cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ensemble Possibilistic K-NN for Functional Clustering of Gene Expression Profiles in Human Cancers Challenge

This paper describes the Ensemble Possibilistic K-NN algorithm for classification of gene expression profiles into three major cancer categories. In fact, a modification of forward feature selection is proposed to identify relevant feature subsets allowing for multiple possibilistic K-nearest neighbors (pK-NNs) rule experts. First, individual features are ranked according to their performance on training data and subsets of features identified using greedy approach. Each subset has significantly lower dimensionality than the original feature vector. Second, each subset is associated with pK-NN expert and the final classification decision is based on combining results produced by all experts.
Role of cardiovascular intervention as a bridge to liver transplantation

End stage liver disease (ESLD) is associated with many specific derangements in cardiovascular physiology, which influence perioperative outcomes and may profoundly influence diagnostic and management strategies in the preoperative period. This review focuses on evidence-based diagnosis and management of coronary, hemodynamic and pulmonary vascular disease in this population with an emphasis on specific strategies that may provide a bridge to transplantation. Specifically, we address the underlying prevalence of cardiovascular disease states in the ESLD population, and relevant diagnostic criteria thereof. We highlight traditional and non-traditional predictors of cardiovascular outcomes following liver transplant, as well as data to guide risk-factor based diagnostic strategies. We go on to discuss the alterations in cardiovascular physiology which influence positive- and negative-predictive values of standard noninvasive testing modalities in the ESLD population, and review the data regarding the safety and efficacy of invasive testing in the face of ESLD and its co-morbidities. Finally, based upon the totality of available data, we outline an evidence-based approach for the management of ischemia, heart failure and pulmonary vascular disease in this population. It is our hope that such evidence-driven strategies can be employed to more safely bridge appropriate candidates to liver transplant, and to improve their cardiovascular health and outcomes in the peri-operative period.
THE PRESENCE OF A CALCANEUM IN A DIPLODOCID SAUROPOD

Absence of an ossified calcaneum has been suggested as a synapomorphy of Diplodocidae and used to construct sauropod phylogenetic hypotheses. Restudy of sauropod material at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History revealed a diplodocid pes with an unknown ossified pedal element. The relatively complete pes, CM 30767, has been identified as Diplodocus. Comparisons with known sauropod calcanea, carpals, and phalanges, indicate that this element is a calcaneum. The presence of an ossified calcaneum in a diplodocid has important functional and systematic implications. Ossified calcanea may have helped to stabilize the pes during locomotion and assisted in the proper alignment and insertion of lateral plantar musculature. The unusual morphology and unreliable preservation of the sauropod calcaneum suggest that its presence or absence should not be used as a character state, nor should the absence of the calcaneum be used as a synapomorphy of Diplodocidae.
Position tracking and flaw visualization in conductive materials

The Eddy current technique has been successfully used in a variety of non-destructive evaluation applications including detection of cracks, measurements of material thickness, examining metal thinning, measurements of coating thickness, identification of materials, and detection of corrosion. This paper shows how positional and eddy-current data are combined to produce a C-scan of flaws in conductive materials. A system that consists of an eddy current probe, a position tracking mechanism, and basic data visualization capability was built and tested. Test results of the prototype are presented and briefly discussed. Improving the accuracy of the measurements using a three-mouse position sensing device is described.
An Extended Mohr–Coulomb Model for Fracture Strength of Intact Brittle Materials Under Ultrahigh Pressures

An extended Mohr–Coulomb model is proposed to represent the pressure-dependent strength of intact structural ceramics under quasi-static and dynamic loading rates at high pressures. A plot of normalized shear stress versus hydrostatic pressure for a range of structural ceramics revealed that despite the differences in material properties, test methods, and strain rates, the failure strength data fall in a narrow range, which can be represented by a unified model. The overall deformation behavior of structural ceramics and their strain rate dependence of strength in multiaxial loading at high pressure beyond Hugoniot elastic limit (HEL) can be explained by an exponential pressure dependence in the Mohr–Coulomb model. The analysis also suggests that the influence of strain rate on strength of a ceramic diminishes with increase in confinement pressure.
Cysteinyl leukotrienes enhance growth of human airway epithelial cells

Epithelial inflammation may play an obligatory role in the pathogenesis of a number of chronic pulmonary diseases such as asthma or bronchitis and has been implicated during the promotion phase of multistage carcinogenesis. At sites of inflammation, bioactive lipid mediators are released and activate a wide range of pathophysiological responses including bronchospasm. Previous studies suggest that one class of inflammatory mediators, the eicosanoids, can also influence cell growth. Epithelial cell proliferation and hyperplasia are common sequelae to irritation and inflammation, and because the lung has a high capacity to produce eicosanoids, we investigated the effects of a group of these compounds, the cysteinyl leukotrienes, on growth of human airway epithelial cells. Leukotrienes were found to be mitogenic in a concentration-dependent manner and exhibit a structure-activity relationship, with leukotriene C4 being more potent than its sequential metabolites leukotriene D4 and E4. The potency of leukotriene C4 is striking, stimulating colony-forming efficiency in concentrations as low as 10 fM. These findings suggest a new physiological role for leukotrienes in the lung that links inflammation with epithelial cell proliferation.
Infrared Laser Heating Applied to Nanopore Sensing for DNA Duplex Analysis

