cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CLINICAL USE OF GONADOTROPIC SUBSTANCES IN WOMEN. I. TREATMENT OF SEXUAL IMMATURITY WITH CONCENTRATED PREPARATIONS FROM PREGNANCY URINE

Since it is now understood that the anterior pituitary produces one or more materials which are essential in stimulating the development and function of the ovaries, a strictly rational substitution therapy in ovarian deficiencies would require the employment of anterior pituitary substance in demonstrably active form. No such preparation is commercially available. A material with similar activity, in animals, is fortunately available, however, from the urine of pregnant women. By means of this material it is possible to stimulate the development, maturation, and ovulation of the graafian follicles and the formation of the corpora lutea. The resemblance is imperfect when compared with repeated implants of pituitary tissue (1). These differences may be due to chemical differences between the true hormones and the substances excreted in the urine. Or extraneous material in the urine extracts may modify the action of any hormones present. Again, if the true hormones are present in urine extracts, differences...
ER network formation requires a balance of the dynamin-like GTPase Sey1p and the Lunapark family member Lnp1p

Although studies on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) structure and dynamics have focused on the ER tubule-forming proteins (reticulons and DP1/Yop1p) and the tubule fusion protein atlastin, nothing is known about the proteins and processes that act to counterbalance this machinery. Here we show that Lnp1p, a member of the conserved Lunapark family, plays a role in ER network formation. Lnp1p binds to the reticulons and Yop1p and resides at ER tubule junctions in both yeast and mammalian cells. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the interaction of Lnp1p with the reticulon protein, Rtn1p, and the localization of Lnp1p to ER junctions are regulated by Sey1p, the yeast orthologue of atlastin. We propose that Lnp1p and Sey1p act antagonistically to balance polygonal network formation. In support of this proposal, we show that the collapsed, densely reticulated ER network in lnp1 Δ cells is partially restored when the GTPase activity of Sey1p is abrogated.
Effects of thoracic and fine PM and their components on heart rate and pulmonary function in COPD patients

Effects of thoracic and fine PM and their components on heart rate and pulmonary function in COPD patients
Doxycycline hydrogels with reversible disulfide crosslinks for dermal wound healing of mustard injuries

Doxycycline hydrogels containing reversible disulfide crosslinks were investigated for a dermal wound healing application. Nitrogen mustard (NM) was used as a surrogate to mimic the vesicant effects of the chemical warfare agent sulfur mustard. An 8-arm-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) polymer containing multiple thiol (-SH) groups was crosslinked using hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2) hydrogel) or 8-arm-S-thiopyridyl (S-TP hydrogel) to form a hydrogel in situ. Formulation additives (glycerin, PVP and PEG 600) were found to promote dermal hydrogel retention for up to 24 h. Hydrogels demonstrated high mechanical strength and a low degree of swelling (< 1.5%). Doxycycline release from the hydrogels was biphasic and sustained for up to 10-days in vitro. Doxycycline (8.5 mg/cm(3)) permeability through NM-exposed skin was elevated as compared to non vesicant-treated controls at 24, 72 and 168 h post-exposure with peak permeability at 72 h. The decrease in doxycycline permeability at 168 h correlates to epidermal re-epithelialization and wound healing. Histology studies of skin showed that doxycycline loaded (0.25% w/v) hydrogels provided improved wound healing response on NM-exposed skin as compared to untreated skin and skin treated with placebo hydrogels in an SKH-1 mouse model. In conclusion, PEG-based doxycycline hydrogels are promising for dermal wound healing application of mustard injuries.
The intertube falling film: Part 1 - Flow characteristics, mode transitions, and hysteresis

When a liquid film falls from one horizontal tube to another below it, the flow may take the form of discrete droplets, jets, or a continuous sheet ; the mode plays an important role in the wetting and heat transfer characteristics of the film. Experiments are reported that explore viscous, surface tension, inertial, and gravitational effects on the falling-film mode transitions. New flow classifications, a novel flow regime map, and unambiguous transition criteria for each of the mode transitions are provided. This research is part of an overall study of horizontal-tube, falling-film flow and heat transfer, and the results may have important implications on the design and operation of falling-film heat exchangers.
A unified framework for constraint-based modeling

