cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethylene and Wound-Induced Gene Expression in the Preclimacteric Phase of Ripening Avocado Fruit and Mesocarp Discs

Whereas intact postharvest avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruit may take 1 or more weeks to ripen, ripening is hastened by pulsing fruit for 24 h with ethylene or propylene and is initiated promptly by cutting slices, or discs, of mesocarp tissue. Because the preclimacteric lag period constitutes the extended and variable component of the ripening syndrome, we postulated that selective gene expression during the lag period leads to the triggering of the climacteric. Accordingly, we sought to identify genes that are expressed gradually in the course of the lag period in intact fruit, are turned on sooner in response to a pulse, and are induced promptly in response to wounding (i.e. slicing). To this end, a mixed cDNA library was constructed from mRNA from untreated fruit, pulsed fruit, and aged slices, and the library was screened for genes induced by wounding or by pulsing and/or wounding. The time course of induction of genes encoding selected clones was established by probing northern blots of mRNA from tissues variously treated over a period of time. Four previously identified ripening-associated genes encoding cellulase, polygalacturonase (PG), cytochrome P-450 oxidase (P-450), and ethylene-forming enzyme (EFE, or 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase), respectively, were studied in the same way. Whereas cellulase, PG, and EFE were ruled out as having a role in the initiation of the climacteric, the time course of P-450 induction, as well as the response of same to pulsing and wounding met the criteria[mdash]together with several clones from the mixed library[mdash]for a gene potentially involved in preclimacteric events leading to the onset of the climacteric. Further, it was established that the continuous presence of ethylene is required for persisting induction, and it is suggested that in selected cases wounding may exert a synergistic effect on ethylene action.
Tracking non-rigid structures in computer simulations

A key challenge in tracking moving objects is the correspondence problem, that is, the correct propagation of object labels from one time step to another. This is especially true when the objects are non-rigid structures, changing shape, and merging and splitting over time. In this work, we describe a general approach to tracking thousands of non-rigid structures in an image sequence. We show how we can minimize memory requirements and generate accurate results while working with only two frames of the sequence at a time. We demonstrate our results using data from computer simulations of a fluid-mix problem.
Lumbar Radicular and Referred Pain in the Athlete

Often numbness and tingling in athletes results from radicular or referred pain from the spine. Low back pain conditions are extremely common in athletes. Most spinal disorders cause axial low back pain, such as pain generated from facet and sacroiliac joints, muscles, and the disc itself. These structures may also cause somatic referred pain into the legs, usually above the knee. Somatic referred pain is typically described as a vague, dull pain in the leg, yet it can be confused with nerve-generated paresthesias. Radicular pain, on the other hand, is less common and is characterized by numbness and tingling that follows a particular dermatome. Radicular pain is exacerbated with dural tension maneuvers, such as straight-leg raising (SLR), seated slump test, and femoral nerve stretch test (FNST). Making the distinction between radicular and referred entities is important when initiating proper treatment. In sports, the following spinal conditions are seen with more frequency: Disc herniation Spondylolysis (stress fracture of the pars interarticularis) Spondylolisthesis Lumbar muscle strain Piriformis syndrome Greater trochanteric pain Facet-mediated pain Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain Pelvic stress fractures Diagnosis
Beyond Fullerenes: Designing Alternative Molecular Electron Acceptors for Solution-Processable Bulk Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaics

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are promising candidates for providing a low cost, widespread energy source by converting sunlight into electricity. Solution-processable active layers have predominantly consisted of a conjugated polymer donor blended with a fullerene derivative as the acceptor. Although fullerene derivatives have been the acceptor of choice, they have drawbacks such as weak visible light absorption and poor energy tuning that limit overall efficiencies. This has recently fueled new research to explore alternative acceptors that would overcome those limitations. During this exploration, one question arises: what are the important design principles for developing nonfullerene acceptors? It is generally accepted that acceptors should have high electron affinity, electron mobility, and absorption coefficient in the visible and near-IR region of the spectra. In this Perspective, we argue that alternative molecular acceptors, when blended with a conjugated polymer donor, should also have large non...
High diagnostic accuracy of core needle biopsy of soft tissue tumors: An institutional experience.

