cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A mixed-methods approach to understanding barriers to postpartum retention in care among low-income, HIV-infected women.

Abstract Optimal retention in HIV care postpartum is necessary to benefit the health and wellbeing of mothers and their infants. However, postpartum retention in HIV care among low-income women is suboptimal, particularly in the Southern United States. A mixed-methods study was conducted to identify factors associated with postpartum retention in care among HIV-infected women. Participants (n=35) were recruited during pregnancy at two county clinics and completed self-report demographic and psychosocial surveys. Twenty-two women who returned for a postpartum appointment completed a semi-structured interview about lifestyle factors and retention in care. Of the participants enrolled at baseline, 71.4% completed a follow-up with an obstetrician (OB), while 57.1% completed a follow-up with a primary care physician (PCP). High CD4 count at delivery, low viral load at baseline, low levels of depression, high interpersonal social support, and fewer other children were significantly associated with completion of...
Targeted killing of a mammalian cell based upon its specialized metabolic state

Mouse ES cells use a mitochondrial threonine dehydrogenase (TDH) enzyme to catabolize threonine into glycine and acetyl-CoA. Measurements of mRNA abundance have given evidence that ES cells express upwards of 1,000-fold higher levels of TDH mRNA than any of seven other mouse tissues tested. When cell culture medium is deprived of threonine, ES cells rapidly discontinue DNA synthesis, arrest cell division, and eventually die. Such studies led to the conclusion that mouse ES cells exist in a threonine-dependent metabolic state. Proceeding with the assumption that the active TDH enzyme should be essential for the growth and viability of mouse ES cells, we performed a drug screen in search of specific inhibitors of the purified TDH enzyme. Such efforts led to the discovery of a class of quinazolinecarboxamide (Qc) compounds that inhibit the ability of the TDH enzyme to catabolize threonine into glycine and acetyl-CoA. Administration of Qc inhibitors of TDH to mouse ES cells impeded cell growth and resulted in the induction of autophagy. By contrast, the same chemicals failed to affect the growth of HeLa cells at concentrations 300-fold higher than that required to kill mouse ES cells. It was likewise observed that the Qc class of TDH inhibitors failed to affect the growth or viability of ES cell-derived embryoid body cells known to have extinguished TDH expression. These studies demonstrate how it is possible to kill a specific mammalian cell type on the basis of its specialized metabolic state.
Quantification of heterosubtypic immunity between avian influenza subtypes H3N8 and H4N6 in multiple avian host species

Low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV) can lead to epizootics that cause economic losses in poultry or the emergence of human-infectious strains. LPAIVs experience a complex immunity landscape as they are endemic in numerous host species, and many antigenically distinct strains co-circulate. Prevention and control of emergence of detrimental strains requires an understanding of infection/transmission characteristics of the various subtypes in different hosts, including interactions between subtypes. In order to develop analytical frameworks for examining control efficacy, quantification of heterosubtypic immunity interactions is fundamental. However, these data are scarce, especially for wild avian subtypes in natural hosts. Consequently, in this study, three host species (mallards, quail and pheasants) were infected with two LPAIV subtypes isolated from wild birds: H3N8 and H4N6. The recovered hosts were also reinfected with the alternate subtype to measure the effects of heterosubtypic immunity. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were collected and viral RNA load was quantified by real-time RT-PCR. For secondary infections in recovered hosts, peak viral load was up to four orders of magnitude lower and shedding length was up to 4 days shorter. However, both the magnitude and presence of heterosubtypic immunity varied across specific host species/subtype combinations. Using a mathematical model of virus replication, the variation in virus replication dynamics due to host individuals was quantified. It was found that accounting for individual heterogeneity is important for drawing accurate conclusions about treatment effects. These results are relevant for developing epidemiological models to inform control practices and for analysing virus replication data.
AutoVisual: rule-based design of interactive multivariate visualizations

An extension to the n-Vision visualization system, which provides users with a 3D virtual world within which they can visualize and manipulate representations of multivariate relations is discussed. The extension, AutoVisual, is rule based system that eliminates the difficulty in choosing among the many alternative when designing visualizations. AutoVisual designs interactive virtual worlds for visualizing and exploring multivariate relations. It is guided by user-specified visualization tasks and a rule base of design principles. AutoVisual's visualization techniques and the visualization tasks it handles are described. Example visualizations AutoVisual has generated for two problem domains are discussed. >
Using Probabilistic Terrorism Risk Modeling for Regulatory Benefit-Cost Analysis: Application to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative in the Land Environment

