cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of a positive youth development approach to literacy through young adult literature in the secondary remedial reading class: an action research study

The purpose of this action research study was to determine if a bibliotological approach to literacy with at-risk students met the educational expectations of a remedial reading course while simult...
Evidence-based myofascial trigger point interventions

M trigger points (MTrP) are a focus of hyperirritability in muscle or fascia. MTrPs can be a significant source of pain. A large percentage of patients with shoulder dysfunction, patellofemoral pain and medial longitudinal arch pain present with MTrPs. Ingraham described MTrP as a “clump of contracted sarcomeres living in a swamp of garbage molecules and waste metabolites.” There are histochemical milieus of eight substances in MTrP’s that are not in normal, pain-free muscle. MTrPs are known to be in a vicious cycle of increased contractile activity with an increase in metabolic rate that leads to an increase in metabolites that fire the nociceptors to produce local and referred pain. Furthermore, sustained contractions decrease blood flow and ATP availability which interferes with the effectiveness of the calcium pump. This cyclic response begs the question, “How do we treat MTrPs?” Interventions geared towards restoring blood flow, removing metabolites and restoring ATP availability would be most efficacious. This presentation addresses numerous modalities. Topical agents such as lidocaine and diclofenac have been found to reduce pain (30-40%). Ischemic compression (30-60 seconds) has been found to increase the pain pressure threshold (PPT). Given the depth of MTrPs, 3 MHz ultrasound is the most appropriate mode. Class IV LASER has been shown to significantly increase tissue heating and enhance ATP levels. Last but not least, instrument-assisted soft tissue techniques (IASTT) using techniques such as sweeping, swiveling and fanning have been shown to reduce PPT. Yet, a multi-modal approach may be most efficacious.
Desert camouflage and what wildlife see

Desert, desert-scrub, savanna and sandy beach, and lakeshore environments can be particularly tricky in terms of camouflage selection due to their low vegetative density. Therefore many companies f...
Making Connections to Realize Learning Potential in Early Childhood Mathematics

In this chapter, we discussed how the Opportunity-Propensity (O-P) framework could be used to conceptualize and test the effects that children’s (0–8 years) background, mathematics learning opportunities, self-regulation, and prior achievement have on mathematics learning. In prior studies of the O-P framework, we identified and verified the predictive role of antecedent factors such as family socioeconomic status, parent educational expectations for their children, age, birth weight, gender, and ethnicity. With respect to opportunity factors, we identified and confirmed the predictive role of several aspects of instruction. With respect to propensity factors, we have identified and confirmed the role of prior knowledge, motivation, and self-regulation. We encourage our international researchers to build on this work in order to create the most accurate predictive model of early children mathematics achievement. This way, we can collaborate in guiding early mathematics policymakers, practitioners, and professional and advocacy organizations by providing them with a framework on early mathematics achievement to scaffold understanding, generate and test hypotheses, and adapt targeted interventions to address context- and cultural-specific problems.
Waste Not, Want Not: Lactate Oxidation Fuels the TCA Cycle

Previous studies have demonstrated that mitochondrial respiration is essential for tumorigenesis. Hui et al. (2017) and Faubert et al. (2017) demonstrate that lactate, traditionally viewed as a waste product of anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis, is a major carbon source to fuel the mitochondrial TCA cycle in normal tissue and in tumors.
T-Cell Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia and Coexisting B-Cell Lymphomas: A Study From the Bone Marrow Pathology Group.

Objective T-cell large granular lymphocytic (T-LGL) leukemia is associated with B-cell lymphomas (BCLs), especially small BCLs. We aimed to explore and expand upon its association with BCLs. Methods We retrospectively studied clinicopathologic features of T-LGL leukemia patients with coexisting BCL from January 2001 to December 2016. Results Among 432 patients with T-LGL leukemia, 22 (5.1%) had an associated B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Thirteen (59%) patients had large and nine (41%) had small BCL. T-LGL leukemia occurred synchronously with BCL in five, preceded BCL in three, and followed BCL in 14 patients. Anemia was the most common cytopenia (68%). Only one patient had a history of rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first multicenter study looking at the spectrum and incidence of BCLs in patients with T-LGL leukemia and highlights its association with large BCLs (3% of T-LGL leukemias).
Multivariate Distributions and Transformations

This chapter continues the review of some tools from probability that are useful for statistics, and most of the material in Sects.2.1–2.3, 2.5, and 2.6 should be familiar to the reader. The material on elliptically contoured distributions in Sect. 2.10 may be omitted when first reading this chapter.
TSV Interfacial Crack Analysis and Optimization

In this chapter, we study an efficient and accurate full-chip through-silicon-via (TSV) interfacial crack analysis flow and design optimization methodology to alleviate TSV interfacial crack problems in 3D ICs. First, we analyze the TSV interfacial crack at the TSV/dielectric liner interface caused by TSV-induced thermo-mechanical stress. Then, we explore the impact of TSV placement in conjunction with various associated structures such as a landing pad and a dielectric liner on the TSV interfacial crack. Next, we study a full-chip TSV interfacial crack analysis methodology based on design of experiments (DOE) and response surface method (RSM). Finally, we study design optimization methodologies to mitigate the mechanical reliability problems in 3D ICs.
The horizontal and vertical nature of patient phenotype retrieval: new directions for clinical text processing.

