cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of the Chiari I Malformation

Almost 1 % of normal adults undergoing MRI scanning have cerebellar tonsillar ectopia of 5 mm or more, sufficient for radiographic diagnosis of Chiari I malformation (CM1). Only about 0.01–0.04 % of adults demonstrate symptoms and MRI evidence of CM1. Symptoms of CM1 usually accompany tonsillar ectopia over 12 mm, a narrow CSF space posterior to the cerebellar tonsils, and molded cerebellar tonsils. In CM1, reduced bony development of the posterior fossa creates morphologic changes in the cerebellum and medulla. Factors predisposing to CM1 include an affected close relative, birth injury, trauma, pseudotumor cerebri, hydrocephalus, Pacific island ancestry, female gender in US adults, male gender in Russian Tartar adults, and possibly epigenetic changes. Prospective well-designed studies of large populations will provide better estimates of CM1 prevalence than existing retrospective queries of the databases of private and governmental healthcare organizations.
Broken systems: the 2014 humanitarian crisis in the US and policy insights for Europe

Both the US and Europe are grappling with migration systems in need of reform and repair. The US has made several attempts towards a comprehensive reform of its immigration system, but partisan divides stand in the way. With large numbers of migrants and asylum seekers coming to Europe, EU leaders have been forced to address the broken Dublin system. It has become clear that the current refugee crisis is not just a European crisis. The US has also been facing a humanitarian crisis, one less noticed by Europeans. With an unprecedented number of unaccompanied minors trying to make their way to the US from Central American countries, the US—like Europe—is tasked with balancing humanitarian protection and border control requirements. In response, the US has employed policy responses to bring down the number of unaccompanied minors. These measures can provide insights for Europe.
Synthesis and Rheological Characterization of Poly(vinyl acetate-b-vinyl alcohol-b-vinyl acetate) Triblock Copolymer Hydrogels

We report the synthesis and shear rheology of a series of hydrogels derived from poly(vinyl acetate-b-vinyl alcohol-b-vinyl acetate) (PVAc-b-PVOH-b-PVAc) triblock copolymers. Bidirectional, reversible-addition–fragmentation chain transfer free radical polymerizations of vinyl acetate (VAc) and vinyl chloroacetate (VClAc) are optimized to produce a series of relatively narrow dispersity PVAc-b-P(VAc-ran-VClAc)-b-PVAc triblock copolymers with controlled molecular weights and compositions. Rapid and selective hydrolysis of P(VAc-ran-VClAc) blocks with K2CO3/CH3OH furnishes access to a series of PVAc-b-PVOH-b-PVAc amphiphiles. Hydration of solvent-cast films of these copolymers, comprising PVAc blocks of comparable degrees of polymerization with variable PVOH segment lengths, yields soft hydrogels (G′(ω) ∼ 1–10 kPa). Synchrotron small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering reveals that these hydrogels microphase separate into spherical hydrophobic PVAc domains that are interconnected by solvated PVOH network s...
Surgical threshold for bicuspid aortic valve aneurysm: a case for individual decision-making

The bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) affects 1–2% of the population and may be associated with important valvular disease and an increased risk of aortic root and/or ascending aortic aneurysm and dissection. BAV aortic aneurysm and dissection occur earlier in life than when these disorders are associated with a tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). Alterations in the aortic media and differences in aortic elastic properties and wall stress also accompany BAV aortopathy. With appropriate follow-up and timely surgery, population studies have documented a survival rate for patients with BAV no different from age-matched controls. Guidelines have previously recommended prophylactic aortic surgery at a smaller aortic aneurysm size for patients with BAV compared with aneurysms in patients with a TAV. Recent guidelines have presented differing indications regarding the appropriate timing of prophylactic surgery for BAV aneurysms, giving the recommendation for surgery when the aortic root and/or ascending aortic exceeds 5.5 cm (unless certain factors are present), the same size for which TAV-associated aortic aneurysm surgery is recommended. We review the pathophysiology of BAV aortopathy, the clinical history of BAV ascending aortic disease, areas of uncertainty and make a case for a patient-centered, individualised decision regarding the optimal timing of aortic aneurysm surgery in BAV disease.
Simultaneous analysis of glycosylated and sialylated prostate-specific antigen revealing differential distribution of glycosylated prostate-specific antigen isoforms in prostate cancer tissues.

