cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of Antifungal MICs by a Rapid Susceptibility Assay

A novel microtiter assay for antifungal susceptibility testing was developed. This method has several potential advantages over the M27-A assay of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. These include provision of MIC results within 6 to 19 h, graphical display of data, and the availability of objective quantitative endpoints. We refer to the method as the rapid susceptibility assay (RSA). RSA is based on substrate utilization by fungi in the presence of antifungal drugs. Substrate uptake is determined by a colorimetric method, which can be scored by analysis of data obtained from a microplate reader. Variables evaluated in the development of the RSA included inoculum size, incubation period, and efficacy with different classes of antifungal drugs and different yeast isolates. With the rapidly available and quantitative endpoints of the RSA, correlation of MICs and therapeutic drug doses can be evaluated more successfully than they can be evaluated by existing assays.
Phospholipase D and the SNARE Sso1p are necessary for vesicle fusion during sporulation in yeast

Spore formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires the de novo formation of prospore membranes. The coalescence of secretory vesicles into a membrane sheet occurs on the cytoplasmic surface of the spindle pole body. Spo14p, the major yeast phospholipase D, is necessary for prospore membrane formation; however, the specific function of Spo14p in this process has not been elucidated. We report that loss of Spo14p blocks vesicle fusion, leading to the accumulation of prospore membrane precursor vesicles docked on the spindle pole body. A similar phenotype was seen when the t-SNARE Sso1p, or the partially redundant t-SNAREs Sec9p and Spo20p were mutated. Although phosphatidic acid, the product of phospholipase D action, was necessary to recruit Spo20p to the precursor vesicles, independent targeting of Spo20p to the membrane was not sufficient to promote fusion in the absence of SPO14. These results demonstrate a role for phospholipase D in vesicle fusion and suggest that phospholipase D-generated phosphatidic acid plays multiple roles in the fusion process.
Succession of Forensically Significant Carrion Beetle Larvae on Large Carcasses (Coleoptera: Silphidae)

Abstract Silphid larvae of three species of potential forensic importance were studied to verify total instar number, document instar size classes, and illustrate frequencies of instars through time. Larval material was collected at seven large vertebrate carcasses during spring 1999 in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA. A total of 534 Necrodes surinamensis (F.), 80 Oiceoptoma inaequale (F.), and 13 Necrophila americana (L.) larvae were evaluated using three morphological measurements. Three instars were identified for N. surinamensis and O. inaequale. The distance between dorsal stemmata was found to be a more reliable indicator of instar size than body length with results (in mm) as follows for N. surinamensis and O. inaequale, respectively: 1st (0.87–1.09), (0.95–1.08), 2nd (1.30–1.60), (1.28–1.51), and 3rd (1.78–2.07), (1.66–1.79).
LED illuminant on the ambient light

We develop an approach for combining illuminance and spectral power distribution of the LED and ambient light and apply our technique for developing an LED camera flashlight balancing the illuminance contrast between object and background. Our method uses the closed loop, multiobjective optimization comprising: (1) characterizing the lighting task by illuminance, correlated color temperature (CCT), and statistical color quality indices that include a set of Statistical Color Quality Metrics and the Color Rendition Index (CRI) implemented with indexes of S (saturation) or D (dulling); (2) measuring the illuminance and the spectrum of the ambient light on the target lighting surface, which might depend on all the sources proving illumination and on the reflected light; (3) determining the desired illuminance of the LED source on the target lighting surface; (4) calculating the desired luminous flux of the LED source according to the desired illuminance; (5) constituting the SPD of the LED source; (6) calculating the relative spectra counts of the LED source and the ambient light on the target lighting surface (7) calculating the CCT and statistical color quality indexes of the combined light; (8) repeating the above steps until the resulting SPD is close enough to the expectation. Using the above method, an LED camera flashlight has been designed, which works together with usual fluorescent ambient light and generates working lighting environment with high fidelity and high CCT (6000K). The spectrum and luminous flux of the LED lamp is automatically tunable with a change of the ambient light.
First Language-Based Preschools in Adivasi Communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh

Bangla hani Hapong Chadigang-o Kokwansa saya cherokrok iskulo yapai bokmanibai wansa hukumuni bisingo kwlwgoi thango. Shishur Khamatayan projek kok-kainwi akhai hukumu-kainwi bisingtwi sakang yaprini phurungmarokbai cherokni swrwngnai lamani o kebengno nornani kha chungo. In^ daio imotoi jaiti swrwngnai-no tengwi phunukjakkha. Amani kokbai swrwngnai bai amani kokbai swrwngya jaiti sakang yapri iskulo swrwngnai cherokrokni pharimanino chung in daio tengoi naikha.
ReCAP: Physician Experience and Attitudes Toward Addressing the Cost of Cancer Care

