for bimodal emission of gaseous mercury from aquatic macrophytes

Abstract We performed intensive sampling campaigns of Hg 0 fluxes over emergent macrophytes in the Florida Everglades to find a surrogate for Hg fluxes from water and vegetation to identify the mechanisms of emission. We measured daytime lacunal and sediment gas concentrations of Hg 0 , which suggested that the lacunal space acts as temporary storage for Hg 0 and CH 4 . The absence of detectable Hg 0 fluxes measured over uprooted (floating) plants and sediment incubation experiments suggest that the Hg 0 emitted from emergent macrophytes such as Typha and Cladium originates in the sediment. HgII in the rhizosphere is reduced to Hg 0 in these sediments by various processes, and is then transported by the plants to the atmosphere by two separate processes. At night, Hg 0 and CH 4 formed in the sediment accumulate in the lacunal space after crossing the root-sediment barrier. At sunrise, a form of pressurized through-flow purges the lacunal space of Typha into the atmosphere forming an early morning emission pulse for both gases, and coincidental peaks of CH 4 and Hg 0 suggest that the same lacunal gas transport mechanism is involved. Later in the day while the release of methane continues to deplete the lacunal pool, the Hg 0 flux increases again to form a second peak in the afternoon when the CH 4 emission has decreased. This peak parallels that of transpiration, and is presumably due to xylem transport of Hg 0 from continued production of Hg 0 in the rhizosphere, perhaps in response to release of root exudates. A mass balance for this ∼1500 ha wetland suggested that the total transpiration of Hg 0 is ∼1 kg yr −1 , or ∼20 times the amount evaded from the water surface.
Challenges and Opportunities in Video Coding for 3D TV

This paper explores the challenges opportunities in developing and deploying 3D TV services. The 3D TV services can be seen as a general case of the multi-view video that has been receiving significant attention lately. The keys to a successful 3D TV experience are the availability of content, the ease of use, the quality of experience, and the cost of deployment. Recent technological advances have made possible experimental systems that can be used to evaluate the 3D TV services. We have developed a 3D TV prototype and have currently conducting our first user study to evaluate the quality and experience. These experiences have allowed us to identify challenges and opportunities in developing 3D TV services.
Incorporating movement behavior into conservation prioritization in fragmented landscapes: an example of western hoolock gibbons in Garo Hills, India.

Abstract Connectivity is increasingly of conservation concern due to ongoing habitat fragmentation, land-use dynamics and climate change. Connectivity patterns result from interactions between dispersers and the environment. However, connectivity assessments often ignore responses of dispersers to matrix types or characterize matrix resistance using habitat-use, rather than movement, data. We compare conservation rankings for connectivity of forest fragments in Garo Hills, India, where matrix resistance was quantified based on (a) distance among fragments, (b) habitat use, and (c) movement constraints for the arboreal western hoolock gibbon Hoolock hoolock. We first quantified matrix resistance based on gibbon movement, in terms of gap-crossing behavior, as a function of canopy gap and tree height, which was estimated using focal scans on seven gibbon groups. Second, we estimated matrix resistance based on gibbon habitat use of major land-use types in the study landscape. We then compared rankings of forest fragments using patch connectivity indices from network analyses using these quantified matrix resistances and Euclidean distance among sites. We found that matrix resistances based on movement data suggested greater resistance of plantations than did habitat-use data. Conservation rankings based on movement data were uncorrelated with those based on Euclidean distance. Rankings derived from movement data were correlated with those obtained from location data; however, there were several discrepancies between rankings, which were explained by landscape heterogeneity in the neighborhood of fragments. Incorporating movement behavior into connectivity assessments can improve our understanding of dispersal and provide a mechanistic basis for conservation prioritization in heterogeneous landscapes.
Crystal growth via spiral motion in abalone shell nacre

