cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sequence-based evidence for major histocompatibility complex-disassortative mating in a colonial seabird

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a polymorphic gene family associated with immune defence, and it can play a role in mate choice. Under the genetic compatibility hypothesis, females choose mates that differ genetically from their own MHC genotypes, avoiding inbreeding and/or enhancing the immunocompetence of their offspring. We tested this hypothesis of disassortative mating based on MHC genotypes in a population of great frigatebirds (Fregata minor) by sequencing the second exon of MHC class II B. Extensive haploid cloning yielded two to four alleles per individual, suggesting the amplification of two genes. MHC similarity between mates was not significantly different between pairs that did (n ¼ 4) or did not (n ¼ 42) exhibit extra-pair paternity. Comparing all 46 mated pairs to a distribution based on randomized re-pairings, we observed the following (i): no evidence for mate choice based on maximal or intermediate levels of MHC allele sharing (ii), significantly disassortative mating based on similarity of MHC amino acid sequences, and (iii) no evidence for mate choice based on microsatellite alleles, as measured by either allele sharing or similarity in allele size. This suggests that females choose mates that differ genetically from themselves at MHC loci, but not as an inbreeding-avoidance mechanism.
20 watt CW 589-nm sodium beacon excitation source for adaptive optical telescope applications

A doubly resonant sum-frequency ring containing an LBO crystal, pumped by 1064 nm and 1319 nm continuous-wave Nd:YAG injection-locked ring lasers, produced a 20 W diffraction-limited, single-frequency, 589-nm beam. A 12 W circularly polarized beam produced a 7.2-magnitude guidestar.
Increasing Growing-Season Length in Illinois during the 20th Century

Using daily minimum air-temperature (Tmin) data from the state of Illinois, the dates of spring and fall freezes – and the resulting growing-season length – are examined for trends during theperiod 1906–1997. Of the stations in the Daily Historical Climate Network, mostshow trends toward earlier spring freezes; however, trends in fall freezes are not consistent over the station network. Although the time series are highly variable (noisy), results suggest that the growing-season length in Illinois became roughly one week longer during the 20thcentury. To examine how changing freeze-date statistics relate to changing air-temperature probability distributions, percentiles of Tmin formoving 10-year periods were analyzed for trends during the typical times for spring and fall freezes in Illinois (i.e., the months of April and October). The lower portion of the April probability distribution shows substantially larger warming (0.5–0.7 ° C/100 yrs) than the upper portion of the distribution (0.2–0.3 ° C/100 yrs), suggesting that although cold events are warming during April, warm events are not warming as fast. Conversely, the lower portion of the October probability distribution shows modest cooling in Tmin (–0.2 ° C/100yrs for the 10th percentile), while middle and upper portions of the distribution show very large rates of cooling (up to –1.5 ° C/100 yrs for the 40th–70th percentiles). Analysis ofthe entire probability distribution provides a more-comprehensive perspective on climatic change than does the traditional focus on central tendency.
Utility of Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy to Predict Nutrient Composition and In Vitro Digestibility of Total Mixed Rations

Total mixed ration (TMR) samples (n = 110) were analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), soluble CP, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), NDF CP, starch, ash, fat, total ethanol-soluble carbohydrate, and nonfiber carbohydrate (NFC). Rapidly and slowly degraded and undegraded in situ CP fractions and in vitro DM, organic matter, and NDF digestibility were determined on each TMR. The TMR were scanned using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS); spectra were retained with NIRS calibration and cross-validation statistics were determined using partial least squares regression methods. The CP, NDF, starch, in vitro DM, and in vitro indigestible NDF contents of TMR were predicted by NIRS with good degrees (R2 >0.85) of accuracy with proportionally low standard errors of prediction. Moderate utility of NIRS to predict the NFC (R2 = 0.83) and fat content (R2 = 0.81) of TMR was observed. Rapidly, slowly, and undegraded in situ CP fractions in TMR were not well predicted by NIRS. Similarly, soluble CP, NDF CP, total ethanol-soluble carbohydrate, and in vitro NDF digestibility (% of NDF) were not well predicted by NIRS. Ratios of nutrient range to reference laboratory method error were calculated and found to be positively related (R2 = 0.84) to NIRS predictability of a given TMR nutrient, suggesting some laboratory procedures were not precise enough to yield suitable NIRS predictions. Data suggest that NIRS has utility to predict basic nutrients such as CP, NDF, starch, NFC, and fat in TMR. However, difficulty was observed using NIRS in predicting key biological nutrients in TMR such as in situ CP fractions and in vitro NDF digestibility. Difficulty of NIRS in predicting these nutrients is related to the level of reference method error in relationship to the range of nutrient values in TMR, but other sources of prediction error may exist.
LIKELIHOOD METHODS FOR DETECTING TEMPORAL SHIFTS IN DIVERSIFICATION RATES

