cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Court as the Process of Signification: Legal Semiotics of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons in 1996 was a landmark case because, for the first time in history, the legal aspect of nuclear weapons was addressed. The decision has evoked controversies regarding the Court’s conclusion, the legal status of international humanitarian law in relation to nuclear weapons, and a newly introduced concept of state survival. While much legal scholarship discusses and criticizes the legal significance of the opinion, there has not been enough scholarship examining the Court’s specific choice of words and concepts that sustain its wider ideological and political position in the opinion. The paper argues that the Court’s vague and controversial logic is attributed to its confrontation with two international orders/codes: the legal order (or international law) and the political order (or state practice). The paper engages in legal semiotics as methodology to decode legal text and discover a deep structure that sustains networks of codes, according to which text is interpreted. Through the semiotic examination of three sets of key concepts (1) “permitted” and “prohibited,” (2) “threat of use” and “possession of the weapon,” and (3) “state survival,” the paper shows the ICJ’s confrontation with two orders/codes and eventual prioritization of the political order over the international legal order. The analysis of the opinion based on legal semiotics indicates an intimate and inseparable relationship between state practice and international law, which must be disentangled for the sake of the rule of law.
Right General Fractional Monotone Approximation Theory

Here is introduced a right general fractional derivative Caputo style with respect to a base absolutely continuous strictly increasing function g.
Mortality in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome

ABSTRACTBackground: There is a dearth of research examining mortality in individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Some studies suggest there is an elevated risk of suicide and earlier mortality compared to national norms. However, findings are inconsistent.Objective: This study sought to determine if patients are reportedly dying earlier than the overall population from the same cause.Methods: Family, friends, and caregivers of deceased patients were recruited. This study analyzed data including cause and age of death for 56 individuals.Results: The findings suggest patients in this sample are at a significantly increased risk of earlier all-cause (M = 55.9 years) and cardiovascular-related (M = 58.8 years) mortality, and they had a directionally lower age of death for suicide (M = 41.3 years) and cancer (M = 66.3 years) compared to the overall U.S. population [M = 73.5 (all-cause), 77.7 (cardiovascular), 47.4 (suicide), and 71.1 (cancer) years of age].Conclusion...
Review: Challenges and opportunities in rising feral horse populations

ABSTRACT The ever-increasing feral horse population in the United States is creating both challenges and opportunities that affect science, the environment, and society. Although the presence of feral horses is well-known, the implications of these rapidly growing populations are not fully appreciated nor understood. In this review, the aims are to first summarize the nature of the feral horse populations in the United States and then to discuss the main challenges along with their impact and potential solutions. Our analysis is expected to be helpful both for the scientific community as well as the public in the United States and elsewhere.
Shortcomings of Animal Models and the Rise of Engineered Human Cardiac Tissue.

We provide here an historical context of how studies utilizing engineered human cardiac muscle can complement and in some cases substitute animal and cell models for studies of disease and drug testing. We give an overview of the development of animal models and discuss the ability of novel human tissue models to overcome limited predictive power of cell culture and animal models in studies of drug efficacy and safety. The in vitro generation of cardiac tissue is discussed in the context of state of the art in the field. Finally we describe the assembly of multitissue platforms for more accurate representation of integrated human cardiac physiology and consider the advantages of in silico drug trials to augment our ability to predict drug–drug and organ–organ interactions in humans.
EVI1 Blocks Apoptosis in DA-1 Myeloid Leukemia Cells Via Enhanced Transcription of the Prosurvival Gene Bcl2a1 (A1)

