cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring preadvanced practice experience outcomes as part of a PharmD capstone experience.

Objective: To describe a capstone experience to: 1) assess student preparedness for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) and 2) provide program-level assessment data. Design: A capstone course was added immediately prior to APPEs. All capstone activities emphasized application and integration and were mapped to ACPE Appendix D, which details performance abilities expected of students prior to APPEs. Eleven learning activities comprising 20 assessments were created. Each assessment was pass/fail; students had to pass 15 of 20 assessments to pass the capstone course. Evaluation rubrics emphasized formative feedback for students. Assessment: The capstone experience was delivered 4 times over 4 consecutive years. One student did not pass; 55-68% of the students passed all activities. Program-level assessment data provided details on individual student preparedness prior to APPE, important information for accreditation, and basis for curriculum revisions. Conclusion: A capstone experience can be a valuable addition to a PharmD curriculum. Capstone activities incorporating authentic assessments provide important program-level assessment data for colleges/schools of pharmacy.
Routine MR imaging of the internal carotid artery siphon: angiographic correlation with cervical carotid lesions.

This study correlates the appearance of the cavernous segment of the carotid artery on MR images with the presence of significant stenosis or occlusion of the cervical carotid artery as seen on angiograms in 100 patients who had brain MR imaging and arteriography within a 1-week period. Four patients demonstrated isointense signal within the carotid artery's cavernous segment; two of these findings correlated with complete carotid occlusion as seen angiographically, while partial compromise was seen angiographically in the other two. Four other patients had variable signal intensity and irregularity of the luminal outline in the carotid siphon, correlating with angiographic evidence of atheromatous disease in three patients and of dissection in one patient. The demonstration of normal signal void within a normal-appearing cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery in the remaining 92 patients correlated with absence of significant stenosis within the cervical segment in 86 patients. In the remaining...
Inferential control of processes: Part III. Construction of optimal and suboptimal dynamic estimators

Methods are presented for the construction of optimal and suboptimal estimators for inferential control systems. Optimal estimators are constructed with the aid of Kalman filtering techniques applied to linear systems driven by integrated white noise disturbances. The description of the disturbances as integrated white noise leads to optimal dynamic estimators which reduce to optimal static estimators for sustained disturbances. Suboptimal estimators are constructed by prespecifying the structure of the estimator and choosing estimator parameters so as to minimize the mean square error in estimation. Optimal and suboptimal estimators are compared by using them in an inferential control system which attempts to control the product composition of a simulated multicomponent distillation column. There is little difference in performance between optimal and suboptimal estimators which use temperature and flow measurements to estimate product composition. However, the inferential control system using a simple suboptimal estimator is significantly superior to the policy of maintaining a selected tray temperature constant through a standard feedback control system. The inferential control system is also superior to composition feedback control systems where the measurement delay is greater than 5 min.
Coordinating a group departure: who produces the piping signals on honeybee swarms?

A swarm of honeybees provides a striking example of an animal group performing a synchronized departure for a new location; in this case, thousands of bees taking off at once to fly to a new home. However, the means by which this is achieved remain unclear. Shortly before takeoff, one hears a crescendo of a high-pitched mechanical signal—worker piping—so we explored the role of this signal in coordinating a swarm’s mass takeoff. Specifically, we examined whether exclusively nest site scouts produce the worker piping signal or whether it is produced in a relay or chain reaction fashion. We found no evidence that bees other than the scouts that have visited the swarm’s chosen nest site produce piping signals. This absence of relay communication in piping suggests that it is a signal that only primes swarms for takeoff and that the release of takeoff is triggered by some other signal or cue; perhaps the takeoff of bees on the swarm periphery as they reach flight temperature in response to piping.
Environmental policy indicators: A systems model

This article describes and tests a systems theory-based policy indicators model. The framework is used to examine propositions about linkages between states' ecological-spatial characteristics and subsequent selected solid waste management (SWM) -related environmental policies. It was hypothesized that state characteristics of: (1) population density (used as a garbage-per-land area index), (2) population convergence within urban areas, and (3) percent population change in the interval 1980–1985, could jointly explain state variation in both the number and the vigor of SWM policy outputs. Greater levels of spatial pressure were proposed to be related directly to more numerous, more convincing policies. Proposals are grounded in the literature of organizational search theory, crisis stimulation, and technological pressure. Results revealed that the sociospatial model in fact could explain a reasonable proportion of policy variation across states. However, not all hypotheses are supported. Population change shows an indirect, rather than the anticipated direct, relationship with policy output levels. In addition, when used in the model as a pollution intensity index, population density failed to contribute significantly to an explanation of differences in state SWM policy levels. The analysis raises questions about changes occurring over time in the nature and direction of linkages between sociospatial measures and policy responses. This study suggests that strengthening policy indicator models may require questioning key assumptions and theoretical bases, conducting longitudinal studies, and factoring in political, economic, and other policy environment forces.
Steady-State Thermal-Hydraulic Analysis of the Oregon State University TRIGA Reactor Using RELAP5-3D

Oregon State University has recently conducted a complete core conversion analysis as part of the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors Program. The goals of the thermal-hydraulic stead...
Gonadal effects on food intake and adiposity: a metabolic hypothesis.

