cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Transforming Growth Factor-α and the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Embryonic Rat Testis Development

Embryonic testis development requires the morphogenesis of cords and growth of all cell populations to allow organ formation. It is anticipated that coordination of the growth and differentiation of various cell types involves locally produced growth factors. The current study was an investigation of the hypothesis that transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is involved in regulating embryonic testis growth. TGF-alpha has previously been shown to function in the postnatal testis. TGF-alpha and other members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family act through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to stimulate cell proliferation and tissue morphogenesis. To understand the potential actions of TGF-alpha in the embryonic testis, general cell proliferation was investigated. Characterization of cell proliferation in the rat testis throughout embryonic and postnatal development indicated that each cell type has a distinct pattern of proliferation. Germ cell growth was transiently suppressed around birth. Interstitial cell growth was high embryonically and decreased to low levels around birth. A low level of Sertoli cell proliferation was observed at the onset of testis cord formation. Sertoli cell proliferation in early embryonic development was low; the levels were high later in embryonic development and remained high until the onset of puberty. Both TGF-alpha and the EGFR were shown to be expressed in the embryonic and postnatal rat and mouse testis. Perturbation of TGF-alpha function using neutralizing antibodies to TGF-alpha on testis organ cultures dramatically inhibited the growth of both embryonic and neonatal testis. TGF-alpha antibodies had no effect on cord formation. The TGF-alpha antibody was found to be specific for TGF-alpha in Western blots when compared to EGF and heregulin. Testis growth was also inhibited by perturbation of EGFR signaling using an EGFR kinase inhibitor. Therefore, TGF-alpha appears to influence embryonic testis growth but not morphogenesis (i.e., cord formation). Treatment of embryonic testis organ cultures with exogenous TGF-alpha also perturbed development, leading to an increased proliferation of unorganized cells. Testis from EGFR and TGF-alpha knockout mice were analyzed for testis morphology. TGF-alpha knockout mice had no alterations in testis phenotype, while EGFR knockout mice had a transient decrease in the relative amount of interstitial cells before birth. Observations suggest that there may be alternate or compensatory factors that allow testis growth to occur in the apparent absence of TGF-alpha actions in the mutant mice. In summary, the results obtained suggest that TGF-alpha is an important factor in the regulation of embryonic testis growth, but other factors will also be involved in the process.
Flexible scheduling approach for resource-constrained project scheduling problems

This paper presents a multi-start variable neighborhood simulated annealing (MVNSA) algorithm for solving resource-constrained project scheduling problems (RCPSP) to minimize project makespan and maximize schedule robustness. The MVNSA applies a multi-pass process to continually improve a heuristic initial solution. Each pass consists of multiple periods during which the MVNSA iteratively destructs the current solution and reconstructs it according to a heuristic rule until a stopping criterion is met. The MVNSA solves the RCPSP by adding disjunctive arcs into project networks to resolve resource conflicts, so that the resulting networks are precedence and resource feasible. A full factorial computational experiment is set up citing instances from problem library PSPLIB. Computational results show that the MVNSA can generate project schedules with short project makespan and high schedule robustness.
Integrated perfusion and separation systems for entrainment of insulin secretion from islets of Langerhans

A microfluidic system was developed to investigate the entrainment of insulin secretion from islets of Langerhans to oscillatory glucose levels. A gravity-driven perfusion system was integrated with a microfluidic system to deliver sinusoidal glucose waveforms to the islet chamber. Automated manipulation of the height of the perfusion syringes allowed precise control of the ratio of two perfusion solutions into a chamber containing 1–10 islets. Insulin levels in the perfusate were measured using an online competitive electrophoretic immunoassay with a sampling period of 10 s. The insulin immunoassay had a detection limit of 3 nM with RSDs of calibration points ranging from 2–8%. At 11 mM glucose, insulin secretion from single islets was oscillatory with a period ranging from 3–6 min. Application of a small amplitude sinusoidal wave of glucose with a period of 5 or 10 min, shifted the period of the insulin oscillations to this forcing period. Exposing groups of 6–10 islets to a sinusoidal glucose wave synchronized their behavior, producing a coherent pulsatile insulin response from the population. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the developed system for the study of oscillatory insulin secretion and can be easily modified for investigating the dynamic nature of other hormones released from different cell types.
Dimension Functions of Rationally Dilated GMRAs and Wavelets

In this paper we study properties of generalized multiresolution analyses (GMRAs) and wavelets associated with rational dilations. We characterize the class of GMRAs associated with rationally dilated wavelets extending the result of Baggett, Medina, and Merrill. As a consequence, we introduce and derive the properties of the dimension function of rationally dilated wavelets. In particular, we show that any mildly regular wavelet must necessarily come from an MRA (possibly of higher multiplicity) extending Auscher’s result from the setting of integer dilations to that of rational dilations. We also characterize all 3 interval wavelet sets for all positive dilation factors. Finally, we give an example of a rationally dilated wavelet dimension function for which the conventional algorithm for constructing integer dilated wavelet sets fails.
A High Resolution Wire Scanner Beam Profile Monitor with a Microprocessor Data Acquisition System

