cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Joint attention in deaf and hearing 22 month-old children and their hearing mothers

Attention regulation among people, objects, and symbols was investigated in 48 toddlers at 20-24 months (M = 22 months); 24 hearing child/hearing mother dyads and 24 deaf child/ hearing mother dyads. Hearing loss was prelingual and in the severe to profound range for all deaf children. Deaf children spent significantly less time in episodes of joint attention and significantly more time alone with objects than did hearing children. Analyses of time spent in different kinds of joint attention revealed two differences: deaf children spent virtually no time in symbol-infused joint attention while their hearing peers spent nearly one third of their time in this attention state; deaf children spent significantly more time in coordinated joint attention than did their hearing peers. The results suggested that time spent in joint attention increases during the second year even if children do not infuse symbols into their interactions with others.
Gender differences in quality of HIV care in Ryan White CARE Act-funded clinics.

Background Women with HIV infection have lagged behind men in receipt of critical health care, but it is not known if those disparities are due in part to where women receive care. We examined differences in care received by HIV-infected women and men in a national sample of Ryan White CARE Act–funded clinics and explored the influence of clinic characteristics on care quality. Methods Record review was done on a sample of 9,015 patients who received care at 69 CARE Act–funded HIV primary care clinics that participated in a quality improvement study. Outcome measures studied were highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) use, HIV viral suppression, Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis, screening, and other disease prevention efforts. Results Women were less likely than men to receive HAART (78% versus 82%, p p p = .02) despite being seen more regularly (69% versus 66%, p = .04). Sites serving high percentages of women delivered similar or better care for both men and women than other sites. Although sites serving a higher percent of women had more support services such as case management and onsite obstetrician–gynecologists and provided Pap smears at higher rates, women at such sites remained less likely than men to receive important HIV care including HAART and PCP prophylaxis. Conclusions The gap in the quality of care provided to HIV-infected men and women in critical areas persists, and is not explained by the types of sites where men and women receive care.
Targeted foreign gene expression in spinal cord neurons using poliovirus replicons

A hallmark of poliovirus is the propensity to infect and replicate in spinal cord neurons of the central nervous system. Previously, we characterized a poliovirus self-replicating RNA genome (replicon), which encodes firefly luciferase in place of the capsid genes. This replicon is encapsidated into an authentic poliovirion by providing the poliovirus capsid protein in trans. The amount of enzymatically active luciferase in cells infected with this replicon correlated with the infectious dose. To begin to characterize the in vivo infectious potential of replicons, we have inoculated mice transgenic for the human receptor for poliovirus (PVR), either intracranially or intraspinally, with the replicon encoding luciferase. Wild-type poliovirus delivered to PVR mice via intracranial or intraspinal routes resulted in paralysis and death. Replicon preparations were shown by a sensitive biological assay to be free of infectious poliovirus. Neither intracranial nor intraspinal inoculation of the replicon encoding luciferase resulted in any obvious paralysis or disease symptoms. Following intraspinal inoculation with replicons encoding luciferase, luciferase enzyme activity was detected at 4 h post-inoculation, with peak activity at approximately 8 h post-inoculation; by 48 - 72 h, the luciferase activity had returned to background levels. Luciferase activity was detected in spinal cord predominantly near the site of inoculation, although activity was detected anterior and posterior to the site of inoculation, indicating that replicons undergo limited movement within the CNS presumably via the cerebrospinal fluid. In stark contrast to poliovirus though, inoculation of replicons into the spinal cords of PVR mice did not result in noticeable pathogenesis. Using immunofluorescence with antibodies to double-stain for replicons and neurons, we determined that replicons exclusively infect the neurons of the spinal cord, with the expression of the luciferase and replicon proteins confined to the cytoplasm of the infected cells. Replicons, then, possess the identical capacity for infection of spinal cord neurons in vivo as poliovirus. The lack of discernible neuronal destruction following replicon inoculation into the spinal cord suggests that some of the pathogenesis observed during a poliovirus infection might not be due entirely to primary infection of neurons. Finally, the results of this study point to future use of replicons as a means to target recombinant protein expression to neurons in the spinal cord.
Use of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system of the International Continence Society, American Urogynecologic Society, and Society of Gynecologic Surgeons in perimenopausal women☆☆☆

