cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Competition Effects Among Nonlinear Optical Processes

Recently a number of examples have been reported in which two different nonlinear optical processes compete with one another [1–4]. In some cases, the occurrence of one nonlinear optical process can entirely prevent the occurrence of another process which would normally be expected to occur under the prevailing conditions. We recently observed a form of competition in which a nonlinear optical process was suppressed by another process that was nominally many times weaker. We observed that four-wave mixing (FWM) in the near forward direction pumped by two-photon excitation of the sodium 3d level could lead to the nearly complete suppression of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from the 3d to the 3p level, even though the gain for the ASE process calculated in the absence of competition effects was many times larger than the calculated gain of the four-wave mixing process [3]. We have also presented a theoretical model that shows why suppression of ASE occurs under these conditions [4]. Our calculation is based upon finding a spatially invariant solution of the coupled amplitude equations describing the the mutual interaction of the fields at frequencies ω1, ω2, and ω3. The nonlinear susceptibilities used in this calculation are obtained from the perturbation solution to the density matrix equations of motion for the three-level atomic system shown in Fig. 1.
Secular Volunteerism among Texan Emerging Adults: Exploring Pathways of Childhood and Adulthood Religiosity

Prior research suggests that religiosity, especially public religious participation, is related to greater volunteerism. However, less is known about religious transmission across the life course, in particular whether and how religiosity in childhood is linked to later life volunteerism. This study investigates a sample of emerging adults in South Texas (n = 701) with a high percent of Hispanic Americans (53 percent). Specifically, we examine pathways of childhood and emerging adulthood religiosity leading to secular volunteerism. Findings indicate that both childhood and emerging adulthood religiosity are associated with greater volunteerism, but the effects of childhood religiosity on emerging adulthood volunteerism are mediated through emerging adulthood religiosity. These findings provide further confirmation of the importance of childhood religiosity only insofar as religiousness persists into adulthood. In other words, we find that it is emerging adulthood religiosity that transmits childhood religiosity into greater secular volunteerism in later life. Furthermore, emerging adulthood public religiosity has the most robust direct effects on volunteerism.
Compendium of HXLPEs

Abstract This chapter is a compendium of the processing details, packaging information, as well as the most recent research findings related specifically to the clinically available HXLPEs provided by the four largest orthopedic manufacturers (DePuy Synthes, Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, and Smith and Nephew). The HXLPEs that were developed by Zimmer or Biomet prior to their June 2015 merger are discussed individually based on the original company that developed the HXLPE. In the sections that follow, HXLPEs materials are reviewed in alphabetic order. Since this chapter deals exclusively with proprietary materials, the contents of this chapter were verified for accuracy with the individual manufacturers by the author.
Terminating Shakespeare with Extreme Prejudice: Postcolonial Cultural Cannibalism, Serial Quotation, and the Cinematic Spectacle of 1990s American Cultural Imperialism

In the romantic comedy L. A. Story (dir. Steve Martin, 1991) Harris K. Telemacher (Steve Martin), a television weather forecaster going through a mid-life crisis, brings his date Sara (Victoria Tennant) to a graveyard where “lots of famous people” are buried: “Rocky Marciano, Benny Goodman, and, of course, William Shakespeare.” As Telemacher pulls away overgrown ivy that has obscured the headstone, we first see engraved on it “William Shakespeare / Born 1564 / Died 1616” and then, as the camera pans down, “Lived in Los Angeles / 1614–1616.” Telemacher adds, “I think he wrote Hamlet, Part Eight: the Revenge here.” The humor of this line depends on an opposition between Shakespeare and Hollywood, an opposition the film at once affirms and deconstructs. On the one hand, Shakespeare is the fountainhead of English high culture, in short, of Western civilization; on the other, Hollywood mass culture is conceived as repetitive, derivative, capable only of cannibalizing itself. Telemacher’s joke about a Hollywood Hamlet, Part Eight: the Revenge opposes Hamlet, which is an original masterpiece, and tragedy, to Friday the Thirteenth, parts 1 through 8, which are a number of sequels, and the teen horror film. In opposing high and low culture in these terms, L. A. Story conforms to a dominant English view of American mass culture as a culture in which the sequel rules.
Lessons from Scranton: Using Scenes from the Television Series The Office to Teach Topics in Professional Communication

