cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute Kidney Injury and Atypical Features during Pediatric Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis

The most common acute glomerulonephritis in children is poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) usually occurring between 3 and 12 years old. Hypertension and gross hematuria are common presenting symptoms. Most PSGN patients do not experience complications, but rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and hypertensive encephalopathy have been reported. This paper reports 17 patients seen in 1 year for PSGN including 4 with atypical PSGN, at a pediatric tertiary care center. Seventeen children (11 males), mean age of 8 years, were analyzed. Ninety-four percent had elevated serum BUN levels and decreased GFR. Four of the hospitalized patients had complex presentations that included AKI along with positive ANA or ANCAs. Three patients required renal replacement therapy and two were thrombocytopenic. PSGN usually does not occur as a severe nephritis. Over the 12-month study period, 17 cases associated with low serum albumin in 53%, acute kidney injury in 94%, and thrombocytopenia in 18% were treated. The presentation of PSGN may be severe and in a small subset have associations similar to SLE nephritis findings including AKI, positive ANA, and hematological anomalies.
A unifying look at clustering in mobile ad hoc networks: Research Articles

In recent years, a significant number of clustering schemes have been proposed in the literature. Most of them treat cluster initialization and cluster maintenance differently as if they were two entirely different undertakings. The main contribution of this work is a unifying way of looking at clustering in MANET. We make an important point: there is no difference between cluster initialization and cluster maintenance, and one algorithm should gracefully blend into the other. To illustrate the feasibility of this concept, we propose a novel tree-based clustering algorithm for MANET based on a number of properties of diameter-2 graphs. The algorithm is cluster-centric and, unlike the vast majority of algorithms in the literature, works in the presence of node mobility. Extensive simulation results show the effectiveness of our algorithm when compared to other clustering schemes proposed in the recent literature. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Error in geometric morphometric data collection: Combining data from multiple sources.

Objectives This study compares two- and three-dimensional morphometric data to determine the extent to which intra- and interobserver and intermethod error influence the outcomes of statistical analyses. Materials and Methods Data were collected five times for each method and observer on 14 anthropoid crania using calipers, a MicroScribe, and 3D models created from NextEngine and microCT scans. ANOVA models were used to examine variance in the linear data at the level of genus, species, specimen, observer, method, and trial. Three-dimensional data were analyzed using geometric morphometric methods; principal components analysis was employed to examine how trials of all specimens were distributed in morphospace and Procrustes distances among trials were calculated and used to generate UPGMA trees to explore whether all trials of the same individual grouped together regardless of observer or method. Results Most variance in the linear data was at the genus level, with greater variance at the observer than method levels. In the 3D data, interobserver and intermethod error were similar to intraspecific distances among Callicebus cupreus individuals, with interobserver error being higher than intermethod error. Generally, taxa separate well in morphospace, with different trials of the same specimen typically grouping together. However, trials of individuals in the same species overlapped substantially with one another. Conclusion Researchers should be cautious when compiling data from multiple methods and/or observers, especially if analyses are focused on intraspecific variation or closely related species, as in these cases, patterns among individuals may be obscured by interobserver and intermethod error. Conducting interobserver and intermethod reliability assessments prior to the collection of data is recommended.
Scrape-off layer plasma and neutral characteristics and their interactions with walls for FNSF

Abstract Simulations of the heat flux on plasma facing components from exhausting core plasma are reported for two possible Fusion Nuclear Science Facility (FNSF) divertor configurations. One configuration utilizes divertor plates strongly inclined with respect to the poloidal magnetic flux surfaces like that planned for ITER and results in a partially detached divertor-plasma. The second configuration has divertor plates orthogonal to the flux surfaces, which leads to a fully detached divertor-plasma if the width of the divertor region is sufficient. Both configurations use scrape-off layer impurity seeding to yield an acceptable peak heat flux of ∼10 MW/m 2 or smaller on the divertor plates and chamber walls. The roles of recycled hydrogenic atoms and molecules are investigated and distribution of sputtering tungsten throughout the edge region modeled. The simulations are performed with the UEDGE 2D transport code to model both plasma and neutral components with supplementary neutral modeling performed with the DEGAS 2 Monte Carlo code.
Strategies for Introducing Change in the Small Business

Effective management of change is important to owners and managers of small businesses, particularly those whose goals include growth. This article explores the various reasons people resist change...
Classification of imbalanced data in E-commerce

