cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Ooplasm Manipulation on DNA Methylation and Growth of Progeny in Mice

New techniques to boost male and female fertility are being pioneered at a rapid pace in fertility clinics to increase the efficiency of assisted reproduction methods in couples in which natural conception has not been achieved. This study investigates the possible epigenetic effects of ooplasm manipulation methods on postnatal growth and development using a mouse genetic model, with particular emphasis on the possible effects of intergenotype manipulations. We performed interstrain and control intrastrain maternal pronuclear transfers, metaphase-II spindle transfers, and ooplasm transfer between C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice, and found no major, long-term growth defects or epigenetic abnormalities, in either males or females, associated with intergenotype transfers. Ooplasm transfer itself was associated with reduced viability, and additional subtle effects of ooplasm strain of origin were observed. Both inter- and intrastrain ooplasm transfer were associated with subtle, transient effects on growth early in life. We also performed inter- and intrastrain germinal vesicle transfers (GVTs). Interstrain GVT females, but not males, had significantly lower body weights at birth and thereafter compared with the intrastrain GVT and non-GVT controls. No GVT-associated changes were observed in DNA methylation of the Mup1, Rasgrf1, H19, Snrpn, or Peg3 genes, nor any difference in expression of the imprinted Rasgrf1, Igf2r, or Mest genes. These results indicate that some ooplasm manipulation procedures may exert subtle effects on growth early in life, while intergenotype GVT can result in significant growth deficiencies after birth.
Macromolecular domains within the cell nucleus.

DNA REPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 TRANSCRIPTION AND PRE-mRNA PROCESSING .... . . ) ....... ,.... 279 Localization of Transcriptionally Active Nuclear Regions by [ HJ-Uridine Incorporation or In Situ Nick Translation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279 Pre-mRNA Splicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 An Arginine/Serine-Rich Domain Targets Proteins to Nuclear Speckles . . . . . . 284 Effect of RNA Polymerase II Transcription on the Localization of Splicing Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,.... 285 Distribution of hnRNP Proteins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 Localization of Splicing Factors in the Amphibian Germinal Vesicle . . . . . . . . 289 Localization of Splicing Factors in Yeast 290 Distribution of Poly(A)'t RNA . . . . . . ... . . . . ..... . ..... . . . . .... 291 Distribution of Specific Cellular Transcripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 NUCLEOLAR ORGANIZATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Telomere structure and shortening in telomerase-deficient Trypanosoma brucei

Telomerase consists of a reverse transcriptase (TERT) and an RNA that contains a template for telomere-repeat extension. Telomerase is required to prevent telomere erosion and its activity or lack thereof is important for tumorigenesis and ageing. Telomerase has been identified in numerous organisms but it has not been studied in kinetoplastid protozoa. Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, evades the host immune response by frequently changing its variant surface glycoprotein (VSG). The single expressed VSG is transcribed from one of � 20 subtelomeric ‘Expression Sites’, but the role telomeres might play in regulating VSG transcription and switching is unknown. We identified and sequenced the T.brucei TERT gene. Deleting TERT resulted in progressive telomere shortening of 3–6 bp per generation. In other organisms, the rate of telomere shortening is proportional to the length of the terminal 3 0 singlestrand overhang. In T.brucei, G-overhangs were undetectable (,30 nt) by in-gel hybridization. The rate of telomere shortening therefore, agrees with the predicted shortening due to the end replication problem, and is consistent with our observation that G-overhangs are short. Trypanosomes whose telomere length can be manipulated provide a new tool to investigate the role of telomeres in antigenic variation.
Regulator of sex-limitation KRAB zinc finger proteins modulate sex-dependent and -independent liver metabolism.

Kruppel-related zinc finger proteins (KRAB-zfps) comprise the largest mammalian transcription factor family, but their specific functions are largely unknown. Two KRAB-zfps, regulator of sex-limitation (Rsl) 1 and Rsl2, repress expression of the mouse sex-limited protein (Slp) gene, the hallmark of Rsl activity, as well as some other male-predominant liver genes. This phenotype suggests Rsl modifies sex-specific transcription. The scope of Rsl control was determined by expression profiling of liver RNA from wild-type (wt), rsl, and transgenic mice with hepatic overexpression of Rsl1 or Rsl2. About 7.5% of the liver transcriptome was Rsl-responsive. More genes in males than females were affected by the loss of Rsl (e.g., in rsl mice), whereas Rsl overexpression altered more transcripts in females than males. Rsl dramatically repressed some female-predominant genes, but most were modestly (1.25- to 2-fold) influenced. In males, most Rsl-responsive genes unexpectedly expressed at lower levels in rsl than wt, suggesting not all are direct targets of Rsl repression. Gene Ontology analysis showed Rsl targets enriched in pathways of cholesterol, steroid, and lipid metabolism, linking Rsl to energy balance. In accord with this, blood glucose levels were less in male rsl than wt mice, and less responsive to fasting and refeeding. rsl mice were also leaner than wt, consistent with their hepatic regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 and stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1. Altogether, Rsl's effect on sexually dimorphic and metabolically sensitive liver gene expression suggests a role for KRAB-zfps as broad genetic modulators of individual adaptation.
CEO compensation and accruals management

