cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Family decision making at end of life

Objective: To enhance understanding of the phenomenon of family surrogate decision-making at the end of life (EOL) by means of a systematic review and synthesis of published research reports that address this phenomenon.Methods: Garrard's (1999) methods for conducting a systematic review of the literature were followed. Fifty-one studies focusing on family decision-making experiences, needs, and processes when assisting a dying family member were selected following electronic database searches and ancestry searches.Results: In studies using hypothetical scenarios to compare patients' choices and surrogates' predictions of those choices, surrogates demonstrated low to moderate predictive accuracy. Increased accuracy occurred in more extreme scenarios, under conditions of forced choice, and when the surrogate was specifically directed to use substituted judgment. In qualitative explorations of their perspectives, family members voiced their desire to be involved and to accept the moral responsibility attendant to being a surrogate. Quality of communication available with providers significantly influenced family satisfaction with decision-making and EOL care. Group or consensual decision-making involving multiple family members was preferred over individual surrogate decision-making. Surrogates experienced long-term physical and psychological outcomes from being decision-makers.Significance of results: Functioning as a surrogate decision-maker typically places great moral, emotional, and cognitive demands on the family surrogate. Clinicians can provide improved care to both patients and families with better understanding of surrogates' needs and experiences.
Salesperson characteristics affecting consumer complaint responses

The important relationship between consumer complaint behaviour and brand and store loyalty is well established. The range of factors that favourably influence the outcomes of complaining have received relatively less research attention. Therefore, this study tests the effects of two salesperson source characteristics: willingness to listen and product/store knowledge, on consumer complaint-related perceptions and intentions in a retail setting. Mall shoppers participated in a consumer complaint experiment to test the hypothesised effects. The results indicate that both characteristics affect customer complaint responses, as well as consumer perceptions of the salesperson and the retail store. The findings of the study demonstrate that salesperson characteristics are important influences on positive or negative consumer complaint responses. Copyright © 2001 Henry Stewart Publications.
Corporate Sponsorship in Campus Recreation

This paper examines corporate sponsorship as an additional source of funding for college recreational facilities and programs. The purpose of the study was to: (a) examine current sources of fundin...
Implicit Assimilation and Explicit Contrast: A Set/Reset Model of Response to Celebrity Voice-Overs

An experiment reveals that the relationship between celebrity attitude and attitude toward brands paired with the celebrity’s voice is moderated by identification of the celebrity but only when attitude is measured explicitly. Using explicit measures, celebrity attitude was positively (negatively) related to brand attitude change when the evaluator could not (could) identify the celebrity. This finding is attributed to “resetting,” a correction of the perceived influence from irrelevant cues. On implicit measures, a positive relationship between celebrity and brand attitude was observed regardless of celebrity identification. The disassociation between the explicit and implicit results suggests that resetting requires explicit evaluation.
Data Resource Profile: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) plays a leading role in the collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of data to inform sound policies, legislation and programmes for promoting children’s rights and well-being, and for global monitoring of progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. UNICEF maintains a set of global databases representing nearly 200 countries and covering the areas of child mortality, child health, maternal health, nutrition, immunization, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS, education and child protection. These databases consist of internationally comparable and statistically sound data, and are updated annually through a process that draws on a wealth of data provided by UNICEF’s wide network of >150 field offices. The databases are composed primarily of estimates from household surveys, with data from censuses, administrative records, vital registration systems and statistical models contributing to some key indicators as well. The data are assessed for quality based on a set of objective criteria to ensure that only the most reliable nationally representative information is included. For most indicators, data are available at the global, regional and national levels, plus sub-national disaggregation by sex, urban/rural residence and household wealth. The global databases are featured in UNICEF’s flagship publications, inter-agency reports, including the Secretary General’s Millennium Development Goals Report and Countdown to 2015, sector-specific reports and statistical country profiles. They are also publicly available on www.childinfo.org, together with trend data and equity analyses.
Improving biocontrol using antagonist mixtures with heat and/or sodium bicarbonate to control postharvest decay of apple fruit

‘Golden Delicious’ apples were wound-inoculated with either Colletotrichum acutatumor Penicillium expansumand then treated with various combinations of heat (38 ◦ C) for 4 days, 2% sodium bicarbonate, and two biocontrol agents alone or combined. The fruit were stored for 4 months at 1 ◦ C and then at 20 ◦ C for 2 weeks. Either heat or the antagonists reduced decay caused by C. acutatum, but a combination of the two was required to completely eliminate decay caused by this pathogen in most cases. Sodium bicarbonate alone or in combination with the antagonists had little effect on C. acutatum. The antagonists alone reduced decay caused by P. expansum but tended to be more effective when combined. Sodium bicarbonate increased the effectiveness of decay control by each antagonist alone or in combination. All of the treatments that included heat virtually eliminated decay caused by this pathogen. The proper combination of alternative control measures can provide an effective strategy to reduce postharvest decay of apple fruit. Published by Elsevier B.V.
HIPerPaper: introducing pen and paper interfaces for ultra-scale wall displays