Applications for machine learning algorithms are beginning to dominate the world of online commerce with their seemingly endless potential for supplementing fully customizable shopping experiences. From socially impactful event predictions to smarter ways of shopping online, big fast data is streaming in and being utilized constantly. Unfortunately, unusual instances of data, called imbalanced data, are still being ignored at large because of the inadequacies of analytical methods that are designed to handle homogenized data sets and to “smooth out” outliers. Consequently, rare use cases of significant importance remain neglected and lead to high-cost loses or even tragedies. In the past decade, a myriad of approaches handling this problem that range from data modifications to alterations of existing algorithms have appeared with varying success. Yet, the majority of them have major drawbacks when applied to different application domains because of the non-uniform nature of the applicable data. Within the vast domain of e-Commerce, we are proposing a new approach for handling imbalanced data, which is a hybrid classification method that will consist of a mixed solution of multi-modal data formats and algorithmic adaptations for an optimal balance between prediction accuracy, precision and specificity. Our solution improves data usability, classification accuracy and resulting costs of analyzing massive data sets used in personalizing customer experiences in e-Commerce.
Repetición y paralelismo en una ceremonia de pedida matrimonial chol

El presente articulo es un analisis del lenguaje ritual de una ceremonia de pedida chol, o k’ajtyi tyi’. Primeramente se describe como se crean las relaciones de parentesco afin en el mundo chol. Despues se analizan varios fragmentos de los discursos enunciados durante una pedida; se dan ejemplos de diversos tipos de repeticion y paralelismo, examinando su forma, funcion, y su distribucion a lo largo de los turnos conversacionales. La autora propone que la repeticion y el paralelismo en el lenguaje ritual de la k’ajtyi tyi’, ademas de cumplir una funcion poetica, son estrategias discursivas para indicar conformidad o discrepancia con el interlocutor, y en ultima instancia con los terminos en los que se pacta una union matrimonial. Finalmente se ofrece una interpretacion sobre el rol de la repeticion y el paralelismo como metalenguaje de las relaciones de reciprocidad que se aspira a establecer entre las futuras familias afines.
A cabinet of the ordinary: domesticating veterinary education, 1766-1799.

In the late eighteenth century, the Ecole veterinaire d'Alfort was renowned for its innovative veterinary education and for having one of the largest natural history and anatomy collections in France. Yet aside from a recent interest in the works of one particular anatomist, the school's history has been mostly ignored. I examine here the fame of the school in eighteenth-century travel literature, the historic connection between veterinary science and natural history, and the relationship between the school's hospital and its esteemed cabinet. Using the correspondence papers of veterinary administrators, state representatives and competing scientific institutions during the French Revolution, I argue that resource constraints and the management of anatomical and natural history specimens produced new disciplinary boundaries between natural history, veterinary medicine and human medicine, while reinforcing geographic divisions between the local and the foreign in the study of non-human animals. This paper reconstructs the Ancien Regime reasoning that veterinary students would benefit from a global perspective on animality, and the Revolutionary government's rejection of that premise. Under republicanism, veterinary medicine became domestic.
Sites associated with Kalydeco binding on human Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator revealed by Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR). Mutations associated with CF cause loss-of-function in CFTR leading to salt imbalance in epithelial tissues. Kalydeco (also called VX-770 or ivacaftor) was approved for CF treatment in 2012 but little is known regarding the compound's interactions with CFTR including the site of binding or mechanisms of action. In this study we use hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) coupled with mass spectrometry to assess the conformational dynamics of a thermostabilized form of CFTR in apo and ligand-bound states. We observe HDX protection at a known binding site for AMPPNP and significant protection for several regions of CFTR in the presence of Kalydeco. The ligand-induced changes of CFTR in the presence of Kalydeco suggest a potential binding site.
Veteran Coffee Socials: A Community-Building Strategy for Enhancing Community Reintegration of Veterans

Veterans transitioning from military to civilian life are vulnerable to a loss of social support and an increase in isolation from their communities, which can exacerbate other difficulties they may be experiencing, such as physical or mental health problems. Veteran Coffee Socials are an innovative community-building pilot intervention designed to foster social support and community between veterans. In seven target communities, certified peer specialists initiated and facilitated weekly "Veteran Coffee Socials"-open peer support groups for veterans, held in local coffee shop or restaurants. Over a 9-month period, an average of 8.5 veterans attended each meeting, for a total of 2236 veteran engagements across seven towns. A range of activities were identified as commonly occurring during these Veteran Coffee Socials. Veteran attendees routinely formed relationships with each other, representatives from community organizations, and staff from local and VA healthcare resources. One of the most common activities involved veterans receiving information and directions for enrollment into needed healthcare supports and to local community resources. Case descriptions are provided illustrate the potential positive impact of this intervention to build community and expand social support for returning veterans through the examination of three individual and three group examples.
To Wiki or Not to Wiki?: Facilitating Collaborative Learning in a Graduate Online Youth Development Course

Collaborative learning experiences are looked upon favorably by many educators because of their ability to yield desired educational outcomes such as critical thinking, solving problems, cooperatin...
Inhibition of AKT in Human Pancreatic, Renal and Colorectal Cancer Cells by Four Cardiac Hormones

