cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HP2: The Design of a 3D-Printed Partition for the Healthcare Environment

As of 2012, the methods in which the construction industry fabricates a non-load bearing partition are virtually the same as 100 years ago. This process and assembly is perpetuated by a construction culture that thrives on convention. Sheet building materials are nominally controlled, assembly definitions are outlined through building codes, and trades continue a system of apprenticeship where techniques are passed down through generations. This is further complicated with a construction process that is the mediator between the conception of the designer and the built artifact. The aim of this research was to reconceive the conventional construction techniques of the partition in high performance, technology specific locations; an area that begs for development within a contemporary fabrication environment where new CNC technologies are able to translate mass-customized form into full scale, built assemblies. HP2 was a design research project into the potential of a fully digitally fabricated, high performance interior partition placed within the healthcare environment. Initial research indicated areas where design could assist in more effective delivery of healthcare. For example, altering the ways healthcare providers enter and exit the room, as well as the way air is moved through the room could better protect patients in these facilities. Additionally, research aimed to integrate the inclusion of digital form generation and fabrication techniques to consider the partition of tomorrow – one that allows synergy between the form, space, and various building systems. The design process investigated areas of acute care patient rooms, structural surfaces, architectural wall infill (poche), narrow spectrum sanitary lighting, adjustable and variable perforation, and patient room air ventilation. This process culminated in the manifestation of a 3d printed scale mockup of the partition with all systems present. Current projections of this project speculate on the potential of large scale 3D printing as a means to establish better connections between the high technology systems being requested and a fabrication technique which is supportive of that endeavor.
Incorporating reflection for real-time multi-configuration haptic-interactive virtual environments

Real-time mirror reflection is employed in many virtual reality applications to achieve visuo-haptic collocation. Its use, however, necessitates adjustments to the original model as well any used input devices to compensate for changes due to image reversion. This paper introduces a design and implementation of a generic configuration component for virtual environments that adjusts image characteristics and haptic interfaces to accommodate such setups while preserving the properties and features of the original model. Furthermore, this work executes running multiple display viewports for the same virtual environment synchronously. This work accomplishes a significant step in the development of a surgical simulator for the Nuss Procedure surgery performed to correct Pectus Excavatum, a congenital deformity of the anterior chest wall.
Volume, Volatility, and Leverage: A Dynamic Analysis

This paper uses dynamic impulse response analysis to investigate the interrelationships among stock price volatility, trading volume, and the leverage effect. Dynamic impulse response analysis is a technique for analyzing the multistep ahead characteristics of a non-parametric estimate of the one-step conditional density of a strictly stationary process. The technique is the generalization to a nonlinear process of Sims-style impulse response analysis for linear models. In this paper, we refine the technique and apply it to a long panel of daily observations on the price and trading volume of four stocks actively traded on the NYSE: Boeing, Coca-Cola, IBM, and MMM.
A Preparation for the in vivo Study of Capillary and Fiber

The mammalian diaphragm is adapted superbly to achieve high sustained rates of ATP turnover. Maximal blood flows, capillary volume and oxidative enzyme capacities far exceed those found in other skeletal muscles. Furthermore, decrements in diaphragm function consequent to disease radically impact the physiological capabilities of the individual. The rat costal diaphragm is only 200–500 μm thick depending on the imposed stretch. Thus, structurally the diaphragm lends itself to transillumination and optical examination. A novel preparation for the in vivo examination of the diaphragm microcirculation has recently been described by Boczkowski and colleagues and facilitates examination of vessel diameters and the presence or absence of blood flow (Microvasc. Res. 40, 1990). The purpose of the present report is to detail modifications which permit: a) Avoidance of the Trendelenburg position which can invoke myogenic and sympathetic effects on skeletal muscle microcirculation (Segal and Puri, Med. Sci. Soorts Exerc. 25, 1993. b) Avoidance of severe tissue stretching. c) Visualization of muscle sarcomeres and adjacent capillaries. d) Measurement of capillary red blood cell (RBC) velocity.
Growth of GaAs/AlGaAs Quantum Dots Using Self-Organized InP Stressors

GaAs quantum dots were formed in a near surface quantum well (QW) by producing lateral confinement with self-organized InP stressors grown in situ by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). We report here the influence of growth conditions on InP island formation on AlGaAs/GaAs single QW structures and also the influence of the QW structure on the optical properties of the GaAs quantum dots. We observe strong photoluminscence up to room temperature from the strain-induced quantum dots with energy redshifts of 70 meV below the QW peak.
Solvent-Free, Highly Coarse-Grained Models for Charged Lipid Systems

