cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential effect of clofibrate on inflammation-induced alterations in plasma proteins in the rat

Daily intramuscular injections of clofibrate begun 6h before the initiation of inflammation induced by the subcutaneous injection of turpentine exerted a differential, dose-dependent inhibition of the anticipated acute-phase globulin response. Specifically, clofibrate at 140mg/kg muted the increase in alpha(2)-macrofoetoprotein, but did not affect that of seromucoid or haptoglobin and only transiently inhibited the rise in copper and the rebound in transferrin. A higher dose, 280mg/kg, markedly suppressed alpha(2)-macrofoetoprotein appearance and the rebound in transferrin, somewhat inhibited the increase in seromucoid and haptoglobin and only transiently affected the rise in plasma copper; 420mg of clofibrate/kg very nearly abolished the appearance of alpha(2)-macrofoetoprotein, markedly suppressed the transferrin rebound and the increases in seromucoid and haptoglobin and again only transiently affected the increase in copper. Clofibrate did not diminish the localized inflammatory response, did not cause microscopically detectable liver damage and did not prevent the hypozincaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and enhanced amino acid uptake by liver usually associated with inflammation. Thus it is unlikely that clofibrate exerted its dose-dependent selective inhibition by muting the initial stimulus or by impairing hepatic metabolism. This seemingly selective action of clofibrate on plasma-protein alterations during inflammation may provide a means of elucidating the function of individual acute-phase globulin during disease. Clofibrate of itself, apart from inflammation, produced decreases in plasma zinc, copper, transferrin and seromucoid and an increase in hepatic amino acid uptake that were to some extent dependent on the dose of the drug.
Chapter 37 - Animal Models for in Vivo Experimentation in Osteoporosis Research

Publisher Summary This chapter presents criteria for evaluating animal models of osteoporosis and then applies them using today's facts. The criteria are based on the knowledge about human osteoporosis; fundamental understanding of human and animal skeletons; experiments that use the same agent in different species; and recognition of unmet needs in osteoporosis research. Both the criteria and their evaluation should evolve with time as data about osteoporosis, each animal model, and new evaluation methods accumulate. The Food and Drug Administration has made a wise choice in requiring rat experiments during osteoporosis research. The ovariectomized rat is an excellent model that correctly emulates the most important clinical features of the estrogen-deplete adult human skeleton. Its site-specific development of cancellous osteopenia is one of the most certain physiologic responses in skeletal research. Ample time exists for experimental designs that either prevent estrogen-depletion bone loss or restore bone lost after estrogen depletion. Its response to estrogen replacement closely parallels that seen in humans. Rat's low levels of Haversian remodeling present little immediate problem when testing agents for their ability to prevent the loss of cancellous bone or rebuild lost cancellous bone. Investigators can compensate for the lack of fragility fractures by biomechanical testing. Rats are convenient for most investigators; unbred females aged 6–10 months are the optimal choice. Existing laboratory measurement tools of biochemistry, histomorphometry, densitometry, and mechanical testing are readily applicable.
Caloric Restriction Mimetics Slow Aging of Neuromuscular Synapses and Muscle Fibers

Resveratrol and metformin have been shown to mimic some aspects of caloric restriction and exercise. However, it remains unknown if these molecules also slow age-related synaptic degeneration, as previously shown for caloric restriction and exercise. In this study, we examined the structural integrity of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in 2-year-old mice treated with resveratrol and metformin starting at 1 year of age. We found that resveratrol significantly slows aging of NMJs in the extensor digitorum longus muscle of 2-year-old mice. Resveratrol also preserved the morphology of muscle fibers in old mice. Although metformin slowed the rate of muscle fiber aging, it did not significantly affect aging of NMJs. Based on these findings, we sought to determine if resveratrol directly affects NMJs. For this, we examined postsynaptic sites, the NMJ region located on the muscle peripheral membrane, on cultured myotubes derived from C2C12 cells. We discovered that resveratrol increases the number of postsynaptic sites on myotubes exhibiting a youthful architecture, suggesting that resveratrol directly affects the NMJ. Altogether, we provide compelling evidence indicating that resveratrol slows aging of NMJs and muscle fibers.
A 31-residue peptide induces aggregation of tau's microtubule-binding region in cells

The self-propagation of misfolded conformations of tau occurs in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. The microtubule-binding region, tau244-372, reproduces much of the aggregation behaviour of tau in cells and animal models. Now, it has been shown that a 31-residue peptide from tau's R3 domain forms a cross-β conformation that efficiently seeds aggregation of tau244-372 in cells.
Growth and optical characterization of PTS polymer single crystals

The crystal growth technique and associated optical characterizations of polydiacetylene PTS , poly bis(p-toluene sulfonate) of 2,4-hexadiyne-l,6-diol, are reviewed in this paper. The commonly observed defects such as twinning and cracking and their origins are analyzed. Two factors were found to significantly decrease the density of defects and improve the quality. First, the monomer crystal was grown reasonably quick consistent with single crystal growth to reduce polymerization. Second, the polymerization rate was reduced dramatically for the 10% to 90% conversion region for a smooth conversion by reducing the polymerization temperature. The absorption spectrum, typical Z-scans for measuring the optical nonlinearity, and SEM pictures of the surfaces are given as measures of the optical quality of the PTS crystals.
Foreign Car Plants in Hungary

