cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying associations among site properties and weed species abundance. II. Hypothesis generation.

Abstract Identification of associations between site properties and weed species abundance led to the generation of hypotheses as to why weed populations occur where they do, or do not, in agricultural fields. The objective of this research was to use a multivariate statistical technique, canonical correlation analysis, to identify the associations. Two continuous Zea mays production fields under center-pivot irrigation in the central Platte River Valley of Nebraska were grid-sampled between 1994 and 1997 for nine site properties and six to seven weed species. Weed species were identified and counted just prior to postemergence weed control in two adjacent quadrats (1 by 0.38 m) at each grid sampling point. These quadrats represented untreated weed populations emerging between crop rows and treated populations that survived preemergence herbicide banded within the crop row. Canonical correlation analysis identified one to five significant correlations between linear combinations of site properties and wee...
A custom software solution for forensic mtDNA analysis of MiSeq data

Abstract The use of a next generation sequencing (NGS) approach for mitochondrial (mt) DNA analysis in forensic casework is imminent. A feature of the NGS approach is the ability to detect and report mtDNA heteroplasmy, which will significantly enhance the discrimination potential of the testing method. A single software solution that allows for robust and user-friendly analysis of NGS-derived mtDNA sequence is not readily available, especially when considering heteroplasmy. This communication outlines the desired features of a software package for forensic applications, and the progress made towards those aims with the development of a custom version of NextGENe ® .
The role of myristoylated protein kinase C substrates in intracellular signaling pathways in macrophages.

The protein kinases C (PKC) are a family of diacylglycerol-activated, calcium-dependent protein kinases that regulate diverse cellular pathways in macrophages, including those leading to phagocytosis and the secretion of ara-chidonic acid metabolites and reactive oxygen intermediates (Kikkawa et al. 1989; Aderem 1988; Clark 1990). Very little is known about the molecular mechanism by which PKC mediates such diverse responses. It is known, however, that PKC-mediated events in macrophages are profoundly influenced by inflammatory mediators such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and by cytokines such as gamma-interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) (Hamilton and Adams 1987). Thus, while LPS alone is incapable of activating PKC, it can prime macrophages for vastly increased PKC-dependent responses such as the release of eicosanoids and prostanoids (Aderem et al. 1986a, Aderem and Cohn 1988). Concomitant with priming, LPS also induces the transcription, translation, and myristoylation of three macrophage proteins with apparent molecular masses of 40, 42, and 68 kDa (Aderem et al. 1986b, 1988a). All three proteins are substrates for PKC and are therefore excellent candidate effectors of PKC-induced responses. In addition, we have characterized a 48-kDa myristoylated PKC substrate which is induced in macrophages by IFN-γ and which appears likely to mediate some of the responses of this macrophage-activating cytokine (Aderem et al. 1988b).
Identification and culture of human bronchial epithelial cells.

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the identification and culture of human bronchial epithelial cells. The development of methods for culturing human bronchial epithelial cells would permit analysis of factors that influence their normal differentiation and of the effects of chemical carcinogens and other toxins on these important target cells in human lung disease. The proliferative and differentiative characteristics of human bronchial epithelial cells in primary culture are described. Although ciliary activity is observed in some epithelial cells in primary culture for as long as 6 months, the majority of these cells differentiated to a keratin-producing squamous epithelium. The labeling index of epithelial cells and fibroblasts in the outgrowth is determined in primary cultures that have been incubated for a period of 25 days. Outgrowths of bronchial cells are fixed and washed and are reacted by indirect immunofluorescence with rabbit antibodies against purified fibronectin from fresh human serum. The ciliary activity, detected by localized movement of culture medium over the epithelial cells in the explant and in the outgrowth, is observed in cultures maintained for at least 6 months.
Affirmative Action as Government Speech

This article seeks to transform how we think about “affirmative action.” The Supreme Court’s affirmative action jurisprudence appears to be a seamless whole, but closer examination reveals important differences. Government race-consciousness sometimes grants a benefit to members of a minority group for remedial or diversifying purposes. But the government may also undertake remedial or diversifying race-conscious action without it resulting in unequal treatment or disadvantage to non-minorities. Under the Court’s current equal protection doctrine, both categories of cases are treated as presumptively unconstitutional. Race-consciousness itself has become a constitutional harm, regardless of tangible effects.Prior scholarship has suggested that the “strict colorblindness” doctrine is best understood as the Court finding that race-conscious government action inflicts an expressive harm. This Article breaks new ground by arguing that functionally, the Court has come to view race-conscious government action as a form of prohibited government speech because it conflicts with the Court’s preferred message of post-racialism. In essence, the Court has decided that when the government takes such action, it is sending an impermissible message that race still matters in our society. The Court’s colorblindness doctrine, which is premised on expressive harm, is fundamentally inconsistent with the rationales for the government speech doctrine under the First Amendment. As that doctrine recognizes, disagreement with the message sent by government action is not by itself sufficient to state a constitutional claim. Rather, such disagreement is best addressed through the political process. This Article argues that the Court should use government speech principles to inform its equal protection analysis in cases where the harm alleged is predominantly expressive in nature.
Morphological and Nutrient Changes in St. Augustinegrass Caused by Southern Chinch Bug (Hemiptera: Blissidae) Feeding Damage

