cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemical transformations of Populus trichocarpa during dilute acid pretreatment

In this study, Populus trichocarpa was subjected to dilute acid pretreatment at varying pretreatment times. The three major components of lignocellulosic biomass, namely cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, were isolated from the starting and dilute acid pretreated poplar. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques were utilized to elucidate structural transformations of poplar during dilute acid pretreatment. The results demonstrated that the pretreatment dissolved hemicelluloses and disrupted structural features of lignin and polysaccharides. As revealed by NMR, the aryl-O-ether linkage (β-O-4) of lignin was extensively cleaved and lignin repolymerization occurred during pretreatment. The lignin was also observed to have a decrease in S/G ratio and methoxyl group content and these changes were accompanied with an increase in condensed lignin. The dilute acid pretreatment resulted in a reduction in molecular weight of cellulose and hemicellulose, while no prominent change of molecular weight was observed for lignin. The polydispersity index of cellulose appeared to increase initially within a short time of pretreatment (0.3–1 min) and start to decrease with longer pretreatment time during the bulk phase of chain scission (5.4–26.8 min). The DA pretreatment demonstrated no significant impact on the crystalline index (CrI) of cellulose particularly within the short time range of pretreatments examined in this study, with CrI remaining almost unchanged during the pretreatment time of 0.3–5.4 min and a slight increase observed as the pretreatment time extended to 8.5 and 26.8 min.
The Use of Hot-wire Anemometry In Transonic Periodic Flow

The unsteady wake profiles of an airfoil with an oscillating flap were measured in the NASA Ames 11 x 11-foot transonic wind tunnel. Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) and holography techniques were used in limited region where optical accessability is available. X-hot-film wire was used to measure the wake profiles in the complete region to obtain magnitude and direction of the flow. A thorough calibration was carried out to determine the sensitivity coefficients of the hot-wire in three different tunnels at transonic speeds. A calculation procedure is established to resolve the hot-wire signals at transonic speeds and applied in the measurements of steady and periodic wake profiles. The effect of flow incidence on the hot-wire signals is evaluated and incorporated in the analyses. Typical hot-wire results are compared with the results of LDV, holography and pitot-static tube embedded with Kulite transducers.
Change mechanisms associated with combined relaxation/EMG biofeedback training for chronic tension headache

Therapeutic mechanisms hypothesized to underlie improvements in tension headache activity achieved with combined relaxation and electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback therapy were examined. These therapeutic mechanisms included (1) changes in EMG activity in frontal and trapezii muscles, (2) changes in central pain modulation as indexed by the duration of the second exteroceptive silent period (ES2), and (3) changes in headache locus of control and self-efficacy. Forty-four young adults with chronic tension-type headaches were assigned either to six sessions of relaxation and EMG biofeedback training (N = 30) or to an assessment only control group (N = 14) that required three assessment sessions. Measures of self-efficacy and locus of control were collected at pre- and posttreatment, and ES2 was evaluated at the beginning and end of the first, third, and last session. EMG was monitored before, during, and following training trials. Relaxation/EMG biofeedback training effectively reduced headache activity: 51.7% of subjects who received relaxation/biofeedback therapy recorded at least a 50% reduction in headache activity following treatment, while controls failed to improve on any measure. Improvements in headache activity in treated subjects were correlated with increases in self-efficacy induced by biofeedback training but not with changes in EMG activity or in ES2 durations. These results provide additional support for the hypothesis that cognitive changes underlie the effectiveness of relaxation and biofeedback therapies, at least in young adult tension-type headache sufferers.
U.S. Trade Policy on Lamb Meat: Who Gets Fleeced?

The U.S. lamb meat industry received protection from import competition in 1999 with a tariff-rate quota. This paper analyzes proposed and adopted policies using a partial equilibrium model of lamb meat and lambs incorporating imperfect competition in the packing industry. Under a tariff policy packers can only exercise oligopsony power in the lamb market and both packers and lamb growers benefit from protection. If a quota or tariff-rate quota policy is used, packers can assert oligopoly power. Packers benefit from protection, but lamb growers may not. Under the tariff-rate quota adopted, lamb growers suffer a welfare loss. Copyright 2001, Oxford University Press.
Modeling Swarthmore spheromak reconnection experiment using hybrid code

A three-dimensional (3D) hybrid-particle model is developed for investigation of magnetic reconnection in the Swarthmore Spheromak Experiment (SSX). In this numerical model, ions are treated as fully kinetic particles, and electrons are treated as a massless fluid. The plasma responds to the electromagnetic fields in a self-consistent manner. The simulation is performed in a cylindrical domain. Initially, a pair of counter-helicity spheromaks are assumed, in which the magnetic field and plasma pressure are set up according to the MHD equilibrium. The ion particles are loaded with a Maxwellian distribution function. As the simulation proceeds, magnetic reconnection takes place at the current sheet between the pair of spheromak fields. Plasma is ejected away from the X line towards the central axis, where heating of the transmitted ion is found. Meanwhile, quadrupole out-of-plane magnetic field structure associated with the Hall effects is present around the reconnection site. The preliminary simulation shows consistency with the SSX experiment in several aspects.
An Aqueous Single Reactor Arc Discharge Process for the Synthesis of Graphene Nanospheres

