cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Executive Function Performance in Children With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) consistently perform worse on executive function (EF) tasks relative to those without AD/HD. Physical activity has a small effect on cognition in children and may be particularly beneficial for children with AD/HD by impacting fundamental EF deficiencies that characterize this disorder. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which physical activity is associated with EF in children with AD/HD. Eighteen boys (M age = 10.61, SD = 1.50) with AD/HD were recruited to complete four EF tasks. Physical activity was measured with an accelerometer that provided daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity; this measure was a significant predictor of performance on the Tower of London planning task, adjusted R2 = .28, F(1, 16) = 7.61, p < .05, and was positively associated with other EF measures. These results suggest that higher physical activity is associated with better EF performance in AD/HD children.
Sexual Differentiation among Marijuana Users: Reality or Inaccuracy

This study, based on data (N =134) obtained by self-administered questionnaires, examines the extent marijuana users can be sexually differentiated regarding usage patterns, acquisition, distribution, effects on social relationships, and other activities. Generally, no significant sexual variations were observed except that males were more likely to personally purchase, to have sold marijuana, to bring it along when visiting friends, to hesitate having friends be their only source, and to be concerned about other users knowing of their use. It is suggested that sexual differentiation may reflect lesser involvement and that it may reduce as higher level users are examined.
Stress signaling: coregulation of hemoglobin and male sex determination through a terpenoid signaling pathway in a crustacean

Environmental signals can activate neuro-endocrine cascades that regulate various physiological processes. In the present study, we demonstrate that two responses to environmental stress signaling in the crustacean Daphnia magna - hemoglobin accumulation and male offspring production - are co-elevated by the crustacean terpenoid hormone methyl farnesoate and several synthetic analogs. Potency of the hormones with respect to the induction of both hemoglobin and male offspring was highly correlated, suggesting that both processes are regulated by the same terpenoid signaling pathway. Six clones of the D. pulex/pulicaria species complex that were previously characterized as unable to produce male offspring and five clones that were capable of producing males were evaluated for both hemoglobin induction and male offspring production in response to methyl farnesoate. Four of the five male-producing clones produced both hemoglobin and male offspring in response to the hormone. Five of the six non-male-producing clones produced neither hemoglobin nor males in response to the hormone. These results provide additional evidence that both physiological processes are regulated by the same signaling pathway. Furthermore, the results indicate that the non-male-producing clones are largely defective in some methyl farnesoate signaling component, downstream from methyl farnesoate synthesis but upstream from the genes regulated by the hormone. A likely candidate for the site of the defect is the methyl farnesoate receptor. As a consequence of this defect, non-male-producing clones have lost their responsiveness to environmental signals that are transduced by this endocrine pathway. This defect in signaling would be likely to enhance population growth in stable environments due to the elimination of males from the population, assuming that other processes critical to population growth are not also compromised by this defect.
PID controller tuning by frequency loop-shaping: application to diffusion furnace temperature control

A frequency loop-shaping technique for tuning proportional-integral-derivative controllers is applied to temperature control of a three-zone industrial diffusion furnace used in semiconductor manufacturing. In this tuning method the controller parameters are tuned so as to minimize the difference between the actual and a target loop transfer function, in an /spl Lscr//sub /spl infin// sense. The problem is formulated in the frequency domain as a convex optimization which can be solved numerically in a reliable way. This method, combined with a system identification step, has produced very satisfactory controllers for the furnace temperature control application.
Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors in College Students

More than one-half of young adults aged 18–24 y have at least 1 coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor and nearly one-quarter have advanced atherosclerotic lesions. The extent of atherosclerosis is directly correlated with the number of risk factors. Unhealthy dietary choices made by this age group contribute to weight gain and dyslipidemia. Risk factor profiles in young adulthood strongly predict long-term CHD risk. Early detection is critical to identify individuals at risk and to promote lifestyle changes before disease progression occurs. Despite the presence of risk factors and pathological changes, risk assessment and disease prevention efforts are lacking in this age group. Most young adults are not screened and are unaware of their risk. This review provides pathological evidence along with current risk factor prevalence data to demonstrate the need for early detection. Eighty percent of heart disease is preventable through diet and lifestyle, and young adults are ideal targets for prevention efforts because they are in the process of establishing lifestyle habits, which track forward into adulthood. This review aims to establish the need for increased screening, risk assessment, education, and management in young adults. These essential screening efforts should include the assessment of all CHD risk factors and lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, and smoking), blood pressure, glucose, and body mass index in addition to the traditional lipid panel for effective long-term risk reduction. Adv. Nutr. 5: 177–187, 2014.
CORPORATE STRATEGY AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE

The basic thesis of this exploratory investigation was that a corporate strategy perspective may complement the traditional financial paradigm in explaining capital structure in large U.S. corporations. Earlier fusion of strategic and financial literature led to a series of propositions antecedent to this work. Inclusion of Rumelt's diversification categories plus elsewhere validated financial contextual variables led to hypotheses for the present study. Results suggest a managerial choice perspective may help to explain the capital structure choice at the firm level of analysis.
Numerical Simulation of Induced Seismicity due to Hydraulic Fracturing of Shale Gas Reservoirs

Microseismic events in shale-gas hydraulic fracturing are due to propagation of induced fractures. Larger and noticeable seismic events are less likely to occur but the probability of occurrence will increase in the presence of a pre- stressed fault. Intersection of an undetected and pre-existing fault/fracture with the production well is the main cause for upward extension of induced fractures. This upward extension of fractures may lead to reactivation of existing faults and can increase the induced seismicity potential. This study investigates the induced seismicity and fault reactivation potential associated with hydraulic fracturing operations when a limited-dimension fault exists close to the fracturing site. For this purpose, a 2D fully coupled hydro-mechanical numerical model was developed to simulate changes in the stress distribution in the fractured zone and fault. The results obtained from the numerical simulations were used to determine the fault responses. Seismological theories were adopted along with the fault slips obtained from the numerical simulations to estimate the magnitude of induced seismic events. Parametric study was performed to investigate the impact of injection rate and fault permeability on the magnitude of induced seismic event. In all cases which were examined, the magnitude of induced earthquake was very low and never reached to the level of a noticeable seismic event.
Labeling monocytes with gold nanoparticles to track their recruitment in atherosclerosis with computed tomography

Monocytes are actively recruited from the circulation into developing atherosclerotic plaques. In the plaque, monocytes differentiate into macrophages and eventually form foam cells. Continued accumulation of foam cells can lead to plaque rupture and subsequent myocardial infarction. X-ray computed tomography (CT) is the best modality to image the coronary arteries non-invasively, therefore we have sought to track the accumulation of monocytes into atherosclerotic plaques using CT. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized and stabilized with a variety of ligands. Select formulations were incubated with an immortalized monocyte cell line in vitro and evaluated for cytotoxicity, effects on cytokine release, and cell uptake. These data identified a lead formulation, 11-MUDA capped gold nanoparticles, to test for labeling primary monocytes. The formulation did not the affect the viability or cytokine release of primary monocytes and was highly taken up by these cells. Gold labeled primary monocytes were injected into apolipoprotein E deficient mice kept on Western diet for 10 weeks. Imaging was done with a microCT scanner. A significant increase in attenuation was measured in the aorta of mice receiving the gold labeled cells as compared to control animals. Following the experiment, the biodistribution of gold was evaluated in major organs. Additionally, plaques were sectioned and examined with electron microscopy. The results showed that gold nanoparticles were present inside monocytes located within plaques. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using gold nanoparticles as effective cell labeling contrast agents for non-invasive imaging of monocyte accumulation within plaques with CT.
Functional Cloning Using a Xenopus Oocyte Expression System

Identification of genes responsible for embryonic induction poses a number of challenges; to name a few, secreted molecules of interest may be low in abundance, may not be secreted but tethered to the signaling cell(s), or may require the presence of binding partners or upstream regulatory molecules. Thus in a search for gene products capable of eliciting an early lens-inductive response in competent ectoderm, we utilized an expression cloning system that would allow identification of paracrine or juxtacrine factors as well as transcriptional or other regulatory proteins. Pools of mRNA were injected into Xenopus oocytes, and responding tissue placed directly on the oocytes and co-cultured. Following functional cloning of ldb1 from a neural plate stage cDNA library based on its ability to elicit the expression of the early lens placode marker foxe3 in lens-competent animal cap ectoderm, we characterized the mRNA expression pattern, and assayed developmental progression following overexpression or knockdown of ldb1. This system is suitable in a very wide variety of contexts where identification of an inducer or its upstream regulatory molecules is sought using a functional response in competent tissue.
Coarse-grained molecular dynamics modeling of the kinetics of lamellar block copolymer defect annealing

State-of-the-art block copolymer (BCP)—directed self-assembly (DSA) methods still yield defect densities orders of magnitude higher than is necessary in semiconductor fabrication despite free-energy calculations that suggest equilibrium defect densities are much lower than is necessary for economic fabrication. This disparity suggests that the main problem may lie in the kinetics of defect removal. This work uses a coarse-grained model to study the rates, pathways, and dependencies of healing a common defect to give insight into the fundamental processes that control defect healing and give guidance on optimal process conditions for BCP-DSA. It is found that bulk simulations yield an exponential drop in defect heal rate above χN∼30. Thin films show no change in rate associated with the energy barrier below χN∼50, significantly higher than the χN values found previously for self-consistent field theory studies that neglect fluctuations. Above χN∼50, the simulations show an increase in energy barrier scaling with 1/2 to 1/3 of the bulk systems. This is because thin films always begin healing at the free interface or the BCP-underlayer interface, where the increased A−B contact area associated with the transition state is minimized, while the infinitely thick films cannot begin healing at an interface.
Hands Off: Mentoring a Student-Led Robotics Team

