cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrin suppresses neurogenesis and regulates brain tissue assembly in planarian regeneration

Animals capable of adult regeneration require specific signaling to control injury-induced cell proliferation, specification and patterning, but comparatively little is known about how the regeneration blastema assembles differentiating cells into well-structured functional tissues. Using the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea as a model, we identify β1-integrin as a crucial regulator of blastema architecture. β1-integrin(RNAi) animals formed small head blastemas with severe tissue disorganization, including ectopic neural spheroids containing differentiated neurons normally found in distinct organs. By mimicking aspects of normal brain architecture but without normal cell-type regionalization, these spheroids bore a resemblance to mammalian tissue organoids synthesized in vitro We identified one of four planarian integrin-alpha subunits inhibition of which phenocopied these effects, suggesting that a specific receptor controls brain organization through regeneration. Neoblast stem cells and progenitor cells were mislocalized in β1-integrin(RNAi) animals without significantly altered body-wide patterning. Furthermore, tissue disorganization phenotypes were most pronounced in animals undergoing brain regeneration and not homeostatic maintenance or regeneration-induced remodeling of the brain. These results suggest that integrin signaling ensures proper progenitor recruitment after injury, enabling the generation of large-scale tissue organization within the regeneration blastema.
Thrombophilia Effect On Periprocedural Thromboembolism and Bleeding in Chronically Anticoagulated Patients

Abstract 3404 Background: Appropriate periprocedural management of the chronically-anticoagulated patient with an inherited or acquired thrombophilia is uncertain. Objective: To estimate the 3-month cumulative incidence of thromboembolism (TE) and major bleeding and test thrombophilia as a potential predictor of these outcomes among chronically-anticoagulated patients undergoing a procedure. Methods: 2182 consecutive patients referred to the Mayo Thrombophilia Center for standardized peri-procedural anticoagulation management were followed for TE, major bleeding and survival. The three-month cumulative incidence rates for TE, major bleeding and death were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analyses. For each chronic anticoagulation indication, we tested “strong” thrombophilia (antithrombin, protein C or protein S deficiency, homozygous or combined heterozygous Factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A), ”weak” thrombophilia (heterozygous Factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A), lupus anticoagulant/antiphospholipid antibodies and bridging heparin as potential predictors of TE and major bleeding using Cox proportional hazards modeling. Results: Patients with thrombophilia tended to be younger with a slight female predominance. Compared to no thrombophilia, thrombophilia patients (n=202; 143 bridged with heparin) had similar rates of venous (0% vs. 0.5%; p=0.34) and arterial (0.5% vs. 0.5%; p=0.94) thromboembolism, major bleeding (2.0% vs. 2.0%; p=0.97) and mortality (1.5% vs. 2.2%; p=0.52). Among thrombophilia patients, the TE and major bleeding rates were similar for strong (n=29) or weak thrombophilia (n=99), or lupus anticoagulant/antiphospholipid antibodies (n=74). Similarly, among thrombophilia patients, bridging heparin did not affect the rates of major bleeding (2.1% vs. 1.7%; p=0.85) or TE (0.7% vs. 0%, p=0.52). Conclusions: Inherited or acquired thrombophilia does not appear to impact the rates of TE, major bleeding or mortality after temporary interruption of chronic anticoagulation for an invasive procedure. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
ANALYSIS OF THE TIMING OF THORACIC ENDOVASCULAR AORTIC REPAIR AND ITS INDICATIONS AND OUTCOMES IN TYPE B AORTIC DISSECTION

Background: Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) is often used to treat Type B acute aortic dissection. Although initially reserved for patients with complications, recent studies have also shown improved 5-year aorta-specific mortality in uncomplicated patients. Despite an increased focus on
Use of Glucocorticoids for the Fetus and Preterm Infant.

The soon-to-be-delivered fetus and preterm infant have been treated with glucocorticoids to prepare for postnatal life, historically for more than 40 years. The use of glucocorticoids is as much for replacement of cortisol in the setting of a poorly functioning hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the preterm infant, as it is for prevention of long-term lung dysfunction. Potential negative effects of glucocorticoid treatment on brain development and function have been observed more often with dexamethasone therapy than with use of other glucocorticoids. Overall, glucocorticoid treatment has improved the outcome of the preterm infant.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Pre-procedural Assessment and Procedural Techniques to Minimize Risk for Acute Kidney Injury

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offers treatment for high-risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis [1, 2]. Currently, TAVR is performed in high-risk patients with multiple comorbidities and advanced age. These patients frequently have abnormal baseline renal function and are therefore at increased risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) after TAVR due to the significant hemodynamic changes during the procedure and use of contrast agents [3].
Sudden cardiac arrest on the field of play: turning tragedy into a survivable event

