cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rationale and Design of the Women and Inclusion in Academic Medicine Study.

Background and Objective: Women of color (WOC) (African American, Hispanic, Native American/Alaskan Native, and Asian American) faculty remain disproportionately underrepresented among medical school faculty and especially at senior ranks compared with White female faculty. The barriers or facilitators to the career advancement of WOC are poorly understood. The Women and Inclusion in Academic Medicine (WIAM) study was developed to characterize individual, institutional and sociocultural factors that influence the entry, progression and persistence, and advancement of women faculty in academic medical careers with a focus on WOC. Methods: Using a purposive sample of 13 academic medical institutions, we collected qualitative interview data from 21 WOC junior faculty and quantitative data from 3,127 (38.9% of 8,053 eligible women) respondents via an online survey. To gather institutional data, we used an online survey and conducted 23 key administrative informant interviews from the 13 institutions. Grounded theory methodology will be used to analyze qualitative data. Multivariable analysis including hierarchical linear modeling will be used to investigate outcomes, such as the inclusiveness of organizational gender climate and women faculty’s intent to stay. Conclusion: We describe the design, methods, rationale and limitations of one of the largest and most comprehensive studies of women faculty in academic medicine with a focus on WOC. This study will enhance our understanding of challenges that face women, and, especially WOC, faculty in academic medicine and will provide solutions at both the individual and institutional levels. Ethn Dis . 2016;26(2): 245-254; doi:10.18865/ed.26.2.245
On the Construction of Ecological Library

The ecological library constructed based on the basic idea of ecology is a modern library model,which is an ex-emplification of the sustainable development and harmonious development of library.This paper discusses the e-cological construction of the architecture,collection,service and management of ecological library by using the principles of arcology,management ecology and information ecology.
The light-duty design of the compound cable net for the air defense missile electrical system

In present the development of conventional air defence missile will turn to the light-duty and precision ways.To adapt to corrent direction,it is necessary for us to carry through the light-duty design for the compound cable net of missile electrical system.
Rock-physics models for heterogeneous creeping rocks and viscous fluids

ABSTRACTRock-physics models are used to explore how small-scale heterogeneity can affect the larger scale viscoelasticity of rocks. Applications include mixtures of creeping clay and elastic quartz, mixtures of different creeping materials (e.g., clay and kerogen), or viscous fluids containing bubbles or solid fines. We have found that elastic inclusions in a Maxwell viscoelastic background change the effective viscosity and the high-frequency limiting elastic modulus. The viscosity response was similar to that observed for a Newtonian fluid, and the high-frequency elastic modulus varied as predicted by elastic effective media models. The characteristic frequency of the effective medium scales with the ratio of effective modulus and effective viscosity. Inclusions also distribute the relaxation times, converting the Maxwell material to resemble a Cole-Cole material. Elastic inclusions in a creeping background decrease the effective viscoelastic Poisson’s ratio of the composite. As with elastic media, geom...
Cytomorphology of primary small-cell (Merkel-cell) carcinoma of the skin in fine needle aspirates

The histologic appearance of primary small-cell carcinoma of the skin (the so-called Merkel-cell tumor) is similar to other small-cell tumors that may metastasize to the dermis. Significance has been placed on the electron microscopic appearance of this tumor since the ultrastructural features of this neoplasm are helpful in distinguishing it from most of the other neoplasms considered in the differential diagnosis. To determine whether any additional morphologic criteria might exist to distinguish this neoplasm, the fine needle aspirate appearance of a primary small-cell carcinoma of the skin was studied and compared to that of similar preparations of other small-cell tumors that could potentially involve the dermis. Cells of this unusual tumor were round and showed neither cohesiveness nor nuclear molding. Mitoses were numerous. The chromatin pattern was bland. The cytologic features of this tumor can aid in the distinction of primary small-cell carcinoma of the skin from other metastatic small-cell neoplastic lesions in the dermis of adults.
Thoughts on Criteria for Active Surveillance of Favorable-risk Prostate Cancer.

In this issue of European Urology, Bokhorst et al. [1] report on active surveillance (AS) in the Prostate Cancer Research International Active Surveillance study. Men with predominantly low-risk, low-volume prostate cancer (n = 5 302) were prospectively enrolled and underwent standardized follow-up including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, clinical examination, and prostate biopsy. Men were advised to pursue treatment if the follow-up biopsy Gleason score was > 6, prostate cancer was noted on more than two biopsy cores, follow-up stage was > T2, or the PSA doubling time was 0–3 yr (until 2014). Biopsy reclassification in the study occurred in 22–33% of men. At follow-up of 5 and 10 yr, 52% and 73% of men, respectively, discontinued AS, mostly because of protocol-based reclassification. Among men selecting radical prostatectomy (RP) after reclassification, one-third of men had favorable pathology (organcontained, Gleason score 6). The authors concluded ‘‘a substantial group of men discontinued AS without subsequent unfavorable features on RP.’’ On the basis of the observations, the authors now recommend that upgrading to Gleason 7 on follow-up biopsy and development of cT3 disease are the only appropriate triggers for switching to treatment. They also conclude that their approach to AS for prostate cancer, similar to other long-term AS experiences, is safe [1–3]. The current report does raise some unresolved questions about AS. Who are really the best candidates for AS and on the basis of what imaging and biochemical entrance criteria? What are the best triggers for stopping AS? Should selected triggers place patients once designated as favorable risk into unfavorable risk situations? Are we really doing men in that situation a favor by sparing them potential treatment harms only to put them in a higher risk
Epileptiform Discharges during Anesthesia Induction with Sevoflurane

