cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Language Discrimination by English-Learning 5-Month-Olds: Effects of Rhythm and Familiarity

Six experiments using the headturn preference procedure investigated 5-month-old American infants' ability to discriminate languages. The impetus for the present study was a report that newborns discriminate languages across, but not within, rhythmic classes (Nazzi et al., 1998). Two experiments verified that at 5 months, infants still discriminate pairs of languages from different rhythmic classes (British English vs Japanese; Italian vs Japanese). An additional experiment indicated that American 5-month-olds did not discriminate two languages within a foreign rhythmic class (Italian vs Spanish, syllable-based). Three subsequent experiments tested language discrimination within the native stress-based class. Discrimination of the languages occurred when the native language or one of its variants was presented (British English vs Dutch; American English vs British English), but not when both languages were equally unfamiliar (Dutch vs German). Our findings suggest that language discrimination within the native rhythmic class derives from infants' developing knowledge of the sound organization of their native language.
Are Cost-Plus Defense Contracts (Justifiably) Out of Favor?

ABSTRACT: A common tenet is that the use of cost-plus contracts contributes to cost overruns in the context of Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs). Accordingly, policy-makers express a preference for fixed-price contracts as opposed to cost-plus contracts. While fixed-price contracts may be superior in certain scenarios, such scenarios are limited in the MDAP context. We document three potential unintended negative consequences of fixed-price contracts. We argue that the notion that fixed-price contracts are better than cost-plus contracts for limiting cost overruns is misleading. JEL Classifications: G38; H57; M48.
Performing Pan-Africanism: The Pan-African Circle of Artists' Overcoming Maps, 2001-Present

The Pan-African Circle of Artists (PACA), an artists association based in Enugu eastern Nigeria, was founded in 1991 at the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka by art students and teachers led by C. Krydz Ikwuemesi. The association was created as a broad forum for artists, art professionals and cultural producers living and working in Africa who are interested in the promotion and dissemination of arts and culture in Africa on Africas terms. Through its activities and programs, PACA opens a channel of communication and inter-action among African artists, between artists and the general public, and explores the potentials of art to shape an African collective consciousness. In 2001 PACA initiated the Overcoming Maps study tour of Africa series which involves members of PACA and their associates travelling through the continent to network with artists and cultural practitioners, and to stage exhibitions and roundtable conversations on the role of art in contemporary society and its values as a tool for socio-cultural integration. Overcoming Maps also engages the rhetoric of political integration mouthed by various African governments through institutions such as the African Union but with little or no tangible achievement, as well as the outcome of the infamous Berlin conference of 1885 which formalized the partitioning of Africa along imaginary lines. Through Overcoming Maps, PACA also highlights the difficulties of movement across national boundaries in Africa and the limitations placed on the forging of intra-continental relationships. I explore Overcoming Maps as a process of performing critical pan-Africanism, that is to say, moving the ideology beyond intellectual rhetoric by mobilizing its values of solidarity and communalism.
Examining Data Contribution Trends for the ALISE 2015 Statistical Report

Presented here is an analysis of the data contribution activities from Library and Information Science (LIS) education programs in North America during their participation in the 2014–15 ALISE Statistical Survey. A new web-based and database-driven survey logged time-stamped submission data (i.e. metadata) across all sections and sub-sections of the Survey. These were quantitatively analyzed to present trends among activity and contributions over the course of the three-month data collection period. Results demonstrated that the final weeks and days of the data collection period garnered a considerably higher number of submissions from a majority of programs across all parts of the Survey. These trends as observed can be insightful for anyone involved in education data intensive projects, whether for coordination and administration purposes or end-user research. They can also used be to suggest practical implications for future data collection and reporting processes. Further, results will help lead to improved satisfaction of users, data collection approaches, and data verification, and ultimately serve the LIS education community through the ALISE Statistical Report.
Imaging Luminescent Traps on Single Anatase TiO2 Crystals: The Influence of Surface Capping on Photoluminescence and Charge Transport

The spatial distribution of intra band gap traps in micrometer-sized single crystals of anatase TiO2 was explored using single-particle photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and imaging. The PL from microcrystals with well-defined {001} and {101} facets was imaged for the same particle before and after annealing to explore the influence of fluorine, used as a capping agent in the synthesis of the microparticles, on luminescent traps. Unannealed particles reveal weaker photoluminescence and distinctly different spatial distribution of PL emission compared to annealed particles. The results show that the capped particles have fewer surface defects as a result of passivation of surface electron traps associated with undercoordinated titanium. PL images suggest that the remaining surface defects in the fluorine-capped particles concentrate at edges and corners of the microcrystal, and that anisotropic carrier transport takes place via hopping between adjacent Ti atoms. Annealed particles reveal greater surface ...
Improved cortical bone specificity in UTE MR Imaging.