This paper aims to investigate whether the boards curb earnings management by revising the compensation contract with CEOs. Using a sample of CEO compensation from 1993 to 2009, we find that the boards decrease cash payment sensitivity to accruals in the presence of the horizon problem. However, in the mean time, the boards heighten equity payment sensitivity to accruals and keep the total pay for performance sensitivity unchanged. We argue this temporary equity rewards for discretionary accruals will disappear as the value of equity claims will be realised over time and any market overpricing will evaporate by then. Overall, our results suggest that the boards can curb earnings management by revising pay-for-performance sensitivity in the terminal year.
A public-key infrastructure for key distribution in TinyOS based on elliptic curve cryptography

We present the first known implementation of elliptic curve cryptography over F/sub 2p/ for sensor networks based on the 8-bit, 7.3828-MHz MICA2 mote. Through instrumentation of UC Berkeley's TinySec module, we argue that, although secret-key cryptography has been tractable in this domain for some time, there has remained a need for an efficient, secure mechanism for distribution of secret keys among nodes. Although public-key infrastructure has been thought impractical, we argue, through analysis of our own implementation for TinyOS of multiplication of points on elliptic curves, that public-key infrastructure is, in fact, viable for TinySec keys' distribution, even on the MICA2. We demonstrate that public keys can be generated within 34 seconds, and that shared secrets can be distributed among nodes in a sensor network within the same, using just over 1 kilobyte of SRAM and 34 kilobytes of ROM.
Majesty and mercy: undocumented immigration, deferred removal action, and the spectacle of sovereign exceptionalism

The article casts a critical gaze at the Obama Administration’s decision – articulated in a series of bureaucratic memos and directives issued June 2010–July 2012 – to exercise prosecutorial discretion in processing 300,000 undocumented immigrants slated for deportation from the US Commentators on the partisan left hailed the Administration’s decision as a pragmatic and humane effort to implement federal immigration laws. Commentators on the partisan right argued that prosecutorial discretion constituted an effective – and illegal – abdication of the president’s mandate to execute the letter of immigration law. This article positions the decision, instead, at the nexus of sovereign exceptionalism and political community-building and argues that deferred action constitutes the highest and most controversial deployment of the “majesty” of territorial state sovereignty: the process of selectively meting out “mercy” to those who approximate the set of expectations bound up in the notion of the “good” American...
Abnormal Neuroimaging in a Case of Infant Botulism

We present the first case of abnormal neuroimaging in a case of infant botulism. The patient presented with clinical findings of constipation, bulbar weakness and descending, symmetric motor weakness which are consistent with the classic findings of infant botulism. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), however, revealed restricted diffusion in the brain and enhancement of the cervical nerve roots. Traditionally, normal neuroimaging was used to help differentiate infant botulism from other causes of weakness in infants. Abnormal neuroimaging is seen in other causes of weakness in an infant including metabolic disorders and hypoxic-ischemic injury but these diagnoses did not fit the clinical findings in this case. The explanation for the MRI abnormalities in the brain and cervical nerve roots is unclear as botulinum toxin acts at presynaptic nerve terminals and does not cross the blood-brain barrier. Possible explanations for the findings include inflammation from the botulinum toxin at the synapse, alterations in sensory signaling and retrograde transport of the botulinum toxin. The patient was treated with human botulism immune globulin and had rapid recovery in weakness. A stool sample from the patient was positive for Type A Clostridium Botulinum toxin eventually confirming the diagnosis of infant botulism. The findings in this case support use of human botulism immune globulin when the clinical findings are consistent with infant botulism despite the presence of MRI abnormalities in the brain and cervical nerve roots.
Let Us Celebrate Progress Toward Universal Health Coverage by Setting Smart Priorities.

Just a few short months ago, the United Nations General Assembly formally adopted an ambitious 15-year global agenda for sustainable development. Among its targets for eliminating poverty and prote...
Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis to Support Calibration of MEDLI Instrumented Sensor Plugs

On August 5, 2012, the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) historically entered the Martian atmosphere and safely landed on Mars. This is the first time that a heat shield made primarily of Phenolic Impregrated Carbon Ablator (PICA) was used for Martian entry, therefore scientists can learn a great deal from this mission. In order to understand the conditions experienced by the MSL during entry, the heat shield was equipped with seven plugs containing thermocouples and an isotherm following sensor. After a significant amount of testing, thermal lag within the sensors has become of interest. In order to better understand real time conditions during Martian entry, this thermal lag must be quantified. The contents of this paper discuss methods and results of the three dimensional Finite Element Analysis research that has been conducted to determine the thermal lag in the sensors in the heat shield of the Mars Science Laboratory.
Transmission of γG Antibodies from Maternal to Fetal Circulation in the Mouse

