cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glucose transporter protein content and glucose transport capacity in rat skeletal muscles

The relationships among fiber type, glucose transporter (GLUT-4) protein content, and glucose transport activity stimulated maximally with insulin and/or contractile activity were studied by use of the rat epitrochlearis (15% type I-20% type II2a-65% type IIb), soleus (84-16-0%), extensor digitorum longus (EDL, 3-57-40%), and flexor digitorum brevis (FDB, 7-92-1%) muscles. Insulin-stimulated 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) uptake was greatest in the soleus, followed (in order) by the FDB, EDL, and epitrochlearis. On the other hand, contractile activity induced the greatest increase in 2-DG uptake in the FDB, followed by the EDL, soleus, and epitrochlearis. The effects of insulin and contractile activity on 2-DG uptake were additive in all the muscle preparations, with the relative rates being FDB greater than soleus greater than EDL greater than epitrochlearis. Quantitation of the GLUT-4 protein content with the antiserum R820 showed the following pattern: FDB greater than soleus greater than EDL greater than epitrochlearis. Linear regression analysis showed that whereas a relatively low and nonsignificant correlation existed between GLUT-4 protein content and 2-DG uptake stimulated by insulin alone, significant correlations existed between GLUT-4 protein content and 2-DG uptake stimulated either by contractions alone (r = 0.950) or by insulin and contractions in combination (r = 0.992). These results suggest that the differences in maximally stimulated glucose transport activity among the three fiber types may be related to differences in their content of GLUT-4 protein.
Ferroelectric polymer Langmuir-Blodgett films for nonvolatile memory applications

We review the potential for integrating ferroelectric polymer Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films with semiconductor technology to produce nonvolatile ferroelectric random-access memory (NV-FRAM or NV-FeRAM) and data-storage devices. The prototype material is a copolymer consisting of 70% vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and 30% trifluoroethylene (TrFE), or P(VDF-TrFE 70:30). Recent work with LB films and more conventional solvent-formed films shows that the VDF copolymers are promising materials for nonvolatile memory applications. The prototype device is the metal-ferroelectric-insulator-semiconductor (MFIS) capacitance memory. Field-effect transistor (FET)-based devices are also discussed. The LB films afford devices with low-voltage operation, but there are two important technical hurdles that must be surmounted. First, an appropriate method must be found to control switching dynamics in the LB copolymer films. Second, the LB technology must be scaled up and incorporated into the semiconductor-manufacturing process, but since there is no precedent for mass production of LB films, it is difficult to project how long this will take.
Cerambycidae Larval Host Condition Predicts Trap Efficiency

Insect traps of different designs should sample some species more effectively than others. I used three different traps to survey longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) at 43 locations throughout the state of Indiana to test the prediction that these traps would sample different assemblages of cerambycids. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling revealed that, while there was little difference between the assemblages sampled by Lindgren multiple funnel traps and Intercept panel traps, window traps caught quite different assemblages. Several species of cerambycids that showed differences in trap efficiencies seem to be differentially caught by different trap designs according to the nature of the larval host. These results can be used to plan monitoring according to the guild of the target beetles.
Testing the relative effectiveness of traditional and non-traditional antifouling substrates on barnacle and macroalgae settlement

AbstractDue to economic impacts, there is considerable interest in determining effective methods for limiting the attachment of marine invertebrates to submerged materials. We tested the effectiveness of traditional and non-traditional coatings on materials used for boat construction to limit the settlement of barnacles and macroalgae. Substrates included fibreglass, fibreglass coated with wax, aluminium, aluminium coated with antifouling paint, aluminium coated with Vaseline®, and aluminium coated with Vaseline® mixed with cayenne pepper. Tiles of each substrate were attached to frames, placed at two sites in the Intracoastal Waterway near Jacksonville, Florida, and collected after one or two successive months in the field. Barnacles as well as macroalgae showed significantly greater settlement on fibreglass than aluminium. Each type of coating tested reduced settlement relative to controls, with the lowest overall settlement of barnacles being observed on aluminium coated with Vaseline®, both with and w...
Genetic variation and HIV-associated neurologic disease.

