cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microvascular reconstruction of the distal digits by partial toe transfer.

The ideal reconstruction of the distal digits should maintain digital length and provide nail function and sensate glabrous volar pulp. Advances in microsurgical technique have made this possible through a variety of tissue transfers. The foot, especially in the area of the great and second toes, is an excellent source of replacement tissue for distal digital losses. Options for reconstruction use transfer of the contiguous hemipulps of the great and second toes (separately or in combination), great or lesser toenails, great or lesser toe wrap-around flaps, distal trimmed great toe, and partial lesser toes. Several technical refinements have been introduced aiming at simplifying the technique of harvesting and at improving the function and appearance of the reconstructed digits.
Use of Contaminated Sludge in Concrete

Abstract Brazil, the 5th largest country by landmass and the 8th largest by Gross Domestic Product, continues to grow both in population as well as in construction. Major construction investments in Brazil has increased the demand for concrete. Taking into account the constant growth in population in the past 20 years, this paper presents an innovative solution that could potentially decrease the cost of concrete, while also helping to preserve the environment. The solution proposes using the hazardous waste (sludge) from Brazil's water purification system, Estacao de Tratamento de Agua (ETA), as an alternative aggregate for concrete. Sludge is a type of hazardous waste produced by the water purification process. With the dramatic growth in Brazil's population, the demand for drinking water has caused there to be an overabundance of hazardous waste. Sludge, if disposed inappropriately, harms the environment. Using sludge in concrete will minimize the amount harming the environment and provide a low-cost solution to aggregates needed in concrete. The research reviews and analyzes the implementation and feasibility of this solution.
Transcriptomics-Guided Design of Synthetic Promoters for a Mammalian System

Despite recent advances in improving titers for therapeutic proteins such as antibodies to the 10 g/L scale, these high yields can only be achieved in select mammalian hosts. Regardless of the host or product, strong promoters are required to obtain high levels of transgene expression. However, the promoters employed to drive this expression are rather limited in variety and are usually either viral-derived or screened empirically during vector design. To begin to move away from viral parts, we employed a more systematic approach to identify and design new synthetic promoters using endogenous elements. To do so, we established a workflow to design these elements by (1) analyzing the transcriptomics profile of a specific cell line under a desired, representative cell culture condition, (2) identifying key genetic motifs using bioinformatics that can be used to rationally construct synthetic promoters, (3) building synthetic promoters using conventional DNA synthesis and molecular biology techniques, and (4...
Reduced β-adrenoceptor sensitivity in the elderly

The effect of age on sensitivity to both isoproterenol and propranolol has been investigated in 27 male volunteers aged 21 to 73 yr. The dose of isoproterenol (given as a rapid intravenous injection) required to increase the resting heart rate by 25 bpm (I25) increased with age. The I25 was repeated during an intravenous infusion of propranolol and the dose ratio (I25 after propranolol divided by the control I25) determined. This was related to the concentration of free propranolol in plasma. It was found that the effectiveness of any given free concentration diminished progressively with age. These data are consistent with a diminished responsiveness of the beta-adrenoceptor to both agonist and antagonist drugs with advancing years.
Lazarus effects: the frequency and genetic causes of Escherichia coli population recovery under lethal heat stress

Sometimes populations crash and yet recover before being lost completely. Such recoveries have been observed incidentally in evolution experiments using Escherichia coli, and this phenomenon has been termed the “Lazarus effect.” To investigate how often recovery occurs and the genetic changes that drive it, we evolved ~300 populations of E. coli at lethally high temperatures (43.0°) for five days and sequenced the genomes of recovered populations. Our results revealed that the Lazarus effect is uncommon, but frequent enough, at ~9% of populations, to be a potent source of evolutionary innovation. Population sequencing uncovered a set of mutations adaptive to lethal 43.0°C that were mostly distinct from those that were beneficial at a high but nonlethal temperature (42.2°). Mutations within two operons—the heat shock hslUV operon and the RNA polymerase rpoBC operon—drove adaptation to lethal temperature. Mutations in hslUV exhibited little antagonistic pleiotropy at 37.0°C and may have arisen neutrally prior to subjection to lethal temperature. In contrast, rpoBC mutations provided greater fitness benefits than hslUV mutants, but were less prevalent and caused stronger fitness tradeoffs at lower temperatures. Recovered populations fixed mutations in only one operon or the other, but not both, indicating that epistatic interactions between beneficial mutations were important even at the earliest stages of adaptation.
The East Coast Blizzard of 2016: The Northeast Gets Buried

From January 22–23, 2016, a potent snowstorm and blizzard visited the United States East Coast, setting new snowfall records in several locations and paralyzing the vast Northeastern Megalopolis. N...
Collagen Substrate Stiffness Anisotropy Affects Cellular Elongation, Nuclear Shape, and Stem Cell Fate toward Anisotropic Tissue Lineage

