cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Co-occurring Conditions and Change in Diagnosis in Autism Spectrum Disorders

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Mixed prevalence rates of co- occurring psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions have been reported in children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD diagnoses remain fairly stable within a continuum, but some do not meet criteria for an ASD diagnosis years after initial diagnosis. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Co-occurring neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions may explain, in part, why the diagnosis of an ASD may change with age. abstract This study aimed to investigate descriptive characteristics and co-occurring neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions in young children, children, and adolescents with a current and consistent or past but not current (PBNC) diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and how such characteristics and conditions may engender a change in diagnosis of an ASD. METHODS: Cross-sectional data of 1366 children with a parent-reported current or PBNC ASD diagnosis were obtained from the National Survey of Children's Health 2007 data set across 3 developmental stages: young children (aged 3-5 years), children (aged 6-11 years), and adolescents (aged 12-17 years). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine demographic characteristics and co-occurring conditions that differentiate the groups with a current ASD from groups with aP BNC ASD. RESULTS: Results indicated the co-occurring conditions that distinguish groups currently diagnosed with an ASD from groups with a PBNC ASD diagnosis. In young children, current moderate/severe learning disability, and current moderate/severe developmental delay; in children, past speech problem, current moderate/severe anxiety, and past hearing problem; and in adolescents, current moderate/ severe speech problem, current mild seizure/epilepsy, and past hearing problem. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the presence of co- occurring psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions are associated with a change in ASD diagnosis. Questions remain as to whether changes in diagnosis of an ASD are due to true etiologic differences or shifts in diagnostic determination. Pediatrics 2012;129:e305-e316
Cochlear implant electrode insertion

Electrode insertion is the most important step in cochlear implant (CI) surgery. Optimal electrode placement is a prerequisite for maximizing CI success. This article describes CI electrode insertion in the normal and abnormal cochlea, including technical considerations unique to cochlear malformations, dysplasia, ossification, and revision implantation. Currently available electrodes and device specific operative techniques are reviewed.
Model Studies of Sector Gate Type Locks

Sector-gate system is used particularly where reverse head conditions might be encountered; model studies at Waterways Experiment Station have shown that in sector-type lock designs closing force should be slightly predominant so that gates will be tightly closed when not in use; loop culverts are recognized as important adjunct to lock design, particularly if heads are in range of 5 to 20 ft and time of filling is critical.
Open Problem: Does AdaBoost Always Cycle?

We pose the question of whether the distributions computed by AdaBoost always converge to a cycle. The AdaBoost algorithm (Freund and Schapire, 1997) was designed to combine many “weak” hypotheses that perform slightly better than random guessing into a “strong” hypothesis that has very low error. Although extensively studied, some of AdaBoost’s basic convergence properties are not fully understood. This open problem focuses on one of these, namely, the convergence of the distributions over training examples that are iteratively computed by the algorithm.
Battery Charge Control With an Electro-Thermal-Aging Coupling

Efficient and safe battery charge control is an important prerequisite for large-scale deployment of clean energy systems. This paper proposes an innovative approach to devising optimally health-conscious fast-safe charge protocols. A multi-objective optimal control problem is mathematically formulated via a coupled electro-thermal-aging battery model, where electrical and aging sub-models depend upon the core temperature captured by a two-state thermal sub-model. The Legendre-Gauss-Radau (LGR) pseudo-spectral method with adaptive multi-mesh-interval collocation is employed to solve the resulting highly nonlinear six-state optimal control problem. Charge time and health degradation are therefore optimally traded off, subject to both electrical and thermal constraints. Minimum-time, minimum-aging, and balanced charge scenarios are examined in detail. The implications of the upper voltage bound, ambient temperature, and cooling convection resistance to the optimization outcome are investigated as well.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
The circadian rhythm in the eye ofAplysia

1. The frequency of spontaneous compound action potentials (CAP) from the optic nerve of the eye ofAplysia is dramatically increased in zero calcium artificial sea water (ASW) but the circadian rhythm in this activity persists. 2. In high magnesium, >2.7 × normal, the spontaneous CAP activity is blocked. This effect is a result of decreased membrane responsiveness and not due to blocking chemical synapses. 3. In low calcium and high magnesium (at levels where molluscan chemical synapses are blocked) the spontaneous CAP activity and the circadian rhythm are clearly expressed. The average period for the rhythm is 23.3 hours, which is not different from the period in normal ASW. 4. These results suggest the neuronal oscillators that produce the circadian rhythm have axons directly in the optic nerve or they are electrontonically coupled to axons in the optic nerve, and that chemical synapses are not necessary for expression of the circadian rhythm.
Health Communication in Social Media: Message Features Predicting User Engagement on Diabetes-Related Facebook Pages.

