cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Obese melanocortin‐4 receptor‐deficient rats exhibit augmented angiogenic balance and vasorelaxation during pregnancy

While obesity is a major risk factor for preeclampsia, the mechanisms linking obesity and hypertension during preeclampsia remain unclear. Hypertension in preeclampsia is associated with placental ischemia-induced release of anti-angiogenic soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) into the maternal circulation, which antagonizes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoting endothelial dysfunction. Haploinsufficiency, defined as loss of one copy of a gene via a mutation, of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is the most common cause of monogenetic obesity in humans. The purpose of our study was to determine the effects of genetic obesity on angiogenic balance, endothelial function, and blood pressure in pregnant MC4R+/- and MC4R+/+ rats. At gestational day (GD) 18, body weight and total body fat mass were greater in MC4R+/- than MC4R+/+ rats. On GD 19, plasma sFlt-1 was not significantly different between groups. Interestingly, circulating VEGF was greater in the obese rats with the source being adipose tissue and not the placenta. Wire myography showed in third-order mesenteric arteries that sensitivity (logEC50) to endothelial dependent and nitric oxide donor-induced vasorelaxation was greater in MC4R+/- versus MC4R+/+. Mean arterial blood pressure was similar between groups. In conclusion, under normal pregnant conditions, genetically obese pregnant animals have greater angiogenic balance and dependency of vasorelaxation on nitric oxide signaling protecting against the development of hypertension. However, we speculate that, in the face of reduced uterine perfusion, a rise in circulating placental factors that target and reduce nitric oxide bioavailability exposes the susceptibility of genetically obese animals to greater hypertension in pregnancy.
Major Advances Associated with Hormone and Growth Factor Regulation of Mammary Growth and Lactation in Dairy Cows

In recent years, the number of researchers interested in mammary development and mammary function in dairy animals has declined. More importantly this cadre of workers has come to rely more than ever on scientists focused on and funded by breast cancer interests to provide fundamental mechanistic and basic cellular insights. Philosophically and practically this is a risky path to better understand, manipulate, and control a national resource as important as the dairy cow. The efficiency, resourcefulness, and dedication of dairy scientists have mirrored the actions of many dairy producers but there are limits. Many of the applications of research, use of bovine somatotropin, management of transition cows, estrus synchronization techniques, and so on, are based on decades-old scientific principles. Specific to dairy, do rodents or breast cancer cell lines adequately represent the dairy cow? Will these results inspire the next series of lactation-related dairy improvements? These are key unanswered questions. Study of the classic mammogenic and lactogenic hormones has served dairy scientists well. But there is an exciting, and bewildering universe of growth factors, transcription factors, receptors, intracellular signaling intermediates, and extracellular molecules that must ultimately interact to determine the size of the mature udder and the functional capacity of mammary gland in the lactating cow. We can only hope that enough scientific, fiscal, and resource scraps fall from the biomedical research banquet table to allow dairy-focused mammary gland research to continue.
Multi-phase inverter analysis

Pole-phase modulation adjusts the pole-phase ratio of an induction machine. This requires a multi-leg, multi-phase inverter. This paper analyzes an n-leg, n-phase inverter and presents several techniques for n-phase space vector pulse width modulation. The n-leg inverter is examined in terms of its (n-1)/2 load circuit configurations. Each load configuration is analyzed to determine the ratio of phase to source current. Next, the waveforms resulting from n-step mode operation for each configuration are presented. There are 2n space-vectors for an n-phase system. These space-vectors can be divided into (n-1)/2 sets which correspond to the inverter's load circuit configurations. Within each set, there exists a maximum magnitude subset of space vectors. This paper presents several SVPWM techniques that are based on the use of these vectors.
Does language do more than communicate emotion

Language can certainly communicate emotions, but growing research suggests that language also helps constitute emotion by cohering sensations into specific perceptions of “anger,” “disgust,” “fear,” and other emotion categories. The powerful role of language in emotion is predicted by a constructionist approach, which suggests that emotions occur when sensations are categorized using emotion category knowledge supported by language. We discuss the accumulating evidence from social-cognitive, neuropsychological, cross-cultural, and neuroimaging studies that emotion words go beyond communication to help constitute emotional perceptions, and perhaps even emotional experiences. We look ahead to current directions in research on emotional intelligence, emotion regulation, and psychotherapy.
Silver-free synthesis of nitrate-containing room-temperature ionic liquids

Nitrate-containing 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids, [Cn-mim]NO3, where n = 4, 6, 8, 12, are synthesized in one step by reacting 1-methylimidazole with alkyl nitrates under various conditions without using AgNO3 and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium halides.
Humoral control of gut function

