cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unpacking the informational bases of empathic accuracy.

Perceivers’ ability to correctly identify the internal states of social targets—known as empathic accuracy (EA)—is critical to social interactions, but little work has examined the specific types of information that support EA. In the current study, social targets varying in trait emotional expressivity were videotaped while discussing emotional autobiographical events. Perceivers watched these videos and inferred targets’ affect while having access to only visual or auditory information, or both. EA was assessed as the correlation of perceivers’ inference and targets’ self-ratings. Results suggest that auditory, and especially verbal information, is critical to EA. Furthermore, targets’ expressivity predicted both target behavior and EA, an effect influenced by the valence of the events they discussed. Specifically, expressive targets produced more nonverbal negative cues, and higher levels of EA when perceivers could only see them discussing negative events; expressive targets also produced more positive verbal cues, and higher levels of EA when perceivers could only hear them discussing positive events. These results are discussed in relation to social display rules and clinical disorders involving social deficits.
Cooperative Kalman filters for cooperative exploration

Cooperative exploration requires multiple robotic sensor platforms to navigate in an unknown scalar field to reveal its global structure. Sensor readings from the platforms are combined into estimates to direct motion and reduce noise. We show that the combined estimates for the field value, the gradient and the Hessian satisfy an information dynamic model that does not depend on motion models of the platforms. Based on this model, we design cooperative Kalman filters that apply to general cooperative exploration missions. We rigorously justify a set of sufficient conditions that guarantee the convergence of the cooperative Kalman filters. These sufficient conditions provide guidelines on mission design issues such as the number of platforms to use, the shape of the platform formation, and the motion for each platforms.
Applying IT tools to a laboratory course for measurement, analysis, and design of electric and electronic circuits

The paper presents the application of information technology (IT) tools to a laboratory course for measurement, analysis, design, and simulation of typical electric and electronic circuits. It shows modern computer data acquisition systems used for measurement of real circuits, mathematical software IT tools used for theoretical analysis and design, and circuit simulation software IT tools used for the development of a virtual laboratory. It illustrates how spreadsheets and other IT tools are used for data recording and/or result comparisons among measurement, theoretical calculation, and simulation. The paper shows the mechanisms and approaches developed for strong correlation between theories and hands-on experimentation using modern computer tools for the purpose of quality education of the laboratory course in electric and electronic circuits.
A fast volume integral equation solver for electromagnetic scattering from large inhomogeneous objects in planarly layered media

A newly developed iterative method, the stabilized biconjugate gradient fast Fourier transform (BCGS-FFT) method is applied to simulate electromagnetic scattering from large inhomogeneous objects embedded in a planarly layered medium. In this fast solver, the weak-form formulation is applied to obtain a less singular discretization of the volume electric field integral equation. Several techniques are utilized to speed up the dyadic Green's function evaluation. To accelerate the operation of the dyadic Green's function on an induced current (i.e., the "Green's operation"), the Green's function is split into convolutional and correlational components so that FFT can be applied. The CPU time and memory cost of this BCGS-FFT method is O(NlogN) and O(N), respectively, where N is the number of unknowns, significantly more efficient than the method of moments (MoM). As a result, this method is capable of solving large-scale electromagnetic scattering problems in a planarly layered background. A large-scale scattering problem in a layered medium with more than three million unknowns has been solved on a Sun Ultra 60 workstation with 1.2 GBytes memory.
Barriers to treatment of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea: Development of the adherence barriers to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) questionnaire

Abstract Background Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment is often prescribed for youth as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Efficacy research in youth is limited, though some evidence suggests that it may relieve symptoms of OSA and possibly prevent future physical, emotional, and behavioural complications. However, the device must be used consistently for benefits to be realised. Non-adherence to medical treatment is prevalent among youth with chronic illness, yet little is known regarding adherence to CPAP in paediatric OSA. Methods Using a sample of 51 youth (age 8–17 years) recruited from a paediatric sleep specialty clinic, the aims of the current study were to: (1) present descriptive data regarding CPAP adherence in youth with OSA, and (2) develop a psychometrically sound measure of barriers for adherence to CPAP use for youth with OSA. Results Results indicated that adherence to CPAP is poor: youth in the current sample used their CPAP on average 3.35 h per night. The adherence barriers measure demonstrated excellent psychometric properties. Conclusions The adherence barriers to CPAP questionnaire has the potential to be a useful clinic-based tool for identifying patient-specific issues with CPAP adherence in youth with OSA.
Preconditioning seismic data for channel detection

