cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Boundary collapse in models of shear-flow transition

Abstract We explore two low-dimensional dynamical systems modeling transition to turbulence in shear flows to try to understand the nature of the boundary ∂B of the basin of attraction B of the stable, laminar point at the origin of coordinates. Components of ∂B are found to exist in two types: one (the ‘strong’ type) separating B from a complementary set where orbits never relaminarize, and a second (the ‘weak’ type) separating B into two parts locally but not globally. For a boundary of weak type, orbits on each side relaminarize but may be distinguished from one another by features such as orbital complexity and time to relaminarize. The basin boundary may be of a single type, or may be a union of components of different types. The models are parametrized and may transform from one type to another at a critical parameter value. In the models studied here the change from purely strong type to a union of the two types occurs via the collapse of two sheets of a strong boundary into a single sheet. This is accompanied, at the critical value of the parameter, by the appearance of a homoclinic orbit and the subsequent occurrence of a periodic orbit on the strong part of the boundary.
The Kinect Story

Kinect is a state-of-the-art depth, video, and audio sensor that allows individuals to naturally interact with devices. This presentation summarizes Kinect development focusing on challenges involved in transition from technology to product. Biography (100 word limit): Scott McEldowney is a principal engineer at Microsoft Corporation. He has been at Microsoft for 3 years all working on the development of Natural User Interface technologies based on gesture recognition. Prior to Microsoft, Scott worked for 18 years in the Advanced Optical Technology division of JDSU developing optical components sub-systems for consumer electronics, medical instrumentation, and aerospace. Scott holds a MS degree in Mechanical Engineering and PhD in Optical Sciences.
Pregnenolone-Binding Proteins in the Rat Adrenal Cortex

Rat adrenal cortex contains a protein(s) that binds pregnenolone with high affinity. This binding, demonstrated by gel filtration and by a dextran- coated charcoal method, was associated with the cytosol and with fractions solubilized by sonication from the mitochondria and microsomes. The binding of pregnenolone was saturable and was inhibited by mercurials and proteolytic enzymes. Pregnenolone-binding was not influenced by the presence of progesterone, deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone or aldosterone, but was inhibited by steroids with a 3β-hydroxy-5-ene structure similar to pregnenolone, and by hydroxymethylene steroid and cyanoketone. We suggest that this protein is involved in the intracellular transport and retention of pregnenolone within adrenal cortical cells.
High‐resolution solid‐state manometry of the antropyloroduodenal region

Manometric recording from the pyloric channel is challenging and is usually performed with a sleeve device. Recently, a solid-state manometry system was developed, which incorporates 36 circumferential pressure sensors spaced at 1-cm intervals. Our aim was to use this system to determine whether it provided useful manometric measurements of the pyloric region. We recruited 10 healthy subjects (7 males:3 females). The catheter (ManoScan(360)) was introduced transnasally and, in the final position, 15-20 sensors were in the stomach and the remainder distributed across the pylorus and duodenum. Patients were recorded fasting and then given a meal and recorded postprandially. Using pressure data and isocontour plots, the pylorus was identified in all subjects. Mean pyloric width was 2.1 +/- 0.1 cm (95% CI: 1.40-2.40). Basal pyloric pressure during phase I was 9.4 +/- 1.1 mmHg, while basal antral pressure was significantly lower (P = 0.003; 95% CI: 2.4-8.4). Pyloric pressure was always elevated relative to antral pressure in phase I. For phases II and III, pyloric pressure was 7.7 +/- 2.3 mmHg and 9.4 +/- 1.1 mmHg, respectively. Pyloric pressure increased similarly after both the liquid and solid meal. In addition, isolated pressure events and waves, which involve the pylorus, were readily identified.
Human protein phosphatase PP6 regulatory subunits provide Sit4-dependent and rapamycin-sensitive sap function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae the protein phosphatase Sit4 and four associated proteins (Sap4, Sap155, Sap185, and Sap190) mediate G1 to S cell cycle progression and a number of signaling events controlled by the target of rapamycin TOR signaling cascade. Sit4 and the Sap proteins are ubiquitously conserved and their human orthologs, PP6 and three PP6R proteins, share significant sequence identity with their yeast counterparts. However, relatively little is known about the functions of the PP6 and PP6R proteins in mammalian cells. Here we demonstrate that the human PP6R proteins physically interact with Sit4 when expressed in yeast cells. Remarkably, expression of PP6R2 and PP6R3 but not expression of PP6R1 rescues the growth defect and rapamycin hypersensitivity of yeast cells lacking all four Saps, and these effects require Sit4. Moreover, PP6R2 and PP6R3 enhance cyclin G1 gene expression and DNA synthesis, and partially abrogate the G1 cell cycle delay and the budding defect of the yeast quadruple sap mutant strain. In contrast, the human PP6R proteins only modestly support nitrogen catabolite gene expression and are unable to restore normal levels of eIF2α phosphorylation in the quadruple sap mutant strain. These results illustrate that the human PP6-associated proteins are capable of providing distinct rapamycin-sensitive and Sit4-dependent Sap functions in the heterologous context of the yeast cell. We hypothesize that the human Saps may play analogous roles in mTORC1-PP6 signaling events in metazoans.
Opioid substitution therapy is associated with decreased HIV transmission among people who inject drugs