QUESTION ASKED:Because the cost of oncologic care is perpetually rising, we wanted to know how often physicians who treat cancer discuss the cost of care (both out-of-pocket and societal) with their patients, what the nature of those discussions is, and whether such discussions affect treatment decisions.SUMMARY ANSWER:Sixty percent of responding physicians reported addressing costs frequently or always in clinic, 40% addressed costs rarely or never, and 36% did not believe it is the doctor’s responsibility to explain costs of care to patients. Additional responses are listed in Table 3. The majority of physicians feel their patients are not well informed about costs. “I don’t know enough/lack of resources” is the largest reported barrier to cost discussions, and those who reported frequent discussions were significantly more likely to explain costs and to prioritize treatments in terms of cost.Table 3.Physician Attitudes Toward Out-of-Pocket Costs Versus Societal CostsQuestion or Statement% Response by A...
Graphesis: visual forms of knowledge production

Information is everywhere. Concepts such as big data, mass media, and so on have only been present in our society for the past century or so. Humanity as a species is gathering, creating, and stori...
The plague health education and impact assessment of Shaanxi Province 2006 to 2008

Objective To improve the knowledge on the plague-combation of the cadres,masses,and the medical staff in the filed of plague-controlling of Shaanxi Province,and to assess the efforts of health education activities of recent few years.Methods Investigate the situation of the plague prevention and control knowledge township publicity and education activities carried on the departments related to governments and main counties,to calculate the target group`s awaring rate of Plague clinic,epidemic disease,prevention and the "three don`ts,three reports".To evaluate the effect of the health education by a written survey and interviews was carried on 148 target people who have received publicity and education of plague prevention and control,then design testing questions by using the multiple-choice and brief answering forms according to educational content.Evaluation,they answered the questions alone,based on the their own information,and the papers came to a unified recovery and a unified assessment.Score by percentile system,those who scored more than 60 passed.Results The targeted group`s rates of knowing Plague clinic,epidemiology,prevention and the "three don`ts,three reports" are as follows : the cadres 50.50%,63.69%,78.67%,the masses 64.71%,87.91%,76.47% and the medical staff 64.18%,68.51%,67.02%.The passing rates of the cadres,the masses and the medical staff were 70.00%(35/50),92.16%(47/51) and 74.47%(35/47).Conclusions Health education training and drumbeating are necessary,it can strengthen the cadres` health consciousness,improve the emergent medical personnel plague epidemic disposal ability.
De Novo vs Nevus-Associated Melanomas: Differences in Associations With Prognostic Indicators and Survival

BACKGROUND Although 20% to 30% of melanomas are histopathologically 'nevus associated,' the majority of melanomas arise de novo, ie, in clinically normal skin with no associated nevus. We examined whether these forms of melanoma differed in their associations with clinical and histopathologic features and patient survival. METHODS We analyzed two prospective cohorts from our institution with protocol-driven follow-up information (NYU1, n = 1024; NYU2, n = 1125). We used univariate and multivariable analyses to examine associations between de novo vs nevus-associated melanoma classification and age, anatomic site, tumor thickness, tumor ulceration, mitotic index, histological subtype, clinical stage, and survival. We tested the associations identified in NYU1 using NYU2 as a replication cohort. All tests of statistical significance were two-sided. RESULTS In NYU1, de novo melanomas were associated with tumor thickness greater than 1.0 mm (odds ratio [OR] = 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.43 to 2.70, P < .001), ulceration (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.10 to 2.54, P = .02), nodular subtype (OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.70 to 7.11, P = .001), greater than stage I (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.65 to 3.40, P < .001), older age (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.18 to 2.30, P = .004), and shorter overall survival (HR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.22 to 2.18, P < .001). In NYU2, de novo melanoma was again statistically significantly associated with thickness greater than 1.0 mm (OR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.72 to 2.93, P < .001), ulceration (OR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.95 to 4.37, P < .001), nodular subtype (OR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.75 to 3.37, P < .001), greater than stage I (OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.80 to 3.29, P < .001), older age (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.31 to 2.17, P < .001), and shorter overall survival (HR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.78 to 3.56, P < .001). In multivariable analysis, de novo classification was an independent, poor prognostic indicator in NYU2 (HR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.19 to 2.44, P = .004). Male patients had a statistically significantly worse survival than female patients if their melanoma was de novo (NYU1, P < .001; NYU2, P < .001); unexpectedly, there was no sex difference in survival among patients with nevus-associated tumors. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that de novo melanomas are more aggressive than nevus-associated melanomas. This classification scheme may also provide a useful framework for investigations into sex differences in melanoma outcomes.
Productivity of Land

We may begin by considering some information from the ancient world. In ancient Greece, the normal wheat yield in Attica in the late fourth century B.C. was estimated1 at 0.9 tons/ha. Michell points out that much higher yields were obtained in Egypt, Babylonia and Sicily. For ancient Egypt a figure of 2 tons/ha. has been estimated.2
Classification and Prediction of RF Coupling Inside A-320 and A-319 Airplanes using Feed Forward Neural Networks

