cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variability in Fire Prescriptions to Promote Wildlife Foods in the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem

Prescribed fire is commonly used to restore and maintain the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem (LLPE). A key function of the LLPE is the provisioning of food for wildlife. Despite the plethora of literature evaluating the effects of fire season and fire-return interval on plant community dynamics, little attention has been given to the response of wildlife foods to fire season or fire-return interval. We measured the availability of key wildlife foods (fleshy fruit [i.e., seed containing a nutritious pericarp] and understory plant biomass) in upland pine forest following dormant-season (December–February) and growing-season (April–June) fires in a chronosequential design. Also, we quantified the relative contributions of the upland hardwood and bottomland hardwood forest types, which often are intentionally suppressed in the LLPE. In 2011 and 2012, we measured understory leafy biomass, biomass of forages selected by whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimm.), and soft mast production chronosequentially in relation to years-since-fire, fire season, and vegetation type in the LLPE at Fort Bragg Military Installation, North Carolina, USA. Understory leafy biomass increased in upland pine and hardwood forests as years-since-fire increased until two years post fire. Selected forages decreased in upland pine forest and increased in upland hardwood forest as time-since-fire increased. In upland pine forests burned during the growing season, 94% of the fruit was detected two years after fire, 6% one year after fire, and 0% the same year as fire. In June, fruit density was greatest in bottomland hardwood forest; in July, fruit density was greatest in dormant-season burned upland pine forest; in August, fruit density was greatest in upland hardwood forest; and in September, fruit density was greatest in upland hardwood and bottomland hardwood forest. Overall summer fruit density (i.e., the sum of fruit density detected each month) was greatest in upland hardwood forest. Understory leafy biomass and deer-selected forages were stable in bottomland hardwood forest because they were not burned, thereby providing a relatively high and stable availability from year to year. Our data demonstrate the importance of diversity in fire season and frequency, and diversity in vegetation types to promote key wildlife foods in the LLPE.
Imagination amplification

It would be easy to gaze into the distant future and speculate what image synthesis technology may be. I hope to relate some of my own inspiration for getting involved with computer graphics, an inspiration that is still an unrealized dream, one that I am uncertain how to fully achieve. My interest in computer graphics can best be summed up as a desire to create tools for imagination amplification.
Divorce and Childhood Chronic Illness A Grounded Theory of Trust, Gender, and Third-Party Care Providers

Divorced parents face distinct challenges in providing care for chronically ill children. Children's residence in two households necessitates the development of family-specific strategies to ensure coparents' supervision of regimen adherence and the management of children's health care. Utilizing a risk and resilience perspective, a grounded theory study was conducted with 14 divorced parents of children with chronic illnesses. The importance of trust, gender, and relationships with third-party care providers emerged as key themes related to the development of effective coparenting relationships for maintaining children's health. Divorced parents were best able to support the management of their children's chronic conditions when care providers operated as neutral third parties and intermediaries. Collaborative family care may require health care practitioners to avoid being drawn into contentious inter-parental conflicts.
Notes on the Southern Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex Badius Latr.) in North Carolina

Pogonomyrmex badius is not uncommon in the southeastern part of North Carolina and our insect survey records show that it has been taken at the following places: Faison, Hamlet, Southern Pines, Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Spring Garden, Overhills, Rex, White Lake, and Fayetteville. At the latter place I have been interested for several years in its activities and herein give the results of studies made from nests excavated in Cumberland County eight miles south of Fayetteville.
Teaching students about the WHO Guide to Good Prescribing

Although the WHO Guide to Good Prescribing is widely used in medical education to teach rationale prescribing to physicians, this method is less known in graduate nursing education. The purpose of this article is to review the motivation behind this model and to discuss the incorporation of a P (personal) drug assignment into a graduate pharmacology course.
Stable isotope evidence of juvenile foraging in prehistoric Central California

Ethnographic evidence demonstrates that hunter–gatherer children may forage effectively enough to supplement an adult provisioned diet, where ecology, subsistence strategies, and social organization are conducive to juvenile participation. We use stable isotope measures (δ15N and δ13C) from bone collagen and serial-samples of dentinal collagen extracted from first molars to examine childhood dietary patterns among 24 individuals from the Late Holocene Central California site CA-ALA-554. We identify weaning age and early childhood dietary patterns, and find evidence for independent child foraging among 25% of the sample population (n = 6), the majority of whom lived during the high-stress Medieval Climatic Anomaly (1100–700 BP).
Comparison of gonadal function between fertile and infertile men with varicoceles