I am greatly honored to have been chosen to deliver the first “State-of-the-Art” lecture for the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. Anyone who has ever visited us in Galveston knows that all of the real scientific work is done by my colleagues and that I function as a stimulant, or irritant; manuscript editor; and scold. I am delighted to present here some of the recent work of Courtney M. Townsend, Jr., MD, George Greeley, Jr., PhD, Pomila Singh, PhD, Cary Cooper, PhD, Phillip L. Rayford, PhD, Norma Rubin, PhD, Dan Beauchamp, MD, and Dilip Parekh, MD. I am especially grateful to Jin Ishizuka, MD, for the work he has done in the laboratory and for his help in compiling this summary of our work. The title of this paper, “Humoral Control of Gut Function,” delineates the subject, but we should all know that the gut is subject to multiple control mechanisms. Arguments handed down from the time of Pavlov regarding the relative contributions of neural versus humoral control mechanisms are all probably moot, i.e., the interrelations between nervous and humoral control are so overlapping as to be inseparable; each tremendously influences the other. Humoral control mechanisms include regulatory peptides that coexist in the gut and central nervous system. Gastrointestinal hormones are chemical messengers that regulate gut functions. Most of them-perhaps all, depending on definitions-are peptides. They are secreted by endocrine cells, which are widely distributed throughout the gastrointestinal mucosa in such profusion that the gut has been called the largest endocrine organ in the body. Although we call these agents gastrointestinal hormones, they are by no means limited to the gastrointestinal tract nor do they always function in an endocrine fashion, i.e. the regulatory peptides are not always discharged from endocrine cells into blood vessels to act on a distant receptor. Sometimes they act locally in a paracrine fashion; they may serve as transmitting agents for nervous impulses, or they may be discharged into blood vessels after nerve stimulation in the true neuroendocrine fashion (Figure 1) [I]. Gastroenteropancreatic endocrinology includes all of these functions, and, truth to tell, we do not always know when an agent acts locally as well as at a distant site.
Amniotic fluid beta-2 microglobulin concentration--an index of gestational age.

Abstract Beta-2 microglobulin concentrations were measured in amniotic fluid obtained from 20 women at various stages of gestation. The concentrations averaged 6.3 μg per milliliter (range 5 to 10) between the tenth and thirty-sixth weeks and 0.87 μg per milliliter (range 0.2 to 1.3) after 36 weeks. This rapid third-trimester decrease in amniotic fluid concentration suggests that a major fetal pathway for metabolism of this protein becomes functional late in the course of gestation. From what is known of beta-2 microglobulin metabolism, this most likely relates to renal tubular function and suggests that this test may have significance in determining fetal age.
Nonadrenal familial female hermaphroditism

Abstract Two female hermophrodites with bony anomalies and primary amenorrhea occurring in siblings are reported. The laboratory studies showed normal urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion, low urinary gonadotropins, and 46,XX karyotype.
Judicial Deference and Executive Control Over Administrative Agencies

Do judges defer to executives with increased institutional control over the executive branch? Administrative agencies play a key role in the policy implementation process. Executives could view agg...
Kinetics of Aminocarbyne Formation on Pt(111)

The kinetics of aminocarbyne (CNH2) formation from coadsorbed CN and H on Pt(111) was studied in the temperature range of 220 to 235 K by monitoring the time-dependent increase in the δ(NH2) mode of CNH2 at 1566 cm–1 with reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). The surface was exposed using a directed-gas doser to 0.05 L of HCN, which immediately dissociates in the temperature range studied to deposit CN and H on the surface. A peak observed at 3348 cm–1 is assigned to the CNH intermediate. A simple model with rate constants for CNH formation, CNH decomposition, and CNH2 formation was used to analyze the experimental time-dependent coverages of CNH2. A modified model in which hydrogen was assumed to diffuse rapidly over the surface to occupy all available sites as the reaction proceeded was also used to obtain the three rate constants. From the temperature dependence of these rate constants and fits to Arrhenius plots, activation energies of 0.26, 0.22, and 0.41 eV for CNH formation, CNH diss...
Review forum: Introduction

Moral reflections: David Harvey's justice, nature and the geography of difference. Malden, MA and Oxford: Blackwell, 1996. 468 pp., paper/cloth, $25.95/$68.95, ISBN 1–55786–681–3/1–55786–680–5
Application of Psychosocial Epidemiology in Tuberculosis Control

This paper introduces the research about psychosocial epidemiology,describes psychological factors influencing on the entire process of tuberculosis patients finding,treatment,management and prognosis.When the tuberculosis patients appear tuberculosis suspected symptom,sometimes they are afraid to see a doctor due to the influence of psychological factors,which may delay the treatment of patients,and cause aggravation of the disease and even death finally.Simultaneously psychological factors seriously affect the compliance of patients in the whole therapeutic process and thus result in the incomplete cure.The application of psychosocial epidemiology contributed greatly to the development of tuberculosis control.
Thermal Effects in the Fracture of Rubber-Modified Polystyrene