We present a methodology to develop coarse-grained lipid models such that electrostatic interactions between the coarse-grained sites can be derived accurately from an all-atom molecular dynamics trajectory and expressed as an effective pairwise electrostatic potential with appropriate screening functions. The reference nonbonded forces from the all-atom trajectory are decomposed into separate electrostatic and van der Waals (vdW) forces, based on the multiscale coarse-graining method. The coarse-grained electrostatic potential is assumed to be a general function of unknown variables and the final site–site interactions are obtained variationally, where the residual of the electrostatic forces from the assumed field is minimized. The resulting electrostatic interactions are fitted to screened electrostatics functions, with a special treatment for distance-dependent dielectrics and screened dipole–dipole interactions. The vdW interactions are derived separately. The resulting charged hybrid coarse-graining...
Diagnostic Yield of Transbronchoscopic Biopsies

Transbronchoscopic biopsies of lung (transbronchial) or bronchus (endobronchial) have a high diagnostic of yield when performed by a single expert bronchoscopist or a small group of expert bronchoscopists. This procedure's diagnostic yield was evaluated in a general hospital where biopsies are performed by a diverse group of individuals. One hundred fifty-one consecutive biopsies were reviewed, including 53 transbronchial biopsies and 98 endobronchial biopsies. Only 44% of endobronchial biopsies and 21% of transbronchial biopsies were diagnostic. The diagnostic yield was significantly greater in patients with suspected neoplasms (48%) than in patients with suspected infections (13%). Of 97 patients who ultimately had definitive diagnoses established, 43 (44%) had negative biopsy results, including 36% of those with cancers and 80% of those with infections. Failure to obtain alveolar parenchyma by transbronchial biopsy (probably related to the absence of fluoroscopic control) and failure to obtain multiple tissue fragments during each procedure contributed to the low diagnostic yield. The especially disappointing results of transbronchial biopsy for diagnosis of infection suggest that, in this hospital setting, open lung biopsy may be the procedure of choice when infection is suspected.
Test Schemes of Conductor Corrosion Diagnosis for Grounding Grids

In order to determine testing schemes scientifically for grounding grid corrosion diagnosis,based on the axiom of maximum voltage for a resistance grid, three inferences are put forward and proved. It is pointed out that the derivative of a voltage with respect to a branch resistance reaches its highest value when the constant DC current exciter is added on the corresponding branch and that the derivative of the voltage on the corresponding branch is the maximum. A theoretical optimum test scheme is described to implant the constant DC current source on each intrinsic branch and to measure the voltage on the corresponding branch, respectively. It is pointed out that such test scheme is complete and has the advantages of less sensitive to test error, better anti-interference ability and easy measurement due to large voltage magnitude. It is also pointed out that theoretical optimum test scheme faces the problem of the influences of lead lines in the practice. The measures to avoid the influences of lead lines are discussed. An approximate optimum test scheme is suggested. A grounding grid with sixty branches is used as an example. The results of corrosion diagnosis show that the proposed approaches are correct and feasible, and it can remarkably enhance the accuracy of diagnosis results.
Analysis on solution of cascade failure caused by automatic reclosing

With the increasing size of wind farm, cascading fault often occurs. Automatic reclosing will make the voltage drops twice when permanent faults occur in the power system, causing a chain of adjacent wind farm off the grid, which poses a great threat on the safety and stability of the wind farm. This paper analyzes the mechanism of the chains of the wind farms off-grids caused by twice voltage drops from the aspect that the initial stator flux of DFIG differs between the twice moment when the voltage drop when the short-circuit fault occurs on the 110 k V wind farm connection line. On this basis, this paper proposes two methods, namely changing the functional configuration of reclosing and extending the time of reclosing, to solve this problem. And the simulations verify the effectiveness of the two methods.
On the Application of the Process-Oriented Writing in English Teaching in Primary Schools——A Case Study of Sentence Pattern Imitation

English Curricular Standards in the Phase of Compulsory Education(2011)explicitly puts forward the requirements for writing.Then writing has become an integral part in English teaching in primary school.Guided by process-oriented writing theory,the paper analyzes the application of process-oriented writing in classroom teaching,which includes reading aloud these sentence patterns,imitating these sentence patterns,sharing their writing,re-writing sentences,etc.In real teaching,teachers should ensure that students have enough time to do writing frequently;meanwhile,teachers should make sure that all the writing technique will be taught to all the students;finally,teachers should sometimes do person-to person teaching,collect students' feedback,and encourage students to share their writing experience in class in order to cultivate students' writing consciousness,enhance their writing abilities and realize their independent creative learning.
Research progress on the sorption of heavy metals by biochar

