cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MORPHOLOGIC VARIATION IN MANICINA AREOLATA (CNIDARIA, SCLERACTINIA) FROM THE PLEISTOCENE OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Environmental variability exerts a substantial control on massive, free-living, colonial corals such as Manicina areolata, influencing their shape and size as well as other characters, such as base morphology and colline complexity in meandroid forms. This species is well adapted for life in shallow, wave-swept waters due to its self-righting capabilities. Two different ecophenotypes of M. areolata, as defined by overall shape and base morphology, are present in two approximately coeval Pleistocene localities (PBA Quarry and Holey Land Canal) in southern Florida. These differences reflect adaptation to two depositional settings. Corallum size, shape, and oral complexity allow clear differentiation between these two environments. Greater corallum size, as primarily manifested by significantly greater height, tends to accompany increased grain size. The basal area and weight per cm2 of the coralla appear to be primary limiting factors in M. areolata's growth by controlling the coral's ability to self-right after overturning or causing sinking into less cohesive substrates. Complexity of confluent corallites increases with increasing size and colony volume. Thus, complexity of valley and colline patterns on the oral surface increases as a function of base area, so that collines developed on smaller, soft-substrate-inhabiting colonies are characteristically less complex than are those of larger, higher colonies. These complexities and variation in shape are apparently related to environmental conditions, predominantly substrate, water depth, and physical energy, resulting in recognizable ecophenotypes.
MINDING THE GAP WHEN COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE IS A COGNATE DISCIPLINE IN PASTORAL THEOLOGY: LESSONS FROM NEUROTHEOLOGY

(2010). MINDING THE GAP WHEN COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE IS A COGNATE DISCIPLINE IN PASTORAL THEOLOGY: LESSONS FROM NEUROTHEOLOGY. Journal of Pastoral Theology: Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 93-108.
Abstract 466: Combined Telmisartan and Amlodipine Reduces Albuminuria via Reduction in Renal Inflammation in Animal Model of Metabolic Syndrome

The utilization of combined Telmisartan (T) and amlodipine (A) is well established in management of Hypertension. However, it is not known if this combination would be beneficial in metabolic syndrome (MS). We hypothesized that combined T+A decreases albuminuria in obese Zucker (OZ) rats, a model of MS, via reduction of renal inflammation. Studies were conducted in lean Zucker (LZ) and OZ rats fed high fat diet and treated for 6 wks with oral administration of vehicle (V), T (3mg/kg/d), or A (10mg/kg/d) individually and combined. We monitored changes in body weight (BW), systolic BP (SBP), 24h UV, fasting blood glucose (FBG), urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), urine aldosterone/creatinine ratio (UaldoCR), and renal interstitial fluid (RIF) recovery rate of nitric oxide (NO), IL-6 and TNFα. Data are shown (Table) as mean±SE. *p
Global Standards and Environmental Compliance in India's Leather Industry

Under what conditions can small suppliers and small firm dominated industries comply with stringent standards without compromising their trade competitiveness? This question is at the heart a controversial debate about the emergence of environmental standards as a new variable in global trade and market access. There are few documented cases of success and the literature remains skeptical about the ability of small supplier firms to comply with stringent environmental regulations. This paper draws on the Indian leather industry's relatively effective compliance with two German bans on Azo dyes and PCPs to argue that the supposed trade-off between environmental compliance and export competitiveness is not inevitable. Critical to this compliance was not merely a model of private governance mediated by lead firms and global buyers but the institutionalization of compliance by the Indian state which became deeply involved in diffusing the new standards. The paper examines how and why the state got involved in ways that generated - and sustained - a process of negotiated collective action and broad-based environmental compliance by a small-firm dominated sector.
Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia: Familial Predisposition and the Role of Genomics in Prognosis and Treatment Selection

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) characterized by the presence of a CD20 + lymphoplasmacytic bone marrow (BM) infiltrate and serum immunoglobulin M monoclonal protein. Both sporadic and familial forms exist. A remarkable improvement in outcome of nearly all age groups of WM patients may be primarily a consequence of successful integration of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, to the conventional chemotherapy. However, the seminal discoveries of MYD88 (L265P) mutation, present in the vast majority (85-100 %), and CXCR4 (WHIM) mutations, identified in nearly a third of patients (who almost exclusively harbor the MYD88 (L265P) variant), have laid a solid foundation for a paradigm shift in our diagnostic and therapeutic approaches towards this rare hematologic malignancy. Given that 20-25 % of patients are asymptomatic at diagnosis and early intervention does not translate into survival benefit, we follow a risk-adapted approach and actively monitor this subset of "smoldering" patients. Those with low-grade cytopenias can generally be managed with an abbreviated course of rituximab monotherapy, while those with B symptoms, bulky lymphadenopathy, or profound disease-related cytopenias require more aggressive strategies, incorporating several courses of chemoimmunotherapy. For symptoms associated with hyperviscosity, prompt plasma exchange is warranted prior to initiation of cytoreductive therapy. Prospective data are unavailable to a support a unique approach in familial WM or initiation of rituximab maintenance post-induction. A multitude of potentially effective therapies targeting cell-survival pathways are in development and offer a more precise approach for WM patients. One such agent, ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was recently granted approval. Off-study, we limit the use of ibrutinib to relapsed-refractory WM patients who harbor MYD88 mutations. Autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is another viable option in the relapsed setting for chemosensitive transplant-eligible patients. Unfortunately, despite substantial progress, achieving a minimal residual disease-negative state-a prerequisite for cure-is rare in WM.
A Matrix Formulation of the Folded Plate Equations