Purpose Methods for direct visualization of compact bone using MRI have application in several “MR-informed” technologies, such as MR-guided focused ultrasound, MR-PET reconstruction and MR-guided radiation therapy. The specificity of bone imaging can be improved by manipulating image sensitivity to Bloch relaxation phenomena, facilitating distinction of bone from other tissues detected by MRI. Methods From Bloch equation dynamics, excitation pulses suitable for creating specific sensitivity to short-T2 magnetization from cortical bone are identified. These pulses are used with UTE subtraction demonstrate feasibility of MR imaging of compact bone with positive contrast. Results MR images of bone structures are acquired with contrast similar to that observed in x-ray CT images. Through comparison of MR signal intensities with CT Hounsfield units of the skull, the similarity of contrast is quantified. The MR technique is also demonstrated in other regions of the body that are relevant for interventional procedures, such as the shoulder, pelvis and leg. Conclusion Matching RF excitation pulses to relaxation rates improves the specificity to bone of short-T2 contrast. It is demonstrated with a UTE sequence to acquire images of cortical bone with positive contrast, and the contrast is verified by comparison with x-ray CT. Magn Reson Med 77:684–695, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Evaluation of a Soft Skills Training Program

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a soft skills employee training program. We examined willingness to learn and delivery methods (face-to-face vs. online) and their associa...
Sexual Dimorphism in Continental Steamer-Ducks

Analyse du dimorphisme sexuel chez les trois especes continentales (133 specimens, biometrie du squelette et des muscles, mensurations externes): Tachyeres pteneres, T. leucocephalus, T. patachonicus et recherche des causes de ce dimorphisme
Perchlorate Uptake in Spinach As Related to Perchlorate, Nitrate, And Chloride Concentrations in Irrigation Water

Several studies have reported on the detection of perchlorate (ClO4–) in edible leafy vegetables irrigated with Colorado River water. However, there is no information on spinach as related to ClO4– in irrigation water nor on the effect of other anions on ClO4– uptake. A greenhouse ClO4– uptake experiment using spinach was conducted to investigate the impact of presence of chloride (Cl–) and nitrate (NO3–) on ClO4– uptake under controlled conditions. We examined three concentrations of ClO4–, 40, 220, and 400 nmolc/L (nanomoles of charge per liter of solution), three concentrations of Cl–, 2.5, 13.75, and 25 mmolc/L, and NO3– at 2, 11, and 20 mmolc/L. The results revealed that ClO4– was taken up the most when NO3– and Cl– were lowest in concentration in irrigation water. More ClO4– was detected in spinach leaves than that in the root tissue. Relative to lettuces, spinach accumulated more ClO4– in the plant tissue. Perchlorate was accumulated in spinach leaves more than reported for outer leaves of lettuce ...
Provisional Tic Disorder: What to tell parents when their child first starts ticcing

The child with recent onset of tics is a common patient in a pediatrics or child neurology practice. If the child's first tic was less than a year in the past, the diagnosis is usually Provisional Tic Disorder (PTD). Published reviews by experts reveal substantial consensus on prognosis in this situation: the tics will almost always disappear in a few months, having remained mild while they lasted. Surprisingly, however, the sparse existing data may not support these opinions. PTD may have just as much importance for science as for clinical care. It provides an opportunity to prospectively observe the spontaneous remission of tics. Such prospective studies may aid identification of genes or biomarkers specifically associated with remission rather than onset of tics. A better understanding of tic remission may also suggest novel treatment strategies for Tourette syndrome, or may lead to secondary prevention of tic disorders. This review summarizes the limited existing data on the epidemiology, phenomenology, and outcome of PTD, highlights areas in which prospective study is sorely needed, and proposes that tic disorders may completely remit much less often than is generally believed.
Veblen's Discounted Expected Earnings Streams: Monopoly and Make-Believe

AbstractThe paper has two purposes. The first is to explore Thorstein Veblen's contention that the theory of discounted earnings streams is inexorably linked to monopoly power. This contention has contemporary relevance. Modern price theory follows Irving Fisher's original claim that discounted streams has universal application and is consequently divorced from any explicit reference to industrial structure. The second purpose is to examine Veblen's anthropological claim that the transformation of discounted “make-believe” streams into present values reinforces a spiritual aura surrounding financial elites and their social standing.
Epidemiological Analysis on Syphilis in Sujiatun District of Shenyang City during 2004—2008

