cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Second Life to support Multicultural Literacy: Pre- and In-service Teachers' Perceptions and Expectations

The purpose of the study was to examine preservice teachers’ attitudes using Second Life for multicultural literacy and to explore effective strategies to implement this technology in teacher preparation programs. Participants included thirty-six preserve teachers from early childhood, elementary, and secondary education programs. Participants indicated that interacting with cultural artifacts and diverse populations promoted multiculturalism, 47.5% reported that Second Life supported the development of multicultural attitudes and 50% indicated that Second Life can support multicultural respect. Additionally, 33.4% considered Second Life an effective learning tool for K-12 education while 40% remained undecided. Participants questioned the veracity of certain objects, often failed to communicate with individuals from other cultures, and worried about inappropriate content. Despite these limitations, Second Life could serve as a rich environment to build multicultural knowledge through culturally representative locations, artifacts, and communication. Suggestions for incorporating multicultural experiences via Second Life are presented.
Solvent-free organic syntheses on mineral supports using microwave irradiation

An expeditious and solvent-free approach for selective organic synthesis is described which involves simple exposure of neat reactants to microwave (MW) irradiation. The coupling of MW irradiation with the use of catalysts or mineral supported reagents, under solvent-free conditions, provides clean chemical processes with special attributes such as enhanced reaction rates, higher yields, greater selectivity and the ease of manipulation. Our recent results on this eco-friendly approach utilizing recyclable inorganic oxides or supported reagents such as Fe(NO3)3-clay (clayfen), Cu(NO3)2-clay (claycop), NH4NO3-clay (clayan), NH2OH-clay, PhI(OAc)2-alumina, NaIO4-silica, CrO3-alumina, MnO2-silica, and NaBH4-clay etc. are exemplified in MW-assisted deprotection, condensation, cyclization, oxidation and reduction reactions including the efficient one-pot assembly of heterocyclic molecules from in situ generated intermediates.
Menin is required in cranial neural crest for palatogenesis and perinatal viability.

Abstract Menin is a nuclear protein encoded by a tumor suppressor gene that is mutated in humans with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). Menin functions as a component of a histone methyltransferase complex that regulates expression of target genes including the cell cycle inhibitor p27kip1. Here, we show that menin plays a previously unappreciated and critical role in cranial neural crest. Tissue-specific inactivation of menin in Pax3- or Wnt1-expressing neural crest cells leads to perinatal death, cleft palate and other cranial bone defects, which are associated with a decrease in p27kip1 expression. Deletion of menin in Pax3-expressing somite precursors also produces patterning defects of rib formation. Thus, menin functions in vivo during osteogenesis and is required for palatogenesis, skeletal rib formation and perinatal viability.
A Conjoint Analysis of U.S. Atlantic Billfish Fishery Management Alternatives

Abstract In a real-time public policy context, we explored the utility of using metric conjoint analysis to investigate (1) how billfish (Istiophoridae) anglers combine their preferences for various management measures under consideration for inclusion in a U.S. Atlantic billfish management regime and (2) the relative influence of each management measure in determining preference for potential management regimes. A mail survey sent to 435 randomly selected U.S. resident members of the Billfish Foundation produced a 57% overall effective response rate. Billfish anglers evaluated 16 potential management scenarios defined by two levels each of six different components (bag and size limits, hook restrictions, seasonal closures, tournaments, average number of hookups, and average size of the catch). Respondent evaluation choices were most influenced by the management measures concerning tournaments and hook restrictions, which accounted for an average influence of 39% and 21%, respectively, of evaluation choic...
Riemannian geometry of irrotational vortex acoustics.

We consider acoustic propagation in an irrotational vortex, using the technical machinery of differential geometry to investigate the ``acoustic geometry'' that is probed by the sound waves. The acoustic space-time curvature of a constant circulation hydrodynamical vortex leads to deflection of phonons at appreciable distances from the vortex core. The scattering angle for phonon rays is shown to be quadratic in the small quantity $\ensuremath{\Gamma}/2\ensuremath{\pi}\mathrm{cb}$, where $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ is the vortex circulation, $c$ the speed of sound, and $b$ the impact parameter.
Anthracnose disease of switchgrass caused by the novel fungal species Colletotrichum navitas.

