cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EEG Analysis in 30 Patients with Orthostatic Tremor (P1.078)

Objective: To assess abnormalities on EEG recordings in patients with Orthostatic Tremor (OT). Background: OT is characterized by a sensation of instability while standing, associated with high frequency tremor in legs (13-18 Hz). The role of EEG in OT has not been fully investigated. In a previous report, 19 patients underwent EEG recordings with extra midline electrodes. Five patients had a fast 14-24 Hz midline discharge greatest at Cz, with worsening upon standing in two (McManis & Sharbrough, Muscle Nerve, 1993). Few other case reports noted normal EEG. Presence of EEG abnormalities in OT can expand our understanding of the pathophysiology. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 30 OT patients (28 females), average age of 68.3 years (range 54-87). The average duration of OT was 16.3 years (range 4-44). A modified-protocol EEG was developed using additional midline electrodes, and surface EMG electrode on limbs. Recording was performed at rest, during sleep (when available) and while standing unassisted. Hyperventilation and photic stimulation were also performed. Recordings were visually analyzed by a fellowship-trained epileptologist. Results: In all subjects, EEG showed normal background, normal drowsiness and/or stage 2 sleep, and normal responses to hyperventilation and photic stimulation. These normal results persisted during stance. EEG abnormalities were found in 4/30 subjects, and seemed unlikely to be related to OT. Three patients had medium voltage, intermittent, irregular slow activity in anterior mid-temporal region, and one subject showed generalized beta activity likely related to medications. These EEG changes were not position-dependent. Tremor artifact while standing was noted in EEG and EKG leads in 67[percnt] and 13[percnt] of the subjects respectively. Conclusions: Visual EEG analysis in OT patients did not reveal electrographic abnormalities even upon standing unassisted. Clinicians interpreting Video-EEGs should be aware of the OT artifact that can be seen in EEG and EKG leads while standing. Disclosure: Dr. Bhatti has nothing to disclose. Dr. Murr has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hellman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bertoni received personal compensation from Pfizer, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Novartis, Medtronic, Glaxo SmithKline,Valeant, and Mylan-Bertek as a speaker. Dr. Torres-Russotto has received personal compensation for activities with Abbvie, Allergan, Inc., the American Parkinson Disease Foundation, Lundbeck Research USA, Inc., Teva Neuroscience, Huntington Disease Society of America, Parkinson Disease Foundati
Safety and Efficacy of the Use of Intrathecal Morphine for Spinal Three Column Osteotomy.

Introduction The use of intrathecal morphine has the potential to help alleviate the pain that patients experience undergoing spinal surgeries. Complications can cause immobilization, which can lead to vascular thrombosis and ileus. Studies have shown epidural analgesia significantly lowered postoperative pain scores in scoliosis surgeries. Intrathecal anesthesia has been shown to have good pain control over the initial 24-hour postoperative period. Purpose Determine if intrathecal morphine would reduce postoperative pain with minimal side effects. Methods The surgical case logs from three spinal deformity surgeons from a single academic medical center were reviewed retrospectively. This included cases where more than five levels of fusion occurred and surgery involved an osteotomy. The records of 17 patients were queried, and patient and surgical data were collected. The patients were divided into two groups: eight patients were administered intrathecal morphine and nine patients received no morphine. Postoperative pain scores were obtained hourly over the initial 24 hours postoperatively by nurses trained to obtain pain scores from the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. In addition, the rates of any noted side effects were recorded. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher's exact tests were used to calculate any statistical significance with p < 0.05 considered to be significant. Results The maximum and total 24-hour postoperative pain scores had a mean of 5.6 (standard deviation = 4.2; p = 0.4266) and 69.3 (standard deviation = 57.8; p = 0.9189), respectively, for patients administered intrathecal morphine. The patients who did not receive intrathecal morphine had total pain scores of 3.9 (standard deviation = 4.5) and 65.7 (standard deviation = 79.7), respectively. Though the results were not statistically significant, there was a potential trend toward decreased in pain mean scores in the first 10 hours for the intrathecal morphine group. There was no statistical difference in the rate of side effects between patients. Conclusions The use of intrathecal morphine did not significantly appear to reduce postoperative pain in patients when compared to intravenous or oral narcotics. There was a potential trend in a reduction in postoperative pain during the first 10 hours postoperatively, but this did not reach a statistically significant value and did not hold up after the first 10 hours postoperatively. However, it was noted that intrathecal morphine was safe to use in postoperative spinal deformity surgery as no statistical significance in side effects was noted.
Spectroscopic characterization of free-base hydroxy(arylethynyl)porphyrins in acidic and basic media

The addition of arylethynyl groups to the porphyrin macrocycle represents an effective strategy with which to enhance the light-harvesting properties of porphyrins. We now extend this modification ...
Individual Differences Predict Anthropomorphism of Robots along One of Two Dimensions

We tested whether a unidimensional measure of an individual's predisposition to anthropomorphize (IDAQ score) was predictive anthropomorphism ratings along a two-dimensional ratings scale (based on Haslam's dehumanization model). Results indicate that, when anthropomorphizing robots, IDAQ scores may be more predictive of the Uniquely Human dimension of anthropomorphism than of the Human Nature dimension.
CRT-100.78 ACE Inhibitors and ARBs In Post-percutaneous Coronary Intervention Contrast-induced Nephropathy (CIN): To Hold or Not to Hold?

