cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emotion regulation and academic underperformance: The role of school burnout

Abstract How students regulate emotions and the effects of emotion regulation (ER) on academic outcomes is gaining attention in educational psychology research. However, little is known about factors that explain their relationship and inform intervention. Two studies therefore examined the role of school burnout in explaining the relationship between ER strategies (reappraisal, suppression) and academic outcomes (GPA, absenteeism) among undergraduate students. Study 1 (N = 550) investigated ER strategies as antecedents to the effects of school burnout on academic outcomes. Significant indirect effects emerged to show that school burnout mediated the relationships between ER and GPA and absenteeism. Study 2 (N = 509) examined the temporal relationship between ER strategies, school burnout, GPA and absenteeism at two time points. Findings indicated that ER strategies preceded the effects of school burnout. School burnout, in turn, was identified as the mechanism linking (mediating) ER strategies to academic outcomes. Limitations, clinical applications, and future directions are outlined.
Meet the new boss: lung cancer staging

Lung cancer staging remains a moving target. Since the first TNM staging system was established by Mountain and colleagues there have been seven revisions (1,2). A jaded viewer may understandably feel that these revisions have proven to be refinements more than paradigm shifts.
Experimental investigation on freezing/melting characteristics of two different Phase change materials

Abstract Energy storage becomes very essential progression for efficient utilization when there is a mismatch between the supply and consumption of energy. The phase change material (PCM) is used for maintenance of constant temperature in latent heat storage systems. The main applications of PCM are solar heating, cooking and steam supply and waste recovery industries. The present investigation work is based on the PCM which serve as storage medium at a constant flow of high temperature for cooking applications. Considering factors such as low cost, storage capacity and heat transfer, two different PCM i.e. Palmitic acids (PA) and Stearic acids (SA) were selected for study. This paper presents a comparative experimental investigation on solidification and melting characteristics of the PCMs, in order to determine the maximum enhancement of thermal conductivity. Latent heats were evaluated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The changes in temperature in terms of time and cyclic operations and the factors influences the latent heat for melting and freezing characteristics of PCMs were discussed.
Unlicensed care homes in the United States: A clandestine sector of long-term care

Residential care facilities operating without a state license are known to house vulnerable adults. Such unlicensed care homes (UCHs) commonly operate illegally, making them difficult to investigat...
Time-Frequency Analysis: FFT and Wavelets

In this chapter we will discuss the methods for time frequency analysis and the DSP architectures for implementing these methods. In particular, we will use the FFT and the wavelet transform as our examples for this chapter. The well-known Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is applicable to the frequency analysis of stationary signals. Wavelets provide a flexible time-frequency grid to analyze signals whose spectral content changes over time.
The Feasibility of Establishing an International Financial Center: The Case of Anchorage

In his first state-of-the-state address of January 1986, Governor of Alaska, Steve Cowper, outlined an economic plan to alleviate a state economy plagued by the persistent fluctuation and uncertainties that have lately engulfed world oil prices. According to the Governor’s plan, the State of Alaska should take positive steps to diversify its energy-based economy and to rid itself of the dangers of relying on oil as the premiere source of state income. Governor Cowper envisioned, among other things, the need for promotion of international trade in Alaska’s natural resources and other products through export credit guarantee facilities that may be offered by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA); establishment of a statewide international trade center that would conduct in-depth marketing studies; establishment of a foreign trade zone in Anchorage; and promotion of the highly promising tourism sector. The institutionalized umbrella under which these promotional needs would be addressed is called “Trade Alaska.” The working blueprint for this promotional and educational organization entails developing a strategy to meet the goal of diversification.
Sources of T 3 s: Thyroidal Secretion Versus Extrathyroidal Metabolism of T 4

In determining the sources of circulating T3, the description of the pathway for the conversion of T4 to T3 (Pitt-Rivers et al. 1955) and its confirmation in man (Braverman et al. 1970; Pittman et al. 1971) as well as in animal species (Schwartz et al. 1971; Fisher et al. 1972) led to the question of the relative significance of extrathyroidal metabolism versus thyroidal secretion. This question was important because its answer reflects on the extent to which T4 is normally metabolized by conversion to T3 and the extent to which the metabolic activity of T4 may depend on its conversion to a metabolically more potent T3. Subsequently, when the existence of rT3 in human circulation and thyroglobulin became known, and when it was realized that, as in the case of T3, the peripheral metabolism of T4 is also an important source of rT3, questions were raised about the relative significance of thyroidal secretion versus extrathyroidal metabolism of T4 as sources of rT3. Answers to these were important to help understand more fully the relative importance in health (and subsequently in disease) of the pathway of inner ring monodeiodination of T4 compared with the outer ring monodeiodination to T3 (Chopra 1974, 1976 a).
Statistical Assessment of a Limnological Data Set