This article presents a framework for using probabilistic terrorism risk modeling in regulatory analysis. We demonstrate the framework with an example application involving a regulation under consideration, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative for the Land Environment, (WHTI-L). First, we estimate annualized loss from terrorist attacks with the Risk Management Solutions (RMS) Probabilistic Terrorism Model. We then estimate the critical risk reduction, which is the risk-reducing effectiveness of WHTI-L needed for its benefit, in terms of reduced terrorism loss in the United States, to exceed its cost. Our analysis indicates that the critical risk reduction depends strongly not only on uncertainties in the terrorism risk level, but also on uncertainty in the cost of regulation and how casualties are monetized. For a terrorism risk level based on the RMS standard risk estimate, the baseline regulatory cost estimate for WHTI-L, and a range of casualty cost estimates based on the willingness-to-pay approach, our estimate for the expected annualized loss from terrorism ranges from $2.7 billion to $5.2 billion. For this range in annualized loss, the critical risk reduction for WHTI-L ranges from 7% to 13%. Basing results on a lower risk level that results in halving the annualized terrorism loss would double the critical risk reduction (14-26%), and basing the results on a higher risk level that results in a doubling of the annualized terrorism loss would cut the critical risk reduction in half (3.5-6.6%). Ideally, decisions about terrorism security regulations and policies would be informed by true benefit-cost analyses in which the estimated benefits are compared to costs. Such analyses for terrorism security efforts face substantial impediments stemming from the great uncertainty in the terrorist threat and the very low recurrence interval for large attacks. Several approaches can be used to estimate how a terrorism security program or regulation reduces the distribution of risks it is intended to manage. But, continued research to develop additional tools and data is necessary to support application of these approaches. These include refinement of models and simulations, engagement of subject matter experts, implementation of program evaluation, and estimating the costs of casualties from terrorism events. Language: en
Megan’s Laws: Wise Policy or Ill-Conceived Public Folly?

All states now have so-called Megan’s Laws which require sex offenders to register particular personal information with the government and also provide for various forms of community access to that information. This article does not address the constitutional challenges to such laws, but rather some of the policy questions these laws raise, including whether the laws are effective and the costs to government and society of adopting and enforcing such laws. The article includes a Table that collects information about the Megan’s Laws in all 50 states.
Error rates in clinical radiotherapy.

PURPOSEError rates in clinical oncology are undergoing increasing scrutiny. The purpose of this study was to understand error frequency, error patterns, underlying causal links, consequences, and possible prevention strategies in clinical radiotherapy.PATIENTS AND METHODSTreatment information, self-reported error documentation, and retrospective analyses of electronic treatment verification transcripts for 1,925 consecutive patients treated with a total of 93,332 individual radiotherapy fields were reviewed and analyzed.RESULTSA total of 59 separate errors that affected 168 individual treatment fields were detected, which yielded a crude radiation delivery error rate of 0.18%. All 59 errors were judged to be level I (negligible chance of adverse medical outcome) with the most common error category being a minor treatment field block misplacement. A comprehensive quality assurance program and an electronic record-and-verify linear accelerator interlock system seem to have prevented the occurrence of many a...
Abstract 11930: Late Right Heart Failure During Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Support Adversely Affects Post-Transplant Outcome

Background: Right heart failure (RHF) is an unresolved issue during continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. There are scarce data about post-transplant outcomes in patients complicated with late RHF during LVAD support. Objective: To assess whether development of late RHF during LVAD support adversely affected post-transplant survival. Methods: Between May 2004 and December 2013, 141 patients underwent cardiac transplantation after isolated LVAD support as a bridge to transplant at our center. Late RHF was defined as HF requiring medical interventions >4 weeks after LVAD implantation. During the same study period, 3 patients were bridged to transplant with concurrent right ventricular assist device (RVAD) support. Results: The mean age of the study cohort was 54 ± 13 years, 81% were male, and 35% had an ischemic etiology. The mean duration of LVAD support before transplantation was 270 days. Twenty-three patients (16%) developed late RHF during waiting period. Of these, 6 required r...
Likeness and dealbreakers: Interpreting interpersonal compatibility from online music profiles

How much would a stranger know about you if they knew only the last song you listened to? Quite a bit, at least according to the stranger. Music taste often acts as proxy for our personalities, and we constantly perform this taste perception online. In our study, we find that good first impressions are common, bad first impressions are extreme, and that people pick up on many subtle cues about personality and whether they share common values based on data found in an online music profile. Similar motivations for listening to music and the perception of individuality are more highly valued than similar taste in genres or artists, suggesting that social media applications could benefit from incorporating these motivations in predicting compatibility between users.
The Effects of Cortical Cold Lesion on the Intracranial Pressure-Volume Relationship of Brain ElastiCity

Much has been written about the potential clinical value of brain elastiCity measurements. One popular technique is the VPR or the volume pressure response to a 1 cc intraventricular bolus. The VPR is said to be a sensitive indicator of remaining compensatory reserve (Miller et al. 1973, 1975, 1976). The VPR technique provides only a single elastance value at a given pressure and cannot describe the entire pressure-volume curve unless a wide range of pressures is studied (Sklar and Elashvili 1977). Multiple aliquots over a spectrum of pressures are probably only practical in a laboratory setting. An alternative approach is to record the pressure changes during rapid rate subarachnoid infusions to generate the entire exponential curve. With this technique the regression slope relating the natural logarithm of pressure to volume has been termed the elastiCity slope, and this single parameter quantitatively defines the intracranial pressure-volume relationship (Sklar et al. 1980).
Dynamics of Flexible Polyions in Solution: Ionic Strength Effects