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a frequent adverse outcome from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is common practice to hold angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) in patients who develop CIN, with the intention to resume as
Variations in Utilization of Carpal Tunnel Release Among Medicaid Beneficiaries.

Purpose To evaluate the null hypothesis that Medicaid patients receive carpal tunnel release (CTR) at the same time interval from diagnosis as do patients with Medicare Advantage or private insurance. Methods We conducted a retrospective review using a database containing claims records from 2007 to 2016. The cohort consisted of patient records with a diagnosis code of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and a procedural code for CTR within 3 years of diagnosis. We stratified patients into 3 groups by insurance type (Medicaid managed care, Medicare Advantage, and private) for an analysis of the time from diagnosis until surgery and use of preoperative electrodiagnostic testing. Results Of all patients who received CTR within 3 years of diagnosis, Medicaid patients experienced longer intervals from CTS diagnosis to CTR compared with Medicare Advantage and privately insured patients (median, 99 days vs 65 and 62 days, respectively). The Medicaid cohort was significantly less likely to receive CTR within 1 year of diagnosis compared with the Medicare Advantage cohort (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.54) or within 6 months of diagnosis compared with the privately insured cohort (adjusted OR = 0.61). Those in the Medicaid cohort were less likely to receive electromyography and nerve conduction studies within 9 months before surgery compared with their Medicare Advantage (adjusted OR = 0.43) and privately insured (adjusted OR = 0.41) counterparts. These effects were statistically significant after accounting for age, sex, region, and Charlson comorbidity index . Conclusions Medicaid managed care patients experience longer times from diagnosis to surgery compared with Medicare Advantage or privately insured patients in this large administrative claims database. Similar variation exists in the use of electrodiagnostic testing based on insurance type. Clinical relevance Medicaid patients may experience barriers to CTS care, such as delays from diagnosis to surgery and reduced use of electrodiagnostic testing.
Managers’ strategic use of discretion over relative performance information provision and implications for team-members’ effort

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to investigate how team-managers use discretion over the provision of feedback about team-members’ relative contributions, and team-members’ response to managers’ use of this discretion. We predict and find (via an experiment) that managers strategically share such information, providing feedback to low-performing team-members and withholding feedback from high-performing team-members. Further, we find that this strategic information sharing enhances collective team effort, as it motivates low-performing team-members to increase effort while avoiding demotivating high-performing team-members. Our study addresses a significant gap in the management accounting literature, which pays little attention to this type of discretion despite its fundamental nature within firms’ performance measurement and evaluation systems. Our study is also important to practitioners as our results highlight managers’ propensity to use endowed discretion to ultimately control employees’ information environment, which may or may not be desirable under all circumstances.
Real Indians: Policing or Protecting Authentic Indigenous Identity?

Research shows that the institutionalization of legitimacy criteria has created contested meanings of being indigenous to the United States, which leads to an unrelenting debate about authentic ind...
THE “REVOLUTION” IN FINANCIAL REPORTING THEORY: A KUHNIAN INTERPRETATION

A Kuhnian perspective is used to explain the transition in financial reporting theory from an “economic income perspective” to an “informational perspective” (a transition that Beaver refers to as a “revolution”), and to examine the subsequent development of the latter. The demise of the economic income perspective (represented by the normative a priorists) is attributed to the lack of a paradigm which could serve to identify research problems and provide methodological guidance. The success of the informational paradigm, on the other hand, is attributed to the fact that it was, in essence, a sub-paradigm of the broader and well-established market economics paradigm. The study concludes, however, with a discussion of two types of persistent anomalous findings (the first with respect to the EMH and the second with respect to the CAPM) that have the potential to generate a crisis for the informational paradigm.
Powerful three-sample genome-wide design and robust statistical inference in summary-data Mendelian randomization.