AbstractRandom seismic noise, present in all 3D seismic data sets, hampers manual interpretation by geoscientists and automatic analysis by a computer program. As a result, many noise-suppression techniques have been developed to enhance image quality. Accurately suppressing seismic noise without damaging image details is crucial in preserving small-scale geologic features for channel detection. The automatic detection of channel patterns theoretically should be easy because of their unique spatial signatures and scales, which differentiate them from other common 3D geobodies. For example, one notable channel characteristic has high local linearity: Spatial coherency is much greater in one direction than in other directions. A variety of techniques, such as spatial filters, can be used to enhance this “slender” channel feature in areas of high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). Unfortunately, these spatial filters may also reduce the edge detectability in areas of low S/N. In this paper, I compared the effectiv...
Adult-onset syphilitic stromal keratitis

Purpose To characterize the clinical features and therapeutic outcome of stromal keratitis associated with syphilis in adults. Design Observational case series. Methods We examined the clinical and laboratory records at a single center of individuals with active stromal keratitis who had serological evidence of syphilis by a treponemal specific test. Results Five patients, 36 to 81 years of age, developed stromal keratitis during late syphilis. One patient with developmental signs of congenital syphilis had bilateral stromal keratitis. The others were otherwise healthy when they presented with unilateral, nonulcerative, infiltrative keratitis with stromal edema of the peripheral or paracentral cornea and mild to moderate corneal vascularization. All had an appropriate response to topical corticosteroid therapy, and two recovered good vision. Stromal keratitis recurred in two patients months to years later. Conclusions Nonulcerative stromal keratitis presents in adults with syphilis as marginal, central, or multifocal stromal inflammation with neovascularization that responds to corticosteroid therapy but occasionally recurs.
Microstrip transmission lines on arbitrarily oriented biaxial media

In this analysis, the effective permittivity and the current distribution are calculated for a microstrip transmission line placed on a conductor-backed arbitrarily-oriented biaxially anisotropic slab. The microstrip transmission line parameters are calculated using a spectral domain formulation in conjunction with a method of moments technique. The analysis defines the search limits used for locating the bound mode propagation constant, establishes the effects that the biaxial slab orientation has on the effective permittivity, and reveals asymmetries in the transverse current distribution when the principal coordinates of the medium are not aligned with those of the transmission line structure.
What's your diagnosis? A 3-month-old girl with an ulcerated perineal plaque.

2005 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Published by Elsevier Inc. infancy is preferred in order to distinguish them from other types of hemangiomas with different clinical characteristics, e.g., non-involuting congenital hemangiomas and rapidly involuting congenital hemagiomas. Older terms with which clinicians have long been familiardsuch as strawberry hemangioma, strawberry nevus, capillary hemangioma, and cavernous hemangiomadare now considered ambiguous and should no longer be used. HOI are also distinct from vascular malformations, which are typically seen at birth, undergo slow expansion, and generally do not regress, unlike HOI, which typically involute. HOI may be further characterized based on their clinical appearance depending on where they arise in the skin and on their stage of growth. Superficial hemangiomas arise in the superficial dermis and are raised, lobulated, and bright red. Deep hemangiomas arise in the reticular dermis or subcutis and are raised, soft masses. Mixed hemangiomas have both a superficial and deep component. The terms nascent, proliferating, involuting, or involuted may be used to characterize the lesions’ stage of growth. Risk factors for the development of HOI include female sex, white (non-Hispanic) ethnicity, prematurity, low birth weight, multiple gestation, and chorionic villus sampling. A 21% incidence of HOI in infants exposed to chorionic villus sampling at 9–12 weeks gestation has been reported. HOI usually appear in the first few weeks of life; however, in up to 50% of cases, a premonitory mark may be seen at birth and appears as a telangiectatic macule surrounded by a pale halo, a pale macule, an erythematous macule, or less commonly as a bruise or scratch. Lesions are most common on the head and neck, but may occur anywhere on the body. What follows is a proliferative period that is most pronounced in the first 3 months of life. Most HOI reach their maximum size by 9 to 12 months of age but this can vary; some HOI show very little proliferation while others can grow for more than a year.
Multiplex PCR design strategy used for the simultaneous amplification of 10 Y chromosome short tandem repeat (STR) loci

The simultaneous amplification of multiple regions of a DNA template is routinely performed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a process termed multiplex PCR. A useful strategy involving the design, testing, and optimization of multiplex PCR primer mixtures will be presented. Other multiplex design protocols have focused on the testing and optimization of primers, or the use of chimeric primers. The design of primers, through the close examination of predicted DNA oligomer melting temperatures ( T(m)) and primer-dimer interactions, can reduce the amount of testing and optimization required to obtain a well-balanced set of amplicons. The testing and optimization of the multiplex PCR primer mixture constructed here revolves around varying the primer concentrations rather than testing multiple primer combinations. By solely adjusting primer concentrations, a well-balanced set of amplicons should result if the primers were designed properly. As a model system to illustrate this multiplex design protocol, a 10-loci multiplex (10plex) Y chromosome short tandem repeat (STR) assay is used.
Epidemiology of meniscal injuries in US high school athletes between 2007 and 2013