[Objectives]To master the epidemiological features of syphilis in Sujiatun District of Shenyang City, and provide accurate basis for developing prevention plan.[Methods]Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the syphilis epidemic data in this district.[Results]The annual incidence of syphilis in Sujiatun District of Shenyang City during 2004—2008 was 27.06/100 000, without obvious difference of seasonal distribution. The ratio of male cases to female cases was 1.03∶1, the difference was not significant. 63.30% patients were people aged 20~49 years.[Conclusion]To strengthen hygiene propaganda and education, to improve the prevention awareness of people, to take comprehensive intervention according to epidemiological features of syphilis are the measures for reducing risk factors of syphilis spread.
Effect of Mn content on microstructure and properties of micro-arc oxidation film of gradient porous Mg-Mn alloy

The effect of Mn content on voltage-time curves during micro-arc oxidation process, microstructure, thickness, phase composition and corrosion resistance of the oxidation films on Mg-Mn alloy surface was studied. The results show with increase of Mn content,initial voltage( U1),breakdown voltage( U2),stable voltage( U3) also decrease,but they all increase when Mn content is beyond 2%. With the increase of Mn content,the thickness of oxidation layers first decrease and then increase. The oxidation films of the thickness of 39. 5 μm have fine and uniform pores and best quality with the addition of 2% Mn. XRD and EDS analysis show there are Mg O and Mg2 Si O4phases in the oxidation films. Corrosion resistance measurement shows the amount of hydrogen evolution and mass loss are lower for the gradient porous Mg-2% Mn alloys with the increase of immersing time. The corrosion resistance of gradient porous Mg-2%Mn alloys is the best.
Introduction: Institutional Dynamics of Industrial Policy

For a while it appeared that industrial policy had died and been buried along with the 20th century. However, by the mid 2000s, it was, zombie-like, back.1 Early sporadic debates started among some academics, in a few multilateral agencies in Washington, and in some policy making bodies in Latin America and other developing regions. The reasons for the revival were diverse, ranging from dismay at the results of market reforms in the 1990s, to the surprising success of left-wing parties, to ongoing tinkering and pragmatism among officials in surviving development agencies, and the new developmentalism in the region (Ban 2013). The financial crisis of 2008–10 reinforced statist proclivities across the globe and gave new respectability to the interventionist BRIC model.
Bayesian framework and radar: On misspecified bounds and radar-communication cooperation

The Bayesian framework is versatile as it allows for incorporation of prior knowledge or experience in making inference. The case of no prior knowledge at all is likewise seamlessly supported. The Bayesian framework is naturally suited to many fields of science and engineering including the discipline of radar design, analysis, and function. This paper will highlight recent findings on (i) Bayesian bounds under model misspecification that include the impact of using incorrect prior information, and (ii) parameter estimation for a cooperative radar-communication system.
Psychology’s Functional Autonomy from Biology

Previous chapters have contended that biology plays a potentiating, non-determining role in psychology, which is qualitatively different from its constraining, causal role in animal and human infant behavior. Human biology must play this role in order for psychology to have a conscious, social, and technological character. In other words, sociohistorical psychology rests upon a non-reductionistic relation of psychology to biology. This chapter elucidates such a non-reductionistic model. It also attempts to validate the model by demonstrating that specific biological mechanisms—genes, sense receptors, hormones, and the cortex—do not directly determine psychological phenomena.
Trial of Cholinergic Agonist in Adults with ADHD

A novel cholinergic activating agent, ABT-418, was used to treat 29 adults with ADHD, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover trial at the Pediatric Psychopharmacology Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
Assuring survival of safety-net surgical patients.

Background Survival of surgical inpatients is a key quality metric. Patient, surgeon, and system factors all contribute to inpatient mortality, and sophisticated risk adjustment is required to assess outcomes. When the mortality of general surgery patients was determined to be high at a safety-net hospital, a comprehensive approach was undertaken to improve patient survival. Methods General surgical service line mortality was measured in the database of the University HealthSystem Consortium from January 2013 through June 2015. Ten best practices were implemented sequentially to decrease observed and/or increase expected mortality. University HealthSystem Consortium mortality rank, observed, expected, and observed/expected index as well as early deaths were compared with control charts for 30 months. Results University HealthSystem Consortium general surgery mortality improved from the bottom decile to the top quartile, while Case Mix Index increased from 2.48 to 2.82 (P Conclusion Risk-adjusted mortality and early deaths decreased significantly over 30 months in general surgery patients. Systematic implementation of quality best practices was associated with improved survival of general surgery patients at a safety-net medical center.
Suppression of invasive lake trout in an isolated backcountry lake in Glacier National Park

