cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoinitiated cationic polymerization with triarylsulfonium salts

Triarylsulfonium salts Ar3S+MXn− with complex metal halide anions such as BF4−, AsF6−, PF6−, and SbF6− are a new class of highly efficient photoinitiators for cationic polymerization. In this article we describe several synthetic routes to the preparation of these compounds along with their physical and spectroscopic properties. Mechanistic studies have shown that when these compounds are irradiated at wavelengths of 190–365 nm carbon-sulfur bond cleavage occurs to form radical fragments. At the same time the strong Brϕnsted acid HMXn, which is the active initiator of cationic polymerization that takes place in subsequent “dark” steps, is also produced. A study of the parameters that affect the photolysis of triarylsulfonium salts is reported with a measurement of the absolute quantum yields. The cationic polymerizations of four typical monomers—styrene oxide, cyclohexene oxide, tetrahydrofuran, and 2-chloroethyl vinyl ether—with triarylsulfonium salt photoinitiators are described.
Conservative Management of Arterial Injuries in Infants and Young Children: A Preliminary Report

This is a preliminary report of conservative management of iatrogenic arterial injuries in infants and children. Nonsurgical management was elected regardless of the initial presentation and degree of ischemia of the extremi ties, and the outcome was good in all patients. This approach is different from the management of such injuries in adults.
Neurobiology of Feeding and Energy Expenditure

AbstractSignificant advancements have been made in the past century regarding the neuronal control of feeding behavior and energy expenditure. The effects and mechanisms of action of various peripheral metabolic signals on the brain have become clearer. Molecular and genetic tools for visualizing and manipulating individual components of brain homeostatic systems in combination with neuroanatomical, electrophysiological, behavioral, and pharmacological techniques have begun to elucidate the molecular and neuronal mechanisms of complex feeding behavior and energy expenditure. This review highlights some of these advancements that have led to the current understanding of the brain's involvement in the acute and chronic regulation of energy homeostasis.
Optimal usage of CMOS within a BiCMOS technology

The comparison of CMOS to BiCMOS often seen in the literature shows the delays of single-stage circuits driving a capacitive load, with the BiCMOS circuit exhibiting a bold advantage. This comparison is misleading, and it suggests that the highest possible performance chip design implemented in a BiCMOS technology, should use only BiCMOS circuits. When multistage circuits and chip wiring resistance are also considered, CMOS performance is found to be much closer to BiCMOS performance. CMOS circuits are shown to be preferred over BiCMOS circuits for a significant fraction of the chip nets. When nets that can afford a performance decrease are relaxed by using CMOS circuits instead of BiCMOS circuits, the CMOS fraction increases further. High usage of CMOS is desirable for area and yield considerations. Evaluations of the optimal CMOS role in future-generation BiCMOS technologies are expected to show an even larger role for CMOS. >
Derivation and differentiation of glomerular endothelial cells.

Cardiac disease represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients, and is also a well-established feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Anaemia has also been shown to be a key component not only of dialysis and CKD but also of cardiac disease, including congestive heart failure (CHF). Furthermore, published clinical and laboratory data suggest that anaemia, CHF and CKD are interrelated, each causing the other to worsen and thus resulting in a 'vicious cycle' of disease progression which we have called the Cardio-Renal Anaemia syndrome. In this syndrome anaemia may cause CKD or be caused by CKD, anaemia may cause CHF or be caused by CHF and CHF may cause CKD or be caused by CKD. Numerous publications have borne out the fact that anaemia correction through epoetin treatment provides great benefit to CKD patients. Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that these benefits may be extended to patients with cardiac disease. Uncontrolled and controlled studies of the effect of subcutaneous epoetin treatment in anaemic patients with both CHF and CKD show significant improvements in both cardiac and renal function. Despite these findings, however, it is apparent that anaemia correction is not implemented rigorously within both CHF and CKD populations. Greater awareness of the need for early anaemia correction therapy is therefore required. Cooperation between nephrologists and others who are caring for CHF patients, especially cardiologists, is crucial.
A fast full-wave analysis of scattering and radiation from large finite arrays of microstrip antennas

A fast full-wave analysis technique that can be used to analyze the scattering and radiation from large finite arrays of microstrip antennas is presented. The technique discretizes the mixed potential integral equation (MPIE) in the spatial domain by means of a full-wave discrete complex image method. The del operators on the Green's functions are transferred from the singular kernel to the expansion and testing functions. The resultant system of equations is solved using the biconjugate gradient (BCG) method in which the matrix-vector product is evaluated efficiently using the fast Fourier transform (FFT). This results in an efficient and accurate computation of the scattering and radiation from finite arrays of microstrip antennas. Several numerical results are presented, demonstrating the accuracy, efficiency, and capability of this technique.
On Efficiency and Distribution