While recent advances in graphics, display, and computer hardware support ultra-scale visualizations of a tremendous amount of data sets, mechanisms for interacting with this information on large high-resolution wall displays are still under investigation. Different issues in terms of user interface, ergonomics, multi-user interaction, and system flexibility arise while facing ultra-scale wall displays and none of the introduced approaches fully address them. We introduce HIPerPaper, a novel digital pen and paper interface that enables natural interaction with the HIPerSpace wall, a 31.8 by 7.5 foot tiled wall display of 268,720,000 pixels. HIPerPaper provides a flexible, portable, and inexpensive medium for interacting with large high-resolution wall displays.
Modelling non-stationary natural mortality in catch-at-age models

Yan Jiao1*, Eric P. Smith2, Rob O’Reilly3, and Donald J. Orth1 Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321, USA Department of Statistics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321, USA Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607, USA *Corresponding Author: tel: +1 540 231 5749; fax: +1 540 231 7580; e-mail: yjiao@vt.edu
An implemented MRI program to eliminate radiation from the evaluation of pediatric appendicitis

Abstract Background Recent efforts have been directed at reducing ionizing radiation delivered by CT scans to children in the evaluation of appendicitis. MRI has emerged as an alternative diagnostic modality. The clinical outcomes associated with MRI in this setting are not well-described. Methods Review of a 30-month institutional experience with MRI as the primary diagnostic evaluation for suspected appendicitis ( n =510). No intravenous contrast, oral contrast, or sedation was administered. Radiologic and clinical outcomes were abstracted. Results MRI diagnostic characteristics were: sensitivity 96.8% (95% CI: 92.1%–99.1%), specificity 97.4% (95% CI: 95.3–98.7), positive predictive value 92.4% (95% CI: 86.5–96.3), and negative predictive value 98.9% (95% CI: 97.3%–99.7%). Radiologic time parameters included: median time from request to scan, 71minutes (IQR: 51–102), imaging duration, 11minutes (IQR: 8–17), and request to interpretation, 2.0hours (IQR: 1.6–2.6). Clinical time parameters included: median time from initial assessment to admit order, 4.1hours (IQR: 3.1–5.1), assessment to antibiotic administration 4.7hours (IQR: 3.9–6.7), and assessment to operating room 9.1hours (IQR: 5.8–12.7). Median length of stay was 1.2days (range: 0.2–19.5). Conclusion Given the diagnostic accuracy and favorable clinical outcomes, without the potential risks of ionizing radiation, MRI may supplant the role of CT scans in pediatric appendicitis imaging.
Transverse Energy Production in Light and Heavy Ion Interactions

Transverse energy distributions have proved to be useful in the understanding of reaction mechanisms of relativistic heavy ion interactions. The development of the subject is traced from its roots in elementary particle physics. A review and analysis of the data from recent measurements in high energy heavy ion beams at CERN and Brookhaven is presented.
Intradermal adipocytes mediate fibroblast recruitment during skin wound healing

Acute wound healing in the skin involves the communication of multiple cell types to coordinate keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation and migration for epidermal and dermal repair. Many studies have focused on the interplay between hematopoietic cells, keratinocytes and fibroblasts during skin wound healing, yet the possible roles for other cell types within the skin, such as intradermal adipocytes, have not been investigated during this process. Here, we identify that adipocyte lineage cells are activated and function during acute skin wound healing. We find that adipocyte precursor cells proliferate and mature adipocytes repopulate skin wounds following inflammation and in parallel with fibroblast migration. Functional analysis of mice with defects in adipogenesis demonstrates that adipocytes are necessary for fibroblast recruitment and dermal reconstruction. These data implicate adipocytes as a key component of the intercellular communication that mediates fibroblast function during skin wound healing.
Rapid exploration of configuration space with diffusion-map-directed molecular dynamics.

The gap between the time scale of interesting behavior in macromolecular systems and that which our computational resources can afford often limits molecular dynamics (MD) from understanding experimental results and predicting what is inaccessible in experiments. In this paper, we introduce a new sampling scheme, named diffusion-map-directed MD (DM-d-MD), to rapidly explore molecular configuration space. The method uses a diffusion map to guide MD on the fly. DM-d-MD can be combined with other methods to reconstruct the equilibrium free energy, and here, we used umbrella sampling as an example. We present results from two systems: alanine dipeptide and alanine-12. In both systems, we gain tremendous speedup with respect to standard MD both in exploring the configuration space and reconstructing the equilibrium distribution. In particular, we obtain 3 orders of magnitude of speedup over standard MD in the exploration of the configurational space of alanine-12 at 300 K with DM-d-MD. The method is reaction c...
Osmoregulatory Alterations in Myo-inositol Uptake by Bovine Lens Epithelial Cells. III. Effects of Cycloheximide and Colchicine on Na+-Myo-inositol Cotransporter Activity Under Hypertonic Conditions, Inhibition of a Plasma Membrane Osmotic Stress Protein

