cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Raman spectroscopy and molecular simulation investigations of adsorption on the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes and nanospheres

Raman spectroscopy has, for long, been utilized to investigate material systems on the micro and mesoscales. Recently, the technique has proven its ability in exploring systems on the nanoscale. In this paper, we review our recent work on the Raman investigation of molecular adsorption from liquid mixtures on surfaces of single-walled carbon nanotubes and fullerene nanospheres, emphasizing the following major research findings: the development of a Raman-based technique capable of sensing local chemical interactions on the surface of carbon nanotubes and spheres; the molecular simulation results supporting the Raman investigation; the possibility of creating mesostructures based upon mixtures of carbon nanotubes and nanospheres that are crucial for selective adsorption. The current findings represent a major new thrust for the development of new nanostructured materials with superior adsorption capabilities and unique applications. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Profile-based direct kernels for remote homology detection and fold recognition

Motivation: Protein remote homology detection is a central problem in computational biology. Supervised learning algorithms based on support vector machines are currently one of the most effective methods for remote homology detection. The performance of these methods depends on how the protein sequences are modeled and on the method used to compute the kernel function between them. Results: We introduce two classes of kernel functions that are constructed by combining sequence profiles with new and existing approaches for determining the similarity between pairs of protein sequences. These kernels are constructed directly from these explicit protein similarity measures and employ effective profile-to-profile scoring schemes for measuring the similarity between pairs of proteins. Experiments with remote homology detection and fold recognition problems show that these kernels are capable of producing results that are substantially better than those produced by all of the existing state-of-the-art SVM-based methods. In addition, the experiments show that these kernels, even when used in the absence of profiles, produce results that are better than those produced by existing non-profile-based schemes. Availability: The programs for computing the various kernel functions are available on request from the authors. Contact: karypis@cs.umn.edu
Characterization of Polyclonal Antibodies to Preselected Domains of the Human Estrogen Receptor

Abstract We have synthesized three peptides with sequences identical to the DNA-binding domain of the human estrogen receptor (ER). These peptides correspond to sequences from amino acids 201–215, 231–245, and 247–261. We have used these peptides to develop polyclonal antibodies to the DNAbinding domain of ER. Six positive antisera were obtained against these peptides, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Three of these antisera recognized the functional form of ER, as determined by sucrose density gradient analysis. The antisera that recognized the native form of ER were then tested for their ability to cross-react with other steroid receptors and with ER from other species. No cross-reaction with the native progesterone, glucocorticoid, or androgen receptors was observed. The antisera cross-reacted with cytosolic ER from calf and rat uterine tissues as well as human breast cancer tissue. The antisera recognized ER in its monomeric (4S), dimeric (5S), and multimeric (8S) forms. These antis...
Catalytic dehydromethylation of methylcyclohexane and the simultaneous transformation of fractions of straight-run gasoline and methanol with modified forms of mordenite and pentasil

Results are presented from studies of the dehydromethylation (DHM) of methylcyclohexane (MCH) and the simultaneous transformation of straight-run gasoline fractions and methanol on modified forms of mordenite and pentasil in the presence of various hydrogen acceptors (O2, CO2). High selectivity on xylene isomers is observed for polycationic modifications of HNa-TsVM. On such catalytic systems, the degrees of DHM and dehydrodisproportionation (DHD) of MCH grow with an increase in O2-to-CO2 ratio in the range of 0.05 : (1–1.5), while the degree of its dehydrogenation to toluene is virtually constant. High yields of di- and trimethylbenzenes are achieved in the reactions between methanol and gasoline fractions composed mainly of C7–C8 hydrocarbons at 100–140 °C. The results from this study can be used for straight-run gasoline reforming with the aim of increasing the yield of C8-C9 aromatic hydrocarbons.
The Effect of Response Options on Decisions and Subsequent Behavior: Sometimes Inaction is Better

An active decision can result in more extreme self-inference than a passive decision. In the present study, however, induced inaction had the greatest effect on later behavior Students were asked to indicate their intentions about donating blood the following week. The rate of nonresponding to this request was highest when the only provided response option was to actively convey an intention not to donate, and the actual blood donation rate among these nonresponders was high. Recipients of this response option may have suspended a decision about donation, a suspension which in turn could have increased the probability of eventual donation through one or more social and self perceptual pathways. The behavioral effect of response option frames can be significantly modified by specific features of the request situation.
CD19-redirected chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells: a promising immunotherapy for children and adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL):

