cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Shared Decision-making for Diabetes Prevention: 12-Month Results from the Prediabetes Informed Decision and Education (PRIDE) Trial

Intensive lifestyle change (e.g., the Diabetes Prevention Program) and metformin reduce type 2 diabetes risk among patients with prediabetes. However, real-world uptake remains low. Shared decision-making (SDM) may increase awareness and help patients select and follow through with informed options for diabetes prevention that are aligned with their preferences. To test the effectiveness of a prediabetes SDM intervention. Cluster randomized controlled trial. Twenty primary care clinics within a large regional health system. Overweight/obese adults with prediabetes (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 and HbA1c 5.7–6.4%) were enrolled from 10 SDM intervention clinics. Propensity score matching was used to identify control patients from 10 usual care clinics. Intervention clinic patients were invited to participate in a face-to-face SDM visit with a pharmacist who used a decision aid (DA) to describe prediabetes and four possible options for diabetes prevention: DPP, DPP ± metformin, metformin only, or usual care. Primary endpoint was uptake of DPP (≥ 9 sessions), metformin, or both strategies at 4 months. Secondary endpoint was weight change (lbs.) at 12 months. Uptake of DPP and/or metformin was higher among SDM participants (n = 351) than controls receiving usual care (n = 1028; 38% vs. 2%, p < .001). At 12-month follow-up, adjusted weight loss (lbs.) was greater among SDM participants than controls (− 5.3 vs. − 0.2, p < .001). Absence of DPP supplier participation data for matched patients in usual care clinics. A prediabetes SDM intervention led by pharmacists increased patient engagement in evidence-based options for diabetes prevention and was associated with significantly greater uptake of DPP and/or metformin at 4 months and weight loss at 12 months. Prediabetes SDM may be a promising approach to enhance prevention efforts among patients at increased risk. This study was registered at clinicaltrails.gov (NCT02384109)).
On-chip Trapping of Protein and Nanoparticles Using Thermoplasmonic Nanohole Metasurface

We experimentally demonstrate thermoplasmonic nanohole metasurfaces as a novel platform for low optical power trapping of small protein molecules and nanoparticles. This device platform could enable new possibilities in nanobiosensing and nanoscale optofluidic cytometry.
Chained Bell Inequality Experiment with High-Efficiency Measurements.

We report correlation measurements on two ${^{9}\mathrm{Be}}^{+}$ ions that violate a chained Bell inequality obeyed by any local-realistic theory. The correlations can be modeled as derived from a mixture of a local-realistic probabilistic distribution and a distribution that violates the inequality. A statistical framework is formulated to quantify the local-realistic fraction allowable in the observed distribution without the fair-sampling or independent-and-identical-distributions assumptions. We exclude models of our experiment whose local-realistic fraction is above 0.327 at the 95% confidence level. This bound is significantly lower than 0.586, the minimum fraction derived from a perfect Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality experiment. Furthermore, our data provide a device-independent certification of the deterministically created Bell states.
Highly Multiplexed Single-Cell Full-Length cDNA Sequencing of human immune cells with 10X Genomics and R2C2

Abstract Single cell transcriptome analysis elucidates facets of cell biology that have been previously out of reach. However, the high-throughput analysis of thousands of single cell transcriptomes has been limited by sample preparation and sequencing technology. High-throughput single cell analysis today is facilitated by protocols like the 10X Genomics platform or Drop-Seq which generate cDNA pools in which the origin of a transcript is encoded at its 5’ or 3’ end. These cDNA pools are currently analyzed by short read Illumina sequencing which can identify the cellular origin of a transcript and what gene it was transcribed from. However, these methods fail to retrieve isoform information. In principle, cDNA pools prepared using these approaches can be analyzed with Pacific Biosciences and Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencers to retrieve isoform information but all current implementations rely heavily on Illumina short-reads for the analysis in addition to long reads. Here, we used R2C2 to sequence and demultiplex 9 million full-length cDNA molecules generated by the 10X Chromium platform from ∼3000 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We used these reads to – independent from Illumina data – cluster cells into B cells, T cells, and Monocytes and generate isoform-level transcriptomes for these cell-types. We also generated isoform-level transcriptomes for all single cells and used this information to identify a wide range of isoform diversity between genes. Finally, we also designed a computational workflow to extract paired adaptive immune receptor – T cell receptor and B cell receptor (TCR and BCR) –sequences unique to each T and B cell. This work represents a new, simple, and powerful approach that –using a single sequencing method – can extract an unprecedented amount of information from thousands of single cells.
The role of the US baccalaureate social work program director: a national survey

A national survey of Bachelor of Social Work program directors in the United States was conducted to learn about their current role including their environment, tasks and preparation, and support. ...
Validation and Mechanism of a Low-Cost Graphite Carbon Electrode for Electrochemical Brine Valorization

