cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of implementation of tuberculosis control project in the immigrant population of Guzhen County,China

Objective To explore the measures for preventive strategy of tuberculosis(TB) control program in Guzhen County.Methods Through the intimate collaboration among the institutions and organizations of TB control,health examination,and hospital,the suspected TB patients were transferred and followed up to improve the diagnosis; prolong the time of out-patients service to provide the victims with medical accessibility; and create conditions and incentive mechanisms to give patients convenience so as that they can timely visit their doctors and get psychological supports,and finally,to increase the patients obedience and cure rate of tuberculosis.Results A remarkable increase of hospital transferring and following-up of the patients were obtained,reaching 33.3% and 100%,respectively,and the implementing rate was 92.3%.The definitive diagnosis rate of tuberculosis was increased by 260.0% when compared with that of the corresponding period,and the cure rate reached as high as 90.3%.Conclusions A satisfactory effect of TB control strategy has been obtained in the immigrant population in Guzhen County and the policy and measures of TB control are worthy of promotion.The alteration and difficulty of the control implementation in the immigrants should be taken into consideration for effectiveness evaluation of TB control activity.
A NEW METHOD OF WELL STRUCTURE DESIGN BY SALT ROCK CREEP PRESSURE PROFILE

The effect well construction investing risk is a general problem in the world. The key of the study of the well structure design considering the salt creep is the design idea must be changed. In order to satisfy the salt formation, it should be considered two factors: one is the salt creep pressure profile; the other is the salt creep well pressure curve. Finally, the reasonable well construction will extend the well life and the synthetical economic benefits will be obtained. According to the results of the study of the salt creep rules, the results of the well construction were successfully applied in Tarimy Qiucan Well 1.
Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen-Based Diagnostics

At present, prostate cancer imaging is performed for lesion localization, detection of recurrent and/or metastatic disease, and staging. Despite significant efforts, conventional imaging of prostate cancer does not contribute to patient management as much as imaging performed for other common cancers. In addition, these imaging tests yield no information to differentiate aggressive from indolent disease that is a very important distinction in prostate disease management. In the absence of a clinically useful initial diagnostic imaging modality, biochemical tests (prostate specific antigen (PSA)), digital rectal exam, and TRUS (Transrectal Ultrasound)-guided biopsy have been widely adopted for initial diagnosis. The first post-diagnostic imaging test is often an extent-of-disease evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging (eMRI-endorectal coil). Computed tomography (CT) has a role in higher risk patients to evaluate locoregional lymphadenopathy, solid organ, or bony involvement. Bone scintigraphy with 99mTc-MDP or, more recently, 18F-NaF is widely used as an adjunct for detecting bone metastases. Positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) has no role in early diagnosis and a limited role in late-stage prostate cancer because of low and heterogenous utilization of glucose by prostate carcinoma. Other nonspecific PET agents such as acetate and choline (11C and 18F-labeled) or MR-based nanoparticles, diffusion-weighted imaging, and spectroscopy may have a future role; however, the performance of these agents remains to be determined in controlled clinical trials.
Impact of Armodafinil Therapy on Neuropsychiatric Features in Dementia with Lewy Bodies (S1.004)

Objective: Assess the effect of armodafinil therapy on neuropsychiatric features associated with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Background: Common features of DLB are excessive daytime somnolence and neuropsychiatric features of visual hallucinations, agitation, apathy, delusions, depression, euphoria and anxiety. While wake-promoting agents have been shown to improve somnolence in this population, no data have been gathered on their effect on neuropsychiatric features. Design: We conducted a 12-week open label pilot study using armodafinil 250 mg taken orally to investigate its efficacy on daytime somnolence in patients with DLB as a primary endpoint. In this study, we report secondary efficacy endpoints related to neuropsychiatric morbidity. Caregivers completed an abbreviated measure of neuropsychiatric symptoms using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) at baseline and after 1, 2, and 3 months of therapy. Last-Observation-Carried-Forward (LOCF) method was used to impute the few missing data. Results: Twenty subjects (16 male) median age 72 years completed all baseline assessments, of which 17 subjects completed the three month protocol. Overall neuropsychiatric morbidity improved after 1 month of armodafinil therapy (p=0.002), and total NPI scores also improved from baseline although not statistically significant. Specific neuropsychiatric features of visual hallucinations (p=0.001) and agitation (p=0.016) improved after 1 month of armodafinil therapy. The most notable NPI measure was apathy, with sustained improvement from baseline to months 1 (p=0.032), 2 (p=0.005), and 3 (p=0.006). No significant changes were noted in measures of delusions, depression, euphoria, or anxiety. Conclusions: Armodafinil therapy resulted in significant improvement of overall neuropsychiatric morbidity, visual hallucinations, and agitation early in the course of treatment. There was sustained improvement of apathy throughout the course of treatment. Our pilot study findings suggest improvement on some neuropsychiatric features of DLB with armodafinil. Open label results must be interpreted with caution due to absence of a control group. Funded by Cephalon, Inc. Disclosure: Dr. Kuntz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mason has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lapid has nothing to disclose. Dr. Aakre has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lundt has nothing to disclose. Dr. Boeve has received personal compensation for activities with Isis Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Boeve has received research support from GE Healthcare and FORUM Pharmaceuticals.
The Elementary Real Integral

