cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementing the Child Protection Provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (“CRC”), lauded as the most widely ratified international human rights treaty, asserted high aspirations as a comprehensive statement on the rights of children. Yet, for many signatories, the road from ratification to full implementation over the past 23 years has been slow and arduous. Translating the CRC’s lofty principles into concrete law, policy and attitudinal change has been a challenge. This article responds to that challenge by offering a framework for implementing the child protection provisions of the CRC that integrates CRC guiding principles, comparative analysis and local cultural norms. Applying the framework to the Trinidad and Tobago example, the article argues that the CRC requires States to prioritize family integrity and that Trinidad and Tobago should leverage its tradition of extended kinship care in developing its child protection system.
Note on tensile rupture times in superplastic alloys

UsingHoff's criterion, the theoretical value of rupture time of a superplastic bar under a constant load is obtained. The constitutive equation of isothermal superplasticity is taken from the result of recent research in metallurgy. A specific example is given.
Flip or Flop: Are Math Teachers Using Khan Academy as Envisioned by Sal Khan?.

Khan Academy (KA) is a free web-based intelligent tutor, which has been featured in countless media outlets for its potential to change mathematics instruction. The founder and executive director, Salman Khan, recommends that KA be used to personalize instruction, freeing up class time for engaging high yield activities like student discourse and meaningful collaborative projects (Gupta, 2012; Khan, 2012; Markus, 2011). Teachers have begun to use KA to flip classroom instruction. This study examined how KA was used as a tool for instruction in middle and high school mathematics classrooms. The five participants reported that the uses of KA conflicted with Khan’s vision of how his program should be used and with widely accepted effective teaching strategies (2012). Nevertheless, the participants believed that Khan Academy has the potential to improve mathematics instruction due to its accessibility and its individualized learning environment.
Preoperative Hip Injections Increase the Rate of Periprosthetic Infection After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract Background Intraarticular injections are both diagnostic and therapeutic for patients with osteoarthritis. A potential risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) may occur from direct inoculation and/or immune suppression by corticosteroids. Large population-level databases were used to evaluate hip injection on the 1-year rate of PJI in patients undergoing primary THA. Methods State-level ambulatory surgery and inpatient databases for Florida and California (2005-2012) were used to identify primary THA patients with 1-year preoperative and postoperative windows to evaluate possible injections or PJI, respectively. Patients were grouped as no injection or as THA performed 6-12 months, 3-6 months, or 0-3 months after injection. Risk adjustment was performed with multivariable regression. Results A total of 173,958 patients were included; 5421 (3.1%) underwent THA after an injection: 1395 (1.1%) of patients after 6-12 months, 1863 patients after 3-6 months, and 2163 (1.2%) after 0-3 months. In the 0-3 month group, PJI was significantly increased at 3 months (1.58%, P = .015), 6 months (1.76%, P = .022), and 1 year (2.04%, P = .031) compared with the noninjection control group (1.04%, 1.21%, and 1.47%, respectively). There were no differences in the 3- to 6-month and 6- to 12-month injection groups. Conclusion There is an increased risk of PJI when THA is performed within 3 months of hip injection. We recommend that patients and their surgeons consider delaying elective THA until 3 months after an injection to avoid this elevated risk of infection.
Donation Motivations Testing Theories of Access and Ideology

Understanding why donors give money to legislative candidates is vital for assessing how money influences politics. In this paper, I test theories of why political action committees (PACs) and indi...
The Editorial Meeting at a Little Magazine: An Ethnography of Group Judgment:

Judgment and distinction have been topics of persistent interest for cultural sociologists. Recent theory has particularly emphasized social interaction and cognition as key sites for understanding judgment, and a number of studies examine gatekeeping practices as a means of understanding the interactive and perceptual determinants of judgment. This article builds upon previous work by presenting the results of an eighteen-month ethnography at a long-running little magazine based in a large American city. In addition to providing an empirical description of an important but understudied domain of cultural production, this article has two findings of theoretical interest. First, without strong external constraints on processes of group evaluation, editors’ judgments became markedly negative, and their deliberations were often inconclusive. Second, negative and positive evaluations were not symmetric, but were produced by two differing sets of evaluative practices. These findings are broadly consistent with...
Adenosine triphosphate-guanosine 5'-phosphate phosphotransferase. II. Inhibition by 6-thioguanosine 5'-phosphate of the enzyme isolated from hog brain and sarcoma 180 ascites cells.

