cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bond-specific dissociation following excitation energy transfer for distance constraint determination in the gas phase.

Herein, we report chemistry that enables excitation energy transfer (EET) to be accurately measured via action spectroscopy on gaseous ions in an ion trap. It is demonstrated that EET between tryptophan or tyrosine and a disulfide bond leads to excited state, homolytic fragmentation of the disulfide bond. This phenomenon exhibits a tight distance dependence, which is consistent with Dexter exchange transfer. The extent of fragmentation of the disulfide bond can be used to determine the distance between the chromophore and disulfide bond. The chemistry is well suited for the examination of protein structure in the gas phase because native amino acids can serve as the donor/acceptor moieties. Furthermore, both tyrosine and tryptophan exhibit unique action spectra, meaning that the identity of the donating chromophore can be easily determined in addition to the distance between donor/acceptor. Application of the method to the Trpcage miniprotein reveals distance constraints that are consistent with a native-...
Interaction of Ethanol and Thyroxine on Hepatic Oxygen Consumption

SummaryInterrelationship between the effects of chronic ethanol ingestion and T4 treatment on O2 consumption by rat liver slices and isolated mitochondria was investigated. The data showed that ethanol influence on O2 consumption by liver slices was dependent on the available oxidizable substrate as it was decreased when estimated in media containing glucose but increased in media containing succinate as oxidizable substrate. The respiration of thyrotoxic rat liver slices was altered by ethanol in a manner similar to that observed with euthyroid rat liver slices. Whereas ethanol ingestion enhanced succinate-supported respiration of euthyroid and thyrotoxic rat liver slices, it produced a similar effect in isolated mitochondria of thyrotoxic rat livers but not of euthyroid rat livers.
Polarimetric remote sensing in oxygen A and B bands: sensitivity study and information content analysis for vertical profile of aerosols

Abstract. Theoretical analysis is conducted to reveal the information content of aerosol vertical profile in space-borne measurements of the backscattered radiance and degree of linear polarization (DOLP) in oxygen (O2) A and B bands. Assuming a quasi-Gaussian shape for aerosol vertical profile characterized by peak height H and half width γ (at half maximum), the Unified Linearized Vector Radiative Transfer Model (UNL-VRTM) is used to simulate the Stokes four-vector elements of upwelling radiation at the top of atmosphere (TOA) and their Jacobians with respect to H and γ. Calculations for different aerosol types and different combinations of H and γ values show that the wide range of gas absorption optical depth in O2 A and B band enables the sensitivity of backscattered DOLP and radiance at TOA to the aerosol layer at different altitudes. Quantitatively, DOLP in O2 A and B bands is found to be more sensitive to H and γ than radiance, especially over the bright surfaces (with large visible reflectance). In many O2 absorption wavelengths, the degree of freedom of signal (DFS) for retrieving H (or γ) generally increases with H (and γ) and can be close to unity in many cases, assuming that the composite uncertainty from surface and aerosol scattering properties as well as measurements is less than 5 %. Further analysis demonstrates that DFS needed for simultaneous retrieval of H and γ can be obtained from a combined use of DOLP measurements at ∼ 10–100 O2 A and B absorption wavelengths (or channels), depending on the specific values of H. The higher the aerosol layer, the fewer number of channels for DOLP measurements in O2 A and B bands are needed for characterizing H and γ. Future hyperspectral measurements of DOLP in O2 A and B bands are needed to continue studying their potential and their combination with radiance and DOLP in atmospheric window channels for retrieving the vertical profiles of aerosols, especially highly scattering aerosols, over land.
Effects of derivative of MAPO and HAc on low temperature mechanical property of high burning-rate HTPB IPDI propellant

A series of MH derivatives with different MAPO/HAc (ethylic acid) ratio were synthesized and the effects of them on the low temperature mechanical property of high burning rate HTPB/IPDI solid propellant were studied. The results show that the effects of MH on the low temperature mechanical property of the propellant depend on with the ratio of MAPO and HAc. The addition of MH can't improve the low temperature mechanical property of high burning-rate HTPB IPDI propellant.
An electromyographic study of consonant articulation in hearing-impaired and normal speakers.

The purpose of this study was to obtain comparative information on the articulation of some common consonants by a very small sample of normal and deaf talkers. Information on the organization of a...
Commercial Outlook for Chirality. Quo Vadis

Over the past few years the field of chirality (defined as chiral synthesis and chiral fine chemicals) has attracted considerable interest from scientists, industrialists and more recently also investors.
The relationships between information technology, e-commerce, and e-finance in the financial institutions: evidence from the insurance industry

This research investigates the impact of IT on the cost efficiencies and cost frontiers of the insurance industry. In addition, we compare the differences of the effect of IT on the insurance industry across countries. Moreover, we test the international market's integration hypothesis and explore the influences of other factors (e.g., scope economy, macroeconomic variables, etc.) on the cost efficiencies of the insurance industry. The evidence from both the two-equation and Tobit models indicates that IT improves cost efficiencies for the developed countries but reduces those for the newly developed economies under study. That is, the international productivity paradox hypothesis is rejected for the insurance firms in the developed countries considered. In addition, results of the cost frontiers for the insurance firms suggest that, IT improves the cost efficiency for the developed countries but not for the emerging economies.
Anti-Aging Medicine and Science: Social Implications

