cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Facilitation of early syntax through discourse structure.

The effect of an adult–child discourse structure on children's production of word combinations was examined. Seventeen children at the singleword utterance level (1; 5–2; 1) served as subjects. An experimental group of six children were engaged in vertical structures over 10 sessions, while the remaining children served as a control group. Pre-tests and post-tests revealed a significant difference in the number of spontaneous and elicited multiword productions for the experimental group, but no difference for the control group.
Exercise and Health: Dose and Response, Considering Both Ends of the Curve

Over the past 60 years, an enormous body of data has demonstrated that exercise is good for health. Recently, however, there has been concern that repetitive intense exercise may have deleterious cardiovascular effects. To evaluate this possibility, I have reviewed the health response to exercise, with particular attention to the body's minimum daily requirement and to the maximum amount that is safe and effective.
Therapeutic Alliance in Justice-Involved Adolescents Undergoing Mental Health Treatment: The Role of Callous-Unemotional Traits

The current study tested factors that could influence both youth and therapist-reported therapeutic alliance in 58 male adolescents ranging in age from 15 to 18 years old (M = 16.81,SD = 1.02) who were adjudicated for a delinquent offense and identified as needing mental health treatment. Therapeutic alliance was assessed through self-report by both the adolescent and therapist. Callous-unemotional (CU) traits and antisocial history were assessed through selfreport and official record review respectively. Results indicated that the number of previous offenses was negatively associated with adolescent-reported therapeutic alliance but this was qualified by an interaction between antisocial history and CU traits. In those low on CU traits, there was a negative but non-significant association between number of previous offenses and the quality of the therapeutic alliance, whereas the association was significant and positive for those high on CU traits. In addition, CU traits were associated with violent institutional infractions during treatment. Thus, the combination of high CU traits and a high number of previous offenses seemed to reflect a group of adolescents who reported more positive therapeutic alliances but still had violent institutional infractions. These results provide support for tailored interventions for youth high on CU traits which consider the quality of the therapeutic relationship.
The Spouse in the House: What Explains the Marriage Gap in Canada?

Abstract. A literature has emerged in American voting studies noting a “marriage gap”—the propensity for married voters to support the Republican party. Using Canadian Election Study data, we establish the existence of a significant marriage gap in Canada. We also seek to determine if the marriage gap is driven by socio-demographic factors or attitudinal ones. We find that while socio-demographic factors contribute to the marriage gap, they explain relatively little variance. In probing the attitudinal basis of the marriage gap further, we find that married Canadians differ from the unwed very strongly on issues of moral traditionalism, but much less so on other issues that measure generalized conservatism.Resume. Des travaux sont apparus dans les etudes americaines sur le vote remarquant l'existence d'un “ecart mariage” (marriage gap) – la tendance des electeurs maries a soutenir le parti republicain. Utilisant des donnees sur les elections nationales canadiennes, nous etablissons l'existence d'un ecart significatif au Canada. Nous cherchons aussi a determiner si ce phenomene est pousse par les facteurs socio-demographiques ou les facteurs d'attitude. Nous constatons que bien que les facteurs socio-demographiques contribuent a cet ecart, ils n'expliquent que relativement peu de variation. En recherchant davantage la base attitudinale, nous constatons que les canadiens maries different tres fortement de ceux qui ne sont pas maries sur les questions de traditionalisme moral, mais cependant beaucoup moins sur les questions de conservatisme general.
Direct injection into the gallbladder in dogs, using ultrasonic guidance.

• Direct injection into the gallbladder can be accomplished with the guidance of the ultrasonic aspiration transducer. Possible bile peritonitis is a limiting factor, but not necessarily a complication that contraindicates the procedure. Some modifications of the procedure may be necessary, and further investigation into this potentially valuable procedure is indicated. (Arch Surg111:564-565, 1976)
Sensory processing in preterm preschoolers and its association with executive function.

Abstract Background Symptoms of abnormal sensory processing have been related to preterm birth, but have not yet been studied specifically in preterm preschoolers. The degree of association between sensory processing and other domains is important for understanding the role of sensory processing symptoms in the development of preterm children. Aims To test two related hypotheses: (1) preterm preschoolers have more sensory processing symptoms than full term preschoolers and (2) sensory processing is associated with both executive function and adaptive function in preterm preschoolers. Study design Cross-sectional study. Subjects Preterm children (≤34weeks of gestation; n=54) and full term controls (≥37weeks of gestation; n=73) ages 3–5years. Outcome measures Sensory processing was assessed with the Short Sensory Profile. Executive function was assessed with (1) parent ratings on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function — Preschool version and (2) a performance-based battery of tasks. Adaptive function was assessed with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II. Results Preterm preschoolers showed significantly more sensory symptoms than full term controls. A higher percentage of preterm than full term preschoolers had elevated numbers of sensory symptoms (37% vs. 12%). Sensory symptoms in preterm preschoolers were associated with scores on executive function measures, but were not significantly associated with adaptive function. Conclusions Preterm preschoolers exhibited more sensory symptoms than full term controls. Preterm preschoolers with elevated numbers of sensory symptoms also showed executive function impairment. Future research should further examine whether sensory processing and executive function should be considered independent or overlapping constructs.
A novel cardiovascular risk screening and health promotion service learning course

