cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydroxyurea Adherence and Associated Outcomes in Medicaid Enrollees with Sickle Cell Disease.

Abstract 2483 Poster Board II-460 Background: Laboratory and clinical benefits of hydroxyurea (HU) for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are well-established in the literature, with data drawn primarily from a few randomized trials and several single site observational studies. However, there is a paucity of data on the use of HU in real-world settings among SCD populations. Further, little research exists on the extent and implications of HU non-adherence among SCD patients. This study sought to assess the extent to which children and adults diagnosed with SCD (HbSS and HbSC) are adherent with prescribed HU therapy and potential associations between HU adherence and clinical and economic outcomes. Methods: Retrospective claims of enrollees in the North Carolina Medicaid program (6/1999-8/2008) were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were ≥1 claim with a diagnosis for SCD (i.e., ICD-9-CM 282.6, 282.6x), continuous health plan enrollment for ≥12 months prior to and following HU initiation, and ≥2 HU prescriptions in the 12 months following HU initiation. Adherence was measured using the medication possession ratio (MPR), defined as the sum of days supplied with HU during the 12 months following HU initiation, divided by the number of days in the follow-up period (365), less the number of days hospitalized. Consistent with other studies of adherence, we considered MPR≥0.8 to be adherent. Multivariate regression analyses were used to estimate the association between HU adherence and economic and clinical outcomes (e.g., costs, likelihood of event) in the first year of therapy. In addition to the adherence indicator, covariates included age, gender, race, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, and the number of SCD-related office visits in the year prior to HU initiation. Results: 312 subjects (51% male, mean age [SD] 21 [12.2] years) met all inclusion criteria; 51% were 918 years old. The mean MPR was 0.60 (median=0.55), and only 35% of subjects were deemed adherent. Age, race and gender were similar across the adherent and nonadherent groups, while the nonadherent had a slightly higher (though low overall) CCI (0.68 vs. 0.35, p=0.0166) and more SCD-related office visits prior to HU initiation (18.0 vs. 10.6, p=0.0303). Multivariate regression models revealed that in the 12-months following HU initiation, treatment adherence was associated with a significant reduction in both all-cause and SCD-related inpatient (-$4,922, p=0.0010; -$4,383, p Conclusions: Adherence to HU in patients with SCD may be suboptimal. Adherence to HU is associated with improved outcomes, both clinical and economic. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Hydroxyurea is approved for adults with sickle cell disease. We will be discussing its use in pediatric and adult patients..
Strengthening stakeholder-engaged research and research on stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder engagement is an emerging field with little evidence to inform best practices. Guidelines are needed to improve the quality of research on stakeholder engagement through more intentional planning, evaluation and reporting. We developed a preliminary framework for planning, evaluating and reporting stakeholder engagement, informed by published conceptual models and recommendations and then refined through our own stakeholder engagement experience. Our proposed exploratory framework highlights contexts and processes to be addressed in planning stakeholder engagement, and potential immediate, intermediate and long-term outcomes that warrant evaluation. We use this framework to illustrate both the minimum information needed for reporting stakeholder-engaged research and the comprehensive detail needed for reporting research on stakeholder engagement.
Energy Levels of Hydrogenlike Atoms in a Magnetic Field

A new expansion of the wave function in Laguerre polynomials for hydrogenlike atoms in a magnetic field has been developed. This expansion reduces the Schr\"odinger equation to an infinite set of algebraic equations for which a fast, accurate, and unambiguous calculation of the bound states of a hydrogen atom in a magnetic field is possible. Four quantum numbers ($K, C, M, N$) are used to label the energy levels of the system in cylindrical coordinates. When the magnetic field is zero, the new labeling of the states is equivalent to the standard ($n, l, m$) quantum numbers obtained for the Coulomb potential in spherical coordinates. Numerical results are presented for the first 14 energy levels with principal quantum number $n=1, 2, 3$. Several energy-level crossings occur in the region $0l\ensuremath{\gamma}l1$, where $\ensuremath{\gamma}=\frac{\ensuremath{\hbar}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}}{2\mathcal{R}}$ and $\mathcal{R}$ is the effective Rydberg energy.
MicroRNAs are differentially abundant during Aedes albopictus diapause maintenance but not diapause induction

Diapause is a programmed dormancy that allows organisms to tolerate predictable periods of unfavourable conditions by temporarily halting development and reducing metabolism. Diapause is widespread amongst insects and is crucial for allowing organisms to coordinate their growth and reproduction with favourable environmental conditions. Although the adaptive significance of diapause is well understood, the molecular mechanisms underpinning diapause remain unresolved. We performed high-throughput sequencing to investigate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the diapause of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus. We first investigated miRNAs in diapause induction by characterizing maternally provisioned miRNAs in mature oocytes of Ae. albopictus under diapause-inducing and diapause-averting conditions. Second, we investigated miRNAs in diapause maintenance by characterizing miRNAs in diapause and nondiapause pharate larvae. We identified 162 miRNAs, 152 previously known and 10 putatively novel. We identified no differentially abundant miRNAs in mature oocytes and seven differentially abundant miRNAs in pharate larvae. The predicted targets of differentially abundant miRNAs include genes affecting several processes related to diapause maintenance including ecdysone regulation, immune response, lipid metabolism and regulation of development. Our results suggest that Ae. albopictus does not maternally provision a unique set of miRNAs during diapause induction but miRNAs are a component of diapause maintenance in this species.
Temperature compensation of floating-gate transistors in field-programmable analog arrays