We present a structural feature of nacre in the red abalone shell: micrometer-scale screw dislocations in the aragonite layers and resultant growth via spiral motion. Compared to typical ionic or covalent crystals, nacre contains 106 screw dislocations per square centimeter, a difference of three orders of magnitude. Using electron microscopy, ion microscopy, and an in situ nano-manipulator, we studied the structure of screw dislocation cores in detail. We considered that these screw dislocations contribute significantly to the strengthening mechanisms that lead to nacre’s extraordinary work of fracture, which is three orders of magnitude greater than that of aragonite and other monolithic crystals. This work suggests that the lamellar layers of aragonite propagate via a large number of continuous spiral growth domains as the “stacks of coins” become confluent. This model may provide a basis for creating new comparable micro/nanocomposites through synthetic or biomineralization means.
From Research Settings to Parents: The Role of Parent Social Networks in the Choices Parents Make About Services for Their Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Despite research that has documented the types of services that are being used by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), researchers have yet to determine how intervention-related knowledge spreads to parents. In the current study, we sought to clarify the impact of parent social networks on intervention use in 244 parents of a child with ASD by examining the following: (a) Do social-network variables predict the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) or non-EBPs? (b) Do social-network variables predict parent satisfaction with service use? and (c) Who are the referral sources of EBPs and non-EBPs? Results indicated that social-network variables predict parents’ EBP use and non-EBP use beyond income, education, and child ASD symptom severity. In addition, recommendations to EBPs and non-EBPs came from distinct referral sources. The results have implications for both the active provision of basic social-network support and psychoeducation at the onset of ASD diagnosis and the use of socia...
Cadaveric study suggests femoral nerve at risk during transpsoas approach to L4-L5 disc: commentary on an article by Timothy T. Davis, MD, et al.: "Lumbar plexus anatomy within the psoas muscle: implications for the transpsoas lateral approach to the L4-L5 disc".

All surgical approaches to the lumbar discs are associated with morbidity and some risk of neurovascular injury. Surgeons choose the approach on the basis of their training, experience, and the pathology to be treated. The lateral retroperitoneal approach has the advantage of minimizing or eliminating manipulation of the large anterior vessels and the contents of the spinal canal. It places the psoas muscle and the adjacent neural structures at risk. A number of surgeons have developed less-invasive techniques to take advantage of this surgical approach, aided by retractors specific to the approach, fluoroscopy, and neuromonitoring. Clinical experience with this procedure is large, as reflected in the burgeoning literature. The range of reported complications varies widely in magnitude and scope. Among the more common neuromuscular complaints are thigh hypesthesia and paresthesias as well as hip flexor and knee extensor weakness. Both transient and permanent neurological deficits can occur. Rodgers et al. reported a series of 600 cases and noted only four instances (0.7%) of transient quadriceps weakness, attributed to nerve root dysfunction1. In contrast, Isaacs et al. noted thirty-six …
Differential activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase by endothelin and ceramide in colonic smooth muscle cells.

We have investigated the hypothesis that different contractile agonists activate distinct catalytic subunits of phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase in smooth muscle cells. Endothelin (10−7 M) induced a ...
Framework for Online Model Updating in Earthquake Hybrid Simulations

Hybrid simulation has been effectively utilized to assess structural response subjected to intense dynamic loads. The process comprises dividing the structure into experimental and numerical modules. The experimental modules represent the critical components responses, which cannot be idealized reliably through analytical approaches. The responses of the different modules are combined through a stepwise integration scheme. In conventional hybrid simulations, the number of experimental components is restricted by the capacity of the test facility; usually 1–3 components, and the numerical simulation does not benefit from the information acquired from the tested component during the analysis. In this article, a framework is proposed to identify the material constitutive relationship from the tested component(s) and to update the corresponding numerical parts that share close characteristics with the physical tests. Optimization tools and neural networks are presented as alternatives for the identification p...
PostScholar: Surfacing Social Signals in Google Scholar Search

PostScholar is a service that augments the results returned by Google Scholar, a search engine for academic citations. PostScholar detects the social media activity related to an article and displays that information on the search results page returned by Google Scholar. This enables Google Scholar users to interpret the social media impact of an ar-ticle, in addition to the citation impact provided by Google Scholar. The PostScholar service is implemented as a browser extension, and can be deployed across a variety of devices.
Implications for the structure of the Hat Creek fault and transfer of right-lateral shear from the Walker Lane north of Lassen Peak, northern California, from gravity and magnetic data

