cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
No effect of route of exposure (oral; subcutaneous injection) on plasma bisphenol A throughout 24 h after administration in neonatal female mice

Abstract Route of administration of chemicals in adults is an important factor in pharmacokinetics of chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), the monomer with estrogenic activity used to make polycarbonate plastic products and to line food and beverage cans. Based on findings in adults it has been proposed (CERHR, 2007) that non-oral routes of administration in newborn rodents would also lead to high exposure relative to oral administration. However, in fetuses and neonates, the enzyme that conjugates BPA (UDP-glucuronosyltransferase) is expressed at low levels, suggesting that there may be no differences in pharmacokinetics between oral and non-oral dosing. We thus conducted an analysis of plasma concentrations of unconjugated 3 H-BPA after HPLC separation in postnatal day 3 female mice throughout the 24 h after administering 3 H-BPA orally or via subcutaneous injection at doses above and below the current EPA reference dose. We found no significant difference in plasma BPA based on route of administration in neonatal mice at either dose. However, compared to data from other studies conducted with adults, there was a markedly higher plasma BPA level after oral administration of BPA in newborn mice. This finding sets aside the belief that non-oral administration of BPA renders data as not suitable for consideration of the hazard posed by low-dose exposure to BPA during neonatal life. Therefore the large numbers of BPA studies that used non-oral administration at very low doses during the neonatal period should not be dismissed by scientists or the regulatory community based on route of administration.
Diverse Organic Field-Effect Transistor Sensor Responses from Two Functionalized Naphthalenetetracarboxylic Diimides and Copper Phthalocyanine Semiconductors Distinguishable Over a Wide Analyte Range

Naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide derivatives (octyl “8” NTCDI, dimethylaminopropyl “DMP” NTCDI) and copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) are used to form a diverse organic field-effect transistor (OFET) sensor array. CuPc and 8-NTCDI are p-channel and n-channel semiconductors, respectively, showing expected and opposing responses to analytes. DMP-NTCDI, on the other hand, because of its ionizable side chain, shows response directions and magnitudes that are not correlated to those of the other two. The result is a distinct response pattern and unambiguous recognition ability for individual analytes. The differences are even more dramatic if the time evolution of the responses is considered. The three-response patterns obtained from representative polar, nonpolar, acidic, and basic vapors are all different, showing the potential for this approach in rapid, low-cost electronic detection of volatile compounds.
Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia (DISC1) Functions Presynaptically at Glutamatergic Synapses

The pathophysiology of schizophrenia is believed to involve defects in synaptic transmission, and the function of many schizophrenia-associated genes, including DISC1, have been linked to synaptic function at glutamatergic synapses. Here we develop a rodent model via in utero electroporation to assay the presynaptic function of DISC1 at glutamatergic synapses. We used a combination of mosaic transgene expression, RNAi knockdown and optogenetics to restrict both genetic manipulation and synaptic stimulation of glutamatergic neurons presynaptic to other layer 2/3 neocortical pyramidal neurons that were then targeted for whole-cell patch-clamp recording. We show that expression of the DISC1 c-terminal truncation variant that is associated with Schizophrenia alters the frequency of mEPSCs and the kinetics of evoked glutamate release. In addition, we show that expression level of DISC1 is correlated with the probability of glutamate release such that increased DISC1 expression results in paired-pulse depression and RNAi knockdown of DISC1 produces paired-pulse facilitation. Overall, our results support a direct presynaptic function for the schizophrenia-associated gene, DISC1.
Analysis on spatial reuse, interference, and MAC layer interference mitigation schemes in 60 GHz wireless networks

In this paper, we first analyze the spatial reuse gain and interference in a dense 60 GHz wireless networking environment (e.g. an office cubicle environment). The simulation results show that a significant spatial reuse gain can be achieved in such an environment. We also show it is easy to find a scenario where two neighboring links interfere with each other in a dense office environment. A number of MAC layer interference mitigation schemes which require different level of coordination among the interfering networks are investigated. The simulation results show that to maintain the quality of video applications, a high level of cooperation and information regarding interference is needed, at the expense of complexity.
Fisetin induces autophagic cell death through suppression of mTOR signaling pathway in prostate cancer cells

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is an important component of PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which is frequently deregulated in prostate cancer (CaP). Recent studies suggest that targeting PTEN/PI3K/Akt and mTOR signaling pathway could be an effective strategy for the treatment of hormone refractory CaP. Here, we show that the treatment of androgen-independent and PTEN-negative human CaP PC3 cells with fisetin, a dietary flavonoid, resulted in inhibition of mTOR kinase signaling pathway. Treatment of cells with fisetin inhibited mTOR activity and downregulated Raptor, Rictor, PRAS40 and GβL that resulted in loss of mTOR complexes (mTORC)1/2 formation. Fisetin also activated the mTOR repressor TSC2 through inhibition of Akt and activation of AMPK. Fisetin-mediated inhibition of mTOR resulted in hypophosphorylation of 4EBP1 and suppression of Cap-dependent translation. We also found that fisetin treatment leads to induction of autophagic-programmed cell death rather than cytoprotective autophagy as shown by small interfering RNA Beclin1-knockdown and autophagy inhibitor. Taken together, we provide evidence that fisetin functions as a dual inhibitor of mTORC1/2 signaling leading to inhibition of Cap-dependent translation and induction of autophagic cell death in PC3 cells. These results suggest that fisetin could be a useful chemotherapeutic agent in treatment of hormone refractory CaP.
Toward a Scientific Psychiatric Nosology: Strengths and Limitations

