cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproduction and Life Histories

This chapter focuses on reproduction and life history of amphibians and reptiles. In most amphibians and reptiles, a female and a male are necessary for reproduction, although some remarkable exceptions exist. In both amphibians and reptiles, ovulation occurs when the follicular and ovarian walls rupture, releasing ova into the body cavity where they migrate into the infundibulum of each oviduct. In most amphibians, the post-ovulatory follicles exist only for a short time and do not secrete hormones. In viviparous amphibians and reptiles, walls of the follicle transform into corpora lutea. The corpora lutea produce progesterone and this hormone prevent the expulsion of developing embryos. In amphibians with aquatic larvae, females must select an egg deposition site either in water or in a place from which the larvae can get to water. In amphibians with terrestrial or arboreal clutches, high humidity is necessary to prevent desiccation. Life history studies, by definition, are studies of populations. A snapshot view can be obtained by examining the age structure of a population at one or several different times. Approaching the study of life histories from the perspective of easily measurable traits—whether they are quantitative (for example, age-specific survivorship and offspring size) or qualitative (for example, oviparous versus viviparous and montane versus desert)—allows identification of natural patterns and provides insight into factors that can influence the evolution of life histories.
Estimating the Propensity Score

INTRODUCTION Many of the procedures for estimating and assessing causal effects under unconfoundedness involve the propensity score. In practice it is rare that we know the propensity score a priori in settings other than those involving randomized experiments. Such practical settings could have complex designs where the unit-level probabilities differ in known ways. An example is the allocation of admissions to students applying for medical school in The Netherlands in the 1980s and 1990s. Based on high school grades, applicants would be assigned a priority score that determined their probability of getting admitted to medical school. The actual admission to medical school was then based on a (random) lottery. Such settings are rare, however, and a more common situation is where, given the pre-treatment variables available, a researcher views unconfoundedness as a reasonable approximation to the actual assignment mechanism, with only vague a priori information about the form of the dependence of the propensity score on the observed pre-treatment variables. For example, in many medical settings, decisions are based on a set of clinically relevant patient characteristics observed by doctors and entered in patients’ medical records. However, there is typically no explicit rule that requires physicians to choose a specific treatment based on particular values of the pre-treatment variables. In light of this degree of physician discretion, there is no explicitly known form for the propensity score. In such cases, for at least some of the methods for estimating and assessing treatment effects discussed in this part of the book, the researcher needs to estimate the propensity score. In this chapter we discuss some specific methods for doing so. It is important to note that the various methods that will be discussed in the chapters following this one, specifically Chapters 14–17, use the propensity score in different ways. Some of these methods rely more heavily than others on an accurate approximation of the true propensity score by the estimated propensity score.
Undue Burden on Women's Right to Seek an Abortion: Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt (2016)

In Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt,1 1 579 U.S. __ (2016). the United States Supreme Court, in a 5–3 decision, held that two provisions of a Texas law—an admitting privileges requirement and a ...
Asymmetrical optical microcavity structures for dynamic pressure sensing: design, fabrication, validation

Optical microcavity (OMC) structures have spectral properties that are directly related to their physical dimensions and material refractive indices. Their intrinsically fast optical response to mechanically-induced changes in these parameters makes OMCs uniquely suited for dynamic sensing when paired with a suitably fast streak camera and spectrograph. Various designs and processes of fabrication for asymmetrical OMC (AOMC) structures were investigated to optimize and assess their feasibility for dynamic sensing. Structural and material effects were studied in terms of spectral properties, structure stabilities and fabrication process. From this study, it was shown that an AOMC structure with a SiO2 cavity layer and Ag mirror layers, fabricated with thin adhesion Al2O3 layers exhibited the best structural stability and spectral properties. Under dynamic compressive loading of ~4 GPa, the structure exhibited a blueshift of 22 nm and a temporal response time of < 3.3 ns, thus demonstrating the potential of AOMC based dynamic pressure sensing.
Development and evaluation of a comprehensive drought index.

Droughts are known as the world's costliest natural disasters impacting a variety of sectors. Despite their wide range of impacts, no universal drought definition has been defined. The goal of this study is to define a universal drought index that considers drought impacts on meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and stream health categories. Additionally, predictive drought models are developed to capture both categorical (meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural) and overall impacts of drought. In order to achieve these goals, thirteen commonly used drought indices were aggregated to develop a universal drought index named MASH. The thirteen drought indices consist of four drought indices from each meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural categories, and one from the stream health category. Cluster analysis was performed to find the three closest indices in each category. Then the closest drought indices were averaged in each category to create the categorical drought score. Finally, the categorical drought scores were simply averaged to develop the MASH drought index. In order to develop predictive drought models for each category and MASH, the ReliefF algorithm was used to rank 90 variables and select the best variable set. Using the best variable set, the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was used to develop drought predictive models and their accuracy was examined using the 10-fold cross validation technique. The models' predictabilities ranged from R2 = 0.75 for MASH to R2 = 0.98 for the hydrological drought model. The results of this study can help managers to better position resources to cope with drought by reducing drought impacts on different sectors.
Robotically Assisted Thoracic Surgery: Proposed Guidelines for Privileging and Credentialing.

