cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Financial Constraints and the Response of Business Investment to Monetary Policy Shocks

In this study I investigate what impact monetary policy shocks have on firms’ fixed investment, the less liquid portion of gross investment that requires more planning. I account for firms facing financial constraints firms by utilizing a common measure of asset size, which is used in previous literature. I use two exogenous, continuous series of monetary policy shocks to show that constrained firms have statistically different responses to policy than unconstrained firms. Specifically, I find that constrained firms’ fixed investment significantly responds more to monetary policy shocks than unconstrained firms.
Tacrolimus Dosing in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Recipients Receiving Concomitant Voriconazole.

Tacrolimus is an effective immunosuppressive agent for allogeneic HSCT. It is primarily metabolized by the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. Voriconazole is often used to prevent fungal infections after allogeneic HSCT. It is metabolized by the CYP450 3A4, 2C9 and 2C19 isosenzymes. Studies in healthy volunteers and case reports in HSCT recipients have shown significant drug interaction between the two requiring reduction of tacrolimus dose. Ordinarily, tacrolimus prophylaxis is initiated at the dose of 0.03 mg/kg IV daily on day -1. After starting tacrolimus at this dose and having to reduce the dose substantially within 2–3 days in all patients receiving concomitant voriconazole 200 mg twice daily orally from day 0, we implemented a simple, pre-emptive tacrolimus dose reduction strategy to maintain steady-state levels between 5 and 15 ng/mL in patients on IV tacrolimus. As a first step, IV tacrolimus was initiated at the reduced dose of 0.022 mg/kg adjusted body weight per day. As a second step, tacrolimus dose was reduced by 30–40% if the steady-state level 48 h after initiation of tacrolimus (day +1) was between 7 and 10 ng/mL, and by 40–50% if the level was between 10 and 15 ng/mL. No change was made if the level was 15 ng/mL. 24 of 27 patients required dose-reduction from day 0 to day +1 based on levels. Every single patient required dose-reduction at least twice. An increase in the dose was needed in only 2 patients after initial dose-reduction. The figure below shows the minimum, maximum, and median tacrolimus doses; depicting a steady decline in the median dose. ![Figure][1] Figure The figure below illustrates that the median tacrolimus levels remained fairly steady as the median absolute tacrolimus dose, the median tacrolimus dose on a mg/kg basis, and the median per cent tacrolimus dose (100% being the baseline mg/kg dose) declined substantially. ![Figure][1] Figure It is clear from the above figure that lack of pre-emptive dose-reduction would have resulted in tacrolimus levels climbing steadily. Based on these findings, we recommend starting tacrolimus at 0.02–0.022 mg/kg rather than at 0.03 mg/kg if patients are getting concomitant voriconazole, checking levels regularly, and reducing the drug dose by 30–40% if the level is between 7 amd 10, and by 40–50% if the level is between 10 and 15. [1]: pending:yes
Theory-Driven Insight into the Crystal Packing of Trialkylsilylethynyl Pentacenes

The functionalization of oligoacenes and similar π-conjugated chromophores with trialkylsilylethynyl groups has proven to be a versatile means to enhance solubility and solution processability and engineer solid-state packing arrangements to produce organic semiconductors that demonstrate outstanding charge-carrier transport characteristics. While a general, empirical-based geometric model has been developed and implemented to direct the solid-state packing arrangements of these molecular materials, there exist numerous examples where the model falters. Here, we employ electronic structure methods to probe the noncovalent, intermolecular interactions of two closely related systems that result in two very different crystal packing configurations: triisopropylsilylethynyl (TIPS) pentacene and its triethylsilylethynyl (TES) analog. The quantum-chemical evaluation details how the slightly larger electron density contained within the volume of the TIPS moiety with respect to TES is in part responsible for the ...
A surgeon with symptomatic ventricular tachycardia while operating and exacerbated by left lateral decubitus position: Too much of a stretch?

Author(s): Khan, Faris; Feld, Gregory K; Schricker, Amir; Han, Frederick T; Hoffmayer, Kurt S; Hsu, Jonathan C
A primary care education program regarding cancer survivorship care plans at the University of Wisconsin (UW).