Abstract Introduction The Cardiovascular (CV) Risk Screening and Health Promotion course was created to develop the pharmacy student's ability to conduct screening and assessment in a community setting and to supplement skills introduced in the required Patient Assessment course. Methods Students completed a 10-hour training session that consisted of lecture, practice sessions, and skills assessment to achieve competence in the measurement of cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, as well as the assessment of CV risk. Students were then required to complete 12 hours of service learning with guided reflection. Changes in knowledge and confidence were assessed pre- and post-training session through written exams. Results Mean knowledge scores improved from 5.00 ± 1.70 to 7.44 ± 1.38 ( p p = 0.001) for cholesterol/glucose measurement, and from 3.85 ± 2.04 to 7.93 + 1.66 ( p Conclusion The CV Risk Screening and Health Promotion course improves knowledge and confidence in students' ability to measure blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, and assess cardiovascular risk to promote lifestyle and medical therapy interventions.
3.091x Introduction to Solid-State Chemistry MITx on edX Course Report - 2013 Spring

This report describes 3.091x: Introduction to Solid State Chemistry, one of the first 11 courses offered by MITx on edX, a platform for delivering massive open online courses (MOOCs). Offered in the Fall of 2012, 3.091x covers chemical principles explained by examination of the properties of materials, and follows the curriculum of a first-year course which has been offered at MIT for several decades. The report describes the course structure, in terms of the number of basic e-text, auto-graded problems, and video components. Following a methodology established for analysis of the first 17 HarvardX and MITx courses (Ho et al, HarvardX and MITx: The first year of open online courses), course registrants are described in terms of viewed, explored, and certified sub-populations, together with demographics. The diversity of student activity in the course, and the persistence of student interactions with the courseware, are addressed. The report concludes with descriptions of special features in 3.091x, including its use of web-browser based interactive chemistry simulations and randomized questions.
Tunnel signature prediction for a cross‐borehole seismic survey

Seismic location of tunnels or voids with a cross‐borehole survey is examined with field data and theory. The field data were taken at a site with a 2.2-m high by 2.7-m wide, roughly rectangular cross‐section tunnel, using a newly developed 1 to 5 kHz system employing a P‐wave sparker source. The synthetic records were obtained using a 2.5-D boundary‐valued solution for an explosive point source near a cylindrical void, and the solution was evaluated with the method of steepest descent. The synthetic waveforms compared well to the field data; both showed a maximum reduction of amplitude in the tunnel shadow of 8 dB and a maximum first arrival delay of 0.1 ms. Additional theoretical modeling was used to examine the variations of the received signals with tunnel size and frequency and showed amplitude reduction increased with frequency and tunnel size. Calculations showed that S‐waves scattered from the tunnel are more than 20 dB smaller than the primary P‐wave on hydrophones and more than 12 dB smaller on ...
An Examination Of Core Self Evaluations (CSE) In An Academic Setting: Does CSE Generalize To Students?

This paper examines the construct of Core Self Evaluation (Judge, Erez, Bono, and Thoresen, 2003) and extends its applicability to the academic setting. The relationship between CSE scores, Student Satisfaction, Grade Point Average, and Life Satisfaction, is discussed.
Multi-analyte needle-type sensor for measurement of pH, phosphate, and redox potential in soil

This work reports on development of a multi-analyte needle-type sensor for measurement of pH, phosphate, and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in soil. The sensor was fabricated using meniscus etching and selective electrodeposition of sensing surfaces (cobalt oxide for phosphate, iridium oxide for pH, and gold for ORP). The cobalt-oxide based phosphate sensor showed ∼53mV/decade sensitivity in the 1–10000µM range, while the iridium oxide based pH sensor showed ∼62mV/pH sensitivity in the pH 2∼12 range. The key advantage of the needle-type sensors is the ability to penetrate samples for in situ measurements. Without sampling and placing samples in a fluidic analysis system, microscale measurements can be done by simply inserting needle-type sensors into samples at measurement site. This study is the first application of a needle-type sensor to microscale probing of soil, with an ultimate goal of microprofiling the plant root environment (rhizosphere) for remediation applications.
Carbon content of some common tropical Andaman Sea copepods