Abstract Ovarian and testicular steroids have important effects on body weight and composition in rats. Estradiol and testosterone decrease adiposity, while progesterone increases carcass fat content. These hormone-induced changes in body weight and composition are accompanied by changes in food intake and voluntary exercise, suggesting that the hormones induce behavioral changes which alter body weight and adiposity. However, several lines of evidence indicate that these behavioral changes are neither necessary nor sufficient to produce the hormone-induced body weight shifts. Rather, peripheral metabolic effects of gonadal steroids may be of primary importance in the control of fat disposition. Steroid effects on triglyceride clearance from circulation, along with changes in hepatic synthesis, may in turn alter the availability of triglycerides as an oxidizable fuel, contributing to the changes in food intake. From this perspective, estradiol- and progesterone-induced changes in food intake are viewed as consequences, rather than causes, of changes in fat metabolism. It is suggested that during naturally-occurring reproductive states gonadal steroids interact with other hormones, such as prolactin, to partition available triglycerides among tissues which oxidize, excrete or store long-chain fatty acids (e.g., striated muscle, mammary gland, or adipose tissue, respectively).
Computation with imprecise probabilities

Computation with imprecise probabilities is not an academic exercise—it is a bridge to reality. In the real world, imprecision of probabilities is the norm rather than exception. In large measure, real-world probabilities are perceptions of likelihood. Perceptions are intrinsically imprecise. Imprecision of perceptions entails imprecision of probabilities.
Foxp3+ Regulatory T-cells and IL-2: The Moirai of T-cell Fates?

Regulatory T-cells (Treg) have emerged as a crucial cellular checkpoint acting to prevent potentially harmful immune responses. Due to its highly diverse activities, regulating the immune system requires more than general suppression. Particularly, during the developing immune response to infection, Treg need to balance the host reaction to achieve both an effective response against the invading pathogen as well as to prevent immunopathology from excessive or inappropriate activity. In this opinion article we discuss the dual roles of IL-2 as both a key inducer of Treg activity and also a target of Treg control during the acute phase of infection. We propose a model in which Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells dynamically “measure” IL-2 availability and restrict its access to effector T-cells, thereby controlling differentiation of these useful but potentially harmful cells. CD4+ T-lymphocytes play a central role in orchestrating immune responses by modifying the functionality of other immune cells and guiding the qualitative features of a response to one optimal for resisting a particular microorganism. Besides augmenting both innate and adaptive immune responses, CD4+ T-cells limit excessive immune activation and immunopathology during infections. Among CD4+ T-cells, Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells (Treg) are essential for the maintenance of peripheral tolerance (Kim et al., 2007; Lahl et al., 2007). These cells also modulate the responses to pathogens (Belkaid and Tarbell, 2009). A plethora of mechanisms for how Treg exert their function have been suggested (Shevach, 2009; Josefowicz et al., 2012). However, there is still an ongoing debate as to which functions of Treg are essential under which circumstances. Likely, Treg function can be attuned to specific conditions and distinct “rules” govern Treg behavior in the steady-state versus inflammatory environments, secondary lymphoid (SLO) versus peripheral organs, developing versus ongoing immune responses, or acute versus chronic infections, for example. In this article we focus on the function of Treg in the SLO during a developing acute infection and, although several cytokines are relevant, we concentrate on IL-2 as a central platform that enables effective immune control, as it (1) links activation of effector and regulatory responses, (2) establishes a feed-back loop for T-cell expansion, and (3) allows control over T-cell differentiation and fate decisions, preserving memory formation.
Laminar flow past a sphere at high mach number

Laminar hypersonic flow past sphere based on constant-density approximation, solving Navier- Stokes equations and comparing with values of shock Reynolds number
Violence among individuals in substance abuse treatment: the role of alcohol and cocaine consumption