Measurements of the collective diffusion coefficient, for polyelectrolyte solutions at high ionic strength and in the dilute regime, are reported. The data are discussed within the framework of a persistent chain with electrostatic contribution to account for the Coulomb interactions.
On the accuracy and efficiency of several discontinuous high-order formulations

Numerical accuracy and efficiency of several discon tinuous high-order methods, including the quadrature based discontinuous Galerkin (QDG), nodal discontinuous Galerkin (NDG), spectral difference (SD) and correction procedure via recons truction (CPR), for the conservation laws are analyzed and compared on both linear and curved quadrilateral elements. In the CPR formulation, both Lagrange-polynomial (LP) and chain-rule (CR) approaches are adopted to compute the flux divergence and their effects on the accuracy and ef ficiency of the resulting scheme are discussed. On linear quadrilateral elements, all the above sch emes are one-dimensional in each natural coordinate direction. However, on curved elements, not all schemes can be reduced to a onedimensional form, although the SD and CPR formulations remain one-dimensional by design. The efficiency and accuracy of various formulations are compared on highly skewed curvilinear elements. Furthermore, a new approach to improve the accuracy on high order elements while not dramatically increasing the cost is developed. Several benchmark problems are simulated to further evaluate the performance of these schemes.
Studies on Breeding of Three-line System Japonica Restorer Lines in Rice by Recurrent Selection

Four japonica restorer lines with the restoring genes for the genetic-cytoplasmic male sterility including Jijing 85,Ji 524,E180 and E385 have been successfully developed through the breeding method of recurrent selection,using eight japonica PTGMS lines and 28 elite japonica varieties or lines selected from the north cold rice growing area in China as the breeding materials.These restorer lines showed both stable and uniform agronomical characters and a good restoring ability,and their testcrossing F1 hybrids had a strong heterosis in grain yield,which indicates that the recurrent selection provides an effective way in breeding of three-line japonica restorer lines and makes it possible the commercial production of three-line japonica hybrid rice in north cold rice growing area in China.
CD49d shows superior performance characteristics for flow cytometric prognostic testing in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma

Background CD49d is emerging as a powerful adverse prognostic marker in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). However, flow cytometric testing for CD49d has not yet been widely adopted in the United States, in part due to the lack of establishment of its performance characteristics in the clinical setting, especially in comparison with the more common CLL/SLL prognostic markers CD38 and ZAP-70. Methods CD49d expression levels in 124 CLL/SLL cases were assessed among peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow (BM), and lymph node (LN) specimens and correlated with available CD38 and ZAP-70 expression and cytogenetic findings. For 10 PB/BM specimens, the stability of CD49d, CD38, and ZAP-70 expression was assessed at <24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and 96 hours. Results 39% (28 of 71) PB, 56% (18 of 32) BM, and 71% (15 of 21) LN involved by CLL/SLL were CD49d+, using a ≥30% threshold. The mean for the CD49d+ cases was 2.8 standard deviations (SD) above the cutoff for positivity, compared with 1.7 SD for CD38 and 1.1 SD for ZAP-70. CD49d demonstrated the lowest mean SD (0.91) and coefficient of variation (CV) (8.0%) compared with CD38 (SD = 2.1, CV = 10.4%) and ZAP-70 (SD = 9.8, CV = 40.5%) in stability studies over a 96-hours time period. CD49d+ CLL/SLL correlated with trisomy 12 (P = 0.025) and lack of isolated deletion (13q) (P = 0.005). CD38+ CLL/SLL correlated with deletion (11q) (P = 0.025). ZAP-70 did not correlate with any underlying cytogenetic abnormality. Conclusions CD49d is a robust adverse prognostic marker in CLL/SLL with superior performance characteristics. © 2016 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Bilateral Nephrectomy Concomitantly with Renal Transplantation

AbstractDuring a 2-year interval 206 patients underwent renal transplantation at a single center, 38 of whom underwent bilateral nephrectomy and other adjuvant operations as part of the transplant procedure. The indications for this type of procedure were reviewed, with special emphasis on the control of hypertension. The morbidity and mortality (16 per cent) in this group were compared in detail to those in patients not undergoing a concomitant adjuvant operation. The results with regard to renal function were similar to the group as a whole and the indications for appropriate patient selection are discussed.
Age, ability, and awareness in implicit and explicit second language learning

