cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atopic dermatitis: immunobiology and treatment with immune modulators.

Atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disease, is frequently seen in patients with a personal or family history of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Population studies suggest an increasing prevalence of AD in children since World War II, with 10-15% of the population being affected by AD at some time during childhood. In patients with moderate to severe AD, involvement can be life-long, causing significant interference with school, work and social interactions. The term atopic dermatitis was introduced to reflect the close association between AD and respiratory allergy. During the past decade, extraordinary progress has been made in our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of allergic diseases. In particular, this constellation of inherited illnesses has now been demonstrated to be associated with activation of a specific group of cytokine genes encompassing IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The molecular basis for selective activation of this cytokine gene cluster and the immunological consequences are now being pursued actively by many laboratories. However, it is clear that allergic diseases result from a polygenic inheritance pattern which involves not only cytokine gene activation but also activation of other less well defined gene products. Furthermore, the clinical expression of allergic diseases is highly dependent on a complex interaction between the host and its environment, e.g. allergen exposure. The genetic predisposition to develop allergic responses may be similar in patients with AD and other allergic diseases, such as asthma. However, targeting of the allergic immune response may relate to the organ in which allergen sensitization first occurs; the capacity of immune effector cells, e.g. T lymphocytes, to home preferentially to the skin versus the respiratory mucosa; and the programmed response of resident cells, e.g. epithelial cells, to injury and inflammation. This review examines the cellular and immunological mechanisms that are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic AD. An understanding of the immunological basis of AD is likely to have important clinical implications in our approach to the management of this common illness, and the development of immunomodulators for its treatment.
Some Remarks on Estimation Techniques for Size-Structured Population Models

The research literature on topics related to population models in which size structure is a dominant feature has experienced substantial growth during the past decade. This is due in part to the ever increasing ability of scientists to compute with models that describe fine detail of complex mechanisms. The wide availability of high performance computers (including vector and parallel machines) has encouraged development in a number of areas: modeling concepts, computational methods (including estimation techniques for nonconstant model parameters), and statistical methods for model evaluation and validation. Recent contributions involving parallel computations offer the potential for major advances in both theoretical modeling and applications to experimental design and data collection in the near future. The purpose of this note is to outline some of these recent developments and contributions and to give some indications as to their possible role in future research directions. Our discussions here will entail a somewhat personal perspective in that we shall not attempt to give a survey of all the recent literature. We cite literature (some of it still “in preparation” or “to appear”) as needed to illustrate the points we wish to make.
Local Mechanical Stability of the Aluminum / Carbon (Amorphous) and Aluminum / SiO2 (Amorphous) Interface at Extrinsic Dislocations

Interfaces between Al and amorphous C or amorphous SiO2 were prepared by sputter deposition of the ceramic phases onto the sputter cleaned surfaces of large grain Al. In situ TEM was used to study the behavior of the extrinsic dislocations (slip traces) at the metal/ceramic interface formed by the motion of Al lattice dislocations which intersect the interphase boundary plane. The proximity of the extrinsic lattice dislocation to the metal/ceramic interface places this interphase boundary under a highly localized stress. Relaxation behavior of extrinsic defects at the interface region is a function of the defect standoff distance from the interface, image stress and the applied stress. An experimental technique is proposed to estimate the minimum shear stress the various interfacial regions are able to withstand. Research supported by the Department of Energy.
In Vivo Probe of Lipid II‐Interacting Proteins

β-Lactams represent one of the most important classes of antibiotics discovered to date. These agents block Lipid II processing and cell wall biosynthesis through inactivation of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). PBPs enzymatically load cell wall building blocks from Lipid II carrier molecules onto the growing cell wall scaffold during growth and division. Lipid II, a bottleneck in cell wall biosynthesis, is the target of some of the most potent antibiotics in clinical use. Despite the immense therapeutic value of this biosynthetic pathway, the PBP-Lipid II association has not been established in live cells. To determine this key interaction, we designed an unnatural d-amino acid dipeptide that is metabolically incorporated into Lipid II molecules. By hijacking the peptidoglycan biosynthetic machinery, photoaffinity probes were installed in combination with click partners within Lipid II, thereby allowing, for the first time, demonstration of PBP interactions in vivo with Lipid II.
Special requirements for electronic medical records in neurologyAuthors Respond

Unfortunately, I share neither the enthusiasm nor the optimism of McCarthy et al. about neurology-specific electronic medical records (EMRs).1 While some of the authors' suggestions, if incorporated, would certainly make my life easier and my clinical care more efficient, I am not convinced they would translate into better patient care. Much has been written about the pros and cons of EMRs. Whether we admit it or not, current EMRs are designed primarily to ensure appropriate documentation of diagnosis and treatment in order to be compliant with billing and coding regulations. …
Neurocritical Care of Emergent Large-Vessel Occlusion: The Era of a New Standard of Care:

Acute ischemic stroke continues to be one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent advances in mechanical thrombectomy techniques combined with prereperfusion computed tomographic angiography for patient selection have revolutionized stroke care in the past year. Peri- and postinterventional neurocritical care of the patient who has had an emergent large-vessel occlusion is likely an equally important contributor to the outcome but has been relatively neglected. Critical periprocedural management issues include streamlining care to speed intervention, blood pressure optimization, reversal of anticoagulation, management of agitation, and selection of anesthetic technique (ie, general vs monitored anesthesia care). Postprocedural critical care issues that might modulate neurological outcome include blood pressure and glucose optimization, avoidance of fever or hyperoxia, fluid and nutritional management, and early integration of rehabilitation into the intensive care unit setting. ...
Book Review: Conservation for a New Generation, Richard L. Knight, Courtney White (Eds.). Island Press, Washington, DC, USA (2008), 336 Page 27

Book Review: Conservation for a New Generation, Richard L. Knight, Courtney White (Eds.). Island Press, Washington, DC, USA (2008), 336 Page 27 DOI:10.2458/azu_rangelands_v31i4_herrick
Response of germ-free mice to colonization with O. formigenes and altered Schaedler flora.

ABSTRACT Colonization with Oxalobacter formigenes may reduce the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stone disease. To improve our limited understanding of host-O. formigenes and microbe-O. formigenes interactions, germfree mice and mice with altered Schaedler flora (ASF) were colonized with O. formigenes. Germfree mice were stably colonized with O. formigenes, which suggests that O. formigenes does not require other organisms to sustain its survival. Examination of intestinal material indicated no viable O. formigenes in the small intestine and ∼4 × 106 CFU O. formigenes per 100 mg contents in the cecum and proximal colon, with ∼0.02% of total cecal O. formigenes cells being tightly associated with the mucosa. O. formigenes did not alter the overall microbial composition of ASF, and ASF did not affect the capacity of O. formigenes to degrade dietary oxalate in the cecum. Twenty-four-hour collections of urine and feces in metabolic cages in semirigid isolators demonstrated that the introduction of ASF into germfree mice significantly reduced urinary oxalate excretion. These experiments also showed that O. formigenes-monocolonized mice excreted significantly more urinary calcium than did germfree mice, which may be due to degradation of calcium oxalate crystals by O. formigenes and subsequent intestinal absorption of free calcium. In conclusion, the successful establishment of mouse models with defined flora and O. formigenes should improve our understanding of O. formigenes-host and O. formigenes-microbe interactions. These data support the use of O. formigenes as a probiotic that has limited impact on the composition of the resident microbiota but provides an efficient oxalate-degrading function. IMPORTANCE Despite evidence suggesting that a lack of Oxalobacter formigenes colonization is a risk factor for calcium oxalate stone formation, little is known about O. formigenes biology. This study is the first to utilize germfree mice to examine the response to monocolonization with O. formigenes, as well as the impact of a defined bacterial cocktail (i.e., ASF) on O. formigenes colonization. This study demonstrated that germfree mice receiving their regular diet remained monocolonized with O. formigenes, and it suggests that further studies with O. formigenes gnotobiotic mouse models could improve our understanding of O. formigenes biology and host-O. formigenes and microbe-O. formigenes interactions.
Additive manufacturing of fatigue resistant materials: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract This overview focuses on the current state of knowledge pertaining to the mechanical characteristics of metallic parts fabricated via additive manufacturing (AM), as well as the ongoing challenges and imminent opportunities in fabricating materials with increased fatigue resistance. Current experimental evidence suggests that the mechanical properties of laboratory AM specimens may not be representative of those associated with parts, due primarily to differences in geometry/size which influence the thermal histories experienced during fabrication, and consequently, microstructural features, surface roughness, and more. In addition, standards for mechanical testing methods, specimen design procedures, post-manufacturing treatments, etc., may need to be revised for AM parts. Standardizing the AM process may only be accomplished by strengthening the current understanding of the relationships among process parameters, thermal history, solidification, resultant microstructure, and mechanical behavior of the part. Having the ability to predict variations in mechanical behavior based on resultant microstructure, or matching the best conceivable properties of a part in accordance with the loading critical plane, are some possible solutions for making AM a more reliable means for producing functional parts. Developing microstructure-property models is arguably the first necessary step toward design optimization and the more efficient, accurate estimation of the structural integrity of AM parts.
The influence of social stress on time perception and psychophysiological reactivity

