cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biophysical and Biochemical Characterization of Avian Secretory Component Provides Structural Insights into the Evolution of the Polymeric Ig Receptor

The polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR) transports polymeric Abs across epithelia to the mucosa, where proteolytic cleavage releases the ectodomain (secretory component [SC]) as an integral component of secretory Abs, or as an unliganded protein that can mediate interactions with bacteria. SC is conserved among vertebrates, but domain organization is variable: mammalian SC has five domains (D1-D5), whereas avian, amphibian, and reptilian SC lack the D2 domain, and fish SC lacks domains D2-D4. In this study, we used double electron-electron resonance spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance binding studies to characterize the structure, dynamics, and ligand binding properties of avian SC, avian SC domain variants, and a human SC (hSC) variant lacking the D2 domain. These experiments demonstrated that, unlike hSC, which adopts a compact or "closed" domain arrangement, unliganded avian SC is flexible and exists in both closed and open states, suggesting that the mammalian SC D2 domain stabilizes the closed conformation observed for hSC D1-D5. Experiments also demonstrated that avian and mammalian pIgR share related, but distinct, mechanisms of ligand binding. Together, our data reveal differences in the molecular recognition mechanisms associated with evolutionary changes in the pIgR protein.
Stem cell transplantation outcomes in lymphoblastic lymphoma

Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) is an aggressive lymphoma pathologically similar to lymphoblastic leukemia, but primarily presents with nodal or extra-medullary involvement. The aim of this study is to describe outcomes of patients undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT) for LBL compared to historical data. Thirty-nine patients, of which 54% lacked complete remission (CR), received SCT for LBL between 1990 and 2015; 31 allogeneic and eight autologous. Overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) at three years for the entire cohort was 41%, the cumulative incidence (CI) of non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 18% at one year, and CI relapse mortality was 28% at one-year and 36% at three years; results similar to historical reports. On multivariate analysis, the use of total-body irradiation (TBI) based conditioning and transplantation in CR were independently predictive of OS and PFS. For patients requiring SCT for LBL, CR and TBI-based conditioning prior to allogeneic SCT may provide improved disease control.
Marx: Economic Estrangement

In Section 3.6 we examined Marx’s critique of Hegel’s integrationist conception of the relation between civil society and the state. We noted the implication of that critique that Hegel’s proposals are incapable of overcoming the estrangement he finds in abstract right and the moral will. To appreciate how Marx develops the concept of economic estrangement, we need to note a second criticism of Hegel’s political philosophy that one finds in Marx’s early work, namely that Hegel’s doctrine contains an ‘inversion’ that amounts to a mysticism of reason. My concern in this section is not to defend this criticism but to explain its role in the genesis of Marx’s conception of economic estrangement.
Character as Moral Fiction

Introduction: Tripartite naturalistic ethics Part I. Factitious Moral Virtue: 1. Identifying the hard core of virtue ethics 2. Rearticulating the situationist challenge to virtue ethics 3. Attempts to defend virtue ethics 4. Factitious moral virtue Part II. Factitious Intellectual Virtue: 5. Extending the situationist challenge to responsibilist virtue epistemology 6. Extending the situationist challenge to reliabilist virtue epistemology 7. Factitious intellectual virtue Part III. Programmatic Conclusion: 8. To see as we are seen: an investigation of social distance heuristics.
Optimization of fluid characteristics of 2D materials for inkjet printing

2D materials have shown to be the next step in semiconductor use and device manufacturing that can allow us to reduce the size of most electronics. One of the novel ways to obtain 2D materials is through liquid exfoliation, in which these materials can be obtained by dispersing the smallest possible particles in different solvents. Once obtained, the solutions can be used to manufacture devices via different processes, one of which is inkjet printing. This process relies in selecting “jettable” fluids, which need to have the necessary combination of viscosity and surface energy or “wettability”. In this work we have modified the viscosities and surface energies of five solvents: IPA (Isopropanol), NMP (N-methyl – 2 pyrrolidone), DMA (Dimethylacetamide), DMF (Dimethylformamide) and a mixture of Cyclohexanone / Terpineol 7:3. We have found an avenue to tailor the viscosity of these solvents though the addition of Ethyl Cellulose (EC), where the viscosity has been increased by up to 15 times at an EC concentration of 6%. For inkjet printing, ideally a viscosity of 4 – 10 cP is recommended, which we have been able to achieve with all of the solvents studied. It has been found that the different solvents present different susceptibilities to the EC addition, with DMA and DMF being the least sensitive to the EC addition. We have also studied the change in the drop dynamics and interactions of the 2D solutions with the substrate. Through this analysis we have found solvents that appear to be attractive for inkjet printing of MoS2 and graphite.
Structured interview guides for the Hamilton Rating Scales.

