cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel opioid peptides as kappa opioid receptor antagonists

Our laboratory is interested in identifying potent and selective peptide antagonists for opioid receptors and in exploring the structure-activity relationships for antagonist activity at these receptors. We have designed potential antagonists for receptors using the “message-address” concept [1] by combining small peptides with opioid antagonist activity with the “address” sequence of dynorphin A (Dyn A) [2]. Recently Orosz et al. reported that an N-terminal protected tetrapeptide derived from a pentapeptide found in Philippine cobra venom was a selective but weak -receptor antagonist in the guinea pig ileum [3], antagonizing ethylketocyclazocine but only at very high concentrations We postulated that this novel tetrapeptide sequence might be equivalent to the “message” sequence of Dyn A because it retains two aromatic residues at positions 1 and 4, which are critical structural features of the opioid activity of Dyn A [4]. Therefore we combined the N-terminal acetylated derivative of this tetrapeptide with the “address” sequence of to give the novel chimeric Dyn A analog JVA-901. Incorporation of the Dyn A “address” sequence markedly enhanced receptor affinity (68-fold) compared to the acetylated N-terminal tetrapeptide [5]. In adenylyl cyclase assays in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing receptors, JVA-901 was a partial agonist with reduced efficacy and reversed the agonist activity of Dyn Here we present the initial exploration of the SAR of this peptide, which indicates distinctly different structural requirements for interaction of JVA-901 and its analogs with opioid receptors from those found for classic opioid peptides.
Treatment prediction using 3D photoacoustic monitoring of tumor blood oxygen saturation

combined with a tracking system. The illumination profile of the lightwandshowedanellipse-shaped illumination,withpercentage of remaining light according to the distance from the optical fiber. eff was estimated at 0.705 cm−1. A dedicated software allowed to track the wand’s movements inside the patient’s cavity. The light dose delivered on its surfaces was calculated and displayed in real time on computer tomography images. This system suggests a complete peroperative dosimetry in real time for iPDT in the future.
Role of Endothelium in Cerebral Ischemia

The rigorous investigation of cerebral ischemia requires the use of physiologically controlled, clinically relevant animal models. Rodent models of both global and focal cerebral ischemia have been widely applied to study stroke mechanisms and are advantageous from the standpoints of within-strain homogeneity, low animal costs, suitability for extensive physiological monitoring, brain size large enough to permit morphological and biochemical / molecular studies, and (in the case of transgenic or knockout mice) the ability to study specific gene functions (44). Large-animal ischemia models have also been developed and are useful in corroborating insights gained from rodent studies (66).
Hemangioma of the sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses: two case reports.

Hemangiomas of the paranasal sinuses are rare, particularly those of the sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses. Although imaging of the sinuses is key to determining the extent of involvement, the diagnosis is based on the lesion's histologic appearance. Obtaining an adequate biopsy can be difficult in light of the risk of bleeding and the relative inaccessibility of lesions in this region. These obstacles can make the diagnosis and management of these lesions particularly challenging. We describe two new cases of sinonasal hemangioma—one in the ethmoid sinus and one in the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses—and we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic interventions that are needed to manage these lesions.
The oral mucosa in childhood.

Some of the more common disorders and anomalies of the oral cavity are discussed, and oral signs that may help in the diagnosis of more general disease entities are detailed.
Program Delivery and Organizational Models in State Colleges and Universities

This chapter provides an overview of the myriad of ways in which personal financial education is delivered in state colleges and universities in the USA. It presents the broad findings from initial research conducted for this study (college responses to the researcher’s emails, literature reviews, and other sources). It provides a synopsis of findings on financial education delivery methods such as “for-credit” personal finance courses, section(s) within the Freshman Seminar/First Year Experience (FYE) courses, established agreements and relationships with financial institutions, financial literacy seminars and workshops, special events and activities, online resources, peer counseling, individualized financial counseling, money management or financial education centers, classroom and group presentations, and other financial education efforts. Further, this chapter explicates a four-fold typology of financial education programs based on their organizational structure and functioning. These are the Academic Model, the Full-Fledged Money Management Center Model, the Seed Program and the Branch model.
The Role of the Chemist in Automotive Design

From the development of polymers that make cars lighter to fuels that make them run cleaner, the chemist‘s role in the automotive industry has evolved to be one that is more outside the laboratory than in it. Drawing on the author‘s 20 years of experience in vehicle design and laboratory experience, The Role of the Chemist in Automotive
Psychosocial Challenges/Transition to Adulthood.

