cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attenuated traumatic axonal injury and improved functional outcome after traumatic brain injury in mice lacking Sarm1.

Axonal degeneration is a critical, early event in many acute and chronic neurological disorders. It has been consistently observed after traumatic brain injury, but whether axon degeneration is a driver of traumatic brain injury remains unclear. Molecular pathways underlying the pathology of traumatic brain injury have not been defined, and there is no efficacious treatment for traumatic brain injury. Here we show that mice lacking the mouse Toll receptor adaptor Sarm1 (sterile α/Armadillo/Toll-Interleukin receptor homology domain protein) gene, a key mediator of Wallerian degeneration, demonstrate multiple improved traumatic brain injury-associated phenotypes after injury in a closed-head mild traumatic brain injury model. Sarm1−/− mice developed fewer β-amyloid precursor protein aggregates in axons of the corpus callosum after traumatic brain injury as compared to Sarm1+/+ mice. Furthermore, mice lacking Sarm1 had reduced plasma concentrations of the phophorylated axonal neurofilament subunit H, indicating that axonal integrity is maintained after traumatic brain injury. Strikingly, whereas wild-type mice exibited a number of behavioural deficits after traumatic brain injury, we observed a strong, early preservation of neurological function in Sarm1 −/− animals. Finally, using in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy we found tissue signatures consistent with substantially preserved neuronal energy metabolism in Sarm1 −/− mice compared to controls immediately following traumatic brain injury. Our results indicate that the SARM1-mediated prodegenerative pathway promotes pathogenesis in traumatic brain injury and suggest that anti-SARM1 therapeutics are a viable approach for preserving neurological function after traumatic brain injury. * Abbreviations : βAPP : β-amyloid precursor protein CBF : cerebral blood flow NSS : neurological severity score pNFH : phophorylated axonal neurofilament subunit H TBI : traumatic brain injury WLDS : slow Wallerian degeneration protein
Neighborhood Effects: A LISREL Model for Clustered Samples

This article presents a structural equation model for assessing the effects of group membership when observations are clustered by group. Within a LISREL specification, the net similarity in outcomes between a pair of observations in the same cluster is generated by an unobservable which captures the group effect. Analogies to the conventional ANCOVA model are noted, and an application to the assessment of “neighborhood effects” in reports of “neighborhood quality” from the 1976 Annual Housing Survey is presented. Estimates from the unobservable variable model are compared to those from a naive regression model and the model subjected to a specification test. The pitfalls of proceeding with the naive model are discussed, and the potential for future work exploiting the clustering in large-scale social surveys is emphasized.
Does Culture Drive Innovation and Export Quality

Quality upgrading is important for two reasons: it helps us understand the determinants of trade flows between countries and it promotes economic development. We study the cultural determinants of export quality using Hofstede's four original cultural dimensions to provide hypotheses on R&D spending, patents per capita and export quality. We then employ three-stage least squares analysis and confirm our hypotheses. For example, we find uncertainty avoidance encourages small-scale continuous improvement initiatives and substantially increases export quality. Power distance and individualism increase export quality, while masculinity has a small impact on quality. Finally, we provide implications for understanding the direction of trade and developing policy.
The role of neutrophils and NETosis in autoimmune and renal diseases

Systemic autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders characterized by a failure in self-tolerance to a wide variety of autoantigens. In genetically predisposed individuals, these diseases occur as a multistep process in which environmental factors have key roles in the development of abnormal innate and adaptive immune responses. Experimental evidence collected in the past decade suggests that neutrophils - the most abundant type of white blood cell - might have an important role in the pathogenesis of these diseases by contributing to the initiation and perpetuation of immune dysregulation through the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and direct tissue damage. Many of the molecules externalized through NET formation are considered to be key autoantigens and might be involved in the generation of autoimmune responses in predisposed individuals. In several systemic autoimmune diseases, the imbalance between NET formation and degradation might increase the half-life of these lattices, which could enhance the exposure of the immune system to modified autoantigens and increase the capacity for NET-induced organ damage. This Review details the role of neutrophils and NETs in the pathophysiology of systemic autoimmune diseases, including their effect on renal damage, and discusses neutrophil targets as potential novel therapies for these diseases.
Politics of Solidarity and Agency in an Age of Precarity

This article critically examines Guy Standing’s A Precariat Charter by posing three questions: 1) What is the significance of the North/South divide for the global spread of the precariat? 2) Is the precariat an agent of transformation, or simply a passive recipient? 3) How should we understand the fragmentation of the working class and its implications for progressive change? In addressing these questions, I argue that Standing’s analysis offers useful insights into the current era of insecurity. But it downplays important variations in forms of precarity, and also over-emphasises fragmentation and weakness. The limits of this approach are illustrated through two empirical examples drawn from Johannesburg, South Africa, and Oakland, United States. Taken together, these examples point towards a broader and more fluid understanding of the “working class”. They also underscore possibilities for working-class solidarity, both between stable workers and their more precarious counterparts, and between different groups that Standing identifies as the precariat.
Performance tradeoffs for ultra-high voltage (15 kV to 25 kV) 4H-SiC n-channel and p-channel IGBTs