Aberrant protein glycosylation has been shown to be associated with disease progression and can be potentially useful as a biomarker if disease-specific glycosylation can be identified. However, high-throughput quantitative analysis of protein glycosylation derived from clinical specimens presents technical challenges due to the typically high complexity of biological samples. In this study, a mass spectrometry-based analytical method was developed to measure different glycosylated forms of glycoproteins from complex biological samples by coupling glycopeptide extraction strategy for specific glycosylation with selected reaction monitoring (SRM). Using this method, we monitored glycosylated and sialylated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in prostate cancer and noncancer tissues. Results of this study demonstrated that the relative abundance of glycosylated PSA isoforms were not correlated with total PSA protein levels measured in the same prostate cancer tissue samples by clinical immunoassay. Furthermore,...
A Note on the Generalized (Positive) Cauchy Distribution

In this note, a certain generalization of the Cauchy distribution is obtained, using the result of Malik [2]. The generalized gamma distribution having the density (1) is introduced by Stacy [1], who studied some of its properties. As remarked by Stacy [1], the familiar gamma, chi, chi-squared, exponential and Weibull distributions are special cases of (1), as are the distributions of certain functions of a normal variable - viz.
The Role of AMPK Pathway in Neuroprotection

Adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) is a highly conserved protein kinase found in all eukaryotic genomes. It exists as heterotrimeric protein consisting of α, β, and γ subunits. AMPK is activated by elevated levels of adenosine mono-phosphate (AMP), which is produced during conditions of low ATP production and perhaps mitochondrial dysfunction. Activation of AMPK has been shown to regulate a large number of downstream pathways. These will either increase energy production such as increase oxidation of fatty acids and glucose, or decrease energy utilization such as inhibiting synthesis of glycogen, fatty acid synthesis, and protein synthesis. In addition, being a key regulator of physiological energy dynamics, AMPK has been demonstrated to play roles in regulating various cellular processes such as mitochondrial biogenesis (Jager et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104:12017–12022, 2007), autophagy (Hyttinen et al. Rejuven Res 14:651–660, 2011) and inflammation and immune responses (Giri et al. 2004). Retinal neurons have a high energy demand but have a poor energy storage capacity. Because of this, it is likely that the AMPK signaling pathway plays an important role in maintaining energy balance, and therefore may be a therapeutic target to prevent or delay retinal degeneration.
Research of Measurement Bias of AC Sampling Module Based on AD7656

This paper analyzes several main factors which influence the measurement accuracy of AC sampling module,and put forwards some improvements in hardware and some compensation methods in software.According to the calculation principle of power,a new algorithm of phase shift compensation is gived,which make AC sampling module to get the better performance than no use of it.
Exploration of Teaching Reform on Physical Chemistry for Metal Material Engineering Majors

Physical Chemistry was one of compulsory basic course for materials science majors.Thus,the teaching materials and content of courses were selected,the teaching methods of Physical Chemistry were optimized,and the scientific examination system was established,according to the features of metal materials specialty.The results of the reformation showed that the leaning interests and the active learning ability of students were improved,and the quality of education was enhanced highly.
One more battle lost to friendly fire--or if you spend too much it's hard to save money.

This just in from the front: Battle number 28 in the quest to make one of the many forms of home care for the elderly adult day care a winner finds the Veterans Administration in full retreat. In this, the best designed and executed of the 28 cost-effectiveness experiments and quasi-experiments conducted to date on adult day care, homemaker services, respite care, and other types of home care,1 we have learned it one more time: The right way, the wrong way, or the Army way: no matter how you do it, home care adds costs but does little or nothing for health status.
An Unusual Case of a Tibial Metastasis as the Clinical Presentation of Bronchogenic Adenocarcinoma

A patient with initial complaints of leg pain and difficulty walking was found to have a large right tibial metastatic tumor and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung. Findings from total-body bone scintigraphy include a large area of increased uptake in the proximal half of the right tibia with a photon-deficient area medially, and focal areas of uptake in a right rib, in the femoral neck and the left ileum. An irregular area of increased uptake in the left lung mass was shown by thoracic bone SPECT. This is an unusual case of a tibial metastasis as the first clinical presentation of bronchogenic adenocarcinoma.
Allogeneic memory T cell response.

Recent data have revealed marked differences in alloresponses mediated by memory T cells during GVH and host-versus-graft (HVG) reactions (summarized in Table 1). Even though the mechanisms are not completely understood, it is clear that all memory T cells including nonallospecific, crossreactive, and allospecific memory T cells have decreased ability to induce GVHD. Selection of memory T cells or removal of naive T cells will not only prevent GVHD, but could also enhance immune reconstitution, facilitate engraftment, and have the potential to enhance antitumor effects. A clinical trial has been planned. Successful translation of this approach in the clinic will improve the safety, enhance the effectiveness, and broaden the scope of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Attention in Brain-Damaged People