Rigidity of substrates plays an important role in stem cell fate. Studies are commonly carried out on isotropically stiff substrate or substrates with unidirectional stiffness gradients. However, many native tissues are anisotropically stiff and it is unknown whether controlled presentation of stiff and compliant material axes on the same substrate governs cytoskeletal and nuclear morphology, as well as stem cell differentiation. In this study, electrocompacted collagen sheets are stretched to varying degrees to tune the stiffness anisotropy (SA) in the range of 1 to 8, resulting in stiff and compliant material axes orthogonal to each other. The cytoskeletal aspect ratio increased with increasing SA by about fourfold. Such elongation was absent on cellulose acetate replicas of aligned collagen surfaces indicating that the elongation was not driven by surface topography. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded on varying anisotropy sheets displayed a dose-dependent upregulation of tendon-related markers such as Mohawk and Scleraxis. After 21 d of culture, highly anisotropic sheets induced greater levels of production of type-I, type-III collagen, and thrombospondin-4. Therefore, SA has direct effects on MSC differentiation. These findings may also have ramifications of stem cell fate on other anisotropically stiff tissues, such as skeletal/cardiac muscles, ligaments, and bone.
Single-mode and multimode visible chemical laser amplifiers

The optical signatures for the processes Na 3 + Cl , Br .l → Na 2 * + NaX ( X = Cl , Br , l ) emcompass emission from a limited number of Na2 band systems. Surprisingly, the observed emission is characterized by sharp well-defined emission regions (Fig. 1) superimposed on a much weaker but perceptible background.1 These sharp emission features are not readily explained by invoking a purely fluorescent process.2 Their correlation in certain regions to the emission characteristic of optically pumped Na2 laser systems suggested the possibility that stimulated emission analogous to that obtained in alkali dimer optical pumping experiments3 might be associated with certain Na2 emission products.
Introduction: Rewriting the Definition of Empathy

This inquiry examines empathy as used in context even when the word “empathy” is not explicitly mentioned. The capacity for empathy, not the mere word, is engaged in diverse intellectual traditions. The difference between the mention of the word “empathy” and its use is indicated by enclosing the mention in quotation marks. A definition of empathy is proposed in which it is a unified multi-dimensional process that includes empathic receptivity, empathic understanding, empathic interpretation, and empathic responsiveness. These aspects of empathy form a unified whole and the application of this definition makes sense out of a diversity of apparently conflicting examples, applications, descriptions, and definitions of empathy.
Pathways to Performance Improvement from Privatization

Privatization as a pro-market strategy relies on increased monitoring by shareholders (Cuervo-Cazurra & Dau, 2009) and the removal of political interference (Shleifer & Vishny, 1994) to order to in...
A 1.2 ns GaAs 4 K read only memory

The first commercially available GaAs 4 K ROM (read-only memory) has been designed and manufactured using the 3-level metal HMED (high-margin enhancement/depletion) process. The access time of 1.2 ns is obtained with a power dissipation of 1.9 W. It is concluded that extra margin in the circuit design for a wide range of power supply variation and processing window has contributed to good processing yield. The design criteria also allow the target pinch-off voltage to be changed for a particular application need in power/speed combination. >
The Basal Ganglia and Decision-Making in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Decision-making is the process of choosing an appropriate series of goal-directed actions. It is a multidisciplinary topic that has been approached from different angles in various research fields including psychology, neuroscience, and economics. Our decisions are informed by our past (memory), dependent on the current situation (context), and are motivated by rewards. Basic reward features including magnitude, probability, and time play a central role in decision-making processes. Extensive research has explored the elements of decision-making in detailed computational models and demonstrated the potential neurophysiological mechanisms for decision-making using functional neuroimaging methods. There is an extensive literature on the role of basal ganglia-cortical circuits and dopamine in decision-making in healthy people and individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders. In this chapter, we provide an overview of terms used in decision-making research and an overview of the behavioral and neural correlates of decision-making. This is followed by a description of how different aspects of decision-making are affected in a number of neuropsychiatric conditions. Basic research provides a framework for analyzing potential pathological mechanisms within the basal ganglia-cortical circuits that contribute to decision-making deficits across different neuropsychiatric disorders. In particular, disturbances in dopaminergic pathways and the regulation of these pathways could contribute to alterations in decision-making in disorders including Parkinson’s disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourette syndrome, Schizophrenia, and Mood disorders.
Exoplanets: Weather forecast for a hot Jupiter

Atmospheres within the Solar System are known to exhibit seasonal changes. Observations with the Kepler spacecraft hint at analogous periodic weather variations in an exoplanet atmosphere.
Capital Investment Pattern of Different Herd Size of Goat Rearing in Amravati District

