cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can Higher Education Meet the Needs of an Increasingly Diverse and Global Society? Campus Diversity and Cross-Cultural Workforce Competencies

In this article, Uma Jayakumar investigates the relationship between white individuals’ exposure to racial diversity during college and their postcollege cross-cultural workforce competencies. Using survey data from the Cooperative Institutional Research Program, housed in the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles, the author uses structural equation modeling to show that for whites from both segregated and diverse precollege neighborhoods, their postcollege leadership skills and level of pluralistic orientation are either directly or indirectly related to the structural diversity and racial climate of their postsecondary institutions, as well as their level of cross-racial interaction during the college years. The author concludes that postsecondary institutions may provide lasting benefits to white students by promoting a positive racial climate for a racially diverse student body. These findings support the theory put forth by Gurin, Dey, Hurtado, and Gurin (2002) for explaining the benefits of racial diversity at the postsecondary level.
Retinal nutritive systems in vertebrates

The components of retinal nutritive systems show considerable variation throughout the vertebrates. In all species studies, there is a choroidal system that lies just sclerad (external) to the retina. Vitread (internal) epiretinal (or preretinal) systems are present in a variety of species, as are intraretinal vessel systems; complete lack of these latter two mentioned systems is also observed in some species. In this presentation, I describe the morphologic characteristics of retinal nutritive systems of fish, reptilian avian, and various mammalian species. A number of these variations are demonstrated photographically through the use of fundus photography. In particular, I describe and provide examples of holangiotic, merangiotic, paurangiotic, and anangiotic retinal vascular patterns within the eyes of mammalian species.
Implications of allelopathy in agricultural plant science

Substances potentially involved in allelopathy are liberated from plants by (a) leaching of foliage by rain, (b) abscission and litter fall, (c) volatilization from foliage, and (d) root exudation. Substances, including metabolites such as mineral nutrients, carbohydrates, amino and organic acids, and growth regulators, can be leached from a wide variety of plants by rain and dew, and the quantity and quality of losses are affected by a great number of both external and internal factors. Materials leached from one plant may have an influence upon the development of the same or other adjacent plants. Plant/plant chemical interactions have been well recognized in commercial agriculture and, in fact, form the basis of many common agricultural practices. They are currently being utilized in modern plant science in the development of bioassay systems for detecting growth regulators, the use of rootstocks to influence the growth and development of scions, in detection and eradication of diseases, and in fruit storage and ripening.
Gene Expression and Cell Cycle Arrest Mediated by Transcription Factor DMP1 Is Antagonized by D-Type Cyclins through a Cyclin-Dependent-Kinase-Independent Mechanism

A novel 761-amino-acid transcription factor, DMP1, contains a central DNA binding domain that includes three imperfect myb repeats flanked by acidic transactivating domains at the amino and carboxyl termini. D-type cyclins associate with a region of the DMP1 DNA binding domain immediately adjacent to the myb repeats to form heteromeric complexes which detectably interact neither with cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) nor with DNA. The segment of D-type cyclins required for its interaction with DMP1 falls outside the “cyclin box,” which contains the residues predicted to contact CDK4. Hence, D-type cyclin point mutants that do not interact with CDK4 can still bind to DMP1. Enforced coexpression of either of three D-type cyclins (D1, D2, or D3) with DMP1 in mammalian cells canceled its ability to activate gene expression. This property was not shared by cyclins A, B, C, or H; did not depend upon CDK4 or CDK2 coexpression; was not subverted by a mutation in cyclin D1 that prevents its interaction with CDK4; and was unaffected by inhibitors of CDK4 catalytic activity. Introduction of DMP1 into mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts inhibited entry into S phase. Cell cycle arrest depended upon the ability of DMP1 to bind to DNA and to transactivate gene expression and was specifically antagonized by coexpression of D-type cyclins, including a D1 point mutant that does not bind to CDK4. Taken together, these findings suggest that DMP1 induces genes that inhibit S phase entry and that D-type cyclins can override DMP1-mediated growth arrest in a CDK-independent manner.
Metabolism of Δ0‐, Δ5‐, and Δ7‐Sterols by Larvae of Heliothis zea

Heliothis zea was reared on artificial diets containing Δ5-sterols (cholesterol, campesterol, or sitosterol), Δ7-sterols (lathosterol, epifungisterol, or spinasterol), or Δ0-sterols (cholestanol, epicoprostanol, campestanol, or sitostanol) in order to determine how different dietary sterols affect the type of sterols present in the tissues of the late-sixth-instar larva. Although all of the dietary sterols (except epicoprostanol) supported the growth of the larvae, not all of the sterols were metabolized to the same end products. In each case, at least 80% of the sterols in the tissues of the larvae retained the same nucleus as that of the dietary sterol, indicating that H. zea carries out very little metabolism of ring B of Δ5-, Δ7-, and Δ0-sterols. The larvae dealkylated the Δ5-, Δ7-, and Δ0-alkylsterols to 24-desalkylsterols, but a greater percentage of the Δ5-alkylsterols were metabolized in this manner. The sterols present as free sterols in the larva were also present as esterifed sterols which accounted for 2–4% of the total sterols. Therefore, the sterol composition of the tissues of H. zea can be altered by varying the dietary sterols.
Assessment of Topical Corticosteroid-Induced Skin Blanching Response Using the Visual Mckenzie-Stoughton and Colorimetric Methods:

The use of a portable noninvasive colorimeter is evaluated in the present studies for its ability to objectively assess the skin blanching response in vivo. Its correlation and application in differentiating the influence of vehicle, potency, circadian activity, and dose response of topical corticosteroid treatment in healthy subjects among various skin types is consistently high (r > 0.8) using the “a” scale values, which represent reflected light from the skin in the green-red color spectrum (low-to-high values). The colorimeter is most useful in bioequivalence studies where differences in subject skin pigment or sun exposure exist between designated test skin sites in the same individual. The “a” scale of the colorimeter is reproducible and demonstrates a lower intrasubject variability than the visual assessment of the skin blanching response (SBR). The colorimeter data suggest that it will be very useful in the objective and noninvasive assessment of topical corticosteroid bioequivalence.
Discussion Leader Comments

The situation individuals or businesses find themselves in during or before purchase determines the cognitive processes that take place at that time. The three manuscripts included in this session on “Insights Into Different Buying Processes” are diverse in their approaches to this broad subject.
In vitro cleavage of diisocyanate-glutathione conjugates by human gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-1

AbstractIsocyanates differ from many other xenobiotics in their ability to form S-linked conjugates with glutathione (GSH) through direct nucleophilic addition reactions (e.g. without enzymatic “preactivation” and/or transferase activity), potentially predisposing them to metabolism via the mercapturic acid pathway. In vivo, mono-isocyanates are metabolized via the mercapturic acid pathway and excreted as N-acetylated cysteine conjugates, however, the metabolism of di-isocyanates remains unclear.We assessed the ability of purified human gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-1 (GGT-1), a primary enzyme of the mercapturic acid pathway, to cleave S-linked GSH conjugates of 4,4′-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), two widely used industrial chemicals.A combination of liquid chromatography (LC), tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and hydrogen-deuterium exchange studies confirmed GGT-1 mediated formation of the 607.2 and 525.2 m/z (M + H)+ ions corresponding to bis(cys-gly)-MDI...
Ion Beam Modification of Ceramics

Alterations to the structure and properties of ceramics are complex due to the range of bonding types encountered and the necessity for maintaining local charge balance. Ion damage can occur as a result of ionizing effects as well as displacement collisions. Ion species, implantation temperature, implantation energy, and the specific bonding characteristics of the host are important parameters in determining the structure and properties of implanted ceramics. Some of these effects will be illustrated for Al2O3 implanted with chromium or zirconium and silicon carbide implanted with chromium.
Seizures and Epilepsy in Sotos Syndrome

Clinicians from the Child Neurology Division, Sapienza University of Rome, and 7 other pediatric neurology centers in Italy report a series of 19 Sotos syndrome (SS) patients with febrile seizures (FS) and/or epilepsy during childhood and a long-term follow-up.
Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering as a probe of band structure effects in cuprates

We analyze within quasiparticle theory a recent resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) experiment on ${\text{YBa}}_{2}{\text{Cu}}_{3}{\text{O}}_{6+x}$ with the incoming photon energy detuned at several values from the resonance maximum [Minola et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 217003 (2015)]. Surprisingly, the data show a much weaker dependence on detuning than expected from recent measurements on a different cuprate superconductor, ${\text{Bi}}_{2}{\text{Sr}}_{2}{\text{CuO}}_{6+x}$ [Guarise et al., Nat. Commun. 5, 5760 (2014)]. We demonstrate here that this discrepancy, originally attributed to collective magnetic excitations, can be understood in terms of the differences between the band structures of these materials. We find good agreement between theory and experiment over a large range of dopings, both in the underdoped and overdoped regimes. Moreover, we demonstrate that the RIXS signal depends sensitively on excitations at energies well above the Fermi surface that are inaccessible to traditionally used band structure probes, such as angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. This makes RIXS a powerful probe of band structure, not suffering from surface preparation problems and small sample sizes, making it potentially applicable to a number of cuprate materials.
A Multiparameter Automated Hematology Analyzer: The ELT-15

