cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Species-specific effects of the hcf-1 gene on baculovirus virulence.

The host cell-specific factor 1 gene (hcf-1) of the baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) is required for the efficient replication and/or stability of reporter plasmids carrying an AcMNPV-derived origin of DNA replication in a cell-specific manner; hcf-1 is required for reporter plasmid replication or stability in TN-368 cells, a cell line derived from the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni, but not in IPLB-SF-21 (SF-21) cells, a cell line derived from the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (A. Lu and L. K. Miller, J. Virol. 69:6265-6272, 1995). To further define the function of hcf-1, recombinant viruses with null mutations in hcf-1 were constructed in SF-21 cells and the phenotype of the mutants was determined in selected cell lines as well as in insect larvae. In S.frugiperda larvae and SF-21 cells, the phenotype of hcf-1 mutants was indistinguishable from that of wild-type AcMNPV. In T. ni larvae as well as T. ni-derived cell lines, hcf-1 mutants exhibited a mutant phenotype. In TN-368 cells, the replication of hcf-1 mutants was extremely impaired; the phenotype included a defect in viral DNA replication, late gene transcription, and virus production as well as a complete cessation of host and viral protein synthesis. In another cell line derived from T. ni, the BTI-TN5B1-4 cell line, the hcf-1 mutants exhibited a less severe phenotype. In T. ni larvae, the infectivity of the budded form of hcf-1 mutants was decreased significantly (50-fold), although no difference in the oral infectivity of the occluded form was observed. T. ni larvae infected with hcf-1 mutants by either oral or hemocoelic routes, however, died 20 to 30% more slowly than those infected with wild-type AcMNPV. These data indicate that there is a host-specific requirement for hcf-1 and that it exerts cell line-specific effects and possibly tissue-specific effects on the rate at which the virus replicates, thereby affecting the virulence of the virus in a species-specific manner.
Cell-specific and developmental expression of lectican-cleaving proteases in mouse hippocampus and neocortex

Mounting evidence has demonstrated that a specialized extracellular matrix exists in the mammalian brain and that this glycoprotein-rich matrix contributes to many aspects of brain development and function. The most prominent supramolecular assemblies of these extracellular matrix glycoproteins are perineuronal nets, specialized lattice-like structures that surround the cell bodies and proximal neurites of select classes of interneurons. Perineuronal nets are composed of lecticans, a family of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans that includes aggrecan, brevican, neurocan, and versican. These lattice-like structures emerge late in postnatal brain development, coinciding with the ending of critical periods of brain development. Despite our knowledge of the presence of lecticans in perineuronal nets and their importance in regulating synaptic plasticity, we know little about the development or distribution of the extracellular proteases that are responsible for their cleavage and turnover. A subset of a large family of extracellular proteases (called a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs [ADAMTS]) is responsible for endogenously cleaving lecticans. We therefore explored the expression pattern of two aggrecan-degrading ADAMTS family members, ADAMTS15 and ADAMTS4, in the hippocampus and neocortex. Here, we show that both lectican-degrading metalloproteases are present in these brain regions and that each exhibits a distinct temporal and spatial expression pattern. Adamts15 mRNA is expressed exclusively by parvalbumin-expressing interneurons during synaptogenesis, whereas Adamts4 mRNA is exclusively generated by telencephalic oligodendrocytes during myelination. Thus, ADAMTS15 and ADAMTS4 not only exhibit unique cellular expression patterns but their developmental upregulation by these cell types coincides with critical aspects of neural development.
Systems formulation of a theory of diagnosis from first principles

The author reformulates the theory of diagnosis given by R. Reiter (see Artificial Intelligence vol.32, no.1, p.57-95, 1987) in a systems theory framework and extends it to explicitly cover admissible fault models. The reformulation allows one to use straightforward set theoretic and algebraic concepts to characterize the main theorem relating diagnoses and conflict sets. The authors distinguish between weak and strong diagnoses and show that nonminimal strong diagnoses (multiple faults) may arise where the class of admissible fault models of components is restricted. They argue that the effectiveness of troubleshooting may be greatly enhanced by taking such diagnoses into account. This is true since the nature of the admissible fault model classes can dramatically affect the diagnoses generated. In particular, diagnoses that are not based on models of potential fault behaviors may be quite deceptive in relation to actual failed system behavior. The full family of strong diagnoses, although potentially much more computationally demanding than the minimal diagnoses, should be taken as the basis for troubleshooting. >
ESTIMATION OF CAPTURE AREAS OF SPIDER ORB WEBS IN RELATION TO ASYMMETRY

