cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF VALUE OF REINFORCEMENT UPON EXPECTANCY STATEMENTS IN "GAMBLING" AND ACHIEVEMENT TASKS.

The effects of probability of reinforcement and reward value on expectancy of success were investigated in both learning and gambling tasks. Forty-eight college students were asked to predict their success rate in correctly anticipating which of four lights would next be turned on. For some Ss the pattern of lights was random. For others a systematic pattern was repeated, permitting learning. Different probabilities of reinforcement effectively varied the level of expectancy, as did the gradual learning of the pattern in the learning task. Amount of reward, using poker chips with cash value, did not significantly alter expectancies of success in either the learning or gambling (random pattern) task. The implications of the results for expectancy theories were discussed.
IL-12 knockout C57BL/6 mice are protected from re-infection with Cryptosporidium parvum after challenge.

Cryptosporidium parvum is an opportunistic parasitic protozoan that infects the gastrointestinal tracts of many mammalian species including humans. The parasite has been identified as a significant cause of diarrhea in individuals with compromised immune systems, which has been associated with some morbidity and mortality. Several studies have shown that the immune response to the parasite is primarily mediated by cell-mediated immunity. IFN-c is believed to play a prominent role in the development of this immunity [4,11,13,14]. In contrast, previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that development of immunity to C. parvum occurs in BALB/c-Ifng mice despite the lack of gamma interferon (M. Smith et al., unpubl.). Mice that recovered from the initial infection, were challenged with 10 oocysts, and demonstrated nearly a 10-fold decrease in oocyst shedding upon re-infection. They also demonstrated a shorter period of infection (25 days for the first infection compared to 13 days in the second infection). These data indicate that BALB/c-Ifng mice develop sufficient immunity to be resistant to re-infection but do not develop complete immunity. The absence of IFN-c in these mice would suggest that there is possibly an IFN-cindependent pathway involved the development of immunity to reinfection. These observations demonstrate the need for further study to characterize the role of the different factors that could be involved in the development of immunity to Cryptosporidium. In contrast to C57BL/6J-Ifng mice which are unable to recover from infection, C57BL/6J-IL-12 knockout mice generate a partial c interferon response and recover by day 15 post infection. Unlike BALB/c-Ifng significant levels of c interferon are detected in splenocytes of infected IL-12 knockouts in response to specific parasitic antigen stimulation [3], suggesting that Th1 are generated in response to infection. Since these are important for development of lasting immunity, this model was explored as a model for studying the effects of lasting immune effects. The IL-12 knockout mouse model for C. parvum offers a mechanism to study acute and secondary infections as well as potential vaccine candidates.
An in-depth assessment of a diagnosis-based risk adjustment model based on national health insurance claims: the application of the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Group case-mix system in Taiwan

Background Diagnosis-based risk adjustment is becoming an important issue globally as a result of its implications for payment, high-risk predictive modelling and provider performance assessment. The Taiwanese National Health Insurance (NHI) programme provides universal coverage and maintains a single national computerized claims database, which enables the application of diagnosis-based risk adjustment. However, research regarding risk adjustment is limited. This study aims to examine the performance of the Adjusted Clinical Group (ACG) case-mix system using claims-based diagnosis information from the Taiwanese NHI programme.
Factors Associated With Repeat Pregnancy Among Women in an Area of High HIV Prevalence in Zimbabwe

Abstract Background This study examined predictors of repeat pregnancy among women from the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) program in Zimbabwe. Methods The study was conducted at urban antenatal clinics in Chitungwiza, a high HIV prevalence urban town on the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe. Using a cross-sectional design, 79 HIV-positive and 80 HIV-negative women who had participated in a PMTCT program in their index pregnancy were interviewed in Shona using a standardized questionnaire 24 months after delivery of their index pregnancy. Logistic regression was used to determine whether a relationship exists between repeat pregnancy and HIV status, socioeconomic status, age, Fertility Attitude Score, and previous pregnancy outcomes. Results In multivariate analysis, factors associated with an increased likelihood of repeat pregnancy were death of a child (odds ratio [OR], 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25–12.52; p = .0019), miscarriage (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.23–9.34; p = .019), and each additional child (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.89–11.52; p = .001). Decreased likelihood of repeat pregnancy was associated with decreased rank order of living conditions (OR, −0.75; 95% CI, 0.55–0.95; p = .021), each additional year of age (OR, −0.86; 95% CI, 0.77–0.97; p = .012), and higher Fertility Attitude Score (OR, −0.76; 95% CI, 0.64–0.91; p = .002). Conclusion HIV status alone was not significant as a predictor of repeat pregnancy. Women’s childbearing intentions are not influenced by the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) in this population. Future research is needed to address the cultural attitudes and sexual practices of HIV-positive women in order to minimize the threat of MTCT.
Value-added modeling and the power of magical thinking