ObjectiveIncreased use of robotically assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) necessitates effective credentialing guidelines to ensure safe outcomes. We provide a stepwise algorithm for granting privileg...
Introduction: The Host State and Migrant Transnational Politics

This chapter discusses political transnationalism and other key terms and concepts such as migrants, refugees, the state and what is meant by politics – all of which are related to the subject matter of the book, namely the dialectic between the Malaysian state and the transnational politics of the Chin and Acehnese. It also provides background information on the Chin and Acehnese migrant population in Malaysia as well as an overview of the Malaysian state in terms of its history and political system.
Dialogue in the Support of Learning to Teach: A Case Study of a Mentor/Mentee Pair in a Teacher Education Programme.

AbstractIn this paper, we examine the role of reflection in teacher preparation, specifically within a mentoring relationship between cooperating and preservice teacher. We report findings from a case analysis of this pair who engaged in problem-posing dialogue within pre- and post-conferences around practice over one year of their work together in an elementary-level classroom. The context is an innovative programme in which cooperating teachers pursue their Master’s degree while undergraduates (preservice teachers) complete their elementary education degrees. Our analysis of talk about teaching during six coaching cycles as well as supporting documents illustrates how Jane’s mentoring supported reflective practices and disrupted a notion of a field experience as simply a place to ‘practice’ pedagogical knowledge with corrective feedback. Additionally, we explore the tensions in this approach to mentoring. This case study has implications for teacher educators who seek to bolster teacher preparation thro...
High-Resolution Parameter Estimation for Time-Varying Double Directional V2V Channel

This paper describes a high-resolution parameter estimation algorithm applied to the vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) multi-dimensional channel measurements. The algorithm, which is based on a maximum likelihood estimator, jointly estimates parameters of multipath components, such as time-of-arrival, direction of departure, direction of arrival, and Doppler shift. It serves to provide a comprehensive understanding of the V2V propagation channel. We propose computationally attractive methods to initialize parameters in the global search and evaluate key components in the local optimization. We also apply the algorithm to actual V2V channel measurement data. The results suggest an overall good performance of the estimator, where 80% of the snapshots have a diffuse power ratio less than 20% and the dominant specular paths match well with the environment and dynamics of the measurement.
Advancing an Intersectionality Framework in Higher Education: Power and Latino Postsecondary Opportunity

This chapter proposes a multilevel model of intersectionality to apply to the study of higher education. Drawing on literature from multiple disciplines to develop a model, the author examines Latinos’ experiences and outcomes in higher education as a special case to illustrate how the model can be applied to higher education research that seeks to address power dynamics that reproduce inequality or enhance educational equity.
Day versus night laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: A comparison of outcomes and cost

Abstract Background Recent studies have suggested higher complication and conversion to open rates for nighttime laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and recommend against the practice. We hypothesize that patients undergoing night LC for acute cholecystitis have decreased hospital length of stay and cost with no difference in complication and conversion rates. Methods A retrospective review of patients with acute cholecystitis who underwent LC from October 2011 through June 2015 was performed. Complication rates, length of stay, and cost of hospitalization were compared between patients undergoing day cholecystectomy and night cholecystectomy. Results Complication rates and costs did not differ between the day and night groups. Length of stay was shorter in the night group (2.4 vs 2.8 days, p = 0.002). Conclusions Performing LC for acute cholecystitis during night-time hours does not increase risk of complications and decreases length of stay.
Family Structure and Family Management Practices: Associations With Positive Aspects of Youth Well-Being:

Using data from a national sample of 15-year-olds (N = 681), we tested if four family management practices (parental knowledge, behavioral control, parental academic involvement, and unsupervised t...
Historical investigations into varicocele pathophysiology and sperm migration

Stephenson JD, O'Shaughnessy EJ. Hypospermia and its relationship to varicocele and intrascrotal temperature. Fertil Steril 168;19(1):110-7. "There is a frequently observed, definite relationship between varicocele and hypospermia." Moghissi KS. Human and bovine sperm migration. Fertil Steril 1968;19(1):118-22. "Van Leeuwenhoek's discovery of motile spermatozoa led to the conclusion that their migration was due to their own propellant activity."
Supporting Caregivers of Older Adults in Making Decisions: Current Tools and Future Directions