Desalination adoption outpaces the development of effective strategies for managing the concentrated brine streams it produces. Electrochemical water-salt splitting to generate useful chemicals is ...
Implications of Altered Ketone Metabolism and Therapeutic Ketosis in Heart Failure

Despite existing therapy, patients with heart failure (HF) experience substantial morbidity and mortality, highlighting the urgent need to identify novel pathophysiological mechanisms and therapies, as well. Traditional models for pharmacological intervention have targeted neurohormonal axes and hemodynamic disturbances in HF. However, several studies have now highlighted the potential for ketone metabolic modulation as a promising treatment paradigm. During the pathophysiological progression of HF, the failing heart reduces fatty acid and glucose oxidation, with associated increases in ketone metabolism. Recent studies indicate that enhanced myocardial ketone use is adaptive in HF, and limited data demonstrate beneficial effects of exogenous ketone therapy in studies of animal models and humans with HF. This review will summarize current evidence supporting a salutary role for ketones in HF including (1) normal myocardial ketone use, (2) alterations in ketone metabolism in the failing heart, (3) effects of therapeutic ketosis in animals and humans with HF, and (4) the potential significance of ketosis associated with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. Although a number of important questions remain regarding the use of therapeutic ketosis and mechanism of action in HF, current evidence suggests potential benefit, in particular, in HF with reduced ejection fraction, with theoretical rationale for its use in HF with preserved ejection fraction. Although it is early in its study and development, therapeutic ketosis across the spectrum of HF holds significant promise.
Dynamic coupling between the COVID epidemic timeline and the behavioral response to PAUSE in New York State counties

By many expert opinions, the COVID 19 epidemic is still much in its developing stages. While awaiting for effective clinical answers for the outbreak, the best approach remains that of social distancing. This raises a few crucial questions related to the extent to which social distancing measures were (1) well timed, (2) necessary and (3) efficient. By investigating correlations between epidemic measures such as daily infection rate, and social mobility measures (as reported by Apple and Google), our study aims to establish whether data identifies social distancing measures as a primary player in controlling the outbreak in New York State.
Selective activation of FZD7 promotes mesendodermal differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells.

WNT proteins are secreted symmetry breaking signals that interact with cell surface receptors of the FZD family to regulate a multitude of developmental processes. Studying selectivity between WNTs and FZDs has been hampered by the paucity of purified WNT proteins and by their apparent non-selective interactions with the FZD receptors. Here we describe an engineered protein, called F7L6, comprised of antibody-derived single chain variable fragments that selectively binds to human FZD7 and the co-receptor LRP6. F7L6 potently activates WNT/{beta}-catenin signaling in a manner similar to Wnt3a. In contrast to Wnt3a, F7L6 engages only FZD7 and none of the other FZD proteins. Treatment of human pluripotent stem (hPS) cells with F7L6 initiates transcriptional programs similar to those observed during primitive streak formation and subsequent gastrulation in the mammalian embryo. This demonstrates that selective engagement and activation of FZD7 signaling is sufficient to promote mesendodermal differentiation of hPS cells.
Variable selection methods for identifying predictor interactions in data with repeatedly measured binary outcomes.

Introduction: Identifying predictors of patient outcomes evaluated over time may require modeling interactions among variables while addressing within-subject correlation. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) address within-subject correlation, but identifying interactions can be difficult if not hypothesized a priori. We evaluate the performance of several variable selection approaches for clustered binary outcomes to provide guidance for choosing between the methods. Methods: We conducted simulations comparing stepwise selection, penalized GLMM, boosted GLMM, and boosted GEE for variable selection considering main effects and two-way interactions in data with repeatedly measured binary outcomes and evaluate a two-stage approach to reduce bias and error in parameter estimates. We compared these approaches in real data applications: hypothermia during surgery and treatment response in lupus nephritis. Results: Penalized and boosted approaches recovered correct predictors and interactions more frequently than stepwise selection. Penalized GLMM recovered correct predictors more often than boosting, but included many spurious predictors. Boosted GLMM yielded parsimonious models and identified correct predictors well at large sample and effect sizes, but required excessive computation time. Boosted GEE was computationally efficient and selected relatively parsimonious models, offering a compromise between computation and parsimony. The two-stage approach reduced the bias and error in regression parameters in all approaches. Conclusion: Penalized and boosted approaches are effective for variable selection in data with clustered binary outcomes. The two-stage approach reduces bias and error and should be applied regardless of method. We provide guidance for choosing the most appropriate method in real applications.
Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practices of Latinas Related to Gestational Weight Gain: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Excessive and inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG) are associated with a number of negative health outcomes for mother and infant. Approximately two-thirds or more of Latinas gain outside of GWG guidelines. Acculturation plays a role in GWG-related factors, however the views of Latinas are often aggregated in overall study samples, thus trivializing the specific needs of this demographic group. The purpose of the present meta-ethnography was to better understand GWG beliefs, attitudes, and practice among Latinas by synthesizing extant qualitative findings on this topic. Qualitative studies offer an important window into Latinas’ views and practices related to GWG. A qualitative meta-ethnography (a form of meta-synthesis) was implemented to synthesize qualitative studies about Latinas’ views of GWG-related factors. An initial sample of articles was distilled based on meta-ethnography guidelines from Noblit and Hare (1988) to a final sample of six qualitative articles that included perspectives from Latinas. Six concepts emerged across the studies, they included: shifts in feeling control, inconsistent/lacking information, self vs. other, applied wisdom, isolation vs. support, and everyday practicality. Studies met most quality assessment criteria (Atkins et al., BMC Medical Research Methodology 8:21, 2008). The views of Latinas about GWG-related factors are often buried in with perspectives of other women, which hides important details that are valuable for health program interventions designed to support these women. Future research should further explore the cultural differences in experience among Latinas to produce information and resources that are culturally relevant and relatable.
Progressive Patents for Usage-Based Insurance