This study examined factors associated with expressed violence in the 90 days prior to substance abuse (SA) treatment among 125 men and 125 women recently enrolled in treatment. Approximately 85% of the sample reported a significant conflict situation, and over 32% reported an incident of physical violence. Both general alcohol and cocaine use patterns (on days not involving significant interpersonal conflict), as well as alcohol and cocaine use on the day of the violent incident, were associated with violence severity. Regression analyses revealed that race, education, age, and both general drinking and cocaine use patterns were associated with violence severity for the most severe violent incident reported. Similarly, regression analyses focusing on alcohol and cocaine use on the day of the most severe incident revealed that higher drinking levels, younger age, minority status, and the interaction of alcohol and cocaine use were associated with violence severity. The results provide important information regarding factors associated with expression of violence among men and women in SA treatment, and have implications regarding the assessment of violence risk factors. Further, the findings suggest that screening and intervention approaches for violence-related problems should be routine in SA treatment, and appear to be especially indicated for patients reporting alcohol consumption, and co-occurring alcohol and cocaine consumption.
Do IRBs Pass the Minimal Harm Test

We describe examples of institutional review board (IRB) actions that have delayed or thwarted research that could not conceivably be considered to pose more than minimal risk to participants. We propose three changes to improve the IRB process and reduce both human and financial costs.
Quantum tunneling with global charge.

We investigate quantum tunneling in the theory of a complex scalar field with a global U(1) symmetry when the charge density of the initial configuration does not vanish. We discuss the possible final configurations and set up the Euclidean path integral formalism to find the bubble nucleation and to study the bubble evolution. For the stationary path, or the bounce solution, in the Euclidean time, the phase variable becomes pure imaginary so that the charge density remains real. We apply this formalism to examples when the initial charge density is small. While the phase transition considered here occurs in zero temperature, the bubble dynamics is richly complicated, involving conserved charge, the sound wave, and the supersonic bubble wall.
A META-ANALYTIC EXAMINATION OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS OF COMPUTER-BASED SIMULATION GAMES

Interactive cognitive complexity theory suggests that simulation games are more effective than other instructional methods because they simultaneously engage trainees’ affective and cognitive processes (Tennyson & Jorczak, 2008). Meta-analytic techniques were used to examine the instructional effectiveness of computer-based simulation games relative to a comparison group (k= 65, N= 6,476). Consistent with theory, posttraining self-efficacy was 20% higher, declarative knowledge was 11% higher, procedural knowledge was 14% higher, and retention was 9% higher for trainees taught with simulation games, relative to a comparison group. However, the results provide strong evidence of publication bias in simulation games research. Characteristics of simulation games and the instructional context also moderated the effectiveness of simulation games. Trainees learned more, relative to a comparison group, when simulation games conveyed course material actively rather than passively, trainees could access the simulation game as many times as desired, and the simulation game was a supplement to other instructional methods rather than stand-alone instruction. However, trainees learned less from simulation games than comparison instructional methods when the instruction the comparison group received as a substitute for the simulation game actively engaged them in the learning experience.
Commodifying Romance and Searching for Love Rural Migrant Bar Hostesses' Moral Vision in Post-Mao Dalian

This article discusses Dalian's bar hostesses' paradoxical model of romance: one that is both commodified and based on love. On the one hand, hostesses reject the popular media's emphasis on romantic love and sexual purity as a thin disguise for the ugly reality of men's sexual exploitation of women, and they actively perform and commodify romance for their instrumental purposes. On the other hand, hostesses resort to supernatural forces to determine their romantic fate and to seek out ideal love.
Large-scale mapping of sequence-function relations in small regulatory RNAs reveals plasticity and modularity

Two decades into the genomics era the question of mapping sequence to function has evolved from identifying functional elements to characterizing their quantitative properties including, in particular, their specificity and efficiency. Here, we use a large-scale approach to establish a quantitative map between the sequence of a bacterial regulatory RNA and its efficiency in modulating the expression of its targets. Our approach generalizes the sort-seq method, introduced recently to analyze promoter sequences, in order to accurately quantify the efficiency of a large library of sequence variants. We focus on two small RNAs (sRNAs) in E. coli, DsrA and RyhB, and their regulation of both repressed and activated targets. In addition to precisely identifying functional elements in the sRNAs, our data establish quantitative relationships between structural and energetic features of the sRNAs and their regulatory activity, and characterize a large set of direct and indirect interactions between nucleotides. A core of these interactions supports a model where specificity can be enhanced by a rigid molecular structure. Both sRNAs exhibit a modular design with limited cross-interactions, dividing the requirements for structural stability and target binding among modules.
Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the Budded-to-Hyphal-Form Transition in the Pathogenic Yeast Candida albicans