• A consensus is emerging that psychiatric nosology should become more "scientific." The application of the scientific method to psychiatric nosology has a number of important advantages, including (1) providing a clear criterion by which to evaluate nosologic proposals, (2) preventing rapid changes due to nosologic "fashions" not supported by research findings, (3) increasing the prestige and acceptability of our nosologic system to individuals outside of psychiatry, and (4) optimizing the reliability and validity of our diagnostic constructs. However, many critical issues confronting nosologists are fundamentally nonempirical and cannot be addressed by the scientific method. Examples of such issues include (1) disagreements about the proper construct for a psychiatric disorder; (2) the interpretation of results when different validators provide opposing answers; (3) defining how different syndromes must be to be considered subtypes of the same disorder, distinct disorders within the same overall category, or entirely independent disorders; and (4) the proper balance of reliability and validity. The optimal use of the scientific method in our nosologic process requires a recog nition of both its strengths and its limitations.
Gold Dust or Nuggets? a Brief Response To J. Kenneth Kuntz

Of Kuntz's arguments against my position in 'Wisdom Psalms?', I find only one to have any merit, and it is tangential to the discussion. The vague and misleading category 'Wisdom Psalms' is useless in scholarly research.
Design and high-speed testing of a superconducting delta-sigma oversampled converter

A delta-sigma modulator with a lowpass filter can achieve the same signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and dynamic range as a delta-sigma modulator with an integrator by adjusting the cut-off frequency of its lowpass filter. A lowpass filter modulator in superconducting niobium technology was designed and tested up to a 1 GHz sampling rate and was shown to be operating correctly. The bits of a pseudo-random bit stream digital output are acquired individually by a high-speed logic analyzer. The acquired data show 6 bits of modulator dynamic range, which is limited below the simulated value of 11 bits, at least in part, by errors in the test equipment. >
Unsupervised Learning of Tree Alignment Models for Information Extraction

We propose an algorithm for extracting fields from HTML search results. The output of the algorithm is a database table - a data structure that better lends itself to high-level data mining and information exploitation. Our algorithm effectively combines tree and string alignment algorithms, as well as domain-specific feature extraction to match semantically related data across search results. The applications of our approach are vast and include hidden Web crawling, semantic tagging, and federated search. We build on earlier research on the use of tree alignment for information extraction. In contrast to previous approaches that rely on hand tuned parameters, our algorithm makes use of a variant of support vector machines (SVMs) to learn a parameterized, site-independent tree alignment model. This model can then be used to deduce common structural and textual elements of a set of HTML parse trees. We report some preliminary results of our system's performance on data from Web sites with a variety of different layouts
Low-power bloom filter architecture for deep packet inspection

Bloom filters are frequently used to identify malicious content like viruses in high speed networks. However, architectures proposed to implement bloom filters are not power efficient. In this letter, we propose a new bloom filter architecture that exploits the well-known pipelining technique. Through power analysis we show that pipelining can reduce the power consumption of bloom filters up to 90%, which leads to the energy-efficient implementation of intrusion detection systems.
Regulation of Lamp2a Levels in the Lysosomal Membrane

The selective degradation of cytosolic proteins in lysosomes by chaperone-mediated autophagy depends, at least in part, on the levels of a substrate receptor at the lysosomal membrane. We have previously identified this receptor as the lysosome-associated membrane protein type 2a (lamp2a) and showed that levels of lamp2a at the lysosomal membrane directly correlate with the activity of the proteolytic pathway. Here we show that levels of lamp2a at the lysosomal membrane are mainly controlled by changes in its half-life and its distribution between the lysosomal membrane and the matrix. The lysosomal degradation of lamp2a requires the combined action of at least two different proteolytic activities at the lysosomal membrane. Lamp2a is released from the membrane by the action of these proteases, and then the truncated lamp2a is rapidly degraded within the lysosomal matrix. Membrane degradation of lamp2a is a regulated process that is inhibited in the presence of substrates for chaperone-mediated autophagy and under conditions that activate that type of autophagy. Uptake of substrate proteins also results in transport of some intact lamp2a from the lysosomal membrane into the matrix. This fraction of lamp2a can be reinserted back into the lysosomal membrane. The traffic of lamp2a through the lysosomal matrix is not mediated by vesicles, and lamp2a reinsertion requires the lysosomal membrane potential and protein components of the lysosomal membrane. The distribution of lamp2a between the lysosomal membrane and matrix is a dynamic process that contributes to the regulation of lysosomal membrane levels of lamp2a and consequently to the activity of the chaperone-mediated autophagic pathway.
Money Affects Theory of Mind Differently by Gender.