Family caregivers face many decisions as their older loved ones lose the capacity to function independently. The projected increase in the numbers of older adults with disabilities and cognitive limitations will result in higher caregiving demands, including decision making by caregivers. Knowing what decisions and challenges families face can help caregivers make decisions before crisis situations occur. Conversations between caregivers and their aging family member should start while the relative has the most faculties and capacity to share his/her goals and values are. In this chapter, we discuss how caregivers can work with healthcare providers and their loved ones to make positive, collaborative decisions, specifically focusing on four decision-making scenarios: (i) advance directives, do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, and power of attorney; (ii) decision making in families facing chronic illness and dementia; (iii) long-term-care (LTC) decision making; and (iv) end-of-life decision making. We review each type of decision making and suggest resources that could be used to inform as well as enhance the process.
FGF mediated mapk and pi3k/akt signals make distinct contributions to pluripotency and the establishment of neural crest

Early vertebrate embryos possess cells with the potential to generate all embryonic cell types. While this pluripotency is progressively lost as cells become lineage restricted, Neural Crest cells retain broad developmental potential. Here, we provide novel insights into signals essential for both pluripotency and neural crest formation in Xenopus. We show that FGF signaling controls a subset of genes expressed by pluripotent blastula cells, and find a striking switch in the signaling cascades activated by FGF signaling as cells lose pluripotency and commence lineage restriction. Pluripotent cells display and require Map Kinase signaling, whereas PI3 Kinase/Akt signals increase as developmental potential is restricted, and are required for transit to certain lineage restricted states. Importantly, retaining a high Map Kinase/low Akt signaling profile is essential for establishing Neural Crest stem cells. These findings shed important light on the signal-mediated control of pluripotency and the molecular mechanisms governing genesis of Neural Crest.
Assessment of Fragmentation Strategies for Large Proteins Using the Multilayer Molecules-in-Molecules Approach

We present a rigorous evaluation of the potential for the multilayer Molecules-in-Molecules (MIM) fragmentation method to be applied to large biomolecules. Density functional total energies of a test set of 8 peptides, sizes ranging from 107 to 721 atoms, were evaluated with MIM and compared to unfragmented energies to help develop a protocol for the treatment of large proteins. Fragmentation schemes involving subsystems of 4 to 5 covalently bonded fragments (tetramer or pentamer schemes) were tested with a single level of theory (MIM1) and produced errors on the order of 100 kcal/mol due to the relatively small size of the subsystems and the neglect of nonbonded interactions. Supplementing the two schemes with nonbonded dimer subsystems, formed from fragments within a specified cutoff distance (3.0 A), nearly cut the MIM1 errors in half, leading us to employ these new schemes as starting points in multilayer calculations. When employing a DFT low level with a substantially smaller basis set (MIM2), the d...
SFIRE: Secret-Free-in-band Trust Establishment for COTS Wireless Devices

We address the problem of trust establishment between wireless devices that do not share any prior secrets. This includes the mutual authentication and agreement to a common key that can be used to further bootstrap essential cryptographic mechanisms. We propose SFIRE, a secret-free trust establishment protocol that allows the secure pairing of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) wireless devices with a hub. Compared to the state-of-the-art, SFIRE does not require any out-of-band channels, special hardware, or firmware modification, but can be applied to any COTS device. Moreover, SFIRE is resistant to the most advanced active signal manipulations that include recently demonstrated signal nullification at an intended receiver. These security properties are achieved in-band with the assistance of a helper device such as a smartphone and by using the RSS fluctuation patterns to build a robust “RSS authenticator”. We perform extensive experiments using COTS devices and USRP radios and verify the validity of the proposed protocol.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Youth Club Athletes Toward Sport Specialization and Sport Participation.

Background:There are a variety of proposed motivations for sport specialization, such as improving sport skills to an elite level, making all-star or travel teams, or receiving a scholarship or pro...
Management of inadvertent needle penetration resulting in subretinal triamcinolone acetonide and retinal detachment.

Abstract Purpose To report management of inadvertent needle penetration during subtenons triamcinolone acetonide administration resulting in retinal detachment. Observations A 71-year-old female with history of diabetes, hypothyroidism, and mild myopia underwent subtenons triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection in the right eye for nodular scleritis. There was unexpected patient movement concurrent with the injection resulting in needle penetration, subretinal and intravitreal injection of TA, superotemporal retinal break, and macula-involving retinal detachment. The patient underwent partial subretinal TA removal, successful retinal detachment repair, and recovered 20/25 visual acuity. Conclusions and importance In spite of prominent subretinal TA and retinal detachment, successful repair of retinal detachment and recovery of good visual acuity is possible.
Equivalence, Interactors, and Lloyd’s Challenge to Genic Pluralism