The performance of the Ortho ELT-15 hematology analyzer was evaluated in the high volume, computerized clinical hematology laboratory at M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, and compared with that of reference instrumentation currently in use for routine patient care, the Coulter S-Plus II. The within-run precision, linearity, and lack of carryover was excellent, and the day-to-day precision was acceptable for the entire range of tested parameters. Coefficients of correlation for these parameters were 0.99 or greater, with the exception of the mean corpuscular volume, where r = 0.95. Special emphasis was placed on the correlation study of white blood cells and platelets at low ranges. Correlation was extremely good (r = 0.97) for white blood cell counts less than 4.0 x 109 L (4.0 x 103/ μL) as well as for PLT counts (r = 0.93) less than 50 x 109/L (50 x 103/μL). These excellent performance characteristics for the complete blood cell parameters make the ELT-15 another superior advance over previous instrumentation in the field of automated hematology.
Effects of imbibition and modified atmospheres on the soluble sugar content of supersweet sweet corn embryo and endosperm

The contents and compositional changes of soluble sugars in ‘Supersweet Jubilee’ sweet corn kernels exposed to 0, 24, 48 and 72 h water imbibition and modified atmospheres were determined. In the unimbibed dry embryo, sucrose and raffinose constituted a major pool of soluble sugars. There were two to three times more sucrose and raffinose in the embryo than in the endosperm. With progressive duration of imbibition, these sugars decreased five to eight-fold in the embryo and two to eight-fold in the endosperm. Concurrently, the glucose of the imbibed embryo increased significantly and coincided with the time of radicle emergence. Fructose of embryo and endosperm remained relatively unchanged. Modified atmospheres having 4% oxygen or 10% carbon dioxide and normal atmosphere imposed on imbibing sweet corn kernels did not significantly alter the content and composition of soluble sugars, or firmness of the pericarp. However, over half the kernel soluble sugars content was leaked into the external medium durin...
Expression and Clinical Significance of Paxillin and HER-2 in Breast Carcinoma

Objective To explore the clinical significance of Paxillin and HER-2 expression in the breast carcinoma.MethodsThe expression of Paxillin and HER-2 were detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC) in 80 cases of breast carcinoma,of which 15 cases of breast had benign lesions and 10 cases were normal breasts with normal tissues.Results(1)The positive rates of paxillin protein were 30.0%,33.3% and 71.3% in normal breast tissues,breast benign lesion and breast carcinoma respectively.HER-2 protein were 0%,0% and 33.8% respectively.(2)The expression of paxillin was related to pathological stages and lymph node metastasis,but not to histological type and histological grades.While the expression of HER-2 was related to ER status,histological grades and lymph node metastasis,but not to histological type and pathological stages.(3)There was positive correlation between paxillin and HER-2 levels.ConclusionsThe test of paxillin and HER-2 proteins expression may have significant prognostic value for assessing the degree of malignancy and potential lymph node metastasis probability in breast carcinoma.
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis causes Crohn's disease in some inflammatory bowel disease patients

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that plagues millions all over the world. This debilitating bowel disease can start in early childhood and continue into late adulthood. Signs and symptoms are usually many and multiple tests are often required for the diagnosis and confirmation of this disease. However, little is still understood about the cause(s) of CD. As a result, several theories have been proposed over the years. One theory in particular is that Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is intimately linked to the etiology of CD. This fastidious bacterium also known to cause Johne's disease in cattle has infected the intestines of animals for years. It is believed that due to the thick, waxy cell wall of MAP it is able to survive the process of pasteurization as well as chemical processes seen in irrigation purification systems. Subsequently meat, dairy products and water serve as key vehicles in the transmission of MAP infection to humans (from farm to fork) who have a genetic predisposition, thus leading to the development of CD. The challenges faced in culturing this bacterium from CD are many. Examples include its extreme slow growth, lack of cell wall, low abundance, and its mycobactin dependency. In this review article, data from 60 studies showing the detection and isolation of MAP by PCR and culture techniques have been reviewed. Although this review may not be 100% comprehensive of all studies, clearly the majority of the studies overwhelmingly and definitively support the role of MAP in at least 30%-50% of CD patients. It is very possible that lack of detection of MAP from some CD patients may be due to the absence of MAP role in these patients. The latter statement is conditional on utilization of methodology appropriate for detection of human MAP strains. Ultimately, stratification of CD and inflammatory bowel disease patients for the presence or absence of MAP is necessary for appropriate and effective treatment which may lead to a cure.
Cerebellopontine angle ganglionic hamartoma: case report.

Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) ganglionic hamartomas are rare. We present a case of a 49-year-old woman who presented with left-sided hearing loss of more than 4 years’ duration and vertigo since chi...
Management of a Dermocutaneous Black Mold Abscess of the Finger with Flexor Sheath Involvement

Case: We present the case of a 76-year-old man with a black mold infection of the index finger. This granulomatous abscess uncharacteristically invaded the flexor sheath compartment, threatening proximal spread. Treatment consisted of excision of the abscess and drainage of the flexor sheath. The patient recovered unremarkably, maintaining digital function without recurrent infection. Conclusion: The members of the fungal genus Exophiala are dark-pigmented mycoses commonly termed “black mold.” Previously reported atraumatic black mold infections of the hand have been limited to subcutaneous involvement. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the successful treatment of a flexor sheath infection caused by the species E. jeanselmei.
Water for the City, Ruins for the Country: Archaeology of the New York City Watershed

