cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Allochthon of Misfit Toys

ABSTRACT This study provides a narrative analysis of the challenges and opportunities faced by scholars in the field of geoscience education (GED). A set of interviews was conducted with five GED professionals in 2010. Participants discussed challenges and opportunities in GED both for individual practitioners and as a discipline. Select participants were interviewed again 2 years later to reflect on their earlier statements and describe subsequent developments in their thoughts, perceptions, and lived experiences. Participants also discussed, and revisited 2 years later, the GED research topics they considered to be of widespread interest and those they did not. Their notable results were unsurprising: Practitioners in 2010 battled for acceptance and legitimacy and continue to do so. Professional isolation remains a major perceived issue, as do career prospects and accessibility of GED publications. Practitioners face an ongoing struggle with a lack of formalized training in educational research methods....
Evidence for Natural Reproduction by Stocked Walleyes in the Saginaw River Tributary System, Michigan

Abstract A program of stocking walleyes Stizostedion vitreum into Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, begun in the late 1970s by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and sportsmen's groups, resulted in large spawning runs in tributary streams in the early 1980s as water quality in the bay improved. Natural reproduction was documented by a 2-year sampling effort for larval walleyes that revealed the presence of substantial numbers of larvae over a 15–18-d period, with maximum densities (350-3,500/1,000 m3) recorded on 21 April 1987 and 6 May 1988 in the Saginaw River and on 6 May 1988 on the Tittabawassee River. More larval walleyes were collected at night and near bottom (3 m) than during the day and near the surface (1 m). The Tittabawassee River, one of four major rivers that form the Saginaw, was a major source of walleye larvae collected in the Saginaw River, but some walleye larvae were also collected in the Shiawassee River. Over 500,000 walleye larvae passed by the study area on the Saginaw River in 2...
The Case for Software Health Management

Software Health Management (SWHM) is a new field that is concerned with the development of tools and technologies to enable automated detection, diagnosis, prediction, and mitigation of adverse events due to software anomalies. Significant effort has been expended in the last several decades in the development of verification and validation (\VV) methods for software intensive systems, but it is becoming increasingly more apparent that this is not enough to guarantee that a complex software system meets all safety and reliability requirements. %Moreover, error handling techniques are usually concerned with the detection %and isolation of these faults when they occur. Modern software systems can exhibit a variety of failure modes which can go undetected in a verification and validation process. While standard techniques for error handling, fault detection and isolation can have significant benefits for many systems, it is becoming increasingly evident that new technologies and methods are necessary for the development of techniques to detect, diagnose, predict, and then mitigate the adverse events due to software that has {\em already undergone} significant verification and validation procedures. These software faults often arise due to the interaction between the software and the operating environment. Unanticipated environmental changes lead to software anomalies that may have significant impact on the overall success of the mission. Because software is ubiquitous, it is not sufficient that errors are detected only after they occur. Rather, software must be instrumented and monitored for failures before they happen. This prognostic capability will yield safer and more dependable systems for the future. This paper addresses the motivation, needs, and requirements of software health management as a new discipline.
Increased expression of the immune modulatory molecule PD-L1 (CD274) in anaplastic meningioma

There are no effective medical treatments for WHO grade III (anaplastic) meningioma. Patients with this high-grade malignancy have a median survival of less than two years. Therapeutics that modulate the mechanisms that inhibit local immune responses in the tumor microenvironment are showing significant and durable clinical responses in patients with treatment refractory high-grade tumors. We examined the immune infiltrate of 291 meningiomas including WHO grade I-III meningiomas using immunohistochemistry and we examined the expression of PD-L1 mRNA by RNAscope in situ hybridization and PD-L1 protein by immunohistochemistry. In meningioma, the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes are predominantly T cells. In anaplastic meningioma, there is a sharp decrease in the number of T cells, including the numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and cells expressing PD-1 and there is also an increase in the number of FOXP3 expressing immunoregulatory (Treg) cells. PD-L1 expression is increased in anaplastic meningioma – both mRNA and protein. Using patient derived meningioma cell, we confirm that PD-L1 is expressed in meningioma cells themselves, and not solely in infiltrating immune cells. This work indicates that high-grade meningioma harbor an immunosuppressive tumor microenviroment and that increased Treg cells and elevated PD-L1 may contribute to the aggressive phenotype of these tumors.
Proportion of Disease Attributable to the Combined Effect of Two Factors

This paper presents a technique for the analysis of interaction which is based upon the additivity of attributable risks. Such an approach is justified when the purpose is to provide a basis for making decisions about personal risk or public health intervention.
The BaeSR Two-Component Regulatory System Activates Transcription of the yegMNOB (mdtABCD) Transporter Gene Cluster in Escherichia coli and Increases Its Resistance to Novobiocin and Deoxycholate