A beam profile monitor has been constructed for the NBS-LANL Racetrack Microtron. The monitor consists of two perpendicular 30 ?m diameter carbon wires that are driven through an electron beam by a pneumatic actuator. A long-lifetime, electroformed nickel bellows is used for the linear-motion vacuum feedthrough. Secondary emission current from the wires and a signal from a transducer measuring the position of the wires are simultaneously digitized by a microprocessor to yield beam current density profiles in two dimensions. The wire scanner is designed for use with both pulsed and cw beams.
Origin and taxonomic affinities of Thelypteris (subgen. Stegnogramma) burksiorum (Thelypteridaceae)

This paper examines the ecology, frond and spore morphology, gametophytes, and molecular biology ofThelypteris burksiorum to reveal its taxonomic affinities and phytogeographic origin. The species is endemic to Winston County in northern Alabama (U.S.A.) and only occurs in cave-like rockhouse habitats. A related species,T. pilosa, is widespread in central and southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.Thelypteris pilosa is extremely variable and our data suggest that current recognition of the varietiesmajor andpilosa is not warranted.Thelypteris pilosa is clearly closely related and likely sister toT. burksiorum. Thelypteris burksiorum exhibits the unusual production of gametophytic propagules. This, in combination with current levels of genetic diversity and reproductive biology, suggests thatT. burksiorum is an ancient Tertiary relict and not an example of recent long distance dispersal. Selection in rockhouse habitats has driven species away from their normal life cycle to partial or complete reliance on the gametophyte generation. The combination of a reduced yet fertile sporophyte and a gametophyte that may rely on gametophytic proliferation placesT. burksiorum in an intermediate evolutionary position relative to other rockhouse pteridophytes.
Surface Discharge of Horizontal Warm-Water Jet

This paper reports the results of recent experiments, performed in the laboratory, on the mixing of a heated (buoyant) jet of water being discharged horizontally at the surface of a large body of initially quiescent receiving water.
Consideration of the use of autonomous, non-recallable unmanned vehicles and programs as a deterrent or threat by state actors and others

Abstract This paper considers the use of a non-recallable control technology (either for craft control or to command weaponized software) as a deterrent or threat mechanism by state and non-state actors. It considers the efficacy of this approach in modern war fighting (including in limited war-like scenarios), comparing it to the mutual assured destruction phenomenon created by atomic weaponry and the Zanryū Nipponhei (‘Japanese holdout’) scenario. The deterrent, immediate and long-term impacts of the non-recallable control technology are considered from a warfighting perspective. The ethical and societal implications of the development of this technology and the proverbial opening of Pandora's Box that its development represents are also considered.
Stabilisation of distal radius fractures: Lessons learned and future directions

Our understanding of the diagnosis and management of distal radius fractures has been a long developed over centuries. There has been a shift in treatment of these very common injuries from closed reduction and casting to internal fixation. The answer to the best method of treatment has yet to be found. Today, we have a multitude of treatment options available with varying degrees of evidence to support their use. This review helps to illustrate the lessons we have learned and future directions for treatment.
Staying on Topic: An Indicator of Power in Political Debates

We study the topic dynamics of interactions in political debates using the 2012 Republican presidential primary debates as data. We show that the tendency of candidates to shift topics changes over the course of the election campaign, and that it is correlated with their relative power. We also show that our topic shift features help predict candidates’ relative rankings.
A Subgroup Analysis of the Impact of Self-testing Frequency on Examination Scores in a Pathophysiology Course.

Objective: To determine if the frequency of self-testing of course material prior to actual examination improves examination scores, regardless of the actual scores on the self-testing. Methods: Practice quizzes were randomly generated from a total of 1342 multiple-choice questions in pathophysiology and made available online for student self-testing. Intercorrelations, 2-way repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc tests, and 2-group comparisons following rank ordering, were conducted. Results: During each of 4 testing blocks, more than 85% of students took advantage of the self-testing process for a total of 7042 attempts. A consistent significant correlation (p≤0.05) existed between the number of practice quiz attempts and the subsequent examination scores. No difference in the number of quiz attempts was demonstrated compared to the first testing block. Exam scores for the first and second testing blocks were both higher than those for third and fourth blocks. Conclusion: Although self-testing strategies increase retrieval and retention, they are uncommon in pharmacy education. The results suggested that the number of self-testing attempts alone improved subsequent examination scores, regardless of the score for self-tests.
Divalent Cation Transport by Rat Cecum and Colon in Calcium and Magnesium Deficiency1