Commentary on: Macarthur GJ, Minozzi S, Martin N, et al. Opiate substitution treatment and HIV transmission in people who inject drugs: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2012;345:e5945.[OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] Injection drug use (IDU), through the sharing of drug injection paraphernalia and concurrent sexual risk behaviours, continues to fuel the HIV epidemic.1 Approximately, 16 million individuals inject drugs globally, an estimated 3 million of whom are HIV infected, underscoring the need for effective intervention.1 Although opioid substitution therapy (OST) is an important component of HIV prevention,2 ,3 only 8 of 100 individuals globally with IDU receive OST.2 A recently completed systematic review by the Cochrane Collaborative concluded that OST leads to risk reduction and decreased HIV incidence.4 The review included … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DBMJ%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1136%252Fbmj.e5945%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F23038795%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=bmj&resid=345/oct03_3/e5945&atom=%2Febmed%2F18%2F5%2F177.atom
Competitive Dynamics among Service SMEs

In an effort to further our understanding of competitive dynamics, the three constructs of firm specialization, environmental munificence, and rivalry intensity are examined in relation to financia...
Rapid reorganization of the transcriptional regulatory network after genome duplication in yeast

I study the reorganization of the yeast transcriptional regulatory network after whole-genome duplication (WGD). Individual transcription factors (TFs) were computationally removed from the regulatory network, and the resulting networks were analysed. TF gene pairs that survive in duplicate from WGD show detectable redundancy as a result of that duplication. However, in most other respects, these duplicated TFs are indistinguishable from other TFs in the genome, suggesting that the duplicate TFs produced by WGD were rapidly diverted to distinct functional roles in the regulatory network. Separately, I find that genes targeted by many TFs appear to be preferentially retained in duplicate after WGD, an effect I attribute to selection to maintain dosage balance in the regulatory network after WGD.
Thermophilic α-glucan phosphorylase from Clostridium thermocellum: Cloning, characterization and enhanced thermostability

Abstract ORF Cthe0357 from the thermophilic bacterium Clostridium thermocellum ATCC 27405 that encodes a putative α-glucan phosphorylase (αGP) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The protein with a C-terminal His-tag was purified by Ni2+ affinity chromatography; the tag-free protein obtained from a cellulose-binding module–intein–αGP fusion protein was purified through affinity adsorption on amorphous cellulose followed by intein self-cleavage. Both purified enzymes had molecular weights of ca. 81,000 and similar specific activities. The optimal conditions were pH 6.0–6.5 and 60 °C for the synthesis direction and pH 7.0–7.5 and 80 °C for the degradation direction. This enzyme had broad substrate specificities for different chain length dextrins and soluble starch. The thermal inactivation of this enzyme strongly depended on temperature, protein concentration, and certain addictives that were shown previously to benefit the protein thermostability. The half lifetime of 0.05 mg αGP/mL at 50 °C was extended by 45-fold to 90 h through a combined addition of 0.1 mM Mg2+, 5 mM DTT, 1% NaCl, 0.1% Triton X-100, and 1 mg/mL BSA. The enzyme with prolonged stability would work as a building block for cell-free synthetic enzymatic pathway biotransformations, which can implement complicated biocatalysis through assembly of a number of enzymes and coenzymes.
Surface-poker: multimodality in tabletop games

Multimodal interaction and face-to-face communication between players are aspects of traditional board games which contribute to their popularity. Such aspects are also typical of digital tabletop games. But in addition to that, digital systems allow for a higher level of multimodality through utilizing novel interaction devices or physiological input data. In this paper, we describe a multimodal tabletop Poker game which makes use of both: additional interaction devices and physiological input data. We outline the tabletop game, the interaction modalities involved, and observations of players.
Fractal and Image Analysis of Morphological Changes in the Actin Cytoskeleton of Neonatal Cardiac Fibroblasts in Response to Mechanical Stretch