Introduction The idea that children learn languages implicitly, whereas adults must consciously use explicit strategies to learn a second language (L2), is common in second language acquisition (Ellis, 2005; DeKeyser & Larson-Hall, 2005). Implicit vs. explicit learning processes have been used to explain greater variation in outcomes for adult L2 learners than for child L2 learners. Existing literature claims that adults can successfully learn an L2 only if they have high verbal ability, but children learn languages successfully regardless of ability (DeKeyser, 2000; Harley & Hart, 1997). Additionally, for adults, noticing linguistic structure is crucial to L2 learning success (Schmidt, 1990), but children have been said to either never notice structure (DeKeyser, 2000) or to constantly notice structure (Schmidt, 1990). If verbal ability and awareness of grammatical structures are predictive of L2 attainment for adults but not for children, a fundamental difference between child and adult language learning is supported (Fundamental Difference Hypothesis, Bley-Vroman, 1990; 2009; DeKeyser & Larson-Hall, 2005). Most studies on this topic, though, either test only adults (rather than testing both adults and children; e.g. DeKeyser, 2000), or have confounds in instruction between age groups (i.e. a change from implicit instruction for younger learners to explicit instruction for older learners; Harley & Hart, 1997).
Das somatosensorische System

In Kapitel 12 wird das somatosensorische System vorgestellt. Dieses System ubermittelt uns nicht nur einige der angenehmsten, sondern ebenso einige der unangenehmsten Sinneserfahrungen unseres Lebens. Die somatosensorische Wahrnehmung ermoglicht es dem Korper, Dinge zu ertasten, Schmerz oder Kalte zu empfinden, aber auch zu wissen, welche Aktionen die verschiedenen Korperteile gerade ausfuhren. Es gibt ganz verschiedene Arten von Reizen, auf die unsere Wahrnehmung reagiert: der Druck von Gegenstanden auf der Haut, die Gelenk- und Muskelstellungen im Korper, die Dehnung der Harnblase sowie die Temperatur der Gliedmasen oder des Gehirns selbst. Wenn Reize so stark werden, dass die Gefahr einer Korperschadigung besteht, bewirkt die somatosensorische Wahrnehmung auserdem eine auserst unangenehme, aber lebenswichtige Empfindung – den Schmerz. Die Diskussion der somatosensorischen Wahrnehmung erfolgt in diesem Kapitel in zwei Hauptabschnitten, welche sich mit dem Tastsinn und dem Schmerzsinn beschaftigen. Diese beiden Wahrnehmungsbereiche besitzen verschiedene Rezeptoren, verwenden verschiedene sensorische Bahnen und es sind unterschiedliche Regionen des Gehirns daran beteiligt. Auserdem wird beschrieben, wie der Korper Temperaturveranderungen wahrnehmen kann.
HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AND NON-OIL EXPORT GROWTH IN NIGERIA

The study investigated the effect of human capital on non-oil export growth in Nigeria, using a single equation, constant elasticity model and OLS estimation technique. Human capital was found to be statistically significant in its effect on non-oil export growth. However, contrary to expectation, this effect was in an inverse direction. Recommended remedial measures include an overhaul of the educational system with a view to improving its effectiveness in regard to non-oil exports, and a conscious understudy of nations with appropriate track record.
Haploidentical Natural Killer (NK) Cells Expanding In Vivo After Adoptive Transfer Exhibit Hyperfunction That Partially Overcomes Self Tolerance and Leads to Clearance of Refractory Leukemia

Abstract Abstract 355 FN2 We have previously shown that adoptive transfer of haploidentical natural killer (NK) cells can induce remissions in patients with refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We hypothesize that in vivo expansion of functional NK cells is required for therapeutic efficacy. To achieve the adequate host immune suppression required for expansion we added total body irradiation (TBI) to our lymphodepleting chemotherapy regimen, giving patients fludarabine (Flu) 25 mg/m2 × 5 days, cyclophosphamide (Cy) 60 mg/kg × 2 days, and 400 cGy of TBI. The NK cell product, a CD3- and CD19-depleted lymphapheresis from a haploidentical related donor, was incubated overnight in 1000 U/ml IL-2 and infused followed by 6 doses of alternate day subcutaneous IL-2 (10 million units) to promote in vivo expansion. Because of the increased myelosuppression following the TBI, a CD34-selected filgrastim-mobilized peripheral blood graft from the same donor (target dose >3 × 106 CD34 cells/kg) was given for hematopoietic rescue. Successful in vivo NK cell expansion was prospectively defined as >100 donor-derived NK cells/ml at 14 days after adoptive transfer (by analysis of STR chimerism, % NK and the clinical absolute lymphocyte count). In the 38 evaluable patients, robust in vivo expansion was induced in 50% (absolute donor NK count of 666 ± 134 cells/μL blood), a rate considerably higher than the 10% we observed in a cohort receiving Cy/Flu alone without TBI. Successful NK cell expansion correlated with leukemia clearance ( Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Phase Shift Parametrization: Band Structure of Silver