Individual carbon contents of eight common copepod species from the Andaman Sea were determined. Length-carbon regressions are presented for four calanoids (Acrocalanus gibber, Centropages furcatus, Temora discaudata and Euchaeta spp.), two cyclopoids (Oncaea spp. and Corycaeus spp.) and two harpacticoids (Macrosetella gracilis and Microsetella spp.). The copepod specimens were obtained from different localities and times of the year during 1996-1997. The regres- sion coefficients are good in calanoid and cyclopoid copepods, but poor in the harpacticoids. The slope values range from 2.3 to 3.8 in the calanoids to 1.2 and 1.6 in the harpacticoids, while the cyclopoids have slope values of 2.0 and 2.9. The equations derived from this study are expected to be general charac- teristics, which are applicable for the calculation of copepod biomass and production in tropical areas.
HBS: a Handheld Breast Cancer detector based on frequency domain photon migration with full heterodyne

HBS, for Handheld Breast Scanner, is a miniature medical instrument for non-invasive breast cancer detection based on the principle of frequency domain photon migration spectroscopy. It performs content-based analysis by deriving scattering and absorption coefficients from amplitude and phase differences in backscattered, broadband-modulated (10 MHz to 1 GHz) near-infrared light. This paper reports improvements made in the latest HBS design over the previous design, called the Mini-FDPM. First, it uses full heterodyne detection to significantly improve the sensitivity, so that fiber coupling can be used instead of being limited to direct laser contact only. Second, the new firmware called Tapper accelerates the control speed while enabling HBSs to form a network. Experimental results show that HBS to have similar accuracy to the reference design, Laser Breast Scanner (LBS) currently in clinical trials.
Facebook Fallout: Future Contact Avoidance After Being Unfriended on Facebook

Objectives: Determine the factors that predict whether a person who is unfriended on Facebook will avoid future contact with the person who unfriended them. Results: The research results show that six factors can predict whether a person will avoid future contact with the individual who unfriended them: whether the person discussed the event after it occurred, the emotional response to the unfriending, whether the person who was unfriended believed it was related to their offline behavior, the perceived geographical distance between dyad, whether difficulties were discussed between the dyad prior to the event and how the person valued the peak-tie strength of the relationship.
Future of Pediatric Sedation

This concluding chapter will summarize the progress that has already been made and reflect on the opportunities and ongoing needs for advancing the field of pediatric sedation. The future of pediatric sedation will benefit from our ability to more accurately target and achieve the optimal level of sedation, analgesia, and amnesia needed for a given procedure. Advances in sedation will require that we improve our ability to proactively identify, anticipate, prepare for, and treat adverse events. The important areas that remain to be explored and advanced will be reviewed.
Using Online Game-Based Simulations to Strengthen Students’ Understanding of Practical Statistical Issues in Real-World Data Analysis

Datasets provided to students are typically carefully chosen and vetted to illustrate a key statistical topic or method. Rarely are real studies and data so straightforward. In addition, carefully curated datasets that are brought into the statistics classroom may not feel realistic to students. We provide several examples of online activities where students can quickly collect their own local data, have input on the goals of the study and draw their own conclusions. These activities focus on core statistical issues that are often challenging to teach with traditional textbooks, such as working with messy data, bias, data relevance, and reliability. This approach to teaching integrates the challenges of data in a way that encourages students to see how easy it can be to inadvertently draw misleading conclusions. These activities are designed to be highly adaptable and have proven effective in a wide variety of introductory and advanced undergraduate courses.[Received December 2014. Revised July 2015.]
Understanding the Microstructure Formation of Ti-6Al-4V During Direct Laser Deposition via In-Situ Thermal Monitoring

Understanding the thermal phenomena associated with direct laser deposition (DLD) is an important step toward obtaining ‘process–property–performance’ relationships for various designed parts and materials, as well as achieving increased process control for meeting application constraints. In this study, a thermally monitored laser engineered net shaping (LENS™) system was used with time-invariant (uncontrolled) build parameters to construct Ti-6Al-4V cylinders. During fabrication, the part’s thermal history and melt pool temperature were recorded via an in-chamber infrared camera and a dual-wavelength pyrometer, respectively. These tools demonstrate the use of non-destructive thermographic inspection for ensuring target part quality and/or microstructure. For the chosen part geometry, the melt pool was found to be approximately 40%–50% superheated during DLD, reaching temperatures as high as 2500°C. Temperature gradients varied and peaked around 1000°C/mm along the diameter of the relatively small cylinders. Cooling rates within the melt pool were found to increase as maximum melt pool temperature increased, for instance, from 12,000°C/s to 25,000°C/s. The post-DLD Ti-6Al-4V microstructure was found to vary from columnar near the substrate, or substrate-affected zone, to equiaxed approximately 2–3 mm from the substrate. Bulk heating of the part due to successive layer deposits was shown to promote α″ to an α + β decomposition, while prior-β grains were observed near and far from the substrate.
Initiatives for Increasing E-Filing: Taxpayer Attitudes Reveal What Works