While it is clear that some brain-damaged people have difficulty in knowing and interpreting the environment, the nature of this difficulty is not so clear, nor is its remediation or its relationship to the varieties of treatment offered in rehabilitation settings for various disabilities associated with brain damage. Psychologists who have been concerned with the problems of brain damage in people have generally been of two schools of thought. The first school suggests that the difficulty is in some way a problem in perception, i.e. a disturbance in the way the individual with brain damage organizes his sensations (impressions of the external environment); and the second school argues that the disturbance is in some way a disorder of abilities so that the individual is rendered incapable of solving problems that were formerly within the domain of his competence. The former school, strongly influenced by traditional Gestalt psychology, claims that the key to cognition lies in perception, which, in turn, is a direct reflection of the intactness and functioning of the brain. Hence, a disturbance in the brain will yield a disturbance in perception. Dozens of studies testify to this point, but we will cite only a few of the more well-known expressions of this idea. Piotrowski (1937) showed that brain-injured adults were rendered impotent and confused when presented with a complex perceptual task such as the Rorschach test. Goldstein (1930), in a well-known series of studies, ascribes the difficulties in solving even the most simple kinds of problem in brain-injured people as a manifestation of an inability to organize and categorize stimuli, although they could be sensed adequately. Together with Scheerer (1941) he suggested that the defect was one in abstract thinking. Klein and Krech (1952), applying Kohler' s theory of visual aftereffects to the problem of cognition in brain-damaged people, hypothesized that braindamaged individuals suffered from defects in maintaining stable bound
Development of Consumer Typologies from Appropriateness Ratings

This study was designed to determine whether consumers could be grouped on the basis of their perceptions of the appropriateness of various food-use combinations, and, if so, whether these categories replicate across subject sets. Results indicate there are at least three, and possibly five, stable people groups vis-avis food attitudes.
Experimental study of the optimal angle for arthrodesis of fingers based on kinematic analysis with tip-pinch manipulation

To evaluate the appropriate angle for arthrodesis of the index finger proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, the functional range of motion (ROM) of the joints and manipulabilities at three selected tip-pinch manipulation postures of the finger were studied experimentally under imposed PIP joint arthrodesis angles. A kinematic model of the index finger was used in experiments which involved three postures. Experiments were conducted using seven healthy subjects in tip-pinch manipulation tasks to obtain the measurements of finger motions under imposed angles of joint constraint, including the functional ROM of the joints and the three criteria of kinematic manipulability. Data show that the functional ROM and the shape of the kinematic manipulability ellipses at the fingertip were influenced significantly by the imposed PIP joint constraint in the tip-pinch manipulation tests. Results suggest that a PIP arthrodesis angle between 40° and 60° led to the optimal performance of fingers in grasping and manipulation of fine objects. This theoretical and experimental study can help surgeons and clinicians to make more informed decisions on the appropriate constraint angles before the arthrodesis operation, and to customize this angle for individual patients in order to enhance not only the capability of manipulation of the finger but also the quality of life after such intervention.
Hybrid soft sensor with embedded IMUs to measure motion

As soft robots become more ubiquitous, there is a growing need for measuring the motion of soft bodies and actuators. In rigid robotics, angles are accurately measured with attached encoders or with externally established motion capture systems. However, these are not possible for mobile soft robots. In this paper, we present a hybrid soft sensor for measuring motion. The sensor is made of a hyperelastic silicone elastomer that contains embedded microchannels filled with conductive liquid metal. It also encapsulates two rigid inertial measurement units (IMU) near the edge points of highly elastic substrate. This hybrid structure is an effort of improving previously reported soft sensors that only have a soft strain gauge to measure motion. It uses the strain gauge in conjunction with the IMUs to improve the accuracy of angle measurements. Two experimental tests were performed using the hybrid soft sensor with a fiber reinforced soft actuator and a rigid robot arm. The sensing capabilities were evaluated comparing our results with the outputs of a ground truth optical motion capture system. Results show that soft sensors perform better on soft robots with a root mean square error (RMSE) of less than 3.1 degrees.
‘All Politics is Local’: Challenges in the Study of Local Jewish Communities

Jews are a small proportion of the overall population and local community surveys are inherently challenging to conduct. Until recently, primary sample random digit dialing (RDD) surveys have been the preferred approach. But the proliferation of cellphones and declining response rates make RDD extremely expensive. The result is that communities who use RDD end up relying on small and/or biased samples. To overcome these challenges, the authors have developed a multi-method approach. It relies on cross-survey synthesis of extant RDD survey data that yields, along with significant cost savings, a more comprehensive sample. The approach also utilizes a broad list-based sample that goes beyond local federation lists and includes multiple other organizations. To maximize response rates, surveys are fielded both by phone and email. Finally, to correct for sample bias, adjustments are made using census-like data on organizational memberships and enrollments. In a series of four local Jewish community studies, the use of multiple methods has produced results that can be cross-validated against known data about the local Jewish community and known information that describes the local community context. Responding to the challenges posed by local Jewish community studies requires being transparent about the strengths and weaknesses of the methods used, while being responsive to the questions posed by communal sponsors.
Inventor mobility and the geography of knowledge flows: evidence from the US biopharmaceutical industry

