cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Colombian Asylum Seekers: What Practitioners Should Know About the Colombian Crisis

The decades-long internal armed conflict in Colombia has created a mass migration of Colombian nationals from all levels of Colombian society to flee to the United States in search of political asylum and a chance to start new lives. Many asylum seekers have been subjected to unspeakable abuse and persecution by illegal armed groups and political movements that employ violence to assert power over citizens. The government has been largely unable to protect many people caught up in political turmoil, in part due institutional corruption and the effects of Colombia being a weak state in terms of its government institutions and inability to protect the constitutional and human rights of all Colombian citizens. While many asylum seekers have legitimate claims for asylum in the United States, at the same time, some Colombians seek to misuse asylum protections as a way to gain entry into the United States. The author suggests that a “formula” circulates throughout the Colombian immigrant community for unscrupulous individuals to follow to make claims for asylum for which they are not entitled. This article examines real claims for asylum and how some Colombians rely on the naivete of American lawyers and judges to juice the system and gain asylum under false and manufactured pretenses. The article weaves a cautionary tale for what immigration lawyers should know about what is really happening in Colombia and what warning signs they should look for in determining the veracity of Colombian asylum claims.
Environmental Regulation: Developments in How to Set Requirements and Verify Compliance

Safety regulation requirements have generally been set most stringently on means of protection (such as equipment design) and least on ends (public interest), with intermediate levels (such as accident risk and pollutant release) in-between. The reverse promises to be more effective. “Probabilistic Risk Assessment,” keyed to frequencies (e.g. equipment failure) and well-documented sources of risk (such as experiments) has been used to check compliance. It is being replaced by Comprehensive Safety Assessment, which is keyed to judgmental probabilities and any indication of risk, however intangible (such as managerial experience).
Does institutional quality in developing countries affect remittances

There is some empirical evidence showing that remittances, on average, were about 0.5 percent of GDP in countries with a corruption index higher than the median level, compared to 1.9 percent in countries with a level of corruption lower than the median. It is also arguable, that an improvement in economic institutions would facilitate economic freedom and in turn, reduce the costs of transactions associated with remittances in recipient countries. The quality of institutions in developing countries therefore, could be an important determinant of remittances, which are now considered an essential source of external finance in these countries. Thus, this paper explores the role of institutions in driving the flow of remittances to developing countries. The study uses a sample of 90 countries, and data from the World development Indicators (WDI) and Economic Freedom of the World (EFW) indicators databases. The paper estimates both static and dynamic representations of a reduced form model for the determinants of remittances. The static panel models are estimated using the fixed effects estimator, whereas the dynamic models, represented by autoregressive-distributed lag models, are estimated using a generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator. The results show that an improvement in the quality of institutions in charge of the conduct of monetary policy has a positive impact on remittances, and that this impact increases with the quality of such institutions. The estimates also show that an improvement in the operations of institutions of government leads to an increase in the inflow of remittances, which suggests that a decrease in direct government control or participation in the private sector has positive impact on remittances. Sound monetary policy and an effective government are critical to economic freedom, and these results seem to suggest that migrants tend to send remittances in order take advantage of macroeconomic environments that are favorable to better economic performance. Furthermore, the findings provide evidence, albeit a weak one, which suggests that an improvement in the legal system and property rights may be associated with an increase in remittances, but that the effect is lower for countries with an index value greater than the median level. Ergo, to the extent that remittances have become an important source of external finance, policies promoting sound and accountable local institutions should be a priority for policy makers in developing countries.
Biological Systems of Vitamin K: A Plasma Nutriproteomics Study of Subclinical Vitamin K Deficiency in 500 Nepalese Children

Vitamin K (VK) is a fat-soluble vitamin whose deficiency disrupts coagulation and may disturb bone and cardiovascular health. However, the scale and systems affected by VK deficiency in pediatric populations remains unclear. We conducted a study of the plasma proteome of 500 Nepalese children 6-8 years of age (male/female ratio = 0.99) to identify proteins associated with VK status. We measured the concentrations of plasma lipids and protein induced by VK absence-II (PIVKA-II) and correlated relative abundance of proteins quantified by mass spectrometry with PIVKA-II. VK deficiency (PIVKA-II>2 μg/L) was associated with a higher abundance of low-density lipoproteins, total cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations (p 10% of the children, five proteins were associated with PIVKA-II and seven proteins were differentially abundant between VK deficient versus sufficient children, including coagulation factor-II, hemoglobin, and vascular endothelial cadherin, passing a false discovery rate (FDR) threshold of 10% (q 0.7). Untargeted proteomics offers a novel systems approach to elucidating biological processes of coagulation, vascularization, and erythrocyte oxidative stress related to VK status. The results may help elucidate subclinical metabolic disturbances related to VK deficiency in populations.
A Critique of Ayn Rand's Theory of Rights

This paper presents a critique of Ayn Rand's Objectivist theory of rights. The critique focuses on three specific issues: first, the relationship between rights as liberties and rights and claims; second, the Objectivist claim that the mind is the ultimate source of all values and its relation to the justification of property rights; and third, the nature and justification within Objectivism of the non-aggression principle. My conclusion is that Rand's theory of rights fails to provide a solid grounding for the libertarian (or pro-capitalist) conclusions she seeks to draw from it.
Improved endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography brush increases diagnostic yield of malignant biliary strictures.

