cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of jet breakup and droplet size distribution of liquid CO2 and water systems—implications for CO2 hydrate formation for ocean carbon sequestration

An experimental investigation has been conducted into the effect of fluid velocity and orifice size on the breakup patterns of liquid CO2 in water, as well as those for water in CO2. Under high-pressure and low-temperature conditions, the jet breakup patterns follow distinct Rayleigh, transitional, and spray modes. Droplet size distribution was determined in the different modes, with the spray mode producing the smallest droplets and the most uniform size distribution. The system appears to progress from transitional to spray mode when the Ohnesorge number is approximately 18 Re−1. Using this relationship, it is possible to predict the minimum injection rate necessary for spray mode at any injector diameter. Under hydrate-forming conditions, the jet breakup did not appear to be affected because breakup occurred faster than hydrate formation. However, injection into a confined space could promote droplet coalescence, resulting in a larger average drop size. These results can be used to control hydrate conversion in an ocean CO2 injection system and to ensure a large dispersion of injected CO2 during its sequestration in the ocean.
Negative solvent pressure in osmosis: A Gedanken experiment

A hypothetical experiment illustrates the relationship between the chemical potential of a solvent in a solution and the partial pressures of the solvent and solute. Hydrostatic and osmotic pressure differences which produce equal transmembrane solvent flows are compared. Results indicate that chemical-potential and partial-pressure descriptions of a solution are both consistent with the concept of a negative absolute solvent pressure.
Optical Limiting in Protonic Doped Bis-Benzothiazole

A ∼13% increase in the absorption coefficient is seen by a weak probe beam to build-up exponentially in ∼50 ps and decay in ∼1.4 ns after a ∼30 ps intense pump pulse (∼220 mJ/cm2 ) at 532 nm goes through a bis-benzothiazole/H2SO4 solution. We propose a three-level model to explain the effect and obtain the basic parameters by fitting our data to the model.
Low Temperature Deposited High Quality ITO Films Prepared by E-Beam Evaporation

An electron beam evaporation method has been used to prepare tin doped indium oxide (ITO) films with 95 wt.% In2O3 and 5 wt.% SnO2 in an oxygen atmosphere. It was found that the deposition rate and oxygen pressure strongly influence the film properties when the substrate temperature was lower than 200°C. In an optimal condition, highly transparent (transmittance ~ 90% at wavelength 570 nm) and conductive (resistivity - 3x10-4Ω-cm) films of thickness around 2000 A at substrate temperature as low as 180°C can be obtained.
A role for protein kinase C in bradykinin-mediated activation of renal pelvic sensory receptors

In anesthetized rats, activation of renal pelvic sensory receptors by bradykinin results in an increase in afferent renal nerve activity (ARNA) that is dependent on intact renal prostaglandin synthesis. Since bradykinin is a known activator of the phosphoinositide system, we examined whether the increase in ARNA produced by bradykinin involved activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Renal pelvic perfusion with the phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu, 1 microM) increased ARNA (31 +/- 3%, P < 0.01) in rats fed a normal diet but not in rats fed an essential fatty acid-deficient (EFAD) diet. Renal pelvic perfusion with the PKC inhibitors calphostin C (1 microM), staurosporine (20 nM), and H-7 (40 microM) reduced the ARNA responses to bradykinin (20 microM) by 69 +/- 10, 76 +/- 10, and 77 +/- 10%, respectively (all P < 0.01). Pretreatment with PDBu (1 microM), known to cause a feedback inhibition of bradykinin-mediated activation of the phosphoinositide system, reduced the ARNA response to bradykinin by 73 +/- 6% (P < 0.01). Pretreatment with 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate was without effect. These findings suggest that activation of PKC contributes importantly to the activation of renal pelvic sensory receptors by bradykinin, likely via release of arachidonic acid.
Characteristics of micropores in mudstones of the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation,Songliao Basin

This paper deals with mudstone sampled from the first member of the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in the Songliao Basin.We qualitatively and quantitatively investigated characteristics of its micropores using scanning electron microscope(SEM),field-emission SEM(FE-SEM),gas adsorption and high-pressure mercury-injection methods.The results indicate that there are mainly five pore types in the mudstone,including matrix intercrystal,organic,dissolution,intergranular and intracrystal pores as well as micron to nano microfissures.Pores in the mudstone are mainly composed of micropores and meso-pores with pore volume generally ranging from 0.001 8 to 0.030 0 mL/mg,specific surface area from 0.91m2/g to 31.02m2/g and porosity from 1.2% to 3.9%.It is believed that compositions and concentrations of various minerals in the mudstone determine,to a certain extent,development of micropores.For instance,the mudstone porosity increases with increasing content of organic matter(OM),illite or pyrite but decreases with increasing content of chlorite,quartz,calcite or anorthose.Moreover,the mudstone porosity has a poor correlation with content of kaolinite,indicating that abundance of kaolinite may not affects variations of mudstone porosity.
Knowledge attainment, perceptions, and professionalism in participants completing the didactic phase of an Army reserve critical care nursing residency program

