cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phase III Trial of Androgen Ablation With or Without Three Cycles of Systemic Chemotherapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer

Purpose We conducted a phase III trial in patients with previously untreated metastatic prostate cancer to test the hypothesis that three 8-week cycles of ketoconazole and doxorubicin alternating with vinblastine and estramustine, given in addition to standard androgen deprivation, would delay the appearance of castrate-resistant disease. Patients and Methods Eligible patients had metastatic prostate cancer threatening enough to justify sustained androgen ablation and were fit enough for chemotherapy. The primary end point was time to castrate-resistant progression as shown by increasing prostate-specific antigen, new radiographic lesions, worsening cancer-related symptoms, or receipt of any other systemic therapy. Results Three hundred six patients were registered; 286 are reported. Median time to progression was 24 months (95% CI, 18 to 39 months) in the standard therapy arm, and 35 months (95% CI, 26 to 44 months) in the chemohormonal group (P = .39). At median follow-up of 6.4 years, overall survival ...
Use of Animals in Medical Education

The use of animals in general medical education is essential. Although several adjuncts to the use of animals are available, none can completely replace the limited use of animals in the medical curriculum. Students should be made aware of an institution's policy on animal use in the curriculum before matriculation, and faculty should make clear to all students the learning objectives of any educational exercise that uses animals. The Council on Scientific Affairs recognizes the necessity for the responsible and humane treatment of animals and urges all medical school faculty members to discuss this moral and ethical imperative with their students. ( JAMA . 1991;266:836-837)
Chicken Husbandry in Late-Medieval Eastern England: c. 1250-1400

Slavin Ph. 2009. — Chicken Husbandry in Late-Medieval Eastern England: c. 1250-1400. Anthropozoologica 44(2): 35-56..
Out-of-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest: where are we now and where do we need to go?

Out-of-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest is difficult to study, and I congratulate the authors in this month’s Annals of Emergency Medicine for their thorough systematic review of the current state of knowledge. With due respect to the investigators who contributed to this knowledge base and to the authors of this report, I suspect that many Annals readers may feel uncertain about what we really know about out-of-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest and, more importantly, how that knowledge can be used to improve outcome. Other than knowing that outcome after out-of-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest is poor, this systematic review illustrates important limitations of this type of review because of the limitations of the studies on which it is based. The author’s initial goals of clearly identifying gaps in our knowledge and determining the effects of commonly used interventions on outcome are difficult to deduce from the available data. Although 41 studies and more than 5,300 children are included in the identified studies, a minority of these studies could be evaluated when looking at the association of specific interventions on outcome, such as bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation or the association of the initial rhythm with outcome in various patient causal categories. As the authors discuss under study limitations, observational studies often use inconsistent study designs. This inconsistency is clearly true for cardiac arrest studies and is illustrated by the more than 7-fold variation in the reported incidence of cardiac arrest (2.6 to 19.7 cases per 100,000 pediatric population) and the surprising results about outcome after traumatic-induced arrest. As the authors correctly note, however, the method of patient inclusion into the National Pediatric Trauma Registry database likely included children who were not in cardiac arrest. Once children in these National Pediatric Trauma Registry reports were excluded, traumatic cardiac arrest resulted in poor outcome, as expected. Throughout the more than 20 years of reports included in this review, imprecise inclusion and exclusion criteria were used. The pediatric Utstein guidelines for reporting data were not published until 1995 and were incorporated to various degrees in subsequent reports. In addition to variable inclusion criteria, different outcome definitions were used. Furthermore, the most commonly used functional outcome used was designed
The electrostatics of a dusty plasma

Voyager 1 and 2 observations of the Saturnian ring system have led to the discovery of several interesting phenomena associated with its fine dust component. The dust grains are immersed in a plasma. The present paper is concerned with the electrostatics of a dusty plasma, giving particular attention to the capacitance and charge of an individual grain in the presence of neighboring grains and the surrounding plasma. The Poisson equation and gauge considerations are discussed along with a solution of the Poisson equation for several models, taking into account impermeable grains, permeable grains, and a spherical capacitor model. A comparison of potential shapes for three models is conducted, and the effect of neighbors on charging currents is explored.
Core Concepts: Thermoregulation in the Newborn Part I: Basic Mechanisms

Support and regulation of the thermal environment of the newborn have long been recognized as critical aspects of newborn care, and they have become increasingly important as smaller and less mature infants are able to survive. In this review, the foundational work done more than 50 years ago that defined the impact of hypothermia on morbidity and mortality in infants is discussed, and the concept of the neutral thermal environment is described, as well as how the identification of a narrow range of body temperature in which metabolic and oxygen demands are at their lowest has ensured safety in infant care while facilitating growth and optimal outcome. Thermoregulation is discussed within the framework of a balance between heat production and loss. The unique physiologic mechanisms that are available to the newborn to reduce loss and produce extra heat when facing a cold stress are described. The relatively large amount of brown adipose tissue in the newborn is a key energy source for heat production, although the metabolic processes and control mechanisms surrounding nonshivering thermogenesis differ between the more vulnerable premature infant and the term infant. In contrast to the means of heat production, the capacity of the newborn for self-protection against heat loss is limited. Without external support, newborns can readily lose heat and body temperature through all four mechanisms of heat loss, including evaporation, conduction, radiation, and convection, although each plays a greater or lesser role at various times after birth. Unless measures are taken to minimize these losses, severe physiologic derangements may result.
Dietary Protein and Mating Competitiveness of Sterile Males of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae): Measurements of Induced Egg Sterility in Large Field Enclosures

