cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Upregulation of lysyl oxidase and MMPs during cardiac remodeling in human dilated cardiomyopathy

Objective Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents a large subset of patients with congestive heart failure (HF), and myocardial fibrosis has been shown to be associated with this process. Lysyl oxidase (LOX), a key enzyme, plays a potential role in the biogenesis of connective tissue matrices by catalyzing crosslinks in collagen and elastin. However, the mechanisms involved in the remodeling process during HF are not clearly understood. The present work was aimed to determine the changes in collagen phenotypes, MMPs, TIMPs, and LOX, in DCM and non-failing human hearts. Moreover, the role of TGFβ in the induction of type III collagen in cardiac fibroblast is determined. Method Protein and RNA expression were quantified by Western and RT-PCR analysis; collagen phenotypes were determined by SDS-PAGE. Results Our data demonstrated that in all DCM hearts, the collagen concentration was significantly elevated compared to that of the NF hearts associated with an increase in Type I (18%) and Type III (33%) collagen. The content of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased significantly in all DCM hearts compared to NF hearts. Transcriptional level of LOX, TIMP 1, and 2 were significantly upregulated in DCM hearts. In addition, a significant increase in the transcript levels of cytokines, notably IFN, IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β superfamily was observed in all DCM hearts. Addition of TGFβ to cardiac fibroblasts caused a dose dependent increase in type III collagen. Conclusion Altogether, our data suggest an alteration of collagen, MMPs, various cytokines and particularly, LOX participates, in part, in the remodeling of the heart leading to cardiac dysfunction and HF.
On existence of a Nash equilibrium point in N-person non-zero sum stochastic jump differential games

Using the technique of Wan and Davis, we give an existence theorem for a Nash equilibrium point in N-person non-zero sum stochastic jump differential games. It is shown that if the Nash condition (generalized Isaacs condition) holds there is a Nash equilibrium point in feedback strategies. We extend the results to other solution concepts and discuss applications and extensions.
Catalytic biofunctional membranes containing site-specifically immobilized enzyme arrays: a review

Abstract Biofunctional membranes normally involve the random immobilization of biomolecules to porous, polymeric membranes, often through the numerous lysine residues on the protein. In this process, bioactivity is significantly decreased largely due to different orientations of the biomolecule with respect to the membrane or to multiple point attachment. To circumvent this difficulty, while still taking advantage of the immobilization of biomolecules, site-specific immobilization of the biomolecule with the active (or binding) site directed away from the membrane is essential. In this review, we summarize our efforts involving biophysical and bioanalytical chemistry and chemical engineering, together with molecular biology, to develop and characterize such site-specifically membrane immobilized catalytic enzyme bioreactors. Site-directed mutagenesis, gene fusion technology, and post-translational modification methods are employed to effectuate the site-specific membrane immobilization. Electron paramagnetic resonance, in conjunction with active-site specific spin labels, kinetic analyses, and membrane properties are used to characterize these systems. Biofunctional membranes incorporating site-specifically immobilized biomolecules provide greater efficiency of biocatalysis, bioseparations, and bioanalysis.
Survival and infestivity of Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis and var. hominis

Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis served as a suitable model for the study of S. scabiei var. hominis survival. S. scabiei var. canis and var. hominis mites were found to survive off the host for 24 to 36 hours at room conditions (21° C and 40% to 80% relative humidity [RH]), and the canine variety survived 19 days at 10° C and 97% RH. Female mites survived decidedly longer than male mites at comparable conditions. Generally, higher RH values and lower temperatures favored survival, whereas higher temperature and lower RH led to early death. Most canine scabies mites that were held off the host for 36 hours at 75% RH and 22° to 24° C remained infestive and penetrated when returned to the host. Live mites of the human variety that were recovered from bed linen slept on by infested patients would also penetrate a host after being held off a host for 96 hours in alternating 12-hour periods of room conditions and refrigeration. Penetration required less than 30 minutes for all life stages of both varieties, and it was accomplished by a mite secretion that dissolved the host tissue. Dislodged mites, particularly those in close proximity to the source, can be a likely source of infestation.
Optical Flow Switching with Time Deadlines for High-Performance Applications

This paper focuses on the design and analysis of scheduling approaches for Optical Flow Switching (OFS) serving high performance applications with very stringent time deadline constraints. In particular, we attempt to meet setup times only slightly longer than one roundtrip time with networks at moderate to high loading. This paper proposes three possible scheduling mechanisms for OFS connection setup in a WDM network: (i) a simple algorithm, which awards preemptive priority to applications requiring time deadline performance; (ii) a multi-path probing mechanism using only coarse average loading information (i.e., no detailed network state information) but without pre-emption; and (iii) a multi-path probing mechanism using periodically updated network state information and without pre-emption. The updating scheme calls for a slow control plane, which refreshes and broadcast network states only periodically on the order of seconds or longer. Our results show that for a low blocking probability, the update interval must be a fraction of the mean service time of transactions. We conclude that this algorithm, a combination of both slow centralized and fast distributed processes, delivers an efficient and scalable control design for a high-speed transport network of the future.
Investigating Mode Errors on Automated Flight Decks: Illustrating the Problem-Driven, Cumulative, and Interdisciplinary Nature of Human Factors Research