An analytical procedure, utilizing matrix algebra, is developed for determining longitudinal stresses, transverse moments, and vertical deflections in folded plate structures. The procedure provides an efficient and systematic method for analyzing structures of this type. The sequence of matrix operations can be readily programmed for a digital computer having available matrix subroutines. A sequence which has been programmed for the IBM 704 digital computer is described.
Recent clinical trials evaluating benefit of drug therapy for modification of HDL cholesterol

Purpose of review To highlight the recent data evaluating pharmacological manipulation of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and examine whether medication-induced changes were associated with improved clinical outcomes and reduced short-term and long-term cardiovascular risks. The review focuses on the studies with niacin and the new cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors torcetrapib, dalcetrapib, anacetrapib and evacetrapib. Recent findings Several large randomized clinical trials have evaluated drug therapy on HDL-C and cardiovascular outcomes. Two studies have evaluated the clinical outcomes following HDL-C raising with niacin. Data from the Heart Protection 2 Treatment of HDL to Reduce the Incidence of Vascular Events and The Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with Low HDL/High Triglycerides: Impact on Global Health trials both demonstrated no clinical benefit from use of niacin therapy when added to background statin therapy with regard to short-term and long-term cardiovascular risk reduction. Both studies demonstrated excess side-effects from use of niacin. A number of clinical trials have evaluated HDL-C modification from use of a CETP inhibitor. All of the studies have demonstrated significant increases in HDL-C. To date, the outcome data are not favorable. Use of torcetrapib was associated with excess mortality. Use of dalcetrapib had no effect on short-term and long-term cardiovascular events. Two outcome studies with anacetrapib and evacetrapib are ongoing and will report out in a few years' time. Summary Pharmacological manipulation of HDL-C has not improved the cardiovascular outcomes. Several agents have caused harm or unacceptable side-effects. Further studies are needed before one can recommend the use of additional lipid-modifying therapies beyond statins.
Identifying areas at risk of low birth weight using spatial epidemiology: A small area surveillance study.

Abstract Objectives To assess the geographic distribution of Low Birth Weight (LBW) in New York State among singleton births using a spatial regression approach in order to identify priority areas for public health actions. Methods LBW was defined as birth weight less than 2500 g. Geocoded data from 562,586 birth certificates in New York State (years 2008–2012) were merged with 2010 census data at the tract level. To provide stable estimates and maintain confidentiality, data were aggregated to yield 1268 areas of analysis. LBW prevalence among singleton births was related with area-level behavioral, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics using a Poisson mixed effects spatial error regression model. Results Observed low birth weight showed statistically significant auto-correlation in our study area (Moran's I 0.16 p value 0.0005). After over-dispersion correction and accounting for fixed effects for selected social determinants, spatial autocorrelation was fully accounted for (Moran's I − 0.007 p value 0.241). The proportion of LBW was higher in areas with larger Hispanic or Black populations and high smoking prevalence. Smoothed maps with predicted prevalence were developed to identify areas at high risk of LBW. Spatial patterns of residual variation were analyzed to identify unique risk factors. Conclusion Neighborhood racial composition contributes to disparities in LBW prevalence beyond differences in behavioral and socioeconomic factors. Small-area analyses of LBW can identify areas for targeted interventions and display unique local patterns that should be accounted for in prevention strategies.
HCMV Envelope Antigens Induce Both Humoral and Cellular Immunity in Guinea Pigs

AbstractAntibody and cellular immunity were measured in guinea pigs immunized with whole virion, with nucleocapsids of human cytomegalovirus or with solubilized antigens containing virus envelope proteins. All the three types of immunogens induced the production of humoral antibody as well as cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific cellular immunity. In immunization experiments envelope antigen was as effective as immunization with whole virion.
Single turnover of substrate-bound ferric cysteine dioxygenase with superoxide anion: enzymatic reactivation, product formation, and a transient intermediate.

Cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) is a non-heme mononuclear iron enzyme that catalyzes the O2-dependent oxidation of l-cysteine (Cys) to produce cysteine sulfinic acid (CSA). In this study we demonstrate that the catalytic cycle of CDO can be “primed” by one electron through chemical oxidation to produce CDO with ferric iron in the active site (FeIII-CDO, termed 2). While catalytically inactive, the substrate-bound form of FeIII-CDO (2a) is more amenable to interrogation by UV–vis and EPR spectroscopy than the ‘as-isolated’ FeII-CDO enzyme (1). Chemical-rescue experiments were performed in which superoxide (O2•-) anions were introduced to 2a to explore the possibility that a FeIII-superoxide species represents the first intermediate within the catalytic pathway of CDO. In principle, O2•– can serve as a suitable acceptor for the remaining 3-electrons necessary for CSA formation and regeneration of the active FeII-CDO enzyme (1). Indeed, addition of O2•– to 2a resulted in the rapid formation of a transient species...
Wroński's Canons of Logarithms

As everyone knows, the electronic computer and the hand calculator have made tables of logarithms all but obsolete as practical aids to calculation. The history of these tables, however, glistens with examples of remarkable diligence and ingenuity. There may be no more striking example of cleverness in this area than Wrofiski's "canons of logarithms." This does not seem too strong a claim to make for a scheme that made it possible to put a seven-place table of common logarithms, in readable type, on a single page less than 17 cm by 22 cm in size.
The Ascigerous Stage of Colletotrichum Lagenarium Induced by Ultra-Violet Irradiation

Colletotrichum lagenarium (Pass.) Ellis & Hals. This was first described by Passerini in 1867 l as a Fusarium and what may have been the same fungus was seen by Berkeley in 1871-76 on various cucurbits.2 It was also seen by Roumeguere in 1880 s who on the advice of Saccardo transferred it to the genus Gloeosporium. It was listed in America in 1885.4 The presence of setae in the acervuli was first noted in 1889 and in 1893 Ellis and Halsted gave to the fungus its present name.5 It is now known in Italy, England, France, Australia, America, and, being the cause of a disease of serious economic importance, it has many times been the subject of observation and extensive study. Although sixty-two years have elapsed since the first record of this fungus, during which time many mycologists in many countries have observed, studied and cultured it and always with close observation for the perithecial stage, no one has heretofore succeeded in finding such stage. Perithecia, however, have been produced abundantly by irradiation 6 with ultra-violet, and only by this means, upon two strains of C. lagenarium, one my own isolation from melons
“I’m Not Just Runnin’ the Streets” Exposure to Neighborhood Violence and Violence Management Strategies Among Urban Youth of Color

This article examines the experiences of 25 youth of color living in East Oakland, California. Building on empirical studies examining violence prevention efforts on the behalf of and among youth and using an ethnographic approach, this study samples young people, with varying levels of education, income, and motivation for involvement, attending the same youth-serving organization in East Oakland. The findings offer a frame of “violence management strategies” for the active ways in which youth strategically avoid unsafe spaces and people and seek out safe spaces and people on a daily basis within their neighborhoods marked by high rates of crime, violence, and physical disorder. These findings lift up youth as experts of their own neighborhoods. The implications of these findings for adolescent research, practice, and policy are discussed.
Public Perceptions of the Justifiability of Police Shootings: The Role of Body Cameras in a Pre- and Post-Ferguson Experiment

We conducted two studies, wherein participants from across the United States watched, heard, or read the transcript of an actual police shooting event. The data for Study 1 were collected prior to ...
Capsule Commentary on Gao, et al., Characteristics Associated with Patient-Centered Medical Home Capability in Health Centers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

T his study by Gao et al. examined characteristics of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to determine factors that were predictive of patient-centered medical home (PCMH) capability. The authors abstracted FQHC data from several sources and identified variables likely to be associated with PCMH capability. They then identified correlations between these HC characteristics and PCMH capability. Their results showed that the presence of an electronic health record (EHR), the number of types of financial performance incentives, and the number of types of hospital–health center affiliations were predictive of PCMH capability. The authors rated PCMH capability using the Safety Net Medical Home Scale (SNMHS) which was created by this research team using data from the 2009 Commonwealth Fund National Survey of Federally Qualified Health Centers. The data source for the three predictive characteristics identified in the study was the same survey used to create their capability assessment tool, the SNMHS. As the Commonwealth Fund Survey specifically assessed the presence and use of EHRs, it is not surprising that having an EHR in place was found to be predictive of greater PCMH capability based on the SNMHS. In addition, as the authors point out, identifying the EHR as a factor in predicting PCMH capability is less important given that, by 2014, 97 % of FQHCs had adopted an EHR. More interesting, however, are the findings that PCMH capability was associated with provider financial incentives and network affiliations. These data support the ongoing incorporation of PCMH and National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) standards in both FQHC designation requirements and provider incentives. What remains unclear is how to properly align financial incentives to support increased PCMH capability. It is important to note that these authors evaluated PCMH capability, as assessed by their survey instrument, and did not include any patient-level outcomes. Assessment of PCMH achievement via outcomes rather than structural or process elements remains an essential yet elusive goal. Outcomes data related to FQHC PCMH implementation, including ongoing demonstration projects, will likely contribute substantially to the growing base of evidence related to the PCMH.
Optimization of tomographic reconstruction workflows on geographically distributed resources