(a) Let f, g be continuous functions on [a, b] with a < b. Assume g positive. Show that there exists c ∈ [a, b] such that $$\int_{a}^{b} {f\left( x \right)g\left( x \right)dx = f\left( c \right)\int_{a}^{b} {g\left( x \right)dx.} }$$
Exact dissipation model for arbitrary photonic Fock state transport in waveguide QED systems

We present an exact dissipation model for correlated photon transport in waveguide QED systems. This model rigorously incorporates the infinitely many degrees of freedom of the full three-dimensional photonic scattering channels in the non-excitable ambient environment. We show that the photon leakages to the scattering channels can be accounted for by a reduced Hamiltonian and a restricted eigen-state, with a resultant atomic dissipation. This model is valid for arbitrary photonic Fock and coherent states.
Antiviral Immunity and Circular RNA: No End in Sight

In this issue of Molecular Cell, two papers by Chen et al. (2017) and Li et al. (2017) describe new insights into circRNA biogenesis and function, connecting circRNAs to innate immune pathways.
The effects of dedication to environmental legitimacy on HEI-wide innovativeness and applications for admission: From natural resource based view

Abstract We hypothesized that dedication to environmental legitimacy is a driver for university-wide innovativeness and reputation. Using a sample of 161 colleges listed in the US News & World Report best university rankings list of 2015, we observed the impact of HEI dedication to environmental legitimacy on innovativeness and applications for admission from 2008 to 2011. We found that a higher education institution (HEI)’s dedication to environmental legitimacy increased its innovativeness. To test the dedication-application relationship, we divided our entire sample into three groups in terms of ranking and found that the positive impact of the dedication on applications was significant for the group having low-ranked HEIs. Our empirical findings suggest that dedication to environmental legitimacy such as green building initiatives serves as the foundation for the outcomes of stakeholder integration including innovativeness and reputation going beyond cost savings.
Oral vaccination of broiler chickens against necrotic enteritis using a non-virulent NetB positive strain of Clostridium perfringens type A

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a severe disease of chickens and turkeys caused by some strains of Clostridium perfringens type A. The disease is well controlled by the use of in-feed antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs). However, due to worldwide public and regulatory pressure to reduce the use of AGPs inter alia, there is an urgent need to develop non-antibiotic based preventative measures. Vaccination would be a suitable control measure, but currently there is no commercial vaccine. NetB (necrotic enteritis toxin B-like) is a pore-forming toxin produced by C. perfringens that has been reported as an important virulence factor in the pathogenesis of NE. The present study tests a non-virulent NetB producing strain of C. perfringens (nvNetB+), with or without adjuvants, as an orally administered live vaccine. Adjuvants used were Gel 01™, Cholera toxin (CT), Escherichia coli wild type heat-labile holotoxin (LT) and mutant E. coli LT (dmLT) (R192G/L211A). Several vaccine administration regimes were tested. All vaccination regimes elicited serum and mucosal antibody responses to alpha toxin and to secreted proteins of both nvNetB+ and a very virulent NetB positive (vvNetB+) strain (p<0.0001 to p<0.05). In some vaccinated groups, there was milder intestinal pathology upon disease challenge. 55% of birds vaccinated orally at days 2, 12 with nvNetB+ adjuvanted with CT did not develop any lesions of NE by 6 days post challenge, compared to a 100% incidence of NE lesions in the unvaccinated disease challenged group.
Estimation of population divergence times from SNP data and a test for treeness

We present a method for estimating population divergence times from genome sequences when one individual is sampled from each population. Our method is a simplified version of one presented by Rassmussen et al. (2014) for testing for direct ancestry of an archaic genome. Our method does not require distinguishing ancestral from derived alleles or assumptions about demographic history before population divergence. We discuss the relationship of our method to two similar methods, one introduced by Green et al. (2010) and denoted by and the other introduced by Schlebusch et al. (2017) and called the TT method. When our method is applied to individuals from three or more populations, it provides a test of whether the population history is treelike. We illustrate the use of our method by applying it to three high-coverage archaic genomes, two Neanderthals (Vindija and Altai) and a Denisovan.
Entrance and escape dynamics for the typical set

According to the asymptotic equipartition property, sufficiently long sequences of random variables converge to a set that is typical. While the size and probability of this set are central to information theory and statistical mechanics, they can often only be estimated accurately in the asymptotic limit due to the exponential growth in possible sequences. Here we derive a time-inhomogeneous dynamics that constructs the properties of the typical set for all finite length sequences of independent and identically distributed random variables. These dynamics link the finite properties of the typical set to asymptotic results and allow the typical set to be applied to small and transient systems. The main result is a geometric mapping-the triangle map-relating sequences of random variables of length n to those of length n+1. We show that the number of points in this map needed to quantify the properties of the typical set grows linearly with sequence length, despite the exponential growth in the number of typical sequences. We illustrate the framework for the Bernoulli process and the Schlogl model for autocatalytic chemical reactions and demonstrate both the convergence to asymptotic limits and the ability to reproduce exact calculations.
Pentose Phosphate Shunt Modulates Reactive Oxygen Species and Nitric Oxide Production Controlling Trypanosoma cruzi in Macrophages.