AIM: To determine if a new brush design could improve the diagnostic yield of biliary stricture brushings. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed of all endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures with malignant biliary stricture brushing between January 2008 and October 2012. A standard wire-guided cytology brush was used prior to protocol implementation in July 2011, after which, a new 9 French wire-guided cytology brush (Infinity sampling device, US Endoscopy, Mentor, OH) was used for all cases. All specimens were reviewed by blinded pathologists who determined whether the sample was positive or negative for malignancy. Cellular yield was quantified by describing the number of cell clusters seen. RESULTS: Thirty-two new brush cases were compared to 46 historical controls. Twenty-five of 32 (78%) cases in the new brush group showed abnormal cellular findings consistent with malignancy as compared to 17 of 46 (37%) in the historical control group (P = 0.0003). There was also a significant increase in the average number of cell clusters of all sizes (21.1 vs 9.9 clusters, P = 0.0007) in the new brush group compared to historical controls. CONCLUSION: The use of a new brush design for brush cytology of biliary strictures shows increased diagnostic accuracy, likely due to improved cellular yield, as evidenced by an increase in number of cellular clusters obtained.
Absence of Appreciable Resistance to Growth Inhibiting Action of Cortisone After Prolonged Treatment.

SummaryCortisone acetate was given daily at 4 dose levels, for 50 days, to young female Long-Evans rats, initially 38 days of age and weighing approximately 100 g each. The upper 2 dose levels were in the range giving nearly complete cessation of growth. In the upper 2 dose levels, there appeared to be a slight reduction in growth inhibiting action after the first 10 days, but all 4 groups still had a marked depression of growth during the 40th to 50th day of treatment. For comparison, anterior pituitary growth hormone and stanolone were given to plateaued adult female rats of the same strain. These hormones, at dose levels capable of giving a major growth response during the first 20 days of treatment, gave little response after the first 20 days.
Parental Preference Assessment for Vesicoureteral Reflux Management in Children

Purpose: Parents of children with vesicoureteral reflux are presented with a variety of management options, which in many cases offer a similar risk-benefit ratio. To facilitate shared decision making, parental preferences regarding vesicoureteral reflux treatment options need to be acknowledged. We aimed to characterize the clinical experience of parents and elicit core themes affecting decision making in regard to managing vesicoureteral reflux in their child.Materials and Methods: A semistructured, qualitative interview script was developed and vetted by 25 pediatric urologists to discuss treatment options for vesicoureteral reflux. Additional patient interviews were conducted until new themes failed to arise. Content analysis was performed to extract all statements that described treatment options. Similar statements were combined until a final list of unique themes emerged.Results: A total of 26 interviews were performed, yielding 689 statements about overall parent experiences with managing vesicour...
Digital library construction of reader-based

Reader-based digital library of reader-based is working and provides service due to the reader's needs and service-oriented,emphasizing dominant and dynamic role of the reader in the network information acquisition process,and through the network platform to achieve effective human-computer interactive digital service system.
Depleted and enriched uranium exposure quantified in former factory workers and local residents of NL Industries, Colonie, NY USA

Abstract Background Between 1958 and 1982, NL Industries manufactured components of enriched (EU) and depleted uranium (DU) at a factory in Colonie NY, USA. More than 5 metric tons of DU was deposited as microscopic DU oxide particles on the plant site and surrounding residential community. A prior study involving a small number of individuals (n=23) indicated some residents were exposed to DU and former workers to both DU and EU, most probably through inhalation of aerosol particles. Objectives Our aim was to measure total uranium [U] and the uranium isotope ratios: 234 U/ 238 U; 235 U/ 238 U; and 236 U/ 238 U, in the urine of a cohort of former workers and nearby residents of the NLI factory, to characterize individual exposure to natural uranium (NU), DU, and EU more than 3 decades after production ceased. Methods We conducted a biomonitoring study in a larger cohort of 32 former workers and 99 residents, who may have been exposed during its period of operation, by measuring Total U, NU, DU, and EU in urine using Sector Field Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS). Results Among workers, 84% were exposed to DU, 9% to EU and DU, and 6% to natural uranium (NU) only. For those exposed to DU, urinary isotopic and [U] compositions result from binary mixing of NU and the DU plant feedstock. Among residents, 8% show evidence of DU exposure, whereas none shows evidence of EU exposure. For residents, the [U] geometric mean is significantly below the value reported for NHANES. There is no significant difference in [U] between exposed and unexposed residents, suggesting that [U] alone is not a reliable indicator of exposure to DU in this group. Conclusions Ninety four percent of workers tested showed evidence of exposure to DU, EU or both, and were still excreting DU and EU decades after leaving the workforce. The study demonstrates the advantage of measuring multiple isotopic ratios (e.g., 236 U/ 238 U and 235 U/ 238 U) over a single ratio ( 235 U/ 238 U) in determining sources of uranium exposure.
Advances in Invasive Cardiac Diagnosis and Management

