cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trabecular bone strength predictions using finite element analysis of micro-scale images at limited spatial resolution.

article i nfo Advances in micro-scanning technology have led to renewed clinical interest in the ability to predict bone strength using finite element (FE) analysis based on images with resolutions in the range of 80 µm. Using such images, we sought to determine whether predictions of yield stress provided by nonlinear FE models could improve correlations with bone strength as compared to the use of predictions of elastic modulus from linear FE models, and if this effect depended on voxel size or bone volume fraction. Linear and nonlinear FE analyses were conducted for 46 trabecular cores from three human anatomic sites using element sizes ranging from 20 to 120 µm to obtain measures of apparent yield stress and elastic modulus, and these measures were correlated against the predicted yield stress from the 20 µm models (assumed to be the gold standard strength for this study). Results indicated that when considering all samples and any resolution, yield stress and elastic modulus were both excellent predictors of strength (R 2 N0.99). When only low-density samples (BV/TVb0.15) were considered, yield stress was better correlated with 20 µm-strength than was elastic modulus (R 2 increased from 0.93 to 0.99 at 40 µm and from 0.90 to 0.95 at 80 µm). However, at a voxel size of 120 µm, the predictive ability of yield stress was slightly less than that of stiffness, likely due to the large convergence-related errors that could develop with larger element sizes. As expected, a limit was observed in the ability of elastic modulus to predict strength—the predictive ability of elastic modulus measured at 20 µm was comparable to that of yield strength at 80 µm. We also found that strength predictions from FE models at clinical-type resolutions had nearly the same power to detect bone quality effects via variations in strength-density relationships as did high-resolution models. We conclude that nonlinear FE models can account for additional variations in strength relative to linear models when using images at resolutions of ∼80 µm and less, and such models offer a promising method for examining microarchitecture-related bone quality effects associated with aging, disease, and treatment.
The Social Organization of Schools

The aim of this book is to present, in a systematic manner, the most recent theoretical formulations on school organization and schooling processes. Much of the previous research in sociology of education has been empirical and atheoretical; few major theoretical analyses of educational issues can be found in the literature. The theoretical work that does exist is generally found in discrete papers and rarely brought together with other theoretical contributions on the same or related topics. Rarely does a group of sociologists identify an important topic in education and jointly attempt to conceptualize the issues related to that topic, each from his or her own perspective. A unique feature of this volume is that the primary goal of the authors of all the chapters was to conceptualize the schooling process and to present new theoretical models of how schools operate.
Integrated Design of an Active Flow Control System Using a Time-Dependent Adjoint Method

An exploratory study is performed to investigate the use of a time-dependent discrete adjoint methodology for design optimization of a high-lift wing configuration augmented with an active flow control system. The location and blowing parameters associated with a series of jet actuation orifices are used as design variables. In addition, a geometric parameterization scheme is developed to provide a compact set of design variables describing the wing shape. The scaling of the implementation is studied using several thousand processors and it is found that asynchronous file operations can greatly improve the overall performance of the approach in such massively parallel environments. Three design examples are presented which seek to maximize the mean value of the lift coefficient for the coupled system, and results demonstrate improvements as high as 27% relative to the lift obtained with non-optimized actuation. This lift gain is more than three times the incremental lift provided by the non-optimized actuation.
Facilitating Higher Education Collaborative Efforts Between the United States and México

This study investigated the personal and organizational characteristics that facilitate collaborative efforts between U.S. and Mexican institutions of higher education (IHEs) along the U.S.-Mexico border. The importance of collaborative efforts between IHEs will only intensify as the economic, social, cultural, and political forces that shape the relationship between the United States and Mexico accelerates. The study also compared perceptions of U.S. participants regarding bilingualism and Mexican culture by ethnicity and proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Building a sonar map in a specular environment using a single mobile sensor

The physical properties of acoustic sensors are exploited to obtain information about the environment for sonar map building. A theoretical formulation for interpreting the sensor databases on the physical principles of acoustic propagation and reflection is presented. A characterization of the sonar scan that allows the differentiation of planes, corners, and edges in a specular environment is described. A single sensor mounted on an autonomous vehicle in a laboratory verifies the technique. The implications for sonar map building and the limitations of differentiating elements with one sensor are discussed. >
Treatment of glossodynia with olanzapine