ABSTRACT.Sevoflurane is a volatile anesthetic commonly used for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. We present the case of a 34-year-old woman in whom generalized periodic epileptiform discharges developed during induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane. Although sevoflurane anesthesia can be associated with the development of epileptiform discharges, the clinical relevance of this is unclear.
Grain quality in Maize (Zea mays L.): breeding implications for short-season drought environments

Total and extractable starch, oil, protein, and amino acids of maize (Zea mays L.) are important to farmers and ranchers because of their various end uses including ethanol and feedstock nutrition. The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate grain quality traits in different water regimes and (2) to discuss the implications for breeding maize quality cultivars in water stressed (WS) environments. Ninety-four partial diallel crosses including 47 diverse maize inbreds and checks were tested in 12 WS, well watered (WW), and random drought (RDT) environments in 2013 and 2014. The changes in mean grain extractable (<1.33 %) and total starch (<0.74 %), oil (<2.2 %), cysteine (<2.91 %) and lysine (<2.81 %) contents in WS and RDT were small while the changes in grain protein (+6.58 % in WS and +3.46 % in RDT) and methionine (+4.41 % in WS and −1.86 % in RDT) content were large compared to WW environments. Additive genetic variance was most important across stresses and the largest variance was estimated in WS environments. The narrow-sense heritability (h 2 ) was found to be high (>0.40) for all traits in WW environments except for grain protein and amino acid contents. The mid-parent hybrid correlation was strong (>0.62) for all traits across stresses except for amino acid content ( 0.60). However, they were less associated with grain protein content and amino acid content (<0.49). Therefore, while breeding for better ethanol maize varieties could be based on multi-location testing in WS environments, breeding for healthier feedstock protein products could be conducted across environments.
Simultaneous determination of metabolite concentrations, T1 and T2 relaxation times.

Purpose To simultaneously measure concentration and T1 and T2 values of metabolites in the human brain in a single scan session. Methods A new pulse sequence with multiple variable acquisition parameters was proposed to encode metabolite T1 and T2 information into the acquired data. A linear combination-fitting algorithm was developed in-house to simultaneously determine metabolite concentrations and relaxation times. Results Concentration, T1, and T2 values of N-acetyl-aspartate, total creatine, total choline, and glutamate were reliably measured in the frontal gray matter and white matter regions of nine healthy volunteers at 7 tesla in less than 10 minutes of scan time per voxel. T1 and T2 values of glutamine, as well as T1 of glutathione, were also measured in the frontal gray matter region with reasonable precision. Conclusion The proposed technique allows multiparametric characterization of brain metabolites in a single scan session, making it possible to measure both levels and intracellular microenvironments of brain chemicals in clinical MR spectroscopy studies. Magn Reson Med 78:2072–2081, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Rash diagnostics: an update on the diagnosis of allergic rashes.

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to summarize recent research regarding the diagnosis of allergic rashes and to suggest future directions for the promotion of accurate diagnosis and endotype specification.Recent findingsMultiple cohort studies demonstrate that with appropriate clinical
Electrical Stimulation of the Pulvinar Disrupts Control of Spatially Directed Actions.

The dorsal pulvinar is a thalamic nucleus that remains poorly understood despite being the subject of many studies. Inputs from the superior colliculus ([Benevento and Standage, 1983][1]) and reciprocal connections with parietal ([Hardy and Lynch, 1992][2]; [Gutierrez et al., 2000][3]) and
Substrate Stiffness Influences the Time Dependence of CTGF Protein Expression in Müller Cells

Following ocular trauma and retinal detachment, gliotic changes in the retina may develop over the subsequent month, a process known as PVR (proliferative vitreoretinopathy). There have been no successful therapeutic interventions to inhibit PVR. The protein CTGF (Connective Tissue Growth Factor) has been associated with retinal PVR and other fibrotic diseases of the retina in clinical studies but the mechanistic link between different pathologies and retinal gliosis has not been determined. In addition, CTGF has been previously noted to be associated, in some cases, with YAP/TAZ (Yes-associated protein and Tafazzin protein complex), transcriptional regulatory proteins that change subcellular localization in response to mechanical cues, such as the stiffness of the underlying material. We have previously shown that the mRNA for CTGF is markedly (100-fold) upregulated in retinal Muller cells grown on soft substrates. In order to evaluate if the mechanism by which mechanotransduction modulating CTGF production in retinal Muller cells involves the YAP/TAZ complex, this study tests the influence of substrate stiffness on the time dependence of CTGF protein expression, as well as subcellular localization of YAP/TAZ using a conditionally-immortalized mouse retinal Muller cell line plated on laminin-coated, polyacrylamide substrates of varying elastic modulus. Changes were assayed using immunohistochemistry and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay). In retinal Muller cells, the relationship between elastic modulus and the pattern of CTGF protein expression was bimodal, with CTGF levels rising more rapidly for cells on hard substrates and more slowly for cells grown on soft substrates. In addition, nuclear localization of YAP/TAZ corresponded directly to the maximum CTGF expression.
Manufacturing Methods and Material Systems