New technological advancements in synchrotron light sources enable data acquisitions at unprecedented levels. This emergent trend affects not only the size of the generated data but also the need for larger computational resources. Although beamline scientists and users have access to local computational resources, these are typically limited and can result in extended execution times. Applications that are based on iterative processing as in tomographic reconstruction methods require high-performance compute clusters for timely analysis of data. Here, time-sensitive analysis and processing of Advanced Photon Source data on geographically distributed resources are focused on. Two main challenges are considered: (i) modeling of the performance of tomographic reconstruction workflows and (ii) transparent execution of these workflows on distributed resources. For the former, three main stages are considered: (i) data transfer between storage and computational resources, (i) wait/queue time of reconstruction jobs at compute resources, and (iii) computation of reconstruction tasks. These performance models allow evaluation and estimation of the execution time of any given iterative tomographic reconstruction workflow that runs on geographically distributed resources. For the latter challenge, a workflow management system is built, which can automate the execution of workflows and minimize the user interaction with the underlying infrastructure. The system utilizes Globus to perform secure and efficient data transfer operations. The proposed models and the workflow management system are evaluated by using three high-performance computing and two storage resources, all of which are geographically distributed. Workflows were created with different computational requirements using two compute-intensive tomographic reconstruction algorithms. Experimental evaluation shows that the proposed models and system can be used for selecting the optimum resources, which in turn can provide up to 3.13× speedup (on experimented resources). Moreover, the error rates of the models range between 2.1 and 23.3% (considering workflow execution times), where the accuracy of the model estimations increases with higher computational demands in reconstruction tasks.
Reputation Without Repeated Interaction: A Role for Public Disclosures

This paper conductsan experiment to investigate the economic effect of public disclosureswithin a multi-move adaptation of the Prisoner's Dilemma game.The game, which has multiple equilibria, is characterized by:(1) a stochastic endpoint, (2) random, repeated pairings withanonymous partners, and (3) public disclosures concerning thecurrent partner's previous strategies. In the experiment, cooperationis improved by the disclosures. In addition, subjects cooperatemore frequently when encountering a player who has tended tocooperate in the past, and less frequently when encounteringa player who has tended to defect in the past. Delayed disclosureleads to levels of cooperation only slightly less than thoseobtained with timely disclosure.
On the temporal and spatial characteristics of tornado days in the United States

More tornadoes are produced per year in the United States than in any other country, and these tornadoes have produced tremendous losses of life and property. Understanding how tornado activity will respond to climate change is important if we wish to prepare for future changes. Trends in various tornado and tornado day characteristics, including their annual frequencies, their temporal variability, and their spatial distributions, have been reported in the past few years. This study contributes to this body of literature by further analyzing the temporal and spatial characteristics of tornado days in the United States. The analyses performed in this study support previously reported findings in addition to providing new perspectives, including that the temporal trends are observed only in low-frequency and high-frequency tornado days and that the eastward shift in tornado activity is produced, in part, by the increasing number of high-frequency tornado days, which tend to occur to the east of the traditionally depicted tornado alley in the Great Plains.
Which patients with inoperable vulvar cancer may benefit from brachytherapy in addition to external beam radiation? A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results analysis

Abstract Purpose It is unknown whether brachytherapy after external beam radiation (EBRT + BT) results in improved outcomes compared with EBRT alone for patients with inoperable vulvar cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare survival outcomes for patients who received these treatment modalities. Methods and Materials Data between 1973 and 2011 from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were analyzed. Patients with Federation of International Gynecologists and Obstetricians stage I-IVA vulvar cancer treated with definitive EBRT + BT or EBRT alone were included. Patients with prior surgical resection were excluded. Disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival were compared using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models. Results A total of 649 patients were analyzed, of which 617 received EBRT alone and 32 received EBRT + BT. Median follow-up was 33 months in surviving patients. The use of brachytherapy declined from 16% of cases treated in 1973–1980 to 4% in 2001–2011 (p = 0.04). EBRT + BT vs. EBRT alone was not significantly associated with improved DSS (45% vs. 33% at 5 years) or overall survival (34% vs. 24% at 5 years) on univariate or multivariate analyses. On post hoc subgroup analyses, brachytherapy consolidation was associated with higher 5-year DSS in a composite subgroup that included patients with stage IVA disease, tumor >4 cm, or node-positive disease (52% vs. 27%, p = 0.02). Conclusions Utilization of BT consolidation with EBRT for vulvar cancer is declining in the United States. EBRT + BT is not associated with improved survival compared with EBRT alone in the overall group of patients. Certain subgroups of patients might benefit from brachytherapy, but this hypothesis requires validation in future studies.
Compact high-extinction-ratio silicon photonic variable optical attenuators (VOAs)