Purpose Knowledge of epidemiologic trends of meniscal injuries in young active populations is limited. Better awareness of injury patterns is a first step to lowering injury rates. Our hypothesis was that meniscal injuries in high school athletes would vary by gender, sport, and type of exposure.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) with fibrosarcomatous changes in a patient with psoriasis treated with adalimumab

Psoriasis is a Th1/Th17 chronic immune-mediated disease, characterized by increased levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alfa. TNF-alfa blockers including adalimumab have been widely used to treat immune-mediated diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. TNF-alfa plays a central role in the inflammation and cellular immune response and TNF inhibitors have all been associated with malignancy and infection, especially when used in combination with other immune suppressants.1 Here we describe a patient with psoriasis treated with adalimumab who developed dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) with fibrosarcomatous change.
Passive Films and Blistering of Titanium

Coupons of titanium alloys under consideration as components of the Engineered Barrier System in the proposed repository at Yucca Mountain have been evaluated for their passive film composition and stability. Oxide depths and compositions on specimens exposed in long-term corrosion testing for one year were determined with x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The specimens removed from long-term testing, as well as separate coupons polarized cathodically in an electrochemical cell, exhibited blistering associated with hydride formation in both scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy.
Paneth cell α-defensin synthesis and function

Endogenous antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)mediate innate immunity in every species in which they have been investigated. Cathelicidins and defensins are the two major AMP families in mammals, and they are abundant components of phagocytic leukocytes and are released by epithelial cells at mucosal surfaces. In the small intestine, Paneth cells at the base of the crypts of Lieberkuhn secrete α-defensins and additional AMPs at high levels in response to cholinergic stimulation and when exposed to bacterial antigens. Paneth cell α-defensins evolved to function in the extracellular environment with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, and they constitute the majority of bactericidal peptide activity secreted by Paneth cells. The release of Paneth cell products into the crypt lumen is inferred to protect mitotically active crypt cells from colonization by potential pathogens and confers protection from enteric infection, as is evident from the immunity of mice expressing a human Paneth cell α-defensin transgene to oral infection by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. α-Defensins in Paneth cell secretions also may interact with bacteria in the intestinal lumen above the crypt-villus boundary and influence the composition of the enteric microbial flora. Mutations that cause defects in the activation, secretion, dissolution, and bactericidal effects of Paneth cell AMPs may alter crypt innate immunity and contribute to immunopathology.
Imfobe: self-knowledge and the reach for ethics among former, young, anti-apartheid activists

The paper explores the reach for ethics among young people engaged in opposition to the apartheid state in the 1980s. Structured around the Xhosa concept imfobe, variously translated as morality, virtue, goodness, grace, the paper seeks to locate young peoples' ethical development in the context of every day life. It examines the critical self-consciousness to which young people subject their experiences and decisions and offers a record of some young peoples' actions and thoughts in Zwelethemba, South Africa. It reflects on Foucault's notion of the work of the norm as potentially transformative and demonstrates the ways in which young people stood against the apartheid state's ‘un-norms’ for children.
Selection Criteria of Diaphragm Pacemaker Implantation in ALS Patients (P07.084)

OBJECTIVE: We are examining whether pre-operative measures (FVC, radiographic SNIFF testing, and a bilateral phrenic nerve conductive study) correlate with electrical excitability of the diaphragm in the operating room. We will report if these studies individually or in combination correlate with intra-operative diaphragm stimulation, and thus are sufficient to pre-determine acceptable surgical candidates. BACKGROUND: Diaphragm Pacing is a newly FDA approved method for management of respiratory failure in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Currently there are three main criteria used for evaluation prior to implantation, pulmonary function testing, radiographic SNIFF testing, and diaphragm motor response to phrenic nerve stimulation. These are used to determine if a patient is an ideal candidate for the pacemaker. The final determination, however, is made in the operating room by direct stimulation of the diaphragm. Patients must be intubated for this procedure. Activating the newly inserted pacemaker makes extubation far less difficult. It is critical to minimize the possibility that the patients are found to have an electrically inexcitable diaphragm in the operating room, thus resulting in aborting the procedure. DESIGN/METHODS: Our center has performed 19 diaphragm pacemaker placements to date. We looked at each patients pre-operative test results and compared those numbers to what we measured intra-operatively with direct diaphragm stimulation. We also looked at the patients overall clinical picture after placement of the device to come to our overall conclusions. RESULTS: We performed a retrospective review of our patients and found that individually the above test do not necessarily correlate well with diaphragm excitability in the OR. However, in combination, and in association with the clinical picture of the patient, there is a far better correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The key seems to be associating the above criteria along with the patients overall clinical picture in order to come to a better decision when choosing acceptable candidates. Disclosure: Dr. Elsayegh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tsimerinov has nothing to disclose. Dr. Muthukumaran has nothing to disclose. Dr. Baloh has nothing to disclose.
The GATA transcription factor gene gtaG is required for terminal differentiation in Dictyostelium.