Background Core needle biopsy (CNB) has been suboptimal in the subclassification and grading of mesenchymal tumors. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics have shown promise in improving this area. The institutional experience with CNBs of soft tissue lesions on cytology cases and correlated histologic follow-up has been evaluated. It also addressed the advantageous use of ancillary techniques, including immunohistochemistry and molecular studies. Methods Archived cytologic CNB material and reports of patients with soft tissue lesions were retrieved and CNB results with final resection results were compared. Cases were re-reviewed and data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results From archived data, 215 cases were extracted of 99 female and 116 male patients (mean [range] age, 59.9 [12-95] years). Categories were malignant (n = 157), suspicious (n = 16), and benign (n = 42). In total, 161 (74.9%) had subsequent surgical resection-130 were malignant; 8, suspicious; and 23, benign. Of the malignant or suspicious cases, 138 had follow-up histologic resections, with 97.9% concordance. The most common malignant tumor was liposarcoma (n = 41; 29.7%), followed by undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (30; 21.7%). Of benign tumors, 23 (54.8%) had follow-up surgical resection. Low-grade gastrointestinal stromal tumor was the most common benign tumor (26.1%), followed by fibromatosis (21.7%). Cytohistologic correlation for all categories showed 96.9% concordance. Molecular ancillary studies correctly classified malignant tumors in 37 (26.8%) of the 138 cases. Conclusion CNB is a reliable modality for evaluating soft tissue neoplasms, with high histologic concordance rate.
In vitro development of temporary penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pyogenes.

Conclusions1. The resistance of Streptococcus pyogenes to penicillin has been increased from 4 to 32 times by frequent subculture in media containing increasing amounts of the antibiotic agent.2. The resistance to penicillin which develops in vitro is only temporary and can be abolished fairly rapidly by frequent subculture in drug-free media.
Theoretical and Experimental Investigations of the Growth of Silica and Titania Particles in Low Molecular Weight Alcohols

Silica and titania particles are readily synthesized by the hydrolysis of alkoxides in various alcohols. The present research studies experimentally and models the chemistry and growth kinetics of silica and titania particles in low molecular weight alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol). The theoretical model is based on solving the hydrolysis and condensation kinetic expressions and applying the method of moments to expedite the solution of the governing population balance equation.
Expression of a rabbit renal ascorbic acid transporter in Xenopus laevis oocytes

We examined the expression of renal ascorbic acid transporter(s) in Xenopus laevis oocytes after microinjection of cells with poly(A)+ RNA extracted from rabbit kidney cortex. Concomitant expression of the Na+-glucose cotransporter served as a control in these studies. Injection of poly(A)+ RNA into oocytes produced over a fivefold increase in the uptake of [14C]ascorbic acid (570 microM) compared with water-injected cells. Size fractionation of the kidney cortex mRNA by sucrose gradient revealed that the mRNA species that induced ascorbic acid transporter expression in oocytes was present in a fraction centered around 2.0 kilobases (kb) and had a size range of 1.8-3.1 kb. Injection of the active fraction into oocytes produced a > 40-fold increase in ascorbic acid uptake compared with water-injected controls. Expression of ascorbic acid transporter(s) was noticeable as early as 2 days after injection and was maximal after 7 days; it was also dependent on the amount of mRNA injected into oocytes. The induced uptake of [14C]ascorbic acid after injection of mRNA into oocytes was 1) Na+ dependent, as indicated by the almost complete lack of transport on removal of Na+ from the incubation medium; 2) significantly inhibited by unlabeled ascorbic acid and its structural analogue isoascorbic acid but not by D-glucose; and 3) saturable as a function of increasing the substrate concentration in the incubation medium (100-1,000 microM), with an apparent Km of 258 +/- 72.5 microM and a maximum velocity of 29.6 +/- 2.8 pmol.oocyte-1.2 h-1. These data demonstrate that X. laevis oocytes are a suitable system to functionally express the mammalian renal ascorbic acid transporter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Demonstrating ignition hydrodynamic equivalence in direct-drive cryogenic implosions on OMEGA

Achieving ignition in a direct-drive cryogenic implosion at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) requires reaching central stagnation pressures in excess of 100 Gbar, which is a factor of 3 to 4 less than what is required for indirect-drive designs. The OMEGA Laser System is used to study the physics of cryogenic implosions that are hydrodynamically equivalent to the spherical ignition designs of the NIF. Current cryogenic implosions on OMEGA have reached 56 Gbar, and implosions with shell convergence CR 3.5 proceed close to 1-D predictions. Demonstrating hydrodynamic equivalence on OMEGA will require reducing coupling losses caused by cross-beam energy transfer (CBET), minimizing long- wavelength nonuniformity seeded by power imbalance and target offset, and removing target debris occumulated during cryogenic target production.
Glycogen in basophilic leucocytes in human blood smears.

In a recent study of the occurrence of the periodic acid-Schiff reaction in various normal cells of the blood and connective tissue by Wislocki, Rheingold and Dempsey,1 small clear red dots were observed in the pale pink cytoplasm of the basophilic leucocytes. These investigators were not able to identify the basophiles in control blood smears digested by saliva. They therefore concluded that the red stained material in the undigested smears may have been glycogen but that the “apparent finding needs further verification.” Similarly, Gibb, and Stowell2 decided that “Because myeloid cells which were free from glycogen were not observed in normal peripheral blood and bone marrow films, basophils, although not specifically identified, may also contain glycogen.”To make certain that basophils could be identified in smears digested by saliva before treatment with periodic acid and leucofuchsin, dried smears of human blood were stained in Wright's blood stain in absolute methyl alcohol for 3 minutes. This step ...
2016 ACMG Annual Meeting presidential address: the practice of medical genetics: myths and realities.