In recent years perennial grasses such as the native tallgrass prairie plant Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) have taken on a new role in the North American landscape as a plant-based source of renewable energy. Because switchgrass is a native plant, it has been suggested that disease problems will be minimal, but little research in this area has been conducted. Recently, outbreaks of switchgrass anthracnose disease have been reported from the northeastern United States. Incidences of switchgrass anthracnose are known in North America since 1886 through herbarium specimens and disease reports, but the causal agent of this disease has never been experimentally determined or taxonomically evaluated. In the present work, we evaluate the causal agent of switchgrass anthracnose, a new species we describe as Colletotrichum navitas (navitas = Latin for energy). Multilocus molecular phylogenetics and morphological characters show C. navitas is a novel species in the falcate-spored graminicolous group of the genus Colletotrichum; it is most closely related to the corn anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola. We present a formal description and illustrations for C. navitas and provide experimental confirmation that this organism is responsible for switchgrass anthracnose disease.
Gamma-Camera Imaging of Oil Displacement in Thin Slabs of Porous Media

Experiments are reported in which a gamma camera is used to observe fluid displacement in thin slabs of porous media. Technetium-99m (half-life of 6.5 hours) is used as tracer for water phase and gamma ray activity measured over a 64 x 64 picture field in which each pixel is 4 x 4 mm. A method for image enhancement is applied. The gamma camera gives a quantitative determination of local fluid saturations over the area of observation.
Intra-abdominal solid organ injury in children: diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Abdominal trauma is relatively uncommon in children but can be the source of significant morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis and treatment of blunt abdominal injury to the solid organs were examined, and the differences between children and adults were highlighted. METHODS: The PubMed database was used to identify the relevant literature. Additional source material was identified through referenced articles. RESULTS: Identification of injury to the solid organs in children depends on a high index of suspicion, abnormal physical examination findings, and the judicious use of laboratory and imaging studies. Although abdominal and pelvic computed tomography with intravenous contrast remains the gold standard for imaging, it does expose children to a significant dose of radiation. Currently, more than 90% of solid organ injuries in children are treated nonoperatively. Abnormal hemodynamics, however, suggests active bleeding and requires operative intervention. Accurate diagnosis of the organ injured and degree of injury are important considerations for "return to play" decisions. The management of pancreatic ductal injuries is somewhat controversial, although the distal spleen preserving pancreatectomy is frequently the technique of choice. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric intra-abdominal solid organ injury is relatively uncommon, but a potential source of significant morbidity. Non-operative management is the standard of care for the majority of these injuries, although continued hemodynamic instability mandates operative intervention. Language: en
Adverse Event Detection and Labeling in Pediatric Drug Development: Antiretroviral Drugs

Background: Pediatric safety studies are conducted for drugs undergoing development for use in pediatric patients. The objective of this study was to describe safety studies and compare adverse events of antiretroviral drugs between pediatric patients and adult subjects. Methods: Pediatric and adult adverse event data were obtained from US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved drug labels for 9 antiretroviral drugs with pediatric indications approved by the FDA prior to 2013. For adverse events (AEs) reported in both pediatric patients and adult subjects, the risk difference (RD) and associated confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results: Of 35 drug-AE combinations, 10 AEs were reported at statistically significantly (P <.05) higher incidence rates in the pediatric population than in the adult population, and 3 AEs were reported at statistically significantly higher rates in the adult population than in the pediatric population. The largest differences where the risk of an AE was greater in pediatric patients than in adult subjects were for rash with efavirenz (RD = 36.24% [95% CI, 21.1 to 50.53]), diarrhea with efavirenz (RD = 24.53% [95% CI, 9.06 to 39.57]), and rash with nevirapine (RD = 16.14% [95% CI, 9.7 to 24.27]). The largest differences where the risk of an adverse event was lower in pediatric patients than in adult subjects were for headache with abacavir (RD = −12% [95% CI, −16.81 to −6.89]), diarrhea with tipranavir (RD = −11.32% [95% CI, −15.02 to −5.6]), and diarrhea with lamivudine (RD = −9.88% [95% CI, −15.91 to −3.98]). Conclusions: The adult adverse event experience provides preliminary data for pediatric drug safety, yet the specific types of adverse effects and frequencies may not be predicted in children based exclusively on adults. As adult safety data do not fully inform the pediatric safety profile, pediatric safety studies should continue to be conducted separately for drugs undergoing testing in pediatric patients.
Analytical expressions for radiative properties of planar rayleigh scattering media, including polarization contributions

The objective of this paper is to provide a convenient and fast way for computing the radiative properties of planar Rayleigh scattering media. Analytical expressions are developed for the three molecular atmospheric functions which are required in remote sensing: the atmospheric reflectance, the transmission function, and the spherical albedo. The expressions are adjusted by using accurate computations performed with successive orders of a scattering code. The accuracy of the code is first checked by using previously published tabulations. The required accuracy of 0.001 in the reflectance unit is achieved by numerical adjustments. The contribution of polarization is considered implicitly. The expressions are shown to be valid for a fairly large range of observational conditions.
Insulinoma in Chronic Renal Failure: A Case Report

