cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scientist-Centered Workflow Abstractions via Generic Actors, Workflow Templates, and Context-Awareness for Groundwater Modeling and Analysis

A drawback of existing scientific workflow systems is the lack of support to domain scientists in designing and executing their own scientific workflows. Many domain scientists avoid developing and using workflows because the basic objects of workflows are too low-level and high-level tools and mechanisms to aid in workflow construction and use are largely unavailable. In our research, we are prototyping higher-level abstractions and tools to better support scientists in their workflow activities. Specifically, we are developing generic actors that provide abstract interfaces to specific functionality, workflow templates that encapsulate workflow and data patterns that can be reused and adapted by scientists, and context-awareness mechanisms to gather contextual information from the workflow environment on behalf of the scientist. To evaluate these scientist-centered abstractions on real problems, we apply them to construct and execute scientific workflows in the specific domain area of groundwater modeling and analysis.
Thrombosed traumatic aneurysm of the occipital artery: a case report and review of the literature

Occipital artery aneurysms are very rare vascular lesions. Most cases reported in the literature have been post-traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the occipital artery. We report the case of a 14-year-old Caucasian boy presented with a painless non-pulsatile scalp mass that developed rapidly after minor blunt head trauma. The scalp mass was excised six months after the trauma. A pathologic diagnosis of a thrombosed true aneurysm was made. Our patient has had no recurrence of the mass at 15 months follow-up. We present a case of a true aneurysm of the occipital artery following minor head trauma. We review the literature for similar cases and discuss the difficulty of establishing a diagnosis prior to surgical intervention.
A nanoengineered platform for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing

Antibiotics susceptibility testing is often performed to determine the antibiotic resistance of pathogenic agents in clinical samples, such as urine or wound specimens. Rapid determination of antibiotics susceptibility is crucial towards judicious management of infectious diseases, especially in emergency situations and high-risk areas such as hospitals, rural clinics, and temporary clinics established in response to disasters. Nevertheless, standard procedures for antibiotics susceptibility testing are laborintensive, time consuming, and require a centralized laboratory. Therefore, a point-of-care device for rapid antibiotics susceptibility testing is highly desirable. It will lead to evidence-based, rather than empiric, management of infectious diseases to allow more judicious use of antibiotics, which in turn will reduce the emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogens or “superbugs”. Here, we present the development of a nanoengineered platform for rapid antibiotics susceptibility and show that the result can be obtained in 2 to 3 hours, compared to 24–48 hours in standard procedures.
Candida albicans Hyphal Formation and Virulence Assessed Using a Caenorhabditis elegans Infection Model

Candida albicans colonizes the human gastrointestinal tract and can cause life-threatening systemic infection in susceptible hosts. We study here C. albicans virulence determinants using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans in a pathogenesis system that models candidiasis. The yeast form of C. albicans is ingested into the C. elegans digestive tract. In liquid media, the yeast cells then undergo morphological change to form hyphae, which results in aggressive tissue destruction and death of the nematode. Several lines of evidence demonstrate that hyphal formation is critical for C. albicans pathogenesis in C. elegans. First, two yeast species unable to form hyphae (Debaryomyces hansenii and Candida lusitaniae) were less virulent than C. albicans in the C. elegans assay. Second, three C. albicans mutant strains compromised in their ability to form hyphae (efg1Δ/efg1Δ, flo8Δ/flo8Δ, and cph1Δ/cph1Δ efg1Δ/efg1Δ) were dramatically attenuated for virulence. Third, the conditional tet-NRG1 strain, which enables the external manipulation of morphogenesis in vivo, was more virulent toward C. elegans when the assay was conducted under conditions that permit hyphal growth. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of the C. elegans assay in a screen for C. albicans virulence determinants, which identified several genes important for both hyphal formation in vivo and the killing of C. elegans, including the recently described CAS5 and ADA2 genes. These studies in a C. elegans-C. albicans infection model provide insights into the virulence mechanisms of an important human pathogen.
Projections of demand and capacity for colonoscopy related to increasing rates of colorectal cancer screening in the United States.

Summary Background : There is debate about the optimal colorectal cancer screening test, partly because of concerns about colonoscopy demand. Aim : To quantify the demand for colonoscopy with different screening tests, and to estimate the ability of the United States health care system to meet demand. Methods : We used a previously published Markov model and the United States census data to estimate colonoscopy demand. We then used an endoscopic database to compare current rates of screening-related colonoscopy with those projected by the model, and to estimate the number of endoscopists needed to meet colonoscopy demand. Results : Annual demand for colonoscopy ranges from 2.21 to 7.96 million. Based on current practice patterns, demand exceeds current supply regardless of screening strategy. We estimate that an increase of at least 1360 gastroenterologists would be necessary to meet demand for colonoscopic screening undergone once at age 65, while colonoscopy every 10 years could require 32 700 more gastroenterologists. A system using dedicated endoscopists could meet demand with fewer endoscopists. Conclusions : Colorectal cancer screening leads to demand for colonoscopy that outstrips supply. Systems to train dedicated screening endoscopists may be necessary in order to provide population-wide screening. The costs and feasibility of establishing this infrastructure should be studied further.
Lipopolysaccharide Structure Influences the Macrophage Response Via CD14- Independent and CD14-Dependent Pathways

