cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Professional practice models for nurses in low-income countries: an integrative review

Attention is turning to nurses, who form the greatest proportion of health personnel worldwide, to play a greater role in delivering health services amidst a severe human resources for health crisis and overwhelming disease burden in low-income countries. Nurse leaders in low-income countries must consider essential context for nurses to fulfill their professional obligation to deliver safe and reliable health services. Professional practice models (PPMs) have been proposed as a framework for strategically positioning nurses to impact health outcomes. PPMs comprise 5 elements: professional values, patient care delivery systems, professional relationships, management approach and remuneration. In this paper, we synthesize the existing literature on PPMs for nurses in low-income countries. An integrative review of CINAHL-EBSCO, PubMed and Scopus databases for English language journal articles published after 1990. Search terms included nurses, professionalism, professional practice models, low-income countries, developing countries and relevant Medical Subject Heading Terms (MeSH). Sixty nine articles published between 1993 and 2014 were included in the review. Twenty seven articles examined patient care delivery models, 17 professional relationships, 12 professional values, 11 remuneration and 1 management approach. One article looked at comprehensive PPMs. Adopting comprehensive PPMs or their components can be a strategy to exploit the capacity of nurses and provide a framework for determining the full expression of the nursing role.
The Complexity of Transitioning to Oral Feeds in Preterm Infants

Abstract Transitioning to oral feeds is one of the final tasks that preterm infants need to accomplish before discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. There are many types of pacifiers and ...
Design simulation of twisted cord–rubber structure using ProE/ANSYS

Abstract A three-dimensional model of a twisted cord embedded in rubber matrix was investigated to estimate the interface stresses. CAD model of the twisted cord geometry through blended feature was carried out using Pro/ENGINEER software. Twisted cord model representative of a typical cord was developed and analyzed for a realistic analysis of cords used in cord–rubber structure. Finite element analysis was performed on the models under axial, and combined axial and lateral loading using the ANSYS software. A circular cord with surrounding rubber model was also analyzed and the results obtained were validated with other studies that exist in the literature. The stresses and deformations obtained from the finite element analysis are shown for various cases illustrating the effects of twist, rubber modulus, and non-circular cord.
A Fifteen-Amino-Acid Peptide Inhibits Human Papillomavirus E1-E2 Interaction and Human Papillomavirus DNA Replication In Vitro

Mutation of the conserved glutamic acid residue at position 39 of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E2 to alanine (E39A) disrupts its E1 interaction activity and its replication function in transient replication assays but does not affect E2 transcriptional activation. This E39A mutation also disrupts replication activity of HPV-16 E2 in HPV-16 in vitro DNA replication. On this basis, we designed 23- and 15-amino-acid peptides derived from HPV-16 E2 sequences flanking the E39 residue and tested the ability of these peptides to inhibit interaction between HPV-16 E1 and E2 in vitro. The inhibitory activity of these peptides was specific, since analogous peptides in which alanine was substituted for the E39 residue did not inhibit interaction. The 15-amino-acid peptide E2N-WP15 was the smallest peptide tested that effectively inhibited HPV-16 E1-E2 interaction. This peptide also inhibited in vitro replication of HPV-16 DNA. The efficacy of E2N-WP15 was not exclusive to HPV-16: this peptide also inhibited interaction of HPV-11 E1 with the E2 proteins of both HPV-11 and HPV-16 and inhibited in vitro replication with these same combinations of E1 and E2 proteins. These results provide further evidence that E1-E2 interaction is required for papillomavirus DNA replication and constitute the first demonstration that inhibition of this interaction is sufficient to prevent HPV DNA replication in vitro.
Second generation wireless information networks

To enhance the capacity and capabilities of wireless information networks, five standardized second-generation networks will be deployed in Europe, North America, and Japan. All are based on digital voice transmission and improved network control relative to the first generation. The author describes the motivation behind the standards and presents details of transmission technologies and logical control channels. Specifically, a system operation is discussed in the context of the first two layers of the open systems interconnection model. The physical layer, the multiple-access technique, the modulation format, and the method of speech coding are discussed. Regarding the data link layer, the information formats of the logical channels that convey control information to and from wireless terminals are presented. >
Allocating Capacity Among Quality Differentiated Products: Evidence From Airline Industry

Prior analytical literature has shown that the capacity-allocation decisions depend on the quality differentiation and the resource consumptions of products. However, there has been no empirical investigation on this topic in vertically differentiated markets. In this article, the authors investigate the airline industry in three regions of the world; Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and North America. They explore how the customer perceived quality and the resource-consumption differences of the products may affect the capacity-allocation decisions. They find that both attributes have a significant impact in all the regions, yet at a different scale in each region.
Role of the Transforming Growth Factor- β (TGF- β ) Family, Extracellular Matrix, and GAP Junctional Communication in Limb Cartilage Differentiation

The differentiation of limb mesenchymal cells into chondrocytes involves a sequential series of regulatory events mediated in part by extracellular matrix macromolecules, peptide growth factors, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, cytoskeletal reorganization, and intracellular second messengers such as cAMP. In the present manuscript we describe some of our current studies on the role of and the possible relationship between the TGF-β family of growth factors and extracellular matrix and cell surface molecules including the membrane-intercalated proteoglycan, syndecan in the regulation of chick limb cartilage differentiation. We also describe studies indicating that intercellular communication via gap junctions may be involved in the regulation of chondrogenesis.
Osmotic properties of cells: a computer laboratory.

