cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of trauma exposure on the cortisol response to dexamethasone administration in PTSD and major depressive disorder.

Objective: To evaluate cortisol suppression following 0.5 mg of dexamethasone (DEX) in trauma survivors (N=52) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), both, or neither disorder, and in subjects never exposed to trauma (N=10), in order to examine interactions between diagnosis and trauma history on cortisol negative feedback inhibition. Method: Lifetime trauma exposure and psychiatric diagnoses were assessed and blood samples were obtained at 8:00 a.m. for the determination of baseline cortisol. Participants ingested 0.5 mg of DEX at 11:00 p.m. and blood samples for determination of cortisol and DEX were obtained at 8:00 a.m. the following day. Results: PTSD was associated with enhanced cortisol suppression in response to DEX. Among trauma survivors, the presence of a traumatic event prior to the “focal” trauma had a substantial impact on cortisol suppression in subjects with MDD. Such subjects were more likely to show cortisol alterations similar to those associated with PTSD, whereas subjects with MDD with no prior trauma were more likely to show alterations in the opposite direction, i.e. relative non-suppression. Conclusions: Cortisol hypersuppression in PTSD appears not to be dependent on the presence of traumatic events prior to the focal trauma. However, prior trauma exposure may affect cortisol suppression in MDD. This finding may have implications for understanding why only some depressed patients show non-suppression on the DST.
Scrambling and gate-induced fluctuations in realistic quantum dots

We evaluate the magnitude of two important mesoscopic effects using a realistic model of typical quantum dots. “Scrambling” and “gate effect” are defined as the change in the single-particle spectrum due to added electrons or gate-induced shape deformation, respectively. These two effects are investigated systematically in both the self-consistent Kohn-Sham sKSd theory and a Fermi liquidlike Strutinsky approach. We find that the genuine scrambling effect is small because the potential here is smooth. In the KS theory, a key point is the implicit inclusion of residual interactions in the spectrum; these dominate and make scrambling appear larger. Finally, the gate effect is comparable in the two cases and, while small, is able to cause gate-induced spin transitions.
Chronic Periodontitis Genome-wide Association Studies Gene-centric and Gene Set Enrichment Analyses

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of chronic periodontitis (CP) offer rich data sources for the investigation of candidate genes, functional elements, and pathways. We used GWAS data of CP (n = 4,504) and periodontal pathogen colonization (n = 1,020) from a cohort of adult Americans of European descent participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study and employed a MAGENTA approach (i.e., meta-analysis gene set enrichment of variant associations) to obtain gene-centric and gene set association results corrected for gene size, number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms, and local linkage disequilibrium characteristics based on the human genome build 18 (National Center for Biotechnology Information build 36). We used the Gene Ontology, Ingenuity, KEGG, Panther, Reactome, and Biocarta databases for gene set enrichment analyses. Six genes showed evidence of statistically significant association: 4 with severe CP (NIN, p = 1.6 × 10−7; ABHD12B, p = 3.6 × 10−7; WHAMM, p = 1.7 × 10−6; AP3B2, p = 2.2 × 10−6) and 2 with high periodontal pathogen colonization (red complex–KCNK1, p = 3.4 × 10−7; Porphyromonas gingivalis–DAB2IP, p = 1.0 × 10−6). Top-ranked genes for moderate CP were HGD (p = 1.4 × 10−5), ZNF675 (p = 1.5 × 10−5), TNFRSF10C (p = 2.0 × 10−5), and EMR1 (p = 2.0 × 10−5). Loci containing NIN, EMR1, KCNK1, and DAB2IP had showed suggestive evidence of association in the earlier single-nucleotide polymorphism–based analyses, whereas WHAMM and AP2B2 emerged as novel candidates. The top gene sets included severe CP (“endoplasmic reticulum membrane,” “cytochrome P450,” “microsome,” and “oxidation reduction”) and moderate CP (“regulation of gene expression,” “zinc ion binding,” “BMP signaling pathway,” and “ruffle”). Gene-centric analyses offer a promising avenue for efficient interrogation of large-scale GWAS data. These results highlight genes in previously identified loci and new candidate genes and pathways possibly associated with CP, which will need to be validated via replication and mechanistic studies.
Hepatic Fatty Acid Profiles in Aflatoxin-Exposed Broiler Chickens

Abstract This study was initiated to determine whether a specific fatty acid marker from hepatic lipids could be identified to confirm aflatoxin exposure in chickens. Male broiler chicks (240) were reared to 21 days of age on diets containing 0, .625, 1.25, 5.0, and 10.0 ppm aflatoxin. Live weights and organ weights differed significantly among the dietary groups. Total liver lipids increased significantly (P
Closing the Loop for Memory Prosthesis: Detecting the Role of Hippocampal Neural Ensembles Using Nonlinear Models