Background: Despite efforts to include communication instruction in both college and continuing education curricula for students in all areas of study, workplace surveys continually report that employees' communication skills are lacking. The differing contexts of school and the workplace may be one reason for this disconnect, so teaching strategies that can effectively bridge this gap are needed. Research questions: How do students respond to using scenes from a television series to teach professional communication concepts within workplace contexts? What are advantages and drawbacks to this strategy? Situating the case: Strategies used to teach professional communication in a way that facilitates its application in the workplace include classroom exercises, service-learning projects involving real clients, and simulations. In addition, videos are a commonly used method of classroom teaching. They can activate verbal/linguistic, visual/spatial, and musical/rhythmic intelligences, allowing students to use their stronger intelligences and develop their weaker ones. Research also suggests that students appreciate visual stimulation and technology use when learning communication skills. How the case was studied: Students completed a brief end-of-course survey to gather both qualitative and quantitative data concerning their learning experiences with the activities described. About the case: To make undergraduate writing courses more relevant to the workplace, specific scenes from The Office were integrated to teach units on negative messages and intercultural issues. Following these clips, students completed both in-class exercises and course assignments pertaining to the topics covered. Results: After completing the class sessions and associated exercises described here, most students could discern the relevant concepts from the clips; they found both the clips and the associated exercises helpful in learning the concepts; and they recommended ongoing use in future classes. Students appreciated the comedic nature of the material, the use of different media, and the pop culture reference. Drawbacks included scenes focusing on what not to do, that often showed communication gone awry rather than the correct way to communicate. Some students also prefer more traditional teaching methods. Conclusions: The results indicate that the use of television clips along with associated exercises can be useful aids in teaching professional communication concepts.
Covariance based outlier detection with feature selection

The present covariance based outlier detection algorithm selects from a candidate set of feature vectors that are best at identifying outliers. Features extracted from biomedical and health informatics data can be more informative in disease assessment and there are no restrictions on the nature and number of features that can be tested. But an important challenge for an algorithm operating on a set of features is for it to winnow the effective features from the ineffective ones. The powerful algorithm described in this paper leverages covariance information from the time series data to identify features with the highest sensitivity for outlier identification. Empirical results demonstrate the efficacy of the method.
Identification and characterization of RNA aptamers: A long aptamer blocks the AMPA receptor and a short aptamer blocks both AMPA and kainate receptors

AMPA and kainate receptors, along with NMDA receptors, represent different subtypes of glutamate ion channels. AMPA and kainate receptors share a high degree of sequence and structural similarities, and excessive activity of these receptors has been implicated in neurological diseases such as epilepsy. Therefore, blocking detrimental activity of both receptor types could be therapeutically beneficial. Here, we report the use of an in vitro evolution approach involving systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment with a single AMPA receptor target (i.e. GluA1/2R) to isolate RNA aptamers that can potentially inhibit both AMPA and kainate receptors. A full-length or 101-nucleotide (nt) aptamer selectively inhibited GluA1/2R with a KI of ∼5 μm, along with GluA1 and GluA2 AMPA receptor subunits. Of note, its shorter version (55 nt) inhibited both AMPA and kainate receptors. In particular, this shorter aptamer blocked equally potently the activity of both the GluK1 and GluK2 kainate receptors. Using homologous binding and whole-cell recording assays, we found that an RNA aptamer most likely binds to the receptor's regulatory site and inhibits it noncompetitively. Our results suggest the potential of using a single receptor target to develop RNA aptamers with dual activity for effectively blocking both AMPA and kainate receptors.
High cytoplasmic relative to membranous Met is a prognostic indicator in early stage colon cancer.

B2 The measurement of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) by standard immunohistochemistry (IHC) has several limitations including the lack of sub-cellular compartmental measurements which can be indicative of intracellular signaling. Simultaneous and automated measurement of membranous, cytoplasmic and nuclear levels of RTKs would offer a superior approach to traditional IHC and may be useful for the elusive molecular stratification of various cancers. The RTK hepatocyte growth factor receptor (Met) is believed to play a role in the progression of colon cancer, however the association of Met expression and survival has not been well established for colon cancer. We performed fluorescent-based immunohistochemistry for Met in 583 colon cancer patients in a tissue microarray format. Using novel curvature and intensity based image analysis, the membrane, nuclear and cytoplasm were segmented, and the epithelial tissue was automatically separated from the stromal tissue. Probability distributions of Met within each compartment were determined, and an automated scoring algorithm was generated. An optimal cut point was selected using 500-fold cross validation of a training and test data set. In univariate Cox analysis, high cytoplasmic relative to membranous values were a significant predictor of survival in stage I (hazard ratio (HR) 0.16; p=0.006) and in stage II patients (HR 0.34 p = 0.0005). Similar results were found with multivariate analysis. The value of Met in the membrane alone was not a significant predictor of outcome in all patients or within stage. This is the first report to show sub-cellular distribution of Met is a predictive molecular biomarker and our data support the use of automated algorithms for the molecular stratification of early stage colon cancer. Further, these algorithms have general applicability to RTKs that are known to have complicated intracellular signaling patterns.
Is geography an accurate predictor of evolutionary history in the millipede family Xystodesmidae