Theory of Mind (ToM) ─ the ability to understand other’s thoughts, intentions, and emotions ─ is important for navigating interpersonal relationships, avoiding conflict, and empathizing. Prior research has identified many factors that affect one’s ToM ability, but little work has examined how different kinds of monetary incentives affect ToM ability. We ask: Does money affect ToM ability? If so, how does the effect depend on the structure of monetary incentives? How do the differences depend on gender? We hypothesize that money will affect ToM ability differently by gender: monetary rewards increase males’ motivation to express ToM ability while simultaneously crowding out females’ motivation. This prediction is confirmed in an experiment that varies the structure of monetary rewards for correct answers in the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). RMET scores decrease for females and increase for males with individual payments, and this effect is stronger with competitively-structured payments. RMET scores do not significantly change when monetary earnings go to a charity. Whether money improves or hinders ToM ability, and, hence, success in social interactions, thus depends on the interaction of gender and monetary incentive structure.
Comparison of Net Global Warming Potential and Greenhouse Gas Intensity Affected by Management Practices in Two Dryland Cropping Sites

Little is known about the effect of management practices on net global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) that account for all sources and sinks of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in dryland cropping systems. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of a combination of tillage, cropping system, and N fertilization on GWP and GHGI under dryland cropping systems with various soil and climatic conditions from 2008 to 2011 in western North Dakota and eastern Montana, USA. Treatments in western North Dakota with sandy loam soil and 373 mm annual precipitation were conventional till malt barley (Hordeum vulgarie L.) with 67 kg N ha-1 (CTB/N1), conventional till malt barley with 0 kg N ha-1 (CTB/N0), no-till malt barley-pea (Pisum sativum L.) with 67 kg N ha-1 (NTB-P/N1), no-till malt barley with 67 kg N ha-1 (NTB/N1), and no-till malt barley with 0 kg N ha-1 (NTB/N0). In eastern Montana with loam soil and 350 mm annual precipitation, treatments were conventional till malt barley-fallow with 80 kg N ha-1 (CTB-F/N1), conventional till malt barley-fallow with 0 kg N ha-1 (CTB-F/N0), no-till malt barley-pea with 80 kg N ha-1 (NTB-P/N1), no-till malt barley with 80 kg N ha-1 (NTB/N1), and no-till malt barley with 0 kg N ha-1 (NTB/N0). Carbon dioxide sink as soil C sequestration rate at the 0 - 10 cm depth was greater in NTB-P/N1 and NTB/N1 than the other treatments at both sites and greater in eastern Montana than western North Dakota. Carbon dioxide sources were greater with N fertilization than without and greater with conventional till than no-till. Soil total annual N2O and CH4 fluxes varied among treatments, years, and locations. Net GWP and GHGI were lower in NTB-P/N1 than the other treatments in western North Dakota and lower in NTB-P/N1 and NTB/N1 than the other treatments in eastern Montana. Net GWP across similar treatments was lower in eastern Montana than western North Dakota, but GHGI was similar. Annualized crop yield was greater in the treatments with N fertilization than without. Because of greater grain yield but lower GWP and GHGI, no-till malt barley-pea rotation with adequate N fertilization can be used as a robust management practice to mitigate net GHG emissions while sustaining dryland crop yields, regardless of soil and climatic conditions. Loam soil reduced GWP and crop yields compared with sandy loam soil.
Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis

The introduction of pulsed — field — gel techniques for separating large DNA molecules has had an invigorating effect on the study of chromosomal DNA molecules, genome structure and electrophoretic theory. Indeed, the story of pulsed — field gels--like those of the Southern experiment or the polymerase-chain reaction--is a good illustration of the tight coupling between the means and the ends of biological research. Biologists study objects that are accessible to investigation. Only a few years ago, DNA molecules larger than the chromosome of bacteriophage T4 (170 kb) were difficult to study and received little attention. Today, the analysis of megabase — sized DNA molecules is commonplace, and there is correspondingly widespread interest in the structure of chromosomal DNA molecules and the physical organization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes.
Is disproportionate minority contact improving? An exploratory analysis of the arrest, confinement, and transfer stages in rural and urban settings

ABSTRACTThe extant literature has consistently recognized the existence of disproportionate minority contact (DMC); however, explanations for its existence have varied. The purpose of this study was to explore DMC reduction at the arrest, confinement, and transfer stages of the juvenile justice system in 10 rural and urban counties in a midwestern state from 2006 through 2011. Results indicated little to no success in DMC reduction at any of the stages in urban settings since 2006. There were also no geographical differences in DMC reduction across rural and urban settings. Research and policy implications acknowledging a need for incentives and substantive initiatives to encourage and guide states in their DMC reduction efforts are included.
Comparison of Performance of the Test of Memory Malingering and Word Memory Test in a Criminal Forensic Sample