The diagnosis of insulinoma depends on the fulfillment of well-established criteria during the 72-h fast. However, these criteria rely on normal renal function. Spontaneous hypoglycemia that is not attributable to insulinoma may occur in persons with renal failure. We describe herein a patient with renal impairment who had undergone renal transplant and had a 20-yr history of hypoglycemic symptoms and successful resection of insulinoma. Although the results of a 72-h fast were consistent with endogenous hyperinsulinemia, their interpretation was complicated in the presence of renal impairment. Fortunately, the identification of the tumor, by endoscopic ultrasonograph, led to a correct diagnosis. This case seems to be the second report of a patient with insulinoma with concomitant renal failure.
Effects of nitrogen fertilizer, plant population and irrigation on sugar beet: III. Water consumption

A neutron moderation meter was used to measure soil moisture 0–4 feet deep in plots of sugar beet carrying two plant populations (8800 and 54000 plants/acre), each with and without irrigation. Recordings began in April or May in each of three years (1967–9) after sowing the crop and continued at 1 or 2-;week intervals until harvest in October.The measured soil moisture deficits were very similar to potential deficits calculated from meteorological measurements. This indicates that the crop could extract the water needed for transpiration from the soil even when the deficits were quite large (more than 5 in in 1967), which probably explains the small response to irrigation by sugar beet in England.When the soil moisture deficit increased rapidly early during the season (1967), the crop extracted water from the soil by exhausting the available water from progressively deeper horizons, whereas when the deficit increased rapidly late during the season (1969) water was still being extracted from all horizons until harvest. Both decreasing the plant population and irrigating decreased the amount of water used from depth in the profile every year.The total amount of water used (evaporation plus transpiration), on average, from soil reserves and rainfall, was 12·2 in by the small population and 13·4 in by the large population. When irrigated, the consumption increased to 14·2 and 15·4 in. respectively. The difference in usage between populations was almost entirely from the difference in leaf cover early during the season. The water consumption in 1968, when the summer was wet, was only two-thirds of that in 1967 and 1969 when the summers were drier.
A study of low-bias photocurrent gradient of avalanche photodiodes

Presents a study of the photo-response of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) under low reverse bias at unity gain. Some wafers exhibit a linear increase of photocurrent as a function of bias voltage; the "slope" of this linear current-voltage (I-V) curve has been examined under different illumination conditions, fabrication procedures and growth conditions. The observed characteristics are explained in terms of the extension of the depletion region edge toward the surface. An analytical model, based on minority drift-diffusion and current continuity equations, provides good fits to the experimental results for small (/spl sim/0.1 /spl mu/m) "effective diffusion lengths.".
Computers and the teaching of psychology: A call for papers

Computers have become an increasingly important tool for the teaching of psychology. With recent advances in computer technology, many claims of using the computer as an adjunct for teaching can now be realized. In this article, I call for increased scholarship on this medium.
Human erythrocyte membrane Band 3 protein influences hemoglobin cooperativity: Possible effect on oxygen transport

Hemoglobin function can be modulated by the red cell membrane but some mechanistic details are incomplete. For example, the 43-kDa chymotryptic fragment of the cytoplasmic portion of red cell membrane Band 3 protein and its corresponding N-terminal 11-residue synthetic peptide lower the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin but effects on cooperativity are unclear. Using highly purified preparations, we also find a lowered Hill coefficient (n values <2) at subequivalent ratios of Band 3 fragment or of synthetic peptide to Hb, resulting in an oxygen affinity that is moderately decreased and a partially hyperbolic shape for the O2 binding curve. Both normal HbA and sickle HbS display this property. Thus, the determinant responsible for the Hb cooperativity decreases by the 43-kDa fragment resides within its first 11 N-terminal residues. This effect is observed in the absence of chloride and is reversed by its addition. As effector to Hb ratios approach equivalence or with saturating chloride normal cooperativity is restored, and oxygen affinity is further lowered because the shape of the oxygen binding curve becomes completely sigmoidal. The relative efficiencies of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG), the 43-kDa Band 3 fragment, and the 11-residue synthetic peptide in lowering cooperativity are very similar. The findings are explained based on the stereochemical mechanism of cooperativity because of two populations of T-state hemoglobin tetramers, one with bound effector and the other with free (Perutz, M. F. (1989) Q. Rev. Biophys. 22, 139-237). As a result of this property, hemoglobin at the membrane inner surface in contact with the N-terminal region of Band 3 could preferentially bind O2 at low oxygen tension and then release it upon saturation with 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in the interior of the red cell. Membrane modulation of hemoglobin oxygen affinity has particularly interesting implications for the polymerization of hemoglobin S in the sickle red cell.
Practitioner Views of Priorities, Policies, and Practices in Juvenile Justice:

Dramatic changes in juvenile justice have occurred in recent decades. One result has been the emergence of new policies and practices, many of which remain largely unexamined. One avenue for gaining insight into whether such policies and practices are needed or effective, as well as into how the juvenile justice system might be improved, is to tap into the perceptions of people who work within this system. Drawing on a national survey of juvenile court practitioners, the authors investigate key questions about the effectiveness of juvenile justice and discuss the implications of the study’s findings for research, policy, and practice.
Effect of insulin and alloxan on mammary gland growth in rats.