Cardiac fibroblasts are the most numerous cells in the heart and are critical in the formation and normal functioning of the organ. Cardiac fibroblasts are firmly attached to and surrounded by extracellular matrix (ECM). Mechanical forces transmitted through interaction with the ECM can result in changes of overall cellular shape, cytoskeletal organization, proliferation, and gene expression of cardiac fibroblasts. These responses may be different in the normally functioning heart, when compared with various pathological conditions, including inflammation or hypertrophy. It is apparent that cellular phenotype and physiology, in turn, are affected by multiple signal transduction pathways modulated directly by the state of polymerization of the actin cytoskeleton. Morphological changes in actin organization resulting from response to adverse conditions in fibroblasts and other cell types are basically descriptive. Some studies have approached quantifying changes in actin cytoskeletal morphology, but these have involved complex and difficult procedures. In this study, we apply image analysis and non-Euclidian geometrical fractal analysis to quantify and describe changes induced in the actin cytoskeleton of cardiac fibroblasts responding to mechanical stress. Characterization of these rapid responses of fibroblasts to mechanical stress may provide insight into the regulation of fibroblasts behavior and gene expression during heart development and disease.
“People Shouldn't Be Forgotten”: Cold Case's Pursuit of History's Ghosts

Abstract:The television show Cold Case provides an ongoing social history lesson that offers a sophisticated and quite politicized analysis of the relationships between the past and the present. Furthermore, the program invites viewers to empathize with the victim and to develop an ethical commitment to social justice in the future.
A Genetic Test of Bioactive Gibberellins as Regulators of Heterosis in Maize

This study tested the hypothesis that gibberellin levels were responsible for the superior growth habit of hybrids (i.e., heterosis). If this were true, plants reduced in their capacity to produce gibberellin, such as maize plants homozygous for dwarf1 (d1), should display a lesser heterotic response. The d1 mutation was introgressed into two inbred lines of maize, B73 and Mo17, for seven generations. Plants segregating for the dwarf phenotype were produced both by self-fertilizing the introgressed inbred lines and by making reciprocal crosses between them to produce hybrids. Measurements were made of several physical traits. The results indicated that the hybrid dwarf plants experienced no loss of heterosis relative to their normal siblings. These results exclude the possibility that modulation of bioactive gibberellins is a major underlying basis of the heterotic response.
Recent theoretical progress in understanding coherent structures in edge and SOL turbulence

In this paper we review some theoretical aspects of the dynamics of the mesoscale filaments extending along the magnetic field lines in the edge plasma, which are often called ‘blobs’. We start with a brief historical survey of experimental data and the main ideas on edge and SOL plasma transport, which finally evolved into the modern paradigm of convective very-intermittent cross-field edge plasma transport. We show that both extensive analytic treatments and numerical simulations demonstrate that plasma blobs with enhanced pressure can be convected coherently towards the wall. The mechanism of convection is related to an effective gravity force (e.g. owing to magnetic curvature effects), which causes plasma polarization and a corresponding E× B convection. The impacts of different effects (e.g. X-point magnetic geometry, plasma collisionality, plasma beta, etc.) on blob dynamics are considered. Theory and simulation predict, both for current tokamaks and for ITER, blob propagation speeds and cross-field sizes to be of the order of a few hundred meters per second and a centimeter, respectively, which are in reasonable agreement with available experimental data. Moreover, the concept of blobs as a fundamental entity of convective transport in the scrape-off layer provides explanations for observed outwards convective transport, intermittency and non-Gaussian statistics in edge plasmas, and enhanced wall recycling in both toroidal and linear machines.
Coupling of near-bottom pelagic and benthic processes at abyssal depths in the eastern North Pacific Ocean

A time-series site was established in the eastern North Pacific Ocean to study the coupling between near-bottom pelagic and benthic processes at abyssal depths in an area with well-documented seasonality in surface water productivity. Particulate total mass (PTM), particulate organic C (POC), particulate total N (PTN), and particulate calcium carbonate [P(CaCO,)] fluxes were measured from sediment trap collections at 600 and 50 m above bottom from February 1990 to October 199 1 (606 d). The sea floor at 4,100 m was concurrently monitored with a time-lapse camera over a 386-d period from July 1990 to July 199 1. During this study, in situ measurements of sediment community oxygen consumption (SCOC) were made and surface sediment samples collected seasonally with a free-vehicle grab respirometer. PTM, POC, PTN, and P(CaC0,) fluxes exhibited a strong seasonal signal, with episodic peaks from spring through fall and lows in winter. SCOC increased sharply between winter and summer, coinciding with spring peaks in particulate fluxes. Detrital aggregates appeared on the sea floor in pulses over a 6-month period from July to December 1990, coinciding with periods when particulate fluxes were elevated but delayed - 1.5 months after the initial peaks in particulate flux. Mobile epibenthic megafauna monitored with time-lapse photography consisted primarily of holothuroids and echinoids and were twice as active when detrital aggregates were observed on the sea floor as during the rest of the year. Our results show a temporal relationship between the flux of particulate matter entering the benthic boundary layer, the arrival and residence of detritus on the sea floor, and the activity of the sediment community and mobile epibenthic megafauna.
Resonance phenomena in molecular photoionization: impact of synchrotron radiation

The nature of resonance phenomena in atomic and molecular systems is reviewed along with a discussion of the utilization of synchrotron radiation in studying resonance phenomena. The effects of autoionization and shape resonances on the branching ratios and asymmetry parameters for several systems are discussed. The potential and current status of threshold photoelectron spectroscopy and ion coincidence techniques are discussed.
Late renal dysfunction after pediatric heart transplantation