This paper is a theoretical study of alternative ways of allocating resources in an exchange economy in which individual preferences are subject to unpredictable shocks that cannot be monitored. Efficiency in this economy requires wealth inequality to increase over time. The paper is based on the author's 1991 Harry Johnson Lecture. Copyright 1992 by Royal Economic Society.
Fiscal Procyclicality and Output Forecast Errors

Abstract Government spending in the developing world has historically been procyclical. Traditional explanations for this have mostly revolved around the explicit or implicit notion that fiscal procyclicality is the deliberate result of political economy distortions and weak institutions. Because of revisions in output growth forecasts around the world since the global financial crisis, two recent explanations in the literature have gained increasing support: (i) over-optimism in output forecasts as a cause of procyclicality, and (ii) real-time data, as opposed to ex-post data, as an explanation for policymakers' intended responses to output fluctuations, which in practice tend to deliver less procyclical “intentions” than reliance on ex-post data. This study revisits the implications of output forecast errors on fiscal procyclicality in light of these two recent strands in the literature. For this study, a simple conceptual framework was developed and empirical evidence presented using output forecasts for 101 countries. The results showed that: (i) over-optimism is neither necessary nor sufficient to explain fiscal procyclicality, and (ii) there is no reason to accept the interpretation that forecast errors have “unfortunate” systematic effects on fiscal procyclicality. Traditional political economy arguments help explain how governments handle unanticipated output fluctuations.
New aspects in the diagnosis and treatment of pubertal disorders

Recent developments in biochemistry, genetics, and clinical research produced a profound effect on the understanding of normal and abnormal puberty. Study of bone metabolism in puberty may explain the etiology of osteoporosis in the elderly. New ultrasensitive assays for gonadotropins demonstrate a diurnal pattern of gonadotropin secretion in prepubertal children not very different from that of puberty except for a lower amplitude of pulsation; these techniques may simplify the process of diagnosis of disorders of puberty. Studies of the development of the fetal hypothalamus explain why patients with Kallmann syndrome combine hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with anosmia. Investigation of the testicular receptors for leuteinizing hormone (LH) reveal the cause of gonadotropin independent Leydig cell and germ cell maturation. Study of the metabolism endocrine, skin, and bone cells from patients with the McCune-Albright syndrome explain the cause of this disorder of widespread abnormalities of several organ systems. Lastly, the etiology of premature thelarche is now better understood. This article is intended to point out selected new developments that affect the understanding of puberty and clinical practice in disorders of puberty. This article is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject; for a review of the entirety of disorders of puberty, the reader may consult reference 63.
Meaning and Mindreading

In this article, I defend Neo-Gricean accounts of language and communication from an objection about linguistic development. According to this objection, children are incapable of understanding the minds of others in the way that Neo-Gricean accounts require until long after they learn the meanings of words, are able to produce meaningful utterances, and understand the meaningful utterances of others. In answering this challenge, I outline exactly what sorts of psychological states are required by Neo-Gricean accounts and conclude that there is sufficient evidence that these types of psychological states are present in and capable of being understood by the children in question.
Integrin-dependent interaction of human vascular endothelial cells on biomimetic peptide surfactant polymers.

Biomimetic surfactant polymers designed by molecular grafting of pendant RGD peptides (Pep) and dextran oligosaccharides (Dex) in different ratios onto the backbone of poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm) were examined for their ability to promote endothelial cell (EC) growth. Adhesion, formation of focal contacts, and expression of integrin receptors were examined in EC seeded onto a series of novel surfactants containing 100% dextran (PVAm[Pep (0%)]) to 100% peptide (PVAm[Pep (100%)]) compared to fibronectin control. Interaction of EC on polymer was specific, as soluble GRGDSP, but not GRGESP, was able to inhibit both adhesion and spreading of EC. At three hours, EC attachment and spreading were rapid and comparable on fibronectin and PVAm[Pep (100%)], rounded on PVAm[Pep (0%)], and intermediate on PVAm[Pep (25%)], (PVAm[Pep (50%)], and PVAm[Pep (75%)], with increasing peptide ratio favoring more spreading, although all the substrates had similar hydrophilicity. Cells that spread well on fibronectin and PVAm[Pep (1...
Aggression Among Psychiatric Inpatients: The Relationship Between Time, Place, Victims, and Severity Ratings

BACKGROUND: The rate of aggressive acts perpetrated by psychiatric inpatients remains a pressing issue. To date, few studies have distinguished between incident severities. OBJECTIVE: The aims of the current study were to identify rates of inpatient aggression in an inpatient forensic psychiatric facility and describe the severity of the aggression reported for aggressive incidents. DESIGN: All documented acts of aggression at a 1,500-bed forensic hospital between 2009 and 2013 provided data about the time, location, and victims of aggressive acts. In total, 52,109 unique incidents were analyzed. RESULTS: The findings showed an increase in violence rates during meal, medication, and shift change times. Patients (n = 3,436, 62%) were victimized more often than staff members (n = 2,103, 38%). Fall and winter months showed more acts of aggression than summer and spring, but there were no mean differences between severity ratings by season. The results showed that the swing shift saw more severe aggressive incidents than the morning or overnight shifts, p =.001, and significantly more serious incidents occurred when there were staff members working over time, p =.050. CONCLUSIONS: The current study reports some key findings about aggression rates with a very large sample and presents some valuable data regarding the severity of aggressive acts. Language: en
Lack of Protective Effects of Interleukin-4 −589-C/T Polymorphism against HIV-1-Related Disease Progression and Central Nervous System Impairment, in Children