We design and demonstrate heat-harvesting two-part compact variable optical attenuators, which provide a high controllable extinction ratio at C- and L-band wavelengths, and multiplex the added channels into a single output port.
Electrode modulated capacitance-electric field nonlinearity in metal-insulator-metal capacitors

Metals with low enthalpy of oxide formation (ΔHox) are used to examine the influence of the metal/dielectric interface, in the absence of a significant interfacial layer oxide (ILO), on the voltage nonlinearity of capacitance for metal-insulator-metal capacitors. For both atomic layer deposited Al2O3 and HfO2 dielectrics, Ag electrode devices show the lowest quadratic electric field coefficient of capacitance (αECC), followed in increasing order by Au, Pd, and Ni. The difference between the metals is greater for thinner dielectrics, which is consistent with increased influence of the interface. In addition, with decreasing dielectric thickness the quadratic voltage field coefficient of capacitance increases, whereas αECC decreases. It is proposed that the thickness dependencies are due to an interaction between vertical compression of the dielectric under an applied bias and the concomitant lateral expansion induced stress that is concentrated near the interface. Through this interaction, the metal interf...
Strategies to Improve Quality of Life at the End of Life: Interdisciplinary Team Perspectives:

This ethnographic study draws on the experiences of members of interdisciplinary care teams working with end-of-life care patients to identify strategies to improve quality of life through care practices. We surveyed 133 staff and volunteers (physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, chaplains, administrators, and volunteers) who provide end-of-life care to patients in both home and institutional settings for 4 organizations in 2 counties in Upstate New York. Survey responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results identified numerous strategies to enhance and safeguard quality of life for end-of-life care patients and their family members. These strategies can be categorized into 6 domains: organization philosophy and mission; organizational policies; caregivers' behaviors and practices; symptom management; facility design, operation and management; and patient, family member, and caregiver experience. The diverse list of identified strategies indicates that improving care to address the unique, complex, multilayered dimensions of quality of life at the end of life requires a multidisciplinary approach and consistency among care providers, including administration, clinical management, front-line caregivers, and support staff. When all of these strategies are used in harmony, care can truly be enhanced.
Exploring User Learnability and Learning Performance in an App for Depression: Usability Study.

Background: Mental health apps tend to be narrow in their functioning, with their focus mostly being on tracking, management, or psychoeducation. It is unclear what capability such apps have to facilitate a change in users, particularly in terms of learning key constructs relating to behavioral interventions. Thought Challenger (CBITs, Chicago) is a skill-building app that engages users in cognitive restructuring, a core component of cognitive therapy (CT) for depression. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the learnability and learning performance of users following initial use of Thought Challenger. Methods: Twenty adults completed in-lab usability testing of Thought Challenger, which comprised two interactions with the app. Learnability was measured via completion times, error rates, and psychologist ratings of user entries in the app; learning performance was measured via a test of CT knowledge and skills. Nonparametric tests were conducted to evaluate the difference between individuals with no or mild depression to those with moderate to severe depression, as well as differences in completion times and pre- and posttests. Results: Across the two interactions, the majority of completion times were found to be acceptable (5 min or less), with minimal errors (1.2%, 10/840) and successful completion of CT thought records. Furthermore, CT knowledge and skills significantly improved after the initial use of Thought Challenger (P=.009). Conclusions: The learning objectives for Thought Challenger during initial uses were successfully met in an evaluation with likely end users. The findings therefore suggest that apps are capable of providing users with opportunities for learning of intervention skills. [JMIR Hum Factors 2017;4(3):e18]
Constraint Programming Approach for Scheduling Jobs With Release Times, Non-Identical Sizes, and Incompatible Families on Parallel Batching Machines

We study a parallel batch-scheduling problem that involves the constraints of different job release times, non-identical job sizes, and incompatible job families, is addressed. Mixed integer programming and constraint programming (CP) models are proposed and tested on a set of common problem instances from a paper in the literature. Then, we compare the performance of the models with that of a variable neighborhood search (VNS) heuristic from the same paper. Computational results show that CP outperforms VNS with respect to solution quality and run time by 3.4%–6.8% and 47%–91%, respectively. When compared to optimal solutions, the results demonstrate CP is capable of generating a near optimal solution in a short amount of time.
Peer teaching of the physical exam: a pilot study.

