cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sphingolipids in bean leaves (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Phytoglycolipid has been isolated for the first time from plant leaves (Phaseolus vulgaris). The purified product (almost identical with the phytoglycolipid isolated from flax seed) was a ceramide attached through phosphate diester linkage to an oligosaccharide, which consisted of the usual trisaccharide unit (inositol, hexuronic acid, hexosamine) to which were attached mannose, galactose, and arabinose. The major fatty acids were the saturated 2-hydroxy C(22), C(24), and C(26) acids; the major long-chain bases were dehydrophytosphingosine (d-ribo-1,3,4-trihydroxy-2-amino-8-trans-octadecene) (53%) and phytosphingosine (d-ribo-1,3,4-trihydroxy-2-amino-octadecane) (32%). A ceramide and a cerebroside were also isolated. In the ceramide the major fatty acids and the major long-chain bases were the same as in the phytoglycolipid. In the cerebroside, the fatty acid composition was similar to that in the ceramide and phytoglycolipid, but the long-chain bases consisted of dehydrophytosphingosine and phytosphingosine (7:1) with a substantial amount of unidentified long-chain base. The sugar component was glucose.
Overexpression of S100A4 is associated with aggressiveness of endometrial adenocarcinoma

5582 Tumors of the endometrioid subtype comprise about 80% of all endometrial adenocarcinomas (EC). Myometrial invasion is one of the most important prognostic indicators for this histotype of endometrial cancer. However, the molecular determinants of myometrial invasion are poorly understood. In this study, we used 60-mer in situ synthesized oligonucleotide microarrays containing 18,716 different genes to analyze gene expression profiles in 5 cases of non-invasive (tumor confined to the endometrium) and 5 cases of invasive (more than 50% myometial invasion) grade 2 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EEC) to identify differentially expressed genes that are associated with the myometrial invasion. After analysis of the microarray data, there was at least a 2-fold difference in expression between non-invasive and invasive EEC in 84 genes. The 77 genes up-regulated in invasive EEC were associated with the cellular activities known to be important in tumor invasion. Among them, several members of the S100A (S100A4, S100A6, S100A10, S100A11) and Annexin (ANXA1, ANXA2, ANXA11) families were consistently overexpressed in the invasive EEC. Using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR), we validated the above candidate genes using a large set of EC (n=73) and normal endometrium (n=19). Only S100A4 was validated to be significantly overexpressed in the invasive EEC compared to the noninvasive EEC (P
Therapeutic drug monitoring of 5-fluorouracil

Purpose For over 50 years, 5-FU has played a critical role in the systemic chemotherapy of cancer patients. 5-FU serves as the main backbone of combination chemotherapy for patients with colorectal cancer in both the adjuvant and metastatic disease settings. Herein, we review the current status of 5-FU therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and discuss its potential role in the clinical practice setting.
Improvement Curves in Manufacturing

This study grew out of the importance of cost modeling to concurrent engineering (cooperative product development) and has resulted in the development of general forms of models for predicting the average unit cost, unit cost and cumulative cost of products. The cost predicting equations were derived from the unit curve model, which assumes that the unit time versus the production units generate a straight line on logarithmic paper. The unique contribution here is that the effect of multiple improvement curves on time saving were studied and compared with improvement curves with single improvement rate and curves with no improvement. This is applicable for both decreasing and increasing improvement rates as well as considering multiple improvement curves. Another important application of the improvement curve is to predict the loss of improvement during manufacturing interruption when long time periods of no production occur. These new cost prediction tools were introduced to help cost analysts practice concurrent engineering in a general manufacturing environment. A comparison of the differences between the unit cost model and average unit cost model will be made.
Criminal Justice and Legal Reforms in Response to Fatal Child Maltreatment

The challenges associated with the investigation, prosecution, and convictions in cases of child abuse and neglect have been well documented for decades. Limited evidence, young victims, a reluctance to come forward, and there is stigma about maltreatment hinder criminal prosecution. Many of these same problems exist in the criminal prosecution of fatal child maltreatment. The difficulties include law enforcement failing to recognize a crime scene when responding to the death of a child, obstacles because prosecution maltreatment-related deaths do not always meet the legal definition of murder, and juries failing to believe that parents could hurt or neglect their own children enough to cause their death. This chapter outlines the criminal justice responses to fatal child maltreatment and the changes that have taken place over the last several decades: changes in investigation techniques, state statute to permit more harsh sentences for taking the life of a child, and overturning religious shield laws. Finally, the chapter discusses the efficacy of these changes with regard to seeking justice for fatally maltreated children.
The function of Sn(II)-apatite as a Tc immobilizing agent