Publisher Summary The commercial and clinical anti-aging movements are aimed at extending the time its customers and patients can live without the common morbidities of aging, such as wrinkling of the skin, hardening of the arteries, memory loss, muscle loss, visual impairment, and slowed gait and speech. One of the areas of social concerns raised by anti-aging medicine is consumer protection. Some contemporary interventions undertaken by the anti-aging movement—such as cosmetics, exercise programs, and nutritional regimens—can be beneficial, benign, and not greatly harmful in terms of economic loss to the consumer. Anti-aging interventions raise a number of welfare concerns for patients, practitioners, and the larger society. Foremost is the question of safety for those older persons and aging baby boomers who consume them. The wares being sold and techniques being endorsed include powerful drugs that have the potential to cause serious physical and mental harm. This chapter summarizes the areas of biogerontological research that are promising avenues for the development of effective anti-aging interventions and delineates a series of ethical and social implications of achieving prolongevity.
Plasma Membrane Biogenesis in Polarized Rat Hepatocytes

One of the major goals in cell biology today is to understand the pathways and mechanisms by which newly-synthesized molecules reach their sites of function and some recycle periodically through the cell. How is a protein or lipid correctly targeted? What are the signals, the sorting machineries, and the compartments of the cell involved in sorting? What are the consequences of missorting? These questions are part of the sorting issue and are being actively studied in many labs.
Halogenated La1.6Sr.04CuO4 catalysts active for ethane selective oxidation to ethene

The catalytic performances and characterization of the catalysts La1.6Sr0.4CuO3.852, La1.6Sr0.4CuO3.857F0.143, and La1.6Sr0.4 CuO3.856Cl0.126 have been investigated for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODE) to ethene. X‐ray diffraction results indicated that the three catalysts have a single‐phase tetragonal K2NiF4-type structure. The incorporation of fluoride or chloride ions in the La1.6Sr0.4CuO4-δ lattice can significantly enhance C2H6 conversion and C2H4 selectivity. We observed 83.2% C2H6 conversion, 76.7% C2H4 selectivity, and 63.8% C2H4 yield over La1.6Sr0.4CuO3.857F0.143> and 79.6% C2H6 conversion, 74.6% C2H4 selectivity, and 59.4% C2H4 yield over La1.6Sr0.4CuO3.856Cl0.126 under the reaction conditions of C2H6/O2/N2 molar ratio 2/1/3.7, temperature 660°C, and space velocity 6000 ml h-1 g-1. With the rise in space velocity, C2H6 conversion decreased, whereas C2H4 selectivity increased. Life studies showed that the two catalysts were durable within 60 h of on‐stream ODE reaction. Based on the results of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, O2 temperature-programmed desorption, and C2H6 and C2H6/O2/N2 (2/1/3.7 molar ratio) pulse studies, we conclude that (i) the inclusion of halide ions in the La1.6Sr0.4CuO4δ lattice could promote lattice oxygen mobility, and (ii) the O- species accommodated in oxygen vacancies and desorbed below 600°C favor ethane complete oxidation whereas the lattice oxygen species desorbed in the 600–700°C range are active for ethane selective oxidation to ethene. By regulating the oxygen vacancy density and Cu3/Cu ratio in the K2NiF4-type halo-oxide catalyst, one can generate a durable catalyst with good performance for the ODE reaction.
Developing a Eudaimonia Research Agenda in Travel and Tourism

We argue in this chapter that the concept of eudaimonia embodies the elements of psychological happiness (hedonic well-being or emotional well-being), prudential happiness (life satisfaction), and perfectionist happiness (mental health, self-actualization, psychological well-being and flourishing). We review selected theories of eudaimonia and suggest ideas for future research. These theories are self-determination theory, the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, the theory of human flourishing, meaning and purpose in life theory, theory of positive mental health, need hierarchy theory, and eudaimonstic identity theory.
Subspace learning via low rank projections for dimensionality reduction

Subspace learning algorithms aim at finding low dimensional linear manifolds that are representative of the data at hand. In this paper we propose a semi-supervised approach that fits any given dataset to a low dimensional subspace while maintaining class separability. Our approach has no tunable parameters as against many existing subspace learning algorithms which obviates the need for cross-validation. We apply our algorithm to the problem of face recognition. We perform both qualitative as well as quantitative experiments on multiple real world datasets. For qualitative analysis we visualize the class separability of binary and multi-class projected data. For quantitative analysis, we perform classification experiments on projected data and achieve state-of-the-art results compared to popular existing dimensionality reduction methods.
Contract Negotiation and the Coase Conjecture: A Strategic Foundation for Renegotiation‐Proof Contracts