Fisheries managers have implemented suppression programmes to control non-native lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush (Walbaum), in several lakes throughout the western United States. This study determined the feasibility of experimentally suppressing lake trout using gillnets in an isolated backcountry lake in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA, for the conservation of threatened bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus (Suckley). The demographics of the lake trout population during suppression (2009–2013) were described, and those data were used to assess the effects of suppression scenarios on population growth rate (λ) using an age-structured population model. Model simulations indicated that the population was growing exponentially (λ = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.16–1.28) prior to suppression. However, suppression resulted in declining λ (0.61–0.79) for lake trout, which was concomitant with stable bull trout adult abundances. Continued suppression at or above observed exploitation levels is needed to ensure continued population declines.
Translating Epigenetic Alterations Into Improvements In Patient Care

Abstract Abstract SCI-24 Histone deacetylases (HDACs) catalyze the removal of acetyl groups from the lysine residues of histone tails and non-histone proteins and play a key role in epigenetic modifications. HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) have emerged as epigenetic regulators with significant ant-tumor effects. Many of these are in cancer clinical trials. Their immuno-modulatory effects have largely been unrecognized. Several recent lines of investigation have demonstrated that targeting HDACs can potently modulate immune responses. We have shown that certain of HDAC inhibitors have important anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive effects in experimental models of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Data generated by us demonstrate that HDACi regulate experimental acute graft-versus-host (GVHD), in part, through modulation of the functions of host antigen presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells (DCs). HDACi regulated experimental GVHD in a STAT-3 acetylation dependent induction of indoleamine 2, 3 dioxygenase (IDO) by the host antigen APCs. The preclinical murine data were complemented by analyses of DCs from healthy humans and post-BMT samples. In an effort to translate these observations we have initiated a Phase II clinical trial that will determine whether addition of HDACi, suberoylinalide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, vorinostat) will reduce the rates of acute GVHD following matched related donor allogeneic BMT after reduced intensity conditioning (RIC). The study is ongoing and fifteen patients are so far evaluable for the primary end-point. The preclinical data, the rationale for the trial development and the clinical progress along with the ongoing correlative studies from the trial that are based on the preclinical data will be presented. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Communication Matters: Exploring the Intersection of Family and Practitioner End of Life Communication

After establishing a baseline understanding of some of the factors that influence and shape family end of life communication, empirical research centered on the communication tendencies of nationally-recognized palliative care clinicians is presented. Because death is no longer confined to the bedroom and individuals are increasingly turning to hospitals and health care institutes to assist with end of life, the role of palliative care practitioners is vital. To that end, common communication-rooted issues that may transpire among various medical personnel are explored. Focus on a shared underlying tension-care vs. cure-links the findings between family and palliative care clinician communication regarding end of life. Practical communication solutions and suggestions are offered to facilitate productive and mindful end of life communication between and among family members and health care practitioners.
High healthcare utilization near the onset of medically unexplained symptoms.

Abstract Objective Patients with medically unexplained syndromes (MUS) often do not receive appropriate healthcare. A critical time for effective healthcare is the inception of MUS. The current study examined data from a prospective longitudinal study of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) soldiers to understand the relationship of increasing physical symptom burden to healthcare utilization. Methods Data was examined from a prospective study of OEF/OIF soldiers assessed before and one year after deployment (n = 336). Physical symptom burden was measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15). Analyses were conducted with polynomial regression and response surface analysis (RSA). Results Increases in physical symptom burden predicted greater healthcare utilization one year after deployment: primary care practitioner (slope = − 0.26, F = 4.07, p = 0.04), specialist (slope = − 0.43, F = 8.67, p = 0.003), allied health therapy (e.g., physical therapy) (slope = − 0.41, F = 5.71, p = 0.02) and mental health (slope = − 0.32, F = 4.04, p = 0.05). There were no significant difference in utilization between those with consistently high levels and those with increases in physical symptom burden. Conclusion This is the first prospective study to examine, and show, a relationship between onset of clinically significant physical symptoms and greater healthcare utilization. Our data suggest that patients with increasing physical symptom burden have the same level of healthcare as patients with chronic physical symptom burden. Needed next steps are to better understand the quality of care at inception and determine how to intervene so that recommended approaches to care are provided from the onset.
Why Americans Don't Care about Income Inequality

The United States is the most unequal of the economically advanced nations, but despite this inequality there seems to less concern in the USA for inequality, less support for measures to reduce it...
Microfluidics for monitoring and imaging pancreatic islet and β-cells for human transplant

Abstract: This chapter discusses various microfluidic technologies that have been developed to study islets and β-cells. The chapter first introduces key issues in the field of pancreatic islet transplantation as a clinical therapy for Type I diabetes. It then reviews microfluidic technologies that have been developed for the study of pancreatic islet and β-cell physiology and disease pathophysiology. The chapter then describes the design, fabrication, and application of UlC’s microfluidic-based multimodal islet perifusion and live-cell imaging system. Protocols are available at the end of the chapter.
Abstract 61: Endothelium-Targeted Deletion of MicroRNA-15a/16-1 Cluster Promotes Post-Stroke Angiogenesis and Improves Long-Term Neurological Functions