We discuss a band parametrization scheme (within the KKR framework) specifying the phase shifts n0, n1, and n2 as functions of energy. Such an approach is particularly useful for the noble and transition metals where both d-band and free-electron-like effects are important. The nl(E) for a family of elements are expected to have characteristic energy dependences, with each nl(E) being specified over a substantial energy range by a few parameters. First, we show the existence of such characteristic behavior for the noble metals. We then use our phase shift parametrization scheme in a semi-empirical way to find the band structure of Ag. To do this, we use a first principles calculation as a guide, and adjust the parameters specifying the nl(E) to fit available Fermi surface, optical and photoemission data.
Photoelectrochemical analysis of band gap modulated TiO2 for photocatalytic water splitting

Abstract In this study the photocatalysis efficiency of titania (TiO 2 ) is increased by conjugating it with folic acid (FA) molecules through a silane linker (APTMS) layer. Electrochemical testing demonstrated higher negative open circuit potential (OCP) in surface engineered TiO 2 as compared to TiO 2 indicating higher Schottky barrier leading to suppressed electron–hole pair recombination. The photocurrent density under no bias conditions demonstrated 55% increase in modified titania due to lower band gap and suppressed electron hole pair recombination. The mechanism behind higher photocatalytic properties of surface engineered TiO 2 was derived using density functional theory (DFT).
Public health: Public investment in childhood health: worth the cost

A new study of mortality of children on renal replacement therapy in 32 European countries demonstrates that 67% of the variance between countries can be explained by disparities in public health expenditure. Investment in health care is critical and has demonstrable benefits for the most vulnerable populations.
Acceptability of lifelong treatment among HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women (Option B+) in selected health facilities in Zimbabwe: a qualitative study.

Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) adopted 2013 World Health Organization (WHO) prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) guidelines recommending initiation of HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women (PPBW) on lifelong antiretroviral treatment (ART) irrespective of clinical stage (Option B+). Option B+ was officially launched in Zimbabwe in November 2013; however the acceptability of life-long ART and its potential uptake among women was not known. A qualitative study was conducted at selected sites in Harare (urban) and Zvimba (rural) to explore Option B+ acceptability; barriers, and facilitators to ART adherence and service uptake. In-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with PPBW, healthcare providers, and community members. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated; data were coded and analyzed in MaxQDA v10. Forty-three IDIs, 22 FGDs, and five KIIs were conducted. The majority of women accepted lifelong ART. There was however, a fear of commitment to taking lifelong medication because they were afraid of defaulting, especially after cessation of breastfeeding. There was confusion around dosage; and fear of side effects, not having enough food to take drugs, and the lack of opportunities to ask questions in counseling. Participants reported the need for strengthening community sensitization for Option B+. Facilitators included receiving a simplified pill regimen; ability to continue breastfeeding beyond 6 months like HIV-negative women; and partner, community and health worker support. Barriers included distance of health facility, non-disclosure of HIV status, poor male partner support and knowing someone who had negative experience on ART. This study found that Option B+ is generally accepted among PPBW as a means to strengthen their health and protect their babies. Consistent with previous literature, this study demonstrated the importance of male partner and community support in satisfactory adherence to ART and enhancing counseling techniques. Strengthening community sensitization and male knowledge is critical to encourage women to disclose their HIV status and ensure successful adherence to ART. Targeting and engaging partners of women will remain key determinants to women’s acceptance and adherence on ART under Option B+.
Sex Differences in Jealousy: A 25-Year Retrospective

Abstract The theory of evolved sex differences in jealousy has emerged as one of evolutionary psychology's most prominent lines of research. In this paper, we offer a 25-year retrospective on the theory. We begin with a review of the theory itself and the statistical implications of the theory. We then discuss many of the prominent challenges to the theory. These challenges include: a suggestion that sex differences in the interpretation of the questions often used in sex difference in jealousy studies confound the results, psychometric concerns regarding the response scales used to assess the sex difference in jealousy, whether actual experiences with infidelity mirror participants’ hypothetical reactions, potential cognitive influences on the sex difference in jealousy, ambiguous results regarding physiological manifestations of the sex difference in jealousy, meta-analyses that reach seemingly different conclusions regarding the existence of the sex difference in jealousy, and moderators (including sexual orientation) that attenuate the sex difference in jealousy. Finally, we evaluate the state of the theory in light of the evidence we review, we consider why researchers from different subfields of psychology appear to have such different interpretations of the evidence for sex differences in jealousy, and we outline recommendations for future research directions.
Anderson localization transitions with and without random potentials

Anderson localization of noninteracting particles has traditionally been viewed as being due to random potentials. However, random potentials are not needed, and localization due to nonrandom quasiperiodic potentials is well studied in one dimension. The authors extend this work to higher dimensions. A quantum particle in a quasiperiodic potential in three dimensions has three ``eigenstate phases'': a localized phase at strong potential, a ballistic phase at weak potential, and a diffusive phase in between. They find that the universality class of the Anderson localization transitions in three dimensions is insensitive to whether or not the potential is random, which is not true in fewer dimensions.
Pressure Effects on the Intramolecular Twist of Flexible Molecules In Solid Polymers