Constraint-based modeling techniques are emerging as an effective computer graphics approach for modeling and designing objects and their behaviors. In this thesis, computer graphics constraint techniques are unified into a single conceptual framework. The central themes of the thesis are methods to partition an arbitrary constraint problem in different domains and at different levels, and to provide a language and computational environment for modeling with constraints. Using partitioning and composition schemes, complex simulations can be built hierarchically from simpler simulations by "plugging" together separate modules. Fundamental and basic structures are designed and implemented to provide an "Assembly Language" for simulation systems. These structures are put together through a collection of interfaces, much like multiple languages that use the same assembler on a computer. We use strategies called refinement and partitioning to integrate seemingly disparate constraint techniques. We present Temporal Sequencing as an approach to design complex time behaviors of simulation systems. Refinement is a top-down approach of transforming high level representations of a constraint modeling problem into representations that are closer to the basic solution mechanisms available in the constraint environment, such as numerical solution methods. Partitioning is the decomposition of one constraint problem into multiple simpler constraint problems that are then studied separately. Temporal Sequencing is a methodology to design the time behavior of a simulation system by composing time behaviors of the system over subintervals of time. Using the above partitioning schemes for the solution and specification of a general constraint problem, we create a unified constraint environment with the capability to both solve constraint problem instances and to create specialized constraint systems. New methods of constraint specification and solution can be added into the same constraint framework as new methods are developed. Based on the above approach, a modeling system called "Our Constraint Environment" (OCE) has been implemented. A programming language as an extension to C++ has been designed to provide an interface to OCE. The language provides the constructs for the partitioning schemes discussed above. Simulations created using OCE have shown the efficacy of our design approach. Constraint-based modeling techniques are emerging as an effective computer graphics approach for modeling and designing objects and their behaviors. In this thesis, computer graphics constraint techniques are unified into a single conceptual framework. The central themes of the thesis are methods to partition an arbitrary constraint problem in different domains and at different levels, and to provide a language and computational environment for modeling with constraints. Using partitioning and composition schemes, complex simulations can be built hierarchically from simpler simula
Coherent structures—reality and myth

The nature and significance of large‐scale coherent structures in turblent shear flows are addressed. A definition for the coherent structure is proposed and its implications discussed. The characteristic coherent structure properties are identified and the analytical and experimental constraints in the eduction of coherent structures are examined. Following a few comments on coherent motions in wall layers, the accumulated knowledge from a number of recent and ongoing coherent structure investigations in excited and unexcited free shear flows in the author’s laboratory is reviewed. Also briefly addressed are effects of initial conditions, the role of coherent structures in jet noise production and broadband noise amplification, the feedback effect of coherent structures, the use of the Taylor hypothesis in coherent structure description, negative production, turbulence suppression via excitation, validity of the Reynolds number similarity hypothesis, etc. From the detailed quantitative results, a picture of the state of the art in coherent structure studies emerges. While coherent structures are highly interesting characteristic features of (perhaps all) turbulent shear flows, it is argued that their dynamical significance has been overemphasized. These are predominant only in their early stages of formation following instability, or in resonant situations and excited flows, or in regions adjacent to a wall of a turbulent boundary layer. The coherent Reynolds stress, vorticity, and production are comparable to (and not an order of magnitude larger than) the time‐average Reynolds stress, vorticity, and production, respectively, in fully developed states of turbulent shear flows, where incoherent turbulence is also important and cannot be ignored. The concept and importance of coherent structures are here to stay; understanding and modeling of turbulent shear flows will be incomplete without them; but they are not all that matter in turbulent shear flows.
Effect of Serine Hydroxamate on the Growth of Escherichia coli

The structural analogue of l-serine, l-serine hydroxamate, inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli K-12. Of the other amino acid hydroxamates tested, only l-lysine hydroxamate reduced the rate of growth. Inhibition of growth by l-serine hydroxamate was rapidly reversed by the addition of l-serine to the bacterial culture or by removal of the analogue by filtration. The reversal of inhibition was specific for l-serine. l-Alanine, glycine, or adenine had no effect on an inhibited culture. No evidence for active transport of the analogue was obtained.
Auto-hydroxylation of FIH-1: an Fe(II), α-ketoglutarate-dependent human hypoxia sensor

HIF-asparaginyl hydroxylase (FIH-1) normally couples O2-activation to hydroxylation of Asn803 on the α-subunit of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIFα), a key step in pO2 sensing; in the absence of HIFα, O2-activation becomes uncoupled, leading to self-hydroxylation at Trp296 and a purple Fe(III)–O–Trp chromophore—this alternative reactivity may affect human hypoxia sensing.
The Relationship Between Working Memory Capacity and Physical Activity Rates in Young Adults

This study examined the relationship between physical activity and cognitive function in younger adults. It was hypothesized that there would be a relationship between the exercise rates of adults (aged 19-30) and working memory capacity. Participants were 42 male and female college students who were divided into groups based on self-reported physical activity level. The participants in one group (n = 23) met the physical activity requirements specified by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and participants in the other group (n = 19) did not, and therefore acted as the control. A reading span task was used to assess the participant's working memory capacity. Analysis of variance results demonstrated that exercise was associated with enhanced memory (F = 9.06, p = 0.005, η = 0.21). Differences in working memory capacity as a function of gender and department were not statistically significant, nor were any interactions between these variables. This finding lends support to the hypothesis that exercise is related to working memory capacity in younger adults. Key PointsThe purpose of this study was to examine differences in working memory capacity as a function of exercise rate in younger adults.The results showed that there was a difference in working memory capacity between individuals who met the CDC's requirements for physical activity frequency and duration and individuals who did not.Similar to older adults, differences in cognitive function as a function of exercise were present in younger individuals.
CMedPort: a cross-regional Chinese medical portal

