cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathophysiology and treatment of diabetic erectile dysfunction

The pathophysiology of diabetes is multifactorial and no single etiology is at the forefront. The proposed mechanisms of erectile dysfunction (ED) in diabetic patients includes elevated advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and increased levels of oxygen free radicals, impaired nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, increased endothelin B receptor binding sites and ultrastructural changes, upregulated RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway, NO-dependent selective nitrergic nerve degeneration and impaired cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent kinase-1 (PKG-1). The treatment of diabetic ED is multimodal. Treatment of the underlying hyperglycemia and comorbidities is of utmost importance to prevent or halt the progression of the disease. The peripherally acting oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are the mainstay of oral medical treatment of ED in diabetics. Vacuum erection devices are an additional treatment as a non-invasive treatment option. Local administration of vasoactive medication via urethral suppository or intracorporal injection can be effective with minimal side-effects. Patients with irreversible damage of the erectile mechanism are candidates for penile implantation. Future strategies in the evolution of the treatment of ED are aimed at correcting or treating the underlying mechanisms of ED. With an appropriate vector, researchers have been able to transfect diabetic animals with agents such as neurotrophic factors and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Further studies in gene therapy are needed to fully ascertain its safety and utility in humans.
Finding rare data objects in P2P file-sharing systems

Peer-to-peer file-sharing systems have hundreds of thousands of users sharing petabytes of data, however, their search functionality is limited. In general, query results contain many references to the same data object. These references are grouped, and the size of the group - the number of references it contains - metric. Although group size is effective in finding popular data, it works poorly for rare, less popular data. Other ranking functions, such as precision and cosine similarity, are more appropriate in this case. The authors showed the significant performance benefit in finding rare data using these ranking functions through extensive simulation.
Why Do Asian Americans Identify as Democrats? Testing Theories of Social Exclusion and Intergroup Solidarity

Asian Americans are overwhelmingly likely to identify as Democrats. This is surprising given that (1) income and voting for the Republican Party are highly correlated, and (2) Asians are the most affluent ethnic group in the United States. We focus on two explanations to address this puzzle: social exclusion and intergroup solidarity. Social exclusion arises from Asians' perceptions that they are viewed as less "American," and associate these feelings with the Republican Party. Additionally, Asians exhibit intergroup solidarity; they believe they have common interests with other ethnic minorities that already support the Democratic Party. As a result, Asians align themselves politically with these groups rather than whites. Using a large-scale representative survey and two experimental studies, we find empirical support for both hypotheses. Our findings speak to identity-oriented explanations of political behavior in American electoral politics as well as conceptions of political parties as coalitions of groups.
Does Contemporary Armed Conflict Have 'Deep Historical Roots'?

We assess the degree of persistence in armed conflict in particular places over the last two centuries. At the regional level, we find some evidence of anti-persistence, consistent with Tilly's arguments about war and state-building: Eastern and Western Europe had large amounts of conflict from 1815-1945 and almost none after, whereas Africa, Asia, and the Middle East had moderate amounts before and large amounts after. Within regions, by contrast, places that experienced colonial and imperial wars before 1945 (or before 1914) were more likely to have civil wars after independence. The degree of persistence is not much affected by controls for durable features that may affect conflict levels in both periods (such as initial population, land area, ethnic diversity, terrain roughness, income, and colonial power), suggesting that at least some of the effect is due to conflict in one period causing conflict later. We can rule out persistence being due to long-lasting ethnic feuds, and find little evidence that places with more developed pre-colonial states were consistently more likely to have fought with colonizers and then with other groups after independence. There is some evidence of persistence in the groups that fought with colonizers before 1945 and then again after independence with other local groups.
Use of the 2.8 French Progreat microcatheter in diagnostic cerebral angiography

Background Tortuous vascular anatomy poses a significant challenge to performing diagnostic cerebral angiography. Objective To report a new cerebral angiography technique for overcoming tortuous aortic and supra-aortic anatomy using a 2.8 French (F) Progreat microcatheter (0.028 inch (internal diameter) (Terumo; Somerset, New Jersey, USA) to obtain a diagnostic cerebral angiogram. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis of consecutive cases undergoing diagnostic cerebral angiography at our institution between 1 January 2013 and 30 November 2015 in which a 2.8F Progreat microcatheter was used. Clinical and operative notes were reviewed and correlated with imaging. Radiologic imaging, including CT, MRI, and digital subtraction angiography, was reviewed. Neurologic, systemic, and local complications were recorded on the basis of clinical follow-up results after each angiographic examination. Events that occurred within 24 h of the angiography were considered to be complications of the procedure. Results Initial attempts at catheterization of the target vessel with various 4F and 5F catheters were unsuccessful owing to tortuosity, atherosclerotic disease, or occlusion of the catheter in the target vessel. Microcatheterization of the target vessel was successful in 59/62 (95%) target vessels. A diagnostic cerebral angiogram with a power injection was obtained in 59 (100%) of the successfully catheterized vessels. In one case, angiography proceeded to aneurysm coiling after over-the-wire exchange. In two cases, angiography proceeded to mechanical thrombectomy after over-the-wire exchange. No procedural complications were seen. Conclusions The 2.8F Progreat microcatheter can be used to obtain a diagnostic cerebral angiogram in patients with anatomic challenges limiting catheterization by standard techniques.
Irrigation, Commercialization, and Social Change in Nineteenth-Century Inner Mongolia