Abstract The synergistic effect of insulin upon mammary gland growth has been studied in adult ovariectomized rats stimulated with estradiol benzoate (EB) and progesterone (P) for 19 days. When one, two, and three units of insulin were added, mean DNA's/100g body weight (bw) were increased 8%, a nonsignificant increase; 17%, a significant increase; and 32%, a highly significant increase, respectively, when compared with the control group. A group of 21 rats were ovariectomized, treated with alloxan, then 2 μ g EB + 6mg P were administered daily to stimulate growth of the lobule-alveolar system of the mammary gland. The mean DNA of the glands was 4.5mg/100g bw, a reduction of 18%, a nonsignificant decrease, below the DNA of a control group without alloxan. A second group of 27 similar ovariectomized rats were treated with alloxan. They were injected with the ovarian hormones plus three units of insulin for the same period. The mean DNA of this group was 7.45mg/100g body weight, a highly significant increase of 66% in comparison with the group without insulin. Thus, the important role of insulin has been shown by its deficiency and by replacement therapy.
A Nonlinear Method for Robust Spectral Analysis

A nonlinear spectral analyzer, called the L p-norm periodogram, is obtained by replacing the least-squares criterion with an L p-norm criterion in the regression formulation of the ordinary periodogram. In this paper, we study the statistical properties of the L p-norm periodogram for time series with continuous and mixed spectra. We derive the asymptotic distribution of the L p-norm periodogram and discover an important relationship with the so-called fractional autocorrelation spectrum that can be viewed as an alternative to the power spectrum in representing the serial dependence of a random process in the frequency domain. In comparison with the ordinary periodogram (p = 2), we show that by varying the value of p in the interval (1,2) the L p-norm periodogram can strike a balance between robustness against heavy-tailed noise, efficiency under regular conditions, and spectral leakage for time series with mixed spectra. We also show that the L p-norm periodogram can detect serial dependence of uncorrelated non-Gaussian time series that cannot be detected by the ordinary periodogram.
Planning for PACS: A comprehensive guide to nontechnical considerations

A complete picture archiving and communication system (PACS) installation is one of the largest projects a radiology department will undertake. Although technology issues are important, they often draw focus away from many other significant issues This paper describes in detail all of these other necessary components that need to be addressed if a PACS installation is to be relatively trouble free, provides guidelines for successful PACS implementation, and details pitfalls to be avoided.
Scholarship in Teaching and Learning: An Interview with John Mitterer.

John Mitterer earned his PhD in cognitive psychology from McMaster University. Like many teaching professors, his career took an unexpected turn early on when he was hired to teach introductory psychology at Brock University, near Niagara Falls, in Ontario, Canada. It was love at first lecture. He never left the course and now, as a full professor some 25 years later, has taught well over 20,000 students. Along the way he has participated in the development of a wide variety of learning materials, including textbooks, videodiscs of support materials, student-learning CD-ROMs, online learning objects, Web sites, test banks, PowerPoint slides, study guides, and instructor's manuals. Mitterer now thinks of himself as a scholar of teaching and learning with a special interest in the educational potential of digital technology. He is a frequent presenter at conferences devoted to teaching and learning and currently holds a Brock University Chancellor's Chair for Teaching Excellence. He is the recipient of the ...
Lymphocyte function in recurrent aphthous ulceration

Lymphocyte blast transformation responses to mitogens and to streptococcal, adenovirus Type 1, and oral mucosal antigens were studied in 32 patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) and matched control subjects. RAU patients showed significantly depressed (p less than 0.05) responses to mitogens in comparison with matched controls, but there was no significant difference between patients and controls in response to any of the antigens tested. These results indicate that neither cell-mediated hypersensitivity to streptococcal or viral antigens nor cross-reactivity between oral mucosal and streptococcal antigens are likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of RAU. Rather, the data support the hypothesis of an imbalance or defect in immune cell subpopulations.
Adherence to WCRF/AICR Cancer Prevention Recommendations and Risk of Postmenopausal Breast Cancer