The findings of the study reveal that the small, medium, large goat rearers and goat farms with average herd size (including below and above one year) were 13.71, 21.28, 34.21, 73.30, respectively. Increase in stock at the end of the year was 14.21, 21.74, 34.55, 75.10, respectively in case of small, medium, large categories of goat rearers and goat farms. Average total cost incurred was found to be Rs. 28094.76, Rs. 41816.50, Rs. 58966.38 and Rs. 146114.10, respectively towards small, medium, large goat rearers and goat farms. The average capital investment was Rs. 45299.38, Rs. 66820.02, Rs. 109207.81, Rs. 67822.24, Rs. 213357.40, respectively towards small, medium, large, overall goat rearers and goat farms.
Big Data Framework for Finding Patterns in Multi-market Trading Data

In the United States, multimarket trading is becoming very popular for investors, professionals and high-frequency traders. This research focuses on 13 exchanges and applies data mining algorithm, an unsupervised machine learning technique for discovering the relationships between stock exchanges. In this work, we used an association rule (FP-growth) algorithm for finding trading pattern in exchanges. Thirty days NYSE Trade and Quote (TAQ) data were used for these experiments. We implemented a big data framework of Spark clusters on the top of Hadoop to conduct the experiment. The rules and co-relations found in this work seems promising and can be used by the investors and traders to make a decision.
Smart Grids: Importance of Power Quality

The transformation from a centralized electrical grid system to a distributed electrical system via smart grids has drawn tremendous attention. Smart grids introduce new technological concepts that require interconnection between sensitive electrical and electronics components. It is important to maintain electromagnetic compatibility between these components to assure uninterrupted and high quality supply of electricity in future under deregulated grid set-up. Realization of smart grids requires balance between two main trade-offs: efficiency and reliability. Often reliability is given priority however it is not always guaranteed. Power quality is one of the important aspects responsible for smart grids reliability and should not be neglected. An adequate power quality guarantees the necessary compatibility between all equipments connected to grids. Henceforth, in this paper presents a review on smart grids structure, significance and requirement of power quality, and different levels of power quality issues in smart grids.
Abstract 5418: GATA3 zinc-finger mutation induces transcriptional reprogramming in breast cancer through gain and loss of function

Recent large-scale breast cancer genomic profiling identified frequent mutations in a pioneer transcription factor, GATA3. The expression of GATA3 is a prominent marker of luminal breast tumors, and loss of GATA3 expression is associated with aggressive tumor phenotypes. In addition, GATA3 mutations are frequently found in these luminal tumors. However, the clinical and molecular outcomes of GATA3 mutations are poorly understood. Our novel classification scheme of GATA3 mutations defines distinct clinical features of breast tumors with mutations in the second GATA3 zinc-finger (ZnFn2): frequent observation in luminal B subtype and worse prognosis than other GATA3 mutant cases. To dissect the molecular impacts of these ZnFn2 mutations, we generated a GATA3 mutant breast cancer cell clone by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. An engineered ZnFn2 mutant cell line manifested increased tumor growth as xenografts and more aggressive phenotypes in vitro. The ZnFn2 mutation led to loss of GATA3 binding and decreased expression at a subset of genes, including progesterone receptor (PR). The mutant cells also exhibited gain of GATA3 binding at other loci, correlated with increased expression of mesenchymal marker genes. Decreased expression of PR and impaired response to progesterone were crucial for cancer-promoting functions in GATA3 ZnFn2 mutant cells. Downregulation of PR and its downstream genes was also observed in the clinical gene expression data. These results illuminate tumor-promoting functions of GATA3 ZnFn2 mutations in breast cancer. Citation Format: Motoki Takaku, Sara A. Grimm, John D. Roberts, Kaliopi Chrysovergis, Page Myers, Charles M. Perou, Paul A. Wade. GATA3 zinc-finger mutation induces transcriptional reprogramming in breast cancer through gain and loss of function [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5418.
Venetoclax for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) in the relapsed setting remains challenging, despite recent impressive advances in the management of these patients. Venetoclax (ABT-199) is...
Vapor pressure and vaporization enthalpy studies of (+)-longifolene, (−)-isolongifolene and β-myrcene by correlation gas chromatography