The pathogenic yeast Candida albicans can exist in multiple morphological states, including budded, pseudohyphal, and true hyphal forms. The ability to convert between the budded and hyphal forms, termed the budded-to-hyphal-form transition, is important for virulence and is regulated by multiple environmental and cellular signals. To identify inhibitors of this morphological transition, a microplate-based morphological assay was developed. With this assay, the known actin-inhibiting drugs latrunculin-A and jasplakinolide were shown to inhibit the transition in a dose-dependent and reversible manner. Five novel small molecules that reversibly inhibited the transition and hyphal elongation without affecting budded growth were identified. These molecules inhibited hyphal growth induced by Spider, Lee's, M199 pH 8, and 10% serum-containing media, with two molecules having a synergistic effect. The molecules also differentially affected the hyphal form-specific gene expression of HWP1 and endocytosis without disrupting the actin cytoskeleton or septin organization. Structural derivatives of one of the molecules were more effective inhibiters than the original molecule, while other derivatives had decreased efficacies. Several of the small molecules were able to reduce C. albicans-dependent damage to endothelial cells by inhibiting the budded-to-hyphal-form transition. These studies substantiated the effectiveness of the morphological assay and identified several novel molecules that, by virtue of their ability to inhibit the budded-to-hyphal-form transition, may be exploited as starting points for effective antifungal therapeutics in the future.
The optics of occupational progressive lenses.

Background Occupational progressive lenses (OPLs) utilize progressive power optics and are designed primarily to meet near and intermediate viewing needs such as working at a computer workstation for presbyopic patients. OPLs are fabricated to have the prescribed near power in the lower part of the lens and the power in the upper portion of the lens is determined by the amount of power "degression" (decrease in plus power) relative to the near power. Independent measurements of the optical characteristics of these lenses have not been reported previously. Methods Manufacturers of 7 different OPL designs provided sample lenses for a patient with +2.50 D add that were measured with a Rotlex Class Plus lens analyzer (Rotlex Inc., Israel). Power measurements were normalized to the location specified by the manufacturer, and the vertical location of each lens was normalized to pupil center based on manufacturer fitting guidelines. Results Large optical differences exist among the OPL designs. The results show clear differences between the designs in terms of the add powers, their vertical location, and zone width. The size and location of the near, near-intermediate, far-intermediate, and far viewing zones were determined. Conclusions The literature and clinical experience support that OPLs are successful at meeting the computer, general office, and other intermediate viewing distance needs of many patients. However, because of the large differences in the several OPL designs, patient success can likely be enhanced by selecting the design that best suits his or her viewing needs.
TWO NEW HYBRID DENDROICA WARBLERS AND NEW METHODOLOGY FOR INFERRING PARENTAL SPECIES

ABsTRAcr.-A phenotypic hybrid between Dendroica townsendi x D. nigrescens is described from coastal British Columbia. It carried the mitochondrial-DNA (mtDNA) haplotype of nigrescens, indicating a nigrescens mother in the original cross that led to this hybrid. This specimen is used to demonstrate the special value of "contradictory characters" in refuting alternate hypotheses of parentage for hybrids. Contradictory characters exist when a potential hybrid exhibits character states more extreme than those found in both of a possible pair of parents. While intermediate characters can suggest a hybrid ancestry, intermediate character states may also be consistent with a variety of potential pairs of species as parents, a point I demonstrate using this townsendi x nigrescens hybrid. Phenotypically, the second specimen is a typical townsendi, but its mtDNA haplotype was that of virens. An extensive survey of townsendi haplotypes revealed no other polymorphism for the virens haplotype; furthermore, at least four mutations would be required to move from a townsendi to a virens haplotype. Together these observations suggest that this specimen is a highly backcrossed descendent of a townsendi x virens cross, a hypothesis consistent with the fact that this specimen was collected where the ranges of townsendi and virens very nearly make contact in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia. Received 9 November 1992, accepted 22 December 1992.
Overexpression of a leaderless form of yeast cytochrome c oxidase subunit Va circumvents the requirement for a leader peptide in mitochondrial import.

Abstract Subunit Va of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cytochrome c oxidase is a nucleus-encoded mitochondrial protein that is derived from a precursor with a 20-residue leader peptide. We previously reported that this leader peptide is required for import of subunit Va into mitochondria in vivo (S. M. Glaser, C. E. Trueblood, L. K. Dircks, R. O. Poyton, and M. G. Cumsky, J. Cell. Biochem. 36:275-278, 1988). Here we show that overproduction of a leaderless form of subunit Va circumvents the leader peptide requirement for import into mitochondria in vivo.
Use of a Commercial Reagent Leads to Reduced Germ Tube Production by Candida dubliniensis