In recent years, several groups have experimentally demonstrated both n-channel and p-channel 4H-SiC IGBTs for ultra-high voltage applications. In this paper, numerical simulations have been used to quantify the on-state and switching performance tradeoffs for UHV n- and p-IGBTs with non-punch-through and field-stop design. The smaller gain of the wide base transistor in an n-IGBT leads to faster stored charge removal during turn-off, which leads to lower switching losses. Additionally, the lower current gain also improves the ruggedness of n-IGBTs as compared to p-IGBTs.
Some Factors Generating Temporally Ordered Behavior

For the purposes of this paper, Temporal Order is taken to mean regular periodic variation of some property of a system. Authenticated (but generally ignored) examples of such behavior have existed for over sixty years. However, thorough understanding of their mechanisms began only a little over a decade ago. That understanding has now progressed sufficiently that it has been possible not only to identify the mechanistic features responsible for temporal order in several specific systems, but also to say with varying degrees of confidence that no alternative features will need to be invoked to explain systems yet to be discovered.
Monitoring of injected CO2 at two commercial geologic storage sites with significant pressure depletion and/or re-pressurization histories: A case study

Abstract Majority of geologic CO2 storage sites for currently operated large-scale integrated carbon capture and storage projects (LSIPs) in operation around the world are depleted oil fields that have been undergone significant depletion and re-pressurization prior to injection of captured CO2. A better understanding of any of the implications associated with past depletion and re-pressurization histories to “out of injection zone” migration of injected CO2 can help in making monitoring strategies significantly more effective. Being the geologic CO2 storage demonstration sites for two most active LSIPs in the US, the West Hastings and the Bell Creek Oil Fields are the main focus of present study. The monitoring technologies that have been used/deployed/tested at both the normally pressured West Hastings and the subnormally pressured Bell Creek storage sites appear to adequately address any of the potential “out of zone migration” of injected CO2 at these sites. It would be interesting to see if any of the collected monitoring data at the West Hastings and the Bell Creek storage sites could also be used in future to better understand the viability of initially subnormally pressured and subsequently depleted and re-pressurized oil fields as secure geologic CO2 storage sites with relatively large storage CO2 capacities compared to the depleted and re-pressurized oil fields that were initially discovered as normally pressured.
X-ray Crystal Structure of a Monofunctional Platinum–DNA Adduct, cis-{Pt(NH3)2-(Pyridine)}2+ Bound to Deoxyguanosine in a Dodecamer Duplex

Features of the 2.17 A resolution X-ray crystal structure of cis-diammine-(pyridine)chloroplatinum(II) (cDPCP) bound in a monofunctional manner to deoxyguanosine in a DNA duplex are discussed and compared to those of a cisplatin–1,2-d(GpG) intrastrand cross-link in double-stranded DNA. The global geometry of cDPCP-damaged DNA is quite different from that of DNA containing a cisplatin 1,2-d(GpG) cross-link. The latter platinated duplex is bent by ~40° toward the major groove at the site of the adduct; however, the monofunctional Pt–dG lesion causes no significant bending of the double helix. Like the cisplatin intrastrand adduct, however, the cDPCP moiety creates a distorted base pair step to the 5′ side of the platinum site, which may be correlated with its ability to destroy cancer cells. Structural features of monofunctional platinum adducts are analyzed, the results of which suggest that such adducts may provide a new platform for the design and synthesis of Pt anticancer drug candidates.
Reservoir Water-Level Drawdowns Accelerate and Amplify Methane Emission.

Water-level fluctuations due to reservoir management could substantially affect the timing and magnitude of reservoir methane (CH4) fluxes to the atmosphere. However, effects of such fluctuations on CH4 emissions have received limited attention. Here we examine CH4 emission dynamics in six Pacific Northwest U.S. reservoirs of varying trophic status, morphometry, and management regimes. In these systems, we show that water-level drawdowns can, at least temporarily, greatly increase per-area reservoir CH4 fluxes to the atmosphere, and can account for more than 90% of annual reservoir CH4 flux in a period of just a few weeks. Reservoirs with higher epilimnetic [chlorophyll a] experienced larger increases in CH4 emission in response to drawdown (R2 = 0.84, p < 0.01), suggesting that eutrophication magnifies the effect of drawdown on CH4 emission. We show that drawdowns as small as 0.5 m can stimulate ebullition events. Given that drawdown events of this magnitude are quite common in reservoirs, our results su...
Review of George Pattison, Heidegger on Death: A Critical Theological Essay