We examined the utility of several popular formulae used to estimate the capture areas of orb webs across a large sample of Cyclosa Menge 1866 and Tetragnatha Latreille 1804 webs. All formulae evaluated contained at least some bias in estimation of the capture areas of webs. We identified two types of asymmetry in orb webs that affect capture area estimation differently. Web asymmetry measures the ratio of the horizontal and vertical diameters of orb webs while hub asymmetry measures the displacement of the hub from the geometric center of a web. An analysis of model webs that varied in web and hub asymmetry showed that most formulae overestimated capture area as web asymmetry increased and that some formulae also overestimated capture area as hub asymmetry increased. Only the ''Ellipse 2Hub'' formula was unaffected by web and hub asymmetry. Although the ''Adjusted Ra- dii2Hub'' formula provided a slightly more accurate overall estimate of capture area, we recommend that the ''Ellipse2Hub'' formula be used when comparisons of capture area are made between taxa or indi- viduals that vary in web and hub asymmetry.
Comparison of Poisson and Bernoulli spatial cluster analyses of pediatric injuries in a fire district

With limited resources available, injury prevention efforts need to be targeted both geographically and to specific populations. As part of a pediatric injury prevention project, data was obtained on all pediatric medical and injury incidents in a fire district to evaluate geographical clustering of pediatric injuries. This will be the first step in attempting to prevent these injuries with specific interventions depending on locations and mechanisms. There were a total of 4803 incidents involving patients less than 15 years of age that the fire district responded to during 2001–2005 of which 1997 were categorized as injuries and 2806 as medical calls. The two cohorts (injured versus medical) differed in age distribution (7.7 ± 4.4 years versus 5.4 ± 4.8 years, p < 0.001) and location type of incident (school or church 12% versus 15%, multifamily residence 22% versus 13%, single family residence 51% versus 28%, sport, park or recreational facility 3% versus 8%, public building 8% versus 7%, and street or road 3% versus 30%, respectively, p < 0.001). Using the medical incident locations as controls, there was no significant clustering for environmental or assault injuries using the Bernoulli method while there were four significant clusters for all injury mechanisms combined, 13 clusters for motor vehicle collisions, one for falls, and two for pedestrian or bicycle injuries. Using the Poisson cluster method on incidence rates by census tract identified four clusters for all injuries, three for motor vehicle collisions, four for fall injuries, and one each for environmental and assault injuries. The two detection methods shared a minority of overlapping geographical clusters. Significant clustering occurs overall for all injury mechanisms combined and for each mechanism depending on the cluster detection method used. There was some overlap in geographic clusters identified by both methods. The Bernoulli method allows more focused cluster mapping and evaluation since it directly uses location data. Once clusters are found, interventions can be targeted to specific geographic locations, location types, ages of victims, and mechanisms of injury.
Characterization of Rictor Phosphorylation Sites Reveals Direct Regulation of mTOR Complex 2 by S6K1

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) functions within two distinct complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2) to control cell growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolism. While there has been great progress in our understanding of mTORC1 regulation, the signaling mechanisms that regulate mTORC2 have not been defined. In this study, we use liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses to identify 21 phosphorylation sites on the core mTORC2 component Rictor. We find that one site, T1135, undergoes growth factor-responsive phosphorylation that is acutely sensitive to rapamycin and is phosphorylated downstream of mTORC1. We find that Rictor-T1135 is directly phosphorylated by the mTORC1-dependent kinase S6K1. Although this phosphorylation event does not affect mTORC2 integrity or in vitro kinase activity, expression of a phosphorylation site mutant of Rictor (T1135A) in either wild-type or Rictor null cells causes an increase in the mTORC2-dependent phosphorylation of Akt on S473. However, Rictor-T1135 phosphorylation does not appear to regulate mTORC2-mediated effects on SGK1 or PKCα. While the precise molecular mechanism affecting Akt is unknown, phosphorylation of T1135 stimulates binding of Rictor to 14-3-3 proteins. We provide evidence that Rictor-T1135 phosphorylation acts in parallel with other mTORC1-dependent feedback mechanisms, such as those affecting IRS-1 signaling to PI3K, to regulate the response of Akt to insulin.
Failure mechanisms of flip chip DCA assembly using eutectic solder

Reliability performance is still the major concern for flip chip interconnection. While solder fatigue is believed to be the contributing factor for packaging failure and is the most widely studied for flip chip soldering, experimental work in this study find out solder fatigue itself is seldom the driving force for early failure. With the introduction of underfill, failures solely due to solder fatigue usually have a cycling life that is much longer than the required failure cycle. It is the other failure modes that result in early failure. This paper analyzed the major failure sources for flip chip assembly using eutectic solder. These failure mechanisms could usually resulted in early failure for the assembly. Failure mechanisms presented in this study include: underfill void, underfill delamination, underfill cracking, die cracking (horizontal and vertical), substrate cracking, and passivation crack or delamination. Discussion will also be given on how to avoid these issues.
Effects of hypothermia on brainstem auditory evoked potentials in humans