This article explains the impetus in the United States behind the drive to extend test-based accountability to teachers and the growing interest in employing valueadded models to generate the indicators to be used in teacher evaluation. The empirical literature finds that teaching quality is the most important school-related determinant of student. Yet, in the main, teacher evaluations are done poorly – if at all – and compensation has been largely determined by seniority and credentials. Policy makers see strengthening teacher accountability as a priority. In particular, they are looking to increase the role of outputs in comparison to inputs. However, given the technical problems associated with status-based indicators of teacher and school effectiveness, the focus has turned to indicators based on some measure of the progress students have made during the academic year. Value-added analysis relies on sophisticated statistical models to generate estimates of the relative effectiveness of teachers, based on a measure related to student progress. This article provides a brief introduction to value-added models and summarizes key research findings. Although value-added estimates have some desirable properties, they do not represent a simple, neat solution to a complex evaluation problem. In this spirit, the article concludes by describing some of the many concerns regarding the use of value-added scores for high-stakes decisions and suggests some ways to enhance the likelihood that teacher accountability will contribute constructively to the improvement of teaching.
Forkhead box A1 regulates prostate ductal morphogenesis and promotes epithelial cell maturation

We have previously shown that a forkhead transcription factor Foxa1 interacts with androgen signaling and controls prostate differentiated response. Here, we show the mouse Foxa1 expression marks the entire embryonic urogenital sinus epithelium (UGE), contrasting with Shh and Foxa2, which are restricted to the basally located cells during prostate budding. The Foxa1-deficient mouse prostate shows a severely altered ductal pattern that resembles primitive epithelial cords surrounded by thick stromal layers. Characterization of these mutant cells indicates a population of basal-like cells similar to those found in the embryonic UGE, whereas no differentiated or mature luminal epithelial cells are found in Foxa1-deficient epithelium. These phenotypic changes are accompanied with molecular aberrations, including focal epithelial activation of Shh and elevated Foxa2 and Notch1 in the null epithelium. Perturbed epithelial-stromal interactions induced by Foxa1-deficient epithelium is evident, as demonstrated by the expansion of surrounding smooth muscle and elevated levels of stromal factors (Bmp4, Fgf7, Fgf10 and Gli). The prostatic homeobox protein Nkx3.1, a known proliferation inhibitor, was downregulated in Foxa1-deficient epithelial cells, while several prostate-specific androgen-regulated markers, including a novel Foxa1 target, are absent in the null prostate. These data indicate that Foxa1 plays a pivotal role in controlling prostate morphogenesis and cell differentiation.
The ototoxic effects of ethacrynic acid in man and animals.

A review of the literature was carried out to summarize the ototoxic effects of ethacrynic acid on man and animal. The effects of this drug on the electrolytes of the endolymphatic and perilymphatic systems, on the cochlear potentials and the auditory cortical-evoked responses, were reviewed. Histological animal studies determined by light and electron microscopy were described. Potentiation of this drug with previous aminoglycoside therapy was discussed. In this paper, a human case report with temporal bone findings was presented in addition to the histopathological effects of this drug which were shown in a series of animals receiving this drug over a period of time. Edematous and cellular changes in the stria vascularis, especially with animals receiving large doses of the drug, were described. No permanent alterations in the cochlear potentials resulted from the long-term therapy with ethacrynic acid.
Calcium Inhibition of Inorganic Iron Absorption in Rats

Calcium significantly diminishes the absorption of ferrous and ferric iron in a dose-related manner, whether the test doses of calcium and radioiron are administered orally or introduced into isolated intestinal segments; the effect is maximal in the duodenum and jejunum. Electron microscopic observations and quantitative studies of the mucosal uptake and transfer of iron show that calcium decreases the entry of iron into the microvilli of intestinal epithelial cells. Animals fed a high-calcium, iron-replete diet developed iron depletion; animals consuming high-calcium food of marginal iron content developed mild iron deficiency anemia. Further, more radioiron was absorbed from human milk than either bovine milk or human milk supplemented with calcium. These data suggest that individuals consuming a high-calcium diet containing marginal amounts of iron could develop iron deficiency anemia and may explain why infants who are fed cow's milk have a greater incidence of iron deficiency anemia than those fed human milk.
Financing and Risks of French Firms

This paper documents the role of capital markets in financing nonfinancial French firms since the adoption of the euro and analyzes its implications for risk using a structural model of credit risk. The analysis suggests that market financing has played a more important role in financing French firms than the euro area as a whole. The credit risk of French firms was reduced substantially between 2002 and the first half of 2007. The subsequent global turmoil has had a larger impact on smaller firms than larger ones.
Dyssynchrony Evaluation: MRI and CCT