69Background: Survivorship care plans (SCPs) have been recommended as a tool to improve cancer patients’ (pts) care coordination and outcomes. The UW routinely provides SCPs. However, a prior project indicated most PCPs were unaware of these SCPs, limiting SCPs potential benefits. Best methods for educating PCPs regarding SCP existence and content are needed. We developed an educational program to inform PCPs of SCP existence, content, and potential uses. Methods: The program - a 10 minute presentation with slides - was developed to make PCPs aware of the basics of SCPs as listed above. The program was presented at UW general internal medicine (GIM) and family medicine (FM) scheduled meetings and emailed to UW PCPs afterwards. Two anonymous online surveys were administered to evaluate PCP previous use and basic knowledge of SCPs. Baseline surveys were sent 1 week prior to the first presentation and a follow-up survey was sent 4 weeks later via UW GIM and FM listservs (n = 286 addresses). Results: 101 PCPs...
A method for calibrating the relative gamma-ray light yield of plastic scintillators

Currently we are investigating the inclusion of organotin compounds in new polystyrene scintillator materials to improve full gamma-ray energy sensitivity. Accurate calibration of the relative light yield from the newly developed scintillators is crucial to assess merits of compounds and chemical processes used in the scintillators' development. The full energy gamma-ray peak in a measured gamma-ray spectrum is commonly used in calibrating the relative light yield. However, the Compton continuum in the newly developed plastic scintillators is measured with much better efficiency and statistics and is found to be the best spectral feature that can be exploited for expeditious calibration of the relative light yield. In this study, we present a spectral gain matching of measured and simulated spectra, using a spectrum rebinning technique, to determine the Compton edge in a measured Compton continuum for accurate relative light yield calibration. The Compton edges determined using this technique were found to be within 1.2% of their theoretical estimates.
Phase Behavior of Ritonavir Amorphous Solid Dispersions during Hydration and Dissolution.

The aim of this research was to study the interplay of solid and solution state phase transformations during the dissolution of ritonavir (RTV) amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). RTV ASDs with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylpyrrolidone vinyl acetate (PVPVA) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) were prepared at 10–50% drug loading by solvent evaporation. The miscibility of RTV ASDs was studied before and after exposure to 97% relative humidity (RH). Non-sink dissolution studies were performed on fresh and moisture-exposed ASDs. RTV and polymer release were monitored using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Techniques including fluorescence spectroscopy, confocal imaging, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) were utilized to monitor solid and the solution state phase transformations. All RTV-PVP and RTV-PVPVA ASDs underwent moisture-induced amorphous-amorphous phase separation (AAPS) on high RH storage whereas RTV-HPMCAS ASDs remained miscible. Non-sink dissolution of PVP- and PVPVA-based ASDs at low drug loadings led to rapid RTV and polymer release resulting in concentrations in excess of amorphous solubility, liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and amorphous nanodroplet formation. High drug loading PVP- and PVPVA-based ASDs did not exhibit LLPS upon dissolution as a consequence of extensive AAPS in the hydrated ASD matrix. All RTV-HPMCAS ASDs led to LLPS upon dissolution. RTV ASD dissolution is governed by a competition between the dissolution rate and the rate of phase separation in the hydrated ASD matrix. LLPS was observed for ASDs where the drug release was polymer controlled and only ASDs that remained miscible during the initial phase of dissolution led to LLPS. Techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy, confocal imaging and SEM were useful in understanding the phase behavior of ASDs upon hydration and dissolution and were helpful in elucidating the mechanism of generation of amorphous nanodroplets.
Why the view of intellect in De Anima I 4 is not Aristotle’s own

ABSTRACTIn De Anima I 4, Aristotle describes the intellect (nous) as a sort of substance, separate and incorruptible. Myles Burnyeat and Lloyd Gerson take this as proof that, for Aristotle, the intellect is a separate eternal entity, not a power belonging to individual humans. Against this reading, I show that this passage does not express Aristotle’s own views, but dialectically examines a reputable position (endoxon) about the intellect that seems to show that it can be subject to change. The passage’s argument for the indestructibility of intellect via an analogy to perception does not fit with Aristotle’s own views. Aristotle thinks that perception operates via bodily organs, but denies this of understanding. He also requires separability from the body for indestructibility, something this analogy rules out. However, Aristotle’s Platonist interlocutors may well endorse such an argument. My dialectical interpretation best resolves the interpretative difficulties and explains its place in the larger con...
Ketamine and norketamine stability in whole blood at ambient and 4°C conditions.

A study was implemented to describe the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ketamine (K) and its metabolite norketamine (NK) in critically ill adults. Conducting studies in these subjects is hindered by the immediate need to process and freeze samples obtained in a busy intensive care setting. The ability to store unprocessed samples at room temperature for an extended time period would overcome this barrier. Stability and blood to plasma partitioning of K and NK were investigated in whole blood for up to 120 h at room temperature and 4°C. Whole blood was spiked with K and NK (1000 ng/mL each). Blood samples were aliquoted at different time points (0-120 h), extracted and analyzed using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry assay. The study demonstrated the stability of both K and NK in whole blood up to 120 h. These in vitro studies suggest that the concentrations of K and NK measured in the PK samples are reliable. The established stability results were successfully employed to investigate K and NK pharmacology studies in critically ill adults.
Considerations for using minocycline vs doxycycline for treatment of canine heartworm disease

