cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resisting social disenfranchisement: Negotiating collective identities and everyday life with memory loss

Being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease marks a status passage formally legitimating the incorporation of forgetfulness into daily life. Based on interviews with diagnosed individuals in California, USA, we examine the mechanisms through which an Alzheimer's label is employed to justify forgetfulness, to manage social interactions, and to garner support when deemed necessary, while simultaneously combating the associated demented "master status." For diagnosed individuals, the transition from experience to symptom requires a redefinition of everyday forgetfulness into a medical problem. That is, respondents did not routinely perceive their experiences as pathological but rather were socialised into viewing age-related forgetfulness as symbolic of disease. Support groups sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association and memory clinics have a profound impact not only on the formation of group identity, but also on socialising forgetful individuals into diseased identities. The social disenfranchisement accompanying a diagnosis of dementia transforms forgetful older adults into "Alzheimer's patients," who must manage not only the manifestations of their disease, but also negotiate their interactions and identities. Their adaptation to the "symptoms" of forgetfulness and resultant social relations forms new interactional strategies whereby the diagnosis becomes a resource utilised to get through everyday life. Rather than being passive recipients of a diagnosis, respondents employ the label both as a resource, and as a phenomenon that needs to be incorporated into their self identity.
Using IEEE 802.11e MAC for QoS over wireless

We study the behavior of the new MAC protocols for QoS in the proposed IEEE 802.11e draft standard and analyze them for their ability to fulfill their goals of better QoS and higher channel efficiency. We study the response of these mechanisms to various choices in available protocol parameters. We show that HCF reduces channel contention and allows better channel utilization. However, both the proposed MAC coordination functions, EDCF and HCF, are highly sensitive to protocol parameters. We believe that the effectiveness of these functions also depends on the scheduling algorithms. The effects of the various policy choices need to be understood and validated before the draft becomes a standard.
An intelligent hybrid controller for speed control and stabilization of synchronous generator

In this paper, an intelligent approach to synchronous generator control is described. This method combines two controllers, one a neural network based controller with explicit neuro-identifier, and the other an intelligent adaptive controller implemented as a Model Reference Adaptive Controller (MRAC) to perform a hybrid control operation. The neuro-control identifier combination is used to approximate the nonlinear function and the MRAC control adapts when plant parametric set changes. Additionally, a Feed Forward Neural Network (FFNN) identifier is used to predict system response to control values and those values adjusted to obtain improved system response. The FFNN is trained offline with extensive test data, and is also adjusted online. Main advantage and uniqueness of the proposed scheme is the controller's ability to complement each other in case of parametric and functional uncertainty. Moreover, the online neural network produces a plant functional approximation. The theoretical results are validated by conducting simulation studies on a single machine infinite bus system for electric generator control.
Genetic Variants in Membranous Nephropathy: Perhaps a Perfect Storm Rather than a Straightforward Conformeropathy?

Primary (or idiopathic) membranous nephropathy is an organ-specific autoimmune disease in which circulating antibodies to a conformation-dependent epitope in the target antigen, the M-type receptor for phospholipase A2 (PLA2R), are detectable in up to 80% of patients from various ethnic groups.[1][1
Effect of Ethambutol on Emergence of Clarithromycin-Resistant Mycobacterium avium Complex in the Beige Mouse Model

An animal model was developed for studying macrolide-resistant Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and to measure the effect of ethambutol on resistance. MAC-infected beige mice were given clarithromycin daily ; the frequency of clarithromycin-resistant MAC after 8 and 12 weeks was 10 -3 and 10 -2 , respectively. Combined ethambutol plus clarithromycin did not increase anti-MAC activity, but clarithromycin-resistant MAC was less frequent (P <.05). The frequency of clarithromycin-resistant MAC in mice receiving the combination was significantly higher than that in untreated mice. These results are consistent with two human trials, which showed that adding ethambutol reduced the frequency of clarithromycin-resistant MAC. Results of the present study suggest that with an initially high level of MAC infection, the addition of ethambutol may only delay resistance. This mouse test system will be useful for investigating the influence of the level of MAC infection and the effect of other drugs on the frequency of resistant MAC.
Increasing Returns, Path Dependence, and the Study of Politics

It is increasingly common for social scientists to describe political processes as “path dependent.” The concept, however, is often employed without careful elaboration. This article conceptualizes path dependence as a social process grounded in a dynamic of “increasing returns.” Reviewing recent literature in economics and suggesting extensions to the world of politics, the article demonstrates that increasing returns processes are likely to be prevalent, and that good analytical foundations exist for exploring their causes and consequences. The investigation of increasing returns can provide a more rigorous framework for developing some of the key claims of recent scholarship in historical institutionalism: Specific patterns of timing and sequence matter; a wide range of social outcomes may be possible; large consequences may result from relatively small or contingent events; particular courses of action, once introduced, can be almost impossible to reverse; and consequently, political development is punctuated by critical moments or junctures that shape the basic contours of social life.
Memory CD4+ T Lymphocytes in the Gastrointestinal Tract Are a Major Source of Cell-Associated Simian Immunodeficiency Virus in Chronic Nonpathogenic Infection of African Green Monkeys