Biochar is the product of waste reutilization.As a new type of environment function material,biochar has become the forefront hotspot of environmental science and other disciplines because of its excellent environmental effects and ecological effects.Biochar has functions of strongly adsorbing heavy mental because of its developed pore structure,huge surface area and unique surface chemical properties and further affecting the transfer and fate of heavy metals.This article mainly summarizes from material source of biochar,mechanism and influencing factors of heavy metals adsorbed by biochar,and the effects of biochar on the bioavailability of heavy metals in soil and so on.Finally, the article puts forward the future research directions on sorption of heavy metals by biochar.
Pilot Study on Reform of Health Education and Promotion Management Mechanism

The requirement of establishing highly efficient health education and promotion system with the characteristics of government responsibility,sectoral cooperation,social mobilization,mass participation and legal support under the leadership of the governments at all levels in health education and promotion has not fully met in many areas,which would be a obstacle to in the performance of health education and promotion.This paper summaries the importance and necessity of the reform of health education and promotion management mechanism by introducing the pilot study of initiative establishment of urban community health education and promotion management mechanism in Zigong.
Factors Affecting Self-Efficacy of Teachers in International Private Universities in Thailand

The objective of this study was to study factors, namely nationality and faculty, which affected self-efficacy of teachers in international private universities in Thailand. This quantitative research studied in 10 institutions. The population of this study was 3,000. Stratified sampling by faculty was used to select 341 teachers. Analysis included percentage, mean, and two-way ANOVA. The findings indicated that: 1) In general, teachers’ nationality and faculty relatively affected their self-efficacy with a statistical significance of .01. 2) The analysis of all faculties showed that Thai and Western teachers perceived their self-efficacy at the highest level. 3) When analyzing by each faculty, Filipino and Western teachers in Business Administration had the highest self-efficacy. Thai and Western teachers, in the Humanities and Social Sciences, had the highest self-efficacy. Thai and Filipino teachers in Education had the highest self-efficacy. Outside these faculties, Indian teachers had the highest self-efficacy, in general. Overall, results indicate that nationalities and faculty have affected self-efficacy of teachers at a certain level. Due to the limitations of this study it is recommended to study further, so that more evidences will verify this conclusion.
Relationships between the luteinizing hormone response to gonadotropin releasing hormone and endogenous steroids.

Heifers were treated with 5 40 or 320 mcg of synthetic tritiated gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on Days 15 or 20 of the estrous cycle and studied to determine whether the ovarian activity at different times in the cycle affected the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge following GnRH stimulation. LH estradiol estrone and progesterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassays. Estradiol was significantly higher and progesterone significantly lower (p < .01) on Day 20 than on Day 15. LH levels were significantly (p < .01) raised by all doses of GnRH and the day of the cycle was not significant for this effect. Serum progesterone was significantly higher at 4 hours after 40 and 320 mcg GnRH (P < .05) on Day 15. It is suggested that factors influencing pituitary sensitivity to GnRH may vary independently of cycle day.
Ambient air pollution and pregnancy outcomes—a study of functional form and policy implications

We utilize a new data set on ambient air pollution and births from the Salt Lake Valley to study how intensive and cumulative exposure to PM2.5 in the first trimester affect two important pregnancy outcomes—gestational age at birth and the risk of preterm birth. For identification, we use variation in cumulative exposure for siblings from the same mother in subsequent pregnancies, which can be substantial due to the large seasonal and annual variations in the valley. Controlling for other air pollutants and individual confounders, we find strong evidence of reduced gestational age and increased probability of preterm birth resulting from PM2.5 exposure and estimate that the marginal effects are larger as cumulative exposure increases. We find weak evidence of an increased marginal effect of intensive exposure vs. total exposure. As cumulative exposure plays a larger role than intensive exposure, this indicates that policies which decrease average pollution levels can be more effective than policies targeted at peak pollution from a pregnancy perspective.
Efficacy of whole-body suspension training on enhancing functional movement abilities following a supervised or home-based training program.

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of suspension training on functional movement and body composition, and to compare the effectiveness of home-based training to supervised training. Methods Seventeen healthy subjects (8 males, 9 females, age=21.8±3.4 y) with no recent history of resistance training were randomly assigned to a home-based or supervised training group. Subjects performed an 8-week suspension training program consisting of 10 exercises targeting major muscle groups, twice per week for the duration of the study. Pre- and post-intervention testing included body composition using air displacement plethysmography, and a functional movement screen (FMS) to measure functional movement abilities. Results The 8-week training program significantly improved total FMS scores across the whole sample of subjects (Pre=16.4; Post=17.5; P=0.004), with no differences in improvements between groups. When compared separately, only the supervised group significantly improved FMS scores. There was also a significant increase in lean mass across the total sample of subjects (Pre=52.4 kg; Post=53.3 kg; P=0.03) with no differences between groups. But when compared independently, neither group exhibited a significant increase in lean mass. Conclusions When completed as a whole-body exercise program over an 8-week period, suspension training can improve functional ability and increase lean mass in both a supervised and a home-based setting.
A Robust and Optimal Online Algorithm for Minimum Metric Bipartite Matching

