cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Signal-transduction pathways causing slow synaptic excitation in guinea pig myenteric AH neurons

Intracellular recordings were obtained from myenteric AH neurons of guinea pig ileum in vitro. Slow excitatory synaptic responses associated with decreased potassium conductance (gK), inhibition of the spike afterhyperpolarization current (AHC), and increased chloride conductance (gCl) were mimicked by senktide, a neurokinin3 receptor agonist. Intracellular guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) decreased gK and increased gCl irreversibly after nerve stimulation or senktide application. Myenteric neurons in pertussis toxin (PTX)-treated tissues responded normally to senktide and nerve stimulation. Forskolin and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) inhibited gK and the AHC but did not activate gCl. The AHC was not reduced by subthreshold concentrations of forskolin (10 nM) or PDBu (3 nM) alone but was inhibited by forskolin and PDBu applied together. Inhibitors of phospholipase C (D-609) or protein kinases (staurosporine) reduced slow synaptic and senktide responses. The protein phosphatase inhibitor, calyculin A, caused an inward current, a decrease in gK, and AHC inhibition but did not activate gCl. We conclude that slow excitatory synaptic responses are mediated by PTX-insensitive G proteins and activation of phospholipase C and protein kinases. Forskolin and PDBu activate pathways that inhibit gK. The mechanisms for activation of gCl are unknown.
Haarkam in de onderkaak

De haarkam, een uitvinding van de mens, heeft ‘tanden’. Maar de lemuren, merkwaardige primaten op Madagaskar, hebben in hun onderkaak kammen met echte tanden waarmee ze hun vacht verzorgen.
Wisdom, Spirituality, Social Entrepreneurs, and Self-Sustaining Practices: What Can We Learn from Difference Makers?

We find that a set of pioneering social entrepreneurs, 23 difference makers, are guided by a distinct sense of hope and purpose to implement change and leave the world a better place. This hopeful, difference-making purpose that created meaning in their work and sustained their efforts is characteristic of “spirituality” as encompassed by both secular and non-secular traditions. We suggest that moral imagination, systems understanding, and aesthetic sensibility undergird the spirituality of these difference makers. Further, we elaborate on the specific practices that these difference makers engaged in to create the “spiritual spaces,” or retreats, in which personal sustenance, meaning, and connection were generated, hurdles were overcome, and where inspiration and wisdom emerged. The experience of these social entrepreneurs provides an actionable model for all of us to innovate and solve problems in our everyday lives and for the benefit of humanity by carving out personal retreats that enable us to access and leverage our own spiritual resources.
Immune checkpoint inhibition in patients with brain metastases.

Metastatic brain tumors are the most common type of central nervous system (CNS) malignancies in adults, outnumbering primary CNS tumors by approximately 10:1 (1).
In Vitro Evaluation of Mitochondrial Function and Estrogen Signaling in Cell Lines Exposed to the Antiseptic Cetylpyridinium Chloride.

Background: Quaternary ammonium salts (QUATS), such as cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and benzalkonium chloride (BAK), are frequently used in antiseptic formulations, including toothpastes, mouthwa...
Detection, localization, and tracking of unauthorized UAS and Jammers

Small unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) are expected to take major roles in future smart cities, for example, by delivering goods and merchandise, potentially serving as mobile hot spots for broadband wireless access, and maintaining surveillance and security. Although they can be used for the betterment of the society, they can also be used by malicious entities to conduct physical and cyber attacks to infrastructure, private/public property, and people. Even for legitimate use-cases of small UASs, air traffic management (ATM) for UASs becomes of critical importance for maintaining safe and collusion-free operation. Therefore, various ways to detect, track, and interdict potentially unauthorized drones carries critical importance for surveillance and ATM applications. In this paper, we will review techniques that rely on ambient radio frequency signals (emitted from UASs), radars, acoustic sensors, and computer vision techniques for detection of malicious UASs. We will present some early experimental and simulation results on radar-based range estimation of UASs, and receding horizon tracking of UASs. Subsequently, we will overview common techniques that are considered for interdiction of UASs.
Dead-time optimization for SiC based voltage source converters using online condition monitoring

This paper introduces a dead-time optimization technique for a 2-level voltage source converter (VSC) using turn-off transition monitoring. Dead-time in a VSC impacts power quality, reliability, and efficiency. Silicon carbide (SiC) based VSCs are more sensitive to dead-time from increased reverse conduction losses and turn-off time variability with operating conditions and load characteristics. An online condition monitoring system for SiC devices has been developed using gate drive assist circuits and a micro-controller. It can be leveraged to monitor turn-off time and indicate the optimal dead-time in each switching cycle of any converter operation. It can also be used to specify load current polarity, which is needed for dead-time optimization in an inverter. This is an important distinction from other inverter dead-time elimination/optimization schemes as current around the zero current crossing is hard to accurately detect. A 1kW half-bridge inverter was assembled to test the turn-off time monitoring and dead-time optimization scheme. Results show 91% reduction in reverse conduction power losses in the SiC devices compared to a set dead-time of 500ns switching at 50 kHz.
Taxation and Innovation: The Sharing Economy as a Case Study