Screening of random fragments of Escherichia coli genomic DNA for their ability to increase the novobiocin resistance of a hypersusceptible Δ acrAB mutant resulted in the isolation of a plasmid containing baeR , which codes for the response regulator of the two-component regulatory system BaeSR. When induced for expression, baeR cloned in multicopy plasmid pTrc99A significantly increased the resistance of the Δ acrAB host strain to novobiocin (16-fold) and to deoxycholate (8-fold). Incubation of cells with novobiocin followed by a chromatographic assay for intracellular drug showed that overproduced BaeR decreased drastically the drug accumulation, presumably via increased active efflux. The genes baeSR are part of a putative operon, yegMNOB baeSR . Direct binding of BaeR to the yegM promoter was demonstrated in vitro by gel retardation assay. The gene yegB , which codes for a major facilitator superfamily transporter, was not necessary for increased resistance, but deletion of yegO or an in-frame deletion of yegN , both of which code for resistance-nodulation-cell division-type multidrug transporters, abolished the BaeR-induced increase in resistance. It is likely that both YegN and YegO produce a complex(es) with the membrane fusion protein family member YegM and pump out novobiocin and deoxycholate. We accordingly propose to rename yegMNOB as mdtABCD ( mdt for multidrug transporter). Finally, the expression of two other genes, yicO and ygcL , was shown to be regulated by BaeR, but it is not known if they play any roles in resistance.
Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption is not associated with mechanomyographic amplitude after incremental cycle ergometry in the quadriceps femoris muscles.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between the mechanical activities of the three superficial quadriceps muscles and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) after incremental cycle ergometer exercise. Methods: Twelve healthy male volunteers had mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the superficial quadriceps muscles recorded 30 minutes before incremental cycle ergometry and 60 minutes after the exercise work bout. Results: The results indicate significant time-constant values for EPOC and MMG amplitude for the three superficial quadriceps muscles during the 60-minute post-exercise recovery period. For EMG amplitude no decay patterns were found for the three muscles. In addition, there were no mean differences between the MMG values for the three muscles that were significantly different from EPOC. Conclusions: These results suggest that EPOC after exercise could not be exclusively attributed to elevated activity of the working muscles. Muscle Nerve 44: 432–438, 2011
A Pragmatic View of Knowledge and Boundaries: Boundary Objects in New Product Development

This study explores the premise that knowledge in new product development proves both a barrier to and a source of innovation. To understand the problematic nature of knowledge and the boundaries that result, an ethnographic study was used to understand how knowledge is structured differently across the four primary functions that are dependent on each other in the creation and production of a high-volume product. A pragmatic view of 'knowledge in practice' is developed, describing knowledge as localized, embedded, and invested within a function and how, when working across functions, consequences often arise that generate problematic knowledge boundaries. The use of a boundary object is then described as a means of representing, learning about, and transforming knowledge to resolve the consequences that exist at a given boundary. Finally, this pragmatic view of knowledge and boundaries is proposed as a framework to revisit the differentiation and integration of knowledge.
Across the great divide: Boundaries and boundary objects in art and science

This paper explores collaboration between artists and scientists through participant observation. Four artist/scientist pairs worked together to create ten-minute performances for a festival held in January, 2009 in Ithaca, New York. Each pair created their piece over the course of three two-hour meetings, the first of which employed a cultural probe to open a discourse between the artist and scientist and to facilitate collaboration. My role as a participant observer allowed me to closely observe collaborative processes in which pairs engaged in boundary work and made use of boundary objects. The boundary work helped the pairs establish authority and autonomy within their respective sub-fields, while at the same time provoking discussions that led to the creation of their projects. The pairs used three types of boundary objects: existing, created, and appropriated. These established a common language by which they could create and present their performances to an audience.
Micropatterned Structural Control Suppresses Mechanotaxis of Endothelial Cells