The goal of this study was to determine the factor(s) explaining our inability to detect Candida dubliniensis. When germ tube-positive yeasts were tested for C. dubliniensis, no C. dubliniensis was detected; however, 58 C. dubliniensis strains were detected when germ tube-negative Candida albicans strains were tested further. Since all 58 C. dubliniensis strains detected were germ tube negative, these data implied that false-negative germ tube tests occurred with germ tube solution (GTS; Remel, Lenexa, KS). All 41 known C. dubliniensis strains tested were negative with GTS, whereas 40 were positive with rabbit serum (RS; Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). Results for C. albicans were equivalent in GTS and RS. In conclusion, GTS cannot be used for the detection of C. dubliniensis, and switching from yeast to hyphae in C. dubliniensis is more restricted than in C. albicans.
Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on GPUs

The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is pre-dominantly used in the signal processing community to perform time-frequency domain transforms. This chapter describes tradeoffs when mapping the FFT to a GPUs. It presents different implementations of the algorithm for computing the FFT. The chapter includes a design strategy for mapping the FFT computation to a GPU. It also provides example code showing how to develop OpenCL code to compute the 1D and 2D FFT, and includes the host code written in C. The chapter provides the performance results of the execution of the FFT code as run on AMD and Nvidia GPUs.
Religion and research ethics: where do they meet?

Relatively little attention has been focused on the relationship between religion and the ethical principles governing the conduct of research with human beings. However, an examination of the similarities between ethical principles governing research and religious precepts demonstrates the degree to which ethical principles for research mirror other components and beliefs in life; underscores the universality of principles that underlie the ethical conduct of research; provides an alternative mechanism for explaining research ethics to investigators who may view the need to adhere to governing principles as intrusive and obstructive; offers a means of explaining to some research participants the researcher obligations that are associated with the conduct of research; and provides the researcher with both a basis and a vehicle for selfreflection. This article identifies some principles that appear to be common across many religions and utilizes Buddhism as a case study to examine the interface between religious tenets and ethical principles for research.
Liver Histopathology of the Southern Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata fasciata, Following Chronic Exposure to Trace Element-Contaminated Prey from a Coal Ash Disposal Site

Previous studies have demonstrated the accumulation of arsenic, cadmium, selenium, strontium, and vanadium in livers of Southern Watersnakes fed fish from a coal-ash contaminated site. Our study is the first to investigate effects of trace element accumulation on cytology of snake liver. Snakes were born in the laboratory and raised for one or two years on diets consisting of varying proportions of contaminated fish. The majority (71%) of snakes fed contaminated prey did not exhibit any differences in liver histology when compared to control snakes fed an uncontaminated diet. In the remaining contaminant-exposed snakes, some aberrations were noted. The most prevalent pathology involved the proliferation of collagen fibers that resulted in narrowing or occlusion of sinusoids and increasing the mass of the intersinsuoidal parenychma. Fibrosis of the liver as a result of chronic injury has been reported previously in reptiles, but this is the first report that links such tissue damage to dietary contamination.
A low-sodium solution for airway care: results of a multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: Normal saline is sometimes instilled into the endotracheal tube preparatory to airway suctioning, to assist in removing thick secretions. However, saline can damage the antimicrobial properties of airway secretions. We previously described a low-sodium physiologically based solution for airway care and reported a small ( n = 60) randomized trial in neonates, which showed trends toward less ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and less chronic lung disease with the new solution. We now report a multicenter trial of that solution. METHODS: We conducted a before-and-after study with a parallel control group, in 4 level-3 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). During year 1, all 4 NICUs used saline for airway care. During year 2, one NICU used the test solution exclusively while the other NICUs used saline exclusively. The 2 study outcomes were VAP (cases/1,000 ventilator days) and chronic lung disease, defined 3 ways: supplemental oxygen at 28 days; supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks gestation; and supplemental oxygen on hospital discharge. RESULTS: During the study period 1,116 neonates had endotracheal intubation for respiratory management. Of those, 1,029 received the standard saline for airway suctioning, and the 87 in NICU 4 received the test solution. NICU 4 had a decrease in VAP rate, from 4.2 VAPs/1,000 ventilator days with saline, to 1.6 VAPs/1,000 ventilator days with the test solution ( P = .04), and also had the lowest prevalence of chronic lung disease ( P < .001 for each definition). CONCLUSIONS: The test solution significantly reduced the VAP and chronic lung disease rates.
Regulation of fetal cardiac and hepatic β-adrenoceptors and adenylyl cyclase signaling: terbutaline effects

Terbutaline (Ter), a β2-adrenergic agonist used in preterm labor, stimulates fetal β-adrenoceptors (β-ARs). We administered Ter to pregnant rats on gestational days 17–20 and examined β-ARs and ade...
Ultrahigh Energy Cosmic Rays: Old Physics or New Physics?