We describe an experimental procedure aimed at examining the spatial and temporal distribution of energy dissipation during crack initiation and propagation in a ductile polymer of high impact polystyrene. The experiment combines a table-top tensile tester and an infrared imaging system. Because of the intense heating of the crack tip region, direct observation of the temperature rise not only provides an accurate measurement of the position of the crack tip, and thus the propagation velocity, but also much information for the analysis of plastic deformation, energy conversion, and evaluation of thermal properties of polymer materials.
Prostaglandins and the Uterine Circulation

By late pregnancy, uterine blood flow is 30 to 40 times that of the non-pregnant state (1). The great capacity of the uterine vasculature to adapt itself to the enormous increase in the physiological demands imposed by gestation might be caused by either the appearance of new or increased production of pre-existing compounds which influence uterine vascular resistance. The mechanism which regulates blood flow to the pregnant uterus is not well defined; the proposal that it involves uterine prostaglandins is supported by our studies.
The new Passive microwave Neural network Precipitation Retrieval (PNPR) algorithm for the cross-track scanning ATMS radiometer: description and verification study over Europe and Africa using GPM and TRMM spaceborne radars

Abstract. The objective of this paper is to describe the development and evaluate the performance of a completely new version of the Passive microwave Neural network Precipitation Retrieval (PNPR v2), an algorithm based on a neural network approach, designed to retrieve the instantaneous surface precipitation rate using the cross-track Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) radiometer measurements. This algorithm, developed within the EUMETSAT H-SAF program, represents an evolution of the previous version (PNPR v1), developed for AMSU/MHS radiometers (and used and distributed operationally within H-SAF), with improvements aimed at exploiting the new precipitation-sensing capabilities of ATMS with respect to AMSU/MHS. In the design of the neural network the new ATMS channels compared to AMSU/MHS, and their combinations, including the brightness temperature differences in the water vapor absorption band, around 183 GHz, are considered. The algorithm is based on a single neural network, for all types of surface background, trained using a large database based on 94 cloud-resolving model simulations over the European and the African areas. The performance of PNPR v2 has been evaluated through an intercomparison of the instantaneous precipitation estimates with co-located estimates from the TRMM Precipitation Radar (TRMM-PR) and from the GPM Core Observatory Ku-band Precipitation Radar (GPM-KuPR). In the comparison with TRMM-PR, over the African area the statistical analysis was carried out for a 2-year (2013–2014) dataset of coincident observations over a regular grid at 0.5° × 0.5° resolution. The results have shown a good agreement between PNPR v2 and TRMM-PR for the different surface types. The correlation coefficient (CC) was equal to 0.69 over ocean and 0.71 over vegetated land (lower values were obtained over arid land and coast), and the root mean squared error (RMSE) was equal to 1.30 mm h−1 over ocean and 1.11 mm h−1 over vegetated land. The results showed a slight tendency to underestimate moderate to high precipitation, mostly over land, and overestimate moderate to light precipitation over ocean. Similar results were obtained for the comparison with GPM-KuPR over the European area (15 months, from March 2014 to May 2015 of coincident overpasses) with slightly lower CC (0.59 over vegetated land and 0.57 over ocean) and RMSE (0.82 mm h−1 over vegetated land and 0.71 mm h−1 over ocean), confirming a good agreement also between PNPR v2 and GPM-KuPR. The performance of PNPR v2 over the African area was also compared to that of PNPR v1. PNPR v2 has higher R over the different surfaces, with generally better estimation of low precipitation, mostly over ocean, thanks to improvements in the design of the neural network and also to the improved capabilities of ATMS compared to AMSU/MHS. Both versions of PNPR algorithm have shown a general consistency with the TRMM-PR.
A New Hegemonic Order in Asia

The AIIB is a major diplomatic success for China. China has the necessary financial power to accomplish its objective. Virtually every country has accepted China’s leading role in a financial institution, a global social reality construction process that legitimizes a greater Chinese influence. But the global financial market affects China just like anyone else. The AIIB does not measure up to the ordering projects by the United States. Yet it still constitutes more of a change to the status quo powers than the Japanese attempt at institution building. While the AIIB is a hybrid borrowing much from the existing international order, the birth and operations of such institutions will weaken the liberal international order because the dominant country in it is not a liberal democracy.
The influence of sandstone caprock material on bedrock channel steepness within a tectonically passive setting: Buffalo National River Basin, Arkansas, USA

