cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Bone Morphogenetic Protein Antagonist Noggin Regulates Mammalian Cardiac Morphogenesis

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play many roles in mammalian cardiac development. Here we address the functions of Noggin, a dedicated BMP antagonist, in the developing mouse heart. In early cardiac tissues, the Noggin gene is mainly expressed in the myocardial cells of the outflow tract, atrioventricular canal, and future right ventricle. The major heart phenotypes of Noggin mutant embryos are thicker myocardium and larger endocardial cushions. Both defects result from increased cell number. Cell proliferation is increased and cell cycle exit is decreased in the myocardium. Although we find evidence of increased BMP signal transduction in the myocardium and endocardium, we show that the cardiac defects of Noggin mutants are rescued by halving the gene dosage of Bmp4. In culture, BMP increases the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of endocardial explant cells. Increased EMT likely accounts for the enlarged atrioventricular cushion. In the outflow tract cushion, we observed an increased contribution of cardiac neural crest cells to the mutant cushion mesenchyme, although many cells of the cushion were not derived from neural crest. Thus the enlarged outflow tract cushion of Noggin mutants likely arises by increased contributions both of endocardial cells that have undergone EMT as well as cells that have migrated from the neural crest. These data indicate that antagonism of BMP signaling by Noggin plays a critical role in ensuring proper levels of cell proliferation and EMT during cardiac morphogenesis in the mouse.
CGP visits the Santa Fe trail: effects of heuristics on GP

GP uses trees to represent chromosomes. The user defines the representation space by defining the set of functions and terminals to label the nodes in the trees, and GP searches the space. Previous research and experimentation show that the choice of the function/terminal set, choice of the initial population, and some other explicit and implicit "design" factors have great influence on both the quality and the speed of the evolution. Such heuristics are valuable simply because they improve GP's performance, or because they enforce some desired properties on the solutions. In this paper, we evaluate the effect of heuristics on GP solving the Santa Fe trail. We concentrate on improving the solution quality, but we also look at efficiency. Various heuristics are tried and mixed by hand, while evaluated with the help of the CGP system. Results show that some heuristics result in very substantial performance improvements, that complex heuristics are usually not decomposable, and that the heuristics generalize to apply to other similar problems, but the applicability reduces with the complexity of the heuristics and the dissimilarity of the new problem to the old one. We also compare such user-mixed heuristics with those generated by the ACGP system which automatically extracts heuristics improving GP performance.
The Supervision Competency : Advancing Competency-Based Education and Training in Professional Psychology

The competency of supervision is one that is receiving increased attention in the professional psychology literature. References to supervision in historical and current competency models including the benchmarks are described to illustrate this. Ways in which our understanding of the supervision competency and competency-based education and training broadly is advanced through this major contribution are noted, including focus on empirical support for the essential components of the competency, considerations of how competency models work and do not in other countries, and attention to the interrelationships between competencies. While this major contribution helps expand the scholarly literature on the competency of supervision, challenges remain in the broader adoption of competency-based education and training, including program and systems-level support and the need to identify effective education and training practices to promote competency development.
An optimal treatment for pediatric Graves' disease is radioiodine.

Context: Antithyroid medications, surgery, and radioactive iodine have been used for more than five decades for the treatment of hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease in children, adolescents, and adults. Despite the widespread use of these different approaches, controversy still exists relative to the merits of each treatment, especially regarding the use of radioactive iodine. Objective: The objective of the study was to address the risk and benefits of 131I therapy, as compared with other treatment approaches. Position: Long-term, spontaneous remission of Graves’ disease occurs in less than 30% of children. Thus, the majority of children with Graves’ disease will need definitive, curative therapy. There is little evidence that use of antithyroid medications beyond 1 or 2 yr increases the likelihood of spontaneous, long-term remission. Although the use of antithyroid medications is standard practice, the use of antithyroid medications involves definite risks. When used at sufficient doses, radioactive ...
Best Practices for Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) are an increasingly prevalent phenomenon in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and coastal regions around the globe. These organisms produce a variety of bioactive secondary metabolites that are of public health concern. Because there is no broadly accepted protocol for monitoring and managing these organisms, the focus of this chapter is to outline all necessary information to develop a CyanoHAB monitoring strategy. Topics covered include: 1) sampling methodology and frequency; 2) sample processing and storage; 3) microscopy identification and enumeration; 4) toxin analysis by ELISA, HPLC and LC/MS; 5) DNA analysis by PCR/QPCR; 6) interpretation of the data and establishment of a monitoring plan.
Computer-delivered screening and brief intervention (e-SBI) for postpartum drug use: a randomized trial.