A major factor involved in providing closed loop feedback for control of neural function is to understand how neural ensembles encode online information critical to the final behavioral endpoint. This issue was directly assessed in rats performing a short-term delay memory task in which successful encoding of task information is dependent upon specific spatio-temporal firing patterns recorded from ensembles of CA3 and CA1 hippocampal neurons. Such patterns, extracted by a specially designed nonlinear multi-input multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear mathematical model, were used to predict successful performance online via a closed loop paradigm which regulated trial difficulty (time of retention) as a function of the “strength” of stimulus encoding. The significance of the MIMO model as a neural prosthesis has been demonstrated by substituting trains of electrical stimulation pulses to mimic these same ensemble firing patterns. This feature was used repeatedly to vary “normal” encoding as a means of understanding how neural ensembles can be “tuned” to mimic the inherent process of selecting codes of different strength and functional specificity. The capacity to enhance and tune hippocampal encoding via MIMO model detection and insertion of critical ensemble firing patterns shown here provides the basis for possible extension to other disrupted brain circuitry.
The Challenge of Nanomaterial Risk Assessment

Engineered nanomaterials present a new set of challenges to evaluating and avoiding potential human health impacts and developing safe, beneficial, and sustainable products. However, formulating problems in ways that render these challenges tractable from a scientifically sound and societally responsive basis is complex and continues to challenge researchers, regulators, policy makers, and manufacturers. After nearly two decades of nanotechnology research and development, the safe and responsible use of the technology remains a high priority. Yet it is clearer now than ever that greater sophistication is needed in how we frame the problems than need to be addressed, and how we arrive at innovative solutions to seemingly intractable challenges.
Conditions Mimicking Gastroesophageal Reflux

Nissen fundoplication remains one of the three most common major surgical procedures performed in infants and children. However, despite its unquestioned value in preventing reflux and emesis, fundoplication is far from being an uncomplicated procedure. Dyspeptic symptoms such as fullness, early satiety, abdominal pain, or bloating may occur in up to 30% of patients who undergo surgery [4].
Deploying Exploring Computer Science Statewide

Exploring Computer Science (ECS) is a high school introductory computer science class designed to increase student interest in CS. Utah is the first state to offer ECS statewide and use it to meet a high school graduation requirement. Over the past four years, 150 teachers have been trained as Utah ECS teachers and over 10,000 Utah students have taken the class. The Utah initiative is unique because it is the first to deploy ECS in a non-urban environment and with a modified half-year curriculum that includes no additional equipment costs. This paper discusses how the Utah deployment was organized, reports its results and unique difficulties, and offers lessons for deployments with similar characteristics: statewide, rural, and limited resources.
Role of Fabricated Structural Steel Manufacturing in the Economy of Luzerne County

The Penn State Workforce Education and Development Initiative conducted an analysis of the economic impact of fabricated structural steel manufacturing in Luzerne County in Pennsylvania. The analysis was designed to help understand the impact of the award of a major contract by PPL Electric Industries to Valmont Industries, Inc., with plants in Hazleton and West Hazleton. Valmont will design and manufacture steel poles for the 101-mile segment of the Susquehanna-Roseland power line.The Economic and Workforce Brief produced from this analysis provides a benchmark for measuring the total employment, employee compensation, and property taxes associated with every 100 workers employed in Luzerne County's fabricated structural steel manufacturing industry.Products manufactured by Valmont Industries, Inc., are classified in the North American Industrial Classification System code 332312. According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, establishments in this industry "are primarily engaged in fabricating structural metal products, such as concrete reinforcing bars and fabricated bar joists." PPL Electric Utilities, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation, provides electricity delivery services to approximately 1.4 million customers in Pennsylvania.
The Falsity-Scienter Inference

This essay argues that, under certain circumstances in securities fraud cases, a statement’s well-pleaded falsity gives rise to a strong inference that the speaker acted with scienter. In particular, this essay contends that the well-pleaded falsity of a statement is sufficient to create a strong inference of scienter when (1) the truth is necessarily within the speaker’s core knowledge; and (2) the statement is sufficiently false to have necessarily caught the speaker’s attention. This falsity-scienter inference potentially applies in a variety of securities fraud contexts, including falsified CEO resumes, objectively unreasonable analyst opinions, and cooked books. In addition, the falsity-scienter inference supports adoption of the controversial “core operations inference” and provides guidance on the proper scope of this narrower inference.
Analysis of the capability of detecting nucleic acid of influenza virus in Anyang City in 2011 and 2012