Abstract In a study of Wisconsin Lakes, to examine the effects upon water quality of imposition of a ban on detergent phosphorus, the design protocol employed the concept of test lakes and reference lakes. a pairing was made of each test lake with a reference lake having as many similar characteristics as possible with the test lake except for a loading of phosphorus from municipal wastewater effluent or septic tank seepage. the responses measured for each lake were physical, chemical and biological in nature. Measurements were taken both before and after imposition of the ban. To estimate the potential effect of the ban, three forms of statistical models were used; (i) for each test lake a model using the reference lake variable as a covariate and the ban as a classification variable, (ii) a comprehensive model for all of the lakes combined using the reference lakes as covariates and the test lakes as dummy variables, and (iii) multivariate models providing multiple comparison estimates for pre- and post-ban differences. the advantage to the paired lake approach is the potential for variance reduction, and an examination of this was made for several data sets. in this paper are discussed the comparisons of the modeling procedures as well as estimates of the “ban effects.” Also presented are some of the observed distributional characteristics of the measured responses.
A meta-synthesis related to infant feeding decision making.

PURPOSE The purpose of this metasynthesis was to synthesize the findings of qualitative research studies related to infant feeding decision making and contribute to an increased understanding of this phenomenon. METHOD Noblit and Hare's (1988) metaethnographic, comparative method of synthesizing qualitative studies was utilized. SAMPLE Computerized searches were conducted using the CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and the SocINDEX databases. Articles from indexed journals related to infant feeding decision making published from 1990 to 2011 were reviewed. Fourteen qualitative studies were identified, and all were included in the metasynthesis. DATA COLLECTION/ANALYSIS Findings were extracted from individual studies and organized in tables to place them in juxtaposition with each other. Comparisons were then made across studies and metaphors written to express a new, broader interpretation. RESULTS Two processes emerged as central to maternal infant feeding decision making: making a personal choice and defending the choice. In addition six themes were identified indicative of issues that influenced these two processes: knowing "breast is best", disapproval of public breastfeeding, sense of personal comfort, level of confidence/commitment, need for support, and perceived lifestyle compatibility. CLINICAL NURSING IMPLICATIONS There is a need for healthcare providers to support women with infant feeding decision making by helping them address issues suggested by this metasynthesis while at the same time respecting their right to self-determination.
Navigating Big Data dilemmas: Feminist holistic reflexivity in social media research:

Social media offers an attractive site for Big Data research. Access to big social media data, however, is controlled by companies that privilege corporate, governmental, and private research firms...
Genetic Nature or Genetic Nurture? Quantifying Bias in Analyses Using Polygenic Scores

Abstract Summary statistics from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) can be used to generate a polygenic score (PGS). For complex, behavioral traits, the correlation between individual PGS and phenotype may contain bias alongside the causal effect of the individual’s genes (due to geographic, ancestral, and/or socioeconomic confounding). We formalize the recent introduction of a different source of bias in regression models using PGSs: the effects of parental genes on offspring outcomes (i.e. genetic nurture). GWAS do not discriminate between the various pathways through which genes influence outcomes, meaning existing PGSs capture both direct genetic effects and genetic nurture effects. We construct a structural model for genetic effects and show that, unlike other sources of bias in PGSs, the presence of genetic nurture biases PGS coefficients from both naive OLS (between-family) and family fixed effects (within-family) regressions. This bias is in opposite directions; while naive OLS estimates are biased upwards, family fixed effects estimates are biased downwards. We quantify this bias for a given trait using two novel parameters that we identify and discuss: (1) the genetic correlation between the direct and nurture effects and (2) the ratio of the SNP heritabilities for the direct and nurture effects.
HEMODYNAMIC IMPACT OF ISOLATED AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE AORTIC STENOSIS AND MITRAL STENOSIS: A DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC STUDY

Mitral stenosis (MS) frequently coexists in patients with severe aortic stenosis (sAS). However, the impact of aortic valve replacement (AVR) on MS is unknown. We retrospectively investigated patients who underwent AVR or transcatheter AVR (TAVR) for sAS from 2008 to 2015. Transmitral gradient by
Response of bleached and symbiotic sea anemones to plastic microfiber exposure.