Indications and risks of cardiac catheterization in pediatric patients are discussed. New techniques that have made cardiac catheterization simpler and reduced the incidence of complications are described.
Reverse Hölder inequalities

In this chapter, we will present various versions of the reverse Holder inequality which serve as powerful tools in mathematical analysis. The original study of the reverse Holder inequality can be traced back in Muckenhoupt–s work in [145]. During recent years, different versions of the reverse Holder inequality have been established for different classes of functions, such as eigenfunctions of linear second-order elliptic operators [281], functions with discrete-time variable [282], and continuous exponential martingales [119].
Adaptive H-Extrema for Automatic Immunogold Particle Detection

Quantifying concentrations of target molecules near cellular structures, within cells or tissues, requires identifying the gold particles in immunogold labelled images. In this paper, we address the problem of automatically detect them accurately and reliably across multiple scales and in noisy conditions. For this purpose, we introduce a new contrast filter, based on an adaptive version of the H-extrema algorithm. The filtered images are simplified with a geodesic reconstruction to precisely segment the candidates. Once the images are segmented, we extract classical features and then classify using the majority vote of multiple classifiers. We characterize our algorithm on a pilot data and present results that demonstrate its effectiveness.
The Optimal Tracking Problem for Nonstationary Stochastic Processes 1

Abstract The problem of optimal tracking of signals modeled as nonstationary stochastic processes is studied in this paper. The plant which tracks these signals can have time-varying parameters. A physically realizable (causal) compensator is designed such that the mean-square tracking error is minimized, while the mean-square value of control is kept within specified bounds. The design of the optimal compensator is carried out entirely in the time-domain. Impulse response and a state-space realizations of the compensator are derived, and stability properties of the closed-loop system are studied.
Evidence for Considerable Metal Cation Concentrations from Lithium Intercalation Compounds in the Nano-Bio Interface Gap

An experimental investigation of how electrostatics and ion dissolution impact the interaction between nanosheets of lithium intercalation compounds and supported lipid bilayers has revealed evidence for considerable metal cation concentrations in the nanosheets–bilayer (the “nano–bio interface”) gap. Specifically, elevated concentrations of aqueous metal ions in the 1 mg/L concentration regime produce vibrational sum frequency generation signal intensity changes that are commensurate with the induction of compositional membrane asymmetry. This outcome is consistent with the notion that the induction of bilayer asymmetry by LiCoO2 nanosheets occurs through a noncontact mechanism that primarily involves the interaction of negatively charged lipids with dissolved ions concentrated within the electrical double layers present in the nano–bio interface gap. Our findings provide a possible avenue for redesign strategies that mitigate noncontact interactions between nanomaterials and biological interfaces, enabl...
Teaching wireless networking technologies in the internet-of-things using ARM based microcontrollers

This paper presents the ongoing work of applying the project-based learning approach to teaching IoT technologies in an advanced embedded networking course, which is offered to electrical and computer engineering students. The emphasis of this course is on teaching the prominent wireless networking technologies IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) for the IoT and the development of the IoT applications. Microcontrollers have been used to teach fieldbus networks or distributed real-time control systems. However, conventional efforts of teaching regular computer networks (e.g., the Ethernet) mostly make use of either personal computers (e.g., desktop, laptop) or single board computers installed with Linux or Windows operating system. The unique feature of this ongoing work is to use existing ARM-based microcontrollers without complex operating systems to teach wired and wireless network technologies in the IoT. Our primary experiences indicate that ARM-based microcontrollers with networking connectivity provide the flexible, cost-effective, well-supported platforms for developing the IoT applications.
The Text without Rupture: Jewish Itineraries of Mourning in Edmond El Maleh’s Mediterranean

Edmond El Maleh’s 1986 novel A Thousand Years, One Day calls to mind an acoustic chamber reverberating with multiple, inextricably bound narratives of loss. This chapter explores a prolonged scene in which a group of Moroccan Jews from the United States and Canada journeys to the Atlas Mountains to attend a hiloula or festival commemorating the life of a saint. A microcosm for the novel’s myriad entanglements, this scene draws a narrative arc between the long history of the Moroccan Jewish experience and the community’s traumatic exodus in the twentieth century. By undergirding the narrative structure of the novel with a centuries-old Hebrew liturgical practice, El Maleh crafts a Jewish poetics of mourning based on Mediterranean connectivity rather than exclusive claims to territory or patrimony.
Diagnosis and management of short QT syndrome.