So far we have looked at the physics of single-electronics, at possible applications, and at methods to analyze them. What is missing is how to fabricate them. This final piece is a very important one, if not the most important one, for a successful single-electron technology. It means that most likely new and uncommon materials will have to be introduced and new processes have to be made reliable, reproducible, and economical. The following gives an overview of fabrication methods and material systems for single-electron devices. At this point no single method can be said to be ready for mass fabrication or can be considered superior to any other method. A compatibility with CMOS processes is desirable to allow mixing of CMOS and single-electronics.
Holistic Trinity of Services Sciences: Management, Social, and Engineering Sciences

ABSTRACT Services industries comprise about 75% of the economy of developed nations. Todesign and operate services systems for today and tomorrow, we need to educate anew type of engineer who focuses not on manufacturing but on services. Such anengineer must be able to integrate 3 sciences - management, social and engineering –into her analysis of services systems. Within the context of a new research center atMIT – CESF (Center for Engineering Systems Fundamentals) – we show how newlyemerging services systems require such a 3-way holistic analysis. We deliberatelyselect some non-standard services, as many business services such as supply chainshave been studied extensively.INTRODUCTION CESF was created on September 1, 2005, by then-Director of MIT’s EngineeringSystems Division (ESD), Prof. Dan Hastings. ESD is a crosscutting new entity in theSchool of Engineering that includes faculty from all seven departments in the school aswell as faculty from the Sloan School of Management and the School of Humanities, Artsand Social Sciences. ESD focuses on complex ‘messy’ systems involving people andtechnology. CESF is to advance ‘fundamentals’ of this new field called
New design strategies for multifunctional and inexpensive quantum cascade lasers

This manuscript describes some of the new advances in active mid-infrared photonic integrated circuits enabled by new quantum cascade laser technologies. This includes monolithic beam steering which was achieved via the integration of a widely tunable QCL and a tapered grating outcoupler. A record 17.9 degrees of steering with a low divergence beam (0.5 degrees) was achieved. In addition, the use of surface emitting architectures is proposed as a means to reduce the manufacturing cost of next-generation QCLs. A reflective outcoupler is demonstrated which can allow for stable surface emission from a quantum cascade laser and has potential for cost-effective wafer-scale manufacturing. This outcoupler is integrated with an amplified, electrically tunable laser architecture to demonstrate high power surface emission at a wavelength near 4.9 μm. Single mode peak power up to 6.7 W is demonstrated with >6 W available over a 90 cm-1 (215 nm) spectral range. All of this is achieved while maintaining a high quality output beam, similar to a standard edge emitter.
Long Term Outcomes of Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Introduction The outcomes of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients failing autologous transplant (autoSCT) are poor. Moreover, patients with high risk DLBCL and refractory disease have lower chances of remission to autoSCT. Allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT) could be a viable option in these circumstances. Here we report outcomes of DLBCL patients who received alloSCT in upfront settings or following failed autoSCT. Methods The objectives were to determine GVHD, overall survival (OS), relapse rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and non-relapse mortality (NRM) of adult DLBCL patients following alloSCT. Results Between January 2005 and December 2017, 81 patients underwent alloSCT. Of these, 73 patients had de novo, 7 had transformed and one had testicular DLBCL. The median age at transplant was 52 years (range, 21-68). The median number of treatments prior to alloSCT was 3 (range, 1-6). Twenty-four patients (30%) had prior failed autoSCT, and 57 (70%) underwent upfront alloSCT. Disease status at transplant were: complete remission in 22 patients (27%), partial remission in 6 (7%), relapse in 31 (38%) and refractory in 22 (27%). Thirty-three patients (41%) underwent matched related and 48 (59%) had matched unrelated alloSCT. CNS and bone marrow involvement at the time of transplant was noted in 10% and 47% of patients, respectively. Patients received following conditioning regimens: R-BEAM (58%), BU-FLU-TBI (27%), BU-FLU (2%), CY-TBI (2%), BU-CY (2%), CY-FLU-TBI (2%), and others (5%). With a median follow-up of 5 years (95% CI, 4.01-9.89), the 1-year cumulative incidences of grade III-IV acute GVHD and chronic GVHD were 27.2% (95% CI, 18-37.2%) and 37% (95% CI, 26.5-47.6%), respectively. At 1-year, OS was 48% (95% CI, 38.4-60.3%), PFS was 43.2% (95% CI, 33.6-55.4%) and GRFS was 13.5% (95% CI, 7.8-23.5%). One-year relapse rate was 24.7% (95% CI, 15.9-34.5%), and NRM was 32.1% (95% CI, 22.2-42.4%). Sixteen patients (20%) patients were alive without chronic GVHD and relapse. Relapse disease at the time of transplant was associated with higher post-transplant relapse rate, and poor performance status was adversely associated with OS and PFS. No effect of prior autoSCT, conditioning regimen or type of donor was found in multivariable analysis on OS, PFS, relapse and NRM. Twenty-seven out of 81 patients (33%) were alive at the time of data analysis. Causes of death included relapse (37%), infection (31%), acute GVHD (13%) and multiorgan failure (11%). Conclusion Our study indicates that alloSCT provides long-term survival in these high-risk patients indicating graft-verus-lymphoma effect with low relapse rate; although non-relapse mortality was high in this group where about a third had failed prior autoSCT.
Chemical and Electrochemical Lithiation of van der Waals Tetrel-Arsenides

