cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intrapartum outcomes associated with change in body mass index category during pregnancy

MASS INDEX CATEGORY DURING PREGNANCY WANJIKU KABIRU, B. DENISE RAYNOR, Emory University, OB/GYN, Atlanta, GA OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of change in body mass index (BMI) category on intrapartum outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study conducted from 1999 to 2002. Women with term singleton pregnancies were included. BMI categories were defined as normal 25-29.9, overweight 30-34.5, obese 35-39.9, and morbid obesity $40. Change in BMI category was calculated by subtracting prepregnancy BMI category from BMI category at delivery. Analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA for continuous variables and chi-square test for trend for categorical variables. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between outcomes, change in BMI categories, and other covariables. RESULTS: 10,880 singleton, term pregnancies were identified in the Grady Memorial Hospital database. Of these, 5802 had complete obstetric data. 3163 (29.1%) women remained in the same BMI category during pregnancy, 2330 (21.4%) increased by 1 BMI category, and 309 (2.8%) increased by 2 categories. Demographics and prenatal characteristics were similar. Change in BMI category was associated with decreased risk of intrauterine growth restriction (P < 0.001). Intrapartum outcomes differed between groups (Table). CONCLUSION:Change in BMI category is associated with failed induction, amnionitis, lacerations, and operative delivery.
Successful Leadership in High-Needs Schools: An Examination of Core Leadership Practices Enacted in Challenging Contexts

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the ways principals in three high-needs middle schools enacted core leadership practices in concert with their immediate contexts to institutionalize comprehensive school reforms and support student learning. Research Methods: The schools were selected from a geographically stratified sample of public middle schools in a state in the southeastern United States. Multiple linear regression was used to identify schools performing better than expected considering their levels of poverty and other school-related factors. The final three schools, one from each geographic region, showed steady increases in academic achievement and school climate following the arrival of their principals. Data were primarily collected from interviews with principals, teaching and nonteaching staff, and parents using protocols adapted from the International Successful School Principalship Project. Findings: The findings explicate the large degree to which the leadership practices and beliefs that influenced student achievement in these schools were adapted to and commensurate with each school’s immediate context. Furthermore, 1
Tell Me What I Did Wrong: Experts Seek and Respond to Negative Feedback

A large proportion of marketing communication concerns feedback to consumers. This article explores what feedback people seek and respond to. We predict and find a shift from positive to negative feedback as people gain expertise. We document this shift in a variety of domains, including feedback on language acquisition, pursuit of environmental causes, and use of consumer products. Across these domains, novices sought and responded to positive feedback, and experts sought and responded to negative feedback. We examine a motivational account for the shift in feedback: positive feedback increased novices’ commitment, and negative feedback increased experts’ sense that they were making insufficient progress.
A hybrid level set approach for efficient and reliable image segmentation

This article is concerned with a level set segmentation algorithm which hybridizes gradient-based methods and the Mumford-Shah (gradient-free) method, for an efficient and reliable segmentation. We introduce a new strategy for the complementary functions uplusmn , which is computed such that the difference between their average and the given image are able to introduce a reliable driving force for the evolution of the level set function. An effective method of background subtraction is suggested in order to improve reliability of the new model. An incomplete (linearized) alternating direction implicit (ADI) method is applied for an efficient time-stepping procedure. For a fast convergence, we also suggest effective initialization strategies for the level set function. The resulting algorithm has proved to locate the desired edges satisfactorily in 2-4 ADI iterations
Human genomic sequences corresponding to murine CD3η‐related transcripts: Lack of conservation or expression of homologous human products

We have cloned and sequenced human genomic DNA homologous to exons 9 and 10 of the CD3 zeta/eta/theta locus. Although there are open reading frames within the human sequences corresponding to the translated portions of murine exons 9 and 10, we find no evidence of conservation of the encoded polypeptide product. Furthermore, using oligonucleotides derived from these homologous sequences, we are unable to detect human CD3 eta- or CD3 theta-like transcripts by polymerase chain reaction amplification of reverse-transcribed RNA from a variety of human lymphoid tissues. Despite the absence of evidence for conservation of human CD3 eta and CD3 theta, there is a surprising degree of similarity between human and murine nucleotide sequences, not only for exons 9 and 10 (78% and 70%, respectively), but also for the 9/10 intron (71%). A possible mechanism for this conservation is discussed.
Testosterone pellet implants and migraine headaches: A pilot study

a b s t r a c t The purpose of this prospective pilot study was to determine the therapeutic effect of continuous testosterone, delivered as a subcutaneous implant, on the severity of migraine headaches in pre- and post-menopausal patients. Twenty-seven women with a history of documented migraine headache were asked to rate their headache severity using a five-point scale at baseline (prior to therapy); and again, 3 months following treatment with testosterone implants. Improvement in headache severity was noted by 92% of patients and the mean level of improvement was statistically significant (3.3 on a 5 point scale). In addition, there was no difference in the level of improvement between pre- and post-menopausal cohorts. Seventy-four percent of patients reported a headache severity score of '0' (none) on testosterone implant therapy for the 3-month treatment period. Continuous testosterone was effective therapy in reducing the severity of migraine headaches in both pre- and post-menopausal women. © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Bringing the introductory computer graphics course into the 21st century