Relapsed and chemotherapy-refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) remain significant causes of cancer-associated morbidity and mortality for children and adults. Development of new molecularly targeted treatment strategies for patients with high-risk B-ALL is thus a major preclinical and clinical priority. Adoptive cellular therapy with patient-derived human T cells genetically engineered to express CD19 redirected chimeric antigen receptors (CD19 CAR T cells) is one immunotherapeutic modality that has recently demonstrated remarkable efficacy in re-inducing remission in patients with multiply relapsed B-ALL. Investigative teams at several major cancer centers are currently conducting phase I clinical trials in children and/or adults with relapsed/refractory B-ALL to assess the safety and to identify the maximally tolerated dose of each group's CD19 CAR T-cell product. All groups have reported major clinical toxicities associated with CD19 CAR T-cell treatment, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and macrophage activation syndrome, neurologic dysfunction and aplasia of normal B lymphocytes, while CD19 CAR T cells persist in vivo. Toxicities have generally been transient or manageable with supportive care measures. Some patients with life-threatening CD19 CAR T-cell induced sequelae have received anti-cytokine receptor antibody treatment to diminish CRS symptoms and/or corticosteroids to terminate CAR T-cell proliferation. Remarkably, 67-90% of children and adults with B-ALL treated with CD19 CAR T cells in these trials have achieved morphologic leukemia remission with many patients also in molecular remission. The duration of CD19 CAR T cell persistence in vivo has varied appreciably among treated patients and likely reflects differences in the CD19 CAR constructs utilized at each institution. CD19-positive and CD19-negative B-ALL relapses after CD19 CAR T-cell treatment have occurred in some patients. Phase II trials to assess the efficacy of CD19 CAR T-cell immunotherapy in larger cohorts of patients with relapsed/refractory B-ALL are ongoing or planned.
Rapid Receptor-Clustering Assay To Detect Uropathogenic and Diarrheal Escherichia coli Isolates Bearing Adhesins of the Dr Family

Infections caused by Escherichia coli isolates expressing adhesins of the Dr family are associated with diarrhea and urinary tract infections, and these E. coli strains recognize the complement regulatory protein decay-accelerating factor (DAF) as their receptor. Clustering of the DAF receptor at the sites of bacterial adherence to epithelial cells is proposed as an alternative to PCR assay for rapid detection of Dr-positive E. coli.
Thermal conductivity of doped polysilicon layers

The thermal conductivities of doped polysilicon layers depend on grain size and on the concentration and type of dopant atoms. Previous studies showed that layer processing conditions strongly influence the thermal conductivity, but the effects of grain size and dopant concentration were not investigated in detail. The current study provides thermal conductivity measurements for low-pressure chemical-vapor deposition (LPCVD) polysilicon layers of thickness near 1 /spl mu/m doped with boron and phosphorus at concentrations between 2.0/spl times/10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/ and 4.1/spl times/10/sup 19/ cm/sup -3/ for temperatures from 20 K to 320 K. The data show strongly reduced thermal conductivity values at all temperatures compared to similarly doped single-crystal silicon layers, which indicates that grain boundary scattering dominates the thermal resistance. A thermal conductivity model based on the Boltzmann transport equation reveals that phonon transmission through the grains is high, which accounts for the large phonon mean free paths at low temperatures. Algebraic expressions relating thermal conductivity to grain size and dopant concentration are provided for room temperature. The present results are important for the design of MEMS devices in which heat transfer in polysilicon is important.
INDUCIBLE AND CONDITIONAL INHIBITION OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS PROVIRAL EXPRESSION BY VESICULAR STOMATITIS VIRUS MATRIX PROTEIN

Besides its role in viral assembly, the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) matrix (M) protein causes cytopathic effects such as cell rounding (D. Blondel, G. G. Harmison, and M. Schubert, J. Virol. 64:1716-1725, 1990). DNA cotransfection assays demonstrated that VSV M protein was able to inhibit the transcription of a reporter gene (B. L. Black and D. S. Lyles, J. Virol. 66:4058-4064, 1992). We have confirmed these observations by using cotransfections with an infectious clone of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and found that the amino-terminal 32 amino acids of M protein which are essential for viral assembly were not required for this inhibition. For the study of the potential role of M protein in the shutoff of transcription from chromosomal DNA, we have isolated stable HeLa T4 cell lines which encode either a wild-type or a temperature-sensitive (ts) VSV M gene under control of the HIV-1 long terminal repeat promoter. Transcription of the M mRNA was transactivated after HIV-1 infections. A cell line which encodes the wild-type M protein was nonpermissive for either HIV-1 or HIV-2. A cell line that encodes the ts M gene was transfected with the infectious HIV-1 DNA or was infected with HIV-1 or HIV-2. In all cases, at 32 degrees C, the permissive temperature for M protein, the cells were nonpermissive for HIV replication. At 40 degrees C, the ts M protein was nonfunctional and both HIV-1 and HIV-2 were able to replicate at high levels. A comparison of the amounts of proviral HIV-1 DNAs and HIV-1 mRNAs at 10 and 36 h after HIV-1 infection demonstrated that proviral insertion had not been prevented by M protein and that the block in HIV-1 replication was at the level of proviral expression. The severe reduction of HIV-1 proviral transcripts demonstrates that the VSV M protein alone can inhibit expression from chromosomal DNA. These results strongly support the hypothesis that the VSV M protein is involved in the shutoff of host cell transcription. M protein was able to attenuate HIV-1 infections and protect the cell population from HIV-1 pathogenesis. The temperature-dependent switch from a persistent to a lytic HIV-1 infection in the presence of ts M protein could be useful for studies of HIV-1 replication and pathogenesis.
Endocrine Mechanisms Underlying Plasticity in Metamorphic Timing in Spadefoot Toads