Ten adult patients who underwent open heart surgery under induced hypothermia had brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) recorded at 1 degree- to 2 degrees C-steps as body temperature was lowered from 36 degrees C to 20 degrees C to determine temperature-dependent changes. Hypothermia produced increased latencies of BAEP waves I, III, and V; the prolongation was more severe for the later components with the result that interpeak latencies I-III, III-V, and I-V were also prolonged. The temperature-latency relationship was nonlinear and best expressed by exponential curve. The latencies of waves I, III, V and the interpeak latency I-V increased roughly 7% for each 1 degree C drop; they doubled at a temperature around 26 degrees C. The amplitude of the BAEP components had a quasiparabolic relationship to temperature; the amplitude rose with hypothermia to 28 degrees or 27 degrees C, but decreased linearly with further cooling. All BAEP components were present at temperatures above 23 degrees C and absent below 20 degrees C. With rewarming, the changes reversed and BAEPs returned to initial prehypothermia status.
Enhancement of lung tumor colony formation by treatment of mice with monoclonal antibodies to pulmonary capillary endothelial cells.

Abstract Two rat monoclonal antibodies, 34A and 201B, have been isolated and shown to bind preferentially to capillary endothelial cells in the lung. Administration of these antibodies to mice increases the number of lung colonies derived from i.v. injection of tumor cells. The antibodies increase lung colonization in C57BL/6 mice following i.v. injection of B16-F10 melanoma cells and in BALB/c mice following injection of line 1 lung carcinoma cells. Neither 34A nor 201B monoclonal antibody binds to B16 melanoma or line 1 carcinoma and so must exert its effect by interaction with endothelial cells. Antibodies injected i.v., s.c., or i.p. are active from 1 h to 1 wk if injected before cell injection. The effect is optimal when 0.1 ml of ascites fluid containing 120 µg of antigen binding capacity of both MoAbs 34A and 201B is injected. Significant damage to endothelial cells could not be documented by histopathological examination at the light microscope level or by protein leakage into the air space as measured by lung lavage. However, electron micrographs taken 3 h after monoclonal antibody injection show minor damage to endothelial cell membranes throughout the lung with some areas of mild edema. The increased colonization may be mediated by this subtle damage to endothelial cells, or antibody interactions with endothelial cells may trigger secondary reactions such as altered expression of growth factors.
Flame Spectra of a Turbulent Liquid-Fueled Swirl-Stabilized Lean-Direct Injection Combustor

Flame spectra within the UV/visible-light range are measured for a turbulent, liquid-fueled, swirl-stabilized, lean-direct injection combustor. The flame spectra are quite similar to those of lean premixed combustion, which can be attributed to the small droplet size and fast fuel/air mixing. Broadband background emissions around 431 nm, which mainly consist of CO * 2 chemiluminescence, are found to be self-similar with wavelength for both stable and unstable combustion. Chemiluminescence from OH * , CH * , and CO * 2 is found to be a nonlinear function of the airflow rate, the equivalence ratio, preheat temperature, and pressure. Procedures for the determination of the instantaneous heat release rate and equivalence ratios along the flame front are developed. For both combustion instability and forced flame responses, the prediction errors are within 2.0 % in the mean heat release rate, the mean air consumption rate, and the mean equivalence ratio. The assumption that chemiluminescence is proportional to the instantaneous heat releaser rate is generally invalid. Probably the proportionality is valid only in the weakly turbulent or wrinkled flamelet region in the absence of equivalence ratio variations and strong acoustic oscillations.
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Assistance and HIV Treatment Outcomes

BACKGROUND The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) provides persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with services not covered by other healthcare payer types. Limited data exist to inform policy decisions about the most appropriate role for RWHAP under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). METHODS We assessed associations between RWHAP assistance and antiretroviral therapy (ART) prescription and viral suppression. We used data from the Medical Monitoring Project, a surveillance system assessing characteristics of HIV-infected adults receiving medical care in the United States. Interview and medical record data were collected in 2009-2013 from 18 095 patients. RESULTS Nearly 41% of patients had RWHAP assistance; 15% relied solely on RWHAP assistance for HIV care. Overall, 91% were prescribed ART, and 75% were virally suppressed. Uninsured patients receiving RWHAP assistance were significantly more likely to be prescribed ART (52% vs 94%; P < .01) and virally suppressed (39% vs 77%; P < .01) than uninsured patients without RWHAP assistance. Patients with private insurance and Medicaid were 6% and 7% less likely, respectively, to be prescribed ART than those with RWHAP only (P < .01). Those with private insurance and Medicaid were 5% and 12% less likely, respectively, to be virally suppressed (P ≤ .02) than those with RWHAP only. Patients whose private or Medicaid coverage was supplemented by RWHAP were more likely to be prescribed ART and virally suppressed than those without RWHAP supplementation (P ≤ .01). CONCLUSIONS Uninsured and underinsured HIV-infected persons receiving RWHAP assistance were more likely to be prescribed ART and virally suppressed than those with other types of healthcare coverage.
What Can Decision Analysis Do for Invasive Species Management

