cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychological adjustment of obese youth presenting for weight management treatment.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of psychological maladjustment in clinic-based treatment-seeking obese children and adolescents (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) and the degree to which maternal, demographic, and youth factors correlate to the youths’ psychological adjustment. Research Methods and Procedures: Anthropometrics, demographics (race, sex, insurance status), measures of youth psychological adjustment (self- and mother-report; Behavior Assessment System for Children), and maternal self-report of psychological distress (Symptom Checklist 90-Revised) were collected from 121 obese children and adolescents (55% white, 45% black) and their mothers. Results: Approximately one-third of youths self-reported some psychological maladjustment, but two-thirds of youth were described by their mothers as experiencing some degree of psychological maladjustment. Adjustment difficulties were specific to social functioning, low self-esteem, and internalizing symptoms. Forty-one percent of mothers of child participants and 56% of mothers of adolescent participants reported clinically significant psychological distress. Youth self-report and mother-report of youths’ psychological difficulties were often most strongly associated with mothers’ level of psychological distress and/or family socioeconomic status rather than to youth characteristics (e.g., percent overweight, race). Discussion: Psychological maladjustment levels among obese youth and their mothers were higher in this clinic-based sample than in treatment research-based samples. Present correlate findings extended to obese adolescents and reaffirm a potent association between youth self-report of their own psychological adjustment and their mother's level of psychological distress. Demographic characteristics and youth weight status were not consistent correlates of youths’ psychological functioning. Findings have implications for the translation of empirically supported pediatric obesity interventions to clinic-based treatment samples.
Is accreditation good for the strategic decision making of traditional business schools

In this essay we take a deliberately provocative stance in assessing the utility of the accreditation process in relation to the strategic decision making of business schools given increasing amounts of environmental turbulence, competitiveness, and potentially discontinuous change. We argue that the core process characteristics of accreditation are not well suited for the new competitive terrain that business schools face and may act as impediments for effective adaptation. We conclude by making suggestions for accredited schools, agencies, and researchers.
Multidimensional Vascularized Polymers using Degradable Sacrificial Templates

Complex multidimensional vascular polymers are created, enabled by sacrifi cial template materials of 0D to 3D. Sacrifi cial material consisting of the commodity biopolymer poly(lactic acid) is treated with a tin catalyst to accelerate thermal depolymerization, and formed into sacrifi cial templates across multiple dimensions and spanning several orders of magnitude in scale: spheres (0D), fi bers (1D), sheets (2D), and 3D printed. Templates are embedded in a thermosetting polymer and removed using a thermal treatment process, vaporization of sacrifi cial components (VaSC), leaving behind an inverse replica. The effectiveness of VaSC is verifi ed both ex situ and in situ, and the resulting structures are validated via fl ow rate testing. The VaSC platform is expanded to create vascular and porous architectures across a wide range of size and geometry, allowing engineering applications to take advantage of vascular designs optimized by biology.
Development of distinct cell types in the feline red nucleus: A golgi‐cox and electron microscopic study

The feline RN contains neurons which fall into three size categories: giant (40--80 micrometer), medium (25--35 micrometer) and small (6--20 micrometer). These three populations of rubral neurons are distinguishable on the basis of a number of ultrastructural criteria and form classes not dissimilar from the traditional three divisions of cell types. Each of the three populations of rubral neurons can be further divided into three subgroups on the basis of a large number of configurational criteria discernible by the Golgi-Cox method. Each of these nine cell types are clearly separate, distinguishable by at least three criteria, and are found in different regions of the RN. It is shown that in the 5-day prenatal kitten, rubral neurons are already organized into the aforementioned three size categories. At this age most of the subpopulations are also distinguishable by the Golgi-Cox method. However, the giant rubral neurons (about 30 micrometer) and the medium sized cells (about 20 micrometer) are much smaller than in the adult cat. The dendrites elaborate many fine processes which emerge from multiple varicosities. The neuropil differs strikingly from that of the adult in that the vast majority of axons are small and unmyelinated. A number of changes in the RN are apparent as the kitten matures. The larger rubral cells undergo configurational changes before the smaller neurons, yet the giant cells continue to grow for a longer period of time. In the perinatal period, the extent of arborization of the dendritic trees diminishes, the number of spines decreases, and the long dendritic spines shorten. Somatic spines first appear in the giant cells at about one week after birth. In prenatal kittens, large cells frequently elaborate a tuft of fine branching processes in one region of the soma. These tufts later diminish in size and disappear by one week postnatal. Recent investigations (Pompeiano, '59; Conde, '66; King et al., '73' Sadun, '75) indicate that the RN of the cat is highly organized and very heterogenous. Afferent terminals are restricted to certain regions of certain cell types which are themselves specifically located within the RN. This specificity is apparent in perinatal kittens, despite the manifest immature appearance of the RN.
The Influence of Adolescent Body Mass Index, Physical Activity, and Tobacco Use on Blood Pressure and Cholesterol in Young Adulthood