Compared with the amount of neuropsychological literature surrounding response bias in civil litigation, there is little regarding criminal cases. This study adds to the criminal forensic neuropsychological literature by comparing the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and the Word Memory Test (WMT) in a criminal forensic setting utilizing a criterion-groups design. Subjects were classified into two groups based on their performance on at least two other freestanding performance validity tests. The WMT demonstrated good sensitivity (95.1%) but poor specificity (68.4%) when Genuine Memory Impaired Profiles (GMIPs) were not considered. Inclusion of GMIPs reduced the sensitivity to 56.1% but increased the specificity to 94.7%. The TOMM evidenced better sensitivity but poorer specificity than the WMT with GMIPs. Conjoint use of the tests was also considered. Receiver operating characteristics and other classification statistics for each measure are presented. Results support the use of these measures in a criminal forensic population.
A simple predation pressure index for modeling changes in natural mortality: Application to Gulf of Maine northern shrimp stock assessment

Abstract This paper describes a method for incorporating varying predation pressure in stock assessment that does not require estimation of consumption rates or absolute consumption by predators. The method is applied to assessment of northern shrimp Pandalus borealis, an important forage species in the North Atlantic Ocean and the target of major fisheries. A predation pressure index (PPI) was developed using data collected during resource surveys in Gulf of Maine northern shrimp habitat areas during 1968–2013. Predators were identified based on the percent frequency of occurrence (PFO) of Pandalid shrimp in their diets. The PPI for each year was the weighted sum of the biomass indices of 21 identified predators, where the weights were the time-series average PFO for each predator. The PPI thus reflected the effects of both the biomass of each predator and its importance as a predator of shrimp. The PPI time series was used to scale an assumed average natural mortality rate (M) that replaced a constant M assumption in the stock assessment model. Use of the PPI-scaled M improved the overall fit of the model and reduced a retrospective pattern in the constant M model by nearly 60%. The PPI approach allows time-varying predation to be accounted for in an assessment model without requiring estimates of absolute abundance of predators and their total consumption, quantities which may be unavailable or difficult to estimate accurately.
David Urquhart’s perceptions of the eastern question the affairs of Serbia

At the beginning of his diplomatic career in Constantinople in 1835, David Urquhart was instrumental in promoting the British cause by endorsing its political grand design and mercantile interests in Turkey, Greece, the Caucasian region, Crimea, Serbia and adjacent Balkan principalities. While observing the complexities of the Eastern Question, Urquhart recognized the underlying importance that Serbia had attained in the context of competing imperial interests in the Balkans. His engaged commentaries on the crucial changes in Serbian political discourse elucidated as well his understanding of Serbian history and culture past and present. Urquhart discerned a correspondence between Serbian political affairs and the inherent situa­tion in the region of the Caucasus and Circassia.
Growth and Switching Options in Foreign Direct Investment.

In this paper, we show that specific attributes of foreign direct investment have different theoretical implications for growth and switching options. The literature has not taken this into account...
Interactive Effects of Anxiety Sensitivity and Subjective Social Status on Psychological Symptomatology in Black Adults

Anxiety sensitivity is the fear of anxiety-related sensations and subjective social status is a self-perception of social standing relative to others: both constructs have been linked to psychological symptomatology. This study investigated the interactive effects of anxiety sensitivity and social status in relation to anxiety and depressive symptomatology expression among 124 black adults. Participants provided sociodemographics and completed self-report questionnaires. The interactive associations between anxiety sensitivity and social status on anxiety symptomatology and depressive symptomatology were examined with hierarchical linear regressions adjusted for sociodemographics and negative affectivity. Significant interactions between anxiety sensitivity and social status were evident only for anxiety symptoms: specifically, the association between anxiety sensitivity and anxiety symptoms was much stronger for individuals with lower (versus higher) subjective social status. Black adults with this higher anxiety sensitivity/lower social status phenotype may be at heightened risk for the expression of anxiety symptomatology, and may benefit from interventions to reduce anxiety sensitivity.
The Impact of Section 302 and 404(b) Internal Control Disclosures on Prospective Investors' Judgments and Decisions: An Experimental Study

This paper reports the results of an experiment designed to investigate participants' reaction to quarterly and annual internal control disclosures. Quarterly disclosures include managers' disclosure of no control deficiencies, a significant deficiency, or a material weakness. Annual disclosures include the auditors' opinion on internal control, which either affirms managers' earlier disclosure or reveals new information. We find that participants react negatively to the disclosure of a material weakness, as might be expected. Participants invest less in a target company when internal control is ineffective rather than effective. By comparison, participants do not react negatively to the disclosure of a significant deficiency. Indeed, we find that they react positively to such disclosure accompanied by a clean (unqualified) audit opinion on internal control. Subsequent analyses indicate that participants' investment decisions are affected by their assessments of the reliability of financial statements and the credibility of management.
Sadly, the EUGS Reads More like a Symptom of the Problem than Part of a Solution for Europe’s Deep Crisis