Analog pre-processing has been shown to be energy efficient in a wide variety of low-power applications. Reprogrammable analog devices have leveraged this energy efficiency and applied it to a wider application space, but they still require accurate and stable bias currents for proper operation. For single-application devices, it is sufficient to create temperature compensation schemes that apply to a single bias current. But for reprogrammable or reconfigurable platforms which can be used in a variety of applications, temperature compensation must work well over a large range of potential bias currents and for a large number of different components. In this paper, we present temperature compensation for floating-gate transistors in a reconfigurable system which improves performance over a wide range of currents and temperatures.
40-year incidence trends for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in the United States

Abstract Objectives To determine differences in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) incidence between 1975 and 2014 stratified by race, sex, and age. Materials and methods We obtained age-adjusted OPSCC incidence rates for race and sex groups from 1975 to 2014 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 9 database. We defined OPSCC as cancers of the base of tongue, lingual/palatine tonsil, oropharynx, soft palate, uvula, and Waldeyer’s ring. We used Joinpoint analyses to determine incidence trends for race/sex/age groupings. Results There were 38,624 oropharyngeal primary tumors in the analyses. Males accounted for 74% of sample population, and whites accounted for 84% of tumors. Overall, there was a 57.3% increase in incidence of oropharyngeal between 1975 and 2014. For blacks and whites, average incidence was lower for females than males. Rates for black males aged ≥50 years was highest for most of the follow-up time but decreased sharply around 1988 and were surpassed by the significant increase in incidence in white males aged 50–59 (1995–2014 APC = 4.07, p Conclusion OPSCC has significantly increased in the United States in the last 40 years. This overall increase in OPSCC can primarily be attributed to white males. OPSCC prevention and early detection efforts could target these demographic factors to decrease rising OPSCC incidence.
"Religion and Business – The Critical Role of Religious Traditions in Management Education"

During the past decade many individuals have sought to create a connection between their work persona and their religious/spiritual persona. Management education has a legitimate role to play in introducing teachings drawn from our religious traditions into business ethics and other courses. Thereby, we can help prepare students to consider the possibility that business endeavors, spirituality and religious commitment can be inextricable parts of a coherent life.
TheWriting Fellow/Faculty Collaboration in a Community College: Paradigms of Teaching and Learning Across the Curriculum

This chapter describes the transformative effects of the collaboration between a graduate student Writing Fellow and two faculty members in the development of two Writing Intensive (WI) sections of a history course at Hostos Community College, an urban, bilingual college in the south Bronx. The co-authors, formerly WAC Coordinator and Fellow, and now WAC Co-Coordinators draw on their unique perspectives as well as the voices of other fellows to analyze the fluidity of the teacher and learner roles in faculty/fellow collaborations in which both partners assume the roles of teacher and learner at different times and to varying degrees. The chapter reflects the ambiguous nature of the Writing Fellow’s role and highlights the tensions inherent in maintaining this collaboration. The chapter also underscores the collaboration’s long-lasting impact on pedagogy both for the faculty member and for the Fellow who is on the cusp of an academic career. The chapter offers a model for professional development for both faculty and Writing Fellows engaged in similar academic initiatives.
Sociocultural Aspects of Nutrient Intake and Behavioral Responses to Nutrition

This chapter will consider sociocultural factors that influence nutrient intake and behavioral responses to diet. With the possible exception of modern Western society, no cultural group evaluates the individual foods and combinations it ingests in terms of the scientific categories—energy, fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals. People must therefore have some cultural rules by means of which to classify items as “edible” vs. “inedible”, to rank edible items as “preferred” to “less preferred,” and to construct nutritionally adequate diets. Yet nutritional patterns also have their symbolic and social dimensions. “You are what you eat” goes the German proverb; “Tell me what you eat and I’ll tell you who you are” say the French. Every culture in every age has consumed a distinctive diet that sets its members apart from other cultural groups. Within cultures, membership in particular social strata or status is often marked by distinctive consumption styles. Social relations are idealized and materialized in terms of food exchange; friendship and close social relations are marked by food sharing, enmity or social distance by refusal to give or receive food. Dominant-subordinant relationships may also be marked symbolically by selective food consumption and restrictions. The emotional force of social membership is impressed on participants and initiates by special ritual foods and fasts. Food, then, functions as a cultural code and social currency to create and nourish the sociocultural as well as biological individual. Given available natural or market resources, or both, people acquire, process, and distribute food to maintain themselves as a biological population, but one with a particular social structure and culture.
Getting site-specific with actomyosin inhibitors