SYNOPSIS. Amphibian larvae respond to heterogeneous environments by varying their rates of growth and development. Several amphibian species are known to accelerate metamorphosis in response to pond drying or resource restriction. Some of the most extensive studies to date on developmental responses to pond drying have been conducted on species of spadefoot toads (family Pelobatidae). We have found that tadpoles of two species of spadefoot toad accelerate metamorphosis when exposed to water volume reduction in the laboratory (to simulate a drying pond). Furthermore, Western spadefoot toad (Spea hammondii) tadpoles accelerated metamorphosis in response to food restriction, which was intended to simulate a decline in resource availability in the larval habitat. Metamorphic acceleration was accompanied by increased whole body 3,5,3 9-triiodothyronine and hindbrain corticotropin-releasing hormone content by 24 hr after transfer of tadpoles from high to low water. Food restriction for 4 day accelerated metamorphosis and elevated whole body thyroid hormone content. Although tadpoles accelerated metamorphosis and activated their thyroid axis in response to the two environmental manipulations, the kinetics of the responses were greater for water volume reduction than for resource restriction. The modulation of hormone secretion and action by environmental factors provides a mechanistic basis for plasticity in the timing of amphibian metamorphosis, and the neuroendocrine stress axis may play a central role in developmental plasticity.
FT-IRAS studies of CO adsorbed on Ag/Pt(111): anomalous behavior of vibrational cross-sections

Abstract In CO/Ag/Pt(111) surfaces the interaction between Ag and Pt enhances the strength of the AgCO bond. The CO desorption temperature of one monolayer of silver supported on Pt(111) is ∼ 70 K higher than that of Ag(111). Our results indicate that the infrared intensities of adsorbed CO are not representative of the relative composition of Pt(111) surfaces containing submonolayer coverages of silver. The Ag-bonded CO molecules screen CO molecules bonded to Pt, making them invisible in the infrared spectrum. The “screening” effect depends on the morphology and polarizability of the silver overlayer.
Collapse of the State Vector

Modifications of quantum mechanics are considered, in which the state vector of any system, large or small, undergoes a stochastic evolution. The general class of theories is described, in which the probability distribution of the state vector collapses to a sum of $\ensuremath{\delta}$ functions, one for each possible final state, with coefficients given by the Born rule.
Urban African-American and Hispanic adolescents and young adults: who do they talk to about AIDS and condoms? What are they learning?

A summary of qualitative results from a convenience sample of 30 Hispanic and 34 African American males and females 15-21 years in 1989 in Detroit (low socioeconomic status) and an open ended set of questions about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and condom use are provided. The results are not generalizable to all urban minority youth or African American and Hispanic youth or comparable to nonminority peers. The literature was lacking in ethnic differences in condom beliefs the identification of barriers to AIDS risk reduction (knowledge of AIDS transmission assessment of vulnerability and positive and negative attitudes to condoms) and who adolescents talk to about AIDS. The objective was to fill in the gaps for the purpose of developing intervention programs specific to this population. The instrument questioned 1) knowledge of AIDS and condoms 2) who youth talk to about AIDS and condoms and what is said 2) sexual experience 4) condom use and 5) drug use. Content was analyzed and reliability was assessed satisfactorily with Cohens kappa (p<.05). Special selection and training procedures were used to solicit truthfulness i.e. interviewers were matched by gender and ethnicity and trained to deal with silence confidentiality and anonymity issues and minimize stress. The results showed that most talked with someone about AIDS (68% black and 87% Hispanic). Both talked most often with friends or siblings followed by parents and then teachers and counselors. Hispanics talked more to teachers than blacks and African Americans talked more to friends. Misleading messages were given to African American on not to worry about AIDS (9%) and choosing safe sex partners (35%). Over 50% were given facts about AIDS vs. Hispanics who were given worry messages. 19% of Hispanics were told to protect themselves with safe sex partners; no one was told not to worry. Most knew the traditional modes of transmission but few knew about placental transmission (0%-23%) and women (41%-47%) knew of blood transfusion transmission in contrast to men (12%-13%). Approximately 50% of African American and Hispanic men thought it was possible to AIDS and 71% of African American Women but only 27% of Hispanic women thought it was possible. Most thought sexual contact made them vulnerable or avoidance behavior protected them. Positive beliefs about condom protection from AIDS were generally agreed upon but variation existed in negative beliefs and may voiced concerns about condom breakage discomfort and reduction in sexual pleasure. Education needs to address these concerns and for Hispanic women reproductive biology and health needs promotion and guidance in performance of AIDS reduction actions. The quality of these information channels needs improvement.
Club Drug and Poly-Substance Abuse and HIV Among Gay/Bisexual Men: Lessons Gleaned from a Community Study