In her interview with The International Spectator, Nathalie Tocci describes Federica Mogherini’s assessment of the present state of the European Union as “extremely sobering”. This in my view gets ...
The New Locking, Logging, and Recovery Architecture of Microsoft SQL Server 7.0

The Microsoft SQL Server storage engine was rearchitected to support row level locking in Version 7.0. This required significant changes throughout the store; from page update primitives, logging and recovery, to accessmethods. One interesting engineering aspect of this project was the fact that we kept the system running during the entire transformation of the underlying architecture – a task we liken to transforming a zebra into a cheetah by transplanting one organ at a time. This talk will focus on how real-world pragmatics collided with academic purity and what solutions resulted.
Colonization Factors in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Strains in Travelers to Mexico, Guatemala, and India Compared with Children in Houston, Texas

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) can be attributed to around 200 million diarrheal episodes and 380,000 deaths in the developing regions. Travelers' diarrhea occurs in 15-40% of travelers to developing regions with ETEC being the most important etiologic agent. This study aims to describe the distribution of enterotoxins and colonization factor (CF) profiles of ETEC isolates from stool samples of adult travelers acquiring diarrhea in Mexico, Guatemala, and India and a group of children with acute diarrhea in Houston, TX, between 2007 and 2012. The heat-labile/heat-stable (LT/ST) enterotoxins and CFs from 252 patients were determined using polymerase chain reaction assay. Among the 252 ETEC isolates, 15% were LT-only, 58% were ST-only, and 28% produced both LT and ST. The distribution of LT-only (12-15%) and ST-only (55-56%) isolates was similar between Latin American and Indian sites. The most prevalent CF was CS21, expressed in 65% of the isolates followed by CS6 (25%) and CS3 (17%). Among the international travelers, 64% of the ETEC isolates expressed CS21. CS21 was expressed in 46% of isolates from Latin America compared with 96% of isolates from India (P < 0.0001). CS21 was expressed in 85% isolates from Houston children. CS21 was increasingly found in ST-only (P = 0.003) and ST/LT (P = 0.026) ETEC compared with LT-only ETEC. High frequency of finding CS21 among recent isolates of ETEC over a wide geographic distribution warrants additional studies on this CF. Highly conserved CS21 is an important target for potential multivalent ETEC vaccines.
Lean Operations and Business Purposes: Ethical Considerations

Lean is a popular term that has been applied to many current business strategies and practices. Unfortunately, the term has come to mean many different things and has thus caused much confusion in both the academic and the practitioner world. In addition, lean has come to be seen as a positive influence in mostly every business situation. Therefore, the purposes of this chapter are to define clearly the term lean operations, provide a normative definition of business purposes, and then discuss in what manner and how well lean operations foster and support these business purposes.
A Replication of the Internal Validity Structure of Three Major Teaching Rating Scales.

Even as the importance of replication research has become more widely understood, the field of gifted education is almost completely devoid of replication studies. An area in which replication is a...
Parathyroid hormone and the regulation of renal tubular calcium transport

Purpose of reviewRenal tubule excretion of calcium is carefully and complexly regulated. At the center of this process, parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the chief regulator of renal calcium reabsorption. This review outlines our current understanding of PTH's effects on renal tubular calcium transport,
PARP-1/PAR Activity in Cultured Human Lens Epithelial Cells Exposed to Two Levels of UVB Light.

This study investigated poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activation in cultured human lens epithelial cells exposed to two levels of UVB light (312 nm peak wavelength), 0.014 and 0.14 J/cm2 (“low” and “high” dose, respectively). At the low dose, PARP-1 and poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymers acted to repair DNA strand breaks rapidly with no subsequent major effects on either cell morphology or viability. However, following the high UVB dose, there was a dramatic second phase of PARP-1 activation, 90 min later, which included a sudden reappearance of DNA strand breaks, bursts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation both within the mitochondria and nucleus, a translocation of PAR from the nucleus to the mitochondria, and an ultimate 70% loss of cell viability occurring after 24 hrs. The results provide evidence for an important role for PARP-1 in protecting the human lens epithelium against low levels of UVB light, and possibly participating in the triggering of cell death following exposure to toxic levels of radiation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Estimating treatment-related costs

Estimating treatment-related costs for drugs includes estimating the drug acquisition costs as well as costs for administration, diagnostic testing, monitoring, and treatment of side effects. Acquisition costs may be from published price lists or may be negotiated privately at the national or plan level. In addition, the cost to the budget holder may be modified by patient co-payments, manufacturer discounts or rebates, or patient coinsurance. Costs for administration, diagnostic testing, monitoring, and treatment of side effects can generally be estimated using resource use based on the requirements stated in the drug label and unit costs from standard costing sources. In this chapter, we present a description of each of these types of costs and methods for estimating them.
Reducing Inequality in Academic Success for Incoming College Students: A Randomized Trial of Growth Mindset and Belonging Interventions