Establishing a definition of short QT syndrome (SQTS), including symptomatology and QT-interval duration, is still a work in progress. However, it is clear , that SQTS is a rare, life-threatening, inherited heart disease presenting as sudden cardiac death (SCD) or aborted SCD in 34% and a family history of SCD in 15%. Genetic testing is important in diagnosing the disease, but to date a causative mutation is found in KCNH2-V141M mutation, and recently a mutation in the cardiac Cl/HCO 3 exchanger AE3 was found to cause SQTS. Issues related to measuring and correcting the QT interval for heart rate has made it difficult to rely entirely on QT duration for the diagnosis of SQTS. In order to establish the diagnosis on firmer grounds, symptoms, family history, and genetic testing need to be considered. Although the benefit of insertion of an implantable cardioverter–defibrillator as secondary prophylaxis against SCD in a patient with SQTS is well documented, the benefit as primary prophylaxis is controversial and not proven by solid data. In 2 recent similar studies involving 115 patients with approximately 5 years of follow-up, insertion of an implantable cardioverter–defibrillator in 40 patients saved the lives of 12, 11 who had presented with cardiac arrest and 1 with syncope. No appropriate shocks were delivered in any patients who did not have a history of either syncope or cardiac arrest. Currently quinidine is the only drug that has undergone any clinical testing.
A Contradiction for Contextualism

Epistemic contextualism concerning knowledge says that the truth conditions of knowledge attributions (including denials of knowledge) vary with the context of the attributor. There have been recently quite a number of objections to contextualism. One objection, however, has not been discussed much at all even though it might be the most serious one so far: the so-called “Factivity Objection” according to which contextualism is inconsistent at its core. This objection has been developed mainly by Elke Brendel and Crispin Wright. In previous work I defended the idea that there is a problem but also proposed a solution, namely a relationalist version of contextualism. In this paper I will first present the problem and then discuss some proposed solutions (some of them denying that there is a problem in the first place) before I move on to my own proposal of a solution.
Coordination complexes of chromium(0) with a series of 1,3-diphenyl-6-aryl­fulvenes

The synthesis and structural properties of a series of chromium tricarbonyl `piano-stool' complexes bearing substituted penta­fulvene ligands were studied. The complexes, tricarbon­yl(1,3,6-tri­phenyl­fulvene)chromium(0) benz­ene hemisolvate, [Cr(C24H18)(CO)3]·0.5C6H6 (I), tricarbon­yl[1,3-di­phen­yl-6-(3-vinyl­phen­yl)fulvene]chromium(0), [Cr(C26H20)(CO)3] (II), and tricarbon­yl[1,3-diphenyl-6-(pyren-1-yl)fulvene]chromium(0), [Cr(C34H22)(CO)3] (III), each have a distorted octa­hedral geometry, with the fulvene coordinated in a π–η2:π–η2:π–η2 fashion. Significant deviation of the exocyclic fulvene double bond from the cyclo­penta­diene plane accompanies coordination. Evidence of non-covalent π–π inter­actions was observed in both (I) and (III), with centroid-to-centroid distances ranging from 3.330 (8) to 3.494 (8) A.
Framed for Lying: Statistics as In/Artistic Proof

A statistic can be a powerful rhetorical tool in political discourse, but it can also be quickly dismissed by a resistant audience. This article argues that the statistic’s association with Aristotelian inartistic proof (in Greek: pisteis atechnoi, Lat. probationes inartificiales) can, counterintuitively, encourage resistant audiences to be dismissive, to think that statistics “lie.” By drawing from the concept of framing in media studies, I explore how the language used around a calculation can better serve readers when it is more explicit about the statistic’s creation from a social process—that it is invented rather than used in argument. If statistics rely on interpretation, rhetors should invite their audience to interpret rather than insist on an interpretation. I use examples from news articles covering immigration in the United States to explore a frame that does such insisting and a frame that invites.
An Analysis of Success Plans and Performance Measures for Rural Transit Systems in North Carolina

Performance measurement and funding allocation based on these measurements are becoming increasingly popular in public transportation. Understanding what is important to transit systems is critical...
Avner Baz on aspects and concepts: a critique

I defend the view that aspect-perception – seeing as a duck, or a face as courageous – typically involves concept-application. Seemingly obvious, this is contested by Avner Baz: ‘aspects may not ap...
Untangling a complex relationship: teaching beliefs and instructional practices of assistant chemistry faculty at research-intensive institutions