BACKGROUND Protein kinase-B (AKT) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that has a key role in cell proliferation and cancer cell invasiveness. Four cardiac peptide hormones, namely vessel dilator, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), kaliuretic peptide, and long-acting natriuretic peptide (LANP) have anticancer effects both in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four cardiac hormones were examined for their ability to inhibit AKT, measured with a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in human colorectal, pancreatic, and renal cancer cells. RESULTS Vessel dilator, kaliuretic peptide, ANP, and LANP maximally reduced the concentration of AKT by 47%, 45%, 52%, and 46% in human colorectal cancer cells (p<0.0001), by 60%, 61%, 64%, and 59% in human pancreatic carcinoma cells (p<0.0001), and by 31%, 32%, 31%, and 31% in renal adenocarcinoma cells (p<0.001). CONCLUSION These four cardiac hormones are significant inhibitors of AKT in human cancer cells, as part of their anticancer mechanism(s) of action.
Nonlinear analysis of axisymmetrix layered pressure vessels; Part 1: theory

A finite element formulation for the nonlinear heat conduction and thermoelastic analyses of orthotropic, axisymmetric layered pressure vessels is presented. Nonlinearities include temperature-dependent material properties and stress-dependent layer interface conditions. Solution of the nonlinear heat conduction equations is iteratively obtained using a modified Newton-Raphson scheme. Direct iteration between heat conduction and stress analyses is employed when stress-dependent interface thermal resistance is considered. A modified time integration scheme to reduce oscillatory noise is introduced, and the stability and accuracy of the time integration scheme are discussed.
CHAPTER 7 – One-Dimensional Diffusions and Their Convergence in Distribution

This chapter examines the one-dimensional diffusions and their convergence in distribution. The normalized Brownian motion is analyzed in the chapter. To obtain one-dimensional Brownian motion, fix an axis and project the motion of the particle on this axis. The Brownian traveler starts afresh with respect to path shifts induced by random times. One of the best ways to appreciate the wilderness that is filled with exotic forms is to delve into the study of the sample path properties of Brownian motion. The universal nature of Brownian motion is revealed in the sense that this process can be used to capture random walks. The scaled random walk derived from fair coin tossing converges weakly to normalized Brownian motion. This not only gives insight into Brownian motion, but it displays the power of weak convergence. Diffusion in natural scale has the same state space features as Brownian motion. The problem of describing the speed of diffusion in natural scale in terms of its speed measure is elaborated in the chapter. The chapter also analyzes the local time for Brownian motion.
Abstract 2821: Tousled like Kinase 1 binds to and regulates the protein kinase Nek1: Its implication in prostate cancer

Introduction: Prostate Cancer (PCa) is one of the most common urological malignancies in men in the United States. Tousled Like kinases (TLKs) are involved in numerous cellular functions, including the DNA Damage Response (DDR). Through a novel proteomic approach, we have identified that NIMA kinase NEK1 strongly interacts and co-localizes with TLKs and has a role in the DDR, upstream of ATR and Chk1. In the present study we have tested Thioridazine (THD), an anti-psychotic drug and inhibitor of TLKs in inhibiting the activity of NEK1 in prostate cancer cell lines and LNCaP cell derived xenografts in NOD/SCID mice and the subsequent role of ATR-Chk1 axis following DNA damage. Material & Methods: We have used a prostate cancer cell line viz. LNCaP, C4-2, C4-2b, 22Rv1, DU145 and PC3 and normal prostate cell line RWPE-1. Clonogenic activity was measured by colony formation assay. Immunoblotting was done for TLKs, NEK1, p-ATR and p-Chk1 protein in PCa cell line and tumor xenografts tissues. LNCaP xenografts in NOD/SCID mice were used in present study. We have used THD (alone) or in combination with the anti-androgen drug bicalutamide in PCa cell lines as well as in xenografts mice model. Results: Treatment with THD suppresses the outgrowth of androgen-independent (AI) colonies of LNCaP cells cultured with bicalutamide. Moreover, THD significantly inhibited the colony formation efficiency of several PCa cells in vitro (even of androgen independent lines). Intra-Peritoneal (I.P.) administration of THD or Bicalutamide long-term was not very effective in inhibiting tumor growth. In contrast, combination therapy of THD and Bicalutamide remarkably inhibited the tumor growth in LNCaP xenografts model. Further p-ATR and p-Chk1 axis was inhibited by treatment with THD and in combination with bicalutamide as evident by immunoblotting of residual tumors. In cells, following DNA damage, addition of the TLK inhibitor THD impaired ATR and Chk1 activation, indicating the existence of a TLK1>NEK1>ATR>Chk1 pathway. Conclusions: Our data indicated that THD repressed growth of PCa cells in vitro and in vivo, and for Androgen-dependent (LNCaP) cells, in combination with bicalutamide it was very effective at preventing outgrowth of AI cells and hence as a targeted ADT adjuvant therapy. Moreover, THD impaired DDR. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that THD might be a novel anti-tumor agent for use in prostate cancer. Citation Format: Vibha Singh, Praveen K. Jaiswal, Hari K. Koul, Xiuping Yu, Arrigo Benedetti. Tousled like Kinase 1 binds to and regulates the protein kinase Nek1: Its implication in prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2821.
Nocturnal Hypoglycemic Alarm Based on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: In Vivo Studies with a Rat Animal Model