We study the Online Minimum Metric Bipartite Matching Problem. In this problem, we are given point sets S and R which correspond to the server and request locations; here |S|=|R|=n. All these locations are points from some metric space and the cost of matching a server to a request is given by the distance between their locations in this space. In this problem, the request points arrive one at a time. When a request arrives, we must immediately and irrevocably match it to a "free" server. The matching obtained after all the requests are processed is the online matching M. The cost of M is the sum of the cost of its edges. The performance of any online algorithm is the worst-case ratio of the cost of its online solution M to the minimum-cost matching. We present a deterministic online algorithm for this problem. Our algorithm is the first to simultaneously achieve optimal performances in the well-known adversarial and the random arrival models. For the adversarial model, we obtain a competitive ratio of 2n-1 + o(1); it is known that no deterministic algorithm can do better than 2n-1. In the random arrival model, our algorithm obtains a competitive ratio of 2H_n - 1 + o(1); where H_n is the n-th Harmonic number. We also prove that any online algorithm will have a competitive ratio of at least 2H_n - 1-o(1) in this model. We use a new variation of the offline primal-dual method for computing minimum cost matching to compute the online matching. Our primal-dual method is based on a relaxed linear-program. Under metric costs, this specific relaxation helps us relate the cost of the online matching with the offline matching leading to its robust properties.
Emerging Role of MicroRNAs as Liquid Biopsy Biomarkers in Gastrointestinal Cancers

Cancer has emerged as a leading cause of mortality worldwide, claiming more than 8 million lives annually. Gastrointestinal cancers account for about 35% of these mortalities. Recent advances in diagnostic and treatment strategies have reduced mortality among patients with gastrointestinal cancer, yet a significant number of patients still develop late-stage cancer, where treatment options are inadequate. Emerging interests in “liquid biopsies” have encouraged investigators to identify and develop clinically relevant noninvasive genomic and epigenomic signatures that can be exploited as biomarkers capable of detecting premalignant and early-stage cancers. In this context, microRNAs (miRNA), which are small, noncoding RNAs that are frequently dysregulated in cancers, have emerged as promising entities for such diagnostic purposes. Even though the future looks promising, current approaches for detecting miRNAs in blood and other biofluids remain inadequate. This review summarizes existing efforts to exploit circulating miRNAs as cancer biomarkers and evaluates their potential and challenges as liquid biopsy–based biomarkers for gastrointestinal cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 23(10); 2391–9. ©2017 AACR.
Capture of particles from plunge orbits by a black hole

Photon and ''parabolic'' particle orbits around a Kerr-Newman black hole are considered, both for uncharged particles moving along geodesics and for charged particles under the influence of the Lorentz force (neglecting radiative processes). Investigation of the radial equation of motion gives conditions under which a photon or particle is captured from a ''plunge'' orbit when incident from a large distance; the cross sections and accreted angular momenta are calculated for various fluxes of particles incident on the black hole. For example, the cross section of an extreme Kerr (a = 1) black hole to an isotropic flux of particles is 0.90 of that for a Schwarzschild hole, and the accreted angular momentum per unit mass of swallowed flux is -0.828 leading to rapid spin-down of the hole. The periastra of ''escape'' orbits are considered, and also the minimum periastron corresponding to the unstable spherical orbit that divides plunge and escape orbits. The evolution of the spin and charge of a black hole accreting particles and photons is discussed, including that of primordial black holes. It is shown that such black holes may be of the Schwarzschild type having spun-down due to consumption of radiation and particles at early times andmore » subsequent neutralization in an ionized intergalactic medium. The statistics of proton and electron capture by the smallest surviving primordial black holes, M = 10/sup 15/ g, suggests that they are most likely to be found possessing a single quantum of positive charge. (AIP)« less
Chemoresistive and Photonic Hydrogel Sensors of Transition Metal Ions Via Hofmeister Series Principles

Abstract We evaluate the sensory response of hydrogels composed of polyacrylic acid (PAA) co-polymerized with acrylamido-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) exposed to eleven different transition metal ions, which were reacted with hexacyanoferrate ions. Trends in the chemoresistive responses of the gels to ions of Cu2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Co2+, Sn2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Mo5+, and Ag+ due to the formation of metal hexacyanoferrate complexes are shown to depend upon the strength of the gel headgroup-ion interactions based on the Hofmeister series and confirmed using Raman spectroscopy. These hydrogels either showed a decrease in resistivity and swelling with increasing ion concentration or the opposite effect. Sensitivity by colorimetric and conductivity measurements was approximately 100 ppb, which can be adjusted by the gel’s dimensions and density of headgroups within the gel. The photonic and vibrational characteristics of the gels upon ion addition were investigated for use in spectroelectrochemical sensing devices by imaging, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy.
Molecular characterization of larval development from fertilization to metamorphosis in a reef-building coral

