cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SPANISH LITERACY DEVELOPMENT: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF FOUR BILINGUAL WHOLE-LANGUAGE CLASSROOMS

This study investigated the Spanish literacy development of 20 low-SES Spanish dominant students learning and using literacy in whole-language classrooms. Students' oral reading, writing, and discussions about reading and writing were observed and examined. The data indicated that the children used a variety of reading and writing strategies. The findings of this study provide some evidence to support the theory that students learn about meaning construction through the use of whole language. Additionally, the data suggest that meaning construction is associated with the individual's efficient and contextual use of the graphophonic system. The findings were less supportive of the theory that students learn about the code through exposure to print and through invented spelling. Literacy instruction in a first language in U.S. bilingual classrooms has been rarely studied. In the past, the research community has focused much attention on the effects of bilingual education on children's later school performance in English, but less attention on the context of reading and writing instruction in the first language. It is important to examine not only effects of first language literacy development on the second language but also effective literacy development practices in the first language. The present study was undertaken in response to a growing trend in many bilingual classrooms toward the use of whole language for literacy instruction in the first language. Substantial evidence indicates that the development of literacy in a child's first language increases the rate and level of development of the English language for limited English proficient students (Cummins, 1979). The development of first language literacy in Spanisli/Engl ish bilingual classrooms has traditionally used the phonetic approach based on the rationale that since Spanish is a phonetic lan
RNA structure adjacent to the attenuation determinant in the 5′-non-coding region influences poliovirus viability

In attenuated Sabin strains, point mutations within stem-loop V of the 5'-non-coding region (NCR) reduce neurovirulence and cell-specific cap-independent translation. The stem-loop V attenuation determinants lie within the highly structured internal ribosome entry site. Although stem-loop V Sabin mutations have been proposed to alter RNA secondary structure, efforts to identify such conformational changes have been unsuccessful. A previously described linker-scanning mutation (X472) modified five nucleotides adjacent to the attenuation determinant at nt 480 [for poliovirus (PV) type 1]. Transfection of X472 RNA generated only pseudo-revertants in HeLa (cervical carcinoma) or SK-N-SH (neuroblastoma) cells. Pseudo-revertants from both cell types contained nucleotide changes within the X472 linker. In addition, some neuroblastoma-isolated revertants revealed second site mutations within the pyrimidine-rich region located approximately 100 nt distal to the original lesion. Enzymatic RNA structure probing determined that the X472 linker substitution did not disrupt the overall conformation of stem-loop V but abolished base pairing adjacent to the attenuation determinant. Our analyses correlated increased base pairing proximal to the stem-loop V attenuation determinant with growth of X472 revertant RNAs (measured by northern blot analysis). Potential roles of second site mutations in the pyrimidine-rich region are discussed. In addition, our enzymatic structure probing results are shown on a consensus secondary structure model for stem-loop V of the PV 5'-NCR.
Tornado warning dissemination and response at a university campus

An online survey was completed by 2,921 students and employees at a large university following a tornado near-miss that required taking shelter. During this event, the university’s emergency alert messaging system was tested. The first alert message was received by over 66% of the sample within 15 min, and cell phones were the most common means of receiving this message—especially for students. Employees relied more on computer instant messaging than did students. Interpersonal communication was also important. The majority could correctly define tornado watch, tornado warning and shelter in place. Age and frequency of use of weather information were of mixed significance as predictors. Finally, over three quarters of respondents reported taking shelter during the event. Being female and being an employee made a respondent more likely to take shelter.
The Social Life of Opium in China, 1483–1999

The history of opium is a major theme in modern Chinese history. Books and academic careers have been devoted to its study. Yet the question that scholars of the opium wars and of modern China have failed to ask is how the demand for opium was generated. My puzzle, during the initial stage of research, was who smoked opium and why. Neither Chinese nor non-Chinese scholars have written much about this, with the exception of Jonathan Spence. Although opium consumption is a well-acknowledged fact, the reasons for its prevalence have never been fully factored into the historiography of the opium wars and of modern China. Michael Greenberg has dwelt on the opium trade, Chang Hsin-pao and Peter Fay on the people and events that made armed conflicts between China and the West unavoidable. John Wong has continued to focus on imperialism, James Polachek on Chinese internal politics while Opium regimes: China, Britain, and Japan, 1839–1952, the latest work, has studied the political systems that controlled opium. But the political history of opium, like the opium trade and the theatre of war, is only part of the story. We need to distinguish them from the wider social and cultural life of opium in China. The vital questions are first, the point at which opium was transformed from a medicine to a luxury item and, secondly, why it became so popular and widespread after people discovered its recreational value. It is these questions that I address. We cannot fully understand the root problem of the opium wars and their role in the emergence of modern China until we can explain who was smoking opium and why they smoked it.
Novel Role for the yceGH Tellurite Resistance Genes in the Pathogenesis of Bacillus anthracis