This article examines the rise of an irrigation economy in Hetao along the Yellow River during the nineteenth century, and uses it as a case study to illustrate how the periphery played a major and hitherto overlooked role in the development of the Chinese economy, which confounds the conventional view of a Chinese path of development that replicated smallholder farming. I focus on a group of Han entrepreneurs known as land merchants (dishang) who combined capital and expertise in irrigation development, and introduced a new set of property regime and socio-technical arrangements that fundamentally changed the frontier society. By linking the changes in local society to regional and global processes, this study demonstrates the centrality of the periphery as not only a zone of possibility and experimentation, but more importantly, a “contact zone” that facilitated China's integration into a new global market system.
Charge-Transfer Complexation and Excited-State Interactions in Porphyrin-Silver Nanoparticle Hybrid Structures

Highly photoactive porphyrin is shown to form charge-transfer complex with silver nanoparticles. Complexation of tetra(4-aminophenyl) porphyrin (TAPP) with Ag nanoparticles is confirmed by ground-state absorption and Raman spectroscopy. Strong Raman enhancement indicates both electromagnetic and chemical enhancement. Evidence of chemical enhancement includes a selective enhancement of porphyrin Raman bands. Fast charge separation in the complex is indicated by ultrafast transient absorption and fluorescence upconversion measurements. The charge-separated state is shown to have a lifetime of 116 ± 6 ps. Porphyrin substituents are shown to play a role in the formation of charge-transfer complex.
Attenuated LTP in hippocampal dentate gyrus neurons of mice deficient in the PAF receptor.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a bioactive lipid (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) derived from phospholipase A2 and other pathways, has been implicated in neural plasticity and m...
Cellular Pathogenesis of Degenerative Valvular Heart Disease: From Calcific Aortic Stenosis to Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease

INTRODUCTION HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF VALVULAR HEART DISEASE GROSS PATHOLOGY OF AORTIC VALVE DISEASE GROSS PATHOLOGY OF MITRAL VALVE DISEASE RISK FACTOR HYPOTHESIS FOR VALVULAR HEART DISEASE HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC AORTIC VALVE DISEASE AORTIC VALVE CALCIFICATION HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC MITRAL VALVE DISEASE EXPERIMENTAL EFFECTS OF STATINS IN ATHEROSCLEROTIC AORTIC VALVES TRANSLATIONAL THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS FOR AORTIC VALVE DISEASE SUMMARY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS REFERENCES
Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis in the BUF Rat

The immune system has remarkable ability to distinguish self from non-self. Autoimmune diseases represent exceptions to the general rule of self-recognition. Their study provides clues about the basis of the rule. In most human autoimmune diseases of solid tissues, one sees infiltration by macrophages, plasma cells and eosinophils in addition to large numbers of lymphocytes. Autoimmune lesions may be the result of damage initiated by autoantibodies, by lymphocytes sensitized to self-antigen, by activated macrophages, or by the two or more of these factors combined.
Ophthalmic Nanosuspensions: Toxicity and Formulation

Treatment of posterior regions of the eye is challenging due to the difficulties faced with overcoming the blood-retinal barrier and the blood-aqueous barrier. In efforts to find a nontoxic and less invasive approach, nanoparticles have shown significant potential based on their size and composition. Many of the vectors discussed, such as PLGA, are biocompatible. Eudragit nanoparticles show low levels of toxicity in ocular models. Chitosan used in nanoparticle formulation is derived from chitin, an organic source. Additionally, human serum albumin-based nanoparticles show effective drug delivery through in vivo studies. The antibacterial properties of silver and its accessibility have led to studies investigating its potential with nanoparticles. Liposomes and nanomicelles interact similarly as they are able to entrap hydrophobic drugs for delivery. With proper use of these vectors in terms of formulation of nanosuspensions, there is potential for treating ocular diseases. Furthermore, the biological breakdown of these nanosuspensions emphasizes their biocompatibility. Incorporating other vectors and biomolecules will allow for new avenues with ocular drug delivery and treatment.
Comparative effects of verapamil and nifedipine on reactive hyperemia and ventricular arrhythmias during coronary artery reperfusion.