Maximum likelihood is a potentially powerful approach for investigating the tempo of diversification using molecular phylogenetic data. Likelihood methods distinguish between rate-constant and rate-variable models of diversification by fitting birth-death models to phylogenetic data. Because model selection in this context is a test of the null hypothesis that diversification rates have been constant over time, strategies for selecting best-fit models must minimize Type I error rates while retaining power to detect rate variation when it is present. Here I examine model selection, parameter estimation, and power to reject the null hypothesis using likelihood models based on the birth-death process. The Akaike information criterion (AIC) has often been used to select among diversification models; however, I find that selecting models based on the lowest AIC score leads to a dramatic inflation of the Type I error rate. When appropriately corrected to reduce Type I error rates, the birth-death likelihood approach performs as well or better than the widely used gamma statistic, at least when diversification rates have shifted abruptly over time. Analyses of datasets simulated under a range of rate-variable diversification scenarios indicate that the birth-death likelihood method has much greater power to detect variation in diversification rates when extinction is present. Furthermore, this method appears to be the only approach available that can distinguish between a temporal increase in diversification rates and a rate-constant model with nonzero extinction. I illustrate use of the method by analyzing a published phylogeny for Australian agamid lizards.
Rhizobium meliloti DctD, a σ54‐dependent transcriptional activator, may be negatively controlled by a subdomain in the C‐terminal end of its two‐component receiver module

Summary Rhizobium meliloti DctD is believed to have three functional domains: an N-terminal, two-component receiver domain; and like other σ54-dependent activators, C-terminal and central domains for DNA binding and transcription activation. We have characterized a progressive series of M-terminal deletions of R meliloti DctD. The N-terminal domain was not needed for binding the dctA upstream activation sequence. Only 25% of the C-terminal end of the receiver domain was needed to significantly inhibit the central domain, and proteins lacking up to 60% of the N-terminal end of the receiver domain were‘inducible’in R. meliloti cells. We hypothesize that the W-terminal two-thirds of the DctD receiver domain augments and controls an adjacent subdomain for inhibiting the central domain.
Development of a custom microprocessor for automotive control

This paper describes the development of a high-performance microprocessor-based system for control of automotive emissions and fuel economy. The result is a two-chip system consisting of a VLSI single-chip 16-bit microprocessor with an integral analog-to-digital (A/D) converter and precision timing circuits, and a companion memory chip with a combination of read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).
Diffusion in pulsating flow in a distensible conduit

An earlier study on interphase mass transfer in pulsating laminar flow has been extended to the case of a distensible tube. The physical situation studied corresponds to developed flow in a long tube with a traveling pressure wave of small amplitude impressed on the steady flow. The tube wall is free to expand radially. Asymptotic solutions are developed for large and small values of the frequency parameter. The interphase flux is much greater in distensible conduits than in the corresponding case in rigid conduits.
What If the NCAA Was a State Actor? Here, There, and Beyond

In 1988, in NCAA v. Tarkanian, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) was not a state actor and, thus, did not have to abide by constitutional requirements, such as due process of law.1 This simple, but controversial, ruling has had enormous consequences. By ignoring the interdependencies of money and power between the Association and public universities, the Court has shielded the NCAA from judicial review and left the liberty and property interests of college athletes and coaches unprotected. Those interests are not insignificant. Because of NCAA actions, college athletes may lose their eligibility to compete, scholarships, and access to an exclusive path to a professional sports career.2 Because of NCAA actions, coaches may lose their jobs and salaries, and their future career opportunities may be restricted.3
Review of Paul Blumberg, the Predatory Society: Deception in the American Marketplace New York

The Predatory Society examines the inadequacies of marketing and the free market system. It is written by a sociologist. I think that, in general, sociologists are biased against marketing people. The bias runs like this: Sociologists believe that consenting adults should be allowed to enter into agreements without state interference. However, if those agreements involve legal transactions with money, the freedom of the consenting adults should be abridged for the protection of those adults. An elite should decide how much freedom is in the interests of these people. Translated into marketers' terms, the argument is that the state should regulate the behavior of adult buyers and sellers because the former are honest but incompetent and the latter are often dishonest. Blumberg lives up to some of my expectations, but he is also aware of the arguments favoring the free market.
Extending the Strided Communication Interface in OpenSHMEM

OpenSHMEM is a library interface specification which has resulted from a unification effort among various vendors and users of SHMEM libraries. OpenSHMEM includes routines which aim to support a PGAS programming model, encompassing data management, one-sided communication, atomics, synchronization, collectives, and mutual exclusion. In the work described in this paper, we investigated the usage and performance of strided communication routines. Moreover, we propose and describe an implementation for new strided communication routines, shmem_iputmem and shmem_igetmem, which enable a more general means for expressing communications entailing data transfers for two-dimensional subarrays or for arrays of structures. We demonstrate the use of these routines on a halo exchange benchmark for which we achieved, on average, a 64.27i¾?% improvement compared to the baseline implementation using non-strided communication routines and also 63.37i¾?% improvement compared to the one using existing strided communication routines.
The Augmentary Factor in Animal Sera After Injections of Pituitary Extract.