Actin and myosin play important roles in many devastating diseases and thus are attractive targets for small-molecule therapy. In this issue of JBC, Guhathakurta et al. have developed a high-throughput screening assay to find small molecules that interfere with the actomyosin interaction. They utilized time-resolved FRET (TR-FRET) and a unique donor–acceptor pair (filamentous actin and a peptide that binds near the myosin-binding site on actin) to find novel molecules that interfere with the actomyosin ATPase and alter the structure of actin filaments. These findings demonstrate the power and potential of high-throughput TR-FRET in monitoring molecular interactions.
Preparation, structure and scintillation of cesium hafnium chloride bromide crystals

Abstract We report on the preparation, structure and scintillation properties of single crystal cesium hafnium chloride bromide (Cs2HfCl4Br2 or CHCB). The crystals were grown using a vertical Bridgman technique process. Single crystal X-ray diffraction showed that the as grown CHCB crystal structure was isostructural to Cs2HfCl6 crystals exhibiting the cubic K2PtCl6 –type crystal structure. The Cs2HfCl6−x - Cs2HfBrx system is a solid solution with the lattice parameter of Cs2HfCl6−xBrx increasing linearly with x in the range 0
Structural insights into DDA1 function as a core component of the CRL4-DDB1 ubiquitin ligase

Author(s): Shabek, Nitzan; Ruble, James; Waston, Claire J; Garbutt, Kenneth C; Hinds, Thomas R; Li, Ti; Zheng, Ning
A STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF AGITATION TIME ON THE BABCOCK TEST OF MILK SAMPLES FROM FARM BULK HOLDING TANKS1 2

The influence of mechanical agitation on the mixing of milk in farm bulk milk holding tanks was studied under controlled conditions. Mechanical agitation of the milk for a period of sixty seconds g...
How Big is Profit Shifting

This research note describes the plausible magnitude of US revenue loss due to profit shifting, building on recent developments in the literature as well as new country-by-country data on US multinational companies in 2017. In the past, the most complete data sources have all shown large magnitudes of profit shifting, suggesting substantial revenue losses in non-haven countries. Blouin and Robinson (2019) have challenged this consensus, noting that many data sources may be flawed due to the inadvertent inclusion of double-counted profits or through an inadvertent misallocation of profit. Nonetheless, their proposed correction to the data generates its own puzzles, and experts at both the BEA and the JCT believe that the proposed correction will omit some types of profit shifting. Beyond that, Blouin and Robinson’s conclusions regarding how their adjustments affect the scale of profit shifting set aside many nuances in method that affect bottom-line findings about the scale of profit shifting. This research note uses recently released country-by-country tax data to estimate plausible benchmarks regarding the scale of profit shifting, finding that profit shifting is likely to be costing the US government over $100 billion a year in 2017 (at 2017 tax rates). While much can be done to refine these estimates and learn more about the scale of the problem, the problem remains unambiguously very large.
Alpha-linolenic acid-enriched butter promotes fatty acid remodeling and thermogenic activation in the brown adipose tissue

Supplementation with n-3 long-chain (LC) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is known to promote thermogenesis via the activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT). Agricultural products that are biofortified with α-linolenic acid (ALA), the precursor of n-3 LC PUFA, have been launched to the market, but their impact on BAT function is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ALA-biofortified butter on lipid metabolism and thermogenic functions in the BAT. C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet containing ALA-biofortified butter (n3Bu, 45% calorie from fat) for ten weeks in comparison with the isocaloric high-fat diets prepared from conventional butter or margarine. The intake of n3Bu significantly reduced the whitening of BAT and increased the thermogenesis in response to acute-cold treatment. Also, n3Bu supplementation is linked with the remodeling of BAT by promoting bioconversion into n-3 LC PUFA, FA elongation and desaturation, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Taken together, our results support that ALA-biofortified butter is a novel source of n-3 PUFA, which potentiates the BAT thermogenic function.
Underwater Threat Neutralization: Swimmer Defense

Abstract : The long term goal of this project is to demonstrate the efficacy of a swimmer deterrent system that focuses high intensity, low frequency sound at a sector of a harbor containing a swimmer. The system integrates swimmer location data from high frequency sonar detectors with control templates to drive a multiplicity of sound sources. Focusing is achieved by driving each of the sound sources with optimal magnitude and phase based on measured transfer functions between source and harbor sectors. These measurements are obtained from the acoustic calibration of the harbor.
133Ba+: High fidelity goldilocks qubits (Conference Presentation)

Atomic ions can be isolated from their environment through laser-cooling and trapping, making them useful for quantum information processing, measurement, and sensing. A variety of atomic ion species have been used as qubits. Hyperfine qubits with nuclear spin I = 1/2 have demonstrated the long qubit coherence times with simple, robust laser manipulation. Other qubits (I ≠ 1/2) have easily-prepared, long-lived metastable electronic excited states, and simple discrimination between these states allows high fidelity readout. However, none of the naturally- occurring, atomic ions with nuclear spin I = 1/2 have these excited states that are simultaneously long-lived and easy to prepare. We demonstrate loading, cooling, and qubit manipulation of an artificial, I = 1/2 species of barium with visible wavelength lasers: 133Ba+. We achieved a single shot qubit state preparation and readout fidelity of F = 0.9997, the lowest error rate ever achieved by any qubit on any platform.
Wildfire Smoke Adjustment Factors for Low-Cost and Professional PM2.5 Monitors with Optical Sensors

