cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphological Substrates for Parallel Streams of Corticogeniculate Feedback Originating in Both V1 and V2 of the Macaque Monkey

Corticothalamic circuits are essential for reciprocal information exchange between the thalamus and cerebral cortex. Nevertheless, the role of corticothalamic circuits in sensory processing remains a mystery. In the visual system, afferents from retina to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and from LGN to primary visual cortex (V1) are organized into functionally distinct parallel processing streams. Physiological evidence suggests corticogeniculate feedback may be organized into parallel streams; however, little is known about the diversity of corticogeniculate neurons, their local computations, or the structure-function relationship among corticogeniculate neurons. We used a virus-mediated approach to label and reconstruct the complete dendritic and local axonal arbors of identified corticogeniculate neurons in the macaque monkey. Our results reveal morphological substrates for parallel streams of corticogeniculate feedback based on distinct classes of neurons in V1 and V2. These results support the hypothesis that distinct populations of feedback neurons provide independent and unique information to the LGN.
Use of Metformin in Obese Women With Type I Endometrial Cancer Is Associated With a Reduced Incidence of Cancer Recurrence.

Objectives Recent evidence suggests that hyperinsulinemia associated with obesity may be a significant risk factor for the development of endometrial cancer. Metformin is used in type II diabetes to lower circulating insulin levels. We sought to examine our obese patients with endometrial cancer and examine those who were on metformin to determine any impact on their cancer course. Methods A retrospective review of all women with the diagnosis of endometrial cancer and a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher during a 6-year period (2005–2011) at our institution was conducted. Records were reviewed for standard demographic data, use of metformin, cancer characteristics, treatment, and cancer follow-up. Results A total of 351 women were identified who were obese and diagnosed as having endometrial cancer. Of these, 64 were on metformin (M+) at the time of diagnosis of endometrial cancer. The women on metformin had a significantly higher mean body mass index (44.6 vs 41.6, P Conclusions Obese women who developed endometrial cancer while on metformin did not seem to have pathologic risk factors different from those not on metformin. However, the type I cancer patients on metformin were less likely to recur than those not on the drug. This suggests that a prospective trial of metformin at the time of diagnosis of endometrial cancer in the obese population may be warranted.
Abstract 5404: Up-regulation of proliferative and migratory genes in regulatory T cells from patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Immune suppression by regulatory T cells (Tregs) is associated with tumor evasion. An increase in the frequency and suppressive function of Tregs has been shown in a variety of solid tumors. The purpose of this study was to determine if the enhanced number and activity of these cells in prostate cancer patients could be due to tumor-induced changes in gene expression. CD4 + CD25 hi CD127 lo Tregs were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy donors and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. These samples were selected based on similar suppressive activity in a functional assay. A genome-wide expression array of 38, 500 genes was then performed to detect any effects in expression potentially induced by tumor. We found 384 genes had a three-fold or greater difference in expression between the groups. Differentially expressed genes were involved in cell cycle processes, cellular growth and proliferation, immune response, hematological system development and function, as well as the IL-2 and TGF-β pathways. Genes most up-regulated in the Tregs of mCRPC patients included C-FOS, C-JUN, DUSP1 and RGS1, which are crucial for regulation of T cell proliferation, activation and migration. We also observed increased expression of c-Jun protein in patient Tregs by flow cytometry. Patients had a significantly higher percentage of Tregs in their CD4 + population than the healthy donors, but interestingly, there was no difference in FoxP3 expression. These results indicate that tumor-derived factors may contribute to Treg mediated immune suppression by up-regulating genes that increase their proliferative and migratory capacities, allowing them to better home to the tumor and inhibit the host response. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5404. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5404
222 THE EFFECTS OF ERYTHROPOIETIN ON CALCIUM SIGNALING IN NEURONAL-LIKE PC12 CELLS.

Background Erythropoietin (EPO) and EPO receptors are expressed in the central nervous system of mammals. In a number of studies EPO has been demonstrated to be neuroprotective after hypoxic-ischemic insult in vivo and in vitro. The physiology of the EPO-mediated neuroprotective effect, however, is not well understood. Recent indirect evidence has demonstrated that cellular calcium changes are likely involved in the EPO-induced neuroprotection after hypoxic-ischemic insult. The physiological affect that changes in intracellular calcium may play and how calcium regulation is altered by EPO is yet to be determined. Objective To examine how erythropoietin modulates calcium changes in the neuronal-like PC12 cells in both control and hypoxic conditions in vitro. Methods Cultures of PC12 cells were obtained from ATCC. Cells were differentiated using nerve growth factor for 3-5 days. EPO receptor expression on the PC12 cells was demonstrated using immunohistochemistry. Cover slips prepared from PC12 cell cultures were preloaded for 30 minutes with Fluo 4 AM. Intracellular calcium changes were studied using fluorescent microscopy, in the presence of EPO 1-100 units/mL in both control cells and after exposure of PC12 cells to 1 hour of hypoxia. EPO was applied to the hypoxic cells 30 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes after the hypoxic episode. Results Fluorescent microscopy demonstrated that (1) intracellular free calcium was increased after the application of EPO in control PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner, (2) after 1 hour of hypoxia the intracellular calcium increase due to EPO reached a level 8 times greater than in PC 12 cells not exposed to hypoxia, and (3) subsequent immunohistochemistry demonstrated an enhanced expression of plasma membrane EPO receptors after PC12 cells were exposed to hypoxic conditions. Conclusion This study demonstrated that EPO increases intracellular calcium in the neuronal-like PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner and that the EPO receptor expression and intracellular calcium rise were significantly increased after PC12 cells were exposed to hypoxia. Future Direction We plan to use pharmacological inhibitors to evaluate whether this rise in cellular calcium is due to calcium coming across the plasma membrane or if calcium is being released from intracellular stores. How alterations in cellular free calcium and the subsequent cellular signals associated with it are involved in the cascade that leads to necrosis, apoptosis, or neuroprotection is going to be crucial in understanding the physiological actions of EPO in the brain.
Inhalation Anesthesia: An Occupational Hazard

An excess incidence of certain cancers, spontaneous abortions, and birth defects in their offspring has been documented among anesthesia personnel, giving rise to concern about the effects of chronic exposure to anesthetic gases. Yet it is possible, with scavenging equipment and properly designed ventilating systems, to reduce operating room concentrations of these gases by 98%. Why, then, are such measures not yet routine?
Prediction of lymphatic metastases by Gleason histologic grading in prostatic cancer.

AbstractWe reviewed retrospectively 90 patients with prostatic cancer to assess Gleason grading as a predictor of pelvic nodal metastases and to compare our results to previous studies. Positive nodes occurred in 0 and 20 per cent of patients with Gleason sums of 2 to 4 and 5 to 6, respectively, which is consistent with previous data. However, nodes were involved in only 44, 60 and 44 per cent of patients with a Gleason sum of 7 to 9, respectively, and nodes were negative in the sole patient with a Gleason sum of 10. These results contrast greatly with previous reports. More experience is required in evaluating the need for staging pelvic lymphadenectomy or treatment in a patient with a given Gleason grade of prostatic cancer.
Effectively Serving AB 540 and Undocumented Students at a Hispanic Serving Institution.

This mixed-methods study examined the experiences of undocumented students at a 4-year Hispanic Serving Institution. Barriers identified by these students included a lack of resources and minimal c...
The Feeding Response to β Adrenergic Active Agents During Lactation-Induced Hyperphagia

SUMMARY Lactating rats demonstrated hyperphagia with a food intake 300% greater than non-lactating controls. During this lactational hyperphagia, the β satiety system’ was still functional since isoproterenol significantly reduced food intake; however, the drug could not reduce the intake of the hyperphagic animals to the level of the non-lactating controls. Propanolol reversed the effect of isoproterenol on intake.
An implementer's view of the evolutionary systems engineering for autonomous unmanned systems

This paper presents the application of an Evolutionary Systems Engineering Model for Unmanned systems. It is a novel approach for research, development, test, and evaluation of unmanned systems. The Evolutionary Systems Engineering Model for Unmanned System is based on the System of Systems (SoS) Systems Engineering (SE) Wave Model [2] adopted by the DoD as best practices for Systems of Systems System Engineering [3], [5]. The SoS Wave Model was adopted by SPAWAR Systems Center (SSC) Pacific's Unmanned Systems Group to enable the agile and rapid evolution of autonomous unmanned systems. It provides the backplane for the Unmanned Systems Integration, Test, and Experimentation (UxSITE) capability at SSC Pacific. It establishes a systematic process for technology insertion and overarching strategies for managing risk and ensuring key capability objectives are met as the system evolves. Implemented as a continuous improvement process, the Evolutionary System Engineering approach provides flexibility and adaptability to address the inevitable changes in both the technical landscape and the larger operational environment. This paper provides a description of the Evolutionary Systems Engineering Model, its drivers, and how implementation of the SoS Wave Model addresses them.
Multivessel CAD in Nondiabetic Patients: To Operate or to Dilate?

The optimal approach to the revascularization of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) has been the focus of multiple randomized clinical trials over the past 3 decades. Guideline documents developed by the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association (ACCF/
Kinetic Aspects of Ti 2 AlC MAX Phase Oxidation

The oxidation kinetics of a commercial Ti2AlC MAX phase compound were measured in 100 h isothermal thermogravimetric tests at 1,100, 1,200, and 1,300 °C. A significant amount of transient oxidation took place during the initial 5 min of heating due to the rapid growth of non-protective TiO2 scales. After correcting for this amount, shown as a knee in log–log plots, the mass gain was similar to that for alumina-forming FeCrAl alloys. Nearly t1/3 cubic kinetics were obeyed, as reported in the literature. An activation energy of ~340 kJ/mol was found, similar to ~380 kJ/mol previously demonstrated for grain boundary oxygen diffusivity. Power law fitting accounts for grain coarsening effects on an otherwise fundamentally parabolic scaling process. In summation, cubic steady-state Ti2AlC oxidation kinetics are consistent with grain boundary diffusion mechanisms for alumina scales.
Infrastructure and Productivity: An Unchartered Territory

There is typical competition among industrialized countries where some would like to establish leadership in economic and industrial performance. Without proper development and maintenance of a dynamic infrastructure there is unlikely to be any kind of industrial, trade, economic, or quality of life related leadership. Traditionally economists have considered only three components of economic activity: land, labor, and capital. From the perspective of this author, during 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Japan added one more element to the traditional three: management. Without management the traditional three cannot be put together and show economic advancement and industrial leadership. I would add even one more component: infrastructure. In the past, when the four components were discussed, infrastructure may have been a given, but in the twenty-first century this phenomenon must be separated from the above four. If a country has the traditional three and even an adequate management, but it does not have an appropriate infrastructure the country is not likely to go anywhere. Until recently, China and India suffered from that type of deficiency. I believe that the USA is losing its industrial leadership at least partly because it is not developing and maintaining a necessary infrastructure that would enable it to expand its GDP and enhance the quality of life for all of its citizens. This chapter explores just how the infrastructure contributes to the country’s productivity. It explores the conditions under which the infrastructure is likely to play a critical role in enhancing GDP or blocking its advancement.
Relationship characteristics associated with teen dating violence perpetration

Teen dating violence (TDV) is unstable across dating relationships, suggesting that characteristics of the relationship could be related to TDV. Few empirical studies have examined these links. This study examined associations between relationship characteristics and TDV perpetration among teens and sex differences in those associations. Relationship characteristics examined include tactics used to manipulate partners; ways of responding to relationship problems; relationship duration; exclusivity of the relationship; age difference between partners; and history of sexual intercourse with partner. Data were drawn from 667 teens in a current relationship (62.5% female and 81.4% white) enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade in 14 public schools in a rural US state. Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses examined proposed associations. 30.1% and 8.2% of teens reported controlling and physical TDV perpetration, respectively. In multivariable models, frequent use manipulation tactics increased risk for controlling or physical TDV perpetration. Teens dating a partner two or more years younger were at significantly increased risk for both controlling and physical perpetration. A significant interaction emerged between sex and exit/neglect accommodation for physical TDV. Characteristics of a current dating relationship play an important role in determining risk for controlling and physical TDV perpetration.
A New Amoeba with Protosteloid Fruiting: Luapeleamoeba hula n. g. n. sp. (Acanthamoebidae, Centramoebida, Amoebozoa)

We describe a new protosteloid amoeba, Luapeleamoeba hula. Protosteloid amoebae, sometimes called protostelids, are sporocarpic amoebae that make fruiting bodies that consist of a stalk and one to a few spores. This new taxon was cultured from dead leaves of mamaki (Pipturus albidus) from the Manuka Natural Area Reserve, Hawaii, USA. Light microscopic examination showed that this amoeba has a short, rigid stalk with a small apophysis and a spore that changes shape continuously until it is shed and crawls away from the stalk. In addition, this amoeba was initially observed to maintain a diurnal rhythm in which fruiting body formation occurred primarily in the late afternoon. This new species is unique in both its amoebal and fruiting body morphology. Spore deciduousness appears to be a result of shape changes in the spore itself. This is the fourth species of protosteloid amoeba described with a clearly described diurnal rhythm. In addition, previous molecular phylogenetic analyses suggested that this new species has SSU rRNA gene sequences that clearly separate it from any other protosteloid amoebae and place it as sister to Protacanthamoeba bohemica among the Acanthamoebidae family in Centramoebida of Amoebozoa. Because this new amoeba species does not fit into any of the centramoebid genera, we have proposed a new genus Luapeleamoeba.
Assessing Working Memory in Children: The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children – Working Memory (CABC-WM)

The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children - Working Memory (CABC-WM) is a computer-based battery designed to assess different components of working memory in young school-age children. Working memory deficits have been identified in children with language-based learning disabilities, including dyslexia1,2 and language impairment3,4, but it is not clear whether these children exhibit deficits in subcomponents of working memory, such as visuospatial or phonological working memory. The CABC-WM is administered on a desktop computer with a touchscreen interface and was specifically developed to be engaging and motivating for children. Although the long-term goal of the CABC-WM is to provide individualized working memory profiles in children, the present study focuses on the initial success and utility of the CABC-WM for measuring central executive, visuospatial, phonological loop, and binding constructs in children with typical development. Immediate next steps are to administer the CABC-WM to children with specific language impairment, dyslexia, and comorbid specific language impairment and dyslexia.
miRNAs in B Cell Development and Lymphomagenesis

B lymphocytes are essential for an efficient immune response against a variety of pathogens. A large fraction of hematologic malignancies is of B cell origin, suggesting that the development and activation of B cells need to be tightly regulated. In recent years, increasing evidence has emerged demonstrating that microRNAs (miRNAs) – a class of non-coding RNAs that control gene expression – are involved in the regulation of B cell development and function. We provide here an overview of the current knowledge on the role of miRNAs and their relevant targets in B cell development, B cell activation, and B cell malignant transformation.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Influence Brain Function in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: The present study constitutes the first randomized controlled trial to investigate the relation of lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) to brain function using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). It was hypothesized that L and Z supplementation in older adults would enhance neural efficiency (i.e., reduce activation) and cognitive performance on a verbal learning task relative to placebo. Methods: A total of 44 community-dwelling older adults (mean age=72 years) were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or L+Z supplementation (12 mg/daily) for 1 year. Neurocognitive performance was assessed at baseline and post-intervention on an fMRI-adapted task involving learning and recalling word pairs. Imaging contrasts of blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal were created by subtracting active control trials from learning and recall trials. A flexible factorial model was employed to investigate the expected group (placebo vs. supplement) by time (baseline vs. post-intervention) interaction in pre-specified regions-of-interest. Results: L and Z appeared to buffer cognitive decline on the verbal learning task (Cohen’s d=.84). Significant interactions during learning were observed in left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex (p < .05, family-wise-error corrected). However, these effects were in the direction of increased rather than decreased BOLD signal. Although the omnibus interaction was not significant during recall, within-group contrasts revealed significant increases in left prefrontal activation in the supplement group only. Conclusions: L and Z supplementation appears to benefit neurocognitive function by enhancing cerebral perfusion, even if consumed for a discrete period of time in late life. (JINS, 2018, 24, 77–90)
Meta-analysis of quality-of-life improvement after cochlear implantation and associations with speech recognition abilities.

Objectives Determine the impact of cochlear implantation on quality of life (QOL) and determine the correlation between QOL and speech recognition ability. Study Design Two authors independently searched PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature to identify studies reporting hearing-specific or cochlear implant (CI)–specific QOL outcomes before and after cochlear implantation, and studies reporting correlations between QOL and speech recognition after cochlear implantation. Data from the included articles were obtained independently by two authors. Standardized mean difference (SMD) for each measure and pooled effects were determined to assess improvement in QOL before and after cochlear implantation. Results From 14 articles with 679 CI patients who met the inclusion criteria, pooled analyses of all hearing-specific QOL measures revealed a very strong improvement in QOL after cochlear implantation (SMD = 1.77). Subset analysis of CI-specific QOL measures also showed very strong improvement (SMD = 1.69). Thirteen articles with 715 patients met the criteria to evaluate associations between QOL and speech recognition. Pooled analyses showed a low positive correlation between hearing-specific QOL and word recognition in quiet (r = 0.213), sentence recognition in quiet (r = 0.241), and sentence recognition in noise (r = 0.238). Subset analysis of CI-specific QOL showed similarly low positive correlations with word recognition in quiet (r = 0.213), word recognition in noise (r = 0.241), and sentence recognition in noise (r = 0.255). Conclusions Using hearing-specific and CI-specific measures of QOL, patients report significantly improved QOL after cochlear implantation. However, widely used clinical measures of speech recognition are poor predictors of patient-reported QOL with CIs. Laryngoscope, 2017
Thermodynamic assessment of the pseudoternary Na2O–Al2O3–SiO2 system

Vitrified high-level radioactive waste that contains high concentrations of Na2O and Al2O3, such as the waste stored at the Hanford site, can cause nepheline to precipitate in the glass upon cooling in the canisters. Nepheline formation removes oxides such as Al2O3 and SiO2 from the host glass, which can reduce its chemical durability. Uncertainty in the extent of precipitated nepheline necessitates operating at an enhanced waste loading margin, which increases operational costs by extending the vitrification mission as well as increasing waste storage requirements. A thermodynamic evaluation of the Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2 system that forms nepheline was conducted by utilizing the compound energy formalism and ionic liquid model to represent the solid solution and liquid phases, respectively. These were optimized with experimental data and used to extrapolate phase boundaries into regions of temperature and composition where measurements are unavailable. The intent is to import the determined Gibbs energies into a phase field model to more accurately predict nepheline phase formation and morphology evolution in waste glasses to allow for the design of formulations with maximum loading. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Sputtering of Spindt-type field emission tip induced by electron stimulated desorption of gate contaminations

The sputtering of Mo Spindt emitter due to the gate absorbent are observed when nA level emission current is collected by the gate for a duration of tens of seconds under a vacuum of 1×10−7 Torr.
A new percolation model for composite solid electrolytes and dispersed ionic conductors

Composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) including conductor/insulator composites known as dispersed ionic conductors (DICs) have motivated the development of novel percolation models that describe their conductivity. Despite the long history, existing models lack in one or more key areas: (1) rigorous foundation for their physical theory, (2) explanation for non-universal conductor?insulator transition, (3) classification of DICs, and (4) extension to frequency-domain. This work describes a frequency-domain effective medium approximation (EMA) of a bond percolation model for CSEs. The EMA is derived entirely from Maxwell's equations and contains basic microstructure parameters. The model was applied successfully to several composite systems from literature. Simulations and fitting of literature data address these key areas and illustrate the interplay between space charge layer properties and bulk microstructure.
Distributed adaptive beam nulling to survive against jamming in 3D UAV mesh networks

Abstract In the future generation mission-centric tactical network, 3D UAV mesh network will play a crucial role for its several advantages. However, any adversarial node with the 3D movement capability poses a significant threat to these networks as the adversary can position itself to attack the crucial links. An adaptive beamnulling antenna is used to spatially filter out signal coming from a certain direction that can maintain the links active without requiring additional spectrum. However, determining the beamnull region is very challenging for jammer with mobility. This paper presents a distributed mechanism where nodes measure the jammer’s direction in a discrete interval and determine the optimal beamnull for the next interval. Kalman filter based tracking mechanism is used to estimate the most likely trajectory of the jammer from noisy observation of the jammer’s position. A beam null border is determined by calculating confidence region of jammer’s current and next position estimates. An optimization goal is presented to determine the optimal beam null that minimizes the number of deactivated links while maximizing the higher value of confidence for keeping the jammer inside the null. The framework works in the physical layer and can work with any upper layer protocol. The survivability of a 3D mesh network with a mobile jammer is studied through simulation that validates an 96.65% reduction in the number of jammed nodes.
Spatially dynamic maternal control of migratory fish recruitment pulses triggered by shifting seasonal cues

Environmental regimes set the timing and location of early life-history events of migratory species with synchronised reproduction. However, modified habitats in human-dominated landscapes may amplify uncertainty in predicting recruitment pulses, impeding efforts to restore habitats invaluable to endemic species. The present study assessed how environmental and spawner influences modulate recruitment variability and persistence of the Missouri River shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) under modified seasonal spawning and nursery habitat conditions. Using a spatially explicit individual-based biophysical model, spawning cycle, early life-history processes (dispersal, energetics and survival) and prey production were simulated under incrementally perturbed flow (from –10 to –30%) and temperature (+1 and +2°C) regimes over 50 years. Simulated flow reduction and warming synergistically contracted spring spawning habitats (by up to 51%) and periods (by 19%). Under these conditions, fewer mature females entered a reproductive cycle, and more females skipped spawning, reducing spawning biomass by 20–50%. Many spawners migrated further to avoid increasingly unfavourable habitats, intensifying local density dependence in larval stages and, in turn, increasing size-dependent predation mortality. Diminished egg production (by 20–97%) and weakened recruitment pulses (by 46–95%) ultimately reduced population size by 21–74%. These simulations illustrate that environmentally amplified maternal influences on early life histories can lower sturgeon population stability and resilience to ever-increasing perturbations.
Transgender prejudice reduction and opinions on transgender rights: Results from a mediation analysis on experimental data

Fears, phobias, and dislikes about minorities should be strong determinants of whether Americans support policies protecting such minorities. Studies suggest that discussions and information about ...
Predictors of Farmers' Market Shopping among People Receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits.

Promoting use of farmers' markets (FMs) is a promising community-level strategy to increase access to nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables. Yet, FM shopping among people with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits remains low. This research examined predictors of FM shopping among SNAP recipients living within 1 mile of a FM. A cross-sectional survey of SNAP participants (N = 270) was conducted in 2015 in Cleveland and East Cleveland, OH, USA. Multinomial regression and zero-truncated Poisson regression analyses were conducted to examine factors associated with FM shopping. Results indicate 48% reported shopping at a FM at least once in the past year, 26% had shopped at a FM before, but not in the last year, and 26% had never shopped at a FM. The multivariable analyses found awareness of FMs and a healthy food incentive program, and four dimensions of healthy food access are significantly associated with FM shopping among SNAP recipients. The food access dimensions included service delivery, spatial-temporal, personal, and social access. Findings highlight modifiable leverage points for improving the reach of FMs among low-income populations.
Drug overdose deaths at work, 2011–2016

Drug overdose fatalities have risen sharply and the impact on US workplaces has not been described. This paper describes US workplace overdose deaths between 2011 and 2016. Drug overdose deaths were identified from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and fatality rates calculated using denominators from the Current Population Survey. Fatality rates were compared among demographic groups and industries. Negative binomial regression was used to analyse trends. Between 2011 and 2016, 760 workplace drug overdoses occurred for a fatality rate of 0.9 per 1 000 000 full-time equivalents (FTEs). Workplace overdose fatality rates significantly increased 24% annually. Workplace overdose fatality rates were highest in transportation and mining industries (3.0 and 2.6 per 1 000 000 FTEs, respectively). One-third of workplace overdose fatalities occurred in workplaces with fewer than 10 employees. Heroin was the single most frequent drug documented in workplace overdose deaths (17%). Workplace overdose deaths were low, but increased considerably over the six-year period. Workplaces are impacted by the national opioid overdose epidemic.
Source code properties of defective infrastructure as code scripts

Abstract Context In continuous deployment, software and services are rapidly deployed to end-users using an automated deployment pipeline. Defects in infrastructure as code (IaC) scripts can hinder the reliability of the automated deployment pipeline. We hypothesize that certain properties of IaC source code such as lines of code and hard-coded strings used as configuration values, show correlation with defective IaC scripts. Objective The objective of this paper is to help practitioners in increasing the quality of infrastructure as code (IaC) scripts through an empirical study that identifies source code properties of defective IaC scripts. Methodology We apply qualitative analysis on defect-related commits mined from open source software repositories to identify source code properties that correlate with defective IaC scripts. Next, we survey practitioners to assess the practitioner’s agreement level with the identified properties. We also construct defect prediction models using the identified properties for 2439 scripts collected from four datasets. Results We identify 10 source code properties that correlate with defective IaC scripts. Of the identified 10 properties we observe lines of code and hard-coded string i.e. putting strings as configuration values, to show the strongest correlation with defective IaC scripts. According to our survey analysis, majority of the practitioners show agreement for two properties: include, the property of executing external modules or scripts, and hard-coded string. Using the identified properties, our constructed defect prediction models show a precision of 0.70 ∼ 0.78, and a recall of 0.54 ∼ 0.67. Conclusion Based on our findings, we recommend practitioners to allocate sufficient inspection and testing efforts on IaC scripts that include any of the identified 10 source code properties of IaC scripts.
Facets of dispositional mindfulness versus sources of social support predicting college students' psychological adjustment.

Objective: This study examined the relative contribution of five dispositional mindfulness (DM) facets and two aspects of social support along with sex in predicting psychological adjustment. Parti...
Punishment and Motivation in a Just School Community.

This article addresses the ethical and motivational dimensions of punishment in schools, focusing on the idea of a just school community. Lawrence Kohlberg’s account of a just school community is e...
Absolutely no free lunches

Abstract This paper is concerned with learners who aim to learn patterns in infinite binary sequences: shown longer and longer initial segments of a binary sequence, they either attempt to predict whether the next bit will be a 0 or will be a 1 or they issue forecast probabilities for these events. Several variants of this problem are considered. In each case, a no-free-lunch result of the following form is established: the problem of learning is a formidably difficult one, in that no matter what method is pursued, failure is incomparably more common that success; and difficult choices must be faced in choosing a method of learning, since no approach dominates all others in its range of success. In the simplest case, the comparison of the set of situations in which a method fails and the set of situations in which it succeeds is a matter of cardinality (countable vs. uncountable); in other cases, it is a topological matter (meagre vs. co-meagre) or a hybrid computational-topological matter (effectively meagre vs. effectively co-meagre).
Adherence to Stepped Care for Management of Musculoskeletal Knee Pain Leads to Lower Health Care Utilization, Costs, and Recurrence

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to report compliance with stepped care management of patellofemoral pain and determine whether adherence to stepped care results in decreased recurrence and lower health care utilization. Methods A total of 60,730 participants were included, using data from the Military Health System Data Repository, a large single-payer government health system. Outcomes included total knee-related care visits and costs, knee surgeries, opioid prescriptions, and 2-year recurrence. Stepped care was based on interventions delivered within the appropriate timing and in the appropriate order (low risk/cost before high risk/cost). Results A total of 54,460 (89.7%) participants received adherent Step 1 care, 10,964 (18.1%) received step 2, and 4168 (6.9%) received step 3. A total of 32.0% and 50.8%, respectively, of all patients in Step 2 and Step 3 care were adherent. Of the 2385 participants (3.9% of cohort) that received both Step 2 and Step 3 care, 24.8% of participants received adherent care. For participants receiving both Step 2 and Step 3 care, adherence resulted in cost savings (mean difference [MD] $1708; 95% confidence interval [CI]: $1241, 2175), fewer knee-related visits (MD 3.4; 95% CI 2.2, 4.7), fewer episodes of knee pain (MD 0.7; 95% CI 0.5, 0.8), fewer knee surgeries (adjusted odds ratio 0.4; 95% CI 0.3, 0.5), and fewer opioid prescriptions (adjusted odds ratio 0.6; 95% CI 0.5, 0.8). Conclusion These findings demonstrate the value of following stepped care guidelines for pain management in patients with patellofemoral pain.
You can't always get what you want and it hurts: Learning during the pandemic

Colleges and universities around the world switched to remote teaching in early 2020 In this study we assessed the experiences of students who experienced different operationalizations of remote teaching during the first full term of instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic Students (N = 649) in 11 sections of introductory psychology participated in an online assessment of their learning after completing their final exam We examined the level of alignment between student preferences (e g , for synchronous lectures) with the format of the classes they were in (e g , featuring synchronous lectures) and used this measure of fit (aligned, misaligned, no preference) and students' modality based self-efficacy as predictors of learning Self-efficacy predicted final exam scores and students' ratings of the skills learned, value of science, student learning outcomes (SLOs), class behaviors, and attitudes toward their class Fit predicted differences in attitude and class related behaviors (e g , studying) Self-efficacy also predicted the extent to which students changed their learning behaviors during the pandemic Our results provide educators with key ways to prepare for additional remote teaching (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Media Review Essay

Released in May 2019, Bolden played in a few theaters for a week or less and then vanished. The film was not even reviewed in the New York Times. Such neglect is a shame because the film is a biopi...
Optimal Taxation in the Forestry Sector in the Congo Basin; The Case of Gabon

This paper reviews forestry reform in the Congo basin, focusing on Gabon. It argues that the key challenge for the Congo basin countries is to manage their forests in a sustainable manner. It presents the current situation of forestry taxation and forestry reform in Gabon. The paper analyzes optimal taxation in the forestry sector using a static model. The model works from the proposition that tax policy should be used exclusively for revenue purposes and resource preservation should be achieved mainly through legislation and enforcement. It argues that when prices are uncertain the best practice is to tax only profits.
Autoimmune and Chronic Inflammatory Disease Patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: There are limited data on the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on hospitalized patients with autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disease (AICID) compared with patients who do not have AICID. We sought to evaluate whether patients with AICID who have confirmed COVID-19 presenting to the hospital are at higher risk of adverse outcomes compared with those patients without AICID who are infected with COVID-19 and whether immunosuppressive medications impact this risk. METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study with patients presenting to five hospitals in a large academic health system with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed COVID-19 infection. We evaluated the impact of having an AICID and class of immunosuppressive medication being used to treat patients with AICID (biologics, nonbiologic immunosuppressives, or systemic corticosteroids) on the risk of developing severe COVID-19 defined as requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) and/or death. RESULTS: A total of 6792 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included in the study, with 159 (2.3%) having at least one AICID. On multivariable analysis, AICIDs were not significantly associated with severe COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9-1.8). Among patients with AICID, use of biologics or nonbiologic immunosuppressives did not increase the risk of severe COVID-19. In contrast, systemic corticosteroid use was significantly associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 (aOR 6.8, 95% CI: 2.5-18.4). CONCLUSION: Patients with AICID are not at increased risk of severe COVID-19 with the exception of those on corticosteroids. These data suggest that patients with AICID should continue on biologic and nonbiologic immunosuppression but limit steroids during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Miles from Home: Transforming the Poorest, Most Expansive School Districts in New Mexico

What specific actions can a school district take to spur dramatic improvement? This case details a partnership between the school board of one of the poorest-performing educational districts in New Mexico and the University of Virginia's Darden/Curry Partnership for Leaders in Education (Darden/Curry PLE). The Darden/Curry PLE turnaround approach helps transform low-performing schools into high-performing schools and allows administrators to identify and contextualize their most pressing issues and focus on cultivating sustainable change. In the Gallup-McKinley school district, the turnaround process faced challenges and resistance, even from stakeholders within the district. But administrators were motivated to identify the root cause of the district's struggles through data-driven instruction and committed to making the turnaround initiative work. Four years after the start of the Darden/Curry PLE intervention, Gallup-McKinley was number one among the largest New Mexico districts in English language arts two-year proficiency growth and number three in math two-year proficiency growth. What could school administrators around the country learn about the leadership and instruction changes necessary to overcome the challenges and barriers confronting low-performing school districts? Excerpt UVA-BC-0266 Rev. Feb. 28, 2019 Miles from Home: Transforming the Poorest, Most Expansive School Districts in New Mexico Mike Hyatt's mentor was out. It was 2016, and Gallup-McKinley County Schools (Gallup-McKinley) district superintendent Frank Chiapetti, who'd made Hyatt his assistant superintendent just two years earlier, had clashed with several members of the local school board. The superintendent who'd come in to shake everything up in the struggling New Mexico school district was being let go. . . .
Experimental Investigation of the Dynamics of Coupled Oscillators as Ising Machines

Coupled electronic oscillator networks, under second harmonic injection, have recently been shown to behave as Ising machines capable of solving computationally hard combinatorial optimization problems. In this work, we experimentally investigate the dynamical properties of a reconfigurable network of up to 30 oscillators ( $\equiv $ spins) configured as an Ising machine. Specifically, we analyze the characteristics of the solutions to the Ising model produced by the oscillators and show that as the system evolves towards the ground state through the high-dimensional phase space, it gets trapped in local minima resulting in sub-optimal solutions. Moreover, the exact local minima where the system gets trapped also changes implying that the trajectory of evolution of the system also changes with each trial. Finally, we illustrate experimentally how an appropriately designed annealing scheme can help the coupled oscillators escape a local minimum and attain a lower energy state.
Modeling a new connectors contribution to humanitarian relief response using discrete event simulation

The need for a new connector was identified by the Defense Science Board and the desired capabilities outlined in the Transformable Craft (T-Craft) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). To capture the contribution of introducing a new connector, it is necessary to measure the overall performance of the fleet mixture including the new connector and existing and future Navy vessels and assets. The logistical performance was modeled with a Discrete Event Simulation (DES), a rapid evaluation, system-of-systems model that enables trade-offs and exploration of the design space. Two humanitarian scenarios are examined representing a domestic and international aid delivery of food, water, shelter, and engineering supplies. Interesting trade-offs and trends in the design space are presented to represent acquisition trade-offs such as fleet size and mix and design trade-offs such as speed and cargo capacity. This paper represents an example exploration of the potential trade studies and visualization for the system-of-systems DES logistical model.
Derivatives of guanosine triphosphate with ribose 2'-hydroxyl substituents. Interactions with the protein synthetic enzymes of Escherichia coli.

This report describes the preparation of four methylated and phosphorylated derivatives of GTP, 2′-O-methylguanosine 5′-triphosphate (PPP-Me2′Guo), guanosine 2′-monophosphate 5′-triphosphate (PPP-Guo-2′P), 3′-O-methylguanosine 5′-triphosphate (PPP-Me3Guo), and guanosine 3′-monophosphate 5′-triphosphate (PPP-Guo-3′P) These compounds were compared to GTP in their ability to support reactions catalyzed by Escherichia coli initiation factor 2 (IF-2), elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), and elongation factor G (EF-G). As with previously studied GTI analogues, the nucleotide specificities of IF-2-dependent N-formylmethionylpuromycin formation and EF-Tu-dependent Ac-Phe2-tRNA formation were similar. There was little difference between the reactions supported by GTP, PPP-Me 2′ Guo, PPP-Me3′ Guo, and PPP-Guo-3′P, but PPP-Guo-2′P was a poor substrate with both enzymes. A spectrum of activity was observed in EF-G-dependent formation of N-acetylphenylalanyl-phenylalanylpuromycin. While PPP-Me2′ Guo was almost as effective as GTP in supporting translocation. PPP-Guo-2′P was a very poor substrate, having even less activity than guanosine 3′-di-phosphate 5′-triphosphate. Intermediate activities were observed with PPP-Me3′ Guo and PPP-Guo-3′P, the former nucleotide being more active than the latter.
Miscellany: An early anticipation of the concept of immiserizing growth

Abstract Against the background of brief references to the relevant literature on immiserizing growth, this note calls attention to a hitherto overlooked anticipation of that concept by the English economist G. Poulett Scrope as early as 1831. Scrope's statement, which is reproduced in full, is briefly examined. While not as precise as might be desired, it reveals the author's awareness of the essence of the concept.
Studies of mucin-type glycoproteins. Olefinic amino acids, products of the beta-elimination reaction.

Abstract The carbohydrate moieties of mucin-type glycoproteins are attached to the polypeptide core by O -glycosyl linkages of N -acetylgalactosamine to the hydroxyl groups of both serine and threonine. Alkali catalyzes the release of the carbohydrate groups by a β-elimination reaction. Studies reported here on the relative rates of the β-elimination reaction have demonstrated that serine-linked glycosides are released more rapidly than threonine-linked glycosides. The ratio of glycosylated serine to glycosylated threonine can readily be determined after β-elimination. The olefinic amino acids, which are products of the β-elimination reaction, are converted into pyruvate and α-ketobutyrate by acid hydrolysis and then are assayed spectrophotometrically with lactate dehydrogenase. In addition, the olefinic amino acids formed upon alkali treatment of pig submaxillary mucin have been further identified by preparation of the dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives of the α-keto acids and their conversion to α-amino acids by catalytic hydrogenolysis.