SummaryInjections of a gonadotropic extract of sheep-pituitary glands into a horse arid 2 dogs induced the formation in their sera of a factor which augiiientetl three-fold the gonadotropic activity of the extract when tested in immature rats. The augmenting factor had no gonadotropic action in liypophysectomized immature rats, but produced in immature normal rats an effect resembling F.S.H. or synergist. The auginentitig factor, possibly an antihormone to the pituitary gonadtropic antagonist, was present only in the pseudo-globulin fraction of the sera, which fraction also carries the immune bodies and other antihormones.
Idiopathic gingival fibromatosis with extensive osseous involvement in a 12-year-old boy.

Abstract Excessive gingival enlargement has been reported in the literature to be due to and/or accompanied by ingestion of Dilantin sodium, hypertrichosis, hereditary factors, cherubism, or ectodermal dysplasia; gingival enlargement has also been found where none of the above factors could be demonstrated, and this type of enlargement has been generally labeled “idiopathic.” The case reported here appears to be of special interest because of (1) the occurrence of both gingival enlargement and excessive osseous destruction in a very young person and (2) the absence of any marked medical deviation from normal, other than an elevated alkaline phosphatase activity. The latter finding, of course, may be related to the osseous destruction, as reports have implicated this enzyme in the process of bone resorption 5 or have suggested its presence as a sequel to bone resorption. 8
Mass Balance and Performance Analysis of Potassium Hydroxide Activated Carbon

Highly nanoporous carbon with surface areas in excess of 3,000 m2/g can be produced via potassium hydroxide (KOH) activation of a high surface area (1,150 m2/g) carbon intermediate. These materials have exhibited methane storage capabilities in excess of 20 wt % at ambient temperature with interest toward commercial production. In preparation for commercial production, detailed mass balances are needed to quantify yield and waste streams, understand the propensity to recycle the KOH, and to provide a benchmark for further optimization. Analytical processes used to evaluate produced carbon performance are detailed in addition to a mass balance on the reaction of KOH with carbon and a KOH balance. Carbon balances revealed that increasing activation time and activation temperature produce lower yields of carbon.
Quantitative experimental data on the rôle of the sympathetic innervation in the tonus of the quadriceps femoris muscles

By the use of Spiegel's method of measuring the tonus of the quadriceps femoris in resting animals,1 tonus curves of this muscle in cats and dogs were obtained before and after elimination of its sympathetic nerve supply, and before and after removal of the cerebellum. In some of the experiments tonus curves of the same muscle were obtained before and after extirpation of the sympathetic trunk in the lumbar region, in others tonus curves of both quadriceps muscles were obtained in animals which had previously been subjected to unilateral extirpation of the lumbar sympathetic trunk. Removal of the cerebellum was commonly carried out after the tonus curves of both quadriceps muscles were obtained in animals which had been previously subjected to unilateral extirpation of the lumbar sympathetic trunk. Then the tonus curves of both muscles were obtained once more.These tonus curves are essentially the curves of passive extension of the quadriceps muscles. Those obtained for the same muscle before and after el...
The efficacy of prophylactic outpatient antibiotics for the prevention of neutropenic fever associated with high-dose etoposide (VP-16) for stem cell mobilization.

High-dose etoposide (2 g/m(2)) plus G-CSF is a very effective regimen for peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) mobilization. Unfortunately, neutropenia is common. The infectious complications associated with high-dose etoposide have not been previously described. After noting a high incidence of hospitalizations for neutropenic fever, we began a vigorous prophylactic antibiotic regimen for patients receiving high-dose etoposide plus G-CSF, attempting to reduce infectious complications. Ninety-eight patients underwent etoposide mobilization between December 1997 and June 2000. Three chronological patient groups received: (1) no specific antibiotic prophylaxis (n = 44); (2) vancomycin i.v., cefepime i.v., clarithromycin p.o., and ciprofloxacin p.o. (n = 27); and (3) vancomycin i.v., clarithromycin p.o., and ciprofloxacin p.o. (n = 27). The patients not receiving antibiotic prophylaxis had a 68% incidence of hospitalization for neutropenic fever. In the patients receiving prophylaxis, the incidence was reduced to 26% and 15% respectively, for an overall incidence of 20% (P < 0.001 for comparison between prophylaxed and unprophylaxed groups). We conclude that etoposide mobilization is associated with a significant incidence of neutropenic fever, which can be substantially reduced by a vigorous antimicrobial prophylactic program.
Coordination between sectors in shared airspace operations