Molecular mechanisms underlying coral larval competence, the ability of larvae to respond to settlement cues, determine their dispersal potential and are potential targets of natural selection. Here, we profiled competence, fluorescence and genome-wide gene expression in embryos and larvae of the reef-building coral Acropora millepora daily throughout 12 days post-fertilization. Gene expression associated with competence was positively correlated with transcriptomic response to the natural settlement cue, confirming that mature coral larvae are “primed” for settlement. Rise of competence through development was accompanied by up-regulation of sensory and signal transduction genes such as ion channels, genes involved in neuropeptide signaling, and G-protein coupled receptor (GPCRs). A drug screen targeting components of GPCR signaling pathways confirmed a role in larval settlement behavior and metamorphosis. These results gives insight into the molecular complexity underlying these transitions and reveals receptors and pathways that, if altered by changing environments, could affect dispersal capabilities of reef-building corals. In addition, this dataset provides a toolkit for asking broad questions about sensory capacity in multicellular animals and the evolution of development.
Historical Aspects and Fundamental Terms and Concepts

In the early 1900s F. W. Went made the profound statement “Ohne Wuchstoff, kein Wachstum”, translated, “without growth substances, no growth.” It is now generally accepted that plant growth substances have an important regulatory role throughout the plant kingdom. Since the pioneering work of Went, research in the area of plant growth substances has made considerable strides. At the present time plant growth substances are used in agriculture for purposes such as delaying or promoting ripening, induction of rooting, promotion of abscission, control of fruit development, weed control, size control and many other responses. Although they are currently used in agriculture, there are many questions which remain to be answered in order to maximize the true potential of plant growth substances.
Intracranial Pathology of the Dog

This paper proposes a review of intracranial lesions in the dog as observed at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.
Big Data and the Illusion of Choice: Comparing the Evolution of India’s Aadhaar and China’s Social Credit System as Technosocial Discourses:

India and China have launched enormous projects aimed at collecting vital personal information regarding their billion-plus populations and building the world’s biggest data sets in the process. Ho...
Unique People Dropout: To Educate All or Each

This paper questions the practice of trying to solve problems with Programs aimed at a mass rather than with individuals helping individuals. The dropout problem is used as an example. A summary of...
Consumo de «produtos naturais» e «suplementos alimentares» numa Unidade de Saúde Familiar: estudo exploratório

Introducao: O consumo de Produtos Naturais (PN) e Suplementos Alimentares (SA) tem aumentado de popularidade. Os estudos sobre o consumo destes produtos sao importantes, pois existem poucos dados nacionais e a populacao geralmente desconhece os riscos associados. Objetivos: Determinar a prevalencia do consumo de PN/SA na Unidade de Saude Familiar (USF) Arruda. Adicionalmente, pretendeu-se caraterizar socio-demograficamente os consumidores destes produtos e os seus habitos de consumos, e verificar se existe associacao com o genero, idade, escolaridade e estado civil. Tipo de estudo: Observacional, descritivo e transversal. Local: USF Arruda. Populacao: Utentes adultos inscritos na USF Arruda. Metodos: Os dados foram recolhidos numa amostra nao aleatoria, de conveniencia, de 1 de outubro a 30 de novembro de 2016. Foi aplicado um questionario anonimo, confidencial e voluntario. Os dados foram codificados, registados e analisados em SPSS ® . Resultados: Obtiveram-se 351 questionarios validos. Dos inquiridos, 68,9% eram mulheres, 72,9% tinham idade entre 31 e 75 anos, 50,7% apresentavam escolaridade inferior ou igual a seis anos e 50,9% eram casados ou viviam em uniao de facto. 91,2% referiu consumir ou ter consumido PN/SA nos ultimos seis meses. Destes, 64,7% consumiu um ou dois PN/SA, sendo que 75,9% fe-lo diariamente. Relativamente a analise da associacao entre o consumo de PN/SA e as variaveis estudadas concluiu-se que apenas existe independencia para o genero. Conclusoes: Os resultados deste estudo apontam para uma elevada prevalencia de consumo de PN/SA na USF Arruda. Dada a relevância desta tematica e ao facto de existirem poucos estudos atuais nesta area, consideramos que seria pertinente realizar investigacoes mais robustas, idealmente que pudessem ser representativas do panorama nacional.
Experimental validation of a multi-step material decomposition method for spectral CT