ABSTRACT Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, relies on multiple virulence factors to subvert the host immune defense. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as an infection model, we screened approximately 5,000 transposon mutants of B. anthracis Sterne for decreased virulence. One of the attenuated mutants resulted in loss of expression of yceG and yceH, the last two genes in a six-gene cluster of tellurite resistance genes. We generated an analogous insertional mutant to confirm the phenotype and characterize the role of yceGH in resistance to host defenses. Loss of yceGH rendered the mutants more sensitive to tellurite toxicity as well as to host defenses such as reactive oxygen species and the cathelicidin family of antimicrobial peptides. Additionally, we see decreased survival in mammalian models of infection, including human whole blood and in mice. We identify a novel role for the yceGH genes in B. anthracis Sterne virulence and suggest that C. elegans is a useful infection model to study anthrax pathogenesis.
Winning hearts and minds: Field theory and the three dimensions of strategy

Strategy involves more than seeking to accomplish goals, innovate, and improve financial performance. We offer a field-theoretic perspective that distills three key dimensions of strategy: the need to accrue and mobilize resources, maintain an organization’s status, and achieve greater levels of power and influence. Strategy evolves as actors seek cooperative partners or come into conflict with other actors who hold competing worldviews. Attaining strategic advantages depends greatly on actors’ abilities to shape the perceptions of others. Actors must be able to win the public’s hearts and minds if they are to gain positions of prominence and to influence the rules of the game that shape who wins or loses. Much strategic action evolves from these contests over shaping key audiences’ perceptions. Field theory, in our view, provides a more holistic view of strategy.
Natural mortality of Asian citrus psyllid (Homoptera: Psyllidae) in central Florida

The survival rate of nymphs of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, was estimated in central Florida citrus groves by reiterative, non-destructive sampling of newly expanding terminal shoots on grapefruit trees. Feeding by D. citri nymphs often resulted in the abscission of leaves and even whole shoots. Shoot elongation was abated when death of the apical meristem occurred. Key predators of nymphal psyllids were the coccinellid beetles Harmonia axyridis Pallas, Olla v-nigrum Mulsant, Cycloneda sanguinea L., and Exochomus childreni Mulsant. Two lacewings, Ceraeochrysa sp. and Chrysoperla rufilabris Burmeister, a spider, Hibana velox (Becker), and the introduced parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) contributed additional mortality. Exclusion of primary predators from infested terminals with field cages doubled the duration of psyllid infestation, improved parasitoid survival by 40-fold, and improved psyllid maturation success (first instar to adult) by 120-fold. The results indicate that coccinellid beetles are the most important biological control agents of high-density D. citri populations in central Florida and that intraguild predation causes >95% mortality of immature stages of T. radiata.
Expanding Range of Amblyomma americanum and Simultaneous Changes in the Epidemiology of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis in the United States

Spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia species are etiologic agents of a wide range of human infections from asymptomatic or mild infections to severe, life-threatening disease. In the United States, recent passive surveillance for SFG rickettsiosis shows an increased incidence and decreased severity of reported cases. The reasons for this are not well understood; however, we hypothesize that less pathogenic rickettsiae are causing more human infections, while the incidence of disease caused by more pathogenic rickettsiae, particularly Rickettsia rickettsii, is relatively stable. During the same period, the range of Amblyomma americanum has expanded. Amblyomma americanum is frequently infected with "Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii", a SFG Rickettsia of unknown pathogenicity. We tested our hypothesis by modeling incidence rates from 1993 to 2013, hospitalization rates from 1981 to 2013, and case fatality rates from 1981 to 2013 regressed against the presence of A. americanum, the decade of onset of symptoms, and the county of residence. Our results support the hypothesis, and we show that the expanding range of A. americanum is associated with changes in epidemiology reported through passive surveillance. We believe epidemiological and acarological data collected on individual cases from enhanced surveillance may further elucidate the reasons for the changing epidemiology of SFG rickettsiosis.
Evidence for presence and hormonal regulation of protein phosphatase inhibitor-1 in ventricular cardiomyocyte

Protein phosphatase inhibitor-1 (PPI-1) has been shown to be present in heart tissue and smooth muscle. Whether PPI-1 is present in cardiomyocytes is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine whether PPI-1 is present and is hormonally regulated in cardiomyocytes. A trichloroacetic acid (TCA) extract enriched in PPI-1 was isolated from guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes. The TCA extract inhibited the activity of type 1 protein phosphatase by 20 +/- 4% (n = 3 expts). On phosphorylation by the catalytic subunit of adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase, the extent of this inhibition was augmented to 4.5-fold. Dephosphorylation of the phosphorylated TCA extract by type 2 protein phosphatase reduced inhibition to 2 +/- 0.2% (n = 3 expts). To determine whether isoproterenol increases phosphorylation of PPI-1 in cardiomyocytes, the TCA extracts were prepared from cardiomyocytes treated with 1 microM isoproterenol and from untreated cardiomyocytes. The inhibitory activity of the TCA extract in untreated cardiomyocytes was 25 +/- 3% (n = 3 expts) and increased to 75 +/- 2% (n = 3 expts) in isoproterenol-treated cardiomyocytes. With the use of a rabbit skeletal muscle PPI-1 antibody, immunoblots of the TCA extract of cardiomyocytes identified a 28-kDa protein. A 28-kDa protein was also immunoprecipitated from a TCA extract isolated from isoproterenol-treated 32P-labeled cardiomyocytes. The immunoprecipitation was blocked by the addition of excess amounts of purified rabbit skeletal muscle PPI-1. Isoproterenol-treated cardiomyocytes increased the phosphorylation of the 28-kDa protein by 232 +/- 20% (n = 3 expts) compared with untreated cardiomyocytes. We conclude that 1) the 28-kDa protein is PPI-1, 2) PPI-1 is present in ventricular cardiomyocytes, and 3) PPI-1 is hormonally regulated. A decrease in type 1 protein phosphatase activity through phosphorylation of PPI-1 may be an important pathway for augmenting cardiac contractility.
Law Liberty and Cultural Unity: Between Celebration and Lament