Recent studies have shown that a more efficient use of airspace may involve shared airspace operations, i.e., temporal as well as spatial separation of arrival and departure flows [1][2]. Temporal separation would permit a departure aircraft to fly through an arrival flow, depending on an available gap. This would necessitate careful and precise coordination between controllers in different sectors. Three methods of coordination which permit the penetration of a controller's airspace by another controller's aircraft are described: point out, look-and-go, and prearranged coordination procedure. Requirements of each method are given, along with associated problems that have surfaced in the field as described by Aviation Safety and Reporting System (ASRS) and other reports. A Human-in-the-Loop simulation was designed to compare two of the methods: point out and prearranged coordination procedures. In prearranged coordination procedures (P-ACP), the controllers control an aircraft in another controller's airspace according to specified prearranged procedures, without coordinating each individual aircraft with another controller, as is done with point outs. In the simulation, three experienced controllers rotated through two arrival sectors and a non-involved arrival sector of a Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) airspace. Results of eighteen one-hour simulation runs (nine in each of the two conditions) showed no impact of the coordination method on separation violations nor on arrival times for 208 departing aircraft crossing an arrival stream. Participant assessment indicated that although both coordination conditions were acceptable, the prearranged coordination procedure condition was slightly safer, more efficient, timely, and overall, worked better operationally. Problems arose in the point out condition regarding controllers noticing acceptance of point outs. Also, in about half of the point-out runs, time pressure was felt to have had an impact on when and if the departures could cross an arrival stream. An additional problem with point outs may be confusion in the field about which controller has responsibility for separating point-out aircraft from other aircraft.
Computer-Assisted Potentiometric Titrations

The Nernst equation is the basis for carrying out potentiometric measure­ments. For a generalized redox reaction $$ aA\; + \;bB\; \rightleftarrows \;c{\kern 1pt} C\; + \;dD $$ (14–1) the potential of the cell is given by $$ E\; = \;E_{cell}^0\; - \;\frac{{RT}}{{nF}}{\kern 1pt} \ln {\kern 1pt} \frac{{{{\left( {{a_c}} \right)}^c}{{\left({{a_d}} \right)}^d}}}{{{{\left( {{a_A}} \right)}^a}{{\left( {{a_B}} \right)}^b}}} $$ (14–2) Separating it into two half-reactions, we have $$ {E_1}\; = \;E_1^0\; - \;\frac{{RT}}{{{n_1}F}}{\kern 1pt} \ln {\kern 1pt} \frac{{{{\left( {{a_C}} \right)}^c}}}{{{{\left( {{a_A}} \right)}^a}}} $$ (14–3) and $$ {E_2}\; = \;E_2^0\; - \;\frac{{RT}}{{{n_2}F}}{\kern 1pt} \ln {\kern 1pt} \frac{{{{\left( {{a_D}} \right)}^d}}}{{{{\left( {{a_B}} \right)}^b}}} $$ (14–4)
Temporal variability of readmission determinants in postoperative vascular surgery patients.

Introduction: Clinical information continues to be limited regarding changes in the temporal risk profile for readmissions during the initial postoperative year in vascular surgery patients. We set out to describe the associations between demographics, clinical outcomes, comorbidity indices, and hospital readmissions in a sample of patients undergoing common extremity revascularization or dialysis access (ERDA) procedures. We hypothesized that factors independently associated with readmission will evolve from “short-term” to “long-term” determinants at 30-, 180-, and 360-day postoperative cutoff points. Methods: Following IRB approval, medical records of patients who underwent ERDA at two institutions were retrospectively reviewed between 2008 and 2014. Abstracted data included patient demographics, procedural characteristics, the American Society of Anesthesiologists score, Goldman Criteria for perioperative cardiac assessment, the Charlson comorbidity index, morbidity, mortality, and readmission (at 30-, 180-, and 360-days). Univariate analyses were performed for readmissions at each specified time point. Variables reaching statistical significance of P< 0.20 were included in multivariate analyses for factors independently associated with readmission. Results: A total of 450 of 744 patients who underwent ERDA with complete medical records were included. Patients underwent either an extremity revascularization (e.g. bypass or endarterectomy, 406/450) or a noncatheter dialysis access procedure (44/450). Sample characteristics included 262 (58.2%) females, mean age 61.4 ± 12.9 years, 63 (14%) emergent procedures, and median operative time 164 min. Median hospital length of stay (index admission) was 4 days. Cumulative readmission rates at 30-, 180-, and 360-day were 12%, 27%, and 35%, respectively. Corresponding mortality rates were 3%, 7%, and 9%. Key factors independently associated with 30-, 180-, and 360-day readmissions evolved over the study period from comorbidity and morbidity-related issues in the short-term to cardiovascular and graft patency issues in the long-term. Any earlier readmission elevated the risk of subsequent readmission. Conclusions: We noted important patterns in the temporal behavior of hospital readmission risk in patients undergoing ERDA. Although factors independently associated with readmission were not surprising (e.g. comorbidity profile, cardiovascular status, and graft patency), the knowledge of temporal trends described in this study may help determine clinical risk profiles for individual patients and guide readmission reduction strategies. These considerations will be increasingly important in the evolving paradigm of value-based healthcare.
Identification of Outliers