Time perception is a fundamental component of everyday life. Although time can be measured using standard units, the relationship between an individual's experience of perceived time and a standard unit is highly sensitive to context. Stressful and threatening stimuli have been previously shown to produce time distortion effects, such that individuals perceive the stimuli as lasting for different amounts of time as compared to a standard unit. As a highly social species, humans are acutely sensitive to social stressors; however, time distortion effects have not been studied in the context of social stress. We collected psychophysiological (electrocardiogram and impedance cardiography) and time perception data before, during, and after a modified version of the Trier Social Stress Test for 42 participants. Based on prior theories and evidence from the time perception literature, we hypothesized that experiencing a stressful event would result in time distortion. This hypothesis was supported by the data, with individuals on average reproducing short and long duration negative and positive stimuli as lasting longer after experiencing social stress, t(41) = −3.55, p = .001, and t(41) = −4.12, p < .001 for negative stimuli, and t(41) = −2.43, p = .02, and t(41) = −3.07, p = .004 for positive stimuli. However, changes in time perception were largely unrelated to psychophysiological reactivity to social stress. These findings are in line with some other studies of time distortion, and provide evidence for the interoceptive salience model of time perception. Implications for mechanisms of time distortion are discussed.
Central Adrenergic Regulation of Cerebral Microvascular Permeability and Blood Flow; Anatomic and Physiologic Evidence

One of the early observations made using dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) immunohistochemistry was a close association of centrally derived varicose adrenergic nerve fibers with small blood vessels, deep within the brain parenchyma (1,2). The central origin of these DBH-positive fibers was established by demonstrating their persistence after bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy (3). On the basis of this anatomic association, it was hypothesized that one function of the central adrenergic system was regulation of the cerebral microvasculature (1–3). This association of central DBH-containing fibers with small blood vessels, including capillaries, was first demonstrated in rat brain, but subsequently has been demonstrated in the brain of superior cervical ganglionectomized monkeys (4) and human brain (3). A similar association had been observed using catecholamine histofluorescence (5) and a central origin also confirmed in ganglionectomized animals. The central innervation hypothesis has, however, been questioned because of a lack of physiologic and electron microscopic evidence (6).
Single-photon superradiant emission rate scaling for atoms trapped in a photonic waveguide

A recent experiment reveals the linear scaling property of the superradiant emission rate for a trapped atom cloud that is excited by weak and short light pulses. We adopt a real-space approach to numerically demonstrate that such a linear scaling law can be interpreted as single-photon superradiance, in both the time domain and the frequency domain. The dependence of the single-photon superradiant emission rate on the distance between atoms is investigated. We further study the single-photon superradiance for artificial atoms that have deviations in transition frequencies and decay rates.
Nonlinear Refraction and Nonlinear Absorption in InAs

We report here experimental measurements taken with an HF laser of a large nonlinear index of refraction (n2 = 4.5 ± 2.0 × 10-5 cm2/W) and associated nonlinear absorption near the bandgap in InAs between 6°K and 100°K. These results are shown to be consistent with the bandgap resonant model used to explain the nonlinearities seen in InSb and HgCdTe. Furthermore it is shown that an InAs bistable device operating above liquid nitrogen temperatures should be capable of switching with milliwatt power levels.
A viral scaffolding protein triggers portal ring oligomerization and incorporation during procapsid assembly

Most double-stranded DNA viruses package genetic material into empty precursor capsids (or procapsids) through a dodecameric portal protein complex that occupies 1 of the 12 vertices of the icosahedral lattice. Inhibiting incorporation of the portal complex prevents the formation of infectious virions, making this step an excellent target for antiviral drugs. The mechanism by which a sole portal assembly is selectively incorporated at the special vertex is unclear. We recently showed that, as part of the DNA packaging process for bacteriophage P22, the dodecameric procapsid portal changes conformation to a mature virion state. We report that preformed dodecameric rings of P22 portal protein, as opposed to portal monomers, incorporate into nascent procapsids, with preference for the procapsid portal conformation. Finally, a novel role for P22 scaffolding protein in triggering portal ring formation from portal monomers is elucidated and validated by incorporating de novo assembled portal rings into procapsids.
Leaf temperature of maize and Crop Water Stress Index with variable irrigation and nitrogen supply