Introduction: Angiogenesis promotes functional recovery and is associated with longer survival time in stroke patients. Accumulating studies have shown important roles for microRNAs (miRs) in regul...
Dynamic estimation of ideal points for the US Congress

Theories of candidate positioning suggest that candidates will respond dynamically to their electoral environment. Because of the difficulty of obtaining “bridge votes”, most existing approaches for estimating the ideal points of members of Congress generate static ideal points or ideal points that move linearly over time. We propose an approach for dynamic ideal point estimation using Project Vote Smart’s National Political Awareness Test to construct bridge votes. We use our dynamic estimates to measure aggregate change, to measure individual-level change, and to study the institutional and structural factors that explain the changing positions of House candidates and members of Congress. We demonstrate that while the Republican Party has been selecting increasingly extreme candidates, Democratic incumbents have become more extreme while in office. We also find that the congruence between elected members of Congress and their constituents is mostly explained by the selection as opposed to the responsiveness of the candidate. Nonetheless, we find evidence of dynamic responsiveness of incumbents in specific circumstances. We find that competitiveness, midterm elections, and sharing the president’s party affiliation are associated with greater responsiveness. Conversely, retirement is not associated with a change in responsiveness. We find no evidence of responsiveness of challengers. Finally, we find that close elections draw challengers who are more in line with the district’s ideology.
Abstract WP118: Roles of Vitamin D Deficiency in the Development of Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture

Introduction: Beyond its essential roles in bone and mineral homeostasis, vitamin D has been implicated in a wide range of chronic pathology. Clinical studies have shown the increased incidence of ...
"Smart" Choices: Shared Decision-making in Firearm Storage and Personalized Firearms.

* Abbreviation: AAP — : American Academy of Pediatrics Firearm injury is a leading cause of preventable death in children. In this issue of Pediatrics , the authors of the article “Family Firearm Ownership and Firearm-Related Mortality Among Young Children: 1976–2016” present a unique and important approach to evaluating the relationship between firearm ownership and firearm-related mortality.1 The study is novel because Prickett et al1 focus on the youngest and most vulnerable group (children <5 years of age) and evaluate trends in household gun ownership by type of firearm. Over the ∼40 years studied, Prickett et al1 found increasing firearm-related mortality rates in young children despite a downward trend in overall firearm ownership among families with young children. Most importantly, however, although overall firearm ownership decreased, the proportion of families who own handguns increased. This shift of firearm ownership from predominantly rifles (presumably for hunting) to handguns (presumably for self-protection) may provide 1 explanation for the recent increase in firearm-related mortality among young children. As firearm-related mortality in younger children is mostly unintentional, these … Address correspondence to Kavita Parikh, MD, MSHS, Division of Hospital Medicine, Children’s National Health System, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Suite 4800, Washington, DC 20010. E-mail: kparikh{at}childrensnational.org
Hospital-associated Clostridium difficile infection and reservoirs within the hospital environment.

Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of hospital-associated infections. Antibiotic stewardship, environmental disinfection, and reduction of transmission via health care workers are the major modes of CDI prevention within hospitals. Methods The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the environment in the spread of CDI within hospital rooms. Bed tracing of positive-CDI inpatients was performed to detect the strength of association to specific rooms. Environmental cultures were conducted to identify adequacy of environmental C difficile (CD) spores. Whole-genome sequencing was performed to evaluate the degree of CD relatedness. Results Bed tracing performed for 211 CDI patients showed a limited list of high-burden rooms. Environmental cultures for surfaces disinfected with a sporicidal agent were almost entirely negative, whereas the floors were positive for CDI in 15% of the studied patient rooms. Whole-genome sequencing did not detect any close genetic relatedness. Conclusions Unlike in an outbreak setting, bed tracing did not yield conclusive results of room reservoirs. The C diff Banana Broth culture was inexpensive, sensitive, and easy to incubate under aerobic conditions. Sporicidal disinfectants were effective in eliminating CD from the environment. CD spores were found on floors and hard-to-clean surfaces.
The Impact of Child Abuse on Relationships between Resource Loss and Posttraumatic Stress: A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis

Childhood abuse is a serious and prevalent public health concern, both in the United States and around the world. The association between child abuse and adverse outcomes in adulthood is well-estab...
Predictive value of the ACS NSQIP calculator for head and neck reconstruction free tissue transfer.

