cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial Segregation in Long-Nosed Bats, Leptonycteris nivalis and Leptonycteris curasoae, in Mexico

Analysis of distributional patterns of bats of the genus Leptonycteris in Mexico showed a spatial segregation of the two species. Data on climate and vegetation were gathered for 43 localities of L. nivalis and 269 of L. curasoae reported in a recent taxonomic revision of the genus. A statistical analysis using a grid of quadrats of 1° of latitude and longitude showed no segregation of the two species at the macrogeographic scale. However, significant differences were found between the altitude and mean annual temperature of localities of the two species; L. nivalis occurs in higher and cooler places than L. curasoae . No significant differences exist in terms of mean annual precipitation; both species occur in drier zones of the country. L. nivalis occurs more frequently in areas with pine ( Pinus )-oak ( Quercus ) and tropical deciduous forests than expected by chance, whereas L. curasoae is found mainly in areas with tropical deciduous and thorn forests. Bats of the genus Leptonycteris are the main pollinators of some species of maguey plants ( Agave ), and the ranges of the bats coincide with that of certain species of Agave , such as A. angustifolia (mezcal plant), A. salmiana (pulque plant), and A. tequilana (tequila plant).
Studies in Parasite-Host Interaction. Iv. Modifications of Parasite, Nasonia vitripennis Responses to Control and Selected Host, Musca domeslica Populations

The life table and population growth characteristics of laboratory strain of the parasite Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) were used to compare changes occurring within populations of the house fly, Musca domestica L., originating from New York and Florida after about 1 year of laboratory culture. Control house fly populations of both strains were maintained free from parasites, and simultaneously, selected house fly lines were produced by breeding only those individuals which survived exposure to the parasite. Two sets of experiments (group, and longevity and fertility) were conducted during the 13th generation and considerable differences were demonstrated between the control and selection lines and also within the control lines. Selection line pupae from both strains showed an increased survival rate in the group tests, but the Florida control line also had a higher survival rate. Parasite progeny production was higher for the New York selection line than for the New York control line in both the group, and longevity and fertility tests. Female parasite longevity on Florida pupae at generation 13 was about half of that demonstrated in similar tests during generation 3, and the mean lifetime progeny production had fallen about 9- and 14-fold for the control and selection line pupae, respectively. The house fly appears to be adaptiyely plastic in the laboratory. Undetectable changes within the host populations modified the parasite's reproductive success and fertility patterns which consequently may have altered the dynamics of these interacting populations.
Constant Pressure Flame Calorimetry With Fluorine II. The Heat of Formation of Oxygen Difluoride.

The heats of the following reactions were measured directly in an electrically calibrated flame calorimeter operated at one atm pressure and 303 °K. OF2(g)+2H2(g)+99H2O(l)→2[HF⋅50H2O](l)F2(g)+H2(g)+100H2O(1)→2[HF⋅50H2O](l)12 O2(g)+H2(g)→H2O(l) The reactants and products were analyzed for each of the reactions. From these heats we calculated the corresponding heats of formation, as follows: OF2(g) ΔHf298.15°=+24.52±1.59 kJ mol-1(+5.86±0.38 kcal mol-1)HF⋅50H2O(l) ΔHf298.15°=-320.83±0.38 kJ mol-1(-76.68±0.09 kcal mol-1)H2O(l) ΔHf298.15°=-285.85±0.33 kJ mol-1(-68.32±0.08 kcal mol-1) The uncertainties indicated are the estimates of the overall experimental errors. The value of the average O - F bond energy in OF2 was calculated to be 191.29 kJ mol-1 (45.72 kcal mol-1).
Real-Time Femtosecond Ellipsometry of SixGe1-x Epilayers

We have developed a femtosecond ellipsometer by incorporating ellipsometric probe optics into a rapid scan femtosecond pump-and-probe experiment. The system allows near real-time display of the photo-induced reflectivity changes and provides complete characterization of the time-varying dielectric function. This ellipsometer is used ex situ to characterize the femtosecond response of relaxed, MBE-grown SixGe1-x alloys over the complete composition range. The results show that the femtosecond response depends strongly on alloy composition in optically thick samples. Ge-like samples (x<0.37) show a characteristic two-component response which may be caused by intervalley L → Γ hole scattering and impact ionization. For a given alloy composition, the presence of interfacial strain or surface oxidation strongly alter the femtosecond response.
Application of optical fiber grating temperature sensing system to on-line monitoring for power cables

The current situation of the on-line temperature monitoring system for power cables is presented,as well as the working principles of the optical fiber grating temperature sensing system and its technical features.The application of the on-line power cable temperature monitoring system based on the optical fiber grating temperature sensors is also recommended.
Paratesticular myxoma : case report and review

AbstractWe describe a case of a paratesticular myxoma and review the pathology of this benign intrascrotal tumor.
UV-DIAL Ozone Measurements During the 1995 Southern Oxidants Study