Vascular endothelial cell migration is critical in many physiological processes including wound healing and stent endothelialization. To determine how preexisting cell morphology influences cell migration under fluid shear stress, endothelial cells were preset in an elongated morphology on micropatterned substrates, and unidirectional shear stress was applied either parallel or perpendicular to the cell elongation axis. On micropatterned 20-microm lines, cells exhibited an elongated morphology with stress fibers and focal adhesion sites aligned parallel to the lines. On 115-microm lines, cell morphology varied as a function of distance from the line edge. Unidirectional shear stress caused unpatterned cells in a confluent monolayer to exhibit triphasic mechanotaxis behavior. During the first 3 h, cell migration speed increased in a direction antiparallel to the shear stress direction. Migration speed then slowed and direction became spatially heterogeneous. Starting 11-12 h after the onset of shear stress, the unpatterned cells migrated primarily in the downstream direction, and migration speed increased significantly. In contrast, mechanotaxis was suppressed after the onset of shear stress in cells on micropatterned lines during the same time period, for the cases of both parallel and perpendicular flow. The directional persistence time was much longer for cells on the micropatterned lines, and it decreased significantly after flow onset. Migration trajectories were highly correlated among micropatterned cells within a three-cell neighborhood, and shear stress disrupted this spatially correlated migration behavior. Thus, presetting structural morphology may interfere with mechanisms of sensing local physical cues, which are critical for establishing mechanotaxis in response to hemodynamic shear stress.
A Framework for Use of Imprecise Categorization in Developing Intelligent Systems

In this paper, we develop characterizations of the properties of categories. We introduce an approach to representing imprecise hierarchies based on the idea of fragmentation. In the case of fuzzy categories, measures of how well fuzzy categorization satisfies the concept of a partitioning for such categories are developed. Finally, issues that are involved in the formulation of fuzzy categorization of a domain using approaches based on the use of prototypes are considered.
Balancing end-to-end budgets of the Georges Bank ecosystem

Abstract Oceanographic regimes on the continental shelf display a great range in the time scales of physical exchange, biochemical processes and trophic transfers. The close surface-to-seabed physical coupling at intermediate scales of weeks to months means that the open ocean simplification to a purely pelagic food web is inadequate. Top-down trophic depictions, starting from the fish populations, are insufficient to constrain a system involving extensive nutrient recycling at lower trophic levels and subject to physical forcing as well as fishing. These pelagic–benthic interactions are found on all continental shelves but are particularly important on the relatively shallow Georges Bank in the northwest Atlantic. We have generated budgets for the lower food web for three physical regimes (Well-mixed, Transitional and Stratified) and for three seasons (Spring, Summer and Fall/Winter). The calculations show that vertical mixing and lateral exchange between the three regimes are important for zooplankton production as well as for nutrient input. Benthic suspension feeders are an additional critical pathway for transfers to higher trophic levels. Estimates of production by mesozooplankton, benthic suspension feeders and deposit feeders, derived primarily from data collected during the GLOBEC years of 1995–1999, provide input to an upper food web. Diets of commercial fish populations are used to calculate food requirements in three fish categories, planktivores, benthivores and piscivores, for four decades, 1963–2002, between which there were major changes in the fish communities. Comparisons of inputs from the lower web with fish energetic requirements for plankton and benthos indicate that we obtained reasonable agreement for the last three decades, 1973–2002. However, for the first decade, the fish food requirements were significantly less than the inputs. This decade, 1963–1972, corresponds to a period characterized by a strong Labrador Current and lower nitrate levels at the shelf-edge, demonstrating how strong bottom-up physical forcing may determine overall fish yields.
An analog adaptive beamforming circuit for audio noise reduction

We have designed and built the first commercially available all-analog adaptive beamforming integrated circuit utilizing a dual microphone array. Beamforming performs spatial filtering by exploiting time-of-arrival differences between microphones. Our analog implementation has the advantage of using very little power which is important in portable, battery-powered devices. Rather than optimize parameters for a single filter as in a standard adaptive FIR filter used in conventional beamformers, our implementation selects among multiple filters each pre-programmed to provide various different spatial-filter patterns.
Learning Macros with an Enhanced LZ78 Algorithm

One application of the Lempel-Ziv LZ78 algorithm, other than compression, is learning repeating sequences in a data stream One shortcoming of the algorithm though is its slow learning rate. In this paper we enhance the algorithm for improved performance from a learning perspective and apply it to the learning of user macros in a computer desktop environment. Once a macro is learned it can be predicted and offered back at opportune times. With the enhanced algorithm, it is possible for a macro to be learned in as few as two exposures to a sequence.
Specific TP53 Mutants Overrepresented in Ovarian Cancer Impact CNV, TP53 Activity, Responses to Nutlin-3a, and Cell Survival