HIV-associated neurologic disease continues to be a significant complication in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. A substantial subset of the HIV-infected population shows impaired neuropsychological performance as a result of HIV-mediated neuroinflammation and eventual central nervous system (CNS) injury. CNS compartmentalization of HIV, coupled with the evolution of genetically isolated populations in the CNS, is responsible for poor prognosis in patients with AIDS, warranting further investigation and possible additions to the current therapeutic strategy. This chapter reviews key advances in the field of neuropathogenesis and studies that have highlighted how molecular diversity within the HIV genome may impact HIV-associated neurologic disease. We also discuss the possible functional implications of genetic variation within the viral promoter and possibly other regions of the viral genome, especially in the cells of monocyte–macrophage lineage, which are arguably key cellular players in HIV-associated CNS disease.
3D reconstruction of a human heart fascicle using SurfDriver

The Temple University Medical School has a sequence of over 400 serial sections of adult normal ventricular human heart tissue, cut at 25 micrometer thickness. We used a Zeiss Ultraphot with a 4x planapo objective and a Pixera digital camera to make a series of 45 sequential montages to use in the 3D reconstruction of a fascicle (muscle bundle). We wrote custom software to merge 4 smaller image fields from each section into one composite image. We used SurfDriver software, developed by Scott Lozanoff of the University of Hawaii and David Moody of the University of Alberta, for registration, object boundary identification, and 3D surface reconstruction. We used an Epson Stylus Color 900 printer to get photo-quality prints. We describe the challenge and our solution to the following problems: image acquisition and digitization, image merge, alignment and registration, boundary identification, 3D surface reconstruction, 3D visualization and orientation, snapshot, and photo-quality prints.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fracking as a Community Issue in Michigan

This report presents the opinions of Michigan local government leaders on issues in their communities related to the process of extracting natural gas through high-volume hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling of underground shale deposits, also known as “fracking.” The findings in this report are based on a statewide survey of local government leaders in the Fall 2013 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).
Platelet Mitochondrial Dysfunction is Evident in Type 2 Diabetes in Association with Modifications of Mitochondrial Anti-Oxidant Stress Proteins

Objective Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in insulin responsive tissues is implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Whether these perturbations extend to other tissues and contribute to their pathophysiology is less well established. The objective of this study was to investigate platelet mitochondria to evaluate whether type 2 diabetes associated mitochondrial dysfunction is evident in circulating cells. Method A pilot study of mitochondrial respiratory function and proteomic changes comparing platelets extracted from insulin sensitive (n=8) and type 2 diabetic subjects (n=7). Results In-situ platelet mitochondria show diminished oxygen consumption and lower oxygen-dependent ATP synthesis in diabetic vs. control subjects. Mass spectrometric identification and confirmatory immunoblot analysis identifies induction of the mitochondrial anti-oxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase 2 and thioredoxin-dependent peroxide reductase 3 in platelets of diabetic subjects. As oxidative stress upregulates anti-oxidant enzymes we assessed mitochondrial protein carbonylation as an index of oxidative-stress. Platelets of diabetic subjects exhibit significantly increased protein carbonylation compared to controls. Conclusions As platelets are anuclear fragments of megakaryocytes, our data suggest that the bone marrow compartment in type 2 diabetic subjects is exposed to increased mitochondrial oxidative stress with upregulation of nuclear-encoded antioxidant mitochondrial enzymes. This 'stress-signature' in platelets of diabetic subjects is associated with a diminution of their mitochondrial contribution to energy production and support that mitochondrial perturbations in type 2 diabetes extends beyond the classical insulin responsive tissues. Platelets, as "accessible human tissue", may be useful to measure the mitochondrial modulatory effects of emerging anti-diabetic therapeutics.
Epidemiological Pattern of Fall-Related Injuries among Residents in Shanghai, China

[Objective] To investigate the epidemiologic features of fall-related injuries, and its relationships with income, education level, and senior residents in Shanghai, China.[Methods] A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling approach with probability proportional to size was used to select 45 857 residents in Shanghai for home visits.Mortality and demographic data were collected from Shanghai Vital Registration System from 2001 to 2011.Records on fall-related hospitalized cases and fatalities from 164 hospitals in Shanghai were also analyzed.Logistic regression was used to control confounding from age, gender, education levels and income.[Results] During 2001 to 2011, the average annual income increased by 206.63% in Shanghai; while the fall specific mortality rate increased from 10.63 per 100 000 in 2001 to 14.76 per 100 000 in 2011.The morbidity of fall was 14.70 per 1 000 in the survey.Those with family average monthly incomes lower than 500 Yuan RMB were 6.5 times as likely as to suffer from fall-related injuries than those with higher than 5 000 Yuan RMB.The residents with an education level of primary school and under showed the highest fall specific mortality and morbidity rates, 57.85 per 100 000(73.23%) and 33.96 per 1 000(49.24%), 22 times and 5.5 times compared with those with college degree or above, respectively.The Luwan and Jing'an districts showed the highest mortality rates(24.10 per 100 000 and 19.59 per 100 000 respectively) with leading proportions of senior residents.The mortality rate of fall in the children 5 years was the highest among children aged 0-14 years.The mortality and morbidity of fall increased dramatically with age among those aged 50 years or above, among which the 50-54 age group accounted for the largest proportion and the morbidity accelerated.The female showed higher mortality and morbidity rates of fall than the male.Combined head injuries accounted for about half of the total fatalities of fall.The relative risk of fall-related injuries was higher in lower income, lower education level, and higher age groups, with odds ratios of 1.39, 1.27, and 1.21, respectively.[Conclusion] The prevention and control of fall-related injuries confronts a huge challenge.Income, education level, and age are the main risk factors for fall-related injuries.Populations under 5 years old, over 50 years old, with an education level lower than primary school, and with lower income should be the targets for intervention.More efforts are needed, such as installing comprehensive fall-related injury prevention programs to the new responsibility system of family doctors.
The Impact of Racism on the Sexual and Reproductive Health of African American Women