Advances in the health care of individuals with cystic fibrosis have resulted in more than half of the population older than the age of 18 living longer, fuller lives. This success brings about the need for new areas of improvement and development including the mastery of transitioning from pediatric to adult health care and attention to psychosocial needs. This article reviews key components of the process of transitioning to adult care and some important psychosocial considerations.
Profiling verb complementation constructions across New Englishes: A two-step random forests analysis of ing vs. To complements

In this paper, we explore verb complementation patterns with to and ing in native English (British and American English) as compared to three Asian Englishes (Hong Kong, Indian, and Singaporean English). Based on data from the International Corpus of English annotated for variables describing the matrix verb and the complement, we run two random forests analyses to determine where the Asian Englishes have developed complementation preferences different from the two native speaker varieties. We find not only a variety of differences between the Asian and the native Englishes, but also that the Asian Englishes are more similar (i.e. ‘better predicted by’) the American English data. Further, as the first study of its kind to extend the MuPDAR approach from the now frequent regression analyses to random forests analysis, this study adds a potentially useful analytical tool to the often messy and skewed observational data corpus linguists need to deal with.
Endoscopic Management of an Intramural Sinus Leak After Per- Oral Endoscopic Myotomy

Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) was developed less than a decade ago for the treatment of achalasia. Its minimally invasive approach and the favorable short-term outcome have led to rapid adoption of the technique throughout the world. As with any new technique, there will be adverse events, and it is important that effective treatments for these adverse events be discussed. We present a case of successful endoscopic management of an intramural sinus leak after a POEM procedure using tandem fully covered esophageal stents.
A modified ant system to achieve better balance between intensification and diversification for the traveling salesman problem

Abstract This paper presents a new variant of Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) for the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). ACO has been successfully used in many combinatorial optimization problems. However, ACO has a problem in reaching the global optimal solutions for TSPs, and the algorithmic performance of ACO tends to deteriorate significantly as the problem size increases. In the proposed modification, adaptive tour construction and pheromone updating strategies are embedded into the conventional Ant System (AS), to achieve better balance between intensification and diversification in the search process. The performance of the proposed algorithm is tested on randomly generated data and well-known existing data. The computational results indicate the proposed modification is effective and efficient for the TSP and competitive with Ant Colony System (ACS), Max-Min Ant System (MMAS), and Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) Meta-Heuristic.
Sport Spectator Behavior as a Moral Issue in College Sport

Abstract Fan abuse continues to be a serious problem in American college athletics. However, despite the magnitude of this problem, fan abuse has not received the same level of concern (i.e., promotion of sportsmanship and fair play) as “winning-at-all-costs” perpetrated by athletic participants. In response, the author argues that perhaps many in the sport milieu do not consider fan behavior as a moral issue (i.e., actions that are harmful to others) and therefore unworthy of more serious consideration. As a result, the purpose of this study was to explore the types of spectator abuse inflicted upon college athletes as well as assessing the emotional impact. The results of this study showed that college athletes do indeed experience a variety of insults and harassment. However, findings also indicated that athletes are generally emotionally unaffected by the abuse. The contradictory nature of this finding is discussed
Laser irradiation of Mg-Al-Zn alloy: Reduced electrochemical kinetics and enhanced performance in simulated body fluid

As a lightweight metal with mechanical properties similar to natural bone, Mg and its alloys are great prospects for biodegradable, load bearing implants. However, rapid degradation and H2 gas production in physiological media has prevented widespread use of Mg alloys. Surface heterogeneities in the form of intermetallic particles dominate the corrosion response. This research shows that surface homogenization significantly improved the biological corrosion response observed during immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). The laser processed Mg alloy exhibited a 50% reduction in mass loss and H2 evolution after 24 h of immersion in SBF when compared to the wrought, cast alloy. The laser processed samples exhibited increased wettability as evident from wetting angle studies, further suggesting improved biocompatibility. Electrochemical analysis by potentiodynamic polarization measurements showed that the anodic and cathodic kinetics were reduced following laser processing and are attributed to the surface chemical homogeneity.
Seasonal and intraseasonal variability of precipitable water vapour in the Chajnantor plateau, Chile

The Chajnantor plateau is located in the Atacama Desert at over 4800 m above sea level. The plateau features a large fraction of days during the year where dry and stable atmospheric conditions predominate. The suitability of the type of astronomy observations routinely made at sites across the Chajnantor region at different times of the year depends on the variability of atmospheric water vapour. In this work, we study seasonal and intraseasonal variability associated with periods of large and low precipitable water vapour (PWV) in the Chajnantor region over 32 years. We establish large-scale conditions favourable for above- and below-normal PWV for each of the four seasons. We also explore whether intraseasonal PWV variations are related to the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). Below-normal PWV in winter, spring, and autumn seasons was found associated with mostly zonal 500-hPa winds, which advect drier than normal air from the anticyclone over the eastern portions of the southeast (SE) Pacific Ocean. In summer, periods with below-normal PWV were found to have anomalously south-westerly winds at mid-levels, also indicating transport of anomalously dry air from the stable SE Pacific. In winter, spring, and autumn seasons, above-normal PWV was generally associated with north-westerly mid-tropospheric wind anomalies, indicating advection of above-normal PWV from the subtropical and tropical regions of the SE Pacific Ocean. Above-normal PWV conditions in summer were associated with nearly calm winds at 500 hPa. Months and phases of the MJO for the most extreme anomalies of PWV for each season agreed well with the seasonal anomalies. Furthermore, three independent reanalysis data sets generally agreed on MJO phases associated with largest positive and negative PWV anomalies. This agreement provides evidence for the first time that the MJO modulates the PWV content over the Atacama Desert.
A Mindfulness Practice for Communication Sciences and Disorders Undergraduate and Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students: Effects on Stress, Self-Compassion, and Perfectionism.

