cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gender and Negotiation: Some Experimental Findings from an International Negotiation Simulation

Increasingly, scholars have taken note of the tendency for women to conceptualize issues such as security, peace, war, and the use of military force in different ways than their male counterparts. These divergent conceptualizations in turn affect the way women interact with the world around them and make decisions. Moreover, research across a variety of fields suggests that providing women a greater voice in international negotiations may bring a fresh outlook to dispute resolution. Using experimental data collected by the GlobalEd Project, this article provides substantial support for hypotheses positing that females generate significantly different processes and outcomes in a negotiation context. These findings occur both in terms of female negotiation behavior and the impact of females as negotiation facilitators/mediators.
Transport into Metal–Organic Frameworks from Solution Is Not Purely Diffusive

Here, we combineexperiment with theory to show that such a pure diffusionapproach is a gross oversimplification and, instead, transportequations should be of the reaction-diffusion (RD) form. TheRD description is appropriate at both the macroscopic scale(studied using the dye diffusion profiles) and the nanoscale(studied using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy).Currently available techniques for the quantification oftransportintonano-ormicroporousmaterials(e.g.,zeolites,
The Young Person’s Guide to Silicon

Being such an important element, why isn’t silicon emphasized more in the chemistry curriculum at younger ages?
TOWARD IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF DOCTORAL EDUCATION: A FOCUS ON STATISTICS, RESEARCH METHODS, AND DISSERTATION SUPERVISION

Doctoral education (PhD) in the USA has long been characterized as being in a crisis, yet empirical research to identify possible determinants is limited, in particular, faculty competence has received only scant research attention. This study ascertained from students, faculty and consultants, their concerns about the teaching of statistics and research (including dissertation supervision). The responses encompass the curriculum, pedagogy, content knowledge, support, and accountability. The current U.S. doctoral education model needs to be systematically reviewed toward assessing its relevance to the changing needs of the disciplines and the job market. In this regard, the almost universal emphasis on evidence-based practice, especially in the disciplines of health and behavioral sciences must be given major consideration. Reform initiatives must also address the roles and qualifications of dissertation committee members (including consultants), the composition of the dissertation committee, and training geared toward preparing and certifying faculty to serve as dissertation committee members.
NO CHANGE IN FLUVIAL STYLE ACROSS A SEQUENCE BOUNDARY, CRETACEOUS BLACKHAWK AND CASTLEGATE FORMATIONS OF CENTRAL UTAH, U.S.A.

Nonmarine sequence stratigraphic models are based largely on studies of fluvial units in the Cretaceous Western Interior of North America, including the Blackhawk and Castlegate formations of central Utah. These models suggest that fluvial units should show a transition from mudstone-prone, isolated meander-belt deposits of the transgressive and highstand systems tract into amalgamated braided-stream sandstones of the lowstand systems tract. These mudstone-rich fluvial strata are largely assumed, rather than documented, to represent the deposits of isolated meander-belt deposits, despite recent work that suggests that there is no simple relationship between the proportion of preserved floodplain mud and fluvial style. There are numerous studies documenting the braided character of the sandstone-rich Castlegate Formation, but there are no corresponding studies that document the internal fluvial facies architecture within the Blackhawk Formation to support the interpretation that the Blackhawk comprises the deposits of a meandering-stream system. We test the validity of the sequence stratigraphic model by comparing dimensions and styles of associated bar and channel deposits, as well as cross-stratal thicknesses, between the Blackhawk and Castlegate formations along Salina Canyon in Utah. Data compiled from 24 measured sections and 6 photomosaics show that the Blackhawk Formation comprises isolated sandy channel-belt sheet sandstones, 5–8 m thick, contained within thick floodplain mudstones, whereas the Castlegate Formation consists of about 80 m of amalgamated sandy channel-belt sheets, 4–7 m thick, with only minor mudstone. The average height of cross-sets is 13 cm in the Castlegate Formation and 14 cm in the Blackhawk Formation and formative dune height is estimated to be 38 cm for the Castlegate Formation and 45 cm for the Blackhawk Formation. Average bar-accretion thicknesses are 2 m in both the Blackhawk and Castlegate formations. Corresponding water depths are estimated to be 2.5–4.1 m for the Blackhawk and 2.3–3.8 m for the Castlegate. The correlation of master bedding planes in the Blackhawk Formation shows overlapping lens-shaped bar deposits and channel fills. Bar tops appear to dip in several directions, indicating both lateral and downstream accretion of mid-channel braid bars. While there is some indication that Castlegate rivers were slightly shallower, the differences do not suggest a major change in fluvial style across the sequence boundary; both are braided. The lack of change in scale of channels also is not compatible with a hypothesized increase in aridity between the Blackhawk and the Castlegate. The difference in fluvial architecture between the two formations is interpreted to reflect changes in accommodation that were likely tectonic in origin. This supports that idea that preservation of thick successions of fine-grained overbank material is not a function of the plan-view channel geometry.
The case of case: Children's knowledge and use of upper- and lowercase letters