Sarcoma 180 cells contain a highly specific guanylate kinase (ATP-GMP phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.4.8) that converts GMP to GDP. This tumor enzyme closely resembles in its kinetic parameters and molecular size the guanylate kinase of hog brain. With both enzymes the analogue nucleotide 6-thioguanosine 59-phosphate behaves as a potent inhibitor, competitive with GMP, with an inhibition constant (Ki) of about 6 x 10-5 M. When examined with large amounts of hog brain enzyme, 6-thioguanosine 59-phosphate behaves as an alternative substrate with a very low maximum velocity that is less than 0.04% of the reaction rate attainable with GMP as the substrate. The possible role of these findings in the cytolytic action of 6-thioguanine is discussed.
Canine choledochotomy closure with diode laser-activated fibrinogen solder.

Background An alternative to mechanical stapling or hand suturing is needed to permit laparoscopic common bile duct exploration. We evaluated the strength and healing characteristics of canine choledochotomies sealed with a fibrinogen solder and a diode laser. Methods After creation of a 0.5 cm longitudinal choledochotomy, the edges were coapted with forceps, and a fibrinogen solder mixed with indocyanine green dye was applied. The solder was sealed in place with an 810 nm diode laser (125 W/cm2). Results Immediate mean leakage pressure was 264 +/- 7 mm Hg compared with 83 +/- 66 mm Hg in suture controls. This increased to 364 +/- 115 mm Hg at 2 days and was more than 510 mm Hg at 7 days. On histologic examination rapid reabsorption of the solder with no signs of inflammation or stenosis was seen. No episodes of dehiscence or peritonitis occurred. Conclusions Laser soldering provides a watertight choledochotomy closure with adequate immediate strength allowing a reliable, technically feasible common bile duct exploration via a laparoscopic approach.
Successful use of brachytherapy for a severe hidradenitis suppurativa variant

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a member of the follicular occlusion tetrad, along with acne conglobata, dissecting cellulitis of the scalp and pilodinal sinus. These conditions share common pathophysiologic features, including follicle occlusion, bacterial overgrowth, severe suppurative inflammation, scarring, and sinus tract formation. Treatment of severe cases is challenging, and a novel treatment modality would be of significant value. We describe a 46-year-old man who presented with a 15-year history of suppurative and scarring nodules involving his groin, scalp, neck, face, and chest. Based on their distribution and morphology, these lesions were most characteristic of hidradenitis suppurativa, although he had features of acne conglobata and dissecting cellulitis as well. Over the years, he had been treated with several antimicrobial and immunomodulatory agents, the main conventional therapies for follicular occlusion syndromes, without much success. We then treated him with superficial brachytherapy to his right groin and occiput, which led to significant improvement. No toxic side effects were noted. This case demonstrates the successful application of superficial brachytherapy for the treatment of severe hidradenitis suppurativa, and possibly for other follicular occlusion syndromes.
Attention and the cholinergic system: Relevance to schizophrenia

Traditional methods of drug discovery often rely on a unidirectional, "bottom-up" approach: A search for molecular compounds that target a particular neurobiological substrate (e.g., a receptor type), the refinement of those compounds, testing in animal models using high-throughput behavioral screening methods, and then human testing for safety and effectiveness. Many attempts have found the "effectiveness" criterion to be a major stumbling block, and we and others have suggested that success may be improved by an alternative approach that considers the neural circuits mediating the effects of genetic and molecular manipulations on behavior and cognition. We describe our efforts to understand the cholinergic system's role in attention using parallel approaches to test main hypotheses in both rodents and humans as well as generating converging evidence using methods and levels of analysis tailored to each species. The close back-and-forth between these methods has enhanced our understanding of the cholinergic system's role in attention both "bottom-up" and "top-down"-that is, the basic neuroscience identifies potential neuronal circuit-based mechanisms of clinical symptoms, and the patient and genetic populations serve as natural experiments to test and refine hypotheses about its contribution to specific processes. Together, these studies have identified (at least) two major and potentially independent contributions of the cholinergic system to attention: a neuromodulatory component that influences cognitive control in response to challenges from distractors that either make detection more difficult or draw attention away from the distractor, and a phasic or transient cholinergic signal that instigates a shift from ongoing behavior and the activation of cue-associated response. Right prefrontal cortex appears to play a particularly important role in the neuromodulatory component integrating motivational and cognitive influences for top-down control across populations, whereas the transient cholinergic signal involves orbitofrontal regions associated with shifts between internal and external attention. Understanding how these two modes of cholinergic function interact and are perturbed in schizophrenia will be an important prerequisite for developing effective treatments.
Error Analysis of Customer Baseline Load (CBL) Calculation Methods for Residential Customers