Doxycycline has been considered the first drug of choice for treating Wolbachia, a member of the Rickettsiaceae, which has a symbiotic relationship with filarial worms, including heartworms. Wolbachia, is susceptible to tetracyclines, which have been used as adjunctive treatments for heartworm disease. Treatment with doxycycline reduces Wolbachia numbers in all stages of heartworms and improves outcomes and decreased microfilaremia in dogs treated for heartworm disease. The American Heartworm Society recommends treatment with doxycycline in dogs diagnosed with heartworm disease at a dose of 10 mg/kg twice daily for 28 days. If doxycycline is not available, minocycline can be considered as a substitute. However, minocycline has not undergone an evaluation in dogs with heartworm disease, nor has an effective dose been established. Minocycline is an attractive option because of the higher cost of doxycycline and new pharmacokinetic information for dogs that provides guidance for appropriate dosage regimens to achieve pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) targets. Published reports from the Anti-Wolbachia Consortium (A-WOL) indicate superior in vitro activity of minocycline over doxycycline. Studies performed in mouse models to measure anti-Wolbachia activity showed that minocycline was 1.7 times more effective than doxycycline, despite a 3-fold lower pharmacokinetic exposure. To achieve the same exposure as achieved in the mouse infection model, a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) analysis was conducted to determine optimal dosages for dogs. The analysis showed that an oral minocycline dose of 3.75 to 5 mg/kg administered twice daily would attain similar targets as observed in mice and predicted for human infections. There are potentially several advantages for use of minocycline in animals. It is well absorbed from oral administration, it has less protein binding than doxycycline (65% vs 92%) allowing for better distribution into tissue, and it is approximately two times more lipophilic than doxycycline, which may result in better intracellular penetration. More work is needed to document efficacy of minocycline for treating canine heartworm disease.
Multi-Resolution Multi-Modal Sensor Fusion For Remote Sensing Data With Label Uncertainty

In remote sensing, each sensor can provide complementary or reinforcing information. It is valuable to fuse outputs from multiple sensors to boost overall performance. Previous supervised fusion methods often require accurate labels for each pixel in the training data. However, in many remote sensing applications, pixel-level labels are difficult or infeasible to obtain. In addition, outputs from multiple sensors often have different resolution or modalities. For example, rasterized hyperspectral imagery presents data in a pixel grid while airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) generates dense three-dimensional (3D) point clouds. It is often difficult to directly fuse such multi-modal, multi-resolution data. To address these challenges, we present a novel Multiple Instance Multi-Resolution Fusion (MIMRF) framework that can fuse multi-resolution and multi-modal sensor outputs while learning from automatically-generated, imprecisely-labeled data. Experiments were conducted on the MUUFL Gulfport hyperspectral and LiDAR data set and a remotely-sensed soybean and weed data set. Results show improved, consistent performance on scene understanding and agricultural applications when compared to traditional fusion methods.
A Remark on Continuum Eigenfunctions of N-Body Schrödinger Operators

Let H be a generalized N-body Schrodinger operator on IR n . We study exponential decay properties of polynomially bounded solutions to Schrodinger's equation Hu = λu, where λ lies in the negative essential spectrum of H, using Agmon's method. Our results show that such solutions decay exponentially outside an infinite, closed subset of n depending on λ and so represent bound clusters of particles. These results partially characterize negative energy continuum eigenfunctions of H.
NLRP12: The Monarch of the Gut.

Innate pattern recognition receptors have been implicated in the obesity-associated imbalance of gut microbiota. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Truax et al. (2018) report that NLRP12 prevents high-fat-diet-induced obesity by maintaining beneficial short-chain fatty acid-producing microbiota.
Long-term outcomes after pediatric peripheral revascularization secondary to trauma at an urban level I center.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this investigation was to determine our limb-related contemporary pediatric revascularization perioperative and follow-up outcomes after major blunt and penetrating trauma. Methods A retrospective review was performed of a prospectively maintained pediatric trauma database spanning January 2010 to December 2017 to capture all level I trauma activations that resulted in a peripheral arterial revascularization procedure. All preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative continuous variables are reported as a mean ± standard deviation; categorical variables are reported as a percentage of the population of interest. Results During the study period, 1399 level I trauma activations occurred at a large-volume, urban children's hospital. The vascular surgery service was consulted in 2.6% (n = 36) of these cases for suspected vascular injury based on imaging or physical examination. Our study population included only patients who received an arterial revascularization, which was performed in 23 of the 36 consultations (1.6% of total traumas; median age, 11 years). These injuries were localized to the upper extremity in 60.9% (n = 14), lower extremity in 30.4% (n = 7), and neck in 8.7% (n = 2). The mean Injury Severity Score in the revascularized cohort was 14.0 (±7.6). Bone fractures were associated with 39.1% of the vascular injuries (90% of blunt injuries). Restoration of in-line flow was achieved by an endovascular solution in one patient and open surgery in the remainder, consisting of arterial bypass in 59.1% and direct repair in 40.9%. Within 30 days of the operation, we observed no deaths, no infections of the arterial reconstruction, and no major amputations. One patient required perioperative reintervention by the vascular team secondary to the development of a superficial seroma without evidence of graft involvement. Mean follow-up in our cohort was 43.3 (±35.4) months. During this phase, no additional deaths, amputations, chronic wounds, or limb length discrepancies were observed. All vascular repairs were patent, and all but one patient reported normal function of the affected limb at the latest clinic visit. Conclusions Traumatic peripheral vascular injury is rare in the pediatric population but is often observed secondary to a penetrating force or after long bone fracture. However, contemporary perioperative and long-term outcomes after surgical revascularization are excellent as demonstrated in this institutional case series.
On Compression of Machine-Derived Context Sets for Fusion of Multi-modal Sensor Data