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) was developed during the late 1950s as a standardized scale for the measurement of the severity of depressive symptomatology (Hamilton 1960). The symptoms are defined by anchor point descriptions that increase in intensity; clinicians are to consider both the intensity and frequency of a symptom when assigning it a rating value. The scale was initially designed to yield a total score based on 17 of its 21 items, although many investigators have used all 21 items (Hedlund and Vieweg 1979).
Self-deprecatory humor on TV cooking shows

Abstract Humor and joking are instruments through which social control is exerted and through which self-identity is displayed. A form of self-disclosure, humorous self-deprecation is self-directed critique done in a humorous way to minimize possible value judgments the self-revealing information might provoke. While much of humor has been examined in the context of natural conversation or between participants in the media, little attention has been given to humor performed individually in a pseudo-interactional context. A pragmatics approach shows how humorous self-deprecations of celebrity chefs in single-hosted how-to-cook cooking shows serve to entertain, build solidarity, and construct authenticity. We further argue that self-deprecation protects the speaker from criticism and also promotes hegemonic values of what is appropriate and inappropriate gendered behavior.
Engineered, Spatially Varying Isothermal Holds: Enabling Combinatorial Studies of Temperature Effects, as Applied to Metastable Titanium Alloy β-21S

A novel method to systematically vary temperature and thus study the resulting microstructure of a material is presented. This new method has the potential to be used in a combinatorial fashion, allowing the rapid study of thermal holds on microstructures to be conducted. This is demonstrated on a beta titanium alloy, where the thermal history has a strong effect on microstructure. It is informed by simulation and executed using the resistive heating capabilities of a Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator. Spatially varying isothermal holds of 4 h were affected, where the temperature range of the multiple isothermal holds varied by ~175 °C.
The Intersection of Gender, Sexuality, and Religion in Mormon Mixed-Sexuality Marriages

Mixed-sexuality marriages (MSMs) are defined in the present study as those where one partner identifies as heterosexual and the other partner identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer or reports experiencing same-sex attraction. Members of conservative religions, such as Mormonism, may be more likely to enter MSMs given the religion’s stance on homosexuality and doctrinal emphasis on heteronormative marriage. Using data from 56 interviews with individuals who either have been or currently are Mormon and in a MSM, we explore participants’ ideas about gender roles and sexuality in the context of their ideas about Mormonism. We find that couples’ ideas about gender, sexuality, and religion intersect to act as a resource or impediment to marital satisfaction. Among our sample, most couples maintain an outward appearance of heteronormativity; some view their private departure from the traditional gender order as a benefit to their relationship, whereas others view it as a source of strain and work hard to minimize gender deviance in their roles. The findings provide an important example of the way gender and religion are mutually constitutive and illustrate how notions of sexuality are sometimes used to reinforce a traditional gender order and religious beliefs, whereas at other times, the contradictions of MSMs challenge traditional gender norms and religious orthodoxy.
Building Relationships within Difference: An Anarcha-Feminist Approach to the Micropolitics of Solidarity

Nuanced understandings of praxes of solidarity are critical for grassroots political activists from diverse backgrounds to be able to work together. Since the early 2000s, the primary concern of gr...
Can Morbidly Obese Patients Safely Undergo Surgery at an Outpatient Surgery Center

It remains controversial as to whether morbidly obese patients can safely undergo surgery at a free-standing outpatient surgery center. Many of these facilities are unable to care for a patient who has a complication requiring postoperative ventilation or an overnight stay. However, the increasing economic pressure to perform more and more complex procedures at ambulatory centers means great pressure to schedule obese patients as out-patients. This chapter will consider the many factors that determine whether an obese patient can be a suitable candidate for outpatient surgery.
Surface Order and Disorder Studied by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Epitaxial growth of sub-monolayer coverages of an adsorbate on a substrate produces a surface that simultaneously exhibits order and disorder on various length scales below 1000 A. We present examples of different ordering phenomena from scanning tunneling microscope (STM) studies of the growth of metals on semiconductor and metal surfaces. These results illustrate the local ordering of surface reconstructions and the effect of substrate surface reconstruction on nucleation and growth. The STM provides information about these surfaces that is largely inaccessible to other analytical techniques.
PEO-Modified Surface-In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo Blood Compatibility

Thrombus formation is a serious problem in surgical therapy and clinical application of artificial organs. Therefore, the need for the creation of highly antithrombogenic biomaterials has been increasing. Although a substantial amount of work in the improvement of the blood compatibility of polymeric materials has been carried out, the results are still inconclusive. This is caused partly by the fact that the relationship between surface properties and surface-induced thrombosis has not been thoroughly evaluated.
The photolysis of bis(dithiobenzil)nickel in chloroform