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been shown to improve outcomes in clinical trials for appropriate selected patients with heart failure; however, there is still a significant nonresponse rate when the electrocardiographic QRS duration is used to identify mechanical dyssynchrony. From a physiological standpoint, the appropriate cardiac substrate for CRT is most appropriately identified by assessment of mechanical dyssynchrony and myocardial scar burden, but QRS duration has poor sensitivity and specificity in this regard. For this reason, cardiac imaging has been evaluated in order to improve CRT candidate selection, but results using echocardiography have been disappointing. In contrast, clinical studies show great promise for CMR in this regard. As the gold standard for assessment of cardiac scar and strain, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) offers clear advantages over other imaging modalities for assessment of the cardiac substrate for resynchronization. In particular, CMR is regarded as the best imaging modality for assessment of circumferential strain, which corresponds to the primary orientation of cardiac myofibers. This chapter reviews important principles of CMR dyssynchrony and scar imaging, then discusses in detail clinical and technical aspects of myocardial tissue tagging, displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE), strain-encoded MR (SENC), velocity-encoded MR, and contour tracking methods. The role of CMR in patients with pacemakers and defibrillators is also discussed. The potential role of cardiac CT (CCT) for dyssynchrony evaluation is also discussed. Cardiac CT provides excellent assessment of coronary venous anatomy, while methods for assessment of dyssynchrony and scar based on CCT are being developed.
Association between common variable immunodeficiency and collagenous infiltrative disorders of the gastrointestinal tract: A series of four patients

Hypogammaglobulinemia/common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) may lead to disruption of the gut mucosal immune barrier. Collagenous infiltrative disorders of the intestinal tract (colitis, gastritis, sprue) constitute a relatively new spectrum of gastrointestinal disorders. Our aims were (1) to determine the association between immunoglobulin deficiency state like CVID and collagenous infiltrative disorders of the gut and (2) to study the clinic-pathologic characteristics and treatment outcomes in these patients. A retrospective search was conducted to identify cases with concurrence of these two conditions at an academic center from 2007 to 2013. Four such patients were identified from our database: three with collagenous colitis and one with collagenous gastritis. All patients with collagenous colitis had normal colonic mucosa while the patient with collagenous gastritis had nodular gastric mucosa. Only one patient out of four had decreased plasma cells in the submucosa as expected in low immunoglobulin states. All patients had improvement in their symptoms on immunoglobulin therapy with considerable remission on budesonide. Literature search revealed reporting of four similar patients. In conclusion, (1) the association between collagenous infiltrative disorders of the gut and CVID and its prompt response to immunoglobulins with effective maintenance with budesonide are novel findings. Our study also shows that the presence of plasma cells should not rule out the possibility of CVID. (2) In patients with chronic diarrhea, hypogammaglobulinemia and collagenous colitis/sprue should be considered for the available effective treatments such as immunoglobulins and budesonide.
Influence of Electrolyte Concentration on the Aggregation of Colloidal Particles near Electrodes in Oscillatory Fields

Micron-scale particles suspended in various aqueous electrolytes have been widely observed to aggregate near electrodes in response to oscillatory electric fields, a phenomenon believed to result from electrically induced flows around the particles. Previous work has focused on elucidating the effects of the applied field strength, frequency, and electrolyte type on the aggregation rate of particles, with less attention paid to the ionic strength. Here we demonstrate that an applied field causes micron-scale particles in aqueous NaCl to rapidly aggregate over a wide range of ionic strengths, but with significant differences in aggregation morphology. Optical microscopy observations reveal that at higher ionic strengths (∼1 mM) particles arrange as hexagonally closed-packed (HCP) crystals, but at lower ionic strengths (∼0.05 mM) the particles arrange in randomly closed-packed (RCP) structures. We interpret this behavior in terms of two complementary effects: an increased particle diffusivity at lower ionic...
Abstract 5348: In vivo and in vitro alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cell growth is affected by TNK2 expression