Lithiation of van der Waals tetrel-arsenides, GeAs and SiAs, has been investigated. Electrochemical lithiation demonstrated large initial capacities of over 950 mAh g-1 accompanied by rapid fading over successive cycling in the voltage range 0.01-2 V. Limiting the voltage range to 0.5-2 V achieved more stable cycling, which was attributed to the intercalation process with lower capacities. Ex situ powder X-ray diffraction confirmed complete amorphization of the samples after lithiation, as well as recrystallization of the binary tetrel-arsenide phases after full delithiation in the voltage range 0.5-2 V. Solid-state synthetic methods produce layered phases, in which Si-As or Ge-As layers are separated by Li cations. The first layered compounds in the corresponding ternary systems were discovered, Li0.9 Ge2.9 As3.1 and Li3 Si7 As8 , which crystallize in the Pbam (No. 55) and P2/m (No. 10) space groups, respectively. Semiconducting layered GeAs and SiAs accommodate the extra charge from Li cations through structural rearrangement in the Si-As or Ge-As layers and eventually by replacement of the tetrel dumbbells with sets of Li atoms. Ge and Si monoarsenides demonstrated high structural flexibility and a mild ability for reversible lithiation.
Improving SNDR and SFDR in Capacitive DACs using Match Enhancement

The power consumption of moderate resolution SAR ADCs, commonly used in IoT applications such as implantable medical devices and wireless sensor nodes, is often limited by capacitor matching requirements. This paper presents an experimental realization of match enhancement, a technique that reduces the variation of binary-weighted capacitors by combining unit capacitors with errors of comparable magnitude and opposite polarity to reduce their net error contribution. Using an on-chip ΔC-to-Δf capacitance measurement circuit to quantify each capacitor's relative error and an intelligent capacitor assignment algorithm, match enhancement significantly relaxes the matching requirement. A prototype SAR ADC was designed, fabricated in 180 nm CMOS, and tested to demonstrate the effectiveness of match enhancement. A unit capacitance of 705 aF and an area of 1.53 μm2 is obtained from a custom-designed metal-metal (M4-M5) capacitor. The SAR ADC has an active area of 0.48 mm2 and dissipates 2.34 μW at a 100 kS/s sampling rate with a 1.1 V supply. Match enhancement provides an average increase of 5 dB in SNDR and 12.3 dB in SFDR for the 75 devices tested. This work achieves a 29 fJ/C-s Walden FOM.
Development of a Pre-combustion CO2 Capture Process Using High-Temperature PBI Hollow-Fiber Membranes

This paper describes a process for high-temperature separation of CO2 from a syngas stream containing CO2, H2, CO, steam, and other trace-level gases using polybenzimidazole (PBI) hollow fiber membranes (HFM). SRI International developed the asymmetric HFMs for gas separation applications using commercially available, high-temperature stable PBI polymer blends. In the PBI-based membrane separation, non-fuel gases will retain the high temperature (~ 225C) and high pressure (20 to 40 atm) of the feed syngas, while the fuel gas H2 and steam permeates through compact, hollow, asymmetric PBI fibers for use in gas and steam turbines. An analysis by Department of Energy-National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE-NETL) reports the net power plant efficiency is increased by 1 to 3 percentage points by preserving the heat in the syngas stream. Additionally, in the PBI-HFM process, CO2 (> 95%) is captured at high pressure, significantly reducing the compression energy cost in the CO2 capture system. The PBI-HFM gas separation technology was successfully demonstrated with syngas at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) in 2017 under air-blown gasifier conditions. A transportable membrane test skid mounted with 4-in fiber modules made of Generation 1 (GEN-1) microstructure fibers was used for this field demonstration. Tests involved long term and parametric studies at bench scale level using actual coal-derived syngas from an air-blown gasifier under realistic conditions. The next generation of PBI-HFMs (GEN-2) developed at SRI showed far superior H2/CO2 selectivity than GEN-1 HFMs in lab- and preliminary bench-scale testing. A new project is underway for field demonstration of GEN-2 HFMs under realistic pre-combustion conditions using a syngas stream derived from an oxygen-blown coal gasifier.
UTILITY OF HIGH-RESOLUTION MAPPING TO GUIDE ABLATION OF VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS FROM THE AORTIC CUSPS