SummaryPassively transmitted homologous γG1 and γG2 antidinitrophenyl antibodies to pregnant mice near term pass into the circulation of fetuses. With the amounts of antibodies used, γG1 and γG2a are detected in the sera of fetuses 6 hr after intravenous injection of the mothers.
Topical Nutraceutical Optixcare EH Ameliorates Experimental Ocular Oxidative Stress in Rats

Abstract Purpose: Based on the hypothesis that oral nutraceuticals do not adequately reach all ocular tissues in the anterior segment, we evaluated the ability of a 3% concentration of the ingredients in a topical nutraceutical antioxidant formulation called Optixcare Eye Health (Optixcare EH) to ameliorate oxidative stress in rat models of age-related ocular diseases. Methods: Diabetes was induced by tail-vein injection of streptozotocin, and the development of cataracts was monitored by slit lamp. Young rats were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, and the reduction in lens glutathione (GSH) levels and increase in 4-hydroxynonenol (4-HNE) were measured. Oxidative stress in the neural retina was generated by exposure of dark-adapted rats to 1,000 lx of light, and oxidative stress markers were measured. Dry eye was induced in rats by twice daily (b.i.d.) subcutaneous scopolamine injections. Topical Optixcare EH was administered b.i.d. and compared in select experiments to the multifunctional antioxidant JH...
Principal Component Analysis For Stratigraphic Imaging Improvement And Facies Predictions

Summary Principal Component Analysis was used for stratigraphic imaging improvement and facies prediction using seismic data and multiple attribute volumes as input. It was determined that using a 3D moving time window operator it is possible to improve seismic resolution; specific horizontal and vertical dimensionalities for the operator will depend on the complexity of the area and quality of the input data; however, good results can be achieved using a 3x3 cell size and time window values ranging from one third up to three or four times the dominant period of the seismic wavelet. The calculated Principal Component volumes will usually have broader bandwidth and more uniform amplitude spectrum compared to the input seismic independently on the number of volumes used for the calculations. These results can be attributed to the fact that rotating the reference system compensates the effect of induced correlation generated by convolving the reflectivity series with the seismic wavelet.
Modern Contours: Sinhala Poetry in Sri Lanka, 1913–56

ABSTRACTA consensus is growing among scholars of modern Indian literature that the thematic development of Hindi, Urdu and Bangla poetry was consistent to a considerable extent. I use the term ‘consistent’ to refer to the transitions between 1900 and 1960 from didacticism to romanticism to modernist realism. The purpose of this article is to build upon this consensus by revealing that as far south as Sri Lanka, Sinhala-language poetry developed along the same trajectory. To bear out this argument, I explore the works of four Sri Lankan poets, analysing the didacticism of Ananda Rajakaruna, the romanticism of P.B. Alwis Perera, and the modernist realism of Siri Gunasinghe and Gunadasa Amarasekera.
TOTAL COLOR BLINDNESS AND ALBINISM. TWO CAUSES OF SUBNORMAL VISUAL ACUITY IN CHILDREN.

Color blindness and albinism in children are frequently unrecognized. Color blindness may be either incomplete or total, and albinism may be universal, incomplete universal, or ocular in type. The most common symptoms in both disorders, aside from the reduced visual acuity, are photophobia and nystagmus. The pale appearance of the iris and fundus in albinism and the abnormal response to color vision tests in color blindness are important aids to diagnosis. The need for an exact diagnosis is stressed.
Host Country's Sovereign Credit and Chinese ODI——An Empirical Comparison Based on the Country-wise Panel Data of Chinese ODI and World ODI

The effects of Sovereign Credit of developed-hosts and developing-hosts respectively on Chinese ODI are investigated through empirical comparison with Chinese ODI and World ODI panel data from the year 2003 to 2012in 42 countries,and the results show:The downgrades of developed hosts' Sovereign Credit and consequent outflows of world ODI dramatically attract more and more Chinese ODI,as Chinese investors aiming at developed-market and strategic-asset try to expand holdings of assets in the highly indebted developed countries;Both Chinese ODI and World ODI avoid to invest in the developing hosts with downgraded credit,and Chinese investors show no interest in developing hosts with both downgraded credit and rich natural-resources either.
Can Walkable Urban Design Play a Role in Reducing the Incidence of Obesity-Related Conditions?

Most adults in developed countries are too inactive, accumulating on average far less than the recommended 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on at least 5 days every week.1,2 Insufficient walking and low levels of other physical activities are key risk factors for developing chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes,3 and lack of exercise and obesity are significantly associated with reduced life expectancy at 40 years of age.4 Physical inactivity can account for 6% to 10% of all deaths from noncommunicable diseases.5
Phase microscopy studies of Hodgkin's disease lymph nodes in relation to histogenesis of the Sternberg-Reed cell.