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 745 order has created an environment that allows demand response owners to sell their load reduction in the wholesale market. One of the main challenges that independent system operators and utilities face is developing customer baseline load (CBL) calculation methods that work satisfactorily in this new environment. Consequently, it is critical that these methods need to be evaluated from the error performance's perspective. In this paper, error analysis of CBL calculation methods for residential customers is carried out theoretically and empirically. To perform theoretical analysis, the utility function of customers is analyzed to determine the existence of the economic incentives for gaming and inefficient consumption as well as studying the impact of inaccuracy on the social welfare loss. Furthermore, to perform the empirical analysis, well-established CBL calculation methods, HighXofY (New York ISO, well known as NYISO), LowXofY, MidXofY, exponential moving average (New England ISO, well known as ISONE), and regression are first introduced and, then, utilized to calculate the CBL. A dataset consisting of 262 residential customers is used for this analysis. In addition, the error analysis is performed using accuracy and bias metrics. To reach a valid conclusion about the overall performance of CBL methods, an economic analysis of a hypothetical peak time rebate (PTR) program is carried out. According to the results of the case study, the utility pays at least half of its revenue as a rebate solely due to inaccuracy of CBL methods. In addition, it is demonstrated that PTR creates inefficiencies in the residential sector because of the failure of CBL calculation methods to accurately predict the customers’ load profile on the event day.
Scenes from the past: "Skeeter": Harlem Renaissance author's description of a young man's impression of a radiology examination room.

Review Although this pioneering book was of its time, it was also ahead of its time in many of its approaches to pediatric radiology. Rotch, professor of pediatrics at Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, selected the large number of pertinent plates provided by Dr Arial W. George to illustrate the use of medical images (they called them roentgenograms then) in the practice of pediatrics and child health care. Rotch emphasized a physician’s need to know the normal pattern to be able to recognize the abnormal. The textbook contained a generous selection of plates of normal hands and wrists that were intended to show the gradual maturation of bones during childhood. Rotch anticipated by decades the various methods for bone age determination now in use in pediatric radiologic practice. The book also included a chapter on living normal anatomy, which emphasized the generic parts of bone, including the roentgenographically unseen periosteum, and the patterns of normal bone growth. Newborns and metabolic disease (as then understood) received separate chapters
Epidemiology and Natural History

Lentigo maligna is on the rise, with an increasing incidence rate over the past few decades. Areas of high UV flux, such as the southern United States or Hawaii tend to have a higher incidence than areas with lower UV flux, such as the northern United States. Among other risk factors, a higher cumulative UV exposure is associated with development of lentigo maligna, helping to explain its propensity towards chronically sun exposed areas such as the head and neck. The risk of progression from lentigo maligna to lentigo maligna melanoma has been reported to range from 5–20 %. The evolving role of genetics may help providers to better understand lentigo maligna, as compared to other forms of melanoma in situ.
Bayesian network movement model

To unify and integrate various types, resolutions, and levels of uncertainty of user location data, we employ a Bayesian learning approach, which allows to iteratively add new knowledge to refine a model describing the motion of an object in space and time. By explicitly modelling uncertainty, we maintain a notion of data reliability, such that the confidence of any query and mining results can be assessed. Based on this motion model for individual users, we present our algorithms for estimating the continuous location of users based on sparse observations. Our approach uses a global traffic model using a Markov-chain as an apriori-model, which is learned from all available historic trajectory data. Starting from this apriori-model, we use observations of individual users to adapt this model, using a forward backward approach to add new knowledge to the model. This yields as user-specific aposteriori-model, which captures information of their observation, and uses the apriori-knowledge to model the error and uncertainty in-between these observations. As verified by our empirical study on real trajectory data, this model allows to predict the location of objects in-between discrete observation much more accurate than competing approaches, thus significantly reducing the uncertainty in spatio-temporal data.
Two-dimensional signal classification by multiscale wavelet representation

This paper describes a technique for classification of 2-D discrete signals. It consists of four modules, namely the partition, representation, measurement, and the classification modules. The first of these either passes the observed signal as a whole or divides it into subregions which may or may not overlap. The representation module first computes the shift-invariant multiscale wavelet representations (MSWAR) of the reference and the observed signals and then generates a corresponding set of 1-D signatures. The measurement module extracts those vital signal features to which the decision rules of the classification module are applied. The paper presents the design and implementation of each of these modules, emphasizing theoretical background behind the design and efficiency of their implementation. Also some preliminary results have been included that demonstrate the ability of this technique to classify observed signals that are corrupted by different types of deformities.
The Role of Teaching Presence and Student Participation in Spanish Blended Courses.

