cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards Modeling the Behavior of Autonomous Systems and Humans for Trusted Operations

Greater unmanned system autonomy will lead to improvements in mission outcomes, survivability and safety. However, an increase in platform autonomy increases system complexity. For example, flexible autonomous platforms deployed in a range of environments place a burden on humans to understand evolving behaviors. More importantly, when problems arise within complex systems, they need to be managed without increasing operator workload. A supervisory control paradigm can reduce workload and allow a single human to manage multiple autonomous platforms. However, this requires consideration of the human as an integrated part of the overall system, not just as a central controller. This paradigm can benefit from novel and intuitive techniques that isolate and predict anomalous situations or state trajectories within complex autonomous systems in terms of mission context to allow efficient management of aberrant behavior. This information will provide the user with improved feedback about system behavior, which will in turn lead to more relevant and effective prescriptions for interaction, particularly during emergency procedures. This, in turn, will enable proper trust calibration. We also argue that by understanding the context of the user’s decisions or system’s actions (seamless integration of the human), the autonomous platform can provide more appropriate information to the user.
Recognition in Domestic Administration and Law

While most relevant to inter-government relations, the legal status of foreign regimes has some implications for the conduct of internal administration and the disposition of lawsuits by national courts. Whether a regime is recognized as the government of its country can affect cooperative activity among counterpart government agencies, taking cognizance of official acts or certificates, and lawsuits that involve a foreign regime as party or private activities proceeding under its law. This chapter will examine three broad sets of activity: administrative cooperation, international trade, and lawsuits before domestic courts.
Detection of nucleotide-specific CRISPR/Cas9 modified alleles using multiplex ligation detection

CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing has emerged as a powerful tool to create mutant alleles in model organisms. However, the precision with which these mutations are created has introduced a new set of complications for genotyping and colony management. Traditional gene-targeting approaches in many experimental organisms incorporated exogenous DNA and/or allele specific sequence that allow for genotyping strategies based on binary readout of PCR product amplification and size selection. In contrast, alleles created by non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair of double-stranded DNA breaks generated by Cas9 are much less amenable to such strategies. Here we describe a novel genotyping strategy that is cost effective, sequence specific and allows for accurate and efficient multiplexing of small insertion-deletions and single-nucleotide variants characteristic of CRISPR/Cas9 edited alleles. We show that ligation detection reaction (LDR) can be used to generate products that are sequence specific and uniquely detected by product size and/or fluorescent tags. The method works independently of the model organism and will be useful for colony management as mutant alleles differing by a few nucleotides become more prevalent in experimental animal colonies.
What Goes with Red and Blue? Assessing Partisan Cognition through Conjoint Classification Experiments

Political parties can provide valuable information to voters by cultivating distinct associations between their labels, issue priorities, policies and group traits. Yet, there is considerable debate over which associations voters incorporate, and whether these are accurate. In this study, we develop a novel conjoint classification experiment designed to map voters’ partisan associative networks. We ask respondents to ‘guess’ the party and ideology of hypothetical candidates given fully randomized issue priorities and biographical details. This inferential approach minimizes the biasing effects of partisan boosting in measuring the relative associations voters make between attributes and parties, and the impact these mappings have on candidate evaluations. We find voters consistently link many issues with party and ideological labels, but agree far less on associations with candidate attributes. Our study highlights important heterogeneity in the information value of party reputations, with implications for theories of democratic competence and empirical findings emerging from candidate-vignette designs.
Cyberbullying Detection with a Pronunciation Based Convolutional Neural Network

Cyberbullying can have a deep and long lasting impact on its victims, who are often adolescents. Accurately detecting cyberbullying helps prevent it. However, the noise and errors in social media posts and messages make detecting cyberbullying very challenging. In this paper, we propose a novel pronunciation based convolutional neural network (PCNN) to address this challenge. Upon observing that the pronunciation of misspelled words in informal online conversations is often unchanged, we used the phoneme codes of the text as the features for a convolutional neural network. This procedure corrects spelling errors that did not alter the pronunciation, thereby alleviating the problem of noise and bullying data sparsity. To overcome class imbalance, a common problem in cyberbullying datasets, we implement three techniques that include threshold-moving, cost function adjusting, and a hybrid solution in our model. We evaluate the performance of our models using two cyberbullying datasets collected from Twitter and Formspring.me. The results of our experiment show that PCNN can achieve improved recall and precision compared to baseline convolutional neural networks.
Abstract 83: Bone Marrow Derived Cells Do Not Mediate Reductions in Cholesterol, Atherosclerosis and Adiposity in Microsomal Prostaglindin E Synthase 1 Deficient Mice Fed High Fat Diets Enriched in Cholesterol