Abstract Cultured bovine lens epithelial cells adapt to hypertonic sodium stress via an increase in Na + -myo-inositol cotransporter activity and accumulate myo-inositol. At least 12 hr of hypertonic exposure was necessary to enhance myo-inositol accumulation; and thereafter, uptake activity continued to increase throughout the duration of a 72-hr exposure period. Switching from hypertonic to isotonic medium for 24 hr reversed the otherwise elevated accumulation activity. The protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, did not affect myo-inositol uptake in isotonic medium but markedly decreased myo-inositol uptake in hypertonic medium. Cells exposed to hypertonic conditions and the microtubule disrupter, colchicine, similarly showed marked impairment of the otherwise enhanced myo-inositol uptake. These studies indicated that hypertonicity-induced elevation of Na + -myo-inositol cotransporter activity in cultured bovine lens epithelial cells is not solely attributed to the increased sodium gradient alone, but rather involves increased de novo synthesis of the Na + -myo-inositol cotransporter protein(s).
Social Provisioning within a Culture-Nature Life Process

Abstract Social provisioning is an amalgamation of social processes within a broader culture-nature life process. This article contributes to the literature on developing the concept of ‘social provisioning' and explores its scope by presenting theoretical and methodological contexts for social provisioning. Then it delineates three categories of processes: biological and geographical processes, processes that are usually analyzed as personal characteristics or social categories (e.g., gender), and processes defined around social activities (e.g., consumption). The system of processes presented allows for diverse entry points to an analysis of social provisioning beyond consumption, production and distribution. Further, the system of processes transcends the culture-economy, nature-economy, nature-culture and micro-macro dualisms in heterodox economic theory.
Maternal Age as a Risk Factor for Wheezing Lower Respiratory Illnesses in the First Year of Life

Postneonatal mortality due to respiratory illnesses is known to be inversely related to maternal age, but the possible role of young motherhood as a risk factor for respiratory morbidity in infants has not been thoroughly explored. The authors studied the incidence of lower respiratory tract illnesses during the first year of life, as ascertained by health plan pediatricians, in over 1,200 infants enrolled at birth between 1980 and 1984 in Tucson, Arizona. The incidence of wheezing lower respiratory tract illnesses increased significantly (p = 0.005) with decreasing maternal age, whereas the incidence of nonwheezing lower respiratory tract illness was independent of maternal age. A logistic regression was used to control for the effects of several known confounding factors. When compared with infants of mothers aged more than 30 years, adjusted odds ratios were 2.4 (95% confidence interval 1.8-3.1) for infants whose mothers were less than age 21 years (p < 0.0001), 1.8 (95% confidence interval 1.4-2.3) for infants whose mothers were aged 21-25 (p < 0.0001); and 1.4 (95% confidence interval 1.1-1.6) for infants whose mothers were aged 26-30 (p < 0.001). These results suggest that young motherhood is an important risk factor for wheezing lower respiratory tract illnesses during the first year of life. Both biological and social factors related to maternal age may explain these findings.
Relative {sup 235}U(n,{gamma}) and (n,f) cross sections from {sup 235}U(d,p{gamma}) and (d,pf)

The internal surrogate ratio method allows for the determination of an unknown cross section, such as $(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})$, relative to a better-known cross section, such as $(n,f)$, by measuring the relative exit-channel probabilities of a surrogate reaction that proceeds through the same compound nucleus. The validity of the internal surrogate ratio method is tested by comparing the relative $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and fission exit-channel probabilities of a $^{236}\mathrm{U}{}^{*}$ compound nucleus, formed in the $^{235}\mathrm{U}(d,p)$ reaction, to the known $^{235}\mathrm{U}(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ and $(n,f)$ cross sections. A model-independent method for measuring the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-channel yield is presented and used.
Significance of perioperative infection in survival of patients with ovarian cancer.