1. The free reticulum cell in Hodgkin’s disease undergoes progressive cytologic alterations leading to the formation of Sternberg-Reed cells. 2. The other free cellular components of Hodgkin’s disease nodes are cytologically normal.
Special Anesthetic Considerations for Management of Cerebral Aneurysm Clipping

Anesthetic management of cerebral aneurysm clipping includes maintenance of an acceptable transmural pressure to prevent rupture of the aneurysm, especially during surgical manipulation. Systemic hypotension has been widely practiced to achieve this goal. However, increasing use of temporary vascular occlusion requires some modification of the traditional anesthetic management of cerebral aneurysm clipping. In addition, there is a resurgence of interest in use of hypothermic circulatory arrest to clip large and complex lesions. This review addresses some of the evolving issues in the intraoperative management of aneurysm clipping, including cerebral hemodynamic monitoring, induced hypertension and pharmacologic brain protective therapy, and discusses the anesthetic management of hypothermic circulatory arrest.
SOCRATES 2.0: bridging the gap between researchers and social media data through natural language interactions

In order to help researchers who have to resort to time-consuming work on collecting, analyzing, and visualizing social media data, we have developed a system, called the Social and Crowdsourced Activity Extraction System (SOCRATES). This tool supports researchers utilize a single, modularly architected, open-sourced, and standardized platform for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing social media data. In this demonstration, a follow-up to one we presented at ASIST 2014 (Matni, Choi, & Shah, 2014), we present "SOCRATES 2.0" with improved functionalities, more precisely, those that help users focus on their research problem(s) without spending time and effort dealing with details in data processing. Through a process of asking questions related to the users' interests and requests for certain analyses, the system generates one sentence about a possible research statement and provides the collected data and analysis results with one click.
Globalizing Environmental Sustainability: “2015 International Year of Soil” Transitioning to “2015–2024 International Decade of Soil”

The International Union of Soil Science (IUSS), a global organization established in 1924, is a link to the world’s 60,000 soil scientists. The IUSS has been proactive in celebrating 2015 International Year of Soil (2015 IYS), and has declared 2015–2024 as the International Decade of Soil (2015–2024 IDS). Objectives of both IYS and IDS are to: enhance awareness of civil society and policymakers regarding the importance of soils to human wellbeing and nature conservancy, and promote effective policies and action for sustainable management and protection of soil resources. These initiatives are also in accord with the Sustainable Development Goals of the U.N. or the so-called “Agenda 2030.” Among numerous priorities of IUSS are restoring degraded soils and minimizing risks of new degradation through implementation of soil protection policies. IUSS also supports the “4 per Thousand” initiative, proposed at COP21 (Paris) and COP22 (Marrakech), of sequestering C in world soils. The IUSS organizes the World Soil Congress of Soil Science (WCSS) once every four years. The WCSS was organized in Jeju, Korea in 2014 and will be organized in Rio, Brazil in 2018 and Glasgow, Scotland in 2022. During 2015–2024 IDS, IUSS will organize three WCSS: Rio in 2018, Glasgow in 2022, and the Centennial Celebrations in Rome in 2024. The IUSS will strengthen linkages with other global organizations and related science societies.
High performance 5.6μm quantum cascade lasers

5.6 μm quantum cascade lasers based on Al 0.78 In 0.22 As/In 0.69 Ga 0.31 As active region composition with measured pulsed room temperature wall plug efficiency of 28.3% are reported. Injection efficiency for the upper laser level of 75% was measured for the new design by testing devices with variable cavity length. Threshold current density of 1.7kA/cm2 and slope efficiency of 4.9W/A were measured for uncoated 3.15mm × 9μm lasers. Threshold current density and slope efficiency dependence on temperature in the range from 288K to 348K for the new structure can be described by characteristic temperatures T0 ~ 140K and T1 ~710K, respectively. Experimental data for inverse slope efficiency dependence on cavity length for 15-stage quantum cascade lasers with the same design are also presented. When combined with the 40-stage device data, the new data allowed for separate evaluation of the losses originating from the active region and from the cladding layers of the laser structure. Specifically, the active region losses for the studied design were found to be 0.77 cm-1, while cladding region losses - 0.33 cm-1. The data demonstrate that active region losses in mid wave infrared quantum cascade lasers largely define total waveguide losses and that their reduction should be one of the main priorities in the quantum cascade laser design.
The role of complement and natural antibody in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Development of a new class of drugs designed to selectively inhibit the inducible cyclooxygenase isoenzyme, COX-2, was initially prescribed for individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Although these inflammatory disorders are more typically related to the joints of the knee, ankle, or hand, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a special role due to its involvement in our normal day-to-day activities of eating and communicating. The TMJ, unlike most of the other joints, contains some unique morphological characteristics that support various inflammatory disorders. An overview of these characteristics and the prospective use of the COX-2 inhibitors for temporomandibular joint inflammation are presented.
Specifying the Characteristics of a Test

During this transitional period in testing practices, many tests have been designed and constructed using classical test theory principles but have been analyzed via item response theory procedures. This lack of congruence between the construction and analysis procedures has resulted in the full power of item response theory not being exploited. In order to obtain the many advantages of item response theory, tests should be designed, constructed, analyzed, and interpreted within the framework of the theory. Consequently, the goal of this chapter is to provide the reader with experience in the technical aspects of test construction within the framework of item response theory.
Quality and Content of Patient-Provider Communication About Contraception: Differences by Race/Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Status.