A computer laboratory has been designed to teach the osmotic properties of cells. One program, CELL.BA, is for the teacher to enter values for the volume of cell water and osmotically inactive material, the concentration of impermeant solute in the cell, and the permeability of the plasma membrane to water and a nonelectrolyte. When the program is protected, students use it as a cell with unknown osmotic properties. They run experiments on the computer with different concentrations of impermeant or permeant solutes or combinations of the two. Changes in cell volume or solute concentration are collected as data and analyzed with the program, PERMEABILITY LAB.BA. This program provides a parameter list, and students try to fit the data that are graphed on the screen by choosing values for the unknown cell parameters and generating model curves. Programs are written for the Macintosh computer.
Comparison of Clinicopathological Characteristics and Outcome of Inflammatory and Non-inflammatory Locally Advanced Breast Cancer: A Study in Iran

Background: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a subgroup of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC), is diagnosed based on clinical findings, and seems to be different from other types of LABC. The purpose of this study was to compare clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes between inflammatory and non-inflammatory LABC patients at Breast Cancer Research Center (BCRC), Tehran, Iran. Methods: The medical records of all patients who were diagnosed as LABC in BCRC since 1997 to 2011 were extracted from the database. Then, clinical and pathological characteristics and overall survival of IBC patients were compared with non-inflammatory LABC (NI-LABC). R e s u l t s : A total number of 340 patients were identified as LABC from which 17 patients (5%) were diagnosed as IBC. Menopausal status, body mass index (BMI), family history of breast cancer, nodal status, and Her2/neu and PR positivity were not statistically different between IBC and NI-LABC groups. The difference in estrogen receptor (ER) between the two groups was significant (P = 0.028). Median duration of follow-up was 26.50 months. Patients with IBC had overall survival of 27.9 months (95% CI: 22.7–33.1) which was lower than patients in the NI-LABC group with a survival of 118.9 months (95% CI: 107.3–130.6) (P = 0.015). The difference between the disease-free survivals of the two groups were also statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Compared to NI-LABC, IBC is more frequently ER negative and more commonly associated with lower survival rate. These findings reinforce the idea that IBC has a more aggressive biology and more unfavorable outcome than NI-LABC and needs close follow-up. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Supporting Families of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Developing a University-Based Respite Care Program

The stress involved in parenting can be overwhelming; the stress involved in parenting a child with autism can be consuming. The following article is a program description of a university endeavor ...
Psychomotor assessment of the older patient.

Assessment of psychomotor function plays an integral role in the comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation of the older patient. Psychomotor abilities are sensitive indicators of cognitive and neurologic status; therefore, it is important to distinguish between changes in function associated with normal aging and clinical findings suggestive of disease states. Neurologic and neuropsychologic evaluations play a collaborative role in these assessment procedures.
Laser therapy for bronchoscopy

Summary The CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers are most commonly used to treat endobronchial lesions. The patients selected for laser treatment are symptomatic because of inoperable obstructive lesions. The surgeon can treat these lesions using either a rigid or flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. Local anesthesia is sufficient for fiberoptic laser bronchoscopy, whereas general anesthesia is required when the rigid bronchoscope is employed. The main complications encountered are hemorrhage, hypoxia, hypotension, fire, barotrauma, awareness, residual neuromuscular block, airway edema, secretion accumulation, arrhythmias, and bronchospasm. Careful preoperative evaluation, intraoperative monitoring, and individualization of choice and dose of agents selected will minimize adverse complications. Albeit, the procedure is primarily palliative, the relief of symptoms seen in the majority of patients who receive bronchoscopic laser treatments should encourage clinicians to approach patients with optimism as they offer hope.
Advances in the Treatment of Non–small Cell Lung Cancer: Focus on Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, and Atezolizumab

Immunotherapy is revolutionizing the treatment of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immune checkpoint inhibitors, including programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibodies, are being introduced to routine clinical practice. This review summarizes clinical trials of nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and atezolizumab in patients with NSCLC. These agents have efficacy against NSCLC and a unique toxicity profile. The role of PD-L1 as a predictive biomarker is still unclear, partially because of the nuances of PD-L1 testing. These novel therapies also challenge our existing methodologies of radiologic assessment and efficacy analysis. This new era of immunotherapy has ushered in as much hope for patients as questions from physicians that need to be answered to clarify the optimal use of these agents.
Imaginary intersection: Thomas Mofolo, Gertrude Stein and W. E. B. Du Bois