Metabolism provides substrates for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) generation, which are a part of the macrophage (mφ) anti-microbial response. Mφs infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc) produce insufficient levels of oxidative species and lower levels of glycolysis compared to classically-activated mφs. How mφs fail to elicit a potent ROS/NO response during infection and its link to glycolysis is unknown. Herein, we evaluated for ROS, NO, and cytokine production in the presence of metabolic modulators of glycolysis and the Krebs cycle. Metabolic status was analyzed by Seahorse Flux Analyzer and mass spectrometry, and validated by RNAi. Tc infection of RAW264.7 or bone marrow-derived mφs elicited a substantial increase in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α expression and pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and moderate levels of ROS/NO. Interferon (IFN)-γ addition enhanced the Tc-induced ROS/NO release and shut down mitochondrial respiration to the levels noted in classically activated mφs. Inhibition of PPAR-α attenuated the ROS/NO response and was insufficient for complete metabolic shift. Deprivation of glucose and inhibition of pyruvate transport showed that Krebs cycle and glycolysis support ROS/NO generation in Tc+IFN-γ-stimulated mφs. Metabolic profiling and RNAi studies showed that glycolysis-pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) at 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase was essential for ROS/NO response and control of parasite replication in mφ. We conclude that IFN-γ, but not inhibition of PPAR-α, supports metabolic upregulation of glycolytic-PPP for eliciting potent ROS/NO response in Tc-infected mφs. Chemical analogs enhancing the glucose-PPP will be beneficial in controlling Tc replication and dissemination by mφs.
The Impact of Acute Organ Dysfunction on Long-Term Survival in Sepsis.

Objectives:To estimate the impact of each of six types of acute organ dysfunction (hepatic, renal, coagulation, neurologic, cardiac, and respiratory) on long-term mortality after surviving sepsis hospitalization.Design:Multicenter, retrospective study.Settings:Twenty-one hospitals within an integrat
Planning for Distance learning : Support services and the library's role

Abstract The article examines the role that student support services plays in planning a distance learning program, especially the services offered by a university library. The content of the paper is based on the experience the author acquired as a member of Texas Tech University's Distance Learning Council. The Council's efforts to plan a program that will include strong support from the Library are discussed.
Clinical Profile and Factors Affecting Survival in Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis (P5.177)

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the clinical profile and factors affecting survival in Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis (LMC). Background: LMC is a rare, devastating complication of solid tumors. There is a paucity of data regarding the epidemiology and survival in LMC. In addition, there are no standard guidelines for treatment. Design/Methods: All patients diagnosed with LMC between January 2006 and May 2016 at the Upstate Medical University, were included. Age Results: A total of 52 cases were included. The female to male ratio was 1.3:1. The mean age at LMC diagnosis was 58 ±11.01 years. The most common sites of primary malignancy were the lung (34.6%, n=18) and the breast (30.8%, n=16). The common concomitant sites of metastases included bony structures (59.6%, n=31) and the brain (55.7%, n=29). Only 19.2% (n=10) individuals were treated with intrathecal chemotherapy, and 69.2% (n=36) received radiation. Hospice measures were initiated in 26.9% (n=14) of the patients at diagnosis. The median survival from the diagnosis of LMC was 3 months (range: 0–21 months). Favorable prognostic factors were primary breast cancer (Hazard Ratio (HR): 0.5(95%CI: 0.3–0.8); p=0.04), and intrathecal chemotherapy (HR: 0.3(95%CI: 0.1–0.9); p=0.03) as compared to hospice care. Patients aged ≥57 years at diagnosis had worse odds of survival (HR: 1.9(95%CI: 1.03–3.5); p=0.04). Conclusions: High suspicion is critical for early diagnosis of LMC by imaging and/or CSF analysis. Aggressive treatment, including intrathecal chemotherapy, could be used in some patients with modest benefit. Consideration of clinical profile and prognostic factors is more critical than ever, especially in the setting of some studies showing favorable response to LMC from targeted therapies for breast and lung cancer. Disclosure: Dr. Gudlavalleti has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shah has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shah has nothing to disclose. Dr. Saad has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lemke has nothing to disclose.
The impact of quality on customer behavioral intentions based on the consumer decision making process as applied in e-commerce

