cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The evolution of vertebrate Toll-like receptors

The complete sequences of Takifugu Toll-like receptor (TLR) loci and gene predictions from many draft genomes enable comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis. Strong selective pressure for recognition of and response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns has maintained a largely unchanging TLR recognition in all vertebrates. There are six major families of vertebrate TLRs. This repertoire is distinct from that of invertebrates. TLRs within a family recognize a general class of pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Most vertebrates have exactly one gene ortholog for each TLR family. The family including TLR1 has more species-specific adaptations than other families. A major family including TLR11 is represented in humans only by a pseudogene. Coincidental evolution plays a minor role in TLR evolution. The sequencing phase of this study produced finished genomic sequences for the 12 Takifugu rubripes TLRs. In addition, we have produced >70 gene models, including sequences from the opossum, chicken, frog, dog, sea urchin, and sea squirt.
Domestic Violence Fatality Reviews and the African American Community

Cultural competence is important to the domestic violence fatality review process. This article reviews current knowledge about cultural competence for Black women abused by men in the United State...
Clinical Characteristics and Current Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial degeneration of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium. The societal impact is significant, with more than 2 million individuals in the United States alone affected by advanced stages of AMD. Recent progress in our understanding of this complex disease and parallel developments in therapeutics and imaging have translated into new management paradigms in recent years. However, there are many unanswered questions, and diagnostic and prognostic precision and treatment outcomes can still be improved. In this article, we discuss the clinical features of AMD, provide correlations with modern imaging and histopathology, and present an overview of treatment strategies.
A review of sterilization and disinfection in dentistry.

Abstract 1. 1. Although the oral cavity is contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, it is important that we exercise measures of disinfection of our hands, the field of operation, and the instruments we use for oral surgical procedures in an effort to prevent cross-infections and the introduction of extraneous bacteria to which surgically traumatized tissues may respond unfavorably. 2. 2. An effort was made in this discussion to provide some fundamental bacteriologic facts on which the practical techniques of sterilization and disinfection could be based. 3. 3. Since moist heat has been shown to be the most efficient means of destroying bacteria, it was emphasized that steam under pressure and boiling water should be the methods of choice for sterilization of instruments. 4. 4. Chemical disinfectants should be used only when moist heat might be decidedly injurious to delicate, cutting-edged instruments. 5. 5. Pathogenic sporulating organisms which are found in the mouth are few in number and infrequent in occurrence. Under ordinary circumstances, the dentist would rarely treat patients harboring spore-forming organisms and thus he would be unlikely to spread infections caused by these bacteria. 6. 6. Asporogenic bacteria are eliminated after five minutes' exposure to boiling water, although ten minutes' exposure would be safer and more advisable. Spores succumb after ten to ninety minutes' exposure, depending on the type of bacteria. 7. 7. The autoclave can provide complete sterilization in a relatively short period of time. 8. 8. Chemical disinfectants are bactericidal for most nonsporulating organisms after fifteen minute's exposure, but are ineffective against spores and unreliably effective against the viruses which apparently are responsible for infectious hepatitis and homologous serum jaundice. This latter evidence, plus the constant threat of deep needle infections, indicates that chemical solutions should not be used for disinfecting needles for injection. Studies have shown that these virus diseases definitely can be transferred from one patient to another due to a careless technique of sterilization of needles and syringes. 9. 9. After the instruments have been disinfected carefully, they should be stored between clean, or preferably autoclaved, towels in cabinets that are as dust-free as possible. Those instruments not used frequently should be removed from the storage cabinet and disinfected at regular intervals.
Water-clover ferns, Marsilea, in the Southeastern United States

A surge in the collection of exotic Marsilea, M. mutica, M. minuta and M. hirsuta in the southeastern United States has prompted the need for updated identification aids. This study provides an annotated key to all water-clover ferns occurring in the region. It describes and illustrates recently documented exotic species and a previously misidentified western introduction. It details the rediscovery of M. ancylopoda, presumed extinct, and confirms its identification as the western species M. oligospora. Finally it clarifies the status and distribution of two additional western North American species introduced to the southeast, M. vestita and M. macropoda.
Growth of Sesbania rostrata (Brem) with stem nodules under controlled conditions