In this era of instructional transformation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses at the postsecondary level in the United States, the focus has been on educating science faculty about evidence-based instructional practices, i.e. practices that have been empirically proven to enhance student learning outcomes. The literature on professional development at the secondary level has demonstrated a tight interconnectedness between ones’ beliefs about teaching and learning and one's instructional practices and the need to attend to faculty's beliefs when engaging them in instructional change processes. Although discipline-based education researchers have made great strides in characterizing instructional practices of STEM faculty, much less attention has been given to understanding the beliefs of STEM about teaching and learning. Knowledge of instructors’ thinking can inform faculty professional development initiatives that encourage faculty to reflect on the beliefs that drive their classroom practices. Therefore, this study characterized the interplay between beliefs and instructional practices of nineteen assistant chemistry professors. Luft and Roehrig's Teaching Beliefs Interview protocol was used to capture beliefs; classroom observations and course artifacts were collected to capture practices. Clear trends were identified between faculty's beliefs (characterized through constant-comparative analysis and cluster analysis) and practices (characterized with Blumberg's Learner-Centered Teaching Rubric). Overall, beliefs of most of the participants were somewhat aligned with their instructional practices, with the exception of one cluster of faculty who held student-centered beliefs, but received only moderate scores on the Learner-Centered Teaching Rubric.
Longitudinal Trajectories of Hemodynamics Following Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Abstract Background Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve the hemodynamics of patients with advanced heart failure. However, the longitudinal trajectories of hemodynamics in patients after LVAD implantation remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the trends of hemodynamic parameters following LVAD implantation. Methods and Results We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent LVAD implantation between April 2014 and August 2018. We collected hemodynamic parameters from right heart catheterizations. Of 199 consecutive patients, we enrolled 150 patients who had both pre- and postimplant right heart catheterizations. They had 3 (2, 4) postimplant right heart catheterizations during a follow-up of 2.3 (1.3, 3.1) years. The mean age was 57 ± 13 years, and 102 patients (68%) were male. Following LVAD implantation, pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased, and cardiac index increased significantly, then remained unchanged throughout follow-up. Right atrial pressure decreased initially and then gradually increased to preimplant values. The pulmonary artery pulsatility index decreased initially and returned to preimplant values, then progressively decreased over longer follow-up. Subgroup analysis showed significant differences in the trajectories of the pulmonary artery pulsatility index based on gender. Conclusions Despite improvement in left-side filling pressures and cardiac index following LVAD implantation, right atrial pressure increased and the pulmonary artery pulsatility index decreased over time, suggesting progressive right ventricular dysfunction.
Are Digital Menus Really Better than Traditional Menus? The Mediating Role of Consumption Visions and Menu Enjoyment

Abstract This study examined consumers’ responses to interactive media in a restaurant setting (i.e., digital menus). Study 1 tested a conceptual model, which examined the underlying process shaping customers’ evaluations of a Web-based digital menu. The results demonstrated that consumption visions and menu enjoyment mediated the effects of perceived interactivity on attitudes toward the digital menus. Study 1 also identified direct product experience as an important moderator of the relationship. Study 2 extended and replicated Study 1 in an offline setting by conducting a lab experiment that compared the use of digital and traditional menus in ordering foods that participants have experienced versus those they have not. In general, tablet-based digital menus generated greater enjoyment, increased intentions to adopt, and encouraged participants to order more within a shorter time. But they were preferred only for less-experienced foods. Furthermore, consumption visions were important mediators of interactivity effects in the digital menu condition, but not in the traditional paper menu condition, while menu enjoyment played a mediating role in both conditions.
Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel: Militarism and Feminism in Comics and Film

This book explores representations of Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel in comics and film, as well as political struggles over these works, to illuminate contemporary cultural concerns about gender, sexuality, race, migration, imperialism, and war. It focuses on the only two female superheroes who have long histories grounded in feminist activism and military service, and who have starred in blockbuster origin films at a time when resurgent progressive activism has been met by an emboldened backlash against movements for equality. Interdisciplinary and intersectional, the book employs insights from political science and political economy, feminist theories, critical race theory, postcolonial theory, and queer theory to explore how these characters’ feminism and militarism render them particularly appealing and profitable in contentious times. This is a concise, accessible text suitable for students and scholars in comics studies, media studies, film studies, and women’s and gender studies.
CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in CNS relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

10511Background: CNS relapse of B-ALL is difficult to treat after cranial radiation or multiple relapses. Durable remissions of relapsed/refractory (r/r) B-ALL have been seen with CD19 CAR T cells;...
cnd-1/NeuroD1 Functions with the Homeobox Gene ceh-5/Vax2 and Hox Gene ceh-13/labial To Specify Aspects of RME and DD Neuron Fate in Caenorhabditis elegans

