cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal ultraviolet wavelength for in vivo photoacoustic imaging of cell nuclei

In order to image noninvasively cell nuclei in vivo without staining, we have developed ultraviolet photoacoustic microscopy (UV-PAM), in which ultraviolet light excites nucleic acids in cell nuclei to produce photoacoustic waves. Equipped with a tunable laser system, the UV-PAM was applied to in vivo imaging of cell nuclei in small animals. We found that 250 nm was the optimal wavelength for in vivo photoacoustic imaging of cell nuclei. The optimal wavelength enables UV-PAM to image cell nuclei using as little as 2 nJ laser pulse energy. Besides the optimal wavelength, application of a wavelength between 245 and 275 nm can produce in vivo images of cell nuclei with specific, positive, and high optical contrast.
Modulation and demodulation techniques for underwater acoustic communications

This paper is focused on the characteristics of underwater acoustic communication channels and their implications on the design of bandwidth efficient modulation and demodulation techniques. Both noncoherent and phase coherent modulation and demodulation techniques are considered, and their performance, bandwidth efficiency and implementation complexity are compared.Single carrier and multicarrier (OFDM) modulation and demodulation techniques are also considered. It is illustrated that the performance of high data rate single carrier systems is severely impacted by intersymbol interference (ISI) due to channel dispersion and that powerful equalization algorithms are required to reduce the performance loss caused by ISI. The use of coding in such single carrier systems makes it possible to perform turbo equalization in order to achieve further performance gains. Multicarrier (OFDM) modulation may be used to eliminate the need for high complexity equalizers in channels where the time variations are sufficiently slow relative to the symbol rate carried by each of the subcarriers in the multicarrier system.Further increases in bandwidth efficiency are possible through spatial multiplexing. To achieve this objective, recent work on underwater acoustic communications has focused on MIMO techniques to increase the data rate and improve performance through signal diversity. This work on MIMO will be discussed.As a final topic in this paper, we consider multiple access techniques suitable for use in underwater acoustic networks. The suitability of FDMA, TDMA and CDMA is assessed in view of the characteristics of underwater acoustic channels.
Evolution and ClosE REl ationships

Throughout history, humans have faced critical challenges that included finding a mate, keeping that mate, caring for kin, forming coalitions, and gaining some status. Solving each of these ancestral challenges involved forming a different type of social relationship. An evolutionary perspective suggests that there is a set of fundamentally different types of close relationships associated with different evolutionary challenges. These types include (a) mate attraction (e.g., dating couples), (b) mate retention (e.g., married couples), (c) kin care (e.g., family members), (d) coalition formation (e.g., friends), and (e) status (e.g., workplace relationships). Each type of ancestral challenge is associated with different kinds of evolutionary opportunities and costs, suggesting that different types of relationships may be governed by a different relationship-specific psychology. In this chapter, we review the principles of evolutionary psychology and their implications for close relationships. Although some animals spend most of their lives as hermits, humans have always lived in groups. The human brain has evolved for social relationships (Kenrick, Griskevicius, Neuberg, & Schaller, 2010; Kenrick, Neuberg, & White, in press). But although people are born ready to love and relate to other people, relationships differ in several important ways. For example, the words I love you can be spoken by a parent to a newborn baby, by a young man to a woman he met yesterday at a beach resort in Mexico, and by a heterosexual woman to her best female friend. Yet parental love is not the same as romantic love, which is still different from platonic love between friends. In this chapter, we consider social relationships from an evolutionary perspective. This perspective contends that, throughout history, humans have faced a set of core ancestral challenges, which include attracting a mate, keeping that mate, caring for kin, forming coalitions, and attaining status. An evolutionary perspective suggests that each type of challenge can be solved by forming different types of relationships. These relationship types include (a) dating couples, (b) married couples, (c) family members, (d) friends, and (e) coworkers (see Table 1.1). Each type of relationship is associated with different kinds of evolutionary opportunities and costs, meaning that people need different things from different types of intimate others and must provide different things to those intimate others. These needs and provisions vary systematically depending on the type of relationship. In this chapter, we first briefly review what it means to take an evolutionary perspective, reviewing some foundational principles. We then discuss each of the five types of relationships, reviewing relevant theory and findings. Finally, we discuss emerging themes and future directions in the study of social relationships from an evolutionary perspective.
Effects of dietary fiber on cecal short-chain fatty acid and cecal microbiota of broiler and laying-hen chicks

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding dietary fiber on cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration and cecal microbiota of broiler and laying-hen chicks. The lower fiber diet was based on corn-soybean meal (SBM) and the higher fiber diet was formulated using corn-SBM-dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and wheat bran to contain 60.0 g/kg of both DDGS and wheat bran from 1 to 12 d and 80.0 g/kg of both DDGS and wheat bran from 13 to 21 d. Diets were formulated to meet or exceed NRC nutrient requirements. Broiler and laying-hen chicks were randomly assigned to the high and low fiber diets with 11 replicates of 8 chicks for each of the 4 treatments. One cecum from 3 chicks was collected from each replicate: one cecum underwent SCFA concentration analysis, one underwent bacterial DNA isolation for terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP), and the third cecum was used for metagenomics analyses. There were interactions between bird line and dietary fiber for acetic acid (P = 0.04) and total SCFA (P = 0.04) concentration. There was higher concentration of acetic acid (P = 0.02) and propionic acid (P < 0.01) in broiler chicks compared to laying-hen chicks. TRFLP analysis showed that cecal microbiota varied due to diet (P = 0.02) and chicken line (P = 0.03). Metagenomics analyses identified differences in the relative abundance of Helicobacter pullorum and Megamonas hypermegale and the genera Enterobacteriaceae, Campylobacter, Faecalibacterium, and Bacteroides in different treatment groups. These results provide insights into the effect of dietary fiber on SCFA concentration and modulation of cecal microbiota in broiler and laying-hen chicks.
Starting the Debate: Should Illinois Have Same-Sex Marriage or Civil Unions?

This article explores the debate between civil unions and same-sex marriage in the state of Illinois. It includes a draft Illinois Civil Union Statute. The article was published in Human Rights, the newsletter of the Illinois State Bar Association Section of Human Rights.
A light sheet microscopy system for rapid, volumetric imaging and pathology of large tissue specimens

We employ Monte Carlo simulations to assess the performance of light sheet microscopy (LSM) in large, highly scattering tissues, and present a novel system design which addresses logistical challenges in using LSM for non-transparent samples.
Helping students make controlled experiments more informative

We examine how encouraging students to compare rather than isolate variables affects their experimentation strategies and insights. We designed a week-long, technology-enhanced inquiry module on car collisions that logs students' interactions with a visualization. Physics students (N=166) were assigned to conditions that prompted them either to isolate or compare variables. Students responded to pretests, posttests, and embedded prompts that assessed students' understanding of motion graphs and collisions. Both groups made significant pretest to posttest gains. Students in the compare treatment used more diverse experimentation strategies than students in the isolate treatment. Compare students made nuanced interpretations of collision events based on threshold values. Case studies illustrate how comparing rather than isolating helped students use wide-ranging strategies to reach complex insights. The findings illustrate the value of encouraging multiple approaches to experimentation and connecting experimentation to real-life contexts.
Algorithms and their others: Algorithmic culture in context

Algorithms, once obscure objects of technical art, have lately been subject to considerable popular and scholarly scrutiny. What does it mean to adopt the algorithm as an object of analytic attention? What is in view, and out of view, when we focus on the algorithm? Using Niklaus Wirth's 1975 formulation that “algorithms + data structures = programs” as a launching-off point, this paper examines how an algorithmic lens shapes the way in which we might inquire into contemporary digital culture.
The Seasonal Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): A Population-Based Cohort Study.

If the incidence of VTE varies by season, then the etiology of VTE could be related to seasonal exposures. However, the few studies that estimated VTE incidence by season reached conflicting conclusions. Objective: To estimate the incidence of VTE by month and by season of the year. Methods: Using the resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project, we identified the inception cohort of Olmsted County, MN, residents with a first lifetime VTE over the 30-year period, 1966–1995 (n=2761). For each case, we reviewed the complete medical records in the community for the date of VTE onset, date of birth, gender and 48 baseline clinical characteristics commonly accepted as risk factors for VTE. We categorized cases as idiopathic (n=305) if no such characteristics were present; remaining cases were categorized as secondary. Incidence rates were calculated using the number of overall, idiopathic or secondary VTE cases by month of onset as the numerator, and age- and sex-specific estimates of the monthly population of Olmsted County as the denominator (yearly population estimates divided by 12). Results: The incidence of VTE did not vary appreciably by month of the year for overall, idiopathic or secondary VTE (all p-values >0.2). However, the overall incidence of VTE was higher in the 3 summer months (June, July, August) compared to the 3 winter months (December, January, February; 132.6 vs. 116.9 per 100,000 person-years, respectively, both age- and sex-adjusted to year 2000 U.S. Whites; p-value = 0.026). The same general pattern was true for both idiopathic and secondary VTE, but separately neither was statistically significant (p-value=0.48 and 0.15, respectively). Conclusions: The incidence of VTE is higher in the summer compared to the winter months, suggesting the hypothesis that vector-borne (e.g., mosquito, tick) and/or enteroviral infection may play a role in the etiology of VTE.
Can Emergency Department, Hospital Discharge, and Death Data Be Used to Monitor Burden of Drug Overdose in Rhode Island?

Context Drug overdoses are a growing public health problem in the United States. Rhode Island is also confronted with a serious epidemic of drug overdose deaths and ranks sixth worst in the United States for age-adjusted drug overdose death rate. Objective To monitor trends of drug overdose-related emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths and classify the drug overdoses by demographics, discharge status, intent, and specific drug involved to plan for health care resource allocation, mental health services, drug abuse treatment, prevention, and policies. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting The 2005-2014 ED, hospital discharge, and death data were used for this study. Main outcome measure Age-adjusted rates were calculated by using age-specific Rhode Island 2010 standard population. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project cost-to-charge ratios were used to convert total hospital charges to costs. The descriptive analysis was performed. Results Hospitalizations generally represent the most severe cases; there are substantially fewer cases than are seen in the ED, and their characteristics are different from ED visits. More than half of the ED cases were an unintentional injury by drug overdose, but more than half of the hospital discharge data cases were a suicide/self-inflicted injury by drug overdose. There were typically much more females than males that result in a hospital admission. In Rhode Island, there were 249 drug overdose deaths in 2014. Drug overdose fatalities were more likely to be young, male, white, and those who reside in suburban regions. Implications Nonfatal and fatal drug overdose data are important for understanding the scope, incidence, and breadth of this public health epidemic and can guide overdose intervention efforts. In Rhode Island, policy makers can use drug overdose data to target high-risk subpopulations to reduce overdose injuries and fatalities. The Rhode Island study can be shared with other states. Conclusions Regardless of the type of drug, overdoses remain a public health crisis in Rhode Island. It is a dynamic epidemic and needs partnership among public health, behavioral health, public safety, clinic, pharmacy, and communities. The ability to track drug overdose in real time will be an essential tool to respond to the constantly evolving drug overdose epidemic in Rhode Island quickly and effectively.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in the Cancer Patient with An Organ Transplant

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in several cancers is expanding; however, their use in patients with cancer and an organ transplant is very limited. In this review, we summarize the l...
Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy in the Conventional Inverted Microscope Geometry

During the last decade, selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) has proven to be one of the most suitable techniques for three-dimensional time lapse imaging. By confining the excitation light to a sheet, SPIM combines axial sectioning capability with minimal light exposure and fast, camera-based image acquisition [1]. However, the typical arrangement of two objective lenses perpendicular to each other provides a number of challenges in terms of instrument design and sample geometry, especially if the use of high numerical aperture (NA) lenses is desired. A popular approach is to dip into the sample container from the top, both lenses at a 45 degree angle with respect to the sample plane [2,3]. Instead, our new design is based on a regular inverted microscope where the sample is illuminated from the side via an accessory. A custom designed chamber is used to allow side illumination. This way, all microscope ports remain available for other purposes and there is unrestricted access from the top. Without the need of dipping into the sample container, smaller sample volumes (< 1 ml) can be realized and the use of high NA lenses is facilitated. Also, isolation of optics and sample allows imaging of sealed sample containers when demanded, e.g., for samples treated with potent toxins. Further, in this design, the orientation of the imaging plane is parallel to the surface of the sample container which is desirable for flat samples where it maximizes the field of view.Work supported in part by NIH grants P50 GM076516 and P41 GM103540.[1] Huisken, J. et al., Optical Sectioning Deep Inside Live Embryos by Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy. Science 305, 1007–1009 (2004).[2] Hedde, P.N. et al., Rapid Measurement of Molecular Transport and Interaction inside Living Cells Using Single Plane Illumination. Sci. Rep. 4, 7048 (2014).[3] Hedde, P.N. et al., 3D fluorescence anisotropy imaging using selective plane illumination microscopy. Opt. Express 23, 22308–22317 (2015).
The Practice of DaTscan Ioflupane I-123 Proposes New Opportunities to Diagnose Lewy Body Dementia Diseases in Clinical Trial Setting

2711 Objectives In 2011, FDA approved DaTscan Ioflupane I-123 injection with SPECT imaging for differentiating patients with Parkinsonian syndromes or essential tremor. DaTscan measures the concentration of dopamine transporters in the synapse of striatal dopaminergic neurons. Its clinical use is limited as it can only help with clinical diagnosis. However, since its approval DaTscan imaging clinical findings are combined with clinical trial studies and new imaging modalities to answer new questions that have arisen. Current trial studies involving DaTscan range from studying its validity to comparing dopaminergic systems to other neurobehavioral ones. Methods By using ClinicalTrails.gov website, several new trials were selected to demonstrate the variety of research studies DaTscan imaging agent initiated. Three clinical studies were chosen, each with a different purpose. First, Validation of DaTscan for Detection of Parkinson Disease Related Disorders study measures the accuracy of diagnosis. DaTscan Imaging in Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases study aims to gain new data that would enhance understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. Lastly, Imaging of Vesicular Acetylcholine and Dopamine Transporters in Dementia With Lewy Bodies study determines relationship between alterations of central cholinergic and dopaminergic systems and neurobehavioral features of Lewy dementia. Results Many categories of study areas exist when it comes to studying dementia disorders, and several utilize DaTscan imaging technique. Therefore, with the wide range of clinical trial studies, it is clear that the existence of DaTscan is imperative. Conclusions DaTscan has a good potential to becoming a new baseline study for patients that are treated for parkinsonian syndrome or Lewy body dementia disorders as it can provide a visual of how well the treatment works. Ultimately, DaTscan has offered many opportunities for the research; ClinicalTrials.gov already comprises of 24 clinical studies that are either completed or are still in progress.
Are Providers Prepared to Engage Younger Women in Shared Decision-Making for Mammography?

Abstract Background: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends providers engage women aged 40–49 years in shared decision-making (SDM) for mammography. This requires mammography knowledge, adequate time to discuss screening, and self-confidence in doing so. Yet, to date, no studies have assessed provider readiness to engage younger women in SDM. Methods: An online survey of primary care providers was conducted in Cleveland in 2015. It inquired about knowledge of screening benefits and harms, including the impact of screening on mortality, risk of additional imaging, biopsy, overtreatment following screening, and likelihood of a true-positive result. Key knowledge was defined as accurate estimation of the impact of screening on mortality and risk of overtreatment. Respondents reported time typically spent with patients discussing mammography, self-assessed competence in engaging patients in screening discussions, and perspectives on SDM for mammography. Results: Of 612 providers invited, 220 compl...
Effects of industrial and investigator disturbance on Arctic-nesting geese

Oil and gas development on the Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) of Alaska, USA may have effects on Arctic-nesting birds. To estimate effects of industrial activity and investigator disturbance on avian productivity, we monitored nests of greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) with digital cameras and periodic nest visits during 2013–2014 at 2 sites on the ACP. A disturbed site was adjacent to human-made infrastructure and industrial clean-up activities initiated at the onset of the study and a control site was >2 km from sources of industrial disturbance. We assessed variation in estimates of incubation constancy, nest survival, and predator behavior relative to site, year, and distance from industrial activity using nest photographs obtained at 1-minute intervals. We compared analysis of hourly nest survival informed by intensive monitoring with cameras to analysis of daily nest survival informed by traditional nest visit data obtained at intervals of 5–7 days to assess how method and time scale of sampling affect ecological inference. Geese in both sites exhibited high levels of nest attendance and initiated incubation breaks less than once per day. Observer-caused incubation breaks associated with nest visits (x¯ = 37.8 min) were longer than other types of incubation breaks (x¯ = 8.7 min), demonstrating a differential response by nesting geese to direct human encroachment versus indirect vehicular and aircraft traffic. During both years, geese were absent from nests more frequently in the disturbed (x¯ = 0.9 breaks/day) than control (x¯ = 0.6 breaks/day) site, and this break frequency was slightly higher for nests closer to industrial activity. In the year with high rates of depredation, nest survival was positively related to distance from industrial activity and abandoned infrastructure, consistent with predictions of industry-caused effects. This relationship, however, was not evident in the year with reduced predation pressure, likely because of annual variation in arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) behavior. Analysis of nest survival probability informed by camera data allowed for detection of detailed patterns of variation that were not supported when using only visit data for the same nests. Observer visits were responsible for reductions of 7–35% in nest survival probability, highlighting the importance of minimizing, and controlling for, observer effects in studies of avian productivity. Indirect vehicular and aircraft disturbance posed less risk to nest survival than direct encroachment by observers at nest sites. Therefore, effects of industrial activities on avian productivity in the Arctic can be minimized through practices that limit direct encounters with nests. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Hearing loss in children with primary ciliary dyskinesia.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the type and severity of hearing impairment in pediatric patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and relate these measures to patient demographics, treatment options, and other otologic factors. Methods A retrospective analysis of children with a diagnosis of PCD, Kartagener's syndrome, or situs inversus in the AudGen Database was conducted. Audiograms were analyzed for type of hearing loss (HL), severity, laterality, and progression. Medical charts were reviewed to identify factors that influence severity and progression of hearing loss. Results 56 patients met inclusion criteria and 42 patients had HL. 66.6% had bilateral and 33.3% had unilateral loss (70 total ears with HL). Conductive hearing loss (CHL) was the most common type of HL, though 30% of children had some sensorineural component to their hearing loss. 92.9% of children with HL received at least one diagnosis of otitis media, but HL did not improve in the majority (77.8%) of ears in our study regardless of ear tube placement. Conclusions Slight to mild CHL and all types of otitis media are prevalent among patients with PCD, and some of these children have sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). All patients diagnosed with situs inversus at birth should be evaluated by an otolaryngologist.
Modeling Drive-Managed SMR Performance

Accurately modeling drive-managed Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) disks is a challenge, requiring an array of approaches including both existing disk modeling techniques as well as new techniques for inferring internal translation layer algorithms. In this work, we present the first predictive simulation model of a generally available drive-managed SMR disk. Despite the use of unknown proprietary algorithms in this device, our model that is derived from external measurements is able to predict mean latency within a few percent, and with an Root Mean Square (RMS) cumulative latency error of 25% or less for most workloads tested. These variations, although not small, are in most cases less than three times the drive-to-drive variation seen among seemingly identical drives.
Observations on steelmaking research in the USSR

“Soviet engineers are on the trail of new ideas” … some of them are discussed in this article, based on a study of the steel plants and research institutes of the USSR.
Genetic, morphological, and spectral characterization of relictual Niobrara River hybrid aspens (Populus × smithii).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Aspen groves along the Niobrara River in Nebraska have long been a biogeographic curiosity due to morphological differences from nearby remnant Populus tremuloides populations. Pleistocene hybridization between P. tremuloides and P. grandidentata has been proposed, but the nearest P. grandidentata populations are currently several hundred kilometers east. We tested the hybrid-origin hypothesis using genetic data and characterized putative hybrids phenotypically. METHODS We compared nuclear microsatellite loci and chloroplast sequences of Niobrara River aspens to their putative parental species. Parental species and putative hybrids were also grown in a common garden for phenotypic comparison. On the common garden plants, we measured leaf morphological traits and leaf-level spectral reflectance profiles, from which chemical traits were derived. KEY RESULTS The genetic composition of the three unique Niobrara aspen genotypes is consistent with the hybridization hypothesis and with maternal chloroplast inheritance from P. grandidentata. Leaf margin dentition and abaxial pubescence differentiated taxa, with the hybrids showing intermediate values. Spectral profiles allowed statistical separation of taxa in short-wave infrared wavelengths, with hybrids showing intermediate values, indicating that traits associated with internal structure of leaves and water absorption may vary among taxa. However, reflectance values in the visible region did not differentiate taxa, indicating that traits related to pigments are not differentiated. CONCLUSIONS Both genetic and phenotypic results support the hypothesis of a hybrid origin for these genetically unique aspens. However, low genetic diversity and ongoing ecological and climatic threats to the hybrid taxon present a challenge for conservation of these relictual boreal communities.
Environmental Factors Correlated with Culturable Enterococci Concentrations in Tropical Recreational Waters: A Case Study in Escambron Beach, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Enterococci concentration variability at Escambron Beach, San Juan, Puerto Rico, was examined in the context of environmental conditions observed during 2005-2015. Satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST), turbidity, direct normal irradiance, and dew point were combined with local precipitation, winds, and mean sea level (MSL) observations in a stepwise multiple regression analyses (Akaike Information Criteria model selection). Precipitation, MSL, irradiance, SST, and turbidity explained 20% of the variation in observed enterococci concentrations based upon these analyses. Changes in these parameters preceded increases in enterococci concentrations by 24 h up to 11 days, particularly during positive anomalies of turbidity, SST, and 480-960 mm of accumulated (4 days) precipitation, which relates to bacterial ecology. Weaker, yet still significant, increases in enterococci concentrations were also observed during positive dew point anomalies. Enterococci concentrations decreased with elevated irradiance and MSL anomalies. Unsafe enterococci concentrations per US EPA recreational water quality guidelines occurred when 4-day cumulative precipitation ranged 481-960 mm; irradiance 0.005 sr-1; SST anomaly >0.8 °C; and 3-day average MSL anomaly <-18.8 cm. This case study shows that satellite-derived environmental data can be used to inform future water quality studies and protect human health.
Low-Income, African American and American Indian Children’s Viewpoints on Body Image Assessment Tools and Body Satisfaction: A Mixed Methods Study

Objectives Pediatric obesity is complicated by many factors including psychological issues, such as body dissatisfaction. Body image assessment tools are used with children to measure their acceptance of their body shape or image. Limited research has been conducted with African American and American Indian children to understand their opinions on assessment tools created. This study investigated: (a) children’s perception about body image and (b) differences between two body image instruments among low-income, multi-ethnic children. Methods This study uses mixed methodology including focus groups (qualitative) and body image assessment instruments (quantitative). Fifty-one children participated (25 girls, 26 boys); 53% of children identified as African American and 47% as American Indian. The average age was 10.4 years. Open coding methods were used by identify themes from focus group data. SPSS was used for quantitative analysis. Results Children preferred the Figure Rating Scale (FRS/silhouette) instrument over the Children’s Body Image Scale (CBIS/photo) because their body parts and facial features were more detailed. Children formed their body image perception with influence from their parents and the media. Children verbalized that they have experienced negative consequences related to poor body image including disordered eating habits, depression, and bullying. Healthy weight children are also aware of weight-related bullying that obese and overweight children face. Conclusions for Practice Children prefer that the images on a body image assessment tool have detailed facial features and are clothed. Further research into body image assessment tools for use with African American and American Indian children is needed.
Transparency in the New Media

This short article discusses new electronic media, such as social networking sites, blogs, chat rooms, etc., and their use for endorsing products when a reviewer using this media does not disclose a direct relationship with the product's advertiser, seller or manufacturer. This observation is clarified by the mention of the latest revision of the FTC's "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising," effective December 1, 2009. The Guides explain to advertisers on how to ensure that endorsements are not false or misleading under the FTC Act. They drill down into what constitutes an endorsement. The Guides generally require that where there is a relationship between advertiser and endorser that is not inherently obvious, it must be disclosed.
Determination of the Field of View of a Boiling Water Reactor In-Core Detector

The field of view of a boiling water reactor (BWR) in-core detector is evaluated via a combined R-Z transport and X-Y-Z diffusion theory model. A cell homogeneous X-Y-Z diffusion theory model is sufficient for the evaluation of the adjoint function distribution around an in-core BWR detector. All types of subchannels (i.e., side, center, and corner) contribute to the detector signal fluctuations, and the side subchannels are the dominant contributor. Finally, the measured flow velocity via the cross-correlation method in a BWR is an averaged quantity rather than a localized quantity.
Direct manipulation and other lessons

Direct manipulation refers to an interface design philosophy which originated in the early 1980's and now dominates the creation of modern software packages. In this chapter I update this philosophy in the light of recent studies, theories and interface innovations in this area. The main lesson of these developments is that a manual model of interaction does not always lead to direct or usable interfaces, and that conversational and mixed mode forms of interaction should be more widely considered as ways of extending the current HCI paradigm.
Detecting ambiguity: an example in knowledge evaluation

Expert systems have been developed around one expert partly because the expert has been totally responsible for the soundness of the knowledge base. Without strong aids to help ensure soundness in building expert systems, we must rely on the soundness of the mature cohesiveness of a human expert. As knowledge bases grow this mature expertise will not be adequate. We propose a new method (for expert systems) to aid the expert in knowledge evaluation within the rule-based system setting. We consider the problem of ambiguity within a classification system as an example of the proposed technique.
Role of the placenta in perinatal transmission of HIV.

SUMMARY The role of the placental tissue in the perinatal transmission of HIV is still far from being understood. Significant data regarding transplacental infection have been collected, but differences in technique have led to controversy. It appears clear that many Hofbauer cells are CD4+ and can become infected with HIV. Less certain but probable is infection of trophoblasts themselves. Whether infection is CD4 mediated or via cell-cell fusion is not established. Transplacental traffic of virus and cells remains a little-studied possibility. Further data are needed regarding the fascinating concept of the placenta as a modulator of infection.
Algorithms for managing coagulation disorders in liver disease

Patients with advanced liver disease have traditionally been considered at risk for bleeding complications. However, although bleeding in patients with cirrhosis frequently occurs due to complications of portal hypertension, research performed within the last 15 years has increasingly shown that hemostasis in patients with liver failure generally achieves a state of "rebalance", whereby compensatory systems restore a relatively neutral or even slightly pro-thrombotic state. Much recent clinical and in vitro research has, in fact, shown over-compensation, such that patients with acute and stable chronic liver failure may have a thrombotic tendency, which may participate in the progression of liver disease and cause systemic and portal thrombosis. Investigators have started to identify differences in hemostasis in patients with unstable cirrhosis, the newly defined syndrome of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), compared to those with stable cirrhosis. The following discussion will summarize much of the background of rebalanced hemostasis in patients with cirrhosis and acute liver failure (ALF), and suggest management algorithms for coagulation abnormalities before invasive procedures, during active bleeding, and for prophylaxis and treatment of thrombotic complications.
Sexless Marriage in Japan as Women’s Political Resistance

A recent survey by the Japan Family Planning Association (JFPA) shows that nearly half of married couples in Japan are in sexless marriages. Japanese society is paying attention to sexless marriage because it is considered to be related to prolonged working hours and the current low total fertility rate. However, this interpretation of the phenomenon ignores the social conditions of sexuality and marriage relations in Japan, in which the sexuality of heterosexual married women is objectified for the needs of men in a patriarchal-androcentric society. I will use Judith Butler’s theory on gender performativity to analyse the gendered aspect of sexless marriage, and argue that sexless marriage should be viewed as a form of women’s political action against the present power system. This discussion corresponds to other related phenomena such as postponing marriage, choosing men who do not demand women to be housewives, not bearing children, and staying single. These women’s choices can and should be understood as political actions that resist constructed social norms and expand women’s modes of agency within the norms of Japanese femininity.
Mixed methods study of middle school mathematics teachers’ content knowledge in usa and russia using sequential nested design