Research on children’s spelling has focused on its phonological bases. In the present study, we examined a type of nonphonological knowledge that even young children may possess—knowledge about the distinction between upper- and lowercase letters. In Study 1, we analyzed the capitalization patterns used by children in kindergarten through second grade on words that did not contain a capital letter in their conventional spellings. The younger children, especially, often wrote with capital letters. They did so in a nonrandom way, being more likely to capitalize word-initial letters than later letters. When children inserted an uppercase letter in a noninitial position of a spelling, it tended to be a letter whose uppercase form was especially familiar to the child, the initial letter of the child’s first name. In Study 2, which examined kindergartners’ knowledge of the names of upper- and lowercase letters, we found further evidence that children’s names influence their knowledge about letters and that some of this knowledge is case specific. Together, the results show that early spelling involves more than phonology. Over 30 years ago, Read published the first in what was to become an influential series of reports on spelling in English-speaking children (e.g., Read, 1971, 1975, 1986). The work was important because it showed that young children could invent spellings for words that reflect the words’ phonological forms; thus, spelling is not purely a matter of rote memorization. In Read’s publications, and much of the work that followed (e.g., Bissex, 1980; Treiman, 1993), children’s spellings were printed in all uppercase letters. This convention was motivated both by substantive considerations (the beginners in these studies often wrote using uppercase letters) and stylistic considerations (readers could more easily distinguish children’s spellings from conventional spellings if the former were set in uppercase and the latter in lowercase). As seen in the titles of the early publications on children’s spelling, such as “Pre-school children’s knowledge of English phonology” (Read, 1971) and “Children’s categorization of speech sounds in English” (Read, 1975), researchers focused on how children represented phonology. Researchers found little of interest in children’s choice of letter case, and they often did not code it when preparing their data for analysis.
Reforming Medicaid for Medically Complex Children

Children's hospitals play a central role in our child health care system. These hospitals face unique challenges under health care reform. They care for children with the most complex medical problems but often are not reimbursed for good preventive care, care coordination, or quality. We discuss a proposal by children's hospital leaders to create a network of Nationally Designated Children's Hospitals. These would be Centers of Excellence on which states and families could rely to care for a uniquely vulnerable and uniquely costly population of children. On a federal level, the proposal is focused on 3 provisions: (1) creating and delivering a national coordinated delivery model for children with chronic and complex conditions in Medicaid and the State Child Health Insurance Program; (2) developing pediatric-specific care coordination guidelines, quality metrics, and network adequacy standards to improve pediatric care delivery; and (3) producing cost savings by reducing fragmentation in care delivery, while providing a payment model that provides a significant measure of budget certainty for states and the federal government, either through a bundled payment or a shared savings payment method. We believe that this approach will ensure access to appropriate care without compromising the quality of care. It will also provide enhanced budget certainty for Medicaid and the State Child Health Insurance Program.
Blindsight: eyes-free access to mobile phones

Many mobile phones integrate services such as personal calendars. Given the social nature of the stored data, however, users often need to access such information as part of a phone conversation. In typical non-headset use, this re-quires users to interrupt their conversations to look at the screen.We investigate a counter-intuitive solution: to avoid the need for interruption we replace the visual interface with one based on auditory feedback. Surprisingly, this can be done without interfering with the phone conversation. We present blindSight, a prototype application that replaces the traditionally visual in-call menu of a mobile phone. Users interact using the phone keypad, without looking at the screen. BlindSight responds with auditory feedback. This feedback is heard only by the user, not by the person on the other end of the line.We present the results of two user studies of our prototype. The first study verifies that useful keypress accuracy can be obtained for the phone-at-ear position. The second study compares the blindSight system against a visual baseline condition and finds a preference for blindSight.
Recent reproductive coercion and unintended pregnancy among female family planning clients

Abstract Objective Reproductive coercion (RC) — birth control sabotage and coercion by male partners to become pregnant and to control the outcome of a pregnancy — has been associated with a history of both intimate partner physical and sexual violence (IPV) and unintended pregnancy among females utilizing reproductive health services. The temporal nature of associations of RC and unintended pregnancy (distinct from the impact of IPV), however, has remained less clear. Study Design A survey was administered to females aged 16–29 years seeking care in 24 rural and urban family planning clinics in Pennsylvania ( n = 3539). Results Five percent of respondents reported RC in the past 3 months, and 12% reported an unintended pregnancy in the past year. Among those who reported recent RC, 21% reported past-year unintended pregnancy. Compared to women exposed to neither condition, exposure to recent RC increased the odds of past-year unintended pregnancy, both in the absence of a history of IPV [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.79, 1.06–2.03] and in combination with a history of IPV (AOR 2.00, 1.15–3.48); history of IPV without recent RC was also associated with unintended pregnancy (AOR 1.80, 1.42–2.26). Conclusions Findings indicate the temporal proximity of the association of RC and unintended pregnancy, with recent RC related to past-year unintended pregnancy, both independently and in combination with a history of IPV. Recent RC is relatively prevalent among young women using family planning clinics and is associated with increased risk for past-year unintended pregnancy even in the absence of IPV. Implications Recent RC and a history of IPV are prevalent among female family planning clients, particularly younger women, and these experiences are each associated with unintended pregnancy. Pregnancy prevention counseling should include not only assessment for physical and sexual partner violence but also specific inquiry about RC.
Chemoprevention of prostate cancer: Focus on key opportunities and clinical trials

