cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the disintegrin contortrostatin from Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix snake venom

Disintegrins are cysteine-rich RGD-containing peptides that block tumor-cell implantation and angiogenesis. Contortrostatin, a homodimeric disintegrin (64 residues in each chain) from southern copperhead snake venom, has been purified to homogeneity and crystallized. Initial attempts at crystallization led to a form grown from polyethylene glycol (PEG), which crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group C2221, with unit-cell parameters a = 57.39, b = 139.55, c = 78.98 A, and diffracts to a resolution limit of 3.2 A. Very recently, a new crystalline form of the title protein has been obtained grown from ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4] as a precipitant having a space group of P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 37.52, b = 59.93, c = 121.37 A. These improved crystals diffract to a resolution limit of 1.7 A.
The emergence of grass root chemical ecology.

Allelopathy is defined by most scientists as the adverse effect of one plant species on another through production of phytotoxins (allelochemicals), although more expansive definitions have been formulated. Allelopathy is but one component of plant/plant interference, the other being competition for resources such as nutrients, light, and water. Allelopathy has been a recognized phenomenon for many years (1), but prominent ecologists have argued that allelopathy is seldom a significant component of interference (e.g., ref. 2). This point of view was bolstered by the lack of scientific rigor of much of the allelopathy research that attempted to explain allelopathy through the effects of known, weakly phytotoxic, easy-to-quantify phytochemicals such as ferulic acid. More recent studies using bioassay-guided isolation and subsequent structure determination of potent, root-exuded phytotoxins built strong evidence for allelopathy, especially in grass species (reviewed in refs. 3–5, and see Table 1). The article by Bertin et al. (6) in this issue of PNAS adds significantly to this growing body of supportive literature.
Role of thin-filament regulatory proteins in relaxation of colonic smooth muscle contraction.

Coordinated regulation of smooth muscle contraction and relaxation is required for colonic motility. Contraction is associated with phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC20) and interaction of actin with myosin. Thin-filament regulation of actomyosin interaction is modulated by two actin-binding regulatory proteins: tropomyosin (TM) and caldesmon (CaD). TM and CaD are known to play crucial role in actomyosin interaction promoting contraction. Contraction is associated with phosphorylation of the small heat shock protein HSP27, concomitant with the phosphorylation of TM and CaD. Phosphorylation of HSP27 is attributed as being the prime modulator of thin-filament regulation of contraction. Preincubation of colonic smooth muscle cells (CSMC) with the relaxant neurotransmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) showed inhibition in phosphorylation of HSP27 (ser78). Attenuation of HSP27 phosphorylation can result in modulation of thin-filament-mediated regulation of contraction leading to relaxation; thus the role of thin-filament regulatory proteins in a relaxation milieu was investigated. Preincubation of CSMC with VIP exhibited a decrease in phosphorylation of TM and CaD. Furthermore, CSMC preincubated with VIP showed a reduced association of TM with HSP27 and with phospho-HSP27 (ser78) whereas there was reduced dissociation of TM from CaD and from phospho-CaD. We thus propose that, in addition to alteration in phosphorylation of MLC20, relaxation is associated with alterations in thin-filament-mediated regulation that results in termination of contraction.
Nickel catalyzed reconstruction of a diamond (110) surface

A polished diamond (110) surface was observed to undergo surface rearrangement above ˜700 °C to a micro faceted diamond surface when in contact with a nickel film and in the presence of hydrogen. Formation of a graphitic layer at the diamond-nickel interface above 700 °C was observed in the absence of hydrogen. The presence of 0.1 Torr of hydrogen was shown to be sufficient to prevent graphite formation at the nickel-diamond interface.
Rates of phytoplankton cell division in the field and in iron enrichment experiments

Increases in chlorophyll with time for contained coastal plankton, expressed as daily division rates, are on average about as high as rates for nutrient-replete cultures at similar temperatures, when daylength is considered. In offshore areas with persistent high nutrients but low chlorophyll, division rates from increased chlorophyll and cumulative NO{sub 3} uptake in the controls of Fe enrichments are on average also high and do not suggest marked Fe deficiency. The normally observed phytoplankton growth in the controls is interpreted as due to release from grazing. Addition of Fe in the treatments leads to blooms and exhaustion of NO{sub 3}. Differences between controls and treatments in rates of chlorophyll increase and NO{sub 3} removal, however, as well as shifts in species composition toward rare species in the treatments, also indicate direct effects of Fe on phytoplankton. To clarify the issues, especially in respect to medium- and large-celled phytoplankton, the author recommended measurements of species-specific division rates.
Tokamak-like confinement at high beta and low field in the reversed field pinch