Neural Network Modeling is introduced in this paper to classify and predict Interference Path Loss measurements on Airbus 319 and 320 airplanes. Interference patterns inside the aircraft are classified and predicted based on the locations of the doors, windows, aircraft structures and the communication/navigation system-of-concern. Modeled results are compared with measured data and a plan is proposed to enhance the modeling for better prediction of electromagnetic coupling problems inside aircraft.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of submucosal vs. intravenous flumazenil (Romazicon) in an animal model.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the bioavailability and local tissue toxicological safety of flumazenil (Romazicon) when administered by oral submucosal (SM) as opposed to intravenous (i.v.) injection. METHODS: Six dogs each received SM flumazenil (0.2 mg), and their serum was collected at predetermined time intervals (0-2 h) and frozen (-70 degrees C). Seven days later, the dogs received an identical dose of i.v. flumazenil, and serum samples were again collected, as above. Comparative quantitation of flumazenil levels (i.v. vs. SM) was made using a sensitive HPLC assay (UV detection). Direct/local drug toxicity was visually scored by unbiased raters of color photographs (test and control mucosa) taken at 1, 2, and 7 days following SM flumazenil injection. An oral pathologist examined slides processed from control and treatment tissues (hematoxylin and eosin staining) taken (punch biopsy) 1 week following SM injection to compare with direct clinical scores. RESULTS: Serum flumazenil levels reached a plateau (8.5 +/- 1.5 ng/mL, mean +/- SD) within 4 min of SM drug injection and declined thereafter to -2 ng/mL by 2 h. Bioavailability of SM flumazenil was 101 +/- 14%, based upon measuring the area under the serum concentration-time curves over 1.5 h (AUC 0-1.5 h, SM vs. i.v. drug). Thus, serum drug levels following SM drug administration were broadly comparable to those obtained during the elimination phase of corresponding i.v. drug delivery. Regarding drug tissue toxicity, no evidence of direct drug toxicity was observed by unbiased raters of color photographs (test and control mucosa) taken at 1, 2, and 7 days following SM flumazenil injection. Following pathologic review, no difference was seen in the degree of inflammation between treatment and control tissue. CONCLUSION: At the quantity and concentration used, SM drug flumazenil administration appears to be both a safe and a viable alternative to bolus i.v. drug delivery and worthy of further investigation. PreMedline Identifier:11132509
Hospitalizations within 14 days of vaccination among pediatric recipients of the live attenuated influenza vaccine, United States 2010–2012

Abstract Background Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is safe in healthy children ⩾2 years. The original clinical trials excluded individuals with underlying conditions; however, post-marketing data suggest LAIV may be safe for these populations. Methods We analyzed MarketScan Commercial Claims Databases from 2010 to 2012 to describe hospitalizations within 14 days of vaccination among LAIV recipients. We evaluated LAIV recipients aged 2–18 years and defined underlying conditions by presence of inpatient or outpatient ICD-9 code during the previous calendar year. We excluded asthma and immunocompromising conditions. We defined risk windows as 1–7 days and 8–14 days after vaccination; the control period was 12–4 days prior to and 15–23 days after vaccination. We conducted a self-controlled case series analysis using a conditional Poisson regression model to estimate incidence-rate ratios (IRR). Results 1,216,123 children aged 2–18 years received LAIV from 2010 to 2012. 634 children met our inclusion criteria and were hospitalized during the observation period (12 days prior to vaccination to 23 days after vaccination). Of those hospitalized, 72 (11.4%) had non-asthma, non-immunocompromising underlying conditions. Children with non-asthma, non-immunocompromising underlying conditions had an all-cause hospitalization IRR of 1.1 (95% CI 0.6–2.0, p = 0.83) in the 1–7 day risk period and 0.9 (95% CI 0.4–1.7, p = 0.67) in the 8–14 day risk period. Children with no underlying conditions had an all-cause hospitalization IRR of 0.9 (0.8–1.2, p = 0.60) in the 1–7 day risk period and 1.1 (95% CI 0.9–1.3, p = 0.53) in the 8–14 day risk period. There were no differences in all-cause hospitalization risk in individuals with non-asthma, non-immunocompromising underlying conditions compared to those without underlying conditions in the 1–7 day (p = 0.88) or 8–14 day (p = 0.24) risk period. Conclusions We found no evidence of differences in post-LAIV hospitalization risk among children with non-asthma, non-immunocompromising underlying conditions compared to healthy children.
The American Invasion of Russia

Wars are terrible tragedies and civil wars may be the most terrible of all wars, and the Russian the most terrible of those. Russia lost seven million lives in World War I and the revolutions preceding the Russian Civil War. During the course of the Civil War, countless more lives were lost. Possibly of more lasting importance, the principles of the vanquished party in a Civil War are lost seemingly forever, while the tenets which the victorious hold dear, become unassailable during their rule.
Laboratory observations of sediment transport using combined particle image and tracking velocimetry (Conference Presentation)