Using an aqueous single reactor arc discharge process with oil-in-water emulsions allows production of 2D multilayered graphenes (MLGs and 3D graphene-based crumpled/sphere-like particles with low levels of defects). The confinement forces to create 3D particles from 2D MLGs are estimated to be 2.5 μN for crumpled particles and 70 μN for spherical hollow particles.
Panels of allergens for specific occupations

It is important to have available panels of materials for patch testing patients working in specific occupations. Although it is not essential in every case to test with each substance listed on a given panel, careful consideration of the patient's work environment should suggest the specific test items that will provide the highest diagnostic yield in cases of allergic contact dermatitis.
Treatment with a clinically-relevant dose of methylphenidate alters NMDA receptor composition and synaptic plasticity in the juvenile rat prefrontal cortex

Methylphenidate (Ritalin, MPH) is the most commonly prescribed psychoactive drug for children. Used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and for cognitive enhancement in healthy individuals, its cellular mechanisms of action and potential long-term effects are poorly understood. We recently reported that a clinically relevant (1 mg/kg i.p., single injection) dose of MPH significantly decreased neuronal excitability in the juvenile rat prefrontal cortical neurons. Here we further explore the actions of acute treatment with MPH on the level of NMDA receptor subunits and NMDA receptor-mediated short- and long-term synaptic plasticity in the juvenile rat prefrontal cortical neurons. We found that a single dose of MPH treatment (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) significantly decreased the surface and total protein levels of NMDA receptor subunits NR1 and NR2B, but not NR2A, in the juvenile prefrontal cortex. In addition, the amplitude, decay time and charge transfer of NMDA receptor-mediated EPSCs were significantly decreased whereas the amplitude and short-term depression of AMPA receptor-mediated EPSCs were significantly increased in the prefrontal neurons. Furthermore, MPH treatment also significantly increased the probability and magnitude of LTP induction, but had only a small effect on LTD induction in juvenile rat prefrontal cortical neurons. Our data thus present a novel mechanism of action of MPH, i.e., changes in glutamatergic receptor-mediated synaptic plasticity following early-life treatment. Furthermore, since a single dosage resulted in significant changes in NMDA receptors, off-label usage by healthy individuals, especially children and adolescents, may result in altered potential for plastic learning.
A traveling-wave high electron mobility transistor

A traveling-wave high electron mobility transistor (THEMT) is proposed. The device is unique in that it includes an integral distributed load resistor and uses a HEMT as the active device. A rigorous analysis of the device is carried out, using a small-signal equivalent circuit model for an incremental section of the device. Losses and reflected waves are not neglected, as has been done in other work. Treating the device as a four-port network, closed-form expressions for S-parameters are derived. Theoretical calculations, using equivalent circuit parameter values for a HEMT reported in the literature, show that the proposed device is capable of exponential increase in gain with device width. Power gain of more than 10 dB at 50 GHz and remarkably flat response in the frequency range 10-100 GHz are shown to be achievable for a 1-mm-wide device. >
The importance of the portal of entry in certain microbial infections. The primary cutaneous "chancriform" syndrome.

The inoculation for the first time of many species of microbes capable of causing systemic infections through the skin of persons capable of developing locally a significant degree of specific immunologic resistance results in what is appropriately termed the primary cutaneous complex or syndrome. The resemblance to primary syphilis is so striking that the word "chancriform" has also been used. Clinically the initial papule soon becomes a relatively painless ulcer, lymphangitis develops, often with ulcerative nodules distributed along the vessels, and lymphadenopathy where this drainage reaches. There is a strong tendency toward eventual spontaneous healing of this entity, although systemic spread may take place. Sporotrichosis in its common form was established as chancriform in 1898, tuberculosis in 1926, and coccidioidomycosis in 1953. Since then, this concept has been extended by similar cases in North American blastomycosis, histoplasmosis and infections with Nocardia asteroides and N. brasiliensis . In some of the remaining deep fungous infections it may occur under special circumstances; in others, it may never occur. This stage is rare in most of these diseases, principally because the organisms do not exist in nature in a form appropriate to cause infective puncture wounds. This rarity should alert the clinician to realize that in contrast most cutaneous lesions in these disorders result from dissemination from a visceral focus and are therefore not sufficiently localized to be treated by local therapy alone.
Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage and Pulmonary Capillaritis Due to Propylthiouracil