This chapter examines Hungary’s three active and one former foreign car plants. This begins by providing some background on Hungary’s pre-war Socialist commercial vehicle industry and its connections to its now booming car and engine production. It then chronicles GM’s decision to end its small car assembly operation at its Opel Szentgotthard powertrain complex after the opening of its Opel Poland Gliwice. This is followed by reviews of the nation’s three present car plants, Suzuki Esztergom, Audi Gyor, and Mercedes-Benz Kecskemet. The Kecskemet factory’s tumultuous expansion is also discussed.
Cytochrom P-450 und arzneimittelabbauende Enzyme in der Dünndarmschleimhaut der Ratte: Lokalisation und Kontrollfaktoren

Die menschliche Nahrung enthalt zahlreiche Fremdstoffe. Zu ihnen zahlen Karzinogene und andere toxische Substanzen [1]. Auch Arzneimittel werden zumeist auf oralem Wege zugefuhrt. Der Darm stellt somit die Eintrittspforte dieser lipophilen Fremdstoffe dar, und die Epithelzellen des oberen Dunndarms sind besonders intensiv exponiert. Fettlosliche Fremdstoffe werden durch ein Enzymsystem metabolisiert und z.T. entgiftet, das Cytochrom P-450 als terminale Oxydase enthalt und in der mikrosomalen Fraktion der Zellen lokalisiert ist [2]. Diese Monooxygenase-System wurde in der Leber eingehend studiert, jedoch ist uber seine Bedeutung im Dunndarm bisher wenig bekannt. Wir haben das intestinale Monooxygenase-System in verschiedenen Zellkompartimenten und Segmenten des Ratten-Darms untersucht und gepruft, welchen Einflus die Nahrungszusammensetzung auf dieses Enzym-System hat.
Physical Activity and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Is the Relation Modified by Level of Global Cardiovascular Risk?

Background The inverse association between physical activity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well‐ established and has previously been shown in people with and without single CVD risk factors. We examined whether level of global cardiovascular risk, on the basis of the pooled cohort equation or Reynolds risk score, which include multiple risk factors, modified the physical activity–CVD association. Methods and Results Participants in the prospective WHS (Women9s Health Study; n=27 536) reported their leisure‐time physical activity at study entry (1992–1995) and during follow‐up through 2013. Participants were divided into 10‐year cardiovascular risk groups on the basis of the pooled cohort equation and Reynolds risk score. The primary outcome was incident total CVD. The CVD hazard ratio for active (≥500 kcal/wk of physical activity) compared with inactive ( P =0.17 and P =0.66 for interaction, respectively). When the joint association of physical activity and level of cardiovascular risk was examined, women with higher risk on the basis of either the pooled cohort equation or Reynolds risk score had higher CVD rates compared with those at low risk, regardless of physical activity. However, among women at both high and low risk, being physically active was associated with lower risk of CVD events. Conclusions In this large prospective cohort of women, level of global cardiovascular risk did not modify the inverse association between leisure‐time physical activity and incident CVD. Thus, promoting physical activity is important in women at both low and high cardiovascular risk.
An Integrated Gaussian Process Modeling Framework for Residential Load Prediction

While adding new capabilities, the distributed energy resource (DER) proliferation raises great concern about challenges such as dynamic fluctuations of voltages. For robust and efficient operational planning purposes, we propose an integrated Gaussian process (IGP) modeling framework for reliable hourly load prediction. The proposed IGP modeling framework has the following unique features: 1) the IGP utilizes not only the data streams generated by the target customer, but also those generated by relevant customers in the power system; an effective input space dimension reduction method is proposed to significantly improve the computational efficiency, while maintaining the high predictive accuracy of the IGP; and 2) an adaptive data communication rate controlling scheme is proposed to further enhance the predictive performance of the IGP by optimally and dynamically adjusting the data communication rate used for each customer under the total data communication bandwidth constraint often imposed. Taking into account the highly uncertain load and generation behaviors of DERs, the proposed IGP framework is tested on various standard IEEE test cases with load and renewable generation data collected from real-world power systems with DERs. The superiority and efficacy of the IGP are verified by our simulation results.
Multicompartment Model of the Human Jodide Metabolism and its Simulation on a Digital Computer

Thyroid diseases like hyperthyroidism or graves disease and hypothyroidism or myxoedema are dangerous and should be recognized before they develop completely. There are 3 main diagnostic tests: 1. measuring the amount of plasma- bound iodine (T3, T4; 85% effective) 2. measuring the basal metabolic rate 3. uptake studies with radioactive iodine.
A Comparison of Distance Estimation in HMD-Based Virtual Environments with Different HMD-Based Conditions