The material in this case presents Progressive Insurance as it faced important decisions regarding how to proceed with its usage-based insurance (UBI) initiatives, including the Snapshot device and related patents. Progressive had a head start on its competitors employing UBI pricing, but several competing insurance companies had been testing the waters with their own UBI products. In the case, Progressive considers a number of alternative uses of its patents for students to address. Excerpt UVA-OM-1578 Rev. Oct. 28, 2020 Progressive Patents for Usage-Based Insurance In 2012, Progressive Insurance (Progressive) was the fourth-largest auto insurer in the United States and held 8% market share. At the time, the company faced important decisions regarding how to proceed with its usage-based insurance (UBI) initiatives, including the Snapshot device. In the auto insurance industry, companies competed to identify, classify, and attract drivers by offering a wide array of coverage and discounts. Better drivers were those who required insurers to pay out less in claims (i.e., had fewer and/or less severe accidents), costing insurance providers less than worse drivers. As a result, better drivers were highly prized customers. When pricing insurance policies for customers, insurers were met with a difficult trade-off. Overpricing products made a firm uncompetitive in the marketplace, and competitors could underbid it. Underpricing led to unprofitability as claims costs exceeded the premiums (price) paid to the insurer. Consequently, accurately pricing policies created competitive advantage in the auto insurance industry. . . .
Contests Where There Is Variation In The Marginal Productivity Of Effort

We provide a characterization of participants' behavior in a contest or tournament where the marginal productivity of effort varies across contestants and individual productivity is private information. We then consider the optimal design of such a contest. We first analyze contestant behavior for the usual type of contest, where the highest output wins. Abilities need not be independently distributed. We demonstrate that there is a unique symmetric equilibrium output function and that output is increasing in ability. We also show that marginal effort is increasing in ability and that effort decreases when the cost of effort increases. Next we consider the case where the highest output need not win; however, abilities are now assumed to be independently distributed. We analyze the contest designer's decisions in choosing contest rules optimal from her point of view. We characterize the solution in terms of continuity and exclusion of low ability participants. We also show that under the conditions imposed, the output produced and probability of winning are increasing in ability (whenever this probability is between zero and one). We also examine when the equilibrium probability of winning can be zero or one, and the relationship between the marginal cost of producing output and the marginal utility per dollar of the net award for winning. Finally, we show that the contest designer's expected revenue is increasing in the ability of contestants.
Linear superposition of responses evoked by individual glottal pulses explain over 80% of the frequency following response to human speech in the macaque monkey

The frequency-following response (FFR) is a scalp-recorded electrophysiological potential that closely follows the periodicity of complex sounds such as speech. It has been suggested that FFRs reflect the linear superposition of responses that are triggered by the glottal pulse in each cycle of the fundamental frequency (F0 responses) and sequentially propagate through auditory processing stages in brainstem, midbrain, and cortex. However, this conceptualization of the FFR is debated, and it remains unclear if and how well a simple linear superposition can capture the spectro-temporal complexity of FFRs that are generated within the highly recurrent and non-linear auditory system. To address this question, we used a deconvolution approach to compute the hypothetical F0 responses that best explain the FFRs in rhesus monkeys to human speech and click trains with time-varying pitch patterns. The linear superposition of F0 responses explained well over 90% of the variance of click train steady state FFRs and well over 80% of mandarin tone steady state FFRs. The F0 responses could be measured with high signal-to-noise ratio and featured several spectro-temporally and topographically distinct components that likely reflect the activation of brainstem (<5ms; 200-1000 Hz), midbrain (5-15 ms; 100-250 Hz) and cortex (15-35 ms; ~90 Hz). In summary, our results in the monkey support the notion that FFRs arise as the superposition of F0 responses by showing for the first time that they can capture the bulk of the variance and spectro-temporal complexity of FFRs to human speech with time-varying pitch. These findings identify F0 responses as a potential diagnostic tool that may be useful to reliably link altered FFRs in speech and language disorders to altered F0 responses and thus to specific latencies, frequency bands and ultimately processing stages.
Summary, Applications, Future Development

