cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of interface bonding efficiency on high-burnup spent nuclear fuel dynamic performance

Abstract Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to investigate the impact of interfacial bonding efficiency at pellet-pellet and pellet-clad interfaces of high-burnup (HBU) spent nuclear fuel (SNF) on system dynamic performance. Bending moments M were applied to FEA model to evaluate the system responses. From bending curvature, κ, flexural rigidity EI can be estimated as EI = M/κ. The FEA simulation results were benchmarked with experimental results from cyclic integrated reversal bending fatigue test (CIRFT) of HBR fuel rods. The consequence of interface debonding between fuel pellets and cladding is a redistribution of the loads carried by the fuel pellets to the clad, which results in a reduction in composite rod system flexural rigidity. Therefore, the interface bonding efficiency at the pellet-pellet and pellet-clad interfaces can significantly dictate the SNF system dynamic performance. With the consideration of interface bonding efficiency, the HBU SNF fuel property was estimated with CIRFT test data.
Uma ética da existência em “Arte de Música”, de Jorge de Sena

A reading of the musical interference into Jorge de Sena's lyric discourse within the book Art of Music, pointing out the way an ethics of existence has been discussed upon matters touched off by incongruence between both musical and poetical systems of representation.
Low Order Empirical Modeling for Nonlinear Systems

Abstract A simple, low order, empirical model structure is presented for approximating the dynamic behavior of single-input, single-output nonlinear systems. The continuous-time polynomial structure chosen for the model is a reasonable blend of the generality offered by nonlinear first principles models, and the simplicity typically associated with empirical linear models. The chosen model structure is first motivated, and its analytical characteristics discussed; three surprisingly straightforward techniques for estimating the model parameters — strictly from input/output data — are then presented. The modeling procedure is illustrated and evaluated with two examples.
Phase II Study of Melphalan, Prednisone and Lenalidomide Combination for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients Who Are Not Candidates for Stem Cell Transplantation

Melphalan (M), Prednisone (P) and Lenalidomide (R) are active in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). We evaluated the toxicity and efficacy of MPR in a phase I/II trial. Results of phase I part were previously reported (Blood2006, 108(11) abst 3558). M 5 mg/m 2 on days (d) 1–4, 60 mg/m 2 d 1–4 and R 10 mg d 1–21 of a 28 day cycle was determined as MTD for the phase II study. Methods : Patients with previously untreated MM who were not candidates for stem cell transplantation, age ≥18 yr, ECOG PS 0–3, evaluable or measurable disease, ANC >1500, platelets > 100,000 and creatinine ≤ 3.0 mg/dL were eligible. All patients received aspirin 325 mg/d as DVT prophylaxis. Routine antibacterial prophylaxis was not used. G/GM-CSF was used at the discretion of the treating physician for neutropenia. Response rate (RR), confirmed on two consecutive determinations was the primary end-point. The study had 90% power to detect a RR of at least 45%. Results : Twenty-six patients were accrued between July ’06 and Feb ’08. The median age was 74 y (64 – 87y), 17 (65%) were men. Six, 13, 6, 1 (23%, 50%, 23%, and 4%) patients had ECOG PS 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Three (12%), 11 (42%) and 10 (38%) patients were ISS stage 1, 2 and 3. A total of 106 cycles were administered; median 4.5 (1–13). Seventy-seven % patients experienced at least 1 grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Neutropenia (42%/8%) and thrombocytopenia (20%/8%) were the most common grade 3/4 adverse events followed by anemia (16%/0%), fatigue (8%/4%), rash (11%/0%), and hyperglycemia (4%/0%). There were 20 treatment delays in 9 patients, and 18 dose reductions (9 in R, 11 in M and 1 P) occurred in 7 patients, most commonly because of neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. Eleven patients (42%) required G-CSF treatment. Eleven patients are currently receiving treatment; 15 have gone off study (4 completed per protocol, 3 refused, 3 adverse effects, 3 unrelated illnesses, 2 other). Median follow up of survivors is 8 m (0 – 22m). Eighteen (69 %; 95%CI 48–86) patients had a PR or better according to International Myeloma Working Group Uniform Response criteria; 3 (12 %) CR, 5 (19 %) VGPR and 10 (38%) PR. Median number of cycles before achieving a response was 2 (1 – 11). Median Progression Free and Overall Survival is 16.7m (95% CI 11.2–23.0), and 23 m (95% CI: 22 – 23), respectively. Conclusions : MPR combination is feasible with a manageable toxicity profile and has significant activity in the treatment of patients with MM who are not candidates for stem cell transplant, with an overall response rate of 69%, and a CR plus VGPR rate of 31%. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was the most common toxicity, seen in up to 50% of patients in this cohort of predominantly elderly patients. Dose reduction in R and/or M was required in 27% patients. No patient developed neuropathy or thromboembolic complications.
Global stability of an α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (TauD) and its related complexes