On a train ride in 1986, Elisabeth Lloyd convinced Stephen Jay Gould he had been wrong about species selection. The mistake had to do with differentiating what Lloyd came to call the “interactor question” from three other distinct questions implicit in the units of selection controversy. Lloyd’s efforts to answer this question led her to propose “emergent fitness” with Gould, develop the additivity criterion, and allowed the dissection of the units debates that was endorsed by George Williams and John Maynard Smith. It also led her into conflict with contemporary genic pluralists who argue that higher and lower level models are equivalent. Lloyd’s approach to the interactor question led her to show why this is a mistake and is key to understanding the controversy.
Effect of Prostaglandin Inhibition on the Action of Diuretic Agents

Publisher Summary Prostaglandins are synthesized throughout the kidney and play an important role in the modulation of many renal functions. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis has consequences on renal function in normal individuals and on the action of diuretic agents. Furthermore, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis as their primary mode of action are the most widely prescribed therapeutic agents in use today. Thus, the potential for their interference with diuretic efficacy is of considerable practical concern. Acute renal failure has been reported in two healthy volunteers taking indomethacin and triamterene as part of a drug study; in one patient taking this combination, and recently, in a man with mild hypertension taking ibuprofen and the combination of hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene, who had been strenuously exercising. The latter individual underwent a renal biopsy that showed acute tubular necrosis (ATN). All patients subsequently recovered renal function in a time course consistent with ATN. This chapter advises clinicians and patients to be aware of the potential risks of this drug combination. The action of most frequently used diuretic agents is altered by drugs that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. The mechanism appears to be primarily pharmacodynamic in nature. With the widespread use of NSAIDs and the increased availability of these agents without a prescription, NSAID antagonism should be considered in cases where the response to diuretics is less than expected.
PRESUMED FOVEAL BACILLARY LAYER DETACHMENT IN A PATIENT WITH TOXOPLASMOSIS CHORIORETINITIS AND PACHYCHOROID DISEASE.

Purpose To report a detachment that apparently separated photoreceptor inner segment myoids from inner segment ellipsoids as a manifestation of toxoplasmosis chorioretinitis in a patient with pachychoroid spectrum disease. Methods Multimodal imaging including fundus photography, spectral domain and enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT), indocyanine green angiography, and OCT angiography. Results A 33-year-old man with a history of toxoplasmosis chorioretinitis reported 1 week of decreased vision to 20/200 in his right eye. Examination of the right eye demonstrated mild vitritis with recurrent chorioretinitis inferior to the fovea and adjacent to a chorioretinal scar. A dome-shaped, foveal photoreceptor layer-splitting detachment was noted on OCT. Because degenerating cone photoreceptors are capable of shedding their inner segments, we inferred the location of the detachment at the level of the inner segment myoid and provided a histological example of such from an unrelated donor case. In addition, multimodal imaging revealed dilated choroidal veins (pachyvessels) with attenuation of the inner choroid in both eyes and asymptomatic findings of central serous chorioretinopathy in the left eye. After 1 month of antibiotic and steroid therapy, the chorioretinitis resolved, as did the detachment. Hyperreflective foci on the vitreoretinal interface were appreciated with en face OCT that appeared to aggregate throughout the course of therapy, induce inner retinal striae, and resolve without inducing epiretinal membrane formation. Conclusion Patients with preexisting pachychoroid spectrum disease may manifest a more significant retinal fluid accumulation in the setting of superimposed chorioretinal inflammation. In this case of macular toxoplasmosis chorioretinitis, inflammation manifested as a retinal detachment at the level of photoreceptor inner segment myoids that we named as a bacillary layer detachment. In this case, inflammatory sequelae of toxoplasmosis reactivation responded well to oral and intravitreal therapy.
International Entrepreneurship Education

There are many debates on whether or not entrepreneurship can be taught. With hundreds of business schools in the United States offering various kinds of entrepreneurial education, the answer seems...
Heart rate variability in spinal cord injury: Asymptomatic orthostatic hypotension is a confounding variable.

Abstract Study design observational study. Objectives Heart rate variability (HRV) studies have shown that the low-frequency (LF) domain is decreased in postural challenge of spinal cord injury (SCI). However, there are inconsistencies in the literature regarding HRV with postural challenge. We believed that asymptomatic orthostatic hypotension (OH) may contribute to the discrepancies in the literature. We also evaluated the time-domain parameters of HRV to evaluate for changes in SCI postural challenge. We looked at the association of Frequency and Time-domain HRV parameters to blood pressure (BP) and postural challenge in SCI based on groups with and without OH. Setting SCI clinic. Methods Patients from SCI clinic were enrolled and 5-minute electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings were performed before and after a postural challenge from supine to sitting position with blood pressure (BP) recordings at each time point. Between and within group analyses were performed based on tetraplegia, paraplegia, and the presence of asymptomatic OH. Results There were 6 controls and 18 SCI subjects, 4 with OH based on change in diastolic BP. After postural challenge, mean heart rate was lower in tetraplegia compared to controls in all groupings. When OH was removed from the groups, total power was consistently reduced in tetraplegia compared to paraplegia across all positions. There were both time- and frequency-domain differences observed in SCI with OH compared to SCI without. Conclusions Autonomic variability is increased in SCI with OH and can lead to misinterpretation of findings if asymptomatic OH is included in samples. Our data suggest that there are frequency- and time-domain differences in HRV variables in those with OH compared to those without. Future HRV studies should account for asymptomatic OH and include analyses of the time-domain variables in postural challenge of SCI.
Functional coupling in the evolution of suction feeding and gill ventilation of sculpins (Perciformes: Cottoidei)