2016 ACMG Annual Meeting presidential address: the practice of medical genetics: myths and realities
Connecting achievement motivation to performance in general chemistry

Student success in chemistry is inherently tied to motivational and other affective processes. We investigated three distinct constructs tied to motivation: self-efficacy, interest, and effort beliefs. These variables were measured twice over the course of a semester in three sections of a first-semester general chemistry course (n = 170). We explored the connections that exist among these three constructs as well as their connections to course performance. Multiple regression and path analysis revealed that self-efficacy measured during week 12 was the strongest predictor of final course grade followed by situational interest. We also report that personal interest is a significant predictor of future self-efficacy. Our results add to the growing literature on psychological constructs within chemistry education by identifying variables related to motivation that have a significant connection to course performance among chemistry students. We briefly address how these variables could be targeted in the classroom.
TRACKING CONTRADICTIONS IN GEOMETRY: THE IDEA OF A MODEL FROM KANT TO HILBERT

This paper explores such questions as who actually discovered non-euclidean geometry, who actually believed in its consistency and why, and who can be said to have proved it to be free of contradiction. To this end I will analyze some views and results if ten or so philosophers and mathematicians from Kant to Hilbert. One main theme is that without some rudimentary idea of a model, the discovery and establishment of non-euclidean geometry would not have been possible. Another is that only the notion of a model enabled thinkers to conceive of properties of logical inference such as soundness and completeness of axioms and/or rules. These themes are surprisingly difficult to articulate clearly without compromising historical accuracy, but I believe that in most cases the attempt to do so leads to a better understanding of the writers involved.
Association of Radiomics and Metabolic Tumor Volumes in Radiation Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Purpose To build a framework for investigation of the associations between imaging, clinical target volumes (CTVs), and metabolic tumor volumes (MTVs) features for better understanding of the underlying information in the CTVs and dependencies between these volumes. High-throughput extraction of imaging and metabolomic quantitative features from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) results in tens of variables per patient. In radiation therapy of GBM the relevant metabolic tumor volumes (MTVs) are related to aberrant levels of N -acetyl aspartate (NAA) and choline (Cho). The corresponding clinical target volumes (CTVs) for radiation therapy are based on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CE-T1w) and T2-weighted (T2w)/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI. Methods and Materials Necrotic portions, enhancing lesion, and edema were manually contoured on CE-T1w/T2w images for 17 GBM patients. Clinical target volumes and MTVs for NAA (MTV NAA ) and Cho (MTV Cho ) were constructed. Imaging and metabolic features related to size, shape, and signal intensities of the volumes were extracted. Tumors were also scored categorically for 10 semantic imaging traits by a neuroradiologist. All features were investigated for redundancy. Two-way correlations between imaging and CTVs/MTVs features were visualized as heatmaps. Associations between MTV NAA and MTV Cho and imaging features were studied using Spearman correlation. Results Forty-eight imaging features were extracted per patient. Half of the imaging traits were replaced with automatically extracted continuous variables. Twenty features were extracted from CTVs and MTVs. A series of semantic imaging traits were replaced with automatically extracted continuous variables. There were multiple (22) significant correlations of imaging measures with CTVs/MTV NAA , whereas there were only 6 with CTVs/MTV Cho . Conclusions A framework for investigation of codependencies between MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging radiomic features and CTVs/MTVs has been established. The MTV for NAA was found to be closely associated with MRI volumes, whereas very few imaging features were related to MTV Cho , indicating that Cho provides additional information to imaging.
The immune mechanism of intestinal tract Toll-like receptor in mediating EV71 virus type severe hand-foot-and-mouth disease and the MAPK pathway

Immunological response is thought to play a crucial role in the development of a severe hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) infection in children, but the mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study was designed to help in elucidating the immunopathological pathways involved in the disease by quantifying Toll-like receptor (TLR) mRNAs, MAPK factors and cytokine levels in children experiencing the disease. A total of 86 enterovirus 71 (EV71)-infected HFMD children (49 with mild and 27 with severe disease), along with 30 healthy children were involved in the study. Peripheral vein blood samples were collected from each individual, and used to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for mRNA extraction and sera for measuring levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. The average expression levels of TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR8 mRNA in PBMCs of children with severe HFMD were significantly higher than those in the other children, the lowest values were found in the healthy control group (P 0.05) among the groups. Additionally, the expression levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10 in the serum of the children in the severe group were significantly higher than those in the other two groups, and the lowest values were again found in the control group (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR8 mRNA levels in PBMCs were positively correlated with the TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10 levels in the serum (P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression levels of the ERK, JNK and p38 mRNA in PBMCs of children in the severe group were significantly higher than those in the other two groups, with the lowest values being in the control group (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR8 mRNA levels in PBMCs were positively correlated with ERK, JNK and p38 mRNA levels (P<0.05). The results of our study seem to indicate that the high expression levels of TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR8 induced in severe EV71 HFMD regulate the expression of cytokines by MAPK signaling pathway and negatively affect the ability of the organism to resolve the infection. Further studies are needed to test the hypothesis that immuno-modulation would be an effective treatment approach in pediatric cases of severe HFMD.
What Universities Can Be: A New Model for Preparing Students for Active Concerned Citizenship and Ethical Leadership