This chapter reviews some of the common dominators often ascribed to law and literature — i.e., narrative, interpretation, rhetoric — but then addresses the fundamental premise of the overall law-literature movement. This is the notion that there is some mutually revealing relationship in the oddly asymmetrical pairing of a worldly vocational discipline (though one that partly operates as a field of liberal learning) and a revered form of art (though one that generates a professional academic discipline of criticism). I argue that the various sub-schools of law-literature scholarship either reveal or hide certain assumptions about the nature of that relationship and I raise questions about some of those assumptions. Is the relationship one of partial overlap? Of dramatic opposition? Of creative tension? Does invoking the linkage of law and literature suggest a deep unity in a culture? If so, is that unity a utopian ideal of harmony, a dystopian vision of social control? Or is invoking any such notion of unity a diagnostic or critical tool?
Towards Spectroscopy of Partially Coherent Sources

Traditional spectroscopy is concerned with spatially incoherent sources. In relatively recent times, after the invention of the lasers in 1960, spectroscopy of coherent sources has also been gradually developed. In the last few years it was found that spectroscopy of partially coherent sources i.e., those which are neither completely uncorrelated nor fully correlated, encounters certain problems. They arise from the fact predicted theoretically in 1986 and confirmed experimentally soon afterwards that, in general, the spectrum of light generated by a partially coherent source changes on propagation, even in free space. Such changes may take many different forms. For example a spectral line may be shifted or distorted or it may be split into several lines. In this talk the basic physical principles underlying this phenomenon will be described and some recent developments in this field will be reviewed.
Graphical Distribution of Vertical Pressure Beneath Foundations

The most important part of the analysis of foundations deals with the settlement of structures due to the consolidation of ·compressible strata of clay and fine saturated silt located at some depth...
Synthesis and spectroscopy of PbSe fused quantum-dot dimers.

We report the synthesis and characterization of Pb-chalcogenide fused quantum-dot (QD) dimer structures. The resulting QD dimers range in length from 6 to 16 nm and are produced by oriented attachment of single QD monomers with diameters of 3.1–7.8 nm. QD monomers with diameters exceeding about 5 nm appear to have the greatest affinity for QD dimer formation and, therefore, gave the greatest yields of fused structures. We find a new absorption feature in the first exciton QD dimer spectra and assign this to a splitting of the 8-fold degenerate 1S-level. The dimer splitting increases from 50 to 140 meV with decrease of the QD-monomer size, and we present a mechanism that accounts for this splitting. We also demonstrate the possibility of fusing two QDs with different sizes into a heterostructure.
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Responses after Intradermal and Intracorneal Injections

In a recent series of papers Luithlen and Molitor1 have reported that following an intradermal or intracorneal injection of 0.1 cc. of 0.9 per cent NaCl solution in a cat, the response of the vagus either to an electrical stimulus or to a parasympathetic-stimulating drug (cholazyl) is greatly increased. Both vagus trunks were cut, the electrical stimulus being applied peripherally; the drug was injected intravenously. They report that they were able to get a constant series of control responses to electrical or drug stimulation before the intradermal or intracorneal injection. They find that the enhancing effect is not obtained when the intradermal injection is made into a denervated area and conclude that it is due to a reflex heightening of vagus sensitivity, the afferent path being afferent fibers stimulated by the injected solution. It is difficult to see how peripheral manifestations of reflexly increased vagus tone can be elicited when both vagus trunks are cut. These workers also report an increase...
Coupled-State Calculations of H + -H Scattering

A numerical calculation has been performed for proton-hydrogen-atom scattering using $1s$, $2s$, $2{p}_{0}$, and $2{p}_{1}$ hydrogenic states in a two-center traveling-wave expansion in the impact-parameter method. Discrepancies with past work are pointed out and discussed. Cross sections for direct and exchange scattering into $1s$, $2s$, and $2p$ states, as well as the polarization, are presented for ion energies from 500 eV to 400 keV. Results are compared with other calculations using different expansion functions, both hydrogenic and "pseudostate."
Infrared spectroscopy of the mass 31 cation: protonated formaldehyde vs methoxy.