George Pattison’s Heidegger on Death (HD) aims at critically assessing Heidegger’s analysis of death included in his magnum opus Being and Time (BT) (1927). Given the peculiar status of Heidegger’s analysis, tightly interwoven into a complex argumentative narrative touching on an array of foundational issues in philosophy, Pattison must first of all spell out for his reader Heidegger’s overall project in BT and show how Heidegger’s analysis of death fits in it. As the author makes clear, HD isn't meant to be a piece of Heidegger scholarship but rather ‘... an essay about death that uses Heidegger ... as a way of thinking about the question of death in a Christian and theological perspective’ (HD, p. 12). This self-imposed task places a second burden on Pattison, i.e., to draw on theological premises to examine Heidegger’s analysis of death and find it ultimately wanting. An implicit third burden, which the author only occasionally seems to intend to meet, is to state in exactly what sense the said premises are Christian and theological; although Pattison draws on a wealth of religious writers including Augustine, Luther, Franz Rosenzweig, Gabriel Marcel, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, and (above all) Kierkegaard, it is not always clear it is the religious dimension of this material that does the critical job intended by Pattison. The book is divided into six chapters and an introduction. In the Introduction, Pattison motivates his focus on death by the centrality of the topic in human experience, and his focus on Heidegger with his claim that the German philosopher is one ‘who has offered the most intellectually consistent and rigorous account of death in modern philosophy’ (HD, p. 13). Pattison should have warned his reader that Heidegger’s account of death is not so much the most consistent and rigorous in modern philosophy as being virtually the only one: there are systematic reasons why death has not been a serious topic of discussion in philosophy (modern or otherwise), and omitting these reasons can mislead the reader into thinking that Heidegger is a choice among many. The truth is that Heidegger’s focus on death is highly idiosyncratic, matching the highly SOPHIA (2014) 53:575–577 DOI 10.1007/s11841-014-0453-x
Lower extremity computed tomography angiography can help predict technical success of endovascular revascularization in the superficial femoral and popliteal artery

Abstract Objective Preprocedural computed tomography angiography (CTA) assists in evaluating vascular morphology and disease distribution and in treatment planning for patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD). The aim of the study was to determine the predictive value of radiographic findings on CTA and technical success of endovascular revascularization of occlusions in the superficial femoral artery-popliteal (SFA-pop) region. Methods Medical records and available imaging studies were reviewed for patients undergoing endovascular intervention for PAD between January 2013 and December 2015 at a single academic institution. Radiologists reviewed preoperative CTA scans of patients with occlusions in the SFA-pop region. Radiographic criteria previously used to evaluate chronic occlusions in the coronary arteries were used. Technical success, defined as restoration of inline flow through the SFA-pop region with Results From 2013 to 2015, there were 407 patients who underwent 540 endovascular procedures for PAD. Preprocedural CTA scans were performed in 217 patients (53.3%), and 84 occlusions in the SFA-pop region were diagnosed. Ten occlusions were excluded as no endovascular attempt to cross the lesion was made because of extensive disease or concomitant iliac intervention. Of the remaining 74 occlusions in the SFA-pop region, 59 were successfully treated (80%) and 15 were unsuccessfully crossed (20%). The indications for revascularization were claudication in 57% of patients and critical limb ischemia in the remaining patients. TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus A, B, and C occlusions were treated with 87% success, whereas D occlusions were treated with 68% success ( P = .047). There were nine occlusions with 100% vessel calcification that was associated with technical failure ( P = .014). Longer lengths of occlusion were also associated with technical failure ( P = .042). Multiple occlusions ( P = .55), negative remodeling ( P = .69), vessel runoff ( P = .56), and percentage of vessel calcification ( P = .059) were not associated with failure. On multivariable analysis, 100% calcification remained the only significant predictor of technical failure (odds ratio, 9.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-45.8; P = .008). Conclusions Analysis of preoperative CTA shows 100% calcification as the best predictor of technical failure of endovascular revascularization of occlusions in the SFA-pop region. Further studies are needed to determine the cost-effectiveness of obtaining preoperative CTA for lower extremity PAD.
Arbor Days: Trumann Landscaping and Accion USA

ACCION USA was a nonprofit organization that began operations in 1991 to provide financing to small businesses that did not have access to traditional sources of credit. In this case, Sarah Gomez, a risk analyst and senior consultant for AUSA, has to evaluate a potential client: Trumann Landscaping. Excerpt UVA-ENT-0188 Jan. 9, 2012 ARBOR DAYS: TRUMANN LANDSCAPING AND ACCION USA Sarah Gomez, a risk analyst and senior loan consultant at ACCION USA (AUSA), admired the glistening slabs of rock in Zach Trumann's studio. The workspace was divided into two sections: One contained two computers on which Trumann and his staff could design, and the other provided room for manual labor. The space was clean with fresh white walls and beams in the ceiling. Gomez had been looking forward to this site visit on an early spring day because she knew that Trumann, owner of Trumann Landscaping, had previous experience running a successful business. In Colorado, Trumann and his cousin owned Trumann Group, a company that focused primarily on commercial landscaping. Although Trumann enjoyed all aspects of the landscaping industry, he was particularly drawn to its artistic and creative tasks. In 2006, he established Trumann Landscaping in Park Slope, Brooklyn, so that he could pursue both construction and design. At any given time, Trumann had around 10 clients. His typical customer owned a brownstone in Manhattan or Brooklyn. Trumann's goals for Trumann Landscaping included being environmentally responsible, practicing “green” landscaping, and remaining true to his unique aesthetic vision. In the past, he had shown a willingness to forgo projects, in fact, if the client's visions were not compatible with his. As Gomez surveyed the work site, she considered Trumann's strength as an applicant. There were two risks she could identify easily with this potential loan. First, China-European Trade Bank (CETB), a global commercial bank headquartered in London, had the first lien on the business because it had previously extended Trumann a line of credit. This meant CETB had first rights to the company's assets if Trumann defaulted (AUSA would be the second lien holder). And second, Trumann's financial paperwork for the first quarter of 2009 was not available. He had just replaced his previous accountant because her bookkeeping was too disorganized. This meant that Gomez would have to rely on numbers from the first quarter of 2008 as she reviewed the application. . . .
Effects of various hormones on the pituitary-adrenal axis.