Temperature studies coupled with resistive-pulse nanopore sensing enable the quantification of a variety of important thermodynamic properties at the single-molecule limit. Previous demonstrations of nanopore sensing with temperature control have utilized bulk chamber heating methodologies. This approach makes it difficult to rapidly change temperatures and enable optical access for other analytical techniques (i.e., single-molecule fluorescence). To address these issues, researchers have explored laser-based methodologies through either direct infrared (IR) absorption or plasmonic assisted heating. In this paper, we demonstrate the use of IR-based direct absorption heating with the DNA sensing capabilities of a biological nanopore. The IR heating enables rapid changes of the temperature in and around an α-hemolysin pore, and we use this to explore melting properties for short (≤50 bp) double-stranded DNA homopolymers. We also demonstrate that the IR heating enables one to measure the percentage of differ...
Observations on Antigens for Complement Fixation in Amebiasis.

Since the publication of the technique of the complement fixation test for amebiasis devised by the senior author (Craig)1, in which absolute alcoholic extracts of cultures of Endamoeba histolytica were employed as antigens, several modifications of the test have been published and other antigenic extracts have been described.Menendez2 and Spector3 employed simple alcoholic extracts of cultures of E. histolytica as antigens with satisfactory results, and Menendez stated that a simple suspension of cultures of E. histolytica in formalinized saline also possessed good antigenic properties. Sherwood and Heathman4 and Heathman5 used antigens prepared by extracting the dried sediment of cultures of E. histolytica, rich in the amebae, with ether, 96% alcohol and acetone, after which cholesterin was added in different amounts, and found that such antigens were efficient. Tsuchiya6 and Weiss and Arnold7 successfully employed absolute alcohol extracts of cultures of E. histolytica in their modifications of this com...
Expanding the International Human Rights Research Agenda

A review of research in international human rights suggests an expanded agenda for scholars in several disciplines. The vast literature on human rights activities of the UN and regional systems is primarily descriptive or devoted to legal analysis. Ten research needs are identified. First, empirical research is suggested to ascertain to what extent the major international instruments for the protection of human rights reflect conceptions of rights which are shared by mankind as a whole. Second, it is suggested that obstacles to the implementation of human rights be analyzed to identify ideologically neutral rights and to test hypotheses about the relation between economic/social and civil/political rights. A third set of studies concerns the use of public opinion to improve human rights conditions. Closely connected (and badly needed) is research on a fourth topic, the role of education in promoting respect for human rights—especially its most effective timing and sequencing of topics. Fifth, because the balance of prior work on technological advances has concerned their potential threat to human rights, further study is needed of the ways to utilize them positively. Sixth, the potential of national human rights commissions for expanded work on the international dimensions of human rights should be studied. A seventh topic concerns the effectiveness of various enforcement techniques—adjudication, conciliation, fact finding, and reporting. Eighth, research attention should be devoted to the study of the interaction between the UN, specialized agencies and regional agencies, as well as governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Ninth, cases where international action is known to have brought about an improvement in conditions should be analyzed and compared to other cases where such action has not been effective. Finally, it is suggested that researchers assess the role of nongovernmental organizations, especially in protecting the human rights of specialized groups.
Victoria Chemicals Plc (a): The Merseyside Project

This case series considers the capital-investment decisions to be made by executives of a large chemicals firm in January 2008. The A case presents a go/no-go project evaluation regarding improvements to a polypropylene production plant. The B case (UVA-F-1544) reviews the same project but from one level higher, where the executives face an either/or investment decision between two mutually exclusive projects.
Research on Numerical Simulation Method of Grain Strength Based on Damage Constitutive Model under High Overload

In order to make accurate analysis of the grain integrity of modified double-based propellant, the numerical simulation using the secondary developed UMAT subroutine of the ABAQUS finite element software of a certain type of rocket under high overload were completed based on accumulative damage nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive model. The deformation and mechanical behavior of the grain were analyzed. The results show that the maximum stress take place in the inner circle of grain bottom under high acceleration overload with the maximum value is 1.39×104g.Considering that the radial deformation of grain is too small,the constraint to grain outside surface imposed by case of solid rocket motor can be ignored and thus the grain outside surface can be taken as a free surface. Two different kinds of strength criterions were compared to judge the solid rocket propellant grain integrity under the acceleration impact load and the end face pressure impact load. The Maximum stress strength criterion as well as the strength criterion based on accumulative damage both suggest that the grain should not be destroyed.
Short-Term Dietary Supplementation of Blueberry Polyphenolics: Beneficial Effects on Aging Brain Performance and Peripheral Tissue Function

