cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The New Nikkei: Transpacific Shin Issei and Shifting Borders of Community in Southern California

Increasing immigration from Asian countries to the United States post-1965 and subsequent global transformations in local urban communities is well researched and documented. Less visible as a point of investigation are the parameters of contemporary Japanese immigration to the U.S. in the last 25 years and its effects on existing Japan America. This brief paper is a preliminary attempt to rectify the relative dearth of scholarly research on new Japanese arrivals and introduce several theoretical questions that can lead to further discussion. Who are shin Issei and what their motivations for leaving Japan? What are the outlines of their transmigrant lives in Los Angeles? Finally, what are the social tensions that arise with their presence in already established Japanese American communities in Southern California? It is argued that discussion on these issues can promote a framework for future research on the renegotiation and transformation of a shared Japanese American identity.
Unique Salivary Glands in Two Genera of Tropical Microchiropteran Bats: An Example of Evolutionary Convergence in Histology and Histochemistry

Submandibular salivary glands were examined in 38 genera of microchiropteran and megachiropteran bats. In species of two of these, Trachops cirrhosus (a Neotropical phyllostomid) and Megaderma lyra and M. spasma (Old World megadermatids), the histology of the accessory submandibular salivary gland was unique among mammals. In both Trachops and Megaderma this gland consists of large, follicle-like structures rather than the usual secretory endpieces. In both genera the secretory cells (except for a few cells in Trachops ) are completely negative to a variety of histochemical staining procedures for glycoproteins, so the secretory product is unknown; in Trachops scattered or clumped mucous cells in the follicular walls contain acidic and neutral glycoproteins. Given the phylogeny of these genera it is likely that this previously unknown histological arrangement evolved independently in each family and thus represents a remarkable example of histological and histochemical convergence. We postulate that the evolution of this unique salivary gland is related to feeding on frogs.
On the viability of a rule utilitarianism

Dans le cadre du debat toujours ouvert entre l'utilitarisme de l'acte et l'utilitarisme de la regle, l'A. propose une definition de l'utilitarisme de la regle qui ne puisse faire abstraction de la pertinence de l'utilitarisme en tant que theorie ethique normative. Distinguant l'utilitarisme normatif de l'action consideree pour ses meilleures consequences, de l'utilitarisme comme procedure de decision et theorie du raisonnement moral, l'A. montre que la cause de l'utilitarisme de la regle a souffert de la negligence de cette distinction, qui est a l'origine de la confusion sur le statut heuristique ou pratique de la regle
The Proof is in the Prejudice: A Proposal Confronting Implicit Racial Bias in Uncharged Act Evidence

This Article examines the effect of implicit bias in the admission of uncharged act evidence pursuant Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b). In light of the growing psychological literature on the risks of juror implicit bias against non-White defendants, this Article argues that Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b) should be amended to encourage a restrictive approach to uncharged act admission leaning more heavily toward exclusion. In support, this Article examines the role of race in the courtroom generally as well as the federal district court trend of over-admission of uncharged act evidence despite forbidden propensity inferences. The Article also examines previous proposals to amend Rule 404(b), concluding that a liberal approach to the admission of uncharged acts would perpetuate systemic disparities for non-White defendants. Finally, this Article proposes a three-part Rule 404(b) amendment that would improve the Rule’s functionality while affording the accused better protection from improper juror decision-making based on implicit biases.
Crustal structure and surface-wave dispersion*

The observed dispersion of Rayleigh waves across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans can be accounted for by considering the propagation of such waves through a system consisting of water and unconsolidated sediments overlying a thick layer of ultrabasic rock. This contrasts with all former treatments, which have considered the effect of the water layer to be negligible. The depth of the water-sediment layer and the speed of shear waves in the underlying ultrabasic layer are obtained for several paths across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The results for the Atlantic are in good agreement with the data obtained in a recent seismic refraction measurement made 120 miles northwest of Bermuda, and offer strong evidence that the result of this single refraction measurement will be found to be typical of the entire ocean. No significant difference in the nature of the suboceanic basement of the Atlantic and Pacific has been found, since the velocity of shear waves in the uppermost 50 to 100 km. was calculated to be 4.45 km/sec. for both oceans. Previously reported differences in Atlantic and Pacific velocities for Rayleigh waves of some selected period are now believed to be due primarily to differences in the depth of water plus sediment in the two oceans.
Outcomes after retroflexed gracilis muscle flap for vascular infections in the groin.