This chapter concludes the presentation of the RX Project in its current implementation. The first section summarizes the principal themes of the research and presents some of the notions that, I believe, must be captured by any system that derives probabilistic causal relationships empirically from time-oriented survey data. The second section presents the rationale for the development of the project from the standpoint of clinical and epidemiologic research. In this section I have tried to show the place of the RX Project in the current era of expanding computerization in health care and to emphasize the role of medical and statistical knowledge in doing valid clinical research. In the third section I have discussed a question that clinical researchers inevitably ask: “if there are to be adequate databases for a project like this, where will they come from, and why will they be created?” That section concludes with a discussion of one major area for immediate application of this dissertation research: post-marketing drug surveillance. Finally, the last section of this chapter presents a list of unfinished tasks. It is intended to expose some of the limitations of the current computer program and to present some areas for future development.
Child Maltreatment : Expanding Our Concept of Helping

Contents: M. Rothery, Child Maltreatment and the Front Line Worker. Part A: Child Maltreatment. M. Rothery, Family Therapy With Multiproblem Families. B. Blythe, V. Hodges, N. Guterman, Interventions for Maltreated Adolescents. D. Fuchs, Programs for Preventing Placement of Adolescents. L. Epstein, Helping the Young, Single Mother. S. Wilson, J. St. Pierre, Interventions in Child Abuse and Neglect: Parent-Child Models. K. Brophy, The Role of Preschool Programs in Meeting the Needs of Abused or Neglected Children. B. Bidgood, A. van de Sande, Home-Based Programming for a Child Welfare Clientele. R. Thomlison, Uses of Skill Development and Behavior Modification Techniques in Working With Abusing/Neglecting Parents. G. Cameron, Child Maltreatment: Challenges in Expanding Our Concept of Helping. J. Garbarino, Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect. Part B: Child Sexual Abuse. C. Bagley, L. Young, Depression, Self-Esteem, and Suicidal Behavior as Sequels of Sexual Abuse in Childhood: Research and Therapy. P. Smith, Current Treatment Responses to the Sexually Abusive Adult. H. Collins, D. Collins, Family Therapy in the Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse. D. Kays, Coordination of Child Sexual Abuse Programs. L. Tutty, Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: A Review of Current Research and Theory. G. Cameron, The Potential of Informal Social Support Strategies in Child Welfare.
Temperature and Energy Budgets

Light absorption causes molecules to attain states that are simply too improbable to be reached by collisions based on thermal energy. Transitions from an excited state to another one at a lower energy or to the ground state can be radiationless, releasing energy as heat that is eventually shared by the surrounding molecules. The surface temperature of an object indicates both the wavelengths where radiation from it will be maximal and the total energy radiated. The temperature of an object reflects the net result of all the ways that energy can enter or exit from it. This chapter examines these various ways, especially for leaves. The temperatures of leaves and more massive plant parts can then be predicted, based on the ambient environmental conditions. An approach is indicated in the chapter to the study of plant physiology and physiological ecology rather than providing a compendium of facts suitable for all situations. Nevertheless, certain basic features should become clear. For instance, CO 2 uptake during photosynthesis is accompanied by a water efflux through the stomata. This water loss during transpiration cools a leaf. In addition, energy influxes are balanced against effluxes by changes in leaf temperature, which affects the amount of radiation emitted by a leaf as well as the heat conducted to the surrounding air. Another generality is that the temperatures of small leaves tend to be closer to those of the air than do the temperatures of large leaves. To appreciate the relative contributions of the various factors, the chapter uses representative values for leaf and environmental parameters to describe the gas fluxes and the energy balance of leaves.
Batch-Scheduling dags for internet-based computing

The process of scheduling computations for Internet-based computing presents challenges not encountered with more traditional computing platforms. The looser coupling among participating computers makes it harder to utilize remote clients well, and raises the specter of a kind of “gridlock” that ensues when a computation stalls because no new tasks are eligible for execution. This paper studies the problem of scheduling computation-dags in a manner that renders tasks eligible for execution at the maximum possible rate. Earlier work has developed a framework for such scheduling when a new task is allocated to a remote client as soon as it returns the results from an earlier task. The proof in that work that many dags cannot be scheduled optimally within this paradigm signaled the need for a companion theory that addresses the scheduling problem for all computation-dags. A new, batched, scheduling paradigm for Internet-based computing is developed in this work. Although optimal batched schedules always exist, computing such a schedule is NP-Hard, even for bipartite dags. In response, a polynomial-time algorithm is developed for producing optimal batched schedules for a rich family of dags obtained by “composing” tree-structured building-block dags. Finally, a fast heuristic schedule is developed for “expansive” dags.
Parametric design studies of the FIRE/NSO