Arrhythmias arising from the anterior LV ostium are commonly targeted from the aortic cusps (AC). Both low amplitude presystolic potentials during ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and late diastolic potentials during sinus rhythm (SR) have been identified as potential markers to target sites of
Comparison of the formation, adipogenic maturation, and retention of human adipose-derived stem cell spheroids in scaffold-free culture techniques

While three-dimensional spheroids outperform traditional two-dimensional monolayer culture for human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs), there is not a consensus on the most successful method for enhancing their adipogenic differentiation and minimizing the loss of physiologically relevant, fatty spheroids during culture. To this end, we compared three culture methods, namely, elastin-like polypeptide-polyethyleneimine (ELP-PEI) coated surfaces, ultra-low attachment static culture, and suspension culture for their ability to form and retain productive hASC spheroids. The ELP-PEI coatings used the ELP conjugated to two molecular weights of PEI (800 or 25,000 g/mol). FTIR spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and contact angle goniometry revealed that the ELP-PEI coatings had similar chemical structures, surface topography, and hydrophobicity. Time-lapse microscopy showed that increasing the PEI molecular weight resulted in smaller spheroids. Measurement of triglyceride content showed that the three methods induced comparable differentiation of hASCs toward the adipogenic lineage. DNA content and morphometric analysis revealed merging of spheroids to form larger spheroids in the ultra-low attachment static culture and suspension culture methods. In contrast, the retention of hASC spheroid sizes and numbers with a regular spheroid size (~100 μm) were best atop the ELP-PEI800 coatings. Overall, this research shows that the spheroid culture atop the ELP-PEI coatings is a suitable cell culture model for future studies involving long-term, three-dimensional culture of mature adipocytes derived from hASCs.
Spatial Origin of the Fast Photovoltage in Retinal Rods

Fast photoelectric effects, of which the “early receptor potential” (1) is the first to be discovered, are found in many types of retinas (2,3,4; for reviews). There is now little doubt that the currents which cause fast photo voltages (FPV’s) originate from changes in the distribution of charges in the photopigment molecules themselves, but the electrical arrangements which convert these into externally observable voltages are not yet fully understood. This paper reports some experiments designed to explore the electrical circuitry underlying FPV’s of vertebrate photoreceptors. Our aim is to locate the sources of the charge displacements, to estimate their absolute magnitudes on a molecular basis and to determine the cable constants of the rods of isolated rat retinas. The experimental procedure is to compare the FPV’s recorded with extracellular microelectrodes from various depths in the receptor layer of the retinas with theoretical solutions of the cable equation for nonuniform cells with the anatomical dimensions of rat rods. The experimental techniques are described previously (5).
Regulation of the Seven Human Alcohol Dehydrogenase Genes

The human alcohol dehydrogenase gene family consists of seven genes with distinct but overlapping patterns of expression. ADH enzymes metabolize a wide range of alcohols. Some of the ADH enzymes catalyze the first, rate-limiting step in the oxidative metabolism of ethanol. This pathway generates acetaldehyde as an intermediate, which in turn is oxidized by aldehyde dehydrogenase to acetate. Allelic differences in ADH2 and ADH3 genes encode forms of the enzymes that differ in their kinetic properties toward ethanol. These differences have been shown to affect the risk for alcoholism in Japanese and Chinese individuals (Thomasson et al. 1991; Thomasson et al. 1994; Thomasson et al. 1993; Crabb et al. 1995; Tanaka et al. 1996; Yamauchi et al. 1995; Maezawa et al. 1995; Tu and Israel, 1995). We hypothesize that differences in the expression of these genes could also affect the metabolism of ethanol, and thereby modify the risk for alcoholism in other populations.
Development of a Hearing Conservation Program for Elementary Schools

Purpose Despite evidence supporting the positive implications of hearing conservation programs (HCPs) on hearing loss prevention among children, healthy hearing habits are often not taught in schoo...
The lipid substrate preference of CETP controls the biochemical properties of HDL in fat/cholesterol-fed hamsters

Abstract Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) modulates lipoprotein metabolism by transferring cholesteryl ester (CE) and triglyceride (TG) between lipoproteins. However, differences in the way CETP functions exist across species. Unlike human CETP, hamster CETP prefers TG over CE as a substrate, raising questions regarding how substrate preference may impact lipoprotein metabolism. To understand how altering the CE versus TG substrate specificity of CETP might impact lipoprotein metabolism in humans, we modified CETP expression in fat/cholesterol-fed hamsters, which have a human-like lipoprotein profile. Hamsters received adenoviruses expressing no CETP, hamster CETP, or human CETP. Total plasma CETP mass increased up to 70% in the hamster and human CETP groups. Hamsters expressing human CETP exhibited decreased endogenous hamster CETP, resulting in an overall CE:TG preference of plasma CETP that was similar to that in humans. Hamster CETP overexpression had little impact on lipoproteins, whereas human CETP expression reduced HDL by 60% without affecting LDL. HDLs were TG enriched and CE depleted and much smaller, causing the HDL3:HDL2 ratio to increase threefold. HDL from hamsters expressing human CETP supported higher LCAT activity and greater cholesterol efflux. The fecal excretion of HDL-associated CE in human CETP animals was unchanged. However, much of this cholesterol accumulated in the liver and was associated with a 1.8-fold increase in hepatic cholesterol mass. Overall, these data show in a human-like lipoprotein model that modification of CETP's lipid substrate preference selectively alters HDL concentration and function. This provides a powerful tool for modulating HDL metabolism and impacting sterol balance in vivo.
Experiences of weight stigma in adolescents with severe obesity and their families