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of natural hosts is characterized by nonpathogenic chronic viremia, maintenance of gastrointestinal epithelial barrier integrity, and low numbers of target cells. Assessment of cell-associated virus load in T cell subsets in multiple anatomic compartments of chronically SIV-infected sabeus African green monkeys (AGMs) revealed that gastrointestinal memory CD4+ T lymphocytes are a major source of cell-associated virus and a significant contributor to SIV viremia in AGMs.
Varying Deficits in Visual Discrimination Performance Associated with Different Forms of Malnutrition in Rats

Visual discrimination at 3 months of age was examined by the Lashley jumping stand test to rats malnourished by one of the following techniques: intergenerational malnutrition over 14 to 18 genera tions; protein deficiency from birth on; rearing in large litters, and rotation among lactating and non-lactating females. All four treatments caused stunting during the litter period, but only the first two were associated with reduced weights at the time of testing. Deficits in visual discrimina tion were most severe in males and females with intergenerational mal nutrition. Both large-litter rearing and protein deficiency for one generation impaired visual discrimination in males only, whereas rotation between lactating and non-lactating females did not reduce visual discrimination in either gender. It is possible that extranutritional factors associated with each type of malnutrition may serve either to enhance or diminish the impact of malnutrition on the nervous system. J. Nutr. 110: 231-240,
Androgen receptor represses the neuroendocrine transdifferentiation process in prostate cancer cells

Androgen-ablation therapy is an effective method for treating prostate cancer. However, prostate tumors that survive long-term androgen-ablation therapy are classified as androgen-independent as they proliferate in the absence of androgens, and they tend to be enriched for neuroendocrine (NE) cells. Androgen withdrawal causes androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells to adopt a pronounced NE phenotype, suggesting that androgen receptor (AR) represses an intrinsic NE transdifferentiation process in prostate cancer cells. In this report we show that short interfering RNA-induced AR silencing induced a NE phenotype that manifested itself in the growth of dendritic-like processes in both the androgen-dependent LNCaP and androgen-independent LNCaP-AI human prostate cancer cells. Western blot analysis revealed that neuronal-specific enolase, a marker of the neuronal lineage, was increased by AR knockdown in LNCaP cells. The expression levels of the neuronal-specific cytoskeletal proteins beta-tubulin III, nestin, and glial acidic fibrillary protein were also characterized in AR knockdown cells. Most interestingly, AR silencing induced beta-tubulin III expression in LNCaP cells, while AR knockdown increased glial acidic fibrillary protein levels in both LNCaP and LNCaP-AI cells. Lastly, AR silencing reduced the proliferative capacity of LNCaP and LNCaP-AI cells. Our data demonstrate that AR actively represses an intrinsic NE transdifferentiation process in androgen-responsive prostate cancer cells and suggest a potential link between AR inactivation and the increased frequency of NE cells in androgen-independent tumors.
The Divergence, Actions, Roles, and Relatives of Sodium-Coupled Bicarbonate Transporters

The mammalian Slc4 (Solute carrier 4) family of transporters is a functionally diverse group of 10 multi-spanning membrane proteins that includes three Cl-HCO3 exchangers (AE1–3), five Na+-coupled ...
Design and implementation of a content-aware switch using a network processor

Cluster based server architectures have been widely used as a solution to overloading in Web servers because of their cost effectiveness, scalability and reliability. A content aware switch can be used to examine the Web requests and distribute them to the servers based on application level information. In this paper, we present the analysis, design and implementation of such a content aware switch based on an IXP2400 network processor (NP). We first analyze the mechanisms for implementing a content-aware switch and present the necessity for an NP-based solution. We then present various possibilities of workload allocation among different computation resources in an NP and discuss the design tradeoffs. Measurement results based on an IXP 2400 NP demonstrate that our NP-based switch can reduce the http processing latency by an average of 83.3% for a 1 K byte Web page, compared to a Linux-based switch. The amount of reduction increases with larger file sizes. It is also shown that the packet throughput can be improved by up to 5.7x across a range of files by taking advantage of multithreading and multiprocessing, available in the NP.
Detection of Heterozygous Mutations in the Genome of Mismatch Repair Defective Diploid Yeast Using a Bayesian Approach