Abstract There is concern about a resurgence of HIV infection related to the dramatic increase of “club drug” use (i.e., methamphetamine, Ecstasy, GHB, and ketamine) in the last decade among gay/bisexual men. This paper describes the community assessment and research efforts of the Substance Use Risk Exploration Project (SURE), which used complementary methods to describe salient dynamics involved in poly-substance abuse among gay and bisexual men in western Washington State and the south San Francisco Bay Area, California. Investigators discovered high prevalence of use of such substances in tandem with reported unsafe sex practices. The findings suggest complex social, historical and behavioral dynamics that influence the initiation and continuation of use. These factors have implications for professional and community education, prevention, outreach and treatment efforts.
Improving Legal Rights for Transgender Youth

The constitution does not offer the protection or afford a transgender youth or adult the opportunity to go unnoticed or to simply blend in the crowd and live life with liberty and freedom.
Abstract 405: Innate immunity in taxol-mediated tumor regression

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Taxol is a common chemotherapeutic used against many tumor types, including breast, ovarian and lung tumors. However, the mechanism by which it promotes tumor regression is unclear. While in cell culture taxol kills dividing cells, its ability to promote regression of slow growing tumors in some patients suggests it may have additional actions in vivo. To better understand taxol drug response in vivo we profiled xenograft tumors 1, 4, and 7 days post-drug treatment for changes gene expression and cytokine levels. Enrichment of genes associated with immune response pathways, and an increase in chemotactic cytokines Rantes and Mip-1α, suggest a pro-inflammatory immune response. In accordance, immunohistochemistry confirms that tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are recruited following treatment. While TAMs are generally considered pro-tumorigenic, our system suggests that macrophages may play a cytotoxic role under certain conditions. Understanding the mechanisms by which macrophages can be pro or anti-tumor growth following drug treatment will shed light on the heterogeneity in patient response and may suggest more efficacious, targeted treatment strategies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 405. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-405
Abstract PL02-02: Helicobacter gastritis, metaplasia, and gastric cancer

Helicobacter pylori is one of the primary reasons that the gastric epithelium becomes chronically inflamed. As with other epithelial tissues, chronic inflammation can lead to hyperproliferation, metaplasia and eventually gastric cancer. The hedgehog (Hh) pathway is required for embryonic development including development of the gastrointestinal tract. In the pancreas, Hh signaling is extinguished after birth but becomes re-activated by chronic inflammation and when sustained contributes to pancreatic cancer. However, the contribution of Hh signaling in gastric cancer has been less clear. Components of the Hh pathway are elevated in human gastric cancer cell lines, and on this basis, its contribution to gastric cancers have been implicated. Unlike the pancreas, the gastric corpus produces abundant amounts of the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) ligand. Recent studies have indicated that Shh expressed in the acid-producing parietal cells is required to recruit myeloid cells to the stomach during the initial phase of a Helicobacter infection. We will present evidence showing that the canonical Hh target gene Gli1 is required for the Helicobacter -induced inflammatory response as well as the subsequent development of mucous cell metaplasia, a pre-neoplastic lesion in the stomach. Citation Format: Juanita L. Merchant. Helicobacter gastritis, metaplasia, and gastric cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PL02-02.
Bladder Neck Obstruction Secondary to Brunn’s Cyst

AbstractA large solitary Brunn’s cyst caused a ball-valve type of obstruction of the bladder neck in a 29-year-old man without endoscopic or histological evidence of bladder inflammation. Unroofing and drainage restored normal voiding. The histopathological features of Brunn’s nests are reviewed.
The Determinants of the Number of White Supremacist Groups: A Pooled Time-Series Analysis

What social and political conditions help explain the number of white supremacist groups? This study uses pooled time-series cross-sectional methods to assess the explanatory power of three racial threat accounts. First, since lynchings indicated intense animosity against blacks that may persist, anti-black hate groups should be especially numerous where lynching rates were substantial in the distant past. Second, where or when white political and cultural dominance is threatened by large or growing black populations, additional white supremacist groups should be present. And third, these anti-black movements often recruit by emphasizing the links between race and violent street crime. Since the public mistakenly believes that most violent crimes are committed by blacks who victimize whites, larger numbers of hate groups should be present where murder rates are most substantial. With other theoretically plausible determinants such as unemployment and college completion rates held constant, the results confirm these three threat theory predictions.
Short History of the Logistic Regression Model