African American women are disproportionately affected by multiple sexual and reproductive health conditions compared with women of other races/ethnicities. Research suggests that social determinants of health, including poverty, unemployment, and limited education, contribute to health disparities. However, racism is a probable underlying determinant of these social conditions. This article uses a socioecological model to describe racism and its impact on African American women's sexual and reproductive health. Although similar models have been used for specific infectious and chronic diseases, they have not described how the historical underpinnings of racism affect current sexual and reproductive health outcomes among African American women. We propose a socioecological model that demonstrates how social determinants grounded in racism affect individual behaviors and interpersonal relationships, which may contribute to sexual and reproductive health outcomes. This model provides a perspective to understand how these unique contextual experiences are intertwined with the daily lived experiences of African American women and how they are potentially linked to poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes. The model also presents an opportunity to increase dialog and research among public health practitioners and encourages them to consider the role of these contextual experiences and supportive data when developing prevention interventions. Considerations address the provision of opportunities to promote health equity by reducing the effects of racism and improving African American women's sexual and reproductive health.
Letter to Farmers in Pennsylvania: John Dickinson Writes to the Paxton Boys

One of “Pennsylvania Farmer” John Dickinson’s earliest public documents, recently processed by the John Dickinson Writings Project, is titled “Letter to the Inhabitants of the Frontiers on their intended Expedition ag[ains]t the Indians under the Protection of the Gov[ernmen]t.” Dickinson wrote this seventeen-page draft to convince the Paxton Boys, who had recently slaughtered a group of peaceful Conestoga Indians, not to do the same to the Moravian Indians in protective custody in Philadelphia. Although “hidden” in plain view in the Delaware Public Archives, this document has not surfaced in past attempts to publish Dickinson’s writings, nor is it included in John R. Dunbar’s The Paxton Papers (1957). Though undated, the content of the missive indicates that it was written no earlier than January 6, 1764, and that it may have been a response to the Paxtonians’ Declaration and Remonstrance, read in assembly on February 17. The letter does not appear to have been published.
Conversations about Sexuality on a Public University Campus: Perspectives from Campus Ministry Students and Leaders.

AbstractLittle is known about university campus religious organisations’ influence on students’ sexuality-related attitudes and behaviours. This study sought to better understand sexuality-related communication within the context of campus ministries by exploring students’ and campus ministry leaders’ conversational experiences at a public university in the south-east USA. Data sources included an online survey of undergraduates participating in student religious organisations (n = 57), focus groups with campus ministry students (n = 36), and individual interviews with campus ministry leaders (n = 19). Findings indicated student satisfaction with the focus and frequency of conversations about romantic relationships and sexual health within the context of campus ministries. However, both campus ministry students and leaders indicated discomfort in discussions of sexuality. Leaders acknowledged their need for better strategies to engage students; students focused on how to integrate religious messages about...
Chapter 1: Constitutional Afterthoughts

To understand how privacy became a component of modern constitutional doctrine, it’s essential to consider two issues related to interpretation of the text—the framers’ conception of it as a plan of government and their openness to interpretive supplementation of its terms. Numerous Federalist essays characterize the Constitution as a plan of government. Dictionaries of the time distinguished between two different senses of the word plan. On the one hand, they refer to it as plans as draughts—i.e., as precise frameworks (of the kind architects draw when designing buildings). On the other hand, they refer to it as plans as schemes—as relatively loose frameworks that are susceptible to interpretative supplementation in light of developments not anticipated at the outset. There is no doubt that Jefferson and some other members of the founding generation endorsed the former conception of the Constitution. But there is also no doubt that Jefferson accepted interpretive supplementation once he became president, for even though he stated that he wanted to sponsor a constitutional amendment to legitimate the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson justified the purchase on the ground that the text supports national expansion (its silence on the issue notwithstanding). Madison was even more open to interpretive supplementation. Although he initially opposed legislation creating a national bank, he ultimately reversed himself on this issue and signed the legislation, while serving as president, extending the bank’s charter. Madison’s rationale for signing the legislation set a precedent in favor of interpretive supplementation. It also serves as a criterion for assessing the legitimacy of an interpretive initiative undertaken in the absence of Article V authorization. If supplementation is consistent with the general purposes of government and supported by an enduring supermajority national consensus, then it is acceptable to bypass the amendment process and to settle instead for an interpretation that assesses the legitimacy of government action. This Madisonian framework for assessing the legitimacy of interpretive supplementation is employed throughout the book to assess—and, in most instances—to justify pro-privacy decisions reached by the modern Court.
Self-reported preferences for patient and provider roles in cancer treatment decision-making in the United States