Abstract Background TauD is a nonheme iron(II) and α-ketoglutarate (αKG) dependent dioxygenase, and a member of a broader family of enzymes that oxidatively decarboxylate αKG to succinate and carbon dioxide thereby activating O 2 to perform a range of oxidation reactions. However before O 2 activation can occur, these enzymes bind both substrate and cofactor in an effective manner. Here the thermodynamics associated with substrate and cofactor binding to FeTauD are explored. Methods Thermal denaturation of TauD and its enzyme-taurine, enzyme-αKG, and enzyme-taurine-αKG complexes are explored using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results Taurine binding is endothermic (+ 26 kcal/mol) and entropically driven that includes burial of hydrophobic surfaces to close the lid domain. Binding of αKG is enthalpically favorable and shows cooperativity with taurine binding, where the change in enthalpy associated with αKG binding (δΔ H cal ) increases from − 30.1 kcal/mol when binding to FeTauD to − 65.2 kcal/mol when binding to the FeTauD-taurine complex. Conclusions The intermolecular interactions that govern taurine and αKG binding impact the global stability of TauD and its complexes, with clear and dramatic cooperativity between substrate and cofactor. General significance Thermal denaturation of TauD and its enzyme-taurine, enzyme-αKG, and enzyme-taurine-αKG complexes each exhibited increased temperature stability over the free enzyme. Through deconvolution of the energetic profiles for all species studied, a thermodynamic cycle was generated that shows significant cooperativity between substrate and cofactor binding which continues to clarity the events leading up O 2 activation.
Impact of Incredible Years® on teacher perceptions of parental involvement: A latent transition analysis ☆

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to examine the impact of the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management (IY TCM) training on teacher perceptions of parental involvement. A cluster randomized design was used to assign 42 classroom teachers to either an IY TCM training ( n = 19) or a control condition ( n = 23). Teachers rated parental involvement (i.e., bonding with teacher, parental involvement at school) for the families of 805 low income students (IY TCM = 504, control = 301). A latent profile transition analysis framework was used to model the effect of IY TCM on teacher perceptions of parental involvement from pre to posttest. Four profiles consisting of various patterns of high, medium, and low teacher perceptions of bonding with and involvement of parents emerged. Analyses of teacher profiles at baseline revealed teachers who felt parental involvement and bonding was low were also likely to rate students as having more externalizing behaviors, fewer social competencies, more attention deficit symptoms, and disruptive behaviors towards adults and peers compared to teachers with more adaptive profiles. Further analysis revealed that parents of teachers randomly assigned to IY TCM were more likely to transition to a more adaptive view of parental involvement at follow-up compared to teachers in the control condition. Because teacher perceptions of parental involvement may adversely impact teacher attitudes towards difficult students, findings from the present study support the promise of teacher training as an avenue for conferring protections for struggling students.
Predicting the 6-month risk of severe hypoglycemia among adults with diabetes: Development and external validation of a prediction model.

Abstract Aims To develop and externally validate a prediction model for the 6-month risk of a severe hypoglycemic event among individuals with pharmacologically treated diabetes. Methods The development cohort consisted of 31,674 Kaiser Permanente Colorado members with pharmacologically treated diabetes (2007–2015). The validation cohorts consisted of 38,764 Kaiser Permanente Northwest members and 12,035 HealthPartners members. Variables were chosen that would be available in electronic health records. We developed 16-variable and 6-variable models, using a Cox counting model process that allows for the inclusion of multiple 6-month observation periods per person. Results Across the three cohorts, there were 850,992 6-month observation periods, and 10,448 periods with at least one severe hypoglycemic event. The six-variable model contained age, diabetes type, HgbA1c, eGFR, history of a hypoglycemic event in the prior year, and insulin use. Both prediction models performed well, with good calibration and c-statistics of 0.84 and 0.81 for the 16-variable and 6-variable models, respectively. In the external validation cohorts, the c-statistics were 0.80–0.84. Conclusions We developed and validated two prediction models for predicting the 6-month risk of hypoglycemia. The 16-variable model had slightly better performance than the 6-variable model, but in some practice settings, use of the simpler model may be preferred.
Dietary inflammatory index and ovarian cancer risk in a New Jersey case-control study.