This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Sonmez, Z. Inventor mobility and the geography of knowledge flows: evidence from the US biopharmaceutical industry. Science and Public Policy. 2017. 44(5): 670-682. 10.1093/scipol/scx001. is available online at: ://WOS:000412842800007
Optical Sources: Light-Emitting Diodes and Laser Technology

In this chapter we will present some fundamentals of optical transmitter design for fiber optic data communications. Specifically, we will consider the operating principles behind the three most common types of optical sources used for data communications: • Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)—edge emitting (E-LEDs) and surface emitting
Modulation of Microglial Cell Fcγ Receptor Expression Following Viral Brain Infection

Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) for IgG couple innate and adaptive immunity through activation of effector cells by antigen-antibody complexes. We investigated relative levels of activating and inhibitory FcγRs on brain-resident microglia following murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. Flow cytometric analysis of microglial cells obtained from infected brain tissue demonstrated that activating FcγRs were expressed maximally at 5 d post-infection (dpi), while the inhibitory receptor (FcγRIIB) remained highly elevated during both acute and chronic phases of infection. The highly induced expression of activating FcγRIV during the acute phase of infection was also noteworthy. Furthermore, in vitro analysis using cultured primary microglia demonstrated the role of interferon (IFN)γ and interleukin (IL)-4 in polarizing these cells towards a M1 or M2 phenotype, respectively. Microglial cell-polarization correlated with maximal expression of either FcγRIV or FcγRIIB following stimulation with IFNγ or IL-4, respectively. Finally, we observed a significant delay in polarization of microglia towards an M2 phenotype in the absence of FcγRs in MCMV-infected Fcer1g and FcgR2b knockout mice. These studies demonstrate that neuro-inflammation following viral infection increases expression of activating FcγRs on M1-polarized microglia. In contrast, expression of the inhibitory FcγRIIB receptor promotes M2-polarization in order to shut-down deleterious immune responses and limit bystander brain damage.
A Population Survey of Alouatta palliata , Cebus capucinus and Ateles geoffroyi at Palo Verde, Costa Rica

Calculations of Alouatta palliata , Cebus capucinus and Ateles geoffroyi densities from a census of tropical dry forest in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica are provided (69,15 and 0.6/km 2 , respectively). Adult sex ratios, adult female: juvenile + infant ratios, and demographic differences are provided for A. palliata troops in riparian and dry forests.
Progesterone Regulation of Endometrial Gene Expression in the Early Pregnant Ovine Uterus

Progesterone Regulation of Endometrial Gene Expression in the Early Pregnant Ovine Uterus. (August 2011) Megan A. Minten, B.S., North Dakota State University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Thomas E. Spencer Dr. Fuller W. Bazer Establishment of pregnancy in ruminants requires blastocyst development to form an elongated filamentous conceptus that produces interferon tau (IFNT), the pregnancy recognition signal, and initiate implantation. Blastocyst growth and development is dependent upon secretions from the uterine endometrium. An early increase in post-ovulatory circulating levels of progesterone (P4) stimulates blastocyst growth and conceptus elongation in ruminants. Microarray analysis was used to identify candidate P4-regulated genes and regulatory networks in the endometrium that govern peri-implantation blastocyst/conceptus growth and development. The first study was conducted to validate effects of P4 and/or pregnancy on expression of candidate genes identified by microarray analysis. The genes included: ANGPTL3, CHGA, CLEC4E, CXCL14, EFNA1, EFNB1, FABP3, IFNG, IL6, LGALS3, PTH, RBP4, SLIT2, SLIT3, and VWF. Early P4 treatment up-regulated CXCL14 gene expression in Day 9 ovine endometrium compared to control endometrium, and FABP3, IFNG, IL6 and LGALS3 in Day 12 early P4-treated ovine endometrium. Expression of ANGPTL3, CHGA, CXCL14, EFNA1, EFNB1, LGALS3 and RBP4 was affected by day of pregnancy. Treatment of ewes with P4+RU486 (P4 receptor antagonist) reduced expression of ANGPTL3, CHGA, EFNA1, EFNB1, FABP3, IFNG, IL6, LGALS3, RBP4, and SLIT2, SLIT3 and VWF in comparison to Day 12 P4treated endometrium.
ADAPT: Adaptive Thresholds for Feature Extraction

Threshold-based feature definitions remain one of the most widely used and most intuitive choice in a wide range of scientific areas. However, it is well known that in many applications selecting a single optimal threshold is difficult or even impossible. Common examples of this are quantities with locally exponential behavior like the scalar dissipation rate in turbulent combustion simulations or indicator functions, such as, vorticity or delta popular in defining vortices. In these cases, local thresholds defined, for example, using contour trees can provide significantly better results, but typically require a data analysis expert to create and use. We present the ADAPT framework a new open source code that transforms a given scalar field such that global thresholds in the resulting field correspond to a variety of local thresholds in the original data. Consequently, the resulting field can be easily processed using any of the existing tool chains and provides scientists easy access to a wide variety of more advanced feature definitions. Currently, the package provides two techniques to define local thresholds: The relevance transform originally developed for combustion analysis and a model based fit initially designed to extract eddies in global ocean simulations. Furthermore, it provides an extendable API to easily add other transforms.
Predictors of increased cost and length of stay in the treatment of postoperative spine surgical site infection.