Objective Multiple catheterizations and procedures on the femoral arteries can increase the risk of infection and eventual destruction of the overlying skin and subcutaneous tissue. Without adequate tissue coverage, vascular structures are exposed and, thus, vulnerable to disruption. This can lead to loss of limb and/or life and carries a significant mortality. We hypothesized that gracilis muscle flap (GMF) was a reliable adjunct in providing healthy tissue coverage for a complex surgical problem. Methods Retrospective review of charts was performed on all patients who had undergone GMF for groin infections at a tertiary care medical center. Results From 1997 to 2012, GMF was performed in 68 limbs (64 patients) by vascular surgeons for infectious etiology to cover the common femoral artery. At the time the GMF was placed, the femoral artery had synthetic graft/patch in 14 limbs, whereas 54 limbs had procedures with autologous conduit. Complete healing was achieved in 58 (85%) limbs. Treatment was deemed not successful in 10 limbs where patients continued to have persistent infection. Six out of 10 limbs had anastomosis disruption requiring emergent ligation of the common femoral artery. Nine patients died during the perioperative period (30-day). There were a total of 13 amputations in 12 patients. Limb salvage was achieved in 55 limbs (81%). Univariate analysis suggested that patients that had revascularization procedures with synthetic graft had a higher complication rate compared with autologous/vein reconstruction (24% vs 5%; P = .021). This group also has a higher rate of persistent infection compared with the autologous group (24% vs 2%; P = .006). Patients older than 75 years at the time of GMF had a higher incidence of GMF-related complications (57% vs 5%; P = .04). Multivariate analysis confirmed that presence of prosthesis led to higher incidence treatment failures and muscle flap complications at the surgical site (odds ratio, 6.6; P = .04; and odds ratio, 13.3; P = .03, respectively). Conclusions GMF is technically simple to perform and provides durable soft tissue coverage with a high rate of healing for complex groin wounds even in the presence of synthetic conduit.
An Empirical Study for Industrial Structure in Liaoning Province in the Perspective of Energy Saving

Based on the complete decomposition model,the main influencing factors on the energy consumption/saving in Liaoning Province are studied,such as energy intensity and industrial structure.The results showed that although the energy intensity plays an important role in energy saving,the industrial structure relates closer to energy saving.How the industrial restructuring steps up energy saving is therefore discussed statistically by regression analysis.It was found that there are significant relationships between the output value percentages of the industries,including industry,construction and transportation,and energy saving,and the critical proportion of output values of the three industries available to step up energy saving in Liaoning Province is given by analyzing the regression results.It was revealed that the changing trend of output value percentages of manufacture and transportation industries stepped up the energy saving.
A soluble form of Fc gamma RIII is present in human serum and other body fluids and is elevated at sites of inflammation

We have developed a highly sensitive and specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure the concentration of Fc gamma RIII in serum and other body fluids. This ELISA is based on the use of monoclonal antibody (MoAb) (3G8) to Fc gamma RIII and a rabbit antiserum against Fc gamma RIII. The lower limit of detection of this ELISA was 1.5 nmol/L. The concentration of soluble Fc gamma RIII in normal serum ranged from 7.3 to 75.9 nmol/L. Soluble Fc gamma RIII was also present in other normal biologic fluids such as saliva, urine, and seminal fluid, but at much lower concentrations than that found in serum. Rabbit anti-Fc gamma RIII immunoblotted polypeptides immunoprecipitated with MoAb 3G8. Fc gamma RIII immunoprecipitated from a neutrophil lysate migrated from 40 to 76 Kd, whereas Fc gamma RIII immunoprecipitated from serum from the same donor migrated from 40 to 66 Kd. The soluble form of Fc gamma RIII apparently was bound to serum IgG, because immunoprecipitation of soluble Fc gamma RIII by MoAb 3G8 coprecipitated polypeptides that were identified by goat antihuman IgG. Incubation of neutrophils in vitro at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C showed that Fc gamma RIII was released after 30 minutes of incubation at 37 degrees C. To determine whether there was a correlation between the concentration of soluble Fc gamma RIII in biologic fluids and inflammatory diseases, we measured the concentration of Fc gamma RIII in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and in the synovial fluid from patients with various forms of arthritis. In ARDS, we found concentrations of soluble Fc gamma RIII that were five to seven times higher than that found in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from healthy adults. The concentration of soluble Fc gamma RIII in the synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis ranged from 10 nmol/L to 28 mumol/L. These results suggest that activated neutrophils, such as those at sites of inflammation, may release Fc gamma RIII.
Neodymium:YAG Laser Treatment of Cystitis Glandularis

Abstract We report a case of severe cystitis glandularis of the entire bladder, which caused a large retrovesical mass and bilateral hydronephrosis. Treatment included whole bladder neodymium:YAG laser therapy, a technique not previously reported for this extent of disease. The etiology, diagnosis, treatment and malignant potential of cystitis glandularis are discussed.
Nanoparticle analysis sheds budding insights into genetic drivers of extracellular vesicle biogenesis