Air quality monitors using low-cost optical PM2.5 sensors can track the dispersion of wildfire smoke; but quantitative hazard assessment requires a smoke-specific adjustment factor (AF). This study determined AFs for three professional-grade devices and four monitors with low-cost sensors based on measurements inside a well-ventilated lab impacted by the 2018 Camp Fire in California (USA). Using the Thermo TEOM-FDMS as reference, AFs of professional monitors were 0.85 for Grimm mini wide-range aerosol spectrometer, 0.25 for TSI DustTrak, and 0.53 for Thermo pDR1500; AFs for low-cost monitors were 0.59 for AirVisual Pro, 0.48 for PurpleAir Indoor, 0.46 for Air Quality Egg, and 0.60 for eLichens Indoor Air Quality Pro Station. We also compared public data from 53 PurpleAir PA-II monitors to 12 nearby regulatory monitoring stations impacted by Camp Fire smoke and devices near stations impacted by the Carr and Mendocino Complex Fires in California and the Pole Creek Fire in Utah. Camp Fire AFs varied by day and location, with median (interquartile) of 0.48 (0.44-0.53). Adjusted PA-II 4-h average data were generally within ±20% of PM2.5 reported by the monitoring stations. Adjustment improved the accuracy of Air Quality Index (AQI) hazard level reporting, e.g., from 14% to 84% correct in Sacramento during the Camp Fire.
The Trouble with Swallowing: Dysphagia as the Presenting Symptom in Lateral Medullary Syndrome.

Abstract Background Posterior circulation strokes account for approximately one-fourth of all ischemic strokes, but are frequently misdiagnosed by emergency providers. Current standard stroke screening tools such as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale are weighted toward anterior circulation stroke diagnosis. Lateral medullary syndrome, a type of posterior circulation stroke, can be particularly challenging to diagnose due to nonspecific presenting symptoms, such as dysphagia. Case Report This report describes a 65-year-old man who presented with dysphagia, dizziness, and hoarseness. An initial neurological examination did not reveal any gross deficits, and imaging to evaluate for posterior circulation stroke was not obtained. The patient presented the following day with worsening symptoms, prompting imaging that revealed a large cerebellar ischemic infarction. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Although dysphagia frequently occurs in lateral medullary syndrome, it is rarely the presenting symptom in the emergency department. In patients with cerebrovascular risk factors who present with dysphagia, a complete neurological examination should be performed and noncontrast computed tomography (CT) of the head should be obtained if a neurological deficit is appreciated. Due to their poor sensitivity, CT scans can frequently miss posterior circulation strokes, therefore magnetic resonance imaging should be considered if provider suspicion remains high. Emergency providers are encouraged to have a high level of suspicion for this rare but debilitating stroke syndrome to avoid misdiagnosis and delayed care.
Evolving Otolaryngology Resident Roles and Concerns at the Peak of the US COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The roles of US otolaryngology residents have changed in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As the pandemic peaked in the United States, we characterized resident activities and concerns. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of US otolaryngology residents between April 20, 2020 and May 2, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 219 residents at 65/118 (55%) institutions responded. Thirty (14%) residents had been redeployed. Residents reported greatest concerns regarding education (P < .00001). Assuming adequate protective equipment, 55% desired active participation in high-risk procedures on COVID-19-positive patients. Redeployed residents had greater concern for burnout and reduced in-hospital well-being (P < .05). Resident satisfaction correlated with comfort communicating concerns to their department (odds ratio [OR] = 4.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-17.3, P = .01) and inversely correlated with low perceived meaning in work (OR = 3.1, CI 1.1-9.1, P = .03). CONCLUSION: Otolaryngology resident concerns have evolved as the pandemic progressed. Residency programs should prioritize resident education, well-being in redeployed residents, and open communication as they transition toward recovery.
Using sUAS-Derived Point Cloud to Supplement LiDAR Returns for Improved Canopy Height Model on Earthen Dams

Of the nearly 2,400 regulated dams in South Carolina, USA, 97% are earthen dams. Many of these dams are covered in dense vegetation that impede inspections and increase slope instability. Because o...
SPH-DEM simulations of saturated granular soils liquefaction incorporating particles of irregular shape

Abstract A coupled smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and discrete element method (DEM) scheme is presented herein to investigate liquefaction of saturated granular deposits during strong seismic ground motions. Irregular-shaped solid particles in the form of polyhedral blocks are utilized to represent soil grains using DEM. In SPH, the fluid domain is discretized into distinct particles carrying local properties of the fluid. Therefore, the presented approach is a fully particle-based technique ideal for handling free-surface and moving boundary problems. The phase coupling is achieved through local averaging techniques and well-established semi-empirical relations quantifying fluid-particle interaction. Level and mildly sloped deposits were subjected to seismic ground motions introduced into the system through the base wall. The results of the performed simulations suggest that both deposits liquefied during strong base excitation due to the contraction of pore spaces leading to large increases in the excess pore fluid pressure that in turn results in significant loss of interparticle contacts and degradation of soil strength and stiffness. In addition, the sloping deposit experienced large lateral displacements, especially, at the shallow soil layers which completely liquefied during the seismic loading.
Time Disciplined Non-PLL Active Synchronization for Grid Forming Inverters