This brief exploration of the potential connections and interconnections between Thomas Mofolo, Gertrude Stein and W. E. B. Du Bois began as a result of happen- stance but quickly transformed into an investigation fuelled by a sense of wonder and mystery. The wonder was due to an evocative literary echo. The mystery came through the discovery of a few overlapping facts that may or may not add up to an argument, but certainly add up to a compelling story that might as well be true. In a larger frame, this essay attempts to look at the way works of literature in the early 20th century could have played a role of aesthetic influence on each other despite being separated (via their locus of creation) by geographic distance, cultural milieu and potential access. It also hopes to undermine the assumption in the Global North/ Western mind-set that the currents of aesthetic influence flow only in one direction. The specific goal is to imagine Thomas Mofolo’s first experiment, his allegorical nar- rative T ra veller to the East , rippling out from the small mountain nation of Basutoland (now Lesotho) in Southern Africa, up the continent and either across the Mediter- ranean Sea to Paris—the home of expatriate Jewish American experimental writer Gertrude Stein—or across the Atlantic to New York and into the hands of African American sociologist, intellectual and Pan-Africanist W. E. B. Du Bois.
Viscoelasticity of lung tissue with surface wave method

Considerable interest in the elastic properties of soft tissue has developed in medicine due to their clinical relevance for monitoring the progression of various diseases as well as a biomarker for cancer. Most newly developed imaging modalities use shear wave to estimate the elasticity of tissue. A novel surface wave method has been developed by us for non-invasively estimating the elasticity of tissue. In this paper, we have extended this method for measuring viscoelastic material properties of pig lungs. A small force is generated by a mechanical shaker on the lung. The surface wave on the lung is measured by laser. The viscoelasticity of a 14 Kg pig lung is measured for different pressures.
Understanding: not know-how

There is considerable agreement among epistemologists that certain abilities are constitutive of understanding-why. These abilities include: constructing explanations, drawing conclusions, and answering questions. This agreement has led epistemologists to conclude that understanding is a kind of know-how. However, in this paper, I argue that the abilities constitutive of understanding are the same kind of cognitive abilities that we find in ordinary cases of knowledge-that and not the kind of practical abilities associated with know-how. I argue for this by disambiguating between different senses of abilities that are too often lumped together. As a consequence, non-reductionists about understanding—those that claim that understanding-why is not reducible to knowledge-that—need to find another way to motivate the view. In the end, the fact that abilities are constitutive of understanding-why does not give us reason to conclude that understanding is a kind of know-how.
Do Patients Hospitalized With COPD Have Airflow Obstruction

Background Guidelines recommend the confirmation of a COPD diagnosis with spirometry. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, diagnostic codes are frequently used to identify patients with COPD for administrative purposes. However, coding the diagnosis of COPD does not require confirmation using spirometry. The purpose of this study was to determine how often the discharge diagnosis of COPD is supported by spirometric measurements in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system. Methods We reviewed records of patients hospitalized for COPD in a VA teaching hospital between 2005 and 2015. Individuals were counted once; rehospitalizations for COPD in the same time frame were excluded. Patient records were assessed for the presence of spirometric measurements and for spirometric evidence of COPD. Results There were 1,278 discharges with the principal diagnosis of COPD and allied conditions in the time frame. A total of 826 discharged patients were included. Among them, 21% had no spirometric measurements, 12% were unable to perform the breathing maneuvers correctly, 56% had spirometric evidence of airways obstruction, and 11% had normal prebronchodilator or postbronchodilator FEV 1 /FVC measurements. Older patients were more likely to fail the spirometry test or have no documented spirometry. Younger patients were more likely to have the first spirometry conducted after their COPD hospitalizations. Conclusions Caution must be taken when using the discharge diagnosis database to measure health-care outcomes and determine resource management. Efforts are needed to assure that patients clinically suspected of having COPD are tested with spirometry to improve the accuracy of a COPD diagnosis.
Examining How Product and Corporate Reputation Impacts Political Responses to Product Ratings

This study examines how reputation predicts firm responses to product ratings. Longitudinal examination of nine automobile manufacturers during National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (N...
Game-Theory Based Power and Spectrum Virtualization for Optimizing Spectrum Efficiency in Mobile Cloud-Computing Wireless Networks