For several reasons, improved-confinement achieved in the reversed field pinch (RFP) during the last few years can be characterized as 'tokamak-like'. Historically, RFP plasmas have had relatively poor confinement due to tearing instability which causes magnetic stochasticity and enhanced transport. Tearing reduction is achieved through modification of the inductive current drive, which dramatically improves confinement. The electron temperature increases to >1?keV and the electron heat diffusivity decreases to ~5?m2?s?1, comparable with the transport level expected in a tokamak plasma of the same size and current. This corresponds to a 10-fold increase in global energy confinement. Runaway electrons are confined, and Fokker?Planck modelling of the electron distribution reveals that the diffusion at high energy is independent of the parallel velocity, uncharacteristic of stochastic transport. Improved-confinement occurs simultaneously with increased beta ~15%, while maintaining a magnetic field strength ten times weaker than a comparable tokamak. Measurements of the current, magnetic, and electric field profiles show that a simple Ohm's Law applies to this RFP sustained without dynamo relaxation.
An Exploratory Study of the Concession Preferences of Generation Y Consumers

Concerns surrounding obesity and overweight youth continue to be in the forefront of issues among the U.S. population. The awareness of this serious issue have contributed to smarter choices in food and beverage selections by Generation Y consumers; however, there is little research present today on their perceptions and satisfaction with the food and beverages being offered in sporting and entertainment venues. This exploratory study examines this dilemma and reveals that Generation Y consumers believe that food and beverages being offered in these venues are of limited variety, overpriced, unhealthy, and low in quality. Generation Y consumers want to see more of a variety of healthier options at a better price. Results from this research may benefit foodservice suppliers by providing suggestive information about preferred food and beverage choices by Generation Y consumers in sporting and entertainment venues.
Growth rates and phylogeny in primates.

There is sufficient evidence to indicate that man grows for a longer period of time than chimpanzee who in turn has a greater duration of growth than rhesus monkey. The problem of this paper was to determine if there was a concomitant decrease in a rate of growth. Using the relative growth rate of Fisher ('21), it appears that for most of their period of growth, the rate of change is the same. Immediately after birth, when we have no data for children, rhesus monkey grows significantly faster than chimpanzee. By a year and a half their rates are the same, and neither species shows a sex difference. From seven years (age of youngest children) until children start through puberty, there is no sex difference in Homo sapiens, and the human rate does not differ from the chimpanzee rate. Because of the resemblance between the primate curve for rate and that for dairy cattle, it is postulated that this curve is more mammalian than primate and that during phylogeny the primates have merely increased the duration of time when growth is possible. Man does show one new feature, the puberal growth spurt, which is not found in the non-human data considered. The implications of these conclusions for primate phylogeny and for growth are discussed.
Left and right pump output control in one-piece electromechanical total artificial heart.

: Left master alternate (LMA) ejection control based on the left pump fill method was implemented for a one-piece electromechanical total artificial heart (TAH). The TAH consists of left and right pusher-plate-type blood pumps sandwiching a compact electromechanical actuator comprising a direct current (DC) brushless motor and a planetary roller screw. The motor rotation is controlled on the basis of the roller-screw position as detected by a Hall effect sensor and a commutation pulse-counting method. Since the pusher-plate shaft and roller screw are decoupled during filling, both pumps fill passively with the right and left atrial pressure. To obtain response to the right atrial pressure change in the LMA mode, the left fill trigger level as detected by a Hall effect position sensor is adjusted to operate the pump at a higher rate and to drive the right pump at 85–90% of the full stroke level. The invitro evaluation demonstrated that this method can respond to right atrial pressure changes provided that the right pump is operated at less than the full stroke level. When the preload is high and the right pump goes into full stroke operation, the left eject level can be decreased to run the pump at a higher rate and to transfer more blood from the right to the left. In the in vivo evaluation, which lasted 1 week in a 95 kg calf, the left and right atrial pressures were kept within physiological ranges. The LMA mode triggered by the left pump fill can protect the lungs and can also respond to venous return change and therefore is a reliable control method for a one-piece to-tally implantable TAH system.
Metabolic Rates Related to Muscle Activity in Bumblebees

1. Oxygen consumption, thoracic temperature, and action potentials from the fibrillar muscles were concurrently recorded in queens and workers of Bombus vosnesenskii. 2. The oxygen consumption of ‘inactive’ bees (quiescent and/or producing fewer than 0.3 spikes/sec) was markedly temperature-sensitive, with a Q10 of 3.4 for thoracic temperatures of 25-35 °C. 3. The oxygen consumption of bees with active fibrillar muscles was directly correlated with spike frequency; a single spike was associated with the consumption of 2.3-2.6 µl O2/gth. No oxygen debt was observed. 4. The oxygen consumption per spike during flight was similar to that during warm-up. 5. Oxygen consumption per gram thorax was similar in queens and workers engaging in similar activity. 6. The results are compared with those from other insects and their adaptive significance is discussed.
Some boundary control problems and computation for the linear elastostatic kirchhoff plate on an exterior domain