A 73-year-old white male with a 6-month history of glossodynia, unresponsive to clotrimazole troches, cevimeline, triamcinolone dental paste, paroxetine, and lorazepam presented to the dermatology clinic for consultation. Work-up revealed no oral abnormalities and no underlying systemic disorder. He denied symptoms consistent with a psychiatric disorder. A detailed free amnestic assessment by a board certified Geriatric Psychiatrist (John S. Kennedy, MD) found that the patient was oppressed by the pain. He did not meet the criteria for major depression nor did he have any anxiety disorder or delusions. Because of the presence of dysphoria and anticipatory anxiety secondary to glossodynia, the patient was started on olanzapine. Improvement of pain symptoms were noted within 3 days with full resolution of symptoms at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. Dysphoria and anticipatory anxiety remitted fully upon pain relief.
Discharge Diuretic Dose and 30-Day Readmission Rate in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Background: Loop diuretics play a crucial role in symptom management in patients with fluid overload. There is a paucity of data regarding optimal diuretic dose at hospital discharge for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients requiring loop diuretics. Objective: To compare all-cause 30-day readmission in ADHF patients on chronic loop diuretics who had an increase in loop diuretic dose at discharge (relative to their preadmission dose) with patients without a change or a decrease in loop diuretic dose at discharge. Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Institutional review board approval was obtained. Patients admitted with a primary discharge diagnosis of heart failure, evidence of fluid overload, and reduced ejection fraction were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on total daily loop diuretic dose at discharge: those discharged on an increased dose and those discharged on a dose less than or equal to their preadmission dose. Results: A total of 131 pati...
Influence of NaCl content and cooling rate on outgrowth of Clostridium perfringens spores in cooked ham and beef.

The effect of NaCl concentration and cooling rate on the ability of Clostridium perfringens to grow from spore inocula was studied with the use of a process that simulates the industrial cooking and cooling of smoked boneless ham and beef roasts. NaCl was added to ground cooked hams A and B (which were commercially obtained) to obtain levels of 2.4, 3.1, 3.6, and 4.1% (wt/wt) and 2.8, 3.3, 3.8, and 4.3% (wt/wt), respectively, and to raw ground beef to obtain levels of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% (wt/wt). Ham C, a specially formulated, commercially prepared product, was supplemented with NaCl to obtain levels of 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5%. The samples were inoculated with a three-strain mixture of C. perfringens spores to obtain concentrations of ca. 3 log10 CFU/g. Portions of meat (5 g each) were spread into thin layers (1 to 2 mm) in plastic bags, vacuum packaged, and stored at −40°C. Thawed samples were heated at 75°C for 20 min and subsequently cooled in a programmed water bath from 54.4 to ≤8.5°C in 15, 18, or 21...
Sentido de comunidad, participación y apego de lugar en comunidades desplazadas y no desplazadas postdesastres: Chaitén y Consitución

Socio spatial relationships of people and communities are affected by processes of displacement due to socio-natural disasters. Based on the experiences of the disintegrated community of Chaiten by the eruption of the Chaiten volcano and the community which remained united in Constitution after the earthquake of 2010, this research explores how the experienced processes affect levels of place identity and place attachment, as well as in sense of community and participation. The studied communities express different spatial and relational links with their origin and actual neighborhood. Differences evidence that community bonds and psychological aspects must be considered as central in the development and implementation of displacement or reconstruction strategies post disasters. The survey considered a total of 224 individuals.
Three-dimensional quantitative assessment of ablation margins based on registration of pre- and post-procedural MRI and distance map

Purpose Contrast-enhanced MR images are widely used to confirm the adequacy of ablation margin after liver ablation for early prediction of local recurrence. However, quantitative assessment of the ablation margin by comparing pre- and post-procedural images remains challenging. We developed and tested a novel method for three-dimensional quantitative assessment of ablation margin based on non-rigid image registration and 3D distance map.
The significance of endothelial stomata and stigmata in the rat aorta. An electron microscopic study.

Perfusion of arteries with dilute silver nitrate produces in the endothelium (a) a pattern of pericellular black lines, which we earlier interpreted as a marker of the physiological electrolyte pathway (Zand et al. 1982), and (b) focal black deposits on or between the cells, either ring-shaped (stomata) or solid (stigmata). The purpose of this study was to clarify the nature and significance of these controversial structures. A glutaraldehyde-fixednormal rat aorta was perfused with silver nitrate; 17 typical stomata and stigmata were photographeden face, then studied on ultrathin serial sections. When seenen face, they fell into three groups: (I) 4 stomata in endothelial cells; (II) 6 stigmata in endothelial cells; (III) 7 stigmata on intercellular junctions. By electron microscopy, (I) all thestomata in endothelial cells corresponded to myoendothelial herniae. (II) Of the 6stigmata in endothelial cells, 4 corresponded again to myoendothelial herniae, 2 corresponded to blebs (it seemed likely that these blebs had existedin vivo, but the possibility of a fixation artefact could not be excluded). (III) Of the 7stigmata on intercellular junctions, one corresponded to the diapedesis of a mononuclear cell; the other 6 did not correspond to visible endothelial changes and are best interpreted as points of normally higher permeability. We conclude that stomata and stigmata (under the conditions of our experiments) can be explained in at least 4 different ways, depending in part on their location (in cells, on junctions). These ancient terms therefore remain useful for descriptive purposes, as long as it is realized that their significance in any given case must be determined by electron microscopic study.
Routes to High-Tc Superconducting Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O Films Using Organometallic Chemical Vapor Deposition