Sudden cardiac arrest remains the leading cause of death in exercising athletes, and recent studies have shown that it occurs more frequently than historical estimates. While out-of-hospital cardiac arrest often proves fatal, advance preparation can improve outcomes and the chance of survival. First responders to a collapsed athlete on the field of play may include team medical personnel, coaches, other athletes, officials, venue staff, emergency medical services personnel, or lay bystanders. Prompt and accurate recognition of sudden cardiac arrest, a comprehensive and rehearsed emergency action plan, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and immediate access to and use of an automated external defibrillator are each pivotal links in the chain of survival. This review summarises the components of an effective emergency action plan, highlights the critical role of automated external defibrillators, and reviews the diagnosis and management of sudden cardiac arrest on the field of play.
Complications of Fractional Lasers (Ablative and Nonablative)

Laser resurfacing is a proven method for countering unwanted changes in skin tone and texture. The fi rst widely available devices were fully ablative, but these carried substantial risks, particularly for scarring and hypopigmentation. Fully nonablative alternatives, which were safer, offered a welcome alternative but were less effective. In 2004, the seminal concept of fractional photothermolysis was introduced, delivering meaningful clinical results while maintaining an improved safety pro fi le [ 28 ] . In this chapter, we aim to review complications and management strategies of fractional laser systems. Although complication rates will be cited and may serve as a reference, it should be noted that rates in any clinician’s practice depends on training, experience, choice of device, settings, and prophylactic regimens, among other variables. The discussion that follows derives from an extensive literature search of the MEDLINE database. Representative studies of common complications will be discussed along with the few reports of unusual complications.
New Classes of Time Series Models

where a(B) and b(B) are polynomials in B of orders p and q respectively. The reasons for this popularity are clear. In a very influential book, Box and Jenkins (1970) emphasized such models and produced a modelling strategy, with the three stages of identification, estimation and diagnostic checking. The models have been very successful, in terms of relative forecasting ability, probably because they are sufficiently flexible and general to well fit most actual series. A second reason for concentrating on these models could come from Wold's theorem, which states that if a series is stationary and has no deterministic components, then it can always be represented by an infinite moving average. From the success of approximations using rational functions in numerical analysis, it then follows that the MA(oo) may well be closely approximated by an ARMA model. However, although Wold's theorem suggests that a purely non-deterministic series always has a moving average representation, it does not follow that this is necessarily the best possible representation. As will be shown, a non-linear model may be superior, in terms of forecasting ability.
Drag reduction in hydraulic capsule pipeline

The purpose of this report is twofold: first to describe the results of the use of a polymer slurry for the purpose of drag reduction in a hydraulic capsule pipeline and, second to review mechanisms that cause the degradation of polymeric drag reducing agents. The drag reducing agent used was poly(ethylene oxide) powder with a molecular weight of 4,000,000. These experimental tests were conducted in a 55 mm diameter, 24 meter long re-circulating hydraulic capsule pipeline with a 4 meter straight test section. The effects of the drag reducing agent were based on pressure gradient and flow rate measurements along the straight test section. Results indicate that a polymer slurry in hydraulic flow increases the polymer lifetime by a factor of two and throughput increases by 8 percent compared to hydraulic flow with dissolved polymer. In hydraulic capsule flow the effects are less pronounced, but still significant. Hypotheses and models in the literature point to possible explanations for the polymer's loss of effectiveness. Explanations are suggested for the polymer's loss of effectiveness based on hypotheses and models presented in the literature; namely, high shear stresses due to velocity gradients, moving mechanical devices, and changes in cross-sectional area. From a molecular perspective the chain length of the polymer has an effect on the level of degradation. The experimental results and literature review indicate that the use of polymeric slurries for drag reduction needs to be further investigated.
Self-Adjusting Programming

This papers proposes techniques for writing self-adjusting programs that can adjust to any change to their data (e.g., inputs, decisions made during the computation) etc. We show that the techniques are efficient by considering a number of applications including several sorting algorithms, and the Graham Scan, and the quick hull algorithm for computing convex hulls. We show that the techniques are flexible by showing that self-adjusting programs can be trivially transformed into a kinetic programs that maintain their property as their input move continuously. We show that the techniques are practical by implementing a Standard ML library for kinetic data structures and applying the library to kinetic convex hulls. We show that the kinetic programs written with the library are more than an order of magnitude faster than recomputing from scratch. These results rely on a combination of memoization and dynamic dependence graphs. We show that the combination is sound by presenting a semantics based on abstraction of memoization via an oracle.
Sound-letter Non-Correspondence Vis-a-vis Deviation in Spoken English among Secondary School Students in Nnewi Educational Zone