A series of experiments was carried out in an attempt to produce nodulated plants of Sesbania rostrata with qualities more closely resembling those in the wild than has been achieved to date. When groups of five plants were grown in a controlled climate chamber in pipes containing ∼12dm3 modified Jensen's medium with 6mol m−3 nitrate, the daily growth in height reached 5 cm and at 30 d the plants were ∼40cm high. At this time, the stems were inoculated with Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS 571 and the medium replaced with Jensen's medium without nitrate. In the subsequent 19-d period ∼300 nodules (representing >50% of the potential infection sites) developed on each stem. The nodules increased linearly in size over this time to ∼15mg. Specific acetylene reduction activity, ARA ((μmol C2H4 mg−1 h−1) rose to 45 between days 5 and 10 after inoculation and plateaued; total ARA rose to ∼200 μmol C2H4 plant−1 h−1. Under the conditions described the plants grew vigorously, and reproducibly uniform yields of nodules with high ARA activities were obtained. As outlined, the procedure offers a standard system in which, within a 2-week period after inoculation, individual strains of bacteria can be quantitatively compared in their ability to induce nodulation and N2-fixation. Physiological and biochemical aspects of the nodulated system can be much more readily approached than with plants producing only root nodules. The inhibitory effects of stem nodules induced by wild type and two mutant strains of Azorhizobium on the development and activity of root nodules are described.
Spatiotemporal modulation of biodiversity in a synthetic chemical-mediated ecosystem

Biodiversity, or the relative abundance of species, measures the persistence of an ecosystem. To better understand its modulation, we analyzed the spatial and temporal dynamics of a synthetic, chemical-mediated ecosystem that consisted of two engineered Escherichia coli populations. Depending on the specific experimental conditions implemented, the dominant interaction between the two populations could be competition for nutrients or predation due to engineered communication. While the two types of interactions resulted in different spatial patterns, they demonstrated a common trend in terms of the modulation of biodiversity. Specifically, biodiversity decreased with increasing cellular motility if the segregation distance between the two populations was comparable to the length scale of the chemical-mediated interaction. Otherwise, biodiversity was insensitive to cellular motility. Our results suggested a simple criterion for predicting the modulation of biodiversity by habitat partitioning and cellular motility in chemical-mediated ecosystems.
HipA-Triggered Growth Arrest and β-Lactam Tolerance in Escherichia coli Are Mediated by RelA-Dependent ppGpp Synthesis

Persistence is a phenomenon whereby a subpopulation of bacterial cells enters a transient growth-arrested state that confers antibiotic tolerance. While entrance into persistence has been linked to the activities of toxin proteins, the molecular mechanisms by which toxins induce growth arrest and the persistent state remain unclear. Here, we show that overexpression of the protein kinase HipA in Escherichia coli triggers growth arrest by activating synthesis of the alarmone guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) by the enzyme RelA, a signal typically associated with amino acid starvation. We further demonstrate that chemically suppressing ppGpp synthesis with chloramphenicol relieves inhibition of DNA replication initiation and RNA synthesis in HipA-arrested cells and restores vulnerability to β-lactam antibiotics. HipA-arrested cells maintain glucose uptake and oxygen consumption and accumulate amino acids as a consequence of translational inhibition. We harness the active metabolism of HipA-arrested cells to provide a bacteriophage-resistant platform for the production of biotechnologically relevant compounds, which may represent an innovative solution to the costly problem of phage contamination in industrial fermentations.
TCP over asymmetric CDMA radio links

In TCP-supported traffic flows like file downloading and Web browsing, the connection is inherently asymmetric since the size of TCP data packets is different from that of TCP ACK packets. To exploit the asymmetry, different uplink and downlink channel data rates can be allocated in wireless Internet access through third-generation mobile cellular systems. We investigate TCP performance over asymmetric CDMA radio links in cdma2000 system. It is shown that appropriate downlink/uplink data rate ratio should be determined in order to achieve comparable system performance as that of the symmetric radio links, and the required data rate ratio varies with radio channel conditions, especially frame error rates (FERs). This phenomenon is mainly due to the fact that frame error recoveries at the RLP (radio link protocol) for uplink and downlink channels are dependent on each other. To use our results in practical systems, we propose a procedure on channel data rate allocations for TCP-supported data services in order to achieve acceptable system performance and use channel resource efficiently.
Clinical dysfunction and psychosocial interventions: the interplay of research, methods, and conceptualization of challenges.

I describe the development and course of my research in studying clinical dysfunction among children, adolescents, and adults. This is an autobiographical account that highlights programs of research, career moves, and experiences along the way that were particularly influential. Research on specific topics and the methods to study them were inherently fascinating but invariably led me to broader issues well beyond what I was studying. The research alerted me to how and why current methods, assumptions, and research practices might be constraining and perhaps slightly misguided. My research and specific findings in a given area were not necessarily part of any particular breakthrough but rather helped me see how more, different, and better work was needed. Collaborations with a diverse set of colleagues and models from other disciplines than psychology helped me conceptualize the goals of research on a given topic (e.g., developing evidence-based treatments, reducing the burden of mental illness, promotin...
Parallel simulation of type IIa supernovae explosions using a simplified physical model

A simplified model for simulation of type IIa supernovae explosions is presented; preliminary results are given, and parallel speedups obtained from OpenMP parallelization on a symmetric multi-processor and on a blade cluster are reported.
Absolute CD4 Counts Obtained by a Three-Color Flow-Cytometric Method without the Use of a Hematology Analyzer