The high prevalence of men with varicoceles who by history are fertile has led some to question the suggested causal relationship between a varicocele and male infertility. However, testicular function in these fertile men has not previously been studied in detail. Fifty-five normal fertile men, 42 fertile men with varicoceles, and 24 infertile men with varicoceles and normal female partners were studied. Semen analyses were done, baseline serum testosterone and gonadotropin levels tested and the gonadotropin response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) measured. The infertile men with varicoceles exhibited lower sperm counts, abnormal sperm morphologic features, increased baseline serum gonadotropins, and increased gonadotropin responses to LH-RH, compared with the normal fertile men. The fertile men with varicoceles showed similar abnormalities, although this was not statistically significant in all cases. That semen and hormone abnormalities were observed in both the fertile and infertile men with varicoceles suggests that the presence of a varicocele is associated with some degree of primary testicular dysfunction, regardless of present fertility status.
Genome Sequence of the Historical Clinical Isolate Burkholderia pseudomallei PHLS 6

ABSTRACT Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Burkholderia pseudomallei PHLS 6, a virulent clinical strain isolated from a melioidosis patient in Bangladesh in 1960. The draft genome consists of 39 contigs and is 7,322,181 bp long.
Pulsar: improving throughput estimation in enterprise LTE small cells

With the great success of LTE(-A) outdoor, LTE-based small cell technology has become popular and is penetrating indoor enterprise environment, co-existing with WiFi networks, to provide better user experience or Quality-of-Experience (QoE). However, accurate estimation of LTE links is challenging and critical to continue providing QoE for many enterprise applications (e.g., video/audio) and services (network selection). While prior work on LTE link throughput estimation depends mostly on a single factor (e.g., link rate), we argue that it needs to consider more factors to improve the estimation to meet increasing demands on QoE. In this paper, we propose a new metric, called Pulsar (Per-user LTE ShAre of Resources), that estimates per flow throughput in LTE networks by leveraging both underlying channel information and application traffic characteristics. Our extensive evaluation study through ns-3 shows that Pulsar reduces the estimation error more than 92%, compared to prior work, in various scenarios, while keeping estimation overhead low.
Three-dimensional composition reconstruction of InAlAsSb lattice-matched to InP for top cell implementation

An InAlAsSb random alloy grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) to be lattice-matched to InP with an intended bandgap of 1.57 eV, has been analyzed using atom probe tomography (APT). The InAlAsSb material has demonstrated optoelectronic properties that deviate from theoretically predicted values, potentially due to the presence of compositional variation and defects. The mass spectrum displays sharp peaks with minimal molecular evaporation. 3D reconstruction of the film shows no variant regions on the visual inspection length scale. 2D concentration profiles for each element on a 20×20×10 nm3 region of interest (ROI) show compositional variations spanning 2–4 nm, with In and Al segregating opposite each other (i.e. regions of high/low In concentration are low/high in Al content). Frequency distribution analysis indicates that the In distribution for the ROI is statistically nonrandom. Thus, there exists compositional variations in the InAlAsSb film at nanometer length scales, with the behavior of In likely being a main factor in the production of this variation.
Synthesis and characterization of extruded cellulosic fibrils for enhanced reinforced/filamentary textiles

Polystyrene matrixes containing cellulose nanofibril (CNF) with fiber content of 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 wt% were successfully hydrophobized by silylation and extruded into single filaments using both si...
Batoid locomotion: effects of speed on pectoral fin deformation in the little skate, Leucoraja erinacea.

ABSTRACT Most batoids have a unique swimming mode in which thrust is generated by either oscillating or undulating expanded pectoral fins that form a disc. Only one previous study of the freshwater stingray has quantified three-dimensional motions of the wing, and no comparable data are available for marine batoid species that may differ considerably in their mode of locomotion. Here, we investigate three-dimensional kinematics of the pectoral wing of the little skate, Leucoraja erinacea, swimming steadily at two speeds [1 and 2 body lengths (BL) s−1]. We measured the motion of nine points in three dimensions during wing oscillation and determined that there are significant differences in movement amplitude among wing locations, as well as significant differences as speed increases in body angle, wing beat frequency and speed of the traveling wave on the wing. In addition, we analyzed differences in wing curvature with swimming speed. At 1 BL s−1, the pectoral wing is convex in shape during the downstroke along the medio-lateral fin midline, but at 2 BL s−1 the pectoral fin at this location cups into the flow, indicating active curvature control and fin stiffening. Wing kinematics of the little skate differed considerably from previous work on the freshwater stingray, which does not show active cupping of the whole fin on the downstroke.
Systemic Therapy for Stage IV Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Update