Propylthiouracil (PTU) has recently been observed to be associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive small vessel vasculitis, resulting in crescentic glomerulonephritis and, infrequently, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH). We describe a case of a 23-year-old pregnant woman who developed a perinuclear ANCA and antimyeloperoxidase-positive small vessel vasculitis manifesting as DAH and crescentic glomerulonephritis after she began taking PTU. An open lung biopsy was consistent with pulmonary capillaritis. She responded to corticosteroid therapy and discontinuation of PTU. DAH can be caused by pulmonary capillaritis, bland hemorrhage, or diffuse alveolar damage. To our knowledge, this represents the first documentation of an underlying pulmonary capillaritis in a case of PTU-induced DAH.
Proteasome Inhibitors and the Wnt Signaling Pathway in Myeloma Bone Disease

One of the major clinical features of multiple myeloma is the development of a unique osteolytic bone disease, characterized by progressive and devastating bone destruction, bone pain, pathological fractures and hypercalcemia. As our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of myeloma bone disease increases, new approaches have been identified for the treatment of this devastating bone disease. These include the ubiquitin–proteasome system and the Wnt signaling pathway, both of which represent novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of myeloma bone disease.
Cardiovascular Risk-Factor Reduction in Elderly Patients With Cardiac Disease

As a result of increased numbers of elderly persons in the United States, many of whom have coronary heart disease, the mean age of patients in coronary care programs following a myocardial infarction is now greater than age 65 years. One third of cardiac operations on adults are performed on elderly patients. Despite the fact that in the United States utilization of interventions such as coronary artery bypass grafting and angioplasty is on the rise in elderly patients, there appears to be some reluctance to manage risk factors in this group. The four major modifiable risk factors for the development and progression of coronary artery disease are hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, habitual smoking, and physical inactivity. The effectiveness of risk-factor modification for the secondary prevention of events of cardiac morbidity and mortality has been described for younger persons; however, less is known for elderly persons. The purpose of this review is to focus on these four major risk factors in elderly patients with cardiac disease by describing the effectiveness of modification of these factors, methods for doing so, and considerations for the future of such interventions.
“I don't know enough to feel comfortable using them:” Women's knowledge of and perceived barriers to long-acting reversible contraceptives on a college campus

Abstract Objective To assess multiple dimensions of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) knowledge and perceived multi-level barriers to LARC use among a sample of college women. Study Design We conducted an Internet-based study of 1982 female undergraduates at a large mid-western university. Our 55-item survey used a multi-level framework to measure young women's understanding of, experiences with intrauterine devices (IUD) and implants and their perceived barriers to LARC at individual, health systems and community levels. The survey included a 20-item knowledge scale. We estimated and compared LARC knowledge scores and barriers using descriptive, bivariate and linear regression statistics. Results Few college women had used (5%) or heard of (22%) LARC, and most self-reported “little” or “no” knowledge of IUDs (79%) and implants (88%). Women answered 50% of LARC knowledge items correctly (mean 10.4, range 0–20), and scores differed across sociodemographic groups (p values Conclusion Lack of knowledge (both perceived and actual) was the most common barrier among many perceived individual-, systems- and community-level factors precluding these college women's LARC use. Findings can inform innovative, multi-level interventions to improve understanding, acceptability and uptake of LARC on campuses. Implications Lack of knowledge of IUDs and implants served as a primary barrier to highly effective contraceptive use among these college women. Comprehensive, patient-centered and multi-level educational public health strategies are needed to promote positive campus climates around LARC and improve family planning outcomes among this substantial reproductive-aged population.
An asymptotic-preserving scheme for linear kinetic equation with fractional diffusion limit

We present a new asymptotic-preserving scheme for the linear Boltzmann equation which, under appropriate scaling, leads to a fractional diffusion limit. Our scheme rests on novel micro-macro decomposition to the distribution function, which splits the original kinetic equation following a reshuffled Hilbert expansion. As opposed to classical diffusion limit, a major difficulty comes from the fat tail in the equilibrium which makes the truncation in velocity space depending on the small parameter. Our idea is, while solving the macro-micro part in a truncated velocity domain (truncation only depends on numerical accuracy), to incorporate an integrated tail over the velocity space that is beyond the truncation, and its major component can be precomputed once with any accuracy. Such an addition is essential to drive the solution to the correct asymptotic limit. Numerical experiments validate its efficiency in both kinetic and fractional diffusive regimes.
Experimental Analysis of Colloid Capture by a Cylindrical Collector in Laminar Overland Flow