For the past several centuries, millipede taxonomists have used the morphology of male copulatory structures (modified legs called gonopods), which are strongly variable and suggestive of species-level differences, as a source to understand taxon relationships. Millipedes in the family Xystodesmidae are blind, dispersal-limited and have narrow habitat requirements. Therefore, geographical proximity may instead be a better predictor of evolutionary relationship than morphology, especially since gonopodal anatomy is extremely divergent and similarities may be masked by evolutionary convergence. Here we provide a phylogenetics-based test of the power of morphological versus geographical character sets for resolving phylogenetic relationships in xystodesmid millipedes. Molecular data from 90 species-group taxa in the family were included in a six-gene phylogenetic analysis to provide the basis for comparing trees generated from these alternative character sets. The molecular phylogeny was compared to topologies representing three hypotheses: (1) a prior classification formulated using morphological and geographical data, (2) hierarchical groupings derived from Euclidean geographical distance, and (3) one based solely on morphological data. Euclidean geographical distance was not found to be a better predictor of evolutionary relationship than the prior classification, the latter of which was the most similar to the molecular topology. However, all three of the alternative topologies were highly divergent (Bayes factor >10) from the molecular topology, with the tree inferred exclusively from morphology being the most divergent. The results of this analysis show that a high degree of morphological convergence from substantial gonopod shape divergence generated spurious phylogenetic relationships. These results indicate the impact that a high degree of morphological homoplasy may have had on prior treatments of the family. Using the results of our phylogenetic analysis, we make several changes to the classification of the family, including transferring the rare state-threatened species Sigmoria whiteheadi Shelley, 1986 to the genus Apheloria Chamberlin, 1921-a relationship not readily apparent based on morphology alone. We show that while gonopod differences are a premier source of taxonomic characters to diagnose species pairwise, the traits should be viewed critically as taxonomic features uniting higher levels.
Acarbose Treatment in Insulin-Dependent (Type I) Diabetes Mellitus

We all know well that during the last 30 years not a single new medication has been discovered which would present a mode of action different from that the established medications for the therapy of diabetes mellitus. It is characteristic that postprandial hyperglycemia in type I diabetics is particularly difficult to compensated since the increase of blood glucose cannot by synchronized with the high levels of exogenously administered insulin.
Accelerating the 3-D FFT Using a Heterogeneous FPGA Architecture

Future Exascale architectures will likely make extensive use of computing accelerators such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) given that these accelerators are very power efficient. Oftentimes, these FPGAs are located at the network interface card (NIC) and switch level in order to accelerate network operations, incorporate contention avoiding routing schemes, and perform computations directly on the NIC and bypass the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) of the CPU. This work explores just such a heterogeneous FPGA architecture in the context of two kernels that are driving applications in leadership machines: the 3-D Fast Fourier Transform (3-D FFT) and Asynchronous Multi-Tasking (AMT). The machine explored here is a DataVortex system which consists of conventional processors but with programmable logic incorporated in the memory architecture. The programmable logic controls the network and is incorporated both in the network interface cards and the network switches and implements a contention avoiding network routing. Both the 3-D FFT and AMT kernels show compelling performance for deployment to FFT driven applications in both molecular dynamics and density functional theory.
Generalized Growth of Estuarine, Household and Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen of particular concern to immune-compromised people, such as cystic fibrosis patients and burn victims. These bacteria grow in built environments including hospitals and households, and in natural environments such as rivers and estuaries. However, there is conflicting evidence whether recent environments like the human lung and open ocean affect P. aeruginosa growth performance in alternate environments. We hypothesized that bacteria recently isolated from dissimilar habitats should grow differently in media containing artificial versus natural resources. To test this idea, we examined growth of P. aeruginosa isolates from three environments (estuary, household, clinic) in three media types: minimal-glucose lab medium, and media prepared from sugar maple leaves or big bluestem grass. We used automated spectrophotometry to measure high-resolution growth curves for all isolate by media combinations, and studied two fitness parameters: growth rate and maximum population density. Results showed high variability in growth rate among isolates, both overall and in its dependence on assay media, but this variability was not associated with habitat of isolation. In contrast, total growth (change in absorbance over the experiment) differed overall among habitats of isolation, and there were media-specific differences in mean total growth among habitats of isolation, and in among-habitat variability in the media-specific response. This was driven primarily by greater total growth of estuary isolates when compared with those from other habitats of origin, and greater media-specific variability among household isolates than those from other habitats of origin. Taken together, these results suggest that for growth rate P. aeruginosa bacteria appear to be broad generalists without regard to current or recent habitat, whereas for total growth a signature of recent ecological history can be detected.
Interaction between the Opioid Receptor OPRM1 Gene and Mother-Child Language Style Matching Prospectively Predicts Children's Separation Anxiety Disorder Symptoms.