Objective The pros and cons of RT-PCR, single-channel real-time PCR, and dual-channel real-time PCR in the detection of influenza virus were compared based on the basic information and assessment results of Anyang Flu Research Laboratory from 2011 and 2012 national and provincial evaluations on quality control of flu PCRs, aiming to establish an optimized experimental strategy for future flu PCR evaluations. Methods RT-PCR, single-channel real-time PCR, and dual-channel real-time PCR were used to identify and categorize blind samples tested in three evaluations on flu control for national influenza center and Henan CDC conducted in 2011 and 2012. Results In the 2011 provincial evaluation at Henan, single-channel real-time PCR was shown to correctly group all blind samples at once, while RT-PCR were unable to identify the HA subtype of two blind samples in the first run. In the 2011 and 2012 national evaluations, single-channel and dual-channel real-time PCRs successfully identified the subtypes of all samples, except one particular sample. No statistical differences were observed in sensitivity of detection between single-channel real-time PCR and dual-channel real-time PCR. Conclusion Real-time PCR, especially dual-channel real-time PCR, is significantly more advantageous than conventional RT-PCR, and should be extensively utilized in the detection of flu viruses in the future. However, due to quality inconsistency issues of commercially available kits, detection kits produced by two or more different manufacturers should be used in parallel, so to ensure the validity of the test results.
Perfusion imaging in the pediatric patient.

SUMMARY pMR imaging is a useful examination that can be performed easily, safely, and inexpensively in the evaluation of cerebrovascular disease in the pediatric patient. Postprocessed perfusion images offer valuable information for characterizing perfusion abnormalities. Parametric images of rCBV and rCBF seem to yield the highest diagnostic specificity, but the best format for representations of pMR imaging data is likely to be influenced by the experience of the neuroradiologist and will vary with the pathology of interest. Because of their high specificity for cerebrovascular disease but low sensitivity, pMR images should be interpreted only in conjunction with conventional anatomical MR imaging for evaluating cerebrovascular disease in children. The authors have found the accuracy in the interpretation of all pMR imaging formats to improve dramatically with experience. Further long-term studies using echo-planar perfusion imaging are necessary to evaluate its impact on the sensitivity and specificity of pMR images in the evaluation of cerebrovascular disease. Although pMR images offer improved specificity for diagnosing cerebrovascular disease in children, the impact on patient management also will require further evaluation.
Modeling communicative behaviors for object references in human-robot interaction

This paper presents a model that uses a robot's verbal and nonverbal behaviors to successfully communicate object references to a human partner. This model, which is informed by computer vision, human-robot interaction, and cognitive psychology, simulates how low-level and high-level features of the scene might draw a user's attention. It then selects the most appropriate robot behavior that maximizes the likelihood that a user will understand the correct object reference while minimizing the cost of the behavior. We present a general computational framework for this model, then describe a specific implementation in a human-robot collaboration. Finally, we analyze the model's performance in two human evaluations—one video-based (75 participants) and one in person (20 participants)—and demonstrate that the system predicts the correct behaviors to perform successful object references.
College Impact Theories Past and Present

This chapter critically examines the fit and applicability of foundational college impact theories to the community college context and students. Implications for the literature and campuses are explored.
Uncovering Challenges and Opportunities for 3D Printing Assistive Technology with Physical Therapists

Physical therapists have a history of modifying and making assistive technology (AT) to fit the unique needs of their patients. However, lack of materials, time, and access to training can restrict what they can create. While 3D printing has the opportunity to empower physical therapists to develop highly customized, economical, and timely assistive technology; little is known about the feasibility of using 3D printing in a clinical setting, and how to teach and engage physical therapists in physical prototyping. We collaborated with physical therapy professors and students at a medical university to integrate 3D printing and AT design into a graduate-level physical therapy class. Our investigation showed 3D printing is a viable tool for clinical production of AT. We found opportunities and barriers to 3D printing in the physical therapy field, and we present four considerations relevant to integrating 3D printing into clinical practice: 1) exploring augmentations versus novel AT designs, 2) improvements to novice 3D modeling software, 3) adjusting for prototype fidelity, and 4) selecting 3D printing materials. This paper contributes knowledge toward the understanding of practical applications of 3D printing in a clinical setting and teaching 3D modeling to non-engineers.
Participation and the Work of the Imagination: A Colombian Retrospective

What did participation mean at the dawn of participatory action research (PAR)? Based on archival research with Orlando Fals Borda’s papers, this chapter traces the particular meanings generated by Fals Borda and his associates in the 1970s in their first attempt at action research with peasants on the Caribbean Coast of Colombia, examining how they were appropriated and expanded upon by later researchers, including Luis Guillermo Vasco and Pilar Riano Alcala. In turn, these subsequent attempts at conceptualizing collaborative research help me to frame an interpretation of the documentation left by Fals Borda. In this sense, this chapter is not so much a case study, as an historical appreciation of PAR in its infancy.
H2O2-Sensitive Isoforms of Drosophila melanogaster TRPA1 Act in Bitter-Sensing Gustatory Neurons to Promote Avoidance of UV During Egg-Laying

