cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of Quality Improvement in US Broadband Networks: An Exploratory Study

This very preliminary paper is concerned with measurement of broadband quality, making use of a unique, rich new data source that allows us to directly measure the evolution of many dimensions of broadband quality over the period 2011-2012. Its primary focus is on measuring broadband speed (bandwidth), widely perceived as the most important dimension of broadband quality. My principal conclusion is that average download speed delivered by U.S. ISPs, within speed tiers, increased at an average annualized rate of 5 to 7 percent over the spring 2011-spring 2012 period. This quality increase captures only the effects of improvements in delivered speed within speed tiers, and excludes upgrades to speed tiers for customers on existing service plans that may have been given gratis to existing customers, as well as purchase of new and more expensive plans by customers opting to switch to higher speed plans. For the purposes of quantifying quality improvement relevant to calculation of a quality-adjusted broadband price index, then, this would be a lower bound on the extent to which faster download speeds were a characteristic tracking improved quality in existing broadband plans. Taking this quality improvement into account seems likely to result in rates of quality-adjusted price decline significantly greater than previous estimates of changes in quality-adjusted U.S. broadband prices. Using as our proxy for quality-adjusted price decline the nominal service price divided by download speed (a measure popularized by the OECD and others), a flat nominal price divided by a five to 7 percent faster speed results in a 5 to 7 percent annual rate of quality-adjusted price decline. While unimpressive when juxtaposed with the historical record in semiconductors or computers, this is still double or triple the rate suggested by earlier studies. In addition, the analysis has shown that variation in speed from hour to hour within a single day is roughly 5-6 times greater than variation from day of the week to day of the week, at a given hour. Several state holidays have a small but highly statistically significant negative impact on net speed. Weekends, and not weekdays, seem to be the new “prime time” for internet speed slowdowns. This may ratify the claim that the internet has evolved from being primarily a platform for scientists, engineers, and techies, to an intra-business communication and networking platform, to an infrastructure that today, generates traffic whose ebbs and flows are now dominated by consumers.
PERIODIC MOTIONS AND CHAOS WITH IMPACTING CHATTER AND STICK IN A GEAR TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

This paper focuses on periodic motions and chaos relative to the impacting chatter and stick in order to find the origin of noise and vibration in such a gear transmission system. Such periodic motions are predicted analytically through mapping structures, and the corresponding local stability and bifurcation analysis are carried out. The grazing and stick conditions presented in [Luo & O'Connor, 2007] are adopted to determine the existence of periodic motions, which cannot be achieved from the local stability analysis. Numerical simulations are performed to illustrate periodic motions and stick motion criteria. Such an investigation may provide some clues to reduce the noise in gear transmission systems.
Social Problems in the Underdeveloped Areas: An Ecological View

Our political dialogue contains frequent reference to the fact that we face an increasingly interdependent world in a century of revolutionary change. Each time we temporarily abandon our customary preoccupation with internal affairs, we look outward upon a scene of vivid contrasts. The situation that faces us is partly the result of the workings of history: the past has brought different areas of the globe to different levels of modernization. So uneven have been rates of
Molecular mapping of the leaf rust resistance gene rph6 in barley and its linkage relationships with rph5 and rph7.

ABSTRACT The barley cv. Bolivia carries two leaf rust (Puccinia hordei) resistance genes, Rph2 and Rph6, and is the only known source of the latter gene. A resistant line (Bolivia-Rph6) carrying Rph6 only was obtained in the F4 generation of a cross between cv. Bolivia and the susceptible cv. Bowman via progeny testing with differential isolates of the leaf rust pathogen. Genetic analyses and bulk segregant analysis using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers localized Rph6 on the short arm of barley chromosome 3H at a distance of 4.4 centimorgans (cM) distal from RFLP marker MWG2021 and 1.2 cM proximal from RFLP marker BCD907. The allelic relationship of Rph6 to other leaf rust resistance genes mapping to this region of chromosome 3H (namely Rph5 and Rph7) were tested using crosses among cvs. Magnif 102 (carrying Rph5), Bolivia-Rph6 (Rph6), and Cebada Capa (Rph7). Segregation analyses indicated that Rph6 is allelic to Rph5 and closely li...
Selecting the Optimal Antibiotic in the Treatment of Group A β-Hemolytic Streptococci Pharyngitis

Treatment guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Heart Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend only oral penicillin V or intramuscular benzathine penicillin G as the treatments of choice for group A β-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis. Practitioners prescribe amoxicillin most frequently for children. Ten-day treatment courses with first-generation oral cephalosporins or erythromycin are recommended as suitable alternatives in patients who are allergic to penicillin. Yet oral cephalosporins are used as drugs of choice for many patients with group A β-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis. This review examines the evidence in order to help the practitioner choose the optimal antibiotic treatment for their patients.
Perfluoroalkyl substances and food allergies in adolescents