Improved understanding of coastal hydrodynamics and morphology will lead to more effective mitigation measures that reduce fatalities and property damage caused by natural disasters such as hurricanes. We investigated sediment transport under oscillatory flow over flat and rippled beds with phase-separated stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Standard PIV techniques severely limit measurements at the fluid-sediment interface and do not allow for the observation of separate phases in multi-phase flow (e.g. sand grains in water). We have implemented phase-separated Particle Image Velocimetry by adding fluorescent tracer particles to the fluid in order to observe fluid flow and sediment transport simultaneously. While sand grains scatter 532 nm wavelength laser light, the fluorescent particles absorb 532 nm laser light and re-emit light at a wavelength of 584 nm. Optical long-pass filters with a cut-on wavelength of 550 nm were installed on two cameras configured to perform stereoscopic PIV to capture only the light emitted by the fluorescent tracer particles. A third high-speed camera was used to capture the light scattered by the sand grains allowing for sediment particle tracking via particle tracking velocimetry (PTV). Together, these overlapping, simultaneously recorded images provided sediment particle and fluid velocities at high temporal and spatial resolution (100 Hz sampling with 0.8 mm vector spacing for the 2D-3C fluid velocity field). Measurements were made under a wide range of oscillatory flows over flat and rippled sand beds. The set of observations allow for the investigation of the relative importance of pressure gradients and shear stresses on sediment transport.
A Musical Shared Book Experience for Little Excavator

Little Excavator, a recent publication by Anna Dewdney, is a delightful picture book for young children and perfect for a musical shared book experience in a group setting for preschool and first-grade children. In this article, connections between music learning and the typical shared book experience are outlined. Musical ways to share the book and extension activities for pitch and rhythm concepts are provided. The author includes alignments to National Core Music Standards as well as English Language Common Core Standards for music and reading teachers.
3.4 million real-world learning management system logins reveal the majority of students experience social jet lag correlated with decreased performance

Misalignments between endogenous circadian rhythms and the built environment (i.e., social jet lag, SJL) result in learning and attention deficits. Currently, there is no way to assess the impact of SJL on learning outcomes of large populations as a response to schedule choices, let alone to assess which individuals are most negatively impacted by these choices. We analyzed two years of learning management system login events for 14,894 Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) students to investigate the capacity of such systems as tools for mapping the impact of SJL over large populations while maintaining the ability to generate insights about individuals. Personal daily activity profiles were validated against known biological timing effects, and revealed a majority of students experience more than 30 minutes of SJL on average, with greater amplitude correlating strongly with a significant decrease in academic performance, especially in people with later apparent chronotypes. Our findings demonstrate that online records can be used to map individual- and population-level SJL, allow deep mining for patterns across demographics, and could guide schedule choices in an effort to minimize SJL’s negative impact on learning outcomes.
Case of the Improbably High TSH

A 41-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of fainting during exercise. No history of fatigue, weight gain, or constipation. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was 437 μIU/mL (0.5–5.5 μIU/mL). Repeated 2 days later, TSH was 302 μIU/mL. Free T4 and total T3 were unremarkable, 0.9 ng/dL (0.8–1.7 ng/dL) and 87 ng/dL (50–170 ng/dL), respectively. …
Embryonic POU5F1 is Required for Expanded Bovine Blastocyst Formation

POU5F1 is a transcription factor and master regulator of cell pluripotency with indispensable roles in early embryo development and cell lineage specification. The role of embryonic POU5F1 in blastocyst formation and cell lineage specification differs between mammalian species but remains completely unknown in cattle. The CRISPR/Cas9 system was utilized for targeted disruption of the POU5F1 gene by direct injection into zygotes. Disruption of the bovine POU5F1 locus prevented blastocyst formation and was associated with embryonic arrest at the morula stage. POU5F1 knockout morulas developed at a similar rate as control embryos and presented a similar number of blastomeres by day 5 of development. Initiation of SOX2 expression by day 5 of development was not affected by lack of POU5F1. On the other hand, CDX2 expression was aberrant in embryos lacking POU5F1. Notably, the phenotype observed in bovine POU5F1 knockout embryos reveals conserved functions associated with loss of human embryonic POU5F1 that differ from Pou5f1- null mice. The similarity observed in transcriptional regulation of early embryo development between cattle and humans combined with highly efficient gene editing techniques make the bovine a valuable model for human embryo biology with expanded applications in agriculture and assisted reproductive technologies.
Coupling of Radiation Transport with the Gas Dynamics for HYLIFE-II Analysis

Gas dynamics in an inertial confinement fusion reactor involves extremely high energy and temperatures. In those temperature range, gaseous radiation can be critical to the dynamics phenomenon. This study presents a method that couples a one-dimensional radiation transfer model with an Eulerian gas dynamics code for HYLIFE-II studies. The results reveal that radiation modifies the shock interaction pattern drastically. Although there are more sophisticated methods of computing one-dimensional radiation transport than the model implemented in current study, the methodology used here is extendible to two-dimensional schemes.
Medical therapy of glycoprotein hormone-secreting pituitary tumors.