Bedrock channel profile analysis typically assumes that channels evolve toward a condition of topographic steady state where channel morphology is adjusted to rock erodibility, uplift rates, and stream power. Here we use the integral method of channel profile analysis to quantify channel steepness within a large set of tributary channels that incise through layered rocks in the Buffalo National River Basin in northern Arkansas. Statistical analysis of these channels demonstrates that normalized channel steepness is not a function of local bedrock lithology but is influenced by coarse sediment supply. Specifically, normalized steepness is greatest in reaches of the basin where an interval of Pennsylvanian sandstone forms a caprock on the ridges. Block detachment of the sandstone causes large boulders to be stranded in the upper tributaries where stream power is too low to mobilize or effectively erode the boulders. Within these channels, normalized steepness is correlated with sandstone boulder size and percent boulder coverage rather than local lithology, despite strong contrasts in the mechanical strength of the lithologies incised. This analysis suggests that removal of caprock material is rate-limiting within the landscape and may be responsible for the long-term persistence of topography within this tectonically passive setting.
Authorial Obeah and Naming in Jean Rhys's WIDE SARGASSO SEA

Jean Rhys's 1966 novel, Wide Sargasso Sea, is broadly recognized as a postcolonial, feminist prequel to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. In it, Rhys gives Bronte's Bertha character her own “real” iden...
Actinide Hazard Reduction by Partitioning and Transmutation in a Coupled Reactor System

The long-term reduction in potential hazard of geologically stored nuclear wastes achievable by partitioning and transmutation (PT) of the actinides discharged from a mixed-oxide (MOX)-fueled light...
Axisymmetric spreading of surfactant from a point source

Guided by computation, we theoretically calculate the steady flow driven by the Marangoni stress due to a surfactant introduced on a fluid interface at a constant rate. Two separate extreme cases, where the surfactant dynamics is dominated by the adsorbed phase or the dissolved phase, are considered. We focus on the case where the size of the surfactant source is much smaller than the size of the fluid domain, and the resulting Marangoni stress overwhelms the viscous forces so that the flow is strongest in a boundary layer close to the interface. We derive the resulting flow in a region much larger than the surfactant source but smaller than the domain size by approximating it with a self-similar profile. The radially outward component of fluid velocity decays with the radial distance as when the surfactant spreads in an adsorbed phase, and as when it spreads in a dissolved phase. Universal flow profiles that are independent of the system parameters emerge in both the cases. Three hydrodynamic signatures are identified to distinguish between the two cases and verify the applicability of our analysis with successive stringent tests.
“A Success in Every Particular”: British August First Celebrations in Canada and America and the Black Quest for Unblemished Commemorations, While Critiquing July Fourth, 1834–1861

British August First celebrations were an important day of the year for Blacks in North America. Elite and aspiring organizers attempted to use the holiday as a sight of excellence. Partakers under...
Serious Mental Illness

The term serious mental illness (SMI) is commonly used in healthcare but lacks clear definition. This lack of clarity is due to SMI being used to describe multiple psychological issues, such as psychosis (Ruggeri, Leese, Thornicroft, Bisoffi, & Tansella, 2000), severe functional impairment (Federal Register Volume 58 No. 96, 1993), or as an umbrella term for diagnoses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder (De Hert et al., 2011). For the purposes of this chapter, we chose to refer to SMI as an umbrella term that captures a wide range of mental health disorders in order to provide a more inclusive perspective.
Predictors of Retention in an Alcohol and Risky Sex Prevention Program for Homeless Young Adults

Homeless young adults are at risk for alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and risky sexual behavior. Interventions are needed to help these young people reduce their risky behavior, but this population is often difficult to engage and retain in services. We offered a four-session AOD and risky sex reduction program to 100 participants and examined if retention in the program was predicted by a number of factors: demographics, homelessness severity, other service use, AOD behaviors, mental health symptoms, sexual risk behaviors, and readiness to change AOD and condom use. Nearly half (48%) of participants completed all sessions. In bivariate analyses, participants were significantly less likely to be retained in the program if they had slept outdoors in the past month, engaged in more alcohol and marijuana use, experienced more alcohol-related consequences, and received the program in an urban drop-in center (as opposed to a drop-in center near the beach). When controlling for all significant bivariate relationships, only sleeping outdoors and receipt of the program in the urban setting predicted fewer sessions completed. The most endorsed reasons for program non-completion were being too busy to attend and inconvenient day/time of the program. Findings can help outreach staff and researchers better prepare methods to engage higher risk homeless youth and retain them in services. Finding unique ways to help youth overcome barriers related to location of services appears especially necessary, perhaps by bringing services to youth where they temporarily reside or offering meaningful incentives for program attendance.
Trifecta Outcomes in Renal Hilar Tumors: A Comparison Between Robotic and Open Partial Nephrectomy.

