cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Expression and Modulation of Neuronal Excitability in Guinea Pig Cardiac Ganglia

Cardiac output is regulated by the coordinate interactions of stimulatory sympathetic and inhibitory parasympathetic signals. Intracardiac parasympathetic ganglia are integrative centers of cardiac regulation, and modulation of the parasympathetic drive on the heart is accomplished by altering intrinsic cardiac ganglion neuron excitability. The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)/vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) family of peptides modulates cardiac function, and in guinea pig heart, PACAP appears to act directly on intrinsic parasympathetic cardiac ganglia neurons through PACAP-selective receptors. A multidisciplinary project tested whether cardiac PACAP peptides act through PACAP-selective receptors as excitatory neuromodulators amplifying the parasympathetic inhibition from guinea pig cardiac ganglia. The in vivo sources of regulatory PACAP peptides were localized immunocytochemically to neuronal fibers and a subpopulation of intrinsic postganglionic cardiac neurons. RT-PCR confirmed that cardiac ganglia expressed proPACAP transcripts and have PACAP peptide biosynthetic capabilities. Messenger RNA encoding PACAP-selective PAC1 receptor isoforms were also present in cardiac ganglia. Alternative splicing of PAC1 receptor transcripts produced predominant expression of the very short variant with neither HIP nor HOP cassettes; lower levels of the PAC1HOP2 receptor mRNA were present. Almost all of the parasympathetic neurons expressed membrane-associated PAC1 receptor proteins, localized immunocytochemically, which correlated with the population of cells that responded physiologically to PACAP peptides. PACAP depolarized cardiac ganglia neurons and increased neuronal membrane excitability. The rank order of peptide potency on membrane excitability in response to depolarizing currents was PACAP27>PACAP38>VIP. The PACAP-induced increase in excitability was not a function of membrane depolarization nor was it caused by alterations in action potential configuration. These results support roles for PACAP peptides as integrative modulators amplifying, through PACAP-selective receptors, the parasympathetic cardiac ganglia inhibition of cardiac output.
Shedding light on insight: Priming bright ideas

Previous research has characterized insight as the product of internal processes, and has thus investigated the cognitive and motivational processes that immediately precede it. In this research, however, we investigate whether insight can be catalyzed by a cultural artifact, an external object imbued with learned meaning. Specifically, we exposed participants to an illuminating lightbulb – an iconic image of insight – prior to or during insight problem-solving. Across four studies, exposing participants to an illuminating lightbulb primed concepts associated with achieving an insight, and enhanced insight problem-solving in three different domains (spatial, verbal, and mathematical), but did not enhance general (non-insight) problem-solving.
Vision using routines: A functional account of vision.

This paper presents the case for a functional account of vision. A variety of studies have consistently revealed “change blindness” or insensitivity to changes in the visual scene during an eye movement. These studies indicate that only a small part of the information in the scene is represented in the brain from moment to moment. It is still unclear, however, exactly what is included in visual representations. This paper reviews experiments using an extended visuo-motor task, showing that display changes affect performance differently depending on the observer's place in the task. These effects are revealed by increases in fixation duration following a change. Different task-dependent increases suggest that the visual system represents only the information that is necessary for the immediate visual task. This allows a principled exploration of the stimulus properties that are included in the internal visual representation. The task specificity also has a more general implication that vision should be con...
Transpulmonary atrial pacing: an approach to transvenous pacemaker implantation after extracardiac conduit Fontan surgery.

Transpulmonary Atrial PacingIntroduction Patients with prior extracardiac (EC) conduit Fontan surgery are considered ineligible for transvenous atrial pacemaker implantation due to lack of venous access to the atrial myocardium. A new technique for atrial lead placement in the setting of this surgical anatomy is proposed. Methods and Results A 30-year-old female with prior EC Fontan surgery, incessant supraventricular tachycardia, sinus node dysfunction, and multi-organ failure was admitted to our hospital. After placement of a transvenous lead in the left pulmonary artery (LPA) for temporary pacing with ensuing clinical improvement, the patient was taken back to the catheterization laboratory for definitive treatment. After ablation of the supraventricular tachycardia and 3D mapping of the common atrium, a puncture through the LPA and into the left-sided atrium was performed. A transvenous lead was then attached to the base of the left-sided appendage where excellent pacing and sensing characteristics were observed. Follow-up transesophageal echocardiography revealed stable lead placement and absence of pericardial effusion. The patient was discharged to home several days later on warfarin therapy. Conclusions Transpulmonary access to the left-sided atrium for patients with prior EC Fontan surgery is a feasible strategy for transvenous atrial pacing. Lead placement in this location is associated with excellent pacing characteristics and involves a limited segment of lead within the pulmonary venous atrium. The approach is technically straightforward and avoids the need for surgical pacemaker placement.
Proclaiming the Gospel, Preaching the Public:

When does preaching become public witness, and what problems emerge when public witness regards a matter that belongs to a democratic citizenry? This article addresses these questions in a somewhat roundabout way. It begins in what might be called political sociology and it explores what it might mean to speak and act with a multiply hyphenated political identity. The assumption is that Christians have an identity of precisely this kind and that taking note of this fact will help bring into focus the public character of public witness.
Factors Influencing Job Satisfaction of Student Employees of a Recreational Sports Department at a Large, Four-Year Public Institution: A Case Study

Job satisfaction is among the most researched concepts in the study of organizational behavior, particularly because of managers’ interests in the favorable consequences associated with high job satisfaction. Previous research, however, has largely overlooked part-time employees. This insufficiency is especially problematic for sport and recreation organizations, which often rely heavily on part-time employees to fill specialized roles. The present study was conducted to assess the determinants of job satisfaction among part-time student employees of a university recreational sports department. The results have significant implications for similar organizations. A comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to job satisfaction provides recreational sports administrators with the necessary tools to enhance satisfaction in the student workplace, and ultimately overall productivity.
Immunohistochemical localization of GABAB receptors in the rat central nervous system

The recent cloning of two gamma-aminobutyric acid(B) (GABA(B)) receptor isoforms (GABA(B)R1a/b), which are probably splice variants of the same gene transcript, allowed us to develop an antiserum that recognized the receptors in fixed tissue and to map their distribution in the rat central nervous system (CNS). We also investigated whether GABA(B)R1 colocalizes with glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), a marker of GABAergic cell bodies and terminals. Although GABA(B)R1-like immunoreactivity (GABA(B)R1-LI) was distributed throughout the CNS, several distinct distribution patterns emerged: (1) all monoaminergic brainstem cell groups appeared to contain very high levels of GABA(B)R1, (2) a very high intensity of GABA(B)R1-LI was observed in the majority of the cholinergic regions in the CNS, with exception of motoneurons of the third through sixth cranial nerve nuclei, and (3) a low density of the receptor was observed in most of the nuclei that contain cell bodies of GABAergic projection neurons. The highest GABA(B)R1 labeling was observed in the thalamus, interpeduncular nucleus and medial habenula. Cell bodies were labeled throughout the neuroaxis. We also observed dense neuropil labeling in many regions, suggesting that this receptor is localized in dendrites and/or axon terminals. However, in immunofluorescent double-labeling experiments for GABA(B)R1 and GAD, we never observed GABA(B)R1-LI in GAD-positive axon terminals; this result suggests that the GABA(B)R1 may not function as an autoreceptor. Double labeling was observed in the cell bodies of Purkinje neurons and in some interneurons. In general, the immunohistochemical localization of the GABA(B)R1 correlates well with physiologic and autoradiographic data on the distribution of GABA(B) receptors, but some critical differences were noted. Thus, it is likely that additional GABA(B) receptor subtypes remain to be identified.
Effects of Marijuana on Spleen Lymphocytes from Mice of Different Age Groups

Marijuana has widespread use, both as a recreational drug and as an anti-emetic obtained by prescription of a synthesized version (Marinol). A number of laboratories, including this one, have been concerned with the effect of marijuana and its components on the immune response. In 1974, Nahas et al., (1 ) reported a decrease in the ability of lymphocytes obtained from chronic marijuana smokers to proliferate to mitogens or allogeneic antigens in vitro. Since this time, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the most psychoactive component of marijuana, has been shown to impact on cell proliferation in general (2,3), as well as on specific cell types including effector functions of NK cells (4,5), neutrophils (6) and macrophages (7,8). Further, there is increasing evidence that THC influences production of hormones and cytokines including s-endorphins, plasma prolactin, and various cytokines including IL-2 and interferon (9,10).
Moving towards more equitable and integrated approaches for tobacco control and non-communicable diseases: invited commentary

Wipfli and Samet incisively describe the many challenges that the global non-communicable disease (NCD) movement faces, and the lessons tobacco control can offer it.1 Notably though, while global tobacco control offers one of the few proven strategies for NCD control, its successes have not been spread equally around the world. An inverse gradient of tobacco control success is emerging between wealth and tobacco burden (within and between countries). Stunning successes in …
Analytical process damping stability prediction

Abstract This paper describes an analytical solution for turning and milling stability that includes process damping effects. Comparisons between the new analytical solution, time-domain simulation, and experiment are provided. The velocity-dependent process damping model applied in the analysis relies on a single coefficient similar to the specific cutting force approach to modeling cutting force. The process damping coefficient is identified experimentally using a flexure-based machining setup for a selected tool-workpiece pair (carbide insert-AISI 1018 steel). The effects of tool wear and cutting edge relief angle are also evaluated. It is shown that a smaller relief angle or higher wear results in increased process damping and improved stability at low spindle speeds.
Can neural networks do better than the Vapnik-Chervonenkis bounds?