BACKGROUND Summary-data Mendelian randomization (MR) has become a popular research design to estimate the causal effect of risk exposures. With the sample size of GWAS continuing to increase, it is now possible to use genetic instruments that are only weakly associated with the exposure. DEVELOPMENT We propose a three-sample genome-wide design where typically 1000 independent genetic instruments across the whole genome are used. We develop an empirical partially Bayes statistical analysis approach where instruments are weighted according to their strength; thus weak instruments bring less variation to the estimator. The estimator is highly efficient with many weak genetic instruments and is robust to balanced and/or sparse pleiotropy. APPLICATION We apply our method to estimate the causal effect of body mass index (BMI) and major blood lipids on cardiovascular disease outcomes, and obtain substantially shorter confidence intervals (CIs). In particular, the estimated causal odds ratio of BMI on ischaemic stroke is 1.19 (95% CI: 1.07-1.32, P-value <0.001); the estimated causal odds ratio of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) on coronary artery disease (CAD) is 0.78 (95% CI: 0.73-0.84, P-value <0.001). However, the estimated effect of HDL-C attenuates and become statistically non-significant when we only use strong instruments. CONCLUSIONS A genome-wide design can greatly improve the statistical power of MR studies. Robust statistical methods may alleviate but not solve the problem of horizontal pleiotropy. Our empirical results suggest that the relationship between HDL-C and CAD is heterogeneous, and it may be too soon to completely dismiss the HDL hypothesis.
Sequential analysis of myocardial gene expression with phenotypic change: Use of cross-platform concordance to strengthen biologic relevance.

Objectives To investigate the biologic relevance of cross-platform concordant changes in gene expression in intact human failing/hypertrophied ventricular myocardium undergoing reverse remodeling. Background Information is lacking on genes and networks involved in remodeled human LVs, and in the associated investigative best practices. Methods We measured mRNA expression in ventricular septal endomyocardial biopsies from 47 idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy patients, at baseline and after 3-12 months of β-blocker treatment to effect left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling as measured by ejection fraction (LVEF). Cross-platform gene expression change concordance was investigated in reverse remodeling Responders (R) and Nonresponders (NR) using 3 platforms (RT-qPCR, microarray, and RNA-Seq) and two cohorts (All 47 subjects (A-S) and a 12 patient "Super-Responder" (S-R) subset of A-S). Results For 50 prespecified candidate genes, in A-S mRNA expression 2 platform concordance (CcpT), but not single platform change, was directly related to reverse remodeling, indicating CcpT has biologic significance. Candidate genes yielded a CcpT (PCR/microarray) of 62% for Responder vs. Nonresponder (R/NR) change from baseline analysis in A-S, and ranged from 38% to 100% in S-R for PCR/microarray/RNA-Seq 2 platform comparisons. Global gene CcpT measured by microarray/RNA-Seq was less than for candidate genes, in S-R R/NR 17.5% vs. 38% (P = 0.036). For S-R global gene expression changes, both cross-cohort concordance (CccT) and CcpT yielded markedly greater values for an R/NR vs. an R-only analysis (by 22 fold for CccT and 7 fold for CcpT). Pathway analysis of concordant global changes for R/NR in S-R revealed signals for downregulation of multiple phosphoinositide canonical pathways, plus expected evidence of a β1-adrenergic receptor gene network including enhanced Ca2+ signaling. Conclusions Two-platform concordant change in candidate gene expression is associated with LV biologic effects, and global expression concordant changes are best identified in an R/NR design that can yield novel information.
Activatable Small-Molecule Hydrogen Sulfide Donors.

Significance: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important biological signaling molecule involved in many physiological processes. These diverse roles have led researchers to develop contemporary methods to deliver H2S under physiologically relevant conditions and in response to various stimuli. Recent Advances: Different small-molecule donors have been developed that release H2S under various conditions. Key examples include donors activated in response to hydrolysis, to endogenous species, such as thiols, reactive oxygen species, and enzymes, and to external stimuli, such as photoactivation and bio-orthogonal chemistry. In addition, an alternative approach to release H2S has utilized the catalyzed hydrolysis of carbonyl sulfide (COS) by carbonic anhydrase to generate libraries of activatable COS-based H2S donors. Critical Issues: Small-molecule H2S donors provide important research and pharmacological tools to perturb H2S levels. Key needs, both in the development and in the use of such donors, include access to new donors that respond to specific stimuli as well as donors with well-defined control compounds that allow for clear delineation of the impact of H2S delivery from other donor byproducts. Future Directions: The abundance of reported small-molecule H2S donors provides biologists and physiologists with a chemical toolbox to ask key biological questions and to develop H2S-related therapeutic interventions. Further investigation into different releasing efficiencies in biological contexts and a clear understanding of biological responses to donors that release H2S gradually (e.g., hours to days) versus donors that generate H2S quickly (e.g., seconds to minutes) is needed.
Multivalent HER2-binding polymer conjugates facilitate rapid endocytosis and enhance intracellular drug delivery.