Background Mastery of the physical exam (PE), and the ability to teach it to peers and medical students, are important milestones for residents (junior doctors); however, several reports indicate that PE skills are in decline. To address this need, we explored the use of peer observation of teaching (POT) as a conceptual framework to develop an innovative approach to PE teaching at the postgraduate medical education level. Innovation We designed a PE POT session to be conducted at the patient bedside, and piloted four sessions in April 2014. Sessions involved a senior medicine resident teaching a focused PE to their team (consisting of two postgraduate first-year residents), while being observed by a peer, followed by feedback anchored in 11 validated measures of clinical teaching. The sessions were completed in 30-35 minutes and were enthusiastically received by residents. Participants valued the interactive approach and the opportunity to exchange feedback with a peer on their PE teaching skills. Implications This pilot using POT methodology to teach the PE addressed mandatory core competencies related to patient care and practice-based learning and improvement. Residents gained insights on their PE teaching skills while interacting with their peers in a novel and reciprocal learning opportunity. This experience helped participants to value their role as PE teachers and generate strategies to change their teaching behaviours. Despite this being a small study, POT offers an innovative approach to teach the PE at the postgraduate level, with the potential to address the gap of PE teaching and learning. Several reports indicate that physical exam skills are in decline.
Ex vivo replication of phenotypic functions of osteocytes through biomimetic 3D bone tissue construction

Osteocytes, residing as 3-dimensionally (3D) networked cells in bone, are well known to regulate bone and mineral homeostasis and have been recently implicated to interact with cancer cells to influence the progression of bone metastases. In this study, a bone tissue consisting of 3D-networked primary human osteocytes and MLO-A5 cells was constructed using: (1) the biomimetic close-packed assembly of 20-25μm microbeads with primary cells isolated from human bone samples and MLO-A5 cells and (2) subsequent perfusion culture in a microfluidic device. With this 3D tissue construction approach, we replicated ex vivo, for the first time, the mechanotransduction function of human primary osteocytes and MLO-A5 cells by correlating the effects of cyclic compression on down-regulated SOST and DKK1 expressions. Also, as an example of using our ex vivo model to evaluate therapeutic agents, we confirmed previously reported findings that parathyroid hormone (PTH) decreases SOST and increases the ratio of RANKL and OPG. In comparison to other in vitro models, our ex vivo model: (1) replicates the cell density, phenotype, and functions of primary human osteocytes and MLO-A5 cells and (2) thus provides a clinically relevant means of studying bone diseases and metastases.
Impact of Heart Transplantation on the Functional Status of US Children With End-Stage Heart Failure

Background:There are limited data describing the functional status (FS) of children after heart transplant (HT). We sought to describe the FS of children surviving at least 1 year after HT, to eval...
Modular Curves as Shimura Variety

Modular varieties classifying abelian varieties with a level structure, given endomorphism subring and polarization, by making the level structure finer and finer, give rise to a tower of varieties. This tower has a strikingly big automorphism group, which can be described by an adele group of an algebraic group. Such a tower with a big adelic automorphism group is called a Shimura variety (of PEL type; see (PAF)) because Shimura was the first to realize that the symmetry given by well-described automorphisms is essential in studying arithmetic problems and automorphic forms defined over the variety (see (Sh4) and his earlier papers quoted there, including (Sh2)).
A Different Take on the Big Bang Theory: Examining the Influence of Asperger Traits on the Perception and Attributional Confidence of a Fictional TV Character Portraying Characteristics of Asperger Syndrome

Research shows that media figures can influence the construction of one’s personal and social identity. However, there are few studies that examine representations of stigmatized groups with develo...
Frequency-Dependent Changes in Resting State Electroencephalogram Functional Networks after Traumatic Brain Injury in Piglets

Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health concern in children, as it can cause chronic cognitive and behavioral deficits. The lack of objective involuntary metrics for the diagnosis o...
Some Basic Concepts

We will discuss some basic concepts and results from the theory of Green’s functions, functionals and distributions. Proofs for most of the results can be easily found in the literature. References that were mostly used have been cited. The mathematical concept of fundamental solutions for a general differential operator is defined and explained before specific operators, equations and applications are considered.
Admissibility of Hearsay Statements in the Direct Examination of an Expert Witness

In Commonwealth v. Piantedosi , 87 N.E.3d 549 (Mass. 2017), the Supreme Judicial Court of Massa chusetts reviewed the case of a defendant who challenged the trial court judge's decision to exclude expert witness testimony based on hearsay and the instructions made to the jury about the consequences
Contextual factors impacting feedback practices for non‐English L2 writing