Background: In 2007, the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) released eight recommendations related to body fatness, physical activity, and diet aimed at preventing the most common cancers worldwide. However, limited information exists on the association between meeting these recommendations and risks of specific cancers, including breast cancer. Methods: We operationalized six recommendations (related to body fatness, physical activity, foods that promote weight gain, plant foods, red and processed meats, and alcohol) and examined their association with invasive breast cancer incidence over 6.7 years of follow-up in the Vitamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) study cohort. Participants included 30,797 postmenopausal women, ages 50–76 years at baseline in 2000–2002 with no history of breast cancer. Breast cancers ( n = 899) were tracked through the Western Washington Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Results: Breast cancer risk was reduced by 60% in women who met at least five recommendations compared with those who met none [HR: 0.40; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.25–0.65; P trend < 0.001]. Further analyses that sequentially removed individual recommendations least associated with reduced risk suggested that this reduction is due to meeting recommendations related to body fatness, plant foods, and alcohol (HR for meeting vs. not meeting these three recommendations: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.25–0.58; P trend < 0.001). Conclusions: Meeting the WCRF/AICR cancer prevention recommendations, specifically those related to alcohol, body fatness, and plant foods, is associated with reduced postmenopausal breast cancer incidence. Impact: Increased adherence to the WCRF/AICR cancer prevention recommendations could substantially reduce postmenopausal breast cancer risk in U.S. women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(9); 1498–508. ©2013 AACR .
Variation in Occult Injury Screening for Children With Suspected Abuse in Selected US Children’s Hospitals

OBJECTIVE: To describe variation across selected US children’s hospitals in screening for occult fractures in children METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of children RESULTS: Screening for occult fractures was performed in 83% of the 10 170 children CONCLUSIONS: The observed variation in screening for occult fractures in young victims of physical abuse and infants who have injuries associated with a high likelihood of abuse underscores opportunities to improve the quality of care provided to this vulnerable population.
Fingolimod: direct CNS effects of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulation and implications in multiple sclerosis therapy

Fingolimod is the first oral disease-modifying therapy approved for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Following phosphorylation in vivo, the active agent, fingolimod phosphate (fingolimod-P), acts as a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, binding with high affinity to four of the five known S1P receptors (S1P1, S1P3, S1P4 and S1P5). The mechanism of action of fingolimod in MS has primarily been considered as immunomodulatory, whereby fingolimod-P modulates S1P1 on lymphocytes, selectively retaining autoreactive lymphocytes in lymph nodes to reduce damaging infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS). However, emerging evidence indicates that fingolimod has direct effects in the CNS in MS. For example, in the MS animal model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), fingolimod is highly efficacious in both a prophylactic and therapeutic setting, yet becomes ineffective in animals selectively deficient for S1P1 on astrocytes, despite maintained normal immunologic receptor expression and functions, and S1P-mediated immune activities. Here we review S1P signaling effects relevant to MS in neural cell types expressing S1P receptors, including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, neurons, microglia and dendritic cells. The direct effects of fingolimod on these CNS cells observed in preclinical studies are discussed in view of the functional consequences of reducing neurodegenerative processes and promoting myelin preservation and repair. The therapeutic implications of S1P modulation in the CNS are considered in terms of the clinical outcomes of MS, such as reducing MS-related brain atrophy, and other CNS disorders. Additionally, we briefly outline other existing and investigational MS therapies that may also have effects in the CNS.
Exploiting geospatial and chronological characteristics in data streams to enable efficient storage and retrievals

We describe the design of a high-throughput storage system, Galileo, for data streams generated in observational settings. To cope with data volumes, the shared nothing architecture in Galileo supports incremental assimilation of nodes, while accounting for heterogeneity in their capabilities. To achieve efficient storage and retrievals of data, Galileo accounts for the geospatial and chronological characteristics of such time-series observational data streams. Our benchmarks demonstrate that Galileo supports high-throughput storage and efficient retrievals of specific portions of large datasets while supporting different types of queries.
Hypoxic reperfusion attenuates postischemic microvascular injury

The results of several recent studies have demonstrated that reactive oxygen metabolites are responsible for a major portion of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in skeletal muscle. Presumably, the cytotoxic oxidants are produced during reperfusion when molecular oxygen (the source of the reactive oxygen metabolites) is reintroduced to the tissues. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that molecular oxygen must be provided at reperfusion to produce I/R injury in skeletal muscle. Isolated, maximally vasodilated (papaverine) canine gracilis muscles were reperfused, after 4 h of inflow occlusion, from reservoirs containing autologous blood equilibrated with either 95% O2-5% CO2 or 95% N2-5% CO2 gas mixtures. Arterial PO2 fell from approximately 120 mmHg to less than 3-5 mmHg, during the use of nitrogen. The solvent drag reflection coefficient for total plasma proteins (sigma f) and total vascular resistance was determined for the following conditions: control (no ischemia), reperfusion with oxygenated blood after 4 h ischemia; and reperfusion (after 4 h ischemia), first with anoxic blood and then oxygenated blood. Reperfusion with oxygenated blood, after 4 h of ischemia, significantly reduced solvent drag reflexion coefficient (sigma f) from 0.93 +/- 0.02 to 0.63 +/- 0.02, indicating a dramatic increase in vascular permeability. Total vascular resistance increased from 6.1 +/- 1.1 mmHg.ml-1.min.100 g during the preischemic period to 12.9 +/- 3.0 mmHg.ml-1.min.100 g during normoxic reperfusion. In muscles reperfused with anoxic blood, sigma f averaged 0.82 +/- 0.06, whereas vascular resistance increased by 56 +/- 13%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain and the risk of opioid addiction.