At the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site, Tc-99 is a component of low-activity waste (LAW) fractions of the nuclear tank waste and removal of Tc from LAW streams would greatly benefit the site remediation process. In this study, we investigated the removal of Tc(VII), as pertechnetate, from deionized water (DIW) and a LAW simulant through batch sorption testing and solid phase characterization using tin (II) apatite (Sn-A) and SnCl2. Sn-A showed higher levels of Tc removal from both DIW and LAW simulant. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/XEDS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) of reacted Sn-A in DIW showed that TcO4- is reduced to Tc(IV) on the Sn-A surface. The performance of Sn-A in the LAW simulant was lowered due to a combined effect of the high alkalinity, which lead to an increased dissolution of Sn from the Sn-A, and a preference for the reduction of Cr(VI).
Early Evaporation of Microlayer for Boiling Heat Transfer Enhancement

For over five decades, an enhancement in pool boiling heat transfer has been achieved by altering the surface wetting, wickability, roughness, nucleation site density, and providing separate liquid/vapor pathways. In this work, a new enhancement mechanism based on the early evaporation of the microlayer is discovered and validated. The microlayer is a thin liquid film present at the base of a vapor bubble. The presence of microridges on the silicon dioxide surface partitions the microlayer and disconnects it from the bulk liquid, causing it to evaporate sooner, thus leading to increase in the bubble growth rate, heat transfer, departure frequency, and critical heat flux (CHF). Compared to a plain surface, an ∼120% enhancement in CHF is obtained with only an ∼18% increase in surface area. A CHF enhancement map is developed on the basis of the ridge height and spacing, resulting in three regions of full, partial, and no enhancement. The new mechanism is validated by comparing the growth rate of a laser-crea...
Radiotherapy in Stage I and II Extranodal Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT): Analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Database

Abstract 2053 Background: External beam radiotherapy (RT) is the treatment of choice for many patients with localized (stage IE-IIE) MALT lymphoma, primarily based on single-institution case series. There are no specific factors favoring surgical management or addition of systemic therapy in these cases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of RT used as the initial treatment strategy with survival outcomes in a population-based cohort. Methods: We analyzed 6,111 cases of st I/IIE MALT lymphoma of the most common anatomical locations included in the SEER database, diagnosed between 1998 and 2009. Cases identified through autopsy or death certificate only, as well as those with unknown stage or RT status were excluded. RT was recorded only if administered as part of the initial treatment strategy within 12 months of diagnosis. 5-year relative survival was summarized for treated and untreated patients. For multivariate regression, flexible parametric Royston-Parmar models for overall survival were fitted for each site, adjusting for clinical and socioeconomic confounders. Age and surgical excision of the primary site were always included as variables. No records of progression-free survival, alternative or subsequent systemic treatments or watchful waiting strategy were available. Results: There were significant differences in the rates of RT utilization, baseline clinical characteristics and survival outcomes. Median age varied from 57 years (cutaneous lymphoma) to 69 years (breast). In multivariate models, RT was associated with improved survival in patients with ocular, cutaneous or gastric localization with no significant association for the pulmonary, intestinal, salivary, mammary and thyroid sites. The hazard ratio in gastric MALT was non-proportional and increased from 0.45 at 6 months to 0.97 at 24 months form diagnosis. Long-term prognosis for ocular, salivary and cutaneous thyroid lymphomas was excellent, but was less favorable for the gastrointestinal or pulmonary locations. Conclusions: The survival benefits of RT in early-stage MALT lymphoma are most evident for ocular and cutaneous sites of origin, and this modality can be advocated for treatment. The relative survival of 99–100% in those anatomical subtypes may indicate curative potential in patients who receive RT. In gastric MALT lymphoma the benefit is limited to the early period of two years of follow up. Inferior survival despite local radiotherapy in pulmonary and intestinal locations may suggest higher rates of occult disseminated disease and potential value of systemic therapy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Non-sentential Question Resolution using Sequence to Sequence Learning

An interactive Question Answering (QA) system frequently encounters non-sentential (incomplete) questions. These non-sentential questions may not make sense to the system when a user asks them without the context of conversation. The system thus needs to take into account the conversation context to process the question. In this work, we present a recurrent neural network (RNN) based encoder decoder network that can generate a complete (intended) question, given an incomplete question and conversation context. RNN encoder decoder networks have been show to work well when trained on a parallel corpus with millions of sentences, however it is extremely hard to obtain conversation data of this magnitude. We therefore propose to decompose the original problem into two separate simplified problems where each problem focuses on an abstraction. Specifically, we train a semantic sequence model to learn semantic patterns, and a syntactic sequence model to learn linguistic patterns. We further combine syntactic and semantic sequence models to generate an ensemble model. Our model achieves a BLEU score of 30.15 as compared to 18.54 using a standard RNN encoder decoder model.
Intelligent Portrait Composition Assistance: Integrating Deep-learned Models and Photography Idea Retrieval

