cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scientific Method & Evolutionary Theory Elucidated by the Ivory-billed Woodpecker Story

Large, introductory, nonmajors biology classes present challenges when trying to encourage class discussion to help reinforce important concepts. Lively in-class discussion involving hundreds of students is more successful when a relevant story told with passion is used to introduce a topic. In my courses, each semester begins with thorough treatment of the scientific method, followed by the multiple Darwinian theories of evolution. To reinforce these two important themes, the story of the ivory-billed woodpecker’s ecology, evolution, conservation, and probable extirpation has been effective in provoking class dialogue and reinforcing the two themes. Although I describe this approach as a large-class activity, it works well in courses of all sizes. In this article, I discuss teaching with storytelling and detail the use of the ivory-billed woodpecker story as a teaching tool.
T1 mapping of the myocardium: Intra-individual assessment of the effect of field strength, cardiac cycle and variation by myocardial region

Myocardial T1 relaxation time (T1 time) and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) are altered in the presence of myocardial fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate acquisition factors that may result in variation of measured T1 time and ECV including magnetic field strength, cardiac phase and myocardial region. 31 study subjects were enrolled and underwent one cardiovascular MR exam at 1.5 T and two exams at 3 T, each on separate days. A Modified Look-Locker Inversion Recovery (MOLLI) sequence was acquired before and 5, 10, 12, 20, 25 and 30 min after administration of 0.15 mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA; Magnevist) at 1.5 T (exam 1). For exam 2, MOLLI sequences were acquired at 3 T both during diastole and systole, before and after administration of Gd-DTPA (0.15 mmol/kg Magnevist).Exam 3 was identical to exam 2 except gadobenate dimeglumine was administered (Gd-BOPTA; 0.1 mmol/kg Multihance). T1 times were measured in myocardium and blood. ECV was calculated by (ΔR1myocardium/ΔR1blood)*(1-hematocrit). Before gadolinium, T1 times of myocardium and blood were significantly greater at 3 T versus 1.5 T (28% and 31% greater, respectively, p < 0.001); after gadolinium, 3 T values remained greater than those at 1.5 T (14% and 12% greater for myocardium and blood at 3 T with Gd-DTPA, respectively, p < 0.0001 and 18% and 15% greater at 3 T with Gd-BOPTA, respectively, p < 0.0001). However, ECV did not vary significantly with field strength when using the same contrast agent at equimolar dose (p = 0.2). Myocardial T1 time was 1% shorter at systole compared to diastole pre-contrast and 2% shorter at diastole compared to systole post-contrast (p < 0.01). ECV values were greater during diastole compared to systole on average by 0.01 (p < 0.01 to p < 0.0001). ECV was significantly higher for the septum compared to the non-septal myocardium for all three exams (p < 0.0001-0.01) with mean absolute differences of 0.01, 0.004, and 0.07, respectively, for exams 1, 2 and 3. ECV is similar at field strengths of 1.5 T and 3 T. Due to minor variations in T1 time and ECV during the cardiac cycle and in different myocardial regions, T1 measurements should be obtained at the same cardiac phase and myocardial region in order to obtain consistent results.
Impact of horizontal and vertical heterogeneities on retrievals using multiangle microwave brightness temperature data

This paper investigates the impact of heterogeneity at the land surface on geophysical parameters retrieved from multiangle microwave brightness temperature data, such as would be obtained from the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission. Synthetic brightness temperature data were created using the Common Land (land surface) Model, coupled with a microwave emission model and set within the framework of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS). Soil moisture, vegetation optical depth, and effective physical temperature were retrieved using a multiobjective calibration routine similar to the proposed SMOS retrieval algorithm for a typical on-axis range of look angles. The impact of heterogeneity both in the near-surface profiles of soil moisture and temperature and in the land cover on the accuracy of the retrievals was examined. There are significant errors in the retrieved parameters over regions with steep gradients in the near-surface soil moisture profile. These errors are approximately proportional to the difference in the soil water content between the top (at 0.7 cm) and second layer (at 2.7 cm) of the land surface model. The errors resulting from heterogeneity in the land cover are smaller and increase nonlinearly with increasing land-surface heterogeneity (represented by the standard deviation of the optical depth within the pixel). The most likely use of retrieved soil moisture is through assimilation into an LDAS for improved initiation of weather and climate models. Given that information on the soil moisture profile is already available within the LDAS, the error in the retrieved soil moisture as a result of the near-surface profile can be corrected for. The potential errors as a result of land-surface heterogeneity can also be assessed for use in the assimilation process.
Party Identification and Core Political Values