One of the most vexing of problems in data analysis is the determination of whether or not to discard some observations because they are inconsistent with the rest of the observations and/or the probability distribution assumed to be the underlying distribution of the data. One direction of research activity related to this problem is that of the study of robust statistical procedures (cf. Huber [1981]), primarily procedures for estimating population parameters which are insensitive to the effect of “outliers”, i.e., observations inconsistent with the assumed model of the random process generating the observations. Typically, the robust procedure involves some “trimming” or down-weighting procedure, wherein some fraction of the extreme observations are automatically eliminated or given less weight to guard against the potential effect of outliers.
In rat inner medullary collecting duct, NH 4 + uptake by the Na,K-ATPase is increased during hypokalemia

In rat terminal inner medullary collecting duct (tIMCD), the Na,K-ATPase mediates NH 4 + uptake, which increases secretion of net H+ equivalents. K+ and NH 4 + compete for a common binding site on ...
A Series of Suppressive Signals within the Drosophila Circadian Neural Circuit Generates Sequential Daily Outputs

We studied the Drosophila circadian neural circuit using whole-brain imaging in vivo. Five major groups of pacemaker neurons display synchronized molecular clocks, yet each exhibits a distinct phase of daily Ca2+ activation. Light and neuropeptide pigment dispersing factor (PDF) from morning cells (s-LNv) together delay the phase of the evening (LNd) group by ∼12 hr; PDF alone delays the phase of the DN3 group by ∼17 hr. Neuropeptide sNPF, released from s-LNv and LNd pacemakers, produces Ca2+ activation in the DN1 group late in the night. The circuit also features negative feedback by PDF to truncate the s-LNv Ca2+ wave and terminate PDF release. Both PDF and sNPF suppress basal Ca2+ levels in target pacemakers with long durations by cell-autonomous actions. Thus, light and neuropeptides act dynamically at distinct hubs of the circuit to produce multiple suppressive events that create the proper tempo and sequence of circadian pacemaker neuronal activities.
Feeding ecology is the primary driver of beak shape diversification in waterfowl

Summary The diversity of beak shapes among birds is often assumed to be largely the result of adaptations to different feeding behaviors and diets. However, this assumption has only been tested for a small subset of avian diversity, primarily within the order Passeriformes. Moreover, given the role of the beak in behaviors other than feeding and given that most previously identified beak-feeding associations concern beak size rather than shape, it remains unclear how much of beak shape diversity is explained by feeding ecology and what functional explanations account for these differences in shape. I quantified the association between beak shape and feeding ecology for 42 species in the bird order Anseriformes (waterfowl) using 3D curvature of the upper beak collected from museum specimens and continuous dietary data compiled from the literature. I also tested whether leverage or stress resistance of the beak explains the association between beak shape and feeding ecology. Diet is strongly and significantly correlated with beak shape in waterfowl. An ancestral beak shape reconstruction and the reconstructed diet of the anseriform fossil Presbyornis both support filter-feeding as ancestral for most waterfowl, followed by multiple, significantly convergent transitions from a duck-like beak toward a more goose-like beak. The evolution of a more goose-like beak is associated with increased consumption of leaves, decreased consumption of invertebrates, and an increase in mechanical advantage of the beak. Moreover, no association was identified between size (measured as either beak size or body mass) and feeding ecology nor between size and beak shape. These results demonstrate that feeding ecology has acted as the primary selective force in the diversification of waterfowl beak shapes, including the convergent originations of geese. Thus, rapid and convergent adaptation of the beak to feeding is not limited to passerines nor is it limited to size-correlated shape changes. The positive evolutionary correlation between mechanical advantage and herbivory shows that lever mechanics can explain the functional evolution of the kinetic upper beak in birds. These results also suggest that functions of the beak other than feeding may play a minor role in explaining overall beak shape diversity. A lay summary is available for this article.
Group property of the P4, K4, and NR16 error correction codes

Error correction codes are vital for data accuracy on the communication links in NASA inter-planetary missions. Preparata4, Kerdock4, and Nordstrom-Robinson16 are known to be equivalent error correction codes. This paper shows that these three codes are members of a subgroup of the Dihedral group D4. This paper also identifies a new error correction code which is fourth member of the Dihedral group.
Temporal Changes in Prescription of Neuropharmacologic Drugs and Utilization of Resources Related to Neurologic Morbidity in Mechanically Ventilated Children With Bronchiolitis.

