cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An elusive new species of Marsupial Frog (Anura: Hemiphractidae: Gastrotheca) from the Andes of northern Peru

Descrevo aqui uma nova especie de perereca-marsupial, genero Gastrotheca, dos campos de altitude dos Andes da Region Amazonas, norte do Peru, onde mesmo os machos vocalizantes permanecem bem escondidos nas camadas profundas de musgo. A nova especie pode ser distinguida de todos o congeneres por seu padrao exclusivo de coloracao, que inclui uma estreita faixa mediana dorsal amarela com margens pretas. Aparentemente a especie pertence ao grupo de Gastrotheca plumbea, que se distribui nos Andes do norte da Colombia ao norte do Peru.
Merit-Based Scholarships and Grade Inflation in Higher Education

Eighteen states offer merit scholarships that require students to maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) to receive the funding. These GPA requirements have heightened concern over grade inflation. This paper measures how one merit-based scholarship affects grades and separates that effect into strategic course-taking, easier grading, and increased effort. I use a large-scale, comprehensive administrative database from Clemson University to examine South Carolina's LIFE scholarship. Students eligible for the scholarship should increase their effort, leading to higher grades. Grades of students ineligible for the scholarship should increase only as a result of grade inflation because the scholarship does not change their incentives. The grades of eligible students increase, and the bulk of the rise in grades stems from students' choosing easier courses and majors, not effort or grade inflation.
On Energy Resources, Climate Change, Fossil Fuels, and Drilling. Challenges in Tackling Problems by Governments in Europe and USA

This month in Italy a public consultation will decide (by majority, in case 50% of voters will participate) whether to renew the ongoing concessions between Italian government and drilling companies at the end of their contracts, even if the fossil fuels have not been extracted completely.[...]
Chemical Attraction of Neoaplectana Carpocapsae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) to Insect Larvae

In an agar-dropper bioassay, dauerlarvae of the insect-parasitic nematode Neoaplectana Carpocapsae Weiser exhibited strong attraction to larvae of several insects from diverse ecological habitats. Nematode response at various distances and to dilutions of an aqueous surface wash of larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.), suggests that the attraction is to a chemical gradient around insect larvae. Bioassays of various solvent extracts demonstrated the polar nature of the chemical attractant(s).
Teacher Education in Algebra

(1953). Teacher Education in Algebra. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 60, No. 6, pp. 367-375.
Refractory and Silicide Laves Phases

Present knowledge and understanding of deformation mechanisms, mechanical properties, and dislocations in Laves phases are reviewed. Although the amount of study applied to alloys containing these compounds has been relatively limited, several systems with promising high-temperature properties have been identified, including alloys hardened by binary chromides, ternary aluminides, and ternary silicides. Studies of model alloy systems have suggested possible approaches to increase the room-temperature ductility and toughness of Laves phases. Fundamental studies of the effects of stoichiometry, alloying, atom sizes, electronic structures, stacking fault energy, and other variables on dislocation mobility are needed.
Reflectivity of Silicon-On-Sapphire during Pulsed Laser Annealing

Using a visible probe laser (632.8 nm) we have directly observed motion of the melt front in silicon-on-sapphire during pulsed laser annealing. The average penetration and regrowth velocities have been determined to be 13 and 6.5 m/sec. respectively. These values are in agreement with recent conductivity measurements and heat flow calculations. In addition, the data demonstrate that the high-reflectivity phase can penetrate at least.5 um (Si thickness) and requires a significant amount of the time to do so. These results are further evidence that the high-reflectivity phase is molten silicon.
Black Americans and the Politics of Inclusion

The strategy that blacks might pursue in the 1984 presidential election can be discussed most fruitfully if viewed in terms of the overall context of the present political and social status of black Americans. That context can be conceptualized as an increasing tension between two competing yet overlapping models: the "politics of inclusion" and the "politics of normalcy." The "politics of normalcy" is the division of substantive resources, such as federal aid and jobs, by established political elites using traditional norms of the political-social order, with the result that resources are distributed primarily to established groups. The "politics of inclusion" constitutes attempts by previously excluded groups to change the nature and composition of these elites and to extend the allocation of resources to all persons, especially excluded groups, by appealing to norms which emphasize such values as fairness, equal treatment, and individual justice.
A flexible method for estimating the fraction of fitness influencing mutations from large sequencing data sets