Abstract Introduction Research in family planning has shown that contraceptive counseling has an influence on women's family planning outcomes, but also that women are often dissatisfied with the counseling they receive. Little is known about how contraceptive counseling is conducted in the United States. We describe both the content and interpersonal quality of provider communication during family planning visits, as well as assess whether disparities in counseling exist by patient race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Methods We obtained audio recordings of contraceptive counseling clinic visits for 339 women ages 15-45, which were coded for content and quality of communication, and collected surveys regarding demographics, contraceptive preferences, and experience with care. We performed descriptive analyses of the content and quality of provider–patient communication, and conducted multivariate logistic regression to assess for racial/ethnic and socioeconomic differences in care. Results Providers frequently did not communicate with patients about issues relevant to their family planning needs, including their pregnancy intention (assessed in 51% of visits) and their preferences for birth control (64% of visits). Providers also inconsistently offered patients a chance to ask questions (53% of visits). For most measures, there were no differences by patient race/ethnicity and highest level of parental education achieved. Patients whose parents had a high school education or less were significantly less likely to have long-acting reversible contraceptive methods mentioned during the visit (adjusted odds ratio, 0.42; p = .03). Conclusions Several deficiencies in contraceptive counseling were found, suggesting areas for further emphasis in training. Differences by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic states were not marked.
Pre-kindergarten attendance matters: Early chronic absence patterns and relationships to learning outcomes

Abstract Consistent school attendance is a critical component of education. Although research suggests that high rates of absenteeism is a significant issue for many students, minimal evidence exists focusing on absences among the nation’s youngest students − those in pre-kindergarten. This study focused on students in a large, urban district and examined the prevalence of pre-kindergarten chronic absence for different student subgroups, its relationship to learning outcomes during pre-kindergarten, and its association with ongoing attendance patterns and learning outcomes through second grade. Results indicated that absence in pre-kindergarten was widespread, particularly among African American students and those who entered pre-kindergarten with the lowest skills. Chronically absent pre-kindergarten students—those who were absent 10% or more of their enrolled days—displayed lower levels of academic and behavioral kindergarten readiness and were more likely to be chronically absent in subsequent grades. By third grade, students chronically absent for multiple years exhibited the need for significant intervention to read at grade level. These findings suggest that providing supports to improve attendance in pre-kindergarten and early elementary years has the potential to reduce achievement gaps and redirect struggling students onto the pathway toward educational success.
Flexible Nature: Governing with the Environment in the Development of U.S. Neoliberalism

The environment is organic to the neoliberal turn, not just as more or less cooperative material inputs or as a surface on which the changes to production and labor relations play out. The frequent...
A ASCENSÃO DA CHINA, A ÁSIA E O SUL GLOBAL

Muitos veem o milagre da economia chinesa como uma ilustracao de um modelo de desenvolvimento alternativo a ortodoxia neoliberal promovida por Washington. Tambem se assume muitas vezes que o envolvimento economico e politico da China nos paises do sul global, particularmente nos vizinhos asiaticos, esta criando uma nova ordem geopolitica que desafiaria a dominacao norte-americana. Neste artigo, argumenta-se que o milagre do desenvolvimento orientado pela exportacao nada mais e do que uma parte constitutiva da ordem neoliberal, e que o crescimento da China como exportadora de capital segue os passos de outros poderes capitalista-imperialista se seus projetos de influencia politica no exterior. Isso tem gerado apreensao crescente entre os paises vizinhos em relacao a dominacao regional chinesa e colocado a China em rota de colisao com os Estados Unidos, que ainda dominam a ordem politica e de seguranca na Asia-Pacifico, precipitando uma nova competicao entre potencias imperiais.
Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) was first proposed as a distinct subtype of thyroid malignancy by Carcangiu et al. These authors reinterpreted the original observation made in 1907 by Langhans, who described a locally aggressive tumor with a peculiar architecture: tumor cells arranged in large, round to oval formations, the so-called “insulae.” Currently, there are 2 recognized subtypes of PDTC - insular and non-insular. PDTC is a rare malignancy, accounting for 4–7% of all thyroid cancers. It has an aggressive clinical behavior intermediate between that of the well differentiated thyroid carcinomas (papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, and Hurthle cell carcinoma) and undifferentiated (anaplastic) thyroid carcinoma. PDTCs often present at an advanced stage, have a propensity for local recurrence, and tend to metastasize to regional lymph nodes, lung, and bones. The mean 5-year survival of patients with PDTC is approximately 50%. Well differentiated thyroid carcinomas with a focal (10% or greater) PDTC component follow a more aggressive clinical course than standard well differentiated carcinomas of the thyroid.
The effect of experience on the political attitudes of Korean college students