Bis(dithiobenzil)nickel, although photoinert in nonhalogenated solvents as well as in chloroform under 313 nm irradiation, reacts in CHCl3 under 254 nm irradiation to yield 2,3,5,6-tetraphenyl-1,4-dithiin and a water-soluble nickel(II) species. The reaction is driven through absorption of light by both the solvent and the metal complex.
Endangered Green Reports: 'Cumulative Materiality' in Corporate Environmental Disclosure after Sarbanes-Oxley

Recent corporate financial scandals involving Enron, WorldCom, Arthur Andersen, and others have heightened awareness of the need to revisit corporate accountability. Congressional response in the form of the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 raises questions about the transparency of corporate environmental disclosure.Over the years, corporations have selectively disclosed their environmental performance. In the past, corporate environmental disclosure was driven by three things: environmental compliance statutes, federal securities law, and public relations. Corporations sought to positively influence investor and public opinion of their environmental record through the use of the "green report"; typically a glossy, unaudited showcase of corporate environmental good deeds. However, the Enron scandal and Sarbanes-Oxley are likely to change what corporations disclose as to their environmental matters.This Article explores the impact that post-Enron corporate reform, and specifically the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, has had on corporate environmental financial disclosure, particularly green reports. Part I provides an overview of the current environmental disclosure landscape and pressure for reform after Sarbanes-Oxley. Part II details the shortcomings of corporate, investor, and regulatory efforts to encourage corporate compliance with environmental regulations, creating a need for more accurate environmental disclosure. Part III describes the current demand for a heightened standard of corporate environmental disclosure and the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC's) attempts at establishing a satisfactory disclosure standard. Part IV analyzes the central feature of a current corporate environmental disclosure proposal developed and presented by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), which would require a cumulative assessment of the financial impact of all environmental liabilities for "materiality." This "cumulative materiality standard," if adopted, would replace the present SEC standard of materiality for each proceeding or liability. The author concludes that, while Sarbanes-Oxley does not expressly address corporate environmental disclosure, large economic entities, including publicly traded corporations and the federal government, should adopt the ASTM "cumulative materiality standard" over voluntarily published green reports.
The Team Approach for Those with MNCD: Interdisciplinary and Collaborative

Major neurocognitive disorders cause complex challenges for the people diagnosed with them as well as those who care for them and about them. To fully support a person as they move through the trajectory of their disease, comprehensive care requires the most interdisciplinary integration possible. Evidence supports the use of an interdisciplinary team where possible especially for those with the most complex needs. This chapter explores advantages and disadvantages of different models of team care in the context of caring for someone with significant multimorbid disease which affects many different areas of brain functioning including neuropsychiatric symptoms. Specific communication tools that may be helpful to the interdisciplinary team are also reviewed.
Woodland and floral richness boost bumble bee density in cranberry resource pulse landscapes

Native pollinators provide an important ecosystem service for many pollination-dependent fruit crops, but require nesting and foraging resources in proximity to target crop plants. Landscape context and fluctuation in floral resources may influence the distribution of pollination services. This study investigates how landscape context influences bumble bee density on cranberry marshes across a resource pulse created by the target crop bloom. We sampled bumble bees at fourteen cranberry marshes before, during, and after the cranberry bloom in central Wisconsin. We quantified floral richness and surrounding land cover and assessed their effects on bumble bee density and colony representation using OLS regression. We measured colony representation as a colony detection rate—where low colony detection means more colonies were represented by single individual foragers. The amount of forest surrounding marshes explained the most variation in colony density, but not colony representation on site. Sites with high meadow interspersion in the surrounding landscape had lower colony representation (i.e., detection rate), suggesting some dilution effect. Colony density and detection did not change between the pre- and post-bloom period and resource pulse, even after statistically controlling for important landscape-scale effects. Yet, relative increase in colony density, was best explained by increased floral richness and decreased open-shrub bog. Landscapes with less clumpy forest experienced increased colony representation during the crop bloom. We suggest maintaining forest within cultivated landscapes to promote local bumble bee colony density, and increasing floral richness on site to attract foraging bees.
OPTIMIZATION OF DIAGNOSTIC IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY OF FORMALIN-fiXED, PARAffiN-EMBEDDED TISSUES

Objective Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a widely used diagnostic technique in the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Various variables affect results of the IHC technique. Therefore, standardization and optimization of the IHC technique are essential in generating reliable and reproducible results. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal conditions for IHC staining of multiple antibodies with minimal background. Findings In our study, we noticed that 2% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is most effective to block endogenous peroxidase activity. Formalin-fixed, Paraffin-embedded tissues from mice and human biopsies were subjected to IHC with three different monoclonal chimeric antibodies. Various combinations of antibody concentrations and incubation time were investigated. Two secondary antibody kits namely Vectastain Universal ABC-AP KIT (PK-6200) and Alkaline Phosphatase Universal (AK-5200) as well as two chromogen systems namely ImmPACT DAB EqV (Chromogen and peroxide) and Alkaline Phosphatase substrates were used. The optimal concentration of individual antibodies varied greatly (From 1 to 20 µg/ml) based on their affinity to the primary antigen. While the manufacturer instructions recommend 30 minutes incubation for all primary antibodies, we observed overnight incubation at 4oC obtained best results. The optimal counterstain with peroxidase (brown) substrate was Hematoxylin and Alkaline Phosphatase (blue) substrate was Nuclear Fast Red. Digital imaging parameters such as white balance, exposure time and file format were optimized. Evaluation of the IHC results was performed using the light microscope and digital imaging. Conclusion Overall, our results confirm careful validation of individual IHC technique is critical in obtaining consistent and reproducible results. Factors such as endogenous peroxidase blocking, antibody concentration and incubation time, chromogen system and counterstains are important parameters that should be optimized for individual studies.
"All Teaching Should Be Integration": Social Studies and Literacy Integration in Preservice Teacher Education.