Crop canopy temperature and Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) are used for assessing plant water status and irrigation scheduling, but understanding management interactions is necessary. This study evaluated whether nutrient deficiencies would confound interpretation of plant water status from leaf temperature. Leaf temperature and CWSI in maize (Zea mays L.) were evaluated with different irrigation strategies and varying nitrogen (N) supply for replicated glasshouse and field studies. Glasshouse treatments consisted of well-watered or simulated drought and sufficient, intermediate, or deficient N. Field study treatments consisted of well-watered, controlled deficit irrigation, or simulated drought and sufficient, sufficient delayed, or deficient N. Average CWSI values varied across irrigation treatments, with 0.37 and 0.54 for glasshouse well-watered and drought and 0.34, 0.47, and 0.51 for field well-watered, drought, and controlled deficit treatments, respectively. Nitrogen levels created widely different leaf chlorophyll contents without affecting leaf temperature or CWSI. Canopy water stress measurements were robust across varying N levels, but CWSI did not correlate well with leaf area due to confounding effects of irrigation timing and nitrogen levels. Leaf temperature and CWSI are useful for evaluating crop water status, but nutrient status and timing of water stress must also be considered for crop growth prediction.
Novel pregnancy‐triggered episodes of CAPOS syndrome

Cerebellar ataxia, areflexia, pes cavus, optic atrophy, and sensorineural hearing loss (CAPOS) syndrome (OMIM# 601338) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by episodic, fever-induced ataxic encephalopathy in childhood with residual symptoms. All identified patients have the same heterozygous missense variant c.2452G>A (p.Glu818Lys) in the ATP1A3 gene, encoding Na+ /K+ ATPase α3. We describe a large CAPOS pedigree with three generations of affected members, the first ascertained in the United States. Deafness, optic atrophy, and pes cavus were present in all three members of the family evaluated. In addition, one of the affected individuals experienced markedly worsening features during her three pregnancies and in the immediate postpartum period, a potential element of the natural history of CAPOS previously unreported. We conclude that the triggering factors and clinical spectrum of pathogenic ATP1A3 variants may be broader than previously described. Targeted sequencing of ATP1A3 should be considered in any patient presenting with cerebellar ataxia triggered by febrile illness, or pregnancy and delivery, especially in the presence of sensorineural hearing loss, optic atrophy, pes cavus, or early childhood history of acute encephalopathic ataxia. Prophylactic administration of acetazolamide or flunarizine may prevent acute episodes of ataxia or mitigate neurologic symptoms, although their efficacies have not been well studied.
ARENE-METAL COMPLEXES IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Coordination of an arene with the tricarbonyl chromium unit induces a strong electron deficiency in the arene ring. This effect allows metalation of the ring positions, addition of nucleophiles to the arene π-system, and conjugate addition to coordinated styrene derivatives. These basic reactions have been developed into methods for synthesis.
On Human Rights and Freedom in Biomedical Ethics: A Christian Response to Ellen Zhang

In the effort to find convergence of ideas and applications from various traditions, the discussion of human rights and freedom from many religious and cultural perspectives is needed. This response to Zhang seeks to find that convergence among the Buddhist and a broad Christian view. As Zhang presents some compatibility, this response seeks to add to those ideas by speaking about the roles of justice, compassion, and self-determination in the field of medical bioethics.
Treatment of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma: From Chemotherapy to Small Molecules.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare form of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is typically confined to the brain, eyes, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) without evidence of systemic spread. PCNSL is an uncommon tumor, and only four randomized trials and one phase III trial have been completed so far, all in the first-line setting. The prognosis of patients with PCNSL has improved during the past few decades with the introduction of high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX), which now serves as the backbone of all first-line treatment regimens. Despite recent progress, results after treatment are durable in half of patients, and therapy can be associated with late neurotoxicity. Novel insights into the pathophysiology of PCNSL have identified the B-cell receptor (BCR) pathway as a key mechanism in the pathogenesis of PCNSL. The use of novel agents targeting components of the BCR pathway, namely the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib, and immunomodulatory drugs (IMIDs) like lenalid...
Taḥqīq vs. Taqlīd in the Renaissances of Western Early Modernity

This essay reviews a major new study of European Renaissance Arabist-humanist philology as it was actually practiced, humanist neoclassicizing anti-Arabism notwithstanding. While definitive and philologically magisterial, that study nevertheless falls prey structurally and conceptually to the very eurocentrism whose ideological-textual genesis it chronicles. Situating it within the comparative global early modern philologies framework that has now been proposed in the volume World Philology and the present journal is a necessary remedy—but only a partial one; for that framework too still obscures the multiplicity of specifically genetically Western early modernities, thus hobbling comparative history of philology. I therefore propose a new framework appropriate to the study of Greco-Arabo-Persian and Greco-Arabo-Latin as the two parallel and equally powerful philosophical-philological trajectories that together defined early modern Western—i.e., Hellenic-Abrahamic, Islamo-Judeo-Christian, west of South India—intellectual history: taḥqīq vs. taqlīd , progressivism vs. declinism.But a broadened and more balanced analytical framework alone cannot save philology, much less Western civilization, from the throes of its current existential crisis: for we philologists of the Euro-American academy are fevered too by the cosmological ill that is reflexive scientistic materialism. As antidote, I prescribe a progressivist, postmodern return to early modern Western deconstructive-reconstructive cosmic philology as prerequisite for the discipline’s survival, and perhaps even triumph, in the teeth of totalitarian colonialist-capitalist modernity.
Congenital hiatus hernia associated with reflux esophageal stenosis