Electronic screening and brief intervention (e-SBI) approaches for substance use have shown early promise. This trial was designed to replicate previous findings from a single 20-minute e-SBI for drug use among postpartum women. A total of 143 postpartum, primarily low-income African-American women meeting criteria for drug use, were randomly assigned to either a tailored e-SBI or a time-matched control condition. Blinded follow-up evaluation 3- and 6-months following childbirth revealed strong effects for confirmed illicit drug use abstinence at the 3-month observation (OR = 3.3, p = .01), as did hair analysis at 6 months (OR = 4.8, p = .018). Additional primary outcomes suggested small to moderate effect sizes in favor of the e-SBI, but did not reach significance. This result replicates previous findings but fails to show durable effects. Assessment reactivity, e-SBI design, and possible extension of e-SBI via tailored messaging all merit careful consideration.
Pulsed phase-locked loop technology improvements for greater accuracy and expanded capabilities

This paper presents the design for a new pulsed phase-locked loop (PPLL) instrument. Earlier phase detection methods are analyzed for potential error sources, and an alternative phase detection method with fewer sources of error is described. This alternative method of phase detection is incorporated into a fully automated PPLL instrument. Data taken with the new system is compared to data taken with an earlier PPLL instrument. This comparison shows that the alternative phase detection does reduce error. The control loop is analyzed for stability and optimization, and a method of automating this optimization is presented. A method of wave-form acquisition using the automated PPLL that permits automatic location of the received echo is also described.
Nucleotide sequence homology requirements of HIV‐1‐specific short hairpin RNA

The degradation of a selected mRNA species by RNA interference requires a high degree of homology between the short interfering or short hairpin RNA (si or shRNA) and its target. Recent reports have demonstrated that the number and location of nucleotide mismatches affect the activity of si/shRNA. Here, we systematically examined the effect of single nucleotide mutations in all 21 positions of an effective shRNA that targets the gag gene of HIV-1. We found that all mutant shRNAs exerted RNAi activity but were less effective in gene silencing compared to the wild-type gag shRNA. The most pronounced reduction in function was observed with mutations in the central and 5' regions of the shRNA. Our results demonstrate that optimal gene silencing requires perfect homology between shRNA and the chosen target, but that a variable degree of silencing occurs, depending upon the precise location of nucleotide mismatches.
Maskless electrochemical patterning of gold films for biosensors using micromachined polyimide probes

This paper explores the electrochemical patterning of thin metal films using a scanning probe tip as an electrode. In particular, a masking nickel film is etched to reveal a gold pattern to which biomolecules like liposomes and proteins can be attached after treatment with functionalized self assembled monolayers (SAMs) of gold-thiolate. The machining is performed by ultracomplaint polyimide micromachined probes (with tip diameter <200 nm) as the machining tool in NaCl:HCl electrolyte. These probes provide an embedded electrical lead as well as high mechanical compliance that eliminates the need for servo control, which is typically needed to maintain the proximity between the workpiece and the tool. By applying 500 ns, 2 V pulses, 3 mum wide patterns were fabricated. Experiments suggest that they can be scaled down to tens of nanometers by using 5 ns pulses. Selective adsorption of undecanethiol SAMs to the patterned gold was confirmed using XPS spectroscopy
Olfactory dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: A scoping review of the literature

Abstract Objective Olfactory dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been reported, but results have been inconsistent. In this review we describe, synthesize, and interpret the existing literature on olfactory dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis and identify gaps in the current level of knowledge. Methods The study design was a scoping review of the literature covering several study designs. Systematic Searches of the PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO and Google Scholar databases were conducted that included key words related to Multiple Sclerosis and Olfaction Disorders. Literature that met the criteria of pertaining to both Multiple Sclerosis and olfactory dysfunction was identified, with the aim of providing an overview of the extent and types of research available in this area. Results Sixty-one reports were identified in the initial search, with 40 meeting the study criteria. Twenty-five clinical studies were included. Among them, 23 studies measured for olfactory dysfunction in MS patients, ten evaluated MRI correlates of olfactory dysfunction, and five evaluated neurophysiology correlates of olfactory dysfunction. Six of the included studies were abstracts. In addition, thirteen reviews/commentaries and two case studies were included. The majority of the studies identified some degree of olfactory dysfunction in MS patients, and various aspects and correlations with olfactory impairment were observed. Conclusions The overall weight of the literature suggests that olfactory dysfunction may occur in MS. Although there is variability in reported frequency, the more robust studies suggest the prevalence is significant, ranging from 20% to 45% in the MS population. Despite this, the mechanisms are unknown and the clinical relevance of this association has not been well explored. Interesting findings relating mood disorders, cognition, and olfactory dysfunction in MS are also suggested but remain poorly developed and require further investigation. Future studies are also warranted to understand the dynamic changes in olfactory function during the course of MS, and to correlate olfactory function with relapses/disease activity.
Ma and Japan.