Suction feeding and gill ventilation in teleosts are functionally coupled, meaning that there is an overlap in the structures involved with both functions. Functional coupling is one type of morphological integration, a term that broadly refers to any covariation, correlation, or coordination among structures. Suction feeding and gill ventilation exhibit other types of morphological integration, including functional coordination (a tendency of structures to work together to perform a function) and evolutionary integration (a tendency of structures to covary in size or shape across evolutionary history). Functional coupling, functional coordination, and evolutionary integration have each been proposed to limit morphological diversification to some extent. Yet teleosts show extraordinary cranial diversity, suggesting that there are mechanisms within some teleost clades that promote morphological diversification, even within the highly integrated suction feeding and gill ventilatory systems. To investigate this, we quantified evolutionary integration among four mechanical units associated with suction feeding and gill ventilation in a diverse clade of benthic, primarily suction-feeding fishes (Cottoidei; sculpins and relatives). We reconstructed cottoid phylogeny using molecular data from 108 species, and obtained 24 linear measurements of four mechanical units (jaws, hyoid, opercular bones, and branchiostegal rays) from micro-CT reconstructions of 44 cottoids and 1 outgroup taxon. We tested for evolutionary correlation and covariation among the four mechanical units using phylogenetically corrected principal component analysis to reduce the dimensionality of measurements for each unit, followed by correlating phylogenetically independent contrasts and computing phylogenetic generalized least squares models from the first principle component axis of each of the four mechanical units. The jaws, opercular bones, and branchiostegal rays show evolutionary integration, but the hyoid is not positively integrated with these units. To examine these results in an ecomorphological context, we used published ecological data in phylogenetic ANOVA models to demonstrate that the jaw is larger in fishes that eat elusive or grasping prey (e.g., prey that can easily escape or cling to the substrate) and that the hyoid is smaller in intertidal and hypoxia-tolerant sculpins. Within Cottoidei, the relatively independent evolution of the hyoid likely has reduced limitations on morphological evolution within the highly morphologically integrated suction feeding and gill ventilatory systems.
Fabrication and transient responses of highly flexible and humidity-insensitive ionic polymer–metal composites in different sensory modes:

Ionic polymer–metal composites, although with attracting properties such as flexibility, easy processing, resilience, and high sensitivity, have some drawbacks including the fragility of electrodes...
Los derechos de propiedad de la mujer en la región MENA

espanolEl presente articulo se propone analizar la situacion de los derechos de propiedad de las mujeres en la region MENA con base en una definicion global de los derechos de propiedad. Pone de relieve los obstaculos,principalmente juridicos, que limitan el acceso de la mujer a la propiedad, reflexiona sobre la manera a traves de la cual dichos obstaculos interaccionan entre si y propone acciones de mejora. EnglishThe present article is aimed at analyzing the situation of women’s property rights in the MENA region on the basis of a “comprehensive” definition of property rights. It identifies and illustrates the obstacles that undermine women’s access to property, especially from a legal perspective, how they interplay with one another, and suggests possible venues for change.
Computational Modeling of 3D Metamaterial Wire Arrays for Terahertz Operation

The computational modeling of a 3D Metamaterial beam array has been performed employing a commercially available Finite Differences Time Domain (FDTD) software package, to determine the prospective suitability of the proposed geometry in the demonstration of filters and resonators operating in the THz regime. The modeled structure comprises arrays of metallic, horizontal beams supported by vertical anchors placed on a semi-infinite silicon substrate with a refractive index of n=3.42+i0.01 with the boundary conditions considered periodic in the directions parallel to the beams and a Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) in the direction perpendicular to them. The simulations indicate a high pass filter behavior with a strong dependence on the unit cell length such that the cutoff frequency decreases as the length of the beams increase. Furthermore, due to the symmetry built in the system, the Metamaterial array is insensitive to the use of transverse electric (TE) or transverse magnetic (TM) polarization (Abstract)
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Opioid Addiction