Party identification and core political values are central elements in the political belief systems of ordinary citizens. Are these predispositions related to one another? Does party identification influence core political values or are partisan identities grounded in such values? This article draws upon theoretical works on partisan information processing and value-based reasoning to derive competing hypotheses about whethe rp artisanship shapes political values or political values shape partisanship. The hypotheses are tested by using structural equation modeling techniques to estimate dynamic models of attitude stability and constraint with data from the 1992‐94‐96 National Election Study panel survey. The analyses reveal that partisan identities are more stable than the principles of equal opportunity, limited government, traditional family values, and moral tolerance; party identification constrains equal opportunity, limited government, and moral tolerance; and these political values do not constrain party identification.
Comparison of numerical algorithms for bivariate sequential tests based on marginal criteria

Group sequential tests are widely used for interim analyses in randomized clinical trials. These tests have been extended to bivariate outcomes, but calculation of boundary values is computationally intensive. In this paper, we compare 3 algorithms: (1) quasi-Monte Carlo; (2) Schervish's MULNOR; and (3) a bivariate version of Armitage's recursive formula proposed by Jennison and Turnbull, for calculating boundary values for the L-region bivariate design which takes account of the correlation between the outcomes. Up to 5 interim analyses (stages) and a range of values for the correlation between the two endpoints were considered. The three algorithms produced very similar boundary values, but the quasi-Monte Carlo approach was much faster than the other two. The quasi-Monte Carlo method is an attractive approach for studying higher dimensions-designs with more stages and designs with more than two outcomes. The increased speed of this algorithm may permit the development of more flexible monitoring guidelines for multiple endpoints for clinical trials.
A network of microprocessors to execute reduction languages, part I

This paper describes the architecture of a cellular processor capable of directly and efficiently executing reduction languages as defined by Backus. The processor consists of two interconnected networks of microprocessors, one of which is a linear array of identical cells, and the other a tree-structured network of identical cells. Both kinds of cells have modest processing and storage requirements. The processor directly interprets a high-level language, and its efficient operation is not restricted to any special class of problems. Memory space permitting, the processor accommodates the unbounded parallelism allowed by reduction languages in any single user program; it is also able to execute many user programs simultaneously.
AN OVERVIEW OF EXTRACRANIAL APPROACHES TO THE SPHENOID SINUS

Abstract This is an overview of all extracranial approaches available to the rhinologic surgeon. Selecting the best approach for a particular patient depends on the exact pathologic process, presence or absence of disease in other sinuses (especially the ethmoids), exposure required, and experience, expertise and confidence of the surgeon.
Quality Trumps Quantity at Reducing Memory Errors: Implications for Retrieval Monitoring and Mirror Effects.

Memories have qualitative properties (e.g., the different kinds of features or details that can be retrieved) and quantitative properties (e.g., the frequency and/or strength of retrieval). Here we investigated the relative contribution of these two properties to the retrieval monitoring process. Participants studied a list of words, and memory for these words was enhanced either by studying an associated picture or by word repetition. Subsequent memory tests required participants to selectively monitor retrieval for these different kinds of stimuli. Compared to words that were studied only once, test words associated with either pictures or repetitions were more likely to be correctly recognized, but critically, false recognition was reduced only when monitoring memory for picture recollections. Subjective judgments and speeded tests indicated that study repetition increased the number of test words that elicited recollection and familiarity (a quantitative difference), but studying pictures maximized the recollection of unique or distinctive details (a qualitative difference). These results indicate that memory quality is more critical than quantity for retrieval monitoring accuracy.
In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial effects of a root canal sealer-antibiotic combination against Enterococcus faecalis.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of five antibiotics when added to Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer EWT against Enterococcus faecalis. Five antibiotics: amoxicillin, penicillin, clindamycin, metronidazole, and doxycycline, were added separately to Kerr sealer. Thirty brain heart infusion agar plates were inoculated with E. faecalis and sterile paper discs containing a sealer-antibiotic combination were randomly assigned to the inoculated plates. Kerr sealer on a sterile paper disc and a blank sterile paper disc served as the controls. Fifteen plates were incubated aerobically and the remaining 15 plates were incubated anaerobically at 37 degrees C. The zones of inhibition were measured at 48 hours. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between aerobic and anaerobic groups. The groups were combined and data analysis using a one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test was performed. Results revealed that sealer-antibiotic combinations containing amoxicillin, penicillin, clindamycin, and doxycycline had a significant difference (p 0.05) were found between the metronidazole-sealer combinations and Kerr EWT sealer alone.
Barotropic Instability of Midlatitude Zonal Jets on Mars, Earth and Venus