Abstract The author reviews the historical problem of identifying appropriate patients for retrieval from a clinical repository of patient records, compares the competing features of document classification and natural language processing, and proposes an alternative approach. The alternative approach 1) codes inquiries in an ontology to lend a vertical axis to retrieval knowledge instead of coding the target body of notes, 2) invokes natural language indexing and lexical normalizations on the corpus of notes that is scalable and tractable, and 3) leverages thesauri of word-level synonyms and near-synonyms to expand term searches "horizontally" around the concept spaces drawn from the ontology in which the queries were "coded."
Strategies in Skin Cancer Chemoprevention

Formal studies of skin cancer began more than 200 yr ago. The first skin tumor model to appear in the literature was reported by London surgeon Percivall Pott in 1775 (1). His account of scrotal cancer in chimney sweeps is considered the historical beginning of cancer research, as he delved beyond treatment into the etiology of the disease (2). Pott’s discovery of the linkage between scrotal carcinoma and soot exposure was the first evidence of a cancer cause, and launched research leading to the discovery of chemical carcinogens and their mechanisms of action.
The Balanced Objectification Hypothesis: The Effects of Objectification Valence and Body Sentiment on Source Sentiment.

In this work, we introduced and tested the balanced objectification hypothesis (BOH). Derived from an integration of balance theory and objectification research, the BOH suggests that people seek p...
Don’t Get It Misconstrued: Executive Construal-Level Shifts and Flexibility in the Upper Echelons

Much of upper echelons research focuses on the background characteristics and traits of executives to explain their strategic choices, but much less is understood about the information-filtering pr...
Sleepmore in Seattle: Later school start times are associated with more sleep and better performance in high school students

Most teenagers are chronically sleep deprived. One strategy proposed to lengthen adolescent sleep is to delay secondary school start times. This would allow students to wake up later without shifting their bedtime, which is biologically determined by the circadian clock, resulting in a net increase in sleep. So far, there is no objective quantitative data showing that a single intervention such as delaying the school start time significantly increases daily sleep. The Seattle School District delayed the secondary school start time by nearly an hour. We carried out a pre-/post-research study and show that there was an increase in the daily median sleep duration of 34 min, associated with a 4.5% increase in the median grades of the students and an improvement in attendance.
Abstract 151: Early Neurologic Decline in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Receiving Thrombolysis With Large Vessel Occlusion and Initial Mild Deficits

Introduction: A quarter of ischemic stroke patients with initial mild deficits have a poor outcome. We sought to determine the rate of early neurological decline in acute ischemic stroke patients w...
Supportive Principals and Black Teacher Turnover: ESSA as an Opportunity to Improve Retention:

In U.S. public schools, the shortage of teachers of African descent specifically, and teachers of color more generally, is a worsening problem that has severe, detrimental effects on students. This...
Pilot Test of a Computer-Based System to Help Family Caregivers of Dementia Patients.

Background Family members absorb much of the care of dementia patients. The burden of care substantially impacts caregivers' health, further straining our healthcare system. By 2050, the incidence of Alzheimer's disease will more than double, increasing the numbers of family caregivers proportionally. Interventions that reduce their burden are needed to preserve their health as well as the viability of the healthcare system. Objective This paper reports on the development and feasibility testing of a computer-based system intended to improve the lives of caregivers. D-CHESS (Dementia-Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System) allows users to obtain information, communicate with other caregivers, get help with care decisions, and share information with experts. Method Thirty-one caregivers were randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving D-CHESS for 6 months or to a control group receiving a caregiving book. Surveys at 0, 2, 4, and 6 months evaluated caregiver burden, family conflict, satisfaction with decisions, social support, loneliness, anxiety, depression, and coping competence. Results Survey findings suggest D-CHESS participants may perform better on measures of social support, anxiety, loneliness, and coping competence; the groups were equivalent on caregiver burden, decision satisfaction, and depression, and the control group reported less family conflict than the intervention. D-CHESS use data suggested enhancements to system design and content to increase awareness and use of various features. Conclusion This study suggests that D-CHESS has potential to positively impact family caregivers and that the system merits further development and investigation with a full-scale clinical trial.
On hostile design: Theoretical and empirical prospects:

Instances of ‘hostile design’ appear across urban space, aimed at pushing particular behaviour – and, ultimately, particular people – out of public areas. But notions of hostile design and related ...
Culture Specification, Type, Subtype, Embodiment and Brand

A culture is not just a conceptual framework and a blueprint; in practice, it is something that is tangible and substantially richer. In this chapter, I discuss the related concepts of specification (as well as type and subtype), embodiment and brand in the context of culture, all of which apply to different organizing levels (variants).
A Model for Effective Permeability in an Unconsolidated Hydrate Reservoir