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common pediatric soft tissue tumor. The two major histologic subtypes are embryonal (ERMS) and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS); which have different genetic alterations: 11p15 LOH in ERMS and PAX3 (or PAX7)-FOXO1 translocation in ARMS. Despite utilization of aggressive multimodal therapy, patients with recurrent or metastatic disease remain essentially incurable. This is particularly true in patients with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. New therapies are needed to improve outcomes in this disease. To detect genes that are critical for rhabdomyosarcoma cell growth and survival, we performed a loss-of-function shRNA screen in ARMS and ERMS cell lines using a regulated shRNA library that was delivered to RMS cells using retrovirus. We hypothesized that genes whose loss of function significantly influence the growth and survival of ARMS cells with relatively no impact on ERMS cells represent a critical vulnerability or “Achilles’ heel” for ARMS. We sorted our gene list using this approach. In this study, we identified TNK2 (tyrosine kinase, non-receptor 2; also known as ACK1) as a critical gene is ARMS cell survival and as a potential therapeutic target. TNK2 is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that integrates signals from different membrane receptors, including integrins, EGFR and IGFR. Reported downstream targets include CDC42 and AKT. The TNK2 gene is located at 3q29. TNK2 amplification has been described in prostate, lung and breast cancer and its role in invasion and metastasis has recently been suggested. However, its role in rhabdomyosarcoma has not been previously explored. We initially confirmed that TNK2 is uniformly expressed RMS. In addition, analysis of TNK2 expression in primary tumor samples of RMS using a publicly available database indicated that rhabdomyosarcomas with higher TNK2 expression show lower overall survival. We used a tetracycline-inducible shRNA construct to knock down TNK2 expression in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. TNK2 knock down resulted in significant decrease in cell growth in ARMS. We characterized the specificity of our findings using 5 different shRNA sequences targeting this gene delivered via lentivirus. In addition, we have been able to rescue the effect of an shRNA targeting the 3’UTR of this gene using TNK2 cDNA. We validated our in vitro data in an in vivo model using tumor xenografts. Downstream pathways under investigation include but are not limited to AKT, MAPK and CDC42. These data suggest that TNK2 could represent a therapeutic target in ARMS and highlight the role of loss of function shRNA screens to improve the understanding of tumor biology. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5348. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5348
Sharp-Line Luminescence of Re 4 + in Cubic Single Crystals of Cs 2 Zr Cl 6 and Cs 2 Hf Cl 6

Sharp-line luminescence has been observed for ${\mathrm{Re}}^{4+}$ ($5{d}^{3}$) in single crystals of ${\mathrm{Cs}}_{2}$Zr${\mathrm{Cl}}_{6}$ and ${\mathrm{Cs}}_{2}$Hf${\mathrm{Cl}}_{6}$ at low temperature. Well-resolved vibronic structure is seen, forming nearly perfect mirror symmetry between emission and absorption about a zero-phonon line at 13 879 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Using the assignments of Dorain and Wheeler, these are identified as being due to transitions within the ${{t}_{2g}}^{3}$ configuration from the ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{7}(^{2}T_{2g})$ level to the ground state ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{8}(^{4}A_{2g})$. Vibrational energies of the odd modes of the Re${\mathrm{Cl}}_{6}^{2\ensuremath{-}}$ complex are found to be the same for both the ground and excited states. The flourescence lifetime of 100 \ensuremath{\mu}sec at 2 K suggests the presence of other modes of decay than the observed luminescence. The luminescence can be excited either by transitions into the electric dipole allowed levels arising from ${t}_{2}e$ configuration or to the ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{8}(^{2}T_{2g})$, (${{t}_{2}}^{3}$) levels.
Genomic impact of CRISPR immunization against bacteriophages

CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) together with cas (CRISPR-associated) genes form the CRISPR–Cas immune system, which provides sequence-specific adaptive immunity against foreign genetic elements in bacteria and archaea. Immunity is acquired by the integration of short stretches of invasive DNA as novel ‘spacers’ into CRISPR loci. Subsequently, these immune markers are transcribed and generate small non-coding interfering RNAs that specifically guide nucleases for sequence-specific cleavage of complementary sequences. Among the four CRISPR–Cas systems present in Streptococcus thermophilus , CRISPR1 and CRISPR3 have the ability to readily acquire new spacers following bacteriophage or plasmid exposure. In order to investigate the impact of building CRISPR-encoded immunity on the host chromosome, we determined the genome sequence of a BIM (bacteriophage-insensitive mutant) derived from the DGCC7710 model organism, after four consecutive rounds of bacteriophage challenge. As expected, active CRISPR loci evolved via polarized addition of several novel spacers following exposure to bacteriophages. Although analysis of the draft genome sequence revealed a variety of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and INDELs (insertions/deletions), most of the in silico differences were not validated by Sanger re-sequencing. In addition, two SNPs and two small INDELs were identified and tracked in the intermediate variants. Overall, building CRISPR-encoded immunity does not significantly affect the genome, which allows the maintenance of important functional properties in isogenic CRISPR mutants. This is critical for the development and formulation of sustainable and robust next-generation starter cultures with increased industrial lifespans.
Assessing mucus and airway morphology in response to a segmental allergen challenge using OCT (Conference Presentation)