The logistic regression model, as compared to the probit, Tobit, and complementary log–log models, is worth revisiting based upon the work of Cramer (http://ssrn.com/abstract=360300 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.360300) and (Logit models from economics and other fields, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England, 2003, pp. 149–158). The ability to model the odds has made the logistic regression model a popular method of statistical analysis. The logistic regression model can be used for prospective, retrospective, or cross-sectional data while the probit, Tobit, and the complementary log–log models can only be used with prospective data because they model the probability of the event. This chapter provides a summary (http://ssrn.com/abstract=360300 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.360300; Logit models from economics and other fields, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England, 2003, pp. 149–158).
MODEL-BASED ROBUST CONTROL OF RESISTIVE WALL MODES VIA μ SYNTHESIS

In this work, μ synthesis is employed to stabilize a model of the resistive wall mode (RWM) instability in the DIII-D tokamak. The General Atomics/FAR-TECH DIII-D RWM model, which replaces the spat...
Concepts and Principles in Fundamental Physics

The aim of this introductory chapter is to outline the main concepts of this study, and to consider the nature of principle thinking in theoretical physics, most especially in quantum physics. After a brief introduction given in Sect. 1.1, Sect. 1.2 first defines the concept of concept, the main vehicle of thinking in theoretical physics. Then, it considers other key concepts of fundamental physics: theory, model, reality and realism, causality, randomness, probability and statistics, and locality. The deeper aspects of these concepts will be addressed throughout this study. The outline offered in this chapter is designed for introductory purposes and for avoiding misunderstandings concerning these concepts as defined by this study (they may be defined otherwise). Sec. 1.3 is devoted to a discussion of the concept of principle and the nature of principle thinking in theoretical physics, taking as its point of departure Einstein’s distinction between principle and constructive theories.
Cardiac output and blood flow redistribution in fetuses with D-loop transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum: insights into pathophysiology.

Objectives Although the postnatal physiology of D-loop transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum (D-TGA/IVS) is well established, little is known about fetal D-TGA/IVS. In the normal fetus, the pulmonary valve (PV) is larger than the aortic valve (AoV), there is exclusive right-to-left flow at the foramen ovale (FO) and ductus arteriosus (DA), and the left ventricle (LV) ejects 40% of combined ventricular output (CVO) through the aorta, primarily to the brain. In D-TGA/IVS, the LV ejects oxygen-rich blood to the pulmonary artery, theoretically leading to pulmonary vasodilation, increased branch pulmonary artery flow and reduced DA flow. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that D-TGA/IVS anatomy results in altered cardiac valve sizes, ventricular contribution to CVO, and FO and DA flow direction. Methods Seventy-four fetuses with D-TGA/IVS that underwent fetal echocardiography at our institution between 2004 and 2015 were included in the study. AoV, PV, mitral valve and tricuspid valve sizes were measured and Z-scores indexed to gestational age were generated. Ventricular output was calculated using Doppler-derived velocity-time integral, and direction of flow at the FO and DA shunts was recorded in each fetus using both color Doppler and flap direction. Measurements in the D-TGA/IVS fetuses were compared with data of 222 controls, matched for gestational-age range, from our institutional normal fetal database. Results The LV component of CVO was higher in D-TGA/IVS fetuses than in controls (50.7% vs 40.2%; P < 0.0001), with no difference in the total CVO. Flow was bidirectional at the FO in 56 (75.7%) and at the DA in 24 (32.4%) D-TGA/IVS fetuses. Only 21.6% fetuses had normal right-to-left flow at both shunts. Bidirectional shunting was more common in third-trimester fetuses than in second-trimester ones (P < 0.03). AoV and PV diameters were nearly identical in D-TGA/IVS in contrast to control fetuses, hence AoV Z-score was higher than PV Z-score (1.13 vs –0.65, P < 0.0001) in D-TGA/IVS. Conclusions In fetuses with D-TGA/IVS there is loss of the normal right-sided dominance, as each ventricle provides half of the CVO, with a relatively large AoV diameter and a small PV diameter, and high incidence of bidirectional FO and DA flow. This may support the theory that high pulmonary artery oxygen content reduces pulmonary vascular resistance, thereby increasing branch pulmonary artery flow and venous return, which results in increased LV preload and output. Pulmonary sensitivity to oxygen is thought to increase later in gestation, which may explain the higher incidence of bidirectional shunting. Consequences of these flow alterations include increased aortic and, most likely, brain flow, perhaps in an attempt to compensate for the substrate deficiency observed in D-TGA/IVS. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery in patients with advanced fibrosis.