“MA” is a central component of Japanese culture which directs and influences Japanese arts, architecture, religion, and theatre. For the Japanese ma constitutes a “gap” or “interval” that represents a collapse of time and space which differs from the Western notion of time and space as linear and teleological. This essay examines the concept of ma, compares it to the Western perception of time and space, and discusses the implications it carries for the study of intercultural and intracultural communication.
PROTON-INDUCED REACTIONS ON $sup 40$Ar AND ANALOGS OF $sup 41$Ar LEVELS.

Excitation functions have been measured at several angles between 58\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 161\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} for the $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}(p,p)^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$, $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}(p,{p}^{\ensuremath{'}})^{40}\mathrm{Ar}^{*}$ (first excited level), and $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}(p,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{37}\mathrm{Cl}$ reactions. Differential cross sections were measured in 3-keV steps with an energy resolution of 3 keV for incident proton energies from 1.81 to 4.35 MeV. The structures observed in the proton inelastic scattering yields and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle yields were not completely resolved. Averaging the cross sections with an interval of \ensuremath{\sim}25 keV revealed a residual resonance structure with widths and spacings between 10 and 40 keV, interpreted as analog resonances. Seventeen resonances are included in an analysis of the averaged cross sections for proton elastic and inelastic scattering. Eight of these correspond to known levels of $^{41}\mathrm{Ar}$. Reduced proton widths of the eight analogs imply neutron spectroscopic factors for bound levels of $^{41}\mathrm{Ar}$ in agreement with those extracted from an analysis of the $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}(d,p)^{41}\mathrm{Ar}$ reactions.
Symbiotic Marketing Revisited

The concept of symbiotic marketing was first proposed by Adler almost two decades ago. This study provides an overview of its nature and scope and examines the environmental and organizational deve...
A New Species of Metanopedias from Great Britain (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae)

Metanopedias britannicus is described, illustrated, and compared with M. brunneipes (Ashmead).
Abstract LB-28: Regulation of FOXM1 by NADPH oxidases in malignant mesothelioma cells

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is linked to the occupational exposure to asbestos with an estimated median survival of less than two years; effective therapy is lacking. Due to long latency periods, incidence is expected to rise in regions where asbestos use has been banned, as well as where worker protection is lacking. MM cells exhibit changes in oxidant and energy metabolism, with elevated expression of the NADPH oxidase NOX4. We hypothesize that NOX4 produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) that promote uncontrolled growth through redox-dependent signaling to core cell cycle factors such as FOXM1 and FOXO3a, transcription factors involved in responses in oxidative stress and cell cycle progression. Targeted microarrays were used to assess the expression levels of 96 genes involving redox metabolism in four human MM cell lines and one control mesothelial line (LP9) immortalized with hTERT. Gene expression profiles from MM cell lines indicate tumorigenesis commonly results in elevated expression of NOX activity and adaptation to constitutive production of ROS, including up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes and cytoprotective factors. mRNA for FOXM1, a transcription factor that regulates the G2/M transition in the cell cycle, was up-regulated in all four MM cell lines, and FOXM1 continued to be expressed in MM cells, but not LP9 cells, in the absence of growth factors. Inhibitors of NOX activity markedly reduced expression of FOXM1, which correlated with dose-dependent effects on MM cell proliferation and viability. In the HM MM cell line, thiostrepton (TS), a thiazole antibiotic that inhibits the expression of FOXM1 via an unknown mechanism, increased the rate of oxidation of DCF, hyper-activated ERK1/2, and showed dose-dependent effects on MM cell viability in vitro and MM tumor growth in Fox Chase SCID mice. N-acetyl-L-cysteine blocked activation of ERK1/2 and cell death by TS, indicating the cytotoxic effects of TS in MM cells may be dependent on induction of intolerable levels of oxidative stress. In support of this possibility, inhibitors of p38 MAPK accentuated the cytotoxic effects of TS on cell viability. Our studies indicate that altered oxidant metabolism that supports expression of cell cycle factors such as FOXM1 is a common property of MM cells, and suggest that either inhibiting or accentuating the production of ROS in MM cells may be useful therapeutic approaches in the treatment of MM. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-28.
Electronic Structure of Crystalline and Amorphous As 2 S 3 and As 2 Se 3

The optical properties of crystalline and amorphous ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{S}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Se}}_{3}$ have been investigated from 1 to 14 eV. A simple rigid-band relationship connects the band structures of the two crystals, and the lowest-energy features observed near the interband thresholds are assigned to direct transitions. The effect of disorder on the electronic spectra, aside from the disappearance of critical-point structure, is remarkably slight; the principal density-of-states thresholds are preserved, essentially unshifted, in the glasses.
Thromboembolic Stroke in a Young Woman with Chagas Cardiomyopathy (P06.247)

