cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laudato Si’ and Integral Ecology: A Reconceptualization of Sustainability

This study analyzes sustainability concepts through the lens of Roman Catholic Social Teaching (CST) with a special emphasis on Laudato Si’. CST expands the focus of sustainability to include social justice through its emphasis on human dignity, the common good, and caritas. In CST, justice is understood as structural while environmental obligations are connected to integral human development and peace. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis calls on us to counter prevailing unjust systems with a structural reordering of multiple ecologies: environmental, economic, social, cultural, and daily life. Based on this reordering, he developed the notion of integral ecology, and we show how it encompasses a set of existing sustainability ideas in CST and, more importantly, how it changes the focus and scope of sustainability. Unfortunately, and despite supposed good intentions, some institutions misrepresent and use the term “sustainability” to justify systems that result in “un sustainable” consequences. We thus show how Laudato Si’ offers an antidote to such unsustainable practices by reconceptualizing the sustainability construct through the notion of integral ecology.
General Equilibrium Rebound from Energy Efficiency Policies

I study the general equilibrium implications of large-scale policies to improve energy efficiency, which are being implemented around the world to mitigate climate change. Energy efficiency policies "rebound" when economic responses undercut their direct energy savings. I develop an analytic general equilibrium framework that allows improvements in energy efficiency to affect output prices and factor prices. I show that general equilibrium channels typically amplify rebound and make it more likely that improvements in efficiency end up increasing total energy use. General equilibrium channels are likely to be especially problematic when sectors targeted for efficiency improvements have a large value share of energy. In these cases, ignoring general equilibrium channels can severely bias benefit-cost analyses in favor of energy efficiency policies.
Cooling power and characteristic times of composite heatsinks and insulants

Abstract Thermal energy storage materials for transient thermal management applications must exhibit large energy storage densities as well as large cooling/heating power densities. The latter property has proven difficult to quantify on a materials basis because it depends on extrinsic effects. Here, we apply a previously defined cooling power figure of merit, a measure of a material’s intrinsic capacity to absorb a transient heat pulse, to analyze composite phase change material heatsinks and insulants. The results demonstrate important limits on the effects of high- and low-conductivity component volume fractions, orientations, and the critical lengthscales of individual components. Champion composites are predicted to have up to 5 times greater figure of merit than pure high-conductivity materials and up to 30 times greater figure of merit than pure phase change materials. Furthermore, composites consisting of insulating materials containing dispersed phase change materials are predicted to exhibit an order of magnitude increase in their characteristic response time. These results demonstrate the utility of the cooling power figure of merit to design compact high power and energy density heatsink and insulant materials.
Structure characterization of UV-curing PEG-b-PPG-b-PEG dimethacrylate cross-linked network

Abstract The molecular structure of a series of newly developed ultraviolet (UV) curable electrical contact stabilization materials, which contain polyethylene glycol (PEG)-block-polypropylene glycol (PPG)-block-polyethylene glycol (PEG) capped with methacrylate functional groups on both ends as the reactive oligomers and a methacrylated PEG as the reactive diluent was studied in detail. The effects of reactive diluents, including functionalities and compositions were investigated via a combination of dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, FT-IR spectroscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction. All the films exhibit completely amorphous state at room temperature regardless of the composition or thermal history. However, a small amount of PPPDI molecular chains undergo crystallization upon slow cooling. This crystallization is completely inhibited when mixed with di-functional reactive diluents, owing to the high cross-link density. The introduction of mono-functional reactive diluents restricts but not completely prevents the crystallization process, which causes the resulting films to be difficult to crystallize to lower crystallinity levels. On the other hand, adding non-reactive diluents transforms the resulting films to become a fast-crystallizing material, as a result of the low cross-link density and a large portion of unreacted oligomers along with the unreactive component. Additionally, the degree of heterogeneity for the cross-linked networks is generally increased by the addition of reactive diluents. The molecular structures of PEG-b-PPG-b-PEG dimethacrylate cross-linked networks as well as mixed with different types of reactive diluents at both room temperature and crystallizing temperature were proposed.
Addressing direct admission workflow through process mapping (P2.065)