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of organic compounds that are persistent in the environment due to their stable carbon-fluorine backbone, which is not susceptible to degradation. Research suggests these chemicals may exert an immunotoxic effect. The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between four PFASs - perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) - with food sensitization and food allergies in adolescent participants (ages 12-19years) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006 and 2007-2010, respectively. We performed multivariate logistic regression to analyze the association between individual PFASs with food sensitization (defined as having at least 1 food-specific IgE level≥0.35kU/L) in NHANES 2005-2006 and food allergies (self-reported) in NHANES 2007-2010. Serum PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS were statistically significantly associated with higher odds to have self-reported food allergies in NHANES 2007-2010. When using IgE levels as a marker of food sensitization, we found that serum PFNA was inversely associated with food sensitization (NHANES 2005-2006). In conclusion, we found that serum levels of PFASs were associated with higher odds to have self-reported food allergies. Conversely, adolescents with higher serum PFNA were less likely to be sensitized to food allergens. These results, along with previous studies, warrant further investigation, such as well-designed longitudinal studies.
Constipation: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment

Importance Chronic constipation accounts for at least 8 million annual visits to health care providers in the United States and is associated with large expenditures for diagnostic testing and prescription and nonprescription laxatives. Observations Strong evidence for efficacy has been established for stimulant and osmotic laxatives, new intestinal secretogogues, and peripherally restricted μ-opiate receptor antagonists, the latter a major advance in the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC). An algorithm provided to evaluate chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) that is refractory to available laxatives focuses on the importance of defecation disorders and biofeedback therapies. When used appropriately, available stimulant laxatives such as senna and bisacodyl are both safe and effective when used long-term. There is a paucity of (and a strong desire for) studies that compare inexpensive laxatives with newer agents that work by other mechanisms. Conclusions and Relevance The choice of treatment for CIC and OIC should be based on cost as well as efficacy. The small subgroup of patients who do not respond to currently available laxatives requires further evaluation at experienced centers that are capable of performing studies of defecation and colonic transit.
Future Directions in Global Inequality Research

This is Part II of the special issue on global inequality. The articles in thisissue extend some of the theoretical issues raised in the ?rst issue. By focusing on speci?c regions and comparing the development of global inequalities in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the articles in this issue suggest new directions in global inequality research.
Essential Dimensions and Elements in the Design of Irrigation System Management Transfer Projects

Irrigation projects have been done in developing countries for many years and for many purposes. In the last thirty years, much emphasis has been placed in these projects upon transferring management of irrigation systems to the water users. The transfer process is often not an easy one, and over time it has become apparent that various elements, working in layered dimensions, need to be present in order to achieve sustainable results and the induction of development in rural societies. These elements and dimensions need to be identified and focused upon at the inception of design of a project; the absence of one or more of these as the project develops can cripple or derail the desired outcome.
Dreaming in adolescence: A “blind” word search of a teenage girl's dream series.

Previous studies of dreaming in adolescence have found that (a) shifts in dream content parallel shifts in cognitive and social development, and (b) adolescent girls seem more prone than adolescent boys to disturbing dreams and recurrent nightmares. This article confirms and extends those findings by using a novel method, blind word searches, to provide results that are more precise, detailed, and objective than those offered by previous studies. The method is used to analyze a series of 223 dreams recorded in a private diary by an American girl, “Bea” (not her real name) from the ages of 14 to 21. Accurate predictions about continuities between Bea’s dream content and waking life concerns included important aspects of her emotional welfare, daily activities, personal relationships, and cultural life. The results of this analysis illuminate the multiple ways in which dream content accurately reflects the interests, concerns, and emotional difficulties of an adolescent girl.
What Patients With Severe Mental Illness Transitioning From Hospital to Community Have to Say About Care and Shared Decision-Making

Shared decision-making (SDM) has been slow to disseminate in mental health. We conducted focus groups with ten individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) treated in a 90 day, outpatient transitional care clinic. Parallel groups were held with family caregivers (n = 8). Individuals with SMI wanted longer visits, to have their stories heard, more information about options presented simply, to hear from peers about similar experiences, and a bigger say in treatment choices. Caregivers wanted to be invited to participate to a larger extent. Results suggest that after a decade, SDM may not have the expected penetration in community mental health.
Long working distance optical coherence tomography for pediatric imaging(Conference Presentation)