Purpose To provide evidence-based recommendations to update the American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline on systemic therapy for stage IV non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods An Update Committee of the American Society of Clinical Oncology NSCLC Expert Panel based recommendations on a systematic review of randomized controlled trials from January 2007 to February 2014. Results This guideline update reflects changes in evidence since the previous guideline. Recommendations There is no cure for patients with stage IV NSCLC. For patients with performance status (PS) 0 to 1 (and appropriate patient cases with PS 2) and without an EGFR-sensitizing mutation or ALK gene rearrangement, combination cytotoxic chemotherapy is recommended, guided by histology, with early concurrent palliative care. Recommendations for patients in the first-line setting include platinum-doublet therapy for those with PS 0 to 1 (bevacizumab may be added to carboplatin plus paclitaxel if no contraindications); combination or single-agent chemotherapy or palliative care alone for those with PS 2; afatinib, erlotinib, or gefitinib for those with sensitizing EGFR mutations; crizotinib for those with ALK or ROS1 gene rearrangement; and following first-line recommendations or using platinum plus etoposide for those with large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Maintenance therapy includes pemetrexed continuation for patients with stable disease or response to first-line pemetrexed-containing regimens, alternative chemotherapy, or a chemotherapy break. In the second-line setting, recommendations include docetaxel, erlotinib, gefitinib, or pemetrexed for patients with nonsquamous cell carcinoma; docetaxel, erlotinib, or gefitinib for those with squamous cell carcinoma; and chemotherapy or ceritinib for those with ALK rearrangement who experience progression after crizotinib. In the third-line setting, for patients who have not received erlotinib or gefitinib, treatment with erlotinib is recommended. There are insufficient data to recommend routine third-line cytotoxic therapy. Decisions regarding systemic therapy should not be made based on age alone. Additional information can be found at http://www.asco.org/guidelines/nsclc and http://www.asco.org/guidelineswiki. J Clin Oncol 33:3488-3515. © 2015 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
MAKING SENSE OF THE WORLD: AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVID KRANTZ

David L. Krantz is Professor of Psychology at Lake Forest College. A Fromer Fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies in Behavioral Science, be has published articles and books in the social psychology of science and topic related to power, knowing, and life's meaning. He recently completed a book tentatively titled journays and Destinations: Searching for life's Meanings while a Visiting Professor at the University of Ghent, Belgium.
Meta-analysis of aprepitant combination regimens (ACR) for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in adults.

e20622 Background: Various randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown improved outcomes with addition of aprepitant to standard antiemetic treatment (SAT) in preventing CINV. We conducted a met...
Computer-aided learning in problem-oriented courses

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the importance of an instructor teaching in the manner and style that is most comfortable for the instructor. This method is offered as one more possibility in the spectrum of teaching techniques that can be considered in the search to provide a better learning environment. This way an instructor and his assistants can be freed from utilizing disproportionate amounts of time on mundane tasks that contribute the least to student learning and redirect that effort more productively. The chapter discusses the ways in which the computer can be utilized to relieve the instructor of some responsibility with minimal negative effect on the students' learning. The two areas in which the load on the instructor can be lightened are in the evaluation of homework and in the evaluation of the student's ability to demonstrate problem solving capability in a test-like mode. The task of evaluating the student's homework should be done prior to submission and to save time, it should be done on the computer.
GABA transporters regulate tonic and synaptic GABAA receptor-mediated currents in the suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons

In the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the GABA transporters GAT1 and GAT3 are expressed in astrocytes. Inhibition of these GABA transporters increased a tonic GABA current and reduced the circadian...
Integrating Reading and Writing Instruction in Middle and High School: The Role of Professional Development in Shaping Teacher Perceptions and Practices

This study examined the extent to which middle and high school English teachers integrate reading and writing instruction as complementary processes. Using qualitative research methods, researchers...
Detection of anorexia nervosa in primary care

In the years preceding diagnosis, individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) attend more primary care appointments than their peers. Primary care physicians (PCPs) may be uniquely situated to detect AN in early manifestations. In this study, a sample of physicians was recruited online. Videotaped vignettes of a primary care appointment were shown to these participants, who were asked to diagnose the patient and could make a referral. 61.2% of participants identified an eating disorder (ED) diagnosis. However, of those, only 40% intended to refer for therapy. These findings suggest that the rate of referral to mental health is problematically low among PCPs.
Effect of solutes on the lattice parameters and elastic stiffness coefficients of body-centered tetragonal Fe

Abstract We compute changes in the lattice parameters and elastic stiffness coefficients C ij of body-centered tetragonal (bct) Fe due to Al, B, C, Cu, Mn, Si, and N solutes. Solute strain misfit tensors determine changes in the lattice parameters as well as strain contributions to the changes in the C ij . We also compute chemical contributions to the changes in the C ij , and show that the sum of the strain and chemical contributions agree with more computationally expensive direct calculations that simultaneously incorporate both contributions. Octahedral interstitial solutes, with C being the most important addition in steels, must be present to stabilize the bct phase over the body-centered cubic phase. We therefore compute the effects of interactions between interstitial C solutes and substitutional solutes on the bct lattice parameters and C ij for all possible solute configurations in the dilute limit, and thermally average the results to obtain effective changes in properties due to each solute. The computed data can be used to estimate solute-induced changes in mechanical properties such as strength and ductility, and can be directly incorporated into mesoscale simulations of multiphase steels to model solute effects on the bct martensite phase.
High Right Atrial Pressure and Low Pulse Pressure Predict Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Device