Abstract Retroviral insertion at the Evi1 locus causes high level of expression of the gene in myeloid neoplasms in mice and in nonmalignant expansions of myeloid cells in humans and monkeys. In these settings, it is suggested that EVI1 confers a survival advantage on myeloid cells. Here, we investigate the survival phenotype in DA-1 cells, a leukemic cell line with provirally activated Evi1. We report that short hairpin-mediated suppression of Evi1 in DA-1 cells induces apoptosis via the intrinsic/mitochondrial pathway: DNA fragmentation and histone release are both induced, as is reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, procasapses 3 and 9, but not caspase 8 or Bid, are cleaved following Evi1 knockdown; phosphoAKT remains unchanged. Furthermore, mRNA expression profiling following Evi1 suppression show transcriptional changes in several apoptotic regulators, including a 3.5-fold decrease in Bcl2a1 (bfl/A1), a prosurvival member of the Bcl-2 family. To assess whether EVI1 regulates Bcl2a1 expression in a cell type other than DA-1 cells, we transduced primary murine Lin-/Sca-1+/c-Kit+ cells with EVI1 via retroviral vector, and then assessed the expression of Bcl2a1. This revealed that EVI1 induced a more than five-fold increase in Bcl2a1 mRNA expression, as measured by quantitative PCR. Furthermore, transduction of primary murine bone marrow cells with retroviruses bearing either Bcl2a1 or Evi1 resulted in a significant decrease in spontaneous apoptosis, as assessed by the activity of caspases 3 and 7. To further test if Bcl2a1 is necessary for leukemic transformation by Evi1, we assessed the ability of Evi1 to confer serial replating ability on primary bone marrow cells from Bcl2a1−/− mice. Bone marrow was harvested from Bcl2a1−/− and C57BL6 mice and transduced with retrovirus containing either no gene or Evi1. While in C57BL6 mice, Evi1 induced a significant increase in colonies, bone marrow from Bcl2a1−/− mice were resistant to transformation by Evi1. To show that this was due to the lack of Bcl2a1, the gene was added back via retrovirus. While Bcl2a1 by itself did not induce significant number of colonies over vector, when introduced into Bcl2a1−/− cells together with Evi1, there was a significant increase in colony formation. These data indicate that transformation of bone marrow cells by Evi1 depends on the presence of the Bcl2a1 gene. We further show EVI1 can transcriptionally upregulate a BCL2A1::luc reporter that harbors 1.37 kb of the human BCL2A1 upstream sequence. Our analysis of the Bcl2a1 promoter indicates that the effect of EVI1 is likely indirect. Based on our findings, we propose that EVI1 acts to block apoptosis in DA-1 cells by transcriptionally activating Bcl2a1.
Keys with Upward Wildcards for XML

The paper proposes a key constraint language for XML and investigates its associated decision problems. The language is defined in terms of regular path expressions extended with downward and upward wildcards, which can not only move down XML document trees, but also upwards. In a uniform syntax it is capable of expressing both absolute keys and relative keys, which are important to hierarchically structured data. In addition, keys defined in the language can be reasoned about efficiently. The paper provides a sound and complete set of inference rules and a cubic time algorithm for determining implication of the keys.
Abstract 2365: Dual inhibition of the PI3k/Akt and MEK5/ERK5 pathways in tamoxifen resistant breast cancer

Approximately 70% of breast cancers are considered estrogen receptor alpha (ER) and/or progesterone receptor (PR) positive, and their growth is primarily driven by the hormone estrogen. Initially these cancers are responsive to endocrine therapies such as tamoxifen. However, over time patients become resistant to conventional endocrine therapy and treatment becomes more difficult. Tamoxifen resistance occurs due to several mechanisms: loss of ER expression, gain of function mutations, pharmacological tolerance, alterations of co-activators, and ligand independent activation of ER by various kinase cascades. Aberrations in the Phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathways have been linked to increased breast cancer proliferation and survival. It has been proposed that these survival characteristics are enhanced through compensatory signaling and crosstalk mechanisms. The crosstalk between PI3K/Akt and MEK1/2/ERK1/2 has been characterized in several systems. However, new evidence suggests that MEK5/ERK5, a member of the MAPK family, is a key component in the proliferation and survival of therapy resistant cancers. MEK5/ERK5 has been shown to promote ER alpha driven transcription in ER+ breast cancers and actin reorganization and metastasis in ER- breast cancers. Furthermore, MEK5/ERK5 promotes hormone independent tumorigenesis in breast cancer. Our lab has previously investigated these pathways in hormone independent breast cancers, TNBC (triple negative breast cancer). Our previous results indicate that combinations of PI3k/Akt and MEK5/ERK5 blockade are promising because they inhibit both the pro-proliferative and pro-metastatic pathways in TNBC. Additionally, PI3k/Akt and MEK5/ERK5 inhibition was shown synergistically reduce viability in a diverse panel of cell lines (TNBC, ER+, and Triple Positive). Based on these initial results we hypothesize that PI3k/Akt and MEK5/ERK5 inhibition decreases viability via a hormone independent mechanism: perhaps by reducing the cytosolic sequestration of Bad. In this study we investigate the utility PI3k/Akt and MEK5/ERK5 inhibition in a MCF-7 TamR cell line. The goal of our study is to elucidate the roles of PI3k/Akt/mTOR and MEK5/ERK5 in endocrine resistant breast cancer and broaden the scope of a dual inhibition strategy. Citation Format: Thomas D. Wright, Mahmud Hasan, Paula Witt-Enderby, Jane Cavanaugh. Dual inhibition of the PI3k/Akt and MEK5/ERK5 pathways in tamoxifen resistant breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2365. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2365
Identification of Novel Non-secosteroidal Vitamin D Receptor Agonists with Potent Cardioprotective Effects and devoid of Hypercalcemia