Mentors play important roles in determining the working environment of out-of-school-time clubs. On robotics teams, they provide guidance in hopes that their proteges progress through an engineering process. This study examined how mentors on one robotics team who defined their mentoring style as ‘let the students do the work’ navigated the challenges of a ‘build season’ and participation in regional competitions. What were some of the challenges faced by mentors and students? How did they cope when students played the largest role in team and design decisions? The mentor–student interactions captured in the research showed mentors playing supporting roles while students took command of all aspects of building the robot. The students on the team found themselves self-directing, learning, and gaining confidence by doing, and having fun with like-minded peers.
Wide-field, Non-mechanical Beam Steering with Space-Variant Wavefront Correction

Parallel Stochastic Gradient Search optimization is used to optimize and improve degraded beam quality in a holographic beam steering experiment for various steering angles.
Vector Incompetency: Its Implication in the Disappearance of Epizootic Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis Virus from Middle America

Mesenteronal infection and transmission thresholds for several Middle American epizootic and enzootic Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) viruses were evaluated in field-collected (Guatemala) and colonized individuals of the enzootic vector mosquito Culex (Melanoconion) taeniopus . Approximate thresholds for 3 epizootic, hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) subtype I-AB strains were 104.0 chick embryo cell (CEC) plaque-forming units (pfu) per blood meal. Infection rates never exceeded 33%, despite oral doses as high as 105.4 CEC pfu. Mosquitoes were incapable of transmitting epizootic viruses to hamsters even after oral doses of 105.4 CEC pfu and 21 days of extrinsic incubation. In contrast, infection thresholds for 3 enzootic, HI subtype I-E viruses were less than 100.7 CEC pfu, as were transmission thresholds. Mesenteronal 50% infectious doses were also less than 100.7 for all enzootic strains evaluated. The possibility of transovarial transmission of VEE viruses was evaluated by rearing progeny from Aedes taeniorhynchus mosquitoes infected with a Middle American epizootic VEE virus strain. No virus was recovered from 1,037 fourth-instar larvae reared at 20 or 27 °C. Culex taeniopus mosquitoes were also infected with enzootic viruses and progeny from 2nd and subsequent ovarian cycles tested for infectious virus. Vertical transmission was not detected despite assays of 5,077 fourth-instar larvae reared at 20 or 27 °C. Epidemiological implications of these findings related to postepizootic survival of HI subtype I-AB viruses in Middle America are discussed.
Modal Gain Analysis of Parity-Time-Symmetric Distributed Feedback Lasers

Parity-time (PT) symmetry has been demonstrated in the frame of classic optics and its applications in laser science have resulted in interesting mode selection mechanisms. PT symmetry breaking gratings (also called unidirectional Bragg gratings) have strong reflection when light is injected from one end, but they are transparent when injected from the other end. Such gratings are obtained through periodic modulations of both real and imaginary part of refractive index with a fixed phase relation. In this paper, we investigate distributed feedback (DFB) laser structures based on PT symmetric diffractive gratings. Our modal gain analysis shows that the PT DFB laser structure exhibits much stronger modal discrimination than the one using conventional diffractive gratings, so it will provide better single-mode operation performance. In addition, we analyze the influence of uncertain facet reflectivities on these DFB structures. We show that PT symmetric DFB structures are more stable against the perturbation of facet reflections.
A fraction from liver which agglutinates autologous red cells.

SummaryHomogenates of perfused rat, human and guinea pig livers agglutinate washed autologous red cells. The factor responsible for agglutination was partially purified and it appears to be a heat-stable phospholipid. Agglutination occurred in the cold, at room temperature and at 37°C. Lysis did not occur in the presence of complement. High dilutions of autologous serum completely inhibited hemagglutination. Agglutinating activity was high in liver, present in kidney and practically absent in spleen, lung and skeletal muscle. Rat liver preparations strongly agglutinated red cells of rat, rabbit and mouse, but not cells of dog, sheep, guinea pig or human. Human and guinea pig liver had much less autohemagglutinating activity than rat liver.
Selective erasure for dynamic photorefractive memories