The English language occupies a prominent position in the nation’s life. It is the language of education and by extension, the language of the classroom. Most of the subjects at the different levels of education in Nigeria are taught in English. Unfortunately, many students still perform poorly in spelling and pronunciation. The research tries to find out why students perform poorly in these aspects of spoken and written English. Three secondary schools in Nnewi North Educational zone were used for the study. Data were collected through an unobtrusive observation, spelling tests and an unstructured interview. Contrastive Analysis theory was used in the analysis of data. The findings from the study reveal that the problems were due to faulty learning, over generalization, poor foundation, lack of interest, mother tongue interference, fossilization, negative transfer and lack of motivation. The paper proffers solution on how to reduce students’ problem of spelling and pronunciation errors in spoken and written English to the barest minimum.
Review of the Existing Game Based Learning System in Cybersecurity

As the world is advancing in technology, there is an increasing trend in the number of malware attacks recorded. Estimated losses from cyber-crime and cyber espionage amount to hundreds of billions annually. The need to build, maintain, and defend computing resources is greater than ever before. Game-based learning are competitive, interactive lessons which allows the learner to have fun while gaining knowledge by using specific skills to achieve definite outcomes.
Platelet Inhibition With Cangrelor and Crushed Ticagrelor in Patients With ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background: The platelet inhibitory effects induced by oral P2Y12 receptor antagonists are delayed in patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous corona...
Primary External Ventricular Drainage Catheter Versus Intraparenchymal ICP Monitoring: Outcome Analysis.

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is central to the care of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). External ventricular drains (EVD) allow ICP control via cerebrospinal fluid drainage, whereas intraparenchymal monitors (IPM) for ICP do not, but it is unclear whether EVD placement improves outcomes. To evaluate whether there exists a difference in patient outcomes with the use of EVD versus IPM in severe TBI patients, we conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Citicoline Brain Injury Treatment trial. Adults with Glasgow Coma Score < 9 who had either an EVD or IPM placed within 6 h of study center arrival were included. We compared patients with EVD placement to those without on Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) and neuropsychological performance at 180 days, mortality, and intensive care unit length of stay. We used regression models with propensity score weighting for probability of EVD placement to test for association between EVD use and outcomes. Of 224 patients included, 45% received an EVD. EVD patients had lower GOS-E at 180 days [3.8 ± 2.2 vs 4.9 ± 2.2, p = 0.002; weighted difference − 0.97, 95% CI (− 1.58, − 0.37)], higher in-hospital mortality [23% vs 10%, p = 0.014; weighted OR 2.46, 95% CI (1.20, 5.05)], and did significantly worse on all 8 neuropsychological measures. Additional sensitivity analysis was performed to minimize confounding effects supported our initial results. Our retrospective data analysis suggests that early placement of EVDs in severe TBI is associated with worse functional and neuropsychological outcomes and higher mortality than IPMs and future prospective trials are needed to determine whether these results represent an important consideration for clinicians.
Testing for Nonselective Bilingual Lexical Access Using L1 Attrited Bilinguals.

Research in the past few decades generally supported a nonselective view of bilingual lexical access, where a bilingual’s two languages are both active during monolingual processing. However, recent work by Costa et al. (2017) brought this into question by reinterpreting evidence for nonselectivity in a selective manner. We manipulated the factor of first language (L1) attrition in an event-related potential (ERP) experiment to disentangle Costa and colleagues’ selective processing proposal versus the traditional nonselective processing view of bilingual lexical access. Spanish–English bilinguals demonstrated an N400 effect of L1 attrition during implicit L1 processing in a second language (L2) semantic judgment task, indicating the contribution of variable L1 lexical access during L2 processing. These results are incompatible with Costa and colleagues’ selective model, adding to the literature supporting a nonselective view of bilingual lexical access.
Human Melatonin Secretion, Its Endogenous Circadian Pacemaker and the Effects of Light

Elucidation of pineal physiology must be based on an understanding of the circadian as well as adrenergic regulation of melatonin production. For more than 50 years it has been known that the endogenous circadian pacemaker is located in the brain (Richter, 1965; Richter, 1967). In many species of animals, this pacemaker is thought to be located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus (Moore and Eichler, 1972; Stephan and Zucker, 1972; Ibuka and Kawamura, 1975; Rusak, 1977). There may be more than one pacemaker; however, with regard to melatonin production, there is increasing agreement that there is one pacemaker located in the SCN.
Norway’s public sector balance sheet

An intertemporal public sector balance sheet is the most comprehensive way to evaluate long-term fiscal sustainability. But data constraints imply that it is still seldomly used. In this article, w...
Who Is the “Polis” Addressed by Political Theology? Notes on a Conundrum:

How does political theology, with its eschatologically themed commitment to both critique and constructive transformation of the social, economic, and political in the light of the Gospel, break th...
Interactive graphics using OpenGL and the Graphix Windowing Toolkit

OpenGL and GLUT are two of the mostly commonly used frameworks employed in teaching interactive computer graphics. GLUT provides the basic tools necessary for creating simple user interactive OpenGL based programs, but it does not provide the user controls and widgets students have come to expect. We present the Graphix Windowing Toolkit as an alternative to the use of GLUT in an introductory computer graphics course. The use of this toolkit, which provides a cross-platform GUI framework with familiar user controls, has expanded the interests and imagination of the students in our introductory graphics course and has resulted in a number of highly successful programming projects.
Relationships between the Nicotine Metabolite Ratio and a Panel of Exposure and Effect Biomarkers: Findings from Two Studies of U.S. Commercial Cigarette Smokers.

Background: We examined the nicotine metabolite ratio9s (NMR) relationship with smoking intensity, nicotine dependence, and a broad array of biomarkers of exposure and biological effect in commercial cigarette smokers. Methods: Secondary analysis was conducted on two cross-sectional samples of adult smokers from Wave 1 (2013-2014) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco Use and Health (PATH) Study and baseline data from a 2014-2017 randomized clinical trial. Data was restricted to participants of non-Hispanic, White race. Lowest quartile of NMR (< 0.26) in the PATH Study was used to distinguish slow from normal/fast nicotine metabolizers. NMR was modeled continuously in secondary analysis. Results: Compared to slow metabolizers, normal/fast metabolizers had greater cigarettes per day and higher levels of total nicotine equivalents, tobacco specific nitrosamines, volatile organic componds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Novel finding was higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers among normal/fast versus slow metabolizers. With NMR modeled as a continuous measure, the associations between NMR and biomarkers of inflammation were not significant. Conclusions: The results are suggestive that normal/fast nicotine metabolizers may be at increased risk for tobacco-related disease due to being heavier smokers, having higher exposure to numerous toxicants and carcinogens, and having higher levels of inflammation when compared with slow metabolizers. Impact: This is the first documentation that NMR is not only associated with smoking exposure but also biomarkers of biological effects that are integral in the development of tobacco-related disease. Results provide support for NMR as a biomarker for understanding a smoker9s exposure and potential risk for tobacco-related disease.
Percutaneous nephrostomy placement in pregnant patients: a retrospective single center experience.

Purpose: Literature on percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) placement in pregnant patients is limited. The purpose of this case series of 20 pregnant patients was to report short term maternal and fetal ...
Evaluation Of The Neck Mass In Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients

Neck masses in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can represent a much broader spectrum of diseases than in the nonimmunocompromised population. In this article, the disease entities associated with the HIV-infected population that can present with a cervical mass are reviewed; also discussed are the natural history, signs, symptoms, and treatment of these masses. A strategy for developing a diagnosis in these patients is presented that uses fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for tissue sampling. Open biopsy is reserved for patients with a nondiagnostic FNAB or who do not respond to medical therapy.
Specifying Destination-Based Networks by Governance-Mode: A Social Capital Approach to Innovative Capacity in a Rural Destination of Azerbaijan

The capacity of rural tourism destinations to create new knowledge is generally considered to be at a low level - especially in an emerging country context, where inadequate networking even more im...
Arms, Exports, Influence: Institutional Corruption in the German Arms Export Regime

The present article analyses the role of the arms industry in the German arms export control regime, and examines the claim that the illegitimate influence of industry interests has diverted the regime from its original restrictive function. The article applies the concept of institutional corruption, which is defined as a systemic or strategic influence that undermines an institution’s effectiveness by diverting it from its purpose. The article discusses the German arms export regime, examines the characteristics of the German weapons industry, and then goes on to analyze the strategic influence exerted by the German arms industry through the lens of the concept of institutional corruption. It discusses a range of practices associated with this concept, for example the so-called revolving door phenomenon and contributions to political parties, and their consequences for the regime’s trustworthiness. Finally, this article discusses the role of secrecy in making the German arms export regime more vulnerable to institutional corruption, and lays the basis for reform proposals.By using the concept of institutional corruption, this article sheds light on aspects of the issue that have long been ignored and connects the dots between lack of parliamentary control and of political transparency, and insufficient regulation of lobbying activities and other forms of interrelationships between politics and the industry. This article comes to the conclusion that both secrecy within the authorization regime and lack of transparency regarding corporate attempts to exert influence are causing the arms export regime to be extremely vulnerable to institutional corruption, since supervision and control by political and civil society actors are effectively limited.
Time Series, Ecological