Interpretation of magnetic and new gravity data provides constraints on the geometry of the Hat Creek fault, the amount of right-lateral offset in the area between Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak (northern California, USA), and confirmation of the influence of preexisting structure on Quaternary faulting. Neogene volcanic rocks coincide with short-wavelength magnetic anomalies of both normal and reversed polarity, whereas a markedly smoother magnetic field occurs over the Klamath Mountains and Paleogene cover there. Although the magnetic field over the Neogene volcanic rocks is complex, the Hat Creek fault, which is one of the most prominent normal faults in the region and forms the eastern margin of the Hat Creek Valley, is marked by the eastern edge of a north-trending magnetic and gravity high 20–30 km long. Modeling of these anomalies indicates that the fault is a steeply dipping (∼75°–85°) structure. The spatial relationship of the fault as modeled by the potential-field data, the youngest strand of the fault, and relocated seismicity suggest that deformation continues to step westward across the valley, consistent with a component of right-lateral slip in an extensional environment. Filtered aeromagnetic data highlight a concealed magnetic body of Mesozoic or older age north of Hat Creek Valley. The body’s northwest margin strikes northeast and is linear over a distance of ∼40 km. Within the resolution of the aeromagnetic data (1–2 km), we discern no right-lateral offset of this body. Furthermore, Quaternary faults change strike or appear to end, as if to avoid this concealed magnetic body and to pass along its southeast edge, suggesting that preexisting crustal structure influenced younger faulting, as previously proposed based on gravity data.
Structure of Au/Ge/Au Multilayer Ohmic contacts to GaAs

The presence of a 500 A Ge layer in Au/Ge/Au ohmic contacts to GaAs was found to hinder the agglomeration of Au upon heating. An ohmic contact as uniform as the as-deposited metallization was achieved after heating at 300°C. Heating at 350–500°C resulted in various morphological entities in a Au-rich matrix. The microstructure changed from one with a Au-rich matrix to one with a GaAs-rich matrix and dendritic Au-rich islands at 525±25°C. Heating at 400°C or above resulted in Au-Ga phases with the epitaxial relationships α′ (110) ‖ GaAs (100) and Au2Ga (112) ‖ GaAs (100).
Rheology and Morphology of Pristine Graphene/Polyacrylamide Gels

Enhancement of toughness in nanomaterial-based hydrogels is a critical metric for many of their engineering applications. Pristine graphene-polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogels are synthesized via in situ polymerization of acrylamide monomer in PAM-stabilized graphene dispersion. In-situ polymerization leads to the uniform dispersion of the graphene sheets in the hydrogel. The graphene sheets interact with the elastic chains of the hydrogel through physisorption and permit gelation in the absence of any chemical cross-linker. This study represents the first report of pristine graphene as a physical cross-linker in a hydrogel. The properties of the graphene-polymer hydrogel are characterized by rheological measurements and compressive tests, revealing an increase in the storage modulus and toughness of the hydrogels compared to the chemically cross-linked PAM analogues. The physically cross-linked graphene hydrogels also exhibit self-healing properties. These hydrogels prove to be efficient precursors for graphe...
The generaGlomera andGlossorhyncha (Orchidaceae)

In the discussion aboutGlomera andGlossorhyncha reasons are give how to delimit and redefine the two genera. The genusGiulianettia is merged intoGlossorhyncha. A list of species belonging to each genus is included resulting in several new combinations.
Effects of birth date and body mass at birth on adult body mass of male white-tailed deer

We examined relationships of birth date and body mass at birth with body mass at mature ages (≥1.5 years) of captive, male white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Birth date was not associated with body mass at birth ( P = 0.862) and had no effect on body mass at the 1.5-, 2.0-, and 2.5-year age classes ( P ≥ 0.379). Males with greater body mass at birth added more body mass between birth and the 1.5-year age class ( P < 0.001) and had greater body mass at the 1.5-, 2.0-, and 2.5-year age classes ( P < 0.001). Body mass of male white-tailed deer at birth may influence body mass at mature ages.
MAGIC: model-based actuation for ground irrigation control

Lawns make up the largest irrigated crop by surface area in North America, and carries with it a demand for over 9 billion gallons of freshwater each day. Despite recent developments in irrigation control and sprinkler technology, state-of-the-art irrigation systems do nothing to compensate for areas of turf with heterogeneous water needs. In this work, we overcome the physical limitations of the traditional irrigation system with the development of a sprinkler node that can sense the local soil moisture, communicate wirelessly, and actuate its own sprinkler based on a centrally- computed schedule. A model is then developed to compute moisture movement from runoff, absorption, and diffusion. Integrated with an optimization framework, optimal valve scheduling can be found for each node in the space. In a turf area covering over 10,000 square feet, two separate deployments spanning a total of 7 weeks show that MAGIC can reduce water consumption by 23.4% over traditional campus scheduling, and by 12.3% over state-of-the- art evapotranspiration systems, while substantially improving conditions for plant health. In addition to environmental, social, and health benefits, MAGIC is shown to return its investment in 16-18 months based on water consumption alone.
Depth resolution in coherent hemodynamics spectroscopy