Objective: To report a case of acute ischemic stroke in a young woman originally from El Salvador, subsequently diagnosed with Chagas-associated cardiomyopathy. Background Chagas disease is an infectious disease caused by the tropical parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The most frequent manifestation of the chronic form of Chagas disease is cardiomyopathy, associated with heart failure, arrhythmias, thromboembolism, and stroke. The incidence of chronic Chagas is estimated to be 8-14 million people world wide and is increasingly seen in the USA because of recent emigrations from endemic countries. Design/Methods: We describe the clinical course, investigations, and treatments of a 32 year old woman who presented with cardioembolic ischemic stroke secondary to Chagas cardiomyopathy. Results: A 32-year-old El Salvadorian woman presented with an acute episode of right-sided face/arm/leg tingling, weakness, confusion and inability to pronounce words. MRI/MRA demonstrated an acute left fronto-temporal infarct. Laboratory tests including hypercoagulable panel, toxicology, and lipids were unremarkable, but EKG and telemetry were notable for sinus bradycardia with sinus pause and junctional escape beats. TTE was concerning for a left ventricular thrombus. Cardiac MRI demonstrated fibrosis and a small mass within an akinetic apex, consistent with a cardiac thrombus. Further discussions with the patient elicited a history of symptomatic palpitations, difficulty swallowing solid foods and constipation, suggestive of chronic Chagas disease. The patient was started on a heparin bridge to warfarin and had an AICD placed. Chagas serologies sent to the CDC returned positive, and the patient was started on a course of Benznidazole to halt further progression of the disease. Conclusions: We report a case of a young El Salvadorian woman whose chronic Chagas disease was first diagnosed after presenting with a cardioembolic stroke. Given the increasing documentation of Chagas in the USA, Chagas-related cardiomyopathy should be considered in patients from endemic countries presenting with cardioembolic stroke. Disclosure: Dr. Busza has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cervantes-Arslanian has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kase has nothing to disclose.
Epitope Mapping with Membrane-Bound Synthetic Overlapping Peptides

Epitope mapping with synthetic overlapping peptides is used for identifying epitopes of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antibodies from patient sera (Midoro-Horiuti et al. Mol Immunol 43:509-518, 2006; Ivanciuc et al. J Agric Food Chem 51:4830-4837, 2003; Midoro-Horiuti et al. Mol Immunol 40:555-562, 2003; Wang et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol 125:695-702, 702.e1-702.e6, 2010). When the mAbs recognize epitopes that are also recognized by patients of interest, they may be useful as surrogates for patient antibodies.
Red Hook Youth Court Hearings and Youth Perceptions of Criminal Severity, Justice, Law, Punishment, and Remorse

The RHYC held hearings in the afternoons and evenings during the weeks when it was not holding training for future RHYC members. (Often training was held on Mondays and Thursdays, with hearings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.) On the afternoon of a hearing, RHYC members, upon arriving at the RHCJC, would head downstairs, change into special RHYC t-shirts, and consult the list of cases and role assignments for the evening. The RHYC could hear up to four cases in an afternoon and evening, and an RHYC member might serve in different roles for each of the hearings. An RHYC member without a role for a case was expected to sit in the audience and contribute as another set of eyes and ears for the court.
Text message reminders increased colorectal cancer screening in a randomized trial with Alaska Native and American Indian people.

Background Alaska Native and American Indian people (AN/AIs) have a high incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and CRC-related mortality. Screening can prevent death from CRC, but screening rates are low in racially and ethnically diverse populations. The authors conducted a randomized controlled trial using text messaging to increase CRC screening among unscreened AN/AIs in a tribal health care system in Anchorage, Alaska. Methods The intervention entailed up to 3 text messages sent 1 month apart. The authors randomized 2386 AN/AIs aged 40 to 75 years who were eligible for CRC screening to the intervention or usual-care control conditions. Screening status was ascertained from electronic health records 3 months and 6 months after the last text message. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, stratified by age and sex. Results The intervention increased CRC screening for AN/AIs aged 50 to 75 years (HR, 1.42; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.97-2.09) and aged 40 to 49 years (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.95-1.62). Within both age groups, the HRs were higher for women (HR, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.02-2.80] and HR, 1.37 [95% CI, 1.01-1.88]) compared with men (HR, 1.09 [95% CI, 0.59-1.99] and HR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.54-1.53]). Interaction analysis yielded P values of .55 and .09, respectively, for age and sex. Conclusions A simple text messaging intervention was found to increase CRC screening rates in AN/AIs, a group with high CRC morbidity and mortality. Text messaging may be a cost-effective means of reducing CRC screening disparities in AN/AIs and other populations. Cancer 2017;123:1382-1389. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Influence of zero sequence impedances of station auxiliary transformers on equipment performance under open-phase faults