Objective: The goal of this article is to illustrate the problem-driven, cumulative, and highly interdisciplinary nature of human factors research by providing a brief overview of the work on mode errors on modern flight decks over the past two decades. Background: Mode errors on modern flight decks were first reported in the late 1980s. Poor feedback, inadequate mental models of the automation, and the high degree of coupling and complexity of flight deck systems were identified as main contributors to these breakdowns in human-automation interaction. Various improvements of design, training, and procedures were proposed to address these issues. Methods: The author describes when and why the problem of mode errors surfaced, summarizes complementary research activities that helped identify and understand the contributing factors to mode errors, and describes some countermeasures that have been developed in recent years. Results: This brief review illustrates how one particular human factors problem in the...
Replacing caloric beverages with water or diet beverages for weight loss in adults: main results of the Choose Healthy Options Consciously Everyday (CHOICE) randomized clinical trial

Background: Replacement of caloric beverages with noncaloric beverages may be a simple strategy for promoting modest weight reduction; however, the effectiveness of this strategy is not known. Objective: We compared the replacement of caloric beverages with water or diet beverages (DBs) as a method of weight loss over 6 mo in adults and attention controls (ACs). Design: Overweight and obese adults [n = 318; BMI (in kg/m 2 ): 36.3 6 5.9; 84% female; age (mean 6 SD): 42 6 10.7 y; 54% black] substituted noncaloric beverages (water o rD Bs) for caloric beverages (200 kcal/d) or made dietary changes of their choosing (AC) for 6 mo. Results: In an intent-to-treat analysis, a significant reduction in weight and waist circumference and an improvement in systolic blood pressure were observed from 0 to 6 mo. Mean (6SEM) weight losses at 6 mo were 22.5 6 0.45% in the DB group, 22.03 6 0.40% in the Water group, and 21.76 6 0.35% in the AC group; there were no significant differences between groups. The chance of achieving a 5% weight loss at 6 mo was greater in the DB group than in the AC group (OR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.05, 5.01; P = 0.04). A significant reduction in fasting glucose at 6 mo (P = 0.019) and improved hydration at 3 (P = 0.0017) and 6 (P = 0.049) mo was observed in the Water group relative to the AC group. In a combined analysis, participants assigned to beverage replacement were 2 times as likely to have achieved a 5% weight loss (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.02, 4.22; P = 0.04) than were the AC participants. Conclusions: Replacement of caloric beverages with noncaloric beverages as a weight-loss strategy resulted in average weight losses of 2% to 2.5%. This strategy could have public health significance and is a simple, straightforward message. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01017783. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:555‐ 63.
Effect of a "pill mill" law on opioid prescribing and utilization: the case of Texas

Background States have attempted to reduce prescription opioid abuse through strengthening the regulation of pain management clinics; however, the effect of such measures remains unclear. We quantified the impact of Texas’s September 2010 “pill mill” law on opioid prescribing and utilization.
Outcome of End-stage Renal Disease in Patients with Rare Causes of Renal Failure. III. Systemic/Vascular Disorders

This multicentre national study has provided demographic and outcome data on over 1700 patients with rare systemic/vascular diseases as a cause of ESRD. Except for those with Henoch-Schonlein purpura, polyarteritis nodosa and Wegener's granulomatosis, women predominated. On the other hand, black patients seem less susceptible to these illnesses than white patients except for SLE. Recovery of renal function sufficient for dialysis to be discontinued was more likely in each of these diseases except for SLE than for any of the other 'rare' diseases described by us, the usual causes of renal failure as reported by the EDTA Registry or our control patients. Overall survival was quite good except in those patients with progressive systemic sclerosis whose outlook was poor.
SILAC based protein profiling data of MKK3 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts.