Vitamin D regulates many biological processes, but its clinical utility is limited by its hypercalcemic effect. Using a virtual screening platform to search novel chemical probes that activate the vitamin D signaling, we report discovery of novel non-steroidal small-molecule compounds that activate the vitamin D receptor (VDR), but are devoid of hypercalcemia. A lead compound (known as VDR 4-1) demonstrated potent transcriptional activities in a VDR reporter gene assay, and significantly ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy in cell culture studies and in animal models. VDR 4-1 also effectively suppressed secondary hyperparathyroidism in 1α-hydroxylase knockout mice. In contrast to 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-D3 or calcitriol), a naturally occurring VDR agonist, VDR 4-1 therapy even at high doses did not induce hypercalcemia. These findings were accompanied by a lack of upregulation of calcium transport genes in kidney and in the gut providing a mechanism for the lack of hypercalcemia. Furthermore, VDR 4-1 therapy significantly suppressed cardiac hypertrophy and progression to heart failure in both vitamin D deficient and normal mice without inducing significant hypercalcemia. In conclusion, we have identified a unique VDR agonist compound with beneficial effects in mouse models of hyperparathyroidism and heart failure without inducing significant hypercalcemia.
B7-H1/PD-1 signals in carcinoma and lymphoma immunopathogenesis and immunotherapy (VAC12P.1118)

αB7-H1 (αPD-L1) reportedly treats cancer by blocking PD-1 signals, but few formal data are reported. We showed B16 melanoma is CD80 - PD-1 - B7-H1 + . αB7-H1 slowed subcutaneous (SQ) B16 in wild type (WT), B7-H1 KO and CD80 KO, with little difference between groups. αB7-H1 did not slow B16/B7-H1 lo tumors in B7-H1 KO mice, formally showing tumor B7-H1 mediates αB7-H1 effects. αPD-1 slowed B16 in WT or B7-H1 KO, but not B16/B7-H1 lo in B7-H1 KO, formally showing B7-H1/PD-1 effects in αB7-H1. Tumor B7-H1 variably predicts αB7-H1 efficacy, possibly due to variable tumor B7-H1 expression. To model variable B7-H1, we gave B16 or B16/B7-H1 lo on both flanks, or each on opposite flanks of the same WT mice. αB7-H1 slowed B16, but not B16/B7-H1 lo , unless B16 was on the other flank, suggesting spread of anti-tumor immunity, helping explain variable αB7-H1 effects by tumor B7-H1 status. We found EL4 T cell lymphoma is CD80 lo B7-H1 lo PD-1 hi . αB7-H1 and αPD-1 did not slow SQ EL4. Unexpectedly, EL4/B7-H1 hi exhibited significant growth delay after SQ or intravenous challenge in WT. EL4/B7-H1 hi grew well in vitro, but in clusters as opposed to EL4. αPD-1 or αB7-H1 in vitro blocked clusters but such pre-treated cells still grew slowly in vivo suggesting negative inter-cell B7-H1/PD-1 signals. Our data formally show B7-H1/PD-1 signals in αB7-H1 treatment effects, help explain variable αB7-H1 effects by tumor B7-H1 status, and suggest novel and specific effects in T cell lymphomas requiring more study.
Combined DEVS multiresolution simulation and model checking

We propose using Multiresolution Modeling (MRM) for system level design of networked software systems. This methodology aids in creating a family of models at different levels of complexity. We have developed an MRM framework to support hierarchical modeling as exemplified for Network-on-Chip (NoC) systems, as exemplar of network systems, with support for both validation and verification. Throughout the design phase, fine-grain models are created using their coarse-grain counterparts. Each model can be validated using discrete-event simulation and verified using model checking. We propose Constrained-DEVS, a variant of the Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS) formalism, which supports model checking in addition to DEVS's discrete-event simulation capability. Appropriate execution protocols for mixed V&V (validation and verification) are proposed. This leads to an MRM framework enabling both simulation and model checking. This framework is realized through extending the DEVS-Suite simulator and its applicability demonstrated for exemplar NoC models.
Determinants of health-related quality of life in international graduate students.

Abstract Introduction International graduate students often experience additional levels of stress due to acculturation. Given the impact of stress on health outcomes (both physical and mental), this study examined the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in international graduate students to determine its association with acculturative stress, perceived stress, and use of coping mechanisms. Methods A cross-sectional, self-administered survey was designed and sent to 38 student chapters within the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) student network. HRQoL [physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS)] was measured using the 12-item Short Form (SF-12) while coping mechanisms were assessed using the Brief COPE Scale. Acculturative and perceived stress were assessed using the Acculturative Stress Scale for International students [ASSIS] and Graduate Stress Inventory-Revised (GSI-R), respectively. Demographic and personal information (e.g. age, religion) were also collected. Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD and frequency) and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were conducted. Results The average PCS and MCS were 60 ± 9 and 44 ± 13, respectively, indicating that while the physical health was above the United States (US) general population norm (50), mental health scores were lower. Findings from the hierarchical multiple regression showed that perceived and acculturative stress significantly predicted mental health. Acculturative stress was also a significant predictor of physical health. Conclusion The results from this study support the hypothesis that international students in the US experience both perceived and acculturative stress that significantly impacts their HRQoL. Universities should consider providing education on stress reduction techniques to improve the health of international graduate students.
Editorial: "Complex Religion: Intersections of Religion and Inequality"