Objective To describe differences in preferred roles in cancer treatment decision-making and identify associated sociodemographic and health-related factors among adults in the United States. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative data from the 2014 Health Information National Trends Survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated and multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine associations. Results Half (48.3%) of respondents preferred a collaborative role in decision-making under the supposition of a moderate chance of survival; while 53.4% preferred a more active role when the chance of survival was low. Approximately 7%–8% indicated a preference for a passive role in decision-making, for both low and moderate chances of survival. Several predictors of role preference for cancer treatment decision-making emerged, including age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, and having a regular health care provider. At both low and moderate chances of survival, the college educated were less likely to prefer a passive role, whereas Hispanics were two to three times more likely than whites to indicate a preference for a passive role. Conclusion Adults’ role preference for cancer treatment decision-making may be influenced by sociodemographic and health-related factors. Increased awareness of these factors, paired with enhanced patient–provider communication, may assist health care professionals in providing individualized and high-quality, patient-centered cancer care.
Performance analysis of sparsity-based interpolation for DOA estimation with non-uniform arrays

In this paper, we provide performance analysis of a sparsity-based interpolation technique for direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation with partially augmentable non-uniform arrays. The degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) offered by a partially augmentable non-uniform array cannot be fully utilized for subspace-based DOA estimation due to the presence of holes in the corresponding difference coarray. The interpolation technique fills the ‘holes’ in the difference coarray, thereby permitting full use of the available DOFs for DOA estimation. We examine the performance of the interpolation-based DOA estimation scheme for scenes with varying source powers under different source separations. Co-prime arrays, which are a type of partially augmentable non-uniform configuration, are utilized for the performance analysis.
Enabling Sustainable Cyber Physical Security Systems through Neuromorphic Computing

As the novel paradigm in the field of machine learning, reservoir computing possesses exceptional performance, e.g., energy efficiency, in tasks in which the traditional von Neumann computing systems cannot incorporate. This makes reservoir computing an ideal candidate to enable the sustainable development of cyber-physical systems (CPS). In the realm of CPS, the tight interaction among physical objects places security threats under the spotlight of attention. For such systems, especially the power grid network, false data injection could potentially lead to catastrophic consequences such as blackouts in large geographical areas. In this paper, we will introduce a reservoir computing architecture, the delayed feedback system, and apply the reservoir computing architecture for anomaly detection. To be specific, detailed design of the three imperative components in the delayed feedback system will be discussed and the corresponding energy efficiency performance will be analyzed. The application of the reservoir computing architecture to anomaly detection in a smart grid network will be introduced.
A 10Gb/s 10mm on-chip serial link in 65nm CMOS featuring a half-rate time-based decision feedback equalizer

An all-digital 2-tap half-rate time-based decision feedback equalizer (TB-DFE) was demonstrated on a 10mm on-chip serial link. Implemented in a 65nm GP technology, the transmitter and receiver achieve an energy-efficiency of 31.9 and 45.3 fJ/b/mm, respectively, at a data rate of 10Gb/s. A Bit Error Rate (BER) less than 10−12 was verified for an eye width of 0.43 Unit Interval (UI) using an in-situ BER monitor.
Economic effects of terrorism: Local and city considerations, priorities for research and policy

The economic effects of terrorist attacks are difficult to assess, in part because terrorism is highly local. Local dimensions are crucial for policymakers who are increasingly interested in resilience to terrorism, yet they have a very small body of scholarship from which to derive operationally relevant guidance. Spatial and local dimensions of terrorism are central to understanding the nature and magnitude of economic effects. This paper provides an overview of some of the key questions in this regard, and particularly with respect to cities, and outlines several priorities for future research.
Fiscal Secession: An Analysis of Special Assessment Financing in California:

Special assessments on property are a fiscal innovation employed by many local governments. Unable to raise property taxes due to limitations, localities have turned to these charges as an alternat...
Selectivity underlies the dissociation between seasonal prey availability and prey consumption in a generalist predator.