The majority of the 25 per cent of pituitary adenomas previously classified as “nonfunctioning” are found to synthesize intact glycoprotein hormones or free subunits. Typically, these tumors present as macroadenomas with symptoms related to tumor mass effect and/or symptoms of hypopituitarism. Although surgical resection is usually successful in achieving decompression, it is rarely curative. The current options for adjunctive medical therapy are discussed, with an emphasis on the physiology and therapeutic use of hypothalamic regulatory factor analogues.
Excitons in Degenerate and Non-Degenerate Semiconductors

An exact closed-form solution of a model for excitons in degenerate semiconductors is presented. The optical absorption and luminescence spectra reduce to the Coulomb exciton absorption and luminescence (for both bound and continuum excitons) in the limit of vanishing free conduction electron density. In the high density limit, the free electron absorption and emission spectra are obtained. As the free conduction electron density decreases from infinite density, resonance-like structures appear and emerge from the continuum, forming bound exciton states. These continuum resonances should be observable in the absorption and emission spectra of degenerate semiconductors. As the model semiconductor becomes decreasingly degenerate, the optical spectra change continuously, with no evidence of an abrupt phase transition. The relation of this model to theories of x-ray spectra, Mott transitions, and enhanced interband transitions in free-electron metals is discussed.
Transrectal ultrasonography for the early detection and staging of prostate cancer.

SUMMARY Relatively recent changes and improvements in equipment have vastly increased image resolution for transrectal ultrasonography of the prostate. The expanded use of transrectal ultrasonography has greatly furthered knowledge of prostate zonal anatomy and permitted clinical evaluation of internal prostate architecture. The technique is operator dependent, as the quality of the results is related directly to that person's knowledge and experience. The significant majority of prostate cancers originate from the peripheral zone. Palpable stage B nodules characteristically have a hypo echoic appearance. There is disagreement about the tumor characteristics that cause hypoechogenicity, but large tumors may obscure the normal prostate anatomy and appear isoechoic because of the lack of contrast with surrounding prostate tissue. The transition zone of the prostate is the origin of benign prostatic hyperplasia and almost 20 per cent of prostate cancers. These tumors probably correspond to most stage A lesions. Transrectal ultrasonography is less accurate in identifying transition zone tumors because of the mixed echogenicity of the transition zone, interference from prostatic calculi or calcified corpora amylacea, and poorer image resolution in this area. Studies evaluating the use of transrectal ultrasonography for early detection of prostate cancer generally have shown a twofold increase in the detection rate compared with digital rectal examination. However, the decreased morbidity and expense of transrectal prostate biopsy using an automatic gun device have increased the frequency of biopsy in ultrasound-examined patients compared with those historically evaluated by digital rectal examination. The increased detection rate may in part be a function of the increased use of biopsies, independent of other factors. Transrectal ultrasonography rarely detects cancer in patients with normal digital rectal examination and a normal serum prostate-specific antigen level. Transrectal ultrasonography may be capable of identifying early capsular penetration or seminal vesicle invasion in some patients with known prostate cancer. However, its superiority to digital rectal examination for this purpose has not been demonstrated unequivocally. Ultrasonography does allow directed biopsies of the seminal vesicles or other suspect areas, and this may be helpful in staging the disease. The use of transrectal ultrasonography in prostate cancer has evolved rapidly, and changes in technology antiquate reports within a few years. Therefore, it is highly appropriate and expected that uncertainty exists regarding the role of this technology in the early detection and staging of prostatic cancer. Caution must be used in interpreting retrospective studies. The interest that inevitably surrounds any new technology sometimes leads to overly enthusiastic reports. Prospective, unbiased studies will help define the value of transrectal ultrasonography in patients with carcinoma of the prostate.
Immunomodulating properties of corticotropin-releasing factor.

Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) is a low molecular weight peptide hormone (containing 41 amino acid residues) originally identified in the hypothalamic extracts of the ovine brain (Vale et al., 1981). It is now generally believed that a reciprocal relationship exists between the neuroendocrine system and the immune system (Singh, 1990). Based upon our recent observation that 125I-CRF has specific binding sites on human peripheral blood immunocytes (Singh and Fudenberg, 1988), we hypothesized an immunoregulatory role for this neuropeptide (Singh, 1989 and 1990). In this respsect, our current research (Singh, 1989; Singh et al., 1990; Singh and Leu, 1990) showed that CRF is a stimulator of certain immune functions in vitro: (i) stimulation of lymphocyte proliferation in the absence or presence of T cell mitogens, e.g. concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin which can be blocked specifically by the CRF-antagonist; (ii) increased expression of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) antigen on T cells; and (iii) induction and enhancement of production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). Our newer data, as presented in this report, demonstrate that CRF is also a stimulator of natural killer (NK) cell activity but it has a suppressive effect on the production of antibodies or immunoglobulin G (IgG) in vitro.
Stable Low-Repetition-Rate Time-Lens Picosecond Seed Source