By 2004-2005, the final results of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial should be available. Within several years thereafter, results of the SELECT should be available. The growing list of potential agents for prostate cancer prevention continues to grow and includes COX-2 inhibitors, vitamin D, dietary interventions (soy, isoflavenoids, low-fat diet), and many others. As prospective trials are completed and molecular genetic correlations are developed, it is almost certain that specific recommendations, tailored to the individual patient, will be developed. Ultimately, through these efforts, it can be anticipated that the primary focus for control of prostate cancer will shift from early detection and treatment to prevention.
Template Electropolymerization of Polypyrrole Nanostructures on Highly Ordered Pyrolytic Graphite Step and Pit Defects

Polypyrrole nanostructures with diameters {le}10 nm have been electropolymerized using step and pit defects on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) as templates for electropolymerization. Step defects were naturally occurring, and pits were formed via oxidation of freshly cleaved surfaces of an HOPG water by heating at {approximately}640 C. Underpotential deposition of {approximately}80 mV caused polypyrrole to form only on the step and pit edges of HOPG at and not on the basal plane. The size of these nanostructures could be controlled by limiting the pyrrole polymerization time at anodic potentials. Recent modeling results allow the morphology of the deposition to be inferred, and the authors find the electrochemical data consistent with wire-shaped growth for up to 30 s at constant potential, after which the growth changes morphology. Scanning tunneling microscopy data confirm this result. Preliminary studies show that these polypyrrole nanostructures can be removed by sonication.
Thio-Click Approach to Glycomimetics

Abstract Incorporation of sulfur into desirable thio-link for further functionalization is available by two methods, which are clearly emerging from available pool of tools, specifically, Thiol Michael Enone Addition (TMEA) and thiol-ene coupling (TEC). Both approaches are highly stereoselective, and form adducts in overall high yield. TEC thiol-ene coupling protocol was employed in the stereoselective and high yield coupling (78% and 86%) of ene 2 with 1-thioglucose and 1-thiogalactose
Shelf-Edge Architecture and Bypass of Sand to Deep Water: Influence of Shelf-Edge Processes, Sea Level, and Sediment Supply

Abstract Analysis of two Maastrichtian depositional cycles from the Lewis–Fox Hills shelf margin (S. Wyoming, U.S.A.) demonstrates that rivers played the driving role in the bypass of sand to deep water. Waves and tides were of less importance, but they had a significant influence on the relative storage and architecture of sand along the shelf edge, which in turn appear to have been driven by relative sea level and sediment supply. Clinothem 9 shows main sandstone accumulations in an extensive deltaic sandstone belt along the shelf edge and two deep-water fans. Along the deltaic sandstone belt, river channels fed sand down to deep-water areas, whereas shelf-edge segments with storm-wave domination and tidal influence did not produce channels, but passed basinwards to muddy, turbidite-starved slopes. The wave and tidal regimes, however, likely produced an eastward along-shore drift that fed sediment along the shelf edge and possibly occasionally to deep water via canyon heads. Aggradation (50 m) of the storm-wave deltas indicates a rising relative sea level, which likely favored strong wave influence by allowing open-ocean swells to shape the aggrading, shelf-edge sediment masses. Aggradation also suggests a high sediment supply for deltas to have reached the shelf edge, to have aggraded there, and to have bypassed large volumes of sand to deep water. Clinothem 10 shows main sandstone accumulations to occur in an incised shelf-edge area with a linked, large deep-water fan. The former exhibits characteristic flat-laminated sandstones (hyperpycnal flows?) and tidally influenced facies in the delta front that are cut by a prominent fluvial incision. Fluvial and overlying tidally influenced estuarine deposits infill the incision, indicating that it is a valley, probably cut during relative-sea-level fall. Outside the valley the shelf edge lacks a continuous and thick sandstone belt, suggesting that wave influence along this shelf edge was relatively weak. A falling relative sea level and wide river incision would have interrupted the otherwise common littoral drift and would have diminished wave influence. At the same time the incised segments of the shelf edge would have provided confined areas for tidal-current amplification and for focused, efficient downslope delivery of sand.
Region grouping from a range image