Objectives:Critically ill children with bronchiolitis may require neuropharmacologic medications and support for neuro-functional sequelae, but current practices are not well described. We aimed to describe recent trends in neuropharmacology and utilization of neuro-rehabilitation resources in mecha
The motivational process for physical activity in young adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract Background Many young adults, specifically those with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), do not meet the national physical activity (PA) guidelines. One way to address this problem may be to examine the factors that motivate individuals to engage in PA. However, the majority of current literature does not consider the unique characteristics of individuals with ASD, which may influence their motivation. Objective The purpose of this research was to examine Self-Determination Theory predictors for PA for young adults with ASD. Methods Respondents included 143 young adults with ASD who completed a survey pertaining to their motivational process to engage in physical activity, based on self-determination theory variables. Results Goodness of fit indices reported from a path analysis suggests the current data closely align with the self-determination theory (χ2 (3, N = 143) = 11.99, p > .01, GFI = 0.97, NFI = 0.95, CFI = . 96, RMSEA = 0.15). The three basic psychological needs explained 39% of the variance within respondents' self-determined motivation, and self-determined motivation explained 8% of the variance in PA levels. Conclusions These findings support utilizing the self-determination theory within health promotion efforts for young adults with ASD. Practitioners should focus on enhancing the perceived basic psychological needs of young adults within physical activity settings.
Microtubules in Adult Mammalian Muscle

Microtubules are a consistent feature of adult mammalian cardiac muscle and slow skeletal muscle. They form a network around and between the myofilament bundles (Goldstein and Entman, 1979). In longitudinal sections, the microtubules are seen in longitudinal profile over the myofibrils in grazing sections where the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is seen, and between the myofibrils. In cross sections at various levels, microtubules are seen in crosssectional view.
The Effect of Prolonged Stimulation on Afferent Activity of the Goat Carotid Body

The carotid body (CB) has a major role in the time-dependent increase in ventilation upon exposure to prolonged hypoxia, i.e., the process of ventilatory acclimatization to hypoxia (VAH). The presence of the CB is required for VAH to proceed normally (Forster et al., 1981; Smith et al., 1986). We have examined the role of the CB in awake goats subjected to isolated perfusion of the CB while the systemic circulation remains normoxic (Busch et al., 1985; Bisgard et al., 1986a, 1986b). In these studies time- dependent acclimatization occurred only if steady-state hypoxic blood was perfused into the isolated CB. It did not occur when the CB was perfused with hypercapnic blood. These data suggested that CB afferent activity increased in a time-dependent manner during hypoxic but not hypercapnic CB stimulation. Subsequent studies involving the direct measurement of CB afferent activity in anesthetized goats provided evidence that this was indeed the case (Nielsen et al., 1988; Engwall et al., 1988).
Dysphagia unveiling systemic immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis with multiple myeloma.

Dysphagia is an uncommon presentation of systemic immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis with multiple myeloma (MM). Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement usually manifests with altered motility, malabsorption or bleeding. Furthermore, patients identified with GI amyloidosis, without previous diagnosis of a plasma cell disorder, are extremely rare. We report an elderly woman who presented with acute on chronic cardiac dysfunction, sick sinus syndrome and acute renal failure. While admitted, she developed intermittent dysphagia to both solids and liquids. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy showed ulcerations of oesophagus and duodenum. Biopsies revealed focal amyloid deposition, stained with Congo red. Renal biopsy revealed amyloid deposition in renal arterioles. She underwent a bone marrow biopsy confirming MM, represented by more than 15% plasma cell population. She was started on treatment for heart failure, induction chemotherapy for MM and percutaneous gastrostomy tube for feeding. However, she continued to deteriorate, eventually opting for hospice, and ultimately died 2 days after discharge from hospital.
Paula López Caballero y Ariadna Acevedo-Rodrigo, eds. Beyond Alterity: Destabilizing the Indigenous Other in Mexico. Tucson: The University of Arizona Press, 2018, 312 p. ISBN-13: 978-0-8165-3546-0

El 1 julio de 2018, el presidente electo Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador declaro en su discurso de aceptacion que: “Escucharemos a todos, atenderemos a todos, respetaremos a todos, pero daremos preferencia a los mas humildes y olvidados; en especial, a los pueblos indigenas de Mexico. Por el bien de todos, primero los pobres”. Sin negar la buena voluntad del presidente electo ni la necesidad de que tales medidas realmente se implementen, precisamente, este tropo sigue dominando las narrativas sobre los pueblos indigenas; es decir, solo pueden estar definidos en relacion con su alteridad.
Gaining Organizational Entry and Developing Partnerships for Applied Research and Experience: A Perspective from Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master's Programs

As faculty in master's industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology graduate programs, we read with great interest the focal article on initiating and maintaining partnerships with organizations (Lapierre et al., 2018). We applaud the efforts of the authors to present guidelines and recommendations for successful applied research in organizations. Although Lapierre et al. directed their recommendations primarily to doctoral faculty and their students, there currently are 159 I-O psychology master's programs listed on the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) webpage (http://my.siop.org/GTP). Because of the applied nature of most master's programs, by necessity we work continuously to gain entry into and partner with organizations for internship placements, applied course projects, and applied service opportunities. We, along with other master's faculty colleagues, have published and presented on the topic of partnering with organizations (e.g., Shoenfelt, 2003; Shoenfelt, Kottke, & Stone, 2012; Shoenfelt et al., 2015; Shoenfelt, Stone, & Kottke, 2013; Shoenfelt, Walker, Long, Smith, & Whelan, 2012; Stone, Shoenfelt, Huffcut, Morganson, & Frame, 2018; Stone, Shoenfelt, Morganson, Moffett, & Van Hein, 2017). In this response, we offer an analogous perspective from the master's level based on tacit knowledge garnered from more than a century of combined experience. We note that many of the recommendations in this focal article likewise surfaced in our work. Here we highlight the challenges unique to master's-level and teaching-intensive faculty in implementing these recommendations. In our response, we embrace Lewin's (1946) definition of action research that there is no action without research and no research without action. Thus, we broadly define applied research as asking an important applied question and systematically collecting data to answer that question in a manner in which the results inform organizational action (whether or not it results in a peer-reviewed publication).
Adsorption behavior of N 3 -CNT towards SF 6 decomposed species: a DFT study