Aim To describe the experiences of weight stigma in adolescents with severe obesity and their parents. Design Qualitative descriptive secondary analysis. Methods A secondary analysis on 31 transcripts from a larger study of 46 transcripts conducted between February 2019 and June 2020. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 parents (n = 17 mothers, n = 2 fathers) and 12 adolescents (n = 7 male, n = 5 female). Interviews were digitally audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using conventional content analysis. Results Four common themes were identified reflecting experiences of weight stigma: weight-based teasing and bullying, interactions with healthcare providers (HCPs), family interactions and blame. Subthemes were fairness and impact on mental health. Conclusion This secondary analysis adds to the sparse literature documenting the experiences of weight stigma from adolescents with severe obesity and their families. It is important to understand the experiences of weight stigma from the adolescent and parent perspective as it can inform healthcare, education and policies across communities and facilitate holistic health for this vulnerable population. Impact The need for research to better understand how experiences of weight stigma correlate with physiological and psychological outcomes and inform innovative interventions are critical to improve treatment of severe obesity. Healthcare providers across disciplines are in a strategic position to change the paradigm through which we provide care to youth with severe obesity and guide families in supporting their children's weight management efforts without contributing to weight stigma.
They’re Still There, He’s All Gone: American Fatalities in Foreign Wars and Right-Wing Radicalization at Home

What explains right-wing radicalization in the US? Research shows that demographic changes and economic decline drive support for the far-right. We contribute to this research agenda by studying the elusive early stages in the process of radicalization and highlighting an additional factor that contributes to right-wing radicalization in the US: the impact of foreign wars on society at home. We argue that the communities that bear the greatest costs of foreign wars are most prone to high rates of right-wing radicalization. To support this claim, we present robust correlations between participation in the far-right social media website Parler and fatalities among residents who served in the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This correlation holds at both the county and census tract level, and persists after controlling for the level of military service in an area. The costs of the US’s foreign wars have important effects on domestic US.
The use of Ada in real-time distributed systems

The authors discuss TI's approach to supporting loosely coupled, distributed, real-time Ada applications, including special provisions necessary in an Ada runtime to support the approach. The approach chosen augments a uniprocessor Ada compiler/runtime with a distributed messaging scheme which appears to the applications programmer as an Ada package. The messaging scheme is implemented by a network operating system (NOS). Special provisions in the Ada runtime allow the NOS to effect Ada tasking in a memory- and time-efficient manner. The authors describe their experience with the above approach to supporting distributed Ada, the special provisions in the Ada runtime, and other items of interest in making Ada work for real-time embedded systems. >
Elitist Theory and Policy Making

One of the core assumptions of the elitist theory is that a small number of elite groups run the government and other power institutions in the United States. If one is to analyze the policy process based on that assumption, it is inevitable to say that policies are then determined by those elite groups, thus reflecting their interests1. In this paper, I will try to analyze that relationship and demonstrate through example how elitist theory can be used to capture important elements of our political system, including the common background of members of the power elite. In addition, I will address some of the limitations associated with the theory.
Regulation of Tyrosine-α-Ketoglutarate Transaminase in Rat Liver: VII. HORMONAL EFFECTS ON SYNTHESIS IN THE ISOLATED, PERFUSED LIVER

Abstract Hormonal regulation of the synthesis of hepatic tyrosine transaminase (l-tyrosine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.5) was studied in the isolated, perfused rat liver. Hydrocortisone, insulin, and glucagon, each of which increases the rate of synthesis of tyrosine transaminase when administered in vivo, were all found to do so by direct action on the liver. Induction by continuous infusion of hydrocortisone continued throughout the time course of the experiments (9 to 11 hours). Infusion of either insulin or glucagon initiated a rapid but limited increase in tyrosine transaminase synthesis, the maximum activity being attained 2½ to 3 hours after the initial addition of these hormones. The hormonal inductions of this enzyme were all sensitive to actinomycin D. Growth hormone, which mediates a selective repression of tyrosine transaminase synthesis when administered to adrenalectomized rats in vivo, did not alter the level of this enzyme in the isolated, perfused rat liver, suggesting that this hormone acts indirectly.
On modeling the distribution of chest X-ray images