Films of the Tl‐Ba‐Ca‐Cu‐O high‐T c superconductor can be prepared by several organometallic chemical vapor deposition routes. Two of these involve Ba‐Ca‐Cu‐0 films that are first prepared using the volatile metal‐organic precursors Ba(heptafluorodimethyloctanedionate) 2 , Ca(dipivaloylmethanate) 2 , and Cu(acetylacetonate) 2 ‐ Deposition is carried out at a pressure of 5 Torr with argon as the carrier gas and water vapor as the reactant gas. Thallium is next incorporated into these films either by organometallic chemical vapor deposition using Tl(cyclopentadienide) as the source, or by vapor diffusion using bulk Tl‐Ba‐Ca‐Cu‐O as the source. Thallium deposition is carried out at atmospheric pressure with an argon carrier and water‐saturated oxygen reactant gas, followed by rapid thermal annealing. Both procedures yield films that consist primarily of the TlBa 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O x phase, have preferential orientation of the Cu‐O planes parallel to the substrate surface, and exhibit onset of superconductivity at ∼125 K with zero resistance by 100 K.
‘Drinking Chai with a Sociologist’: Review Article for Christianity, Politics and Public Life in Kenya, by Paul Gifford

Over a shared cup of chai, church leaders imaginatively sit with Professor Gifford to talk about his latest book, where he indicts the churches in Kenya with a ‘domesticated’ form of Christianity. ...
Investigation on Citrus Pests Species and Geographical Distribution in Different Ecological Regions in Sichuan

After the investigation from 2009 to 2012,there were 129 citrus pests species in different ecological zones of Sichuan.39 citrus pests species were determined among each ecological zones,such as Panonychus citri Megerger,Unaspis yanonensis Kaw.There were 80 citrus pests species distributing in Citrus ecololgical zone of Western Sichuan Plain,including 9 endemic citrus pests species,for example,Eriophyes sheldoni Ewing,Rondibilis chengtuensis Gressitt.There were 69 citrus pests species distributing in Citrus ecololgical zone of Central Sichuan Hilly,including 6 endemic citrus pests species,for example,Haptocus luteolus Erichson,Papilio demoleus Linnaeus.There were 70 citrus pests species distributing in Citrus ecololgical zone of northern Sichuan hilly region,including 2 endemic citrus pests species,for example,Papilio helenu Linnaeus,Papilio thaiwanus Rothschilcl.There were 65 citrus pests species distributing in Citrus ecololgical zone of South Sichuan upper Yangtze River,include 4 endemic citrus pests species,for example,Tessaratoma quadrata Distant,Cerace stipatana Walker.There were 81 citrus pests species distributing in Citrus ecololgical zone of southwest Sichuan Plain of Pan-xi Region,including 28 endemic citrus pests species,for example,Diaphorina citri Kuwyama,Aonidiella orientalis Newstead.
Toddle temporal-spatial deviation index: Assessment of pediatric gait

This research aims to develop a gait index for use in the pediatric clinic as well as research, that quantifies gait deviation in 18-22 month-old children: the Toddle Temporal-spatial Deviation Index (Toddle TDI). 81 preterm children (≤32 weeks) with very-low-birth-weights (≤1500g) and 42 full-term TD children aged 18-22 months, adjusted for prematurity, walked on a pressure-sensitive mat. Preterm children were administered the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-3rd Edition (BSID-III). Principle component analysis of TD children's temporal-spatial gait parameters quantified raw gait deviation from typical, normalized to an average(standard deviation) Toddle TDI score of 100(10), and calculated for all participants. The Toddle TDI was significantly lower for preterm versus TD children (86 vs. 100, p=0.003), and lower in preterm children with <85 vs. ≥85 BSID-III motor composite scores (66 vs. 89, p=0.004). The Toddle TDI, which by design plateaus at typical average (BSID-III gross motor 8-12), correlated with BSID-III gross motor (r=0.60, p<0.001) and not fine motor (r=0.08, p=0.65) in preterm children with gross motor scores ≤8, suggesting sensitivity to gross motor development. The Toddle TDI demonstrated sensitivity and specificity to gross motor function in very-low-birth-weight preterm children aged 18-22 months, and has been potential as an easily-administered, revealing clinical gait metric.
Capillary Electrochromatography on Microchips withIn situ Fabricated Particles

Microchips with in situ fabricated particles and interconnecting capillaries with varying dimensions were used as CEC columns for peptide separations giving an efficiency of over 600 000 plates/meter.
Development of lumbar extension strength: Effect of pelvic stabilization during resistance training.

The purpose of this studywas to determine the effect of pelvic stabilization during resistance training on the development of isometric lumbar extension strength (torque output) when testing and training are conducted on a lumbar dynamometer. Eighteen healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to one of two groups that trained on a lumbar extension dynamometer: One trained with pelvic stabilization (n = 9) and the other trained without pelvic stabilization (n = 9). Peak isometric lumbar extension torque was measured on the dynamometer at seven angles over the full range of lumbar flexion, before and after a twelve-week, one time per week dynamic progressive resistance exercise program. Following training, peak isometric torque increased for the stabilization and without stabilization groups (average increase of 15.8 ± 11.8% and 20.6 p17.2%, respectively; p ≤ 0.05), while there was no difference in torque production between the groups (p > 0.05). This study demonstrates that pelvic stabilization is not required during training to develop lumbar extension strength when testing and training are conducted on the same machine.
An extended point-area deconvolution approach for assessing drug input rates.