A novel method is presented for grouping range image regions such that each group of regions represents a meaningful part of an object. The set of regions, defined as a convex region set (CRS), is obtained by analyzing the boundary types between a pair of regions. The boundary types are classified as convex, concave and jump boundaries. If two regions share a convex boundary it is assumed that they are inseparable regions, thus describing the same part (object). The CRSs are determined by a region boundary graph (RBG) which is defined as a graph whose nodes represent regions, and the edges represent boundaries: convex and concave. Since jump boundaries represent no physical contact in 3-D, they are represented as null edges. A CRS is defined as a set of regions (or nodes in an RBG) such that for each pair of regions in the set, there is a path, which is represented only by convex edges. The physical interpretation is that a CRS represents part of an object such that the regions in the set cannot be separated. >
Consistency and plausibility in epidemiologic analysis: Application to breast cancer in relation to use of oral contraceptives

Consistency and plausibility are fundamental criteria for judging cause and effect from observational studies. They are applied here to the interpretation of data from a population-based case-control study of oral contraceptives and breast cancer. A preliminary analysis of oral contraceptive use in young nulliparous women, who had no family history of either breast cancer or benign breast disease, showed a statistically significant dose-response, with long-term users (49 months or more) having an apparent 4-fold elevation in risk of early breast cancer. Further analyses, however, revealed striking inconsistencies which were biologically implausible. These effectively undermine cause and effect as an explanation for the initial finding.
Soil Carbon and Nutrient Changes Associated with Deforestation for Pasture in Southern Costa Rica

We assessed the effects of deforestation on soil carbon (C) and nutrient stocks in the premontane landscape near Las Cruces Biological Station in southern Costa Rica, where forests were cleared for pasture in the mid-1960s. We excavated six soil pits to a depth of 1 m in both pasture and primary forest, and found that C stocks were ~20 kg C per square meters in both settings. Nevertheless, soil delta C-13 suggests ~50 percent of the forest-derived soil C above 40 cm depth has turned over since deforestation. Soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stocks derived from the soil pits were not significantly different between land uses (P = 0.43 and 0.61, respectively). At a larger spatial scale, however, the ubiquity of ruts produced by cattle-induced erosion indicates that there are substantial soil effects of grazing in this steep landscape. Ruts averaged 13 cm deep and covered ~45 percent of the landscape, and thus are evidence of the removal of 0.7 Mg C/ ha/yr, and 70, 9 and 40 kg/ha/yr of N, P and potassium (K), respectively. Subsoils in this region are ~10 times less C- and N-rich, and ~2 times less P- and K-rich than the topsoil. Thus, rapid topsoil loss may lead to a decline in pasture productivity in the coming decades. These data also suggest that the soil C footprint of deforestation in this landscape may be determined by the fate of soil C as it is transported downstream, rather than C turnover in situ.
Unilateral macroglossia as sole presenting manifestation of internal carotid artery dissection

A patient presented with acute-onset, painless, unilateral enlargement of the tongue. Steroid treatment for angio- edema was ineff ective, and a biopsy of an apparent mass of the tongue base showed normal tissue. Subsequent mag- netic resonance imaging showed enlargement, enhance- ment, asymmetric T2 hyperintensity of the left half of the tongue, and dissection of the left cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) at the skull base. Unilateral enlargement of the tongue due to acute neurogenic denervation may be the sole clinical presentation of a spontaneous arterial dissection at the skull base. Th e hypoglossal neuropathy resulted from compression by the pseudoaneurysmal ICA dilatation or ischemia from interruption of the vasa nervorum.
Health Insurance Dynamics: Methodological Considerations and a Comparison of Estimates from Two Surveys.

Objective To highlight key methodological issues in studying insurance dynamics and to compare estimates across two commonly used surveys. Data Sources/Study Setting Nonelderly uninsured adults and children sampled between 2001 and 2011 in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Study Design We utilized nonparametric Kaplan–Meier methods to estimate quantiles (25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles) in the distribution of uninsured spells. We compared estimates obtained across surveys and across different methodological approaches to address issues like attrition, seam bias, censoring and truncation, and survey weighting method. Data Collection/Extraction Methods All data were drawn from publicly available household surveys. Principal Findings Estimated uninsured spell durations in the MEPS were longer than those observed in the SIPP. There were few changes in spell durations between 2001 and 2011, with median durations of 14 months among adults and 5–7 months among children in the MEPS, and 8 months (adults) and 4 months (children) in the SIPP. Conclusions The use of panel survey data to study insurance dynamics presents a unique set of methodological challenges. Researchers should consider key analytic and survey design trade-offs when choosing which survey can best suit their research goals.
Osteogenic Sarcoma and Dedifferentiated Chondrosarcoma

Data concerning estimated new cases and deaths worldwide in 2002 for osteogenic sarcoma and dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma were not available through the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a component of the World Health Organization (WHO) [1].
On the Secrecy Capacity of Rank-Deficient Compound Wiretap Channels