CD14, a protein expressed on the surface of monocytes and neutrophils, is a major receptor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Studies with normal and CD14-deficient macrophages show that responses to low concentrations of LPS require expression of CD14, whereas responses to high concentrations of LPS are CD14-independent. Since LPS isolated from different bacterial species shows structural variability, studies were performed to determine whether differences in LPS structure influence CD14-dependent and CD14-independent responses. Studies with LPS purified from Escherichia coli, Salmonella abortus subspecies equi, Salmonella minnesota, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Neisseria meningitidis, Bacteroides fragilis, and Rhodobacter sphaeroides show that the strongest CD14-dependent responses require a typical O-antigen, long carbohydrate chains, at least 6 acyl chains in their lipid A, and 2-phosphorylated Kdo moieties; wild-type LPS lacking a typical O-antigen and containing short carbohydrate chains and 2-phosphorylated Kdo moieties induces the strongest CD14-independent response.
Unroofing History of the Eastern Himalaya and the Indo-Burman Ranges: Heavy-Mineral Study of Cenozoic Sediments from the Bengal Basin, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Upper Eocene to Neogene fill of the Bengal basin provides an earlier unroofing history of the eastern Himalaya and Indo-Burman ranges than that provided by drilling of the Bengal fan, and analysis of heavy minerals in these sequences provides useful provenance constraints. Quartzose sandstones of the Eocene Kopili and Oligocene Barail Formations contain only 0.2% heavy minerals, comprising abundant opaque minerals and stable minerals such as tourmaline, garnet, rutile, and zircon. This assemblage suggests sediment sources dominated by low- to intermediate-grade metamorphic, silicic igneous, and metasedimentary rocks; the low heavy-mineral content and abundance of stable minerals suggest intense chemical weathering. These sediments may have been derived in part from incipient uplifts of the proto-Himalaya and/or the Indo-Burman ranges, but a more likely source is the Indian craton immediately to the west. Miocene sandstones of the Surma Group contain more abundant and more diverse heavy-mineral assemblages than Oligocene sandstones. These include abundant opaque minerals and garnet, mostly almandine, and moderate to minor amounts of tourmaline, kyanite, zircon, calcic amphibole, rutile, chlorite, zoisite, staurolite, epidote, sillimanite, and clinopyroxene, indicating a broad range of mostly metamorphic source rocks. Upper strata of the Surma Group also contain abundant blue-green amphibole, orthopyroxene, and sparse chromite, suggesting exhumation of arc and ophiolitic rocks. Sands and sandstones from the upper Miocene to Pliocene Tipam Group and the Pliocene to Pleistocene Dupi Tila Formation contain assemblages similar to those of the underlying Miocene sandstones, along with more abundant orthopyroxene and sillimanite in Dupi Tila sands. Temporal variations in heavy-mineral assemblages in the Bengal basin suggest that orogenic detritus first appears in the eastern Himalayan foredeep much later (early Miocene) than in the western part of the foredeep (Eocene). The appearance of high-pressure phases in upper Miocene strata reflects continued unroofing of deeper-crustal metamorphic and silicic to ultramafic plutonic rocks.
Concerted effect of transforming growth factor-β, cyclin inhibitor p21, and c-myc on smooth muscle cell proliferation

Increased aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation is a key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is one of the potent inhibitors of SMC proliferat...
The correlation between plasma cell tumor development and antibody response in inbred strains of mice.

SummaryThe antibody response to bovine serum albumin and the development of hyperglobulinemia following administration of intraperitoneal mineral oil separated BALB/c and A-mice from DBA, C57B1, and C3H mice. BALB/c mice developed many plasma cell tumors following intraperitoneal mineral oil injections. The A-mice developed 1/10 tumors but the peritoneal contents showed extensive phagocytosis of tumor cells. This phenomenon is observed in BALB/c mice only when tumor development is inhibited by administration of glycoprotein pituitary hormones. A hypothesis is developed to explain these observations.
The future of radiology: New imaging technology

That, that hath given them grace, and some credit, consisteth in three things. First, that men marke when they hit, and never marke when they misse: as they doe generally also of Dreames. The second is, that probable conjectures, or obscure traditions, many times turne themselves into Prophecies: while the nature of man, which coveteth Divination, thinkes it no perill to foretell that which indeed they doe but collect … The third, and last (which is the great one) is, that almost all of them, being infinite in number, have beene impostures, and by idle and craftie braines meerely contrived and faigned after the event past.
The Nonbank-Bank Nexus and the Shadow Banking System