Abstract Objectives: To report a comparative analysis of outcomes in patients who underwent excisions of renal hilar tumors using both open and robotic approaches. Materials and Methods: We retrosp...
Early Transition Metal (Group 3–5, Lanthanides and Actinides) and Main Group Metal (Group 1, 2, and 13) Catalyzed Hydroamination

The hydroamination of alkenes, dienes, allenes, and alkynes by early transition metal catalysts has seen significant progress over the last decade, especially with respect to control of regio- and stereoselectivity and the synthesis of more complex nitrogen-containing skeletons. This article provides an overview over the application of catalyst systems based on the 17 rare earth elements, as well as group 4 and group 5 metals. These electropositive metal catalysts operate via activation of the amine to form catalytic active metal-amido or metal-imido species, although the true nature of this species is not known with certainty for all systems and may vary for different substrate classes. This mode of activation differentiates early transition metal catalysts from many late transition metal catalysts that operate via activation of the unsaturated C–C linkage (alkene, 1,3-diene, allene, or alkyne). Alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and aluminum are included in this overview as well, as they show strong similarities in their reactivity and mechanistic pathways to aforementioned early transition metals. While the structure-reactivity principles are well understood for certain hydroamination processes, e.g., in the intramolecular hydroamination of aminoalkenes or the intermolecular hydroamination of alkynes, other transformations, in particular the intermolecular hydroamination of alkenes, remain highly challenging. Due to the potential of the hydroamination process for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and other industrially relevant fine chemicals, a strong emphasis is given on the application of chiral catalysts in stereoselective processes.
Data for Good: Abstract

I use the tagline "Data for Good" to state paronomastically how we as a community should be promoting data science, especially in training future generations of data scientists. First, we should use data science for the good of humanity and society. Data science should be used to better people's lives. Data science should be used to improve relationships among people, organizations, and institutions. Data science, in collaboration with other disciplines, should be used to help tackle societal grand challenges such as climate change, education, energy, environment, healthcare, inequality, and social justice. Second, we should use data in a good manner. The acronym FATES suggests what "good" means. Fairness means that the models we build are used to make unbiased decisions or predictions. Accountability means to determine and assign responsibility-to someone or to something-for a judgment made by a machine. Transparency means being open and clear to the end user about how an outcome, e.g., a classification, a decision, or a prediction, is made. Ethics for data science means paying attention to both the ethical and privacy-preserving collection and use of data as well as the ethical decisions that the automated systems we build will make. Safety and security (yes, two words for one "S") means ensuring that the systems we build are safe (do no harm) and secure (guard against malicious behavior).
Racial Minorities’ Trust in Government and Government Decisionmakers

Objective Compare the impact of being a racial minority for influencing political trust as measured by the standard, NES‐developed measures with its impact on assessments of the capacity of decisionmakers to make racially unbiased spending and hiring decisions. Additionally, to examine the political trust of American Indians, an understudied racial minority. Methods Bivariate and multivariate analysis of 2004 and 2008 National Annenberg Election Study survey data. Results Self‐designation as a racial minority exercises small, inconsistent effects on the standard measures of political trust and external efficacy. When citizens are asked whether Caucasian government officials make decisions on spending and hiring to advantage whites to the disadvantage of blacks and Hispanics, racial minorities state that they expect racial bias. American Indians reveal levels of political trust similar to those held by other racial minorities. Conclusion An increasingly multiracial society will experience considerable tensions as minorities distrust government decisionmakers of a different race. These tensions will continue to be exploited by ambitious political elites.
Restoring Perennial Grasses in Medusahead Habitat: Role of Tilling, Fire, Herbicides, and Seeding Rate

Abstract Restoring arid regions degraded by invasive annual grasses to native perennial grasses is a critical conservation goal. Targeting site availability, species availability, and species performance is a key strategy for reducing invasive annual grass cover while simultaneously increasing the abundance of seeded native perennial grasses. However, the potential for establishing successful seedings is still highly variable in rangeland ecosystems, likely because of variable year-to-year weather. In this study, we evaluated the independent and combined inputs of tilling, burning, applying imazapic herbicide, and varying seeding rates on existing species and seeded native perennial grass performance from 2008 to 2012 in a southwestern Idaho rangeland ecosystem. We found that combining tilling, fire, and herbicides produced the lowest annual grass cover. The combination of fire and herbicides yielded the highest seeded species density in the hydrologic year (HY) (October − September) 2010, especially at higher than minimum recommended seeding rates. Although the independent and combined effects of fire and herbicides directly affected the growth of resident species, they failed to affect seeded species cover except in HY 2010, when weather was favorable for seedling growth. Specifically, low winter temperature variability (few freeze-thaw cycles) followed by high growing season precipitation in HY 2010 yielded 14 × more seeded perennial grasses than any other seeding year, even though total annual precipitation amounts did not greatly vary between 2009 and 2012. Collectively, these findings suggest that tilling, applying prescribed fire, and herbicides before seeding at least 5 × the minimum recommended seeding rate should directly reduce resident annual grass abundance and likely yield high densities of seeded species in annual grass − dominated ecosystems, but only during years of stable winter conditions followed by wet springs.
A penalized likelihood-based quality monitoring via L2-norm regularization for high-dimensional processes