Conventional optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems have working distances of about 25 mm, and require cooperative subjects to immobilize and fixate on a target. Handheld OCT probes have also been demonstrated for successful imaging of pre-term infants and neonates up to ~1 year old. However, no technology yet exists for OCT in young children due to their lack of attention and inherent fear of large objects close to their face. In this work, we demonstrate a prototype retinal swept-source OCT system with a long working distance (from the last optical element to the subject’s eye) to facilitate pediatric imaging. To reduce the footprint and weight of the system compared to the conventional 4f scheme, a novel 2f scanning configuration was implemented to achieve a working distance of 348mm with a +/- 8° scanning angle prior to cornea. Employing two custom-designed lenses, the system design resolution was nearly diffraction limited throughout a -8D to +5D refractive corrections. A fixation target displayed on a LCD monitor and an iris camera were used to facilitate alignment and imaging. Our prototype was tested in consented adult subjects and has the potential to facilitate imaging of young children. With this apparatus, young children could potentially sit comfortably in caretaker’s lap while viewing entertainment on the fixation screen designed to direct their gaze into the imaging apparatus.
Application of regression tree in the analysis of factors affecting hospitalization expenses for children infected by respiratory syncytial virus

Objective To analyze and predict the factors affecting the hospitalization expenses for children infected by respiratory syncytial virus(RSV),and to provide information for government decision.Methods There were 959 children randomly collected from all the children with RSV infection from 2005 to 2009 in Soochow Universith Affiliated Children's Hospital.SPSS 18.0 was used in the data analysis procedure,including testing the conditions for the model of multiple linear regression and building the model of regression tree.Results The model of multiple linear regression was not suitable for predicting the factors affecting hospitalization expenses per day.There were 4 factors out of the 10 risk-factors found by the model of regression tree,including the level of C-reactive protein(CRP),age,whether or not having asthma,and whether or not having cardiopulmonary diseases,among which CRP level was the most important one,followed by the age,whether or not having asthma and then whether or not having cardiopulmonary diseases.Mean squared error(MSE) of cross validation was 0.086.When CRP level 5.760 mg/L,it was the only factor that affecting hospitalization expenses per day;while when CRP level ≤3.145 mg/L,age began to affect it as well;RSV-infected children with asthma or cardiopulmonary diseases had higher expenditure per day.Conclusions The regression tree may be valuable in epidemiological studies.Factors like CRP level,age,whether or not having asthma and whether or not having cardiopulmonary diseases should be considered when estimating the hospitalization expenditure per day for RSV-infected children.
Resting state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging integrated with intraoperative neuronavigation for functional mapping after aborted awake craniotomy

Background: Awake craniotomy is currently the gold standard for aggressive tumor resections in eloquent cortex. However, a significant subset of patients is unable to tolerate this procedure, particularly the very young or old or those with psychiatric comorbidities, cardiopulmonary comorbidities, or obesity, among other conditions. In these cases, typical alternative procedures include biopsy alone or subtotal resection, both of which are associated with diminished surgical outcomes.
PeerPresents: A Web-Based System for In-Class Peer Feedback during Student Presentations

Peer feedback systems enable students to get feedback without substantially burdening the instructor. However, current systems typically ask students to provide feedback after class; this introduces challenges for ensuring relevant, timely, diverse, and sufficient amounts of feedback, and reduces time available for student reflection. This paper explores the current landscape of peer feedback tools and introduces a novel system for in-class peer review called PeerPresents where students can quickly exchange feed-back on projects without being burdened by additional work outside of class. Through an exploratory study with Google docs and a preliminary evaluation of PeerPresents, we find students can receive immediate, copious, and diverse peer feedback through a structured in-class activity. Students also described the feedback they received as helpful and reported that they gave more feedback than without using the system. These early results demonstrate the potential benefits of in-class peer feedback systems.
Acetohydroxamic Acid: Clinical Studies of a Urease Inhibitor in Patients With Staghorn Renal Calculi

AbstractThe hydrolysis of urea by the bacterial enzyme urease pathologically increases urinary ammonia, bicarbonate, carbonate and alkalinity. These factors contribute to the formation of urinary stones and to the virulence of bacteria. Acetohydroxamic acid, a potent inhibitor of urease, has been administered to 23 patients with staghorn renal calculi and urea-splitting urinary infection. Urinary ammonia and alkalinity have been reduced in every patient. A dose of gm. acetohydroxamic acid daily has been well tolerated and effective for 2 to 12 months, even in patients with impaired renal function.
Platelet interactions with fibronectin: divalent cation-independent platelet adhesion to the gelatin-binding domain of fibronectin

Divalent cation-dependent platelet adhesion to fibronectin (FN) is mediated by the integrin receptors alpha 5 beta 1 (GP Ic-IIa) and alpha IIb beta 3 (GP IIb-IIIa), which recognize the RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) sequence in the cell-binding domain. However, FN can also support divalent cation-independent platelet adhesion. To determine which domain of FN mediates divalent cation-independent adhesion, proteolysis with thermolysin and affinity chromatography were used to isolate the cell-binding, gelatin-binding, and heparin-binding domains of FN. Unactivated and thrombin-activated platelets adhered to intact FN and the 45-Kd gelatin-binding domain in the presence of either Ca2+ or EDTA. Platelet spreading was mediated only by the 105-Kd cell-binding domain and required divalent cations. The heparin-binding domains did not support platelet adhesion. Reduction of intrachain disulfide bonds or removal of carbohydrate side chains on the gelatin-binding domain did not alter the ability to support platelet adhesion. Divalent cation- independent adhesion to the 45-Kd gelatin-binding domain was not inhibited by RGDS (Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser) synthetic peptides or monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) directed against known platelet receptors. We conclude that platelets can adhere but not spread on the gelatin- binding domain of FN by a novel divalent cation-independent mechanism.
β,γ-Vicinal Dicarbofunctionalization of Alkenyl Carbonyl Compounds via Directed Nucleopalladation