This data article reports changes in the phospho and total proteome of MKK3 knock out (MKK3−/−) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). The dataset generated highlights the changes at protein level which can be helpful for understanding targets of the MAP kinase signaling pathway. Data was collected after TiO2-based phosphopeptide enrichment of whole cell lysate at baseline condition with bottom-up SILAC-based LC MS/MS quantitative mass spectrometry. We report all the proteins and peptides identified and quantified in MKK3−/− and WT MEFs. The altered pathways in MKK3−/− MEFs were analyzed by Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID, v6.7) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and are presented as a table and graph, respectively. The data reported here is related to the published work [1]. All the associated mass spectrometry data has been deposited in the Yale Protein Expression Database (YPED) with the web-link to the data: http://yped.med.yale.edu/repository/ViewSeriesMenu.do;jsessionid=6A5CB07543D8B529FAE8C3FCFE29471D?series_id=5044&series_name=MMK3+Deletion+in+MEFs.
An efficient approach for Mars Sample Return using emerging commercial capabilities

Mars Sample Return is the highest priority science mission for the next decade as recommended by the 2011 Decadal Survey of Planetary Science. This article presents the results of a feasibility study for a Mars Sample Return mission that efficiently uses emerging commercial capabilities expected to be available in the near future. The motivation of our study was the recognition that emerging commercial capabilities might be used to perform Mars Sample Return with an Earth-direct architecture, and that this may offer a desirable simpler and lower cost approach. The objective of the study was to determine whether these capabilities can be used to optimize the number of mission systems and launches required to return the samples, with the goal of achieving the desired simplicity. All of the major element required for the Mars Sample Return mission are described. Mission system elements were analyzed with either direct techniques or by using parametric mass estimating relationships. The analysis shows the feasibility of a complete and closed Mars Sample Return mission design based on the following scenario: A SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch vehicle places a modified version of a SpaceX Dragon capsule, referred to as "Red Dragon", onto a Trans Mars Injection trajectory. The capsule carries all the hardware needed to return to Earth Orbit samples collected by a prior mission, such as the planned NASA Mars 2020 sample collection rover. The payload includes a fully fueled Mars Ascent Vehicle; a fueled Earth Return Vehicle, support equipment, and a mechanism to transfer samples from the sample cache system onboard the rover to the Earth Return Vehicle. The Red Dragon descends to land on the surface of Mars using Supersonic Retropropulsion. After collected samples are transferred to the Earth Return Vehicle, the single-stage Mars Ascent Vehicle launches the Earth Return Vehicle from the surface of Mars to a Mars phasing orbit. After a brief phasing period, the Earth Return Vehicle performs a Trans Earth Injection burn. Once near Earth, the Earth Return Vehicle performs Earth and lunar swing-bys and is placed into a Lunar Trailing Orbit - an Earth orbit, at lunar distance. A retrieval mission then performs a rendezvous with the Earth Return Vehicle, retrieves the sample container, and breaks the chain of contact with Mars by transferring the sample into a sterile and secure container. With the sample contained, the retrieving spacecraft makes a controlled Earth re-entry preventing any unintended release of Martian materials into the Earth's biosphere. The mission can start in any one of three Earth to Mars launch opportunities, beginning in 2022.
Brands, love and family

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which love cues are used by brands targeted at multiple decision-makers in a family, specifically the mother and child. Design/methodology/approach – First, secondary database (SmartyPants, 2013) is used to identify clusters of brands with similar benefit groups (i.e. health and nutrition food, indulgence food, entertainment and technology for entertainment and learning) that are most loved by mothers and/or children. Next, a content analysis of the ads for brands in these clusters is used to identify the common positioning cues across these clusters. The data from the content analysis are used to explore the extent to which love cues (along with functional and hedonic) are used by these brands loved by mothers and children. Findings – The results of this study indicate that functional cues dominate the ads for the brands in functional product categories, as well as hedonic product categories. Love cues dominate the ads for functional brands ...
Multiobjective Generating Techniques for Risk/Benefit Analysis

The point of departure for this paper is the common methodological and policy-making characteristics shared by problems in “risk/benefit analysis” and multiobjective analysis. Indeed, we are not sure of the differences between the two problem types: risk/benefit analysis seems to be simply a new phrase for a specific setting of multiobjective analysis. Multiobjective problems have many conflicting objectives, presenting a challenge to decision makers to select an alternative that will somehow balance the trade-offs among the objectives. Similarly, risk/benefit analysis is directed at problems in which a similar compromise must be struck between the benefits of an action and the risks posed by or inherent in that action. Our claim is that risk/benefit analysis is just multiobjective analysis over two specific objectives: benefits (itself a multidimensional measure of system performance in the general case) and risk.
Research and Application Progress in Wear-resistant Hard Film of B-Si-C-N in High Temperature

Using superhard films to protect materials is an economical practical way to enhance performance of the materials and an important means to improve its life-span.According to different materials of wear-resistant hard film of B-Si-C-N,its research progress in the wear-resistant hard film of B-Si-C-N in high temperature was introduced as well as its preparation method.The expectation of its trend in development of protetiue coating was introduced.
Long-term Survival From Muscleinvasive Bladder Cancer With Initial Presentation of Symptomatic Cerebellar Lesion: The Role of Selective Surgical Extirpation of the Primary and Metastatic Lesion