We describe a series of careful numerical experiments which measure the average generalization capability of neural networks trained on a variety of simple functions. These experiments are designed to test whether average generalization performance can surpass the worst-case bounds obtained from formal learning theory using the Vapnik-Chervonenkis dimension (Blumer et al., 1989). We indeed find that, in some cases, the average generalization is significantly better than the VC bound: the approach to perfect performance is exponential in the number of examples m, rather than the 1/m result of the bound. In other cases, we do find the 1/m behavior of the VC bound, and in these cases, the numerical prefactor is closely related to prefactor contained in the bound.
Presence as Being-in-the-World

An alternative view of presence is introduced based on existential philosophy and ecological psychology. This view favors a Heideggerian/Gibsonian metaphysic over the more conventional rationalistic orientation. In this alternative view, notions of subjective presence and objective presence no longer exist. Presence is instead tied to one's successfully supported action in the environment, this environment being either virtual or real. The coupling between perception and action is crucial for determining the extent to which actions are successfully supported. It is argued that this alternative view provides needed guidance and simplification for the evaluation of presence.
Simultaneous, Single-Cell Measurement of Messenger RNA, Cell Surface Proteins, and Intracellular Proteins

Nucleic acid content can be quantified by flow cytometry through the use of intercalating compounds; however, measuring the presence of specific sequences has hitherto been difficult to achieve by this methodology. The primary obstacle to detecting discrete nucleic acid sequences by flow cytometry is their low quantity and the presence of high background signals, rendering the detection of hybridized fluorescent probes challenging. Amplification of nucleic acid sequences by molecular techniques such as in situ PCR have been applied to single-cell suspensions, but these approaches have not been easily adapted to conventional flow cytometry. An alternative strategy implements a Branched DNA technique, comprising target-specific probes and sequentially hybridized amplification reagents, resulting in a theoretical 8,000- to 16,000-fold increase in fluorescence signal amplification. The Branched DNA technique allows for the quantification of native and unmanipulated mRNA content with increased signal detection and reduced background. This procedure utilizes gentle fixation steps with low hybridization temperatures, leaving the assayed cells intact to permit their concomitant immunophenotyping. This technology has the potential to advance scientific discovery by correlating potentially small quantities of mRNA with many biological measurements at the single-cell level.
"Cultivating Ways of Thinking": The Developmental Teaching Perspective in Academic Advising.

Although academic advising is recognized as an important piece in college student retention, the complexity of the activity and its pedagogical potential continues to be overlooked by institutional stakeholders and advisors themselves. Many outside the field do not fully recognize its purpose and potential, but increasingly advising is seen as a teaching and learning endeavor. Despite the clear connection between teaching and advising, many advisors might still see their roles as course recommenders rather than teachers who are fundamental constituents of an institution's teaching mission. Developmental academic advising is an approach concerned the "whole student," challenging students to develop in academic, career, and personal vectors. Developmental advising positions the activity to be a truly educative endeavor. In this paper, I discuss eight aspects of developmental advising/advisors identified through reflecting upon of my practice.
1,4-Diphenalkylpiperidines: A new scaffold for the design of potent inhibitors of the vesicular monoamine transporter-2

Abstract A series of 1,4-diphenalkylpiperidine analogs were synthesized and evaluated for their affinity and inhibitory potency at the [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine (DTBZ) binding site and [3H]dopamine (DA) uptake site on the vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2). Results revealed that translocation of the phenethyl side chains of lobelane from C2 and C6 to C1 and C4 around the central piperidine ring slightly reduces affinity and inhibitory potency at VMAT2 with respect to lobelane. However, methoxy and fluoro-substitution of either phenyl ring of these 1,4-diphenethyl analogs afforded VMAT2 inhibition comparable or higher (5-fold) affinity at the DTBZ binding and DA uptake sites relative to lobelane, whereas replacement of the 4-phenethyl moiety in these analogs with a 4-phenmethyl moiety markedly reduced affinity for the DTBZ binding and DA uptake sites by 3- and 5-fold, respectively. Among the twenty five 1,4-diphenethylpiperidine analogs evaluated, compounds containing a 4-(2-methoxyphenethyl) moiety exhibited the most potent inhibition of DTBZ binding and vesicular DA uptake. From this subgroup, analogs 8h, 8j and 8m exhibited Ki values of 9.3 nM, 13 nM and 13 nM, respectively, for inhibition of [3H]DA uptake by VMAT2, and represent some of the most potent inhibitors of VMAT2 function reported thus far.
Hygienics and chemical examination of nitrobenzene

Nitrobenzene is one of the contamination in environment.This paper discussed the hygienics of nitrobenzene and gives the general kind,the harm of health and the source of pollution,and the chemical examination.
AC and DC Pollution Flashover Performance of Multiple Parallel Suspension Insulators