The FIRE/NSO (Fusion Ignition Research Experiment/Next-Step Option) is designed to be an inexpensive burning plasma experiment with alpha-dominated heating and pulses longer than particle confinement or current relaxation times. A new spreadsheet, FIRESALE, was constructed in order to ascertain the smallest and least expensive options that achieve this mission. The cost sensitivities of mission enhancement were also explored. Parametric variations of Ro, Bt, A, and qlim indicated that the present design of FIRE is close to the optimum for the "high-Q, long-burn" mission. Variations of physics assumptions indicated that performance will be more sensitive to the particle confinement/energy confinement ratio than to the H-factor of normalized beta. The FIRE/NSO design study is also meant to determine the impact of different magnet technologies. Performance differences between historic designs, scaled to a burning plasma experiment, were shown to be very large. Parametric studies of the impact of operational schedule on the tritium inventory and the initial costs of the auxiliary power and cryogenic refrigeration systems showed the possibility of significant cost reductions and easing of site requirements.
Justification of a stochastic model for a DC-DC boost converter

In this paper, we perform an analysis on random effects of a switching pulse-width modulated (PWM) DC-DC boost converter. Theoretical background regarding probability distribution of random noise due to existing disturbances is provided. An experimental study is performed to measure and characterize random noise on system parameters. Experimental results show that the characteristics of random noise in the converter are Gaussian. A new model is proposed to include the noise effects using stochastic differential equations. We verify the proposed model by Monte Carlo simulation. Error analysis is performed on obtained simulation results compared with the experimental results.
Characterization of Lean NOx Trap Catalysts with In-Cylinder Regeneration Strategies

Lean NOx trap (LNT) catalysts with different formulations have been characterized on a light-duty diesel engine platform. Two in-cylinder regeneration strategies were used during the study. The reductant chemistry differed for both strategies with one strategy having high levels of CO and H2 and the other strategy having a higher hydrocarbon component. The matrix of LNT catalysts that were characterized included LNTs with various sorbate loads and varying ceria content; the sorbate was Ba. Intra-catalyst measurements of exhaust gas composition were obtained at one quarter, one half, and three quarters of the length of the catalysts to better understand the affect of formulation on performance. Exhaust analysis with FTIR allowed measurement of NH3 and thereby, a measurement of N2 selectivity for the catalysts. Although overall NOx conversion increased with increasing sorbate load, the formation of NH3 increased as well. Interestingly, the presence of ceria in the LNT allowed NH3 to be oxidized to N2 in the downstream half of the LNT, thereby greatly reducing the tailpipe NH3 level. Despite different capacities for NOx sorption, a similar pattern for NOx adsorption as a function of the length of the catalyst was observed for catalysts with 8% and 20% Ba load. Results more » from these engine based experiments will be discussed relative to the body of literature concerning fundamental and model LNT studies. « less
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a parenteral testosterone microsphere formulation in the male rat. Demonstration of dose dependence and controlled release

This study examined the pharmacokinetics (the time course and pattern of testosterone release) and pharmacodynamics (effects on accessory sex organ weights, and serum LH and FSH levels) of a biodegradable testosterone microsphere formulation in the male rat. Two hundred seventy-five 55-day-old, sexually mature male rats underwent surgical orchiectomy or sham surgery and were divided into five groups as follows, to receive placebo or testosterone microsphere systems designed to release 25, 75, or 225 micrograms/day testosterone: group I: intact age-matched controls, sham operated, placebo microspheres; group II: surgically orchiectomized, placebo microspheres; group III: surgically orchiectomized, 25 micrograms/day testosterone microspheres; group IV: surgically orchiectomized, 75 micrograms/day testosterone microspheres; and group V: surgically orchiectomized, 225 micrograms/day testosterone microspheres. Serum testosterone levels were fairly uniform from day 2 to 85 without any significant trend. After day 100, serum testosterone levels gradually fell into the castrate range by day 196. There was a dose-dependent increase in serum testosterone levels in groups III, IV, and V over those seen in group II (castrated rats, placebo treated). Prostate and seminal vesicle weights were significantly lower in castrated animals treated with placebo or the 25-micrograms/day testosterone microsphere system (group III). Mean prostate and seminal vesicle weights in groups IV and V were not significantly different from those in intact controls (group I) in the first 85 days. After day 85-100, seminal vesicle and prostate weights declined gradually in groups III, IV, and V, approaching castrate range by day 196.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Shape Memory Alloy Cables for Structural Applications