Perceived quality in the context of e-commerce was defined and examined in numerous studies, but, to date, there are no consistent definitions and measurement scales. Instruments that measure quality in e-commerce industries primarily focus on website quality or service quality during the transaction and delivery phases. Even though some scholars have proposed instruments from different perspectives, these scales do not fully evaluate the level of quality perceived by customers during the entire decision-making process. This dissertation purports to provide five main contributions for the e-commerce, service quality, and decision science literature: (1) development of a comprehensive instrument to measure how online customers perceive the quality of the shopping channel, website, transaction and recovery based on the customer decision making process; (2) identification of the determinants of customer satisfaction and the key dimensions of customer behavioral intentions in e-commerce; (3) examination of the relationships among perceived quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty intention using empirical data; (4) application of different statistical packages (LISREL and PLS-Graph) for data analysis and comparison of how these methods impact the results; and (5) examination of the moderating effects of control variables. A survey was designed and distributed to a total of 1126 college students in a large southwestern university in the U.S. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling with both LISREL and PLS-Graph are used to validate the comprehensive instrument and test the research hypotheses. The results provide theoretical and normative guidelines for researchers and practitioners in the e-commerce domain. The research results will also help e-commerce platform providers or e-retailers to improve their business and marketing strategies by providing a better understanding of the most important factors influencing customer behavioral intentions.
Can cancer GWAS variants modulate immune cells in the tumor microenvironment

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have hitherto identified several genetic variants associated with cancer susceptibility, but the molecular functions of these risk modulators remain largely uncharacterized. Recent studies have begun to uncover the regulatory potential of non-coding GWAS SNPs by using epigenetic information in corresponding cancer cell types and matched normal tissues. However, this approach does not explore the potential effect of risk germline variants on other important cell types that constitute the microenvironment of tumor or its precursor. This paper presents evidence that the breast cancer-associated variant rs3903072 may regulate the expression of CTSW in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. CTSW is a candidate tumor-suppressor gene, with expression highly specific to immune cells and also positively correlated with breast cancer patient survival. Integrative analyses suggest a putative causative variant in a GWAS-linked enhancer in lymphocytes that loops to the 39 end of CTSW through three-dimensional chromatin interaction. Our work thus poses the possibility that a cancer-associated genetic variant might regulate a gene not only in the cell of cancer origin, but also in immune cells in the microenvironment, thereby modulating the immune surveillance by T lymphocytes and natural killer cells and affecting the clearing of early cancer initiating cells.
Tunable Properties of Poly-DL-Lactide-Monomethoxypolyethylene Glycol Porous Microparticles for Sustained Release of Polyethylenimine-DNA Polyplexes

Direct pulmonary delivery is a promising step in developing effective gene therapies for respiratory disease. Gene therapies can be used to treat the root cause of diseases, rather than just the symptoms. However, developing effective therapies that do not cause toxicity and that successfully reach the target site at therapeutic levels is challenging. We have developed a polymer-DNA complex utilizing polyethylene imine (PEI) and DNA, which was then encapsulated into poly(lactic acid)-co-monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA-mPEG) microparticles via double emulsion, solvent evaporation. Then, the resultant particle size, porosity, and encapsulation efficiency were measured as a function of altering preparation parameters. Microsphere formation was confirmed from scanning electron micrographs and the aerodynamic particle diameter was measured using an aerodynamic particle sizer. Several formulations produced particles with aerodynamic diameters in the 0-5 μm range despite having larger particle diameters which is indicative of porous particles. Furthermore, these aerodynamic diameters correspond to high deposition within the airways when inhaled and the measured DNA content indicated high encapsulation efficiency. Thus, this formulation provides promise for developing inhalable gene therapies.
Dynamic Vascular Optical Tomographic Imaging for Peripheral Artery Disease and Breast Cancer

Abstract In this chapter we present latest advances in the area of dynamic optical tomographic imaging. In particular, we focus on clinical applications in diagnosing and monitoring peripheral artery disease and breast cancer.
You don’t miss it ‘til it’s gone: insecurity, place, and the social construction of the environment

In this article, I examine the social construction of the environment, ideas about the risk society, place attachment and place detachment in the aftermath of two tornadoes that occurred in 2011 in...
Eye-Tracking Research in Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Are We Measuring and for What Purposes?