Abstract Background Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) remains a major morbid event during continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. This study investigated whether a common hemodynamic profile is associated with GIB in patients with LVADs. Methods and Results A single institution analysis reviewed all patients who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) following LVAD implant between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2013, with follow-up through June 2015. Kaplan-Meier and multiphase hazard statistical methods were employed. Among 108 patients with 341 RHC, 55 hospitalizations for GIB occurred within 1 year of RHC. Freedom from GIB at 6 months was 92% in patients with pulse pressure ≥35 mmHg, compared with 76% with pulse pressure Conclusions Greater pulsatility and less venous congestion, along with other factors, are associated with a lower risk for GIB. It is reasonable to adjust therapeutic strategies to target this hemodynamic profile in patients with a propensity for GIB.
Ecologies as a complement to ecosystem services? Exploring how landscape planners might advance understanding about human–nature relationships in changing landscapes

One of the key challenges for landscape planners is to reframe the meaning of ecosystem services. In this context, alternative concepts such as ecologies have potential to complement ecosystem services when applied to human–nature relationships in changing landscapes. The objectives of this article are: (1) to review how landscape planners use major critical approaches to translate the meaning of ecosystem services and (2) to introduce why ecologies provides helpful insights to complement ecosystem services. A conceptual framework examines how landscape planners use critique to reframe the meaning of ecosystem services. This framework is then revised as a scenario to reframe the meanings of ecologies and ecosystem services. Landscape planners use three critical approaches to reframe the meaning of ecosystem services to advance the understanding of human–nature relationships in changing landscapes. Yet, they identify some important issues and gaps that emerge when it is applied. These issues and gaps are part of the rationale for why landscape planning is at a crossroads with ecosystem services. This rationale is then extended to create a scenario for why a revised conceptual framework is needed for landscape planners to reframe the meanings of ecologies and ecosystem services. The translational challenge of ecologies and ecosystem services is an example of the key role that landscape planners play in developing a deeper understanding of human–nature relationships.
Skillful empirical subseasonal prediction of landfalling atmospheric river activity using the Madden–Julian oscillation and quasi-biennial oscillation

Upon landfall, atmospheric rivers (ARs)—plumes of intense water vapor transport—often trigger weather and hydrologic extremes. Presently, no guidance is available to alert decision makers to anomalous AR activity within the subseasonal time scale (~2–5 weeks). Here, we construct and evaluate an empirical prediction scheme for anomalous AR activity based solely on the initial state of two prominent modes of tropical variability: the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). The MJO—the dominant mode of intraseasonal variability in the tropical troposphere—modulates landfalling AR activity along the west coast of North America by exciting large-scale circulation anomalies over the North Pacific. In light of emerging science regarding the modulation of the MJO by the QBO—the dominant mode of interannual variability in the tropical stratosphere—we demonstrate that the MJO–AR relationship is further influenced by the QBO. Evaluating the prediction scheme over 36 boreal winter seasons, we find skillful subseasonal “forecasts of opportunity” when knowledge of the MJO and the QBO can be leveraged to predict periods of increased or decreased AR activity. Certain MJO and QBO phase combinations provide empirical subseasonal predictive skill for anomalous AR activity that exceeds that of a state-of-the-art numerical weather prediction model. Given the wide-ranging impacts associated with landfalling ARs, even modest gains in the subseasonal prediction of anomalous AR activity may support decision making and benefit numerous sectors of society. Landfalling atmospheric river activity may be predicted up to five weeks in advance based solely on the initial state of the tropics. A team led by Bryan Mundhenk at Colorado State University constructed a scheme to predict periods of above or below normal atmospheric river activity using two prominent modes of atmospheric variability as predictors. Evaluated over regions along the west coast of North America, the researchers found opportunities when anomalous wintertime atmospheric river activity can be skillfully predicted up to five weeks into the future. The skill from this scheme can, at times, exceed that of a state-of-the-art numerical weather prediction model. As these plumes of intense water vapor transport often trigger weather extremes upon landfall, an operational version of this prediction scheme may support decision making and benefit numerous sectors of society.
Algorithms for Periodic Functions

Chapter 2 shows how to compute the Discrete Fourier Transform using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm. When the data to be transformed are real, the transforms are sped up by about a factor of two by exploiting symmetries in the data and the coefficients. The chapter ends with how to approximate the derivatives of periodic functions, thus presenting the fundamental algorithms that are needed to solve partial differential equations with periodic boundary conditions.
Porous Medium Analysis or Interstitial Liquid Removal from Tank 41 and Tank 3