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is widely used to control infestations of the Mediterranean fruit fly (or medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) (Hendrichs et al. 2002). There is, however, considerable evidence (Lance et al. 2000) showing that mass-reared, sterile males are inferior to wild males in mating competition for wild females. Blay and Yuval (1997) demonstrated that the addition of protein (yeast hydrolysate) to the standard sugar-agar diet increased the mating competitiveness of sterile males. However, research conducted in Hawaii failed to detect a similar protein effect (Shelly & McInnis 2003). Thus, the potential role of dietary protein in improving the effectiveness of medfly SIT remains uncertain. This study compares levels of egg sterility in large field enclosures containing fertile flies and protein-fed or protein-deprived sterile males. In the aforementioned studies, mating trials were run over short intervals in laboratory cages or on single host trees and thus precluded potential effects of habitat heterogeneity and inter-tree movement on male mating competition. In addition, data on mating success do not necessarily mirror the level of egg sterility realized in the open field, because they ignore the possibility that females mate multiple times, even on the same day (Vera et al. 2003), and consequently that sperm competition may be occurring. While not a complete substitute for a long-term, open-field test, the protocol described below involved measurements of egg sterility over several days in enclosures holding multiple host trees, and the resulting data were presumably more reflective of natural conditions. The flies used in this study were maintained following the protocol of Shelly et al. (2005). Owing to the limited availability of wild flies, we used flies from a recently established colony (REC) reared from field-collected coffee berries. Larvae were reared on artificial media, and adults were separated within 24 h of emergence and maintained on a sugar-protein mixture and water. When used, REC flies were 7-13 d old and 4-7 generations removed from the wild. Mass-reared flies
Optimal Neuro-controller Synthesis for Impulse-Driven System

This paper presents a new controller design technique for systems driven with impulse inputs. Necessary conditions for optimal impulse control are derived. A neural network structure to solve the resulting equations is presented. The solution concepts are illustrated with a few example problems that exhibit increasing levels of difficulty. Two linear problems-one scalar and one vector-and a benchmark nonlinear problem-Van Der Pol oscillator-are used as case studies. Numerical results show the efficacy of the new solution process for impulse driven systems. Since the theoretical development and the design technique are free from restrictive assumptions, this technique is applicable to many problems in engineering and science.
Rho kinase-dependent activation of SOX9 in chondrocytes.

Objective The transcription factor Sox9, directly regulates the expression of the major proteoglycans and collagens comprising the cartilage extracellular matrix. The DNA-binding activity and cellular localization of Sox9 is controlled through posttranslational modifications including phosphorylation. Rho Kinase (ROCK) has profound effects on the actin cytoskeleton, which is instrumental in determining the chondrocyte phenotype and differentiation. How ROCK is mechanistically linked to altered chondrocyte gene expression remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to test for a direct interaction between ROCK and Sox9.
Therapeutic touch affects DNA synthesis and mineralization of human osteoblasts in culture

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques are commonly used in hospitals and private medical facilities; however, the effectiveness of many of these practices has not been thoroughly studied in a scientific manner. Developed by Dr. Dolores Krieger and Dora Kunz, Therapeutic Touch is one of these CAM practices and is a highly disciplined five-step process by which a practitioner can generate energy through their hands to promote healing. There are numerous clinical studies on the effects of TT but few in vitro studies. Our purpose was to determine if Therapeutic Touch had any effect on osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization in vitro. TT was performed twice a week for 10 min each on human osteoblasts (HOBs) and on an osteosarcoma-derived cell line, SaOs-2. No significant differences were found in DNA synthesis, assayed by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation at 1 or 2 weeks for SaOs-2 or 1 week for HOBs. However, after four TT treatments in 2 weeks, TT significantly (p = 0.03) increased HOB DNA synthesis compared to controls. Immunocytochemistry for Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) confirmed these data. At 2 weeks in differentiation medium, TT significantly increased mineralization in HOBs (p = 0.016) and decreased mineralization in SaOs-2 (p = 0.0007), compared to controls. Additionally, Northern blot analysis indicated a TT-induced increase in mRNA expression for Type I collagen, bone sialoprotein, and alkaline phosphatase in HOBs and a decrease of these bone markers in SaOs-2 cells. In conclusion, Therapeutic Touch appears to increase human osteoblast DNA synthesis, differentiation and mineralization, and decrease differentiation and mineralization in a human osteosarcoma-derived cell line.
Office Design and Evaluation An Overview

State-of-the-art research in the field is reviewed with emphasis on the impacts of physical environmental quality on worker satisfaction and job performance. The review focuses on three main topic ...
Transition of stable isotope ratios of leaf water under simulated dew formation.