Coherent hemodynamics spectroscopy (CHS) is a novel method based on the frequency-resolved study of induced hemodynamic oscillations in living tissues. Approaches to induce hemodynamic oscillations in human subjects include paced breathing and cyclic thigh cuff inflation. Such induced hemodynamic oscillations result in coherent oscillations of oxy-, deoxy-, and total hemoglobin concentrations in tissue, which can be measured with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The novel aspect of CHS is to induce hemodynamic oscillations at multiple frequencies in order to obtain frequency-resolved spectra of coherent hemodynamics. A dedicated mathematical model recently developed by our group, can translate the phase and amplitude spectra of these hemodynamic oscillations into physiological parameters such as capillary and venous transit times, and the autoregulation cutoff frequency. A typical method used in near-infrared tissue spectroscopy to measure oscillations of hemoglobin concentrations is based on the modified Beer-Lambert law, which does not allow for the discrimination of hemodynamic oscillations occurring in the scalp from those occurring in the brain cortex. In this work, we show preliminary results obtained by using diffusion theory for a two-layered medium, so that the hemodynamic oscillations obtained for the first and second layer are assigned to hemodynamic oscillations occurring in the scalp/skull and brain cortex tissues, respectively.
Law enforcement disconnect from the community

AbstractThe dialog about enforcing the law varies between administrators, politicians, law enforcement officers, and the community. Each in turn has their own defined language. We performed a qualitative study on how officers reported critical incidents. A convenience sample of Louisiana and Mississippi Police officers was recruited from the Regional Counterdrug Training Academy in Meridian, MS. All participants were rural law enforcement officers (n = 307). Officers answered qualitative open-ended questions about their responses to critical incidents and the Life Events Checklist-5 was administered. Our results indicate that disengaged and disconnected language is used by officers to cope with the stress of critical incidents; the officer’s disengagement creates efficiency and functionality. Unfortunately, the language that police use to protect themselves can create barriers to dialog between officers and others. Thus, public administrators and politicians can bridge the communication disconnect with th...
Permeability of time-dependent K+ channel in guinea pig ventricular myocytes to Cs+, Na+, NH4+, and Rb+

Currents through time-dependent K+ channels (also referred to as IK or the delayed rectifier) were studied with the whole cell patch-clamp technique in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes. IK measurements were restricted to the examination of deactivation tail currents. Substitution of various monovalent cations for external K+ produced shifts of the reversal potential of IK. These shifts were used to calculate permeability ratios relative to K+. The permeability sequence for the IK channels was K+ = Rb+ greater than NH4+ = Cs+ greater than Na+. Time-dependent outward currents were also examined when the myocytes were dialyzed with Cs+ instead of K+. A sizeable time-dependent outward current, quite similar to that seen with K+ dialysis, was demonstrated. This current was primarily carried by intracellular Cs+, as the reversal potential of the current shifted 46 mV per 10-fold change of external Cs+ concentration. The significance of Cs+ permeation through IK channels is discussed with respect to the common use of Cs+ in isolating other currents.
Increased resistance to methotrexate in human hematopoietic cells after gene transfer of the Ser31 DHFR mutant

Retroviral gene transfer into hematopoietic cells has many experimental as well as clinical applications. Although transduction efficiency of retroviral vectors is higher than with conventional methods, selection of successfully transduced cells may become mandatory for efficient in vivo transfer. We have been evaluating a retroviral construct that meets the criteria for a clinically acceptable selection system. The Ser31 dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) mutant confers resistance to methotrexate (MTX) due to decreased binding of the drug. while its enzymatic activity remains adequate for normal folate metabolism. Transduction of this vector into murine hematopoietic cells has been recently described and increase in MTX resistance could be observed. We investigated transduction of CD34-antigen positive subpopulations of hematopoietic progenitor cells and CD34-positive/CD38-negative subpopulations enriched for stem cells. We focused on two sources of primary hematopoietic cells, umbilical cord blood (UCB) and peripheral blood (PB) harvested from patients after mobilization with chemotherapy and/or cytokines. Both contain a large number of lineage restricted and pluripotent progenitor cells and can be expanded extensively ex vivo. Potential clinical applications of gene therapy in such cell populations include correction of inborn enzymatic diseases and support of high-dose chemotherapy by transplanting ex vivo transduced progenitor cells rendered more resistant to cytotoxic drugs. The feasibility and efficiency of retroviral transduction into UCB and PB has been reported recently.
Trauma and Tragic Transformation: Why We Learned Nothing from 9/11