Abstract Numerous experimental studies have shown that hydrate dissociation can result in significant strength reduction leading to sediment failure and unconsolidated flow behavior. In this work, a constitutive model for the effective permeability is developed that is capable of accurately modeling the evolution of permeability in hydrate reservoirs exhibiting unconsolidated behavior. A production phase that promotes sand production from an unconsolidated hydrate reservoir will result in a significant increase in permeability, such that the reservoir essentially behaves like a naturally fracking reservoir. Furthermore, installation of a sand screen to prevent sand production will throttle gas production due to the significant decrease in permeability as solids accumulate and compact at the sand screen. Our model was developed and verified using experimental data from the Mallik 2007/2008 production tests and can be applied in simulations of the coupled hydrodynamics, heat transfer, mass transfer, and geomechanics in the unconsolidated hydrate reservoir.
Gain-of-function mutations in CARD11 promote enhanced aggregation and idiosyncratic signalosome assembly

BENTA (B cell Expansion with NF-κB and T cell Anergy) is a novel lymphoproliferative disorder caused by germline, gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in the lymphocyte-restricted scaffolding protein CARD11. Similar somatic CARD11 mutations are found in lymphoid malignancies such as diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Normally, antigen receptor (AgR) engagement converts CARD11 into an active conformation that nucleates a signalosome required for IκB kinase (IKK) activation and NF-κB nuclear translocation. However, GOF CARD11 mutants drive constitutive NF-κB activity without AgR stimulation. Here we show that unlike wild-type CARD11, GOF CARD11 mutants can form large, peculiar cytosolic protein aggregates we term mCADS (mutant CARD11 dependent shells). MALT1 and phospho-IKK are reliably colocalized with mCADS, indicative of active signaling. Moreover, endogenous mCADS are detectable in ABC-DLBCL lines harboring similar GOF CARD11 mutations. The unique aggregation potential of GOF CARD11 mutants may represent a novel therapeutic target for treating BENTA or DLBCL.
Role of Fluid Injection on Earthquake Size in Dynamic Rupture Simulations on Rough Faults

An outstanding question for induced seismicity is whether the volume of injected fluid and/or the spatial extent of the resulting pore pressure and stress perturbations limit rupture size. We simul...
Factors influencing pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among current users: A qualitative study

Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis is an effective strategy for HIV prevention; yet, uptake has been lower than anticipated. This study explores the factors that influenced current users' decisions to initiate PrEP in Western New York. Qualitative data from 41 semi-structured interviews were thematically analyzed. Participants' decision to initiate PrEP was based on individual, interpersonal and structural factors. PrEP users initiated when there was an increase in knowledge, risk perception, sexual health communication, and PrEP access. Findings suggest for PrEP to maximize its HIV prevention potential, public health interventions that utilize a multi-level approach may be most impactful to increase uptake.
Laser-assisted skin delivery of immunocontraceptive rabies nanoparticulate vaccine in poloxamer gel

A painless skin delivery of vaccine for disease prevention is of great advantage in improving compliance in patients. To test this idea as a proof of concept, we utilized a pDNA vaccine construct, pDNAg333-2GnRH that has a dual function of controlling rabies and inducing immunocontraception in animals. The pDNA was administered to mice in a nanoparticulate form delivered through the skin using the P.L.E.A.S.E.® (Precise Laser Epidermal System) microporation laser device. Laser application was well tolerated, and mild skin reaction was healed completely in 8 days. We demonstrated that adjuvanted nanoparticulate pDNA vaccine significantly upregulated the expression of co-stimulatory molecules in dendritic cells. After topical administration of the adjuvanted nano-vaccine in mice, the high avidity serum for GnRH antibodies were induced and maintained up to 9 weeks. The induced immune response was of a mixed Th1/Th2 profile as measured by IgG subclasses (IgG2a and IgG1) and cytokine levels (IFN-γ and IL-4). Using flow cytometry, we revealed an increase of CD8+ T-cells and CD45R B cells upon the administration of the adjuvanted vaccine. Our previous study used the same pDNA nanoparticulate vaccine through an IM route, and a comparable immune response was induced using P.L.E.A.S.E. However, the vaccine dose in the current study was four-fold less than what was applied through the IM route.We concluded that laser-assisted skin vaccination has a potential of becoming a safe and reliable vaccination tool for rabies vaccination in animals or even in humans for pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis.
Comprehensive quantification of fuel use by the failing and nonfailing human heart

The heart consumes circulating nutrients to fuel lifelong contraction, but a comprehensive mapping of human cardiac fuel use is lacking. We used metabolomics on blood from artery, coronary sinus, and femoral vein in 110 patients with or without heart failure to quantify the uptake and release of 277 metabolites, including all major nutrients, by the human heart and leg. The heart primarily consumed fatty acids and, unexpectedly, little glucose; secreted glutamine and other nitrogen-rich amino acids, indicating active protein breakdown, at a rate ~10 times that of the leg; and released intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, balancing anaplerosis from amino acid breakdown. Both heart and leg consumed ketones, glutamate, and acetate in direct proportionality to circulating levels, indicating that availability is a key driver for consumption of these substrates. The failing heart consumed more ketones and lactate and had higher rates of proteolysis. These data provide a comprehensive and quantitative picture of human cardiac fuel use.
Evaluating the Quality of Cost-Effectiveness Literature in Breast Surgery: What Do We Do Well and How Can We Do Better? A Systematic Review.