We evaluated the Ortho TRIO-Cytoronabsolute system for determining absolute CD4 counts. The CD4 counts in our blood specimens from 100 individuals ranged from 3 to 1,962; the percent CD4 ranged from 1.3 to 62.2, respectively. The TRIO system was biased toward lower absolute counts than a combination of flow cytometry and hematology but showed no bias in percent CD4 calculations.
Los recursos forestales maderables y el desarrollo social y económico en el estado de Durango

This paper analyzed some socio-economic conditions of forest-dependent, non-forest dependent, and policy-sensitive municipalities in the state of Durango, Mexico. Knowledge of the socioeconomic relationships among variables that determine the main characteristics of a geographic area is important for planners and decision makers in both public and private sectors. For example, assigning monetary resources for socio-economic development or business expansion requires recognition of the territory boundaries in which the projects are embedded. The study used 51 variables to assess the socio-economic conditions, including poverty and migration indexes, and its influence on current forest conditions. Durango’s forests are characterized by pine, oak, and other conifer associations. Yearly, the forest production hits 1,8 million m3r and generates around USD $120 million. While this figures position the state as the first forest producer, it ranks seventh among the Mexican states with the highest rate of illegal immigration, primarily to the USA, and sixteenth with the highest poverty index. The study recommends diversify the use of natural resources and prioritize those policy-sensitive counties when planning and assigning monetary resources.
Temporal information encoding in dynamic memristive devices

We show temporal and frequency information can be effectively encoded in memristive devices with inherent short-term dynamics. Ag/Ag2S/Pd based memristive devices with low programming voltage (∼100 mV) were fabricated and tested. At weak programming conditions, the devices exhibit inherent decay due to spontaneous diffusion of the Ag atoms. When the devices were subjected to pulse train inputs emulating different spiking patterns, the switching probability distribution function diverges from the standard Poisson distribution and evolves according to the input pattern. The experimentally observed switching probability distributions and the associated cumulative probability functions can be well-explained using a model accounting for the short-term decay effects. Such devices offer an intriguing opportunity to directly encode neural signals for neural information storage and analysis.
Topical Discussions on Unstructured Microblogs: Analysis from a Geographical Perspective

Social networks today have emerged as hotbeds of online user conversations. Social microblog sites like Twitter have become favorite portals for users to discuss and express opinions on events and topics. Established event detection techniques on microblog streams today are capable of detecting events early in their lifecycle, amidst the volumes of user message exchanges. Techniques have been proposed in literature to identify topical conversations on microblogging portals comprising of unstructured data with no explicit discussion thread, distinguishing such conversations from isolated expressions of topical interests. However, evolutions of discussion topics have not been studied in a geographical context before. In the current work, we identify and characterize topical discussions at different geographical granularities, such as countries and cities. We observe geographical localization of evolution of topical discussions. Experimental results suggest that these discussion threads tend to evolve more strongly over geographically finer granularities: they evolve more at city levels compared to country levels, and more at country levels compared to globally. Our algorithm to find geographical evolution of discussion sequences and the derived insights can be used for information spread analyses and related applications on microblogging networks.
Predicting Selection Response for Growth of Channel Catfish

Estimates of heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations were obtained for body length and weight at 5 months and body length and weight at 15 months in channel catfish. The estimates were obtained from a half-sib analysis by mating 20 males to two females each, producing 20 half-sib and 40 full-sib progeny families. Mortality of fish during the study reduced the number of families to 17 half-sib and 34 full-sib. Comparisons of selection methods were made for body length at 5 months and body weight at 15 months. The results of the study show: 1) heritability estimates for body length and weight at 5 months was 0.12 and 0.61, respectively, and body length and weight at 15 months was 0.67 and 0.75, respectively; 2) from the magnitude of the estimates of heritability, it can be inferred that large amounts of additive genetic variance exist in three of the traits (length at 5 months and length and weight at 15 months) and that selection for these traits should be successful; 3) estimates of phenotypic correlation among the four traits ranged from 0.90 to 0.30, and genotypic correlation among the four traits ranged from 1.47 to 0.71; 4) the magnitude and positive nature of the genetic correlations indicated that simultaneous selection for the four traits in channel catfish would be effective; and 5) comparisons of predicted response under individual, indirect and index selection, show that selection on an index based on all four traits gives maximum response in length at 5 months and weight at 15 months.
Extensible Query Framework for Unstructured Medical Data -- A Big Data Approach