What does contract negotiation look like when some parties hold private information and negotiation frictions are negligible? This paper analyzes this question and provides a foundation for renegotiation-proof contracts in this environment. The model extends the framework of the Coase conjecture to situations in which the quantity or quality of the good is endogenously determined and to more general environments in which preferences are nonseparable in the traded goods. As frictions become negligible, all equilibria converge to a unique outcome which is separating, efficient, and straightforward to characterize.
Probing properties of the interfacial perimeter sites in TiOx/Au/SiO2 with 2-propanol decomposition

Abstract The decomposition of 2-propanol was studied over SiO2, SiO2 with an overlayer of TiO2 (Ti/SiO2), Au/SiO2, and Au/SiO2 with an overlayer of TiO2 (Ti/[Au/SiO2]) at 170–190 °C. There was no reaction on SiO2. Propene was the only product on Ti/SiO2, and its rate of formation increased proportionally with the Ti content. Acetone was the major product (selectivity 65–99%) on all Au-containing catalysts. Its rate of formation also increased with Ti loading. In addition, small amounts of propene were also formed on Ti/[Au/SiO2] the rate of which increased with Ti loading. Characterization of the catalysts with N2 adsorption, STEM, DR-UV-vis spectroscopy, XPS, XANES and EXAFS suggested that the Ti formed an amorphous TiO2 overlayer on the catalyst. At high Ti loadings (4–5 wt.%), there were patches of thick porous TiO2 layer, and some microdomains of crystalline TiO2 could be detected. Au was present as 1–3 nm nanoparticles on all catalysts, before and after used in reaction. Only Lewis acid sites were detected based on results from pyridine adsorption, and their quantities increased with Ti loading. Based on the comparison of reaction rates, the dependence of the kinetics on 2-propanol partial pressure, the apparent activation energies, and the effect of co-feeding O2 among different catalysts, it was concluded that propene was formed on the TiO2 overlayer, acetone was formed primarily at the Au-TiO2 interfacial perimeter sites, and α-C-H bond breaking preceding acetone formation was more facile on Au at the interfacial site than other surface Au atoms. Implication of these results to the selective acetone formation in the oxidation of propane in the presence of a O2/H2 mixture was discussed.
Reporting: Recommendations/Guidelines

A core principle of quality improvement for better outcomes is consistency. With the increased use of medical imaging, incidental findings are more commonly being discovered. There is significant variability in the reporting and follow-up regarding incidental findings. This can lead to confusion for the referring physician unless specific guidance is offered by the radiologist. Other guidelines have also been developed for specific conditions and to help guide the management of the patient. The development, implementation, and use of guidelines can help foster consistency and lead to quality improvement.
A receding horizon routing controller for inventory replenishment agents in bike sharing systems with time-varying demand

A Bike Sharing System (BSS) may be modeled as a graph with two node types: stations with finite bike inventory subject to time-varying demand and intersections to represent the underlying transportation network. Mobile agents (replenishment trucks) travel on the arcs of the graph to reset station inventories and make routing decisions at intersections. One-way rides create inventory imbalances across the system. Inventory control via rebalancing trucks has two main facets: selecting the number of bikes to load/unload between the truck and a station and routing decisions for the truck based on daily demand patterns. This paper focuses on the latter and introduces a Receding Horizon Controller which minimizes a user dissatisfaction metric defined as the expected number of users unable to rent or return a bike due to a station being empty or full, respectively. We model stations as M/M/1/K queues subject to time-varying birth and death rates based on the time of day. The controller proceeds in an event-driven manner and determines at each event the optimal routes over a finite planning horizon, with the control applied over a shorter action horizon. The proposed controller is applied to a simulated BSS with station and demand parameters extracted from the data sets of Hubway, the BSS in Boston MA.
Oncometabolites: A New Paradigm for Oncology, Metabolism, and the Clinical Laboratory.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric clinical laboratories commonly measure tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of specific inborn errors of metabolism, such as organic acidurias. In the past decade, the same tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites have been implicated and studied in cancer. The accumulation of these metabolites in certain cancers not only serves as a biomarker but also directly contributes to cellular transformation, therefore earning them the designation of oncometabolites. CONTENT: D -2-hydroxyglutarate, L -2-hydroxyglutarate, succinate, and fumarate are the currently recognized oncometabolites. They are structurally similar and share metabolic proximity in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. As a result, they promote tumorigenesis in cancer cells through similar mechanisms. This review summarizes the currently understood common and distinct biological features of these compounds. In addition, we will review the current laboratory methodologies that can be used to quantify these metabolites and their downstream targets. SUMMARY: Oncometabolites play an important role in cancer biology. The metabolic pathways that lead to the production of oncometabolites and the downstream signaling pathways that are activated by oncometabolites represent potential therapeutic targets. Clinical laboratories have a critical role to play in the management of oncometabolite-associated cancers through development and validation of sensitive and specific assays that measure oncometabolites and their downstream effectors. These assays can be used as screening tools and for follow-up to measure response to treatment, as well as to detect minimal residual disease and recurrence.
Completed FDA feasibility trial of surgically placed temporary diaphragm pacing electrodes: A promising option to prevent and treat respiratory failure.