A noninvasive method for detecting episodes of nocturnal hypoglycemia is demonstrated with in vivo measurements made with a rat animal model. Employing spectra collected from the near-infrared combination region of 4000–5000 cm–1, piecewise linear discriminant analysis (PLDA) is used to classify spectra into alarm and nonalarm data classes on the basis of whether or not they correspond to glucose concentrations below a user-defined hypoglycemic threshold. A reference spectrum and corresponding glucose concentration are acquired at the start of the monitoring period, and spectra are then collected continuously and converted to absorbance units relative to the initial reference spectrum. The resulting differential spectra correspond to differential glucose concentrations that reflect the differences in concentration between each spectrum and the reference. Given an alarm threshold (e.g., 3.0 mM), a database of calibration differential spectra can be partitioned into two groups containing spectra above and b...
Design and Synthesis of Imidazolium-Mediated Tröger’s Base-Containing Ionene Polymers for Advanced CO2 Separation Membranes

It is highly desirable to integrate the CO2 solubility benefits of ionic liquids (ILs) in polymeric membrane systems for effective CO2 separations. Herein, we are exclusively exploring a series of four novel imidazolium-mediated Troger’s base (TB)-containing ionene polymers for enhanced CO2 separation. The two diimidazole-functionalized Troger’s base monomers synthesized from “ortho”- and “para”-substituted imidazole anilines were polymerized with equimolar amounts of two different aromatic and aliphatic comonomers (α,α′-dichloro-p-xylene and 1,10-dibromodecane, respectively) via Menshutkin reactions to obtain four respective ionene polymers ([Im-TB(o&p)-Xy][Cl] and ([Im-TB(o&p)-C10][Br], respectively). The resulting ionene polymers having halide anions were exchanged with [Tf2N]− anions, yielding a novel Troger’s base material [Im-TB(x)-R][Tf2N] or “Im-TB-Ionenes”. The structural and physical properties as well as the gas separation behaviors of the copolymers of aromatic and aliphatic Im-TB-Ionenes have...
Analyzing Policy-Making I: Stakeholder and Advocacy Coalition Framework Analysis

As policymaking with regards to media and communication has become a multilayered, multilevel and multi-stakeholder affair, scholars need to pay attention to the who and the how of policymaking. This chapter provides a framework for policy process and decision-making analysis that focuses on stakeholders: their position, views, visibility, power and relationships. It provides a definition of both stakeholder analysis and the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF), followed by a critical evaluation of the pros and cons of these complementary frameworks. Next, it introduces a step-by-step guide to identify, in a systematic fashion, all relevant actors, their arguments and logic, their visibility and prominence in the policy process. This is complemented by a guide to Sabatier and Jenkins-Smith’s ACF, a model to understand the relationships between stakeholders expressive of the specifics of media policymaking structures and mechanisms and of power in the policy process. This is illustrated making reference to two cases: a case of Net neutrality and a case of Public Service Media policymaking, showing how the combination of these approaches allows for an understanding of the role of various actors as well as the relevance of beliefs and values in the struggle to find alliances and to influence policymakers into reaching a particular policy outcome. As stakeholder analysis and ACF are analytical models rather than methods, we add a note on the methods that are most appropriate for this type of analysis. The chapter concludes with reflections on the use of stakeholder and ACF analysis in media and communication policy research.
Patient Perspectives of Managing Life with a Left Ventricular Assist Device: “I Could Connect How I Felt with What Was Going on.” A Qualitative Analysis

Purpose Clinicians recommend self-management interventions to patients with a variety of chronic conditions, but little is known about self-management perceptions and self-appraisal among patients with a left-ventricular assist device (LVAD). We investigated patient perceptions of managing life with an LVAD. Methods We used a qualitative design with content analysis to analyze transcripts of semi-structured interviews among a purposeful sample of patients with existing LVADs from a large center. Participants (n= 12) represented diversity (42% African American), were mostly male (83%), bridge to transplant (83%), varying in age from 33-81 years, and ranging from 5 months to 6 years post-implant. Results When asked to describe managing life with an LVAD, patients listed tasks and acknowledged caregiver involvement. Areas that patients appraised as managing well included monitoring (blood pressure, weight) and maintenance (co-managing drive-line sites and medications). In terms of management, several patients described self-recognition of fluid overload (“connecting with what was going on”) that motivated reduction of salt or calling the clinic. One patient described regularly dining out and ingesting too much salt, resulting in self-administering “rescue” diuretics twice weekly, which he appraised as “rarely” needing. Two patients distinguished between “knowing” and not being “willing” to follow dietary guidelines. Several patients described not knowing how active they could be during sex and exercise, but had not called to ask their provider. Barriers to feeling independent in self-management included being told by clinicians not to do their own drive-line dressing changes. Finally, at the conclusion of interviews, patients who participated in group interviews verbalized a new recognition that they would benefit from talking to other patients with an LVAD on a regular basis. Conclusion Most patients described satisfaction with self-management but some refrained from calling the clinic with questions. Support groups (in-person or online) are likely under-recognized as a means to share questions, test self-management interventions, and provide ongoing education and social support. Future analyses will include perceptions of patient-caregiver dyads.
CHAPTER 9 – Quadrature