Abstract The southern chinch bug, Blissus insularis Barber, is the most damaging insect pest of St. Augustinegrass, Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze. However, there is little understanding of the impact of the insect feeding on the plant biomass or nutrient flux in tissues. The objective of this study was to measure biomass and nutrient change in St. Augustinegrass caused by feeding of southern chinch bugs. Chinch bugs were collected by vacuuming infestations in commercial and residential lawns in southern Florida. After collection, chinch bugs were placed in buckets containing St. Augustinegrass potted plants whereas controls were plants with no chinch bugs. Nutrient concentrations were measured for nine elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) in leaf and stolon tissue. At the termination of the test, chinch bug treated buckets had >100 chinch bugs/bucket in them and controls had none. Stolons were 31% shorter in chinch bug exposed plants than controls with no chinch bugs. Above-ground dry matte...
Results analysis of public air quality monitoring in Hechi city in 2010

Objective:To understand the sanitary conditions in public places and find out problems so as to improve sanitary quality.Methods: According to GB/T18883-2002,the air quality of 231 public places in Hechi city were monitored.Results: The general qualification rate was 97.2% for 5384 monitoring items,of which hotels took the lowest at 95.7%,followed by at 98.3%,barber shops at 99.8%.The general qualification rate of all monitoring items was 95.8%.Except the qualification rates of illumination intensity(68.3%),formaldehyde(97.0%) and carbon dioxide(99.1%),the rest items were 100% qualified.Conclusion: Public air quality problems in Hechi city are mainly illumination intensity,formaldehyde and carbon dioxide.
The effects of power, leadership and psychological safety on resident event reporting.

Context Although the reporting of adverse events is a necessary first step in identifying and addressing lapses in patient safety, such events are under-reported, especially by frontline providers such as resident physicians. Objectives This study describes and tests relationships between power distance and leader inclusiveness on psychological safety and the willingness of residents to report adverse events. Methods A total of 106 resident physicians from the departments of neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, emergency medicine, otolaryngology, neurology, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and general surgery in a mid-Atlantic teaching hospital were asked to complete a survey on psychological safety, perceived power distance, leader inclusiveness and intention to report adverse events. Results Perceived power distance (β = −0.26, standard error [SE] 0.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.37 to 0.15; p < 0.001) and leader inclusiveness (β = 0.51; SE 0.07, 95% CI 0.38–0.65; p < 0.001) both significantly predicted psychological safety, which, in turn, significantly predicted intention to report adverse events (β = 0.34; SE 0.08, 95% CI 0.18–0.49; p < 0.001). Psychological safety significantly mediated the direct relationship between power distance and intention to report adverse events (indirect effect: −0.09; SE 0.02, 95% CI −0.13 to 0.04; p < 0.001). Psychological safety also significantly mediated the direct relationship between leader inclusiveness and intention to report adverse events (indirect effect: 0.17; SE 0.02, 95% CI 0.08–0.27; p = 0.001). Conclusions Psychological safety was found to be a predictor of intention to report adverse events. Perceived power distance and leader inclusiveness both influenced the reporting of adverse events through the concept of psychological safety. Because adverse event reporting is shaped by relationships and culture external to the individual, it should be viewed as an organisational as much as a personal function. Supervisors and other leaders in health care should ensure that policies, procedures and leadership practices build psychological safety and minimise power distance between low- and high-status members in order to support greater reporting of adverse events.
Convergence properties and an inversion formula for the Lambert transform

The object of the present paper is to discuss certain convergence properties of the Lambert transform and to develop an inversion technique. The properties given here are necessary in the application of this transform to integral equations, differential equations and methods of analytic continuation of power series.
Planar Two-Photon LIF Measurements of Atomic Species in a High-Temperature Inductively Couple Plasma Environment

