cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feasibility, reliability, and clinical validity of the Test of Attentional Performance for Children (KiTAP) in Fragile X syndrome (FXS)

Attention and inhibition are core executive-function deficits in FRagile X syndrome (FXS). This pilot study evaluated the feasibility, reproducibility, and clinical relevance of the KiTAP, a computer-based pictorial measure of attention and inhibition with an enchanted-castle theme, in an FXS cohort. The 8-subtest KiTAP battery (as many subtests as each could perform) was given to 36 subjects with FXS, of variable age and cognitive/behavioral functioning, and 29 were retested, with an interval of 2 to 4 weeks between sessions. Subjects were rated by parents on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Edition (ABC-C) and Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2). Feasibility, ceiling and basal effects, and data range and distribution analyses were used to eliminate outliers and invalid data points. Reproducibility of scores was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and validity/clinical relevance was assessed by correlating KiTAP scores with ABC-C and BASC-2 scores. Most of the participants with FXS were able to complete the Alertness, Distractibility, Flexibility, and Go/NoGo subtests.About 50 to 60% completed the Visual Scanning and Vigilance subtests, and 20 to 25% completed the Sustained Attention and Divided Attention subtests. A panel of seven scores from four subtests were identified as feasible for most subjects, lacked excessive ceiling, basal, or learning effects, exhibited an acceptable range and distribution of scores, had good reproducibility (ICC > 0.7), and correlated with behavioral ratings for hyperactivity or attention (P < 0.01). Only minor differences in performance on the KiTAP were seen between mental age-matched cohorts of subjects with FXS and non-FXS intellectual disability. The KiTAP can be administered to cohorts with FXS over a wide range of function with valid reproducible scores. With additional validation, it could represent a useful outcome measure for assessment of attention/executive-function abilities in clinical trials targeted to these core deficits in FXS.
Biosynthesis of Prostaglandins

Highly purified cyclooxygenase from sheep vesicular glands is stimulated by the presence of protoporphyrin IX compounds. This stimulation may be due to the conversion of an apoenzyme to the holoenzyme, and full activity is achieved when half of the enzyme subunits (70,000 daltons) bind heme. Also, one-half of the subunits appear to contain non-heme iron. The apparent molecular weight of the holoenzyme is approximately 300,000 daltons and is compatible with a complex of four 70,000 dalton subunits. Thus, we suggest that heme and non-heme iron may be attached to different 70,000 daltons subunits that make up an A2B2-type of peptide chain arrangement.
Galaxies in a simulated ΛCDM universe – II. Observable properties and constraints on feedback

We compare the properties of galaxies that form in a cosmological simulation without strong feedback to observations of the z = 0 galaxy population. We confirm previous findings that models without strong feedback overproduce the observed galaxy baryonic mass function, especially at the low- and high-mass extremes. Through post-processing we investigate what kinds of feedback would be required to reproduce the statistics of observed galaxy masses and star formation rates. To mimic an extreme form of ‘preventive’ feedback, such as a highly efficient active galactic nucleus ‘radio mode’, we remove all baryonic mass that was originally accreted from shock-heated gas (‘hot-mode’ accretion). This removal does not bring the highmass end of the galaxy mass function into agreement with observations because much of the stellar mass in these systems formed at high redshift from baryons that originally accreted via ‘cold mode’ on to lower mass progenitors. An efficient ‘ejective’ feedback mechanism, such as supernova-driven galactic winds, must reduce the masses of these progenitors before they merge to form today’s massive galaxies. Feedback must also reduce the masses of lower mass z = 0 galaxies, which assemble at lower redshifts and have much lower star formation rates. If we monotonically remap galaxy masses to reproduce the observed mass function, but retain the simulation-predicted star formation rates, we obtain fairly good agreement with the observed sequence of star-forming galaxies. However, we fail to recover the observed population of passive, low star formation rate galaxies, especially at the high-mass end. Suppressing all hotmode accretion improves the agreement for high-mass galaxies, but it worsens the agreement at intermediate masses. Reproducing these z = 0 observations requires a feedback mechanism that dramatically suppresses star formation in a fraction of galaxies, increasing with mass, while leaving star formation rates of other galaxies essentially unchanged.
Chaplains on the Medical Team: A Qualitative Analysis of an Interprofessional Curriculum for Internal Medicine Residents and Chaplain Interns

Improved collaboration between physicians and chaplains has the potential to improve patient experiences. To better understand the benefits and challenges of learning together, the authors conducted several focus groups with participants in an interprofessional curriculum that partnered internal medicine residents with chaplain interns in the clinical setting. The authors derived four major qualitative themes from the transcripts: (1) physician learners became aware of effective communication skills for addressing spirituality. (2) Chaplain interns enhanced the delivery of team-based patient-centered care. (3) Chaplains were seen as a source of emotional support to the medical team. (4) The partnership has three keys to success: adequate introductions for team members, clear expectations for participants, and opportunities for feedback. The themes presented indicate several benefits of pairing physicians and chaplains in the setting of direct patient care and suggest that this is an effective approach to incorporating spirituality in medical training.
A taxonomic review of the dermatophytes and related species