A small group of three patients presented in our study represents extraordinary and very complicated problem of congenital hiatus hernia in infant period from 6th to 9th month of life, associated with gastroesophageal reflux and consecutive esophageal stenosis. There are two very rare and delicate entities within differential diagnosis, in the domain of the same pathology: congenitally short esophagus and congenital esophageal stenosis; with completely different surgical options for their treatment. That is why an optimal diagnostics and an adequate operative technique are extremely important for the treatment of hiatus hernia. The uppergastrointestinal barium radiography is definitely the method of diagnosing hiatus hernia, which provides typical, almost pathognomonic image of hiatus hernia accompanied by the esophageal stenosis. Nissen fundoplication is the technique of choice for its surgical treatment, with gastrostomy for probable postoperative esophageal dilatation. The results are more than satisfying: early peroral feeding, with spontaneous resolving of esophageal stenosis, which significantly diminishes the need for esophageal bougienage.
Microdialysis evaluation of the ocular pharmacokinetics of propranolol in the conscious rabbit.

Purpose. This study was conducted to assess the effects of anesthesia and aqueous humor protein concentrations on ocular disposition of propranolol.
Thinking routines. Replicating classroom practices within museum settings.

This article describes thinking routines as tools to guide and support young children's thinking. These learning strategies, developed by Harvard University's Project Zero Classroom, actively engage students in constructing meaning while also understanding their own thinking process. The authors discuss how thinking routines can be used in both classroom and museum settings.
Chemical Interactions of Tropospheric Halogens on Snow/Ice

It has become clear in recent years that ice surfaces can efficiently promote chemical reactions between neutral gas phase species. The best known example involves the activation of chlorine in the presence of polar stratospheric clouds through the reaction of HCl with chlorine nitrate (ClONO2) [e.g., Molina et al., 1987; Tolbert et al., 1987; Hanson and Ravishankara, 1991] or with HOCl [Hanson and Ravishankara, 1992; Abbatt and Molina, 1992]: $$ HCl + ClON{O_2} \to C{l_2} + HN{O_3} $$ (1) $$ HCl + HOCl \to C{l_2} + {H_2}O $$ (2)
Exercising upper respiratory videoendoscopic findings of 50 competition draught horses with abnormal respiratory noise and/or poor performance

BACKGROUND: Upper respiratory tract (URT) endoscopy at rest is commonly used to evaluate competition draught horses with URT conditions. Overground endoscopy might be preferred for draught horse URT evaluation as it allows the horses to be driven with harness, overcheck and cart‐load under similar conditions to those experienced in the show ring where airway conditions are most prominent. OBJECTIVE: To describe the exercising URT findings of competition draught horses with abnormal respiratory noise and/or poor performance. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Medical records of competition draught horses undergoing overground endoscopic evaluation between January 2013 and January 2018 with a presenting complaint of abnormal respiratory noise and/or poor performance were reviewed. Video recordings of resting and overground endoscopy were evaluated in all horses. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated between laryngeal function at rest and at exercise. RESULTS: Fifty competition draught horses were examined. Thirteen had previously undergone URT surgery. There was significant correlation between resting and exercising laryngeal function (ρ = 0.77, P<0.01). Abnormalities were detected in 46 horses and included arytenoid cartilage collapse (n = 31), vocal fold collapse (n = 27), palatal dysfunction (n = 14), epiglottic disorders (n = 11), dynamic laryngeal collapse (n = 1), rostral deviation of the palatopharyngeal arch (n = 3) and medial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (n = 16). The majority of horses had a complex of abnormalities (n = 31) or required exercising examination for identification (n = 41). Incidental upper oesophageal incompetence was observed in nine horses. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Retrospective collection of data. CONCLUSIONS: Overground endoscopic evaluation was a useful technique for identifying URT disorders in competition draught horses. The spectrum of upper airway conditions identified in exercising draught horses supports the use of overground endoscopy as a diagnostic technique and could influence treatment considerations. The Summary is available in Portuguese – see Supporting Information
The 'Big' Question on Accounting Restatements: When and How Do Earnings Restatement News Affect Investor Trading and Investing Trust?