Dynamic photorefractive memories (DPMs) have been shown to provide nondestructive readout and write/erase capabilities for multiple storage of 2-D images.1,2 Each image is stored by recording a phase hologram of a small refractive-index modulation Δn0 ≪ Δnmax where Δnmax is the allowable maximum refractive index modulation. In this paper we are concerned with DPMs where a fast erasure process must be used to replace one of the stored images by another. The recording and incoherent erasure processes may be characterized by exponential curves. For the small refractive-index modulation typical of superimposed photo re frac live holograms, the writing process is much faster than the incoherent erasure process. Such asymmetry is appropriate for long term storage but inappropriate for fast updating of the stored information.
Kick Start Your Day: A Pilot Investigation of a Family Based Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Targeting Low-Income Latino Families

Obesity rates among Hispanic/Latino youth are 5-10% higher than Caucasian youth. Kick Start Your Day was a six-week intervention that was pilot tested in a low-income, predominantly Latino community. The intervention consisted of nutrition education for parents, fun physical activities for children, low glycemic breakfasts and snacks for parents and children, and bilingual resources (e.g., recipe books) to take home. Fifty-six Latino parents (n= 25 intervention, n= 31 control) and their children ages 6-12 participated, and completed both baseline and end-of-program self-report questionnaires. Logistic regression models were used to examine intervention effects on increases in nutrition knowledge, while linear regression models were used to examine intervention effects on changes in parents’ and children’s physical activity. All models adjusted for outcome scores at baseline. Results indicated that intervention group parents were more likely to learn that eating breakfast can help their child pay attention and can prevent moodiness, and that nutrition labels contain information about sodium content. Intervention group parents also had greater increases in vigorous physical activity. This study provided preliminary evidence that a low-cost, family-centered intervention can lead to increases in knowledge and behavior change.
Lipid-Sorting Specificity Encoded in K-Ras Membrane Anchor Regulates Signal Output

K-Ras is targeted to the plasma membrane by a C-terminal membrane anchor that comprises a farnesyl-cysteine-methyl-ester and a polybasic domain. We used quantitative spatial imaging and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to examine molecular details of K-Ras plasma membrane binding. We found that the K-Ras anchor binds selected plasma membrane anionic lipids with defined head groups and lipid side chains. The precise amino acid sequence and prenyl group define a combinatorial code for lipid binding that extends beyond simple electrostatics; within this code lysine and arginine residues are non-equivalent and prenyl chain length modifies nascent polybasic domain lipid preferences. The code is realized by distinct dynamic tertiary structures of the anchor on the plasma membrane that govern amino acid side-chain-lipid interactions. An important consequence of this specificity is the ability of such anchors when aggregated to sort subsets of phospholipids into nanoclusters with defined lipid compositions that determine K-Ras signaling output.
A simulation-based comparison of maximum entropy and copula methods for capturing non-linear probability dependence

The modeling of complex service systems entails capturing many sub-components of the system, and the dependencies that exist among them in the form of a joint probability distribution. Two common methods for constructing joint probability distributions from experts using partial information include maximum entropy methods and copula methods. In this paper we explore the performance of these methods in capturing the dependence between random variables using correlation coefficients and lower-order pairwise assessments. We focus on the case of discrete random variables, and compare the performance of these methods using a Monte Carlo simulation when the variables exhibit both independence and non-linear dependence structures. We show that the maximum entropy method with correlation coefficients and the Gaussian copula method perform similarly, while the maximum entropy method with pairwise assessments performs better particularly when the variables exhibit non-linear dependence.
General and Efficient C–C Bond Forming Photoredox Catalysis with Semiconductor Quantum Dots

Photoredox catalysis has become an essential tool in organic synthesis because it enables new routes to important molecules. However, the best available molecular catalysts suffer from high catalyst loadings and rely on precious metals. Here we show that colloidal nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) can serve as efficient and robust, precious-metal free, photoassisted redox catalysts. A single-sized CdSe quantum dot (3.0 ± 0.2 nm) can replace several different dye catalysts needed for five different photoredox reactions (β-alkylation, β-aminoalkylation, dehalogenation, amine arylation, and decarboxylative radical formation). Even without optimization of the QDs or the reaction conditions, efficiencies rivaling those of the best available metal dyes were obtained.
Tips and tricks for non-English writers

All non-native English speakers (NNESs) confront important difficulties trying to publish their work in international peer-reviewed journals written in English. Foremost, writing in English is cognitively demanding for NNESs, making the process more time-consuming. Second, spelling and grammatical errors may negatively influence the outcome of the review process. Finally, understanding peer-reviewed publication rules is mandatory to avoid ethical issues. The aims of this chapter are to define the main challenges for NNESs to publish in English language journals, summarize regulations related to the peer-reviewed process for NNESs, and propose adaptive solutions.
Severe bone marrow suppression due to methotrexate toxicity following aceclofenac-induced acute kidney injury