Asthma affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and the prevalence of the disease appears to be increasing. One of the most important aspects of asthma is the excessive bronchoconstriction that results in many of the symptoms experienced by asthma sufferers, but the relationship between bronchoconstriction and airway morphology is not clearly established. We present the imaging results of a study involving a segmental allergen challenge given to both allergic asthmatic (n = 12) and allergic non-asthmatic (n = 19) human volunteers. Using OCT, we have imaged and assessed baseline morphology in a right upper lobe (RUL) airway, serving as the control, and a right middle lobe (RML) airway, in which the allergen was to be administered. After a period of 24 hours had elapsed following the administration of the allergen, both airways were again imaged and the response morphology assessed. A number of airway parameters were measured and compared, including epithelial thickness, mucosal thickness and buckling, lumen area, and mucus content. We found that at baseline epithelial thickness, mucosal thickness, and mucosal buckling were greater in AAs than ANAs. We also observed statistically significant increases in these values 24 hours after the allergen had been administered for both the ANA and AA sets. In comparison, the control airway which received a diluent showed no statistically significant change.
Medicaid Disenrollment and Disparities in Access to Care: Evidence from Tennessee

Objective To assess the effects of Tennessee's 2005 Medicaid disenrollment on access to health care among low-income nonelderly adults. Data Source/Study Setting We use data from the 2003–2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Study Design We examined the effects of Medicaid disenrollment on access to care among adults living in Tennessee compared with neighboring states, using difference-in-difference models. Principal Findings Evidence suggests that Medicaid disenrollment resulted in significant decreases in health insurance and increases in cost-related barriers to care for low-income adults living in Tennessee. Statistically significant changes were not observed for having a personal doctor. Conclusions Medicaid disenrollment is associated with reduced access to care. This finding is relevant for states considering expansions or contractions of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Cryptic effects of habitat declines: coral-associated fishes avoid coral-seaweed interactions due to visual and chemical cues

Seaweed-dominated coral reefs are becoming increasingly common as environmental conditions shift away from those required by corals and toward those ideal for rampant seaweed growth. How coral-associated organisms respond to seaweed will not only impact their fate following environmental change but potentially also the trajectories of the coral communities on which they rely. However, behavioral responses by coral-associated organisms to seaweeds are poorly understood. This study examined interactions between a guild of obligate and opportunistic coral-feeding butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) and scleractinian corals to determine whether fishes continue to interact with corals in contact with seaweed or if they are avoided. Under natural conditions, all species interacted almost exclusively with seaweed-free corals. In a controlled patch reef experiment, fishes avoided corals in physical contact with seaweed, irrespective of dietary preferences. When visual seaweed cues were removed, butterflyfish continued to avoid corals that had been in contact with the allelopathic Galaxaura filamentosa, suggesting that chemical cues produced by coral-seaweed interactions are repellent. These findings suggest that, due to deleterious visual and chemical cues produced by coral-seaweed interactions, coral-associated organisms may struggle to locate resources as seaweed-free corals decline in abundance.
Cellular effects of piezoelectric versus electrohydraulic high energy shock waves.

Abstract High energy shock waves produced by a piezoelectric lithotripter, (EDAP LT.01) and an electro-hydraulic lithotripter, (Dornier HM3) were examined for their effects on Chinese hamster ovary cells in suspension. The EDAP caused acute lactate dehydrogenase release, consistent with severe membrane disruption in a proportion of cells, with the remaining proportion of cells replicating normally as measured by clonogenic assay. Similarly, the Dornier also caused lactate dehydrogenase release. However, a significant proportion of cells which remained “viable” after Dornier treatment, (intact to lactate dehydrogenase), did not replicate by clonogenic assay. The Dornier HM3 lithotripter has been reported to produce free radicals in aqueous solution. In the current investigation, we could not detect significant free radical formation from the EDAP LT.01. Chinese hamster ovary cell killing by the Dornier HM3 was significantly augmented by radiosensitizers, 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine or buthionine sulfoximine, while radioprotectors cysteamine and WR-1065 had no protective effect. EDAP cell killing was not influenced by either radioprotectors or radiosensitizers. The mechanism of in vitro cytotoxicity differs between piezoelectric and electrohydraulic high energy shock wave delivery.
Can Fetal Limb Soft Tissue Measurements in the Third Trimester Predict Neonatal Adiposity