The present way of thinking about financial intermediation does not fully incorporate the rise of asset managers as a major source of funding for banks through the shadow banking system. Asset managers are dominant sources of demand for non-M2 types of money and serve as source collateral ‘mines’ for the shadow banking system. Banks receive funding through the re-use of pledged collateral ‘mined’ from asset managers. Accounting for this, the size of the shadow banking system in the U.S. may be up to $25 trillion at year-end 2007 and $18 trillion at year-end 2010, higher than earlier estimates. In terms of policy, regulators will need to consider the re-use of pledged collateral when defining bank leverage ratios. Also, given asset managers’ demand for non-M2 types of money, monitoring the shadow banking system will warrant closer attention well beyond the regulatory perimeter.
Dynamic Operations Wayfinding System (DOWS) for Nuclear Power Plants

A novel software tool is proposed to aid reactor operators in responding to upset plant conditions. The purpose of the Dynamic Operations Wayfinding System (DOWS) is to diagnose faults, prioritize those faults, identify paths to resolve those faults, and deconflict the optimal path for the operator to follow. The objective of DOWS is to take the guesswork out of the best way to combine procedures to resolve compound faults, mitigate low threshold events, or respond to severe accidents. DOWS represents a uniquely flexible and dynamic computer-based procedure system for operators.
Dissonance Reduction or Artifact? A Reply

I disagree with Professor Oshikawa that the results of my study [2] are due to the built-in design artifact created by the ceiling effect. First, I think it is inappropriate to include in the denominator only those respondents who changed the ranking of choice alternatives in order to calculate percentages of correct reevaluations in the three choice situations. As pointed out in my earlier study on the interaction of product familiarity, relative preferences for alternatives, and magnitude of dissonance [1], the choice situation between brands ranked 3rd and 4th is inherently different from that between brands ranked 7th and 8th. The former is between two almost equally preferred and familiar brands, whereas the latter is between the two almost least preferred or unfamiliar brands. There is less tendency to change original rank ordering in the 3-4 choice situation compared to the 7-8 choice situation because the magnitude of dissonance is less in the 3-4 situation. This is indicated to a large extent by the number of responses which did not manifest change in their rank orderings, 99 in the 3-4 choice situation but only 65 in the 7-8 situation. Thus all responses must be included in the denominator. Accordingly, the percentage of reevaluation in the 3-4 choice situation is, in fact, less (66 of 184, or 36%) than in the 7-8 choice situation (82 of 184, or 44%), and it is about the same as in the 3-7 choice situation (63 of 184, or 34%). These percentages are contrary to the expectations of Oshikawa's hypothesis of ceiling effect, and so, results of the study cannot be interpreted as caused by the ceiling effect. Second, if (for the sake of argument) the results of my study were caused by ceiling effect, I should also have obtained negative mean rank changes for the 3rd and the 7th brands as did Oshikawa in his study. Negative signs in front of mean rank changes imply by definition results opposite to those predicted by dissonance theory. Hence, Oshikawa's results are not complementary to the dissonance hypothesis. I have recalculated my data to conform to Professor Oshikawa's scoring method; they are summarized in the table. Negative mean rank change is contrary to the dissonance hypothesis but mandatory if the ceiling effect is present. My table shows no negative mean rank change. It would appear that the study was therefore not confounded by that artificial effect.
Kinetics of the CCl3 + CH3 Radical−Radical Reaction

The CCl3 + CH3 (1) cross-radical reaction was studied by laser photolysis/photoionization mass spectroscopy. Overall rate constants were obtained in direct real-time experiments in the temperature region 306−800 K and bath gas (helium) density region (3−12) × 1016 atoms cm-3. The observed rate constant of reaction 1 is independent of temperature and equal to (2.05 ± 0.30) × 10-11 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. Formation of C2H2Cl2 and C2H3Cl2 was detected; however, only the C2H3Cl2 radical can be identified as a product of reaction 1 on the basis of the experimental information since the contribution of reaction 1 to the signal of C2H2Cl2 could not be separated from that of the reaction of CCl2 with CH3 (CCl2 being a minor product of photolysis of all precursors of CCl3 used). The experimental values of the rate constant are in reasonable agreement with the prediction based on the “geometric mean rule”. A separate experimental attempt to determine the rate constant of the high-temperature CCl3 + O2 (10) reaction res...
On the Supervision of Accounting

The supervision of accounting ,one ofthe most direct and important means in a variety of economic supervision ,shouldhave played an important part because ofitsfocal statusin all economic activies . At present ,however ,the current status ofthe supervi sion of accounting is rather stagnan and ineffective in most of administrative organizations ,institutions and enterprises , This paper at tempts to analyse the cause forthe occurence and search for an effective way to enhance accounting supervision ,thus giving the oppor tunitives for its effective role .
CollideFx: A Physics-Based Audio Effects Processor.