Abstract Objectives: This study was undertaken to apply the standardized Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system to perimenopausal women to obtain normative data and to determine any effects of risk factors for incontinence and prolapse on Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system scores. Study Design: Two hundred forty-one women aged 45 to 55 years who were seen for perimenopausal care were evaluated in the dorsal lithotomy position for pelvic prolapse at enrollment and again at 12 months. Prolapse was scored according to the Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system, as approved by the International Continence Society. All subjects completed questionnaires to obtain demographic data, reproductive history, and gynecologic history. Data were evaluated with the Mann-Whitney rank sum test and with 1-way analysis of variance on ranks. Results: The subjects had a mean parity of 2.2 and a mean weight of 72.4 kg. Hysterectomy had been performed in 28% of the women. Urinary incontinence was reported by 66% of the women at enrollment. Mean prolapse scores that described the position of the cervix, the position of the posterior fornix, and the total vaginal length were significantly changed by the 1-year follow-up, with scores reflecting increased prolapse. The mean score at point Ba, which represents the proximal portion of the anterior vaginal wall, was significantly lower, consistent with decreased prolapse at this site. History of smoking, prior hysterectomy, weight, parity, and incontinence at enrollment did not significantly correlate with any of the 9 measured prolapse points. Conclusions: Normative data for the Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system of the International Continence Society, American Urogynecologic Society, and Society of Gynecologic Surgeons were measured in a group of perimenopausal women. Apparent increases in prolapse at points C, D, and tvl may reflect changes in vaginal size rather an increase in uterine or vaginal vault prolapse. This variability may confound the use of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system in longitudinal studies involving perimenopausal women. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:1324-8.)
Systemic Insectidal Action in the Cortical Tissues of Elm Twigs

Two vinyl phosphates which contain carboxyamide groupings (Shell 3562 (2-dimethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl dimethyl phosphate) and phosphamidon) were found to be effectively localized in the cortical twig tissues of elm trees following trunk implantation. Shell 3562 prevented niches from exceeding 3.0 mm. for 15 and 29 days after treatment, respectively, with tree dosages of 6 and 18 gm. The method of assay involved feeding-niche length and beetle mortality of Scolytus multistriatus (Marsh.) when exposed to twigs from treated trees. The properties responsible for the above action of the systemics are apparently one or both of the following: (1) a high water solubility and (2) a phosphate or phosphorothiolate rather than a phosphorothionate or phosphorodithioate compound.
Pathogen Resistance Signalling in Plants

Within natural ecosystems, most plants are resistant to most pathogens. At a fundamental level, this seemingly simply truth may hold the key to our understanding of how plants have evolved to survive under a myriad of environmental conditions and their associated stresses. Indeed, in defining how plants evolve, adapt and maintain broad spectrum resistance to most pathogens – typically referred to as non-host resistance – we may not only reveal the mechanisms that underpin plant resistance signalling but also the precise manner in which plants regulate these processes under various environmental conditions. Herein lies the greatest challenge and unanswered question in the field of agriculture today: How do we feed 9 billion people by the year 2050? To address this, one of the first hurdles that must be overcome is a full understanding of the processes that regulate stress (i.e. abiotic and biotic) signalling in plants, as well as the processes that define pathogen and host specificity, including the performance of these processes under rapidly changing environmental conditions. In the case of pathogen infection, plants utilise a broad suite of innate and inducible mechanisms to resist invasion. In large part, these processes are governed by the activity of resistance (R) proteins, which are evolutionarily conserved and highly evolved proteins that function not only in pathogen recognition but also in the activation of the cellular processes necessary to defend against proliferation and the elicitation of disease. Furthermore, recent data supports the hypothesis that numerous processes, such as the balance between growth and defence, also contribute to the host resistance and pathogen virulence. Key Concepts Most plants are resistant to most pathogens. Modern agriculture practices positively impact crop yield and durability. These practices can also have a negative impact on the unintended selection and enrichment of virulent pathogens. Plants defend against pathogen invasion using a suite of highly conserved resistance (R) genes. Pathogens have evolved to recognise and respond to the activity of plant R proteins through the deployment of secreted virulence factors. Immune signalling in plants utilises various pre-formed and inducible processes to defend against pathogen infection. Many basic physiological processes, including response to light, temperature and water availability, are associated with, and required for, immune signalling. The development of advanced genome sequencing technologies has increased the speed at which the development and selection of elite breeding lines are deployed into cropping systems. Current plant breeding approaches utilise a hybrid of molecular genomics and classical breeding techniques to identify and introduce desirable traits into crops to enhance plant performance (e.g. resistance) and yield. Keywords: biotic stress; immune signalling; pathogen; disease resistance; disease control; disease management; molecular biology; genomics; plant pathology
Evolutionary Implications of Sexual Behavior in Drosophila

Investigations by biologists studying diverse groups of animals have unequivocally shown that the behavior of organisms displays a structure which can be utilized for comparative analysis in a manner comparable to that which morphological structure provides. This is not surprising since behavior is the action of structure responding to stimuli, either internal or external, that have been received, perceived, and processed by the organism. Comparative behavior can thus serve as an effective tool for the analysis of the evolution of animals, particularly related groups of species.
Safety strategy use among women seeking temporary protective orders: the relationship between violence experienced, strategy effectiveness, and risk perception

