cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Visual diagnosis: a persistent newborn rash.

1. Lopa Shah, MD* 2. Gita Balakumar, MD* 1. *University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nev A 3-week-old girl presents to the clinic for a persistent rash that has been present since birth. Following an uncomplicated term gestation, the infant was born by cesarian section due to prolonged dilation and failure to progress. She weighed 3.2 kg. A rash was noted at birth on her left lower extremity, and her parents were reassured that the rash would resolve. However, the rash now extends over both lower extremities. The mother has not applied any creams, lotions, or topical medications to the infant’s skin. The family history is noncontributory; there is no history of nervous system or skin disorders. The infant is well-appearing, comfortable, and afebrile. She weighs 3.54 kg (25th percentile). Skin examination reveals red, hyperpigmented streaks and plaques on the upper part of her lower extremities (Fig. 1), with occasional vesicles distributed linearly (Fig. 2). An accessory nipple is noted on the right chest wall. The infant is active, there is no evidence of scratching, and her muscle strength and tone are normal for age. The remaining physical findings are normal. Figure 1. Red, hyperpigmented streaks and plaques on left lower extremity. Figure 2. Vesicles on left lower extremity. A complete blood count demonstrates: hemoglobin, 12.5 g/L (125 g/L); white blood cell count, 46.3×103/mcL (46.3×109/L) with 14% neutrophils, 2% bands, 33% lymphocytes, 44% eosinophils, and 1% myelocytes; and platelet count, 560.0×103/mcL (560.0×109/L). Peripheral blood smear reveals a slight normochromic, normocytic anemia with erythropenia, normal red cells with a few teardrop cells, moderately increased number of platelets, and a mild-to-moderate increase of white blood cells with relative and absolute eosinophilia. A clinical diagnosis is made. The presence of vesicular and hyperpigmented linear skin lesions since birth, their distribution over lines of Blaschko, and the laboratory finding of …
Detection of extrachromosomal circular DNA sequences from tumor cells by an alkaline lysis, Alu‐polymerase chain reaction technique

Extrachromosomal circular DNAs ranging in size from submicroscopic molecules of approximately 100 kb to cytogenetically resolvable structures of 1000+ kb called minute and double-minute chromosomes have been shown to harbor amplified genes in primary tumor cells, tumor cell lines, and drug-resistant cells grown in vitro. The presence of these molecules in transformed and malignant cells trends to reflect genetic instability and also suggests that role in tumor progression. Using a colon carcinoma cell line, we developed a technique to detect extrachromosomal circular DNA-specific sequences by Alu-polymerase chain reaction. Circular DNA was enriched by selective alkaline denaturation of genomic DNA. We have successfully performed this procedure with a minimum of 5 x 10(5) cells. The technique does not require any prior knowledge of the sequences located on the covalent circular DNA molecules for their detection. The procedure should be useful as a routine screen of primary tumor cells for the presence of extrachromosomal circular DNA and should permit the preparation of specific probes ot aid in their detailed characterizations.
Photochemical and microbial degradation of dissolved lignin phenols: Implications for the fate of terrigenous dissolved organic matter in marine environments

Received 29 March 2002; revised 27 February 2003; accepted 1 May 2003; published 12 September 2003. [1] Molecular level characterizations of dissolved lignin were conducted in Mississippi River plume waters to study the impact of various removal mechanisms (photooxidation, microbial degradation, and flocculation) on dissolved organic material (DOM) concentrations and compositions. Prior to analysis, dissolved ( 1 kDalton) and low molecular weight (LMW; 25 psu, photooxidation was a dominant factor influencing lignin compositions and concentrations. Diagnostic indicators of photooxidation include a sharp decrease in the percentage of lignin in the HMW size fraction, changes in ratios of syringyl to vanillyl phenols, and increases in LMW acid:aldehyde ratios for both vanillyl and syringyl phenols. A 10-day incubation experiment with plume water indicated rates of microbial degradation of dissolved lignin that were � 30% of photooxidation rates in surface waters. These results highlight the importance of microbial as well as photochemical processes in the cycling of terrigenous DOM in coastal waters. Neither flocculation nor microbial degradation significantly altered lignin composition, suggesting that composition is primarily determined by source and photochemical transformation. Overall, high removal rates indicate the potential importance of terrigenous DOM as a carbon and nutrient source in the coastal ocean. Strong correlations between absorption coefficients at 350 nm and dissolved lignin demonstrate the potential for using absorption to trace terrigenous DOM in coastal environments with significant riverine input. INDEX TERMS: 1055 Geochemistry: Organic geochemistry; 4219 Oceanography: General: Continental shelf processes; 4805 Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Biogeochemical cycles (1615); 4847 Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Optics; 4852 Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Photochemistry; KEYWORDS: Mississippi River Plume, photooxidation, terrigenous organic matter, lignin, microbial degradation, CDOM
Describing the health parameters of outpatients with schizophrenia