Korean student enter college singularly susceptible to the influence of their seniors, who tend to be critical of the Korean government and its relation to the United States, and by extension, the United States itself. One recent study involving 208 Korean college students suggested that the attitude of the great majority had become progressively less favorable, or more unfavorable toward the United States over a one-year-period, and more cynical concerning its motives. That study, however, did not control for age, and relied on students’ own impressionistic self-reports of their initial attitudes. The present study is a replication and extension of that one, using a panel of entering students, whose attitudes were measured during the first and last weeks of their first college semester. The results indicate that the change in attitude toward “anti-Americanism” occurs within this first semester.
Association between patient reminders and influenza vaccination status among children.

Abstract Background Patient reminders are recommended to increase vaccination rates. The objectives of this study were to estimate the percentage of children 6 months–17 years for whom a patient reminder for influenza vaccination was received by a child’s parent or guardian, estimate influenza vaccination coverage by receipt of a patient reminder, and identify factors associated with receipt of a patient reminder. Methods National Immunization Survey-Flu (NIS-Flu) data for the 2013–14 influenza season were analyzed. Tests of association between patient reminders and demographic characteristics were conducted using Wald chi-square tests and pairwise comparison t-tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine variables independently associated with receiving a patient reminder. Results Approximately 22% of children had a parent or guardian report receiving a patient reminder for influenza vaccination for their child, ranging from 12.9% in Idaho to 41.2% in Mississippi. Children with a patient reminder were more likely to be vaccinated compared with children without a patient reminder (73.7% versus 55.5%). In the multivariable model, reminder receipt was higher for children 6–23 months compared with children 13–17 years, black children compared with white children, and children whose parent completed the survey in English compared with children whose parent completed the survey in a language other than English or Spanish. Conclusions Although patient reminders are associated with a higher likelihood of influenza vaccination, nationally, less than one-fourth of children had a parent report receiving one. Despite being based on parental report, with its limitations, this study suggests that increasing the number of parents who receive patient reminders for their children may improve vaccination coverage among children.
Natural variation in fetal cortisol exposure is associated with neonatal body mass in captive vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops).

Poor maternal condition during gestation is commonly associated with impaired fetal growth in humans and other animals. Although elevated maternal glucocorticoids (GCs) are often implicated as the mechanism of intrauterine growth stunting, the direct contribution of maternal GCs remains unclear because enzymatic conversion of GCs at the placenta may limit the ability of maternal hormones to reach the fetus. Further, because previous studies on gestational stress have often employed synthetic GCs, which cross the placenta unobstructed, it remains unknown whether naturalistic endogenous GC elevations will have similar effects. Here, we use an unmanipulated colony of captive vervet monkeys (N = 18 mother-offspring dyads) to examine how maternal condition predicts maternal gestational hormones, and how these in turn predict neonatal body mass, especially in comparison with total prenatal hormone exposure as measured from neonatal hair. We focused on GCs and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS), an additional steroid suspected to influence growth. We found that measures of poor maternal condition (low body mass and low parity) were not associated with elevations in maternal GCs or DHEAS. Furthermore, only fetal GC exposure predicted neonatal body mass, while neither maternal GCs, nor maternal or fetal DHEAS, had any effect. Surprisingly, neonates exposed to higher gestational GCs were larger, rather than smaller at birth. Taken together, these results suggest that GC concentrations within a more naturalistic range may be positively rather than negatively associated with neonatal body mass. Further, the effect of maternal gestational GCs on neonatal mass may be modulated by placental control of GC exposure.
Why Phonon Behaviors in Transition Metal Dichalcogenides Matter

Phonons are critical in understanding the electronic, optical and optoelectronic properties of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). The interpretation of lineshapes is important for understanding the effect of specific physical processes on the electronic, optical and optoelectronic properties of TMDs. We employ an analytical approach to investigate the influence of the layered effect, the quantum size effect, the Breit-Wigner-Fano effect, and the inhomogeneous heating effect on the phonon lineshape of TMDs, using WS2 and MoS2 as prototypes. We demonstrate the similarities and differences in how individual processes affect the lineshapes and also the effect of combining processes. Such an approach is useful in guiding the interpretation of the phonon lineshapes of TMDs in particular, and nanostructures in general.
Sanitation improves stored product insect pest management.