Decisions about management of invasive species are difficult for all the reasons typically addressed by multiattribute decision analysis: uncertain outcomes, multiple and conflicting objectives, and many interested parties with differing views on both facts and values. This article illustrates how the tools of multiattribute analysis can improve management of invasive species, with an emphasis on making explicit the social values and preferences that must inform invasive species management. Risk assessment protocols developed previously for invasive species management typically suffer from two interacting flaws: (1) separating risk assessment from risk management, thus disrupting essential connections between the social values at stake in invasive species decisions and the scientific knowledge necessary to predict the likely impacts of management actions, and (2) relying on expert judgment about risk framed in qualitative and value-laden terms, inadvertently mixing the expert's judgment about what is likely to happen with personal preferences. Using the values structuring and probability-modeling elements of formal decision analysis can remedy these difficulties and make invasive species management responsive to both good science and public values. The management of feral pigs in Hawaiian ecosystems illustrates the need for such an integrated approach.
Some Evidence of Colinear Wind Stress and Wave Breaking

Abstract Data collected during the Surface Waves and Processes Program are employed to investigate a possible interrelation between wind stress and surface wave breaking. From comparison of data from 15 half-hour long time segments, the directions of the wind stress and the whitecap motion are observed to be generally colinear, with both lying between the mean wind and the swell. As well, a nondimensionalized whitecap speed is found to correlate with the drag coefficient. These results suggest that the magnitude and direction of the wind stress might be estimated from wave breaking information.
Regional differences in dosage compensation on the chicken Z chromosome

Background Most Z chromosome genes in birds are expressed at a higher level in ZZ males than in ZW females, and thus are relatively ineffectively dosage compensated. Some Z genes are compensated, however, by an unknown mechanism. Previous studies identified a non-coding RNA in the male hypermethylated (MHM) region, associated with sex-specific histone acetylation, which has been proposed to be involved in dosage compensation.
Regulation of mouse SP-B gene promoter by AP-1 family members

The regulatory role of activator protein-1 (AP-1) family members in mouse surfactant protein (SP) B (mSP-B) promoter function was assessed in the mouse lung epithelial cell line MLE-15. Expression ...
Neuroanatomical and Neurophysiological Considerations

It is traditional that a review of the anatomy of language disorders commences with a summary of the history of the disputes between the proponents of the two main streams of thought about brain-language relationships. The ebb and flow of popularity of various localizationist and globalist theories is colorful and instructive, but it is well reviewed elsewhere (Hecaen and Albert, 1978). This issue is no longer relevant in the sense considered by previous generations. Clearly brain functions are not equally represented in all regions. Interhemispheric differences exist in 1) the perception and manipulation of higher level sensory information, 2) the Organization of axial, limb and buccofacial movements and 3) the ability to generate speech and language. These interhemispheric differences are based in part on anatomical asymmetries which are evident in fetal life (Wada et al., 1975). There is intrahemispheric specialization in brain function as well, and within the left hemisphere, much of this specialization in function constitutes the anatomy of language. Even many ostensible critics of the localizationist theories resorted to a system of language Classification that carried implicit functional localization which strongly resembled the classical formulations of Wernicke (1874) and Dejerine (1914). For example, Marie (1917), Head (1926), and Goldstein (1948), despite their reputations as antilocalizationists, utilized systems of Classification based on functional anatomy.
Bioelectrodes for Neural Prostheses

Neural prostheses which are commercially available include cochlear implants for treating certain forms of deafness and urinary bladder evacuation prostheses for individuals with spinal cord disorders. In the future we can anticipate improvements in bioelectrodes and biomaterials which should permit more sophisticated devices such as visual prostheses for the blind and auditory prostheses for the deaf based on microstimulation of the central nervous system.
The Life Histories of Three Species of Gerrids (Heteroptera, GerridÆ).

During the summer of 1923 the writer carried on a number of life history and habit studies, as supplementary work in connection with the evaluation of certain aquatic environments. These studies were made primarily in order to determine the position the various species held in the economy of the environments studied. Since the results of this work will not be published for: some time, it has been deemed advisable to publish some of the life histories as separate papers.
Monetary policy on the 75th anniversary of the federal reserve system Edited by Michael T. Belongia Amsterdam: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1991, 278 pp.