Objectives Perioperative infectious diseases comprise some of the most common causes of surgical mortality in women with ovarian cancer. This study was aimed to evaluate the significance of perioperative infections in survival of patients with ovarian cancer. Methods Patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery were included in the analysis (n = 276). The enumeration and speciation of pathogens, antimicrobial agents used, and sensitivity assay results were culled from medical records and correlated to clinicopathologic demographics and survival outcomes. Perioperative infection was determined as a positive microbiology result obtained within a 6-week postoperative period. Results The incidence of perioperative infection was 15.9% (common sites: urinary tract, 57.3%, and surgical wound, 21.4%). Commonly isolated pathogens were Enterococcus species (22.4%) and Escherichia coli (19.4%) in urinary tract infection, and Bacteroides fragilis, E. coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae (all, 16%) in surgical wound infection. Imipenem represents one of the least resistant antimicrobial agents commonly seen in urinary tract and surgical wound infections in our institution. Perioperative infection was associated with diabetes, serous histology, lymph node metastasis, bowel resection, decreased bicarbonate, and elevated serum urea nitrogen in multivariate analysis. Perioperative infections were associated with increased surgical mortality, delay in chemotherapy treatment, decreased chemotherapy response, shorter progression-free survival (median time, 8.4 vs 17.6 months; P Conclusion Perioperative infectious disease comprises an independent risk factor for survival of patients with ovarian cancer.
Experimental Evidence for Intrinsic Microhabitat Preferences in the Black-Throated Green Warbler

Black-throated Green Warblers (Dendroica virens) use coniferous vegetation as foraging and perching substrates at coastal sites in Maine and predominantly deciduous vegetation at inland sites in interior New Hampshire, despite the availability of both substrates. I tested the hypothesis that these habitat use patterns result from intrinsic preferences (fixed behavioral choices independent of environmental influence) by quantifying coniferous and deciduous vegetation use by individuals from New Hampshire and Maine in common-garden aviary experiments with equal substrate and prey availability. I also determined the strength of these preferences by skewing experimental prey distributions toward the less preferred vegetation type of birds from each region and measuring resulting substrate use. Individuals from coastal sites showed significantly greater preferences for coniferous vegetation as both perching and foraging substrates than did inland birds, which preferred deciduous vegetation. In skewed prey distribution experiments, individuals maintained their regional preferences for perching substrates, but shifted foraging substrates typically after first capturing all prey from the preferred vegetation type. Significant morphological variation (larger maxillar width, tibiotarsi, tarsometatarsi, humeri, and radii in coastal birds) was found among Black-throated Green Warblers from the two regions that corresponded to morphology- habitat associations found in other mixed coniferous and deciduous bird assemblages. These data suggest that intrinsic factors may be influential as a proximate microhabitat selection mechanism in the Black-throated Green Warbler.
Aircraft Conflict Resolution with an Arrival Time Constraint

A conflict resolution maneuver consists of two phases: avoidance and recovery. The goal of the avoidance maneuver is to increase the miss distance until it meets the separation standard, while the recovery maneuver seeks to merge with the nominal trajectory that was interrupted by the avoidance maneuver. Determination of the recovery maneuver can be non-trivial if there is an arrival time constraint at a downstream waypoint, because the conflict avoidance maneuver generally introduces a time delay. An analytical treatment of the integrated conflict resolution (avoidance plus recovery) problem has been developed, building on a Geometric Optimization approach for solving the conflict avoidance problem. A family of solutions for conflict resolution with an arrival time constraint has been generated and presented. Of particular interest is a special conflict avoidance solution, called the Delay Compensated solution. This solution avoids the conflict by blending a heading change with a speed change in such a way that the delay introduced by the path stretching is exactly cancelled out by the increased speed; hence the corresponding recovery maneuver is executed at the nominal speed. Unlike the standard speed and heading change avoidance solutions, which are often limited by aircraft performance, the Delay Compensated solutions remain feasible even for very demanding constraints on arrival time.
Mechanisms of small molecule–DNA interactions probed by single-molecule force spectroscopy

There is a wide range of applications for non-covalent DNA binding ligands, and optimization of such interactions requires detailed understanding of the binding mechanisms. One important class of these ligands is that of intercalators, which bind DNA by inserting aromatic moieties between adjacent DNA base pairs. Characterizing the dynamic and equilibrium aspects of DNA-intercalator complex assembly may allow optimization of DNA binding for specific functions. Single-molecule force spectroscopy studies have recently revealed new details about the molecular mechanisms governing DNA intercalation. These studies can provide the binding kinetics and affinity as well as determining the magnitude of the double helix structural deformations during the dynamic assembly of DNA-ligand complexes. These results may in turn guide the rational design of intercalators synthesized for DNA-targeted drugs, optical probes, or integrated biological self-assembly processes. Herein, we survey the progress in experimental methods as well as the corresponding analysis framework for understanding single molecule DNA binding mechanisms. We discuss briefly minor and major groove binding ligands, and then focus on intercalators, which have been probed extensively with these methods. Conventional mono-intercalators and bis-intercalators are discussed, followed by unconventional DNA intercalation. We then consider the prospects for using these methods in optimizing conventional and unconventional DNA-intercalating small molecules.
Taste responses of neurons of the hamster solitary nucleus are enhanced by lateral hypothalamic stimulation.