Emmons' classification of the dermatophytes has been updated to include knowledge that has accumulated since 1934. The 3 genera—Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton—are still deemed sufficient to accommodate all of the dermatophytes and related organisms.The recognized species in each genus are discussed, and reasons are given for excluding several genera and species.A plea is made for the adoption of a universal system of classification for the dermatophytes and related species guided by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.
Hansenula Angusta, an Excellent Species for Demonstration of the Coexistence of Haploid and Diploid Cells in a Homothallic Yeast

Wickerham stated (1951) that the ratio of diploid to haploid cells is the dominant characteristic determining the evolutionary level attained by a species of Hansenula. This relationship holds whether the species is homothallic or heterothallic, and whether the yeast belongs to the phylogenetic lines which developed toward the free-living state or toward more dependence upon trees and insects. Other characteristics, such as increasing size of cells and transition from mucoid, to butyrous, to mat colonies, also reveal evolutionary succession in the various lines. Physiological characteristics, particularly the number of vitamins required from the environment, the number of sugars fermented, and the rate of fermentation, also indicate evolutionary position. The physiological reactions, however, became stronger in lines developing toward the freeliving state, and weaker in the lines developing toward greater dependence upon insects and trees. The genus Hansenula, as we now know it, apparently originated as a conifer-inhabiting species. The yeasts in the lines pointing toward independence from trees evolved successively as species dependent upon coniferous trees, then as species dependent upon deciduous trees, and finally as species living independently in soil and water. The completely dependent lines of Hansenula became limited in habitat to the coniferous
Irrationality Made Easy

(1986). Irrationality Made Easy. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 243-244.
Self-Aligned Formation of C54 Titanium Germanosilicide Using Rapid Thermal Processing and Application to Raised, Ultrashallow Junctions

In this paper we present results on solid state reactions between Ti and Si1-xGex alloys selectively deposited onto Si (100) substrates using rapid thermal annealing (RTA) for contact applications in novel device structures. Germanium concentrations of 0%, 30%, 50%, and 100% within the reacting Si1-xGex alloy are investigated. The Si1-xGex alloys (approximately 2500 A thick) are deposited using rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition (RTCVD). Titanium is then deposited by evaporation. Sheet resistance measurements as a function of RTA temperature (10 second anneals) provide indications of various phases that occur during the reactions through the formation of constant sheet resistance plateaus. The RTA temperature required for the formation of a minimum resistivity phase is observed to increase for increasing Ge concentrations within the reacting Si1-xGex alloy. Using x-ray diffraction we have determined that for the reactions of Ti with Si the C49 TiSi2 metastable phase forms prior to the minimum resistivity C54 TiSi2 phase. For the reactions between Ti and Ge a minimum resistivity TiGe2 phase also with the C54 structure forms, however, this phase is preceeded not by a C49 TiGe2 structure, but by a TigGes phase. The minimum resistivity phases for Ti reactions with 30% and 50% Ge Si1-xGex alloy reactions also have a C54 structure with unit cell dimensions varying from that of TiSi2 to TiGe2 as the Ge concentration is increased. The grain structures for the reactions are investigated by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM). As the Ge concentration within the reacting alloy decreases the lateral grain size for the C54 structures increases. A self-aligned germanosilicide process is identified and used to fabricate raised, ultra-shallow junctions with Ti(SiGe)2 (germanosilicide) contacts. Forward and reverse bias characterization of the junctions indicate that leakage current induced during silicidation can be eliminated using raised junctions with germanosilicide contacts.
Analysis on automatic early warning system of infectious disease in Ma'anshan City from 2011 to 2012

Objective To analyze the information of automatic early warning system of infectious diseases in Ma'anshan City and to provide scientific evidence for the improvement of early warning system. Methods The information and response status of automatic early warning system in Ma'anshan City during 2011- 2012 were collected to conduct descriptive epidemiological analysis. Results 1 579 pieces of early warning messages were issued from the system during 2011-2012,which involved 12 infectious diseases,67 suspected incidents,and 20 outbreaks. The season distribution of early warning messages showed three peaks from April to June,and from September to November. The major diseases of early warning messages were other infectious diarrhea,hand foot and mouth disease,measles,mumps,influenza,and dysentery,accounting for 98. 80% of total messages. The sensitivity and specificity of automatic early-warning system was 80. 00%and 85. 03% respectively,the positive predictive value was 1. 27%. In the respect of early warning message,outbreak positive rate and response rate within 24 hours,Huashan was the highest area in Ma'anshan City,while Hanshan county was the lowest area. Conclusions The automatic communicable disease early-warning information system is stable,but needs to be improved by setting reasonable threshold to reduce false early warning.
What’s Wrong with Just Cutting Food Prices?