Microsomal prostaglandin E 2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1) catalyzes the conversion of COX-2 generated PGH 2 to PGE 2 and is the predominate source of PGE 2 during and inflammatory response. We and others have demonstrated that mPGES-1 deficiency attenuates atherosclerosis in mice on a mixed background. The present study investigated the effect of mPGES-1 deficiency on atherosclerosis in C57BL/6 low density lipoprotein receptor deficient (LDLr-/-) mice. mPGES-1 deficiency attenuated atherosclerosis in LDLr-/- mice fed either a low fat (LF) (P = 0.02) or high fat (HF) (P = 0.0026) diet enriched with cholesterol, or a western diet (P = 0.02) for 17 weeks. mPGES-1 deficiency attenuated weight gain and cholesterol concentrations in mice fed a western (P = 0.004 and P WT) or mPGES-1 specific expression in bone marrow derived cells (WT>KO) had an effect on lesion formation compared to WT>WT or KO>KO mice. Cholesterol concentrations were decreased in KO>KO and WT>KO mice compared to WT>WT (P WT (P
The effect of sequence mismatches on binding affinity and endonuclease activity are decoupled throughout the Cas9 binding site

The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a powerful genomic tool. Although targeted to complementary genomic sequences by a guide RNA (gRNA), Cas9 tolerates gRNA:DNA mismatches and cleaves off-target sites. How mismatches quantitatively affect Cas9 binding and cutting is not understood. Using SelexGLM to construct a comprehensive model for DNA-binding specificity, we observed that 13-bp of complementarity in the PAM-proximal DNA contributes to affinity. We then adapted Spec-seq and developed SEAM-seq to systematically compare the impact of gRNA:DNA mismatches on affinity and endonuclease activity, respectively. Though most often coupled, these simple and accessible experiments identified sometimes opposing effects for mismatches on DNA-binding and cutting. In the PAM-distal region mismatches decreased activity but not affinity, whereas in the PAM-proximal region some reduced-affinity mismatches enhanced activity. This mismatch-activation was particularly evident where the gRNA:DNA duplex bends. We developed integrative models from these measurements that estimate catalytic efficiency and can be used to predict off-target cleavage.
Turning web text and search queries into factual knowledge: hierarchical class attribute extraction

A seed-based framework for textual information extraction allows for weakly supervised acquisition of open-domain class attributes over conceptual hierarchies, from a combination of Web documents and query logs. Automatically-extracted labeled classes, consisting of a label (e.g., painkillers) and an associated set of instances (e.g., vicodin, oxycontin), are linked under existing conceptual hierarchies (e.g., brain disorders and skin diseases are linked under the concepts BrainDisorder and SkinDisease respectively). Attributes extracted for the labeled classes are propagated upwards in the hierarchy, to determine the attributes of hierarchy concepts (e.g., Disease) from the attributes of their subconcepts (e.g., BrainDisorder and SkinDisease).
Bombesin receptors regulate EGFR transactivation in cancer

Bombesin (BB)-like peptides are autocrine growth factors for small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a neuroendocrine tumor. BB-like peptides are present in and secreted from SCLC cells, where they bind to cell surfact G protein coupled receptors (GPCR). When the BB2R is activated it interacts with a G-protein (Gq) causing signal transduction mechanisms which lead to increased cellular proliferation. The growth of SCLC is inhibited by BB2R antagonists. In Non-SCLC (NSCLC) cells, but not SCLC cells, the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) for epidermal growth factor (EGF) predominates. Addition of NMB to NSCLC cells, causes tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGFR through a process called transactivation. The EGFR transactivation caused by NMB addition to NSCLC cells is inhibited by BB1R antagonists and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) such as gefitinib or erlotinib. BB1R antagonists are synergistic with gefitinib at inhibiting NSCLC growth. The BB1R may regulate the growth of NSCLC, an epithelial tumor, in an EGFR-dependent manner.
(E4,Z9)-TETRADECADIENAL, A SEX PHEROMONE FOR THREE NORTH AMERICAN MOTH SPECIES IN THE GENUS Saturnia

The lepidopteran genus Saturnia has three representatives in North America, S. walterorum, S. mendocino, and S. albofasciata. (E4,Z9)-Tetradecadienal (E4,Z9–14 : Ald) was identified as a sex pheromone component for all three species by combinations of coupled gas chromatography–electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD), GC–mass spectrometry (MS), and field trials. In field trials, all three species were strongly attracted to (E4,Z9–14 : Ald) as a single component. Small amounts of (Z)-9-tetradecenal (Z9–14 : Ald) also were found in extracts of all three species, but blends of this compound with E4,Z9–14 : Ald were no more attractive to male moths than E4,Z9–14 : Ald alone. Extracts of pheromone glands of female S. walterorum occasionally contained a third, trace compound eliciting responses from male antennae in GC-EAD experiments, but this compound was not identified. It is suggested that the three species can use the same, single component as a sex attractant because the flight period of S. albofasciata (fall) is different than that of the other two species (spring), whereas the geographic distributions of S. mendocino and S. walterorum overlap over only small portions of their ranges. Furthermore, the latter two species readily hybridize, so there may be minimal fitness cost to cross-attraction.
Mitigation of Corrosion on AZ31B-H24 Tungsten Inert Gas Welds in Chloride Environments via Laser Surface Modification