Identifying the mechanisms behind neuronal fate specification are key to understanding normal neural development in addition to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. In vivo cell fate specification is difficult to study in vertebrates. However, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, with its invariant cell lineage and simple nervous system of 302 neurons, is an ideal organism to explore the earliest stages of neural development. We used a comparative transcriptome approach to examine the role of cnd-1/NeuroD1 in C. elegans nervous system development and function. This basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor is deeply conserved across phyla and plays a crucial role in cell fate specification in both the vertebrate nervous system and pancreas. We find that cnd-1 controls expression of ceh-5, a Vax2-like homeobox class transcription factor, in the RME head motorneurons and PVQ tail interneurons. We also show that cnd-1 functions redundantly with the Hox gene ceh-13/labial in defining the fate of DD1 and DD2 embryonic ventral nerve cord motorneurons. These data highlight the utility of comparative transcriptomes for identifying transcription factor targets and understanding gene regulatory networks.
What counts in number books? A content-domain specific typology to evaluate children’s books for mathematics

Although the complexity of children’s number learning is recognized, trade books about number have been treated as a simple, undifferentiated set. This analysis of 186 children’s books, however, ca...
Prosecution and Punishment of Corporate Criminality

This article offers an overview of and commentary on the US approach to corporate prosecution and punishment. Though the United States purports to have a vigorous system of corporate criminal law e...
Estimating wildlife strike costs at US airports: A machine learning approach

Abstract Current lower bound estimates of the economic burden of wildlife strikes make use of mean cost assignment to impute missing values in the National Wildlife Strike Database (NWSD). The accuracy of these estimates, however, are undermined by the skewed nature of reported cost data and fail to account for differences in observed strike characteristics—e.g., type of aircraft, size of aircraft, type of damage, size of animal struck, etc. This paper makes use of modern machine learning techniques to provide a more accurate measure of the strike-related costs that accrue to the US civil aviation industry . We estimate that wildlife strikes costed the US civil aviation industry a minimum average of $54.3 million in total losses annually over the 1990–2018 period. If one assumes that wildlife strikes were underreported by as much as a factor of 3 over the same period, our estimates still fall below previous lower bound estimates.
Regulatory small RNA, Qrr2, is expressed independently of sigma factor-54 and functions autonomously in Vibrio parahaemolyticus to control quorum sensing

Bacterial cells alter gene expression in response to changes in population density in a process called quorum sensing (QS). In Vibrio harveyi, LuxO, a low cell density activator of sigma factor-54 (RpoN), is required for transcription of five non-coding regulatory sRNAs, Qrr1-Qrr5, which each repress translation of the master QS regulator LuxR. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the leading cause of bacterial seafood-borne gastroenteritis, also contains five Qrr sRNAs that control OpaR (the LuxR homolog), required for capsule polysaccharide (CPS) and biofilm production, motility, and metabolism. We show that in a {Delta}luxO deletion mutant, opaR was de-repressed and CPS and biofilm were produced. However, in a {Delta}rpoN mutant, opaR was repressed, no CPS was produced, and less biofilm production was observed compared to wild type. To determine why opaR was repressed, expression analysis in {Delta}luxO showed all five qrr genes were repressed, while in {Delta}rpoN the qrr2 gene was significantly de-repressed. Reporter assays and mutant analysis showed Qrr2 sRNA can act autonomously to control OpaR. Bioinformatics analysis identified a sigma-70 (RpoD) -35 -10 promoter overlapping the canonical sigma-54 (RpoN) promoter in the qrr2 regulatory region. Mutagenesis of the sigma-70 -10 promoter site in the {Delta}rpoN mutant background, resulted in repression of qrr2. Analysis of qrr quadruple deletion mutants, in which only a single qrr gene is present, showed that only Qrr2 sRNA can act autonomously to regulate opaR. Mutant and expression data also demonstrated that RpoN and the global regulator Fis act additively to repress qrr2. Our data has uncovered a new mechanism of qrr expression and shows that Qrr2 sRNA is sufficient for OpaR regulation. ImportanceThe quorum sensing non-coding sRNAs are present in all Vibrio species but vary in number and regulatory roles among species. In the Harveyi clade, all species contain five qrr genes that, in V. harveyi, are additive in function to control LuxR. In the Cholerae clade, four qrr genes are present, and in V. cholerae the qrr genes are redundant in function to control HapR (the LuxR homolog). Here, we show that in V. parahaemolyticus, only qrr2 can function autonomously to control OpaR, and it is controlled by two overlapping promoters. The qrr2 sigma-70 promoter is present in all strains of V. parahaemolyticus and in other members of the Harveyi clade suggesting a conserved mechanism of regulation.
Management of tandem occlusions in patients who receive rtPA.