Light-touch social psychological interventions have gained considerable attention for their potential to improve academic outcomes for underrepresented and/or disadvantaged students in postsecondar...
The Truth About Nemo’s Dad: Sex-Changing Behaviors in Fishes

Thus far, I have provided evidence in mammals, birds, and reptiles that mammals may adaptively skew sex ratios of offspring and that mechanisms exist by which this may occur. In fishes, there is virtually no evidence showing parental manipulation of sex ratios, perhaps because many fish species exhibit a higher level of plasticity within their sex-determining systems. We now know that fish exhibit the most diverse range of sex-determining systems, ranging from strict gonochorists to hermaphrodites, some with clear genetic mechanisms of sex determination and others with little or no clear genetic influence. In some cases, individuals maintain ovarian and testicular tissue simultaneously through adulthood, choosing whether to produce sperm or eggs in a given attempt. In this chapter, I introduce the many systems of sex determination found in fish species, highlight the environmental and social influences shown to influence piscine sex ratios, and discuss potential adaptive mechanisms of sex allocation in these systems.
Theory of the color change of Na x WO 3 as a function of Na-charge doping

We report theoretical investigations of the coloration of ${\text{WO}}_{3}$ upon charge insertion using sodium tungsten bronze $({\text{Na}}_{x}{\text{WO}}_{3})$ as a model system. Our results explain well the systematic color change of ${\text{Na}}_{x}{\text{WO}}_{3}$ from dark blue to violet, red-orange, and finally to golden yellow as sodium concentration $x$ increases from 0.3 to unity. Proper accounts for both the interband and the intraband contributions to the optical response are found to be very important for a detailed understanding of the coloration mechanism in this system.
Size of the Vomeronasal Organ in Wild Microtus

The structure and function of the mammalian vomeronasal organ (VNO) have been the focus of numerous studies (e.g., Adams and Weikamp, 1984; Vaccarezza et al., 1981). Functionally, this chemosensory epithelial structure has been linked to various behaviors such as mate-finding and aggressive interactions (Powers and Winans, 1975; Wysocki and Lepri, 1991). In mammals, the evidence that VNOs function as a pheromone receptor has derived from experimental data. Determinants of VNO size are less well-understood, but have been hypothesized to include hormonal factors (Segovia and Guillamon, 1982, 1993.). It is therefore possible that morphology of the VNO may vary with gonadal development.
Improving Imaging Instrument Spatial Resolution Using Software

In order to overcome spatial resolution limitations associated with physical sensor limitations when using smallsats and cubesats, we utilize an image processing technology referred to as Super-Resolution (SR). In general, software approaches are increasingly considered in connection with smaller satellites for which size, mass and power constraints limit the sensor capabilities. Being able to perform hardware vs. software trades might enable more capabilities for a lower cost. This paper describes recent experiments conducted to optimize the spatial enhancement of acquired observations using multiple sub-pixel shifted low resolution image.
Effective strategies for working with paraeducators

Paraeducators, also referred to as educational assistants, paraprofessionals, and instructional aides, have become an important part of the education of children with disabilities in many countries...
Opioid Prescribing and Consumption Patterns following Outpatient Plastic Surgery Procedures.

Background Opioid overprescribing is a nationwide problem contributing to the current epidemic. This study evaluated opioid consumption, physician prescribing, and patient satisfaction with pain control following outpatient plastic surgery procedures. Methods Patients completed a questionnaire during their first postoperative visit. The authors queried about procedure type, quantity of opioids prescribed and consumed, days to opioid cessation, prescription refills, pain scores, use of nonopioid analgesics, and satisfaction with pain control. Results One hundred seventy patients were included. On average, 26 tablets were prescribed and 13 were consumed. Eighty percent of patients stopped opioids by postoperative day 5. Patients rated their worst pain at 6.1 and follow-up pain at 1.9. Approximately 50 percent of patients consumed nonopioid analgesics. Ninety-six percent of patients were satisfied with their pain control. Similar findings were observed across procedure subcategories. The number of pills prescribed was not correlated with satisfaction but was predictive of worst pain level (p = 0.014). Reduction mammaplasty and abdominoplasty patients consumed the most opioids at 17 and 18.6 pills, respectively; however, first-stage alloplastic breast reconstruction had the largest percentage of patients consuming opioids at the time of follow-up (25 percent) and requiring refills (7 percent). Patients who underwent revision of their reconstructed breast reported the earliest opioid cessation, rated their pain the lowest, and were prescribed the most excess tablets. Conclusions Plastic surgeons are prescribing almost double the amount of opioids consumed by patients after outpatient plastic surgery procedures. The results of this study may help guide prescribing practices.
SMAC mimetics as potential cancer therapeutics in myeloid malignancies