SummaryThe effects of calcium and magnesium deficiency on net divalent cation movements of large intestine were studied in growing rats by in vivo perfusion of cecum and colon. Magnesium-deficient rats and controls were perfused with 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 mM calcium in saline; large intestinal calcium movements were similar in both diet groups despite hypercalcemia in magnesium-deficient animals. In a separate study, calcium-deficient rats and controls were perfused with 0, 0.25, and 2.5 mM magnesium in saline; large intestinal magnesium movements were the same in both diet groups. Thus, large intestinal calcium transport in the rat, which adapts to calcium or vitamin D deficiency, does not respond to magnesium restriction, and large intestinal magnesium transport is not affected by calcium deficiency. These findings suggest that effects of magnesium and calcium restriction on fecal excretion of divalent cations in balance studies are not mediated by large intestinal adaptation.We thank Duane Miller and Helen...
A Method of System Marginal Price Forecasting by General Regression Neural Network Based on Particle Swarm Optimization

A kind of smoothing factor,which optimizes general regression neural network (GRNN) by improved particle swarm optimization (PSO),is put forward and a method to forecast system marginal price by GRNN with optimized parameters is proposed.In the smoothing factor optimization the proposed method overcomes the defects caused by other methods,e.g.,easy to fall into local extreme points while gradient descent method is used as well as slow convergence speed while genetic algorithm is adopted.Results of case study,in which the historical data published by California electricity market is taken for example,show that comparing with traditional forecasting method based on BP neural network the proposed method is more effective and accurate.
SOR: Scalable orthogonal regression for non-redundant feature selection and its healthcare applications

As more clinical information with increasing diversity become available for analysis, a large number of features can be constructed and leveraged for predictive modeling. Feature selection is a classic analytic component that faces new challenges due to the new applications: How to handle a diverse set of high dimensional features? How to select features with high predictive power, but low redundant information? How to design methods that can select globally optimal features with theoretical guarantee? How to incorporate and extend existing knowledge driven approach? In this paper, we present Scalable Orthogonal Regression (SOR), an optimization-based feature selection method with the following novelties: 1) Scalability: SOR achieves nearly linear scale-up with respect to the number of input features and the number of samples; 2) Optimality: SOR is formulated as an alternative convex optimization problem with theoretical convergence and global optimality guarantee; 3) Low-redundancy: thanks to the orthogonality objective, SOR is designed specifically to select less redundant features without sacrificing quality; 4) Extendability: SOR can enhance an existing set of preselected features by adding additional features that complement the existing feature set but still with strong predictive power. We present evaluation results showing that SOR consistently outperforms state of the art feature selection methods in a range of quality metrics on several real world data sets. We demonstrate a case study of a large-scale clinical application for predicting early onset of Heart Failure (HF) using real Electronic Health Records (EHRs) data of over 10K patients for over 7 years. Leveraging SOR, we are able to construct accurate and robust predictive models and derive potential clinical insights. Comp Sci. &Eng. Dept, University of Texas at Arlington IBM T. J. Watson Research Lab
Successful Culture Techniques for Helicobacter Species: Verification of Helicobacter Identity Using 16S rRNA Gene Sequence Analysis

This chapter describes protocols for the verification of putative Helicobacter species' identities using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis.
The Performance of Australian Children and Adolescents on Rey's Tangled Lines Test

Objective The study aimed to generate preliminary Australian normative data for the performance of individuals aged 8–15 years on the Rey Tangled Lines Test (Rey TLT), and to chronicle age-related trends in the acquisition of processing speed and accuracy. The Rey TLT is a neuropsychometric test that queries processing speed and was intended to assist in the differentiation of problems in fine eye tracking from wider cognitive disorders. This instrument does not require verbal or motor responses and may be administered in less than 10 min. To date, it has been unavailable for inclusion in a child or adolescent cognitive assessment battery due to the absence of normative data for this population. Methods N = 120 children aged 8–15 years (68 females and 52 males) were recruited to establish four, 2-year chronological age groups (i.e., 8–9, 10–11, 12–13, and 14–15 years) with n = 30 participants per group. The Rey TLT was administered to each participant in a single session. Response time and accuracy were documented. Results Sets of normative data for Australian children's performance on the Rey TLT were collected. Completion time decreased and task accuracy increased with age; younger children generally performed more slowly and less accurately than older children. Conclusions The Rey TLT appears to be sensitive to changes in age of children and is quick and simple to administer. It holds promise for inclusion in a battery of psychological tests to examine processing speed and fine eye tracking.
Henry P. McKean Jr. and Integrable Systems