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the significance of quadrature in mathematics. It is concerned with the approximate evaluation of definite integrals—that is, areas under curves. The Richardson device is applied with profit in many areas of numerical analysis. The main labor in numerical quadrature is the computation of the values of the integral. In the preparation of the first column of a table, all values obtained are used in succeeding entries. The determination of the entries in the second and later columns is done by the use of the generic recurrence relation at a negligible additional expense. The chapter also explains the length of a quadrant of the lemniscate of Bernoulli presented in polar coordinates by an equation.
Vessel wall MR imaging of intracranial atherosclerosis

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is one of the most common causes of ischemic stroke worldwide. Along with high recurrent stroke risk from ICAD, its association with cognitive decline and dementia leads to a substantial decrease in quality of life and a high economic burden. Atherosclerotic lesions can range from slight wall thickening with plaques that are angiographically occult to severely stenotic lesions. Recent advances in intracranial high resolution vessel wall MR (VW-MR) imaging have enabled imaging beyond the lumen to characterize the vessel wall and its pathology. This technique has opened new avenues of research for identifying vulnerable plaque in the setting of acute ischemic stroke as well as assessing ICAD burden and its associations with its sequela, such as dementia. We now understand more about the intracranial arterial wall, its ability to remodel with disease and how we can use VW-MR to identify angiographically occult lesions and assess medical treatment responses, for example, to statin therapy. Our growing understanding of ICAD with intracranial VW-MR imaging can profoundly impact diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis for ischemic stroke with the possibility of lesion-based risk models to tailor and personalize treatment. In this review, we discuss the advantages of intracranial VW-MR imaging for ICAD, the potential of bioimaging markers to identify vulnerable intracranial plaque, and future directions of artificial intelligence and its utility for lesion scoring and assessment.
Single Stage EMI Filter for Server Power Supply

Adopting Gallium Nitride (GaN) device in server power supply, switching frequency can be increased up to the MHz range, with dramatic improvement in power density and not at the detriment of efficiency. Furthermore, the complicated magnetic structure can be broken down into elemental pieces and further integrated into a matrix transformer structure with PCB windings. With PCB based winding structure, opportunities for EMI common-mode noise reduction, previously inconceivable, can be realized, leading to a much improved CM noise signature in both PFC and DC/DC converter. Consequently, a simple single stage filter can be employed to meet the EMI requirement, for the first time. The single stage filter with 60dB/dec attenuation of DM noises and 40dB/dec attenuation of CM noises are deemed sufficient to meet the requirement. However, the presence of self-parasitics such as ESL of capacitors and EPC of inductors as well as near- field mutual couplings between inductor and capacitors are detrimental and renders the filter ineffective in frequency beyond a few hundred kHz. In this paper, balance technique for CM noise reduction of PFC and shielding technique for DC/DC converter are implemented in PCB-winding based magnetics. To further enhance the filter performance at high frequency, an exhaustive finite element analysis and near field measurements are conducted to better understand the effect of frequency to the polarization of near field due to the displacement current. The knowledge gain in this study enable one to minimize unwanted mutual coupling effects by means of physical placement of these filter components. Moreover, the unwanted ESL of DM filter cap can be reduced using the proposed X-cap structure. The mutual coupling between capacitors is also reduced by a flux cancellation loop. With these approaches applied, a single stage filter is demonstrated in an off-line 1 kW, 12V server power supply.
Effects of local forearm skin heating on skin properties.