Underestimation of egocentric distances in immersive virtual environments using various head-mounted displays (HMDs) has been a puzzling topic of research interest for several years. As more commodity-level systems become available to developers, it is important to test the variation of underestimation in each system since reasons for underestimation remain elusive. In this article, we examine several different systems in two experiments and comparatively evaluate how much users underestimate distances in each one. To observe distance estimation behavior, a standard indirect blind walking task was used. An Oculus Rift DK1, weighted Oculus Rift DK1, Oculus Rift DK1 with an artificially restricted field of view, Nvis SX60, Nvis SX111, Oculus Rift DK2, Oculus Rift consumer version (CV1), and HTC Vive were tested. The weighted and restricted field of view HMDs were evaluated to determine the effect of these factors on distance underestimation; the other systems were evaluated because they are popular systems that are widely available. We found that weight and field of view restrictions heightened underestimation in the Rift DK1. Results from these conditions were comparable to the Nvis SX60 and SX111. The Oculus Rift DK1 and CV1 possessed the least amount of distance underestimation, but in general, commodity-level HMDs provided more accurate estimates of distance than the prior generation of HMDs.
Integration of Algorithms in Silicon

A system design approach based on the use of algorithm-specific integrated circuits is presented. This approach is illustrated with the examples of a 2-D image recognition system and a 1000 word speech recognition system which have recently been built. These systems demonstrate that the use of algorithm-specific chips leads to an enormous reduction in the size and hardware cost while providing computational performances on the order of several hundred MOPS on a single printed circuit board. Silicon assembly techniques are described which have been used for rapid prototyping of the algorithm-specific chips in these systems. It is shown that a set of common techniques and principles can be used for automatic layout generation of chips for widely differing algorithms resulting in a very low prototyping cost for these devices.
Accommodating Research in Busy Bariatric Practice

Weight loss surgery is an actively advancing field, in part, because of the excellent work that surgeon-scientists are undertaking while maintaining their busy practices. This chapter provides a framework for accommodating research within a busy bariatric practice. Success requires building a winning team. Creating a comprehensive bariatric program is almost a necessity and will only allow research productivity to expand. Researchers must have a nuanced understanding of the academic research process including important steps, i.e. the institutional review board. Certainly, the researcher must understand what exactly bariatric surgery research entails, including available useful testing that may allow for certain discoveries. Funding can absolutely make or break an investigator’s project, and a researcher must be fluent in application strategies to obtain coveted funding. Knowledge of these elements will provide researchers with basic skills to successfully accommodate research in a busy bariatric practice.
Loss of Microbial Niche Specificity Between the Upper and Lower Airways in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis.

Objectives/hypothesis To determine the relationship between mucosal-associated sinus and bronchial microbiota in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients compared to non-CF patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Study design Case series. Methods We examined the microbial composition of 52 paired sinus and bronchial brushings from 26 patients with CRS. Paired airway samples from nine subjects with CF were compared with samples from 17 non-CF-CRS disease control patients. The Illumina MiSeq platform was used to sequence the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Sequences were analyzed using QIIME 1.9.0. Results CF patients demonstrate increased severity of sinus inflammation (Lund-Mackay score 16.3 vs. 12.4, P = .023) and diminished diversity of microbial communities in both the sinuses (Shannon diversity 0.98 vs. 3.3, P = .009) and lungs (Shannon diversity 2.2 vs. 4.0, P = .042) relative to non-CF-CRS. Non-CF-CRS sinus and lung microbiota were distinct and clustered by niche (sinus vs. lung, P = .004). However, CF airway microbiota demonstrated a loss of niche specificity (sinus vs. lung, P = .492). Two CF patients underwent lung transplantation at 4.5 and 9 months prior to sampling. Sinus and lung samples from these two patients demonstrated distinct microbial communities. Conclusions Patients with CF undergoing surgery for CRS exhibit substantial bacterial community collapse in the sinuses and a loss of niche specificity between the upper and lower airways compared to non-CF patients with CRS. These results extend previous studies elucidating the lower airway microbiome in cystic fibrosis and provide support for the concept of microbial translocation in the cystic fibrosis airways. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 129:544-550, 2019.
The negative predictive value of preoperative urodynamics for stress urinary incontinence following prolapse surgery

There is no consensus for the evaluation of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in patients planning pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery. We sought to determine the negative predictive value (NPV) of prolapse reduction during preoperative urodynamics (UDS) for postoperative SUI. We performed a retrospective study of 322 women with preoperative UDS and subsequent POP surgery. Abstracted data included demographics, prolapse stage, prior prolapse or incontinence surgery, preoperative SUI complaint, prolapse reduction method, and length of follow-up. Any woman who reported SUI symptoms within 6 months from surgery was considered a diagnostic UDS failure. The NPV was calculated by dividing the number of patients who did not demonstrate SUI on UDS and had no postoperative SUI by the number of patients who did not demonstrate SUI on UDS. Patient characteristics (age, race, parity, prolapse stage, prior surgery, and length of follow-up) were similar among those who had urodynamic-proven SUI and those who did not. The NPV of preoperative UDS for postoperative SUI in patients undergoing any POP repair was 97.9.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 92.7–99.7%]. The NPV remained high in the subset of patients who underwent an apical suspension—98.6% (95% CI 92.7–100.0%)—as well as those without a preoperative SUI complaint—98.6% (95% CI 92.3–100.0%). In most patients (72.9%), a ring pessary with support combined with intraprocedural manipulation allowed for reliable stress testing. Our study supports using preoperative UDS as a screening tool to avoid unnecessary concomitant continence procedures. Further studies are needed to individualize patient preoperative assessment and surgical counseling.
Print exposure predicts pronoun comprehension strategies in children.