Multiple parallel suspension insulators are applied in UHV lines to meet some mechanical requirements. Hence we investigated the pollution flashover performance of multiple parallel insulators by means of artificial contamination tests under both AC and DC voltages. The tests were performed using two-string, three-string, four-string, and six-string parallel insulators. The results show that pollution flashover voltages of multiple parallel insulators are lower than those of single insulator strings. This is because not only that multiple strings increase the pollution flashover probability, but also that they are affected by the ionization of air. When the parallel number is less than four, pollution flashover voltage is about 4% lower than that of a single string, and if the parallel number is no less than four, the flashover voltage can be reduced by more than 10%. Hence, it is suggested that in applications of multiple parallel insulators, the number of porcelain insulators should be increased by 8% from the original value, and the insulation length of composite insulator should be increased by 5%. The conclusion of this work can provide a technical reference for external insulation design and construction of UHV transmission lines.
Recurrent Ileal Conduit Hemorrhage in an Elderly Cirrhotic Man

AbstractOne recognized complication of portal hypertension in a patient with an ileal urinary conduit is variceal hemorrhage. The definitive treatment for this rare complication is controversial. Local measures, sclerotherapy, stomal revision and various operative portacaval shunts have been described but they have had limited long-term success. Using a recently developed interventional radiological technique, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was created in a cirrhotic man who had recurrent massive ileal conduit variceal hemorrhage. After the procedure the patient experienced no further life threatening stomal hemorrhage. He died of hepatic failure 6 months later.
Dual-width plasmonic gratings with sub-10 nm gaps for biosensor applications

Fabrication of dual-width plasmonic gratings with sub-10 nm gaps has been made possible by a recently developed technique. Studying the effects of various material and geometrical parameters on the optical response of these gratings will prove useful to future fabrication of devices. The ability to tune the widths of both wires in the periodic array allows for optimization of the response based not only on one nanowire geometry, but the hybridization of the two. The structures hold potential to be used as a substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in the detection of different chemical analytes, with biosensing as a major area of interest. The ability to tune the structures to different wavelengths makes this a potentially attractive method of fabricating sensor substrates capable of enhancing otherwise weak analyte signals. Here, preliminary computational results are shown for a study of the effects of a SiO2 layer on the substrate containing a plasmonic grating
Designing Technology-Enabled Instruction to Utilize Learning Analytics

A key notion conveyed by those who advocate for the use of data to enhance instruction is an awareness that learning analytics has the potential to improve instruction and learning but is not currently reaching that potential. Gibbons (2014) suggested that a lack of learning facilitated by current technology-enabled instructional systems may be due in part to the natural tendency of many designers to focus on the surface layers of instruction (i.e., the content and control layers), while failing to adequately design the internal (less visible) aspects (e.g., the data management layer). In this paper, we outline phases in the design process related to the data management layer that should be considered when integrating learning analytics into a technology-enabled learning system.
Impact of a fictional reading intervention on empathy development in student pharmacists

Abstract Objective Determine the impact of a short longitudinal literary fiction intervention on empathy development in student pharmacists as measured by the Jefferson Scale of Empathy – Health Profession Students (JSE-HPS) version. Methods Twenty-one student pharmacists were randomized to an intervention consisting of reading short excerpts of literary fiction over eight weeks (n=11) or a control group not participating in the intervention (n=10). Both groups completed the JSE-HPS at baseline and completion of the literary intervention. Categorical data were compared using a chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and continuous data were compared using paired or independent t -tests for within and across group comparisons respectively. Results JSE-HPS scores increased in the intervention group (112.1±10.7 to 116.1±7.4; p=0.201) while they decreased in the control group (118.7±12.6 to 113.0±15.9; p=0.188). Changes across groups were not statistically significant (p=0.061). Conclusions Students randomized to an eight-week literature intervention demonstrated a non-statistically significant increase in empathy as measured by the JSE-HPS questionnaire. Similar increases were not observed in students randomized to a control group. As a result, this intervention may represent a novel way to foster empathy in student pharmacists using an intervention requiring few resources. Further research is needed with larger sample sizes, ideally across multiple institutions, in order to validate the effectiveness of this intervention.
Domain walls in finite-width nanowires with interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction

It is widely known that the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) may stabilize N\'eel walls rather than Bloch walls in magnetic thin films. When the DMI is weak, it results in a ``tilted'' Bloch wall. However, for most applications, domain walls are in nanowires rather than thin films. Here we present a semianalytic two-parameter calculation for the static domain wall in a nanowire of finite width and thickness, with DMI. The DMI strength that is needed to force a N\'eel wall is smaller in nanowires than in films due to demagnetizing energy. Even nanowires that are hundreds of nanometers wide may have different domain wall solutions than thin films and so their finite size must be considered. The impact of this result on current experiments is briefly discussed. We extend the model to show that applying a weak magnetic field allows the domain wall type to be tuned.
Case report: Primary osteomyelitis of the sternum in a seven-month-old male