This study investigated impacts of local skin heating on skin properties and tested whether skin changes depended on heat-induced hyperaemia. It was reasoned that heat-induced vasodilation impacts accompanying interstitial fluid changes. Forearm skin was locally heated from a baseline of 35°C to 40-42°C in 30 young adults (15 females, 15 males, 24.9 ± 2.1 years) and non-heated in 10 others (5 females, 5 males, 25.2 ± 1.3 years. Skin blood flow (SBF) was continuously measured using a laser Doppler method and skin tissue dielectric constant (TDC), stratum corneum capacitance (SCC) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured before and after maintained heat for 12 min. TDC values were determined to effective measurement depths of 1.5 mm (TDC15) and 2.5 mm (TDC25). Results showed a large heat-induced hyperaemia, with SBF increasing on average 8.8-fold from its baseline of 35°C. Heating also caused significant increases in TDC, SCC and TEWL that, compared to preheating, increased approximately 1.1-fold, 3.1-fold and 4.5-fold. None of these skin changes correlated with the magnitude of the SBF hyperaemic response. Absence of this correlation may indicate that in young healthy adults, increased capillary filtration due to heat-induced arteriolar vasodilation is rapidly accommodated by postcapillary reabsorption, enhanced lymphatic activity and TEWL processes. An alternate explanation is that heating caused increased red cell oscillations that were detected as part of the laser Doppler increase without representing increased capillary flux. The major determinant of the Increases in TDC, SCC and TEWL is likely a consequence of heat-induced eccrine gland activation. Studies of older persons or those with depressed function are warranted.
Topological Charge Pumping in Excitonic Insulators.

We show that in excitonic insulators with $s$-wave electron-hole pairing, an applied electric field (either pulsed or static) can induce a $p$-wave component to the order parameter, and further drive it to rotate in the $s+ip$ plane, realizing a Thouless charge pump. In one dimension, each cycle of rotation pumps exactly two electrons across the sample. Higher dimensional systems can be viewed as a stack of one-dimensional chains in momentum space in which each chain crossing the Fermi surface contributes a channel of charge pumping. Physics beyond the adiabatic limit, including in particular dissipative effects is discussed.
Occult Malignancy in Adult Tonsillectomy for Benign Indication.

Objective:National pathology guidelines recommend full pathologic analysis for all adult tonsillectomy specimens. We evaluated the available data on occult malignancy in adult tonsillectomy for ben...
Towards the Synergy of Genre- and Corpus-Based Approaches to Academic Writing Research and Pedagogy

This paper outlines the research agenda of a framework that integrates corpus- and genre-based approaches to academic writing research and pedagogy. This framework posits two primary goals of academic writing pedagogy, that is, to help novice writers develop knowledge of the rhetorical functions characteristic of academic discourse and become proficient in making appropriate linguistic choices to materialize such functions. To these ends, research in this framework involves 1) compilation of corpora of academic writing annotated for rhetorical functions, 2) analysis of the organization and distribution of such functions, 3) analysis of the linguistic features associated with different functions, 4) development of computational tools to automate functional annotation, 5) use of the annotated corpora in academic writing pedagogy, and 6) exploration of the role of form-function mappings in academic writing assessment. The implications of this framework for promoting consistent attention to form-function mappings in academic writing research, pedagogy, and assessment are discussed.
The Impacts of Sleep Deprivation on Medical Residents: A Scoping Review of Literature:

Negative impacts of sleep deprivation on healthcare providers are well documented. However, effective, evidence-based, and practical interventions are sparse. This scoping literature review explore...
Discovery of a Generalization Gap of Convolutional Neural Networks on COVID-19 X-Rays Classification

A number of recent papers have shown experimental evidence that suggests it is possible to build highly accurate deep neural network models to detect COVID-19 from chest X-ray images. In this paper, we show that good generalization to unseen sources has not been achieved. Experiments with richer data sets than have previously been used show models have high accuracy on seen sources, but poor accuracy on unseen sources. The reason for the disparity is that the convolutional neural network model, which learns features, can focus on differences in X-ray machines or in positioning within the machines, for example. Any feature that a person would clearly rule out is called a confounding feature. Some of the models were trained on COVID-19 image data taken from publications, which may be different than raw images. Some data sets were of pediatric cases with pneumonia where COVID-19 chest X-rays are almost exclusively from adults, so lung size becomes a spurious feature that can be exploited. In this work, we have eliminated many confounding features by working with as close to raw data as possible. Still, deep learned models may leverage source specific confounders to differentiate COVID-19 from pneumonia preventing generalizing to new data sources (i.e. external sites). Our models have achieved an AUC of 1.00 on seen data sources but in the worst case only scored an AUC of 0.38 on unseen ones. This indicates that such models need further assessment/development before they can be broadly clinically deployed. An example of fine-tuning to improve performance at a new site is given.
The Role of Loading in Murine Models of Rotator Cuff Disease.