We have used a linearized nondivergent barotropic vorticity model on a sphere to intercompare the fastest growing, barotropically unstable wave modes computed for zonal jets at high latitudes in the middle atmospheres of Venus, Earth, and Mars. Such zonal jets have been observed in the wintertime stratosphere on Earth and have been inferred from remotely sensed temperatures in the Venus middle atmosphere and in the wintertime Martian atmosphere. The comparison was done by extending the results of Hartmann for his simple analytic profile of a latitudinally varying terrestrial zonal wind to zonal wind profiles characterized by the larger Rossby numbers (Ro) appropriate to Mars and Venus. As Hartmann's results suggested, the fastest growing barotropic waves continue to grow more quickly as Ro increases. Eventually, the fastest growing mode shifts from a zonal wavenumber k = 1 to a k = 2 mode, both located on the poleward flank of the high-latitude jet. However, for somewhat higher Rossby numbers, the k = 2 mode on the equatorward side of the zonal jet becomes the fastest growing planetary-scale barotropic mode, and this transition is marked by a discontinuous shift to longer wave periods. The Venus high-latitude zonal jet appears remarkably close to this transition Ro. For each of the three planets, satellite-borne instruments have detected wave patterns in the thermal radiance field in the vicinity of the high-latitude zonal jets. As reported earlier for the terrestrial wintertime stratosphere by Hartmann and for Venus by Elson, these observed waves have characteristics similar to those computed for the fastest growing barotropic modes. For Mars, we find that such modes would have zonal wavenumbers 1 or 2, with e-folding times of 2-3 days and periods of 0.75–2.5 days; the longer period (k = 2) equatorward mode would dominate for the faster and narrower zonal jets. A poleward mode with k = 1 and a period of 1.2 days is the barotropic mode most likely to be consistent with the Mariner-9 IRIS observations of thermal waves above the 1 mb (~20 km) level in the Martian atmosphere.
Negative Feedback Control of the Retinoid-Retinoic Acid/Retinoid X Receptor Pathway by the Human TR4 Orphan Receptor, a Member of the Steroid Receptor Superfamily*

Abstract Amino acid sequence analysis indicates that the human TR4 orphan receptor (TR4) is a member of the estrogen/thyroid receptor subfamily of the steroid/thyroid receptor superfamily and recognizes the AGGTCA direct repeat (DR) of the hormone response element. Here we demonstrate using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay that TR4 binds specifically to DR with a spacing of 1 and 5 base pairs (DR1 and DR5), which are the response elements for retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR), respectively. A reporter gene assay using chloramphenicol acetyltransferase demonstrated that TR4 repressed RA-induced transactivation in a TR4 dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of the retinoid signal pathway also occurs through natural response elements found in CRBPII and RARβ genes. Our data suggest that the mechanism of repression may not involve the formation of functionally inactive heterodimers between TR4 and RAR or RXR. Instead, we show that TR4 may compete for hormone response elements with RAR and RXR due to its higher binding affinity. Furthermore, treatment of F9 murine teratocarcinoma (F9) cells with 10−6 m all-trans-retinoic acid increased TR4 mRNA levels, and this change was accompanied by an increased amount of endogenous TR4 protein that can bind to RXRE in electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Our data therefore strongly suggest that the retinoid signal pathway can be regulated by TR4 in a negative feedback control mechanism, which may restrict retinoic acid signaling to certain elements in a cell-specific fashion.
Solution to the orr–sommerfeld equation for liquid film flowing down an inclined plane: An optimal approach

SUMMARY The Orr-Sommerfeld equation is solved numerically for a layer of liquid film flowing down an inclined plane under the action of gravity using the sequential gradient-restoration algorithm (SGRA). The method consists of solving the governing equation as it is a Bolza problem in the calculus of variations. The neutral stability curves, eigenvalues and eigenfunctions to the stability problem can be determined simultaneously during the process.
Sino-Latin American Relations: Chinese Views of Latin America

In this study we explore Chinese views of their country’s rapidly growing political and economic ties with Latin America. We adopt a dual approach in this project. First, we examine the Chinese press and academic community’s accounts of China’s relationship with Latin America. Our preliminary analysis indicates that China’s overwhelming focus is on the country’s economic relationship with Latin America, while seeking to avoid overt political entanglements. Trade and investment opportunities appear to dominate published accounts of this relationship. Second, we conducted an original survey of Chinese undergraduate and graduate students, mid-level officials, and academics in a relatively large city in Eastern China. This survey allows us to determine how individual-level characteristics such as income, political interest, knowledge of world politics, and views of China’s role in world affairs influence views of the importance of Latin America and future of Sino-Latin American relations.
Opacification and degradation of implanted intraocular lenses

This chapter presents a summary of different causes of opacification/discoloration/degradation of intraocular lenses (IOLs) manufactured from different biomaterials and in different designs. The majority of the cases presented are based on the author's own analyses, but a brief review of the literature is also provided. Different processes leading to IOL opacification/discoloration/degradation were identified and may include: formation of deposits/precipitates on the IOL surface or within the IOL substance, excess influx of water in hydrophobic materials, direct discoloration of the IOL by capsular dyes or medications, IOL coating by substances such as ophthalmic ointment and silicone oil, and slowly progressing degradation of the lens biomaterial facilitated by long-term ultraviolet exposure.
True NOTES TME resection with splenic flexure release, high ligation of IMA, and side-to-end hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis.