In this report, the authors review and evaluate current initiatives aimed at increasing the number of taxpayers who file electronically. They summarize data collected through a survey of individuals about whether they e-file and the reasons for their choices.
The Role of Synchronous Interactions Within Higher Education Distance Education Courses

Distance education courses today are not limited to asynchronous interactions. Current technologies are available that make synchronous interactions viable options within distance education courses. We argue that synchronous interactions should be included as a central component of the distance education experience. Not only has synchronous learning been shown to be more effective, but the inclusion of synchronous interactions in distance education may also potentially provide more similar learning experiences to those found in traditional instruction. Today’s students have shown an interest in this format as displayed by the popularity of online social networks and online communities. Individuals within these communities can share and view information in multitude of ways: text, images, and videos. Software systems such as Elluminate™ and Adobe Connect™ are designed to enhance these interactions by offering a variety of optional tools for communication such as shared whiteboards and screen sharing. Online 3D environments offer these same advantages but also include a spatial component which may allow individuals to become more deeply immersed within the technology and potentially a more true-to-life experience.
Differences in measures of boldness even when underlying behavioral syndromes are present in two populations of the song sparrow ( Melospiza melodia )

One commonly studied behavioral syndrome is the correlation between aggression and boldness. Studies in song sparrows (M. melodia) have found greater aggression and boldness in urban populations and a correlation between aggression and boldness in rural populations, but not within urban populations. In previous studies, boldness was measured as flight initiation distance (FID), which may reflect habituation by urban birds to human presence. In this study, we measured boldness using playbacks of heterospecific alarm calls and investigated whether higher boldness is a general trait of urban birds and whether the same pattern of correlations between aggression and boldness would be seen. We conducted trials involving FID, alarm call playbacks and conspecific song playbacks on 25 birds from both an urban and a rural site. The results showed that urban birds were bolder, as measured by FID and response to alarm calls. Boldness and aggression were correlated in rural birds with each method of measuring boldness but were correlated in urban birds only when using alarm call playbacks. Our results suggest that a behavioral syndrome exists in both urban and rural populations but that urban birds are able to decrease their response to human disturbance.
Developing Methods for Assessing the Performance of Speech Synthesis and Recognition Systems

As speech I/O technology develops and improves, there is an increased need for standardized methods to systematically assess the performance of these systems. At the present time, speech synthesis and speech recognition technologies are at different levels of maturation and, accordingly, the procedures for testing the performance of these systems are at different stages of development. In the present paper, we describe the results of testing several text-to-speech systems using traditional intelligibility measures. In addition, we outline the design and philosophy of an automated testing procedure for measuring the performance of isolated utterance speaker-dependent speech recognition systems.
Effects of human serum on rat cumulus-oocyte complex functions in vitro: oocyte activation and endocrine secretions.

Secretion of hormones and oocyte meiotic events were assessed following in vitro culture of ovulated rat cumulus—oocyte complexes (COCs) in media containing different types of human serum. Both toxic and nontoxic (determined by mouse embryo test) samples of fetal cord or adult female serum were utilized for these experiments. After short-term culture (4.5 hr), with or without COCs, medium containing 10% serum was collected and analyzed for its content of estradiol, progesterone, and prostaglandin E (PGE), and oocytes were cytologically evaluated for spontaneous activation (second polar-body extrusion). Activation of oocytes occurred in all media tested. Steroids (progesterone and estradiol) levels were markedly elevated in culture medium containing cord serum as compared to medium containing adult female serum. The progesterone content of culture medium decreased after incubation of COCs with cord serum and increased when incubated with adult female serum. Little or no prostaglandin was detected in any control media. However, COCs secreted prostaglandin during culture in all media. COCs secreted estradiol when cultured in medium containing cord but not adult female serum. Results demonstrate that two types of serum utilized for in vitro culture of COCs varied markedly in their hormone content and differentially affected the secretion of hormones by COCs during culture. The results are discussed in relation to the success of IVF procedures.
Abstract LB-102: The p21Cip1/Waf1cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor is required for the activation of the FA-BRCA pathway