Purpose. To describe an extended point-area deconvolution approach for evaluating drug input rates based on the application of piecewise cubic polynomial functions.
Ecological opportunity, historical biogeography and diversification in a major lineage of salamanders

Aim Spelerpini is a major radiation in the Plethodontidae, the largest family of salamanders. Seventy-five percent of its species richness occurs in Eurycea, one of its six genera. We hypothesized that this was the result of the transgression of the Western Interior Seaway that provided ecological opportunity via ancestral range expansion into novel geographical regions, leading to an adaptive radiation. Location Eastern North America. Methods We sampled all but one species and two subspecies of extant Spelerpini, including several putative species, for four genes using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches to generate a comprehensive, robust phylogeny. We used five fossil calibrations to generate a chronogram, a likelihood framework to estimate the ancestral ranges/splits of all nodes on the phylogeny, and a Bayesian inference method to estimate diversification rate shifts putting the evolution of this group into a historical biogeographical context. Results A well-resolved, strongly supported phylogeny of the Spelerpini was recovered. Eurycea is among the oldest genera within the Spelerpini, originating c. 42 Ma with an ancestor occurring in four of five physiographical regions, each corresponding to a major Eurycea lineage. There is strong support for a rate shift in the Edwards Plateau neotenic Eurycea. Main conclusions A pattern of niche lability was found in the Spelerpini, as opposed to a pattern of niche conservatism found in other major radiations of plethodontids in eastern North America. The genus Eurycea dispersed widely into novel regions experiencing ecological opportunity as the Western Interior Seaway transgressed. This represents the first fossil calibrated and the most thoroughly sampled phylogeny of the group to date.
Abstract PR09: Intermittent dosing regimens maintain efficacy of several cancer preventing drugs

Many potential chemopreventive drugs have adverse effects on human subjects when given daily. One strategy to alleviate these adverse events is to give the drugs on an intermittent dosing schedule. Such intermittent dosing has proven effective in other settings to reduce toxicity with limited effect on efficacy. Two animal models were used: the rat methylnitrosourea (MNU) - induced mammary cancer model and the rat hydroxy-butyl(butyl)-nitrosamine (OH-BBN) -induced urinary bladder cancer model. For the mammary study female Sprague-Dawley rats were given 75 mg of MNU/kg body weight at 50 days of age and five days later the EGFR inhibitors, Erlotinib, Gefitinib or Lapatinib were administered either daily or once a week at two dose levels. Multiplicity of ER-positive mammary cancers was followed weekly for four months. For the urinary bladder study female Fischer 344 rats were given 150 mg OH-BBN/gavage twice weekly beginning at 56 days of age and continuing for 8 weeks. Two weeks after the last OH-BBN treatment the rats were given naproxen either daily, one week on/one week off, or 3 weeks on/3 weeks off. Bladders were excised after 8 months of naproxen treatment and bladders with tumors were excised and weighed. EGFR inhibitors and the NSAID, Naproxen, have similar efficacy when given intermittently compared to daily. The EGFR antagonists, Erlotinib and Lapatinib, decreased mammary cancer multiplicity by 90% given daily and 75 % given weekly. The NSAID, naproxen, decreased large bladder cancers by about 65-80% given either daily, one week on/one week off or 3 weeks on/3 weeks off. Therefore intermittent dosing can be used for agents in two different mechanistic classes in animal mammary and bladder cancer models to lower toxicity, yet show little reduction in chemoprevention efficacy compared to daily dosing. Intermittent dosing schedules in the clinic should reduce EGFR mediated rash and NSAID induced gastric toxicity clinically while retaining efficacy. Citation Format: Vernon E. Steele, Clinton J. Grubbs, Ronald A. Lubet. Intermittent dosing regimens maintain efficacy of several cancer preventing drugs. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2014 Sep 27-Oct 1; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2015;8(10 Suppl): Abstract nr PR09.
The Paradox of Africa’s Natural Resource Wealth

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the highest rates of the poor and working poor and the most vulnerable employment situation in the world. This assertion draws attention to just how critical economic conditions are in Africa. In direct response to a post-1980s phenomenon, the steadily rising number of poor workers facing diminishing prospects for well-paid jobs, the International Labor Organization (ILO) first applied the concept of the “informal sector” in Africa, beginning with Ghana. In spite of the increase in the size of this sector, its wages, benefits, safety health and other conditions are least desirable. It has grown exponentially due mostly to massive job destruction from a combination of neoliberal economic policies and unprecedented mismanagement, incompetence and corruption.
Gender and parental status as predictors of chronic low back pain disability: A prospective study