Atraumatic event shatters all of the defenses and beliefs on which the ego depends to maintain its identity and security. Where there was once smooth functioning there is now only massive anxiety. That is why traumatized subjects so often rush to anything that offers deliverance. The shattered ego seeks a solution that will return it to the way it was prior to the trauma. Indeed, most theories of trauma assume that the trauma is resolved only when catharsis, recovery, and closure have been attained, that is, when one has reclaimed the identity one had prior to the trauma.
SEMI-ITERATIVE METHODS

Given a linear stationary iterative (SI) method of first degree, an associated nonstationary method can be found, which will converge faster than the given method. The associated method is known as a semi-iterative (SI) method. This chapter describes the construction of SI methods, which are analogous to certain summability methods for accelerating the convergence of sequences of real numbers. The chapter highlights the case where the matrix of the given iterative method has real eigenvalues; an order-of-magnitude improvement in the convergence can often be achieved by using the proper SI method. It also focuses on SI methods based on the Jacobi, JOR, and RF methods. The chapter reviews two related methods, namely, Richardson's method and the cyclic Chebyshev semi-iterative method.
Chiridota heheva, new species, from Western Atlantic deep-sea cold seeps and anthropogenic habitats (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Apodida)

Chiridota heheva new species is described from cold seeps off Georgia and Florida, a shipwreck off Georgia, and an artificial wood-block habitat near Puerto Rico, in bathyal-abyssal depths of 2,200 3,300 meters. C. heheva is similar in some respects to C. hydrothermica Smirnov & Gebruk from Western and Southeastern Pacific hydrothermal vents, but it differs in structure of the tentacles and in color.
Atmospherics and the Touristic Experience

Given the power of physical the Servicescape on customer experiences, it is not surprising that hotels, restaurants, and tourism attractions invest millions of dollars each year to update and renovate their atmospherics. To gain a deeper understanding of the impact of atmospherics on tourist experiences, we propose that four types of stimuli (visual, aural, olfactory and tactile) jointly influence consumers’ emotional reactions to the physical environment, thus influencing their cognitive evaluations and behavioral responses.
Immune modulation associated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blockade in patients with glioblastoma

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in addition to being pro-angiogenic, is an immunomodulatory cytokine systemically and in the tumor microenvironment. We previously reported the immunomodulatory effects of radiation and temozolomide (TMZ) in newly diagnosed glioblastoma. This study aimed to assess changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) populations, plasma cytokines, and growth factor concentrations following treatment with radiation, TMZ, and bevacizumab (BEV). Eleven patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma were treated with radiation, TMZ, and BEV, following surgery. We measured immune-related PBMC subsets using multi-parameter flow cytometry and plasma cytokine and growth factor concentrations using electrochemiluminescence-based multiplex analysis at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. The absolute number of peripheral blood regulatory T cells (Tregs) decreased significantly following treatment. The lower number of peripheral Tregs was associated with a CD4+ lymphopenia, and thus, the ratio of Tregs to PBMCs was unchanged. The addition of bevacizumab to standard radiation and temozolomide led to the decrease in the number of circulating Tregs when compared with our prior study. There was a significant decrease in CD8+ cytotoxic and CD4+ recent thymic emigrant T cells, but no change in the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Significant increases in plasma VEGF and placental growth factor (PlGF) concentrations were observed. Treatment with radiation, TMZ, and BEV decreased the number but not the proportion of peripheral Tregs and increased the concentration of circulating VEGF. This shift in the peripheral immune cell profile may modulate the tumor environment and have implications for combining immunotherapy with anti-angiogenic therapy.
Star Trek: Prejudice versus Universal Rationality

Precisely because Star Trek’s creators seek to sensitively portray and maneuver around Klingon prejudices, through this franchise the viewer can see that a polity based on prejudices is undesirable—whereas one informed by reason (Marxism) is inspirational. More specifically, the Star Trek text indicates that societies based on prejudices are subject to racism/xenophobia, as well as political stagnation/instability. In contrast, societies based on reason (i.e., the Federation) are politically/socially vibrant and thrive.
Role of the testis interstitial compartment in spermatogonial stem cell function