Abstract Incorporating targeting moieties that recognize cancer-specific cellular markers can enhance specificity of anticancer nanomedicines. The HER2 receptor is overexpressed on numerous cancers, making it an attractive target. However, unlike many receptors that trigger endocytosis upon ligand binding, HER2 is an internalization-resistant receptor. As most chemotherapeutics act on intracellular targets, this presents a significant challenge for exploiting HER2 overexpression for improved tumor killing. However, hyper-crosslinking of HER2 has been shown to override the receptor's native behavior and trigger internalization. This research co-opts this crosslinking-mediated internalization for efficient intracellular delivery of an anticancer nanomedicine – specifically a HPMA copolymer-based drug delivery system. This polymeric carrier was conjugated with a small (7 kDa) HER2-binding affibody peptide to produce a panel of polymer-affibody conjugates with valences from 2 to 10 peptides per polymer chain. The effect of valence on surface binding and uptake was evaluated separately. All conjugates demonstrated similar (nanomolar) binding affinity towards HER2-positive ovarian carcinoma cells, but higher-valence conjugates induced more rapid endocytosis, with over 90% of the surface-bound conjugate internalized within 4 h. Furthermore, this enhancement was sensitive to crowding – high surface loading reduced conjugates' ability to crosslink receptors. Collectively, this evidence strongly supports a crosslinking-mediated endocytosis mechanism. Lead candidates from this panel achieved high intracellular delivery even at picomolar treatment concentrations; untargeted HPMA copolymers required 1000-fold higher treatment concentrations to achieve similar levels of intracellular accumulation. This increased intracellular delivery also translated to a more potent nanomedicine against HER2-positive cells; incorporation of the chemotherapeutic paclitaxel into this targeted carrier enhanced cytotoxicity over untargeted polymer-drug conjugate.
Analyzing Children's Literature for Hidden Bias Helps Preservice Teachers Gain Pedagogical Practices in Critical Multicultural Education.

This study explored the benefits of using critical multicultural education (Critical multicultural education examines all forms of marginalization in order to develop new possibilities and opportun...
Chapter 23 - Chemical screening in zebrafish for novel biological and therapeutic discovery

Zebrafish chemical screening allows for an in vivo assessment of small molecule modulation of biological processes. Compound toxicities, chemical alterations by metabolism, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, and modulation of cell niches can be studied with this method. Furthermore, zebrafish screening is straightforward and cost effective. Zebrafish provide an invaluable platform for novel therapeutic discovery through chemical screening.
Genotype-Phenotype Correlations and Characterization of Medication Use in Inherited Myotonic Disorders

Introduction: Inherited myotonic disorders are genetically heterogeneous and associated with overlapping clinical features of muscle stiffness, weakness, and pain. Data on genotype-phenotype correlations are limited. In this study, clinical features and treatment patterns in genetically characterized myotonic disorders were compared. Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed in patients with genetic variants in CLCN1, SCN4A, DMPK, and CNBP to document clinical signs and symptoms, clinical testing, and antimyotonia medication use. Results: A total of 142 patients (27 CLCN1, 15 SCN4A, 89 DMPK, and 11 CNBP) were reviewed. The frequency of reported symptoms (stiffness, weakness, and pain) and electromyographic spontaneous activity were remarkably similar across genotypes. Most patients were not treated with antimyotonia agents, but those with non-dystrophic disorders were more likely to be on a treatment. Discussion: Among the features reviewed, we did not identify clinical or electrophysiological differences to distinguish CLCN1- and SCN4A-related myotonia. Weakness and pain were more prevalent in non-dystrophic disorders than previously identified. In addition, our results suggest that medical treatments in myotonic disorders may be under-utilized.
A New Screening Questionnaire to Identify Patients With Dry Eye With a High Likelihood of Having Sjögren Syndrome.

Author(s): Bunya, Vatinee Y; Maguire, Maureen G; Akpek, Esen K; Massaro-Giordano, Mina; Hennessy, Sean; Vivino, Frederick B; Gonzales, John A; Baer, Alan N; Ying, Gui-Shuang | Abstract: PurposeTo develop a screening questionnaire to identify patients with dry eye with a high likelihood of having underlying Sjogren syndrome (SS).MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of participants with dry eye complaints who were self-referred or referred by an ophthalmologist to the Sjogren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance study. Symptoms and ocular surface examination findings were candidate predictors. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the association of a symptom and/or ocular sign with SS. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to summarize the predictive ability of different regression models and the derived likelihood score.ResultsFour questions were statistically significant in the final multivariable model: 1) Is your mouth dry when eating a meal? [Yes = OR 1.63 (1.18-2.26)]; 2) Can you eat a cracker without drinking a fluid or liquid? [No = OR 1.46 (1.06-2.01)]; 3) How often do you have excessive tearing? [None of the time = OR 4.06 (1.81-9.10)]; and 4) Are you able to produce tears? [No = OR 2.24 (1.62-3.09)]. The SS likelihood score had an AUC of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.66-0.73), and when including tear break-up time and conjunctival staining, it yielded an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.77-0.82).ConclusionsThis questionnaire can be used to identify patients with dry eye with a high likelihood of having SS. With future refinement and validation, this screening tool could be used alone or in combination with examination findings to identify patients with SS earlier, thereby facilitating better clinical outcomes.
Percutaneous Gastrojejunostomy Tube Insertion in Patients with Surgical Gastrojejunal Anastomoses: Analysis of Success Rates and Durability