Boundary control of a distributed parameter system on an exterior unbounded domain arises naturally in applications. The questions of existence and uniqueness of solutions for such exterior boundary value problems are very different from those posed on the bounded domains. Also, computationally the unboundedness of the exterior domain causes numerical difficulty. The boundary integral equation and boundary element methods are well suited to tackle such problems. In this paper, we first formulate a combined simple-double layer solution to the elastostatic Kirchhoff plate equation on an exterior domain, and then use boundary elements to compute numerical solutions of linear-quadratic boundary control problems. Computer graphics results are illustrated and discussed.
Contention-conscious, locality-preserving locks

Over the last decade, the growing use of cache-coherent NUMA architectures has spurred the development of numerous locality-preserving mutual exclusion algorithms. NUMA-aware locks such as HCLH, HMCS, and cohort locks exploit locality of reference among nearby threads to deliver high lock throughput under high contention. However, the hierarchical nature of these locality-aware locks increases latency, which reduces the throughput of uncontended or lightly-contended critical sections. To date, no lock design for NUMA systems has delivered both low latency under low contention and high throughput under high contention.In this paper, we describe the design and evaluation of an adaptive mutual exclusion scheme (AHMCS lock), which employs several orthogonal strategies---a hierarchical MCS (HMCS) lock for high throughput under high contention, Lamport's fast path approach for low latency under low contention, an adaptation mechanism that employs hysteresis to balance latency and throughput under moderate contention, and hardware transactional memory for lowest latency in the absence of contention. The result is a top performing lock that has most properties of an ideal mutual exclusion algorithm. AHMCS exploits the strengths of multiple contention management techniques to deliver high performance over a broad range of contention levels. Our empirical evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness of AHMCS over prior art.
Brain Change Therapy: Clinical Interventions for Self-Transformation by C. Kershaw and J. W. Wade

Brain Change Therapy is a remarkable and rewarding book. It is comprehensive in its scope, scientifically enlightened, and eminently practical. Its unique method, Brain Change Therapy (BCT), is dra...
Osteoactivin (GPNMB) ectodomain protein promotes growth and invasive behavior of human lung cancer cells

The potential application of GPNMB/OA as a therapeutic target for lung cancer will require a greater understanding of the impact of GPNMB/OA ectodomain (ECD) protein shedding into tumor tissues. Thus, in this work we characterized GPNMB/OA expression and extent of shedding of its ECD protein while evaluating the impact on lung cancer progression using three non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines: A549, SK-MES-1 and calu-6. We observed a direct correlation (R2 = 0.89) between GPNMB/OA expression on NSCLC cells and the extent of GPNMB/OA ECD protein shedding. Meanwhile, siRNA-mediated knockdown of GPNMB/OA in cancer cells significantly reduced GPNMB/OA ECD protein shedding, migration, invasion and adhesion to extracellular matrix materials. Also, exogenous treatment of cancer cells (expressing low GPNMB/OA) with recombinant GPNMB/OA protein (rOA) significantly facilitated cell invasion and migration, but the effects of rOA was negated by inclusion of a selective RGD peptide. Further studies in athymic (nu/nu) mice-bearing calu-6 showed that intratumoral supplementation with rOA effectively facilitated in vivo tumor growth as characterized by a high number of proliferating cells (Ki67 staining) coupled with a low number of apoptotic cells. Taken together, our results accentuate the relevance of GPNMB/OA ECD protein shedding to progression of lung cancer. Thus, strategies that suppress GPNMB/OA expression on lung cancer cells as well as negate shedding of GPNMB/OA ECD protein are worthy of consideration in lung cancer therapeutics.
Covalently-Controlled Properties by Design in Group IV Graphane Analogues

ConspectusThe isolation of graphene has sparked a renaissance in the study of two-dimensional materials. This led to the discovery of new and unique phenomena such as extremely high carrier mobility, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength not observed in the parent 3D structure. While the emergence of these phenomena has spurred widespread interest in graphene, the paradox between the high-mobility Fermi–Dirac electronic structure and the need for a sizable band gap has challenged its application in traditional semiconductor devices. While graphene is a fascinating and promising material, the limitation of its electronic structure has inspired researchers to explore other 2D materials beyond graphene.In this Account, we summarize our recent work on a new family of two-dimensional materials based on sp3-hybridized group IV elements. Ligand-terminated Si, Ge, and Sn graphane analogues are an emerging and unique class of two-dimensional materials that offer the potential to tailor the structure, stabi...
Drag coefficient comparisons between observed and model simulated directional wave spectra under hurricane conditions

Abstract In this study, Donelan, M.A., Babanin, A.V., Young, I.R., Banner, M.L., 2006. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 36, 1672–1688 source function is used to calculate drag coefficients from both the scanning radar altimeter (SRA) measured two dimensional wave spectra obtained during hurricane Ivan in 2004 and the WAVEWATCH III simulated wave spectra. The drag coefficients disagree between the SRA and model spectra mainly in the right/left rear quadrant of the hurricane where the observed spectra appear to be bimodal while the model spectra are single peaked with more energy in the swell frequencies and less energy in the wind sea frequencies. These results suggest that WAVEWATCH III is currently not capable of providing sensible stress calculations in the rear quadrants of the hurricane.
Multi-modality therapy leads to longer survival in primary central nervous system lymphoma patients.