Few studies have examined the physical health parameters of persons with schizophrenia. This pilot study describes the physical health and psychiatric symptoms in outpatients with schizophrenia. Participants (N = 11) were recruited from a population of persons with schizophrenia receiving care at an outpatient clinic in a Veterans Affairs hospital located in the southeast. Following the granting of medical clearance, data regarding sociodemographics and prescribed medications were collected via record review. Physical health parameters included 6-minute walking distance, body mass index, and percentage of body fat. Functional health status was measured using the Duke Health Profile. Psychiatric symptoms were measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. A trained research assistant performed all measures in private offices at the study site. Most participants met the criteria for being classified as overweight or obese and demonstrated poor aerobic fitness. More research is needed to examine responses of veterans with schizophrenia to interventions designed to improve physical health parameters.
Landslides Triggered by the 2002 Denali Fault, Alaska, Earthquake and the Inferred Nature of the Strong Shaking

The 2002 M7.9 Denali fault, Alaska, earthquake triggered thousands of landslides, primarily rock falls and rock slides, that ranged in volume from rock falls of a few cubic meters to rock avalanches having volumes as great as 15310 6 m 3 . The pattern of landsliding was unusual; the number of slides was less than expected for an earthquake of this magnitude, and the landslides were concentrated in a narrow zone 30-km wide that straddled the fault rupture over its entire 300-km length. The large rock avalanches all clustered along the western third of the rupture zone where acceleration levels and ground-shaking frequencies are thought to have been the highest. Inferences about near-field strong shaking characteristics drawn from the interpretation of the landslide distribution are consistent with results of recent inversion modeling that indicate high-frequency energy generation was greatest in the western part of the fault rupture zone and decreased markedly to the east. [DOI: 10.1193/1.1778173]
Intermittent dynamical control

Abstract This paper describes the method of synchronizing slave to the master trajectory using intermittent coupling. The information about master trajectory is limited only to the coordinates and timings of intersection points of that trajectory with the arbitrarily chosen Poincare section, making the coupling sporadic. The application of the method is first exemplified on the two identically coupled Rossler and Lorenz oscillators, and then is extended to the case when the two Rossler oscillators exhibit initially different dynamical properties (different values of the control parameters).
On Hegel’s Theory of Alienation and Its Historic Force

Contemporary alienation theory begins with Hegel, although the history of modern conceptions of estrangement begins before Hegel with the struggle of the mechanical materialism of the French Enlightenment against feudal alienation.1 Nevertheless, alienation and estrangement theory has been directed against Hegel, although from two opposed outlooks, which reflect the philosophical rivalry between materialism and idealism.
Effects of aging on gene expression and mitochondrial DNA in the equine oocyte and follicle cells

We hypothesised that advanced mare age is associated with follicle and oocyte gene alterations. The aims of the study were to examine quantitative and temporal differences in mRNA for LH receptor (LHR), amphiregulin (AREG) and epiregulin (EREG) in granulosa cells, phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4D in cumulus cells and PDE3A, G-protein-coupled receptor 3 (GPR3), growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and mitochondrial (mt) DNA in oocytes. Samples were collected from dominant follicles of Young (3-12 years) and Old (≥20 years) mares at 0, 6, 9 and 12h after administration of equine recombinant LH. LHR mRNA declined after 0h in Young mares, with no time effect in Old mares. For both ages, gene expression of AREG was elevated at 6 and 9h and EREG was expression was elevated at 9h, with higher expression in Old than Young mares. Cumulus cell PDE4D expression increased by 6h (Old) and 12h (Young). Oocyte GPR3 expression peaked at 9 and 12h in Young and Old mares, respectively. Expression of PDE3A increased at 6h, with the increase greater in oocytes from Old than Young mares at 6 and 9h. Mean GDF9 and BMP15 transcripts were higher in Young than Old, with a peak at 6h. Copy numbers of mtDNA did not vary over time in oocytes from Young mares, but a temporal decrease was observed in oocytes from Old mares. The results support an age-associated asynchrony in the expression of genes that are essential for follicular and oocyte maturation before ovulation.
Understanding and Predicting Student Self-Regulated Learning Strategies in Game-Based Learning Environments

Self-regulated learning behaviors such as goal setting and monitoring have been found to be crucial to students’ success in computer-based learning environments. Consequently, understanding students’ self-regulated learning behavior has been the subject of increasing attention. Unfortunately, monitoring these behaviors in real-time has proven challenging. This paper presents an initial investigation into self-regulated learning in a game-based learning environment. Evidence of goal setting and monitoring behaviors is examined through students’ text-based responses to update their ‘status’ in an in-game social network. Students are then classified into SRL-use categories. This article describes the methodology used to classify students and discusses analyses demonstrating the learning and gameplay behaviors across students in different SRL-use categories. Finally, machine learning models capable of predicting these classes early in students’ interaction are presented.
Statistical modeling and reconstruction of randoms pre-corrected PET data