Primary open-phase faults on station auxiliary transformers (SATs) are characterized by the presence of voltage unbalance at the auxiliary equipment level that could lead to protective device tripping, increased motor acceleration times, overheating or failure to start critical safety loads, particularly in the nuclear power industry. The transformer primary to ground zero sequence impedance has a profound impact on the voltage balance on the secondary (equipment) level but its effects not been fully analyzed in the context of nuclear power plant operation. This study investigates the influence of zero sequence impedance to ground as seen from the transformer primary terminals during an open-phase condition on the performance of nuclear plant auxiliary equipment, in particular the effect on large motor starting and running performance. Dynamic models for the motors were employed and adapted to the sequence network representing the overall system. The resulting system was simulated for a number of open-phase conditions using transformer characteristics representative of the SATs encountered in the nuclear power industry. It was revealed that a lower value of this impedance has a beneficial effect on motor acceleration time and voltage balance for both starting and steady state conditions. The influence of neighboring transformers with a path to ground was also investigated and found to serve towards further improvement of performance.
Attitudes Toward and Beliefs about Transgender Youth: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Between the United States and India

Using an internet-based survey, we examined attitudes toward transgender youth in the United States and India, two cultures with differences in conceptualizations of gender and treatment of transgender individuals in society, law, and religion. We found generally positive attitudes toward transgender youth in our U.S. (n = 218), but moderately negative ones in our Indian (n = 217), sample. Consistent with the literature on prejudice against transgender adults in many Western societies, general social conservatism in the form of religious beliefs and political ideology, gender-specific conservatism in the form of gender binary belief, and endorsement of environmental rather than biological causes of transgender identity were the best predictors of U.S. participants’ attitudes, although personal contact with gender and sexual minorities also played a role at the bivariate level. These findings suggest that the processes underlying prejudice against transgender youth are similar to those that foster adult-directed transphobia in that cultural context. In contrast, religion-based disapproval and environmental causal attributions were the best predictors of Indian respondents’ attitudes, whereas gender binary belief played only a minor role, and political conservatism and personal contact no role at all. Our regression analyses accounted for considerably more of the variability in U.S. than in Indian participants’ attitudes, highlighting the need for additional (qualitative) work to identify the factors that promote transprejudice in India. We discuss these findings in light of cross-cultural differences between the two countries in terms of our predictors and consider implications for efforts to reduce prejudice against transgender youth.
Validation of a Rapid Method to Assess Habitual Beverage Intake Patterns

The Healthy Beverage Index (HBI) is an emerging approach to assess beverage pattern quality. HBI total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater adherence to proposed beverage recommendations. However, assessing patterns is resource-intensive due to the need for extensive dietary data, typically 24-h dietary records or recalls. The BEVQ-15, a beverage intake questionnaire, may be used as an alternative method to rapidly measure HBI scores. The objective of this cross-sectional investigation is to assess the comparative validity of the HBI-Q, a method to rapidly assess HBI scores via the BEVQ-15, as compared to the traditional method of deriving HBI scores via dietary recalls/records. Between 2012 and 2016, a cross-sectional sample of adults in southwest Virginia completed three 24-h dietary recalls (30–60 min administration and analysis time per recall) and the BEVQ-15 (3–4 min administration time). HBI scores were generated by both methods, and compared via paired-samples t-tests, correlations, and Bland–Altman analysis. Among 404 adults (mean age = 40 years), total mean HBI scores were 63.7 from the HBI-Q and 67.3 from the recalls (mean difference = 3.6 out of 100; r = 0.63; both p ≤ 0.001). Agreement between the two methods for total HBI scores via Bland–Altman plots was 92%. Using the HBI-Q to rapidly assess HBI scores in adults will increase the utility of the HBI by decreasing the time and resources required, thus allowing researchers and practitioners to provide targeted feedback for improvement.
The Contextual Accomplishment of Privacy

This study illustrates how different genres of social media use relate to contextual accomplishment of privacy. Information on privacy attitudes and behaviors and the uses and gratifications (U&G) of social media was gathered through a survey from 353 social media users and analyzed using multivariate multiple regression. Results indicate that social media privacy activities take place at multiple levels, are engaged at points of Internet and application access, and are socially enacted and technologically reinforced. Further, we demonstrate that certain contexts of social media use result in specific privacy-producing behaviors within this hierarchy. These findings provide empirical support for Nissenbaum’s framework of privacy as a contextual practice, as they demonstrate that privacy behaviors adapt to the situated use of social media.
Future Research Directions in Pneumonia. NHLBI Working Group Report.