Laser surface modification (LSM) was performed on autogenously welded samples to homogenize the weld microstructure and mitigate poor corrosion performance. Characterization of weld zone corrosion ...
Design In The “Medical” Wild: Challenges Of Technology Deployment

We describe the challenges of deploying a digital checklist for medical emergencies during an in-the-wild design and evaluation study. The in-the-wild approach allowed for many design iterations to meet the requirements of a safety-critical setting, while also providing lessons for designing in the wild. We faced two major challenges: working with research coordinators as study mediators and adapting training strategies to busy user schedules. We discuss these challenges and approaches to addressing them.
Soot Precursor Particles in Flames

Thermophoretic sampling was conducted in buoyancy dominated diffusion flames fueled by ethene, methane and acetylene and in the laminar ethene flame. Small polydisperse singlet particles which are more transparent to the electron beam are found at intermediate temperatures on the fuel side of the flame front in these flames. The particles form agglomerates at the flame front or in the upper regions of the flame. The microparticles conform to the description that has been provided by Wersborg et al. of similar species found in the premixed acetylene flame at low pressures which suggests that they are a common particulate precursor to carbonaceous soot in hydrocarbon flames. It is concluded that the particles are likely to be composed of polyaromatic hydrocarbon compounds, which have been found by others to be present in hydrocarbon flames, and that the precursor particles undergo annealing to form a partially graphitic soot upon exposure to elevated temperatures at the flame front.
A Depressed Resident of a Halfway House

Diane King (not her own name) was a 31-year-old female resident of a psychiatric halfway house at the time of sampling. She had been a patient in the state mental health system for about five years, and for some years before that had been in and out of private psychiatric hospitals. There had been a number of widely varying diagnostic impressions over the course of her treatment, including schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, and borderline personality, but the most frequent, and also the most current, diagnosis was depression. Her history was marked: by frequent suicidal gestures involving medication overdose and threatening to jump from the top of buildings; by rather petty involvements with the law such as shoplifting, frequent enough to result in spending nine months in jail; by presenting herself at the county jail and refusing to leave, resulting in her being charged with trespassing and jailed; by accusing others, including mental health workers, of raping her, sufficiently frequently so that the police became reluctant to take subsequent reports; by other contacts with public agencies such as police, fire department, ambulance services, etc., as a result of frequent calls for help, suicidal and otherwise; and by problematic personal relationships.
The Dynamics of Intramolecularly Coupled Local Modes

Quantum mechanical time evolution is calculated for an excited local mode in a methyl group. A Morse oscillator model is used with potential and kinetic energy coupling between the C-H stretching vibrations. Energy shifts between the bonds on a subpicosecond time scale when the system starts in the local mode state 030. For an initial state 060 the shift is one to two orders of magnitude slower. For a fixed value of the kinetic energy coupling, intramolecular dynamics is strongly dependent on the size and sign of the coupling potential.
Warfare, Codes of

This article examines St. Thomas Aquinas’ three classic conditions for justified warfare, criticisms of these conditions, and four possible supplements to his conditions. Next, it reviews several principles for assessing the morality of conduct in war, and considerations for judging conduct in war based on natural rights, Kant’s theory, social contract theory, and utilitarianism. Finally, it describes pacifist, feminist, and other challenges to codes of warfare, possible principles for the just termination of war, and contemporary concerns about codes of warfare arising from the war on terror post-9/11.
Japanese Encephalitis Virus: Placing Disease Vectors in the Epidemiologic Triad