The goal of this investigation was to examine effects of the calcium antagonists verapamil and nifedipine on coronary hemodynamics and ventricular arrhythmias during coronary reperfusion. Accordingly, 24 dogs were anesthetized, and their hearts exposed through a left lateral thoracotomy. The left anterior coronary artery was occluded at its midportion and 25 min later the occlusion was released. Regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) was determined using the microsphere technique (85Sr and 141Ce, 8–10 μ in diameter). It was determined 20 min after occlusion and 10 min after reperfusion. Twenty minutes after occlusion, immediately after microsphere injection, dogs were randomized into eight control dogs, eight verapamil dogs (0.2 mg/kg in 5 min followed by 0.01 mg/kg/min infusion) and eight nifedipine dogs (0.1 mg/kg in 5 min followed by 0.003 mg/kg/min infusion). In the control dogs, six out of eight animals had either ventricular tachycardia (three dogs) or ventricular fibrillation (three dogs). In the verapamil group, none had ventriclar tachycardia and only one had ventricular fibrilation (P<0.05 v. C). In the nifedipine group four out of eight had either ventricular tachycardia (two dogs) or fibrillation (two dogs) (P = NS v. C). Ten minutes after reperfusion, coronary resistance in ischemic myocardium declined similarly in all three groups (by 80–90%). Thus, verapamil decreases reperfusion ventricular arrhythmias without altering RMBF. Although both verapamil and nifedipine are calcium antagonists, their antiarrhythmic effects differ in reperfusion-induced arrhythmias.
Caregiver and Provider Experiences With Coaching and Embedded Intervention

Despite an emphasis in the field on triadic approaches to the delivery of early intervention (EI), remarkably little is known about the shared experiences of caregivers (CGs) and providers during h...
Biogeochemical controls on mercury methylation in the Allequash Creek wetland

We measured mercury methylation potentials and a suite of related biogeochemical parameters in sediment cores and porewater from two geochemically distinct sites in the Allequash Creek wetland, northern Wisconsin, USA. We found a high degree of spatial variability in the methylation rate potentials but no significant differences between the two sites. We identified the primary geochemical factors controlling net methylmercury production at this site to be acid-volatile sulfide, dissolved organic carbon, total dissolved iron, and porewater iron(II). Season and demethylation rates also appear to regulate net methylmercury production. Our equilibrium speciation modeling demonstrated that sulfide likely regulated methylation rates by controlling the speciation of inorganic mercury and therefore its bioavailability to methylating bacteria. We found that no individual geochemical parameter could explain a significant amount of the observed variability in mercury methylation rates, but we found significant multivariate relationships, supporting the widely held understanding that net methylmercury production is balance of several simultaneously occurring processes.
Corporate governance of SIFI risk-taking: an international research agenda

Excessive risk-taking by systemically important financial firms was one of the leading causes of the financial crisis. Research suggests these firms may be no safer today than they were pre-crisis, and they may even be increasing their risk-taking. Risk-taking is inherently a corporate governance choice. Why would rational managers want their firms to engage in excessive, rather than appropriate, risk-taking? The answers to that question might lie in corporate governance law, which fails to adequately address a new reality: risk-taking by systemically important firms can sometimes have systemically harmful consequences. This book chapter examines how governance alternatives to shareholder primacy might help to address that reality. It also considers how that regulation should be evaluated as a policy matter. The chapter does not purport to provide definitive and complete answers. Instead, it focuses on trying to offer a framework, as part of an international research agenda, for analyzing and thinking about the answers.
Geriatric communication skills training: Shared decision making and care planning for the older cancer patient and the caregiver.

80Background: Medical decision-making is the process of shared understanding of a patient’s personal values and subsequent negotiation to reach a treatment decision. Discussing options and engaging...
Treatment Adherence in Adolescence

Treatment nonadherence involves the failure to follow medical recommendations and to maintain behavioral commitment to disease management. Among adolescents, nonadherence can significantly limit treatment outcomes and potentially endanger health status. Successful adherence to (or compliance with) both acute and chronic care regimens tends to be lower among adolescents than among both adults and younger children. This chapter examines the challenges of treatment adherence in the care of adolescents, as well as emerging research and clinical efforts to enhance adolescent commitment to their self-care. Provider–patient communication, patient motivation, and both barriers to and supports of adolescent behavioral self-management are considered. Family issues and the role of parents and peers in the transition to adolescent control and responsibility for illness management are also examined. Validated interventions to improve adolescent adherence are reviewed, and recommendations for future research are offered.
Employment, Education, and Training Programs