The NOAA Environmental Technology Laboratory (ETL) and the NCAR Atmospheric Technology Division (ATD) participated in the 1995 Southern Oxidants Study (SOS) Nashville summer intensive campaign. The airborne UV-DIAL ozone lidar operated jointly by these laboratories was deployed as part of the large suite of instruments used in this study.
Language Socialization and Identity

In Me Talk Pretty One Day (2000), essayist David Sedaris recounts his adventures as an adult voluntarily learning French. Like many other Americans abroad, Sedaris was surprised to discover that the language did not come naturally to him as a side effect of life in a foreign country. Instead, he observed that his status as a foreign adult placed him at a disadvantage, and he became actively jealous of French babies whose first-language development is carefully nurtured by surrounding adults. In fact he writes, ‘I wanted to be a baby, but instead, I was an adult who talked like one, a spooky man-child demanding more than his fair share of attention’ (2000: 161).
Conclusion: The Digital City as the Virtual Embodiment of the Global City

The digital city is an important component of the global city. Global digital practices and communications have become part of the daily routine of digital city residents. In the digital city, the local is not a mere given that is then shaped by the global. Instead, the global and the local manifest themselves in and through each other.
Psychopathy and Biosocial Criminology

The chapter examines psychopathy and its relation to biosocial criminology. The chapter advances that psychopathy facilitates emerging biosocial explanations of antisocial behavior. Several features of psychopathy are suggestive of a biosocial etiology. The disorder emerges in childhood in the form of callous and unemotional traits which are usually coupled with conduct problems. The depth of these traits implicates neuropsychological problems relating to emotional relatedness, morality, and the ability to learn or regulate behavior after receiving punishment. Over time, psychopathic traits remain relatively stable and accentuate antisocial behavior through adolescence and adulthood. Due to the extremity of their criminal conduct and the chilling display of their personality, there is a notion that psychopathy is importantly heritable. For instance, some of the core characteristics of psychopathic personality, such as low fear and autonomic functioning, suggest a physiological etiology, and over the years, researchers have explored the biological and biosocial undergirding of psychopathy.
Omniphobic Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Membrane for Desalination of Shale Gas Produced Water by Membrane Distillation.

Microporous membranes fabricated from hydrophobic polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) have been widely used for membrane distillation (MD). However, hydrophobic MD membranes are prone to wetting by low surface tension substances, thereby limiting their use in treating challenging industrial wastewaters, such as shale gas produced water. In this study, we present a facile and scalable approach for the fabrication of omniphobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes that repel both water and oil. Positive surface charge was imparted to an alkaline-treated PVDF membrane by aminosilane functionalization, which enabled irreversible binding of negatively charged silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) to the membrane through electrostatic attraction. The membrane with grafted SiNPs was then coated with fluoroalkylsilane (perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane) to lower the membrane surface energy. Results from contact angle measurements with mineral oil and surfactant solution demonstrated that overlaying SiNPs with ...
Utility of the future: A vision of a two-way street

Abstract As modern technology drives us to a new framework involving a two-way exchange of services among customer, utilities and regulators, parties need to re-examine the unit ideas employed in articulating the policy frameworks necessary to address this transition. They need to explore the choices made between customized services and commodity service, tariff and contracts, and cost of service and value of service.
Special Session: Converting Your Teaching (or Even Your Whole Department!) to Active Learning via POGIL

POGIL (Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning) is a form of active learning where students work collaboratively through activities designed to guide them to discover concepts on their own. POGIL is based on the principle that students will learn and retain more when they construct their own understanding of the computer science (CS) content. Working in groups of three to four, students develop process skills, such as problem solving, communication, and teamwork. This special session will first provide SIGCSE attendees the opportunity to experience a CS POGIL activity for themselves. We will then discuss different ways that instructors might adopt POGIL for use in their classroom, and how the adoption of POGIL by multiple instructors in a department can change the culture of the department.
Gene set expression analysis of HPV16 versus HPV18 induced cervical adenocarinomas: Chromosomal specific and correlation set based differences oberved in gene expression profiles