A palladium(II)-catalyzed 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization reaction of unactivated alkenes has been developed, wherein a cleavable bidentate directing group is used to control the regioselectivity and stabilize the putative alkylpalladium(II) intermediate. Under the optimized reaction conditions, a broad range of nucleophiles and electrophiles were found to participate in this transformation, providing moderate to high yields. 3-Butenoic acid derivatives containing internal alkenes and α-substituents were reactive substrates, offering a powerful platform for preparing β,γ-substituted carbonyl compounds with multiple stereocenters.
Sensitivity of insulation to polarity reversals

The transient stress distribution in the insulation of high voltage dc cables subjected to polarity reversals has been determined by several authors; notably Occhini et al.1 In order to make proper use of this information, however, it is necessary to have a value of breakdown stress against which the transient stresses can be compared. In an attempt to establish this criterion, G. S. Eager and the present authors2 subjected paper/oil cables to breakdown tests under dc, impulse and polarity reversals. It was found that a polarization phenomenon existed which in effect caused an apparent increase in the internal stresses immediately after polarity reversals. Last year the present authors clearly indicated3 that the breakdown strength of paper/oil insulation under polarity reversals is different from the breakdown strength under impulse, ac and dc voltages due to the stratified rather than homogeneous nature of the insulation.
Principles of Injury Prevention and Control

Because of your leadership in the field of acute care surgery, you are asked to address a group of bicycle enthusiasts who support motorcycle helmets but feel that such a requirement should not be applied to the leisure bicyclist. Which of the following is accurate and should be the theme of your message with respect to use of bicycle helmets? (A) The helmets can often be obtained at no cost (B) There is no difference between the two regarding morbidity and mortality (C) The helmet requirement should not be a legislated requirement but an individual’s choice (D) Helmet use has resulted in significant reduction of bicycle-related head injuries (E) A task force should be established to investigate the efficacy of helmet protection with cycling
Does spatial attention modulate the earliest component of the visual evoked potential

ABSTRACTWhether visual spatial attention can modulate feedforward input to human primary visual cortex (V1) is debated. A prominent and long-standing hypothesis is that visual spatial attention can influence processing in V1, but only at delayed latencies suggesting a feedback-mediated mechanism and a lack of modulation during the initial afferent volley. The most promising challenge to this hypothesis comes from an event-related potential (ERP) study that showed an amplitude enhancement of the earliest visual ERP component, called the ‘C1’, in response to spatially attended relative to spatially unattended stimuli. In the Kelly et al. study, several important experimental design modifications were introduced, including tailoring the stimulus locations and recording electrodes to each individual subject. In the current study, we employed the same methodological procedures and tested for attentional enhancements of the C1 component in each quadrant of the visual field. Using the same analysis strategies as...
OCT Angiography Changes in the 3 Parafoveal Retinal Plexuses in Response to Hyperoxia

Purpose Use projection-resolved OCT angiography to investigate the autoregulatory response in the 3 parafoveal retinal plexuses under hyperoxia. Design Prospective cohort study. Participants Nine eyes from 9 healthy participants. Methods One eye from each participant was scanned using a commercial spectral-domain OCT system. Two repeated macular scans (3 × 3 mm2) were acquired at baseline and during oxygen breathing. The split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation algorithm was used to detect blood flow. The projection-resolved algorithm was used to suppress projection artifacts and resolve blood flow in 3 distinct parafoveal plexuses. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare baseline and hyperoxic parameters. The coefficient of variation, intraclass correlation coefficient, and pooled standard deviation were used to assess the reliability of OCT angiography measurements. Main Outcome Measures Flow index and vessel density were calculated from the en face angiograms of each of the 3 plexuses, as well as from the all-plexus inner retinal slab. Results Hyperoxia induced significant reduction in the flow index (−11%) and vessel density (−7.8%) of only the deep capillary plexus (P Conclusions Projection-resolved OCT angiography was able to show that the retinal autoregulatory response to hyperoxia affects only the deep capillary plexus, but not the intermediate capillary plexus or superficial vascular complex.
Demo abstract: Full-duplex with a compact frequency domain equalization-based RF canceller