Emerging evidence from our lab indicate that fruits and vegetables, in particular blueberry (BB) extracts, are able to ameliorate age-related declines in neuronal and cognitive function, common in disorders such as Alzheimer disease. The current study examined if the beneficial effects were also discernable with supplementation of BB extracts, in an already well balanced diet. Indeed, following an 8 week supplementation regime, age-related declines in several behavioral parameters such as balance, coordination, working memory and reference memory were still protected against. Similarly, BB extracts also potentiated oxotremorine enhancement of K+-evoked release of dopamine from striatal slices. Decline in the dopaminergic system have been shown to have a profound effect on cognitive functions. The improvement in dopamine release may have been due in part to the observed increase in striatal vitamin C levels. Although assessment of serum transaminase levels in BB supplemented animals appeared to suggest imp...
Personalized Diet and Lifestyle Interventions on Lipids and Lipoproteins

Disturbed metabolism of lipid and lipoprotein is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and other metabolic disorders. Circulating lipid profiles are heritable and meanwhile modifiable, mainly by diet habit and lifestyle. Genetic research has identified more than 150 common variants associated with lipid traits; and compelling evidence has shown that diet/lifestyle interventions might affect circulating lipid profiles in humans. Emerging data from observational studies and randomized clinical trials have further shown that dietary and lifestyle factors might modify the genetic factors in determining lipid levels. In addition, the emerging “-omics” research, especially lipidomics, provides potentials to reveal novel and systematic insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic effects, diet/lifestyle influence, and gene–diet/lifestyle interactions. Studies in these research areas hold promise to inform future personalized diet and lifestyle interventions based on genetic background, and eventually to improve lipid profiles and mitigate related disorders.
Respite Care, Stress, Uplifts, and Marital Quality in Parents of Children with Down Syndrome

Parents of children with disabilities are at risk for high stress and low marital quality; therefore, this study surveyed couples (n = 112) of children with Down syndrome (n = 120), assessing whether respite hours, stress, and uplifts were related to marital quality. Structural equation modeling indicated that respite hours were negatively related to wife/husband stress, which was in turn negatively related to wife/husband marital quality. Also, wife uplifts were positively related to both wife and husband marital quality. Husband uplifts were positively related to husband marital quality. Therefore, it is important that respite care is provided and accessible to parents of children with Down syndrome.
Tectonic structure of the mid‐Atlantic Ridge near 16°30'N

The 16°30'N area of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge represents an area of present-day detachment faulting. Here we present shipboard bathymetric, magnetic and gravity data acquired up to 65 km from the ridge axis that reveal a varied tectonic history of this region. Magnetic data are used to calculate spreading rates and examine spreading rate variability along and across the axis. Bathymetric and gravity data are used to infer the crustal structure. A central magnetic anomaly 40% narrower than expected is observed along much of the study area. Misalignment between modern-day spreading center and magnetic anomalies indicates tectonic reorganization of the axis within the past 780 ka. Observed magnetic anomalies show a pattern of anomalous skewness consistent with rotation of magnetic vectors probably associated with detachment faulting. Relatively thin crust north of a small (∼7 km) non-transform offset coincides with a weakly magmatic spreading axis. In contrast, to the south a robust axial volcanic ridge is underlain by thicker crust. Variations in crustal structure perpendicular to the axis occur over tens of kilometers, indicating processes which occur over timescales of 1-2 Ma. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Low level air pollution and exacerbation of existing copd: a case crossover analysis.

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) contribute greatly to increased morbidity, mortality and diminished quality of life. Recent studies report moderately strong positive associations between exposures to several air pollutants and COPD-related emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions (HA). Studies that use clinically defined exacerbations rather than counting ED visits and HA may be more sensitive to environmental triggers like air pollution, but very few such studies exist. Participants in a COPD disease management group living in an area of low air pollution and who were followed closely for the earliest signs of an exacerbation provided an opportunity to study associations between air pollution and COPD exacerbation. Associations between short term exposures to air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter < 2.5 microns (PM2.5), and COPD exacerbation were assessed among 168 patients residing in central Massachusetts, a region with air pollution levels well below USEPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Case-crossover analyses and multivariate conditional logistic regression were used to estimate associations between 7-day average concentrations of each air pollutant, as measured at central site monitors, and COPD exacerbation experienced in the patients’ homes during the period 2012–2013, while controlling for temperature and self-reported influenza. We found that short-term exposures to SO2 were associated with an increase in COPD exacerbation risk (odds ratio (OR) = 2.45, 95 % CI: 1.75–3.45 per 1 ppb increase) after adjustment for PM2.5. Short-term exposures to NO2 concentrations showed a weaker association, (OR = 1.17, 95 % CI: 1.05–1.30 per 1 ppb increase) after adjustment for PM2.5. An unexpectedly modest negative association was seen for short-term exposures to PM2.5. Despite living in an area with air pollution concentrations below current USEPA NAAQS, these COPD patients appeared to suffer increased risk of COPD exacerbation following short-term exposures to increased concentrations of SO2 and NO2. An unexpected negative association with PM2.5 may result from the complex air chemistry of low level PM in this region.
Multi-attribute Residual Network (MAResNet) for Soft-Biometrics Recognition in Surveillance Scenarios