BACKGROUND Predictive models to forecast the likelihood of specific outcomes after surgical intervention allow informed shared decision-making by surgeons and patients. Previous studies have suggested that existing general surgical risk calculators poorly forecast head and neck surgical outcomes. However, no large study has addressed this question while subdividing subjects by surgery performed. OBJECTIVES To determine the accuracy of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Surgical Risk Calculator in estimating length of hospital stay and risk of postoperative complications after free tissue transfer surgery. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective chart review of patients at one institution was performed using Current Procedural Terminology codes for anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap, fibula free flap (FFF), and radial forearm free flap (RFFF) reconstruction. Output data from the ACS NSQIP surgical risk calculator were compared with the observed rates in our patients. METHODS Incidences of cardiac complications, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, return to the operating room, and discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF) were compared to predicted incidences. Length of stay was also compared to the predicted length of stay. RESULTS Three hundred thirty-six free flap reconstructions with 197 ALT flaps, 85 RFFFs, and 54 FFFFs were included. Brier scores were calculated using ACS NSQIP forecast and actual incidences. No Brier score was <0.01 for the entire sample or any subgroup, which indicates that the NSQIP risk calculator does not accurately forecast outcomes after free tissue reconstruction. CONCLUSION The ACS NSQIP failed to accurately forecast postoperative outcomes after head and neck free flap reconstruction for the entire sample or subgroup analyses. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 130:679-684, 2020.
Suppression of KRAS-G12D and BRAF-V600E oncogene transcription with PNA-conjugates

Abstract Background We have developed a strategy to block transcription of oncogenes such as BRAF V600E and KRAS G12D directly using modified complementary peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomers that target oncogenesis specifically causing inhibition of tumour growth. This proof of principle strategy against BRAF V600E and KRAS G12D in vitro and in vivo should provide a new means to develop PNA-delivery peptide conjugates as targeted drug therapeutics across a broad range of oncogenes that drive cancer cell growth. Methods Obstruction of KRAS G12D and BRAF V600E expression was evaluated through suppression of cell proliferation and specific mRNA transcription. Tumour reduction was assessed through Xenograft mouse models. Results Exposure of KRAS G12D-dependent cell line to modified PNA-peptide conjugate complementary to KRAS G12D mutation sequence also results in concentration-dependent and time-dependent inhibition of cell growth and specific and complete suppression in mRNA transcription. Cell lines expressing KRAS WT and KRAS G12C, both differing by a single nucleobase, show no suppression. Exposure of the melanoma cell lines to a modified PNA-peptide conjugate complementary to BRAF V600E mutation sequence results in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent inhibition of cell growth that is specific for the BRAF V600E mutant melanoma cell lines with inhibition of mRNA and protein expression. Xenograft mouse trials show tumour growth delay and necrosis compared to PNA controls. This 50mg/kg dose was well tolerated without associated weight loss. By H&E staining, tumor tissue from trials shows ablation and extensive scaring upon exposure to BRAF V600E-complementary PNA-peptide conjugate whereas saline and scramble PNA sequence controls do not. Similarly quantitative measurement shows a 2.5-fold decrease in Ki67 and a 3-fold increase in TUNEL expression. Conclusions Our results indicate that these PNA-peptide derivatives could represent a novel and promising new therapy for patients with genes specific for and causative of tumorigenesis. This strategy could be applied to a multitude of cancers either with specific translocations or mutations differing from wild-type cells even by only a single base pair. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Celgene, Fortress Biotech. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Choli: Re-Design and Engineering Functional Belly Dancing Costume

The objectives of the design project were to develop a line of belly dancing clothing and to improve the functionality and comfort of design of clothing for dancers.
Do I Know You? Impact of Consumers’ Brand Schema and Brand Familiarity on Brand Affect and Attitude for Pro-Environmental Messages

This study looks at how consumers evaluate brands’ pro-environmental initiatives based on their existing brand schemas as well as their familiarity with the brand. The variables in consideration here are brand affect and brand attitude. An online experiment was designed for the study recruiting adult US consumers using a market-based research firm. The study results indicated that when participants expected a brand be PE (or not), affect and attitude towards brand were more (or less) favorable. The results were true for both familiar and unfamiliar brands. Moreover, change in brand attitude, although observed for both, was less for familiar than unfamiliar brands.
Sedation Strategies and Techniques for Painful Dental Procedures

Providing various levels of sedation to pediatric patients undergoing invasive, complex, and otherwise painful dental procedures involves a multifactorial level of treatment planning. Numerous considerations, including intraoperative bleeding, significant surgical stimulation, and impaired access to the pediatric airway are potential hazards and increase risks when performing these procedures outside of traditional, high-resource hospital operating room settings. Judicious administration of local anesthesia intraorally and to the surrounding oral cavity can facilitate surgery and reduce the anesthetic and analgesic demands in the perioperative and postoperative period as well. However, with the close proximity of the surgical field to the pediatric airway, precautions are required in the assessment and preoperative phase to ensure these types of dental procedures are accomplished with maximum safety in nontraditional settings. Despite other chapters (refer to Chaps. 4 and 24) exhaustively covering the important aspects of preoperative evaluation and pharmacologic strategies used in dental sedation, this chapter will explore some of the more common painful and invasive pediatric dental procedures with accompanying precautions and specific sedation and anesthetic considerations.
Impact of Proton Pump Inhibitor Use on the Effectiveness of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Cancer Patients.