Opioid use kills tens of thousands of Americans each year, devastates families and entire communities, and cripples the health care system. Exposure to opioids causes long-term changes to brain regions involved in reward processing and motivation, leading vulnerable individuals to engage in pathological drug seeking and drug taking that can remain a lifelong struggle. The persistence of these neuroadaptations is mediated in part by epigenetic remodeling of gene expression programs in discrete brain regions. Although the majority of work examining how epigenetic modifications contribute to addiction has focused on psychostimulants such as cocaine, research into opioid-induced changes to the epigenetic landscape is emerging. This review summarizes our knowledge of opioid-induced epigenetic modifications and their consequential changes to gene expression. Current evidence points toward opioids promoting higher levels of permissive histone acetylation and lower levels of repressive histone methylation as well as alterations to DNA methylation patterns and noncoding RNA expression throughout the brain's reward circuitry. Additionally, studies manipulating epigenetic enzymes in specific brain regions are beginning to build causal links between these epigenetic modifications and changes in addiction-related behavior. Moving forward, studies must leverage advanced chromatin analysis and next-generation sequencing approaches combined with bioinformatics pipelines to identify novel gene networks regulated by particular epigenetic modifications. Improved translational relevance also requires increased focus on volitional drug-intake models and standardization of opioid exposure paradigms. Such work will significantly advance our understanding of how opioids cause persistent changes to brain function and will provide a platform on which to develop interventions for treating opioid addiction.
Movement and Home Range of the Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica): Spatial Ecology of a River Specialist

Spatial ecological information is necessary to guide the conservation efforts of river turtles, but it is lacking for many species including the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). We investigated the spatial ecology of A. mutica in two reaches of the Kaskaskia River in Illinois, USA to determine variables influencing movement rates, the best estimate of home range, and variables influencing home range size. We radio-tracked 28 A. mutica from 2013 to 2014 and used an information theoretic approach to select the best models describing movement and home range estimates. Mean movement rate was 142.3 m/day and was highly variable with some movements >2 km/day. Movement peaked at moderate water temperatures early in the active season, increased at higher water levels for females, and was greater in the higher stream order. The sexes responded differently to environmental variation, with female movement higher in most but not all conditions. The most informative home range estimate was a 95% kernel density estimate using likelihood cross-validation (CVh) smoothing clipped to the river channel. The mean home range size was 18.1 hectares and increased with movement rate, number of radio-locations, and stream order. Most turtles had well-defined home ranges, though a few were possibly nomadic. Our methods also provide a framework for spatial ecological studies of other riverine species.
Of Fruitcakes and Patriot Games, Essay

This is a critical review essay regarding Eric Posner's theory of social norms. In his book, Law and Social Norms, and elsewhere, Posner articulates and defends a signaling theory of social norms or, in Posner's terms, "nonlegal mechanisms of cooperation." According to Posner, social norms allow parties to solve a particular sort of repeat prisoner's dilemma that describes a general condition of putatively cooperative behavior. On Posner's model, compliance with a norm is said to signal that one is a good cooperative partner because it signals that one has a low discount rate. I argue that, although much is interesting in Posner's discussion, the theory is inadequate to the task. Repeatedly, it appears that the cost structure of the signals in question cannot be right - the signals coming too cheap or too dear - if signaling can, qua rational choice theory, explain the norms in question. That appearance is all we have to go by, because the model does not generate adequately specific predictions to be testable. I argue that Posner's diverse collection of norms is not likely to describe a natural kind. I also suggest that, although there is a signaling element to many cases of norm compliance, certain core examples of social norms serve important non-signaling functions as constraints on human behavior. Certain norms are useful because, among other things, they lower the cost of socially beneficial behavior.
Accuracy of Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Adult Community-acquired Pneumonia: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin may help distinguish community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) from other causes of lower respiratory tract infection. METHODS We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify prospective studies evaluating the accuracy of a biomarker in patients with acute cough or suspected CAP. We performed parallel abstraction of data regarding study inclusion, characteristics, quality, and test accuracy. Study quality was evaluated using QUADAS-2. Bivariate meta-analysis was performed using the mada package in R, and summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created. RESULTS Fourteen studies met our inclusion and exclusion criteria; three were at low risk of bias and four at moderate risk of bias, largely due to failure to prespecify diagnostic thresholds. Considering all studies regardless of the cutoff used, CRP was most accurate (area under the ROC curve = 0.802), followed by leukocytosis (0.777) and procalcitonin (0.771). Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and fibrinogen are promising, but were only studied in a single report. For CRP and procalcitonin, the positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-, respectively) varied inversely based on the cutoff. For CRP, LR+ and LR- were 2.08 and 0.32 for a cutoff of 20 mg/L, 3.64 and 0.36 for a cutoff of 50 mg/L, and 5.89 and 0.47 for a cutoff of 100 mg/L. For procalcitonin, LR+ and LR- were 2.50 and 0.39 for a cutoff of 0.10 µg/L, 5.43 and 0.62 for a cutoff of 0.25 µg/L, and 8.25 and 0.76 for a cutoff of 0.50 µg/L. The combination of CRP >49.5 mg/L and procalcitonin >0.1 µg/L had LR+ of 2.24 and LR- of 0.44. CONCLUSIONS The best evidence supports CRP as the preferred biomarker for diagnosis of outpatient CAP given its accuracy, low cost, and point-of-care availability.
Differences in Faculty Approaches to Plagiarism Deterrence are an Opportunity for Increased Collaboration in Information Literacy Instruction