The evolutionarily conserved TRPA1 channel can sense various stimuli including temperatures and chemical irritants. Recent results have suggested that specific isoforms of Drosophila TRPA1 (dTRPA1) are UV-sensitive and that their UV sensitivity is due to H2O2 sensitivity. However, whether such UV sensitivity served any physiological purposes in animal behavior was unclear. Here, we demonstrate that H2O2-sensitive dTRPA1 isoforms promote avoidance of UV when adult Drosophila females are selecting sites for egg-laying. First, we show that blind/visionless females are still capable of sensing and avoiding UV during egg-laying when intensity of UV is high yet within the range of natural sunlight. Second, we show that such vision-independent UV avoidance is mediated by a group of bitter-sensing neurons on the proboscis that express H2O2-sensitive dTRPA1 isoforms. We show that these bitter-sensing neurons exhibit dTRPA1-dependent UV sensitivity. Importantly, inhibiting activities of these bitter-sensing neurons, reducing their dTRPA1 expression, or reducing their H2O2-sensitivity all significantly reduced blind females' UV avoidance, whereas selectively restoring a H2O2-sensitive isoform of dTRPA1 in these neurons restored UV avoidance. Lastly, we show that specifically expressing the red-shifted channelrhodopsin CsChrimson in these bitter-sensing neurons promotes egg-laying avoidance of red light, an otherwise neutral cue for egg-laying females. Together, these results demonstrate a physiological role of the UV-sensitive dTRPA1 isoforms, reveal that adult Drosophila possess at least two sensory systems for detecting UV, and uncover an unexpected role of bitter-sensing taste neurons in UV sensing.
Give Me a Chance, Please! A Self-Reflection of Career Trajectory for an African Academic Administrator in American Institutions of Higher Education

In this presentation I relate my personal experiences as a young African scholar in America seeking academic leadership positions in the higher education system. I share my professional trajectory in American higher education with focus on the challenges, the missteps, how the challenges were dealt with, the adjustments, the missed and misused opportunities, and how I eventually found the right focus for a promising academic leadership professional career. I conclude providing an appreciation of the depth of challenges and opportunities that confront African academic administrator in America higher educational system and how to leverage these circumstances to enhance professional career development.
Successive annual influenza vaccination induces a recurrent oligoclonotypic memory response in circulating T follicular helper cells

T follicular helper (Tfh) CD4 cells are crucial providers of B cell help during adaptive immune responses. A circulating population of CD4 T cells, termed cTfh, have similarity to lymphoid Tfh, can provide B cell help, and responded to influenza vaccination. However, it is unclear whether human vaccination-induced cTfh respond in an antigen-specific manner and whether they form long-lasting memory. Here, we identified a cTfh population that expressed multiple T cell activation markers and could be readily identified by coexpression of ICOS and CD38. This subset expressed more Bcl-6, c-Maf, and IL-21 than other blood CD4 subsets. Influenza vaccination induced a strong response in the ICOS+CD38+ cTfh at day 7, and this population included hemagglutinin-specific cells by tetramer staining and antigen-stimulated Activation Induced Marker (AIM) expression. Moreover, TCRB sequencing identified a clonal response in ICOS+CD38+ cTfh that correlated strongly with the increased circulating ICOS+CD38+ cTfh frequency and the circulating plasmablast response. In subjects who received successive annual vaccinations, a recurrent oligoclonal response was identified in the ICOS+CD38+ cTfh subset at 7 days after every vaccination. These oligoclonal responses in ICOS+CD38+ cTfh after vaccination persisted in the ICOS-CD38- cTfh repertoire in subsequent years, suggesting clonal maintenance in a memory reservoir in the more-stable ICOS-CD38- cTfh subset. These data highlight the antigen-specificity, lineage relationships and memory properties of human cTfh responses to vaccination, providing new avenues for tracking and monitoring cTfh responses during infection and vaccination in humans.
Encapsulation of an EP67-Conjugated CTL Peptide Vaccine in Nanoscale Biodegradable Particles Increases the Efficacy of Respiratory Immunization and Affects the Magnitude and Memory Subsets of Vaccine-Generated Mucosal and Systemic CD8+ T Cells in a Diameter-Dependent Manner

The diameter of biodegradable particles used to coencapsulate immunostimulants and subunit vaccines affects the magnitude of memory CD8+ T cells generated by systemic immunization. Possible effects on the magnitude of CD8+ T cells generated by mucosal immunization or memory subsets that potentially correlate more strongly with protection against certain pathogens, however, are unknown. In this study, we conjugated our novel host-derived mucosal immunostimulant, EP67, to the protective MCMV CTL epitope, pp89, through a lysosomal protease-labile double arginine linker (pp89-RR-EP67) and encapsulated in PLGA 50:50 micro- or nanoparticles. We then compared total magnitude, effector/central memory (CD127/KRLG1/CD62L), and IFN-γ/TNF-α/IL-2 secreting subsets of pp89-specific CD8+ T cells as well as protection of naive female BALB/c mice against primary respiratory infection with MCMV 21 days after respiratory immunization. We found that decreasing the diameter of encapsulating particle from ∼5.4 μm to ∼350 nm (i...
A new sliding mode observer for systems with continuous-time models and discrete-time measurements