Dew formation, a common meteorological phenomenon, is expected to intensify in the future. Dew can influence the H2 18 O and HDO isotopic compositions of leaf water (dL), but the phenomenon has been neglected in many experimental and modelling studies. In this study, the dew effect on dL was investigated with a dark plant chamber in which dew formation was introduced. The H2 18 O and HDO compositions of water vapour, dew water and leaf water of five species were measured for up to 48 h of dew exposure. Our results show that the exchanges of H2 18 O and HDO in leaf water with the air continued in the darkness when the net H2 16 O flux was zero. Our estimates of the leaf conductance using the isotopic mass balance method ranged from 0.035 to 0.087 mol m -2 s -1 , in broad agreement of the night-time stomatal conductance reported in the literature. In our experiments, the conductance of the C4 species was 0.04 0.01 mol m -2 s -1 and that of the C3 plants was 0.10 0.04 mol m -2 s -1 .At the end of 16 h dew exposure, 72 (17) and 94 (11)% of the leaf water came from dew according to the 18 O and D tracer, respectively.
Long-term farming systems research in the central High Plains

In recent decades, there has been growing interest among farming and scientific communities toward integrated crop– range–livestock farming because of evidence of increased crop production, soil health, environmental services and resilience to increased climatic variability. This paper reviews studies on existing cropping systems and integrated crop– range–livestock systems across the USA which are relevant in the context of summarizing opportunities and challenges associated with implementing long-term crop–range–livestock systems research in the highly variable environment of the central High Plains. With precipitation ranging from 305 to 484mm and uncertain irrigation water supply, this region is especially vulnerable to changing moisture and temperature patterns. The results of our review indicate that diverse crop rotations, reduced soil disturbance and integrated crop–livestock systems could increase economic returns and agroecosystem resilience. Integrating agricultural system components to acquire unique benefits from small- to mediumsizedoperations,however,isachallengingtask.Thisisbecauseassessmentandidentificationofsuitablefarmingsystems, selection of the most efficient integration scheme, and pinpointing the best management practices are crucial for successful integration of components. Effective integration requires development of evaluation criteria that incorporate the efficiency of approaches under consideration and their interactions. Therefore, establishing the basis for more sustainable farming systems in the central High Plains relies on both long-term agricultural systems research and evaluation of short-term dynamics of individual components.
Long-term alterations in neural and endocrine processes induced by motherhood in mammals

This article is part of a Special Issue "Parental Care". The reproductive experience of pregnancy, lactation and motherhood can significantly remodel the female's biological state, affecting endocrine, neuroendocrine, neural, and immunological processes. The brain, pituitary gland, liver, thymus, and mammary tissue are among the structures that are modified by reproductive experience. The present review that focuses on rodent research, but also includes pertinent studies in sheep and other species, identifies specific changes in these processes brought about by the biological states of pregnancy, parturition, and lactation and how the components of reproductive experience contribute to the remodeling of the maternal brain and organ systems. Findings indicate that prior parity alters key circulating hormone levels and neural receptor gene expression. Moreover, reproductive experience results in modifications in neural processes and glial support. The possible role of pregnancy-induced neurogenesis is considered in the context of neuroplasticity and behavior, and the effects of reproductive experience on maternal memory, i.e. the retention of maternal behavior, together with anxiety and learning are presented. Together, these sets of findings support the concept that the neural and biological state of the adult female is significantly and dramatically altered on a long-term basis by the experiences of parity and motherhood. Remodeling of the maternal brain and other biological systems is posited to help facilitate adaptations to environmental/ecological challenges as the female raises young and ages.
Beneficial effects of adenosine A2a agonist CGS-21680 in infarcted and stunned porcine myocardium

Although there are conflicting results on whether adenosine infusion during reperfusion alters infarct size, there are several reports that indicate adenosine A2a agonists reduce infarct size. Ther...
Conclusive Reasons and Epistemic Luck

What is it to have conclusive reasons to believe a proposition P? According to a view famously defended by Dretske, a reason R is conclusive for P just in case [R would not be the case unless P were the case]. I argue that, while knowing that P is plausibly related to having conclusive reasons to believe that P, having such reasons cannot be understood in terms of the truth of this counterfactual condition. Simple examples show that it is possible to believe P on the basis of reasons that satisfy the counterfactual, and still get things right about P only as a matter of luck. Seeing where this account of conclusive reasons goes wrong points to an important distinction between having conclusive reasons and relying on reasons that are in point of fact conclusive. It also has wider consequences for whether modal principles like sensitivity and safety can rule out the pernicious kind of epistemic luck, or the kind of luck that interferes with knowledge.
Active smoking and risk of Luminal and Basal-like breast cancer subtypes in the Carolina Breast Cancer Study