3315 It is well established that the human papilloma strain 18 (HPV18) infection leads to tumorigenesis more efficiently than does the HPV16 >strain. The multiple hit model of transformation suggests that HPV18 >differs from HPV16 in its strategy for subjugating cellular processes. >Furthermore, we hypothesize that an HPV18 infection may only require >an additional transformation event whereas an HPV16 infection may >require two or more stochastic events prior to transformation. To >understand viral process differences, we purified and analyzed total >RNA for gene expression profiling analysis on tumor samples classified >as cervical adenocarcinomas with HPV strain typed by PCR methods. >Three platforms were utilized for gene expression analysis: Affymetrix >(version 1) HG-Focus GeneChips(tm) and CGAP cDNA spotted microarrays were used for all samples, and Affymetrix (version 2) U133 2.0 Plus GeneChips(tm) were used for analysis of a subset of HPV16 and HPV18 samples in triplicate. For all platforms, we performed Affymetrix >one-cycle amplification with biotin incorporation prior to >hybridization. The biotinylated aRNA product was utilized directly for >the Affymetrix platforms; spotted cDNA microarray hybridizations were >performed following reverse transcription indirect labeling using >Alexa equivalents of Cy3 and Cy5 fluorescent dyes. The Bioconductor >packages affylmGUI and limmaGUI were employed for Affymetrix and cDNA platforms, respectively. Further analysis was performed by gene set >expression analysis (GSEA), using the R version. The GSEA website is >http://www.broad.mit.edu/cancer/software/gsea. Gene sets derived from >chromosomal regions Xq28 and 15q15 in HPV18 samples were found to be >significantly modulated after FDR statistical correction; gene sets >that tend to correlate in other datasets were found to be >significantly affected for HPV16, including: CCNI, EIF4A2, ACTG1, >RAF1, TPT1. Interestingly, 15q15.3 is the site of the DNA repair gene, >O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase. Xq28 was the site of loss of >heterozygosity in 20% of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine >cervix. The HPV16 associated gene set, CCNI (cyclin I), has been >implicated in breast cancer and in squamous carcinoma of the tongue, >and the EIF4A2 gene has been implicated in other cancer types. >This work was supported by the Irmas Foundation, NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center Grant and NIH CA107245.
Communication Between Government Agencies and Local Communities: Rhetorical Analyses of Primary Documents in Three Environmental Risk Situations

Despite the migration of letters and memoranda to electronic media, these documents are still occasionally written as hard copy and transmitted through the post, especially during risk situations. In two recent environmental situations, such letters were sent in 2014 to residents in Newark, NJ, who were affected by the discovery of high levels of lead in their school water and in 2016 to residents of East Chicago, IN, who were affected by the discovery of lead under their homes. In each of these situations, letters were sent to residents whose reactions ranged from fear in Newark to anger in East Chicago. In neither case did residents act as requested. However, in 2011, residents in Morgan City, MO, whose land would be flooded by the opening of the Morganza Spillway, followed the instructions they received and evacuated. Research questions: This study examines the failure of citizens and community institutions to respond positively, if at all, to requests transmitted in hard copy that are related to risk situations. It poses the following research questions: 1. Do commonalities exist among the rhetorical decisions made by the writers of letters to which readers responded positively in a risk situation? 2. If so, do these decisions differ from those made by writers of letters to which readers objected or disregarded the requests made? Literature review: Research related to rhetorical analyses of primary documents transmitted in hard copy between engineers and managers prior to and during risk situations was surveyed. In addition, the literature related to rhetorical analyses of primary messages transmitted electronically prior to and during risk situations was also examined. Methods: A rhetorical analysis of the letters focused on the writers’ efforts to consider readers’ reading patterns and styles, prior knowledge, need for background information and details, and the economic, political, and psychological context in which readers read the letters. Results: The results indicate that the Newark and East Chicago letters are writer rather than reader-based, the writers failing to consider the readers’ reading patterns and styles, to provide necessary information, and to recognize the context in which the readers read the letters. On the other hand, the letters related to the Morganza Spillway are reader-based, providing the necessary information at the beginning of the correspondence, as well as providing sufficient details to enable readers to take the actions required to safeguard themselves and their families, businesses, and homes.
APOE ε4 status in healthy older African Americans is associated with deficits in pattern separation and hippocampal hyperactivation

Abstract African Americans are 1.4 times more likely than European Americans to carry the apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 allele, a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, little is known about the neural correlates of cognitive function in older African Americans and how they relate to genetic risk for AD. In particular, no past study on African Americans has examined the effect of APOE e4 status on pattern separation—mnemonic discrimination performance and its corresponding neural computations in the hippocampus. Previous work using the mnemonic discrimination paradigm has localized increased activation in the DG/CA3 hippocampal subregions as being correlated with discrimination deficits. In a case-control high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging study of 30 healthy African Americans, aged 60 years and older, we observed APOE e4–related impairments in mnemonic discrimination, coincident with dysfunctional hyperactivation in the DG/CA3, and CA1 regions, despite no evidence of structural differences in the hippocampus between carriers and noncarriers. Our results add to the growing body of evidence that deficits in pattern separation may be an early marker for AD-related neuronal dysfunction.
Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of mm Wave Propagation Channels for UAVs

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are envisioned to be an integral part of future 5G communication systems. The agile nature of UAVs for serving users at different locations can help to dynamically optimize coverage and quality-of-service (QoS) in future networks. In this work, we explore the small scale temporal and spatial characteristics of mm Wave air-to-ground (AG) line-of-sight (LOS) propagation channels at 28 GHz in different environmental scenarios: dense-urban, suburban, rural, and over sea using omni-directional antennas employing Wireless InSite ray tracing software. We classify the received multipath components (MPCs) into persistent and non-persistent components. The small scale temporal and spatial characteristics of the AG propagation channel are found to be dependent on the scatterer properties: number, distribution, and geometry. Additionally, clustering of MPCs in the time and spatial domain for different environments is found to be dependent on the scatterer properties and receiver sensitivity. When the height of the UAV is comparable to the height of the scatterers, we observe large temporal and angular spreads.
Pushing the conversation about assimilation forward

I wish to thank four eminent scholars – Maurice Crul, Miri Song, Philip Kasinitz and Natasha Warikoo – for their thoughtful remarks on my book, The Other Side of Assimilation: How Immigrants are Ch...
Total knee arthroplasty in the face of a previous tuberculosis infection of the knee: what do we know in 2018?