A continuing challenge in the analysis of massively large sequencing data sets is quantifying and interpreting non-neutrally evolving mutations. Here, we describe a flexible and robust approach based on the site frequency spectrum to estimate the fraction of deleterious and adaptive variants from large-scale sequencing data sets. We applied our method to approximately 1 million single nucleotide variants (SNVs) identified in high-coverage exome sequences of 6515 individuals. We estimate that the fraction of deleterious nonsynonymous SNVs is higher than previously reported; quantify the effects of genomic context, codon bias, chromatin accessibility, and number of protein-protein interactions on deleterious protein-coding SNVs; and identify pathways and networks that have likely been influenced by positive selection. Furthermore, we show that the fraction of deleterious nonsynonymous SNVs is significantly higher for Mendelian versus complex disease loci and in exons harboring dominant versus recessive Mendelian mutations. In summary, as genome-scale sequencing data accumulate in progressively larger sample sizes, our method will enable increasingly high-resolution inferences into the characteristics and determinants of non-neutral variation.
Damper Design for 1000-mm~2 Conductor

The 1 000 mm2 aluminum conductor steel reinforced(ACSR)(JL/G3A-1000/45) is used for the general lines of ±660 kV Ningdong-Shandong DC power transmission demonstration project and dampers are used to reduce aeolian vibration.Based on the calculation with the protection frequency formula of dampers and the self-amortization test of conductors,the protection frequency of the dampers for the JL/G3A-1000/45 conductor is determined as 5～50 Hz.Reasonable damper head is designed through calculation and the stranded galvanized steel wires are selected that matches to the head.As a result,the measured resonance frequency basically matches to the theoretical calculation values.According to sample trial-produce of dampers and test analysis of their vibration-proof effects,the designed damper satisfies the project requirements..
Analysis of monitoring results of disinfection effects in medical units from 2009 to 2012 in Chuzhou city

Objective To analyze monitoring results of disinfection quality situation from 2009 ～2012 in Chuzhou,find out the problems existing in medical units and put forward some measures to prevent or control the nosocomial infection.Methods Disinfection effect was randomly monitored and evaluated according to the Ministry of Health " Technical Standard for Disinfection(2002) "," Hygienic Standard for Disinfection in Hospitals"(GB15982-1995) and " Evaluation Method and Standard for the Efficacy of Disinfection and Sterilization"(GB15981-1995).A total of 5 506 samplings from air,surface of objects,hands of medical staff,disinfectant being used,sterilization of medical supplies,pressure steam sterilizer and UV lamp were collected in 173 medical institutions.After detection,we evaluated the disinfection effects.Results Of the 5 506 samplings,the eligible disinfection rates from 2009 to 2012 were 82.2%,85.5%,89.1% and 90.5%,respectively,while total eligible rate was 87.1%.The eligible disinfection rate was rising.There was a significant difference among different classes of medical institution for the disinfection efficiency and the rates were 89.7% 、83.0% and 86.1% in country medical institutions,private hospital and village institution,respectively.Conclusion The disinfection quality of medical institutions in Chuzhou city had been improved year by year,but we still need to strengthen the disinfection knowledge and technical training for medical staffs.Regular supervision and inspection should be done.
The early kinetics of gentamicin uptake into the inner ear.

Transtympanic gentamicin administration has become a popular modality in the treatment of Meniere's disease . This modality and other inner-ear medical therapy are gaining increased clinical and scientific attention. We previously described the kinetics and effects of gentamicin uptake into the inner ear after delivery of the medicine into the middle ear using a variety of different techniques and sustained-release modalities [1] . In our previous work, we reported an early peak perilymph concentration and the presence of intracellular gentamicin at the 4-hour time point. We also demonstrated the activation of inner-ear damage pathways at this early time point. In this report, we examine the kinetics of gentamicin at very early time points, 1 and 2 hours after administration. Healthy adult chinchillas underwent implantation of middle-ear sustained-release devices (one to each ear) containing gentamicin. The animals then were maintained in a neutral position and underwent perilymph gentamicin sampling at the two predetermined time points. This technique allowed us to assess accurately very early time point inner-ear gentamicin kinetics and to compare the activity. The samples then were run for concentration using mass spectrometry. The information gained from this study may increase our scientific understanding about the effects of gentamicin on the inner ear and may allow clinicians to treat patients more effectively for inner-ear disorders .
COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN OF SUBOPTIMAL LQG CONTROLLER

Abstract Since the model reduction problem and the subsequent controller design problem are not independent in general, this paper proposes an interactive software package for the design of a suboptimal controller. An example is included to establish the need for this package.
Spatial Variation in the Origin of Dissolved Organic Carbon in Snow on the Juneau Icefield, Southeast Alaska