This demonstration presents a practical real-time full-duplex wireless link consisting of two full-duplex transceivers. Our prototyped full-duplex transceiver contains a custom-designed RF self-interference canceller and a National Instruments (NI) Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP). The discrete-component-based RF self-interference canceller emulates a compact RFIC implementation, which uses programmable bandpass filters to achieve wideband cancellation through the technique of frequency domain equalization. We demonstrate self-interference suppression across the antenna, RF, and the digital domains through the NI LabVIEW interface.
Solubility Model for Ferrous Iron Hydroxide, Hibbingite, Siderite, and Chukanovite in High Saline Solutions of Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, and Sodium Carbonate

A solubility model is presented for ferrous iron hydroxide (Fe(OH)2(s)), hibbingite (Fe2Cl(OH)3(s)), siderite (FeCO3(s)), and chukanovite (Fe2CO3(OH)2(s)). The Pitzer activity coefficient equation was utilized in developing the model to account for the excess free energies of aqueous species in the background solutions of high ionic strength. Solubility limiting minerals were analyzed before and after experiments using X-ray diffraction. Formation of Fe(OH)2(s) was observed in the experiments that were initiated with Fe2Cl(OH)3(s) in Na2SO4 solution. Coexistence of siderite and chukanovite was observed in the experiments in Na2CO3 + NaCl solutions. Two equilibrium constants that had been reported by us for the dissolution of Fe(OH)2(s) and Fe2Cl(OH)3(s) (Nemer et al.) were rederived in this paper, using newer thermodynamic data selected from the literature to maintain internal consistency of the series of our data analyses in preparation, including this paper. Three additional equilibrium constants for th...
Placental CpG methylation of HPA-axis genes is associated with cognitive impairment at age 10 among children born extremely preterm

A major component of the neuroendocrine system is the hypothalamus-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. HPA axis genes are also known to play a role in placental physiology. Thus, disruptions in the signaling of HPA axis-associated genes may adversely impact the placenta as well as fetal development, with adverse consequences for health and development of the child. In support of this, recent studies have shown that placental epigenetic methylation of HPA axis genes has an impact on infant behavior. In this study, we evaluated CpG methylation of 14 placental HPA axis-associated genes from a subcohort (n=228) of the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGAN) cohort in relation to cognitive function in mid-childhood (e.g. 10 yrs). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that placental CpG methylation of 10 HPA-axis associated genes were significantly associated with cognition at age 10. Specifically, placental CpG methylation levels of the glucocorticoid receptor gene, Nuclear Receptor Subfamily Group 3 C Member 1 (NR3C1) and Brain-derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) were significantly associated with increased odds in developing moderate/severe adverse cognitive impairment at age 10. Methyl-CpG Binding Protein 2 (MECP2) was the major transcriptional regulator of the ten identified HPA genes. The data suggest that placental CpG methylation is associated with cognitive outcomes in mid-childhood.
Quantum dynamics of disordered spin chains with power-law interactions

A powerful numerical algorithm is used to characterize the emergence of many-body localization in long-range interacting systems. The interplay between disorder and power-law interactions is analyzed, confirming the existence of a transition from a thermal phase to a localized one.
Michigan’S Common Law Right to Government Financial Information

The purpose of this article is to determine the legal right of Michigan residents to access financial records from courts in Michigan. In a recent research project conducted by faculty members at Central Michigan University, working with undergraduate and graduate students, certain financial data was requested from Michigan courts. Specifically, the research focused on data relating to fines and costs for civil infractions that are both imposed by and collected by the courts. The requests sought data regarding the types of civil infraction citations issued and the amounts of the statutory fines and costs collected by each court. The purpose of the research was to compare the fines and costs collected for civil infractions in each county within the state of Michigan.
Neuro-Typical Children Outcomes from an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Summer Camp

The current article discusses the practical implications of using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in a community camp setting with children. Previous research demonstrates that ACT curricula for children paired with formal mindfulness- and acceptance-based activities show promise as an intervention for children. ACT may also be an effective intervention with children due to its approachable, acceptable, and easily implemented format of delivery. The current study used a neurotypical sample, and outcomes support the potential for increasing psychological flexibility and mindful awareness between an experimental group and a control group. Scores on the Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth (AFQ-Y) and the Child Acceptance and Mindfulness Measure (CAMM) self-report questionnaires were obtained during pre- and postintervention. The results of the AFQ-Y suggest that there was a significant difference between the experimental group (M = 17.13, SD = 2.64) and the control group (M = 27.4, SD = 2.64) at posttest, F(1, 28) = 7.53, p = .01, $$ {\upeta}_p^2 $$ = .212. Similarly, the results of the CAMM suggest that there was a significant difference between the experimental group (M = 29.66, SD = 1.99) and the control group (M = 21.26, SD = 1.99) at posttest, F(1, 28) = 8.89, p = .006, $$ {\upeta}_p^2 $$ = .241. These results indicate that the members of the experimental group, compared to the control group, had significant increases in their overall mindful awareness and psychological flexibility after completing the Mindfulness Camp.
Anandamide down-regulates placental transporter expression through CB2 receptor-mediated inhibition of cAMP synthesis.