Abstract Objective Diet may influence the development of ovarian cancer. Although it has been shown that inflammation plays an important etiologic role in ovarian carcinogenesis, little is known about the influence of the inflammatory potential of food consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a proinflammatory diet, as indicated by a high dietary inflammatory index (DII ® ) score, on ovarian cancer risk, in a New Jersey population. Methods Data from a case-control study conducted in New Jersey were used to estimate the relation between DII score and the risk for ovarian cancer. The study consisted of 205 cases with incident, histologically confirmed ovarian cancer, and 390 controls identified by random-digit dialing, based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service lists, and area sampling. Computation of the DII was based on the intake of selected dietary factors assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Logistic regression models were fit to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for potential covariates. Results Although there was no significant association observed in pre- and perimenopausal women, a significant association was observed between the most proinflammatory DII scores and ovarian cancer among postmenopausal women (OR Quartile4 vs1 , 1.89; 95% CI, 1.02–3.52; P trend = 0.03). Conclusion Findings from the present study suggested that a proinflammatory diet may increase risk for ovarian cancer among postmenopausal women, and warrants further study to confirm this association.
Fiscal Theory, Price Level, and Exchange Rate

Government surplus forecasts comove strongly with nominal and real exchange rates. They are the best explanatory variable of exchange rate movements at semi-annual frequency in my post-2008 sample. In comparison, the comovement between government surplus forecasts and price level movements is much weaker. I develop a model to show how price stickiness can reconcile these findings. Because prices are sticky while exchange rates are flexible, nominal and real exchange rates adjust in response to fiscal shocks. This model connects exchange rates to the fiscal side of economic fundamentals, and provides a more realistic fiscal theory of currency value.
Effects of deworming on child and maternal health: a literature review and meta-analysis

Soil-transmitted helminth infections are widespread. Many studies have been published on the topic of deworming. The Lives Saved Tool (LiST) is a software package that uses a deterministic mathematical model to estimate the effect of scaling up interventions on maternal and child health outcomes. This review investigates the scope of available evidence for benefits of deworming treatments in order to inform a decision about possible inclusion of deworming as an intervention in LiST. We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. We included studies that reported pre/post data in children younger than 5 years or pregnant women for outcomes related to mortality and growth. We excluded studies that compared different anthelminthic treatments but did not include a placebo or non-treatment group, and those that did not report post-intervention outcomes. We categorized articles by treated population (children younger than 5 years and pregnant women), experimental versus observational, mass drug administration (MDA) versus treatment, and reported outcome. We identified 58 relevant trials; 27 investigated children younger than 5 years and 11 investigated pregnant women; one reported on both children younger than 5 years and pregnant women. We conducted meta-analyses of relevant outcomes in children younger than 5 years. Deworming did not show consistent benefits for indicators of mortality, anemia, or growth in children younger than five or women of reproductive age. We do not recommend including the effect of deworming in the LiST model.
Optogenetic Control of the Melanin-Concentrating Hormone Expressing Neurons

Since the discovery of the neuropeptide melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) more than half a century ago, MCH neurons have spawned hundreds of scientific studies. MCH neurons are a phylogenetically well-conserved group of hypothalamic neurons. The MCH neurons project diffusely throughout the CNS but only reside within a restricted area encompassing the incerto-lateral and perifornical hypothalamus. Here we review optogenetic studies focused on understanding the functions of the MCH neurons, particularly their role as sleep modulators. We attempted to put optogenetic findings in context with other studies focused on neuronal/behavioral modulation by MCH or its receptors. We also laid a theoretical framework to understand better the data on MCH neuronal activity in relation to the activity of the orexin neurons. For readers not familiar with optogenetics, we also went over major developments in this new field.
Anti-infective chemoprophylaxis after solid-organ transplantation.

INTRODUCTION Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at high risk of opportunistic infections due to bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens. Anti-infective prophylaxis is a time-tested proven strategy for the prevention of these infections after SOT. Areas covered: The current recommendations for the prevention of surgical site infections, herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus, invasive fungal infections, and selected parasitic diseases are highlighted. Recent peer-reviewed publications on the prevention of infection after SOT were reviewed and their significance was discussed in the context of the current recommendations for preventing infectious complications. Expert commentary: The authors comment on the current approaches to infection prevention in transplant recipients, and discuss how these recommendations are implemented in their clinical practice. Notable findings published during the past year were highlighted, and their clinical significance was interpreted in the context of current recommendations. The evolution of diagnostic and immunologic assays was emphasized, with focus on their potential role in optimizing the current antimicrobial approaches to infection prevention after SOT.
Gender and Group Behavior

In the United States, it appears that the glass ceiling has broken. Women’s incomes have risen; among full-time U.S. employees, women now earn 80% of what men earn, compared with only 62% in 1979 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008a). Women have also made dramatic gains in education and now earn more bachelor’s degrees than men do (U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, 2007). Women have greater access to leadership as well. For example, across all organizations in the United States, 26% of CEOs today are women (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008b, Table 11).
A long term evaluation of differential potassium fertilization of a creeping bentgrass putting green