The USA lacks a formal comprehensive workforce policy, instead relying on several policy mechanisms linked to specific programs having different purposes. In one such typology Barnow and Nightingale (2007), identify six policy instruments, each linked to a half dozen or more, at times overlapping, key policies and programs. For example, insurance and cash payments are linked to unemployment insurance, trade adjustment assistance, and Social Security retirement. Regulations and mandates are linked to minimum wage legislation, Family Leave policies, work tests, and work requirements for receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Tax incentives and credits are linked to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), welfare-to-work tax credits, and work opportunity credits. Human capital investments and services are linked to Workforce Investment Act (WIA) adult, dislocated worker, and youth programs, postsecondary vocational education, and postsecondary academics.
Environmental and Economic Benefits of Reducing Pesticide Use

Pesticides cause serious public health problems and considerable damage to agricultural and natural ecosystems. We confirm previous reports that it is feasible to reduce pesticide use by 50 % or more. The Swedish Government achieved a 61 % reduction in pesticide use and the Indonesian Government achieved a 65 % reduction in pesticide use without a reduction in crop yields. In fact in Indonesia the result of the reduction in pesticide use was a 12 % increase in rice yield.
Predictors of Educational Outcomes of Students with Multiple Disabilities: Results from a National Study

Parents, siblings, and peers have an immeasurable effect on shaping children into who they become as individuals. Many factors, such as one’s relationships with these individuals, may have lasting effects on the educational and vocational outcomes of children who have multiple disabilities. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationships of children with multiple disabilities, as well as their perceptions regarding their educational experiences to determine the effects these factors may have on their future outcomes. The goal of the present study is to determine how potential correlations may influence children with multiple disabilities during transition and vocational programs, as well as their outcomes in life beyond formal schooling.
MnTnBuOE-2-Pyp5+ acutely decreases normotensive and hypertensive blood pressures

It is well-established that reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly superoxide (O2•–), produced in the vasculature, kidney, and brain contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension. We, and others, have previously reported that copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) protein nanoparticles administered peripherally or centrally decrease blood pressure in hypertensive animal models. Unfortunately, the translation of these CuZnSOD nanoparticles to the clinical setting has been delayed. In contrast, recent and ongoing clinical trials utilizing SOD mimic manganese porphyrins, particularly MnTnBuOE-2-Pyp5+ (BuOE), for normal tissue protection in cancer patients exposed to radiation therapy provide hope for the use of O2•– scavengers in the clinical setting. Considering the extensive evidence indicating that scavenging of O2•– decreases hypertensive blood pressures, we tested the hypothesis that the SOD mimic, BuOE, decreases blood pressure in an angiotensin II (AngII)-induced hypertensive mouse model. First, using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and hypoxanthine (HX) + xanthine oxidase (XO) to generate O2·- in a cell-free system, we confirmed the ability of BuOE to scavenge O2•–. Superoxide produced by HX + XO yielded an EPR spectrum amplitude of 5.6x106 ± 1.3x105 EPR arbitrary units (au), which was significantly (p
Author(iz)ing a Playground Game: “The Arguing Started Once the Rules Were Written Down”:

Using data from a 4-year longitudinal ethnography, this study moves from a classroom to the playground to examine a multiage community engaged in a deeply revered playground game with a history str...
Collective Development of Large Scale Data Science Products via Modularized Assignments: An Experience Report

Many universities are offering data science (DS) courses to fulfill the growing demands for skilled DS practitioners. Assignments and projects are essential parts of the DS curriculum as they enable students to gain hands-on experience in real-world DS tasks. However, most current assignments and projects are lacking in at least one of two ways: 1) they do not comprehensively teach all the steps involved in the complete workflow of DS projects; 2) students work on separate problems individually or in small teams, limiting the scale and impact of their solutions. To overcome these limitations, we envision novel synergistic modular assignments where a large number of students work collectively on all the tasks required to develop a large-scale DS product. The resulting product can be continuously improved with students' contributions every semester. We report our experience with developing and deploying such an assignment in an Information Retrieval course. Through the assignment, students collectively developed a search engine for finding expert faculty specializing in a given field. This shows the utility of such assignments both for teaching useful DS skills and driving innovation and research. We share useful lessons for other instructors to adopt similar assignments for their DS courses.
Malnutrition Screening: An Interprofessional Approach in Outpatient Oncology.