Abstract Microplastics are emerging contaminants in the marine environment. They enter the ocean in a variety of sizes and shapes, with plastic microfiber being the prevalent form in seawater and in the guts of biota. Most of the laboratory experiments on microplastics has been performed with spheres, so knowledge on the interactions of microfibers and marine organisms is limited. In this study we examined the ingestion of microfibers by the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida using three different types of polymers: nylon, polyester and polypropylene. The polymers were offered to both symbiotic (with algal symbionts) and bleached (without algal symbionts) anemones. The polymers were introduced either alone or mixed with brine shrimp homogenate. We observed a higher percentage of nylon ingestion compared to the other polymers when plastic was offered in the absence of shrimp. In contrast, we observed over 80% of the anemones taking up all types of polymers when the plastics were offered in the presence of shrimp. Retention time differed significantly between symbiotic and bleached anemones with faster egestion in symbiotic anemones. Our results suggest that ingestion of microfibers by sea anemones is dependent both on the type of polymers and on the presence of chemical cues of prey in seawater. The decreased ability of bleached anemones to reject plastic microfiber indicates that the susceptibility of anthozoans to plastic pollution is exacerbated by previous exposure to other stressors. This is particularly concerning given that coral reef ecosystems are facing increases in the frequency and intensity of bleaching events due to ocean warming.
Quantum-state-specific reaction rate measurements for the photo-induced reaction Ca+ + O2 → CaO+ + O

Atoms and molecules often react at different rates depending on their internal quantum states. Thus, controlling which internal states are populated can be used to manipulate the reactivity and can...
Optic Disc and Cup Segmentation for Glaucoma Characterization Using Deep Learning

Glaucoma is one of the most common eye diseases that can cause irreversible vision loss due to damage to the optic nerve. Ophthalmologists consider a cup to optic disc ratio greater than 0.3 to be suggestive of glaucoma. Unfortunately, there is high variability among ophthalmologists in estimating the ratio since it is not easy to reliably measure optic disc and cup areas in a fundus image. Therefore, this paper proposes automatic methods to segment the optic disc and cup areas. There are two steps to estimate the ratio: region of interest (ROI) area detection (where optic disc is in the center) from a fundus image, followed by optic disc and cup segmentation. This paper focuses on automated methods to segment the optic disc and cup from the ROI. Fully convolutional networks (FCN) with U-Net architectures are used for the segmentation. The RIGA dataset (composed of three different fundus image datasets: MESSIDOR, Bin Rushed, and Magrabi), containing 750 fundus images, is used to train and test the FCNs. Our proposed FCNs show relatively better performance than other existing algorithms. The best segmentation results for optic disc show 0.95 Jaccard index, 0.98 F-measure, and 0.99 accuracy. The best segmentation results for cup show 0.80 Jaccard index, 0.88 F-measure, and 0.99 accuracy.
Car Production and the Four Phases of European Integration, 1958–2017

This chapter lays the groundwork for the book’s Belgian and Spanish case study chapters by examining the evolution of European car production through four phases of European Integration: (1) ‘The EEC-6 Years, 1958–1972’, which outlines some of the major events occurring during the European Economic Community’s (EEC’s) initial six-member nation years; (2) ‘The EEC Expands and Evolves, 1973–1989’, which chronicles the EEC’s enlargement to 9 and then 12 members, and compares passenger car output in Western Europe and the Soviet-led Eastern Bloc; (3) ‘Reshaping the EU’s Car Production Footprint, 1989–2001’, which contrasts output in WE with that in Central-Eastern Europe in Southeastern Europe during initial decade-plus following the fall of the Berlin Wall/breakup of the Eastern Bloc; and (4) ‘The Eastward Shift of Europe’s Automobile Production Footprint, 2001–2017’, which updates the comparison for the ‘Three Areas of Europe’ through 2017.
Divergent agricultural water governance scenarios: The case of Zayanderud basin, Iran

Abstract There is an urgent need to consider adaptation strategies for agricultural water resources in response to the ever-growing demand for freshwater around the world. This is especially poignant in arid and semi-arid regions, like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) where water resources have been extremely limited historically. Today, water resources are declining due to a variety of factors, including climate change, population growth and changing food preferences. Research on this topic typically seeks to assess the impact of discreet alternative interventions in isolation. However, it is necessary to analyze the broader factors affecting agricultural water management as interconnected components of a complex water governance system within a specific geographic context. This research uses an exploratory, formative scenario planning approach to a) identify important adaptation strategies, b) use those adaptation strategies to construct a small set of coherent, plausible and diverse regional agricultural water governance scenarios, and c) analyze future scenarios of the Zayandehroud watershed in Iran in the year 2040. The research shares five scenarios that exemplify divergent adaptation and mitigation approaches to agriculture water demand in Zayandehroud watershed, including adhering to the status quo. Each scenario embodies different economic and political priorities to reveal how those priorities impact the ecological, social, and economic sustainability of this watershed. These scenarios provide insights into the long-term implications of near-term decisions about water and food security, resilience of local communities and the ecological integrity of the regional watershed. This research explores the conceptual relationships between components of the water governance system and demonstrates an approach to analyzing alternative constellations of factors that will impact agricultural water management. Policy-makers can make more effective policies if they consider how to transform the broader system of regional water governance, rather than only evaluating discrete agricultural water management projects on a project-by-project basis.
Endotracheal Tube Fixation via a Modified Ivy Loop in a Pediatric Patient With Facial Burns: A Technical Note.