Abstract Purpose To test the independent influences of adolescent tobacco use, physical activity/inactivity, and body mass index (BMI) on young adult cardiovascular risk factors. Methods This is a prospective cohort study using data from Waves I and III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) (N = 14,322). We tested whether Wave I tobacco use, physical activity/inactivity, and BMI predicted self-report of being diagnosed with high blood pressure (BP) or high cholesterol by Wave III, while controlling for gender, age, race/ethnicity, use of healthcare, and Wave III tobacco use, physical activity/inactivity, BMI. Results Among young adults aged 18–26, 5.37% report high BP and 4.28% high cholesterol. Obese adolescents are more likely to report high BP by young adulthood than normal-weight adolescents, independent of all control variables including BMI in young adulthood (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.96; 95% confidence interval=[1.50–2.57]). Overweight and obese adolescents are more likely to report high cholesterol by young adulthood than normal-weight adolescents, independent of all control variables including BMI in young adulthood (aOR = 1.47 [1.14–1.90] and 2.05 [1.44–2.91], respectively). Adolescent tobacco use and physical activity/inactivity do not independently predict reported high BP or cholesterol. Conclusions The odds of overweight and obese adolescents reporting a diagnosis for two cardiovascular risk factors by young adulthood are 1.5 to two times higher than normal-weight adolescents, regardless of BMI in young adulthood. The impact of transient and sustained increases in adolescent BMI on the evolution of cardiovascular risk warrants further investigation.
Item and instrument development to assess sexual function and satisfaction in outcomes research

This article looks at two of the major issues associated with the development of condition-specific quality of life measures. The first issue is the process of conceptualization. The importance of conceptualization to developing sound questions and instruments is evaluated, and the need to utilize multiple perspectives in the conceptualization process is discussed. The second issue addressed is fundamentals of writing survey questions. Questions from a range of sexual function questionnaires are presented and discussed relative to seven basic guidelines associated with question and response category development.
A performance analysis of spread-spectrum watermarking based on redundant transforms

Spread-spectrum watermarking, in which random noise is added to transform coefficients and detected with a correlation operator has become a preferred paradigm for many watermarking applications. This paper analyzes the performance of such a watermarking system when the underlying transform is a tight frame rather than a traditional orthonormal expansion. The analysis indicates that a tight frame offers no inherent performance advantage over an orthonormal transform in the watermark-detection process despite the well known ability of redundant transforms to accommodate greater amounts of added noise for a given distortion.
An interferometric sensor for integration with Si CMOS signal processing circuitry: "Sensor on a chip"

A scheme for integrating interferometric sensors with Si CMOS circuitry is presented. An integrated biological/chemical sensor provides a low cost, noninvasive alternative to traditional sensor technologies
Aiding and Abetting: Human Rights INGOs and Domestic Protest

This article studies the effects of human rights international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) on domestic antigovernment protest. Unlike mainstream scholarship, the authors argue that human rights INGOs are not simply the magic bullet in orchestrating nonviolent protests; different types of human rights INGO activity have varying effects on protest. Moreover, some human rights INGO activities may lead to higher levels of violent protest. The empirical tests use new data on the activities of over 400 human rights INGOs and domestic nonviolent and violent protest globally from 1991 to 2004. The authors find that increases in human rights INGO activities reflecting a greater commitment to the domestic population are associated with higher levels of both violent and nonviolent protest.
Mechanisms of action of “lymphocyte-activating factor” (LAF): IV. Differential stimulation of T lymphocytes by induced macrophage enzymes (catheptic carboxypeptidase B and serine proteases)☆

Abstract PHA and concanavalin A are unable to induce DNA synthesis in a substantial proportion of highly purified rat lymph node T cells in serum-free culture. Addition of dialyzed macrophage supernatant (LAF or TAF) to these mitogen-stimulated cells, even as a 12-hr pulse starting at 14 hr, gives a stronly potentiated response, while LAF (TAF) alone is nonmitogenic. Thus mitogen provides a first signal and LAF (TAF) a second signal in time. General protease inhibitors (trasylol, soybean trypsin inhibitor, and especially ϵ-aminocaproic acid) markedly inhibit both the low response to mitogen alone and the LAF effect, while certain more narrowly specific inhibitors (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, tosyl-lysl-chloromethyl ketone, iodoacetate) do not. This finding suggests that the LAF effect involves protease action. The LAF effect has been shown to parallel the Carboxypeptidase B content of various LAF preparations and can be mimicked by commercial pancreatic Carboxypeptidase B. A lesser LAF effect is also induced by such serine proteases as trypsin, chymotrypsin, and plasmin, none being mitogenic alone. Thus LAF (TAF) may represent the combined action of several enzymes. These findings are contrasted with the demonstrated ability of many serine proteases to stimulate DNA synthesis, i.e., to serve as first signal, in B cells. LAF (TAF) acts synergistically with commercial carboxypeptidase B. This implies that they may act on different target sites in the cell membrane and that triggering of an adequate number of sites is required for an effective second signal. LAF (TAF) interaction with T cells is not cell cycle specific since activity is absorbed by unstimulated cells and by cells at various times after mitogen exposure.
The relationship of longitudinal change in reproductive hormones and vasomotor symptoms during the menopausal transition.