Abstract Primary sternal osteomyelitis (PSO) in the pediatric population is a rare infection with potentially catastrophic ramifications. We describe a case in a seven-month-old male patient who presented without evidence of trauma or a source of infection. Open sternal biopsies and cultures revealed Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus (MSSA) as the organism. We discuss the preoperative and surgical management of this patient as well as the antibiotic treatment strategy.
Inventing the Future: Narrativity, Agency, and Dynamic Systems Theory

ABSTRACTThe Association for Child Psychoanalysis, founded by Marianne Kris, celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in this lecture. Kris’s own paper, “The Use of Prediction in a Longitudinal Study” (Kris 1957), is the cornerstone of this lecture, and signals the importance for child analysts to contemplate the time zone of the future as children mature, despite the unreliability of prediction. Inspired by a host of postmodern historians, devotees of the perilous problems inherent in foresight, I modified a methodology they developed to consider these issues from a psychoanalytic practitioner’s perspective. Creating a series of futuristic stories that could happen—each containing the elements of plausibility, surprise, and unpredictability—mirrors Kris’s emphasis on keeping one eye cocked toward the unanticipated unspooling of the developmental process. One important by-product of this work is one’s awareness of how the child analyst conceptualizes his or her child patient’s history. Consciously or preconscio...
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in 22 Children With Microcephaly of Different Etiologies

We examined longitudinal neurodevelopmental outcomes in a series of infants with microcephaly. Retrospective review identified neonatal intensive care unit follow-up clinic patients with a diagnostic code of microcephaly, verified by head circumference less than the fifth precentile (WHO growth curves). Data were collected regarding clinical history and developmental assessments by Capute Scales and gross motor age equivalent. Developmental Quotient (DQ) was age adjusted up until 2 years for preterm infants. Twenty-two infants had microcephaly. At latest follow-up (3-66 months, mean 27.2), 73% had delay (DQ < 70) in ≥1 area of development: gross motor 65% (mean DQ 56.8), visual-motor 59% (mean DQ 62.7), and language 59% (mean DQ 65.9). In this sample, postnatal onset and diagnosis of epilepsy were associated with lower DQs. We conclude that infants with microcephaly are at significant risk for delay across all aspects of development and for long-term disability. Postnatal etiologies of microcephaly and infants with comorbid epilepsy had worse outcomes.
Empathy, Teacher Dispositions, and Preparation for Culturally Responsive Pedagogy:

Culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) offers elaborate empirical and theoretical conventions for becoming an effective teacher of diverse youth. Empathy has been found to improve classroom teachers’...
Dental Treatment Planning for the Patient with Oral Cancer

Oral cancer therapy is associated with a multitude of head and neck sequelae that includes, but is not limited to, hyposalivation, increased risk for dental caries, osteoradionecrosis of the jaw, radiation fibrosis syndrome, mucositis, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, dysgeusia, dysphagia, mucosal lesions, trismus, and infections. Preparing a comprehensive treatment plan for patients undergoing cancer therapy is essential to help minimize their risks for developing these oral and dental complications. In addition, dentists must take into account a patient's ongoing oncologic therapy for those patients who present to the dentist while concurrently receiving cancer treatment.
Abstract WMP4: Thrombectomy-only versus Combined Intravenous Alteplase and Thrombectomy: Meta-analysis

Introduction: Contraindications for intravenous thrombolysis are not infrequent (eg. anticoagulation, recent surgery, unclear last known well). With overwhelming recent evidence supporting the use of endovascular thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusive stroke, we conducted a metaanalysis to compare long-term functional outcome between thrombectomy-alone versus combined IV-tPA and thrombectomy. Hypothesis: Patients with acute ischemic stroke ineligible for IV-tPA treated with thrombectomy-alone have equally favorable long-term functional outcomes to patients treated with combined IV-tPA and thrombectomy Methods: Searched PubMed from 2014-2016 using pre-specified terms for studies that report odds ratio of improvement in mRS score at 90 days comparing thrombectomy vs IV-tPA stratified by whether patients had received IV-tPA. Multivariate adjusted odds ratios were used for the metaanalysis. Pooled odds ratio estimates across trials were synthesized by using a random-effects model based on Mantel-Haenszel methods. The pooled estimates were compared between thrombectomy-alone and combined IV-tPA and thrombectomy. Forest plots constructed. Results: Of the 920 studies, 3 studies reported subgroup analysis with 822 participants, 19.5% (N=160) received thrombectomy-alone, 80.5% (N=662) received combined IV-tPA and thrombectomy. Among patients who received thrombectomy-alone, the pooled odds ratio of good functional outcome at 3 months was 2.48 (1.43-4.30), in the combined IV-tPA and thrombectomy group the pooled odds ratio was 1.85 (1.37-2.49). Conclusions: Endovascular therapy was an effective therapy for patients ineligible for IV-tPA presenting with acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusive disease. While IV-tPA should not be withheld before thrombectomy in IV-tPA eligible patients, prospective studies are needed to select those who may benefit more from thrombectomy-only treatment.
Resident Microbiome Disruption with Antibiotics Enhances Virulence of a Colonizing Pathogen