Abstract This paper examines the use of two different sets of standards, n-alkanes and a more structurally diverse group of cyclic and polycyclic molecules to evaluate the vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures of (+) longifolene(−)-isolongifolene and β-myrcene using correlation gas chromatography. Both sets of standards provide similar vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures of the title compounds at T = 298.15 K within their experimental uncertainties. The group of cyclic and polycyclic hydrocarbons reproduce the vapor pressures of the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons at elevated temperatures best while the same properties of β-myrcene are best reproduced by the n-alkanes as judged by reproduction of both experimental boiling temperatures measured at reduced pressures and vapor pressures. The results confirm previous findings obtained on polycyclic hydrocarbons regarding the suitability of using structurally similar standards and suggest that n-alkanes are suitable vapor pressure standards for highly unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons.
Gastric accommodation measurements by single photon emission computed tomography and two-dimensional scintigraphy in diabetic patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE To compare estimates of gastric accommodation (GA) with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to measurements based on intragastric meal distribution immediately post-meal ingestion (IMD0 ). METHODS We evaluated 108 diabetics with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms who had undergone gastric emptying of solids (GE) by scintigraphy and GA measurements by SPECT. Immediately after ingestion of a 99m Tc-labeled egg meal (time 0), we estimated IMD0 as radioactive counts or area of the proximal half of the stomach on two-dimensional images. Gastric volume (GV) during fasting and after 300 mL Ensure® was measured by SPECT to quantify accommodation volume (AV) or postprandial to fasting volume ratio (GVR). From the measured proximal gastric area, we estimated the volume of proximal stomach (4/3 × π × r3 ). We performed regression analyses to assess relationships between IMD0 and GA (AV) and GVR. RESULTS There was a significant correlation between area and radioactivity counts in the proximal stomach (r = 0.67, P < 0.001); however, there was considerable interpersonal variation [bias 0.20 (95% CI -0.07, 0.47)]. There were no significant correlations between total GV or AV or VR by SPECT and measurements using IMD0 : proximal gastric counts, area, and estimated volume as continuous variables of dichotomized patient groups, based on published cutoff values. There were no significant differences in total gastric area or the IMD0 parameters (% area or % radioactive counts) between those with and without UGI symptoms except for fullness and satiety. CONCLUSIONS Intragastric meal distribution immediately post-meal ingestion is not significantly correlated with GA measurement by SPECT.
Screening for cancer. Is it worth it

A delay in diagnosing cancer is widely perceived to compromise severely a patient's chance of being cured. The unrealistic expectations of technology and of physicians' capabilities are inconsistent with modern knowledge of the natural history of cancer. Established and recent precepts in clinical oncology and tumor biology emphasize that inherent characteristics of a malignant neoplasm predict its dissemination, rather than a real or perceived delay in diagnosis. The processes of carcinogenesis and dissemination are more nearly simultaneous than sequential. Uncritical belief in the ability of most cancer screening techniques to provide cure through early detection may do more harm than good. Policy and efforts would be better directed to the primary prevention or reversal of preneoplasia and to improved therapy for established cancer.
NOVEL TEMPORARY AQUATIC HABITATS AND DESERT INVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIES

Abstract The addition of desert water developments alleviates water stress for a variety of organisms and is likely necessary for some species as water availability from other isolated water source...
State-Fueled Energy: Quantitative Comparison of State-Led Overseas Energy Financing in China and Japan

China and Japan own the largest policy banks—state-owned financiers—in the world. Policy banks have recently drawn international attention as the Export–Import Bank of China (CHEXIM) and China Development Bank (CDB) play an important role in China’s overseas economic activities. This paper examines the extent to which the CHEXIM and CDB behave similarly to the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), their Japanese counterpart in energy loan approvals. Combining third-party data from a new database of Chinese overseas energy finance and various matching databases, this paper proposes a fixed-effect model to compare the determinants of the CHEXIM, CDB and JBIC’s overseas energy loans from a comparative perspective. Like their Japanese counterparts, Chinese banks exhibit a certain degree of concern for the recipient’s domestic economy but also exhibit risk-seeking tendencies. Contrary to claims that China’s policy bank is a tool to gain geopolitical advantage, geopolitical concerns and energy security do not appear to be determinants of the CHEXIM’s overseas finance decisions.
3D-Printed Microfluidics for Hands-On Undergraduate Laboratory Experiments

We demonstrate that the simplicity of preparing functional microfluidic devices using 3D printing is well suited for undergraduate laboratories. Educational experiments utilizing non-paper-based mi...
Elastomeric Pads as Bearings for Steel Beams

Discussion of applicability of elastomeric bearings to bridges having steel girders; survey of literature and of data obtained from highway and research agencies on development and use of neoprene ...
Developing Flexible, Networked Lighting Control Systems That Reliably Save Energy in California Buildings