Summary form only given. One of the determining factors in parametric modeling of a stationary image source is its marginal probability distribution. There have been several different assumptions about this distribution, based on either histogram measurement with an ergodicity assumption or the physics of the image-generating process. Gaussian, Rayleigh, exponential, and some other distributions have been reported to model the source. It is shown that the probability density function of the differential image can be very well modeled as a generalized Gaussian distribution. A Peano-type differential operation, which has been shown to be the optimal scanning method and essentially achieves the entropy of the image asymptotically, has been implemented. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for goodness of fit has been used for 20 normal chest X-ray images. On the basis of the test results a first-order generalized Gaussian autoregressive model for the image source has been proposed and its properties and applications studied. >
Value-Focused Assessment of Cargo Value Decreasing Rates

AbstractThe transportation system is an essential component of any economy, and cargo disruptions can have substantial economic and societal impacts. These damaging consequences can be mitigated through quantitative assessment and prioritization of disrupted cargo such that the critical cargo is redirected intelligently. This article presents a value-focused thinking (VFT) approach to determine value decreasing rates for disrupted cargo in support of efficient and effective transportation disruption response.
Regulation by Liability Insurance: From Auto to Lawyers Professional Liability

Liability insurers use a variety of tools to address adverse selection and moral hazard in insurance relationships. These tools can act on insureds in a manner that can be understood as regulation. We identify seven categories of such regulatory activities: risk-based pricing, underwriting, contract design, claims management, loss prevention services, research and education, and engagement with public regulators. We describe these activities in general terms and then draw upon prior literature to explore them in the context of five areas of liability and corresponding insurance: shareholder liability, auto liability, gun liability, medical professional liability, and lawyers’ professional liability. The goal is to develop a conceptual framework to guide qualitative research on liability insurance as governance for initial application to lawyers’ liability and insurance.
Robustifying Glejser test of heteroskedasticity

Verifying that the Glejser test for heteroskedasticity is asymptotically invalid unless the error density is symmetric, this paper proposes a simple modification to make the test robust to asymmetric disturbances. Simulation results demonstrate that the size of the modified test is correct for both symmetric and skewed errors.
Of the origin, characteristics and behavior of thyroid cancer.

HISTORICALLY, positive identification of thyroid cancer has been characterized by a struggle with the pleomorphism of the tumors. Malignant neoplasms of the thyroid can resemble benign neoplasms or even normal thyroid architecture so closely that for many years the “benign” metastasizing goiter of Cohnheim (1876) (1) was believed to be a definite entity. This appeared to defy the laws of biologic behavior of malignant neoplasms. A modification of this concept occurred when Langhans in 1907 (2) described the condition as “proliferating goiter,” thus at least side-stepping a contradiction in terms. The confusion has been perpetuated by the relative infrequency of occurrence of thyroid cancer and by the long natural history of the less malignant phase of the disease. These two factors have contrived to limit observations on a sufficiently large number of patients over a period of time long enough to relate any of the histologic patterns (except the Group III cancers) with predictable behavior and prognosis. ...
Effects of shading on calcareous benthic periphyton in a short-hydroperiod oligotrophic wetland (Everglades, FL, USA)

The effects of shade on benthic calcareous periphyton were tested in a short-hydroperiod oligotrophic subtropical wetland (freshwater Everglades). The experiment was a split-plot design set in three sites with similar environmental characteristics. At each site, eight randomly selected 1-m2 areas were isolated individually in a shade house, which did not spectrally change the incident irradiance but reduced it quantitatively by 0, 30, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 98%. Periphyton mat was sampled monthly under each shade house for a 5 month period while the wetland was flooded. Periphyton was analyzed for thickness, DW, AFDW, chlorophyll a (chl a) and incubated in light and dark BOD bottles at five different irradiances to assess its photosynthesis–irradiance (PI) curve and respiration. The PI curves parameters Pmax, Ik and eventually the photoinhibition slope (β) were determined following non-linear regression analyses. Taxonomic composition and total algal biovolume were determined at the end of the experiment. The periphyton composition did not change with shade but the PI curves were significantly affected by it. Ik increased linearly with increasing percent irradiance transmittance (%IT = 1−%shade). Pmax could be fitted with a PI curve equation as it increased with %IT and leveled off after 10%IT. For each shade level, the PI curve was used to integrate daily photosynthesis for a day of average irradiance. The daily photosynthesis followed a PI curve equation with the same characteristics as Pmax vs. %IT. Thus, periphyton exhibited a high irradiance plasticity under 0–80% shade but could not keep up the same photosynthetic level at higher shade, causing a decrease in daily GPP at 98% shade levels. The plasticity was linked to an increase in the chl a content per cell in the 60–80% shade, while this increase was not observed at lower shade likely because it was too demanding energetically. Thus, chl a is not a good metric for periphyton biomass assessment across variously shaded habitats. It is also hypothesized that irradiance plasticity is linked to photosynthetic coupling between differently comprised algal layers arranged vertically within periphyton mats that have different PI curves.
Spatial resolution enhancement of fiber-optic scanning white-light interferometer by use of a Vernier principle

A Vernier principle is employed to improve the spatial resolution of a fiber-optic white-light interferometer to the accuracy of 0.2 μm. The Vernier principle is implemented by combination of interference fringes itself and a virtual fringe that is generated by means of software tracing the scanning mirror. Two rulers are read with respect to each other. This design is insensitive to intensity fluctuation of the interference fringe. The applications, submicrometer estimation for the quadrature-locking selection and the tolerance of the relative measurement, demonstrate its effectiveness.
Magnetic resonance imaging in the analysis of pediatric orbital tumors and the utility of diffusion-weighted imaging.