Context: The relationship of reproductive hormones to vasomotor symptoms (VMS) has been incompletely explored, although an increase in such symptoms at midlife and their reduction with hormone therapy suggest a strong and direct relationship. Vasomotor symptoms are reported by 65–76% of women traversing the menopausal transition and are a primary reason for medical intervention during this life stage. Objective: The purpose of this report was to relate longitudinal serum concentrations of the reproductive hormones estradiol (E2), FSH, testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and SHBG and the free hormone indices free E2 index (FEI) and free T index (FTI) with the occurrence of VMS in women traversing the menopausal transition. Design and Setting: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation is a multisite, longitudinal, cohort study of the menopausal transition being conducted in community-based groups of women. Participants and Main Outcome Measures: At baseline, 3302 menstruating women...
United health care of North Carolina

Summary Physicians. While many of the rural physicians interviewed in North Carolina would prefer not to deal with HMOs at all, they are generally positive about their relationships with United Healthcare of North Carolina. These physicians chose to contract with the HMO to obtain new patients and to retain existing patients. They are satisfied that their participation has accomplished these goals. Their reimbursement arrangements are easy to understand, and most view the payment amounts as satisfactory. The physicians regard the size of the HMOs provider network and the open-access structure of the HMO as positive features that allow them to make referrals without the restrictions imposed by some other HMOs. To date, participation in United Healthcare of North Carolina has imposed few burdens on rural physicians. They are reimbursed on a fee-for-service basis, and their financial risk has been limited. They do not perceive that the HMO has had a significant impact on the way they practice medicine. This situation may change in the future if enrollees from United Healthcare of North Carolina and other HMOs constitute a greater proportion of their practices and if these HMOs move toward capitated reimbursement. The attitudes of rural physicians toward United Healthcare of North Carolina also may change if the HMO attempts to more actively manage the care provided to its enrollees. United Healthcare of North Carolina plans to eliminate physician risk sharing (in the form of withholds) and replace it with bonus payments. As one HMO executive said, the plan wants to “put incentives where they belong.” If rewarding good performance instead of punishing poor performance yields intended consequences, it may provide United Healthcare of North Carolina with a competitive advantage in rural areas. First, because such a change offers an opportunity to augment a physician's income instead of diminishing it, physicians might prefer to contract with the HMO rather than with other HMOs. Second, because bonus payments depend on performance, United Healthcare of North Carolina providers may produce outcomes that allow reductions in premium prices or expansions of benefits compared with the HMOs competitors. Hospitals. Rural hospitals cited similar motivations (attracting and retaining business) for participating in United Healthcare of North Carolina and similar levels of satisfaction with their relationships. In their experiences, the HMO has been fair in its negotiations and reimbursement. Although they contract with multiple HMOs, these rural hospitals do not perceive that HMO participation has had a significant impact on hospital operations. Because these hospitals, like many rural hospitals, rely heavily on Medicare (and, to a lesser degree, on Medicaid) as revenue sources, the future impact of managed care on their operations will depend in large part on the extent to which significant proportions of their Medicare and Medicaid patients enroll in HMOs.
Stakeholder Attitudes toward ADA Title I: Development of an Indirect Measurement Method.

The indirect method error-choice technique was adapted to develop the ADA Information Survey (ADA-IS), which assessed the attitude of 57 master's level rehabilitation counseling students, 62 college students with disabilities, and 83 small business employers, toward the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title I. Students with disabilities held the most favorable attitudes; rehabilitation counseling students' attitudes were more favorable than employers' attitudes. The construct validity and reliability of the ADA-IS were examined. Discussion of and suggestions for using the ADA-IS for advocacy and educational purposes and for future research are presented.
Ceftolozane/Tazobactam: A New Cephalosporin and β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combination