This study examined safety strategy use in relation to intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization, perceived effectiveness of the strategies, and perception of danger from IPV among 197 abused women. More than 90% of the women used 1 or more strategies in the 6 months prior to their interview. Severe physical and sexual violence were significantly associated with an increased use of placating strategies. Perceived effectiveness of the strategies was high yet not associated with strategy use. Increased perception of danger from IPV was significantly associated with increased use of safety planning strategies. The findings suggest that safety planning should be tailored to fit women's specific contexts. Safety planning discussions should focus on strategies that reduce women's risk of continued violence and build on women's strengths.
Fertility and infertility assessment by review of records.

Records provide an overall historic picture of herd reproductive performance. Records assessment in a dairy herd experiencing infertility provides the basis for the development of a sound diagnostic plan. This article describes how a systematic approach is used to determine the causative factors influencing herd reproductive performance.
Myeloperoxidase-mediated modulation of chemotactic peptide binding to human neutrophils

Methionine-containing chemotactic peptides, such as formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), are inactivated via a neutrophil-derived, myeloperoxidase-mediated oxidation of the methionine residue. We report that extracellular inactivation of FMLP by myeloperoxidase modulates the apparent binding of methionine-containing chemotactic peptides to their surface receptors. Inhibitors of myeloperoxidase enhanced FMLP binding. At subsaturating concentrations of 3H-FMLP (20 nM), 1 mM cyanide (KCN) increased the binding of 3H-FMLP to human neutrophils (PMN) by 51% +/- 12%. Similar increases occurred with 0.1 mM azide and 10 mM aminotriazole (ATZ). KCN had little effect on maximal 3H-FMLP binding to PMN at saturation (control-17,040 +/- 910 receptors/PMN; KCN-16,820 +/- 1,940 receptors/PMN), but decreased the concentration of 3H-FMLP required to half-saturate the PMN receptors (control-39 +/- 3 nM; KCN-17 +/- 1 nM). ATZ gave similar results. The binding to PMN of the non-methionine-containing chemotactic peptide 125I-formyl-norleucyl-leucyl-phenylalanyl-norleucyl-tyrosyl-lysine (125I-FNLPNTL) was unaltered by KCN. Also, the binding of 3H-FMLP to myeloperoxidase-deficient PMN was unaltered by KCN. Both KCN and ATZ decreased the oxidation of FMLP by PMN. Finally, ATZ (but not KCN) enhanced the chemotactic migration of PMN in response to submaximal concentrations of FMLP. These studies show that intact PMN inactivate methionine-containing chemotactic peptides by a pathway that is sensitive to myeloperoxidase inhibitors and is absent in myeloperoxidase-deficient PMN. This action results in an apparent decrease in the affinity of the chemotactic peptide receptor for methionine-containing chemotactic peptides, which may modulate chemotatic events in inflammatory loci.
Analysis of Differing Site Condition (DSC) Litigation Reasoning Through Statistical Modeling

ABSTRACTDiffering Site Conditions (DSC) is considered to be one of the most prominent reasons for claims within the construction industry. Thus, the purpose of this article is to facilitate decision making related to DSC claims through analysis of the judicial reasoning in such cases by identifying significant legal concepts and implementing statistical modeling. The implemented methodology utilizes 60 DSC cases from the Federal Court of New York, extracts legal concepts upon which verdicts are based through content analysis, and develops a binary choice probit regression model to identify (1) the effect of each concept, (2) the associations and precedence of concepts to each other, and (3) the probabilistic change due to parametric variation in these concepts. The findings provide better means of assessing the legal ramifications based on the identified factors. Such evaluation allows disputing parties to make more informed decision about their dispute resolution strategies. In addition, the current rese...
Survey of Oral Diseases and Influencing Factors of Primary and Secondary School Students in Shiyan City

OBJECTIVE Through the survey of oral diseases of state primary and secondary in Shiyan City,analysis it's affecting factors,to provide the scientific basis of oral diseases'prevention and treatment of primary and secondary students.METHOD According to the WHO oral health survey methods,combined the questionnaire survey with the oral examination.Stratified cluster sample of 45 survey points divided into elementary,middle and high school to investigate the three age groups and 2 088 students in all.RESULT 1 531 oral problems in a variety of times students.Up to 73.3%,and the oral question on the number of primary and secondary schools is 604,up to 62.3%,the junior high schools'is 411,up to 78.7%,the high schools'is the 516,up to 86.4%,and the incidence of dentition irregularity of primary junior and high schools is 12.1%,16.9%,17.8%.Dental calculus and plaque'are 33.4%,39.1%,43.4% and the caries is 16.7%,23.6% and 25.6%.CONCLUSION With the increasing stages of study,the incidence of oral disease has continued to increase.Poor oral health and eating habits are the important factors in causing oral diseases.In addition,the genetic,physical activity and local water quality are also the factors that can not be ignored.Society,schools,parents and students should enhance the early prevention and developing good habits of oral health,brushing morning and evening,mouthwash after meals,eat less snacks and candy.And to the oral disease that has occurred,we should check early and have a treatment timely and effectively to make the prevention work institutionalized,ordering and network of the oral disease of primary and secondary students.
Beeswax corticosterone implants produce long-term elevation of plasma corticosterone and influence condition.