Background : Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important mediators of cell-to-cell communication in healthy and pathological environments. Because EVs are present in a variety of biological fluids and contain molecular signatures of their cell or tissue of origin, they have great diagnostic and prognostic value. The ability of EVs to deliver biologically active proteins, RNAs and lipids to cells has generated interest in developing novel therapeutics. Despite their potential medical use, many of the mechanisms underlying EV biogenesis and secretion remain unknown. Methods : Here, we characterized vesicle secretion across the NCI-60 panel of human cancer cells by nanoparticle tracking analysis. Using CellMiner, the quantity of EVs secreted by each cell line was compared to reference transcriptomics data to identify gene products associated with vesicle secretion. Results : Gene products positively associated with the quantity of exosomal-sized vesicles included vesicular trafficking classes of proteins with Rab GTPase function and sphingolipid metabolism. Positive correlates of larger microvesicle-sized vesicle secretion included gene products involved in cytoskeletal dynamics and exocytosis, as well as Rab GTPase activation. One of the identified targets, CD63, was further evaluated for its role in vesicle secretion. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 knockout of the CD63 gene in HEK293 cells resulted in a decrease in small vesicle secretion, suggesting the importance of CD63 in exosome biogenesis. Conclusion : These observations reveal new insights into genes involved in exosome and microvesicle formation, and may provide a means to distinguish EV sub-populations. This study offers a foundation for further exploration of targets involved in EV biogenesis and secretion. Keywords: oncosomes; polyethylene glycol; endocytosis; trafficking; bioinformatics; tetraspanin; genome engineering (Published: 13 July 2016) Citation: Journal of Extracellular Vesicles 2016, 5: 31295 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jev.v5.31295
Assessing the debris risk from the avalanche of CubeSats

In the past five years, the CubeSat class of spacecraft has grown from an easily-ignored ‘toy’ of universities to the most common type of spacecraft launched. With so many spacecraft released on-orbit in such a short time, it is natural to worry about the increased risk of collisions due to CubeSats. Fears of a CubeSat-driven “catastrophe” have surfaced in the trade publications and at symposia. But, are these concerns grounded in data? Using publicly-available orbit data, and the author's own CubeSat database, a numbers-driven examination of CubeSat debris risks will be presented. It will be shown that CubeSats comprise a very small fraction of the objects in orbits of interest. Moreover, rocket bodies and fragmentation debris comprise the dominant sources of collision risk — an assertion borne out by the evidence of collisions to date. Also, it will be shown that NASA/DoD's current policy towards CubeSats (i.e., placing them in naturally-decaying orbits, with lifetimes of less than 7 years) is quite effective in mitigating CubeSat collision risks in the short term. In fact, only a few international launches are responsible for the preponderance of long-orbit-life CubeSats. This paper will conclude with a brief review of other debris mitigation strategies and their possible consequences, based on this study of the orbit data.
Continuing Professional Education: A Contested Space

This chapter analyzes the development and changes within continuing professional education and the influence of four contested spaces on this field of adult education practice.
Of Caps and Gaps, Postnatal Hearts, Elusive Facts, and lncs

“The time has come,” the Walrus said, “to talk of many things.”1 With apologies to Lewis Carroll, understanding the role of myocardial long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be reminiscent of poor Alice’s adventures through the looking glass; one of the few certainties is that not much is (yet) certain. LncRNAs are broadly defined as RNA transcripts that are not expected to code for proteins and that are >200 nucleotides in length to distinguish them from other noncoding RNA families, such as microRNAs and small nucleolar RNAs.2 Nevertheless, empirical data trump predictions, as demonstrated by the use of ribosome RNA profiling techniques to document nonproductive translation of lncRNAs3 and recent discoveries of short open reading frames (microORFs) and resultant micropeptides embedded within some transcripts previously defined as lncRNAs.4,5 With prevalent usage of high read-depth RNA sequencing for RNA quantification and discovery in mammalian tissues and cells, the number of noncoding RNAs continues to grow. Current estimates of genomic loci harboring lncRNAs are as high as ≈79 000 in mouse and ≈90 000 in human, according to NONCODE2016.6 Previous efforts using RNA sequencing have established which of at least some lncRNAs recognized at the time of study are expressed in human and mouse hearts,7–9 and depending on the analytic platform used, ab initio reconstruction of previously unknown lncRNA transcripts from deep RNA sequencing data has been possible.7,9 LncRNAs have also been comprehensively catalogued in the embryonic, developing heart.8,10,11 Two lncRNAs shown to mediate critical transitions in shaping cardiomyocyte and cardiac fate in the mouse are Fendrr12 and Bvht (Braveheart),11 via association with and recruitment of histone-modifying complexes to effect chromatin modification. In both of these cases, gene targeting and a range of sophisticated molecular …
Modeling and compensation of joint-dependent kinematic errors in robotic manipulators