This chapter considers the relationship between the U.S. federal income tax system and innovation, using the sharing economy as a focal point for analysis. It makes two main points. First, the tax system is currently a questionable tool for encouraging innovation. Regulators are understandably concerned that taxpayers will use tax incentive provisions in unanticipated ways, and thus are inclined to tightly limit such provisions’ scope. This reduces incentive provisions’ net benefit to taxpayers, and can even cause such provisions to miss their marks entirely. Moreover, small and new companies are key drivers of innovation, and evidence suggests that they are relatively unresponsive to tax incentives. Second, innovation can help improve the tax system. To fix a problem, one must first identify it; innovation provides opportunities to see where tax law is achieving its goals and where it is falling short. The sharing economy experience suggests some strengths, such as the tax system’s definition of income, as well as weaknesses, such as the dividing line between independent contractors and employees.
Autoimmune Movement Disorders in Children

Over the last decade, there have been significant advances in the identification, characterization, and treatment of autoimmune neurologic disorders in children. Many of these diseases include a typical movement disorder that can be a powerful aid to diagnosis. Frequently, movement disorders in autoimmune conditions are the sole or among a few presenting symptoms, allowing for earlier diagnosis of an underlying malignancy or systemic autoimmune disease. Given that early detection and treatment with immunotherapy may confer improved outcomes, recognizing these patterns of abnormal movements is essential for child neurologists. The purpose of this review is to summarize the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of movement disorders that occur in pediatric autoimmune disorders.
Making a university community more dementia friendly through participation in an intergenerational choir

A dementia friendly community is one that is informed about dementia, respectful and inclusive of people with dementia and their families, provides support, promotes empowerment, and fosters qualit...
The Monster's Transformation on American Radio (1930s–50s)

Radio listeners recognize a monster when they hear one, basing their imaginings on information they receive aurally. Vampires, werewolves, ghosts, aliens, and various creatures are adapted for radi...
The extroverted African novel, revisited: African novels at home, in the world

This article revisits the issues at the heart of ‘The Extroverted African Novel’, appearing in Il romanzo (vol. 5; Milano: Einaudi, 2003); and The Novel (vol. 2; Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2006). These include: first, what seemed to be an enormous gap between the dynamism of popular fictions, and visual arts and crafts more generally, alongside what Senegalese novelist and journalist, Boubacar Boris Diop once characterised as the ‘sadness’ of our literature. Second, a Eurocentric dead-end, to the effect that ‘the North’ (or ‘the West’) provides ‘the form’ – i.e. leads the way in developing the powerful, relevant modes and genres of artistic expression for the future – and 'the South'' necessarily follows suit. Third, the interpretation of broad intertextual engagements in African novels as signs of these novels’ derivative nature and, to the extent that these references are African, as authenticating. Above all, ‘The Extroverted African Novel’ proposed a theory of why some novels t...
STRUCTURAL ORIGINS OF MAGNETIC ANISOTROPY IN AMORPHOUS NON-S-STATE RARE EARTH - TRANSITION METAL FILMS

Amorphous rare earth - transition metal (a-RE-TM) alloys of the (Tb,Gd,Dy)x(Fe,Co)1-x type are presently used as the active layer material in magneto-optical (MO) storage media. The properties which are important for MO applications include: (i) coercive properties which provide a time-stable domain structure as well as a low switching field for the write and erase processes; (ii) a Curie temperature which falls within the existing operational range of laser diode pulsed heating (400 K < TCURIE < 600 K); (iii) a sufficiently large magneto-optical effect (i.e. Kerr rotation) for an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio at high disc velocity, and (iv) a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy which aligns out of the film plane allowing for high density domain writing perpendicular to the film plane.[ 1] The empirical relationships between the processing conditions of these materials and their properties have been extensively investigated and are now fairly well understood. However, the origins of the magnetic anisotropy, specifically the mechanism which provides the magnitude and direction of the magnetic anisotropy, remain unclear.
Subsolidus phase relationships of the BaO-R2O3-CuOz (R = Tm and Yb) systems under carbonate-free conditions at po2 = 100 Pa, and T = 750 °C and 810 °C