Gustatory responses in the brain stem are modifiable by several physiological factors, including blood insulin and glucose, intraduodenal lipids, gastric distension, and learning, although the neur...
The Response of Germfree Rats to Dietary Cholesterol

Male germfree (G.F.) and conventional (Conv.) rats 90 to 120 days of age were fed purified diets (1) (casein-rice starch with 5% corn oil) containing 0%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.5% cholesterol. After a minimum of two weeks, the animals were sacrificed. Serum, liver, and intestinal tract total cholesterol were determined by a modification of the FeCl3 procedure of Caraway (2).
High-order markov random fields for low-level vision

Low-level vision is a fundamental area of computer vision that is concerned with the analysis of digital images at the pixel level and the computation of other dense, pixel-based representations of scenes such as depth and motion. Many of the algorithms and models in low-level vision rely on a representation of prior knowledge about images or other dense scene representations. In the case of images, this prior knowledge represents our a-priori belief in observing a particular image among all conceivable images. Such prior knowledge can be supplied in a variety of different ways; a wide range of low-level vision techniques represent the prior belief using Markov random fields (MRFs). MRFs are a compact and efficient probabilistic representation, and are particularly appropriate for spatially arranged data, such as the pixels in an image. Markov random fields have a long history in low-level computer vision; their representational power, however, has often been limited by restricting them to very local spatial structures. This dissertation introduces a novel, expressive Markov random field model for representing prior knowledge in low-level vision, for example about images and image motion (optical flow). This high-order MRF model, called Fields of Experts (FoE), represents interactions over larger spatial neighborhoods compared to many previous MRF models. Learning the parameters of large MRF models from training data, as well as inferring the quantity of interest (e. g., the noise-free image) are known to be very challenging, both algorithmically and computationally. This is even more so in models that represent complex spatial interactions and have many parameters, such as the FoE model. This dissertation describes machine learning techniques that enable approximate learning and inference with these models. The core thesis developed in this work is that these high-order Markov random fields are more powerful models for representing prior knowledge in low-level vision than previous MRF models, and that they lead to competitive algorithms for varied problems such as image denoising and the estimation of image motion.
Shigella-Associated Recurrent Seizures

The risk of subsequent febrile or nonfebrile seizures following Shigella-associated convulsions was investigated in 55 children in a ten year follow-up study at the Assaf Harofeh Medical Center and the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Diversity of knockdown resistance alleles in a single house fly population facilitates adaptation to pyrethroid insecticides

Insecticide use exerts a tremendous selection force on house fly populations, but the frequencies of the initial resistance mutations may not reach high levels if they have a significant fitness cost in the absence of insecticides. However, with the continued use of the same (or similar) insecticides, it is expected that new mutations (conferring equal or greater resistance, but less of a fitness cost) will evolve. Pyrethroid insecticides target the insect voltage sensitive sodium channel (VSSC) and have been widely used for control of house flies at animal production facilities for more than three decades. There are three Vssc mutations known that cause resistance to pyrethroids in house flies: knockdown resistance (kdr, L1014F), kdr-his (L1014H) and super-kdr (M918T + L1014F). Whether or not there are any new mutations in house fly populations has not been examined for decades. We collected house flies from a dairy in Kansas (USA) and selected this population for three generations. We discovered multiple new Vssc alleles, including two that give very high levels of resistance to most pyrethroids. The importance of these findings to understanding the evolution of insecticide resistance, designing appropriate resistance monitoring and management schemes, and the future of pyrethroids for house fly control are discussed.
A modular and reconfigurable battery system

In traditional battery systems, a large number of battery cells are usually connected in series and parallel with a fixed topology during operation to supply the desired voltage and current. However, this fixed configuration has low reliability, low fault tolerance, and voltage imbalance issue. This paper proposes a new modular and reconfigurable battery pack (MRBP) consisting of reconfigurable battery modules (RBMs) and an H-bridge converter. All the RBMs in the MRBP are cascaded to generate a stepped positive voltage waveform; and the H-bridge is used to change the polarity of the stepped voltage to form a multilevel AC voltage. Multiple MRBPs can be used to form a multiphase modular and reconfigurable battery system (MRBS). High reliability and fault-tolerance capability are achieved due to the modular and reconfigurable features. The state of charge (SOC) balance among battery cells can be easily realized by dynamically configuring the connections of battery cells. A three-phase MRBS prototype is simulated and constructed using the proposed design. Simulation and experimental results are provided to verify the proposed MRBS.
Combining seismic reservoir characterization workflows with basin modeling in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico Mississippi Canyon area