CollideFx is a real-time audio effects processor that integrates the physics of real objects into the parameter space of the signal chain. Much like a traditional signal chain, the user can choose a series of effects and offer realtime control to their various parameters. In this work, we introduce a means of creating tree-like signal graphs that dynamically change their routing in response to changes in the location of the unit generators in a virtual space. Signals are rerouted using a crossfading scheme that avoids the harsh clicks and pops associated with amplitude discontinuities. The unit generators are easily controllable using a click and drag interface that responds using familiar physics. CollideFx brings the interactivity of a video game together with the purpose of creating interesting and complex audio effects. With little difficulty, users can craft custom effects, or alternatively, can fling a unit generator into a cluster of several others to obtain more surprising results, letting the physics engine do the decision making.
A Comparison Between Lymphangiography and Pelvic Node Dissection in the Staging of Prostatic Cancer

AbstractOf 40 consecutive patients with prostatic cancer who had pedal lymphangiography during the initial evaluation and, subsequently, underwent pelvic node dissection or biopsy, a surprisingly high number had falsely positive (59 per cent) or negative (36 per cent) x-ray findings. Initially the tumors were considered clinically to be stage B in 24 cases, stage C in 13 and stage D in 3. After lymph node dissection only 17 tumors were still considered to be stage B and 7 were stage C, while 16 tumors were actually stage D. This surgical staging is important for the further management of the patient as well as the prognosis. Pedal lymphangiography alone is unreliable for accurate assessment of the regional lymph node status in clinically localized prostatic cancer.
Foreign Base Company Sales Income under the New U.S. Regulations

U.S. shareholders of a controlled foreign corporation (CFC) are currently taxed by the United States on their ratable shares of the CFC's subpart F income, even if the CFC distributes none of its earnings to shareholders as dividends. The Treasury, in late 2008, revised its regulations on one category of subpart F income, foreign base company (FBC) sales income. The revisions address contract manufacturing arrangements, which U.S. multinationals often use in overseas production, at least sometimes with a purpose of avoiding the impact of the U.S. CFC rules. The revisions also restate some of the rules on branches of CFCs, which often operate in conjunction with the rules on contract manufacturing. This paper describes U.S. law on FBC sales income, after the regulation revisions. It is a draft of material that will be published in Boris I. Bittker & Lawrence Lokken, Federal Taxation of Income, Estates & Gifts (Warren, Gorham & Lamont).
Improving Safety of Medical Device Use Through Training

This chapter addresses the importance of training as a means to control risk associated with Information Technology (IT) embedded in medical devices. Many medical devices use software-driven control systems, for example pumps, ventilators, anesthesia machines, and defibrillators. In contrast to IT systems that handle information only, these software-driven medical devices produce physical outputs in the form of gases, fluids, electrical energy, and heat that can directly affect patients. Because many medical devices are complex, their design for use is not intuitive, and safeguards to protect patients from harm are not always provided, training becomes an important means to assure they are used in a safe manner. The short in-service and the see one, do one, teach one methods of training are not appropriate for qualifying one to use complex equipment with inherent risk. To protect both the safety of patients and their own interests, institutions must assume the burden of providing adequate training to overcome the risk associated with complex, software-driven devices. In this chapter case studies are provided to indicate how training can reduce the potential for harm in the use of a smart infusion pump and a patient controlled anesthesia pump. The need for device training is also supported by a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis conducted on a physiologic monitor. The author offers suggestions on how to select medical equipment to limit the training burden and identifies and briefly describes a method for developing training materials. The importance of competency assessment, often given little attention during in-services, is also addressed.
Photon efficient electro-optic conversion via a micromechanical oscillator

We describe the design and testing of an efficient and bidirectional electro-optic converter. The device exploits electromechanical and optomechanical transduction to move information between the optical and electrical domains.
Knowing the dead in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca: Yucuita phase burials at Etlatongo

Abstract We explore burials from the first of a series of Mixtec households at Etlatongo, Oaxaca, Mexico, that appear to have been located in the same space for several generations, shifting both horizontally and vertically through time. These burials, dating from between 500 and 300 BCE (the later part of the Middle Formative period) represent a variety of positions, including extended and seated, as well as placements, from features dug below the house to features placed directly on the house floor. The health of these individuals was generally robust, with the exception of dental attrition and caries. The presence of corporeal modification, in the form of cranial manipulation, is also evinced from the Etlatongo sample. Exploring the placements of these burials, it is possible to reconstruct the sequence in which they were interred. We argue that parallel burials placed on the house floor belonged to the founders of this household. Upon their death and interment, the house was terminated and occupation shifted. Prior to this space being filled in, however, a shaft was built that provided access, both physical and spiritual, to one of the burials. Successive generations lived on their ancestors, who played an important foundational role in establishing this lineage or House.
Esophagogastric junction distensibility assessed using the functional lumen imaging probe.