Abstract Glucocorticoids can play a critical role in modulating life-history trade-offs. However, studying the effects of glucocorticoids on life-history often requires experimentally elevating plasma glucocorticoid concentrations for several weeks within normal physiological limits and without repeated handling of the animal. Recently, implants made of beeswax and testosterone (T) were shown to have release dynamics superior to some currently available T implants, and these beeswax implants dissolved, eliminating the need to recapture the animal. We evaluated the utility of beeswax implants containing four different dosages of corticosterone (CORT; the primary glucocorticoid in birds) and their effect on several condition indices in a captive colony of zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ). The three implants with the greatest CORT doses (0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 mg) produced spikes in plasma CORT concentrations 20 h after treatment, but were within the limits that zebra finches may normally experience. The 0.5 mg CORT implant elevated plasma CORT between typical baseline and restraint stress levels reported in other studies of zebra finches for the entire 35 day experiment. Birds in the 0.5 mg implant group were heavier, had greater furcular fat scores, and had lower hematocrit than birds in the control and other CORT implant groups. Beeswax CORT implants are a low cost method of elevating plasma CORT for a prolonged time. Furthermore, because there is no need to remove these implants at the end of a study, this method may be amenable to studies of free-ranging animals.
Thyroid hormone receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in human granulosa and ovarian stromal cells

Objective To examine whether mRNA for thyroid hormone receptors α and β is present in human granulosa cells in nonstimulated ovaries. Design Paraffin-embedded sections of ovaries from normally cycling women were analyzed by in situ hybridization with oligonucleotide probes for thyroid hormone receptors α and β . The sense strand oligonucleotide was used as a control for each of the probes. Results Granulosa cells from the preovulatory antral follicles examined showed positive staining for both the thyroid hormone receptor α and β probes. Positive staining of ovarian stromal cells also was observed for both probes. Conclusion Thyroid hormone receptor mRNAs are expressed in both granulosa cells and ovarian stromal cells found in nonstimulated ovaries. It is, therefore, conceivable that thyroid hormone may play a direct role in human ovarian physiology.
Neurogenic factors in hypertension: therapeutic implications

This manuscript reviews the evidence supporting a role for neurogenic factors in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. The available evidence in human subjects is largely indirect and suggests a role for the sympathetic nervous system primarily in younger patients with borderline hypertension. In predisposed subjects, environmental factors, such as stress and high dietary salt intake, may activate the sympathetic nervous system and cause hypertension. With advancing age, vascular structural changes may contribute to the maintenance of hypertension despite a seemingly normal sympathetic nerve activity. The evidence supporting a role for neurogenic factors in the genesis of hypertension in patients with chronic renal failure has also been reviewed. Afferent stimuli from the scarred or diseased kidneys into the central nervous system may activate the sympathetic nervous system and contribute to the genesis of hypertension in patients with chronic renal failure. These observations may explain the efficacy of antiadrenergic agents in the management of hypertension in these patients.
Modeling the effects of lexical ambiguity on eye movements during reading

Publisher Summary The eye movements of readers are affected by both the meaning dominance of an ambiguous word and whether prior sentence context disambiguates the meaning. These findings have been used to support claims about the role of linguistic constraints on word identification. The adequacy of these claims has not been evaluated, that is, it is not known if the assumptions that have been made to account for the effects of lexical ambiguity resolution on eye movements are sufficient to explain these effects. This chapter discusses the E-Z Reader model of eye-movement control during reading that is used as a framework to evaluate the theoretical assumptions that have been developed to explain lexical ambiguity resolution. This modeling exercise is informative because it demonstrates that not all accounts of lexical ambiguity are equally viable, and because it suggests further constraints on the types of cognitive processes that drive eye movements during reading.
Abstract 3550: Activation of a novel form of regulated necrosis to eliminate extracellular matrix detached epithelial cells