During Tank 41 interstitial liquid removal in fall 2002 and early 2003, analytical analyses of capillary liquid retention and fluid flow in porous saltcake were performed to guide waste processing under the Low Curie Salt program. Tank drainage was completed in June 2003 with the interstitial level at about 68 in. In late June and early July, flush water was added to dissolve hard salt for later liquid retrieval. Data from these subsequent operations has been used to validate the earlier analytical models and assess model uncertainty. Data comparisons suggest the analytical drain model performs well when empirical data are available to calibrate the model. Subsequent model forecasts can be expected to be reasonably accurate, provided the pumping rate is steady.
Here Comes the Bride

Although there is no reference to the bride in the Gospel story of the wedding at Cana, the bride was not destined to remain invisible. Following Augustine’s lead, medieval commentators tended to interpret the story in terms of marriage of Christ and Ecclesia, and so the bride figured allegorically as a representation of the Church. New ideas about the bride emerged in the twelfth century, particularly in materials associated with women. In the Gospel explications of Hildegard of Bingen, and in texts and pictures created to support women’s devotional practices, the bride of Cana takes center stage as the vehicle for articulating new models of women’s religious identity and aspiration.
Analysis of CYLD Proteolysis by CASPASE 8 in Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages

Previous studies have demonstrated that CASPASE 8 can generate a prosurvival signal by inhibiting necroptosis via the cleavage of the deubiquitinating enzyme CYLD. Cleavage of CYLD at D215 results in the generation of a 25 kD N-terminal fragment and degradation of the C-terminal fragment containing the catalytic domain. Since CYLD is required for TNF-induced necroptosis, its proteolysis is necessary and sufficient to suppress necroptosis and generate a survival signal. Here we describe how to visualize CYLD proteolysis by western blot analysis, as a measure of CASPASE 8 activity and inhibition of necroptosis.
The role of oral vitamins and supplements in the management of atopic dermatitis: a systematic review

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder characterized by disruption of epidermal barrier function and aberrant immune response to antigens. Current therapies focus on symptom management by restoring epidermal barrier function with emollients and reducing inflammation. Given the prevalence of "steroid phobia" and reported dissatisfaction with first-line therapies, oral vitamins and supplements have been proposed as promising complementary and alternative therapies. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence for various oral vitamins and supplements for the treatment of AD. A literature search was performed in February 2018 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Included studies were clinical trials and meta-analyses on the oral supplementation of vitamins and supplements for the treatment or prevention of AD. The search identified over 300 articles, of which 37 were included for review. Supplementation with vitamins E and D have the most robust evidence for AD symptom management. Probiotics may play a role in the prevention of infantile AD. Fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid, sea buckthorn oil, and hempseed oil also have preliminary evidence for use as supplements to decrease AD severity, but randomized controlled trials are needed. Vitamins and supplements may have a role in the management of AD, however, many of the studies reviewed are limited by small sample size. More studies are needed to better inform medical providers and patients about the role of these treatments in the management of AD.
Experimental investigation of hybrid shape memory alloy pneumatic actuators

Pneumatic actuators are a lightweight, compliant means of exerting force and are especially promising for systems that interact with the human body. These actuators typically consist of an elastomeric bladder and a surrounding sleeve. The sleeve is created using traditional textile manufacturing processes (e.g., wrapping, braiding, and knitting) where the fibers within the textile sleeves are inextensible components that limit the local expansion of the bladder. By varying the fiber angles and applied pressure, different kinematic motions (extension, contraction, bending, and twisting) are achieved. Anti-symmetric fiber angles within the textile sleeve architecture result in axial and radial motion. In this experimental investigation, shape memory alloy (SMA) wires are integrated into two types of passive sleeves (wrapped and knitted) to increase the range of motion of the actuator. Applying pressure to the system pre-strains the martensitic SMA through radial expansion of the actuator. When heated above the austenite finish temperature, the shape memory effect enables contraction of the SMA wire. This fiber contraction causes reorientation of the textile architecture, resulting in additional motion. The effect of the control variables, air pressure and electrical current, on axial displacements and rotations are experimentally characterized using discrete marker tracking. This study explores two basic textile sleeve architectures for hybrid SMA-pneumatic actuators and sets the foundation for increased kinematic tailorability through the design of complex multi-functional actuating textile sleeves.
Bias in Physician Workforce Research.