What is complex religion and how does it relate to social inclusion? Complex religion is a theory which posits that religion intersects with inequality, especially class, race, ethnicity and gender. The nine articles in this volume examine a wide array of ways that religion intersects with inequality, and how, as a result, it can create barriers to social inclusion. The issue begins with three articles that examine the role of religion and its intersection with race and racialization processes. It then moves to three articles that examine religion’s intersection with socioeconomic inequality. The issue closes with three studies of how religion’s relationship with the state creates and maintains various status hierarchies, even as some religious movements seek to combat inequality. Together, these articles enrichen our understanding of the complex task before anyone seeking to think about the role of religion in social inclusion.
Teaching textual awareness with DocuScope: Using corpus-driven tools and reflection to support students’ written decision-making

Abstract We present an overview of DocuScope Classroom, a corpus-based technology-enhanced learning tool designed to support students' reflection exercises in composition classrooms. We discuss the rationale for using the tool and the learning objectives it can be used to accomplish - both of which are rooted in an attempt to make students more critically aware and adaptive in their rhetorical style as they write in new genres. Finally, we walk through the pedagogical interventions that we have designed for this tool within a university writing program context.
Asymmetric transcription of B.subtilis phage SPP1 DNA invitro

Abstract B. subtilis phage SPP1 DNA has separable strands and binds ribosomal RNA only to the heavy pyrimidine-rich strands. The RNA synthesized in vitro with the heterologous E. coli RNA polymerase hybridizes only with the heavy strand.
The Family and Gay Men and Lesbians

In the last 10 years, there has been increased attention given to the demographic analysis of same-sex couples and their families. This attention may be attributed to multiple factors, including current debates and social movements regarding issues of sexual orientation and legislative rights. Additionally, one paramount factor contributing to the increased attention is the availability of better data on same-sex households. While these data are limited, the inclusion of various measures and indicators of sexual orientation and access to large-scale nationally representative data gives demographers a starting point to examine issues of sexual orientation. Currently, there is growing support for the argument that sexual orientation does have an effect on demographic processes and life outcomes. This chapter presents an overview of the current demographic research on same-sex families. It describes how same-sex families are understood by demographers, limitations to this demographic research, and demonstrates how demography can illuminate issues of same-sex families. This chapter also draws on research outside of demography, primarily from family studies, to further highlight substantive concerns and future directions for demographic research.
Selection for Training: The Forgotten Employment Decision?

The process organizations use to select employees into training initiatives is an employment decision subject to legal guidelines and regulations. Employees given the opportunity to attend training events are at an advantage for achieving greater levels of positive career outcomes relative to employees not selected for entry into training programs. The prevalence of legal cases that have examined inequities in access to training has demonstrated the need for organizations to carefully consider the selection criteria and context of training selection decisions. This chapter proposes the Radford Multilevel Training Opportunity Decision Making (TODM) model as a conceptual framework for identifying the antecedents, moderators, and outcomes of training selection decisions in organizations. Future research can expand upon this framework by exploring the empirical proposed linkages in the TODM model.
The 5-HT1D Receptor Subtype and Migraine Headache

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is involved in a wide variety of physiological functions and pathological states, including migraine. Fourteen subtypes of 5-HT receptors have been identified as of this writing (see Humphrey et al., 1993); while several of them might be the target of prophylactic anti-migraine drugs, the 5-HTm subtype appears most relevant among the known receptor subtypes, and this is based on the clinical efficacy of the receptor agonists sumatriptan and ergot alkaloids in aborting migraine headache (Deliganis and Peroutka, 1991). Accordingly, this chapter will briefly review current knowledge of the 5-HT1D receptor subtype with particular emphasis on its ligand binding properties, second messengers, molecular biology and mechanism of action.
Pre-liver transplant renal dysfunction and association with post-transplant end-stage renal disease: A single-center examination of updated UNOS recommendations.