Generalist predators are capable of selective foraging, but are predicted to feed in close proportion to prey availability to maximize energetic intake especially when overall prey availability is low. By extension, they are also expected to feed in a more frequency-dependent manner during winter compared to the more favourable foraging conditions during spring, summer and fall seasons. For 18 months, we observed the foraging patterns of forest-dwelling wolf spiders from the genus Schizocosa (Araneae: Lycosidae) using PCR-based gut-content analysis and simultaneously monitored the activity densities of two common prey: springtails (Collembola) and flies (Diptera). Rates of prey detection within spider guts relative to rates of prey collected in traps were estimated using Roualdes' cst model and compared using various linear contrasts to make inferences pertaining to seasonal prey selectivity. Results indicated spiders foraged selectively over the course of the study, contrary to predictions derived from optimal foraging theory. Even during winter, with overall low prey densities, the relative rates of predation compared to available prey differed significantly over time and by prey group. Moreover, these spiders appeared to diversify their diets; the least abundant prey group was consistently overrepresented in the diet within a given season. We suggest that foraging in generalist predators is not necessarily restricted to frequency dependency during winter. In fact, foraging motives other than energy maximization, such as a more nutrient-focused strategy, may also be optimal for generalist predators during prey-scarce winters.
Offspring Rivers of The United States

Streams are significant landmarks in the landscape, often acquiring their specific names before other surface features. In English, rivers stand at the apex of the stream hierarchy. This study looks at those rivers in the United States that have their headwaters, their origin points, at the places where two other rivers, of names different from the resulting river, end, like the Allegheny and Monongahela ceasing to exist downstream of the place where they unite to form the Ohio. An adapted term, offspring, was necessary to designate this special circumstance of what turned out to be 71 rivers in the United States.
STI HARP gap-fill thickness uniformity improvement for 14nm nodes

High aspect ratio process (HARP) is a non­plasma based CVD oxide film that addresses the gap fill requirements for shallow trench isolation (STI) at the 4xnm node and beyond. As IC technology advances to 14nm FINFET processor, besides good gap fill performance to high aspect ratio profile, capping layer thickness uniformity to help reduce downstream chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) micro scratch has become a significant process challenge. In this work, we adapt center hole faceplate to bring up wafer center point thickness during HARP gap fill process, to improve thickness uniformity for post CMP donut region micro scratch reduction. The results show that with center hole face plate, HARP gap fill film has good thickness uniformity, with thickness range from wafer center to edge reduced. Bright field scan and SEM review on downstream wafer after CMP process show that donut region micro scratch defects are reduced.
Summary of Elements of Ethics

Part I, Chapter 1. It is noted that there are egoistic and altruistic values. But the ego is also the subject of altruistic valuation. There are values which are values for the subject and those which are not. Thus, value for the self has the ego as subject, and of course the ego is the subject of valuation. Value for the other has the alter as value subject. There is also impersonal value. Impersonal value in itself is a value for everybody. But what is neither value for the self nor value for the other is called neutrality value. Neutrality values amount to absolute or impersonal values. Meinong, by his overly subtle distinctions, makes the subject matter difficult to grasp, and one wishes to have Alexander’s sword to cut through the convoluted and tight knot.
Modeling of corrosion-induced blockages on radiation heat transfer by using RELAP5-3D

Abstract Nuclear power propulsion for space applications is essential for long-term high payload missions. Several nuclear reactor types were investigated by the Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA) program of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Due to the requirement of long-term missions, studies need to be conducted concerning the impact of planned/unplanned transients on nuclear thermal rockets. In this work, a system model based on RELAP5-3D is developed to simulate corrosion-induced blockages on the peripheral fuel elements of the Pewee I Test Reactor. In addition to the standard axial convective heat transfer, the model incorporates the radiation and conduction heat transfer across the radial direction. Steady-state conditions are achieved for the main thermal-hydraulic parameters. This work investigates the effect of radiation heat transfer across the gap between peripheral fuel elements and the inner core boundary wall caused by corrosion-induced fuel surface degradation of the coolant channel holes. Higher blockage ratios resulted in higher temperature rises across the coolant holes of the peripheral fuel elements. In addition, the pressure drop across the peripheral fuel element coolant holes was also larger at higher blockage ratios. For the channels undergoing blockages, their radiation heat transfer rate increases while their neighbors’ decreases. The temperature of the peripheral fuel elements will gradually get closer to the melting point of uranium carbide, especially when the coolant channels undergo the most severe blockage.
Blueprint 2020: A Vision for Canada's Federal Public Service that Destroys Public Administration

Blueprint 2020, known also as Destination 2020, coined by the former Privy Council Wayne Wouter, was introduced with a big celebration. Public servants across the federal and provincial levels were excited and elevated as they participated in the exercise. It was introduced as a proposed way to remedy the chronic dysfunctionality condition of the government today. The exercise was so focused on the individuality and practical ideas that many became lost in this exercise. In a nutshell, Blueprint 2020 is about the destruction of the Canadian public service. No one sees its destructive impact because of its grand introduction and its practicality that suits the desires of young public servants who seem to have been bred to think in a short-term paradigm. This paper discusses the theoretical meaning of public administration, its meaningful application in the field of practicality, the impact of the Blueprint 2020, and a propose method to strengthen public administration, and the roles of scholars or what scholars can do to remedy the dysfunctionality of the public administration system of management and administration. Towne in his “Economic Engineers” stated that when there is a dysfunctionality in the organization, never ask a business, an administrative clerk, or a social worker to fix it, but ask a person who is specially trained in the field. Public administration is an academic field, a field of science, and a field of managerial and professional application. It requires the scholars to play a significant role in the leadership and management of the public service.
Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis Detected by Percutaneous Liver Biopsy in a Liver Transplant Recipient