Recently, we proposed a multi-step material decomposition method for spectral CT where the decomposition is solved in a series of steps each separating one new material from the original attenuation data. Until now, this method has only been tested using numerical simulations of multi-material digital phantoms. Here we present the initial results of the multistep method applied to experimental data acquired in our laboratory using a Medipix 3RX detector with a silicon senor. The decomposition of CT images of a 3-material phantom is demonstrated. The materials studied here are gadolinium (Gd), iodine (I) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. The results show qualitative and quantitative improvement in separation accuracy as the worst-case percent error in one selected slice is reduced by 51.7% when using our new method in comparison to a conventional single-step material decomposition.
(E)-3-(Benzo[b]thio­phen-2-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxy­phen­yl)acrylonitrile and (Z)-3-(benzo[b]thio­phen-2-yl)-2-(3,4-dimethoxy­phen­yl)acrylonitrile. Corrigendum

The chemical names of the title compounds in the paper by Sonar et al. [Acta Cryst. (2007), C63, o743–o745] are corrected.
Perceptual Existentialism Sustained

There are two main accounts of what it is for external objects to be presented in visual experience. According to particularism, particular objects are built into the representational contents of experiences. Existentialism is a quite different view. According to existentialism, the representational contents of perceptual experiences are general rather than particular, in the sense that the contents can be fully captured by existentially quantified statements. The present paper is a defense of existentialism. It argues that existentialism is much better equipped than particularism to explain the contents of hallucinations, and it defends existentialism against three objections.
Loss of chromatin structural integrity is a source of stress during aging.

Dysfunction and dysregulation at multiple levels, from organismal to molecular, are associated with the biological process of aging. In a eukaryotic nucleus, multiple lines of evidence have shown that the fundamental structure of chromatin is affected by aging. Not only euchromatic and heterochromatic regions shift locations, global changes, such as reduced levels of histones, have been reported for certain aged cell types and tissues. The physiological effects caused by such broad chromatin changes are complex and the cell’s responses to it can be profound and in turn influence the aging process. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the interplay between chromatin architecture and aging with an emphasis on the cellular response to chromatin stress and its antagonistic effects on aging.
Trastuzumab + fluoropyrimidine maintenance in the frontline setting for non-progressing advanced HER-2 positive gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.

291Background: In untreated patients with HER2 positive advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (AGEA), trastuzumab plus active cytotoxic combination is the standard of care. Our objective was to ...
Gene expression variation in the brains of harvester ant foragers is associated with collective behavior

Natural selection on collective behavior acts on variation among colonies in behavior that is associated with reproductive success. In the red harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus), variation among colonies in the collective regulation of foraging in response to humidity is associated with colony reproductive success. We used RNA-seq to examine gene expression in the brains of foragers in a natural setting. We find that colonies differ in the expression of neurophysiologically-relevant genes in forager brains, and a fraction of these gene expression differences are associated with two colony traits: sensitivity of foraging activity to humidity, and forager brain dopamine to serotonin ratio. Loci that were correlated with colony behavioral differences were enriched in neurotransmitter receptor signaling & metabolic functions, tended to be more central to coexpression networks, and are evolving under higher protein-coding sequence constraint. Natural selection may shape colony foraging behavior through variation in gene expression. Friedman et al. examine gene expression in the brains of red harvester ant foragers. They show that colonies differ from each other in the expression of neurophysiologically-relevant genes, and that natural selection may shape colony foraging behavior by acting on this variation among colonies in gene expression.
Prosody and EPP in Swahili

The precise motivation for affixation has not been entirely settled. Noyer (1992) and Hankamer & Mikkelsen (2018) argue that the identity of an affix is recognized in syntax-free contexts or in postsyntactic environments. On the other hand, Richards (2010, 2016) proposes a way of identifying affixes by looking into their metrical dependencies initially detected in narrow syntax. Here, I argue alongside Richards (2016) that these suprasegmental features are visible in syntax and that they trigger XP-movements (see also Branan 2018). According to Contiguity Theory (Richards 2016), overt movements triggered by syntactic features such as [ u wh] and Extended Projection Principle (EPP) in the Minimalist Program (Chomsky 1993, 1995) are reanalyzed as operations sensitive to the interaction between syntax and prosody. To be more specific, narrow syntax looks at certain phonological information that works in favor of the initial shape of prosody. This suggests that syntactic movement is sensitive to prosodic contiguity prior to spell-out. Richards (2016) discusses some key motivations for movement. They include Probe-Goal Contiguity, Affix Support, and Untethering. Adopting some of the basic assumptions proposed in Match Theory (Selkirk 2009, 2011), Contiguity Theory looks into phonological motivations for wh -movement and EPP.Â In this paper, I argue that Swahili demands additional explanation as to how prosodic requirements are satisfied. In detail, I present an analysis accounting for the wh -in-situ phenomenon as well as the presence of EPP in Swahili. With regards to the presence of EPP, I propose that Swahili tense affixes require metrical boundaries on both left and right of their peripheries. The metrical boundary on the right is satisfied by the phonological content inside v P. The metrical boundary on its left is satisfied by an XP targeting [Spec,TP] which gives rise to the desired EPP-effect.
Characteristics of an avian influenza A (H9N2) virus isolated from an infant