Bearing systems and harmonic drives in robots introduce complex kinematic errors which result in joint kinematic errors that reduce the accuracy of their manipulators. Typical calibration methods do not consider these complex errors, thus, limiting post calibration performance. In this paper, a method of modeling and calibrating robot kinematic errors by building a joint-dependent kinematic error model is presented. Measurements are collected by a laser tracker and Active Target mounted on the end of the last robot link. A joint-dependent kinematic error model is constructed and the model parameters are identified with a mathematical algorithm based on maximum likelihood estimation. The kinematic error model is used to modify joint commands offline. Experiments are implemented on a FANUC LR Mate 200/ robot. Using 250 measurements to construct the kinematic error model, the mean residual between the measured and modeled positions is reduced from 3.379 to 0.105 mm, a 96.9% reduction. Compensation is applied to an independent set of 100 measurements, and the mean residual is reduced from 3.614 to 0.131 mm, a 96.4% reduction.
Change-point estimation using shape-restricted regression splines

Abstract We consider estimating a regression function f m and a change-point m , where m is a mode or an inflection point. For a given m , the least-squares estimate of f m is found using constrained regression splines, then the set of possible change-points is searched to find the overall least-squares m ˆ . Convergence rates are obtained for each type of change-point estimator, and simulations show that these methods compare well to existing methods. Extensions to the partial linear model and to the case of correlated errors are straightforward, and a penalized spline version is also provided. The methods are available in the R package ShapeChange .
Using cytochrome b to identify nests and museum specimens of cryptic songbirds

Understanding demography of vertebrate populations requires quantifying reproductive success. For taxa that are difficult to distinguish, estimates of reproductive success can be biased if species are misidentified or if breeding concludes before identification is confirmed. We surveyed desert grasslands where three species of cryptic sparrows breed: Peucaea botterii, P. cassinii, and Aimophila ruficeps (Emberizidae). Nests, eggs, and nestlings of these species are similar, making it difficult to differentiate nests without observing adults, which can be challenging. We collected seven types of material from nests for DNA analysis: maternal cells from exterior surfaces of unhatched eggs, epithelial cells from the oropharyngeal cavity of nestlings, eggshells, feathers, feather sheaths, feces, and fecal sacs. From these materials, we amplified and sequenced a fragment of the diagnostic locus, mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b), and analyzed the data in a phylogenetic framework to classify nests to species. We validated our classification by sequencing the same locus from feathers of museum specimens. Overall, 72% of samples from nests yielded high-quality sequences. We identified to species 44 of 51 nests and identified museum specimens with archival ages of up to 47 years. Our study extends previous research by demonstrating the efficacy of standard kits, inexpensive reagents, low DNA concentrations, and diverse materials in classifying nests of grassland sparrows. Compared to more invasive methods of acquiring DNA, the approaches we describe are less likely to affect nesting behavior and bias estimates of nesting success of birds, issues especially important for species of conservation concern.
Millimeter-Wave Wireless: A Cross-Disciplinary View of Research and Technology Development

Millimeter-Wave (mmWave) wireless is experiencing an explosive growth in research and technology development. Several factors are fueling the growth: the need for Gigabit rates and low latency; advances in mmWave hardware, antennas, data converters, computational power, and prototyping platforms; and new paradigms for exploiting the large number of spatio-temporal degrees of freedom afforded by the large bandwidth and small wavelength. The challenges in harnessing the potential of mmWave wireless for communication and sensing are both physical and technological and inherently cross-disciplinary in nature. The tools available for research and technology development are rich and diverse, spanning signal processing and communication techniques, antenna, RF hardware and data converter design, prototype development and experimentation, and machine learning and data analytics. I will discuss the opportunities and implications with recent developments in hybrid beamforming architectures, the need for cross-layer networking protocols for exploiting the advanced physical layer capabilities, the importance of accurate channel models in network performance prediction and simulation, and the role of channel signatures in sensing applications. I will also highlight the dual and key role of prototype development in mmWave research: the cross-disciplinary challenges inherent in their design, and their facilitation of much needed channel measurements and experimentation. These findings and insights are informed by my group's involvement in mmWave research and technology development since 2010, and the outcomes of the first two workshops of the NSF Research Coordination Network on mmWave wireless.
Military Psychology Students: Contributions, Pathways, and Opportunities

Interest in military psychology has undoubtedly risen for students during the past 14 years of war. Issues such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and veteran suicide routinely make headlines and inspire current and future researchers and clinicians to improve the well-being of service members and their families. A growing number of undergraduate and graduate students, some of them barely in preschool when the twin towers fell on 9/11, are dedicating their studies and careers to the field of military psychology. This chapter’s intent is to highlight the student experience and their contribution to military psychology, and to serve as a guide for current and future students interested in pursuing such a career.
PC-PVT 2.0: An updated platform for psychomotor vigilance task testing, analysis, prediction, and visualization.