Purpose The purpose of the present study was to explore the effects of a mindfulness practice on participants' levels of self-compassion, perfectionism, attention, and perceived and biological stre...
Computation of Surface Laplacian for tri-polar ring electrodes on high-density realistic geometry head model

Neural activity inside the human brain generate electrical signals that can be detected on the scalp. Electroencephalograph (EEG) is one of the most widely utilized techniques helping physicians and researchers to diagnose and understand various brain diseases. Due to its nature, EEG signals have very high temporal resolution but poor spatial resolution. To achieve higher spatial resolution, a novel tri-polar concentric ring electrode (TCRE) has been developed to directly measure Surface Laplacian (SL). The objective of the present study is to accurately calculate SL for TCRE based on a realistic geometry head model. A locally dense mesh was proposed to represent the head surface, where the local dense parts were to match the small structural components in TCRE. Other areas without dense mesh were used for the purpose of reducing computational load. We conducted computer simulations to evaluate the performance of the proposed mesh and evaluated possible numerical errors as compared with a low-density model. Finally, with achieved accuracy, we presented the computed forward lead field of SL for TCRE for the first time in a realistic geometry head model and demonstrated that it has better spatial resolution than computed SL from classic EEG recordings.
Mao On the Gate: Li Keran and the New Year Picture

On November 26, 1949, the People’s Daily published instructions on launching work on new nianhua (New Year picture) from the Central Government under the name of Shen Yanbing, then the minister of culture. Nianhua are a form of traditional folk art produced for the celebration of the lunar New Year in China and often feature popular deities, auspicious motifs, and vernacular literature (Flath 2004: 96). During wartime, Communist artists adopted nianhua in the production of propaganda to mobilize and win the support of the peasants.
Evaluation and Risk Factors of Latex Allergy in Spina Bifida Patients: Is it Preventable?

Allergic reactions to latex, varying from urticaria to life-threatening IgE-mediated anaphylaxis, have been described in patients with spina bifida. In a study of 50 patients 60% had a latex allergy identified by history, a radioallergosorbent test and/or a skin prick test. Latex allergic patients had undergone statistically more surgical procedures than nonallergic patients (9.5 versus 6.7) with a p value of 0.03. The presence of latex allergy did not correlate with the number of intra-abdominal procedures (1.9 versus 1.4) or with the number of years on clean intermittent catheterization (7.7 versus 5.9). These results suggest that latex allergy is acquired through multiple exposures due to breakdown of blood tissue barriers. Therefore, we recommend that all patients with spina bifida undergoing surgery be evaluated for latex allergy and that all surgical procedures in spina bifida patients, from the time of birth, be performed in a latex-free environment.
Immune Cell Trafficking in the Central Nervous System

For many years, it was assumed that cells of the immune system were excluded from the central nervous system (CNS) and thus immune reactions did not occur at this site. Currently, it is widely accepted that the immune system can gain access to and function within the CNS. A growing body of work now supports that the immune system is present in the brain in the steady state. Beyond serving a role in immune surveillance, the immune cells appear to promote neurological function. Under inflammatory conditions, immune cells enter the CNS and, depending on the context, may provide protection or cause tissue pathology. For example, following several infections, the immune system is required to control pathogen replication within the CNS and prevent disease. On the other hand, autoimmune reactions in the CNS, such as multiple sclerosis, cause debilitating tissue destruction. Beyond infection and autoimmune disease, the immune system appears to be involved in many neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, the factors that support lymphocyte entry and function in various settings of neuroinflammation are of great interest. In the following chapter, immune cell entry and behavior within the brain will be discussed, with a focus on the role of adhesion molecules and chemokines in this process.
On the Integral Equation of Renewal Theory

Feller’s paper is a rigorous treatment of renewal theory, and to assist the reader his principal results are summarized below in demographic form and notation.
Four Community Engagement Lessons from Detroit to Connecticut.