INTRODUCTION There has been a constant struggle to define the role of opioids in medical therapy, due to their potential for misuse, overuse, and addiction since pain is a completely subjective sensation, not amenable to objective measurement, and is intimately tied to emotion and the patient’s psychological well-being. Thus the medical decision to administer an opioid analgesic is an attempt to balance the potential for pain relief, and the reliability of the patient’s reporting, against the potential for harm. The decision-making process is less complicated when dealing with acute traumatic injury or surgical trauma. However, with many chronic pain conditions, the etiology or severity of the patient’s pain is less obvious. In the majority of situations, a physician does not initiate opioid therapy with the intention of continuing it for months or years, but many patients will continue to seek opioids for relief of pain which becomes chronic. Until 1990, chronic use of opioid analgesics was widely discouraged, with most physicians trained to taper their patients off opioid medication after an acute treatment trial. The paradigm began to shift as the movement to improve cancer pain treatment became successful with aggressive opioid prescribing. The success of aggressive opioid therapy for cancer pain treatment led to a spill over into chronic non-cancer pain treatment, spurred on by industry-supported continuing medical education programs. As high-dose opioids became more available in the community, it was accompanied by a pattern of escalating drug diversion, opioid misuse, accidental opioid overdose, and deaths that continued to climb through the past decade. (Figure 1)1 Accidental opiate overdose deaths from prescription opioids began to far exceed deaths attributed to illicit drugs of abuse, such as heroin and cocaine. Nationally, accidental drug overdose deaths surpassed deaths from motor vehicle accidents, reaching a peak of 16,917 deaths from prescription opioids in 2011 (http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/overdose/ facts.html). During the period from 2009–12, Rhode Island Figure 1. Rates of opioid pain reliever (OPR) overdose death, OPR treatment admissions, and kilograms of OPR sold – United States, 1999–2010.1
Advanced power electronics enabled distribution architectures

This paper explores how highly reliable power distribution architectures can be implemented, operated and controlled. Potential applications for advanced power distribution architectures include advanced micro-grid enabled smart grids, electric ships, and data centers. The analysis discusses power electronics circuit topologies and system wide architecture design. Some of the possible power architectures included radial, ring, and laddered topologies. Some commented relevant alternatives for any of these power architectures include ac and dc distribution systems. Although it is identified that dc architectures are more advantageous than ac power distribution systems in terms of efficiency, availability, flexibility, and components power density, dc systems present issues with fault detection and clearance. An option involving multiple-input multiple-output converters that addressed these issues with dc architectures is commented in this paper. The discussion presents some suitable topologies for these converters including one derived from a multiple-input boost converter and another one realized from a multiple-input fly-back converter. In the proposed architectures multiple-input multiple-output converters are placed in key distribution nodes and act as “power routers” by freely controlling all input and output powers. These power routers allow to address issues related with fault detection and clearance in distributed power architectures through internal over current protection mechanisms.
Social Media in the Dental School Environment, Part A: Benefits, Challenges, and Recommendations for Use

Social media consist of powerful tools that impact not only communication but relationships among people, thus posing an inherent challenge to the traditional standards of who we are as dental educators and what we can expect of each other. This article examines how the world of social media has changed dental education. Its goal is to outline the complex issues that social media use presents for academic dental institutions and to examine these issues from personal, professional, and legal perspectives. After providing an update on social media, the article considers the advantages and risks associated with the use of social media at the interpersonal, professional, and institutional levels. Policies and legal issues of which academic dental institutions need to be aware from a compliance perspective are examined, along with considerations and resources needed to develop effective social media policies. The challenge facing dental educators is how to capitalize on the benefits that social media offer, while minimizing risks and complying with the various forms of legal constraint.
Effects of the hyperglycemic-glycogenolytic factor (HGF), epinephrine and insulin in normal and depancreatized dogs.

Conclusions1. The hyperglycemia produced by HGF and by epinephrine in the depancr-eatized dog with ketosis is greater in animals with mild ketosis than in animals with severe ketosis. 2. Since ketosis is believed to increase as liver glycogen decreases these results suggest that the hyperglycemic response to HGF and epinephrine depends upon the amount of liver glycogen present. 3. In the well controlled depancreatized dog without ketosis, on the other hand, the hyperglycemic effect of HGF is greater than in the normal animal, suggesting that in the presence of the pancreas, the action of HGF is limited by the secretion of insulin. 4. Similarly, in the well controlled depancreatized dog without ketosis, the hypoglycemic effect ofinsulin is greater than in the normal animal, suggesting that in the presence of the pancreas the action of insulin is limited by the secretion of HGF. 5. It is suggested that HGF and insulin might be 2 mutually regulated pancreatic hormones and that their balanced secretion might ...
Influence of volume expansion on sodium excretion during parabiotic dialysis.

