cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Students know what physicists believe, but they don’t agree: A study using the CLASS survey

We measured what students perceive physicists to believe about physics and solving physics problems and how those perceptions differ from the students' personal beliefs. In this study, we used a modified version of the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey which asked students to respond to each statement with both their personal belief and the response they thought a physicist would give. Students from three different types of university introductory physics courses were studied. Students who have not yet taken physics in college have a surprisingly accurate idea of what physicists believe about physics no matter what their high school background and what physics courses they choose to take in college. These ideas are largely unaffected by their college physics instruction. In contrast, students' personal beliefs about physics differ with varying high school physics backgrounds and college physics courses in which they enroll, and these beliefs are affected by college physics instruction. Women have a larger difference between their reported personal beliefs and their perceptions of physicists' beliefs than do men.
Superconductivity and magnetism of Mx(H2O)yTaS2 layered cointercalation compounds

Abstract Magnetization measurements between 1 K and 300 K are reported for the layered cointercalation compounds Mx(H2O)yTaS2 (y = 0, 2; M x = Na 1 3 ), Mn 1 6 , Y 1 9 , La 1 9 , Gd 1 9 . Superconductivity was observed for each compound with y = 2. Removal of the water results in a large increase in the magnetic interactions between the magnetic ions in the Mn 1 6 (H 2 O) y TaS 2 and Gd 1 9 (H 2 O) y TaS 2 systems, with Mn 1 6 TaS 2 exhibiting a ferromagnetic transition near 40 K, replacing the superconducting transition found in Mn 1 6 (H 2 O) 2 TaS 2 below 3 K.
Pausological aspects of children’s narratives

The present research combines developmental and socioeconomic (SES) perspectives in a study of paralinguistic aspects of children’s speech. Spontaneous speech samples were obtained from 94 kindergarten and second-grade children of low-, middle-, and high-SES families in response to a nine-frame sequence of cartoon cards. Results show that low-SES kindergarten children use much longer, although fewer, unfilled pauses than do middle- or high-SES children. However, by second grade there are no longer significant SES differences, a phenomena which is mainly the result of the low-SES children readjusting their use of pause time.
Antiphospholipid antibodies and fetal death.

Objective To determine the type of recurrent pregnancy loss associated with antiphospholipid antibodies. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of women who had two or more pregnancy losses and who were tested for antiphospholipid antibodies. The specific type of pregnancy losses were determined in patients with and without antiphospholipid antibodies. Results In our highly selected referral population, 76 of 366 women (217c) tested positive for lupus anticoagulant or anticardiolipin antibodies of 20 or more immunoglobulin-G phospholipid antibody units. Pregnancy loss occurred in 280 of 333 (84%) prior pregnancies in women with and 1240 of 1479 (84%) without antiphospholipid antibodies. However, 50% of pregnancy losses in women with antiphospholipid antibodies were fetal deaths, compared with less than 15% in women who were antiphospholipid antibody-negative. More than 80% of women with antiphospholipid antibodies had at least one fetal death, compared with less than 25% of women without ( P Conclusion Fetal death is more characteristic of the type of loss experienced by patients with recurrent pregnancy loss than early first-trimester pregnancy loss in women with antiphospholipid antibodies.
Remark on Algorithm 716

The curve-fitting package TSPACK has been converted to double precision. Also, portability has been improved by eliminating some potential errors.
Characterization of a previously unidentified hemoglobin fraction.

Abstract The hemoglobin peaks designated as “unnamed”, Hb1a+b, Hb A1c, Hb AGSSG, Hb A0, and Hb A2 were separated from human red cell hemolysate by CM-Sephadex chromatography. The first peak of Hb, unnamed, was found to have 1 mole of pyridoxal phosphate per mole of Hb tetramer. Treatment of hemolysate with pyridoxal phosphate increased the total amount of Hb in this peak without changing the ratio of pyridoxal phosphate to Hb. Substantial amounts of pyridoxal phosphate were not found in any other Hb fraction. Cord blood hemolysate, consisting mainly of Hb F is pyridoxylated to a much smaller extent than adult hemoglobin.
Importance of Measures of Past Performance: Empirical Evidence on Quality of e-Service Providers*

There has been considerable interest in the management accounting research literature in studying how managerial and worker compensation depends on measures of their performance. Stemming from the theoretical analysis of Holmstrom 1982, Banker and Datar 1989, and others, several empirical studies have sought to examine the implicit role and impact of different performance measures (e.g., Antle and Smith 1986; Lambert and Larcker 1987; Bushman, Indjejikian, and Smith 1996; Ittner, Larcker, and Rajan 1997; Banker, Potter, and Srinivasan 2000). Since the economic theory motivating this research stems from a model of moral hazard with unobservable effort from the agent, the only performance measures that appear relevant are those whose distributions are shifted by the agent’s choice of effort level. As a result, the focus of past research has been on measures of future performance that are contingent on agent’s effort. In this paper, we focus on the role of measures of past performance and accomplishments in determining compensation for services provided. Measures of past performance we consider in this study are observable by both the principal and the agent, and differ from the predecision precontract information in Baiman and Evans 1983 that is available only to the agent. Past performance in our study provides a signal on the intrinsic ability or quality of a service provider. In an adverse selection setting where the service provider’s intrinsic ability is not observed directly by the purchaser of the service, measures of past performance and accomplishments are likely to be informative (Darrough and Melumad 1995). The compensation paid for the service, therefore, is likely to depend on the past performance and other signals on the provider’s ability to deliver valuable service. Murphy and Zabojnik (2003), for example, find that as large corporations now tend to hire chief executive officers (CEOs) externally rather than through internal promotions, transferable skills are more important than firm-specific skills. As a
Encainide for the Treatment of Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients Undergoing Programmed Electrical Stimulation