I n this issue of the Journal of AAPOS, Lope and colleagues have added more fuel to the fire for including diffusion-weighted imaging as a standard pulse series in the evaluation of mass lesions, particularly of the orbit, where as much diagnostic information as possible is needed prior to any intervention. Imaging studies help direct plans for surgical biopsy in cases of suspected rhabdomyosarcoma versus conservative therapy in cases of infantile hemangioma. While rhabdomyosarcoma typically presents later in childhood than hemangioma, some rhabdomyosarcomas can be present at birth. One half of a series of 24 patients presented by Koh and colleagues had benign lesions that generally showed increased or mixed increased diffusivity signal, whereas the malignancies had a decreased (restricted) diffusion signal characteristic, falling in line with the observational trend in the literature. The imaging literature has depended on generating apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map values with the units mm/s on the vendor’s workstation in the areas of interest to quantitate and further mathematically postprocess the data; as the ADC is independent of magnetic field strength and can overcome the effects of T2 ‘‘shine through’’ artifact, this allows a more accurate comparison of results. Unfortunately, Lope and colleagues did not generate ADC values, which leads to the question of interobserver variability and bias, with only 1 observer recording a subjective interpretation of whether the diffusion was increased, decreased (restricted), or mixed. For example, in head and neck nodal staging evaluation, it has been shown that malignant nodal disease (of varying cell type) has a mean ADC of less than 1.3 10 mm/s. A recent study highlights the utility of these values in data mining, further fractionating the ADC numerical values into a ‘‘kmeans cluster’’ from within the lesion, solid tumor areas having more restriction than cystic regions of increased diffusivity regions of the same node.
Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction and Arbitrary Primers to Distinguish Laboratory-Raised Colonies of Parasitic Hymenoptera

Abstract The polymerase chain reaction and short random primers have been utilized to obtain banding patterns that can be used as genetic markers suitable for species and strain identification in parasitic Hymenoptera (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae). Five species of aphid parasitoids have been examined. They are Diaeretiella rapae , Aphidius matricariae , Aphidius picipes , Aphidius colemani , and Lysiphlebus testaceipes . Within D. rapae and A. matrzcariae , primers were found that produce banding patterns that can distinguish laboratory-reared colonies derived from collections at different geographic locations. DNA markers that differentiate populations of these insects could have immediate practical use in helping to monitor the success of release strains in biocontrol programs and the genetic purity of laboratory-reared strains. It may also be useful in identifying the immature stages of related species.
High-Accuracy Differential Positioning for Satellite-Based Systems Without Using Code-Phase Measurements1

A novel, high-accuracy differential positioning technique for satellite-based systems is presented. The technique does not require the use of code-phase measurements. Integrated Doppler double difference (ID^3) processing is used to converge the three-dimensional position of a a dynamic user to within 1 m of the true position after 1-2 min. Key elements of the ID^3 method are a very accurate propagation of the user position in combination with an iterative double difference processing scheme. The feasibility of the ID^3 processing technique is demonstrated using both a computer simulation and actual flight test data. The technique requires measurements from seven or more satellites to achieve the short initialization time for dynamic users. This requirement can be satisfied with high availability by using all satellites from which the carrier phase can be tracked, in combination with a small reference station network that performs orbit determination for all satellites used in the position solution. Some applications and benefits of the ID^3 processing technique are discussed as well.
Increasing phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate biosynthesis affects plant nuclear lipids and nuclear functions

In order to characterize the effects of increasing phosphatidylinositol(4,5)bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P(2)) on nuclear function, we expressed the human phosphatidylinositol (4)-phosphate 5-kinase (HsPIP5K) 1α in Nicotiana tabacum (NT) cells. The HsPIP5K-expressing (HK) cells had altered nuclear lipids and nuclear functions. HK cell nuclei had 2-fold increased PIP5K activity and increased steady state PtdIns(4,5)P(2). HK nuclear lipid classes showed significant changes compared to NT (wild type) nuclear lipid classes including increased phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) and phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) and decreased lysolipids. Lipids isolated from protoplast plasma membranes (PM) were also analyzed and compared with nuclear lipids. The lipid profiles revealed similarities and differences in the plasma membrane and nuclei from the NT and transgenic HK cell lines. A notable characteristic of nuclear lipids from both cell types is that PtdIns accounts for a higher mol% of total lipids compared to that of the protoplast PM lipids. The lipid molecular species composition of each lipid class was also analyzed for nuclei and protoplast PM samples. To determine whether expression of HsPIP5K1α affected plant nuclear functions, we compared DNA replication, histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) and phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) in NT and HK cells. The HK cells had a measurable decrease in DNA replication, histone H3K9 acetylation and pRB phosphorylation.