Objective: Understand the process for directly admitting patients to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) and identify interventions that encourage admissions during a time of maximal medical staffing (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Background: A quality improvement initiative at our institution revealed a significant percentage of consults, direct admissions, and outside hospital transfers occur when the full resident complement is significantly reduced. While many admissions to the EMU are scheduled, 58% of these admissions occur during the evening, a period of reduced staffing. The process leading to a majority of direct admissions during hours with reduced staffing was unclear. Design/Methods: We contacted all stakeholders involved in electively admitting a patient to the EMU, including epilepsy physicians, admitting office, bed board, floor staff, nurses, neurology residents, and patients. Each stakeholder explained the steps involved in the process from their perspective and shared insight into workflow limitations. The individual parts were combined into one visual process map, which was then used to identify variables delaying scheduled admissions. Results: Neurology bed availability critically limits the process and varies highly depending on hospital census. Rounding schedules result in decisions for discharge being made the same morning of discharge. Despite the hospital’s preferred 12 p.m. target discharge, the average discharge order placement occurs at 12:33 p.m. and patient departure time occurs, on average, at 3:01 p.m., limiting bed availability for new admissions until late afternoon or early evening. Additionally, attendings and patients have preferred days and times for admission, and discussion between the admitting office and the patient may allow for the patient to request extra time between the bed availability and arrival. Conclusions: Process mapping can help elucidate a complex process with multiple stakeholders, allowing for the identification of intervention opportunities for quality improvement. Disclosure: Dr. Rossi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mueller has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pedowitz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stein has nothing to disclose. Dr. Young has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yoo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tuhrim has nothing to disclose.
How Harvard Defined Irreversible Coma

The Harvard criteria for the definition of irreversible coma or brain death were a product of a multidisciplinary committee chaired by anesthesiologist Beecher. The Harvard criteria included unreceptivity, unresponsiveness, no movements or breathing, no reflexes with further delineation of brainstem reflexes, and a flat electroencephalogram (repeated after 24 h with no change). The apnea test involved disconnection of the ventilator for 3 min. Hypothermia or any other central nervous system depressant had to be excluded. The Harvard criteria (and what followed) have been a bane for bioethicists from day one. This historical vignette explains, criticizes, and celebrates this landmark publication for its courage to tackle the topic. The Harvard criteria resulted in more studies and more criteria gradually complicating matters until the American Academy of Neurology in 1995 provided the necessary simplicity.
A Different Kind of Disadvantage: Candidate Race, Cognitive Complexity, and Voter Choice

Voters use heuristics to help them make decisions when they lack information about political choices. Candidate appearance operates as a powerful low-information cue. However, widely held stereotypes mean that reliance on such a heuristic can reduce support for candidates of color. We argue that racial prejudices are more likely to dominate decision making when electoral environments require voters to expend more cognitive resources—such as when they must choose multiple candidates at once. Using two experiments we find that black candidates receive less support from cognitively taxed voters than from voters who have the cognitive space to intentionally limit their prejudices when voting. We also reveal that this pattern is particularly evident among ideologically liberal voters. Respondents who profess politically liberal views support black candidates more often than white candidates when the cognitive task is simple but are less likely to do so when they are cognitively taxed.
An Ensemble Learning Based Wi-Fi Network Intrusion Detection System (WNIDS)

As the use of Wi-Fi networks grows, so does the increase in security threats. Attackers continue to improve their attack methods, which create the need for developing effective mechanisms to detect the sophisticated attacks. In this work, we propose an implementation of intrusion detection system for Wi-Fi networks using an ensemble learning method. The AWID Wi-Fi intrusion dataset is used to discover the necessary features needed for the efficient IDS implementation. We apply several ensemble learning methods on this dataset and finalize the best one for the proposed IDS implementation. The performance of IDS is reported using well-known metrics including accuracy, precision, recall, and f-measure.
Direct Evidence for Temporal Molecular Fractionation of Dissolved Organic Matter at the Iron Oxyhydroxide Interface

While the importance of organic matter adsorption onto reactive iron-bearing mineral surfaces to carbon stabilization in soils and sediments has been well-established, fundamental understanding of how compounds assemble at the mineral interface remains elusive. Organic matter is thought to layer sequentially onto the mineral surface, forming molecular architecture stratified by bond strength and compound polarity. However, prominent complexation models lack experimental backing, despite the role of such architecture in fractionated, compound-dependent persistence of organic matter and modulating future perturbations in mineral stabilization capacity. Here, we use kinetic assays and ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry under high temporal frequency to directly detect the molecular partitioning of organic matter onto an iron oxyhydroxide during adsorption. We observed three sequential intervals of discrete molecular composition throughout the adsorption reaction, ...
Finding Concept Coverings in Aligning Ontologies of Linked Data

Despite the recent growth in the size of the Linked Data Cloud, the absence of links between the vocabularies of the sources has resulted in heterogenous schemas. Our previous work tried to find conceptual mapping between two sources and was successful in finding alignments, such as equivalence and subset relations, using the instances that are linked as equal. By using existential concepts and their intersections to define specialized classes (restriction classes), we were able to find alignments where previously existing concepts in one source did not have corresponding equivalent concepts in the other source. Upon inspection, we found that though we were able to find a good number of alignments, we were unable to completely cover one source with the other. In many cases we observed that even though a larger class could be defined completely by the multiple smaller classes that it subsumed, we were unable to find these alignments because our definition of restriction classes did not contain the disjunction operator to define a union of concepts. In this paper we propose a method that discovers alignments such as these, where a (larger) concept of the first source is aligned to the union of the subsumed (smaller) concepts from the other source. We apply this new algorithm to the Geospatial, Biological Classification, and Genetics domains and show that this approach is able to discover numerous concept coverings, where (in most cases) the subsumed classes are disjoint. The resulting alignments are useful for determining the mappings between ontologies, refining existing ontologies, and finding inconsistencies that may indicate that some instances have been erroneously aligned.
SRS image cytometry for high-content single cell analysis

Hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy allows imaging of complex chemical mixtures and analysis cellular metabolites with high specificity. However, current SRS imaging is not implemented to address the cell heterogeneity issue, which can only be resolved by statistical analysis of a large amount of cells through cytometry. We developed a high-speed hyperspectral SRS image cytometry platform based on multiplex excitation, acquiring a Raman spectrum of 200 wavenumbers in 5 microseconds. This platform enables measurement of <100 cells per second. Multiple chemical signatures, featuring different cellular organelles such as lipids, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, and cytoplasm can be segmented. Statistical analysis over a large amount of cells reveals unprecedented details about cell metabolic changes after drug treatment.
A marginal cost analysis of a Big Brothers Big Sisters of America youth mentoring program: New evidence using statistical analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost of serving one additional youth in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS) program. We used a marginal cost approach which offers a significant improvement over previous methods based on average total cost estimates. The data consisted of eight years of monthly records from January 2008 to August 2015 obtained from program administrators at one BBBS site in the Mid-Atlantic. Results show that the BBBS marginal cost to serve one additional youth was $80 per mentor-month of BBBS mentoring (irrespective of program type). The cost to offer services for the average match duration of 19 months per marginal added youth was $1,503. The marginal costs per treated program participant in school-based versus community-based programs were $1,199 and $3,301, respectively. Marginal cost estimates are in the range of youth mentoring programs with significant returns on investment but are substantially higher than prior BBBS unit cost estimates reported using less robust estimation methods. This cost analysis can better inform policy makers and donors on the cost of expanding the scale of local BBBS programs as well as suggest opportunities for cost savings.
Phase rule classification of physical and chemical critical effects in liquid mixtures

Abstract The isobaric heat capacity and the coefficient of thermal expansion of a binary liquid mixture with a critical point of solution diverge as functions of temperature in the critical region. When the same liquids are used as solvents for chemical reactions, the van’t Hoff plot of the extent of reaction diverges in the critical region. According to the phase rule, the physical and chemical properties are isomorphic in the sense that in each case the critical behavior is determined by three fixed thermodynamic intensive variables.
Diagnosis and Management of Central Nervous System Cryptococcal Infections in HIV-Infected Adults

Cryptococcal meningitis persists as a significant source of morbidity and mortality in persons with HIV/AIDS, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite increasing access to antiretrovirals, persons presenting with advanced HIV disease remains common, and Cryptococcus remains the most frequent etiology of adult meningitis. We performed a literature review and herein present the most up-to-date information on the diagnosis and management of cryptococcosis. Recent advances have dramatically improved the accessibility of timely and affordable diagnostics. The optimal initial antifungal management has been newly updated after the completion of a landmark clinical trial. Beyond antifungals, the control of intracranial pressure and mitigation of toxicities remain hallmarks of effective treatment. Cryptococcal meningitis continues to present challenging complications and continued research is needed.
A Fast Exact Viewshed Algorithm on GPU

We present a parallel GPU algorithm for computing viewshed using the radial-sweep approach, and we are considering the case of in-memory execution. We compared our algorithm with other three viewshed algorithms: sequential R3, sequential radial-sweep, and parallel GPU-based R3. In our experiment, we used a grid of size (10801 x 10801), and our algorithm finished execution in 1.7 seconds and was more than 3. 5x faster than GPU-based R3, over 6200x times faster than the standard sequential R3 algorithm, and 1627x times faster than the sequential CPU-based radial-sweep. Viewshed problem or visibility computing is concerned with finding all points or cells that are visible for a giving cell that is called the observer. Processing such a problem for a large grid is very time-consuming using CPU, mainly when producing results with the highest possible accuracy. Thus, in our work, we are proposing a new parallel algorithm for solving the viewshed problem. Our algorithm is based on the radial-sweep algorithm, and it is designed to be used on the GPU. The algorithm design has overcome many challenges to enable the parallelization of the radial-sweep algorithm. Challenges such as minimizing the space required by intermediate results used by the algorithm, efficiently sorting the intermediate results, utilizing pre-allocated static data structures instead of dynamic data structures to be more suitable for GPUs, and dividing the problem into chunks to be processed in parallel while maintaining the accuracy of the results to be equivalent to its CPU sequential version.
Family-Centered Management of Birth Defects Diagnosis and Referral in Hospital Settings in Florida.