The interleukin (IL)-4 -589-C/T polymorphism has been reported to protect against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-related disease progression in white adults. In the present study, the effect of the IL-4 -589 polymorphism on HIV-1-related disease progression was evaluated in a seroprevalent cohort of 1043 children. The IL-4 -589-T allele was more prevalent in Hispanic and in black, non-Hispanic children, compared with white, non-Hispanic children. We found that the IL-4 -589-C/T polymorphism does not affect the risk of HIV-1-related disease progression or central nervous system impairment in children, and this did not differ by race/ethnicity. Our findings suggest that the IL-4 -589-C/T polymorphism is not an important determinant of HIV-1 disease progression in children.
Strengths of the Home and Family as Learning Environments

Where did you learn the alphabet? Who taught you to count? Who taught you how, what, when and where to eat? Where did you learn how to show respect for others? How did you learn about your career choices?
A Phase II Study of Once a Day Partial Breast Irradiation (PBI) for Early-Stage or Noninvasive Breast Cancer: Early Toxicity Outcomes

Conclusion: The additional evaluation of the BED distribution rather than only the dose distribution is important in diseases where the a/b ratios of tumor and OARs differ. SIB schemes are radiobiologically more advantageous than SEQ in breast target volume and OARs for equally prescribed BEDs for breast and boost. Author Disclosure: M.M. Aly: Research Grant; DAAD. Y. Abo-Madyan: Honoraria; Carl Zeiss, Merck. L. Jahnke: Consultant; ELEKTA. F. Wenz: Research Grant; Carl Zeiss, ELEKTA. Patent/License Fees/Copyright; Carl Zeiss. G. Glatting: Research Grant; DFG. Editorial Board; EANM. Physics Committee member; EANM. Co-Editor; DGMP.
Two New Species of Malayotyphlops from the Northern Philippines, with Redescriptions of Malayotyphlops luzonensis (Taylor) and Malayotyphlops ruber (Boettger)

Abstract As a first step toward making sense of an infamously enigmatic and taxonomically problematic group of Philippine blind snakes, we redescribe Malayotyphlops luzonensis (Taylor, 1919) and Malayotyphlops ruber (Boettger, 1897) and clarify their taxonomic status with respect to each other and to additional phenotypically similar taxa. We also describe two other new species of Malayotyphlops from the Sierra Madre Mountain Range of northern Luzon Island, each on the basis of a single specimen. We suspect that species diversity of the typhlopid fauna of the Philippines is severely underestimated, with progress towards a comprehensive understanding of this group most hampered by a lack of sufficient comparative material available in biodiversity repositories.
Ideas on Public Health Information System Building in Hangzhou

This article summarized the background of public health information system building,clarified the problems and limitations existed in the system building,and brought forward the system building concept in Hangzhou.It also discussed the developing of public health information system building in Hangzhou.
The Conference Room Carpet

ABSTRACTThe Conference Room Carpet is a solo performance piece that explores the uneasy psychic and professional navigations of contemporary academia, by means of an extended allusion to Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper. The piece considers the troubled relationship between creative scholarly work and increasingly standardized models of tenure, promotion, and professionalization. The short framing essay provides a discussion of the context in which this performance was originally staged, as well as situates the performance within a broader discussion about the undertaking of emotional and creative labor in academia. It is followed by the script.
Continuous epidural methadone for the management of postoperative pain after lower abdominal surgery.

Background and Objectives. The efficacy of methadone administered by continuous epidural infusion for 24 hours for the management of postoperative pain has been reported. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of methadone predict that significant accumulation would occur if infusions were continued for longer than 24 hours and that this accumulation could result in serum concentrations above the threshold associated with systemic analgesia. Methods. We tested this hypothesis by measuring serum methadone concentrations, pain scores, and side effects in 18 patients receiving continuous epidural infusions of methadone for the relief of postoperative pain after lower abdominal surgery over 3 days. Results. Twelve of 18 patients completed the study. Persistent inadequate analgesia required a change in the infusion mixture in 5 of these patients by the second postoperative day. The sixth patient suffered a fatal pulmonary embolus (judged to be unrelated to the study) on the morning of the first postoperative day. Methadone concentrations increased significantly from 20 ± 18 ng/ml (median ± quartile) on postoperative Day 1 to 70 ± 47 ng/ml on Day 3. Pain relief scores steadily increased from 50 ± 5 at 2 hours postoperatively to 83 ± 5 by Day 3. The only side effects noted in the present study were nausea and sedation. Conclusion. The accumulation of serum concentrations reported here argue that the risks of thoracic epidural placement may out-weigh the potential benefits when methadone is administered alone by continuous infusion for longer than 24 hours.
The Contributions of Human Mini-Intestines to the Study of Intestinal Physiology and Pathophysiology