Evasion of apoptosis has been identified as one of the essential hallmarks of cancer. Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are implicated in a host of myeloid malignancies, providing the rationale for strategies aimed at neutralizing IAPs to lower the cancer cell apoptosis threshold. Modes of IAP antagonism may include down-regulating IAP expression, up-regulating endogenous pro-apoptotic proteins, such as tumour necrosis factor-α or Fas ligand, or directly antagonizing IAP activity against caspases. Direct targeting of IAPs using mimetics of the second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC) protein has shown therapeutic promise by sensitizing the effect of chemotherapy on malignant cells. In pre-clinical studies, SMAC mimetics have demonstrated broad synergistic activity with a wide range of therapeutics, including cytotoxic chemotherapy, receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, agents targeting death receptors and alternative mechanisms of cell death, such as necroptosis or autophagy and immune check point blockade. SMAC mimetics represent a novel approach for further investigation in patients with high-risk, chemo-refractory blood cancers, as single agents or in thoughtfully selected combinations. In this review, we discuss the development and therapeutic rationale of small molecule SMAC mimetics, with an emphasis on agents in clinical development for myeloid malignancies.
Study on Location Parameter Adjusting System for Anchor Drilling in Coal Mine Roadways

In the construction of ground anchors in the coal mine roadway, the drill boom precise adjustment of the anchoring drilling rig as well as the borehole accurate locating constitute the foundation and prerequisite for the entire construction work. For the problems of low efficiency and large error in manual manipulation, based on the intelligent control technique and electro-hydraulic proportional control technology, the location parameter adjustment system for the drill boom of anchoring drilling rig was studied. On the basis of the kinematic model solution of the drill boom, this system utilized the control method based on the kinematic model to adjust the drill boom parameters to the designed objectives. Finally, the drill boom positioning laboratory experiment was carried out in combination with the physical prototype. The experimental results showed that the adjustment system for the location parameters of the drill boom had higher control precision. Through this system, the efficiency of preparatory work prior to anchoring construction and construction safety could be improved. This could provide the technological basis for the intelligent development of coal mine machinery.
Evaluating Temperature Measurements of the iMET-XQ, in the Field, under Varying Atmospheric Conditions

Temperature measurements of InterMET Inc. aluminum-coated iMET-XQ sensors were tested in an outdoor setting under a variety of solar radiation and wind speed conditions. Twelve unshielded sensors were mounted side-by-side on the tower of a South Alabama Mesonet weather station next to a reference sensor on the tower. The iMET-XQ temperatures were most precise and accurate in solar radiation values that were close to zero, regardless of wind speed. Under overcast conditions, wind speeds of 2 m s−1 were sufficient to obtain precise and accurate temperature measurements. During the day-time, aspiration of wind speeds higher than or equal to 3 m s−1 is sufficient. An iMET-XQ was placed in a radiation shield next to the tower reference sensor to test the need for a radiation shield. A second iMET-XQ was placed unshielded on the tower. The iMET-XQ sensors with aluminum coating do not need to be shielded, but they do need to be aspirated. It is recommended that, when taking temperature measurements using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with iMET-XQ sensors, the UAV either fly at 3 m s−1, be embedded in winds of those speeds, or to use the propeller wash of the UAV to aspirate the sensors.
Can Credit Risk Be Hedged in Equity Markets

We examine whether credit default swaps (CDS) can be hedged effectively using equity. Using CDS data for 207 firms over 2001 to 2009, we find that hedging credit default swaps with equity reduces daily volatility of the unhedged position by only about 10% over our entire sample. The conclusion is robust across sub-samples of firms of different rating classes as well as across sub-periods; whether the hedge ratio is estimated from a structural model, or when the hedge ratio is estimated empirically from the observed sensitivity of spreads to equity returns. Hedging is also relatively ineffective in the tail of the distribution. Lack of integration between equity and credit markets because of pricing errors is one explanation as hedging is more effective over longer horizons. In addition, our results indicate that the RMSE is related to the VIX. Hedging becomes less effective when markets are more fearful, suggesting that the VIX impacts credit markets because of a reduction in arbitrage capital.
Gender-Responsive Reentry Services for Women Leaving Prison: The IF Project’s Seattle Women’s Reentry Initiative

With increasing numbers of women entering and exiting prison, gender-responsive services are needed to address unique challenges women face when reentering society. Seattle Women’s Reentry (SWR), a...
Highly Doped Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Deposited as the Back Buffer Layer on CdTe Devices

Due to the low Fermi level position in CdTe, back contacts to CdTe devices often lead to downward band bending at the back interface. SWCNTs potentially have a lower Fermi level than CdTe, but obtaining this level of doping in the SWCNTs after they have been applied to the CdTe is difficult to accomplish. Here, we show that SWCNT films can be doped, redispersed, and redeposited while maintaining a high level of doping. We are investigating if depositing doped SWCNTs onto CdTe is a viable method for improving the back interface of CdTe devices by apply doped and undoped SWCNTs to the back of $2\ \mu\mathrm{m}$ CdTe device structures.
Harnessing Antibody-Mimetic Selectivity for Activation-State-Specific Targeted Degradation of Endogenous K-Ras

Inducible anti-Ras biodegraders as biological tools to interrogate nucleotide-loaded states across a panel of K-Ras mutants are developed.
IMPROVING NEUROLOGIC, OUTCOME FOLLOWING, CARDIAC ARREST