Growing evidence suggests an association between active cigarette smoking and increased breast cancer risk. However, the weak magnitude of association and conflicting results have yielded uncertainty and it is unknown whether associations differ by breast cancer subtype. Using population-based case–control data from phases I and II of the Carolina Breast Cancer Study, we examined associations between self-reported measures of smoking and risk of Luminal and Basal-like breast cancers. We used logistic regression models to estimate case–control odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Ever smoking (current and former) was associated with a weakly increased risk of Luminal breast cancer (OR 1.12, 95 % CI 0.92–1.36) and was not associated with risk of Basal-like breast cancer (OR 0.96, 95 % CI 0.69–1.32). Similarly, smoking duration of more than 20 years was associated with increased risk of Luminal (OR 1.51, 95 % CI 1.19–1.93), but not Basal-like breast cancer (OR 0.90, 95 % CI 0.57–1.43). When stratified by race, elevated odds ratios between smoking and Luminal breast cancer risk were found among black women across multiple exposure measures (ever smoking, duration, and dose); conversely, among white women odds ratios were attenuated or null. Results from our study demonstrate a positive association between smoking and Luminal breast cancer risk, particularly among black women and women with long smoking histories. Addressing breast cancer heterogeneity in studies of smoking and breast cancer risk may elucidate associations masked in prior studies.
Remote Sensing Image Registration Based on SURF Descriptor

This paper proposes a robust and accurate algorithm based on SURF descriptor for multi-source remote-sensing images registration.The algorithm detects the matching points by SURF.A large number of error matching points are eliminated by linear polynomial transformation,Forstner detector and least square with coarse to fine registration process.The image is divided to be corrected accurately through constructing the Triangulated Irregular Network(TIN) with dense refined matching points.Experimental results show the algorithm can realize precise registration for multi-source remote sensing images.
A Comparative Analysis of Perceptions of Pharmacy Students’ Stress and Stressors across Two Multicampus Universities

Objective. To compare perceived levels of stress, stressors, and academic self-efficacy among students at two multicampus colleges of pharmacy.Methods. A survey instrument using previously validate...
Controlling Surfaces Using the Shape Parameters

Analogous to the demonstration of Beta-spline curves in Chapter 17, this chapter illustrates the use of the shape parameters in controlling surfaces. The effect of bias is shown in Figures 18.1, 18.2, and 18.3. These figures show Beta-spline surfaces with uniform shape parameter values of β1 = 1 with β2 = 0, of β1 = 2 with β2 = 0, and of β1 = 0.5 with β2 = 0, respectively. A Beta-spline surface where both β1 and β2 are zero is illustrated in Figure 18.4. Increasing uniform tension values of β2 = 5, β2 = 10, β2 = 20, β2 = 50, β2 = 100, and β2 = 200 with a uniform bias value of β1 = 1 are shown in Figures 18.5 through 18.10. Negative tension values greater than −k are illustrated in Figures 18.11 through 18.16 where β2 = −4, β2 = −5, β2 = −6, β2 = −7, β2 = −8, and β2 = −9, respectively, with β1 = 1. Tension values which are more negative (that is, less than −k) are shown in Figures 18.17 through 18.20, where β2 = −25, β2 = −30, β2 = −50, and β2 = −100, respectively, with β1 = 1. Continuous shape parameters are illustrated in Figures 18.21 through 18.24. Here, β1 is uniformly unity and β2 is zero at all the joints except the one that corresponds to the top vertex. At the joint, β2 = 2, β2 = 5, β2 = 10, and β2 = 20 in Figures 18.21 through 18.24, respectively.
The ‘Poetry Slam,’ Mathemagicians, and Middle School Math: Tracing Trajectories of Actors and Artifacts

Looking ahead to his student-teaching assignment, a key step toward becoming a secondary mathematics teacher after completing his undergraduate degree in math education, Brian Skaj1 stated that he hoped to develop his students’ mathematical abilities by posing problems that involve making general leaps and making good mathematical thoughts rather than [telling students to] do one through forty in the book. I really want kids to test things mathematically, because that will develop their math fluency. That’s really where you learn mathematics, when you have to try to use math in an eloquent way. That’s what math is about. Brian’s efforts as a student teacher, then, would be not be geared toward training his students in rote memorization and application of mathematical formulas and principles. Instead, he wanted to encourage his students toward ‘making general leaps and making good mathematical thoughts’ that would lead to a deep and sustained engagement with mathematical practice. Four months later, as Brian did his student teaching in a middle school geometry classroom, he drew from a wealth of literate resources at his disposal to develop his students’ ‘fluency’ and ‘eloquence’ with mathematics. Helping him toward this goal were two key ‘tools,’ as Brian would repeatedly refer to them as we talked about his teaching.
Teaching Savings: A Public School Banking Program