Tandem occlusions exist in 17–32% of large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes. A significant concern is bleeding when carotid stenting is performed in tandem with thrombectomy due the administration of antiplatelet agents such as glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GP2b3aI) after receiving rtPA, but data are limited in this setting. A mutlicenter, retrospective chart review was conducted at two comprehensive stroke centers to assess the safety and efficacy of using GP2b3aI to facilitate carotid stent placement simultaneously with endovascular thrombectomy in patients who have received rtPA. Overall, 32 patients were included in this study, with average age of 66.3 ± 10.4 years and predominantly male (87.5%). The cause of stroke was mostly large artery atherosclerosis (59.4%) and the thrombectomy target vessels were typically first- or second segment middle cerebral artery (37.5% and 31.3%). Time from symptom onset to rtPA bolus was 1.8 h [interquartile range (IQR) 1.5–2.7], rtPA bolus to first pass was 2 h [IQR 1.5–3.1], rtPA bolus to GP2b3aI bolus was 2 h [IQR 1.6–3.5], and rtPA bolus to aspirin and clopidogrel administration was 4.3 h [IQR 2.6–8.9] and 6.6 h [IQR 4.5–11.6] respectively. No patients had acute in-stent thrombosis or post-op bleeding from the access site. Two patients (6.3%) had significant hemorrhagic conversion. The use of GP2b3aI in the setting of tandem occlusions that required emergent stent placement post-rtPA appears safe and effective. Given the small sample size, these findings should be interpreted cautiously, and need to be confirmed in a larger patient population.
The roles of lipids in SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and the host immune response.

The significant morbidity and mortality associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has underscored the need for novel antiviral strategies. Lipids play essential roles in the viral life cycle. The lipid composition of cell membranes can influence viral entry by mediating fusion or affecting receptor conformation. Upon infection, viruses can reprogram cellular metabolism to remodel lipid membranes and fuel the production of new virions. Further, several classes of lipid mediators, including eicosanoids and sphingolipids, can regulate the host immune response to viral infection. Here we summarize the existing literature on the mechanisms through which these lipid mediators may regulate viral burden in COVID-19. Further, we define the gaps in knowledge and identify the core areas in which lipids offer therapeutic promise for SARS-CoV-2.
The Weight of Migration: Reconsidering Health Selection and Return Migration among Mexicans.

While migration plays a key role in shaping the health of Mexican migrants in the US and those in Mexico, contemporary Mexican migration trends may challenge the health selection and return migration hypotheses, two prevailing assumptions of how migration shapes health. Using data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (2002; 2005), we tested these two hypotheses by comparing the cardiometabolic health profiles of (1) Mexico–US future migrants and nonmigrants and (2) Mexico–US return migrants and nonmigrants. First, we found limited evidence for health selection: the cardiometabolic health of Mexico–US future migrants was not measurably better than the health of their compatriots who did not migrate, although migrants differed demographically from nonmigrants. However, return migrants had higher levels of adiposity compared to those who stayed in Mexico throughout their lives; time spent in the US was also associated with obesity and elevated waist circumference. Differences in physical activity and smoking behavior did not mediate these associations. Our findings suggest positive health selection might not drive the favorable health profiles among recent cohorts of Mexican immigrants in the US. However, the adverse health of return migrants with respect to that of nonmigrants underscores the importance of considering the lived experience of Mexican migrants in the US as an important determinant of their health.
Upset Special: Are March Madness Upsets Predictable?

Correctly predicting upsets in the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament is an annual goal for fans and gamblers alike. Considering the period 1985-2005, we find that NCAA seeding is consistently biased and that first-round upsets are predictable to a statistically significant level. We further find that our model can consistently better the oft-cited RPI statistic as a means of predicting first-round March Madness games. Data available since 2005 in prediction markets and related venues offer opportunities for future research to determine whether "crowds" or investors make similarly biased mistakes in their predictions.
Using evolutionary algorithms to induce oblique decision trees

This paper illustrates the application of evolutionary algorithms (EAs) to the problem of oblique decision tree induction. The objectives are to demonstrate that EAs can find classifiers whose accuracy is competitive with other oblique tree construction methods, and that at least in some cases this can be accomplished in a shorter time. Experiments were performed with a (1+1) evolution strategy and a simple genetic algorithm on public domain and artificial data sets. The empirical results suggest that the EAs quickly find competitive classifiers, and that EAs scale up better than traditional methods to the dimensionality of the domain and the number of instances used in training.
A specific targeting domain in mature exotoxin A is required for its extracellular secretion from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract A number of Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, actively secrete a subset of periplasmic proteins into their surrounding medium. The presence of a putative extracellular targeting signal within one such protein, exotoxin A, was investigated. A series of exotoxin A truncates, fused to beta-lactamase, was constructed. Hybrid proteins, which carry at their N- termini 120, 255, 355 or the entire 613 residues of the mature exotoxin A, were stable and were secreted into the extracellular medium. Hybrid proteins which carry residues 1-30 and 1-60 of the mature exotoxin A were unstable; however, they could be detected entirely within the cells after a short labeling period. A hybrid with beta-lactamase was constructed which carried only the N-terminal residues 1-3 and region 60-120 of exotoxin A. It was also secreted into the culture medium, suggesting that a specific 60 amino acid domain contains the necessary targeting information for translocation of exotoxin A across the outer membrane. The secretion of the hybrid proteins is independent of the passenger protein, since a similar exotoxin A-murine interleukin 4 hybrid protein was also secreted. The extracellular targeting signal between amino acids 60 and 120 is rich in anti-parallel beta-sheets. It has been shown previously to be involved in the interaction of the exotoxin A with the receptors of the eukaryotic cells. In the three- dimensional view, the targeting region is on the toxin surface where it is easily accessible to the components of the extracellular secretion machinery.
Constitutive expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the mouse ileal mucosa