Aim To assess reference values in the literature for esophageal distensibility and cross-sectional area in healthy and diseased subjects measured by the functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP). Methods Systematic search and review of articles in Medline and Embase pertaining to the use of FLIP in the esophagus was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Cross-sectional area and distensibility at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) were abstracted for normal subjects, achalasia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients, stratified by balloon length and volume of inflation. Results Six achalasia studies (n = 154), 3 GERD (n = 52), and 5 studies including healthy controls (n = 98) were included in the systematic review. Normative data varied widely amongst studies of healthy volunteers. In contrast, studies in achalasia patients uniformly demonstrated low point estimates in distensibility ≤ 1.6 mm2/mmHg prior to treatment that increased to ≥ 3.4 mm2/mmHg following treatment at 40mL bag volume. In GERD patients, distensibility fell to the range of untreated achalasia (≤ 2.85 mm2/mmHg) following fundoplication. Conclusion FLIP may be a useful tool in assessment of treatment efficacy in achalasia. The drastic drop in EGJ distensibility after fundoplication suggests that FLIP measurements need to be interpreted in the context of esophageal body motility and highlights the importance of pre-operative screening for dysmotility. Future studies using standardized FLIP protocol and balloon size are needed.
Sonic Hedgehog Activates Phospholipase A2 to Enhance Smoothened Ciliary Translocation

Summary The G protein-coupled receptor Smoothened (Smo) is the signal transducer of the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) pathway. Smo signals through G protein-dependent and -independent routes, with G protein-independent canonical signaling to Gli effectors requiring Smo accumulation in the primary cilium. The mechanisms controlling Smo activation and trafficking are not yet clear but likely entail small-molecule binding to pockets in its extracellular cysteine-rich domain (CRD) and/or transmembrane bundle. Here, we demonstrate that the cytosolic phospholipase cPLA2α is activated through Gβγ downstream of Smo to release arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid binds Smo and synergizes with CRD-binding agonists, promoting Smo ciliary trafficking and high-level signaling. Chemical or genetic cPLA2α inhibition dampens Smo signaling to Gli, revealing an unexpected contribution of G protein-dependent signaling to canonical pathway activity. Arachidonic acid displaces the Smo transmembrane domain inhibitor cyclopamine to rescue CRD agonist-induced signaling, suggesting that arachidonic acid may target the transmembrane bundle to allosterically enhance signaling by CRD agonist-bound Smo.
Assignment of the molecular origins of CEST signals at 2 ppm in rat brain

Purpose Chemical exchange saturation transfer effects at 2 ppm (CEST@2ppm) in brain have previously been interpreted as originating from creatine. However, protein guanidino amine protons may also contribute to CEST@2ppm. This study aims to investigate the molecular origins and specificity of CEST@2ppm in brain. Methods Two experiments were performed: (i) samples containing egg white albumin and creatine were dialyzed using a semipermeable membrane to demonstrate that proteins and creatine can be separated by this method; and (ii) tissue homogenates of rat brain with and without dialysis to remove creatine were studied to measure the relative contributions of proteins and creatine to CEST@2ppm. Results The experiments indicate that dialysis can successfully remove creatine from proteins. Measurements on tissue homogenates show that, with the removal of creatine via dialysis, CEST@2ppm decreases to approximately 34% of its value before dialysis, which indicates that proteins and creatine have comparable contribution to the CEST@2ppm in brain. However, considering the contribution from peptides and amino acids to CEST@2ppm, creatine may have much less contribution to CEST@2ppm. Conclusions The contribution of proteins, peptides, and amino acids to CEST@2ppm cannot be neglected. The CEST@2ppm measurements of creatine in rat brain should be interpreted with caution. Magn Reson Med, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Are associations reported in cohort studies as robust as they appear

Some data suggests that babies born to women in Australian public hospitals, largely cared for by midwives either alone or jointly with the woman's general practitioner, tend to die more often than those born in private hospitals where intrapartum care is provided by obstetricians. To test this finding with refined statistical methods, a study by Adams et al. (BJOG 2017;xx:xx-xx) Note for typesetter: Please update reference when assigned to an issue. in this issue of BJOG contrasts perinatal mortality rates among women that delivered in public versus private obstetrician-led hospitals in Brisbane, Australia. Their study included 69 037 public and 62 399 private hospital births. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Reappraising test anxiety increases academic performance of first-year college students.