Although colloid-facilitated contaminant transport in water flow is a well-known contamination process, little research has been conducted to investigate the transport of colloidal particles through emergent vegetation in overland flow. In this work, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted to measure the single-collector contact efficiency (η(0)) of colloid capture by a simulated plant stem in laminar lateral flow. Fluorescent microspheres of various sizes were used as experimental colloids. The colloid suspensions were applied to a glass cylinder installed in a small size flow chamber at different flow rates. Two cylinder sizes were tested in the experiment and silicone grease was applied to the cylinder surface to make it favorable for colloid deposition. Our results showed that increases in flow rate and collector size reduced the value of η(0) and a minimum value of η(0) might exist for a colloid size. The experimental data were compared to theoretical predictions of different single-collector contact efficiency models. The results indicated that existing single-collector contact efficiency models underestimated the η(0) of colloid capture by the cylinders in laminar overland flow. A regression equation of η(0) as a function of collector Reynolds number (Re(c)) and Peclet number (N(Pe)) was developed and fit the experimental data very well (R(2) > 0.98). This regression equation can be used to help construct and refine mathematical models of colloid transport and filtration in laminar overland flow on vegetated surfaces.
Liquid-Solid Disk Extraction Followed by SFE and GC-Ion-Trap MS for the Determination of Trace Organic Pollutants in Water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Industrial Toxic 33-50 Program, which is part of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, outlines a plan to reduce the use of some commonly used liquid solvents. One of the most widely used solvents for extraction of organic contaminants in water and wastewater is methylene chloride, which is targeted for reduction. An alternative sample preparation technique utilizing liquicl-solid disk extraction followed by supercritical fluid elution (SFE) is developed to replace the methylene chloride liquid-liquid extraction technique. Water samples containing 43 semivolatile organic analytes are first passed through 47-mm diameter Empore C 18 disks (J.T. Baker; Phillipsburg, NJ or Varian; San Fernando, CA)
An Analysis on Cost-Benefit and Decision Making Mechanism of Quality Improvement in Agro-food Producing Enterprises

Making use of economic theory,this paper analyzed the cost-benefit of quality improvement in agro-food producing enterprises with aim to finding out the relationship between the cost and benefit.At the same time,by comparing the anticipation on benefit about quality improvement and the cost of whether to obey the quality regulation or not,this paper classified the decision-making of the enterprises into three categories,namely non-quality improvement,passive quality improvement and active quality improvement.Government should adopt different policies according to the different behaviors and decisions of agro-food producing enterprises.For those decisions of non-quality improvement or passive quality improvement,government should adopt a rigorous policy with increasing of the cost of disobeying the quality regulation as punishment.But for those decisions of active quality improvement,government shall take an encouraging policy.
Epidemiological characteristic investigation of viral hepatitis in Shangrao area from 2008 to 2012

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristic of viral hepatitis in Shangrao area from 2008 to2012 and to discuss the measure of prevention and control. Methods Relevant materials of reported cases of viral hepatitis in Shangrao area from 2008 to 2012 were collected and descriptive epidemiology method was applied to analyze the epidemiological characteristic. Results 22 155 cases of viral hepatitis were reported in Shangrao area from 2008 to2012.Among them,22 132 cases(99.90%)belonged to permanent residents and 23 cases(0.10%)belonged to floating people.The most cases were reported in 2012 and the least cases were reported in 2010.The male and female ratio among the reported case was 2.92∶1.The majority of reported cases were between 40-50 years old and 50-65 years old.The first five occupations among the reported cases were farmers(12 459 cases,56.24%),houseworkers and the unemployed(2081 cases,9.39%),students(1992 cases,8.99%),others(1042 cases,4.70%)and workers(1029 cases,4.64%)respectively.The first three viral types were hepatitis B(18 713 cases,84.46%),undifferentiated type(1338 cases,6.04%)and hepatitis A(1209 cases,5.46%)respectively. Conclusion Investigation of epidemiological characteristic of local viral hepatitis should be strengthened,incidence rate of disease should be mastered and targeted health education should therefore be carried out.The focus is to strengthen the prevention and control of hepatitis B and nosocomial infection,and reinforce the protection of susceptible population,which are of great significance of improving the effects of prevention and control of the disease.
How Does Wealth Impact Political Behavior? Evidence from a Government-sponsored Intervention

This study uses the introduction of E-ZPass in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in order to identify the effect of changing property values on support for US political parties. We show that E-ZPass caused a decline in support for Democratic Presidential candidates. We argue that this effect is not spurious, but rather due to the fact that precincts near E-ZPass toll locations experienced a downward shock to transportation cost and a corresponding rise in average home price. We rule out other explanations dealing with turnout, community change, or rising incomes, and replicate the design in Ohio. By conducting a sensitivity analysis, placebo test, and using multiple dependent variables, we demonstrate robustness.
Generation of Human Cell Lines Using Lentiviral-Mediated Genetic Engineering

Even now, most human cell lines used in research are derived from tumor cells. They are still widely used because they grow well in vitro and so far have helped answering several basic biological questions. However, as modern biology moves into more sophisticated areas, scientists now need human cell lines closer to normal primary cells and further from transformed cancerous cells. The recent identification of cellular genes involved in cell cycling and senescence, together with the development of molecular tools capable of cleanly integrating transgenes into the genome of target cells, have moved the frontier of genetic engineering. In this chapter, we present a detailed hands-on protocol, based on lentivirus-derived vectors and a combination of two native cellular genes that has proven very efficient in generating immortal cell lines from several human primary cells, while preserving most of their original properties.
Effect of topical fluoride and fluoride varnish on in vitro root surface lesions.