Technological advances have resulted in the introduction of new products and manufacturing processes that have a large number of characteristics and variables to be monitored to ensure the product ...
Impact of metformin use on the outcomes of newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma

The diabetes mellitus (DM) drug metformin targets mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin and inhibits lymphoma growth in vitro. We investigated whether metformin affected outcomes of newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL, n = 869) and follicular lymphoma (FL, n = 895) patients enrolled in the Mayo component of the Molecular Epidemiology Resource cohort study between 2002 and 2015. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, prognostic index and treatment were used to estimate the association of metformin exposure (No DM/No metformin; DM/No metformin; DM/Metformin) with event-free (EFS), lymphoma-specific (LSS) and overall (OS) survival. Compared to No DM/No metformin DLBCL patients, there was no association of DM/Metformin (n = 48; HR = 1·05, 95% CI 0·59-1·89) or DM/No metformin(n = 54; HR = 1·41, 95% CI 0·88-2·26) with EFS; results were similar for LSS and OS. Compared to No DM/No metformin FL patients, there was no association of DM/Metformin (n = 37; HR = 1·16, 95% CI 0·71-1·89) or DM/No metformin (n = 19; HR = 1·16, 95% CI 0·66-2·04) with EFS; results were similar for LSS. However, DM/Metformin was associated with inferior OS (HR = 2·17; 95% CI 1·19-3·95) compared to No DM/No metformin. In conclusion, we found no evidence that metformin use was associated with improved outcomes in newly diagnosed DLBCL and FL.
Practical Challenges of Magnetic Sensors Based on Magnetic Tunnel Junctions for Power Grid Applications

We provide a review of the status and challenges for utilizing magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) based magnetic sensors for power grid applications. We show that, with both modeling and experimental measurement, an optimized MTJ-based magnetic sensor can be utilized to monitor grid current, especially for individual grid lines. From the perspective of the sensor, the sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and linearity can all meet the needs in the field. Unlike traditional measurements, this measurement can be based on a contactless or “remote” sensing setup, where the sensor is placed away from the grid line. One of the challenges is that a complex topology and multiple grid lines may exist with different current levels. The other challenge is that, with the improved sensing capability provided by these MTJ sensors, a significantly larger amount of data can be collected, so the system bottleneck shifts from sensing to data transfer.
Targeting resistant prostate cancer with ATR and PARP inhibition (TRAP trial): A phase II study.

TPS254Background: Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) shows promise in prostate cancer, but is limited to the ~20% of men with defects in genes encoding for DNA repair proteins BRCA1, ...
Association Between Opioid Prescribing Rates and Criminal Justice Outcomes

Despite the recognition of the current opioid crisis and its potential for serious public health effects, research examining the association of opioid prescribing practices with criminal justice outcomes at the county-level has been sparse. This chapter utilizes county-level arrest data and data from the PBSS from 2012–2017, and U.S. Census data to examine the associations between the opioid prescribing rate and arrest rates, while controlling for multiple community characteristics (demographics, population density, housing, income, employment, and health) in all 58 California counties. Utilizing a series of Poisson regression models, the association between opioid prescribing rates and arrest rates for three specific offense types (violent crime, property crime, and drug crime) and the total arrest rate were examined. The results suggest that the 2012–2017 opioid prescribing rate was significantly associated with all four types of arrest rates, even when controlling for each type of community characteristic.
Caregiver burden in psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.

Abstract Objective Caregiver burden in psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is an important but understudied reality. The objective of this exploratory study was to quantify caregiver burden in PNES and to identify the patient and caregiver characteristics associated with it. Methods PNES patients and their identified caregivers completed surveys about demographic, disease related and psychosocial characteristics during their Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) admission. Associations were evaluated using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Inventory (ZCBI) score as an independent variable and the patient and caregiver related characteristics as dependent variables. Results 43 patients and 28 caregivers were recruited. The patients were on average 36 years old, single women, unemployed, with some college education. They suffered from PNES on average for 8 years, having approximately 20 seizures per month, and were previously maintained on ≥ 2 antiseizure medications. Most caregivers were first degree relatives with a mean age of 43 years, married employed women of higher educational attainment, typically cohabitating with the patients. Caregiver burden was within the mild-moderate range (ZCBI mean score 28). The burden appeared higher in caregivers of male patients. Patient quality of life, depression and medication side effects were associated with that burden. Additionally, caregiver stigma, depression and anxiety emerged as potential contributors. In the multivariate analysis, patient quality of life and caregiver depression stood out as the most robust factors. Conclusion There is substantial caregiver burden in PNES. It is associated with both the patient and the caregiver psychosocial well-being in a reciprocal relationship.
Marketwide Price Pressure

This paper provides evidence of the price-pressure hypothesis in the aggregate, daily stock-market return. Events that convey no new information about fundamentals, but entail large transfers of cash, predict the daily stock-market return. This predictability relates to the growth of passive investment strategies. Passive investment strategies are the conduit dispersing price pressure across securities. Three examinations – of dividend payouts, reversals after ETF fund flows, and merger effective dates – affirm the price-pressure hypothesis and show the daily stock-market return to be predictable.
The Residency Match in South Dakota: A National Comparison of Specialty and Geographic Trends.