Securing an endotracheal tube in a child with a facial burn is crucial but often challenging. The traditional method of using a facial apparatus or tape tied around the lower face is not suitable in the setting of open facial wounds as it limits wound care and, if necessary, skin grafting. We describe a straightforward, quick method to secure the endotracheal tube by means of a modified ivy loop in a pediatric patient.
Effect of Instructional Methods on Student Performance in Flipped Classroom

This full paper in the research to practice category reports an effort to investigate the impact of instructional methods on the student performance in a flipped classroom. Flipped classroom is a pedagogical approach that has received a significant research attention in recent times. Yet, current studies have not explored the effect of instructional methods, made available by internet and multimedia technologies, on students’ performance in flipped classroom. This creates a gap in both the knowledge and practice of flipped classroom. In our effort to fill this gap and contribute to knowledge, we designed an exploratory study to investigate how each of the five instructional methods used in engineering education affect students’ performance in a flipped classroom. Accordingly, we registered 35 students into an Information Systems (IS) core course and divided them into two classes (identified using their section codes, 01 and 1E) taught by the same professor. Class 01 (the experimental group) was taught with a flipped model while Class 1E (the control group) was taught with the traditional model. Data was collected from two sources, students’ grades and questionnaire responses. After analyzing the data, we made some findings that would be useful to professors practicing flipped classroom. We summarize the key findings as follows: (a) Instructional methods that are interactive, interdependent and peer-focused are most preferred by students and offer greater learning experience. (b) Students who indicated Connect Interactive as their most preferred instructional method, in flipped classroom, performed better than their peers by a range of 25%. We consider this study to be exploratory in nature because of its relatively small sample size. Yet, we provide discussions, analysis and recommendations that can inform the practice of flipped pedagogy. It also provides a foundation for further research on the relationship between instructional methods and student performance in flipped classroom.
Towards shape-translational symmetry incommensurate polymer crystals

Abstract One of the most interesting characteristics of crystals is their profound morphology. Polyhedron or polygon shapes are often observed in single crystals. The hierarchical structure and morphology of polymer crystals can be described at unit cell, single crystal and spherulite length scales. This article discusses the role of translational symmetry in the evolution of polymer crystal morphology from unit cell to single crystal level. We divide single crystal level crystalline structure into two categories: shape-translational symmetry commensurate crystals (SSCs) and shape-translational symmetry incommensurate crystals (SSICs). The former case includes classical lamellae, dendritic single crystals and epitaxy-driven crystal morphologies. In SSICs, we emphasize crystals’ non-flat shapes, which are incommensurate with translational symmetry in Euclidean space. Classical helicoidal, tubular and scrolled crystals are discussed in the context of SSICs. We further highlight the recently discovered spherical crystalsomes which are formed via miniemulsion solution crystallization. This article provides an overview of polymer crystal morphology based on the interplay between crystal shape and translational symmetry, which may be used to study and design morphologies of semicrystalline polymers and copolymers.
Building innovative teams: Leadership strategies across the various stages of team development

Abstract Globalization, advances in technology, and shifting consumer preferences affect almost everyone. Because of pressures from the external environment, organizations face rapid and constant change. The nature of work has become complicated; it is difficult for individuals to achieve much on their own. Consequently, organizations rely heavily on expert, innovative work teams. These highly evolved teams do not develop overnight; rather, they evolve and develop in stages, and the team’s leadership must change over time. In this article, I present the building blocks of team innovation, outline the internal processes that lie at the core of innovative performance, and provide critical leadership strategies for each stage of team development. I conclude with implications for developing leaders with the capabilities to nurture and build innovative teams.
Statistical field calibration of a low-cost PM2.5 monitoring network in Baltimore.