The lack of accessibility to normal and diseased human intestine and the inability to separate the different functional compartments of the intestine even when tissue could be obtained have held back the understanding of human intestinal physiology. Clevers and his associates identified intestinal stem cells and established conditions to grow “mini-intestines” ex vivo in differentiated and undifferentiated conditions. This pioneering work has made a new model of the human intestine available and has begun making contributions to the understanding of human intestinal transport in normal physiologic conditions and the pathophysiology of intestinal diseases. However, this model is reductionist and lacks many of the complexities of normal intestine. Consequently, it is not yet possible to predict how great the advances using this model will be for understanding human physiology and pathophysiology, nor how the model will be modified to include multiple other intestinal cell types and physical forces necessary...
A Clostridium difficile-Specific, Gel-Forming Protein Required for Optimal Spore Germination

Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive spore-forming obligate anaerobe that is a leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea worldwide. In order for C. difficile to initiate infection, its aerotolerant spore form must germinate in the gut of mammalian hosts. While almost all spore-forming organisms use transmembrane germinant receptors to trigger germination, C. difficile uses the pseudoprotease CspC to sense bile salt germinants. CspC activates the related subtilisin-like protease CspB, which then proteolytically activates the cortex hydrolase SleC. Activated SleC degrades the protective spore cortex layer, a step that is essential for germination to proceed. Since CspC incorporation into spores also depends on CspA, a related pseudoprotease domain, Csp family proteins play a critical role in germination. However, how Csps are incorporated into spores remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that incorporation of the CspC, CspB, and CspA germination regulators into spores depends on CD0311 (renamed GerG), a previously uncharacterized hypothetical protein. The reduced levels of Csps in gerG spores correlate with reduced responsiveness to bile salt germinants and increased germination heterogeneity in single-spore germination assays. Interestingly, asparagine-rich repeat sequences in GerG's central region facilitate spontaneous gel formation in vitro even though they are dispensable for GerG-mediated control of germination. Since GerG is found exclusively in C. difficile, our results suggest that exploiting GerG function could represent a promising avenue for developing C. difficile-specific anti-infective therapies. Importance The spore-forming bacterium Clostridium difficile is a leading cause of health care-associated infections. While a subset of antibiotics can treat C. difficile infections (CDIs), the primary determinant of CDI disease susceptibility is prior antibiotic exposure, since it reduces the colonization resistance conferred by a diverse microflora. Thus, therapies that minimize perturbations to the gut microbiome should be more effective at reducing CDIs and their recurrence, the main source of disease complications. Given that spore germination is essential for C. difficile to initiate infection and that C. difficile uses a unique pathway to initiate germination, methods that inhibit distinct elements of germination could selectively prevent C. difficile disease recurrence. Here, we identify GerG as a C. difficile-specific protein that controls the incorporation of germinant signaling proteins into spores. Since gerG mutant spores exhibit germination defects and are less responsive to germinant, GerG may represent a promising target for developing therapeutics against CDI.
Uncertainty and the Duration of Disease in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between type 1 diabetes duration and uncertainty. According to the Reconceptualized Uncertainty in Illness Theory, it was hypothesized that longer duration would be associated with less uncertainty. Research Design and Method : A sample of 379 people with type 1 diabetes recruited from the T1D Exchange completed an online survey. The online survey measured disease duration, uncertainty, and demographic characteristics. Multiple variable linear regression was calculated to test for an association between diabetes duration (in years) and uncertainty in diabetes self-management. Post hoc one-way analysis of variance with Tukey’s HSD test was calculated to investigate uncertainty at five and ten-year disease duration intervals. Results : With adjustment for age, gender, and education, diabetes duration was negatively associated with uncertainty (b = -0.15, p= .03; 95% CI = -0.28, -0.01). Uncertainty was lowest among the 64 participants with a duration equal to or greater than 40 years (M=63.53, SD=15.04). In Tukey’s HSD post hoc test, the mean difference on the uncertainty scores for 5 to < 10 years diabetes duration (n=38, M=72.66, SD=14.51) and 40 or more years diabetes duration was significant (p = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.81, 17.44). Conclusions : Individuals with longer disease duration reported less uncertainty related to self-management, and uncertainty varied by duration interval. These findings provide preliminary information about where to place behavioral interventions designed to reduce uncertainty among individuals with type 1 diabetes.
Citizen-Victims and Masters of their Own Destiny: Political Exiles and their National and Transnational Impact