Abstract The BCRP/ABCG2 efflux transporter is expressed on the membrane of placental syncytiotrophoblasts and protects the fetus from toxicant exposure. Syncytiotrophoblasts arise from the fusion of cytotrophoblasts, a process negatively regulated by the endocannabinoid, anandamide (AEA). It is unknown whether AEA can influence fetal concentrations of xenobiotics by modulating the expression of transporters in syncytiotrophoblasts. Here, we sought to characterize and identify the mechanism(s) responsible for AEA-mediated down-regulation of the BCRP transporter in human placental explants and BeWo trophoblasts. Treatment of human placental explants with AEA (1 μM, 24 h) reduced hCGα, syncytin-1, and BCRP mRNAs by ˜30%. Similarly, treatment of BeWo trophoblasts with AEA (0–10 μM, 3-24 h) coordinately down-regulated mRNAs for hCGs, syncytin-2, and BCRP. In turn, AEA increased the sensitivity of trophoblasts to the cytotoxicity of mitoxantrone, a known BCRP substrate, and environmental and dietary contaminants including mycoestrogens and perfluorinated chemicals. AEA-treated trophoblasts also demonstrated reduced BCRP transport of the mycoestrogen zearalenone and the diabetes drug glyburide, labeled with BODIPY. The AEA-mediated reduction of BCRP mRNA was abrogated when placental cells were co-treated with AM630, a CB2 receptor inhibitor, or 8-Br-cAMP, a cAMP analog. AEA reduced intracellular cAMP levels in trophoblasts by 75% at 1 h, and completely inhibited forskolin-induced phosphorylation of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). AEA also decreased p-CREB binding to the BCRP promoter. Taken together, our data indicate that AEA down-regulates placental transporter expression and activity via CB2-cAMP signaling. This novel mechanism may explain the repression of placental BCRP expression observed during diseases of pregnancy.
Timesharing dexter

My husband Neil Immerman returned from the 1986 STOC meeting with an interesting proposition. Juris Hartmanis and Dexter Kozen had a small pocket of funds, and they proposed that the two of us visit the Cornell Computer Science Department for a week.
The Oxford Handbook of Religion and American Education

Faculty and especially administrators working in Christian higher education (CHE) in North America needing orientation to this or that arena related to their work will benefit from this Oxford Hand...
Tinkering and Hacking with Objects in the Art Classroom.

Although attempts are currently being made to understand the connections and differences between art and design education (Zwirn & Zande, 2015), there is little reflection on a key problematic that...
Association Between Spine Surgery and Availability of Opioid Medication

Importance Prolonged prescribing of opioids after spine surgery is often perceived as a negative outcome, but successful opioid reduction may occur despite continued prescribing. Improved characterization of opioid availability before and after surgery is necessary to identify these successes. Objective To evaluate the association between spine surgery and modification of opioid availability postoperatively by using consistent definitions to classify opioid availability before and after surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants This population-based cohort study included 2223 adults (age ≥18 years) who underwent spine surgery in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2016. Data were analyzed from April 1, 2019, to December 1, 2019. Exposures Preoperative opioid availability based on prescription data in the 180 days before surgery in accordance with Consortium to Study Opioid Risks and Trends (CONSORT) definitions. Main Outcomes and Measures Successful modification of opioid availability, defined as an improvement in CONSORT status postoperatively (assessed from 181 to 365 days after surgery) compared with preoperative status, or continued absence of opioid availability for patients with no preoperative availability. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between preoperative opioid availability and successful modification by 1 year after undergoing surgery. Results Of 2223 patients included in the study, 1214 were male (54.6%), with a median age of 55 years (interquartile range, 43-68) years. Patients were classified as having no (778 [35.0%]), short-term (1118 [50.3%]), episodic (227 [10.2%]), or long-term (100 [4.5%]) preoperative opioid availability. Of the 2148 patients (96.6%) who were alive at 1 year, postoperative opioid availability was classified as no (1583 [73.7%]), short-term (398 [18.5%]), episodic (104 [4.8%]), and long-term (63 [2.9%]). A total of 1672 patients (77.8%) had successful modification of opioid availability, with success of 83.0% for those with no preoperative availability, 74.9% for those with short-term preoperative availability, 79.8% for those with episodic preoperative availability, and 64.4% for those with long-term preoperative opioid availability. In multivariable analysis, success was significantly associated with preoperative opioid availability (odds ratio [OR] for short term, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.48-0.77]; OR for episodic, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.64-1.40]; OR long term, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.30-0.82];P Conclusions and Relevance In this study, when following standardized CONSORT definitions, 4 of 5 adults undergoing spine surgery in a population-based cohort met the criteria for a successful pattern of postoperative opioid prescribing. Similar methods to objectively assess changes in opioid prescribing may be clinically useful in other perioperative settings.
Cultural rule orientation, legal institutions, and the credibility of corporate social responsibility reports