Pulsed discharges containing methanol or ethanol produce ions having the nominal formula [C,H3,O]+, i.e. m/z = 31. Similar ions resulting from electron impact ionization in mass spectrometers are long recognized to have either the CH2OH+ protonated formaldehyde or CH3O+ methoxy cation structures. The H2OCH+ oxonio-methylene structure has also been suggested by computational chemistry. To investigate these structures, ions are expanded in a supersonic beam, mass-selected in a time-of-flight spectrometer, and studied with infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy. Sharp bands in the O–H and C–H stretching and fingerprint regions are compared to computational predictions for the three isomeric structures and their vibrational spectra. Protonated formaldehyde is the most abundant isomer, but methoxy is also formed with significant abundance. The branching ratio of these two ion species varies with precursors and formation conditions.
The Compactness Theorem in Mathematical Logic

(1973). The Compactness Theorem in Mathematical Logic. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 46, No. 5, pp. 261-265.
The Conidial Stage of Coniochaeta Ligniaria: Morphology and Cytology

The conidial stage of Coniochaeta ligniaria is described. In morphology, it resembles the imperfect stages of several other Coniochaeta species. A typical mitotic cycle was found to be operative in...
Embolic Protection for Carotid Artery Stenting-A—No Brainer’

(2004). Embolic Protection for Carotid Artery Stenting-A—No Brainer’. Acta Chirurgica Belgica: Vol. 104, No. 1, pp. 65-70.
Bacterial Contamination of Broiler Chickens before Scalding.

The bacterial load on the feathers (breast, thigh, and drum), skin (breast, thigh, and drum), and feet of a total of 40 broiler chickens from four different production units was characterized after the chickens were exsanguinated but before the carcasses were scalded. Each broiler carcass contained a mean of aerobic bacteria at or near 8log10/g, a level at which the carcasses would be considered spoiled. Escherichia coli counts ranged from 6.3 to 8.0 log10/g, with the highest presence on the feathers and breast skin and lower levels on the thigh and drum skin, and feet. Contamination of the carcasses followed a similar pattern for Salmonella spp., which ranged between 5.8 and 7.2 log10/g, and Campylobacter jejuni/coli which ranged between 6.1 and 7.5 log10/g. The incidence of potential pathogens was higher on the feathers, breast skin, and feet than on the thigh and drum skin. The incidence of E. coli ranged from 42.5 to 100%, Salmonella spp. ranged from 27.5 to 75%, and C. jejuni/coli ranged from 45 to 82.5%. The mean counts of microorganisms on broilers from the four different grow-out farms were significantly different (P > 0.05) from one another immediately after killing, although the magnitude of the differences was small in most cases. The means ranged from 7.3 to 8.0 log10/g for total colony-forming units (CFU), 6.7 to 7.6 log10/g for E. coli , 5.4 to 6.9 for Salmonella spp., and 5.7 to 7.9 for C. jejuni/coli . All birds were contaminated with E. coli , 60 to 100% with Salmonella spp., and 80 to 100% with C. jejuni/coli , depending on grow-out farm. C. jejuni/coli counts and incidences were higher than those of Salmonella spp., and usually lower than those of E. coli . This research demonstrates that broilers entering the processing plant are highly contaminated. Although processing seems to decrease the number and incidence of microorganisms on the carcasses, additional modifications in production, transportation, and processing are warranted to reduce the microbial population on the birds before they are slaughtered.
Fasciocutaneous flap reinforcement of ventral onlay buccal mucosa grafts enables neophallus revision urethroplasty.

Background:Urethral strictures or fistulas are common complications after phalloplasty. Neourethral defects pose a difficult reconstructive challenge using standard techniques as there is generally...
Study of Intermediate-Length polyQ Repeats in Sporadic and Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (P5.053)

Objective: We have analyzed the size of ATXN2 CAG repeats from FALS, SALS, and healthy age/race matched control patients, with aims of refining the range of intermediate and/or pathological repeat number significantly associated with ALS. Background: Approximately 10[percnt] of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases have a familiar origin (FALS) with the remainder of cases being sporadic (SALS). Currently, disease mechanisms for FALS and SALS have yet to be elucidated. However, recent studies have shown a significant association between intermediate-length poly-Q repeats (CAG) in the ataxin-2 gene (ATXN2) and genetic risk factor for ALS. In other words, it appears that depending upon the length of the repeat expansions in ATXN2, individuals can present a higher risk for development of the disease. Unfortunately, the overall number/range of intermediate or fully pathological repeats associated with ALS have been found to vary among studies. Methods: The ATXN2 repeat region from 1,911 SALS/control DNA samples were amplified by polymerase chain reaction using Taq Gold Polymerase in the presence of fluorescent forward and reverse primers. PCR fragment analysis and number of CAG repeats were determined after capillary electrophoresis using a Beckman Coulter CEQ 8000 Genetic DNA Analysis Sequencer. Results: As previously reported, the length of the normal allele for SALS patients was found to be between 20-22 CAG repeats, whereas, the longer alleles in SALS patients ranged from 27-31 repeats (2.41[percnt]). Controls patients ranged from 27-28 repeats (0.48[percnt]). Conclusions: Our findings in SALS further confirm an association between ATXN2 intermediate CAG expansions and increased risk for ALS. However, given the overlap between SALS and control patient repeat expansions, our data indicate that individuals with repeat expansion of 29-33 may carry a higher risk for development of SALS. Studies are underway to compare ATXN2 expansions in FALS and in brain samples from FALS and SALS autopsy cases. Disclosure: Dr. Nunez-Santana has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ryan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lowry has nothing to disclose. Dr. Siddique has nothing to disclose. Dr. Siddique has nothing to disclose.
Mental and physical workloads in a competitive laparoscopic skills training environment: A pilot study