CMedPort is a cross-regional Chinese medical Web portal developed in the AI Lab at the University of Arizona. We will demonstrate the major system functionalities.
A reliable and inexpensive method of nucleic acid extraction for the PCR-based detection of diverse plant pathogens.

A reliable extraction method is described for the preparation of total nucleic acids from at least ten plant genera for subsequent detection of plant pathogens by PCR-based techniques. The method combined a modified CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) extraction protocol with a semi-automatic homogenizer (FastPrep® instrument) for rapid sample processing and low potential of cross contamination. The method was applied to sample preparation for PCR-based detection of 28 different RNA and DNA viruses, six viroids, two phytoplasmas and two bacterial pathogens from a range of infected host plants including sweet potato, small fruits and fruit trees. The procedure is cost-effective and the qualities of the nucleic acid preparations are comparable to those prepared by commonly used commercial kits. The efficiency of the procedure permits processing of numerous samples and the use of a single nucleic acid preparation for testing both RNA and DNA genomes by PCR, making this an appealing method for testing multiple pathogens in certification and quarantine programs.
Methods and metrics for cold-start recommendations

We have developed a method for recommending items that combines content and collaborative data under a single probabilistic framework. We benchmark our algorithm against a naive Bayes classifier on the cold-start problem, where we wish to recommend items that no one in the community has yet rated. We systematically explore three testing methodologies using a publicly available data set, and explain how these methods apply to specific real-world applications. We advocate heuristic recommenders when benchmarking to give competent baseline performance. We introduce a new performance metric, the CROC curve, and demonstrate empirically that the various components of our testing strategy combine to obtain deeper understanding of the performance characteristics of recommender systems. Though the emphasis of our testing is on cold-start recommending, our methods for recommending and evaluation are general.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure: efficacy of 10-mm versus 12-mm Wallstents.

PURPOSE: To compare results of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement with 10- and 12-mm Wallstents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six TIPS procedures in 47 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Wallstents that were 10 mm in diameter were used in 23 patients, and those that were 12 mm in diameter were used in 23 patients. Immediate results were compared, which included initial portosystemic gradient and Doppler measurements of blood flow velocity through the shunt at 1 day. Long-term patency and velocities were also assessed. RESULTS: TIPS were successfully created in 46 of 47 patients (98%). In one patient in the 10-mm group, the portal vein could not be accessed. When compared with TIPS in the 10-mm group, TIPS placed in the 12-mm group required dilation to larger diameters (mean, 11.1 vs 9.2 mm; P < .0001) to achieve an identical target gradient of 10 mm Hg and exhibited lower 1-day velocities (mean, 1.3 m/sec vs 1.7 m/sec; P < .03). The 1-day occlusion rate was 17% (four of 23...
Neural detection for buried pipe using fully polarimetric GPR

This paper presents an automatic buried pipe detection algorithm applying the two-step Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) into the fully polarimetric ground penetrating radar (GPR). This algorithm searches a target response using neural networks and discriminates the target response of a buried pipe among clutters by analyzing the polarization characteristics. Linearity and orientation of the buried object are estimated by analyzing the fully-polarimetric GPR data. The estimated orientation is utilized to normalize the spatial variation pattern before applying the Step-2 ANN when the scan direction is not perpendicular to the pipe. The detection algorithm then provides location, depth, and orientation of a buried pipe as a result. The detection performance of the detection algorithm was tested by Monte Carlo simulations in the presence of different signal-to-noise and signal-to-clutter ratios. Finally, the developed ANN algorithm was applied to detect drainage pipes from actual GPR data collected at farmlands. The detection algorithm was able to effectively detect pipes buried up to one meter with only few radar scans.
A developmentally regulated hyaluronidase of Haemonchus contortus.