Author(s): Brown, Richard; Schwartz, Peter; Nordman, Bruce; Shackelford, Jordan; Khandekar, Aditya; Jackson, Neal; Prakash, Anand; Ghosh, Srijit; Page, Erik | Abstract: An important strategy to meet California's ambitious energy efficiency goals is to use innovative wireless communications, embedded sensors, data analytics and controls to significantly reduce lighting energy use in commercial buildings. This project developed a suite of networked lighting solutions to further this goal. The technologies include a platform for low-cost sensing, distributed intelligence and communications, the “PermaMote,” which is a self-powered sensor and controller for lighting applications. The project team also developed a task ambient daylighting system that integrates sensors with data-driven daylighting control using an open communication interface, called the “Readings-At-Desk” (RAD) system. To address the problem of building occupants being confused about how to operate traditional lighting control systems, the research team created content that could be the basis for a user interface standard for lighting controls. Finally, to address the difficulty of ensuring that advanced lighting control systems actually deliver their promised energy savings, the project team developed a new method for evaluating and specifying lighting systems’ performance. The research team validated these technologies in the laboratory, showing significant lighting energy savings, up to 73% for the PermaMote sensor system from occupancy control and daylight dimming features, compared to the same light source (LED replacement lamps) operated via simple on/off scheduling. The project team also developed a proposed standard lighting data model and user interface elements, which were contributed to the ANSI Lighting Systems Committee (C137) for standardization. Existing data models are incomplete and inconsistent, whereas the lighting-specific data model developed here is clear and comprehensive, to serve as a starting point for creating common, universally agreed upon semantic definitions of key lighting parameters, to promote interoperability. For the task on verifiable performance of lighting systems, the project team developed a more effective metric for capturing the actual energy impact of a lighting system over time — the energy usage intensity (kWh/ft2/year). Three commercial lighting systems were tested in FLEXLAB® using this new metric, and the tests show a wide range in the accuracy of the self-reported energy-use metric, from 0.5% to 28% error compared to direct measurement of lighting energy using dedicated submeters. Overall, the project team estimates that these advanced technologies can reduce California office lighting energy use by 20% (above and beyond normal advanced lighting controls mandated by Title 24), resulting in about 1,600 GWh/year in savings.
Incorporation of a Hydrophilic Polymer into Annual Landscape Beds

Abstract The incorporation of a hydrophilic polymer into annual landscape beds was found to buffer temperature changes by as much as 3C (37F) during daylight hours. Under dry conditions, hydrophili...
The Role of Family and Peer Support in Diabetes

Social support has garnered significant attention as a contextual factor influencing and shaping individual behaviors, particularly in patients with diabetes. Within the social ecological model of health behavior, social support serves as primarily an interpersonal sphere of influence; however, it also serves as a mechanism for connecting individuals with the surrounding institutional/organizational, community, and policy environments. Family and peer support is one specific type of social support, but can provide all four categories of social support established in the literature: emotional support, tangible support, informational support, and companionship support. This chapter discusses evidence for the relationship between family and peer support in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes on health outcomes. Consistent with the general social support literature, family and peer support are generally associated with improved glycemic control, better self-care, and higher quality of life; however, the type and timing of support are factors that have not yet been fully examined. While family and peer support has been investigated heavily in youth with type 1 diabetes, less focus has been given to its importance in adulthood. Future interventions aimed at family and peer support should consider how to homogenize the use of support and consider specific population-based factors that should be considered to address sociodemographic and cultural factors.
Estimating the impact of an integrated CCTV program on crime

Prior research has identified that CCTV cameras play some role in deterring crime in public places. However, increasingly, CCTV surveillance is being integrated with proactive monitoring and police response. This study uses a quasi-experimental design to determine the impact of an integrated CCTV program on crime in Detroit. Data on the first 87 businesses in Project Green Light Detroit was collected, along with a matched comparison group of 201 other businesses. A Bayesian hierarchical linear growth curve model was employed to determine the effect of CCTV camera surveillance at Green Light businesses over the course of 2 years. Findings indicated that Green Light businesses experienced an immediate, but transient increase in property crime reports, as well as more consistent proactive police activity post-intervention. Over time, property crimes and disorder crimes decreased faster relative to the matched controls. There was little evidence of any impact on violent crimes. Integrated CCTV programs may increase the reporting of minor crimes which may have not been reported before. However, these programs may not likely impact violent crimes. In addition, tying proactive response and patrol to participating businesses places higher manpower costs on departments. This has implications to other cities considering implementing wide-spread integrated CCTV programs like Project Green Light Detroit.
Risk of Opioid Overdose Associated With Concomitant Use of Opioids and Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: A Population-Based Cohort Study