With the ever increasing amount of medical image scans, it is critical to have an extensible framework that allows for mining such unstructured data. Such a framework would provide a medical researcher the flexibility in validating and testing hypotheses. Important characteristics of this type of framework include accuracy, efficiency and extensibility. The objective of this work is to build an initial implementation of such a framework within a big data paradigm. To this end, a clinical data warehouse was built for the structured data and a set of modules were created to analyze the unstructured content. The framework contains built-in modules but is flexible in allowing the user to import their own, making it extensible. Furthermore, the framework runs the modules in a Hadoop cluster making it efficient by utilizing the distributed computing capability of big data approach. To test the framework, simulated data of 1,000 patients along with their hippocampi images were created. The results show that the framework accurately returned all 15 patients who had hippocampal resection with hippocampus ipsilateral to surgery being less than 20% the size of the hippocampus contralateral to surgery, using a built-in module. In addition, the framework allowed the user to run a different module using the previous output to further analyze the unstructured data. Finally, the framework also enabled the user to import a new module. This study paves the way towards showing the feasibility of such a framework to handle unstructured medical data in an accurate, efficient and extensible manner.
Objective measures of perceptual quality for predicting speech intelligibility in sensorineural hearing loss

An objective method to predict speech intelligibility in sensorineural hearing loss of different types and increasing degrees of severity is proposed and validated with experimental data. The novel approach is based on the combined use of acoustic simulations of impaired perception and objective measures of perceptual speech quality (PESQ). Acoustic simulations were obtained after degradation of the original, non distorted, speech waveforms by spectral smearing, expansive nonlinearity, and level scaling. PESQ was used to measure perceptual quality of the acoustic simulations obtained by varying the degree of the simulated hearing loss. A logistic function was applied to transform PESQ scores into predicted intelligibility scores. A set of CV and VC syllables in /a/, /u/, and /i/ contexts was used as reference test material. The method was validated with subjective measures of intelligibility of the degraded speech obtained in a group of 10 normal hearing subjects. Overall, prediction of experimental speech intelligibility through the transformed PESQ measures was good (R2=0.7; RMSE=0.08) revealing that the proposed approach could be a valuable aid in real clinical applications.
Predictors of diabetes outcomes in Mexico: testing the Hispanic health protection model

Given the high morbidity and mortality rate of Hispanic immigrants to the United States, a study of the Hispanic Health Protection Model (HHPM) was replicated with 109 residents in Mexico who were newly diagnosed with diabetes. People with diabetes from rural clinics in Tlaxcala underwent a three-phase interview process with laboratory and weight follow-up over 4 to 6 months following a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes. This predictive, correlational study replicated the HHPM and the previous U.S. findings, including relationships between lifestyle profile, health beliefs, professional and social support, self-efficacy, diabetes knowledge, quality of life (self-satisfaction and impact of diabetes), and changes in HbA1c and body mass index. The study found that participants frequently followed good lifestyle practices while continuing to adhere to culturally based treatment and attribution beliefs. There were moderate perceptions of diabetes self-care efficacy, low ratings of support, very poor understanding of diabetes, continued obesity, acceptable quality of life ratings, and near-normal HbA1c levels.
A Hierarchy of “Confusable” High-Frequency Words in Isolation and Context:

This study assessed the degree to which disabled readers commonly and identically confuse high-frequency sight words in isolation and context. Disabled readers from a university reading clinic and from fourth-grade classrooms were tested for their ability to recognize 22 target words in word lists and in a story. Series of analyses of variance indicated that both groups recognized more words in context than in isolation, and that the clinic and natural school groups did not differ in the number of errors produced in isolation or in context. A Spearman rank-correlation coefficient yielded a very low, statistically significant correlation between the number of errors in isolation and context for the 22 target words. Hierarchical arrangements of words confused in both conditions and words frequently confused in isolation, but rarely in context, are presented. Inspection of these errors suggests that readers relied on visual characteristics of words for isolated word recognition, whereas errors on these words...
Sulfhydryl groups in the reconstitution of ceruloplasmin.

SummaryThe involvement of sulfhydryl groups in the Cu binding and reconstitution of apoceruloplasmin was investigated. Recombination studies in which different Cu reagents were added to the apoprotein demonstrated a preference of the apoprotein for Cu(I) generated in solution by the action of a suitable reductant. The -SH titer for apoproteins prepared by different methods was correlated with the percentage reconstitution obtained in the Cu-protein recombination studies. It was found that reconstitution of the apoprotein was proportional to the average number of -SH groups/molecule in the protein preparation. The results of this study suggest that apoceruloplasmin contains 4 -SH groups/molecule and that these -SH groups are necessary for reconstitution. Under our conditions, native ceruloplasmin was found to have less than 0.5 -SH groups/molecule.
Integrative medicine: A primer