Evolutionary Action analyses of The Cancer Gene Atlas data sets show that many specific p53 missense and gain-of-function mutations are selectively overrepresented and functional in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC). As homozygous alleles, p53 mutants are differentially associated with specific loss of heterozygosity (R273; chromosome 17); copy number variation (R175H; chromosome 9); and up-stream, cancer-related regulatory pathways. The expression of immune-related cytokines was selectively related to p53 status, showing for the first time that specific p53 mutants impact, and are related to, the immune subtype of ovarian cancer. Although the majority (31%) of HGSCs exhibit loss of heterozygosity, a significant number (24%) maintain a wild-type (WT) allele and represent another HGSC subtype that is not well defined. Using human and mouse cell lines, we show that specific p53 mutants differentially alter endogenous WT p53 activity; target gene expression; and responses to nutlin-3a, a small molecular that activates WT p53 leading to apoptosis, providing "proof of principle" that ovarian cancer cells expressing WT and mutant alleles represent a distinct ovarian cancer subtype. We also show that siRNA knock down of endogenous p53 in cells expressing homozygous mutant alleles causes apoptosis, whereas cells expressing WT p53 (or are heterozygous for WT and mutant p53 alleles) are highly resistant. Therefore, despite different gene regulatory pathways associated with specific p53 mutants, silencing mutant p53 might be a suitable, powerful, global strategy for blocking ovarian cancer growth in those tumors that rely on mutant p53 functions for survival. Knowing p53 mutational status in HGSC should permit new strategies tailored to control this disease.
The Malthusian Model of Income Determination and Its Contemporary Relevance

1. Consumption by the productive classes, consisting of (a) spending for necessaries by labourers; (b) spending for necessaries, conveniences, and luxuries by capitalists. 2. Investment spending (chiefly by capitalists), composed of (a) circulating capital inputs, mainly necessaries contained in the wages fund; (b) fixed capital inputs. 3. Spending by unproductive consumers, largely for conveniences, luxuries, and non-material personal services, that is, by (a) private persons out of rentier incomes (e.g., rents and interest income on the public debt); (b) government out of public funds raised through taxation or borrowing. 4. Foreign demand.l
Densitometric comparison of 3 occipital regions for suitability of fixation.

OBJECTIVE Atlantooccipital fixation is an important technique in the treatment of upper cervical spine instability. Important considerations for implant devices are obtrusiveness and propagation of torque through the device caused by cervical rotation. The authors evaluated the feasibility of 3 regions of the occiput as sites for occipitocervical fixation by examining bone mineral density at these locations. METHODS Unembalmed occiputs of 9 male and 4 female cadavers were used (mean age at time of death was 61.6 years, range 36–68 years). Studies were undertaken using caliper measurements and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry of the superior nuchal line (SNL), the external occipital protuberance (EOP), and the inferior nuchal line (INL). RESULTS Data indicate that the bone at the INL has a similar volumetric bone density as the bone at the SNL, despite having half the thickness. Also, the volumetric bone density increases laterally along the nuchal lines. CONCLUSIONS Most hardware fixation is centered on s...
Preparing teachers for social justice in the context of education policies that deepen class segregation in schools. The case of Chile.

This chapter asks what it means to prepare teachers for social justice in a highly class-segregated education system, with Chile as an example. We begin with a discussion of the context of Chile, where social-class segregation of schools has increased because of the market-driven model that has been implemented over the last 40 years. We critique education policies that both create and attempt to address the segregation of schools and teacher-education programs. Then, we develop a conceptual framework for educating teachers about social justice that connects multiple forms of diversity and oppression. Using our conceptual framework, we analyze in detail the current state of research about preparing teachers in Chile for social justice, particularly research focused on relationships between teachers and parents in vulnerable communities. Based on this analysis, we make recommendations for preparing teachers to work productively with children in poverty and to work collaboratively with their parents.
Thin Plate Spline Regression Model Used at Early Stages of Soybean Breeding to Control Field Spatial Variation

Yield variation observed in soybean (Glycine max) progeny-row yield trial (PRYT) is the final result of line genotypic merit, field spatial pattern, and experimental error. The spatial variation in field tests could confound the estimates of genetic merits. The objectives of this research were to: i) quantify non-genetic yield variation in a soybean breeding PRYT, and ii) determine efficiency of the thin plate spline regression (TPSR) model in adjusting yield because of variation caused by field spatial pattern. The third objective was to evaluate if the use of TPSR model could improve the selection accuracy of PRYT un-replicated yield tests. Uniformity study, early generation test, and confirmation study were conducted. Our results indicated that large spatial variations in soybean PRYT field could be present as evaluated by the Uniformity Study conducted with two commercial lines. In this experiment, the use of the TPSR proved to be effective in reducing the error variance and the coefficient of variabi...
Simulation of the Breakup of Dense Agglomerates in Simple Shear Flows