In surveillance images, soft biometric attributes have been demonstrated to be quite effective in the problem of person re-identification. Many of these attributes can vary greatly, which has motivated a number of hand crafted features designed to recognize individual attributes. Although deep learning is generally useful in learning features appropriate for classification, it usually requires more data to train than what is available in most person re-identification databases. In this paper, we propose a residual network (MAResNet) deeper than current pedestrian attribute recognition, which we use to recognize multiple attributes simultaneously. The proposed network is both efficient and accurate. We recognize attributes at a rate of 271 FPS while simultaneously outperforming state of the art in attribute recognition on the PETA dataset.
Use of Patient-Derived Orthotopic Xenografts (PDOX) to Evaluate Transformative Cancer Therapeutics

Patient-derived orthotopic xenografts (PDOX) in nude mice have been shown to replicate the behavior of the tumor in the patient, including metastasis. PDOX models are established with surgical orthotopic implantation (SOI) to ensure optimal replication of patient behavior in the host mouse. The present chapter describes present and future uses of PDOX models to discover and evaluate transformative therapeutics, including tumor-targeting Salmonella typhimurium A1-R, and to individualize molecular-targeting drugs for each cancer patient.
Neural Correlates of Attentional Processing of Threat in Youth with and without Anxiety Disorders.

Late-stage attentional processing of threatening stimuli, quantified through event-related potentials (ERPs), differentiates youth with and without anxiety disorders. It is unknown whether early-stage attentional processing of threatening stimuli differentiates these groups. Examining both early and late stage attentional processes in youth may advance knowledge and enhance efforts to identify biomarkers for translational prevention and treatment research. Twenty-one youth with primary DSM-IV-TR anxiety disorders (10 males, ages 8–15 years) and 21 typically developing Controls (15 males, ages 8–16 years) completed a dot probe task while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded, and ERPs were examined. Youth with anxiety disorders showed significantly larger (more positive) P1 amplitudes for threatening stimuli than for neutral stimuli, and Controls showed the opposite pattern. Youth with anxiety showed larger (more negative) N170 amplitudes compared with Controls. Controls showed significantly larger (more positive) P2 and P3 amplitudes, regardless of stimuli valence, compared with youth with anxiety disorders. ERPs observed during the dot probe task indicate youth with anxiety disorders display distinct neural processing during early stage attentional orienting and processing of faces; this was not the case for Controls. Such results suggest these ERP components may have potential as biomarkers of anxiety disorders in youth.
Mapping kidney cellular complexity

The prevalence of kidney disease in the United States is ∼14%, with more than 600,000 patients with kidney failure. Despite the large and growing need for new therapies to treat kidney disease, few have been developed over the past two decades. The kidney's cellular complexity is partly to blame—its functional unit, the nephron, is composed of at least 13 different epithelial cell types, surrounded by an even larger array of supporting vascular, stromal, and immune cells. In disease states, various invading leukocytes and reactive parenchymal cell states further complicate the cellular landscape, making attempts to understand pathophysiology and identify therapeutic targets difficult. However, the advent of massively parallel single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is transforming our understanding of cellular diversity, offering an unbiased approach to profile not only complex tissues but entire organisms ( 1 , 2 ). On page 758 of this issue, Park et al. ( 3 ) apply scRNA-seq to develop the first comprehensive gene expression atlas of the mouse kidney, use innovative analyses to transcriptionally characterize known cell types, and identify a new progenitor cell type. They also map the expression of monogenic and complex trait disease-associated genes to specific kidney cell types, providing new insight about cell types driving many kidney diseases.
Impact of Medical and Neurological Disorders on Parasomnias