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) represents the ultimate expression of minimally invasive surgery. We have developed and present here an initial feasibility and safety study of transanal total mesorectal excision (TME) with splenic flexure release, high ligation of the IMA and IMV, and side-to-end coloanal anastomosis with temporary diverting ileostomy for rectal cancer. A program of full NOTES TME resection with release of the splenic flexure, high ligation of the IMA/IMV, with side-to-end coloanal anastomosis was performed transanally from December 2013 to July 2014. Demographics, preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data were prospectively obtained. Operative components were broken into TME, colonic mobilization, splenic flexure release, IMA/IMV transection, transanal extraction of specimen, and coloanal anastomosis for analysis of performance completion. There were 3 women and 1 man on whom we operated. Mean age was 56 (46–65). Mean BMI was 26 (23.8–30.2). The operation was completed entirely transanally in 2 patients. Transanal component completion of the operation was as follows: TME in 3/4; colonic mobilization in 4/4; splenic flexure release in 3/4; IMA/IMV transection in 3/4; transanal specimen extraction in 4/4; coloanal anastomosis in 4/4. Abdominal time for completion of component parts was: splenic flexure release 4:53 (min:s), IMA/IMV 19:43, completion of TME 13:41. Mean EBL was 194 cc (25–500). Aside from stoma site, there were no abdominal incisions. There were no mortalities. Mesorectum was intact in all 4 patients and with negative circumferential and distal margins. This experience supports the feasibility and safety of a true NOTES TME. The critical anatomic views demonstrated on video affirm the potential of this approach for distal rectal cancer. Colorectal surgery represents the most logical application for NOTES. While highly promising, a great deal of work remains to develop the technique and applicability of NOTES colorectal surgery.
Best, P. B. 2007. Whales and Dolphins of the Southern African Subregion. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom & Cape Town, South Africa, 338 pp. ISBN-13 978-0-521-89710-5, price (hardbound), £139.00 (approximately $216.00).

P. B. Best 2007.Whales and Dolphins of the Southern African Subregion.Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom & Cape Town, South Africa, 338 pp. ISBN 13 978-0-521-89710-5, price (hardbound), £139.00 $216.00. If you enjoy watching whales and dolphins in European waters (or in most other Northern Hemisphere seas, for that matter), you will soon notice that species diversity is rather limited, as are the abundances of those cetaceans that do occur, so that predictable encounter opportunities may not be frequent. A glance at the globe shows that the aquatic realm of marine mammals is much greater in the Southern Hemisphere than elsewhere. Hence, in the southern oceans one finds not only higher abundances but also higher species diversity; this beautiful and expertly crafted book is aimed squarely at the abundant and diverse nature of these southern waters. One cetacean hot spot in the south can be found in the waters around Cape Agulhas. However, author Peter Best does not leave any doubt that in his impressive book his focus is not limited to species of his native South Africa. Instead, he describes in depth all species known to occur between 20°W and 80°E, and from the equator to the Antarctic. This …
Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 due to novel variants of SCNN1B gene

Author(s): Nobel, Yael R; Lodish, Maya B; Raygada, Margarita; Rivero, Jaydira Del; Faucz, Fabio R; Abraham, Smita B; Lyssikatos, Charalampos; Belyavskaya, Elena; Stratakis, Constantine A; Zilbermint, Mihail | Abstract: UnlabelledAutosomal recessive pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA1) is a rare disorder characterized by sodium wasting, failure to thrive, hyperkalemia, hypovolemia and metabolic acidosis. It is due to mutations in the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and is characterized by diminished response to aldosterone. Patients may present with life-threatening hyperkalemia, which must be recognized and appropriately treated. A 32-year-old female was referred to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for evaluation of hyperkalemia and muscle pain. Her condition started in the second week of life, when she was brought to an outside hospital lethargic and unresponsive. At that time, she was hypovolemic, hyperkalemic and acidotic, and was eventually treated with sodium bicarbonate and potassium chelation. At the time of the presentation to the NIH, her laboratory evaluation revealed serum potassium 5.1 mmol/l (reference range: 3.4-5.1 mmol/l), aldosterone 2800 ng/dl (reference range: ≤21 ng/dl) and plasma renin activity 90 ng/ml/h (reference range: 0.6-4.3 ng/ml per h). Diagnosis of PHA1 was suspected. Sequencing of the SCNN1B gene, which codes for ENaC, revealed that the patient is a compound heterozygote for two novel variants (c.1288delC and c.1466+1 GgA), confirming the suspected diagnosis of PHA1. In conclusion, we report a patient with novel variants of the SCNN1B gene causing PHA1 with persistent, symptomatic hyperkalemia.Learning pointsPHA1 is a rare genetic condition, causing functional abnormalities of the amiloride-sensitive ENaC.PHA1 was caused by previously unreported SCNN1B gene mutations (c.1288delC and c.1466+1 GgA).Early recognition of this condition and adherence to symptomatic therapy is important, as the electrolyte abnormalities found may lead to severe dehydration, cardiac arrhythmias and even death.High doses of sodium polystyrene sulfonate, sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate are required for symptomatic treatment.
All Dried Out: How Responses to Drought Make Droughts Worse