Surgical trainees undergo demanding training to achieve high surgical task proficiency. Abounding clinical and educational responsibilities mandate efficient and effective training. This research m...
Noninvasive Assessment of Cell Fate and Biology in Transplanted Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Recently, molecular imaging has become a conditio sine qua non for cell-based regenerative medicine. Developments in molecular imaging techniques, such as reporter gene technology, have increasingly enabled the noninvasive assessment of the fate and biology of cells after cardiovascular applications. In this context, bioluminescence imaging is the most commonly used imaging modality in small animal models of preclinical studies. Here, we present a detailed protocol of a reporter gene imaging approach for monitoring the viability and biology of Mesenchymal Stem Cells transplanted in a mouse model of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.
Immune modulation by a cellular network of mesenchymal stem cells and breast cancer cell subsets: Implication for cancer therapy.

Abstract The immune modulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are mostly controlled by the particular microenvironment. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), which can initiate a clinical tumor, have been the subject of intense research. This review article discusses investigative studies of the roles of MSCs on cancer biology including on CSCs, and the potential as drug delivery to tumors. An understanding of how MSCs behave in the tumor microenvironment to facilitate the survival of tumor cells would be crucial to identify drug targets. More importantly, since CSCs survive for decades in dormancy for later resurgence, studies are presented to show how MSCs could be involved in maintaining dormancy. Although the mechanism by which CSCs survive is complex, this article focus on the cellular involvement of MSCs with regard to immune responses. We discuss the immunomodulatory mechanisms of MSC-CSC interaction in the context of therapeutic outcomes in oncology. We also discuss immunotherapy as a potential to circumventing this immune modulation.
Many-objective control optimization of high-rise building structures using replicator dynamics and neural dynamics model

Recently the authors presented a single-agent Centralized Replicator Controller (CRC) and a decentralized Multi-Agent Replicator Controller (MARC) for vibration control of high-rise building structures. It was shown that the use of agents and a decentralized approach enhances the vibration control system. Two key parameters in the proposed control methodologies using replicator dynamics are the total population (total available resources or the sum of actuators forces) and the growth rate. In the previous research, a sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the appropriate values for the population size and growth rate. In this paper, the aforementioned control methodologies are integrated with a multi-objective optimization algorithm in order to find Pareto optimal values for growth rates with the goal of achieving maximum structural performance with minimum energy consumption. A modified neural dynamic model of Adeli and Park is used in this research to solve the many-objective optimization problem where the Normal Boundary Intersection method is employed to find Pareto optimality. Sample results are presented using a 20-story steel benchmark structure subjected to historical and artificial accelerograms.
Understanding the Bioinformatics Challenges of Integrating Genomics Into Healthcare

Genomic data are paving the way toward personalized healthcare. By unveiling genetic disease-contributing factors, genomic data can aid in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of complex diseases. Integrating genomic data into healthcare is riddled with a wide range of challenges spanning social, ethical, legal, educational, economic, and technical aspects. Bioinformatics is a core integration aspect presenting an overwhelming number of unaddressed challenges. In this paper, we tackle the fundamental bioinformatics integration concerns including: genomic data generation, storage, representation, and utilization in conjunction with clinical data. We divide the bioinformatics challenges into a series of seven intertwined integration aspects spanning the areas of informatics, knowledge management, and communication. For each aspect, we provide a detailed discussion of the current research directions, outstanding challenges, and possible resolutions. This paper seeks to help narrow the gap between the genomic applications, which are being predominantly utilized in research settings, and the clinical adoption of these applications.
The utilization and effectiveness of citizen advisory committees in the budget process of local governments

This paper examines the role of citizen budget advisory committees in local government to gain a better understanding of what exists, what works, and what does not. Specifically this paper seeks to answer the following questions: How are citizen advisory committees utilized? What influence do citizen advisory committees have on the planning and decision making process of local governments? What variables influence the effectiveness of citizen advisory committees? What obstacles prevent meaningful citizen participation from taking place? Through a better understanding of what makes some committees more effective than others, recommendations can be made that will improve the effectiveness of this type of citizen participation.
Parenting Elders: Finitude, Gratitude, and Grace