Parasomnias are undesirable movements, emotions, and behaviors that occur during sleep. Certain parasomnias occur more often in patients with particular medical or neurological disorders. Nonrapid eye movement arousal disorders such as sleepwalking or sleep terrors are more common in patients with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing, migraine, and nocturnal frontal lobe or idiopathic epilepsies. REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia that often occurs after the age of 50, affects mostly men, and is often associated with neurodegenerative disorders, especially synucleinopathies, such as Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease, and multiple system atrophy. However, RBD has been observed in patients with many different neurological conditions which are not synucleinopathies including narcolepsy with cataplexy, parkinsonism due to Parkin mutations, and autoimmune encephalitis.
The photoelastic properties of ionic crystals

Recent photoelastic data are used to obtain values of the change in refractive index with density for a series of cubic crystals. These experimental values are found to be smaller than those calculated from either the Lorentz-Lorenz or the Drude equations. The difference between the experimental and calculated values results from a decrease in the molar polarizability with increase in density. In MgO the change in polarizability is relatively large and the refractive index actually decreases with increase in density while the other crystals show an increase. The decrease in molar polarizability with density as measured by the strain-polarizability, λ0, can be correlated with the amount of homopolar binding and ion overlap in the crystal. It is suggested that an increase in density increases the amount of homopolar binding and ion overlap. Further information about the dynamic changes in polarizability during vibration of the ions can be obtained from the change in refractive index with temperature at constant density and from Raman spectra.
Genetics of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Genetic sequence variants have been linked to familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF). Many of the same genetic mechanisms implicated in FPF are relevant to sporadic interstitial lung disease (ILD) and, especially, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Thus, these genetic insights have begun to reveal the molecular basis of a disease that was previously thought to be unknown. A common variant within the promoter of the MUC5B gene is the most replicated single nucleotide polymorphism linked to familial and sporadic forms of IPF as well as early radiographic findings of IPF. Pathogenic rare variants in multiple different genes have been described; in one FPF cohort, these explain about one-third of the kindreds. Pathogenic rare variants are found in genes encoding surfactant- and telomere-related proteins. More mutations have been found in the TERT gene, which encodes the protein component of telomerase, than any other gene. The clinical manifestations and survival characteristics of patients with pathogenic rare variants in telomere-related genes mirror those observed for certain sporadic ILD patients with short telomere lengths. Since there are so many rare variants in the human genome, determining which of these are pathogenic remains a major challenge. We discuss the evidence to support the pathogenicity of variants discovered in ILD patients, highlighting the data supporting individual TERT variants. Current practices regarding clinical and genetic testing for FPF are suggested. Because the field of pulmonary fibrosis genetics is rapidly evolving, future research may better illuminate how genetic information can be best utilized to improve the care of patients with ILD.
Investigation of water spray characteristics in the near field of a novel swirl burst injector

Abstract The limit of fossil fuels and more stringent emission standards have prompted the exploration of renewable biofuels and clean combustion technology. Clean and efficient combustion of liquid fuels mainly relies on spray fineness achieved by fuel injectors. Conventional injectors such as the air blast (AB) nozzles are only effective for low-viscosity fuels. Hence, viscous source oils of biofuels have to be converted into “drop-in” fuel such as biodiesel, leading to the high production cost of biofuels. In the past decade, the flow blurring (FB) injection using a two-phase flow concept has proved to generate fine sprays for even highly viscous liquids in the near field of injector exit, rather than a typical fuel jet from AB injectors. Thus, the FB injection has achieved cleaner burning of fossil fuels and enabled clean lean-premixed combustion of viscous oils including biodiesel source oils, signifying cost-effective biofuel utilization without the conversion cost. Recently, our group designed a novel twin-fluid swirl burst (SB) injector that integrates the advantages of FB and further improves secondary atomization caused by Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities. The SB design innovatively introduces swirling atomizing air (AA) to stimulate more vigorous interaction between AA and large droplets or ligaments from the primary FB atomization by bubble-bursting. The present study compares the water spray micro-characteristics of FB and SB injectors in the near field of the injector exit at the same flow conditions using high spatial resolution particle image velocimetry and shadowgraph imaging systems. Results show that, compared to the FB atomization, the novel SB injector has successfully generated a wider spray with finer droplets immediately at the exit orifice and a shorter atomization completion length, indicating the improved secondary atomization. Estimate of Weber number and Ohnesorge number consistently substantiates the improved SB atomization and suggests bag breakup dominating the secondary atomization for both injectors. Radial profiles of Sauter Mean Diameter indicate the SB injection yields uniform droplet size distribution compared to the FB injection that has relatively larger droplets mainly at the spray periphery. Regardless of the variations in the atomizer near region, both SB and FB injector generate fine sprays with similar final droplet size.
Simple Phase-Mode Coefficients for Equiripple Sidelobe Reduction from a Uniform Circular Array

Reducing the sidelobe levels in the array pattern from a uniform circular array is challenging due to the inherent complications imposed by the geometry. In this paper, we present a technique that uses the phase-mode transformation to enable application of an equiripple stopband formulation adapted from digital FIR filter design.
Benefits of a Bacillus probiotic to larval fish survival and transport stress resistance