This paper details work involving a planar two photon LIF approach probing atomic oxygen in an inductively coupled plasma environment which is used to emulate the chemically reacting boundary layer above a TPS surface during hypersonic flight. Planar measurements of atomic species have little to no documentation of experimental efforts as LIF based measurements of atomic species traditionally utilize point-wise approaches with sensitive PMT detection. Fortunately, recent advances in fast gated CCD camera technology has pushed potential planar detectability limits to that of more common point wise PMT-based approaches. Significant signal to noise levels demonstrated in this report with this newly adopted planar mode have led to encouraging results. Temperature and normalized density trends compare well with theoretical intuition as well as previously measured point-wise stagnation line chemically reacting boundary layer profiles.
Pindar and the Emergence of Literature

Pindar and the Emergence of Literature places Pindar in the context of the evolution of Archaic Greek poetics. While presenting an in-depth introduction to diverse aspects of Pindar's art (authorial metapoetics, imagery, genre hybridization, religion, social context, and dialect), it seeks to establish a middle ground between cultural contextualism and literary history, paying attention both to poetry's historical milieu and its uncanny capacity to endure in time. With that methodological objective, the book marshals a new version of historical poetics, drawing both on theorists usually associated with this approach, such as Alexander Veselovsky, Mikhail Bakhtin, and Olga Freidenberg, and on T. S. Eliot, Hans Blumenberg, Fredric Jameson, and Stephen Greenblatt. The ultimate literary-historical problem posed by Pindar's poetics, which this book sets out to solve, is the transformation of pre-literary structures rooted in folk communal art into elements that still inform our notion of literature.
Political Activism and Social Capital: The French Perspective

As the culmination of the long development of the French political action paradigm, this chapter starts with a direct discussion based upon the three specific research questions in this volume. 1) Is France strongly politically active? How? 2) Does France consequently have a high level of social capital as well? How is it measured? 3) Where does France stand in comparison to other countries in regard to the link between political activism and social integration?
Hemorrhage alters plasma and cardiac enkephalins and catecholamines in anesthetized dogs

Intrinsic cardiac enkephalins participate in circulatory regulation either through the modification of vagal control or vasomotor sympathetic control. We extracted, chromatographed, and assayed plasma and myocardial enkephalins from anesthetized dogs under control conditions and during hemorrhagic hypotension (2 h at 40 mmHg). Blood samples were collected at intervals during the experiment. Blood gases were stable, pH declined to 7.1, and heart rate rose. Plasma catecholamines increased and remained high throughout hypotension. Catecholamine and enkephalin immunoreactivities (ir) were unchanged in time controls. Plasma methionine-enkephalin (ME) and peptide F increased twofold and methionine-enkephalin-arginine-phenylalanine (MEAP) and peptide B increased 10- to 30-fold during hypotension. Plasma proenkephalin (ProEnk) and other large enkephalins were unchanged during hypotension. Myocardial norepinephrine was greater in the atria and both atrial and ventricular contents were decreased after hypotension. ProEnk and peptide B accounted for > 60% of the cardiac enkephalins, and their ventricular concentrations were three to four times atrial concentrations. Myocardial MEAP concentrations were 15-25 times the ME concentrations in the same tissue extracts. Hypotension increased myocardial peptide B and ProEnk, and ME, MEAP, and peptide F were unchanged. The data demonstrate a preferential processing to or retention of MEAP rather than ME-ir enkephalins in the heart. The data also indicate that myocardial MEAP-ir enkephalins respond to changes in the circulatory environment and appear in the plasma during hemorrhagic hypotension.
The Impact of Multinational Retailers in the Third World an Exploratory Study

A majority of multinational corporations operating in the Third World countries are engaged primarily in the manufacturing or production activities crucial to the economic growth of these countries. Very few of them are primarily or substantially involved in the distribution sector – in the wholesaling and retailing of goods and services. Thus, while the multinational corporations carry with them sophisticated marketing know-how and use the same in the formulation of marketing strategies and policies for their subsidiaries in the developing countries, there are unintentional lapses and leakages in the process of implementing marketing programs due mainly to the gaps that exist between the managerial orientation of manufacturers and that of local market middlemen. The latter, in most developing countries, are still a truly indigenous operation embedded with local values and cultural norms. In very few cases, the manufacturing operations of MNC's are supplemented by suitable distribution systems and networks adapted to the needs of developing countries. Similarly, most large retail chains operating in North America or Europe have not gone to developing countries in a big way. A few U.S. chains did move across the border to selected Latin American countries, but their number is very small. Most of them are believed to have little incentive to move to other developing countries, mainly for two reasons: the advantage of a large domestic market in the home land and comparatively greater risks perceived in overseas retail business. The risks arise from the fact that the trading activities in most developing countries are more culture prone and labor intensive.
Evaluation of the Follicular Cycle in Ball Pythons (Python regius)