Abstract The transmission of stress within an agglomerate and hence the stress required for the agglomerate breakup is strongly dependent on the agglomerate structure. In this work, the influence of agglomerate structure on the dispersion process has been investigated through the use of computer simulations. Two different particle-particle agglomeration mechanisms, similar to the conditions under which carbon black is pelletized, have been used in this study. The linear trajectory agglomeration mechanism results in highly branched structures having a dense core, while the Eden model results in very dense clusters exhibiting rough surfaces but little internal porosity. The critical stresses to initiate dispersion of these structures, as well as the fragment size distributions resulting from the application of a simple shear flow field at stresses in excess of the critical value, were simulated. The results show that for the highly ramified agglomerates, the amplification of stress at the roots of the branc...
Leader Effectiveness In Small Bureaucracies

An investigation of the relationships between leader initiating structure and consideration and several organizational outcomes tested the conditioning effects of organizational size. The results s...
When To Hospitalize the Hepatitis Patient

Unless the patient falls into a high-risk category or poses special problems of differential diagnosis and/or treatment, home care may be adequate for the treatment of the benign forms of viral hepatitis. For patients with the atypical and fulminant forms, however, hospitalization is mandatory and may prove lifesaving. Dr. Tisdale describes the typical clinical sequences and indications in each group.
An introduction to case management.

Abstract Health-care professionals are constantly being challenged to find innovative ways to maintain quality of care with diminishing resources. Case management has emerged as a viable method of identifying resources and using those resources efficiently while providing the appropriate levels of care. The American Nurses Association defines case management as health assessment and planning, procurement, delivery, coordination, and monitoring to ensure that the multiple needs of the client are met. Organizations that have implemented case management report significant decreases in length of stay and substantial cost savings. The components of a successful case management team include a System Design Team to initiate the process, a Steering Committee to move the process forward, a Case Manager to coordinate and advocate for those patients who fall outside standard protocols or guidelines (critical pathways), an Interdisciplinary Specialty Team to assist in developing critical pathways, identifying variances, and evaluating data and outcomes, and an information system that provides accurate and current information. The ?team? in case management team cannot be emphasized enough--medical staff and health-care providers should be involved in and understand case management practices. Collaboration and cooperation are essential to ensure patient satisfaction, hospital marketability, and presentation of a positive image to the community.
Proliferative synergy of ANG II and EGF in porcine aortic vascular smooth muscle cells

To test growth effects of angiotensin II (ANG II) in porcine vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and potential ANG II synergy with epidermal growth factor (EGF), we exposed subconfluent, near-quiescent porcine aortic VSMC to ANG II, EGF, or ANG II + EGF (each 10(-9) M) in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's-Ham's F-12 medium with insulin + 0.4% fetal calf serum (FCS) selected for minimal ANG II-degrading capacity. Cell number and DNA and protein synthesis (by [3H]-thymidine and [35S]methionine incorporation, respectively) were determined serially over 1-6 days. ANG II alone induced an early 20% increase and then a plateau in cell number over the 0.4% FCS control (P < 0.01; n = 8), thus without sustained increase in proliferation rate. Yet ANG II alone did not increase fractional DNA or protein synthesis (each as cpm/10(3) cells) and, by flow cytometry, reduced S phase fraction without increase in cell size. EGF alone induced brisk DNA synthesis yet minimal cell division over days 0-4, thus late-cycle arrest. ANG ...
Vestibular Symptoms are Common in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) (P1.281)

Background: Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) is a common, heterogenous disorder that results in symptoms of orthostatic intolerance, including postural dizziness. The postural dizziness reported in PoTS patients is expected to reflect postural lightheadedness due to orthostatic cardiovascular instability. However, the dizziness reported by PoTS patients not infrequently includes prominent vestibular symptoms, which may be quite prominent in some patients. These and other postural and non-postural symptoms may at least partially account for delays in establishing a diagnosis of PoTS. Methods: A vestibular questionnaire collected on a series of 50 consecutive PoTS patients seen over a 3-month period at our institution were reviewed. These patients met diagnostic criteria for PoTS. Patients with a history of vestibular disease, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or Meniere’s disease were excluded from this study. Vestibular testing was not performed in these patients. Results: A total of 50 patients were studied. All but 2 patients were female, ranging in age from 17 to 51, with a mean age of 30. Mean symptom duration was 5 years, but ranged from 3 months to 20 years. All 50 patients reported postural lightheadedness, vertigo was reported in 46[percnt], gait unsteadiness in 98[percnt], a ‘swimming’ sensation in 40[percnt], and ‘rocking’ in 48[percnt]. The mean score on the composite autonomic system score (COMPASS) questionnaire was 52. Scores on the COMPASS questionnaire did not differ in those with or without vertigo. Conclusions: Vestibular symptoms, including vertigo, are common in patients with PoTS. Whether these symptoms result from hypoperfusion of vestibular pathways, impairment in central or peripheral vestibular-autonomic pathways, somatic hypervigilance, or other mechanisms is not known. Better recognition of these symptoms and greater understanding of their pathogenesis may facilitate more timely diagnosis and offer potential alternative, adjunctive treatment approaches. Disclosure: Dr. Goodman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dhawan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bogle has nothing to disclose. Dr. Barrs has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hoffman-Snyder has nothing to disclose.
Bile Acid Metabolism in Cirrhosis: III. Biliary lipid secretion in patients with cirrhosis and its relevance to gallstone formation