The objective of this research was to evaluate bentgrass quality, growth, and disease incidence over a range of soil and tissue potassium levels. ‘Penn A4’ creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) on a sand root zone was maintained as a putting green. The treatments included four levels of liquid potassium sulfate, ranging from 0 to 249 kg ha−1 yr.−1 K and one level of granular gypsum at a rate of 100 kg ha−1 yr.−1 Ca. No differences in vegetative or quality parameters were observed over the 6 year study period. Tissue K, Mehlich-3 extractable K, and Microdochium patch infection were all affected by treatment, with high-K treatments being greater than control and Ca treatments in all three instances. Near-daily turfgrass harvest resulted in much greater K removal than was estimated to be available from the pools extracted by Mehlich-3 and 1 M HNO3, suggesting that K became plant-available from more recalcitrant pool. Traditional soil testing methods may be inadequate for determining plant-available K in sand root zones. Total soil K analysis of the 0-K treatment indicated an increase in K during the study period, likely as a result of regular additions of sand via topdressing. Weathering of mineral K likely provided sufficient K to compensate for the lack of fertilizer.
The pervasiveness of macropinocytosis in oncological malignancies

In tumour cells, macropinocytosis functions as an amino acid supply route and supports cancer cell survival and proliferation. Initially demonstrated in oncogenic KRAS-driven models of pancreatic cancer, macropinocytosis triggers the internalization of extracellular proteins via discrete endocytic vesicles called macropinosomes. The incoming protein cargo is targeted for lysosome-dependent degradation, causing the intracellular release of amino acids. These protein-derived amino acids support metabolic fitness by contributing to the intracellular amino acid pools, as well as to the biosynthesis of central carbon metabolites. In this way, macropinocytosis represents a novel amino acid supply route that tumour cells use to survive the nutrient-poor conditions of the tumour microenvironment. Macropinocytosis has also emerged as an entry mechanism for a variety of nanomedicines, suggesting that macropinocytosis regulation in the tumour setting can be harnessed for the delivery of anti-cancer therapeutics. A slew of recent studies point to the possibility that macropinocytosis is a pervasive feature of many different tumour types. In this review, we focus on the role of this important uptake mechanism in a variety of cancers and highlight the main molecular drivers of macropinocytosis in these malignancies. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Macropinocytosis'.
Coloring the square of a sparse graph G with almost Δ(G) colors

Abstract For a graph G , let G 2 be the graph with the same vertex set as G and x y ∈ E ( G 2 ) when x ≠ y and d G ( x , y ) ≤ 2 . Bonamy, Leveque, and Pinlou conjectured that if mad ( G ) 4 − 2 c + 1 and Δ ( G ) is large, then χ l ( G 2 ) ≤ Δ ( G ) + c . We prove that if c ≥ 3 , mad ( G ) 4 − 4 c + 1 , and Δ ( G ) is large, then χ l ( G 2 ) ≤ Δ ( G ) + c . Dvořak, Kral’, Nejedlý, and Skrekovski conjectured that χ ( G 2 ) ≤ Δ ( G ) + 2 when Δ ( G ) is large and G is planar with girth at least 5 ; our result implies χ ( G 2 ) ≤ Δ ( G ) + 6 .
Longitudinal relations between substance use abstinence motivations and substance use behaviors in adolescence: A self-determination theory approach.

Objective We employed self-determination theory (SDT) as a framework for examining longitudinal relations between adolescents' motivations to abstain from substances and their subsequent substance use. Method Participants were 475 adolescents in the United States. The data came from annual surveys following adolescents from age 16 to 19. The measures included self-reports of controlled and autonomous motivations to abstain from substances, as well as substance use frequency. Results We used structural equation modeling to estimate autoregressive cross-lagged models of controlled and autonomous abstinence motivations predicting substance use a year later (with 3 years of data on abstinence motivations and 4 years of data on substance use). Autonomous motivation predicted decreases in substance use, while controlled motivation predicted increases. Follow-up analyses also revealed that relations between abstinence motivations and substance use increase in strength with greater time lags, and decreases in autonomous abstinence motivation partially mediate the link between controlled abstinence motivation and later substance use. Conclusions This study demonstrated the usefulness of SDT in understanding motivations to abstain from substance use during adolescence. In line with this theoretical approach, autonomous motivations for abstinence were adaptive while controlled motivations for abstinence were maladaptive.
Numerical forcing scheme to generate passive scalar mixing on the centerline of turbulent round jets in a triply periodic box