Mobile cloud-computing is a wireless network environment that focuses on sharing the publicly available wireless resources. Wireless network virtualization provides an efficient technique to implement the mobile cloud-computing by enabling multiple virtual wireless networks to be mapped onto one physical substrate wireless network. One of the most important challenges of this technique lies in how to efficiently allocate the wireless resources of physical wireless networks to the multiple virtual wireless network users. To overcome these difficulties, in this paper we propose a set of novel game-theory based schemes to resolve the wireless resources allocation problem in terms of transmit power and wireless spectrum. We formulate this wireless resources allocation problem as the gaming process where each mobile user bids for the limited wireless resources from physical substrate wireless networks, and competes with the other mobile-user players bidding for the same resources. Under our proposed game-theory framework, we develop three types of wireless resources request strategies: price-based strategy, correlation-based strategy, and water-filling-based strategy to allocate wireless resources under three different gaming mechanisms. The extensive simulation results obtained validate and evaluate our proposed schemes.
Assessment of near-infrared fluorophores to study the biodistribution and tumor targeting of an IL13 receptor α2 antibody by fluorescence molecular tomography

// Parul Gupta 1 , Jo-Ann Wentland 2 , Mauricio Leal 2 , Dangshe Ma 3, 6 , Rachel Roach 4 , Antonio Esparza 5 , Lindsay King 2 , Mary E. Spilker 2 , Cedo Bagi 1 , Christopher T. Winkelmann 1 and Anand Giddabasappa 1 1 Global Science and Technology, Comparative Medicine, Pfizer, Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA 2 Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Pfizer, Inc., New York NY, USA 3 Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer, Inc., Pearl River, NY, USA 4 Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Pfizer, Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA 5 Comparative Medicine, Pfizer, Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA 6 Current affiliation: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY, USA Correspondence to: Anand Giddabasappa, email: anand.giddabasappa@pfizer.com Keywords: biotherapeutics, tumor targeting, biodistribution, fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT), molecular imaging Received: January 16, 2017 Accepted: July 03, 2017 Published: July 26, 2017 ABSTRACT Non-invasive imaging using radiolabels is a common technique used to study the biodistribution of biologics. Due to the limited shelf-life of radiolabels and the requirements of specialized labs, non-invasive optical imaging is an attractive alternative for preclinical studies. Previously, we demonstrated the utility of fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) an optical imaging modality in evaluating the biodistribution of antibody-drug conjugates. As FMT is a relatively new technology, few fluorophores have been validated for in vivo imaging. The goal of this study was to characterize and determine the utility of near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores for biodistribution studies using interleukin-13 receptor subunit alpha-2 antibody (IL13Rα2-Ab). Eight fluorophores ( ex/em : 630/800 nm) with an N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) linker were evaluated for Ab conjugation. The resulting antibody-fluorophore (Ab-F) conjugates were evaluated in vitro for degree of conjugation, stability and target-binding, followed by in vivo / ex vivo FMT imaging to determine biodistribution in a xenograft model. The Ab-F conjugates (except Ab-DyLight800) showed good in vitro stability and antigen binding. All Ab-F conjugates (except for Ab-BOD630) resulted in a quantifiable signal in vivo and had similar biodistribution profiles, with peak tumor accumulation between 6 and 24 h post-injection. In vivo / ex vivo FMT imaging showed 17–34% ID/g Ab uptake by the tumor at 96 h. Overall, this is the first study to characterize the biodistribution of an Ab using eight NIR fluorophores. Our results show that 3-dimensional optical imaging is a valuable technology to understand biodistribution and targeting, but a careful selection of the fluorophore for each Ab is warranted.
Dominance Orders, Generalized Binomial Coefficients, and Kummer's Theorem

SummaryWe discuss the connections between a family of partial orders known as b-dominance orders, arithmetic in base b, and generalized binomial coefficients. In particular, we investigate theorems of Lucas and Kummer in relation to these orders and attempt to extend and explain these theorems using a family of generalized binomial coefficients derived from a simple integer sequence.
Isolation of Murine Postnatal Brain Microglia for Phenotypic Characterization Using Magnetic Cell Separation Technology

To shorten the time between brain harvesting and microglia isolation, and characterization, we utilized the MACS(®) neural dissociation kit followed by OctoMACS(®) CD11b magnetic bead isolation technique to positively select for brain microglia expressing the pan-microglial marker CD11b, a key subunit of the membrane attack complex (MAC). This protocol yields a viable and highly pure (>95%) microglial population of approximately 500,000 cells per pup that is amenable for in vitro characterization within hours or days after being harvested from brain tissue. Primary microglia from C57Bl/6 mice were plated for next-day analyses of morphology and cellular markers by immunocytochemistry or for analysis of gene expression under resting or LPS-stimulated conditions. The ease of isolation enables investigators to perform molecular and cellular analyses without having to wait 1-2 weeks to isolate microglia by conventional methods involving mechanical agitation to dislodge these from astrocyte beds.
Acquisition of Social Support and Linguistic Characteristics of Social Media Posts About Young Adult Cancer.