ABSTRACT The GATA transcription factor GtaG is conserved in Dictyostelids and is essential for terminal differentiation in Dictyostelium discoideum , but its function is not well understood. Here, we show that gtaG is expressed in prestalk cells at the anterior region of fingers and in the extending stalk during culmination. The gtaG − phenotype is cell-autonomous in prestalk cells and non-cell-autonomous in prespore cells. Transcriptome analyses reveal that GtaG regulates prestalk gene expression during cell differentiation before culmination and is required for progression into culmination. GtaG-dependent genes include genetic suppressors of the Dd-STATa-defective phenotype (Dd-STATa is also known as DstA) as well as Dd-STATa target-genes, including extracellular matrix genes. We show that GtaG might be involved in the production of two culmination-signaling molecules, cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) and the spore differentiation factor SDF-1, and that addition of c-di-GMP rescues the gtaG − culmination and spore formation deficiencies. We propose that GtaG is a regulator of terminal differentiation that functions in concert with Dd-STATa and controls culmination through regulating c-di-GMP and SDF-1 production in prestalk cells.
Importance of energy level matching for bonding in Th(3+)-Am(3+) actinide metallocene amidinates, (C(5)Me(5))(2)[(i)PrNC(Me)N(i)Pr]An.

The synthesis of a rare trivalent Th3+ complex, (C5Me5)2[iPrNC(Me)NiPr]Th, initiated a density functional theory analysis on the electronic and molecular structures of trivalent actinide complexes ...
Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon and follicular lymphoma within the same lymph node: a case report and review of the literature.

Concomitant adenocarcinoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, both located in the intestinal tract, are unusual. We report a unique case of moderately differentiated of the cecum and a simultaneous follicular lymphoma, Grade 1, of the terminal ileum and regional lymph nodes in a 55-yr-old man. One lymph node was involved by both adenocarcinoma and follicular lymphoma. To our knowledge, this is the fifteenth reported case of concurrent adenocarcinoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the intestine, but this is the first case with involvement of follicular lymphoma and adenocarcinoma within the same lymph node.
Comparison of Pneumoperitoneum Stability Between a Valveless Trocar System and Conventional Insufflation: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Objective To compare the variation in pneumoperitoneum and physiologic effects of patients undergoing laparoscopic renal surgery using the valveless trocar insufflation system (VI) vs a conventional insufflation system (CI). Methods and Materials We conducted a single-center, randomized controlled trial in patients undergoing renal surgery at 15 mm Hg insufflation using a VI system vs a CI system. The primary outcome measured was variation in insufflation pressure, and end-tidal CO 2 at 10 and 25 minutes. Results Fifty-six patients (VI n = 28 or CI n = 28) met inclusion criteria and were randomized. There was significantly less variability in pressure readings, as measured by coefficient of variation, during VI compared to CI (7.8% vs 15.6%, P P P = .011) during VI compared to CI. Additionally, there was significantly less time spent with pressure readings in the “unacceptable” range of ≥20 mm Hg (median 0% vs 0.08%, P P 2 was significantly lower at 10 minutes ( P = .036) after insufflation in the valveless trocar group compared to the conventional treatment group. There were no other significant differences in physiologic metrics. Conclusion Compared with a CI, the VI provides a significantly more stable pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic renal surgery and lower end-tidal CO 2 at 10 minutes.
A global convergence property of the conjugate gradient method with the Goldstein line search

In this paper, we have proveda global convergence of the conjugate gradient method with the Goldstein line search for the unconstrained optimization of the objective function satisfying certain conditions.
Apolipoprotein E: from cardiovascular disease to neurodegenerative disorders

Apolipoprotein (apo) E was initially described as a lipid transport protein and major ligand for low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors with a role in cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular disease. It has since emerged as a major risk factor (causative gene) for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Detailed understanding of the structural features of the three isoforms (apoE2, apoE3, and apoE4), which differ by only a single amino acid interchange, has elucidated their unique functions. ApoE2 and apoE4 increase the risk for heart disease: apoE2 increases atherogenic lipoprotein levels (it binds poorly to LDL receptors), and apoE4 increases LDL levels (it binds preferentially to triglyceride-rich, very low density lipoproteins, leading to downregulation of LDL receptors). ApoE4 also increases the risk for neurodegenerative diseases, decreases their age of onset, or alters their progression. ApoE4 likely causes neurodegeneration secondary to its abnormal structure, caused by an interaction between its carboxyl- and amino-terminal domains, called domain interaction. When neurons are stressed or injured, they synthesize apoE to redistribute cholesterol for neuronal repair or remodeling. However, because of its altered structure, neuronal apoE4 undergoes neuron-specific proteolysis, generating neurotoxic fragments (12–29 kDa) that escape the secretory pathway and cause mitochondrial dysfunction and cytoskeletal alterations, including tau phosphorylation. ApoE4-associated pathology can be prevented by small-molecule structure correctors that block domain interaction by converting apoE4 to a molecule that resembles apoE3 both structurally and functionally. Structure correctors are a potential therapeutic approach to reduce apoE4 pathology in both cardiovascular and neurological disorders.
A technological, pedagogical, arts knowledge framework