Families’ experiences of children diagnosed with birth defects vary greatly in navigating care systems and there is no comprehensive national protocol or standards for support and referral processes at birth. This study builds on the results of previous literature examining these variations in access to care. A survey was conducted among providers from across Florida to determine current practices and recommendations for providing information, medical/community referrals, discharge planning, and family-centered care in hospital settings. Fifty-four hospital health care providers across Florida completed an online survey for 11 congenital conditions through closed and open-ended responses. Survey questions were based on a literature review that focused on identifying and understanding the current practices related to providing information, support and referrals to families of infants born with birth defects. Analyses included descriptive statistics, and content analysis of the open-ended responses. Survey respondents identified key personnel, practices, and challenges related to family-centered care in birth hospitals. While information and referral are often provided to the family by the physician or nurse, other health care providers and community agencies also play an important role. Processes for information and referral vary by birth defect; however common structures that support Family-centered management include written materials for family information and support, participatory discharge planning, interdisciplinary communication and coordination, and provider training/awareness. Through additional resources, staffing, increased communication, education, and coordination between health care providers, families and hospitals improvements can be made in the management of birth defect diagnosis and referrals. Best practices must be agreed upon, operationalized, disseminated, and evaluated so that parents consistently receive sensitive, individualized, timely information and referrals relative to their child’s condition.
Cytogenetics of Neoplasia

Based on investigations from many laboratories, four general statements can be made about karyotypic alterations in neoplasia: (1) most tumors have chromosome abnormalities, which are not present in other cells of the body; (2) in a given tumor, all the neoplastic cells often have the same cytogenetic change, or related changes; (3) chromosome abnormalities are more extensive in advanced tumors; and (4) although chromosome alterations often differ between tumors, there are nonrandom patterns. Each of the four observations has contributed to our understanding of the nature of the transformed cell and the development of malignant tumors.
Hand position affects performance on multiplication tasks

We investigated whether or not hand placement affects people’s ability to apply learned mathematical information in new and familiar contexts. Participants learned a set of arithmetic facts presented one way (i.e., in a × b = c format) and then were tested on those same facts shown in either a novel format (b × a = __) in Experiment 1 or in the previously-learned format (a × b = __) in Experiment 2. Throughout study and test, participants’ hands were either near to or far from the stimuli. Performance on the novel format was worse when the hands were near compared to far, but performance on the previously-learned format did not depend on hand placement. Together, results indicate that hand proximity impairs mathematical performance when performance depends on the abstracting of conceptual information from sensory information. We conclude that hand placement may be involved in the application of knowledge.
Disasters and Societal Trauma: Complex and Societal PTSD

This chapter addresses the typical pattern of medical and psychological response to major disasters. The typical time pattern and the diagnostic criteria for acute stress disorder (grieving) are discussed as well as the primary risk factors (trauma severity and lack of social support) that predispose an individual to the development of PTSD. The World Health Organization diagnosis of complex PTSD is addressed as well as the newer proposed diagnosis of EPCACE (enduring personality change after a catastrophic experience). The social effects and cost of high levels of societal PTSD are discussed as is the diagnosis of multigenerational PTSD. Various societal types are compared based on PTSD rates and the society’s ability to care for those affected. Marker rates are proposed for the points at which PTSD stresses and then defines societal functioning.
An HDAC6-dependent surveillance mechanism suppresses tau-mediated neurodegeneration and cognitive decline

Tauopathies including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are marked by the accumulation of aberrantly modified tau proteins. Acetylated tau, in particular, has recently been implicated in neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. HDAC6 reversibly regulates tau acetylation, but its role in tauopathy progression remains unclear. Here, we identified an HDAC6-chaperone complex that targets aberrantly modified tau. HDAC6 not only deacetylates tau but also suppresses tau hyperphosphorylation within the microtubule-binding region. In neurons and human AD brain, HDAC6 becomes co-aggregated within focal tau swellings and human AD neuritic plaques. Using mass spectrometry, we identify a novel HDAC6-regulated tau acetylation site as a disease specific marker for 3R/4R and 3R tauopathies, supporting uniquely modified tau species in different neurodegenerative disorders. Tau transgenic mice lacking HDAC6 show reduced survival characterized by accelerated tau pathology and cognitive decline. We propose that a HDAC6-dependent surveillance mechanism suppresses toxic tau accumulation, which may protect against the progression of AD and related tauopathies. HDAC6 is a tau deacetylase and acetylation of tau inhibits its function and promotes aggregation. Here the authors show that HDAC6 protects against tau accumulation in a mouse model of tauopathy.
The absolution of history: Cuban living standards after 60 years of revolutionary rule