The trichostrongylid nematode Haemonchus contortus released a hyaluronic acid–degrading enzyme during in vitro development from the third (L3) to fourth (L4) larval stage. The enzyme did not degrade chondroitin sulfate A. Enzyme activity was optimal between pH 4.0 and 6.0, and the enzyme was inhibited by high concentrations of NaCl; the divalent cations Cu2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, and Mn2+ were not inhibitory. The hyaluronidase had a molecular mass estimated at 57 kDa by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and at 111 kDa by substrate sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (reducing and nonreducing conditions), suggesting the formation of a dimer during the electrophoretic separation conditions. The level of hyaluronidase released during in vitro development peaked between 24 and 48 hr in culture and then gradually decreased, with little or no activity present in the 168-hr culture fluid. The enzyme was not detected in culture fluid from 24-hr incubations of either the mid-L4 stage (obtained f...
The labour of giving

Shortly following the 2010 Port-au-Prince earthquake, humanitarian communications specialists hailed a ‘new culture’ in disaster relief, one enabled by advances in new communications technology. The latter, they argued, were poised drastically to transform practices of rescue and aid. In this article, I argue that this ‘new culture’ should be seen as a mass phenomenon as it extended well beyond the professional humanitarian community to include average internet-users of the Global North. US users not only accessed a wealth of digitized (most often visual) material from the quake zone, but they were also encouraged to participate in the relief effort by downloading fund-raising kits, making digital donations, or merely following and ‘liking’ their favourite aid organizations. I argue that post-quake digital advocacy and action functioned as affective or immaterial labour, the unpaid work of communicating messages, ideologies, and knowledges, and of producing bio-power. As such, I suggest that, following th...
A Uniform Unincorporated Business: Understanding the Rights of an Owner's Personal Creditors

A creditor seeking to enforce state law collection remedies against an owner of an unincorporated business faces a unique difficulty unknown in the corporate world: statutory restrictions on the transfer of an ownership interest. This creates unique challenges for creditors of an owner, which this article explores and illustrates.
A Stochastic Process Metamodel for Levering Similar Trends across Concepts

The computational budget for designing and optimizing engineering systems has been tightened by the growth in the number of technology alternatives to satisfy the increasingly demanding goals in modern systems and the use of sophisticated but also computationally burdensome simulation tools to quantitatively choose the best technology alternative more accurately. This paper develops a new Gaussian process metamodel that leverages trends in engineering objectives that are similar across concepts, as opposed to current approximation methods which handle concepts independently. This metamodel is based on a multi-fidelity approach that enhances new concept prediction with observations of a previous concept with similar trends as the new concept. The influence of the size of the new concept training set in the metamodel performance is explored. The proposed multifidelity metamodel is tested against traditional independent surrogates in designing the engine shaft horse-power of an UH-60A modification with fenestron tail. The proposed metamodels is up to twice times as accurate as independent concept modeling for small training sets.
What Is Political Theory/Philosophy?

The subdiscipline of political theory and political philosophy continues to suffer some misunderstanding within political science as a whole. Notwithstanding its renaissance in the last decade, political theory/philosophy is still too often characterized in terms that obscure its roles and functions within the discipline. Political theory/philosophy is often referred to as “normative theory” as a way of distinguishing its concerns with values from the “empirical theory” and research of political science proper. Where the concerns of political theory/philosophy are not just normative, political scientists often characterize it as “speculative theory” to distinguish it from “empirical theory” that can be confirmed or refuted by reference to observable data. The terms of such a distinction suggest, of course, that theories grounded in certainties can and ought to replace the speculative approaches of traditional political thought. And because political theory/philosophy relies heavily on the history of political thought, many see it as part of history and the humanities rather than political science—interesting and necessary for any culturally literate person, but fundamentally distinct from contemporary political research.Terminological distinctions such as these solidified in an era in which behavioralist agendas shaped subdisciplinary boundaries, and they reflect the influence that neo-positivist views of explanation once had within the discipline. Since that time, however, we have developed more sophisticated understandings of how theory and philosophy relate to empirical research. These developments have in turn affected the way we understand the explanatory concerns of political science, while also expanding political theory/philosophy beyond its traditional boundaries.
Optimal Design and Operation of Flexible Energy Polygeneration Systems

The optimal design and operation of flexible polygeneration systems using coal and biomass to coproduce power, liquid fuels, and chemicals is studied. In flexible systems, the various product rates...
Dynamical downscaling of tropical cyclones from CCSM4 simulations of the Last Glacial Maximum

Dynamical downscaling of simulations of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and late twentieth century (20C) were conducted using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with the aim of (1) understanding how the downscaled kinematic and thermodynamic variables influence simulated tropical cyclone (TC) activity over the western North Pacific during the LGM and the 20C periods and (2) to test the relevance of TC genesis factors for the colder LGM climate. The results show that, despite the lower temperatures during the LGM, the downscaled TC climatology over the western North Pacific in the LGM simulation does not differ significantly from that in the 20C simulation. Among the TC environmental factors, the TC potential intensity, mid-tropospheric entropy deficit, and vertical wind shear during the LGM were consistent with previous analyses of TC genesis factors in LGM global climate model simulations. Changes in TC genesis density between the LGM and the 20C simulations seem to be well represented by the ventilation index, a nondimensional measure of the combined effects of vertical wind shear, and thermodynamic properties, suggesting the potential applicability of those factors for TC activity evaluation during the LGM and possibly other climates.
The microfoundations of human resources management in US public schools