Objectives Neonatal adiposity is associated with chronic metabolic sequelae such as diabetes and obesity. Identifying fetuses at risk for excess neonatal body fat may lead to research aimed at limiting nutritional excess in the prenatal period. We sought to determine whether fetal arm and leg soft tissue measurements at 28 weeks' gestation were predictive of neonatal percent body fat Methods In this prospective observational cohort study of singleton term pregnancies, we performed sonography at 28 and 36 weeks' gestation, including soft tissue measurements of the fetal arm and thigh (fractional limb volume and cross-sectional area). We estimated the neonatal body composition (percent body fat) using anthropometric measurements and air displacement plethysmography. We estimated Spearman correlations between sonographic findings and percent body fat and performed modeling to predict neonatal percent body fat using maternal characteristics and sonographic findings. Results Our analysis of 44 women yielded a mean maternal age of 30 years, body mass index of 26 kg/m2, and birth weight of 3382 g. Mean neonatal percent body fat was 8.1% by skin folds at birth and 12.2% by air displacement plethysmography 2 weeks after birth. Fractional thigh volume measurements at 28 weeks yielded the most accurate model for predicting neonatal percent body fat (R2 = 0.697; P = .001), outperforming models that used abdominal circumference (R2= 0.516) and estimated fetal weight (R2= 0.489). Conclusions Soft tissue measurements of the fetal thigh at 28 weeks correlated better with neonatal percent body fat than currently used sonographic measurements. After validation in a larger cohort, our models may be useful for prenatal intervention strategies aimed at the prevention of excess fetal fat accretion and, potentially, optimization of long-term metabolic health.
Political ecology III The commons and commoning

Different intellectual strands within political ecology have analyzed changing forms of property institutions and the commons in particular. While engaging these topics from a number of different perspectives, they share common understandings of property rights as relational, contested, and shaped by broader political economies. What is less acknowledged is that political ecologists have, in different ways, studied the hybrid and mixed forms of property institutions that are often concealed or ignored in the tripartite division of private, common, and national properties that dominates institutionalist literatures. These theoretical commitments and research experiences are well-suited for understanding the proliferation of hybrid property institutions associated with neoliberal forms of governance. By briefly reviewing their synergies, this report seeks to bring these diverse strands in conversation. It concludes by highlighting useful avenues of political ecological research and practice that are raised ...
What do adolescents and young adults want from cancer resources? Insights from a Delphi panel of AYA patients

Cancer treatment programs and community-based support organizations are increasingly producing information and support resources geared to adolescent and young adult patients (AYAs); however, systematically-derived knowledge about user preferences for these resources is lacking. The primary purpose of this study was to generate findings from informed AYA cancer patients that resource developers can use to create products consistent with AYAs’ expressed preferences for information and support. Utilizing a modified Delphi technique, AYA cancer patients identified barriers to optimal AYA cancer care, cancer resources that address their needs, and specific characteristics of cancer resources they find helpful. The Delphi panel consisted of a convenience sample of 21 patients aged 18–39 years, who were diagnosed with cancer between ages 15–39 and were no more than 8 years out from cancer treatment at the time of the study. Survey data were collected in three consecutive and iterative rounds over the course of 6 months in 2015. Findings indicated that AYA patients prefer resources that reduce feelings of loneliness, create a sense of community or belonging, and provide opportunities to meet other AYA patients. Among the top barriers to optimal cancer care, AYAs identified a lack of cancer care providers specializing in AYA care, a lack of connection to an AYA patient community, and their own lack of ability to navigate the health system. Participants also described aspects of cancer information and supportive care resources that they believe address AYAs’ concerns. Information derived from this study will help developers of cancer information and support resources to better reach their intended audience. From the point of view of AYA cancer patients, optimal cancer care and utilization of information and support resources requires that cancer support programs foster meaningful connections among AYA patients. Results also suggest that patient resources should equip AYAs with practical knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the health system and advocate for themselves. Given patient interest in social media, future research should further investigate optimizing online resources to serve the AYA cancer population.
On-demand video processing in wireless networks

The vast adoption of mobile devices with cameras has greatly assisted in the proliferation of the creation and distribution of videos. For a variety of purposes, valuable information may be extracted from these videos. While the computational capability of mobile devices has greatly improved recently, video processing is still a demanding task for mobile devices. Given a network consisting of mobile devices and video-clouds, mobile devices may be able to upload videos to video-clouds, which are more computationally capable for these processing tasks. However, due to networking constraints, when a video processing task is initiated through a query, most videos will not likely have been uploaded to the video-clouds, especially when the query is about a recent event. We investigate the problem of minimal query response time for processing videos stored across a network; however, this problem is a strongly NP-hard problem. To deal with this, we first propose a greedy algorithm with bounded performance. To further deal with the dynamics of the transmission rate between mobile devices and video-clouds, we propose an adaptive algorithm. To evaluate these algorithms, we built an on-demand video processing system. Based on the measurements of the system, we perform simulations to extensively evaluate the proposed algorithms. We also perform experiments on a small testbed to examine the realized system performance. Results show the performance of the greedy algorithm is close to the optimal and much better than other approaches, and the adaptive algorithm performs better with more dynamic transmission rates.
Teaching with Videogames: How Experience Impacts Classroom Integration