The epidemiologic triad (epi-triad) classically consists of agent, host, and environment. However, with vector-borne diseases (arthropod-transmitted pathogens), the vector plays a vital role, and without the vector there is no sustained pathogen transmission. By not emphasizing the importance of the arthropod vector, the role of the vector is often neglected or underappreciated. The complexities of vector-borne diseases are reviewed by describing the ecology and transmission of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), the causative agent of Japanese encephalitis (JE). JE is a mosquito-borne zoonosis that affects most countries in South and Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific Rim. It is considered the main cause of viral encephalitis in that region, affecting mainly children up to 14 yr old. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, particularly of the Culex genus, and the transmission cycle is complex, involving pigs and ardeid birds as reservoir hosts. Environmental, ecological, and social determinants play a paramount role on the epidemiology of JE and JEV, as well as on its geographical expansion over new territories. JE has no cure; thus, efforts are put forth towards prevention and control by reducing exposure to potentially infected mosquitoes, or vaccination. The sections below cover the most important aspects of JE and JEV, providing a summary of the current body of knowledge and placing the complicated transmission cycle in context of a new epi-triad.
Abstract LB-B26: Novel eIF4A inhibitors target both cellular and microenvironment components in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

We are investigating the potential utility of targeting protein translation via inhibiting the translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A) with a new class of Pateamine A derivatives to treat pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PDAC is one of the most refractory human malignancies with poor response to therapy and low survival rates. PDAC resistance to therapy is thought to comprise both cellular and microenvironment components. A key cellular aberration is thought to be the activating KRAS mutations found in over 90% of pancreatic cancers, signaling proliferation and survival. One postulated effect of KRAS mutation is to activate C-Myc, a central oncogene in PDAC, with elevated expression and high protein levels in over 40% of cases. A key microenvironment component is elevated hyaluronic acid content in the stroma of pancreatic cancers (4 to 12 times that of normal pancreatic tissues), which increases interstitial fluid pressure and is thought to impair drug perfusion efficiency, as well as the infiltration of immune cells. Here we report a promising therapeutic intervention for PDAC via targeting the eIF4A component of the translation initiation complex using a new class of Pateamine A derivatives, DMDA PatA and MZ735. Using cytotoxicity assays, immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry and confocal imaging we show activity of the Pateamine A derivatives on PDAC cell lines. Our primary data shows treatment with nanomolar concentrations of these compounds inhibits cell proliferation with IC50s ranging from 20 to 40nM for DMDAPatA and 5 to 20 nM for MZ735 in various PDAC cells. Immunoblotting shows a reduction in c-MYC, hyaluronic acid synthase HAS3, and hyaluronic acid receptor CD44 in PDAC cell lines following treatment with eIF4A targeting compounds. Finally, confocal imaging confirmed the reduction of hyaluronic acid and CD44 in the eIF4A inhibitor-treated PDAC cells. We believe Pateamine A derivatives represent a new class of anticancer agents that have the potential to address both altered cellular and microenvironment components in PDAC. Citation Format: Maryam Safari, Yu Ri Kim, Changchun Deng, Susan E. Bates. Novel eIF4A inhibitors target both cellular and microenvironment components in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-B26.
Structure / Property (Constitutive and Dynamic Strength / Damage) Behavior of Additively Manufactured Tantalum

For Certification and qualification of an engineering component generally involves meeting engineering and physics requirements tied to its functional requirements. In this paper, the results of a study quantifying the microstructure, mechanical behavior, and the dynamic damage evolution of Tantalum (Ta) fabricated using an EOS laser-powder-bed machine are presented. The microstructure and quasi-static mechanical behavior of the AM-Ta is detailed and compared / contrasted to wrought Ta. The dynamic damage evolution and failure response of the AM-Ta material, as well as wrought Ta, was probed using flyer-plate impact driven spallation experiments. The differences in the spallation response between the AM and wrought Ta were measured using in-situ velocimetry as well as post-mortem quantification of damage in “soft-recovered” samples. The damage evolution of the AM and wrought Ta were characterized using both optical metallography and electron-backscatter diffraction.
Integrated Assessment of the Clinical Performance of GalNAc3-Conjugated 2'-O-Methoxyethyl Chimeric Antisense Oligonucleotides: I. Human Volunteer Experience.

Advances in medicinal chemistry have produced new chemical classes of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) with enhanced therapeutic properties. Conjugation of the triantennary N-acetylgalactosamine (...
Membrane Conductance Changes Associated with the Response of Motion Sensitive Insect Visual Neurons

Intracellular recordings and impedance measurements from directionally-selective visual interneurons of the lobula plate of flies show that during motion, transmembrane conductance increases during both depolarizing responses to preferred directions and hyperpolarizing responses to anti-preferred directions. This provides direct evidence that these interneurons are postsynaptic to two separate populations of excitatory and inhibitory input elements.
Topology Optimized Fins for a PCM-Based Thermal Management System