Rotator cuff disease pathogenesis is associated with intrinsic (e.g., age, joint laxity, muscle weakness) and extrinsic (e.g., mechanical load, fatigue) factors which lead to chronic degeneration of the cuff tissues. However, etiological studies are difficult to perform in patients due to the long duration of disease onset and progression. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of altered joint loading on the rotator cuff. Mice were subjected to one of three load-dependent rotator cuff tendinopathy models: underuse loading, achieved by injecting botulinum toxin-A into the supraspinatus muscle; overuse loading, achieved using downhill treadmill running; destabilization loading, achieved by surgical excision of the infraspinatus tendon. All models were compared to cage activity animals. Whole joint function was assessed longitudinally using gait analysis. Tissue-scale structure and function were determined using microCT, tensile testing, and histology. The molecular response of the supraspinatus tendon and enthesis was determined by measuring the expression of 84 wound healing associated genes. Underuse and destabilization altered forepaw weight bearing, decreased tendon-to-bone attachment strength, decreased mineral density of the humeral epiphysis, and reduced tendon strength. Transcriptional activity of the underuse group returned to baseline levels by 4 weeks, while destabilization had significant upregulation of inflammation, growth factors, and extracellular matrix remodeling genes. Surprisingly, overuse activity caused changes in walking pattern, increased tendon stiffness, and primarily suppressed expression of wound healing related genes. In summary, the tendinopathy models demonstrated how divergent muscle loading can result in clinically relevant alterations in rotator cuff structure, function, and gene expression. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Agricultural production diversity and child nutrition in Ethiopia

This study investigates how two aspects of agricultural production diversity – farm production diversity and composition of production – relate to child height-for-age and weight-for-height in Ethiopia. We use longitudinal data on child anthropometric measurements, household farm production diversity and farm production composition from the Ethiopia Socioeconomic Survey for 2011, 2013, and 2015 available through the World Bank. Using longitudinal fixed effects models, we show that an increase in farm production diversity reduces the risk of chronic food insecurity (child height-for-age) but has no impact on acute measures of food insecurity (child weight-for-height). Results also suggest that, in a context of poor rainfall, more diversity in farm production can adversely impact child height-for-age, although livestock sales might mitigate that detrimental effect. These findings highlight the importance of considering the relationship between farm-level food production and child nutrition in a context of climate change.
ENHANCE-II: An Abridged Intervention to Promote Subjective Well-Being

The Enduring Happiness and Continued Self-Enhancement (ENHANCE) program, a 12-week intervention, effectively enhances subjective wellbeing and reduces negative symptoms. The current study tested an abbreviated 7-week version, ENHANCE-II, that may better fit the needs and schedules of some people. In a longitudinal study, participants (n = 51) took part in the self-study program and completed psychological assessments at baseline, posttest, and follow up (5 weeks). Multilevel models were used to analyze the data, with treatment group data from ENHANCE treated as the comparison. Analyses showed improvements in all four outcomes: life satisfaction (statistically significant), positive affect, negative affect, and depression. These effects were about half as strong as those in ENHANCE, but this effect reduction was partially attributable to low adherence. Effects were much stronger among participants who adhered to the program, especially for negative symptoms. Although there were no assessments at later intervals, the study suggests that ENHANCE-II intervention is likely beneficial for participants who need brief programs.
Combined associations of 25-hydroxivitamin D and parathyroid hormone with diabetes risk and associated comorbidities among U.S. white and black women

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES There is evidence of black-white differences in vitamin D status and cardiometabolic health. This study aimed to further evaluate the joint associations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and parathyroid hormone (PTH) with risks of diabetes and related cardiometabolic comorbidities among white and black women. SUBJECTS/METHODS We cross-sectionally and prospectively analyzed data from 1850 black and 3000 white postmenopausal women without cardiovascular disease or dialysis at baseline from the Women's Health Initiative-Observational Study. Weighted Cox proportional hazards analyses and weighted logistic regression models were used to examine the joint associations of 25(OH)D and PTH with incident diabetes and prevalence of other diabetes-related cardiometabolic comorbidities (including CKD, hypertension, or obesity). RESULTS We identified 3322 cases of obesity (n = 1629), hypertension (n = 2759), or CKD (n = 318) at baseline and 453 incident cases of diabetes during 11 years of follow-up. Cross-sectionally, lower 25(OH)D and higher PTH were independently associated with higher prevalence of hypertension [odds ratio (OR) = 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72-0.87 and OR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.39-1.73] among white women only. When stratified by diabetes status, compared to women with 25(OH)D ≥50 nmol/L and PTH ≤6.89 pmol/L (65 pg/mL), women who did not have diabetes with vitamin D deficiency ( 6.89 pmol/L) had higher prevalence of CKD, hypertension, or obesity (OR = 4.23; 95% CI: 2.90-6.18) than women who had diabetes (OR = 1.89; 95% CI: 0.96-3.71). Prospectively, lower 25(OH)D was associated with lower diabetes incidence [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.62-0.86] in white women. Jointly, compared to the group with 25(OH)D ≥50 nmol/L and PTH ≤6.89 pmol/L, white women with 25(OH)D deficiency (<50 nmol/L) had elevated risk for diabetes, regardless of PTH levels. CONCLUSIONS Low 25(OH)D and high PTH were jointly associated with increased risk of diabetes among white women only. Their joint associations with high prevalence of CKD, hypertension, and obesity were more pronounced among women without diabetes.
Aurora a kinase (AURKA) is required for male germline maintenance and regulates sperm motility in the mouse.