Randoms pre-corrected PET data is formed as the difference of two Poisson random variables. The exact probability mass function (PMF) is not suitable for use in likelihood-based iterative image reconstruction as it contains an infinite summation. The shifted Poisson model is a tractable approximation to this PMF but requires that negative values are discarded, resulting in positively biased reconstructions in low count studies. Here we analyze the properties of the exact PMF and propose a new simple but accurate approximation that allows negative valued data. We investigate the properties of this approximation and demonstrate its application to penalized maximum likelihood image reconstruction.
Influence of individual and interpersonal factors on satisfaction and stability in romantic relationships

Guided by Bradbury and Fincham's (1988) contextual model, the current study examined the influence of distal factors that reflect orientations toward relationships (relationship standards, attachment motivation, autonomy motivation) and proximal factors that reflect patterns of interaction (self-disclosure, socioemotional behaviors, conflict tactics) on satisfaction in romantic relationships. Although we expected both types of factors would be associated with satisfaction, we hypothesized that the daily interactional patterns would mediate the relationship between the individual factors and satisfaction. At Time 1, individual factors and satisfaction were measured via questionnaire, and interpersonal factors were measured via a 2-week daily interaction record. The results indicated the individual factors of attachment motivation and autonomy motivation, and the interpersonal factors of self-disclosure and positive socioemotional behaviors were related to satisfaction. Regression analysis indicated the proximal factors partially mediated the relationship between the distal factors and Satisfaction. At Time 2 (approximately 6 months later), slightly more than half of the original sample was contacted to assess respondents’relationship status; those respondents whose relationships were stable (continued over time) had significantly higher mean scores on attachment, positive behaviors, and self-disclosure at Time 1 than did respondents whose relationships had dissolved. Taken together, these results suggest that attachment and prosocial communications are central dimensions contributing to satisfaction and stability in dating relationships.
The Use of Gerrymandering as a New Filter of Popular Democracy: A Critical Analysis of How the Results of the 2012 Congressional Elections Subverted the Popular Aspirations of American Voters

Part of the efforts by the Founding Fathers to avoid direct democracy was to deliberately erect some structures in the constitution that would insulate government from the raw passions of the masses. They feared that a government that was too close to the people could, among other things, threaten the rights of minorities. Notable among these bulwarks are staggered terms of office for elected officials, indirect elections, separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism. Gerrymandering as a form of electoral engineering was clearly not part of the designs of the founding fathers to circumvent direct democracy. It has, nevertheless become part of the machinations of ruling parties of state governments to carve out electoral districts that would favor the incumbent politicians since it was first used in Essex County of Massachusetts in 1812. While gerrymandering has been used in spurts in modern times by either of the two major political parties in America to gain leverage in elections, and while the United States Supreme Court has been equivocal on the legality of the use of gerrymandering over the years, the impact of gerrymandering on the results of the 2012 Congressional elections did clearly shine some light on the issue. For the first time since World War II, Americans woke up the day after the elections to the fact that although Democrats received 1.4 million more votes for the House of Representatives, yet the GOP maintained control of the House by a 234 to 201 margin! This paper will trace how a well hatched-out strategy of the Republican party over the years contributed to their stunning success in subverting the political will of the American electorate and how this appears to have temporarily undermined President Obama’s second term agenda.
Bleeding out Loud: Communication about Menstruation

Girls in the USA receive mixed messages about menarche: menarche is traumatic and upsetting-but act normal; menarche is an overt symbol of sexual maturity-but also a mysterious, secret event. Girls...
Acoustic-wave nonlinearity in stimulated Brillouin scattering

Stimulated Brillouin scattering is investigated here under conditions characterized by high optical pump intensity. Calculations are carried out at 1.3 and 3.8 μm with pump intensities equal to approximately three times the threshold. Such strong optical forcing leads to significant self-distortion of the density profile in the material wave serving as the optical grating. The method of multiple scales is used to find a uniform asymptotic expansion in the coupling. At the first perturbation level the resonant portion of the problem yields abridged equations for the incident and the scattered waves with frequencies ωL and ωS = ωL − Ω and for the grating and its harmonics with frequencies nΩ. The nonresonant portion of the first perturbation yields field components with the frequencies ωL + nΩ and ωS − nΩ for n = 1, 2, …. Numerical solutions of the truncated abridged system are found by a method of Chebychev collocation and indicate a reduction in the observed phonon lifetime and a broadening of the linewidth with increasing amplitude.
Agricultural Seasonalily and the Organization of Manufacturing in Early Industrial Economies: The Contrast Between England and the United States

The greater flexibility associated with workers being able to choose the time and circumstance of their work allowed cottage manufacture to compete with technically more productive manufactories by rendering it more effective at harnessing a parttime or offpeak workforce whose opportunity cost was low. Not only did this mean that cottage manufacture was better suited to the employment of women and children, who preferred flexibility in their hours and place of work, but also that the greater seasonality of labor supply in England led that economy to rely more on cottage manufacturing than did the United States during early industrialization. R ecent work on England and the United States has raised fundamental questions about the evolution of manufacturing organizations and technologies during early industrialization.' During the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the two countries were the first in the world to realize sustained economic growth and did so with similar stocks of knowledge. Yet their paths of industrial development were quite different. Although both societies made the transition from a reliance on traditional modes of
Immunomagnetic T-lymphocyte depletion (ITLD) of rat bone marrow using OX-19 monoclonal antibody.