There is a large suite of insects that attack anthropogenic agricultural goods after harvest. Proper sanitation programs for food facilities are now recognized as the foundation of good integrated pest management (IPM) programs for stored products throughout the post-harvest supply chain. While good sanitation programs are generally thought to reduce the abundance and diversity of insects, there has been less appreciation of the manifold ways that sanitation interacts with a range of other IPM tactics to modulate their efficacy. Here, we review the literature on how the effectiveness of chemical, physical/cultural, biological, and behaviorally-based control tactics varies with changes in sanitation. In addition, we discuss how sanitation may affect ongoing pheromone- and kairomone-based monitoring programs. Where possible, we quantitatively compile and analyze the impact of sanitation on the fold-change in the efficacy of IPM tactics. We found that decreased sanitation negatively affected the efficacy of most tactics examined, with a mean 1.3–17-fold decrease in efficacy under poorer sanitation compared to better sanitation. Sanitation had neutral or mixed impacts on a few tactics as well. Overall, the literature suggests that sanitation should be of the utmost importance for food facility managers concerned about the efficacy of a wide range of management tactics.
Can e-participation stimulate offline citizen participation: an empirical test with practical implications

E-participation is often flagged for its potential to stimulate greater citizen participation. Yet, whether e-participation contributes to more widespread offline citizen participation or reinforce...
Spinning Reserve Capacity Provision by the Optimal Fleet Management of Plug-In Electric Vehicles Considering the Technical and Social Aspects

In this chapter, the cooperation of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and generation units in providing the spinning reserve capacity of power system is studied considering the technical and social aspects of problem. The objective function of problem is to minimize the total cost of problem by optimal fleet management (FM) of PEVs considering low, moderate, and high penetration levels for them. The drivers are stratified in three different social classes based on their income level including low-income, moderate-income, and high-income. The behavior of each social class of drivers is modeled based on the drivers’ reaction with respect to the value of incentive to provide the spinning reserve capacity and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) power in normal condition and emergency, respectively. A sensitivity analysis is performed for the problem operation cost with respect to the value of incentive for each social class of drivers considering different PEV penetration levels. Additionally, the effects of unrealistic modelling of drivers’ social class on the problem results are studied.
Improving student understanding of fine structure corrections to the energy spectrum of the hydrogen atom

We discuss an investigation of student difficulties with fine structure corrections to the energy spectrum of the hydrogen atom in the context of degenerate perturbation theory. The investigation was carried out in advanced quantum mechanics courses by administering free-response and multiple-choice questions and conducting individual interviews with students. We find that students share many common difficulties related to these concepts. We describe how the research on student difficulties was used as a guide to develop and evaluate a Quantum Interactive Learning Tutorial (QuILT) which uses a guided inquiry-based approach to learning and strives to help students develop a functional understanding of concepts necessary for the fine structure corrections to the energy spectrum of the hydrogen atom in the context of degenerate perturbation theory. The QuILT strives to help students learn to focus on both the unperturbed and perturbation Hamiltonians to determine whether the basis is a good basis and then be able to find the first order corrections to the energy spectrum after ensuring that the basis chosen is a good basis and a good basis entails that the perturbation Hamiltonian be diagonal in each degenerate subspace of the unperturbed Hamiltonian.
Discrimination and health: A dyadic approach:

This study examined how discrimination changes over time, how discrimination is related to health and substance use, and whether discrimination spills over to affect the health of family members. P...
Intrinsic variability in airborne fungi: implications for allergen standardization.

Fungus spores are among the most abundant and least well-known of airborne allergens. While ragweed pollen reaches a peak of 5000/m3 of air, fungus spores often exceed 100,000/m3. A majority of pollen types can be identified from air samples and many common and important pollen allergens have been characterized. On the other hand, only a small fraction of different kinds of fungus spores are recognizable and allergen characterization is only beginning. In addition, it has become apparent that fungus allergen preparations from commercial sources vary widely.1,2,3 Among the possible causes for this variability are: 1)intrinsic variation between spores and mycelium with respect to antigen content; 2) somatic mutations causing allergen content changes within single cultures; 3) aging and culture variable changes; 4) strain to strain variability; 5) interspecific variability.
Effects of Varied Surgical Simulation Training Schedules on Motor-Skill Acquisition

There have been many studies to evaluate the effect of training schedules on retention; however, these usually compare only 2 drastically different schedules, massed and distributed, and they have tended to look at declarative knowledge tasks. This study examined learning on a laparoscopic surgery simulator using a set of procedural or perceptual-motor tasks with some declarative elements. The study used distributed, massed, and 2 hybrid-training schedules that are neither distributed nor massed. To evaluate the training schedules, 23 participants with no previous laparoscopic experience were recruited and randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 training schedules. They performed 3 laparoscopic training tasks in eight 30-minute learning sessions. We compared how task time decreased with each schedule in a between-participants design. We found participants in all groups demonstrated a decrease in task completion time as the number of training sessions increased; however, there were no statistically significant differences in participants' improvement on task completion time between the 4 different training schedule groups, which suggested that time on task is more important for learning these tasks than the training schedule.
The Measurement of Orthopaedic Surgeon Burnout Using a Validated Wearable Device.