Six decades ago, Cuba initiated a momentous social and economic experiment. This paper documents the effects of the experiment on Cuban living standards. Before the revolution, Cuban income per capita was on a par with Ireland or Finland. Indeed, Cuba was one of the richest of the Spanish-speaking societies. Growth is glacially slow after the revolution as GDP per capita increased by 40 per cent between 1957 and 2017 equal to an annual growth rate of 0.6 per cent—among the lowest anywhere. To be sure, other dimensions of well-being such as education and health improved, yet broader welfare measures do not change the conclusion that the revolution impoverished Cuba relative to any plausible counter factual.
Settler colonialism on display: Touring on-campus places of public memory to teach ideological rhetorical criticism

Rhetorical Criticism, Cultural Rhetorics, Public Memory Studies. This activity introduces undergraduates to ideological criticism as a method of rhetorical criticism by illustrating the co-constitu...
Vein graft coil embolization and successful retrieval with a micro-snare

Abstract Following successful retrograde CTO PCI via a degenerating saphenous vein graft , persistent TIMI II flow was noted in the graft. Given increased risk of target vessel failure in the presence of significant competitive flow from a saphenous vein graft, the SVG underwent coil embolization with two 4 mm × 6 cm detachable coils. Follow up angiography with forceful contrast injection resulted in embolization of the coils into the patient's two remaining patent grafts. The coils were then retrieved using a micro-snare. The patient tolerated the procedure with no compromise of flow into the remaining grafts and resolution of angina following CTO PCI.
Local Government, Passive Defense and Aerial Bombardment in Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War, 1936–9:

The bombardment of civilians from the air was a regular feature of the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939. It is estimated some 15,000 Spaniards died as a result of air bombings during the Civil W...
High ambient temperature and child emergency and hospital visits in New York City.

Background Emerging literature has documented heat-related impacts on child health, yet few studies have evaluated the effects of heat among children of different age groups and comparing emergency department (ED) and hospitalisation risks. Objectives To examine the differing associations between high ambient temperatures and risk of ED visits and hospitalisations among children by age group in New York City (NYC). Methods We used New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) data on children aged 0-18 years admitted to NYC EDs (n = 2 252 550) and hospitals (n = 228 006) during the warm months (May-September) between 2005 and 2011. Using a time-stratified, case-crossover design, we estimated the risk of ED visits and hospitalisations associated with daily maximum temperature (Tmax) for children of all ages and by age group. Results The average Tmax over the study period was 80.3°F (range 50°, 104°F). Tmax conferred the greatest risk of ED visits for children aged 0-4, with a 6-day cumulative excess risk of 2.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7, 3.0) per 13°F (ie interquartile range) increase in temperature. Children and adolescents 5-12 years (0.8%, 95% CI 0.1, 1.6) and 13-18 years (1.4%, 95% CI 0.6, 2.3) are also sensitive to heat. For hospitalisations, only adolescents 13-18 years had increased heat-related risk, with a cumulative excess risk of 7.9% (95% CI 2.0, 14.2) per 13°F increase in Tmax over 85°F. Conclusions This urban study in NYC reinforces that young children are particularly vulnerable to effects of heat, but also demonstrates the sensitivity of older children and adolescents as well. These findings underscore the importance of focussing on children and adolescents in targeting heat illness prevention and emergency response activities, especially as global temperatures continue to rise.
Communication between the mediodorsal thalamus and prelimbic cortex regulates timing performance in rats

Abstract Predicting when future events will occur and adjusting behavior accordingly is critical to adaptive behavior. Despite this, little is known about the brain networks that encode time and how this ultimately impacts decision-making. One established finding is that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and its non-human analogues (e.g., the rodent prelimbic cortex; PL) mediate timing. This provides a starting point for exploring the networks that support temporal processing by identifying areas that interact with the PFC during timing tasks. For example, substantial work has explored the role of frontostriatal circuits in timing. However, other areas are undoubtedly involved. The mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MD) is an excellent candidate region. It shares dense, reciprocal connections with PFC-areas in both humans and non-human species and is implicated in cognition. However, causal data implicating MD-PFC interactions in cognition broadly is still sparse, and their role in timing specifically is currently unknown. To address this, we trained male rats on a time-based, decision-making task referred to as the ‘peak-inter- val’ procedure. During the task, presentation of a cue instructed the rats to respond after a specific interval of time elapsed (e.g., tone-8 seconds). We incorporated two cues; each requiring a response after a distinct time-interval (e.g., tone-8 seconds / light-16 seconds). We tested the effects of either reversibly inactivating the MD or PL individually or functionally disconnecting them on performance. All manipulations caused a comparable timing deficit. Specifically, responses showed little organization in time, as if primarily guided by motivational systems. These data expand our understanding of the networks that support timing and suggest that MD-PL interactions specifically are a core component. More broadly, our results suggest that timing tasks provide a reliable assay for characterizing the role of MD-PL interactions in cognition using rodents, which has been difficult to establish in the past.
Influence of student attributes on readiness for interprofessional learning across multiple healthcare disciplines: Identifying factors to inform educational development