Two major issues facing grid-forming inverters are synchronism and phase reference inaccuracies. Prior literature has addressed these problems with solutions such as disciplining the phase reference using GPS and active synchronization modes but these methods have not yet been integrated together. This paper serves to unite solutions and develop a means for an inverter to remain synchronized and grid-forming without phase reference inaccuracies through a novel time-disciplined active synchronization phase reference. Further, this work expands upon prior literature on active synchronization to include black-start capabilities. Finally, the time disciplined phase reference is evaluated in Simulink as a grid-forming inverter capable of any synchronization circumstance and assessed by key metrics from modern standards.
The Political Economy of the Anti-Chinese Movement in California in the 19th Century

The passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 painted one of the most unsettling themes in the history of discrimination against ethnic minorities in the 19th century. The enactment marked the first federal legislation to prevent the immigration of laborers of a specific ethnic group. This paper develops a model to study the anti-Chinese movement in California by drawing on the previous literature. The model suggests that adverse economic conditions in the labor market, direct competition between Chinese workers and native workers, well-organized native labor, durable legislation can explain why there was a three-decade time lag between the first wave of Chinese agitation and the passage of the exclusion act. It can also explain why political actors frequently responded to the demands of labor organizations.
Evolutionarily conserved genetic interactions between nphp-4 and bbs-5 mutations exacerbate ciliopathy phenotypes

Primary cilia are sensory and signaling hubs with a protein composition that is distinct from the rest of the cell due to the barrier function of the transition zone (TZ) at the base of the cilium. Protein transport across the TZ is mediated in part by the BBSome, and mutations disrupting TZ and BBSome proteins cause human ciliopathy syndromes. Ciliopathies have phenotypic variability even among patients with identical genetic variants, suggesting a role for modifier loci. To identify potential ciliopathy modifiers, we performed a mutagenesis screen on nphp-4 mutant C. elegans and uncovered a novel allele of bbs-5. Nphp-4;bbs-5 double mutant worms have phenotypes not observed in either individual mutant strain. To test whether this genetic interaction is conserved, we also analyzed zebrafish and mice mutants. While Nphp4 mutant zebrafish appeared overtly normal, Bbs5 mutants exhibited scoliosis. When combined, Nphp4;Bbs5 double mutant zebrafish did not exhibit synergistic effects, but the lack of a phenotype in Nphp4 mutants makes interpreting these data difficult. In contrast, viable Nphp4;Bbs5 double mutant mice were not obtained and there were fewer mice than expected carrying three mutant alleles. Additionally, postnatal loss of Bbs5 in mice using a conditional allele compromised survival when combined with a Nphp4 allele. As cilia are formed in the double mutant mice, the exacerbated phenotype is likely a consequence of disrupted ciliary signaling. Collectively, these data support an evolutionarily conserved genetic interaction between Bbs5 and Nphp4 alleles that may contribute to the variability in ciliopathy phenotypes.
Astrocyte-neuron interaction in the dorsal striatum-pallidal circuits and alcohol-seeking behaviors.

Abstract In the striatum, two main types of GABAergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs), denoted striatonigral (or direct-pathway MSNs, dMSNs) and striatopallidal neurons (indirect-pathway MSNs, iMSNs), form circuits with distinct pallidal nuclei, which sends “GO” or “NO-GO” signals through the thalamus. These striatopallidal circuits evaluate and execute reward-seeking and taking behaviors. Especially, the dorsal striatum can be further divided into the dorsomedial striatum (DMS, equivalent to caudate in primates and humans) and dorsolateral striatum (DLS, equivalent to putamen), which orchestrates goal-directed and habitual reward-seeking and taking behaviors, respectively. Using optogenetics, chemogenetics and in vivo calcium imaging technologies combined with electrophysiology and digitalized behavior phenotyping, recent studies have revealed cell-, circuit- and context-specific functions of these microcircuits in addictive behaviors. Also, region-specific astrocytes regulate the homeostatic activities of the dMSNs and iMSNs as well as the downstream circuits, which determine the net balance of cortico-striato-pallidal activities to the thalamic neurons. This review will summarize the recent progress of striatopallidal circuits focusing on astrocyte-neuron interaction and, reward- and alcohol-seeking behaviors. Our review will also discuss the translational and clinical implications of these microcircuit studies. This article is part of the special Issue on “Neurocircuitry Modulating Drug and Alcohol Abuse”.
Biomechanical properties of the ex vivo porcine trachea: A benchmark for three-dimensional bioprinted airway replacements.