Abstract Acute as well as chronic renal dysfunctions are a common complication after pediatric heart transplantation and both increase the risk of post transplant morbidity and mortality. The severity of chronic kidney disease after heart transplantation varies from mild dysfunction to end stage renal disease requiring dialysis and/or renal transplantation. Multiple risk factors are involved including preexisting renal disease, peri-transplant hemodynamic renal insults and long-term exposure to calcineurin inhibitors post-transplant. Close monitoring and surveillance of renal function, high blood pressure, and proteinuria are recommended to detect chronic kidney disease at an early stage. Use of calcineurin inhibitor sparing regimens with a close monitoring of drug levels can help slow the progression. In order to prevent further injury, renal protective strategies should be started early in collaboration with a pediatric nephrologist.
How Am I Doing? Exploring On-Line Gradebook Monitoring as a Self-Regulated Learning Practice That Impacts Academic Achievement

Accessing the on-line gradebook feature of course management systems (e.g., Blackboard) is a novel form of performance monitoring and feedback seeking associated with self-regulated learning practi...
Characterization of the Pharmacokinetics of Phosphatidylethanol 16: 0/18:1 and 16:0/18:2 in Human Whole Blood After Alcohol Consumption in a Clinical Laboratory Study

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of 2 homologues of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) and their combined total in uncoagulated, whole blood samples taken from participants in a human clinical laboratory study after consumption of low doses of ethanol (EtOH).Metho
Carcinoma in rectal polyp; follow-up observations on 27 patients.

Radical surgery has often been carried out when cancer in rectal polyp is found or implied in the pathologist's report. A plea is made for a careful consideration of the histologic characteristics of the lesion before the decision for radical or conservative surgery. From the complete histologic picture, an individualized plan of therapy can be established; experience has shown that the majority of these lesions can be treated conservatively.
Improving the Suitability of Urban Farms for Wildlife

Urban farms and gardens are increasingly popular and now occur in most major cities of the United States. However, little is known about the relationship between existing wildlife and these agricultural lands. Green spaces in urban surroundings, such as parks, business campuses, and golf courses often serve as de facto wildlife habitats (Donnelly and Marzluff 2004; Cristol and Rodewald 2005; Snep 2009). Can lands managed for human sustenance also provide habitat for other species? Brown et al. (2015) provides a preliminary assessment and we suggest in this chapter further guiding principles for integrating urban farms into the urban ecosystem. We begin with an informal assessment of one farm.
9. Forensic linguistics and French

Nous examinons rapidement les cinq domaines de recherche en linguistique forensique, avant de nous consacrer a l’etude de la notion du desavantage linguistique dans l’histoire de la France. L’importance du desavantage linguistique n’est devenue primordiale qu’apres des reformes dans la procedure juridique et l’expansion du pouvoir royal. La langue du roi s’est installee avec la justice du roi, et s’est repandue avec les conquetes et les acquisitions territoriales des Bourbon. Apres la Revolution, la politique d’egalite s’est poursuivie par une politique d’uniformite linguistique, reduisant le nombre de citoyens qui ne parlent pas la langue du gouvernement, et le desavantage linguistique de la tres grande majorite de la population. Nous examinons en particulier l’emploi des interpretes et des traducteurs dans les cours de justice, et les restrictions bureaucratiques concernant les prenoms. Puisque les autres domaines de la linguistique forensique sont, jusqu’a present, peu etudies dans le monde francophone, c’est un domaine de recherche particulierement fertile pour les jeunes chercheurs. After a review of the five major areas in which forensic linguistic research is active, we examine in particular the notion of linguistic disadvantage as it has evolved in France. The importance of linguistic disadvantage is related to the inquest method of legal procedure, and grew with the increased power of the king’s law, as opposed to local customary law. The king’s language spread with the king’s justice, even as new conquests and acquisitions gave the king dominion over more regions that spoke languages other than French. After the French Revolution, the policy of equality through linguistic uniformity steadily reduced the number of non-French-speakers, and the linguistic disadvantage of many French citizens. We examine the use of interpreters and translators in the court system, and also the requirements relating to the registration of names for newborns. The dearth of research on forensic linguistics in the Francophone world makes this a particularly fertile field for the future.
The Book of Ecclesiastes (Qohelet) and the Path to Joyous Living

This is the first full-length study of Ecclesiastes using methods of philosophical exegesis, specifically those of the modern French philosophers Levinas and Blanchot. T. A. Perry opens up new horizons in the philosophical understanding of the Hebrew Bible, offering a series of meditations on its general spiritual outlook. Perry breaks down Ecclesiastes' motto 'all is vanity' and returns 'vanity' to its original concrete meaning of 'breath', the breath of life. This central and forgotten teaching of Ecclesiastes leads to new areas of breath research related both to environmentalism and breath control.
Capabilities, performance, and future possibilities of high frequency polyphase resonant converters