Bariatric surgery is performed safely in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients with minimal fibrosis (stage 1–2). However, the safety and potential benefits of bariatric surgery for NAFLD with advanced fibrosis (stage 3–4) remain unclear. This study was designed to compare the safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery in patients with biopsy proven advanced fibrosis to those with minimal fibrosis. All patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2005 and 2014 and had evidence of NAFLD with fibrosis score 3–4 (advanced fibrosis) based on the staging system defined by Kleiner et al. on intraoperative liver biopsy were included and compared with patients who had fibrosis score 1–2 (minimal fibrosis). The groups were compared for length of hospital stay after bariatric surgery and incidence of postoperative complications over a follow-up period of 1 year. An improvement in hepatic function tests before and 1 year after surgery was used as a parameter to evaluate for NAFLD improvement. Ninety-nine patients with F3-4 (group 1) and 198 patients with F1-2 (group 2) were included. Mean age (51.9 vs 50.1 years) and body mass index (46.4 vs 46.5 kg m−2) were similar in the two groups. Median serum aspartate aminotransferase (43 vs 30 U l−1; normal 10–40 U l−1) and alanine aminotransferase (40.5 vs 34 U l−1; normal 10–50 U l−1) were significantly higher in group 1 and improved 1 year after surgery. Median length of hospital stay after surgery was higher in group 1 than that in group 2 (4 days vs 3 days; P-value=0.002). The proportion of patients developing postoperative complications over 1 year was similar in both groups (36.4% vs 32.8%; P-value=0.54). Advanced fibrosis does not increase the risk of developing postoperative complications in medically optimized patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Improvement in serum transaminase levels suggests a reduction in hepatic necroinflammatory activity following bariatric surgery.
Impact of CYGNSS Ocean Surface Wind Speeds on Numerical Simulations of a Hurricane in Observing System Simulation Experiments

AbstractThe NASA Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) was launched in late 2016. It will make available frequent ocean surface wind speed observations throughout the life cycle of tropical storms and hurricanes. In this study, the impact of CYGNSS ocean surface winds on numerical simulations of a hurricane case is assessed with a research version of the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting Model and a Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation analysis system in a regional observing system simulation experiment framework. Two different methods for reducing the CYGNSS data volume were tested: one in which the winds were thinned and one in which the winds were superobbed.The results suggest that assimilation of the CYGNSS winds has great potential to improve hurricane track and intensity simulations through improved representations of the surface wind fields, hurricane inner-core structures, and surface fluxes. The assimilation of the superobbed CYGNSS data seems to be more effective in improv...
Attempting to Teach the Event: an Experiment in Pedagogical Reflection

This article focuses on the impossible task of teaching the event, using some ideas from Jacques Derrida, Jacques Lacan, John D. Caputo, and Catherine Keller. It also performs a pedagogical experiment by including some voices or testimonials from former students and others who have experienced this attempt to teach the event. There is a political and philosophical value to this form of education that works as a counter to the positivism of neo-liberal education.
Generalized Harish-Chandra Modules

This course is an introduction to algebraic methods in the infinite-dimensional representation theory of semisimple Lie algebras over the complex numbers. In the first section we present basic definitions and theorems concerning Harish-Chandra modules, Fernando–Kac subalgebras associated to \(\mathfrak{g}\)-modules, generalized Harish-Chandra modules, and the special case of weight modules. Work of Kostant allows us to demonstrate that not all simple \(\mathfrak{g}\)-modules are generalized Harish-Chandra modules. In the second section we discuss the Zuckerman derived functors and several of their important properties. We tailor this section to the theory of algebraic constructions of generalized Harish-Chandra modules. In the third section we summarize the main results in our joint work with Ivan Penkov on the classification of generalized Harish-Chandra modules having a “generic” minimal \(\mathfrak{k}\)-type. This classification makes extensive use of the Zuckerman derived functors in the context of pairs \((\mathfrak{g},\mathfrak{k})\) where \(\mathfrak{g}\) is a semisimple Lie algebra and \(\mathfrak{k}\) is a subalgebra of \(\mathfrak{g}\) which is reductive in \(\mathfrak{g}\). We also utilize the theory of the cohomology of the nilpotent radical of a parabolic subalgebra with coefficients in an infinite-dimensional \((\mathfrak{g},\mathfrak{k})\)-module. The crucial point of this section is that we do not assume that \(\mathfrak{k}\) is a symmetric subalgebra of \(\mathfrak{g}\).
Income Effects of Innovation: The Case of Labor in Agriculture

HE assignment to examine the effects of innovation or technological change on incomes in agriculture presents many alternative lines of analysis. Assuming that a suitable measure of technological change is at hand, one could focus on either the distribution of income among individuals (personal distribution) or the distribution among classes of factors such as land, labor, and capital (functional distribution). Even though these two approaches sound quite distinct they both have to do with the welfare of individuals in an economy that is undergoing rapid change. Much of the current popular and professional interest in the subject arises because of the fear that incomes of many individuals will be depressed by technological change. In considering this problem with respect to the farm sector, Schultz [6, p. 55] concludes, "The hard core of our agricultural adversity is in the unprecedented transformation of agriculture and the massive decline in the farm population that this transformation entails. The burden of the transformation does not fall on land or on farm property generally. It falls on people, on particular groups of people." The impact of technological change on the personal distribution of income might be investigated by looking at a frequency distribution of income among farmers (and nonfarmer owners of agricultural resources such as land) before and after a technological change. Such an analysis might be compared to the analysis of the incidence of a change in the tax structure.' An analysis concerned with causation of the change in the personal distribution of income would have to account for (a) the change (relative and absolute) in factor wage rates and (b) the distribution of ownership of those factors (because different quantities and mixes of resources are owned by individuals). Most of the analysis of income distribution has concentrated on changes in factor wage rates, probably because data on the distribution of ownership of factors is hard to get and because the theory of the firm has produced models of the returns to fac-
Local scale processes drive long-term change in biodiversity of sandy beach ecosystems.