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) plays a fundamental role in the biogeochemistry of glacier ecosystems. However, the specific sources of glacier DOC remain unresolved. To assess the origin and nature of glacier DOC, we collected snow from 10 locations along a transect across the Juneau Icefield, Alaska extending from the coast toward the interior. The Δ(14)C-DOC of snow varied from -743 to -420‰ showing progressive depletion across the Icefield as δ(18)O of water became more depleted (R(2) = 0.56). Older DOC corresponded to lower DOC concentrations in snow (R(2) = 0.31) and a decrease in percent humic-like fluorescence (R(2) = 0.36), indicating an overall decrease in modern DOC across the Icefield. Carbon isotopic signatures ((13)C and (14)C) combined with a three-source mixing model showed that DOC deposited in snow across the Icefield reflects fossil fuel combustion products (43-73%) and to a lesser extent marine (21-41%) and terrestrial sources (1-26%). Our finding that combustion aerosols are a large source of DOC to the glacier ecosystem during the early spring (April-May) together with the pronounced rates of glacier melting in the region suggests that the delivery of relic DOC to the ocean may be increasing and consequently impacting the biogeochemistry of glacial and proglacial ecosystems in unanticipated ways.
Evidence for ongoing introduction of non-native earthworms in the Washington, DC metropolitan area

Earthworm introductions and invasions are ongoing, with significant consequences for ecological characteristics and function where populations of invasive species reach high densities. In North America the influx of people, goods and materials to coastal cities has long been recognized to be related to introduction and establishment of many different invasive organisms. We conducted surveys for soil invertebrates in the Washington, DC area along the Potomac River corridor to examine the influence of historic soil profile disrupting disturbances on the composition of soil invertebrate communities. Here we report three earthworm taxa that either (1) had never been previously reported in North America (Lumbricidae: Helodrilus oculatus), (2) had never been reported from “wild” caught samples in forested soils (Lumbricidae: Eisenia fetida), or (3) represented a notable range expansion for an introduced species (Lumbricidae: Murchieona muldali). All three species reported here have attributes that give reason for concern over their expansion into North American soils, not least of which is their potential for competitive interactions with the remaining native earthworm species.
A comparison of treatment of canine cyclic hematopoiesis with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM- CSF), G-CSF interleukin-3, and canine G-CSF

Cyclic hematopoiesis in gray collie dogs is a stem cell disease in which abnormal regulation of cell production in the bone marrow causes cyclic fluctuations of blood cell counts. In vitro studies demonstrated that recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) all stimulated increases in colony formation by canine bone marrow progenitor cells. Based on these results, gray collie dogs were then treated with recombinant human (rh) GM-CSF, IL-3, or G-CSF subcutaneously to test the hypothesis that pharmacologic doses of one of these hematopoietic growth factors could alter cyclic production of cells. When recombinant canine G-CSF became available, it was tested over a range of doses. In vivo rhIL-3 had no effect on the recurrent neutropenia but was associated with eosinophilia, rhGM-CSF caused neutrophilia and eosinophilia but cycling of hematopoiesis persisted. However, rhG-CSF caused neutrophilia, prevented the recurrent neutropenia and, in the two animals not developing antibodies to rhG-CSF, obliterated periodic fluctuation of monocyte, eosinophil, reticulocyte, and platelet counts. Recombinant canine G-CSF increased the nadir neutrophil counts and amplitude of fluctuations at low doses (1 micrograms/kg/d) and eliminated all cycling of cell counts at high doses (5 and 10 micrograms/kg/d). These data suggest significant differences in the actions of these growth factors and imply a critical role for G-CSF in the homeostatic regulation of hematopoiesis.
Attacks on the Family East and West: Evidence for the Erosion of a Common Good

In this essay I am concerned to allow families and “thick” communities to be better appreciated as foundational to our human lives and not be perceived as merely derivative. To set about accomplishing this, what I offer is less an argument to this effect than a highlighting of historical and philosophical impediments to seeing matters in this way. I construe these impediments to be deep, influential and not often well-comprehended biases. They grow primarily out of a commitment to individualism that is poorly thought through. I enumerate and comment on a number of these individualist undercurrents, from Newton’s atomism to recent secular existentialism. Later, I suggest that Enlightenment notions of universality and autonomy not only contribute to these “anti-family” biases, but also paradoxically engender a vacuous sort of “commonality” that plays into equally empty notions of the common good. In the interim, however, I draw from both Sellars and Hegel to forward a richer notion of the “individual” that enables us better to appreciate the spiritual life and the central role that families and thick communities play in its constitution and in the constitution of all human life. I conclude with some brief reflections on the importance of empathy and of spiritual families in our contemporary world.
What Terrorist Leaders Want: A Content Analysis of Terrorist Propaganda Videos

AbstractIn recent years, a growing body of empirical research suggests that indiscriminate violence against civilian targets tends to carry substantial political risks compared to more selective violence against military targets. To better understand why terrorist groups sometimes attack politically suboptimal targets, scholars are increasingly adopting a principal-agent framework where the leaders of terrorist groups are understood as principals and lower level members as agents. According to this framework, terrorist leaders are thought to behave as essentially rational political actors, whereas lower level members are believed to harbor stronger non-political incentives for harming civilians, often in defiance of leadership preferences. We test this proposition with an original content analysis of terrorist propaganda videos. Consistent with the principal–agent framework, our analysis demonstrates statistically that terrorist leaders tend to favor significantly less indiscriminate violence than their o...
Rethinking The Third World: International Development and World Politics by Mark T. Berger and Heloise Weber (review)

Berger, Mark T. and Heloise Weber. Rethinking The Third World: International Development and World Politics . London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014. Review by Preya Bhattacharya.
Aortic hemodynamics and white matter hyperintensities in normotensive postmenopausal women.