Purpose The purpose of this study was (1) to determine the prevalence of burnout in orthopaedic surgeons and (2) to determine whether there is an association or correlation between subject-specific variables (age, attending physician, resident, postgraduate year level, gender, number of calls, total hours worked, and total hours of sleep) and burnout. Methods Surgeons were prospectively enrolled and provided with a validated wearable device. Subject-specific variables were recorded. Participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29) weekly. Burnout and burnout risk were defined. Multivariate analysis and bivariate correlations were used to determine the association and correlation between subject-specific variables and burnout. Residents were compared to attending surgeons. Results Of the 26 enrolled subjects, 21 (15 males, 6 females; mean age 37.2 ± 10.9) completed the 4-week study. Residents worked significantly more hours per week than attending surgeons (68.5 ± 15.2 versus 49.9 ± 7.5, P = 0.009). Of the orthopaedic surgeons, 6 (28.6%) experienced burnout, and 7 (33.3%) orthopaedic surgeons were at risk for burnout. There was no significant difference in burnout rates between residents and attending surgeons (P > 0.05). The number of overnight calls was significantly correlated with increased burnout (r = 0.435, P = 0.049). Female gender was significantly associated (P = 0.041) and correlated (r = 0.558, P = 0.009) with burnout. There was no significant association with burnout between the number of hours worked and hours of sleep. Conclusions The rate of burnout was less than 50% among orthopaedic surgeons. The number of overnight calls and female gender are significantly correlated with increased burnout. There was no significant correlation between hours worked and hours of sleep in surgeon burnout. Clinical Relevance Burnout is an increasingly common problem among orthopaedic surgeons, and it can have significant negative effects on surgeons' health and patients' outcomes. Identifying the predictors of burnout would allow surgeons to address these risk factors and reduce burnout.
Trends in Chest Radiographs for Pneumonia in Emergency Departments

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: National guidelines recommend against routine use of chest radiography (CXR) for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) diagnosis in the pediatric emergency department (ED). Given that CXR is often used to exclude the diagnosis of CAP, a reduction in CXR use may result in overdiagnosis of CAP. We sought to evaluate trends in CXR use and assess the association between CXR performance and CAP diagnosis among children discharged from pediatric EDs. METHODS: Children 3 months to 18 years of age discharged from 30 US EDs with (1) CAP or (2) fever or respiratory illness between 2008 and 2018 were included. Temporal trends in CXR use and rates of CAP diagnoses among patients with fever or respiratory illness were assessed. Correlation between hospital-level CXR use and CAP diagnosis rates were evaluated by using Spearman’s correlation weighted by hospital volume. RESULTS: CXR usage decreased from 86.6% to 80.4% (P CONCLUSIONS: Over the past decade, there has been a decline in CXR use in the ED among children with pneumonia and respiratory illnesses, with a decrease in pneumonia diagnoses over the same time period. Future studies are needed to assess the role of CXR in the evaluation of children with possible pneumonia in the ED setting.
Dynamic proxy tree-based data dissemination schemes for wireless sensor networks

In wireless sensor networks, efficiently disseminating data from a dynamic source to multiple mobile sinks is important for the applications such as mobile target detection and tracking. The tree-based multicasting scheme can be used. However, because of the short communication range of each sensor node and the frequent movement of sources and sinks, a sink may fail to receive data due to broken paths, and the tree should be frequently reconfigured to reconnect sources and sinks. To address the problem, we propose a dynamic proxy tree-based framework in this paper. A big challenge in implementing the framework is how to efficiently reconfigure the proxy tree as sources and sinks change. We model the problem as on-line constructing a minimum Steiner tree in an Euclidean plane, and propose centralized schemes to solve it. Considering the strict energy constraints in wireless sensor networks, we further propose two distributed on-line schemes, the shortest path-based (SP) scheme and the spanning range-based (SR) scheme. Extensive simulations are conducted to evaluate the schemes. The results show that the distributed schemes have similar performance as the centralized ones, and among the distributed schemes, the SR scheme outperforms the SP scheme.
Lens-Free Computational Epi-Fluorescence Microendoscopy

We demonstrate a single-shot 3D computational microendoscope employing a static coded aperture and a multicore fiber. This bend-insensitive probe demonstrates depth-resolved imaging with a 640-µm-wide field of view using a 270-µm-wide image circle fiber with 6000 cores.
The Feasibility of Consumer RGB Camera Drones in Evaluating Multitemporal Vegetation Status of a Selected Area: A Technical Note

Small unmanned aerial systems (popularly known as sUAS or drones) have been widely used in low-altitude sensing of vegetation coverage. However, the assessments of vegetation status largely rely on...