BackgroundSurgical options for breast cancer are numerous and span multiple surgical disciplines. Decision analyses aid surgeons in making the most cost-effective choice, thus reducing health care ...
Sticks and Stones May Break Bones, But Words Can Get You Fired: An Inequitable Distinction and The Need for Updated Constitutional Interpretation

Although the ways that citizens communicate and exercise their freedom of speech have changed, constitutional interpretations surrounding that communication and speech remain the same. In 1883, in the decision of the Civil Rights Cases: United States v. Stanley, the Supreme Court held that the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause restrains government actors only. So, if a citizen who expresses an unpopular opinion on social media is a private employee, as opposed to a government (public) employee, the private employee can be terminated with virtually no redress. Cases involving public employers and employees dominant Supreme Court rulings, while cases involving private employers and employees go unnoticed. Although the latter types of cases may be found, they do not reach the level of being binding on all because the interpretation of the Constitution and legislation does not allow it. This Article examines case law, the history of the interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, and the reasoning of the Court when ruling on cases that have solidified the distinction between public and private employees’ free speech. The author examines laws, legislation, and social media policies that also allow for this distinction. The author concludes that, despite the historical interpretation, as communication media change, so should the laws that surround them to allow private employees the same protection and redress as public employees.
A distributed algorithm for operating large-scale ridesourcing systems

Abstract With ridesourcing services gaining popularity in the past few years, there has been growing interest in algorithms that could enable real-time operation of these systems. As ridesourcing systems rely on independent entities to build the supply and demand sides of the market, they have been shown to operate more successfully in metropolitan areas where there is a high level of demand for rides as well as a high number of drivers, and a large volume of trips occurring within a geographically constrained region. Despite the suitable ecosystem that metropolitan areas offer for ridesourcing operations, there is a lack of methods that can provide high-quality matching solutions in real-time. To fill this gap, this paper introduces a framework that allows for solving the large-scale matching problems by means of solving smaller problems in a distributed fashion. The proposed methodology is based on constructing approximately-uniform clusters of trip requests, where vehicle tours form cluster centers. Using the New York Taxi dataset, we compare the performance of the proposed methodology against three benchmark methods to showcase its advantages in terms of solution quality and solution time.
Ultrasound Process Parameters

As mentioned, acoustic waves are characterized by their wavelength, velocity, and frequency. In addition to these intrinsic wave properties, different acoustic power levels can be used for specific applications.
Horizontal Gaze Palsy and Progressive Scoliosis (HGPPS); Case Report (P4.163)

Objective: To describe a rare case of HGPPS presenting with acute stroke and ipsilateral weakness. Background: Horizontal Gaze Palsy and Progressive Scoliosis (HGPPS) is an autosomal recessive condition due to mutation of the ROBO3 gene on chromosome 11. The clinical features include complete absence of voluntary horizontal movements, and progressive scoliosis starting at early childhood. HGPPS has characteristic appearance of the brainstem on MRI and lack of decussation of pyramidal tracts. Methods: A 58 year old woman was brought to the emergency room after found semiconscious by her husband, not able to answer questions and not moving well on the left side. Head CT showed hypodensity in the Left frontoparietal region consistent with subacute infarct. This patient carries the diagnosis of Friedreich’s ataxia as well as OPCA. She had no horizontal eye movements since birth but was able to move her eyes vertically. She also had a spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis in her 20s. Her husband describes her balance as poor, yet she has no history of falls. The diagnosis of Friedreich’s ataxa and OPCA was questioned by the treating team. The brain MRI showed tenting of the 4th ventricle, absence of facial colliculi, split sign in the pons, and the butterfly appearance of the medulla. Those findings are considered characteristic for HGPPS. We also performed MR Tractography which demonstrated the lack of decussation of the pyramidal tracts. Once this patient recovers from the acute stroke, we plan to send her and her family for genetic counseling prior to testing for ROBO3 mutation. Conclusion: HGPPS is an autosomal recessive condition characterized clinically but lack of voluntary horizontal eye movements and progressive scoliosis, radiologically by the absence of facial colliculi, split sign of the pons, and butterfly appearance of the medulla, and pathologically but the lack of pyramidal tract decussation. Disclosure: Dr. Alzahmi has nothing to disclose.
Mechanism-based inactivation of leukotriene A4 hydrolase during leukotriene B4 formation by human erythrocytes.