The design and performance of a sub-10-picosecond source based on temporal focusing implemented with a lithium niobate phase modulator and a grating compressor are presented. The source is optimized taking into account spectral gain narrowing in subsequent amplifiers. It advantageously delivers low-repetition-rate pulses with tunable pulse duration, and its short-term jitter and long-term drift over extended periods of time are of the order of a few picoseconds.
A Novel Prospective Study Assessing the Combination of Photodynamic Therapy and Proton Radiation Therapy: Safety and Outcomes When Treating Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma remains difficult to treat, with high failure rates despite optimal therapy. We present a novel prospective trial combining proton therapy (PT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) and the largest-ever mesothelioma PT experience (n = 10). PDT photosensitizers included porfimer sodium (2 mg·kg-1 ; 24 h drug-light interval) or 2-[1-hexyloxyethyl]-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) (4 mg·m-2 ;48 h) with wavelengths of 630 nm to 60J·cm-2 and 665 nm to 15-45J·cm-2 , respectively. With a median age of 69 years, patients were predominantly male (90%) with epithelioid histology (100%) and stage III-IV disease (100%). PT was delivered to a median of 55.0 CGE/1.8-2.0 CGE (range 50-75 CGE) adjuvantly (n = 8) or as salvage therapy (n = 2) following extended pleurectomy/decortication (ePD)/PDT. Two-year local control was 90%, with distant and regional failure rates of 50% and 30%, respectively. All patients received chemotherapy, and four received immunotherapy. Surgical complications included atrial fibrillation (n = 3), pneumonia (n = 2), and deep vein thrombosis (n = 2). Median survival from PT completion was 19.5 months (30.3 months from diagnosis), and 1- and 2-year survival rates were 58% and 29%. No patient experienced CTCAEv4 grade ≥2 acute or late toxicity. Our prolonged survival in very advanced-stage patients compares favorably to survival for PT without PDT and photon therapy with PDT, suggesting possible spatial or systemic cooperativity and immune effect.
Parental intuitive eating behaviors and their association with infant feeding styles among low-income families

Abstract Introduction Feeding styles, the attitudes and behaviors parents use to direct their child's eating, shape a child's ability to self-regulate food intake and affects their future risk of obesity. This study examined how parental intuitive eating, where parents follow their own hunger and satiety cues, relates to infant feeding styles in a low-income, predominately Black population. Methods Parents of healthy infants aged 5.5–12.5 months were recruited during well-child visits at two urban primary care clinics. Parent's intuitive eating behaviors and infant feeding styles were measured using the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) and the Infant Feeding Style Questionnaire (IFSQ), respectively. Multivariable regression analysis, controlling for maternal and child demographic variables, was conducted to determine the relationship between parent intuitive eating behaviors and five infant feeding styles: restrictive, pressuring, indulgent, laissez-faire, and responsive. Results 201 parents completed the study, 90% were mothers and 69% were Black. Average infant age was 8.8 ± 2.0 months. Parents who reported relying on their own hunger and satiety cues when eating were more likely to feed their infant in a responsive style (β 0.10 ± 0.04, p Conclusions Parental intuitive eating behaviors are associated with both responsive and non-responsive infant feeding styles. Future studies should examine how parental intuitive eating and infant feeding styles affect infant growth trajectories.
Mechanism and Kinetics of Methylating C6–C12 Methylbenzenes with Methanol and Dimethyl Ether in H-MFI Zeolites

This study uses periodic density functional theory (DFT) to determine the reaction mechanism and effects of reactant size for all 20 arene (C6–C12) methylation reactions using CH3OH and CH3OCH3 as ...
Redistribution-Layers for Fan-Out Wafer-Level Packaging and Heterogeneous Integrations

Redistribution layers (RDLs) are the most integral part of wafer-level packaging (WLP) [1, 2], especially for fan-out wafer-level packaging (FOWLP) and heterogeneous integrations [3]. For FOWLP, the RDLs are the interconnections between the chip or chips and the solder balls to be attached to the PCB (printed circuit board). For heterogeneous integrations, the RDLs are the interconnections between the chips (lateral communications) and the next level of interconnections (vertical communications) such as the TSV-interposer, package substrate, solder balls, and PCB. In this study, six major methods in fabricating the RDLs are presented. These are: (1) organic RDLs (polymer and ECD [Electrochemical deposition] Cu + etching), (2) organic RDLs (photosensitive polymer and ECD Cu + etching), (3) inorganic RDLs (PECVD [plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition] and Cu-damascene + CMP [chemical-mechanical polishing]), (4) hybrid RDLs (first organic RDLs and then inorganic RDLs), (5) bridge RDLs, and (6) fan-out on substrate RDLs. Many examples will be given and some recommendations will also be provided.
Abstract 104: Identification and Characterization of a Titin Enhancer using CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing and hiPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a leading cause for heart failure and is associated with a rate of mortality of 20% within 5 years of diagnosis. The most common genetic causes for DCM are mutations...
Effectiveness of Low Cost Materials on Diverse Achievers in the Teaching of Physics at Secondary Level

Abstract The equipment’s of science teaching in the most of secondary school is not available in Pakistan. The main purpose of this research is to find the effectiveness of low cost materials on diverse achievers in the physics instructing at secondary level. The nature of the study was experimental. The most suitable design for this experiment was Pre-test, post-test equivalent group design. A sample of 40 pupils was carefully chosen from Government High School No.2 Nowshera Cantt. The experiment continued for six weeks. Independent sample t-test was used for the analysis of data. The group which has been instructed with low cost teaching aids showed successful result scores in the posttest and their achievement level further gets improved. It has been suggested that teachers training institutions ought to build up such a training programs, which would enhance the capacities of teachers in the selection and in the development of apparatuses, using low cost materials for practical work
A Third Way: Decolonizing the Laws of Indigenous Cultural Protection