Background Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCL) is more frequently encountered by neurosurgeons given the increasing incidence among both nonimmunocompromised and immunocompromised patients. The most frequent surgery is stereotactic biopsy. Historically, radiation therapy has been the standard treatment modality for this disease and median survival was in the 15-month range. More recently, multi-modality therapy combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy (systemic, intrathecal, and/or intra-arterial) have resulted in longer survivals. We reviewed survival data for our series of patients treated for PCL over the last decade. Methods Thirty-four patients with histologically confirmed PCL were treated at our center. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine which factor(s) (age, gender, HIV status, Karnofsky Performance Scale, chemotherapy, single modality therapy, histology, location, number of lesions, surgical resection) had a significant impact on survival. Results The overall median survival was 19 months. Patients receiving multi-modality therapy (n=17) (chemotherapy and radiation) had a median survival of 34 months compared to four months for patients receiving single modality therapy (n=17 including seven HIV positive patients). Multi-modality therapy was the only significant factor affecting survival in this multivariate analysis (p Conclusions Chemotherapy plus radiotherapy significantly enhances survival over patients treated with single modality therapy alone. Quality of life issues should be addressed on a case by case basis as additional treatment modalities are initiated.
Where's Your Mind At?: Video-Based Mind Wandering Detection During Film Viewing

Mind wandering (MW) is a ubiquitous phenomenon in which attention involuntarily shifts from task-related processing to task-unrelated thoughts. This study reports preliminary results of a video-based MW detector during film viewing. We collected training data in a study where participants self-reported when they caught themselves MW over the course of watching a 32.5 minute commercial film. We trained classification models on automatically extracted facial features and bodily movement and were able to detect MW with an F1 of .30. The model was successful in reproducing the MW distribution obtained from the self-reports
Leverage and Maturity as Strategic Complements

We examine choices of leverage and debt maturity, focusing on the impact of investment opportunity sets and regulatory environments. Using the mathematics of strategic complementarities, we derive conditions under which firms choose facets of capital structure that re monotonic in their investment opportunity sets and regulatory environments. Growth-options firms choose lower leverage and shorter debt maturities than assets-in-place firms; regulated firms choose higher leverage and longer debt maturities than regulated firms. We discuss implications for empirical work and provide tests using COMPUSTAT data for over 5,000 industrial firms between 1974 and 1995.
Data Pre-processing

In this chapter, the reader will gain knowledge and practical skills about preparing raw clinical data for secondary statistical analysis.
First North Pacific records of the pointy nosed blue chimaera, Hydrolagus cf . trolli (Chondrichthyes: Chimaeriformes: Chimaeridae)

The occurrence of Hydrolagus cf. trolli is reported for the first time from the central and eastern North Pacific Ocean. This is a geographic range extension for this species, as it was previously only known to occur in the southern Pacific Ocean off of Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia.
Effects of Sodium and Potassium on the Photovoltaic Performance of CIGS Solar Cells

The deliberate introduction of K and Na into Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) absorbers was investigated by varying a combination of an SiO2 diffusion barrier, coevaporation of KF with the CIGS absorber, and a KF postdeposition treatment (PDT). Devices made with no diffusion barrier and KF coevaporation treatment exhibited the highest photovoltaic conversion efficiency with the smallest overall distribution in key current density–voltage ( J-V ) performance metrics. Out-diffusion of Na and K from the substrate, KF coevaporation, and KF PDT all increased carrier concentration, open-circuit voltage, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency. Quantum-efficiency analysis of devices highlighted the greatest loss in the short-circuit current density due to incomplete absorption and collection. Secondary ion mass spectrometry illustrated the efficacy of the SiO2 film as a sodium and potassium diffusion barrier, as well as their relative concentration in the absorber. Introduction of KF appeared to enhance diffusion of Na from the substrate, in agreement with previous studies.
Actively addressed single pixel full-colour plasmonic display.