Numerical studies of passive scalars in three-dimensional (3D) periodic box turbulence have often used arbitrary scalar forcing schemes to sustain the variance. These existing methods represent certain flow configurations, but they have not been derived using specific velocity and scalar profiles. In this work, a forcing technique is devised to generate centerline scalar mixing of round jets in a triply periodic box. It is derived from the scalar transport equation using a Reynolds-like decomposition of the scalar field. The equation is closed by applying the known mean velocity and scalar profiles of axisymmetric jets. The result is a combination of a mean gradient term and a linear scalar term. Direct numerical simulations at different Reλ have been performed with these source terms for unity Schmidt numbers. Scalar flux values and scaling exponents of energy spectra from simulations are comparable to experimental values. In addition, a dimensional analysis shows that the normalized scalar statistics, such as variance, flux, and dissipation rate, should only be a function of Reynolds number; indeed, such quantities computed from our simulations approach constant values as the Reynolds number increases. The effects of velocity forcing on scalar fields are also investigated; changing velocity forcing terms may result in unstable scalar fields even under the same scalar forcing. It may indicate that an appropriate relation between the velocity and scalar forcing schemes can help producing a proper scalar mixing environment.
Life-history variation in a native perennial grass (Tridens flavus): reproductive allocation, biomass partitioning, and allometry

Investment of limited resources into reproduction is a common feature of plants; coadapted life-history traits function as adaptations that have evolved to maximize fitness. There is currently little known about reproductive allocation (RA) of perennial grasses as a component of a partitioning strategy evolved to optimize sexual reproduction or about how RA may be related allometrically to vegetative size. This study examined variation in RA, biomass partitioning, and allometry in populations of a caespitose perennial grass (Tridens flavus) native to eastern North America. Plants reared from seeds of five populations in central New Jersey, USA, were planted in July 2015 into two undisturbed gardens 30 m apart that differed in availability of sunlight and soil moisture. After 3 years, data were collected on number of seeds (fecundity) and dry mass of seeds, panicles, culms, and leaves. RA (seed mass/vegetative mass) was significantly higher (13.1%) in the garden with higher light and lower soil moisture compared to the other garden in which RA was lower (9.1%) and varied significantly among populations. Fecundity was tightly correlated with vegetative mass in both gardens. A weak, but significant, trade-off between seed mass and number occurred in the garden with lower light and higher soil moisture. RA was positively correlated with relative fitness in both gardens. This research illustrates how population differentiation in reproductive allocation and partitioning may be revealed only in specific environments. Relatively high investment in seed production is important for recruitment and expansion of caespitose perennial grasses throughout successional habitats.
Post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation using virtual reality interventions: Do outcome measures assess extent or type of motor improvement?

Post-stroke upper limb motor improvement continues to remain sub-optimal in a significant proportion of individuals sustaining a stroke. Efforts to enhance UL motor improvement have led to the use of evidence-based interventions including virtual reality technology. The effects of interventions on motor impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions are commonly assesses using clinical outcomes. Majority of the clinical outcomes focus on the extent of motor improvement (i.e. how much). Information on the type (i.e. how) of recovery can be obtained by using a selected few clinical outcomes and movement pattern kinematic measures. The study objective was to characterize the outcomes used to assess the effects of virtual reality interventions in terms of quantifying the extent and type of upper limb motor improvement. We reviewed the published literature on the effects of virtual reality (VR) based interventions to enhance UL motor improvements. Outcomes from the retrieved studies were initially classified under the appropriate International Classification of Functioning categories. We then categorized the outcomes into those quantifying into type or extent of motor improvement based on existing evidence. We found 100 papers that investigated the effects of virtual reality interventions to enhance post-stroke UL motor improvement. Forty two different outcome measures were used across the 100 studies. Seventeen different outcomes assessed impairments, 16 were used to measure activity limitations and 6 measured participation restrictions and the effects of contextual factors. The Fugl Meyer Assessment, Wolf Motor Function Test and Stroke Impact Scale were most commonly used across the three categories. Of the retrieved 100 studies, 48 used an outcome that considered the type of recovery. Although a smaller proportion, 17 studies included outcomes of movement patterns. The use of outcomes considering the type of recovery is steadily increasing in studies using VR for post-stroke UL rehabilitation.
Neonatal Airway pressure release ventilation

Purpose: Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is a relatively new mode of ventilation in neonates, that is able to achieve high mean airway pressures (MPaw) with lower peak pressures as compared to conventional synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV). It has also been associated with a favorable hemodynamic profile and improved patient comfort. Our hypothesis is that APRV is comparable in survival rates to high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) as a rescue mode of ventilation in neonates that fail SIMV. …
End of life care for patients with meningioma