Combat hospitals in today's Army demand nurses with critical care nursing "8A" additional skills identifiers. The intensity of future wars and operations other than war, together with highly technological weapons, forecast a large number of casualties evacuated rapidly from combat with wounds that require skillful and intensive nursing care. Many of the critical care nurses providing future care are positioned in the reserve components and require creative approaches to education and training concentrated into one weekend per month. An Army Reserve critical care nursing residency program was designed in one midwestern combat support hospital. The didactic course, phase I, was evaluated for effectiveness in achieving outcomes of increased knowledge attainment, enhanced perceptions of critical care nursing, and higher degrees of professionalism. Twenty-seven registered nurses completed the course, and 30 nurses from the same hospital served as controls. A repeated-measures analysis examined outcomes before intervention (time 1), at course completion (time 2), and at a 6-month follow-up (time 3). The course was effective at increasing scores on knowledge attainment and perceptions of critical care nursing; however; professionalism scores were initially high and remained so throughout the study. This research extends information about critical care nursing education and evaluates a training mechanism for meeting the unique requirements and time constraints of nurses in the reserve components who need to provide a high level of skill to soldiers in combat.
Pathophysiology of Body Composition and Metabolic Abnormalities in HIV-Infection: Therapeutic Implications

Changes in body composition and metabolism have been a central feature of HIV infection from the outset—initially, as the wasting syndrome and, more recently, as metabolic and body fat redistribution syndromes associated with antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. Here, advances in physiologic and biochemical understanding of these conditions are reviewed. First, the pathophysiology of wasting in HIV-1 infection is discussed, focusing on the failure of nutrients to increase lean tissue (“anabolic block”) and the role of hypogonadism. Results of anabolic interventions, including recombinant growth hormone, testosterone, and progressive resistance exercise, are presented. Next, ARV-associated disorders are reviewed, including lipoatrophy and an hypothesized “mitochondrial toxicity.” The possibility of establishing pathogenesis in vivo in humans, by direct measurement of mitochondrial DNA synthesis and adipocyte proliferation, is discussed. In summary, important advances have occurred toward the goal of explaining bo...
International Decision: Plaintiff M68/2015 v. Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, [2016] HCA 1 (Austl).

Summary and Analysis of Plaintiff M68/2015 v. Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, [2016] HCA 1 (Austl). This High Court of Australia decision involves the legality of Australia's third-country processing program on Nauru for asylum-seekers.
The role of endothelin-1 in human hypertension

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a powerful vasoconstrictor and mitogen that contributes to blood pressure elevation and related vascular remodeling and target organ damage. ET-1 also influences salt and water homeostasis through effects on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and vasopressin, thus elevating blood pressure and increasing vascular tone. Circulating ET-1 levels are elevated in a variety of animal models of hypertension, particularly those that are salt-dependent, and in a subset of human hypertensives, i.e. African-Americans and those with renal dysfunction. ET type B receptors, which normally have vasodilator functions, mediate vasoconstriction in some hypertensives, and hypertensive African-American patients may have increased numbers of vasoconstrictor ET-B receptors in their vascular smooth muscle. Whether selective ET-A or combined ET-A/ET-B receptor antagonists are more efficacious in treating hypertension and related cardiovascular disease is controversial. ET antagonists have only modest BP lowering effects in the general population of essential hypertensives, but show promise in patients with severe, treatment resistant hypertension.
Assessing the Effectiveness of a School-Based Dental Clinic on the Oral Health of Children Who Lack Access to Dental Care A Program Evaluation

This program evaluation examines the effectiveness of a school-based dental clinic. A repeated-measures design was used to longitudinally examine secondary data from participants ( N = 293). Encounter intensity was developed to normalize data. Multivariate analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to investigate the effect of encounter intensity on the change in decay, restorations, and treatment urgency. A Pearson's correlation was used to measure the strengths of association. Encounter intensity had a statistically significant effect on change in decay ( p = .005), restorations ( p = .000), and treatment urgency ( p = .001). As encounter intensity increased, there was a significant association with the decrease in decay (-.167), increase in restorations (.221), and reduction in referral urgency (-.188). Incorporating dental care into a school-based health center resulted in improved oral health in underserved children while overcoming barriers that typically restrict access. The collaboration of school nurses with the school-based dental clinic was an important element for maximizing student access to dental care.
Toward Logic-Based Cognitively Robust Synthetic Characters in Digital Environments