Intricate cellular and molecular interactions ensure that spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) proceed in a step-wise differentiation process through spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis to produce sperm. SSCs lie within the seminiferous tubule compartment, which provides a nurturing environment for the development of sperm. Cells outside of the tubules, such as interstitial and peritubular cells, also help direct SSC activity. This review focuses on interstitial (interstitial macrophages, Leydig cells and vasculature) and peritubular (peritubular macrophages and peritubular myoid cells) cells and their role in regulating the SSC self-renewal and differentiation in mammals. Leydig cells, the major steroidogenic cells in the testis, influence SSCs through secreted factors, such as insulin growth factor 1 (IGF1) and colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1). Macrophages interact with SSCs through various potential mechanisms, such as CSF1 and retinoic acid (RA), to induce the proliferation or differentiation of SSCs respectively. Vasculature influences SSC dynamics through CSF1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and by regulating oxygen levels. Lastly, peritubular myoid cells produce one of the most well-known factors that is required for SSC self-renewal, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), as well as CSF1. Overall, SSC interactions with interstitial and peritubular cells are critical for SSC function and are an important underlying factor promoting male fertility.
Collective Power to Create Political Change: Increasing the Political Efficacy and Engagement of Social Workers

ABSTRACTBecause social workers are called to challenge social injustices and create systemic change to support the well-being of individuals and communities, it is essential that social workers develop political efficacy: belief that the political system can work and they can influence the system. This study explored the impact of an intensive political social work curriculum on political efficacy and planned political engagement among social work students and practitioners. The findings suggest this model of delivering a political social work curriculum effectively increases internal, external, and overall political efficacy, and that increasing political efficacy has promise for increasing future political engagement.
Properties of context-driven control revealed through the analysis of sequential congruency effects

The context specific proportion congruent (CSPC) effect refers to the reduction in the size of the congruency effect at locations with a high proportion of incongruent trials compared to locations with a high proportion of congruent trials. The CSPC effect is commonly taken as evidence for context-driven modulation of cognitive control. Current models of context-driven control suggest that variations in the efficiency of control across locations are due to variations in the occurrence of conflict across locations (context). Moreover, these models predict that control settings are updated on a trial-to-trial basis. In Experiment 1, we investigated this prediction. If variations in conflict drive variations in the efficiency of control, and these location-based control settings are updated on each trial, then the occurrence of conflict at one location should lead to more efficient processing when the location repeats, but not when the location switches. Consistent with this prediction, we observed a sequential congruency effect when the location repeats, but not when the location switches. In Experiment 2, we looked for evidence of sequential congruency effects within and between locations in a manipulation in which an equal proportion of congruent and incongruent trials appear at each location. In contrast to the results of Experiment 1, we observed sequential congruency effects both when location repeated and when location switched. Thus, location appears to be a salient dimension on which to implement control settings when it is used in conjunction with variations in the proportion of congruent and incongruent trials.
Regret Benefit Ratio Link Scheduler for Wireless Backhaul With Directional Antennas

With huge bandwidth available in the mmWave band, wireless backhaul at mmWave frequencies can be a promising backhaul solution for small cells densely deployed underlying the homogeneous macrocells. With multiple links under such mmWave wireless network, it is desired to have a scheduling mechanism that can effectively improve the capacity of network with Quality of Service (QoS) considered. In this paper, we propose the regret benefit ratio scheduler (RBRS) that can maximize the number of links with their QoS requirements satisfied. Our proposed indicator, called regret benefit ratio (RBR), allows us to simultaneously maximize the QoS benefit and minimize contention among links under directional antennas. We design RBRS for a time slot based centralized control mmWave network in which we utilize RBR to find suitable concurrent transmission links for every single time slot. Furthermore, we also propose a distributed scheme under Carrier-sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), which implements the RBR by prioritizing Medium Access Control (MAC) contention window to provide better concurrent transmission support while achieving the QoS-aware capability. Simulations in the 73-GHz band are conducted to demonstrate the superior performance of our algorithm under different criteria.
Oxytocin secretion is pulsatile in men and is related to social-emotional functioning.