The overwhelming majority of breast cancer deaths are caused by the metastasis of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites in the body. For cancer cells to successfully metastasize, they must: detach from the primary tumor, move out of the original tissue into the circulatory or the lymphatic system, travel to a new site followed by arresting their movement, and then extravasate to begin colonizing a secondary site. When normal epithelial cells detach from the extracellular matrix (ECM), they induce caspase-dependent cell death which is known as anoikis. Anoikis can therefore serve as a critical barrier to metastasis as cancer cells are exposed to limited and variable matrix conditions during each step of the metastatic cascade. However, our previous studies suggest that anoikis evasion is not sufficient to protect ECM-detached cells from cell death. Using MCF10A mammary epithelial cells, we have previously shown that ECM-detachment induced metabolic changes can compromise the survival of detached cells, although the precise mechanism controlling cell death remains unclear. Here, we present data suggesting that ECM-detached cells can also be eliminated by regulated necrosis (RN), a genetically programmed, caspase-independent form of necrosis that is morphologically indistinguishable from classical necrosis. In general, the molecular mechanisms involved in RN are poorly understood. With this in mind, the current most appreciated subtype of RN, termed necroptosis, is dependent upon TNFα, RIP1K, RIP3K, MLKL, and PGAM5 to execute cell death. Our data in ECM-detached cells suggest that cells are being eliminated by a mechanism that is dependent on the kinase activity of RIP1K. Further studies have shown an increase in the expression of CYLD, a deubiquitinating enzyme that specifically removes ubiquitin chains from RIP1K, in turn stabilizing both RIP1K expression and activation. Upon analyzing other dependent executioners of necroptosis, we have strikingly found that TNFα, RIP3K, and MLKL are all dispensable for RN to occur in ECM-detachment. Furthermore, using a variety of molecular tools, such as 3D cell culture, we have found that PGAM5 is necessary for the execution of ECM-detachment induced RN. These findings uncover a novel and distinct RN pathway and highlight the need to more thoroughly understand RN as well as the mechanisms employed by ECM-detached cells to antagonize RN and promote their survival in detachment. Citation Format: Mark A. Hawk, Cassandra L. Buchheit, Luqun Shen, Patrick Fagan, Zachary T. Schafer. Activation of a novel form of regulated necrosis to eliminate extracellular matrix detached epithelial cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3550.
PerFECT: An Automated Framework for Training on the Fly

Currently available cognitive training systems can highly benefit from more adaptable and encapsulated frameworks that include better performance assessment methods, robust feedback mechanisms and automated mechanisms that reduce the manual intervention and curriculum management required during training sessions. In short, there is an ardent need for an automated human in the loop training system that can effectively train cognitive skills required for military operations. An automated training system would be extremely beneficial if it can be easily coupled with a synthetic learning environment to function autonomously is an entirely data driven manner. Such a system would enable rapid deployment of key training scenarios, skills and tactics to war fighters and help them maintain a superior level of competence in the battlefield. An automated framework for training on the fly also known as performance feedback engine for conflict training (PerFECT) which includes key components for simulating training scenarios, measuring trainee’s performance, providing relevant feedback and dynamic curriculum management is discussed in this chapter. First, the training system comprises of custom plug-in interface that allows components of the training framework to readily interface with a simulated virtual learning environment. Second, it has a “Performance Evaluator” that enables automated, real-time and objective evaluation of a trainee’s performance grounded within an objective framework known as time window and enables run-time evaluation of performance skills based on a skills matrix. Third, PerFECT has a “Feedback System” that can provide contextual and immediate feedback to trainees based on process measures. Finally, PerFECT includes a “Curriculum Manager” that dynamically selects appropriate training scenario from a template library with varying levels of complexity. The selection algorithm for training scenario is based on the trainee’s historical performance scores and complexity of the earlier scenarios. We also present the initial findings from a pilot study which helps illustrate the capabilities of the framework and conclude with future directions in this area of research.
Gert Hekma and Alain Giami, Sexual revolutions

Sexual Revolutions was published in 2014 as part of Palgrave Macmillan’s series, ‘Genders and Sexualities in History’. Encompassing events of the so-called ‘sexual revolution’ of the 1960s and 1970...
Evaluation of adaptive and non adaptive LTE Fractional Frequency Reuse mechanisms

LTE networks are deployed to increase capacity and coverage especially for the indoor and cell-edge mobile users. However, such deployment comes with major challenges, radio resource management and inter-cell interferences. Fractional Frequency Reuse mechanism (FFR) is one of the most effective interference avoidance techniques. In this paper, we evaluate an existing adaptation process that adjusts to better network performance as users move in the network. With adaptation in place, we utilize our proposed metric to determine inner region radius and frequency allocation which generates high total cell throughput and serves maximum number of users in the network. The performance of static sectorized FFR with specific mobility model using adaptation process is evaluated using proposed metric and other metrics.
Dielectric functionalities of anatase phase titanium dioxide nanocrystals synthesized using water-soluble complexes