The need for sustainable bacterial management approaches in aquaculture is crucial for advancement of the industry. Probiotics are a promising strategy as evidenced by benefits demonstrated in intensive larviculture of various marine fish species. In this study we investigate the effects of a mixed Bacillus species (B. licheniformis and B. amyloliquefaciens) probiotic on rearing of larval common snook (Centropomus undecimalis). Experimental treatments included (1) probiotics supplemented to the water and live feed, (2) probiotics supplemented to the water only, and (3) no probiotic controls. Data from two separate trials indicated up to 2.5 times higher survival with probiotic addition, as well as 20% higher survival 7 days following a transport event. These benefits were not explained by faster growth, measured water quality parameters, or innate immune enzyme activities. Microbiota analysis indicated the importance of system stabilization prior to larval stocking to improve rearing success and probiotic performance. ied Potential probiotic benefits include accelerated gastrointestinal tract development, enhanced immunity, inhibition of opportunistic bacteria, and improvements to water quality parameters. Results suggest this probiotic should be tested in other marine fish species in order to reduce larval rearing bottlenecks.
Axisymmetric Potential Vorticity Evolution of Hurricane Patricia (2015)

AbstractOperational numerical models failed to predict the record-setting rapid intensification and rapid overwater weakening of Hurricane Patricia (2015) in the eastern North Pacific basin, result...
What Is the Effect of Health Coaching Delivered by Physical Therapists? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background Health coaching has emerged as an intervention for improving health behaviors. Given the recent increased integration of health coaching into physical therapist practice, there has been a subsequent rise in research examining the effects of health coaching provided by physical therapists. However, there is a lack of literature summarizing the effectiveness of health coaching delivered by physical therapists in changing patient health behaviors. Purpose The purpose of this study was to systematically review the effects of health coaching delivered by physical therapists on promoting participant health behaviors. Data sources Cochrane, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PEDro, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to May 26, 2018, to identify randomized controlled trials examining the effects of health coaching delivered by physical therapists. Study selection Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts according to inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine study eligibility. Data extraction Methodological quality was assessed using Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scores. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias assessment tool. Data were extracted using a standardized data extraction form describing study methods, design, and outcomes. Data synthesis Eleven trials met the inclusion criteria for this study. Health coaching produced positive effects on physical activity (6 studies) as well as physiological and psychological secondary outcomes. Limitations The inclusion of only 11 randomized controlled trials in this review could limit the generalizability of the findings. The heterogeneity of the findings precluded the performance of a meta-analysis. Conclusions Research on the effectiveness of health coaching delivered by physical therapists on health behavior outcomes is mixed. Data indicate statistically significant changes in some health behavior, physiological, and psychological outcomes.
Teaching That Breaks Your Heart: Reflections on the Soul Wounds of a First-Year Latina Teacher

In this powerful essay, Juan F. Carrillo, a teacher educator in Austin, Texas, reflects on an encounter with a first-year Latina teacher, Christina, who has decided to leave the profession. Despite successfully learning and applying critical pedagogy, Christina finds herself isolated and frustrated, stuck between a societal push for standardized success and her own desire to nurture transformation among her students. In listening to Christina's experiences, Carrillo grapples with his own responsibilities as a teacher educator.
Moving 2 Mindful (M2M) study protocol: testing a mindfulness group plus ecological momentary intervention to decrease stress and anxiety in adolescents from high-conflict homes with a mixed-method longitudinal design

Introduction Interparental conflict exposure places adolescents at risk for problems with stress and anxiety; existing prevention/intervention strategies focus on reducing interparental conflict. Mindfulness-based programmes may be a promising treatment strategy for this population, but studies have not yet tested whether they are effective in this high-conflict context. In addition, evidence suggests that extensions to traditional treatments, such as delivering components in daily life that are tailored to moments of need, can increase treatment efficacy, particularly when combined with in-person treatments and particularly for adolescents. However, there are no such extensions to mindfulness interventions available. The Moving 2 Mindful study aims to (1) develop an ecological momentary intervention (EMI) supplement to Learning to BREATHE (L2B), an evidence-based mindfulness intervention for adolescents; (2) refine the EMI programme and determine the best delivery plan; (3) examine the feasibility and acceptability of L2B Plus (L2B plus the developed supplement) and (4) examine the potential for L2B Plus to reduce stress and anxiety for adolescents from high-conflict homes. Methods and analysis The Moving 2 Mindful study proposes a mixed-methods approach to developing and refining a multimethod adaptive supplement to L2B. Feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness will be tested in a sample of 38 families, who will be randomly assigned to receive L2B Plus or an active health and wellness control condition and followed until 3 months postintervention. A range of psychosocial and physiological factors will be assessed at multiple time points. This study is registered with clinicaltrials.gov (ID NCT03869749; pre-results). Ethics and dissemination The Institutional Review Board at Colorado State University has approved this study. Findings will be disseminated in scientific journals and conferences, whether they are positive, negative or inconclusive.
The ICT4D 2.0 Manifesto: Where Next for ICTs and International Development?