The authors report the first case, to their knowledge, of disseminated coccidioidomycosis occurring in a liver transplant recipient. The case is also interesting in that the diagnosis of disseminated coccidioidomycosis was made fortuitously, only after finding the characteristic endosporulating spherules on a percutaneous liver biopsy. In addition, the authors reviewed the literature on post-transplant infection with particular emphasis on fungal pathogens. All studies concurred that Candida species was the most prevalent infecting fungal organism when both localized and disseminated forms of infection are included. Aspergillus was the second most common offender, and disseminated infection was associated with a very grave prognosis for the transplant recipient. Rare infections with Mucor and Cryptococcus neoformans are described in the literature.
Testosterone Levels Are Not Associated With Magnitude of Deformity in Men With Peyronie's Disease.

Abstract Introduction There are some data suggesting that there is a relationship between the magnitude of Peyronie’s disease (PD)–associated penile curvature and low serum testosterone. Aim To evaluate the relationship between PD associated penile deformity and total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) levels. Methods We identified patients diagnosed with PD who had early morning TT measurements. Because laboratories have different reference values, we analyzed testosterone values 2 ways, as raw values and as standardized values (TT and FT values converted into z-scores for each laboratory). Deformity assessment was conducted during an intracavernosal injection–induced rigid erection. The association between T levels and magnitude of penile curvature was analyzed in a number of ways. First, an independent measure t-test tested differences in curvature degree by TT groups (low T: 600 ng/dL). These analyses were conducted for both TT and FT levels and using both raw and standardized T values. Third, multivariable analysis using multiple linear regression was performed in an attempt to define predictors of the degree of penile curvature. Factors entered into the model included: TT level, FT level, patient age, race (white vs other), number of co-morbidities, body mass index, presence of erectile dysfunction, duration of PD, and prostatectomy (yes vs no). Main Outcome Measures The relationship between T levels and the magnitude of penile curvature. Results 184 subjects met all study criteria. Average age was 54 ± 12 years. Mean TT level was 425 ± 176 ng/dL, and mean curvature magnitude was 35° ± 19°. The percent of subjects in the first through fourth TT quartiles was 26%, 34%, 24%, and 16%. As a continuous variable, there was no association between TT levels (r = −0.01, P = .95) or FT levels (r = −0.08, P = .30) and the curvature magnitude. When examining TT groups, there was no difference in mean curvature between the low TT group and the normal TT group (35.4° ± 17° vs 34° ± 20°, P = .70). When analyzing the TT and FT levels standardized into z-scores, there was no association between degree of curvature and TT z-scores (r = −0.003, P = .95) and FT z-scores (r = −0.08, P = .43). There was also no association between testosterone levels and degree of curvature in the multivariable model. Conclusions There does not appear to be any association between testosterone levels and the magnitude of PD-associated penile deformity. Mulhall JP, Matsushita K, Nelson CJ. Testosterone Levels Are Not Associated With Magnitude of Deformity in Men With Peyronie’s Disease. J Sex Med 2019;16:1283–1289.
Horse Racing and Veterinary Practices in New Jersey.

Abstract The New Jersey horse racing industry has declined over the last 5 years as indicated by decreases in the number of racing days, stallions standing, mares bred, and foals registered. These changes were hypothesized to have potential negative consequences for veterinary practices. The objective of the survey was to investigate changes in veterinary practice revenue and staff over a five-year period. Members of the New Jersey Association of Equine Practitioners completed a survey detailing their involvement in the horse racing industry and breeding of racehorses. A response rate of 49% was achieved with 45% of respondents indicating they were involved in the horse racing industry as a veterinarian. Respondents indicated they decreased (44%), did not change (17%), or increased (39%) their number of staff because of changes in the horse racing industry over the past 5 years. In a similar manner, veterinarians reported decreases (48%), no change (22%), or increases (30%) in revenue. Practice revenue from the breeding of racehorses and its associated components either decreased (91%) or did not change (9%) over the past 5 years because of changes in the horse racing industry. Results indicate declines in the horse racing industry had minimal impact on veterinary practices involved in this sector of the industry. Veterinarians and practices involved in racehorse breeding and its associated components, in contrast, were negatively impacted by changes in the horse racing industry.
Correction to: Recommendations for performance optimizations when using GATK3.8 and GATK4

Following publication of the original article [1], the author explained that Table 2 is displayed incorrectly. The correct Table 2 is given below. The original article has been corrected.
GA signaling is essential for the embryo-to-seedling transition during Arabidopsis seed germination, a ghost story.