There is growing evidence that symbiotic microbes play key roles in host defense, but less is known about how symbiotic microbes mediate pathogen-induced damage to hosts. Here, we use a natural wildlife disease system, house finches and the conjunctival bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), to experimentally examine the impact of the ocular microbiome on host damage and pathogen virulence factors during infection. We disrupted the ocular bacterial community of healthy finches using an antibiotic that MG is intrinsically resistant to, then inoculated antibiotic- and sham-treated birds with MG. House finches with antibiotic-disrupted ocular microbiomes had more severe MG-induced conjunctival inflammation than birds with unaltered microbiomes, even after accounting for differences in conjunctival MG load. Furthermore, MG cultures from finches with disrupted microbiomes had increased sialidase enzyme and cytadherence activity, traits associated with enhanced virulence in Mycoplasmas, relative to isolates from sham-treated birds. Variation in sialidase activity and cytadherence among isolates was tightly linked with degree of tissue inflammation in hosts, supporting the consideration of these traits as virulence factors in this system. Overall, our results suggest that microbial dysbiosis can result in enhanced virulence of colonizing pathogens, with critical implications for the health of wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.
Path planning and aggregation for a microrobot swarm in vascular networks using a global input

Microrobots have great potential for microassembly and non-invasive surgery applications. Motivated by studies proposing MRI-guided drug delivery to tumor cells using magnetic micro carriers, this paper studies two major challenges of this problem: (i) microrobot swarm trajectory generation, and (ii) swarm aggregation using a global input. We propose an augmented RRT for trajectory generation to reduce environment interference, and a divide-and-conquer algorithm for swarm aggregation to improve performance. Simulations demonstrate the utility of these approaches in comparison to alternate heuristics. Our trajectory generation and aggregation strategies are implemented on a swarm of ferromagnetic microparticles in oil using a 6-coil electromagnetic system with image feedback.
Energetic costs of performance in trained and untrained Anolis carolinensis lizards.

The energetic costs of performance constitute a non-trivial component of animals’ daily energetic budgets. However, we currently lack an understanding of how those costs are partitioned among the various stages of performance development, maintenance, and production. We manipulated individual investment in performance by training Anolis carolinensis lizards for endurance or sprinting ability. We then measured energetic expenditure both at rest and immediately following exercise to test whether such training alters the maintenance and production costs of performance. Trained lizards had lower resting metabolic rates than controls, suggestive of a maintenance saving associated with enhanced performance as opposed to a cost. Production costs also differed, with sprint-trained lizards incurring the largest energetic performance cost and experiencing the longest recovery times compared to endurance trained and control animals. Although performance training modifies metabolism, production costs are probably the key drivers of trade-offs between performance and other life-history traits in this species.
Political connections of the boards of directors and department of defense contractorsʼ excessive profits

Despite fast-growing interest in research on political connections, most papers on this topic belong to the economics or public administration fields. Few studies, if any, look into the role of firmsʼ political connections in the Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition area. This paper attempts to bridge this gap by investigating the impact of political connections on the excessive profitability of DoD contractors. We find that, in contrast to what the “corruption hypothesis” predicts, the excessive profits are less (more) pronounced for those contractors with politically connected (non-connected) boards. Our findings suggest that those politically connected board directors may use their experience to serve a benevolent role to the public in keeping DoD contractors from opportunistic profitseeking behaviors that could reach or even cross the federal governmentʼs regulatory redline.
Using two preferred retinal loci for different lighting conditions in patients with central scotomas.

Purpose. Using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope, it was found that some patients with relative central scotomas reliably used two different preferred retinal loci (PRLs) at different stimulus illuminances. This article describes adaptations in a patient's PRL for fixation when dimming the stimulus increased the relative scotoma size. Methods. Twenty-eight patients with macular diseases had their dense and relative macular scotoma borders mapped with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The high-illuminance PRL (PRLhi) anti low-illuminance PRL (PRL1o) were operationally defined as the PRLs that patients used to fixate a high or low illuminance stimulus, respectively. The PRLs' abilities to do visual tasks and their characteristics at the corresponding illuminances were assessed. Results. The PRL consistently shifted between the PRLhi and the PRLlo as the stimulus illuminance was changed. Brightness permitting, the visual system prefers to use the PRLhi with generally better performance in visual function such as fixation stability. There were no significant differences between the PRLhi and the PRLlo in pursuit and saccadic abilities, when assessed by subjective ratings. The illuminances that induced shifting ranged from 106 to 3437 trolands. The PRLhi was always located within an area of relative scotoma, usually at the fovea or just outside a dense scotoma. The PRLlo was located in relatively healthy retinal area, and usually below or to the left of the PRLhi in the visual field. Conclusions. In the visual system, two well-defined PRLs can develop when visual function is adapting to maculopathy, with the use of each depending on the brightness of objects used in visual tasks. Rehabilitation and treatment strategies should consider the existence of multiple PALs.
Five-membered Rings with Two Adjacent Heteroatoms with at least One Boron