Henry McKean’s first contribution to integrable systems appeared in 1975 [15]. Over a period of more than 30 years since, in some 50 papers, he has explored integrable systems from uniquely original points of view. His selecta could have included the pioneering work, with Airault and Moser, on the time-dynamics of poles of meromorphic solutions of KdV [2]; or the series on invariant measures for wave equations, integrable or otherwise; or one of the seminal papers with Trubowitz [12, 13] that created a theory of infinite-genus hyperelliptic curves (= Riemann surfaces) and infinite-dimensionalJacobian varieties, which they applied to KdV under periodic boundary conditions, or subsequent extensions of that theory motivated by the desire to understand all the iconic integrable partial differential equation on the circle.
Dynamics of an Impacting Spherical Pendulum

Since Newton first considered the motion of a spherical pendulum over two hundred years ago, many researchers have studied its dynamic response under a variety of conditions. The characteristic of the problem that has invited so much investigation was that spherical pendulum paradigms much more complex phenomena. Understanding the response of a paradigm gives an almost multiplicative effect in the understanding of other phenomena that can be modeled as a variant of the paradigm.
Essays on Slavic Collections, Bibliography & Bookculture, 1984–2008, by Edward Kasinec and Robert H. Davis, Jr.

As a welcome counterpoint to Scott Sherman's recent article in The Nation entitled “Upheaval at the New York Public Library” (Nov. 30, 2011), which deals with the Slavic and Baltic Division at some...
Influence of external heating rate on the structure and porosity of thermally exfoliated graphite oxide

Fast external heating rates in graphite oxide thermal exfoliation have been reported to be advantageous for generating high surface area graphene-based materials for a variety of applications. The study yields the surprising result that the surface area and porosity developed in reduced graphite oxide under some conditions are independent of instrument-set external heating rates. The true "total" heating rate experienced by the sample is shown to be the sum of the external rate and the local self-heating rate associated with the exothermicity of graphite oxide exfoliation, and under many conditions, the local self-heating contribution dominates. In these instances, increasing external heating rate does not increase the total rate, improve exfoliation degree or enhance surface area. These results are important for optimizing the conditions for fabrication of reduced graphene oxide with tailored properties.
Software-only occupancy inference in a workplace findings from a field trial

HVAC and lighting loads contribute a significant fraction of total energy consumed in office buildings. These loads vary as a function of occupancy and therefore inferring occupancy is vital to optimizing energy efficiency within these buildings. This work presents evaluation and comparison results from a field trial conducted in a large office building, which involved estimating occupancy with the help of existing opportunistic context sources versus instrumented hardware sensors. Our results show that opportunistic sensing yielded an accuracy of 80% in comparison with expensive hardware sensors and may be used to continuously estimate fine-grained workplace occupancy in an inexpensive manner. Moreover the inferred occupancy information may also be used to identify anomalies in thermal management and space utilization within the building.
Older Adults and Management of Medical Devices in the Home: Five Requirements for Appropriate Use.

Abstract Medical devices, or instruments or tools to manage disease, are increasingly used in the home, yet there have been limited evaluations of how older adults and caregivers safely use these d...
The End of Sprawl? Not so Fast

AbstractThis article takes a careful look at the recent state of sprawl among America’s 178 largest metropolitan areas through the lens of four sets of questions: (a) Measured at the metropolitan level, is sprawl really declining? Is it declining everywhere, or just in selected metropolitan areas? (b) If sprawl is indeed declining, are more compact growth forms on the rise? (c) If sprawl is indeed declining, is it the result of antisprawl land use and development policies? (d) Which metropolitan-level land market, demographic, and economic factors are most associated with changes in sprawl? It concludes that sprawl is indeed declining when measured by average population densities, but that the decline has been much less widespread if measured in terms of population growth in core-area neighborhoods, changing density gradient intercept and slope estimates, and increased employment clustering. In terms of policy, it finds no evidence that local regulatory regimes or growth management programs have had any e...
Effects of PIT Tags on Red Shiner Cyprinella lutrensis and Sand Shiner Notropis stramineus

Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags are commonly used to uniquely identify tagged individuals. Much of what we currently know about the feasibility of using PIT tags in fish ecology research has been studied in salmonids. The recent development of smaller tags has prompted research into their effects on small-bodied fishes. In a laboratory setting, I assessed the effects of PIT tags on Red Shiner Cyprinella lutrensis and Sand Shiner Notropis stramineus over 48 days. Survival was high (>97%) for both species. Tag retention was relatively high (82%) for Red Shiner, but low (51%) for Sand Shiner. Logistic regression models testing the effects of length of tagged fishes on survival and tag retention were non-significant. Growth was not affected by the presence of a PIT tag. This study suggests that Red Shiner and Sand Shiner > 45 mm can be successfully tagged with 9 mm PIT tags.
First passage distance to connectivity for mobile robots