Abstract Recent research suggests that lower mother-child language style matching (LSM) is associated with greater physiological reactivity and insecure attachment in school-aged children, but to date no studies have explored this measure of parent-child behavioral matching for its association with children’s anxiety symptoms, a well-known correlate of attachment insecurity and heightened physiological reactivity. There is also considerable evidence of genetic risk for anxiety, including possession of the OPRM1 minor allele, 118G. In the current study (N = 44), we expand upon what is known about children’s genetic and environmental risk for anxiety by examining the unique and interactive effects of mother-child LSM and the OPRM1 polymorphism A118G on school-aged children’s separation anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms. SAD symptoms were measured both concurrently with LSM and OPRM1 genotype and two years later through self-report. No significant associations emerged between LSM or OPRM1 and concurrent Time 1 SAD symptoms. However, lower LSM and 118G minor allele possession were both associated with greater SAD symptoms at Time 2; further, the interaction between LSM and OPRM1 genotype significantly predicted SAD symptoms beyond the main effects of the two variables. Possession of the minor allele was only associated with greater SAD symptoms among children in low LSM dyads, whereas children with the minor allele in high LSM dyads showed non-significantly lower SAD symptoms. These findings and a proportion affected analysis provide support for a differential susceptibility model of gene by environment interactions for the OPRM1 gene. We discuss the implications for predicting children’s separation anxiety across development.
A simulation study comparing nine mathematical models of arterial input function for dynamic contrast enhanced MRI to the Parker model.

Due to large inter- and intra-patient variabilities of arterial input functions (AIFs), accurately modeling and using patient-specific AIF are very important for quantitative analysis of dynamic contrast enhanced MRI. Computer simulations were performed to evaluate and compare nine population AIF models with the Parker AIF used as ‘gold standard’. The Parker AIF was calculated with a temporal resolution of 1.5 s, and then the other nine AIF models were used to fit the Parker AIF. A total of 100 randomly generated volume transfer constants (Ktrans) and distribution volumes (ve) were used to calculate the contrast agent concentration curves based on the Parker AIF and the extended Tofts model with blood plasma volume (vp) = 0.0, 0.01, 0.05 and 0.10. Subsequently, nine AIF models were used to fit these curves to extract physiological parameters (Ktrans, ve and vp). The agreements between generated and extracted Ktrans and ve values were evaluated using Bland–Altman analysis. The effects of the second pass of the Parker AIF model with and without adding Rician noise on extracted physiological parameters were evaluated by 1000 simulations using one of the nine mathematical AIF models closest to the Parker model with the smallest number of parameters. The results demonstrated that a six-parameter linear function plus bi-exponential function AIF model was almost equivalent to the Parker AIF and that the corresponding generated and extracted Ktrans and ve were in excellent agreements. The effects of the second pass of contrast agent circulation were small on extracted physiological parameters using the extended Tofts model, unless noise was added with signal to noise ratio less than 10 dB.
THERMAL CONDUCTANCE OF IMMERSED PRINNIPED AND SEA OTTER PELTS BEFORE AND AFTER OILING WITH PRUDHOE BAY CRUDE

Abstract Thermal conductance (C) of the sea otter and several species of pinniped pelts was determined during immersion, after oiling, and after cleaning. A (C) of 7 Watts · Meter-2 °C-1 ° °C-1 for the sea otter pup was the lowest measured in all controls. The highest was 58 W ° M-2 °C-1 for the California sea lion. Most affected by oiling was the sea otter pup in which (C) doubled. Least affected was the sea lion in which no change in (C) occurred. Washing slightly reduced (C) of the adult otter and fur seal. The results indicate that even a light oiling would have marked detrimental effects on the thermoregulatory abilities of otters and fur seals at sea. The thermal effects of oiling on other adult pinnipeds while at sea would be slight.
Nature and Age of Ductile Deformation Associated with the “Anorogenic” Town Mountain Granite, Llano Uplift, Central Texas

1.07-1.13 Ga granites comprise almost half of the rocks in the Proterozoic (Grenvillian) Llano Uplift of central Texas and thus have contributed significantly to the evolution of basement along the southwestern margin of Laurentia. Intrusions of Town Mountain Granite in the Llano Uplift have previously been described as “anorogenic”, but recent work has shown that deformation accompanied and/or postdated intrusion of some granites.
Blood pressure at which rebleeding occurs after resuscitation in swine with aortic injury.

Abstract : Background: The appropriateness of vigorous fluid resuscitation to normal blood pressure following hemorrhage in uncontrolled bleeding has recently been questioned due to the possibility of dislodging clots and exacerbating hemorrhage. To develop a rational blood pressure target that maximizes the metabolic benefits of resuscitation without causing increased blood loss, it was first necessary to determine whether there is a reproducible mean arterial pressure (MAP) at which rebleeding occurs. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the rate and time of resuscitation after injury and the rebleeding MAP in an uncontrolled hemorrhage model. Methods: Sixty-two anesthetized pigs were instrumented with catheters and splenectomized, and suction tubes were placed in the lateral peritoneal recesses to continuously capture shed blood. With the abdomen open, an aortotomy was made in the infrarenal aorta. At either 5, 15, or 30 minutes after the end of the initial hemorrhage, resuscitation with warmed lactated Ringer s solution was begun at either 100 or 300 mL/min. The rebleeding MAP was determined at the moment blood appeared in the suction tubes. Results: The average pressure at the rebleeding point for all animals was MAP 64 + or - 2, Systolic 94+ or - 3, and Diastolic 45 + or - 2 mm Hg. The pressure at which rebleeding occurred in this aortotomy model was not affected by either time of resuscitation (5-30 min), nor was the rebleeding pressure affected by the rate (100 vs. 300 mL/min) of resuscitation. Conclusions: There was a reproducible pressure at which rebleeding occurred in this model of uncontrolled hemorrhage. The optimal endpoint of resuscitation in patients without definitive hemorrhage control would then be below this rebleeding pressure.
Enthalpies of dilution of aqueous solutions of amides and alcohols