The secrecy capacity of compound wiretap channels is studied. Using the known lower bounds for non-degraded discrete memoryless channels and establishing the converse, the secrecy capacity is established under the less capable and noisier conditions. The compound capacity is shown to be equal to the worst-case channel capacity when there exists a saddle- point in the mutual information difference. Earlier results on the secrecy capacity of compound Gaussian MIMO wiretap channels under the spectral norm constraint are extended to the case of rank-deficient eavesdroppers (which may model a massive MIMO base station) without the degradedness assumption. Its compound secrecy capacity is established in a closed form and the optimal signaling is identified: the compound capacity equals the worst-case channel capacity thus establishing the saddle-point property; the optimal signaling is Gaussian and on the eigenvectors of the legitimate channel and the worst-case eavesdropper is omnidirectional (i.e. isotropic over the sub-space spanned by the active eigenmodes of the legitimate channel). The case of additive uncertainty in the legitimate channel, in addition to the unknown eavesdropper channel, is also studied and its compound secrecy capacity is established.
Applications of electrospun nanofibers in neural tissue engineering

Autografting and synthetic nerve grafts are options clinically to repair peripheral nerve defects which can occur due to trauma or a surgery. However, autografting suffers from limited donor site availability and synthetic nerve grafts have low efficiencies in repairing nerve defects. Recently electrospun nanofibers have emerged as an alternative approach to remedy these deficiencies. Electrospun nanofibers offer enhanced neurite outgrowth, ability to produce nanofiber based nerve guidance conduits and provides mechanical and biochemical cues to differentiate stem cells that have all shown promising results in neural tissue engineering.
New or Noteworthy North American Ustilaginales

TILLETIA SECALIS (Corda) Kihn, Bot. Zeit. 34: 47I. 1876 Uredo Secalis Corda, Oekon. Neuigk. und Verh. I: IO. I848. While long known as of rare occurrence in central Europe, the bunt of rye has apparently not been reported in North America. Recently, in connection with a study of the smuts of New York state, the writer had occasion to examine a specimen from the Underwood herbarium at the New York Botanical Garden, which bears the following data: "Ustilago on Rye, Syracuse, N. Y., June, I892, L. M. Underwood." This examination revealed the fact that the sori were confined to the grains and the spores were beautifully reticulated, suggesting those of T. Tritici. A comparison with European material (Vestergren, Micro. rario selecti 1474) and with published descriptions suggested that the collection made by Underwood might properly be referred to Tilletia Secalis.
Steroids and related natural products-X: reduction of lactones

Abstract Boron trifluoride etherate-lithium aluminum hydride reduction of 12β-hydroxy-14ξ-rosane 16-carboxylic acid lactone (IIa), dihydroabietic γ-lactone (IIIa) and 3β-hydroxy-7-oxo-7a-oxa-B- homo-5α-cholestane (Xa) was found to yield the corresponding (IIb and IIIb) and oxepane (Xb, after acetylation) derivatives. Similar reduction of several lactones prepared from primary alcohols resulted in essentially complete conversion to their respective glycols. For example, only 3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-seco-5α-androstane (IX) was isolated following reduction of 3-oxo-3a-oxa-A-homo- 5α-androstane (VII). The present study suggests that boron trifluoride-lithium aluminum hydride reduction of esters will increasingly favor ether formation as branching adjacent to the ester alkyl-oxygen moiety increases.
Is the unaided ear effect independent of auditory aging

As a group, adults with bilateral symmetric sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) who receive a monaural hearing aid fitting experience a progressive decline in their word recognition score (WRS) for monosyllabic word materials in the unaided ear but not in the aided ear. However, adults with binaural fittings do not demonstrate a similar deterioration in their WRS. In an effort to determine the role of senescent auditory changes on the unaided ear effect, a retrospective investigation was carried out on a group of hearing aid wearers. Using NU-6 to assess the WRS, this investigation attempted to answer the following question: is the unaided ear effect related to asymmetric senescent auditory changes? The present results indicate that the unaided ear effect is not related to such an asymmetric effect since it is shown to occur in adults with SNHL whether in the fourth or seventh decade of life.
Exposure factors associated with chronic beryllium disease development in Beryllium BioBank participants.

Objective:To assess the importance of occupational history for beryllium-exposed workers.Methods:Beryllium BioBank data were analyzed for 532 subjects in the following three groups: beryllium-exposed, beryllium-sensitized, and chronic beryllium disease. Predictor variables were several questionnaire
With growing evidence of successful methods to increase student diversity, what's needed now is commitment.