The recent opioid prescribing guideline cautions about the concomitant prescribing of opioids and skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs) given the additive central nervous system depressant effect. However, the clinical relevance remains unclear. In this retrospective cohort study, we compared the risk of opioid overdose associated with concomitant use of opioids and SMRs vs. opioid use alone. Adjusted hazard ratios were 1.09 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.74-1.62) and 1.26 (95% CI, 1.00-1.58) in the incident and prevalent opioid user cohorts, respectively, generating a combined estimate of 1.21 (95% CI, 1.00-1.48). This risk seemed to increase with treatment duration (≤ 14 days: 0.91 and 95% CI, 0.67-1.22; 15-60 days: 1.37 and 95% CI, 0.81-2.37; >60 days: 1.80 and 95% CI, 1.30-2.48) and for baclofen (1.83 and 95% CI, 1.11-3.04) and carisoprodol (1.84 and 95% CI, 1.34-2.54). Concomitant users with daily opioid dose ≥50 mg (1.50 and 95% CI, 1.18-1.92) and benzodiazepine use (1.39 and 95% CI, 1.08-1.79) also had elevated risk. Clinicians should be cautious about these potentially unsafe practices to optimize pain care and improve patient safety.
Engaging boys in active literacy: evidence and practice

In this book, Engaging Boys in Active Literacy; Evidence and Practice, William Brozo explores research regarding boys and literacy, and outlines ways teachers have used culturally relevant texts an...
Factors influencing American Pika (Ochotona princeps) distributions in the Beartooth Mountains and implications of a warming climate

Over the next century, temperatures are expected to rise by 1-4°C in the Greater Yellowstone Region. This will force alpine species such as the American pika (Ochotona princeps) to compensate, shift in distribution, or disappear. If pika are limited by temperatures, they may disappear from warmer, lower elevation southwest-facing sites and find refuge in cooler, higher elevation northeast-facing sites. However, populations have been found across a range of elevations, suggesting they are instead limited by food or a need for large talus slopes. We explored these possibilities in the Beartooth Mountains, near Yellowstone, by surveying 31 pika populations and asking whether pika density varied with elevation, food availability, or aspect, all related to temperatures, or with talus area, which is not. Pika density was estimated by latrine density, which ranged from 14.6 to 167.4 per ha and declined slightly with elevation but was unrelated to vegetation. From a preliminary analysis of 61 sites, we estimated an occupancy probability of 0.89, with occupancy most strongly related to talus area. We will test and refine these results by predicting the locations of additional colonies, and by incorporating microclimate data into an ecophysiological model of temperature dependence in pika, with the long-term goal of predicting the fate of pika under a warming climate. Featured photo by Diana R on Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/g6CD00mDN5A
Supporting the Dehumanization Hypothesis, but Under What Conditions? A Commentary on Over (2021)

Over (2020; this issue) puts forth seven challenges for what she terms the dehumanization hypothesis (i.e., that out-group members are viewed as nonhuman and that this underlies the harm inflicted ...
Beat Based Realistic Dance Video Generation using Deep Learning

Deep learning based feature extraction has enabled us to synchronize audio and body movements. It is a promising research field which has great applications in generating sign language, computer animations as well as dance. Previously, computer generated choreography was limited to just stick figure representation. This paper adds image translation technique in dance generation which produces realistic dance moves. With this technique it is possible to produce dance video of a amateur person dancing like a professional. The mapping of stick figure to realistic image is done using Generative Adversarial Network (GAN). We created our own dataset and after adversarial training reconstructed images have SSIM mean 0.864 and LPIPS mean 0.0168. This method produces realistic dance video which is beat based. Body movement speed varies according to the tempo of music which makes it more relevant to real life dance movement.
Moderators of Treatment for Pediatric Bipolar Spectrum Disorders.

We review the current limited research on pediatric bipolar spectrum disorder (BPSD) treatment moderators.. Four pharmacotherapy and nine psychotherapy moderator studies in youth with pediatric BPS...
Outcomes in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery: an Updated 5-Year Review

Knowledge regarding postoperative outcomes after bariatric and metabolic surgery continues to evolve. This review highlights key findings in outcomes research over the last 5 years related to weight loss, remission of obesity-related disease, reflux, revisional surgery, robotic-assisted surgical platforms, and adolescent populations. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) produce similar weight loss patterns at 5 years, while duodenal switch (BPD/DS) and related procedures are associated with maximal weight loss overall and optimal resolution of obesity-related comorbidities. Remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) following surgery is more likely in patients who are not insulin dependent prior to surgery. Bariatric and metabolic surgery offers a significant protective effect against coronary artery disease (CAD) and associated interventions in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients, as well as heart failure (HF). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dysphagia following SG are common, and routine endoscopic surveillance for Barrett’s esophagus may be of significant utility. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic platforms concur similar outcomes to laparoscopic intervention, with a potential benefit in high BMI patients. Revisional surgery is most commonly performed for weight regain and/or inadequate weight loss following an index procedure, or reflux, and generally characterized by higher postoperative complication rates and longer inpatient lengths of stay (LOS). Surgical intervention in adolescent populations has similar weight loss and postoperative complication profiles to those seen in adult populations, with improved outcomes related to T2DM. Bariatric and metabolic surgery continues to evolve as a treatment for obesity and obesity-related comorbidities. While effective for weight loss and remission of obesity-related disease, SG is associated with high rates of postoperative GERD.
Distress Tolerance and Emotion Regulation as Potential Mediators Between Secondary Traumatic Stress and Maladaptive Coping