The idea that test anxiety hurts performance is deeply ingrained in American culture and schools. However, researchers have found that it is actually worry about performance and anxiety—not bodily feelings of anxiety (emotionality)—that impairs performance. Drawing on this insight, anxiety reappraisal interventions encourage the view that anxiety can be neutral or even helpful. Initial evidence—largely from laboratory studies—suggests that these kinds of reappraisal interventions can improve student performance in mathematics. But can they do so in other domains and within the constraints of everyday classroom activities? If so, for whom and how? In an intervention study, we tested whether a minimal reappraisal message embedded in an email from course instructors could improve students’ academic experience and performance in an introductory college course. The night before their first exam, students received an e-mail that either did or did not include a paragraph designed to lead them to interpret exam anxiety as beneficial or at least neutral. First-year students, who experience greater test anxiety and are less certain about how to perform well, benefited from the reappraisal message, showing decreased worry and increased performance on the exam the next day as well as increased performance in the course overall. Mediation analyses revealed that the effect on overall course performance for first-year students was partially mediated by reduced exam worry and enhanced performance on the first exam. The message did not affect the performance of upper year students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)
Gigahertz-repetition-rate soliton microcombs

Soliton microcombs with repetition rates as low as 1.86 GHz are demonstrated, thereby entering a regime more typical of table–top combs. Low rates are important in spectroscopy and relax requirements on comb processing electronics.
Positive Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing on Physiological Stress Reactivity in Varsity Athletes

This study compared deep diaphragmatic breathing (DB) versus paced breathing and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on indices of physiological stress reactivity in 76 varsity athletes. Athletes w...
Dissection of the embryonic brain using photoactivated gene expression.

The Drosophila brain is generated by a complex series of morphogenetic movements. To better understand brain development and to provide a guide for experimental manipulation of brain progenitors, we created a fate map using photoactivated gene expression to mark cells originating within specific mitotic domains and time-lapse microscopy to dynamically monitor their progeny. We show that mitotic domains 1, 5, 9, 20 and B give rise to discrete cell populations within specific regions of the brain. Mitotic domains 1,5,9 and 20 give rise to brain neurons; mitotic domain B produced glial cells. Mitotic domains 5 and 9 produce the antennal and visual sensory systems, respectively, where each sensory system is composed of several disparate cell clusters. Time-lapse analysis of marked cells showed complex mitotic and migratory patterns for cells derived from these mitotic domains.
Dual-Energy and Spectral Energy Computed Tomography: Oncological Body Applications in Clinical Use

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is an innovative, evolving technology that allows improved differentiation and quantification of materials, placing CT more on par with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging than ever before. The post-processed DECT series is analogous to the multitude of MR sequences in that it increases the confidence and accuracy of the radiologist and allows specific conclusions to be drawn that can be more valuable to the clinical service.
Transplantation of Y79 cells into rat eyes: an in vivo model of human retinoblastomas.

Purpose. To develop an in vivo model of human retinoblastoma by returning cultured Y79 retinoblastoma cells to the retinal environment of a widely available laboratory animal. In so doing, to study the survival, integration, and invasive characteristics expressed by tumoral cells grafted into an intraocular milieu from which these progenitor cells originated more than 20 years ago. Methods. Using the retinal grafting method of Lazar and del Cerro, Y79 cells were injected under direct visualization into the subretinal space of Fischer 344 rats. The host rats included 36 animals that received daily injections of cyclosporin A and 4 that did not. All hosts were sacrificed 30 to 60 days after transplantation. Results. Clinical examination showed vitreal invasion by masses of flocculent white material or the intravitreal formation of solid tumors. Histologic examination showed these formations to be outgrowths of grafted tumoral cells into the host retina and vitreal cavity. Highly anaplastic tumoral cells were also found lodged in subretinal and intraretinal locations. There were signs of continued and intense cell division within the grafts, with no indication of cell-mediated host reaction against the grafted cells. Conclusions. After intraretinal xenografting, human Y79 retinoblastoma cells retain a highly tumoral nature despite many years of in vitro propagation. When xenografted, these cells survive, grow, and express their malignancy within the retina of the common laboratory rat protected by a moderate immunosuppressive regimen. This partial immunosuppression is a requirement for the xenografts to prosper. This model offers a valuable opportunity to study in vivo the cellular and molecular biology of this and other human retinoblastomas, and it may facilitate the evaluation of antitumoral treatments. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1993; 34:33363346.
Computational Dialogic Defeasible Reasoning

This article begins with an introduction to defeasible (nonmonotonic) reasoning and a brief description of a computer program, EVID, which can perform such reasoning. I then explain, and illustrate with examples, how this program can be applied in computational representations of ordinary dialogic argumentation. The program represents the beliefs and doubts of the dialoguers, and uses these propositional attitudes, which can include commonsense defeasible inference rules, to infer various changing conclusions as a dialogue progresses. It is proposed that computational representations of this kind are a useful tool in the analysis of dialogic argumentation, and, in particular, demonstrate the important role of defeasible reasoning in everyday arguments using commonsense reasoning.
Removal experiments to test mechanisms of plant succession in oldfields