Simultaneous liver-kidney allocation protocols allocate dual organs based on a sustained eGFR of 30 mL/min or less. A 2017-UNOS update includes CKD3 as dual organ candidates but only when the listing eGFR is 30 mL/min was still significantly associated with post-LT ESRD. AKI was associated with reduced post-LT survival (adjusted HR 1.9; P = 0.02), albeit only in the first-year post-LT. Severe AKI-D was associated with post-LT ESRD and mortality. The safety net would have captured only 60% of all post-LT ESRD cases in our cohort. Pre-LT CKD3 was associated with increased risk of post-LT ESRD above the recommended cutoff for listing GFR. These findings, if generalizable in larger cohorts have important implications for dual organ allocation.
(K)not So Abstract!: Knots, Links, and Three-dimensional Manifolds

This article is intended to give the reader a flavor of three-dimensional topology in an informal setting.
Treatment of anaphylaxis.

The anticipation of an adverse reaction offers the best chance for success in dealing with anaphylaxis.A wary physician who expects this emergency will do all that is possible to prevent it and will be ready to treat it If it does occur. He will recognize any previous adverse reaction to a drug or any history of atopy as an extra risk factor. He will observe the necessary precautions in skin testing and will be aware of limitations of these cutaneous tests.
A comparative study of dimensional tolerancing capabilities and microstructure formation between binder jet additively manufactured sand molds and olivine green sand molds for metalcasting of A356.0

Abstract The development of additive manufacturing in the 1980s led to a revolution in various metalcasting processes as early as the 1990s, including the use of polymer 3D printing for the manufacture of sand casting patterns. While additive manufacturing has entered many metalcasting processes, including both expendable and permanent mold processes, this paper specifically examines the sand casting process. ExOne’s development of binder jetting technology over the last 20 years has allowed designers in the sand casting field to directly 3D print sand molds for metalcasting. Use of binder jet additively manufactured sand molds allows for quicker turnaround time for testing prototypes, new gating designs, and for producing one-off parts. Additive manufacturing of sand molds for metalcasting may implement any of the same foundry sands as green sand processes, but uses a furan binder instead of the traditional mixture of bentonite clay and water. The use of a chemical binder had led to questions about the resulting dimensional capabilities and mechanical properties of the castings produced by the mold. This study investigated the dimensional tolerancing capabilities, surface finish, mechanical properties, microstructure, and defects present in identical castings made from both a traditional olivine green sand molding process and a binder jet additively manufactured silica sand molding process. It was concluded that binder jet additively manufactured sand molds are capable of either equal or better dimensional accuracy and tolerance capabilities than traditional olivine green sand molds. The olivine green sand parts had an average of approximately 1 μm better surface finish than the binder jet sand molds; however, it is likely that both the addition of sea coal to the green sand and the difference in final part color significantly affected this result. The mean hardness of the binder jet parts was 58.9 HBW with a standard deviation of 5.6 HBW, compared to the mean of the green sand parts of 47.7 HBW with a standard deviation of 7.2 HBW. The hardness findings were confirmed by the presence of a finer microstructure in the binder jet parts than the green sand parts. While both types of molds produced parts with defects, a greater variety of defects was evident in the olivine green sand molds. Porosity tended to move toward the surface of the olivine green sand parts, but was relatively evenly spread through the additively manufactured sand mold parts.
Validation of an Inverse Kinematic VR Manikin in Seated Tasks: Application in Ergonomics Training

Lower back and neck pain are common musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among dentists and dentistry students. Increased awareness of ergonomics during job tasks could help to reduce MSDs. Virtual reality (VR) enhanced dentistry training programs are gaining popularity in academia. Quantifying inverse kinematics (IK) using VR manikins that mimic a user’s body can inform ergonomic risk evaluations. We calibrated and investigated one of the IK manikins' accuracy compared to motion capture (MoCap) using a novel method. We show that posture estimation using VR is accurate to less than 10° in 81% of the seated pick and place tasks for the neck and trunk angles. These results suggest that an accurate estimation of posture in VR is achievable to inform real-time postural feedback. This postural feedback can be integrated into VR enhanced training for dental students to help reinforce ergonomic posture and safer movements.
Free BRST String Field Theory

In this chapter, we construct the BRST (or covariant) free bosonic string field theories. It is useful to first ignore the interactions in order to introduce some general tools and structures in a simpler setting. Moreover, the free SFT is easily constructed and does not require as much input as the interactions. In this chapter, we discuss mostly the open string, keeping the closed string for the last section. We start by describing the classical theory: equations of motion, action, gauge invariance and gauge fixing. Then, we perform the path integral quantization and compute the action in terms of spacetime fields for the first two levels (tachyon and gauge field).
Abstract P150: Sex Differences In Augmentation Index And Aortic Pulse Pressure Among Patients Diagnosed With Acute Primary Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Introduction: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the second most common subtype of stroke. Hypertension is a major cause of primary spontaneous ICH. However, sex difference in blood pressure (BP) an...
Overall survival following implementation of clinical pathways for cancer care.