Dynamic data-driven applications systems (DDDAS) operate on a sensing infrastructure for multi-modal measurement, communications, and computation, through which they perceive and control the evolution of physical dynamic processes. Sensors of different modalities are subject to contextually variable performance under varying operational conditions. Unsupervised learning algorithms have been recently developed to extract the operational context set from multi-modal sensor data. A context set represents the set of all natural or man-made factors, which along with the state of the system, completely condition the measurements from sensors observing the system. The desirable property of conditional independence of observations given the state-context pair enables tractable fusion of disparate information sources. In this chapter, we address a crucial problem associated with unsupervised context learning of reducing the cardinality of the context set. Since, the machine-derived context set can have a large number of elements, we propose a graph-theoretic approach and a subset selection approach for the controlled reduction of contexts to obtain a context set of lower cardinality. We also derive an upper bound on the error introduced by the compression. These proposed approaches are validated with data collected in field experiments with unattended ground sensors for border-crossing target classification.
David Kmiec and Bernadette Longo Eds.: The IEEE Guide to Writing in the Engineering and Technical Fields [book review]

The IEEE Guide to Writing in the Engineering and Technical Fields is a concise manual for engineers, technical professionals, scientists, researchers, teachers, and students to improve their writing skills. Each chapter is short—ranging from 20 to 40 pages—and the entire book is 200 pages, including appendices. The book accomplishes its purpose of providing recommendations for writing activities and for "assessing the social situation of writing, then using that assessment to make writing decisions" (p. 5). Throughout the book, the authors offer short, manageable takeaway lessons to help readers make writing decisions and learn IEEE style for references. Compared to other engineering communication textbooks and manuals, this guide is short and manageable, yet its approach still considers the rhetorical and contextual dimensions of writing. Because it is brief, the guide does not explicitly cover ethics, risk communication, information graphics, presentations, and global or international communication. It also does not provide as many examples or complete samples of the genres and best practices discussed. Finally, as with other textbooks, some genres are missing, such as reviews, evaluations, and regulations. Nevertheless, these limitations do not diminish the value of the book in giving a concise and convenient overview of standard engineering communication genres and a rhetorically grounded framework for readers to use when writing in the engineering workplace. The book has potential for use in writing-intensive courses, where students must compose documentation for labs and projects, as well as for in-house training for employees. Its hybrid framework for making decisions as you write is flexible and can be applied to many different writing situations. Furthermore, the guide offers valuable, basic help on writing mechanics. It offers readers an approach to engineering communication that can help them think about the decisions that they make when they write and make thoughtful, informed choices in their writing.
Democracy at Home

How the tenants organized themselves, dealt with collecting rents, legal attacks by the SFRDA, media distortion and dissent within the building has been described above. Here we add some detail to demonstrate a bit more on how things worked.
Timescales of ventilation and consumption of oxygen and fixed nitrogen in the eastern tropical South Pacific oxygen deficient zone from transient tracers

Abstract The anthropogenic trace gases chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-12 and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) were measured during 2013 in the eastern tropical South Pacific Ocean (ETSP) offshore Chile and Peru (12°-22°S, 70°-86°W). Since the WOCE P21 line along ~17°S in 1993, the CFC-12 penetration depth increased from ~550 m to ~800 m. In 2013, CFC-12 had penetrated through the bottom of the oxygen deficient zone (ODZ, where oxygen (O2)
The Labor Market Consequences of Receiving Disability Benefits during Childhood