Abstract Background Context Although many risk factors are known to contribute to the development of a postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) following spinal surgery, little is known regarding the costs associated with the management of this complication, or the predictors for which patients will require increased resources for the management of SSI. Purpose The aim of this study was to identify specific risk factors for increased treatment costs and length of stay in the management of a postoperative SSI. Study Design/Setting This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing spine surgery at a single institution for 3 consecutive years. Patient Sample The study included 90 patients who were required to return to the operating room following spine surgery for postoperative SSI. Outcome Measures The primary outcome measure was length of stay and hospital costs for patients with postoperative SSI following spine surgery at a single institution. Methods A retrospective review of all patients undergoing spine surgery at a single institution for 3 consecutive years was performed to identify patients requiring secondary surgical intervention for SSI. Demographic and financial data from both the index admission and all subsequent readmissions within 2 years of the index procedure were reviewed. Independent variables abstracted from patient records were analyzed to determine the nature and the extent of their associations with total direct hospital costs and length of stay. Results A total of 90 patients were identified that resulted in 110 readmissions, and these patients cumulatively underwent 138 irrigation and debridement (I&D) procedures for the management of postoperative spine SSI. The average length of stay for the index operation and secondary readmissions were 6.9 and 9.6 days, respectively. The mean direct cost of the treatment for SSI was $16,242. The length of stay, the number of levels fused, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), decreased serum albumin on readmission, and the number of I&D procedures required were significantly associated with increased treatment costs. Conclusions Preoperative nutritional status assessment and MRSA colonization screening with targeted prophylaxis represent potentially modifiable risk factors in the treatment of SSI. Further study is needed to investigate the relationship between poor nutrition status and increased length of stay and total costs in the treatment of SSI following spine surgery.
Molecular processing of sildenafil in endothelial function: potential applications in cardiovascular diseases

Nitric oxide (NO), released by vascular endothelial cells in response to hormonal and physiochemical stimuli, induces vasorelaxation by increasing production of the second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) via the activation of the heme-containing protein soluble guanylate cyclase in vascular smooth muscle [2, 3, 4]. In vascular smooth muscle, cGMP mediates its vasorelaxation effects by activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), which phosphorylates target downstream proteins that regulate ion channel function and intracellular calcium concentration [5, 6]. Tissue cGMP levels are determined by the balance between the activities of the guanylate cyclases that catalyze formation of cGMP (soluble and membrane-bound forms) and the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases that catalyze breakdown of cGMP [7, 8]. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) is a key regulatory enzyme for cGMP signaling in vascular smooth muscle. PDE5 is a homodimer with a catalytic domain with two zinc-binding motifs, two allosteric binding sites for cGMP, and a regulatory phosphorylation site at serine 92 [9]. Binding of cGMP to the catalytic site on the PDE5 molecule results in cleavage to guanosine monophosphate and increased binding to the allosteric regulatory sites [8, 10]. The role of the allosteric binding sites has not been fully characterized, but cGMP binding to these sites has been reported to increase catalytic activity [11, 12].
Core Differences in Synaptic Signaling Between Primary Visual and Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

Neurons in primary visual cortex (V1) are more resilient than those in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) in aging, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The current study compared glutamate and neuromodulatory actions in macaque V1 to those in dlPFC, and found striking regional differences. V1 neuronal firing to visual stimuli depended on AMPA receptors, with subtle NMDA receptor contributions, while dlPFC depends primarily on NMDA receptors. Neuromodulatory actions also differed between regions. In V1, cAMP signaling increased neuronal firing, and the phosphodiesterase PDE4A was positioned to regulate cAMP effects on glutamate release from axons. HCN channels in V1 were classically located on distal dendrites, and enhanced cell firing. These data contrast with dlPFC, where PDE4A and HCN channels are concentrated in thin spines, and cAMP-HCN signaling gates inputs and weakens firing. These regional differences may explain why V1 neurons are more resilient than dlPFC neurons to the challenges of age and disease.
Designing Adaptive Learning Objects for Enhanced Student Engagement in Data Structures and Algorithms: (Abstract Only)