A Review of: Michalak, R., Rysavy, M., Hunt, K., Worden, J., & Smith, B. (2018). Faculty perceptions of plagiarism: Insight for librarians’ information literacy programs. College and Research Libraries, 79(6), 747-767. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.79.6.747 Abstract Objective – To learn how faculty members define plagiarism and what actions (if any) they are taking in their classes to educate students about plagiarism. Design – Online survey. Setting – A small private college in the Northeastern United States of America. Subjects – A total of 79 full-time and adjunct faculty members in arts and business. Methods – Participants completed an online survey, modified from a survey in The Plagiarism Handbook, in which they provided their definition of plagiarism. They then answered yes/no questions regarding their knowledge levels and methods of plagiarism instruction used in class. The authors collected data on the faculty members’ age, discipline, years of experience, and their status as either adjunct or full-time faculty. After analyzing the results independently, the authors later collaborated to discuss codes and identify clear themes in the list of definitions. Main Results – An analysis of faculty members’ plagiarism definitions determined that most define plagiarism in a way that roughly aligns with the university’s definition, but identified inconsistencies regarding severity, student knowledge, the role of intent, and the necessity of a source attribution when determining what constitutes plagiarism. The themes in their responses clearly illustrate the major differences in approaches to plagiarism. The authors also found that while 87% of respondents reported discussing plagiarism in their classes, they usually did so only “a little” or “a moderate amount.” Furthermore, just over 53% of respondents did not provide their students with materials on plagiarism, though 55% reported including a definition of plagiarism in their course syllabi. Researchers also asked whether or not faculty members had invited a librarian to speak to their class about plagiarism, to which 74% of faculty members responded no. Conclusion – This study suggested that librarians should consider differing perspectives on plagiarism when collaborating with faculty members and that librarian-faculty collaboration on information literacy instruction can help to mitigate the effects of inconsistent practices regarding plagiarism. The study’s authors are integrating their research findings into anti-plagiarism training modules for students at the institution where this study was conducted. Future studies based on this research are planned to further explore the intersections of plagiarism and information literacy.
Factors influencing institutional delivery and the role of accredited social health activist (ASHA): a secondary analysis of India human development survey 2012.

India has focused on incentivizing institutional delivery and introducing the ASHA worker as a key strategy to improve maternal health outcomes. We examined the determinants of institutional delivery and the role of the ASHA worker in shaping choice regarding place of delivery. We used data from the India Human Development Survey-II conducted in 2011–12, and extracted an analytic sample of women (N = 8711) who reported having at least one child since 2005. Logistic regression was used to examine influence of socio-demographic factors, frequency of antenatal care (ANC) contacts and exposure to ASHA worker on institutional delivery. About 15% of the respondents had eight or more ANC contacts. The odds of having an institutional delivery were higher among those respondents who had 8 or more ANC contacts (OR = 3.39, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 2.26, 5.08), and those who had 4–7 ANC contacts (OR = 1.72, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.48, 1.99) as compared to those with less than 4 ANC contacts. About 26% of the respondents had any exposure to an ASHA worker. After controlling for ANC contacts, these respondents had three times the odds of institutional delivery (OR = 3.04, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 2.37, 3.89) compared to those who had no exposure to ASHA workers. Further, several sociodemographic variables were associated with institutional delivery. While age of spouse, age at marriage, level of education and urban residence were positively associated with institutional delivery; age of respondent and number of children were inversely associated with institutional delivery. Both frequency of ANC contacts and exposure to ASHA worker independently emerge as important determinants of institutional delivery. Furthermore, ASHA workers may have a crucial role in promoting antenatal care, thereby strengthening the association between ANC contacts and institutional delivery.
A comparative study of silicon nitride and SiAlON ceramics against E. coli