AbstractShape memory alloys (SMAs) have attracted a great deal of attention as a smart material that can be used in various civil engineering applications. In contrast to the use of SMAs in the biomedical, mechanical, and aerospace applications, which requires mostly a small diameter of material, the larger size bars are usually needed in a structural application. It is well known that properties of large-section SMA bars are generally poorer than those of wires because of difficulties in material processing, which also increases the cost. SMA cables have been recently developed as an alternative and new structural element. This study explores the performance of large-diameter nickel-titanium (NiTi) SMA cables and their potential use in civil engineering. The SMA cable, which has a diameter of 8 mm, is composed of 7 strands and each strand has 7 wires with a diameter of 0.885 mm. The uniaxial tensile tests are conducted at various loading rates and strain amplitudes to characterize the superelastic proper...
Death following intentional ingestion of e-liquid

Context: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is growing within the United States, resulting in both intentional and unintentional exposures to concentrated liquid nicotine or “e-liquid.” Nicotine has been culpable for severe poisoning and deaths in the past. However, sources of nicotine have traditionally been from cigarettes, cigars, or pesticides. Fatalities due to liquid nicotine are rare, and fatalities following ingestion of e-liquid are even scarcer. Case: We present a case of a 24-year-old woman who intentionally ingested up to 3000 mg of liquid nicotine intended for e-cigarette use. She was found in pulseless electrical activity and had return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after undergoing approximately 10 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation with a blood pressure of 74/53 mmHg and a pulse rate of 106 beats/min. Despite aggressive supportive care, she ultimately died after she was found to have multiple acute infarcts, consistent with severe anoxic brain injury, on magnetic resonance imagin...
Tubercular lesions in Pacific coast populations of striped bass

Abstract Tubercular lesions were found in striped bass Moroue saxatilis from four areas in northern California and Coos Bay, Oregon. The prevalence of infected striped bass ranged from 25% to 68% in California and was 46% in Oregon. This is the first report of tubercles caused by an acid-fast bacillus in wild populations of west coast striped bass. Received October 25, 1982 Accepted April 24, 1983
Heligmosomoides polygyrus: CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells regulate the IgE response and protective immunity in mice

Oral inoculation of BALB/c mice with infective larvae of Heligmosomoides polygyrus resulted in chronic infection characterized by the release of parasite eggs in the feces for several months. The actual number of eggs per gram of feces was dependent on the dose of the inoculum. Serum IgE in infected mice peaked at a level of greater than 70 micrograms/ml during Weeks 3 through 6 following inoculation, and high levels of IgE (greater than 40 micrograms/ml) persisted for over 14 weeks. Protective immune responses resulted in reduced egg production and the development of markedly fewer adult worms in the small intestines following a challenge inoculation. The role of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in these responses was examined by depletion in vivo of either T cell subpopulation with rat mAb specific for the appropriate determinants. Mice treated with anti-CD4 during a primary infection had increased EPG which was due primarily to an increase in worm fecundity (eggs produced per adult female). A challenge inoculation of mice that had been cleared of the primary infection with an anthelmintic drug induced a protective response that reduced development of new adult worms by 70-80% and their fecundity by greater than 90%. This protective response was abrogated by injection of mice with anti-CD4. Serum IgE diminished when adult worms were removed after anthelmintic treatment. A more precipitous drop in serum IgE followed successive treatments of mice with an anthelmintic and anti-CD4. In addition, the anamnestic serum IgE response to a challenge inoculation was reduced by over 80% in anti-CD4-treated mice. Anti-CD8 treatment had no appreciable effect on the immunological or parasitological parameters measured following a challenge inoculation with H. polygyrus. Thus, CD4+ T cells regulate host protective immunity, worm fecundity, and IgE levels in an H. polygyrus infection. This experimental system may be particularly suitable for analysis of chronic nematode infections of humans and livestock because of the responsiveness of the parasite in vivo to changes in host immune function.
Fluorescence Changes During Chlorophyll Formation in Euglena gracilis (and Other Organisms) and an Estimate of Lamellar Area as a Function of Age