Purpose To evaluate the effect of a fluoride varnish on demineralization and remineralization of root surfaces in vitro. Methods 80 caries-free teeth were selected from a large pool of extracted anterior and premolar teeth from elderly patients. Acid resistant nail varnish was painted on all surfaces except for a window (l x 4 mm) on the buccal or lingual root surfaces. Teeth were randomly divided into four treatment groups: Control washed with deionized/distilled water; Daily gel: treated with Karigel-N (5,000 ppm) for 4 minutes daily; Weekly gel: treated with Karigel-N for 4 minutes weekly; and Weekly varnish: treated with Duraflor (22,600 ppm) weekly (the varnish was removed 24 hours after each application). Teeth were then placed in a cycle of demineralization (6 hours at pH 4.3) and remineralization (17 hours at pH 7.0) for 21 days. Half the specimens of each group were brushed with no dentifrice for 10 seconds twice daily. Specimens were evaluated under polarized light microscopy and contact microradiography. The depth of each lesion and width of the remineralization bands were measured. An ANOVA model was used to assess the effect of different treatments. Results The control group had the deepest lesions and the daily gel group had the shallowest lesions. The weekly varnish group was found to have significantly shallower lesions than the weekly gel group. The varnish brushing subgroup had significantly deeper lesions than varnish non-brushing subgroup (P = 0.01). Remineralization bands were detectable in most lesions. There was no significant difference in band width between different groups (F = 0.634, P = 0.594). However, a significant difference was found when remineralization bands were calculated as percentage of lesion depth between different groups (F = 4.24, P = 0.001). The varnish non-brushing subgroup had significantly higher percentage than the control group, but daily gel non-brushing had the highest percentage. Brushing was a significant factor in the varnish group. Lesions were significantly shallower in the non-brushing varnish subgroup.
The permeability of the hamster placenta to radioactive cadmium

Studies on the permeability of the mammalian placenta to teratogenic agents during the early critical stages of embryogenesis have been relatively few. Most of these studies have been done in the pregnant rabbit, in which the unusually large size of the blastocyst makes it possible to obtain samples of blastocyst fluid for analysis. Thus, investigations have been done on the permeability of the rabbit blastocyst wall to trypan blue and other teratogenic azo dyes (Ferm, 1956), changes in blastocyst sugar content following maternal administration of insulin (Curry & Ferm, 1962; Lutwak-Mann, 1962) and the effect of thalidomide and other agents on the implanting rabbit blastocyst (Lutwak-Mann & Hay, 1962; Hay, 1964; Fabro, Smith & Williams, 1965; Keberle et al. 1965; Fabro, Hague & Smith, 1967). However, the much smaller size of the rat, mouse and hamster blastocysts makes comparable studies in these species extremely difficult and most attempts to investigate the placental permeability to teratogens in these animals in the early critical stages of embryogenesis have been directed toward histological, histochemical and radioautographic techniques.
Spectrum and Degree of CDK Drug Interactions Predicts Clinical Performance

Therapeutically targeting aberrant intracellular kinase signaling is attractive from a biological perspective but drug development is often hindered by toxicities and inadequate efficacy. Predicting drug behaviors using cellular and animal models is confounded by redundant kinase activities, a lack of unique substrates, and cell-specific signaling networks. Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) drugs exemplify this phenomenon because they are reported to target common processes yet have distinct clinical activities. Tumor cell studies of ATP-competitive CDK drugs (dinaciclib, AG-024322, abemaciclib, palbociclib, ribociclib) indicate similar pharmacology while analyses in untransformed cells illuminates significant differences. To resolve this apparent disconnect, drug behaviors are described at the molecular level. Nonkinase binding studies and kinome interaction analysis (recombinant and endogenous kinases) reveal that proteins outside of the CDK family appear to have little role in dinaciclib/palbociclib/ribociclib pharmacology, may contribute for abemaciclib, and confounds AG-024322 analysis. CDK2 and CDK6 cocrystal structures with the drugs identify the molecular interactions responsible for potency and kinase selectivity. Efficient drug binding to the unique hinge architecture of CDKs enables selectivity toward most of the human kinome. Selectivity between CDK family members is achieved through interactions with nonconserved elements of the ATP-binding pocket. Integrating clinical drug exposures into the analysis predicts that both palbociclib and ribociclib are CDK4/6 inhibitors, abemaciclib inhibits CDK4/6/9, and dinaciclib is a broad-spectrum CDK inhibitor (CDK2/3/4/6/9). Understanding the molecular components of potency and selectivity also facilitates rational design of future generations of kinase-directed drugs. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(10); 2273-81. ©2016 AACR.
HIV and colonization with Staphylococcus aureus in two maximum-security prisons in New York State.