Introduction: TB of the knee is often associated with marked morbidity because of its late and non-specific presentation. The use of TKA (total knee arthroplasty) in the face of a previous tubercul...
Propynal, an Interstellar Molecule with an Exceptionally Strong C ≡ C Infrared Band – Laboratory Infrared Data and Applications

Isomers with the formula C3H2O have intrigued and puzzled astronomers and astrochemists for many years, with propynal and cyclopropenone, but not propadienone, known to be interstellar. However, there is a severe lack of laboratory spectra of the solid phases of these compounds with which to investigate their interstellar chemistry. Here we present the first infrared spectra of amorphous and crystalline forms of propynal, HCC—C(O)H, at multiple temperatures. Band positions are tabulated and band strengths are derived in terms of absorption coefficients and integrated intensities. Optical constants are calculated for amorphous propynal, refractive indices are measured, and densities are estimated. Three laboratory astrochemistry applications are described, including a new spectral identification in an earlier paper. It is shown that propynal's C≡C infrared absorbance is about 30 000 per cent stronger than the corresponding feature in acetylene. This band's intensity and spectral position make it an attractive candidate for astronomical searches involving interstellar ices.
Epidural Analgesia and Risk of Cesarean Delivery.

There is no difference in the risk of cesarean delivery in women who receive epidural analgesia before 4 to 5 cm cervical dilation compared with later dilation.
CE: Too Much Sitting: A Newly Recognized Health Risk

: While moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) has been widely accepted as a major factor in promoting optimal health, emerging research specific to sedentary behavior suggests that MVPA alone may not be enough. This integrative literature review examines the evidence on sedentary behavior as an independent health risk for cardiometabolic health conditions, certain cancers, and all-cause mortality. In so doing, it reveals new insights into high-volume sitting and prolonged uninterrupted sitting and their relationship to adverse health conditions in order to increase awareness of sedentary behavior as an independent health risk factor, examine the potential effects of displacing sedentary time with light-intensity physical activity, and encourage nurses to advance the overall reduction of sedentary behavior.
Nanocrystal Symmetry Breaking and Accelerated Solid-State Diffusion in the Lead–Cadmium Sulfide Cation Exchange system

The phenomenology of solid-state transformations in nanoparticles is important for applications utilizing their reactivity and for investigations into how nearby interfaces interact with the defect...
“Management Migration” in United States patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer from 2010-2015.

11Background: National guidelines have increasingly supported active surveillance/watchful waiting (AS/WW) in low- and favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa). It is unknown how these cha...
Debating Hydrofracking: The Discursive Construction of Risk

This study examines a debate among experts sponsored by Cornell University in 2014 on whether or not to allow hydrofracking in New York State. The focus is on the question-answer portion of the debate to see how risk is discursively constructed from experts’ claims and rejoinders as well as audience participation. The granular methodology of discursive analysis is used to examine how risk gets talked into being and amplified or mitigated through interaction in the question-answer portion of the debate. Risk gets constructed through participants’ practices of metadiscourse - how they formulate what has been said, report the speech or actions of others, or repeat certain locutions into lists for rhetorical effect. These metadiscourse practices provide a resource for the debater to critically characterize other’s words or deeds prior to presenting their preferred position.
Informal Caregiver Characteristics Associated with Viral Load Suppression Among Current or Former Injection Drug Users Living with HIV/AIDS.

Few studies have examined the association between having an informal (unpaid) caregiver and viral suppression among persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) who are on antiretroviral therapy. The current study examined relationships between caregivers’ individual and social network characteristics and care recipient viral suppression. Baseline data were from the BEACON study caregivers and their HIV seropositive former or current drug using care recipients, of whom 89 % were African American (N = 258 dyads). Using adjusted logistic regression, care recipient’s undetectable viral load was positively associated with caregiver’s limited physical functioning and negatively associated with caregivers having few family members to turn to for problem solving, a greater number of current drug users in their network, and poorer perceptions of the care recipient’s mental health. Results further understandings of interpersonal relationship factors important to PLHIV’s health outcomes, and the need for caregiving relationship-focused intervention to promote viral suppression among PLHIV.
EUS-guided gallbladder drainage in patients with cirrhosis: results of a multicenter retrospective study