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the extent to which human resources (HR) decision making is influenced by the social context of school systems. More specifically, this study draws upon organizational theory focussed on the microfoundations of organizations as a lens identify key aspects of school HR decision making at the district and school level. Design/methodology/approach – Interview data were collected from district-level HR directors and local union presidents across 11 districts in Michigan and Indiana. The interviews provided information on the formal and informal aspects HR management. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed, and the constant comparative method was used to move from initial codes to higher levels of abstraction (Miles and Huberman, 1994; Strauss and Corbin, 1990). Multiple data collection methods were utilized to help validate the interview data that were collected (Stake, 2004). Findings – The key findings show that social relationships, particularl...
Pressure Vessels: Design and Practice

With very few books adequately addressing ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, and other international code issues, Pressure Vessels: Design and Practice provides a comprehensive, in-depth guide on everything engineers need to know. With emphasis on the requirements of the ASME this consummate work examines the design of pressure vessel com
O02-6 A cross-sectional analysis of the effects of co-occurring low job control and workplace discrimination on sickness absence in black, hispanic and white older adults participating in the u.s. labour force

Introduction Several studies have reported an association between various psychosocial work factors and sickness absence. Much of the research has been conducted in Europe, leaving a significant knowledge gap about psychosocial exposures and outcomes in the US labour force. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of co-occurring low job control and high workplace discrimination on sickness absence in Black, Hispanic and White older adults aged 50 years and older participating in the US labour force. Methods Using Health and Retirement Study data from 2010, regression models were used to examine the association between co-occurring low job control and high workplace discrimination, and health related work absence in the past year. Results Mean number of missed days of work were similar for those with high job control, experiencing low workplace discrimination (ref), and those with low job control experiencing high workplace discrimination (11 days). Participants with high job control experiencing high discrimination, reported missing an average of 15.3 days. In unadjusted regression analysis low job control and high workplace discrimination was significantly associated with sickness absence in Hispanic (OR = 3.66) and Black (OR = 2.52) participants, while no association was evident in Whites. High control and high discrimination was associated with sickness absence in Blacks only in the unadjusted model (OR = 2.06, 95 CI = 1.11–3.811). Full adjustment for behavioural, sociodemographic, health, and work factors resulted in significant associations for Blacks with high job control experiencing high discrimination, who showed a 6.3-fold increased risk (95% CI = 1.26–31.511) of sickness absence. No associations were evident for Hispanic and White participants after adjustment for covariates. Conclusions Workplace discrimination in Blacks working in high control jobs is strongly associated with sickness absence, and may further exacerbate well document health disparities. More research assessing effects of workplace discrimination and work environment on work and health outcomes is warranted.
Order and Chaos in the Didache

Toward the goal of maintaining order in worship without limiting the free movement of the Holy Spirit, the Didache promotes a community ethos that can be characterized as ‘chaordic’. This is to say that there is a tolerance for chaos, but boundaries are set in place. This paper examines how the Didache navigates the tension between chaos and order as it pertains to four elements of community life: the practice of the law, baptism, public worship, and hospitality. It is seen that even as rituals are established, outward form does not overshadow spiritual substance: worship is to be both structured and free; prophecy is welcomed, but must be tested; leaders are honored, but are required to serve; guests are welcomed, but hospitality has limitations. This ‘chaordic’ ethos of the Didache is of historical interest to Pentecostals and is relevant to culturally diverse churches today.
Cucumber-mosaic-virus-associated RNA-5. XII. Symptom-modulating effect is codetermined by the helper virus satellite replication support function.

Abstract In tomato, the disease-modulating effects of a cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) satellite isolate from Belgium, here designated T-CARNA-5 (CARNA-5 = CMV-associated RNA-5), were found to be different depending on the supporting helper virus strain. With two CMV strains, T-CARNA-5 induced lethal necrosis, but with a third strain from Ixora spp. (CMV-Ix), aggravated stunting was observed. However, the primary structure of the T-CARNA-5 contained within virus isolated from tobacco or tomato infected with each of these three CMV strains, conformed to the conserved sequence profile of CARNA-5 isolates which are necrogenic in tomato. Dilution end-point bioassay of T-CARNA-5 established a direct cause-effect relationship between it and tomato necrosis or stunting, depending on the helper virus. Total nucleic acid extracts taken at different times from tomato plants infected with the above CMV strains and T- or S-CARNA-5 (used as non-necrogenic control) showed viral RNA, ssCARNA-5 and dsCARNA-5 to be present in significant amounts, but in sometimes dissimilar proportions depending on the combination; except in CMV-Ix/S-CARNA-5 infection where neither ss-nor dsCARNA-5 was found. The experiments established that CARNA-5 biological expression studies in CMV-infected tomato have to take into account the helper virus satellite replication support function, which may be a primary codeterminant of quantitative or qualitative differences in the symptom modulation observed.
Racism and Diversity in U.S. Society