The introduction of eye-tracking technology has enabled researchers in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to “look through the eyes” of individuals with ASD. In the article, we review research in the area with a focus on (1) the constructs that have been measured through eye-tracking paradigms, and (2) the application of this technology across different purposes, including addressing basic science questions, facilitating diagnosis, and measuring intervention mechanisms and outcomes. Most eye-tracking research to date has focused on quantifying differences in social attention between samples with ASD and typical development. Other social constructs such as goal prediction, theory of mind, and joint attention have also been investigated, but to a lesser degree. Similarly, cognitive constructs in non-social domains, such as working memory, visual search, attentional disengagement, and habituation have been investigated through eye-tracking paradigms, but less frequently than social attention. A modest but growing body of literature is focusing on the usefulness of eye-tracking to identify ASD diagnostic markers and measure intervention outcomes, with promising yet inconclusive results. Eye-tracking technology is a feasible measurement tool to capture a range of psychological constructs and can be used for a range of purposes relevant to both research and practice. However, the potential of eye-tracking for capturing processes other than social attention and its relevance to diagnosis and intervention is still to be fully explored.
Comparative analysis of traumatic esophageal injury in pediatric and adult populations

Distribution and outcomes of traumatic injury of the esophagus (TIE) in pediatric versus adult populations are unknown. Our study sought to perform a descriptive analysis of TIE in children and adults. We reviewed the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) for the years 2010–2015. Demographics, characteristics, and outcomes of pediatric (age < 16 years) and adult TIE patients were described and compared. Among 526,850 pediatric and 3,838,895 adult trauma patients, 90 pediatric (0.02%) and 1,411 (0.04%) adult TIE patients were identified. Demographics and esophageal injury severity did not differ. Children were more likely to sustain blunt trauma (63% versus 37%), with the most common mechanism being transportation-related accidents, were less-severely injured (median ISS 14 versus 22), and had fewer associated injuries (79% versus 95%) and complications (30% versus 51%) (all p < 0.001). Children had shorter hospitalizations (median 5 versus 10 days) and were more likely to be discharged home (84% versus 64%) (both p = 0.01). In-hospital mortality did not differ significantly between children and adults (10% versus 19%, p = 0.09). TIE in the pediatric population has unique characteristics compared to adults: it is more likely to be a result of blunt trauma, has lower injury burden, and has more favorable clinical outcomes.
Pilot randomized trial of an electronic symptom monitoring and reporting intervention for hospitalized adults undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Patients undergoing a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) have varied symptoms during their hospitalization. This study examined whether daily symptom reporting (with electronic patient-reported outcomes [PROs]) in an inpatient bone marrow transplant clinic reduced symptom burden on post-transplant days +7, +10, and +14. A prospective, single-institution 1:1 pilot randomized, two-arm study recruited HCT patients. HCT inpatients (N = 76) reported daily on 16 common symptoms using the PRO version of the Common Terminology for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE). Fisher’s exact test was used to examine differences in the proportion of patients reporting individual symptoms. Multivariable linear regression modeling was used to examine group differences in peak symptom burden, while controlling for symptom burden at baseline, age, comorbidity, and transplantation type (autologous or allogeneic). HCT patients receiving the PRO intervention also experienced lower peak symptom burden (average of 16 symptoms) at days +7, +10, and +14 (10.4 vs 14.5, p = 0.03). Daily use of electronic symptom reporting to nurses in an inpatient bone marrow transplant clinic reduced peak symptom burden and improved individual symptoms during the 2 weeks post-transplant. A multi-site trial is warranted to demonstrate the generalizability, efficacy, and value of this intervention. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT 02574897
You're How Old? Correlating Perioperative Complication Risk in Octogenarians Undergoing Colpocleisis for Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

OBJECTIVES Colpocleisis is a surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse for elderly women who are no longer sexually active. The risk calculator of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) predicts perioperative complications. We aim to determine if the NSQIP calculated risk correlates with true perioperative complications in women 80 years or older undergoing colpocleisis. METHODS Octogenarian women who underwent colpocleisis at our institution from 2007 to 2017 were included in this retrospective chart review. Medical comorbidities were entered into ACS NSQIP calculator, and the calculated risk was compared with actual complications. RESULTS One hundred twenty-six octogenarians were included in the analysis. The true complication rate was higher than predicted by NSQIP (28.6% [36/126] vs 4.3% (SD, ±1.1%), which we attribute to our relatively high detection rate of urinary tract infection (32/36). Four patients (3.2%) had serious complications (pulmonary embolus, deep vein thrombosis, sepsis, and reintubation). In only 57% of cases, NSQIP risk calculation was concordant with true complication, showing significant departure from correct classification (P 81 mg vs none; odds ratio, 4.84, 95% confidence interval, 1.72-13.60; P = 0.002) and a diagnosis of hypertension (odds ratio, 4.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-13.72; P = 0.016). CONCLUSION Serious complication rates are low in octogenarians undergoing colpocleisis. The ACS NSQIP risk calculator does not strongly correlate with actual complications. Further refinement and evolvement of the database may improve its predictive value.
Rapid Sensorimotor Reinforcement in the Olfactory Striatum

Rodents can successfully learn multiple, novel stimulus-response associations after only a few repetitions when the contingencies predict reward. The circuits modified during such reinforcement learning to support decision making are not known, but the olfactory tubercle (OT) and posterior piriform cortex (pPC) are candidates for decoding reward category from olfactory sensory input and relaying this information to cognitive and motor areas. Here, we show that an explicit representation for reward category emerges in the OT within minutes of learning a novel odor-reward association, whereas the pPC lacks an explicit representation even after weeks of overtraining. The explicit reward category representation in OT is visible in the first sniff (50-100ms) of an odor on each trial, and precedes the motor action. Together, these results suggest that coding of stimulus information required for reward prediction does not occur within olfactory cortex, but rather in circuits involving the olfactory striatum.
Nurturing teacher learning opportunities– experiences, leadership and technology