DNA replication errors that escape polymerase proofreading and mismatch repair (MMR) can lead to base substitution and frameshift mutations. Such mutations can disrupt gene function, reduce fitness, and promote diseases such as cancer and are also the raw material of molecular evolution. To analyze with limited bias genomic features associated with DNA polymerase errors, we performed a genome-wide analysis of mutations that accumulate in MMR-deficient diploid lines of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These lines were derived from a common ancestor and were grown for 160 generations, with bottlenecks reducing the population to one cell every 20 generations. We sequenced to between 8- and 20-fold coverage one wild-type and three mutator lines using Illumina Solexa 36-bp reads. Using an experimentally aware Bayesian genotype caller developed to pool experimental data across sequencing runs for all strains, we detected 28 heterozygous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 48 single-nt insertion/deletions (indels) from the data set. This method was evaluated on simulated data sets and found to have a very low false-positive rate (∼6 × 10−5) and a false-negative rate of 0.08 within the unique mapping regions of the genome that contained at least sevenfold coverage. The heterozygous mutations identified by the Bayesian genotype caller were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. All of the mutations were unique to a given line, except for a single-nt deletion mutation which occurred independently in two lines. All 48 indels, composed of 46 deletions and two insertions, occurred in homopolymer (HP) tracts [i.e., 47 poly(A) or (T) tracts, 1 poly(G) or (C) tract] between 5 and 13 bp long. Our findings are of interest because HP tracts are present at high levels in the yeast genome (>77,400 for 5- to 20-nt HP tracts), and frameshift mutations in these regions are likely to disrupt gene function. In addition, they demonstrate that the mutation pattern seen previously in mismatch repair defective strains using a limited number of reporters holds true for the entire genome.
Microseismic joint location and anisotropic velocity inversion for hydraulic fracturing in a tight Bakken reservoir

ABSTRACTTo improve the accuracy of microseismic event locations, we developed a new inversion method with double-difference constraints for determining the hypocenters and the anisotropic velocity model for unconventional reservoirs. We applied this method to a microseismic data set monitoring a Middle Bakken completion in the Beaver Lodge area of North Dakota. Geophone arrays in four observation wells improved the ray coverage for the velocity inversion. Using an accurate anisotropic velocity model is important to correctly assess the height growth of the hydraulically induced fractures in the Middle Bakken. Our results showed that (1) moderate-to-strong anisotropy exists in all studied sedimentary layers, especially in the Upper and Lower Bakken shale formations, where the Thomsen parameters (ϵ and γ) can be greater than 0.4, (2) all the events selected for high signal-to-noise ratio and used for the joint velocity inversion are located in the Bakken and overlying Lodgepole formations, i.e., no events a...
Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Feedlot Steers: Effects of Delayed Implanting and Programmed Feeding During the Growing Period1

Abstract This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of programming the rate of gain and delaying the first implant in feedlot steers on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Ninety-six growing steers (269 ± 16.2 kg) were assigned to 12 pens in a completely randomized design. Treatments were implant (Synovex-S®; 20 mg estradiol benzoate and 200 mg progesterone; Fort Dodge Animal Health, Overland Park, KS) on d 1 or no implant and programmed feeding to gain at a slow (0.68 kg/d) or fast (1.14 kg/d) rate during the growing period; these treatments were randomly assigned (n = 8) to pens of steers in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Steers were fed a growing diet and after 88 and 60 d (for steers fed to gain at a slow or fast rate, respectively), steers were transitioned to ad libitum consumption of a high concentrate finishing diet. Growing period implant treatments did not affect ADG but did affect (P
An evaluation of pulsus alternans in closed-chest dogs

Pulsus alternans is a condition in which the arterial pressure generated by the heart oscillates between two levels on a beat-to-beat basis. We evaluated the onset of pulsus alternans in chronicall...
Market Efficiency and the U.S. Market for Sulfur Dioxide Allowances

Focusing on the U.S. sulfur dioxide (SO2) allowance market from its inception in 1994 to 2009, we model allowance prices to determine the influence of market fundamentals on allowance price level and volatility. We find evidence that the SO2 market operates in ways that are not inconsistent with an efficient market – prices that reflect marginal abatement costs – after the first few years of the program but before a court decision that introduced significant uncertainty into the market in mid-2008. Our empirical analysis finds that the SO2 market, similar to other emission markets studied in the literature, can remain relatively inefficient for several years after launch. We also find that market volatility increases in response to all types of communications from the administrator, suggesting that the development of a formal communication strategy, possibly similar to that used by central banks, would reduce price volatility and increase the efficiency of the market.
A front-end readout Detector Board for the OpenPET electronics system