Palliative care (PC) supports patient with serious illnesses and can help patients with meningioma through the phases of their clinical trajectory, from initial diagnosis through the last hours of life. The PC team implements a multimodal transdisciplinary approach to address physical, psychosocial, and spiritual suffering with patients and their families, while also fostering constructive communication with the many health care providers involved. To achieve these goals the PC core team is comprised of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, social workers, and spiritual care providers who are trained to take care of patients with serious illnesses and to provide support to their families. The PC intervention can be instituted concurrently with all other treatments including those with a curative intent, and symptom management can be implemented while at the same time addressing reversible causes of distress. PC is practiced in acute care centers and long-term care facilities, usually by a consulting team, but other settings include outpatient clinics and home. When patients experience recurrence of their tumor and their life expectancy is shortened to 6 months or less, a hospice can provide the same transdisciplinary support by focusing on quality of life and symptom management for the patient while assisting the family through the clinical course and providing professional bereavement services after the patient's death.
Defining Moments of Summer Camp Experiences: An Exploratory Study With Youth in Early Adolescence

Interest in both the objective dimension and the subjective dimension of summer camp experiences has grown among camp scholars. As a building block for understanding subjective elements of summer camp experiences, discrete defining moments may provide insights into linkages between what program providers deliver and the experiences that youth receive. This study identified defining moments of summer camp experiences and examined when defining moments occurred, using interviews conducted with 21 youth in early adolescence immediately following camp. Themes derived from the data suggest that moments involving novelty, challenge, friend-making, tradition, achievement, positivity, and emotional safety are most salient. Practitioners can use the study findings to more intentionally design memorable and meaningful summer camp experiences. Researchers can build on these exploratory findings to examine defining moments of camp experiences across other samples of camp participants.Subscribe to JOREL
Augmenting CASI® BRDF measurement device to measure out-of-plane scatter with CCD pixel array

For a given material, the bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) spatially describes how much light from any given incident direction reflects into each possible scattered direction. One common simplification in both BRDF measurement and modeling is to assume that material reflectance is isotropic throughout the scattered hemisphere with respect to the azimuthal direction. However, in reality, many materials with directionally-dependent surface characteristics, such as milled metals, are likely to exhibit anisotropic BRDFs, particularly noticeable near specular peaks. Scatter measurement devices similar to the modified Complete Angle Scatter Instrument® (CASI®) operated at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) are capable of direct specular measurements with high spatial resolution, but constrained within the plane of incidence. Anisotropic measurement techniques often sacrifice spatial resolution, particularly near specular peaks. In this work, AFIT's CASI® is augmented by installing a scientfic-grade monochrome charge-coupled device (CCD) camera on the detector arm, whose pixel array captures both in-plane and out-of-plane specular scatter measurements with high spatial resolution. Camera mounting and alignment processes are presented, including required beam attenuation for the visible red helium neon laser source used. The beam signature is measured and characterized, and the camera's effective dynamic range is extended using various exposure times. Beam signature is converted from raw digital counts to BRDF values, providing the baseline for an idealized perfectly specular material. Ultimately, this work is expected to lead towards improvements in measuring and modeling BRDFs for materials exhibiting anisotropic or out-of-plane reflectance properties for a range of radiometric remote sensing applications.
The landscape of accessible chromatin in quiescent and post-myocardial infarction cardiac fibroblasts

Abstract After myocardial infarction, quiescent cardiac fibroblasts are activated and undergo multiple proliferation and differentiation events, which contribute to the extracellular matrix remodeling of the infarcted myocardium. We recently found that cardiac fibroblasts of different differentiation states had distinct expression profiles closely related to their functions. Gene expression is directly regulated by chromatin state. However, the role of chromatin reorganization in the drastic gene expression changes during post-MI differentiation of cardiac fibroblast has not been revealed. In this study, the gene expression profiling and genome-wide mapping of accessible chromatin in mouse cardiac fibroblasts isolated from uninjured hearts and the infarcts at different time points were performed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq), respectively. ATAC-seq peaks were highly enriched in the promoter area and distal areas where enhancers might be located. A positive correlation was identified between the transcription level and promoter accessibility for many dynamically expressed genes. In addition, it was found that DNA methylation may contribute to the post-MI chromatin remodeling and gene expression in cardiac fibroblasts. Integrated analysis of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq datasets also identified transcription factors that possibly contributed to the differential gene expression between cardiac fibroblasts of different states.
Discrepancy between patient-reported and clinician-documented symptoms for myocardial perfusion imaging: initial findings from a prospective registry.