Abstract For applications of phase equilibria to coated conductor processing, phase diagrams constructed under carbonate-free conditions should be employed. Using special apparatus and a procedure for preparing carbonate-free precursors based on BaO, phase diagrams of the BaO–Tm 2 O 3 –CuO z and BaO–Yb 2 O 3 –CuO z systems were determined at 100 Pa (0.1% O 2 by volume, 750 °C and 810 °C). The BaO–Yb 2 O 3 –CuO z system exhibits different features as compared to the Tm-analog. For example, the Yb-system does not contain the Ba 4 RCu 3 O 8.5+ z phase. The absence of this phase affects the tie-line relations in the BaO-rich region of the phase diagram of the Yb-system. Furthermore, while the diagrams with relatively large R (i.e., R = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er) do not contain a tie-line between BaCuO 2+ z and BaR 2 CuO 5 , this tie-line was found in the Yb-diagram, which has a much smaller R. In general, both the diagrams of the BaO–Tm 2 O 3 –CuO z and of the BaO–Yb 2 O 3 –CuO z systems prepared under carbonate-free conditions are different from those obtained using BaCO 3 -derived starting materials.
Intervalley Phonon Raman Scattering in Many-Valley Semiconductors

Theoretical calculations of the Raman cross-sections for resonant intervalley phonon scattering near the indirect gap and the higher direct gap energies in many-valley semiconductors are reported, and the possibility of observing these effects experimentally is discussed. Band structure calculations are employed to compute the intervalley deformation potentials and the cross-sections of light scattering processes for typical semiconductors.
Abstract 4498: Lysyl oxidase like-2 mediates tumor to stromal cell communication in oral cancer

Introduction: The lysyl oxidase family consists of 5 members and oxidizes specific lysine residues in biosynthetic collagen and elastin maturation. Lysyl oxidase like-2 (LOXL2) is elevated in oral cancer and promotes metastasis and correlates with poor prognosis. The objective of this study is to determine the mechanism by which LOXL2 promotes the progression and invasiveness of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: In vitro: To investigate functions of LOXL2 in oral cancer, the effects of LOXL2 inhibitor (PXS-S1C) on human gingival fibroblasts treated with tumor cell conditioned medium (CM) were investigated. Cell proliferation assays, signaling arrays and western blots were used to evaluate the effect of PXS-S1C on CM-treated fibroblasts. The effect of PXS-S1C on cancer cells expression of LOXL2 and proliferation was determined. To find potential LOXL2 substrates in gingival fibroblasts treated with CM +/- PXS-S1C, carbonyl-containing proteins were purified by affinity chromatography and identified by MS and western blot. In vivo: The effect of PXS-S1C on cancer growth and metastasis in vivo was investigated using an orthotopic oral tongue cancer mouse model in both immunodeficient and immunocompetent mice. PXS-S1C at 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg was injected immediately following tumor cell injections. Tumors were monitored by caliper measurements, and by in vivo imaging (IVIS). The mice were sacrificed and their organs were subjected to immunohistochemistry staining for proliferation markers. Results: PXS-S1C significantly inhibited gingival fibroblast proliferation triggered by tumor cell CM and attenuated phosphorylation of PDGFRβ Y771 and P-PDGFRβ Y857, but not PDGFRβ Y751 in response to CM. PXS-S1C inhibited ERK1/2-signaling in fibroblasts and not AKT in response to CM. PDGFR activation by oral tumor cells was mimicked by PDGF-AB, but not PDGF-BB. PXS-S1C decreased the expression of LOXL2 by 5-fold in HSC3 oral cancer cells in vitro, suggesting a positive autoregulatory loop. Assessing for direct LOXL2 substrates in fibroblasts with functional consequences identified both PDGFR and integrin αV. Caliper measurements, IVIS, and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that inhibition of LOXL2 significantly decreases oral cancer progression and metastasis in vivo. Mice without PXS-S1C treatment developed larger tongue volumes (p Conclusions: LOXL2 secreted by cancer cells stimulates fibroblasts by enhancing PDGFR signaling and proliferation, and by stimulating αV integrin function and cell adhesion. Inhibition of LOXL2 could provide therapeutic strategies to address oral cancer. Citation Format: Faranak Mahjour, Philip C. Trackman. Lysyl oxidase like-2 mediates tumor to stromal cell communication in oral cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4498.
Improve Interconnect Reliability of BGA Substrate with Stacked Vias by Reducing Carbon Inclusion in the Interface Between Via and Land Pad

In this paper, an investigation was carried out on how to improve bonding of electroless copper (Cu) to electroplated Cu by optimizing the activation process. First, interfacial structure between via and land pad was analyzed to identify the normal and abnormal features. Carbon inclusion was determined as an anomaly of Pd seed layer. Second, an experiment was performed to characterize the impact of activation dipping time and rinse time on the formation of carbon inclusions. A procedure was developed to quantitatively evaluate carbon inclusions in the via interface. It was found that, as expected, combination of shorter dipping time and longer rinse time resulted in fewer carbon inclusions in the Pd seed layer. Finally, based on the mechanism of Cu-Cu bonding and data from the experimental study, the quantity of carbon inclusions and the coverage of carbon on the interface are proposed for monitoring the quality of via/pad interface.
Feasibility of a massive online open course to teach skills in primary palliative care for a global audience.