In this study, we explore the value added by application of basin modeling to seismic reservoir characterization in a structurally complex area. We focus on the Thunder Horse minibasin in the Gulf of Mexico. First, we build a two-dimensional basin model along the strike direction of the main structure in the area to investigate differences in pressure and thermal histories. The results suggest differences in both histories across the study area, and these differences can be reasonably assessed by basin modeling even with a single well calibration. We combine basin modeling results with rock physics models to build a training data set of seismic impedance derived lithofacies. The training data set thus captures spatial trends in the desired property beyond available well data. In addition, we demonstrate how to improve the seismic inversion results by integrating the basin modeling insights with limited well data. Our new workflow combining basin modeling output with rock physics and impedance-based lithofacies prediction significantly improves the predicted spatial distribution of reservoir lithofacies in the scenarios of spatially limited well control.
Correlates of Parent Involvement in Students’ Learning: Examination of a National Data Set

Parent involvement in students’ learning has been recognized as an important aspect of children’s education and is empirically related to students’ academic performance and engagement. In the present study we constructed a measure of parent involvement, drawing on items from the 2012 National Household Education Surveys (NHES) Program. Survey items included in the measure addressed parent participation in school activities, participation in school meetings, learning activities at home, learning activities in the community, and parent involvement in homework. The resulting measure of Parent Involvement in Children’s Learning (PICL) was used to investigate predictors associated with variation in parent involvement. Following a review of the literature on parent involvement, potential predictor variables were selected from the NHES data set, including child characteristics, family demographics, school characteristics, the child’s school experience, and parent satisfaction with school services. Preliminary multivariate linear regression models were created to screen potential predictors and the final multivariate linear regression model identified significant predictors of parental involvement. We consider how the correlates contribute to the evolution of the construct of parent involvement in children’s learning.
Astrophysics in the Next Decade: The Evolution of Galaxies

One of the primary goals of observational cosmology is to understand how galaxies form and evolve into the current population of objects we observe around us today. The redshift range, 1.5 ⩽ z ⩽ 3.5 represents a crucial epoch for observing the assembly of the modern galaxy population, which is largely in place by z ∼ 1. There has been tremendous progress assembling observations at z>1.5 over the past decade. Yet, many challenges remain. The next generation of large telescopes on the ground and in space will enable us to place unprecedented contraints on the connection between distant galaxies in the early universe and their local counterparts; the detailed stellar populations of distant galaxies while the bulk of their stellar mass is being formed; the structure and dynamics of galaxies as they settle onto the Hubble sequence; and the physics of “feedback”, a crucial, yet poorly understood ingredient in models of galaxy formation.
Local Managerial Perceptions of Intergovernmental Management

Interjurisdictional policy problems have facilitated both interlocal cooperation and opportunities for self-interested behavior from local governments. However, intergovernmental management (IGM) a...
A Higher Order Logic Mechanization of the CSP Failure-Divergence Semantics

Reasoning using process algebras often involves doing complex proofs, and computer-based support to facilitate the task is therefore desirable. In this paper we show how a general-purpose theorem prover based on higher order logic provides a natural framework for mechanizing the process algebra CSP. This is done by defining the semantics of the CSP operators in the logic and proving the high-level algebraic laws from the definitions as theorems. We mechanize a variation on the failure-divergence semantics that does not use alphabets at the syntactic level, but embeds them in the semantics. Our approach abstracts further from the explicit use of alphabets by modelling them as type variables. The result is a mechanized theory for a polymorphic formalization of CSP.
Orchidectomy induces temporal and regional changes in the synthesis and processing of the LHRH prohormone in the rat brain.

Recently, the sequence of the cDNA which encodes the LHRH-prohormone was elucidated from human placenta and human and rat hypothalamus and the corresponding amino acid sequence deduced (Seeburg et al., 1984 and Adelman et al., 1986). In addition to LHRH, the prohormone contains a 56 amino acid sequence, designated gonadotropin-releasing hormone associated peptide (GAP), which is attached to the C-terminus of the LHRH decapep-tide. Although not yet confirmed, the human GAP sequence has been reported to possess both gonadotropin-releasing and prolactin inhibiting activity (Nikolics et al., 1985). Additionally, a 13-amino acid fragment of the human GAP sequence (proLHRH 14–26) has been reported to stimulate gonadotropin release (Millar et al., 1986). Regardless of whether the non-LHRH portion of the LHRH prohormone contains biological activity, this sequence can serve as a valuable marker for studies of LHRH prohormone synthesis, processing and degradation. In order to initiate these types of studies, we have generated specific antisera (MC-1, 2 and 3) against a fragment of the human GAP sequence (proLHRH 38–66) and developed a radioimmunoassay procedure for the quantitation of GAP (Culler and Negro-Vilar, 1986). The antisera are specific for midportion sequences of the GAP molecule and do not cross-react with any other known brain peptide.
Nonlinear Response of Angle-Ply Laminated Plates to Random Loads

Large amplitude response of antisymmetric angle-ply laminated rectangular panels subjected to broadband random acoustic excitation is studied analytically. The boundary conditions considered are all the edges simply supported and all the edges clamped. Inplane edge conditions considered are immovable and movable for each of the above cases. Mean-square deflections, mean-square strains/stresses, and equivalent linear frequencies at various acoustic loadings are obtained for laminates of different length-to- width ratios, lamination angles, number of layers, and panel damping ratios. Results obtained can be used as a guide for sonic fatigue design of angle-ply laminated composite panels under high noise environment.
Anusol-HC® (Parke-Davis)