Objective: To review the chemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, tolerability, dosage, and administration of ceftolozane/tazobactam, a new antipseudomonal cephalosporin combined with a well-established β-lactamase inhibitor. Data Sources: A literature search through clinicaltrials.gov and PubMed was conducted (January 2007-May 2015) using the search terms ceftolozane, ceftolozane/tazobactam, FR264205, CXA-101/tazobactam, and CXA-201. References from retrieved articles and abstracts presented at recent meetings were reviewed to identify additional material. The prescribing information was also reviewed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Preclinical data as well as phase 1, 2, and 3 studies published in English were evaluated. Data Synthesis: Ceftolozane/tazobactam displays enhanced potency against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro. Clinical trials have shown that ceftolozane/tazobactam is noninferior to levofloxacin for the treatment of complicated uri...
Compositional analysis of solid waste and refuse derived fuels by thermogravimetry

The disposal of solid waste has become an increasingly difficult and costly problem. Environmental regulations have restricted incineration and ocean dumping, and costs for landfilling have escalated. The calorific value of municipal solid waste (MSW) is about 12.5 MJ/kg on a dry basis (9.8 MJ/kg as received). Therefore, conversion of MSW to marketable fuels has become a noble goal from both an ecological and an environmental standpoint. Typically MSW consists of approximately 60% combustible organics such as paper, newsprint, packing material, wood wastes, yard clippings, food wastes, plastics, and textiles. The remainder is comprised of moisture, glass, metals, and other inorganic wastes. The composition of MSW varies from place to place and on a daily basis. Therefore, there is a need for a method to rapidly characterize these wastes. This communication shows that thermogravimetry (TG) can be used to obtain information on the moisture, cellulosics, plastics, fixed carbon, and ash content of solid wastes and refuse derived fuels (RDF). This procedure is of importance since no ASTM procedures are available to determine the compositions of cellulosic, plastic, and biomass materials. The weakness of the classical ASTM method for proximate analysis of coals and its usage in the biomass area are highlighted. When compared to the classical ASTM method, TG provides additional information on the kinetics and reactivity of materials. Methods for utilizing TG data to obtain information on the composition and reactivity of solid materials are discussed. Broido and Coats-Redfern type equations provide unique Arrhenius parameters.
Five Members of a Novel Ca2+-binding Protein (CABP) Subfamily with Similarity to Calmodulin

Five members of a novel Ca2+-binding protein subfamily (CaBP), with 46–58% sequence similarity to calmodulin (CaM), were identified in the vertebrate retina. Important differences between these Ca2+-binding proteins and CaM include alterations within their second EF-hand loop that render these motifs inactive in Ca2+ coordination and the fact that their central α-helixes are extended by one α-helical turn. CaBP1 and CaBP2 contain a consensus sequence for N-terminal myristoylation, similar to members of the recoverin subfamily and are fatty acid acylated in vitro. The patterns of expression differ for each of the various members. Expression of CaBP5, for example, is restricted to retinal rod and cone bipolar cells. In contrast, CaBP1 has a more widespread pattern of expression. In the brain, CaBP1 is found in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and in the retina this protein is found in cone bipolar and amacrine cells. CaBP1 and CaBP2 are expressed as multiple, alternatively spliced variants, and in heterologous expression systems these forms show different patterns of subcellular localization. In reconstitution assays, CaBPs are able to substitute functionally for CaM. These data suggest that these novel CaBPs are an important component of Ca2+-mediated cellular signal transduction in the central nervous system where they may augment or substitute for CaM.
The ecological role of ants in two Mexican agroecosystems

The development of the ant communities and their foraging dynamics were studied in two annual agroecosystems of the Mexican tropical lowlands: a “forest milpa” of corn, beans, and squash made by cutting and buring 40-year-old forest, and a “field milpa” of corn, beans, and squash made by plowing 1-year-old second growth. The ant community was sampled using tuna fish baits 26, 52, 110 and 353 days after planting. Although immediately after planting the same number of ant species occurred in each milpa type, thereafter the ant faunas diverged. The field milpa became completely dominated by the native fire ant, Solenopsis geminata, while the number of ant species in the forest milpa gradually increased over time, reaching eight species 110 days after planting and 14 species by 353 days. Initially S. geminata dominated the ant fauna in the forest milpa (occurring on 90% of the baits), but by 353 days planting it was found on only 26% of the occupied baits. Ant foraging efficiency, as measured by proportion of tuna baits occupied and the removal rates of dead Drosophila fly baits, was much higher (by a factor of 2 to 3) in the field than the forest milpa. This was caused by the extremely high density of S. geminata colonies in the field milpa. The simple Solenopsis-dominated community of the field milpa may be much more effective in biological control than the more diverse community of the forest milpa. Although S. geminata has potential negative impacts in annual agroecosystems (it stings, eats corn seeds, and guards homopterams), its overall impact appears to be beneficial. As forested areas of the lowland wet tropics are increasingly cut and converted to annual agriculture, the primary ant inhabitant of these highly disturbed environments, S. geminata, will necessarily play a much more significant ecological role in agroecosystems.
Shortening the Work Preference Inventory for use with Physician Scientists: WPI-10