111Background: Palliative Care Always (PCA) is a massive open online course (MOOC), through Stanford Online, that teaches primary palliative care. Our goal was to provide an accessible avenue for palliative care education on a global level. This is to address persistent and considerable gaps in primary palliative care due to lack of specialist trained experts and training opportunities. Methods: A team of providers including palliative care physician, advanced care nurse practitioner, priest and social worker developed 12 modules covering the scope of palliative care across their specialties. Topics ranged from communication of bad news to hospice initiation, while following the case of an oncology patient. Components include (1) Reflection on assigned readings (2) Patient scenes (3) Multiple choice assessments and (4) Group discussions. Participants were surveyed prior to and on completion of the 12-week course. Results: PCA enrolled 721 applicants from 56 countries. Participants from the US represented ...
AAPT Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Painful Temporomandibular Disorders

The classification of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) has progressed substantially over the past 25 years owing to the strategic implementation of an initial classification system based on core taxonomic principles. In this article, we describe the development of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and its translation into the multidimensional Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations Innovations Opportunities and Networks-AAPT for chronic pain disorders. The initial scientific classification system (Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders) relied on a boot-strapping process that did not attempt to solve all known clinical problems but, rather, focused on problems that could be solved at that time. The core design principles included using epidemiologic data, operationalized concepts, reliable methods, and the incorporation of the biopsychosocial model into a dual axis system. This system led to sufficient data collection internationally that the system itself could be revised, first by critical evaluation of all aspects, second by review from invited experts, and third by the construction of a revised taxonomy (DC/TMD) that maintained the core design principles of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. The resultant disorders with pain as a dominant feature exhibit substantial sensitivity and specificity, and they have been translated into the AAPT framework. The AAPT TMD criteria are part of an evidence-based classification system providing a systematic structure that includes 5 dimensions: diagnostic criteria, common features, comorbidities, consequences, and putative mechanisms. Future research will attempt to extend this AAPT domain from solely TMDs to include other orofacial pain conditions. PERSPECTIVE: The painful TMDs have well-established sensitivity and specificity, as based on the DC/TMD; their translation to the AAPT framework for chronic pain conditions provides a structure for consistent clinical application within the broader health care settings and for future research on the TMDs.
Energy conservative SBP discretizations of the acoustic wave equation in covariant form on staggered curvilinear grids

Abstract We develop a numerical method for solving the acoustic wave equation in covariant form on staggered curvilinear grids in an energy conserving manner. The use of a covariant basis decomposition leads to a rotationally invariant scheme that outperforms a Cartesian basis decomposition on rotated grids. The discretization is based on high order Summation-By-Parts (SBP) operators and preserves both symmetry and positive definiteness of the contravariant metric tensor. To improve accuracy and decrease computational cost, we also derive a modified discretization of the metric tensor that leads to a conditionally stable discretization. Bounds are derived that yield a point-wise condition that can be evaluated to check for stability of the modified discretization. This condition shows that the interpolation operators should be constructed such that their norm is close to one.
Examination of attention, executive function, and memory as predictors of mortality risk in adults with systolic heart failure.

Background:The prevalence and impact of cognitive impairment in heart failure is increasingly recognized. Converging evidence points to global cognitive function as predictive of prognosis in adult...
Theater arts, global education, and policy; or, what Chance the Rapper taught us about arts education

In theater arts education and arts education more broadly, scholars and policy makers now navigate forces associated with the well-documented neoliberal turn shaping discussions of competition, per...
The Relationship of Role-Playing to Futuristic Thinking.

thinking. Hypothesis II was not supported at an acceptable level of significance. Implications for Practice One might infer from the findings of this research that a child is more apt to be able to solve complex problems in which one kind of act may provide the stimulus for a chain reaction, and that he is also more likely to see these possibilities in advance if he actively participates in solutions of hypothetical problems. Since this would seem to be a desirable skill, it might suggest that the social science curriculum provide more opportunities for hypothetical /deductive thinking and more situations in which the child could be actively involved in such problem solving. Role-playing obviously provides an opportunity for such thinking and involvement. To be most useful, however, it seems that several solutions might be enacted in which one builds on the consequences of the preceding solution. This would provide the best opportunity for practice in long-range thinking. Having practiced such solutions in mock situations in school, the child might more readily transfer this approach to real-life problem situations.
PATIENT WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS HAVE A HIGH PREVALENCE OF CORONARY MICROVASCULAR DYSFUNCTION IN THE ABSENCE OF OBSTRUCTIVE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a female-predominant, systemic autoimmune disease; cardiovascular (CV) disease is accelerated with high incidence of CVD events. CV complications are thought to be mediated by systemic inflammation. We hypothesized that SLE is associated with coronary
Development of RAPID transport calculation with heterogeneous temperature distribution