The absence of social studies curriculum is a problem because it undermines the essential purposes of schooling: to prepare participatory, contributing members of a democratic society. In this arti...
Development of the Mouse and Human Cochlea at Single Cell Resolution

Summary Hearing loss is a common and disabling condition, yet our understanding of the physiologic workings of the inner ear has been limited by longstanding difficulty characterizing the function and characteristics of the many diverse, fragile, and rare cell types in the cochlea. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing and a novel clustering algorithm, CellFindR, we created a developmental map of the mouse and human cochlea, identifying multiple previously undescribed cell types, progenitor populations, and predicted lineage relationships. We additionally associated the expression of known hearing loss genes to the cell types and developmental timepoints in which they are expressed. This work will serve as a resource for understanding the molecular basis of hearing and designing therapeutic approaches for hearing restoration.
What Are Criteria for Considering Technologies' Uses and Influences in LMICs' Health Care Infrastructures?

A lack of health technology is an obstacle to health system growth in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). US-based clinicians participating in global health efforts might sometimes wonder about clinical and ethical standards by which they should judge short- and long-term risks and benefits of bringing technological assistance with them to care for patients in LMICs. These countries are heterogeneous and changing
"Jeitinho" as a Coping Strategy Used by Brazilian International Students for Dealing with Acculturative Stress.

This mixed-method study examined whether Brazilian students in the US use an indigenous problem-solving practice, jeitinho, as a coping strategy for acculturative stress. Forty-two participants answered an online survey, which was a culmination of demographic information, the Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students, BriefCOPE, jeitinho questionnaire, and three open-ended questions about how Americans may perceive jeitinho. Results showed that a negative dimension of jeitinho was associated with nonadaptive coping strategies, but it was not a significant predictor of acculturative stress. Qualitative themes highlighted the multidimensionality of jeitinho, which could help in students’ adjustment (positive) or reinforce stereotypes and prejudices (negative) against Brazilians. Findings elucidate the complexity of jeitinho Brazilian students can be mindful about and when to use it to avoid stereotyping.
Extraction of DNA with magnetic ionic liquids using in situ dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

A new class of magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) with metal-containing cations was applied in in situ dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) for the extraction of long and short double-stranded DNA. For developing the method, MILs comprised of N-substituted imidazole ligands (with butyl-, benzyl-, or octyl-groups as substituents) coordinated to different metal centers (Ni2+, Mn2+, or Co2+) as cations, and chloride anions were investigated. These water-soluble MILs were reacted with the bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide anion during the extraction to generate a water-immiscible MIL capable of preconcentrating DNA. The feasibility of combining the extraction methodology with anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) or fluorescence spectroscopy was studied. The method with the Ni2+- and Co2+-based MILs was easily combined with fluorescence spectroscopy and provided a faster and more sensitive method than HPLC-DAD for the determination of DNA. In addition, the method was compared to conventional DLLME using analogous water-immiscible MILs. The developed in situ MIL-DLLME method required only 3 min for DNA extraction and yielded 1.1–1.5 times higher extraction efficiency (EFs) than the conventional MIL-DLLME method. The in situ MIL-DLLME method was also compared to the trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium tris(hexafluorocetylaceto)nickelate(II) MIL, which has been used in previous DNA extraction studies. EFs of 42–99% were obtained using the new generation of MILs, whereas EFs of only 20–38% were achieved with the phosphonium MIL. This new class of MILs is simple and inexpensive to prepare. In addition, the MILs present operational advantages such as easier manipulation in comparison to hydrophobic MILs, which can have high viscosities. These MILs are a promising new class of DNA extraction solvents that can be manipulated using an external magnetic field.
Patterns of 2,4-Dinitrophenol Use as Discussed on Social Media