ICT4D – the application of information and communication technologies for international development – is moving to a new phase. This will require new technologies, new approaches to innovation and implementation, new intellectual perspectives and, above all, a new view of the world's poor. All these must be understood if we are to harness digital technologies in the service of some of our world's most pressing problems. This paper explains the phase change – from "ICT4D 1.0" to "ICT4D 2.0" – and its implications. The background to these phases is reviewed, charting the logic and chronology of applying ICTs in developing countries. The implications of the phase change are then analysed. First, in terms of new technology and application priorities. Then, in relation to new models of innovation we may need to embrace: from laboratory to collaborative to grassroots innovation. Next, in relation to new implementation models for funding, managing, and applying digital technology. Finally, the paper looks at necessary new worldviews to guide our thinking and our policies in this field; integrating perspectives from computer science, information systems and development studies. Additional commentaries and models provide a further set of rich insights into the future of ICT4D.
A prion accelerates proliferation at the expense of lifespan

ABSTRACT Organisms often commit to one of two strategies: living fast and dying young or living slow and dying old. In fluctuating environments, however, switching between these two strategies could be advantageous. Lifespan is often inversely correlated with cell size and proliferation, which are both limited by protein synthesis. Here we report that a highly conserved RNA-modifying enzyme, the pseudouridine synthase Pus4/TruB, can act as a prion, endowing yeast with greater proliferation rates at the cost of a shortened lifespan. Cells harboring the prion can grow larger and exhibit altered protein synthesis. This epigenetic state, [BIG+] (better in growth), allows cells to heritably yet reversibly alter their translational program, leading to the differential expression of hundreds of proteins, including many that regulate proliferation and aging. Our data reveal a functional role for aggregation of RNA-modifying enzymes in driving heritable epigenetic states that transform cell growth and survival.
Improving Lean Software Development Productivity: The Contribution of Retraining and Coaching

I argue that lean software development firms become more productive when their developers are retrained and coached on lean production techniques. I conducted two experiments on software development teams that use lean and agile software development practices. One experiment focused on lean retraining and the other focused on lean coaching. In January 2017, a treatment group received a multi-day lean development retraining exercise designed to enhance existing skills while a similar control group did not receive any retraining. Cycle time, the average number of days to complete a story, decreased 81% for those retrained compared to a 23% reduction for the control group through April 2017. In the coaching experiment, a treatment group received monthly coaching from May through July, 2017. Six months following the initiation of coaching, the treatment group realized a 52% decrease in cycle time compared to a 15% decrease for the control group. The results of these two experiments demonstrate the value of using consistent lean retraining and coaching to realize the productive benefits of lean and agile software development processes.
Medication Safety Competence of Undergraduate Nursing Students

Abstract Background Patient medication administration is one of the major responsibilities of the professional nurse. Prelicensure nursing students and new nursing graduates often lack competency to safely administer medications. Method This was a descriptive comparative design of 98 junior and 90 senior baccalaureate nursing students using the Medication Administration Safety Assessment Tool via observation during simulation. Results Independent samples t-tests comparing medication safety competency revealed 29.6% of juniors and 14.4% of seniors demonstrated competence on all eight Medication Administration Safety Assessment Tool checklist items. Seniors did not demonstrate greater medication safety competence than juniors on total scores. Conclusions Study findings can guide undergraduate curriculum planning to improve medication safety competencies in nursing students.
A Multi-Institutional Experience with Robotic Vesicovaginal and Ureterovaginal Fistula Repair After Iatrogenic Injury.

Objectives: To describe our multi-institutional experience with robotic repair of iatrogenic urogynecologic fistulae (UGF), including vesicovaginal fistulae (VVF) and ureterovaginal fistulae (UVF)....
Structural and Functional Analysis of Disease-Linked p97 ATPase Mutant Complexes

IBMPFD/ALS is a genetic disorder caused by a single amino acid mutation on the p97 ATPase, promoting ATPase activity and cofactor dysregulation. The disease mechanism underlying p97 ATPase malfunction remains unclear. To understand how the mutation alters the ATPase regulation, we assembled a full-length p97R155H with its p47 cofactor and first visualized their structures using single-particle cryo-EM. More than one-third of the population was the dodecameric form. Nucleotide presence dissociates the dodecamer into two hexamers for its highly elevated function. The N-domains of the p97R155H mutant all show up configurations in ADP- or ATPγS-bound states. Our functional and structural analyses showed that the p47 binding is likely to impact the p97R155H ATPase activities via changing the conformations of arginine fingers. These functional and structural analyses underline the ATPase dysregulation with the miscommunication between the functional modules of the p97R155H.
Hydrogen induced amorphization of LaMgNi4 phase in metal hydride alloys