Abstract Purpose Combining tissue engineering and three-dimensional (3D) printing may allow for the introduction of a living functional tracheal replacement graft. However, defining the biomechanical properties of the native trachea is a key prerequisite to clinical translation. To achieve this, we set out to define the rotation, axial stretch capacity, and positive intraluminal pressure capabilities for ex vivo porcine tracheas. Study design Animal study. Materials and methods Six full-length ex vivo porcine tracheas were bisected into 5.5 cm segments. Maximal positive intraluminal pressure was measured by sealing segment ends with custom designed 3D printed caps through which a pressure transducer was introduced. Axial stretch capacity and rotation were evaluated by stretching and rotating the segments along their axis between two clamps, respectively. Results Six segments were tested for axial lengthening and the average post-stretch length percentage was 148.92% (range 136.81–163.48%, 95% CI 153–143%). The mean amount of length gain achieved per cartilaginous ring was 7.82% (range 4.71–10.95%, 95% CI 6.3–9.35%). Four tracheal segments were tested for maximal positive intraluminal pressure, which was over 400 mmHg. Degree of rotation testing found that the tracheal segments easily transformed 180° in anterior-posterior bending, lateral bending, and axial rotational twisting. Conclusions We define several biomechanical properties of the ex vivo porcine trachea by reporting the rotation, axial stretch capacity, and positive intraluminal pressure capabilities. We hope that this will aid future work in the clinical translation of 3D bioprinted airway replacement grafts and ensure their compatibility with native tracheal properties.
The "bubble boy" paradox: an answer that led to a question.

In the late 1970s the world witnessed the heart-wrenching tale of David Vetter, the “bubble boy.” Born with X-linked SCID (XSCID),[2][1] a complete deficiency of T cells and NK cells, David lived his entire life inside a plastic bubble, deprived of all human contact. Sadly, David Vetter died in
Raising Their Voices: The Politics of Girls' Anger

Two 14-year-old girls, fed up with the "Hooters" shirts worn by their male classmates, design their own rooster logo: "Cocks: Nothing to crow about". Seventeen-year-old April Schuldt, unmarried, pregnant and cheated out of her election as homecoming queen by squeamish school administrators, disrupts a pep rally with a protest that engages the whole school. This text, filled with the voices of teenage girls, corrects the misperceptions that have crept into the usual picture of female adolescence. Based on Lyn Brown's yearlong conversation with white junior high and middle-school girls, it allows the reader to hear how the girls adopt some expectations about gender but strenuously resist others; how they use traditionally feminine means to maintain their independence; and how they recognize and resist pressures to ignore their own needs and wishes.
Activatable tiles: compact, robust programmable assembly and other applications

While algorithmic DNA self-assembly is, in theory, capable of forming complex patterns, its experimental demonstration has been limited by significant assembly errors. In this paper we describe a novel protection/deprotection strategy to strictly enforce the direction of tiling assembly growth to ensure the robustness of the assembly process. Tiles are initially inactive, meaning that each tile's output pads are protected and cannot bind with other tiles. After other tiles bind to the tile's input pads, the tile transitions to an active state and its output pads are exposed, allowing further growth. We prove that an activatable tile set is an instance of a compact, error-resilient and self-healing tile-set. We also describe a DNA design for activatable tiles and a deprotection mechanism using DNA polymerase enzymes and strand displacement. We conclude with a discussion on some applications of activatable tiles beyond computational tiling.
Publicly-Traded Versus Privately-Held: Implications for Bank Profitability, Growth, Risk, and Accounting Conservatism*

Public and private banks differ along dimensions of control structure and capital market access. We develop and test predictions about the effects that these differences have on banks' profitability, growth, risk, and financial reporting. Our empirical results are generally consistent with our predictions. We predict and find that public banks have lower profitability but faster growth in assets and equity than private banks, after controlling for size. We find no reliable differences in accounting-based risk metrics across public and private banks. We predict and find results that suggest that stakeholders in public banks demand greater degrees of accounting conservatism relative to private banks. For example, we find that public banks recognize more timely earnings declines but less timely earnings increases than private banks. We also find that public banks exhibit more conservative accounting for loan losses. Loan loss provisions are larger and more timely, relative to exogenous indicators of probable credit losses, for public banks than for private banks. Our results inform accounting and finance academics, as well as bank managers, auditors, and regulators, about the effects of ownership structure on bank profitability, growth, risk, and accounting conservatism. The results highlight the implications of public and private banks' tradeoffs of potential agency costs associated with greater separation of ownership and control against the benefits of capital market access.
Aspects of safety and reliability of superconducting magnet systems for fusion power reactors

Existing superconducting (SC) systems are shown to be inadequate for predicting successful performance of fusion magnets, since they have simpler geometry, much smaller size and simpler safety systems, less complex loading conditions and cyclical variations in loads, and are not exposed to radiation. Even so, a number of mechanical and electrical failures have occurred in existing magnet systems. Using the UWMAK and various EPR SC magnet designs as starting points, a number of potential safety and reliability problems are analyzed for future Tokamak TF coil systems. The voltage withstand capability of TF coils appears to be only a few hundred volts during quenches because of release of H/sub 2/ from organic glues and insulators to form Penning mixtures with helium, ionization of He by gamma rays, and use of equipotential magnet structures.
Production of Psilocybin in Psilocybe baeocystis Saprophytic Culture