Enthalpies of dilution of aqueous systems containing formamide, dimethyl-formamide, the mixture of these amides, and each amide separately with mannitol, inositol, and cyclohexanol have been determined at 25°C. The data have been treated in terms of the Savage-Wood additivity principle and in combination with literature data. New values for the methylene-amide, carbinol-amide, and amide-amide group interaction enthalpies are presented. These may be used with data on a wider variety of solute systems to obtain interaction enthalpies for new groups.
Combined effect of plasmonic interaction of nano-particles

We observed plasmon resonance peaks at two different wavelengths by combining plasmon wave from aluminum (Al) and gold (Au) nano-particles (NP). We model the absorption characteristics of two nano particles placed with nano meter scale gap using RF module of COMSOL 5.3 modeling program. The coupled plasmon layer has two peaks at 525 and 640 nm, which are different from the constituent individual metal plasmon layers of Al and Au NPs with peak at 450 nm and 700 nm respectively. Good agreement exits between modeling data with experimental results.
1 Endorectal balloon for prostate SBRT: Influence on internal pudendal arteries dose sparing?

Introduction One of the most common side effects from radiotherapy treatment of localized prostate cancer remains erectile dysfunction. Vessel-sparing radiotherapy has shown promising results on preserving erectile function when compared to historical series. In this dosimetric study, we aim to evaluate the influence of an endorectal balloon (ERB) on the dose sparing of internal pudendal arteries (IPA) in treatment planning of prostate stereotactic RT (SBRT). Methods Twelve localized prostate cancer patients, simulated with and without ERB, were planned to receive 36.25 Gy (7.25Gyx5) to the planning treatment volume (PTV). IPA were delineated on each scanners using registration with MRI. Plans with and without ERB were optimized using Rapidplan™ (Varian), a knowledge based software, with standard sparing of regionally involved organs at risk (rectal and bladder wall, and femoral heads) and no dose constraints on IPA. A total of 24 volumetric arc therapy plans were optimized using a 10MV FFF beam with 2 full arcs. SBRT doses to IPA ( D 2 % and D mean ) were compared between groups using non-parametric tests. Results The IPA volumes were similar in the two CT datasets, with a median volume of 4.75 cc (range, 3.8–7.2) vs. 4.95 cc (range, 3.8–7, p = 0.721) in patients with and without ERB, respectively. The median mean IPA dose was significantly lower using ERB (10.5 vs. 12.8 Gy, p = 0.023). Median IPA D 2 % was also lower with ERB (17.6 vs. 20.8 Gy without ERB), but the difference was not significant. No clinically significant differences in target coverage, rectal, and bladder walls doses were observed between the two groups. Conclusions The use of ERB for prostate SBRT showed a significant sparing of IPA compared to plans generated with an empty rectum. As no specific dose constraints are yet available for vessel-sparing SBRT, optimal reduction of IPA doses should be attempted for maximal EF preservation.
A De Novo Shape Motif Discovery Algorithm Reveals Preferences of Transcription Factors for DNA Shape Beyond Sequence Motifs.

DNA shape adds specificity to sequence motifs but has not been explored systematically outside this context. We hypothesized that DNA-binding proteins (DBPs) preferentially occupy DNA with specific structures ("shape motifs") regardless of whether or not these correspond to high information content sequence motifs. We present ShapeMF, a Gibbs sampling algorithm that identifies de novo shape motifs. Using binding data from hundreds of in vivo and in vitro experiments, we show that most DBPs have shape motifs and can occupy these in the absence of sequence motifs. This "shape-only binding" is common for many DBPs and in regions co-bound by multiple DBPs. When shape and sequence motifs co-occur, they can be overlapping, flanking, or separated by consistent spacing. Finally, DBPs within the same protein family have different shape motifs, explaining their distinct genome-wide occupancy despite having similar sequence motifs. These results suggest that shape motifs not only complement sequence motifs but also facilitate recognition of DNA beyond conventionally defined sequence motifs.
Gear effectiveness and size selectivity for five cryptic madtom species (Noturus spp.)