Rapid temperature transients sustained during operation of electronics can be difficult to manage by relying solely on uniform heat removal mechanisms. While Phase Change Materials (PCMs) alone provide little cooling capability, they can be useful as a buffer against these intermittent temperature spikes when used in tandem with conductive and convective cooling. As a PCM undergoes a phase transition, it absorbs or releases large amounts of thermal energy in the form of latent heat while keeping its temperature nearly constant. Depending on PCM material distribution, this energy-storing capability can be leveraged to provide improved electronic cooling performance without significant increases in overall system size or operating costs. This work aims to take advantage of topology optimization to produce highly conductive structures to maximize PCM energy storage, and thus enhance temperature spike mitigation. Computational analysis results indicated moderate improvement over traditional PCM implementation techniques, which center on plate-fin or pin-fin heat sinks.
Inverter–Centric Islanding Detection using Multiple–Model Filters

A passive and inverter–centric islanding detection method using multiple–model filtering (MMF) is presented. Our objective is for a behind–the–meter grid–connected photovoltaic inverter (PVI) to respond to the trip of a transmission grid breaker when it calls for the PVI to disconnect itself from the grid. The decision to disconnect is required to be prompt and to rely only on the PVI's own terminal waveform measurement samples. The detection filters are built on the multiple models of anticipated topologies of the distribution circuit where the PVI resides, and a weighted norm of normalized measurement residuals is used to judge which model best represents the actual circuit topology. The models are aggregated using the gap metric and model orders are reduced so as to eliminate unobservable dynamics of the distribution grid and ensure islanding detectability. Transmission grid voltage is tracked and provided as the input to some of the detection filters. Simulation results involving a single PVI/feeder show that our approach not only completely circumvents the issue of non–detection zone of the conventional passive islanding detection methods, it also achieves a 3–cycle (50 ms) islanding detection delay, far less than the 2–second detection delay required by IEEE Standard 1547.
2018-2019 Southern Illinois University National Health Law Moot Court Competition.

Transcript of RecordDocket No. 18-251BARKER & TODD, INC.,Petitioner,v.Anthony Hope,Respondent.________________________________________________________________COMPETITION PROBLEM____________________...
A mechanistic model of how metabolic rate can interact with resource environment to influence foraging success and lifespan

Abstract Metabolic rate, the biological rate of energy processing, is often considered to be the fundamental determinant of pace of life in biological systems. Assuming foraging performance to be the central link between metabolic rate and pace of life, we modeled the behavior of biological units with different metabolic rate, as foraging groups with or without within-group variation in metabolic rate, in environments of various resource configurations, with or without group-level behaviors such as information sharing and division of labor. Our results show how metabolic rate can interact with the resource environment to produce differences in energy gain and lifespan. The results also suggest that in a group context, rather than the average metabolic rate of the group, it is the composition of the group that matters such that metabolically diverse groups outperform metabolically homogenous groups. With a proposed experimental approach to test these predictions, these findings bring new insights to possible gene environment interactions that may be involved in the evolution of intraspecific differences in metabolic rates and how metabolic diversity may contribute to the evolution of group living.
O gestor escolar e a inclusão de alunos público-alvo da educação especial municipal

A pesquisa propoe conhecer as concepcoes da gestao escolar acerca do processo de inclusao de alunos publico-alvo da educacao especial no ensino fundamental municipal, identificando concepcoes, relacoes e acoes atinentes ao processo em analise. O metodo e qualitativo, descritivo e de campo, tendo como instrumentos investigativos entrevistas e pesquisa documental, utilizando-se da hermeneutica para analise dos resultados. Os resultados apontam que os gestores concebem a inclusao como um direito do aluno e dever da escola, mas demonstram incertezas em relacao a capacidade da escola para garantir a aprendizagem dos estudantes. Com respeito as relacoes entre direcao e comunidade escolar, os gestores buscam parceria das familias, possuem recursos e apoio para oferecer aos docentes, mas solicitam maior assessoria da secretaria da educacao e ainda alguns quadros tecnicos para qualificar a educacao aos alunos
Prevalence and Outcomes of Endovascular Infrapopliteal Interventions for Intermittent Claudication.

Abstract: Background Although endovascular peripheral vascular interventions (PVI) are typically limited to vessels above the knee in intermittent claudication (IC) some patients have concomitant or isolated infrapopliteal disease with IC. The benefits and risks of undergoing tibial intervention remains unclear in IC patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and outcomes of infrapopliteal PVI for IC. Methods The Vascular Quality Initiative was queried for PVI procedures performed for IC between 2003 and 2018. Patients were divided into three groups: isolated femoral-popliteal (FP), isolated infrapopliteal (IP), and combined above and below knee interventions (COM). Multivariable logistic regression models identified predictors of minor and major amputation, as well as freedom from reintervention. Kaplan-Meier plots estimate amputation free survival. Results We identified 34,944 PVI procedures for IC. There were 31,110 (89.0%) FP interventions, 1,045 (3.0%) IP interventions, and 2,789 (8.0%) COM interventions. Kaplan-Meier plots of amputation free survival revealed that patients with any IP intervention had significantly higher rates of both minor and major amputation (log rank Conclusion PVI in the infrapopliteal vessels for intermittent claudication is associated with higher amputation rates. This observation may suggest the need for more careful patient selection when performing PVI in patients with intermittent claudication where disease extends into the infrapopliteal level.
Belief in systemic racism and self-employment among working blacks

Scholars theorize that black–white disparities in self-employment persist because of racial disparities in human capital (e.g. educational attainment) and financial capital (e.g. assets). Such disp...
Local-Language Radio Stations in Kenya: Helpful or Harmful?