ABSTRACT Importance The usage of social media is associated with worsening perceptions of body image and increasing access to, and use of, toxic weight loss supplements. Little is known about the effect of nonlethal doses of one mechanistically unique supplement, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). DNP has been banned by the FDA making human studies difficult, but the public still consumes DNP leading to a gap in our knowledge on the effects of DNP. Here we use social media to investigate the use of DNP, providing the largest characterization of its usage to date. Objective Determine the doses of DNP generally consumed, adverse effects at those doses, and coingestants. Design Cross-sectional analysis of Internet posts. Setting Our study collected publicly available data from 2017–2018 from Internet discussion forums (also called bulletin boards) dedicated to the discussion of weight loss and body building. Participants Participants are anonymous posters on these Internet forums. Main Measures Our main measure was the distribution of reported doses of DNP consumed. Our secondary measure was the frequency of adverse effects reported at those doses. Results We collected 661 posts across 5 online forums. The most commonly ingested dose reported was 150 mg (1-2 pills, depending on formulation), followed by 300 mg (2-3 pills). The most commonly reported adverse effects were sweating and a sensation of warmth, followed by yellow discoloration of secretions. The most common coingestants were antihistamines, cetirizine and loratadine. Conclusions and Relevance 2,4-dinitrophenol is a mechanistically unique weight loss agent reported to be associated with sweating and a sensation of warmth at the most commonly reported ingested doses. Common co-ingestants are antihistamines, although itching was not directly reported as a side effect. Coingestion of an antihistamine, which can lessen the body’s ability to dissipate heat, could worsen the side effects of DNP. This is the first formal description derived from social media of DNP usage at nonlethal doses. Further investigation is needed to determine the therapeutic index of DNP. Less toxic derivatives may provide a starting point for pharmacological adjuncts to weight-loss.
Subtotal Mandible Reconstruction with a Free Fibula Flap and No Skin Incisions.

Resection of large mandibular tumors followed by primary reconstruction using free tissue transfer is typically accomplished using transcutaneous cervical incisions, which provide access for ablation as well as inset of the osseous free flap. This approach offers wide exposure; however, it subjects the patient to potential facial scarring, marginal mandibular nerve injury, lip deformity/incompetence, formation of orocutaneous fistulae, as well as functional impairments to speech, mastication, and deglutition. To reduce morbidity and to preserve aesthetics, a transoral approach can be used in cases that do not require a neck dissection. This technique can be coupled with transoral dissection of the facial vessels for intraoral microanastomoses to avoid extraoral incisions altogether. We present a case of a large 17.2 cm subtotal mandibulectomy and 3-segment fibular free flap reconstruction using virtual surgical planning, with patient-specific cutting guides and reconstruction plate performed entirely transorally without any skin incisions. Although technically challenging, this is a safe and effective technique for large segmental mandibular defects, which provides superior cosmetic and functional outcomes.
Characterization of SOX2, OCT4 and NANOG in ovarian cancer tumor-initiating cells

Abstract Identification of tumor initiating cells (TICs) has traditionally relied on expression of surface markers such as CD133, CD44, and CD117 and enzymes such as aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Unfortunately, these markers are often cell type specific and not reproducible across patient samples. A more reliable indication of TICs may include elevated expression of stem cell transcription factors such as SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG that function to support long-term self-renewal, multipotency, and quiescence. RNA-sequencing studies presented here highlight a potential role for SOX2 in cell cycle progression in cells grown as 3-D spheroids, which are more tumorigenic and contain higher numbers of TICs than their 2-D monolayer cultured counterparts. SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG have not been comprehensively evaluated in ovarian cancer cell lines, although their expression is often associated with tumorigenic cells. We hypothesize that SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG will be enriched in ovarian TICs and will correlate with chemotherapy resistance, tumor initiation, and expression of traditional TIC markers. To investigate this hypothesis, we evaluated SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG in a panel of eight ovarian cancer cell lines grown as a monolayer in standard 2-D culture or as spheroids in TIC-enriching 3-D culture. Our data show that the high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) lines CAOV3, CAOV4, OVCAR4, and OVCAR8 had longer doubling-times, greater resistance to chemotherapies, and significantly increased expression of SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG in TIC-enriching 3-D culture conditions. We also found that in vitro chemotherapy treatment enriches for cells with significantly higher expression of SOX2. We further show that the traditional TIC marker, CD117 identifies ovarian cancer cells with enhanced SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG expression. Tumor-initiation studies and analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) suggest a stronger role for SOX2 in ovarian cancer relapse compared with OCT4 or NANOG. Overall, our study clarifies the expression of SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG in TICs from a variety of ovarian cancer cell lines. Our findings suggest that SOX2 expression is a stronger indicator of ovarian TICs with enhanced tumor-initiation capacity and potential for relapse. Improved identification of ovarian TICs will advance our understanding of TIC biology and facilitate the design of better therapies to eliminate TICs and overcome chemotherapy resistance and disease relapse.
Clarifying assumptions in age-period-cohort analyses and validating results.