Recognizing the urgent social need for elder care, this chapter opens with autobiographical narratives of caring for parents and partner, caring long-distance and full-time. The narratives generate theological reflection on themes of finitude, gratitude, and grace. Parenting elders intensifies the realities of finitude; yet, the very experience of limits can open new depths of gratitude – gratitude for each day, for memories, and for opportunities to practice love. Both finitude and gratitude point to the grace of God. Only God’s grace can generate the strength, insight, and sense of blessing that people need as they offer care. The chapter concludes with spiritual practices that flow from the theological themes: centering on precious moments, choosing thankfulness, and receiving grace.
Biomarkers in colorectal liver metastases

Background Despite a 5-year overall survival rate of 58 per cent after liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CLMs), more than half of patients develop recurrence, highlighting the need for accurate risk stratification and prognostication. Traditional prognostic factors have been superseded by newer outcome predictors, including those defined by the molecular origin of the primary tumour. Methods This review synthesized findings in the literature using the PubMed database of articles in the English language published between 1998 and 2017 on prognostic and predictive biomarkers in patients undergoing resection of CLMs. Results Responses to preoperative chemotherapy define prognosis in patients undergoing CLM resection. There are differences by embryological origin too. Somatic mutations in the proto-oncogenes KRAS and NRAS are associated with positive surgical margins and tumour regrowth after ablation. Other mutations (such as BRAF) and co-occurring mutations in RAS/TP53 and APC/PIK3CA have emerged as important biomarkers that determine an individual patient's tumour biology and may be used to predict outcome after CLM resection. Conclusion Knowledge of somatic mutations can guide the use of preoperative therapy, extent of surgical margin and selection for ablation alone.
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Adolescent Women

To review the current state of terminology, evaluation, and management of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in adolescents. The current terminology classifies the causes of AUB under the mnemonic “PALM-COEIN”: Polyps, Adenomyosis, Leiomyoma, Malignancy/hyperplasia; Coagulopathy, Ovulatory dysfunction, Endometrial, Iatrogenic, Not yet classified. Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is one manifestation of AUB. Complete menstrual, gynecologic, medical, and family histories, together with a thorough physical exam, are critical to the determination of the underlying cause of AUB. Initial laboratory testing should be guided by the findings of history and physical. Hormonal therapy is the mainstay of acute and chronic management of AUB. Hemostatic treatments could be considered. The primary management for AUB is with hormonal medications. Further studies of combining estrogen-containing hormonal management and hemostatic therapies (such as tranexamic acid) are needed given the theoretical concerns about increased risk of thromboembolism in women with difficult to manage AUB.
Some reflections on respecting childhood

Soulevant le paradoxe de la reduction de l'enfant a l'adulte par les theories developpementalistes, d'une part, et de la reduction de l'adulte a l'enfant par la culture populaire de la societe americaine, l'A. etudie le probleme du respect de la difference enfant/adulte dans le cadre de la conception dualiste de l'homme et de l'animal, de l'esprit et du corps, chez Descartes et Kant, d'une part, et dans le cadre des modeles contemporains du developpement de l'enfant inspires par Aristote (L. Kohlberg, G. Matthews), d'autre part
An abnormal clone with monosomy 7 and trisomy 21 in the bone marrow of a child with congenital agranulocytosis (Kostmann disease) treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor: Evolution towards myelodysplastic syndrome and acute basophilic leukemia

Cytogenetic analysis of bone marrow cells revealed an abnormal clone with monosomy 7 and trisomy 21 in a 12-year-old child with Kostmann disease (KD). The patient presented with anemia, thrombocytopenia, and splenomegaly after 5 years of treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The bone marrow morphology was consistent with the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Administration of G-CSF was discontinued at this point. Bone marrow studies 2 and 5 months later showed persistence of both myelodysplasia and the abnormal clone with monosomy 7 and trisomy 21. Monosomy 7 was also confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). After 2 months of follow-up, the patient presented with acute basophilic leukemia, a very rare variant of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), expressing the same bone marrow chromosome abnormalities as observed earlier. This is a rare case of KD with prolonged survival and a cytogenetically abnormal clone evolving to MDS and acute basophilic leukemia. The significance of monosomy 7 and trisomy 21 in KD treated with G-CSF is discussed.
Enzymatic Regeneration of ATP from AMP and ADP: Kinetic Studies with the Coupled Enzyme System

Enzymatic pathways for the synthesis of many useful biological compounds involve the consumption of ATP. We have investigated an enzymatic scheme for economical regeneration of ATP from AMP or ADP as part of a feasibility study of large-scale, cell-free, enzymatic synthesis of a model compound, the cyclic decapeptide antibiotic gramicidin S (1).
Content Teaching and Learning and Language