This study investigated the relationship between chronic low back pain and various psychosocioeconomic factors, especially gender, that have been found significant in previous research. A cohort of 504 acute low back pain patients was initially evaluated and followed via a structured telephone interview at six months and one year after the evaluation in order to assess return-to-work and compensation status. Overall, the results demonstrated that the individuals who did not return to work were more likely to be female, single with children, and who have received compensation for their injury. These findings further document that single working mothers are at greater risk for developing chronic medical problems.
Psychosis Due to Disseminated Cryptococcal Infection and Delirium in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background Infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system can manifest as a psychiatric illness. When psychiatric symptoms predominate, all too often clinicians are quick to give a psychiatric diagnosis. A rare but possible cause of psychosis is cryptococcal meningitis, which is an opportunistic neuroinfection that can lead to fatality if left untreated. Literature reports of patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM) presenting with psychosis in the absence of constitutional symptoms is sparse, especially in immunocompetent hosts. Objective/Method This is a case of a 50-year-old woman, Ms. A, who had no prior psychiatric history and presented with psychotic symptoms including paranoia and hallucinations. The psychosis was initially thought to be due to schizophrenia or a cancer-related organic brain failure, but was later revealed to be due to a disseminated cryptococcal infection. This report also reviews the existing literature on immunocompetent patients with CM presenting with psychosis or behavioral changes as a primary symptom. Results Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed a positive cryptococcal antigen with a 1:40 titer. The patient was treated with amphotericin B and flucytosine and had complete resolution of her psychosis at the time of discharge. Discussion The presence of delirium and subtle clues to systemic involvement should point towards a medical diagnosis in patients presenting with new onset psychosis and behavioral changes. The case of Ms. A and the discovery of cryptococcus as the root cause of psychotic symptoms reminds clinicians to consider infectious etiologies even in the absence of expected signs and symptoms.
Towards Standards for Cace Command Syntax and Graphical Interfaces

Abstract Today's different commercial Computer-Aided Control System Design (CACSD) tools do, in general, not support a direct exchange of data, algorithms or models between them. A primary goal of the IFAC working group on Guidelines and Standards in CACSD has therefore been to come up with appropriate standards so that control engineers working with different tools can indeed share data and designs. In this paper we will present frameworks for definning standards for command-languages and graphical block-diagrams.
Abstract 206: Hyperleptinemia Increases Blood Pressure and Decreases Pup Weight in Pregnant Rats

While the relationship of obesity to cardiovascular disease is well recognized, it also has important implications for pregnancy outcomes. Indeed, there is compelling evidence that obesity increases the risk of preeclampsia (PE). The risk of severe and mild PE and PE occurring in early and late gestation are greater in obese and overweight women. Despite the fact that obesity is the leading attributable risk for PE in developed countries, the pathophysiological mechanisms whereby obesity and metabolic factors such as leptin increases the risk for developing PE are unclear. Hyperleptinemia over the levels seen in normal pregnancy has been associated with preeclampsia. Thus the aim of this study was to investigate whether chronic hyperleptinemia causes changes in cardiovascular, metabolic and reproductive systems of pregnant rats. On gestational day (GD) 14, Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to normal pregnant (NP, n=8) group or to NP plus Leptin group (NP+Lep, n=8), in which miniosmotic pump with leptin (0.5 μg/kg/min) was placed intraperitoneally. On GD 19, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was recorded, rats were sacrificed, and blood, placentas and pups were collected. Body weight (BW) and food intake (FI) were measured on GD 16-18. Serum leptin concentration was elevated in NP+Lep compared with NP (0.82 ± 0.05 vs 17.98 ± 2.75 ng/mL, P 0.05). MAP was higher in NP+Lep compared with NP (102.40 ± 2.38 vs 121.30 ± 8.13 mmHg, P vs 284.10 ± 8.58 g, P vs 8.61 ± 0.83 g/day, P 0.05), fetuses and placentas of the NP+Lep group were lighter than those of the NP group (2.29 ± 0.06 vs 2.11 ± 0.06 g and 0.58 ± 0.01 vs 0.50 ± 0.02 g, respectively, both P
Gamified Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract The ubiquitous presence of technology in classrooms has inspired a shift from traditional classroom lectures to integrated digital learning environments. These interactive learning environments present the opportunity to evolve the teaching process through the incorporation of game elements that have been shown to capture user attention, motivate towards goals, and promote competition, effective teamwork, and communication. Gamification and game-based learning systems aim to bring these benefits into the learning and teaching process. This paper presents a systematic literature review of game-based learning systems, frameworks that integrate game design elements, and various implementations of gamification in higher education. A systematic search of databases was conducted to select articles related to gamification in education for this review. The objective is to identify how gamified learning systems can be used and categorize its usefulness in higher education. The findings of this literature review allow higher education universities to employ and explore efficient gamified learning and teaching systems to improve student engagement, motivation, and performance.
Sleep in Children With Psychiatric Disorders