The five-membered ring heterocycles containing boron and another adjacent heteroatom include rings with boron–nitrogen, boron–oxygen, boron–sulfur, boron–phosphorus, boron–boron, and boron–silicon bonds. The boron-nitrogen rings are by far the largest class of compounds, followed by the boron–oxygen and boron–sulfur rings. Compounds with boron–boron and boron–silicon bonds are rare. 1,2-Azaborolyl, 1,2-thiaborolyl, and 1,2-oxaborolyl rings are isoelectronic with the cyclopentadienyl ring and have been used as surrogates for cyclopentadienyl in many transition metal complexes. 1,2-Azoniaboratolidines and the related B–O, B–S, and B–P rings are internal σ-coordinated boron–Lewis base complexes. These compounds are generally very stable. A large number of these B–N rings have been structurally characterized. The boron–oxygen rings include cyclic esters of boronic acids.
Paleoecology of Late Pleistocene Glacial-Marine Sediments in Northwestern Washington and Southwestern British Columbia

Thirty-eight species of well-preserved, calcareous benthonic Foraminifera and 30 species of macrofossils, both characterized by low species diversity and low faunal abundance, were identified from late Pleistocene Everson-age glacial-marine sediments in the northern Puget-Fraser Lowland. Paleoecological analyses of the fossil assemblages indicate: (1) environmental conditions ranging from cold (yearly temperature range 0° to 15° C), very shallow (0 to 15 m; locally up to 20 m) water of reduced salinity (25 to 30°/oo) to slightly deeper (20 to 40 m) water of nearly normal marine salinity (30 to 35°/oo); (2) a bay or estuarine setting; and 3) a high rate of sedimentation and rapid in situ burial.
Neuroanatomy of Pain and Pain Pathways

It may not be quite clear when the study of pain pathways began, but it is almost certain that it gained focus with the reflex theory advanced by Descartes (1664) and was rejuvenated time and again by a number of subsequent theories, such as the specificity theory (Schiff 1858), the sensory interaction theory (Noordenbos 1959) and the gate control theory (Melzack and Wall 1965). More recently, pattern and neuromatrix theories have discounted the specific function assigned to anatomic components of the nervous system (e.g., Berkley and Hubscher 1995a; Melzack 1999; Nafe 1934), particularly when it comes to pain processing; but they have been faced with challenges of their own, not the least of which is translating their theoretical framework into clinical applications. One thing we know for sure is that the perception of pain arises when neural signals originating from the terminals of nociceptors are propagated to second-order neurons in the spinal cord or brainstem, whereupon they are transmitted to specific higher-order brain areas (Price 2000). This chapter highlights recent advances in our knowledge of the pain system including our understanding of nociceptors, of the processing of nociceptive information in the spinal cord, brainstem, thalamus, and cerebral cortex and of descending pathways that modulate nociceptive activity. Some of this information might potentially lead to improvements in patient care.
Extreme Innovation: Lektionen für die industrielle Kundenintegration aus der Software-Industrie

Das Management von Innovationen stellt industrielle Firmen vor eine grose Herausforderung: Die Grundannahme, dass Unternehmen ihre Neuproduktnachfrage antizipieren und die knappen Entwicklungsressourcen fruhzeitig mobilisieren konnen, funktioniert nicht mehr. Nahezu zwei Drittel aller neuen Produkte stellen sich nach ihrer Einfuhrung im Markt als Misserfolg heraus—dies vor allem aufgrund der Tatsache, dass Unternehmen dem Druck infolge sich schnell verandernder Kundenbedurfnisse nicht mehr Stand halten.1 Als Konsequenz haben industrielle Neuproduktentwickler erkannt, dass mehr Produktinnovationen von Kunden direkt angestosen werden mussen und mehr Kundenwissen in den Produktentwicklungsprozess eingebunden werden sollte.
A mission “vast, delicate,” (and impossible)

August 6–9, 1945: World War II in Asia ended abruptly with two atomic bombings as Russian troops advanced into Manchuria – the two reasons Tokyo surrendered. As for China, both victors, the Soviet ...
Learning Without Trying: The Clinical Relevance of Statistical Learning

Purpose Statistical learning research seeks to identify the means by which learners, with little perceived effort, acquire the complexities of language. In the past 50 years, numerous studies have ...
Is it time to measure complications from the National Trauma Data Bank? A longitudinal analysis of recent reporting trends.