Abstract Low-cost air pollution monitors are increasingly being deployed to enrich knowledge about ambient air-pollution at high spatial and temporal resolutions. However, unlike regulatory-grade (FEM or FRM) instruments, universal quality standards for low-cost sensors are yet to be established and their data quality varies widely. This mandates thorough evaluation and calibration before any responsible use of such data. This study presents evaluation and field-calibration of the PM2.5 data from a network of low-cost monitors currently operating in Baltimore, MD, which has only one regulatory PM2.5 monitoring site within city limits. Co-location analysis at this regulatory site in Oldtown, Baltimore revealed high variability and significant overestimation of PM2.5 levels by the raw data from these monitors. Universal laboratory corrections reduced the bias in the data, but only partially mitigated the high variability. Eight months of field co-location data at Oldtown were used to develop a gain-offset calibration model, recast as a multiple linear regression. The statistical model offered substantial improvement in prediction quality over the raw or lab-corrected data. The results were robust to the choice of the low-cost monitor used for field-calibration, as well as to different seasonal choices of training period. The raw, lab-corrected and statistically-calibrated data were evaluated for a period of two months following the training period. The statistical model had the highest agreement with the reference data, producing a 24-h average root-mean-square-error (RMSE) of around 2 μ g m − 3 . To assess transferability of the calibration equations to other monitors in the network, a cross-site evaluation was conducted at a second co-location site in suburban Essex, MD. The statistically calibrated data once again produced the lowest RMSE. The calibrated PM2.5 readings from the monitors in the low-cost network provided insights into the intra-urban spatiotemporal variations of PM2.5 in Baltimore.
THE PREVALENCE OF PROBABLE FAMILIAL CHYLOMICRONEMIA SYNDROME IN A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA POPULATION.

Abstract Objective To estimate the prevalence of probable familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) in a major Southern California Academic Center as well as to provide a systematic review of past FCS studies and management recommendations. Methods Electronic medical records were queried based on single fasting plasma triglyceride (TG) levels of ≥880 mg/dL and at least 1 episode of acute pancreatitis. After the exclusion of secondary causes (diabetes, alcohol misuse, gallbladder disease, chronic kidney disease, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, estrogen, and drug use) and responses to lipid-lowering treatment, probable patients with FCS were identified. A systematic review of all published literature on the prevalence and management guidelines for FCS was then presented and discussed. Results Out of 7 699 288 charts queried, 138 patients with TG levels of ≥880 mg/dL and documented evidence of at least 1 episode of acute pancreatitis were identified. Nine patients did not have any documented secondary causes of chylomicronemia. Four of the 9 patients had >20% decrease in TG levels after lipid-lowering treatment, 2 patients were not responsive to lipid-lowering medication, and data on lipid-lowering medications were missing in 3 patients. Conclusion Our study estimates the prevalence of probable FCS at a range of 0.26 to 0.66 per million. Using the recommended criteria, probable FCS cases can be identified to allow early diagnosis and management.
Implementation of IEEE Standard 1547-2018 for DER Communication Interface using Data Distribution Service

In addition to the functional and technical requirements for interconnecting distributed energy resources (DER) to the power system, IEEE standard 1547-2018 recommends DERs to have an interface capable of exchanging information that supports the functionalities in the standard. In this paper, a publish-subscribe data-centric communication scheme with automatic network discovery is selected to implement the DER local communication interface to support the interoperability requirements for information exchange specified in the IEEE standard 1547-2018. Implementation of the proposed communication scheme over a real communication network shows that the selected communication scheme enables true plug-and-play interoperability by automatically discovering joining DERs, and therefore, enhances the system’s scalability.
Unique Subtype of Microglia in Degenerative Thalamus After Cortical Stroke

Background and Purpose: Stroke disrupts neuronal functions in both local and remotely connected regions, leading to network-wide deficits that can hinder recovery. The thalamus is particularly affe...
ADL and IADL Following Open-Heart Surgery: The Role of a Character Strength Factor and Preoperative Medical Comorbidities

Open-heart surgery (OHS) is common in late life and is expected to improve functioning despite aging of OHS patients. Few studies have explored the influence of both psychosocial strength factors, metal health, and pre- and peri-OHS medical factors, including cardiac indices, on post-OHS functioning. This study explores the role of character strengths (e.g., hope and spirituality) in post-OHS activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL), along with cardiac indices used by all cardio-thoracic surgeons, after controlling for self-reported pre-OHS depression, quality of life indicators, and non-cardiac medical comorbidities. Three waves of interview data and cardiac/surgical indices in the Society of Thoracic Surgeon (STS) national database were collected for a cohort of 481 patients (age = 62 +, female 42%). Multiple linear regression was used to identify pre-OHS predictors of post-OHS functional status. ADL and IADL statuses after OHS were better among those who pursued pre-OHS positive spiritual/religious coping than those who did not. Outcomes were poorer for those reporting poor pre-OHS, higher numbers of medical comorbidities, and use of more post-OHS prayer for coping. Perfusion time, a proxy for surgical complexity, was associated with poor IADL only. Pre-OHS positive spiritual coping, a common coping means used among cardiac patients in medical crises, could have played a positive role in better post-OHS functional status during the post-OHS recovery month. Cardiac health providers should pay more attention to patient-centered character strengths and coping and non-cardiac conditions. More nuanced interdisciplinary research is necessary to identify mechanisms underlying these associations.
Black Currant Anthocyanins Attenuate Weight Gain and Improve Glucose Metabolism in Diet-Induced Obese Mice with Intact, but Not Disrupted, Gut Microbiome