328Background: Clinical pathways are decision support tools designed to enhance accessibility and ease of use of treatment recommendations. Prior studies that evaluated cancer clinical pathways lar...
Daily television exposure, parent conversation during shared television viewing and socioeconomic status: Associations with curiosity at kindergarten

Objective To examine the main and interactive effects of the amount of daily television exposure and frequency of parent conversation during shared television viewing on parent ratings of curiosity at kindergarten, and to test for moderation by socioeconomic status (SES). Study design Sample included 5100 children from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort. Hours of daily television exposure and frequency of parent screen-time conversation were assessed from a parent interview at preschool, and the outcome of early childhood curiosity was derived from a child behavior questionnaire at kindergarten. Multivariate linear regression examined the main and interactive effects of television exposure and parent screen-time conversation on kindergarten curiosity and tested for moderation by SES. Results In adjusted models, greater number of hours of daily television viewing at preschool was associated with lower curiosity at kindergarten (B = -0.14, p = .008). More frequent parent conversation during shared screen-time was associated with higher parent-reported curiosity at kindergarten with evidence of moderation by SES. The magnitude of association between frequency of parent conversation during television viewing and curiosity was greater for children from low SES environments, compared to children from high SES environments: (SES ≤ median): B = 0.29, p median): B = 0.11, p Conclusions Higher curiosity at kindergarten was associated with greater frequency of parent conversation during shared television viewing, with a greater magnitude of association in low-SES families. While the study could not include measures of television program content, digital media use and non-screen time conversation, our results suggest the importance of parent conversation to promote early childhood curiosity, especially for children with socioeconomic disadvantage.
Possible Cephalopod Reproductive Mass Mortality Reflected by Middle Carboniferous Assemblages, Arkansas, Southern United States

Middle Carboniferous cephalopod assemblages across northern Arkansas are dominated by a small number of ammonoid species that occur in unusual abundances. Individuals of a particular species exhibit strikingly similar size, yet both small and large species are represented. Assemblages occur in either high energy deposits of conglomeratic sandstone or oolite, or low energy concretionary, dark shales, but in neither case do they seem to have undergone post-mortem sorting. Ammonitellas and protoconchs are notably absent in the matrix preserving the ammonoids in both settings. These assemblages may represent sexually mature adults that experienced mass mortality following reproduction (semelparity) in a manner similar to that found in some modern squids.
Female Urinary Tract Infection

Changing concepts regarding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, evaluation, and treatment of urinary tract infection have reduced patient expenditures. An appreciation of the natural history and associated significance of these infections at all ages in both male and female patients is essential for proper evaluation and treatment. Careful classification of the infection with attention to historical aspects allows the clinician to plan a treatment regimen tailored to each patient. When and how these patients are evaluated depend on the statistical likelihood of associated pathology.
Defective T particles of vesicular stomatitis virus. I. Preparation, morphology, and some biologic properties.

Abstract Infection of chick embryo cells with vesicular stomatitis virus under conditions of high multiplicity and serial undiluted passage (VSVup) results in two kinds of progeny: a low yield of infectious bullet-shaped (B) particles and a high yield of noninfectious (T) particles. The smaller T particles can be partially purified by rate zonal centrifugation in sucrose gradients and readily identified by electron microscopy. T particles appear almost spherical with a diameter of ~65 mμ compared with the typically cylindrical B particles with dimensions of ~65 × 180 mμ. Despite this difference in size, T is strikingly similar to B in its ultrastructure, buoyant density, antigenicity, incorporation of uridine-3H during growth, and capacity to inhibit cellular RNA and interferon synthesis. The data strongly suggest that T is a distinct, truncated form of B which contains only a portion of the VSV genome. The accompanying paper provides proof that T is the physical equivalent of the transmissible interfering component of Cooper and Bellett (1959) .
Block Designs with SDP Parameters

It is traditional to call a quasi-symmetric design with certain parameters an SDP design if the symmetric difference of two different blocks is either a block or a block complement. In this note, we delete the requirements on the parameters and demand just that the symmetric difference of two blocks be a block, a block complement, or either the empty set or the whole point set. We obtain the parameters of such designs and use the result to prove Kantor's theorem on the parameters of a symmetric SDP design. A spin-off of an exponential Diophantine equation considered by Ramanujan is at the core.
Fatigue and Paradoxical Enhancement of Heat Response in C-Fiber Nociceptors from Cross-Modal Excitation