Sleep disturbances are common in pediatric psychiatric disorders and constitute key elements in diagnostic symptomatology of various primary psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety disorder. Although sleep is not included in key defining criteria of some impairing illnesses such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia, these disorders present with a very high prevalence of sleep disturbances. The interaction between sleep and psychopathology is very complex with significant interrelationship in development, severity, and prognosis of psychiatric disorders and comorbid sleep disturbances. The research ranging from small intervention case series to large epidemiologic studies have demonstrated the role of specific sleep complaints in specific psychiatric diagnoses. However, the research using objective instruments such as polysomnography and actigraphy remains limited in youth with psychiatric disorders. The intervention studies using pharmaceutical treatment specifically focusing on sleep disturbances in psychiatric disorders are also sparse in the pediatric literature. Early identification of sleep disturbances and behavioral management using cognitive behavior therapy-based tools appear to be the most effective approach for treatment. The use of psychotropic medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of primary psychiatric disorder often alleviate the psychological barriers for sleep but may lead to emergence of other sleep issues such as restless leg syndrome. The safety and efficacy data of hypnotics for primary sleep disorders are limited in pediatrics and should be avoided or used with extreme caution in children with comorbid sleep and psychiatric problems.
Correlation of rFVIII inactivation with aggregation in solution.

Purpose. This study was designed to investigate the stability of recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) in solution at different pHs and to probe the cause(s) of rFVIII inactivation under accelerated storage conditions.
Algal Remains in the Lower Cambrian Bonavista Formation, Conception Bay, Southeastern Newfoundland

Lower Cambrian rocks are present in a number of scattered outcrops in southeastern Newfoundland. Those considered here are exposed on the southwest side of Conception Bay (north side of the Avalon Peninsula), coastally at Bacon Cove and inland west of the southern end of Colliers Bay, and they belong to the Bonavista Formation, the lowermost of the three Lower Cambrian formations recognized in the region. The type section for this formation is on the northwest side of Smith Sound in the Bonavista maparea, where it has an estimated thickness of 195 m (Hutchinson, 1962). At the Conception Bay localities, however, the Bonavista Formation is represented by a much smaller thickness of sediments, about 15 m (difficult to estimate as partly concealed), which is probably stratigraphically equivalent to the upper part of the sequence at the type locality.
Regular Perturbation Methods

Four kinds of perturbation problems are studied in the remainder of this book. They are illustrated by the following examples:
A Parallel Vertex Insertion Algorithm For Minimum Spanning Trees

A new parallel algorithm for updating the minimum spanning tree of an n-vertex graph following the addition of a new vertex is presented. The algorithm runs in O(log n) time, using O(n) processors on a concurrent-read-exclusive-write parallel random access machine. The algorithm uses a divide-and-conquer strategy, and is superior to known results on this model, that either obtain O(log n) time performance using O(n2) processors, or employ O(n) processors but have a time complexity of O (log2 n).
Proteomics Goes to Court: A Statistical Foundation for Forensic Toxin/Organism Identification Using Bottom-Up Proteomics.

Bottom-up proteomics is increasingly being used to characterize unknown environmental, clinical, and forensic samples. Proteomics-based bacterial identification typically proceeds by tabulating pep...
Zygapophysial (facet) Joint Injections: Intra-articular and Medial Branch Block Techniques

Fluoroscopically guided analgesic zygapophysial joint (z-joint) injections are a safe and scientific method of documenting z-joint pain. Lumbar z-joint injections provide significant diagnostic data and may facilitate a more focused treatment program. Because of the possibility of placebo response to a single block, however, diagnosis of definitive z-joint-mediated pain requires a physiologic response to two separate injections with different local anesthetics. The therapeutic effects of intra-articular corticosteroids remain more controversial, with only open studies supporting their use. Further research is needed to address whether injections followed by a more aggressive conservative program of exercise and manual therapy during the period of relative analgesia increase long-term benefit.
Uncertainty and Stationarity in Financial and Macroeconomic Time Series—Evidence from Fourier Approximated Structural Changes

The idea that many macroeconomic variables are unit root processes serves voluminously as a preliminary result in empirical works, but it is just a result of misspecification or weak identification with respect to the structural breaks. This contribution raises the size or power in tests of a null of a stationary process/unit root by Fourier approximation which converts the estimation of location and style of breaks into the problem of appropriate frequency selection. An examination of China’s 15 representative macroeconomic series indicates that only the financial series have good reason to be regarded as unit root processes; most of others are better regarded as trend stationary with smooth transitions. The inference based on these results affirms that China’s real business cycles are indeed fluctuations around different deterministic trends, and it is not the noise component rather the historical events corresponding to the breaks that have persistent effects. The results also support that large government-initiated shocks aimed at improving fundamentals are indeed capable of positive effects on the balanced growth path.
Aberrant expression of zinc transporter ZIP4 (SLC39A4) significantly contributes to human pancreatic cancer pathogenesis and progression