Patients with a gastrojejunal anastomosis pose challenging anatomy for percutaneous gastrojejunostomy (GJ)-tube placement. A retrospective review of 24 patients (mean age 67.8 years, 13 males) with GJ anastomoses who underwent attempted GJ tube placement revealed infeasible placement in 6 patients (25%) due to an inadequate window for puncture. When a gastric puncture was achieved, GJ tube insertion was technically successful in 83% (15/18) of attempts, resulting in an overall technical success rate of 63% (15/24). The most common tube-related complication was the migration of the jejunal limb into the stomach, which occurred in 40% (6/15) of successful cases. No major procedure related complications were encountered.
Chromatin run-on reveals the transcriptional etiology of glioblastoma multiforme

The human genome encodes a variety of poorly understood RNA species that remain challenging to identify using existing genomic tools. We developed chromatin run-on and sequencing (ChRO-seq) to map the location of RNA polymerase using virtually any input sample, including samples with degraded RNA that are intractable to conventional RNA-seq. We used ChRO-seq to develop the first maps of nascent transcription in primary human glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumors. Whereas enhancers discovered in primary GBMs resemble open chromatin in the normal human brain, rare enhancers activated in malignant tissue drive regulatory programs similar to the developing nervous system. We identified enhancers that regulate genes characteristic of each known GBM subtype, identified transcription factors that drive them, and discovered a core group of transcription factors that control the expression of genes associated with clinical outcomes. This study uncovers new insights into the molecular etiology of GBM and introduces ChRO-seq which can now be used to map regulatory programs contributing to a variety of complex diseases.
Real space renormalization group for twisted lattice $ \mathcal{N} $ =4 super Yang-Mills

A necessary ingredient for our previous results on the form of the long distance effective action of the twisted lattice $$ \mathcal{N} $$ =4 super Yang-Mills theory is the existence of a real space renormalization group which preserves the lattice structure, both the symmetries and the geometric interpretation of the fields. In this brief article we provide an explicit example of such a blocking scheme and illustrate its practicality in the context of a small scale Monte Carlo renormalization group calculation. We also discuss the implications of this result, and the possible ways in which to use it in order to obtain further information about the long distance theory.
On the Large-Scale Production of a New Vaccine

We consider a manufacturer of a new vaccine, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, characterized by evolving demand and production yield uncertainties. At the beginning of the time horizon, a vaccine may not be manufacturable due to its low production yield and the resulting lack of profitability. Prior to launching large-scale production, the manufacturer stochastically increases the uncertain yield of the vaccine by learning through small-scale experimental production runs about manufacturing conditions that are conducive to raising that yield, thus forsaking, in the process, immediate profits but raising future ones. After starting large-scale production and receiving revenues from the sale of the vaccine, the manufacturer can continue to stochastically improve vaccine yield by acquiring knowledge from real-time production data. The two key decisions faced by the vaccine manufacturer who seeks to maximize his total expected profit over the time horizon concern the optimal timing and capacity of the vaccine’s large-scale production. We formulate and solve a stochastic, multi-period, sequential-decision model to determine the structure of the vaccine’s manufacturer’s optimal decisions, while incorporating the dynamic evolution of vaccine yield uncertainty under those two yield improvement strategies. In particular, we establish the optimality of a threshold stopping policy for the timing of the large-scale vaccine production. This policy is found to depend in a fundamental way on the relative stochastic rates of the two yield improvement strategies. We also characterize the manufacturer’s optimal capacity decision and identify conditions under which, for a new vaccine, optimal capacity and production yield become substitutes. We analyze the implications of our results and underlying yield improvement strategies for rendering a new vaccine large-scale manufacturable, and bringing it to the market sooner in the time horizon.
Engaging students in an online format during the COVID-19 pandemic: A jury voir dire activity

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in abrupt transitions to online learning, introducing challenges for faculty across the globe, including maintaining student engagement despite unprecedented stress In an effort to engage students in a psychology and the law course during this transition, a voluntary jury voir dire simulation activity was developed utilizing YouTube, asynchronous discussion boards, and journals The current study evaluated the efficacy of the activity for facilitating student engagement, learning, and critical thinking Seventy-nine students across two sections of the course worked in teams (defense or prosecution) via asynchronous discussion boards to eliminate potential jurors perceived as biased against their side of a case, and to write about what they did (did not) learn from participating A mixed-methods approach was utilized to examine primary hypotheses: students will participate at rates higher than typical for voluntary bonus assignments (Hypothesis 1);spontaneous expressions of engagement and interest in the activity will emerge in journals (Hypothesis 2);group decisions regarding juror eliminations will demonstrate content knowledge and critical thinking (Hypotheses 3 and 4) Supporting hypotheses: Participation (65%;45 women and 6 men) was greater than both prior participation rates in bonus activities in the course (31%), and those established in the literature (37 8%);the majority of students (58%) spontaneously indicated that the activity was interesting/engaging;and group decisions revealed good content knowledge and critical thinking (H3 and H4) Overall, results indicate that the jury voir dire simulation activity is a useful tool to promote student engagement and critical thinking in an asynchronous online format (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Polyphasic OKJIP Chlorophyll a Fluorescence Transient in a Landrace and a Commercial Cultivar of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum, L.) under Long-Term Salt Stress