Hypertension is associated with development of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in the brain, which are risk factors for mild cognitive impairment. Hormonal shifts at menopause alter vascular function putting women at risk for both hypertension and WMH. Elevations in aortic hemodynamics precede the appearance of clinically defined hypertension but the relationship of aortic hemodynamics to development of WMH in women is not known. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize aortic hemodynamics in relationship to WMH in postmenopausal women. Aortic systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), aortic augmentation index (Alx) and aortic round trip travel time (Aortic T R) by tonometry were examined in 53 postmenopausal women (age 60 ± 2 years). WMH was calculated from fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI using a semi-automated segmentation algorithm. WMH as a fraction of total white matter volume positively associated with aortic systolic BP (regression coefficient = 0.018; p = 0.04) after adjusting for age. In addition, WMH fraction was positively associated with AIx (0.025; p = 0.04), and inversely associated with Aortic T R (−0.015; p = 0.04) after adjusting for age. Our results suggest that assessing aortic hemodynamics may identify individuals at risk for accelerated development of WMH and guide early treatment to reduce WMH burden and cognitive impairment in the future.
Mutual Regulation between Polo-like Kinase 3 and SIAH2 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Defines a Regulatory Network that Fine-tunes the Cellular Response to Hypoxia and Nickel

Elevated cellular response to hypoxia, which contributes to cell transformation and tumor progression, is a prominent feature of malignant cells in solid tumors. Polo-like kinase 3 (Plk3) is a serine/threonine protein kinase known to inhibit the cellular response to hypoxia and tumorigenesis. Nickel compounds are well-established human carcinogens that induce tumorigenesis partly through their hypoxia-mimicking effects. Despite previous research efforts, the role of Plk3 in the hypoxic response induced by hypoxia or nickel is not completely understood. Here, we show that NiCl2 (Ni(II)) or hypoxia reduces the protein level and shortens the half-life of cytoplasmic Plk3 in a ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent manner. We identify SIAH2, a RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligase associated with the cellular hypoxic response, to be the ubiquitin E3 ligase that mediates the degradation of Plk3. We show that SIAH2 binds to Plk3 and mediates its ubiquitination primarily through its polo-box domain. We report that USP28, a deubiquitinase known to be inhibitable by Ni(II) or hypoxia, may also contribute to the suppression of the Plk3 protein by Ni(II). We also show that Plk3 in turn suppresses the SIAH2 protein level in a kinase activity-dependent manner. Our study revealed an interesting mutual regulation between Plk3 and SIAH2 and uncovered a regulatory network that functions to fine-tune the cellular hypoxic response. We propose that suppression of Plk3 expression contributes to carcinogenesis and tumor progression induced by nickel compounds.
Validity of Web-Based Psychological Research

Publisher Summary With each new technological advance comes a change in the methods and environments of doing psychological research. The Internet-based study adds a new tool for collecting subjects that goes well beyond using introductory psychology students, phone and mail surveys, and the exhausting effort of soliciting subjects from the community. By its very nature, the Web makes it easy to collect large samples. It allows more efficient examinations of person variables such as gender, ethnicity, country of origin, age, and language experience. For Web research, there are two primary ways to establish validity such as comparing results from a Web-based study to a laboratory based study, and examination of the research to see if the results follow theoretically predicted trends. However, there is a broader issue of validity that deals with the issue of the generalizability of the results. This conclusion is made because Web-based samples tend to be more diverse than most laboratory samples. With respect to issues of validity, Web-based research is even more complex than most methods. The Web allows basically any type of research design that is possible using computers as equipment and humans as subjects, including surveys, psychological tests, correlational designs, and experimental methods. In addition, the validity of Web-based research may vary for the different psychological variables studied. This chapter summarizes these results in an effort to determine whether the Internet and the World Wide Web are valid or invalid media for conducting research.
Immunosuppression limits CD8+ T cell entry into subcutaneous B16 melanoma