Culture matters for credible corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting. I show that firms located in countries with stronger cultural rule orientation are more likely to (a) receive assurance on their CSR report, (b) receive assurance from an accounting firm, (c) receive assurance in accordance with an assurance standard, and (d) receive assurance on their entire CSR report. Path analysis reveals that the direct effect of cultural rule orientation is much stronger than its indirect effect via legal institutions. I confirm the dominance of the direct effect in a qualitative comparative analysis. The economic significance of the direct effect is identified using probit regression analysis. Endogeneity concerns are addressed in a battery of robustness checks. Overall, the findings of this study provide a nuanced understanding of how culture affects credible CSR reporting, which, in turn, has important implications for managers, stakeholders, and policy makers.
Mixed-Integer Convex Representability

We consider the question of which nonconvex sets can be represented exactly as the feasible sets of mixed-integer convex optimization problems. We state the first complete characterization for the case when the number of possible integer assignments is finite. We develop a characterization for the more general case of unbounded integer variables together with a simple necessary condition for representability which we use to prove the first known negative results. Finally, we study representability of subsets of the natural numbers, developing insight towards a more complete understanding of what modeling power can be gained by using convex sets instead of polyhedral sets; the latter case has been completely characterized in the context of mixed-integer linear optimization.
QTL mapping using GBS and SSR genotyping reveals genomic regions controlling wheat coleoptile length and seedling emergence

Seedling emergence (SE) is an essential trait in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that allows desirable stand establishment even when adequate seed-zone soil moisture is present at depths of 10 cm or greater. The SE trait bestows several other advantages, including lodging resistance and improved water use efficiency. The aim of this study was to understand the genetic basis of SE. It has previously been reported that the cultivar Spinkcota has a high rate of SE and Bounty 309 has a slow rate of SE. An F2 population of 190 plants from a cross between these two parents was developed and evaluated for coleoptile length (CL) and in a specialized field SE test. The population was genotyped by simple sequence repeat (SSR) and genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) for genetic mapping and marker discovery of the two traits. The GBS analysis was performed using 128,848,348 sequence reads with an average of 671,085 per F2 plant. From a total of 2,639 raw SNPs discovered in the F2 population, 243 high-quality SNPs along with 68 SSR markers were utilized to construct a genetic linkage map of wheat spanning 5,532.9 cM on the 21 chromosomes. Using this map, eight QTLs linked to CL and SE were detected on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, and 7D. Bioinformatic dissection of the intervals under these QTLs on the wheat whole-genome sequence led to the identification of ~ 60 genes. Validated markers may enhance the understanding of this critical trait and provide a basis for marker-assisted selection.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Humeral Capitellum: Preoperative Assessment of Lesion Size and Lateral Wall Integrity.

Purpose Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a helpful tool in the evaluation of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral capitellum. The relationship between MRI appearance and clinically relevant intraoperative findings is incompletely understood. The goal of this study was to evaluate capitellar OCD lesions via preoperative MRI and to determine its accuracy in predicting lesion characteristics including lesion size and capitellar lateral wall integrity. Methods Patients surgically treated for capitellar OCD between January 2010 and June 2018 were reviewed. Preoperative MRI images were assessed by a musculoskeletal radiologist with documentation of lesion size, location, violation of the lateral wall, and stage, in accordance with previously established criteria. These data were compared with intraoperative findings. Involvement of the lateral wall of the capitellum was defined using 2 methods: (1) subchondral edema or articular cartilage disruption in the lateral third of the capitellum (lateral third method) or (2) disruption of the proximal-distal subchondral line along the lateral border of the capitellum descending vertically before the subchondral bone turns horizontally to form the radiocapitellar articulation (capitellar lateral wall sign method). Diagnostic test characteristics were compared for both methods. Results We reviewed the preoperative MRIs of 33 elbows with capitellar OCD and found no significant difference in mean lesion size between preoperative MRI (1.12 cm2) and intraoperative measurement (1.08 cm2). For detection of lateral wall integrity, preoperative MRI evaluation using the capitellar lateral wall sign method had an accuracy of 93%, sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 96%, positive predictive value of 80%, and negative predictive value of 96%. Conclusions Preoperative MRI is a valid predictor of lesion size. The capitellar lateral wall sign method is highly accurate in the identification of lateral wall involvement, which may influence preoperative planning. Type of study/level of evidence Diagnostic II.
A Survey of the United States Supreme Court’s Abortion Jurisprudence