SYNOPSIS. In the present study, we show for various photosynthetic organisms in the mature state the diversity which exists in the relative fluorescence intensities of the aggregate and monomer of chlorophyll (at both room temperature and the temperature of liquid nitrogen). For a number of forms, but especially for Euglena gracilis, the spectral transformations which accompany greening are reported. The onset of photosynthetic activity is correlated with a steep (almost step-like) rise in the ratio of aggregate to monomer fluorescence. From this ratio we calculate the “effective” concentration of chlorophyll and estimate lamellar area as a function of greening.
Novel allosteric activation site in Escherichia coli fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) governs a key step in gluconeogenesis, the conversion of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate into fructose 6-phosphate. In mammals, the enzyme is subject to metabolic regulation, but regulatory mechanisms of bacterial FBPases are not well understood. Presented here is the crystal structure (resolution, 1.45A) of recombinant FBPase from Escherichia coli, the first structure of a prokaryotic Type I FBPase. The E. coli enzyme is a homotetramer, but in a quaternary state between the canonical R- and T-states of porcine FBPase. Phe15 and residues at the C-terminal side of the first α-helix (helix H1) occupy the AMP binding pocket. Residues at the N-terminal side of helix H1 hydrogen bond with sulfate ions buried at a subunit interface, which in porcine FBPase undergoes significant conformational change in response to allosteric effectors. Phosphoenolpyruvate and sulfate activate E. coli FBPase by at least 300%. Key residues that bind sulfate anions are conserved among many heterotrophic bacteria, but are absent in FBPases of organisms that employ fructose 2,6-bisphosphate as a regulator. These observations suggest a new mechanism of regulation in the FBPase enzyme family: anionic ligands, most likely phosphoenolpyruvate, bind to allosteric activator sites, which in turn stabilize a tetramer and a polypeptide fold that obstructs AMP binding.
1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 stimulates differentiation of committed murine bone marrow-derived macrophage precursor cells

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) both accelerate differentiation of marrow macrophages from which osteoclasts are derived. Previously, we showed that the steroid's effect on early macrophage precursors may be mediated through M-CSF, as the steroid enhances cytokine receptor expression. In contrast, 1,25-(OH)2D3 blunts M-CSF receptor expression on more mature, yet still pluripotential, hematopoietic precursors. Extending these observations to marrow cells committed to macrophage differentiation, we found that 1,25-(OH)2D3 causes a marked decrease in cellular proliferation despite a 2- to 3-fold increase in [125I]M-CSF binding in a similar dose-dependent metabolite-specific manner. Scatchard analysis demonstrated that increased binding reflects increased receptor capacity without an alteration in affinity. Steroid-induced M-CSF receptor enhancement reflects acceleration of protein appearance rather than overexpression, as treated and untreated cells ul...
Influence of heredity on response of inbred rats to diet

Abstract Inbreeding our laboratory strain of rats (BHE) resulted in 2 lines significantly different with respect to body size, food consumption, occurrence and degree of gross nephrosis, renal stones and urine protein excretion although average kidney size, occurrence of hydronephrosis and urine pH were not significantly different. Inbred BHE female rats had less nephrosis in both lines than male rats. Body size explained the sex difference in this defect in the line with less nephrosis (line 1) but not in the other (line 2). Response of the individual lines to 2 kinds of protein in semipurified diets indicated that heredity is a more potent factor than dietary protein in occurrence of nephrosis and excretion of urine protein. Within each line, stock diet provoked the largest excretion of urine protein and 24 per cent of either defatted egg or lactalbumin, the lowest. However, line 2 rats excreted twice as much protein with all diets as line 1 rats. Stock diet produced the highest urine pH and stone incidence in both lines. Females had more kidney stones than males; stones occurred in virgin female rats as well as in breeders. Results of this study point out the need for caution in interpretation of nutrition studies; individual differences may be related to “hidden” genetic defects.
Using a commercial symmetric multiprocessor for lattice QCD

Abstract In its evolution, the computer industry has reached the point when considerable computing power can be packaged on a single microprocessor chip. At the same time, costs of designing a computer system around such a CPU are growing. For these reasons we decided to explore a possibility of using commercially available symmetric multiprocessors (SMP) as building blocks for the LQCD computer. Careful analysis of the architecture allowed us to build a QCD primitive library running close to the peak performance on the UltraSPARC processor. As a result, multithreaded QCD code (both the heatbath and the Wilson fermion inverter) runs at about 50% efficiency on a single SMP. The communication between different CPUs is handled by a coherent memory system. Currently we are planning to connect several SMPs with a high bandwidth network into a single system.
Experimental and numerical studies of the chromatofocusing of dilute proteins using retained pH gradients formed on a strong-base anion-exchange column

The separation of dilute protein mixtures was achieved using simple monovalent buffering species to form retained, internally produced pH gradients on a strong-basic anion-exchange column. Highly focused proteins bands localized on stepwise pH transitions were produced experimentally under trace and volume overloaded feed conditions. Numerical simulations were performed that accurately predict the pH profile and protein band shapes in the column effluent. Experimental results were combined with numerical investigations to explore strategies for designing efficient preparative-scale chromatofocusing systems using simple, inexpensive buffers and adsorbents.
Population growth in a time-varying environment

Abstract The nonautonomous differential equation x = x \ tf(t, x) incorporates the effects of a time-varying environment on the growth of a population. Very inclusive assumptions on the per capita growth rate function f accommodate both regularly repeating seasonal variation and also nonseasonal variation that can be so irregular as to appear stochastic. Extinction and persistence conditions in this nonautonomous model are shown to coincide with the well-known extinction and persistence conditions of the related autonomous differential equation x = xf(x) when the function f is interpreted as the long-term average of f. This correspondence justifies use of the autonomous model to study features of natural populations that occupy time-varying environments, subject to limitations associated with the form of the model.
On the Receiving End: Women and Stolen Goods in London 1783–1815