It has been demonstrated previously that the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is present throughout the intestinal tract in various inflammatory disease processes. Here we demonstrate that iNOS mRNA is present in the ileum but not in the jejunum or colon of normal mice. By Western blot analysis, iNOS protein is also detected in normal ileum, but not in the normal jejunum. However, by 3 h postinjection of 0.5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS), iNOS mRNA is also detectable in the jejunum and colon. The enzyme message and protein, localized immunohistochemically by in situ hybridization and iNOS expression, is normally restricted to the villus epithelial cells. The iNOS mRNA was also present in the ilea of mice with defined intestinal flora (anaerobes only), germ-free mice, nude mice, and to a lesser extent in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency. These results suggest that the constitutive presence of iNOS in ileal epithelium indicates a role for this enzyme in maintaining intestinal homeostasis.
Chapter 23 Regulation of immediate early genes in brain: Role of NMDA receptor activation

Publisher Summary Recent evidence suggests that cell surface receptor stimulation regulates expression of genes that may in turn be involved in long-term alterations of cellular behavior. To characterize synaptic mechanisms involved in regulating cellular immediate early genes (IEGs) in the brain, this chapter studies mRNA levels in hippocampal granule cells after excitatory stimulation via perforant path (pp) afferents. The pp-granule cell synapse has been extensively characterized because it demonstrates long-term potentiation of synaptic potentials following specific stimuli. This paradigm therefore provides the opportunity to examine the association of IEG activation with specific synaptic stimuli as well as with neuronal plasticity. The major findings of these studies are (1) IEG mRNA levels are dynamically regulated in the brain by neuron activating stimuli; (2) immediate early genes may be selectively regulated by specific stimuli; (3) synaptic NMDA receptor activation is involved in the rapid regulation of zif /268 mRNA levels by high-frequency pp stimuli; (4) convergent inhibitory synaptic inputs coordinately modulate LTP and zif /268 mRNA increases; and ( 5 ) the intensity of synaptic stimuli necessary to increase zif /268 mRNA levels is similar to that required to induce LTP.
Why doctors don't use computers: some empirical findings.

The attitudes of 148 medical students, 141 residents, and 644 practicing physicians toward computer applications in medicine were studied. The results indicate that physicians recognize the potential of computers to improve patient care, but are concerned about the possibilty of increased governmental and hospital control, threats to privacy, and legal and ethical problems. In general, all three groups are uncertain as to the potential effects of computers on their traditional professional role and on the organization of practice. Practicing physicians, however, express more concern about these potential effects of computers than do medical students and residents. While attitudes appear to be somewhat independent of prior computer experience, they significantly affect the extent to which physicians use a computer-based hospital information system. This may be a major reason for the slow introduction of clinical computer systems.
Classification and environmental correlates of tidal wetland vegetation in Nova Scotia, Canada.

We numerically classified tidal wetland vegetation and determined the relationships between variation in plant species composition and environmental factors. Sampling was conducted at eight sites a...
RELIGIOUS INVOLVEMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES: The Role of Social Capital and Extracurricular Participation

Previous research has observed that religious participation is positively related to a wide variety of adolescent outcomes, including academic achievement, but relatively little is known about why this is the case. We focus on a group of related potential explanations for why religious involvement improves educational outcomes. We examine whether religious participation enhances academic outcomes among teens by the way in which it shapes their social ties, or social capital, focusing on both intergenerational relationships and on relationships with peers. We also examine the potential intervening role of extracurricular participation. Using structural equation models to analyze data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we examine the potential role of social capital and extracurricular participation in mediating the relationship between religious participation and academic achievement, dropping out of high school, and attachment to school. We find that religious attendance promotes higher intergenerational closure, friendship networks with higher educational resources and norms, and extracurricular participation. These intervening variables account for a small part of the influence of adolescent religious participation on the educational outcomes in this study.