Purpose: Social media (SM) is a burgeoning source of social support for young adults (YAs). We explored the language used to communicate about YA cancer on Instagram and for indicators of social support (i.e., number of likes and comments). Methods: Instagram posts using #youngadultcancer were randomly selected (N = 50). Text and hashtags were collected, and posts were coded for gender (female and male), treatment status (active treatment and survivorship), type of user (individual and organization), and caregiver status (yes and no). Indicators of social support, valence (e.g., positive vs. negative terms), and lexical content (e.g., emotional terms and pronouns) were measured using Yoshikoder and Linguistic Inquiry Word Count and compared by gender, treatment status, type of user, and caregiver status. Results: Survivors' posts had more likes compared to those in active treatment (mean: 54.5 vs. 32.3, p = 0.03). Individuals' posts had more comments than those of organizations (mean: 5.3 vs. 1.2, p = 0.0...
Legal Briefs: An Infant with an Omphalocele Ends Up with Organ Transplants

A 2,226-g female infant with a prenatal diagnosis of an omphalocele was born at 33 3/7 weeks’ gestation to a 43-year-old gravida 4, para 1, aborta 3 woman. The pregnancy was unremarkable except for the known abdominal defect containing a portion of the liver and preterm labor. Before delivery, the woman had received nifedipine for tocolysis, antibiotics as a result of preterm labor, and 1 dose of antenatal steroids. However, labor progressed and the infant was born via cesarean delivery. The infant emerged active and had Apgar scores of 8 and 9 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. A loose nuchal cord was noted at delivery. The umbilical cord gases were normal. The physical examination showed a normal-appearing infant with a soft abdomen without distention and an omphalocele. The surgery team determined that a silo was not necessary because the defect was “small,” with only a portion of the liver as the contents in the sac, and a “large abdominal domain.” The neonatology team covered the omphalocele with xeroform and placed a Replogle tube and peripheral intravenous line. Echocardiography and ultrasonography of the head were performed, and no cardiac or brain abnormalities were found. Fifteen hours after birth, the infant was brought to the operating room (OR) for omphalocele excision with reduction and primary closure. During the 3½ hours in the OR, the surgeons noted that the abdominal cavity was actually too small to fit the large anterior lobe of the liver that was within the sac. Because of this complication, the surgical team digitally stretched the abdomen to provide more space to accommodate the entire liver. During the procedure, a small amount of bleeding occurred on the inferior border of the liver segment, which was compressed with gauze. When the bleeding stopped, the anterior lobe of the liver was …
Leptin-Notch axis impairs 5-fluorouracil effects on pancreatic cancer

5-FU chemotherapy is a current strategy to treat pancreatic cancer (PC), but unfortunately chemoresistance is eventually developed in most patients. Obesity is a risk factor for PC that could affect 5-FU effectiveness through the adipokine leptin, which is a known proliferation, survival factor and Notch inducer. We investigated whether leptin signaling affects 5-FU cytotoxicity on PC. To this end, tumorspheres developed from BxPC-3 and MiaPaCa-2 PC cells were treated with 5-FU, leptin, inhibitors for Notch (DAPT) and leptin signaling (IONP-LPrA2) and ATP-binding cassette of proteins (Probenecid). Leptin treatment decreased 5-FU cytotoxicity, and increased cell proliferation, colony forming ability, stem cell, pluripotency, EMT markers, drug efflux proteins (ABCC5, ABCC11) and Notch. In addition, leptin reduced the 5-FU effects on apoptosis by decreasing pro-apoptotic (Bax, Caspase-3 activation and PARP degradation) and increasing anti-apoptotic factors (RIP and Bcl-XL). Leptin's effects on PC tumorspheres treated with 5-FU were reduced by IONP-LPrA2 and were mainly Notch signaling- dependent and more evident in MiaPaCa-2-derived tumorspheres. Present results suggest that leptin could impair 5-FU cytotoxicity and promote chemoresistance. Therefore, targeting the leptin-Notch axis could be a novel way to improve 5-FU therapy for PC patients, especially in obesity context.
An Application of the Decision Support Model to Louisiana’s Exports

Recognizing the relevance of exportation to the development and growth of many nations, government and business entities- mainly in the Louisiana State, the policymakers and other key stakeholders should be devoting more time to expand its export opportunities for more revenue generation. This current study revolved around the Export Decision Support Model (EDSM) propounded by Viviers and Cuyvers (2012). The time series data was sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2016) survey on State exports from Louisiana. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the modification of the EDSM for the development of the Louisiana State Exportation. The EDSM is designed and modified purposely for the State of Louisiana to enable it identifies the various export opportunities. The study used a time-series data across a variety of export commodities and import countries available in the State of Louisiana from 2013 to 2016. Based on the data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the International trade data between 2013 and 2016, it was underscored that the State’s gross export accounted for 80.4% , while the net export estimated around 8.8% of the Louisiana’s GDP in 2016 with a strong focus across Asia, and Europe. The study recommend that policymakers should pay more attention to the prioritize export commodities outline in the study.
Civic Hope: How Ordinary Americans Keep Democracy Alive