Abstract Background Etiologies contributing to failure to wean from mechanical ventilation (MV) are multiple, resulting in morbid and costly outcomes. Diaphragm pacing (DP) is used in spinal cord injury to replace MV. Temporary DP could be utilized in acute respiratory failure to reduce MV. Methods A prospective FDA feasibility trial evaluated temporary DP electrodes implanted in each hemi-diaphragm during a subject's primary procedure. Objectives included: ability to provide ventilation, stability analysis with diaphragm electromyography, and adverse event monitoring. Results Twelve patients underwent successful implantation via median sternotomy, laparoscopy or laparotomy. Electrode stimulation exceeded ideal tidal volumes by an average of 37% (0%–95%) confirming ability to prevent atrophy. Daily electromyography confirmed stability of placement and was useful in evaluating hypoventilation. There were no complications and all 48 study electrodes remained intact until complete removal. Conclusion This trial demonstrates ease of placement, removal, functionality and safety of temporary DP electrodes which therapeutically decreases diaphragm atrophy.
Ceftolozane-tazobactam therapy for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in patients with hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic-cell transplant recipients

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection causes significant mortality among patients with hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic-cell transplant recipients. Ceftolozane-tazobactam (C-T) is a novel therapeutic option for MDR-P. aeruginosa infections but clinical experience in these patients is limited. We report favorable clinical outcomes and lack of limiting toxicities using C-T monotherapy to treat invasive MDR-P. aeruginosa infections in these patient populations.
Flowering and Seed Set

Plant reproduction is central to survival of the species. This process is accomplished asexually and/or sexually. Asexual reproduction often is the result of modification of vegetative structures such as stems or roots that possess sufficient fleshy tissue for energy storage. Such structures include rhizomes (bluegrass), corms (gladiolas), bulbs (onion), and tubers (potato). Another form of asexual reproduction is apomixis. Two types of apomixis result in the formation of seedlike structures: vivipary and agamospermy. Vivipary is often expressed by the conversion of the vegetative spikelet or leaf into a somatic structure with reproductive capability. Agamospermy occurs when nucellar (unfertilized) tissue in the embryo sac develops into a diploid egg cell that further differentiates into a “seed.” This form of asexual reproduction requires pollination even though fertilization does not occur. Most plants that reproduce primarily through apomixis also have a limited amount of sexual reproduction. This form of asexual reproduction is generally confined to certain grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass.
Partial Molar Volumes and Isentropic Compressions of Cyclic Ethers in Aqueous Solutions from 288.15 to 313.15 K at Atmospheric Pressure

The partial molar volumes and isentropic compressions of aqueous solutions of tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydropyran-2-methanol, 3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran, and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol were measured at 288.15, 298.15, and 313.15 K. Results are analyzed in terms of the effects of group addition to the molar volumes and isentropic compressions. The temperature dependence of the molar volumes and compressions, and their group contributions, are used to characterize changes in hydration.
Spc110 N-Terminal Domains Act Independently to Mediate Stable γ-Tubulin Small Complex Binding and γ-Tubulin Ring Complex Assembly

Microtubule (MT) nucleation in vivo is regulated by the γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC), an approximately 2-megadalton complex conserved from yeast to humans. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, γTuRC assembly is a key point of regulation over the MT cytoskeleton. Budding yeast γTuRC is composed of seven γ-tubulin small complex (γTuSC) subassemblies which associate helically to form a template from which microtubules grow. This assembly process requires higher-order oligomers of the coiled-coil protein Spc110 to bind multiple γTuSCs, thereby stabilizing the otherwise low-affinity interface between γTuSCs. While Spc110 oligomerization is critical, its N-terminal domain (NTD) also plays a role that is poorly understood both functionally and structurally. In this work, we sought a mechanistic understanding of Spc110 NTD using a combination of structural and biochemical analyses. Through crosslinking-mass spectrometry (XL-MS), we determined that a segment of Spc110 coiled-coil is a major point of contact with γTuSC. We determined the structure of this coiled-coil segment by X-ray crystallography and used it in combination with our XL-MS dataset to generate an integrative structural model of the γTuSC-Spc110 complex. This structural model, in combination with biochemical analyses of Spc110 heterodimers lacking one NTD, suggests that the two NTDs within an Spc110 dimer act independently, one stabilizing association between Spc110 and γTuSC and the other stabilizing the interface between adjacent γTuSCs.
Other Theories of Stochastic Integration