Abortion is the most controversial issue in contemporary American constitutional law. Presidential and congressional campaigns, nominations to the federal judiciary, and public debate have been roiled by the abortion issue since the US Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade in 1973. This essay does not aspire to be a comprehensive legal history of the abortion issue in the United States (For detailed historical accounts, see Joseph W. Dellapenna, Dispelling the Myths of Abortion History (2006); Mary Ziegler, After Roe: The Lost History of the Abortion Debate (2015); Clarke D. Forsyth, Abuse of Discretion: The Inside Story of Roe v. Wade (2013); and David J. Garrow, Liberty and Sexuality: The Right to Privacy and the Making of Roe v. Wade (1994).). Instead, this chapter presents the major Supreme Court decisions on the issue from 1973 to 2016. It describes their holdings and notes basic trends in the evolution of the Court’s approach to abortion so as to orient the reader to the major cases on abortion and point to areas of further research.
Clinical and Histopathologic Correlates of Asymmetric Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Importance Asymmetric retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a rare presentation of a normally symmetric condition. Histopathologic evidence should be examined to see if this asymmetry extends to the tissue and cellular levels. Objective To determine whether additional information can be obtained about asymmetric RP from studying clinical imaging and pathology correlates, including pathology samples from autopsied eyes. Design, Setting, and Participants In this case report, clinical and postmortem histopathological characteristics were compared in 2 eyes of a patient in her 50s with asymmetric RP. Individuals with rare mendelian diseases, such as RP, were studied using data from the curated National Eye Institute Eye Pathology collection. Main Outcome and Measures Results of clinical evaluation, multimodal retinal imaging, histopathology, and molecular genetic testing in a case of nonsyndromic asymmetric RP using resources from the ocular pathology collection. Results Eyes from a deceased patient in her 50s with nonsyndromic asymmetric RP found within the ocular pathology collection were studied. The patient was diagnosed with RP as an adolescent and presented in her 50s to the eye clinic with advanced RP, with the left eye affected much more severely than the right. The patient’s phenotype was studied using in vivo imaging and postmortem histopathology to identify interocular differences in tissue degeneration. Extraction of blood-derived DNA and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded DNA from autopsied eyes analyzed using next-generation sequencing did not yield a definitive molecular diagnosis nor significant tissue differences. Conclusions and Relevance This study demonstrates newly reported histopathological and molecular correlates in asymmetric RP. This report also highlights the relevance of studying previously seen patients and reevaluating their conditions using resources within the ocular pathology collection to gain further insight on their disease.
Systemic Copper Disorders Influence the Olfactory Function in Adult Rats: Roles of Altered Adult Neurogenesis and Neurochemical Imbalance

Disrupted systemic copper (Cu) homeostasis underlies neurodegenerative diseases with early symptoms including olfactory dysfunction. This study investigated the impact of Cu dyshomeostasis on olfactory function, adult neurogenesis, and neurochemical balance. Models of Cu deficiency (CuD) and Cu overload (CuO) were established by feeding adult rats with Cu-restricted diets plus ip. injection of a Cu chelator (ammonium tetrathiomolybdate) and excess Cu, respectively. CuD reduced Cu levels in the olfactory bulb (OB), subventricular zone (SVZ), rostral migratory stream (RMS), and striatum, while CuO increased Cu levels in these areas. The buried pellet test revealed both CuD and CuO prolonged the latency to uncover food. CuD increased neural proliferation and stem cells in the SVZ and newly differentiated neurons in the OB, whereas CuO caused opposite alterations, suggesting a “switch”-type function of Cu in regulating adult neurogenesis. CuO increased GABA in the OB, while both CuD and CuO reduced DOPAC, HVA, 5-HT and the DA turnover rate in olfactory-associated brain regions. Altered mRNA expression of Cu transport and storage proteins in tested brain areas were observed under both conditions. Together, results support an association between systemic Cu dyshomeostasis and olfactory dysfunction. Specifically, altered adult neurogenesis along the SVZ-RMS-OB pathway and neurochemical imbalance could be the factors that may contribute to olfactory dysfunction.
Real world utilization of nurse-driven urinary catheter removal protocol in patients with epidural pain catheters.

Abstract Background Surgeons use indwelling bladder catheters (IBCs) to avoid urinary retention in patients with epidural analgesic catheters. Reduction of IBC-days is associated with improved catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates (CAUTI). This study investigates real world application of a Nurse-Driven Catheter Removal Protocol (NDCRP) to reduce IBC-days in this patient population. Methods Patients with epidural catheters and IBC were targeted for IBC removal on post-operative day 1 (POD1). Patients were followed for application of the NDCRP, catheterization need, IBC re-anchoring, and complications. Results One hundred and thirty-three patients had IBCs removed on POD1 (Protocol Group) and 50 patients did not (Non–Protocol Group). There was a reduction in IBC-days in the Protocol Group despite incomplete adherence to the NDCRP (1.55 days vs 4.64 days; P Conclusions Early removal of IBCs (POD1) in patients with epidural catheters with the assistance of an NDCRP is a safe and successful strategy to reduce IBC-days in the hospital.