In a soilless long-term salt-stress experiment, we tested the differences between the commercial sweet pepper cultivar “Quadrato d’Asti” and the landrace “Cazzone Giallo” in the structure and function of PSII through the JIP test analysis of the fast chlorophyll fluorescence transients (OKJIP). Salt stress inactivated the oxygen-evolving complex. Performance index detected the stress earlier than the maximum quantum yield of PSII, which remarkably decreased in the long term. The detrimental effects of salinity on the oxygen evolving-complex, the trapping of light energy in PSII, and delivering in the electron transport chain occurred earlier and more in the landrace than the cultivar. Performance indexes decreased earlier than the maximum quantum yield of PSII. Stress-induced inactivation of PSII reaction centers reached 22% in the cultivar and 45% in the landrace. The resulted heat dissipation had the trade-off of a correspondent reduced energy flow per sample leaf area, thus an impaired potential carbon fixation. These results corroborate the reported higher tolerance to salt stress of the commercial cultivar than the landrace in terms of yield. PSII was more affected than PSI, which functionality recovered in the late of trial, especially in the cultivar, possibly due to heat dissipation mechanisms. This study gives valuable information for breeding programs aiming to improve tolerance in salt stress sensitive sweet pepper genotypes.
Chronic intermittent ethanol induced axon and myelin degeneration is attenuated by calpain inhibition

Chronic alcohol consumption causes multifaceted damage to the central nervous system (CNS), underlying mechanisms of which are gradually being unraveled. In our previous studies, activation of calpain, a calcium-activated neutral protease has been found to cause detrimental alterations in spinal motor neurons following ethanol (EtOH) exposure in vitro. However, it is not known whether calpain plays a pivotal role in chronic EtOH exposure-induced structural damage to CNS in vivo. To test the possible involvement of calpain in EtOH-associated neurodegenerative mechanisms the present investigation was conducted in a well-established mouse model of alcohol dependence - chronic intermittent EtOH (CIE) exposure and withdrawal. Our studies indicated significant loss of axonal proteins (neurofilament light and heavy, 50-60%), myelin proteins (myelin basic protein, 20-40% proteolipid protein, 25%) and enzyme (2', 3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase, 21-55%) following CIE in multiple regions of brain including hippocampus, corpus callosum, cerebellum, and importantly in spinal cord. These CIE-induced deleterious effects escalated after withdrawal in each CNS region tested. Increased expression and activity of calpain along with enhanced ratio of active calpain to calpastatin (sole endogenous inhibitor) was observed after withdrawal compared to EtOH exposure. Pharmacological inhibition of calpain with calpeptin (25 μg/kg) prior to each EtOH vapor inhalation significantly attenuated damage to axons and myelin as demonstrated by immuno-profiles of axonal and myelin proteins, and Luxol Fast Blue staining. Calpain inhibition significantly protected the ultrastructural integrity of axons and myelin compared to control as confirmed by electron microscopy. Together, these findings confirm CIE exposure and withdrawal induced structural alterations in axons and myelin, predominantly after withdrawal and corroborate calpain inhibition as a potential protective strategy against EtOH associated CNS degeneration.
The Analysis of Failure: An Investigation of Failed Cases in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy and psychoanalysis don't always work. Inevitably, a therapy or analysis may fail to alleviate the suffering of the patient. The reasons why this occurs are as manifold as the patients and analysts themselves, and oftentimes are a source of frustration and vexation to clinicians, who aren't always eager to discuss them. Taking the challenge head-on, Arnold Goldberg proposes to demystify failure in an effort to determine its essential meaning before determining its causes. Utilizing multiple vignettes of failed cases, he offers a deconstruction and a subsequent taxonomy of failure, delineating cases that go bad after six months from cases that never get off the ground, mismatches from impasses, failures of empathy from failures of inattention. Commonalities in the experience of failure – conceived as less a misapplication of technique than consequences of a co-constructed yet fraught therapeutic relationship – begin to emerge for scrutiny.
Plasma cholinesterase activity in normal pregnancy and in eclamptogenic toxemias