High Frequency Polyphase Resonant Power Conditioning (PRPC) techniques are now being utilized for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) accelerator klystron RF amplifier power systems. Component improvements realized with the SNS effort coupled with new applied engineering techniques have resulted in dramatic changes in RF power conditioning topology. With resonant conversion techniques, load protective networks are not required. A shorted load de-tunes the resonance and little power transfer can occur. This provides for power conditioning systems that are inherently self-protective, with automatic fault "ride-through" capabilities. By altering the Los Alamos design, higher power long pulse and cw power conditioning systems can be realized without further demands of the individual component voltage or current capabilities. This paper will briefly review the performance achieved for the SNS accelerator and examine designs for high efficiency megawatt class cw systems and 30 MW long pulse applications. The devices and designs for compact higher frequency converters utilized for short pulse, lower average power applications will also be presented.
Regulation of the CUL3 Ubiquitin Ligase by a Calcium-Dependent Co-adaptor

The ubiquitin ligase CUL3 is an essential regulator of neural crest specification whose aberrant activation has been linked to autism, schizophrenia, and hypertension. CUL3 exerts its roles by pairing with ∼90 distinct substrate adaptors, yet how the different CUL3-complexes are activated is poorly understood. Here, we show that CUL3 and its adaptor KLHL12 require two calcium-binding proteins, PEF1 and ALG2, for recognition of their substrate SEC31. PEF1 and ALG2 form a target-specific co-adaptor that translates a transient rise in cytosolic calcium levels into more persistent SEC31 ubiquitylation, which in turn triggers formation of large COPII coats and promotes collagen secretion. As calcium also instructs chondrocyte differentiation and collagen synthesis, calcium-dependent control of CUL3KLHL12 integrates collagen secretion into broader programs of craniofacial bone formation. Our work, therefore, identifies both calcium and CUL3 co-adaptors as important regulators of ubiquitylation events that control human development.
Countdown pedestrian signals with and without the flashing hand: field study

As part of a proposed change in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the effects of removing the flashing “Don’t Walk” (FDW) signal from the countdown pedestrian signal (CPS) is being considered. Field research conducted 10 years ago found later pedestrian crossing finishing times when a CPS without the FDW was compared with a CPS plus FDW signal, although there was no increase in the percentage completing crossing after cross traffic was released. Results also indicated a slight decrease in pedestrians running during the CPS alone condition. The purpose of the present study was to replicate systematically the Singer and Lerner field research 10 years later while increasing the number of sites where data were collected (from two to four) and collecting baseline, treatment, and follow-up data at each site. Other differences for this study consist of including both one-way and two-way intersections, different speed limits, and different buffer times. Results of this study found statistically signi...
Multi-Omics Reveals that Lead Exposure Disturbs Gut Microbiome Development, Key Metabolites, and Metabolic Pathways

Lead exposure remains a global public health issue, and the recent Flint water crisis has renewed public concern about lead toxicity. The toxicity of lead has been well established in a variety of systems and organs. The gut microbiome has been shown to be highly involved in many critical physiological processes, including food digestion, immune system development, and metabolic homeostasis. However, despite the key role of the gut microbiome in human health, the functional impact of lead exposure on the gut microbiome has not been studied. The aim of this study is to define gut microbiome toxicity induced by lead exposure in C57BL/6 mice using multiomics approaches, including 16S rRNA sequencing, whole genome metagenomics sequencing, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomics. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that lead exposure altered the gut microbiome trajectory and phylogenetic diversity. Metagenomics sequencing and metabolomics profiling showed that numerous metabolic pathways, includ...
Intermittent and daily smokers' subjective responses to smoking.

One third of US smokers are intermittent smokers (ITS) who do not smoke daily. Unlike daily smokers (DS), whose smoking is negatively reinforced by withdrawal relief, ITS may be motivated by immediate positive reinforcement. In contrast, incentive salience theory posits hypothesis that “liking” of drug effects fades in established users, such as DS. This study aims to compare ITS’ and DS’ hedonic responses to smoking. Participants were 109 ITS (smoking 4–27 days/month) and 52 DS (smoking daily 5–25 cigarettes/day), aged ≥21, smoking ≥3 years, and not quitting smoking. For 3 weeks, participants engaged in ecological momentary assessment, carrying an electronic diary that asked them to rate their most recent smoking experience on 0–100 visual analog scales (satisfaction, enjoyment [averaged as “pleasure”], feeling sick, feeling a “rush,” enjoying upper respiratory sensations, and immediate craving relief). Hierarchical random effect regression analyzed 4476 ratings. ITS found smoking pleasurable (mean = 69.7 ± 1.7 [SE]) but significantly less so than DS did (77.6 ± 2.3; p < 0.006). ITS also reported more aversive response (ITS 18.2 ± 1.4, DS 11.6 ± 2.0; p < 0.007). Even though ITS are more likely to smoke at bars/restaurants, when drinking alcohol, or when others were present, they did not report more pleasure in these settings (compared to DS). More extensive smoking experience was unrelated to craving or smoking effects among DS, but predicted greater craving, greater pleasure, and less aversion among ITS. The findings were largely inconsistent with incentive-salience models of drug use.
Framing Charitable Solicitations in a Behavioral Experiment: Cues Derived from Evolutionary Theory of Cooperation and Economic Anthropology