Abstract The RAPID hybrid transport code, based on the fission matrix method, has been developed and previously proven successful on BEAVRS benchmark at hot-zero-power condition. In this work, it is extended to the BEAVRS model to include fuel and moderator temperature feedback. The bi-linear fission matrix interpolation technique was applied to several artificial fuel and moderator temperature distributions. For almost all cases, it provides an accurate calculation result with a k eff difference smaller than 70 pcm and 2D pin-wise RMS error smaller than 1 % compared to Serpent 2 Monte Carlo reference. In order to decrease the number of databases needed, a plane interpolation routine is developed, which de-couples the fuel and moderator temperature. The RAPID calculation with the plane interpolation reports a similar accuracy to that with the bi-linear interpolation. The bi-linear interpolation required 24 database points from Monte Carlo calculations, while the plane interpolation only needed 10. The plane interpolation allows RAPID to prepare fewer databases while preserving a high accuracy.
Workload Frequency Scaling Law - Derivation and Verification: Workload scalability has a cascade relation via the scale factor.

This article presents equations that relate to workload utilization scaling at a per-DVFS subsystem level. A relation between frequency, utilization, and scale factor (which itself varies with frequency) is established. The verification of these equations turns out to be tricky, since inherent to workload, the utilization also varies seemingly in an unspecified manner at the granularity of governance samples. Thus, a novel approach called histogram ridge trace is applied. Quantifying the scaling impact is critical when treating DVFS as a building block. Typical application includes DVFS governors and or other layers that influence utilization, power, and performance of the system. The scope here though, is limited to demonstrating well-quantified and verified scaling equations.
Fra1 is required for TGFβ1 induced collective invasion

Cells that lead collective invasion can have distinct traits and regulatory programs compared to the cells that follow them. Notably, a specific type of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program we term a "trailblazer EMT" endows cells with the ability to lead collective invasion and promote the opportunistic invasion of intrinsically less invasive siblings. Here, we sought to define the regulatory programs that are responsible for inducing a trailblazer EMT in a genetically engineered mouse (GEM) model of breast cancer. Analysis of fresh tumor explants, cultured organoids and cell lines revealed that the trailblazer EMT was controlled by TGF{beta} pathway activity that induced a hybrid EMT state characterized by cells expressing E-cadherin and Vimentin. Notably, the trailblazer EMT was active in cells lacking keratin 14 expression and evidence of trailblazer EMT activation was detected in collectively invading cells in primary tumors. The trailblazer EMT program required expression of the transcription factor Fra1, which was regulated by the parallel autocrine activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERK) 1 and 2. Together, these results reveal that the activity of parallel TGF{beta} and EGFR pathways confers cells with the ability to lead collective invasion through the induction of a trailblazer EMT.
Assessment of hospital quality and safety standards among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing surgery for cancer.

Abstract Background We sought to assess the relationship between Leapfrog minimum volume standards, Hospital Safety Grades, and Magnet recognition with outcomes among patients undergoing rectal, lung, esophageal, and pancreatic resection for cancer. Methods Standard Analytical Files linked with the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and the Leapfrog Safety Scores Denominator Files were used to identify Medicare patients who underwent surgery for cancer from 2016 to 2017. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine textbook outcomes relative to Leapfrog volume, safety grades, and Magnet recognition. Results Among 26,268 Medicare beneficiaries, 7,491 (28.5%) were treated at hospitals meeting the quality trifactor (Leapfrog, safety grade A, and Magnet recognition) vs 18,777 (71.5%) at hospitals not meeting ≥1 designation. Patients at trifactor hospitals had lower odds of complications (odds ratio = 0.83, 95% confidence interval: 0.76–0.89), prolonged duration of stay (odds ratio = 0.89, 95% confidence interval: 0.82–0.97), and higher odds of experiencing textbook outcome (odds ratio = 1.12, 95% confidence interval: 1.06–1.19). Patients undergoing surgery for lung (odds ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence interval: 1.10–1.30) and pancreatic cancer (odds ratio = 1.37, 95% confidence interval: 1.21–1.55) at trifactor hospitals had higher odds of textbook outcome, whereas this effect was not noted after esophageal (odds ratio = 1.16, 95% confidence interval: 0.90–1.48) or rectal cancer (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval: 0.98–1.27) surgery. Leapfrog minimum volume standards mediated the effect of the quality trifactor on patient outcomes. Conclusion Quality trifactor hospitals had better short-term outcomes after lung and pancreatic cancer surgery compared with nontrifactor hospitals.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Nonoperative Management Versus Early Drilling for Stable Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions of the Knee in Skeletally Immature Patients