Encainide was evaluated in 26 patients undergoing programmed electrical stimulation (PES) for ventricular arrhythmias. These patients had inducible symptomatic ventricular tachyarrhythmias during baseline PES and had previously failed a mean of 3.2 antiarrhythmic agents. Encainide was discontinued in six patients prior to PES because of spontaneous ventricular tachycardia (VT) (five patients) and adverse effect (one patient). Encainide increased, the PR, QRS, QTc intervals, and right ventricular effective refractory period (RVERP) significantly from baseline (P < 0.05) in 16 patients who were extensive metabolizers. Encainide, at a mean dose of 110 ± 28 mg/day increased the ventricular tachycardia cycle length (VTCL) from 278 ± 77.1 msec to 334 ± 68.8 msec (P < 0.05). Encainide alone was effective (< 15 beats induced) or partially effective (converting inducible sustained VT to < 15 beats asymptomatic nonsustained VT or increasing the VTCL < 100 msec with no symptoms) in two and seven patients respectively. In seven patients, encainide was also reevaluated at a higher dose (mean dose 148 ± 22 mg/day), but this dose did not significantly alter the overall response or measured parameters. Seven patients were subsequently evaluated on combination of encainide and another antiarrhythmic agent. The combination was effective in three patients and partially effective in three patients. Serum concentrations were measured during each testing period; a moderate correlation was observed between the PR and RR intervals and total concentrations in patients who were extensive metabolizers. Eleven patients who were effective or partially effective during acute testing were placed on long-term encainide therapy (three patients alone and eight patients on combination therapy). In a mean follow-up of 8.9 months (1–25 months) encainide was discontinued in five patients (two patients due to nonsudden cardiac death, one patient due to recurrent nonfatal VT, and two patients due to side effects of combination therapy.) Conclusion: Encainide alone is minimally effective (7.7%) for preventing inducible ventricular tachycardia, but partially effective in 38.9%. Retesting at a higher dose does not offer any additional benefit. However, encainide in combination with another antiarrhythmic agent may improve the response in patients who remain inducible on encainide alone. Further studies are needed to verify this observation.
Testing of a coupled ice-ocean model in a sea ice forecasting system

The Naval Research Laboratory has developed a coupled ice-ocean model which covers most of the sea ice-covered regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This model was designed to replace the three existing Navy sea ice forecast systems: the Polar Ice Prediction System (PIPS) and the two regional systems, the Polar Ice Prediction System-Barents Sea (RPIPS-B)-and the Polar Ice Prediction System-Greenland Sea (RPIPS-G). These systems forecast over the central Arctic, Barents Sea and Greenland Sea (PIPS) and then at higher resolution over the Barents Sea (RPIPS-B) and over the Greenland Sea (RPIPS-G). The coupled ice-ocean model, the Polar Ice Prediction System 2.0 (PIPS2.0), covers all of these regions and the remaining ice-covered marginal seas of the northern hemisphere at a resolution comparable to the two existing regional forecast systems. PIPS2.0 is scheduled to replace the existing forecast systems in 1994. The coupled ice-ocean model consists of the Hibler ice model and the Cox ocean model. The Hibler ice model has been rewritten in spherical coordinates to both be consistent with the Cox ocean model and to define a more realistic grid at lower latitudes. In addition, both models are applied on a rotated coordinate system. This new coordinate system has the intersection of the 100/spl deg/E meridian and the equator as the new "North Pole". This new coordinate system was applied to remove the numerical singularity which will occur at the North Pole in a spherical coordinate system. The model domain extends from the pole to approximately 30/spl deg/N latitude and includes marginal seas such as the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea in the Pacific and the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Labrador Sea in the Atlantic. >
Implicit numerical integration of a three-invariant, isotropic/kinematic hardening cap plasticity model for geomaterials

The mechanical constitutive behavior of geomaterials is quite complex, involving pressure-sensitive yielding, differences in strength in triaxial extension vs. compression, the Bauschinger effect, dependence on porosity, and other factors. Capturing these behaviors necessitates the use of fairly complicated and expensive non-linear material models. For elastically isotropic materials, such models usually involve three-invariant plasticity formulations. Spectral decomposition has been used to increase the efficiency of numerical simulation for such models for the isotropically hardening case. We modify the spectral decomposition technique to models that include kinematic hardening. Finally, we perform some numerical simulations to demonstrate quadratic convergence.
Genetics of the Mammalian Circadian System: Photic Entrainment, Circadian Pacemaker Mechanisms, and Posttranslational Regulation

▪ Abstract During the past four years, significant progress has been made in identifying the molecular components of the mammalian circadian clock system. An autoregulatory transcriptional feedback loop similar to that described in Drosophila appears to form the core circadian rhythm generating mechanism in mammals. Two basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) PAS (PER-ARNT-SIM) transcription factors, CLOCK and BMAL1, form the positive elements of the system and drive transcription of three Period and two Cryptochrome genes. The protein products of these genes are components of a negative feedback complex that inhibits CLOCK and BMAL1 to close the circadian loop. In this review, we focus on three aspects of the circadian story in mammals: the genetics of the photic entrainment pathway; the molecular components of the circadian pacemaker in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus; and the role of posttranslational regulation of circadian elements. A molecular description of the mammalian circadian system has reveale...
Feedback control of Petri nets based on place invariants

This paper describes a method for constructing a Petri net feedback controller for a discrete event system modeled by a Petri net. The controller enforces a set of linear constraints on the plant and consists of places and arcs. It is computed using the concept of Petri net place invariants. The size of the controller is proportional to the number of constraints which must be satisfied. The method is very attractive computationally, and it makes possible the systematic design of Petri net controllers for complex industrial systems. >
Differential Expression of Platelet-Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in Murine Tissues

Objective:To characterize and compare the expression of PECAM-1 in unstimulated and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)-stimulated tissues of mice. Methods:Binding and non-binding monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were radio-labeled and injected into wild-type mice deficient of P-selectin, CD18, or ICAM-1. The relative accumulation of binding mAb (PECAM-1 mAb) was determined in wild-type mice following a 25 µg/kg i.p. injection of TNF-α and in mutant mice under basal conditions. Results:Under unstimulated conditions, PECAM-1 was significantly expressed in all tissues examined, with no changes occurring after TNF-α stimulation. An equivalence of PECAM-1 expression was observed in unstimulated tissues among wild-type mice and mice that are genetically deficient in either CD18, ICAM-1, or P-selectin. The level of PECAM-1 expression in different vascular beds was highly correlated to published values of endothelial surface area. Normalization of previously published values of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E- and P-selectin expression...
Predicting success in the National Basketball Association: Stability & potential

Keywords: Basketball Skill Anthropometrics Talent Forecasting abstract Objectives: To create a more rigorous model of early career success among players in the National Basketball Association (NBA) using growth mixture models. To test the extent to which NBA careers can be predicted by variables that represent past performance and variables that might represent untapped potential. Design: Archival data was collected from measures taken at the pre-draft NBA combine and publicly available data on college and NBA performance. Method: The first three years of players' NBA careers from 2001 to 2006 draft classes were analyzed using a growth mixture model with collected variables predicting latent class. The estimated parameters were then used to forecast the 2007 to 2010 draft classes. Draft order was also predicted with the same variables. Results: NBA player skill formed 3 latent classes of players; only one class performed well in the NBA. Membership in the strongest class was only predicted by age, quality of college program, and players' college performance. Latent class probabilities predicted NBA career trajectory slightly better than draft order in both the estimation model and in the forecast model. NBA draft order was predicted by the same variables as well as arm span and agility. Conclusions: None of the variables analyzed supported an "untapped potential" hypothesis. There is clear evidence for roles of training environment and the stability of skill. The data is consistent with views of deliberate practice and skill acquisition and appears to be consistent with data showing the benefits of being identified as talented, such as the Matthew effect.
Brevetoxin persistence in sediments and seagrass epiphytes of east Florida coastal waters.

A bloom of Karenia brevis Davis developed in September 2007 near Jacksonville, Florida and subsequently progressed south through east Florida coastal waters and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Maximum cell abundances exceeded 106 cells L−1 through October in the northern ICW between Jacksonville and the Indian River Lagoon. The bloom progressed further south during November, and terminated in December 2007 at densities of 104 cells L−1 in the ICW south of Jupiter Inlet, Florida. Brevetoxins were subsequently sampled in sediments and seagrass epiphytes in July and August 2008 in the ICW. Sediment brevetoxins occurred at concentrations of 11–15 ng PbTx-3 equivalents (g dry wt sediment)−1 in three of five basins in the northern ICW during summer 2008. Seagrass beds occur south of the Mosquito Lagoon in the ICW. Brevetoxins were detected in six of the nine seagrass beds sampled between the Mosquito Lagoon and Jupiter Inlet at concentrations of 6–18 ng (g dry wt epiphytes)−1. The highest brevetoxins concentrations were found in sediments near Patrick Air Force Base at 89 ng (g dry wt sediment)−1. In general, brevetoxins occurred in either seagrass epiphytes or sediments. Blades of the resident seagrass species have a maximum life span of less than six months, so it is postulated that brevetoxins could be transferred between epibenthic communities of individual blades in seagrass beds. The occurrence of brevetoxins in east Florida coast sediments and seagrass epiphytes up to eight months after bloom termination supports observations from the Florida west coast that brevetoxins can persist in marine ecosystems in the absence of sustained blooms. Furthermore, our observations show that brevetoxins can persist in sediments where seagrass communities are absent.
Evidence-based Assessment of Cognitive Functioning in Pediatric Psychology

Objective To review the evidence base for measures of cognitive functioning frequently used within the field of pediatric psychology. Methods From a list of 47 measures identified by the Society of Pediatric Psychology (Division 54) Evidence-Based Assessment Task Force Workgroup, 27 measures were included in the review. Measures were organized, reviewed, and evaluated according to general domains of functioning (e.g., attention/executive functioning, memory). Results Twenty-two of 27 measures reviewed demonstrated psychometric properties that met “Well-established” criteria as set forth by the Assessment Task Force. Psychometric properties were strongest for measures of general cognitive ability and weakest for measures of visual-motor functioning and attention. Conclusions We report use of “Well-established” measures of overall cognitive functioning, nonverbal intelligence, academic achievement, language, and memory and learning. For several specific tests in the domains of visual-motor functioning and attention, additional psychometric data are needed for measures to meet criteria as “Well established.”
Synergistic mechanisms in carcinogenesis by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and by tobacco smoke: a bio-historical perspective with updates

B[a]P (benzo[a]pyrene) has been used as a prototype carcinogenic PAH since its isolation from coal tar in the 1930's. One of its diol epoxides, BPDE-2, is considered its ultimate carcinogen on the basis of its binding to DNA, mutagenicity and extreme pulmonary carcinogenicity in newborn mice. However, BPDE-1 has a similar binding to DNA and mutagenicity but it is not carcinogenic. In addition, BPDE-2 is a weak carcinogen relative to B[a]P when repeatedly applied to mouse skin, the conventional assay site. Its carcinogenicity is increased when applied once as an initiator followed repeatedly by a promoter. This indicates a major role for promotion in carcinogenesis by PAHs. Promotion itself is a 2-stage process, the second of which is selective propagation of the initiated cells. Persistent hyperplasia underlies selection by promoters. The non-carcinogenicity of BPDE-1 has yet to be resolved. PAHs have long been considered the main carcinogens of cigarette smoke but their concentration in the condensate is far too low to account by themselves for the production of skin tumors. The phenolic fraction does however have strong promotional activity when repeatedly applied to initiated mouse skin. Several constituents of cigarette smoke are co-carcinogenic when applied simultaneously with repeated applications of PAHs. Catechol is co-carcinogenic at concentrations found in the condensate. Since cigarette smoking involves protracted exposure to all the smoke constituents, co-carcinogenesis simulates its effects. Both procedures, however, indicate a major role for selection in carcinogenesis by cigarette smoke. That selection may operate on endogenous mutations as well as those induced by PAHs. There are indications that the nicotine-derived NNK which is a specific pulmonary carcinogen in animals contributes to smoking-induced lung cancer in man. Lung adenoma development by inhalation has been induced in mice by the gas phase of cigarette smoke. The role of selection has not been evaluated in either of these cases.
Discovering similar multidimensional trajectories

We investigate techniques for analysis and retrieval of object trajectories in two or three dimensional space. Such data usually contain a large amount of noise, that has made previously used metrics fail. Therefore, we formalize non-metric similarity functions based on the longest common subsequence (LCSS), which are very robust to noise and furthermore provide an intuitive notion of similarity between trajectories by giving more weight to similar portions of the sequences. Stretching of sequences in time is allowed, as well as global translation of the sequences in space. Efficient approximate algorithms that compute these similarity measures are also provided. We compare these new methods to the widely used Euclidean and time warping distance functions (for real and synthetic data) and show the superiority of our approach, especially in the strong presence of noise. We prove a weaker version of the triangle inequality and employ it in an indexing structure to answer nearest neighbor queries. Finally, we present experimental results that validate the accuracy and efficiency of our approach.
Towards logic functions as the device

This paper argues for alternate state variables and new types of sophisticated devices that implement more functionality in one computational step than typical devices based on simple switches. Elementary excitations in solids enabling wave interactions are possible initial candidates to create such new devices. The paper focuses on magnon-based spin-wave-logic functions (SPWF) and presents high fan-in majority, weighted high fan-in majority, and frequency-multiplexed weighted high fan-in majority devices as initial SPWFs. Experiments proving feasibility are also shown. Benefits vs. scaled CMOS are quantified. Results show that for 128 or larger inputs even a 2.5µm SPWF carry-look-ahead adder implementation is faster than the 45nm CMOS version. The 45nm SPWF adder is expected to be significantly faster across the whole range of input widths. In particular, the 45nm SPWF CLA adder is estimated to be at least 77X faster than CMOS version for input widths equal to or greater than 1024. A second example of a counter circuit is presented to illustrate the considerable reduction in complexity possible vs. CMOS.
Platelet-activating factor: receptors and signal transduction

During the past two decades, studies describing the chemistry and biology of PAF have been extensive. This potent phosphoacylglycerol exhibits a wide variety of physiological and pathophysiological effects in various cells and tissues. PAF acts, through specific receptors and a variety of signal transduction systems, to elicit diverse biochemical responses. Several important future directions can be enumerated for the characterization of PAF receptors and their attendant signalling mechanisms. The recent cloning and sequence analysis of the gene for the PAF receptor will allow a number of important experimental approaches for characterizing the structure and analysing the function of the various domains of the receptor. Using molecular genetic and immunological technologies, questions relating to whether there is receptor heterogeneity, the precise mechanism(s) for the regulation of the PAF receptor, and the molecular details of the signalling mechanisms in which the PAF receptor is involved can be explored. Another area of major significance is the examination of the relationship between the signalling response(s) evoked by PAF binding to its receptor and signalling mechanisms activated by a myriad of other mediators, cytokines and growth factors. A very exciting recent development in which PAF receptors undoubtedly play a role is in the regulation of the function of various cellular adhesion molecules. Finally, there remain many incompletely characterized physiological and pathophysiological situations in which PAF and its receptor play a crucial signalling role. Our laboratory has been active in the elucidation of several tissue responses in which PAF exhibits major autocoid signalling responses, e.g. hepatic injury and inflammation, acute and chronic pancreatitis, and cerebral stimulation and/or trauma. As new experimental strategies are developed for characterizing the fine structure of the molecular mechanisms involved in tissue injury and inflammation, the essential role of PAF as a primary signalling molecule will be affirmed. Doubtless the next 20 years of experimental activity will be even more interesting and productive than the past two decades.
Processing and Mechanical Properties of RuAl-Based Alloys

Alloys of Ru-Al-Cr with compositions between Ru-10Al-35Cr and Ru-3Al-39Cr (at.%) were directionally solidified and heat treated to produce single phase hcp-Ru(Cr,Al) and two phase B2-hcp microstructures. The room temperature fracture toughness, tensile behavior, and cyclic oxidation behavior at 1100°C were investigated and compared to previous results measured from RuAl and Ru-Al-Mo alloys. For microstructures consisting of a Ru(Cr,Al) matrix with fine RuAl precipitate, a good room temperature fracture toughness, tensile ductility, and oxidation resistance at 1100°C were measured.
Conceptual models of treatment in depressed Hispanic patients.

PURPOSE Though patient variables are likely to play an important role in the undertreatment of depression, little is known of patients’ perceptions of standard depression treatments. In an effort to understand their perspective, we investigated depressed Hispanic patients’ perceptions of primary care treatments and the specific benefits associated with them. METHODS We undertook semistructured interviews with 121 depressed Hispanic medical patients waiting for their appointments. We developed and implemented a coding scheme using standard iterative procedures. RESULTS More than one half of the patients viewed physician consultation and medication as helpful. Almost all patients considered psychotherapy to be helpful. Supportive talk was the most commonly mentioned specific benefit of physician consultation. The most common benefit of medication was its anxiolytic, sedative effect; energizing effects were less common. The most common benefits associated with psychotherapy included support, advice, and catharsis. Patients currently taking medication for depression had a more favorable view of pharmacological treatment; differences by language of interview were noted. CONCLUSIONS Patients’ perceptions of the specific efficacies of depression treatment did not match priorities implicit in current treatment guidelines. Such perceptions may play a key role in shaping patients’ decisions to initiate and maintain treatment.
A Stochastic Differential Game with Controllable Statistical Parameters

A differential game is described where the opponents are a missile and a radar. The problem is formulated so that linear theory can be used in finding the optimal strategies of both opponents. The missile uses a mixed strategy by adding white noise into its controller. The statistics of this noise (the covariance completely describes the noise) can be controlled. In finding the optimal strategy for the covariance of the controller noise, the solution by means of the calculus of variations involves a singular arc.
Non‐Specific Symptoms In Office Workers: A Review And Summary Of The Epidemiologic Literature

Epidemiologic research into the causes of non-specific symptoms among office workers has produced a variety of conflicting findings which are difficult to synthesize. This paper first discusses methodologic issues important in the interpretation of epidemiologic studies, and then reviews the findings of 32 studies of 37 factors potentially related to office worker symptoms. Among environmental factors assessed, there were generally consistent findings associating increased symptoms with air-conditioning, carpets, more workers in a space, VDT use, and ventilation rates at or below 10 liters/second/person. Studies with particularly strong designs found decreased symptoms associated with low ventilation rate, short-term humidification, negative ionization, and improved office cleaning, although studies reviewed showed little consistency of findings for humidification and ionization. Relatively strong studies associated high temperature and low relative humidity with increased symptoms, whereas less strong studies were not consistent. Among personal factors assessed, there were generally consistent findings associating increased symptoms with female gender, job stress/dissatisfaction, and allergies/asthma. For other environmental or personal factors assessed, findings were too inconsistent or sparse for current interpretation, and there were no findings from strong studies. Overall evidence suggested that work related symptoms among office workers were relatively common, and that some of these symptoms represented preventable physiologic effects of environmental exposures or conditions. Future research on this problem should include blind experimental and case-control studies, using improved measurements of both environmental exposures and health outcomes
Knockout of Ste20-Like Proline/Alanine-Rich Kinase (SPAK) Attenuates Intestinal Inflammation in Mice

Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by epithelial barrier disruption and alterations in immune regulation. Ste20-like proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) plays a role in intestinal inflammation, but the underlying mechanisms need to be defined. Herein, SPAK knockout (KO) C57BL/6 mice exhibited significant increases in intestinal transepithelial resistance, a marked decrease in paracellular permeability to fluorescence isothiocyanate–dextran, and altered apical side tight junction sodium ion selectivity, compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, the expression of junction protein, claudin-2, decreased. In contrast, expressions of occludin, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and claudin-5 increased significantly, whereas no obvious change of claudin-1, claudin-4, zonula occludens protein 1, and zonula occludens protein 2 expressions was observed. In murine models of colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium and trinitrobenzene sulfuric acid, KO mice were more tolerant than wild-type mice, as demonstrated by colonoscopy features, histological characteristics, and myeloperoxidase activities. Consistent with these findings, KO mice showed increased IL-10 levels and decreased proinflammatory cytokine secretion, ameliorated bacterial translocation on treatment with dextran sulfate sodium, and regulation of with no lysine (WNK) kinase activity. Together, these features may reduce epithelial permeability. In conclusion, SPAK deficiency increases intestinal innate immune homeostasis, which is important for control or attenuation of pathological responses in inflammatory bowel diseases.
Addressing access barriers to services for mothers at risk for perinatal mood disorders: A social work perspective

This article identifies variables at the micro/individual, mezzo/partner/spouse and family, and macro/health care-system levels that inhibit mothers at risk for perinatal mood disorders from accessing health and mental health care services. Specific recommendations are made for conducting thorough biopsychosocial assessments that address the mothers' micro-, mezzo-, and macro-level contexts. Finally, the authors provide suggestions for how to intervene at the various levels to remove access barriers for mothers living with perinatal mood disorders as well as their families.
The International Politics of Drugs and Illicit Trade in the Americas

Illicit trade has long been a central feature of Latin America’s engagement in the world. In this chapter we first briefly sketch the scope and dimensions of illicit trade in the region, and stress the importance of various types of power asymmetries. Drawing on illustrations primarily from drug trafficking (by far the most studied and documented case), we then outline in a preliminary fashion some of the key issues in understanding transnational illicit flows and their impact on Latin America foreign and domestic policy and governance. We concentrate on four themes: 1) the relationship between illicit trade and diplomatic relations with the United States; 2) the relationship between illicit trade and democratic governance; 3) the relationship between illicit trade and organized violence; and 4) the relationship between illicit trade and neo-liberalism.
Abstract 536: Lysosome Insufficiency in Atherosclerosis Prone DBA/2 Mouse Macrophages Associated With Impaired Autolysosome Formation and Lipid Drop Clearance

In a previous study, we identified autolysosome formation as the limiting step for turnover of cholesterol esters in lipid droplets of macrophage foam cells from the atherosclerosis sensitive DBA/2 strain compared to the atherosclerosis resistant AKR mouse strain. As autophagosome formation was similar in these two strains, we wanted to evaluate the role of lysosome biogenesis and function on autolysosome formation in AKR and DBA/2 cells. The transcription factor TFEB is a key regulator for lysosome biogenesis and function that positively regulates the expression of lysosomal enzymes and structural proteins, and controls lysosomes number. For all our studies, we cultured AKR and DBA/2 macrophages with or without acetylated LDL (AcLDL) for 24h. First, we analyzed TFEB protein expression by western blot. Upon loading, TFEB was increased in AKR (48%, p<0.01) but not DBA/2 cells leading to a 45% higher TFEB level in AKR vs. DBA/2 foam cells (p<0.05), suggesting that lysosome number and function may be impaire...
The Taxonomic Significance of the Spider Trochanter1

The following parts of the trochanter were named for this study: the circulus, a sclerotized ring; the setal carina, a thickened rim bearing a row of stout setae at the distal edge of the circulus; the cuneus, a ventral, wedgeshaped, glabrous and lightly sclerotized part of the circulus; the cuneal disk, a circular, swollen, membranous area of the cuneus which is characteristic of the family Pholcidae; and the limulus, the heavily sclerotized, raised border of the cuneus which is the “notched trochanter” of many authors. The distal border of the limulus differs in shape among spiders. In most of them (22 out of 39 families, and part of the genera of 7 others) it is rounded to broadly truncate. It is deeply notched in the Pisauridae, Lycosidae, and Heteropodidae; less so in the Oxyopidae, Zoropsidae, and Homalonychidae; and much less in the Zodariidae. The notch occurs in 1 or more genera of Linyphidae, Gubionidae, Thomisidae, Agelenidae, Argiopidae, and Dictynidae. Although Petrunkevitch, in writing of the Salticidae, referred to “notched trochanters”, no limuli were found notched in this family. Notched limuli occur occasionally in the Agelenidae, on the fourth or the third and fourth pairs, but never on all 4 pairs. As the genus Barrisca Chamberlin and Ivie has all limuli deeply notched and the tarsal trichobothria irregularly placed, this necessitates its placement in the subfamily Rhoiciniriae of the Pisauridae.
19 IMPACT OF ADENOTONSILLECTOMY ON THE BODY MASS INDEX OF CHILDREN WITH OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome (POSAS) can have many adverse effects on growth (including failure to thrive) in children. The “Gold Standard technique” for diagnosis of POSAS is polysomnography, and then followed by tonsillectomy for treatment. Previous studies have not followed Body Mass Index (BMI) percentiles as an indicator for growth after adenotonsillectomy. This study used calculated BMI percentiles to measure growth before and after adenotonsillectomy. Forty-seven children, diagnosed with PSOSAS by overnight polysomnography, from the University of New Mexico Pediatric Otolaryngology service (ages 2-18 years old) were followed up to 15 months post-adenotonsillectomy. Height and weight were measured at a preoperative visit, and then during two follow-up visits over the next 15 months. A BMI percentile was then calculated for each of these visits, and divided into categories of underweight (less than 5th percentile), normal range (5-95 percentile), and obese (greater than 95th percentile). When categorized, 8 (17%) were underweight, 23 (49%) were normal weight, and 16 (34%) were obese. Underweight children went from a BMI percentile of 0.8±1.1 to 12.2±7.2 (P≤0.008) at 1-6 months post-operatively, and to 21.8±17.6 (P≤0.02) at 7-15 months. Obese children changed from a preoperative BMI percentile of 99.2±1.0 to 97.0±4.7 (P≤0.0002) at 1-6 months post-operatively, and then to 96.5±5.4 (P≤0.008) at 7-15 months. Children with pre-operative BMI percentiles between the 5th and 95th percentile did not show a significant change in growth post-operatively. Our results demonstrate that treatment of OSAS with adenotonsillectomy can impact growth differently depending on pre-operative BMI. Children who were underweight pre-operatively (BMI ≤ 5th percentile) showed a post-operative increase in growth that was consistent with previous studies. In contrary, our results showed that children who were obese pre-operatively (BMI ≥95th percentile) actually had a post-operative decrease BMI percentile. This finding may suggest that it may be possible for POSAS to contribute to obesity.
Normal and abnormal development of an identified leech motor neuron.

In embryonic and mature leeches, the identified L motor neuron, which innervates the longitudinal muscles of the contralateral half body segment, can be identified by the location and relatively large size of its cell body. Here the morphological and physiological development of the L motor neuron has been investigated by intracellular recording and dye-filling techniques in normal and abnormal embryonic leeches. Normally the L motor neuron growth cone projects from the cell body at about the same time as from many other neurons located in the lateral part of the ganglion, including the P mechanosensory neurons. The L motor axon, like many other leech axons, projects directly into the appropriate pathway. The L motor neuron does not initially extend an excessive number of axons followed by elimination of the inappropriate ones. Its growth cone is tapered and relatively free of filopodia and grows out of the ganglion in the contralateral posterior nerve behind the growth cone of the primary peripheral axon of the dorsal P mechanosensory cell, which is one of the earliest axons in the posterior root. Occasionally the bilateral halves of the germinal plate fail to fuse resulting in an embryo with separated but intact half ganglia, body wall, and skin. In such embryos the L motor neuron axons cannot grow out the contralateral posterior nerve since it is not available. Instead they grow out a variety of ipsilateral nerves and/or connective tracts. The P mechanosensory cells, which normally grow out of the ganglion in specific ipsilateral nerves, extend their axons along their normal pathways. In these abnormal embryos the L motor neurons did not preferentially grow into the ipsilateral posterior nerve, normally the pathway taken by the bilateral homologue and the nerve most similar to the L motor neuron9s normal pathway. The failure of these L neurons to either consistently choose or avoid the ipsilateral posterior root suggests that the bilateral homologues ignore one another9s pathfinding cues or that such cues are missing or changed in these embryos. The axons of the P neurons, however, appear to require no cues or interactions with contralateral structures or cells for normal development.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Three-Dimensional Craniofacial Models for Midfacial Distraction: a Pilot Study:

Objective: Patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) models are increasingly used to virtually plan rare surgical procedures, providing opportunity for preoperative preparation, better understanding of individual anatomy, and implant prefabrication. The purpose of this study was to assess the benefit of 3D models related to patient safety, operative time, and cost. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Academic, tertiary care hospital. Patients, Participants: Midfacial distraction was studied as a representative craniofacial operation. A consecutive series of 29 patients who underwent a single type of midfacial distraction was included. Intervention: For a subset of patients, computed tomography-derived 3D models were used to study patient-specific anatomy and precontour hardware. Main Outcome Measures: Complications, operative time, blood loss, and estimated cost. Results: Twenty patients underwent midfacial distraction without and nine with preoperative use of a 3D model. Seven complications occur...
Evaluation of transradial body-powered prostheses using a robotic simulator.