The Work Preference Inventory (WPI) is a four-factor, 30-item measure that assesses work motivation. Used to help individuals choose appropriate career paths, its length contributes to response burden, especially when combined with other measures. We aimed to develop a shortened, valid, and reliable version of the WPI. Trainees at the University of Pittsburgh's Institute for Clinical Research Education completed the 30-item WPI between 2007 and 2012. We conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to reduce the number of items. Of the 402 eligible trainees, 371 (92%) provided data for the exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and 134 of the eligible 144 trainees (93%) provided data for the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). EFA revealed four factors that were roughly equivalent to those of the original. CFA used the three items with the highest loadings on each factor, with two items removed due to low loadings and R-squareds, resulting in a 10-item scale. Cronbach's alpha for each of the four factors ranged from 0.68 to 0.76. Factors in the WPI-10 were strongly and significantly associated with factors in the original WPI, indicating strong validity of the shortened measure. The WPI-10 shows evidence for similar validity and reliability to the original instrument while reducing respondent burden.
Training to Think Culturally: A Multidimensional Comparative Framework

A multidimensional, comparative training framework is designed to integrate culture with all aspects of family therapy. Culture is viewed as occurring in multiple contexts that create common “cultural borderlands” as well as diversity; unpredictability and possibility, as well as regularity and constraint. The framework proposes a search for basic parameters to help therapists think comparatively and pluralistically about families’ cultural configurations and meanings. Further, the parameters chosen — ecological context, migration/acculturation, organization, and life cycle — are used to heighten therapists’ awareness about the “situated knowledge” of their own professional and personal culture. This approach recognizes the potential complexity of both the family's and the therapist's cultural location or ecological niche, and encourages curiosity in the therapeutic conversation rather than reliance on potentially stereotyping, ethnic-focused information.
Circular Waveguides Lined with Artificial Anisotropic Dielectrics

The propagation of electromagnetic waves inside circular waveguides lined with artificial anisotropic dielectric is investigated. Our investigation shows that the dominant hybrid electromagnetic (HEM/sub 11/ ) mode possesses a transverse deflecting field over the aperture of the structure and can be used as a transverse deflecting mode in a particle separator with ultrahigh energy. Expressions for power, attenuation, and transverse shunt impedance are obtained, and the effects of changing in loading on these various quantities are studied and presented in graphs.
Complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with and without preoperative biliary drainage.

Abstract Background. It has been suggested that preoperative biliary drainage increases the risk of infectious complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy. Aims. The aim of this study was to assess complications related to biliary stents/drains and postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for periampullary cancer. Patients. One hundred and eighty-four patients with periampullary neoplasms were prospectively selected for neoadjuvant external beam radiation therapy and 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy between 1995 and 2002. Methods. The data were retrospectively completed and analysed with respect to biliary drainage, efficacy and complications of endoscopic biliary stents and postoperative morbidity. Patients who had undergone a surgical biliary bypass were excluded. Results. Data were completed in 168 patients. One hundred and nineteen patients were treated with endoscopic biliary stents, 18 patients had a percutaneous biliary drain and 31 patients did not require biliary drainage. Hospitalisation for stent-related complications was necessary in 15% of the patients with endoscopic biliary stents. Seventy-two patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. There was no significant difference in the rate of wound infections, intra-abdominal abscesses and overall complications between the groups with and without preoperative biliary drainage. Conclusions. Postoperative infectious complications are common in patients both with and without preoperative biliary drainage. A statistically significant difference in complication rates was not observed between these groups.
A new species of Platyrrhinus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) from western Colombia and Ecuador, with emended diagnoses of P. aquilus, P. dorsalis, and P. umbratus

Abstract The Neotropical bat genus Platyrrhinus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae) currently comprises 15 species. Our morphological and morphometric analysis of large and medium-sized Platyrrhinus revealed a distinctive undescribed species from western South America. We also recognize P. aquilus (Handley & Ferris 1972) and P. umbratus (Lyon 1902) as valid species. We describe P. nitelinea sp. nov. from western Colombia and Ecuador and provide emended diagnoses along with descriptions of P. aquilus, P. dorsalis, and P. umbratus. Phylogenetic analysis of Platyrrhinus based on morphological characters indicates that P. aquilus is closely related to P. aurarius and P. nigellus, P. umbratus to P. chocoensis, and P. nitelinea to P. vittatus.
Support Responses of the Cardiovascular System to Exercise