Abstract This study evaluated the development of ovarian follicles of ball pythons (Python regius) ultrasonographically over two breeding seasons. In the first breeding season, four mature, adult female ball pythons were examined at 4–6 wk intervals. Data collected during each examination included the snake's weight and the number and size of the follicles observed. Dominant follicles were counted as “large” follicles and differentiated from the “small” follicles at a diameter of 20 mm. Snake behavior was observed daily. Three mature females ovulated and produced eggs during this season, whereas the fourth resorbed all follicles. In the second breeding season, four nulliparous females were added to the original four mature adults. They were examined ultrasonographically at 2–4 wk intervals, with similar data collected during each examination. The data from these two breeding cycles suggest that there are three distinct, identifiable stages of follicular development: follicular quiescence, atresia, and dev...
Energy-Based Facial Rejuvenation: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment

ImportanceThe market for nonsurgical, energy-based facial rejuvenation techniques has increased exponentially since lasers were first used for skin rejuvenation in 1983. Advances in this area have ...
Review Times and Adverse Events for Cardiovascular Devices

Shorter regulatory review times for high-risk cardiovascular devices correlate with the likelihood of reports of adverse events.
Taxonomy of ' Euconnus complex'. Part X. Drastophus placed as a junior synonym of Tetramelus , and Smicrophus as a junior synonym of Napochus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)

Drastophus and Smicrophus were originally described as genera of Nearctic Scydmaeninae. Drastophus was later synonymized with Euconnus s. str., and subsequently resurrected as a subgenus of Euconnus . Smicrophus was also proposed as a genus, and later placed as a subgenus of Euconnus . However, examination of the type species of each subgenus in the present study led to different conclusions. Drastophus laevicollis differs only in minor details from the type species of Euconnus ( Tetramelus ), namely in a shorter head, and the pronotum not constricted near base and lacking the median longitudinal antebasal carina. These differences are not sufficient to maintain Drastophus as a separate subgenus, and this name is placed as a junior synonym of Tetramelus . Smicrophus leviceps , in turn, is very similar to Euconnus ( Napochus ); the only differences in relation to the type species of Napochus are the pronotum broadest slightly in front of base instead of at base, head lacking bristles, lateral antebasal pronotal pits shifted to a more submedian position, and a different shape of hypostomal ridges. Some of these characters were previously found to be variable within Napochus , and others are only minor differences that can also be interpreted as variability within a subgenus. Consequently, Smicrophus is placed as a junior synonym of Napochus .
Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Hepatitis B Virus Among Homeless and Nonhomeless United States Veterans.

Background Veterans are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Homeless veterans are at particularly high risk for HIV, HCV, and HBV due to a variety of overlapping risk factors, including high rates of mental health disorders and substance use disorders. The prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV among homeless veterans nationally is currently unknown. This study describes national testing rates and prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV among homeless veterans. Methods Using data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Warehouse Data from 2015, we evaluated HIV, HCV, and HBV laboratory testing and infection confirmation rates and diagnoses on the Problem List for nonhomeless veterans and for veterans utilizing homeless services in 2015. Results Among 242740 homeless veterans in VA care in 2015, HIV, HCV, and HBV testing occurred in 63.8% (n = 154812), 78.1% (n = 189508), and 52.8% (n = 128262), respectively. The HIV population prevalence was 1.52% (3684/242740) among homeless veterans, compared with 0.44% (23797/5424685) among nonhomeless veterans. The HCV population prevalence among homeless veterans was 12.1% (29311/242740), compared with 2.7% (148079/5424685) among nonhomeless veterans, while the HBV population prevalence was 0.99% (2395/242740) for homeless veterans and 0.40% (21611/5424685) among nonhomeless veterans. Conclusions To our knowledge this work represents the most comprehensive tested prevalence and population prevalence estimates of HIV, HCV, and HBV among homeless veterans nationally. The data demonstrate high prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV among homeless veterans, and reinforce the need for integrated healthcare services along with homeless programming.
Label-free, high-throughput holographic screening and enumeration of tumor cells in blood.