Integrative health encompasses many modalities and has a multitude of definitions. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes integrative health care as ‘‘...bringing conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way.’’ 1 Integrative health can sometimes utilize natural products, such as botanical medicines, mind‐ body practices, such as tai chi, qi gong, yoga, hypnosis and meditation, and other hands-on therapies, such as osteopathic manual manipulation, massage therapy, healing touch, and acupuncture. These modalities may be of benefit for patients with craniofacial conditions and insomnia. Though there are various definitions for integrative health, many practitioners employ a similar philosophy, often based on the biopsychosocial model of health care delivery. This model acknowledges many factors that may influence the health of an individual. These factors include relationships, emotional health, movement and exercise, nutrition, life meaning, purpose, health behavior, and mind‐ body connection. In addition, this model supports that the practitioner and patient are partnered in the healing process. These principles can be applied to patients suffering from a variety of different symp
Equilibrium Adsorption Isotherms of Pure N2 and O2 and Their Binary Mixtures on LiLSX Zeolite: Experimental Data and Thermodynamic Analysis

An isothermal–isobaric column dynamic test apparatus was built to measure equilibrium adsorption isotherms of pure N2 and O2 and their binary mixtures at 0, 30, and 65 °C in the pressure range of 0–6 atm on LiLSX zeolite. The data successfully passed an integral and a differential thermodynamic consistency test between pure and binary gas isotherms. The binary selectivities of N2 over O2 were functions of the gas-phase mole fraction and pressure, and the pure gas isosteric heats of adsorption decreased with increased loadings. Thus, the adsorbent was energetically heterogeneous for both gases. The degree of heterogeneity for N2 was larger than that for O2.
Synthesis and Optical Properties of Small Au Nanorods Using a Seedless Growth Technique

Gold nanoparticles have shown potential in photothermal cancer therapy and optoelectronic technology. In both applications, a call for small size nanorods is warranted. In the present work, a one-pot seedless synthetic technique has been developed to prepare relatively small monodisperse gold nanorods with average dimensions (length × width) of 18 × 4.5 nm, 25 × 5 nm, 15 × 4.5 nm, and 10 × 2.5 nm. In this method, the pH was found to play a crucial role in the monodispersity of the nanorods when the NaBH4 concentration of the growth solution was adjusted to control the reduction rate of the gold ions. At the optimized pH and NaBH4 concentrations, smaller gold nanorods were produced by adjusting the CTAB concentration in the growth solution. In addition, the concentration of silver ions in the growth solution was found to be pivotal in controlling the aspect ratio of the nanorods. The extinction coefficient values for the small gold nanorods synthesized with three different aspect ratios were estimated usin...
To cure leukemia and related conditions.

Cytogenetic and biochemical studies demonstrate that the majority of human neoplasms consists of clones of mutant cells (1-5). In leukemia as well as in certain related conditions such as polycythemia vera and myelofibrosis, the bone marrow can often be shown to be populated by proliferating tissue, the dividing cells of which essentially all bear the same "marker" chromosome rearrangement. When leukemia is brought into clinical remission, normal cells, recognized by their normal chromosome complement, may reappear in the proliferating marrow (6). Their representation then among the dividing cells constitutes evidence that nonneoplastic hemic stem cells (7-9) survived throughout the more florid stage of the disease, but were not proliferating actively. They were not in evidence earlier because of the overpopulation of the marrow by mutant cells, being either suppressed or just not evoked into celldivision cycles. Their presence in a marrow signals hope for recovery of a normal marrow provided the situation is manipulated suitably. The manipulation proposed here consists of several steps, each of which would demand great adroitness and cooperation on the parts of the clinician and the cytologist. In broad terms the procedure would be: (a) aspiration of diseased marrow from a patient whose leukemic cells have in their chromosome complement a detectable rearrangement. (b) Massive culture in vitro of the mixed population of stem cells, many of which will be mutant, but others normal. (c) Establishment of a large number of clones. (d) Screening for normal hemic stem-cell clones, i.e. those both exhibiting a normal chromosome complement (and therefore not derived from cells of the leukemic clone) and being demonstrably pluripotent (capable of differentiating into progenitors of the various differentiated cells of the marrow. (e) Expansion in vitro of these clones of normal pluripotential stem cells, employing culture conditions that encourage proliferation but not differentiation. (f) Repopulation of the patient's marrow with the culture of his own pluripotential stem cells after his diseased marrow has been ablated by standard radioand chemotherapeutic
Mitochondrial Encephalocardio-Myopathy with Neonatal Hypotonia and TMEM70 Mutation

The course and metabolic profile of a novel mitochondrial disease with ATPase deficiency and mutation in the TMEM70 gene are described in a retrospective multisite survey of 25 patients (14 boys, 11 girls) from 7 European countries.
Nervenendorgane der Haut beim Dachs

In der Haut des nordamerikanischen Dachses werden Haarnervenendorgane, Tastscheiben oder Haarfuhlscheiben und eingekapselte Nervenorgane vom Mammalianorgan “-Typ gefunden.
Effects of Stage of Gestation and Uterine Ligation on Ovine Placentome Development and Glycosaminoglycans