The sequential nested mixed methods study focused on comparative analysis of middle school mathematics teachers’ content knowledge in two countries. The study consisted of two stages: (1) quantitative study of teacher content knowledge; (2) qualitative study of teacher topic-specific content knowledge. The initial sample for the first stage included lower secondary mathematics teachers from the U.S. (grades 6–9, N=102) and Russia (grades 5–9, N=97). The Teacher Content Knowledge Survey (TCKS) was applied to assess teacher content knowledge based on the cognitive domains of Knowing, Applying, and Reasoning, as well as addressing the lower secondary mathematics topics of Number, Algebra, Geometry, Data and Chance. The second stage – an interpretive cross-case study – aimed at the examination of the U.S. and Russian teachers’ topic-specific knowledge on the division of fractions. For the second stage, N=16 teachers (8 – from the U.S., and 8 – from Russia) were selected for the study using non-probability purposive sampling technique based on teachers’ scores on the TCKS. Teachers were interviewed on the topic of fraction division using questions addressing their content and pedagogical content knowledge. The study revealed that there are explicit similarities and differences in teachers’ content knowledge as well as its cognitive types. The study results may inform the field on priorities placed on lower secondary mathematics teachers’ knowledge in the USA and Russia. It also suggests close comparison and learning about issues related to teacher knowledge in both countries with a potential focus on re-examining practices in teacher preparation and professional development.
An Integrative Data-Driven Physics-Inspired Approach to Traffic Congestion Control

This paper offers an integrative data-driven physics-inspired approach to model and control traffic congestion in a resilient and efficient manner. While existing physics-based approaches commonly assign density and flow traffic states by using the Fundamental Diagram, this paper specifies the flow-density relation using past traffic information recorded in a time sliding window with a constant horizon length. With this approach, traffic coordination trends can be consistently learned and incorporated into traffic planning. This paper also models traffic coordination as a probabilistic process and obtains traffic feasibility conditions using linear temporal logic. Model productive control (MPC) is applied to control traffic congestion through the boundary of the traffic network. Therefore, the optimal boundary inflow is assigned as the solution of a constrained quadratic programming problem.
The association between adverse childhood experiences and personality, emotions and affect: does number and type of experiences matter?

Abstract Background There is strong evidence that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) negatively impact mental health. However, the association between ACEs and personality, emotions and affect are poorly understood. Therefore, we examined the association between composite ACE score and ACE type and personality, emotions and positive and negative affect. Methods Three waves of data from the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) study were used. ACE was the primary independent correlate. Covariates included demographic variables and survey wave. Outcome variables included generativity, personality traits (agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, openness, agency), and affect (positive, negative). Statistical analyses included 3 approaches: (1) treatment of ACE as dichotomous, (2) ordinal composite of ACE score, and (3) three individual ACE type components to assess the association between ACE and psychological constructs. Results Of 6323 adults in the sample, 53% were female, and 56% had a past ACE. In the adjusted analyses, dichotomized ACE was significantly associated with neuroticism (β = 0.10; 95% CI 0.07, 0.13) and conscientiousness (β = −0.03; 95% CI −0.05, −0.01). All ACE scores were significantly and positively associated with neuroticism and negatively associated with conscientiousness. Abuse was significantly associated with neuroticism (β = 0.20; 95% CI 0.16, 0.24), openness (β = 0.08; 95% CI 0.05, 0.11), conscientiousness (β = −0.05; 95% CI −0.08, −0.02), and agency (β = 0.06; 95% CI 0.02, 0.10). All ACE categories, except financial strain, were significantly associated with affect. Conclusion ACEs are significantly associated with personality, emotions, and affect, with greater effect seen at higher ACE scores and with ACE abuse type, which helps support the cumulative risk hypothesis and our study hypothesis. There is a need for continued research to understand the mechanistic processes and the directionality of the association between ACEs, emotions, and behaviors to help continue to drive biopsychosocial interventions.
Sex Differences in the Association between Household Chaos and Body Mass Index z-Score in Low-Income Toddlers

Background: Associations between household chaos and childhood overweight have been identified, but the mechanisms of association are not clearly established in young children, with some studies li...
Myostatin deficiency not only prevents muscle wasting but also improves survival in septic mice

Sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality in critically ill patients. Muscle wasting is a major complication of sepsis and negatively affects clinical outcomes. Despite intense investigation for many years, the molecular mechanisms underlying sepsis-related muscle wasting are not fully understood. In addition, a potential role of muscle wasting in disease development of sepsis has not been studied. Myostatin is a myokine that downregulates skeletal muscle mass. We studied the effects of myostatin deficiency on muscle wasting and other clinically relevant outcomes, including mortality and bacterial clearance, in mice. Myostatin deficiency prevented muscle atrophy along with inhibition of increases in muscle-specific RING finger protein 1 (MuRF-1) and atrogin-1 expression and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3 (STAT3; major players of muscle wasting) in septic mice. Moreover, myostatin deficiency improved survival and bacterial clearance of septic mice. Sepsis-induced liver dysfunction, acute kidney injury, and neutrophil infiltration into the liver and kidney were consistently mitigated by myostatin deficiency, as indicated by plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and myeloperoxidase activity in the organs. Myostatin deficiency also inhibited sepsis-induced increases in plasma high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and macrophage inhibitory cytokine (MIC)-1/growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 concentrations. These results indicate that myostatin plays an important role not only in muscle wasting but also in other clinically relevant outcomes in septic mice. Furthermore, our data raise the possibility that muscle wasting may not be simply a complication, but myostatin-mediated muscle cachexia and related changes in muscle may actually drive the development of sepsis as well.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Muscle wasting is a major complication of sepsis, but its role in the disease development is not known. Myostatin deficiency improved bacterial clearance and survival and mitigated damage in the liver and kidney in septic mice, which paralleled prevention of muscle wasting. These results raise the possibility that muscle wasting may not simply be a complication of sepsis, but myostatin-mediated cachexic changes may have a role in impaired bacterial clearance and mortality in septic mice.
Decomposing Loosely Coupled Mixed-Integer Programs for Optimal Microgrid Design

Microgrids are frequently employed in remote regions, in part because access to a larger electric grid is impossible, difficult, or compromises reliability and independence. Although small microgri...
Free to Grow? A Matching Methods Analysis of Jumps in US State-Level Economic Freedom

This paper contributes to the literature that uses the Economic Freedom of North America (EFNA) index to evaluate relationships with various outcomes. Most of the literature estimates a linear relationship between economic freedom and those outcomes. However, using matching methods can be a better way to address potential selection bias issues. I examine the effects of five-year sustained jumps in EFNA scores on subsequent GDP per capita growth. My results show slight evidence for a short-term boost in income. However, these results are not robust and are largely contingent on the matching method used.
Altered metabolic and inflammatory transcriptomics after cardiac surgery in neonates with congenital heart disease

The study examines the whole blood transcriptome profile before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a severe form of congenital heart disease, that can develop low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). Whole blood mRNA transcriptome profiles of 13 neonates with HLHS before and after their first palliative surgery were analyzed to determine differentially expressed genes and pathways. The median age and weight at surgery were 4 days and 3.2 kg, respectively. Of the 13 patients, 8 developed LCOS. There was no significant difference between CPB, aortic cross clamp, deep hypothermic cardiac arrest times between patients that develop LCOS and those that do not. Upon comparing differential gene expression profiles between patients that develop LCOS and those that do not in pre-operative samples, 1 gene was up-regulated and 13 were down regulated. In the post-operative samples, 4 genes were up-regulated, and 4 genes were down regulated when patients that develop LCOS were compared to those that do not. When comparing post-operative samples to pre-operative samples in the patients that do not develop LCOS, 1484 genes were up-regulated, and 1388 genes were down regulated; while patients that developed LCOS had 2423 up-regulated genes, and 2414 down regulated genes for the same pre to post-operative comparison. Pathway analysis revealed differential regulation of inflammatory pathways (IL signaling, PDGF, NOTCH1, NGF, GPCR) and metabolic pathways (heme metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, protein metabolism including amino acid and derivatives, fatty acid metabolism, TCA cycle and respiratory electron transport chain). By identifying altered transcriptome profiles related to inflammation and metabolism in neonates with HLHS who develop LCOS after CPB, this study opens for exploration novel pathways and potential therapeutic targets to improve outcomes in this high-risk population.
Space Radiation Effects on Electronics: Simple Concepts and New Challenges

This viewgraph presentation covers the following topics: 1) The Space Radiation Environment; 2) The Effects on Electronics; 3) The Environment in Action; 4) NASA Approaches to Commercial Electronics; 5) Final Thoughts.
The Choice Between Total Hip Arthroplasty and Arthrodesis in Adolescent Patients: A Survey of Orthopedic Surgeons

For adolescent patients with end-stage hip disease, the choice between total hip arthroplasty (THA) and arthrodesis is complex; the clinical evidence is not definitive, and there are difficult trade-offs between clear short-term benefits from THA and uncertain long-term risks. We surveyed nearly 700 members of the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Respondents chose between a recommendation of THA or arthrodesis in four clinical vignettes. A clear majority of surgeons recommended THA in two of the vignettes, however opinion was somewhat divided in one vignette (overweight adolescent) and deeply divided in another (adolescent destined for manual labor job). Across all vignettes, recommendations varied systematically according to surgeons' age and their attitudes regarding tradeoffs between life stages.