Background Age-period-cohort (APC) models are often used to decompose health trends into period- and cohort-based sources, but their use in epidemiology and population sciences remains contentious. Central to the contention are researchers’ failures to 1) clearly state their analytic assumptions and/or 2) thoroughly evaluate model results. These failures often produce varying conclusions across APC studies and generate confusion about APC methods. Consequently, scholarly exchanges about APC methods usually result in strong disagreements that rarely offer practical advice to users or readers of APC methods. Methods We use research guidelines to help practitioners of APC methods articulate their analytic assumptions and validate their results. To demonstrate the usefulness of the guidelines, we apply them to a 2015 American Journal of Epidemiology study about trends in black-white differences in U.S. heart disease mortality. Results The application of the guidelines highlights two important findings. On the one hand, some APC methods produce inconsistent results that are highly sensitive to researcher manipulation. On the other hand, other APC methods estimate results that are robust to researcher manipulation and consistent across APC models. Conclusions The exercise shows the simplicity and effectiveness of the guidelines in resolving disagreements over APC results. The cautious use of APC models can generate results that are consistent across methods and robust to researcher manipulation. If followed, the guidelines can likely reduce the chance of publishing variable and conflicting results across APC studies.
Glucagon, insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol in response to carbohydrates and fasting in healthy neonatal foals.

BACKGROUND The endocrine pancreas and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) are central to energy homeostasis, but information on their dynamics in response to energy challenges in healthy newborn foals is lacking. OBJECTIVES To evaluate glucagon, insulin, ACTH, and cortisol response to fasting and carbohydrate administration in healthy foals. ANIMALS Twenty-two healthy Standardbred foals ≤4 days of age. METHODS Foals were assigned to fasted (n = 6), IV glucose (IVGT; n = 5), PO glucose (OGT; n = 5), and PO lactose (OLT; n = 6) test groups. Blood samples were collected frequently for 210 minutes. Nursing was allowed from 180 to 210 minutes. Plasma glucagon, ACTH, serum insulin, and cortisol concentrations were measured using immunoassays. RESULTS Plasma glucagon concentration decreased relative to baseline at 45, 90, and 180 minutes during the OLT (P = .03), but no differences occurred in other test groups. Nursing stimulated marked increases in plasma glucagon, serum insulin, and glucose concentrations in all test groups (P < .001). Plasma ACTH concentration increased relative to baseline at 180 minutes (P < .05) during fasting and OLT, but no differences occurred in other test groups. Serum cortisol concentration increased relative to baseline during OLT at 180 minutes (P = .04), but no differences occurred in other test groups. Nursing resulted in decreased plasma ACTH and serum cortisol concentrations in all test groups (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The endocrine response to enterally and parenterally administered carbohydrates, including the major endocrine response to nursing, suggests that factors in milk other than carbohydrates are strong stimulators (directly or indirectly) of the endocrine pancreas and HPAA.
State-of-the-art in heat exchanger additive manufacturing

Abstract The progress in additive manufacturing (AM) sector has transformed the ways in which heat exchangers (HXs) can be fabricated. The complex and freeform designs which could not be realized by conventional manufacturing routes can now be realized through AM technologies. The weight, volume, load bearing capabilities and manufacturing cost reductions are some of the other benefits that AM can provide over the conventional manufacturing. The relative benefits of using AM to make heat exchangers, however, are accompanied by various inherent challenges related to the process parameters, surface quality and material choice. A comprehensive understanding of the fabricated HX surface quality is imperative to explain the resulting flow and thermal characteristics. This study focusses on analyzing the thermal-hydraulic performance of additively manufactured HXs such as rough surfaces, microchannels, surface area and turbulence promoters, cellular materials, heat pipes, turbomachinery cooling designs, and jet impingement cooling concepts. The review of the existing literature suggests that the inherent surface roughness is the key consideration across different types of heat exchanger configurations manufactured by metal additive manufacturing. Significant deviation of the manufactured dimensions is observed relative to the intended design, especially when the dimensions approach the manufacturing limits. With the continuously improving AM technologies in terms of final product surface quality, dimensional accuracy, and realization of smaller length scales with accuracy, one can expect exciting times ahead in heat exchanger development and to this end, the review paper may serve as an essential reference tool.
Temporal Coordination in Piano Duet Networked Music Performance (NMP): Interactions Between Acoustic Transmission Latency and Musical Role Asymmetries