The carpophores of six species of mushrooms were analyzed by TLC for indole derivatives. Three species, Psilocybe baeocystis , P. caerulipes , and P. stricttipes , were found to contain psilocybin, and traces of psilocin were found to occur in the first two species. Neither compound could be detected in P. atrobrunnea , Stropharia aeruginosa , or S. semiglobata . Psilocybin has been isolated from P. baeocystis grown in submerged culture and identified by TLC, melting point, and ultraviolet and infrared spectra. Thin-layer chromatographic data for 36 indole derivatives in five solvent systems are included.
Liquid Laser Cavities

Liquid laser cavities have plenum chambers at the ends of the capillary cell which are terminated in transparent optical flats. By use of these cavities, several new europium chelates and a terbium chelate can provide laser action in solution at room temperature.
SERUM PROTEIN-STEROID HORMONE INTERACTIONS. I. BINDING OF DEOXYCORTICOSTERONE TO SERUM PROTEINS ASSAYED IN A METABOLIC SYSTEM IN VITRO.

Abstract Interaction between crystalline bovine serum albumin and deoxycorticosterone has been determined in a bioassay system in vitro involving the steroid-sensitive net influx of α-amino[1- 14 C]isobutyrate into rat thymic lymphocytes. In this system, at a molar ratio of bovine serum albumin to deoxycorticosterone of 1:11, the inhibitory effect of the steroid was eliminated. Because of the unknown binding capacity and affinity of thymocytes for deoxycosticosterone, a molar binding capacity value of eleven for serum albumin and deoxycorticosterone must be considered a maximum value under the present experimental conditions. Cohn plasma protein fraction IV-4 had only a small capacity for binding deoxycorticosterone, whereas fractions IV-1, III and II were ineffective. Palmitic acid, cortisol and corticosterone did not appear to complete with deoxycorticosterone for binding sites on bovine serum albumin. Since that fraction of the total steroid concentration that became protein-bound was metabolically inert in the bioassay employed, the present results support the hypothesis that serum protein-bound steroids are biologically inactive.
Composite particle fields (Hadrons) and the “color singlet theorem”

TheSU(3) color gauge symmetry of quarks is investigated in the light of a different kind of field theoryviz. a composite particle field theory. The experimentally observed color singlet principle is proved. Color gauge potentials are seen to have almost no dynamical effect on quarks. Hence, strong interaction between quarks is seen to appear from a different kind of potential. Such a theory is distinctly different in approach from the standard QCD.
Characterization of (Y1-xCax)BaCo4-yZnyO7 as cathodes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract The effects of Ca and Zn substitution, respectively, for Y and Co in (Y1-xCax)BaCo4-yZnyO7 (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.75 and 1.0 ≤ y ≤ 1.75) on the structure, high-temperature phase stability, thermal expansion coefficient (TEC), and electrochemical performance for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC) have been investigated. The (Y1-xCax)BaCo4-yZnyO7 oxides crystallize in a trigonal P31c symmetry similar to YBaCo4O7. The substitution of Zn for Co improves the long-term phase stability at high temperatures, but at the expense of the electrochemical performance. In contrast, the substitution of Ca for Y is improves electrochemical performances, but deteriorates the long-term phase stability at high temperatures at high Ca contents (x = 0.75 and 1.0). Among the various chemical compositions investigated in the (Y1-xCax)BaCo4-yZnyO7 system, the (Y0.5Ca0.5)BaCo2.5Zn1.5O7 composition offers a combination of good electrochemical performance and low TEC, while maintaining the phase stability at 600–800 °C for 120 h. The (Y0.5Ca0.5)BaCo2.5Zn1.5O7 + GDC (50 : 50 wt. %) composite cathodes exhibit a maximum power density of ∼ 450 mW cm−2 at 700 °C in anode-supported single SOFC.
Digestive secretions of lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, during early development

Digestive secretions of lake sturgeon were analysed for 60 days post-hatch. Three developmental phases were observed. During the yolk-sac stage (days 1–16) the digestive system differentiated and digestive enzyme concentrations were low. Initiation of gastric secretion was concurrent with establishment of active feeding (days 14–18). Peptic and tryptic activities continued to increase thereafter. Amylolytic and lipolytic activities were highest during the larval feeding phase and then declined following metamorphosis of the larvae to juveniles (days 24–30). Changes in the digestive enzyme complement were age related, not dietarily induced, and appeared to correspond with the different feeding habits and, possibly, nutritional requirements of the distinct life history stages.
Simulation of Early 20th Century Global Warming

The observed global warming of the past century occurred primarily in two distinct 20-year periods, from 1925 to 1944 and from 1978 to the present. Although the latter warming is often attributed to a human-induced increase of greenhouse gases, causes of the earlier warming are less clear because this period precedes the time of strongest increases in human-induced greenhouse gas (radiative) forcing. Results from a set of six integrations of a coupled ocean-atmosphere climate model suggest that the warming of the early 20th century could have resulted from a combination of human-induced radiative forcing and an unusually large realization of internal multidecadal variability of the coupled ocean-atmosphere system. This conclusion is dependent on the model's climate sensitivity, internal variability, and the specification of the time-varying human-induced radiative forcing.
High-pressure synthesis, characterization, and equation of state of cubic C-BN solid solutions.