Background Malnutrition is highly prevalent in the oncology population and is associated with poor treatment outcomes. Objectives This study aimed to implement a malnutrition screening process using a validated tool in three outpatient cancer centers. Methods Nursing and nutrition department leaders collaborated to establish malnutrition screening. The Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) was embedded in the electronic health record. Based on the MST, a score of 2 or greater is considered at risk for malnutrition. Nurses were educated on screening all patients completing their first cycle of infusion chemotherapy. Data were collected for six months. Findings Interprofessional collaboration established a process to implement malnutrition screening. Twenty-eight percent of patients with cancer were at risk for malnutrition. Fifty-three percent were at risk for malnutrition based on MST scores of 2. Compliance with the MST at first infusion visit was 30%-81% across the three cancer centers.
Combating the “Too Sensitive” Argument: A Demonstration That Captures the Complexity of Microaggressions:

Colorblind ideology provides individuals with numerous ways to minimize racism. This poses a challenge for instructors who teach about race and racism as students deploy this ideology to derail cla...
Relationships among forest type, watershed characteristics, and watershed ET in rural basins of the Southeastern US

Abstract Evapotranspiration (ET) typically accounts for 60–70% of precipitation in rural basins of the Southeastern United States. Since 1930, substantial reforestation of former croplands has occurred in the Piedmont and Appalachian Highlands in this area, leading to an expected increase in ET and reduction in baseflow. This study examines relationships between basin vegetative cover, abiotic factors, and water-budget partitioning in 45 USGS-gaged rural basins in the Southeastern US. Data are for the 1982–2014 water years with watersheds having ≥40% forest cover, crystalline-rock aquifers, minimal basin water export, and no large reservoirs. Long-term annual ET is calculated using the water-budget equation (ET = P-Q), which ranges from 641 to 971 mm/yr. (median 824). Vegetative cover and other basin variables are regressed against ET to quantify the effects of vegetative and forest types. Budyko analysis is employed to compare the watersheds and to evaluate factors affecting residuals. Regression analysis indicates that ET behavior is best explained by abiotic factors (i.e., precipitation and temperature) but forest-cover type also has some effect. Evergreen forest cover is less common than deciduous or mixed forest but has a positive relationship with ET, while deciduous and total forest have negative relationships with ET. Comparison of water-balance and Budyko-estimated ET indicates that deciduous and total forest are associated with negative residuals while evergreen is not significant. These results show that: forest cover effects on basin ET are complicated; forest-cover type is important for water-yield management in this region, and abiotic basin characteristics exert stronger control than forest cover on ET.
Mindfulness and Cognitive Training Interventions in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Impact on Cognition and Mood.

Abstract With the lack of disease-modifying pharmacologic treatments for mild cognitive impairment and dementia, there has been an increasing clinical and research focus on nonpharmacological interventions for these disorders. Many treatment approaches, such as mindfulness and cognitive training, aim to mitigate or delay cognitive decline, particularly in early disease stages, while also offering potential benefits for mood and quality of life. In this review, we highlight the potential of mindfulness and cognitive training to improve cognition and mood in mild cognitive impairment. Emerging research suggests that these approaches are feasible and safe in this population, with preliminary evidence of positive effects on aspects of cognition (attention, psychomotor function, memory, executive function), depression, and anxiety, though some findings have been unclear or limited by methodological weaknesses. Even so, mindfulness and cognitive training warrant inclusion as current treatments for adults with mild cognitive impairment, even if there is need for additional research to clarify treatment outcomes and questions related to dose, mechanisms, and transfer and longevity of treatment effects.
Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder Involving the Gastrointestinal Tract

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a rare and life-threatening complication of both solid organ transplantation and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In most cases, PTLD develops in Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-seropositive individuals in the setting of chronic immunosuppression and decreased T-cell surveillance. Clinical manifestations of PTLD may be nonspecific, resembling primary EBV infection (fever, night sweats, malaise, and cervical lymphadenopathy), or it can involve the central nervous system, bone marrow, kidneys, liver, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal symptoms in the posttransplant setting may indicate underlying PTLD, and it is important for physicians to be able to recognize its appearance on endoscopy.
Prevalence and Temporal Characteristics of Housing Needs in an Urban Emergency Department.