ABSTRACTThis article invites media arts and technology educators to find synergies in their classroom curriculum and practice. Encouraging the use of the National Media Arts Standards it summons teachers to develop a useful framework for technological practice that utilizes arts knowledge and pedagogies.
Mechanism of magnetite formation in high temperature naphthenic acid corrosion by crude oil fractions

Abstract Naphthenic acids and sulfur compounds present in crude oils may cause corrosion in oil refineries. In some cases, corrosion product scale formed in these oils may provide corrosion protection, but in other cases this may not be true. Current research investigates the nature of protective scales formed on steel corroded by crude oil fractions using microscopic and analytical techniques. This research identifies a thin oxygen-containing layer in-between the steel and a thicker iron sulfide outer layer contributing to the protection against naphthenic acid corrosion. Formation of this oxygen-containing layer is likely due to naphthenic acids in the crude oil.
Nitrofurantoin safety and effectiveness in treating acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC) in hospitalized adults with renal insufficiency: antibiotic stewardship implications.

Nitrofurantoin remains a key oral antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) option in the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC) due to multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram negative bacilli (GNB). However, there have been concerns regarding decreased nitrofurantoin efficacy with renal insufficiency. In our experience over the past three decades, nitrofurantoin has been safe and effective in treating AUC in hospitalized adults with renal insufficiency. Accordingly, we retrospectively reviewed our recent experience treating AUC in hospitalized adults with decreased renal function (CrCl < 60 ml/min) with nitrofurantoin. Excluded were complicated urinary tract infections. Urinary isolated susceptibility testing was done by micro broth dilution (MBD). Treatment duration was 5–7 days. Cure was defined as eradication of the uropathogen and failure was defined as minimal/no decrease in urine colony counts. Of 26 evaluable patients with renal insufficiency (CrCl < 60 ml/min), nitrofurantoin eradicated the uropathogen in 18/26 (69%) of patients, and failed in 8/26 (31%). Of the eight failures, five were due to intrinsically resistant uropathogens, e.g., Proteus sp., and one failure was related to an alkaline urine. Of the treatment failures, only two were due to renal insufficiency, i.e., CrCl < 30 ml/min. Since there are few oral antibiotics available to treat AUC due to MDR GNB uropathogens, these results have important ASP implications. Currently, nitfurantoin is not recommended if CrCl < 60 ml/min. In our experience, used appropriately against susceptible uropathogens, nitrofurantoin was highly effective in nearly all patients with CrCl = 30–60 ml/min., and only failed in two patients due to renal insufficiency (CrCl < 30 ml/ml).
I Am Woman, Hear Me Tweet! Gender Differences in Twitter Use among Congressional Candidates

This study synthesizes two theoretical literatures to explain gender differences in Twitter usage and effectiveness among US Congressional candidates. The first suggests that candidates in perceive...
Susceptibility of Tribolium castaneum and Trogoderma variabile larvae and adults exposed to methoprene-treated woven packaging material

Abstract Methoprene is an insect growth regulator (IGR) registered in the United States for direct application to stored raw grains, as an aerosol or residual contact insecticide, and for use as a coating for protection of packaged products. A series of tests was conducted to determine the adverse effects of short term exposure, sub-lethal exposure, and continual exposure of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and warehouse beetle, Trogoderma variabile Ballion, on methoprene-treated woven packaging material at 27 and 32 °C and 60% r.h. In the first test, larvae of both species were added to individual arenas and exposed for different time intervals, removed and resulting adult emergence was assessed. In the second test, eggs of both species were exposed on the packaging surfaces to determine percent egg hatchability. In the third test, adults of T. castaneum and T. variabile were added to arenas and held for 7 and 3 d, respectively, to determine number of eggs laid per female and subsequent egg hatchability. The eggs were held in arenas to determine the effect of continual exposure on egg-to-adult emergence. Results showed normal adult emergence decreased with increasing exposure time and temperature. Exposure to methoprene-treated packaging did not adversely affect fecundity of T. variabile adults, but did affect fecundity of T. castaneum. Continual exposure gave 100% suppression of T. castaneum adult emergence and a reduction of T. variabile emergence. This study indicated that methoprene-treated packaging could be a valuable addition to an existing integrated pest management program to increase protection of packaged products.
Gait, posture, pogo-sticks and newfangled neurogenetics: How do legged animals control their locomotion?