Effects of restricting uterine space on physical, biochemical, and histochemical characteristics of ovine placental tissues were studied. Ewes (n = 20) were unilaterally ovariectomized, assigned to either control (C; n = 10) or unilateral (UPx; n = 10) pregnancy groups, mated (d 0), and hysterectomized on either d 60, 90, or 120. Placental and fetal weights and placentome wet weights (PWT) in three placental areas (AI, AII, AIII) were recorded. Placentome tissue concentrations of RNA, DNA, hyaluronic acid (HA), and protein (TP) were determined. Overall, placentome numbers were reduced (P < .02) 23%, but individual PWT increased (P < .05) 27% in UPx ewes. In UPx ewes, neither total placental nor placentome weights, fetal weights, fetal crown-rump lengths, nor PWT:fetal weight ratios were affected by treatment (Trt). In the C and UPx groups, PWT increased (P < .01) from d 60 to 90. However, compensatory growth was confined to placental areas AII and AIII in UPx groups (treatment x area, P < .01). Treatment did not affect concentrations of RNA, DNA, TP, or HA. However, RNA, DNA, and TP increased from d 60 to 120 (P < .01), but HA decreased (P < .01). Histologically, placentome cellularity increased from d 60 to 120 as area occupied by individual fetal chorioallantoic villi (FV) decreased. The FV stained with Alcian Blue 8X. Alcianophilia was attenuated at low pH and eliminated by pretreatment with hyaluronidase, indicating the presence of HA. Thus, increased placentomal cellularity was accompanied by loss of HA from fetal allantoic mesenchyme. Mechanisms regulating loss of HA from FV may support placental maturation and fetal growth.
Developmental approach to injury prevention

Children's developmentally diverse temperament, motivation, and competencies, when viewed through the lens of the agent-host-environment model, help us understand the child's contribution to the occurrence of injury. Pediatricians can use this information to individualize their safety counseling.
Optimal trajectory Output Tracking control with a Q-learning algorithm

In this paper a novel Q-learning algorithm is proposed to solve the Linear Quadratic Output Tracking (LQOT) control problem of a linear time invariant system with completely unknown system and reference dynamics. We first define an action-dependent value function for the LQOT problem after we augment the system and the reference states and pick appropriately the user-defined matrices in the performance index of the augmented state. An integral reinforcement learning approach is used to develop a reinforcement learning structure to estimate the parameters of the Q-function online while also guaranteeing closed-loop stability, trajectory tracking and convergence to the optimal tracking solution. A simulation result of an unknown spring-mass-damper linear system is presented to show the efficacy of the proposed approach.
Recent code development and design standards for cold-formed steel structures

Since the publication of the 2007 editions, changes and additions have been made to American Iron and Steel Institute design and construction standards. Accordingly, new editions of the standards, or supplements to existing standards, were published in 2012 to formalize these changes. This chapter provides a brief overview of the major changes and additions to the standards.
Reading and technology: The bigger picture

Les technologies de l'information ont-elles vraiment pour effet d'amoindrir nos capacites de lecture et de reflexion ? D'autres facteurs sont a prendre en compte tels que le cout des etudes, l'evolution dans la demographie des etudiants et les pressions qu'ils subissent. Les bibliothecaires doivent apprendre a utiliser les technologies de facon responsable.
Model parameter estimation and tissue mixture segmentation by a MAP-EM algorithm

Quantitative volumetric measurement and feature analysis for various clinical applications require image segmentation. Most important clinical features are derived from the borders of a region of interest, which reflects the shape characteristics and volumetric variation of the target. The partial volume (PV) effect renders a significant error for current hard segmentation which assigns a single tissue label to each image voxel. We have proposed an expectation-maximization (EM) framework for soft image segmentation which aims to quantify the tissue mixture percentages in each voxel. By imposing a priori Markov random field (MRF) penalty on the spatial distribution of each tissue mixture, the algorithm searches a maximum a posteriori (MAP) solution for the tissue model parameters of the given image and the tissue mixture percentages in each voxel. This work studied the sensitivity of the iterative MAP-EM algorithm to the initial estimate and the properties of its convergence for the estimation of the model parameters and tissue mixtures in the presence of noise. By computer simulations, it was found that the estimation of the model parameters is not sensitive to the parameters' initial estimate (even with greater than 100% error) if the initial estimate of the tissue mixtures is within 10% error from the phantom values. The MRF penalty on the tissue mixture spatial distribution is necessary to ensure the convergence of the iterative tissue mixture estimation in the case of noise level proportional to mean (i.e., similar to Poisson noise). The noise level and initial estimate error are fully within practical conditions, demonstrating that the MAP-EM algorithm is potentially valid in practice. It provides a theoretical or deterministic solution to the PV effect, and its successful implementation could improve quantitative volumetric and feature analyses.
The Role of Episodic Context in Retrieval Practice Effects.