I present four lessons for the field or for other community engaged scholars: Question assumptions with respect to the communities in which we are engaged (discussed and illustrated above). Conduct, support and publish more community-engagement research with students of color and communities of color at the center, and not in juxtaposition to normalized views of white culture. University or college funding opportunities to help support community-requested or negotiated engagement are a necessary and important investment. When engaging with communities outside of the classroom, you, your students, and your administration have to be willing to take measured risks.
2-Nitrodiphenylalkanes/alkenes as adept photosynthons for direct access to valuable N-heterocycles

Abstract Photoexcited o-nitro chromophore in o-nitrobenzylic systems has led to the design and development of many useful photochromic systems such as photolabile protecting groups, photoresists, for controlled release of bioactive compounds, as well as efficient photosynthons giving direct access to many important molecular systems that are otherwise difficult to obtain. This brief review cites a few examples showing the photochemistry of 2-nitrodiphenylalkanes and alkenes, which find useful in the synthesis of 2,1-benzisoxazole derivatives, dibenzo(c,f)-(1,2)diazepin-N-oxides and N,N-dioxides, acridones, isatogens etc., that are present in many pharmaceutical drugs.
Early Pregnancy Ultrasound

Early pregnancy ultrasound is performed to assess the location of a pregnancy (intrauterine or extrauterine) and its viability. It also appraises the number of embryos and their chorionicity and amnionicity and often is instrumental in predicting the development, and dictates the management, of a pregnancy in the second and third trimester. Among the main objectives of the early pregnancy ultrasound are correct dating, evaluation of early pregnancy landmarks and placental location, and distinguishing normal from abnormal pregnancy. In addition, first trimester ultrasound allows evaluation of the ovaries and the corpus luteum.
Evaluating psychometric properties of the Emotional Eating Scale Adapted for Children and Adolescents (EES-C) in a clinical sample of children seeking treatment for obesity: a case for the unidimensional model

The Emotional Eating Scale - Adapted for Children and Adolescents (EES-C) assesses children’s urge to eat in response to experiences of negative affect. Prior psychometric studies have demonstrated the high reliability, concurrent validity, and test–retest reliability of theoretically defined subconstructs among non-clinical samples of children and adolescents who were primarily healthy weight; however, no psychometric studies exist investigating the EES-C among clinical samples of children with overweight/obesity (OW/OB). Furthermore, studies conducted in different contexts have suggested a discordant number of subconstructs of emotions related to eating. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the EES-C in a clinical sample of children seeking weight-loss treatment. Using a hierarchical bi-factor approach, we evaluated the validity of the EES-C to measure a single general construct, a set of two separate correlated subconstructs, or a hierarchical arrangement of two constructs, and determined reliability in a clinical sample of treatment-seeking children with OW/OB aged 8–12 years (N = 147, mean age = 10.4 years.; mean BMI z = 2.0; female = 66%; Hispanic = 32%, White and other = 68%). Comparison of factor-extraction methods suggested a single primary construct underlying EES-C in this clinical sample. The bi-factor indices provided clear evidence that most of the reliable variance in the total score (90.8 for bi-factor model with three grouping factors and 95.2 for bi-factor model with five grouping factors) was attributed to the general construct. After adjusting for relationships with the primary construct, remaining correlations among sets of items did not suggest additional reliable constructs. Results suggest that the primary interpretive emphasis of the EES-C among treatment-seeking children with overweight or obesity should be placed on a single general construct, not on the 3- or 5- subconstructs as was previously suggested.
On the Application of Key-Based Physical Layer Security in 5G Heterogeneous Networks

Concern for 5G security is driving interest in additional methods capable of exchanging secure information. This paper introduces a scheme for extending 5G with Physical Layer Security, an emerging Open Systems Interconnect Layer-1 security area that achieves perfect secrecy data transmission. The foundations for a Stochastic Geometry approach to Key based Physical Layer Security are established for 5G Heterogeneous Networks. This work also introduces realistic Time Division Duplex algorithms integrated with 5G-OFDM reference signals that enable the exchange of shared, private information. The resulting Physical Layer Security protocols map random secret key bits to precoders in a codebook through a Precoder Matrix Index. Analysis is presented for Key Bit Error rates under realistic stochastic geometry frameworks in MIMO Rayleigh fading, under various base station densities, interference profiles, and configurations. A Key Bit Error Rate of 1% and 3% for both 1 and 2 bit code books is achieved with a network base station density of 0.01 km−2 and 0.1 km−2respectively. The proffered Layer-1 protocols, which operate independently of existing higher layer network and transport layer security, can lead to significantly improved 5G security.
Prospective agnostic germline testing in pediatric cancer patients.