How to actively engage students using a more personalized approach in both online and face-to-face classes is an important topic in Computer Science discipline. Studies showed that adaptive learning approach can be used to redesign a course to achieve a better and more effective learning experience for the students. As a result, the Data Structures and Algorithms course at CSUEB has been redesigned using Smart Sparrow platform, with engaging adaptive learning objects embedded in the Blackboard LMS. Other tools like Open Educational Resources and ZyBook, as well as project-based group assignments were also utilized to transform the classes and student learning at the same time. The author reports on some preliminary results of a collaborative NSF grant that promotes the STEM education to a more diverse student body. Comparative results for control courses and the redesigned course demonstrate our findings and confirm the effectiveness of adaptive learning.
Household Debt, Consumption, and Income Inequality

Using the Johansen and Engle–Granger cointegration tests, we show that there is one cointegrating relationship between household debt, consumption, and income inequality in the United States for th...
Can You Verifi This? Studying Uncertainty and Decision-Making About Misinformation Using Visual Analytics

We describe a novel study of decision-making processes around misinformation on social media. Using a custom-built visual analytic system, we presented users with news content from social media accounts from a variety of news outlets, including outlets engaged in distributing misinformation. We conducted controlled experiments to study decision-making regarding the veracity of these news outlets and tested the role of confirmation bias (the tendency to ignore contradicting information) and uncertainty of information on human decision-making processes. Our findings reveal that the presence of conflicting information, presented to users in the form of cues, impacts the ability to judge the veracity of news in systematic ways. We also find that even instructing participants to explicitly disconfirm given hypotheses does not significantly impact their decision-making regarding misinformation when compared to a control condition. Our findings have the potential to inform the design of visual analytics systems so that they may be used to mitigate the effects of cognitive biases and stymie the spread of misinformation on social media.
Improved Performance of Universal Integral Regulators

The paper is concerned with the design of an integral control for minimum-phase nonlinear systems that have a well-defined relative degree. Earlier work by the author and coworkers has shown how integral control can be combined with robust control techniques to achieve nonlocal and semiglobal regulation results. The results are applicable to output feedback control problems through the use of high-gain observers and saturation nonlinearities. When used with sliding-mode control, the technique produces universal integral regulators that have been shown to coincide with PI and PID controllers, followed by limiters, for relative-degree-one systems and relative-degree-two systems. The use of integral action improves the steady-state response at the expense of degrading the transient response. The present paper summarizes two recent techniques to modify the universal integral regulator so as to improve its transient performance. One technique uses antiwindup integration, while the other uses nonlinear integrators.
Metabolic alterations and lactate overproduction in insulin-resistant states.

Progressive wasting, weakness, anorexia, and anemia are frequent complications of neoplastic disease.1–4 Decreases in adipose mass constitute the major body losses and exceed losses seen in simple starvation. Decreases in protein constituents of the body, however, are also observed.4–5 The mechanisms for depletion of body energy stores are complex and not adequately explained by anorexia, reduced food consumption, or simply by increased energy utilization by tumor tissue.1,2,6
Modifications of ornithine decarboxylase induced by phosphatases.

The sensitivity with which a tissue regulates polyamine biosynthesis during normal growth, development and hormone response has long been appreciated, but not well understood. In particular, the activity of the initial enzyme in this pathway, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), appears to be subject to many cellular regulatory signals. Through recent advances in cDNA probes for ODC mRNA, and the use of radioactively labeled DFMO to tag ODC, along with the isolation and use of monospecific antibodies, great progress has been made in our understanding of the control of ODC synthesis at the levels of transcription and translation. However, this enzyme protein is also noted for its unusual instability (T1/2 can be less than 20 min) in mammalian tissues, and therefore the factors influencing this instability must also be considered if we are to gain complete understanding of the observed rapid modulation of cellular ODC activity. Unfortunately very little is known about how a cell may rapidly target and specifically degrade such a protein. This process must be of great significance, as this extreme enzyme instability is not common among cellular proteins, yet it is a feature shared by many proto-oncogene products.
Niemann–Pick Type C

Niemann–Pick disease Type C is an autosomal recessive, progressive neurovisceral disorder of lipid storage with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations in many age groups. Common signs include ataxia, visceromegaly, vertical supranuclear gaze palsy, dementia, dystonia, seizures, and cataplexy. Biochemical or genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis, and management is symptomatic.
Pharmacological Intervention for Disruptive Behaviors in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: The Glass is Half Full

Abstract The use of psychotropic medicine for the treatment of disruptive behaviors such as irritability, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, and self-injury is more common in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) than in neurotypical populations. With the exception of some atypical antipsychotics, few drugs carry clinical indications for such use. Thus, many children and adults with IDD receive “off-label” medication with varying degrees of empirical support for safety and efficacy. In this chapter, we review the literature on pharmacologic treatment of disruptive behavior in IDD between 2001 and 2010. We discuss several drug classes, including antipsychotics, antidepressants, psychostimulants, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, anticonvulsants, and glutamatergic agents. Due to the relative preponderance of research in samples with autism spectrum disorders, we present these separately from studies in general IDD samples. Overall, the research base is strongest for atypical antipsychotics and psychostimulants, and it is clear that the field has advanced between 2001 and 2010. Other drug classes have received relatively little research attention. We identify several areas in which the field can improve future research, including the study of combination treatments (e.g. cotherapy and medication plus behavioral).
Inosine preserves ATP during ischemia and enhances recovery during reperfusion