Objective To analyze the genome characteristics of an avian influenza A (H9N2) virus isolated from an 11-month-old infant, and to look for possible sources of infection. Methods Throat swabs were collected from an infant with influenza-like illness in influenza sentinel surveillance hospitals and isolated for influenza viruses using cells. The isolates were identified for influenza virus types and subtypes by the method of hemagglutination assay, hemagglutination inhibition assay and fluorescence PCR. Whole genome sequencing of the isolated virus was carried out. The genome nucleic acid sequences and the deduced amino acid sequences were analyzed by comparing the phylogenetic trees which were constructed by bioinformatics software. Results A seasonal un-typed influenza virus was isolated from the infant with influenza like illness. With fluorescent PCR method , it was identified as H9N2 subtype of avian influenza virus and the case was confirmed as a human infected with an avian influenza A(H9N2) virus. Epidemiological studies revealed that the case had no clear history of poultry contact and exposure. Blast analysis shows that eight segments of the viral genome are avian origin, and 97.5%-99.8% homology with that of viruses isolated from the live-poultry markets. The virus belongs to G57 genotype, deduced amino acid sequence analysis shows that the virus has typical low pathogenic avian influenza characteristics. Conclusions Although the case does not have a clear history of contact or exposure to poultry, molecular traceability suggests that possible sources of infection may be still from poultry. Key words: Avian Influenza; Infant; H9N2; Nucleotide sequence
Outcomes and future directions for neuroimmunology/multiple sclerosis fellowship training: Survey of recent trainees

Abstract Background Neuroimmunology/multiple sclerosis is a rapidly evolving, but still poorly defined subspecialty. Fellowship training is not standardized, and there is substantial variability across sites. Outcomes of fellowship training have not yet been studied. We therefore examined early career choices of neuroimmunology/MS fellowship program graduates and solicited the perspective of current and recent trainees on their fellowship experience as well as opportunities to improve neuroimmunology education. Methods We developed a questionnaire to collect information about fellowship training experiences and current medical practice. We identified recent graduates based on records from US training programs and the National MS Society and electronically sent the survey to current trainees and recent graduates (within the last 5 years). Results We identified 179 current/recent trainees and successfully reached 157 with survey distributions. Ninety-five individuals (60.5%) returned surveys. Most graduates assumed an academic practice (68%) focused mostly or exclusively on MS and other CNS neuroimmune diseases (55%), and practiced in regions where there were ≥5 other neuroimmunology specialists (51%). Graduates felt well-prepared to manage diagnoses of MS and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders but their comfort with rarer CNS neuroimmune diseases varied substantially. Basic immunology, neuro-rheumatology, grant writing and neuro-rehabilitation were identified as high impact areas for cross-disciplinary didactic training. The majority of recent trainees (57%) favored standardizing a core neuroimmunology curriculum, and 48% favored developing a subspecialty certification. Conclusions This is the first study to examine practice outcomes and trainee experiences for neuroimmunology training programs. We anticipate that these data will help educators define a core curriculum for the subspecialty and identify complementary skill sets that enhance the traditional clinic-based model of teaching.
INSURANCE Insurance Regulation: Tentative Steps Toward Reform

SB 30 prohibits insurers, small loan companies, and their respective political action committees from contributing to the campaign for the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. SB 31 requires the Insurance Commissioner to release to the public each year a list of written requests for assistance by citizens against insurers. HB 178 requires the Insurance Commissioner to publish a supplemental annual report listing insurance companies deemed to be in financial difficulty. HB 182 requires insurers to engage a loss reserve specialist when reserves fall below the standard. HB 183 prohibits certain direct response advertising by insurers. HB 201 creates certain requirements for insurance adjusters and auto repairers when using aftermarket crash parts in figuring the cost of repairs.
Culturally sustaining social studies teachers: Understanding models of practice

Abstract There is scant research that documents models of culturally sustaining pedagogy, especially within social studies education. The researchers used a qualitative multiple-case study to better understand the practices of 10 self-identifying culturally sustaining secondary social studies teachers. They found that the teachers' practices were grouped into three different models: exchanging, discovering, and challenging. The teachers' approaches to culturally sustaining pedagogy were influenced by their school contexts and their students' backgrounds. Yet, there were shared characteristics across the teachers, including drawing on the students' local communities, developing students’ sociopolitical consciousness, and providing activities that helped sustain dynamic community practices.
Examining the views of Russian thinkers on the developments of the Islamic Revolution (Case Study: The Iran-Iraq War)