A 59-year-old man was diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma involving an isolated cerebellar metastasis after presenting to the emergency department for headache complaints. After selective surgical excision of the symptomatic brain lesion and delayed cystectomy due to intractable hematuria, he survived 11 years without evidence of recurrence or subsequent systemic chemotherapy. He eventually expired after delayed recurrence in the lung, supraclavicular lymph node, and brain. To our knowledge, this is the only case of prolonged survival from urothelial carcinoma after selective surgical extirpation of the primary and metastatic lesion without subsequent systemic chemotherapy.
Dynamic nondestructive inspection using thermal neutrons

Dynamic nondestructive inspection of optically opaque systems can be accomplished using a dynamic radiography technique with thermal neutrons as the illuminating radiation. Dynamic radiography corr...
Association of Endothelial Dysfunction and Angiogenesis in Patients with Thalassemia Intermedia

Abstract Abstract 1084 Background: Angiogenic growth factors, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of proteins, govern numerous aspects of vessel homeostasis. Placental growth factor (PlGF) is a member of the VEGF family of angiogenic proteins and is expressed in placental, cardiac, and lung tissue. Placental growth factor (PlGF) and its receptor the fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor 1 (Flt-1 or VEGF-R1) are novel therapeutic targets for angiogenic disorders. These growth factors exert pleiotropic effects, potentially beneficial, such as the promotion of angiogenesis, and/or potentially harmful pro-inflammatory effects, such as the promotion of endothelial dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. von Willebrand factor (vWF) has been proposed as a biomarker of endothelial damage/dysfunction because increased plasma levels have been found in inflammatory and atherosclerotic vascular diseases and is defined as a novel link between hemostasis and angiogenesis. Patients and Methods: We investigated if alterations in angiogenic growth factors may contribute to endothelial dysfunction in patients with thalassemia intermedia (TI) using peripheral biomarkers. Thirty-four adult patients with TI were included in the study, while 20 healthy individuals served as controls. Markers of inflammation such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and serum Amyloid A protein (SAA), along with markers of endothelial dysfunction such as von Willebrand factor and nitric oxide (NO) and angiogenesis such as PlGF and soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1) were measured in patients and controls by means of nephelometric, colorimetric and electrochemiluminescence immunoassays, while tissue hypoxia was evaluated in terms of hemoglobin oxygen affinity (P50). Results: The main results of the study showed that: a) plasma levels of vWF, NO, PlGF and sFlt-1 were significantly higher in patients with TI compared to controls (88.0±21.8 vs 71.1±21.5 IU/dL, 101.5±34.7 vs 52.1±8.2 mmol/L, 52.2±20.0 vs 17.2±4.0 pg/mL and 96.5±25.2 vs 76.8±11.5 pg/mL, respectively (p Conclusions: These results demonstrate for first time the important link between endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis in patients with TI. τhe decreased sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in almost all patients with TI suggests that the pro- and anti-angiogenic system is shifted towards the pro-angiogenic state, providing evidence that the factors contributing in this dysregulation are low-grade inflammation and tissue hypoxia. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Abstract 3915: Inhibition of cdc2 is linked to PMA-induced cell differentiation

The critical role of cdc2 (CDK1) in G2-M transition of the cell cycle control in mammalian cells has been well documented. Recent studies have also demonstrated that cdc2 is capable of driving G1 progress and G1-S transition via association with multiple interphase cyclins and through the interactions with Rb proteins. However, whether this pluripotent CDK regulates cell differentiation is unclear. Thus, the effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on cell differentiation and the expression of cdc2 in a human myeloid leukemia cell line, TF-1a, was investigated. When TF-1a cells were treated with 10−5, 10−6, and 10−7 PMA for 48 and 72h, they showed marked (≥50%) macrophage-like changes, evidenced by significant decrease in nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and increase (1-3 folds) in the expression of IL-1β, a macrophage marker. PMA treatment also caused time-dependent inhibition of cdc2 in both cytosol and nucleus of the cells, with a maximal inhibition being observed by 48 and 72h, which paralleled with the cell differentiation course. In contrast, there was no significant cell differentiation and inhibition of cdc2 being observed in control human myeloid leukemia TF-1 cells treated with PMA. Previous studies suggest that prolonged activation of MAPK pathway is linked to cell differentiation. PMA treatment also rapidly induced phosphorylation of MAPK kinases (MEK and ERK), which persisted for 24h, after which phosphorylated MEK and ERK were returned to base level, while the expression of cdc2 was still significantly downregulated, as compared with the control cells treated with DMSO. Pretreatment of TF-1a cells with sense cdc2 oligo nucleotides partially inhibited PMA-induced differentiation and upregulation of IL-1β. Taken together, our data suggest that MAPK pathway may be responsible for initiation of cell differentiation whereas inhibition of cdc2 is required for late differentiation of TF-1a cells in response to PMA stimulation. Whether activation of the MAPK pathway inhibits expression of cdc2 is currently under investigation (Supported by Faculty Incentive Grant and NIH-NIGMS MBRS RISE: R25 GM059244-13, Barry University). Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Daria Vasilyeva, Pairat Dolinsky, Shashana Fielder, Alice Nakasone, Gerhild Packert, Xiaotang Hu. Inhibition of cdc2 is linked to PMA-induced cell differentiation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3915. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3915
Early colonization of Beringia and Northern North America: Chronology, routes, and adaptive strategies