The effects of exogenous inosine (IN) on high-energy phosphate metabolism and function in isolated, working rabbit hearts were monitored with 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Dynamic measurements of ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) were made along with concomitant functional recordings during normal perfusion, global ischemia (IS), and reperfusion (RE). We found that 0.1 mM IN enhanced the rate of pressure development (dP/dt) within the left ventricle by 10 +/- 5% (n = 7). Although IN levels in treated hearts were elevated during normal perfusion, no effect was observed on ATP or PCr levels. However during IS, pretreatment with IN minimized ATP loss for the first 20 min relative to untreated controls (UNT, P less than 0.05). Both IN and UNT hearts that were ischemic for only 13.5 min regained function during a 60-min RE period. However, at the end of IS, IN hearts (n = 8) displayed 88 +/- 10% of the pre-IS ATP levels, whereas UNT hearts (n = 7) retained only 60 +/- 10%. With RE, ATP in IN hearts remained elevated over that of UNT hearts for the entire 60 min. IN treatment also increased the rate of recovery of dP/dt and maintained improved function over 60 min of RE. No correlation was found between post-IS ATP levels and dP/dt values during RE in either IN or UNT hearts. These data indicate that IN was protective against ATP loss during IS and improved functional recovery on RE.
Key Elements for Conducting Vaccination Exercises for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.

The article discusses what the authors refer to as the key elements that are needed to conduct vaccination exercises as part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program, and it mentions pandemic influenza-related preparedness and the CDC's "Checklist of Best Practices for Vaccination Clinics Held at Satellite, Temporary, or Off-Site Locations." Vaccine handling and storage guidelines are also addressed.
The Outcomes of Isolated Distal Realignment Procedures in Patellofemoral Instability: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Distal realignment procedures are now commonly performed routinely with proximal realignment procedures. Despite so, only a limited number of publications exist that have looked into the efficacy of isolated distal realignment procedures, and whether there is indeed a need for routine proximal realignment procedures to be added to the distal realignment procedures. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the outcomes of isolated distal realignment procedures in the management of patellofemoral instability. The review was conducted using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRSIMA) guidelines. All studies that reported the outcomes of isolated distal realignment procedures for patellofemoral instability were included. A total of six publications were included, with 347 knees. All studies consistently reported a decrease in the rates of patellofemoral instability or maltracking (odds ratio [OR]: < 0.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: < 0.01-0.01) and an increase in the odds of having a good outcome (OR: 0.01; 95% CI: < 0.01-0.02) after distal realignment procedures. A total of 24 out of 306 patients (7.8%) had postoperative instability or maltracking, and a total of 220 out of 303 patients (72.6%) were rated to have good or excellent outcomes postoperatively. Isolated distal realignment procedures can lead to good outcomes when used in the management of patellofemoral instability. These include a significantly decreased rate of patellofemoral instability or maltracking and a significantly increased number of patients with excellent or good outcomes postoperatively. Comparisons between patients with and without additional proximal realignment procedures suggest that additional proximal realignment procedures do not definitely improve the outcomes of distal realignment procedures and, therefore, should not be routinely performed in all patients undergoing distal realignment procedures. The Level of Evidence for this study is IV.
A Review of Contemporary Arab Scholarship on the Use of Isrāʾīlīāt for Interpreting the Qurʾan

The Qur’an and Old and New Testaments have in common some twenty prophetic figures. As a text, the Qur’an engages with members of these earlier scriptural communities both in its direct address to ‘Benī Isrāʾīl’ (the Children of Israel) and in the way it recounts the stories of their prophets. For their part, these earlier scriptures tend to present their accounts of these prophets in more detail than the Qur’an. As such, early Muslims would often consult Jewish and Christian converts to Islam for elucidation of the Qur’an’s core presentation. From this narration process emerged an exegetical genre called Isrāʾīlīāt. While long established in Muslim tradition, this exegetical genre has been a source of serious contention between scholars throughout the ages. Surveying almost a dozen works produced by the Arabic-speaking academy, this paper explores contemporary Arab scholarship on the use of Isrāʾīlīāt for interpreting the Qurʾan. It focuses on scholars’ attitudes towards this exegetical genre and what – if any – role they see it having in interpreting the Qurʾan.
Pastoralist activities affect the movement patterns of a large African carnivore, the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta)