Interactions between homing receptors (HR) and ligands on the vasculature facilitate effector CD8 T cell entry into tissues. HR ligand expression on normal inflamed tissue vasculature is induced by the local release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In tumors, however, it is likely that expression of HR ligands on tumor vasculature is suboptimal due to immunosuppression. We hypothesized that disruption of immunosuppression would increase HR ligand expression on tumor vasculature, and consequently, enhance CD8 T cell entry. B16-F1 melanoma tumor-bearing mice were treated with blocking antibodies against CTLA-4 or PD-1. HR ligand expression on tumor vasculature and CD8 T cell representation were assessed. We found that CTLA-4 or PD-1 blockade significantly increased intravascular CXCL9 expression in subcutaneous B16-F1 tumors. Unlike PD-1 blockade, CTLA-4 blockade was associated with increased E-selectin expression on tumor vasculature, which we have shown to be important for CD8 T cell entry into subcutaneous tumors. CTLA-4 blockade also enhanced CD8 T cell representation and reduced tumor size. We observed a very low percentage of PD-1 + CD8 T cells in B16-F1 tumors, which may account for the limited efficacy of PD-1 blockade. Interestingly, the percentage of intratumoral PD-1 + CD8 T cells increased post-treatment with anti-CTLA-4. Our data suggest that CTLA-4 blockade may act to enhance T cell priming in the lymph node to increase the number of CD8 T cell effectors available to infiltrate tumors. It is also possible that CTLA-4 blockade may act on CTLA-4 + intratumoral Tregs, thereby promoting reactivation of tumor-resident CD8 T cell effectors that secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines that upregulate HR ligands on tumor vasculature.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A Biomarker and a Potential Therapy

This article assesses developments in cardiorespiratory medicine since the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded in 1956 for advancements in the study of cardiorespiratory disease. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, advances were accelerated by the discovery of a genetically determined cause for pulmonary emphysema in the genetic abnormality alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This causes a deficiency of the inhibitor of neutrophil elastase, which results in increased degradation of lung elastin and the development of pulmonary emphysema. This discovery gave focus to two amino acids that reside only in body elastin, desmosine and isodesmosine, which can be measured as biomarkers of elastin degradation in body fluids with increased accuracy and sensitivity. Studies of this biomarker have shown that augmentation therapy in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency does decrease lung and body elastic tissue degradation and in the RAPID (Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial of Augmentation Therapy in Alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor Deficiency) Study, over 4 years, showed a preservation of lung density by computer tomography correlating with decreases in plasma levels of desmosine and isodesmosine. This insight indicates the potential of agents that prevent lung elastin degradation. Such an agent is hyaluronan aerosol, which is deficient in post mortem lungs with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and has been shown to block elastin degradation, possibly by a barrier function. Thus it would appear that hyaluronan could have therapeutic potential in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Mental Health Among the Baby Boomers

The first half of the twentieth century presented a paradox for human survival. As two world wars and an economic depression brought chaos and devastation, scientific and medical advances were increasing overall life expectancy by stemming the tide of deaths from acute diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. After this tumultuous beginning, the second half of the century ushered in renewed hope and new life. Between 1946 and 1964, the United States experienced an unprecedented increase in birth rate (see chap. 1, this volume). The new generation, termed Baby Boomers, was born into a world of relative peace and prosperity. Economic and social stability translated into higher levels of education, improved standards of living, better physical health, and increased life expectancy.
Small Molecule Inhibition of the Innate Immune Response Increases Transgene Expression

Foreign molecules like plasmid DNA trigger a complex and potent innate immune response comprised of highly redundant signal transduction cascades that result in the activation of transcription factors and the production of inflammatory cytokines. Unfortunately, this defense mechanism can hinder gene therapy by inhibiting transgene expression. The goal of this study was to increase transgene expression by inhibiting key components of the innate immune response (beta-catenin, NF-kB/AP1, TBK1, TLR9, and p38 MAPK) with small molecule inhibitors (iCRT-14, curcumin, BX-795, E6446, and VX-702 respectively). The effects of each drug on transgene (luciferase) expression, inflammatory cytokine (IL-6) levels, and cell viability were quantified in prostate (PC3), breast (MCF-7), and murine bladder (MB49) cancer cell lines. The beta-catenin inhibitor iCRT-14 (1 uM) provided the highest enhancement of 35.5 +/- 19-fold in MCF-7 cells, while the other inhibitors increased transgene expression at a more modest level (2-9 fold). The optimal concentrations of iCRT-14, curcumin, and VX-702 showed no significant effect on cell proliferation; however, optimal concentrations of BX-795 and E6446 did significantly reduce cell proliferation. Nonetheless, inhibition of the innate immune response by iCRT-14 and curcumin was confirmed by a concomitant decrease in IL-6 production in PC3 cells. These results demonstrate that these inhibitors can improve gene therapy by preventing an inflammatory innate immune response.
Understanding health decision making: An exploration of homophily