This chapter describes a study of a blended language course that combines face-to-face (F2F) instructional time with an online component. The purpose of the study is to understand how teachers and ...
Impacts and Implications of Temperature Variability on Chinook Salmon Egg Development and Emergence Phenology

AbstractThe nonlinear relationship of egg development rates to temperature due to compensatory mechanisms in Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, has consequences for emergence timing in nonoptimal and/or highly variable temperature regimes. A mechanistic model of the relationship between temperature and development was used to better understand laboratory results on the primary effects of temperature variability leading to emergence. The model was then applied to a natural river system and used to predict emergence timing while considering additional factors associated with natural spawning such as an individual spawner’s timing, the stock’s spawning season, and spawning cue. In the natural system simulations, the largest source of emergence timing variability was due to inter-annual water temperature regimes and spawning date variation. Lesser emergence variability resulted from temperature variability, family lineage, egg size, individual spawner’s timing, and spawning cue. An improved understandin...
Testing the Efficacy of Combined Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Skills Training to Reduce Methamphetamine Use and Improve HIV Medication Adherence Among HIV-Positive Gay and Bisexual Men

Prior research has identified subgroups of HIV-positive gay and bisexual men (GBM) based upon information, motivation, and behavioral skills (IMB) profiles related to HIV medication adherence and methamphetamine use. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a combined motivational interview (MI) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention tailored specifically to the unique context of HIV-positive GBM, and tested whether IMB profiles moderated treatment effects. HIV-positive GBM (N = 210) were randomized to MI + CBT or an attention-matched education control. Both conditions resulted in reduced methamphetamine use, improved medication adherence (and higher CD4 and lower viral loads), and fewer acts of condomless anal sex at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post-intervention. Furthermore, the MI + CBT condition achieved greater improvements in medication adherence for men who had greater barriers to change compared to similarly-classified men in the control condition, suggesting the importance of pre-intervention profiles for tailoring future interventions.
Clinical Oral Health Recommended Care and Oral Health Self-Report, NHANES, 2013-2014

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the concordance of self-reported responses to oral health questions versus clinically evaluated recommended need for oral healthcare by calibrated dentists to determine usefulness of the questions for epidemiological studies. We additionally examined other factors associated with concordant self-reports versus clinical evaluations. Materials and Methods. We used a cross-sectional study design with 4,205 participants, ages 30 years and above, who had complete oral health self-perception data and dental referral data in the NHANES 2013-14. Calibrated dentists completed clinical oral healthcare assessments. The assessments were dichotomized to (1) recommendation for immediate care and (2) routine oral health care. Self-reported oral health needs were measured with 6 items (an overall oral health self-perception question, oral pain within the previous year, impact on job/school, suspected periodontal disease, tooth appearance, and tooth mobility). The key item of interest was the overall oral health self-perception question. Results. Concordance with clinically evaluated recommended need for oral healthcare varied from 52.0% (oral pain) to 65.4% (overall oral health self-perception). Many subgroup differences were observed. Conclusions. The overall self-perception of oral health and the clinical evaluation of oral healthcare need were substantially concordant; other self-reported measures were moderately concordant. This is useful information and points to the need for a minimum set of measures that can provide actionable information and capture the need for clinical dental care.
Cost-effective Early Childhood Programs from Preschool to Third Grade

In recent years, greater attention has been given to promoting child well-being throughout the entire period of early childhood. This review summarizes evidence on the effects and cost effectiveness of early childhood development programs from ages 3 to 9. Participation in preschool programs for 3- and 4-year olds has been found to have relatively large and enduring effects on school achievement and child well-being. High-quality programs for children at risk produce strong economic returns ranging from about US$4 per dollar invested to over $16 per dollar invested. Among early school-age programs, preschool combined with school-age interventions are linked to higher levels of well-being. The Child–Parent Center PK-3 Program shows a return of US$6 to US$9 per dollar invested from preschool to third grade. Class-size reductions and social skills training show evidence of positive effects with economic returns of roughly US$3 per dollar invested. Full-day kindergarten, however, has low cost effectiveness. The causal mechanisms and key principles of effectiveness are described to promote enduring effects of early-childhood programs.
Brain stimulation as a therapy for epilepsy.

The failure of current antiepileptic therapies to adequately treat a significant number of epileptic patients highlights the need for the development of new treatments for the disorder. A new strategy that is currently being developed is to deliver electrical stimulation directly to the brain to decrease or prevent seizure activity. Clinical evidence that electrical stimulation could interfere with seizure activity was initially reported in the 1930’s. However, many of these early studies consisted of case reports or were poorly controlled. In addition, there were a number of studies that failed to observe any beneficial effect of brain stimulation on seizures. More recently, deep brain stimulation has been used successfully to treat patients with movement disorders and vagus nerve stimulation has been shown to effectively decrease seizure activity in a select population of epilepsy patients. These advances have led to a reexamination of the potential therapeutic benefits of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of epilepsy. There is now experimental and clinical evidence that direct electrical stimulation of the brain can prevent or decrease seizure activity. However, several fundamental questions remain to be resolved. They include where in the brain the stimulus should be delivered and what type of stimulation would be most effective. One goal of this research is to combine the beneficial aspects of electrical stimulation with seizure detection technology in an implantable responsive stimulator. The device will detect the onset of a seizure and deliver an electrical stimulus that will safely block seizure activity without interfering with normal brain function.
Air Force Nursing Executive leadership impact on health care 2004-2008