Abstract This investigation evaluated if individual student attributes have a predictive impact on readiness for interprofessional education (IPE). An exploratory analysis was conducted with 311 students from dental medicine, dietetics, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and physical therapy. Discipline, gender, age, academic standing, amount of clinical exposure in academic program and number of years worked in a patient care setting were evaluated as predictors of readiness for IPE using the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS). Medical students had significantly lower RIPLS scores compared to pharmacy (p = 0.010) and dietetics students (p = 0.022). Male gender (p = 0.005) was a single independent predictor of IPE readiness. A higher number of years of practice had a significant interaction predictive of readiness for IPE (p = 0.028). Identification of factors influencing readiness for IPE are key to developing teaching and learning strategies targeted to improve teamwork, quality of care and patient outcomes. In this investigation, men with more years of practice was highly predictive of a lower RIPLS score. Based upon our findings, educational planning targeting male medical students with a higher number of years of practice would be a reasonable evidence-based step toward improving the value of IPE programs and curricula. Further work is necessary in developing focus groups, simulation and case-based exercises to influence attitudes and readiness for IPE.
Studies on cellular adhesion in tissue-culture: VI. Initial cell contacts and morphogenetic movements

Abstract An attempt was made to interfere with the reaggregation of dissociated embryonic chick neural retina cells, in the rotatory shaker/incubator described by Moscona. It was found that 10−4 M 2-amino-7-(2-amino-6-methylpyrimidyl -4-amino)-9-p-aminophenyl-phenanthridine 10,1′-di-metho bromide (“prothidium”) markedly affected the size of initial cell aggregates, which became very much larger than in the controls. In all experiments however, regardless of the initial size of aggregates, tissue reconstruction appeared to progress normally, resulting in “rosette” formation. The action of the “prothidium” which was reversibly inhibited below 14–15 °C, and was not due to alterations in surface charge on the cells, cannot be explained at present. The experimental results lend support to the hypothesis that initial adhesions between cells and the subsequent emerging tissue patterns are two basically different phenomena.
Interaction of the RNA-binding domain of the hnRNP C proteins with RNA.

Abstract The hnRNP C proteins are among the most abundant and avid pre-mRNA-binding proteins and they contain a consensus sequence RNA-binding domain (RBD) that is found in a large number of RNA-binding proteins. The interaction of the RBD of the hnRNP C proteins with an RNA oligonucleotide [r(U)8] was monitored by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). 15N and 13C/15N-labelled hnRNP C protein RBD was mixed with r(U)8 and one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) NMR spectra were recorded in a titration experiment. NMR studies of the uncomplexed 93 amino acid hnRNP C RBD (Wittekind et al., 1992) have shown that it has a compact folded structure (beta alpha beta beta alpha beta), which is typical for the RBD of this family of proteins and which is comprised of a four-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet, two alpha-helices and relatively unstructured amino- and carboxy-terminal regions. Sequential assignments of the polypeptide main-chain atoms of the hnRNP C RBD-r(U)8 complex revealed that these typical structural features are maintained in the complex, but significant perturbations of the chemical shifts of amide group atoms occur in a large number of residues. Most of these residues are in the beta-sheet region and especially in the terminal regions of the RBD. In contrast; chemical shifts of the residues of the well conserved alpha-helices, with the exception of Lys30, are not significantly perturbed. These observations localize the candidate residues of the RBD that are involved in the interaction with the RNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Examining the Impact of Video Feedback on Instructor Social Presence in Blended Courses

This mixed method research examined instructors’ use of video feedback and its impact on instructor social presence in 12 blended sections of three preservice educational technology courses. An independent samples t-test was conducted and found no significant difference in perceptions of instructor social presence between students who received video feedback (M = 5.77, SD = 0.85) and those who received text (M = 5.62, SD = 0.75); t(178) = 1.23, p = 0.22. The analysis of 22 student and nine teacher interviews found that participants generally viewed video feedback to be more effective at establishing instructor social presence because instructors could better speak with emotions, talk in a conversational manner, and create a sense of closeness with students. Students also explained that the blended learning format lessened the impact of video feedback on instructor social presence, which may help to explain why statistical differences were not found.
Dysphagia in the Elderly