The phenomenon of homophily first was described in Lazarsfeld and Merton's classic 1954 friendship analysis as a tendency for friendships to form between those who are alike in some respect. Although theories of decision making address a host of factors that affect the process, the influence of individuals with homophilic ties remains unaccounted for and unexplained. The purpose of this paper is to review theories relevant to decision making and describe what is known about the relationship between homophily and health care decision making. Further, we provide new evidence suggesting the influence of homophily on decision making in results from a randomized, multi-center clinical trial of American men with localized prostate cancer. A diverse sample of 293 men with a new diagnosis of localized prostate cancer reported relevant personal factors influencing the care management decision before randomization to a decision aid or usual care, between 2013 and 2015. Among these personal factors were the level of influence or importance ascribed to various individuals at the time of the treatment decision. One month later, participants reported how prepared they were for decision making. 123 men (42%) reported friends and/or coworkers as information sources, of which 65 (53%) indicated that friends and/or coworkers influenced the care decision. Men who reported friends/coworkers as information sources had significantly higher one-month preparation scores. Our review of decision making theories and practical applicability suggests the influence of homophilic relationships manifests in health care decision making. Faced with a list of options to manage health conditions, decision makers turn to known individuals in their environments, particularly those individuals with whom the decision maker can identify. Clinicians may solicit information from patients about influential others and explain how that support fits into the health decision at hand without dishonoring the importance of the homophilic relationship.
Does Anthropomorphism of Dogs Affect Pain Perception in Animal-Assisted Interventions? An Exploratory Study

The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the effects of anthropomorphism of a therapy dog on pain perception during an animal-assisted intervention. Participants were 32 college women...
The sextet gauge model, light Higgs, and the dilaton

Chik Him Wong Department of Physics 0319, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA E-mail: rickywong@physics.ucsd.edu The frequently discussed strongly interacting gauge theory with a fermion flavor doublet in the two-index symmetric (sextet) representation of the SU(3) color gauge group is investigated [1]. The chiral condensate and the mass spectrum are consistent with chiral symmetry breaking (χSB) at vanishing fermion mass. In contrast, sextet fermion mass deformations of spectral properties are not consistent with leading conformal scaling behavior near the critical surface of a conformal theory. A recent paper [2] which could not resolve the conformal fixed point of the gauge coupling from the slowly walking scenario of a very small nearly vanishing β -function is not in conflict with χSB reported here. A light Higgs impostor could emerge as the dilaton from spontaneous symmetry breaking of scale invariance or, without the dilaton mechanism, as a composite state. The 30 International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory Lattice 2012, June 24-29, 2012 Cairns, Australia
Abstract 934: Physical and Genetic Interaction Analyses in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes to Study Protein Quality Control Disease in the Heart

Cardiomyocytes must maintain constant contractile function of the heart throughout a human lifetime. To achieve this, a complex network of chaperones and other proteins maintains the homeostasis of...
Meaningful autonomy in general surgery training: Exploring for gender bias.

Abstract Background Resident autonomy is essential to the development of a surgical resident. This study aims to analyze gender differences in meaningful autonomy (MA) given to general surgery trainees intraoperatively. Methods This is a retrospective study of general surgery residents at an academic-affiliated tertiary care facility. Attending surgeons completed post-operative evaluations based on the Zwisch model (4-point scale, ≥3 indicating MA). Results Attending faculty members (37 males, 15 females) completed evaluations of 35 residents (18 males, 17 females). A total of 3574 evaluations were analyzed (1380 female, 2194 male residents) over 28 months. Multivariate analysis revealed case complexity, post graduate year level and rater gender were significantly associated with MA. Resident gender and faculty experience did not impact MA. Conclusions In contrast to published literature, resident gender did not influence MA. This may be encouraging to surgical programs seeking strategies to address gender bias.
Atypical appearance of elastofibroma dorsi at thoracotomy sites: a case series and review of the literature.

Thus far, only a single case describing an atypical appearance of elastofibroma dorsi at a prior thoracotomy site has been published in the literature. We describe a series of three cases recently ...
Metabolic determinants of lupus pathogenesis.

The metabolism of healthy murine and more recently human immune cells has been investigated with an increasing amount of details. These studies have revealed that the challenges presented by immune cells to respond rapidly to a wide variety of triggers by adjusting the amount, type and utilization of the nutrients they import. A concept has emerged that cellular metabolic programs regulate the size of the immune response and the plasticity of its effector functions. This has generated a lot of enthusiasm with the prediction that cellular metabolism could be manipulated to either enhance or limit an immune response. In support of this hypothesis, studies in animal models as well as human subjects have shown that the dysregulation of the immune system in autoimmune diseases is associated with a skewing of the immunometabolic programs. These studies have been mostly conducted on autoimmune CD4+ T cells, with the metabolism of other immune cells in autoimmune settings still being understudied. Here we discuss systemic metabolism as well as cellular immunometabolism as novel tools to decipher fundamental mechanisms of autoimmunity. We review the contribution of each major metabolic pathway to autoimmune diseases, with a focus on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with the relevant translational opportunities, existing or predicted from results obtained with healthy immune cells. Finally, we review how targeting metabolic programs may present novel therapeutic venues.
A Smart Chair Sitting Posture Recognition System Using Flex Sensors and FPGA Implemented Artificial Neural Network