Black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) is a rich source of anthocyanins; however, the relationship between their apparently limited bioavailability and significant protection against metabolic pathologies is poorly understood. This study examined the gastrointestinal distribution of black currant anthocyanins and their phenolic acid metabolites in lean and diet-induced obese mice with healthy and antibiotic-disrupted microbiomes. Daily consumption of low- or high-fat diet supplemented with 1% black currant powdered extract (32% anthocyanins) for 8 weeks reduced body weight gain and improved glucose metabolism only in mice with the intact gut microbiome. Administration of antibiotic cocktail resulted in a 16–25-fold increase (P < 0.001) in anthocyanin content of feces, and cyanidin-based anthocyanins showed the largest increase in fecal content upon disruption of gut microbiome (92.3 ± 16.3 vs 4719 ± 158 μg/g feces), indicating their high susceptibility to microbial degradation in the gut. A 3-fold enrichment (P ...
Drug delivery strategies and systems for HIV/AIDS pre-exposure prophylaxis and treatment

The year 2016 will mark an important milestone - the 35th anniversary of the first reported cases of HIV/AIDS. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) including Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) drug regimens is widely considered to be one of the greatest achievements in therapeutic drug research having transformed HIV infection into a chronically managed disease. Unfortunately, the lack of widespread preventive measures and the inability to eradicate HIV from infected cells highlight the significant challenges remaining today. Moving forward there are at least three high priority goals for anti-HIV drug delivery (DD) research: (1) to prevent new HIV infections from occurring, (2) to facilitate a functional cure, i.e., when HIV is present but the body controls it without drugs and (3) to eradicate established infection. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) represents a significant step forward in preventing the establishment of chronic HIV infection. However, the ultimate success of PrEP will depend on achieving sustained antiretroviral (ARV) tissue concentrations and will require strict patient adherence to the regimen. While first generation long acting/extended release (LA/ER) DD Systems (DDS) currently in development show considerable promise, significant DD treatment and prevention challenges persist. First, there is a critical need to improve cell specificity through targeting in order to selectively achieve efficacious drug concentrations in HIV reservoir sites to control/eradicate HIV as well as mitigate systemic side effects. In addition, approaches for reducing cellular efflux and metabolism of ARV drugs to prolong effective concentrations in target cells need to be developed. Finally, given the current understanding of HIV pathogenesis, next generation anti-HIV DDS need to address selective DD to the gut mucosa and lymph nodes. The current review focuses on the DDS technologies, critical challenges, opportunities, strategies, and approaches by which novel delivery systems will help iterate towards prevention, functional cure and eventually the eradication of HIV infection.
Chapter 23 Artists' Careers and Their Labor Markets ⁎

Abstract This chapter is a continuation of ongoing work by economists and others on artists' labor markets and careers. It highlights the use of quasi-panel data obtained from census data to examine the employment and earnings of artists while comparing them to all the other professional and technical workers. It also provides a glimpse into what can be learned about artists' careers from true panel data. Quasi-panels from the seven most recent US censuses (1940–2000) provide a reasonably consistent set of findings in each census year. Artists are found to work fewer hours, suffer higher unemployment and earn less than members of the reference group. Over the sixty year period, disparities in unemployment and annual hours worked are found to shrink somewhat, but disparities in earnings do not. Artists earned less across all years even when only members working full-time year-round of each group are compared. The earnings of artists are found to display greater variability than those of other professional and technical workers. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 is used to examine almost twenty years in the artists' lives and provides some insights into their careers. It suggests that many people participate in the artistic labor market, but that few succeed to the point that enables them to develop a career in the arts. In part due to their relatively high educational levels, artists are found to be able to transition from forays into arts occupations to jobs in professional and managerial occupations, not into service occupations as artist ‘mythology’ might suggest. We find that when the artists are young and struggling to make it they do work in various service occupations that tend to provide greater work schedule flexibility.
Abstract 4110: Gartanin from the mangosteen fruit modulates androgen receptor and ER stress proteins in prostate cancer cells leading to apoptosis