TiO2 nanostructures were successfully prepared via hydrothermal technique using water-soluble complexes. The phase, functional groups, and morphological analysis of the synthesized nanostructures were characterized using powdered X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analyses, respectively. Impedance spectroscopy was applied to investigate the dielectric behavior of nanostructured TiO2 at anatase phase. The average grain size of polymorphic anatase phase TiO2 NPs was found to be 18 nm using Debye–Scherrer equation. More significantly, synthesized nanostructures ensure predominant dielectric constant at Curie temperature, with less dielectric loss 0.026 (1 kHz) and constant chemical capacitance (67 pF). In addition, it was inferred that maximum activation energy (0.5 eV) was encountered at mid frequency region and subsequently, the dielectric relaxation behavior was investigated through dielectric modulus formulation. These results indicate that the synthesized nanoparticles can be an efficient candidate for applications in microelectronics when operated at mid frequency region at 100 °C.
Effects of speech competitors on encoding features of novel word-object pairs

Fast-mapping is the ability to map novel word-object pairs with very few exposures (Carey & Bartlett, 1978), and is thought to underlie language acquisition. However, language learning often happens in natural environments that contain competing sounds. Previous studies examining whether competing sounds affect fast-mapping yielded inconsistent results, likely due to methodological differences. The present study adds to this body of work by testing the effect of competing sounds on the depth of encoding novel word-object pairs during a fast-mapping task. Three-to-four-year-old children performed a fast-mapping task in quiet and in the presence of a two-talker speech competitor presented at a + 2 dB signal-to-noise ratio. In each condition, children were trained on three novel word-object pairs, whereby the object was verbally labeled and associated with related attributes while moving across a computer screen (e.g., “This modi can bounce”). Children were then tested on their recognition of each word-object pair. Children associated words to objects equally well in quiet and speech competitor conditions, but recalled fewer object attributes when speech competitors were present. Results suggest that speech competitors disrupt encoding of the semantic features of word-object pairs. This presentation will highlight how different methodologies demonstrate varying effects of competing sounds on fast-mapping.Fast-mapping is the ability to map novel word-object pairs with very few exposures (Carey & Bartlett, 1978), and is thought to underlie language acquisition. However, language learning often happens in natural environments that contain competing sounds. Previous studies examining whether competing sounds affect fast-mapping yielded inconsistent results, likely due to methodological differences. The present study adds to this body of work by testing the effect of competing sounds on the depth of encoding novel word-object pairs during a fast-mapping task. Three-to-four-year-old children performed a fast-mapping task in quiet and in the presence of a two-talker speech competitor presented at a + 2 dB signal-to-noise ratio. In each condition, children were trained on three novel word-object pairs, whereby the object was verbally labeled and associated with related attributes while moving across a computer screen (e.g., “This modi can bounce”). Children were then tested on their recognition of each word-objec...
Introduction to the Special Issue on Psychology and Property

I briefly introduce a Special Issue on the psychological study of property law, theory, and doctrine. The Issue builds on a 2008 Panel at the annual American Psychology/Law Society Conference that brought together legal academics, psychologists, and policy-makers working at the crossroads of psychology and property. Our goal is to lay the groundwork for a mutually beneficial relationship between legal psychologists and property scholars. In this Introduction I preview the Issue's four Articles, which review or present original empirical research in four areas: the psychology of "home;" intuitions about first possession and ownership; how individuals see property rights in art; and whether notions of ownership rights change simply because of how "property" is defined. Our goal is to prompt empirical research in four broad areas with implications for property law, theory, and policy: (1) What benefits emerge from a psychological view of property law, and what questions can the law give to empirical researchers? (2) Does property law reflect lay intuitions, and does empirical research support black-letter law? (3) Are views of property and ownership innate? (4) Are those views malleable; if so, with what policy implications?
Evaluating the adverse effects of melphalan formulations.

IntroductionFor multiple myeloma patients who respond to primary therapy, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is considered standard of care with high-dose melphalan for transplant...
Inability to Pass End-to-End Anastomotic Stapler

The inability to pass an end-to-end anastomotic stapler easily can be frustrating for the operating surgeon. Maneuvers and tips exist to facilitate consistent safe creation of a stapled distal colonic or rectal anastomosis.
Spatial analysis of cardiac strain using high-frequency four-dimensional ultrasound in mice