Abstract Hydrogen induced amorphization (HIA) of the LaMgNi4 phase at 30 °C was found in three LaMgNi4/LaNi5 two-phase metal hydride (MH)-forming alloys. The amorphization happened at the first dehydrogenation cycle from a fully hydrided alloy, and the process is reversible after annealing at 250 °C for 1 h. The hydrogen storage capacity of the LaMgNi4 phase in an amorphous state is higher than in its crystalline form. A scanning electron microscope study did not observe any significant changes in the shape of grains as a consequence of HIA and re-crystallization. A transmission electron microscope study confirmed the amorphous structure of the LaMgNi4 phase after HIA. These findings suggest a new way to improve the performance of MH alloys when used in electrochemical applications.
Chapter 11 Protein Interactions in the Tight Junction: The Role of MAGUK Proteins in Regulating Tight Junction Organization and Function

Publisher Summary This chapter examines protein interactions in the tight junction and the role of membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins in regulating tight-junction organization and function. This chapter presents some of what is known about the proteins of the tight junction and their interactions. A very important insight is offered by recognition that both ZO-1 and ZO-2, cytoplasmic plaque proteins of the tight junction, are members of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) homolog protein family. Other members of this family are located on the cytoplasmic surface of a variety of cell–cell contacts ranging from the septate junctions in Drosophila to vertebrate synapses and the lateral surface of epithelial cells. Growing evidence suggests MAGUK proteins are involved in organizing the structural and functional links between transmembrane proteins, signaling pathways, and the cortical cytoskeleton. Review of the experimental evidence addressing the functional role of MAGUK proteins leads us to speculate that the cytoplasmic surface of the tight junction can be considered a specialized case of protein interactions that are used to connect membrane events at many different regions of the cell cortex.
Molecular Cytogenetic Methodologies and a BAC Probe Panel Resource for Genomic Analyses in the Zebrafish

Abstract Molecular cytogenetics is a field that emerged in the 1980s, based on a technique referred to as fluorescence in situ hybridization, (FISH). Using FISH methodologies, a specific DNA sequence or collection of DNA fragments may be selectively labeled with a hapten molecule or fluorescent dye and hybridized to denatured chromosomes, interphase cells, or even chromatin fibers. DNA hybridization kinetics permit these labeled probes to anneal to their complementary sequences on such chromosomal DNA preparations allowing for direct visualization of the sequence of interest in the genome being interrogated. If present, the relative chromosomal position of the sequence can sometimes also be ascertained. Progress in molecular cytogenetic research has advanced the genetic characterization of zebrafish models of human diseases as well as assisted with accurate annotation of the zebrafish reference genome by anchoring large DNA fragments to specific chromosome regions. Using the procedures described in this chapter, hundreds of ambiguous zebrafish bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones have already been assigned to individual genetic linkage groups. Molecular cytogenetic techniques can also be used to study gene duplication events and study the molecular mechanisms by which they arise. Moreover, the availability of a new molecular cytogenetic technique, array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), is now able to identify gains and losses of DNA segments in zebrafish DNA samples in a genome-wide manner and in a single assay.
Solving distributed asymmetric constraint satisfaction problems using an evolutionary society of hill-climbers

The distributed constraint satisfaction problem (DisCSP) can be viewed as a 4-tuple (X, D, C, A), where X is a set of n variables, D is a set of n domains (one domain for each of the n variables), C is a set of constraints that constrain the values that can be assigned to the n variables, and A is a set of agents for which the variables and constraints are distributed. The objective in solving a DisCSP is to allow the agents in A to develop a consistent distributed solution by means of message passing. In this paper, we present an evolutionary society of hill-climbers (ESoHC) that outperforms a previously developed algorithm for solving randomly generated DisCSPs that are composed of asymmetric constraints on a test suite of 2,800 distributed asymmetric constraint satisfaction problems.
Low-Level Food Production

Societies with low-level food production economies occupy the vast and diverse middle ground between hunting–fishing–foraging and agriculture. Efforts by Ford, Harris, Rindos, Zvelebil, and others to characterize this “in-between” territory are discussed, and a new conceptual framework is proposed. Domestication, the central landmark of this middle ground, is situated well away from the boundaries with hunting–gathering and agriculture, and separates low-level food production economies into two broad categories. Key issues and questions concerning societies with low-level food production, both with and without domesticates, are discussed. Hunter–gatherer and agriculture boundary zones on either side of the middle ground are considered, as are the developmental pathways that traverse them.