Physician workforce research often generates marked interest across multiple specialties and policy makers. Data are used to argue for or against proposed changes in funding for undergraduate or graduate medical education, to define areas of shortage or surplus in the health care delivery system, and to forecast future needs. In my experience, investigators or policy makers may present workforce research results, for which they may be unaware of their data sources and accuracy, to describe the current workforce or make inferences or predictions of the future workforce. Often, little is known regarding the methods of how the data were obtained or analyzed nor what standards of rigor are needed to achieve validity of the results presented. Usually, flaws in methodology create uncertainty regarding the accuracy and validity of results. Recognition of these flaws can help place results in context and temper tendencies of researchers and/or advocates to draw strong inferences. Determining the precise degree of inaccuracy requires the use of >1 data source, preferably with one that can function as a gold standard. For example, a data source commonly used by the federal government and the Dartmouth Atlas Project to determine counts and distributions of physicians was shown to have a misattribution rate of ∼30% for a specific pediatric subspecialty.1 Regardless, for those who either produce or use workforce research, it is important to be aware of and understand common methodologic pitfalls that can affect the accuracy of both the results and the inferences deduced from them. These problems fall into 5 basic categories: (1) selection bias, (2) nonresponse bias, (3) aggregation bias, (4) designation bias, and (5) head-count bias. When >1 type of bias is present at the same time, they can act in an additive or multiplicative fashion, making the results more suspect. Understanding the potential biases … Address correspondence to Gary L. Freed, MD, MPH, Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, University of Michigan, 300 North Ingalls Building, Room 6D21, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0456. E-mail: gfreed{at}med.umich.edu
Is it time for a quality rating system for colleges of pharmacy

The quality of educational programs, including Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs, has largely escaped the societal trend towards public reporting. Recent criticisms of pharmacy academia by practitioners should prompt us to reexamine how the quality of pharmacy education is measured and reported to the public. In supporting greater transparency related to quality, important questions that should be addressed include: Is the current public reporting of quality indicators for pharmacy schools sufficient for determining the quality of education provided by a school? Can a quality rating system be developed that will not only provide a valid assessment of quality, but also be easy to interpret by potential applicants and employers? The intent of this commentary is to initiate a discussion centered around this issue and to encourage the development of a new measure of pharmacy school quality.
Chapter 7 – Molecular Biology of the Cell

This chapter introduces the molecular biology of animal cells to a non-specialist audience. It explains the essential properties of cells, focusing on those attributes that are relevant to the tissue engineer. These include genes and gene expression, cell structure and metabolism, the cell surface, membrane potential, the cytoskeleton, microtubules and microfilaments, cell adhesion and the extracellular matrix. The properties of tissue culture media are covered, with an explanation of the function of each component. The chapter explains how signals from hormones or growth factors are conducted into the cell to affect gene expression or other cell behaviors. The nature of a cell type is described, as is the organization of differentiated cells into tissues and organs.
Psychology, Quality of Life, and Rehabilitation After Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation

Psychosocial issues impact all aspects of kidney transplantation. This chapter offers a framework to approach the psychiatric and psychosocial comorbidity that is often present in the transplant candidate and the transplant recipient. Practical aspects of drug therapy in managing psychiatric complications of transplantation are also presented.
The Effect of Corporate Tax Avoidance on Society

Tax avoidance is legal, but when maximized using methods that are available to multi-national corporations some methods to avoid taxation become indistinguishable from tax evasion or fraud. The amounts are significant and can exceed the entire budget of some developing countries. Developing countries are affected differently from developed countries. The objectives and strategies used by their governments differ as well. The relative strengths of industrial, individual, and governmental participants vary greatly as well. Surprising and interacting coalitions arise and wane.
Wood Deterioration by Aquatic Microorganisms

This chapter discusses the deterioration of wooden Cultural Heritage in aquatic ecosystems caused by bacteria and fungi. Prokaryotes are examined first, with a brief description of bacteria that destroy pit membranes, and an extended section on true wood-degrading bacteria, erosion, tunnelling and cavitation. These three categories can also occur in terrestrial environments, however, they are discussed in this chapter under aquatic microorganisms, as they have been mostly recorded and investigated in waterlogged archaeological wood. Similarly, soft rot is examined herein, being the sole fungal decay type developing on wet or waterlogged wood in aquatic ecosystems.
Field reconnaissance data from GEER investigation of the 2018 MW 7.5 Palu-Donggala earthquake