The most common situation in which time series data are the central object of ecological analysis is in population dynamics/population modeling. Let Xt be the size or density of a population in period t. A general deterministic model of the dynamics of this population is the first-order nonlinear difference equation: Xt = Xt−1F(Xt−1) where F is a nonnegative function. Keywords: population dynamics; density dependence; chaos; population viability analysis; measurement error
Nash equilibrium vs. maximin: A comparative game statics analysis

Abstract This paper derives comparative game statics results for both maximin and Nash strategies, thereby allowing a more systematic comparison between these two approaches.
Resisting the Corporatization of Nonprofit Governance: Transforming Obedience into Fidelity

This paper is part of a symposium on "Nonprofit Organizations, Economic Challenges and the Future of Charities." The law of nonprofit governance is moving toward a more corporate model of accountability and borrowing from the law of business organizations. While applauding some of these developments, this essay expresses concern over the creeping corporatization of the law of charities, and argues that nonprofit corporations differ from business corporations in ways that the law must recognize. The market incentives that control business behavior are absent in nonprofit organizations, so regulatory mechanisms must act as substitutes. Nonprofit organizations, and charities in particular, are public/private organizations, so there must be greater government interest in their oversight than there is for purely private businesses. Individuals in charge of nonprofit corporations share the fiduciary duties of care, loyalty, and good faith with their corporate counterparts, and some scholars have argued that these duties are sufficient. A unique duty for nonprofit directors - the duty of obedience - has fallen out of favor. This essay argues that obedience has been the stepchild fiduciary duty because it may be too rigid to be reconciled with contemporary notions of board discretion and the nonprofit corollary of the business judgment rule. Nevertheless, this paper advocates a reinvigorated and redefined duty to charitable mission, which it calls "fidelity." It argues that the corporate duties are insufficient to reach the substantive obligation that nonprofit directors should have to pursue charitable goals. Fidelity creates a legal norm explicitly connected to charitable mission that also accommodates considerable flexibility and discretion for nonprofit boards. The essay argues that an obligation of fidelity is necessary to distinguish nonprofit directors from business directors, signals the importance of charitable mission for nonprofit organizations, distinguishes charities from social-entrepreneurial businesses, and requires subordination of non-charitable goals.
TRANSLATIONAL CONTROL MEDIATES THE DEVELOPMENTAL REGULATION OF THE TRYPANOSOMA BRUCEI NRK PROTEIN KINASE

The expression and function of eukaryotic protein kinases is highly regulated, primarily through transcriptional and post-translational processes. In this report we demonstrate an unusual mechanism for controlling protein kinase function, translational control. The Trypanosoma brucei Nrk loci encode predicted protein kinases. Here we show that Nrk has protein serine-threonine kinase activity and examine the expression and activity of Nrk during parasite development. While Nrk transcripts were previously found to be constitutively expressed throughout the life cycle, we now find that expression of Nrk protein is highly stage-regulated. Immunoblot analysis revealed that Nrk expression dramatically increased as the parasites differentiated from proliferative slender bloodforms to the non-proliferative stumpy bloodforms. Procyclic form organisms expressed moderate levels of Nrk. Analysis of Nrk activity demonstrated that it too was highest in stumpy bloodforms. Metabolic labeling and pulse-chase analysis demonstrated that Nrk accumulation was highest in stumpy bloodforms and indicated that Nrk abundance is primarily controlled at the level of biosynthesis rather than turnover. All Nrk mRNA was contained in the poly(A)+ fraction, and the 5' ends of the transcript were the same in each developmental stage. Thus, Nrk is under translational control. The strict developmental regulation of the Nrk enzymes within the trypanosome life cycle suggests that the Nrk protein kinase may play a role in parasite differentiation.
Magnetic Field Decay In Cooling Neutron Stars

We have carried out calculations of the Ohmic decay of dipolar magnetic fields which axe created so that they are initially confined to the crust. The effects of the evolution of the neutron stars, which have not been previously taken into account, are included. The results confirm the earlier work of Sang and Chanmugam (1987) that the field does not decay exponentially as generally assumed, and that if it occupies the entire crust it decays by less than a factor of order 100 in the Hubble time. Fields may decay more quickly if they are confined to the outer crust, but again non-exponentially in conflict with observations.
Two eyes are identical to one: three-dimensional motor tracking of visual targets