Abstract The field of computer graphics has matured greatly since the formal statement of the introductory undergraduate course for computer science majors was created for ACM/IEEE Curriculum 91, and introductory courses need to reflect the substantive changes in the discipline. Recent discussions with graphics educators and a syllabus survey have found six trends in recent course offerings. Further discussions at GVE 99 identified similar trends as well as an important enduring topic. Perhaps these findings will evolve into a basis upon which people can develop courses that fit their local needs as well as reflecting the changing field.
Repairing ERP: producing social order to create a working information system

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is used to enable organizational change. The challenges of implementing these integrated software products have recently dominated academic and practitio...
Detecting changes in respiratory patterns in high frequency chest compression therapy by single-channel blind source separation

High Frequency Chest Compression (HFCC) is used as a method to remove the mucus in the airway for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients. As the characteristics of the tracheal sound reflect the conditions of airways, in this paper, we propose a novel method to evaluate the respiratory patterns in HFCC therapy by using single channel tracheal sounds only. The difficulty of analyzing tracheal sounds lies in that it has a wider frequency band than the air flow at the mouth, and is always corrupted by other biomedical signals and noises. During HFCC therapy, the tracheal sound is also affected by the HFCC machine noise. For this reason, it is difficult to extract respiratory patterns and other related features by traditional filtering techniques. In this paper, we demonstrate use of singlechannel independent component analysis to extract respiratory patterns from the tracheal sounds before, during and after HFCC therapy, and use basis features in the tracheal sound to detect the change in respiratory patterns.
Respiratory and reproductive characteristics of eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) inhabiting a coal ash settling basin.

Coal fly ash and effluent from coal ash settling basins negatively affects metabolism and reproduction in a variety of organisms, including a number of fish species. Some species, most notably the eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia hol- brooki), are known to maintain viable populations in areas contaminated by coal ash. While eastern mosquitofish are present in these systems, their degree of tolerance to coal ash has not been investigated using sublethal metrics of exposure. It is possible that eastern mosquitofish persist in habitats af- fected by coal ash, but experience significant costs such as changes in metabolism and fecundity. Thus, we investigated the effects of coal ash on standard metabolic rate and repro- duction of eastern mosquitofish inhabiting a coal-ash contam- inated settling basin. Standard metabolic rates of mosquitofish from the ash contaminated site and a reference site (mean O2 consumption 0.286 mL/g h 0.007 and 0.291 0.008 mL/g h, respectively) were not significantly different. Despite elevated contaminant concentrations in ash basin females (se- lenium, arsenic, copper, and cadmium) and their offspring (selenium), brood sizes and offspring viability did not differ between clutches collected from ash basin and reference site females. Our data provide further evidence of the high degree of tolerance of eastern mosquitofish to exposure to aquatic coal ash disposal generated by power plants. However, the basis for such tolerance to ash remains unclear. Further investigations are required to determine whether such tolerance is a result of species-specific characteristics or population characteristics due to local adaptation.
Motivational Patterns Of Enrollees In University-Based Executive And Professional Education Courses

The purpose of this paper is to begin an exploration into high-skills lifelong learning in the field of business and management, referred to as executive and professional education (EPE). Several additional undertakings were necessary, including: discovering methods of valuing knowledge to a region, state or country, and establishing why participants in EPE programs enroll in them. To support this inquiry two research questions were developed, as follows: 1. What are the components of relevant EPE? 2. What motivates participants to take part in EPE? An exploratory case study was written exploring the intricacies of developing a successful EPE department. This exploratory case study served as a basis for developing a survey, administered to participants in EPE to determine reasons for their participation. This final survey was conducted in the classroom. The researchers believe that the findings and conclusions will be of value to practitioners involved in EPE, as well as to academics studying this area of business education. This research exercise has assisted the researchers in being more effective in managing and developing EPE within their own university. As professions and skills are made obsolete in the knowledge economy the need for continued high level lifelong learning becomes increasing important to the sustainability and viability of local, regional, state and national economies.
Miniaturized annular ring patch antenna for MIMO communications