One of the grand challenges for modern science is to understand how animals (including humans!) move. Movement results from the dynamic interaction of many complex, nonlinear constituents: the nervous system, muscles, body, and an often-unpredictable external environment. Yet many animals move quickly through the environment with stability and economy surpassing our technology. This talk will present three threads of research that seek to understand different aspects of legged locomotion control: 1) comparative work in insects, dogs, and the XRL robot aimed at understanding both how and why control strategy varies with body morphology, 2) a dynamical systems approach to understanding gait, that aims to understand how the "fine structure" of experimentally observed quadrupedal gait control reflects constraints such as stability, and finally, 3) recent work that brings the new genetic tools of optogenetics and chemogenetics (DREADDs) to bear on long-standing problems in legged locomotion control, and that is finding application in spinal cord injury.
Hypocortisolism and Stress

Increasing evidence suggests that the adrenal gland can be hypoactive in stress-related states. This counterintuitive phenomenon has been observed after developmental, traumatic, and chronic stress, as well as in stress-related psychiatric disorders and functional somatic syndromes. The mechanisms of hypocortisolism, its contributions to disease vulnerability, and implications for intervention are discussed.
The Poisson Equation

Up to this point in our discussion we have considered the application of multiple scattering theory in obtaining the solution of the one-particle Schrodinger equation in solid materials. We have seen that given a potential, MST allows the exact treatment of the associated Schrodinger equation even in the general case of cell potentials that fill all space.
Compensatory Expression of Nur77 and Nurr1 Regulates NF-κB–Dependent Inflammatory Signaling in Astrocytes

Inflammatory activation of glial cells promotes loss of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson disease. The transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) regulates the expression of multiple neuroinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in activated glial cells that are damaging to neurons. Thus, inhibition of NF-κB signaling in glial cells could be a promising therapeutic strategy for the prevention of neuroinflammatory injury. Nuclear orphan receptors in the NR4A family, including NR4A1 (Nur77) and NR4A2 (Nurr1), can inhibit the inflammatory effects of NF-κB, but no approved drugs target these receptors. Therefore, we postulated that a recently developed NR4A receptor ligand, 1,1bis (3′indolyl) 1(pmethoxyphenyl) methane (C-DIM5), would suppress NF-κB-dependent inflammatory gene expression in astrocytes after treatment with 1-methyl-4-phenyl 1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and the inflammatory cytokines interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor α. C-DIM5 increased expression of Nur77 mRNA and suppressed expression of multiple neuroinflammatory genes. C-DIM5 also inhibited the expression of NFκB-regulated inflammatory and apoptotic genes in quantitative polymerase chain reaction array studies and effected p65 binding to unique genes in chromatin immunoprecipitation next-generation sequencing experiments but did not prevent p65 translocation to the nucleus, suggesting a nuclear-specific mechanism. C-DIM5 prevented nuclear export of Nur77 in astrocytes induced by MPTP treatment and simultaneously recruited Nurr1 to the nucleus, consistent with known transrepressive properties of this receptor. Combined RNAi knockdown of Nur77 and Nurr1 inhibited the anti-inflammatory activity of C-DIM5, demonstrating that C-DIM5 requires these receptors to inhibit NF-κB. Collectively, these data demonstrate that NR4A1/Nur77 and NR4A2/Nurr1 dynamically regulated inflammatory gene expression in glia by modulating the transcriptional activity of NF-κB.
Management of BK Polyomavirus Infection in Kidney and Kidney-Pancreas Transplant Recipients: A Review Article

BK virus (BKV) can cause graft dysfunction or failure in kidney transplant recipients and hemorrhagic cystitis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) emerged as a common complication in the late 1990s, probably due to the introduction of potent immunosuppressive agents. BKVAN occurred in up to 5% of kidney transplant recipients, with graft failure in up to 70%. Since universal implementation of effective screening and treatment strategies, BKV is no longer a common cause of graft failure; reported graft loss is only 0% to 5%. This article briefly describes BK virology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.
Charge-Induced Disorder Controls the Thermal Conductivity of Entropy-Stabilized Oxides