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) may be abrogated and host survival prolonged by in vitro depletion of T lymphocytes from bone marrow (BM) prior to allotransplantation. Using a mouse anti-rat pan T-lymphocyte monoclonal antibody (0×19) bound to monosized, magnetic, polymer beads, T lymphocytes were removed in vitro from normal bone marrow. The removal of the T lymphocytes was confirmed by flow cytometry. Injection of the T-lymphocyte-depleted bone marrow into fully allogeneic rats prevents the induction of GVHD and prolongs host survival.A highly efficient technique of T-lymphocyte depletion using rat bone marrow is described. It involves the binding of OX-19, a MoAb directed against all rat thy-mocytes and mature peripheral T lymphocytes, to monosized, magnetic polymer spheres. Magnetic separation of T lymphocytes after mixing the allogeneic bone marrow with the bead/OX-19 complex provides for a simple, rapid depletion of T lymphocytes from the bone marrow. In vitro studies using flow cytometry and the p...
Blind analysis: Hide results to seek the truth.

More fields should, like particle physics, adopt blind analysis to thwart bias, urge Robert MacCoun and Saul Perlmutter.
OXYGEN TENSION IN AMNIOTIC FLUID AND FETAL DISTRESS. PRELIMINARY REPORT OF CLINICAL FINDINGS.

Abstract 1. Oxygen tension pO 2 of the amniotic fluid was measured in vivo with the use of a polarographic method and Bloor-Beckman oxygen electrode. 2. The range of oxygen tension in amniotic fluid in normal pregnancies was found to be 1.3 to 16.2 mm. Hg. 3. Maternal inhalation of 100 per cent oxygen for periods of from 13 to 26 minutes apparently did not increase oxygen tension in the amniotic fluid. 4. A decrease of pO 2 of amniotic fluid was observed during fetal distress due to hypertonic uterine contractility. 5. Amniotic fluid "oxygen pooling" was encountered during fetal distress associated with acute maternal hypoxia following N 2 O inhalation. No changes of amniotic fluid pO 2 were seen after inhalation of N 2 O and 25 per cent of O 2 , and N 2 O and air as long as fetal distress did not develop.
Mapping the risk of Nipah virus spillover into human populations in South and Southeast Asia

BACKGROUND Nipah virus (NiV) is a significant emerging zoonotic pathogen given its wide geographic distribution, and the severe morbidity and high mortality that accompanies infection. Moreover, the layered landscape epidemiology surrounding spillover from reservoir host species to humans is ill-defined. Identifying landscape features that contribute to NiV spillover would likely prove helpful in preventing emergence in human populations. METHODS Using an inhomogeneous Poisson model, this study investigated the role of vegetation cover, the human footprint (HFP) and reservoir Pteropus bat distribution to identify the spatial dependence of spillover and map risk across South and Southeast Asia. RESULTS The spatial model identified HFP (RR=1.08; 95% CI 1.05-1.11) and bat distribution (RR=19.44; 95% CI 1.92-196.7) as significant predictors of NiV risk, while vegetation cover was not significant after accounting for HFP and the presence of Pteropus bats. CONCLUSIONS These findings further inform the landscape epidemiology of NiV and suggest specific conduits for spillover in the landscape. However, more detailed field studies will be required to validate these results.
Duodenal Calcium Transport in Hyperthyroidism.

SummaryThis study investigated the influence of hyperthyroidism on intestinal calcium absorption with an in vivo perfusion technique in the rat duodenum. Net movement, plasma to lumen and lumen to plasma fluxes, although slightly decreased, were not statistically significantly different in hyper-thyroid animals compared to normal animals. These results do not support the theory of decreased calcium absorption in the duodenum as a major factor contributory to the increased fecal excretion of calcium seen in hyper thyroid rats.
Analysis on bacillary dysentery surveillance in Gansu province from 2005 to 2009

Objective:To understand the onset rules,etiological characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacillary dysentery in Gansu province,we can provide scientific basis for the prevention and control.Methods: By the epidemiological methods to analyze the cases of basillary dysentery which were collected through China Disease Reporting Information System and National Sentinel Surveillance Site on bacillary dysentery in Gansu province,and tested bacterial strains according to national protocol of shigellosis surveillance.Results: The bacillary annual average incidence rate was 63.87/100000 from 2005 to 2009.The annual average incidence rate of infant was 469.64/100000.But the detection rate of infant was 12.41%,less than that of other age group.In the positive Shigella which were 571 strains,339 strains belonged to S.flexneri and 230 strains belonged to S.sonnei,but only 2 stains of S.dysenteriae.The annual average drug resistence rate was 94.62% to amoxicillin,ampicillin,tetracycline,rifampicin.Conclusion: The incidence rate of bacillary descended gently from 2005 to 2009,but because continuous variety of bacterial type,increasing of S.sinnei,low diagnostic accuracy of infant and ascending drug resistence,we should be confronted with new challenge to the prevention and control of dysentery.
Factors affecting economic evaluation of oil and gas exploration