Background: The Purple mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) has a long history of usage as a medicinal plant in Southeast Asia. Many studies have shown that the chemical constituents of Garcinia mangostana, mainly xanthone derivatives, have a variety of health-promoting properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antiallergic, antibacterial and antiviral activities. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer effects of gartanin, one of the major xanthones from the mangosteen fruit, in human prostate cancer cells. Next, we investigated the possible mechanisms involved in its anticancer effects. Methods: Two human prostate cancer cell lines, 22Rv1 and LNCaP, were treated with gartanin. Cell apoptosis, viability, proliferation, androgen receptor, prostate specific antigen (PSA), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were evaluated by TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL), 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), BrdU, Western blot, RT-PCR, androgen receptor competitor assay, siRNA transfection, ELISA and fluorescent microscopy. Results: Gartanin decreased viability and inhibited proliferation of prostate cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Gartanin induced apoptosis as evidenced by TUNEL staining, increased caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. As a valuable target of prostate cancer, androgen receptor (AR) expression was significantly inhibited by gartanin. Further, gartanin was shown to be an effective AR antagonist, similar to flutamide. Gartanin decreased PSA, a prostate cancer risk factor regulated by the AR signaling pathway. Gartanin increased ER stress proteins and chaperones, such as phosphorylated PERK, CHOP, IRE1 and Bip. Gartanin also induced spliced XBP-1 mRNA, which is an ER stress marker. CHOP knockdown partly inhibited gartanin-induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells, as evidenced by cleaved caspase-3 decrease. Interestingly, CHOP knockdown showed evidence of restoring AR expression in gartanin treated cells. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that gartanin inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis on prostate cancer cells in vitro. It achieves its anticancer effects partly through inhibiting AR and promoting ER stress. The ability of gartanin to inhibit prostate cancer cells suggests further research is needed to evaluate gartanin as a novel agent for the management of prostate cancer. Citation Format: Gongbo Li, Sakina Petiwala, Jeremy Johnson. Gartanin from the mangosteen fruit modulates androgen receptor and ER stress proteins in prostate cancer cells leading to apoptosis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4110. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4110
Definition and measurement of environmental uncertainty in channels of distribution research: A proposal and pilot test

A definition and measure for environmental uncertainty are proposed for channels of distribution research. They reflect the notion that environmental uncertainty should be viewed as a perceptual phenomenon experienced through decision-making. Key outcomes of interest that a channel member faces in the decision environment are important components of this construct. Uncertainty is operationalized based on a respondent's lack of information about, and inability to predict the future occurrence of, each outcome of interest. Results of a pilot test support the reliability and pragmatic validity of a modified 18-item measure of environmental uncertainty.
Evaluation of Ketorolac, Aspirin, and an Acetaminophen-Codeine Combination in Postoperative Oral Surgery Pain

One-hundred twenty-eight outpatients with postoperative pain after the surgical removal of impacted third molars were randomly assigned, on a double-blind basis, to receive oral doses of ketorolac tromethamine 10 mg, aspirin 650 mg, a combination of acetaminophen 600 mg plus codeine 60 mg, or placebo. Using a self-rating record, subjects rated their pain and its relief hourly for 6 hours after medicating. All active medications were significantly superior to placebo. The acetaminophen-codeine combination was significantly superior to aspirin for peak analgesia. Ketorolac was significantly superior to aspirin for every measure of total and peak analgesia, and significantly superior to acetaminophen-codeine for measures of total effect. The analgesic effect of ketorolac was significant by hour 1 and persisted for 6 hours. Repeat-dose data also suggested that ketorolac 10 mg was superior to aspirin 650 mg and acetaminophen-codeine on the day of surgery. Differences among the active medications were trivial for the postoperative days 1-6 analyses. The frequency of adverse effects was over 4 times greater for acetaminophen-codeine than for ketorolac or aspirin.
PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS: Nitric Oxide in the Penis—Science and Therapeutic Implications from Erectile Dysfunction to Priapism

erhaps as much as any other subspecialty of urology, sexual medicine has undergone a wondrous evolution in the past 10–20 years. Great advances have been made generating from the study and discovery of molecular mechanisms governing diverse sexual functions. This observation is particularly relevant to the field of erection physiology. Our patients with erectile dysfunction have benefited accordingly as recipients of improved therapies along with optimized management strategies, from which they have gained increasingly healthful and high-quality lives. Undoubtedly, the developments related to the study of nitric oxide in the biology of the penis have taken center stage amid this progress. Nitric oxide, an evanescent seemingly trivial gaseous chemical, has been quite a force in bringing the sphere of sexual medicine forward. Widely
Rethinking the Ontological Argument: A Neoclassical Theistic Response

Introduction 1. Historical background 2. Poetry v. the ontological argument: Richard Rorty's challenge 3. Deconstructionism and the ontological argument: the case of Mark Taylor 4. Is the ontological argument worthless?: Graham Oppy's rejection 5. Oppy, perfect islands, and existence as a predicate 6. Rival concepts of God and the ontological argument: Thomas Morris, Katherin Rogers and Alvin Plantinga.
A Novel Framework for Pulse Pressure Wave Analysis Using Persistent Homology