SummaryDialysis of a saline-infused against a noninfused dog was associated with a significant increase in Na excretion in both animals without a significant change in creatinine clearance or filtered Na. This indicates that there was movement by diffusion of a humoral agent between the two animals. The observed increase in Na excretion in the noninfused animal resulted from gain of a natriuretic hormone, since in a second series of experiments a natriuretic rather than antinatriuretic hormone appeared to be involved.
Internal stress due to solvent co-intercalation in graphite electrodes for Li ion batteries

Thin film graphite electrodes were investigated in Li half-cells, to investigate the stresses induced by propylene carbonate (PC) additions to a standard liquid electrolyte. In situ wafer curvature measurements indicate that substantial compressive stress occurs above 0.5 V, before there is significant Li intercalation into the graphite. Transmission electron microscopy shows that this cycling produces voids throughout the film, via delamination between graphene layers. To explain these observations, a model based on interlaminar debonding and the subsequent buckling of graphite layers is proposed. Existing mechanics models of these phenomena are in good agreement with the experimental observations. Based on this analysis, it appears that the PC additions lead to a very low value of the interlaminar fracture resistance.
In Via toward an Animal-Inclusive Eschaton

Admittedly, Chapter 3 focuses mainly on contemporary thinkers. The aim of this chapter is to retrieve and develop creatively a strand of Christian thought, stretching from early Christian interpretations of biblical data through the hagiographies of the saints into modern Christian thought, that provides an eschatological foundation for concern over the welfare of nonhuman animals. This strand opens a space for an alternative to the dominant tradition.
Evaluation of serum CA 125 concentrations as predictors of pregnancy with human in vitro fertilization

Objective To determine if CA 125, a product of human endometrium, may be an indicator of early endometrial function. To test this hypothesis we examined CA 125 concentrations before oocyte retrieval in IVF cycles. Design Retrospective data analysis of 111 consecutive IVF cycles. Setting Tertiary care academic medical center. Patients All women who received luteal leuprolide acetate (LA) suppression followed by hMG for IVF and had sera available for analyses were entered into the study. Main Outcome Measure Serum CA 125 was measured in the previous luteal cycle, day 7 of hMG, day before, and day of hCG administration. Twelve other variables were analyzed. Results Fifty-six cycles (47 women) qualified for evaluation and included 25 pregnant cycles (45%) and 31 nonpregnant cycles. Higher serum CA 125 concentrations were associated with pregnancy in both endometriosis and nonendometriosis subgroups. CA 125 values on the day of hCG administration were the best predictors of pregnancy, with levels>16 U/mL having a sensitivity of 72%, specificity of 97%, and a positive predictive value of 95% for pregnancy. The other variables were not predictive of pregnancy. Conclusions With a LA and hMG stimulation protocol, increased CA 125 concentrations before retrieval are associated with very high pregnancy rates. The source(s) of the serum CA 125, although as yet undetermined, may be of endometrial origin. The study supports further evaluation of CA 125 concentrations in IVF as a preretrieval predictor of pregnancy.
Nutritional indexes of clients in a maternity and infant care project. II. Dietary, anthropometric, and hematologic indexes of pregnant women and their infants.

Dietary intake of 198 pregnant women and the condition of their infants at birth are reported.
Assembly line balancing problem with task learning and dynamic task reassignment

This paper addresses an existing but unsolved problem: dynamic task reassignment under changing task performance times. This situation is relevant to automated flexible assembly systems with collaborative learning. The length of the line can be reduced during the period of production by dynamically rebalancing the assembly line because of the changing task times. A task reassignment procedure is designed to balance such an assembly line where task times are being reduced during small lot size production. Backward induction rules, which can be combined with prevalent algorithms, are proposed to form such a procedure. A case study is provided to show that the procedure significantly increases the efficiency of the assembly line in terms of the length of the production line and system idle times.
Targeted therapies in thyroid cancer: an extensive review of the literature.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Patients with progressive, metastatic, RAI-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), as well as patients with advanced medullary (MTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer represent a cohort for which therapeutic options are limited. The recent discoveries in the molecular mechanisms implicated in TC have provided insight of the pathogenesis and progression of disease. In that respect, targeted therapies have emerged as a promising alternative for the treatment of those patients.Areas covered: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) have been studied extensively in TC: sorafenib and lenvatinib have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic, RAI-refractory DTC, while vandetanib and cabozantinib are FDA approved for use in advanced MTC. Moreover, several additional TKIs, multi-targeted or specific, are currently under investigation in TC. The current manuscript provides an extensive review of the literature regarding targeted therapies in TC including the rationale behind their...
Prospectus of Tissue Engineering