In this paper, I examine when and how accounting restatement information about a firm manifests in its price and volume of shares traded and empirically contrast price and trading volume responses with the endogenous firm size factor. The stock price analyses indicate that investors’ increased announcement-period response is systematic (i.e. has a market-wide effect). I find evidence of price adjustments in the non-announcement and extended announcement days, suggesting that the market is adjusting slowly to restatement information as investors weigh disclosures according to the credibility of the information. I find evidence of significant pre-and post-disclosure periods trading responses, consistent with Holthausen and Verrecchia (1990) two round trading by investors. In comparing price response between large versus small firms, I find evidence of price response and the response appears to be concentrated among large firms. No evidence of significant trading response is found for large firms, except for the multi-day period examined. Extending the analysis on partition sample — large versus small firms, I find that small firms’ trade on a relatively small portion of earnings restatement information that tend to cluster around pre-announcement period. Overall, the results indicate that investors do not appear to be confused about accounting restatements, and in fact use information about earnings restatement in their valuation of the affected firms’ equity.
Longitudinal associations between smoking and affect among cancer patients using varenicline to quit smoking.

Abstract During a quit attempt, high negative affect predicts relapse to smoking. In this study, we evaluated bidirectional longitudinal associations between smoking and negative affect among cancer patients treated with varenicline. Participants (N = 119, 50% female, Mage = 59 years) were smokers (≥5 cigarettes/week) who were diagnosed with cancer and were recruited for a 24-week trial of extended duration varenicline plus behavioral counseling; data for this secondary analyses were drawn from the 12-week open-label phase of the trial. Smoking was assessed via self-reported number of cigarettes in the past 24 h. Negative affect was assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). Data were collected at pre-quit (week 0), target quit day (week 1), week 4, and week 12. We evaluated cross-lagged panel models for negative affect and smoking using PROC CALIS in SAS. Models were run separately for participants who were adherent (≥80% of medication taken) or nonadherent to varenicline. Among adherent participants (n = 96), smoking accounted for up to 22% of variance in subsequent negative affect throughout treatment. Cross-lagged associations were not observed between smoking and negative affect among non-adherent participants (n = 23). Negative affect did not predict subsequent smoking among either adherent or nonadherent participants. These results suggest that varenicline may attenuate abstinence-induced negative affect among cancer patients treated for nicotine dependence.
Improving information systems students’ teamwork and project management capabilities: Experiences from an innovative classroom

This paper describes an innovative teaching project that was developed and implemented to help MIS students improve their systems development “soft skills” in areas such as teamwork, group development, and project management. The project focused on improving students’ understanding of Systems Analysis and Design (SA&D) concepts by training and assigning students in an advanced SA&D course as formal team leaders and project managers for student groups in the introductory SA&D course. Students used CASE and Project Management tools to understand and apply course concepts. Faculty and students used e-mail facilities and interactive World Wide Web pages to facilitate both personal and broadcast communication among the multiple participants. This approach was used in two different semesters, with insights from the first implementation serving as the basis for improvements in the classroom activities the second time. Results suggest the pedagogical approach has significant conceptual value, but major logistical and operational problems must be overcome for successful implementation.
The Fundamental Group

For any topological space X and any point x0 ∈ X, we will define a group, called the fundamental group of X, and denoted by π(X, x0). (Actually, the choice of the point x0 is usually of minor importance, and hence it is often omitted from the notation.) We define this group by a very simple and intuitive procedure involving the use of closed paths in X. From the definition, it will be clear that the group is a topological invarint of X; i.e., if two spaces are homeomorphic, thheir fundamental groups are isomorphic. This gives us the possibility of proving that two spaces are not homeomorphic by proving that their fundamental groups are nonisomorphic. For example, this method suffices to distinguish between the various compact surfaces and in many other cases.
Space use of Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) from two haulout locations along the Oregon coast.

Background There are approximately 10,000–12,000 Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) inhabiting the Oregon coast, and unlike other species of pinnipeds in this region, are reliably present year-round. Despite this, and drastic rebounds in population since the enactment of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, limited data is available for the present period regarding their space use at sea, and within estuarine, riverine, or bay areas within the state. Objective To examine site-based differences in space use for 24 adult Pacific harbor seals captured and outfitted with satellite transmitters at two predominant haulout sites on the Oregon Coast, USA. Design We captured 24 adult harbor seals from two haulout sites on the Central Oregon coast between September 2014–16 and fitted them with external Wildlife Computers SPOT5 satellite transmitters to track movement. Using state-space modeled locations derived from satellite telemetry data, we evaluated spatial behavior of these animals using a correlated random walk model via R package crawl. Kernel density estimation was subsequently used to calculate home range and core area for each animal. Percent use of open ocean habitat versus use of estuaries, rivers and bays was quantified, as was an initial examination of presence within five newly-established marine reserves in Oregon. Examination of haulout site-related differences in spatial behavior were examined for seals captured in Netarts and Alsea Bays, Oregon and haul out behavior related to time of day, season, and tidal level was also investigated. Results The average individual home range for seals was 364.47 ± 382.87 km2 with seals captured in Alsea bay demonstrating a significantly higher home range area than those captured in Netarts Bay. Alsea bay seals also tended to range farther from shore than Netarts Bay animals. The average calculated core area for seals encompassed on average 29.41 ± 29.23 km2 per animal, however the home range of one animal was so small, core area could not be calculated. Use of marine reserves was limited for animals in this study, representing less than 2% of locations with a majority occurring in Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve and North Marine Protected Area. Seals were more likely to haul out during low tides and periods of low light (dusk, night and dawn), and hauling out behavior increased in winter months. Significance These findings demonstrate the first major documentation of space use of harbor seals in the state for nearly three decades, and lends itself to future comparison and formation of mechanistically-based hypotheses for behavior of a common marine mammal in the highly productive northern California Current System.
My Turn to Make a Difference: Efficacy Trends among Induction Physical Educators