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare recessive disorder characterized in part by pronounced cancer susceptibility. The FA proteins, and the protein products of the major breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, function cooperatively in the FA-BRCA pathway, to repair damaged DNA and to prevent cellular transformation. A major step in the activation of the FA-BRCA pathway is the mono-ubiquitination of the FANCD2 and FANCI proteins, targeting these proteins to discrete chromatin-associated nuclear foci. Importantly, the regulation of FANCD2 ( and FANCI ) mono-ubiquitination remains poorly understood. To gain further insight into this important post-translational modification step, here we have examined the roles of p53 tumor suppressor as well its downstream target p21 Ci p 1/Waf1 in the regulation of the mono-ubiquitination of FANCD2. In this study we have used the isogenic HCT116 p53 +/+ , p53 −/− , p21 +/+ , and p21 −/− cell lines, to determine that p21, and not p53, plays a key role in the regulation of the mono-ubiquitination of FANCD2 following exposure to DNA damaging agents. For example, robust FANCD2 mono-ubiquitination is observed in HCT116 p21 +/+ cells 2 h following exposure to 20 J/m 2 UV irradiation, while this effect is markedly attenuated in p21 −/− cells. Using immunofluorescence microscopy we also demonstrate that p21 is necessary for the efficient recruitment of FANCD2 to nuclear foci following exposure to UV irradiation. Furthermore, preliminary protein-protein interaction analyses in COS-7 cells demonstrate that FLAG-p21 and 6xHis/V5-FANCD2 physically interact. Interestingly, despite a failure to efficiently activate the mono-ubiquitination of FANCD2 following exposure to DNA damaging agents, p21 −/− cells are not hypersensitive to the cytotoxic effects of the DNA crosslinking agent mitomycin C (MMC). However, elevated levels of distinct chromosome aberrations, including telomere associations and dicentric chromosomes, are observed in p21 −/− cells compared with p21 +/+ cells following exposure to MMC. Taken together, our results demonstrate an important upstream role for the p21 cyclin-dependent-kinase inhibitor in the activation of the FA-BRCA pathway. A greater understanding of the regulation of this important tumor suppressor pathway will lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to FA and enhance our understanding of the elevated cancer susceptibility of FA patients. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-102.
Relationship between Concentrations of Lutein and StARD3 among Pediatric and Geriatric Human Brain Tissue.

Lutein, a dietary carotenoid, selectively accumulates in human retina and brain. While many epidemiological studies show evidence of a relationship between lutein status and cognitive health, lutein’s selective uptake in human brain tissue and its potential function in early neural development and cognitive health have been poorly evaluated at a molecular level. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional relationship between concentrations of brain lutein and StARD3 (identified as its binding protein in retinal tissue) among three age groups: infants (1–4 months, n = 10), older adults (55–86 years, n = 8), and centenarians (98–105 years, n = 10). Brain lutein concentrations were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and StARD3 levels were analyzed by Western Blot analysis. The strong relationship in infant brains (r = 0.75, P 0.05), seven of whom had mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. These exploratory findings suggest an age-related decrease or abnormality of StARD3 activity in human brain. Given that StARD3 is also involved in cholesterol transportation, a process that is aberrant in neurodegenerative diseases, the potential protective function of lutein against these diseases remains to be explored.
Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 during Fermentation of Apple Cider.

Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fermenting and nonfermenting fresh apple cider was determined. Populations of E. coli O157:H7 were reduced from 6.4 log CFU/ml to undetectable levels (detection limit of 0.5 log CFU/ml) in fermenting cider after 3 days at 20°C and from 6.5 log CFU/ml to 2.9 log CFU/m1 after 10 days at 20°C in nonfermenting cider. After 1 day of incubation, recovery of E. coli O157:H7 from fermenting and nonfermenting cider was statistically (P 0.05) from that of nonfermenting cider throughout the 10-day test period. Final ethanol concentrations in fermenting cider reached 6.01% (vol/vol) after 10 days at 20°C. Inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 in fermenting cider is attributed to the combined effects of pH and ethanol. Results of this study indicate that E. coli O157:H7 is capable of survival in fresh apple cider at 20°C, while alcoholic fermentation of fresh cider is an effective means of destroying this pathogen.
Kaleidoscopic Shifts: The Development of New Understandings as Therapists “Go and Find out”

This chapter discusses the origin and progress of a family therapy trainee-driven group dedicated to learning more about global mental health. As practitioners in training, we are interested in the intersection of professional scholarship and practice of family therapy with vulnerable populations, in low-resource settings, and in humanitarian contexts. Our chapter chronicles the origins of our group, the unfolding of our curiosities as the group evolved, and the personal and professional epiphanies we have experienced along with the unanswerable questions that preserve our clinical humility. These awakenings help to inform our training goals, delineate curricular choices, shape our understandings of family therapy across contexts and de-situate our beliefs from a local “doorstep-perspective” to the broader and more spacious international plane we have yet to experience.
Cell Structure and the Regulation of Genes Controlling Proliferation and Differentiation: The Nuclear Matrix and Cytoskeleton

In this chapter and in the one which follows we will present concepts and experimental approaches associated with the relationship of proliferation to differentiation with emphasis on the contribution of cell structure to the regulation of cell growth and tissue specific gene expression. While these relationships are of broad biological relevance, we will focus primarily on development of the osteoblast phenotype with the understanding that analogous principles apply to the regulation of phenotype expression in general.
Medicaid Expansions and Cervical Cancer Screening for Low-Income Women.