Two articles in this month’s Journal of Dental Education provide more evidence that strategies to increase the number of underrepresented minority (URM) students in dental education can be highly effective. The first article, “Long-Term Outcomes of a Dental Postbaccalaureate Program: Increasing
Striatal Mitochondrial Disruption following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in oxidative stress and calcium dysregulation in mitochondria. However, little work has examined perturbations of mitochondrial homeostasis in peri-injury tissue. We examined mitochondrial homeostasis after a unilateral controlled cortical impact over the sensorimotor cortex in adult male rats. There was a significant reduction in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) messenger RNA (mRNA) at post-injury days 3 and 6 and a transient reduction in mitochondrial DNA copy number at 3 days post-injury that recovered by 6 days in the ipsi-injury striatum. In ipsilateral cortex, PGC-1α mRNA was reduced only at 6 days post-injury. Additionally, expression of mitochondrial-encoded mRNAs, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1, was decreased at 3 and 6 days post-injury in ipsilesional striatum and at 6 days post-injury in ipsilesional cortex. There was no observable decrease in nuclear-encoded mRNAs mitochondrial transcription factor A or NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) Fe-S protein 1. We detected an acute increase in superoxide dismutase 2 mRNA expression, as well as an induction of microRNA (miR)-21 and miR-155, which have been previously demonstrated to disrupt mitochondrial homeostasis. Behaviorally, rats with TBI exhibited marked error rates in contrainjury forelimb performance on the ladder test. These findings reveal that there may be differential susceptibilities of various peri-injury brain structures to mitochondrial dysfunction and associated behavioral deficits, and that molecular pathways demonstrated to interfere with mitochondrial homeostasis and function are activated subacutely post-TBI.
Autoethnography as a critical approach in sport management: Current applications and directions for future research

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to highlight the value of autoethnography as a qualitative methodology, document the current literature using autoethnographic approaches, and explore the possibilities for future research in the field of sport management. Using a critical lens to counter dominant ideologies that marginalize certain groups of people through the sustainment of existing power structures and inequities, we sought to address the following inquiries: What is autoethnography and how can it be applied to the critical study of sport management? In doing so, we will explore the benefits of the methodology to the field of sport management as well as the challenges and opportunities created in this form of reflexive study. We also offer suggestions for how to apply autoethnography to a variety of research purposes germane to the field of sport management.
Effects of combined oral contraceptives, depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system on the vaginal microbiome.

Abstract Objectives Prior studies suggest that the composition of the vaginal microbiome may positively or negatively affect susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV). Some female hormonal contraceptive methods also appear to positively or negatively influence STI transmission and BV. Therefore, changes in the vaginal microbiome that are associated with different contraceptive methods may explain, in part, effects on STI transmission and BV. Study design We performed a retrospective study of 16S rRNA gene survey data of vaginal samples from a subset of participants from the Human Vaginal Microbiome Project at Virginia Commonwealth University. The subset included 682 women who reported using a single form of birth control that was condoms, combined oral contraceptives (COCs), depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) or the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). Results Women using COCs [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13–0.64] and DMPA (aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13–0.89), but not LNG-IUS (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 0.72–3.35), were less likely to be colonized by BV-associated bacteria relative to women who used condoms. Women using COCs (aOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.25–3.02) were more likely to be colonized by beneficial H 2 O 2 -producing Lactobacillus species compared with women using condoms, while women using DMPA (aOR 1.09, 95% CI 0.63–1.86) and LNG-IUS (aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.48–1.15) were not. Conclusions Use of COCs is significantly associated with increased vaginal colonization by healthy lactobacilli and reduced BV-associated taxa. Implications COC use may positively influence gynecologic health through an increase in healthy lactobacilli and a decrease in BV-associated bacterial taxa.
TWO-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURAL COMPONENT SHAPE IMPROVEMENT VIA CLASSIFIER SYSTEM

In this work the applicability of machine learning techniques in mechanical engineering design is investigated. Specifically, we explore how a classifier system can be used for two-dimensional component shape improvement. A classifier system learns rules, postulated as if/then statements, in order to improve its performance in an arbitrary environment. Classifier systems′ versatility includes their adaptability and generality which overcome many of the obstacles facing today’s conventional optimization techniques. After a brief review of mechanical engineering shape improvement methods, the classifier system is introduced with its underlying genetic algorithm. With this theoretical background we then tackle the problem of marrying the mechanical engineering and machine learning worlds by demonstrating how a classifier system can learn to improve the shape of a two-dimensional structural component. Furthermore, the learned classifier system performs the shape improvement without the benefit of sensitivity information which has been a virtual prerequisite to all prior shape improvement or optimization techniques.
A Brief Review of Enzyme Kinetics

Enzymes are proteins which catalyze chemical reactions that usually, but not always, take place within the cell. All proteins of cells, including enzymes, are synthesized by ribosomes. Ribosomes synthesize both “inner-use” proteins (those used within the cell and synthesized by ribosomes randomly distributed in the cell) and “outer-use” proteins. These latter proteins are synthesized by ribosomes which are attached to the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum. This system of membranes collects these proteins which are eventually exported from the cell.
Neuroendocrine Regulation of Body Water and Electrolytes: Thirst and Salt Appetite