Within the growing body of work on L2 writing, most of the literature on teacher feedback addresses issues related to writing in English, with relatively little literature focusing on feedback in other languages. Due to the sociolinguistic status of English versus other languages, the varying roles that writing can play in target‐language instruction, language‐specific factors, and the presence of heritage language learners in some classrooms, feedback on learners' writing in non‐English L2s differs in salient ways from that which instructors provide in ESL and EFL contexts. This article discusses these issues and provides suggestions for pedagogy as well as directions for future research.
Driving Ability and Safety in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE To identify whether rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with driving ability and/or the use of assistive devices or modifications to improve driving ability. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines of RA and driving ability/adaptations by searching multiple databases from inception to April 2018. Eligible studies were original articles in the English language that had quantitative data regarding the study objective and at least 5 RA patients. Similar outcomes were extracted across studies and grouped into categories for review. RESULTS Our search yielded 1,935 potential reports, of which 22 fulfilled eligibility criteria, totaling 6,285 RA patients. The prevalence of driving issues in RA was highly variable among the studies. Some of the shared themes addressed in these publications included RA in association with rates of motor vehicle crashes, self-reported driving difficulty, inability to drive, use of driving adaptations, use of assistance by other people for transport, and difficulty with general transportation. CONCLUSION Despite variability among individual reports, driving difficulties and the use of driving adaptations are relatively common in individuals with RA. Given the central importance of automobile driving for the quality of life of RA patients, further investigations of driving ability and potential driving adaptations that can help overcome barriers to safe driving are needed.
Effect of Cross-Sex Hormone Therapy on Venous Thromboembolism Risk in Male-to-Female Gender-Affirming Surgery

Individuals with gender dysphoria often seek medical interventions, such as hormone treatment and surgery, to live as their identified gender. Cross-sex hormone therapy typically consists of various estrogen formulations which confer varying risks of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Currently, there is no standard practice by surgeons regarding the preoperative gender-affirming surgery (GAS) hormone regimen of male-to-female (MTF) patients to minimize thromboembolic postoperative complications. The aim of this review is to examine the current literature on VTE occurring in MTF transgender patients on cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) when undergoing various gender-affirming surgeries-facial feminization surgery (FFS), top surgery (TS), and bottom surgery (BS)-to understand how evidence-based recommendations regarding perioperative hormone regimens can be established to improve clinical outcomes. Within the past 25 years, 7 published studies have examined the incidence of VTE in MTF patients undergoing GAS procedures. Two of these articles examined MTF patients undergoing FFS, 1 article reported a patient who had undergone BS and FFS during the same hospitalization, and the remaining 4 articles investigated VTE risk in BS. Our review supports that plastic surgeons who perform GAS are divided on their preferred CSHT protocols, with some requiring patients to suspend their CSHT weeks before surgery and others allowing patients to continue CSHT through the day of surgery. Three of the 7 studies detailed a CSHT perioperative regimen which instructed patients to suspend CSHT sometime before surgery; 1 study tapered CSHT to lower levels before surgery; the remaining 3 studies did not specify a CSHT perioperative regimen. This review highlights the paucity of data failing to support that continuing CSHT through GAS elevates VTE risk. We conclude that in the absence of definitive VTE risk factors (e.g., smoking, clotting disorders, or malignancy), surgeons may engage MTF patients in joint decision-making process to determine the most optimal perioperative CSHT management plan on a case-by-case basis. Future studies are warranted to evaluate VTE risk based on patient age, type of surgery, operating time, prophylactic measures, follow-up time, and CSHT perioperative regimens.
Relational Uncertainty and Taking Conflict Personally: Comparing Parents of Children with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Previous research suggests that parents of children with ASD experience greater marital conflict than parents of children with neurotypical development (NTD). This study examines how relational uncertainty is associated with taking conflict personally among parents of children with or without ASD. Parents of children with ASD (N = 298) and parents of children with NTD (N = 316) completed an online survey. They reported their relational uncertainty, recalled a conflict related to their child, and completed measures of taking conflict personally. The study provides evidence that spouses’ experiences of relational uncertainty may be associated with conflict about topics related to their child. In addition, experiences of self uncertainty may have a greater impact for the parents of children with ASD than parents of children with NTD.
Microsequence analysis of peptides and proteins. I. Preparation of samples by reverse-phase liquid chromatography.

Abstract Reverse-phase supports for the separation of peptides and proteins are compared in two high-performance liquid chromatographic systems. One uses a trifluoroacetic acid-acetonitrile solvent system with a 206-nm detector, and the other uses pyridine-formate or pyridine-acetate and 1-propanol with a postcolumn fluorescence detector. Each system was examined with RP8, RP18, and alkylphenyl supports. In most applications, the trifluoroacetic acid-acetonitrile solvent system used in conjunction with an alkylphenyl column performed best. The use of this system for the preparation of low-microgram amounts of samples for microsequence analysis is illustrated.
From cells-on-a-chip to organs-on-a-chip: scaffolding materials for 3D cell culture in microfluidics