Recorded history allows us to recognize our past and can contribute to the present and future nursing practice. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the United States Air Force Nursing Executive leadership on military health care transformation, through Major General (Retired) Melissa A. Rank's personal stories and experiences. This study explores the development and impact of Air Force nursing in its historical, social, and global context between the years of 2004-2008. The oral history method was used to explore and record the professional life experiences of a great military nurse leader. The United States Air Force Nurse Corps has contributed to global healthcare via humanitarian medical support, medical disaster relief, aeromedical patient transport, development of best practices, advances in technology, education programs, and transformation in deployed medical care during times of war, peace, and natural disasters.
Understanding emotions in text using deep learning and big data

Abstract Big Data and Deep Learning algorithms combined with enormous computing power have paved ways for significant technological advancements. Technology is evolving to anticipate, understand and address our unmet needs. However, to fully meet human needs, machines or computers must deeply understand human behavior including emotions. Emotions are physiological states generated in humans as a reaction to internal or external events. They are complex and studied across numerous fields including computer science. As humans, on reading “Why don't you ever text me!”, we can either interpret it as a sad or an angry emotion and the same ambiguity exists for machines as well. Lack of facial expressions and voice modulations make detecting emotions in text a challenging problem. However, in today's online world, humans are increasingly communicating using text messaging applications and digital agents. Hence, it is imperative for machines to understand emotions in textual dialogue to provide emotionally aware responses to users. In this paper, we propose a novel Deep Learning based approach to detect emotions - Happy, Sad and Angry in textual dialogues. The essence of our approach lies in combining both semantic and sentiment based representations for more accurate emotion detection. We use semi-automated techniques to gather large scale training data with diverse ways of expressing emotions to train our model. Evaluation of our approach on real world dialogue datasets reveals that it significantly outperforms traditional Machine Learning baselines as well as other off-the-shelf Deep Learning models.
The Emergence of Family Medicine Identity Among First-Year Residents: A Qualitative Study.

Background and objectives As part of a national pilot, the Lehigh Valley Family Medicine Residency Program implemented curricular changes to emphasize family medicine identity. These changes included limiting first-year inpatient experiences, adding "interval" outpatient weeks, and increasing family physician mentorship. This study explores how postgraduate learners describe their professional identities within the context of their chosen specialty, as defined by Family Medicine for America's Health (FMAHealth). Methods This qualitative study approached family medicine identity formation from a social constructionist framework using evolved grounded theory. We performed a thematic analysis of focus groups conducted over 12 years with first-year residents (n=73). Then, utilizing a matrix analysis, articulations about professional identity were compared with structural components of the FMAHealth definition of the specialty. Three cohort groups (Preimplementation, Implementation, and Postimplementation) were defined to conduct a longitudinal comparison. Results Six unique biosketches synthesizing the analyses emerged. Expansion in ability to articulate professional identity was evident not only across, but also within cohort groups. The Preimplementation cohort entered and left their first year identifying as relationship-centered generalists desiring guidance from role models. The Implementation learners used more FMAHealth language to describe their practice, later recognizing the potential it held for patient care. Similarly, the Postimplementation cohort entered with a broader view of family medicine and exited wondering how to help advance its reach. Conclusions Curricular changes placing interns within specialty-relevant learning settings coincide with thematic differences in articulations in professional identity. These findings suggest that experiential learning and role modeling contribute to professional identity formation among graduate medical learners.
Investigation of Dynamic Material Cracking with In Situ Synchrotron-Based Measurements

The development of time-resolved techniques that provide in situ spatially resolved measurements of the dynamic response of materials is a long-standing scientific need. Traditional methods use continuum measurements to infer the microstructure response of materials subjected to high strain rate loading; whereas advances in synchrotron capabilities and diagnostics provide unique opportunities to interrogate materials in situ. Recently we have implemented and performed experiments on a gas-gun system using single X-ray bunch phase contrast imaging (PCI) at the Advanced Photon Source to examine shock-induced phenomena. PCI is especially well suited for observing interfaces, something for which common shock physics and impact diagnostics are not. Here we present an overview of the capability and results from PCI investigations of in situ damage, including cracking and spall.
Archaeal Ribosomal Proteins Possess Nuclear Localization Signal-Type Motifs: Implications for the Origin of the Cell Nucleus