Background:Transradial body-powered prostheses are extensively used by upper-limb amputees. This prosthesis requires large muscle forces and great concentration by the patient, often leading to dis...
Overlapping Surgery in the Ambulatory Orthopaedic Setting.

Background: The practice of a surgeon performing procedures in two operating rooms during overlapping time frames has been described as concurrent surgery if critical portions occur simultaneously, or overlapping surgery if they do not. Although recent media reports have focused on the potential adverse effects of these practices, to our knowledge, there has been no previous research investigating outcomes of overlapping procedures in orthopaedic surgery. Methods: A retrospective review of an institutional clinical database from 2012 to 2015 was utilized to collect data from all surgical cases (including sports medicine, hand, and foot and ankle) performed at an ambulatory orthopaedic surgery center. Patient demographic characteristics, types of procedures, operating room time, procedure time, and 30-day outcomes including complications, unplanned hospital readmissions, unplanned reoperations, and emergency department visits were collected. The amount of overlap time between cases was also analyzed. Pearson chi-square tests, Student t tests, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: Of 3,640 cases performed, 68% were overlapping procedures and 32% were non-overlapping. There was no difference in the mean age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists rating, or Charlson Comorbidity Index between patients who had overlapping procedures and those who did not. Comparison of overlapping surgery cases and non-overlapping surgery cases revealed no difference in the mean procedure time (70.7 minutes compared with 72.8 minutes; p = 0.116) or total operating room time (105.4 minutes compared with 105.5 minutes; p = 0.949). Complications were tracked for 30 days after procedures and yielded a rate of 1.1% for overlapping surgeries and 1.3% for non-overlapping surgeries (p = 0.811). Stratification based on subspecialty surgery also demonstrated no difference in complications between the cohorts. Fifty percent of overlapping cases overlapped by 2 hours. The rate of complications was found to have no association with the amount of overlap between cases (p = 0.151). Conclusions: Overlapping surgery yields equivalent patient operating room time, procedure time, and 30-day complication rates as non-overlapping surgery in the ambulatory orthopaedic setting. Further investigation is warranted for inpatient orthopaedic procedures and across all orthopaedic subspecialties. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
A Brief Historical Overview of School Desegregation

The desegregation of America’s schools has been one of this country’s most explosive social issues for more than a century. The origins of the present controversy over school desegregation extend deep into the American past. The foundation of this controversy rests on the relationship between the races. In order to grasp the complexities of the present situation, an understanding of the past is essential. For this reason, relevant aspects of the history of American race relations will be traced in this chapter. In this brief history, emphasis will be placed on the different patterns of race relations that evolved in the North and South. Special attention will be given to the evolution of segregation in education, early Supreme Court decisions relevant to desegregation, and to the contributions made by social scientists to the Brown 1 decision.
Risk factors, mortality, and timing of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke with left ventricular assist devices.

Background Stroke is a major cause of mortality after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement. Methods Prospectively collected data of patients with HeartMate II ( n = 332) and HeartWare ( n = 70) LVADs from October 21, 2004, to May 19, 2015, were reviewed. Predictors of early (during index hospitalization) and late (post-discharge) ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and association of stroke subtypes with mortality were assessed. Results Of 402 patients, 83 strokes occurred in 69 patients (17%; 0.14 events per patient-year [EPPY]): early ischemic stroke in 18/402 (4%; 0.03 EPPY), early hemorrhagic stroke in 11/402 (3%; 0.02 EPPY), late ischemic stroke in 25/402 (6%; 0.04 EPPY) and late hemorrhagic stroke in 29/402 (7%; 0.05 EPPY). Risk of stroke and death among patients with stroke was bimodal with highest risks immediately post-implant and increasing again 9–12 months later. Risk of death declined over time in patients without stroke. Modifiable stroke risk factors varied according to timing and stroke type, including tobacco use, bacteremia, pump thrombosis, pump infection, and hypertension (all p p = 0.04), late ischemic stroke (aOR 3.2, 95% CI 1.1–9.0, p = 0.03), and late hemorrhagic stroke (aOR 3.7, 95% CI 1.5–9.2, p = 0.005) p redicted death, whereas early ischemic stroke did not. Conclusions Stroke is a leading cause and predictor of death in patients with LVADs. Risk of stroke and death among patients with stroke is bimodal, with highest risk at time of implant and increasing risk again after 9–12 months. Management of modifiable risk factors may reduce stroke and mortality rates.
Gambling for Quants, Part 1: A Simple Fractional Betting System

This is the first of a “Gambling for Quants” series that discusses the science of gambling for quantitatively trained market practitioners. Part 1 describes the well-known Kelly Criterion fractional betting system for simple coin flips. Most of the important ideas are understandable in this simple setting, but its generalization to portfolios of coins, and then to portfolios of financial instruments will be undertaken in later parts.