We consider a robot that needs to establish connectivity with a remote human operator (or with another robot) as it moves along a path. We are interested in answering the following question: how long would the robot move before it finds a connected spot? More specifically, we are interested in mathematically characterizing the PDF of the distance traveled before the robot gets connected, as a function of the underlying wireless channel parameters. We start with the case where multipath fading is negligible, and utilize the stochastic differential equation literature to derive the PDF of the distance traveled before connectivity, considering shadowing and path loss components of the channel. We then include the effect of multipath and carry out the analysis using stochastic dynamic programming. Finally, we confirm our theoretical derivations by running several simulations with real channel parameters and highlight interesting trends of the distance to connectivity.
Stop the Presses! Media freedom in authoritarian regimes: A case study of Ben Ali’s Tunisia

ABSTRACTWhy did Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali introduce greater freedom of the press when he took power in Tunisia in 1987 only to start clawing back these new freedoms two years later? The article prese...
A Probabilistic and Multi-Objective Analysis of Lexicase Selection and ε-Lexicase Selection.

Lexicase selection is a parent selection method that considers training cases individually, rather than in aggregate, when performing parent selection. Whereas previous work has demonstrated the ab...
Quantum Flavordynamics: A Status Report

The problems posed and the challenges offered by QFD, at this time, are analyzed and discussed. A convenient starting point is afforded by a comparison of the different circumstances of QFD and QCD. Some features of the conventional methodology of QFD, which may be deemed to be questionable, are underlined. The prospects of the standard model are examined in the light of recent experiments, and some theoretical deficiencies of the model are noted. Following a brief comment about the status of some recently proposed models, it is suggested that one search for new physical principles which may be governing the structure of weak interactions in a hitherto unperceived way. Manifest left-right symmetry and time-reversal invariance, realized as symmetries of the Nambu-Goldstone type, are mentioned as possible examples of such principles; additional motivation for these symmetries emerges in a discussion of recent work on the problem of natural suppression of strong T-violation. The report concludes with a brief appraisal of the present state of QFD.
Characterization of the Predominant T-Cell Receptor Delta (TCRδ) Rearrangements in Non-T, Non-B ALL

The gene that encodes the T-cell-receptor delta chain (TCRδ) has recently been identified [1, 2]. The gene product is expressed as a TRCγ/δ heterodimer on a minority of T lymphocytes in peripheral blood and thymus.The genomic repertoire of rearranging regions of TCRδ is rather limited [3–11]. We and others have shown limited diversity of TCRδ rearrangements by Southern blotting in common non-T, non-B lymphoid precursor ALL (LP-ALL) [3–6]. The purpose of the current study was: (1) the characterization and determination of the nucleotide sequence of the predominant TCRδ rearrangements in LP-ALL and (2) the evaluation of mechanisms that are functional in the diversification of the junctional sequences of the TCRδ gene in LP-ALL.
Three methods for accurate quantification of plaque volume in coronary arteries

The coronary atherosclerotic process evolves to an occlusive disease that causes chronic angina and acute coronary syndromes, such as myocardial infarction and sudden death. An important milestone in the understanding of the atherosclerotic process is the development of tools for quantitative assessment of disease progression or regression. A new methodology to analyze the coronary vessel lumen and plaque morphology in 3-D is based on the fusion of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and biplane X-ray angiography, which results in a geometrically correct representation of coronary vessels. A comparison of three volume quantification methods: polytope, Watanabe, and Simpson's rule is reported for quantifying the amount of plaque accumulation. The three methods allow local estimation of plaque volume. To determine volumetric indices, the space between the luminal and adventitial surfaces is first subdivided and then each of the volume elements is considered individually to achieve volume quantification. Polyhedral volume elements are employed and the volume of every element is estimated by each of the three approaches. The volume quantification methods were validated in 314 computer-generated shapes. All three methods are highly accurate, providing a mean error of 0.138 +/- 0.049%, 0.139 +/- 0.049%, and 0.832 +/- 0.203% for the polytope, Watanabe, and Simpson-rule methods, respectively. Nevertheless, the polytope and Watanabe methods are statistically significantly more accurate than the Simpson-rule approach (p < 0.001). The volumetric quantification methods were also tested using seven in vivo coronary arterial datasets from seven patients undergoing coronary angioplasty. While the polytope and Watanabe approaches are statistically significantly more accurate compared to the Simpson's rule method, accuracy of either of the tested method is sufficient for all practical purposes. Yet, the methods are not interchangeable and a single technique should be used in comparative volumetric studies.
Learning from the Pilot Experiments: “Good” Questions and Discoveries

The third step of the empirical dimension of this research has two parts. This chapter addresses the first part, which entails evaluating and redesigning the pilot version of the experiment. The second part will be addressed in Chapter 7. Two pilot runs were conducted, one udner the control conditions, and the other under the test conditions. They played a critical role in improving the experimental methodology, deepening my understanding of the nature of questions, and augmenting the hypotheses.
Theory and Analysis of Threshold Characters