Digital games have demonstrated great potential for supporting students’ learning across disciplines. But integrating games into instruction is challenging and requires teachers to shift instructional practices. One factor that contributes to the successful use of games in a classroom is teachers’ experience implementing the technologies. But how does experience with a game actually affect teacher practice? We explored these issues by comparing years 1 and 2 of a middle-school mathematics teacher’s use of Boone’s Meadow, a digital problem-solving game around ratio and proportion, in her classroom. While the two implementations were quite similar, the teacher was able to give more problem solving agency to students and use students’ gameplay time much more productively in the second year, both for mathematical engagement and for immersing students in the narrative of the game. Findings point to the importance of considering the teacher’s role when designing digital games for learning.
An umbrella of legitimacy: Rebel faction size and external military intervention:

How may the legitimacy of rebel groups shape the decisions of third-party states to support insurgencies militarily? In aiming to better understand how the (group-level) attributes of insurgencies ...
Mineralocorticoids: the secret of muscle reflex dysfunction in hypertension?

hypertension is one of the most common human disorders, affecting ~26% of the adult population worldwide ([9][1]). Half of all strokes and ischemic heart disease events are attributable to high blood pressure (BP). It has been well reported that the cardiovascular response to exercise is exaggerated
Molecular neuroimaging in primary progressive aphasia with predominant agraphia

A 62-year-old male presented with progressive isolated writing and spelling difficulties. Neurological, neuropsychological, speech, and language evaluations identified only minimal additional abnor...
Synovial Fluid Profile at the Time of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Its Association With Cartilage Matrix Composition 3 Years After Surgery.

Background:Anterior cruciate ligament tears can lead to posttraumatic osteoarthritis. In addition to biomechanical factors, changes in biochemical profiles within the knee joint after injury and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may play a role in accelerating joint degeneration.Hypothesis/Purpose:It was hypothesized that cartilage matrix composition after ACLR is associated with the degree of inflammatory response after initial injury. This study evaluated the association between the inflammatory response after injury—as indicated by cytokine, metalloproteinase, and cartilage degradation marker concentrations in synovial fluid—and articular cartilage degeneration, measured by T1ρ and T2 quantitative magnetic resonance imaging up to 3 years after ACLR.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:Twenty-six subjects from a longitudinal cohort study who underwent ACLR at a mean 8.5 weeks after injury (range, 4-19 weeks) had synovial fluid aspirated at the time of surgery. Immunoass...
Relationship and Technique in Brief Psychotherapy

Current theoretical formulations of psychotherapy and empirical research studies both suggest that the quality of the relationship may be more important to the success of treatment than specific techniques associated with any form of psychotherapy. Studies which have attempted to assess the role of specific techniques associated with different therapies are discussed, as well as an approach which has attempted to determine what processes are common to all forms of effective psychotherapy.
Einstein Gyrovector Spaces

Einstein addition admits scalar multiplication between any real number and any relativistically admissible velocity vector, giving rise to the Einstein gyrovector spaces. As an example, Einstein scalar multiplication enables hyperbolic lines to be calculated with respect to Cartesian coordinates just as Euclidean lines are calculated with respect to Cartesian coordinates. Along with remarkable analogies that Einstein scalar multiplication shares with the common scalar multiplication in vector spaces there is a striking disanalogy. Einstein scalar multiplication does not distribute over Einstein addition. However, a weaker law, called the monodistributive law, remains valid. It is shown in this chapter that Einstein gyrovector spaces form the setting for the Cartesian–Beltrami–Klein ball model of hyperbolic geometry just as vector spaces form the setting for the standard Cartesian model of Euclidean geometry.
On the Communicative Dimension of Social Practice

In the book from which my epigraph is taken, Marx Wartofsky focuses his attention on the role of representation in ‘cognitive praxis.’1 He is quite clear, however, that there are other aspects to the indissoluble link between logos and praxis: “[Karl] Marx’s striking aphorism, ‘Language is practical consciousness,’ requires the elaboration that it is also social consciousness, that is, the medium of communication and expression in the contexts of social interaction . . .”2 In this paper I offer some observations on the social-interactional aspect of the connection between reason and practice. Like Wartofsky, I attempt to capture the contextual and pragmatic features of social practice without renouncing the universal and ideal import of the claims of reason. To capture the former, I exploit some recent contributions to the sociology of everyday life by Harold Garfinkel and other ethnomethodologists;3 to capture the latter, I draw upon Jurgen Habermas’s analysis of communicative reason.4 The challenge, of course, will be to integrate these two very different and often opposed approaches into one coherent account of reason in practice. The question of how my account of communicative praxis might be integrated with Wartofsky’s account of cognitive praxis will have to be left to another occasion.
Learning-Based Antenna Selection for Multicasting