Most discussions of the mechanisms concerned with regulation of the pituitary-adrenal axis consider only components intrinsic to the system. Current understanding of the essential factors involved may be summarized briefly as follows. Stimulatory and inhibitory inputs from a variety of sources converge on centers in the basal hypothalamus. These signals result in stimulation (or inhibition) of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) secretion from the median eminence. CRF is transported via the hypothalami co-hypophyseal portal system to the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion; ACTH in turn, stimulates adrenal corticosteroid secretion. Corticosterone, the principle glucocorticoid hormone in the rat, is bound in plasma to corticosterone binding globulin (CBG); however, a fraction remains unbound in equilibrium with the bound portion. The liver clears circulating corticosteroids and metabolizes them, by reduction and conjugation, to inactive compounds which are excreted.
The Thermodynamics of Anion Complexation to Nonpolar Pockets.

The interactions between nonpolar surfaces and polarizable anions lie in a gray area between the hydrophobic and Hofmeister effects. To assess the affinity of these interactions, NMR and ITC were used to probe the thermodynamics of eight anions binding to four different hosts whose pockets each consist primarily of hydrocarbon. Two classes of host were examined: cavitands and cyclodextrins. For all hosts, anion affinity was found to follow the Hofmeister series, with associations ranging from 1.6–5.7 kcal mol–1. Despite the fact that cavitand hosts 1 and 2 possess intrinsic negative electrostatic fields, it was determined that these more enveloping hosts generally bound anions more strongly. The observation that the four hosts each possess specific anion affinities that cannot be readily explained by their structures, points to the importance of counter cations and the solvation of the “empty” hosts, free guests, and host–guest complexes, in defining the affinity.
A new latent generalized dirichlet allocation model for image classification

As a response to the limitations of the LDA in topic modeling and large scale applications, several extensions using flexible priors have been introduced to expose the problem of topic correlation. Models such as CTM, PAM, GD-LDA, and LGDA have been able to explore and capture semantic relationships between topics. However, many of these models suffer from incomplete generative processes which affect inferences efficiency. In addition, knowing these traditional inference techniques carry major limitations, the new approach in this paper, the CVB-LGDA is an extension to the state-of-the-art. It reconciles a complete generative process to a robust inference technique in a topic correlation framework. Its performance in image classification shows its robustness.
VIDEO: Preoperative CT Angiography for Fibular Free Flap Reconstructions

Objective The objective of this video article is to provide an introduction to the use of fibular free flaps. Normal and variant vascular anatomy of the fibular free flap is discussed, as are imaging acquisition and CT angiography interpretation, computer-assisted design and manufacturing, and the limitations of the fibular free flap. Conclusion The fibular free flap is commonly used for head and neck reconstructive surgery. Variation exists between individuals regarding the origin of the peroneal artery and the perforating arteries. Our method of performing CT angiography and reporting its findings for patients undergoing a fibular free flap procedure provides a reproducible means of identifying important elements of the vasculature and effectively communicating their locations to surgeons. Accurate communication can maximize the success of the flap harvesting and the preoperative manufacture of custom fibular cutting guides.
Elaboración de un modelo empresarial para que las PyME del sector de bebidas y alimentos logren incrementar su ciclo de vida en la ciudad de Bogotá

The objective of this article, is to identify and analyze the factors that allowed SMEs in the food and beverage sector to grow and stay in the market for a higher time than five years, to be able to propose a characterization that serves as a reference for other companies that are beginning, or which have problems of sustainability. For this purpose, different tools, such as observation techniques, in-depth interviews, and statistical techniques were used to analyze the possible factors that allow the durability of SMEs over time. In the first instance, an analysis of the contribution of the different national sub-sectors to the growth of production in the Colombian industrial sector was made, in which the food and beverage sector could be identified as the most representative. Subsequently, a sample of the SMEs of that industry was established, which were interviewed in depth to identify the key success factors. The end result is a sustainable business model so that entrepreneurs can route their organization to more competitive fields, and not only be conform to a balance of their incomes and expenses, but also, they can be able to get sustainable economic growth to achieve competitiveness in their sector and thus overcome the stage of maturity in the life cycle of an organization.
Exposure of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus to Low Levels of the Antibacterial THAM-3ΦG Generates a Small Colony Drug-Resistant Phenotype