Two New York City institutions, the Board of Water Supply (BWS) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), have shaped rural regions far outside city boundaries. The BWS depopulated places selected for reservoir construction. Residents were evicted and towns were demolished then submerged. Those who remained struggled to reorganize their lives amid the landscape clearance. Once the reservoirs were complete, the DEP replaced the BWS as the institution in charge of ensuring the city’s water supply. The DEP Police patrols around the reservoirs and enforces land-use regulations. Archaeological survey of city-owned watershed lands reveals a scarred landscape of ongoing colonial conflict.
BIDS: A Method for Specifying and Verifying Bidirectional Hardware Devices

Previous methods of formally verifying hardware designs have been highly simplified in comparison to the physical operation of the hardware devices themselves, which is appropriate for many kinds of circuit design but not for others. In particular, the register-transfer model and the state-transition model have not been able to handle bidirectionality (allowing lines sometimes to be used for input and at other times for output). The predicate model can handle simple cases of bidirectionality, but breaks down in others, particularly when gate capacitance and/or charge sharing are involved. In this paper we describe BIDS (BIdirectional Device Specification), a more elaborate model of hardware devices for formal verification, which we believe will be adequate for most techniques that designers commonly use, including bidirectionality, gate capacitance, and charge-sharing.
Branding Tengchong: Globalization, Road Building, and Spatial Reconfigurations in Yunnan, Southwest China

The Chinese state envisions the building of the Tengchong-Myitkyina road in Yunnan as a key element in the integration of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and areas beyond. Tengchong has proposed itself as a “bridgehead,” eschewing associations with remoteness and dead ends and embracing the region as vital to a newly imagined spatial continuum. Local authorities must negotiate and reinterpret multiple histories, invoking the Southern Silk Road and the Stilwell Road (despite its ideologically problematic role as a Nationalist fighting area), to reconfigure Tengchong, complying with the central government’s narrative of Communist history, and harmonizing with road-building policy initiatives.
2016 Presidential Election: Hashtags, Social Justice, and the 'Black Vote'

One of the biggest advancements for the African American community in regards to fighting for social justice is the prominent use of social media. Hashtags have become the difference between a trial and a life being taken away without consequence. Social media has also been used to influence one of the most important elections for America, the 2016 presidential election. Social media campaigns have been imperative in getting opinions from candidates on how to deal with issues of race relations. The moments that were once word-of-mouth have now been streamed millions of times via a hashtag. This social media culture heavily shapes the narrative of social justice and provides all marginalized group an opportunity to shine some light on their plight.In the political realm, most populations are segments in terms of votes except for minority groups. The African American vote is seen as a homogenous entity and when discussed by candidates or correspondents, it is seen as one collective thought. However, Black Lives Matter has used its platform to demonstrate that just like the rest of America, black people are also diverse in thought and issues. Ranging from all spectrums of educated, uneducated, gay, straight, trans, man or woman, there is diversity in thought and issue. This paper is going to analyze the impact of social media on social justice and the “black vote.” The methods would be analyzing polls before the elections, and as increased segmentation of black thought is expressed see does this change the narrative. After the election, I will to analyze exit polls of the African American community to see how different segments voted and what encouraged that vote. I will also observe how the candidates respond to problems within the niche segments of the African American community after social media campaigns come to play. I will also use Twitter as a vehicle to survey different populations within the black community to get their stance on issues and their satisfaction levels with the work done to address it.This research will be important because it showcases the power of social media on political and legislative reform. Social media has changed the game for activism and has potential to influence political outcomes. It could also show how community and identity development correlates with use of social media.
Genome-independent hypoxic repression of estrogen receptor alpha in breast cancer cells

About 75–80% of breast tumors express the estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) and are treated with endocrine-target therapeutics, making this the premier therapeutic modality in the breast cancer clinic. However, acquired resistance is common and about 20% of resistant tumors loose ER-α expression via unknown mechanisms. Inhibition of ER-α loss could improve endocrine therapeutic efficacy, benefiting a significant number of patients. Here we test whether tumor hypoxia might commonly produce ER-α loss. Using standard molecular and cellular biological assays and a work station/incubator with controllable oxygen levels, we analyze the effects of hypoxia on ER-α protein, mRNA, and transcriptional activity in a panel of independently-derived ER-α positive cell lines. These lines were chosen to represent the diverse genetic backgrounds and mutations commonly present in ER-α positive tumors. Using shRNA-mediated knockdown and overexpression studies we also elucidate the role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) in the hypoxia-induced decrease in ER-α abundance. We present the first comprehensive overview of the effects of bona fide low environmental oxygen (hypoxia) and HIF-1α activity on ER-α abundance and transcriptional activity. We find that stabilized HIF-1α induces rapid loss of ER-α protein in all members of our diverse panel of breast cancer cell lines, which involves proteolysis rather than transcriptional repression. Reduced ER-α severely attenuates ER-α directed transcription, and inhibits cell proliferation without overt signs of cell death in the cell lines tested, despite their varying genomic backgrounds. These studies reveal a common hypoxia response that produces reduced ER-α expression and cell cycle stalling, and demonstrate a common role for HIF-1α in ER-α loss. We hypothesize that inhibitors of HIF-1α or the proteasome might stabilize ER-α expression in breast tumors in vivo, and work in combination with endocrine therapies to reduce resistance. Our data also suggests that disease re-occurrence in patients with ER-α positive tumors may arise from tumor cells chronically resident in hypoxic environments. We hypothesize that these non-proliferating cells may survive undetected until conditions change to oxygenate the environment, or cells eventually switch to proliferation via other signaling pathways.
Micro vapor extractor for on-site determinations of volatile organic compounds in water and biofluids