AbstractSternberg’s What Universities Can Be provides a thorough and thought-provoking consideration of how to prepare students to ACCEL, an acronym for active concerned citizenship and ethical leadership. Sternberg considers all aspects of an institution, including admissions, student learning outcomes, assessment, faculty reward structures, and marketing. Of particular interest are Sternberg’s arguments for developing practical intelligence and ethical reasoning, as well as examples of alternative admissions tests. This review summarizes and contextualizes Sternberg’s key arguments.
Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., in China: Transferring Knowledge (a)

While much of the work on outsourcing to China focuses on the low cost and its tradeoffs, this case examines in depth the interaction between human capital and a firm's cost and capabilities. Suitable for the MBA, EMBA, GEMBA, and executive education programs, the case presents a manufacturer of semiconductor assembly equipment looking to achieve growth in its wire bonding tools segment—in particular, capillaries and dicing saw blades—through geographic expansion. At the time, it manufactured capillaries in Yokneam, Israel, and blades in Santa Clara, California. In the A case the team is charged with designing and opening a new facility in Suzhou, China. Expanding operations to China meant cost savings, and it was where K&S's market had expanded. But it wasn't clear whether it made sense to move the capillary process, the dicing blade manufacturing, or both. And if K&S did move to China, should it keep the Israeli- and American-based factories open as well? And once those decisions were made, what exactly would the knowledge transfer look like? Excerpt UVA-OM-1410 Rev. Mar. 28, 2013 KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC., IN CHINA: TRANSFERRING KNOWLEDGE (A) Shay Torton, a general manager for Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (K&S), and Ilan Gilboa and Shlomit Drori, from K&S Israel, were members of a committee put together in early 2002 to manage the firm's expansion processes. K&S, a manufacturer of semiconductor assembly equipment, was looking to achieve growth in its wire bonding tools segment—in particular, capillaries and dicing saw blades—through geographic expansion and entry into new markets. At the time, it manufactured capillaries in Yokneam, Israel and blades in Santa Clara, California. The team, mindful of the substantial expense involved, had been charged with designing and opening a new facility in Suzhou, China. The strategic shifting of manufacturing to more cost-effective areas had been well researched (see Exhibit 1 for an economic comparison of different regions). The city of Suzhou was chosen for several reasons: its proximity to several K&S customers and to Shanghai, relative low cost of living, ability to manufacture six days a week, abundant worker supply, and low labor costs. An 80 square-kilometer industrial park offered a reliable infrastructure, plentiful public transportation, and an easy one-stop government approval service. Much conversation at the senior executive-level was about the possibility of transferring both capillary and dicing blade production to Suzhou. . . .
Low-Occupancy Sorption Thermodynamics of Long Alkanes in Silicalite Via Molecular Simulation

A new simulation method is described that allows the efficient calculation of the low-occupancy sorption thermodynamics of long, flexible chain molecules in zeolites or other microporous materials. Our results show that the isosteric heat is a linear function of chain length. Henry's constant calculations show that, while there is a strong thermodynamic driving force for sorption for chains as long as C 28 , entropic penalties associated with sorption from the gas phase begin to become significant for chains longer than C 10 .
Tracking Outcomes of Snake Fungal Disease in Free-ranging Pygmy Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius)

Abstract: Snake fungal disease (SFD) is caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola and its documentation in wild snake populations has risen sharply in the past decade. Little is known regarding the fate of individual, free-ranging snakes afflicted with SFD. We monitored an afflicted population of pygmy rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius) at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge in Central Florida, US for 2 yr. The severity of SFD in individual snakes was unrelated to the probability of their recapture later in the study, and half of the snakes diagnosed as severely infected at the onset of the study were recaptured later with no clinical signs of SFD. The clinical progress of 12 serially recaptured individuals also showed that individuals cleared the infection and fluctuated between no or low and severe clinical signs over the 2-yr study.
CAS wavelet quasi-linearization technique for the generalized Burger–Fisher equation

In this article, we propose a method for the solution of the generalized Burger–Fisher equation. The method is developed using CAS wavelets in conjunction with quasi-linearization technique. The operational matrices for the CAS wavelets are derived and constructed. Error analysis and procedure of implementation of the method are provided. We compare the results produce by present method with some well known results and show that the present method is more accurate, efficient, and applicable.
Exploring the Intersection Between Teachers’ Beliefs and Research Findings in Pronunciation Instruction