Author(s): Fraimow-Wong, Leah; Alter, Harrison; Sun, Jennifer; Imani, Partow; Haro, Daniel | Abstract: Introduction: Our objective was to determine the proportion of patients in our emergency department (ED) who are unhoused or marginally housed and when they typically present to the ED.Methods: We surveyed patients in an urban, safety-net ED from June–August 2018, using a sampling strategy that met them at all times of day, every day of the week. Patients used two social needs screening tools with additional questions on housing during sampling shifts representing two full weeks. Housing status was determined using items validated for housing stability, including PRAPARE, the Accountable Health Communities Survey, and items from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Propensity scores estimated differences among respondents and non-respondents.Results: Of those surveyed, 35% (95% confidence interval [CI], 31-38) identified as homeless and 28% (95% CI, 25-31) as unstably housed. Respondents and non-respondents were similar by propensity score. The average cumulative number of homeless and unstably housed patients arriving per daily 8-hour window peaks at 7 AM, with 46% (95% CI, 29-64) of the daily aggregate of those reporting homelessness and 44% (95% CI, 24-64) with unstable housing presenting over the next eight hours.Conclusion: The ED represents a low-barrier contact point for reaching individuals experiencing housing challenges, who may interact rarely with other institutions. The current prevalence of homelessness and housing instability among urban ED patients may be substantially higher than reported in historical and national-level statistics. Housing services offered within normal business hours would reach a meaningful number of those who are unhoused or marginally housed.
DDESVSFS: A simple, rapid and comprehensive screening tool for the Differential Diagnosis of Epileptic Seizures VS Functional Seizures.

Abstract Objective Functional seizures (FS) are often misclassified as epileptic seizures (ES). This study aimed to create an easy to use but comprehensive screening tool to guide further evaluation of patients presenting with this diagnostic dilemma. Materials and methods Demographic, clinical and diagnostic data were collected on patients admitted for video-EEG monitoring for clarification of their diagnosis. Upon discharge, patients were classified as having ES vs FS. Using the collected characteristics and video-EEG diagnosis, we created a multivariable logistic regression model to identify predictors of ES. Then, we trained an integer-coefficient model with the most frequently selected predictors, creating a pointing system coined DDESVSFS, with scores ranging from -17 to +8 points. Results 43 patients with FS and 165 patients with ES were recruited. In the final integer-coefficient model, 8 predictors were identified as significant in differentiating ES from FS: normal electroencephalogram (-3 points), predisposing factors for FS (-3 points), increased number of comorbidities (-3 points), semiology suggestive of FS (-4 points), increased seizure frequency (-4 points), longer disease duration (+3 points), antiepileptic polypharmacy (+2 points) and compliance with antiepileptic drugs (+3 points). Cumulative scores of ≤ -9 points carried 95% predictive value. The model performed well (AUC: 0.923, sensitivity: 0.945, specificity: 0.698). Conclusions We propose DDESVSFS as a simple, rapid and comprehensive prediction score for the Differential Diagnosis of Epileptic Seizures VS Functional Seizures. Large prospective studies are needed to evaluate its utility in clinical practice.
State of the art: a forty-year reflection on the Spanish language preparation of Spanish-English bilingual-dual language teachers in the U.S.

This state-of-the-art paper is centered on bilingual education teachers’ linguistic qualifications with special reference to Spanish competencies needed to meet the needs of emergent bilingual educ...
Loan Loss Provisions and Bank Stock Returns

This paper examines the asset pricing implication of loan loss provisions (LLP). LLP is a bank’s dominant accrual and a key determinant of informativeness of banks’ financial reports. We find banks with low LLP have significantly higher returns than banks with high-LLP. A long-short investment strategy that buys stocks in the lowest LLP portfolio and sells in the highest LLP portfolio earns statistically significant alpha of 97 basis points per month. The predictive power of LLP is prevalent after controlling for size and bank capital. Further analyses suggest the effect of LLP arises because investors do not fully understand information on LLP, which leads to mispricing.
Identifying Childhood Expressive Language Features That Best Predict Adult Language and Communication Outcome in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Purpose Several studies have reported that "useful speech" at 5 years of age predicts outcomes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but this skill has been vaguely defined. This study investigates which specific aspects of expressive language in children with ASD best predict adult language and communication outcomes. Method Language samples from 29 children (ages 47-72 months) enrolled in a longitudinal project (e.g., Lord et al., 2006) were transcribed and coded for spoken language features. Hierarchical linear regression was used to compare the following childhood variables as predictors of adult language and communication outcomes: noun diversity, verb diversity, mean length of utterance, and proportion of utterances that were socially motivated. Results Childhood verb diversity was a value-added predictor of all four adult outcome measures (i.e., verbal IQ, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Communication + Social Interaction Algorithm totals, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test scores, and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Communication Domain scores), while noun diversity and proportion of utterances that were socially motivated were not value-added predictors of any adult outcome measures. In a second set of regression analyses, mean length of utterance was substituted for verb diversity and was a value-added predictor of two out of four adult outcome measures (i.e., verbal IQ and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Communication Domain scores). The pattern of findings for the other predictors remained the same as in the previous analyses. Conclusion These results have implications for our understanding of early language in ASD and for clinical decision making in early childhood.
Dissipation and transformation of the diamide insecticide cyantraniliprole in ornamental snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)