In multi-antenna systems, it is preferred to activate only a subset of the available transmit antennas in order to save hardware and energy resources, without seriously degrading the system performance. However, antenna selection often poses very hard optimization problems. Joint multicast beamforming and antenna selection is one particular example, which is often approached by Semi-Definite Relaxation (SDR) type approximations. The drawback is that SDR lifts the problem to a much higher dimension, leading to considerably high memory and computational complexities. In this paper, we propose a machine learning based approach to circumvent the complexity issues. Specifically, we propose a neural network-based approach that aims at selecting a subset of antennas that maximizes the minimum signal to noise ratio at the receivers. The idea is to learn a mapping function (represented by a neural network) that maps channel realizations to antenna selection solutions from massive simulated data. This way, the computational burden of antenna selection can be shifted to off-line neural network training. Experiments demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed machine learning approach relative to the prior state-of-art.
Thoroughness and Psychometrics of Fidelity Measures in Occupational and Physical Therapy: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the thoroughness and psychometric properties of fidelity measures used by or of relevance to occupational or physical therapy. METHOD A systematic review of the literature was completed. Assessments used to measure occupational or physical therapy intervention fidelity were evaluated for thoroughness, reliability, validity, and clinical utility. RESULTS Eight fidelity measures met inclusion criteria for this systematic review. Most of the measures had moderate levels of thoroughness in the coverage of key aspects of fidelity, reported adequate to excellent reliability and validity, and were highly variable in clinical utility. CONCLUSION Additional research is recommended to validate existing occupational or physical therapy fidelity measures and to develop novel measures for other occupational therapy and physical therapy interventions. Clinicians and researchers must place greater emphasis on the development and implementation of fidelity measures to ensure uniformity in intervention delivery and high-quality, evidence-based care.
Recreational marijuana legalization and prescription opioids received by Medicaid enrollees.

Abstract Objectives Medical marijuana use may substitute prescription opioid use, whereas nonmedical marijuana use may be a risk factor of prescription opioid misuse. This study examined the associations between recreational marijuana legalization and prescription opioids received by Medicaid enrollees. Methods State-level quarterly prescription drug utilization records for Medicaid enrollees during 2010–2017 were obtained from Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data. The primary outcome, opioid prescriptions received, was measured in three population-adjusted variables: number of opioid prescriptions, total doses of opioid prescriptions in morphine milligram equivalents, and related Medicaid spending, per quarter per 100 enrollees. Two difference-in-difference models were used to test the associations: eight states and DC that legalized recreational marijuana during the study period were first compared among themselves, then compared to six states with medical marijuana legalized before the study period. Schedule II and III opioids were analyzed separately. Results In models comparing eight states and DC, legalization was not associated with Schedule II opioid outcomes; having recreational marijuana legalization effective in 2015 was associated with reductions in number of prescriptions, total doses, and spending of Schedule III opioids by 32% (95% CI: (−49%, −15%), p = 0.003), 30% ((−55%, −4.4%), p = 0.027), and 31% ((−59%, −3.6%), p = 0.031), respectively. In models comparing eight states and DC to six states with medical marijuana legalization, recreational marijuana legalization was not associated with any opioid outcome. Conclusions No evidence suggested that recreational marijuana legalization increased prescription opioids received by Medicaid enrollees. There was some evidence in some states for reduced Schedule III opioids following the legalization.
Examining the Effect of Oral Transmission on Folksongs

Sociolinguists frequently examine the nature of gradual, internal shifts in languages and dialects over time, arguing for both cognitive and cultural factors, as well as those that might be somehow internal to the language itself. Similarly, musicologists have often argued that musical genres and even specific songs can be examined through gradual diachronic shifts, which seem to be especially accelerated in traditions that rely on oral transmission. For example, Spitzer (1994) examined the stemma of “Oh! Susanna” and noticed that it tended to become more pentatonicized at cadence points by dropping scale degree seven, and suggested that this might be true with folk songs in general. To test this, we employed both experimental and corpus-based paradigms. The experimental approach attempted to simulate oral transmission in a compressed timeframe by involving singers who heard and replicated short musical excerpts, and then would teach a colleague, who in turn passed it on to another participant. Similarly, we conducted a corpus analysis that examined the prevalence of descending stepwise endings in styles of music primarily transmitted orally compared with those transmitted primarily through notation. The experimental results suggest that cadence points in Western folk music are more likely to lose scale degree seven through the act of oral transmission, and the corpus study suggests that, although stylistic constraints play a large role in folk music, there might also be a relationship between transmission and physical affordances.
Multivariate error overbounding with a Gaussian-pareto model

This paper extends the overbounding technique for univariate error monitoring to the multivariate error domain while using modeling techniques based on the extreme value theory. It derives an overb...
Understanding the Minority Voice in a Pluralistic Society: The Case of Islamic Schools.

With a growing number of faith-based private schools, charter schools, and public schools divided along ethnic and racial lines, the school system in the United States is becoming more segregated. ...