Abstract Background The psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) has been widely used to assess the effects of sleep deprivation on human neurobehavioral performance. To facilitate research in this field, we previously developed the PC-PVT, a freely available software system analogous to the “gold-standard” PVT-192 that, in addition to allowing for simple visual reaction time (RT) tests, also allows for near real-time PVT analysis, prediction, and visualization in a personal computer (PC). New method Here we present the PC-PVT 2.0 for Windows 10 operating system, which has the capability to couple PVT tests of a study protocol with the study’s sleep/wake and caffeine schedules, and make real-time individualized predictions of PVT performance for such schedules. We characterized the accuracy and precision of the software in measuring RT, using 44 distinct combinations of PC hardware system configurations. Results We found that 15 system configurations measured RTs with an average delay of less than 10 ms, an error comparable to that of the PVT-192. To achieve such small delays, the system configuration should always use a gaming mouse as the means to respond to visual stimuli. We recommend using a discrete graphical processing unit for desktop PCs and an external monitor for laptop PCs. Comparison with existing method This update integrates a study’s sleep/wake and caffeine schedules with the testing software, facilitating testing and outcome visualization, and provides near-real-time individualized PVT predictions for any sleep-loss condition considering caffeine effects. Conclusions The software, with its enhanced PVT analysis, visualization, and prediction capabilities, can be freely downloaded from https://pcpvt.bhsai.org .
A model of the effects of lamination and celltype specialization in the neocortex

Each hemisphere of the neocortex consists of a relatively flat, laminated sheet in which several anatomically distinguishable layers (six, by convention) of cells are juxtaposed. In addition to local connections, cells within one localized region, or area, project to and receive from a limited set of other areas. These projections originate from and terminate in subsets of the layers, often following particular patterns1 (figure 1, left). The existence of the patterns suggests a functional correlate, and various speculations have been put forth2,3,4.
Design Units — A Framework for Design Driven Software Development

As software systems get more complicated, the task of the system developer becomes increasingly difficult and time consuming. The focus of this paper is on the development of a well-designed framework that supports code generation in the context of a use case design methodology. Its foundation is the use case based approach that partitions the design schemata into a layered architecture of functional components called design units. Our approach provides the basis for the generation of modular, well-structured code and a means of keeping a high-level design and its implementation consistent. Such properties as tracedbility, reusability, modularity and change management are achieved by applying design unit concepts to the design and code generation process.
Little intervention, big results: intentional integration of information literacy into an introductory-level biology lab course

Information literacy refers to a set of skills that allow its user to find appropriate resources and use them to develop, define and defend arguments. In many undergraduate programms, including bio...
Efficient Determination of Slip-Link Parameters from Broadly Polydisperse Linear Melts

We investigate the ability of a coarse-grained slip-link model and a simple double reptation model to describe the linear rheology of polydisperse linear polymer melts. Our slip-link model is a well-defined mathematical object that can describe the equilibrium dynamics and non-linear rheology of flexible polymer melts with arbitrary polydispersity and architecture with a minimum of inputs: the molecular weight of a Kuhn step, the entanglement activity, and Kuhn step friction. However, this detailed model is computationally expensive, so we also examine predictions of the cheaper double reptation model, which is restricted to only linear rheology near the terminal zone. We report the storage and loss moduli for polydisperse polymer melts and compare with experimental measurements from small amplitude oscillatory shear. We examine three chemistries: polybutadiene, polypropylene and polyethylene. We also use a simple double reptation model to estimate parameters for the slip-link model and examine under which circumstances this simplified model works. The computational implementation of the slip-link model is accelerated with the help of graphics processing units, which allow us to simulate in parallel large ensembles made of up to 50,000 chains. We show that our simulation can predict the dynamic moduli for highly entangled polymer melts over nine decades of frequency. Although the double reptation model performs well only near the terminal zone, it does provide a convenient and inexpensive way to estimate the entanglement parameter for the slip-link model from polydisperse data.
Opioid modulation of cognitive impairment in depression

The failure of traditional antidepressant medications to adequately target cognitive impairment is associated with poor treatment response, increased risk of relapse, and greater lifetime disability. Opioid receptor antagonists are currently under development as novel therapeutics for major depressive disorder (MDD) and other stress-related illnesses. Although it is known that dysregulation of the endogenous opioid system is observed in patients diagnosed with MDD, the impact of opioidergic neurotransmission on cognitive impairment has not been systematically evaluated. Here we review the literature indicating that opioid manipulations can alter cognitive functions in humans. Furthermore, we detail the preclinical studies that demonstrate the ability of mu-opioid receptor and kappa-opioid receptor ligands to modulate several cognitive processes. Specifically, this review focuses on domains within higher order cognitive processing, including attention and executive functioning, which can differentiate cognitive processes influenced by motivational state.
Management of Hemorrhoids

A clinical complaint of “hemorrhoids” can represent quite a number of clinical problems. There are multiple causes of hemorrhoidal irritation with grades of severity. Surgical intervention should be considered after failure of medical management. The predominant symptoms of hemorrhoid disease should guide the choice of surgical therapy.
Service encounter value and online engagement behaviors.