Purpose To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a trial of nonoperative management versus early drilling in the treatment of skeletally immature patients with stable osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee. Methods A decision tree model was used to compare the cost-effectiveness of a trial of nonoperative management versus early drilling (within 6 weeks of the first office visit) from payer and societal perspectives over a 3-year time horizon. Relevant transition probabilities, costs (in 2019 US dollars based on Medicare reimbursement), health state utilities, and times to healing were derived from the literature. The principal outcome measure was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). One- and 2-way sensitivity analyses were performed on pertinent model parameters to validate the robustness of the base-case results using a conservative willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $50,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). The Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards checklist for reporting economic evaluations was used. Results In the base-case analysis from a payer perspective, early drilling was more effective (2.51 versus 2.27 QALYs), more costly ($4,655 versus $3,212), and overall more cost-effective (ICER $5,839/QALY) relative to nonoperative management. In the base-case analysis from a societal perspective, early drilling dominated nonoperative management owing to its increased effectiveness (2.51 versus 2.27 QALYs) and decreased cost ($13,098 versus $18,149). These results were stable across broad ranges on sensitivity analysis. Based on 1-way threshold analyses from a payer perspective, early drilling remained cost-effective as long it cost less than $19,840, the disutility of surgery was greater than –0.40, or the probability of successful early drilling was greater than 0.62. Conclusions Although the traditional approach to stable OCD lesions of the knee in skeletally immature patients has been a trial of nonoperative management, our data suggest that early drilling may be cost-effective from both payer and societal perspectives. Level of Evidence III, economic and decision analysis.
Multicultural Competency Building: a Multi-year Study of Trainee Self-Perceptions of Cultural Competence

The rapid growth of cultural diversity in the US population has urged training programs to prepare school psychologists and related school-based mental health practitioners to work with students from culturally diverse backgrounds. Accreditation bodies, such as the National Association of School Psychologists and the American Psychological Association, charge graduate programs with measuring growth in trainees in terms of competencies. As a result, multicultural competency is a domain of professionalism deserving of further study. The current study investigated the effects of a 10-week standalone graduate course on multicultural issues in school psychology, designed to increase self-assessed multicultural competencies in preservice school psychologists. The results indicated a significant increase in students’ perceptions of multicultural competence across all 5 years of the investigation. In addition, using a two-way analysis of variance, cohort effects on growth over time suggested that the demographic composition of cohorts affected the growth in multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills. Implications and recommendations for future school psychology research are discussed.
Reinforcement Learning-based Energy-Efficient Power Allocation for Underwater Full-Duplex Relay Network with Energy Harvesting

In this paper, we study the energy efficiency (EE) performance of a three-node underwater full-duplex relay network, where the relay is an energy harvesting node. Since the arrival of harvested energy is intermittent from the ambient environment, energy-efficient data transmission can prolong the lifespan of the network. By exploiting the causal system information, we aim to maximize the long-term end-to-end EE of the network through adaptive power control at the relay node. The system is described through a Markov decision process, and the reinforcement learning framework is applied to obtain the energy-efficient transmission policy. Simulation results demonstrate the long-term average EE performance of the obtained transmission policy, which outperforms two benchmark approaches.
Biopsychosocial Factors Associated with Depression among U.S. Undergraduate International Students

Using a biopsychosocial framework, our study examined the biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors associated with depression among a cross-sectional sample of undergraduate international students (N = 712) attending 28 U.S. colleges and universities. Consistent with hypotheses, regression analysis revealed that self-esteem, life satisfaction, and coping self-efficacy were negatively associated with depressive symptoms, and that ethnic minority status, perceived discrimination, and financial concerns were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Contrary to predictions, age, optimism, friendships, and school belonging were not significant predictors, and perseverance predicted increased depression in this sample. The novel findings provide implications for researchers, university administrators, and counselors.
Did You Hear That One About Neutra and Williams? Architectural Spreadability in a Post-Truth Context

In 1936, Paul Revere Williams and Richard Neutra were two of the five exhibitors in the California House and Garden Exhibition. In 1942 they were also two of the five architects who comprised the S...
Let a thousand flowers bloom: on the uses of diversity in software testing

Software testing is hard, and a testing problem is composed of many sub-problems with different, often conflicting, solutions. Like many real-world problems, it admits no single optimal solution, but requires dexterity, and the opportunistic combination of many partial solutions. Exploration and experiment, even by practitioners, are important in real-world critical testing efforts. An important set of research results in the field endorse and codify the value of diversity in test generation. However, our current approaches to evaluating research results arguably cut against this fundamental reality: while effective testing may need true diversity, combining many partial answers, the iron logic of the research results section often imposes a totalizing vision where authors must at least pretend to present a monolithic, unitary solution, a new “king of the hill.”
Bayesian ideal observer predicts weak forms of blindsight in normal observers.