A passive, membrane-mediated, microfabricated vapor extractor (μVE) chip for collecting volatile organic compounds (VOC) from water and biofluids is presented. Its performance when interfaced to a micro-scale gas chromatograph (μGC) prototype is demonstrated. A mixture of 4 VOCs spiked into synthetic urine at ppm concentrations was extracted by the 2.8×2.3 cm μνE chip from a 700-μL sample in 3.5 min, and then preconcentrated, injected, separated and detected by μGC in ∼80 sec with detection limits as low as 660 ppb. Response patterns provided by the μGC sensor-array detector facilitated VOC identification. The hybrid μνE-μGC microsystem may eventually permit rapid field/clinical analyses of water contaminants and urinary biomarkers of exposure and disease.
Social Validity Assessment

Abstract Social validity refers to the social significance of intervention goals, social acceptability of intervention procedures, and social importance of effects (Kazdin, 1977. Behavior Modification, 1, 427; Wolf, 1978. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11, 203–214). Assessing social validity is an important component of applied behavioral analytic inquiry. By assessing social validity, practicing professionals are empowered to revise and refine interventions with positive outcomes. In this chapter, we defined the term social validity and offered behavioral practitioners pragmatic direction and recommendations regarding social validity assessment. We provided a concise discussion of the history of social validity, explaining how the assessment of social validity became—and continues to be—a priority in the field of applied behavior analysis. Then, we focused on practical applications of social validity: (1) the importance of assessing social validity at each level of prevention, (2) the importance of assessing social validity from all stakeholders involved in any intervention effort, and (3) the range of methods for measuring social validity. We concluded with a summary of practical guidelines, noting salient essential learning from this chapter.
Photographic zoom fisheye lens design for DSLR cameras

Photographic fisheye lenses with fixed focal length for cameras with different sensor formats have been well developed for decades. However, photographic fisheye lenses with variable focal length are rare on the market due in part to the greater design difficulty. This paper presents a large aperture zoom fisheye lens for DSLR cameras that produces both circular and diagonal fisheye imaging for 35-mm sensors and diagonal fisheye imaging for APS-C sensors. The history and optical characteristics of fisheye lenses are briefly reviewed. Then, a 9.2- to 16.1-mm F/2.8 to F/3.5 zoom fisheye lens design is presented, including the design approach and aberration control. Image quality and tolerance performance analysis for this lens are also presented.
Bullying and fear of victimization: Do supportive adults in school make a difference in adolescents’ perceptions of safety?

ABSTRACTThis study examines the role played by a limited number of fear-of-crime correlates in structuring variations in fear of violent victimization expressed by a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents who participated in the 2013 National Crime Victimization Survey School Crime Supplement. Results show that both male and female adolescents who experienced bullying victimization also felt a higher level of fear of victimization at school and elsewhere. Conversely, adolescents who received emotional support at school from teachers and other adults were significantly less likely to be fearful. When controlling for the selected predictors, female adolescents were not more fearful than their male counterparts. Additionally, findings indicate that, especially for male adolescents, a positive school climate has the capacity to moderate the effect of bullying victimization on one’s fear of crime.
Canine central corneal thickness measurements via Pentacam-HR® , optical coherence tomography (Optovue iVue® ), and high-resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy.

Objective To compare central corneal thickness (CCT) values in canine eyes using Pentacam-HR® Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam), Optovue® iVue spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and high-resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and generate normative canine Pentacam CCT values. Animals studied Twenty-four client-owned dogs (37 eyes) with nondiseased cornea(s) presenting to the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Procedures Corneal images were acquired via Pentacam, SD-OCT, and UBM in the listed order. Machine-calculated values of CCT from Pentacam and SD-OCT were compared to operator-measured values from UBM. Bland–Altman analysis was performed to evaluate agreement between instruments. Results Mean CCT ± SD measured by Pentacam was 629.73 ± 64.57 μm, by SD-OCT was 610.56 ± 57.48 μm, and by UBM was 689.77 ± 55.93 μm. On average, Pentacam CCT was 19.17 ± 32.90 μm (3%) thicker than SD-OCT and 65.12 ± 44.52 μm (10.3%) thinner than UBM. SD-OCT was on average 82.47 μm (13.5% ) thinner than UBM. The 95% limits of agreement were (−45.31, 83.65), (−152.38, 22.13), and (−126.674, −38.270) for Pentacam vs. SD-OCT, Pentacam vs. UBM, and SD-OCT vs. UBM respectively. All differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Conclusions Considering there is an average of 7.5% normal diurnal variation in canine CCT, a 3.0% difference between Pentacam and SD-OCT values is likely not clinically relevant. However, Pentacam measurements were both statistically and clinically significantly different from UBM and SD-OCT measurements.
Talker Differences in Clear and Conversational Speech: Perceived Sentence Clarity for Young Adults With Normal Hearing and Older Adults With Hearing Loss