We consider the advantages of and the problems associated with hypotheses to explain the origin of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays (UHECR: E > 10 EeV) and the “trans-GZK” cosmic rays (TGZK: E > 100 EeV) both through “old physics” (acceleration in cosmic sources) and “new physics” (new particles, topological defects, fat neutrino cross sections, Lorentz invariance violation).
Early Activity Diversity: Assessing Newcomer Retention from First-Session Activity

Online communities suffer serious newcomer attrition. This paper explores whether and how early activity diversity - the degree to which a newcomer engages in a wide range of a site's activities in the first session - is associated with their longevity. We introduce a metric (DSCORE) to characterize early activity diversity in online sites and run our analyses on an online community ‘MovieLens’. We find that DSCORE is significant both by itself and in conjunction with a measure of quantity of activity in predicting longevity. This finding is robust to different measures of longevity (aggregate number of sessions and attritions after sessions 1, 5, and 10). The immediate implication is an effective classifier for identifying users with higher (or lower) expected longevity from the first-session activity. We also find DSCORE is more useful than a traditional measure of measuring diversity such as the Gini-Simpson index. We conclude by discussing how early activity diversity may be more broadly effective in supporting design and management of online communities.
New and Unusual Agarics from North America. II

(1941). New and Unusual Agarics from North America. II. Mycologia: Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 1-16.
ECD-Gas Chromatographic Determination of Pyrethroid Insecticides in Grains

A method was developed for the simultaneous determination of pyrethroid insecticides in grains by means of ECD gas chromatography.This method consisted of extraction with acetonitrile, clean-up by Florisil column chromatography and determination by ECD-GC. Pyrethroids on the column were eluted with 100ml each of 10% ether in n-hexane and 10% ethyl acetate in n-hexane. Permethrin was eluted in the first fraction, and allethrin, phthalthrin and pyrethrins were eluted in the second fraction. Pyrethroids were determined by ECD-GC with a column of 2% XE-60+2% OV-17 and a column of 3% SE-30. No overlap of pyrethroids and organochlorine pesticides on gas chromatograms was observed. Recoveries of pyrethroids added to grains were in the range of 78-96%.
Path Diagrams: Layout Algorithms, Styles, and Views

Path diagrams are valuable visualization tools in practical structural equation modeling (SEM). They provide intuitively appealing representations of modeling ideas and results. As a part of the computational process of modeling, path diagrams can be viewed as input device or as output results. This paper discusses the latter role of path diagrams. The modeling scenario of interest is to produce path diagrams given the syntactic input of structural models. The process-flow, grouped-flow, and GRIP layout algorithms for producing path diagrams are described and discussed. Emphases are on building intuitions about these layout algorithms and hence the appropriate use of these algorithms for producing path diagrams for different types of models. Steps that automate the selection among these layout algorithms for a given model are proposed. Finally, adjustments that are needed for producing path diagrams with different styles and views are discussed. Path diagram examples are used throughout the paper to illustrate the layout algorithms, the proposed automatic selection steps, and different styles and views.
Attachment of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium to Stainless Steel and Buna-N in the Presence of Milk and Individual Milk Components.

The effects of milk and individual milk components on the attachment of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium to two commonly used materials in the dairy industry were studied. Attachment of both organisms to stainless steel and Buna-N was significantly inhibited by the presence of skim, 2%, whole, or chocolate 2% milk compared to the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) control. The addition of individual milk components, casein, α-lactalbumin, and β-lactoglobulin to the attachment menstruum significantly reduced attachment. Pretreating surfaces with milk and milk components for 1 h prior to attachment in PBS gave similar results. The presence of lactose did not affect attachment of either organism; however, attachment of S. typhimurium was significantly decreased on pretreated Buna-N. Cells of either organism pretreated with skim milk or β-lactoglobulin prior to attachment in PBS showed significantly less attachment than untreated cells. Pretreating S. typhimurium cells with casein had no effect on attachment to stainless steel. Pretreatment of S. typhimurium with lactose increased attachment to both surfaces while pretreatment had no effect on L. monocytogenes . Attachment of both organisms was significantly reduced in diluted whole milk. Both organisms attached significantly less to surfaces soiled with one or more layers of whole milk.
Benefits of Mentoring Programs for Child Welfare Workers: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACTWith the growing awareness of the need for effective child welfare workforce retention interventions, this review systematically evaluates the ways in which child welfare workers benefit from both formal and informal workforce mentoring programs. Of the 136 documents identified, six met inclusion criteria for the study. Although synthesis of the data demonstrated a lack of consistency across studies, results of varied statistical analysis presented evidence that mentoring programs result in positive personal and career benefits to child welfare workers. These results are relevant to practitioners and administrators who are interested in retaining a competent and stable workforce through effective interventions.
Shared challenges in data mining and computational biology