Retrieving photography ideas corresponding to a given location facilitates the usage of smart cameras, where there is a high interest among amateurs and enthusiasts to take astonishing photos at anytime and in any location. Existing research captures some aesthetic techniques and retrieves useful feedbacks based on one technique. However, they are restricted to a particular technique and the retrieved results have room to improve as they are confined to the quality of the query. There is a lack of a holistic framework to capture important aspects of a given scene and help a novice photographer by informative feedback to take a better shot in his/her photography adventure. This work proposes an intelligent framework of portrait composition using our deep-learned models and image retrieval methods. A highly-rated web-crawled portrait dataset is exploited for retrieval purposes. Our framework detects and extracts ingredients of a given scene representing as a correlated semantic model. It then matches extracted semantics with the dataset of aesthetically composed photos to investigate a ranked list of photography ideas, and gradually optimizes the human pose and other artistic aspects of the composed scene supposed to be captured. The conducted user study demonstrates that our approach is more helpful than other feedback retrieval systems.
Transportation—A Comprehensive Viewpoint

(1967). Transportation—A Comprehensive Viewpoint. Research Management: Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 253-261.
A Novel Approach to Assessing Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a growing problem and poses a significant burden on the health care system. The traditional Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System (FNASS) assessment approach may lead to unnecessary opioid treatment of infants with NAS. We developed a novel assessment approach and describe its effect on the management of infants with NAS. METHODS: We retrospectively compared treatment decisions of 50 consecutive opioid-exposed infants managed on the inpatient unit at the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. All infants had FNASS scores recorded every 2 to 6 hours but were managed by using the Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) assessment approach. Actual treatment decisions made by using the ESC approach were compared with predicted treatment decisions based on recorded FNASS scores. The primary outcome was postnatal treatment with morphine. RESULTS: By using the ESC approach, 6 infants (12%) were treated with morphine compared with 31 infants (62%) predicted to be treated with morphine by using the FNASS approach (P CONCLUSIONS: Infants managed by using the ESC approach were treated with morphine significantly less frequently than they would have been by using the FNASS approach. The ESC approach is an effective method for the management of infants with NAS that limits pharmacologic treatment and may lead to substantial reductions in length of stay.
Completing Disability Forms Efficiently and Accurately: Curriculum for Residents.

Introduction The completion of a patient's disability assessment form (DAF) is a task expected of family and internal medicine physicians. Residency curricula rarely address this task. Thus, some residents are reluctant to conduct functional assessments because of inadequate training, the time required to conduct such an exam, and fear of jeopardizing the doctor-patient relationship. This article describes a curricular intervention to prepare residents to complete a focused functional capacity assessment during a 30-minute office visit. Methods Developing the curriculum for DAF completion involved a literature review, conducting needs assessment interviews, and a review of existent residency training materials. Instructional strategies included lecture, panel discussions, and demonstrations. The learner evaluation strategies were knowledge tests, direct observation of residents, and a review of disability cases with an expert panel consisting of federally certified Social Security Administration workers. This work represents information gained from four pilot tests. Results The residents' knowledge scores increased significantly. Knowledge of state, federal, and employer disability programs increased as well as their ability to distinguish sedentary, light, medium, and heavy work capacity when related to patients' medical conditions. All the residents could perform the assessment, but none of them were confident that they could complete the DAF in a 30-minute office visit. This was an expected outcome. Conclusions It is possible to teach family and internal medicine residents the knowledge and skills required to determine their patients' functional capacity as it relates to a specific problem. By applying what they have learned to their patients, they will eventually be able to complete a DAF during a 30-minute office visit. Residency programs are encouraged to incorporate a functional assessment curriculum.
Role for Wnt Signaling in Retinal Neuropil Development: Analysis via RNA-Seq and In Vivo Somatic CRISPR Mutagenesis

Screens for genes that orchestrate neural circuit formation in mammals have been hindered by practical constraints of germline mutagenesis. To overcome these limitations, we combined RNA-seq with somatic CRISPR mutagenesis to study synapse development in the mouse retina. Here synapses occur between cellular layers, forming two multilayered neuropils. The outer neuropil, the outer plexiform layer (OPL), contains synapses made by rod and cone photoreceptor axons on rod and cone bipolar dendrites, respectively. We used RNA-seq to identify selectively expressed genes encoding cell surface and secreted proteins and CRISPR-Cas9 electroporation with cell-specific promoters to assess their roles in OPL development. Among the genes identified in this way are Wnt5a and Wnt5b. They are produced by rod bipolars and activate a non-canonical signaling pathway in rods to regulate early OPL patterning. The approach we use here can be applied to other parts of the brain.
Temporal Variability of Trichodesmium spp. and Diatom-Diazotroph Assemblages in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre

In oligotrophic ocean regions such as the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG), N2 fixation (i.e. diazotrophy) by a diverse consortium of microorganisms has been shown to contribute significantly to new production and particle export. In 2015 and 2016, we measured near-monthly abundances of the large cell-sized (> 10 m) diazotrophic genera Trichodesmium and diatom-associated Richelia and Calothrix spp. in the NPSG via microscopy and quantitative PCR of nifH genes. Of these genera, we find Trichodesmium to be the more abundant over our study period, with cell concentrations in the upper water column (0-45 m) ranging from 1-5988 cells L-1, while the sum of Richelia and Calothrix spp. abundances ranged from 4-157 heterocysts L-1. Significant discrepancies between absolute abundances were noted between cell and gene-based approaches to biomass determination (nifH copies L-1 were up to 102-103 higher than cell concentrations). Potential explanations for these striking discrepancies are discussed. Using the maximum N2 fixation rates per cell found in the existing literature for these genera, we estimate potential N2 fixation rates via these large diazotroph communities to be between 0.01-1.5 nmol N L-1 d-1. When comparing these rates to available 15N2 tracer measurements, we conclude that large diazotrophs were generally minor (50% of measured N2 fixation rates. While these large cell-sized and heterogeneously distributed organisms may still disproportionately contribute to export, cell-abundance based rate estimates suggests that other diazotrophs are largely responsible for N2 fixation rates measured in bottle-based incubations.
Distribution and abundance of benthic invertebrates in a Sonoran Desert stream.

Numbers and biomass of benthic invertebrates generally varied in proportion to standing crops of filamentous algae. This association of invertebrates and algae may indicate the importance of autochthonous production in the trophic relations of the stream. Summer flash flooding was also a significant factor affecting the seasonal abundance of invertebrates by critically reducing population levels. In spite of such severe flooding, recovery by invertebrates was consistent, and the stream was able to support annual mean standing crops of benthic invertebrates comparable to those in streams of other regions where floods are not as frequent and intense.
Adult Realm v. Childhood: A Critical Examination of the Victorian Realm’s Ideal Young Adult

Alice in Wonderland is a story that represents the cultural shift in Victorian ideas and its vision of childhood. The character of Alice represents an ideal Victorian youth, but her inabilities, confinement, and limitations in Wonderland suggest a culture clash and changing times. The story of Alice, through its puns, miscommunication, confusing mannerisms, and cultural disconnection between Alice and the inhabitants of Wonderland, preach a rejection of the Victorian adult realm. The novel itself provides an alternative for children to be children rather than obedient little adults. This article is available in The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research: http://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/ur/vol14/iss1/8 Adult Realm v. Childhood: A Critical Examination of the Victorian Realm’s Ideal Young Adult
Sexual Programing of the Rat Fetus and Neonate Studied by Selective Biochemical Testosterone-Depriving Agents

Publisher Summary The inborn program of sexual differentiation in the mammalian fetus is female unless there is a testis-secreting hormone—testosterone—that transforms the originally bisexual fetus or neonate into a male. This chapter explores several of the possible parameters of sexual differentiation that may be programmed in utero or in neonatal life. The chapter explains how the natural and experimental testosterone-depriving agents may elucidate the programming. It has been observed that cyproterone acetate—a progestin with potent antiandrogenic action, which blocks testosterone and dihydrotestosterone uptake in target organs—prevents normal masculine differentiation as well as all androgen-dependent anatomic and hypothalamic differentiation. The development of highly specific and potent inhibitors of testosterone biosynthetic enzymes and the use of antibodies to testosterone and antibodies to LH: FSH have provided selective experimental agents for testosterone deprivation. These agents produce a reversible chemical castration by ablation of testosterone at the level of its synthesis, circulation, or uptake. The use of the experimental and genetic testosterone-depriving agents has substantiated the hypothesis that testosterone is the organizer of androgen-dependent differentiation.
Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization of Sparganium eurycarpum and Typha glauca stands, Eagle Lake, Iowa

44 INTRODUCTION 45 METHODS 48 Study Site 48 Construction and Fertilization of Enclosures 49 Collection and Analysis of Samples 49 Sediment and interstitial H^O 49 Vegetation 51 Statistical Analyses 52 RESULTS 54 Interstitial H^O 54 Sediment 56 Above-ground Vegetative Response 58 Nitrogen content 58 Shoot density 60 Biomass and production 60 Below-ground Vegetative Response 66 Nitrogen content 66 Biomass 67
Increased investment in the defence of high-value offspring by a superorganism