Synthesis of several samples across the cubic ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathit{x}}$(BN${)}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$ solid solution (x=0.3--0.33,0.5,0.6) at pressures in excess of 30 GPa and temperatures above 1500 K indicates that they are isostructural with diamond and cubic BN (borazon). Measurement of the lattice parameters of C-BN samples quenched to ambient conditions shows that the solid solution between C (diamond) and cubic BN is nonideal, with unit-cell volumes up to 1% larger than predicted based on ideal mixing (Vegard's law). In addition, we have measured the zero-pressure, 300-K vibrational spectra for ${\mathrm{C}}_{0.3}$(BN${)}_{0.7}$. In the midinfrared absorption spectrum, we observe a reststrahlen band ranging from 1000--1120 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, and the Raman spectrum has a longitudinal optic mode at 1323(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2) ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. Based on a comparison of the spectrum with that of diamond and cubic BN, we conclude that the bonding in cubic C-BN is partially ionic. In addition to these measurements on quenched samples, we have measured the isothermal bulk modulus of ${\mathrm{C}}_{0.33}$(BN${)}_{0.67}$ by x-ray diffraction through a diamond cell to over 100 GPa at 300 K. The bulk modulus is 355(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}19) GPa, which is lower than those of diamond, cubic BN and the value predicted from ideal mixing between the end members, but is consistent with the nonideal expansion observed for the cubic C-BN lattice parameters.
Impact and application of material learned in a pharmacy residency teaching certificate program.

Objective. To describe the impact and application of material learned in a pharmacy resident teaching certificate program on the career experiences of alumni 1 to 11 years after completion of the p...
Enhanced Absorbent Products Incorporating Cellulose and Its Derivatives: A Review

Cellulose and some cellulose derivatives can play vital roles in the enhancement of the performance of absorbent products. Cellulose itself, in the form of cellulosic fibers or nano-fibers, can provide structure, bulk, water-holding capacity, and channeling of fluids over a wide dimensional range. Likewise, cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) have been widely studied as components in superabsorbent polymer (SAP) formulations. The present review focuses on strategies and mechanisms in which inclusion of cellulose – in its various forms – can enhance either the capacity or the rate of aqueous fluid absorption in various potential applications.
Development of thin porous metal sheet as micro-filtration membrane and inorganic membrane support

Abstract A reactive material processing method is developed in this work for fabrication of thin (25–200 μm) porous metal sheets of sub-micrometer pore sizes. A green sheet is first prepared by tape-casting of metal oxide-loaded slurry. Then, the green sheet is converted into a porous metallic structure through a high-temperature reduction process. Detailed preparation processes and characterization results are delineated with Ni materials as examples. The resulting 50 μm-thick Ni sheet of about 50% porosity looks like a metal foil, which is strong enough to be self-supported and flexible to bending. The gas permeance and permeability, depending on the sheet thickness and preparation conditions, is ranged from 5.0 × 10 −5 to 4.0 × 10 −4 mol/(m 2 Pa s) and from 1.5 × 10 7 to 8.5 × 10 7 Barrer, respectively. Such porous metal sheets may be used directly as a micro-filtration membrane or serve as an inorganic membrane support platform. This innovation makes it possible to develop thin flat sheet inorganic membranes with surface area packing density similar or comparable to polymeric membrane sheets.
Tradeoffs among delay, rate, and amount of reinforcement

In Experiment 1, an adjusting-delay procedure was used to measure pigeons' choices between a single delayed reinforcer and a range of different variable-time schedules. Indifference points showed an inverse relation between rate of reinforcement and delay that was well described by a hyperbolic equation. An adjusting-amount procedure was used in Experiment 2, in which pigeons chose between an adjusting amount of food delivered after a 0.5-s delay and 3 s of food delivered after a range of different delays, and the effects of delay were similar to those found in Experiment 1. The results from both experiments indicated that, for pigeons, the strength of a reinforcer decreased rapidly with increasing delay. Estimates of a decay rate parameter in the hyperbolic equation were similar to those found in other studies with pigeons, but the rates of temporal discounting were three or four times faster than those found in studies with rats, suggesting a possible species difference.
Vibrational frequencies and structural determination of trimethylphosphine oxide

Abstract The normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of trimethylphosphine oxide are examined theoretically using the Gaussian 98 set of quantum chemistry codes. All normal modes were successfully assigned to one of eight types of motion (P–C stretch, P O stretch, C–H stretch, C–P–C bend, P O bend, H–C–H bend, CH3 wag, and CH3 twist) utilizing the C3v symmetry of the molecule. Calculations were performed at the Hartree–Fock, DFT (B3LYP), and MP2 levels of theory using the standard 6-311G** basis. Theoretical results were successfully compared against available experimental data. Infrared intensities and Raman activities were calculated and reported.