The integration of language and content instruction is of increasing interest in second and foreign language programs at elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels around the world. Some programs focus on developing language proficiency using content themes for meaningful literacy and discussion activities. Others focus on making subject area courses comprehensible to second/foreign language learners while promoting academic language aligned to the particular subject. Most programs address learners' needs for competent second/foreign language use in school or occupational settings. More teacher preparation and research are needed in this area, especially regarding the selection of which language and content objectives to teach.
Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions Documented in Electronic Health Records within a Large Health System

Background Hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) are immunologic responses to drugs. Identification of HSRs documented in the electronic health record (EHR) is important for patient safety. Objective To examine HSR epidemiology using longitudinal EHR data from a large United States health care system. Methods Patient demographic information and drug allergy data were obtained from the Partners Enterprise-wide Allergy Repository for 2 large tertiary care hospitals from 2000 to 2013. Drug-induced HSRs were categorized into immediate and delayed HSRs based on typical phenotypes. Causative drugs and drug groups were assessed. The prevalence of HSRs was determined, and sex and racial differences were analyzed. Results Among 2.7 million patients, 377,474 (13.8%) reported drug-induced HSRs, of whom 70.3% were female and 77.5% were white. A total of 580,456 HSRs were reported, of which 53.1% were immediate reaction phenotypes. Common immediate HSRs included hives (48.8%), itching (15.0%), and angioedema (14.1%). Delayed HSR phenotypes (46.9%) were largely rash (99.0%). Penicillins were associated with the most immediate (33.0%) and delayed (39.0%) HSRs. Although most HSRs were more prevalent in females and white patients, notable differences were identified for certain rare HSRs including acute interstitial nephritis, which appeared more commonly in males (0.02% vs 0.01%, P Conclusions Drug HSRs were reported in 13.8% of patients. Almost one-half of reported immediate HSR phenotypes were hives, and almost all reported delayed HSR phenotypes were rash. HSRs largely affected female and white patients, but differences were identified for specific rare HSRs.
Ultrasensitive multi-species detection of CRISPR-Cas9 by a portable centrifugal microfluidic platform

The discovery of the RNA-guided DNA nuclease CRISPR-Cas9 has enabled the targeted editing of genomes from diverse organisms, but the permanent and inheritable nature of genome modification also poses immense risks. The potential for accidental exposure, malicious use, or undesirable persistence of Cas9 therapeutics and off-target genome effects highlight the need for detection assays. Here we report a centrifugal microfluidic platform for the measurement of both Cas9 protein levels and nuclease activity. Because Cas9 from many bacterial species have been adapted for biotechnology applications, we developed the capability to detect Cas9 from the widely-used S. pyogenes, as well as S. aureus, N. meningitidis, and S. thermophilus using commercially-available antibodies. Further, we show that the phage-derived anti-CRISPR protein AcrIIC1, which binds to Cas9 from several species, can be used as a capture reagent to broaden the species range of detection. As genome modification generally requires Cas9 nuclease activity, a fluorescence-based sedimentation nuclease assay was also incorporated to allow the sensitive and simultaneous measurement of both Cas9 protein and activity in a single biological sample.
Implementation of a patient blood management program in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Editorial, p. 2763)

BACKGROUND Recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are among the highest consumers of allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) components. The impact of patient blood management (PBM) efforts on HSCT recipients is poorly understood. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS This observational study assessed changes in blood product use and patient-centered outcomes before and after implementing a multidisciplinary PBM program for patients undergoing HSCT at a large academic medical center. The pre-PBM cohort was treated from January 1 through September 31, 2013; the post-PBM cohort was treated from January 1 through September 31, 2015. RESULTS We identified 708 patients; 284 of 352 (80.7%) in the pre-PBM group and 225 of 356 (63.2%) in the post-PBM group received allogeneic RBCs (p < 0.001). Median (interquartile range [IQR]) RBC volumes were higher before PBM than after PBM (3 [2-4] units vs. 2 [1-4] units; p = 0.004). A total of 259 of 284 pre-PBM patients (91.2%) and 57 of 225 (25.3%) post-PBM patients received RBC transfusions when hemoglobin levels were more than 7 g/dL (p < 0.001). The median (IQR) PLT transfusion quantities was 3 (2-5) units for pre-PBM patients and 2 (1-4) units for post-PBM patients (p < 0.001). For patients with PLT counts of more than 10 × 109 /L, a total of 1219 PLT units (73.4%) were transfused before PBM and 691 units (48.8%) were transfused after PBM (p < 0.001). Estimated transfusion expenditures were reduced by $617,152 (18.3%). We noted no differences in clinical outcomes or transfusion-related adverse events. CONCLUSION Patient blood management implementation for HSCT recipients was associated with marked reductions in allogeneic RBC and PLT transfusions and decreased transfusion-related costs with no detrimental impact on clinical outcomes.
An impact analysis of the NEXUS Chest CT clinical decision rule.