We present a 16-channel front-end readout board for the OpenPET electronics system. A major task in developing a nuclear medical imaging system, such as a positron emission computed tomograph (PET) or a single-photon emission computed tomograph (SPECT), is the electronics system. While there are a wide variety of detector and camera design concepts, the relatively simple nature of the acquired data allows for a common set of electronics requirements that can be met by a flexible, scalable, and high-performance OpenPET electronics system. The analog signals from the different types of detectors used in medical imaging share similar characteristics, which allows for a common analog signal processing. The OpenPET electronics processes the analog signals with Detector Boards. Here we report on the development of a 16-channel Detector Board. Each signal is digitized by a continuously sampled analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which is processed by a field programmable gate array (FPGA) to extract pulse height information. A leading edge discriminator creates a timing edge that is "time stamped" by a time-to-digital converter (TDC) implemented inside the FPGA. This digital information from each channel is sent to an FPGA that services 16 analog channels, and then information from multiple channels is processed by this FPGA to perform logic for crystal lookup, DOI calculation, calibration, etc.
Rhabdomyosarcoma arising within the biliary tract mimicking a choledochal cyst: A case report

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) involving the biliary tree and choledochal cysts presents with jaundice and abdominal pain. Imaging studies including ultrasound (US), computerized tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are useful in the diagnosis and evaluation of biliary tree anatomy. We present a patient with biliary RMS initially thought to be a choledochal cyst with intraluminal cystic debris (biliary sludge) that was diagnosed by frozen section examination during cyst resection and subsequently treated with post-operative chemotherapy and radiation.
Social Media in Business and Professional Communication Courses A Survey of Student Preferences

Students raised with pervasive technology are believed to have developed skills and ways of thinking that require new approaches to education. Often, social media is lauded as the answer, but a lar...
The effect of perch access during pullet rearing and egg laying on physiological measures of stress in White Leghorns at 71 weeks of age

Egg laying strains of chickens have a strong motivation to perch. Providing caged chickens with perches allows them to perform their natural perching behavior and also improves their musculoskeletal health due to exercise. Little is known about the effect of perch access for hens on physiological measures of stress. Our hypothesis was that denying chickens access to perches would elicit a stress response. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of perch access during all or part of life cycle on physiological homeostasis in caged 71-wk-old White Leghorn hens. A total of 1,064 chicks were assigned randomly to cages with and without perches (n = 14 pullet cages/perch treatment) on day of hatch. As pullets aged, chicks were removed from cages to provide more space. At 17 wk of age, 324 chickens in total were assigned to laying cages consisting of 4 treatments with 9 replicates per treatment. Treatment 1 chickens never had access to perches during their life cycle. Treatment 2 chickens had access to perches only from 17 to 71 wk of age (laying phase). Treatment 3 chickens had access to perches only from hatch to 16.9 wk of age (pullet phase). Treatment 4 chickens always had access to perches during their life cycle. At 71 wk of age, chickens were sampled for measurement of plasma catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) and corticosterone; blood serotonin and Trp; fluctuating asymmetry of shank length and width; and adrenal weight. Only shank width differed among treatments. Chickens with previous exposure to perches during the pullet phase had wider shanks than chickens without access to perches (P = 0.006), suggesting that early perching promoted skeletal development. These results suggest that a stress response was not elicited in 71-wk-old White Leghorn hens that always had access to perches compared with hens that never had access to perches during all or part of their life cycle.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF MIMICRY IN SOME NORTH AMERICAN BUTTERFLIES: PART II. BATTUS PHILENOR AND PAPILIO TROILUS, P. POLYXENES AND P. GLAUCUS

Battus philenor (Linne') and its presumed mimics comprise a less frequently cited and more complex case of possible mimicry in North American butterflies than that of the well known Monarch and Viceroy. Edwards (1884) noted that Theodore L. Mead offered the suggestion that B. philenor is distasteful to birds, because he had noticed its strong, disagreeable scent. Mead thought that the unpalatability of B. philenor would serve to protect other black species flying with it. Edwards also stated that B. philenor is known to fly in company with P. troilus Linne, P. polyxenes (Fabricius), and the black female form of P. glaucus Linne, which hereafter will be called P. glaucus and will mean only the black form, unless otherwise noted. A more elaborate hypothesis was offered by Poulton (1909) to account for
Gender differences in online auctions

This is the first study examining gender differences in online auctions.Females are more likely to seek enjoyment, information, bargain, and variety.Females score higher on risk aversion, impulsiveness, and need for uniqueness.Males exhibit a higher level of social interaction in online auctions.Males and females purchase different products through online auctions. Gender theories developed from traditional fixed and negotiated price shopping have largely been untested in the context of online auctions. The present study intends to fill this gap. Specifically, this study compares male and female online bidders based on their motivations, psychographics, and purchasing behavior. Our results show that females are more likely than males to be enjoyment seekers, information seekers, bargain hunters, variety seekers, and impulsive buyers. Female online bidders also have a higher level of risk aversion and need for uniqueness, but exhibit a lower level of social interaction than males. This study also finds that males are more likely to purchase electronics and computers, whereas females are more likely to purchase books, clothing, jewelry, and toys through online auctions. Based on these results, theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
The ASCP Resident Physician Section: Results of Surveys Pertaining to “Graduated Responsibility for Residents in Anatomic Pathology”