Pneumonia is a complex pulmonary disease in need of new clinical approaches. Although triggered by a pathogen, pneumonia often results from dysregulations of host defense that likely precede infect...
Quantum entanglement with Freedman's inequality

The assumption of local realism imposes constraints, such as Bell inequalities, on quantities obtained from measurements. In recent years, various tests of local realism have gained popularity in undergraduate laboratories, giving students the exciting opportunity to experimentally contradict this philosophical assumption. The standard test of the CHSH (Clauser–Horne–Shimony–Holt) Bell inequality requires 16 measurements, whereas a test of Freedman's inequality requires only three measurements. The calculations required to test Freedman's inequality are correspondingly simpler and the theory is less abstract. We suggest that students may benefit from testing Freedman's inequality before proceeding to the CHSH inequality and other more complicated experiments. Our measured data violated Freedman's inequality by more than six standard deviations.
Household Chemicals and Internet Based Products for Beating Urine Drug Tests

People try to beat drug tests by adding various substances into urine specimens. Easily available household chemicals such as table salt, vinegar, lemon juice, bleach and liquid soap are a few examples of in vitro adulterants people use with a hope of beating drug tests. Most of these adulterants interfere with various immunoassays used for screening drugs/metabolites in urine specimens. However, all such chemicals except for Visine eye drops can be easily detected by performing specimen integrity testing (pH, creatinine, temperature and specific gravity) of the urine specimen. In the last 10–15 years many Internet based companies have been selling in vitro adulterants containing potassium nitrite, glutaraldehyde, pyridinium chlorochromate and Stealth (a combination of peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide). These chemicals are effective in modifying structures of certain drug/metabolites, especially marijuana metabolite, and may cause false negative test results in both immunoassay screening and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) confirmation. Unfortunately, the presence of these compounds in urine specimens cannot be detected by routine specimen integrity testing. However, special dipstick tests and other tests are available in order to detect these adulterants in the urine.
The Prevalence of Cervical Foraminal Stenosis on Computed Tomography of a Selected Community-Based Korean Population.

Background Cervical foraminal stenosis (CFS) is one of the degenerative changes of the cervical spine; however, correlations between the severity of stenosis and that of symptoms are not consistent in the literature. Studies to date on the prevalence of stenosis are based on images obtained from the departments treating cervical lesions, and thus patient selection bias may have occurred. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CFS according to the site, extent, and morphology of stenosis using cervical computed tomography (CT) images obtained from patients who were visiting not because of symptoms related to the cervical spine, cervical pain, or upper limb pain. Methods Among patients who underwent CT from January 2016 to March 2016 for reasons other than cervical spine symptoms, a total of 438 subjects were enrolled, and 2,628 cervical disc images (C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7; left and right sides) were examined. Three orthopedic surgeons performed two measurements each at 4-week intervals. Values were used for analysis if matched by more than two surgeons; if no match was found, the median values were used for analysis. The left and right sides on the same axial image were independently classified. Results Left C5-6 stenosis was most common (24.66%) among patients. At the left C6-7, there were 20 focal types and 33 diffuse types. At bilateral C4-5 and right C6-7, the focal type was more common, whereas at bilateral C5-6 and left C6-7, the diffuse type was more common. Age and the severity of stenosis showed statistically significant correlation at all cervical levels. Conclusions The prevalence of CFS was highest at the C5-6 level (19.06%). Compared to other levels, focal stenosis was more frequent at C4-5 and diffuse stenosis was more common at C5-6. At C6-7, the incidence of focal stenosis was higher on the right side and that of diffuse stenosis was higher on the left side.
Classification of Primary Cilia in Microscopy Images Using Convolutional Neural Random Forests

Accurate detection and classification of primary cilia in microscopy images is an essential and fundamental task for many biological studies including diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia. Manual detection and classification of individual primary cilia by visual inspection is time consuming, and prone to induce subjective bias. However, automation of this process is challenging as well, due to clutter, bleed-through, imaging noise, and the similar characteristics of the non-cilia candidates present within the image. We propose a convolutional neural random forest classifier that combines a convolutional neural network with random decision forests to classify the primary cilia in fluorescence microscopy images. We compare the performance of the proposed classifier with that of an unsupervised k-means classifier and a supervised multi-layer perceptron classifier on real data consisting of 8 representative cilia images, containing more than 2300 primary cilia using precision/recall rates, ROC curves, AUC, and F β -score for classification accuracy. Results show that our proposed classifier achieves better classification accuracy.
Psychometric Properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Modified for Major Depressive Disorder in Adolescents

Abstract Objectives: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Modified (PHQ-9M) is a self-report tool used to assess the presence and severity of depressive symptoms in teenagers. Despite widespread use ...
Speech Normalization in Developmental Phonological Disorders

A two-factor theory is proposed to explain individual differences in intervention outcomes for children with speech delays. Indices of Capability include linguistic measures of a child's comprehens...
Multiple CheY Homologs Control Swimming Reversals and Transient Pauses in Azospirillum brasilense.