Fatigue refers to the decrement of response seen with repeated stimulation and is a prominent attribute of nociceptors. Whether fatigue in nociceptors involves transduction, spike initiation, or conduction mechanisms is unknown. We investigated systematically how electrical, mechanical, and heat conditioning stimuli (eCS, mCS, hCS) affected the subsequent response to a test-heat stimulus applied 5 sec later to the receptive field of cutaneous nociceptors. Standard teased-fiber techniques were used to record from mechano–heat-sensitive C-fiber afferents in the anesthetized monkey. The eCS was applied to the nerve trunk, whereas the hCS and mCS were applied to the heat-test site. For the eCS, the number of pulses rather than frequency of stimulation determined the level of fatigue. Fatigue varied inversely with the time interval between the eCS and the test stimulus. For comparable responses from the CS, the magnitude of fatigue was less after the mCS than after the eCS. The mCS (but not the eCS) sometimes evoked a paradoxical increase in response to the test-heat stimulus. Recovery from fatigue was significantly faster after the eCS and mCS than the hCS. The paradoxical enhancement after the mCS probably results from temporal summation of generator potentials produced by mechanical and heat stimulation and suggests that the time constant of the generator potential is on the order of seconds. Concurrent enhancement–fatigue effects may also explain why fatigue was less after the mCS than the eCS. The dependency of recovery from fatigue on the modality of the CS suggests that fatigue results from transduction–spike initiation mechanisms.
PAX8-PPARγ1 Fusion in Oncogene Human Thyroid Carcinoma

Chromosomal translocations that encode fusion oncoproteins have been observed consistently in leukemias/lymphomas and sarcomas but not in carcinomas, the most common human cancers. Here, we report that t(2;3)(q13;p25), a translocation identified in a subset of human thyroid follicular carcinomas, results in fusion of the DNA binding domains of the thyroid transcription factor PAX8 to domains A to F of the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR) γ1. PAX8-PPARγ1 mRNA and protein were detected in 5 of 8 thyroid follicular carcinomas but not in 20 follicular adenomas, 10 papillary carcinomas, or 10 multinodular hyperplasias. PAX8-PPARγ1 inhibited thiazolidinedione-induced transactivation by PPARγ1 in a dominant negative manner. The experiments demonstrate an oncogenic role for PPARγ and suggest that PAX8-PPARγ1 may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid carcinoma.
Validity study of rough surface scattering models

The limits of accuracy for rough surface models is largely uncertain. Previous numerical studies using the method of moments (MoM) have given broad assessments of the reliability of physical and geometrical optics, the small perturbation method, and other models. Improvements in digital computers allow a dense sampling of points from a chosen parameter space to give more accurate results than previously possible. RMS errors are shown for physical optics (PO), geometrical optics (GO), small perturbation method (SPM), iterated physical optics (ITPO), Monte Carlo physical optics (MCPO), and the small slope approximation (SSA) for power law surfaces. The models investigated show a wide range of regions of validity. Among all models, the ITPO method shows the best correlation to the truth values of the MoM calculations. However, stochastic models require significantly less computation time. Among the stochastic models, the third-order SSA models show the best overall agreement with the truth values. Unlike past studies, this study shows that the regions of validity for the PO and SPM are not disjoint. Instead, for the parameter space used, PO is always at least as accurate as SPM.
Optimal internal fixation of anatomically shaped synthetic bone grafts for massive segmental defects of long bones.

Background Large segmental bone defects following tumor resection, high-energy civilian trauma, and military blast injuries present significant clinical challenges. Tissue engineering strategies using scaffolds are being considered as a treatment, but there is little research into optimal fixation of such scaffolds. Methods Twelve fresh-frozen paired cadaveric legs were utilized to simulate a critical sized intercalary defect in the tibia. Poly-e-caprolactone and hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds 5 cm in length with a geometry representative of the mid-diaphysis of an adult human tibia were fabricated, inserted into a tibial mid-diaphyseal intercalary defect, and fixed with a 14-hole large fragment plate. Optimal screw fixation comparing non-locking and locking screws was tested in axial compression, bending, and torsion in a non-destructive manner. A cyclic torsional test to failure under torque control was then performed. Findings Biomechanical testing showed no significant difference for bending or axial stiffness with non-locking vs. locking fixation. Torsional stiffness was significantly higher (P = 0.002) with the scaffold present for both non-locking and locking compared to the scaffold absent. In testing to failure, angular rotation was greater for the non-locking compared to locking constructs at each torque level up to 40 N-m (P < 0.05). The locking constructs survived a significantly higher number of loading cycles before reaching clinical failure at 30 degrees of angular rotation (P < 0.02). Interpretation The presence of the scaffold increased the torsional stiffness of the construct. Locking fixation resulted in a stronger construct with increased cycles to failure compared to non-locking fixation.
Qualities of Dance Movement

(1947). Qualities of Dance Movement. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 72-119.
Change in Nox4 expression is accompanied by changes in myogenic marker expression in differentiating C2C12 myoblasts