1589Background: We report our large cohort of pediatric cancer patients undergoing prospective agnostic germline sequencing. Our dataset is a significant addition to the 1,573 children reported to ...
Multiscale Invasion Assay for Probing Macrophage Response to Bacteria

The immune system is a complex network of various cellular components that must differentiate between pathogenic bacteria and the commensal bacteria of the human microbiome, where misrecognition is linked to inflammatory disorders. Fragments of bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan bind to pattern recognition receptors within macrophages, leading to immune activation. To study this complex process, an approach for three-dimensional (3D) culture of human macrophages and their invasion with relevant bacteria in a well-defined hydrogel-based synthetic matrix inspired by the gut was established. Workflows were developed for monocyte encapsulation and differentiation into macrophages in 3D culture with high viability. Bacteria invaded into macrophages permitted in situ peptidoglycan labeling. Macrophages exhibited biologically-relevant cytokine release in response to bacteria. This multi-dimensional bacteria-macrophage co-culture system will prove useful in future studies to observe bacterial fragment production and localization in the cell at the carbohydrate level for insights into how our immune system properly senses bacteria. TOC Figure O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=125 SRC="FIGDIR/small/385617v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (38K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@45cdf1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d3c3d3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@dd74f2org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@128d1da_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG
The curriculum-as-plan as the refrain

Though classroom teachers learn about inquiry-based teaching and learning and the project-based approach in their teacher education programs, they must often negotiate a lived curriculum amidst pre...
Using Demographic Pattern Analysis to Predict COVID-19 Fatalities on the US County Level

Unlike pandemics in the past, COVID-19 has hit us in the midst of the information age. We have built vast capabilities to collect and store data of any kind that can be analyzed in myriad ways to help us mitigate the impact of this catastrophic disease. Specifically for COVID-19, data analysis can help local governments to plan the allocation of testing kits, testing stations, and primary care units, and it can help them in setting guidelines for residents, such as the need for social distancing, the use of face masks, and when to open local businesses that enable human contact. Further, it can also lead to a better understanding of pandemics in general and so inform policy makers on the regional and national level. All of this can save both cost and lives. In this article, we show the results of an ongoing study we conducted using a prominent regularly updated dataset. We used a pattern mining engine we developed to find specific characteristics of US counties that appear to expose them to higher COVID-19 mortality. Furthermore, we also show that these characteristics can be used to predict future COVID-19 mortality.
Diaphragm pacing decreases hospital charges for patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury.

Background Cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) is devastating and costly. Previous research has demonstrated that diaphragm pacing (DPS) is safe and improves respiratory mechanics. This may decrease hospital stays, vent days, and costs. We hypothesized DPS implantation would facilitate liberation from ventilation and would impact hospital charges. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients with acute CSCI between January 2005 and May 2017. Routine demographics were collected. Patients underwent propensity matching based on age, injury severity score, ventilator days, hospital length of stay, and need for tracheostomy. We then adjusted total hospital charges by year using US Bureau of Labor Statistics annual adjusted Medical Care Prices. Bivariate and multivariate linear regression statistics were performed using STATA V.15. Results Between July 2011 and May 2017, all patients with acute CSCI were evaluated for DPS implantation. 40 patients who had laparoscopic DPS implantation (DPS) were matched to 61 who did not (NO DPS). Following DPS implantation, there was a statistically significant increase in spontaneous Vt compared with NO DPS (+88 mL vs −13 mL; 95% CI 46 to 131 vs −78 to 51 mL, respectively; p=0.004). Median time to liberation after DPS was significantly shorter (10 vs 29 days; 95% CI 6.5 to 13.6 vs 23.1 to 35.3 days; p Discussion DPS implantation in patients with acute CSCI produces significant improvements in spontaneous Vt and reduces time to liberation, which translated into reduced hospital charges on a risk-adjusted, inflation-adjusted model. DPS implantation for patients with acute CSCI should be considered. Level of evidence Level III.
The European Court, National Judges, and Legal Integration: A Researcher's Guide to the Data Set on Preliminary References in EC Law, 1958-98

We hope to stimulate more systematic research on all areas of legal integration by making available for free and open use a comprehensive data base on preliminary references in EC law. The Data Set, which has been under construction since 1996, is now online at various websites. The data are not publicly accessible elsewhere. In this article, we provide a brief summary of the data base and its potential uses. We begin by introducing the main features of the Data Set. We then discuss some of the dynamics of legal integration in light of our analyses of the data.
Intermodal Chassis Availability for Containerized Agricultural Exports