Water usage is governed through a variety of mechanisms, including government administration and market tools. In 2006-2008 Barcelona’s region, a water scarce area, suffered a drought comparable to the one faced today by the US West. This article surveys a variety of techniques which were or could have been used to address these scarcity challenges. Spanish water regulations established water markets in 1999 but neither the design, nor its implementation were optimal. In addition to the design and implementation flaws, the response to the 2006-2008 drought crisis shows how emergency measures highjack water markets as a viable solution to water scarcity. Emergency responses bail out urban voters while no structural solutions to make water use in the agricultural sector more efficient are adopted. Neither the urban suppliers nor the agricultural sector has, thus, incentives to participate in a water market and droughts are to be managed using ad hoc solutions. Lessons for the US West can be drawn because that crisis’ responses are no different than the ones that could be undertaken by states west of the 100th meridian to tackle the current drought.
A General Method for Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution of Aryl Fluorides and Chlorides with Dimethylamine using Hydroxide-Assisted Decomposition of N,N-Dimethylforamide.

A practical and convenient procedure for the nucleophilic aromatic substitution of aryl fluorides and chlorides with dimethylamine was developed using a hydroxide-assisted thermal decomposition of ...
Role of hemostatic factors in hepatic injury and disease: animal models de‐liver

Chronic liver damage is associated with unique changes in the hemostatic system. Patients with liver disease often show a precariously rebalanced hemostatic system, which is easily tipped towards bleeding or thrombotic complications by otherwise benign stimuli. In addition, some clinical studies have shown that hemostatic system components contribute to the progression of liver disease. There is a strong basic science foundation for clinical studies with this particular focus. Chronic and acute liver disease can be modeled in rodents and large animals with a variety of approaches, which span chronic exposure to toxic xenobiotics, diet-induced obesity, and surgical intervention. These experimental approaches have now provided strong evidence that, in addition to perturbations in hemostasis caused by liver disease, elements of the hemostatic system have powerful effects on the progression of experimental liver toxicity and disease. In this review, we cover the basis of the animal models that are most often utilized to assess the impact of the hemostatic system on liver disease, and highlight the role that coagulation proteases and their targets play in experimental liver toxicity and disease, emphasizing key similarities and differences between models. The need to characterize hemostatic changes in existing animal models and to develop novel animal models recapitulating the coagulopathy of chronic liver disease is highlighted. Finally, we emphasize the continued need to translate knowledge derived from highly applicable animal models to improve our understanding of the reciprocal interaction between liver disease and the hemostatic system in patients.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Targeted Cell Vehicles to Deliver Drug-loaded Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have been gaining importance recently due to their multiple benefits in cancer therapy in addition to their advantages in other research fields such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Results from several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to home to tumor tissues. The tumor-tropic and migratory properties have made MSCs attractive to be engineered to express anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic reagents for the treatment of localized and metastatic tumors [1-6]. Indeed, over the past few years, MSCs have been investigated and successfully used as gene therapy vehicles for cancer treatments [5]. This success suggests that MSCs could also serve as targeted carriers to deliver therapeutic agents including chemotherapy compounds to treat cancers. Since low targeting efficiencies and short half-lives of several cancer drugs are the major limitations for cancer therapy, using MSCs to carry and deliver drug loaded nanoparticles to cancer cells specifically might overcome these limitations. Compared to other vehicles and/or delivery platforms as therapeutic carriers, MSCs might have more advantages. First, tumortropic properties would make MSCs accumulate specifically at the tumor site for better delivery of therapeutic reagents if using them as carriers. Beside tumor homing, one major advantage of MSCs is their ability to modulate the responses of the immune system or to have hypo immunogenic properties. These properties will help in increasing MSC survival after transplantation. Another major advantage of using these cells as vehicles to carry therapeutic reagents is that the potential use of autologous stem cells faces no issue with the immune responses and would increase cell survival after transplantation, leading to more effective delivery. It is also easy to obtain MSCs as they are present in many sources such as brain, liver, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, bone marrow, muscle, thymus, skin, adipose tissues, and umbilical cords. These advantages suggest that MSCs can be efficiently used as vehicles to carry and deliver therapeutic reagents for cancer therapy. Recently,
Stimulus Control and Generalization