In this volume, researchers take on several timely and important topics, with research spanning multiple countries, grades and subjects. One set of articles deepens our understanding of how, under ...
Carbon export and fate beneath a dynamic upwelled filament off the California coast

Abstract. To understand the vertical variations in carbon fluxes in biologically productive waters, four autonomous carbon flux explorers (CFEs), ship-lowered CTD-interfaced particle-sensitive transmissometer and scattering sensors, and surface-drogued sediment traps were deployed in a filament of offshore flowing, recently upwelled water, during the June 2017 California Current Ecosystem – Long Term Ecological Research process study. The Lagrangian CFEs operating at depths from 100–500 m yielded carbon flux and its partitioning with size from 30 µ m–1 cm at three intensive study locations within the filament and in waters outside the filament. Size analysis codes intended to enable long-term CFE operations independent of ships are described. Different particle classes (anchovy pellets, copepod pellets, and > 1000 µ m aggregates) dominated the 100–150 m fluxes during successive stages of the filament evolution as it progressed offshore. Fluxes were very high at all locations in the filament; below 150 m, flux was invariant or increased with depth at the two locations closer to the coast. Martin curve b factors ( ± denotes 95 % confidence intervals) for total particulate carbon flux were + 0.37 ± 0.59, + 0.85 ± 0.31, − 0.24 ± 0.68, and − 0.45 ± 0.70 at the three successively occupied locations within the plume, and in transitional waters. Interestingly, the flux profiles for all particles 400 µ m were a much closer fit to the canonical Martin profile ( b−0.86 ); however, most (typically > 90 %) of the particle flux was carried by > 1000 µ m sized aggregates which increased with depth. Mechanisms to explain the factor of 3 flux increase between 150 and 500 m at the mid-plume location are investigated.
A Review for Heart Regeneration

Heart disease is one of the diseases with high mortality. When heart disease occurs, a large number of cardiomyocytes die and the heart function is severely damaged. In severe cases, it may lead to death. The research on heart regeneration has become a key issue in the treatment of heart diseases. This review article discusses the factors that influence heart regeneration. Promoters include ERBB2, NRG1, estrogen, and miRNA 19-72 clusters whereas inhibitors consist of innervation, thyroid T4 and miRNA-128. The recognition of factors that influence cardiomyocyte proliferation and heart regeneration may provide reveal new therapeutic possibilities in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
A Bond-Share Portfolio Maximizing von Neumann-Morgenstern Utility of Present Real Worth Under Inflation

What are the consequences of inflation for the optimal composition of a portfolio? The present paper will consider a two-asset portfolio. One asset is vulnerable to erosion by inflation, the other is not. The former may be thought of as money, bills, or bonds and will be exemplified by the latter. The second asset may be thought of as equity and will be exemplified by corporate shares.
Who Pays? And to Whom?

In this chapter, we consider the distribution of payors of general hospital psychiatric care. For medical care in general hospitals, we know that 29% of all expenditures are paid by Medicare (Stevens, 1989). Medicaid is much less of a player in general hospitals, because the majority of its funds go to nursing-home care nationally.
Traffic recovery time estimation under different flow regimes in traffic simulation

Incident occurrence and recovery are critical to the smooth and efficient operations of freeways. Although many studies have been performed on incident detection, clearance, and management, travelers and traffic managers are unable to accurately predict the length of time required for full traffic recovery after an incident occurs. This is because there are no practical studies available to estimate post-incident recovery time. This paper estimates post-incident traffic recovery time along an urban freeway using traffic simulation and compares the simulation results with shockwave theory calculations. The simulation model is calibrated and validated using a freeway segment in Baltimore, MD. The model explores different flow regimes (traffic intensity) and incident duration for different incident severity, and their effects on recovery time. A total of 726 simulations are completed using VISSIM software. Finally, the impact of congestion and incident delay on the highway network is quantified by a regression formula to predict traffic recovery time. The developed regression model predicts post-incident traffic recovery time based on traffic intensity, incident duration, and incident severity (ratio of lanes closure). In addition, three regression models are developed for different flow regimes of near-capacity, moderate, and low-traffic intensity. The model is validated by collected field data on two different urban freeways.
Spin Memristive Systems: Spin Memory Effects in Semiconductor Spintronics