Containerized shipping accounts for a significant percentage of United State’s international trade. The provisioning of the “appropriate” container and chassis is critical to the success of U.S. agricultural exports. The availability of containers and chassis is viewed by many market participants as one of the most significant sources of inefficiencies in the intermodal logistics system, and a major impediment to expanding U.S. agricultural exports. This study addresses the factors that impact the provisioning of “the right” containers and chassis at the “right time” for the movement of agricultural commodities through the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland. The volume of containers transiting through these ports has grown several fold since the 1990s. This trend mirrors growth in trade, particularly with Asia-Pacific countries. The container volume data attaching to these ports shows large variability in monthly volume movements. Excessive volume variability creates significant uncertainty, causing planning and execution problems for the various stakeholders in the import-export logistics chain. This is particularly true for truckers, shippers, and freight forwarders serving the agricultural export sector, as the “optimal period” for exporting food products usually coincides with the peak of import-export volume imbalance at these ports. Understanding of the dynamics of aggregate container movement at these ports is critical for developing strategies that can help mitigate the problems arising from shortages of equipment, such as containers and chassis. Thus, the primary purpose of this study is to characterize the dynamic pattern of container transit through these ports, its impact on chassis availability, and its implications for containerized agricultural exports (particularly HPVs). To this end, we study the historical container movements at these ports and delineate the seasonal patterns that lead to imbalances in demand and supply of containers and chassis. Based on our statistical analysis and insights from key stakeholders, we identify a number of impediments to the efficient movement of containerized agricultural exports. Several important insights, including economic policy tools and incentives schemes, emerge from our analysis. Our study, the literature reviewed, and the feedback we have received from on-the-ground stakeholders make clear that there is no “one-size fits all” solution for containers and chassis shortages appropriate for all U.S ports. Instead, we present three strategies to mitigate and potentially alleviate the perennial equipment shortages that disproportionately impact agricultural exporters at these ports.
Assessing Internal and External Attention in AR using Brain Computer Interfaces: A Pilot Study

Most research works featuring AR and Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) systems are not taking advantage of the opportunities to integrate the two planes of data. Additionally, AR devices that use a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) face one major problem: constant closeness to a screen makes it hard to avoid distractions within the virtual environment. In this project, we reduced this distraction by including information about the current attentional state. We first introduce a clip-on solution for AR-BCI integration. A simple game was designed for the Microsoft HoloLens 2, which changed in real time according to the user's state of attention measured via electroencephalography (EEG). The system only responded if the attentional orientation was classified as “external.” Fourteen users tested the attention-aware system; we show that the augmentation of the interface improved the usability of the system. We conclude that more systems would benefit from clearly visualizing the user's ongoing attentional state as well as further efficient integration of AR and BCI headsets.
Optimization of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Implications for Improved Therapeutic Outcomes

Objective Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that is rarely "cured." Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are known to reduce inflammation and restore immune homeostasis. However, methods for predicting therapeutic hMSC potency have not been established. The goal of these studies was to use and refine an ex vivo functional assay that determines potency of hMSCs and can then be validated in clinical trials as a potency measure of hMSCs used therapeutically to treat RA. Methods Allogeneic hMSCs were cytokine-stimulated, and a conditioned medium (CM) was harvested. The CM was tested for the potential to attenuate RA CD4+ T cell proliferation using suppression assays. Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) mRNA, and protein were quantified in hMSCs as a measure to compare hMSCs across (prior) studies. Results To mimic a proinflammatory environment that resembles that in RA, interleukin-1(IL1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) , and interferon γ (IFNγ) (alone or in combination) were used to precondition hMSCs. Treating hMSCs with a combination of these cytokines generated a CM "secretome" that suppressed T cell proliferation between 70 and 83%. Forty-eight hours of cytokine preconditioning hMSCs was required to maximize this effect. T cell suppression positively correlated with increases in hMSC cellular IDO mRNA and protein. Conclusion By standardizing assays to measure hMSC effects, their potency on T cell suppression can be quantified. These studies demonstrate that hMSCs can be compared functionally to identify optimal preparation(s) for therapeutic use in RA and that the potency of hMSC-dependent T cell suppression may differ between hMSC donors. Clinical studies are warranted to validate the hypothesis that ex vivo potency in suppressing T cells will positively correlate with a reduction in RA disease activity and increase in immunological quiescence.
Pigs (Sus Scrofa) in Biomedical Research

Much of biomedical oriented research is conducted with animal models. Over the years, rodents (primarily rats and mice) have emerged as the preferred species for basic biochemistry, cell biology, physiology and nutrition studies. In the past, dogs have been used for the evaluation of dietary protein quality and other aspects of animal nitrogen metabolism and physiology, cardiovascular and endocrine research. At an increasing rate, pigs have also been used as a model species in biomedical research. Pigs are readily available in various mature sizes and genotypic/phenotypic traits, and there are many anatomic, nutritional and physiologic similarities between human beings and pigs. Many notable reviews summarizing the role of pigs in biomedical studies have already been published and these are cited below. The present review focuses on characteristics that make pigs an excellent biomedical animal model in particular in obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular research. To procure an animal model for obesity, irrespective of species used, these animals must be fed a dense caloric diet (high fat) to achieve an experimental working model within a reasonable period. This review also focuses on a putative role of gastrointestinal microbiota in obesity as obese animals exhibit a shift in the distribution of gastrointestinal microbial phyla from lean animals. But to date such results have not pinpointed a treatable cause for obesity. Sometimes, the choice of sampling sites for microbial assessment in many reports can be questioned as the microbial content and phyla distribution in easily collected fecal samples may differ from those obtained directly from the small intestine and upper colon. While pigs are still utilized in many countries for medical surgery practice, this has been discontinued in US medical schools.
Event diagnosis of discrete-event systems with uniformly and nonuniformly bounded diagnosis delays