Parental investment theory predicts that parents should adjust their investment in offspring defence according to offspring value (i.e. the probability they will contribute to the next generation). Although previous research has shown this offspring value prediction is generally supported in unitary organisms, the ‘superorganisms’ formed by advanced colonial organisms have rarely been tested, and never by direct manipulation of offspring value. As an important complement to correlational studies, such a test would help better illuminate the applicability of the parental investment theory to that higher level of biological organization, as well as provide insight into the depth of the superorganism analogy. Here I use colonies of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, in a manipulative experiment to test whether superorganisms behave as predicted by the parental investment theory and invest more in defence (deliver larger venom doses) when protecting higher-value offspring. In addition, to test a proposed mechanism for observed increases, I conducted an experiment to investigate whether S. invicta alarm pheromone modulates venom dose. I found that colonies delivered larger venom doses when defending nests containing higher-value (sexual) offspring than when defending worker-destined brood, but I found no venom dose increase as a result of additional alarm pheromone. The conformity of S. invicta colonies to the offspring value prediction of the parental investment theory supports the theory's applicability to their higher (superorganismal) level of animal organization. It furthermore underscores that the superorganism concept is deeper than simple anatomical/organizational analogy, but extends also to colony-level behaviour.
Managing Risk in Endurance Events

Legal action was taken against Tough Mudder Corporation after the death of a participant during a Tough Mudder obstacle-course race.
Turabi’s Islamic Project: From the Rhetoric of Freedom to the Politics of Tamkeen

This chapter examines Sudanese Islamism under the guidance of Sheikh Hassan Turabi. Sudan represents a unique case among a few models of the contemporary Islamic state, where the Islamist rulers—civilian-military professionals and politicians—came to power through a military coup d’etat. The core argument is that Sudan’s problem was addressing governance as a project of Islamist literal justice. The project’s foremost theorist, Turabi, often used the rhetoric of freedom in promoting the Islamist project, while his strategies of governance were based primarily on implementing the politics of literal justice through tamkeen, a strategy of socio-political empowerment that rewards ideological loyalty while systematically prosecuting political opponents. The project’s outcome was clear: it failed to maintain the nation-state of Sudan, build a viable democracy, improve its human rights records, or even afford justice itself.
Folie ersetzt Lack

Bei dem teiltransparenten Dachmodul des Opel Zafira ersetzt eine eingefarbte, mehrschichtige Folie die herkommliche Lackierung. So fallen bei der Beschichtung des Bauteils aus Polycarbonat keine VOC-Emissionen an und die hochglanzende Folie erfullt alle Anspruche hinsichtlich Glanzgrad, Witterungsbestandigkeit und Kratzfestigkeit.
Updates on Chronic HBV: Current Challenges and Future Goals.

Chronic HBV (CHB) remains a global public health problem with over 257 million people chronically infected worldwide. Without appropriate management, 20% of individuals infected with CHB will die from complications of cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite an effective vaccination to prevent infection, HBV has yet to be successfully eradicated globally. Current treatments can only control and suppress the virus but cannot cure. Updates in the management of chronic HBV will be reviewed, including latest treatments and treatment strategies as well as potential curative therapeutic agents in clinical trial. A new nucleotide analogue drug, tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF), has been added to the HBV therapeutic armamentarium. A more potent drug showing non-inferiority, TAF has shown to improve renal and bone laboratory safety parameters compared to TDF. In addition, new treatment recommendations have been made for both general and special populations including pregnancy and HBV reactivation. There is growing data supporting the importance of antiviral therapy in patients with advanced liver disease and liver decompensation which has resulted in improved outcomes. In addition, at least 30 potential therapeutics are in clinical trials in the pursuit of curative treatments for chronic HBV with the goal of “functional cure.” CHB remains a global public health problem with complications including cirrhosis, liver failure, and HCC. Current antiviral therapy can cause reversal of liver disease, improve outcomes, and prevent complications such as reactivation but still requires long-term use. Curative treatments for HBV are greatly needed with promising curative drugs in early phase studies.
P129 How Teachers’ Childhood School Lunch Experiences Impact Their Views and Actions Related to School Lunch with Their Students