Cardiac disease remains the number one cause for all mortality in the United States, prompting a continued effort to understand the various factors that exacerbate disease. In this endeavor, mouse models of cardiac disease have served a crucial role by allowing for both investigation of disease factors and longitudinal tracking of cardiac function. Routine assessment of cardiac function in mice can be acquired using high-frequency ultrasound; however, conventional techniques must rely on idealized cardiac geometries to calculate function metrics, as morphometric information is only available from a single plane. Aiming to overcome these limitations, our group has recently developed and validated a high frequency four-dimensional ultrasound (4DUS) technique that provides full volumetric information of the mouse heart synced over one representative cardiac cycle. Analysis of this 4DUS data can provide region-specific wall kinematic information, in contrast to global metrics such as ejection fraction and stroke volume. Preliminary applications of our technique have demonstrated abnormal left-ventricular contractile patterns in mouse models of cardiac hypertrophy, as well as ventricular remodeling in models of myocardial infarction. These initial efforts suggest that widespread adoption of 4DUS has the potential to help increase the amount of information obtained when using mouse models of cardiac disease.
Mindful Nonreactivity Moderates the Relationship Between Chronic Stress and Pain Interference in Law Enforcement Officers

With high levels of both chronic stress and chronic pain, law enforcement provides a unique population in which to study the potential mitigating impact of cognitive and affective reactivity on the stress–pain link. The primary aim of the present study was to examine the moderating role of mindful nonreactivity in the relationship between chronic stress and pain interference in law enforcement officers (n = 60). A regression analysis was conducted to determine if chronic stress predicted pain interference and, subsequently, to compute an estimate of the interaction effect of the chronic stress and mindful nonreactivity on pain interference. Results demonstrated the overall model was significant, F (3,55) = 5.29, p = .003, R2 = .47. When controlling for mindful nonreactivity, chronic stress significantly predicted pain interference, b = .76, t (55) = 3.40, p = .001, such that every one unit increase in chronic stress was associated with a .76 unit increase in pain interference. Results also demonstrated a significant interaction effect of mindful nonreactivity and chronic stress on pain interference, b = − .04, t (55) = − 2.86, p = .006. The Johnson–Neyman technique was conducted and revealed among individuals with low levels of mindful nonreactivity, chronic stress significantly predicted pain interference. However, for individuals with greater levels of mindful nonreactivity, chronic stress no longer predicted pain interference. Findings contribute to a growing understanding of how mindfulness can mitigate harmful effects of stress.
A metaheuristic-based stacking model for predicting the risk of patient no-show and late cancellation for neurology appointments

AbstractPatient no-shows and late cancellations for an appointment are common problems in healthcare, which adversely affect the financial performance and quality of service of healthcare organizat...
Where three worlds met: Sicily in the early medieval Mediterranean

There is a nasty proverb, allegedly popular among the Torinese, which says that “Garibaldi did not unite Italy, but divided Africa”, a reflection of a long-standing and deep prejudice amongst many ...
Socioeconomic aspects of SLE

Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a progressive disease necessitating long-term medical care for the prevention or delay of detrimental outcomes. While many medical models have an individual focus, diagnosing each patient’s symptoms and recommending treatment regimens, the reality for patients with SLE is much more complicated. Social, cultural, and economic forces affect risk and health outcomes among patients with SLE—these forces, which include the conditions in which patients and their families live and work are diverse and powerful and often lie beyond the patient’s control. These include race/ethnicity, age, gender, genetics, geographic location and physical environment, income, employment, disability, education, health insurance, health literacy, employment, social support/network, and health behaviors. When these influences are negative—inadequate income and employment, lack of access to effective healthcare, loss of support from family—they can be detrimental to patient health and are often associated with higher economic burden to the healthcare system. As clinician and healthcare providers, paying closer attention to the socioeconomic determinants of health can provide a holistic and integrated perspective to recognizing the complexity of health and social issues that need to be addressed within this population.
Lack of adrenal TSPO/PBR expression in hamsters reinforces correlation to triglyceride metabolism

Despite being a highly conserved protein, the precise role of the mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO), previously known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), remains elusive. The void created by studies that overturned a presumptive model that described TSPO/PBR as a mitochondrial cholesterol transporter for steroidogenesis has been filled with evidence that it can affect mitochondrial metabolic functions across different model systems. We previously reported that TSPO/PBR deficient steroidogenic cells upregulate mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and presented a strong positive correlation between TSPO/PBR expression and tissues active in triglyceride metabolism or lipid storage. Nevertheless, the highlighting of inconsistencies in prior work has provoked reprisals that threaten to stifle progress. One frequent factoid presented as being supportive of a cholesterol import function is that there are no steroid-synthesizing cell types without high TSPO/PBR expression. In this study, we examine the hamster adrenal gland that is devoid of lipid droplets in the cortex and largely relies on de novo cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake for steroidogenesis. We find that Tspo expression in the hamster adrenal is imperceptible compared to the mouse. This observation is consistent with a substantially low expression of Cpt1a in the hamster adrenal, indicating minimal mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation capacity compared to the mouse. These findings provide further reinforcement that the much sought-after mechanism of TSPO/PBR function remains correlated with the extent of cellular triglyceride metabolism. Thus, TSPO/PBR could have a homeostatic function relevant only to steroidogenic systems that manage triglycerides associated with lipid droplets.
Standardized Testing in College Admissions: Observations and Reflections