Civic Hope is a history of what everyday Americans say - in their own words - about the government overseeing their lives. Based on a highly original analysis of 10,000 letters to the editor from 1948 to the present published in twelve US cities, the book overcomes the limitations of survey data by revealing the reasons for people's attitudes. While Hart identifies worrisome trends - including a decline in writers' abilities to explain what their opponents believe and their attachment to national touchstones - he also shows why the nation still thrives. Civic Hope makes a powerful case that the vitality of a democracy lies not in its strengths but in its weaknesses and in the willingness of its people to address those weaknesses without surcease. The key, Hart argues, is to sustain a culture of argument at the grassroots level.
A two-component, non-aqueous route to silica gel

A new means for generating silica gel has been developed. Simple two component systems comprising tetraalkoxysilanes and strong carboxylic acids such as formic acid can react rapidly to give transparent monolithic gels. The acid serves as solvent, water source, and catalyst for both hydrolysis and condensation. Water need not be present as an initial reactant; it is generated in situ during the reaction. The gelation reaction is at least two orders of magnitude faster than those conducted in conventional acid-catalyzed aqueous systems at comparable pH*. Kinetic evidence indicates a lowering of the activation energy of condensation reactions, believed to be associated with reaction of silyl carboxylates and silanol groups. Physical properties of the dry gels such as bulk density more closely resemble conventional acid-catalyzed gels than those associated with other rapidly gelling systems. Dry gels often exhibit porosity so fine that nitrogen (at 77°K) is not absorbed at significant rates. Independent evidence of porosity arises from comparison of skeletal and bulk densities, sample immersion in water and adsorption isotherms of CO2.
Biological Determinants of Present and Past Sessile Animal Distributions

Animals require space and food for maintenance, growth, and reproduction. Their abundance tends to increase anywhere suitable resources are readily available and to decrease where they are not. In the latter case, resources may simply not be present, or perhaps more commonly, availability of resources may be decreased below tolerable levels by other organisms better able to exploit them, or by predators and physical disturbances that limit their access.
MHC Control of Odortypes in the Mouse

Odortypes, defined as genetically-determined body odors that enable individuals of a species to distinguish one another by odor, are specified in part by polymorphic genes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex or MHC. The participation of the MHC in individual odor constitution may shed light on evolutionary and developmental functions of the MHC (Beauchamp et al., 1986; Boyse et al., 1987, 1991; Yamazaki et al., 1991). These functions have long been suspected to account for many non-immunological correlates of MHC polymorphism which have no obvious connection with the precisely defined immunological functions of the MHC (review in Boyse et al., 1983), but which may signify more rudimentary functions that preceded the specific adaptive immunity which is fully manifested only in vertebrates.
Fall Detection System for the Elderly Using RFID Tags with Sensing Capability

This research aims at building a fall detection system for the elderly at home. In addition, this system reduces uncomfortable feeling by not attaching sensors to the human bodies. In the previous research, RFID tags with sensing capability were already used to detect behaviors. However, the previous system detects only behaviors such as standing up and sitting down while using a wheelchair. The purpose of the proposing system is to detect falls while walking. For that purpose, passive RFID tags are employed to the room shoes in order to monitor the motions of the elderly and simultaneously detect his/her accidents. This paper presents the system for data collection and feature extraction, using machine learning techniques, and experimental results.
Multi-institutional Investigation: Circulating CD4:CD8 ratio is a prognosticator of response to total skin electron beam radiation in mycosis fungoides.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A lower proportion of CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in mycosis fungoides (MF) patients is associated with worse survival. However, it is not known whether circulating CD4:CD8 ratio is a prognosticator of response to total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT). METHODS AND MATERIALS We identified 126 MF patients treated with TSEBT from 2001 to 20014 at two high-volume academic centers. Circulating CD4:CD8 ratio was obtained within 1 week before TSEBT. TSEBT was delivered with 6-9mEV electrons with low (12 Gy) or conventional (≥12 Gy) doses. Treatment response was assessed with the modified Severity Weighted Assessment Tool (mSWAT). Post-treatment mSWAT decrease of ≥75% was classified as near complete response (CR) while mSWAT decrease of <75% was considered partial response (PR). Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined an optimal CD4:CD8 threshold value to predict TSEBT response in the derivation cohort and was applied to an external validation cohort. RESULTS 71.4% and 28.6% of patients achieved CR and PR after TSEBT. Higher CD4:CD8 ratio predicted poorer response: median CD4:CD8 in patients with PR vs. CR was 4.84 vs. 1.97 (p = 0.002). A threshold CD4:CD8 of 4.42 optimally discriminated in the discovery cohort patients with PR vs. XR (sensitivity 90%, specificity 59%, area under curve (AUC) = 0.71; p = 0.002). Within an independent test cohort (n = 32), 73.9% of patients with CD4:CD8 <4.42 achieved CR vs. 33.3% of those with CD4:CD8 ≥4.42 (p = 0.033). Among all patients with CD4:CD8 <4.42 (n = 73), 74% achieved CR with low-dose TSEBT vs. 93% with conventional dose TSEBT (p = 0.02). On multivariable logistic regression, CD4:CD8 remained a significant independent predictor of TSEBT response in all patients (OR = 0.107, 95% CI 0.395-0.290, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Peripheral blood CD4:CD8 ratio was a significant independent predictor of TSEBT response of MF patients as validated in an independent cohort at separate academic center. The potential for CD4:CD8 ratio as a biomarker to inform radiation treatment dosing warrants further investigation.
Pediatric Nonceliac Gluten Sensitivity: A Gluten-related Disorder Treatment Center Experience