This talk will explain several fundamental research issues that must be addressed to enable continued progress both in computational biology and in data mining. The issues include: 1. Supervised and unsupervised learning where the important class is very rare. 2. Estimating accurate, well-calibrated probabilities. 3. Measuring the statistical significance of rare predictive features. 4. Feature selection where only combinations of features are predictive. 5. Learning where the number of features is far higher than the number of examples. 6. Deciding which examples to find labels for experimentally, when labeling examples is expensive. 7. Learning when test examples and training examples are drawn from different populations. For each challenge I will explain at least one real-world scenario where it arises, and I will show how a commonly used learning method fails.
Ventricular assist device elicits serum natural IgG that correlates with the development of primary graft dysfunction following heart transplantation

Background Pre-transplant sensitization is a limiting factor in solid-organ transplantation. In heart transplants, ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation has been associated with sensitization to human leukocyte antigens (HLA). The effect of VAD on non-HLA antibodies is unclear. We have previously shown that polyreactive natural antibodies (Nabs) contribute to pre-sensitization in kidney allograft recipients. Here we assessed generation of Nabs after VAD implantation in pre-transplant sera and examined their contribution to cardiac allograft outcome. Methods IgM and IgG Nabs were tested in pre-transplant serum samples collected from 206 orthotopic heart transplant recipients, including 128 patients with VAD (VAD patients) and 78 patients without VAD (no-VAD patients). Nabs were assessed by testing serum reactivity to apoptotic cells by flow cytometry and to the generic oxidized epitope, malondialdehyde, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results No difference was observed in serum levels of IgM Nabs between VAD and no-VAD patients. However, serum IgG Nabs levels were significantly increased in VAD compared with no-VAD patients. This increase was likely due to the presence of the VAD, as revealed by lower serum IgG Nabs levels before implantation. Elevated pre-transplant IgG Nabs level was associated with development of primary graft dysfunction (PGD). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that VAD support elicits IgG Nabs reactive to apoptotic cells and oxidized epitopes. These findings further support broad and non-specific B-cell activation by VAD, resulting in IgG sensitization. Moreover, the association of serum IgG Nabs levels with development of PGD suggests a possible role for these antibodies in the inflammatory reaction accompanying this complication.
The behavioral and physiological effects of high‐fat diet and alcohol consumption: Sex differences in C57BL6/J mice

Background and Objective Animal studies can be a great tool to investigate sex differences in a variety of different ways, including behavioral and physiological responses to drug treatments and different “lifestyle variables” such as diets. Consumption of both high-fat diets and alcohol is known to affect anxiety behaviors and overall health. This project investigated how high-fat diet and alcohol access and its combination affected the behavior and physiology of male and female C57BL/6J mice. Method Mice were separated into three food groups: high-fat diet, 10% fat diet, and regular chow, and each group was paired with either water or 10% alcohol. Behavioral assays included diet and alcohol preference, light-dark box, open field, and feeding and drinking measurements. Physiological measures included glucose tolerance tests and measurement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, insulin, and leptin levels. Results Females and males differed in the open field, as male mice decreased activity, while females increased activity when consuming high-fat diet. While females consumed more ethanol than males, alcohol consumption was able to improve glucose tolerance and increase anxiety in both sexes. Lastly, females were more resistant to the physiological changes caused by high-fat diet than males, as females consuming high-fat diet exhibited decreased insulin secretion, less change to brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, and better glucose tolerance than males consuming high-fat diet. Conclusion These results suggest that the response to high-fat diet and alcohol consumption is sex dependent and that males are more affected both behaviorally and physiologically by high-fat diet compared to females.
Racial and socioeconomic disparities in viral suppression among persons living with HIV in New York City

Abstract Purpose To examine differences in racial disparities across levels of neighborhood poverty and differences in socioeconomic disparities by race/ethnicity in viral suppression among persons living with HIV (PLWH). Methods Using HIV surveillance data, we categorized and geocoded PLWH who were in care in New York City (NYC). Multilevel binomial regression techniques were used to model viral suppression with a two-level hierarchical structure, by including age, transmission risk, year of diagnosis, race/ethnicity, census tract poverty, and an interaction term of race/ethnicity and census tract poverty in the model. Results There were 30,638 Blacks, 22,921 Hispanics, and 11,695 Whites living with HIV and retained in care in NYC, 2014. Compared with Blacks living in the most impoverished neighborhoods (≥30% residents living below the federal poverty level) who had the lowest proportion of viral suppression, with 75% in males and 76% in females, Whites living in the least impoverished neighborhoods ( Conclusions By examining racial and socioeconomic disparities simultaneously, we were able to detect both disparities in viral suppression among PLWH in NYC.
Estimating methane emissions from beef cattle in a feedlot using the eddy covariance technique and footprint analysis