Recently, in addition to the well-known resistor, capacitor, and inductor, a fourth passive circuit element, named memristor, has been identified following theoretical predictions. The model example used in such case consisted in a nanoscale system with coupled ionic and electronic transport. Here, we discuss a system whose memristive behavior is based entirely on the electron-spin degree of freedom, which allows for a more convenient control than the ionic transport in nanostructures. An analysis of time-dependent spin transport at a semiconductor/ferromagnet junction provides a direct evidence of memristive behavior. Our scheme is fundamentally different from previously discussed schemes of memristive systems and broadens the possible range of applications of semiconductor spintronics.
Management of urethral recurrence after orthotopic urinary diversion

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To evaluate our experience with urethral recurrences in patients treated by radical cystectomy(RC) and orthotopic neobladder urinary diversion for carcinoma of the bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients treated with RC and orthotopic urinary diversion between January 1980 and July 2004. RESULTS In all, 260 patients underwent RC with a Studer or Hautmann orthotopic urinary diversion; the median (range) follow-up was 5.1 (0–15.6) years. Six patients (2.3%) developed local recurrence of urothelial cancer (UC) within the urethra after this treatment. The median (range) time to presentation with recurrence after RC was 2.4 (0.7–3.6) years for pT1-4 UC. Recurrences were treated with various methods, including transurethral resection, urethrectomy with conversion of neobladder to continent catheterizable diversion, and chemotherapy. At the last follow-up, four of these six patients were alive without disease, one was alive with disease, and one had died from disease. CONCLUSIONS In our experience, local recurrences involving the urethra are infrequent. Complete surgical excision can provide a good outcome. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be considered for recurrences with adverse clinicopathological features.
Mental Health and Self-Esteem

To esteem something is to value it and to view it as having worth. Self-esteem (sometimes also referred to as self-worth), therefore, refers to valuing one's self and viewing one's self as having worth. There is a cognitive component (beliefs about one's value and worth) and an emotional component (how one feels – happy, sad, angry, fearful) to evaluating the self and appraising one's own worth. Self-esteem is usually distinguished from self-concept, which is a set of beliefs about one's characteristics, attributes, and abilities but without the evaluative component. Self-esteem is the result of the evaluation and appraisal of one's characteristics and attributes as more or less positive, adequate, and competent or more or less negative, inadequate, or incompetent. Self-esteem is also distinguished from self-efficacy, which is a set of beliefs concerned with one's abilities to accomplish valued life goals. Keywords: self-concept; self-efficacy; self-esteem; mental health; mental illness
Incorporation of Delayed Decision Making into Stochastic Mapping

This paper presents a technique for incorporating delayed decision making into stochastic mapping algorithms for concurrent mapping and localization. The approach explicitly tracks the error correlations between current and previous vehicle states, enabling the initialization of map features using data from multiple time steps and improved data association decision-making. The method is illustrated using data from a ring of Polaroid sonar sensors from a B21 mobile robot, demonstrating the ability to perform CML with sparse and ambiguous data.
Activation of Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase enhances the oxidation of hydroxyethylthiamin pyrophosphate.

The catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of Escherichia coli flavin pyruvate oxidase can be stimulated 450-fold either by the addition of lipid activators or by limited proteolytic hydrolysis. Previous studies have shown that a functional lipid binding site is a mandatory prerequisite for the in vivo functioning of this enzyme (Grabau, C., and Cronan, J. E., Jr. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 3748-3751). The effect of activation on the transient state kinetics of partial reactions in the overall oxidative conversion of pyruvate to acetate and CO2 has now been examined. The rate of decarboxylation of pyruvate to form CO2 and hydroxyethylthiamin pyrophosphate for both activated and unactivated forms of the enzyme is identical within experimental error. The decarboxylation step was measured using substrate concentrations of the enzyme in the absence of an electron acceptor. The pseudo-first order rate constant for the decarboxylation step is 60-80 s-1. The rate of oxidation of hydroxyethylthiamin pyrophosphate and concomitant enzyme-bound flavin reduction was analyzed by stopped-flow methods utilizing synthetic hydroxyethylthiamin pyrophosphate. The pseudo-first order rate for this step with unactivated enzyme was 2.85 s-1 and increased 145-fold for lipid-activated enzyme to 413 s-1 and 61-fold for the proteolytically activated enzyme to 173 s-1. The analysis of a third reaction step, the reoxidation of enzyme-bound FADH, was also investigated by stopped-flow techniques utilizing ferricyanide as the electron acceptor. The rate of oxidation of enzyme.FADH is very fast for both unactivated (1041 s-1) and activated enzyme (645 s-1). The data indicate that the FAD reduction step is the rate-limiting step in the overall reaction for unactivated enzyme. Alternatively, the rate-limiting step in the overall reaction with the activated enzyme shifts to one of the partial steps in the decarboxylation reaction.
Charged particle dynamics in turbulence: Theory and direct numerical simulations

The presence of electrostatic charge can significantly alter the collision rate of inertial particles in turbulence. The influence of charge on the particle radial relative velocity and on the radial distribution function is investigated through direct numerical simulations of homogeneous, isotropic turbulence containing Lagrangian point particles. Particles with opposite charge polarity have enhanced inward radial relative velocity and radial distribution function, both increasing with decreasing separation distance. For like-charged particles, the converse is generally true. A simplified model for the influence of charge on relative velocity and radial spatial distribution is found to capture the general behavior. The model is based on the assumption of the superposition of relative velocity arising for charged particles in still fluid, and relative velocity arising from dissipation-scale turbulent velocity fluctuations.
Nipping early risk factors in the bud: preventing substance abuse, delinquency, and violence in adolescence through interventions targeted at young children (0-8 years).