The extant literature has illustrated that protective service workers experience negative repercussions associated with their job (including the development of secondary traumatic stress; STS) and may utilize maladaptive coping mechanisms. Developing an improved understanding of factors that might explain the relationship between STS and the utilization of maladaptive coping mechanisms is warranted. This study sought to examine emotion regulation and distress tolerance as potential mediators between STS and the utilization of maladaptive coping mechanisms. Participants were 152 elder protective service workers and 105 child protective service workers who completed an online survey of self-report measures of emotion regulation, distress tolerance, STS, and coping behaviors. A parallel multiple mediator model was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the hypothesis that distress tolerance and emotion regulation would mediate the relationship between STS and the utilization of maladaptive coping. Our hypothesis was partially supported as the effect of STS on maladaptive coping was mediated by emotion regulation but not by distress tolerance. The results from this study have both prevention and intervention implications. From a prevention perspective, efforts could be directed at teaching emotion regulation skills to those at risk for developing STS as a mechanism for decreasing the probability of denial, substance use, behavioral disengagement, and self-blame that may occur as a consequence of STS. From an intervention perspective, some of the negative sequelae of exposure to STS may be averted by teaching EPS and CPS workers who present with STS symptoms, emotion regulation skills.
Association between timely targeted therapy initiation and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced HER2+ gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.

e16048Background: Delayed treatment initiation is associated with increased mortality in early-stage cancers. Few studies have examined the impact of timely initiation in advanced cancers. Timely t...
Exposure Measurement Error Bias Amplification.

Consider an observational study of the association between a continuous exposure and outcome, where the exposure variable of primary interest suffers classical measurement error (i.e., the measured exposures are distributed around the true exposure with independent error). In the absence of exposure measurement error, it is widely recognized that one should control for confounders of the association of interest to obtain an unbiased estimate of the effect of that exposure on the outcome of interest. However, we show that, in the presence of classical exposure measurement error, the net bias in an estimate of the association of interest may increase upon adjustment for confounders. We offer an analytical expression for the change in net bias in an estimate of the association of interest upon adjustment for a confounder in the presence of classical exposure measurement error, and illustrate this problem using simulations.
Diene-Iron Carbonyl Complexes and Related Species

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an introduction to diene–iron carbonyl complexes and related species and discusses the classification, behavior, and bonding of chemical compounds and iron metals. Olefin–iron carbonyl complexes were introduced by two entirely different synthetic methods obtaining butadiene–iron tricarbonyl by a reaction of butadiene with iron pentacarbonyl and by the reaction of acetylene with iron carbonyls. A brief study on the structure of diene–iron carbonyl complexes is comprised of various studies of X-ray and other physical, electrical, and chemical properties, such as infrared absorption and nuclear magnetic resonance absorption. The chapter also presents a brief study on the preparation and properties of diene–iron tricarbonyl complexes, such as conjugated diene–Fe(CO) 3 complexes, nonconjugated diene–iron tricarbonyl complexes, and triene–iron carbonyl complexes. Iron carbonyl complexes can be derived from iron carbonyl anions, substituted acetylenes and iron carbonyls, and acetylene and iron carbonyls.
Metabolic engineering of yeast to produce fatty acid-derived biofuels: bottlenecks and solutions

Fatty acid-derived biofuels can be a better solution than bioethanol to replace petroleum fuel, since they have similar energy content and combustion properties as current transportation fuels. The environmentally friendly microbial fermentation process has been used to synthesize advanced biofuels from renewable feedstock. Due to their robustness as well as the high tolerance to fermentation inhibitors and phage contamination, yeast strains such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica have attracted tremendous attention in recent studies regarding the production of fatty acid-derived biofuels, including fatty acids, fatty acid ethyl esters, fatty alcohols, and fatty alkanes. However, the native yeast strains cannot produce fatty acids and fatty acid-derived biofuels in large quantities. To this end, we have summarized recent publications in this review on metabolic engineering of yeast strains to improve the production of fatty acid-derived biofuels, identified the bottlenecks that limit the productivity of biofuels, and categorized the appropriate approaches to overcome these obstacles.
The Impact of Training for Empirically Based Practice.