Background Students who regularly consume school meals have a higher diet quality than students who do not. K-12 teachers are uniquely poised to promote and advocate for school lunch, but little is known about teachers’ personal school lunch experiences, and how those experiences impact their current students. Objective This study explored teachers’ childhood perceptions and experiences with school lunch and how those experiences relate to their current involvement with their students’ participation in school lunch. Study Design, Settings, Participants This was a cross-sectional qualitative study of a unique, interactive, two-hour theatrical workshop in the Smith Learning Theatre at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. The theater was configured to simulate a school environment for a series of performance activities and discussion among ten K-12 teachers. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Teachers pictorially represented and discussed their school lunch experiences and memories. Observations, memos, audio and video data were thematically analyzed with inductive and deductive processes. Results All teachers experienced eating school lunch at one time or another in their lives. Overall, their experiences focused on the social aspect of lunch, rather than the food. The lunch period was viewed as a means to interact with classmates and a springboard to recess. None of the teachers remembered interacting with their own teachers during lunch. In their professional lives, teachers value food as a tool for their students’ academic success, yet most are not in the lunchroom when their students eat. All engage with their students in some capacity with food and healthy eating habits, but not in the lunchroom. Conclusion By not spending time in the lunchroom these teachers are perpetuating the practice of teacher absence during lunch. This is a missed opportunity for teachers to encourage healthy eating habits, since students see teachers as role models. Teachers valued their students being properly nourished to achieve academic success. Therefore, more support is needed for teachers to become better advocates for students to take and eat school lunch. Funding Teachers College.
Feasibility Study of Three-Phase Implementation of International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement Depression and Anxiety Standard Set in an Outpatient Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Practice.

Objective We describe a three-phase implementation of the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement Depression and Anxiety Standard Set in a Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry practice. Methods During the preintervention phase, we reviewed patient-reported outcome tools and engaged stakeholders and leadership. During phase 1, the standard set was converted into an electronic previsit intake assessment that was implemented in a physician champion's practice. Patients completed the intake on a tablet, and computer adaptive testing was used to reduce response burden. Physician-facing data display facilitated use during subsequent in-person visits. An electronic version of the follow-up standard set was used during follow-up visits. During phase 2, a second physician tested scalability and the intervention was disseminated department wide in phase 3. Results During phase 1, 186 intakes and 67 follow-up electronic patient-reported outcome sets were completed. Average patient age was 54 years, and 44% were male. On average, patients ranked the tool 4.4 out of 5 and spent 22 minutes completing the intake. Time-driven activity-based costing found the new process to be cost-effective. During phase 2, 386 patients completed electronic patient-reported outcome sets, with 315 follow-up visits. Patients ranked the tool as 4.0 out of 5 and spent 26 minutes completing the questions. During phase 3, 2166 patients completed intake electronic patient-reported outcome sets and 1249 follow-up visits. Patients ranked the tool 4.3 out of 5 and spent 26 minutes on it. Scores and completion time did not differ greatly between phases. Conclusions Integration of the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement Depression and Anxiety Standard Set is feasible. Future research comparing International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement set with other approaches and in different settings is needed.
Paraxial Analysis of Binary Polarization Gratings (bin-PGs)

Traditional polarization gratings (PGs) have been studied with increasing intensity since 2005, in part because they can manifest 100% single-order diffraction efficiency and strong sensitivity to input polarization, in both theory and practice. They can be made using patterned anisotropic materials (e.g., liquid crystals) or nanostructures (e.g., metasurfaces). Nearly every prior work on traditional PGs has implemented a linear spatial phase-shift that is either continuous or which samples the 2π phase period with multiple (≥ 4) discrete phase levels. As far as we know, only two prior works (Bhandari et al, Phys. Rep. 281 (1997); and Wang et al, Appl. Phys. Lett. 108 (2016)) have considered the circumstance when the phase is sampled with exactly two phase levels, with π radians between them. We call this a Binary PG (Bin-PG). In this work, we apply Jones calculus and the small angle (i.e., paraxial) approximation to derive the fundamental optical behavior of Bin-PGs: far-field efficiencies, input polarization sensitivity, and output polarizations. We show that Bin-PGs manifest properties that are a compelling and unique mixture of both traditional (non-binary) PGs and standard diffraction gratings (e.g., surface-relief-gratings (SRGs)). Like non-binary PGs, their output polarization is often different than the input and diffraction efficiencies are dependent on the effective retardation of the film or surface. However, like SRGs, they show a maximum of 80% total first-order efficiency and are insensitive to input polarization.
Open forest ecosystems: An excluded state

Abstract Once dominant but now largely excluded from eastern North America, open forests of savannas to woodlands occupy the ecosystem gradient between grasslands and closed forests. These fire-maintained systems differ in structure, processes, and species from closed canopy, succession-driven forests that currently dominate this region. In functional open forest ecosystems, frequent, low to mixed severity and intensity surface fires limit tree regeneration, depending on factors such as overstory tree density, resulting in relatively stable structure where overstory trees co-exist with a largely herbaceous understory. Reduced and spatially variable tree densities in open forests result in unique environmental conditions and function. Trees in open forests typically represent a small fraction of the biodiversity, which instead resides in the rich herbaceous ground layer. Rather than being constrained by overstory disturbances, succession, and biological legacies, the permanently open structure and herbaceous communities of open forests support invertebrate and vertebrate species throughout their lifetimes. Transition from open to closed forests across most of eastern North America during the past century produced a “new normal,” in which excluded open forests remain largely unrecognized at considerable conservation costs, particularly loss of key processes and wildlife species associated with a matrix of co-dominant tree and herbaceous layers. Management for open forests emphasizes the understory herbaceous plant community, similar to ephemeral seral stages of successional forest, rather than tree regeneration to produce an alternative outcome in structure, function, and support for biodiversity.
A new animal-borne imaging system for studying the behavioral ecology of small sharks: laboratory and field evaluations