Abstract Recent archaeological and paleoecological work along both interior and coastal routes for early colonization of the New World has suggested that the interior route was impossible, leaving the coastal route as the only colonization route taken by Clovis ancestors. We review the geological, paleoecological, and archaeological record for Eastern Beringia and adjacent areas. Spatio-temporal patterning of known sites and evaluation of early interior and coastal route radiocarbon, luminescence, and cosmogenic dating, along with new analyses of obsidian distribution and adaptive strategies of early Beringians, indicate this assessment is premature and the interior route remains a viable hypothesis, available by at least 13,560 and possibly 14,900 years ago.
Ice-Breaker vs. Standalone: Comparing Alternative Workflow Modes of Mid-level Care Providers

Capitalizing on the operational concept of division-of-labor, clinics often reduce physician service time by off-loading some of his/her clinical activities to lower-cost personnel. These personnel, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are often collectively referred to as “mid-level care providers” (MLPs) and can perform many patient-consultation tasks. The common rationale is that using an MLP allows the physician to serve more patients, increase patients’ access to care, and, due to MLPs’ lower salaries, improve the clinic's financial performance. An MLP is typically integrated into the outpatient clinic process in one of two modes: as an “ice-breaker,” seeing each patient before the physician, or as a “standalone” provider, a substitute for the physician for the entirety of some patients’ visits. Despite both of these modes being widely used in practice, we find no research that identifies the circumstances under which either one is preferable. This study examines these two modes’ effects on operational performance, such as patient flow and throughput, as well as on financial measures. Using queueing and bottleneck analysis, discrete-event simulation, and profit modeling, we compare these two deployment modes and identify the optimal policies for deploying MLPs as either ice-breakers or as standalone providers. Interestingly, we also find there exists a range of scenarios where not hiring an MLP at all (i.e., the physician works alone) is likely to be most profitable for the clinic. Implications for practice are discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Assessment of weight gain following adenotonsillectomy in children with Down syndrome.

Abstract Introduction Adenotonsillectomy (T&A) has been associated with postoperative weight gain in children. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a similar association exists in children with Down syndrome (DS). Methods The medical records of 311 DS patients were reviewed. Subjects were classified into either a control group or surgical group based on whether they had undergone adenotonsillectomy (T&A). Subjects were excluded if they only had one recorded BMI. Cases were analyzed in a pairwise fashion to maximize available data. 113 total patients with DS were identified: 84 (74.3%) in the control group and 29 (25.7%) in the T&A group. Height, weight, BMI, and Z-score data were compared between the control and T&A groups at 6-month intervals over a 24-month period. Results Children with DS who underwent T&A were comparable by demographics to children with DS who did not undergo T&A. Mean weight gain at 24 months for the T&A group was 8.07 ± 5.66 kg compared with 5.76 ± 13.20 kg in controls. The median Z-score at 24 months for the T&A group was 1.11 (0.10–1.88) compared with 1.17 (0.80–1.75) in controls. Children undergoing T&A had a stable median Z-score change of 0.09 at 24 months (p = 0.861, compared to baseline) while children who did not undergo T&A had a significantly increased median Z-score of 0.52 (p = 0.035, compared to baseline). Despite this, there were no significant intergroup differences between weight change, BMI, nor Z-score at any interval (p > 0.05). Conclusions and relevance Children with DS did not have an increased rate of weight gain or increased BMI after T&A. BMI Z-scores were shown to stabilize over 24 months in the T&A group and increase in the control group. While this suggests that T&A provides an added benefit of weight control in patients with DS, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and the fact that not all patients had complete follow up across a 24-month period.
The Impact of the Great Recession on Student Achievement: Evidence from Population Data