Printed on the back cover of this volume is a summary of its contents that includes the statement that the book “…is perhaps best seen not as the end-product of a recent research agenda but as a roadmap for future research on unresolved issues in monetary theory and policy.” This certainly is truth in advertising. Although the roadmap provided in this book is not unflawed, it is brilliantly colored and well marked and should be widely read by students and practitioners alike.
Opinion Leadership, Backlash, and Delegitimation: Supreme Court Rulings and Public Opinion

Can the Supreme Court persuade the public to agree with its rulings on controversial social issues? Or do the Court’s pronouncements on these issues cause the Court to lose credibility with those who disagree with it? Both of these questions have been the topics of theory and analysis, but most of this research has been subject to the limits inherent in using observational data. Here we explore these questions using a two-wave survey experiment with a nationally representative sample of Americans. We find that learning of the Court’s rulings moves opinion toward the Court in an unmistakable fashion in only one out of six cases studied (the decriminalization of same-sex relations in Lawrence v. Texas). More significant, we find strong evidence that unpopular Court rulings result in a loss of legitimacy for the Court - but only among conservatives. Learning of liberal Court rulings causes those who disagree with them to shift sharply toward favoring a reduction in the Court’s powers. Learning of conservative rulings has no such effect. Our findings suggest that in contemporary American politics, the persuasive powers of the Court are limited and the institutional legitimacy of the Court is particularly fragile among conservatives.
Providing health care to refugees.

Migration into the United States is currently a hotly debated and highly charged issue. For political reasons changes in U.S. immigration policy are certain to occur in the near future. While America is called a country of immigrants it is much less a country of refugees. The distinction between the two groups is not always clearly understood by clinicians yet is of great importance for both health screening and follow-up care. If all migration into the country were stopped today, health care professionals would still be treating health conditions and observing cultural practices that are unique to those already admitted.
Experimental Physics at the Highest Energy (In this Century

During the last few days the students at the school have heard presentations on theory ranging from strings tom the evolution of structure functions. There has been very little reported on how experiments are actually done. What would I like to do is discuss, without great detail, how experiments are done at a collider today. Thus the first part of my talk is entitled Tevatron Today. At the Fermilab Tevatron there are proton-antiproton collisions at √s = 1800 GeV with a peak luminosity 2 ✖ 1030 cm-2 sec-1. The major detector that was built describe the Tevatron tomorrow.
Multiple Functions of Protein Inhibitor of Activated STAT1 in Regulating Endothelial Cell Proliferation and Inflammation

Protein modifications with small ubiquitin–like modifier (SUMO) have been found to play a key role in regulating the formation of atherosclerosis.1–3 SUMO proteins covalently modify certain residues of specific target substrates and change the function of these substrates. It has been well established that the protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS) family of proteins has not only SUMO E3 ligase activity, but also transrepression activity.4 Lerchenmuller et al5 have now reported a critical role for PIAS1 in regulating S100A6-mediated endothelial cell proliferation. In particular, they show that S100A6 induces PIAS1 expression and, consequently, increases the entry and progression of cell cycle in endothelial cells via inhibiting STAT1-mediated induction of IFITM1 (interferon-inducible transmembrane protein 1; Figure A). It has been reported that the direct inhibition of Thr55 phosphorylation of p53 induced by IFITM1 stabilizes p53 expression and upregulates p53-p21 expression, leading to cell cycle inhibition.9 Therefore, Lerchenmuller et al5 assume that this may be one of the regulatory mechanisms by which IFITM1 can inhibit endothelial cell proliferation. These data suggest that in response to vascular endothelial growth factor-A and subsequent S100A6 induction, PIAS1 plays a crucial role in regulating endothelial proliferation. In this editorial, the role of the PIAS family will be briefly reviewed by focusing on the regulation of endothelial functions, including inflammation, proliferation, and Kruppel like factor 2/endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression. Figure. A , Multiple functions of PIAS1. B , The domain structure of PIAS1. PIAS1 S90 site lie in the NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light chain-enhancer of activated B cells) interacting region, whereas PIAS1 S522 site does not lie in any of PIAS1’s functional domains involved in NF-κB binding or its SUMO E3 ligase activity (RLD) domain.6 Reprinted from Le …
Soccer-Related Facial Trauma: A Nationwide Perspective

Purpose:Soccer participation continues to increase among all ages in the US. Our objective was to analyze trends in soccer-related facial injury epidemiology, demographics, and mechanisms of injury...
Tutorial on the Role of Cyclopentadienyl Ligands in the Discovery of Molecular Complexes of the Rare-Earth and Actinide Metals in New Oxidation States136†

A fundamental aspect of any element is the range of oxidation states accessible for useful chemistry. This tutorial describes the recent expansion of the number of oxidation states available to the rare-earth and actinide metals in molecular complexes that has resulted through organometallic chemistry involving the cyclopentadienyl ligand. These discoveries demonstrate that the cyclopentadienyl ligand, which has been a key component in the development of organometallic chemistry since the seminal discovery of ferrocene in the 1950s, continues to contribute to the advancement of science. Background information on the rare-earth and actinide elements is presented, as well as the sequence of events that led to these unexpected developments in the oxidation state chemistry of these metals.
Systems innovation model: an integrated interdisciplinary team approach pre- and post-bariatric surgery at a veterans affairs (VA) medical center