This work is to propose a new sliding mode observer (SMO) for systems described by continuous-time models but subject to discrete-time measurements. One of the important features of the SMOs is their robustness to disturbances and/or uncertainties in applications to control systems such that they are very important tools for robust system state estimation. For convenience of stability analysis, the measured output at a time instant is converted to a time-delayed output together with integral and derivative techniques such that the stability and of the new SMO could be handled using the Lyapunov method. Detailed design of the SMO is provided and the stability of the suggested SMO is also discussed. A battery cell with discrete-time measurements is employed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed SMO on system state estimation.
Assessing disease-modifying effects of norepinephrine in Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease

Building upon the knowledge that a number of important brain circuits undergo significant degeneration in Alzheimer's disease, numerous recent studies suggest that the norepinephrine-ergic system in the brainstem undergoes significant alterations early in the course of both Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. Massive projections from locus coeruleus neurons to almost the entire brain, extensive innervation of brain capillaries, and widespread distribution of noradrenergic receptors enable the norepinephrine-ergic system to play a crucial role in neural processes, including cognitive function. These anatomical and functional characteristics support the role of the norepinephrine-ergic system as an important target for developing new therapies for cognitive dysfunction. Careful neuropathological examinations using postmortem samples from individuals with Alzheimer's disease have implicated the role of the norepinephrine-ergic system in the etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, numerous studies have supported the existence of a strong interaction between norepinephrine-ergic and neuroimmune systems. We explore the interaction between the two systems that could play a role in the disease-modifying effects of norepinephrine in Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome.
The Pew and the Picket Line: Christianity and the American Working Class

Review of: "The Pew and the Picket Line: Christianity and the American Working Class," by Christopher D. Cantwell, Heath W. Carter, and Janine Giordano Drake.
School-based Assessment with African American Children and Adolescents

Data and information gathered from school-based assessments are frequently utilized to make critical decisions about curriculum, instruction, and school personnel. The outcomes of these assessments have the power to alter the educational trajectory of a student or determine the perceived value of a school. When approaching school-based assessment of African-American children and adolescents, specific considerations should be made to promote culturally responsive assessment, preferably from a population-based lens, that will provide authentic information regarding the student’s performance. This chapter discusses school-based assessment approaches for social–emotional and academic performance. Both population-based and curriculum-based assessment approaches are highlighted and implications of their use with African-American students are discussed. Additionally, considerations for approaching school-based assessments with African-American populations are provided.
The periovulatory and luteal phase of conception cycles following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

The pattern of periovulatory and luteal phase levels of serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) were compared between 8 conception and 28 nonconception cycles of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Ten additional women served as control subjects and did not undergo follicular aspiration. Follicle growth was induced with an individualized Pergonal (human menopausal gonadotropin) regimen, and laparoscopy was performed 36 hours after human chorionic gonadotropin administration. The length of the luteal phase did not differ significantly among the three groups and was between 14 and 15 days in duration. When IVF conception cycles were compared with nonconception cycles, although no difference in the number of large follicles was observed (4.25 +/- 0.45 versus 3.6 +/- 0.25), the patterns of E2 and P differed significantly. Daily serum E2 levels tended to be higher in the periovulatory phase in conception cycles when compared with nonconception cycles, and were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in the early, mid, and late luteal phases. Serum P levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in conception cycles from the midluteal phase onward. A decline in both serum E2 and P in the midluteal phase in conception cycles suggested some degree of corpus luteum deficiency. It is suggested that high E2 levels in the periovulatory phase may be an indicator of better follicular development under human menopausal gonadotropin stimulation and that the deficiency observed in the late luteal phase is overcome with the establishment of pregnancy.
SYNTHESIS AND PREFERENTIAL RELEASE OF NEWLY FORMED NOREPINEPHRINE DURING INCREASED SYMPATHETIC ACTIVITY

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the synthesis and preferential release of newly formed norepinephrine during increased sympathetic activity. Sympathetic nerve stimulation accelerates synthesis of norepinephrine in cat spleen and adrenal gland, mouse heart, and rat salivary gland. Newly formed [14C] norepinephrine appears to be released preferentially. It is found that when vasa deferentia were incubated with phenoxybenzamine, and [14C] tyrosine, stimulation resulted in release of [14C] norepinephrine into the incubation medium. The specific activity of the released catecholamine was three times as high as that found in the tissue. Following exocytosis, the norepinephrine vesicles are again reformed by pinching off from the nerve cell membrane. These postexocytotic vesicles have a normal amount of membrane bound dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity but their soluble contents are diminished, or absent. These emptied vesicles, however, can still take up dopamine from the cytoplasm and synthesize norepinephrine. This newly formed norepinephrine might be weakly bound. It is found that when depolarization occurs, this labile norepinephrine would be released first, as a result of weak binding and/or the proximity of postexocytotic vesicles to the nerve cell membrane.
Actin filament polarity at the site of rod outer segment disk morphogenesis.