Aurora A kinase (AURKA) is an important regulator of cell division and is required for assembly of the mitotic spindle. We recently reported the unusual finding that this mitotic kinase is also found on the sperm flagellum. To determine its requirement in spermatogenesis, we generated conditional knockout animals with deletion of the Aurka gene in either spermatogonia or spermatocytes to assess its role in mitotic and postmitotic cells, respectively. Deletion of Aurka in spermatogonia resulted in disappearance of all developing germ cells in the testis, as expected given its vital role in mitotic cell division. Deletion of Aurka in spermatocytes reduced testis size, sperm count, and fertility, indicating disruption of meiosis or an effect on spermiogenesis in developing mice. Interestingly, deletion of Aurka in spermatocytes increased apoptosis in spermatocytes along with an increase in the percentage of sperm with abnormal morphology. Despite the increase in abnormal sperm, sperm from spermatocyte Aurka knockout mice displayed increased progressive motility. In addition, sperm lysate prepared from Aurka knockout animals had decreased protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) activity. Together, our results show that AURKA plays multiple roles in spermatogenesis, from mitotic divisions of spermatogonia to sperm morphology and motility.
Seventy-Five Years of Racial Ethnic Diversity in Atla

Some of the events of the past year have resulted in theological institutions assessing their own racial ethnic diversity and making plans for increasing that diversity. This year Atla celebrates seventy-five years of existence. This session will reflect back over the past 75 years and note what has been done. The presentation given at the ATLA Annual Conference in 2011, Sixty-Five Years of Racial Ethnic Diversity in ATLA will be the basis for the session. At the conclusion of the 2011 presentation, the vision of the future was of an association which reflected the general population in terms of percentage of racial ethnic persons. The session will chronicle events from the last 10 years, update data, and see how close to that vision the association has come. Areas of possible growth will also be noted.
Following a Non-Linear Career Path: Dietetics + Child Development + Special Education = Family Studies

Dans cet article, l'A. fait part de son parcours universitaire atypique. En effet, son enfance et son parcours scolaire, n'ont pas connu une evolution lineaire. Ses etudes et sa vie de famille l'ont amene a la dietetique, puis a l'education, avant de rejoindre les etudes sur la famille et le developpement de l'enfant
A flow-system comparison of the reactivities of calcium superoxide and potassium superoxide with carbon dioxide and water vapor

A single pass flow system was used to test the reactivity of calcium superoxide with respiratory gases and the performance was compared to that of potassium superoxide. The KO2 system is used by coal miners as a self-contained unit in rescue operations. Particular attention was given to the reactivity with carbon dioxide and water vapor at different temperatures and partial pressures of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. The calcium superoxide beds were found to absorb CO2 and H2O vapor, releasing O2. The KO2 bed, however, released O2 at twice the rate of CO2 absorption at 37 C. It is concluded that the calcium superoxide material is not a suitable replacement for the KO2 bed, although Ca(O2)2 may be added to the KO2 bed to enhance the CO2 absorption.
Enhanced fitness and renal function in Type 2 diabetes.

Aims To investigate the renal effects of fitness in people with diabetes with mild renal dysfunction. Methods The effect of a 12-week exercise programme on estimated GFR in 128 people with diabetes was evaluated. Results All cardiometabolic variables improved after 12 weeks of supervised exercise. Although there was a modest 3.9% increase in estimated GFR from baseline in the 128 people who completed the study, those with baseline chronic kidney disease stages 2 and 3 were found to have significant (6 and 12%, respectively; p < 0.01) improvements in post-exercise estimated GFR. Moreover, 42% of the people with chronic kidney disease stage 3 improved to chronic kidney disease stage 2 after the intervention. Conclusion Short-term exercise improves renal function in those with more moderate baseline chronic kidney disease. Thus, renal function appears to be responsive to enhanced physical fitness. Being a strong and modifiable risk factor, enhanced fitness should be considered a non-pharmacological adjunct in the management of diabetic kidney disease.
Performance enhancement of fullerene based solar cells upon NIR laser irradiation

Photovoltaic performance enhancement of fullerene based solar cells was achieved upon exposure to near-infrared (NIR) laser pulses. The solar cells were fabricated with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) under ambient conditions. The cells were then post-treated with NIR femto-second laser pulses at 800 nm for different intervals of time. An enhancement of 50% in the power conversion efficiency was achieved for the devices with 15 minutes of NIR laser irradiation compared to that of the control device. The enhancement in the power conversion efficiency is attributed to the formation of a covalent linkage between P3HT and PCBM as suggested by Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectroscopic analysis on a blend of a thiophene oligomer and PCBM before and after NIR laser exposure.