Abstract The hypothalamic hormone oxytocin (OXT) plays an important role in a range of physiological processes and social-emotional functioning in both sexes. In women, physiological stimuli, such as suckling and parturition, result in pulsatile release of OXT into the peripheral circulation via the posterior pituitary gland. However, data regarding OXT secretory patterns in men during a state of rest are limited. Further, the relationship between secretory dynamics of OXT and emotional measures has never been evaluated. We hypothesized a pulsatile pattern of OXT secretion in men, and explored the relationship between OXT secretory patterns and social-emotional functioning. Methods Deconvolution analysis was performed on serum OXT levels obtained every 5 min over a period of 10 h in 5 healthy normal weight men. Area under the curve (AUC), average OXT values, and pulse characteristics [pulse number, inter-pulse interval, pulse height and mass (area under each pulse)] were calculated. State Adult Attachment Measure (SAAM) assessed types of human attachment. Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) assessed perception of social support. Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) measured the ability to express and identify one’s own emotions. Results Mean age was 22.8 ± 1.2 years, and BMI was 21.7 ± 0.4 kg/m 2 (mean ± SEM). Assuming a basal secretion of zero and a half life of five to seven minutes, we demonstrated the following: OXT AUC: 5421 ± 1331 pg/ml, mean OXT level: 9.1 pg/ml, mean pulse number: 22 ± 3/10hr, mean pulse height: 1.81 ± 0.48 pg/ml, mean pulse mass: 30.34 ± 10.29 pg/ml and mean inter-pulse interval: 27 ± 4 min. The SAAM Avoidant scale correlated negatively with mean OXT pulse height (r = −0.90, p = 0.04) and pulse mass (r = −0.95, p = 0.01). The ISEL Belonging score correlated positively with OXT AUC (r = 0.89, p = 0.04) and average OXT (r = 0.93, p = 0.02). ISEL Appraisal score also had a positive association with mean OXT pulse height (r = 0.99, p = 0.0006) and pulse mass (r = 0.98, p = 0.003). Finally, ISEL total score had a significant correlation with average OXT values (r = 0.90, p = 0.04). While none of the subjects had a score in the alexithymia range, TAS-20 Difficulty describing feelings score had an inverse correlation with OXT pulse height (r = −0.96, p = 0.01) and pulse mass (r = −0.99, p = 0.001). TAS-20 total score also had an inverse correlation with OXT pulse height (r = −0.94, p = 0.02) and pulse mass (r = −0.96, p = 0.009). Conclusion We demonstrate a pulsatile pattern of peripheral OXT secretion in healthy men at rest. Subjects with lower OXT pulse height and pulse mass had a more avoidant style of attachment, felt less supported, and expressed greater difficulty in describing their feelings. Our findings support the concept that OXT is a key mediator of social-emotional functioning. Future studies to determine causality are warranted.
Teacher Education Is the Key to Changing the Identification and Teaching of the Gifted.

In this response, I emphasize the importance of teacher education for making changes in identifying the gifted. As a European scholar and teacher educator, I reflect on Dr. Sternberg’s ideas. Educating for a growth mindset in learning is crucial for the development of creativity and risk taking. Teachers also need a clear goal for gifted education to give them purpose in educating purposeful gifted students. Purpose is needed for transformational leadership, passion, and skills in ethical thinking. Ethical sensitivity is necessary to be able to combine excellence and creativity with ethics. A hacker ethic with passion is introduced as a suitable approach for high-ability students with a strong inner drive to excel. Teachers are identified as key agents in making the change in identifying and teaching the gifted. Researchers in gifted education should take the leadership in this change and commit to cooperation with schools.
A Totally Implantable Heart Assist System: The Novacor Program

A totally implantable left ventricular assist system (LVAS) has been developed for chronic application in patients with terminal heart failure. Utilizing a unique solenoid-actuated dual pusher-plate blood pump, the system is very responsive and is capable of assuming the total circulation. A belt skin transformer allows inductive power transmission, across the intact skin, from a wearable battery pack to the implanted electronic controller. Multi-year system life testing has been accomplished, with no failures, in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) refereed preclinical readiness testing program. Chronic evaluation in experimental animals has exceeded 17 years of cumulative pump testing, including 28 implants longer than 3 months. An interim configuration of the system, with extracorporeal console-based electronics, has been evaluated clinically in an international multi-center bridge to cardiac transplant study. One hundred and twenty-nine patients received implants for durations to 370 days. Of these, 6 patients are currently supported, 74 (60%) have been transplanted, and 66 (89%) have been discharged. Hemodynamics were rapidly restored to normal. Most patients were mobilized and ambulatory within 2 weeks, and full rehabilitation was achieved in previously severely compromised patients with multi-organ dysfunction. Post-transplant recovery and survival were improved compared to routine transplantation. A wearable left ventricular assist system (LVAS) configuration, representing a hybrid of the totally implantable and console-based systems, has recently been introduced, initially as a bridge to transplant. This system, with its much improved mobility, and the totally implantable system will enable hospital discharge, long-term support, and a greatly improved quality of life.
Genotoxicity of alpha-acetoxy-N-nitrosodiethanolamine, 3-nitrosooxazolidinones and methyl-3-nitrosooxazolidinones in human blood and V79-cells