Background and study aims Cirrhosis has historically been considered a relative, if not absolute, contraindication to cholecystectomy. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) has been developed for use in non-operative candidates with cholecystitis; however, little data exist for use of the procedure in patients with cirrhosis. Patients and methods This was a retrospective series involving two large tertiary referral centers performing EUS-GBD. Patients with cirrhosis who underwent EUS-GBD for cholecystitis between August 2014 and December 2018 were identified. The primary endpoint was the rate of technical success, defined as EUS-guided placement of a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) from duodenum to gallbladder. Patient demographics, procedural details, adverse events (AEs), post-procedural symptoms, and clinical success were recorded. Results Fifteen patients (9 females, 6 males) with cirrhosis underwent EUS-GBD during the study period. Mean patient age was 61 ± 17.1yrs, mean MELD-Na 15 ± 7. Etiology of cirrhosis was HCV (n = 2), alcohol (n = 4), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (n = 8), and autoimmune hepatitis (n = 1). The technical success rate was 93.3 % and mean procedure time was 64 ± 59 minutes. Initial puncture site was duodenum (n = 11), stomach (n = 3) and jejunum (n = 1) and portion of gallbladder used for drainage was neck (n = 4) and body (n = 11). Fourteen patients went on to clinical success and two AEs occurred in this cohort. One decompensation event occurred in a patient with Child-Pugh class C disease 3 weeks post-procedure. Mean length of follow-up was 373 ± 367.3 days; one death occurred due to underlying malignancy. Conclusion EUS-GBD is safe and efficacious in managing cholecystitis in patients with Child-Pugh A and B cirrhosis who are non-operative candidates. Further studies are needed to determine optimal patient selection and procedural technique.
Molecular characterisation of metanephric adenomas beyond BRAF: genetic evidence for potential malignant evolution.

Aims Metanephric adenomas (MAs) are conventionally regarded as rare renal tumours with indolent behaviour; limited case reports have described MAs with aggressive features. Conventional MAs harbour hotspot BRAF V600E mutations. A BRAF V600E senescence pathway, mediated by cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A)/p16, has been proposed to confer MA benignity. Aside from BRAF, the molecular landscape in both conventional MAs and those with aggressive features has not been fully characterised. The aim of this study was to molecularly profile a series of MAs to investigate the correlation between genomic findings and clinical outcome. Methods and results We retrospectively examined the histomorphology and patient outcomes of 11 conventional MAs and one MA with aggressive features. Each was subjected to capture-based next-generation DNA sequencing of 479 cancer-related genes and immunohistochemical profiling. All tumours were positive for WT1 immunostaining and BRAF V600E mutation. One conventional MA contained an additional somatic BRCA2 pathogenic mutation. The MA with aggressive features had a biphasic appearance: one component was epithelial, with areas morphologically consistent with conventional MA; the second component was sarcomatous, with areas of solid and angiosarcomatous growth. Differential profiling of the two populations revealed identical BRAF, EIF1AX and TERT promoter hotspot mutations in the epithelial and sarcomatous components. Deep deletion of CDKN2A and MYC amplification were identified only in the sarcomatous component. Conclusions Although the vast majority of MAs show indolent behaviour, rare pathogenic alterations can occur in conventional MAs in addition to BRAF. Molecular profiling of a case with aggressive clinical and pathological features shows genetic evidence for malignant evolution in MAs.
Weighing in on the Role of Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTIs) on Weight Gain: Fact or Fiction?

The goal of this manuscript was to review the growing body of evidence examining the relationship between integrase strand inhibitors (INSTIs) and weight gain in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced populations of people living with HIV. INSTIs have proven to be efficacious in virologic suppression in combination with other antiretrovirals (ARVs); however, recent data has demonstrated a potential link between weight gain and INSTIs, causing concern for risk of developing further metabolic complications. The intent of this review was to understand the magnitude of the weight gain and whether INSTIs were the sole cause. Of 71 studies conducted on this topic, 25 trials were evaluated and organized into treatment-naive and treatment-experienced studies. While these studies were not designed homogeneously, clear patterns emerged while assessing the data. Among treatment-naive populations, dolutegravir (DTG) generally exhibited greater levels of weight gain when compared with elvitegravir (EVG) and raltegravir (RAL). Furthermore, some studies demonstrated greater weight gain with DTG-containing groups when combined with tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). Studies in treatment-experienced patients switching to an INSTI-based regimen exhibited similar patterns. DTG was once again associated with the most weight gain in this population, with weight gain also exhibited with RAL and EVG. Due to bictegravir (BIC) being a newer agent, there was limited data in both populations. This compilation of data suggests a link between the INSTI class and weight gain. However, it remains unclear whether weight gain occurs with INSTI initiation or long-term treatment. As more data supports the INSTI class causing weight gain, the cardiovascular and metabolic ramifications have yet to be investigated. Future research should study populations at greater risk for gaining weight, the occurrence of comorbidities associated with weight gain, and data on emerging integrase inhibitors.
Long-term outcomes of sinus node modification in patients with severely symptomatic drug-refractory inappropriate sinus tachycardia: a single-center experience.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of sinus node modification (SNM) in treating patients with severely symptomatic drug-refractory inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST). The study included 39 patients with symptomatic drug-refractory IST who have undergone SNM at Saint Louis University Hospital. Data was reviewed retrospectively. Recurrence of symptoms was assessed at 3–6-month follow-up intervals. The mean age of our cohort was 31.5 ± 11. The mean HR at diagnosis was 135 ± 25.4 beats per minute (BPM). Thirty-seven of 39 (94.8%) patients had complete resolution of symptoms. Of these 37 patients, 16 required 1 SNM, 17 patients required 2 SNM, and 4 patients required 3 SNM in order to achieve complete symptom resolution. Mean HR post-procedure was 78.6 ± 12.3 BPM. Thirteen of 39 patients required rate control medication post-procedure, all of whom were prescribed beta-blockers. Patients were followed every 3 to 6 months with a mean follow-up duration of 62.3 ± 42.9 months from the patient’s last SNM procedure. Thirteen of those 37 patients (35.1%) developed intermittent symptomatic bradycardia requiring permanent pacemaker implantation. Two of the 39 patients had phrenic nerve injury, and 6 patients had post-procedure pericarditis. This study provides additional information to the limited dataset available in the literature and shows that SNM might provide patients with long-term symptomatic relief bearing in mind the potential increased risk for the need for permanent pacing.
Mechanisms of Colonization Resistance Against Clostridioides difficile.