More than half of the diminutive North American catfish species known as madtoms (Noturus spp.) are considered imperiled due to range reductions from habitat fragmentation and degradation. In response, government agencies regularly conduct sampling that targets these cryptic fishes. Unfortunately, the effectiveness and biases associated with common sampling gears has rarely been quantified for non‐game fish, including madtoms. To improve sampling protocols for diverse madtom species, we: (a) quantified the detection probabilities and effort necessary to detect five species of madtom with relative certainty using complimentary sampling gears, and (b) described biases associated with size‐selectivity of the same gears when used to sample madtoms. Five madtom species that are native to Mississippi streams and have two distinct coloration patterns were selected: uniform pattern, Brown Madtom (Noturus phaeus) and Freckled Madtom (Noturus nocturnus); patterned, Piebald Madtom (Noturus gladiator), Least Madtom (Noturus hildebrandi), and Brindled Madtom (Noturus miurus). These species were captured using four standardized sampling gears (i.e., backpack electrofisher, seine, dipnet, and Gee‐style minnow trap) from 13 isolated stream reaches in Mississippi during baseflow conditions between August and November 2016. Each gear was randomly assigned to up to five transects at each site resulting in a maximum of 20 unique samples per stream reach. We estimated the detection probability of each species with each gear using presence–absence capture data. Cumulative detection probabilities were calculated for each species and gear combination to describe the number of samples necessary to achieve a detection probability of 0.95. Additionally, we pooled all capture data across sampling sites to compare madtom size distributions among gears. Electrofishing was generally the most efficient gear for detecting madtoms, but slightly overestimated fish size distributions. By seining, managers can expect to capture all species evaluated with a modest amount of effort; however, are likely to catch relatively small individuals. Seining was the most effective gear for only Piebald Madtom, a species petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. To be relatively certain that Piebald Madtom are absent from a stream reach would require sampling ten 100 m transects by seining. In contrast, the same certainty would require more than twenty 100 m electrofishing transects. Minnow traps and dipnetting generally performed poorly and failed to detect some species at occupied sites. Biologists can now consider using each of these complimentary gears assessed when evaluating species status and population structure for diverse madtom species, while explicitly acknowledging the biases associated with each gear.
Phenotypes of primary retinal macroglia: Implications for purification and culture conditions

Many neurodegenerations, including those of the visual system, have complex etiologies that include roles for both neurons and glia. In the retina there is evidence that retinal astrocytes play an important role in neurodegeneration. There are several approaches for isolating and growing primary retinal astrocytes, however, they often lead to different results. In this study, we examined the influence of culture conditions on phenotypic maturation of primary, purified retinal glia. We compared retinal astrocytes and Muller glia purified by immunomagnetic separation, as differentiation between these astrocyte subtypes is critical and immuno-based methods are the standard practice of purification. We found that while time in culture impacts the health and phenotype of both astrocytes and Muller glia, the phenotypic maturation of retinal astrocytes was most impacted by serum factors. These factors appeared to actively regulate intermediate filament phenotypes in a manner consistent with the induction of astrocyte-mesenchymal transition (AMT). This propensity for retinal astrocytes to shift along an AMT continuum should be considered when interpreting resulting data. Our goal is that this study will help standardize the field so that studies are replicable, comparable, and as accurate as possible for subsequent interpretation of findings.
Recurrence of Rathke’s cleft cysts based on gross total resection of cyst wall: a meta-analysis

Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) are benign growths of the embryological Rathke's pouch. Surgical decompression provides effective symptomatic relief in most cases; however, the effect of gross total resection (GTR) of the cyst wall on recurrence, as well as pituitary function, is unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to pool the current literature and ascertain the recurrence control afforded by GTR of the cyst wall compared with subtotal resection (STR). Searches of seven electronic databases from inception to January 2019 were conducted following PRISMA guidelines, resulting in 476 articles to be screened. Outcomes were analyzed using meta-analysis of proportions. A total of 10 retrospective cohort studies satisfied selection criteria, describing 655 surgically managed RCC cases, with 254 (39%) and 401 (61%) achieving GTR and STR of the cyst wall, respectively. GTR was associated with significantly reduced overall RCC recurrence by fixed-effects (FE) modeling (RR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45-0.96), but not by random effects (RE) modeling (RR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.51-1.12). Based on both models, GTR was associated with significantly reduced symptomatic recurrence (RE model, RR, 0.37, 95% CI, 0.14-0.95) and significantly increased postoperative diabetes insipidus (RE model, RR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.34-5.03). There was insufficient data to evaluate other pituitary axes in this context. The current evidence indicates that GTR of the RCC cyst wall has the potential to affect the incidence of overall and symptomatic RCC recurrences, as well as drive postoperative DI incidence. However, expectations of clinical and pragmatic benefit following cyst wall resection should be titrated carefully against the potential for postoperative and pituitary morbidities which currently remain poorly defined. Greater granularity is required to understand all factors that can influence recurrence and quality of life when evaluating resection of RCC.
Composite Electrodeposition of Ultrafine γ-Alumina Particles in Nickel Matrices; Part I: Citrate and chloride electrolytes