I estimate the labor market effects of gaining eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits during childhood. A Supreme Court decision eased the criteria to be considered disabled, disproportionately affecting child applicants with mental disorders. For individuals with mental disorders, each additional year of exposure to eased standards during childhood increased their SSI receipt by 0.3 years. The additional benefit receipt reduced cumulative labor market earnings through age 30 by $1,600 for each additional year of exposure for those with mental disorders. Importantly, this does not address the full range of outcomes that may be affected by receiving benefits.
Bereaved Family Cancer Caregivers' Unmet Needs: Measure Development and Validation.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence shows that bereaved family caregivers report elevated distress for an extended period, which compromises their quality of life. A first step in the development of programs to enhance bereaved caregivers' quality of life should be determining the needs they experience to manage the loss, and the needs that are not being satisfied. Thus, this study aimed to develop a new measure to assess unmet needs among bereaved family caregivers. METHOD The 20-item Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers-Bereaved to Cancer measure was developed and validated with bereaved cancer caregivers 5 (n = 159) and 8 (n = 194) years after the initial cancer diagnosis of the index patient, when stress in providing care to the patient was assessed. RESULTS Exploratory factor analysis yielded two primary factors: unmet needs for reintegration and unmet needs for managing the loss. Bereaved caregivers who were younger and ethnic minority, and who had greater earlier perceived stress of caregiving, reported their needs were more poorly met (t > 2.33, p 1.96, p < .05), beyond the effects of a host of demographic and earlier caregiving characteristics. CONCLUSION Findings support the validity of the Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers-Bereaved to Cancer and suggest that interventions to help bereaved caregivers manage the loss by assisting their transition to re-engagement in daily and social activities will benefit caregivers by mitigating bereavement-related distress years after the loss.
Maternal microbiome and the hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific disorder that can be life threatening for both mother and baby. It is characterized by a new onset hypertension during the second half of pregnancy and aff...
Polyvinylpyrrolidone composite nanofibers as efficient substrates for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract A matrix-free laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) approach was developed using electrospun composite nanofibers with controllable size, morphology and composition. Composite polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers with added nanoparticles to enhance the absorption of laser energy absorber were studied. Fractal dimensional analysis was conducted to evaluate the electrospinning process for the first time, which provided useful information on the repeatability of nanofiber production. The performance of the nanofiber-assisted laser desorption/ionization method was investigated through characterization of small drug molecules and synthetic oligomers. Homogeneous sample distribution was achieved by eliminating the “sweet spot”, resulting in good reproducibility. Mass spectra features clean background, that is especially beneficial for interpretation of small molecules. High sensitivity for small drug molecules and synthetic oligomers was obtained with limits of detection limits down to the low attomolar range. The combination of composite nanofibers with LDI-MS is a versatile and sensitive approach for detection and characterization of analytes with broad range of molecular weight.
Metabolism in the Tumor Microenvironment

Experiments in culture systems where one cell type is provided with abundant nutrients and oxygen have been used to inform much of our understanding of cancer metabolism. However, many differences ...
A Study of Energy Losses in the World's Most Fuel Efficient Vehicle

The prototype fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) Maxwell currently holds the Guinness World Record for "Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicle" at 6,196 km/l (14,573 MPGe). The vehicle draws less than 21W of electrical power at 25 km/h. This work outlines the powertrain architecture and presents the vehicle's sources of electrical and mechanical losses, quantified through rigorous experimentation. The individual components are modelled and combined into a total model of performance representing all energy flow in the vehicle. The total model is found to have excellent predictive power with only 4.3% error compared to measured on-track performance.
Intersecting U.S. Epidemics: COVID-19 and Lack of Health Insurance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment in the United States. For many, job loss carries the added sting of losing health insurance. The authors discuss the problem ...
Stem photosynthesis in a desert ephemeral, Eriogonum inflatum : Morphology, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency in field populations.

Seasonal patterns in plant morphology, phenology, and physiology were monitored in several populations of Eriogonum inflatum, a desert ephemeral which produces a large photosynthetic inflorescence above a basal leaf rosette. Green stems accounted for 66-77% of whole plant photosynthetic surface area when integrated over a developmental cycle, whereas only 40-67% of the yearly transpirational water loss could be attributed to stems. Stems were found to have lower nitrogen and chlorophyll contents than leaves, and lower stomatal conductance under all physiological conditions encountered. However, because stems occur later in the year than leaves, comparison of physiological patterns was complicated by the two structures being exposed to different climatic regimes during their developmental cycles. Stems exhibited higher δ13C values than leaves, indicating that stems operated at higher water-use efficiencies than leaves, at least during periods when both leaves and stems were present. Higher water-use efficiency in stems of E. inflatum is attributed to both more conservative water use patterns and to their vertical orientation, allowing stems to remain photosynthetically active longer into the dry season after senescence of the horizontal leaf rosette.
Epigenomic characterization of latent HIV infection identifies latency regulating transcription factors.