Background:The gut microbiome plays a critical role in modulating the therapeutic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used in cancer patients a...
The Black Panther, Bridging the Gaps That Separate Us?

Black Panther narrates the story of a hidden but wealthy African nation, Wakanda, that has an advanced system of technology and is able to sustain itself while keeping away from world affairs. After the murder of King T’Chaka during a terrorist attack at a United Nations convention, his son, T’Challa, returns home, takes over the throne, and becomes the king and the Black Panther. Unfortunately, his cousin, N’Jadaka or Erik “Killmonger” Stevens, whose father had been murdered by T’Chaka, has grown up to become a ruthless killer burning with anger, hate, and vengeance. N’Jadaka returns to Wakanda, defeats T’Challa in a ritual fight, assumes the throne, and plans to take his hate campaign beyond the shores of Wakanda. However, T’Challa must return and fight again in an epic battle so that good might triumph over evil. While Wakandans chose to “hide in plain sight”, Africans and Blacks in general are oftentimes “hidden away”, ignored, denied opportunities, and have to prove themselves over and over for validation and recognition. This chapter interrogates and tries to interpret the ending of the film. It explores the significance of the Black Panther narrative to the survival of African nations and its Diaspora. In addition, it explores the relationship between Africans on the continent and Africans in the Diaspora as well as how Africa can extend a hand of friendship to Blacks in Diaspora by building bridges that will keep Africa linked to its offshoot.
Forests After Florence: an informal community-engaged STEM research project promotes STEM identity in disaster-impacted students

Background: Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, can have lasting impacts on a communityPurpose: This research evaluated how participation in an STEM education intervention after an ecological di...
My Gold-Leafed Passport

This paper explores through visual arts the making of borders and nations and how they affect bodies and their mobility through the work of visual artist Susan Harbage Page. Harbage Page has create...
Taking a few deep breaths significantly reduces children's physiological arousal in everyday settings: Results of a preregistered video intervention.

This preregistered, randomized field experiment tested the effectiveness of a brief deep breathing intervention on children's concurrent physiological arousal in naturalistic settings (N = 342; Mage = 7.48 years; 46% female; 53% Asian, 26% White; 21% other race/ethnicity). The treatment consisted of an animated video that introduced deep breathing as a self-regulation strategy and scaffolded the child in taking a few slow-paced breaths, while the control group watched an informational video featuring similar animated images. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and heart rate (HR) were measured while children were sitting still (baseline) and subsequently while watching 1-min videos. Relative to baseline arousal, RSA increased and HR decreased only in response to the deep-breathing treatment video. Effects were larger in the second 30-s epoch of the video, which included most of the deep breathing practice. RSA fully mediated the intervention's effects on HR. By analyzing all children exposed to intervention video regardless of their engagement in the deep breathing practice (intention-to-treat design) and by using easily scalable treatment videos, the study identifies an effective and pragmatic approach to reducing children's physiological arousal in everyday, group settings. Implications for advancing applied developmental psychophysiological research are discussed.
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Its Derivatives

The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) was first developed to examine the surface of solids. The properties of the surface of a solid sample are distinctly different from those within the solid, because the atoms on the surface are often arranged much differently from those in the interior of a sample. In the interior of a solid, atoms are surrounded by other atoms, whereas those on the surface interact only with those directly below them or adjacent to them, while being free to react with atoms above the surface of the solid (gases, etc.).
Examining industrial interdependence between Japan and South Korea: A FAVAR approach

Abstract This paper investigates the economic relationship between Japan and South Korea by incorporating disaggregated output measures. Using a factor-augmented vector autoregression (FAVAR) model, we conduct several experiments to test the nature of the interdependence, both in the aggregate and by sector. We find that South Korean output shocks affect the Japanese economy in a significant manner, whereas Japanese output shocks have a limited effect on South Korea. By further examining the transmission mechanism of sectoral output shocks and comparing them with the direction of sectoral trade, we find evidence of cross-border production sharing, which explains the asymmetric results seen in the aggregate output.
Tetraploid Complementation Assay

Chapter Summary Mouse chimeras with tetraploid embryos (tetraploid complementation assay) can be used to rescue extraembryonic defects, analyze gene functions in specific lineages, and study the interactions between embryonic and extraembryonic tissues. The tetraploid complementation assay allows the direct production of mutant embryos and mice from embryonic stem cells and speeds up traditional breeding. For a review on the background and the applications of tetraploid complementation assay, see Chapter 9 of this book. The present chapter contains the protocol for this technique.
The wavelet/scalar quantization compression standard for digital fingerprint images