The Great Recession was the most severe economic downturn in the United States since the Great Depression. Using newly available population-level achievement data from the Stanford Education Data Archive (SEDA), we estimate the impact of the Great Recession on the math and English language arts (ELA) achievement of all grade 3-8 students in the United States. Employing a difference-in-differences strategy that leverages both cross-district variation in the economic shock of the recession and within-district, cross-cohort variation in school-age years of exposure to the recession, we find that the onset of the Great Recession significantly reduced student math and ELA achievement. Moreover, the recessionary effect on student achievement was concentrated among school districts serving more economically disadvantaged and minority students, indicating that the adverse effects of the recession were not distributed equally among the population of U.S. students. We also find that the academic impact of the recession was more severe for students who were older at the time of first exposure to the recession, compared to their younger counterparts. Finally, the recession’s effects on student achievement were concentrated in districts with the largest reductions in teacher personnel, providing evidence that the effects we observe are driven, in part, by the recession’s negative effects on school resources. We discuss the implications of and potential policy responses to economic shocks that adversely affect student achievement and widen educational inequality.
Using Video Modeling as an Anti-bullying Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

In the present study, we used a multiple baseline design across participants to assess the efficacy of a video modeling intervention to teach six children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to assertively respond to bullying. During baseline, the children made few appropriate responses upon viewing video clips of bullying scenarios. During the video modeling intervention, participants viewed videos of models assertively responding to three types of bullying: physical, verbal bullying, and social exclusion. Results indicated that all six children learned through video modeling to make appropriate assertive responses to bullying scenarios. Four of the six children demonstrated learning in the in situ bullying probes. The results are discussed in terms of an intervention for victims of bullying with ASD.
Advanced platelet-rich fibrin and freeze-dried bone allograft for ridge preservation: A randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND Advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) is an autogenous blood product with applications in dento-alveolar surgery. However, there is minimal information regarding its optimal clinical application or efficacy. The aim of this multi-arm parallel randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of A-PRF alone or with freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA) in improving vital bone formation and alveolar dimensional stability during ridge preservation. METHODS Forty patients requiring extraction of non-molar teeth and replacement with dental implants were randomized into one of four ridge preservation approaches: A-PRF, A-PRF+FDBA, FDBA, or blood clot. A-PRF was prepared at 1,300 rpm for 8 minutes. Non-traumatic extractions and ridge preservation was performed. After an average of 15 weeks healing, bone core samples were harvested at the time of implant placement for micro-CT and histomorphometric analysis. Ridge dimensions were measured immediately after extraction and before implant placement. RESULTS Significantly greater loss of ridge height was noted in the blood clot group (3.8 ± 2.0 mm) compared to A-PRF (1.8 ± 2.1 mm) and A-PRF+FDBA (1.0 ± 2.3 mm) groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences in ridge width reduction were noted between groups. Significantly more vital bone was present in the A-PRF group (46% ± 18%) compared to the FDBA group (29% ± 14%) (P < 0.05). Bone mineral density was significantly greater in the FDBA group (551 ± 58 mg/cm3 ) compared to blood clot (487 ± 64 mg/cm3 ) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates A-PRF alone or augmented with FDBA is a suitable biomaterial for ridge preservation. This study represents the first randomized controlled clinical trial comparing A-PRF with and without FDBA to FDBA alone for ridge preservation.
Why Men and Women Want to Leave? Turnover Intent Among Public Procurement Officers:

This study examines differences in turnover intent between men and women with the aim of building a better understanding of factors that contribute to disparities between the sexes and creating more useful recruitment and retention strategies. The study proposes a theoretical framework where personal, human capital, organizational, and structural/community factors contribute to the desire to change jobs. The focus here is on procurement officers as their role is critical in public sector organizations from the local to the federal level. They also are unique in that their skill set is transferable from one organization to another and procurement officers have relatively high opportunities to move both within and between organizations. The study finds that there are important differences in the drivers of turnover intent between men and women and that most differences lie in the personal, human capital, and organizational categories.
Gas adsorption in an isostructural series of pillared coordination cages

The synthesis and characterization of two novel pillared coordination cages is reported. By utilizing 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (dabco) as a pillar with increased basicity as compared to pyrazine or 4,4′-bipyridine, a stable copper-based material was prepared. Extending this strategy to iron(II) afforded an isostructural material that similarly retains high porosity and crystallinity upon solvent evacuation. Importantly, the iron solid represents a rare example of porous iron paddlewheel-based metal–organic material that is stable to solvent evacuation. Neutron powder diffraction studies on these materials indicate the triangular and square windows of the cage are prime ethane and ethylene adsorption sites.
Food consumption patterns in rural Pakistan