Reflecting upon the experience serving on the University of California's Standardized Testing Task Force, and drawing lessons learned, I argue that the COVID-19 pandemic has merely served to accelerate the trend of US higher education institutions moving away from current standardized tests. New educational assessments will continue to be produced. There will be strong calls for the making of completely different assessments than currently available. Educational measurement as field has much to offer and to learn.
Abstract 1928: Study of copy number amplification and chemo-response in triple negative breast cancer

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 15-20% of breast cancer cases in the United States. With currently no targeted therapies for TNBC, identification of novel biomarkers to improve chemo-response is vital. Recently, copy number amplifications (CNAs) have been implicated in treatment response in several diseases including breast cancer. Our clinical studies have associated a 5 Mb CNA in TNBC patients with chemo-response, which may elucidate novel biomarkers and treatment strategies for TNBC. Analysis of RNAseq and Whole Exome Sequencing data from 42 TNBC patient tumors enrolled in the BEAUTY Study, identified a 5 Mb CNA on chromosome 8q which associated with pathological complete response following taxane and anthracycline chemotherapy. By performing siRNA knockdown cytotoxicity studies in TNBC cell lines for genes within this amplified region, we identified RDH10 as a potential novel biomarker for increasing chemo-sensitivity. RDH10 is the rate limiting step in the synthesis of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Previous studies have demonstrated ATRA to be a potent inhibitor of PIN1, a key regulator of several oncogenic signaling pathways, amplified in TNBC. We discovered overexpression of RDH10 to increase endogenous levels of ATRA, contributing to the degradation of PIN1 and taxane sensitivity. A rescue experiment with PIN1 was able to restore the chemo-resistance phenotype. Similarly, we found treating TNBC cells with ATRA phenocopied RDH109s effect on PIN1 and improved chemo-sensitivity. Furthermore, analyses of chemo-responsive PDX tumors containing the 5 Mb CNA, overexpressed RDH10 and exhibited lower levels of PIN1 when compared to non-responders. In conclusion, RDH10 amplification increases endogenous levels of ATRA and degrades PIN1 in TNBC. ATRA-mediated degradation of PIN1 sensitizes TNBC to chemotherapy, suggesting RDH10 as a novel biomarker for chemo-response and ATRA as a novel treatment to improve chemo-sensitivity. Citation Format: Jordan Mark Grainger, Jia Yu, Krishna R. Kalari, Peter Vedell, Kevin Thompson, Matthew P. Goetz, Vera J. Suman, Judy C. Boughey, Liewei Wang. Study of copy number amplification and chemo-response in triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 1928.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Answer-Until-Correct Multiple-Choice Test Format for a Class of Non-STEM Majors

This paper deals with the advantages and disadvantages to both the faculty member and to the students of using the answer-until-correct multiple-choice test format for a class specifically designed for non-STEM majors, who need a breath of knowledge science course. Comments from students are given about why they prefer answer-until-correct examinations. In addition, data are given about how the students approach and if the students actually learn from an answer-until-correct examination.
On the Role of Well-Posedness in Homotopy Methods for the Stability Analysis of Nonlinear Feedback Systems

We consider the problem of determining the input/output stability of the feedback interconnection of two systems. Dissipativity and graph separation techniques are two related and popular approaches to this problem, and they include well-known passivity and small-gain methods. The use of block diagram transformations with dynamic multipliers can greatly reduce the conservativeness of such approaches, but for the stability of the transformed system to imply that of the original one, these multipliers should admit appropriate factorizations. An alternative approach which circumvents the need to factorize multipliers was provided by Megretski and Rantzer in their seminal 1997 paper on integral quadratic constraints. Their approach is based on homotopy: one constructs a continuous transformation of a trivially stable system into the target system of interest, and by satisfying certain conditions along the homotopy path one guarantees that the target system is also stable. This method assumes that the feedback interconnection is well-posed along the homotopy path, namely, that the feedback equations have solutions for all possible exogenous inputs and that the mapping from these inputs to the solutions is causal. In this chapter we will explore the role of well-posedness in this homotopy method. In so doing we demonstrate that what suffices for the homotopy analysis is a property significantly weaker than well-posedness, one which involves a certain lower hemicontinuity of the feedback interconnection along with a certain controllability of its domain. Moreover, we show that these methods can be applied to general signal spaces, including extended Sobolev spaces, spaces of smooth functions, and spaces of distributions.