Exercise can be sustained only if there is increased blood flow to those tissues with increased metabolic needs. Blood flow to particular working muscles can be increased either by increasing cardiac output or by redirecting peripheral blood flow. The nature and extent of changes in cardiovascular function that occur during exercise are dependent on the type of exercise, the muscles involved, and the severity of the exercise stress. The normal range of changes in heart rate, stroke volume, and patterns of peripheral blood flow are discussed in relation to different types of exercise stress.
A Modern Peace?: Schumpeter, Conflict, and the Investment-War Tradeoff

Drawing on the writings of Joseph Schumpeter, we develop a theory of international conflict that challenges proponents of the liberal peace research programs. We outline a simple mechanism whereby industrialization fosters peaces, suggesting that industrialized states are more peaceful because they can gain more by investing at home than by pursuing foreign military conquest. We borrow from Schumpeter to argue that our mechanism is distinct from traditional measures of liberalism. Empirically, we propose a measure of industrial development, based on the size of a state's industrial GDP. Using World Bank sector-specific economic data, our analysis shows that a large industrial GDP significantly reduces the likelihood that a state will be involved in a fatal military conflict. We show that this result is robust across a number of model specifications, holds at both the monadic and dyadic levels, and suggests a larger substantive effect than either democracy or capitalism.
Tumor-height regression rate after brachytherapy between choroidal melanoma gene expression profile classes: effect of controlling for tumor height

To evaluate the relationship between choroidal melanoma regression rate and its gene expression profile class after iodine-125 brachytherapy at 3 and 6 months, controlling for baseline tumor height. Patients from October 2012 to January 2015 at a single Ophthalmic Oncology Center who had undergone iodine-125 brachytherapy for the treatment of choroidal melanoma and who had a gene expression profile test result obtained from intraoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsy at the time of plaque surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline patient and tumor characteristics were obtained, including tumor height and gene expression profile test result. Tumor height at 3 and 6 months following treatment was obtained. Regression rate was analyzed with two-way analysis of variance to class type and baseline pre-operative tumor height. Class 2 patients were matched to class 1 patients by tumor height and resulting distributions of paired regression rate differences were compared. A total of 114 patients were studied. When preoperative tumor height was controlled for in the comparative analysis, neither group of patients at 3 or 6 months had a significant dependency between gene expression profile class and tumor regression rate. Additionally, class 1 and class 2 patients matched for pre-operative tumor height did not express different regression rates. Our study adds to a growing body of evidence that tumor regression rate does not necessarily depend on gene expression profile class type in choroidal melanoma after brachytherapy at 3 and 6 months when controlling for baseline tumor height.
Optical Modulator on Si Employing Ge Quantum Wells

We demonstrate the first electroabsorption modulator using the quantum-confined Stark effect in Ge. For 10 V swing, the contrast ratio is 7.3 dB at 1457 nm, and exceeds 3 dB over 20 nm bandwidth.
An Investigation into the Fermentative Activities of the Aciduric Bacteria

The wide use of the bacillus bulgaricus, both topically and by mouth, to control intestinal putrefaction has within the last few years given rise to a number of investigations aiming to give a definite classification to this group of lactic acid bacilli. It would seem that this could be satisfactorily accomplished by a systematic examination of their prominent cultural characteristic, namely, the fermentation of carbohydrates. That this means of separation has not been successfully used heretofore is probably due to the assumption that these bacteria will not grow on the usual laboratory media, though mention is made by the earlier workers of growth in glucose and lactose broth.
Effects of the Good Behavior Game on Classwide Off-Task Behavior in a High School Basic Algebra Resource Classroom

This study investigated the effects of the Good Behavior Game (GBG) on classwide off-task behavior in two ninth-grade basic algebra resource classes. Ten students with a variety of disabilities, in two classrooms, and their special education resource teacher participated in this study. A reversal design was employed, in which the special education teacher implemented GBG compared to typical practice-algebra readiness instruction. Results showed that classwide off-task behavior decreased in the GBG conditions compared to the baseline and reversal conditions. Fidelity measures indicated that the teacher implemented GBG with fidelity. Students and the teacher rated GBG favorably. Overall findings support the use of GBG for reducing classwide off-task behavior. Implications for practice and future research directions are presented.
Consistency and inconsistency of consensus methods for inferring species trees from gene trees in the presence of ancestral population structure