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine talker differences for subjectively rated speech clarity in clear versus conversational speech, to determine whether ratings differ for young adults with normal hearing (YNH listeners) and older adults with hearing impairment (OHI listeners), and to explore effects of certain talker characteristics (e.g., gender) on perceived clarity. Relationships among clarity ratings and other speech perceptual and acoustic measures were also explored. Method Twenty-one YNH and 15 OHI listeners rated clear and conversational sentences produced by 41 talkers on a scale of 1 (lowest possible clarity) to 7 (highest possible clarity). Results While clarity ratings varied significantly among talkers, listeners rated clear speech significantly clearer than conversational speech for all but 1 talker. OHI and YNH listeners gave similar ratings for conversational speech, but ratings for clear speech were significantly higher for OHI listeners. Talker gender effects differed for YN...
Complex Differential Geometry

In this chapter, we derive the Kodaira-Nakano identity (1.58) for holomorphic vector bundles on Kahler manifolds. We begin by describing our notation and reviewing some basic concepts from differential geometry.
Structural Basis for Teneurin Function in Circuit-Wiring: A Toxin Motif at the Synapse.

Teneurins (TENs) are cell-surface adhesion proteins with critical roles in tissue development and axon guidance. Here, we report the 3.1-A cryoelectron microscopy structure of the human TEN2 extracellular region (ECR), revealing a striking similarity to bacterial Tc-toxins. The ECR includes a large β barrel that partially encapsulates a C-terminal domain, which emerges to the solvent through an opening in the mid-barrel region. An immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain seals the bottom of the barrel while a β propeller is attached in a perpendicular orientation. We further show that an alternatively spliced region within the β propeller acts as a switch to regulate trans-cellular adhesion of TEN2 to latrophilin (LPHN), a transmembrane receptor known to mediate critical functions in the central nervous system. One splice variant activates trans-cellular signaling in a LPHN-dependent manner, whereas the other induces inhibitory postsynaptic differentiation. These results highlight the unusual structural organization of TENs giving rise to their multifarious functions.
Continued Ultrasound Surveillance Required after Hand Ischemia Associated with Trauma in Children.

Background Hand ischemia following trauma in children is rare, and the natural history after upper extremity arterial bypass in children is unknown. We hypothesize children with brachial artery repair are at long-term risk of developing aneurysmal degeneration or thrombosis, thus necessitating annual duplex ultrasonography and physical examination. Methods A retrospective review of children who had brachial artery repair (bypass or vein patch) for hand ischemia secondary to trauma at a level I trauma pediatric hospital was performed. Telephone interviews were conducted to assess the presence of arm/hand symptoms (pain, weakness, fatigue, sensory function, limb length discrepancy). Results Between 2003 and 2016, 16 children (12 males), mean age 8 years (3–13 years) underwent brachial artery repair (12 bypass with vein, 4 vein patch). Mechanism of injury included 11 supracondylar fractures and 5 lacerations. All patients were seen at 2 weeks with a duplex ultrasound. Thirteen patients were lost to follow-up. The 3 patients with follow-up had patent bypasses, but one patient 6 years out from the repair had aneurysmal degeneration of the vein graft. Seven patients were never seen again. Phone interviews were conducted for the remaining 6 patients and 2 complained of arm fatigue and intermittent hand pain. Only one patient reported that the pediatrician checked pulses in the affected extremity. Conclusions Eighty percentage of children had no further follow-up after the postoperative visit. Asymptomatic aneurysmal degeneration of the vein graft was noted 6 years following repair in one patient, and 2 patients had unevaluated hand complaints. These patients are at risk for late complications and are unlikely to return for routine follow-up. The importance of graft surveillance must be more clearly emphasized at time of initial surgery.
On-Site Wastewater Treatment

Human waste may contain high numbers of a variety of enteric pathogens. Diseases caused by these microorganisms include gastroenteritis, infectious hepatitis, cholera, typhoid, respiratory illness, myocarditis, encephalitis, and endocarditis. When this waste is treated in an on-site wastewater treatment system, such as a septic tank, the potential for contamination of the underlying groundwater exists. There are numerous factors that affect the potential for groundwater contamination by microorganisms in domestic waste, which are discussed herein.
Host Immune Responses to Coxsackievirus B3