Transcriptional silencing of HIV generates a reservoir of latently infected cells, but the mechanisms that lead to this outcome are not well understood. We characterized a primary cell model of HIV latency, and observed that latency is a stable, heritable viral state that is rapidly reestablished after stimulation. Using Assay of Transposon-Accessible Chromatin sequencing (ATACseq) we found that latently infected cells exhibit reduced proviral accessibility, elevated activity of Forkead and Kruppel-like factor transcription factors (TFs), and reduced activity of AP-1, RUNX and GATA TFs. Latency reversing agents caused distinct patterns of chromatin reopening across the provirus. Furthermore, depletion of a chromatin domain insulator, CTCF inhibited HIV latency, identifying this factor as playing a key role in the initiation or enforcement of latency. These data indicate that HIV latency develops preferentially in cells with a distinct pattern of TF activity that promotes a closed proviral structure and inhibits viral gene expression.
PREFERENTIAL UTILIZATION OF A YEAST CHROMOSOMAL REPLICATION ORIGIN AS TEMPLATE FOR ENZYMATIC DNA SYNTHESIS

ABSTRACT Restriction fragments of cloned Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomal DNA were used as template for DNA synthesis by yeast enzymes. Fragments used included two adjacent EcoRl-HindIII fragments derived from a region shown previously to contain the functional trpl + gene and an autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) (1). The ARS presumably represents a chromosomal origin of DNA replication. The sources of enzymes were yeast cell-free extracts. The ( 32 P)-labelled products of the DNA synthesis reactions were used to probe patterns of agarose gel bands transferred to nitrocellulose strips. The bands represented the same fragments which were used as templates in the reactions. Autoradiography of the resulting patterns of hybridized products revealed that the yeast enzymes had used as template the fragment which had been shown by functional cloning experiments to contain an ARS, in preference to the adjacent yeast fragment shown not to contain an ARS by the same test. This analysis provides a means by which cell-free extracts or reconstituted replication enzyme mixtures can be tested for their ability to recognize DNA replication origins and to utilize them in a specific fashion.
Physical Layer Security for V2I Communications: Reflecting Surfaces Vs. Relaying.

Wireless vehicular network (WVN) is exponentially gaining attention from industries and researchers since it is the Keystone of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Despite the sophisticated features and services that it can offer, it is susceptible to networking attacks such as eavesdropping threats where the confidential transmitted signal could be overheard by a malicious entity. In this paper, we intend to study the physical layer security (PLS) where we consider the eavesdropping attack for vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications. We analyze the average secrecy capacity, under different scenarios by comparing the performances of employing the decode-and-forward (D relay, the amplify-and-forward fixed gain (AFFG) relay, and the intelligent reflecting surface (IRS). Actually, this comparison investigates the efficiency of IRS comparing to the traditional relaying systems, since it was introduced as a novel paradigm in wireless technology with highly promising potential, especially in 5G and 6G.
What is the HAAA? A Nine-Year Retrospective

This article discusses the Houston Asian American Archive (HAAA) in the context of recent scholarly writing on immigration. What does this literature tell us about the global patterns and processes of immigration, past and present, and how does it relate to the specific historical conditions under which Asian people have immigrated to the United States over time and across space? In particular, what have been the experiences of Asian immigrants who found their way to Houston during the past century or so, and how do the lives of these individuals (and often those of their families) fit into the larger picture of Asian migration? The HAAA project has had, and will continue to have, an important role to play in documenting and interpreting this complex process: first, by acquiring historical materials of all sorts––including personal correspondence, official and unofficial documents, family records, newspaper accounts and photographs––and making it available online to both scholars and the general public; and second, by conducting in-depth personal interviews, which are then made available as videotapes and audiotapes and/or carefully edited transcripts. As many as a dozen student interns are working on these materials at any given time, giving their labor to the project, but taking away a wealth of knowledge and experience into the bargain. In short, the HAAA project promotes cutting-edge academic research, encourages creative learning of all sorts, and helps in the development of productive relationships between Rice University and the Asian American community of greater Houston.
Associations between shopping patterns, dietary behaviours and geographic information system-assessed store accessibility among small food store customers.

Objective To examine associations between geographic information systems (GIS)-assessed accessibility to small food stores, shopping patterns and dietary behaviours among small food store customers. Design Residential addresses and customer shopping patterns (frequency of shopping, and previous purchase of fruits and vegetables) were gathered through customer intercept surveys. Addresses were geocoded, and GIS-assessed distance and driving time from the participants' residence to the store were calculated. Dietary status and behaviours were assessed using an objective non-invasive measure of skin carotenoids, the National Cancer Institute Fruit and Vegetable Screener, and items to assess sugary beverage intake. Associations between distance and driving time, demographics, shopping frequency, prior reported purchase of fruits and vegetables at the store and dietary behaviours were examined. Setting Small food stores (n 22) across North Carolina. Participants Cross-sectional convenience samples of English-speaking customers aged 18 years or older (n 692). Results Participants living closer to the small store had lower income and formal education, were more likely to be Black, more likely to have previously bought fruits and vegetables at the store and more frequently shopped at the store. In adjusted models, skin carotenoids (n 644) were positively associated with distance to the store from home in miles (P = 0·01). Conclusions Customers who lived closer to the stores were more frequent shoppers and more likely to have previously purchased fruits and vegetables at the store yet had lower skin carotenoids. These results support continued efforts to examine how to increase the availability and promotion of healthful foods at small food retail stores.
Transforming Preservice Teacher Perceptions of Immigrant Communities Through Digital Storytelling