Abstract The Mw7.5 Palu-Donggala earthquake occurred on 28 September 2018 and caused significant damage in Palu City and the surrounding Central Sulawesi region of Indonesia. The earthquake initiated a series of catastrophic landslides (classified as flowslides) [1 , 2] , collapsed buildings, and generated tsunami waves that impacted Palu Bay's coast. The earthquake claimed over 4000 lives, making it the deadliest natural disaster of 2018. We performed a post-earthquake field reconnaissance and collected perishable data at the sites of five significant flowslides (named for the communities where they occurred: Balaroa, Petobo, Lolu Village, Jono Oge, and Sibalaya), as well as at other damage locations in the mesoseismal region. Our field team consisted of five U.S.-based members, who were sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation-supported Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance (GEER) organization [3] , in collaboration with geologists, geotechnical engineers, and other researchers from Indonesia's Center for Earthquake Studies (PusGen) and the Indonesian Society of Geotechnical Engineers (HATTI) [this international team is collectively referred to as the Palu Earthquake “;GEER” team]. The GEER team arrived at Palu City on 13 November 2018 and conducted five days of extensive fieldwork using instrumentation from the Natural Hazards Reconnaissance Facility (known as the “RAPID”) [4 , 5] , including mobile data collection software, digital imaging systems, high-resolution Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antennas, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, or “;drones”). The resulting dataset includes over 2000 geotagged photographs, UAV images, ground coordinates, and other field measurements and observations, as well as associated post-processed geospatial data products (point clouds, digital surface models, orthomosaic images). Additionally, we used remote sensing data (i.e., pre- and post-event satellite imagery) to generate displacement vectors for over 1200 structures affected by the flowslides. The complete reconnaissance dataset is openly available on DesignSafe [6] . The data collected by the field team and subsequent mapping efforts, which document the morphology and patterns of movements of the flowslides, may be used by researchers studying liquefaction-induced flowslides. In addition, the displacement mapping provides a unique dataset for researchers who are calibrating and verifying simulation models of landslide displacements, or who are seeking a validation dataset for image correlation analysis (including machine learning routines). This dataset is associated with original research presented in “;East Palu Valley Flowslides Induced by the 2018 MW 7.5 Palu-Donggala Earthquake” [1] and also is the basis of research presented by Gallant et al. [2] .
High-frequency capacitive wireless power transfer technologies

The technical maturity of high-frequency capacitive wireless power transfer (CWPT) technologies has reached a point where they can be industrially introduced on a large scale. This paper will present the trends and the chronological efforts to improve and enhance CWPT technologies that are currently gaining interest and spotlight. Performance comparison between and analyses on recent works are provided.
Patrimony in Peril

This Foreword seeks to briefly explain the occupational field of the seven authors whose works were presented at the N.C. J. Int'l L. Volume 45 Symposium, and notes the common threads tying their pieces together. Next, it summarizes the context within which the authors have focused their work: the looting of Europe during the Second World War, of Iraq after the United States’ 2003 invasion, and most recently of the pillaging that has accompanied the unrest stemming from the Arab Spring. The seven articles should be read with this context in mind: without a thorough understanding of the significance of cultural heritage, or the history of looting that stretches across time and national borders, it is impossible to understand how the current law applies, on either a national or an international level.
Radiation therapy enhances immunotherapy response in microsatellite stable colorectal and pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a phase II trial

Overcoming intrinsic resistance to immune checkpoint blockade for microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer (CRC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains challenging. We conducted a single-arm, non-randomized, phase II trial (NCT03104439) combining radiation, ipilimumab and nivolumab to treat patients with metastatic MSS CRC (n = 40) and PDAC (n = 25) with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1. The primary endpoint was disease control rate (DCR) by intention to treat. DCRs were 25% for CRC (ten of 40; 95% confidence interval (CI), 13–41%) and 20% for PDAC (five of 25; 95% CI, 7–41%). In the per-protocol analysis, defined as receipt of radiation, DCR was 37% (ten of 27; 95% CI, 19–58%) in CRC and 29% (five of 17; 95% CI, 10–56%) in PDAC. Pretreatment biopsies revealed low tumor mutational burden for all samples but higher numbers of natural killer (NK) cells and expression of the HERVK repeat RNA in patients with disease control. This study provides proof of concept of combining radiation with immune checkpoint blockade in immunotherapy-resistant cancers. Ting and colleagues report the safety and efficacy of combined radiation and immunotherapy in a phase II trial on patients with MSS colorectal or pancreatic cancer and observe that disease control correlates with higher repetitive RNA transcription.
Applications of the Drosophila retina to human disease modeling.

The renowned Dutch naturalist Anton van Leeuwenhoek, an early inventor of the microscope, was fascinated by the new scientific perspectives afforded by his new apparatus. Writing just over three centuries ago, Leeuwenhoek marveled at the exquisite detail of the fly retina revealed by the microscope, and he commented upon its scientific implications:
The Total Costs of Ultrasonography Summary

To the Editor.— In a recent article, Sheih et al.1 suggest that renal ultrasonography may provide a simple and cost-effective tool for screening large populations for renal abnormalities. However, two additional cost factors need to be taken into consideration. First, there is the cost of the further evaluation of the 595 patients (of 635) who did not need surgery. At a minimum they had another ultrasonographic examination. Second, the authors imply that the 50 patients who underwent surgery were saved from the cost of treatment of renal failure.
GPER: geographic power efficient routing in sensor networks