Abstract Biliary lipid secretion and bile acid pools were determined in 10 patients without and 13 patients with cirrhosis. Patients with cirrhosis were found to have a greatly diminished total bile acid pool. This alteration in the bile acid pool was associated with a significantly decreased phospholipid secretion, and a very marked decrease in biliary cholesterol secretion. The concentration of the biliary lipids in duodenal bile paralleled the changes in biliary lipid secretion. A triangular phase diagram plot of the biliary lipid composition data indicated that the bile of patients with cirrhosis was entirely normal (no insoluble cholesterol) and had a greater cholesterol holding capacity than the bile of control subjects. These findings indicate that cirrhotic patients are not predisposed to develop cholesterol gallstones. The reported high incidence of gallstones in cirrhotic patients may be related to an abnormality in bilirubin metabolism since a high proportion of the stones in these patients have been reported to be of the pigmented type.
Molecular Pathways and Animal Models of Atrioventricular Septal Defect

The development of a properly functioning 4-chambered heart relies on the correct formation of the septal structures that separate the atrial and ventricular chambers. Perturbation of this septation process results in a spectrum of cardiac malformations involving the atrial and ventricular septal structures. Atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs) form a class of congenital heart defects that are characterized by the presence of a primary atrial septal defect, a common atrioventricular junction, and frequently also a ventricular septal defect. While AVSD were historically considered to result from failure of the endocardial atrioventricular cushions to properly develop and fuse, more recent studies have determined that inhibition of the development of the dorsal mesenchymal protrusion (DMP), a derivative of the second heart field, can lead to AVSDs as well. In this chapter, we review what is currently known about the molecular mechanisms and pathways that are involved in DMP development and the pathogenesis of AVSD.
Disentangling property value impacts of environmental contamination from locally undesirable land uses: Implications for measuring post-cleanup stigma

Abstract This research seeks to identify the impact of environmental contamination on residential housing prices separate from land use externalities associated with the contaminated sites. This is possible in an empirical model that considers the influence of uncontaminated commercial properties on home values concurrently with contaminated property influences. Our approach addresses an important source of omitted variable bias that has not been fully recognized in the literature, and it allows identification of stigma effects in a way not possible in past studies. We estimate difference-in-differences models that pool observations across a metro area and across time, as well as repeat sales models that rely on multiple transactions per home. Results indicate that environmental contamination more than doubles the negative influence commercial properties have on neighboring residential home values. Furthermore, we find little evidence of stigma effects once a contaminated site is remediated. The negative spillover effects associated with remediated contaminated sites are largely indistinguishable from the spillover effects from commercial properties with no known contamination.
Measuring Agreement Among Ranks: Sustainability Application

Is it possible to compare rankings from different sources when the individual rankings of the top x elements differ? To investigate this question, 2015 sustainable rankings from 4 sources that have ranked the top globally most sustainable corporations are considered Corporate Knights, Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies, Newsweek's Green Rankings, and Harris. These rankings are analyzed using common rank comparison methods Spearman's ?, Kendall's t. Then, they are analyzed to see if the sources ranking the data are doing so at random or if there is a specific pattern of agreement Kendall's W and a method by Alvo, Cabilio & Feigin 1982. The insights from these methods as well as possible limitations are considered. A truly sustainable corporation would transcend all definitions and be good for the environment and the people relying on the company. This paper will attempt to identify data points that tend to cluster close together in one or more groups, thereby justifying the feasibility of identifying sets of companies that are truly the "most" sustainable.
Organizational change agent influence: a conditional process model of key individual psychological resources

ABSTRACTOrganizational change is a system-wide process that begins at the individual level. Individuals who act as catalysts for change are often referred to as “change agents” and are lower level employees rather than designated leaders. In the current study Conservation of Resources Theory (COR) is utilized to construct a conditional process model of key resources and change agent influence. Specifically, this model tests the direct effects of General Cognitive Ability (GCA), Five Factor Model (FFM) personality facets, and Psychological Capital (PsyCap) – as well as the mediating role of PsyCap – on simulated change agent performance. Results suggest PsyCap positively correlates with performance, and, mediates the relationship between GCA and performance. Related narrow FFM facets moderate both stages of the mediation. These findings provide theoretical implication for COR as well as practical implications for human resource development interventions geared towards identification and development of chan...
Investigation of intrinsic dynamics of enzymes involved in metabolic pathways using coarse-grained normal mode analysis