Social media provides unprecedented opportunities for enhancing health communication and health care, including self-management of chronic conditions such as diabetes. Creating messages that engage users is critical for enhancing message impact and dissemination. This study analyzed health communications within ten diabetes-related Facebook pages to identify message features predictive of user engagement. The Common-Sense Model of Illness Self-Regulation and established health communication techniques guided content analyses of 500 Facebook posts. Each post was coded for message features predicted to engage users and numbers of likes, shares, and comments during the week following posting. Multi-level, negative binomial regressions revealed that specific features predicted different forms of engagement. Imagery emerged as a strong predictor; messages with images had higher rates of liking and sharing relative to messages without images. Diabetes consequence information and positive identity predicted higher sharing while negative affect, social support, and crowdsourcing predicted higher commenting. Negative affect, crowdsourcing, and use of external links predicted lower sharing while positive identity predicted lower commenting. The presence of imagery weakened or reversed the positive relationships of several message features with engagement. Diabetes control information and negative affect predicted more likes in text-only messages, but fewer likes when these messages included illustrative imagery. Similar patterns of imagery’s attenuating effects emerged for the positive relationships of consequence information, control information, and positive identity with shares and for positive relationships of negative affect and social support with comments. These findings hold promise for guiding communication design in health-related social media.
Modulation of pore sizes of titanium dioxide photocatalysts by a facile template free hydrothermal synthesis method: implications for photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B.

Mesoporous TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared in ethanol media by using relatively green, template free sol–gel technique. A mild hydrothermal treatment procedure was employed to tune the pore sizes of the materials. Comprehensive techniques that include powder X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, specific surface area analysis, electron microscopy, FT-IR, TGA, and ζ-potential measurements were used to characterize the titania materials. Porosity (pore size and pore volume) of the materials were found to be key factors for the variation in the rate of photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B; in addition to specific surface area, and surface hydroxyl groups. An increase in porosity permits effective transport of the dye molecules resulting in an increase in the rate of the degradation in materials having larger pores. A detailed electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) study was carried out for selected materials to identify photodegraded intermediates and products formed during...
Work Values of Public, Nonprofit, and Business Employees: A Cross-Cultural Evidence

ABSTRACTEmployees’ work values, or beliefs about desirability of certain work attributes and outcomes, are believed to drive their motivation to work and stay in certain settings. This article compares work values of business, government, and nonprofit employees in a sample of nations with different cultural orientations—Germany, India, South Korea, Russia, South Africa, and the US. Results showed significant relationship between a country and work values variables, suggesting that a country's culture may have a potential to influence what individuals value in work. Additionally, employees of government, business, and nonprofit sectors differed in their work values in all six countries.
Forming process improvement of an internal insulation with cone

A solid rocket motor has a cone cylinder combustion chamber and its insulation is a double layer structure, which consists of composite insulation and rubber insulation Because of the special geometry of the chamber, it is difficult to use the forming process of insulation in common use A precisely controlled processing method of the internal insulation of the chamber by using a locating and case protection device was developed In accordance with the method, high viscosity un vulcanized rubber was coated on the inner wall of case and the thickness and uniformity of the rubber layer were accurately controlled The motor firing tests shows that the forming process of internal insulation is feasible and effective
Role of percutaneous procedures in the management of renal calculi.

Appropriate management of the variety of patients with stone disease demands access to all methods of stone removal. Percutaneous procedures are an integral aspect of the surgical management of stone patients, and the urologist must recognize when a patient's situation is best served by percutaneous surgery. Percutaneous stone removal procedures are preferred when: 1. The stone is large, i.e., greater than 2 to 3 cm. 2. The stone is staghorn in configuration, with percutaneous measures being used either as primary treatment or in combination with shock wave lithotripsy. 3. The stone is composed of cystine 4. When certain removal of the stone is important. 5. When there is obstructive uropathy. 6. When other modalities have failed. 7. In morbidly obese individuals and others whose body habitus precludes use of the shock wave machine. 8. In children, at least until the issue of long-term safety of extracorporeal lithotripsy is settled.
Game Forms versus Social Choice Rules as Models of Rights

When Amartya Sen (1970a) first introduced the idea of rights into formal social choice theory, he did so through the fairly standard apparatus of a Social Choice Rule (or SCR) — see also Sen (1970b). By contrast, especially since the provocative work of Robert Sugden (1978, 1981, 1985, 1986), Peter Gardenfors (1981) and others on this issue, more recent writers have often preferred to consider game forms. Some of the relationships between these approaches, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, have also been discussed recently by Riley (1989, 1990), Gaertner, Pattanaik, and Suzumura (1992), Pattanaik and Suzumura (1996), Sen (1992), and Hammond (1995).
Outcomes in adult Fontan patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias

Background The optimal management strategy for atrial tachyarrhythmia in the Fontan population is unknown. Methods Retrospective review of 264 adult Fontan patients with atrial tachyarrhythmia evaluating 3 clinically adopted scenarios: antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy, catheter ablation (CA), and Fontan conversion (FC). These patients were followed up at Mayo Clinic from 1994 to 2014. The study objective was to compare freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence (AR) and occurrence of composite adverse events (stroke, heart failure hospitalization, death, or heart transplant) between treatment groups. Results The age of atrial tachyarrhythmia onset was 25 ± 4 years, time from Fontan operation was 13 ± 6 years, follow-up was 74 ± 18 months, atriopulmonary Fontan was 215 (81%), and atrial flutter/intra-atrial reentry tachycardia was 173 (65%). In those managed with AAD (n = 110), freedom from AR was 7% at 60 months. Catheter ablation (n = 31) was associated with an acute procedural success of 94%, and freedom from AR was 41% at 60 months. Fontan conversion (n = 33) resulted in a perioperative mortality of 3%, and freedom from AR was 51% at 60 months. Fontan conversion and CA were similar with regard to AR ( P = .14) and significantly better compared with AAD ( P P P Conclusions Catheter ablation and FC operations are associated with less recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia compared with AAD. Atrial tachyarrhythmias are more likely to recur in patients with a longer history of the arrhythmia and are associated with more adverse events. Early referral to a specialty center for these interventions should be considered.
Cognitive function in multiple sclerosis improves with telerehabilitation: Results from a randomized controlled trial

Cognitive impairment affects more than half of all individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS). We hypothesized that training at home with an adaptive online cognitive training program would have greater cognitive benefit than ordinary computer games in cognitively-impaired adults with MS. This was a double-blind, randomized, active-placebo-controlled trial. Participants with MS were recruited through Stony Brook Medicine and randomly assigned to either the adaptive cognitive remediation (ACR) program or active control of ordinary computer games for 60 hours over 12 weeks. Training was remotely-supervised and delivered through a study-provided laptop computer. A computer generated, blocked stratification table prepared by statistician provided the randomization schedule and condition was assigned by a study technician. The primary outcome, administered by study psychometrician, was measured by change in a neuropsychological composite measure from baseline to study end. An intent-to-treat analysis was employed and missing primary outcome values were imputed via Markov Chain Monte Carlo method. Participants in the ACR (n = 74) vs. active control (n = 61) training program had significantly greater improvement in the primary outcome of cognitive functioning (mean change in composite z score±SD: 0·25±0·45 vs. 0·09±0·37, p = 0·03, estimated difference = 0·16 with 95% CI: 0·02–0·30), despite greater training time in the active control condition (mean±SD:56·9 ± 34·6 vs. 37·7 ±23 ·8 hours played, p = 0·006). This study provides Class I evidence that adaptive, computer-based cognitive remediation accessed from home can improve cognitive functioning in MS. This telerehabilitation approach allowed for rapid recruitment and high compliance, and can be readily applied to other neurological conditions associated with cognitive dysfunction. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02141386
Decreasing Smoking but Increasing Stigma? Anti-tobacco Campaigns, Public Health, and Cancer Care.

The stigma of lung cancer must be addressed by both clinicians and hard-hitting anti-tobacco public health campaigns.
Mutation testing meets approximate computing

One of the most widely studied techniques in software testing research is mutation testing - a technique for evaluating the quality of test suites. Despite over four decades of academic advances in this technique, mutation testing has not found its way to mainstream development. The key issue with mutation testing is its high computational cost: it requires running the test suite against not just the program under test but against typically thousands of mutants, i.e., syntactic variants, of the program. Our key insight is that exciting advances in the upcoming, yet unrelated, area of approximate computing allow us to define a principled approach that provides the benefits of traditional mutation testing at a fraction of its usually large cost.This paper introduces the idea of a novel approach, named ApproxiMut, that blends the power of mutation testing with the practicality of approximate computing. To demonstrate the potential of our approach, we present a concrete instantiation: rather than executing tests against each mutant on the exact program version, ApproxiMut obtains an approximate test/program version by applying approximate transformations and runs tests against each mutant on the approximated version. Our initial goal is to (1) measure the correlation between mutation scores on the exact and approximate program versions, (2) evaluate the relation among mutation operators and approximate transformations, (3) discover the best way to approximate a test and a program, and (4) evaluate the benefits of ApproxiMut. Our preliminary results show similar mutation scores on the exact and approximate program versions and uncovered a case when an approximated test was, to our surprise, better than the exact test.
A quantitative assessment of viscous asymmetric vortex pair interactions