In A Third Way, Hillary Hoffmann and Monte Mills detail the history, context, and future of the ongoing legal fight to protect indigenous cultures. At the federal level, this fight is shaped by the assumptions that led to current federal cultural protection laws, which many tribes and their allies are now reframing to better meet their cultural and sovereign priorities. At the state level, centuries of antipathy toward tribes are beginning to give way to collaborative and cooperative efforts that better reflect indigenous interests. Most critically, tribes themselves are building laws and legal structures that reflect and invigorate their own cultural values. Taken together, and evidenced by the recent worldwide support for indigenous cultural movements, events of the last decade signal a new era for indigenous cultural protection. This important work should be read by anyone interested in the legal reforms that will guide progress toward that future.
Psychopathic Traits Among Serious Juvenile Offenders: Developmental Pathways, Multidimensionality, and Stability:

The link between psychopathy and crime is well-known and a large body of literature has provided empirical support. However, the stability hypothesis of psychopathy has been a critical issue, and t...
Confidence Boost in Dyadic Online Teamwork: An Individual-Focused Perspective.

Individuals are often more confident in their solutions when working in teams than when working on their own. This confidence boost is observed even when it is not accompanied by a corresponding gain in performance, raising the question of what other factors might be responsible. We address this question by developing a large-scale experimental setting in the form of a two-player online game that allows us to track the confidence of individuals in naturally-occurring online collaborative tasks. This setting enables us to disentangle and compare the effects of different components of the collaborative process on the confidence of each team member. We show that confidence evaluations are subject to social influence: a low-confidence individual receives a confidence boost as a direct consequence of interacting with their teammate, and the extent of the increase depends more on the confidence, rather than on the competence, of the teammate. The resulting framework can enhance our understanding of confidence boost as an often overlooked byproduct of online teamwork and has implications for designing better online collaboration platforms to meet diverse collaborative objectives.
Effect of Various Irrigation Rates on Growth and Root Development of Young Citrus Trees in High-Density Planting.

Citrus yields have declined by almost 56% since Huanglongbing (HLB) was first found in Florida (2005). That reduction forced citrus growers to replant trees at much higher densities to counter-balance tree loss. The current project aims to determine how much water is required to grow citrus trees at higher planting densities without reducing their productivity. The study was initiated in November 2017 on eight-month-old sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) trees grafted on the ‘US-897′ (Cleopatra mandarin × Flying Dragon trifoliate orange) citrus rootstock planted in the University of Florida, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) demonstration grove, in Immokalee, FL (lat. 26.42° N, long. 81.42° W). The soil in the grove is Immokalee fine sand (Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Arenic Alaquods). The demonstration grove included three densities on two rows of beds (447, 598, and 745 trees per ha) replicated four times each and three densities of three rows of beds (512, 717, 897 trees per ha) replicated six times. Each density treatment was irrigated at one of two irrigation rates (62% or 100%) during the first 15 months (2017–2019) then adjusted (2019–2020) to represent 26.5, 40.5, 53, and 81% based on recommended young citrus trees evapotranspiration (ETc). Tree growth measurements including trunk diameter, height, canopy volume, leaf area, and root development were evaluated. During the first year, reducing the irrigation rate from 100% to 62% ETc did not significantly reduce the young citrus tree growth. Conversely, the lower irrigation rate (62% ETc) had increased citrus tree’s leaf area, canopy volume and tree heights, root lifespan, and root length by 4, 9, 1, 2, and 24% compared with the higher irrigation rate (100%), respectively. Furthermore, the root lifespan was promoted by increasing planting density. For instance, the average root lifespan increased by 12% when planting density increased from 447 to 897 trees per ha, indicating that planting young trees much closer to each other enhanced the root’s longevity. However, when treatments were adjusted from April 2019 through June 2020, results changed. Increasing the irrigation rate from 26.5% to 81% ETc significantly enhanced the young citrus tree growth by increasing citrus tree’s canopy volume (four fold), tree heights (29%), root lifespan (86%), and root length (two fold), respectively. Thus, the application of 81% ETc irrigation rate in commercial citrus groves is more efficient for trees from two to four years of age.
C–H functionalization reactions enabled by hydrogen atom transfer to carbon-centered radicals