Abstract Chemotaxis, together with motility, helps bacteria foraging in their habitat. Motile bacteria exhibit a variety of motility patterns, often controlled by chemotaxis, to promote dispersal. Motility in many bacteria is powered by a bidirectional flagellar motor. The flagellar motor has been known to briefly pause during rotation because of incomplete reversals or stator detachment. Transient pauses were previously observed in bacterial strains lacking CheY, and these events could not be explained by incomplete motor reversals or stator detachment. Here, we systematically analyzed swimming trajectories of various chemotaxis mutants of the monotrichous soil bacterium, Azospirillum brasilense. Like other polar flagellated bacterium, the main swimming pattern in A. brasilense is run and reverse. A. brasilense also uses run-pauses and putative run-reverse-flick-like swimming patterns, although these are rare events. A. brasilense mutant derivatives lacking the chemotaxis master histidine kinase, CheA4, or the central response regulator, CheY7, also showed transient pauses. Strikingly, the frequency of transient pauses increased dramatically in the absence of CheY4. Our findings collectively suggest that reversals and pauses are controlled through signaling by distinct CheY homologs, and thus are likely to be functionally important in the lifestyle of this soil organism.
Contextual Customer Support–An Outlook

Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) developments are happening at a prompt speed! Post the soaring usage of AI in customer care and support, the most apparent reason behind why users seek contextual help is – ‘Convenience’. Support teams can conveniently solve their queries without waiting for any assistance or referring to a user manual and different system support while saving on a lot of time. According to a research report, approximately 65% of customers say that valuing their time is the most important thing a company can do to provide good and swift service. However, apart from this, there are many more reasons as to why the users direly want to seek contextual help. Tech giants are investing heavily in both applications and R&D, with an objective to stay ahead of the curve of what many believe to be an inevitable AI-led paradigm shift. At the forefront of this resurgence are the fields of conversational interactions (personal assistants or chatbots) and computer vision and autonomous navigation (in IVR (Interactive Voice Response)), with advancement in hardware, data availability, accessibility, and radical machine learning techniques that have enjoyed tremendous progress within the span of just a few years.
Diagnostic errors in the neonatal intensive care unit: State of the science and new directions

Abstract Diagnostic errors remain understudied in neonatology. The limited available evidence, however, suggests that diagnostic errors in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) result in significant and long-term consequences. In this narrative review, we discuss how the concept of diagnostic errors framed as missed opportunities can be applied to the non-linear nature of diagnosis in a critical care environment such as the NICU. We then explore how the etiology of an error in diagnosis can be related to both individual cognitive factors as well as organizational and systemic factors – all of which often contribute to the error. This multifactorial causation has limited the development of methodology to measure diagnostic errors as well as strategies to mitigate and prevent their adverse effects. We recommend research focused on the frequency and etiology of diagnostic error in the NICU as well as potential mitigation strategies to advance this important field in neonatal intensive care.
A COMMUNICATION ON THE ANALYSIS OF SINGLE-FREQUENCY RADIO TRANSMISSIONS FROM SATELLITES

Publisher Summary This chapter presents communication on the analysis of single-frequency radio transmissions from satellites. The local electron density in the vicinity of a satellite in the upper ionosphere can be measured by probes or other techniques directly. These measurements, however, because of their proximity to the satellite, may not represent the true ambient conditions. However, when these measurements are used in conjunction with Faraday rotation measurements of the satellite radio emissions, they could provide a picture of ionization bands and irregularities in the upper ionosphere. The analysis of single-frequency single-station Faraday records, such as those for Explorer VII, can lead to local values of the electron density. With improved corrections for refraction and path splitting, this method can be extended to longer portions of a satellite pass. When the same method of analysis is applied to multiple-frequency multiple-station Faraday fading records, much more accurate values of can be obtained.
Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons modifies the effects of early life stress on attention and Thought Problems in late childhood

BACKGROUND Risk for childhood psychopathology is complex and multifactorial, implicating direct and interacting effects of familial and environmental factors. The role of environmental neurotoxicants in psychiatric risk is of growing concern, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), common in air pollution. Prenatal PAH exposure is linked to adverse physical, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes as well as increasing psychiatric risk. It is unclear whether environmental exposures, like PAH, magnify the effects of exposure to early life stress (ELS), a critical risk factor for psychopathology. The current work aimed to test potential interactions between prenatal PAH exposure and psychosocial/socioeconomic stress on psychiatric symptoms in school-age children. METHODS Data were from the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health Mothers and Newborns longitudinal birth cohort study. Prenatal PAH exposure was ascertained though air monitoring during pregnancy and maternal PAH-DNA adducts at delivery. Mothers reported on ELS (child age 5) and on child psychiatric symptoms across childhood (child age 5, 7, 9, and 11) using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). RESULTS Significant prenatal airborne PAH × ELS interactions (FDR-corrected) predicted CBCL Attention (β = 0.22, t(307) = 3.47, p < .001, pfdr = .003) and Thought Problems T-scores (β = 0.21, t(307) = 3.29, p = .001, pfdr = .004) at age 11 (n = 319). Relative to those with lower exposure, children with higher prenatal PAH exposure exhibited stronger positive associations between ELS and CBCL Attention and Thought Problem T-scores. This interaction was also significant examining convergent ADHD measures (Conners, DuPaul) and examining maternal PAH-DNA adducts (β = 0.29, t(261) = 2.48, p = .01; n = 273). A three-way interaction with assessment wave indicated that the PAH × ELS interaction on Attention Problems was stronger later in development (β = 0.03, t(1,601) = 2.19, p = .03; n = 477). CONCLUSIONS Prenatal exposure to PAH, a common neurotoxicant in air pollution, may magnify or sustain the effects of early life psychosocial/socioeconomic stress on psychiatric outcomes later in child development. This work highlights the critical role of air pollution exposure on child mental health.
Reproductive Seasonality and Life-History Traits of the Coastal Darter, Etheostoma colorosum (Pisces: Percidae), from the Escambia River Drainage of Florida