Myoblast differentiation is mediated by a cascade of changes in gene expression including transcription factors such as myogenin. Subsequent to myoblast differentiation, there is an increase in expression of the transmembrane protein NADPH oxidase (Nox). Nox is one of the primary factors for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in myogenic (C2C12) cells. Recently, ROS have been shown to be important regulators of several intracellular signaling pathways, and the full extent of their regulatory roles is yet to be discovered. In the present study, qRT PCR analysis demonstrated that Nox4 isoform is primarily expressed in differentiating C2C12 cells and contributes to the generation of ROS in C2C12 myoblast during differentiation. Over-expression and silencing of Nox4 expression during myoblast differentiation was accompanied by a reduction in intracellular ROS concentrations and an alteration in the expression patterns of Myf5, Pax7, MyoD1, and myogenin. This modulation was found to be associated with ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In both over-expression and reduced expression of Nox4, we found significant reductions in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. This indicates that cellular differentiation may be affected by Nox4-mediated endogenous ROS generation. These data suggest a new opportunity to study the temporal expression of Nox4 in the generation of ROS accompanying changes in myogenic differentiation.
Relation of urbanization to stream fish assemblages and species traits in nine metropolitan areas of the United States

We examined associations of fish assemblages and fish traits with urbanization and selected environmental variables in nine major United States metropolitan areas. The strongest relations between fishes and urbanization occurred in the metropolitan areas of Atlanta, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; Boston, Massachusetts; and Portland, Oregon. In these areas, environmental variables with strong associations (rs ≥ 0.70) with fish assemblages and fish traits tended to have strong associations with urbanization. Relations of urbanization with fish assemblages and fish traits were weaker in Denver, Colorado; Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Milwaukee-Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Raleigh, North Carolina. Environmental variables associated with fishes varied among the metropolitan areas. The metropolitan areas with poor relations may have had a limited range of possible response because of previous landscape disturbances. Given the complexities of urban landscapes in different metropolitan areas, our results indicate that caution is warranted when generalizing about biological responses to urbanization.
Perceived group devaluation, depression, and HIV-risk behavior among Asian gay men.

OBJECTIVE This study examined depressive mood and HIV-risk behavior in relation to perceived group devaluation and group identity. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey of 192 Asian gay men. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Depressive mood assessed using the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and self-reported receptive or insertive unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the past 3 months. RESULTS Group devaluation was positively associated with depressive mood. Among participants most attracted to Whites, group devaluation was associated with higher levels of nonprimary partner UAI; but was associated with lower levels of nonprimary partner UAI [corrected] among those most attracted to non-Whites. Among participants reporting higher levels of group devaluation, those with more positive personal evaluations of the Asian gay community had lower levels of total UAI compared to those with more negative personal evaluations of the Asian gay community. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that group devaluation is associated with higher levels of depressive mood among Asian gay men. Asian gay men most attracted to non-Whites or hold more positive evaluations of their group may be buffered from the influence of high perceived group devaluation on UAI.
Transient shear rheology of carbon nanofiber/polystyrene melt composites

Abstract We characterize the transient shear rheology of polystyrene/carbon nanofiber composites. Our experimental measurements of the composites show increasing stress overshoot responses to transient shear as the carbon nanofiber concentration increases. We also find the steady state viscosity reached at long times during application of a constant shear rate increases with increasing carbon nanofiber concentration. Flow reversal experiments show the effects of nanofiber orientation and structural evolution on the composite's rheological response. We present a microstructurally based constitutive model where all but two parameters are determined by rheological characterization of the pure polymer and the shape and concentration of the nanoparticles. The Folgar-Tucker constant, CI, is treated as a fitting parameter, while several definitions for the shape factors A, B, C and F are evaluated. We make note of the effects each parameter has on the model's predictions. We find that the constitutive model is in agreement with our experimentally measured transient shear rheology of the PS/CNF melt composites for the CNF concentrations and shear rates presented.
Mechanically assisted droplet transfer process in gas metal arc welding

Gas metal arc welding has been generally accepted as the preferred joining technique due to its advantages in high production and automated welding applications. Separate control of arc energy and arc force is an essential way to improve the welding quality and to obtain the projected metal transfer mode. One of the most eVective methods for obtaining separate control is to exert an additional force on the metal transfer process. In this paper, the droplet transfer process with additional mechanical force is studied. The welding system is composed of an oscillating wire feeder. The images of molten metal droplets are captured by a high-speed digital camera, and both the macroscopic appearance and the cross-sectional pro®les of the weld beads are analysed. It is shown that the droplet transfer process can be signi®cantly improved by wire electrode oscillation, and a projected spray transfer mode can be established at much lower currents. By increasing the oscillation frequency, the droplet transfer rate increases while the droplet size decreases. In addition, the improvement in the droplet transfer process with wire oscillation leads to an enhancement of the surface quality and a modi®cation of the geometry of the weld beads that could be of importance for overlay cladding and rapid prototyping based on deposition by welding.