Sitting is the most common status of modern human beings. Some sitting postures may bring health issues. To prevent the harm from bad sitting postures, a local sitting posture recognition system is desired with low power consumption and low computing overhead. The system should also provide good user experience with accuracy and privacy. This paper reports a novel posture recognition system on an office chair that can categorize seven different health-related sitting postures. The system uses six flex sensors, an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) board and a Machine Learning algorithm of a two-layer Artificial Neural Network (ANN) implemented on a Spartan-6 Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The system achieves 97.78% accuracy with a floating-point evaluation and 97.43% accuracy with the 9-bit fixed-point implementation. The ADC control logic and the ANN are constructed with a maximum propagation delay of 8.714 ns. The dynamic power consumption is 7.35 mW when the sampling rate is 5 Sample/second with the clock frequency of 5 MHz.
CHAPTER 7 – ANALYTIC TRIGONOMETRY

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the analytic trigonometry. Much of the language and terminology of algebra carries over to trigonometry. For example, algebraic expressions involve variables, constants, and algebraic operations. Trigonometric expressions involve these same elements but also permit trigonometric functions of variables and constants. They also allow algebraic operations upon these trigonometric functions. The distinction between an identity and an equation also carries over to trigonometry. The fundamental identities can be employed to prove or, more properly, to verify various trigonometric identities. There are also times in calculus and applied mathematics when simplification of a trigonometric expression may enable one to see a relationship that would otherwise be obscured. In computer applications, it is much more efficient to evaluate a simple trigonometric expression than an involved one.
Mild SARS-CoV-2 infections in children might be based on evolutionary biology and linked with host reactive oxidative stress and antioxidant capabilities

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection leads to significant morbidity and mortality in elderly individuals. Children typically have mild illness with rare mortalities. Age and co-morbid medical conditions are the most important determinant of the infection outcome. Currently there is no clear explanation for the difference in disease severity and outcome in different age groups. Based on evolutionary biology and translational research this review suggests that the high antioxidant capacity of children leading to a balanced redox state is the key factor for mild SARS-CoV-2 infections in this age group. On the other hand, elderly individuals with low antioxidant capacity and low angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression are prone to severe infections by redox-sensitive immune modulation.
Design Optimization of a Novel Networked Electromagnetic Soft Actuators System Based on Branch and Bound Algorithm

This paper presents a design optimization framework based on Branch and Bound Algorithm for novel networked electromagnetic soft actuators. The soft actuators work based on the operating principle of solenoids but are made of intrinsically soft materials. We confirmed that by scaling down the size of the soft actuators, their force to volume ratio increases. This suggests that by miniaturizing the actuators size and attaching them as a network based on the arrangement of actin and myosin filaments in skeletal muscles, the output force can be enhanced. In order to achieve the maximum output force, design parameters of a single soft actuator as well as those of a network are considered as design variables. The maximum available volume (thickness, width and length) and deflection range of the network are considered design constraints. The cost function, i.e. the output force is a non-linear mixed-integer function. A Branch and Bound optimization algorithm based on interval analysis is then proposed to solve the optimization problem. Numerical simulations are presented for a representative example of an active soft brace for the human elbow joint. The results suggest that an electromagnetic soft actuator network can provide sufficient torque to be used as a drive train for an active elbow brace for both flexion and extension over a range of around 93 degrees.
Anonymized location data reveals trends in legal Cannabis use in communities with increased mental health risks at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to increases in felt negative affect for many. This is concerning as individuals at increased risk for mental health issues are often more l...
Opportunities and Challenges in Capital Markets for Small-to-Medium-Sized Enterprises

Having limited financial resources is a big challenge for SMEs. If a SME enters the capital market, it will become a public company and usually can enjoy the advantages of financial and human capital. However, choosing to enter the capital market is laden with challenges even if it is a good opportunity. In this chapter, the author analyzes possible opportunities and challenges for SMEs to go public by illustrating three cases in different industries. The author highlights the motivations for a SME to go public as well as the advantages and disadvantages for a SME to entering into the public market. The key point of this chapter is that the public market is not only a source of financial capital, but it is also a chance for a SME to transform itself in both management and strategy. Therefore, how to transform well to meet the requirements of the capital market is a tough challenge for the SME successor.
Expansive Framing and Collaborative Professional Development: Supporting Teacher Learning

This poster presents preliminary findings from a study of four elementary-level teachers participating in a collaborative PD accompanying a CS instructional unit of seven lessons. The unit introduces students to CS concepts through an expansive framing approach utilizing board games. Through analysis of discourse, the PD and expansive framing approach appeared to support productive teacher talk that enhanced teachers' learning and enactment of the unit.
Developmental Differences in Subjective Recollection and Its Role in Decision Making.