The rod outer segment (ROS) is attached to the visual cell body by a connecting cilium. Axonemal components of this cilium extend into the ROS, an organelle which undergoes continuous renewal throughout life. New membranous disks are added at the ROS base, while older ones are shed from the tip. The formation of new disks is believed to result from plasma membrane evaginations at the distal end of the connecting cilium, but the mechanism responsible for disk morphogenesis is not yet understood. Within the ciliary axoneme, at the base of the ROS, an actin-rich domain has been localized with immunoelectron microscopy, and filamentous actin has been detected with fluorescent phallotoxin. However, actin filaments have not previously been observed in electron micrographs of this region. We now report that a meshwork of decorated actin filaments was observed within the center of the ciliary axoneme, at the base of the ROS, after visual cells were permeabilized with saponin and incubated with myosin subfragment-1 (S-l). Furthermore, individual filaments were seen to extend from the center of the axoneme into the base of the ROS disk stack by passing between pairs of ciliary microtubule doublets. Arrowheads on these filaments uniformly pointed toward the cilium, while the barbed (or fast-growing) ends were oriented in the direction of disk expansion and were often associated with the ROS plasma membrane. In control retinas, undecorated filaments were observed. Thus, S-l binding did not induce filament formation. These results suggest that an actin filament network may provide cytoskeletal support and guidance for the growing ROS disks. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 30:2461-2469,1989
Nanomechanics Modeling of Interface Interactions in Asphalt Concrete: Traction and Shearing Failure Study

The interface bonding strength is critical for asphalt concrete performance under external load applications. A thorough understanding of the load transfer mechanism bridging the nanoscale interfac...
Developing a Comprehension Instruction Observation Rubric for Special Education Teachers

In this study, we developed a Reading for Meaning special education teacher observation rubric that detailed the elements of evidence-based comprehension instruction and tested its psychometric pro...
Accuracy of 3-Dimensional Planning, Implant Templating, and Patient-Specific Instrumentation in Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Background Use of 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) preoperative planning and patient-specific instrumentation has been demonstrated to improve the accuracy of glenoid implant placement in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of glenoid implant placement in primary TSA among different types of instrumentation used with the 3D CT preoperative planning. Methods One hundred and seventy-three patients with end-stage glenohumeral arthritis were enrolled in 3 prospective studies evaluating patient-specific instrumentation and 3D preoperative planning. All patients underwent preoperative 3D CT planning to determine optimal glenoid component and guide pin position based on surgeon preference. Patients were placed into 1 of 5 instrument groups used for intraoperative guide pin placement: (1) standard instrumentation, (2) standard instrumentation combined with use of a 3D glenoid bone model containing the guide pin, (3) use of the 3D glenoid bone model combined with single-use patient-specific instrumentation, (4) use of the 3D glenoid bone model combined with reusable patient-specific instrumentation, and (5) use of reusable patient-specific instrumentation with an adjustable, reusable base. Postoperatively, all patients underwent 3D CT to compare actual versus planned glenoid component position. Deviation from the plan (in terms of orientation and location) was compared across groups on the basis of absolute differences and outlier analysis. Univariable and multivariable comparisons were performed. As the initial analyses showed no significant differences in preoperative factors or in deviation from the plan between Groups 1 and 2 or between Groups 4 and 5 across studies, the final analysis was across 3 major treatment groups: standard instrumentation (Groups 1 and 2), single-use patient-specific instrumentation (Group 3), and reusable patient-specific instrumentation (Groups 4 and 5). Results In nearly all comparisons, there were no significant differences in the deviation from the plan (absolute differences or outlier frequency) for glenoid implant orientation or location across the 3 major treatment groups. Conclusions This study did not demonstrate that any type of patient-specific instrumentation resulted in consistent differences in accuracy of glenoid implant placement in primary TSA with 3D CT preoperative planning. Surgeons have multiple patient-specific instrumentation options available for improving accuracy of glenoid implant placement when compared with 2D imaging without patient-specific instrumentation. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The Agency of the Principal–Agent Relationship: An Opportunity for HRD:

The ProblemAgency theory has been empirically studied in other fields of study such as economics, political science, sociology, and management. Although a proposal for inclusion of agency theory to...
Interference Rejection and Management