We introduce inline digital holographic microscopy (in-line DHM) as a label-free technique for detecting tumor cells in blood. The optimized DHM platform fingerprints every cell flowing through a microchannel at 10 000 cells per second, based on three features – size, maximum intensity and mean intensity. To identify tumor cells in a background of blood cells, we developed robust gating criteria using machine-learning approaches. We established classifiers from the features extracted from 100 000-cell training sets consisting of red blood cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tumor cell lines. The optimized classifier was then applied to targeted features of a single cell in a mixed cell population to make quantitative cell-type predictions. We tested our classification system with tumor cells spiked at different levels into a background of lysed blood that contained predominantly peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results show that our holographic screening method can readily detect as few as 10 tumor cells per mL, and can identify tumor cells at a false positive rate of at most 0.001%. This purely optical approach obviates the need for antibody labeling and allows large volumes of sample to be quickly processed. Moreover, our in-line DHM approach can be combined with existing circulation tumor cell enrichment strategies, making it a promising tool for label-free analysis of liquid-biopsy samples.
A GM1-ganglioside-binding protein in rat brain.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the extraction and characterization of a protein (proteins) from rat brain that binds to GMl ganglioside with high affinity. The binding assay technique used to detect this protein has been carefully developed to ensure proper interpretation of results. Foremost, the cholera toxin—the competitive ligand—must be pure, labeled to a high enough specific radioactivity, and chemically stable. Tritiation of the B subunit of cholera toxin (CT)—while it is bound to a GM1 affinity matrix—satisfies these requirements and represents a technological improvement over the standard iodination procedure of the holotoxin. The chapter explores a protein from rat brain that specifically competes against cholera toxin for binding to GM1 ganglioside. This protein appears distinct from the ganglioside binding proteins found in porcine intestine and pituitary and on rat macrophages.
Applying a Software Development Product Cycle to Library Technology Adoption and Development

ABSTRACTProduct cycles have long been used in software development, but libraries can also benefit from a structured product life cycle to help manage technology development and acquisition. This a...
Menthol Cough Drops: Cause for Concern?

BACKGROUND Over-the-counter (OTC) cough remedies are lightly regulated and their potential side effects may go unrecognized. During 2015, over 282 million cough drops were sold in the United States. A Wisconsin community clinician (RM) made clinical observations suggesting that excessive use of OTC cough drops may exacerbate rather than benefit coughs. The goal of this project was to assess whether menthol in cough drops is related to worse cough symptoms. METHODS From April 2016 through May 2017, 5 Wisconsin primary care clinics invited adolescent and adult outpatients seeking medical care for an acute or subacute cough to take a voluntary, anonymous, 10-question cough drop use survey that included age, sex, smoking status, cough severity, cough duration, and cough drop use (including type and amount). RESULTS Of the 548 surveys collected and analyzed, 363 (66.2%) reported using cough drops. Cough drop use was significantly associated with longer duration of cough at presentation (P < .001) but not with overall cough severity (P = .09). Of cough drop users, 269 (90%) reported consuming drops with menthol. Univariate analysis found no statistically significant differences between the menthol and nonmenthol groups for either severity (P = .65) or duration (P = .17). However, significant independent associations were found between cough severity and 1) average menthol dose per cough drop (R = 0.19; P = .007), 2) number of cough drops consumed daily (R = 0.2; P = .002) and 3) total amount of menthol consumed per day (R = 0.21; P = .001) that remained significant (P = .003) after controlling for age, sex, smoking status, season, and clinic site. CONCLUSIONS Cough severity in some individuals may be negatively influenced by the amount of menthol consumed via cough drops. Clinicians should include cough drop use in history taking of patients with persisting cough illnesses. Further research into potential mechanisms is warranted.
Multiple Events per Subject

There is increasing interest, and need, to apply survival analysis to data sets with multiple events per subject. This includes both the cases of multiple events of the same type, and events of different types. Examples of the former would be recurrent infections in AIDS patients or multiple infarcts in a coronary study. Examples of the latter are the use of both survival and recurrence information in cancer trials, or multiple sequelae (toxicity, worsening symptoms, etc.) in the management of chronic disease. With the increasing emphasis on quality of life, rehospitalization, and other secondary endpoints such analyses will become more common.
The Early Mesolithic Landscape

During the course of the Early Mesolithic, overall vegetational diversity increased, leading to a more varied mosaic of plant communities across the landscape. With the increasing deciduous component, seasonal differences in vegetational cover became more pronounced. In this more varied landscape, it is likely that animal distributions and movements of individual animal species became more restricted and predictable, according to the different requirements of each species. Some vegetational patches became more obviously richer than others. Forest density increased, causing greater difficulty in movement and visibility. Canoes were probably present to assist movement, as some sites appear on islands, in the Federsee, for example, but this device may have primarily assisted residential movement and fishing more than hunting. The amount of available graze decreased even more, with the result that horse and, to a much lesser extent, aurochs, declined in abundance. Boar and roe deer would have been particularly favored by these changes and increased in numbers, and red deer would have persisted as an important component of the environment; all three would have been quite widespread in their distribution. Moose may have decreased in abundance and become more restricted in distribution around the lakes of Oberschwaben and the Rhine lowlands.
Perspectives of psychiatric investigators and IRB chairs regarding benefits of psychiatric genetics research.