ABSTRACTObjective:The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence and clinical characteristics of children with nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) presenting to a tertiary care center specialized for evaluation of gluten-related disorders.Methods:The medical records of all patients aged 0 to 18
How Early German Immigration and the Establishment of Germantown Influenced Philadelphia

Philadelphia, the sixth largest city in the United States, is a city forged from decades of immigration. The City of Brotherly Love’s foundations rest on its immigrant communities that have developed over the past several centuries, including one of the most influential settlements in Philadelphia, established by early Germans who migrated to the New World in the seventeenth century. Germantown, along with the German migrants who founded it, influenced the Greater Philadelphia, not only with their founding of one of the oldest neighborhoods in America, but also through their religion, ideology, language, culture and industry. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Does 1 + 1 = 2nd? The relations between children's understanding of ordinal position and their arithmetic performance.

The current study examined the relations between 5- and 6-year-olds' understanding of ordinality and their mathematical competence. We focused specifically on "positional operations," a property of ordinality not contingent on magnitude, in an effort to better understand the unique contributions of position-based ordinality to math development. Our findings revealed that two types of positional operations-the ability to execute representational movement along letter sequences and the ability to update ordinal positions after item insertion or removal-predicted children's arithmetic performance. Nevertheless, these positional operations did not mediate the relation between magnitude processing (as measured by the acuity of the approximate number system) and arithmetic performance. Taken together, these findings suggest a unique role for positional ordinality in math development. We suggest that positional ordinality may aid children in their mental organization of number symbols, which may facilitate solving arithmetic computations and may support the development of novel numerical concepts.
Expanding Professional Opportunities and Improving the Quality of Training: A Look Toward the Next Generation of School Psychologists

The impelling need to reexamine current approaches to training is evidenced by federal legislation; conceptual appeals to broaden partnerships, populations served, and service delivery settings; an...
An Open Initiative for the Delivery of Infinitely Scalable and Animated 3D Scenes

Planet-scale Augmented Reality (AR) and photorealistic Virtual Reality (VR) are two examples of applications that require the delivery of a rich, wide, and animated 3D scene. We extend this concept to infinitely-scalable and animated 3D scenes and we propose key concepts to launch an open initiative for the delivery of these 3D scenes. We draw on the lessons learned from large-scale implementation of video streaming to design a pull-based mechanism with segmented representations of objects and periodic map updates.
The Association Between Gender Inequality and Sexual Violence in the U.S.

Introduction Few societal-level factors are established as risk or protective factors for sexual violence. Traditional gender norms and gender inequality are linked to sexual violence, but much of this research was conducted internationally or is becoming outdated and may not reflect current norms in the U.S. This study expands on previously published research by examining gender inequality's association with state-level sexual violence. Methods Using state-level prevalence estimates published in the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey 2010–2012 State Report and the Gender Inequality Index, Pearson correlations were examined to investigate the relationship between state-level gender inequality and lifetime victimization for various types of sexual violence among U.S. female and male adults. The analysis was conducted in 2019. Results Findings indicate that states with a high degree of gender inequality also report higher prevalence estimates among women for rape using physical force. Gender inequality was also negatively correlated with noncontact unwanted sexual experiences among women and men. In addition, an exploratory analysis of the relationship between individual indicators of gender inequality and violence outcomes suggest that the adolescent birth rate, female government representation, and labor force participation demonstrate an association with certain state-level violence outcomes, although the patterns were inconsistent. Conclusions Although this study relied on cross-sectional data, collectively, these findings suggest that gender inequality may represent an important societal-level factor associated with sexual violence among women and men. However, this relationship appears complex and requires further research. These findings have potential to inform population-level violence prevention approaches.
The financial burden associated with multiple shoulder dislocations and the potential cost savings of surgical stabilization.