AbstractIntrinsic dynamics of proteins are known to play important roles in their function. In particular, collective dynamics of a protein, which are defined by the protein’s overall architecture, are important in promoting the active site conformation that favors substrate binding and effective catalysis. The primary sequence of a protein, which determines its three-dimensional structure, encodes unique dynamics. The intrinsic dynamics of a protein actually link protein structure to its function. In the present study, coarse-grained normal mode analysis was performed to examine the intrinsic dynamic patterns of 24 different enzymes involved in primary metabolic pathways. We observed that each metabolic enzyme exhibits unique patterns of motions, which are conserved across multiple species and functionally relevant. Dynamic cross-correlation matrices (DCCMs) are visibly identical for a given enzyme family but significantly different from DCCMs of other protein families, reinforcing that proteins with sim...
Effect of probiotic on innate inflammatory response and viral shedding in experimental rhinovirus infection – a randomised controlled trial

Ingestion of probiotics appears to have modest effects on the incidence of viral respiratory infection. The mechanism of these effects is not clear; however, there is evidence from animal models that the probiotic may have an effect on innate immune responses to pathogens. The purpose of this randomised, placebo-controlled study was to determine the effect of administration of Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis Bl-04 on innate and adaptive host responses to experimental rhinovirus challenge. The effect on the response of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 8 (CXCL8) to rhinovirus infection was defined as the primary endpoint for the study. 152 seronegative volunteers who had been supplemented for 28 days, 73 with probiotic and 79 with placebo, were challenged with RV-A39. Supplement or placebo administration was then continued for five days during collection of specimens for assessment of host response, infection, and symptoms. 58 probiotic and 57 placebo-supplemented volunteers met protocol-defined cr...
Target Placement of Multiple iStents

Preoperative office-based gonioscopy is essential in determining a patient’s surgical candidacy for microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) (University of Iowa Health Care Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, www.gonioscopy.org). Is the angle open or closed? In the latter, is there appositional or synechial closure? Consideration for placement of multiple micro-bypass stents should be given to those intolerant or unable to take glaucoma medications (i.e., drug-induced systemic or ocular side effects, unable to self-administer medications due to a physical disability), unable to undergo an ab externo surgical procedure (i.e., trabeculectomy, tube shunt surgery) due to immobile bulbar conjunctiva from either prior scarring or systemic disease, or unacceptable risk versus benefit associated with invasive surgery. When two or three micro-bypass stents were combined with phacoemulsification (PE), 77 % achieved a mean IOP 80 % taking less medications at 1 year (J Cataract Refract Surg 38:1911–1917, 2012). This reduction may reflect enhanced circumferential flow with increased access to collector channels (CC) draining aqueous into the episcleral venous system (J Cataract Refract Surg 38:1911–1917, 2012). Titratability of multiple stents (n = 1–3) as a stand-alone procedure in lowering IOP further with each additional iStent was demonstrated in a prospective study. Reduction in IOP ≥20 % with unmedicated IOP ≤18 mmHg versus baseline unmedicated IOP was achieved by 89.2 %, 90.2 %, and 92.1 % for one, two, and three stents, respectively, at 1-year post-op (Clin Ophthalmol 9:2313–2320, 2015). Targeted placement of micro-stents should be directed in areas of greater trabecular meshwork (TM) pigmentation associated with close proximity to collector channels (CC) optimizing aqueous outflow via the aqueous veins (AV) to the episcleral vein (EV) (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 50(4):1692–1697, 2009). Identification of initial blood reflux in Schlemm’s Canal (SC) may also serve to target CC (see Chap. 49). For novices, in angles with minimal to no pigment, injection of trypan blue has been shown to selectively stain the TM landmark for visual identification during implantation (Glaukos user meeting, Fort Lauderdale, 2016). However, this latter approach does not provide cues for targeting CC. If the target IOP reduction is not achieved or there is evidence of visual field progression or increased cupping, patients may need to be restarted on medical therapy. Risks, benefits, alternatives, and appropriate educational material should have been provided to the patient regarding angle surgery.
An Intervention to Support Teachers in Building on Children’s Home Literacy Backgrounds