Electrodeposition of nanocomposite γ-alumina–nickel was examined using citrate and chloride electrolytes with rotating cylinder electrodes. Ultrafine alumina was detected in the nickel matrices and was found to depend on the applied current density. The particle incorporation rate dependence on the applied d.c. current density varied for the different electrolytes. In the chloride baths, higher particle concentrations were found in the deposits plated at low current densities compared to higher values. However, the opposite trend was noted for the citrate electrolyte where an increase in particle deposit content was observed with an increase in applied current density. Additionally, the nickel anodic behaviour was examined in order to devise a pulse-reverse (PR) plating method. PR deposition lead to an enhancement in the γ-alumina deposit concentration compared to DC plating in chloride electrolytes.
Comparison of Percutaneous Endoscopic Surgery and Traditional Anterior Open Surgery for Treating Lumbar Infectious Spondylitis

Minimally invasive surgery is becoming popular for treating spinal disorders. The advantages of percutaneous endoscopic debridement and drainage (PEDD) for infectious spondylitis include direct observation of the lesion, direct pus drainage, and earlier pain relief. We retrospectively reviewed 37 patients who underwent PEDD and 31 who underwent traditional anterior open debridement and interbody fusion with bone grafting from 2004 to 2012. The causative organisms were isolated from 30 patients (81.1%) following PEDD, and from 25 patients (80.6%) following open surgery (p = 0.48). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (38.2%). In the PEDD group, blood loss (<50 mL versus 585 ± 428 mL, p < 0.001) was significantly lesser and the duration of hospitalization (24.4 ± 12.5 days versus 31.5 ± 14.6 days, p = 0.03) was shorter than that in the open surgery group. Serologically, there were significantly faster C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) normalization rates in the PEDD group (p < 0.001, p = 0.009, respectively). In the two-year follow-up radiographs, 26 out of 30 (86.7%) open surgery patients showed bony fusions of the infected segments. On the contrary, sclerotic change of the destructive endplates was observed and the motion of infected spinal segments was still preserved in the PEDD group. There was no significant difference in the change of sagittal profile, including primary correction gain, correction loss, and actual correction gain/loss. PEDD is an effective alternative option and should be considered prior to traditional extensive spinal surgery-particularly for patients with early-stage spinal infection or serious complicated medical conditions.
Lexical Selectivity of 2-Year-Old Children With and Without Repaired Cleft Palate Based on Parent Report:

Objective:To determine vocabulary and lexical selectivity characteristics of children with and without repaired cleft palate at 24 months of age, based on parent report.Participants:Forty-nine chil...
Calcium Entry Blockers in Migraine: The State of the Art

The calcium entry blockers or calcium antagonists are a group of medications that share the potential of inhibiting the movement of calcium into cells and cell organelles. They do so through a number of different mechanisms, such as, for instance, the blockade of potential- or receptor-operated calcium channels or the blockade of calcium influx under conditions of overload. Chemically the calcium entry blockers represent medications of different groups with little or no relationship to each other and little or no predictability with regard to activity and/or mechanism [24].
Students With Disabilities in Social and Emotional Learning Interventions: A Systematic Review:

This systematic review examines the social and emotional learning (SEL) intervention literature to address questions of whether and how students with disabilities are considered in studies of unive...
Prevalence of Emergency Department Social Risk and Social Needs.

Introduction: Social risks, or adverse social conditions associated with poor health, are prevalent in emergency department (ED) patients, but little is known about how the prevalence of social risk compares to a patient’s reported social need, which incorporates patient preference for intervention. The goal of this study was to describe the relationship between social risk and social need, and identify factors associated with differential responses to social risk and social need questions.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 48 hours of time-shift sampling in a large urban ED. Consenting patients completed a demographic questionnaire and assessments of social risk and social need. We applied descriptive statistics to the prevalence of social risk and social need, and multivariable logistic regression to assess factors associated with social risk, social need, or both.Results: Of the 269 participants, 100 (37%) reported social risk, 83 (31%) reported social need, and 169 (63%) reported neither social risk nor social need. Although social risk and social need were significantly associated (p < 0.01), they incompletely overlapped. Over 50% in each category screened positive in more than one domain (eg, housing instability, food insecurity). In multivariable models, those with higher education (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.44 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.24-0.80]) and private insurance (aOR 0.50 [95% CI, 0.29-0.88]) were less likely to report social risk compared to those with lower education and state/public insurance, respectively. Spanish-speakers (aOR 4.07 [95% CI, 1.17-14.10]) and non-Hispanic Black patients (aOR 5.00 [95% CI, 1.91-13.12]) were more likely to report social need, while those with private insurance were less likely to report social need (private vs state/public: aOR 0.13 [95% CI, 0.07-0.26]).Conclusion: Approximately one-third of patients in a large, urban ED screened positive for at least one social risk or social need, with over half in each category reporting risk/need across multiple domains. Different demographic variables were associated with social risk vs social need, suggesting that individuals with social risks differ from those with social needs, and that screening programs should consider including both assessments.
The Onset-Offset N1-P2 Auditory Evoked Response in Individuals With High-Frequency Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Responses to Broadband Noise.