Abstract There is hope that psychiatric genetics inquiry will provide important insights into the origins and treatment of mental illness given the burden of these conditions. We sought to examine perspectives of psychiatric genetic investigators regarding the potential benefits of genetic research in general and the potential benefits of genetic research for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses specifically. We compared investigator attitudes with those of chairs of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) entrusted with evaluating the benefits and risks of human research studies. Two groups directly engaged with the conduct and oversight of psychiatric genetic research were examined (psychiatric investigators, n = 203; IRB Chairs, n = 183). Participants rated 15 survey items regarding current and future benefits of general genetic research, possible benefits of psychiatric genetic research, and the importance to society of genetic vs. non-genetic research examining causes and treatments of illnesses. Investigators and IRB Chairs strongly endorsed the future benefits of general genetic research for society and for the health of individuals; compared to IRB Chairs, investigators were more positive about these benefits. Even after adjusting for demographic variables, psychiatric genetic investigators were significantly more optimistic about genetic research compared with IRB Chairs. Both groups were moderately optimistic about the possible benefits of genetic research related to mental illness. Greater optimism was seen regarding new or personalized medications for mental illnesses, as well as genetic predictive testing of mental illnesses. Greater precision and circumspection about the potential benefits of psychiatric genetic research are needed.
Native Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and non‐native brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis prefer similar water temperatures

Preferred water temperatures and acute temperature tolerance limits of two salmonids in California were assessed: juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, a native anadromous species, and sub-adult brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, an introduced game species. These two species preferred similar temperatures across an 18 h temperature preference experiment and showed similar critical thermal tolerance limits, suggesting a substantial thermal habitat overlap in the wild.
Synchronization of speed, sound and iridescent color in a hummingbird aerial courtship dive.

Many animal signals are complex, often combining multimodal components with dynamic motion. To understand the function and evolution of these displays, it is vital to appreciate their spatiotemporal organization. Male broad-tailed hummingbirds (Selasphorus platycercus) perform dramatic U-shaped courtship dives over females, appearing to combine rapid movement and dive-specific mechanical noises with visual signals from their iridescent gorgets. To understand how motion, sound and color interact in these spectacular displays, we obtained video and audio recordings of dives performed by wild hummingbirds. We then applied a multi-angle imaging technique to estimate how a female would perceive the male’s iridescent gorget throughout the dive. We show that the key physical, acoustic and visual aspects of the dive are remarkably synchronized—all occurring within 300 milliseconds. Our results highlight the critical importance of accounting for motion and orientation when investigating animal displays: speed and trajectory affect how multisensory signals are produced and perceived. Although components of animal mating signals are often studied separately, many animals produce complex multimodal displays. Here, the authors show that the courtship display of male broad-tailed hummingbirds consists of synchronized motions, sounds, and colors that occur within just 300 milliseconds.
The value relevance of timely information: The case of comparable store sales growth

Abstract Investors and analysts have called for more timely disclosure of corporate information. Responding to these demands, some retail firms issue comparable store sales (CSS) on a monthly or a quarterly basis in addition to an annual basis. This study examines whether a timely disclosure of CSS provides value-relevant information to market participants by examining investors' and financial analysts' responses at the time of CSS disclosures (short-horizon) and over the month or the quarter (long-horizon). We find that both monthly and quarterly CSS are associated with contemporaneous market returns and analyst forecast revisions. More importantly, we find that quarterly CSS news becomes less important to investors when firms provide more timely CSS information, indicating that monthly CSS reports may preempt the information content of quarterly CSS. Additional tests show that investors and analysts rely less on CSS if CSS news and earnings (sales) news are inconsistent.
International Undergraduate Student Engagement: Implications for Higher Education Administrators

Much has been written about engaging international students in their new campus environments. However, there is still a gap between literature and practice in terms of such students’ initial experiences. A systematic review of 48 studies published between 2007 and 2018 was conducted to locate the research gaps, examine how and in what areas international undergraduate students are being encouraged to participate, and their unique experiences with the process. The findings show that few studies focused solely on international undergraduates. Their engagement varied depending on the student’s background, major, region, and type of institution. These students faced unique and uneven experiences with social support, academics, community identity, connectedness, and perceived discrimination. Implications for higher education administrators, international students, and researchers suggested.
Exact and heuristic solution algorithms for efficient emergency evacuation in areas with vulnerable populations