Today's audio, visual, and internet technologies allow people to interact despite physical distances, for casual conversation, group workouts, or musical performance. Musical ensemble performance is unique because interaction integrity critically depends on the timing between each performer's actions and when their acoustic outcomes arrive. Acoustic transmission latency (ATL) between players is substantially longer for networked music performance (NMP) compared to traditional in-person spaces where musicians can easily adapt. Previous work has shown that longer ATLs slow the average tempo in ensemble performance, and that asymmetric co-actor roles and empathy-related traits affect coordination patterns in joint action. Thus, we are interested in how musicians collectively adapt to a given latency and how such adaptation patterns vary with their task-related and person-related asymmetries. Here, we examined how two pianists performed duets while hearing each other's auditory outcomes with an ATL of 10, 20, or 40 ms. To test the hypotheses regarding task-related asymmetries, we designed duets such that pianists had: (1) a starting or joining role and (2) a similar or dissimilar musical part compared to their co-performer, with respect to pitch range and melodic contour. Results replicated previous clapping-duet findings showing that longer ATLs are associated with greater temporal asynchrony between partners and increased average tempo slowing. While co-performer asynchronies were not affected by performer role or part similarity, at the longer ATLs starting performers displayed slower tempos and smaller tempo variability than joining performers. This asymmetry of stability vs. flexibility between starters and joiners may sustain coordination, consistent with recent joint action findings. Our data also suggest that relative independence in musical parts may mitigate ATL-related challenges. Additionally, there may be a relationship between co-performer differences in empathy-related personality traits such as locus of control and coordination during performance under the influence of ATL. Incorporating the emergent coordinative dynamics between performers could help further innovation of music technologies and composition techniques for NMP.
Studies on mitochondria

Abstract 1. 1. The osmolar concentration of the sucrose medium suspending isolated heart mitochondria influences the rate of oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation. 2. 2. Low rates of oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation are associated with degenerative changes in the mitochondria. 3. 3. Such degenerative changes persist when phosphorylation is uncoupled from oxidation, or the high energy phosphate bonds are filtered off irreversibly into an efficient trapping system. 4. 4. Fluoride, which is an ATPase inhibitor, protects mitochondrial form. 5. 5. The alterations in mitochondrial configuration are closely associated with metabolic changes in the mitochondrial suspensions, although they are not extrapolated back to the cell as controllers of cellular metabolism.
Dynamic Response of Imbedded Cylindrical Shell

The response of an infinitely long elastic cylindrical shell imbedded in an infinite elastic medium and subjected to internal tractions is obtained. Inextensional and extensional motions are determined due to applied tractions given as step functions in time and varying with the angular coordinate. The interaction effect of the shell and medium is determined by means of compatibility conditions which are expressed as a set of coupled integro-differential equations in each mode and are solved numerically by a forward step integration in time. Numerical results are presented for the response in the axisymmetric mode and for higher modes. The response of the shell-medium system is observed to behave as a damped oscillating system whose long time response approaches that of the corresponding static problem.
Fortress Conservation: The Preservation of the Mkomazi Game Reserve, Tanzania

Introduction: Mkomazi - HISTORIES The history of the plains - 'We just left it': contest over the plains up to 1953 - The history of the reserve - ENVIRONMENTS Environmental degradation - Biodiversity - PEOPLE Livelihoods - Regional conequences - Benefits & resistance - A desert strange
TU-E-201B-07: Image Noise and Radiation Dose Reduction in Spectral CT

Purpose: Spectral (multiple energy) CT can characterize material composition using the x‐ray spectral information. However, imagenoise and radiation dose is a concern as photons are distributed into multiple energy bins. Therefore, the intrinsic trade‐off between number of energy bins and photon numbers in each bin results in either too noisy images, or too high radiation dose. The purpose of this study is to break this trade‐off and to reduce noise and/or radiation dose in spectral CT.Method and Materials: A semi‐anthropomorphic thoracic phantom was scanned with multiple energies (80,100, 120 and 140 kVps) on a dual source CT scanner. Images were reconstructed at each beam‐energy separately using commercial software. The reconstructed images were processed wtih the Highly Constrained Back‐Projection (HYPR) algorithm using the averaged image of all 4 kVp scans as the composite image.CT numbers and noise were measured inside three circular ROIs representing calcium, water, and soft tissue. Noise and dose reduction using HYPR compared with commercial software was calculated. Results: The same CT numbers were obtained using both algorithms while approximately 50% of noise reduction was achieved using HYPR. Based upon the relationship between noise and radiation dose, this was equivalent to 4 times dose reduction given the same imagenoise. These results could be interpreted as noise reduction given the same radiation dose, dose reduction given the same imagenoise, or a combination of these two. Conclusion: We have presented a method to reduce imagenoise and/or radiation dose in spectral CT. Using HYPR, images at each individual energy bin have SNR similar as the composite image which uses all x‐ray photons. This breaks the tradeoff between number of energy bins and number of photons in each bin. Therefore, the intrinsic problem of excessive noise and/or radiation dose in spectral CT has been addressed.
Improving cross-domain information sharing in care coordination using semantic web technologies

We present an approach to access and consolidate complex information spanning multiple specialist domains and make it available to non-experts. We are using a combination of business rules and contextual exploration to reduce interface complexity and improve consumability. We present a use case and a prototype on top of a real-world enterprise solution for coordinating Social care and Health care. We evaluate our system through a user study. Our results indicate that our approach reduces the time required to obtain business results compared to a baseline graph exploration approach.
Fundamental Factors Affecting Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation—Part I. Experimental