BACKGROUND Occasionally, the symptoms reported by patients disagree with those documented in the medical record. We designed the Patient Centered Assessment of Symptoms (PCAS) registry to measure discrepancies between patient-reported and clinician-documented symptoms. OBJECTIVE Use patient-derived symptoms data to measure discrepancies with clinical documentation. METHODS The PCAS registry captured data from a prospective cohort of patients undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and includes free response and structured questions to gauge symptoms. Clinician-documented symptoms were extracted from the patients' medical records. The appropriateness of testing was determined twice: once using the patient-reported symptoms and once using the clinician-documented symptoms. RESULTS A total of 90 subjects were enrolled, among whom diabetes (36.7%), prior coronary disease (28.9%), hypertension (80.0%) and hyperlipidemia (85.6%) were common. Percentage of patient-reported symptoms compared to clinician-documented symptoms and agreement were as follows: chest pain (patient 29.0%, clinician 36.6%, moderate [kappa = 0.54]), chest pressure (patient 18.3%, clinician 10.8%, fair [kappa = 0.27]), dyspnea (patient 41.0%, clinician 36.6%, fair [kappa = 0.28]), onset with exertion (patient 61.7%, clinician 59.6%, slight [kappa = 0.17]), symptoms same as prior coronary artery disease (patient 46.2%, clinician 15.3%, slight [kappa = 0.01]). As a result of these inconsistencies, appropriateness ratings were different for 13.3% (n = 12) subjects. CONCLUSION In this prospective registry of patients undergoing MPI, we observed substantial disagreements between patient-reported and clinician-documented symptoms. Disagreement resulted in a considerable proportion of MPI appropriateness ratings also being incongruous.
A global examination of country-level factors impacting corruption

Corruption is a widely discussed phenomenon in news media, public policy debates, among social activists and within governments. In recent years, it has been suggested that greater use of digital t...
The development of ambitious instruction: How beginning elementary teachers’ preparation experiences are associated with their mathematics and English language arts instructional practices

Abstract This study of 83 graduates from 5 elementary teacher education programs found that elementary candidates' opportunities to learn general teaching methods were positively associated with their enactment as first-year teachers of ambitious mathematics and English language arts (ELA) practices. Opportunities to practice content-specific instructional strategies during student teaching were positively associated with first-year teachers' enactment of ambitious mathematics practices, but negatively associated with classroom management in mathematics and disciplinary demand in ELA. First-year teachers' classroom management was positively associated with enactment of ambitious instruction in both subjects. In sum, we identify several learning opportunities that support first-year teachers’ ambitious instruction.
Sociomateriality in the Sandbox: Visually Oriented Documenting Practices of Young Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs are important drivers of innovation. Their work is highly creative while also requiring a distinct paper trail for processes such as incorporation of a business, filing of patents, and management of shifting resources. In order for entrepreneurial team members to interact in productive and creative ways, they need to establish shared and stable frames of reference, a sociomaterial field to support collaborative decision-making and coordination. This paper explores how young entrepreneurs build a sociomaterial field as they form their organization. In doing so, the authors draw on three bodies of work: document theory, presence/absence as articulated by John Law and visual materiality. Through exploratory analysis of an in-depth field study of a 12-week bootcamp for student entrepreneurs organized by a research university in the Northeast the authors describe three types of document oscillations emerging as the entrepreneurs build their sociomaterial fields: 1) Personal, Collaborative, Custodial; 2) Aspirational, Operationalized, Contractual, Standardized; 3) Temporary, In Progress, Stable. The approach developed in this paper contributes to the sociomaterial literature by highlighting the oscillating nature of visual materiality.
The Younger Doctrine: Reconstructing Reconstruction

Before the 1974 Term, it was still barely plausible to declare that "in first amendment cases Younger should be discarded. The sooner the better." Such a statement now would be tantamount to complaining about gravity or the second law of thermodynamics. By the end of the 1974 Term, the Court had gone so far in attempting to pump the principles of Younger into every cranny of the dual-court structure that, however unfortunate the policy or inept its implementation, the process was more likely to continue than to abate. The Court has gone still further since - too far to pull back without having to be candid and conscious, not only of what it has done, but of what it would then be doing. It has not been able to declare itself openly as it has advanced, and no issue relating to Younger has been joined to date with the requisite equipoise of votes that would require or even enable it to do so in retreat.
Enterprise Resource Planning Systems: Systems and Technology Background