With respect to genuine cognitive faculties, present synthetic characters inhabiting online virtual worlds are, to say the least, completely impaired. Current methods aimed at the creation of “immersive” virtual worlds only avatars and NPCs the illusion of mentality and, as such, will ultimately fail. Like behaviorism, this doomed approach focuses only on the inputs and outputs of virtual characters and ignores the rich mental structures that are essential for any truly realistic social environment. While this “deceptive” tactic may be suitable so long as a human is in the driver's seat compensating for the mental deficit, truly convincing autonomous synthetic characters must possess genuine mental states, which can only result from a formal theory of mind. We report here on our attempt to invent part of such a theory, one that will enable artificial agents to have and reason about the beliefs of others, resulting in characters that can predict and manipulate the behavior of even human players. Furthermore, we present the “embodiment” of our recent successes: Eddie, a four year old child in Second Life who can reason about his own beliefs to draw conclusions in a manner that matches human children his age.
Tuning Catalytic Activity in the Hydrogenation of Unactivated Olefins with Transition-Metal Oxos as the Lewis Base Component of Frustrated Lewis Pairs

The steric and electronic demands of the catalytic olefin hydrogenation of tert-butylethylene with oxorhenium/Lewis acid FLPs were evaluated. The sterics of the ligand were altered by installing bulkier isopropyl groups in the 2,6-positions of the diamidopyridine (DAP) ligand. Lewis acid/base adducts were not isolated for complexes with this ligand; however, species incorporating isopropyl groups were still active in catalytic hydrogenation. Modifications were also made to the Lewis acid, and catalytic reactions were performed with Piers’ borane, HB(C6F5)2, and the aluminum analogue Al(C6F5)3. The rate of catalytic hydrogenation was shown to strongly correlate with the size of the alkyl, aryl, or hydride ligand. This was confirmed by a linear Taft plot with the steric sensitivity factor δ = −0.57, which suggests that reaction rates are faster with sterically larger X substituents. These data were used to develop a catalyst ((MesDAP)Re(O)(Ph)/HB(C6F5)2) that achieved a TON of 840 for the hydrogenation of t...
Midinfrared spectroscopy for juice authentication-rapid differentiation of commercial juices

The determination of food authenticity is a crucial issue for food quality and safety. Midinfrared spectroscopy provides rapid chemical profiling of agricultural products and could become an effective tool for authentication when coupled to chemometrics. This study developed a simple protocol for classifying commercial juices using attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy. Spectra from a total of 52 juices together with their extracted sugar-rich and phenol-rich fractions were obtained to construct multivariate models [hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA)] for pattern recognition analysis and prediction. Spectra of the sugar-rich fraction, comprised primarily of sugars and simple acids, almost superimposed the whole juice spectra. Solid-phase extraction enriched phenol compounds and provided signature-like spectral information that substantially improved the SIMCA modeling power over the whole juice or sugar-rich fraction models and allowed for the differentiation of juices with different origins. Zero percent misclassification was achieved by the phenol-rich fraction model. HCA successfully recognized the natural grouping of juices based on ingredients similarity. The infrared technique assisted by a simple fractionation and chemometrics provided a promising analytical method for the assurance of juice quality and authenticity.
Tracking the Dollars: How Economic Impact Studies Can Actually Benefit Managerial Decision Making

Understanding how event tourists behave, and targeting customized offers to them based on their sunk cost of travel to the event, can therefore provide additional opportunities to increase the economic impact of an event. For event stakeholders tracking this economic impact, categorizing attendees according to their distance traveled may also provide a more comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the impact.
VITAMIN B12 AND THE MACROMOLECULAR COMPOSITION OF EUGLENA II. Recovery from Unbalanced Growth Induced by Vitamin B12 Deficiency

When vitamin B12 is added to B12-deficient cultures of Euglena gracilis, the cells undergo two relatively synchronous cell divisions within a shorter than usual period of time, apparently as a result of a transitory shortening of the cell cycle. The first cell division pulse, occurring 4.5 h after addition of B12, is preceded by the completion of DNA duplication, but appears to involve no net synthesis of RNA or protein. Before the second round of cell division at about 11 h, a significant amount of DNA synthesis is observed. This time it is accompanied by a minor increase in the RNA and protein content of the culture. The cellular contents of RNA and protein were observed to decrease steadily after the resumption of cell division in B12-depleted cultures receiving the vitamin. Ultimately all three macromolecules returned to their nondeficient, plateau stage levels; by this time, cell division had ceased.
Comment on “Cross section of the C 13 ( α , n ) O 16 reaction: A background for the measurement of geo-neutrinos”