Today, Kenya has a vibrant media landscape, one of the most sophisticated in the region. In particular, vernacular radio—radio stations that broadcast news and entertainment in indigenous languages...
CANUE: a theoretical model of pain as an antecedent for substance use

Background Pain and substance use are frequently comorbid and have been shown to exert bidirectional effects. Self-medication of pain and distress via substance use is common and can be understood via negative reinforcement, ultimately strengthening the pathway between pain to substance use over time. As such, a testable model of the potentially modifiable candidate mechanisms that underlie the pain to substance use pathway is needed. Purpose This review proposes a testable model of pain as an antecedent to substance use to guide future research and inform clinical practice. Methods An integrative review of current evidence regarding pain, substance use, and associated risk factors (i.e., negative affect, pain-related attitudes, negative urgency, and substance use outcome expectancies) was conducted. Results The Catastrophizing, Anxiety, Negative Urgency, and Expectancy (CANUE) model highlights modifiable risk factors for self-medicating pain with substance use, including increased negative affect and maladaptive pain-related attitudes (i.e., pain catastrophizing, pain anxiety, and fear of pain), negative urgency, and substance-related outcome expectancies for pain relief and enhanced pain coping. Conclusions Targeted behavioral and psychological interventions that address these factors may facilitate more adaptive pain-coping responses, thereby reducing the impacts of pain on substance use. Systematic research is needed to evaluate the validity and clinical utility of this model.
Fetal cardiac intervention and perioperative management of fetus with hypoplastic right heart syndrome

Objective: To summarize the experience of perioperative management strategy of fetal pulmonary valvuloplasty (FPV) for hypoplastic right heart syndrome (HRHS). Methods: In the retrospective study of perioperative data, 13 fetuses of HRHS were treated with FPV in Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital from July 2018 to June 2019. Results: (1) The evaluation indexes of the right ventricle in 13 fetuses before FPV: the mean ratio of tricuspid/mitral annulus, right/left ventricular length, pulmonary/aortic annulus, and tricuspid inflow time/cardiac cycle were 0.81±0.04, 0.56±0.14, 0.69±0.06, and 0.35±0.03, respectively. (2) All pregnant mothers underwent general anesthesia. The basic fetal heart rate was (156±12) beats per minutes before FPV, and 9 fetuses showed bradycardia during the operation, and recovered to normal after drug resuscitation. On the first day after FPV, two cases had bradycardia and pregnancy was terminated. The fluctuation of systolic blood pressure of pregnant mother was less than 20%, and there was no significant difference between preoperative and intraoperative pulse pressure [(36.0±5.6) vs (35.8±6.9) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa); t=8.102, P=0.951]. (3) All cases of HRHS fetus successfully underwent FPV. The average gestational age was (27.3±0.8) weeks. The average operation time was (23.2±1.0) minutes. The ratio of tricuspid to mitral annulus (t=-2.513, P=0.022) and the ratio of right to left ventricular length (t=-3.373, P=0.003) were significantly improved at 6 weeks postoperatively. Ten fetuses were delivered, and there was no death after early intervention. (4) Of 13 pregnant women, 3 cases were nausea and vomiting on the day of FPV operation, the treatment of the symptoms was improved by tropisetron; one case had tolerable abdominal pain and improved without special treatment. Pregnant women had no major complications such as cardiac failure, abortion and death. (5) Chromosome karyotype analysis and microarray analysis of amniotic fluid was retained during the operation. No typical chromosome abnormality or other abnormal genetic diagnosis was found. Conclusions: FPV colud be used as an effective intervention measure to promote the development of right ventricle in HRHS fetuses. The scientific management of multidisciplinary professional technical team in perioperative period is particularly important to ensure the success of FPV and the safety of pregnant women and fetuses.
Streptococcus pneumoniae Binds to Host Lactate Dehydrogenase via PspA and PspC To Enhance Virulence