Various notions of diagnosability reported in literature deal with uniformly bounded finite detection or counting delays. The uniformity of delays can be relaxed while delays remain finite. We introduce various notions of diagnosability allowing nonuniformly bounded finite delays. A polynomial-time verification algorithm for diagnosability with nonuniformly bounded finite indefinite-counting delays is presented. A similar technique is applied to give a computationally better verification algorithm for diagnosability with uniformly bounded finite indefinite-counting delays than algorithms previously reported in literature. Finally, we develop a new on-line diagnosis algorithm that has a lower time and space complexity than on-line diagnosis algorithms reported in literature for counting the occurrence of repeated/intermittent faults.
NFκB-Inducing Kinase Deficiency Results in the Development of a Subset of Regulatory T Cells, which Shows a Hyperproliferative Activity upon Glucocorticoid-Induced TNF Receptor Family-Related Gene Stimulation

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (T(reg)) play an important role in maintaining immunologic tolerance. Glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related gene (GITR) expressed preferentially at high levels on T(reg) has been shown to be a key player of regulating T(reg)-mediated suppression. A recent study reports that NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK) expression in thymic stroma is important for the normal production of T(reg) but not for its suppression capacity. In this report, we have shown that T(reg) from NIK-deficient mice display hyperproliferative activities upon GITR stimulation through an IL-2-independent mechanism. Furthermore, high dose IL-2, anti-CD28 stimulation, or GITR ligand-transduced bone marrow-derived dendritic cells used as APC (culture conditions which drive T(reg) proliferation in vitro) could not ablate this difference in proliferative activity between NIK-deficient and wild-type T(reg). Additional experiments have shown NIK-deficient mice have a higher ratio of CD4+CD25+CD62L(low) T(reg) both in thymus and periphery than their wild-type littermates. This CD62(low) subset is responsible for the hyperproliferative activity upon GITR stimulation. These data suggest a novel role of NIK in controlling the development and expansion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells.
Polonia de Ribas, mulata y dueña de esclavos: una historia alternativa. Xalapa, siglo XVII

Este articulo es una version corta de un capitulo de la tesis doctoral de la autora (en elaboracion), que examina la interseccion que existe entre identidad, viabilidad economica y visibilidad social de las mujeres afrodescendientes en Veracruz durante el siglo XVII. Una mulata libre, Polonia de Ribas, es la protagonista central de este trabajo, que tambien presenta las investigaciones preliminares de la autora sobre otras mulatas y pardas libres de Xalapa, quienes fueron duenas de esclavos, tuvieron relaciones con miembros de otras castas y espanoles, supervisaron sus propiedades, mantuvieron sus redes sociales importantes, incluyendo a la elite regional, e intentaron asegurar los futuros economicos de sus hijos. Este breve estudio examina asimismo el comportamiento de estas duenas de esclavos para discernir la discordancia y las similitudes con otros duenos de esclavos y asi comprender la forma en que estos influyeron en sus decisiones y oportunidades de vida. Polonia de Ribas, Mulata and Owner of Slaves: an Alternative History. Seventeenth Century Xalapa This article examines the intersection of identity, economic viability, and social visibility among free African-descended women in Veracruz during the long seventeenth century. A free mulata , Polonia de Ribas, serves as the central protagonist along with a few of her mulata and parda “contemporaries” of Xalapa who owned nslaves, engaged in cross-caste relations, managed their estates, maintained profitable social networks that included the regional elite, and attempted to secure the economic futures of their children. This study examines the behavior of these slave owners to discern discordance and patterns of similarity with other slave owners to understand how they influenced their decisions and life chances.
A system profit optimisation

Why are revenue management (RM), pricing, customer relationship management and distribution still a chain of separate islands, or departments, that have separate rulers, and in many cases separate goals, databases, analytical processes and skill levels? A new profit optimisation system™ (POS™) and department, using RM and pricing theories and tools, should integrate these areas and provide dedicated and standardised command, control, communication and intelligence (C3I). One system needs to combine all the data from these separate areas, under the leadership of RM and pricing experts, to create a new central profit command centre. All these islands and their data should be aggregated, integrated, planned, tracked, analysed and controlled from one POS™ interface by a new dedicated profit optimisation team.
The Determinants of Betting Volume for Sports in North America: Evidence of Sports Betting as Consumption in the NBA and NHL