Summary This paper deals with theory, methods and problems in the analysis of categorical data in animal breed/ng when a threshold model is postulated foi an underlying normal distribution of phenotypes. Linear and nonlinear statistical models potentially useful for estimating parameters of the underlying and outward distributions are reviewed and extended. Methods for evaluating the genetic value of candidates for selection from single or multiple populations are discussed comparatively.
Teaching Every Student: A Demonstration Lesson that Adapts Instruction to Students' Learning Styles

Armed with the knowledge that law students have unique and diverse learning styles, we have an opportunity and perhaps an obligation to mold our teaching to the way our students best learn new and difficult information. Through the vehicle of an demonstration lesson that was used in a first-year legal research and writing class at Stetson University College of Law, this article briefly illustrates what such molding might look like and accomplish in a legal research and writing classroom. The article first describes how the authors developed the demonstration lesson. It then describes the lesson itself, and it concludes with student and professor feedback on the lesson.
Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride 1% Cream (Rhofade) for Persistent Facial Erythema Associated with Rosacea.

Oxymetazoline cream has been shown to be safe and effective at reducing erythema in a small portion of treated patients, but research showing its effectiveness relative to other options is lacking.
Do shared self-expanding activities have to be physically arousing?:

Participation in shared self-expanding activities benefits both relationships and the self. However, most studies use tasks that combine self-expansion and arousal within one activity, making it di...
Economic and sociocultural impacts of fisheries closures in two fishing-dependent communities following the massive 2015 U.S. West Coast harmful algal bloom

Abstract In the spring of 2015, a massive harmful algal bloom (HAB) of the toxin-producing diatom Pseudo-nitzschia occurred on the U.S. West Coast, resulting in the largest recorded outbreak of the toxin domoic acid and causing fisheries closures. Closures extended into 2016 and generated an economic shock for coastal fishing communities. This study examines the economic and sociocultural impacts of the Dungeness crab and razor clam fisheries closures on two fishing-dependent communities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 36 community members from two communities impacted by the event – Crescent City, California and Long Beach, Washington. Interviewees included those involved in the fishing, hospitality, and retail industries, local government officials, recreational harvesters, and others. Interviews probed aspects of resilience in economic, social, institutional, and physical domains, based on the contention that community resilience will influence the communities’ ability to withstand HAB events. Dimensions of vulnerability were also explored, encompassing sensitivity of the communities to HAB events and their adaptive capacity. Common themes that emerged from the interview responses indicate that economic hardships extended beyond fishing-related operations and permeated through other sectors, particularly the hospitality industry. Significant barriers to accessing financial and employment assistance during extended fisheries closures were identified, particularly for fishers. Long-held traditions surrounding crab and shellfish harvest and consumption were disrupted, threatening the cultural identities of the affected communities. Community members expressed a desire for clearer, more thorough, and more rapid dissemination of information regarding the management of fisheries closures and the health risks associated with HAB toxins. The likelihood of intensifying HABs under climate change heightens the need for actions to increase the resilience of fishing communities to the economic and sociocultural impacts caused by HAB-related fisheries closures.
Depth from motion for smartphone AR

Augmented reality (AR) for smartphones has matured from a technology for earlier adopters, available only on select high-end phones, to one that is truly available to the general public. One of the key breakthroughs has been in low-compute methods for six degree of freedom (6DoF) tracking on phones using only the existing hardware (camera and inertial sensors). 6DoF tracking is the cornerstone of smartphone AR allowing virtual content to be precisely locked on top of the real world. However, to really give users the impression of believable AR, one requires mobile depth. Without depth, even simple effects such as a virtual object being correctly occluded by the real-world is impossible. However, requiring a mobile depth sensor would severely restrict the access to such features. In this article, we provide a novel pipeline for mobile depth that supports a wide array of mobile phones, and uses only the existing monocular color sensor. Through several technical contributions, we provide the ability to compute low latency dense depth maps using only a single CPU core of a wide range of (medium-high) mobile phones. We demonstrate the capabilities of our approach on high-level AR applications including real-time navigation and shopping.
Nutritional Repletion in the Surgical Patient

Patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are prone to high rates of malnutrition [1]. There are several factors inherent to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affect nutritional status including hypermetabolism associated with chronic inflammation, anorexia, and malabsorption [2] as well as intestinal obstruction and ileus. Assessing malnutrition in this patient population can be challenging as there is no gold-standard test available to evaluate a patient’s nutritional status [1]. However, managing the preoperative nutritional status of IBD patients is of critical importance due to the high risk of postoperative complications associated with nutritional deficits.
Thermolysis and Photolysis of a γ-Azoperester. Cyclization of γ-Azo and γ-Perester Radicals