Background: As diverse communities continue to be targets of racism and anti-immigrant sentiments permeate current political discourse, the need to prepare a teaching force that understands immigra...
How Digital Businesses Can Leverage the High Cost for Consumers to Switch Platforms

As industry boundaries are reshaped by digitization, firms are developing more continuous and open-ended relationships with stakeholders as well as more intense coordination among firm functions across the value chain. However, strategically responding to the new digital landscape requires rethinking how digital business models can most securely lock-in customers. I argue that, when coupled with other foundational digital strategies, leveraging the digital switching costs outlined in what I call the “Digital Lock-in/VEIF Model” can relatively securely lock-in customers and therefore offer prolonged market dominance. The VEIF mechanisms for digital platforms include: Valuableness of personal data attracted to platform (V), Amount of valuable personal data easily and deeply embedded in platform (E), Informal barriers to switching platforms (I), and Formal barriers to switching platforms (F).
What cloud machines tell us about early modern emotions

While nineteenth century art critic John Ruskin laments that artists do not observe the skies and their clouds enough, seventeenth-century stage machinists were close to meteorologists in the preci...
Individual time series and composite forecasting of the Chinese stock index

Abstract We explore the short-run forecasting problem at horizons of 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 days for three forecasting periods within one year for the Chinese stock index from April 16, 2010, the launch date of the index futures, to May 19, 2014 with daily closing prices. We study forecast performance of 51 individual time series models that are different variations of autoregressive models, (Bayesian) vector autoregressive models, and (Bayesian) vector error correction models, and 41 composite models based on different trimming strategies of these individual models. The composite models, including the previous best forecast, equal-weighted average, inverse mean squared error, bias adjusted mean, shrinkage, and odds matrix approaches, utilize the idea of model boosting to diversify against possible mis-specifications, breaks, and structural changes in individual models, and aim at more robust performance. Across all forecasting horizons and forecasting periods investigated, we arrive at a shrinkage composite model with the shrinkage parameter of 0.25 that is optimal based on the mean squared error. This result is robust against the choice of futures series used in individual models and the pre-processing of structural breaks in data. We also discuss empirical findings at a more granular level, including comparisons of individual models and those of composite forecasts. Our results should fulfill different forecasting users’ information needs for decision making and policy analysis. The empirical framework also has potential of being adapted to similar time series forecasting problems in different fields.
Development of a Miller Cycle Powersports Engine

Operation of snowmobiles in national parks is restricted to vehicles meeting the Best Available Technology standard for exhaust and noise emissions as established by the National Parks Service. An engine exceeding these standards while operating on a blend of gasoline and bio-isobutanol has been developed based on a production four-stroke snowmobile engine. Miller cycle operation was achieved via late intake valve closing and turbocharging. The production Rotax ACE 600cc 2 cylinder engine was modeled using Ricardo WAVE. After this model was validated with physical testing, different valve lift profiles were evaluated for brake specific fuel consumption and brake power. The results from this analysis were used to determine a camshaft profile for Miller cycle operation. This was done to reduce part load pumping losses and increase engine efficiency while maintaining production power density. A catalytic converter was added to reduce exhaust gas emissions, as measured by the EPA 40 CFR Part 1051 5-mode emissions test cycle. Laboratory testing was conducted on the engine using a water brake dynamometer and in-cylinder pressure transducers. The result is an engine that exceeds BAT standards for pollutant and noise emissions and delivers improved fuel efficiency, while maintaining production performance and driveability.
Effect of health care disparities on procedure selection of autologous breast reconstruction in Florida

INTRODUCTION Disparities in access to reconstructive surgery after breast cancer have been reported. We aim to evaluate demographic and socioeconomic factors influencing type of autologous breast reconstruction in Florida. METHODS We queried the Florida Inpatient Discharge Dataset to evaluate disparities in type of autologous breast reconstructive surgery between January 1, 2013, and September 30, 2017. Patients 18 years of age or older were included. Women younger than 65 years old on Medicare were excluded. Patients were categorized into three groups according to type of autologous reconstruction: latissimus dorsi pedicled flap (pedicled flap), free flap, or pedicled flap with implant (combined flap). Demographic and socioeconomic variables were evaluated. 𝜒2 and Mann-Whitney tests were used to estimate statistical significance. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to find independent associations. RESULTS Our results showed higher odds of reconstruction with free flap in Hispanic patients (odds ratio (OR), 1.66; 95% CI, 1.32-2.09; P < 0.0001) and patients with comorbidities (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.23-1.71; P < 0.0001). However, patients treated in Central and South Florida were less likely to undergo free flap than combined and pedicled flap reconstructions compared with those treated in North Florida (P < 0.05). Patients insured by Medicaid and Medicare were less likely to undergo free flap than combined or pedicled flap reconstruction compared to patients with private insurance (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our study identified that race, region, insurance, and comorbidity are factors associated with type of autologous breast reconstruction in Florida.
Exploring the role of telehealth: A novel approach to group-based smoking cessation treatment for men incarcerated in a rural state prison.