The episodic context account of retrieval-based learning proposes that retrieval enhances subsequent retention because people must think back to and reinstate a prior learning context. Three experiments directly tested this central assumption of the context account. Subjects studied word lists and then either restudied the words under intentional learning conditions or made list discrimination judgments by indicating which list each word had occurred in originally. Subjects in both conditions experienced all items for the same amount of time, but subjects in the list discrimination condition were required to retrieve details about the original episodic context in which the words had occurred. Making initial list discrimination judgments consistently enhanced subsequent free recall relative to restudying the words. Analyses of recall organization and retrieval strategies on the final test showed that retrieval practice enhanced temporal organization during final recall. Semantic encoding tasks also enhanced retention relative to restudying but did so by promoting semantic organization and semantically based retrieval strategies during final recall. The results support the episodic context account of retrieval-based learning. (PsycINFO Database Record
Challenges and facilitators to the implementation of a sport education season: the voices of teacher candidates.

Background/Purpose: Physical education teacher education (PETE) programs have been encouraged to provide teacher candidates (TCs) with the competencies and dispositions needed to implement a variety of curriculum and instructional models. Likewise, it has been suggested that TCs should have opportunities to practice implementing such models in field experiences that are closely related to methods courses. Given these recommendations, it is important to conduct research on the pedagogy implications related to the inclusion of a range of curriculum and instructional models in PETE programs. The purpose of this study was to examine TCs’ perceptions of the challenges and facilitators associated with the implementation of a Sport Education (SE) season in a 5-week field experience. Method: In this qualitative inquiry, participants were 13 TCs enrolled in pedagogical content knowledge classes within an accredited PETE program. Data were collected through focus groups conducted on the week following the field experience conclusion. The focus groups followed a semistructured format, in which discussion prompts were designed to capture TCs’ perceptions of the challenges and facilitators related to planning, classroom management, content delivery, and assessment of a SE season. Data Analysi s: Data were analyzed using the inductive content analysis stages suggested by Miles and Huberman (1994), along with the constant comparative method. Results/ Discussion: TCs consistently reported the following challenges related to the implementation of a SE season: (a) spending time and energy on planning, (b) establishing fair teams, and (c) assessing student learning. Alternatively, TCs consistently indicated the following facilitators related to the implementation of a SE season: (a) experiencing the model as a student in the 10 weeks preceding the field experience, (b) establishing the routines pertinent to the SE model, and (c) having knowledgeable and helpful supervisors. Conclusion: Findings from this study contribute to the existent body of literature on how teachers learn to implement the SE model. This study provides relevant information related to the issues that might hinder or facilitate a SE season implementation from TCs’ perspectives. This information can contribute to the design of SE-based field experiences in PETE programs.
How wishful seeing is not like wishful thinking

On a traditional view of perceptual justification, perceptual experiences always provide prima facie justification for beliefs based on them. Against this view, Matthew McGrath and Susanna Siegel argue that if an experience is formed in an epistemically pernicious way then it is epistemically downgraded. They argue that "wishful seeing"—when a subject sees something because he wants to see it—is psychologically and normatively analogous to wishful thinking. They conclude that perception can lose its traditional justificatory power, and that our epistemic norms should govern how experiences are formed. To make this case, the downgrader must first isolate a feature of wishful thinking that makes it epistemically defective, then show that this feature is present in wishful seeing. I present a dilemma for the downgrader. There are two features of wishful thinking that could plausibly explain why it is irrational: the fact that a desire causes you to form a belief not supported by adequate evidence, or the mere influence that desire holds over belief formation. Each option presents formidable difficulties. Although the first “bad evidence” explanation, which McGrath employs, explains the irrationality of wishful thinking, it does not transfer to wishful seeing, since experiences are not formed in response to evidence. The second “influence of desire” explanation, which Siegel employs, fails to isolate an epistemically defective feature of wishful thinking, and also does not transfer to wishful seeing. I conclude that the downgrader’s argument from wishful seeing fails.
Numerical dispersion and stability for three-dimensional cylindrical FDTD near the axis of rotation

The finite-difference time-domain method, when applied in cylindrical coordinates, requires special attention when used in close proximity to a modeled structure's axis of rotation. This paper details the derivation of the numerical dispersion relation and stability criterion of this algorithm. This analysis is instrumental in quantifying simulation error sources and in designing the various ancillary modeling tools.
Mechanical thrombectomy for pediatric acute stroke and ventricular assist device.