The threshold for detecting stereoscopic motion is notably higher than that for detecting the equivalent fronto-parallel motion. Thus, for small excursions, an apparently stationary line can easily be seen as moving by simply closing one eye - two eyes being less sensitive than one (Tyler, 1971). Here, we used a 3D tracking paradigm to examine motion perception with a continuous motor task. Observers used a cursor to track a target as it moved in a 3D Gaussian random walk. In the main experiment, each eye saw a veridical 2D projection of a square target and cursor moving in 3D. A Leap Motion controller was used to move the cursor by simply pointing at the target location. The controller was calibrated such that there was a one-to-one mapping between finger movement and simulated cursor movement. Tracking data were analyzed by computing the cross-correlograms (CCGs) between the target and cursor velocities for each of the three cardinal motion directions, and assessing the lag, peak correlation, and width of the CCGs. Responses to the depth component of the motion were markedly weaker and more sluggish than responses to the fronto-parallel directions. Further experiments revealed that these depth responses were identical when either only horizontal disparity information was available or when a disparity-only target was viewed monocularly. Our primary finding was that depth tracking is worse than fronto-parallel tracking, but this was simply due to the much smaller amplitudes of projected fronto-parallel motion that motion-in-depth produces. We did not find evidence for the stereo-motion suppression observed with traditional psychophysics, nor did we find a need to invoke a specific disparity processing mechanism. Rather, continuous tracking behavior is parsimoniously explained by reliance on the 2D projections of 3D motion. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2015. Language: en
Sociabilidade e construção de identidade entre antropocêntricos e ecocêntricos

Ate que ponto as associacoes ambientalistas que emergiram no seio da sociedade civil a partir dos anos 50 sao portadoras do projeto da modernidade? Em que medida sao elas nao so o resultado da modernidade mas tambem catalisadoras de seus principais valores? O presente artigo se coloca como tarefa investigar a relacao de afinidade entre organizacoes civis ambientalistas e modernidade. Para tal, analisa algumas das dimensoes centrais que constituem a modernidade alem das diferentes maneiras a partir das quais o movimento ambientalista internalisa o mundo natural na construcao de suas identidades e na proposicao de sociabilidades que venham a pautar as relacoes dos homens entre si e deles com a natureza.
Authentic Movement and the Autonomic Nervous System: A Preliminary Investigation

This experimental case study seeks to understand the changes in physiological activity during and following an Authentic Movement experience. A CapnoTrainer™ biofeedback instrument was used to measure heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), capnometry, and measurement of end-tidal Carbon Dioxide (ETCO2) during and following Authentic Movement activity. The results showed an increase in parasympathetic activity while maintaining high sympathetic activation during stages of movement (Segments 5 & 6) where the mover reported "being moved." In addition, an unusual increase in HRV was found during movement and speaking about the experience following movement. Future studies are recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of Authentic Movement as a self-regulatory process of the autonomic nervous system in relation to HRV as an indicator of psychophysiological health.
Assessment tools for screening and monitoring bipolar disorder.

Objective: To review the availability and suitability of tools for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring people with bipolar disorder in both psychiatric and general practice. Methods: Currently available assessment tools suitable for use with patients with bipolar disorder were identified through a MEDLINE search using the following key terms: bipolar, screening, diagnosis, monitoring. Only peer-reviewed papers published in English were considered for further review. Results: A review of the current literature revealed a small number of published and appropriately validated clinical tools suitable for the assessment of bipolar disorder in terms of screening, diagnosis, and long-term monitoring. Conclusions: While there are a large number of formal rating scales for the assessment of various clinical aspects of bipolar spectrum disorders, there are currently only a limited number of assessment tools well suited for use in routine clinical practice. Widespread use of brief, clinically validated, and easy to use screening tools could facilitate the early identification of patients with bipolar spectrum disorders. A less structured diagnostic approach should facilitate diagnosis of the more subtle forms of the disease, particularly bipolar II disorder. Long-term monitoring tools should strengthen the therapeutic alliance between the patient and clinician and improve long-term quality of care and assessment of outcomes.
A prospective, multicenter study of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) utilization during definitive radiation for breast cancer.

Purpose Although complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilization in breast cancer patients is reported to be high, there are few data on CAM practices in breast patients specifically during radiation. This prospective, multi-institutional study was conducted to define CAM utilization in breast cancer during definitive radiation. Materials/Methods A validated CAM instrument with a self-skin assessment was administered to 360 Stage 0-III breast cancer patients from 5 centers during the last week of radiation. All data were analyzed to detect significant differences between users/nonusers. Results CAM usage was reported in 54% of the study cohort (n=194/360). Of CAM users, 71% reported activity-based CAM (eg, Reiki, meditation), 26% topical CAM, and 45% oral CAM. Only 16% received advice/counseling from naturopathic/homeopathic/medical professionals before initiating CAM. CAM use significantly correlated with higher education level ( P P =.010), with a trend toward greater use in younger patients ( P =.066). On multivariate analysis, level of education (OR: 6.821, 95% CI: 2.307-20.168, P P =.031) independently predicted for CAM use. Significantly lower skin toxicity scores were reported in CAM users vs nonusers, respectively (mild: 34% vs 25%, severe: 17% vs 29%, P =.017). Conclusion This is the first prospective study to assess CAM practices in breast patients during radiation, with definition of these practices as the first step for future investigation of CAM/radiation interactions. These results should alert radiation oncologists that a large percentage of breast cancer patients use CAM during radiation without disclosure or consideration for potential interactions, and should encourage increased awareness, communication, and documentation of CAM practices in patients undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer.
Preference for course difficulty and test anxiety: An analysis of classroom personality characteristics