Eukaryotic cells are divided into the nucleus and the cytosol, and, to enter the nucleus, proteins typically possess short signal sequences, known as nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Although NLSs have long been considered as features unique to eukaryotic proteins, we show here that similar or identical protein segments are present in ribosomal proteins from the Archaea. Specifically, the ribosomal proteins uL3, uL15, uL18, and uS12 possess NLS-type motifs that are conserved across all major branches of the Archaea, including the most ancient groups Microarchaeota and Diapherotrites, pointing to the ancient origin of NLS-type motifs in the Archaea. Furthermore, by using fluorescence microscopy, we show that the archaeal NLS-type motifs can functionally substitute eukaryotic NLSs and direct the transport of ribosomal proteins into the nuclei of human cells. Collectively, these findings illustrate that the origin of NLSs preceded the origin of the cell nucleus, suggesting that the initial function of NLSs was not related to intracellular trafficking, but possibly was to improve recognition of nucleic acids by cellular proteins. Overall, our study reveals rare evolutionary intermediates among archaeal cells that can help elucidate the sequence of events that led to the origin of the eukaryotic cell.
Expression of genes in the skeletal muscle of individuals with cachexia/sarcopenia: A systematic review.

Background Cachexia occurs in individuals affected by chronic diseases in which systemic inflammation leads to fatigue, debilitation, decreased physical activity and sarcopenia. The pathogenesis of cachexia-associated sarcopenia is not fully understood. Objectives The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the current evidence on genes expressed in the skeletal muscles of humans with chronic disease-associated cachexia and/or sarcopenia (cases) compared to controls and to assess the strength of such evidence. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL using three concepts: cachexia/sarcopenia and associated symptoms, gene expression, and skeletal muscle. Results Eighteen genes were studied in at least three research articles, for a total of 27 articles analyzed in this review. Participants were approximately 60 years of age and majority male; sample size was highly variable. Use of comparison groups, matching criteria, muscle biopsy location, and definitions of cachexia and sarcopenia were not homogenous. None of the studies fulfilled all four criteria used to assess the quality of molecular analysis, with only one study powered on the outcome of gene expression. FOXO1 was the only gene significantly increased in cases versus healthy controls. No study found a significant decrease in expression of genes involved in autophagy, apoptosis or inflammation in cases versus controls. Inconsistent or non-significant findings were reported for genes involved in protein degradation, muscle differentiation/growth, insulin/insulin growth factor-1 or mitochondrial transcription. Conclusion Currently available evidence on gene expression in the skeletal muscles of humans with chronic disease-associated cachexia and/or sarcopenia is not powered appropriately and is not homogenous; therefore, it is difficult to compare results across studies and diseases.
Correspondence Schools in Alaska: Enrollment and Cohort Graduation Rates, 2010-17.

ABSTRACTThe State of Alaska, by some measures the United States’ most rural state, has long supported correspondence schools, a popular school choice option available to all students statewide and ...
Effects of ferrule and diameter of parallel cast post and core on fracture resistance

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of using different diameters of parallel cast posts with, or without ferrule, on the overall fracture resistance of Cast Post and Core (CPC).Material and methods: Forty (40) endodontically treated human maxillary central incisors were divided into four groups (n=10): [F1] 1.0 mm diameter post with ferrule; [NF1] 1.0 mm diameter cast post without ferrule; [F1.5] 1.5 mm diameter cast post with ferrule; [NF1.5] 1.5 mm diameter post without ferrule. For all teeth, the post space (9.0 mm, in depth) was prepared using ParaPostTM drill. CPC using base metal alloy were fabricated and were cemented using resin modified glass ionomer (RMGI) cement along with the PFM crowns. A universal testing machine (Instron) was used to apply horizontal force perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth at the center of lingual surface, until catastrophic failure. Data was submitted to two-way ANOVA and Scheffe tests (P<0.05).Results: Both post diameter and ferrule statistically affected the maximum load at fracture (P=0.004 and P=0.013, respectively). The highest mean values were observed for samples with ferrule and wider post size (490N), while the lowest were observed for samples without ferrule and narrower post size (254N). There was no relationship between the presence of a ferrule and post size (P=0.937).Conclusions: For endodontically treated teeth with no ferrule, a wider-diameter cast post increases fracture resistance of a CPC and PFM crown procedure.
Review of 30 Years of Research Using the Chemical Percolation Devolatilization Model

The chemical percolation devolatilization (CPD) model for coal pyrolysis was first published in 1989, and a completed version that included the vapor–liquid equilibrium model and cross-linking mode...
Abstract WP468: Follow Up After Stroke, Screening and Treatment Clinic: Advancing Post-Stroke Care

Objective: To assess feasibility and replicability of a multidisciplinary, specialized clinic in optimization of secondary stroke prevention and stroke related complications. Background: Recommenda...
Binding Ligands that Straddle an Important Contact Site on the RBD of the Covid-19 Spike Protein