Manipulating a crystalline material's configurational entropy through the introduction of unique atomic species can produce novel materials with desirable mechanical and electrical properties. From a thermal transport perspective, large differences between elemental properties such as mass and interatomic force can reduce the rate at which phonons carry heat and thus reduce the thermal conductivity. Recent advances in materials synthesis are enabling the fabrication of entropy-stabilized ceramics, opening the door for understanding the implications of extreme disorder on thermal transport. Measuring the structural, mechanical, and thermal properties of single-crystal entropy-stabilized oxides, it is shown that local ionic charge disorder can effectively reduce thermal conductivity without compromising mechanical stiffness. These materials demonstrate similar thermal conductivities to their amorphous counterparts, in agreement with the theoretical minimum limit, resulting in this class of material possessing the highest ratio of elastic modulus to thermal conductivity of any isotropic crystal.
Oxidized Low-density Lipoprotein and the Incidence of Age-related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose To examine the relationship between serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) cholesterol and the incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) over a 25-year period in a sample of persons from the population-based Beaver Dam Eye Study (BDES). Design Observational prospective cohort study. Participants A total of 4972 people from the BDES (aged 43–84 years and living in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin in 1988) seen during at least 1 of 6 examination phases at approximately 5-year intervals between 1988 and 2016. Methods A 50% random sample of participants (N = 2468) was selected for ox-LDL measurements. Stored frozen specimens from every examination phase were processed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from a single batch. All available intervals were included for a person, resulting in 6586 person-visits. Main Outcome Measures Age-related macular degeneration was assessed using the Wisconsin Age-related Maculopathy Grading System, and severity was defined using a 5-step severity scale. The severity of the worse eye at each examination was used for analyses. A multi-state Markov (MSM) model was fit to simultaneously assess the ox-LDL relationship to all AMD transitions, including incidence of any AMD, incidence of late AMD, and worsening and improvement of AMD over the 25 years of the study. Results The mean (standard deviation) level of ox-LDL was 75.3 (23.1) U/L at the baseline examination. When adjusting for age, sex, ARMS2 and CFH risk alleles, and examination phase, the ox-LDL at the beginning of a period was not statistically significantly associated with the incidence of any AMD (hazard ratio per 10 U/L ox-LDL was 1.03, 95% confidence interval 0.98,1.09). Furthermore, ox-LDL was not associated with worsening anywhere along the AMD severity scale, nor with incidence of late AMD. The lack of relationships of ox-LDL to the incidence of any AMD or worsening of AMD remained after adjustment for history of statin use, smoking status, body mass index, and history of cardiovascular disease (data not shown). Conclusions Our findings do not provide evidence for statistically significant relationships between ox-LDL and AMD disease development or worsening of AMD.
A Recursive Algorithm for IRT Weighted Observed Score Equating

There are various reasons for placing different weights on items of test forms such as increasing test reliability or validity and improving measurement precision. Different weighting schemes have been used to accommodate different purposes under different testing situations. However, when the items are weighted, the question is how to equate the test forms containing those weighted items. Under IRT, there are two commonly used equating methods—IRT true score equating and IRT observed score equating. Applying the weights on items to IRT true score equating is straightforward and the software WITSE (Chien and Shin, WITSE: A program for weighted IRT true score equating, Version 1.0. Iowa City, IA: Pearson, 2008) had been specifically developed for weighted scores using IRT true score equating. Yet, currently, there is no procedure or algorithm available for the IRT weighted observed score equating due to the great complexity augmented by imposing weights on items. The regular IRT observed score equating constructs the estimated observed score distributions for two test forms, which are typically obtained using recursive algorithm. However, when items have different weights, the recursive algorithm is no longer feasible. Therefore, an extended recursive algorithm based on the recursive algorithm is proposed in this paper to construct the estimated observed score distribution and is illustrated with a real data set.
Neuroendocrine-like cells in prostate cancer express CD44 and may represent the putative cancer stem/progenitor cells

4600 Androgen stimulates growth of prostate cancer (PC) via androgen receptor (AR). Androgen ablation therapy is therefore effective for advanced/metastatic PC. Unfortunately, the initial benefit is always followed by progression of the tumor to the hormone-refractory stage in which the tumor cells re-grow in the androgen-deprived environment. It has been proposed that PC contains cancer stem cells (approximately 1-5% of the total tumor cell population) that renew themselves and give rise to differentiated cancer cells. The cancer stem cells do not express AR and are resistant to androgen ablation therapy and responsible for tumor recurrence. Therefore, identification and targeting of the cancer stem cells is the key to achieve the cure of PC. Patrawala et al (Oncogene, 2006; 25: 1696) reported convincing evidence that CD44+ cells in PC cell lines and xenograft tumors possess stem/progenitor properties. These cells are more proliferative, clonogenic, tumorigenic, and metastatic than the CD44- cells. They express 9stemness9 genes, are AR- but can generate AR+ CD44- cells in-vitro and in-vivo. Some CD44+ PC cells can undergo asymmetric cell division. Although there is strong evidence that CD44+ cells may represent PC stem cells, they have not been identified and chracterized in human PC tissue. We and others have shown that in PC tissue from patients, the tumor cells are heterogeneous. The majority of the tumor cells are the secretory type cells that express AR while 1-5% of the tumor cells are the neuroendocrine (NE)-like cells that do not express AR. The NE-like cells increase in high grade/stage PC, particularly after androgen ablation therapy and in hormone-refractory PC. In xenograft and genetic models of PC, castration increases the number of NE-like cells before tumor recurrence. Since the NE-like PC cells fit the profile of the proposed cancer stem cells, we stained adjacent sections of human PC tissue with antibodies for CD44 and chromogranin A (CgA), a NE cell marker, and showed that in human PC tissue, CD44+ cells are the NE-like cells and vice versa. We performed double staining of human PC tissue microarray containing 200 cores of PC by immunofluorescence and showed that membrane CD44 staining and cytoplasmic CgA staining were always in the same tumor cells (1-5% of total tumor cell population). When PC cell lines LNCaP, DU145 and PC3 were sorted as CD44+ and CD44- cells by flow cytometry, expression of NE marker NSE was exclusively seen in CD44+ cells by western and/or real-time PCR assay. Thus, our study has firmly established that in PC tissue from patients, the long-recognized NE-like cells are the CD44+ cells which may represent the cancer stem/progenitor cells. We can now explain why every case of human PC contains a small population of NE-like cells that do not express AR and are resistant to hormonal therapy. Targeting NE-like PC cells should be a priority in designing future treatment strategies.
Identifying an Exploitable Structure for the Core Problem of Load-Redistribution Attack Problems