Based on comprehensive analysis of the factors affecting economic evaluation of oil and gas exploration, this paper studies the controlling factors of economic evaluation of gas exploration in a deep volcanic trap in the north of Songliao Basin, analyzes the influence of oil/ gas price,recoverable reserve,basic rate of return of the industry, operating costs, and capital investment on economic evaluation indices like net present value, internal rate of return and payback period . It is concluded that oil/gas price has the biggest effect on NPV, IRR and Tp, and then are recoverable reserve,basic rate of return of the industry, operating costs, and capital investment. This study provides a reference to decision-making in oil and gas exploration.
Numerical integration in the Calculation of the 2.5-D Response of a Very Large Loop

SUMMARY This work presents the details of a procedure for the numerical integration of Hankel transforms in the calculation of the electromagnetic fields generated by a large horizontal loop over a 2D earth. The method performs the integration by deforming the integration path into the complex plane and applying Cauchy’s theorem on a modified version of the integrand. The modification is the replacement of the Bessel functions J0 and J1 by the Hankel functions H (1) 0 and H (1) 1 . The integration on a path going up the complex plane allows us to take advantage of the vanishing properties of the Hankel functions, so that we can calculate on very small segments, instead of the infinite line of the original improper integrals. We have applied the method to calculate the fields of very large loops, at distances and depths which are prohibitive for the traditional numerical integration methods.
NemaCount: quantification of nematode chemotaxis behavior in a browser

Nematodes such as Caenorhabditis elegans offer a very effective and tractable system to probe the underlying mechanisms of diverse sensory behaviors. Numerous platforms exist for quantifying nematode behavior and often require separate dependencies or software. Here I describe a novel and simple tool called NemaCount that provides a versatile solution for the quantification of nematode chemotaxis behavior. The ease of installation and user-friendly interface makes NemaCount a practical tool for measuring diverse behaviors and image features of nematodes such as C. elegans. The main advantage of NemaCount is that it operates from within a modern browser such as Google Chrome or Apple Safari. Any features that change in total number, size, shape, or angular distance between control and experimental preparations are suited to NemaCount for image analysis, while commonly used chemotaxis assays can be quantified, and statistically analyzed using a suite of functions from within NemaCount. NemaCount also offers image filtering options that allow the user to improve object detection and measurements. NemaCount was validated by examining nematode chemotaxis behavior; angular distances of locomotory tracks in C. elegans; and body lengths of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematodes. Apart from a modern browser, no additional software is required to operate NemaCount, making NemaCount a cheap, simple option for the analysis of nematode images and chemotaxis behavior.
Online and Distance Education Demands Researchers Pick a Topic and Get to Work: Book Review: 'Online Distance Education Towards a Research Agenda,' edited by Olaf Zawacki-Richter and Terry Anderson

Online and distance educations continues to grow as a field, attracting students and educators from various disciplines and cultural backgrounds. Despite, a growing interest in online education, many argue there is a need for deliberate, well-informed research that helps in the continued development of the field. "Online Distance Education: Towards a Research Agenda," edited by Olaf Zawacki-Richter and Terry Anderson, attempts to bring a renewed energy to online and distance education (ODEL) research by inviting a number of experts to discuss issues impacting this sector of education today.
Specific Early Number Skills Mediate the Association between Executive Functioning Skills and Mathematics Achievement.

A growing literature reports significant associations between children's executive functioning skills and their mathematics achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine if specific early number skills, such as quantity discrimination, number line estimation, number sets identification, fast counting, and number word comprehension, mediate this association. In 141 kindergarteners, cross-sectional analyses controlling for IQ revealed that number sets identification (but not the other early number skills) mediated the association between executive functioning skills and mathematics achievement. A longitudinal analysis showed that higher executive functioning skills predicted higher number sets identification in kindergarten, which in turn predicted growth in mathematics achievement from kindergarten to second grade. Results suggest that executive functioning skills may help children quickly and accurately identify number sets as wholes instead of getting distracted by the individual components of the sets, and this focus on sets, in turn, may help children learn more advanced mathematics concepts in the early elementary grades. (PsycINFO Database Record
Decision-Making Tools: Deleting Criteria Using Sensitivity Analysis