Why should we look again at food prices? We still say we can’t eat the surplus. But there are two sides to any market. When we talked about eating the surplus, we were looking only at the chances of selling more food. Isn’t it possible that food prices could be cut enough to stop farmers from producing so much food? Yes, it probably is. Then why the need for any more complicated programs when a simple price cut for all food and fiber would do away with the surplus? Of course, people thought of trying this years ago. Even today, one of the strongest farm groups favors a rapid return to “free market prices.”
Use of a Dacron Annular Sparing Versus Limited Transannular Patch With Nominal Pulmonary Annular Expansion in Infants With Tetralogy of Fallot.

Background Repair of tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) using a transannular patch can result in severe pulmonary insufficiency (PI) and subsequent right ventricular (RV) dilation. Use of a Dacron (Maquet Cardiovascular LLC, Wayne, NJ) limited transannular patch with nominal pulmonary annular expansion (LTAP) attempts to limit PI. We sought to evaluate the degree of PI and RV dilation resulting from a LTAP or annular sparing (AS) approach. Methods Infants less than 1 year of age undergoing ToF repair between 2000 and 2010 were divided into 2 groups: LTAP and AS RV outflow tract patch. Echocardiograms were used to determine RV dimensions and corresponding Z-values. Results From 94 infants, 48 required a LTAP and 46 required an AS patch. The preoperative pulmonary valve annulus Z-value was significantly smaller in the LTAP versus AS group (–2.7 ± 1.4 versus –0.9 ± 1.5; p 0.001). Mean follow-up was obtained at 7.9 ± 3.4 years. Ten-year freedom from severe pulmonary insufficiency was 78.5% versus 93.2% ( p = 0.3) in the LTAP and AS groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in the diameter of the RV base Z-value between groups (LTAP: 0.9 ± 0.8 versus AS: 0.0 ± 2.3; p = 0.1). Further, the freedom from reoperation at 10 years was also not significantly different between the LTAP and AS groups (95.6% versus 91.8%; p = 0.5). Conclusions When required, a LTAP results in a similar change in RV chamber size and rate of reoperation at an intermediate-term follow-up.
18 – SIMULTANEOUS MULTIANALYTE IMMUNOASSAYS

Immunoassays are usually performed as discrete tests—that is, a single analyte is measured in each assay tube. An alternative option that is attracting increasing interest is simultaneous multianalyte immunoassays in which two or more analytes are measured simultaneously in the same assay tube. A simultaneous multianalyte immunoassay has a number of potential advantages such as work simplification, increase in test throughput, and reduced overall cost per test. A simultaneous multianalyte immunoassay protocol is most attractive for analytes that are grouped in panels and in situations where a single positive test result in a group of tests is significant. The latter situation is the least technically demanding, because there is no need to distinguish which analyte(s) gave the positive result. Several practical hurdles limit the routine use of simultaneous multianalyte immunoassays. Cross-reactions, leading to false-positive or false-negative results on multiantibody-coated solid phases, and difficulties in optimizing the assays to cover the divergent concentration ranges for the individual analytes constitute two of the most important problems in the development of routine simultaneous immunoassays.
Neurologic Injury Associated with Rewarming from Hypothermia: Is Mild Hypothermia on Bypass Better than Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest?

Many known risk factors for adverse cardiovascular and neurological outcomes in children with congenital heart defects (CHD) are not modifiable, however, the temperature and blood flow during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), are two risk factors, which may be altered in an attempt to improve long-term neurological outcomes. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA), traditionally used for aortic arch repair, has been associated with short-term and long-term neurologic sequelae. Therefore, there is a rising interest in using moderate hypothermia with selective antegrade cerebral blood flow on CPB during aortic arch repair. Rewarming from moderate-to-deep hypothermia has been shown to be associated with neuronal injury, neuroinflammation and loss of cerebrovascular autoregulation. A significantly lesser degree of rewarming is required following mild (33-35°C) hypothermia as compared to moderate (28-32°C), deep (21–27°C) and profound (less than 20°C) hypothermia. Therefore, we believe that mild hypothermia is associated with a lower risk of rewarming-induced neurologic injury. We hypothesize that mild hypothermia with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion during CPB for neonatal aortic arch repair would be associated with improved neurologic outcome.
Resection of falx and parasagittal meningioma: complication avoidance

Falx and parasagittal meningiomas are common locations for meningiomas of the cranial vault. Many of these tumors are now discovered incidentally during cranial imaging for other reasons. Therefore, in the calculation of the risks and benefits of surgery it behooves the surgeon to do all he/she can to avoid surgical complications. This is a heavily experience based article based off the senior author's experience with over 1200 intracranial meningiomas. We present three cases to illustrate some of the decision-making and techniques used to reduce complications in the management of these cases treated with an open operation.
Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer Associated with E-cadherin Germline Mutation: A Case Report

Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is an autosomal dominate cancer syndrome that leads to an increased risk of developing invasive diffuse type (signet ring cell) gastric carcinoma. Approximately 30% of HDGC cases are caused by a germline mutation involving the E-cadherin (CDH1) gene. Those with the CDH1 mutation have an 80% and 60% cumulative lifetime risk of developing diffuse type gastric carcinoma and lobular breast carcinoma respectively. Due to the focal nature of early diffuse type gastric carcinoma, identifying early lesions with surveillance endoscopy is limited. As a result, elective risk-reducing total gastrectomy is currently recommended. In this report, the clinical, intraoperative, and pathologic work-up is reviewed regarding a patient with known CDH1 germline mutation.
Curvelet-based texture classification of critical Gleason patterns of prostate histological images

This paper presents our new result of a study on machine-aided classification of four critical Gleason patterns with curvelet-based texture descriptors extracted from prostatic histological section images. The reliable recognition of these patterns between Gleason score 6 and Gleason score 8 is of crucial importance that will affect the appropriate treatment and patient's quality of life. Higher-order statistical moments of fine scale curvelet coefficients are selected as discriminative features. A two-level classifier consisting of two Gaussian kernel support vector machines, each incorporated with a pertinent voting mechanism by multiple windowed patches in an image for final decision making, has been developed. A set of Tissue MicroArray (TMA) images of four prominent Gleason scores (GS) 3 + 3, 3 + 4, 4 + 3 and 4 + 4 has been studied in machine learning and testing. The testing result has achieved an average accuracy of 93.75% for 4 classes, an outstanding performance when compared with other published works.
Authoritarian El Salvador: Politics and the Origins of the Military Regimes, 1880‐1940. By Erik Ching. (Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2014. Pp. xvii, 486. $55.00.)

In this book, the author examines the webs of patronage that made up the backbone of persistent authoritarian rule in El Salvador. He studies the continuation of patronage networks that operated in...
Immerj: A novel system for democratizing immersive storytelling

Immersive technologies such as 360° cameras and head-mounted displays (HMDs) have become affordable to the average consumer, opening up new audiences for storytellers. However, existing immersive post-production software often requires too great a technical or financial investment for smaller creative shops, including most of the country's newspapers and local broadcast journalism organizations. Game engines, for example, are unnecessarily complicated for simple 360° video projects. Introducing Immerj — an open-source abstraction layer simplifying the Unity3D game engine's interface for immersive content creators. Our primary collaborator, Professor R.B. Brenner, director of the School of Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, organized hands-on demos with our team and journalists and designers from some of the top news organizations all over the country in order to follow a human-centered design process. In just over one year, a small team of undergraduate researchers at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) has created a potentially disruptive democratization of technology.
Myths of Sexual Economics Theory: Implications for Gender Equality

The authors of sexual economics theory (Baumeister & Twenge, 2002; Baumeister & Vohs, 2004) argue that sex is a female commodity that women exchange for men’s resources; therefore, women (not men) are responsible for the cultural suppression of sexuality, ostensibly to preserve the value of sex. In this article, I describe the central tenets of sexual economics theory and summarize a growing body of research contradicting them. I also explain the negative implications of the claims of sexual economics theory for gender equality and heterosexual relationships. Researchers, clinicians, and educators engaged in understanding human sexuality may use the arguments provided in this article to counteract gender myths. This article also serves as a case study of how feminist scholars can employ empirical evidence to weaken a popularized, patriarchal theory.
Adolescent weight gain confers long-term increased stroke risk: Weighty matters.

Adult obesity has been consistently associated with risk of total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke1–3; however, the degree to which change in weight and body mass index (BMI) during late childhood and adolescence affects adult risk of stroke has remained uncertain. Understanding this relationship is of particular importance given the rising obesity epidemic during childhood and adolescence.
Improved image reconstruction for dedicated cardiac SPECT with truncated projections

105 Objectives The small field-of-views (FOV) of dedicated cardiac SPECT can cause projections truncated by radiotracer in organs outside the FOV. This may lead to artifacts and overestimation in quantifications. In this study, we investigated the impact of different image matrix size on reconstruction and propose using body contour obtained from CT to improve reconstruction on a multiple pinhole small FOV SPECT/CT system. Methods We simulated the system with 27 pinholes arranged on a cylindrical surface that covers 180 degree of the body. The FOV of the system was 21cm in diameter. We compared MLEM reconstruction with image matrix of 60x60x128 that covers just the FOV (IM60), 80x80x128 that covers the majority portion of the body (IM80), large image matrix 128x128x128 with body contour (LIMBC) obtained from CT images that constrains the reconstruction, and the same matrix without constraints (LIM). Noiseless data and 20 noise realizations with ~230K counts per projection of a NCAT phantom with defects were simulated. Quantitative accuracy was evaluated in terms of bias vs noise, and contrast recovery. Results The reconstructions with IM80, LIMBC and LIM reduced the artifacts in the myocardium and blood pool caused by projection truncations. For quantitative evaluations, IM60 yielded accurate results in myocardium, but ~20% and ~115% over-estimation in defect and blood pool, respectively, which led to reduced contrast recovery. LIMBC yielded the most accurate quantification, where LIM yielded up to 10% under-estimation of regional counts in the myocardium. Conclusions Our results indicate that application of an image matrix that matches with the body contour provides the most accurate reconstruction for small FOV multiple pinhole SPECT, while smaller image matrix can cause artifacts and over-estimation, and arbitrary large image matrix can lead to an under-estimation of counts
Comparative one- and two-photon uncaging of MNI-glutamate and MNI-kainate on hippocampal CA1 neurons.

Abstract Background The light-induced release of neurotransmitters from caging chromophores provides a powerful means to study the underlying receptors in a physiologically relevant context. Surprisingly, most caged neurotransmitters, including the widely used 4-methoxy-7-nitroindolinyl (MNI)-glutamate, show strong antagonism against GABA-A receptors. Kainate has been shown to exhibit a higher efficacy at glutamate receptors compared to glutamate itself. Thus, uncaging of kainate might allow the application of the caged compound at lower, less antagonistic concentrations. New methods This study provides a detailed comparison of MNI-glutamate and MNI–kainate uncaging by different modes of one- and two-photon irradiation on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in acute brain slices. Results/Comparison with existing methods Unexpectedly, the data revealed that currents in response to MNI-glutamate uncaging were larger compared to MNI-kainate with local one-photon laser uncaging at the soma and two-photon uncaging at the same spines. Furthermore, the direct comparison demonstrates the influence of type of caged agonist and light delivery conditions used for uncaging on the amplitude and kinetic properties of the current response. Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of experimental design for uncaging experiments and provide a basis for future studies employing one- and two-photon uncaging to understand glutamate-dependent processes. It further provides the first example of two-photon uncaging of kainate at single spines in acute brain slices.
Clarifying the Explanatory Scope of the Dual Implicit Process Model

We thank the commentators for such thought-provoking and insightful critiques of our target article (March, Gaertner, & Olson, this issue). Their varied theoretical orientations provided interestin...
Structure of Herpesvirus Capsid Sheds Light on Drug Discovery.

The atomic resolution structure of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) capsid reveals that protein–protein interfaces (PPIs) are essential for its structural stability. This structural information guided a mutagenesis study that identified novel drug targets interrupting PPIs essential for capsid assembly.
Directions of Environmental Psychology in the Twenty-First Century

During the past 30 years, environmental psychology has documented the behavioral significance of the large-scale, sociophysical environment and contributed a variety of new concepts and methods for analyzing people environment transactions (Stokols, 1995). At the same time, effective applications of environment behavior research have been achieved within several community problem-solving arenas. Environmental psychology, as it exists today, spans multiple disciplinary and cultural perspectives, and offers abundant opportunities for collaboration among researchers from different regions of the world. The cross-cultural scope of the field has expanded dramatically in recent years, with the establishment of several international organizations that sponsor yearly conferences on environment-behavior research (e. g., IAPS, EDRA, the Environmental Psychology Section of the International Association of Applied Psychology) and the Journals of Environmental Psychology (JEP), Architectural and Planning Research (JAPR), and Environment and Behavior (E&B), which highlight cross-cultural research and reviews of scientific developments in different regions of the world. The Proceedings of the Fourth Japan USA Seminar on Environment-Behavior Research, from which this book evolved, clearly exemplify the multidisciplinary and international orientation of the field today.
Proceedings of the 2017 Viral Clearance Symposium, Session 1.2: Upstream Mitigation, Part 2-Virus Barrier Filter and HTST.

Various mammalian cell lines are used as substrates for drug production without safety issues concerning viral contamination. However, viral contamination events in good manufacturing practice (GMP) cell culture processes, while rare, do sometimes occur. When contamination happens, it can result in serious consequences, including supply risk of life-saving drugs and substantial financial loss. To mitigate the potential risk of viral contamination, one approach taken by the industry is to implement preventative measures upstream. High-temperature short-time (HTST) treatment of culture media, at the point of use, was implemented as a virus barrier following murine minute virus (MMV) contamination. In recent years, nanofiltration, commonly used in downstream purification processes, has been evaluated for potential use as a virus barrier alternative to HTST. Several companies shared their data and experience in evaluating nanofiltration for viral barrier purpose upstream in Session 1, Part 2: Virus Barrier. These presentations are summarized below. LAY ABSTRACT: Viral contamination events in GMP cell culture processes, while rare, do sometimes occur. When contamination happens, it can result in serious consequences, including supply risk of life-saving drugs and substantial financial loss. To mitigate the potential risk of viral contamination, one approach taken by the industry is to implement preventative measures upstream. Several companies shared their data and experience in evaluating virus-retentive filtration for viral barrier purpose upstream.
Hip Arthroscopy vs Physical Therapy for Acetabular Labral Tears: Analysis of a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial:

Objectives:Hip arthroscopy is an effective surgical intervention for patients with symptomatic labral tears of the hip. However, there is debate as to which patients benefit from this procedure. St...
Provocative decompression causes diffuse vascular injury in mice mediated by microparticles containing interleukin-1β

Elevations in circulating microparticles due to decompression have been documented in humans and animals. This report shows that intra-particle interleukin-1β causes vascular damage that can be abr...
Preparing for a Foreign Animal Disease Outbreak Using a Novel Tabletop Exercise.