Graduated responsibility for residents in anatomic pathology has been the subject of discussion among supervising staff and residents during the past few years. Presently a wide variation exists within pathology residency programs in the United States both in the degree of autonomy given to residents and in the areas of anatomic pathology (ie, surgical pathology, cytopathology, and autopsy pathology) within which the autonomy is granted. Recent surveys of supervising staff and residents have indicated a willingness to increase the level of independence for residents, especially at senior levels. Impediments include reimbursement, credentialing, and medicolegal issues. The results of the ASCP-Resident Physician Section (RPS) surveys pertaining to graduated responsibility for residents in anatomic pathology are discussed.
Closure to the Discussion of “Full-Scale Experimental Verification of Soft-Story-Only Retrofits of Wood-Frame Buildings using Hybrid Testing” by Bruce Maison

The authors of the article “Full-Scale Experimental Verification of Soft-Story-Only Retrofits of Wood-Frame Buildings using Hybrid Testing” respond to a discussion by Bruce Maison.
Experimental Study on Relationship of SF_6 Decomposition Products and Partial Discharge in Gas Insulated Switchgear

A 126 kV AC power frequency power supply,a GIS partial discharge testing platform,and a gas detection system are designed to simulate the fault state of discharge to ground.Subsequently,SF6 decomposed characteristic gas components induced by partial discharge are analyzed quantitatively,where the intensity of partial discharge is monitored with the pulse current method.The results show that:①The characteristic gas components from partial discharge-induced SF6 decomposition are SOF2,SO2,and S2OF10;②The volume fractions of SOF2 and SO2 exhibit positive correlation with duration and intensity of partial discharge;③Adsorbent imposes effect on measurement of SF6 decomposition products.
Tube Style Design of the Three Cubed Curve Liquid Liquid Hydrocyclones

Based on the structure of the standard Thew type hydrocyclones, the big cone section and small cone section were replaced with a cavity formed by taking two three cubed curves and one circular arc as a generator, and the liquid liquid hydrocyclone separation tube with a smoothy internal channel was formed,the problem of flow field disarrangement was solved, this facilitated the increase of swirl separation efficiency.
SU-F-T-102: Automatic Curation for a Scalable Registry Using Machine Learning

Purpose: growing partnership and contributors to registry efforts an efficient way to perform data integration, de-duplication, and cleansing, amongst other tasks. This project aims to develop an automatic curation module to discover, clean, and transform new data, and semantically integrate them with the composite hosting registry upon de-duplication. Methods: We have investigated various similarity metrics for various attributes and value types in the registry. More specifically, cosine word similarity, cosine term frequency-inverse document frequency, cosine trigram similarity are used to measure similarity between free text fields; Jaccard similarity and histogram matching are used for categorical values, Naive Bayesian probability in combination with Welch's t-test values are used to measure likelihood of matching for numerical fields. A supervised learning framework is then adopted where these similarity values are used as input to regress out a decision of amongst {“automatic aggregation with high confidence”, “no match (hence expand current registry)”, and “likely match upon confirmation”}. Multi-class logistic regression, and classification and regression tree (CART) techniques were used. Seven previous rolling versions of the registry with variations in terminology and data duration were used in a cross-validation setting to test the applicability of the proposed approach. Results: Initial results showed that automatic curation can properly label more than 80% of the label and data fields, significantly alleviating the burden of human operator and the risk of human error. The major limitation of the current approach is ambiguity, e.g., an input tag “MRI” yields multiple potential match. We are investigating the incorporation of context knowledge to reduce such ambiguity to facilitate both automatic curation and human confirmation. Conclusion: (Semi-)automatic curation provides a sustainable pathway to integrate data both longitudinally and across multiple institutions and data sources. Our preliminary effort has demonstrated the feasibility and potential efficacy of utilizing machine learning techniques for such purposes. This work is supported in part by a Varian research grant.
Diaspora Mobilization for Western Military Intervention During the Arab Spring

ABSTRACTLiterature on diaspora interest groups suggests that they exacerbate home-country conflicts by lobbying for hawkish interventions. However, studies fall short of understanding why diasporas support militarized interventions in home-country conflicts. Using original data on Libyan and Syrian pro-revolution activism during the Arab Spring, I demonstrate that extreme escalations in state repression, activists’ transnational ties, and norms supporting the “responsibility to protect” produced perceptions that militarized interventions were necessary countermeasures to mass killings. Overall, analyses of diasporas’ orientations to home-country conflicts should account for annihilative threats to populations at home, diasporas’ relations with those on the ground, and humanitarian intervention norms.
Comparison of Male and Female Prolactinoma Patients Requiring Surgical Intervention.