Background Current estimates suggest progressively increasing need for rural family medicine and primary care providers in the near future. Predominantly rural states such as South Dakota have even greater difficulty in attracting these providers. Since its founding, the Sanford School of Medicine (SSOM) at the University of South Dakota has designed its curriculum to encourage students to choose these specialties and practice within the state upon completing residency. The objective of this paper was to evaluate trends in specialty choice and geographic location of residency programs for SSOM graduates compared with national means. Methods A retrospective observational analysis of residency match data including specialty and geographic location of the program was performed for matched seniors of SSOM from the years 2000-2020 and compared to national data over the same period. Results The proportions of students matching with primary care, surgical, or medical specialties at SSOM was not significantly different from national means. Proportionally, SSOM had almost twice the national average of students matching into family medicine (17.5 percent vs 9.0 percent). A significantly greater proportion of SSOM graduates matched into general surgery (8.1 percent vs 6.0 percent). SSOM students were significantly more likely (71.5 percent) than national (63.0 percent) and Midwest (58 percent) averages to match within their home region. Conclusions SSOM's curriculum has led to a greater proportion of graduates matching with family medicine programs and at the national average for primary care overall. SSOM students are also significantly more likely than the national average to match within the same region of their medical school.
Loss of Grhl3 is correlated with altered cellular protrusions in the non-neural ectoderm during neural tube closure.

Background The transcription factor Grainyhead-like 3 (GRHL3) has multiple roles in a variety of tissues during development including epithelial patterning and actin cytoskeletal regulation. During neural tube closure (NTC) in the mouse embryo, GRHL3 is expressed and functions in the non-neural ectoderm (NNE). Two important functions of GRHL3 are regulating the actin cytoskeleton during NTC and regulating the boundary between the NNE and neural ectoderm. However, an open question that remains is whether these functions explain the caudally restricted neural tube defect (NTD) of spina bifida observed in Grhl3 mutants. Results Using scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence based imaging on Grhl3 mutants and wildtype controls, we show that GRHL3 is dispensable for NNE identity or epithelial maintenance in the caudal NNE but is needed for regulation of cellular protrusions during NTC. Grhl3 mutants have decreased lamellipodia relative to wildtype embryos during caudal NTC, first observed at the onset of delays when lamellipodia become prominent in wildtype embryos. At the axial level of NTD, half of the mutants show increased and disorganized filopodia and half lack cellular protrusions. Conclusion These data suggest that altered cellular protrusions during NTC contribute to the etiology of NTD in Grhl3 mutants.
Validation of a multiplex flow immunoassay for detection of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in dried blood spots

BACKGROUND: Dried blood spots (DBS) are an established specimen type for clinical testing given their low cost, ease of collection and storage, and convenient shipping capabilities through the postal system. These attributes are complementary to the expansion of SARS-CoV-2 serologic testing, which may be used to inform community seroprevalence rates. METHODS: The Luminex xMAP SARS-CoV-2 Multi-Antigen assay utilizes magnetic beads labeled with three viral antigens (nucleocapsid [NC], receptor binding domain [RBD], spike S1 subunit) to detect anti-viral IgG-class antibodies, and has Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use in serum and plasma. This assay was modified for use with DBS and validated against paired sera tested by one of two reference assays: the Roche Diagnostics Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 ECLIA or the Euroimmun anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG ELISA. RESULTS: 159 paired DBS and serum specimens analyzed using the modified Luminex xMAP assay on DBS and the reference methods on serum showed an overall concordance of 96.9% (154/159). Use of multivariate pattern recognition software (CLIR) for post-analytical interpretation of the Luminex xMAP DBS assay results, instead of manufacturer provided interpretive thresholds, increased overall qualitative result concordance to 99.4% (158/159) between the modified Luminex xMAP DBS and reference results. CONCLUSIONS: Use of DBS for detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 provides comparable results to those obtained using serum. DBS concordance was improved with multivariate pattern recognition software (CLIR). We demonstrate that DBS are a reliable specimen type for SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection using the modified Luminex xMAP assay.
What Explains the Decline in r*? Rising Income Inequality Versus Demographic Shifts