Group B coxsackieviruses are members of the picornavirus family of small nonenveloped RNA viruses and have been associated with diseases of multiple organs including the heart, acinar and islet pancreas, liver, skeletal muscle, central nervous system, and testes. Damage to tissues occurs not only from the direct virus replication and infection of cells, but also from the host response to infection. However, without host immunity and response, the viruses are not appropriately cleared and chronic infection occurs. The host response to coxsackieviruses is diverse and complex. Also, the host response both benefits and is detrimental to the virus. This review discusses the major aspects of the host response to coxsackieviruses and attempts to demonstrate the interplay between the virus and the cell, which ultimately determines both the type and strength of the adaptive immune response as well as whether autoimmunity will follow the infection.
Reprogramming Cell Survival and Longevity: The Role of Tor, Sch9, Ras, and Sir2

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has emerged as the simplest of the major model systems to study cell survival and aging. Among the key proteins that regulate aging in this unicellular eukaryote are Tor/Sch9, Ras, and Sir2. Remarkably, similar genes and pathways are implicated in the regulation of longevity in worms, flies, and mice, suggesting that the “test-tube” approach can provide fundamental clues to understand how mammalian cells survive and die during normal aging. The role of Tor/Sch9, Ras, and Sir2 in reprogramming survival and chronological life span in S. cerevisiae and their potentially conserved role in higher eukaryotes are reviewed.
Association of Trauma Alert Response Charges With Volume and Hospital Ownership Type in Florida.

Objective:The purpose was to analyze the association of trauma volume and hospital trauma center (TC) ownership type with trauma alert (TA) response charges, which are billed for activation of the ...
Soy-based infant formula feeding and menstrual pain in a cohort of women aged 23-35 years.

Study question Is soy formula feeding during infancy associated with menstrual pain in reproductive-age women? Summary answer Our data suggest that soy formula feeding during infancy is associated with several indicators of severe menstrual pain in reproductive-age women. What is known already A prior study observed greater severity of menstrual pain in young women who as infants participated in feeding studies and were assigned to soy-based formula feeding. Study design, size, duration We used data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle & Fibroids (SELF), a cohort of 1696 African-American women ages 23-35 years at enrollment. Participants/materials, settings, methods Data on infant soy formula feeding was ascertained by self-administered questionnaire for 1553 participants, with 89% of participants receiving assistance from their mothers. Information on menstrual pain indicators was collected by web- and telephone-interview. We estimated the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using log-binomial regression, or log-multinomial regression, adjusting for participant age and maternal education. Main results and the role of chance Women ever fed soy formula as infants were more likely than unexposed women to report ever use of hormonal contraception for menstrual pain (RR 1.4, CI: 1.1-1.9) and moderate/severe menstrual discomfort/pain with 'most periods', but not 'every period', during early adulthood (ages 18-22 when not using hormonal contraception) (RR 1.5, CI: 1.1-2.0). Limitations, reasons for caution We relied on retrospective recall to ascertain infant exposure to soy formula feeding and data on menstrual pain indicators. Wider implications of the findings Our observations add to the growing body of literature from animal and human studies on the reproductive health consequences of early-life exposure to soy formula. Study funding/competing interest(s) This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and, in part, by funds allocated for health research by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This research was also supported by grant K99NR017191 (KU). None of the authors has a conflict of interest. Trial registration number Not applicable.
Status of Ashy Storm-Petrel Breeding Colonies at Santa Cruz Island, California, 1912–1998

We summarized historical knowledge from 1912 to 1998 of 13 known breeding colonies of Ashy Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma homochroa) at Santa Cruz Island, California. Breeding was first reported by naturalists at Painted Cave (1912), Scorpion Rocks (1928), and Orizaba Rock (1937). During early seabird colony surveys of the Channel Islands, breeding was also noted at Cavern Point Cove Caves (1970), Diablo Rocks (1976), and Gull Island (1977). During 1991–1998, more extensive surveys of nearly all sea caves and offshore rocks documented additional breeding at Bat Cave, Cave of the Birds' Eggs, Del Mar Cove Cave, Del Mar Rock, Dry Sandy Beach Cave, Shipwreck Cave, and Willows Anchorage Rocks. Historical impacts apparently occurred from specimen collecting and interference by other nesting seabirds; however, guano harvesting may have had major impacts on nesting habitats at Scorpion Rocks (main rock) and Orizaba Rock. Impacts from organochlorine pollutants were likely extensive, and population sizes at all colonies may have been lower in the 1960s and 1970s when organochlorine pollution was at its highest level. Standardized monthly nest monitoring during 1995–1998 was used to measure reproductive success and population size at 5 colonies, creating a baseline for long-term trend monitoring that has continued annually to 2016. Mist net captures were used to estimate population sizes at 2 colonies in 1991. Estimated population size for Santa Cruz Island in 1991–1998 was 338 pairs, greater than previously reported for 1976–1977 (45–55 pairs), but the more recent estimate includes more colonies (especially 3 large colonies in sea caves), different methods of estimation, and likely some recovery from impacts associated with organochlorine pollution.
Using a Monte Carlo Simulation Exercise to Teach Principles of Distribution: An Enhanced Version of the Classic Transportation Problem