Anusol-HC suppositories and cream help to relieve the pain, itching, and discomfort arising from irritated anorectal tissues. These preparations have a soothing lubricant action on mucous membranes and the anti-inflammatory action of hydrocortisone acetate helps reduce hyperemia and swelling. The hydrocortisone acetate is primarily effective because of its anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive actions.
Phonons in Wurtzites, Fullerenes, and Nanotubes

The applicability of the dielectric and elastic continuum models for describing phonons in nanostructures is discussed. As an example, properties of confined, interface and propagating modes in wurtzite quantum-confined structures are described theoretically in terms of the dielectric continuum model and Loudon's model for uniaxial semiconductors. As a second example, dimensionally-confined acoustic phonon modes of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes will be described in terms of the elastic continuum model.
TIP55, a splice isoform of the KAT5 acetyltransferase, is essential for developmental gene regulation and organogenesis

Regulation of chromatin structure is critical for cell type-specific gene expression. Many chromatin regulatory complexes exist in several different forms, due to alternative splicing and differential incorporation of accessory subunits. However, in vivo studies often utilize mutations that eliminate multiple forms of complexes, preventing assessment of the specific roles of each. Here we examined the developmental roles of the TIP55 isoform of the KAT5 histone acetyltransferase. In contrast to the pre-implantation lethal phenotype of mice lacking all four Kat5 transcripts, mice specifically deficient for Tip55 die around embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5). Prior to developmental arrest, defects in heart and neural tube were evident in Tip55 mutant embryos. Specification of cardiac and neural cell fates appeared normal in Tip55 mutants. However, cell division and survival were impaired in heart and neural tube, respectively, revealing a role for TIP55 in cellular proliferation. Consistent with these findings, transcriptome profiling revealed perturbations in genes that function in multiple cell types and developmental pathways. These findings show that Tip55 is dispensable for the pre- and early post-implantation roles of Kat5, but is essential during organogenesis. Our results raise the possibility that isoform-specific functions of other chromatin regulatory proteins may play important roles in development.
Male hormonal contraceptive — are we there yet?

A male hormonal contraceptive would be a welcome addition to current family planning efforts. Herein, we summarize efforts to develop such a contraceptive, with a focus on contraceptive efficacy studies and new compounds that might offer advantages in terms of route of administration and longer half-lives compared with older compounds.
Incorporating Tactile Learning into Periodic Trend Analysis Using Three-Dimensional Printing.

Consumer-grade manufacturing tools such as 3D printers are becoming increasingly prevalent in STEM education environments, especially as tools to develop inexpensive, tactile visualization models. Presented here is a workflow for creating 3D-printed periodic tables displaying a variety of trends from traditionally taught relationships such as atomic radius and ionization energies to less-frequently visualized distributions such as abundance in the human body and the number of stable isotopes. The process is facilitated by the use of Mathematica, which is used for both access to elemental data and generation of the file to be sent to the 3D printer. Since Mathematica is available for free for educational use on the Raspberry Pi, it is possible to use the procedures presented even under resource-limited conditions. An example group work activity is presented in order to demonstrate how the 3D-printed tables can be used in a classroom setting.
GRP75 overexpression rescues frataxin deficiency and mitochondrial phenotypes in Friedreich ataxia cellular models

Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by the deficiency of frataxin, a mitochondrial protein crucial for iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Currently, there is no therapy to slow down the progression of FRDA. Recent evidence indicates that posttranslational regulation of residual frataxin levels can rescue some of the functional deficit of FRDA, raising the possibility of enhancing levels of residual frataxin as a treatment for FRDA. Here, we present evidence that mitochondrial molecular chaperone GRP75, also known as mortalin/mthsp70/PBP74, directly interacts with frataxin both in vivo in mouse cortex and in vitro in cortical neurons. Overexpressing GRP75 increases the levels of both wild-type frataxin and clinically relevant missense frataxin variants in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, while clinical GRP75 variants such as R126W, A476T and P509S impair the binding of GRP75 with frataxin and the effect of GRP75 on frataxin levels. In addition, GRP75 overexpression rescues frataxin deficiency and abnormal cellular phenotypes such as the abnormal mitochondrial network and decreased ATP levels in FRDA patient-derived cells. The effect of GRP75 on frataxin might be in part mediated by the physical interaction between GRP75 and mitochondrial processing peptidase (MPP), which makes frataxin more accessible to MPP. As GRP75 levels are decreased in multiple cell types of FRDA patients, restoring GRP75 might be effective in treating both typical FRDA patients with two guanine-adenine-adenine repeat expansions and compound heterozygous patients with point mutations.
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Alpha-Defensin Test for Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Patients With Inflammatory Diseases.