Abstract The receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of the Covid-19 virus is responsible for attachment to human ACE2. A number of recent articles have studied monoclonal antibody blocking [8-11] and peptide inhibitors [12-16] of the Covid-19 virus. Here we report virtual ligand-based screening that targets pockets on each side of an important binding site with residues 502-504 on the RBD that contact residues 353-357 [15] of hACE2. These ligands are intended as pre-exposure therapy for Covid-19 infection.
Evolving Advanced Persistent Threat Detection using Provenance Graph and Metric Learning

Advanced persistent threats (APT) have increased in recent times as a result of the rise in interest by nation-states and sophisticated corporations to obtain high profile information. Typically, APT attacks are more challenging to detect since they leverage zero-day attacks and common benign tools. Furthermore, these attack campaigns are often prolonged to evade detection. We leverage an approach that uses a provenance graph to obtain execution traces of host nodes in order to detect anomalous behavior. By using the provenance graph, we extract features that are then used to train an online adaptive metric learning. Online metric learning is a deep learning method that learns a function to minimize the separation between similar classes and maximizes the separation between dis-similar instances. We compare our approach with baseline models and we show our method outperforms the baseline models by increasing detection accuracy on average by 11.3 % and increases True positive rate (TPR) on average by 18.3 %.
Timing of resumption of beta-blockers after discontinuation of vasopressors is not associated with post-operative atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients recovering from non-cardiac surgery: A retrospective cohort analysis.

Abstract Background: Post-operative atrial fibrillation is a complication with high morbidity. In patients on prior-to-admission beta-blockers, early post-operative beta-blockade reduces atrial fibrillation risk; however, this benefit is not studied in hemodynamically unstable patients requiring vasopressors. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed at two high-volume centers of adult patients on home beta-blockers, undergoing non-cardiac surgery between 2005 and 2015, and who required post-operative vasopressors. Patients were divided into early beta-blockers (within 24 h) or delayed from vasopressor cessation. The primary outcome was the atrial fibrillation incidence. A propensity score was developed for early beta-blockers and used for adjustment. Results: Eight-hundred seventy one patients required post-operative vasopressors; 423 in the early group and 448 in the delayed group. In the delayed beta-blocker group, intraoperative hypotension was more common (21.6% versus 24.1%, p Conclusions: In patients requiring postoperative vasopressors, early beta-blockade did not protect against postoperative atrial fibrillation.
Non-Electrical Topside (NET) Optical Fiber helps Mitigate Boundary Interactions

this work explores the potential migration from complex runs of electrical and optical cabling, to a cable infrastructure consisting entirely of fiber optic cabling and an electrical power bus. Low power electrical, digital data, light, analog and sensor signals are all delivered via optical fiber.
Environmental chemical exposures in the urine of dogs and people sharing the same households.

Introduction: Urothelial carcinoma (UCC) develops in both humans and dogs and tracks to regions of high industrial activity. We hypothesize that dogs with UCC may act as sentinels for human urothelial carcinogen exposures. The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether healthy people and dogs in the same households share urinary exposures to potentially mutagenic chemical carcinogens. Methods: We measured urinary concentrations of acrolein (as its metabolite 3-HPMA), arsenic species, 4-aminobiphenyl, and 4-chlorophenol (a metabolite of the phenoxyherbicide 2,4-D) in healthy dogs and their owners. We assessed possible chemical sources through questionnaires and screened for urothelial DNA damage using the micronucleus assay. Results: Biomarkers of urinary exposure to acrolein, arsenic, and 4-chlorophenol were found in the urine of 42 pet dogs and 42 owners, with 4-aminobiphenyl detected sporadically. Creatinine-adjusted urinary chemical concentrations were significantly higher, by 2.8- to 6.2-fold, in dogs compared to humans. Correlations were found for 3-HPMA (r = 0.32, P = 0.04) and monomethylarsonic acid (r = 0.37, P = 0.02) between people and their dogs. Voided urothelial cell yields were inadequate to quantify DNA damage, and questionnaires did not reveal significant associations with urinary chemical concentrations. Conclusions: Healthy humans and pet dogs have shared urinary exposures to known mutagenic chemicals, with significantly higher levels in dogs. Higher urinary exposures to acrolein and arsenic in dogs correlate to higher exposures in their owners. Follow-up studies will assess the mutagenic potential of these levels in vitro and measure these biomarkers in owners of dogs with UCC.
The Rise of School Choice: Leaving No Child Behind So Every Student Succeeds