Objective Medicaid coverage for low-income women may play an important role in ensuring access to preventive care. This study examines how Medicaid eligibility expansions to nonelderly adults impact cervical cancer screening among low-income women. Data Sources We use data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from 2000 to 2010. The primary outcome of interest is whether women in the relevant guideline consistent age range reported having a Pap test in the previous year. Study Design We use a difference-in-differences approach with matched treatment and comparison states and a simulated eligibility approach based on a continuous measure of Medicaid generosity. Principal Findings Our results indicate that cervical cancer screening increased among low-income women in expansion states relative to comparison states. Increases in screening rates are largest among low-income Hispanic women. Conclusions Medicaid expansions during the period from 2000 to 2010 were associated with improved cervical cancer screening rates, which is critical for early cervical cancer detection and prevention of cancer morbidity and mortality in women. The results suggest that more widespread Medicaid expansions may have positive effects on preventive health care for women.
Preoperative risk factors for conversion and learning curve of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy.

Background Although laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is considered a standard approach, 10% to 40% of these are converted. The preoperative risk factors for conversion are not well described. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with conversion. Methods Clinicopathological variables of 211 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy between January 2007 and December 2015 at Johns Hopkins were analyzed to identify factors associated with conversion. Furthermore, the learning curve for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was studied. Results On univariate analysis of diabetes mellitus, preoperative diagnosis of malignant disease, multiorgan resection, surgeons' years and case experience were significantly associated with conversion (all P Conclusion Patients undergoing laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with a preoperative diagnosis of malignant disease or possible multiorgan resection are at a higher risk of conversion. Surgeon experience of performing >15 procedures significantly reduces the risk of conversion.
Corporate Divestitures and Corporate Social Performance (WITHDRAWN)

Corporate divestiture activities are critical organizational change events which could affect various stakeholders in addition to shareholders. However, existing research has predominantly focused ...
How to Measure Work of Adhesion and Surface Tension of Soft Polymeric Materials

Knowledge of the work of adhesion and surface tension directs the design of new materials for coatings, adhesives, and lubricants. We develop an approach to determine both properties from analysis of equilibrium indentations of rigid particles in contact with soft polymeric materials. In accord with coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, the indentation depth is described by the crossover expression combining together the adhesion and wetting models, which takes into account both the elastic energy of the contact and full surface free energy change outside and inside the contact area. The crossover expression is applied to obtain the work of adhesion and substrate surface tension for polystyrene (PS), carboxyl-modified polystyrene (PS-COOH), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles in contact with poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) networks made of brush-like and linear chains. This analysis results in the work of adhesion W = 48.0 ± 2.9 mN/m for PS/PDMS, W = 268.4 ± 27.0 mN/m for PS-COOH/PDMS, a...
The Last Habitat: Living and Dying in Residential Care Facility

This article is a part of a larger study regarding the place of dying. Through narrative analysis methods, we strived to obtain rich descriptions and idiosyncratic accounts of the experience of dyi...
Theory of polygonal numbers with Cuisenaire rods manipulatives: Understanding Theon of Smyrna’s arithmetic in a history of mathematics classroom

This classroom note offers an interactive method of visualizing polygonal numbers in accordance with Theon of Smyrna's arithmetic in a history of mathematics classroom in a university in the US. In a multi-representational context that focused on students’ exploration of polygonal numbers for k=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 in an inductive style, the article also provides a method of using history in the classroom via Cuisenaire rods manipulatives.
A Mitochondrial Progesterone Receptor Increases Cardiac Beta-Oxidation and Remodeling

Progesterone is primarily a pregnancy-related hormone, produced in substantial quantities after ovulation and during gestation. Traditionally known to function via nuclear receptors for transcriptional regulation, there is also evidence of nonnuclear action. A previously identified mitochondrial progesterone receptor (PR-M) increases cellular respiration in cell models. In these studies, we demonstrated that expression of PR-M in rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes resulted in a ligand-dependent increase in oxidative cellular respiration and beta-oxidation. Cardiac expression in a TET-On transgenic mouse resulted in gene expression of myofibril proteins for remodeling and proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid metabolism. In a model of increased afterload from constant transverse aortic constriction, mice expressing PR-M showed a ligand-dependent preservation of cardiac function. From these observations, we propose that PR-M is responsible for progesterone-induced increases in cellular energy production and cardiac remodeling to meet the physiological demands of pregnancy.
Memory, Emotion, and Intersubjectivity: beyond the Information Given, and beyond the Individual Mind

This commentary reflects on papers assembled for a special issue about the impact of Bruner’s idea of “beyond the information given.” The assembled papers are examined in relation to three cross-cutting issues that they illustrate: 1) processes of reflection in autobiographical recollection; 2) links between meaning and emotion; and 3) the idea of going beyond the individual mind as well as beyond the given information.
Variations of F2 range measures in mild dysarthria and healthy talkers