Personality constructs that are directly tied to the classroom, as opposed to broad-based psychological constructs, have potential use in educational research. In order to test this assertion, one such construct, preference for course difficulty, is related to test anxiety in a sample of 62 graduate students using a path analytic design. Results suggest that both trait anxiety and preference for course difficulty are important determinants of test anxiety. Validation data are also reported for a second classroom personality construct, preference for course structure.
Integrating carrier selection with supplier selection decisions to improve supply chain security

Supply chain security is a major concern for logistics managers who have responsibility for inbound and outbound shipments to and from both domestic and international locations. We propose here that logistics decisions concerning security in the supply chain will be made more effectively when made in concert with decisions in related supply chain processes, especially supplier and carrier selection. Indeed, managers may minimize cost, transit time, and security risk by integrating decision processes internally, as well as with their carrier's and supplier's operations. Thus, we account for both intra-firm collaboration between logistics and purchasing managers, as well as inter-firm collaboration among buyers, suppliers, and carriers in a supply chain. In this paper, we propose a decision process that features a set of security rules and a multi-objective optimization model to accomplish this aim. We then provide an illustration to demonstrate the potential usefulness of these concepts in practice.
Detection and quantification of Mycoplasma gallisepticum genome load in conjunctival samples of experimentally infected house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) using real-time polymerase chain reaction

A TaqMan-based real-time, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay utilizing the mgc2 gene was developed to detect Mycoplasma gallisepticum in conjunctival swabs of experimentally infected house finches. The assay was demonstrated to be quantitative by the standard curve method with reproducible results within runs and between runs. The detection limit of the mgc2 assay was examined using two standards. The test had a detection limit of less than 14 copies per reaction when tested with a plasmid standard and less than 10 copies per reaction when tested with M. gallisepticum genomic DNA. All M. gallisepticum-negative birds (10 specific pathogen free chickens and 10 house finches) were negative by mgc2 qPCR assay. Existing evidence suggests that an important part of M. gallisepticum pathogenesis includes both its attachment to and invasion of host cells. Thus, our test also made use of rag-1 as an internal control gene. The rag-1 qPCR results showed that host cell quantity varied greatly between conjunctival samples. After inoculation, M. gallisepticum levels in the house finch conjunctiva increased over the 7-day period post infection. The bird with the most pronounced clinical conjunctivitis harboured the highest level of M. gallisepticum and the bird that did not develop conjunctivitis had very low numbers of M. gallisepticum. Thus, it appears that development of conjunctivitis may correlate with M. gallisepticum load.
Biological Measures of the Standard of Living

When economists investigate long-term trends and socioeconomic differences in the standard of living or quality of life, they have traditionally focused on monetary measures such as gross domestic product--which has occupied center stage for over 50 years. In recent decades, however, scholars have increasingly recognized the limitations of monetary measures while seeking useful alternatives. This essay examines the unique and valuable contributions of four biological measures--life expectancy, morbidity, stature, and certain features of skeletal remains--to understand levels and changes in human well-being. People desire far more than material goods and in fact they are quite willing to trade or give up material things in return for better physical or psychological health. For most people, health is so important to their quality of life that it is useful to refer to the "biological standard of living." Biological measures may be especially valuable for historical studies and for other research circumstances where monetary measures are thin or lacking. A concluding section ruminates on the future evolution of biological approaches in measuring happiness.
Surface chemistry and electrochemistry of supported zerovalent iron nanoparticles in the remediation of aqueous metal contaminants

The microstructure, physical characteristics, corrosion behavior, and reactivity of zerovalent iron nanoparticles synthesized on a support (primarily a nonporous, hydrophobic polymer resin) were studied. The remediation of groundwater by zerovalent iron in in situ permeable reactive barriers relies on the redox reaction between metallic iron and a reducible contaminant. Decreasing the size of the iron particles and dispersing them on a support increases the specific surface area of the iron, as well as the ratio of surface to bulk iron atoms, and should thereby increase both the reaction rate and the fraction of iron atoms available for the reaction. Borohydride reduction of aqueous ferrous sulfate gives supported iron nanoparticles, 10−30 nm in diameter, which consist of 85% zerovalent iron by weight. These materials (“ferragels”) are stable in air and have corrosion behavior comparable to iron filings. Interestingly, the presence or absence of a support, as well as the boron remaining from the borohydri...
User testing of a language learning game for Mandarin Chinese