Abstract Evidence is presented in support of a mechanism-based (suicide) inactivation of leukotriene A4 hydrolyase in intact human erythrocytes by leukotriene A4 and leukotriene A4 methyl ester. Loss of enzymatic activity, accompanying leukotriene B4 formation, was proportional to the substrate concentration. Inactivation was directly related to the amount of leukotriene B4 formation: for several, different experimental protocols 50% loss of hydrolase activity corresponded with formation of 10.3 +/- 2.1 microM leukotriene B4. The time course of inactivation was pseudo-first order and obeyed saturation kinetics. Apparent inactivation (KI) and first-order rate (ki) constants for leukotriene A4 were 28 microM and 0.35 min-1, respectively. Leukotriene A4 methyl ester was also a site-directed inactivator with a similar KI = 25 microM and a ki = 0.1 min-1. For single incubations substrate instability limited the extent of inactivation to 50% of the initial enzyme activity. Following multiple, consecutive incubations with leukotriene A4 this increased and approached 80-90%; however, a residual activity of 10-20% suggested that a pool of enzyme was not susceptible to inactivation. Recovery of enzymatic activity, following inactivation, was negligible in intact erythrocytes and isolated enzyme. A single radiolabeled protein, corresponding to leukotriene A4 hydrolase, was detected by electrophoretic analysis of the incubation between [3H]leukotriene A4 and erythrocytes, or partially purified enzyme. Incorporation of [3H]leukotriene A4 methyl ester into enzyme was linearly related to its inactivation: 191 +/- 5 pmol incorporated corresponded to 10% loss of activity. Results conform to criteria for a mechanism-based inactivation, in which leukotriene A4 participates in two parallel processes, one leading to leukotriene B4 formation, the other to "suicide" inactivation of leukotriene A4 hydrolase in intact erythrocytes. The specific, rather than indiscriminate nature of this process has implications for the regulation of cellular leukotriene B4 formation. It may also afford a basis to monitor transcellular biosynthesis of leukotriene B4 in vivo.
Cultura e consumo: uma explicação teórica da estrutura e do movimento do significado cultural dos bens de consumo

Numa sociedade de consumo, o significado cultural se move incessantemente de um ponto para outro. Na trajetoria normal, o significado cultural se move primeiro do mundo culturalmente constituido para os bens de consumo e desses para o consumidor individual. Diversos instrumentos sao responsaveis por esse movimento: a publicidade, o sistema de moda e quatro rituais de consumo. Este artigo analisa o movimento do significado cultural do ponto de vista teorico, demonstrando onde reside o signifi cado cultural no sistema de consumo da America do Norte e os meios por onde o signifi cado se transfere de um ponto do sistema para outro.
The Resurrection of Jesus and Human Beings in Medieval Christian and Jewish Theology and Polemical Literature

The resurrection of Jesus was considered by Paul and the early Christians as the central truth claim of Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15). This article shows how the resurrection of Jesus was argued by medieval Christians in their polemical literature and how medieval Jews approached the same subject matter.
Synthesis of G‐N2‐(CH2)3‐N2‐G Trimethylene DNA Interstrand Cross‐Links

The synthesis of G-N2-(CH2)3-N2-G trimethylene DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) in a 5'-CG-3' and 5'-GC-3' sequence from oligodeoxynucleotides containing N2-(3-aminopropyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine and 2-fluoro-O6-(trimethylsilylethyl)inosine is presented. Automated solid-phase DNA synthesis was used for unmodified bases and modified nucleotides were incorporated via their corresponding phosphoramidite reagent by a manual coupling protocol. The preparation of the phosphoramidite reagents for incorporation of N2-(3-aminopropyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine is reported. The high-purity trimethylene DNA interstrand cross-link product is obtained through a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction between the N2-(3-aminopropyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine and 2-fluoro-O6-(trimethylsilylethyl)inosine containing oligodeoxynucleotides.
The Gender Gap in Comparative Perspective: Gender Differences in Abstract Ideology and Concrete Issues in Western Europe

Abstract. Although the ‘gender gap’ in Western democratic publics has received an increasing amount of scholarly attention, one interesting anomaly has not been addressed. At the level of many specific issues, women appear to be more liberal than men. However, at the level of general ideological orientations, women are either more conservative, or there are no significant gender differences. We explore this disjuncture between levels of cognitive abstraction through the 1984 Eurobarometer data and conclude that the left-right continuum appears to have a different meaning for men and for women. Women seem much more likely to regard the left-right space as referring to ‘preservationist’ values of religion and cultural homogeneity, and men conceptualize the left-right space in economic and ‘New Polities’ terms.
EFFECT OF FLOWER BUD DEVELOPMENT IN CHRYSANTHEMUM ON VESICULAR‐ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA FORMATION