Elderly patients are inherently predisposed to dysphagia predominately because of comorbid health conditions. With the aging of the population in the United States, along with the increased prevalence of obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease, healthcare providers will increasingly encounter older patients with either oropharyngeal or esophageal disease and complaints of dysphagia. Useful tests to evaluate dysphagia include the videofluoroscopic swallowing study and the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. Swallow rehabilitation is useful to help patients compensate for swallowing difficulty and ultimately help strengthen the neuromusculature involved in swallowing.
Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Protein Expression in Basal Cell Adenomas and Basal Cell Adenocarcinomas

Basal cell adenomas and basal cell adenocarcinomas show marked histomorphologic similarity and are separated microscopically primarily by the invasive characteristics of the adenocarcinomas. We wished to explore potential differences in the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition associated proteins in these two tumor types. A tissue microarray was constructed utilizing 29 basal cell adenomas and 16 basal cell adenocarcinomas. Immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin, beta-catenin, Twist 1 and vimentin were investigated. Both tumors expressed all proteins in a relatively similar manner. Nuclear beta-catenin was essentially limited to the abluminal cell populations in both tumor types. E-cadherin was limited largely to luminal locations but was more prevalent in the adenocarcinomas as compared to the adenomas. Primarily abluminal expression for vimentin was seen, sometimes present in an apical dot-like pattern. Distinct populations of cellular expression of these four markers of epithelial mesenchymal transition were present but were similar in locations in both tumors with no patterns discerned to separate basal cell adenoma from basal cell adenocarcinoma. Given these findings, the mechanisms by which basal cell adenocarcinoma is able to invade while its counterpart, basal cell adenoma can not, may be more complex than in other tumor types.
Assessing the impact of distal protection filter design characteristics on 30-day outcomes of carotid artery stenting procedures

Objective This study aims to review retrospectively the records of patients treated with carotid artery stenting (CAS) to investigate the potential correlations between clinical variables, distal protection filter (DPF) type and characteristics, and 30-day peri-/postprocedural outcomes. Methods This is a multicenter, single-arm, nonrandomized retrospective study of patients who underwent filter-protected CAS in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, region between July 2000 and May 2011. Analysis of peri-/postprocedural complications included myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attacks (TIA), stroke, death, and a composition of all adverse events (AEs). Filter characteristics for Accunet (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, Calif; n = 429 [58.8%]), Angioguard (Cordis Endovascular, Miami Lakes, Fla; n = 114 [15.6%]), FilterWire (Boston Scientific, Natick, Mass; n = 113 [15.5%]), Spider (ev3 Endovascular, Plymouth, Minn; n = 45 [6.2%]), and Emboshield (Abbott Vascular; n = 24 [3.3%]) were previously determined in vitro and were used to find correlations with CAS procedural outcomes. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed, as well as goodness-of-fit tests to find multivariate correlations with procedural outcomes. Results In total, 731 CAS procedures using six different DPFs were analyzed. Peri-/postprocedural AEs included 19 TIAs (2.6%), 38 strokes (5.2%), one myocardial infarction (0.1%), 19 deaths (3.6%), and a total of 61 patients with complications (8.3%). Univariate analysis for filter design characteristics showed that the composite of AE was negatively associated with both vascular resistance ( P = .01) and eccentricity ( P = .02) and was positively associated with porosity ( P = .0007), number of pores ( P = .005), and pore density ( P = .001). Multivariate analysis and the goodness-of-fit test revealed that patients with a history of congestive heart failure, stroke, and TIA (each with odds ratio >1) led to a good-fit model P value of .72 for peri-/postprocedural AEs. Multivariate analysis was inconclusive for all filter design characteristics. Conclusions The following filter design characteristics are independently significant for minimizing peri-/postprocedural AEs: higher vascular resistance, concentric in shape, greater capture efficiency, lower porosity, lower number of pores, and lower pore density. Lower porosity and smaller wall apposition were also found to be independently significant for minimization of peri-/postprocedural TIAs. This information can be used when considering the desirable design characteristics of future DPFs.)
Specific inhibition of nitric oxide synthases at different time points in a murine model of pulmonary sepsis

Excessive production of nitric oxide (NO) by NO synthase (NOS) and a subsequent oxidative stress reaction are thought to be critically involved in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Previous studies suggested that NO production by neuronal NOS (nNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) is implemented in the disease process at different time points after the injury. Here we tested the roles of selective pharmacological inhibition of nNOS and iNOS at different time points in a murine model of pulmonary sepsis. The injury was induced by intranasal administration of live Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.2×10(7) colony-forming units) in C57BL/6 wild-type mice. The animals received no treatment (control) or treatment with a specific nNOS inhibitor (4 or 8h), iNOS inhibitor (4 or 8h), or non-specific NOS inhibitor (4 or 8h). In controls, the injury was associated with excessive releases of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the plasma, enhanced tissue lipid peroxidation, and decreased survival. Non-specific NOS inhibition at either time point did not influence survival and was not further investigated. While nNOS inhibition at 4h was associated with a trend toward improved survival and significantly reduced contents of lung nitrite/nitrate (NO(x)) and liver malondialdehyde, the blockade of nNOS at 8h had no effect on these parameters. In contrast, early iNOS inhibition was associated with a trend toward decreased survival and no effects on lung NO(x) and liver malondialdehyde contents, whereas later iNOS blockade was associated with decreased malondialdehyde content in liver homogenates. In conclusion, pulmonary sepsis in mice may be beneficially influenced by specific pharmacological nNOS inhibition at an earlier time point and iNOS inhibition at a later time points post-injury. Future investigations should identify the time changes of the expression and activation of NOS isoforms.
Osmotic and pharmacological effects of formamide on capacity current, gating current, and sodium current in crayfish giant axons.