Abstract Dissipation and transformation of cyantraniliprole, a new diamide class of insecticides, were investigated under greenhouse conditions, using snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) as the model plant. Dissipation of cyantraniliprole in treated leaves was found to be dependent upon application methods (foliar spray versus soil drench) and doses (high versus low dose), with the parent insecticide being the major residue at various sampling points. A high-dose foliar application resulted in pesticide residue of 6.7–23.8 μg/g foliar fresh weight over 8 weeks of treatments, while in soil drench treatment the residue varied from 0.8 to 1.4 μg/g. However, the residue contents were similar between the two application methods at a low application dose. The transformation pathways of cyantraniliprole were primarily intramolecular rearrangements, with IN-J9Z38 being the major metabolite across treatments. Several other metabolites were also identified, some of which were unique to the application methods. Out of total 26 metabolites tentatively identified in this study, 10 metabolites were unique to foliar application, while six metabolites were unique to soil drench. In addition to plant-mediated biotransformation, photodegradation of the parent compound was identified as a potential mechanism in foliar application.
Income Sources under Female Control and Household Food Security. Evidence from Malawi

Households in low-and middle income countries (LMICs) derive income from a variety of sources. While a large body of evidence shows that households are not unitary decision-makers, the extent to which individual decision-making over different sources of household income affects consumption remains underexplored. In this paper, I use household panel data (n=1512) from the 2013 and 2016 Malawi Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) to test the relationship between female control over different income sources and household hunger and dietary diversity. Panel regressions show that households with female control over income from crop sales face fewer months of hunger, but are not significantly more likely to consume more diverse foods. The findings align with literature on intrahousehold dynamics, which shows that households respond differently to a change in income according to who has control over the additional resources. The implications of the findings are twofold. First, gendered preferences of household members who control income may mitigate household hunger. Second, agricultural income, specifically from crop sales, may play an important role for household food security.
An interpretable flux-based machine learning model of drug interactions across metabolic space and time

Drug combinations are a promising strategy to counter antibiotic resistance. However, current experimental and computational approaches do not account for the entire complexity involved in combination therapy design, such as the effect of the growth environment, drug order, and time interval. To address these limitations, we present an approach that uses genome-scale metabolic modeling and machine learning to explain and guide combination therapy design. Our approach (a) accommodates diverse data types, (b) accurately predicts drug interactions in various growth conditions, (c) accounts for time- and order-specific interactions, and (d) identifies mechanistic factors driving drug interactions. The entropy in bacterial stress response, time between treatments, and gluconeogenesis activation were the most predictive features of combination therapy outcomes across time scales and growth conditions. Analysis of the vast landscape of condition-specific drug interactions revealed promising new drug combinations and a tradeoff in the efficacy between simultaneous and sequential combination therapies.
Metal arsenic mediated enhancement of type-2 immunity in brains with altered locomotive activities in mice with autism-like behavioral characteristics

Exposure to metal arsenic (As) has been proposed as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), which are neurodevelopmental disorders with worldwide increasing in its incidence. In the present study, BTBR T + tf/J (BTBR) mice with ASD-like behavioral characteristics and control highly social FVB mice were orally exposed to 0.1 mM arsenic(III)oxide for 4 weeks, and were compared to investigate neuroimmunological or behavioral abnormalities. IgG1:IgG2a ratios in brain tissues from BTBR mice exposed to As (BTBR-As) were significantly higher than those of BTBR-control mice (BTBR-C), but this change did not occur in FVB mice exposed to As. Levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α in brain tissue were lowered in BTBR-As relative to BTBR-C, but this tendency was not observed with FVB mice. BTBR-As mice demonstrated decrease in relative travel distance and time spent in the center vs. the periphery of open field arena compared to BTBR-C. Sociability evaluation using three-way chamber test did not clearly demonstrate As-mediated alteration in social interaction in BTBR mice. These findings suggest the potential for As-driven predominant TH2-like reactivity profile in the brain microenvironment of BTBR mice and for As-mediated locomotive impairment probably associated with ASD.
School Administrators’ Intentions to Promote Adapted Physical Education:

A survey, developed with the Theory of Planned Behavior, was used to assess school administrators’ intention to promote adapted physical education (APE). Survey results indicated that when school a...
Developing a questionnaire to measure preservice elementary teachers’ emotions for teaching science and mathematics

The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire to measure elementary preservice teachers’ emotions about teaching science and mathematics. To achieve this goal, a questionnaire, Teacher E...
The tps series of software