There is a large class of “flexible” molecules which, when excited, can isomerize from a planar to a twisted form. In this paper we present both steady state and time resolved data for two such molecules in a solid polymer. We present a model consistent with these data and demonstrate that the steady state results can be predicted from the time resolved data.
The Biology and Ecology of Cat Fleas and Advancements in Their Pest Management: A Review

The cat flea Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouche) is the most important ectoparasite of domestic cats and dogs worldwide. It has been two decades since the last comprehensive review concerning the biology and ecology of C. f. felis and its management. Since then there have been major advances in our understanding of the diseases associated with C. f. felis and their implications for humans and their pets. Two rickettsial diseases, flea-borne spotted fever and murine typhus, have been identified in domestic animal populations and cat fleas. Cat fleas are the primary vector of Bartonella henselae (cat scratch fever) with the spread of the bacteria when flea feces are scratched in to bites or wounds. Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) common in dogs and cats has been successfully treated and tapeworm infestations prevented with a number of new products being used to control fleas. There has been a continuous development of new products with novel chemistries that have focused on increased convenience and the control of fleas and other arthropod ectoparasites. The possibility of feral animals serving as potential reservoirs for flea infestations has taken on additional importance because of the lack of effective environmental controls in recent years. Physiological insecticide resistance in C. f. felis continues to be of concern, especially because pyrethroid resistance now appears to be more widespread. In spite of their broad use since 1994, there is little evidence that resistance has developed to many of the on-animal or oral treatments such as fipronil, imidacloprid or lufenuron. Reports of the perceived lack of performance of some of the new on-animal therapies have been attributed to compliance issues and their misuse. Consequentially, there is a continuing need for consumer awareness of products registered for cats and dogs and their safety.
Impacts of a Pervious Concrete Retention System on Neighboring Clay Soils

AbstractThis study evaluated changes in moisture and temperature of clay soils next to an underground aggregate storage bed of a pervious concrete pavement system during the winter in Pullman, Wash...
Changes in School Competitive Food Environments after a Health Promotion Campaign.

Background Schools can reduce student access to competitive foods and influence healthy food choices by improving the school nutrition environment. This study describes changes in competitive nutrition environments in 100 K-8 schools participating in the Philadelphia Campaign for Healthier Schools. Methods Interviews with school staff were used to elicit information about policies, practices, and guidelines to restrict/limit competitive foods in schools, before and 1 year into the campaign. To increase the validity of responses, respondents provided documentation for reported policies and guidelines. Baseline interviews were conducted between April and June 2011 and follow-up interviews were conducted between April and June 2012. Results At follow-up, significantly more schools reported having policies and/or guidelines in place to regulate food as a reward in the classroom, food served at parties and celebrations, outside foods allowed in school, and the availability of sodas and sugar-sweetened beverages. There were no measurable effects on food available in school stores, fundraisers, or afterschool programs. Availability of concrete documentation of policies was limited, but when provided, it corroborated the interview responses. Conclusions In the context of a comprehensive school wellness policy, school wellness councils were associated with increases in school-level policies and practices that improved the competitive nutrition environment.
Adipofascial Flaps With Acellular Dermal Matrix Compared With Myocutaneous Flap Reconstruction in Lumbar Myelomeningocele Defects

Background Adipofascial flaps (AFF) with acellular dermal matrix (ADM) have the potential to reconstruct neural tube defects without sacrificing muscle that may be critical for long-term function. Comparative studies between myocutaneous flap (MF) reconstruction, the accepted standard reconstructive technique, and AFF/ADM remain under-reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of myelomeningocele reconstruction using muscle sparing AFF/ADM versus MF. Methods A retrospective comparison was conducted on consecutive myelomeningocele patients reconstructed with MF or AFF/ADM over an 84-month period. Data analyzed included: basic demographics, defect size, reconstructive technique, complications, and length of follow-up. A supplemental meta-analysis based on systematic review of literature was performed to compare alternative reconstructive options. Results Twelve patients were identified who met inclusion criteria. Median age, weight, and defect size at reconstruction in the AFF/ADM group (n = 6) was 37.5 weeks, 3.25 kg, and 20.0 cm, respectively, and in the MF group (n = 6) was 37 weeks, 3.6 kg, and 22.5 cm (P > 0.5). For the AFF/ADM versus MF groups, median follow-up was 33.8 versus 22.6 months, reoperation rate was 0% versus 17% (P = 1.0), and complex skin flap closure rate was 17% versus 100% (P = 0.015). No cerebrospinal fluid leaks or surgical site infections occurred in either group. Meta-analysis of the literature revealed no statistically significant difference in complications rates between muscle and nonmuscle flap reconstruction (P > 0.5); potential long-term sequelae of muscle flap harvest were not included. Conclusions Muscle sparing AFF with ADM is a safe and effective surgical alternative to muscle flaps for lumbar myelomeningocele reconstruction.
A powerful nonparametric method for detecting differentially co-expressed genes: distance correlation screening and edge-count test.