Doob’s presentation of Ito’s theory in his book (Doob, Stochastic Processes, 1953, [3]) indicates that he understood that one can apply Ito’s ideas to any continuous, square integrable martingale \(\bigl (M(t),\mathcal {F}_t,{\mathbb {P}}\bigr )\) for which one knows that there is a progressively measurable function \(t\rightsquigarrow A(t)\) which is continuous and non-decreasing in t and for which \(\bigl (M(t)^2-A(t),\mathcal {F}_t,{\mathbb {P}}\bigr )\) is a martingale. At the time, Doob did not know what is now called the Doob–Meyer decomposition theorem, a special case of which guarantees that such an \(A({{}\cdot {}})\) always exists. In this chapter, we will first prove this existence result and then, following Kunita and Watanabe (cf. Kunita and Watanabe, Nagoya Math J 30:209–245, 1967, [10]), develop a version of the theory that Doob had in mind.
Ancillary Diagnostic Tests in the Diagnosis of Cutaneous Soft Tissue Neoplasms

This chapter will cover selected applications of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the diagnosis of soft tissue tumors of the skin. This section will emphasize applications of IHC to common differential diagnoses in cutaneous soft tissue pathology, including (1) pleomorphic spindle cell tumors; (2) epithelioid malignant neoplasms; (3) monomorphic spindle cell tumors; (4) “fibrohistiocytic” or “histiocytoid” lesions; (5) small, round blue cell tumors; and (6) adipocytic tumors. It is not possible in this relatively brief section to provide a detailed discussion of each antigen or of every rare soft tissue tumor that may occasionally be seen in the skin, and the reader is referred to the relevant chapters in this book for more detailed discussions of specific entities.
Stress during critical periods of development and risk for schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder with genetic predisposition, and stress has long been linked to its etiology. While stress affects all stages of the illness, increasing evidence suggests that stress during critical periods of development may be particularly detrimental, increasing individual's vulnerability to psychosis. To thoroughly understand the potential causative role of stress, our group has been focusing on the prenatal methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) rodent model, and discovered that MAM offspring display abnormal stress reactivity and heightened anxiety prepubertally, prior to the manifestation of a hyperdopaminergic state. Furthermore, pharmacologically treating anxiety during prepuberty prevented the emergence of the dopamine dysfunction in adulthood. Interestingly, sufficiently strong stressors applied to normal rats selectively during early development can recapitulate multiple schizophrenia-related phenotypes of MAM rats, whereas the same stress paradigm during adulthood only produced short-term depression-related deficits. Altogether, the evidence is thus converging: developmental disruption (genetic or environmental) might render animals more susceptible to the deleterious effects of stress during critical time windows, during which unregulated stress can lead to the emergence of psychosis later in life. As an important region regulating the midbrain dopamine system, the ventral hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to stress, and the distinct maturational profile of its fast-spiking parvalbumin interneurons may largely underlie such vulnerability. In this review, by discussing emerging evidence spanning clinical and basic science studies, we propose developmental stress vulnerability as a novel link between early predispositions and environmental triggering events in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This promising line of research can potentially provide not only insights into the etiology, but also a "roadmap" for disease prevention.
Genetic Engineering for Disease Resistance in Plants: Recent Progress and Future Perspectives.

A review of the recent progress in plant genetic engineering for disease resistance highlights future challenges and opportunities in the field.
Landscape Transformation under Slavery, Indenture, and Imperial Projects in Bras d’Eau National Park, Mauritius

ABSTRACTThe archaeology of Bras d’Eau National Park, Mauritius provides a case study of transformations in physical and social landscapes under the coercive labor regimes of slavery and indenture, ...
NASCAR’s Role Post-9/11: Supporting All Things American

One could argue that the relationship between the U.S. military and NASCAR is an outgrowth of significant similarities they share. NASCAR owes its roots, in part, to a group of stock car drivers who could be described as rebels. Some early drivers honed their racing skills running moonshine down the dangerous winding roads of the Appalachian Mountains, often chased by law enforcement (e.g., sheriffs, federal agents, “revenuers”). Racing provided the opportunity to display their driving prowess to each other and their fans in a legitimate forum.
Controlled Postassembly Functionalization of Mesoporous Copolymer Membranes Informed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

The need for nanofiltration membranes with tailored selectivity and reduced fouling propensity has led to the development of a multitude of processes that incorporate targeted functionality on membrane surfaces. These processes are often time-consuming, and additional development is needed to realize functionalization protocols that are compatible with roll-to-roll membrane fabrication processes. This work investigated the use of copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reactions whereby a reactive solution containing an alkynyl-terminated molecule is deposited on a copolymer membrane with azide-functionalized surfaces. The progress of the reaction was quantified by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to monitor the decreasing intensity of the peak associated with the azide groups as a function of time. The rate of membrane functionalization was controlled through the concentrations of the copper catalyst and alkynyl-terminated molecule in the reactive solution. Reactive solutio...
Phosphine detection in veterinary samples using headspace gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring

Rationale Determination of phosphine exposure from zinc or aluminum phosphide fumigants continues to be a routine analytical requirement in veterinary forensic toxicology. There is a need for a more reliable and specific method than simple gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of sample solvent extracts, as GC/MS of extracts on capillary columns used for general screens involves significant interference from air peaks. Methods GC/MS/MS headspace analysis of acid-generated phosphine gas enabled study of the feasibility of devising multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) approaches to the determination of phosphine with greater specificity. Results Collision-induced dissociation in GC/MS/MS showed that phosphine generated m/z 34 → 31, 32 and 33 ion transitions by sequential proton release as well as minor transitions m/z 34 → 47, 34 → 63 and 63 → 31.5 by intermolecular collisions and double charging. Study of the formation of these product ions enabled development of MRM settings for a highly useful headspace method for phosphine detection. Conclusions The method was validated over a working range of 5-100 ppm of phosphide generating phosphine gas which enabled retention of regular screen capillary columns without necessitating separation from air components. The method should have adequate sensitivity and reliability for veterinary toxicology laboratories confronting specimens from animals poisoned by crop fumigants.
Understanding Time-Dependent Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering from Gold Nanosphere Aggregates Using Collision Theory.

Aggregates or clusters of primary metal nanoparticles in solution are one of the most widely used platforms for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements because these nanostructures in...
Should I Care for the Environment or Myself? Ads for Green Products: An Abstract

Both consumers and marketers have realized that natural resources are not endless, and firms’ actions can have a major impact on the environment (Kotler 2011). Consumers are more aware of the impact of the products on themselves and the environment. Consequently, firms have put more effort into green marketing strategies by producing environmentally friendly products. Consumers engage in green consumption behavior typically for two reasons: the product provides a benefit to the environment (a chance to protect the environment) or directly to the consumer (White and Simpson 2013; Green and Peloza 2014). Therefore, marketers have been using green advertising appeals while stressing the benefit to the consumer such as less chemical exposure or financial benefits (self-appeal) or the benefit to the environment such as less environmental waste (other-appeal).
Burden of Cardiogenic Shock In Patients With Takotsubo Syndrome: A National Perspective

Introduction There is limited data on the incidence of cardiogenic shock (CS) among patients with Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS). We aimed to study the incidence, predictors and outcomes of CS in patients with TTS. Methods We used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from September 2006 to December 2017 to identify all patients with TTS using the appropriate diagnostic codes. Patients with TTS were divided into those with and without CS and the two groups were compared in regard to demographics, medical comorbidities, resource utilization, cost of hospitalization and length of stay. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of CS in patients with TTS. Results A total of total of 265,423 patients with TTS were included in our study, of whom 14703 (5.5%) were diagnosed with cardiogenic shock (CS). TTS Patients with CS were more likely to be younger (67, IQR [56.6-75] years vs 68, IQR [58-78] years), males (20.9% vs 13.8%, P Conclusion In hospital mortality among TTS patients with CS was approximately five-fold higher compared to those without CS (22.9% vs 4%, p
Effect of Adjuvants on Oxytetracycline Uptake upon Foliar Application in Citrus.

Recently in Florida, foliar treatments using products with the antibiotics oxytetracycline and streptomycin have been approved for the treatment of citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), which is caused by the putative bacterial pathogen ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’. Herein, we assessed the levels of oxytetracycline and ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ titers in citrus trees upon foliar applications with and without a variety of commercial penetrant adjuvants and upon trunk injection. The level of oxytetracycline in citrus leaves was measured using an oxytetracycline ELISA kit and ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ titer was measured using quantitative PCR. Low levels of oxytetracycline were taken up by citrus leaves after foliar sprays of oxytetracycline in water. Addition of various adjuvants to the oxytetracycline solution showed minimal effects on its uptake by citrus leaves. The level of oxytetracycline in leaves from trunk-injected trees was higher than those treated with all foliar applications. The titer of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ in the midrib of leaves from trees receiving oxytetracycline by foliar application was not affected after four days and thirty days of application, whereas the titer was significantly reduced in oxytetracycline-injected trees thirty days after treatment. Investigation of citrus leaves using microscopy showed that they are covered by a thick lipidized cuticle. Perforation of citrus leaf cuticle with a laser significantly increased the uptake of oxytetracycline, decreasing the titer of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ in citrus leaves upon foliar application. Taken together, our findings indicate that trunk injection is more efficient than foliar spray even after the use of adjuvants. Our conclusion could help in setting useful recommendations for the application of oxytetracycline in citrus to improve tree health, minimize the amount of applied antibiotic, reduce environmental exposure, and limit off-target effects.
Allograft Versus Xenograft Bioprosthetic Mesh in Tissue Expander Breast Reconstruction: A Blinded Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND With the increased use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in breast reconstruction, the number of available materials has increased. There is a relative paucity of high-quality outcomes data for use of different ADMs. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to compare the outcomes between a human (HADM) and a bovine ADM (BADM) in implant-based breast reconstruction. METHODS A prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate differences in outcomes between HADM and BADM for patients undergoing immediate tissue expander breast reconstruction. Patients with prior radiation to the index breast were excluded. Patient and surgical characteristics were collected and analyzed. RESULTS From April 2011 to June 2016, a total of 90 patients were randomized to a mesh group, with 68 patients (HADM, 36 patients/55 breasts; BADM, 32 patients/48 breasts) included in the final analysis. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. No significant differences in overall complication rates were identified between HADM (n = 14, 25%) and BADM (n = 13, 27%) (P = 0.85). Similar trends were identified for major complications and complications requiring reoperation. Tissue expander loss was identified in 7% of HADM patients (n = 4) and 17% of BADM patients (n = 8) (P = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS Similar complication and implant loss rates were found among patients undergoing immediate tissue expander breast reconstruction with HADM or BADM. Regardless of what material is used, careful patient selection and counseling, and cost consideration, help to improve outcomes and sustainability in immediate breast reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2
Risk factors for complications following pelvic ring and acetabular fractures: A retrospective analysis at an urban level 1 trauma center:

Background:Pelvic ring and acetabular fractures are some of the most morbid in orthopedic trauma. They commonly require large exposures for fixation and are associated with significant morbidity an...
Attitudes toward tax evasion: a comparative study of France and Japan

This study investigates how cultural dimensions such as individualism and uncertainty avoidance account for differences in attitudes toward tax evasion between Japan and France. It also looks into another important moderating factor, namely gender that may explain these differences. Informed by Hofstede's cultural framework (1980), the study consists of a survey built around historical arguments provided in the literature, that were used to explain and justify tax evasion. We collected data by surveying 154 university students from Japan and 61 students from France. An ANOVA was used to test for differences in attitudes toward tax evasion between the two samples. The results of the study are in line with the extant literature. French students, internalising a higher degree of individualism and lower level of uncertainty avoidance, were more opposed to tax evasion than their Japanese counterparts. Moreover, the findings of the study confirm that women are generally more conservative by exhibiting stronger opposition to tax evasion than men in the French sample.
A Free, On-line, Soaring Weather Forecasting System for World-wide Use

Forecasts of the important weather elements to plan a soaring flight are freely available online from a US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website for any location in the world. The pilot enters the location, selects a meteorogram and the forecast model for the period of the flight, then, selects the corresponding forecasted atmospheric profiles and map of thermal depths. This system of products is studied to determine the expected weather. The system has been used successfully to produce convection as well as mountain wave forecasts. Examples of the forecasts and their validations are presented. It was found the ‘trigger’ times for convection are accurate to ±19 min, the maximum thermal heights, minus 81m, accurately represent the maximum achieved altitudes and the climb rates are over estimated by an average 1.4 knots. The widely-used ‘rule-of-thumb’, 1m/s achieved average climb rate for every 1km depth-of-convection, should be interpreted as a maximum value not an average value.
Clinical aspects of bronchial reactivity and cell-virus interaction

This chapter illustrates the clinical importance of virus-induced wheezing and airway hyperreactivity (referred to as infectious asthma ). It reviews the evidence that is in support of the role of the immune system in provoking these illnesses, and summarizes the experimental data on the inducible expression of epithelial cell cytokines by respiratory viruses. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the most common etiologic agent worldwide to induce lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children, is linked to the development of asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, and sensitization to environmental allergens. Massive infiltration of mononuclear cells and activation of eosinophil and basophil leukocytes correlates with the severity of acute RSV disease in both human and animal models. Inflammatory cytokines and CC chemokines with discrete target-cell selectivity for eosinophils and Th2 cells are strongly induced to express in RSV-infected respiratory epithelium. The secretion of CC chemokines, including RANTES and eotaxin by respiratory epithelial cells, in combination with Th2-derived cytokines, is the central pathogenetic event in airway mucosa inflammation, sensitization to bystander antigens, and augmentation of allergen-induced Th2 cell recruitment.
Effect of Dexamethasone on Hexamethylene Bisacetamide-induced Friend Cell Erythrodifferentiation

Friend erythroleukemic cells can be induced to differentiate by chemicals such as dimethyl sulfoxide and hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) in a dose-dependent manner. Others have shown that dexamethasone and other steroid hormones can inhibit the differentiation induced by dimethyl sulfoxide. We show here that dexamethasone has a dual mode of action on the HMBA-induced differentiation of a Friend cell line, DS19. At concentrations above 10(-10) M, dexamethasone inhibits the HMBA-induced differentiation in DS19 cells. We further found that as the concentration of HMBA is reduced, the amount of dexamethasone required to inhibit differentiation increases. Such inhibition seems to act primarily by decreasing the probability that a cell will become committed to differentiate. Besides, dexamethasone does not inhibit hemoglobin synthesis of cells which are committed in its absence. In addition, we show that sensitivity to the inhibition by dexamethasone is inversely related to the inducibility of cell populations. The second action of dexamethasone, observed at concentrations between 10(-10) and 10(-13) M, is to increase the proportion of hemoglobin-containing cells relative to that for cells cultured in its absence. The degree of this synergistic effect for induced differentiation is inversely related to the level of induction in the absence of dexamethasone and thus is best observed in the cells cultured at low levels of HMBA. We present evidence that this synergistic effect may be due to an increased viability of the induced cells and possibly an increase in the proliferative capacity of these cells.
Effects of Rainfall Acidification on Plant Pathogens