Abstract: This study explored teachers’ beliefs about pronunciation instruction in Spanish as a second language (L2). An online survey was used to collect data from 100 participants, grouped into 4 categories based on their previous training in principles and methods of pronunciation instruction. This article reports results from 15 survey items which covered participants’ beliefs regarding 6 major themes: the importance of pronunciation, how pronunciation develops, when to teach it, what to teach, how to teach, and who can teach. Although the results revealed several areas where more methods‐related coursework meant greater alignment between Spanish teachers’ beliefs and findings of L2 pronunciation research, there were other topics on which instructors with more training were likely to express beliefs contrasting with the state of the art. For instance, respondents with more coursework tended to accord more value to pronunciation instruction, to set more pronunciation‐related goals for language instruction, and to reject delaying a focus on pronunciation. Unexpectedly, however, some seemed to uphold the native speaker model, suggesting that teacher training and professional development programs may need to emphasize research‐informed practices and the importance of pedagogical expertise over nativelike pronunciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Black comedy films in postsocialist China: Case study of Ning Hao's Crazy series

Black comedy films are works that use humor to potentially challenge normalized social perceptions, affects and practices by inducing uneasy amusement and emotional release from taboos, traumas, cr...
“A Way of Thinking Backwards”: Computing and Method in Synthetic Organic Chemistry

This article addresses the history of how chemists designed syntheses of complex molecules during the mid-to-late twentieth century, and of the relationship between devising, describing, teaching, and computerizing methods of scientific thinking in this domain. It details the development of retrosynthetic analysis, a key method that chemists use to plan organic chemical syntheses, and LHASA (Logic and Heuristics Applied to Synthetic Analysis), a computer program intended to aid chemists in this task. The chemist E. J. Corey developed this method and computer program side-by-side, from the early 1960s through the 1990s. Although the LHASA program never came into widespread use, retrosynthetic analysis became a standard method for teaching and practicing synthetic planning, a subject previously taken as resistant to generalization. This article shows how the efforts of Corey and his collaborators to make synthetic planning tractable to teaching and to computer automation shaped a way of thinking taken up by chemists, unaided by machines. The method of retrosynthetic analysis made chemical thinking (as Corey perceived it) explicit, in accordance with the demands of computing (as Corey and his LHASA collaborators perceived them). This history of automation and method-making in recent chemistry suggests a potentially productive approach to the study of other projects to think on, with, or like machines.
Trends in user ratings and reviews of a popular yet inaccurate blood pressure-measuring smartphone app.

Objective To understand whether user reviews of Instant Blood Pressure (IBP), an inaccurate, unregulated BP-measuring app reflected IBP's inaccuracy, to understand drivers for high and low ratings, and to understand if disclaimers prevented medical use. Materials and methods All iTunes app reviews for IBP v1.2.3 were downloaded and assessed for themes by two reviewers. Summary statistics for themes were tabulated with their associated star ratings. Results Common themes included perceived accuracy (42% of all reviews, star rating mean 4.8, median 5), inaccuracy (10%, 2.0, 1), and convenience (34%, 4.7, 5). Nine percent documented IBP use in medical conditions (4.6, 5), and 2% mentioned IBP's disclaimer (2.7, 3). Discussion User reviews and ratings of a popular, inaccurate BP-measuring app were positive and uncommonly commented on its inaccuracy. Disclaimers attempting to prevent medical use of the app were ineffective. These findings support the need for more rigorous regulatory review of apps prior to their release.
(166) Psychometric Assessment of the Optimal Screening for Prediction of Referral and Outcomes Yellow Flag (OSPRO-YF) Tool: Item Number and Factor Structure

The Optimal Screening for Prediction of Referral and Outcomes Yellow Flag (OSPRO-YF) tool is a concise, multidimensional yellow flag assessment tool. It was developed to evaluate negative mood, fear-avoidance, and positive affect/coping; however, the ability of the OSRPO-YF items to appropriately evaluate these three factors has not been empirically validated. Therefore, the purpose of this secondary analysis was to compare factor structure for the 10- and 17-item OSPRO-YF versions. Two separate cohorts (n1=428; n2=440) with musculoskeletal pain (neck, low back, shoulder, or knee pain) completed both OSPRO-YF versions. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with principal axis factoring and oblique rotation identified the factor structure in the first cohort. Eigenvalues > 1 criterion determined the number of factors; factor composition was defined by loadings >0.4. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using structural equation modeling then validated the identified factor structure in the second cohort. EFA yielded 2 factors (catastrophizing and negative mood) for the 10-item version and 4 factors (catastrophizing, positive coping, negative mood, and fear-avoidance) for the 17-item version. CFA indicated the 17-item factor structure demonstrated better model fit (RMSEA=0.056, p>0.05; NFI=0.9; TLI=0.9) compared to the 10-item factor structure (RMSEA=0.07, p
Lake-Effect Snowbands in Baroclinic Environments