Abstract : We consider interference suppression in several wireless communication systems. The first topic treated is self-interference encountered among cooperating systems, for example, the self-interference that is encountered in cognitive radio systems and ultra-wideband (UWB) communication systems. Both single-carrier, direct sequence signals and multicarrier signals are considered, and the effects of the interference on the performance of a direct sequence UWB system that employs channel state estimation in the presence of the interference is evaluated. The second topic that is treated is the mitigation of narrowband interference in block-modulated multicarrier systems. Two schemes, multicarrier code-division multiple access (MC-CDMA) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), are investigated. The inherent frequency diversity of MC-CDMA through the use of spreading codes allows for robustness against interference. Conversely, OFDM must employ a signal processing technique to suppress the interference due to its lack of frequency diversity. The performance of OFDM is improved with the addition of forward error correction (FEC) coding in the frequency domain, thereby providing the system with frequency diversity. The third topic is the suppression of interference in multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication systems that employ multiple-transmit and multiple-receive antennas to increase the data rate and achieve signal diversity in fading multipath channels. Interference in MIMO wireless communication systems usually consists of intersymbol interference (ISI) due to channel multipath dispersion and cross-talk, or interchannel interference, due to the simultaneous transmissions from the multiple-transmit antennas. The focus of the section is on point-to-multipoint (broadcast) MIMO systems in which the channel characteristics are assumed to be known at the transmitter, so that interference mitigation can be performed at the transmitter.
Radiative transport model for coherent acousto-optic tomography

We consider the problem of reconstructing the optical properties of a highly-scattering medium from coherent acousto-optic measurements. A method to solve the problem is proposed that is based on an inverse problem with internal data for a system of radiative transport equations.
Molecular genetic approaches to dissect complex behaviors in zebrafish

Abstract The past two decades have witnessed an increasing popularity of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a vertebrate model organism for studying complex behaviors. Paradigms capable of high throughput and comprehensive characterization in parallel with advances of genetic and genomic approaches have shed lights on the underpinning genetic mechanisms by which a behavior repertoire is displayed in zebrafish. In this chapter, we will first describe several paradigms used to characterize zebrafish behaviors with high efficiency and translational relevance. Then we will discuss how these behavioral paradigms can be further exploited with cutting-edge genetic and genomic technologies in order to depict the biological circuits involved.
Discursive struggles for multicultural curriculum in South Korea

Abstract This paper examines how discourses on multicultural education are constructed in the recent curriculum reforms of South Korea. In response to the rapid demographic change in the last two decades, the South Korean government has revised its national curriculum to promote multicultural education. However, contrary to the benign intention, multicultural education often serves to perpetuate the dominant group’s perspectives. By employing critical discourse analysis, this study investigates implicit messages of multicultural education embedded in the recently revised national curricula of social studies. The findings of this study reveal that the revised curricula contain five competing discourses including pluralist, conservative, essentialist, neoliberal, and critical multiculturalism, each of which has conflicting values and approaches to multicultural education. This discursive conflict in the new curricula shows ambivalence and conceptual instability of multicultural education promoted by the Korean government. By demonstrating how multiple and conflicting discourses coexist in the national curriculum at the same time, this study complicates previous research focusing on unpacking a single predominant discourse in multicultural education.
A qualitative study of the perceived value of participation in a new Department of Surgery Research Residents as teachers program.

Abstract Objective This study aims to understand the perspectives of surgical residents who completed a Research Residents as Teachers Program (RRATP). Methods Our RRATP included a 6 h workshop followed by formal teaching opportunities across one academic year. Resident teachers participated in semi-structured interviews, which were inductively analyzed for prominent themes. Results Eight surgical research residents completed the RRATP workshop and taught 330 h (median = 26 h, range: 8–105). Interview participation rate was 100%; kappa was 0.81. Residents reported four themes: 1) increased knowledge of teaching principles with subsequent teaching changes, specific factors that contributed to their development as a teacher, numerous personal benefits to participation, and broad positive consequences for the surgical department including improved culture and patient care. Conclusion A RRATP can generate a significant number of formal teaching hours by surgical research residents, and perceive a high value of formal education training to themselves and their surgical residency program.
Separation and Purification of 2,5-Dimethylfuran: Process Design and Comparative Technoeconomic and Sustainability Evaluation of Simulated Moving Bed Adsorption and Conventional Distillation

The furanic chemical 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) is an attractive biobased fuel and feedstock. High-yield biphasic processes for DMF synthesis from sugars employ higher alcohols such as n-butanol (BuOH...
Prosody transfer failure despite cross-language similarities: Evidence in favor of a complex dynamic system approach in pronunciation teaching

Abstract This study investigates how English and Mandarin speakers (1) use pitch resets and pauses to signal discourse boundaries, and (2) use pitch, duration, and intensity to indicate contrastive stress in their L1s. This study also explores how Mandarin-speaking English learners use prosodic features in L1 Mandarin and L2 English. Linear mixed-effects models showed that Mandarin and English share similarities in the forms and functions of prosody. However, Mandarin-speaking English learners did not transfer prosody usage to L2 English despite these similarities. These findings suggest that L2 prosody learning is not a typological transfer between two static language systems. Rather, it involves the interaction between two complex and dynamic prosody systems, each with its own mapping between prosodic forms and functions. Prosody teaching, therefore, should take into account the dynamic nature of prosody and compare L1 and L2 prosody in forms, meanings, and functions.
Semicontinuity Properties of Solutions and Reachable Sets of Nominally Well-Posed Hybrid Dynamical Systems