Differential co-expression analysis, as a complement of differential expression analysis, offers significant insights into the changes in molecular mechanism of different phenotypes. A prevailing approach to detecting differentially co-expressed genes is to compare Pearson’s correlation coefficients in two phenotypes. However, due to the limitations of Pearson’s correlation measure, this approach lacks the power to detect nonlinear changes in gene co-expression which is common in gene regulatory networks. In this work, a new nonparametric procedure is proposed to search differentially co-expressed gene pairs in different phenotypes from large-scale data. Our computational pipeline consisted of two main steps, a screening step and a testing step. The screening step is to reduce the search space by filtering out all the independent gene pairs using distance correlation measure. In the testing step, we compare the gene co-expression patterns in different phenotypes by a recently developed edge-count test. Both steps are distribution-free and targeting nonlinear relations. We illustrate the promise of the new approach by analyzing the Cancer Genome Atlas data and the METABRIC data for breast cancer subtypes. Compared with some existing methods, the new method is more powerful in detecting nonlinear type of differential co-expressions. The distance correlation screening can greatly improve computational efficiency, facilitating its application to large data sets.
Pentecostal Panopticism and the Phantasm of “The Ultimate Power”

This chapter studies the African Pentecostal phantasms of supernatural visibility, surveillance, and the procedures of power transacted in cinematic realism. Through the concept of panopticism as both a mode of supernatural surveillance and a representation of the triumph of Christian power, Adelakun analyzes a Nigerian Christian television drama of the early 1990s, Agbara Nla (The Ultimate Power), which became hugely popular partly because it was released on the threshold of Pentecostal cultural expansion in Nigeria. Its visual images became a defining representation in Pentecostal/Yoruba/Nigerian films of the omniscient power that can transcend space and time to “see” human activities. This chapter explores how the Pentecostal imaginary manufactures and overcomes the threatening “other” through metaphors of sight and surveillance; how Pentecostals repudiate their anxieties about supernatural visibility through representing their God as one who wields “the ultimate power”; and what the implications are for freedom of expression and religious worship in a pluralistic democratic society of the Pentecostal exorcism of the other’s demons.
The Evolution of Self-Authorship

Global citizenship requires understanding complexity, negotiating multiple perspectives, intercultural sensitivity, lifelong learning, and the capacity for mutual, interdependent relations with others. These qualities are routinely endorsed as learning outcomes of higher education in the USA. Baxter Magolda’s 20-year longitudinal study of young adult learning and development demonstrates that these learning outcomes require self-authorship or complex epistemological beliefs accompanied by complex understanding of self and relationships. The longitudinal narratives illustrate how epistemology develops over time, its relationship to learning in higher education and adult life, and the conditions participants encountered that promoted complex epistemology and learning simultaneously. This chapter will present Baxter Magolda’s theory of the evolution of self-authorship, integrating epistemological growth with identity and relationship growth, based on the longitudinal data. The Learning Partnerships Model, also derived from the longitudinal data, will be used to illustrate how educators can create the conditions that promote learning, complex epistemology, and self-authorship.
HUMAN BONE MARROW MONONUCLEAR CELLS AS EFFECTORS AND TARGETS OF NATURAL KILLING

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the human bone marrow mononuclear cells as effectors and targets of natural killing. Natural killer (NK) cells have been implicated in immune surveillance against tumors, defense against certain virus and hematopoietic allograft rejection. In a study described in the chapter, the bone marrow mononuclear cells from healthy subjects were examined for their effector functions in NK and ADCC against cells of K-562 cell line and autologous or allogeneic bone marrow mononuclear cells as targets. Studies were also performed to investigate if bone marrow mononuclear cells could also be target for NK or ADCC by autologous or allogeneic peripheral blood T or non T cells. The chapter presents the results of data pooled from 6 experiments demonstrating T- and non-T-cell-mediated NK activity against allogeneic bone marrow mononuclear cell targets. T cells failed to demonstrate any NK activity against allogeneic bone marrow mononuclear cell targets. Non T cells produced significant lysis of allogeneic bone marrow mononuclear cells. Both T and non T cells demonstrated good NK activity against K-562. It appears that phenotypically NK cells are heterogeneous and share antigens/markers of cells of T-cell lineage and of monocyte-macrophage lineage.
Building Syntactic Structure in Speaking

We investigated how people produce simple and complex phrases in speaking using a newly developed immediate recall task. People read and tried to memorize a target sentence, then read a prime sentence, then did a distractor task involving the prime sentence. Despite the delay and activity between memory and recall, people could still recall the target sentence although the syntactic form of the recalled sentence was influenced by the syntactic form of the prime sentence. This result replicates the syntactic priming effect found with other experimental paradigms. Using this task, we tested how people used abstract syntactic plans to produce simple and complex noun phrases. We found syntactic priming both when targets and prime sentences matched in complexity and when they did not match, suggesting that simple and complex noun phrases are built by the same syntactic routines during speech production.
Rising Non-Performing Assets in Scheduled Commercial Banks of India: Is Securitisation a Solution?