Thermolysis of azoperester 5 affords γ-azo radical 14, which cyclizes to hydrazyl radical 15 at a rate of 1.3 × 109 M-1 s-1 at 110 °C. Our experimental results are consistent with loss of a methyl ...
Cryptococcus neoformans infection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-uninfected patients at an inner-city tertiary care hospital in the Bronx

Cryptococcus neoformans causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is the most significant predisposing condition, but persons with other immunodeficiency states as well as phenotypically normal persons develop cryptococcosis. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients with a diagnosis of cryptococcosis between 2005 and 2017 at our inner-city medical center in the Bronx, an epicenter of AIDS in New York City, and analyzed demographic data, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment, and mortality for these patients. In sum, 63% of the cases over this 12-year period occurred in HIV-infected patients. And 61% of the HIV-infected patients were non-adherent with antiretroviral therapy, 10% were newly diagnosed with AIDS, and 4% had unmasking cryptococcus-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. The majority were Hispanic or black in ethnicity/race. HIV-uninfected patients (47/126) were older (P < .0001), and the majority had an immunocompromising condition. They were less likely to have a headache (P = .0004) or fever (P = .03), had prolonged time to diagnosis (P = .04), higher cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose levels (P = .001), less CSF culture positivity (P = .03), and a higher 30-day mortality (P = .03). Cases in HIV-uninfected patients were often unsuspected during their initial evaluation, leading to a delay in infectious diseases consultation, which was associated with mortality (P = .03). Our study indicates that HIV infection remains the most important predisposing factor for cryptococcosis despite availability of antiretroviral therapy and highlights potential missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis and differences in clinical and prognostic factors between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients.
Drug induced parkinsonism: Symptomatic beyond 22 months

We report 2 cases of drug induced Parkinsonism followed longitudinally that remained symptomatic 22 and 27 months after stopping causative agents with normal dopamine ioflupane iodine-123 (DaT) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans at 8 and 16 months.
A search for early- to mid-Noachian chloride-rich deposits on Mars

Abstract Chloride-bearing deposits on Mars that are recognizable in orbital infrared data are thought to date to the late Noachian period ~3.6 Gyr ago, during the last stages of surface water that persisted long enough over large regions to have emplaced aqueously formed minerals detectable from orbit. We conducted an intensive regional search for older, buried and exhumed chloride-rich deposits and found none resolvable from orbit, placing constraints on the upper age limit for this type of deposit.
Deciphering cellular heterogeneity of pancreatic tumours

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma displays high levels of cellular heterogeneity, which is associated with drug resistance and high metastatic rates. A new study shows that tetraspanin CD9 marks PDAC tumour-initiating cells and functions as a regulator of glutamine metabolism.
Using Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing to Demonstrate Value in Perioperative Care: Recommendations and Review from the Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement (SPAQI)

A shift in healthcare payment models from volume toward value-based incentives will require deliberate input into systems development from both perioperative clinicians and administrators to ensure appropriate recognition of the value of all services provided-particularly ones that are not reimbursable in current fee-for-service payment models. Time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) methodology identifies cost drivers and reduces inaccurate costing based on siloed budgets. Inaccurate costing also results from the fact that current costing methods use charges and there has been tremendous cost shifting throughout health care. High cost, high variability processes can be identified for process improvement. As payment models inevitably evolve towards value-based metrics, it will be critical to knowledgably participate in the coordination of these changes. This document provides 8 practical Recommendations from the Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement (SPAQI) aimed at outlining the principles of TDABC, creating process maps for patient workflows, understanding payment structures, establishing physician alignment across service lines to create integrated practice units to facilitate development of evidence-based pathways for specific patient risk groups, establishing consistent care delivery, minimizing variability between physicians and departments, utilizing data analytics and information technology tools to track progress and obtain actionable data, and using TDABC to create costing transparency.
A Successful Trial for Lupus - How Good Is Good Enough?

Only one drug for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), belimumab, has been approved on the basis of support from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, and numerous development progra...
Current status and recent advances in preimplantation genetic testing for structural rearrangements

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is an early form of prenatal genetic diagnosis, which can identify the abnormal embryos cultured in vitro, allow only transfer of genetically normal embryos, and improve the pregnancy rate. In recent years, the rapid development of microarrays and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has remarkably accelerated the clinical application of PGT. In particular, a variety of detection methods have emerged and achieved significant progress in PGT for structural rearrangements (PGT-SR). The detection-related abilities of these methods range from the detection of limited chromosome aneuploidy to comprehensive chromosome screening of the whole genome to differentiation of embryos with normal or balanced translocation/inversion karyotypes. In this study, we reviewed PGT-SR-related detection techniques to provide a better reference for clinical application and research. We have also discussed the potential development of novel techniques in the future.
Soluble terminal complement activation fragment sC5b-9: a new serum biomarker for traumatic brain injury?