Diminished vocalic segments indexed by the extent, duration, and rate of change in the second formant (F2) are common in dysarthria and are known to reduce intelligibility in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS; Hartelius et al., 2010). When F2 range was measured over select sentences from a reading passage, results indicated that the F2 range may not be sensitive to mild dysarthria in MS (Rosen et al., 2008). However, measures of the F2 range should be further explored for sentences imposing greater speech-motor and cognitive-linguistic demands. As such, phonetic contexts requiring even small vocal tract movement may contribute to intelligibility for speakers with mild dysarthria in MS. Thus, this study will investigate the impact of sentence length and complexity on within-speaker variations of F2 movement and group differences for 12 adults with mild dysarthria in MS and 12 healthy talkers. Various F2 range measures shown to be sensitive to speech motor capabilities will be obtained from 11 audio-recorded sentences varying in length and complexity. The results of this study will provide a better understanding of the speech motor control capabilities of speakers with mild dysarthria with relatively preserved intelligibility in MS. [Work supported by ASH Foundation and the University at Buffalo MDRF.]Diminished vocalic segments indexed by the extent, duration, and rate of change in the second formant (F2) are common in dysarthria and are known to reduce intelligibility in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS; Hartelius et al., 2010). When F2 range was measured over select sentences from a reading passage, results indicated that the F2 range may not be sensitive to mild dysarthria in MS (Rosen et al., 2008). However, measures of the F2 range should be further explored for sentences imposing greater speech-motor and cognitive-linguistic demands. As such, phonetic contexts requiring even small vocal tract movement may contribute to intelligibility for speakers with mild dysarthria in MS. Thus, this study will investigate the impact of sentence length and complexity on within-speaker variations of F2 movement and group differences for 12 adults with mild dysarthria in MS and 12 healthy talkers. Various F2 range measures shown to be sensitive to speech motor capabilities will be obtained from 11 audio-record...
Linking Leaf Spectra to the Plant Tree of Life

Evolutionary trees recount the history of how biological diversity came to be and how evolution gave rise to the incredible variation in plant form and function that can be captured by spectral reflectance. Understanding plant spectra in light of evolution is thus important for assessing biodiversity and critical for explaining how spectral diversity is generated. Here, we focus on leaf spectra and how they are linked to the plant tree of life. We review what evolutionary trees (phylogenies) are and how to interpret them. We then describe how to model the evolution of quantitative traits, discuss which evolutionary processes are involved, and explain specific concepts and metrics, such as phylogenetic signal and evolutionary rates, and how they can be applied to reflectance spectra. Next, we describe a framework that links phylogenies and leaf spectra by coupling models of evolution and radiative transfer models. In doing so, we review some of the challenges of subjecting spectra to evolutionary analyses. We then discuss how spectra can help us to understand leaf evolution and to differentiate plant taxa at different phylogenetic scales from populations to lineages, advancing our potential to remotely detect biodiversity.
Spending Time in Nature: How Do Public Libraries Increase Access?

Research shows spending time in nature improves both physical and mental well-being. Practitioner-based resources reveal libraries offer programs to increase access to natural experiences. However,...
Characterization of a membrane enzymatic complex for heterologous production of poly-γ-glutamate in E. coli.

Abstract Poly-γ-glutamic acid (PGA) produced by many Bacillus species is a polymer with many distinct and desirable characteristics. However, the multi-subunit enzymatic complex responsible for its synthesis, PGA Synthetase (PGS), has not been well characterized yet, in native nor in recombinant contexts. Elucidating structural and functional properties are crucial for future engineering efforts aimed at altering the catalytic properties of this enzyme. This study focuses on expressing the enzyme heterologously in the Escherichia coli membrane and characterizing localization, orientation, and activity of this heterooligomeric enzyme complex. In E. coli, we were able to produce high molecular weight PGA polymers with minimal degradation at titers of approximately 13 ​mg/L in deep-well microtiter batch cultures. Using fusion proteins, we observed, for the first time, the association and orientation of the different subunits with the inner cell membrane. These results provide fundamental structural information on this poorly studied enzyme complex and will aid future fundamental studies and engineering efforts.
Hubble Space Telescope/Faint Object Spectrograph Observations of M87:Lyα Emission from the Active Galactic Nucleus

The Faint Object Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope was used to obtain spectra of the central region of M87. These spectra cover the wavelength range 1140-1606 A and have a resolution of ~1 A. The nuclear continuum is clearly visible in the spectra. The only strong line that is observed is Lyα, which has a velocity width of about 3000 km s-1 (higher than the width of any line previously observed in the M87 nucleus). There is also a marginal detection of C IV λ1549. The ratio of Lyα to C IV in the nuclear spectrum is at least a factor of 2 higher than in a spectrum taken at a position on the disk ~06 away from the nucleus by Dopita et al. This enhancement of Lyα at the nucleus could point to significant differences in the properties of the emitting gas and/or the excitation mechanism between the outer and inner disk regions. The strength of the observed Lyα places limits on the properties of the absorbing gas present within M87. For instance, if the hydrogen column at the systemic velocity of M87 is greater than about 1018 cm-2, then it can cover only a small fraction of the line-emitting region. Spectra separated by 5 days show a 60% difference in the Lyα flux, but the same continuum level. This could either be due to a displacement between the aperture positions for the two sets of observations, or it could be due to intrinsic variability of the source. The current observations do not strongly favor either of these alternatives. The observations do show, however, that the Lyα line is a useful tracer of kinematics in the M87 nucleus.
[Surveillance of schistosomiasis in a national surveillance site of Jurong City, 2015-2017].