Downward pressure on the natural rate of interest (r*) is often attributed to an increase in saving. This study uses microeconomic data from the SCF+ to explore the relative importance of demographic shifts versus rising income inequality on the evolution of saving behavior in the United States from 1950 to 2019. The evidence suggests that rising income inequality is more important than the aging of the baby boom generation in explaining the decline in r*. Saving rates are significantly higher for high income households within a given birth cohort relative to other households in the same birth cohort, and there has been a large rise in income shares for high income households since the 1980s. The result has been a large rise in saving by high income earners since the 1980s, which is the exact same time period during which r* has fallen. Differences in saving rates across the working age distribution are smaller, and there has not been a consistent monotonic shift in income toward any given age group. Both findings challenge the view that demographic shifts due to the aging of the baby boom generation explain the decline in r*.
Cement-Carbon Nanotube Composites and Their Multifunctional Behavior: A Brief Overview

The author has tried to provide a brief overview of the constituents of cement-carbon nanotube composites, their interactions and some examples of research on functional behavior of the composites. Many interactions are at the nanoscale and the functional behavior is strongly affected by such factors as the type and features of carbon nanotube, the proportion carbon nanotube in cement, the method adopted for dispersion of carbon nanotube in cement-water mixture, admixtures and others. Though MWCNT' (Multiwalled carbon nanotube) is by far the more widely used, little information is available other than the diameter and length of the MWCNT, pointing out towards the need for optimization of the MWCNT features. There is thus a huge potential for optimization of structure-property relationships in the constituents of the cement-carbon nanotube composites and interested researchers are encouraged to study the full publications cited in this paper and the references cited in each publication. The structure and properties of carbon nanotubes are first reviewed, to indicate why this material is so unique. Next, nanoscale structure development in cement is reviewed, with the hope that further research on nanoscale interactions between carbon nanotube and cement will lead to more improvements in the functional behavior of the composite. Finally, papers dealing with chosen functional properties relevant to cement-carbon nanotube composites composite, are reviewed.
Catabolism of aromatic compounds by micro-organisms.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the catabolism of aromatic compounds by micro-organisms, and reviews (1) enzymic degradations of di- and trihydroxy phenols, (2) reactions converting aromatic compounds into ring-fission substrates, and (3) regulation of catabolic reaction sequences. Ortho-Fission pathways of catechol and protocatechuate as well as meta-fission pathways of catechols are discussed. Important information relating to meta fission has emerged from studies of the microbial degradation of steroids, and an outline of some of these reactions is also given. The enzymic hydroxylation of phenylalanine has been extensively investigated. The system resembles p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase except that the natural cofactor is dihydrobiopterin and not FAD. Pteridines resemble flavins in chemical structure and in their enzymic reactions, but they serve only as electron carriers for hydroxylations and not in the normal electron-transport systems. In both the mammalian and pseudomonad systems, hydroxylation of phenylalanine proceeds by a mechanism, which has been termed the “NIH shift”. The chapter also discusses the bacterial metabolism of gentisates, metabolism of thymol, the oxidation of phenylpropanoid structures arising from Lignins, degradation of α-conidendrin, and regulation of ortho-fission pathways.
FREE RADICAL FORMATION AND SURVIVAL OF LYOPHILIZED MICROORGANISMS

Heckly, Robert J. (University of California, Berkeley), R. L. Dimmick, and J. J. Windle. Free radical formation and survival of lyophilized microorganisms. J. Bacteriol. 85:961-966. 1963.-A correlation between death and spontaneous free radical production, measured by an increase in the relative electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal, was shown to exist for several species of microorganisms stored in the freezedried state, but the relationship between the free radical concentration and number of dead cells was not a simple proportion. Lactose added to Sarcina lutea reduced radical production and increased stability when dry preparations were stored in air. Death and free radical formation were more extensive when lyophilized Streptococcus lactis cultures were stored in air than in vacuum. Free radicals were also produced by dry yeast. Few, if any, free radicals were produced by bacteria or yeast stored in vacuum. It was shown that the observed free radical production was not caused by exposure to light. The EPR signal produced by dry Serratia marcescens decreased rapidly when cells were exposed to a humid atmosphere but the EPR signal slowly increased after cells were redried and exposed to oxygen.
Femtosecond electron diffraction: application to electron-phonon coupling in metals and comparison with time resolved x-ray techniques

Summary form only given. Twenty years ago, the technique of electron diffraction was introduced and made for the first time possible the direct observation of structural changes in the picosecond time scale. This simple technique is based on the photoelectric effect and provides a perfectly synchronized electron "replica" of the incident pulse. The technique was originally demonstrated with a 20 picosecond resolution and was used to investigate the dynamic of melting. Later it was used at the 100 ps level to investigate surface melting. The technique was further pushed to the subpicosecond time scale to study light induced chemical reactions in gas phase. At the University of Michigan the electron diffraction technique is used to directly study electron-phonon coupling in the femtosecond time scale using the Debye-Waller effect and surface dynamics. We show the experimental set up of the electron diffraction system and give results for a [111] transmission electron diffraction pattern of a 30 nm thick gold single crystal.