The publication of the Coleman Report (1966), and “A Nation at Risk” (1983), led many to question to the relationship between schools and student achievement and the importance of socioeconomic factors outside the boundaries that define the traditional role of education. Changes in the role of education that followed the passage of the Civic Rights Act of 1964 and the Elementary and Secondary School Act of 1965, including programs and policies to promote greater social change within schools, stretched the already limited capacity of schools. While educational systems and the structure of American education remained the same, output largely remains the same, with at best modest improvements to access and little improvements in outcomes. In response those outside the schools began to question education policy and looked for alternatives. Through coalitions of actors both inside and outside the education system, new and expanded regimes took on education change as an important local issue, sometimes pushing against the existing systems and existing education regime. This chapter examines various actors’ roles in expanding school reform efforts through civic engagement.
Population Genomic Insights into Insecticide Resistance in the Colorado Potato Beetle

The ability of pests to develop resistance is still poorly understood, particularly regarding the process of adaptive change that leads to resistance. Understanding the mechanisms involved in pesticide adaptation is important because common methods of field-level resistance management assume that simple (single-gene) mutations cause resistance, but may not perform effectively when multiple loci and several molecular pathways confer resistance. Emerging experimental and genomic evidence suggests the single-gene model may be insufficient to explain many cases of rapid pest evolution. Here we review such evidence in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, widely considered to be a super-pest due to its rapid evolution to most classes of insecticides. A combination of studies suggests that polygenic resistance drawn from standing variation best explains regional differences in patterns of insecticide resistance. However, these studies have lacked a temporal framework to demonstrate polygenic evolution unequivocally, as well as the ability to estimate key evolutionary parameters to model processes of rapid evolution. We suggest a temporal framework to empirically test for polygenic insecticide resistance evolution, as well as determine the proximate genetic and evolutionary mechanisms contributing to resistance. Emerging data from population genomics promise to increase our knowledge of insect pest molecular genetics by identifying gene networks involved in pesticide resistance, thereby providing a means to monitor the spread of resistance, develop management approaches that increase pesticide longevity, and identify new methods of gene-targeted pest control.
Intergenerational Equity and Third World Mining

This Article proposes a new model for dealing with environmental degradation caused by mining activities in developing countries.' The proposal has two core elements. One is to assure that the appropriation of mineral wealth from future generations is at least not accompanied by unpaid environmental liabilities caused by prior generations' mining activities. The other is to structure a way to provide foreign aid to mining countries in cases where they simply cannot afford to take corrective action themselves. The model identifies which nations, if any, ought to provide remedial foreign aid. Further, it calls for a broad consensus on matters of principle rather than on treaty negotiations. This writing does not address the question of the intergenerational inequity implied by mining, in the sense that it permanently removes resources from a country. 2 Also, the
Needed Changes to Rental Housing Affordability Programs

Two of the nation’s largest housing affordability programs are the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The HCV program needs much greater bud...
Factors Governing Light Attenuation in Upper Segments of the James and York Estuaries and Their Influence on Primary Producers

Upper estuarine segments are characterized by mixing of diverse source waters with a variety of constituents that may influence water clarity (e.g., algae, inorganic particulates, dissolved color). We measured turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), chlorophyll-a (CHLa), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in upper segments of the James and York Estuaries to better understand their role in light attenuation. Turbidity and TSS were found to be the best predictors of inter-site and intra-site variations in light attenuation. CHLa was not found to be a strong predictor of light attenuation, indicating that suspended particulate matter was largely non-algal. CDOM played a greater role in light attenuation in the Pamunkey and Mattaponi sub-estuaries, which derive a greater proportion of their inflow from lowland (Coastal Plain) sources where extensive wetlands and floodplain forest likely serve as a source of CDOM. Although dissolved and particulate components of light attenuation were derived from external (watershed) sources, variation in external inputs (river discharge) was not a strong predictor of estuarine light attenuation. Analysis of long-term (25-year) data indicate trends of decreasing turbidity and increasing water clarity at some sites, coinciding with decreases in river sediment inputs. In the James Estuary, underwater light conditions remain below targets for successful SAV colonization and favor phytoplankton-dominated primary production. Management actions that reduce sediment loads are likely to be the most effective means for improving water clarity in upper estuarine segments.
Tetanus

Tetanus is a potentially lethal disease that is preentable with appropriate accination. The diagnosis is made exclusiely on clinical criteria, and early recognition and treatment are essential for positie outcome. Patients should be monitored in the intensie care unit immediately on diagnosis. Early intubation and mechanical entilation hae drastically reduced the mortality from tetanus. Autonomic instability is associated with a high fatality rate and therefore must be aggressiely treated. Metronidazole, human tetanus immunoglobulin, and actie immunization should also be initiated on presentation. Because of extremely high metabolic demands in patients with tetanus, care must be taken to proide adequate nutrition and fluids. Preention of sequelae of long-term critical illness, such as nosocomial pneumonia and deep enous thrombosis, are also important for achieing good outcomes.