Evaluating impacts to biodiversity requires ecologically informed comparisons over sufficient time spans. The vulnerability of coastal ecosystems to anthropogenic and climate change-related impacts makes them potentially valuable indicators of biodiversity change. To evaluate multidecadal change in biodiversity, we compared results from intertidal surveys of 13 sandy beaches conducted in the 1970s and 2009–11 along 500 km of coast (California, USA). Using a novel extrapolation approach to adjust species richness for sampling effort allowed us to address data gaps and has promise for application to other data-limited biodiversity comparisons. Long-term changes in species richness varied in direction and magnitude among beaches and with human impacts but showed no regional patterns. Observed long-term changes in richness differed markedly among functional groups of intertidal invertebrates. At the majority (77%) of beaches, changes in richness were most evident for wrack-associated invertebrates suggesting they have disproportionate vulnerability to impacts. Reduced diversity of this group was consistent with long-term habitat loss from erosion and sea level rise at one beach. Wrack-associated species richness declined over time at impacted beaches (beach fill and grooming), despite observed increases in overall intertidal richness. In contrast richness of these taxa increased at more than half (53%) of the beaches including two beaches recovering from decades of off-road vehicle impacts. Over more than three decades, our results suggest that local scale processes exerted a stronger influence on intertidal biodiversity on beaches than regional processes and highlight the role of human impacts for local spatial scales. Our results illustrate how comparisons of overall biodiversity may mask ecologically important changes and stress the value of evaluating biodiversity change in the context of functional groups. The long-term loss of wrack-associated species, a key component of sandy beach ecosystems, documented here represents a significant threat to the biodiversity and function of coastal ecosystems.
Differentiating between delinquent groups and gangs: moving beyond offending consequences

AbstractEven when controlling for high levels of delinquent peers, gang youth differ from their nongang counterparts on a variety of attitudinal and behavioral measures. Researchers have argued that differences can be attributed to the group processes present in the gang setting. This study explores the extent to which differences between youth in a gang and those in a delinquent group can be explained by Bandura’s social cognitive theory. Much of the prior research in this arena has relied on cross-sectional data; in this study, we expand on this prior research using fixed-effects modeling strategies with a multi-site panel of youth. The results comparing time periods when youth were in a gang versus a delinquent peer group indicate that gang-involved youth are more violent and have fewer conventional bonds. This work is able to advance our knowledge on attitudinal and behavioral differences between gangs and other types of peer groups.
Design of Sensor Placement for an Integral Pressurized Water Reactor Using Fault Diagnostic Observability and Reliability Criteria

Fault diagnosis is an important area in the nuclear industry for effective and continuous operation of power plants. All the approaches for fault diagnosis depend critically on the sensors that mea...
Studies on Starling's Law of the Heart

The acute circulatory responses to impeding venous return to the heart by the inflation of a balloon in the inferior vena cava were determined in 14 patients undergoing left heart catheterization. In the five patients without clinical or hemodynamic evidence of impaired left ventricular function, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure fell, and the decrease was accompanied by reductions in the cardiac index, left ventricular stroke volume, and left ventricular stroke work. In nine patients with impaired left ventricular function, directionally similar responses were noted, although the left ventricular function curves relating left ventricular end-diastolic pressure to left ventricular stroke work were generally flatter and lower than those in the patients without left ventricular disease. In none of the patients did a significant increase in cardiac index, stroke volume, or left ventricular stroke work occur during inflation of the balloon. It is concluded that the Starling relationship appears to opera...
Sleep in Patients with Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures: Time to raise the red flag (S53.008)