Introduction Shoulder dislocation is a costly problem and can have a high risk for recurrent instability after initial dislocation based on well-defined patient characteristics. Patients with recurrent instability can be treated with shoulder stabilizing procedures. Although more costly, surgery may decrease the overall health care burden of managing a patient with multiple shoulder dislocations nonoperatively. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with a diagnosis of a shoulder dislocation at a level 1 academic trauma center during the year 2016. Patient information regarding the current dislocation episode, previous dislocations, shoulder surgeries, and postreduction follow-up was gathered. These data were then used to determine the average cost of an ED presentation for a shoulder dislocation episode as obtained from the hospital finance department. The average cost of shoulder stabilization surgery was used to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of operative vs. nonoperative management. Results Data were collected on 104 individuals who presented to the ED with shoulder dislocations. Of these, 65 were primary dislocations and 39 were recurrent dislocations. Twelve patients underwent shoulder stabilization surgery after their ED presentation. The average cost to the institution for an ED visit requiring the closed reduction of a shoulder dislocation was $2207 ($973.21 without sedation and $3744 with conscious sedation). The average cost of a shoulder stabilization procedure performed at this same institution was $7807. Discussion and conclusion Although shoulder stabilization has a higher cost on the front end, this intervention results in cost savings if it prevents 2-3 future shoulder dislocations resulting in ED visits. These findings suggest that, for patients with a high risk for recurrent instability, not only would stabilization surgery help prevent subsequent dislocation events but would also minimize health care costs.
Oxa-adamantyl cannabinoids.

Abstract As a continuation of earlier work on classical cannabinoids bearing bulky side chains we report here the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 3′-functionalized oxa-adamantyl cannabinoids as a novel class of cannabinergic ligands. Key synthetic steps involve nucleophilic addition/transannular cyclization of aryllithium to epoxyketone in the presence of cerium chloride and stereoselective construction of the tricyclic cannabinoid nucleus. The synthesis of the oxa-adamantyl cannabinoids is convenient, and amenable to scale up allowing the preparation of these analogs in sufficient quantities for detailed in vitro evaluation. The novel oxa-adamantyl cannabinoids reported here were found to be high affinity ligands for the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. In the cyclase assay these compounds were found to behave as potent and efficacious CB1 receptor agonists. Isothiocyanate analog AM10504 is capable of irreversibly labeling both the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Considering the Effects of Computer Scientist Stereotypes on Student Mental Health

Despite the research, reports, and testimonials that document mental health issues among Computer Science (CS) students, little exploration has been done on how the stereotypes associated with CS affect the mental health of its participants. This lightning talk investigates how computer scientist stereotypes contribute to experiences of mental distress. Such investigation helps fill the present gap in our understanding of why students may be susceptible to symptoms of mental illness. Computer scientist stereotypes have long served as barriers for entry into the field, and its many facets - technology-oriented obsession, innate genius, social awkwardness, unattractive physical appearance, and masculinity - contribute to mental health issues within students. It is therefore critical to generate awareness on the negative consequences of perpetuating these stereotypes. Consideration of this topic includes academic literature, reports, articles, essays, and personal narratives, which collectively point to experiences of anxiety, depression, insecurity, lack of belonging, and emotional stress. With a need to strengthen this hypothesis through empirical experimentation and computational study, interested faculty and students are invited to attend the presentation and participate in the exchange of ideas, so that this hypothesis may be confirmed and to inspire future hypotheses. Ultimately, this research encourages institutions and members to challenge existing stereotypical norms, open the dialogue surrounding mental health, conduct further research on wellbeing, and better support members of the CS community.
Effect of Professional CGM (pCGM) on Glucose Management in Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Primary Care.

Background:Little data exists regarding the impact of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in the primary care management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We initiated a quality improvement (QI) project in...
On strong and weak sets in topological spaces

We explore the idea of sets in topological spaces that are usually named strong and weak sets. We start by providing definitions, examples and basic properties for the two types of sets. We compare...
MultiK: an automated tool to determine optimal cluster numbers in single-cell RNA sequencing data

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) provides new opportunities to characterize cell populations, typically accomplished through some type of clustering analysis. Estimation of the optimal cluster number (K) is a crucial step but often ignored. Our approach improves most current scRNA-seq cluster methods by providing an objective estimation of the number of groups using a multi-resolution perspective. MultiK is a tool for objective selection of insightful Ks and achieves high robustness through a consensus clustering approach. We demonstrate that MultiK identifies reproducible groups in scRNA-seq data, thus providing an objective means to estimating the number of possible groups or cell-type populations present.
Introduction: Raiders of the Lost Archives:

This is an introductory essay for the special section on historical analysis since 1865 of in loco parentis as a legal, institutional, and social feature of the American college and university campus.