Language development requires children to learn how to understand ambiguous pronouns, as in Panda Bear is having lunch with Puppy. He wants a pepperoni slice. Adults tend to link he with Puppy, the prior grammatical subject, but young children either fail to exhibit this bias (Arnold, Brown-Schmidt & Trueswell, 2007) or do so more slowly than adults (Hartshorne et al., 2015a; Song & Fisher, 2005). In the current study, we test whether language exposure affects this bias in elementary-school-age children. Children listened to stories like the one above, and answered questions like “Who wants a pepperoni slice?” which reveal their pronoun interpretation. Individual variation in the rate of selecting the subject character correlated with measures of print exposure, such that children who read more are more likely to follow the subject bias. This is the first study to establish that print exposure affects spoken pronoun comprehension in children.
Short, Intermediate and long term outcomes of CABG vs. PCI with DES in Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease. Meta-Analysis of Six Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE Comparing outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug eluting stent (DES) and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) in patients with multivessel Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) using data from randomized controlled trials (RCT). BACKGROUND PCI and CABG are established strategies for coronary revascularization in the setting of ischemic heart disease. Multiple RCT have compared outcomes of the two modalities in patients with multivessel CAD. METHODS We did a meta-analysis from six RCT in the contemporary era comparing the effectiveness of PCI with DES to at 1 year, 2 years and 5 years respectively. RESULTS Compared to CABG, at one year PCI was associated with a significantly higher incidence of TVR (RR= 2.31; 95% CI: [1.80 - 2.96]; P=<0.0001), lower incidence of stroke (RR= 0.35; 95% CI: [0.19 - 0.62]; P=0.0003), and no difference in death (RR= 1.02; 95% CI: [0.77 - 1.36]; P= 0.88) or MI (RR= 1.16; 95% CI: [0.72 - 1.88]; P= 0.53). At 5 years, PCI was associated with a higher incidence of death (RR= 1.3; 95% CI: [1.10 - 1.54]; P= 0.0026) and MI (RR= 2.21; 95% CI: [1.75 - 2.79]; P=<0.0001). While the higher incidence of MI with PCI was noticed in both diabetic and non-diabetics, death was increased mainly in diabetic patients. CONCLUSION In patients with multi-vessel CAD, PCI with DES is associated with no significant difference in death or MI at 1 or 2 years. However at 5 years, PCI is associated with higher incidence of death and MI.
Abstract 867: EGFR kinase domain duplication (EGFR-KDD) is activated by asymmetric intra-molecular dimerization

Recently, we identified a novel oncogenic EGFR exon 18 - 25 Kinase Domain Duplication (EGFR-KDD) in patients with lung cancer (PMID: 26286086). This novel EGFR alteration contains two tandem, in-frame EGFR TKDs. Computational modeling suggested that the linker between the two TKDs may support the formation of an asymmetric intra-molecular dimer. In this study, we sought to provide experimental support for the model that EGFR-KDD could form ligand-independent asymmetric intra-molecular dimers. We constructed point mutations (Table 1) disrupting the potential intra- (C1, N2) and inter-molecular dimer interfaces (N1 and C2) between each TKD of EGFR-KDD. We also introduced catalytically inactivating mutation into each TKD individually (Dead1 and Dead2). We stably expressed these mutants in YAMC and NR6, two cell lines lacking endogenous wild-type EGFR expression. In the absence of ligand, ‘wild-type’ EGFR-KDD was phosphorylated on known EGFR auto-phosphorylation sites, Y992, Y1068, and Y1173. However, mutations of the intra-molecular dimer interface (C1, N2) abrogated EGFR-KDD auto-phosphorylation, which is an accepted surrogate for EGFR enzymatic activity. In support of these data, expression of EGFR-KDD, but not the intra-molecular dimer interface mutants (C1, N2), supported growth in soft agar, an assay utilized in support of oncogenic phenotypes. Interestingly, phosphorylation of the dimer interface mutants (C1, N2) was rescued by ligand stimulation, suggesting the formation of EGFR-KDD multimers. Our structural modeling by Rosetta suggests that EGFR-KDD can form high order multimers with itself or with wild-type EGFR, and we observed co-precipitation of EGFR-KDD with itself and wild-type EGFR in vitro. Collectively, our findings define a previously unrecognized model of asymmetric intra-molecular dimers for EGFR, which provides important insights for the understanding of EGFR activation mechanisms and shed light on the exploration of therapeutic benefit. Citation Format: Zhenfang Du, Jean-Nicolas Gallant, Monica Red-Brewer, Benjamin Brown, Jonathan Sheehan, Jens Meiler, Christine M. Lovly. EGFR kinase domain duplication (EGFR-KDD) is activated by asymmetric intra-molecular dimerization [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 867.
Seven Years of Data Science at Airbnb