Objectives Prolactinomas are the most common functional pituitary adenoma. Symptoms of a prolactinoma stem from hormonal causes (menstrual irregularities, galactorrhea, and reduced libido) or from tumor mass effect (visual changes and headache). Gender differences have been noted in prolactinomas, with males presenting with larger tumors and sequelae of mass effect, while females present commonly with hormonal symptoms. The purpose of this study is to evaluate differences in patient and disease characteristics, and outcomes between male and female prolactinoma patients undergoing surgery. Design This was a retrospective chart review. Setting This was done at the tertiary medical center. Participants The medical records of prolactinomas patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery between March 2008 and August 2016 were reviewed. Main Outcome Measures Demographic information, tumor characteristics, and treatment characteristics and outcomes were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-squared test or Student's t-test as applicable. Results Seventy-nine patients were identified, 22 males and 57 females. The average age for males was 38 years and for females was 35 years. Males were more likely to present with decreased libido (p Conclusion Male prolactinoma patients tend to have larger tumors with more aggressive features. This may have a role in the differences in outcomes noted in this study.
Is Prospective Memory Unique? A Comparison of Prospective and Retrospective Memory

Abstract Research on prospective memory (PM), remembering to fulfill a future intention, has grown quickly over the past two decades. Yet, researchers are still investigating how PM and retrospective memory (RM) differ in processing, and how PM is affected by various factors that have been shown to influence RM either positively or negatively. In this chapter, we provide a brief comparison of PM and RM in terms of (1) some processing views that have been applied to these forms of memory, (2) effects of delay on PM and RM, (3) effects of age on these forms of memory, and (4) mood effects in PM and RM to highlight similarities and differences for RM and PM.
Using ICT for social good: Cultural identity restoration through emancipatory pedagogy

This research examines how an oppressed group, the Klamath Tribes of Oregon, used an information communication technology (ICT) for the human development objective of cultural identity restoration, one component of emancipation. Within this manuscript is depicted a process model of how ICT tools can be used for human development through emancipatory pedagogy, ie, the communication of knowledge in a way that promotes critical reflection and collective action. Combining interpretive and critical methods, I describe how the Klamath's ICT reflected the emancipatory journey of those creating it and empowered the Klamath to lead ICT users toward emancipation. An interpretive approach revealed that ICT framing tools promoted awareness of the Klamath, awareness of the problem the Klamath sought to address, and awareness of societal systems of power that enforced the Klamath's problem, while ICT tactic tools enabled “the aware” to engage in solutions. Notably, the Klamath shirked prevailing practices in ICT for development. Consistent with my critical approach, I use the Klamath case to suggest normative recommendations for the use of ICT for social good.
Emerging concepts for the treatment of hepatitis delta.

Abstract Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) causes the most severe form of human viral hepatitis and is associated with a higher risk of cirrhosis, liver decompensation and liver cancer. Interferon alpha is the only agent that has demonstrated efficacy to date, although response rates are low and it is associated with significant side effects. A better understanding of the relevant molecular virology has resulted in the identification of new candidate targets. Future therapeutic options are rapidly evolving as several new agents have entered clinical development, including the entry inhibitor myrcludex-B, the nucleic acid polymer REP2139-Ca inhibiting HBV surface antigen secretion, the farnesyltransferase inhibitor lonafarnib that targets virus assembly, and a better tolerated interferon–interferon lambda.
Inhibition of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) prevents sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy by improving calcium handling and mitochondrial function

Cardiomyopathy frequently complicates sepsis and is associated with increased mortality. Increased cardiac oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have been observed during sepsis, but the mechanisms responsible for these abnormalities have not been determined. We hypothesized that NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) activation could be responsible for sepsis-induced oxidative stress and cardiomyopathy. Treatment of isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes with low concentrations of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased total cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial superoxide. Elevated mitochondrial superoxide was accompanied by depolarization of the mitochondrial inner membrane potential, an indication of mitochondrial dysfunction, and mitochondrial calcium overload. NOX2 inhibition decreased LPS-induced superoxide and prevented mitochondrial dysfunction. Further, cardiomyocytes from mice with genetic ablation of NOX2 did not have LPS-induced superoxide or mitochondrial dysfunction. LPS decreased contractility and calcium transient amplitude in isolated cardiomyocytes, and these abnormalities were prevented by inhibition of NOX2. LPS decreased systolic function in mice, measured by echocardiography. NOX2 inhibition was cardioprotective in 2 mouse models of sepsis, preserving systolic function after LPS injection or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). These data show that inhibition of NOX2 decreases oxidative stress, preserves intracellular calcium handling and mitochondrial function, and alleviates sepsis-induced systolic dysfunction in vivo. Thus, NOX2 is a potential target for pharmacotherapy of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy.
Stimulation Interventions and Parenting in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Early childhood stimulation interventions positively impact early child development (ECD) outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. However, trials have less comprehensively evaluated the effects of such parenting programs on caregivers’ skills and capacities. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of stimulation interventions on improving parenting outcomes. DATA SOURCES: Six electronic bibliographic databases. STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials of stimulation interventions designed to improve ECD outcomes during the first 2 years of life that measured any maternal or parenting-related outcome after the start of the intervention. DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent reviewers extracted data by using a structured form. RESULTS: Fifteen studies representing 13 unique randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) based on random-effects models revealed medium-to-large benefits of stimulation interventions for improving the home caregiving environment (n = 10; SMD = 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37 to 0.77), mother-child interactions (n = 3; SMD = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.74), and maternal knowledge of ECD (n = 6; SMD = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.51 to 1.31). No significant difference was seen for maternal depressive symptoms (n = 9; SMD = −0.10; 95% CI, −0.23 to −0.03). LIMITATIONS: Limitations include heterogeneity across interventions, lack of standardized measures, and different time points of assessments across studies. CONCLUSIONS: Early childhood stimulation interventions improve several distinct aspects of maternal parenting. Improvements in parenting capacities may serve as key mechanisms by which these programs benefit ECD outcomes.
Acute macular neuroretinopathy associated with influenza vaccination with decreased flow at the deep capillary plexus on OCT angiography