Abstract Proper emergency evacuation planning is a key to ensure safety and efficiency of transportation networks in the event of approaching natural hazards. A sound evacuation plan can save human lives and avoid congestion. In order to develop effective emergency evacuation plans, this study presents a mixed-integer programming model that assigns individuals, including vulnerable population groups, to emergency shelters through evacuation routes during the available time periods. The objective of the mathematical model is to minimize the total travel time of individuals leaving an evacuation zone. Unlike many emergency evacuation models presented in the literature, the proposed mathematical model directly accounts for the effects of socio-demographic characteristics of evacuees, evacuation route characteristics, driving conditions, and traffic characteristics on the travel time of evacuees. An exact optimization approach and a set of heuristic approaches are applied to yield solutions for the developed model. The numerical experiments are conducted for emergency evacuation of Broward County (Florida, United States). The results show that the exact optimization approach cannot tackle the large-size problem instances. On the other hand, the proposed heuristic algorithms are able to provide good-quality solutions within a reasonable computational time. Therefore, the developed mathematical model and heuristic algorithms can further assist the appropriate agencies with efficient and timely emergency evacuation planning.
Mixed Acid–Base Disorders

Mixed acid–base disorders are common in hospitalized patients and particularly when severe can affect the clinical outcome. Diagnosis of these disturbances requires a systematic approach using information from a history and physical examination, knowledge of the secondary response to primary acid–base disorders, calculation of the serum anion gap and change in the anion gap from baseline, and in some cases urinary electrolytes. Treatment is based on the severity of the disturbances and can include with acidemia in addition to correction of the underlying cause administration of base. With alkalemia, in addition to administration of the underlying cause, dialysis with low bicarbonate dialysate might be required in severe cases in the presence of renal failure. The chapter reviews current information on diagnosis and recommendations for treatment.
Reflections on academic lives: Identities, struggles, and triumphs in graduate school and beyond

Reflections, not book chapters, are the aims of Staci Zavattaro and Shannon Orr in their latest edited volume Reflections on Academic Lives: Identities, Struggles, and Triumphs in Graduate School a...
In-Band Sensing of the Adversary’s Channel for Secure Communication in Wireless Channels

We propose a model of secure communication over wireless channels in which the legitimate parties leverage Radio Tomographic Imaging (RTI) to learn the adversary. Specifically, we model the results of RTI as an "in band" sensing channel that provides causal information about the eavesdropper’s path-loss to the transmitter. This ability to learn the path-loss is exploited to achieve secrecy, even in presence of an eavesdropper that moves to optimize its path-loss and improves its eavesdropping. We show that the secrecy rates achieved are the same as those that would have been obtained with hindsight, had the transmitter known the average path-loss ahead of time.
The Modern Era of Indigenous College Student Support in Primarily White Institutions.

Some institutions have incorporated Indigenous Student Affairs (ISA) programs as an approach to retaining Indigenous college students—but how well do we understand and support ISA work? We intervie...
Geographic Variation in Outcomes and Costs After Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate regional variations in the management, complications, and total cost of admission for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) treated by elective posterior spinal surgery (PSF, ≥4 levels). Methods The Kids' Inpatient Database year 2012 was queried and adolescent patients (age 10–17 years old) with AIS undergoing elective PSF (≥4 levels) were selected. The primary outcome was regional variations for intraoperative and postoperative complications, length of surgery, and total cost of admission after elective PSF intervention. Results In our cohort of 3759 adolescent patients identified, 704 (18.7%) patients were treated in the Northeast, 917 (24.4%) in the Midwest, 1329 (35.4%) in the South, and 809 (21.5%) in the West (Northeast: n = 704; Midwest: n = 917; South: n = 1329; West: n = 809). The Northeast had the greatest complication rate, followed by the Midwest, South, and West region cohorts (Northeast: 27.7% vs. Midwest: 24.5% vs. South: 23.0% vs. West: 17.2%, P Conclusions Our study suggests that there may be regional variations in health care resource utilization in AIS patients undergoing multilevel posterior spinal fusions. Further study is warranted to determine the specific factors contributing to disparities in regional outcomes.
Evaluation of suspected neonatal herpes simplex virus infection in preterm versus term newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Background While national guidelines are available for the evaluation and management of term infants at risk for herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, such guidelines are lacking for preterm infants. We sought to determine the risk factors and clinical characteristics of preterm vs. term infants who were evaluated and treated empirically for HSV infection in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods In a retrospective cohort study, medical records of all infants who were admitted to our NICU (2009-2016) and who were evaluated and empirically treated for HSV were reviewed for mothers' and infants' demographics, clinical characteristics, and laboratory findings. Results During the study period 4.2% (103/2,471) of all preterm infants, and 6.0% (112/1,865) of all term infants were evaluated and treated empirically for neonatal HSV. Among all infants who were evaluated and treated for HSV, 5.5% (12/215) had neonatal HSV disease, of whom 83.3% (10/12) were preterm infants. In comparison to term, preterm infants were more likely to be evaluated and treated, if they had a maternal history of HSV [OR 2.51 (95% CI: 1.41-4.48)], prolonged rupture of membranes [2.64 (1.221-5.73)], leukopenia [3.65 (1.94-6.87)] and thrombocytopenia [2.25 (0.85-5.89)]. HSV disease was associated with a higher mortality compared to those without disease [25% (3/12) vs. 4.4% (9/203) respectively; p = Conclusion Preterm infants evaluated and empirically treated for HSV have a higher burden of HSV infection than term infants. HSV should be considered in the management of preterm infant with a maternal history of HSV, prolonged rupture of membranes, and thrombocytopenia.
The infection rate of intralesional triamcinolone and the safety of compounding in dermatology for intradermal and subcutaneous injection: A retrospective medical record review.