In this talk I will share my experience at the start of "Data Science" in 2012, joining one of the fastest growing early stage unicorns and then building data science over 7 years. What we think of when we think of data science has evolved rapidly during this time. At Airbnb we now use data across product and operations, and for decisions by humans and machines. I will share my predictions for the future and where I believe data science can make the biggest impact in the years to come.
Planar, Multifunctional 3D Printed Antennas Using Liquid Metal Parasitics

This paper describes a liquid metal-based multifunctional antenna capable of wideband frequency tuning, dual band operation, and polarization reconfiguration. The radiating elements consist of parasitically-excited plugs of room-temperature liquid metal in 3D printed channels. Syringe pumps flow the gallium-alloy plugs in proximity to a capacitive feeding structure. This non-contact feeding scheme separates the metal flow path from the SMA connector and lends mechanical robustness at the feed while allowing impedance matching over a wide range of frequencies. Sliding the plug along a right-angle bend enables linear polarization reconfiguration, while simultaneously placing plugs in both orthogonal channels can generate circular or 45° linear polarization. Dual band operation is also supported by infusing plugs of two dissimilar lengths into the two channels. Simulation and measurement results demonstrate that this antenna can tune its impedance over a decade (10:1 frequency range) maintaining a 2:1 VSWR and achieve a polarization diversity >12 dB. The pumped plugs can circulate at a peak velocity of 50 mm/s, currently limited only by our pumping equipment. Repeatability analysis is also performed by cycling the plug actuation more than 1100 times. More complex designs can exploit this design concept to develop new types of highly versatile, multi-functional antennas.
Fondaparinux pentasaccharide reduces sepsis coagulopathy and promotes survival in the baboon model of Escherichia coli sepsis.

Background Sepsis triggers dysfunction of coagulation and fibrinolytic systems leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) that contributes to organ failure and death. Fondaparinux (FPX) is a synthetic pentasaccharide that binds to antithrombin (AT) and selectively inhibits factor (F) Xa and other upstream coagulation proteases but not thrombin (T). Objectives We used a baboon model of lethal Escherichia coli sepsis to investigate the effects of FPX treatment on DIC, organ function, and outcome. Methods Two experimental groups were studied: (a) E. coli challenge (n = 4); and (b) E coli plus FPX (n = 4). Bacteremia was modeled by intravenous infusion of pathogen (1-2 × 1010 CFU/kg). Fondaparinux (0.08 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously, 3 h prior to and 8 h after bacteria infusion. Results Bacteremia rapidly increased plasma levels of inhibitory complexes of AT with coagulation proteases. Activation markers of both intrinsic (FXIa-AT), and extrinsic (FVIIa-AT) pathways were significantly reduced in FPX-treated animals. Factor Xa-AT and TAT complexes were maximal at 4 to 8 h post challenge and reduced >50% in FPX-treated animals. Fibrinogen consumption, fibrin generation and degradation, neutrophil and complement activation, and cytokine production were strongly induced by sepsis. All parameters were significantly reduced, while platelet count was unchanged by the treatment. Fondaparinux infusion attenuated organ dysfunction, prolonged survival, and saved two of four challenged animals (log-rank Mantel-Cox test, P = .0067). Conclusion Our data indicate that FPX-mediated inhibition of coagulation prevents sepsis coagulopathy; protects against excessive complement activation, inflammation, and organ dysfunction; and provides survival benefit in E. coli sepsis.
Optimization of Rural Cellular Coverage on the Islands of Hawaii

In this communication genetic programming (GP) is applied to optimize the coverage of wireless networks in rural areas. Three locations in the Hawaiian Islands were studied: Kohala area on Hawaii, the North Shore on Oahu, and the populated area on Maui between West Maui Mountains and Haleakala. Omnidirectional and directional base station scenarios were optimized and simulated. For all three locations studied directional base stations provided better coverage than omnidirectional base stations. For the Maui and Oahu locations directional base stations provided significantly more coverage.
Giant resonances in Ca 40 , 48 , Ni 68 , Zr 90 , Sn 116 , Sm 144 , and Pb 208