Purpose: This study provides a longitudinal examination of the influences enhancing or constraining the development of efficacy in ten induction physical educators. Method: Over a span of three yea...
Sinc-Galerkin Collocation Method for Parabolic Equations in Finite Space-Time Regions

In this paper we develop the Sinc-Galerkin collocation method for approximating the solution of initial boundary value problems for the heat equation in a finite space-time cylinder. One important feature of the Sinc method is that a uniform exponential error bound of the form O(e −c/h ), where h is a step size, is typical for boundary data that is piecewise holomorphic with discontinuities at finitely many isolated values of t. This is allowed by calculating solutions in finite time intervals, which appears to be a new result and includes calculation of solutions that blow up at infinity or within finite time. The case of a finite time interval requires some care in evaluating the resulting inner products to obtain a sufficiently well-conditioned finite dimensional system of equations arising from discretization.
Members of Prevotella Genus Distinctively Modulate Innate Immune and Barrier Functions in a Human Three-Dimensional Endometrial Epithelial Cell Model.

Background Prevotella species are commonly isolated from the reproductive tract of women with obstetric/gynecologic health complications. However, contributions of this genus to changes in the local microenvironment are not well characterized. Our objective was to evaluate species-specific effects of Prevotella on the human endometrial epithelium. Methods Thirteen Prevotella strains, originally isolated from the human oral cavity, amniotic fluid, endometrium or vagina (including women with bacterial vaginosis), were obtained from BEI/ATCC resources. Bacteria were evaluated in-silico, and in-vitro using human endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) grown as monolayers or a three-dimensional (3-D) model. Results Genomic characterization illustrated metabolic and phylogenetic diversity of Prevotella genus. Among the tested species, P. disiens exhibited cytotoxicity. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the 3-D EEC model revealed species-specific colonization patterns and alterations of ultracellular structures. Infection with sialidase-producing P. timonensis resulted in elongated microvilli, increased MUC3 and MUC4 expression. Infections with Prevotella species, including P. bivia, did not result in significant pro-inflammatory activation of EEC. Conclusions Collectively, findings indicate that Prevotella species are metabolically diverse and overall not cytotoxic or overtly inflammatory in EEC; however, these bacteria can form biofilms, alter barrier properties of the endometrial epithelium and ultimately impact colonization of secondary colonizers.
Neuronal realizations based on memristive devices

Abstract Development of hardware-based spiking neural networks calls for novel building blocks, such as artificial neurons. This could lead to the development of systems with reduced power consumption, fault tolerance, and biomimetic artificial intelligence. Memristors, which are devices with a signal history dependent resistance, are realized via various physical mechanisms such as phase-change phenomena, redox reactions, Ovonic switching, Mott insulator-to-metal transition, and magnetoresistance. These devices possess unique dynamics which could potentially replicate biological neuronal behaviors such as leaky integrate-and-fire function. Spiking networks enabled by such artificial neurons have demonstrated intrinsic bio-realistic unsupervised learning protocols, which promises a compact and energy-efficient hardware implementation of neuromorphic computing.
Conceptualizing the UPPS‐P model of impulsive personality through network analysis: Key dimensions and general robustness across young adulthood

OBJECTIVE Within the UPPS-P model of impulsive personality, negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking dimensions have been linked to unique etiological mechanisms and outcomes. Yet, additional research is needed exploring direct relations among dimensions to determine how these relations may contribute to the nature of impulsive personality and its correlates. The current study used network analysis to clarify relations among UPPS-P dimensions and assess global robustness of these relations across young adulthood. METHOD Participants included a longitudinal sample of 525 college students (48% male, 18-26 years) who completed the UPPS-P once per year for three consecutive years. RESULTS Network structure was globally robust with particularly strong relations emerging between positive and negative urgency, as well as between lack of premeditation and lack of perseverance, across waves. Lack of premeditation consistently emerged as a central dimension. Additional analyses suggested lack of premeditation and sensation seeking as most robustly related with retrospectively reported frequency of alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS Results suggested general robustness in the relations among impulsive personality dimensions, with relations involving lack of premeditation being particularly important for characterizing impulsive personality's nature. Sensation seeking and lack of premeditation may warrant particular focus when linking impulsive personality with frequency of alcohol use.
Sparse Confidence Sets for Normal Mean Models