The use of animal-borne imaging and environmental data collection systems (AVEDs) can provide behavioral and ecological information of animals that many other technologies cannot usually offer. How...
Visum: visual evoked potential as sonic sculpture

In this research, Visum, an immersive audio/visual application, which uses visual perception through an interface to create sound and visual objects is presented. Visual evoked potentials (VEP) are changes in brainwave electrical activity that are created when a visual stimulus is presented to an observer. Here, VEPs are generated through observing optical illusions. These VEPs are brought into an environment as three-dimensional sound and visual objects. The VEP objects can be played as an instrument via a user-controlled interface such as mixing and parameter control creating an evolving, dynamic, sounds and visuals. Visum is created for artistic and educational purposes.
Electron microscopy observation of electric field-assisted sintering of stainless steel nanoparticles

The intrinsic role of electrical current on the electric field-assisted sintering (EFAS) process of stainless steel 316L nanoparticles has been revealed by both ex situ and in situ experiments. A novel device on the Si chip has been designed and fabricated to fit into the sample holder of a transmission electron microscope for these experiments. The evolution of nanoparticle morphology and microstructures during the EFAS process has been studied using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, which has been combined with the simultaneous measurement of the electric voltage and current changes. A preliminary four-stage mechanism for the EFAS process of stainless steel 316L nanoparticles has been proposed based on these experimental investigations.
Higher temporal resolution multiband fMRI provides improved presurgical language maps

We investigated the hypothesis that increasing fMRI temporal resolution using a multiband (MB) gradient echo-echo planar imaging (GRE-EPI) pulse sequence provides fMRI language maps of higher statistical quality than those acquired with a traditional GRE-EPI sequence. This prospective study enrolled 29 consecutive patients receiving language fMRI prior to a potential brain resection for tumor, AVM, or epilepsy. A 4-min rhyming task was performed at 3.0 Tesla with a traditional GRE-EPI pulse sequence (TR = 2000, TE = 30, matrix = 64/100%, slice = 4/0, FOV = 24, slices = 30, time points = 120) and an additional MB GRE-EPI pulse sequence with an acceleration factor of 6 (TR = 333, TE = 30, matrix 64/100%, slice = 4/0, FOV = 24, time points = 720). Spatially filtered t statistical maps were generated. Volumes of interest (VOIs) were drawn around activations at Broca’s, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, Wernicke’s, and the visual word form areas. The t value maxima were measured for the overall brain and each of the VOIs. A paired t test was performed for the corresponding traditional and MB GRE-EPI measurements. The mean age of subjects was 42.6 years old (18–75). Sixty-two percent were male. The average overall brain t statistic maxima for the MB pulse sequence (t = 15.4) was higher than for the traditional pulse sequence (t = 9.3, p = < .0001). This also held true for Broca’s area (p < 0.0001), Wernicke’s area (p < .0001), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (p < .0001), and the visual word form area (p < .0001). A MB GRE-EPI fMRI pulse sequence employing high temporal resolution provides clinical fMRI language maps of greater statistical significance than those obtained with a traditional GRE-EPI sequence.
Promoting democracy: the force of political settlements in uncertain times: by Manal A. Jamal, New York, NYU Press, 2019, 320 pp., USD 35.00 (paperback), ISBN 9781479878451, USD 99.00 (hardcover), ISBN 9781479811380

Why do foreign aids, which are planned to promote democratization, lead to opposite results in certain cases? Some scholars have a deterministic answer to this question: they categorize foreign aid...
Sex-Based Differences in Autism Symptoms in a Large, Clinically-Referred Sample of Preschool-Aged Children with ASD.