Abstract Background Provision of bariatric surgery in the Veterans Health Administration must account for obese veterans' co-morbidity burden and the geographically dispersed location of patients relative to Veterans Affairs (VA) bariatric centers. Objectives To evaluate a collaborative, integrated, interdisciplinary bariatric team of surgeons, bariatricians, psychologists, dieticians, and physical therapists working in a hub-and-spokes care model, for pre- and post-bariatric surgery assessment and management. Methods This is a description of an interdisciplinary clinic and bariatric program at a VA healthcare system and a report on program evaluation findings. Retrospective data of a prospective database was abstracted. For program evaluation, we abstracted charts to characterize patient data and conducted a patient survey. Results Since 2009, 181 veterans have undergone bariatric surgery. Referrals came from 7 western U.S. states. Mean preoperative body mass index was 46 kg/m 2 (maximum 71). Mean age was 53 years, with 33% aged>60 years; 79% were male. Medical co-morbidity included diabetes (70%), hypertension (85%), and lower back or extremity joint pain (84%). A psychiatric diagnosis was present in 58%. At 12 months, follow-up was 81% and percent excess body mass index loss was 50.5%. Among 54 sequential clinic patients completing anonymous surveys, overall satisfaction with the interdisciplinary team approach and improved quality of life were high (98% and 94%, respectively). Conclusion The integrated, interdisciplinary team approach using a hub-and-spokes model is well suited to the VA bariatric surgery population, with its heavy burden of medical and mental health co-morbidity and its system of geographically dispersed patients receiving treatment at specialty centers. As the VA seeks to expand the use of bariatric surgery as an option for obese veterans, interdisciplinary models crafted to address case complexity, care coordination, and long-term outcomes should be part of policy planning efforts.
Going Vertical: Enhancing Staff Training Through Vertically Integrated Instruction

Every library has staff with specialized skills, but how can we ensure that we “spread the wealth” and promote the acquisition of skills to all staff within the library? This chapter details the ways in which librarians harnessed the talent of their respective teams to create quarterly instruction sessions to allow staff—from paraprofessionals to professional librarians—to teach each other their specialized skills. This experiential learning program has helped to build teams and has fostered an environment of enhanced collaboration within the library. Library staff benefit from learning from their colleagues and from being recognized within the library for sharing their skills. While seeking training opportunities outside the library is essential to anyone’s career, so too is learning the fine art of utilizing your immediate resources. This chapter will detail the ways in which this program can be replicated in any library.
Seeing Myself through Someone Else's Eyes: The Value of In-Classroom Coaching for Computer Science Teaching and Learning

This article describes the impact of in-classroom coaching for computer science (CS) educators. Coaching is a way to support teachers in their classroom while teachers master new curricula or educational approaches and is not evaluative in purpose. Using qualitative methods to analyze computer science classroom observations, teacher surveys, teacher interviews, coaching logs, and coach interviews, this research answers the following question: How does in-classroom coaching support inquiry and equity-based teaching practices? This study of Exploring Computer Science classrooms illustrates the importance of having in-classroom coaches who can collaborate and reflect with teachers about current practices and who can help support new inquiry and equity-based instructional skills. Teachers note that in-classroom coaching helped (1) positively impact changes in pedagogy, (2) enrich teachers’ CS content knowledge, and (3) break CS teacher isolation at schools. Three case studies from computer science classrooms served by different coaches are shared to illustrate the ways teacher instructional practice can be strengthened over time through coaching.
Effects of Si and Mg dopants on the kinetics of aluminum alloys nitridation

ABSTRACT Combustion reactions of molten aluminum alloys with nitrogen atmosphere have been carried out to determine to what extend dense Al/AIN composites could be obtained. The present paper describes the effects of dopants such as Si and Mg on the kinetics of aluminum nitridation. A micro-thermal balance with a heating temperature up to 1500°C was used to measure the sample weight gain as aluminum was converted to aluminum nitride. Microstructural analyses of reaction products revealed that a columnar aluminum/aluminum nitride structure has grown outward from the metal surface. The reaction kinetics are complex, particularly in the temperature range of 900-1300°C. The overall weight gain involves not only the nitridation reaction but also the movement of molten metal to the reaction surface. It was found that dopants sustained the reaction by altering the surface area of the growth front. In optimal conditions, the complete conversion of Al into A1N could be achieved in an hour.
A National Survey of Trauma Training in Psychology Internships

ABSTRACTDirectors from psychology internship programs across the United States were asked to participate in a survey regarding their sites’ provision of services to traumatized populations and didactic and supervisory training offered to interns. All totaled, 259 training directors completed the survey. Using a point system, an impact score of training saturation was determined based on the content and frequency of training offered in didactic, supervision, or combined formats. Of these, all reported at least one trauma training opportunity in either didactic or supervision format. More than half indicated that they offered at least 1 to 3 hours of didactics on trauma per week (62.2%) and slightly less offered supervision-specific training opportunities (54.5%). However, only 30.8% identified training opportunities in trauma/posttraumatic stress disorder that reached a high level of saturation in training, meaning they offered training activities above the median impact score. The most commonly reported b...
The Impact of Financial Markets on Payout Policy: Evidence from Short Selling