IntroductionTobacco smoking remains an important public health issue in the United States (US), specifically among people who are incarcerated. There is little to no information about smoking behav...
Elements of the care environment influence coronary artery bypass surgery readmission.

Background Coronary artery bypass grafting 30-day unplanned readmission is a focus for the CMS Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. Awareness of the critical elements of the care delivery environment, including hospital infrastructure and patient clinical profiles that predispose toward readmission, is essential to proactively decrease readmissions. Methods The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-State Inpatient Database, American Hospital Association Annual Health Survey Database, and Healthcare Information Management Systems Society data sets were merged to create a single data set of patient- and hospital-level data from 8 states. Isolated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures were queried for all-cause 30-day readmission, and backwards stepwise logistic regression was performed. Readmission rate was then used to categorize hospitals into quartiles, and analysis focused on the hospitals with the lowest (Q1) and highest (Q4) readmission rates. Univariate analysis was performed comparing Q1 and Q4 hospitals. Results A total of 150,215 patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with 23,244 (15.5%) readmitted patients among 903 hospitals. Model area under the curve was 0.709 (95% confidence interval, 0.702-0.716), with the top 3 readmission determinants related to discharge disposition. Compared to Q1, Q4 patients more often were female, were > 70 years of age, and had Medicare as a primary payor (P < .001). Low readmission rate hospitals were characterized by higher costs; not-for-profit status; having Joint Commission accreditation; and higher total admissions, operative volume, hospital/ICU beds, full-time physicians, nurses, and ancillary personnel (P < .001). Conclusion Readmission after coronary artery bypass grafting is strongly influenced by discharge disposition. However, hospital factors such as scale, personnel, and ownership structure are significant contributors to readmission. Focus beyond patient factors to include the entire continuum of care is required to enhance outcomes, of which readmission is one surrogate measure.
Information Shocks and Pharmaceutical Firms’ Marketing Efforts: Evidence from the Chantix Black Box Warning Removal

Abstract We study how pharmaceutical firm marketing responds to a regulatory decision that represents a positive information shock about drug safety. In the context of the smoking cessation drug Chantix, we estimate the effects of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to remove the drug's black box warning on two forms of marketing: monetary and in-kind payments to physicians (detailing) and direct-to-consumer advertising. Using identification strategies that leverage geographic variation in latent demand for smoking cessation therapy and the targeted nature of the information shock, we find that the removal of the warning significantly increased Chantix-related detailing payments and increased expenditures on national television advertising of Chantix. Understanding these firm-level strategic promotion responses is important, as they have implications for the dissemination of new drug information and the behaviors of physicians and consumers.
Numbers and Sets

All of mathematics rests on the foundations of numbers and set theory. This first chapter reviews some basic definitions and notations, including the basic number sets, factors and factorization, and prime numbers. Equations and inequalities are treated, followed by sums and summation notations. After introducing sets and Venn diagrams, we define some standard statistical ideas—means, modes, medians, and standard deviations.
TCR Signal Transduction: Opening the Black Box

It has been a great honor and privilege to serve as your President of the American Association of Immunologists (AAI). I have enjoyed interacting with the membership, the AAI staff, particularly its Executive Director, Michele Hogan, and my colleagues on the council. I thank you all for your support
Tensile Failure of Tungsten Alloys

Spall experiments were conducted on a 91W‐Ni‐Co and 93 W‐Ni‐Fe alloys. For the 91% W, the spall strength was 2.8 GPa. At 9GPa peak stress, the damage consists of isolated voids, and the failure starts mainly as grain cleavage. For the 93% alloy, the spall strength was 2.1–2.5 GPa. The results are very consistent with earlier measurements in which very rapid tensile failure was induced by transverse impact.
Suppression of dispersion in NRZ communication systems using dispersion management

Summary form only given. In recent years, much attention has been given to wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) systems due to their ability to maximize lightwave communications. In practice, the combined effects of linear dispersion and nonlinear self phase modulation impose severe limitations on the long-haul performance of non-return-to-zero (NRZ) systems. The aim of this presentation is to provide an analytic description of the nonlinear pulse evolution in a NRZ communications system under a dispersion-management scheme.