Abstract Purpose We report a case of acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) following routine annual inactivated influenza vaccination. Projection-resolved optical coherence tomography angiography (PR-OCTA) was used to analyze the retinal capillary flow within the AMN lesion. Observations Our patient reported visual symptoms of her right eye nine days after routine annual influenza vaccination. Multimodal imaging revealed small vessel peripheral vasculitis and AMN in the affected eye. Infectious, immunologic, and hypercoagulable etiologies were investigated and excluded. PR-OCTA B-scans within the AMN lesion demonstrated reduced flow in the deep capillary plexus (DCP) at baseline with relatively improved flow signal in the DCP on follow up, 3 weeks later. Conclusions and importance We report a new association of AMN following routine inactivated influenza immunization. Recent influenza vaccination should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with AMN. PR-OCTA demonstrated compromised DCP flow in the AMN lesion which has not been previously described.
Effect of spray drying on the properties of camelina gum isolated from camelina seeds

Abstract Camelina gum from camelina seed was solubilized with water and isolated using spray drying method. Ethanol precipitation method was used as control. The effect of drying temperature (140–180 °C) on the properties of camelina gum was studied. The camelina gum yield from spray drying isolation is up to 1.89% of camelina seed, which is significantly less than that from ethanol isolation method (2.04%). In addition, the camelina gum isolated from spray drying has lower polysaccharides (62 vs 72%) and higher protein (7 vs 6%). In general, the viscosity of camelina gum isolated from spray drying is less than that isolated from ethanol precipitation method. Results showed that relative high temperature (165 °C) had a positive effect on the gum yield, purity, and viscosity. High drying temperature (180 °C) led to decreased gum yield and viscosity due to chemical structure decomposition of gum. Camelina gum solution exhibited superior stability in both acidic and weakly basic ranges. At pH 12, its viscosity was greatly increased, attributed to the promotion of crosslinking between polysaccharides and protein in camelina gum. The results of the additive effects on the rheological properties of camelina gum revealed that camelina gum has a good compatibility with those additives studied, indicating that camelina has a great potential for being used as a stabilizer.
Childhood Mitochondrial Disorders and Other Inborn Errors of Metabolism Presenting With White Matter Disease

Advances in neuroimaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have made possible the study of normal and abnormal brain myelination. Although many disorders present with nonspecific MRI findings, more detailed analysis with newer imaging modalities such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and magnetization transfer imaging (MTI), allow detailed investigation of white matter microstructure, abnormalities that may precede and evade detection on conventional MRI. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the utility of neuroimaging in the study and differentiation of mitochondrial disorders and other inborn errors of metabolism. The first section will discuss imaging modalities used and their application in the diagnosis and study of metabolic disease. The second section will focus on some characteristic disorders in which abnormal white matter is visualized on neuroimaging. Although not meant to be an exhaustive summary, several key disorders and their clinical and neuroimaging features will be presented. Finally, a table as well as some examples will serve to solidify the differentiation between the disorders and illustrate the best neuroimaging modalities with which to investigate etiology and, in some cases, follow disease progression and response to therapies.
Social Disconnection Among Older Adults Receiving Care in the Emergency Department.