Abstract This study investigates the relationships between service encounter values and online customer engagement behaviors in the context of hospitality and tourism services. Given that interactions are contextual in nature, this study examines the service encounter values across four major service sectors, i.e., hotels, restaurants, theme parks, and airlines through 1710 responses from actual service consumers. Multiple structural equation modeling techniques are conducted to test the hypotheses. Various values (i.e., emotional value, social value, functional value, and epistemic value) are identified in different sectors of service encounters that pose significant influences on online customer engagement behaviors such as online rating, online reviewing, online blogging, and online customer-to-customer interactions. Practical and theoretical implications are provided, as well as future research directions.
Addressing preceptor shortages with a novel structure of blended ambulatory care rotations.

Abstract Introduction Schools of pharmacy are challenged to ensure sufficient full-time ambulatory care advance pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). University of Maryland designed an innovative solution to create additional rotations utilizing faculty with part-time ambulatory care practices, by combining two rotation blocks into a 10-week “blended” ambulatory care/community pharmacy experience. The objective of this study is to characterize perceptions and impact of this format on student and preceptor skills, performance, and overall satisfaction, compared with the traditional five-week ambulatory care rotation. Methods Ambulatory care preceptors were surveyed regarding student skills in interviewing, documentation, patient assessment, building pharmacist-patient relationships, and mentorship opportunities. Students were surveyed regarding the number of preceptors and patient interactions/week, rotation hours, clinical abilities developed, patient relationships, patient population diversity, preceptor mentorship, clinical track participation, rotation expectations, professional benefit, career development, overall satisfaction, and likelihood to recommend the rotation. Chi-square test was used to evaluate statistically significant differences in cohort responses. Results Survey responses from 74 students (49%) and 21 preceptors (46%) were included. Student perceptions were generally positive and comparable between groups. Statistically significant differences were observed between groups in students' perception of “patient diversity” and preceptors' perception of “patient-pharmacist relationship”. Conclusion The 10-week blended format provides a unique and viable option that offers a solution to shortages of preceptor availability for ambulatory care APPEs by providing a rotation format that is more conducive to clinical practice faculty part-time ambulatory clinic schedules.
Photodetachment of the 1s2s2p{sup 4}P state of He{sup {minus}} from threshold to 100 eV

Calculations of cross sections and photoelectron angular distributions from the photodetachment of the 1s2s2p${\mathrm{}}^{4}$ P metastable state of ${\mathrm{He}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ have been performed from threshold to 100 eV using multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock wave functions for discrete states and coupling continuum channels with closed channels to include resonances. Ejection of each electron was considered and ejection plus excitation was included in connection with 1s photoabsorption. The ${1\mathrm{s}2\mathrm{p}}^{2}$ and ${2\mathrm{s}2\mathrm{p}}^{2}$ ${\mathrm{}}^{4}$ P resonances were found in good agreement with recent experiments and calculations; the reason that the former lies above the 2s threshold while the latter lies below the 1s threshold is discussed. The nonresonant 2p cross section is in excellent agreement with experiments and other calculations. The 2s results, in which Cooper minima are predicted, are not in agreement with a similar calculation, particularly for the \ensuremath{\mathrm{B}} parameter. The 1s cross section shows a large maximum just above threshold, much larger than the 1s cross section in neutral He, and at somewhat higher energy the cross section is dominated by 1s detachment plus excitation to the (2s3p\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3s2p)${\mathrm{}}^{3}$ P and 3s3p${\mathrm{}}^{3}$ P autoionizing states of He.
Public Support for Campaign Finance Reform: The Role of Policy Narratives, Cultural Predispositions, and Political Knowledge in Collective Policy Preference Formation*

Objective We use the variation in public support for campaign finance reform (CFR) to determine factors important to collective policy preference formation. Methods Using a national survey, we factor analyze the latent dimensions of various reforms, and rely on an experimental design to explain the role policy narratives, cultural theory (CT), and political knowledge play in preference formation. Results The reform debate groups along three dimensions: (1) strengthening limitations and regulations, (2) deregulating campaign finance, or (3) ending the dependence on private money altogether. We show policy narratives are most influential, and CT has more explanatory value, among those with higher levels of political knowledge. Certain policy narratives tend to increase support for CFR across all cultural types, including those who most oppose reforms that seek to end the dependence on private money. Conclusion As awareness of campaign finance increases, and as particular narratives become salient, we would expect increasing support for public financing, free media time, and/or public matching funds among those with higher levels of general political knowledge.
Optimization of a Sparse Aperture Configuration for Millimeter-Wave Computational Imaging

We present two techniques for optimizing the position of transmitter and receiver modules on a sparse aperture for a millimeter-wave computational imaging system. The first technique uses an easily computable spatial representation of the transmitter and receiver array, called the coarray, to ideally distribute the spatial frequency components probed by the imaging setup. The second approach involves maximizing the information added by a complete measurement of the scene by the system. This approach is analogous to the system capacity maximization frequently employed in wireless communication. We show that employing aperture configurations optimized using these two techniques over commonly used standard aperture configurations results in 30% less mean-squared error when used to reconstruct a particular ensemble of 400 arbitrary 2-D objects. Finally, we discuss the similarities and differences between the two optimization strategies in terms of imaging performance and computational speed, including a case when one strategy performs better than the other.
The sad weekend: A perilous North American tradition.