Abstract Background Certain pediatric populations have increased risk of ischemic strokes, including those with cardiac disease and those dependent on mechanical circulatory devices such as ventricular assist devices. Due to their need for chronic anticoagulation, patients with mechanical circulatory devices are not candidates for systemic thrombolysis and thus treatment of acute ischemic stroke is limited. Case A 9-year-old boy with a ventricular assist device presented with acute onset of dense right hemiparesis, global aphasia, and a pediatric NIHSS score of 23. Vessel imaging showed an occlusive proximal left middle cerebral artery thrombus successfully removed via mechanical thrombectomy within 4.5 h of symptom onset. His pediatric NIHSS 72 h after presentation was 3. Conclusions This case represents only the third report of successful mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in a pediatric patient with a ventricular assist device and the first using the Trevo stent retriever system. Our patient’s excellent outcome highlights mechanical thrombectomy as a potential therapeutic option for children with ventricular assist devices experiencing acute neurological changes and radiologic evidence of proximal vessel occlusion.
Incidence of Meniscal Entrapment and Associated Knee Injuries in Tibial Spine Avulsions.

Background Tibial spine avulsions (TSA) have historically been treated as isolated injuries. Data on associated injuries are limited with existing literature reporting wide ranging incidences. The purpose of this multicenter study was to (1) describe the incidence of meniscal entrapment and associated knee injuries in TSA and to (2) compare surgical and magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings for these injuries. Our hypothesis is that tibial spine injuries are not usually isolated injuries, and other meniscal, ligament, and cartilage injuries may be present. Methods MRI and surgical reports for patients with a diagnosis of a tibial spine fracture were retrospectively reviewed. Type of fracture was recorded as noted in the reports along with concomitant meniscal entrapment and osteochondral, ligamentous, and meniscal injury. Images and reports were reviewed by an orthopaedic surgeon at each respective institution. Results A total of 163 patients were included in this study. MRI was done for 77 patients and surgery was performed in 144 cases. Meniscal entrapment was found in 39.9% of all patients. MRI diagnosed meniscus, osteochondral, and non-anterior cruciate ligament ligamentous injury was found in 31.2%, 68.8%, and 32.4% of cases, respectively. Surgically diagnosed meniscus, chondral, and non-anterior cruciate ligament ligamentous injury was found in 34.7%, 33.3%, and 5.6% of patients, respectively. Conclusions TSA fractures are associated with significant risk for concomitant knee injuries including meniscal tear, bone contusion, and chondral injury. Incidence of meniscal entrapment found during surgery was high, in spite of low incidence of positive findings by MRI. Level of evidence Level IV-retrospective case series.
Seminary Drop-Outs: A Study of Predictability:

Why do some students remain in seminary and others drop out? A study of 552 MDiv students at a mainline Protestant seminary from the years of 1973 to 1986 was performed to attempt to answer that qu...
Diagnostic, Demographic, and Neurocognitive Correlates of Dysgraphia in Students with ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, and Neurotypical Development

The importance of diagnostic, demographic, and neurocognitive correlates of dysgraphia in 1006 students 6–16 years was determined. Children with ADHD or autism (n = 831) and neurotypical children (n = 175) were administered the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI), Wechsler subscales, and reading and math tests. IQ was the strongest correlate of dysgraphia (VMI scores), followed by diagnosis (ADHD/autism vs. neurotypical). Visual-fine motor ability was the only other significant correlate. Verbal and visual reasoning ability, processing speed, working memory, attention, reading, and math did not contribute significantly more to concurrently predicting dysgraphia, nor did age, sex, race, and parent occupation. Dysgraphia was common in children with ADHD (56%) and autism (56%), especially those with a learning disability in reading (71%) or math (72%). The study demonstrates the importance of controlling for both IQ and diagnosis when examining factors related to dysgraphia, which previous studies have not done. Students with ADHD, autism, learning disability, or fine motor problems should be evaluated for dysgraphia because the majority of students with any one of these problems will have impaired handwriting, which needs to be identified and addressed in school. Effective accommodations to compensate for dysgraphia are available to help avoid its negative repercussions.
Ethical and institutional review board issues.

IRBs provide an important role in the protection of research subjects/patients. Research investigators have an inherent potential conflict of interest as health care professionals; as physicians, they are dedicated to promoting the welfare of individual patients, whereas as researchers, they seek knowledge that can be generalized and is applicable to persons other than the individual patient under study. The second goal may be in conflict with the first. IRBs have the paramount responsibility of protecting the rights and welfare of human research subjects. Although the IRB system is not perfect, conscientious IRBs reassure the public that the rights and welfare of human subjects are seriously considered by people who do not have a vested interest in the outcome of the research. By exercising their responsibilities, IRBs promote the protection of human subjects. IRB approval provides a significant affirmation of the scientific and ethical qualities of research, and therefore offers important validation to research and research investigators. IRBs, acting in accordance with the guiding principles of the Belmont Report and within the regulatory guidelines of 45.CFR.46, are intended to provide balance between society's interest in advancing scientific knowledge and the mandate to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects.