cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Meta analysis algorithms for microarray gene expression data using Gene Regulatory Networks

Using microarrays, researchers are able to obtain a genome wide snapshot of a biological system under a given experimental context. Fortunately, a significant amount of gene regulation data is publicly available through various databases. We present a system that uses extra knowledge in published gene regulation relationships to examine findings in a microarray experiment and to aid biologists in generating hypotheses. Two algorithms are developed to highlight consistencies as well as inconsistencies between the data. We demonstrate that consistent as well as inconsistent subnetworks found in this manner are important in the discovery of active pathways and novel findings.
Mapping abnormal subcortical brain morphometry in an elderly HIV+ cohort

Over 50% of HIV+ individuals exhibit neurocognitive impairment and subcortical atrophy, but the pattern of brain abnormalities associated with HIV is still poorly understood. Using parametric surface-based shape analyses, we mapped the 3D profile of subcortical morphometry in 63 HIV+ participants and 31 uninfected controls. The thalamus, corpus striatum, hippocampus, amygdala, brainstem, callosum and ventricles were segmented from brain MRIs. To investigate subcortical shape, we analyzed the Jacobian determinant (JD) and radial distances (RD) for structure surfaces. We also investigated effects of nadir CD4+ T-cell counts, viral load, and illness duration on subcortical morphology. Our results characterize subcortical morphometry in older HIV+ people, where participants showed significant volumetric enlargements in the thalamus, left pallidum and the ventricles while showing a reduction in the callosum. Further, RD maps revealed atrophy of the left thalamus and expansion of the brainstem in HIV. RD and JD maps of the right pallidum identified tissue expansion associated with illness duration while the left pallidum showed anterior atrophy and posterior expansion associated with viral load.
Direct administration of insulin into skeletal muscle reveals that the transport of insulin across the capillary endothelium limits the time course of insulin to activate glucose disposal.

OBJECTIVE— Intravenous insulin infusion rapidly increases plasma insulin, yet glucose disposal occurs at a much slower rate. This delay in insulin9s action may be related to the protracted time for insulin to traverse the capillary endothelium. An increased delay may be associated with the development of insulin resistance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether bypassing the transendothelial insulin transport step and injecting insulin directly into the interstitial space would moderate the delay in glucose uptake observed with intravenous administration of the hormone. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— Intramuscular injections of saline ( n = 3) or insulin ( n = 10) were administered directly into the vastus medialis of anesthetized dogs. Injections of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, and 3.0 units insulin were administered hourly during a basal insulin euglycemic glucose clamp (0.2mU · min −1 · kg −1 ). RESULTS— Unlike the saline group, each incremental insulin injection caused interstitial (lymph) insulin to rise within 10 min, indicating rapid diffusion of the hormone within the interstitial matrix. Delay in insulin action was virtually eliminated, indicated by immediate dose-dependent increments in hindlimb glucose uptake. Additionally, bypassing insulin transport by direct injection into muscle revealed a fourfold greater sensitivity to insulin of in vivo muscle tissue than previously reported from intravenous insulin administration. CONCLUSIONS— Our results indicate that the transport of insulin to skeletal muscle is a rate-limiting step for insulin to activate glucose disposal. Based on these results, we speculate that defects in insulin transport across the endothelial layer of skeletal muscle will contribute to insulin resistance.
Demonstration of carbon-carbon bond cleavage of acetyl coenzyme A by using isotopic exchange catalyzed by the CO dehydrogenase complex from acetate-grown Methanosarcina thermophila.

The purified nickel-containing CO dehydrogenase complex isolated from methanogenic Methanosarcina thermophila grown on acetate is able to catalyze the exchange of (1-{sup 14}C) acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) (carbonyl group) with {sup 12}CO as well as the exchange of (3'-{sup 32}P)CoA with acetyl-CoA. Kinetic parameters for the carbonyl exchange have been determined: Km (acetyl-CoA) = 200 microM, Vmax = 15 min-1. CoA is a potent inhibitor of this exchange (Ki = 25 microM) and is formed under the assay conditions because of a slow but detectable acetyl-CoA hydrolase activity of the enzyme. Kinetic parameters for both exchanges are compared with those previously determined for the acetyl-CoA synthase/CO dehydrogenase from the acetogenic Clostridium thermoaceticum. Collectively, these results provide evidence for the postulated role of CO dehydrogenase as the key enzyme for acetyl-CoA degradation in acetotrophic bacteria.
A multi-neural-network learning for lot sizing and sequencing on a flow-shop

This work investigates the use of neural networks to schedule flow shops with dynamic job arrival. The objective of such scheduling is to determine both sequence and lot-sizes concurrently that minimize a makespan. We present a multi-neural network architecture for simultaneous lot-sizing and sequencing neural-network learning. Our experimental study shows that our multi-neural networks can learn both lot-sizing and sequencing decisions, and outperform a sequencing-only neural network.
Perfect reconstructional multidimensional filter banks with time-varying basis functions

Many multidimensional signals of interest are nonstationary and thus have statistical characteristics that change temporally and/or spatially. It is reasonable to expect that time-varying transforms can better model M-D signals than time-invariant ones. We discuss time-varying multidimensional filter banks with adaptive filter coefficients. The focus is on the design of exact reconstructing multidimensional adaptive filter banks. We extend our 1-D time-varying filter bank design method to multiple dimensions to consider the design of perfect reconstructing time-varying nonseparable filter banks. The resulting design method is simple, elegant and extremely powerful. >
Analysis of outcomes in adolescents and young adults with chronic myelogenous leukemia treated with upfront tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy

Background Outcomes in chronic myeloid leukemia have improved with tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. However, little is known about outcomes of chronic myeloid leukemia in adolescent and young adult patients. Design and Methods We reviewed all 468 chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated at our institution with tyrosine kinase inhibitors as initial therapy: imatinib (n=281), nilotinib (n=98) or dasatinib (n=89). Results Median age was 47 years, median follow up 71 months and median treatment time with initial tyrosine kinase inhibitors 48 months. Adolescent and young adult was defined as aged 15–29 years. Sixty-one adolescent and young adult patients were identified. The only significant differences between adolescent and young adult and older patients were incidence of splenomegaly and distribution in Sokal risk groups. Only 3 adolescent and young adult patients have died. Rates of complete cytogenetic, major molecular and complete molecular response were significantly higher in older patients compared to adolescent and young adult patients, with a favorable trend in event-free survival for older patients. Transformation-free and overall survival were similar for the two groups. Conclusions The unfavorable trend in outcome for adolescent and young adult patients with chronic myeloid leukemia is unexpected. Additional research in this population is required to better define outcomes, understand the cause of this difference, and to help make better treatment recommendations.
Osajin and Pomiferin, Two Isoflavones Purified from Osage Orange Fruits, Tested for Repellency to the Maize Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The fruit of the osage orange tree, Maclura pomifera (Raf.) Schneid (Moraceae), has long been thought to be repellent to insects. A preliminary study reported here confirmed repellency of fruit extracts to the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky. Two isoflavones, osajin and pomiferin, were isolated from the mature fruit of M. pomifera in high purity (≥95%). Testing of purified osajin and pomiferin failed to show repellency. Repellency is likely caused by factors other than isoflavones in the fruit.
Abstract 47: Point-of-Care Seeded Blood-Derived Endothelial Cells Rapidly Endothelialize Nitinol Stent in a Pig Model of Personalized Cell Therapy

Intimal hyperplasia after percutaneous intervention is especially problematic in peripheral arteries. In coronary arteries, drug-eluting stents (DES) have greatly reduced intimal hyperplasia; however, DES not only prevent smooth muscle cell proliferation but also inhibit endothelial cell (EC) healing. In an effort to rapidly endothelialize Nitinol vascular stents, we have developed a novel rapid seeding technology (QuickSeeding). 5000 micropores (~32.4 ± 0.4 μm) were laser-drilled circumferentially into Nitinol stent delivery systems to enable ECs to flow across the stent struts and thereby attach to the stent while in its compressed state within 5 min at the point-of-care. To evaluate EC adhesion after stent deployment, ECs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood progenitor cells and QuickSeeded, resulting in a uniform stent surface coverage of 55,000 ± 9,500 cells/cm2 (n=4). QuickSeeded stents were then deployed in tubing and tested in a flow circuit at 15 dynes/cm2, representing arterial flow shear stress. After 48 hr of flow, ECs had spread over the stent surface, demonstrated by PECAM staining of cell junctions. To assess EC function, total nitrite was measured as a marker of NO production and increased from 0.41 ± 0.13 nmol under static conditions to 7.83 ± 1.97 nmol after 24 hr of flow (p
Preparing elementary school teachers for social studies instruction in the context of edTPA

Abstract In a context of high-stakes accountability in teacher education, concerns are emerging about challenges to the already tenuous position of elementary social studies teacher education. In this case study, the author administered a survey to elementary social studies teacher educators in Georgia and conducted follow-up interviews focusing on the impact of edTPA on elementary social studies teacher education and the ways in which they are navigating the new context of teaching elementary social studies methods. The findings reveal the possibility of further decline of social studies in elementary teacher education programs due to elementary edTPA׳s singular focus on literacy and math content pedagogy along with the high-stakes nature of edTPA process. Implications for future research on edTPA and elementary social studies education are discussed.
John Paul Stevens

This entry for the Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties examines the life and work of Justice John Paul Stevens. As the article relates, in Stevens's three decades on the Supreme Court, he has established himself as a highly independent thinker distinguished for his originality and lack of ideology. A prolific writer, Stevens has produced a wide range of opinions that share a dedication to restrained decision making in the common law tradition of case-by-case adjudication, a deep faith in the judicial exercise of reason and judgment, and a profound commitment to fulfilling the Constitution's fundamental purposes, including especially its promise of liberty.
THE EVOLUTION OF ENDOTHERMY: TESTING THE AEROBIC CAPACITY MODEL

One of the most important events in vertebrate evolution was the acquisition of endothermy, the ability to use metabolic heat production to elevate body temperature above environmental temperature. Several verbal models have been proposed to explain the selective factors leading to the evolution of endothermy. Of these, the aerobic capacity model has received the most attention in recent years. The aerobic capacity model postulates that selection acted mainly to increase maximal aerobic capacity (or associated behavioral abilities) and that elevated resting met- abolic rate evolved as a correlated response. Here we evaluate the implicit evolutionary and genetic assumptions of the aerobic capacity model. In light of this evaluation, we assess the utility of phenotypic and genetic correlations for testing the aerobic capacity model. Collectively, the available intraspecific data for terrestrial vertebrates support the notion of a positive phenotypic correlation between resting and maximal rates of oxygen consumption within species. Interspecific analyses provide mixed support for this phenotypic correlation. We argue, however, that as- sessments of phenotypic or genetic correlations within species and evolutionary correlations among species (from comparative data) are of limited utility, because they may not be able to distinguish between the aerobic capacity model and plausible alternatives, such as selection acting directly on aspects of thermoregulatory abilities. We suggest six sources of information that may help shed light on the selective factors important during the evolution of high aerobic metabolic rates and, ultimately, the attainment of endothermy. Of particular interest will be attempts to determine, using a combination of mechanistic physiological and quantitative-genetic approaches, whether a positive genetic correlation between resting and maximal rates of oxygen consumption is an ineluctable feature of vertebrate physiology.
Effectiveness of 2D Path Planning in Real Time using Fuzzy Logic

The effectiveness of 2D path planning of a UAV using fuzzy logic for the purpose of decision making in real time is explored in this paper. Previous work has shown that by using a fuzzy inference system, an agent can navigate an unknown environment. It does this by taking information about obstacles (if within the agent’s sensing range) and target location, and outputting a change in heading angle and speed. Often there are scenarios in which it is desirable for an aircraft to redirect its path midflight. These situations can involve threats, changing mission objectives, and/ or be very complex; with multiple and moving obstacles. A system that can handle these varying conditions rapidly and efficiently is imperative to the future of autonomous aircraft. A fuzzy logic approach is used here for its ability to imitate human heuristics and simplicity to implement. The effectiveness of this methodology is analyzed by comparing it to an optimal path planning approach. While the optimal path will give either the shortest path (or time to a target), control algorithms are incapable of being re-tasked. Presented here is a fuzzy inference system (FIS) for path planning with obstacle avoidance. This FIS has been tweaked and tested for robustness by comparing it to other 2D path planning methods on numerous obstacle environments.
Testing the Reliability of Paper-Pencil Versions of the fill-in-the-blank and Multiple-Choice Methods of Measuring Probability Discounting for Seven Different Outcomes

Probability discounting occurs when the subjective value of an outcome changes because its delivery is uncertain. The present study measured the reliability of rates of probability discounting. Participants completed a probability-discounting task that involved seven different outcomes. Some participants completed the task using the fill-in-the-blank (FITB) method and others using the multiple-choice (MC) method. Participants completed the task a second time either 4 or 12 weeks later. Data were analyzed using hyperbolic and hyperbolic-like functions, and by calculating the area under the discounting curve. The FITB method consistently produced steeper rates of discounting than the MC method. Discounting rates were generally reliable when discounting was analyzed using a hyperbolic function or area under the curve, but not when a hyperbolic-like function was used. Overall, reliability measures were somewhat lower than previously observed for delay discounting. These results suggest that rates of probability discounting are temporally reliable, but that the observed rates of discounting will depend on the type of method used to collect and analyze the discounting data.
Epididymal and vas deferens immaturity in cryptorchidism.

AbstractCryptorchidism is associated with impaired spermatogenesis and, at times, sterility. Early orchiopexy has been advocated as a possible means to prevent spermatogenic impairment and infertility in patients with cryptorchidism. This retrospective study is derived from data obtained from 74 cases that were observed during a period of approximately 10 years at our hospital. Particular attention was devoted to epididymal and vas deferens histological status. Of the 47 epididymides and vas deferens examined only 2 epididymides and 2 vas deferens showed histological maturity. The remainder showed varying degrees of immaturity that additionally correlated, when testicular tissue was available, with the presence of unfavorable testicular histological findings. Cryptorchidism is associated with changes in the gonads and spermatic duct system.
Konzentrationsentwicklungen auf dem deutschen und europäischen Prüfungsmarkt

This paper is motivated by the debate concerning the perceived dominance of large audit firms within the auditing profession. Criticism of this type is often based on the presumption that concentration is associated with monopoly power. The aim of this paper is to reexamine concentration in the German audit market by investigating the degree of concentration. Based on a sampIe of 250 non-financial companies, concentration is measured for the period 1990 to 1994. The results of this study are placed in perspective via cross-study (German audit market) and inter-country (European audit markets) comparisons. The macro-economic discussion is relevant for assessing criticisms of the market structure of auditing which typically focuses on aggregate market shares.
Functions of the Subunits and Regulation of Chloroplast Coupling Factor 1

Illuminated chloroplasts catalyze the synthesis of ATP from ADP and Pi. This process, known as photophosphorylation, is very similar to oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria and bacteria. There are several compelling reasons to study photophosphorylation. The coupling membrane of higher plant chloroplasts, called the thylakoid membrane, may be isolated very rapidly in large amounts and in high purity from inexpensive and convenient sources. The thylakoid membrane is the simplest of the coupling membranes. Its only known functions are to catalyze the synthesis of ATP and NADPH which are used to drive carbon dioxide reduction in the chloroplast stroma. Since ATP and NADPH are generated in the same compartment in which they are used, there is no need for the thylakoid membrane to contain systems for their transport. In contrast, ATP is made inside the mitochondrion and converted to ADP and Pi in the cytosol. The mitochondrial inner membrane contains transport systems for nu-cleotides, Pi, several substrates, Ca2+, and Na+. The bacterial coupling membrane is the plasma membrane of the bacterial cell and contains a myriad of transport systems. The large size of the thylakoid membrane and its ease of energization by illumination are also advantageous.
Chronic Binge Alcohol-Induced Dysregulation of Mitochondrial-Related Genes in Skeletal Muscle of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques at End-Stage Disease

Aims Alcohol use disorders are more prevalent in HIV patients than the general population. Both chronic alcohol consumption and HIV infection have been linked to mitochondrial dysregulation; and this is considered an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of muscle myopathy. This study investigated if chronic binge alcohol (CBA) administration impairs the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial homeostasis in SIV-infected macaques. Methods Male rhesus macaques were administered daily CBA (to achieve peak blood alcohol concentrations of 50–60 mM within 2 h after start of infusion) or sucrose (SUC) intragastrically 3 months prior to intravenous SIVmac251 inoculation and continued until macaques met criteria for end-stage disease. Skeletal muscle (SKM) samples were obtained at necropsy. Muscle samples were obtained from a cohort of healthy uninfected macaque controls and used for comparison of analyzed variables. Total RNA was extracted and gene expression was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results The relative expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 beta (PGC-1β) was significantly decreased in the SKM of CBA/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) macaques compared to uninfected controls ( P < 0.05). SIV infection resulted in a significant upregulation ( P < 0.05) of mitophagy-related gene expression, which was prevented by CBA. CBA suppressed expression of anti-apoptotic genes and increased expression of pro-apoptotic genes ( P < 0.05). Conclusions These findings suggest that SIV infection disrupts mitochondrial homeostasis and when combined with CBA, results in differential expression of genes involved in apoptotic signaling. We speculate that impaired mitochondrial homeostasis may contribute to the underlying pathophysiology of alcoholic and HIV/AIDS associated myopathy. Short summary This study investigated if CBA administration dysregulates gene expression associated with mitochondrial homeostasis in the SKM of SIV-infected macaques. The results suggest that SIV infection disrupts mitochondrial homeostasis and when combined with CBA, results in differential expression of genes involved in apoptotic signaling.
Dual-Function Polymeric HPMA Prodrugs for the Delivery of miRNA.

An HPMA-based polymeric prodrug of a CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3465 (P-SS-AMD), was developed as a dual-function carrier of therapeutic miRNA. P-SS-AMD was synthesized by a copolymerization of HPMA with a methacrylamide monomer in which the AMD3465 was attached via a self-immolative disulfide linker. P-SS-AMD showed effective release of the parent AMD3465 drug following treatment with intracellular levels of glutathione (GSH). The AMD3465 was released in the cells and exhibited functional CXCR4 antagonism, demonstrated by inhibition of the CXCR4-mediated cancer cell invasion. Due to its cationic character, P-SS-AMD could form polyplexes with miRNA and mediate efficient transfection of miR-200c mimics to downregulate expression of a downstream target ZEB-1 in cancer cells. The combined P-SS-AMD/miR-200c polyplexes showed improved ability to inhibit cancer cell migration when compared with individual treatments. The reported findings validate P-SS-AMD as a dual-function delivery vector that can simultaneously de...
A task-related and resting state realistic fMRI simulator for fMRI data validation

After more than 25 years of published functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, careful scrutiny reveals that most of the reported results lack fully decisive validation. The complex nature of fMRI data generation and acquisition results in unavoidable uncertainties in the true estimation and interpretation of both task-related activation maps and resting state functional connectivity networks, despite the use of various statistical data analysis methodologies. The goal of developing the proposed STANCE (Spontaneous and Task-related Activation of Neuronally Correlated Events) simulator is to generate realistic task-related and/or resting-state 4D blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signals, given the experimental paradigm and scan protocol, by using digital phantoms of twenty normal brains available from BrainWeb (http://brainweb.bic.mni.mcgill.ca/brainweb/). The proposed simulator will include estimated system and modelled physiological noise as well as motion to serve as a reference to measured brain activities. In its current form, STANCE is a MATLAB toolbox with command line functions serving as an open-source add-on to SPM8 (http://www.fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk/spm/software/spm8/). The STANCE simulator has been designed in a modular framework so that the hemodynamic response (HR) and various noise models can be iteratively improved to include evolving knowledge about such models.
Progress and Prospects for Using Biotechnology in Plant Breeding

This paper presents an overview of the/progress, problems and prospects of incorporating biotechnology tools such as wide crossing, tissue culture, molecular genetic maps and markers, and genetic engineering into crop breeding programs.
Genetic Research and the Law

Scientists conduct genetic research to find ways to prevent and to cure diseases caused by genetic predispositions. It is critically important that the research be conducted in a way that protects the privacy of the participants. The main way to achieve that goal is to take steps to ensure that no one discloses confidential genetic information. That task is made more difficult by the fact that researchers are turning to electronic databases to keep up with the massive amount of information they have to decipher. Privacy laws were put in place at a time when most medical information was kept on paper. In fact, numerous health care providers still keep their medical records in paper form. Unfortunately, privacy laws have not kept pace with the ingenuity of persons seeking to steal sensitive health information. Genetic privacy is crucial because if a person’s genetic information ends up in the wrong hands he or she may be the subject of genetic discrimination. Most genetic discrimination occurs in health and employment settings, the two places were persons are the most vulnerable. Congress has enacted statutes to protect people from being discriminated against because of their genetic predispositions. Nonetheless, the laws contain loopholes and weak enforcement mechanisms. In a profit-driven world, it is not surprising that there is now a market for genetic information and genetic materials. The law makes it clear that a person cannot sell a kidney or a liver; however, that person can sell blood or sperm. It is too early to tell whether genetic material will be treated like the former or the latter. But, we do know that as long as private companies are involved in genetic research commercialization will continue to occur.
POLYMERIC SULFUR NITRIDE, (SN) X , AND ITS HALOGEN DERIVATIVES

Monoclinic crystals of metallic (SN) x may be synthesized by the solid state polymerization of S 2 N 2 at room temperature. The monoclinic form may be converted to an orthorhombic form by mechanical shearing. When monoclinic (SN) x is heated at 145° it depolymerizes to a gaseous, very reactive isomer of S 4 N 4 which re-polymerizes on room temperature glass or plastic substrates to give golden, metallic (SN) x films. Crystals of (SN) x have a large conductivity at room temperature which shows the temperature dependence characteristic of metals, increasing rapidly with decreasing temperature. When (SN) x is treated with bromine vapor at room temperature it is converted to shiny black crystals of (SNBr 0.55 ) x which lose bromine on pumping at room temperature to give compositions in the range (SNBr y ) x (y ˜ 0.3−0.4). Simultaneous heating and pumping yields copper-colored crystals of (SNBr 0.25 ) x . All the brominated species are apparently metals having a higher conductivity than (SN) x Conductivity and optical reflectance measurements strongly suggest that the brominated polymers are more anisotropic in their metallic properties than (SN) x .
Natural History of Moderate Coronary Artery Stenosis After Surgical Revascularization.

Background It remains controversial whether grafting moderately stenosed coronary arteries (MSCAs) influences native-vessel disease progression and whether grafting may protect against late myocardial ischemia. Methods From 1972 to 2011, 55,567 patients underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); 1,902 had a single coronary artery with angiographically moderate (50% to 69%) stenosis and ≥1 postoperative angiogram. Disease progression was studied in 489 nongrafted, 371 internal thoracic artery (ITA)-grafted, and 957 saphenous vein (SV)-grafted MSCAs, as well as patency of 376 ITA and 1,016 SV grafts to these MSCAs. Results At 1, 5, 10, and 15 years, native-vessel disease progressed from moderate to severe stenosis/occlusion in 32%, 52%, 66%, and 72% of nongrafted MSCAs; 55%, 73%, 84%, and 87% of ITA-grafted MSCAs; and 67%, 82%, 90%, and 92% of SV-grafted MSCAs. After adjusting for patient characteristics, MSCA disease progressed 3.6 times faster with ITA and 10 times faster with SV grafting compared with nongrafting. At these same time points, occlusion of ITA grafts to MSCAs was 8%, 9%, 11%, and 15% and for SV grafts, 13%, 32%, 46%, and 56%; protection from myocardial ischemia by ITA-grafted versus nongrafted MSCAs was 29%, 47%, 59%, and 61%. Conclusions Most MSCAs progress to severe stenosis or occlusion in the long term. Progression is faster in grafted than nongrafted MSCAs, more so with SV than ITA grafts. However, ITA grafts to such arteries have excellent patency, providing long-term protection from myocardial ischemia. Therefore, ITA grafting of MSCAs should be considered.
Comment and summary: A mine of possible applications

In summary, then, what have the contributors said? They have impressed upon us the need for analytic, dimensional study of audiovisual devices. This recommendation comes especially from Glaser and Postman. To this recommendation Kendler would want to add: the analytic study should be theoretically oriented. In this latter recommendation, Luchins would probably concur, though his theory will be different, influenced as it is by Gestalt tradition and by his great concern for process. Luchins’ concern is a well-placed one, and one of the signal contributions of Gestalt theory to the study of learning has always been its insistence on such concern. The kind of stimulusresponse theory espoused by Kendler is also concerned with process, and a working together of stimulus-response mediation theory and Gestalt theory, it seems to me, is quite possible.
Dysregulated Th1 Immune and Vascular Responses in Scrub Typhus Pathogenesis

Scrub typhus is an emerging, insect-transmitted disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, a Gram- and LPS-negative bacterium that replicates freely within professional phagocytes and endothelial cells. Scrub typhus is prevalent with high mortality rates, but information regarding its molecular pathogenesis, microbial virulence determinants, and key immune responses is limited. Improved animal models have recently been developed that respectively resemble the pathological features of self-limiting or severe scrub typhus in humans. Strong activation of Th1 and CD8, but not Th2 and regulatory T, immune responses, accompanied by altered angiopoietin/Tie2-related regulation, are hallmarks of lethal infection in murine models. This review, based primarily on recent advances from clinical and experimental studies, highlights tissue- and endothelial cell-specific biomarkers that are indicative of immune dysregulation. The potential roles of neutrophils and damage-associated molecular pattern molecules at late stages of disease are discussed in the context of vascular leakage, pulmonary and renal injury, and scrub typhus pathogenesis.
Development of a High-Throughput Laboratory Bioassay for Testing Potential Attractants for Terrestrial Snails and Slugs.

Invasive snails and slugs are among the most damaging pests of vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, grains, and forage throughout the world. Current control strategies are focused almost exclusively on molluscicides, which are ineffective under some conditions, and which can have serious nontarget effects. A major aim of this study was to develop a generic high-throughput bioassay method for use in identifying attractants for terrestrial gastropods, with the overall goal of developing attractant-based control methods for pest gastropods. Here, we demonstrate the use of the bioassay method in screening a wide variety of foodstuffs and other possible sources of attractants, using the pest snail Cornu aspersum Muller (Pulmonata, Helicidae) and the pest slug Deroceras reticulatum Muller (Pulmonata, Agriolimacidae) as test animals. Among a large number of food items and previously reported attractants tested, chopped fresh cucumber (Cucumis sativus) was the most attractive substrate for both species. Our results also showed that previous feeding experience influences subsequent food choice to some extent, but regardless of previous feeding experience, chopped cucumber was as attractive or more attractive than any other substrate tested.
Image Interpretation Via Fusion of Heterogeneous Sources Using a Hybrid Expert-Neural Network System

This chapter was written by Naresh Gupta, Srinivasan Raghavan, Gretchen Bailey, and Laveen Kanal at the LNK Corporation, Inc. They describe the system InFuse, which addresses the multi-source integration problem.
Effects of pH and H2O2 upon coprecipitated PbTiO3 powders: Part II Properties of calcined powders

PbTiO3 was prepared by coprecipitation and calcination from mixed solutions of TiCl4 and Pb(NO3)2. The effect of pH in the precipitation solution on the properties of calcined powders was studied by calcining coprecipitated precursor powders prepared at pH values between 8.00 and 10.50. The effects of H2O2 were studied by preparing PbTiO3 powders from mixed solutions containing H2O2∶PbTiO3 ratios between 0∶1 and 6∶1. Synthesis of phase pure PbTiO3 by coprecipitation and calcination is highly dependent upon the complex ionic equilibria dictated by the pH. The pH used for precipitation determines the types of crystalline phases formed from coprecipitated precursor powders. The rate at which amorphous precipitates transform to crystalline PbTiO3 during calcination is also affected by both the pH and H2O2 additions. High purity (greater than 98%) PbTiO3 with a rapid amorphous-to-crystalline transformation rate was obtained for H2O2∶PbTiO3=1.1∶1, and pH=9.65 to 9.75.
Parietal lobe volume distinguishes attentional control in bilinguals and monolinguals: A structural MRI study

Research suggests that bilingualism is associated with increases in parietal gray matter volume (GMV). These parietal GMV increases are a source of variability that may help explain the reported bilingual/monolingual differences in attentional control. The current study examined how parietal GMV variability and a participant's language background predicted Simon task performance. GMV measures were extracted from the bilateral angular and supramarginal gyri from participants' MRI scans using Freesurfer image analysis suite. Contrary to expectations, bilinguals did not outperform monolinguals on the Simon task. In fact, bilinguals had slower response times across all conditions of the task (incongruent, congruent, and neutral) than monolinguals. In addition, GMV in the right supramarginal gyrus was negatively associated with response times for congruent trials for bilinguals, and positively associated with these response times for monolinguals. The difference in the relationships between parietal GMV and task performance suggests that bilinguals rely on spatial attention to complete the Simon task, while monolinguals may rely on verbal attention. These results help to connect bilingual advantages in tasks requiring spatial attention (e.g., attentional control) with bilingual disadvantages in tasks requiring verbal attention (e.g., verbal fluency).
Awareness of Suicide Prevention Programs Among U.S. Military Veterans

To assess U.S. veterans' awareness and participation in suicide prevention programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A nationally representative sample of 1002 veterans was surveyed online in 2018. The majority of veterans reported knowing about Vet Centers (72%), the Veterans Crisis Line (65%), and the VA Center for Suicide Prevention (54%). However, only 5% had attended a community event related to veteran suicide and 2% had used VA's Virtual Hope Box. Veterans aware of the Veterans Crisis Line had more medical conditions and were more likely to report VA as their primary healthcare provider. Veterans aware of VA's Center for Suicide Prevention were younger, male, had more medical conditions, and more likely to screen positive for posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and past homelessness. History of suicidal ideation or attempt was not associated with awareness of suicide prevention programs. VA's suicide prevention programs reach a broad segment of the veteran population, including those with and without histories of suicidality. More targeted outreach may be needed for veterans most at-risk for suicide who are unaware of available resources.
Drainage of Tubo-Ovarian Abscess

This chapter describes the surgical procedure for drainage of tubo-ovarian abscess via open and laparoscopic approach. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps needed, equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation that provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: nonoperative management as indicated, abdominal access, anatomic assessment, salpingostomy as indicated.
Intracellular Metal Speciation in Streptococcus sanguinis Establishes SsaACB as Critical for Redox Maintenance

Streptococcus sanguinis is an oral commensal bacterium, but can colonize pre-existing heart valve vegetations if introduced into the blood stream, leading to infective endocarditis. Loss of Mn- or ...
Vocational and Technical Learning

Vocational and technical education provides students with the necessary skills to prepare them for the workforce and to be lifelong learners. One approach to ensuring that students develop these skills is the utilization of educational technologies in their respective learning environments. In this chapter, we reviewed studies from the last 5 years that explored the role of educational technologies in vocational and technical education and examined how those technologies helped to develop and enhance the teaching and learning of those essential skills. Our review of the research highlighted the need for more research to be done in this area as well as ideas for future studies.
Modeling field scale nitrogen non-point source pollution (NPS) fate and transport: Influences from land management practices and climate.

The use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer marked the start of modern agriculture that boosted food production to help alleviate food shortages across the globe but at the cost of severe environmental issues and critical stress to the agroecosystem. This paper was aimed at determining the fate and transport of nitrite and ammonia under future climate projections by adapting the recommended land management practices that are supposed to reduce nitrate N in surface water to state government target. To accomplish these objectives, a fully-distributed physical-based hydrologic model, MIKE SHE, and a hydrodynamic river model, MIKE 11, were coupled with MIKE ECO-Lab to simulate the fate and transport of different forms of N in the agro-ecosystem in the Upper Sangamon River Basin (USRB). Twelve (12) combinations of land management and climate projections were simulated to evaluate the N fate and transport in the USRB from 2020 to 2050. Under the current land management, the nitrate concentration in surface water was expected to exceed the EPA limit of 10 ppm up to 2.5% of the days in the simulation period. Regulating the fertilizer application rates to approximately 50% of the current rate will ensure this limit will not be exceeded in the future. Implementing cover cropping alone can potentially decrease nitrate N concentrations by 33% in surface water under dry climate and in the saturated zone under future projections. By combining the cover cropping and regulated application rate management, the nitrate N concentration in the saturated zone was expected to decrease by 67% compared with historic baseline. The modeling framework developed and used in this study can help evaluate the effectiveness of different management schemes aimed at reducing future nutrient load in our surface water and groundwater.
Transition to Adult IBD Care: A Pilot Multi-Site, Telehealth Hybrid Intervention.

OBJECTIVE Transition to adult IBD care continues to be a challenge. Efficacious models of improving transition to adult care in the United States are lacking. We present data from a pilot, prospective, non-randomized, intervention implemented at IBD centers in the Midwest and Southeast United States. DESIGN AND METHODS Adolescents and young adults (AYAs; 16-20 years) with IBD and their parents completed a 4- to 5-month transition program (1 in-person group session; 4 individual telehealth sessions). Primary outcomes were feasibility (i.e., recruitment, retention, fidelity) and acceptability (i.e., program satisfaction). Secondary outcomes were changes in transition readiness, self-management skill acquisition, perceived readiness to transfer to adult care, and disease knowledge. RESULTS The study exceeded goals for recruitment (target N = 20; actual: 36) and retention (target: 80%; actual: 86.11%). On average, it took participants 20.91 ± 3.15 weeks to complete our 4- to 5-month intervention and there were no deviations from the study protocol. Participant ratings for overall program satisfaction, perceived helpfulness, and program length and format were positive. Increases in transition readiness, t(30) = 8.30, d = 1.49, p < .001, self-management skill acquisition, t(30) = 3.93, d = 0.70, p < .001, and disease knowledge, t(30) = 8.20, d = 1.58, p < .001 were noted. AYA- and parent-perceived transfer readiness also improved (p's < .05; d's = 0.76-1.68). CONCLUSIONS This article presents feasibility and acceptability data for a 4- to 5-month transition intervention. Improvements in AYA transition readiness, self-management skill acquisition, IBD knowledge, and AYA/parent perceived transfer readiness were also observed.
'Stat' workflow modifications to expedite care after needlestick injuries.

BACKGROUND Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is recommended to start within hours of needlestick injuries (NSIs) among healthcare workers (HCWs). Delays associated with awaiting the results of testing from the source patient (whose blood was involved in the NSI) can lead to psychological consequences for the exposed HCW as well as symptomatic toxicities from empiric PEP. AIMS After developing a 'stat' (immediate) workflow that prioritized phlebotomy and resulting of source patient bloodwork for immediate handling and processing, we retrospectively investigated whether our new workflow had (i) decreased HIV order-result interval times for source patient HIV bloodwork and (ii) decreased the frequency of HIV PEP prescriptions being dispensed to exposed HCWs. METHODS We retrospectively analysed NSI records to identify source patient HIV order-result intervals and PEP dispensing frequencies across a 6-year period (encompassing a 54-month pre-intervention period and 16-month post-intervention period). RESULTS We identified 251 NSIs, which occurred at similar frequencies before versus after our intervention (means 3.54 NSIs and 3.75 NSIs per month, respectively). Median HIV order-result intervals decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 195 to 156 min after our intervention, while the proportion of HCWs who received one or more doses of PEP decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from 50% (96/191) to 23% (14/60). CONCLUSION Using a 'stat' workflow to prioritize source patient testing after NSIs, we achieved a modest decrease in order-result intervals and a dramatic decrease in HIV PEP dispensing rates. This simple intervention may improve HCWs' physical and psychological health during a traumatic time.
Measuring trapped DNA at the liquid-air interface for enhanced single molecule sensing

Nanopore sensing is a promising tool with widespread application in single-molecule detection. Borosilicate glass nanopores are a viable alternative to other solid-state nanopores due to low noise and cost-efficient fabrication. For dielectric materials, including borosilicate glass, the capacitive noise is one of the major contributors to noise, which depends on the wall thickness and the surface area submerged in an ionic solution. Here, we investigated the root mean square (IRMS) noise and ionic conductance for borosilicate nanopores in different depths (i.e., tip submersion depth) ranging from the solution surface (assumed to be zero) to 5000 μm. Our findings demonstrate a decrease in IRMS noise as the pipette moves toward the surface. We further demonstrate that borosilicate nanopores can detect single lambda DNA (λ-DNA) molecules with a high signal-to noise ratio close to the liquid-air interface. Specifically, our results indicate a higher signal to noise ratio as the submersion depth is reduced owing to the reduced surface area and thus capacitive noise. Further, our experimental results show higher DNA capture frequency at the air-water interface due to a combined effect of evaporation and an evaporation-induced thermal gradient at the surface. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that borosilicate glass nanopores are suitable for studying interfacial concentration gradients of molecules, specifically DNA, with a higher signal to noise.
Advance Prediction of Maryland Elective Admission Fatalities Using Machine Learning

Elective hospital admissions are those admissions that are planned in advance by the physician in consultation with the patient to address a non-urgent health condition. As such, there would not be an expectation of patient death. However, data demonstrates that there is a possibility of death, which can be in the order of 1% of elective admissions as in the case of the current study’s dataset. Due to the discretionary nature of the admission, the ability to predict mortality in advance, for example at the time of scheduling the admission, would provide a critical life-saving tool. In this study we utilized machine learning techniques to predict elective admission mortality from a large dataset of approximately 600,000 Maryland hospital inpatient admissions from 2018. The results demonstrate high predictive performance, with the best performing model achieving an AUC of 0.95 and demonstrating strong performance maintenance into the future. This is indicative of the high practical value of the utilized technique, noting that in the order of 1% of elective admissions represents tens of thousands of elective patient in-hospital fatalities in the US per year.
Mach Wave and Acoustical Wave Structure in Nonequilibrium Gas-Particle Flows

In this Element, the gas-particle flow problem is formulated with momentum and thermal slip that introduces two relaxation times. Starting from acoustical propagation in a medium in equilibrium, the relaxation-wave equation in airfoil coordinates is derived though a Galilean transformation for uniform flow. Steady planar small perturbation supersonic flow is studied in detail according to Whitham's higher-order waves. The signals owing to wall boundary conditions are damped along the frozen-Mach wave, and are both damped and diffusive along an effective-intermediate Mach wave and diffusive along the equilibrium Mach wave where the bulk of the disturbance propagates. The surface pressure coefficient is obtained exactly for small-disturbance theory, but it is considerably simplified for the small particle-to-gas mass loading approximation, equivalent to a simple-wave approximation. Other relaxation-wave problems are discussed. Martian dust-storm properties in terms of gas-particle flow parameters are estimated.