The purpose of this chapter is to present an overview of racism and inequality as social problems in contemporary U.S. society. Recent trends in ethnic relations within the occupational, educational, socioeconomic, and health arenas will be examined with a focus on the dynamics of power and privilege among whites and people of color. Although power relations also generate inequalities for women, gays and lesbians, and people with disabilities, the primary concern of this chapter will be on diversity by race and ethnicity.
Social is special: A normative framework for teaching with and learning from evaluative feedback

Humans often attempt to influence one another's behavior using rewards and punishments. How does this work? Psychologists have often assumed that "evaluative feedback" influences behavior via standard learning mechanisms that learn from environmental contingencies. On this view, teaching with evaluative feedback involves leveraging learning systems designed to maximize an organism's positive outcomes. Yet, despite its parsimony, programs of research predicated on this assumption, such as ones in developmental psychology, animal behavior, and human-robot interaction, have had limited success. We offer an explanation by analyzing the logic of evaluative feedback and show that specialized learning mechanisms are uniquely favored in the case of evaluative feedback from a social partner. Specifically, evaluative feedback works best when it is treated as communicating information about the value of an action rather than as a form of reward to be maximized. This account suggests that human learning from evaluative feedback depends on inferences about communicative intent, goals and other mental states-much like learning from other sources, such as demonstration, observation and instruction. Because these abilities are especially developed in humans, the present account also explains why evaluative feedback is far more widespread in humans than non-human animals.
"A little more than kin, and less than kind": U.S. immigration policy on international medical graduates.

High-performing doctors willing to work to alleviate the shortage of medical care in the United States should be encouraged to do so, not prevented because of their countries of origin.
Transport of Nutrients in the Early Human Placenta: Amino Acid, Creatine, Vitamin B12

The homeostasis of the conceptus is affected by the function of the placenta as early as 1 week of human gestation, and the trophoblast undergoes many changes during gestation. Therefore, when assessments of placental function and its influence on the conceptus are made by using the term placenta, the developmental differences in the placenta need to be taken into consideration.
Pre- and Postnatal Development of Wing-Flapping and Flight in Birds: Embryological, Comparative and Evolutionary Perspectives

Bird flight has attracted scientific and popular interest for generations. Substantial progress has been made toward understanding the aerodynamics, mechanics, anatomy and physiology of avian flight (e.g. Greenewalt 1962,1975; Tucker 1969; Ruppell 1977; Rayner 1979; Viscor and Fuster 1987; Norberg 1989; see Chap. 11). The phylogenetic problem of how flight evolved has been more controversial and less susceptible to analysis (Ostrom 1979; Feduccia 1980; Caple et al. 1983; Lewin 1983; Norberg 1989). The primary concern of the present chapter is the question of how bird flight develops within the life span of the individual. This ontogenetic problem involves the consideration of evidence from embryology, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, genetics, natural history and comparative/evolutionary studies, and the answer has implications beyond the immediate context of bird flight (Provine 1986, 1988). The developmental analysis of wing-flapping is a good starting point from which to investigate general issues of how behaviour emerges during embryogenesis and how it is shaped by artificial and natural selection.
Effect of cell shape on extravascular hemolysis

Although it has been inferred that alteration of erythrocyte shape causes cell clearance, no direct measure of the effect of varying shape on clearance has been made. In this study, the protein oxidant, diamide, was employed to fix rat erythrocytes in altered shapes produced by the addition of different amphipaths or by changes in membrane structure. Clearance of cells in vivo as measured by 51Cr uptake in the spleen and liver correlated with the extent of shape alteration, either crenation or cupping. Whereas only 5%–10% of discoid cells were cleared by the spleen after 1 hr, there was 50%–80% clearance of severe echinocytes (crenated cells) and severe stomatocytes (cupped cells) primarily by the liver. This was not an effect of the crenating or cupping agents, since they were washed away prior to injection, and treatment of cells with the agents alone did not cause clearance. Further, if cells were crenated by ATP depletion through incubation without glucose for 12–16 hr, then conversion of their shape to a discoid form reduced clearance. To determine if serum components might be involved in the clearance, shape-altered cells were incubated in vitro in autologous plasma. With severe stomatocytes but not severe echinocytes, the binding of IgG was increased by 3–8-fold over controls, whereas no differences in C3 binding were observed. It is concluded that in diamide-fixed cells, the alteration of shape from a biconcave disc will increase in vivo clearance and, in the case of stomatocytes, the binding of IgG. Because diamide treatment alone altered the deformability properties of the discs, we suggest that the clearance of shape-altered cells results from their altered membrane surface properties rather than mechanical factors.
The Effects of Route Guidance on Spatial Learning