It has been reported that damage to V1 can lead to "blindsight": such patients can discriminate simple visual stimuli above chance and yet allegedly report no conscious visual percept. It has also been suggested that similar forms of "unconscious vision" can be demonstrated in normal observers, i.e. under certain experimental conditions (e.g. low-contrast masked stimuli) subjects can perform above-chance discrimination even when rating confidence/stimulus visibility at the lowest level. However, from a signal detection theoretic (SDT) perspective, these findings may be trivial: subjects may report low confidence/invisibility only because the signal falls below an arbitrary confidence/visibility criterion, rather than being truly invisible. We therefore investigated whether perceptual discrimination without subjective awareness can be demonstrated unequivocally by the rigorous standards of ideal observer analyses. To bypass the criterion problem mentioned above, we probed confidence with a 2-interval forced-choice procedure (Barthelme & Mamassian, 2009, PLoS CB): normal observers viewed paired intervals of masked stimuli, discriminated the orientation of each (left/right tilted), and then chose which decision they were more confident in (Expt 1) or which stimulus was more visible (Expt 2). Importantly, in one interval the stimulus had zero contrast, meaning above-chance orientation discrimination was impossible. Strong evidence for blindsight would consist of subjects' discriminating the stimulus above-chance yet failing to consistently select it as more confident/visible relative to the blank interval. Such suboptimal behavior would violate common models of perception. In both experiments, intriguingly, we found that observers judged confidence/visibility with lower sensitivity than they could discriminate orientation, according to SDT measures, suggesting there may be evidence for compromised subjective awareness. Crucially, however, a Bayesian ideal observer model predicts similar behavior. We argue that traditional SDT analyses make unrealistic assumptions about what observers can do in these tasks, and show with simulations how misleading results could be obtained via conventional procedures. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2015. Language: en
Ethics and Corporate Responsibility

Legal ethics in business law have been more prevalent over recent years. With the corporate scandals involving Enron, WorldCom and Tyco, the Sarbanes Oxley Act has been enacted in order to give those in the business world more flexibility in revealing the wrongdoings of executives who would rather keep the information to themselves and away from the general public. However, because these scandals tend to harm the people furthest down the line from those in the Ivory Towers, the new provisions and handling of unethical behavior in business law has come at exactly the right time in order to mitigate future harm.
Molecular mechanics of two smooth muscle heavy meromyosin constructs that differ by an insert in the motor domain

Phasic and tonic smooth muscles express two myosin heavy chain isoforms that differ by only a seven amino acid insert in a flexible surface loop located near the nucleotide-binding site The inserted isoform found predominantly in phasic muscle has two times the actin-activated ATPase activity and in vitro actin filament velocity as the non-insert isoform found mainly in tonic muscle (Kelley, C.A., Takahashi, M., Yu, J.H. & Adelstein, R.S. 1993. J Biol Chem 268, 12848, Rovner, A.S., Freyzon, Y. & Trybus, K.M. 1997. J Musc Res Cell Motil 18, 1031. We used a laser trap to characterize the molecular mechanics of the inserted isoform [(+)insert] and of a mutant lacking the insert [(-)insert], which is analogous to the isoform found in tonic muscles. The constructs were expressed in the baculovirus/insect cell system. Unitary displacements (D uni ) were similar for both the constructs (10 nm) but the attachment time (t on ) for the (-)insert was two times that of the (+)insert These data suggest that the insert in the nucleotide-binding loop does not affect the inherent mechanics of the myosin molecule but rather the kinetics of the cross-bridge cycle.
Abstract 59: Age-Specific Probabilities of Transitioning between Ideal, Intermediate, and Poor Levels of Physical Activity in the United States: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Maintenance of recommended physical activity levels is associated with favorable cardiovascular outcomes. Consequently, the American Heart Association (AHA) included physical activity in the new Ideal Cardiovascular Health concept. Although physical activity is known to decline with age, the age-specific probability of transitioning between AHA defined levels (ideal, intermediate, poor) is unclear. This knowledge could inform interventions seeking to increase or maintain physical activity levels across the life-course. We estimated age-specific prevalence of ideal (≥150 min/wk moderate or ≥75 min/wk vigorous or equivalent combination), intermediate (1-149 min/wk moderate or 1-74 min/wk vigorous or equivalent combination) and poor (0 min of moderate and vigorous) physical activity among adult (16+) European Americans (EA) and African Americans (AA) from the 2007-2010 NHANES (n=13,418) and Hispanic/Latino participants (H/L) from the 2008-2011 HCHS/SOL (n=14,291). Prevalence estimation incorporated data from identical NHANES and HCHS/SOL self-report questionnaires. We then used the prevalence estimates to calculate age, race, and sex-specific probabilities of transitioning between levels using Markov-type state-transition models. These models are designed to estimate transition probabilities from cross-sectional data assuming time-constant transitions, and have been updated to accommodate complex sampling procedures. The estimated 5-year probability of maintaining ideal physical activity levels remained high through the fourth decade of life, after which race and sex differences were observed. For example, the estimated 5-year probabilities of transitioning from ideal to intermediate physical activity levels were similar at age 40 for EA and AA men (1.2% [95%CI: 0.3, 2.3] vs. 2.2% [95%CI: 1.0, 3.6]), but by age 65 diverged to 5.3% (95%CI: 3.9, 6.9) vs. 11.6% (95%CI: 8.5, 15.2), respectively. During middle age, the estimated probability of transitioning from intermediate to poor physical activity levels was accelerated, although variation by race was noted. For example, the estimated probability of transitioning from intermediate to poor physical activity levels was
Passive stimulated Brillouin scattering suppression for broadband passive optical networks