Exiles have been victims of a form of institutional exclusion that characterized many polities in Latin America. This article puts forward two claims. First, that until recently their displacement was largely dismissed as basis for recognition of victimhood. In the Cold War era, this was due primarily to the exiles’ own perception of being militants willing to forego a personal sacrifice for their cause, an image they personified against the accusations of treason and betrayal of the nation that those in power projected onto them. Later, this lack of recognition of exiles as victims was retained due to the concentration of attention on prototypical victims of repression such as the detained-disappeared or the long-term political prisoners. The second claim put forward is that, while ignored as victims, exiles remained agents of their own destiny and reclaimed their abrogated national identity and citizenship. Being displaced and having lost the political entitlements of citizenship, they were forced to come to grips with past defeats, face present challenges, and reconstruct their future. It was under those conditions that exile had not just constraining effects, but also expanding effects. Exile also provided windows of opportunity to change statuses, upgrade skills, discover strengths, and develop new relationships. It thus often became a transformative experience, a kind of aggiornamento, which is analyzed here focusing on some of its impacts on the reconstruction of Southern Cone societies in post-dictatorial times.
High-touch, low-tech: Investigating the value of an in-person library orientation game

Since 2011, the Kraemer Family Library at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) has offered Scrabble Scramble, an in-person, student-centered library orientation game, to incoming firs...
Examination of an Audiologist's Response to Patient's Expression of Symptoms: A Pilot Study.

This pilot study explores audiologist-patient interactions during initial evaluations or consultations. In particular, an audiologist’s response to patient symptoms is examined. Conversations betwe ...
Predicting changes in hemoglobin S after simple transfusion using complete blood counts.

BACKGROUND Hemoglobin S percentages are used in the management of patients who have sickle cell disease. However, hemoglobin S measurements often are not routinely or rapidly performed. Rapid and accurate methods to estimate hemoglobin S levels after simple transfusion may improve the care of patients with sickle cell disease. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A comprehensive review of the electronic medical record identified 24 stable patients with sickle cell disease who received simple red blood cell transfusions and had hemoglobin S measurements before and after the transfusion that were less than 72 hours apart. Examination of these patients identified 62 separate transfusions that met our criteria. Three simple equations that utilized complete blood count values and readily available information from the medical record were used to predict the post-transfusion hemoglobin S level after transfusion (Equation 1: predicted post-transfusion hemoglobin = pre-transfusion hemoglobin S × [pre-transfusion hemoglobin/post-transfusion hemoglobin]; Equation 2: predicted post-transfusion hemoglobin S = pre-transfusion hemoglobin S × [pre-transfusion hematocrit/post-transfusion hematocrit]; and Equation 3: predicted post-transfusion hemoglobin S = pre-transfusion hemoglobin S × total pre-transfusion hemoglobin/[total pre-transfusion hemoglobin + (red blood cell volume × 20)]). RESULTS The predicted hemoglobin S values for all three equations showed a highly significant correlation with the measured post-hemoglobin S value. The coefficient of determination (R2) for Equations 1, 2, and 3 was 0.95, 0.92, and 0.97, respectively. Predicting the post-transfusion hemoglobin S value using estimates of the patient's total hemoglobin and the transfused hemoglobin (Equation 3) was the most precise. CONCLUSION Reductions in hemoglobin S values in patients with sickle cell disease who receive simple red blood cell transfusions can be reliably predicted using complete blood cell measurements and simple arithmetic equations.
Repertoire diversification of primary vs memory B cell subsets.

The immune system accomplishes the specific recognition of foreign antigens, in the absence of reactivity to self antigens, by: (a) creating an enormous repertoire of cells each expressing an unique variable (V) region (clonotype); (b) purging the repertoire of cells whose V regions recognize self-antigenic determinants, and (c) enabling each immunogen to selectively stimulate only those cells whose V regions are high affinity for determinants of that immunogen. While this overall strategy is pervasive among both the B and T cell systems of immunocompetent animals, there is enormous variation in the extent of repertoire diversity and the means by which repertoire diversity is achieved, even among the B cell subsets of an individual. Thus, prior to any overt antigenic stimulation, the murine B cell system consists of at least four distinct B cell subsets differing in repertoire diversity and responsiveness to antigenic stimulation. After immunization, the repertoire is supplemented by the generation of memory B cells, which in some, but not all cases, enables the refinement of that portion of the repertoire that initially recognized the immunogen. The existence of a mechanism that improves the pre-existing repertoire suggests that the initial repertoire may have been functionally deficient in the spectrum of V regions capable of high affinity recognition of certain antigens. In this sense the generation of memory B cells can fill these gaps, the strategy for V region diversification used to generate and propagate memory B cells would appear to be both unique and extremely powerful.
Food web contaminant dynamics of a large Atlantic Slope river: Implications for common and imperiled species.