We present results of centroid energies ${E}_{\mathrm{CEN}}$, of the isoscalar ($T=0$) and isovector ($T=1$) giant resonances of multipolarities $L=0--3$ in $^{40,48}\mathrm{Ca}, ^{68}\mathrm{Ni}, ^{90}\mathrm{Zr}, ^{116}\mathrm{Sn}, ^{144}\mathrm{Sm}$, and $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$, calculated within the fully self-consistent Hartree-Fock-based random phase approximation theory, using 33 different Skyrme-type effective nucleon-nucleon interactions of the standard form commonly adopted in the literature. We compare the results of our theoretical calculations with the available experimental data. We also study the sensitivity of the calculated ${E}_{\mathrm{CEN}}$ to physical properties of nuclear matter (NM), such as effective mass m*/m, nuclear matter incompressibility coefficient ${K}_{\mathrm{NM}}$, enhancement coefficient \ensuremath{\kappa} of the energy weighted sum rule for the isovector giant dipole resonance and symmetry energy at saturation density, associated with the Skyrme interactions used in the calculations. This is done by determining the Pearson linear correlation coefficient between the calculated ${E}_{\mathrm{CEN}}$ and a certain NM property. Constraining the values of the NM properties, by comparing the calculated values of ${E}_{\mathrm{CEN}}$ to the experimental data, we find that interactions associated with the values of ${K}_{\mathrm{NM}}=210--240\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$ and $\ensuremath{\kappa}=0.25--0.70$ best reproduce the experimental data.
Recipes for Consistent Selected Area Electron Diffraction Results: Part 3: Electron Diffraction Analysis Software

Electron diffraction is an essential characterization tool for materials scientists. When using the transmission electron microscope (TEM) to perform diffraction experiments, setting up the microscope for both calibration standards and unknown materials in a consistent method ensures that dependable results are obtained. Care must also be exercised to protect digital cameras from intense transmitted and diffracted beams to avoid damage. In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, procedures were presented for recording high-quality, well-calibrated, digital SAED patterns. In Part 3, aspects of diffraction analysis software packages and the reliability of data are discussed.
Metaphilosophical Musings

It has been some time now since we have had our Philosopher's Corner feature in place at The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems, and we have seen some truly magnificent work appear in these pages in that time. I am gilding the lily in saying so, to be sure, but as an Editor-in-Chief, I have a certain pride of ownership in regard to it. I don't want to claim that The Philosopher's Corner was all my idea; we are a team here in the Editorial office, and we do things as a team and by consensus. Even so, I have a great deal of enthusiasm for the feature and take it upon myself to shamelessly promote it at every turn and in every quarter. Just as I am now.
Impact of damaging and recovery on the temperature dependence of the work function of oxide electrodes in fluorescent lamps

In the present work the work function of electrons for oxide cathodes in operating fluorescent lamps is measured before and after damaging the cathodes by cold starting of the lamp. A strong increase of the absolute value and a decrease of the temperature dependence of the work function is observed. The values recover partly after operating the lamp for a certain time. The results are interpreted as the consequence of a thin metallic layer generated during cold starting at the surface of the oxide and its effect on the depletion of electrons of donor-like colour centres (appearing in the oxide due to oxygen vacancies) under the ultraviolet radiation present in an operating fluorescent lamp, and on the magnitude and temperature dependence of the work function in the plated regions, invoking the patch effect to generate an averaged value of the work function, which is then assumed to be observed experimentally. Moreover, barium surface states are considered, yielding reasonable values for the not plated regions, when calculating the work function, as well for the assumption of a depletion of also these states by ultraviolet radiation, as also when only regarding a thermal excitation of the surface states applying the Fowler equation. Finally, a model of a diffusion governed dynamical equilibrium yielding a T 3∕2 dependence for the donor concentration is proposed.
Effects of voriconazole on population pharmacokinetics and optimization of the initial dose of tacrolimus in children with chronic granulomatous disease undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background This study aimed to explore the effects of voriconazole on population pharmacokinetics and optimization of the initial dose of tacrolimus in children with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods Thirty-four children with CGD undergoing HSCT were assessed to establish a population pharmacokinetic model (PPM) using the non-linear mixed effect. Tacrolimus concentrations were simulated by the Monte Carlo method in children weighing <25 kg at different doses. Results In the final model, weight and concomitant use of voriconazole were included as covariates. With the same weight, the relative value of tacrolimus clearance was 1:0.388 in children not taking voriconazole: children taking voriconazole. Compared with children not taking voriconazole, the measured tacrolimus concentrations were all higher in children taking voriconazole (P<0.01); however, these were not corrected by dose or body weight for concentration differences. Thus, we simulated the tacrolimus concentrations using different body weights (5-25 kg) and different dose regimens (0.1-0.8 mg/kg/day) for the same body weight and dose. Tacrolimus concentrations in children taking voriconazole were higher than those in children not taking voriconazole (P<0.01). Also, in children with CGD undergoing HSCT who were not taking voriconazole, the initial dose regimen of 0.5 mg/kg/day was recommended for body weights of 5-10 kg, and 0.4 mg/kg/day was recommended for body weights of 10-25 kg. In children with CGD undergoing HSCT who were taking voriconazole, an initial dose regimen of 0.3 mg/kg/day was recommended for body weights of 5-25 kg. Conclusions We established, for the first time, a PPM of tacrolimus in children with CGD undergoing HSCT in which voriconazole significantly increased tacrolimus concentrations. In addition, the initial dose of tacrolimus in children with CGD undergoing HSCT was recommended.
Newly Food-Insecure College Students in Appalachia During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract Objective This study investigated if the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic influenced college student food insecurity and factors that might contribute to a student becoming newly food insecure. Design A convenience sample was assessed using a cross-sectional survey. Setting Online. Participants College students (n = 2,018) enrolled at a land-grant institution in Appalachia. Main Outcome Measure(s) Food insecurity was assessed using the Hunger Vital Sign with reference before COVID-19 and since COVID-19. Demographic and pandemic-specific questions and their associations with food insecurity status were assessed. Analysis Students were categorized as food secure (food secure before and since COVID-19 or food insecure in the year before COVID-19 but not food insecure since COVID-19), consistently food insecure (food insecure before and since COVID-19), and newly food insecure (food secure before but food insecure since COVID-19). Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between new food insecurity and contributing factors. Results Of respondents, 68.4% were food secure, 16.5% were consistently food insecure, and 15.1% were newly food insecure. Loss of employment, increased grocery expenditure, anxiety, and a perceived threat posed by COVID-19 were significant indicators of students being newly food insecure. Conclusions and Implications More students were facing food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued advocacy for sustainable solutions to college food insecurity is needed.
Aping Blackness: Reading and Evaluating Racialized Images in Cartagena, Colombia:

Why are residents of a city racialized as Black overwhelmingly in favor of representations of Blackness that caricature Afro-descendants as subservient, hypersexual and licentious, jovial, uninhibi...
The Problem of Vague Predicates

Michael Dummett and Crispin Wright1 consider the following puzzle. Imagine a series of coloured patches, beginning with a red patch. Suppose, moreover, that the colour from patch to patch changes gradually so that the last patch is quite clearly not red. However, the change is so gradual that each patch is — to the eye — quite indistinguishable from the next in colour.
In vitro and in vivo studies of the target cell for dialyzable leukocyte extracts. Evidence for recipient specificity.

Abstract The effects of dialyzable leukocyte extracts (DLE), assumed to contain the so-called “dialyzable transfer factor,” were tested in vivo and in vitro . In vivo , DLE was used to treat a patient with an apparent monocyte deficiency, before and after treatment with supernatants of buffy-coat cells from normal individuals. In vitro , white blood cells from the same patient and from normal controls were used as target cells for DNA synthesis assays. The normal cells were either cells isolated on a Ficoll-Isopaque gradient (FC) or FC that were nonadherent to cotton after incubation for 45 min at 37°C (NAC). These cells were tested (a) in the presence or absence of DLE and in the presence or absence of antigens to which the donors of the DLE batches were sensitive; (b) in the presence or absence of DLE or antigen, with supernatants from cultures of normal FC (SFC); (c) in the presence or absence of DLE or antigen, with supernatants from nonadherent cells alone (SNAC). DLE was also tested in vitro in a leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LIF) assay with and without antimonocyte serum added to the system. The results, both in vivo and in vitro , suggest that normal adherent cells or a factor(s) released by these cells is required for the effects of DLE. The importance of considering the condition of the patient (recipient specificity) in any theoretical attempt to explain the mechanism and possible specificity of action of DLE is discussed.
The relationship between symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder with soldier performance during training.

OBJECTIVE During interviews with Health Care Specialist military cadre, instructors voiced concern that symptoms associated with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (SoADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (SoODD) were interfering with soldiers' ability to complete training. The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between SoADHD and SoODD with soldiers' grade point average (GPA), Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) scores, and musculoskeletal injuries during Health Care Specialist (HCS) Advanced Individual Training (AIT). METHOD Participants included 122 soldiers attending HCS training. Participants completed a demographic survey and Barkley and Murphy's ADHD and ODD self-report symptom surveys. Their ADHD and ODD self-report scores were correlated with course performance metrics at the conclusion of their 16 weeks of training. RESULTS Pearson Correlation Coefficients revealed a significant negative relationship between ratings on the Oppositional Defiant Disorder scale with soldiers' GPA (p < 0.05), however the relationship was weak - accounting for 4% of the variance. No significant findings were noted between SoADHD and GPA, nor were significant relationships found between SoADHD or SoODD with APFT scores or musculoskeletal injuries. CONCLUSION Symptoms associated with ADHD and ODD had little impact on the academic and physical performance of soldiers attending HCS training. Implications and future research are explored, in this article.
Inactivation of rat small intestinal brush-border membrane alkaline phosphatase by oxygen free radicals.

Abstract Background: To date, the potential effects of free radicals on the activities of intestinal brush-border membrane enzymes have received little attention. Therefore, we conducted a series of experiments to examine the effects of free radicals on various enzymatic activities of rat small intestinal brush-border membranes. Methods: An in vitro Fe 2+ /ascorbate oxygen-radical generating system and rat small intestinal brush-border membranes were used for this purpose. The rate of lipid peroxidation was used as an index of free radical damage. In addition, fluorescence polarization, fatty acid analyses, membrane delipidation techniques, and studies with antioxidants and metal cofactors were used. Results: Increased free radical formation was associated with the inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity, with no change in the activities of sucrase, maltase, leucine aminopeptidase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. Generation of free radicals also markedly decreased membrane lipid fluidity and altered fatty acid composition. Catalase, reduced glutathione, or α-tocopherol treatment reduced lipid peroxidation as well as inactivation of enzyme activity. The use of artificial fluidizers, Arrhenius plots, and membrane delipidation studies failed to show a relationship between the inactivation of this enzyme and changes in membrane lipid composition or fluidity. Conclusions: The inactivation of alkaline phosphatase by free radicals appears to involve its direct oxidation.
Document design for technical job tasks: an evaluation