In the last few years, several statistically consistent consensus methods for species tree inference have been devised that are robust to the gene tree discordance caused by incomplete lineage sorting in unstructured ancestral populations. One source of gene tree discordance that has only recently been identified as a potential obstacle for phylogenetic inference is ancestral population structure. In this article, we describe a general model of ancestral population structure, and by relying on a single carefully constructed example scenario, we show that the consensus methods Democratic Vote, STEAC, STAR, R(∗) Consensus, Rooted Triple Consensus, Minimize Deep Coalescences, and Majority-Rule Consensus are statistically inconsistent under the model. We find that among the consensus methods evaluated, the only method that is statistically consistent in the presence of ancestral population structure is GLASS/Maximum Tree. We use simulations to evaluate the behavior of the various consensus methods in a model with ancestral population structure, showing that as the number of gene trees increases, estimates on the basis of GLASS/Maximum Tree approach the true species tree topology irrespective of the level of population structure, whereas estimates based on the remaining methods only approach the true species tree topology if the level of structure is low. However, through simulations using species trees both with and without ancestral population structure, we show that GLASS/Maximum Tree performs unusually poorly on gene trees inferred from alignments with little information. This practical limitation of GLASS/Maximum Tree together with the inconsistency of other methods prompts the need for both further testing of additional existing methods and development of novel methods under conditions that incorporate ancestral population structure.
Extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction. Modern methods of management.

PreviewHow sensitive and specific are clinical evaluation and imaging studies in determining whether cholestasis is extrahepatic? When should endoscopic sphincterotomy alone be used to treat choledocholithiasis? What is the treatment of choice for cholangitis? These and other questions are addressed in this discussion of the identification and treatment of common causes of biliary tract obstruction.
Social Construction in Communication Re-Constituting the Conversation

In this chapter, we offer a response to Shotter and Gergen’s (1994) proposal in Communication Yearbook for social construction (SC) as a framework for communication by reconstituting its impact in our field. We provide an overview of SC research in the communication discipline to illustrate the ways in which scholars have developed specifically communication-oriented SC approaches. After wresting SC from the realm of epistemology and placing it into that of practical theory, we select three areas of research and praxis where social constructionist thinking about communication makes a dramatic difference in thinking and practice. These areas—gender, crisis, and therapy— allow us to move beyond the confines of an American academic forum and engage the concerns of an audience of practitioners in a more global exchange. Additionally, these three topics give us the opportunity to address relevant and still pressing critiques that we take to be consequential to both SC and communication: materiality, agency, an...
Peripheral Blood Stem Cells

This chapter briefly reviews the types and source of stem cells in peripheral blood, their specific cell-surface markers, and factors that change their abundance in peripheral blood and focuses on the isolation and in vitro expansion of peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal cells (MCSs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). It also describes their therapeutic applications for regenerative medicine. One of the types of stem cells is hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are characteristically quiescent, multipotent cells with the capacity for both self-renewal and differentiation, and another type, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) reside in bone marrow. Bone marrow-derived EPCs contribute to adult tissue neovascularization in several models including wound healing and cornea and tumor angiogenesis. Bone marrow-derived EPCs could be detected in normal organs including spleen, lung, liver, intestine, skin, hindlimb muscle, ovary, and uterus, indicating their participation in maintenance of physiological neovascularization. Hormonally induced ovulation cycles are also associated with localization of bone marrow-derived EPCs in the corpus lutea and in the uterus endometrium and stroma. In the case of MSCs, the lineage-committed cells can generate a variety of specialized mesenchymal tissues including bone, cartilage, muscle, marrow stroma, tendon, ligament, fat, and a variety of other connective tissues. MSCs may have a dramatic impact on the overall health status of individuals by controlling the body's capacity to naturally remodel, repair, and upon demand rejuvenate various tissues. In human clinical research, initial efforts are focused on applications of MSC-based tissue repair using cell delivery approaches.
A new automatic skeletonization algorithm for 3D vascular volumes

Extraction of the skeleton of vascular structures is an important procedure for computer aided analysis of vascular data. A new automatic skeletonization algorithm for 3D vascular volumes is proposed. Two types of distance maps and clusters, a set of connected points with the same property are used to represent the vascular structure. Using clusters representation, branch information can be retrieved efficiently. In each identified branch, preliminary points, defined as skeleton nodes, are derived hierarchically which are later interpolated to generate the skeleton. The algorithm was tested on MR angiography arterial and venous 3D vascular volumes. The extracted skeletons were reliable representation of the vascular structure. Compared to other 3D distance-based skeletonization algorithms, the new approach yields a more centered skeleton without complex post-processing. The skeleton is also insensitive to boundary complexity and can be easily modified by the user.
Temporal and spectral contributions to musical instrument identification and discrimination among cochlear implant users.