Summary Objective To evaluate the association between HIV and Staphylococcus aureus colonization after confounding by incarceration is removed. Method A cross sectional stratified study of all HIV infected and a random sample of HIV-uninfected inmates from two maximum-security prisons in New York State. Structured interviews were conducted. Anterior nares and oropharyngeal samples were cultured and S. aureus isolates were characterized. Log-binomial regression was used to assess the association between HIV and S. aureus colonization of the anterior nares and/or oropharynx and exclusive oropharynx colonization. Differences in S. aureus strain diversity between HIV-infected and uninfected individuals were assessed using Simpson's Index of Diversity. Results Among 117 HIV infected and 351 HIV uninfected individuals assessed, 47% were colonized with S. aureus and 6% were colonized with methicillin resistant S. aureus . The prevalence of S. aureus colonization did not differ by HIV status (PR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.76–1.24). HIV infected inmates were less likely to be exclusively colonized in the oropharynx (PR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.30–0.99). Spa types t571 and t064 were both more prevalent among HIV infected individuals, however, strain diversity was similar in HIV infected and uninfected inmates. Conclusions HIV infection was not associated with S. aureus colonization in these maximum-security prison populations, but was associated with decreased likelihood of oropharyngeal colonization. Factors that influence colonization site require further evaluation.
Managing a New Breed of Academic Library Worker: The Student Computer Assistant

ABSTRACT Academic libraries can make the most of the skills of student assistants to meet the increasing technology demands of patrons at relatively low cost by developing a student computer assistant program. Student computer assistants require more advanced skills than general library student workers, including above-average computer and communication skills, a strong service ethic, and an adaptable personality. This paper presents methods to recruit, interview, and train student assistants who will work effectively in library computer labs. Exercises to assess the skills of prospective student computer assistants are included.
Heuristic dynamic programming for mobile robot path planning based on Dyna approach

This paper presents a direct heuristic dynamic programming (HDP) based on Dyna planning (Dyna_HDP) for online model learning in a Markov decision process. This novel technique is composed of HDP policy learning to construct the Dyna agent for speeding up the learning time. We evaluate Dyna_HDP on a differential-drive wheeled mobile robot navigation problem in a 2D maze. The simulation is introduced to compare Dyna_HDP with other traditional reinforcement learning algorithms, namely one step Q-learning, Sarsa (λ), and Dyna_Q, under the same benchmark conditions. We demonstrate that Dyna_HDP has a faster near-optimal path than other algorithms, with high stability. In addition, we also confirm that the Dyna_HDP method can be applied in a multi-robot path planning problem. The virtual common environment model is learned from sharing the robots' experiences which significantly reduces the learning time.
Pediatric Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is an important complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children, and is second only to disease relapse as a cause of death in this population. This chapter reviews the pathophysiology, incidence, clinical features, classification, and treatment of acute and chronic variants of this condition. Unique aspects of acute and chronic GVHD in the pediatric population are highlighted. Lastly, knowledge gaps and potential directions for further research are addressed.
Robust Perfect Revenue From Perfectly Informed Players

Maximizing revenue in the presence of perfectly informed players is a well known goal in mechanism design. Yet, all current mechanisms for this goal are vulnerable to equilibrium selection, collusion, privacy and complexity problems, and therefore far from guaranteeing that maximum revenue will be obtained. In this paper we both clarify and rectify this situation by • Proving that no weakly dominant-strategy mechanism (traditionally considered immune to equilibrium selection) guarantees an arbitrarily small fraction of the maximum possible revenue; and, more importantly, • Constructing a new mechanism, of extensive-form and with a unique sub-game-perfect equilibrium, which (a) guarantees a fraction arbitrarily close to 1 of the maximum possible revenue; (b) is provably robust against equilibrium selection, collusion, complexity, and privacy problems; and (c) works for any number of players n> 1, and without relying on special conditions for the players utilities.
Environmental and Social Change Drive the Explosive Emergence of Zika Virus in the Americas.

Since Zika virus (ZIKV) was detected in Brazil in 2015, it has spread explosively across the Americas and has been linked to increased incidence of microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). In one year, it has infected over 500,000 people (suspected and confirmed cases) in 40 countries and territories in the Americas. Along with recent epidemics of dengue (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which are also transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes, the emergence of ZIKV suggests an ongoing intensification of environmental and social factors that have given rise to a new regime of arbovirus transmission. Here, we review hypotheses and preliminary evidence for the environmental and social changes that have fueled the ZIKV epidemic. Potential drivers include climate variation, land use change, poverty, and human movement. Beyond the direct impact of microcephaly and GBS, the ZIKV epidemic will likely have social ramifications for women’s health and economic consequences for tourism and beyond.
High SDO Individuals Display Moral Concern for Harm to High Status (but not Low Status) Targets

We explore the relationship between social dominance orientation (SDO) and moral judgments of policies that harm high-status or low- status social groups (e.g., cutting benefits for executives vs. ...
Development of a process improvement matrix to measure community level sustainability and resilience: A collaborative case study of Rochester, NY, USA