Abstract Obesity is a global concern and affects millions of Americans who consume poor-quality diets. Diets directly affect the gut microbiota, which can have subsequent effects on inflammation and contribute to other chronic states. Previously we have shown that a Standard American Diet (SAD) increased immune cell activation and prolonged recovery and that a beneficial diet could reduce these negative effects. Here, male and female mice were given access to regular chow (REG), SAD, our Anti-Inflammatory Diet (AID) or a combination of SAD and AID. This latter group was modeled on the commonplace dietary pattern of healthy eating during the week (AID: Monday-Friday) and relaxed eating patterns on the weekend (SAD: Saturday-Sunday). After 14 weeks of diet consumption and an inflammatory injury, we found that the SAD prolonged and the AID promoted recovery. However, recovery was significantly delayed in those mice consuming the AID-SAD, regardless of weekly healthy diet access. In addition, fecal samples taken during the study revealed dramatic differences in microbial community composition, relative abundance of abundant bacterial phyla and alpha diversity. These data confirm the impact of diet on gut microbiota and suggest a relation between abundance of specific bacterial taxa and susceptibility to prolonged recovery from injury.
CPAP adherence reduces cardiovascular risk among older adults with obstructive sleep apnea.

To examine (1) the impact of adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on risk for cardiovascular (CVD) events among a nationally representative sample of older adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and (2) the heterogeneity of this effect across subgroups defined by race, sex, and socioeconomic status. We conducted a retrospective cohort study among Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥ 65 years with OSA (2009–2013). Monthly indicators of CPAP adherence (charges for machines, masks, or supplies) were summed over 25 months to create a CPAP adherence variable. New CVD events (ischemic heart disease, cardiac and peripheral procedures) were modeled as a function of CPAP adherence using generalized estimating equations. Heterogeneity of the effect of CPAP on new CVD events was evaluated based on race, sex, and socioeconomic status. Among 5024 beneficiaries diagnosed with OSA who initiated CPAP, 1678 (33%) demonstrated new CVD events. Following adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics, CPAP adherence was associated with reduced risk of new CVD events (hazard ratio 0.95; 95% confidence interval 0.94, 0.96) over 25 months. When analyses were stratified by time since the first CPAP charge, the protective effect remained significant for the 12- and 6-month, but not 3-month, outcome models. No significant differences were observed in the protective effect of CPAP based on race, sex, or socioeconomic status. In this national study of older adult Medicare beneficiaries with OSA, CPAP adherence was associated with greatly reduced risk for CVD events. This risk reduction was consistent across race, sex, and socioeconomic subgroups.
miRNA activity contributes to accurate RNA splicing in C. elegans intestine and body muscle tissues

ABSTRACT MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to modulate gene expression, but their activity at the tissue-specific level remains largely uncharacterized. In order to study their contribution to tissue-specific gene expression, we developed novel tools to profile miRNA targets in the C. elegans intestine and body muscle. We validated many previously described interactions, and identified ~3,500 novel targets. Many of the miRNA targets curated are known to modulate the functions of their respective tissues. Within our datasets we observed a disparity in the use of miRNA-based gene regulation between the intestine and body muscle. The intestine contained significantly more miRNA targets than the body muscle highlighting its transcriptional complexity. We detected an unexpected enrichment of RNA binding proteins targeted by miRNA in both tissues, with a notable abundance of RNA splicing factors. We developed in vivo genetic tools to validate and further study three RNA splicing factors identified as miRNA targets in our study (asd-2, hrp-2 and smu-2), and show that these factors indeed contain functional miRNA regulatory elements in their 3’UTRs that are able to repress their expression in the intestine. In addition, the alternative splicing pattern of their respective downstream targets (unc-60, unc-52, lin-10 and ret-1) is dysregulated when the miRNA pathway is disrupted. A re-annotation of the transcriptome data in C. elegans strains that are deficient in the miRNA pathway from past studies supports and expands on our results. This study highlights an unexpected role for miRNAs in modulating tissue-specific gene isoforms, where post-transcriptional regulation of RNA splicing factors associates with tissue-specific alternative splicing.
Accelerated five-component spiro-pyrrolidine construction at the air–liquid interface

Multi-component reactions assemble complex molecules in a highly effective way, however, they often suffer from long reaction times. We demonstrate that acceleration of a five-component spiro-pyrrolidine construction can be achieved in microdroplets and thin films. The deposition method and mild heating are crucial factors for product formation. Three key intermediates were captured by mass spectrometry to elucidate the tandem reaction mechanism. We also found that hydrogen bonding can significantly flatten the energy barrier at the air–liquid interface.
Linearization and Higher-Order Approximations: How Good are They?