Clostridioides difficile is an urgent antimicrobial resistant bacterium, causing mild to moderate, and sometimes life-threatening disease. Commensal gut microbes are critical for providing colonization resistance against C. difficile, and can be leveraged as non-antibiotic alternative therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of CDI.
The Gospel According to God’s Judgment: Judgment as Salvation

When I introduce the topic of God’s judgment, I regularly ask my audience: “What is your first reaction, thought, or feeling when you hear that God will judge you?” I have addressed this question on all continents (except Antarctica) to people of various political, social, religious, ethnic, educational, and age backgrounds, and the answer is always unanimous: “Fear!” In the past, I thought that it was mainly my problem, because I grew up in a totalitarian communist regime; and when I heard the word judgment, I immediately imagined a judge in dark clothing, with a severe expression on his face, pointing at someone with his finger, and condemning that person to death. However, I have found that everywhere people’s impressions about the divine judgment are remarkably dark and extremely cold. They think that God is like a heavenly policeman waiting for their mistakes in order to punish them and perceive Him as a cosmic Nebuchadnezzar before whose sovereign authority nobody can escape. They feel that they are under the magnifying glass of the heavenly Judge, and thus are full of anxiety. The thought of coming under the judgment of God brings goose-bumps. My distorted understanding was grossly influenced by some preachers who used divine judgment as a “pedagogical tool” to motivate believers to obedience, “encourage” them to be good, and behave nicely. They thought that scaring and threatening people with judgment would help them to
Land Use Regulation and Its Impact on Welfare

Abstract The long history and widespread application of land use regulation implies that these policies provide benefits for someone. It is not clear, however, that they represent a Pareto improvement or even generate positive net benefits in an economy. On the one hand, they may provide a natural response to externalities by reducing exposure to and generation of external costs. Alternatively, they may provide a mechanism for restricting the supply of space to extract surplus from potential residents. This chapter considers both theoretical and empirical approaches to the welfare analysis of land use regulation.
Movie-made Memories, on Memory and Popular Film, edited by Paul Grainge

_Memory and Popular Film_ Edited by Paul Grainge Manchester, England: Manchester University Press, 2003 ISBN 071963744 hb 0719063752 pb 261 pp.
Hyperlipidemia in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Studies were conducted on lipemic serum obtained from a 26 month old male to determine possible mechanisms for the association of a Type V hyperlipidemic phenotype with advanced lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Antibodies to apolipoproteins and endogenous heparin were not detected as previously reported. Fatty acid analysis of the triglyceride esters revealed a high proportion of stearic-acid (18:0) which was associated with a slower in vitro degradation of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) by human milk lipoprotein lipase (LPL). This suggests that a cause of the hyperlipidemia could be abnormal composition of triglycerides which render the VLDL a poor substrate for lipoprotein lipase. Hyperlipidemia in leukemia may be more prevalent than previously realized since nine other cases of newly diagnosed ALL have been studied who had moderate hypertriglyceridemia associated with elevated ApoB and low ApoA-I levels, but normal triglyceride composition. These findings suggest that the abnormal triglyceride composition is a late feature of the hyperlipidemia in leukemia, as observed in the case studied.
Canalization and adaptation in a landscape of sources and sinks