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the principles of neuroendocrine regulation of body water and electrolytes. Body fluids are the watery matrix in which the biochemical reactions of cellular metabolism occur. When body fluid osmolality is altered, behavioral and physiological responses are stimulated to restore the basal state. Complementing water ingestion is neurohypophysial secretion of the antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP), which also occurs in response to increases in the effective osmolality of blood plasma. The complementary contributions of thirst and neurohypophysial hormone secretion to osmoregulation have been noted in many different types of experiments. For example, when dogs were given a salt load orally by stomach tube, some animals increased water intake while conserving little urinary water, whereas other animals drank less water while excreting very concentrated urine. Complementing water ingestion is neurohypophysial secretion of the antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP), which also occurs in response to increases in the effective osmolality of blood plasma.
The Path to Integrating Medical, Behavioral, and Oral Health Care: Oregon’s Experience With Change

Oregon’s medical, behavioral, and oral health care delivery systems—like many other states—have evolved in silos with separate funding streams, billing systems, and data gathering and reporting requirements. There is mounting evidence that integration of behavioral, medical, and oral health care is essential for reducing cost and fragmentation and improving quality of care, access to treatment, and patient outcomes. Oregon has taken steps to reduce those silos and work toward a health system that coordinates medical, behavioral, and oral health. The state has developed performance measures for quality improvement; provided technical assistance and resources; and implemented legislation to support integrated care. Oregon Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) are also involved in supporting integration through their governance structure, by encouraging and financially supporting integrated pilots in local practices, by providing educational and training opportunities to local stakeholders. Oregon continues to develop and evolve these strategies to further support an integrated system.
Age, Body Mass Index, and Gender Predict 24-Hour Urine Parameters in Recurrent Idiopathic Calcium Oxalate Stone Formers.

Abstract Introduction and Objective: Despite guidelines, routine 24-hour urine testing is completed in <10% of high-risk, recurrent stone formers. Using surrogates for metabolic testing, such as ke...
High value collaborative perioperative care programs

Abstract There exists significant opportunity to improve surgical care. Protocols and programs have evolved that streamline perioperative care, reducing complications and costs. No single element of such programs has demonstrated singular ability to improve care. Rather, the collective effect of these multimodal approaches highlight that such improvements are within grasp for all health care systems. This review details the evolution of perioperative care programs and then outlines the essential steps to building such programs locally.
Pilot study of serial FLT and FDG-PET/CT imaging to monitor response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of esophageal adenocarcinoma: correlation with histopathologic response

The aim of this prospective pilot study was to investigate the potential of serial FLT-PET/CT compared to FDG-PET/CT to provide an early indication of esophageal cancer response to concurrent neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. Five patients with biopsy-proven esophageal adenocarcinomas underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation (Tx) prior to minimally invasive esophagectomy. The presence of residual tumor was classified histologically using the Mandard et al. criteria, categorizing patients as pathologic responders and non-responders. Participants underwent PET/CT imaging 1 h after intravenous administration of FDG and of FLT on two separate days within 48 h of each other. Each patient underwent a total of 3 scan “pairs”: (1) pre-treatment, (2) during treatment, and (3) post-treatment. Image-based response to therapy was measured in terms of changes in SUVmax (ΔSUV) between pre- and post-therapeutic FLT- and FDG-PET scans. The PET imaging findings were correlated with the pathology results after surgery. All tumors were FDG and FLT avid at baseline. Lesion FLT uptake was lower than with FDG. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation resulted in a reduction of tumor uptake of both radiotracers in pathological responders (n = 3) and non-responders (n = 2). While the difference in the reduction in mean tumor FLT uptake during Tx between responders (ΔSUV = − 55%) and non-responders (ΔSUV = − 29%) was significant (P = 0.007), for FDG it was not, [responders had a mean ΔSUV = − 39 vs. − 31% for non-responders (P = 0.74)]. The difference in the reduction in tumor FLT uptake at the end of treatment between responders (ΔSUV = − 62%) and non-responders (ΔSUV = − 57%) was not significant (P = 0.54), while for FDG there was a trend toward significance [ΔSUV of responders = − 74 vs. − 52% in non-responders (P = 0.06)]. The results of this prospective pilot study suggest that early changes in tumor FLT uptake may be better than FDG in predicting response of esophageal adenocarcinomas to neoadjuvant chemoradiation. These preliminary results support the need to corroborate the value of FLT-PET/CT in a larger cohort.
Serotonin Signaling as a Target for Craniofacial Embryotoxicity