Abstract Background The alpha-defensin test has been reported to have high accuracy to diagnose periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). There are remaining concerns about the utility of the test in patients with inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this study is to determine sensitivity and specificity of laboratory-based alpha-defensin in diagnosing PJI in patients with systemic inflammatory disease in revision total hip/knee arthroplasty. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of 1374 cases who underwent revision total hip/knee arthroplasty at a single healthcare system from 2014 to 2017. Cases with inflammatory diseases who received a 1-stage revision arthroplasty, the first stage of 2-stage revision arthroplasty, or irrigation and debridement with available preoperative alpha-defensin results were included. Patients who received a second-stage procedure, spacer exchange, who had insufficient Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria, or with early postoperative PJI were excluded from this study. Cases were classified as infected or not according to Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria. A total of 41 cases met the inclusion criteria. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of alpha-defensin to diagnose PJI were calculated. Results The alpha-defensin test demonstrated a sensitivity of 93%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, a negative predictive value of 96%, and an accuracy of 97% for diagnosing PJI. There was 1 patient with polymyositis who had a false-negative result. Conclusion Alpha-defensin had high accuracy for diagnosing PJI even in inflammatory diseases. The alpha-defensin test provides useful information with high accuracy in diagnosing PJI in patients with inflammatory diseases.
Diagnosis and management of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid fistula and encephaloceles.

Purpose of review To describe the current state in the diagnosis and management of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (sCSF) fistula and encephaloceles. Recent findings The increased incidence of obesity has resulted in more cases of sCSF fistula and encephaloceles. Obesity results in increased intracranial pressure and a greater chance of developing a sCSF fistula or encephalocele. Obstructive sleep apnea can also result in transient increase in intracranial pressure and has been shown to be common in patients with sCSF fistula. Treatment of CSF fistula is usually necessary because of the increased risk of meningitis. The use of hydroxyapatite bone cements to repair the temporal bone defects has been described with a high success rate of closing the fistula and a low complication rate. Concurrent superior semicircular canal dehiscent can be seen in up to 15% of cases and should be suspected during the surgical approach to avoid potential sensorineural hearing loss and chronic imbalance. Summary sCSF fistula and encephaloceles are an uncommon cause of hearing loss, middle ear effusion, and otorrhea, but should be recognized and repaired because of the risk of meningitis.
Chapter 14 – Drosophila Epigenetics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the formation of heterochromatin, gene silencing and activation, epigenetic memory, and the nature and function of boundary elements. The understanding of this phenomenon stems from the realization that all of the cells of a developing embryo are identical with respect to their genetic material and that differentiation is achieved by the differential expression of genes in regions of the embryo during the course of development. These cell or tissue-specific expression forms of the genome can be referred to as epigenomes, each of which is characteristic of a particular modality of cellular differentiation. Epigenomes arise through the influence of a wide range of environmental factors that include gradients of maternal morphogens and intercellular signals as well as extra-embryonic environmental factors. These stimuli result in covalent modifications of the DNA that do not alter in any way the nucleotide-based genetic code, and of many of the DNA-associated proteins; they also result in a change in the architecture of the association.
Attending Surgeons Demonstrate Greater Correlations of Skill Assessment and Anticipation of Adverse Events Than Residents During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Abstract Background Surgical training includes the development of technical and nontechnical skills. While technical skills are more easily quantified, nontechnical skills such as situation awareness (SA) are more difficult to measure and quantify. This study investigated the relationships between different SA elements and expertise. Methods Twenty attending and resident surgeons rated their anticipation of an impending adverse event while watching 20 videos of laparoscopic cholecystectomies with and without adverse events. After watching each video, they assessed surgeon skills and self-assessed their anticipation ratings. All participants answered a general confidence questionnaire before and after the study. Results Videos with adverse events led to significantly higher anticipation of adverse events (P Conclusions This study investigated how different elements of SA and their relationships were influenced by experience. The results indicated that attendings had stronger and more stable correlations between SA elements than residents, demonstrating how measurement correlations could be meaningful and sensitive indicators of expertise and autonomy readiness.
Spontaneous diaphragmatic hernia in a 16 year-old female in the absence of trauma

Introduction: This case describes an adolescent female who presented with a spontaneously acquired diaphragmatic hernia, a rare occurrence in the absence of trauma. Case Report: A 16 year-old female with history of 31-week prematurity, chronic idiopathic abdominal distention, constipation, and gastro-esophageal reflux disease status post fundoplication, presented to an outside hospital (OSH) with a chief complaint of seizure activity. She had no recent head or body trauma. She received a head and abdominal CT due to chronic abdominal distention in the OSH emergency department (Figure 1), which were both read as normal. She was transferred to the general pediatric …