Landscapes are often spatially heterogeneous, and many species frequently confront novel environments to which they are not adapted. Whether a species becomes adapted to a novel environment, and thus undergoes niche evolution, may depend not only on the genetic architecture of the traits under selection, but also on the structure of the ecological landscape. Different models of gene architecture are used to show that complex genetic architectures tends to produce genetic canalization that slows adaptation to novel environments compared to simpler additive polygenic architectures, but that the topology of the landscape interacts with genetic architecture to influence the probability of adaptation. This interaction can lead to unexpected results, such as a greater probability of adaptation to a novel environment for a population of more highly canalized individuals than a population of less canalized individuals. The interplay between landscape structure and genetic architecture may influence the balance of evolutionary forces acting on a population, and thus whether a species is likely to adapt to the novel environments it confronts.
L2 approximation with trigonometric n-nomials

Abstract We compare the degree of approximation to L2(−π, π) by nth degree trigonometric polynomials, with the degree of approximation by trigonometric n-nomials, which are linear combinations, with constant (complex) coefficients, of any 2n + 1 members of the sequence {exp (ikx)}, − ∞
Adaptive Step Size With Adaptive-Perturbation-Frequency Digital MPPT Controller for a Single-Sensor Photovoltaic Solar System

This paper presents a load-current-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) digital controller with an adaptive-step-size and adaptive-perturbation-frequency algorithm. Only one sensor is needed in the controller circuitry since the MPPT controller is only utilizing the load current information. By utilizing a variable step-size algorithm, the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of the PV system MPPT are improved when compared to the fixed step-size load-current-based algorithm. Furthermore, the proposed adaptive algorithm utilizes a novel variable perturbation frequency scheme which further improves the controller speed. The concept and operation of the load-current adaptive-step-size and adaptive-perturbation-frequency MPPT controller are presented, analyzed, and verified by results obtained from a proof-of-concept experimental prototype.
Performance Optimized Floor Planning by Graph Planarization

A new procedure for VLSI floor planning that minimizes routing parasitics is presented. The procedure, based on rectangular dualization, maximizes adjacency of modules that are heavily connected or connected by critical nets. Wiring macros are introduced to provide routing area for those modules that cannot be located adjacent to one another; these macros are located by planarizing the system interconnectivity graph using an edge crossing strategy that minimizes the cost of intersection. The rectangular dual is compacted using heuristics to approximate a quadratic area constraint by one or more linear constraints, thereby reducing the complexity of compaction from that of quadratic programming to linear programming.
Plasma self-heating and saturation due to numerical instabilities☆

Abstract The cold-beam nonphysical instability due to the aliases produced by the numerical spatial grid is presented in detail for momentum-conserving linear weighting codes. Additions to previous work include: linear analysis dispersion diagrams showing large growth rates, ωi ≤ 0.2 ωp ; methods for reducing ωi , effectively broadening the finite-size particle width; simulation results verifying the linear theory, plus plots showing the p = 1 alias in phase space (νx, x); the growth of beam thermal spread (νt2 in temperature) and loss of energy conservation; end-of-growth (saturation) at small thermal spread ( λ D /Δχ = ν t /ω p Δχ ⋍ 0.046 , for λB/Δχ ≡ ν0/ωpΔχ ≥ 0.3, i.e., νt ≤ 0.14ν0), with return to near energy conservation (stability); demonstration of no growth for a warm beam, with νt(initial) νt(saturation); and the mechanism of stabilization (trapping). A thermal (Maxwellian) plasma, also nonphysically unstable at small λD/Δχ, is also found to approach stabilization by self-heating. The two-stream physical instability is affected by the grid, with the aliasing instability also present; the linear theory for this is presented, with guidelines for minimizing the effects of the grid.
Cavity Optomechanics with Silicon Nitride Membrane Gratings

We demonstrate high reflectivity micromechanical membranes patterned with subwavelength gratings. We investigate their optical and mechanical properties by coupling them to a Fabry-Perot cavity.
Hydration measurements on individual Artemia cysts

The water contents of individual cysts of the brine shrimp, Artemia salina, equilibrated at different relative vapor pressures of water, have been measured using tritiated water. These measured hydration levels compared favorably with those calculated from measurements on large populations of cysts using gravimetric methods. Therefore, studies of cyst hydration using large populations can be interpreted in terms of the behavior of individual cysts.
Evolutionary period changes in the rapidly oscillating Ap stars

Preliminary computations of the asymptotic p-mode frequency spacings, and their time derivatives, are presented for a grid of evolutionary models of the rapidly oscillating Ap ('roAp') stars. It is shown how the frequency spacings depend on stellar mass, metallicity, and evolutionary stage. The frequency spacings observed in two of the roAp stars indicate that they either are main-sequence objects or have evolved off of the main sequence, depending on how the pulsation spectrum is interpreted. A way to remove this ambiguity is suggested: secular evolutionary changes in the pulsation frequencies may be measurable if the roAp stars have evolved off of the main sequence. In principle, this determination may be made for the roAp star HR 1217 with existing data.
Agricultural impacts of global warming: Discussion