The ability to identify possible sources of stimulus control, and to increase or decrease them, as necessary, is essential to effective autism service delivery. Thus, familiarity with the fundamentals of stimulus control should hold special significance for applied behavior analysts working in the autism field. This chapter provides an overview of some major areas of basic laboratory-based stimulus control research in behavior analysis, with particular attention paid to topics of potential relevance in the application of stimulus control procedures. Defining characteristics of three-, four-, and five-term contingencies are described here, issues in establishing these forms of stimulus control are discussed, and the nature of the stimulus classes that can result in each case are explored. While emphasizing behavior–environment interactions throughout, the literature reviewed here ranges from analysis of each element of an n-term contingency to syntheses of complex human repertoires. This inductive and translational approach stands to be enhanced, however, by appropriate integration of laboratory findings with applications in autism service delivery. The experimental behavior-analytic literature has important lessons to offer those practitioners wishing to better understand the stimulus control principles that can improve intervention effectiveness.
Retinal Sensitivity at the Junctional Zone of Eyes With Geographic Atrophy Due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Purpose To compare the retinal sensitivity at the junctional zone and uninvolved retina of eyes with geographic atrophy (GA) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design Cross-sectional, observational study. Methods Patients with dry AMD were evaluated by microperimetry and Cirrus optical coherence tomography (OCT). The GA lesion was segmented on en face OCT images and registered to color images with the microperimetric sensitivity values. The junctional zone, a ring 500 μm in width, surrounding the region of atrophy was further subdivided into "subzones": Zone 1 at the precise border of atrophy; Zone 2 as the center of this junctional region; Zone 3 at the border between the junctional zone and adjacent "normal" retina. An additional Zone 4 was defined as "normal" retina, at least 500 μm from the edge of the GA lesion. The mean sensitivities of all stimuli within each of these zones (across the entire cohort) were compared. Results In 36 eyes with GA, the mean retinal sensitivity in the various subzones was as follows: Zone 1 = 13.7 ± 4.7, Zone 2 = 20.3 ± 3.9, Zone 3 = 20.9 ± 3.9, and Zone 4=21.1 ± 4.1 (all in dB). Zone 1 (atrophic margin) sensitivity was significantly lower than all other zones ( P Conclusion Retinal sensitivity appears to drop precipitously at the margins of GA lesions. The retinal sensitivity in the bulk of the junctional zone is similar to apparently uninvolved distant regions.
A Critique of the Principle of Client Self-determination

cades following World War II. He will find two major articles on the subject, by Biestek and Bernstein, one of which asserts that the principle is of a religious nature but needs to be limited severely, almost to the point at which the historian will wonder if the result can be called self determination at all, and one that describes ascending levels of desirable self-determina tion but reduces the principle from "king" to "citizen" in the realm of social work
A picture is worth a thousand words: translating product reviews into a product positioning map

Abstract Product reviews are becoming ubiquitous on the Web, representing a rich source of consumer information on a wide range of product categories (e.g., wines and hotels). Importantly, a product review reflects not only the perception and preference for a product, but also the acuity, bias, and writing style of the reviewer. This reviewer aspect has been overlooked in past studies that have drawn inferences about brands from online product reviews. Our framework combines ontology learning-based text mining and psychometric techniques to translate online product reviews into a product positioning map, while accounting for the idiosyncratic responses and writing styles of individual reviewers or a manageable number of reviewer groups (i.e., meta-reviewers). Our empirical illustrations using wine and hotel reviews demonstrate that a product review reveals information about the reviewer (for the wine example with a small number of expert reviewers) or the meta-reviewer (for the hotel example with an enormous number of reviewers reduced to a manageable number of meta-reviewers), as well as about the product under review. From a managerial perspective, product managers can use our framework focusing on meta-reviewers (e.g., traveler types and hotel reservation websites in our hotel example) as a way to obtain insights into their consumer segmentation strategy.
Higher Education Revenues and Expenditures

In this chapter, we look at the revenues and expenditures for postsecondary institutions. As in prior chapters, we begin this chapter by providing some background information on the early work that economists have done to examine organizational finances, and its eventual application to colleges and universities. We then turn to the ways in which economists analyze revenues for organizations, and how this relates to the revenues that are received by colleges and universities. Building on Chap. 5, we highlight the important role that subsidies play in funding the operations of institutions of higher education. From there, we examine the expenditure side of the ledger and how economists look at the cost structure for organizations and how this relates to colleges and universities. In the extension to this model, we focus on how some institutions assign revenues and costs to academic units within the institution using what is referred to as a decentralized budgeting process. Finally, we conclude the chapter with a policy discussion of decisions to close or merge postsecondary institutions and the connection to finances.
Opponent-Colours Theory in the Light of Physiological Findings