The purpose of this chapter is to provide some brief background information on systems and technology to facilitate understanding of ERP issues. In order to do that, some background on computing, networking, databases, software, software choice, and reengineering is provided. Within each category, the background information is applied to some related ERP (in particular, SAP) concepts in order to tie the background material directly to ERP. Computing Historically, enterprise computing was heavily mainframe based. In roughly 1993 (see e.g. Frye 1994), client server versions of enterprise computing applications began to be more available. Mainframe Computing In a mainframe computing environment, all the computing is done on a single computer (box). Typically, this is handled by allowing users to share (e.g., via time sharing) the computing resource – the mainframe computer. The user would typically be at a terminal that had no computing capabilities (or at a personal computer that emulated a terminal). Client Server Computing Over time, the user began to have increasing computing capabilities locally. As a result, computing began to shift some of the processing to the user's computing facilities. This ultimately resulted in what is now called “client server” computing, where client and server are linked so that the computing and storage can be distributed between the client and the server. The term “client” refers to the user's computer, while the “server” refers to some other (e.g., centrally located) computing source that provides computing resources, software, or data.
What are we trying to measure? The problems of case ascertainment

To determine the incidence of a particular phenomenon, one has to know how that phenomenon is defined. The term "shaken baby syndrome" (SBS) came into general usage in the 1980s, followed by shaken impact syndrome (SIS), inflicted childhood neurotrauma, abusive head trauma (AHT), inflicted traumatic brain injury (inflicted TBI), non-accidental head injury (NAHI), and others. Several means of defining this clinical syndrome have been suggested. Keenan has proposed a research definition. Minns has offered a pure clinical definition, and Livingston and Childs suggest a definition that combines the clinical and radiologic features with the history of events leading to the condition. By using these definitions, eight articles describing SBS, published in the last 20 years, were analyzed for these characteristics. A definition of shaken baby syndrome reflecting the common themes in these clinical reports is offered.
The Regulation of Sympathetic Outflow in Heart Failure

Abstract: Sympatho-excitation is a hallmark of the chronic heart failure (CHF) state. It has long been assumed that this sympatho-excitation is mediated by a reduction in sensory input from cardiopulmonary and arterial baroreceptors. However, recent data suggest that these reflexes may only be important in the initiation of the sympatho-excitatory state and may not be necessary for the sustained increase in sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in CHF. Two humoral factors that can influence SNA are nitric oxide (NO) and angiotensin II (AngII). Animals with CHF exhibit a downregulation in central gene expression for the neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). In addition, blockade of AngII receptors in combination with NO donation reduces SNA in animals with CHF, while NO donation alone has no effect on SNA. Chronic exercise training (EX) reduces both plasma AngII and SNA in rabbits with CHF while improving baroreflex function. Blockade of AT1 receptors enhances baroreflex function in non-EX CHF rabbits, but has little effect in EX CHF rabbits. These data suggest that the sympatho-excitatory state that is typical of CHF is, in part, due to changes in AngII and NO. Depressed baroreflex function and the elevated SNA can be improved by EX in animals with CHF.
Symposium on Pursuing Racial Fairness in Criminal Justice: Twenty Years after McCleskey v. Kemp

Last year marked the twentieth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in McCleskey v. Kemp, a case whose ramifications for the pursuit of racial equality within criminal justice are still felt today. McCleskey set an impossibly high bar for constitutionally-based challenges seeking fundamental racial fairness in capital punishment. The McCleskey decision strengthened a jurisprudential climate that shifted and increased the burden onto defendants seeking constitutional relief from discriminatory and biased decisions at every step of the criminal justice process, from arrest to conviction and punishment. The McCleskey court articulated a crime-control rationale for tolerance of error and refused to confront the racial disparities inherent in those errors, offering an affirmative argument for the institutionalization of racialized discretion in criminal justice. The Court chose to tolerate widespread errors and racial disparities in criminal justice, finding no offense to the Constitution in these patterns. In so doing, the McCleskey court reified the institutional norms and structural biases that sustain racial imbalances in all stages of the criminal law. We convened the Symposium on Pursuing Racial Fairness in Criminal Justice at Columbia Law School in March 2007 to draw lessons from current work on racial inequality in criminal law, and to design new strategies to pursue the goals of the McCleskey litigation and the movement that surrounded the case. The participants included legal scholars, practitioners, researchers and activists engaged in the difficult analysis, mobilization, and theorizing to develop the foundation of new models of legal scholarship and civil rights advocacy to challenge McCleskey. The contributions in this Symposium are not naive with respect to the formidable litigation-based challenges or the racial inequality that persists in the criminal law. Rather, they take on the task of building a diverse and empirically-informed strategy that looks critically into the institutional norms and designs of criminal justice institutions. The articles locate racial disparities in the institutional dynamics of criminal justice and in the racial skew of everyday decision-making. The authors identify the frontlines of a renewed struggle for the pursuit of racial fairness that was the heart of the McCleskey litigation.