IntroductionForeign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks can have devastating impacts, but they occur infrequently in any specific sector anywhere in the United States (US). Training to proactively discuss implementation of control and prevention strategies are beneficial in that they provide stakeholders with the practical information and educational experience they will need to respond effectively to an FAD. Such proactive approaches are the mission of the Secure Food System (SFS; University of Minnesota; St. Paul, Minnesota USA).MethodsThe SFS exercises were designed as educational activities based on avian influenza (AI) outbreaks in commercial poultry scenarios. These scenarios were created by subject matter experts and were based on epidemiology reports, risk pathway analyses, local industry practices, and site-specific circumstances. Target audiences of an exercise were the groups involved in FAD control: animal agriculture industry members; animal health regulators; and diagnosticians. Groups of industry participants seated together at tables represented fictional poultry premises and were guided by a moderator to respond to an on-farm situation within a simulated outbreak. The impact of SFS exercises was evaluated through interviews with randomized industry participants and selected table moderators. Descriptive statistics and qualitative analyses were performed on interview feedback.ResultsEleven SFS exercises occurred from December 2016 through October 2017 in multiple regions of the US. Exercises were conducted as company-wide, state-wide, or regional trainings. Nine were based on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks and two focused on outbreaks of co-circulating HPAI and low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI). Poultry industry participants interviewed generally found attending an SFS exercise to be useful. The most commonly identified benefits of participation were its value to people without prior outbreak experience and knowledge gained about Continuity of Business (COB)-permitted movement. After completing an exercise, most participants evaluated their preparedness to respond to an outbreak as somewhat to very ready, and more than one-half reported their respective company or farms had discussions or changed actions due to participation.Conclusion:Evaluation feedback suggests the SFS exercises were an effective training method to supplement preparedness efforts for an AI outbreak. The concept of using multi-faceted scenarios and multiple education strategies during a tabletop exercise may be translatable to other emergency preparedness needs.LinskensEJ, NeuAE, WalzEJ, St. CharlesKM, CulhaneMR, SsematimbaA, GoldsmithTJ, HalvorsonDA, CardonaCJ. Preparing for a Foreign Animal Disease Outbreak Using a Novel Tabletop Exercise. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(6):640–646.
Creep Analysis of Laminates

Results are presented for an analytical investigation of the creep response of laminated composites. This analysis relates the creep response of the composite to the fiber-matrix creep properties. First, the method of predicting the biaxial creep response of a unidirectional composite is described and some qualitative results given. Some interesting effects are the time dependence of the coefficients of thermal expansion of the composite and the pseudo-primary creep stage in a composite whose constituents only exhibit secondary creep. The analysis is then extended to symmetric laminates and the creep response of boron-epoxy and boron-aluminum composites are investigated.
A Tactical Separation of Powers

This essay explores the possibility that courts can play a role in arresting damage to constitutional democracy and in hindering processes of democratic backsliding. To that end, it examines closely four decisions in which the Constitutional Court of South Africa has responded to state capture as a threat to “constitutional democracy.” Each of these cases concerns an effort either to stymie one of President Zuma’s efforts to entrench himself, or else an oppositional effort to oust him from power. One of the four cases was decided after Zuma resigned in February 2018. I include it here because it concerns Zuma’s prosecutorial appointments, which were part of his entrenching strategy. These cases are rightly perceived as component parts of an accountability process in which the Court's tactical (rather than principled) use of structural constitutional ideas played a key role.
A periphery inside a semi-periphery: The uneven participation of Brazilian scholars in the international community

Abstract The internationalization of academic production has changed the publishing culture in all corners of the world with increasing participation of scholars from semi-peripheral countries in international journals ( Belcher, 2007 ). While there has been growing interest in how multilingual scholars see this internationalization process, little is known about Brazil. To address this gap, a survey was distributed to scholars (N = 290) from different research fields in this country. The analysis of the data revealed important disciplinary differences, suggesting the existence of a peripheral group of scholars inside this semi-peripheral country. The scholars from the exact and biological sciences reported that they publish in English much more frequently than Portuguese, and few reported language-related issues. They contested the existence of a nativeness bias, although some perceived prejudice against Latin-American research. Scholars from the humanities and the social sciences publish substantially less in international journals, reporting challenges particularly with language. Overall, the data suggest that international publication has become part of the disciplinary culture in Brazil in the hard sciences while the humanities and the social sciences seem to remain in a peripheral position. This appears to be particularly true for disciplines such as education and language and literature.
Flight tests of the computational reconfigurable imaging spectrometer