1082 NDELA is a potent carcinogen to which humans are exposed. Significant concentrations have been found in metalworking fluids, cosmetics, and other personal care items. We have compared the genotoxic activities of alpha-acetoxy-N-nitroso-diethanolamine, a progenitor of alpha-activated NDELA, and N-nitrosooxazolidinones, three of which are derived from the nitrosation of amino acids in the presence of dietary aldehydes, using an HPRT gene mutation assay in V79 mammalian cells, and single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) in lymphocytes after exposure of human whole blood. DNA-damage was expressed as tail intensity (%). After hydrolysis these N-nitroso compounds generate electrophilic, highly reactive diazonium ions that are known or expected to react with nucleophilic centers in DNA. The comet assay was modified by additional treatment of lymphocyte-DNA with the DNA repair enzyme formamido-pyrimidine-DNA-glycosylase (FPG). FPG recognizes apurinic and apyrimidinic sites (AP sites) as well as ring-opened purines (formamido-pyrimidines) and oxidized purines, rendering these lesions detectable by inducing additional DNA-strandbreaks. The putative hydroxyethylating agents alpha-AcO-NDELA and 3-nitroso-oxazolidine-2-one, which produce the same diazonium ion, induced DNA-strand breaks in the comet assay and mutations in HPRT-test concentration-dependant at 10-100 μM. In contrast, the amino acid derived putative carboxyalkylating compounds 3-nitrosooxazolidin-5-one and 2-methyl-3-nitrosooxazolidin-5-one are only marginally active in the comet assay without FPG-treatment. After FPG-treatment, the response in the comet assay was significantly enhanced for 3-nitrosooxazolidin-5-one (0.1 μM) while it remains largely unchanged for 2-methyl-3-nitrosooxazolidin-5-one. Additionally in V79 cells, 3-nitroso-oxazolidin-5-one dose-dependently induced HPRT mutants becoming significant at 10 μM. In the comet assay with and without FPG-treatment, 4-methyl-3-nitroso-oxazolidin-5-one was only slightly active at 100 μM and higher concentrations. In summary, whereas the hydroxyethylating agents were potently genotoxic and mutagenic, the carboxyalkylating agents were significantly less potent. 3-Nitrosooxazolidin-5-one was not unique within the latter group, since FPG-treatment led to strongly enhanced and concentration-dependant response in the comet assay.
Topical tranexamic acid for the treatment of acute epistaxis in the emergency department.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and potential benefits of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) in the management of acute epistaxis. Methods Retrospective review was performed among all patients presenting to the institution's emergency department (ED) with epistaxis between September 2014 and August 2016. Patients achieving hemostasis with standard of care agents, such as oxymetazoline, lidocaine, or epinephrine were excluded. The primary outcome was the ED length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included the incidence of hospital admission, otolaryngologist consultation, nasal packing, prophylactic antibiotic use, and ED visit for rebleeding within seven days of treatment. Results Among 122 patients, 30 received topical TXA (500 mg injectable solution soaked onto packing material and applied to the affected nostril) and 92 were managed with standard care. Nearly half (46.7%) of TXA-treated subjects received TXA either alone or in combination with standard of care agents as their initial treatment strategy. No significant difference was observed in the ED LOS (272 vs 232 min in TXA and standard care arms, respectively, p = 0.26). However, TXA was associated with a significant reduction in otolaryngologist consults (30.0% vs 65.2%, p = 0.002) and nasal packing (16.7% vs 23.9%, p = 0.003). Conclusions This investigation did not demonstrate a significant difference in ED LOS among patients with acute epistaxis treated with topical TXA or standard care. However, this data does add to existing evidence that TXA may be associated with a reduction in resource utilization, suggesting it may provide more effective bleeding control. Overall, more data is needed to confirm the potential benefits of this practice.
Energy Allocation and Utilization for Wirelessly Powered IoT Networks

Recent development in wireless power transfer enables a new paradigm of energy harvesting communications that can significantly impact in Internet of Things (IoT) applications. In this paper, we study the wirelessly powered IoT networks, in which a central node transmits radio frequency (RF) energy to power the IoT sensors, and the sensors harvest RF power to transmit data back to the central node. In this IoT network, the sensors transmit data according to their energy utilization policies, and the central node allocates charging powers to all sensors. We design the sensor energy utilization policies and the power allocation among sensors by maximizing the total data throughput of the system. In particular, the subproblem of energy utilization policy design is formulated as a Markov decision process and the power allocation subproblem is formulated as discrete optimization. By showing several key properties of these two subproblems, we propose low-complexity algorithms to solve the subproblems optimally. We demonstrate the performance gains of the proposed algorithms over some simple heuristics via simulations in terms of the total data throughput in wireleslly powered IoT networks.