We investigate the impact of the stock-price formation process on payout policy using the Regulation SHO pilot program which removed short selling constraints and increased the prospect of short selling for a random sample of pilot firms. We find that pilot firms are more likely to increase dividends during this program. Subsequent to the ending of the program, these firms are less likely to increase dividends but continue to pay dividends and the propensity to repurchase shares increases too. Consistent with signaling and agency-based models, our results are more pronounced for firms with higher information asymmetry and weaker governance. We also provide evidence of a substitution effect between dividend increases and repurchases. Importantly we find that pilot firms are less likely to smooth dividends and that dividends are more likely to be financed through debt when the prospect of short selling increases. Overall, this study shows that stock price dynamics within the secondary financial market have a significant and long-lasting impact on firms’ payout policy.
Technical note: Updated parameterization of the reactive uptake of glyoxal and methylglyoxal by atmospheric aerosols and cloud droplets

Abstract. We present updated recommendations for the reactive uptake coefficients for glyoxal and methylglyoxal uptake to aqueous aerosol particles and cloud droplets. The particle and droplet types considered were based on definitions in GEOS-Chem v11, but the approach is general. Liquid maritime and continental cloud droplets were considered. Aerosol types include sea salt (fine and coarse), with varying relative humidity and particle size, and sulfate/nitrate/ammonium as a function of relative humidity and particle composition. We take into account salting effects, aerosol thermodynamics, mass transfer, and irreversible reaction of the organic species with OH in the aqueous phase. The new recommended values for the reactive uptake coefficients in most cases are lower than those currently used in large-scale models, such as GEOS-Chem. We expect application of these parameterizations will result in improved representation of aqueous secondary organic aerosol formation in atmospheric chemistry models.
Role of Astrocytic Mitochondria in Limiting Ischemic Brain Injury

Until recently, astrocyte processes were thought to be too small to contain mitochondria. However, it is now clear that mitochondria are found throughout fine astrocyte processes and are mobile with neuronal activity resulting in positioning near synapses. In this review, we discuss evidence that astrocytic mitochondria confer selective resiliency to astrocytes during ischemic insults and the functional significance of these mitochondria for normal brain function.
Getting the message across: using ecological integrity to communicate with resource managers

This chapter describes and illustrates how concepts of ecological integrity, thresholds, and reference conditions can be integrated into a research and monitoring framework for natural resource management. Ecological integrity has been defined as a measure of the composition, structure, and function of an ecosystem in relation to the system’s natural or historical range of variation, as well as perturbations caused by natural or anthropogenic agents of change. Using ecological integrity to communicate with managers requires five steps, often implemented iteratively: (1) document the scale of the project and the current conceptual understanding and reference conditions of the ecosystem, (2) select appropriate metrics representing integrity, (3) define externally verified assessment points (metric values that signify an ecological change or need for management action) for the metrics, (4) collect data and calculate metric scores, and (5) summarize the status of the ecosystem using a variety of reporting methods. While we present the steps linearly for conceptual clarity, actual implementation of this approach may require addressing the steps in a different order or revisiting steps (such as metric selection) multiple times as data are collected. Knowledge of relevant ecological thresholds is important when metrics are selected, because thresholds identify where small changes in an environmental driver produce large responses in the ecosystem. Metrics with thresholds at or just beyond the limits of a system’s range of natural variability can be excellent, since moving beyond the normal range produces a marked change in their values. Alternatively, metrics with thresholds within but near the edge of the range of natural variability can serve as harbingers of potential change. Identifying thresholds also contributes to decisions about selection of assessment points. In particular, if there is a significant resistance to perturbation in an ecosystem, with threshold behavior not occurring until well beyond the historical range of variation, this may provide a scientific basis for shifting an ecological assessment point beyond the historical range. We present two case studies using ongoing monitoring by the US National Park Service Vital Signs program that illustrate the use of an ecological integrity approach to communicate ecosystem status to resource managers. The Wetland Ecological Integrity in Rocky Mountain National Park case study uses an analytical approach that specifically incorporates threshold detection into the process of establishing assessment points. The Forest Ecological Integrity of Northeastern National Parks case study describes a method for reporting ecological integrity to resource managers and other decision makers. We believe our approach has the potential for wide applicability for natural resource management.
Association of prematurity with the development of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) has several known risk factors. The association between prematurity and IHPS and the timeline of presentation are poorly defined. Our aim was to evaluate the associations between IHPS and prematurity. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 1,074,236 children born between June 2001 and April 2012 in the US Military Health System. IHPS cases and gestational ages (GA) were identified using billing codes. Additional risk factors for IHPS were controlled for in a multivariable logistic regression model. The incidence of IHPS was 2.99 per 1,000 in preterm infants and 2.25 per 1,000 in full term (relative risk (RR) = 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–1.54). The adjusted odds ratio for prematurity was 1.26 (95% CI 1.08–1.46). The median (interquartile range (IQR)) chronological age at presentation was 40 d (30–56) in preterm infants vs. 33 d (26–45) in full term (P < 0.001). Median postmenstrual age at presentation was 42 wk in preterm infants (40–42) vs. 45 wk (44–46) in full term (P < 0.001). Prematurity is associated with IHPS. Premature infants develop IHPS at a later chronological age, but earlier postmenstrual age, than term infants. Providers should have an increased concern for IHPS development in premature infants.
A 2-Year Longitudinal Study of Normal Cone Photoreceptor Density.