SUMMARY In summary, the assurance of optimal preservation or recovery of neurologic function following cardiac arrest will involve a multifactorial approach. First, we should identify patients at high risk for cardiac arrest and treat or prevent factors (e.g., fever, hyperglycemia) known to contribute to worse postischemic neurologic outcome. Second, once a patient has experienced a cardiac arrest, we should attempt to restore an adequate supply of oxygen-rich blood to the brain as soon as possible (e.g., using early cardiac defibrillation). Third, once these goals are achieved, we should attempt to prevent or interrupt factors known to contribute to delayed neuronal injury. The concepts used to direct brain protection and resuscitation in the cardiac arrest patient are continuously evolving. Thus, the clinician must be prepared to constantly adopt new techniques. Caution must be used until there is adequate experimental proof that an intervention will benefit outcome, and the experimental proof has been validated by repeated investigation. Until these evaluations are available, the clinician will be well served to use a physiologic basis for approaching treatment of the patient. When controversies exist as to optimal treatment, it is wise to defer to techniques that have had the benefit of expert review, such as guidelines published and frequently revised by the American Heart Association.10,11
HydraNet: a multi-branch convolutional neural network architecture for MRI denoising

The state-of-the-art methods of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) denoising technologies have improved significantly in the past decade, particularly those based in deep learning. However, the major issues in deep learning based denoising algorithms is both that the model architectures are not built for the complex noise distributions inherent in MRI, and that the data given to these algorithms is typically synthetic, and thus, they fail to generalize to spatially variant noise distributions. The noise varies greatly dependent upon such factors as pulse sequence of the MRI sequence, reconstruction method, coil configuration, physiological activities, etc. To overcome these issues, we have created HydraNet, a multi-branch deep neural network architecture that learns to denoise MR images at a multitude of noise levels, and which has critically been trained using only real image pairs of high and low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) images. We prove the superiority of HydraNet at denoising complex noise distributions in comparison to the leading deep learning method in our experimentation, in addition to non-local collaborative filtering-based methods, quantitatively in both Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity Index (SSIM), and qualitatively upon inspection of denoised MRI samples.
Sleep quantity and quality as predictors of behavior and mental health issues for children and adolescents with autism

Abstract Background Research has supported a relationship between sleep problems and day-time behavior and mental health for young children with autism. Fewer studies have investigated these relationships across young children to adolescents. Method This study analyzed data retrieved from a sleep and behavior data base constructed from information obtained from patient charts and psychological assessments at a developmental pediatric clinic. The study evaluated the relationships among sleep quality and quantity (measured by the Behavioral Evaluation of Disorders of Sleep), age, and mental health and behavior problems (measured by the Child Behavior Checklist) for children and adolescents with autism (N = 446) from 16 months to 18 years old. Results Results indicated that despite age, children and adolescents with autism who experienced sleep quantity and quality problems were more likely to experience internalizing (e.g., anxiety/depression), and externalizing (aggression, destructiveness, delinquency) behavior problems. Internalizing and externalizing behavior problems were associated with sleep behavior, such as sensitivity to environmental stimuli, waking during the night, disoriented waking, and fewer hours of sleep (last 24 h for externalizing and total). Conclusions The results of this study replicate and extend previous research on daytime behavior, mental health, and sleep quality and quantity relationships. Indications of sensitivity to the environment to these daytime issues indicates the need for subsequent research delineating the influence of variables within the biopsychosocial model (e.g., sensory hyperarousal) of the inter-relatedness of sleep, daytime behaviors, and mental health for individuals with autism across the lifespan.
Disperse and Preserve the Perverse: Computing How Hip-Hop Censorship Changed Popular Music Production in China

How do states censor an artistic genre that challenges the social norms? The answers to this question in the existing literature are mostly based on investigations of particular artists or artworks of the genre, while the impact on the entire genre field remains unchecked. This paper explores how censorship of an artistic genre changes artistic forms of that genre while also triggering strategic reactions from the artists of closely related genres. Using an original dataset of 53,364 songs released on a Chinese online music platform, I study the impact of Hip-Hop censorship in China in 2018 on Hip-Hop as well as Pop, Rock, and Folk songs in terms of how they sound and what topics they write about in the lyrics. I propose a novel approach to measuring sound similarities and topic prevalence in song lyrics using computational tools including Music Information Retrieval (MIR), neural networks, and topic models. I found that Hip-Hop songs produced after the censorship sound significantly different from those before, with a bigger impact on songs that were played frequently on the platform than those that were not. Moreover, genres of similarly restricted production, such as Rock, sound more like Hip-Hop after the censorship, while genres of large-scale production, such as Pop, sound less “Hip-Hopy”. The censorship also made Hip-Hop musicians engage less with topics related to violence, smoking, or drinking but more with sexual content in a covered form. The findings thus suggest a model of dispersion in explaining the mechanism of censorship in cultural production.