Research has shown that as the attractiveness of alternatives rises with more choices, individuals experience conflict between the alternatives, which causes them to defer their decision, search for new alternatives, or choose the default option. Having lesser attributes simplifies complex problems and the decision-making process. This chapter uses the sensitivity analysis in hierarchical decision model, developed by Hongyi Chen, to prove that we can reduce the size of a problem and make the decision easier with the future change of values of attributes, without affecting the final decision.
Development of a Framework for Teaching L2 English as a Situated Practice in Malawi

In response to the demands of 21st century teacher preparation practices, this developmental study was instigated bythe need to employ appropriate strategies in the teaching of English as second language (L2) in Malawi. Usingsituated cognition theoretical construct as a basis, a framework for teaching L2 English as a situated practice wascreated. The development process was guided by views and practices of English methodology faculty members inMalawi’s five secondary school teacher training institutions.The study was conducted in three phases, firstly, analysis, where eight English methodology faculty members fromMalawi’s five institutions of higher learning were interviewed on the strategies they use to train pre-servicesecondary school teachers of English. Secondly, development, where the framework was created based on resultsfrom the analysis phase, and thirdly, evaluation and revision where the framework was reviewed and validated by asituated cognition expert and three of the faculty members who were interviewed in Malawi. Taking intoconsideration input from these four evaluators, the framework was then revised.
Electoral Integrity in Campaign Finance Law

In their dissenting opinion in McCutcheon v. FEC in 2014, four justices of the U.S. Supreme Court described the government’s interest in passing campaign finance laws in terms of “electoral integrity.” But while they referenced the concept and made clear its importance, the dissenters did not fully flesh out what it might mean for this area of law. With the makeup of the Court poised to change, the answer to this question could have broad implications for the Court’s future jurisprudence.Drawing upon existing case law and our broader constitutional tradition, this Article highlights four criteria for judging whether elections have integrity with particular relevance to money in politics: representation, participation, competition, and information. The Article goes on to consider the impact that adopting these criteria would have on the viability of a range of policies, including contribution and spending limits, public financing, and disclosure. Although electoral integrity would not be a silver bullet to settle the many constitutional questions such measures implicate, taking it seriously as a government interest would still fundamentally reshape the Court's approach to campaign finance in a more realistic, factually-grounded direction. Part I of this Article explores the concept of electoral integrity in the Court’s jurisprudence, highlighting the extent to which it is a value rooted in the First Amendment, not antagonistic to it. Part II sets forth key criteria for judging electoral integrity that have particular relevance for campaign finance jurisprudence. Part III discusses how courts might apply such criteria in specific cases, including how they might use record evidence and other factual materials to answer key questions about how the political system actually functions. Part IV briefly addresses several hard doctrinal issues that would remain, and considers how the Court might think about these questions consistent with the broader approach outlined here.
A Meta-Analysis of Empirical Research on Teaching Students with Mathematics Learning Difficulties.

This article quantitatively summarizes experimental and quasi-experimental studies on teaching students with mathematics difficulties (MD) published between 2000 and 2014, research that was available following earlier syntheses. It reports the analysis of effect sizes of 25 intervention studies on participant characteristics, intervention parameters, domains of mathematics interventions, and instructional approaches and components. Results indicate that several participant characteristics (e.g., grade level and level of mathematics difficulties) and intervention parameters (e.g., methodological soundness, intervention agent, and grouping) mediated the treatment effects. In addition, different types of instructional approaches and several instructional components contributed to the improvements in mathematics performance in students with MD.
Predictive modeling and optimization of multi-track processing for laser powder bed fusion of nickel alloy 625

Abstract This paper presents an integrated physics-based and statistical modeling approach to predict temperature field and meltpool geometry in multi-track processing of laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) of nickel 625 alloy. Multi-track laser processing of powder material using L-PBF process has been studied using 2-D finite element simulations to calculate temperature fields along the scan and hatch directions for three consecutive tracks for a moving laser heat source to understand the heating and melting process. Based on the predicted temperature fields, width, depth and shape of the meltpool is determined. Designed experiments on L-PBF of nickel alloy 625 powder material are conducted to measure the relative density and meltpool geometry. Experimental work is reported on the measured density of built coupons and meltpool size. Statistically-based predictive models using response surface regression for relative density, meltpool geometry, peak temperature, and time above melting point are developed and multi-objective optimization studies are conducted by using genetic algorithm and swarm intelligence.
Endosomal Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Is Essential for Canonical GPCR Signaling

G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest family of signaling receptors, are critically regulated by endosomal trafficking, suggesting that endosomes might provide new strategies for manipulating GPCR signaling. Here we test this hypothesis by focusing on class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (Vps34), which is an essential regulator of endosomal trafficking. We verify that Vps34 is required for recycling of the β2-adrenoceptor (β2AR), a prototypical GPCR, and then investigate the effects of Vps34 inhibition on the canonical cAMP response elicited by β2AR activation. Vps34 inhibition impairs the ability of cells to recover this response after prolonged activation, which is in accord with the established role of recycling in GPCR resensitization. In addition, Vps34 inhibition also attenuates the short-term cAMP response, and its effect begins several minutes after initial agonist application. These results establish Vps34 as an essential determinant of both short-term and long-term canonical GPCR signaling, and support the potential utility of the endosomal system as a druggable target for signaling.
Chronic Over-expression of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Increases Bile Acid Biosynthesis by Opposing FGF15/19 Action