Background Intralesional injection of sterile medications remains a mainstay in dermatology, enabling a tailored, low-cost, in-office therapy. After the 2012 United States outbreak of fungal meningitis from contaminated intrathecally administered corticosteroids, there has been increased regulation of in-office compounding, regardless of the administration route. Studies demonstrating the safety data of in-office corticosteroid compounding for intradermal or subcutaneous use are lacking. Objective To assess the incidence of infection caused by compounded in-office intralesional triamcinolone. Methods A retrospective medical record review identified patients who received in-office intralesional corticosteroid injections in 2016. Medical documentation within 30 days of injection was reviewed for suspected infection. Results The records of 4370 intralesional triamcinolone injections were assessed, of which 2780 (64%) were compounded triamcinolone with bacteriostatic saline. We identified 11 (0.25%) suspected localized infections, with 4 of the 11 in the compounding cohort. Of these, 7 of 11 occurred after injection of an “inflamed cyst.” No hospitalizations or deaths occurred. No temporal or locational relationships were identified. Limitations This study was limited to 2 academic institutions. A 30-day postinjection time frame was used. Conclusion In-office compounding for intralesional dermal and subcutaneous administration is safe when sterile products are used by medical practitioners. There is no increased risk of compounded triamcinolone relative to noncompounded triamcinolone.
LITT in Pediatric Epilepsy

MRgLITT was first used for treatment of epilepsy in a child in 2010. Since that initial case, the technique has been applied to many pediatric epileptogenic targets such as tuberous sclerosis, mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, focal cortical dysplasia, periventricular nodular heterotopia, insular epilepsy, cavernous malformation, and, most efficiently, hypothalamic hamartoma. The combination of instant thermal ablation and peri-operative steroids to combat edema has resulted in an 83% 1-year seizure freedom rate with 1.5% rate of memory impairment, making it a profound improvement on open surgery. The technique has also been applied in disconnection, such as in corpus callosotomy, both in de novo and in salvage cases. In the treatment of drop attacks, three to four lasers can be employed to achieve the disconnection minimally invasively, obviating the need for a craniotomy. Outside of hypothalamic hamartoma, there have been few large pathology-based series, and long-term cognitive data is not available. MRgLITT in pediatric epilepsy holds the promise of less morbidity and shorter hospital stays, steps that may narrow the treatment gap in pediatric epilepsy surgery from anxiety and morbidity avoidance.
Policing the Good Guys: Regulation of the Charitable Sector Through a Federal Charity Oversight Board

Recently, public confidence in the charitable sector has eroded due to a barrage of media reports on scandals and abuses. The principal parties charged with regulation of the charitable sector, the Internal Revenue Service and state attorneys general, are saddled with bureaucratic constraints that make it difficult to enforce the laws governing the fiduciary responsibilities of charity managers. Substantial reform in the regulation of charitable organizations is necessary to curb the reported abuses that have undermined confidence in the charitable sector.Some advocate expanding private regulation of the charitable sector to improve enforcement of the fiduciary responsibilities of charitable managers. While some of these private regulatory alternatives have had success in isolated situations, none are satisfactory in providing comprehensive and effective oversight of the charitable sector. Overall, the policies underlying oversight of charitable organizations support maintaining primary responsibility for their regulation in a centralized authority. However, the financial, political, institutional, and agency constraints imposed on the Internal Revenue Service and state attorneys general make them unlikely to implement enough internal reform to be an ongoing, effective enforcement presence in the charitable sector. This Article advocates the creation of a new, federal, quasi-public agency that would be the principal regulator of the charitable sector. The new agency would be a self-funded, independent, and proactive regulator that would serve the dual purposes of curbing the abuses that have eroded public confidence in the sector and educating charity managers of their obligation to be responsible stewards of charitable resources. The proposed agency would be primarily responsible for enforcing federal tax laws aimed at influencing fiduciary behavior of charity managers and preserving charitable assets for public benefit. Its formation, therefore, would separate oversight of charity governance from the tax collection function, thus harmonizing the United States with other countries that have established independent charity oversight agencies.