Publisher Summary Tissue engineering is a relatively new and emerging interdisciplinary field that applies the knowledge of bioengineering, the life sciences, and the clinical sciences in solving the critical medical problems of tissue loss and organ failure. It involves the application of engineering principles of transport and reaction phenomena, as well as methods of analysis to understand the complex biological processes that occur in tissue development and repair. Frequently, the knowledge of molecular phenomena and cellular interactions with surface, biochemical, and mechanical environments is employed. Tissue engineering has been formally defined as “the application of the principles and methods of engineering and the life sciences to the fundamental understanding of structure–function relationships in normal and pathological mammalian tissues and the development of biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or improve tissue function.” The donor scarcity, technical difficulties, expense, and complex labor-intensive care associated with conventional tissue and organ transplantation provide a significant impetus for the development of tissue-engineered therapies. Tissue engineering is a field with an enormous potential to make truly significant contributions to mankind over the next decades. As life expectancy continues to rise, the potential pool of recipients of tissue-engineered constructs is growing. Tissue-engineered products will be more available and cost-effective than donor organs. The problem of availability of a tissue-engineered product can normally be resolved using cell expansion culturing techniques.
Step by Step: Biology Undergraduates’ Problem-Solving Procedures during Multiple-Choice Assessment

This study uses the theoretical framework of domain-specific problem solving to explore the procedures students use to solve multiple-choice problems about biology concepts. We designed several multiple-choice problems and administered them on four exams. We trained students to produce written descriptions of how they solved the problem, and this allowed us to systematically investigate their problem-solving procedures. We identified a range of procedures and organized them as domain general, domain specific, or hybrid. We also identified domain-general and domain-specific errors made by students during problem solving. We found that students use domain-general and hybrid procedures more frequently when solving lower-order problems than higher-order problems, while they use domain-specific procedures more frequently when solving higher-order problems. Additionally, the more domain-specific procedures students used, the higher the likelihood that they would answer the problem correctly, up to five procedures. However, if students used just one domain-general procedure, they were as likely to answer the problem correctly as if they had used two to five domain-general procedures. Our findings provide a categorization scheme and framework for additional research on biology problem solving and suggest several important implications for researchers and instructors.
Variable penetrance of CDH1 mutation diffuse gastric cancer: A genomic analysis.

4082 Background: CDH1 encodes E-cadherin; mutations (CDH1mut) increase the risk of diffuse gastric (DGC) and lobular breast cancers. Life-time risk of DGC is estimated at 80%. Current recommendations are prophylactic gastrectomy (PG) in CDH1mut carriers after age 20. Foci of DGC are found in some PG; others have none at PG, and some CDH1mut without PG never develop cancer. Identifying risk modifying alleles or other genomic events which increase the risk of DGC may improve understanding of DGC and may provide a biomarker for when to perform PG. Methods: For a Gastric Cancer Registry, we collected family pedigrees, germline DNA and FFPE tumor from CDH1mut DGC patients (pts) and their families. From 24 families, with 52 CDH1mut individuals, we identified 4 families in which a young CDH1mut pt developed advanced DGC while their CDH1mut parent and siblings had no clinical evidence of DGC. Several relatives had undergone PG with no DGC found. We hypothesize that there are risk modifying alleles and/or a “secon...
API Security and Caching

In this chapter we will start with the review of the oAuth 2 standard for securing RESTful APIs and do an exercise on implementing basic spring security. We will then review caching concepts.
Notes on virtual and augmented reality (Keynote)

VR and AR hold enormous promises as paradigm-shifting ubiquitous technologies. The investment in these technologies by leading IT companies, as well as the buy-in and general excitement from outside investors, technologists, and content producers has never been more palpable. There are good reasons to be excited about the field. The real question will be if the technologies can add sufficient value to people's lives to establish themselves as more than just niche products. My path in this presentation will lead from a personal estimation of what matters for adoption of new technologies to important innovations we have witnessed on the road to anywhere/anytime use of immersive technologies. In recent years, one track of research in my lab has been concerned with the simulation of possible future capabilities in AR. With the goal to conduct controlled user studies evaluating technologies that are just not possible yet (such as a truly wide-field-of-view augmented reality display), we turn to high-end VR to simulate, predict, and assess these possible futures. In the far future, when technological hurdles, such as real-time reconstruction of photorealistic environment models, are removed, VR and AR naturally converge. Until then, we have a very interesting playing field full of technological constraints to have fun with.
Being a Forgiving Person and not Holding Grudges: An Overlooked Leadership Trait

This paper examines a trait referred to in the Talmud as ma’avir al midosav which in effect means having a forgiving nature and not holding a grudge. The Talmud promises that a person with this trait will also be forgiven by God for his sins. In addition, the person is assured of a long life. It is an especially important trait for a leader. Unfortunately, many leaders hold grudges and take advantage of their position to even the score.