Youth today have tremendous credit card debt and billions of dollars worth of buying power. Given this buying power, marketers are vigorously targeting this segment. Unfortunately, savings is at an all time low. It is for this reason children in two elementary schools are being taught not only the savings ethic but are becoming well versed in financial and marketing principles through the use of an actual bank in the school. The program was created in partnership with two local banks and the Massachusetts Banking Commission. The banks are run by children for children.
Generating in vivo somatic mouse mosaics with locus-specific, stably-integrated transgenic elements

Viral vectors and electroporation (EP)-mediated gene transfers are efficient means of inducing somatic mosaicism in mice, but they lack the exquisite control over transgene copy number, gene zygosity, and genomic-locus specificity that genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) provide. Here, we develop and demonstrate a simple and generalizable in vivo method, mosaic analysis by dual recombinase-mediated cassette ex-change (MADR). MADR allows for stable labeling of mutant cells express transgenic elements from a precisely-defined chromosomal locus. To test our method, we generated reporter-labeled lineages from stem and progenitor cells in a well-defined Rosa26mTmG mouse. We demonstrate the power and versatility MADR by creating novel glioma models with mixed, reporter-defined zygosity or with personalized driver mutations from pediatric glioma-with each manipulation altering the profile of resulting tumors. Thus, MADR provides a high-throughput genetic platform for the dissection of development and disease, and this rapid method can be ap-plied to the thousands of existing gene-trap mice.
Intramuscular triglyceride content precedes impaired glucose metabolism, without evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction during early development of a diabetic phenotype.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes is highly correlated with obesity; however, there is a lack of research elucidating the temporal progression. Transgenic FVB/N UCP-dta mice, which develop a diabeti...
A bifurcated signaling cascade of NIMA-related kinases controls distinct kinesins in anaphase.

In mitosis, cells undergo a precisely orchestrated series of spatiotemporal changes in cytoskeletal structure to divide their genetic material. These changes are coordinated by a sophisticated network of protein–protein interactions and posttranslational modifications. In this study, we report a bifurcation in a signaling cascade of the NIMA-related kinases (Neks) Nek6, Nek7, and Nek9 that is required for the localization and function of two kinesins essential for cytokinesis, Mklp2 and Kif14. We demonstrate that a Nek9, Nek6, and Mklp2 signaling module controls the timely localization and bundling activity of Mklp2 at the anaphase central spindle. We further show that a separate Nek9, Nek7, and Kif14 signaling module is required for the recruitment of the Rho-interacting kinase citron to the anaphase midzone. Our findings uncover an anaphase-specific function for these effector kinesins that is controlled by specific Nek kinase signaling modules to properly coordinate cytokinesis.
Diffusion of point defects in calcium titanate

Abstract Single crystal samples of calcium titanate were equilibrated with water-hydrogen atmospheres of a known P H 2 O ⧸ P H 2 , ratio at temperatures of 1100°, 1200° and 1300°C. After a step in the P H 2 O ⧸ P H 2 ratio over the sample, the electrical conductivity was measured continuously until a new equilibrium was attained. Diffusion coefficients were determined by analysis of the transient electrical conductivity data. The effective diffusion coefficient at 1200°C and P H 2 O ⧸ P H 2 = 10 −3 was 5.2 × 10 −6 cm 2 sec −1 ; the enthalpy of motion of oxygen vacancies was 13,000 cal⧸mol.
One- and two-dimensional metal oxide nanostructures for chemical sensing

Abstract Metal oxides are the most commonly used materials for chemical sensors, originally in the form of thick films. Single-crystalline one-dimensional nanostructures have considerable advantages: high surface-to-volume ratio, readily achieved reduced lateral dimensions, and their high degree of purity and crystallinity. These characteristics permit a variety of gas sensor designs, such as mat-based or single wire devices, self-heating devices, and photoactivation. Despite these advantages, large-scale integration has still not been achieved, and both one- and two-dimensional nanostructures still deserve deep study and research.
Compensating for Radiation-Related Cancers by Probability of Causation or Assigned Shares

To help compensate people who get cancers after being accidentally exposed to radiation, the Congress of the U.S.A. requested tables of probability of causation (assigned shares) to be computed. The tables took account of type of cancer, gender, size of dose, age at exposure and at diagnosis, and smoking. For most cancers, the assigned share was based on the age-t-specific cancer incidence rate for dose d, r(t¦d), using the constant relative risk model for assigned share $$ AS = [r(t|d) - r(t|0)]/r(t|d).$$
Problems with raster graphics algorithms

Assorted unusual problems with raster graphics digitization or scan conversion algorithms, where the implementation is much harder than the concept, are considered. They include digitizing a line that is on a plane so that the line is always visible, and digitizing a subset of a line correctly. Raster graphics is harder than vector graphics, in a deep sense.
The association of mid-to late-life systemic inflammation with white matter structure in older adults: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Abstract We examined whether the pattern of middle- to late-life systemic inflammation was associated with white matter (WM) structural abnormalities in older adults. A total of 1532 participants (age = 76.5; standard deviations = 5.4) underwent 3T brain magnetic resonance imaging to quantify white matter hyperintensity volume and whole-brain WM microstructural integrity (fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, was measured at 3 visits (21 and 14 years before, and concurrent with, neuroimaging). Participants were categorized into 1 of 6 groups based on their 21-year pattern of low (
Principal Leadership and Professional Learning Communities: What Beginning Teachers Value.