Document design strategies have typically focused on either procedural text or instructional text. This study evaluates the design of yet another class of text, the nonprocedural job text. A nine-page segment of a technical text was redesigned by three separate companies, each specializing in document design. The companies were given complete freedom in redesigning the text. Evaluation was carried out by means of paper-and-pencil tests of fact comprehension and of inferential comprehension for fault isolation tasks. Both speed and accuracy were measured in these "open book" tests. None of the redesigns resulted in more accurate or faster comprehension performance. In fact, one of the redesigns was less comprehensible than the original, as measured on each test. The results are discussed in terms of "reading to do" versus "reading to learn," and in terms of the potential moderating effect of the readers' "format schema" for the traditional design.
Annals of Crony Capitalism: Revisiting the AIG Bailout

Cronyism may well be an intensifying problem in contemporary American capitalism, but an incorrect identification and labeling of crony capitalism subverts meaningful reform. Five years after considerable financial assistance was provided to the American International Group by the New York Federal Reserve Bank and the U.S. Treasury, the AIG bailout story remains highly controversial as a putative case of capitalism gone bad — crony capitalism at its worst. This paper reviews the record surrounding the AIG bankruptcy and argues that the bailout decision and the subsequent structure of the bailout tell a much different story than the one characterized as “crony capitalism.” Based on a close reading of this record, the story I tell is that the lingering controversies over the bailout are not a result of the corrupt behavior of Federal Reserve and Treasury officials. Rather, they are the result of impromptu and highly improvised risk management by government officials who had no clear regulatory authority over failing investment banks and insurance companies — like Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, and AIG — and who were conditioned by their professional training and current responsibilities to focus on the worst-case scenarios following the collapse of large financial institutions holding fast-depreciating real estate assets. Operating under severe time constraints and existential anxiety, mistakes and missteps were made by the New York Fed in its unfamiliar role as the chief restructuring officer of AIG. But this is far different story than calculated corruption benefiting large domestic and foreign banks vulnerable to an AIG collapse. This essay is a cautionary tale about exaggerated (and false) claims of institutional corruption in the public and private sectors. We are currently witnessing a sufficient number of cases of both unlawful and lawful-but-corrupt behavior to motivate a debate about meaningful reforms. Inaccurate characterizations of institutional and individual behavior can only serve to contaminate this important conversation.
Peridiverticular colonic hyaline rings (pulse granulomas): Report of two cases associated with perforated diverticula

Hyaline ring (pulse granuloma) is a rare benign lesion of the oral cavity soft tissues characterized by round or oval structures with scalloped borders composed by a collagenous matrix variable associated with inflammatory and foreign bogy giant cells. Vegetable fragments are variably identified. Whereas most cases occur in the oral cavity, it has also been described in other sites such as the lung and rectum. It is thought by most to represent a reaction to foreign materials. We report two incidentally discovered cases of colonic hyaline rings associated with perforated diverticulitis. Vegetable residues were seen in both cases.
Endogenous Aspergillus endophthalmitis in an immunocompetent individual

We present an unusual case ofAspergillus fumigatus endogenous endophthalmitis in a 27 year old Hispanic male with no history of ocular trauma, surgery, hematologic malignancy, compromised immune system, or intravenous drug use. The patient presented with a two-day history of pain, redness, and visual acuity of bare count fingers in his right eye. He was originally suspected of having toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, but clinically worsened on systemic anti-toxoplasma medication and corticosteroids. He subsequently underwent pars plana vitrectomy and treatment with intravenous and intravitreal amphotericin B.Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated and identified in the vitreous aspirate. With aggressive medical and surgical management, he eventually regained visual acuity of 20/30 in his right eye. This case illustrates the occurrence of endogenous Aspergillus endophthalmitis in a patient with no history of intravenous drug use, ocular trauma, or compromised immune system, and successful outcome with combined medical and surgical management.
Cross-level, three-way interactions among work-group climate, gender, and frequency of harassment on morale and withdrawal outcomes of sexual harassment

We examined the effects of gender and work-groups' perceptions of climate for sexual harassment on the relationship between individuals' sexual harassment experiences and job-related outcomes (namely, job satisfaction, affective organizational commitment, work withdrawal, and job withdrawal). Drawing from a variety of theories, we proposed that a beneficial climate would buffer men from negative outcomes, but would intensify negative outcomes for women. Significant three-way interactions were found for job satisfaction, affective organizational commitment, and job withdrawal. Results indicated that beneficial work-group climate perceptions buffered men from decrements in job satisfaction and work withdrawal, but intensified decrements in all three outcomes for women. Implications for research and practice are discussed.