Abstract Measurements of methane (CH 4 ) emissions from cattle could provide invaluable data to reduce uncertainties in the global CH 4 budget and to evaluate mitigation strategies to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The eddy covariance (EC) technique has recently been applied as an alternative to measure CH 4 emissions from livestock systems, but heterogeneities in the source area and fetch limitations impose challenges to EC measurements. The main objective of this study was to estimate CH 4 emissions rates per pen surface ( F pens ) and per animal ( F animal ) from a beef cattle feedlot using the EC technique combined with two footprint models: an analytical footprint model (KM01) and a parametrization of a Lagrangian dispersion model (FFP). Fluxes of CH 4 were measured using a closed-path EC system in a commercial feedlot. The footprint models were used to investigate fetch requirements and to estimate F pens and F animal . The aggregated footprint area predicted by KM01 was 5–6 times larger than FFP estimates. On average, F pens was 8 (FFP) to 14% (KM01) higher than the raw EC flux, but differences between F pens and EC flux varied substantially depending on the location and size of the flux footprint. The monthly average F animal , calculated using F pens and the footprint weighed stocking density, ranged from 83 to 125 g animal −1 d −1 (KM01) and 75–114 g animal −1 d −1 (FFP). The emission values are consistent with the results from previous studies in feedlots. These results suggest that the EC technique can be combined with footprint analysis to estimate gas emissions from livestock systems.
Urban Agricultural and Sustainability Program at Houston’s Downtown University: Combining New Curriculum, Hands-on Projects, and a Hurricane

The University of Houston–Downtown (UHD), a Hispanic-serving institution, launched an educa­tional program in 2016 that engages undergradu­ates in a summer curriculum with a hands-on project focused on urban agriculture and sustaina­bility. The goals are to deliver new content, create purposeful interdisciplinary teams, and engage the participants, who are largely students of color, through mentoring and professional-development activities. In this reflective essay, we discuss improvements made between the first and second year and pro­gram elements that were most effective. The 2017 cohort was simultaneously engaged in two courses and the creation of an aquaponics system. Each student group created a system that could grow fish and hydroponic plants using solar energy. Qualitative student survey results indicate that the program increased student knowledge and affected career directions. The program was designed to extend mentoring from the summer through fall to optimize projects and prepare students for presen­tations on and off-campus. However, these plans had to be modified as Harvey, the most damaging hurricane in U.S. history, flooded the school and destroyed the student aquaponic systems. Fall plans now include rebuilding a single aquaponics system and consideration of resiliency in future sustaina­bility initiatives. The most critical elements of this program have been shown to be students’ intense immersion in curriculum and projects, creating cross-disciplinary student groups, mentoring across the program, and, finally, maintaining flexibility. The hurricane’s incursion into our program also stands as a powerful backdrop for discussions not only at our university but nationally of how we create sustainable communities and agricultural systems in a world that will continue to experience climatic changes.
A modern approach to discrete structures

In this paper, we present a new paradigm for a freshman course in discrete structures. Historically, a freshman course in discrete structures is taught by presenting a variety of topics in a modular fashion. Topics typically include logic, sets, functions, induction, recursion, algorithms, graphs, probability, counting, proofs, and Boolean algebra, to name a few. Students are expected to follow, digest, and retain such knowledge, often for several years before applying it in junior- and/or senior-level courses. In the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the State University of New York at Buffalo, the success of a traditional course in discrete structures has been marginal, at best. The alternative approach that we present provides a focused educational experience covering key components of discrete structures. Specifically, we present a unifying thread of modern computer architectures and their algorithms, where critical components of discrete structures are presented in context. In addition, we provide freshman students with an opportunity to take ownership of the educational process. To date, results of this new paradigm have been extremely promising.
NADH-AND NADPH-DEPENDENT REDUCTION OF INDICINE N-OXIDE BY MICROSOMAL CYTOCHROME P-450

Indicine N-oxide is reduced to indicine under anaerobic conditions by hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450. NADH and NADPH are almost equally effective at supporting reduction and their effects are additive with microsomes from untreated rats. NADH dependent reduction is inhibited by 0.5 mM KCN and 0.8 M acetone while NADPH dependent reduction is not effected by 0.5 mM KCN, is stimulated by 0.8 M acetone and increased by phenobarbital pretreatment. A possible explanation for the observations is a form of microsomal cytochrome P-450 which can be reduced by NADH but which does not function during oxidative drug metabolism