This bulletin describes state-of-the-art universal and selective prevention programs designed to promote parent and teacher competencies and to prevent conduct problems. In addition, it describes indicated interventions designed for children who already have been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder and/or conduct disorder. Emphasis is placed on empirically supported programs that have identified key malleable risk factors in children, families, and schools, which have been shown in longitudinal research to be related to later development of substance abuse, delinquency, and violence. We have targeted preschool and primary grade children, ages 0–8 years, in this review because research suggests that the most effective interventions can nip in the bud risk behaviors in the early years, before antisocial behaviors become crystallized. Guidelines for selecting effective interventions are provided.
A Review of “Language, ethnography, and education: bridging new literacy studies and Bourdieu”

The compiled volume Language, Ethnography, and Education: Bridging new literacy studies and Bourdieu, synthesizes traditions of classroom ethnography, New Literacy Studies (NLS), and Bourdieusian s...
A full-chip ESD simulation flow

An ESD simulation flow that has been demonstrated on 14 nm products is described. Due to Moore's Law, ESD protection devices are having an increasingly large impact on silicon area, power, and capacitance. A number of real-world examples demonstrating how the simulation flow improved these areas are provided.
IFN-alpha 2B enhances Th1 cytokine responses in bladder cancer patients receiving Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy.

Combination therapy with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) plus IFN-alpha for superficial bladder cancer has been demonstrated to be more effective than either single agent alone in animal studies and of suggested greater efficacy in clinical studies. However, the mechanism by which IFN-alpha enhances BCG-mediated antitumor activity is poorly understood. Using PBMCs from bladder cancer patients, IFN-alpha was found to substantially enhance the efficacy of BCG to induce IFN-gamma production. Among 34 patients tested, 80% showed >4-fold increase. This effect of IFN-alpha was observed in both initial and memory responses to BCG. In addition, IFN-alpha up-regulated BCG-induced IL-12 and TNF-alpha and down-regulated BCG-induced IL-10. Neutralizing endogenous IL-10 or adding exogenous IL-12 provided further synergy for IFN-gamma production. In clinical practice, intravesical IFN-alpha 2B (50 million units (MU)/dose) was observed to accelerate urinary IFN-gamma production to low-dose BCG (one-tenth or one-third of a full dose) in patients treated with combination therapy compared with BCG alone. These results suggest that IFN-alpha is a potent BCG enhancer that polarizes the BCG-induced immune response toward the cellular immune pathway by promoting Th1 cytokine expression and reducing Th2 cytokine expression. This study provides an immunological basis for future rational use of IFN-alpha in conjunction with intravesical BCG for bladder cancer immunotherapy.
Ca2+-Dependent Activator Protein for Secretion Is Critical for the Fusion of Dense-Core Vesicles with the Membrane in Calf Adrenal Chromaffin Cells

Calcium-dependent activator protein for secretion (CAPS) is a neural/endocrine cell-specific protein that has been shown to function at the Ca(2+)-dependent triggering step of dense-core vesicle (DCV) exocytosis in permeabilized PC12 cells. To evaluate the function of CAPS under physiological conditions, we introduced affinity-purified anti-CAPS IgGs into calf adrenal chromaffin (AC) cells via a patch pipette and tested the kinetics of catecholamine secretion using both amperometric and membrane capacitance techniques. The antibodies reacted with a single major approximately 145 kDa protein in AC cells based on immunoblot analysis. AC cells stimulated with sequential trains of action potentials at 7 Hz resulted in successive secretory episodes of equivalent magnitude. When either of two different anti-CAPS IgGs or their Fab fragments were present, a rapid and progressive inhibition of catecholamine release ensued to a maximum of >80%. The effect was specific because preabsorption of IgGs with the respective antigens ablated the inhibitory effect, and the IgGs had no effect on Ca currents. CAPS immunoneutralization not only reduced the number of amperometric spikes but markedly altered the kinetic characteristics of the residual events. The remaining spikes were much smaller (by 85%) and broader (by approximately 3.5-fold) than those in control cells, suggesting that CAPS plays a role in determining release of vesicle contents via the fusion pore. Anti-CAPS IgGs also slowed the rate of the initial exocytotic capacitance burst, representing the docked-and-primed vesicle pool, by approximately 90% but had no effect on the kinetics of rapid endocytosis. These results suggest that CAPS is a key component regulating the fusion of DCVs to the plasma membrane, and possibly fusion pore dilation, in catecholamine secretion from AC cells.