Ahstract- This study identifies and proposes an exploitable linear programming model for the core problem of sophisticated attacker-defender load-redistribution (LR) attack problems. This model is developed by leveraging power system domain insight and fundamental knowledge of the physics laws in power systems. The main contribution of this study is to demonstrate the point that there is no reason to solve any complicated problem for attackers in LR attack problems since the attackers' strategy is strikingly simple and trivial for this type of attack, which could be the basis of developing detection mechanisms against this type of cyber-attacks. We applied the proposed model to the IEEE 118-Bus test case to create an LR attack and demonstrate its impact in order to show the applicability and accuracy of our work.
A Narrative of Conservative Student Affairs Professionals: Silenced in an Inclusive Profession?

Public universities are often perceived as predominantly liberal environments where conservative voices are silenced. This stands in contrast to the idea that higher education, and student affairs in particular, should foster an environment in which multiple perspectives are valued. In this narrative study, we share the stories of ten self-identified conservative student affairs professionals and their experience at a public institution of higher education. To inform our study we used the spiral of silence theory, which suggests individuals having opinions diverging from the majority will remain silent about their beliefs rather than face negative consequences. Data analysis and findings provide an understanding of how conservative ideology influenced relationships, professional engagement and overall work environment.
Alcohol use severity among Hispanic emerging adults: Examining the roles of bicultural self-efficacy and acculturation.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to (1) examine respective associations of acculturation orientations (e.g., U.S. orientation and Hispanic orientation) and domains (e.g., social groundedness and role repertoire) of bicultural self-efficacy, the perceived confidence to function effectively within the receiving culture and the heritage culture, with alcohol use severity among Hispanic emerging adults. This study also aimed to (2) examine potential moderating factors of respective associations among acculturation orientations and bicultural self-efficacy with alcohol use severity. Method 200 Hispanic emerging adults from Arizona (n = 99) and Florida (n = 101) completed a cross-sectional survey. Inclusion criteria were being ages 18–25, self-identify as Hispanic or Latina/o, and currently living in Maricopa County or Miami-Dade County. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression and moderation analyses. Results Findings indicate that neither of the acculturation orientations nor role repertoire had main effects with alcohol use severity. However, higher social groundedness was associated with lower alcohol use severity. Moderation analyses indicate that the interaction between the U.S. orientation and study site and the interaction between the Hispanic orientation and social groundedness were statistically significant in relation to alcohol use severity. Conclusions Considering that the U.S. orientation was associated with alcohol use severity only in Arizona highlights the need for multisite studies on acculturation. Our findings demonstrate that other sociocultural processes such as acculturation can impact bicultural self-efficacy; and that the association between bicultural self-efficacy and alcohol merits further investigation. However, more thorough assessments of bicultural self-efficacy are needed to better understand its effects on alcohol.
Factors Associated With Patient Ratings of Timeliness of Primary Care Appointments

As access is the lowest rated dimension in surveys of outpatient experience, we sought to identify patient, practice, and provider factors associated with positive ratings of timeliness of primary care appointments. A cross-sectional study with multivariable, multilevel logistic regression was performed using survey responses from 236 695 individuals receiving care in the Veterans Health Administration (VA). Top box ratings (response of "always") for whether the patient reported receiving an appointment as soon as they needed in primary care for routine care and for care needed right away were the main outcomes. Independent variables capturing patient, practice, and provider factors were obtained from survey responses and VA databases. Degree of continuity with primary care provider and duration of relationship were strongly associated with higher ratings. Shorter primary care appointment wait times for both new and returning patients were associated with higher ratings. Independent wait times for mental health and specialty appointments had no effect. Older age, better self-reported physical and mental health, lower disease complexity, and rural residence were patient factors associated with higher ratings while gender, race, ethnicity, and education had little effect. Measures of continuity with primary care provider as well as appointment wait times have strong association with positive patient ratings of appointment timeliness. Patients treated in Veterans Affairs clinics may value continuity with their primary care provider over longer times. Initiatives to improve access could focus on improving continuity and ensuring efforts to improve access do not impact continuity.