In order to reach systemic sustainability, efforts and activities will need coordination beyond a single entity and across a community. Common ground and common opportunity exists between community sustainability development and community resilience. The Rochester Sustainability Collaborative organized their collective efforts and applied a qualitative and quantitative indicator framework to assess the current state of participants' sustainability programs. A workshop format supported a discussion of gaps in community level capability, resulting in recommendations for improving participants' sustainability programs and collaborative opportunities for development. From this case study, we illustrate the current state of resilience by examining the overlapping indicators and opportunities for community sustainability and resilience.
Universal scaling relations in scale-free structure formation

A large number of astronomical phenomena exhibit remarkably similar scaling relations. The most well-known of these is the mass distribution dN/dM ∝ M^(−2) which (to first order) describes stars, protostellar cores, clumps, giant molecular clouds, star clusters, and even dark matter haloes. In this paper we propose that this ubiquity is not a coincidence and that it is the generic result of scale-free structure formation where the different scales are uncorrelated. We show that all such systems produce a mass function proportional to M^(−2) and a column density distribution with a power-law tail of dA/dln Σ ∝ Σ^(−1). In the case where structure formation is controlled by gravity the two-point correlation becomes ξ2D ∝ R^(−1). Furthermore, structures formed by such processes (e.g. young star clusters, DM haloes) tend to a ρ ∝ R^(−3) density profile. We compare these predictions with observations, analytical fragmentation cascade models, semi-analytical models of gravito-turbulent fragmentation, and detailed ‘full physics’ hydrodynamical simulations. We find that these power laws are good first-order descriptions in all cases.
Biblical Gardens and the Sensuality of Religious Pedagogy

AbstractThis article explores how the phenomenon of biblical gardens joins three bodies of scholarship: the social life of scriptures, the study of religion’s media turn, and religious pedagogy. As a kind of religious attraction, the biblical garden is both devotional and pedagogical, with historic roots in nineteenth-century projects to connect botanical science with biblical literacy. I argue that the pedagogy of biblical gardens is anchored by an ideology of sensual indexicality and a strategy of metonymic immersion, which is differentiated from themed immersion. Analyses are drawn from observational and textual data, as well as comparative data from other forms of Holy Land replication, primarily in the USA. Ultimately, I argue that biblical gardens resist a modern ideology that elevates visual experience atop a sensory hierarchy.
Emotional Stress in the Symbiotic Relationship

Knowledge of maternal response to infant demands alerts the caseworker to the double psychological role required in serving immature clients of all ages
Convergence in reduced body size, head size, and blood glucose in three island reptiles.

Many oceanic islands harbor diverse species that differ markedly from their mainland relatives with respect to morphology, behavior, and physiology. A particularly common morphological change exhibited by a wide range of species on islands worldwide involves either a reduction in body size, termed island dwarfism, or an increase in body size, termed island gigantism. While numerous instances of dwarfism and gigantism have been well documented, documentation of other morphological changes on islands remains limited. Furthermore, we lack a basic understanding of the physiological mechanisms that underlie these changes, and whether they are convergent. A major hypothesis for the repeated evolution of dwarfism posits selection for smaller, more efficient body sizes in the context of low resource availability. Under this hypothesis, we would expect the physiological mechanisms known to be downregulated in model organisms exhibiting small body sizes due to dietary restriction or artificial selection would also be downregulated in wild species exhibiting dwarfism on islands. We measured body size, relative head size, and circulating blood glucose in three species of reptiles-two snakes and one lizard-in the California Channel Islands relative to mainland populations. Collating data from 6 years of study, we found that relative to mainland population the island populations had smaller body size (i.e., island dwarfism), smaller head sizes relative to body size, and lower levels of blood glucose, although with some variation by sex and year. These findings suggest that the island populations of these three species have independently evolved convergent physiological changes (lower glucose set point) corresponding to convergent changes in morphology that are consistent with a scenario of reduced resource availability and/or changes in prey size on the islands. This provides a powerful system to further investigate ecological, physiological, and genetic variables to elucidate the mechanisms underlying convergent changes in life history on islands.
Peptide-Like Nylon-3 Polymers with Activity against Phylogenetically Diverse, Intrinsically Drug-Resistant Pathogenic Fungi