The idea of opponent or antagonistic processes as the basic physiological substrate of our ability to perceive colors was originally developed by E. Hering before the discovery of what was initially called visual purple, and long before anything at all was known about cone receptors or the cone photopigments. Hering’s antagonistic mechanisms were thought by him to be neural, and to be somehow associated with opposite neurochemical processes. Moreover, although Hering’s idea was formulated as a three-variable concept, and although he published quantitative studies of metameric color-mixture and was concerned with matters such as intensity invariance of color matches and the influence of macular pigment on such data, he was not concerned with quantification of the psychophysical data base for the opponent mechanisms per se.
Simulation in Limited-Resource Settings

There is a growing trend in medical education toward globalization, and simulation-based education (SBE) is at the forefront of this trend. There are important considerations when establishing simulation programs in limited resource settings (LRS) internationally, including integration of cultural and linguistic factors, scalability, and sustainability and partnership with local in-country stakeholders. This chapter highlights several SBE programs that have been widely disseminated in LRS and which have demonstrated efficacy in those environments. It will only be through continued curriculum development, rigorous program evaluation, and outcomes-based research that SBE has the potential to improve the health of children worldwide and to enhance the feasibility to achieve progress on the healthcare-related United Nations Millennium Development Goals on a global scale.
Einführung und zentrale Fragestellung

Die Bedingungen fur wirtschaftliche Aktivitaten sind in den Teilraumen eines Landes denkbar unterschiedlich. Sehr dunn besiedelten Raumen stehen Orte mit einer hohen Konzentration von Unternehmen und Arbeitsplatzen gegenuber. Ballungen wirtschaftlicher Aktivitat haben unter dem Begriff Cluster in der wissenschaftlichen Analyse der letzten Jahre eine enorme Beachtung erfahren (Wrobel, 2009, S. 86).
An integrated 35kV smart substation design scheme

This paper proposes a solutions for 35kV integration smart substation. Following the standards in IEC61850, the solution is designed to a three-level equipment and double networking pattern. Considering the substation scale, economical efficiency of investment and corresponding to practical needs of 35kV substation, we integrated plenty equipment and features, which indeed, can substantially reduce the amount of equipment and network complexity, greatly cut down the equipment costs, commissioning costs and training costs, meanwhile, dual redundant configuration for important equipment and network is adopted as a guarantee of the system reliability.
Efficacy of group social skills interventions for youth with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Group-based social skills interventions (GSSIs) are widely used for treating social competence among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but their efficacy is unclear. Previous meta-analysis of the literature on well-designed trials of GSSIs is limited in size and scope, collapsing across highly heterogeneous sources (parents; youths; teachers; observers; behavioral tasks). The current meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) was conducted to ascertain overall effectiveness of GSSIs and differences by reporting sources. Nineteen RCTs met inclusion criteria. Results show that overall positive aggregate effects were medium (g=0.51, p<0.001). Effects were large for self-report (g=0.92, p<0.001), medium for task-based measures (g=0.58, p<0.001), small for parent- and observer-report (g=0.47 and 0.40, respectively, p<0.001), and nonsignificant for teacher-report (p=0.11). Moderation analyses of self-report revealed the effect was wholly attributable to youth reporting that they learned about skilled social behaviors (social knowledge; g=1.15, p<0.01), but not that they enacted them (social performance; g=0.28, p=0.31). Social skills interventions presently appear modestly effective for youth with ASD, but may not generalize to school settings or self-reported social behavior.
Leukocyte Esterase Strip Test Can Predict Subsequent Failure Following Reimplantation in Patients With Periprosthetic Joint Infection

Abstract Background Leukocyte esterase (LE) strip test is an accurate marker for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). This study aims to determine if LE is a good predictor of persistent infection and/or subsequent failure in patients undergoing reimplantation. Methods This single-institution study prospectively recruited and retrospectively analyzed 109 patients who underwent two-stage exchange treatment of PJI, from 2009-2016, and had an LE test performed at time of reimplantation. LE results of "2+" were considered positive. Ninety-five patients had 90-day minimum follow-up to assess treatment failure, defined by Delphi criteria. Eighteen patients were excluded due to blood contamination of LE test, resulting in a final cohort of 77 patients (mean follow-up 1.76 years). Results Of the final cohort, 19 patients (24.7%) experienced subsequent failure. At reimplantation, LE test was positive in 22.2% of culture-positive and 4.4% of culture-negative cases. The LE test was negative in all patients who had not failed at latest follow-up, yielding sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and AUC of 26.3%, 100%, 100%, 87.5%, and 0.632, respectively; in comparison, MSIS criteria respectively yielded 25.0%, 87.3%, 27.6%, 85.8%, and 0.562 ( P = .01 for specificity). Kaplan-Meier curves revealed higher failure rate in patients who had a positive LE test at time of reimplantation ( P Conclusion There is a dire need for an accurate diagnostic test to determine optimal timing of reimplantation in patients undergoing surgical treatment for PJI. The current study suggests that a positive LE test may be indicative of persistence of infection and results in a higher rate of subsequent failure.
Conflict Management in Leader Development: The Roles of Control, Trust, and Fairness