Methotrexate is one of the most commonly used drugs in autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and stomatitis, skin rashes, alopecia, central nervous system symptoms like headache and confusion, hepatotoxicity and myelosuppression are some of the adverse effects. However, low oral doses on a weekly basis seldom show any signs of toxicity. Leucovorin or folinic acid is given along with methotrexate as rescue to reduce the toxic effects like bone marrow suppression. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aceclofenac, are also used in chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Nephrotoxicity is one of the adverse effects of both methotrexate and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; and its combined administration should be done with caution. This is a case of an elderly woman, a known case of rheumatoid arthritis, who presented in severe bone marrow suppression due to methotrexate toxicity following aceclofenac-induced acute kidney injury.
Multitrait-Multimethod Approach to Multifactored Assessment: Theoretical Rationale and Practical Application

Multifactored assessment has been seen by assessment experts as a means of guarding against bias in assessment procedures. This article suggests that the collection, organization, and integration o...
Designing for Security Within and Between IoT Devices

In this work, we propose utilizing a design-for-security approach to enable system architects and designers with flexibility and control during the initial phases of the design process. General solutions for system security, especially in the communication domain, involves rigid application of prior fundamental constructs, from secure standard cell libraries to common communication encryption/decryption schemes. We propose two methods, one for intra-device communication and another from inter-device communication, for lightweight devices. These methods are tunable and adaptable by designers based on their unique situations and rely on fundamental properties of the underlying systems rather than arbitrarily applied constructs that have been used to enable security in the past.
Static Hopf Solitons and Knotted Emergent Fields in Solid-State Noncentrosymmetric Magnetic Nanostructures

Two-dimensional topological solitons, commonly called Skyrmions, are extensively studied in solid-state magnetic nanostructures and promise many spintronics applications. However, three-dimensional topological solitons dubbed hopfions have not been demonstrated as stable spatially localized structures in solid-state magnetic materials. Here we model the existence of such static solitons with different Hopf index values in noncentrosymmetric solid magnetic nanostructures with a perpendicular interfacial magnetic anisotropy. We show how this surface anisotropy, along with the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions and the geometry of nanostructures, stabilize hopfions. We demonstrate knots in emergent field lines and computer simulate Lorentz transmission electron microscopy images of such solitonic configurations to guide their experimental discovery in magnetic solids.
Ford Ceramic Turbine Programs

First, may I express my appreciation to both BMFT and DFVLR for the opportunity of participating in this second German Seminar on their Ceramic Turbine Programs. It’s certainly an honor for me to accept DFVLR’s invitation to present some our work on Ceramic Turbine Programs at Ford. Over the past decade or so, this new technology has been established and has grown on a worldwide basis.
Urban design for a warming climate: Where to build; when to build; what to build

Major changes in the climate have already begun, and the consequences will become increasingly inescapable.There are seven major categories of threat: sea level rise and storm surges, river floodin...
Enhancing Skin Grafts with Primed Gingival Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

Injuries of the largest anatomical organ, the skin, resulting from trauma, burns, or inflammatory disorders can lead to devastating health effects. Modern approaches to re-establishing critical barrier functions have evolved from simple biomaterial dressings to sophisticated skin grafts. A report by Magne et al. (2019) describes the exciting use of IL-1β–pretreated gingival mesenchymal stem cells to enhance skin graft functions.
Pushing beyond the silos: the obstetrician's role in perinatal depression care

Perinatal depression is one of the most common medical complications during and after pregnancy, occurring in up to 20% of new mothers in the USA. It can have both short- and long-term effects on t...
Emergency Department Overcrowding Lowers Patient Satisfaction Scores.

Crowding in emergency departments (EDs) is a concern for hospital administrators, emergency providers, and patients. Many factors contribute to crowding, including variable patient volume and acuity along with contributing hospital factors such as inadequate nursing support and insufficient inpatient beds resulting in prolonged ED boarding times.1 In order to better study and define characteristics indicative of crowding, the National Emergency Department Overcrowding Study (NEDOCS) established a standardized and validated scoring system to quantify crowding in an academic setting.2 Although individual components attributed to crowding and patient satisfaction have been studied,3-5 including studies utilizing the NEDOCS score in relation to patient satisfaction,6 none to our knowledge have investigated the Press Ganey Associates, Inc (PGA) surveys and NEDOCS scores.
Golden retriever pigmentary uveitis: Vision loss, risk factors for glaucoma, and effect of treatment on disease progression