4240 Background: Recent studies indicate a possible correlation of zinc levels with risk of cancers; however, the role of zinc and zinc transporters in cancer progression is unknown. For the first time, we have recently observed that a dietary zinc transporter, ZIP4 (SLC39A4), was overexpressed in human pancreatic cancer. We hypothesize that ZIP4 upregulation may contribute to the pancreatic cancer progression. The objective of this study was to determine the roles and mechanisms of ZIP4 in human pancreatic cancer cell proliferation in vitro and pancreatic cancer progression in vivo. Methods: The expression of ZIP4 in human pancreatic cancer cell lines, normal human pancreatic ductal epithelium (HPDE), and clinical specimens of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma was determined by real-time RT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry. ZIP4 stable overexpression was established in the pancreatic cancer cell line MIA PaCa-2 using retrovirus vectors. In vitro cell proliferation was performed by MTS assay. In vivo tumor growth was performed in the nude mouse models of subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft. Zinc uptake was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Results: ZIP4 was substantially overexpressed in 16 of 17 (94%) clinical pancreatic adenocarcinoma specimens compared with their surrounding normal tissues, and ZIP4 mRNA levels were significantly higher in human pancreatic cancer cells than in HPDE cells (p
Gauging panethnicity: affirmative action, African Americans, and children of black immigrants

This article examines second generation Nigerian adults’ attitudes to affirmative action and whether black immigrants and their children should be beneficiaries of the policy to gauge their panethn...
The frailty tipping point: Determining which patients are targets for intervention in a burn population.

Abstract Objective Elderly burn patients vary in physiologic age and frailty. While previous evidence suggests that frailty on admission is associated with poor outcomes, changes in frailty during hospitalization for a burn injury have not been reported. Methods We performed a two-year retrospective review of all elderly (≥65 years) burn-patients admitted to our burn center. Patients who died during admission were excluded. Data collected include: demographics, injury characteristics, outcomes, and discharge disposition. Canadian Study on Health and Aging Clinical Frailty Scores (CFS) were calculated on admission and at discharge. Change in frailty was calculated for each patient. Mean values are represented as mean ± standard deviation, median values are represented as median (IQR). Results Seventy-nine patients, mean age of 75 ± 8 years, with a mean admission CFS was 4.3 ± 1.2 and discharge CFS was 5.1 ± 1.2 were included in the study. The mean change in CFS was −0.55 ± 0.93. Forty-six patients (59%) had no change or an improvement in frailty during hospitalization while 32 (41%) had worsened CFS at discharge. Patients whose CFS was worse at discharge had larger burns (12.8 ± 10.7% vs. 6.28 ± 5.7%), lower admission CFS (3.88 ± 1.5 vs. 4.93 ± 1.0), and longer ICU stays (15.6 ± 18.9 vs. 7.64 ± 10.6 days) than patients without change in CFS. On multivariate regression analysis TBSA (OR 1.2 (1.07–1.3)) and admission CFS of 1–4 (OR 7.9 (2.2–28)) were significant predictors of worsened CFS at discharge. Conclusions In our study population, patients with low admission frailty scores are at greatest risk for worsened frailty at discharge and should be targeted for the development of future frailty prevention programs.
Support Gaps Surrounding Conversations about Coping with Relational Transgressions

This study investigated the existence and outcomes of support gaps between perceptions of desired and received support surrounding conversations about coping with a relational transgression. Suppor...
Preschool Science Education: A Vision for the Future

Reforms in K-12 science education and their implications for PreK teaching, make this a critical time for developing a unified vision for early childhood science education. The goal of this essay is to provide a vision of what it might look like to leverage the best of both early childhood and K-12 science education reform efforts for meaningful science learning opportunities for young children. The essay suggests to best support young children, PreK science education must implement the holistic approach of early childhood education (i.e., physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development) while at the same time taking up the richer scientific disciplinary practices put forth in recent science reform efforts. Bringing together the strengths of both early childhood and science education will support young children in making sense of natural phenomena in the world around them while valuing them as capable science learners with prior experiences.
Activating Immunity to Fight a Foe - A New Path.

Cellular Immunity, Sepsis, and Infection Could the immunomodulatory drugs that have produced impressive outcomes in cancer be used to boost immunity to counter infection in the context of sepsis? R...
Trends in documented cannabis use disorder among hospitalized adult epilepsy patients in the United States