Beginning teachers in the United States continue to exit the classroom in alarming numbers, despite numerous recruitment and retention strategies. High turnover rates negatively affect instruction ...
Modulation Response of Superluminescent Lasers

The superluminescent diode is one possible alternative to the well-established injection lasers and LEDs as light sources for fiber-optic communications. A superluminescent diode is basically a laser diode without mirrors. The first investigation of the superluminescent diode was carried out by Kurbatov et al. [176], its static properties were evaluated in detail by Lee et al. [177] and Amann et al. [178, 179]. Superluminescent diodes have also been integrated monolithically with detectors for optical memory readout, their fabrication being (possibly) simpler than that involved in laser-detector integration since a mirror facet is not required within the integrated device [180]. (However, given the high optical gain inside the device, it is not trivial how to eliminate even the minute amount of optical feedback to prevent lasing from occurring.) It has also been observed that [181, 182] the optical modulation bandwidth increases substantially as light-emitting diodes enter the superluminescent regime. This regime is characterized by a rapid increase in the optical power output and a narrowing of the emission spectrum. This increase in modulation speed was attributed to the shortening of the carrier lifetime due to stimulated emission.
Chaotic Orbits in Barred Structures with Central Mass Concentration

The influence of a black hole, or central mass concentration, on stellar orbits in the plane of a barred galaxy is examined by analysing surfaces of section and computing phase space volumes. It is estimated that a black hole with mass equal to ~ 17% of the total mass is required to destroy the B family of orbits, and hence the bar. Further, a very small black hole will destroy a thin bar while a thicker bar is far more robust to black holes. Finally, the orbits of stars which do not have enough energy to go far from the black hole get stochastic more readily than those with higher energy.
Deep Hypothermia With Retrograde Cerebral Perfusion Versus Moderate Hypothermia With Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion for Arch Surgery.

Background Patients undergoing aortic arch replacement are at high risk for neurologic injury. This study compared two different established neuroprotective strategies in patients undergoing elective transverse hemiarch replacement. Methods Twenty patients undergoing hemiarch replacement were prospectively randomized to receive deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with retrograde cerebral perfusion (DHCA+RCP) or moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest with antegrade cerebral perfusion (MHCA+ACP). All patients received neurologist-adjudicated examinations and magnetic resonance imaging before discharge. The primary end point was a composite of stroke, transient ischemic attack, and magnetic resonance imaging–adjudicated injury. Secondary end points were transient neurologic dysfunction, and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and neurocognitive scores. Results Randomization resulted in 11 DHCA+RCP patients and 9 MHCA+ACP patients. There was no difference in cardiopulmonary bypass, cross-clamp, or circulatory arrest times. MHCA+ACP patients underwent circulatory arrest at significantly warmer temperatures (26.3° ± 1.8°C) than DHCA+RCP patients (19.9° ± 0.1°C, p Conclusions Although there was no significant difference in clinically evident neurologic injury, this pilot study suggests that MHCA+ACP may be associated with a higher incidence of radiographic neurologic injury than DHCA+RCP in patients undergoing elective hemiarch replacement.
Market Design Practices: Which Ones Are Best? [In My View]

Organized wholesale electricity markets in the United States follow the principles of bid-based, security-constrained, economic dispatch with locational marginal prices. The basic elements build on analyses done when large thermal generators dominated the structure of the electricity market in most countries. Notable exceptions were countries like Brazil that utilized large-scale pondage hydro systems. For such systems, the critical problem centered on managing a multiyear inventory of stored water. But for most developed electricity systems, the dominance of thermal generation implied that the major interactions in unit commitment decisions would be measured in hours to days, and the interactions in operating decisions would occur over minutes to hours. As a result, single-period economic dispatch became the dominant model for analyzing the underlying basic principles.
Shades of denialism: discovering possibilities for a more nuanced deliberation about climate change in online discussion forums

This article explores rhetorical practices underlying productive deliberation about climate change. We analyze discussion of climate change on a Reddit subforum to demonstrate that good-faith deliberation---which is essential to deliberative democracy---exists online. Four rhetorical concepts describe variation among this subforum's comments: William Keith's distinction between 'discussion' and 'debate,' William Covino's distinction between good and bad magic, Kelly Oliver's notion of ethical response/ability, and Krista Ratcliffe's notion of rhetorical listening. Using a three-part taxonomy based on these concepts, we argue that collaborative climate change deliberation exists and that forum participation guidelines can promote productive styles of engagement.
Effect of Beta-Blockade on the Expression of Regulatory MicroRNA after Severe Trauma and Chronic Stress.