Purpose Clinical use of electrophysiologic measures has been limited to use of brief stimuli to evoke responses. While brief stimuli elicit onset responses in individuals with normal hearing and no...
Rac-dependent feedforward autoactivation of NOX2 leads to oxidative burst.

NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) produces the superoxide anion radical (O2−), which has functions in both cell signaling and immune defense. NOX2 is a multimeric-protein complex consisting of several protein subunits including the GTPase Rac. NOX2 uniquely facilitates an oxidative burst, which is described by initially slow O2− production, which increases over time. The NOX2 oxidative burst is considered critical to immune defense because it enables expedited O2− production in response to infections. However, the mechanism of the initiation and progression of this oxidative burst and its implications for regulation of NOX2 have not been clarified. In this study, we show that the NOX2 oxidative burst is a result of autoactivation of NOX2 coupled with the redox function of Rac. NOX2 autoactivation begins when active Rac triggers NOX2 activation and the subsequent production of O2−, which in turn activates redox-sensitive Rac. This activated Rac further activates NOX2, amplifying the feedforward cycle and resulting in a NOX2-mediated oxidative burst. Using mutagenesis-based kinetic and cell analyses, we show that enzymatic activation of Rac is exclusively responsible for production of the active Rac trigger that initiates NOX2 autoactivation, whereas redox-mediated Rac activation is the main driving force of NOX2 autoactivation and contributes to generation of ∼98% of the active NOX2 in cells. The results of this study provide insight into the regulation of NOX2 function, which could be used to develop therapeutics to control immune responses associated with dysregulated NOX2 oxidative bursts.
External Magnetic Field Effects on Foil Ablation Relating to Plasma Jet Disruption

In the present research, plasma jets form from Joule heating and ablation of a radial foil (approximately 15 μm thin disk) using a pulsed power generator (COBRA) with 1 MA peak current and 100 ns rise time. We study the effects on jet dynamics resulting from varying an applied uniform axial magnetic field (Bz) from 0 to 2 T. We empirically observe a disruption of the plasma jet collimation, for which plasma is ej ected from the foil as discrete bursts and does not form an azimuthally symmetric plasma jet. The critical Bz for the disruption depends upon the foil material (Al, Ti, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, W). The disruption initiates from the foil surface and is dependent upon material properties such as electrical conductivity and equation of state. The applied Bz acts with the higher conductivity materials to facilitate nonuniform plasma and current filamentation that breaks the azimuthal symmetry needed to form the plasma jet. The plasma filamentation likely originates from initial perturbations (in density and resistivity) in the higher-density solid-liquid phases. 3D numerical simulations in Cartesian coordinates (using the extended magnetohydrodynamics code, PERSEUS) of a section of the ablating foil reproduce some of the experimental trends including the external magnetic field dependence and material resistivity dependence of the generation of plasma and current nonuniformities.
Lateral Intermolecular Self-Exchange Reactions for Hole and Energy Transport on Mesoporous Metal Oxide Thin Films.

Intermolecular self-exchange energy and electron-transfer reactions occur without a loss of free energy. This behavior can be exploited for energy-transport applications when molecules that undergo self-exchange transfer reactions are immobilized on a solid support. This Article focuses upon lateral self-exchange reactions and the relevant interfacial chemistry that occurs on the mesoporous nanocrystalline (anatase) TiO2 thin films that are commonly used in dye-sensitized solar cells. It has been known for some time that all of the dye molecules (termed sensitizers) within such thin films can be reversibly oxidized and reduced by lateral self-exchange electron transfer provided that the sensitizer surface coverage exceeds a percolation threshold. Under conditions where excited-state electron injection into TiO2 is unfavored, lateral intermolecular energy-transfer reactions are also known to occur. The self-exchange rate constants have been quantified by electrochemical, absorption, and/or time-resolved an...
Santalalean‐feeding plant bugs: ten new species in the genus Hypseloecus Reuter from Australia and South Africa (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae): their hosts and placement in the Pilophorini

Eight new species of Hypseloecus are described from Australia, providing the first records of Pilophorini and this formerly Indo-Pacific genus from the continent; two additional new species are described from South Africa. All species are documented as using hemiparasitic Santalales as hosts, including species of Amyema, Dendrophthoe and Lysiana (Loranthaceae) in Australia and Viscum (Viscaceae) and Tapinanthus (Loranthaceae) in South Africa. These new species are integrated into a prior phylogenetic analysis of the Pilophorini on the basis of morphology and DNA sequence data.