Wind-blown rain, rain splash, and films of free moisture play important roles in the epidemiology of many plant diseases. The chemical nature of the aqueous microenvironment at the infection court is a potentially significant factor in the successful dissemination, establishment, and survival of plant pathogenic microorganisms. Acidic rainfall has a potential for influencing not only the pathogen, but also the host organism, and the host-pathogen complex. Although host-pathogen interactions add a degree of complexity to the study of abiotic environmental stress of plants, it is our hope, through the use of a combination of general concepts, theoretical postulations, and experimental data, to describe the potential role that rainfall acidity may play in the often subtle balance between populations of plants and populations of plant pathogens.
LIFE, MONEY, AND THE DEEP TANGLED ROOTS OF SYSTEMIC CHANGE FOR SUSTAINABILITY

For many working to achieve sustainability over recent decades, it may appear the problem is well-known, and some partial solutions are well-known, but we can't get enough traction, synergy or leverage to make real change to human social, economic and environmental systems to actualize sustainability in the industrial nations. While it may have been easier and quicker to work on the “low hanging fruit” of change for sustainability (e.g., technical solutions, increasing efficiency, new light bulbs), this paper suggests the necessity of equal effort devoted to the “deep tangled roots” that extend down into the foundations of our academic disciplines and cultural mindsets. As I believe many would agree, our need for successful large scale change is urgent. This paper seeks to help clarify and integrate two major leverage points for systemic change–fundamental and dominant paradigms of life science and of economic systems–to help create sustainability in reality.
Multiaxial and time dependent behavior of a filled rubber

This paper explores the applicability of various pseudo stressand strain models for predicting the nonlinear stress-strain behavior ofa lightly filled rubber. The objectivity of the different models wasexamined and parameters were extracted on the basis of relaxation andramp loading experiments in tension. The effectiveness of the models forpredicting strip biaxial tension and compression and simple shearresponses was examined. A pseudo stress model based on Cauchy stressprovided the best agreement with experimental results. However,improvements are still needed for modeling the unloading behavior in allstress states and the normal stresses that are induced during simpleshear loading.
Masses, Radii and Luminosities from Analysis of Eclipsing Binaries

The reliability of values of the fundamental properties of stars derived from eclipsing binary analysis is discussed in terms of general concepts. Since the principles involved in the determination of masses and radii are simple, the heart of the matter is the care and judgment with which the relevant spectrographic and photometric observations are obtained and analyzed. Problems in the evaluation of the radiative properties require special attention.
Prospective evaluation of protein C and factor VIII in prediction of cancer-associated thrombosis

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a preventable disease, yet it is one of the leading causes of death among patients with cancer. Improving risk stratification mechanisms will allow us to personalize thrombo-prophylaxis strategies. We sought to evaluate Collagen and Thrombin Activated Platelets (COAT-platelets) as well as protein C and factor VIII as biomarkers predictive of cancer-associated thrombosis in a prospective cohort of patients with cancer. Protein C was selected as a candidate based on bioinformatics prediction. Blood samples were collected before chemotherapy. All specimen processing was blinded to clinical data. Surveillance and adjudication of the main outcome of VTE was performed for up to 1 year. We used Cox proportional hazard regression to measure the association of biomarkers and incident events using SAS 9.2 for all statistical analysis. Death was modeled as a competing event. Among 241 patients followed for an average of 10.4 months, 15% died and 13% developed a VTE. COAT-platelets were not predictive of VTE. Low levels of pre-chemotherapy protein C ( 261% I) (HR 3.0; 95% CI 1.1-8.0) were predictive of VTE after adjusting for age, Khorana prediction risk, metastatic disease and D dimer. In addition, low protein C was predictive of overall mortality independent of age, metastatic disease and functional status (HR 2.8; 95% CI 1.3-6.0). Addition of these biomarkers to cancer-VTE risk prediction models may add to risk stratification and patient selection to optimize thrombo-prophylaxis.
NARRATIVE, PAIN, AND SUFFERING

This book is a gem; a gem that more often than not is overlooked by pain clinicians and investigators. And that is truly a shame because the perspectives and insights that this book provides to car...
Theoretical design and analysis of a honeycomb panel sandwich structure loaded in pure bending

Abstract This paper discusses the theoretical and quantitative design and analysis of a honeycomb panel sandwich structure. The initial design is based on specific requirements that the panel must achieve prior to failure under load. Materials to be used for the facing and core are selected based on the given requirements. With the materials chosen, the facing sheets and core are analyzed for failure. Failure occurs when the stresses in the panel exceed the properties of the materials by any mode.