Summary Roots of single stem Chrysanthemum morifolium plants were inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus, Glomus fasciculatus, at several stages of flower bud development. Compared to vegetative control plants, VAM formation was reduced during early stages of flower bud development, but not during later bud expansion. A decrease of reducing sugars and amino acids in root extracts during early bud development coincided with a decrease in root exudation of these compounds. These results suggest that reduction of VAM formation during early flower bud development resulted from a decrease in the availability and net leakage of metabolites necessary to sustain the mycorrhizal fungus during pre- and post-infection.
Differentiation of Botryosphaeria species and related anamorphic fungi using Inter Simple or Short Sequence Repeat (ISSR) fingerprinting

Inter simple or short sequence repeat (ISSR) fingerprinting was used to differentiate Botryosphaeria species and related anamorphic fungi. Fifty-one isolates representing 10 different Botryosphaeria species and related taxa, including two RAPD marker groups and one special form of Sphaeropsis sapinea were investigated using five ISSR primers. A total of 171 fingerprint fragments were generated from these isolates, and sizes of fragments were mostly between 200 bp and 1650 bp. Both cluster and principal coordinate analyses were used to examine separately the fingerprint data from the two previously proposed sections Hyala and Brunnea of Botryosphaeria. The results of each analysis indicated that B. dothidea and B. ribis are distinct; B. ribis and B. parva are closely related, but separable; B. mamane is distinct from other Botryosphaeria species with similar morphology or ITS sequences; the A and B RAPD marker groups of S. sapinea and S. sapinea f. sp. cupressi are probably three distinct species; B. obtusa and S. sapinea B group are closely related but distinct; and the name B. stevensii may have been applied to more than one species. This study has shown that ISSR fingerprinting can be a powerful tool for differentiating closely related filamentous fungi with very similar morphologies or ITS sequences, dissecting species complexes, and justifying newly described species.
Resonant-microbridge vapor sensor

A novel integrated vapor sensor is described that incorporates a polycrystalline silicon microbridge coated with a thin polymer film. The microbridge is resonated electrostatically and its vibration is detected capacitively using an integrated NMOS circuit. Vapor uptake by the polymer increases the mass-loading on the microbridge, thereby perturbing the first resonant frequency of the microbridge. In the prototype device, a 150-nm-thick layer of negative photoresist coats a 153-µm-long 1.35-µm-thick polycrystalline silicon microbridge. The phase between the excitation and output voltages at resonance is monitored as the sensor output signal. Exposure to saturated xylene vapor produces a phase shift of -8° with a response time of less than 7 min.
M-estimation and quantile estimation in the presence of auxiliary information

Abstract In this paper, we apply the empirical likelihood technique to propose a new class of M-estimators and quantile estimators in the presence of some auxiliary information under a nonparametric setting. It is shown that the proposed M-estimators (quantile estimators) are consistent and asymptotically normally distributed with smaller asymptotic variances than those of the usual M-estimators (sample quantiles). A simulation study is presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed quantile estimators.
Regulatory Focus and the Probability Estimates of Conjunctive and Disjunctive Events

Abstract Prior research has shown that people overestimate the likelihood of conjunctive events and underestimate the likelihood of disjunctive events. We evaluated whether people's regulatory focus success was related to the magnitude of these judgmental biases. Regulatory focus theory posits that people are guided by two distinct motivational systems—promotion focus and prevention focus. When people are promotion focused they attempt to bring their actual selves into alignment with their ideal selves (standards reflecting wishes and aspirations). When people are prevention focused they attempt to bring their actual selves into alignment with their ought selves (standards reflecting duties and obligations). As predicted, promotion success (i.e., congruence between actual and ideal selves) was positively related to the accuracy of disjunctive probability estimates, whereas prevention success (i.e., congruence between actual and ought selves) was not. Also as predicted, greater prevention success led to more accurate conjunctive probability estimates, whereas greater promotion success did not.
Phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and phosphatidylinositol 4′,5′-diphosphate hydrolysis are separable responses during secretagogue action in the rat pancreas

Rat pancreatic fragments and acinar preparations were incubated in vitro to characterize further the changes in phosphoinositide metabolism that occur during secretagogue action. Two distinct responses were discernible. The first response, most notably involving a decrease in phosphatidylinositol content, was (a) observed at lower carbachol concentrations in dose-response studies, (b) inhibited by incubation in Ca2+-free media containing 1 mM EGTA, (c) associated with increases in inositol monophosphate production, and (d) provoked by all tissue secretagogues (carbachol, cholecystokinin, secretin, insulin, dibutyryl cAMP and the ionophore A23187), regardless of whether their mechanism of action primarily involved Ca2+ mobilization or cAMP generation. This decrease in phosphatidylinositol content was at least partly due to phospholipase C (and/or D) activation, as evidenced by the increase in inositol monophosphate. The second response, most notably involving markedly increased incorporation of 32PO4 into phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol, was (a) observed at higher carbachol concentrations, (b) not influenced by incubation in Ca2+-free media containing 1 mM EGTA, and (c) associated with increases in inositol triphosphate production. This 32PO4 turnover response was probably largely the result of phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4',5'-diphosphate, which, as shown previously, also occurs at higher carbachol concentrations and is insensitive to comparable EGTA-induced Ca2+ deficiency. This phosphatidylinositol 4',5'-diphosphate hydrolysis response was only observed in the action of agents (carbachol and cholecystokinin) which mobilize Ca2+ via activation of cell surface receptors. The present results indicate that phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol 4',5'-diphosphate hydrolysis are truly separable responses to secretagogues acting in the rat pancreas. Furthermore, phosphatidylinositol 4',5'-diphosphate, rather than phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis is more likely to be associated with receptor activation and Ca2+ mobilization.
Pediatric chronic ulcerative colitis: does infliximab increase post–ileal pouch anal anastomosis complications?