This paper presents a miniaturized annular ring patch antenna (1-ARA) instead of two circular patch antennas (2-CPA) to generate higher-order mode patterns for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system applications. With two orthogonal radiation patterns, a 2×2 MIMO communication system can be realized (pattern diversity). The proposed ferrite 1-ARA was tested using the FEKO electromagnetic simulator. It was found that the size of the proposed ferrite 1-ARA can be significantly smaller, e.g., 20 times, than that of the more recent dielectric two-stacked CPAs. Performance of the proposed Fe 1-ARA was evaluated by calculating ergodic capacity and bit error rate and compared with a conventional 2×2 MIMO system.
A hybrid fuzzy logic controllers for complex environment

To overcome the complex terrain, a hybrid fuzzy logic controllers is proposed to find multiple targets with smooth path. By combining the searching abilities of these two fuzzy logic controllers, the robot is no longer trapped in a narrow exit, but succeed in follow the wall to the exit and then resume the navigation to the target. Experimental results show that the robot beat conventional fuzzy logic controller method in various challenging terrains, and can detect any narrow exits, which are larger than 1.8 times the robot width.
Detecting network neutrality violations with causal inference

We present NANO, a system that detects when ISPs apply policies that discriminate against specific classes of applications, users, or destinations. Existing systems for detecting discrimination are typically specific to an application or to a particular discrimination mechanism and rely on active measurement tests. Unfortunately, ISPs can change discrimination policies and mechanisms, and they can evade these tests by giving probe traffic higher priority. NANO detects ISP discrimination by passively collecting performance data from clients. To distinguish discrimination from other causes of degradation (e.g., overload, misconfiguration, failure), NANO establishes a causal relationship between an ISP and observed performance by adjusting for confounding factors. NANO agents deployed at participating clients across the Internet collect performance data for selected services and report this information to centralized servers, which analyze the measurements to establish causal relationship between an ISP and performance degradations. We have implemented NANO and deployed clients in a controlled environment on Emulab. We run a combination of controlled experiments on Emulab and wide-area experiments on PlanetLab that show that NANO can determine the extent and criteria for discrimination for a variety of discrimination policies and applications.
Regulatory T Cell Activity and Signs of T Cell Unresponsiveness in Bovine Paratuberculosis

Johne's disease, caused by infection with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), is a wasting disease of ruminants displaying a long subclinical stage of infection followed by clinical disease characterized by severe diarrhea, wasting, and premature death. Immunologically, subclinical disease is characterized by a Th1 response effective at controlling intracellular infections such as that caused by MAP. In late subclinical disease, the Th1 response subsides and a non-protective Th2 response becomes prominent. One hypothesis for this shift in immune paradigm is that a population of MAP-reactive regulatory T cells (Tregs) develops during subclinical infection, limiting Th1-type responses to MAP antigens. To investigate this, we sought to accomplish the following: (1) determine if CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells exposed to MAP-infected macrophages develop a Treg phenotype, (2) develop a method to expand the relative abundance of Tregs in bovine peripheral blood lymphocyte populations, and (3) identify functional activities of expanded Tregs when combined with autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and live MAP. We found that CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells exposed to MAP-infected macrophages from cows with Johne's disease do not show signs of a Treg phenotype and appear unresponsive to MAP antigens. A method for Treg expansion was successfully developed; however, based on results obtained in the subsequent functional studies it appears that these Tregs are not MAP-specific. Overall, it seems that T cell unresponsiveness, rather than Treg activity, is driving the Th1-to-Th2 immune shift observed during Johne's disease. Further, we have successfully developed a method to enrich non-specific bovine Tregs that exert suppressive effects against Th1 cytokine production.
Oxygen Sensitivity of Cloned Voltage-Gated K+ Channels Expressed in the Pulmonary Vasculature

Abstract —Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is initiated by inhibiting one or more voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel in the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of the small pulmonary resistance vessels. Although progress has been made in identifying which Kv channel proteins are expressed in pulmonary arterial (PA) VSMCs, there are conflicting reports regarding which channels contribute to the native O2-sensitive K+ current. In this study, we examined the effects of hypoxia on the Kv1.2, Kv1.5, Kv2.1, and Kv9.3 α subunits expressed in mouse L cells using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Hypoxia (Po2=≈30 mm Hg) reversibly inhibited Kv1.2 and Kv2.1 currents only at potentials more positive than 30 mV. In contrast, hypoxia did not alter Kv1.5 current. Currents generated by coexpression of Kv2.1 with Kv9.3 α subunits were reversibly inhibited by hypoxia in the voltage range of the resting membrane potential (EM) of PA VSMCs (≈28% at −40 mV). Coexpression of Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 α subunits produced currents that displayed kinetic and pharmacological properties distinct from Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 channels expressed alone. Moreover, hypoxia reversibly inhibited Kv1.2/Kv1.5 current activated at physiologically relevant membrane potentials (≈65% at −40 mV). These results indicate that (1) hypoxia reversibly inhibits Kv1.2 and Kv2.1 but not Kv1.5 homomeric channels, (2) Kv1.2 and 1.5 α subunits can assemble to form an O2-sensitive heteromeric channel, and (3) only Kv1.2/Kv1.5 and Kv2.1/Kv9.3 heteromeric channels are inhibited by hypoxia in the voltage range of the PA VSMC EM. Thus, these heteromeric channels are strong candidates for the K+ channel isoforms initiating hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.
Feminism and Career Assessment