Philanthropic giving is a classic example of prosociality. Important for funding charitable and not-for-profit organizations, research on philanthropic giving is particularly relevant as competition for donors has increased in recent years. This chapter investigates the influence of social cues on philanthropic solicitation using one-shot anonymous public goods games. The results of these experiments indicate that an individual’s life history experience with volunteering, coupled with level of trust in the community, provides the strongest solicitation effects. We find that characteristics of the individual being solicited interact with particular social cues of the solicitor. The social cues we use are derived from prominent theories of helping behavior, corroborated with the ethnographic record. We connect evolutionary theory of cooperation and economic anthropology to the literature on charitable giving.
The Effect of the H-1B Quota on Employment and Selection of Foreign-Born Labor

Abstract The H-1B program allows skilled foreign-born individuals to work in the United States. The annual quota on new issuances of H-1B status fell from 195,000 to 65,000 in fiscal year 2004. This cap did not apply to new employees of colleges, universities, and non-profit research institutions. Existing H-1B holders seeking to renew their status were also exempt from the quota. Using a triple difference approach, this paper demonstrates that cap restrictions significantly reduced the hiring of new H-1B workers in for-profit firms relative to what would have occurred in an unconstrained environment. Declines were most pronounced at the top and bottom quintiles of the wage distribution. Restrictions did not reduce hiring of new H-1B workers from India, in computer-related occupations, or at firms using the H-1B program intensively.
The Plünnecke–Ruzsa Inequality: An Overview

In this expository article we present an overview of the Plunnecke–Ruzsa inequality: the known proofs, some of its well-known applications and possible extensions. We begin with the graph-theoretic setting in which Plunnecke and later Ruzsa worked in. The more purely combinatorial proofs of the inequality are subsequently presented. In the concluding sections we discuss the sharpness of the various results presented thus far and possible extensions of the inequality to the non-commutative setting.
Stress and skin disease quality of life: the moderating role of anxiety sensitivity social concerns.

SummaryBackground Stress is an important factor in the onset, exacerbation, and reoccurrence of many skin diseases. Little is known about psychological risk factors that impact the association between stress and dermatologic conditions. One relevant factor that may modulate this link is anxiety sensitivity (AS) social concerns – the propensity to respond fearfully to anxiety-related sensations (e.g., sweating, flushing) due to perceived social consequences (e.g., rejection or humiliation). Objective To gain insight into psychological factors affecting skin disease, we examined the moderating role of AS social concerns in the relation between stress and skin disease quality of life (QOL). Methods Participants (N = 237; 161 female; Mage = 34.18, SDage = 9.57) with active skin disease symptoms were recruited online and completed questionnaires assessing stress, AS social concerns, skin disease QOL, and global skin disease symptom severity. Results AS social concerns moderated the association between stress and skin-related emotional and social functioning in adults with skin disease. Stress was a significant predictor of the impairment associated with skin disease. Conclusions Stress was linked to skin disease-related emotional and functional impairment associated with skin disease among individuals with high AS social concerns. These results highlight the potential for AS reduction interventions to break the vicious cycle of stress and skin disease symptoms and to improve psychosocial well-being in dermatology patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Sequence Impedance Modeling and Analysis of Type-III Wind Turbines

Sequence impedance models are presented for type-III wind turbines that use doubly fed induction generators and back-to-back voltage source converters. The models, presented in analytical form for both positive- and negative-sequence impedances, include the effects of the induction machine, both the stator- and rotor-side converters as well as their controls, and the phase-locked loop used for synchronizing converter control with the grid voltage. The models are valid from subsynchronous frequency up to one-third of the switching frequency of the converter, making them useful for the analysis and mitigation of both subsynchronous and supersynchronous resonances and control interactions of type-III turbines with different types of grid.
Long-Term Genetic Silencing at Centromere and Telomeres

Certain regions of the chromosome, including the centromere and telomeres, are perpetually maintained in a heterochromatin state. These regions of the chromosome contain not only DNA and histones but also other proteins that help the DNA stay tightly packaged and unable to be transcribed. Centromeres and telomeres perform important functions unrelated to gene expression. Telomeres maintain the stability of each individual chromosome, while centromeres promote the faithful segregation of chromosomes during meiosis and mitosis. The DNA in these regions is tightly packed with proteins that aid their respective functions. These regions, as they are not normally accessible to transcription machinery, do not contain genes.
A Spatial and Temporal Analysis of the Socioeconomic Factors Associated with Breast Cancer in Illinois Using Geographically Weighted Generalized Linear Regression