Objective: To compare sleep complaints in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) to those with epilepsy. Background: Poor sleep is a frequent complaint in PNES, however few studies have examined the occurrence of sleep problems in this population. Design/Methods: Subjects were prospectively recruited through the Brigham and Women’s epilepsy monitoring unit or ambulatory clinics between 3/2013 and 8/2017 and diagnosed with PNES by video EEG. Controls were patients with epilepsy recruited through the ambulatory clinics. All subjects were given the Beck Depression Inventory, 2 nd edition (BDI-II) and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-10) inventory. Subjective sleep problems were identified from Item 16 (changes in sleep patterns) of the BDI-II. Chi-square test was used to compare the proportion of reported sleep problems between groups. Spearman correlation was used to assess the relationship between Item 16 and QOLIE-10 scores. Results: A total of 138 patients with PNES (age, 37.9 ± 13.8 years old; 117 women) and 82 patients with epilepsy (age, 37.7 ± 11.5 years old; 32 women) completed the BDI-II and QOLIE-10. Compared to epilepsy, PNES patients more frequently reported sleeping a lot more/less than usual (score ≥ 2, 36% versus 15%, p=0.001) or sleeping most of the day/waking up too early (score = 3, 12% versus 1%, p=0.004). For PNES patients, worse sleep was associated with poorer overall quality of life (r=0.22, p=0.04), although the strongest correlation was found within the mental health domain (r=0.32, p Conclusions: Sleep is more commonly reported as a problem in PNES compared to epilepsy. It is not known whether this is sleep misperception, insomnia or other sleep disturbances, yet it is associated with reduced quality of life. Because sleep plays a major role in good health, understanding the specific sleep problem in PNES may improve quality of life in a disorder that has poor outcomes. Disclosure: Dr. Latreille has nothing to disclose. Dr. Baslet has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sarkis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pavlova has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dworetzky has nothing to disclose.
Fascial Slings: Is There Still a Place?

A pubovaginal fascial sling remains a reasonable surgical option for certain patients with stress urinary incontinence. Autologous tissue should be used instead of a synthetic sling if the urethra is fixed, if tension is desired, or when there is a high risk of infection. A fascial sling may be desired by patients in place of a synthetic. The results of fascial slings are reasonable and even when strict criteria for cure are used, the vast majority of patients report satisfaction at follow-up. Fascial slings do have higher risk of voiding dysfunction when compared to other procedures and the rate of recurrent infections, which may be related to voiding dysfunction, is also higher than in other incontinence procedures.
Investigation of Microstructure Development in RuO2-Lead Borosilicate Glass Thick Films

A thick film resistor can be described as a combination of conductives (noble metals and/or oxides) and oxide glasses, several microns in thickness, and thermally bonded to a ceramic substrate. A typical thick film resistor is fabricated by screen printing the formulations consisting of inorganic constituents (small particle size glass and conductives) and organic screening agents through masks on to a ceramic substrate and firing in a tunnel kiln with an appropriate time-temperature profile so as to develop a microstructure that gives the desired electrical characteristics. The maximum temperature for firing the resistors varies between 700 and 900°C, depending upon the conductive ingredient in the formulation. The resistor is at the maximum temperature for about 2–5 minutes and the total firing time might vary between 10–30 minutes. The resistor system selected for this study was ruthenium dioxide (Ru02) conductive, lead boro-silicate glass (63 w/o Pbo-25 w/o B203 −12 w/o Si02), and 96% Al203 substrate. This particular system was chosen because it is one of the simplest of all possible systems, and because formulations based upon the conductive Ru02 are being increasingly used for thick film resistors [1].
Mapping sacred space: two studies on the making of the religious in globalizing Asia

An increasing number of studies are focusing on the cultural politics of sacred geography in rapidly transforming Asia. Two recent monographs have added to this corpus in two distinct settings. Sha...
Breast cancer prevention in older women: an algorithm to choose an optimal preventive agent.

Background Breast cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in older women. The current study presents new, comprehensive guidelines for providing chemoprevention to older women. Objective The objective of this study was to develop and pilot test a chemopreventive choice algorithm to assess its feasibility for older women at high risk of breast cancer. Design The study observed outcomes of 23 older adult females being treated with one of the four different chemopreventive agents. A novel algorithm protocol was utilized for individualized chemopreventive selection. Setting The study was conducted in a high-risk outpatient clinic for older women. Participants Older outpatient females at high risk (N=23) were offered chemopreventive options based on individual criteria. Intervention Literature review for breast cancer chemopreventive agents informed our development of a logic-based algorithm to guide treatment protocol and chemopreventive choice optimization. Selective estrogen receptive modulators (SERMs) were avoided in women with endometrial cancer risk (ie, pre-hysterectomy individuals), but used in women with low thromboembolic event (TE) risk. Raloxifene was used with osteoporotic women. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) were used in women with high TE risk. Women without TE risks are advised to take SERMs. When bone density decreased due to AI use, women were switched to raloxifene. Measurements/results Of 23 participants of age ranging from 59 to 80 years (mean=72.6), two women developed estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Two participants, one who declined chemoprevention and one treated with an AI, developed breast cancer. All initial chemopreventive agents were selected according to the algorithm. Although minor adverse events occurred, each was managed by discontinuation or replacement of the chemopreventive agent. Discontinuation was most commonly due to side effect concerns or cost rather than experienced side effects. Conclusion Outcomes of the initial utilization of the chemopreventive agent choice algorithm support the viability of the protocol, but further evaluation with a larger and more diverse sample is required.