Previous research has identified possible sex-based differences in restricted and repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, this finding is mixed, particularly among preschool-aged children. We investigated the presence of sex-based differences in parent-rated ASD symptomatology, using the Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS). Participants consisted of a large (n = 481,100 female), clinically-referred sample of preschoolers (ages 2–5) diagnosed with ASD (NVIQ: M = 67.11, SD = 21.79). Females had less severe symptoms on the Total, Unusual Behaviors, DSM-5, and Stereotypy scales on the ASRS. The effects were small-to-medium, but statistically significant. There was evidence of differential relationships between nonverbal IQ and ASRS scores among males and females. This study provides additional evidence of sex-based differences in ASD symptoms present from an early age.
Probiotic Supplementation with Lactobacillus plantarum 299v Lowers Systemic Inflammation, Reduces Islet ER Stress and Prevents Type 1 Diabetes in BioBreeding Rats

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by destruction of the pancreatic β-cells. T1D pathogenesis has a strong genetic basis. However, in recent decades, the prevalence of high-risk HLA haplotypes among new diagnoses has declined, the age of onset has decreased, and T1D incidence has increased. These changes are consistent with increased environmental pressure and coincide with introduction of the Western diet, widespread antibiotic use and reduced breast feeding. These factors are thought to drive intestinal dysbiosis, increased gut permeability and systemic inflammation. Notably, our studies of T1D families and the BioBreeding (BB) rat have identified a peripheral inflammatory state associated with diabetes susceptibility that is consistent with microbial antigen exposure and pattern recognition receptor ligation. Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v), a probiotic strain, is reported to increase plasma and stool levels of anti-inflammatory short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and promote IL-10 signaling in colonic derived macrophages and T-cells. Here we investigated the effect of Lp299v supplement on T1D progression and inflammatory phenotypes in diabetes prone BB DRlyp/lyp rats. Rats were weaned at 21 days onto a normal cereal diet (ND) or a gluten-free hydrolyzed casein diet (HCD), with and without daily Lp299v supplementation. All DRlyp/lyp ND rats developed T1D by day 83 (mean time to onset of 62.8+/-7.9 days). DRlyp/lyp ND+Lp299v rats exhibited an insignificant delay in T1D onset (62.6+/-6.5 days), however 8% remained diabetes-free to day 130. Providing DRlyp/lyp rats HCD prevented T1D in 17% of rats (to age 130 days) and significantly delayed onset (mean time to onset 72.8+/-7.3 days, p<0.001). Providing DRlyp/lyp rats HCD+Lp299v prevented T1D in 25% of rats and more robustly delayed onset (mean time to onset 84.9 +/-14.3 days, p<0.001). While multiplex ELISA failed to detect significantly altered plasma cytokine/chemokine levels at 40 days of life, plasma induced transcription revealed the greatest normalization of systemic inflammation in the HCD+Lp299v group. Plasma SCFA levels (propionate and butyrate, p<0.01) were elevated in the HCD+Lp299v group compared to the ND group. Global gene expression analysis of pancreatic islets was conducted at 40 days, prior to insulitis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in the formation of islet neoantigens that may underlie the initial loss of immune tolerance in T1D. Under one or both diets, Lp299v favorably modulated islet expression levels of pathways and transcripts related to inflammation and innate immunity (Cxcl9, Cxcl10), oxidative stress (Gsta1, Gsta4, Gstp1, Gstk1), as well as ER stress and unfolded protein response (Cirbp, Edem1, Hspa1a, Atf4). These ongoing studies add to a growing understanding that inherited susceptibility can be modulated by diet and microbiota.
The Unrecognized Mortality Burden of Genetic Disorders in Infancy.

Objectives. To determine how deaths of infants with genetic diagnoses are described in national mortality statistics. Methods. We present a retrospective cohort study of mortality data, obtained fr...
Status of Workplace Spiritual Intelligence among Secondary School Teachers

Spiritual intelligence provides an active, unity, and meaningful centre for soul to help people think profoundly about essential subjects and try to solve their daily problems. The characteristics of developed spiritual intelligence are a high degree of self-awareness, having the capacity of flexibility, having the capacity of dealing with pains and its development, tend to ask questions of why or how, and search for key answers, getting inspire of the imaginations and values. Work place Spirituality involves a sense of wholeness, connectedness at work and deeper values. Efficiency of teaching varies according to teachers spiritual intelligence. In the present preview of progression and rejuvenation in different spheres of life in 21st century, students need to develop the qualities of both head and heart and which may possibly be done with effective teaching by spiritually smart and intelligent teachers. The present study aims to find out the work place spiritual intelligence of secondary school teachers in relation to their gender, religion and caste as well as the work place spiritual intelligence of secondary school teachers based on six dimensions of spiritual intelligence. Descriptive survey method was used for this study. The sample consists of 100 secondary school teachers from Jalpaiguri District. The work place spiritual intelligence scale developed by Dhar and Dhar (2010) was used to collect the data. The findings revealed that the secondary school teachers have moderate level of work place spiritual intelligence. No significant difference was found in work place spiritual intelligence of secondary school teachers in relation to gender and religion. But significant difference was found in the work place spiritual intelligence of secondary school teachers in relation to their caste. Difference was found in the work place spiritual intelligence of secondary school teachers based on the six dimensions of spiritual intelligence.