Nominally well-posed hybrid inclusions are a class of hybrid dynamical systems characterized by outer/upper semicontinuous dependence of solutions on initial conditions. In the context of reachable sets of hybrid systems, this property guarantees outer/upper semicontinuous dependence with respect to both initial conditions and time. This article defines a counterpart to the notion of nominal well-posedness, referred to as nominal inner well-posedness, which ensures inner/lower semicontinuous dependence of solutions on initial conditions. Consequently, it is shown that reachable sets of nominally inner well-posed hybrid systems depend inner/lower semicontinuously on initial conditions and time under appropriate assumptions. Sufficient conditions guaranteeing nominal inner well-posedness are provided and demonstrated with an example.
Gender Differences in Smoking Behaviors are Narrowing but Health Impact is Wider in People Living with HIV

The widespread use of tobacco among people living with HIV (PLWH) has a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. However, gender differences in cigarette smoking and its consequences among PLWH have not been documented. For these analyses, we included 470 PLWH smokers (255 males and 215 females) actively followed in a randomized clinical trial. A comprehensive smoking and medical profile were obtained along with FEV 1 to assess if lung function and subsequent reduction differed by gender. Almost half of the participants were females (47%) and were slightly younger than their male counterparts (49±9 vs. 52±9 years, p=0.009). Smoking onset was similar (17±7 vs. 18±7 years of age, p=0.1), as well demonstrated preferences for mentholated cigarettes (women 89% vs. men 85%). Based on pulmonary function testing, females had a significantly lower percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1= 1.38) versus 1.9 in the male counterparts. Furthermore, women had a greater reduction in FEV1 over time. Among a clinical sample of PLWH smokers, we demonstrated significantly greater manifestations of lung damage in females compared to male smokers. Collectively, these findings further justify the need for more studies to closely monitor and tailor interventions for women.
The state‐level exemption changes in Chapter 7 protection and entrepreneurial activity in the United States

To predict the effect of bankruptcy laws on entrepreneurial activity, we exploit the 2005 and 2011 staggered state‐level increases in exemptions for the amount of personal wealth protected under Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the United States. We focus on three types of outcomes—firm establishments, entrepreneurship quality, and individual self‐employment. Using state‐, cross‐border‐county‐neighbor‐pair‐, and individual‐level data, the additional state‐level exemptions do not affect any of the three types of entrepreneurial activities, and in cases where the association is statistically significant, the effect sizes are negligible. Our results are inconsistent with theories that predict that asset protection in bankruptcy improves entrepreneurial activity.
The phenomenology and metaphysics of the open future

Intuitively, the future is open and the past fixed: there is something we can do about the future but not the past. Some metaphysicians believe that a proper metaphysics of time must vindicate this intuition. Whereas philosophers have focused on the future and the past, the status of the present remains relatively unexplored. Drawing on resources from action theory, I argue that there is something we can do about the present just like there is something we can do about the future. Hence, a proper metaphysics of the open future should allow for an open present as well. I argue that none of the major metaphysics of the open future currently available can accommodate an open present adequately. Finally, I’ll show that, surprisingly, the shrinking block metaphysics can.
Interpolants for Runge-Kutta-Nyström methods

Hermite interpolation polynomials are developed for use with low order Runge-Kutta-Nystrom methods in producing continuous approximate solutions to second order initial value problems. Polynomials of degrees five and four, which interpolate te solution and derivative components, respectively, are easily computable and require no extra stages. Interpolants of the next higher orders are obtained at the cost of two additional stages per integration step. The interpolation procedure is demonstrated using two recently developed Runge-Kutta-Nystrom methods. Numerical experimentation reveals some aspects of the performance of these interpolants.
Activation of virus-specific CD8+ T cells by lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-12 and IL-18.

Virus-specific T cells represent a hallmark of Ag-specific, adaptive immunity. However, some T cells also demonstrate innate functions, including non-Ag-specific IFN-γ production in response to microbial products such as LPS or exposure to IL-12 and/or IL-18. In these studies we examined LPS-induced cytokine responses of CD8+ T cells directly ex vivo. Following acute viral infection, 70–80% of virus-specific T cells will produce IFN-γ after exposure to LPS-induced cytokines, and neutralization experiments indicate that this is mediated almost entirely through production of IL-12 and IL-18. Different combinations of these cytokines revealed that IL-12 decreases the threshold of T cell activation by IL-18, presenting a new perspective on IL-12/IL-18 synergy. Moreover, memory T cells demonstrate high IL-18R expression and respond effectively to the combination of IL-12 and IL-18, but cannot respond to IL-18 alone, even at high cytokine concentrations. This demonstrates that the synergy between IL-12 and IL-18 in triggering IFN-γ production by memory T cells is not simply due to up-regulation of the surface receptor for IL-18, as shown previously with naive T cells. Together, these studies indicate how virus-specific T cells are able to bridge the gap between innate and adaptive immunity during unrelated microbial infections, while attempting to protect the host from cytokine-induced immunopathology and endotoxic shock.