Selective functionalization of ubiquitous unactivated C–H bonds is a continuous quest for synthetic organic chemists. In addition to transition metal catalysis, which typically operates under a two-electron manifold, a recent renaissance in the radical approach relying on the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process has led to tremendous growth in the area. Despite several challenges, protocols proceeding via HAT are highly sought after as they allow for relatively easy activation of inert C–H bonds under mild conditions leading to a broader scope and higher functional group tolerance and sometimes complementary reactivity over methods relying on traditional transition metal catalysis. A number of methods operating via heteroatom-based HAT have been extensively reported over the past few years, while methods employing more challenging carbon analogues have been less explored. Recent developments of mild methodologies for generation of various carbon-centered radical species enabled their utilization in the HAT process, which, in turn, led to the development of remote C(sp3)–H functionalization reactions of alcohols, amines, amides and related compounds. This review covers mostly recent advances in C–H functionalization reactions involving the HAT step to carbon-centered radicals.
Smart manufacturing in fine/specialty chemical industries

Abstract This chapter introduces some of the recent ideas surrounding application of “smart manufacturing” to the production of fine and specialty chemicals. Whereas smart technology usually implies the use of computer and information management tools, in the context of chemicals, it refers to adoption of new design paradigms. These include greater moves toward digitalization, the application of “big” data analysis, and incorporation of electronics dispersed throughout the system. However, paramount of these design paradigms is the concept of “process intensification,” which is an expansion and extension of the former design approach based on “unit operations.” For example, rather than considering sequential operations of heating, reaction, and separations, one might consider consolidating all of these into a single process step such as reactive distillation. Another aspect of smart manufacturing is use of “in silico” techniques to model the chemical process in addition to or sometimes instead of the common empirical laboratory and pilot plant methods. The net result is shorter development time, lower initial capital expense, enhanced ability to manage project risk, and increased return on capital. These benefits are not limited to the plant but stretch into the entire enterprise. This chapter focuses on defining process intensification and then introducing some practical tools that have direct application to chemical manufacturing.
Hypermanganesemia-Induced Cerebral Toxicity Mimicking an Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report and Review of Overlapping Pathologies

Objective: To review and consider risk factors associated with the accumulation of and toxicity from manganese in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Case Summary: A 66-year-old female presented to the emergency department with right facial and arm weakness that initiated 1 hour prior to admission. Past medical history includes oral cancer with chronic aspiration and gastroparesis secondary to chemotherapy, TPN for 9 months, and a previous episode of right facial and arm parasthesias due to hypertensive emergency 4 years prior. The patient was assigned a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 6, cleared of an intracranial hemorrhage on imaging, and was administered tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) for an acute ischemic stroke after managing her hypertension to <185/110 mm Hg. Resolution of symptoms occurred within 24 hours. A magnetic resonance imaging of the patient's brain 24-hours post-tPA indicated an increased signal density in the globus pallidus, which in turn is linked with encephalopathy and has been described as a marker for hypermanganesemia. Discussion: Manganese is an essential trace element with a critical role in numerous physiologic functions. Though readily obtained from dietary sources and rarely causing issue, manganese provided to patients via TPN may result in toxicities. Though the presentation of neurotoxicities associated with TPN-delivered manganese has been previously documented, the clinical presentation of toxicity has never mimicked an acute ischemic stroke. Conclusion: Though an evaluation of overlapping pathologies is warranted, this patient's clinical presentation of manganese toxicity mimicked an acute ischemic stroke and resulted in the administration of a fibrinolytic. A more comprehensive appreciation of the implications of trace elements is demanded of clinicians.
Reliability Assessment for Microgrid Distribution Systems Based Grid Connected in Saudi Arabia

Reliability of power distribution systems play a critical characteristic for the Microgrid (MG) and deserve extra attention. Photovoltaic (PV) and Energy Storage System (ESS) in a microgrid distribution system can be used to provide more efficient and reliable power to the consumers. Additionally, PV and ESS can be used in case of an outage or a power interruption from the utility grid. An outage of the power system from the utility grid does not mean fallouts automatically in a loss of power to the consumers. This paper presents a method for reliability assessment of microgrid distribution systems affected by the consumer's PV energy and ESS based on a grid connected in Saudi Arabia. Using the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method to calculate the reliability indices from the system (e.g., SAIFI and SAIDI) and the consumer's perspective (e.g., VOLL, ENS, and CIC). The results of the reliability assessment provided for residential, commercial, and government consumers with PV energy and ESS.
Spectrum sharing between RLANs and Fixed Satellite Services in the 6 GHz band

The 6 GHz band is currently being proposed to open for unlicensed use in different countries. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) just made available 1200 MHz of spectrum, from 5925 to 7125 MHz, for Radio Local Access Networks (RLANs) on April 23rd, 2020. This band is currently allocated to Fixed Service (FS), Mobile Service (MS), and Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) links. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of aggregate interference from RLANs in the United States to FSS links in this band considering the rules recently proposed by the FCC. This work includes a sensitivity analysis of the main parameters that are currently under discussion among incumbents and Wi-Fi advocates. One of these parameters is the Wi-Fi airtime utilization, which is estimated in this work by measuring the airtime utilization using a software-defined radio in different environments. We found that coexistence will always be possible for low-power indoor access points (APs) and standard-power outdoor APs, which may generate aggregate interference up to -25.1 dB interference to noise ratio (I/N). This analysis provides useful guidelines to study the implications of spectrum sharing between RLANs and FSS in this band and can be replicated to other regions of the world.