OBJECTIVE In previous reports, almost half of Golden Retrievers with Pigmentary Uveitis (GRPU) have lost vision in an eye within a year of diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of GRPU affected dogs with vision loss, risk factors for the development of glaucoma, and effect of treatment on disease progression. ANIMALS STUDIED Client owned Golden Retrievers. PROCEDURES Two complete ophthalmic examinations were performed at least 6 months apart. Visual status, presence of glaucoma, GRPU score, and treatment were recorded. A proportional odds (ordinal logistic) model was fitted to determine whether the use of topical steroidal or non-steroidal (NSAID) ophthalmic preparations was associated with a change in GRPU scores. RESULTS Twenty-nine Golden Retrievers, 58 eyes, were included. One eye was enucleated after the first examination. On first examination, 57/58 (98.3%) eyes and 29/29 (100%) dogs were visual. At the second examination, 48/57 (84.2%) eyes and 25/29 (86.2%) dogs were visual. Vision loss in 7/9 (77.8%) eyes was secondary to glaucoma. Posterior synechia and fibrinous material in the anterior chamber were significant risk factors for the development of glaucoma (P < .001). There was no significant difference in the change in GRPU score between eyes receiving topical steroids and topical NSAIDs (P = .14). Time between examinations was a significant factor in disease progression (increased GRPU score; P = .016). CONCLUSION The number of eyes and dogs that retained vision was higher than previous reports. No topical treatment was superior in slowing disease progression. Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis is a slowly progressive disease.
The dynamics of agricultural intensification and resource conservation in the buffer zone of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Peten, Guatemala

Efforts to stimulate more intensive land use must be based on a solid understanding of current farmer strategies and the factors that drive them. This paper discusses the influences on agricultural strategy among farmers in Peten, Guatemala, and more specifically, their adoption of more intensive practices. Existing theoretical frameworks pertaining to agricultural intensification are based on a limited number of explanatory variables and thus provide an incomplete understanding of farmer strategy and of how and why it varies among farmers and communities. A more useful analytical approach is to consider the wide range of factors at both the regional/community scale and the farm/household scale that influence farmers' need, desire, and ability to alter their production strategies. An analysis based on this approach indicates that conservation and development organizations in Peten should place greater emphasis on the rural economy and on fostering the conditions that would stimulate more intensive, sustainable land use.
Elongations of totally projective groups and pω+n-projective groups

(1990). Elongations of totally projective groups and pω+n-projective groups. Communications in Algebra: Vol. 18, No. 12, pp. 4377-4385.
Iris stromal cell nuclei deform to more elongated shapes during pharmacologically-induced miosis and mydriasis

Abstract Nuclear shape alteration in ocular tissues, which can be used as a metric for overall cell deformation, may also lead to changes in gene expression and protein synthesis that could affect the biomechanics of the tissue extracellular matrix. The biomechanics of iris tissue is of particular interest in the study of primary angle-closure glaucoma. As the first step towards understanding the mutual role of the biomechanics and deformation of the iris on the activity of its constituent stromal cells, we conducted an ex-vivo study in freshly excised porcine eyes. Iris deformation was achieved by activating the constituent smooth muscles of the iris. Pupillary responses were initiated by inducing miosis and mydriasis, and the irides were placed in a fixative, bisected, and sliced into thin sections in a nasal and temporal horizontal orientation. The tissue sections were stained with DAPI for nucleus, and z-stacks were acquired using confocal microscopy. Images were analyzed to determine the nuclear aspect ratio (NAR) using both three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of the nuclear surfaces as well as projections of the same 3D reconstruction into flat two-dimensional (2D) shapes. We observed that regardless of the calculation method (i.e., one that employed 3D surface reconstructions versus one that employed 2D projected images) the NAR increased in both the miosis group and the mydriasis group. Three-dimensional quantifications showed that NAR increased from 2.52 ± 0.96 in control group to 2.80 ± 0.81 and 2.74 ± 0.94 in the mydriasis and miosis groups, respectively. Notwithstanding the relative convenience in calculating the NAR using the 2D projected images, the 3D reconstructions were found to generate more physiologically realistic values and, thus, can be used in the development of future computational models to study primary angle-closure glaucoma. Since the iris undergoes large deformations in response to ambient light, this study suggests that the iris stromal cells are subjected to a biomechanically active micro-environment during their in-vivo physiological function.
Diet Tunes Energy Detection

How do energy-dense diets influence appetite and food preference? We sought to determine the impact of diet energy density on food intake and selection. We found that mice raised on standard diet, when provided with an alternative feed, consumed approximately the same amount of food across a spectrum of energy densities. However, mice raised on energy-dense diet were hypophagic for foods with inferior energy density as compared to their maintenance diet. Furthermore, while mice fed standard diet preferred energy-superior foods, mice fed energy-dense diet failed to discriminate on the basis of energy content. Dietary intervention (transition to standard diet) recouped both appetite and food preference in mice fed energy-dense diet. Interestingly, exercise failed to reverse hypophagia but succeeded in restoring preference. Our results suggest that food choice is normally informed by food energy content and energy-dense diets result in a devaluation of foods of lesser energy density.
Physical Activity Climate and Health Beliefs Are Associated with Workplace Physical Activity Program Participation of Older Employees of a Public University