Participants engaged in five driving routes while performing a secondary PDT task. For each route, participants drove to four distinct destinations. Route guidance was given to all subjects to help guide them to their destinations. Most of the participants were able to complete each driving route within the allotted time of 10 minutes. The drivers had repeated exposures to the locations and routes between the destinations and were told they would be asked the whereabouts of the destinations at the end of the driving routes. Overall, the participants had difficulty explicitly marking the locations of the destinations on a map, and indicating directional relationship between buildings. PDT performance and lane deviation stayed consistent across driving route tasks. The participants performed best at naming the street locations where the buildings were located. The use of route guidance on the ability to process navigation information may suppress cognitive map formation.
Family Planning: The Responsibility to Prevent Both Pregnancy and Reproductive Tract Infections

Using contraception has two main benefits: prevention of unplanned pregnancy and protection against reproductive tract infections (RTIs).1–4 But technology development, policy emphasis, and service delivery have focused almost solely on preventing pregnancy, with little attention paid to reducing RTIs. Abstinence from sexual intercourse provides nearly absolute protection against both outcomes. For those choosing to be sexually active, contraception reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of either pregnancy or RTIs. Unfortunately, the contraceptives with the best record for pregnancy prevention provide minimal RTI protection. Some contraceptives may even raise the risk of certain infections. Thus, decisions about contraception by individuals, communities, and policymakers should involve balancing the relative need to prevent both RTIs and unplanned pregnancy.
Metrifonate was effective in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease

Source Citation Raskind MA, Cyrus PA, Ruzicka BB, Gulanski BI, for the Metrifonate Study Group. The effects of metrifonate on the cognitive, behavioral, and functional performance of Alzheimer's di...
Female Social Feedback Reveals Non-imitative Mechanisms of Vocal Learning in Zebra Finches

Summary Learning of song in birds provides a powerful model for human speech development [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. However, the degree to which songbirds and humans share social mechanisms of vocal learning is unknown. Although it has been demonstrated as a vocal learning mechanism in human infants [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ], learning via active social feedback is considered rare and atypical among non-human animals [ 7 ]. We report here the first evidence that song learning in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), the most common model species of vocal learning and development, utilizes socially guided vocal learning. We demonstrate experimentally that the songs of juvenile zebra finches are guided toward mature vocal forms by real-time visual feedback from adult females that is contingent on their early, immature vocalizations. Using a video playback paradigm, we found that juvenile birds that received non-vocal female feedback contingently on their immature song learned significantly better and more accurate song than did yoked controls that received identical but non-contingent feedback. Both contingent and non-contingent groups sang at similar rates. Thus, we have provided the first evidence suggesting that non-imitative social learning is a crucial, potentially widespread mechanism of vocal development and have established a foundational parallel between humans and our most ubiquitous animal model of vocal learning: the crucial role of social feedback to immature vocalizations in the development of communication.
Phase separation of ligand-activated enhancers licenses cooperative chromosomal enhancer assembly

A crucial feature of differentiated cells is the rapid activation of enhancer-driven transcriptional programs in response to signals. The potential contributions of physicochemical properties of enhancer assembly in signaling events remain poorly understood. Here we report that in human breast cancer cells, the acute 17β-estradiol-dependent activation of functional enhancers requires assembly of an enhancer RNA-dependent ribonucleoprotein (eRNP) complex exhibiting properties of phase-separated condensates. Unexpectedly, while acute ligand-dependent assembly of eRNPs resulted in enhancer activation sensitive to chemical disruption of phase separation, chronically activated enhancers proved resistant to such disruption, with progressive maturation of eRNPs to a more gel-like state. Acute, but not chronic, stimulation resulted in ligand-induced, condensin-dependent changes in spatial chromatin conformation based on homotypic enhancer association, resulting in cooperative enhancer-activation events. Thus, distinct physicochemical properties of eRNP condensates on enhancers serve as determinants of rapid ligand-dependent alterations in chromosomal architecture and cooperative enhancer activation.
Features for Success: Factors Associated with Successful LVAD Outcomes at 1-Year Post Implant