A lot of studies have attempted to examine the association between the risk of breast cancer and socioeconomic factors using traditional statistical approaches without considering the spatial variations of socioeconomic variables and their varying effects on the risk of breast cancer. As an alternative, geographically weighted regression (GWR) can address such weakness. However, not all factors are necessarily global factors or local factors. Under this context, this study employs geographically weighted general linear regression (GWGLR) model to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics and breast cancer risk for the state of Illinois from 1999 to 2013. The study first uses ordinary least square to identify the most influential variables. Then GWR and GWGLR models are constructed based on the same set of variables. The GWGLR models improved both the OLS and GWR models. The spatial and temporal analyses suggest that economic status has a global effect on breast cancer risk. Both low and high economic status could be associated with an elevated risk of breast cancer. Occupation, however, is associated with the risk of breast cancer more as a local factor. The GWGLR models also helped reveal the regional variations of those relationships.
Screening Patterns and Mortality Differences in Patients With Lung Cancer at an Urban Underserved Community.

Abstract Background The landmark National Lung Screening Trial demonstrated significant reduction in lung cancer-related mortality. However, European lung cancer screening (LCS) trials have not confirmed such benefit. We examined LCS patterns and determined the impact of LCS-led diagnosis on the mortality of newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer in an underserved community. Patients and Methods Medical records of patients diagnosed with primary lung cancer in 2013 through 2016 (n = 855) were reviewed for primary care provider (PCP) status and LCS eligibility and completion, determined using United States Preventative Services Task Force guidelines. Univariate analyses of patient characteristics were conducted between LCS-eligible patients based on screening completion. Survival analyses were conducted using Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression. Results In 2013 through 2016, 175 patients with primary lung cancer had an established PCP and were eligible for LCS. Among them, 19% (33/175) completed screening prior to diagnosis. LCS completion was associated with younger age (P = .02), active smoking status (P Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess LCS patterns and mortality differences on patients with screen-detected lung cancer in an urban underserved setting since the inception of United States Preventative Services Task Force guidelines. Patients with a LCS-led diagnosis had improved mortality, likely owing to cancer detection at earlier stages with curative treatment, which echoes the finding of prospective trials.
In Vivo Positron Emission Tomography of Extrastriatal Non-Dopaminergic Pathology in Parkinson Disease

Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of both motor and non-motor symptoms. The hallmark neuropathology of PD is nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation. Neuropathological studies, however, have also shown the involvement of extrastriatal non-dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems and Alzheimer disease (AD)-type pathology in the etiology of PD symptoms. With the advancement of new positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers, both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic neurotransmission systems as well as comorbid presence of AD-type proteinopathies can now be more readily assessed in vivo. We will review in vivo PET studies reporting on extrastriatal non-dopaminergic pathology in PD. We conclude that extrastriatal non-dopaminergic pathology, at least in part, may explain the heterogeneity of motor and non-motor disease manifestations in PD.
The unexpected beauty of modular bivariate quadratic functions

abstractModular bivariate quadratic functions (quadratic functions of two variables over the integers modulo q) can be used to procedurally generate grey-scale and colour textures that resemble orn...
Thoracic and Pulmonary Infections

All surgical specialties spend considerable effort to prevent lung infections from occurring and unfortunately even more resources once they have occurred. Due to the often immune-compromised status of surgical patients, the hospital environment, and the infectious nature of many surgical diseases, the surgeon must be vigilant in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious processes of the lung. This chapter outlines the diagnosis, possible preventive measures, and treatment of both common and less-common thoracic infections.
On a Class of Self-Organizing Communication Networks

Technological networks can be designed to be self-organizing. For example, the method of dynamic programming can be applied to allow communication networks to adjust themselves for adequate reliability of communication at minimum cost, or for maximum reliability under given resources. —The Editor
Differential Mobility of Breast Cancer Cells and Normal Breast Epithelial Cells Under DC Electrophoresis and Electroosmosis

Background/aim Breast cancer has shown improved prognosis over the years, yet due to different types of breast cancer and different phenotypes of breast cancer cells, it is essential to have an accurate diagnostic procedure. Materials and methods A unique methodology employing direct current (DC) electrophoresis and electroosmosis in fabricated microfluidic devices was used. This phenomenon was used to discern breast cancer cells from normal breast epithelial cells based on their electrophoretic mobility and electroosmosis. Results Breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) rapidly covered the wound in scratch assay compared to mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A). However, under DC electrophoresis and electroosmosis MCF-10A cells were observed to move at higher velocities compared to MDA-MB-231 cells under similar voltages. Conclusion Our study provides an economical and efficient method of studying electrophoretic and electrokinetic phenomenon of different cell types that can be used to the advantage of detecting and monitoring cancer progression.
How design characteristics of tracheostomy tubes affect the cannula and tracheal flows.