The interactions of two like-signed vortices in viscous fluid are investigated using two-dimensional numerical simulations performed across a range of vortex strength ratios, , corresponding to vortices of circulation, , with differing initial size and/or peak vorticity. In all cases, the vortices evolve by viscous diffusion before undergoing a primary convective interaction, which ultimately results in a single vortex. The post-interaction vortex is quantitatively evaluated in terms of an enhancement factor, , which compares its circulation, , to that of the stronger starting vortex, . Results are effectively characterized by a mutuality parameter, , where the ratio of induced strain rate, , to peak vorticity, , for each vortex, , is found to have a critical value, , above which core detrainment occurs. If is sufficiently close to unity, both vortices detrain and a two-way mutual entrainment process leads to , i.e. merger. In asymmetric interactions and mergers, generally one vortex dominates; the weak/no/strong vortex winner regimes correspond to , respectively. As deviates from unity, decreases until a critical value, is reached, beyond which there is only a one-way interaction; one vortex detrains and is destroyed by the other, which dominates and survives. There is no entrainment and , i.e. only a straining out occurs. Although appears to be independent of Reynolds number, shows a dependence. Comparisons are made with available experimental data from Meunier (2001, PhD thesis, Universite de Provence-Aix-Marseille I).
Dielectric spectroscopic sensing of fine liquid droplets in an airstream

Contamination of compressed air can reduce its utility and lead to costly failure of pneumatic components. Monitoring contaminants in the compressed air could help take preventive measures to maint...
An agent-based modeling framework for cybersecurity in mobile tactical networks:

Mobile tactical networks facilitate communication, coordination, and information dissemination between soldiers in the field. Their increasing use provides important benefits, yet also makes them a...
Shifts in the relationship between mRNA and protein abundance of gill ion-transporters during smolt development and seawater acclimation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

Abstract Smolting Atlantic salmon exhibit a seasonal increase in seawater tolerance that is associated with changes in the abundance of major gill ion-transporter transcripts and proteins. In the present study, we investigate how the transcript and protein abundance of specific ion-transporter isoforms relate to each other during smolt development and seawater acclimation, and how each correlates to seawater tolerance. We show that during smolt development both mRNA and protein abundance of gill Na+/K+-ATPase α1a subunit (NKAα1a) decreased but the decrease in the mRNA was five-times greater than that of the protein. Gill NKAα1b mRNA levels increased only slightly (1.5-fold) throughout development whereas protein abundance increased 30-fold at its peak. Gill Na+/K+/2Cl− co-transporter 1 (NKCC1) increased at the mRNA and protein level (5- and 12-fold) in smolts. The abundance of a gill ion-transporter's mRNA and protein changed in the same direction through development and after seawater transfer, but the changes were not always strongly correlated: NKAα1a (r = 0.768), NKAα1b (r = 0.40), and NKCC1 (r = 0.898). The maintenance of plasma chloride concentration correlated most strongly with the abundance of NKAα1a mRNA, and the ratio of NKAα1b to NKAα1a mRNA and protein. Growth performance after seawater transfer correlated most strongly with the abundance of NKAα1b protein and the ratio of NKAα1b to NKAα1a protein. Our results indicate that the abundance of ion-transporter mRNA and protein do not always correlate well and a decrease in the abundance of gill NKAα1a mRNA and increase in NKAα1b protein are strong predictors of seawater tolerance and growth performance after seawater transfer.
Peginterferon Beta-1a Demonstrated Better Clinical Outcomes Than Teriflunomide in Newly Diagnosed Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RMS) Patients: A Matching-Adjusted Comparison of Phase 3 Trial Data (P1.360)

Objective: Determine the indirect comparative clinical efficacy of peginterferon beta-1a and teriflunomide in RMS patients and a subgroup of newly diagnosed, disease-modifying therapy (DMT)–naive RMS patients. Background: Peginterferon beta-1a and teriflunomide are both first-line DMTs for RMS, but no head-to-head trials have directly compared their clinical efficacy. A matching-adjusted comparison can provide relevant comparative efficacy data to clinicians. Design/Methods: Individual patient data from studies of subcutaneous peginterferon beta-1a 125 mcg every 2 weeks (ADVANCE/ATTAIN) and pooled summary data of patients from studies of oral teriflunomide 14 mg once daily (TEMSO, TOWER) were used. TEMSO and TOWER study designs and patient populations were sufficiently similar to allow data pooling. A matching-adjusted comparison of efficacy outcomes was conducted by weighting individual peginterferon beta-1a–treated patients to match key aggregate baseline characteristics of teriflunomidetreated patients. “Newly diagnosed” patients had been diagnosed with RMS ≤1 year prior to study enrollment and had no prior DMT use. Results: After matching, baseline characteristics were well-balanced across groups. In the overall population at 108 weeks, peginterferon beta-1a (effective n=382) had a significantly lower proportion of patients than teriflunomide (n=728) with 24-week confirmed disability worsening (CDW) (8.4% vs 12.6%; P =0.032), and the annualized relapse rate (ARR) was numerically lower with peginterferon beta-1a than with teriflunomide (0.257 vs 0.354; P =0.051). Similarly, in newly diagnosed RMS patients, the ARR was numerically lower in patients treated with peginterferon beta-1a (effective n=163) than with teriflunomide (n=183) at 108 weeks (0.201 vs 0.270; P =0.384) and 5 years (0.142 vs 0.196; P value not analyzed). Conclusions: In this matching-adjusted indirect comparison of phase 3 trials, the proportion of patients with 24-week CDW was significantly lower with peginterferon beta-1a than with teriflunomide. For both the overall population and the newly diagnosed subgroup, ARR was numerically lower with peginterferon beta-1a than with teriflunomide. Study Supported by: Biogen Disclosure: Dr. Newsome has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yun has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Employee of Biogen. Dr. Castrillo-Viguera has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Employee of Biogen. Dr. Castrillo-Viguera holds stock and/or stock options in Holds stock/stock options in Biogen. Dr. Naylor has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Employee of Biogen.
Late Paleozoic destruction of the western proto-Atlantic margin in the southern Appalachians