We demonstrate passive SBS suppression through fiber design enabling 4.0-dB advantage compared to standard single-mode fiber, while maintaining compliance with ITU G.652.D requirements. We further demonstrate this advantage by monitoring common analog video metrics.
The Prevention of Eating Problems and Eating Disorders: Theory, Research, and Practice

Contents: Preface. Introduction. Guides to Prevention: Models and Risk Factors. Review of Prevention Research. Prevention Research: Lessons From the Field. Conclusions and Future Directions. Appendices.
Host phylogeography and beta diversity in avian haemosporidian (Plasmodiidae) assemblages of the Lesser Antilles

1. We estimated the correlation between host phylogeographical structure and beta diversity of avian haemosporidian assemblages of passerine birds to determine the degree to which parasite communities change with host evolution, expressed as genetic divergence between island populations, and we investigated whether differences among islands in the haemosporidia of a particular host species reflect beta diversity in the entire parasite assemblage, beta diversity in vectors, turnover of bird species and/or geographical distance.2. We used Mantel tests to assess the significance of partial correlations between host nucleotide difference (based on cytochrome b) and haemosporidian (Haemoproteus spp. and Plasmodium spp.) mitochondrial lineage beta diversity within a given host species and between Plasmodium mitochondrial lineage beta diversity and mosquito and bird species beta diversity (or turnover). Three abundant and widespread host species (Tiaris bicolor, Coereba flaveola and Loxigilla noctis/barbadensis) were included in the study. Haemosporidian lineage beta diversity among nine islands was assessed using the Chao-Jaccard, Chao-Sorensen and Morisita-Horn indices of community similarity. Beta diversity indices of mosquito species and turnover of bird species were calculated from data in published records and field guides.3. In Loxigilla spp., we found a positive correlation with geographical distance and an unexpected negative correlation between haemosporidian beta diversity and host genetic distance. Tiaris bicolor exhibited a significant positive correlation between haemosporidian beta diversity and beta diversity within the entire parasite assemblage. We did not find significant correlations between parasite beta diversity and mosquito beta diversity or bird species turnover.4. Host phylogeographical structure does not appear to drive within-host beta diversity of haemosporidian lineages. Instead, the array of parasites on one host can reflect the haemosporidian assemblage on other hosts. (Less)
Spectral signatures of thermal spin disorder and excess Mn in half-metallic NiMnSb

Effects of thermal spin disorder and excess Mn on the electronic spectrum of half-metallic NiMnSb are studied using first-principles calculations. Temperature-dependent spin disorder, introduced within the vector disordered local moment model, causes the valence band at the $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ point to broaden and shift upwards, crossing the Fermi level and thereby closing the half-metallic gap above room temperature. The spectroscopic signatures of excess Mn on the Ni, Sb, and empty sites (${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ni}}, {\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Sb}}$, and ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{E}}$) are analyzed. ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ni}}$ is spectroscopically invisible. The relatively weak coupling of ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Sb}}$ and ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{E}}$ spins to the host strongly deviates from the Heisenberg model, and the spin of ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{E}}$ is canted in the ground state. While the half-metallic gap is preserved in the collinear ground state of ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Sb}}$, thermal spin disorder of the weakly coupled ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Sb}}$ spins destroys it at low temperatures. This property of ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Sb}}$ may be the source of the observed low-temperature transport anomalies.
Power-area-DR-frequency-selectivity tradeoffs in weakly nonlinear active filters

This paper discusses the fundamental tradeoffs that exist between the power dissipation, chip area, dynamic range, frequency of operation, and selectivity in continuous time active filters. These tradeoffs are demonstrated for the simple, but instructive, case of a Gm-C biquadratic filter. The analysis is based on the assumption that the distortion performance is dominated by weak third order nonlinearities. It is shown that this assumption yields tradeoffs that are very different from those described in the literature.
Dehydration among lactating mothers in the Amazon: A neglected problem.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare hydration status between lactating and non-lactating women in the hot-humid Amazon. Methods Fifty-four women (15–81 years) from two villages at different distances to the market provided urine samples, anthropometric measurements, and health recalls. Urine samples were analyzed for urine specific gravity (USG). Bivariate and multiple linear and logistic regressions tested differences in USG and dehydration (USG > 1.020) between women of different lactating status. Results Lactating women (1.024 g/ml; 78% dehydrated) had significantly higher USG levels (β = 0.004; P = 0.011) than non-lactating women (1.020 g/ml; 50% dehydrated) and were significantly more likely to be dehydrated adjusting for covariates (OR: 4.05; 95% CI 1.1–14.7). Conclusions Women living in hot-humid rural environments with minimal access to clean water are at greater risk of dehydration when breastfeeding. Future research should examine lactating women longitudinally and assess whether chronic dehydration affects breast milk composition. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:576–578, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.