Populations of large carnivores are declining in many parts of the world due to anthropogenic activity. Some species of large carnivores, however, are able to coexist with people by altering their behavior. Altered behaviors may be challenging to identify in large carnivores because these animals are typically cryptic, nocturnal, live at low densities, and because changes in their behavior may be subtle or emerge slowly over many years. We studied the effects of livestock presence on the movements of one large carnivore, the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). We fit 22 adult female spotted hyenas with GPS collars to quantify their movements in areas with and without livestock or herders present, in and around a protected area in southwestern Kenya. We investigated anthropogenic, social, and ecological effects on the speed of movement, distances traveled, long-distance movements, and extraterritorial excursions by spotted hyenas. Hyenas living primarily within the protected area, but in the presence of livestock and herders, moved faster, traveled over longer distances, and were more likely to be within their territories than did conspecifics living in areas without livestock and herders. Hyenas of low social rank were more likely than hyenas of high social rank to engage in long-distance travel events, and these were more likely to occur when prey were scarce. The movement patterns of this large African carnivore indicate a flexibility that may allow them to persist in landscapes that are becoming increasingly defined by people.
A New Look at ‘Levels of Organization’ in Biology

Despite its pervasiveness, the concept of ‘levels of organization’ has received relatively little attention in its own right. I propose here an emerging approach that posits ‘levels’ as a fragmentary concept situated within an interest-relative matrix of operational usage within scientific practice. To this end I propose one important component of meaning, namely the epistemic goal (sensu Ingo Brigandt) motivating the term’s usage, which recovers a remarkably conserved and sufficiently unifying significance attributable to ‘levels’ across different instances of usage. This epistemic goal, to provide structure to scientific problems, delegates tasks whose execution generates the term’s expressed content in a given instance. This treatment of levels does not diminish the concept’s general importance to science, but rather allows for its use in, and usefulness for, scientific practice to be better contextualized to particular tasks encompassing varying breadths of activity.
Exploring Factors that Predict STEM Persistence at a Large, Public Research University

The present study explores demographics, pre-college characteristics and multi-year (2003-2013) tracking of a census of 53,077 students who initially declared a STEM major upon entering a research university in Texas and seeks to predict graduation with a STEM and non-STEM degree. Guided by QuantCrit theory, we use multilevel models to determine factors that predicted persistence in any major and factors that predicted persistence in STEM, as well as use marginal effects to explore the intersection of ethnicity, sex, and first-generation status. Results highlight the disparity that exist amongst Black students and their White counterparts with regards to persistence in any major. We also highlight the gap between first-generation White and Black first-generation females and their Asian and International counterparts with regards to persistence in STEM. Implications for future research and practitioners suggest further attention needs to be paid to Black first-generation students.
A quantitative assessment of organic carbon content as a regional sediment-condition indicator

Abstract Organic carbon content of sediments, whether directly or indirectly assessed, has often been used as an indicator of marine benthic community condition both in site-specific and regional scale condition assessment studies. The conceptual framework underlying use of this indicator was developed based primarily on site-specific studies. A quantitative analysis of literature data on sediment organic matter impacts in marine systems was conducted to determine whether biotic metrics respond to abiotic indicators of sediment organic content, as predicted by conceptual models, at larger spatial scales. The ability to detect predicted decreases in community metrics (abundance, species richness, species diversity index H’, biomass) varied among metrics, with best performance by species richness and H’. There was significant added variation both between and within analytical approaches (loss on ignition, total organic carbon methods), emphasizing the need for careful cross calibration and quality control in studies with multiple laboratory partners. High levels of variability for biotic metrics versus organic carbon metrics appear typical for large scale studies, and organic matter source, site depth, and individual estuarine system differences were important sources of variation. Covariation of organic matter content with percent fine sediments is another known source of variation, but various normalization methods may be inadequate due to inherent sources of variation at estuary level. While likely still useful for point-source studies, multiple major sources of variation appear to limit the usefulness of sediment organic content as a benthic condition indicator at larger spatial scales.
The Microbiome as a Therapeutic Target for Multiple Sclerosis: Can Genetically Engineered Probiotics Treat the Disease?

There is an increasing interest in the intestinal microbiota as a critical regulator of the development and function of the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems. Experimental work in animal models has provided the foundation for clinical studies to investigate associations between microbiota composition and function and human disease, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Initial work done using an animal model of brain inflammation, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), suggests the existence of a microbiota–gut–brain axis connection in the context of MS, and microbiome sequence analyses reveal increases and decreases of microbial taxa in MS intestines. In this review, we discuss the impact of the intestinal microbiota on the immune system and the role of the microbiome–gut–brain axis in the neuroinflammatory disease MS. We also discuss experimental evidence supporting the hypothesis that modulating the intestinal microbiota through genetically modified probiotics may provide immunomodulatory and protective effects as a novel therapeutic approach to treat this devastating disease.