Background Beta-blockade administration after lung contusion, hemorrhagic shock, and chronic stress has been shown to improve bone marrow function, decrease hypercatecholaminemia, and reduce inflammation. MicroRNAs (miR) are critical biologic regulators that can downregulate gene expression by causing messenger RNA degradation or inhibition of translation. This study sought to expand our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the reduced inflammatory response after the administration of beta-blockade (BB) in our rodent trauma model. Study Design Male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8 to 9 weeks were randomized to lung contusion, hemorrhagic shock with daily restraint stress (LCHS/CS) or LCHS/CS plus propranolol (LCHS/CS+BB). Restraint stress occurred 2 hours daily after LCHS. Propranolol (10 mg/kg) was given daily until day 7. Total RNA and miR were isolated from bone marrow and genome-wide miR expression patterns were assayed. Bone marrow cytokine expression was determined with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results LCHS/CS led to significantly increased bone marrow expression of interleukin (IL) 1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, nitric oxide, and plasma C-reactive protein. There were marked differences in expression of 45 miRs in the LCHS/CS+BB group compared with the LCHS/CS group when using a p value Conclusions The genomic and miR expression patterns in bone marrow after LCHS/CS differed significantly compared with rodents that received propranolol after LCHS/CS. The use of BB after severe trauma can help mitigate persistent inflammation by upregulating Rno-miR-27a and miR-25 and reducing inflammatory cytokines in those who remain critically ill.
Immune Suppression Mediated by STAT4 Deficiency Promotes Lymphatic Metastasis in HNSCC.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent form of cancer with 5-years survival rates around 57%, and metastasis is a leading cause of mortality. Host-derived immunological factors that affect HNSCC tumor development and metastasis are not completely understood. We investigated the role of host-derived signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) during experimental HNSCC using an aggressive and metastatic HNSCC cell line, LY2, which was orthotopically injected into the buccal sulcus of wild type (WT) and STAT4 deficient (Stat4 -/-) BALB/c mice. Necropsies performed at terminal sacrifice revealed that Stat4 -/- mice displayed comparable primary tumor growth to the WT mice. However, the rate and extent of lymph node and lung metastasis among Stat4 -/- mice was significantly higher. Downstream analyses performed on primary tumors, draining lymph nodes, spleens and bone marrow revealed significant upregulation of lymphocytic immunosuppressive biomarkers as well as an accumulation of granulocytic MDSC subpopulations in draining lymph nodes of metastatic Stat4 -/- mice. Further, we observed a significant decrease in TH1, TH17, and cytotoxic activity in tumor bearing Stat4 -/- compared to WT mice. Our results demonstrate that STAT4 mediates resistance to HNSCC metastasis, and activation of STAT4 could potentially mitigate lymphatic metastasis in HNSCC patients.
PRESENCE AND PREVALENCE OF BD (BATRACHOCHYTRIUM DENDROBATIDIS) IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIAN WOODLAND VERNAL POOLS

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a virulent chytrid fungus responsible for dramatic amphibian declines, has been detected in the northwestern and southeastern regions of Pennsylvania. However, little environmental Bd testing has been performed in central Pennsylvania, particularly in the unique and speciose habitats of woodland vernal pools. Our study included sampling in four vernal pools over a period of three months during amphibian breeding periods. Skin swabs were taken from three caudate and two anuran species, during the course of late winter and spring migrations (n = 143). Low Bd zoospore equivalent loads were detected in only a few individuals, in three of the five species but in all four vernal pools sampled. No significant trends were seen between zoospore loads and ambient temperature or migration timing across the species sampled.
Marine Protection Induces Morphological Variation in the California Moray, Gymnothorax mordax

The effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) on the general health and conservation of species, habitats, and community interactions is of great interest to researchers, managers, and recreationalists. However, the ecological and behavioral diversity of vertebrate predators of southern California kelp forests limits our ability to make general conclusions about MPA effectiveness across a variety of species. Identifying and studying species with extreme feeding habits or prey-capture strategies may offer greater insight into predator-prey relationships and reveal the trophic importance of an animal in the larger community. Moray eels (family Muraenidae) have been shown to have morphological and behavioral adaptations that allow them to consume large prey whole, identifying them as important predators. From 2015 to 2018, we studied the health and feeding behavior of a long-lived, elusive, and benthic kelp forest predator, the California moray eel (Gymnothorax mordax). We trapped eels inside and outside of Blue Cavern Onshore State Marine Conservation Area, an MPA on the northwest side of Santa Catalina Island, CA which prohibits the take of any species. Over 4 years, we captured 1736 eels. Overall, we found that morays were longer, older, heavier, had higher body condition, and were found in greater abundance within the MPA. Although fish comprised the majority of their summer diet, morays outside of the MPA were consuming a more diverse set of fish, while kelp bass comprised more than half of the diet for morays inhabiting the MPA. Additionally, we found that morays within the MPA had larger relative vertical gape distances (VGDs) and narrower heads. Our recapture data support the high site fidelity of morays, indicating that their diet and morphology are influenced by their local community. While the majority of morays are thriving in the MPA, as suggested by their robust sizes and longevity, high abundance appears to result in higher frequencies of cannibalism, the presence of an undescribed disease, and lower growth rates. Our results suggest that the MPA affects the life history of morays and may select for an alternative feeding strategy in which eels develop larger VGDs, smaller adductor muscles, and a specialized diet which is presumably influenced by the local environment. In addition, observations of cannibalistic behavior and species-specific disease provide us with important insight into natural factors that may still regulate populations removed from anthropogenic disturbances such as fishing.
Improved Spatial Resolution of Electroencephalogram Using Tripolar Concentric Ring Electrode Sensors