This work presents a new geographical power efficient routing (GPER) protocol for sensor networks. Each sensor node makes local decisions as to how far to transmit: therefore, the protocol is power efficient, highly distributed and scalable. In GPER, given a final destination, each node first establishes a sub-destination within its maximum radio range. The node, however, may decide to relay the packet to this sub-destination through an intermediary node, if this preserves power. Furthermore, this intermediary node may act independently and alter the subdestination based on its own power range and neighborhood status. Simulation results show that the routing power consumption using GPER is close to optimal obtainable based on full knowledge of the network. GPER provides 60%-90% savings over other power-sensitive routing solutions. For sensor networks with highly varying node densities, we propose an extension, GPER-2, which captures the network topology better. Simulations show that although GPER works well, GPER-2 can improve on GPER up to 20%, especially when variations are large.
JUVENILE COURT DISPOSITIONS

The research question precipitated by the concern for “just sanctions” and effective treatment for future juvenile programs is: What have been the criterion used by juvenile court decision makers in disposition sentencing. Disposition is analyzed for both nonstatus and status offense groups. The method of analysis is a stepwise discriminant function. The findings indicate the importance of legalistic variables and a social class bias in the dispositions of both offense groups. The social class bias is much stronger in the case of status offenders and increases at subsequent court disposition levels. These data support the labeling-conflict contention of class bias in the application of sanctions and suggest a policy directive for future delinquency prevention programs.
Contraction force measurements in cardiac myocytes using PDMS pillar arrays

This paper presents contraction force measurement in isolated myocytes using a replicated PDMS pillar array. The spring constant of the subjected pillar was determined based on SEM inspection. The non-sliding condition of myocyte/underlying pillar interface and the non-attaching condition of myocyte/base substrate interface were verified prior to the measurement, which revealed that the base substrate could be regarded as a rigid body. The contraction force was derived from the displacement of the pillars during a certain process of isoproterenol perfusion, which conforms to stimulus effect. This method has the physiology significance to reveal the consequences of various force abnormalities in cardiac myocytes, which are manifested in most heart failures.
Comparison theorems of Hille–Wintner type for dynamic equations on time scales

We obtain an analogue of the Hille-Wintner comparison theorem for the nonoscillation of second-order linear dynamic equations on time scales. Several examples are given including applications to difference equations.
Properties of a Particle-bound Enzyme from Rat Intestine that Cleaves Sialic Acid from Tay-Sachs Ganglioside

Abstract A particulate enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of N-acetylneuraminic acid from N-acetylgalactosaminyl (N-acetylneuraminosyl)galactosylglucosylceramide (Tay-Sachs ganglioside, Gm2) has been shown in various tissues of the rat. The products of the reaction are N-acetylneuraminic acid and N-acetylgalactosaminylgalactosylglucosylceramide. Preparations from the small intestine were used to investigate the properties of this enzyme. It is tightly particle-bound and unstable to a variety of physical treatments. Optimal activity occurs at pH 5.0. The reaction is inhibited by sodium taurocholate, Triton X-100, p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate, and certain cations.
Platinum vs. Palladium in Catalyst-Based Hydrogen Sensors Used for Wide Temperature Range Hydrazine Leak Detection

Here we are addressing possible solutions to challenges associated with using palladium and platinum as active agents in reverse‐biased p‐n structures and linear (resistive) structures for hydrazine and hydrogen detection schemes to operate in a temperature range from cryogenic to ambient (room temperature). Preliminary results at room temperature on devices fabricated using high‐temperature sensor technology show only a limited response to hydrogen as opposed to dry air.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities among Pediatric Patients at Community Health Centers

Objectives To assess racial/ethnic disparities in pediatric utilization of community health centers (CHCs) among a nationally representative sample. Study design Using the 2009 Health Center Patient Survey, a nationally representative sample of CHC patients, demographic characteristics, health conditions, and service utilization were examined for patients under 18 years old (n = 590). Negative binomial and logistic regression models assessed disparities in access to routine care, ambulatory service intensity, and hospital utilization. Results Racial/ethnic disparities were not present for well-child visits or dental checkups. However, disparities in ambulatory care service intensity and hospital use were observed. Compared with white children, Hispanic children had fewer CHC visits (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.62; 95% CI 0.41-0.95), and fewer visits to other ambulatory providers (IRR 0.30; 95% CI 0.15-0.61). Black children had fewer CHC visits (IRR 0.46; 95% CI 0.31-0.70) and fewer visits to other ambulatory providers (IRR 0.23; 95% CI 0.06-0.91), and were also less likely to have been hospitalized (OR 0.04; 95% CI 0.01-0.26). Conclusions Study limitations included the cross-sectional study design, the self-reported data, and the age of the data. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that there are fewer disparities among children who visit CHCs in comparison with national trends, but there is still room for improvement. Future initiatives should address remaining challenges in ensuring access to care for all children in underserved communities.