Abstract Persistent and bioaccumulative contaminants often reach concentrations that threaten aquatic life by causing alterations in organism behavior and development, disruption of biological processes, reproductive abnormalities, and mortality. The objectives of this research were to determine the aquatic food web structure and trophic transfer and accumulation of contaminants within a riverine ecosystem and identify potential stressors to the health of an imperiled fish, the robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum) and other species of conservation concern in a large Atlantic Slope (USA) river. Trophic position was determined for food web taxa by stable isotope analyses of representative producers, consumers, and organic matter of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River of North Carolina and South Carolina. Contaminant analyses were performed on water, sediment, organic matter, and aquatic biota to assess the prevalence and accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), current use pesticides (CUPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and selected metals. Contaminants were prevalent in the environment and food web components of the river. PCBs were detected in 32% of biotic samples (mean 0.24 μg/g dry weight [DW], range 0.01–3.33 μg/g DW), and DDTs (legacy OCPs and metabolites) were detected in 90% (mean 0.014 μg/g DW, range 0.0004–0.29 μg/g DW). The trace metals manganese and cadmium exceeded published threshold effect concentrations in sediment (460 and 0.99 μg/g DW, respectively). Mercury was detected in all food web samples exhibiting a mean of 0.61 μg/g DW and range 0.006–2.35 μg/g DW (mean 0.13 μg/g wet weight [WW], range 0.001–0.6 μg/g WW). Concentrations exceeded the 0.2 μg/g WW aquatic life criterion for mercury in 38% of fish samples. Fish trophic magnification factors (TMFs; range 0.33–3.75) indicated that contaminant accumulation occurred from both water and dietary sources. The combination of analytical approaches applied here provides new insight into contaminant dynamics with conservation implications.
Association of Marital Status With T Stage at Presentation and Management of Early-Stage Melanoma

Importance Early detection of melanoma is associated with improved patient outcomes. Data suggest that spouses or partners may facilitate detection of melanoma before the onset of regional and distant metastases. Less well known is the influence of marital status on the detection of early clinically localized melanoma. Objective To evaluate the association between marital status and T stage at the time of presentation with early-stage melanoma and the decision for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in appropriate patients. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective, population-based study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database of 18 population-based registered cancer institutes. Patients with cutaneous melanoma who were at least 18 years of age and without evidence of regional or distant metastases and presented from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2014, were identified for the study. Data were analyzed from September 27 to December 5, 2017. Exposure Marital status, categorized as married, never married, divorced, or widowed. Main Outcomes and Measures Clinical T stage at presentation and performance of SLNB for lesions with Breslow thickness greater than 1 mm. Results A total of 52 063 patients were identified (58.8% men and 41.2% women; median age, 64 years; interquartile range, 52-75 years). Among married patients, 16 603 (45.7%) presented with T1a disease, compared with 3253 never married patients (43.0%), 1422 divorced patients (39.0%), and 1461 widowed patients (32.2%) ( P P P P P P P = .03), and widowed (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.62-0.76; P Conclusions and Relevance Marital status is associated with earlier presentation of localized melanoma. Moreover, never married, divorced, and widowed patients are less likely to undergo SLNB for appropriate lesions. Marital status should be considered when counseling patients for melanoma procedures and when recommending screening and follow-up to optimize patient care.
TV advertising volumes were associated with insurance marketplace shopping and enrollment in 2014

The effectiveness of health insurance advertising has gained renewed attention following the Trump administration’s decision to reduce the marketing budget for the federal Marketplace. Yet there is limited evidence on the relationship between advertising and enrollment behavior. This study combined survey data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey on adults ages 18–64 with data on volumes of televised advertisements aired in respondents’ counties of residence during the 2013–14 open enrollment period. We found that people living in counties with higher numbers of ads sponsored by the federal government were significantly more likely to shop for and enroll in a Marketplace plan. In contrast, people living in counties with higher numbers of ads from political sponsors opposing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) were less likely to shop or enroll. These findings add to the evidence base around advertising in the ACA context.
Chapter 19 – Visual Network

Vision is central to human experience. The neural substrate of vision is a network of cortical and subcortical brain areas, organized in partially segregated but interacting processing streams. Collectively, neurons across this network analyze the various components of the visual scene, which are then assembled into a coherent visual percept. Dysfunctions of the visual system range from scotomas, in which vision in part of the visual field is diminished or absent, to impairments of high-order visual functions that result in perplexing neurological symptoms such as deficiency in face recognition or an inability to distinguish between self- and externally generated motion. Advances in imaging and neural-stimulation techniques are paving the way to novel treatments of visual abnormalities and provide invaluable research tools to elucidate the neural basis of vision.
In Vitro Incorporation of [14C]Serine, [14C]Ethanolamine, and [14C]Choline into Phospholipids of Neuronal and Glial-enriched Fractions from Rat Brain by Base Exchange