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Hockey League (NHL) are studied to ascertain the determinants of betting volume on an individual game-to-game basis. Actual betting volume was obtained and aggregated across three on-line sportsbooks for the 2008-09 season. Independent variables such as the quality of teams, television coverage by network, day of the week, time of day, month of the season, etc. are included in a regression model to determine the factors that influence betting volume. The results reveal betting behavior is much like fan behavior as key fan-attributes, such as the quality of teams and the availability of television coverage, are shown to have a positive and significant effect on betting volume. The results imply that consumption plays a major role in the decision to gamble on sports. Pure investment-based gambling appears to be the exception, rather than the norm. The implication of this result as it relates to models of sportsbook behavior is explored.
Studies of the metabolism of methotrexate by intestinal flora—I: Identification and study of biological properties of the metabolite 4-amino-4-deoxy-N10-methylpteroic acid

Abstract Incubation of tritium-labeled methotrexate (MTX) with caecal contents obtained from CDF 1 mice results in the production of at least three labeled metabolites separable from MTX by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The principal metabolite has been isolated and identified by means of its Chromatographic properties and its ultraviolet and infra-red absorption spectra as 4-amino-4-deoxy- N 10 -methylpteroic acid (APA). In studies in vivo , APA has been recovered from the urine and feces of CDF 1 mice in the 6 and 12-hr period after the intraperitoneal administration of tritiumlabeled MTX (3 mg/kg). While APA is the major metabolite present in the feces, only small amounts are detectable in the urine of CDF 1 mice previously injected with labeled MTX. The major portion of the radioactivity associated with MTX metabolites in urine migrated prior to APA on DEAE-cellulose. Some of the biological properties of APA were determined. The compound was found to be a moderately effective inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (apparent K i = 1.3 × 10 −9 M) and a substrate for aldehyde oxidase (apparent K m = 2.2 × 10 −4 M); the product of oxidation of APA by the latter enzyme was 4-amino-4-deoxy-7-hydroxy- N 10 -methylpteroic acid. In studies in vivo , APA was found to be considerably less toxic than MTX in CDF 1 mice. These studies provide direct experimental support for the hypothesis of Zaharko et al. ∗ that in the mouse MTX is subject to extensive metabolism by intestinal bacteria.
Beastly Politics: Derrida, Animals, and the Political Economy of Meat

In this essay, I employ Derridas analysis of carnophallogocentrism in Eating Well, or the Calculation of the Subject and beastly politics in The Beast and the Sovereign, Volume 1 to bring to view the carnivorism that drives contemporary politics and capitalist society. Via careful explication of Derridas ideas and elaboration of his canonical analyses, especially Plato, Hobbes, and Machiavelli, I hope to show how Derridas discussions of animals and politics offer an intriguing perspective with which to augment a Marxian analysis of the political economy of meat. Overall, I contend that when viewed in relation to the political economy of meat, Derridas analyses reveal the irrational, ideological, and fetishized functions of the carnivorous center of politics and point to the potential shortcomings of theoretical strategies that do not directly confront the capitalist framework that sustains the beastly politics of contemporary liberalism and neoliberalism.
News Related to Future GDP Growth as Risk Factors in Equity Returns

A model that includes a factor that captures news related to future Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth along with the market factor, can explain the cross-section of equity returns about as well as the Fama-French model can. Furthermore, the Fama-French factors HML and SMB appear to contain mainly news related to future GDP growth. When news related to future GDP growth is present in the asset-pricing model, HML and SMB lose much of their ability to explain the cross-section.
A case of amblyopia with contralateral optic nerve hypoplasia

We describe an unusual case of unilateral optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) in a patient with contralateral anisometropic/strabismic amblyopia. A seven-year-old boy presented with visual acuities of 6/12 R and 6/18 L and eccentric fixation in the left eye. Cycloplegic retinoscopy was R +1.50/-0.50 × 180 and L +5.25 DS. Funduscopy revealed optic nerve hypoplasia of the right eye. The patient fixated with his better-seeing right eye, despite the optic nerve hypoplasia. His reduced vision may be attributed to optic nerve hypoplasia in the right eye and amblyopia in the left. Although optic nerve hypoplasia can occur with ipsilateral amblyopia, we believe this is the first reported case of unilateral optic nerve hypoplasia in the fellow eye of an amblyopic patient.
Dispersively enhanced bunching in high-gain free-electron lasers

A free-electron laser using a multi-segment optical klystron (MSOK) is studied using a 3-D simulation code for use as 4th generation light sources. The MSOK consists of multiple wiggler segments with dipole triplets in the gaps. The dipole triplets impose a dogleg trajectory that ballistically enhances the electron beam bunching and the gain in the following wiggler segment. There are three principal advantages of the MSOK over single-segment wiggler designs. First, the saturation length is drastically reduced. Second, the MSOK is significantly less sensitive to beam energy spread. Third, the linewidth is carryover and can be tuned by varying the dipole field strength. As a result, the MSOK is an ideal configuration for 4th generation light sources.