The development and the present state of the “tps” series of software for use in geometric morphometrics on Windows-based computers are described. These programs have been used in hundreds of studies in mammals and other organisms. Download the complete issue.
Biofuel Producers in a Deregulated Market

In the deregulated fuels market, biofuels and fossil fuels are close competitors and substitutes. Thus, biofuel producers are subject to risks due to volatile crude oil and biofuels feedstock prices. This paper proposes a two-sector fuel market with competing oil refinery and biofuel sectors, calibrated for cases of gasoline/ethanol and diesel/biodiesel. The model suggests that ethanol and biodiesel plants will shut-down approximately 40% and 20% of the time, respectively. The skewness of profits is -0.32, in contrast to the 0.91 of feedstock prices. Several firm-level and policy-level options to manage crude oil price risks for biofuel producers are discussed further.
The effects of linking on genres of Web documents

Documents on the World Wide Web can be composed of multiple Web pages, suggesting the need to consider how linking between pages affects a document's form. We illustrate this point by considering patterns of linking in a common genre of document, the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) file. In a sample of 70 FAQs, we found four patterns of linking: no links, links within the page, links to pages on the same host and links to other hosts. We suggest that links that tie together document pieces simply recreate the already accepted FAQ genre, but links that provide navigation within the document or that link to other information sources begin to extend and adapt the FAQ genre to the needs and capabilities of the Web.
Path Sets and Cut Sets in System Reliability Modeling

This article reviews the concepts of connectedness, path sets, and cut sets in the context of analyzing a system reliability block diagram described as a labeled random graph. The methods discussed also lend themselves to the development of bounds for system reliability. Directions for generalization to capacitated networks are given. Keywords: minimal path; minimal cut; inclusion-exclusion; structure function; reliability bounds; capacitated network
Challenges inbuilding a DBMS Resource Advisor

The AVATAR Information Extraction System (IES) at the IBM Almaden Research Center enables highprecision, rule-based, information extraction from text-documents. Drawing from our experience we propose the use of probabilistic database techniques as the formal underpinnings of information extraction systems so as to maintain high precision while increasing recall. This involves building a framework where rule-based annotators can be mapped to queries in a database system. We use examples from AVATAR IES to describe the challenges in achieving this goal. Finally, we show that deriving precision estimates in such a database system presents a significant challenge for probabilistic database systems.
Design, Ultrastructure, and Dynamics of Nonlinear Optical Effects in Polymeric Thin Films

The topic of nonlinear optical effects is currently at the forefront of research because of its potential application to optical signal processing and optical computing,1 Organic systems can be expected to play a significant role because of their relatively large nonresonant optical nonlinearity and subpicosecond response time.2,3 This paper presents a review of recent work conducted in the author’s laboratory and also reports some new previously unpublished results. Our research program on organic nonlinear optics is a comprehensive one which covers the following aspects: (i) Microscopic understanding of optical nonlinearities, (ii) Syntheses of novel nonlinear organic polymers, (iii) Design and molecular engineering of polymeric thin films, (iv) Ultrastructure determination for these films, and (v) Study of nonlinear optical effects.
Genetic analysis of the affective disorders: summary of GAW5.

Participants in the Affective Disorders component of Genetic Analysis Workshop 5 had acces to five distributed data sets: (1) 187 families from the Collaborative Depression Study, (2) 202 families ascertained as part of the NIMH Family Studies on Affective Disorders, (3) a compilation of 46 pedigrees informative for X-linked markers, (4) HLA typing on 116 kindreds from the Toronto-Rochester Depression Study, and (5) 81 members of an Old Order Amish pedigree demonstrating linkage to markers on chromosome 11p. These databases are each summarized after a brief account is given of the genetics of the affective disorders and commonly used diagnoses. The emphasis of the Workshop was methodologic, with contributions divided evenly between linkage and nonlinkage applications. Contributions are summarized under four substantive areas: regressive logistic models, segregation and other familial analyses, methodologic considerations in linkage analysis, and the relationship between HLA and affective disorders.
University food gardens: a unifying place for higher education sustainability

This research describes the key characteristics of campus food gardens and investigates their contribution to overall campus sustainability. An email-survey of 52 campus garden managers in North America provided quantitative and qualitative data for this analysis. It was found that gardens are often student initiated and managed, but also bring together diverse stakeholders from the campus and community. These sites increase sustainability awareness as well as overall institutional sustainability. University food gardens provide formal education that overcomes many institutional barriers to interdisciplinary programs. Informal education also occurs at these sites through experiential learning which leads to greater environmental awareness among garden participants. Campus gardens increase sustainability of institutions by providing local organic food, sustainability education, campus biodiversity, and community-building. Overall, this research indicates that campus food gardens take root for the long-term with strong student participation and institutional support.