In this paper, we propose a new framework to construct confidence sets for a $d$-dimensional unknown sparse parameter $\theta$ under the normal mean model $X\sim N(\theta,\sigma^2I)$. A key feature of the proposed confidence set is its capability to account for the sparsity of $\theta$, thus named as {\em sparse} confidence set. This is in sharp contrast with the classical methods, such as Bonferroni confidence intervals and other resampling based procedures, where the sparsity of $\theta$ is often ignored. Specifically, we require the desired sparse confidence set to satisfy the following two conditions: (i) uniformly over the parameter space, the coverage probability for $\theta$ is above a pre-specified level; (ii) there exists a random subset $S$ of $\{1,...,d\}$ such that $S$ guarantees the pre-specified true negative rate (TNR) for detecting nonzero $\theta_j$'s. To exploit the sparsity of $\theta$, we define that the confidence interval for $\theta_j$ degenerates to a single point 0 for any $j\notin S$. Under this new framework, we first consider whether there exist sparse confidence sets that satisfy the above two conditions. To address this question, we establish a non-asymptotic minimax lower bound for the non-coverage probability over a suitable class of sparse confidence sets. The lower bound deciphers the role of sparsity and minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the construction of sparse confidence sets. Furthermore, under suitable conditions on the SNR, a two-stage procedure is proposed to construct a sparse confidence set. To evaluate the optimality, the proposed sparse confidence set is shown to attain a minimax lower bound of some properly defined risk function up to a constant factor. Finally, we develop an adaptive procedure to the unknown sparsity and SNR. Numerical studies are conducted to verify the theoretical results.
Permeability and Ferromagnetic Resonance Study for Magnetic Nanowires Substrate With Copper Layer

In this letter, a straightforward accurate method for magnetic nanowires (MNWs) ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency determination and permeability extraction is proposed. FMR frequencies are obtained using a one-port coplanar waveguide (CPW) circuit system. Relative permeability, defined as ${\mu } = {\mu }{'}\mathrm {-j} {\mu }{'}{'}$ , of MNW samples is extracted by “four steps” method, commonly used for thin films (Bekker et al. , 2004; Liu et al. , 2005; Wei et al. , 2015). MNW samples with and without copper (Cu) layer are compared. Samples with a Cu layer show stronger FMR resonances, negligible influences from board resonances, and low distortion ${\mu }{'}$ compared to those without a Cu layer. From ${\mu }{'}{'}$ , the average linewidth of a cobalt sample with and without Cu layer is 4.96 and 5.6 GHz, respectively. From the peak of ${\mu }{'}{'}$ , the FMR frequency of an iron sample is higher at low dc field when compared to cobalt. This can be beneficial for microwave device design when external dc field is limited, and higher operating frequency is required.
"I Hear You Just Fine": Disability and Queer Identity in Yuki Fumino's I Hear the Sunspot

Yuki Fumino’s currently ongoing series, I Hear the Sunspot, is a manga that provides a voice for those on the “outside” of society as it examines Japanese cultural attitudes toward both disability and homosexuality. Employing a range of characters, the manga confronts the problem of compulsory able-bodiedness and the need for disabled persons to fill prescribed roles, the process of moving away from self-isolation to self-acceptance, and the debate between living insularly within a disabled community or community building between disabled and nondisabled communities. Fumino uses the figure of Kohei to represent the struggles of self-acceptance as it relates to intersectional queer and disabled identities, and the figure of Taichi to represent the ‘bridge’ of community building as a catalyst to this self-acceptance in a society where both disabled and queer communities are seen as outsiders.
The Role of Hedge Funds in the Security Price Formation Process

Using a comprehensive dataset of equity holdings by hedge funds, we examine whether and how hedge funds exploit and help correct mispricing. We show that hedge funds tend to hold undervalued stocks. In the cross-section of undervalued stocks, both hedge fund ownership and their trades are positively related to the degree of mispricing and idiosyncratic volatility. Further, a portfolio of undervalued stocks with high hedge fund ownership generates an abnormal return of 0.48% per month. Hedge fund ownership and trades also precede dissipation of stock mispricing. By contrast, all these patterns are either nonexistent or much weaker for non-hedge funds.