Dynamic, colour-changing surfaces have many applications including displays, wearables and active camouflage. Plasmonic nanostructures can fill this role by having the advantages of ultra-small pixels, high reflectivity and post-fabrication tuning through control of the surrounding media. However, previous reports of post-fabrication tuning have yet to cover a full red-green-blue (RGB) colour basis set with a single nanostructure of singular dimensions. Here, we report a method which greatly advances this tuning and demonstrates a liquid crystal-plasmonic system that covers the full RGB colour basis set, only as a function of voltage. This is accomplished through a surface morphology-induced, polarization-dependent plasmonic resonance and a combination of bulk and surface liquid crystal effects that manifest at different voltages. We further demonstrate the system’s compatibility with existing LCD technology by integrating it with a commercially available thin-film-transistor array. The imprinted surface interfaces readily with computers to display images as well as video. Tuning of plasmonic nanostructures has yet to cover a full colour basis set with a single nanostructure. Franklinet al. demonstrate a liquid crystal-plasmonic system that covers the full red-green-blue colour basis set as a function of voltage and which can be actively addressed with thin-film-transistor technology.
Neural-specific deletion of the focal adhesion adaptor protein paxillin slows migration speed and delays cortical layer formation

Paxillin and Hic-5 are homologous focal adhesion adaptor proteins that coordinate cytoskeletal rearrangements in response to integrin signaling, but their role(s) in cortical development are unknown. Here, we find that Hic-5-deficient mice are postnatal viable with normal cortical layering. Mice with a neural-specific deletion of paxillin are also postnatal viable, but show evidence of a cortical neuron migration delay that is evident pre- and perinatally, but is not detected at postnatal day 35 (P35). This phenotype is not modified by Hic-5 deficiency (double knockout). Specific deletion of paxillin in postmitotic neurons using Nex-Cre-mediated recombination as well as in utero electroporation of a Cre-expression construct identified a cell-autonomous requirement for paxillin in migrating neurons. Paxillin-deficient neurons have shorter leading processes that exhibited multiple swellings in comparison with control. Multiphoton imaging revealed that paxillin-deficient neurons migrate ∼30% slower than control neurons. This phenotype is similar to that produced by deletion of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a signaling partner of paxillin, and suggests that paxillin and FAK function cell-autonomously to control migrating neuron morphology and speed during cortical development.
Of Art and Algorithms

Learning to use digital technologies in creative ways requires more than knowing how to use specific software programs. An important aspect of becoming creative with computers involves knowing how to manipulate computers—in other words, to program them. Programming, however, is rarely seen as a creative activity. In this chapter we use the lens of computational thinking to look at how programming can actually lead to enhanced creativity. We provide two examples (one of a musician and another of a graphic designer) of how computational thinking, in combination with deep knowledge of a discipline, can lead to creative solutions far greater than would be possible with simply a human being working alone. Here the creative output is not determined either by only the individual or the technology but rather through a “partnership” between the two.
The Retinal Capillaries

The capillary bed is the most important component in the entire vascular system, because this is where actual nutrition to an organ takes place. His [1] in 1880 seems to have been first to describe the retinal capillaries. Later on Leber [2], in his book in 1903, gave a description of the retinal capillaries. However, the main contribution to our understanding of the retinal capillary network has been by the outstanding studies by Michaelson and Campbell [3–7] and later on by Kuwabara and colleagues [8–12].
Incorporating Struggles with Racism and Ethnic Identity in Therapy with Adolescents

Ethnic and racial minority adolescents enter therapy with the behavioral, emotional, social, familial, and educational problems common to clinical practice. However, therapy with these youth necessitates attention to the effects of racial discrimination on their psychological functioning and to matters of how their ethnic or racial identities are integrated. Of the myriad issues that become part of therapy with minority adolescents, the profound effects of racism and the process of ethnoracial identity development can be seen in adolescents' sense of self and behavior. Experiences with racism and with their own ethnic reference group and others may have led to distortions and partial understanding of their identities that may affect adaptation and functioning. In this paper, the author draws from experiences in clinical practice with minority youth to highlight issues of racism and ethnic identity emergent in treatment. Three cases illustrate discussions of struggles with racism and ethnic identity as they emerged in therapy. In each case, the struggles were made salient by the therapist's purposeful eliciting of them to clarify issues of transference, family relations, peer group relations, and achievement.
Introduction to High-Speed Flow Sorting

Purification of viable cells by flow cytometric cell sorting, initiated in the mid sixties, has become standard procedure in a variety of research fields. Single cell suspensions, which are stained with fluorochromes to distinguish desired from undesired cells, can be sorted into two purified populations. Sorts can be performed under sterile conditions and usually the viability of the sorted cells is excellent.
Transgenic Mouse Models and Prion Strains

Here we review the known strain profiles of various prion diseases of animals and humans, and how transgenic mouse models are being used to elucidate basic molecular mechanisms of prion propagation and strain variation and for assessing the zoonotic potential of various animal prion strains.
The psychobiology of stress and intimate partner violence.