We examined how subjective assessments of recollection guide decision making. Subjective recollection was dissociated from accuracy during a forced-choice recognition task. Distracters were either similar to targets (match condition) or to other studied, but untested items (nonmatch condition). We assessed 223 participants (112 males) across three experiments (137 White, 37 Asian-American, 7 African-American, 4 American-Indian, 32 mixed race, 6 undisclosed). In Experiment 1, 6- to 10-year-olds and adults (N = 119) were less accurate (d = 0.70), but more likely to claim subjective recollection and make memory selections in anticipation of a reward in the nonmatch condition (ds = 0.64-0.70). This pattern was eliminated in 6- to 7-year-olds when we limited the number of selections (Experiment 2, N = 52), but was replicated when we required the selections to be counted (Experiment 3, N = 52), underscoring the effects of decision complexity on children's self-reflections.
Reversible cardiac disease features in an inducible CUG repeat RNA–expressing mouse model of myotonic dystrophy

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by a CTG repeat expansion in the DMPK gene. Expression of pathogenic expanded CUG repeat (CUGexp) RNA causes multisystemic disease by perturbing the functions of RNA-binding proteins, resulting in expression of fetal protein isoforms in adult tissues. Cardiac involvement affects 50% of individuals with DM1 and causes 25% of disease-related deaths. We developed a transgenic mouse model for tetracycline-inducible and heart-specific expression of human DMPK mRNA containing 960 CUG repeats. CUGexp RNA is expressed in atria and ventricles and induced mice exhibit electrophysiological and molecular features of DM1 disease, including cardiac conduction delays, supraventricular arrhythmias, nuclear RNA foci with Muscleblind protein colocalization, and alternative splicing defects. Importantly, these phenotypes were rescued upon loss of CUGexp RNA expression. Transcriptome analysis revealed gene expression and alternative splicing changes in ion transport genes that are associated with inherited cardiac conduction diseases, including a subset of genes involved in calcium handling. Consistent with RNA-Seq results, calcium-handling defects were identified in atrial cardiomyocytes isolated from mice expressing CUGexp RNA. These results identify potential tissue-specific mechanisms contributing to cardiac pathogenesis in DM1 and demonstrate the utility of reversible phenotypes in our model to facilitate development of targeted therapeutic approaches.
Palm vein recognition based on convolution neural network

This paper presents a new validation method using a convolutional neural network for palm vein recognition. Unlike fingerprint and face. Vein patterns are endogenous biometric features that do not change over time and that make them difficult to identify and replicate in people. The proposed paper aims to provide a new way to identify people through their veins. This paper used the CASIA dataset, which consists of several wavelengths, in this research used the 850nm wavelength, which is clear in the veins, In addition, we divided the data into 3 cases. The first case is when the training and testing ratio is 50/50, the second case when it is 70/30, and the last case when it is 90/10. Obtained an accuracy of 98% in the case 90/10. In addition, to the proposed network, and used a well-known global network, the AlexNet network, where did the same work on it to compare the results of our proposed network with it. As proposed network outperformed it in terms of accuracy and speed, where the accuracy was 96% in the case 90/10.
Particle-induced osteolysis is not accompanied by systemic remodeling but is reflected by systemic bone biomarkers

Particle-induced osteolysis is caused by an imbalance in bone resorption and formation, often leading to loss of implant fixation. Bone remodeling biomarkers may be useful for identification of osteolysis and studying pathogenesis, but interpretation of biomarker data could be confounded if local osteolysis engenders systemic bone remodeling. Our goal was to determine if remote bone remodeling contributes to biomarker levels. Serum concentrations of eight biomarkers and bone remodeling rates at local (femur), contiguous (tibia), and remote (humerus and lumbar vertebra) sites were evaluated in a rat model of particle-induced osteolysis. Serum CTX-1, cathepsin K, PINP, and OPG were elevated and osteocalcin was suppressed in the osteolytic group, but RANKL, TRAP 5b, and sclerostin were not affected at the termination of the study at 12 weeks. The one marker tested longitudinally (CTX-1) was elevated by 3 weeks. We found increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation locally, subtle differences in contiguous sites, but no differences remotely at 12 weeks. Thus, the skeletal response to local particle challenge was not systemic, implying that the observed differences in serum biomarker levels reflect differences in local remodeling.
Study of thermal nonlinearity in lithium niobate-based MEMS resonators

This paper reports an iteration-driven method to numerically study the thermal nonlinearity in lithium niobate (LN) based MEMS resonators. In comparison to the state of the art, this technique adopts an approximation-free algorithm and thus more accurately captures the complex nonlinear dynamics that often evades the description by Duffing equation. For the first time, the nonlinearity of LN-based laterally vibrating resonators is theoretically investigated and experimentally validated. The admittance response of both S0 and SH0 mode devices was simulated and measured in this work by forward and backward sweeping the excitation frequency at different power levels. Excellent agreement between simulations and measurements has been achieved.