This study investigated resistance against trishexylaminomelamine trisphenylguanide (THAM-3ΦG), a novel antibacterial compound with selective microbicidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Resistance development was examined by culturing methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with sub-lethal doses of THAM-3ΦG. This quickly resulted in the formation of normal (WT) and small colonies (SC) of S. aureus exhibiting minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) 2× and 4× greater than the original MIC. Continuous cell passaging with increasing concentrations of THAM-3ΦG resulted in an exclusively SC phenotype with MIC >64 mg/L. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis revealed three distinct metabolic profiles for THAM-3ΦG treated WT, untreated WT, and SC (both treated and untreated). The metabolome patterns of the SC sample groups match those reported for other small colony variants (SCV) of S. aureus. Supplementation of the SCV with menadione resulted in almost complete recovery of growth rate. This auxotrophism was corroborated by NMR analysis revealing the absence of menaquinone production in the SCV. In conclusion, MRSA rapidly acquires resistance to THAM-3ΦG through selection of a slow-growing menaquinone auxotroph. This study highlights the importance of evaluating and monitoring resistance to novel antibacterials during development.
A unified approach to study hypervariable polymorphisms: Statistical considerations of determining relatedness and population distances

Relatedness between individuals as well as evolutionary relationships between populations can be studied by comparing genotypic similarities between individuals. When hypervariable loci are used to describe genotypes, it is shown that both of these problems can be approached with a unified theory based on allele sharing between individuals. The distributions of the number of shared alleles between individuals indicate their kin relationships. Extending this, we obtain statistics for genetic distances between populations based on average number of alleles shared between individuals within and between two different populations.
Colonoscopy in the elderly. Low risk, high yield.

An evaluation of the utility, morbidity, and patient tolerance of colonoscopy in elderly (⩾70 years) patients was undertaken and compared to data for a similar group of younger patients (50–70 years) who underwent colonoscopy during the same 48 months. Data reviewed for both groups included demographics, indications for colonoscopy, effectiveness of bowel preparation, colonoscopy completion, endoscopic findings, and complications. The mean age of the entire 656-patient population was 69±10 years; 87 (25%) of the 354 elderly patients were greater than 80 years of age and the average age of the 302-member control group was 59.8±5.8 years. Indications for colonoscopy were the same in both groups and included rectal bleeding, 134 (20%); prior colorectal operation, 115 (18%); a history of adenomatous polyps, 82 (12%); guaiac-positive stools, 49 (8%); abnormal finding on barium enema, 19 (3%); and miscellaneous other gastrointestinal symptoms, 151 (23%). Screening colonoscopy was performed in 106 (16%). Colonoscopy was successfully completed to the cecum or the ileocolic anastomosis in 85% (555/656) of the entire population. Only 78% (275/354) of elderly patients had colonoscopy successfully completed compared to 93% (281/302) of their younger counterparts (P=0.001). Elderly patients were significantly more likely to have an abnormality than younger patients (74% vs 60%, P<0.05). Malignant colorectal neoplasia was more common in the elderly (6% vs 2%, P=0.03); however, benign neoplasia was equally present in both age groups (30% vs 27%, P=NS). Thirty percent (195/656) of all patients underwent either snare polypectomy or biopsy. There were no perforations, and postprocedural hemorrhage occurred in 2% (4/195) and was unrelated to age. Overall morbidity, including procedural-related oxygen desaturation, was no different between the two groups. There were no deaths. We conclude that colonoscopy is safe in elderly patients and that advanced age does not, by itself, confer increased risk to the procedure. The lower completion rate in elderly patients mandated additional subsequent testing to complete colonic evaluation but was offset by the significantly increased likelihood of discovering treatable pathology. These results support the continued, aggressive use of colonoscopy in the colonic evaluation of the elderly.
Light propagation in a neutron detector based on 6Li glass scintillator particles in an organic matrix