Basement rocks (Suwannee terrane) of Florida and adjacent Georgia are composed of undeformed, unmetamorphosed lower Paleozoic shallow-water sedimentary rocks that rest upon late Precambrian-Cambrian volcanic and plutonic rocks. Paleontological and stratigraphic evidence indicates a probable affinity of this terrane with the West African rather than the North American craton. Several plate tectonic models propose that the Suwannee terrane was sutured to North America during a late Paleozoic continental collision. Delineation of this suture, based on both bore hole and geophysical data, provides no unique location. Seismic reflection profiles in southern Georgia reveal a 50-km-wide zone of SE-dipping reflectors interpreted to root at the suture zone; however, these reflectors are probably equivalent to other SE-dipping reflectors (beneath the Piedmont and adjacent Coastal Plain of south-central Georgia and South Carolina) probably associated with earlier Paleozoic structures. If basement reflectors observed in southern Georgia are products of late Paleozoic suturing, their geometry indicates a subduction zone extended beneath the Suwannee terrane before collision. Paleozoic subduction-related igneous or tectonic features are not known in the Suwannee terrane; however, extensive late Paleozoic calcalkaline plutonic activity and more restricted Barrovian-style regional metamorphism is known in the southern Appalachian Piedmont. A more consistent model for late Paleozoic collision may involve an initial phase associated with subduction beneath the Piedmont followed by collision of Africa and North America. The presence of a major embayment along the southern margin of the Appalachian-Ouachita orogen allowed juxtaposition of the Suwannee terrane next to North America by transform faulting rather than by direct collision.
Thermal Depolymerization Studies of New Poly(Dimethylenebenzoxazoles)

Two polybenzoxazoles possessing -CH2CH2-units in the backbone have been examined for their unusual thermal depolymerization behavior. In contrast to other polybenzoxazole s which displayed gradual TGA weight losses from 500–1000°, both the 2,5- and 2,6-dimethylene polymers displayed catastrophic degradation between 450° and 500° involving more than 50% weight loss over a 50° range (5 minutes of a 100 minute cycle). The pyrolysis-GC-MS data for the 2,5-isomer displayed numerous stable thermolysis products, several of which possessed parent m/z values of 289 consistant with dimers of the repeat unit. Thermal depolymerization in a sublimation apparatus gave “sublimed” polymer almost identical with the starting material. These results suggest that one of the major depolymerization pathways involves formation of a diradical intermediate similar to that observed for [2.2]-paracyclophane. Cyclodimerization (prior to GC separation) apparantly competes with polymerization that is favored in the condensed phase region of the sublimation experiment.
High resolution mass spectrometry in molecular structure studies. XXVII. Fatty acids derived from the Green River Formation oil shale by extractions and oxidations. Review

The Green River Formation oil shale (Eocene – 52 x 10 6 years) is a carbon rich sedimentary rock thought to be the end result of sedimentation of algae and protozoa in a series of freshwater lakes. An extensive investigation of the carboxylic acids occurring in this shale has been undertaken to elucidate the nature and biopaleontological relationships of these components and to allow correlations with previous studies on the alkanes isolated from this formation.
Food insecurity prevalence among university students in New Hampshire

This study examined the prevalence of food insecurity and associated factors among state university students. Participants (n = 943) completed an online questionnaire that combined the US Department of Agriculture 6-Item Short Form US Household Food Security Survey with demographic and food assistance use questions in fall, 2015. One-fourth of participants (25%) reported food insecurity within the past year. Students who received financial aid and identified as first generation were more likely to be food insecure. Food insecurity is a significant problem among university students. Additional research is needed to better understand and address food insecurity in higher education.
Sex, THC, and hormones: Effects on density and sensitivity of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in rats.