A new digital image compression standard has been adopted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for use on digitized gray-scale fingerprint images. The algorithm is based on adaptive uniform scalar quantization of a discrete wavelet transform image decomposition and is referred to as the wavelet/scalar quantization standard. The standard produces archival quality images at compression ratios of around 20:1 and will allow the FBI to replace their current database of paper fingerprint cards with digital imagery. >
Spectral analysis of signals experiencing nonstationary stochastic time-shifts

A spectral analysis of signals experiencing nonstationary stochastic time-shifts also known as jitters or phase noise, is presented. Without referring to the notion of phase noise spectrum, we derive explicit formulas for the average spectrum of such signals arising in various applications, in particular mixers and data converters.
Biogeographic patterns in scaled chrysophytes from the east coast of North America

Summary 1. We assessed the distribution of scaled chrysophytes in fresh waters along 3200 km of the east coast of North America (29° to 48°N) to determine any biogeographic patterns in relation to chemical, physical, climatic and spatial variables. 2. Scaled chrysophytes were identified using scanning electron microscopy and counted from 264 waterbodies in nine regions (20 subregions). Eighteen chemical, physical and climate variables were determined for each waterbody. We used Sorensen’s similarity index and analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) to evaluate whether the floras differed between regions, subregions, glaciated and non-glaciated areas, as well as within sets of waterbodies with similar chemical and physical characteristics but situated in different regions. Distance-based linear modelling (DISTLM) was used to evaluate the relative importance of the chemical, physical and climate factors in explaining the variability in the assemblages of scaled chrysophytes, and the resulting models were visualised using redundancy analysis (RDA). 3. Significant differences in the flora were found between all regions and most subregions, and between glaciated and non-glaciated areas. Significant differences were also recorded between waterbodies with similar chemical and physical characteristics but situated in different regions. Many species were abundant along specific sections of the latitudinal gradient, but lacking from others. A set of environmental variables explained significant and independent portions of the variation in scaled chrysophytes, with pH and mean minimum July temperature accounting for 20% of the total. 4. The distribution of scaled chrysophytes along the east coast of North America is not homogeneous and there are biogeographic patterns, despite apparent dispersal mechanisms (migratory birds and wind events) that might act to reduce differences between regions. Rather, differences exist even between neighbouring subregions containing sites with statistically similar chemical and physical attributes. Environmental variables clearly play a significant role in determining whether species will inhabit a given site. However, species were not always found in waterbodies likely to support growth, implicating inadequate dispersal, poor transportability or both.
People Tagging and Ontology Maturing: Toward Collaborative Competence Management

Competence management has received increasing attention as an implementation of a systematic approach to human resources management, e.g., part total of quality management approaches such as European Foundation of Quality Management (EFQM). Furthermore, trends such as recurring shortage of skilled workers and the anticipated demographic changes have led to an increasing awareness about employees’ capabilities.
Party Cohesion Through Perceived Preference Coherence: An Analysis of Voting Networks in the European Parliament

This paper uses co-voting rates between members of the European Parliament as a social network measure and investigates the structure of EP co-voting networks. It argues that the propensity of members of the same legislative party to cast like-votes is largely attributable to 'perceived preference coherence' between them, rather than successfully enforced party discipline. It hypothesizes that committee specialists are more central in the EP's co-voting networks than EP party leaders and presents preliminary evidence supportive of this proposition.
Recurrent distributed constraint satisfaction, virtual constraints, and meta-evolutionary protocols

The distributed constraint satisfaction problem (DisCSP) can be viewed as a 4-tuple (X, D, C, A), where X is a set of n variables, D is a set of n domains (one domain for each of the n variables), C is a set of constraints that constrain the values that can be assigned to the n variables, and A is a set of agents for which the variables and constraints are distributed. The objective in solving a DisCSP is to allow the agents in A, through the use of an inter-agent communication protocol, to develop a consistent distributed solution by means of message passing. The constraints are typically considered private and are not allowed to be communicated to fellow agents. A recurrent DisCSP is one in which a subset of constraints $C_i ⊆ C$ is activated for a give occasion, i. The objective in solving recurrent DisCSPs is to discover solutions that remain valid when the constraints of $C_i$ are activated. In this paper, 20 meta-evolutionary protocols are compared. These protocols are referred to as as evolutionary societies of hill-climbers (ESoHCs). The results show that those ESoHCs that use virtual constraints have superior performance to those that do not. The results also show that those ESoHCs which discover multiple solutions per occasion out perform those that discover fewer solutions per occasion.