Abstract Fractions enriched in neuronal and glial cells from rat brain were assayed for their ability to incorporate 14C-labeled serine, ethanolamine, and choline into lipids in vitro. It was found that these precursors were incorporated into their respective phospholipids by mainly a simple non-energy-dependent, Ca+2-requiring reaction rather than by de novo synthesis.
Globalizing Internet Governance: Negotiating Cyberspace Agreements in the Post-Snowden Era

This study examines shifts in the discussion of Internet governance in the weeks and months following Edward Snowden’s revelations of widespread US surveillance. It looks specifically at the 2014 NetMundial summit in Sao Paulo as an inflection point in the debates, while compare current Internet governance developments within the context of their historical legacy. This paper considers competing analytical frameworks to explore the elevation of Internet governance to the realm of high politics, the refocusing of the debate around issues of sovereignty and tests of the multistakeholder governance model at NetMundial. My aim is to understand what is qualitatively different about the Internet governance debate in the post-Snowden era.As background, negotiations between governments, industry, and international non-governmental organizations (such as ICANN) historically focused on commercial implications and technical standards for the Internet. Of late, negotiations increasingly take up issues of policy, traditionally deemed to fall within the realm of states. This adds attention to a debate over which fora comprised of which players are most appropriate for such matters. As Internet governance increasingly takes up policy issues it moves from the margins as a highly technical debate into a central, public discussion over the future of the Internet. A new range of players are now involved, creating further potential for shifts in the debate. I argue that a polylateral diplomatic framework incorporating state, non-state and civil society actors into the geopolitical sphere is the most appropriate lens through which to understand the present environment. Already multistakeholderism dominates discussions of how the Internet should be governed. The end of US controls over the IANA function, the robust global public diplomacy campaign by ICANN, and the rise of Brazil as a powerful strategic national player in support of multistakeholderism all evidence this approach. At the same time, a growing number of players are asserting stringent national controls over the Internet. China, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Turkey, and Venezuela, and others incorporate censorship and deploy Internet shut-offs as part of their national governance regimes. More recently, talk of the creation of a European Internet separated from the global network and moves by Brazil to route its Internet traffic so that it bypasses the United States suggest that these issues of sovereignty are seen as critical to all players, even those who overtly support a multistakeholder model.The outcome of these contradictory moves is unclear, but the 2014 Sao Paulo conference was a catalyzing moment. Given considerable bureaucratic gridlock, I will examine the constraints and opportunities for negotiating a new social contract for the Internet through diplomacy.
Corporate Governance and the Voice of the Paparazzi

This is one of a group of papers, at Brookings awaiting publication, celebrating the remarkably sustained value of Albert Hirschman's "Exit, Voice & Loyalty," published in 1971. Those who know that book -- and everyone should -- recognize that exit-voice has particular relevance in corporate governance. It is a conundrum: shareholders "exit" at a turnstile pace -- turnovers of 75% a year in NYSE stocks -- and shareholder "voice" only from a handful of state/local pension funds. Why then has the American corporation come to be seen as the paradigm? The paper focuses on the exceptionally high degree of financial transparency here, far better than elsewhere, which with the high degree of public confidence and interest engendered thereby have produced an extraordinary level of media attention -- the voice of the analysts and other paparazzi -- helping greatly to explain the palace upheavals at GM, Kodak, Westinghouse and elsewhere. Far from being an isolated phenomenon, it is simply one aspect of a society and market structure that could function well only with pervasive sunshine. The paper looks also at Germany, Japan, and (ach!) So. Korea and the like.
Diseases of Dairy Animals | Infectious Diseases: Hairy Heel Warts