Pharmacological doses of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 effectively normalize glucose, lipid and energy homeostasis in multiple animal models with many benefits translating to obese humans with type 2 diabetes. However, a role for FGF21 in the regulation of bile acid metabolism has not been reported. Herein, we demonstrate AAV-mediated FGF21 overexpression in mice increases liver expression of the key bile acid producing enzyme, Cyp7a1, resulting in an increased bile acid pool. Furthermore, in cholecystectomized mice, FGF21-mediated bile acid pool increase led to increased transit of bile acids into colon. We elucidate that the mechanism of FGF21 induced bile acid changes is mainly through antagonizing FGF15/19 function on liver βKlotho/FGFR4 receptor complex; thus inhibiting FGF15/19-mediated suppression of Cyp7a1 expression. In conclusion, these data reveal a previously unidentified role for FGF21 on bile acid metabolism and may be relevant to understand the effects of FGF21 analogs in clinical studies.
Glenn shunt: Effect on pleural drainage after modified Fontan operation

After the Fontan operation, patients who had a prior Glenn anastomosis should have less pleural drainage than patients without a prior Glenn anastomosis because innominate and pleural vein and thoracic duct pressures are unaltered in the former group. To test this hypothesis, we studied 92 patients who had had a Fontan operation between 1973 and 1986—46 with a prior Glenn anastomosis and 46 without a prior Glenn anastomosis (controls)—who were matched for age, gender, diagnosis, and number of prior shunt operations. The volume of pleural drainage was significantly less (p
Abstract P409: Defective Renal Ang III and AT2 Receptor Signaling in Pre-hypertensive Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR)

The intrarenal renin-angiotensin (RAS) system controls blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Angiotensin II (Ang II), the principal RAS effector peptide, is metabolized by aminopeptidase A to des-apartyl 1 -Ang II (Ang III). Our previous studies showed that Ang III, not Ang II, is the preferred endogenous agonist for Ang type-2 receptor (AT 2 R)-induced natriuresis in normal rats, and that hypertensive 12-week old SHR lack natriuretic responses to Ang III. The present study tested whether Ang III induced natriuresis in 4 week old pre-hypertensive SHR by activating/translocating intrarenal AT 2 Rs and internalizing the major renal proximal tubule (RPT) sodium transporter NHE-3. Female 4 week old SHR (N=6) and WKY (N=6) rats were studied after 24 h systemic AT 1 R blockade with candesartan. The left kidney received a 30 min renal interstitial (RI) infusion of vehicle followed by cumulative RI infusions of Ang III (3.5, 7.0, 14, and 28 nmol/kg/min; each dose for 30 min). The right kidney received vehicle RI infusions. In 4 week old WKY, RI Ang III increased urine sodium excretion (U Na V) dose dependently from control of 0.04 ± 0.01 to 0.08 ± 0.02 (P Na V in right control kidneys of WKY or SHR. Also, Ang III had no effect on mean arterial pressure (MAP) in WKY or SHR. However, MAP was slightly higher, but normotensive, in SHR than WKY. Control and Ang III infused kidneys were processed for confocal microscopy from a separate group of rats. In WKY, RI Ang III induced translocation of AT 2 Rs from subapical to apical membranes of RPT cells [RPTC] (1767 ± 41 vs. 1313 ± 47 RFU; P 2 R translocation, NHE-3 retraction, and pSer 552 -NHE-3 upregulation. These results apical to subapical membranes of RPTCs (1703 ± 90 vs. 1388 ± 91 RFU; P 552 -NHE-3 (1102 ± 57 vs. 830 ± 66 RFU; P 2 R signaling in pre-hypertensive SHR.
Exploring Gender Wage Disparity in MFT Academic Programs

This study tested whether there was a significant salary difference between women and men working as faculty in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) programs within public universities. Additionally, we evaluated whether there were significant differences in academic attributes and how these academic attributes related to gender differences in salary. Results from our Oaxaca decomposition of salary differentials showed academic attributes like the number of peer-reviewed publications and years in academia could be used to explain the $9000 gap found between women and men in our sample of MFT academics. Our results indicated no evidence of salary discrimination against women working as MFT faculty members but showed that women were shown to have significantly less time in academia and to publish significantly fewer peer-reviewed journal articles than men. Implications of the current study findings include developing effective mechanisms for helping women persist in and advance through pathways of MFT academic promotion as well as for helping increase their scholarly productivity.
Diagnostic Endoscopy: Perioperative