Four basic principles or tenets of feminist therapy are outlined to create a framework to review and suggest feminist strategies for career assessment. These four tenets (the relationship is egalitarian, sociocultural conditions are the primary sources of women's psychological problems, the personal is political, the essential goals for women's mental health are self definitions and determination) capture and summarize the common philosophical values that underline all major feminist stances (cultural, liberal, social and radical).
An evolution revolution provides further revelation.

The extent of copy-number variation (CNV) in the human genome has been appreciated only recently. Nevertheless, for almost four decades, gene duplication has been a prevailing hypothesis for evolutionary change. Recently, gene CNV spanning 60 million years of human and primate evolution has been determined1 enabling lineage-specific gene CNV to be identified. Primate lineage-specific gene CNV studies reveal that almost one third of all human genes exhibit a copy-number change in one or more primate species. Intriguingly, human lineage-specific gene amplification can be correlated to the emergence of human-specific traits such as cognition and endurance running. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. BioEssays 29:1182–1184, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Geostatistical Analysis and the Impact of Moisture on the Spatial and Temporal Distribution of larval Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)

Abstract We studied the spatial and temporal distribution of third-instar Musca domestica L. in three high-rise poultry facilities in central Pennsylvania, and investigated its relation to manure moisture. Autocorrelograms, a geostatistical index, revealed pronounced spatial autocorrelation in M. domestica, with ranges of spatial structure from 13 to 117 m. Under normal field conditions, we observed a nonlinear functional relationship between manure moisture and larval abundance, and empirically derived an optimal manure moisture range of 74–78%. The abundance of third instars was significantly positively correlated with manure moisture at the same location in space and time for approximately half of the sampling intervals. However, moisture measurements were generally spatially random at scales ≥4 m, and thus do little to explain the spatial structure of M. domestica. Also, we rarely observed significant correlation between moisture and larval abundance over discrete temporal lags ≥7 d. However, atypical...
The Causes Of Species Richness Patterns Across Space, Time, And Clades And The Role Of “Ecological Limits”

ABSTRACT A major goal of research in ecology and evolution is to explain why species richness varies across habitats, regions, and clades. Recent reviews have argued that species richness patterns among regions and clades may be explained by “ecological limits” on diversity over time, which are said to offer an alternative explanation to those invoking speciation and extinction (diversification) and time. Further, it has been proposed that this hypothesis is best supported by failure to find a positive relationship between time (e.g., clade age) and species richness. Here, I critically review the evidence for these claims, and propose how we might better study the ecological and evolutionary origins of species richness patterns. In fact, ecological limits can only influence species richness in clades by influencing speciation and extinction, and so this new “alternative paradigm” is simply one facet of the traditional idea that ecology influences diversification. The only direct evidence for strict ecolog...
Differential diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and obsessive compulsive disorder in a male military veteran

Research on the relationship between military service and eating pathology has yielded mixed findings. Among those of military backgrounds, anorexia nervosa typically presents with co-occurring disorders that complicate diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this paper is to present a case report of a retired Navy midshipman. The patient sought treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), but his assessment revealed the primary pathology to be anorexia nervosa. This case illustrates ways in which military life may contribute to eating pathology and the complex overlap and differential diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and OCD.
Decapod crustaceans from the Semilla Sandstone Member, Mancos Shale (Upper Cretaceous), north-central New Mexico

The decapods Linuparus grimmeri Stenzel, Protocallianassa mortoni (Pilsbry) and Necrocarcinus (Cenomanocarcinus) vanstraeleni (Stenzel)? are described from the middle Turonian Semilla Sandstone Member, Mancos Shale, of north-central New Mexico. The main specimen of P. mortoni is unusually complete, consisting of a complete left first cheliped, parts of other pereiopods, and most of the abdomen. Both L. grimmeri and P. mortoni are reported for the first time from the southern Western Interior. The stratigraphic range of L. grimmeri is extended upward from the upper Cenomanian, and the range of P. mortoni downward from the Campanian.
Illegal captive lemurs in Madagascar: Comparing the use of online and in‐person data collection methods