Hairy heel warts, or papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD), is a contagious, painful disease of the foot that primarily affects dairy cattle. The disease occurs worldwide and results in significant economic loss and considerable suffering for affected animals. Lesions are most commonly found on the plantar aspect of the rear feet just proximal to the heel bulbs and extend into the interdigital space. They may be proliferative, hyperplastic, or ulcerative and tend to become chronic. The etiology of PDD is multifactorial and several species of Treponemes are typically found in lesions. Risk factors for PDD include large herd size, muddy corrals, large dairy breed, and purchase of replacement animals. The disease is highly contagious, and once established within a herd, spread is rapid, particularly to young animals. Antimicrobials form the basis of treatment and control. Both antibiotics and nonantibiotic solutions are used in foot baths on a herd basis. Individual lesions can be sprayed with antimicrobial solution. Active lesions respond well to application of an antimicrobial under a bandage. Parenteral antibiotics are also effective. Regardless of treatment, recurrence is very common. Effective control comes from improving the housing environment, insuring adequate nutrition to promote foot health, and judicious of antimicrobials.
Evaluation of pancreatic tumor development in KPC mice using multi-parametric MRI.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a fatal disease with very poor prognosis. Development of sensitive and noninvasive methods to monitor tumor progression in PDA is a critical and unmet need. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can noninvasively provide information regarding underlying pathophysiological processes such as necrosis, inflammatory changes and fibrotic tissue deposition. A genetically engineered KPC mouse model that recapitulates human PDA was used to characterize disease progression. MR measures of T1 and T2 relaxation times, magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), diffusion and chemical exchange saturation transfer were compared in two separate phases i.e. slow and rapid growth phase of tumor. Fibrotic tissue accumulation was assessed histologically using Masson’s trichrome staining. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was computed to assess the relationship between the fibrotic tissue accumulation and different MR parameters. There was a negative correlation between amide proton transfer signal intensity and tumor volume (r = − 0.63, p = 0.003) in the slow growth phase of the tumor development. In the terminal stage of rapid growth phase of the tumor development MTR was strongly correlated with tumor volume (r = 0.62, p = 0.008). Finally, MTR was significantly correlated with % fibrosis (r = 0.87; p < 0.01), followed by moderate correlation between tumor volume (r = 0.42); T1 (r = − 0.61), T2 (r = − 0.61) and accumulation of fibrotic tissue. Here we demonstrated, using multi-parametric MRI (mp-MRI), that MRI parameters changed with tumor progression in a mouse model of PDA. Use of mp-MRI may have the potential to monitor the dynamic changes of tumor microenvironment with increase in tumor size in the transgenic KPC mouse model of pancreatic tumor.
Application of ABRS to the Hearing-Aid Selection Process

This paper describes preliminary data on the use of click-evoked ABRs in the hearing aid selection process. Four normal-hearing and 4 hearing-impaired subjects were tested with a hearing aid set at three different frequency response settings. Estimates of gain were calculated using shifts in Wave V thresholds, shifts in Wave V latency-level functions, acoustic-reflex measurements, coupler gain measurements, and measurements of functional gain. Results suggest that the click-evoked ABR does not distinguish between differing amounts of low-frequency gain, although reasonable estimates of high-frequency gain appear possible. Also discussed are technical factors that must be considered when using the ABR in the hearing aid evaluation process.
Selected physical and viscoelastic properties of strawberries as a function of heated-air drying conditions

The effect of drying conditions on physical and viscoelastic properties of strawberries was investigated. Drying followed falling rate drying period, indicating that internal resistances limited th...
Characterizing and modeling subnational virtual water networks of US agricultural and industrial commodity flows

Abstract Virtual water flows have been extensively analyzed at the national level using complex network approaches. However, less is known about the regional structure of subnational virtual water flows, even though virtual water flows can vary greatly within a country. Additionally, subnational-level studies are needed since water policy and decision-making tend to be local or regional in scope. Here, we characterize and model virtual water flows for aggregated agricultural and industrial commodities at the US subnational level. Using subnational trade data for the US, we build and analyze unweighted and weighted, directed virtual water trade networks (VWTNs). To model and explore the drivers of subnational virtual water flows, we build and implement a gravity-type spatial interaction model. Using different network metrics, we find that the subnational VWTNs differ from previous well-studied networks, including national-level VWTNs. The network metrics also show a high connectivity for the unweighted VWTNs with no community structure, while the weighted VWTNs reveal spatially coherent communities of intense trade activity. The gravity model shows that the subnational weighted VWTNs are mainly controlled by distance, agricultural land, gross domestic product, and population. Despite the high connectivity of the VWTNs, the presence of community structure indicates that large volumes of virtual water are traded regionally. This suggests the possibility of having hydroeconomic boundaries that differ from known physical boundaries, e.g., watersheds and aquifers. Such boundaries could have implications for the design of consumption-based strategies for water sustainability.
Age-related changes to macrophages are detrimental to fracture healing

The elderly population suffers from higher rates of complications during fracture healing that result in increased morbidity and mortality. Inflammatory dysregulation is associated with increased age and is a contributing factor to the myriad of age-related diseases. Therefore, we investigated age-related changes to an important cellular regulator of inflammation, the macrophage, and the impact on fracture healing outcomes. We demonstrated that old mice (24 months) have delayed fracture healing with significantly less bone and more cartilage compared to young mice (3 months). The quantity of infiltrating macrophages into the fracture callus was similar in old and young mice. However, RNA-seq analysis demonstrated distinct differences in the transcriptomes of macrophages derived from the fracture callus of old and young mice, with an upregulation of M1/pro-inflammatory genes in macrophages from old mice as well as dysregulation of other immune-related genes. Preventing infiltration of the fracture site by macrophages in old mice improved healing outcomes, with significantly more bone in the calluses of treated mice compared to age-matched controls. After preventing infiltration by macrophages, the macrophages within the fracture callus were collected and examined via RNA-seq analysis, and their transcriptome resembled macrophages from young calluses. Taken together, infiltrating macrophages from old mice demonstrate detrimental age-related changes, and depleting infiltrating macrophages can improve fracture healing in old mice.