Abstract We present the first flight data using a Computational Reconfigurable Imaging Spectrometer (CRISP) system. CRISP (Sullenberger et al., 2017) is a novel hyperspectral thermal imaging spectrometer that uses computational imaging to enable high sensitivity measurements (via spectral multiplexing) from smaller, noisier, and less-expensive components (e.g., uncooled microbolometers) making it useful on small space and air platforms with strict size, weight, and power requirements. In contrast to other multiplexing hyperspectral solutions (e.g Michelson interferometer), it does not require moving parts, allowing for a robust system without aggressive engineering solutions. We discuss flight system design and calibration. Spectra from ground targets and gaseous species are compared to performance expectations. We successfully demonstrate the ability to extract airborne longwave infrared (8–12 μm) imagery and spectra from an uncooled camera-based CRISP system.
The not-so-silent killer missing in medical-training curricula: racism.

Racism is a social determinant of health and negatively affects health outcomes. This Comment describes steps to take toward achieving equity and racial justice in medical training and addressing racism in clinical settings.
Do seasoned industry specialists provide higher audit quality? A re-examination

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to re-examine the recent findings in Gaver and Utke (2019) (GU) who find that seasoned industry specialist auditors provide higher audit quality. We first illustrate how the magnitude of residuals from the accruals model can vary significantly by industry, thus highlighting the importance of including industry fixed effects when the dependent variable is discretionary accruals. We next replicate GU’s findings. We first attempt to replicate prior literature after including industry fixed effects in the audit quality (discretionary accruals) models. This is an important control, as the relevant benchmark for a firm with an industry specialist auditor is a peer firm in the same industry with a non-specialist auditor. We find that after including industry fixed effects, there is no association between seasoned industry specialist auditors and discretionary accruals. We also find that the association between industry specialization and discretionary accruals is very sensitive to the way in which the researcher calculates specialization. Our findings are informative for shareholders of public companies who vote on auditor ratification.
Using self-determination theory to understand eating behaviors and weight change in emerging adults.

Abstract Introduction College may be a time when emerging adults establish eating patterns that influence future weight trajectories. Self-determination theory (SDT) suggests that satisfaction of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) supports autonomous regulation of behavior, which is associated with healthier behaviors. When needs are frustrated, individuals feel as though their behaviors are controlled by others, which is associated with unhealthy behaviors. This study used SDT to examine a model for associated body satisfaction, eating/weight control behaviors, and weight change. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, undergraduates (N = 875; 57% women; AgeM = 20 ± 1.4 yrs.; BMIM = 24.3 ± 4.4) completed measures of need satisfaction and frustration, behavioral regulation of healthy weight, body satisfaction, eating/weight control behaviors, and weight change in their first semester of college. Results Structural equation modeling showed that need satisfaction was positively associated with greater autonomous regulation, which was positively associated with greater body satisfaction and fruit/vegetable intake. Conversely, greater need frustration was associated with greater controlled regulation, which was associated with lower body satisfaction. Participants who had greater body satisfaction engaged in fewer unhealthy weight control behaviors. Engaging in more unhealthy behaviors was associated with greater weight gain during the first semester of college, whereas fruit and vegetable intake was not associated with weight change. The associations were stronger for women than men, particularly for the relationships between body satisfaction and unhealthy weight control behaviors and increased weight gain. Conclusions The model was generally supported, suggesting that psychological need satisfaction and autonomous motivation in college students may facilitate greater body satisfaction and healthier eating behaviors. Future longitudinal research is needed to clarify the factors that influence health behaviors and weight gain in college students.
Tracking Control of a Miniature 2-DOF Manipulator With Hydrogel Actuators

Due to the nature of the complex spatiotemporal dynamics of stimuli-responsive soft materials, closed-loop control of hydrogel-actuated mechanisms has remained a challenge. This letter demonstrates, for the first time, closed-loop trajectory tracking control in real-time of a millimeter-scale, two degree-of-freedom manipulator via independently-controllable , temperature-responsive hydrogel actuators. A linear state-space model of the manipulator is developed from input-output measurement data, enabling the straightforward application of control techniques to the system. The Normalized Mean Absolute Error (NMAE) between the modeled and measured displacement of the manipulator's tip is below 10%. We propose an Observer-based controller and a robust $H_{\infty }$ -optimal controller and evaluate their performance in a trajectory tracking output-feedback framework, compared with and without sinusoidal disturbances and noise. We demonstrate in simulation that the $H_\infty$ -optimal controller, which is computed using Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) methods, tracks an elliptical trajectory more accurately than the Observer controller and is more robust to disturbances and noise. We also show experimentally that the $H_\infty$ -optimal controller can be used to track different trajectories with an NMAE below 15 $\%$ , even when the manipulator is subject to a 3 g load, 12.5 times an actuator's weight. Finally, a payload transport scenario is presented as an exemplar application; we demonstrate that an array of four manipulators is capable of moving a payload horizontally by applying the proposed $H_\infty$ -optimal trajectory-tracking controller to each manipulator in a decoupled manner.
Evolution of Modern Business Cycle Models: Accounting for the Great Recession