Although it is illegal to capture, sell, and trade lemurs, the live capture of lemurs in Madagascar is ongoing and may have impacted over 28,000 lemurs between 2010 and 2013. Only one study has examined this trade and did so using in-person interviews in northern Madagascar. The current study sought to expand this existing dataset and examine the comparability of online surveys to more traditional on-location data collection methods. In this study, we collected data through a web-based survey resulting in 302 sightings of 685 captive lemurs. We also collected data from 171 hotel and 43 restaurant websites and social media profiles. Survey submissions included sightings of 30 species from 10 genera, nearly twice as many species as identified via the in-person interviews. Lemur catta, Varecia variegata, and Eulemur fulvus were the most common species sighted in captivity. Captive lemurs were reported in 19 of Madagascar's 22 administrative regions and most were seen in urban areas near their habitat ranges. This represents a wider geographic distribution of captive lemurs than previously found through in-person interviews. The online survey results were broadly similar to those of the in-person surveys though greater in species and geographic diversity demonstrating advantages to the use of online surveys. The online research methods were low in cost (USD $100) compared to on-location data collection (USD $12,000). Identified disadvantages included sample bias; most of the respondents to the online survey were researchers and many captive sightings were near study sites. The results illustrate the benefits of incorporating a social science approach using online surveys as a complement to traditional fieldwork. Am. J. Primatol. 79:e22541, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cooperation and Nursing of Children Painless Fibrobronchoscopy

To summarize the comprehension about the cooperation and the nursing of painless fibro-bronchoscopy in children.It is explained from the aspects of preoperative preparation,the cooperation during the operation and the nursing of post-operative.About the cooperation during the operation,we introduced the basal anesthesia,treatment of bucking,those who required perfusate,those who required local application and the observation of respiration,HR,oxygen saturation,et al.
Prostaglandin F2-alpha bladder irrigation for control of intractable cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis

We report a case of intractable cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. Conservative therapy, including suprapubic cystostomy with through-and-through bladder irrigation, failed to slow the bleeding. We then instilled 200 cc of a 0.7 mg. per cent solution of prostaglandin F2-alpha into the bladder for 4 hours daily. The bleeding ceased completely by the end of treatment 5 and the patient remains free of hematuria. There were no side effects noted during the 5 days of treatment. This form of therapy offers an effective, safe and easy alternative to more caustic bladder irrigants and methods of treatment.
Project USAP 2010: Use of Sedative Agents in Pediatric Dentistry-a 25-year Follow-up Survey.

PURPOSE A 25-year follow-up survey was conducted among members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) to explore changes in the use of sedative agents. METHODS The survey was conducted in the winter of 2010 via an email LISTSERV of active members of the AAPD in the United States. The survey targeted demographics of participants and issues related to their use of sedation. RESULTS A total of 1,642 responded, representing a response rate of 44 percent. The majority was board certified (58 percent) and indicated that nitrous oxide was used for over 50 percent of patients. Restraint (protective stabilization) was used by 72 percent of respondents but had declined compared to previous surveys. The dominant route of sedative administration was oral (93 percent). Benzodiazepines and nitrous oxide represented the most frequently used sedatives. CONCLUSIONS Respondents and their patient pool characteristics are changing (e.g., there are proportionately more diplomates), benzodiazepines are the most frequently used sedative besides nitrous oxide (the use of which appears to be increasing), and protective stabilization among users is declining.
Historic Preservation and Elementary Student Extracurricular Community Service.

ABSTRACTElementary students survey buildings in an extracurricular community service project to learn social studies and historic preservation. From these experiences students formed values and dispositions by engaging in a constructivist process of creating knowledge by examining their community. They gathered data, transformed it into information, and shared it with the larger community. Because students learned what community means in reality, not just reading about it, they had a different understanding of how they related to the place they called home. Examining these types of questions helped elementary students have significant experiences that helped them to connect community members with the importance of place. The built environment is the context for historic structures. Student engagement with the social studies curriculum allowed them to create investigations with architecture to broaden their understanding of their world.
Multi-Scale Spatial Simulations Reveal the Effect of Dopamine Transporter Localization on Dopamine Neurotransmission