The plant hormone gibberellin (GA) stimulates developmental transitions including seed germination, flowering, and the transition from juvenile to adult growth stage. This study provided evidence that GA and the GA receptor GID1 (GA-INSENSITIVE DWARF1) are also needed for the embryo-to-seedling transition in Arabidopsis. The ga1-3 GA biosynthesis mutant fails to germinate unless GA is applied, whereas the gid1abc triple mutant fails to germinate because it cannot perceive endogenous or applied GA. Overexpression of the GID1a, GID1b, and GID1c GA receptors rescued the germination of a small percentage of ga1-3 seeds without GA application, and this rescue was improved by dormancy-breaking treatments, after-ripening and cold stratification. While GID1 overexpression stimulated ga1-3 seed germination, this germination was aberrant suggesting incomplete rescue of the germination process. Cotyledons emerged before the radicle, and the resulting “ghost” seedlings failed to develop a primary root, lost green coloration, and eventually died. The development of ga1-3 seedlings overexpressing GID1 was rescued by pre-germinative but not post-germinative GA application. Since the gid1abc mutant also exhibited a ghost phenotype after germination was rescued by cutting the seed coat, we concluded that both GA and GID1 are needed for the embryo-to-seedling transition prior to emergence from the seed coat.
Visceral adipose tissue Tregs and the cells that nurture them

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a primary site for storage of excess energy, but it also serves as an important endocrine organ that impacts organismal metabolism. Chronic, low-grade inflammation of VAT, and eventually systemically, is one of the major drivers of obesity-associated insulin resistance and metabolic abnormalities. A unique population of regulatory T cells (Tregs), with a distinct transcriptional profile and antigen receptor repertoire resides in VAT, keeps inflammation in check and regulates organismal metabolism. Accumulation of these cells depends on interactions with other local immunocytes and, importantly, subtypes of VAT mesenchymal stromal cells (VmSCs) that are either immunomodulators or adipogenic. We summarize our current understanding of the phenotype, function, dependencies, derivation, and modulations of VAT Tregs, and review the heterogeneity and regulation of VmSCs as well as their cross talk with VAT Tregs. Lastly, we discuss imperative questions remaining to be answered.
SDN-based Order-aware Live Migration of Virtual Machines

Live migration is a key technique to transfer virtual machines (VMs) from one machine to another. Often multiple VMs need to be migrated in response to events such as server maintenance, load balancing, and impending failures. However, VM migration is a resource intensive operation that pressures the CPU, memory, and network resources of the source and destination hosts as well as intermediate network links. The live migration mechanism ends up contending for finite resources with the VMs that it needs to migrate, which prolongs the total migration time and worsens the performance of applications running inside the VMs. In this paper, we propose SOLive, a new approach to reduce resource contention between the migration process and the VMs being migrated. First, by considering the nature of VM workloads, SOLive manages the order in which multiple VMs are migrated to significantly reduce the total mi-gration time. Secondly, to reduce the network contention between the migration process and the VMs, SOLive uses a combination of software-defined networking-based resource reservation and scatter gather-based VM migration to quickly deprovision the source host. A prototype implementation of our approach in KVM/QEMU platform shows that SOLive quickly evicts VMs from the source host with low impact on VMs’ performance.
Formation and Reaction Kinetics of Biradicals and Triplet States in a Series of Carboxylated 1,4,5,8-Naphthalene Diimides

The singlet-state deactivation products in a series of alkyl carboxylate substituted 1,4,5,8-naphthalene diimide (NDI) compounds were characterized using fluorescence and phosphorescence spectrosco...
Acceptability and tolerability of a meal-based, rapid refeeding, behavioral weight restoration protocol for anorexia nervosa

Objective Safe, tolerable, effective approaches to weight restoration are needed for adults with anorexia nervosa (AN). We examined weight outcomes and patient satisfaction with an integrated, inpatient-partial hospitalization, meal-based behavioral program that rapidly weight restores a majority of patients. Method Consecutively discharged inpatients (N = 149) treated on weight gain protocol completed an anonymous questionnaire assessing treatment satisfaction at inpatient discharge. Responders (107/149) rated their satisfaction with program components, feeling included in treatment, and likelihood of returning, or recommending the program to others. Clinical and demographic data were abstracted by chart review on all cases. Results Over 70% of adult patients met BMI≥19 kg/m2 by program discharge. Mean inpatient rate of gain was 1.85 kg/week (SD = 0.89). A majority (83.2%) would recommend the program to others and 71.4% endorsed a willingness to return if needed. The behavioral treatment focus was rated highly by 82.9% of respondents and was the strongest predictor of likelihood of referring others. Discussion Results indicate a behaviorally focused, integrated, meal-based specialty program for eating disorders that includes rapid weight gain is acceptable to most participants. Data have implications for quality care, outcome reporting, and cost-effectiveness of inpatient behavioral weight restoration programs for individuals with AN.
Systematic review of racial disparities in clozapine prescribing.