Author(s): Kandasamy, Deepika; Platts-Mills, Timothy F.; Shah, Manish N.; Van Orden, Kim A.; Betz, Marian E. | Abstract: Introduction: Social disconnection is a public health problem in older adults, as it can lead to decreased quality of life for this population. This study describes the prevalence of social disconnection and patient interest in social resources to address social disconnection among older adults receiving emergency department (ED) care.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) receiving care at two U.S. EDs. We described participant characteristics (demographic, social, and health variables), social disconnection prevalence, and desire for social resources using percentages and 95% confidence intervals. Then, we performed Chi Square tests and logistic regression to determine factors associated with positive screens for social disconnection.Results: Of 289 participants, 51% were female and the median age was 72 (interquartile range: 69-78). Most (76%) engaged with the community regularly, and 68% reported driving. Regarding social disconnection, a substantial minority of participants reported feeling as if they were burdensome to others (37%); as if they didn’t belong (27%); or that people would be better off if they were gone (15%); 52% reported at least one of these. In separate regression analyses, the perceptions of being a burden or better off if gone were each significantly associated with needing help with routine tasks (odds ratio [OR] [5.87, 5.90]); perceived burden was associated with hospitalization in theprior month (OR [2.09]); and low belonging was associated with not engaging in the community regularly (OR [2.50]), not seeing family regularly (OR [3.82]), and difficulty affording food (OR [2.50]). Regarding potential ED referrals, most participants were interested in transportation options (68%), food assistance (58%), and mental health resources (55%). Participants experiencing difficulties affording food were interested in food and housing assistance (p=.03; p=.01).Conclusion: Over half of this sample of older ED patients reported feeling socially disconnected. Social and functional health problems are often related and both must be addressed to optimize older ED patient quality of life. Future research should consider the impact of social disconnection on older adults discharged from the ED and work to develop ED services that could refer this population to programs that may decrease social disconnection.
“Making Do” in the Land of Opportunity—a Quantitative Exploration of the Economic Integration of Refugees in Utah

The economic integration of refugees is a multidimensional process. Yet, existing research predominantly assesses economic integration unidimensionally as rapid employment or as wage level. Few researchers examine refugees’ long-term prospects for earning a livable wage. I argue that to understand refugee economic integration researchers should model multiple dimensions. Using a combination of administrative data and regional contextual data, I employ event history analysis to compare models predicting employment to those predicting the acquisition of a livable wage. I find that the factors contributing to employment differ dramatically from those that contribute to earning a livable wage. The study offers strong support for the broad hypothesis that scholars need to theorize the causes of different forms of economic integration separately.
A diagnostic 'C' saw: the ups and downs of C1q testing

Purpose of review The present review will focus on recently published data of solid organ allograft recipients reporting that patients with de-novo donor-specific HLA antibodies (DSA) that fix complement in vitro have a significantly higher risk for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and/or graft loss compared to patients whose de-novo DSA do not fix complement or patients who present with preexisting complement fixing DSA. Recent findings HLA DSAs that fix complement in vitro appear to be a key indicator for rejection and failure of kidney, heart, and lung allografts from studies performed around the world. The majority of these studies are population based and retrospective in nature. Although these studies seemingly indicate that in-vitro complement activating DSAs represent a higher clinical risk than noncomplement fixing DSAs, the majority have not accounted for false-negative reactions attributable to the so-called prozone/interference phenomenon. In the limited number of published studies addressing that concern, high mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) value noncomplement fixing DSAs correlate as well as complement fixing DSAs with AMR and graft loss. Combined with the cost of additional testing, these observations bring into question whether there is sufficient clinical applicability to warrant routine testing for complement fixing antibodies. Summary Complement fixing DSAs are clearly associated with AMR and/or loss of transplanted allografts. However, under appropriate testing conditions, complement fixing capability typically correlates with MFI values of the DSAs. As such, the routine implementation of in-vitro assays to determine whether DSAs fix complement is of questionable value especially when considering additional issues such as cost of testing, logistics, and whether the test results factor into individualized patient care.
Extracting information from AGN variability

AGN exhibit rapid, high amplitude stochastic flux variations across the entire electromagnetic spectrum on timescales ranging from hours to years. The cause of this variability is poorly understood. We present a Green's Function-based method for using variability to (1) measure the time-scales on which flux perturbations evolve and (2) characterize the driving flux perturbations. We model the observed light curve of an AGN as a linear differential equation driven by stochastic impulses. We analyze the light curve of the Kepler AGN Zw 229-15 and find that the observed variability behavior can be modeled as a damped harmonic oscillator perturbed by a colored noise process. The model powerspectrum turns over on time-scale $385$~d. On shorter time-scales, the log-powerspectrum slope varies between $2$ and $4$, explaining the behavior noted by previous studies. We recover and identify both the $5.6$~d and $67$~d timescales reported by previous work using the Green's Function of the C-ARMA equation rather than by directly fitting the powerspectrum of the light curve. These are the timescales on which flux perturbations grow, and on which flux perturbations decay back to the steady-state flux level respectively. We make the software package KALI used to study light curves using our method available to the community.