OBJECTIVE To understand the endemic situation and control effect of schistosomiasis through the surveillance in a national surveillance site of Jurong City, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the prevention and control measures. METHODS According to the National Schistosomiasis Monitoring Scheme (2014 Edition), the surveillance of schistosome infection in Oncomelania hupensis snails, residents and livestock was performed in the Kongqing Village, a national surveillance site of Jurong City, from 2015 to 2017. RESULTS The areas with snails were 0, 0, and 0.63 hm2 in 2015, 2016, and 2017 respectively; the average densities of living snails were 0, 0, and 0.19 snails/0.1 m2 in 2015, 2016, and 2017 respectively. No schistosome-infected snails were found. The positive rates of blood tests for schistosomiasis in the local residents were 7.72%, 7.45% and 3.45%, and the positive rates of blood tests in the floating population were 4.90%, 3.47% and 0.97% in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. No positives were found in the schistosome etiology detection in the crowd and livestock. CONCLUSIONS The effect of schistosomiasis prevention and control is obvious in Jurong City, but O. hupensis snails are still of recurrence. Therefore, the monitoring and control efforts should be strengthened to consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis prevention and control.
Suppressing the enhancement of stimulated Raman scattering in inhomogeneous plasmas by tuning the modulation frequency of a broadband laser

The stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) instability can inhibit the performance of laser-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions by scattering light into unwanted directions or by generating hot electrons that preheat the target fuel. In principle, ICF target designs can avoid parameter regimes conducive to large, linear SRS gains. In practice, kinetic inflation—the nonlinear enhancement of SRS due to electron trapping in the excited plasma wave—makes this difficult. Here, we show that laser bandwidth in the form of frequency modulation can either decrease or increase the inflationary SRS (iSRS) threshold in inhomogeneous plasmas depending on the maximum chirp of the laser pulse. The threshold, mapped out by a series of particle-in-cell simulations, exhibits a minimum when the frequency change within the pulse cancels the spatial detuning due to density inhomogeneities along the trajectory of the scattered light. By tuning the pump laser parameters away from this minimum, the iSRS threshold can be larger than at zero bandwidth, providing a path to mitigating kinetic inflation in ignition relevant plasmas.
Larvicidal Effect of Secondary Metabolites of Three Fungi against Cx.quinquefasciatus (Diptera:Culicidae)

The larvicidal effect of secondary metabolites of Verticillum lecanii,Pencillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus niger against filaria vector Cx.quinquefasciatus was investigated. efficacies have been tested at four different concentrations of secondary metabolites of mentioned fungi (25,50,75,100)ppm .larvicidal efficacy demonstrates that larval mortality was related to concentration, exposure time and larval age. Higher mortality was observed at high concentration, moreover mortality increased when exposure time increased , additionally , the older larvae were more resistant to fungal filtrate. Also, it was perceptible that larvae of Cx.quinquefasciatus have a chieved higher mortality for V.lecanii, at the concentration (100ppm )after 24 ,48,and 72 hrs for first instars were....
Indirect standardization for rare events and a dynamic standard population rate: An analysis and simulation of U.S. military suicide mortality rates.

Introduction Comparing suicide mortality rates between the U.S. military and U.S. general populations is common in lay and professional literature. Standardization is required for this comparison to account for differences in the population structure, but small event counts complicate the analysis. Methods We demonstrated the performance of direct, indirect, and reverse-direct standardization using U.S. military and U.S. general population suicide mortality data from 2011 to 2018. We also used simulations of direct and indirect standardization in annual comparisons, and over time for the standardized mortality ratio in Poisson regression. Results Indirect standardization outperformed direct standardization for annual rate standardization. Direct standardization with combined subgroups can produce a biased estimate. Reverse-direct standardization was unbiased, but it generally yields incorrect interval estimates. Over 2011-2018, the U.S. military suicide mortality data were very consistent with the U.S. general population. Conclusion Indirect standardization provides more flexibility in rate standardization with rare outcomes. For comparisons between the U.S. military and the U.S. general populations, it can provide valid point and interval estimates of standardized rates and ratios both within a single year and between years without combining categories to account for sparseness.