Assessing the impact of government policies on food consumption behavior requires knowledge of demand system parameters. In Pakistan where regional consumption habits differ considerably, estimating such a system requires careful modeling of habitual behavior. Previous demand studies have not handled the regional heterogeneity of consumption patterns in a satisfactory manner. Also, some of these studies relied on restrictive assumptions regarding consumer preferences. As a result, there is little consensus on values of demand elasticities for even the key food commodities;This study proposes the hypothesis that regional consumption patterns differ because of habits induced by long-term relative prices. Differences in regional relative prices stem from inadequate and unevenly developed infrastructure. Stability of price differentials between regions causes persistent biases in household consumption towards cheaper local foods and, in the long run, leads to formation of strong habit for consuming those foods;These ideas were operationalized using the theory of price dependent preferences. According to this theory, long-term prices condition household preferences while market prices and income define their budget sets. A Price Conditional Demand System (PCDS) was derived where the expenditure shares were functions of long-term prices and, in addition, depended on current market prices and total food expenditures. This was done without imposing arbitrary restrictions on consumer preferences. The PCDS was estimated using micro-level data from the Pakistan Rural Household Survey conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute, during 1986-88;The results in this study support the hypothesis that households develop habits for consuming foods that are cheap in the region, on a long term basis. The model also enabled estimation of conventional price and expenditure elasticities for eight food commodities;The estimates of model parameters were used to simulate effects of trade liberalization and infrastructure improvements. The result suggested that in the long run, investments in infrastructure that reduce regional price differentials have a larger impact on food consumption than trade liberalization.
A Case for Total Concept Design Courses in Education

The complexity of society is today an accepted fact. Let us examine a simplified analogy. From the study of thermodynamics we know that a property, or a number of properties, define the state of a system at any instant in time. Complexity can be considered a property of our social structure or the state at which our society finds itself in history.
Quantitative Estimates of Euphausiid Biomass Determined by High-frequency Acoustics

AbstractEcho sounders operated at high acoustic frequencies (∽50–200 kHz) have been successful in recording layers and patches of euphausiids in the more productive areas of the world's oceans. Qualitative records of scattering from the euphausiids provide a mechanism for locating the organisms and directing net-sampling operations. Quantitative scattering measurements can provide biomass estimates. Such quantitative measurements can be made at sea and, therefore, provide a real-time method for studying the vertical distribution and patchiness of the euphausiids. Problems with the acoustical assessment of euphausiids include variations in euphausiid target-strength measurements, the presence of larger scatterers (e.g., fishes) obscuring the euphausiid scattering, and poor resolution when euphausiid densities are low. Continued net sampling of the scatterers is still considered necessary to confirm the identity and size of the recorded targets.
Mechanism of Elevated Membrane Formation and Posterior Vitreous Detachment in Diabetes Mellitus

Elevated membrane formation in patients with diabetes mellitus can result in severe visual loss by vitreous hemorrhage and/or traction retinal detachment. To determine the histologic character of elevated membranes and propose a mechanism of posterior vitreous detachment we examined 16 selected autopsy eyes and 34 membranes removed during surgery for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The specimens were studied by routine histology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. We found cells which are positively stained with GFAP and contain large intracellular filaments present in nearly all types of membranes at the vitreous surface. We propose that posterior vitreous detachment in PDR is a cell mediated event.
Cervical and Thoracic Spine: Normal Variants and Artifacts

Imaging of the cervical spine is a routine part of a radiology practice. Familiarity with the appearance of the cervical and thoracic spinal vertebrae is critical to providing accurate imaging interpretation. In particular, the complex development of the spine, particularly the cervical spine, merits attention to aid in recognition of spinal normal anatomic variants.
Challenges in Shaping Policy with Data

Brindis and Macfarlane examine the potential for data to enhance decision-making at all stages of policymaking from problem recognition through policy formulation, adoption, implementation and evaluation. Drawing on examples from around the world, the authors examine challenges in translating data into policy and suggest a data broker mediate by working with data specialists to ensure all relevant data are available to answer each policy question, and synthesising and presenting evidence clearly and succinctly to policymakers. Brindis and Macfarlane propose six criteria by which the broker can assess success or failure of knowledge translation by assessing the effectiveness of communication, responsiveness of data systems, formulation of policy questions, timeliness of data collection and analysis, limitations of findings, and usefulness of presentations and dissemination of evidence.
The GNSS-R Cygnss Mission: an Update

The CYGNSS constellation was successfully launched on 15 Dec 2016 and has been operating continuously in science data-taking mode since March 2017. Updates will be presented on the mission status, calibration and validation activities for its science data products, and recent scientific applications of the measurements. Those applications include the use of ocean wind measurements to estimate air-sea latent heat flux, the assimilation of wind measurements made near tropical cyclones into hurricane numerical prediction models, the retrieval of soil moisture from the scattering measurements made over land, and the imaging of inland flooding using overland measurements.
Mate pair sequencing outperforms fluorescence in situ hybridization in the genomic characterization of multiple myeloma