AbstractLake-effect snowstorms are often observed to manifest as dominant bands, commonly produce heavy localized snowfall, and may extend large distances inland, resulting in hazards and high soci...
Whose Walkability?: Challenges in Algorithmically Measuring Subjective Experience

The Walk Score is a patented algorithm for measuring the walkability of a given geographic area. In addition to its use in real estate, the accompanying API is used in a range of research in public health and urban development. This study explores how neighborhood residents differently understand the notion of walkability as well as the extent to which their personal definitions of neighborhood walkability are reflected in the Walk Score's underlying algorithm. We find that, while the Walk Score generally aligns with residents' priorities around walkability, significant subjective aspects that influence walking behavior are not reflected in the score, raising the need to consider implications for using algorithmic tools like the Walk Score in certain research contexts. We discuss the challenge of measuring subjective experience and how designers might begin to address it. We call for qualitative evaluations of algorithmic tools to help determine appropriate contexts of use.
Surgeon charges and reimbursements are declining compared with hospital payments for shoulder arthroplasty.

Background The relationship between surgeon and hospital charges and payments for total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) has not been well examined. The goal of this study was to report trends and variation in hospital charges and payments compared with surgeon charges and payments for TSA. Methods The 5% Medicare sample was used to capture hospital and surgeon charges and payments for TSA from 2005 to 2014. Two values were calculated: (1) the charge multiplier (CM), which is the ratio of hospital to surgeon charges, and (2) the payment multiplier (PM), which is the ratio of hospital to surgeon payments. The year-to-year variation and regional trends in patient demographic characteristics, Charlson Comorbidity Index, length of stay (LOS), CM, and PM were evaluated. Results The study included 10,563 patients. Per-patient hospital charges increased from $33,836 to $67,177 (99.9% increase), whereas surgeon charges increased from $4284 to $4674 (9.1% increase) (the CM increased from 7.9 to 14.4, P Conclusions Hospital charges and payments relative to surgeon charges and payments have increased substantially for TSA despite stable patient complexity and a decreasing LOS. These results encourage the need for future studies with detailed cost analyses to identify the reasons for hospital and surgeon financial malalignment.
Tumor Heterogeneity and Clonal Cooperation Influence the Immune Selection of IFN-γ-signaling Mutant Cancer Cells

PD-1/PD-L1 blockade can promote robust tumor regression yet secondary resistance often occurs as immune selective pressure drives outgrowth of resistant tumor clones. Here using a genome-wide CRISPR screen in B16.SIY melanoma cells, we confirm Ifngr2 and Jak1 as important genes conferring sensitivity to T cell-mediated killing in vitro. However, when implanted into mice, these Ifngr2- and Jak1-deficient tumors paradoxically are better controlled immunologically. This phenotype maps to defective PD-L1 upregulation on mutant tumor cells, which improves anti-tumor efficacy of CD8+ T cells. To reconcile these observations with clinical reports of anti-PD-1 resistance linked to emergence of IFN-γ signaling mutants, we show that when mixed with wild-type tumor cells, IFN-γ-insensitive tumor cells indeed grow out, which depends upon PD-L1 expression by wild-type cells. Our results illustrate the complexity of functions for IFN-γ in anti-tumor immunity and demonstrate that intratumor heterogeneity and clonal cooperation can contribute to immunotherapy resistance. Melanoma is a cancer that responds relatively well to immunotherapy but resistance does ensue. Here, the authors show that loss of IFNGR2 or JAK1 in a melanoma cell line enhances T cell mediated lysis, however these cells are paradoxically more sensitive to immune-mediated tumor control in vivo due to the loss of PD-L1.
Case Report: Congenital absence of uvula and trismus - a rare presentation of Van der Woude syndrome

Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) is the most common single gene mutation causing cleft lip/palate, responsible for approximately 2% of all cases. Inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, VWS occurs at an incidence of 1 in 35,000 to 100,000. The most commonly reported manifestations of VWS is lip pits, cleft lip or palate. We present a case of a 34-week infant with unique and rarely reported symptoms of VWS, such as trismus and absent uvula.
Large-scale fish movement affects metrics of management importance as indicated by quantitative stock assessment