The electroencephalogram (EEG) is broadly used for research of brain activities and diagnosis of brain diseases and disorders. Although EEG provides good temporal resolution of millisecond or less, it does not provide good spatial resolution. There are two main reasons for the poor spatial resolution: the blurring effects of the head volume conductor and poor signal-to-noise ratio. We have developed a tripolar concentric ring electrode (TCRE) Laplacian sensor and now report on computer simulations comparing spatial resolution between conventional EEG disc electrode sensors and TCRE Laplacian sensors. We also performed visual evoked stimulus experiments and acquired visual evoked potentials (VEPs) from healthy human subjects. From the simulations, we found that TCRE Laplacian sensors can provide approximately a tenfold improvement in spatial resolution and pass signals from specific volumes. Placing TCRE sensors near the brain region of interest will allow passage of the wanted signals and rejection of distant interference signals. We were also able to detect VEPs on the scalp surface and show that TCREs separated VEP sources better than conventional disc electrodes.
Anions as Intermediates in Plasmon Enhanced Photocatalytic Reactions

Hot electron transfer to unoccupied molecular orbitals is the most popularized mechanism for plasmon enhanced photocatalytic reactions, while a few reactions have been attributed to near-field enha...
Association Between Surgical Margins Larger Than 1 cm and Overall Survival in Patients With Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

Importance Current recommendations regarding the size of local excision (LE) margins for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) have not been well established. Objective To assess whether larger clinical LE margins and receipt of adjuvant radiotherapy are associated with improvements in overall survival (OS) among patients with localized MCC. Design, Setting, and Participants This large multicenter retrospective cohort study used records from the National Cancer Database to identify adult patients with localized stage I or stage II MCC who underwent LE between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2015. Data were analyzed from August 1, 2020, to January 25, 2021. Exposures Local excision margin size and adjuvant radiotherapy. Main Outcomes and Measures Overall and net survival were assessed using Cox multivariable regression analysis. Results A total of 6156 patients with localized MCC (median age at diagnosis, 77 years [range, 27-90 years]; 2500 women [40.6%]). In the multivariable regression analysis, LE clinical margins larger than 1.0 cm were associated with improvements in OS (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81-0.95;P Conclusions and Relevance In this study, LE clinical margins larger than 1.0 cm were associated with improvements in OS, and these improvements were independent of tumor subsite, receipt of adjuvant radiotherapy, positive pathologic margins, or adverse pathologic features for stage I to stage II MCC. Patients with LE margins of 1.0 cm or smaller who received adjuvant radiotherapy experienced OS that was similar to that of patients with larger LE margins who did not receive radiotherapy. The combination of LE clinical margins larger than 1.0 cm and adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with the highest OS.
Brief Report: HIV Diagnoses Among Persons Who Inject Drugs by the Urban-Rural Classification-United States, 2010-2018.

BACKGROUND After many years of decline, HIV diagnoses attributed to injection drug use in the United States increased in 2015, the year of a large outbreak among persons who inject drugs (PWIDs) in Indiana. We assessed trends in HIV diagnoses among PWID across the urban-rural continuum. METHODS We conducted national and county-level analyses of diagnoses among persons aged ≥13 years with HIV attributed to injection drug use only and reported to the National HIV Surveillance System through December 2019; county of residence at diagnosis was classified according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics Urban-Rural Classification Scheme. National trends for diagnoses occurring during 2010-2014 and 2014-2018 were assessed by the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). Counties were considered to have an "alert" (ie, an increase above baseline) if the number of 2019 diagnoses among PWID was >2 SDs and >2 diagnoses greater than the mean of annual diagnoses during 2016-2018. RESULTS Nationally, HIV diagnoses among PWID declined 33% during 2010-2014 from 3314 to 2220 (EAPC: -9.7%; 95% confidence interval: -10.8 to -8.6); EAPCs declined significantly in 5 of 6 urban-rural strata. During 2014-2018, diagnoses increased 11% to 2465 (EAPC: 2.4%; 95% confidence interval: 1.1 to 3.8); EAPCs were >0 for all urban-rural strata, although most were nonsignificant. Alerts were detected in 23 counties, representing 5 urban-rural strata. CONCLUSIONS Vigilance is needed for increases in HIV among PWID in counties across the urban-rural continuum, particularly those with indicators of increased drug use. Prompt detection, investigation, and response are critical for stemming transmission.