Investigating Russian literature shows that from Moscow’s point of view, the Iran-Iraq war was rooted in historical, political, and religious challenges. According to the Russians, geopolitical disputes after the fall of the Ottomans, the dispute over the Arvand River, ethnic Kurdish tensions, and long-standing disputes between Shiites and Sunnis are the four key factors that ignited the fires of the Iran-Iraq war. Meanwhile, Moscow had specific interests and policies toward Iran.Examining Russian literature shows that during the years of the Iran-Iraq war, Moscow made extensive efforts to establish a socialist system in Iran through influence in the leftist political current in this country. The Soviet Union which was deeply concerned about the continuation of the Iranian revolution within its borders, supported Saddam against Iran through arms, military, and intelligence assistance to Iraq. Also, looking at this war from a Russian perspective shows that the Iran-Iraq war not only did not limit US influence in the region, but also increased Washington's military and security presence in the West Asian region. Hence, the Soviet Union, which had hoped to find a way to gain access to the waters of the Persian Gulf by exploiting the instability of West Asia and providing security guarantees to the countries of this region, failed to achieve its goals. The Soviets also imagined that the Eight-Year War would prevent the continuation of the revolutionary movement of the Iranian people, and that the Islamic Republic would collapse as a result of the costs and problems of the war. But the leadership of the war by Imam Khomeini (may God have mercy on him) and the unparalleled performance of the Iranian people and warriors prevented the realization of the Soviet dream of forming a communist system in Iran.
A Cost-Benefit Approach to Evaluating Engine Health Monitoring Systems

Condition-based maintenance (CBM) enables fleet-level decisions that increase readiness, increase time between overhaul (TBO) and reduce inspections. Since engines account for a significant portion in overall maintenance cost drivers, detection of incipient faults is an important element of the overall CBM equation. The last few years have seen significant progress in design, development and deployment of engine health monitoring. In order for such potential health monitoring solutions to be operationally viable, they must integrate with existing engine designs and maintenance processes. That is, technical factors must be balanced against economic and operational benefits. A Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is used to provide a comparison of alternative solutions that decision-makers can use to identify the most cost-effective approach to CBM. In this paper we describe our approach to developing the underlying value capture expressions for monetizing cost and benefits. We illustrate the approach to evaluate two options for mechanical components health monitoring techniques for a gas turbine engine. We conclude the paper with how CBA summary results can be presented to a decision maker.
The group extremity effect: Group ratings of negatively and positively evaluated groups of faces are more extreme than the average ratings of their members

Abstract When forming impressions of groups, people's impressions tend to reflect the average rating of the group members. However, group impressions have also been found to depart from an unweighted average of member ratings. For example, in the recently reported group attractiveness effect, groups were found to be more attractive than would be expected based on the average rating of the group members. In contrast, other studies have found that groups are rated as less attractive than would be expected. In two experiments, we found evidence for a group extremity effect that can help explain these prior findings. In this group extremity effect, group ratings of negatively and positively evaluated groups of faces are more extreme in either direction than would be expected based on the average ratings of the members. For negatively evaluated groups of faces, group ratings were significantly more negative than would be expected based on the average ratings of the group members. For positively evaluated groups of faces, group ratings were significantly more positive than would be expected based on the average ratings of the group members. The group extremity effect was larger for groups with more variability in the ratings of the group members, suggesting that attention to extreme group members underlies the effect. These data demonstrate how the biases involved in evaluating individuals based on appearance can be amplified when rating groups.
Reemergence of the language network during recovery from severe traumatic brain injury: A pilot functional MRI study.

Primary objective We hypothesized that, in patients with acute severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who recover basic language function, speech-evoked blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) responses within the canonical language network increase over the first 6 months post-injury. Research design We conducted a prospective, longitudinal fMRI pilot study of adults with acute severe TBI admitted to the intensive care unit. We also enrolled age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Methods and procedures We evaluated BOLD signal in bilateral superior temporal gyrus (STG) and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) regions of interest acutely and approximately 6 months post-injury. Given evidence that regions outside the canonical language network contribute to language processing, we also performed exploratory whole-brain analyses. Main outcomes and results Of the 16 patients enrolled, eight returned for follow-up fMRI, all of whom recovered basic language function. We observed speech-evoked longitudinal BOLD increases in the left STG, but not in the right STG, right IFG, or left IFG. Whole-brain analysis revealed increases in the right supramarginal and middle temporal gyri but no differences between patients and healthy subjects (n = 16). Conclusion This pilot study suggests that, in patients with severe TBI who recover language function,speech-evoked BOLD responses in bihemispheric language-processing cortex reemerge by 6 months post-injury.
Validating the representativeness assumption of the quasi-induced exposure method using a national representative field observation survey.

The quasi-induced exposure (QIE) method was developed to estimate relative crash risk exposure. A fundamental assumption often made in applying the QIE method is that not-at-fault drivers in clean ...