Abstract Objective To conduct a systematic review of published evidence on clozapine prescribing disparities across racial and ethnic categories, estimate the size of these disparities, and assess possible causes to inform future monitoring and intervention. Methods Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science) were searched for directly relevant studies. Three independent reviewers selected studies: (1) of US samples; (2) directly addressed ethnic and/or racial disparities in prescribing of antipsychotic medications; (3) identified specific ethnic and/or racial groups (e.g. White, Blacks, Hispanics, non-Hispanic etc.); (4) reported clozapine prescription rates and (5) reported relevant covariates (i.e. gender, age, co-morbidities etc.). Findings 16 studies met our eligibility criteria. All studies reported clozapine underutilization in ethnic and racial minority patients when compared to their white counterparts. These findings remained consistent despite different time periods, designs, data set types, and after controlling for relevant covariates such as: length of hospital stay, institutional setting, and disease severity. Conclusion The reasons for underutilization of clozapine in minority patients remain unclear. Various contributors can be categorized as: clinician-related factors (e.g. prescriber lack of experience), patient-related factors (e.g. distrust or suspicion of clinician), and institution-related factors (e.g. state operated facilities). Direct examination of these factors can help inform efforts to reduce clozapine prescription disparities.
Unspoken Grammar of Place: Anti-Blackness as a Spatial Imaginary in Education:

This article builds from scholarship on anti-Blackness in education and spatial imaginaries in geography to theorize an anti-Black spatial imaginary as the prevailing spatial logic that has shaped ...
Cognition and Girlhood in Shakespeare's World: Rethinking Female Adolescence

This groundbreaking study of girlhood and cognition argues that early moderns depicted female puberty as a transformative event that activated girls' brains in dynamic ways. Mining a variety of genres from Shakespearean plays and medical texts to autobiographical writings, Caroline Bicks shows how 'the change of fourteen years' seemed to gift girls with the ability to invent, judge, and remember what others could or would not. Bicks challenges the presumption that early moderns viewed all female cognition as passive or pathological, demonstrating instead that girls' changing adolescent brains were lightning rods for some of the period's most vital debates about the body and soul, faith and salvation, science and nature, and the place and agency of human perception in the midst of it all.
Adaptive dynamic range imaging: optical control of pixel exposures over space and time

This paper presents a new approach to imaging that significantly enhances the dynamic range of a camera. The key idea is to adapt the exposure of each pixel on the image detector, based on the radiance value of the corresponding scene point. This adaptation is done in the optical domain, that is, during image formation. In practice, this is achieved using a spatial light modulator whose transmittance can be varied with high resolution over space and time. A real-time control algorithm is developed that uses acquired images to automatically adjust the transmittance function of the spatial modulator. Each captured image and its corresponding transmittance function are used to compute a very high dynamic range image that is linear in scene radiance. We have implemented a video-rate adaptive dynamic range camera that consists of a color CCD detector and a controllable liquid crystal light modulator. Experiments have been conducted in scenarios with complex and harsh lighting conditions. The results indicate that adaptive imaging can have a significant impact on vision applications such as monitoring, tracking, recognition, and navigation.
Wearable electronic devices for chronic pain intensity assessment: A systematic review

Wearable electronic devices are a convenient solution to pain intensity assessment as they can provide continuous monitoring for more precise medication adjustments. However, there is little evidence regarding the use of wearable electronic devices for chronic pain intensity assessment. Our primary objective was to examine the physiologic parameters used by wearable electronic devices for chronic pain intensity assessment. We initially inquired PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase for studies evaluating the use of wearable electronic devices for chronic pain intensity assessment. We updated our inquiry by searching on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar. English peer-reviewed studies were included, with no exclusions based on time frame or publication status. Of 348 articles that were identified on the first inquiry, 8 fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Of 179 articles that were identified on the last inquiry, only 1 fulfilled the eligibility criteria. We found articles evaluating wristbands, smartwatches, and belts. Parameters evaluated were psychomotor and sleep patterns, space and time mobility, heart rate variability, and skeletal muscle electrical activity. Most of the studies found significant positive associations between physiological parameters measured by wearable electronic devices and self-reporting pain scales. Wearable electronic devices reliably reflect physiologic or biometric parameters, providing a physiological correlation for pain. Early stage investigation suggests that the degree of pain intensity can be discerned, which ideally will reduce the bias inherent to existing numeric/verbal scales. Further research on the use of these devices is vital.