Detecting SF 6 decomposed species by chemical gas sensors has been accepted as a workable method to estimate the operation status of insulation devices in electrical engineering. Functioned by N atoms, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) would be provided with enhanced sensitivity and response towards gas molecules due to the high catalytic activity of metal atoms for gas interaction, which has drawn considerable attentions in recent years for gas sensor use. In this paper, the adsorption of two SF 6 decomposed components (SOF2 and SO 2 ) onto N 3 -doped CNT were theoretically studied based on density function theory method. The geometric and electronic behavior of N 3 modified single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) towards adsorption for SF 6 decomposed components were investigated. N 3 decoration exerts great impacts on adsorption of gas molecules onto CNT surface through providing active adsorption sites for CNT support. Results indicated that N 3 embedded SWCNT possesses stronger chemical reactivity towards gaseous molecule adsorption given the higher localization of electron distribution in N 3 center. After adsorption, the conductivity of N 3 -CNT changes with respect to various gas molecules. Thus we assume that this kind of material could be exploited as a novel sensing one for potential preparation as gas sensors for SF 6 decomposed species detection. Our calculations would be helpful to provide first insight into the application of N 3 -SWCNT as gas sensor in SF 6 insulated devices.
Identification of Cell Types from Single-Cell Transcriptomic Data

Unprecedented technological advances in single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology have now made it possible to profile genome-wide expression in single cells at low cost and high throughput. There is substantial ongoing effort to use scRNA-seq measurements to identify the "cell types" that form components of a complex tissue, akin to taxonomizing species in ecology. Cell type classification from scRNA-seq data involves the application of computational tools rooted in dimensionality reduction and clustering, and statistical analysis to identify molecular signatures that are unique to each type. As datasets continue to grow in size and complexity, computational challenges abound, requiring analytical methods to be scalable, flexible, and robust. Moreover, careful consideration needs to be paid to experimental biases and statistical challenges that are unique to these measurements to avoid artifacts. This chapter introduces these topics in the context of cell-type identification, and outlines an instructive step-by-step example bioinformatic pipeline for researchers entering this field.
Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of oral mucosal brush biopsy for the diagnosis of peanut allergy.

BACKGROUND Current diagnostic testing methods for peanut allergy, including serum specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) and skin-prick testing (SPT), have low specificity, whereas oral food challenge (OFC) carries significant risk of provoking adverse events. Mucosal brush biopsy (MBB) from the oral cavity is currently being studied as a new diagnostic test for peanut allergy, but normative data is not yet available with which to begin measuring specificity and predictive value. METHODS Twenty individuals with no history of adverse reactions from eating peanuts underwent oral MBB and serum testing for peanut sIgE. These data were then compared with previously published data from 10 individuals with a history of clinical peanut allergy, in order to generate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for both testing modalities. RESULTS The optimal cutoff levels for oral MBB and sIgE testing were 0.12 kU/L and 1.0 kU/L, respectively. At 0.12 kU/L, the sensitivity of oral MBB testing was 80% and the specificity was 85%, whereas at 1.0 kU/L, the sensitivity of sIgE testing was 50% and the specificity was 100%. From the ROC curves, the areas under the ROC curve (AUC) for oral MBB and sIgE were 0.91 (p < 0.001) and 0.74 (p = 0.007), respectively. Combination testing further increased both sensitivity and accuracy over oral MBB alone. CONCLUSION In this pilot study, oral MBB demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for screening individuals with and without oral cavity clinical reactivity to peanuts and may represent a potentially useful testing method for the diagnosis of peanut allergy in the future.
The effects of physical exercise on parahippocampal function.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine the effects of physical exercise on parahippocampal function.MethodsStudies were identified using electronic databases, including PubMed, PsychIn...
Structure of a Ship Airwake at Multiple Scales

