cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tamandua tetradactyla (Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae)

Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758), commonly called the southern tamandua, is 1 of 2 extant, primarily arboreal anteaters. It is distributed over northern and central South America east of the Andes and uses a diverse array of habitats including Chaco, grasslands, and transitional forests. Its diet is primarily one of social ants and termites. It is listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources due to its wide distribution. Primary threats to T. tetradactyla are fire, habitat loss, highway mortality, and hunting.
A man-machine interface software system for the design, modeling and simulation of robotic and automation systems

This paper describes the development and use of a man-machine interface software package used to demonstrate and develop robot control programs. These programs are used to integrate an industrial robot into various automation systems for laboratory investigations. The software package is a menu driven, user friendly, interactive and real time development and training system. The software program, and associated hardware, allows a novice user to develop robot control programs without prior knowledge of the specific robot system software. At the same time the program allows the more experienced user to develop sophisticated robot control programs using many of the standard features provided for in the man-machine software package. The system is configured around a Unimation PUMA 560 robot with the VAL II operating system[4]. VAL II versions 1.4b and 2.0 are used for this application. Standard PUMA hardware used for this project consists of a VAL II controller, CRT terminal and keyboard, floppy disk drive, teach pendant and digital I/O interfaces[5].
Crystalloid configurations in the adrenal cortex of the Siamese tree shrew (Tupaia glis)

Crystalloids of what appear to be smooth reticulum have been observed in the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis in both the stressed and nonstressed adrenal gland of the Siamese tree shrew (Tupaia glis). No crystalloids are observed in the zona glomerulosa. Similar crystalloids have been described in other steroid-secreting organs, including the antebrachial organ of the lemur (Lemur catta), the parotoid gland of Bufo alvarius and in sebaceous gland cells of the Galagos and Macaques. Moreover, the crystalloids in the present investigation resemble the paracrystalline arrays of smooth reticulum present in the adrenal cortex of the fetal guinea pig. The crystalloids show much variation in degree of organization, sometimes appearing as wavy tubules parallel with one another or as fused tubules having a "donut" configuration. In addition, the crystalloids are nearly identical to configurations which have been described in mitochondrial cristae of the protozoan, Pelomyxa carolinensis.
Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) after radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies: A clinically recalcitrant entity

Abstract Objectives Vaginal dysplasia is associated with prior radiation therapy (RT) for gynecologic malignancies. We reviewed our institution's experience with VAIN in patients who were treated with radiation therapy for a gynecologic malignancy. Methods A retrospective review of patients treated for VAIN was performed. All cases of patients followed and treated for VAIN after radiation therapy were identified (n=10), along with a cohort of patients with VAIN who did not have radiation therapy (n=23). Results Mean follow-up after initial diagnosis of VAIN was 37.6months (range: 12 to 72). Cytologic screening events after diagnosis of VAIN (n=105) showed that patients with prior RT were more than twice as likely to have recurrent dysplasia (OR 3.625, 95% CI=from 1.454 to 9.0376) after treatment. Of patients who recurred, the mean time to first recurrence was 12.3months in cases and 15.3months in controls, which was not statistically significant (p=0.31). Screening practices at our institution ranged from 3month to 12month intervals. 3 patients in the RT group and 1 patient in the control group developed invasive squamous cell cancer of the vagina. Conclusions Vaginal dysplasia after radiation therapy is more refractory to treatment than dysplasia not associated with radiation therapy, more likely to recur after surgical and ablative therapy, and may also be more likely to progress to invasive cancer. These data support the need for further study to determine the optimal follow-up screening interval and whether aggressive surgical or ablative treatment stems disease progression in this clinical scenario.
Exclusion of Spherical Particles from the Nematic Phase of Reversibly Assembled Rod-Like Particles

The open-ended aggregation of amphiphilic molecules in aqueous solution generates a broadly polydisperse population of elongated particles that form a variety of partially ordered phases. Herzfeld and coworkers have shown that the phase behavior of these binary systems is well described by self-consistently combining scaled-particle theory for the effects of excluded volume in fluid dimensions, a simple cell model for the effects of excluded volume in positionally ordered dimensions, a mean-field treatment of soft-interactions, and a phenomenological model of aggregate formation. We have now extended this model to ternary systems. We find that the addition of spherical particles to a solution of rod-forming particles induces a very wide isotropic-nematic coexistence region in which a relatively dilute isotropic solution with little aggregation separates from a rather concentrated nematic solution that almost completely excludes the spherical solutes. The magnitude of this effect depends on the relative diameters of the two solutes.
Hybrid domain decomposition method and boundary element method for the solution of large array problems

The non-overlapping domain decomposition method (DDM) has emerged as a powerful and attractive technique for numerically-rigorous solution of Maxwell's equations due to its inherent parallelism and its beauty as an efficient and effective preconditioner. DDM is based on a divide-and-conquer philosophy. Instead of tackling a large and complex problem directly as a whole, the original problem is partitioned into smaller, possibly repetitive, and easier to solve sub-domains. Some suitable boundary conditions called transmission conditions are prescribed at the interfaces between adjacent sub-domains to enforce the continuity of electromagnetic fields. However in the existing approaches, the radiation condition is approximated by the first order absorbing boundary condition (ABC), producing the unwanted spurious reflection from the truncation boundary. In order to minimize such unphysical reflection, the truncation boundary must be placed sufficiently far away from the object, resulting a large number of sub-domains. In this paper, the unbounded exterior space will be treated as an additional domain. This domain is formulated by a boundary element method (BEM) which incorporates the radiation condition through its Green's function.
Sub-millisecond time-resolved SAXS using a continuous-flow mixer and X-ray microbeam

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is a well established technique to probe the nanoscale structure and interactions in soft matter. It allows one to study the structure of native particles in near physiological environments and to analyze structural changes in response to variations in external conditions. The combination of microfluidics and SAXS provides a powerful tool to investigate dynamic processes on a molecular level with sub-millisecond time resolution. Reaction kinetics in the sub-millisecond time range has been achieved using continuous-flow mixers manufactured using micromachining techniques. The time resolution of these devices has previously been limited, in part, by the X-ray beam sizes delivered by typical SAXS beamlines. These limitations can be overcome using optics to focus X-rays to the micrometer size range providing that beam divergence and photon flux suitable for performing SAXS experiments can be maintained. Such micro-SAXS in combination with microfluidic devices would be an attractive probe for time-resolved studies. Here, the development of a high-duty-cycle scanning microsecond-time-resolution SAXS capability, built around the Kirkpatrick–Baez mirror-based microbeam system at the Biophysics Collaborative Access Team (BioCAT) beamline 18ID at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, is reported. A detailed description of the microbeam small-angle-scattering instrument, the turbulent flow mixer, as well as the data acquisition and control and analysis software is provided. Results are presented where this apparatus was used to study the folding of cytochrome c. Future prospects for this technique are discussed.
A New Genus and Species of Dynastinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, other New Species of Cyclocephalini, Pentodontini, and Phileurini from South America, and a Revised Key to the Genera of New World Pentodontini

Abstract The following new scarab beetles are described from South America: Cyclocephala dupuisi Ratcliffe, new species, from Bolivia and Stenocrates caiporae Ratcliffe, new species, from Brazil (both Cyclocephalini); Hiekeianus halophilus Ratcliffe, new species, from Peru, Neoryctes similis Ratcliffe, new species, from Ecuador, and Adelaeus anachoretus Ratcliffe, new genus and new species, from the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (all Pentodontini); and Hemiphileurus cornutus Ratcliffe, new species, from Colombia (Phileurini). Each new taxon is provided with a description, supporting illustrations, a diagnosis to distinguish it from similar taxa, and distribution. A revised key to the genera of New World Pentodontini is provided to include Adelaeus.
Alaskan Salmon and Gen R: hunting, fishing to cultivate ecological mindfulness

Can mining and fisheries co-exist in Bristol Bay, Alaska? To delve into this interesting tension, I expand on Clay Pierce’s (this special issue) thoughtful analysis of genetically modified salmon and AquaBounty Technologies, where he explores actor-network theory in relation to scientific literacy and schooling. Further, my essay explores the idea of embodied knowledge as paramount to the next generation of youth engaged with scientific literacy. I demonstrate the problems associated with using hegemonic science to normalize biocapitalism and the subjugated knowledges in relation. Ultimately, I provide justifications for strengthening an ecologically mindful scientific literacy, working towards what might be called “Neptunian democracy” in science education, including salmon and other nonhuman actors as integral for youth wrestling with ecojustice issues. To do this, I highlight the significance of renewing fishing, hunting, and salmon eating. These things ought to become an intimate characteristic of the imagined literacy of the next generation of youth (what I’ve been calling Generation R for responsibility).
SP PROTEINS AND RUNX2 MEDIATE REGULATION OF MATRIX GLA PROTEIN (MGP) EXPRESSION BY PARATHYROID HORMONE

As part of its catabolic action in bone, parathyroid hormone (PTH) inhibits extracellular matrix mineralization. We previously showed that PTH dose-dependently induces matrix gla protein (MGP) expression in osteoblasts and this induction is at least partially responsible for PTH-mediated inhibition of mineralization. Recently, we identified PKA and ERK/MAPK as the key signaling pathways involved in PTH regulation of MGP expression. The goal of this study was to further characterize the mechanism by which PTH stimulates expression of MGP. Deletion analysis of the murine Mgp gene promoter identified a PTH-responsive region between -173 bp and-49 bp. Using gel-mobility shift assays we found that Sp1/Sp3, and Runx2 bind to distinct sites within this region. Mutation of either the Sp or the Runx2 site reduced MGP induction by PTH, while mutation of both sites completely abolished PTH responsiveness. Overexpression of Runx2 or Sp1 activated the Mgp reporter, while Sp3 was a dose-dependent repressor of Sp1 and PTH-induced MGP expression. Collectively, these data show that PTH regulates MGP gene transcription in osteoblasts through altered activities of Sp and Runx2 transcription factors.
Electrochemistry of Redox Active Centres Encapsulated by Non-Covalent Methods

This manuscript presents a summary of recent research work on the electrochemical behaviour of redox active guests fully or almost fully encapsulated by suitable molecular receptors or molecular capsules. From the standpoint of their voltammetric behaviour the cyclodextrins have been shown to be very dynamic hosts, which hamper the observation of direct electron transfer to/from their inclusion complexes. Therefore, this Review is essentially concerned with research work on cucurbituril and cavitand-type hosts, which was mostly done in the author’s laboratory. In general terms, the observed voltammetric behaviour for encapsulated guests covers a wide range of possibilities. Cucurbituril and cavitand-type hosts afford more kinetically stable complexes, whose direct electrochemical behaviour is observable and tends to be kinetically slower than that of the free guests. However, the degree of kinetic attenuation varies over a wide range and, in some cases, challenges our ability to rationalize the data. Clearly, more variation in the host structures and more research work are required to improve our understanding of encapsulation effects on these electron transfer reactions.
Additive effects of β-adrenergic and cytokine signaling on lipolytic activation

Obesity often leads to increased systemic inflammation which is now thought to play a causative role in the development of atherosclerotic disease and insulin resistance. This inflammatory response originates within large adipose tissue depots and is initiated by classically activated macrophages that infiltrate the tissue from the circulation. The large number of macrophages residing in obese adipose tissue leads to significant increases in interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) secretion; achieving levels sufficient to elevate circulating plasma concentrations. These cytokines activate potent signals to initiate lipolysis, to release free fatty acids from triacylglycerol stores and contribute to hyperlipidemia in obese individuals. Obese adipose tissue responds to normal β-adrenergic and glucagon stimuli to recover from negative energy balance by inducing lipolysis. However, it is not clear what quantitative influence additional lipolytic stimulation by IL-6 and TNFα has on normal β-adrenergic activity. Although, β-adrenergic and cytokine signaling activate separate pathways for lipolytic activation, it is undefined whether the effects of multiple signaling events on lipolysis are additive or coincident. To clarify this issue, we measured lipolytic activity in 3T3-L1-derived adipocytes stimulated by a β-adrenergic agonist (isoproterenol), IL-6 or TNFα individually and in combinations as co- and tri-stimulation. Treatment of adipocytes with isoproterenol and either IL-6 or TNFα as co-stimulants increased lipolytic activation by approximately the sum of the individual ligands, suggesting contributions from two independent pathways. Co-stimulation with IL-6 and TNFα provided slightly more than an additive response indicating signaling contributions from independent and common pathways. Tri-stimulation resulted in the largest level of lipolytic activation with a value approximate to adding isoproterenol stimulation to a combined treatment of IL-6 and TNFα. The additive nature of cytokine signaling to β-adrenergic activity suggests its therapeutic inhibition will prevent excessive lipolysis, yet minimally interfere with maintaining normal responses to varying energy demands.
Probes for diagnosing EMC problems

A collection of slides from the author's conference presentation is given. This paper presents the diagnostic measurement for electromagnetic compatibility.
Approximate Search on Protein Structures for Identification of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Bacteria

Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) is defined as the movement of genetic material from one strain of species to another. Bacteria, being an asexual organism were always believed to transfer genes vertically. But recent studies provide evidence that shows bacteria can also transfer genes horizontally. HGT plays a major role in evolution and medicine. It is the major contributor in bacterial evolution, enabling species to acquire genes to adapt to the new environments. Bacteria are also believed to develop drug resistance to antibiotics through the phenomenon of HGT. Therefore further study of HGT and its implications is necessary to understand the effects of HGT in biology and to study techniques to enable or disable the process based on its effects. Methods to detect HGT events have been studied extensively but no method can accurately detect all the transfers between the organisms. This paper presents an HGT identification method based on approximate searches on bacterial protein structures. This method makes use of Z- score similarities between the protein structures and also uses functions of BLAST and DaliLite to work with protein sequence and structural similarities. In addition, Jmol, a java viewer tool is used for visual structural comparisons and sequence alignment. We also present experimental results regarding HGTs between the Firmicutes bacterium Bacillus subtilis and various Proteobacteria bacteria.
Effect of locomotor respiratory coupling on respiratory evaporative heat loss in the sheep

During galloping, many animals display 1:1 coupling of breaths and strides. Locomotor respiratory coupling (LRC) may limit respiratory evaporative heat loss (REHL) by constraining respiratory frequ...
Weak Mixing Angles in Unified Theories

The replication of families or generations with identical electroweak interactions in the low energy region presents a deep mystery. It is the historic e-μ puzzle in a considerably extended form. Horizontal or intragenerational interactions and the consequent mixing angles govern a wide range of phenomena concerning both old and new particles. In this review, I discuss the recent theoretical ideas and two specific models pertaining to horizontal symmetries.
PHYLETIC, BIOGEOGRAPHIC, AND ECOLOGIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONG MONTANE POPULATIONS OF LEAST CHIPMUNKS (EUTAMIAS MINIMUS) IN THE SOUTHWEST

Phyletic, biogeographic, and ecologic relationships among relictual montane pop- ulations of least chipmunks (Eutamias minimus) from Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico were examined by analysis of pelage color, cranial and bacular morphology, protein electrophoresis, and habitat characteristics. Unlike previous investigations of geographic variation involving these populations, a pattern of relationship and differentiation corresponding to contemporary geographic discontinuities in the Southwest is demonstrated. Populations along the east and west sides of the Rio Grande Valley constitute distinct evolutionary lineages, with the most geographically isolated populations exhibiting the greatest amount of genetic divergence. This pattern of differentiation is consistent with the hypothesis that montane corridors present dur- ing the Pleistocene facilitated colonization by ancestral northern stocks in accordance with vicariant biogeographic theory. Microhabitat assessments demonstrate that least chipmunks in- habit a diverse spectrum of environmental regimes ranging in elevation from 2,400 to 3,900 m, and encompassing several habitat types. These results are consistent with observations on other populations of this species, yet contradict the hypothesis that least chipmunks in the Southwest have such restrictive ecologic requirements as to be predisposed to rapid extinction during interglacial episodes of the Pleistocene. The significance of this study to the most recent vicar- iant explanation of southwestern montane mammal biogeography is discussed. (Biogeography; chipmunks; Eutamias; morphometrics; electrophoresis; ecology; vicariance.)
Abstract P5-03-09: Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa B (RANK) as a potential therapeutic target in triple-negative breast cancer

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poorer prognosis in comparison to other breast cancer subtypes because of its high metastatic rate. There is evidence that cancer stem cells (CSCs), known to have an epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) phenotype, may contribute to the metastasis of breast cancer. Denosumab (an anti-RANK ligand antibody) is currently being explored as a treatment for breast cancer in phase II and III clinical trials. RANK is thought to regulate mammary stem cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that RANK promotes tumorigenicity and metastasis of TNBC via the regulation of EMT and enrichment of CSCs. We sought to determine the effects of RANK expression on the tumorigenic and metastatic activities of TNBC cells and whether RANK is a potential therapeutic target in TNBC. Methods: Primary breast tumor specimens from the MD Anderson Cancer Center Tumor Bank were stratified by ER/HER2 status. We analyzed RANK mRNA expression levels, obtained by Affymetrix gene chip array, in ER+/HER2-negative breast tumors (n = 22) and ER−/HER2-negative breast tumors including TNBC tumors (n = 18). To study the effects of RANK suppression in TNBC cells, we generated two stable RANK shRNA MDA-MB-231 TNBC cell lines and a negative shRNA cell line as a control and examined whether knockdown of RANK expression correlated with a decrease in mesenchymal markers, vimentin and snail, and stem cell marker, ALDH1, invasion, migration, and tumorigenicity in TNBC cells. Results: An analysis of RANK mRNA expression levels among human primary breast cancer specimens revealed increased RANK expression in ER−/HER2-negative primary breast tumors including TNBC tumors, compared with ER+/HER2-negative primary breast tumors (p = 0.034). Knocking down RANK in MDA-MB-231 cells significantly inhibited migration (p = 0.0005) and invasion (p = 0.0006) and reduced the stem cell subpopulation, as shown by a decrease in mammospheres (p = 0.0188) and ALDH1 activity. Further, in a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture model, we observed significant inhibition of projections in MDA-MB-231 cells with knockdown of RANK (p Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that RANK may promote the tumorigenesis of TNBC by enriching cancer stem cells. In future studies, we will investigate the effect of RANK inhibition on metastasis in vivo using a TNBC xenograft model. Our long-term goal is to develop RANK-targeted therapy for TNBC. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-03-09.
Sleep Deficiency Is Associated with Lack of Exercise and Higher BMI among Community-Dwelling Older Adults (I9.004)

Objective: To determine the association of physical activity, BMI and demographic characteristics with insufficient sleep among community-dwelling older adults. Background: Insufficient sleep is a risk factor for cognitive impairment, reduced quality of life, mood disorders, and impaired ability to fight infection. Poor sleep habits, caffeine, alcohol, comorbidities and certain medications increase the risk for impaired sleep. Despite the risks of insufficient sleep, sedating medications are often contraindicated in older patients and have been associated with side effects. Methods: A cross-sectional examination was conducted using data from the 2011-2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). This nation-wide telephone-administered survey includes questions related to total sleep time, demographic characteristics, diet and exercise habits. For this analysis, optimum sleep time was defined as 7-9 hours/day and insufficient sleep time was defined as <6 hours per day. All participants aged 65+ years with either optimal or insufficient sleep and valid answers to the questions analyzed were included. Logistic regression analysis included survey weighting procedures was conducted. Results: Among the 32,506 participants, 27,995 (85[percnt]) reported optimum sleep and 4,511 (15[percnt]) reported insufficient sleep. Insufficient sleep was significantly and independently associated with BMI (OR=1.03, 95[percnt] CI=1.01-1.04 for 1 BMI unit increase), income (OR=0.67, 95[percnt] CI 0.56-0.79; >$20,000 annually cf. <$20,000 annually), race (OR=1.82, 95[percnt] CI 1.46-2.28 black cf. white) but not with marital status, education, sex, or rurality. When added to the full model, fruit and vegetable consumption was not associated with sleep, but lack of exercise was (OR=1.39, 95[percnt] CI 1.20-1.60), independent of demography and BMI. Conclusions: BMI and exercise were significantly associated with insufficient sleep in this large survey of older adults. These modifiable factors should be examined in prospective studies to determine causal association. If causally associated, losing as little as 15lbs and exercising could reduce the odds of insufficient sleep by 31[percnt]. Disclosure: Dr. Sullivan has nothing to disclose.
Abstract B101: Engineered PD-1 variants as immunotherapies for cancer

Immunotherapies represent the next generation of treatments for cancer. The recent clinical successes of immunotherapies have highlighted the potential to achieve stunning efficacy against otherwise intractable cancers. One such clinically validated immunotherapy target is the T-cell surface receptor PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1), which inhibits T-cell cytotoxicity upon ligation with PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1) on a target cell. Antibody therapies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 can be strikingly effective cancer treatments, as demonstrated in the clinic by the recently approved pembrolizumab and nivolumab. However, antibody therapies have significant drawbacks as agents against this pathway. Due to their large size (~150 kDa), antibodies have limited tissue penetrance. Furthermore, due to the presence of the prophagocytic Fc domain, antibodies bound to PD-1 or PD-L1 on the T-cell cause counterproductive lymphocyte depletion. We hypothesized that a small engineered protein capable of blocking PD-1:PD-L1 signaling could avoid these issues and function as a superior immunotherapy. To accomplish this goal, we used yeast display-based directed evolution to affinity-mature a soluble form of the PD-1 ectodomain to increase its affinity for human PD-L1. After several rounds of selection from two generations of mutant libraries, we identified a high-affinity PD-1 variant. By surface plasmon resonance, high-affinity PD-1 binds to human PD-L1 with 110 pM affinity and a half-life of binding of >40 minutes, a dramatic improvement from wild-type PD-1. Direct in vivo binding assays demonstrate that this small protein penetrates solid tissues much more effectively than an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody. Unlike anti-PD-L1 antibodies, high-affinity PD-1 does not lead to the depletion of effector T-cells. Consistent with these advantages, in syngeneic CT26 tumor models, high affinity PD-1 was effective in treating both small (~50 mm3) and large tumors (>150 mm3), whereas the activity of anti-PD-L1 antibodies was completely abrogated against large tumors. Furthermore, radiolabeling of high-affinity PD-1 enabled us to utilize our reagent as a non-invasive tracer for PET imaging. Taken together, our data demonstrates the benefits of using small, non-antibody therapeutics as cancer immunotherapy and immune diagnostic agents. Citation Format: Sydney R. Gordon, Roy Maute, Aaron Mayer, Melissa McCracken, Arutselvan Natarajan, Nan Guo, Richard Kimura, Jonathan M. Tsai, Aashish Manglik, Andrew Kruse, Sanjiv Gambhir, Irving L. Weissman, Aaron M. Ring. Engineered PD-1 variants as immunotherapies for cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B101.
A Parallel, Conjoined Approach to Interdisciplinary Computer Science Education

This poster presents the results of two full cycles of a novel approach to Computer Science education that simplifies many of the pedagogical, organizational and administrative challenges in reaching across disciplines. We introduce a parallel, conjoined approach to constructing interdisciplinary offerings between Computer Science and a wide variety of other disciplines in a loosely-coupled fashion. Cooperating courses run simultaneously in nearby classrooms and meet together to collaborate numerous times during a semester. We describe our approach, lessons learned, results of evaluations of the effectiveness of the approach, and ideas for replicating the approach in other disciplines and institutions.
Instructional Fading and Student Performance in Principles of Accounting Instruction

The effect of instructional fading on student performance in online accounting instruction using completion problems was investigated in this study. Instructional fading, defined as the gradual decreasing of prompts or cues, was used as a strategy to create germane cognitive load. The Instructional Fading Tool for Accounting Practice, a web-based application developed by the researchers, provided the instructional fading and sequencing of the information. The researchers created control and treatment groups based on low and high prior knowledge of accounting. Results indicated that the treatment group had a higher percentage of an increase in performance than the control group. In addition, students within the low-prior knowledge treatment group outperformed students in the other treatment group and two control groups. These findings suggest that using instructional fading along with completion problems in accounting instruction had a positive effect on performance especially for students with low levels ...
The erythropoietic porphyrias.

There are two well-characterized disorders of porphyrin-heme metabolism in which the bulk of the porphyrins that accumulate in excess are formed chiefly within juvenile erythroid elements. of the bone. marrow. The first is most often termed congenital erythropoietic porphyria, and the second is most often termed erythropoietic protoporphyria. The former is a rare disorder, whereas the latter is one of the two most common porphyrias (along with porphyria cutanea tarda) and has a good probability of being encountered in general dermatologic practice. Both are determined genetically, cause cutaneous photosensitivity and systemic complication's of importance, and are amenable to various forms of therapy.
Design Optimization of Register File Throughput and Energy Using a Virtual Prototyping (ViPro) Tool

Register files (RFs) consume significant power in low-power processors, and their specifications vary substantially for different applications. Challenges exist in identifying the appropriate RF design and optimizing RFs for different specifications. This paper not only explores methodologies of designing low power and high performance RFs and it also extends a virtual prototyping (ViPro) tool to support fast and efficient estimation of different design knobs on the overall multi-port RF macros. To enable aggressive exploration for RFs design, three bitline (BL) sensing schemes are included into ViPro along with parasitic parameters extracted from layout. Accuracy of ViPro results are within 15 % compared to full RF schematic SPICE simulation, while the simulation speed of ViPro is 5-10 times faster. An example reveals how ViPro can optimize RF design based on various specifications in a 45nm CMOS technology. Improvements of data throughput for 1R/1W port RFs are 31% and 72% at 0.5KB and 512KB, respectively, with proper BL sensing techniques. Results also show that the optimal BL sensing scheme changes with memory capacity. At 0.5KB, the lowest energy per operation decreases by 7.5% with a single-ended BL, while energy reduction is 45% with a hierarchical BL for 512KB.
Youth Psychotherapy Outcomes in Usual Care and Predictors of Outcome Group Membership.

Improving mental health services for youth in usual care (UC) is one of the most critical issues in mental health services research. Identification of change groups in UC (e.g., recovery, improvement, no response, deterioration) can help researchers gain a richer understanding of UC and facilitate efforts to tailor UC to individuals who may not be responding well to treatment. This study used the reliable change index (RCI; Jacobson & Truax, 1991) to examine change groups within youth UC on two parent report outcome measures-symptom severity and functioning-using a large, naturalistic sample of youth (N = 672) treated in UC served at four clinics operating under a large county-wide public mental health authority. Results indicated that the majority of youth exhibited no reliable change. Furthermore, findings revealed low concordance between how youth were classified on both outcome measures. Multinomial logistic regression was used to predict group membership from an expanded set of youth demographic and clinical variables. Findings indicated that baseline problem severity and lower baseline functioning generally predicted higher likelihood of being classified into a more positive change group. Older age predicted increased likelihood of being in a more positive change group, while diagnosis of an internalizing disorder or serious mental illness (SMI) both predicted greater likelihood of falling into a more negative change group. Overall, these results suggest the importance of a more nuanced understanding of change in UC, as well as work aimed at identifying targets for improvement for youth who are not responding well. (PsycINFO Database Record
Baseline Characteristics Predict the Presence of Amyloid on Endomyocardial Biopsy.

Abstract Background Recent studies have suggested a high prevalence of cardiac amyloidosis (CAm) in heart failure (HF) patients. CAm might be underdiagnosed owing to low clinical suspicion. Methods and Results We performed retrospective analysis of 259 patients with HF and ejection fraction (EF) ≥50% referred for endomyocardial biopsy. Seventy-three (28%) had CAm. Multivariable independent predictors of CAm were identified. Over a mean follow-up of 2.6 ± 3.3 years, CAm patients had worse survival than those without (1.5 y vs 6.3 y; log rank P Conclusions Clinicians should be suspicious of CAm in patients with EF 50%–75%, >50 years of age, BMI
Setting the Frame

In this chapter, we discuss some of the everyday challenges facing the psychotherapist who embarks upon the regular practice of two-person relational psychodynamic psychotherapy. By actively “setting the frame” for the patient and parents, a psychotherapist starts the psychotherapeutic process on a strong foundation. There is consensus that in most forms of psychotherapy, the psychotherapist benefits by providing an outline of what the patient and his or her family can expect once they agree to participate. It is best to launch the psychotherapeutic process after the psychotherapist sets the frame with the patient and their parents or caregivers so they can have some predictability about what will occur during the process and avoid having surprises when conflict arises.
The Role of Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal in Supporting Ocean Planning

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) was established in 2009 to enhance the vitality of the region's ocean ecosystem and economy. One of MARCO’s first action items was the development of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal to serve as an on-line platform to engage stakeholders across the region with the objective of improving their understanding of how ocean resources and places are being used, managed, and conserved. A key component is the Marine Planner, an interactive map-based visualization and decision support tool. These types of on-line tools are becoming increasingly popular means of putting essential data and state-of-the-art visualization technology into the hands of the agencies, industry, community leaders, and stakeholders engaged in ocean planning. However to be effective, the underlying geospatial data has to be seen as objective, comprehensive, up-to-date and regionally consistent. To meet this challenge, the portal utilizes a distributed network of web map services from credible and authoritative sources. Website analytics and feedback received during the review and comment period of the 2016 release of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan confirm that the Data Portal is viewed as integral to this ocean planning process by the MidAtlantic Regional Planning Body and key stakeholders. While not all stakeholders may agree with specific planning decisions, there is broad based agreement on the need for better data and making access to that data widely available.
A test of the optimal iron hypothesis among breastfeeding Ariaal mothers in northern Kenya.

Objective The optimal iron hypothesis posits a trade-off in iron nutrition—iron deficiency restricts iron available to infectious agents, protecting against severe infection, but also compromises immune defense—such that mild-to-moderate iron deficiency may be more adaptive than either iron-replete or severe deficiency in environments with high infectious disease load. This hypothesis has not been tested among adults. Materials and Methods A secondary analysis of data and specimens from 220 lactating mothers in northern Kenya was conducted. Elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP > 2 or >5 mg/l) was utilized to identify prevalent subclinical infection/inflammation. Iron deficiency was identified with transferrin receptor in archived dried blood spots (TfR > 5.0 mg/l). The absence of iron deficiency or anemia (Hemoglobin < 12 g/l) defined the iron replete state. Iron-deficient erythropoiesis (IDE, mild-to-moderate iron deficiency) was defined as iron deficiency without anemia; iron deficiency anemia (IDA, severe iron deficiency) as iron deficiency with anemia; and noniron-deficiency anemia (NIDA) as anemia without iron deficiency. Results The prevalence of elevated inflammation (subclinical infection) was lowest in IDE. In logistic regression, IDE was inversely associated with inflammation (for CRP > 2 mg/l: adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 0.30; p = 0.02; for CRP > 5 mg/l: aOR = 0.27; p = 0.10), compared to the iron replete state. The protective effect of IDE differed in the presence of vitamin A deficiency or underweight. Conclusions We interpret these patterns as tentative support for the optimal iron hypothesis in breastfeeding women in the infectious disease ecology of northern Kenya. Iron deficiency may interact in important ways with other forms of malnutrition that are known to affect immune protection.
Adverse Outcome and Failure Following Laparoscopic Anti-reflux Surgery for Hiatal Hernia : Is One Fundoplication Better than Other?

The management of hiatal hernia (HH) is one of the most debated in surgery. Trends regarding indications, approach (open, laparoscopic, thoracoscopic), sac excision, mesh placement, and routine performance of fundoplication have changed over time. Today, most surgeons lean to perform a laparoscopic HH repair that entails the excision of the sac, liberal use of a mesh to buttress the hiatus, and the addition of an anti-reflux procedure. The rationale of including an anti-reflux procedure is to treat coexistent reflux or to prevent the onset of “de novo” postoperative reflux [1, 2]. In fact, many studies have shown that in the majority of patients a HH is associated with symptoms—even subtle—of dysphagia, bloating, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and that an extensive hiatal dissection could exacerbate GERD postoperatively by impairing the anatomical anti-reflux barrier [3]. Already in 1996, a work by Wo et al. [4] showed that 68% of patients with type III PEH had a history of heartburn. Interestingly, many of these patients (41%) no longer had GERD symptoms at the time the operation, and the authors attributed this finding to the flap valve created by the stomach above the gastro-esophageal junction, suggesting that, in most patients, a type III paraesophageal hernia may be an enlarging sliding hernia. A recent double-blinded randomized controlled trial by Muller-Stich et al. [5] has validated the addition of an anti-reflux procedure by showing that a fundoplication during a PEH repair results in a net improvement in patients’ symptoms with reduced acid exposure and esophagitis. However, very little has been written on which type of fundoplication should be performed in these patients based on the outcome. In general, a total fundoplication is the preferred approach in patients with GERD, as it provides a better control of reflux than a partial fundoplication [6, 7]. Conversely, recent trends have highlighted how in patients with PEH a partial fundoplication could provide—especially in the absence of preoperative manometric data—a satisfactory balance between prevention/control of GERD and prevention of postoperative dysphagia. We have set as the goal of our chapter that to provide an evidence based overview of how the type of fundoplication can affect the outcome of a hiatal hernia repair.
Self-Advocacy Instruction to Teach High School Seniors With Mild Disabilities to Access Accommodations in College:

For students with high-incidence disabilities, the transition from secondary to postsecondary educational settings poses the additional challenge of acquiring accommodations. Self-advocacy interven...
Immersive VR and Education: Embodied Design Principles That Include Gesture and Hand Controls

This article explores relevant applications of educational theory for the design of immersive virtual reality (VR). Two unique attributes associated with VR position the technology to positively affect education: 1) the sensation of presence, and 2) the embodied affordances of gesture and manipulation in the 3rd dimension. These are referred to as the two profound affordances of VR. The primary focus of this article is on the embodiment afforded by gesture and 3D for learning. The new generation of hand controllers induces embodiment and agency via meaningful and congruent movements with the content to be learned. Several examples of gesture-rich lessons are presented. The final section includes an extensive set of design principles for immersive VR in education, and finishes with the Necessary Nine which are hypothesized to optimize the pedagogy within a lesson.
Radar tools for spectrum assessment and prediction

In this paper we introduce an assessment and prediction technique for radar spectrum access in a dynamic electromagnetic environment. The proposed technique expands upon the existing spectrum sensing, multi-objective optimization (SSMO) framework for the joint optimization of the radar's signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) and range resolution. The proposed framework gathers training information in one spatial sector while the radar operates in another sector. The training information is used to form statistical estimates of the SINR and radio-frequency (RF) emitter activity. The predictive SSMO (pSSMO) technique then uses the training information during radar operation to avoid collisions with other RF emitters. Synthetic and measured Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication waveform data are processed by the proposed technique and the results indicate similar performance between the simulated and measured dataset, thereby validating the results.
Creating Communities of Practice for Experiential Learning in Policy Studies

Educating students for social policy and management roles in the twenty-first century requires attention to a wide range of challenges in higher education. These include integrating classroom and field study, balancing a liberal arts education for breadth and perspective with pre-professional specialization for immediate postgraduate demands, understanding the interplay between scientific and social bases of knowledge, and joining the goals of diversity—from intellectual and moral perspectives to human attributes and social groups—with communal values and commitments. The difficulty of these challenges notwithstanding, it is an exciting time for social policy education given that the significant changes underway in social welfare, health, and education create enormous opportunities to engage students in field study and research (McClintock & Beck, 1998; McClintock & Colosi, 1998).
Thermodynamics of Molten Salt Mixtures

The first section of this paper gives an overview of the experimental methods which have been used in thermodynamic studies of molten salt mixtures. Methods included are: 1. Vapor pressure; 2. E.m.f.; 3. Cryoscopy; 4. Chemical equilibrium; 5. Calorimetry; and 6. Density and volume change The second section reviews some of the experimental information on the thermodynamic properties of charge-symmetrical common ion molten salt mixtures, with emphasis on results of calorimetric studies carried out in the author’s laboratory. The third section gives a similar review of data for charge-unsymmetrical common ion systems, with emphasis on data for alkali halide-alkaline earth halide mixtures.
Veil-Piercing’s Procedure

With the lines between shareholders and corporations blurring over constitutional rights like free exercise of religion and political speech, questions as to how and under what circumstances the law respects or disregards the separation between shareholders and their corporations have never been more urgent. In the corporate law literature, these inquiries have overwhelmingly focused on the doctrine of piercing the corporate veil, a judicial mechanism normally applied to hold shareholders responsible for the obligations of corporations. The last twenty years of veil-piercing scholarship has been largely devoted to empirical analyses of veil-piercing cases collected from Lexis and Westlaw searches. Since 1991, scholars have been trying to mine cases for ever more variables that might predict when and under what circumstances judges disregard the separation between shareholders and their corporations. This Article argues that these scholars have focused on the substance of veil-piercing law to the detriment of another factor: civil procedure. This Article is the first to survey civil procedure and evidentiary rules that affect existing veil-piercing studies including pleading standards, threshold presumptions, burdens of proof, jury access and waiver. The Article ultimately argues that phenomena scholars now ascribe to the "incoherence" of veil-piercing law are explicable in the context of veil-piercing’s procedural fluidity.
Dynamic homogenization of resonant elastic metamaterials with space/time modulation

We present a variational multiscale strategy in the spirit of FE $$^2$$ method for simulating the real time evolution of resonant elastic metamaterials with space/time modulation. The implicit time discretization used guarantees the stability of the numerical solution, while the accuracy is quantified by direct comparison with the response obtained via direct numerical simulation. The results showcase a remarkable accuracy of the method, even when the dynamic material properties drastically change over length scales that are equal to the macroscopic mesh size and time scales that are of the same order of magnitude than the external excitations. We further propose a strategy to identify the band gap structure of these metamaterials based on their real time response. The methodology is verified for spatially periodic time invariant systems via classical unit cell analyses in the frequency domain.