This paper reports on the impact of a course designed to teach empirically based practice procedures to second year graduate students. Consistent with previous research, the course produced a short...
Effect of progesterone on uterine contractions

I T WAS long suspected, before actual proof became available, that the corpus luteum was an inhibitor of uterine contractions. This suspicion arose from the observat,ion that suppression of uterine contract,ions paralleled the life of the corpus 1uteum.l Since 1929 there has become available potent extracts of the corpus luteum, and more recently, the synthetic progesteronr.2 These discoveries were followed by a mass of animal experimentation. An exhaustive monograph describing the early changes in the uterus of t.he pregnant rabbit was published by Knaus.” The livid, flaccid uterus associated with pregnancy and the development of the corpus luteum were graphically described. That this flaccidity was the result of corpus lutenm influence and not the pregnancy directly was proved by experiments with sterile coitus in the rabbit. Sterile coitus was shown to induce follicle rupture and corpus luteum development which was followed by the same uterine relaxation as that seen in pregnancy. A number of investigators have confirmed t,his observation.” This has been described as the reaction of pseudopregnancy. By means of “in viva” studies, using for the most part the artificially produced utcroabdominal fistula, the effect of corpus luteum extracts and synthetic progesterone have been studied.5 These observations have been made on the rabbit and confirmed directly or indirectly by experiments on the cat, cow, and sow. Experiments on excised ut,erine muscle have been unsatisfactory because of the insolubility of the hormone. There is abundant evidence which no one could deny that progesterone inhibits uterine contractions in certain animals. Several years ago Falls published the results of certain experiments on the human being, using the aqueous extract of corpus luteum.6 An intrauterine balloon c.onnected t,o a mercury “U” tube wit,h a writing point on one arm was used to record the contractions on a kymograph. Inhibition of uterine contractions within an amazingly short time was recorded. I have not been able to confirm this work. In fact, I have not been able to demonstrate any inhibitory action of progesterone on uterine contractions. It was to be expected that such a report, however, would be enthusiastically received by the profession for the treatment of conditions wherein there appears to be a hypercontractility of the myometrium. The results of extensive animal esperimentation and nnconfirmed work on the human being inspired a premature conclusion
A Longitudinal Examination of African American Adolescents’ Attributions About Achievement Outcomes

Developmental, gender, and academic domain differences in causal attributions and the influence of attributions on classroom engagement were explored longitudinally in 115 African American adolescents. In Grades 8 and 11, adolescents reported attributions for success and failure in math, English and writing, and science. In Grade 11, English and mathematics teachers rated students’ classroom engagement. Boys were more likely than girls to attribute math successes to high ability and to attribute English failures to low ability. Both genders’ ability attributions for math became more negative from eighth to eleventh grades. Grade 8 attributions of math failure to lack of ability were negatively related to Grade 11 math classroom engagement. Results illustrate the gendered nature of motivational beliefs among Black youth.
Cox-2 inhibitors and cardiovascular risk: we defend our data and suggest caution.

Our study had limitations, but we believe our hypothesis is plausible, our methods were valid, and our conclusions are sound.
Autoradiographic localization of kappa opiate receptors in CNS taste and feeding areas

Recent evidence suggests that kappa opiate receptors may play a key role in the regulation of appetite. Such evidence implies that kappa receptors might be localized within specific brain areas known to regulate ingestive behaviors. On the basis of this implication we employed an in vitro film autoradiographic technique using 3H-ethylketocyclazozine as ligand to identify putative kappa receptors within CNS "taste" nuclei and surrounding areas. Coronal cryostat sections of rat brain were incubated with ligand in the presence of D-Ala2, D-Leu5-enkephalin (DADLE) and morphine, apposed to LKB Ultrofilm for 60 days, processed and kappa receptor densities evaluated with the aid of a hand held photometer and video image analyzer. Highest kappa receptor densities were found within various gustatory and feeding sites including the rostral pole of the nucleus of the solitary tract, parabrachial nuclei, ventral posterior and medial portions of the thalamus, medial hypothalamus, medial nuclei of the amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Various other midline and medial limbic areas also showed significant kappa densities.
Newton's Laws beyond the classroom walls

One of the most profound qualities of science is its potential to transform and enrich students' experiences with the world. In prior work, I have conceptualized this quality of science in the construct of transformative experience. In order to illustrate the difference between transformative and nontransformative experience, this article presents the contrasting experiences of two students learning Newton's Laws in a seventh-grade general science class. One student exemplifies engagement in a transformative experience—the learning of Newton's Laws enriches his experience with events of motion in his everyday, out-of-school life. The other student exemplifies the “good” student who is engaged in the class and learns the content, but does not undergo a transformative experience. The experiences of these two students are analyzed and discussed. Recommendations include a need to focus on student experience outside the classroom and engagement with content (as opposed to engagement with peripheral things, such as humor or mere activity). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed88:182–196, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/sce.10109