We investigated the effects of total (TR) or partial (PR) removal of the above-ground biomass of the dominant species on early successional trends in two oldfields in central New Jersey, USA. Our objective was to assess the occurrence of facilitation, tolerance, or inhibition as mechanisms of species replacement in the fields studied. In a 2nd-yr oldfield dominated by Ambrosia artemisiifolia, floristic composition and distribution of species cover changed markedly between the 2nd and the 3rd yr, regardless of the removal treatment. In both TR and PR plots and in control plots dominance shifted from an annual (A. artemisiifolia) to a biennial (Erigeron annuus). This indicates that the presence of the annual dominant is not necessary to promote this successional replacement, and therefore facilitation can be ruled out. Most species present in the 3rd-yr community were late summer and fall invaders which were not initially present. In a 7-yr oldfield dominated by Solidago canadensis, a clonal perennial, very little change in the distribution of species cover could be detected between years. Overall physiognomy remained the same, but there was a gradual change in floristic composition. In this field, TR and PR treatments enhanced vegetational change by allowing the increase in cover of suppressed understory species. Both inhibition and tolerance mechanisms may be involved in the pattern of vegetational change in this field. Finally, we stress that the mechanisms of species replacement operating in early secondary succession are dependent on structural and life history characteristics of the species assemblage on a particular site.
Bordetella pertussis Whole Cell Immunization, Unlike Acellular Immunization, Mimics Naïve Infection by Driving Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell Expansion in Mice.

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) compartments are altered to direct immune responses to infection. Their roles during immunization are not well-described. To elucidate mechanisms for waning immunity following immunization with acellular vaccines (ACVs) against Bordetella pertussis (Bp), we tested the hypothesis that immunization with Bp ACVs and whole cell vaccines (WCVs) differ in directing the HSPC characteristics and immune cell development patterns that ultimately contribute to the types and quantities of cells produced to fight infection. Our data demonstrate that compared to control and ACV-immunized CD-1 mice, immunization with an efficacious WCV drives expansion of hematopoietic multipotent progenitor cells (MPPs), increases circulating white blood cells (WBCs), and alters the size and composition of lymphoid organs. In addition to MPPs, common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) proportions increase in the bone marrow of WCV-immunized mice, while B220+ cell proportions decrease. Upon subsequent infection, increases in maturing B cell populations are striking in WCV-immunized mice. RNAseq analyses of HSPCs revealed that WCV and ACV-immunized mice vastly differ in developing VDJ gene segment diversity. Moreover, gene set enrichment analyses demonstrate WCV-immunized mice exhibit unique gene signatures that suggest roles for interferon (IFN) induced gene expression. Also observed in naive infection, these IFN stimulated gene (ISG) signatures point toward roles in cell survival, cell cycle, autophagy, and antigen processing and presentation. Taken together, these findings underscore the impact of vaccine antigen and adjuvant content on skewing and/or priming HSPC populations for immune response.
Instructor Humor as a Moderator of Instructors’ Inappropriate Conversations and Instructional Dissent

This study (N = 326) was conducted to examine the associations among instructor humor, inappropriate conversations, and instructional dissent. First, results showed students are more likely to employ rhetorical dissent when they perceive their instructors as humorous in the classroom. Second, using expectancy violations theory as a guide, results also indicated that students’ perceptions of instructor-relevant humor moderated the relationships between enactment of inappropriate conversations and students’ expressive and vengeful dissent. These findings support the importance of employing relevant humor in course instruction, especially when instructors engage in inappropriate conversations in the college classroom.
A Methodology for Designing Grism Stretchers for Idler-Based Optical Parametric Chirped-Pulse Amplification Systems

This paper presents a method for designing grism stretchers and grating compressors that can produce near transform-limited idler pulses from OPCPA systems. © 2019 The Author(s)
P21 Induces Apoptosis in 32d Cells Undergoing G-Csf-Stimulated Differentiation--This Effect Requires Threonine 57 in Its Cdk2-Inhibitory Domain.

p21waf1 has been reported to promote hematopoietic stem cell quiescence and to be overexpressed in a subset of leukemias. p21 has been shown to function both as an agonist and antagonist of apoptosis, cell cycling and differentiation in vitro. Functions of p21 and of phosphorylated forms of p21 in granulopoiesis have not been examined hitherto. We hypothesized that p21 would antagonize granulocytic differentiation based on oberved downmodulation of p21 during normal granulopoiesis and the reported antagonism of kerotinocyte differentiation by exogenous p21. The murine myeloblast cell line 32Dcl3, which proliferates in IL-3 and differentiates in G-CSF, was used to model the effects of exogenous wild type and mutant p21 on granulocytic differentiation. Our results demonstrate that the level of p21 protein decreased upon initiation of differentiation. The decrease in p21 protein was secondary to a decrease in p21 message stability as well as proteosomal degradation. Conceivably, the observed decrease in p21 protein was necessary for proper differentiation. In order to determine this, we established stable retroviral transfectants of 32Dcl3 cells to express exogenous wild-type p21, or p21 mutated at threonine-57, threonine-145, serine-146 or both threonine 145 and serine 146 (other studies have shown that mutation of T57 within the cdk2-binding domain of p21 makes p21 resistant to GSK3beta-mediated degradation; the T145 and S146 residues are substrates of Akt which is activated downstream of IL-3 in 32Dcl3 cells). Overexpression of wild-type, T145 or S146 mutants caused growth arrest and triggered apoptosis within 48 hours of stimulation with G-CSF when compared to controls. In contrast, the T57A p21 mutant neither caused growth arrest, nor did it trigger apoptosis in G-CSF. These data support a physiologic role for the observed downmodulation of p21 in differentiaing 32D cells and suggest that p21 is proapoptotic in differentiating granulocytes. The threonine 57 site in the cdk2-binding domain of p21 is implicated in this function.
Extended Hill’s lemma for non-Cauchy continua based on a modified couple stress theory