The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) is involved in various signaling processes in the central nervous system (CNS) such as motivation, motor, reward valuation and endocrinal regulation. The expression levels of dopamine transporters (DAT), which function to clear extracellular (EC) DA, are high in dopaminergic neurons. Dopaminergic signaling relies on the localization and distribution of transporters and receptors not only at the synapses, but also at the extrasynaptic regions. Furthermore, the localization of DATs in synaptic areas, their conformational dynamics and intermolecular interactions during reuptake and release of DA, and DAT endocytosis are key processes that regulate dopaminergic signaling. Information on the spatiotemporal properties on DA release and reuptake mechanisms is limited due to limitations in current imaging techniques and difficulty of dealing with multi-scales in these models. However, fluorescence and electron microscopy provides significant information about the localization of the DATs and axonal varicosities where the DA release event occurs. This information could be transferred into a 3D reconstruction of the dopaminergic neurons and generating a multi-scale spatial model of DA-DAT transport mechanism and trafficking provides an understanding of the dynamics of system. The spatial multi-model is simulated with a hybrid solver able to solve particle based stochastic simulations and ordinary or partial differential equations. Overall, model will provide information to connect DAT trafficking and resulting localization and concentration to DA neurotransmission.
Abstract # 1804 Characterization of microglia in multiple brain regions of dominant and subordinate mice

Previous research demonstrates that microglia are activated by both chronic and acute stress, and that the type, intensity, and duration of the stressor may lead to variable alterations in morphology and markers of inflammation. To examine microglia differences in the brains of mice living in an ethologically relevant environment, 12 adult male CD1 mice were group housed for 21 days in an enriched enclosure measuring 150 × 150 × 80 cm. Mice were observed and social interactions were recorded for a minimum of two hours each day during the dark cycle. Hierarchy status was determined by analyzing the relative proportion of aggression given and received by each animal. Paraformaldehyde-fixed frozen brain tissue from the three most dominant and three most subordinate mice from seven cohorts was cryosectioned (50 microns), immunolabeled with Iba-1 antibody and stained with either fluorescence or DAB-peroxidase, and photographed using a 40X objective. Eight stress-responsive brain regions were analyzed, namely, CA1, medial amygdala, nucleus accumbens core and shell, ventral striatum, medial prefrontal cortex, ventral tegmental area, and substantia nigra. To assess differences in each brain region we considered cell number, size, and overall morphological state score on a scale of 1–4, with 1 being ramified and 4 being amoeboid. This study serves to characterize regional differences in microglia number and morphology with consideration to individual dominance ranking within a naturalistic environment.
Monitoring and modeling of Quartz Crystal Microbalance sensors in a four-point probe configuration with a superconducting ammeter

Abstract The Quartz Crystal Microbalance is an extremely sensitive instrument for detecting surface and thin-film changes, with sensitivities in the nanogram regime. Primary characterization is often achieved by monitoring changes in the fundamental resonant frequency of the sensor, which limits the ability to model the data collected from multi-component systems. Recent advances have allowed for the frequency and dissipation of QCM sensors to be monitored at the fundamental frequency and higher overtones, dramatically increasing the utility of this instrument for complex systems. In this short communication, we wish to describe a proof-of-concept, four-point probe system for measuring absolute voltage drops and currents at 5 MHz, including a superconducting sensor serving as an ammeter, along with multiphysics simulations providing comparable results. This data allows for direct comparison to predictions from linear piezoelectric models.
Plasma amino acid concentrations of horses grazing alfalfa, cool-season perennial grasses, and teff

Abstract The impact of forage species on plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations of grazing horses (Equus caballus L.) is unknown. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of different forage species on plasma AA concentrations and protein synthesis. Research was conducted in July in St. Paul, MN, USA. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), mixed perennial cool-season grasses (CSGs), and teff (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) pastures were grazed by six horses randomly assigned to one of three forage types in a replicated Latin-square design. Horses had access to pasture each day. Jugular venous blood samples were collected from each horse before being turned out (0 hours) and then at 2 and 4 hours after turnout. Corresponding forage samples were taken by hand harvest and analyzed for AA concentrations. Equine muscle satellite cell cultures were treated with sera from grazing horses to assess de novo protein synthesis. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS. When evaluating forage, AA concentrations were generally lowest in teff and highest in CSG (P ≤ .05). Significant differences in threonine concentration in the plasma were observed; there was no effect on de novo protein synthesis of cultured equine myotubes treated with plasma obtained from the grazing horses (P ≥ .20). As a result, although there were significant differences in forage AA content, only plasma threonine concentration was different at 4 hours with no effect on protein synthesis of cultured equine satellite cells.
Anomaly behavior analysis for building automation systems