Abstract Since achieving population recovery targets, management of the Saginaw Bay stock of walleye in Lake Huron is informed by a statistical-catch-at-age (SCAA) model providing estimates of abundance, spawning stock biomass, mortality rates, and exploitation rates. Movement was examined by an acoustic telemetry study and indicated that 37% of the adult population spends much of spring, summer, and fall in the main basin of Lake Huron and unavailable to the fishery in the bay. The current SCAA model used by managers accounts for this movement by including harvest estimates from main basin fisheries in addition to those within the bay. To quantify the effect of the inclusion of the migration information into the model, we constructed a reduced model version that was limited only to the bay harvest and data sources, and then compared these estimates to the full model estimates. All estimates from the reduced model deviated significantly from the full Lake Huron model’s estimates. Significantly different by year were 61% of population size estimates, 25% of total annual mortality estimates, 18% of recreational exploitation rates, and 52% of spawning stock biomass estimates. Differences between the two models were greatest in years of high walleye abundance (i.e., after recovery) and retrospective analysis indicated that this departure was not an estimation artifact. Generally, the reduced model underestimated predicted abundance. We concluded that incorporation of knowledge of movement of Saginaw Bay walleye from the acoustic telemetry study resulted in better informed stock assessment estimates.
7 – Commercial Membrane Types

Publisher Summary This chapter covers high performance membranes, new and improved membranes introduced by the major manufacturers. It describes some commercially available products to help the reader in selecting a suitable membrane for a given application. It will also explain in detail the function of each membrane type. The manufacturers are reluctant to reveal the exact composition of their products, particularly of the more recently introduced ones. Nevertheless, a description of the older types will help the reader to understand the concepts involved. Web sites of manufacturers, provide data on the available membranes and resins. Unreinforced perfluorinated sulfonic acid films are available in a variety of thicknesses and are typically made of either 1000 or 1100 EW polymer. For most industrial electrolysis applications, fabric reinforcement is used to improve the mechanical strength, particularly the resistance to tear propagation. Sulfonic/Carboxylic membranes are used exclusively for the electrolysis of sodium chloride. They represent by far the largest volume and value of all fluorinated ionomer products. New membrane types are being developed for chlor-alkali applications mostly aimed at lower operating voltage or higher allowable current density. This would result in lower electric power consumption or lower investment cost respectively.
Chapter 13 – Toxic Exposures

A large number of toxic environmental agents can produce a spectrum of lung injuries. Some of these can cause both benign and malignant diseases. Pulmonologists need to be acquainted with the spectrum of occupational lung diseases and how to diagnose them.
Reuniting Patients and Families following Inter-facility Transport: Implementing a Tool for Process Improvement

Background/Problem Separation of the child from their guardian during inter-facility transport results in significant stress for both parties, compounded by prolonged waits once family members reach the receiving facility. Barriers to a timely reunion include change in unit destination, prolonged parking, and safety concerns regarding patient visitation. Project Description The …
Outcomes of open and endovascular interventions in patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia.

ObjectivesWidespread adoption of endovascular therapy for the treatment of chronic limb-threatening ischemia has transformed the field of vascular surgery. In this modern era, we aimed to define wh...
Tryptophan-75 Is a Low-Energy Channel-Gating Residue that Facilitates Substrate Egress/Access in Cytochrome P450 2D6

Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is a major drug metabolizing enzyme with a buried active site. Channels leading to the active site from various enzyme surfaces are believed to facilitate ligand egress and access to the active site. The present study used molecular dynamics (MD) and in vitro studies with CYP2D6*1 and a Trp75 to Ala mutant to examine channel gating in CYP2D6 by Trp75. MD simulations measured energy landscapes of Trp75 conformations and simulated substrate passage within channel 2b using bufuralol as a model substrate. Trp75 alternated between multiple stable states that supported substrate transport along channel 2b with low energy barriers between states (~-1 kcal/mol). Trp75 conformations were stabilized primarily by hydrogen bonding between Trp75 and Glu222, Asn226, Ala225, or Gln72. Energy barriers were low between Trp75 conformations allowing Trp75 to easily move between various conformations over time and to function in both binding to and moving substrates in the 2b channel of CYP2D6. Michaelis-Menten kinetic studies completed with purified enzyme in a reconstituted system showed overall reduced enzyme efficiency for metabolism of bufuralol and dextromethorphan by the Trp75Ala mutant compared to CYP2D6*1. In stopped-flow measurements, koff for dextromethorphan was decreased in the absence of Trp75. Our results support a role for Trp75 in substrate shuttling to the active site of CYP2D6. Significance Statement Using combined molecular dynamics and in vitro assays, this study shows for the first time a role for Trp75 as a channel entrance gating residue in the mechanism of substrate binding/unbinding in CYP2D6. Energy landscapes derived from molecular dynamics were used to quantitate the strength of gating and kinetics assays showed the impact on enzyme efficiency and koff of a Trp75Ala mutation.
Prospective trial of regional (hockey-stick) prostate cryoablation: oncologic and quality of life outcomes