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is currently the gold-standard assay to detect recurrent genomic abnormalities of prognostic significance in multiple myeloma (MM). Since most translocations in MM involve a position effect with heterogeneous breakpoints, we hypothesize that FISH has the potential to miss translocations involving these regions. We evaluated 70 bone marrow samples from patients with plasma cell dyscrasia by FISH and whole-genome mate-pair sequencing (MPseq). Thirty cases (42.9%) displayed at least one instance of discordance between FISH and MPseq for each primary and secondary abnormality evaluated. Nine cases had abnormalities detected by FISH that went undetected by MPseq including 6 tetraploid clones and three cases with missed copy number abnormalities. In contrast, 19 cases had abnormalities detected by MPseq that went undetected by FISH. Seventeen were MYC rearrangements and two were 17p deletions. MPseq identified 36 MYC abnormalities and 17 (50.0% of MYC abnormal group with FISH results) displayed a false negative FISH result. MPseq identified 10 cases (14.3%) with IgL rearrangements, a recent marker of poor outcome, and 10% with abnormalities in genes associated with lenalidomide response or resistance. In summary, MPseq was superior in the characterization of rearrangement complexity and identification of secondary abnormalities demonstrating increased clinical value compared to FISH.
Control of Cancer in West Bengal, India by Screening and Awareness Program

ABSTRACT Background In India there are about 2.5 million cancer patients and it increases by 1 million new cancer patients every year, which is 1/10 of total cancer burden in the world. The aim of our state based non-governmental Cancer Control Program is to reduce the cancer burden by proper awareness and screening. We also intended to teach about the early symptoms of cancer so that it can be detected early to provide appropriate treatment. Our motto is to serve people residing in remote villages of West Bengal where there are no modern medical facilities available for detection of cancer. Material and methods During the period of January 2004–April 2012, a cancer screening & awareness program had been conducted in various districts of West Bengal, twice in every month by the members of NSCBCRI. We mainly dealt with oral, lung, breast and cervical cancer. We organized the awareness camps on a prefixed day with prior permission of the representatives. The cases which were detected positive were sent to our hospital for proper treatment and advanced cases were advised for pain and palliative treatment in our institution. Result More than 80% of people participated spontaneously in awareness camps. Female cancer incidence was about 60%. We observed tobacco habits in 80% of males & 10% of females. The percentage of passive smokers among females is very high in West Bengal. Among 144256 screened population, we found 11541 (8.0%) cancer patients in different stages of the disease. Ratio of male and female patients was 3:2. A total of 4986 (72%) male and 1200 (26%) female cancers were tobacco related. Among females the incidence of cervical and breast cancer were 34% and 23%, respectively. Among male oral and lung cancer incidence were 32% and 35%, respectively. About 67% of the cancer had been detected at an early stage. Conclusion Through camps in remote rural areas of West Bengal we came to know that the majority of cancer cases are life style related. This can only be prevented by proper awareness camps. So, cancer detection and awareness camps are essential and important in rural areas to reduce the huge burden of cancer. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Hydration structure and water exchange kinetics at xenotime–water interfaces: implications for rare earth minerals separation

Hydration of surface ions gives rise to structural heterogeneity and variable exchange kinetics of water at complex mineral-water interfaces. Here, we employ ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations and water adsorption calorimetry to examine the aqueous interfaces of xenotime, a phosphate mineral that contains predominantly Y3+ and heavy rare earth elements. Consistent with natural crystal morphology, xenotime is predicted to have a tetragonal prismatic shape, dominated by the {100} surface. Hydration of this surface induces multilayer interfacial water structures with distinct OH orientations, which agrees with recent crystal truncation rod measurements. The exchange kinetics between two adjacent water layers exhibits a wide range of underlying timescales (5-180 picoseconds), dictated by ion-water electrostatics. Adsorption of a bidentate hydroxamate ligand reveals that {100} xenotime surface can only accommodate monodentate coordination with water exchange kinetics strongly depending on specific ligand orientation, prompting us to reconsider traditional strategies for selective separation of rare-earth minerals.
New Country Record for Clambus formosanus japonicus EndröDyyounga (Coleoptera: Clambidae) from the USA, with an Updated Key to the Species of Clambus Fischer von Waldheim of North America North of Mexico

Clambus formosanus japonicus Endrody-Younga is reported as a new country record for the USA. Specimens were collected in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina by processing decaying grass clippings with a litter reducer followed by Winkler or Berlese funnel extraction. Specimens were also collected in Union County, North Carolina using a UV light trap. These collections increase the known fauna of Clambus Fischer von Waldheim in North America north of Mexico to 11 species. Habitus photographs and illustrations of the genitalia of C. formosanus japonicus are included. An updated key to the Clambus species of North America north of Mexico is provided.
Measuring School Climate: Validating the Education Department School Climate Survey in a Sample of Urban Middle and High School Students.

The U.S. Department of Education’s School Climate Survey (EDSCLS) is a free, open-source school climate survey available for any local or state education agency to use to measure three domains of s...