This paper explains a Monte Carlo simulation workshop applied to an extended version of the classic transportation problem. It is designed to be conducted in a classroom or laboratory where student...
PTSD as a Public Mental Health Priority

This article reviews recent evidence related to public health epidemiology and intervention for traumatic stress and PTSD. Recent evidence is presented regarding incidence of traumatic stress worldwide, as well as most frequent types of traumas, indicators of the public health burden of PTSD, and prevalence, predictors, and correlates of PTSD. Public health perspectives on intervention and treatment are delineated, and innovations in both psychosocial and psychopharmacological interventions are highlighted. PTSD has been associated with substantial medical and economic burden. Recent public health preventive innovations include integrated medical/behavioral health care, acute CBT and attention interventions, modifications to CBT protocols, use of novel and augmentative psychopharmacological agents, and use of technology. Recent research regarding the scope and impact of traumatic stress, as well as prevention strategies for PTSD, have resulted in an improved understanding of its impact and more effective public health interventions.
Asynchronous Multiagent Primal-Dual Optimization

We present a framework for asynchronously solving convex optimization problems over networks of agents which are augmented by the presence of a centralized cloud computer. This framework uses a Tikhonov-regularized primal-dual approach in which the agents update the system's primal variables and the cloud updates its dual variables. To minimize coordination requirements placed upon the system, the times of communications and computations among the agents are allowed to be arbitrary, provided they satisfy mild conditions. Communications from the agents to the cloud are likewise carried out without any coordination in their timing. However, we require that the cloud keeps the dual variable's value synchronized across the agents, and a counterexample is provided that demonstrates that this level of synchrony is indeed necessary for convergence. Convergence rate estimates are provided in both the primal and dual spaces, and simulation results are presented that demonstrate the operation and convergence of the proposed algorithm.
Families Of Translating Neutral Vortex Street Configurations

Translating point vortex street configurations model asymptotic states of wakes in a two-dimensional fluid. In this paper such configurations are found with the aid of a multilinear differential equation analogous to the one used in the non-periodic case. Arrangements of point vortex streets with circulations +1/-1 or +1/-2, arbitrary translation velocity and arbitrary numbers of vortex streets (consistent with zero total circulation) are found; the polynomials describing these arrangements have free complex parameters and hence describe a continuum or family of translating states. A similar family with three circulation values is also exhibited.
Algal bioassays detect modeled loading of wastewater-derived nitrogen in coastal waters of OʻAHU, HAWAIʻI

Abstract Previous studies indicate coastlines are at risk of wastewater contamination from injection wells, cesspools, and septic systems. In this study, common marine algae were used to ground-truth modeled loading of wastewater-derived N to coastlines of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Macroalgae were collected and/or deployed at 118 sites and analyzed for tissue δ15N and N %. Wastewater source locations were used to estimate wastewater-derived N in groundwater with the modeling software MT3DMS/MODFLOW. Algal bioassays identified six coastal regions subjected to elevated wastewater-derived N loading. In a case study, submarine groundwater discharge (estimated by 222Rn mass balance) was related to wastewater loading from onsite sewage disposal systems (OSDS) and municipal wastewater injection wells in Waimānalo. The highest 222Rn-derived SGD rate and N flux were 21.4 m3/m/d and 62.6 g/m/d, respectively. The results of this study suggest that OSDS and injection wells discharge substantial volumes of wastewater and N across broad regions of coastal Oʻahu.
Is inpatient chemotherapy overutilized

215Background: Inpatient palliative chemotherapy has been associated with more aggressive end of life care, reduced utilization of hospice services and decreased quality of life. The decision to ad...
Learning by Self-Explanation, with Application to Neural Architecture Search.

Learning by self-explanation is an effective learning technique in human learning, where students explain a learned topic to themselves for deepening their understanding of this topic. It is interesting to investigate whether this explanation-driven learning methodology broadly used by humans is helpful for improving machine learning as well. Based on this inspiration, we propose a novel machine learning method called learning by self-explanation (LeaSE). In our approach, an explainer model improves its learning ability by trying to clearly explain to an audience model regarding how a prediction outcome is made. LeaSE is formulated as a four-level optimization problem involving a sequence of four learning stages which are conducted end-to-end in a unified framework: 1) explainer learns; 2) explainer explains; 3) audience learns; 4) explainer re-learns based on the performance of the audience. We develop an efficient algorithm to solve the LeaSE problem. We apply LeaSE for neural architecture search on CIFAR-100, CIFAR-10, and ImageNet. Experimental results strongly demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.