Abstract Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) negatively affects health outcomes, however, the biopsychosocial pathways underlying this relationship are not well understood. We conducted a systematic review of research published from 2000 through 2018 on biological and psychological stress-related correlates and consequences of IPV exposure. Fifty-three publications were included. The biological and psychological literatures have evolved separately and remain distinct. The biological literature provides emerging evidence of stress-related endocrine and immune-inflammatory dysregulations that are in line with patterns typically observed among chronically stressed individuals. The psychological literature provides strong evidence that IPV is associated with psychological stress, and that psychological stress follows new instances of IPV. Larger scale, integrative studies using prospective study designs are needed to more carefully map out how IPV influences victims both biologically and psychologically, and how these biopsychological changes, in turn, affect the health of victims over time.
2017 Atlantic Hurricane Forecasts from a High-Resolution Version of the GFDL fvGFS Model: Evaluation of Track, Intensity, and Structure

AbstractThe 2017 Atlantic hurricane season had several high-impact tropical cyclones (TCs), including multiple cases of rapid intensification (RI). A high-resolution nested version of the GFDL fini...
Lessons for future research: two experiments failed to reproduce a relationship between achievement motivation and autobiographical memory distortion

ABSTRACTPrevious research (Sharman & Calacouris, 2010. Motivated imagination inflation: Implicit and explicit motives predict imagination inflation for achievement and affiliation events. Experimental Psychology, 57, 77–82) found that participants’ achievement-motivation was associated with the inflation of memory and confidence for unlikely achievement-related events in childhood. Similarly, other research has shown correlations between achievement motivation and grade inflation. In the current studies, we experimentally investigate the effect of false feedback and achievement-motivation on memory distortion for an unlikely childhood event (e.g. inventing an important device). In Experiment 1, we found that false feedback did have an effect, but contrary to previous research, self-reported achievement-motivation was not a statistically significant correlate of memory distortion. In Experiment 2, we again found a main effect for false feedback, no main effect of motivation, and an interaction. Both Experi...
Outside Director Pay Attainment Discrepancy and Strategic Risk-Taking: Moderating Role of Firm Size

The extant agency literature recognizes that stock options and stock grants influence risk decisions. However, prior work has examined the effects of these stock-based incentives on risk behavior a...
An Exploration of the Clinical Accommodation Process for Nursing Students with Physical Disabilities Using Grounded Theory.

Aim The purpose of this study was to uncover the process by which nursing faculty make reasonable academic accommodations in the clinical environment for nursing students with orthopedic impairments. Background Accommodating students with disabilities is necessary in nursing education. Unfortunately, policies, procedures, and practices for accommodation in nursing education are lacking. Nursing faculty lack resources for accommodation implementation for students with disabilities. Method Constructivist grounded theory methods according to Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory (2nd ed. ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage guided data collection and analysis. Results Two defined processes were uncovered. "Faculty Perceptions of Their Experience Navigating the Clinical Accommodation Process" discusses external factors that affected implementation. "Reaching the Bottom Line" describes the essential elements of the implementation process. Conclusion Seven steps of the accommodation process were identified. Additional research is needed to determine the effectiveness of each step and explore possible ways to mitigate numerous barriers to the accommodation process which participants also described.
Motion Parameter Estimation for Robot Application

The use of robots in the industrial environment is becoming increasingly popular. In this paper we suggest that from the viewpoint of interacting and mobile robots it is useful to develop motion analysis techniques based on two dimensional imaging information. We present a brief review of the existing motion estimation techniques, and then propose a new technique based on the use of perturbation analysis and optimal control theory. The techniques we present have the characteristic that they treat the case of time-varying parameters, do not require apriori knowledge of the structure of the time dependence, and can handle a number of frames simultaneously. We motivate our presentation by a real world experiment and present results to validate the methodology presented.
Perceptions of school counselors surviving a school shooting

School counselors have an ethical and professional responsibility to offer counseling services during crises such as a school shooting. Limited research has explored the lived experiences and pract...
Positions of cations and molecules in zeolites with the faujasite framework VI hydrated La-exchanged faujasite

Abstract Hydrated La-exchanged faujasite has a similar cation distribution to that of hydrated Ca-exchanged faujasite, differing only in observed occupancy of the sites. Hence the cation distribution is probably governed by simple ionic rules.
Effectiveness and Demandingness

It has been argued in some recent work that there are many cases in which individuals are subject to conditional obligations to give to more effective rather than less effective charities, despite not being unconditionally obligated to give. These conditional obligations, it has been suggested, can allow effective altruists (EAs) to make the central claims about the ethics of charitable giving that characterize the movement without taking any particular position on morality's demandingness. I argue that the range of cases involving charitable giving in which individuals are subject to conditional effectiveness obligations is in fact quite narrow. Because of this, I claim, EAs must endorse the view that well off people have at least fairly demanding unconditional obligations.
201 Recidivism and criminal histories of gun offenders