Objective: Physical activity and work ability are increasingly important topics due to aging of the modern workforce. Workplace physical activity programs can help attenuate the decline in physical resources that typically transpires with age yet, older employees are less likely to participate. The study’s primary aim was to understand how perceived benefits and barriers and physical activity climate are related to older employees’ participation in workplace physical activity programs. Methods: The inquiry design was a needs assessment utilizing an 18-item survey. Respondents consisted of 862 older employees (>55 years) of a public university in the southeastern United States. Differences in total subscale scores between sexes, program participation status, occupational category and physical activity were compared and contrasted. Results: Differences in perceived benefit and barrier scores between workplace physical activity program participants (N = 474) and non-participants (N = 388) were significant with a p-value 0.001. Physical activity climate scores were significantly different as well with a p-value of 0.003. All three subscale scores (benefits, barriers, climate) were also significantly different between physically active and inactive employees with a p value 0.001. Conclusions: The findings from this investigation suggest that employees’ participation in workplace physical activity programs is influenced by their individual beliefs and perceptions of social and organizational norms. Physical activity climate should be a primary consideration to promote workplace physical activity program participation among older employees. Additional recommendations to improve participation among older employees are discussed.
Heuristic and Hierarchical-Based Population Mining of Salmonella enterica Lineage I Pan-Genomes as a Platform to Enhance Food Safety

The recent incorporation of bacterial whole-genome sequencing (WGS) into Public Health laboratories has enhanced foodborne outbreak detection and source attribution. As a result, large volumes of publicly available datasets can be used to study the biology of foodborne pathogen populations at an unprecedented scale. To demonstrate the application of a heuristic and agnostic hierarchical population structure guided pan-genome enrichment analysis (PANGEA), we used populations of S. enterica lineage I to achieve two main objectives: i) show how hierarchical population inquiry at different scales of resolution can enhance ecological and epidemiological inquiries; and ii) identify population-specific inferable traits that could provide selective advantages in food production environments. Publicly available WGS data were obtained from NCBI database for three serovars of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica lineage I (S. Typhimurium, S. Newport, and S. Infantis). Using the hierarchical genotypic classifications (Serovar, BAPS1, ST, cgMLST), datasets from each of the three serovars showed varying degrees of clonal structuring. When the accessory genome (PANGEA) was mapped onto these hierarchical structures, accessory loci could be linked with specific genotypes. A large heavy-metal resistance mobile element was found in the Monophasic ST34 lineage of S. Typhimurium, and laboratory testing showed that Monophasic isolates have on average a higher degree of copper resistance than the Biphasic ones. In S. Newport, an extra sugE gene copy was found among most isolates of the ST45 lineage, and laboratory testing of multiple isolates confirmed that isolates of S. Newport ST45 were on average less sensitive to the disinfectant cetylpyridimium chloride than non-ST45 isolates. Lastly, data-mining of the accessory genomic content of S. Infantis revealed two cryptic Ecotypes with distinct accessory genomic content and distinct ecological patterns. Poultry appears to be the major reservoir for Ecotype 1, and temporal analysis further suggested a recent ecological succession, with Ecotype 2 apparently being displaced by Ecotype 1. Altogether, the use of a heuristic hierarchical-based population structure analysis that includes bacterial pan-genomes (core and accessory genomes) can 1) improve genomic resolution for mapping populations and accessing epidemiological patterns; and 2) define lineage-specific informative loci that may be associated with survival in the food chain.
Conformal Bootstrap Deformations

We explore the space of extremal functionals in the conformal bootstrap. By recasting the bootstrap problem as a set of non-linear equations parameterized by the CFT data, we find an efficient algorithm for converging to the extremal solution corresponding to the boundary of allowed regions in the parameter space of CFTs. Furthermore, by deforming these solutions, we demonstrate that certain solutions corresponding to known theories are continuously connected. Employing these methods, we will explore the space of non-unitary CFTs in the context of modular as well as correlation function bootstrap. In two dimensions, we show that the extremal solution corresponding to the Ising model is connected to that of the Yang-Lee minimal model. By deforming this solution to three dimensions, we provide evidence that the CFT data obtained in this way is compatible with the $\epsilon$-expansion for a non-unitary theory.
How Can We Boost Colorectal and Hepatocellular Cancer Screening Among Underserved Populations