The evolution of bariatric surgery has been a major factor in the return of endoscopy to the scope of practice and training in general surgery. Endoscopy is an essential specialty component of bariatric surgery programs. Interventional endoscopy is now emerging as a treatment option in the nonoperative management of complications of bariatric surgery. This chapter reviews current indications, controversies, and best practice recommendations regarding endoscopy in the perioperative period.
Go ahead, leap: Triads and their practical and theoretical import: In response to “To leap or not to leap: Triads as arbitrary subsets of networks of connected dyads” by Anna Dubois

Abstract We agree with Dubois that, as supply chain management scholars, the object of our interest is, ultimately, supply networks. However, what is this supply network? Where does it end and where does it begin? It of course depends on research interest—one could study a dyad or a triad or a network of suppliers that exist upstream to an automaker or an industrial network that is stretched out so vast its outer edges overlap with other industries. Different units of analysis allow researchers to tackle different research questions. Then, why the focus on triads? A triad is the smallest network unit where we can observe how a link affects a link or a node affects a link either directly or indirectly connected—the quintessential network dynamics that a dyad by itself cannot capture. Therefore, there is nothing arbitrary about studying triads. If we say that we study networks, we have to begin by studying triads. In this rejoinder, we will present the practical and theoretical significance of triads. Also, we will make reference to supply networks as a “complex adaptive system” to frame triads in the larger supply network.
Processing of Al–SiCp Metal Matrix Composites by Pressureless Infiltration of SiCp Preforms

An optimum method for producing Al-SiCp metal matrix composites was developed by determining the optimum conditions for wetting SiC by aluminum and the optimum parameters for pressureless infiltration of SiCp preforms. The quantitative effect of magnesium and silicon additions to aluminum, free silicon on the SiC substrate, nitrogen gas in the atmosphere, and process temperature on the wetting characteristics of SiC by aluminum alloys was investigated using the sessile drop technique. The contribution of each of these parameters and their interactions, in terms of a relative power, to the contact angle, surface tension, and driving force for wetting were determined. In addition, an optimized process for enhanced wetting was suggested and validated. The optimum conditions for wetting SiC by aluminum that were arrived at were used to infiltrate SiCp preforms and the mechanical properties of the resulting metal matrix composites were measured. The effect of SiC particle size, infiltration time, preform height, vol.% SiC in the preform, and Si coating on the SiC particles on the pressureless infiltration of SiCp compacts with aluminum was investigated and quantified. The contribution of each of these parameters and their interactions to the retained porosity in the composite, the modulus of elasticity, and the modulus of rupture were determined. Under optimum infiltration conditions, metal matrix composites with less than 3% porosity, over 200 GPa modulus of elasticity, and about 300 MPa modulus of rupture were routinely produced.
Some History and Philosophy of Science

One way in which scientific theories are confirmed by data is by finding instances in which observations conform to a theory’s law-like generalizations. So, when Newton’s theory along with initial and boundary conditions enables an astronomer to accurately predict the successive positions of the planets, one has some measure of confirmation for Newtonian gravitation theory. Such articulation of theory in order to fit the available data is a paradigmatic scientific activity. Yet, it appears that not all scientific reasoning works this way. Sometimes scientific reasoning attempts to show that, even though two theories are able to accommodate a given body of data, one theory can accommodate it or explain it better than can its rival. Copernicans thought they had such reasoning to provide against Ptolemaic astronomy. Charles Darwin thought he had such reasoning against the creationism of his day. In these cases, the Copernicans and the Darwinians thought they had at least a prima facie reason to believe that their theory better explains a given body of data. While one paradigmatic scientific activity is fitting theory to data, another paradigmatic scientific activity is showing how one theory better fits a given body of facts than does its rival.
Complications of Ureteroscopic Approaches, Including Incisions

Ureteroscopy has progressed from cystoscopic examination of a dilated ureter in a child in 1929 and the initial use of rigid ureteroscopes in the 1980s, to its current state of small caliber semirigid and flexible instruments. In this chapter the authors review complications of ureteroscopy including those associated with incisional techniques where one would anticipate a higher incidence of complications. They review the history and development of modern ureteroscopes, focusing on engineering advances. Clinical points made include proper patient selection and preparation; proper use of dilators, wires, and ureteral access sheaths; and the incidence, identification, and management of complications associated with ureterorenoscopy (both intraopertively and postoperatively).
Extracurricular activities and achievement growth in kindergarten through first grade: The mediating role of non-cognitive skills

Abstract Extracurricular activities (EAs) are thought to foster the development of a host of non-cognitive skills—persistence, communication, and collaboration, among others—that are presumed to facilitate children’s school success. While this logic is intuitively appealing, there have been few formal tests of this idea. This study tests this logic using panel data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Class of 2010–11 (N = 10,422) to assess the extent to which children’s involvement in EAs influences the development of their non-cognitive skills and ultimately their achievement growth from the beginning of kindergarten to the end of first grade. Results from structural equation models indicate that increased EA participation is associated with gains in reading and math achievement, but the evidence provides little support for the claim that these associations are mediated by children’s non-cognitive skills. Implications for policy makers and school and community-based practitioners are discussed.