Objective To investigate the contributions of envelope and fine-structure to the perception of timbre by cochlear implant (CI) users as compared to normal hearing (NH) listeners. Methods This was a prospective cohort comparison study. Normal hearing and cochlear implant patients were tested. Three experiments were performed in sound field using musical notes altered to affect the characteristic pitch of an instrument and the acoustic envelope. Experiment 1 assessed the ability to identify the instrument playing each note, while experiments 2 and 3 assessed the ability to discriminate the different stimuli. Results Normal hearing subjects performed better than CI subjects in all instrument identification tasks, reaching statistical significance for 4 of 5 stimulus conditions. Within the CI population, acoustic envelope modifications did not significantly affect instrument identification or discrimination. With envelope and pitch cues removed, fine structure discrimination performance was similar between normal hearing and CI users for the majority of conditions, but some specific instrument comparisons were significantly more challenging for CI users. Conclusions Cochlear implant users perform significantly worse than normal hearing listeners on tasks of instrument identification. However, cochlear implant listeners can discriminate differences in envelope and some fine structure components of musical instrument sounds as well as normal hearing listeners. The results indicated that certain fine structure cues are important for cochlear implant users to make discrimination judgments, and therefore may affect interpretation toward associating with a specific instrument for identification.
Error Analysis as a Validation of Learning Progressions.

Learning progressions (LPs) are a recent educational theory pertaining to student modeling. LPs argue that students with equal test scores may nonetheless have different conceptualizations of the material, with varying degrees of maturity. However, there is little empirical validation for LPs. To this end, we mapped two physics LPs (one predefined, one described in the paper) onto the answer choices of a popular conceptual physics test (the Force Concept Inventory; FCI). We then assessed 444 high school physics students using a pretest-posttest design. Students with more mature incorrect answers on the pretest performed better on the posttest than their less mature counterparts. We discuss implications for theorists and practitioners in learner modeling.
Rules and Procedures for Italy’s Participation in the European Decision-Making Process: The System Outlines in Act 234/2012 and by the Regional Laws

The European integration process has progressively shifted the regulation of several matters to the supranational level. As a result, the European legislation now significantly affects the national legislation; similarly, public policies are outlined at the European level and then implemented at the national level (suffice it to think of the policies on energy, the environment, and agriculture).
A comparison of two preconditioner algorithms within the representer-based four-dimensional variational data assimilation system for the Navy coastal ocean model

ABSTRACTFour-dimensional variational (4D-Var) data assimilation for operational systems requires the solution of large linear systems that are poorly conditioned in general. In addition to efficient iterative solvers for linear systems, using a good preconditioner is required to guarantee an acceptable solution with a small number of iterations. We consider the assimilation of ocean observations using a weak constraints 4D-Var for the Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM), based on the representer method. Two methods of preconditioning the linear system are implemented, namely the scaling of the linear system by the square root of the observations error variances, and the approximating stabilised representer matrix based on the computation of some representer functions. We evaluate their convergence using criteria such as the norm of the residuals and of the gradient of the cost function, the analysis error evaluated at the observation locations, and finally the convergence of the sequence of analyses. Results ...
Honeyed Toads: Sinister Aesthetics in Richard III

William Shakespeare’s Richard III features one of the Renaissance’s most influential stage villains, whose physical and moral monstrosity empowers him to dominate his play and charm other characters and audiences. It also offers some of the most explicit theorization available within an early modern play about the appeal of ugliness and evil. This chapter elucidates how Richard seduces other characters and theatrical audiences through a combination of “palpable devices” (paradoxically self-revealing deceptions), aestheticized deformity, and a prodigious power generated by the sinister curses and insults leveled at him by his enemies. It concludes with an analysis of the persistence of the sinister through the supposedly redemptive ending of the play, and its implications for subsequent drama and Renaissance ideas about divine providence.
A Wireless Pressure Sensor for Continuous Monitoring of Intraocular Pressure in Conscious Animals.

An important aspect of eye health in humans and animal models of human diseases is intraocular pressure (IOP). IOP is typically measured by hand with a tonometer, so data are sparse and sporadic and round-the-clock variations are not well characterized. Here we present a novel system for continuous wireless IOP and temperature measurement in small animals. The system consists of a cannula implanted in the anterior chamber of the eye connected to pressure sensing electronics that can be worn by rats or implanted in larger mammals. The system can record IOP with 0.3 mmHg accuracy and negligible drift at a rate of 0.25 Hz for 1–2 months on a regulated battery or indefinitely at rates up to 250 Hz via RF energy harvesting. Chronic recordings from conscious rats showed that IOP follows a diurnal rhythm, averaging 16.5 mmHg during the day and 21.7 mmHg at night, and that the IOP rhythm lags a diurnal rhythm in body temperature by 2.1 h. IOP and body temperature fluctuations were positively correlated from moment-to-moment as well. This technology allows researchers to monitor for the first time the precise IOP history of rat eyes, a popular model for glaucoma studies.