Purpose To explore predictors of engaging in gun violence amongst a sample of formerly incarcerated individuals attempting to transition back into their communities in 2009 (n=11,026). Information about predictors of gun violence perpetration committed by former prisoners could arm service providers with a more nuanced understanding of how to formulate continuity of care models to decrease violence in at risk communities, and amongst at risk populations. Methods Data reflecting the criminal histories, recidivism patterns, demographic information, and actuarial risk scores on a pre-release assessment instrument are compared between former prisoners that were (n=1,158) or were not (n=9,868) incarcerated or previously incarcerated for committing gun crimes. The analytic strategy culminates with the construction of a competing risks survival analysis that estimates the sub-hazard ratios of committing a gun-related offense during the approximate 4-year follow-up period. Results Age, risk classification, and current or former conviction for a gun related offense are statistically significant predictors of committing a gun offense during the follow-up. Former prisoners labeled as current or former ‘gun offenders’ were at an approximate two-fold increased hazard of committing a gun crime when compared to former prisoners incarcerated for non-gun crimes. Conclusions Policy makers, practitioners, and releasing authorities should attempt to better gear evidence-based rehabilitative services focusing on criminogenic needs towards current or former gun offenders, as post-release service provision did not significantly differ between gun and non-gun offending former prisoners. Gun violence may be decreased if effective programs and services can be better targeted towards those with an increased risk of committing gun crimes. Significance This research leverages data that are routinely gathered by, and available to, state departments of corrections to increase our understanding of factors that are predictive of gun violence and the timing of crime commission by former offenders.
Chapter 59 – The Hypocalcemic Disorders: Differential Diagnosis and Therapeutic Use of Vitamin D

Publisher Summary Hypocalcemia refers to an abnormally low concentration of ionized calcium in extracellular fluid, almost invariably sampled from the bloodstream. Hypomagnesemia or hyperkalemia may present with findings similar to those caused by hypocalcemia, which can be exacerbated in the setting of hypocalcemia. Conversely, hypermagnesemia or hypokalemia can mask symptoms in a hypocalcemic individual. Furthermore, a mineralization defect, distinct from rickets, has been described in hypoparathyroidism; however, these skeletal consequences appear to be more prevalent in normal individuals living in conditions of endemic calcium deficiency, where secondary hyperparathyroidism develops. A number of clinical guidelines have been suggested to correct for the effect of a reduced serum albumin on total serum calcium concentration. One commonly cited rule of thumb is to add 0.8 mg/dl to the total serum calcium for every 1g/dl decline in serum albumin below 4.0 g/dl. However, these estimates have been shown to be somewhat inaccurate under many circumstances, and it is preferable to directly determine the ionized calcium concentration in the setting where the total serum calcium measure is thought to not accurately reflect the concentration of ionized calcium.
Rethinking Civilizational Identity from the Bottom Up: A Case Study of Russia and a Research Agenda

“Civilization” is surely among those concepts that are the most widely used in world political discourse but taken least seriously by contemporary social science. We argue for jettisoning this concept’s Huntingtonian baggage, which has led scholarship into a dead end, and developing a new body of theory on a different foundation, one grounded strongly in recent nonprimordial theories of identity and micro-level research into how ordinary people actually understand the civilizational appeals made by their elites. In what we believe to be the first systematic survey-based study of individual-level civilizational identification, we establish proof-of-concept by asking a question: What influences individuals’ primary identification of their own country with particular civilizational alternatives offered up by their elites? Pooling survey data gathered in Russia from 2013–2014, we confirm that civilizational identity reflects the influence of situational considerations and social construction processes. Whether individuals see Russia as part of purported “European,” “Eurasian,” or “Asian” civilizations depends heavily on gendered and nongendered socialization during the USSR period and factors as contingent as perceived economic performance. Results also confirm our expectation that Huntingtonian concepts fit poorly with real-world patterns of civilizational identification.
Biology in the grid: Graphic design and the envisioning of life: by Phillip ThurtleLondon: University of Minnesota Press, 2018, 262 pagesISBN: 978-1-5179-0276–6 (paperback) Price $28.00

The visual portrayal of life has been a central task of developmental biologists and geneticists since the beginning of the discipline, and Thurtle traces the evolution of the methods biologists ha...
Transoral Removal of an Extruded Odontoid Screw Causing Dysphagia and Dysphonia

A 77-year-old male underwent open reduction and internal fixation with placement of odontoid screws after sustaining C1 arch and odontoid fractures in a fall 14 months prior to presentation to the laryngology clinic for combined surgery with orthopedics. Serial imaging after the initial surgery demonstrated loosening of a screw and its entry into the pharyngeal lumen. The patient reported odynophagia, dysphagia, and dysphonia. He reported taking small bites and using liquid assist, vocal fatigue, and difficulty with pitch control. A surgical screw entering the pharynx just inferior to the level of the tip of the epiglottis was seen on flexible laryngoscopy. On phonation, the screw made intermittent contact with the right arytenoid resulting in restriction of full abduction of the right vocal fold. On flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, there was pharyngeal and vallecular residue, and residue around the screw itself. The patient was taken to the operating room with orthopedic surgery, the screw was visualized with a combination of mouth gag and endoscopes. It was gently rocked with an orthopedic screw grabber and tapped toward the caudal pharynx. After successful removal, the mucosal defect was sutured. The patient reported improvement in swallowing postoperatively. Dysphagia is a described sequela of cervical spine surgery. We describe the presentation and treatment of a patient with a history of cervical spine surgery and subsequent exposure of an orthopedic screw in the pharynx. Laryngoscope, 131:1078-1080, 2021.
Impact of Hyperoncotic Albumin on Duration of Vasopressor Support in Septic Shock: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BackgroundWhile albumin has not been shown to reduce mortality in sepsis and septic shock, a tertiary analysis of a large trial suggested that it may reduce the duration of vasopressor use in septi...
The Use of Foreign Blocker Corporations by U.S. Nonprofits: Should Blockers Be Blocked?