Abstract Plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity during pregnancy has been found by several investigators 1–3 to be decreased compared to that in the nonpregnant state. Herschburg 4 and Tourtellotte and Odell 2 have reported that plasma ChE activity in toxemia of pregnancy is even lower than in normal pregnancy. The mechanism by which this reduction of plasma ChE activity is produced in pregnancy has not been elucidated. Tourtellotte and Odell did not detect any enzyme inhibitors in maternal plasma or activators in plasma from nonpregnant individuals to account for the decrease. They suggested the possibilities that it might be related to the hemodilution which normally occurs in pregnancy or that it might represent an expression of altered hepatic function in pregnancy. Studies of the relationship of estrogen to plasma ChE activity in rats by Sawyer and Everett 5, 6 showed that the enzyme activity varied with the presence or absence of estrogen, falling after castration of female rats to the level found in males. Conversely, the administration of estrogen to castrate male rats was followed by a significant increase in plasma ChE activity. Barnes and Epperson 3 were unable to demonstrate such an estrogen-enzyme relationship in human beings. The present report includes the study of plasma ChE activity of normal nonpregnant females, of normal pregnant women at various periods of gestation and at 6 days and 6 weeks post partum, of women with eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia, and of the term fetus. The possibility that the variations in plasma ChE activity in pregnancy primarily reflect changes in plasma volume has been investigated.
Bond Market Inflation Expectations and Long-Term Trends in Broad Monetary Growth and Inflation in Industrial Countries, 1880-2001

Annual data for thirteen countries revealed three long up trends and down trends in inflation that were matched by growth rates in M2 and nominal GDP but not real GDP in each country and cross-country averages. Inflationary expectations as estimated by bond rates less real growth trends indicated little inflation expectation until the 1960s. Central banks had credibility to keep inflation low even during wartime. It was lost as inflation rose in the 1970s and regained only as inflation fell subsequently. Although relationships with annual data were not as reliable as with ten-year averages, annual inflation was significantly related to annual M2 growth and inflationary expectations which should not be ignored in central bank decision making.
Restructuring Introductory Physics by Adapting an Active Learning Studio Model

Despite efforts to engage students in the traditional lecture environment, faculty in Georgia Southern University’s Physics Department became dissatisfied with lecture as the primary means of instruction. During the fall semester of 2006, our department began adapting the studio model to suit the needs of introductory calculus-based physics students at our institution. A studio course seamlessly integrates the lecture and laboratory courses into a single course, devoting much of the class time to active, collaborative, student-centered learning . An emphasis was placed on replacing traditional lectures with interactive, technology enriched class periods designed around the various learning styles. New teaching materials were created so that old laboratory assignments, very “cook-book” in nature, could be replaced with new inquiry-based laboratories. Assessment indicated students enrolled in the studio courses experience greater success in achieving the desired learning outcomes than those students enrolled in the traditional lecture courses. As of the fall semester of 2008, all sections of the introductory calculus-based physics courses at Georgia Southern University are taught utilizing the newly adapted studio model.
Fundamentals of Lubrication

Lubricants are substances used to minimize the friction and wear of moving parts. Additionally, they can serve to distribute heat, remove contaminants, and improve the efficiency and lifetime of mechanical systems. Lubricants can generally be categorized as liquid, solid, or gaseous. Liquid lubricants consist of base oils such as natural oils, mineral (petroleum) oils, and synthetic oils with combinations of additives that further enhance the properties of the lubricants. Solid or dry lubricants are generally powders or semisolids in the form of a grease or solid–liquid suspension. Gaseous lubricants have a much lower viscosity than liquid or solid lubricants and utilize gasses such as air under pressure. The selection of an appropriate lubricant for a mechanical system requires a thorough understanding of the rheology of lubricants, the effects of additive combinations, and the knowledge of lubrication theory. Lubrication theory is linked to numerous fields of expertise outside of tribology, and without this interdisciplinary aspect, the progression of lubricants and lubrication technologies within the vast array of applications may not have reached the necessary levels of success. The use of liquid lubricants is ubiquitous in most applications, ranging from automotive fluids, to industrial oils, and process oils. Within the lubrication industry, there are over 10,000 different lubricants used around the world. This chapter explores the many aspects of lubricants and lubrication technologies including lubrication fundamentals, rheology of liquid lubricants, liquid lubricant additives, and liquid lubrication theory.
Use of a Fractional Factorial Design to Evaluate Interactions of Environmental Factors Affecting Biodegradation Rates

For investigation of main and interactive effects of six experimentally controlled environmental factors on phenol biodegradation in a shake-flask system, a largely neglected statistical procedure was applied. A major benefit resulting from the application of the orthogonal, fractional factorial design is that the number of experiments necessary to evaluate multifactor interactions is limited. In our investigation, the required number of experiments was reduced to 81 from the 324 necessary with conventional factorial designs; information was sacrificed for only 3 of 15 possible two-factor interactions. Six experimentally controlled factors were investigated at two or three treatment levels each; the six factors were (1) amount of phenol substrate, (2) amount of bacterial inoculum, (3) filtration of inoculum, (4) type of basal salts medium, (5) initial pH of basal salts medium, and (6) flask closure. Significant main effects were found for factors 1, 2, and 4; whereas significant interactive effects were found only for factor 2 with factor 3 and for factor 2 with factor 5. Our results suggest that the application of these statistical designs will greatly reduce the number of experiments necessary to evaluate multifactor effects on degradation rates during optimization of both hazard screening systems and waste treatment systems.
Improving Machining Precision in Turning Process Using Artificial Neural Networks