Composite materials consisting of 6Li scintillator particles in an organic matrix can enable thermal neutron detectors with excellent rejection of gamma-ray backgrounds. The efficiency of transporting scintillation light through such a composite is critical to the detector performance. This optical raytracing study of a composite thermal neutron detector quantifies the various sources of scintillation light loss and identifies favorable photomultiplier tube (PMT) readout schemes. The composite material consisted of scintillator cubes within an organic matrix shaped as a right cylinder. The cylinder surface was surrounded by an optical reflector, and the light was detected by PMTs attached to the cylinder end faces. A reflector in direct contact with the composite caused 53% loss of scintillation light. This loss was reduced 8-fold by creating an air gap between the composite and the reflector to allow a fraction of the scintillation light to propagate by total internal reflection. Replacing a liquid mineral oil matrix with a solid acrylic matrix decreased the light transport efficiency by only ∼10% for the benefit of creating an all-solid-state device. The light propagation loss was found to scale exponentially with the distance between the scintillation event and the PMT along the cylinder main axis. This enabled a PMT readout scheme that corrects for light propagation loss on an event-by-event basis and achieved a 4.0% energy resolution that approached Poisson-limited performance. These results demonstrate that composite materials can enable practical thermal neutron detectors for a wide range of nuclear non-proliferation and safeguard applications.Composite materials consisting of 6Li scintillator particles in an organic matrix can enable thermal neutron detectors with excellent rejection of gamma-ray backgrounds. The efficiency of transporting scintillation light through such a composite is critical to the detector performance. This optical raytracing study of a composite thermal neutron detector quantifies the various sources of scintillation light loss and identifies favorable photomultiplier tube (PMT) readout schemes. The composite material consisted of scintillator cubes within an organic matrix shaped as a right cylinder. The cylinder surface was surrounded by an optical reflector, and the light was detected by PMTs attached to the cylinder end faces. A reflector in direct contact with the composite caused 53% loss of scintillation light. This loss was reduced 8-fold by creating an air gap between the composite and the reflector to allow a fraction of the scintillation light to propagate by total internal reflection. Replacing a liquid miner...
Determination of Thermodynamic Properties of Si-B Alloys

This study establishes the thermodynamic properties of the Si-B binary alloy system. The electromotive force (emf) as a function of temperature (823 K to 923 K) was measured using solid-state electrochemical cells, represented as $$(-)\,{\text{Pt}},{\text{Ar}}/\{\text{Si}\|{\text{CaF}}_{2}\|\;\{{\text{Si}} - {\text{B}}({\text{alloy}})\}/{\text{Ar}},{\text{Pt}}( + )$$ Using the experimental emf data obtained from the solid-state heterogeneous phase equilibrium, the activities of Si and B in Si-B alloys were calculated. The integral Gibbs energy of mixing $$ (\Delta G^{\text{M}} ) $$ of alloys were calculated from the activity of Si and B. A large negative deviation from ideality was found for the integral Gibbs energy of mixing $$ (\Delta G^{\text{M}} ) $$ of the binary Si-B system. From the activities of Si and B, the Gibbs energies of formation $$ \left( {\Delta G_f^{0 } } \right) $$ of phases present were calculated. The $$ \Delta G_{f}^{ 0 } $$ of SiB3, the most thermodynamically stable phase, was calculated as − 13.13 ± 0.19 kJ/mole-atoms at 923 K. The heterogeneous phases and microstructure after the equilibrium study of the electrode were characterized using XRD, SEM, and EDS analyses.
Chronic myelocytic leukemia with two Philadelphia chromosomes and prominent peripheral lymphadenopathy.

(CML ).‘ Marked lymph node enlargement may occur late in the course of the disease, usually with the development of the myeloblast crisis, and may be considered a poor prognostic sign.2’3 Rarely, the clinical and histopathologic picture can mimic lymphoma.4 Recently, Kiossoglou, Mitus and Dameshek reported a patient with “significant” lymphadenopathy with hvo Philadelphia (Ph’ ) chromosomes.5 In reports of cytogenetic studies in CML there is no mention made of lymphadenopathy of marked degree in those patients with 2 Ph1 chromosomes.68 Three adult patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia, marked peripheral lymphadenopathy, and two Ph1 chromosomes are described in this report. It is noteworthy that all 3 patients had the double Ph’ chromosome in cytogenetic preparations and 2 of the 3 had significant adenopathy before blastic crisis occurred.
Setting the stage: liturgy and theatre:

At the outset it is recognized that theatre is diverse and constantly evolving and therefore elusive in definition. Liturgical worship, similarly, presents itself in many forms. The constraints of ...
Salmonella Typhimurium biofilm disruption by a human antibody that binds a pan-amyloid epitope on curli.

Bacterial biofilms, especially those associated with implanted medical devices, are difficult to eradicate. Curli amyloid fibers are important components of the biofilms formed by the Enterobacteriaceae family. Here, we show that a human monoclonal antibody with pan-amyloid-binding activity (mAb 3H3) can disrupt biofilms formed by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in vitro and in vivo. The antibody disrupts the biofilm structure, enhancing biofilm eradication by antibiotics and immune cells. In mice, 3H3 injections allow antibiotic-mediated clearance of catheter-associated S. Typhimurium biofilms. Thus, monoclonal antibodies that bind a pan-amyloid epitope have potential to prevent or eradicate bacterial biofilms. Curli amyloid fibers are important components of bacterial biofilms formed by E. coli and Salmonella. Here, Tursi et al. show that a human monoclonal antibody with pan-amyloid binding activity can disrupt biofilms formed by Salmonella Typhimurium in vitro and in vivo.
Cost effectiveness of combination ipilimumab-nivolumab in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

e19387Background: The combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab was found to improve overall survival compared to chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the Chec...
Outcomes after Multiligament Knee Injury Reconstruction using Novel Graft Constructs and Techniques.