The objective of this research was to study the factors that relate to the effectiveness of upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation for inactivating airborne microorganisms. The work was conducted in a room-sized chamber designed and furnished for investigations of this nature. Nebulized Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis spores, and vaccinia virus were used as test aerosols. Most data were collected from steady-state experiments comparing the number of viable organisms in the chamber air remaining with UV lamps turned on to the number with UV lamps turned off, but some decay experiments were conducted to compare the two methods. UV power level had a strong influence but was fully effective only in the presence of air mixing that produced vigorous vertical air currents. A conclusion of the study is that an upper-room ultraviolet installation is a complex system that requires careful integration of UV luminaires, UV power, and room ventilation arrangements.
Gaps, Bridges, and the Bumpy Road to Improving Clinic-Based Therapy for Youth

It has been proposed that one way of strengthening the effects of evidence-based treatments for youth in service clinics is to improve treatment integrity in these settings. Four assumptions related to this recommendation are evaluated in light of findings from effectiveness studies. The absence of evidence on links between treatment integrity and treatment outcome in effectiveness trials makes it difficult to estimate the potential benefits of many of the proposed quality control strategies. Incremental changes in methods to improve treatment integrity in service clinics must be considered in the context of structural barriers to implementation.
An Enriched Ciphering Method to Evaluate Performance of EEA2-algorithm for LTE Security

In order to address vulnerabilities in LTE security and the objective to strengthen the implementation of encryption and decryption algorithms in LTE, we proposed a method for integration of an algorithm with a dynamic matrix generation scheme of 16*16 elements during AES implementation. Implementing such algorithm eradicates the vulnerability that causes a hacker to access plain text. The vulnerability arises within the implementation of AES. This research explores Enriched Ciphering algorithm for number of scenarios based on function calls and time metrics that increases 3.9 times when there is a change in size of the plain text. We evaluated the proposed algorithm referred to as Enriched Ciphering Algorithm based on various use cases, including compression and decompression of cipher text that provides an extra layer of complexity to strengthen the security, and provides performance improvements of 13.9 percent when executing the Enriched Ciphering algorithm with big data size.
Assessment of radiation sensitivity of fresh-cut vegetables using electrolyte leakage measurement

A study was carried out to assess the use of electrolyte leakage measurement to evaluate radiation sensitivity of 13 fresh-cut vegetables, and correlated radiation sensitivity with endogenous antioxidant capacity. Fresh-cut vegetables were gamma irradiated at doses up to 3 kGy at 0.5 kGy intervals. Electrolyte leakage of the samples was measured following irradiation. Electrolyte leakage increased linearly with higher radiation dose for all vegetables. The radiation sensitivity, judged from the rates of the increase in electrolyte leakage as a function of radiation doses and from the doses that increased electrolyte leakage by 50% over the non-irradiated controls varied among vegetables. Red cabbage, broccoli and endive had the highest radiation resistance while celery, carrot and green onion were the most sensitive to radiation. The radiation sensitivity was not necessarily correlated with endogenous antioxidant capacity or phenolics content of the vegetables, which showed large variation among the test samples. Electrolyte leakage may be a useful tool to predict a given product's ability to tolerate irradiation.
Dynamic competition: a look at firms in the Fortune Global 500

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of factors that impact global competitiveness for firms in the Fortune Global 500.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses regression analysis to investigate the relationship between relevant competitiveness factors and firm performance for Fortune Global 500 firms, using the time period 1995‐2009.Findings – The composition of firms on the list has changed over the timeframe. The results indicate that headquarters location and globalization are key indicators of firm performance. Other factors such as chief executive officer tenure have a lesser impact on firm performance.Research limitations/implications – The timeframe of the study may have impacted the findings. The study included only large firms and thus the findings may not hold for smaller or medium‐sized firms. Additional follow‐up studies are planned.Practical implications – Managers can identify factors associated with global competitiveness from the paper and pursue those factors...
Solvent extraction of selenium, chromium, iron and zinc from ashed serum samples.

Abstract The extraction by APDC in MIBK of Se, Cr, Fe and Zn from serum ashed in a low-temperature dry asher is described. Extraction temperatures of 25, 40, 55, and 70°C were studied; 40°C provided the best overall extraction efficiencies. However, in no case could quantitative extractions be obtained. Losses of metals during the processing steps were shown to be insignificant.
The Subjective Experience of Race and Gender in Qualitative Research

The author presents a study on African American female managers and the glass-ceiling phenomenon. The article addresses the concerns of gender and racial biases of the researcher-participant interaction that could negatively or positively influence the research findings. The author presents five possible biases to consider when conducting similar studies on African American female managers by a White male researcher.