Abstract Background The recent NIH mandate to consider sex as a biological variable in preclinical research has focused attention on delineation of sex differences in behavior. To investigate mechanisms underlying sex differences in Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) effects, we examined the effects of sex and gonadal hormones on CB 1 receptors in cerebellum, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and striatum. Methods Adult Sprague-Dawley rats underwent gonadectomy (GDX) or sham-GDX. Half of the GDX females and males received estradiol or testosterone replacement (GDX+H), respectively. All rats were injected with vehicle or 30 mg/kg THC twice daily for 1 week before brain collection. CP55,940-stimulated [ 35 S]GTPγS and [ 3 H]SR141716A saturation binding assays were performed. Results With exception of enhanced receptor activation in the hippocampi of female rats compared to males, vehicle-treated rats exhibited minimal sex differences in CB 1 receptor densities or G-protein coupling. Repeated treatment with THC resulted in pronounced CB 1 receptor desensitization and downregulation in both sexes in all brain regions with a greater magnitude of change in females. Conclusions These results suggest that sex differences in the density and G-protein coupling of brain CB 1 receptors may play a limited role in sex differences in acute THC effects not mediated by the hippocampus. In contrast, sex differences after repeated THC were common, with females (intact, GDX, and GDX+H) showing greater downregulation or desensitization in all four brain regions compared to the respective male groups. This result is consistent with a finding that women tend to progress to tolerance and dependence quicker than men after initiation of cannabis use.
Investor reaction to simultaneous news releases: unemployment vs. earnings

We examine the stock price reaction to surprises in the simultaneous releases of two types of news: macro news (captured by unemployment announcements) and corporate news (captured through earnings releases). Using financial data for the U.S. markets from 1962 to 2012, we confirm that earnings surprises and unemployment surprises significantly affect individual stock returns. Also, in line with Boyd et al. (J Bank Financ 60(2):649–672, 2005), we confirm that both surprises are significant during economic booms and contractions. However, while unemployment surprises are significant on a stand-alone basis, they are systematic events whose impact is captured within systematic risk-adjusted return models such as the Fama-French 3-factor and market models. This suggests that, for individual stocks, earnings surprises dominate unemployment surprises when dealing with simultaneous news releases. The stock market reaction to firm earnings surprises is enhanced during recessions, which can mostly be explained by systemic market functions.
Design and FEM Modeling of an Electrostatic RFMEMS Varactor

This study presents a large tuning range RF MEMS variable capacitor using parallel plate structure. Electrostatic torsion actuator is used to change the capacitance. The actuator beams transform the closing gap of torsion actuator into the movement of capacitor plate in the upward direction. The varactor design is modeled using coupled field electrostatic-structural finite element method (FEM) simulations to achieve large tuning ratio. The proposed RF-MEMS varactor is modelled on 50 Ω coplanar transmission line for frequency range of 1–10 GHz, and resultant scattering parameters are achieved for both the actuated and un-actuated state. RF characteristics has been improved for actuated state. Best performance is achieved at 5.5GHz with large tuning ratio.
Who are we educating and what should they know? An assessment of forestry education in California.

We conducted a statewide survey of forestry employers and forestry students in three California universities to assess whether forestry degree programs are providing students with the knowledge and skills needed for contemporary forestry careers. The survey contained a comprehensive list of general skills and technical competencies identified from previous research. We clustered skills and knowledge items into five groups: professional skills, biophysical sciences, land management, human dimensions, and current issues. Results indicate that whereas forestry programs at California universities serve different student populations, student perceptions on the importance and preparation in their forestry education were similar. Both employers and students identified professional skills as most important, especially behaving professionally, ethically, and communicating effectively. However, using an importance-performance analysis, we found that land-management skills should be the focus of curriculum improvement.
Titanocene-Catalyzed Cyclocarbonylation of o-Allyl Aryl Ketones to γ-Butyrolactones

A method for the transformation of o-allyl aryl ketones to γ-butyrolactones using a catalytic amount of Cp2Ti(PMe3)2 or Cp2Ti(CO)2 is described. This catalytic “hetero Pauson−Khand”-type process proceeds via the carbonylation of an oxatitanacycle followed by thermally-induced reductive elimination to form a γ-butyrolactone and to regenerate the catalyst. We have investigated the scope and limitations of this catalytic methodology. Our results are consistent with the view that the key step in this catalytic cycle is formation of a charge transfer complex or involves reversible electron transfer between the catalyst and the substrate.
Toward Fair and Sustainable Capitalism: A Comprehensive Proposal to Help American Workers, Restore Fair Gainsharing Between Employees and Shareholders, and Increase American Competitiveness by Reorienting Our Corporate Governance System Toward Sustainable Long-Term Growth and Encouraging Investments in America’s Future