Abstract Background Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is a common surgical approach to chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC). Preoperative use of Infliximab (IFX) has raised concern of increased postoperative complications. We sought to compare outcomes of pediatric patients (≤18 years) who were treated with IFX before IPAA to those who did not. Methods Patients (≤18 years of age) who underwent IPAA from 2003 to 2008 for CUC were included, and their records were retrospectively reviewed for preoperative medications, operative technique, and 1-year postoperative complications (leak, wound infection, small bowel obstruction, pouchitis). Subjects were divided into 2 groups—those who received IFX preoperatively and those who did not. Results Eleven patients received IFX preoperatively, and 27 children did not. All complications following IPAA were more frequent in the IFX group compared to controls (55% vs 26%). Small bowel obstruction was significantly higher in the IFX group (55% vs 7%). Long-term complications occurred in 64% of the IFX group and 61% of the controls. Conclusion Children that were treated with IFX prior to IPAA suffered twice as many postoperative complications. Long-term outcomes are similar. Currently, we recommend colectomy with end ileostomy for patients that receive IFX within 8 weeks of colectomy for CUC.
Evaluation of ejection detection schemes in turbulent wall flows

Velocity techniques for detecting ejections have been systematically examined by separating the detection schemes into trigger and delimiter algorithms. A new technique for grouping ejections based on a period of quiescence between bursts was also developed. The combination of improved ejection detection and the new grouping technique have reduced the error in the time between bursts from 25% to 10%. There is a similar improvement in the uncertainty.
POLICY RESPONSES TO CITIZEN ATTITUDES

Though many studies have provided only limited support for the idea of policymaker “responsiveness,” the present study indicates that constituents do have some impact on public policy decisions, though not directly. With the aid of data on decisionmaking of country property appraisers in Florida, I was able to demonstrate that constituency preferences affect policy decisions indirectly through the effect of decisionmaker attitudes, thus suggesting an intervening model of decisionmaking. Specifically, I found that constituency tax preferences impacted on property appraiser tax attitude and through it on the property assessment ratio. More importantly, I was able to isolate some of the potential factors which accentuate those relationships posited by an intervening model of decisionmaking. In particular, I found that the more policymakers (the property appraisers) were immersed into their social and political context or engaged in “social interaction” activities the more likely they and their own attitudes were to be influenced by prevailing constituency tax sentiment.
The Chemistry of Lightsticks: Demonstrations To Illustrate Chemical Processes

Lightsticks, or glowsticks as they are sometimes called, are perhaps the chemist’s quintessential toy. Because they are easy to activate and appealing to observe, experimenting with lightsticks provides a great way to get young people interested in science. Thus, we have used lightsticks to teach chemical concepts in a variety of outreach settings and demonstration shows. Although these devices are simple to operate, a working lightstick depends upon a rich array of physicochemical processes. For example, the chemical processes involved in lightsticks include acid–base chemistry, redox reactions, quantum chemistry, and thermodynamics. Consequently, we have used lightstick experiments and demonstrations in general, inorganic, and physical chemistry classes. In this paper, we share some experiments and demonstrations with lightsticks that we have used in these various educational settings.
The effects of audibility and novel word learning ability on vocabulary level in children with cochlear implants.

AbstractObjectivesA novel word learning (NWL) paradigm was used to explore underlying phonological and cognitive mechanisms responsible for delayed vocabulary level in children with cochlear implants (CIs).MethodsOne hundred and one children using CIs, 6–12 years old, were tested along with 47 children with normal hearing (NH). Tests of NWL, receptive vocabulary, and speech perception at 2 loudness levels were administered to children with CIs. Those with NH completed the NWL task and a receptive vocabulary test. CI participants with good audibility (GA) versus poor audibility (PA) were compared on all measures. Analysis of variance was used to compare performance across the children with NH and the two groups of children with CIs. Multiple regression analysis was employed to identify independent predictors of vocabulary outcomes.ResultsChildren with CIs in the GA group scored higher in receptive vocabulary and NWL than children in the PA group, although they did not reach NH levels. CI-aided pure tone th...
Progress in the growth of mid-infrared InAsSb emitters by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