Abstract In recent decades, due to some limitations from alumina (Al2O3) and zirconia (ZrO2), silicon nitride (Si3N4) has been investigated as a novel bioceramic material, mainly in situations where a bone replacement is required. Si3N4 ceramics and its derivative form, SiAlON, possess advantages in orthopedics due to their mechanical properties and biologically acceptable chemistry, which accelerates bone repair. However, biological applications require additional properties, enabling stronger chemical bonding to the surrounding tissue for better fixation and the prevention of bacteria biofilm formation. Therefore, two commercial Si3N4 and SiAlON ceramics were investigated in this study and compared to each other according to their material properties (like wetting angles and surface chemistry) and their antibacterial behaviors using E. coli. Results provided evidence of a 15% reduction in E. coli colonization after just 24 h on Si3N4 compared to SiAlON which is impressive considering no antibiotics were used. Further, a mechanism of action is provided. In this manner, this study provides evidence that Si3N4 should be further studied for a wide range of antibacterial orthopedic, or other suitable biomaterial applications.
Incorporating joint pain screening into the pediatric dermatologic examination

Background/objectives Joint manifestations are a feature of many pediatric skin disorders, among them psoriasis, autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, hypermobility disorders, and as an adverse effect of certain medications. Identifying joint disease early is important for intervention and prevention of chronic damage. However, pediatric musculoskeletal complaints are common and determining whether symptoms warrant a rheumatology referral for arthritis can be challenging. Methods Pediatric dermatologists were surveyed for their comfort in screening for joint disease. Through literature review and interviews with three pediatric rheumatologists, key joints involved in disorders with skin manifestations and arthritis were identified and the essential evaluations were determined. Results Of 100 surveyed practicing board-certified pediatric dermatologists, 79% did not feel confident in their ability to perform a joint-focused physical examination, a key step in screening for joint disease. A rapid joint examination technique (R-JET) was developed, along with an accompanying three-question survey and body diagram for patient self-report of symptoms. A video demonstration of the R-JET was created as a teaching tool. Conclusions Teaching and incorporation of a rapid screening examination for arthritis by pediatric dermatologists has the potential to identify pediatric arthritis earlier, facilitate referral, and reduce the risk of progressive joint disease. These instruments can easily be incorporated into a pediatric dermatology office visit.
DO POINTS MATTER? THE EFFECTS OF GAMIFICATION ACTIVITIES WITH AND WITHOUT POINTS ON STUDENT LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT

Instructor use of online gamification techniques using platforms such as Kahoot has been increasing in recent years. Prior research has found that the use of gamification can increase student engag...
Machine learning in multiscale modeling of spatially tailored materials with microstructure uncertainties

Abstract In this paper, a novel hierarchical micro–macro multiscale modeling enhanced via machine learning is proposed. Machine learning plays an important role in this multiscale framework to pass the information from the microscale to the macroscale. This multiscale method provides a new approach to study the mechanics of a metal-ceramic (Ti-TiB2) spatially tailored material in which the volume fractions vary in space at the macroscale. Data sets, collected from microscale simulations, are used to train machine learning regression and classification models. Those predictive models are then implemented in the macroscale simulations to study dynamical responses of spatially tailored Ti-TiB2 structures under various loading conditions. As a difference from other reported works, microstructure uncertainties are considered in this paper so that an artificial neural network is trained as the machine learning classification model to predict the failure probability at the macroscale, which depends on the volume fraction and the deformation (i.e., the strain).
The derivation of the FENE-P model within the context of a thermodynamic perspective for bodies with evolving natural configurations

Abstract In this paper, we provide a method for developing the FENE-P constitutive relation and generalizations of such constitutive relations from a totally different perspective than that used to develop such constitutive relations. The thermodynamic framework within which the constitutive relations are generated is a generalization of the structure within which rate type fluid models to describe the viscoelastic response of fluids were developed (JNNFM, 88, 207–227 (2000)). It is interesting to note that widely different approaches such as those based on the notion of configuration tensors and the study carried out here are able to lead to the same classes of models, providing one basis for some conviction concerning the appropriateness of the model. Also, the fact that the general thermodynamic structure used here has also been used successfully to establish constitutive relations to describe the response of bodies in a wide range of areas in inelasticity, twinning, phase transitions, chemically reacting mixtures, shape memory alloys and polymers, etc., gives additional credibility to the construction of constitutive relations such as those obtained in this study.
A Macroeconomic Model with Bond Liquidity

This paper considers a two-country macro model where private bond can serve as financial liquidity. With incomplete markets, higher bond liquidity leads to higher growth from more efficient financing of investment opportunities, but also generates higher instability by increasing equilibrium leverage and worsening the undercapitalized country’s terms of trade. Numerical experiments, based on a parameterized version of the model, show that welfare cost from instability can outweigh gains from higher growth. In particular, bond liquidity reduces welfare in economies with low fundamental volatilities and low credit market frictions, as leverage and hence stationary distribution in such environments are more sensitive to interest rate changes. In terms of macroprudential regulations, bond liquidity can significantly relax the optimal tightness of leverage constraints, while also moderately increase the optimal tax on credit. Lastly, this paper distinguishes between public and private liquidity, and explores the model’s fiscal policy implications.