The standard procedure for analyzing transitional dynamics in non-linear macro models has been to employ linear approximations. Recently quadratic approximations have been explored. This paper examines the accuracy of these and higher-order approximations in an endogenous growth model with public capital, thereby extending the work done in the current literature on the neoclassical growth model. We find that significant errors may persist in computed transition paths and welfare even after resorting to approximations as high as fourth order. Moreover, the accuracy of approximations may not increase monotonically with the increase in the order of approximation. Also, as in the previous literature, we find that achieving acceptable levels of accuracy when computing the welfare consequences of a policy change typically requires a higher order approximation than attaining similar levels of accuracy in the computation of the transition path: typically an increase in order of approximation by one is sufficient.
Venezolanos en Argentina, Estados Unidos y Portugal: una diáspora en construcción

In this article, we argue that recent Venezuelan migration is a diaspora on the making. Based on participant observations and interviews with key informants and Venezuelan immigrants living in Argentina, the United States (Florida), and Portugal, we establish that the shared experience arising from the humanitarian crisis in their country of origin, and their common transnational reality is contributing to the process institutionalization and consolidation ofthe Venezuelan diaspora.
Pygmalions' Reading of Reading Pygmalions

This paper discusses issues of autobiography, or life-writing, that is, the writing of (a) life/self, focusing on two images: the stony statue and the sealing, melting wax that appear in the readings of narcissistic Pygmalions and their prosopopoeia. Although the apropos of this reading is provided by the 'blind statue' of Rousseau and Pygmalion, I cannot help writing about Narcissus, who as a wax-figure or, rather, 'as a reverant ghost' keeps reappearing. While the text is concerned with the question of self/life-writing and life work in literary criticism, I also pay attention to the self-reflexive, life-giving and all-demanding irony of postmodern reading theories. Although the analysis centres on Rousseau's works (Narcissus, Pygmalion), the central classical Ovidian figure is Pygmalion, whose creative 'life-giving' story is often alluded to in Anglophone deconstructive critical writings.
Computing Elementary Functions: A New Approach for Achieving High Accuracy and Good Performance

We present a method developed in the IBM Israel Scientific Center for designing algorithms for computing the elementary mathematical functions. This method which we call the “Accurate Tables Method” achieves high performance and produces very accurate results.
Pecan Research and Outreach in New Mexico: Logic Model Development and Change in Communication Paradigms.

Universities develop strategic planning documents, and as part ofthat planning process, logic models are developed for specific programswithin the university. This article examines the long-standingpecan program at New Mexico State University and the deficienciesand successes in the evolution of its logic model. The university’s agriculturalexperiment station’s pecan program logic model has evolvedalong with increased external funding but never has developed intoa complete logic model because the outcome-impact componentremains incomplete. With increased assistance from the universitythe pecan industry grew and became stronger and more economicallyviable; however, the incomplete development of a pecan programlogic model has prevented development of a complete synergy. Theevaluation of outcome-impact is most efficient and accurate when atleast part of the evaluation is conducted with methods independentof the growers.
Estimating size-dependent growth and grazing rates and their associated errors using the dilution method

Size-dependent properties are pervasive in nature but difficult to measure for natural communities. Here, we develop a technique to estimate size-specific phytoplankton growth and grazing rates based on the two-point dilution method, enhanced by the acquisition of the size spectra of the phytoplankton in the samples. We describe a way to estimate standard deviations associated with the rate estimates, which can be applied either to the size-dependent or total community rates. We tested the accuracy of rates estimated using the size-dependent dilution method by applying it to dilution experiments simulated using a complex size-structured ecosystem model. The strong agreement between model and size-dependent dilution method rates (two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, P = 1) supports the accuracy of this new technique. Because size-dependent rates vary with the size interval over which they are calculated, we display the size-dependent growth and grazing rates and their standard deviations as a function of the size interval. This technique easily allows the assessment of rates for any size class of interest. Finally, we apply the size-dependent dilution method to data collected in the equatorial Pacific. There is a general agreement between size-based and previously published taxonomic-based rates, with differences reflecting the extent to which size classes are mixtures of taxa. The use of the size-dependent dilution method will provide new insights into the structure and dynamics of planktonic communities. Future applications of this method to other natural communities will help in assessing the size-dependencies of phytoplankton growth and grazing rates in their environments.