BACKGROUND Payers have approached select complications as never events, yet there is rationale that achieving a zero incidence of these events is impractical. Prior 2005 National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) analysis showed high rates (37%) of centers reporting no complications data making national estimates for determining standardized complication rates difficult to ascertain. METHODS The 2008-2012 NTDB National Sample Program nationally weighted files were used to calculate yearly national estimates. Rates were compared in all centers and those reporting complications data. Hospital characteristics were compared using Student t test. In 2011, an other complication category was introduced; overall rates were calculated with and without this category. Yearly estimates were reported for patients receiving care within centers reporting complications data. RESULTS From 2008-2012 NTDB, there were raw data on 3,657,884 patients. A total of 594,894 patients (16.3%) experienced one or more complications (82.7% one complication; 17.3% two or more complications). Excluding the other complication category, the overall weighted rate was 8.4% to 9.2%. Pneumonia was the most common complication (2.7-3.0%), occurring at twice the 2005 rate. The number of centers reporting no complications data dropped to 8.1% in 2011 (2008, 14.5%; 2009, 18.2%; 2010, 15.9%; 2012, 8.9%). By 2012, nearly all level I centers reported complications, whereas 46.4% of level IVs reported none (I 0.5%, II 2.7%, III 8.5%, p = 0.04). Data were reported the least frequently in nonteaching hospitals (15.8%, p = 0.007), those in the South (19.6%, p = 0.007), and those with less than 200 beds (23.6%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION Overall rates of complications from 2008 to 2012 were nearly twofold higher than 2005 data. Reporting has increased, and NTDB may provide a valuable platform for establishing rational and achievable measures for specific complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic and epidemiological, level IV.
Intersectional Identities and Teaching Practice in an Elementary General Classroom: A Case Study of a Plurilingual Teacher Candidate.

This study examines how an ethnic Korean teacher candidate’s professional disposition and teaching in an elementary mainstream classroom were influenced by her identity variables at the intersectio...
REVISITING A RARE MI COMPLICATION: VENTRICULAR SEPTAL RUPTURE

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a mechanical complication of myocardial infarction that is uncommon in the era of rapid reperfusion therapy. Presentation is directly related to size of rupture and volume of shunt. Rapid diagnosis and emergent multidisciplinary team evaluation are critical to
Traffic Measurement and Vehicle Classification with Single Magnetic Sensor

Wireless magnetic sensor networks offer an attractive, low-cost alternative to inductive loops for traffic measurement in freeways and at intersections. In addition to providing vehicle count, occupancy, and speed, these sensors yield information (such as non-axle-based vehicle classification) that cannot be obtained from standard loop data. Because such networks can be deployed quickly, they can be used (and reused) for temporary traffic measurement. This paper reports the detection capabilities of magnetic sensors on the basis of two field experiments. The first experiment collected a 2-h trace of measurements on Hearst Avenue in Berkeley, California. The vehicle detection rate was better than 99% (100% for vehicles other than motorcycles), and estimates of average vehicle length and speed appear to have been better than 90%. The measurements also yield intervehicle spacing or headways, revealing interesting phenomena such as platoon formation downstream of a traffic signal. Results of the second experiment are preliminary. Sensor data from 37 passing vehicles at the same site are processed and classified into six types. Sixty percent of the vehicles are classified correctly when length is not used as a feature. The classification algorithm can be implemented in real time by the sensor node itself, in contrast to other methods based on high-scan-rate inductive loop signals, which require extensive off-line computation. It is believed that if length were used as a feature, 80% to 90% of vehicles would be correctly classified.
Energy-aware production scheduling for additive manufacturing

Abstract In recent years, additive manufacturing (AM), also popularly known as three-dimensional (3D) printing, has received significant attention as an emerging manufacturing technology in various industrial sectors, e.g., automotive, aerospace, and medical devices, due to its unique advantages compared to other conventional manufacturing techniques. As tied to the active application of AM to real-world practice, there have been significant efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy cost in AM. Given this context, this study proposes a systematic approach that is uniquely designed to achieve energy-aware production scheduling for AM while it addresses both process-level and scheduling-level controls in an integrated fashion to ultimately save electricity cost. In particular for the process-level control, we first analyze and extract power demand patterns paired with the various process parameter settings. For the scheduling-level control, we formulate a production scheduling problem to minimize energy cost in response to time-varying electricity price as well as demand charge, which has been a common practice for calculating the electric bills of industrial consumers. Specifically, to realize energy-aware production scheduling, the selection of process parameters will be considered as a part of scheduling decisions so that peak power demand and energy consumption patterns can be flexibly adjusted by changing the process parameter setting. While considering the fused deposition modeling (FDM) as a fabrication method, this study conducts numerical experiments based on real-world data to demonstrate the improvement by the proposed approach.