Clinical outcomes after reconstruction for multiligamentous knee injury (MLKI) can be consistently favorable. However, recent implants and technique advances may allow for improvement in outcomes. Our institution has developed novel graft constructs and techniques for reconstructions with preclinical data supporting clinical use. Our study purpose was to assess clinical outcomes after reconstruction for MKLI using our constructs and techniques. Overall success rate, failure/revision rates, return to work (RTW)/return to sports (RTS) rates, and complications were evaluated testing the hypothesis that novel methods would be associated with clinical benefits with respect to applications and outcomes compared with historical results. We reviewed a single-surgeon, longitudinal database of 42 patients who underwent multiligament reconstruction at our institution using these techniques for at least two-ligament injuries. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score and PROMIS (patient-reported outcomes measurement information system) were collected preoperatively and postoperatively at a minimum 1-year follow-up. Among these patients, 33 patients (mean age of 28.9 years, mean body mass index (BMI) of 33.2 kg/m2, mean follow-up of 14.2 months) were included for outcomes analyses. With the definition of success as having a VAS score of less than or equal to 2 without revision/salvage surgery due to recurrent/residual instability or arthritis, overall success rate was 88% (29/33). The mean VAS scores improved from 5 ± 2 to 2 ± 2. The mean preoperative PROMIS mental health score was 36.2 ± 7, general health was 33.5 ± 6, pain was 62.7 ± 8, and physical function score was 29.4 ± 3. At the final follow-up, PROMIS MH was 50.2 ± 10, GH was 44.4 ± 9, pain was 54.3 ± 9, and PF was 42.6 ± 8.4. Return to work rate was 94% (31/33), and 52% (17/33) of patients were able to RTS at any level. Our results demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes associated with a primary success rate of 88% and RTW rate of 94%. Intraoperative complications occurred in 9.5% of cases and revision and failure rates were 9% and 3%, respectively. Our initial results suggest that multiligament reconstructions using novel graft constructs and techniques are safe and effective and can be considered an appropriate option for reconstruction of the full clinical spectrum of MLKIs.
Adaptability and cohesion in youth at clinical high-risk for psychosis: A multi-informant approach.

Abstract Background Families can play a critical role in the development of psychosis. Adaptability (i.e., flexibility) and cohesion (i.e., emotional bonding) are important markers of family functioning, but have rarely been studied in youth at clinical high risk for developing psychosis (CHR), especially not from a multi-informant perspective. Methods The current study examined adaptability and cohesion (using youth and mother reports) and clinical symptoms (in youth) among 75 youth at CHR and their mothers (N = 48) and 79 matched healthy controls and their mothers (N = 42). Results Findings showed that (1) youth at CHR and their mothers reported lower adaptability and cohesion than their healthy control counterparts. (2) All youth reported lower adaptability than mothers, but only youth at CHR (not control youth) reported lower cohesion than their mothers. (3) There were no significant links between CHR youth and mother reports of adaptability and cohesion and clinical symptoms. Conclusions Findings support existing literature that families with a youth at CHR are at risk for poorer functioning and demonstrate pronounced youth-mother discrepancies with youth at CHR (but not controls) reporting lower emotional bonding than their mothers. Future studies may further probe multi-informant perspectives of family environment as a clinical marker in the clinical high risk state.
Will You Stay the Same? Examining Customer Reactions to Acquisitions

In the fashion industry, acquisitions have become commonplace across company types, from established luxury brands to startups. In 2018, 38% of all M&As in 12 luxury sectors ranging from apparel to hotels were carried out in the apparel & accessories and watches & jewelry sectors (Deloitte, 2019). From the acquired company’s perspective, the acquisition allows access to resources needed for growth (Porter, 1987). However, for existing customers, such a major organizational change creates uncertainty about the company’s business continuity, particularly whether future product offerings will continue to meet their expectations. For example, upon the acquisition announcements, the customers of Bonobos and ModCloth expressed concerns about the product design becoming generic and the deterioration in quality (Bain, 2018). Despite the potential negative effects of acquisitions, research on customer reactions to acquisitions is scant. Based on signaling theory, which explains consumer behavior amidst imperfect information and informational asymmetry, the study posits that customers will seek information or signals to anticipate how the acquisition will affect future product offerings. This study identified three signals customers may rely on: post-acquisition operational independence of the acquired company, involvement of the acquired company’s founder/CEO, and organizational fit between the acquiring and acquired companies. If these signals lead customers to make favorable inferences about future product offerings, their re-patronage and WOM intention will be high. As such, the purpose of this study is to propose a research framework to examine how the three signals lead consumers to form expectations for future product offerings, which in turn can influence re-patronage and WOM intention.
Novel and Emerging Capabilities that Can Provide a Holistic Understanding of the Plant Root Microbiome

In recent years, the root microbiome (i.e., microorganisms growing inside, on, or in close proximity to plant roots) has been shown to play an important role in plant health and productivity. Despi...
Traffic Trumps All: Examining the Effect of Traffic Impact Analyses on Urban Housing:

Traffic impact analysis (TIA), which estimates the nearby traffic effects of proposed land development, tends to bias against higher density developments in urban areas where traffic is often heavy...
Electron Beam Infrared Nano-Ellipsometry of Individual Semiconductor Nanoparticles

In this talk I will discuss recent collaborative work between the University of Washington, Notre Dame, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in developing a new electron microscopy technique to perform nano-ellipsometry measurements on individual nanoparticles. Focus will be made on inverting the low-loss electron energy-loss spectrum to retrieve the complex-valued and frequency-dependent dielectric functions of a series of individual tin-doped indium oxide nanocrystals with tin doping concentration ranging from 1−10 atomic percent. This method, devoid from ensemble averaging, illustrates the potential for nanoscale electron-beam ellipsometry measurements on materials that cannot be prepared in bulk form or as thin films.
Adherence to Lung Protective Ventilation in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019

Prior studies have demonstrated suboptimal adherence to lung protective ventilation among patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. A common barrier to providing this evidence-based practice is diagnostic uncertainty. We sought to test the hypothesis that patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to coronavirus disease 2019, in whom acute respiratory distress syndrome is easily recognized, would be more likely to receive low tidal volume ventilation than concurrently admitted acute respiratory distress syndrome patients without coronavirus disease 2019. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Five hospitals of a single health system. PATIENTS: Mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 or noncoronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome as identified by an automated, electronic acute respiratory distress syndrome finder in clinical use at study hospitals. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among 333 coronavirus disease 2019 patients and 234 noncoronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients, the average initial tidal volume was 6.4 cc/kg predicted body weight and 6.8 cc/kg predicted body weight, respectively. Patients had tidal volumes less than or equal to 6.5 cc/kg predicted body weight for a mean of 70% of the first 72 hours of mechanical ventilation in the coronavirus disease 2019 cohort, compared with 52% in the noncoronavirus disease 2019 cohort (unadjusted p < 0.001). After adjusting for height, gender, admitting hospital, and whether or not the patient was admitted to a medical specialty ICU, coronavirus disease 2019 diagnosis was associated with a 21% higher percentage of time receiving tidal volumes less than or equal to 6.5 cc/kg predicted body weight within the first 72 hours of mechanical ventilation (95% CI, 14-28%;p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to low tidal volume ventilation during the first 72 hours of mechanical ventilation is higher in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 than with acute respiratory distress syndrome without coronavirus disease 2019. This population may present an opportunity to understand facilitators of implementation of this life-saving evidence-based practice.
Compact Quantum Dots Photoligated with Multifunctional Zwitterionic Coating for Immunofluorescence and Imaging

Integration of nanomaterials with biotechnology requires the development of optimized coating strategies that provide extended colloidal stability and compact size, while allowing controllable surface coupling of the nanocrystals to target biomolecules [1] , [2] . Here, we detail the design and optimization of a set of multicoordinating ligands that combine the benefits of mixed coordination (thiol and imidazole) with molecular-scale zwitterion motifs, yielding sterically stabilized and compact nanocrystals ( Fig. 1 ) [3] – [5] . These QDs present a controllable number of azide groups for easy conjugation to biomolecules via click chemistry. The polymer coating is characterized using several complementary analytical techniques, including NMR spectroscopy, to extract estimates of the hydrodynamic size and the surface ligand density. Conjugating the resulting QDs to antitropomyosin receptor kinase B antibody (α-TrkB), or to the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), has allowed successful labeling of the tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) in pyramidal neurons within cortical tissue. It has also allowed visual monitoring of BDNF-induced activation of TrkB signaling in live neuronal cells ( Fig. 1 ) [4] .
The Girl on the Magazine Cover: The Origins of Visual Stereotypes in American Mass Media: By Carolyn Kitch. Chapel Hill and London: The University of North Carolina Press, 2001. 252 pages.

(2001). The Girl on the Magazine Cover: The Origins of Visual Stereotypes in American Mass Media. American Journalism: Vol. 18, No. 4, pp. 87-89.
DR-LINK in TIPSTER III

A Natural Language Processing based Information Retrieval System that was one of the original systems developed in Phase I of TIPSTER, was the basis of research in TIPSTER III the goal of which was to add two extended capabilities to the core system. Following a description of the multiple levels of linguistic processing that were developed for the original DR-LINK System, details are provided on research into query-specific data fusion and query-specific cross-document summarization. Experimental results show that there is potential for improving retrieval through query-specific fusion and that analysts found the Detailed Multiple Document Summary to be extremely useful for almost every query, while the Thumbnail sketch was useful in approximately 50% of the queries.
Cognitive Therapy Techniques: A Practitioner's Guide

List of Forms Preface Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Eliciting Thoughts and Assumptions 2. Evaluating and Challenging Thoughts 3. Evaluating Assumptions and Rules 4. Evaluating Worries 5. Information Processing and Logical Errors 6. Putting Things in Perspective 7. Schema-Focused Therapy 8. Emotional Processing Techniques 9. Examining and Challenging Cognitive Distortions 10. Modifying Need for Approval 11. Challenging Self-Criticism 12. Concluding Comments References Index