Internal perfusion with solutions made hyperosmolar by 10% formamide selectively reduces the initial fast component of ON gating current (fast Ig) in crayfish axons. This result parallels the effects of formamide perfusion seen in Myxicola giant axons (Schauf, C. L., and M. A. Chuman. 1986. Neural Membranes. Alan R. Liss, Inc., New York. 3–23). However, our findings do not confirm their conclusion that internal formamide has a specific pharmacological effect on fast Ig. Formamide-induced suppression of fast Ig is always associated with changes in linear capacity current, indicating a reduction in the rate of rise of the voltage clamp. Furthermore, this suppression of fast Ig can be reversed when clamp rise time is returned to its control rate by increasing compensation for series resistance (Rs) during formamide perfusion. Increases in Rs during 10% formamide perfusion of up to 5 omega.cm2 were measured by evaluating the increase in Rs compensation required to return the following parameters to their control levels: (a) peak capacity current, (b) peak gating current, (c) the voltage maximum of the /Na-V curve, and (d) "tau h". We conclude that hyperosmolar internal formamide increases Rs, reduces clamp speed, and thus selectively suppresses fast Ig. On the other hand, the reversible block of sodium ionic current by internal formamide, reported by Schauf and Chuman, is not eliminated by correcting for series resistance changes during formamide perfusion.
Meditation and Masks, Drums and Dramas Experiential and Participatory Exercises in the Comparative Religions Classroom

In an effort to create a context in which my students might have the opportunity to touch, and to be touched by, the richness, texture, and power of different religious worlds, I have experimented throughout the years with a wide variety of experiential and participatory exercises in the classroom. For example, the students and I (at times with the assistance of an invited expert practitioner) have drummed, danced, gone on shamanic journeys, made masks, done tai chi and hatha yoga, performed dhikr, engaged in mythic psychodramas, practiced different styles of meditation, and so on. In this paper, I examine some of the difficulties and rewards of utilizing these techniques within a university setting. I also explore some of the ways in which a willingness to incorporate these types of exercises into the classroom challenges several current academic pedagogical assumptions.
Aberrant left subclavian artery aneurysm with esophago arterial fistula CT demonstration

Abstract Esophagoarterial fistula is a rare but life-threatening complication of an aberrant subclavian artery aneurysm. We report the computed tomography appearance of such a fistula. The characteristic location, presence of rim calcification, and interspersed air and thrombus allowed for prompt preoperative diagnosis and surgery.
Hyperspectral species mapping for automatic weed control in tomato under thermal environmental stress

Highlights? Thermal stress affects tomato canopy reflectance in 480-670 and 720-810nm. ? Temperature-dependent classification performances ranging from 62.5% to 91.6%. ? Omission of 480-670nm stabilizes crop/weed discrimination with 86.4% accuracy. ? Site-specific calibration mitigates extreme temperature effects with 90.3% accuracy. ? Global calibration achieves optimum accuracy of 92.2% for robust plant recognition. This work studied the impacts of variations in environmental temperature on hyperspectral imaging features in the visible and near infrared regions for robust species identification for weed mapping in tomato production. Six major Californian processing tomato cultivars, black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) were grown under a variety of diurnal temperature ranges simulating conditions common in the Californian springtime planting period and one additional treatment simulating greenhouse growing conditions. The principal change in canopy reflectance with varying temperature occurred in the 480-670 and 720-810nm regions. The overall classification rate ranged from 62.5% to 91.6% when classifiers trained under single temperatures were applied to plants grown at different temperatures. Eliminating the 480-670nm region from the classifier's feature set mitigated the temperature effect by stabilizing the total crop vs. weed classification rate at 86.4% over the temperature ranges. A site-specific recalibration method was also successful in alleviating the bias created by calibrating the models on the extreme temperatures and increased the classification accuracy to 90.3%. A global calibration method, incorporating all four temperature conditions in the classifier feature space, provided the best average total classification accuracy of 92.2% out of the methods studied, and was fairly robust to the varying diurnal temperature conditions.