To report long-term follow-up of the efficacy of subtotal prostate ablation using a “hockey-stick” template, including oncologic control and quality of life (QoL) impact. We performed a prospective controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of subtotal prostate ablation in selected men with baseline and confirmatory biopsy showing grade group (GG) 1–2 prostate cancer. “Hockey-stick” cryoablation that included the ipsilateral hemi-gland and contralateral anterior prostate was performed. Prostate biopsies and QOL queries were performed at 6, 18 and 36 months following regional ablation, and follow-up was updated to include subsequent clinic visits. Between August 2009 and January 2012, 72 men were screened for eligibility and 47 opted to undergo confirmatory biopsy. Of these, 23 were deemed eligible and treated with regional cryoablation. Median age was 64 years. Median follow-up was 74 months. A single patient had < 1 mm of in-field viable tumor with therapy effect on 36-month biopsy. At time of last follow-up, a total of 12/23 (52%) patients did not have evidence of disease, all patients had preserved urinary control with no patients requiring pads for urinary incontinence. Sexual decline was significant at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.01 for both), though improvement was seen at subsequent time points. Subtotal (hockey-stick template) cryoablation of the prostate provides oncologic control to targeted tissue in a generally low-risk group with minimal impact on sexual and urinary function. Further studies are needed to evaluate this ablation template in the MRI-targeted era and higher risk populations.
Centering “Grace”: Challenging Anti-Blackness in Schooling Through Motherwork:

Anti-Blackness is global and present in every facet of society, including education. In this article, we examine the challenges Black girls encounter in schools throughout the United States. Guided...
Merit versus maleness: How strategic positioning can mitigate external gender bias

Abstract Despite the proactive efforts of many firms to combat gender bias within their organizations, societal prejudices still disadvantage women leaders and the firms who employ them. This external gender bias shapes outside stakeholder evaluations of women leaders’ efforts in various ways, and firms need strategies to cope with this external gender bias. We examine the conditions that might alleviate this burden of external bias and what women leaders and top executives can do to leverage these conditions—from a strategic positioning perspective—that will effectively allow female leaders to differentiate their work. To do this, we synthesize and build upon evidence that the external gender bias against women leaders diminishes when they lead in areas that are unconventional, rather than mainstream. We then propose a two-step process based on (1) identifying the likely threat of external gender bias, which is stronger in some industry contexts than others, and (2) leveraging unconventionality to circumvent male prototypical comparisons, thereby reducing the hazards of external gender bias.
Extinction Training Regulates Tyrosine Hydroxylase during Withdrawal from Cocaine Self-Administration

Chronic exposure to drugs of abuse is known to modulate tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels in the mesolimbic dopamine system. In this study, 12 d of cocaine self-administration in rats (4 hr/d) reduced TH immunoreactivity by 29% in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell, but not core, after a 1 week withdrawal period. In contrast, TH immunoreactivity in the NAc was completely restored in animals that experienced extinction training (4 hr/d) during the same withdrawal period. Extinction training also increased TH levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) by 45%, whereas TH was not altered in the VTA by cocaine withdrawal alone. Thus, extinction-induced normalization of NAc TH levels could involve increased TH synthesis, stability, and/or transport from the VTA to the NAc. A similar extinction training regimen failed to alter TH levels in the NAc or VTA of rats trained to self-administer sucrose pellets, indicating that TH regulation in cocaine-trained animals is not a generalized effect of extinction learning per se. Rather, these data suggest that neuroadaptative responses during cocaine withdrawal ultimately are determined by a complex interaction between chronic drug exposure and drug-seeking experience. The ability of extinction training to restore NAc TH levels is hypothesized to accelerate recovery from dopamine depletion and anhedonia during cocaine withdrawal.
Geometric phases and monodromy at singularities

In [14, 25, 22, 28, 40] and [3, 4] methods of the complex analysis and algebraic geometry were applied for investigating the geometry of the phase spaces of the nonlinear systems.
Survival of Dusky Canada Goose Goslings in Relation to Weather and Annual Nest Success

The dusky Canada goose (Branta canadensis occidentalis) population has been in long-term decline, likely due to reduced breeding productivity, but gosling survival of this population had not been examined. We studied gosling survival in broods of radiomarked adult females on the western Copper River Delta, Alaska, USA, during 1997–1999 and 2001–2003. Survival estimates for dusky Canada goose goslings to 45 days (x = 0.32) were below estimates from most previous studies of geese. Daily survival of goslings increased with age and decreased with date of hatch. Precipitation during the first 3 days post-hatch was negatively related to gosling survival and this effect increased with date. Annual estimates of gosling survival were positively correlated with annual estimates of nest success, suggesting overlap in factors affecting nest and gosling survival. Nest success probably also directly affected gosling survival, because survival decreased with hatch date and more broods hatched from renests during years with low nest success. Gosling survival appears to play an important role in limiting current productivity of this population. Management directed at increasing nest success would likely also improve gosling survival. We recommend additional research directed at examining sources of gosling mortality and the link between nest success and gosling survival.