Two extended versions of Hill’s lemma for non-Cauchy continua are provided using a modified couple stress theory, which includes a constraint relation between the displacement gradient and the micro-rotation, unlike the Cosserat (micro-polar) elasticity theory. The first version is used to obtain the classical elasticity tensor that relates the Cauchy (force) stress to the strain, while the second version is employed to determine the couple stress elasticity tensor that links the couple stress to the curvature. The kinematic (displacement- or strain-based) boundary conditions used in each version of the extended Hill’s lemma are then modified to accommodate composites with periodic microstructures by introducing periodic parts to the displacement and micro-rotation fields and reconstructing the Hill–Mandel condition. To illustrate the two newly proposed versions of the extended Hill’s lemma, homogenization analyses are performed for a two-phase composite using a meshfree radial point interpolation method incorporating the extended Hill’s lemma and the modified couple stress theory, which is newly developed in the current study.
Impact of State Regulations on Initial Opioid Prescribing Behavior in Rhode Island.

The opioid epidemic presents an urgent public health problem. Rhode Island has enacted comprehensive rules to address primary prevention of opioid overdose. This study evaluates the efficacy of those regulations in altering prescribing behavior, specifically regarding the initial prescription. Using data extracted from the Rhode Island Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), before and after the publication of updated acute pain management regulations, we studied the rate of opioid prescribing using statistical process control (SPC) charts and found that the rate of prescribing unsafe doses of opioids, more than 30 morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) per day or more than 20 doses to opioid naive patients, decreased significantly.
Lacosamide Efficacy in Trigeminal Neuralgia and Other Neuropathic Pain Syndromes: A Case Series (P5.2-098)

Objective: Describe six patients with severe neuropathic pain syndromes with significant benefits on lacosamide therapy. Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a rare, debilitating pain syndrome. It is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) however most cases are idiopathic. MS has many other associated pain syndromes including dystonic spams. Treatment includes antiepileptic drugs (AEDs); carbamazepine is the most common due to efficacy. However, not all patients respond and side effects limit some patients. Lacosamide is an AED, typically well tolerated, that works by enhancing the slow inactivation of sodium channels inhibiting repetitive firing of nerves. Design/Methods: Observational review of patient experience with lacosamide therapy. Results: Identical female twins with idiopathic TN. Both required high doses of carbamazepine causing significant fatigue. Gabapentin was also prescribed, but severe daily pain from TN continued. Lacosamide, 75mg twice a day, showed near immediate decreased pain and ability to decrease other medications. MS patient with severe dystonic spasms on right arm and leg, and severe right face and arm pain. Not responsive to carbamazepine, gabapentin, or high doses of baclofen. The face pain improved significantly with lacosamide 100mg twice a day, but painful spasms continued. An increase to 150mg twice a day resolved the face pain, but no change in spasms. She developed urinary retention on 150mg dose. Two patients with neuromyelitis optica with intermittent daily dystonic spasms previously partially controlled on carbamazepine, one limited in dosing due to hyponatremia and the other limited due to dizziness. Trial of lacosamide with near resolution of painful dystonic spasms. Patient with stiff person syndrome with severe axial rigidity and pain. A trial of lacosamide significantly reduced rigidity. Conclusions: Neuropathic pain syndromes, including TN, can be difficult to manage and many require trial of multiple AEDs. Lacosamide may be a safe and effective second or third line treatment for TN and other neuropathic pain syndromes. Disclosure: Dr. Belliston has nothing to disclose.
Physical discomfort intolerance as a predictor of weight loss and physical activity in a lifestyle modification program

This study examined physical discomfort intolerance (DI) as a baseline predictor of weight loss and physical activity outcomes, and assessed whether changes in DI during the initial phase of weight loss prospectively predicted long-term treatment outcomes among adults enrolled in a group-based lifestyle modification program for obesity. DI was measured at baseline and 6 months, and weight and accelerometer-measured physical activity were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Baseline DI was not related to weight loss or physical activity at either timepoint. Change in DI during the first 6 months of treatment was not related to concurrent (i.e., 6-month) weight loss and physical activity, but was significantly predictive of weight loss and physical activity at 12 months. Assessing early changes in DI may help to identify individuals at risk for suboptimal outcomes. Future research should evaluate behavioral weight loss interventions designed to target DI.