To promote fair and sustainable capitalism and help business and labor work together to build an American economy that works for all, this paper presents a comprehensive proposal to reform the American corporate governance system by aligning the incentives of those who control large U.S. corporations with the interests of working Americans who must put their hard-earned savings in mutual funds in their 401(k) and 529 plans. The proposal would achieve this through a series of measured, coherent changes to current laws and regulations, including: requiring not just operating companies, but institutional investors, to give appropriate consideration to and make fair disclosure of their policies regarding EESG issues, emphasizing “Employees” and not just "Environmental, Social, and Governance” factors; giving workers more leverage by requiring all societally-important companies to have board level committees charged with ensuring fair treatment of employees, authorizing companies to use European-style works’ councils to increase employee voice, and reforming labor laws to make it easier for workers to join a union and bargain for fair wages and working conditions; reforming the corporate election system so that voting occurs on a more rational, periodic, and thoughtful basis supportive of sustainable business practices and long-term investment; improving the tax system to encourage sustainable, long-term investment and discourage speculation, with the resulting proceeds being used to revitalize and green America’s infrastructure, tackle climate change, invest in American workers’ skills, transition workers from carbon-intensive industries to jobs in the clean energy sector; and taking other measures, such as reform of corporate political spending and forced arbitration, to level the playing field for workers, consumers, and ordinary investors.
Isthmocele Repair: Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopy with Simultaneous Hysteroscopy

Video Objective To illustrate the use of robotic-assisted laparoscopy with simultaneous hysteroscopy for the repair of an isthmocele. Setting An isthmocele is a pouch-like anterior uterine wall defect at the site of a previous cesarean scar. The incidence is not well known but is estimated in the literature is between 19 and 88%. Complications arising from an isthmocele may include abnormal uterine bleeding (especially postmenstrual bleeding), abdominal pain, diminished fertility, ectopic pregnancy, or obstetric complications such as uterine rupture. Repair of isthmocele may be indicated for symptomatic relief and preservation of fertility. Multiple surgical approaches have been described in the literature including laparoscopic, hysteroscopic, and vaginal approaches. Interventions In this video, we illustrate the key surgical steps of robotic-assisted laparoscopy with simultaneous hysteroscopic guidance for the repair of an isthmocele. Key surgical steps include: 1. Pre-surgical planning with MRI 2. Diagnostic hysteroscopy for confirmation of isthmocele 3. Simultaneous laparoscopy for identification of borders 4. Strategic hysterotomy 5. Excision of scar tissue 6. Tension-free closure Conclusion Robotic-assisted laparoscopy with simultaneous hysteroscopy is a feasible and safe approach for the repair of an isthmocele.
Application-Based Rate Control for Emerging Systems

In many environments, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms are often used for visual data collection. In these scenarios, each element of the swarm collects a single image and those images would be put together into a single data product. However, while small UAV platforms are ideal for imagery collection, they have a very difficult time exfiltrating this data from the data collection scene to a larger data aggregation platform. In this paper, we introduce the Application-Based Rate Control for Emerging Systems (ARES). ARES is a rate control algorithm specifically designed to prioritize traffic that contains more information over traffic with less information. The novelty of ARES is that it uses traditional distributed transport-layer concepts in order to develop a realistically implementable and fully distributed intelligent rate control algorithm. The algorithm is evaluated in MATLAB, and is shown to far outperform traditional congestion control algorithms in terms of data collection efficiency.
Methodological considerations for the high sensitivity detection of multiple myeloma measurable residual disease

Background Recent advances in therapeutic interventions have dramatically improved complete response rates in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The ability to identify residual myeloma cells (e.g., measurable residual disease [MRD]) can provide valuable information pertaining to patient's depth of response to therapy and risk of relapse. Multiparametric flow cytometry is an excellent technique to monitor MRD and has been demonstrated to correlate with patient outcome post-treatment. To achieve the high sensitivity (one abnormal cell in 105 -106 cells) required for MRD evaluation, millions of cells have to be acquired and conventional immunophenotyping protocols are unable to attain these numbers, indicating the needs for alternative flow cytometric staining procedures. A bulk, "Pre-lysis" method is the consensus approach for staining large number of cells, requires two red blood cell lysis steps, and can adversely affect epitope density. In this study, we tested the "Pooled-tube" and "Dextran Sedimentation" staining procedures and correlated them with the "Pre-lysis" method as potential alternative approaches. Methods A total of 22 bone marrow aspirates from patients with plasma cell (PC) dyscrasia were processed in parallel using the "Pre-lysis," "Pooled-tube," and "Dextran Sedimentation" techniques. Stain indices were calculated and compared to assess their impacts on staining performance for each antibody used in the consensus panel. The recovery of normal and abnormal PCs, mast cells, and B cell precursors was enumerated and compared after their counts were normalized using fluorescent beads. The limit of blank, limit of detection, and lower limit of quantification were established using serial dilution experiments. Results The staining performances of CD19 PECy7, CD27 BV510, CD81 APCH7, and CD138 BV421 were improved using the "Pooled-tube" method when compared to "Pre-lysis." "Pre-lysis" was better at resolving CD56 using clone C5.9 but our results demonstrated similar improvement can also be achieved by "Pooled-tube" when alternative CD56 PE clones were used. "Dextran sedimentation" yielded similar staining results when compared to "Pre-lysis" for all the markers analyzed. The "Pooled-tube" method, when normalized to "Pre-lysis," recovered higher numbers of total PCs (1.2 ± 0.2 times higher; p = .049), normal PCs (1.4 ± 0.26; p = .007), mast cells (1.46 ± 0.27; p = .003), and B cell precursors (1.42 ± 0.3; p = .011), but not abnormal PCs (1.09 ± 0.2; p = .352). There was no evidence that the recovery of cells was different between "Pre-lysis" versus "Dextran Sedimentation." All three flow cytometric assays achieved a minimum sensitivity of 10-5 and approached that of 10-6 for detecting rare events. Conclusion Both "Pooled-tube" and "Dextran Sedimentation" staining procedures were comparable to the "Pre-lysis" method and are suitable high sensitivity flow cytometric approaches that can be used to process bone marrow samples for MM MRD testing.
A Multidimensional and Multilevel Examination of Student Engagement and Secondary School Teachers’ Use of Classroom Management Practices:

Student engagement is a multidimensional construct influenced by complex student, classroom, and school factors. Although prior research has examined various dimensions of student engagement, few s...
A semantic network approach to measuring sentiment

Sentiment research is dominated by studies that assign texts to positive and negative categories. This classification is often based on a bag-of-words approach that counts the frequencies of sentiment terms from a predefined vocabulary, ignoring the contexts for these words. We test an aspect-based network analysis model that computes sentiment about an entity from the shortest paths between the sentiment words and the target word across a corpus. Two ground-truth datasets in which human annotators judged whether tweets were positive or negative enabled testing the internal and external validity of the automated network-based method, evaluating the extent to which this approach’s scoring corresponds to the annotations. We found that tweets annotated as negative had an automated negativity score that was nearly twice as strong than positivity, while positively annotated tweets were six times stronger in positivity than negativity. To assess the predictive validity of the approach, we analyzed sentiment associated with coronavirus coverage in television news from January 1 to March 25, 2020. Support was found for the four hypotheses tested, demonstrating the utility of the approach. H1: broadcast news expresses less sentiment about coronavirus, panic, and social distancing than non-broadcast news outlets. H2: there is a negative bias in the news across channels. H3: sentiment increases are associated with an increased volume of news stories. H4: sentiment is associated with uncertainty in news coverage of coronavirus over time. We also found that as the type of channel moved from broadcast network news to 24-h business, general, and foreign news sentiment increased for coronavirus, panic, and social distancing.
Extent of heel ulceration influences the outcomes in patients with isolated infrapopliteal limb threatening critical ischemia.

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of the extent of heel ulceration on the outcomes of limb threatening critical ischemia due to isolated infrapopliteal disease. Methods A retrospective review identified 989 patients with isolated infrapopliteal disease and heel ulceration treated from 2001 to 2018. The heel was defined as the back of the foot, extending from the Achilles tendon to around the plantar surface and covering the apex of the calcaneum bone. Heel ulceration was categorized into three groups by area: 10 cm2. The interventions were endovascular, open bypass, major amputation, and wound care. An intention-to-treat analysis by patient group was performed. The 30-day outcomes and amputation-free survival (AFS; survival without a major amputation) were evaluated. Results Of the 989 patients, 384 (58% male; average age, 65 years; n = 768 vessels) had undergone isolated endovascular tibial intervention, 124 (45% male; average age, 59 years) had undergone popliteal tibial vein bypass for limb threatening critical ischemia, 219 (52% male; average age, 67 years) had undergone major amputation, and 242 (49% male; average age, 66 years) had received wound care. No difference was found in the 30-day major adverse cardiac events in the endovascular and open bypass groups, with significantly more events in the major amputation group (P = .03). The 30-day major adverse limb events and 30-day amputation rates were equivalent between the open bypass and endovascular groups. The 5-year AFS rate was superior in the open bypass group (37% ± 8%; mean ± standard error of the mean) compared with the endovascular group (27% ± 9%; P = .04). The wound care group had a 5-year AFS rate of 20% ± 9%, which was not significantly different from that of the endovascular group. Patients with heel ulcers of 10 cm2 were associated with markedly worse 5-year AFS outcomes (0% ± 0%). The presence of end-stage renal disease, osteomyelitis, uncontrolled diabetes (hemoglobin A1c >10%), and/or frailty combined with a heel ulcer >10 cm2 were predictive of poor AFS. Conclusions An increasing heel ulcer area combined with osteomyelitis and systemic comorbidities was associated with worsening 30-day outcomes and 5-year AFS, irrespective of the therapy chosen.
Molding Liquid Stone: A Computational and Experimental Mixed‐Method Study of 3D Print Formwork for Interlocking Concrete Modules

With bespoke fabrication on one end, and mass production on the other end of the fabrication spectrum, this study investigates custom repetitive manufacturing through molding concrete by using 3D p...