It is an emerging research area to integrate scaffolding materials in microfluidic devices for 3D cell culture (organs-on-a-chip). The technology of organs-on-a-chip holds the potential to obviate the gaps between pre-clinical and clinical studies. As accumulating evidence shows the importance of extracellular matrix in in vitro cell culture, significant efforts have been made to integrate 3D ECM/scaffolding materials in microfluidics. There are two families of materials that are commonly used for this purpose: hydrogels and electrospun fibers. In this review, we briefly discuss the properties of the materials, and focus on the various technologies to obtain the materials (e.g. extraction of collagen from animal tissues) and to include the materials in microfluidic devices. Challenges and potential solutions of the current materials and technologies were also thoroughly discussed. At the end, we provide a perspective on future efforts to make these technologies more translational to broadly benefit pharmaceutical and pathophysiological research.
Elizabeth Elstob, Old English Law and the Origin of Anglo-Saxon Studies: A Critical Edition of Samuel Pegge’s “An Historical Account of … the Textus Roffensis” (1767)

Samuel Pegge’s history of the Textus Roffensis offers the earliest account of the most important surviving manuscript of early English law. Although the accuracy of his account has not gone unchallenged, his essay nonetheless provides vital evidence concerning the early history of the manuscript as well as a vivid picture of English antiquarianism in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Perhaps most importantly, Pegge’s essay contains the earliest complete biography of Elizabeth Elstob, commonly recognized as the first female scholar of Old English and a major figure in the recovery of early English legal culture. Despite its importance, Pegge’s essay is neither widely known nor easily available. The purpose of the proposed edition is to provide a fully annotated version of Pegge’s essay along with an introduction highlighting its contribution to the development of early English legal studies.
Colon volvulus in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at the Oregon National Primate Research Center-Retrospective analysis.

Colonic volvulus is an uncommon, often life-threatening condition, in non-human primates. Twenty-six cases of colonic volvulus in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) were identified in necropsy records spanning 38 years at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC). This report represents the largest collection of colonic volvuli in rhesus macaques.
COMMENT: A Nation of Felons?: Napster, the Net Act, and the Criminal Prosecution of File-Sharing

Introduction 474 I. Background 478 A. The Fury Over MP3 “File-sharing” 478 1. Technology 478 2. Why prosecute, and who? 481 a. Potential defendants 482 b. Prosecutors 484 c. Victims 485 B. The Object of “Theft”: Copyright as Property, Infringement and Defenses 488 1. What is being “stolen”? 488 2. Criminal infringement before the rise of the internet 489 3. Copyright Felony Act of 1992 and No Electronic Theft Act of 1997 491 4. Contributory and vicarious infringement 493 5. Defenses to criminal infringement 497 a. Substantial noninfringing uses 498 b. Fair use 500 6. Copyright legislation in the digital age 502
Developmental Aspects of Drinking through the Young Adult Years

The consumption of alcoholic beverages at any point in the life span of the individual may be viewed from a variety of perspectives. It may be seen as an attribute of personality, in which case the investigator’s primary concern is the stability and predictability of drinking behavior as a function of intraindividual factors. These may be traits, attitudes, motives, or habits whose presence (or absence) or relative degree of strength leads to a greater likelihood that drinking behavior will occur (cf. McClelland, Davis, Kalin, & Wanner, 1972; Williams, 1976). Such a perspective usually implies the presence of some stability of the behavior both across situations and over periods of time.
Incorporating application semantics and control into compilation

Programmers have traditionally been passive users of compilers, rather than active exploiters of their transformational abilities. This paper presents MAGIK, a system that allows programmers to easily and modularly incorporate application-specific extensions into the compilation process. The MAGIK system gives programmers two significant capabilities. First, it provides mechanisms that implementors can use to incorporate application semantics into compilation, thereby enabling both optimizations and semantic checking impossible by other means. Second, since extensions are invoked during the translation from source to machine code, code transformations (such as software fault isolation [14]) can be performed with full access to the symbol and data flow information available to the compiler proper, allowing them both to exploit source semantics and to have their transformations (automatically) optimized as any other code.
Integrating physiological, community, and evolutionary perspectives on the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis1

Our knowledge of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) function is largely based on results from short-term studies in controlled environments. While these have provided many important insights into the pote...
Globalization - Is Nigeria Ready?

Globalization is the integration of national economies through trade and financial interaction with the international economy. Globalization has transformed the world into a global village. Nigeria with current democratic dispensation from 29th May 1999 under the leadership of Chief Olusegun Obansanjo (GCON) has made bold efforts in liberalization and deregulation of the economy in line with current global trends. However, Nigeria is handicapped in this drive on account of the current state of poor infrastructural facilities, the hydra headed corrupt practices within the economy, very high level of wastage and leakages within the economy and the over reliance on crude oil export as the current main stay of the economy. Nigeria is yet to reap the benefits accruing from e-government, e-commerce, tele-education/tele-training, tele-medicine/tele-health, etc. Nigeria needs to clear above impediments before it can actively participate in the current globalization drive.