Four characteristic points of pulse pressure waves–the systolic peak, the anacrotic notch, the dicrotic notch, and the diastolic foot–are used to estimate various aspects of cardiovascular function, such as heart rate and augmentation index. We propose a novel approach to extracting these characteristic points using a topological signal processing framework. We characterize the topology of the signals using a collection of persistence intervals, which are encapsulated in a persistence diagram. The characteristic points are identified based on their time of occurrence and their distance from the identity line in the persistence diagram. We validate this approach by collecting radial pulse pressure data from twenty-eight participants using a wearable tonometer, and computing the peripheral augmentation index using a traditional derivative-based method and our novel persistence-based method. The augmentation index values computed using the two methods are statistically indistinguishable, suggesting that this representation merits further exploration as a tool for analyzing pulse pressure waves.
Listening to the Quiet Voices: Unlocking the Heart of Engineering Grand Challenges

According to the National Academy of Engineering, the list for the Grand Challenges for Engineering are: (1) Make solar energy economical; (2) Provide energy from fusion; (3) Develop carbon sequestration methods; (4) Manage the nitrogen cycle; (5) Provide access to clean water; (6) Restore and improve urban infrastructure; (7) Advance health informatics; (8) Engineer better medicines; (9) Reverse-engineer the brain; (10) Prevent nuclear terror; (11) Secure cyberspace; (12) Enhance virtual reality; (13) Advance personalized learning; and (14) Engineer the tools of scientific discovery. Surely, it may be difficult to find many who would find any reason to disagree with the identification of any of these topics for both the present and future engineers. Rather than object to what is included, I would like to raise the issue of what has been neglected in this list and far too often in engineering—listening to the quiet voices that speak from within each of us from our heart. I am suggesting the act of listening as one additional entry for this most important list. In my view, one set of skills that our profession does not encourage very well is stopping and listening—stopping and listening to each other, stopping and listening to life around us, or stopping and listening even to ourselves. This is a skill that, given the pace of our modern society, technological advances and our cultural conditioning, must be cultivated for it likely will simply either never develop or quickly wither away. The question at hand then becomes how does one cultivate the ability to stop and to listen? The present work offers one such path though clearly there are countless others.
Gender Stereotypes and Corruption: How Candidates Affect Perceptions of Election Fraud

How do stereotypes of female candidates influence citizens' perceptions of political fraud and corruption? Because gender stereotypes characterize female politicians as more ethical, honest, and trustworthy than male politicians, there are important theoretical reasons for expecting female politicians to mitigate perceptions of fraud and corruption. Research using observational data, however, is limited in its ability to establish a causal relationship between women's involvement in politics and reduced concerns about corruption. Using a novel experimental survey design, we find that the presence of a female candidate systematically reduces the probability that individuals will express strong suspicion of election fraud in what would otherwise be considered suspicious circumstances. Results from this experiment also reveal interesting heterogeneous effects: individuals who are not influenced by shared partisanship are even more responsive to gender cues; and male respondents are more responsive to those cues than females. These findings have potential implications for women running for office, both with respect to election fraud and corruption more broadly, particularly in low-information electoral settings.
Identification of an Allosteric Signaling Network within Tec Family Kinases

The Tec family kinases are tyrosine kinases that function primarily in hematopoietic cells. The catalytic activity of the Tec kinases is positively influenced by the regulatory domains outside of the kinase domain. The current lack of a full-length Tec kinase structure leaves a void in our understanding of how these positive regulatory signals are transmitted to the kinase domain. Recently, a conserved structure within kinases, the 'regulatory spine', which assembles and disassembles as a kinase switches between its active and inactive states, has been identified. Here, we define the residues that comprise the regulatory spine within Tec kinases. Compared to previously characterized systems, the Tec kinases contain an extended regulatory spine that includes a conserved methionine within the C-helix and a conserved tryptophan within the Src homology 2-kinase linker of Tec kinases. This extended regulatory spine forms a conduit for transmitting the presence of the regulatory domains of Tec kinases to the catalytic domain. We further show that mutation of the gatekeeper residue at the edge of the regulatory spine stabilizes the regulatory spine, resulting in a constitutively active kinase domain. Importantly, the regulatory spine is preassembled in this gatekeeper mutant, rendering phosphorylation on the activation loop unnecessary for its activity. Moreover, we show that the disruption of the conserved electrostatic interaction between Bruton's tyrosine kinase R544 on the activation loop and Bruton's tyrosine kinase E445 on the C-helix also aids in the assembly of the regulatory spine. Thus, the extended regulatory spine is a key structure that is critical for maintaining the activity of Tec kinases.