The authors report on recent progress and improvements in the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of mid-infrared InAsSb emitters using a high speed rotating disk reactor (RDR). The devices contain AlAsSb claddings and strained InAsSb active regions. These emitters have multi-stage, type 1, InAsSb/InAsP quantum well active regions. A semi-metal GaAsSb/InAs layer acts as an internal electron source for the multistage injection lasers and AlAsSb is the electron confinement layer. These structures are the first MOCVD multi-stage devices. Growth in an RDR was necessary to avoid the previously observed Al memory effects found in a horizontal reactor. Broadband LED`s produced 2 mW average power at 3.7 {micro}m and 80 K and 0.1 mW at 4.3 {micro}m and 300 K. a multi-stage, 3.8--3.9 {micro}m laser structure operated up to T = 180 K. At 80 K, peak-power > 100 mW/facet and a high slope efficiency (48%) were observed in these gain guided lasers.
Percutaneous correction (humeroplasty) of humeral head defects (Hill-Sachs) associated with anterior shoulder instability: a cadaveric study.

Purpose: The goal of our study was to determine whether a bone tamp could be used to correct a Hill-Sachs lesion by a unique technique that we developed termed "humeroplasty." Type of Study: In vitro cadaveric study. Methods: We created reproducible Hill-Sachs lesions in 14 cadaveric humerii, which we then reduced with a curved bone tamp using our proposed technique. Paired t tests, with the significance set at P Results: The average prereduction defect measurements were 8.9 mm deep, 16.3 mm wide, 24.1 mm long, and 1,755 mm 3 in volume. The average postreduction defect measurements were 1.6 mm deep, 6.2 mm wide, 10.4 mm long, and 50.3 mm 3 in volume. A statistically significant improvement ( P Conclusions: Our technique was able to consistently and significantly restore all measured parameters of the Hill-Sachs lesions using a curved bone tamp. This reduction to a "small" defect may reduce the higher rate of recurrence normally found with the surgical treatment of shoulder instability when "large" Hill-Sachs lesions are present. Clinical Relevance: Humeroplasty potentially might reduce the higher rate of recurrence observed when the surgical treatment of shoulder instability involves the presence of large Hill-Sachs lesions.
Duration of the Transient Nucleate Boiling Process and Its Use for the Development of New Technologies

In the paper a review of the transient nucleate boiling process duration is widely discussed. It has been established that duration of transient nucleate boiling process is directly proportional to square of the thickness of steel parts and inversely proportional to thermal diffusivity of a material, depends on the configuration of steel parts, liquid properties, and its velocity. The transient nucleate boiling (self-regulated thermal process) is followed by amazing regularities: The surface temperature during nucleate boiling is maintained at the level of the boiling point of the liquid, which is used as a quenchant. During this period, average effective heat transfer coefficients and average generalized Biot numbers and Kondratjev numbers can be found which significantly simplify core cooling time and cooling rate calculations. Using established characteristics of the transient nucleate boiling process, the new intensive quenching (IQ) technologies were developed: IQ-1; IQ-2: IQ-3. In the paper the steel super-strengthening phenomenon and optimal quenched layer, which provides maximal residual compressive stresses at the surface of steel parts, are discussed, which increase service life of products. Instead of oils, plain water is used as a quenchant, environmental conditions are significantly improved.
Mesothelin expression is associated with poor outcomes in breast cancer

Mesothelin is a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker in breast cancer. However, results on its prognostic value in breast cancer have been equivocal and warranted further evaluation. We analyzed clinical data from two breast cancer patient cohorts comprising of 141 patients treated at our institution (discovery cohort) and 844 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) (validation cohort). Mesothelin expression was quantified by immunohistochemistry or by RNA transcript levels as measured by whole-transcriptome sequencing in the dis- covery and validation cohorts respectively. Univariate analyses of data from the discovery cohort demonstrated that tumor size (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.30, 95 % confi- dence interval (CI) 1.11-1.51), positive (?) axillary lymph nodes (HR = 3.34; 95 % CI 1.51-7.39), and mesothelin expression (HR = 2.03; 95 % CI 1.10-3.74) were associ- ated with disease-specific survival. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that mesothelin expression was significantly associated with worse survival (HR = 3.06, 95 % CI 1.40-6.68) after adjusting for (?) axillary lymph nodes and tumor size. Using TCGA cohort as validation dataset, mesothelin-expressing tumors were indeed significantly associated with worse overall survival with HR = 1.46; 95 % CI 1.05-2.03 and HR = 1.69; 95 % CI 1.17-2.42 in univariate and multivariate analyses respectively. Our results suggest that mesothelin is a prognostic breast tumor marker whose expression is highly enriched in triple neg- ative breast cancer (TNBC) tumors. As there is no existing targeted therapy for TNBC, mesothelin may be a promising drug target for TNBC. Future work is needed to evaluate the efficacy of mesothelin directed targeted therapy in the treatment of breast cancer.
Post-embryonic development in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract Many genetic and cellular aspects of post-embryonic development in C. elegans are understood to a degree unparalleled in any other animal. As discussed here, genetic and developmental studies have led to an understanding of some of the complex behavior and physiology of dauer larvae. A variety of approaches has provided information on genetic relationships, developmental timing and cellular specificity.