Advanced networking technology and increasing information services have led to extensive interconnection between Building Automation Systems (BAS) communication protocols and Internet, which makes Fog computing service a potential solution for automation of building end devices. However, the connection to Internet and public networks increases significantly the risk of the BAS networks being attacked due mainly to the significant increase in the attack surface. In this paper, we present an anomaly based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) that combines context awareness and Cyber DNA techniques to detect network misbehavior from security and functionality perspectives. We developed runtime models for service interactions and functionality patterns by modeling the information that is continuously acquired from building assets into two novel data structures: Protocol Context Aware and sensor-DNA. Our IDS uses Anomaly Behavior Analysis techniques to accurately detect anomalous events triggered by cyber-attacks or any failure. A classification of detected attacks allow our IDS to automatically launch protective countermeasures. We evaluate our approach in the Smart Building testbed developed at the University of Arizona Center for Cloud and Autonomic Computing, by launching several cyber-attacks that exploit the generic vulnerabilities of BAS.
LMI-based fuzzy optimal variance control of airfoil model subject to input constraints

This paper presents a study of fuzzy optimal variance control problem for dynamical systems subject to actuator amplitude and rate constraints. Using Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy modeling and dynamic Parallel Distributed Compensation technique, the stability and the constraints can be cast as a multi-objective optimization problem in the form of Linear Matrix Inequalities. By utilizing the formulations and solutions for the input and output variance constraint problems, we develop a fuzzy full-state feedback controller. The stability and performance of the proposed controller are demonstrated through its application to the airfoil flutter suppression.
Castelao: Nationalism, Federalism, and the Postcolonial

This chapter will reassess the works of Galician writer Alfonso Daniel Rodriguez Castelao (1886–1950) through the lenses of postcolonial studies. For Castelao—and this is how a postcolonial approach renders itself relevant—Galicia was a colony at the beginning of the twentieth century, because it had been politically and economically overrun by Spain, with total disregard for the nation’s idiosyncratic needs. A postcolonial critical reading of his notion of colony, nation, and language will form the basis for this chapter, aiming at a fresher view on the status of Galician (literary and cultural) nationalism today, language identity, globalization, and neocolonial cultural and political practices and attitudes.
Gluconeogenesis, cytosolic redox potential, and phosphate and fluid transport in the isolated rabbit proximal tubule.

Gluconeogenesis (GNG) in the kidney represents an important metabolic activity localized to the proximal tubules (1). It has been suggested that renal GNG may play a key role in the regulation of renal ammoniagenesis in metabolic acidosis (2) and also may contribute to blood glucose concentrations (3). However, it is not known whether renal GNG serves any functional role in solute and fluid transport in the proximal nephron. Recent observations from several laboratories suggested that GNG may play some role in the regulation of fluid and inorganic phosphate (Pi) reabsorption in the proximal tubule. For example, Dousa and associates proposed that cytosolic concentrations of the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) may control proximal Pi reabsorption and as such GNG may modulate Pi transport through altering the cytosolic level of NAD+ (4). Silva and colleagues, who studied isolated perfused rat kidney, suggested that GNG and sodium reabsorption may compete for the common energy source, resulting in reciprocal changes in the rates of GNG and fluid reabsorption in the proximal tubules (5,6).
IL-11 antagonist suppresses Th17 cell-mediated neuroinflammation and demyelination in a mouse model of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

IL-11 induced differentiation and expansion of Th17 cells in patients with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In mice with relapsing-remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (RREAE), IL-11 exacerbated disease, induced demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS), increased the percentage of IL-17A+CD4+ Th17 cells in the CNS in the early acute phase, and up-regulated serum IL-17A levels and the percentage of IL-17A+CD4+ Th17 cells in lymph nodes, and IFN-γ+CD4+ T cells in spinal cord in the RR phase. IL-11 antagonist suppressed RREAE disease activities, inhibited IL-17A+CD4+ cell infiltration and demyelination in the CNS, and decreased the percentage of IL-17A+CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and ICAM1+CD4+ T cells in brain and SC. Diffusion Tensor Imaging indicated that IL-11 antagonist inhibited demyelination in several brain regions. We conclude that by suppressing Th17 cell-mediated neuroinflammation and demyelination, IL-11 antagonist can be further studied as a potential selective and early therapy for RRMS.
Developing career-ready business students: Three curriculum models

The authors describe the efforts of the faculty and administration at a small, Midwestern, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business–accredited school to improve business students’ care...
Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics to Design of Polymer Extrusion Dies

Extrusion is one of the most widely used processes for polymer processing, e.g., producing film, pipe, sheet, cable and pellet. The shape of extrusion die has an important part for the manufacturing products. The purpose of this study has been to confirm the influence of nozzle shape on polymer flow. We calculated the die flow simulations in the various parameters. The calculation results are expected to improve the efficiency of pelletization. A commercial computer fluid dynamics program Ansys Fluent was used to calculate the die passage. The parameters for the calculations were taper angle, outlet diameter, properties of polymer and two models. The governing equations were the incompressible momentum equation and the continuity equation. As results, the increase in flow rate was confirmed by increasing taper angle and outlet diameter in the specific dimensional range. The average outlet velocity of single and multi-nozzle models almost corresponded in each same parameter.
Terminology for bladder health research in women and girls: Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms transdisciplinary consortium definitions