Terminal complement pathway activation after traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC/C5b-9) which induces neuronal cell death and host-mediated secondary brain injury. Serum levels of soluble MAC (sC5b-9) have not been previously determined in patients with isolated TBI. A prospective observational cohort study was performed during a 5-year time-period on adult patients with isolated TBI admitted to an academic level I trauma center in the United States. Controls consisted of patients with femur shaft fractures with or without TBI to mitigate the effect of systemic complement activation by peripheral trauma. Healthy volunteers served as internal controls. The sC5b-9 serum concentrations were measured on the day of admission by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared between the study cohorts. Univariate analysis was performed to determine independent predictive variables of major complications during hospital admission. Serum sC5b-9 levels were significantly elevated in patients with isolated TBI (n = 42), compared to patients with isolated femoral shaft fractures (n = 36) or combined TBI and femoral shaft fractures (n = 30; p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum sC5b-9 levels between the femur group and the combined injury group, compared to the healthy volunteers (n = 21). Univariate analysis revealed serum sC5b-9 levels as an independent predictor of major postinjury complications after isolated TBI (p < 0.01). The soluble terminal complement complex sC5b-9 represents a potential novel serum biomarker specific for isolated head injuries, since peripheral trauma did not appear to affect the serum sC5b-9 levels.
Social skills training for persons with schizophrenia

Abstract Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness often accompanied by impairments in functioning that can result from deficits in neurocognition and social cognition as well as negative symptoms (e.g., lack of motivation). Social skills training (SST) is a systematic approach to teaching interpersonal skills that is effective for improving functioning and negative symptoms among persons with schizophrenia. In SST, complex interpersonal skills are broken down into smaller skills, and taught using a structured format through a combination of modeling (clinician demonstration of skills in role plays), behavioral rehearsal (client practicing of skills in multiple role plays), positive and corrective feedback to shape learning of skills (reinforcement of successive approximations to targeted skill), and collaboratively developed home assignments to practice the skill outside of sessions. A wide range of skills can be taught with SST, such as skills for conversing with people, making friends and dating, pursuing leisure activities, interacting with healthcare providers, or dealing with social situations involving alcohol or drug use. Some programs aimed at improving social functioning in schizophrenia are based primarily on SST, whereas other programs may incorporate SST along with other therapeutic approaches, such as psychoeducation or cognitive behavioral therapy.
Estimation of Hydrogen Production in Three Cities in the North of Algeria

Great increasing interest in both commercial community and research on the production of hydrogen in the energy sector as an energy carrier. In addition, protecting our earth from global warming and the depletion of crude oils and gasses are the main objectives for our energy strategies worldwide. The Westinghouse Corporation proposed a new method known as the Hybrid Sulphur (HyS) cycle, which forms part of the so-called thermo-chemical cycles. Two sub-reactions in this system are used to complete the functionality of this process: thermochemical and electrochemical reactions. In the second sub-reaction, several parameters can affect the electrochemical reaction and electrolysis efficiency such as: cell temperature, membrane thickness and catalyst loading … etc. This study will focus on the influence solar irradiation and ambient temperature on hydrogen production in three cities in the north of Algeria. According to the study, it was found that the power consumption to produce a flow 8 Nm3/h is 31 kWh for Algiers and 32 kWh for Constantine and Oran.
Relevance, rigor and impact of scholarly research in marketing, state of the discipline and outlook

This commentary presents a dissenting point of view on some of Key et al.’s (AMS Review, 2020) observations concerning the relevance and rigor of scholarly research in marketing, impact of scholarly research in marketing on research in other disciplines, and influence of the marketing function in firms at the top management level.
Quantum dot devices

Abstract (100 Word Limit): Semiconductor quantum dot lasers have been extensively studied for applications in future lightwave telecommunications systems. We describe the growth, processing and characteristics of quantum dot and nanostructure lasers that exhibit interesting and potentially important effects arising from reduction of the active medium to the quantum regime (<50 nm) in all three dimensions. The motivation for quantum dots in lasers is outlined along with methods for forming self-assembled and patterned quantum dots. The resultant laser characteristics are presented. Finally a novel inverted quantum dot structure or nanopore laser, containing three dimensional quantization formed from an engineered periodicity, is introduced. Presenter Bio (100 Word Limit): James J. Coleman holds the Intel Alumni Endowed Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois. He was previously at Bell Laboratories and Rockwell International. He and his students are involved in the study of semiconductor quantum dots and nanostructures for lasers and low threshold and high power diode lasers. Professor Coleman has received the SPIE Technology Achievement Award, the IEEE David Sarnoff Medal and the OSA Nick Holonyak, Jr. Award. He is president of the IEEE Photonics Society and a Fellow of the IEEE, OSA, APS, and AAAS.