Purpose As quality and duration of life support continues to improve in patients with end stage HF post LVAD the perception of what defines a ‘successful’ LVAD implant is debatable. We sought to assess success for patients undergoing LVAD implant and defining pre-operative variables that would predict such an outcome at 1-year post implant. Methods Using the INTERMACs registry data between 2012-2015 (n= 13,162) we identified patients with successful outcomes. This was defined as meeting all 4 criteria: alive or transplanted at 1-year post implant, having an NYHA class of I or II at 6 months post implant, having no adverse events (gastrointestinal bleeding, infection, stroke, or pump thrombosis), and having 2 or fewer hospitalizations within the first year. We compared the ‘successful’ and ‘unsuccessful’ patient populations to identify key differentiating features in their pre-op data. We used backward logistic regression to identify variables that were predictive of the successful LVAD outcome. Results Out of 13,162 CF-LVAD patients, 3008 (28%) were considered ‘successful’ (Table 1). The logistic regression model kept the following variables, as predictors of a 1-year successful outcome: BTT device strategy, no of previous cardiac operations, low INTERMACS profile, no RVAD at time of LVAD implant, low creatinine , low volume at implant center, lower age, and higher hemoglobin. Conclusion Under one third of all patients receiving an LVAD have a successful 1-year outcome. While most indicators for success are non-modifiable patient features, identification of patients at high risk of ‘unsuccessful’ LVAD implant may inform patient management.
Database normalization tutorial: nifty tools and assignments

Normalization of relations to third normal form is often a difficult concept for students to grasp and working through examples helps. This tool is a simple tutorial implemented in JavaScript which takes the student through the multi-step process of beginning with a table of data and normalizing it to third normal form. The tutorial begins with a set of data derived from a report listing the overdue videos from a video store. First, the student identifies the repeating groups and then selects the attributes in the relation to be normalized. A computed value is included, which should be excluded from the relation. Then the student repeats the process of interactively identifying the attributes that are functionally dependent and removing them from the original relation and creating new relations until all relations are in third normal form. The tool provides feedback based on the student selections thereby guiding them to the correct answer.
Serum Protein Analysis of Nurse Sharks.

Serum protein electrophoresis (EPH) is used to assess relative concentrations of blood proteins in clinical and biological studies. Serum EPH fractions have been determined for elasmobranchs using mammalian albumin, alpha 1-, alpha 2-, beta-, and gamma-globulin fractions, and have been deemed fractions 1 through 5, respectively. However, serum EPH fraction concentration reference intervals (RIs) have not been widely established for different elasmobranch species. In this study, RIs for fractions 1 through 5 were determined from 45 wild-caught Nurse Sharks Ginglymostoma cirratum (27 females and 23 males) in South Florida. Serum samples were isolated from whole blood following caudal venipuncture. Body condition was also measured in the field to assess the relative health of the individuals sampled. There was no relationship between body condition and serum EPH fraction concentrations. In addition, there was no difference in body condition or serum EPH fraction concentrations between females and males. Total solids and total protein values were significantly different (P < 0.001). Nurse Shark serum EPH fraction 1 was found within the mammalian albumin migrating band distance and was negligible. Fraction 2 showed no peak in the mammalian alpha 1-globulin range. A thin, medium peak in the mammalian alpha 2-globulin range represented fraction 3. In the mammalian beta-globulin range, fraction 4 consisted of the majority of protein observed. It was represented by a smooth, broad peak. A short, medium broad peak in the mammalian gamma-globulin range represented fraction 5. The Nurse Shark serum EPH fraction RIs provided in this study may be utilized to clinically evaluate the health of Nurse Sharks in captivity and in the wild, and to compare the health of their populations around the world experiencing various anthropogenic stressors and other environmental impacts.
An Automated Cluster-Based Approach for Asset Rescheduling in Building Communities

The imbalance between load demand and power generation and high peak loads in the smart grid become a big concern for utility companies. Increasing the flexibility of the grid by using innovative demand response programs can improve the quality of the power grid and reduce the peak demand. In this paper, we propose a cluster-based approach for building assets rescheduling in a smart building community. This method takes advantage of interactions among the buildings and aims to minimize the total energy cost as well as the peak-to-average ratio (PAR). In the proposed model, several load actions for each household appliance are generated based on the class of the assets and consumers' preferences. A clustering approach is then presented to group similar load actions for assets via X-means clustering. In order to do a more accurate clustering, time-domain (TD) load actions are transformed to frequency-domain (FD) using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method. The results of the clustering step are used as inputs of the optimization problem. Finally, a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming (MOMILP) problem is proposed to reschedule building assets optimally. The results show that the energy cost for a small community could reduce by around 25% while the peak demand could reduce by around 7%.
Perioperative Vision Loss: Considerations and Management

Perioperative vision loss (POVL) associated with routine surgical procedures is a rare but catastrophic event. Although no clear direct cause of POVL has been determined, it is theorized that decreased ocular perfusion pressure of the optic nerve is responsible for POVL. This article will investigate theories as to why POVL occurs, risk factors associated with POVL, anatomy related to POVL, preventive measures that may help to reduce risk of POVL, and interventions that the anesthesia provider can implement.