This study examines the results of a family literacy intervention to teach teachers to build on families’ home literacy practices. A quasi-experimental design was used to study effects on: (1) the use of home-based literacy practices at school; (2) teachers’ beliefs about the family's role in children's literacy development; and (4) first-graders’ literacy achievement. The study was conducted in two first-grade classrooms with culturally diverse student populations. In the treatment classroom, the teacher learned practices for building home-school partnerships. This teacher incorporated specific opportunities to involve parents in children’s literacy learning that led to an increase in parent-teacher collaboration. A combination of teacher and parent participation in the intervention resulted in statistically significant differences in students’ scores on the Concepts About Print (CAP) assessment compared to students in the control classroom. This study is small; yet, it provides a timely and relevant model to promote parent involvement, which is particularly important given the renewed emphasis on building effective home-school partnerships.
The Patient-Centered Care and Receipt of Preventive Services Among Older Adults With Chronic Diseases: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Study:

This article investigates the associations between the patient-centered care (PCC) and receipt of preventive services among older adults with chronic diseases. Data were derived from the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The full-year consolidated data files from 2009 to 2013 were pooled to yield a final analytic sample (N = 16 654). Study outcomes included the receipt of 7 types of preventive screenings and 2 types of health education services. Patients' PCC groups were categorized as PCC, partial PCC, and non-PCC, based on 9 questions classified under the 3 distinctive attributes of PCC-whole-person care, patient engagement, and enhanced access to care. Prevalence rates for each outcome variable were calculated. We estimated odds ratios from multiple logistic regressions, comparing the likelihood of outcome variables across 3 groups of patients. Adjusting for covariates, the PCC group was more likely than the non-PCC group to receive 8 types of preventive services. The partial PCC group had a greater likelihood than the non-PCC group of receiving 7 types of preventive services. Our study reveals significant associations between PCC and receipt of preventive services. PCC has demonstrated the potential to improve preventive care for older adults with chronic diseases.
Cadmium and lead in cocoa powder and chocolate products in the US Market

Cocoa powder and chocolate products are known to sometimes contain cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) from environmental origins. A convenience sample of cocoa powder, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and cocoa nib products was purchased at retail in the US and analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to assess Cd and Pb concentrations. Cd and Pb were evaluated in relation to the percent cocoa solids and to the reported origin of the cocoa powder and chocolate products. Cd ranged from 0.004 to 3.15 mg/kg and Pb ranged from <LOD to 0.38 mg/kg. Cd and Pb were significantly correlated with percent cocoa, with correlations varying by product type and geographic origin. Geographic variation was observed for Cd, with higher Cd concentrations found in products reported as originating from Latin America than from Africa. The influence of percent cocoa solids and cocoa origin on Cd levels are relevant to international standards for Cd in chocolate products.
Making my faith my own: Church attendance and first-year college student religious and spiritual development

There is a glaring lack of research on spiritual and religious development in human development journals. Emerging adulthood, specifically, is an important period to study religious and spiritual development because it is characterized by identity formation and an enhanced power of free will. Church attendance can provide a context for identity formation, but declines in religious service attendance are prevalent throughout late adolescence into emerging adulthood. Twelve first-year undergraduate students at a public Midwestern university who attended a Christian church regularly during their childhood participated in a semistructured interview and shared their experiences, thoughts and feelings regarding church, their transition to college and their religious or spiritual identity. Six participants were attending a church or college ministry and 6 were non-attenders in college. Interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed participants valued close relationships, acceptance, freedom of individual thought, and religious understanding at church and reasoned their attendance by previous church experience, desire for spiritual support and personal beliefs. Analysis also revealed critical events which coincided with changes in religious meaning or commitment. Additionally, a process of personalization of faith was discovered. Implications for these findings were discussed.
Contraceptive use and childbirth rates by service branch during the first 24 months on active duty in the United States military from 2013 to 2018: a retrospective cohort analysis

Abstract Objective To measure the association of military branch-specific contraceptive education and access policy during basic training with contraceptive use and childbirth among new recruits. Study design Secondary analysis of insurance records from 92,072 active duty servicewomen who started basic training between 2013 and 2017. Results Exposure to reproductive health education and access to contraception during basic training differ by military branch. Highly effective contraception use (pills, patch, ring, shot, implants or intrauterine contraception) at 6 months on active duty [Army (18.1%), Air Force (27.4%), Marines (26.5%) and Navy (37.6%), p Conclusion Variation in branch-specific contraceptive education and access policy during basic training is associated with differences in rates of contraceptive use at 6 months on active duty and childbirth prior to 24 months on active duty. This occurs despite all recruits having access to an identical medical benefit including no-cost access to contraception after completing initial training. Further study is needed to determine the etiology of these differences. Implications Guidelines for contraceptive education and access during basic training, highly effective contraception use after 6 months of service and childbirth in the first 24 months of service vary among branches of the United States military. Reducing this variability may reduce childbirth rates and improve the reproductive health of junior enlisted servicewomen.