If women in London in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries sought the perfect crime in which to participate, selecting receiving stolen goods provided excellent opportunities for profit and little chance of punishment. Low conviction rates, combined with the fact that no behaviour outside of gendered expectations was required in its commission, made dealing in stolen goods relatively easy for women in the metropolis. Although this particular offence has not been deeply analysed by historians of crime, its commission did alarm contemporaries, including members of the legal community and social commentators. This paper explores accusations against females in London for receiving, as well as the important roles that familial relationships and work played in their indictments for the crime.
Inheritance of glandular trichomes in crosses with Solanum berthaultii

The inheritance of trichome density and droplet size was investigated in diploid and tetraploid crosses. In haploidTuberosum ×Solanum berthaultii and (S.phureja ×haploid Tuberosum) × S.berthaultii crosses, droplet size on type B trichomes was small or droplets were lacking on F1 hybrids. Parental phenotypes were recovered in the F2 and backcross generations. Trichome density was more variable within a clone that was droplet size. Density of both type A and type B trichomes appears to be under the control of small numbers of genes, as parental phenotypes were recovered in the F2 and backcross generations. The variation observed for each of the three traits studied could not be explained by hypotheses based on the segregation of one or two loci. The insect resistance ofSolanum berthaultii appears to be due to the interaction of several chemical and physical factors, thus potato breeders should handle it as a quantitatively inherited trait.
Solitary Waves in the One- and Two-Fluid Systems

A theoretical discussion is given of the solitary wave. Part I is concerned with the wave on a water surface; Part II considers the solitary wave at the interface of two superimposed liquids of different density, bounded above and below by rigid surfaces. In Part I higher approximations are obtained for the speed of propagation, and limits to the wave speed are derived from the momentum theorem. The results include a correction to the second approximation of Weinstein. In Part II the first two approximations to the wave speed are derived. The equations of the second approximation yield limits on the wave amplitude. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1956.tb01249.x
Finite-size effects at critical points with anisotropic correlations: Phenomenological scaling theory and Monte Carlo simulations

Various thermal equilibrium and nonequilibrium phase transitions exist where the correlation lengths in different lattice directions diverge with different exponentsv ‖,v ⊥: uniaxial Lifshitz points, the Kawasaki spin exchange model driven by an electric field, etc. An extension of finite-size scaling concepts to such anisotropic situations is proposed, including a discussion of (generalized) rectangular geometries, with linear dimensionL ‖ in the special direction and linear dimensionsL ⊥ in all other directions. The related shape effects forL ‖≠L ⊥ but isotropic critical points are also discussed. Particular attention is paid to the case where the generalized hyperscaling relationv ‖+(d−1)v ⊥=γ+2β does not hold. As a test of these ideas, a Monte Carlo simulation study for shape effects at isotropic critical point in the two-dimensional Ising model is presented, considering subsystems of a 1024x1024 square lattice at criticality.
Special interpolation to minimize grain in printer color separation

Most of printers use more than three inks for color printing, though a color can be represented by only three values. Gray component replacement (GCR) and under color removal (UCR) are often applied for color separation for CMYK printers. However, this method typically has problems in maximizing color gamut, controlling ink limit for inkjet printers, and cannot be easily expanded to more than CMYK four colorants. In order to have better controls for color separation and ink limit, 3-D lookup table (LUT) approaches were developed for color separation. Our 3-D color separation method starts from the color separation for critical points (primary points, black and white points, and points to divide a line or a region into two parts that use different colorants), followed by 1-D interpolation (line interpolation) to determine the color separation for grid points in critical lines (primary lines, the neutral line, and additional important lines), followed by 2-D interpolations (plane interpolation) to determine the color separation for grid points in critical planes, followed by 3-D interpolation to determine the color separation for the remaining grid points in the 3-D LUT. To control the spreading of K and high-density ink to some regions, such as the highlight region and the flesh tone region, we start from controlling the ink propagation in line interpolation, which is a fairly easy step, then control the ink propagation in planes, and finally control the ink propagation in 3-D interpolation. With this process, a 3-D LUT for the conversion from a printer RGB space or a virtual CMY space to an n-colorant space (n is the number of colorants in the printer) is built to maximize the printer gamut and to minimize grain. This paper describes the details of special interpolations to fill the grids in a 3-D color separation LUT, which includes controlling ink propagation in grids on selected lines, followed by special interpolations to minimize grain in plane-interpolation, followed by special interpolations to fill the remaining grids in the 3-D LUT.