Machining inaccuracies are caused by imprecision of the machine itself and interaction between tool and workpiece. This paper proposes a unified approach to attack this problem. A neural network is used to learn the inverse mapping between the commanded and machined (actual) part dimensions generated by a CNC turning process. After training, the neural network is able to generate corrective CNC codes for the desired part dimensions. We compared the errors in part dimensions due to compensated and uncompensated codes, showing the feasibility of using neural nets for improving machining accuracy. Our approach is simple but effective.
Languages Defined With Modular Counting Quantifiers (Extended Abstract)

We prove that a regular language defined by a boolean combination of generalized Σ 1 -sentences built from modular counting quantifiers is defined by a booleean combination of generalized Σ 1 -sentences in which only regular numerical predicates appear. We will give the precise definitions of all of these terms shortly. This is a special case of an outstanding conjecture in circuit complexity (that the class ACC is properly contained in NC 1 ) about the power of contant-depth circuits built with modular gates. The techniques used in the present paper may shed some light on the general case.
Dose Rates in a Slab Phantom from Monoenergetic Gamma Rays

Gamma-ray flux-to-dose-rate conversion factors obtained with a philosophy consistent with that used for neutrons have not been generally available. To eliminate this inconsistency and develop more ...
The Biology of Emergency Medicine: What Have 30 Years Meant for Rosen’s Original Concepts?

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:301–304 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Abstract In 1979 Peter Rosen, MD, a leading academic figure in the developing field of emergency medicine (EM), wrote an article, “The Biology of Emergency Medicine,” in response to criticism from other specialties and medical leaders that there was no unique biology of EM that would qualify it as a legitimate medical specialty. This essay received much attention at the time and served as rallying cry for emergency physicians (EPs) who were trying to find their places in the house of medicine and especially in medical schools and academic teaching hospitals. Thirty years later, the opposition that prompted many of Rosen’s strongly worded impressions and observations on the biology of EM, clinical emergency department (ED) practice, education, and research has largely faded. Many of Rosen’s predictions on the eventual success of EM have come true. However, core issues that existed then continue to present challenges for academic EM and clinical emergency practice. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:1–4 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Polarization induced enhancement of relative intensity noise and modulation distortion in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

Due to the lack of polarization control in proton-implanted vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, increased relative intensity noise and pulse distortion are observed when the laser is modulated and a single polarization direction is selected.
Cloning and Characterization of an Outer Membrane Protein of Vibrio vulnificus Required for Heme Utilization: Regulation of Expression and Determination of the Gene Sequence

Vibrio vulnificus is a halophilic, marine pathogen that has been associated with septicemia and serious wound infections in patients with iron overload and preexisting liver disease. For V. vulnificus, the ability to acquire iron from the host has been shown to correlate with virulence. V. vulnificus is able to use host iron sources such as hemoglobin and heme. We previously constructed a fur mutant of V. vulnificus which constitutively expresses at least two iron-regulated outer membrane proteins, of 72 and 77 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 77-kDa protein purified from the V. vulnificus fur mutant had 67% homology with the first 15 amino acids of the mature protein of the Vibrio cholerae heme receptor, HutA. In this report, we describe the cloning, DNA sequence, mutagenesis, and analysis of transcriptional regulation of the structural gene for HupA, the heme receptor of V. vulnificus. DNA sequencing of hupA demonstrated a single open reading frame of 712 amino acids that was 50% identical and 66% similar to the sequence of V. cholerae HutA and similar to those of other TonB-dependent outer membrane receptors. Primer extension analysis localized one promoter for the V. vulnificus hupA gene. Analysis of the promoter region of V. vulnificus hupA showed a sequence homologous to the consensus Fur box. Northern blot analysis showed that the transcript was strongly regulated by iron. An internal deletion in the V. vulnificus hupA gene, done by using marker exchange, resulted in the loss of expression of the 77-kDa protein and the loss of the ability to use hemin or hemoglobin as a source of iron. The hupA deletion mutant of V. vulnificus will be helpful in future studies of the role of heme iron in V. vulnificus pathogenesis.
Cost-effectiveness of the diagnostic evaluation of vertigo.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of several diagnostic tests used in the evaluation of vertigo. Study Design: Cost-effectiveness analysis, using data from retrospective case review. Methods: Charts and test results were reviewed from 192 outpatients seen in an academic tertiary referral center for evaluation of vertigo. Cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using decision analysis software, data from office and hospital charges, and expert-based estimations of the utility of different test outcomes. Sensitivity analysis was performed using standard algorithms and wide variable ranges. Results: We found that audiologic testing, posturography, and electronystagmography were the most cost-effective tests, and that magnetic resonance imaging and blood tests had the lowest cost-effectiveness. The analysis was sensitive to the effects of financial costs of tests but, with a few exceptions, was typically not sensitive to the utility of test outcomes or the distribution of test results. Conclusions: The use of cost-effectiveness analysis, the estimation of utility of test outcomes, and techniques of sensitivity analysis should help guide the clinician's decision making on appropriate testing for patients with vertigo.