This article discuss three papers on the potential effects of atmospheric greenhouse gas accumulation on the agricultural sector around the world. Our discussion proceeds in three parts, beginning with a synthesis of conclusions from this session on important ingredients to an analysis of climate change effects on agriculture, and some qualitative conclusions on the relative importance of the different ingredients. This synthesis is followed by a brief discussion of problems and opportunities in climate change analysis and, finally, some policy issues.
Biodegradable Plastics Based on Cellulose Acetate

Abstract It is generally known that secondary cellulose acetate (with 53 to 56% acetyl groups) is suitable for thermoplastic processing. With appropriate plasticizers a plastic material is obtained which excels in transparency and pleasant texture, and it is therefore often used for tool handles, combs, spectacle frames, and the like. In principle, cellulose acetate with such a degree of substitution is biodegradable, although degradation proceeds extremely slowly. However, when common plasticizers are substituted by specific esters and other low molecular components (at least 30% by weight), the “plastic material” has the same thermoplastic properties but will decompose in soil or water within just a few years. For example, a cellulose acetate cup buried in sewage sludge lost more than 70% of its original weight within about 18 months. In an aqueous environment (Sturm's test), the decomposition amounted to more than 60%. Under appropriate composting conditions or conditions of anaerobic fermentation, the...
A transparent access chamber for the rat dorsal skin fold.

Abstract The design and surgical implantation procedure of a new aluminum chamber with a transparent window for the rat dorsal skin fold are described. The chamber combines strength, low weight, and high optical transparency, and provides access to the subcutaneous tissue. The latter permits transplantation of different tissue, application of chemical substances, or micromanipulation. In the present work, a mammary adenocarcinoma was transplanted into the subcutaneous tissue within the chamber for observation of tumor growth and microcirculation.
The shear stress of keeping arteries clear.

The force exerted by blood as it flows through the vessels influences the development of atherosclerosis. An understanding of how disturbed flow leads to disease is now emerging.
Topography drives strong winds at Greenland's Cape Farewell

Jutting out into the northern Atlantic Ocean, the southernmost tip of Greenland—known as Cape Farewell—is the windiest oceanic site in the world, with gale-force winds whipping nearly a sixth of the time. The strong winds at Cape Farewell, called “tip jets,” blow from both the east and the west. Along with another set of anomalously strong winds that blow along the country's southeast coast, the powerful flows are thought to have a strong effect on sea ice behavior, coastal ocean circulation patterns, the melt rate of Greenland's coastal glaciers, and North Atlantic deep ocean convection.
Gender, Leadership Style, and Subordinate Satisfaction: An Experiment.

As women continue to enter and advance within management ranks, how gender and leadership style influence subordinate satisfaction remains a significant issue. This paper reports on an experiment that analyzed the effects of gender and leadership style on subordinate satisfaction. While subjects were more satisfied in democratically led groups, gender of leader did not significantly affect satisfaction. Female subordinates were more dissatisfied than males in autocratically led groups.
Influence of genetic strain, pH, and salts on cooking properties of processed light and dark broiler meat *

Summary The cooking yields of ground breast (light) and thigh (dark) meat of eight genetic crosses of commercial strains were compared using different pre-cooking treatments. Adjustment of fresh meat pH from 6.0-6.1 to 6.4 with 0.5% phosphate increased (P < 0.05) the average cooking yield of processed breast meat from 90 to 93%, and of thigh meat from 79 to 82%. Addition of 2.5% sodium chloride to the ground meat further improved the cooking yield. Most genetic crosses of broilers differed significantly (P < 0.05) in meat cooking yield, which changed similarly with pH and salt adjustments in most strains. Cooking yields of control, pH-adjusted and saltadded thigh meats were positively correlated with each other, but little correlation existed between thigh and breast meats. the results show the influence of genetic cross on meat cooking yield, and indicate the importance of controlling pH and salt content in broiler meat processing.
Considerations for HLA Federations of Communications Simulations

The high-level architecture (HLA) standard allows for an automated interconnect of heterogeneous simulations. This federation of disparate simulations allows efficient and economical reuse of software to provide an environment in which to test and evaluate the operational performance of new protocols by measuring characteristics such as bandwidth consumption and message latency for the communication network. There are many design considerations required in the development of new simulations for the federation as well as the adaptation of legacy simulation systems to function in the HLA environment. Furthermore, the simulation architecture must encompass the inclusion of hardware-in-the-loop. This paper will detail some of these considerations.
Social factors in relation to participation in follow-up care of rheumatic fever

One hundred twenty-three patients with rheumatic fever were studied as to the medical and social factors which influenced participation in a program of follow-up care. Three general factors were associated with the quality of cooperation: (1) social circumstances, (2) illness of others in the family which interferes markedly with good participation, and (3) quality of interpersonal relations which showed that good interpersonal relations within the family tend to predict good cooperation and that problems and interpersonal conflict tend to predict the reverse. Identification of these factors helps focus attention on the problem early in the contact with the patient.