This chapter contributes to research on leader development by evaluating how managers can effectively address leader-employee conflicts (goal, task, personal) by applying specific forms of organizational controls (input, behavior, output), by building particular forms of trust (demonstrating their ability, benevolence, and integrity) and by promoting distinct forms of fairness (distributive, procedural, interactional). By examining how leaders can preserve, protect, and promote their legitimacy and authority through multifaceted conflict management strategies, the ideas described in this chapter are presented in an effort to move leadership research past its current focus on singular types of control, trust-building, and fairness-promotion actions to examine how complementary forms of these activities can jointly motivate employee cooperation. The discussion at the end of the chapter examines how the principles outlined in this theory can be integrated into leadership development initiatives.
Draft Genome Sequences of Eight Streptogramin-Resistant Enterococcus Species Isolated from Animal and Environmental Sources in the United States.

ABSTRACT Here, we present the draft genome sequences of eight streptogramin-resistant Enterococcus species isolated from animals and an environmental source in the United States from 2001 to 2004. Antimicrobial resistance genes were identified conferring resistance to the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramins, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, beta-lactams, and glycopeptides.
Towards a Notion of the Ideological Unconscious: Marx, Althusser, Juan Carlos Rodríguez

In the context of the recent economic crisis, scholars have once again felt compelled to revisit the work of Louis Althusser, to reconsider some of his seminal insights, if only to repeat earlier criticisms. Regretfully, however, they remain unable to come to terms with the crucial Althusserian notion of ideological unconsciousness , which they insist on viewing through the prism of the libidinal (Lacanian) unconscious. Perforce, the latter concept, and its associated categories, has then proceeded insidiously to corrode Marxism’s indigenous equivalents from within. The present article traces the history of the ideological unconscious from its beginnings in Marx, through Althusser, to its explicit reformulation, in the work of the Spaniard, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, as an ideological unconscious, understood as the matrix effect of the social formation.
Blind Multiple User Detection for Grant-Free MUSA without Reference Signal

In this paper, a blind multiple user detection for multi-user shared access systems (MUSA) is introduced for massive machine type communication (mMTC). Without relying on reference signal to estimate the channel state information, user traffic signal is detected and decoded via a unique blind detection algorithm. The successfully decoded signal is employed as ``pilot'' for channel estimation which would be refined as more signals are successfully decoded. High-overloading can be achieved for grant-free transmission of random signature selection, with relatively low complexity receiver, which are preferred by mMTC.
With the silence of a thousand cries: extremes of autistic advocacy

In the past year, I have observed a growing trend toward extremes of autistic civil rights advocacy, at least partially characterized by disdain for scientific research and knowledge alongside a pr...
Studying the Statistics of Natural X-ray Pictures

In this article, we have studied and analyzed the statistics of both pristine and distorted bandpass X-ray images. In the past, we have shown that the statistics of natural, bandpass-filtered visible light (VL) pictures, commonly expressed by natural scene statistic (NSS) models, can be used to create remarkably powerful, perceptually relevant predictors of perceptual picture quality. We find that similar models can be developed that apply quite well to X-ray image data. We have also studied the potential of applying these statistical X-ray NSS models to the design of algorithms for automatic image quality prediction of X-ray images, such as might occur in security, medicine, and material inspection applications. As a demonstration of the discrimination power of these models, we devised an application of NSS models to an image modality classification task, whereby VL, X-ray, infrared, and millimeter-wave images can be effectively and automatically distinguished. Our study is conducted on a dataset of X-ray images made available by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Lobbying in the Kaiserreich

In 1900 when the university student Gustav Stresemann made the rapid 100-mile train journey from his native Berlin to Leipzig, he was not banishing himself to a remote or provincial corner of the Kaiserreich. The Saxon Kingdom, where he spent the first decade of this century (and of his adult life), was central in location, compact in shape, small in size. Since medieval times it had been the most densely populated area in Europe, since the Reformation the most Lutheran. Foreign artists, rentiers, and businessmen resident in its lovely capital felt that Dresden’s gems of baroque architecture and superb musical tradition earned the city the shopworn sobriquet “Florence on the Elbe.” Still, despite the aristocratic patina, “everything which gave it importance,” Treitschke asserted, “was bourgeois: science, commerce, industry.”1