Abstract Background The NEXUS Chest CT clinical decision rules (CDRs) have been proposed to safely guide selective chest CT use in blunt trauma evaluation. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of the NEXUS Chest CT CDR to determine its impact on missed injuries, cost, and radiation exposure. Methods We constructed a decision model comparing two strategies: implementation of the NEXUS Chest CDR vs. usual care in the evaluation of adults with blunt trauma. We derived probabilities, clinical outcomes, effective radiation dose (ERD) from the NEXUS Chest CT validation cohort and costs from the Charge-master at the primary study site. Our primary outcomes were cost and effective radiation dose (ERD) per missed clinically significant injury (CSI). Results Using a hypothetical cohort of 1000 adults with blunt chest trauma in each arm, the base case model projected that the implementation of the CDR would result in 161 fewer chest CTs, 0.08 additional missed CSIs, a cost savings of $136,432 and a decrease in 1435 mSv, as compared to Usual Care. To detect one additional CSI, the Usual Care strategy would require 2015 more chest CTs with a cost of $1.8 million and 17,934 mSv more radiation. Conclusions Compared to usual care, implementation of the NEXUS Chest CT Major CDR in the evaluation of adults with blunt trauma would greatly reduce CT associated costs and radiation exposure with a slight increased risk of missed CSIs.
Development of a tool to assess and advance the effectiveness of preceptors: The Habits of Preceptors Rubric.

Purpose Present the research performed to identify and describe habits of effective pharmacy preceptors and provide a framework for targeted preceptor assessment and development. Methods A 5-round Delphi consensus-building process was used to refine the initial Habits of Preceptors Rubric (HOP-R) developed by the research team. Twenty experts in pharmacy experiential education participated. During the Delphi process, feedback and agreement on all parts of the HOP-R were sought, including the premise, introductory content, framework, preceptor domains, habits, habit level descriptions, and continuous professional development (CPD) plan. After each Delphi round, the research team grouped responses into themes and modified the draft rubric accordingly. These themes were used to frame the response document sent to the expert panel for the following Delphi round; this document explained modifications made to the HOP-R. Consensus was defined as a mean score of ≥3.25 on a 4-point scale (4 = strongly agree, 1 = strongly disagree) for posed statements or ≥70% agreement for ranked items. Results In the final Delphi round (response rate, 95%), consensus was achieved for all HOP-R individual structural and content elements except the habit level descriptors, for which a secondary rank order analysis was performed. The final HOP-R has 3 domains encompassing 11 preceptor habits that can be displayed across 4 habit levels progressing from developing to master. Conclusion The HOP-R was developed to assess, quantify, and demonstrate growth across a wide variety of pharmacy preceptor habits. Potential utility includes use as a framework to articulate the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of effective preceptors, facilitate the creation of individualized CPD plans, and assess the impact of participation in teaching and learning curricula.
STEM Education and the Theft of Futures of Our Youth: Some Questions and Challenges for Educators

STEM Barbie dolls, STEM degrees, STEM field trips, STEM communities, STEM wavemakers, liberatory STEM—around the world, STEM and its variants, such as STEAM, STREAM, and STEMM, are at the forefront of educational conversations across many academic disciplines. At the heart of these conversations are questions about how we can best prepare future generations of scientists, science teachers, and citizen scientists for the rapid economic and social challenges of the twenty-first century. For the most part, the science education community and policy makers have embraced the STEM bandwagon. However, the proliferation of STEM initiatives has recently raised concerns around deficit STEM frameworks and hegemonic STEM practices, particularly among science educators concerned with far-reaching visions of what science can and should do. In this chapter we highlight several questions that may pose significant challenges for individuals and groups contemplating or engaged in STEM reform. These questions surround the consequences of a media-propelled landscape of STEM consumerism and include such issues as the role of ethics and morals with respect to STEM education, the reification of traditional gender roles in STEM, and the influence of neoliberal ideology in STEM contexts. Examining ideas surrounding these questions, we challenge scientists, educators, and the public at large to critically examine the role of STEM in educating our youth.
Developing a Formative Assessment Protocol to Support Professional Growth

To promote and support teachers’ professional growth in using formative assessment practices in the classroom, we developed and piloted a suite of materials which consists of a set of rubrics for t...
Emerging heterogeneous compartments by viruses in single bacterial cells

Spatial organization of biological processes allows for variability in molecular outcomes and coordinated development. Here, we investigate how organization underpins phage lambda development and decision-making by characterizing viral components and processes in subcellular space. We use live-cell and in situ fluorescence imaging at the single-molecule level to examine lambda DNA replication, transcription, virion assembly, and resource recruitment in single-cell infections, uniting key processes of the infection cycle into a coherent model of phage development encompassing space and time. We find that different viral DNAs establish separate subcellular compartments within cells, which sustains heterogeneous viral development in single cells. These individual phage compartments are physically separated by the E. coli nucleoid. Our results provide mechanistic details describing how separate viruses develop heterogeneously to resemble single-cell phenotypes. Here, the authors apply live-cell and in situ fluorescence imaging at the single-molecule level to examine lambda DNA replication in single cells, finding that individual phage DNAs sequester host factors to their own vicinity and confine their replicated DNAs into separate compartments, suggesting that phage decision-making transcripts are spatially organized in separate compartments to allow distinct subcellular decisions to develop.