ABSTRACT Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) and pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC, also called CbpA) are major virulence factors of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn). These surface-exposed choline-binding proteins (CBPs) function independently to inhibit opsonization, neutralize antimicrobial factors, or serve as adhesins. PspA and PspC both carry a proline-rich domain (PRD) whose role, other than serving as a flexible connector between the N-terminal and C-terminal domains, was up to this point unknown. Herein, we demonstrate that PspA binds to lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from dying host cells during infection. Using recombinant versions of PspA and isogenic mutants lacking PspA or specific domains of PspA, this property was mapped to a conserved 22-amino-acid nonproline block (NPB) found within the PRD of most PspAs and PspCs. The NPB of PspA had specific affinity for LDH-A, which converts pyruvate to lactate. In a mouse model of pneumonia, preincubation of Spn carrying NPB-bearing PspA with LDH-A resulted in increased bacterial titers in the lungs. In contrast, incubation of Spn carrying a version of PspA lacking the NPB with LDH-A or incubation of wild-type Spn with enzymatically inactive LDH-A did not enhance virulence. Preincubation of NPB-bearing Spn with lactate alone enhanced virulence in a pneumonia model, indicating exogenous lactate production by Spn-bound LDH-A had an important role in pneumococcal pathogenesis. Our observations show that lung LDH, released during the infection, is an important binding target for Spn via PspA/PspC and that pneumococci utilize LDH-A derived lactate for their benefit in vivo. IMPORTANCEStreptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) is the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia. PspA and PspC are among its most important virulence factors, and these surface proteins carry the proline-rich domain (PRD), whose role was unknown until now. Herein, we show that a conserved 22-amino-acid nonproline block (NPB) found within most versions of the PRD binds to host-derived lactate dehydrogenase A (LDH-A), a metabolic enzyme which converts pyruvate to lactate. PspA-mediated binding of LDH-A increased Spn titers in the lungs and this required LDH-A enzymatic activity. Enhanced virulence was also observed when Spn was preincubated with lactate, suggesting LDH-A-derived lactate is a vital food source. Our findings define a role for the NPB of the PRD and show that Spn co-opts host enzymes for its benefit. They advance our understanding of pneumococcal pathogenesis and have key implications on the susceptibility of individuals with preexisting airway damage that results in LDH-A release.
Secrets and lies in psychotherapy

Secrets and Lies in Psychotherapy offers an overview of a large-scale research project conducted by the authors into why clients are dishonest with their therapists. Despite Freud’s exhortation tha...
Social Media in the Classroom. The New Normal for University Education after COVID.

The current pandemic is quickly changing the way professors teach students. In a previous anecdotal study done five years ago, it was difficult finding professors who used social media and online resources effectively in the classroom. With the new normal of online classroom instruction, professors should consider the following three principles as they modify their delivery of information: (1) Instructors should become proficient in using social media and new computer programs before using them in the classroom, (2) social media should be used strategically, not as busy work, and (3) professors should still focus on active learning in their classrooms. The restrictions of social distancing may engender a restructuring of universities. Efficient online institutions may expand their commoditized knowledge delivery while research universities specializing in more specialized, active, hands-on learning finding more creative solutions to fund their institutions.
Incorporating systems-level stakeholder perspectives into the clinical trial design of school-supervised asthma therapy

Abstract Rationale Few evidence-based public health interventions are adopted in practice, in part due to a disconnect between the outcomes measured in clinical trials and the outcomes important to stakeholders that determine implementation in real-world practice. AsthmaLink is a school-supervised asthma therapy program which partners pediatric providers, school nurses, and families. To inform the design of a cluster randomized controlled trial of AsthmaLink, we elicited systems-level stakeholder input. Methods Maximum variation sampling was used to recruit 18 stakeholders to participate in semi-structured interviews that were recorded, transcribed, and open coded: Department of Public Health officials (n = 4), school officials (n = 4), pediatric practice managers (n = 3), health insurance officials (n = 4), and legislators (n = 3). Thematic analysis was used to identify common themes related to stakeholder priorities for clinical trial design and perceived barriers to AsthmaLink adoption. Results Stakeholder groups identified common priorities for the clinical trial design, including examination of the extent to which AsthmaLink (1) reduces health care utilization, (2) is cost effective (2) addresses health disparities, (3) reduces school absenteeism, and (4) educates families about asthma. Stakeholder groups reported potential barriers to AsthmaLink adoption, including challenges pertaining to (1) securing resources, staffing, and reimbursement, (2) variability across school districts, and (3) standing out amidst multiple programs vying for resources. Conclusions Systems-level stakeholder input informed refinements to the clinical trial design of a school-supervised therapy program including outcome and implementation measures and choice of study population. Incorporating systems-level stakeholder perspectives into clinical trial design is critical to achieve adoption of evidence-based interventions into practice.
Gender diversity in later life