Modern business cycle theory focuses on the study of dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models that generate aggregate fluctuations similar to those experienced by actual economies. We discuss how this theory has evolved from its roots in the early real business cycle models of the late 1970s through the turmoil of the Great Recession four decades later. We document the strikingly different pattern of comovements of macro aggregates during the Great Recession compared to other postwar recessions, especially the 1982 recession. We then show how two versions of the latest generation of real business cycle models can account, respectively, for the aggregate and the cross-regional fluctuations observed in the Great Recession in the United States.
Inhibition of Estrogen Receptor Signaling as a Strategy for Radiosensitization of ER+ Breast Cancers.

Purpose/Objective(s) Estrogen receptor (ER) expression is present in over 80% of breast tumors and has been shown to be a significant driver of tumor initiation and progression and therefore a target of first-line therapies for ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC) patients. While both ionizing radiation (RT) and endocrine therapies (ET) are used for the treatment of women with ER+ BC, the sequencing of therapy and the effect of ET on tumor radiosensitization remains unclear. Here we assessed the efficacy and mechanism of ER inhibition in ER+ BC in combination with RT in multiple preclinical models. Materials/Methods Clonogenic survival assays were used to assess radiosensitization. ER inhibition was accomplished with tamoxifen and the selective ER degrader (SERD), fulvestrant, in ER+ MCF-7 and T47D cells or ER-negative (ER-) SUM-159 cells. DNA damage was assessed by yH2AX foci. Efficiency of homologous recombination (HR) or non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) was measured by RAD51 foci or using a pYFP reporter, respectively. Cell cycle effects were measured using flow cytometry with propidium iodide (PI) staining. Apoptosis was assessed by annexin V/PI via flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to quantify protein expression. An MCF-7 xenograft model was used to assess the efficacy of tamoxifen with RT in vivo where mice were pretreated with tamoxifen for one or six days prior to starting RT. Synergy was determined using the fractional tumor volume method. Results One-hour pretreatment with tamoxifen prior to RT resulted in radiosensitization of ER+ MCF-7 (enhR: 1.14-1.50) and T47D (enhR: 1.33-1.60) cells but not ER- SUM-159 cells (enhR: 0.99-1.02). MCF-7 and T47D cells treated with tamoxifen and RT did not alter the kinetics of dsDNA break repair as measured by yH2AX foci (P > 0.05) but demonstrated a decrease in NHEJ-mediated repair (P 0.05). While cell cycle arrest was induced at 24 hours after RT, no changes were observed with tamoxifen treatment in combination with RT. In addition, there were no significant changes in apoptosis in MCF-7 or T47D cells with treatment of tamoxifen, RT, or the combination (P > 0.05). In vivo, an MCF-7 xenograft study demonstrated a significant delay in time to tumor doubling (17 days in control, 40 days with tamoxifen, 32 days with RT, and undefined with combination; P Conclusion Our data suggest that endocrine therapies may be effectively used to radiosensitize ER+ breast tumors. This work also supports further clinical investigation of the timing of RT for patients receiving ET as concurrent use may be more effective than sequential, especially as ET prior to RT is increasingly used as a bridging therapy during the COVID pandemic.
Parametrically-upscaled continuum damage mechanics (PUCDM) model for multiscale damage evolution in bending experiments of glass-epoxy composites

Abstract This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of parametrically-upscaled continuum damage mechanics (PUCDM) models for multiscale damage analysis of S-2 glass fiber/SC-15 epoxy matrix composite beams subjected to single-edge notched bending (SENB) tests. The SENB experiments with [ 0 12 / 9 0 12 ] double-ply and [ 0 8 / 9 0 8 / 0 8 ] triple-ply composite beams use synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast imaging for in-situ damage characterization. PUCDM models represent a class of thermodynamically-consistent multiscale constitutive models that bridge length-scales through explicit incorporation of representative aggregated microstructural parameters (RAMPs) in constitutive coefficients. Functional forms of RAMPs are generated through machine learning tools, operating on a micromechanical analysis database. The efficient PUCDM-based FE simulations reveal multiscale damage phenomena in the SENB experiments.
Factor Analysis of Strength Variables

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test a hypothesized factor structure for a number of test variables which have been used to assess strength. An analysis indicated that 11 factors might be present in this domain, but that only 8 of these could be readily represented by test variables. Data were collected on college women for 29 variables. Two derived oblique factor solutions were obtained. The results indicated that (a) the two solutions differed to some extent, and (b) some but not all of the hypothesized factors were supported.