ABSTRACT Understanding the dimensions of fungal diversity has major implications for the control of diseases in humans, plants, and animals and in the overall health of ecosystems on the planet. One ancient evolutionary strategy organisms use to manage interactions with microbes, including fungi, is to produce host defense peptides (HDPs). HDPs and their synthetic analogs have been subjects of interest as potential therapeutic agents. Due to increases in fungal disease worldwide, there is great interest in developing novel antifungal agents. Here we describe activity of polymeric HDP analogs against fungi from 18 pathogenic genera composed of 41 species and 72 isolates. The synthetic polymers are members of the nylon-3 family (poly-β-amino acid materials). Three different nylon-3 polymers show high efficacy against surprisingly diverse fungi. Across the phylogenetic spectrum (with the exception of Aspergillus species), yeasts, dermatophytes, dimorphic fungi, and molds were all sensitive to the effects of these polymers. Even fungi intrinsically resistant to current antifungal drugs, such as the causative agents of mucormycosis ( Rhizopus spp.) and those with acquired resistance to azole drugs, showed nylon-3 polymer sensitivity. In addition, the emerging pathogens Pseudogymnoascus destructans (cause of white nose syndrome in bats) and Candida auris (cause of nosocomial infections of humans) were also sensitive. The three nylon-3 polymers exhibited relatively low toxicity toward mammalian cells. These findings raise the possibility that nylon-3 polymers could be useful against fungi for which there are only limited and/or no antifungal agents available at present. IMPORTANCE Fungi reside in all ecosystems on earth and impart both positive and negative effects on human, plant, and animal health. Fungal disease is on the rise worldwide, and there is a critical need for more effective and less toxic antifungal agents. Nylon-3 polymers are short, sequence random, poly-β-amino acid materials that can be designed to manifest antimicrobial properties. Here, we describe three nylon-3 polymers with potent activity against the most phylogenetically diverse set of fungi evaluated thus far in a single study. In contrast to traditional peptides, nylon-3 polymers are highly stable to proteolytic degradation and can be produced efficiently in large quantities at low cost. The ability to modify nylon-3 polymer composition easily creates an opportunity to tailor efficacy and toxicity, which makes these materials attractive as potential broad-spectrum antifungal therapeutics.
Amniotic membrane extract and eye drops: a review of literature and clinical application

The amniotic membrane (AM) has a long history of use in the treatment of various diseases of the ocular surface. It contains pluripotent cells, highly organized collagen, anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory cytokines, immune-modulators, growth factors, and matrix proteins. It is used to promote corneal healing in severely damaged eyes. Recently, AM extract and AM extract eye drops have been successfully used in clinical applications, including dry eye and chemical burns. We provide an overview on the recent progress in the preparation, mechanisms of action, and use of AM extract/AM extract eye drops for corneal and external eye diseases.
A case study of knowledge representation in UC

The knowledge representation used in UC provides a flexible framework suitable for a large variety of natural language processing tasks including parsing, inference, planning, goal analysis, and generation. Although many of the knowledge structures are specific to the UNIX Consultant domain, a common design goal is the use of associative processing. By providing direct links between related knowledge structures, inference and other processing can be done very efficiently. Access to representations in UC is by hash indexing which simulates a real associative memory.
RESPONSE EFFECTS TO BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE QUESTIONS

Publisher Summary This chapter explains the response effects to both behavior and attitude questions. For behavioral and attitudinal questions, response effects may be much larger than those caused by sampling variance or even sample biases. These effects cannot be ignored if one wishes for high-quality survey data. One should attempt to measure these effects through split-sample procedures and to adjust results accordingly. Even better is to find questions that produce accurate results, but this is often not possible. In this review, the majority of the discussion is on behavioral rather than attitude questions. In discussing behavior questions, it is useful to distinguish between threatening and non-threatening questions. For non-threatening questions, the issues of self-presentation become most important. For attitude questions, not only is specific wording vital but also the context in which the question appears may have an important effect.
Text Analysis of Communication Faculty Publications to Identify Research Trends and Interest

Text analysis has been widely used to identify research trends in many disciplines. However, little has been written about using this method to discover a department’s research trends and faculty r...
Scintillation of Gaussian-, multi-Gaussian-, and nonuniformly-correlated beams

We compute the on-axis mean intensities and scintillation indices for Gaussian-, multi-Gaussian-, and nonuniformly-correlated sources. After controlling for correlation width and under the simulated conditions, we find no significant scintillation improvement over the Gaussian-correlated source.
Past is Not Prologue - Immune Function Assay Results as a Predictor of Malignancy Post-Heart Transplant (HT)

Purpose Malignancy remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality after HT with limited predictors of outcome. Given that development of malignancy (CA) is linked to degree of immunosuppression, we sought to evaluate the incidence of malignancy and its potential correlation with immune function assay (IFA) results pre and post-CA diagnosis in HT. Methods 2100 adult and pediatric OHTs performed at our institution March 1991 and April 2018 were analyzed. Pre-HT CA was correlated with post-HT recurrence or development of new CA. IFA results were assessed at the time of CA diagnosis and 3m/6m/12m prior. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed. Results A total of 55 OHT (2.6%) had either pre- (12) or post-OHT (48) malignancy (CA). The majority of patients were male (83.6%, p0.06), Caucasian (72.7%, p=0.0006), and had smoking hx (49.1%, p=0.004). 33% had a family hx of CA. Treated rejection was associated with increased risk of post-Tx CA (p Conclusion Low immune function assay results were not seen prior to diagnosis of CA, as expected, and results demonstrated minimal variability. Further study is warranted to better understand the potential correlation of immune function assay results with development of post-HT malignancy.