Many U.S. nonprofits use offshore blocker corporations to avoid paying the debt-financed unrelated business income tax (UBIT). Some law-makers and commentators, however, criticize the practice as abusive. This article takes a closer look at the issue. It concludes that the use of offshore blocker corporations does not undermine the main purposes of the debt-financed UBIT, but that the practice nevertheless raises some serious policy concerns. The article thus recommends that Congress reform this tax: either by eliminating the blocker corporation workaround to the debt-financed UBIT or, alternatively, by repealing the debt-financed UBIT completely but leaving in place or even expanding the debt-financed UBIT’s reporting requirements.
Invasion of floating fern alters freshwater macroinvertebrate community structure with implications for bottom-up processes

The non-native aquatic fern giant salvinia, Salvinia molesta Mitchell (Salviniaceae), poses a risk to freshwater ecosystems through limiting light penetration, decreasing submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) abundance, altering water quality, and potentially leading to changes in macroinvertebrate community structure. Here, we conducted repeated quarterly field surveys and measured light, nutrients, water quality, and aquatic macroinvertebrate community composition and energetic value to detect effects from giant salvinia invasion. Giant salvinia reduced dissolved oxygen, pH and light availability in the aquatic environment, and increased the concentration of orthophosphate and ammonium. Following initial colonization, macroinvertebrate communities in giant salvinia resembled SAV communities dominated by aquatic insects, however, richness and relative abundance in giant salvinia decreased over time, resulting in a community populated by few taxa, primarily crustaceans. Total macroinvertebrate energetic value in giant salvinia was significantly lower than SAV communities. Giant salvinia invasion changed habitat composition, triggered internal nutrient loading, and reduced macroinvertebrate abundance, diversity, and ecosystem productivity. Our findings demonstrate larger ecological impacts from giant salvinia than previously reported, including potential disruption to the transfer of energy between trophic levels.
HIV and Brain Health in LGBTQ PoC

Given increased attention to improving HIV immunological functioning, the past decade has now focused on the impact of HIV on brain health. Current knowledge indicates HIV replication leads to immunological activation and production of neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory viral proteins, ultimately compromising neuronal integrity. Though there is no cure for HIV, effective treatments have allowed people living with HIV (PLWH) to live a long and healthy life. Nonetheless, the impact of HIV on the brain of PLWH persists despite viral suppression. These neurocognitive impairments result from HIV infection, with continued viral replication in the brain despite highly active antiretroviral therapy. This chapter focuses on understanding the impact of HIV on brain health for racial/ethnic LGBTQ, older adult LGBTQ PoC, and centers the role of intersectional discrimination for these communities as a unique psychosocial process that is currently underexplored in the science.
Urban and rural survivorship in Pre- and Post-Black Death Denmark

Abstract Research on the survival of people in Pre- and Post-Black Death London revealed declines in survival prior to the epidemic, and improvements in survival afterwards. This study expands upon previous research by examining whether these trends are also observed in medieval Danish populations. Analyses were done using a sample of 877 individuals excavated from six cemeteries from urban and rural sites in medieval Denmark (c. AD 1050-1536), which includes individuals who were buried within three temporal periods based on relative dating from arm position in the grave: pre-Black Death (c. AD 1050-1250), epidemic years that include the Black Death and preceding famine years (c. AD 1250-1400), and post-Black Death (c. AD 1400-1536) years. Temporal trends in survivorship were assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Survival analyses were also used to examine the effect of urbanization on survivorship over time. Fertility proxies were estimated to control for changes in birth rates in the interpretation of our results. The results indicate a general increase in survival after the Black Death, especially for nonadults (Mantel-Cox p = 0.10) in the absence of a fertility effect. Urban dwellers experienced significant improvements in survivorship after the Black Death (p = 0.04). Analysis of Pre-Black Death survivorship reveals elevated survival for rural adults and urban nonadults, indicating that urban environments may have been more detrimental to adults than nonadults before the epidemic. These results are consistent with previous findings from London, demonstrating that survival and mortality were significantly different between the periods leading up to and after the plague, and there were differential risks for adults and nonadults in urban and rural settings.
Understanding the Adsorption of Noble Gases in Metal–Organic Frameworks Using Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was used to study noble gas (i.e., He, Kr, and Xe) adsorption in metal-oxide frameworks (MOFs). To study the adsorption of infra...