Non-performing assets have been hurting Indian banking sector since long time. Narasimham Committee Report on banking reforms introduced the concept of non-performing assets. This was a part of the government’s effort to bring in global standards to Indian banking industry. As a part of the same effort in the year 2002 SARFAESI Act was passed enabling Indian banks to securitise the assets. This should have helped in Indian banks to reduce the non-performing assets. This study attempts to find out answer for the same. The data on non-performing assets and assets securitised by all scheduled commercial banks over the period of last ten years is analysed using ordinary least square method of regression. The results indicate that there is a no significant positive relationship between the securitisation and decrease in non-performing assets.
Documenting 100 Years of Displacement Among Syrian-Armenians: An Interview with Anoush Baghdassarian Conducted by Lauren Broidy

On February 7, 2018, Anoush Baghdassarian (Claremont McKenna College ‘17) conducted a presentation of her undergraduate research on Syrian refugees in Armenia called “Coming ‘Home’: Documenting 100 years of Displacement of Syrian-Armenians.” This interview was lightly edited for clarity.
Age estimation based on chemical approaches

Abstract The core of age estimation based on chemical techniques is aspartic acid racemization. This technique has been applied and tested in human tissues since its discovery in 1975 finding a high correlation with age and low error estimations. However, it is not immune to drawbacks, and additional techniques are being explored. Lead accumulation has been analyzed for health purposes and studies are not in agreement related to its increase with age. In addition, there is only one lead accumulation study with forensic purposes. The same is true for studies of collagen cross-links. The few studies with forensic purposes point to a correlation; however, there is low accuracy between estimated and real age. Chemical composition of teeth requires wide chemistry knowledge to correctly correlate with age. Finally, advanced glycation end products are well known to increase with age and in aging-related diseases and can be useful in forensic cases. However, there are only a few studies toward this purpose and they are not in agreement about its accuracy.
SDN helps Big Data to optimize storage

Distributed key-value stores have become the sine qua non for supporting today's large-scale web services. The extreme latency and throughput requirements of modern web applications are driving the use of distributed in-memory object caches. Similarly, the use of persistent object stores has been growing rapidly as they combine key advantages such as HTTP-based RESTfulAPIs, high availability, elasticity with a pay-as-you-go pricing model that allows applications to scale as needed. Consequently, there is an urgent need for optimizing the emerging software defined cloud data centers to efficiently support such applications at scale. In this chapter, we discuss different techniques to optimize the Big Data processing and data management using key-value stores and software defined networks in virtualized cloud data centers. Specifically, we explore two key questions. (1) How do cloud services users, i.e., tenants, get the most bang-for-the-buck with a distributed in-memory key-value store deployment in a shared multitenant environment? (2) How do tenants enhance cloud object store's capabilities through fine-grained resource management to effectively meet their SLAs while maximizing resource efficiency? Moreover, we also present the state of the art in this domain and provide a brief analysis of desirable features. We then demonstrate through experiments the impact of SDN-based Big Data storage management solution on improving performance and overall resource efficiency. Finally, we discuss open issues in SDN-based Big Data I/O stacks and future directions.
Comparison of activity levels derived from two accelerometers in dogs with osteoarthritis: Implications for clinical trials.

Abstract Accelerometer measurements are frequently reported as total weekly activity counts (AC). Methods of utilizing activity parameters to allow differentiation of activity intensities (i.e., manually derived cut-points) have been described. While this information may provide valuable data for researchers, only few investigators have utilized these methods. This may, in part, be due to the challenge associated with data processing. Some devices, however, generate activity intensity data automatically. This study was conducted to evaluate a novel accelerometer that allows for remote download of data via Wi-Fi (Heyrex), to compare automatically generated parameters quantifying activity levels to previously established cut-points (Actical) and to describe the variability of accelerometer data in dogs with osteoarthritis. Twelve client-owned dogs with osteoarthritis were fitted with a collar with two accelerometers (Heyrex and Actical). Accelerometer data were recorded for 28 days. Pearson bivariate correlations and coefficient of variation (CV%) were calculated for accelerometer data. There was a strong correlation between the AC reported by Heyrex and Actical devices. Several automatically generated parameters showed strong correlations to previously validated cut-points and displayed lower CV% than weekly AC. The activity intensity derived from the Heyrex was associated with the lowest CV% of all parameters from both accelerometers. Automatically generated activity intensity parameters should be considered as potential outcome measures in clinical trials for dogs with osteoarthritis. This novel technology may allow for convenient acquisition of activity intensity data in companion animals. However, technical difficulties (e.g., lack of Wi-Fi connectivity) may pose challenges when using this novel device.