Purpose Despite the potential for adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) to quantify retinal disease progression at the cellular level, there remain few longitudinal studies investigating changes in cone density as a measure of disease progression. Here, we undertook a prospective, longitudinal study to investigate the variability of cone density measurements in normal subjects during a 2-year period. Methods Fourteen eyes of nine subjects with no known ocular pathology were imaged both at a baseline and a 2-year follow-up visit by using confocal AOSLO at five retinal locations. Two-year affine-registered images were created to minimize the effects of intraframe distortions. Regions of interest were cropped from baseline, 2-year manually aligned, and 2-year affine-registered images. Cones were identified (graded masked) and cone density was extracted. Results Mean baseline cone density (cones/mm2) was 87,300, 62,200, 45,500, 28,700, and 18,200 at 190, 350, 500, 900, and 1500 μm, respectively. The mean difference (± standard deviation [SD]) in cone density from baseline to 2-year affine-registered images was 1400 (1700), 100 (1800), 300 (800), 400 (800), and 1000 (2400) cones/mm2 at the same locations. The mean difference in cone density during the 2-year period was lower for affine-registered images than manually aligned images. Conclusions There was no meaningful change in normal cone density during a 2-year period. Intervisit variability in cone density measurements decreased when intraframe distortions between time points were minimized. This variability must be considered when planning prospective longitudinal clinical trials using changes in cone density as an outcome measure for assessing retinal disease progression.
Trends in Kidney Function Outcomes Following RAAS Inhibition in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Rationale & Objective Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are beneficial in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We sought to describe longitudinal trends in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in HFrEF and how ACE-inhibitor therapy influences these changes. Study Design Post hoc analysis of trial data. Settings & Participants Symptomatic (Treatment Trial, n=2,423) and asymptomatic (Prevention Trial, n=4,094) patients from the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD). Exposure Enalapril versus placebo. Outcomes Early and long-term eGFR slope (ie, within and after the first 6 weeks) and 4 kidney end points: (1) serum creatinine level increase by≥0.3mg/dL, (2)>30% eGFR decline, (3)>40% eGFR decline, and (4) incident eGFR Analytical Approach Shared parameter models, multivariable Cox regression models. Results Baseline mean eGFR was lower in the Treatment Trial than in the Prevention Trial, 69.5±19.8 (SD) versus 76.2±18.6mL/min/1.73m2. Following randomization, an early eGFR decline occurred in the enalapril group; however, slopes during the median 3-year follow-up were not statistically different by randomization arm in either the Treatment Trial (−0.84 in enalapril vs−1.36mL/min/1.73m2 per year in placebo; P=0.08) or Prevention Trial (−1.27 in enalapril vs−1.36mL/min/1.73m2 per year in placebo; P=0.7). Random assignment to enalapril treatment increased the risk for all 4 outcomes in the Treatment Trial in the first 6-week period (HRs were 1.48 [95% CI, 1.10-1.99] for creatinine increase by≥0.3mg/dL; 1.38 [95% CI, 0.98-1.94] for eGFR decline> 30%; 2.60 [95% CI, 1.30-5.21] for eGFR decline> 40%; and 4.71 [95% CI, 1.78-12.50] for eGFR Limitations Creatinine results were not blinded, making it possible that ACE-inhibitor/placebo dosing was influenced by creatinine level. Conclusion Kidney function decline is slow in HFrEF. Although random assignment to enalapril treatment results in a statistically increased risk for kidney surrogates, the risk is limited to the early phase and late eGFR slopes and risks are not different by randomly assigned group.
The Value of Impoliteness in Octavia Butler’s Xenogenesis Trilogy

Despite extensive critical discourse on themes of power, conflict, and language in Octavia Butler’s work, the impact of linguistic impoliteness on these themes has not been previously explored. This paper analyzes Butler’s use of linguistic (im)politeness in her Xenogenesis trilogy finding that Butler undermines polite forms of communication thereby foregrounding power asymmetry between characters. Although dystopic literature creates an expectation of impoliteness and conflict, Butler relies on a normative framework of ordinary conversational politeness to heighten impoliteness effects so that they remain salient to readers. The spokesperson for this privileged view of confrontational verbal interaction is her main female character, Lilith Iyapo, whose focalized interactions allow Butler to connect impoliteness with key themes of the trilogy—truth telling and an authentic human identity.