Abstract Objective Patients with epilepsy are at increased risk for mental health and substance abuse disorders. Given ongoing contemporary societal controversies about medicinal and recreational cannabis use, we aimed to ascertain recent nationwide prevalence, trends, and psychiatric diagnoses associated with cannabis use disorders (CUD) among epilepsy patients. Methods We interrogated the National Inpatient Sample database comprising a total of 398,936 adults (aged 18 years and above) with epilepsy between the years 2006 and 2014, identified using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes 780.39 and 345.X. A subset of these patients with a secondary discharge diagnosis of CUD (ICD-9-CM: 304.30, 304.31, 304.32, 305.20, 305.21, and 305.22), excluding those in remission, were selected. Logistic regression model adjusting for gender, race, age, primary payer, bed size, household income, region, teaching hospital, admission day, length of stay (LOS), Charleson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and, year category was used to ascertain the independent associations of demographic features and mental health comorbidities with CUD. Finally, we generated CUD trend estimates overall and by psychiatric diagnoses. Results Of all hospitalized patients with epilepsy, 3.19 % had CUD. After adjusting for confounders, CUD was higher in males, Blacks, those aged 18−44 years, those with lower incomes, and those hospitalized during more recent years. CUD was more likely to be present in epilepsy patients with depression, bipolar disorder, and tobacco use disorder (TUD). In contrast, alcohol use disorder (AUD) was associated with lower odds of CUD. Overall, CUD prevalence more than doubled among epilepsy patients (2.18 % in 2006 to 4.41 % in 2014). Among patients with PTSD, CUD prevalence increased over fivefold, and it nearly tripled in those with tobacco use disorder. Significance Documented CUD has doubled among hospitalized patients with epilepsy in the United States over the last decade and is especially more prevalent in specific demographic and mental health disorder groups. Increased awareness and potential screening for CUD in high-risk epilepsy patients may be warranted, given the risk for potential complications.
Writing Race and Identity in a Global Context: What CRT and TWAIL Can Learn From Each Other

This article argues that issues of race and identity have so far been underemphasized, understudied and undertheorized in mainstream international law. To address this major gap, this Article argues that there is an opportunity for learning, sharing, and collaboration between Critical Race Theorists (CRT) and scholars of Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL). Such a collaboration, this Article argues, would produce a very sharp lens of tracing issues of race and identity in the imperial, transnational and global histories of international law and their contemporary continuities. By adopting a framework of studying race and identity in a global context, this Article will tie together and connect the domestic and the international. It will connect transnational histories between locations inside and outside the United States that have undergirded and reinforced white supremacism, as well as anticolonial resistance, domestically and internationally. Taking such an approach overcomes the wide variety of segregated and insular conceptualizations and definitions of race and identity within CRT and TWAIL respectively. Building a TWAIL/CRT global/transnational race/histories project will create productive insights about ideologies of racial domination and racial injustices in a domestic, international and transnational context. By combining the insights of CRT and TWAIL, it becomes possible to theorize imperialism and racism beyond those currently embodied in each approach.
Predialysis Potassium Variability and Postdialysis Mortality in Patients With Advanced CKD

Introduction Patients with advanced non–dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD) are prone to potassium (K) imbalances due to reduced kidney function. Both hypo- and hyperkalemia are associated with increased mortality; however, it is unclear if K variability before dialysis initiation is associated with outcomes after dialysis initiation. Methods We identified 34,167 US veterans with advanced NDD-CKD transitioning to dialysis between October 1, 2007, through March 31, 2015, who had at least 1 K measurement each year over a 3-year period before transition (3-year prelude). For each patient, a linear mixed-effects model was used to regress K over time (in years) over the 3-year prelude to derive K variability (square root of the average squared distance between the observed and estimated K). The main outcomes of interest were 6-month all-cause and cardiovascular mortality after dialysis initiation. Multivariable Cox and Fine-Gray competing risk regression adjusted for 3-year prelude K intercept, K slope (per year), demographics, smoking status, comorbidities, length of hospitalizations, body mass index, vascular access type, medications, average estimated glomerular filtration rate, and number of K measurements over the 3-year prelude were used to assess the association of K variability (expressed as quartiles) with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively. Results Higher prelude K variability was associated with higher multivariable-adjusted risk of all-cause mortality but not cardiovascular mortality (adjusted hazard/subhazard ratios [95% confidence interval] for highest quartile [vs. lowest] of K variability, 1.14 [1.03–1.25] and 0.99 [0.85–1.16] for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively). Conclusion Higher K variability is associated with higher all-cause mortality after dialysis initiation.
Creating Multiple-Baseline Graphs With Phase Change Lines in Microsoft Excel for Windows and macOS

Although Excel 2016 may be the most common graphing software, it is often confusing to use effectively. In the field of applied behavior analysis, graphs are crucial for analyzing data and sharing results. Multiple-baseline design graphs are one of the most popular graphs used by behavior analysts, but they often fall short of meeting established quality standards. This tutorial extends prior tutorials to provide detailed instructions on how to create a multiple-baseline design graph that not only meets quality standards but also includes phase change lines built into the graph and an acceptable x/y-axis ratio. This tutorial is applicable for both Windows and macOS platforms.
Variation in Option Implied Volatility Spread and Future Stock Returns

Equity option markets exhibit intense trading activity. We use the variability of option implied volatility spread as a proxy for the impounding of new information, and changes in the interpretation of existing information, into option prices. Over the 2006 – 2016 period, we find that the predictive power of option implied volatility spread for future stock returns is significantly greater when implied volatility spread has been more variable in the past. Our results are statistically and economically significant and robust in both univariate and multivariate settings.