Objectives The aim of this study was to perform computational simulations of airflow within an anatomically accurate model of an adult trachea in different tracheostomy tube designs. We hypothesized that tracheal airflow in patients is significantly influenced by the geometry and size of these devices. Methods The three-dimensional (3D) geometry of the trachea was reconstructed using computed tomography scans for an adult with no history of lung disease. 3D models of four cuffed tube designs, namely Tracoe, Portex, and Shiley Proximal and Distal tracheostomy tubes were generated using geometric modeling software. Transient simulations of airflow in the tube-airway assembly were performed for each tube using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Results Airflow velocity was higher for the Shiley tubes compared with Portex and Tracoe tubes. For all designs, the largest magnitude of inspiratory airflow turbulence was obtained midway in the trachea. The work of breathing, quantified by the resistance of the tracheostomy tube, was lowest for Tracoe. Maximum airway wall shear stress (WSS), defined as flow-induced frictional forces, occurred at the same spatial location in all cases. Low inspiratory WSS at the carina and high expiratory airway WSS at the cuff-airway interface were observed for the Tracoe and Portex tubes. Conclusion Our CFD model offers a promising approach not only for choosing a tracheostomy tube for a patient but for improving existing tracheostomy tube designs. Level of evidence NA Laryngoscope, 129:1791-1799, 2019.
Undermining Intersectionality: The Perils of Powerblind Feminism

In Undermining Intersectionality Barbara Tomlinson adopts a critical and poststructural analytical approach for the study of feminist discourse to examine the racial politics of white feminist comm...
Hearing a Voice as one’s own: Two Views of Inner Speech Self-Monitoring Deficits in Schizophrenia

Many philosophers and psychologists have sought to explain experiences of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) and “inserted thoughts” in schizophrenia in terms of a failure on the part of patients to appropriately monitor their own inner speech. These self-monitoring accounts have recently been challenged by some who argue that AVHs are better explained in terms of the spontaneous activation of auditory-verbal representations. This paper defends two kinds of self-monitoring approach against the spontaneous activation account. The defense requires first making some important clarifications concerning what is at issue in the dispute between the two forms of theory. A popular but problematic self-monitoring theory is then contrasted with two more plausible conceptions of what the relevant self-monitoring deficits involve. The first appeals to deficits in the neural mechanisms that normally filter or attenuate sensory signals that are the result of one’s own actions. The second, less familiar, form of self-monitoring approach draws an important analogy between Wernicke’s aphasia and AVHs in schizophrenia. This style of self-monitoring theory pursues possible connections among AVHs, inserted thoughts, and the disorganized speech characteristic formal thought disorder (FTD).
Evaluating competition in the Internet’s infrastructure: a view of GAFAM from the Internet exchanges

The Internet has given rise to online platforms offering unrivalled access to diverse markets and services. At the application-layer, consolidation and concentration is framed as a threat to compet...
A Perichoretic Model for Christian Love : A Theological Response to “A Common Word Between Us and You”

This article is basically a theological response to the Common Word Between Us and You. It gives a special emphasis on the Trinitarian concept of perichoresis and uses it as a model for Christian love in a pluralistic society. Close attention is given to Jurgen Moltmann’s social trinitarianism, and how it helps formulate a theological framework for a Christian attitude toward others.
Using formative evaluation to plan for electronic psychosocial screening in pediatric oncology.

Objective To demonstrate how formative research methods can be used to plan for implementation of evidence-based psychosocial screening in pediatric oncology. Methods Multidisciplinary pediatric oncology professionals participated in focus groups to adapt the distress thermometer for electronic administration and develop health systems processes to promote psychosocial screening in the pediatric oncology outpatient clinic setting. Seven 1-hour focus groups were conducted using a structured guide based on the reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance framework and transcribed verbatim. Two independent raters coded transcripts using a quasi-deductive approach with high inter-coder reliability (Cohen kappa >0.80). Results Participants' (N = 44) responses were used to identify overarching topics related to the adoption, implementation, and maintenance of electronic screening (e-screening) including: barriers to meeting families' psychosocial needs, identification of champions, suggestions to adapt the proposed e-screening program, perceived barriers to e-screening, and potential impact of carrying out e-screening. Following review of qualitative data, we employed specific implementation strategies to promote adoption, implementation, and maintenance of an e-screening program. Conclusions Perceived barriers to the implementation of psychosocial screening remain substantial, yet enthusiasm for using electronic health records (EHRs) technology to help meet patient needs through regular assessment was evident among pediatric oncology professionals. Electronic administration of screening and integration of results into the EHR in real time were identified as critical needs to overcome barriers to e-screening. Formative research including qualitative data from stakeholders can be used to tailor implementation strategies to successfully support the adoption, implementation, and maintenance of e-screening programs in pediatric oncology.