Abstract To date, there has been minimal focus in research on the intersection of aging and gender identity. However, this is quickly becoming a burgeoning area of exploration. It is known that transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people are at great risk for a host of physical and mental health issues, due to the unique experiences of discrimination and abuse faced by this population. Much of the research on the aging process is conducted from a cisgender-normative perspective, which leaves out examination of the lives of TGD older adults. This chapter focuses specifically on examining the research landscape with regard to identifying issues related to the experience of TGD elders. We argue that although there is significant evidence that TGD elders are vulnerable to unique risks, there are resilient individuals who have adapted to these challenges. Further, recent laws and public policies have begun to help to protect and improve the lives of older TGD people in the future. As such, we will explore recommendations for improvements in research, healthcare, and policies moving forward into the coming years.
What to Do About Broken

An adjective, the word “broken” encompasses a multitude of meanings, most of which identify a magnitude of concern, while very few provide comfort. Recognizing that which is broken often remains elusive, creating a daunting challenge when facing this dangerous combination. Even when a solution presents itself, the ability to surrender remains a most formidable foe. Navigating through this labyrinth, individually and as a society, is also sometimes referred to as “life.” It is no coincidence that life usually starts and ends in a hospital. With almost 5,500 hospitals in the United States today, only by the middle of the twentieth century did these institutions become symbols of hope, slowly creating an inextricable dependence upon which the sick and infirm rely. Nearly a score into the twenty-first century, the hospital represents the primary solution when there is a threat to health. What would happen if the basket holding all of society’s proverbial eggs breaks (assuming this container is not already broken)?
Politics: Echo chambers and false certainty

Climate change continues to be a controversial issue among political elites in the US. New research shows how ideological views become entrenched through 'echo chambers'.
State Intervention in Local Land Use Decision Making: The Case of Massachusetts

The permitting process for residential development in the United States is largely administered by local governments. This article empirically assesses the responsiveness of local decision makers to a state-mandated permitting process that may require them to ignore or override locally adopted land use regulations. I develop a screening model to formalize expectations about permitting outcomes between developers, who hold private information about their projects, and local Zoning Boards of Appeal under the rules of the Massachusetts law known as Chapter 40B. I then analyze a novel data set of 40B permit applications made during the period 1999–2005. I examine summary statistics and estimate a bivariate probit model with selection in order to jointly evaluate the determinants of local permit approvals and developer acceptances of permits. I find that, in general, local institutions comply with the state-mandated permitting process and that permits granted to developers typically result in housing production. I also find that information asymmetries and community characteristics influence the success of the permitting process in a manner consistent with this study's screening model.
Clinical case management and navigation for colonoscopy screening in an academic medical center.

BACKGROUND One of 5 nationally funded Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening Demonstration Programs, Project SCOPE, was conducted at an academic medical center and provided colonoscopy screening at no cost to underserved minority patients from local community health centers. METHODS Established barriers to CRC screening (eg, financial, language, transportation) among the target population were addressed through clinical coordination of care by key project staff. The use of a clinician with a patient navigator allowed for the performance of precolonoscopy “telephone visits” instead of office visits to the gastroenterologist in virtually all patients. The clinician elicited information relevant to making screening decisions (eg, past medical and surgical history, focused review of systems, medication/supplement use, CRC screening history). The patient navigator reduced barriers, including, but not limited to, scheduling, transportation, and physical navigation of the medical center on the day of colonoscopy. RESULTS Preprogram preparation was vital in laying groundwork for the project, yet enhancements to the program were ongoing throughout the screening period. Detailed referral forms from primary care physicians, coupled with information obtained during telephone interviews, facilitated high colonoscopy completion rates and excellent patient satisfaction. Similarly valuable was the employment of a bilingual patient navigator, who provided practical and emotional patient support. CONCLUSIONS Academic medical centers can be efficient models for providing CRC screening to disadvantaged populations. Coordination of care by a preventive medicine department, directing the recruitment, scheduling, prescreening education, and the evaluation and preparation of target populations had an overall positive effect on CRC screening with colonoscopy among patients from a community health center. Cancer 2013;119(15 suppl):2894–904. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Reliably Biased: The Role of Listener Expectation in the Perception of Second Language Speech

Second language pronunciation research and teaching relies on human listeners to assess second language speakers’ performance. Most applied linguists working in this area have been satisfied that listener ratings are reasonably reliable when well-controlled research protocols are implemented. We argue, however, that listeners demonstrate a certain amount of reliability in their ratings of speakers stemming from shared expectations of a speaker's language and social groups, rather than from the speech itself. In this article, we discuss evidence from perceptual psychology, sociolinguistics, and phonetics demonstrating a sizable listener influence on speech perception. We conclude by suggesting ways for research and teaching to acknowledge and contend with the role of the listener.