I took samples of Etheostoma colorosum (Coastal Darter) from Canoe Creek, a tributary to the Escambia River in northwest Florida. Examination of ovaries from female darters showed reproduction (presence of clutch-bearing females) occurred from January into June 1989, with the greatest activity (percentage of clutch-bearing females) occurring mid-February to early May. Females begin reproducing at age 1 and can live 2 years. During the height of the reproductive season, females measuring 27–42 mm standard length produced clutches of 5–69 eggs. Clutch size, adjusted for female length, was greater mid-season in March than in February or April and May. Mature oocytes averaged 1.06 mm diameter, mean ripening oocyte diameter was 1.12 mm, and mean ripe egg diameter was 1.22 mm.
Defect control during femtosecond projection two-photon lithography

Abstract Two-photon lithography (TPL) is a photopolymerization-based additive manufacturing technique that enables fabrication of millimeter scale complex three-dimensional (3D) structures with submicron features. Despite this unique capability, TPL has experienced limited industrial adoption due to its low throughput. The recently developed parallel projection technique, called femtosecond projection TPL (FP-TPL), is a promising approach to scale up this process as it increases the throughput up to three orders of magnitude. However, it requires tuning of process parameters, including photopolymer material properties, to minimize over-polymerization-based defects. Here, we show how a modification of the optical projection strategy can be used to control these over-polymerization defects without tuning the photopolymer composition. Through optical modeling of the projection technique, we show that these defects can be minimized by altering the density of the projected mask. In addition, the aspect ratio of the submicron features can by reduced from more than 2 to 1.2. Thus, this optimal projection strategy transforms FP-TPL into a more robust process suitable for high-throughput high-quality 3D printing of micro and nanoscale structures.
Influence of boat traffic on distribution and behavior of juvenile hawksbills foraging in a marine protected area in Roatán, Honduras

Abstract Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been implemented to reduce negative impacts of human activities on marine life. However, many MPAs do not address boat traffic and the behavioral alterations and physical injury to marine organisms that may result. Boating activities can alter activity patterns, increase stress, and lead to physical injury in various aquatic animals. The Sandy Bay West End Marine Reserve (SBWEMR) is a marine protected area in Roatan, Honduras, and a foraging area for the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). While direct capture by the public is forbidden, managing both increasing boat traffic, and its effect on hawksbill distribution and behavior are not addressed in the reserve's management plans. We aimed to quantify the amount of boat traffic moving throughout the SBWEMR and evaluate the effect of boat traffic on the presence, distribution, and behavior of juvenile hawksbills. Boat traffic throughout the reserve was quantified through a series of above-water and in-water surveys, while hawksbill behavior and presence were evaluated through in-water surveys using SCUBA. Spearman correlation suggested a moderate, but significant, positive correlation between boat intensity and hawksbill presence. Yet, a nonsignificant negative correlation was evident between boat intensity and behavior. Although data suggest that boat traffic may not disrupt or negatively alter in-water behavior, hawksbills are prone to the additional hazards of boat collisions and propeller strikes. To reduce the risks of injury and mortality, efforts should be made to continually monitor, regulate, and enforce vessel speeds in MPAs where hawksbills reside.
Modulation of impact energy dissipation in biomimetic helicoidal composites

Abstract Biologically composites offer inspiration for the design of next generation structural materials due to their hierarchical microstructure that allows for, low density, and combination of high stiffness and toughness, currently unmatched by engineering technologies. Here, we investigate biomimetic composite materials that feature the laminated helicoidal architecture of fibers characteristic of the arthropod cuticle, specific to the mantis shrimp, but utilize either glass or Kevlar fibers, with epoxy or urethane matrix materials, to examine their role in impact energy dissipation. Drop weight impact test revealed epoxy-matrix composites exhibited the highest peak load on impact and showed larger degrees of external damage such as delamination and fiber breakage as compared to the urethane-based composites. Moreover, the helicoidal panels, showed a significant reduction in dent depth and better residual compressive strength as compared to the quasi-isotropic design. These findings provide useful insight into the variation of reinforcement and matrix materials for the helicoidal architecture and how it affects the delocalization of damage and improves residual strength.