Abstract Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is known to have a profound impact on fetal development across numerous animal phyla. The presence of a functional serotonergic signal transduction system (serotonin, its receptors, and serotonin transporters) throughout mammalian embryogenesis, in addition to pharmacological and gene knockout studies, both provide evidence for a functional role for serotonin in numerous developmental processes. This chapter provides a brief overview of the cellular aspects of serotonin signaling and placental transfer. Evidence is also presented for a central role for serotonin in neural crest cell function and bone development. This is discussed in the context of contributions to normal and abnormal craniofacial development. Data are further presented that allow the premise that perturbation of serotonin homeostasis during gestation, by either overstimulation or serotonin depletion, can have a deleterious effect on serotonin-dependent processes and subsequent craniofacial development.
Silica Nanoparticle Mass Transfer Fins for MFI Composite Materials

Zeolite nanoparticles have been widely used to overcome diffusion limitations in heterogeneous catalytic reactions. However, the existence of surface barriers for molecular diffusion in zeolites can limit the benefits of using nanoparticles in catalytic reactions. In this study, a set of silica nanoparticle (SNP)/silicalite-1 composites with different external surface to micropore surface ratios was synthesized to understand the effects of surface-controlled mass transport on molecular diffusion in zeolite nanoparticles. The zero length column (ZLC) technique was used to evaluate the mass transport of cyclohexane in these materials. It was found that the strong sorbate/sorbent interaction at the external surface of silicalite-1 nanoparticles can cause diffusing molecules to re-enter into micropores and repeat the micropore diffusion process. This pore re-entry step can lead to an unusually long micropore diffusion length. We also demonstrated that this repeated micropore diffusion process can be effective...
Mouse models for the analysis of gonadotropin secretion and action.

Gonadotropins are pituitary gonadotrope-derived glycoprotein hormones. They act by binding to G-protein coupled receptors on gonads. Gonadotropins play critical roles in reproduction by regulating both gametogenesis and steroidogenesis. Although biochemical and physiological studies provided a wealth of knowledge, gene manipulation techniques using novel mouse models gave new insights into gonadotropin synthesis, secretion and action. Both gain of function and loss of function mouse models for understanding gonadotropin action in a whole animal context have already been generated. Moreover, recent studies on gonadotropin actions in non-gonadal tissues challenged the central dogma of classical gonadotropin actions in gonads and revealed new signaling pathways in these non-gonadal tissues. In this Chapter, we have discussed our current understanding of gonadotropin synthesis, secretion and action using a variety of genetically engineered mouse models.
Antiestrogens: studies using an in vitro estrogen-responsive uterine system.

Abstract Three antiestrogens have been tested in vitro for their capacity to affect the cytosol binding and nuclear uptake of 17β-estradiol (E2) and induction of the synthesis of a specific uterine protein (IP). CI-628 competes with E2 for binding sites, inhibits IP induction, and is itself much less effective than E2 in promoting the IP response; U-11, 100A is a binding competitor and a weak inducer of IP synthesis, but does not antagonize the E2-induced IP response. Dimethylstilbestrol is an effective inhibitor of E2 binding, elicits a high IP response, but does not antagonize E2-induced IP synthesis. Higher concentrations of antiestrogens are required to inhibit nuclear binding of E2 than expected from their relative binding ability to cytosol.
Martensitic Transformations in β Phase Alloys

CsCl type ordered phases occur frequently in equiatomic alloys. Two broad classes of these phases are recognized (1). The first, with by far the largest number of members, involves transition metals in which one component lies to the left and the other to the right of the chromium group. The equiatomic Ti-Ni alloy is a member of this category, which, for the present purposes, will also be considered to include uranium and its alloys. In the latter systems, however, the high temperature phase generally exhibits a disordered BCC structure. The β phases of the noble metals constitutes the second class. These exhibit the CsCl structure when alloyed with group IIb elements and other ordering arrangements when alloyed with higher valance solutes.
A Machine Learning-Based Coreference Detection System for OntoNotes

In this paper, we describe the algorithms and experimental results of Brandeis University in the participation of the CoNLL Task 2011 closed track. We report the features used in our system, and describe a novel cluster-based chaining algorithm to improve performance of coreference identification. We evaluate the system using the OntoNotes data set and describe our results.
Macroscopic Response of Continua with Random Microstructures

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the macroscopic response of continua with random microstructures. It discusses the two length scales required to reduce the general theory to an effective modulus theory. The chapter reviews studies relating the effective elastic moduli tensor to statistical descriptions of the microstructure. It presents a result of central importance for predicting the ensemble averaged response field for statistically homogeneous materials. The averaged response field satisfies field equations of the same form as those governing each manifestation of the response field provided one replaces the local, randomly varying property field measure by a nonlocal, deterministic, effective property field measure. The integral converges absolutely in the limit if this rate of decay is faster than r − 3, r being the separation distance, and diverges if the decay rate is slower than this. It is found that for a decay rate equal to r – 3, the integral can be said to be conditionally convergent in the sense that although a limiting value can be achieved, the actual value obtained depends on the shape chosen for the outer boundary before taking the limit.