Polyglot Cubed is an educational game to facilitate the learning of multiple languages. The game is an implementation of contemporary theories in motivation, education and entertainment. This document provides the results from a formal user evaluation of the game. This evaluation was designed to determine user defined difficulties in game experience and understand user interest in its solution. Preliminary results indicate favorable interest in the game as a tool for learning Mandarin Chinese and minor challenges in gameplay experience.
Sleep disturbance and the effects of extended-release zolpidem during cannabis withdrawal.

Background Sleep difficulty is a common symptom of cannabis withdrawal, but little research has objectively measured sleep or explored the effects of hypnotic medication on sleep during cannabis withdrawal.
Quantum size effects in equilibrium lithium ultrathin layers.

The existence and extent of quantum size effects in simple metal ultrathin films are studied by a systematic local-density, all-electron, full-potential calculation of the cohesive properties of \ensuremath{\nu} layers of hexagonal Li, with \ensuremath{\nu}=1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. By \ensuremath{\nu}=5, there is clear convergence of the a lattice parameter (intraplanar bond length) to very nearly the calculated crystalline value, with a distinction between the two films with a meaningful interior (a=5.68\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 a.u. for \ensuremath{\nu}=4 and 5) and those with a minimal interior or none at all (\ensuremath{\nu}=3 and \ensuremath{\nu}=1 and 2, respectively; a=5.${75}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}0.01}^{+0.02}$ a.u.). Equally clear stability of the interplanar spacings occurs at distinctly noncrystalline values (4.27 a.u. for \ensuremath{\nu}=2; 4.38\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 a.u. for the inner spacing of \ensuremath{\nu}=3, 4, and 5 versus 4.64 a.u. for the crystalline calculation). The cohesive energies of the 3, 4, and 5 layers are closely clumped at about 87% of the crystalline value. As the 2 and 1 layers are substantially less bound, both the cohesive properties and the inner interplanar spacing suggest a different grouping than suggested by the a lattice parameter. Rough extrapolation of the slowly increasing cohesion with \ensuremath{\nu} suggests that \ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\approxeq}20 would be needed to achieve even 90% of the crystalline cohesive energy.The calculated surface energies do not exhibit any strong size effect, in striking contrast to Al films. The equilibrium intraplanar force constant ${\mathit{a}}^{2}$E/${\mathit{da}}^{2}$ has a minimum at \ensuremath{\nu}=3, with its maximum at \ensuremath{\nu}=5 almost 2.5 times larger. The calculated work functions give only a hint, at the very most, of the quantum size oscillations predicted from jellium models. A significant quantum size effect occurs, however, in the occupied portion of the density of states, which exhibits a step-function increase for each integer increase in \ensuremath{\nu}. The density of states at ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{F}}$ has a maximum at \ensuremath{\nu}=3 with a variation over the series of about 10%. The unrelaxed films do not exhibit a stronger quantum size effect than the equilibrium films, again with the barely possible exception of the work function.
Strategic Voting in a U.S. Senate Election

Due to the strength of its two-party system, the opportunity for voters to strategically defect in favor of third party or independent candidates is rare in high profile American elections. Indeed, it has been almost a century since a third party candidate finished better than one of the major party presidential nominees—in 1912 Bull Moose Progressive Teddy Roosevelt finished ahead of Republican William H. Taft. In this study we examine strategic voting in a U.S. Senate election where the independent candidate also finished above one of the major party nominees. In the 2010 Florida Senate contest the sitting Governor Charlie Crist shed his Republican label in order to compete in the general election since he was certain to lose in the GOP primary to Marco Rubio, the eventual winner. Crist finished second by taking a substantial share of votes away from the third place candidate, Democrat Kendrick Meek. Because this type of contest seldom occurs, in American politics there is scant empirical research on strategic voting under these conditions. We employ an unobtrusive survey of a large sample of registered Floridians in order to assess the likelihood of strategic voting among respondents who preferred the Democrat Kendrick Meek. For voters who sincerely preferred the Democrat, a significant portion defected in favor of the Independent Charlie Crist if they expected him to finish ahead of Meek. Additionally, we find that after a major news story broke, in which former President Bill Clinton allegedly advised Meek to drop out of the race so that Crist might win, respondents surveyed after this event were more likely to vote strategically in favor of Crist. Our study clearly demonstrates the importance of political context. Under the appropriate conditions, we find a high likelihood of strategic voting.