Colorectal cancer (CRC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are common causes of cancer incidence and mortality in the USA, particularly among underserved populations such as racial/ethnic minorities, the under-/uninsured, and individuals with low socioeconomic status. Although screening can reduce cancer-related mortality, participation is suboptimal among underserved populations, likely serving as the largest contributor to observed inequities in HCC and CRC outcomes among US populations. In this narrative review, we highlight inequities across populations in the USA with respect to incidence and mortality for CRC and HCC and highlight potential causes, with a focus on screening rates. In addition, drawing from the recent literature, we highlight promising strategies for increasing screening for HCC and CRC and propose future research and policy solutions to optimize screening rates. With focused implementation of screening strategies and novel research, the burden of HCC and CRC can be reduced among underserved populations.
A brief problem-solving intervention for caregivers of children with cancer

A BRIEF PROBLEM SOLVING INTERVENTION FOR CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER By Jennifer D. Lamanna, MA A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012 Major Director: Marilyn Stern, PhD, Professor Departments of Psychology, Pediatrics, and Social and Behavioral Health OBJECTIVE: Pediatric cancer treatment is stressful for caregivers. Research has indicated that problem-solving coping reduces stress related to caregiving. The current study examines the effects of a problem-solving intervention (Parent Empowerment Program), based on Problem-Solving Therapy, for caregivers of children on active cancer treatment. It was hypothesized that participants who received the intervention would show decreases in caregiving stress and posttraumatic stress symptoms, and increases in problem-solving ability between baseline and post-test assessments compared to those who received an attention control. METHOD: Thirty-nine caregivers (all parents; 48% participation rate) participated. The majority were mothers (90%), married or partnered (59%) and Caucasian (56%). Participants were randomly assigned to condition (intervention vs. attention control) after completing baseline questionnaires. Participants who received the intervention received one session of problem solving intervention and a follow-up session. Those in the attention control condition received two general support sessions. Participants were assessed at baseline, one month after the second session, and three months after the second session. RESULTS: There were no effects of the intervention on any of the outcome variables when data for all participants was examined. However, there was a significant effect of the intervention on problem-solving ability among participants of children between 4-16 weeks post-diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: There were many factors that contributed to the lack of effect, including small sample size, variations in time since diagnosis, low participation rates, and limited number of sessions. Future studies should target parents who are under the highest levels of stress and increase the intensity of sessions. However, the finding that the intervention has an effect on problem-solving ability early in the treatment trajectory replicates previous research and has potential clinical utility.
Predominance of a cell population less sensitive to carcinogenesis in neoplastic cells of 3-methylcholanthrene-induced tumors in mouse aggregation chimeras.

Tumors were induced by i.m. injection of 3-methylcholanthrene (0.5 mg) in 100% experimental aggregation chimeras derived from two mouse strains C57BI/6J (hereafter called B6) and A/J, dimorphic for the enzyme glucosephosphate isomerase (Gpi-1a or Gpi-1b) and differing in coat color, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase inducibility, and cytotoxic activities of natural killer cells and macrophages. In the majority of host tissues and organs, such as coat, lung, spleen, and skeletal muscle, the B6 phenotype was predominant. Likewise, the nonneoplastic intratumoral host cells of both induced primary tumors and parental tumor transplants in chimeras were of B6 origin. In contrast, neoplastic cells in 70% of the tumors originated exclusively from the less aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase-inducible and less immune competent A/J strain. The A/J origin was verified by subsequent cell culturing of the tumors. Only 30% of the tumors contained neoplastic cells of both A/J and B6 phenotype. A further reduction of mixed tumors was achieved with lower doses (0.1 and 0.06 mg) of the carcinogen. The dominance of the A/J phenotype of the tumors contrasted not only with aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase inducibility and host cell composition but also with tumor pathogenesis (at 0.5 mg 3-methylcholanthrene) in the parental strain. Whereas tumor incidence was 100% in the B6 strain, it was only 65% in A/J mice, with tumors also developing later. As the in vivo and in vitro growth rates of parental strain-derived tumors were comparable, a cell selection caused by different growth rates favoring the A/J phenotype appeared unlikely.
Origin of Gauge Bosons from Strong Quantum Correlations

The existence of light [a massless U(1) gauge boson] is one of the unresolved mysteries in nature. We propose that light is originated from certain quantum orders in our vacuum. We construct quantum spin models on lattice to demonstrate that some quantum orders can give rise to light without breaking any symmetries and without any fine-tuning. Through our models, we show that the existence of light can simply be a phenomenon of quantum coherence in a system with many degrees of freedom. Massless gauge fluctuations appear commonly and naturally in strongly correlated quantum systems which originally contain no gauge fields.