Author(s): Lowder, Jerry L; Bavendam, Tamara G; Berry, Amanda; Brady, Sonya S; Fitzgerald, Colleen M; Fok, Cynthia S; Goode, Patricia S; Lewis, Cora E; Mueller, Elizabeth R; Newman, Diane K; Palmer, Mary H; Rickey, Leslie; Stapleton, Ann; Lukacz, Emily S | Abstract: AimTo report research terminology and definitions for describing healthy bladder function among women and girls.MethodsThe Prevention of Lower Urinary tract Symptoms (PLUS) Consortium developed research terminology and definitions for elements of healthy bladder function based on existing understanding of storage and emptying functions of the bladder and accepted definitions of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The novel concept of a bladder "bioregulatory" function was also proposed. Elements of bladder function corresponding to bladder health (BH) and LUTS were developed and refined using an iterative process. A comprehensive reference table structured by bladder function (Storage, Emptying, and Bioregulatory) and elements of each function was created to document proposed research terminology and definitions.ResultsThe BH research definitions for each bladder function are: (1) Storage: the ability to hold urine for a reasonable duration of time and sense bladder fullness without fear of or concern about urgency, discomfort or leakage; (2) Emptying: the ability to empty the bladder completely in a timely, efficient, effortless, comfortable manner; and (3) Bioregulatory: the bladder barrier protects the individual/host from pathogens, chemicals, and malignancy. Research definitions for seven Storage, seven Emptying, and three Bioregulatory elements of function are presented. Novel LUTS research definitions were developed when gaps in existing definitions were identified or nonclinical language was desired.ConclusionsPLUS BH definitions reflect a transdisciplinary approach to standardizing research definitions for elements of bladder function from a perspective of health rather than dysfunction and provide a framework for studying BH in clinical practice, public health promotion, and LUTS prevention.
Panel Data in Energy Economics

Abstract This chapter analyzes panel data studies of the most widely examined energy consumption industries—electric power, railroads, and airlines. For electric power, the choice between utility-level versus plant-level data, cross-sectional versus panel data, and pooled-data analysis versus fixed-effects (FE) estimation generally makes little difference. A consensus exists across estimates of cost, profit, and distance functions, as well as systems including these functions. Generally, studies reject homogeneous functional forms and find nearly constant returns to scale (RTS) for the largest firms. Residual productivity growth declines over time to small, positive levels, and substantial economies of vertical integration exist. Cost-saving can accrue from a competitive generating sector. Controversy remains regarding the Averch-Johnson effect and the relative efficiency of publicly owned versus privately owned utilities. Railroads exhibit increasing RTS, substantial inefficiencies, and low productivity growth. Airlines operate close to constant RTS and enjoy modest productivity growth. Substantial inefficiencies decrease with deregulation. A valuable alternative to FE estimation is a control function approach to model unobserved productivity.
Radiative transport limit of Dirac equations with random electromagnetic field

AbstractThis paper concerns the kinetic limit of the Dirac equation with a random electromagnetic field. We give a detailed mathematical analysis of the radiative transport limit for the phase space energy density of solutions to the Dirac equation. Our derivation is based on a martingale method and a perturbed test function expansion. This requires the electromagnetic field to be a Markovian space-time random field. The main mathematical tool in the derivation of the kinetic limit is the matrix-valued Wigner transform of the vector-valued Dirac solution. The major novelty compared with the scalar (Schrodinger) case is the proof of the weak convergence of cross modes to zero. The propagating modes are shown to converge in an appropriate probabilistic sense to their deterministic limit.
Aggregating predictions from experts: a scoping review of statistical methods, experiments, and applications

Forecasts support decision making in a variety of applications. Statistical models can produce accurate forecasts given abundant training data, but when data is sparse, rapidly changing, or unavailable, statistical models may not be able to make accurate predictions. Expert judgmental forecasts---models that combine expert-generated predictions into a single forecast---can make predictions when training data is limited by relying on expert intuition to take the place of concrete training data. Researchers have proposed a wide array of algorithms to combine expert predictions into a single forecast, but there is no consensus on an optimal aggregation model. This scoping review surveyed recent literature on aggregating expert-elicited predictions. We gathered common terminology, aggregation methods, and forecasting performance metrics, and offer guidance to strengthen future work that is growing at an accelerated pace.