The airwake of a tumblehome ship geometry in uniform wind is investigated experimentally through dye visualization, particle image velocimetry, and laser Doppler anemometry, and numerically using a...
Additional Insights: Using Eye Tracking and Brain Sensing in Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality has the potential to transform the way we work, rest and play. We are seeing use cases as diverse as education and pain management, with new applications being imagined every day. Virtual Reality technology comes with new challenges, and many obstacles need to be overcome to ensure good user experience. Recently many new Virtual Reality systems with integrated eye-tracking have become available. At the same time, many research labs are using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to non-invasively measure brain activity and serve as a brain-computer interface. This course presents timely, relevant information on how Virtual Reality can leverage eye-tracking and brain activity data to optimize the user experience and to alleviate usability issues surrounding many challenges in immersive VEs. The integration of these sensors allows us to determine additional insights into human behavior, including where the viewer is focusing their attention, and monitor cognitive load. Advancing these approaches could make the Virtual Reality experience more comfortable, safe and effective for the user, and open a new world to facilitate new experimentation for Human Computer Interaction (and Brain Computer Interaction) researchers.
Modern hematology analyzers and new clinical application

距离Coulter原理被发现,已经近半个多世纪.运用该原理设计的全自动电子方法主要用于微粒包括血细胞在内的计数和体积测量.虽然分类计数方面有了许多进展,但就全血细胞计数(CBC)本身而言,其基本参数仍然相对稳定.近年来血细胞分析仪在技术和方法学上有许多显著的改进.例如PLT计数,一些仪器现在可以加人抗体进行检测.另一个进展是网织红细胞计数,通过荧光法和细胞化学法使其计数更为准确。
A population-based analysis of chemoradiation versus radiation alone in the definitive treatment of patients with stage I-II squamous cell carcinoma of the anus.

Background The optimal management of patients with stage I-II squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anus is controversial. The current study evaluates the efficacy of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) versus radiation therapy (RT) alone in the treatment of these patients using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries. Methods SEER 18 Custom Data registries were queried for patients with stage I-II SCC of the anus. Univariate analysis (UVA) and multivariable analysis (MVA) using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression modeling were performed. Propensity-score matched analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to account for indication bias. Results A total of 4,288 patients with stage I-II disease were identified, of whom 3,982 (93%) underwent CRT and 306 (7%) underwent RT. Median follow-up was 42 months. Approximately 30.8% had T1 disease and 69.2% had T2-T3 disease. The IPTW-adjusted 5-year overall survival (OS) was 76.7%, with no significant differences between the CRT and RT groups (77% vs. 73.5%, P=0.33). On multivariate IPTW-adjusted analysis, the lack of association between CRT use and OS was upheld (HR, 0.84, 95% CI, 0.65-1.08, P=0.2). On subgroup analyses, 5-year OS was 86% with CRT (n=1,216) and 84.2% with RT (n=103) (P=0.74) in stage I (T1N0) patients, while 5-year OS was 72.8% with CRT (n=2,766) and 66.4% with RT (n=203) (P=0.13) in stage II (T2-3N0) patients. CRT was associated with improved median OS in stage II patients (119 months vs. not reached, P=0.04). Conclusions The current study suggests that omission of concurrent chemotherapy is not associated with inferior OS in patients with stage I SCC of the anus. However, combined chemoradiation was superior to radiation alone in patients with stage II disease. Prospective evidence is needed to optimize clinical decision-making in this patient population.
White Americans’ Attitudes Toward Reparations for Slavery: Definitions and Determinants

The issue of reparations to the descendants of persons enslaved in the United States is receiving increasing attention in both the public sphere (e.g., 2020 Presidential campaigns) and in academic circles. However, the term “reparations” often goes undefined in such discussions, despite the fact that different types of government action (e.g., an apology versus financial payments) are associated with varying levels of public opposition (or support). We also know little about how attitudes toward reparations explicitly targeting the consequences of slavery differ from attitudes toward more generic race-targeted policies. Drawing on data from an online survey of white Americans conducted in 2016, we examine how levels of opposition to a range of different race-targeted government actions varies by (1) the type and aims of the intervention, and (2) whites’ social locations and political orientations. Regarding policy type, whites are least opposed to selected symbolic reparations (e.g., a memorial to enslaved persons) and to policies designed to ensure “fair treatment” of black Americans in the workplace. Whites are most opposed to reparations in the form of direct financial payments to black Americans and to policies involving “preferential treatment” of blacks in the workplace. In addition, whites who are older, more conservative, and who view race relations as unimportant are most opposed to the reparations and other race-based policies we examine. We conclude with suggestions for future work on this timely topic.
Internal plasticization of PVC

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is among the most abundant plastics worldwide. Phthalates and other plasticizers—small molecules added to PVC to impart flexibility—have raised numerous health concerns due...
Guides to a Global Paradise: Shanghai Entertainment Park Newspapers and the Invention of Chinese Urban Leisure

With the first descriptions of foreign countries and world geographies since the 1830s, the notion of the “world” rapidly emerged on the Chinese information market. World geographies with maps, histories of the 10,000 states, periodical publications with “world” news, and, since the 1870s, newspapers with the word “world” in their programmatic name soon found real-life manifestations: new Treaty Ports such as Shanghai; a growing number of Westerners with rising status; and fledgling diplomatic exchanges. The world here appeared in its “serious” form: commerce, institutions, military and industrial technology.