Harissopulos et al. [Phys. Rev. C 72, 062801(R) (2005)] report a cross section from a measurement that used a moderated neutron detector not capable of measuring the neutron energy and therefore unable to determine the relative contribution from neutrons that populate the ground state or excited $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ states in $^{13}\mathrm{C}(\ensuremath{\alpha},n)^{16}\mathrm{O}$ reactions above 5 MeV. Since the energies of ejected neutrons populating the excited states are 6 MeV lower than those populating the ground state, the corresponding efficiency of their neutron detector for these neutrons was a factor of 2 higher than assumed. Therefore, the reported $^{13}\mathrm{C}(\ensuremath{\alpha},n)^{16}\mathrm{O}$ cross sections above 5 MeV may be overcalculated by nearly 50%.
Exploring School Nurse Interventions and Health and Education Outcomes: An Integrative Review:

School nurses intervene with students, parents, and school staff to advance the health and academic success of students. We conducted an integrative literature review of published research to describe the types of school nurse interventions and health and education outcome measures and to examine how school nurse interventions were linked to student outcomes. Sixty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. We used the National Association of School Nurses' Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice to categorize school nurse interventions and health and education outcome measures. The majority of interventions were categorized under the care coordination principle, most commonly, motivational interviewing and counseling. In 17 studies, school nurse interventions were linked to improved student outcomes. Most studies (80%) were descriptive. To advance school nursing science, researchers can build on this foundation with more rigorous research methods to evaluate the impact of school nurse interventions and activities on student health and education outcomes.
Stigmatization and Validation of Atheism, Literalism, and Non-Literalism in the Discourse over Evolutionary Theory

This article explores how atheism, literalism, and non-literalism are validated and stigmatized in public discourse over evolutionary theory. Through an ethnographic content analysis of 1,028 letters to the editor, I examine how authors frame the relationship between acceptance of evolutionary theory and religious faith. I find there are four ways of doing so: 1) implicit polarization, obliquely denies any compatibility between religion and evolution; 2) distancing, separates one’s position from that of another; 3) articulation, weaves evolution and faith together; and 4) combinations of polarization, distancing, and articulation. Each framing results in some mixture of stigmatization and validation of atheism, literalism, and non-literalism. Implicit polarization stigmatizes and validates atheism and literalism. Implicit polarization stigmatizes non-literalism through unacknowledgment. Distancing can validate and stigmatize literalism and non-literalism, while it also results in literalism and atheism being stigmatized by putative allies. Articulation validates non-literalism by representing it in the public sphere and it stigmatizes atheism and literalism through unacknowledgment.
Social Capital in Social Media and Its Effect on Brand Attachment and Purchase Intention

Characteristics of social media interaction have been transformed from actions that are silent, isolated and invisible to noisy, public, and unmanageable (Patterson, 2012). The impact of interaction of both between the brand and consumer, and among consumers, have grown tremendously in social media as it encourages consumer engagement not only for personal connection but also for information search and share of opinions (e.g., product reviews) (Chu and Kim, 2011). As a result, social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) has become the main platform of consumer socialization as well as marketing communications.
Sizing up a supercharged ferryl.

Terminal transition metal-oxo (oxo = O2−) intermediates enjoy storied status in inorganic chemistry. The elucidation of the vanadyl (VO2+) electronic structure by Ballhausen and Gray (1) helped usher in the era of molecular orbital depictions of bonding in transition metal chemistry. Since then, metal-oxo species have been implicated in vital roles throughout biological catalysis, with key examples including the ferryl-porphyrin radical intermediate, compound I (2) used by cytochrome P450 enzymes to hydroxylate C–H bonds and high-valent Mn-oxo species postulated to participate in O–O bond formation by the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II (3, 4). These natural examples have inspired considerable synthetic efforts: The past few decades have witnessed the syntheses of numerous examples of terminal metal-oxo complexes capable of activating moderately strong bonds (5⇓–7). The ubiquity of reactive terminal metal-oxos has also reached the field of heterogeneous catalysis. Recently, Solomon and coworkers (8) characterized a potent zeolite-supported ferryl (FeO2+) species capable of hydroxylating methane at room temperature. Now, in PNAS, Synder et al. (9) extend characterization of this species, using synchrotron-based spectroscopies to access valuable bonding parameters essential to defining the electronic structure underpinning the reactivity of this ferryl. The capacity for Fe-doped zeolites to effect methane hydroxylation under mild conditions has been known for decades (10). However, identifying the “active ingredient” in materials with low ( ca. 0.3 … [↵][1]1Email: kml236{at}cornell.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Design and evaluation of a CXCR4 targeting peptide 4DV3 as an HIV entry inhibitor and a ligand for targeted drug delivery.

Abstract The feasibility of utilizing the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR4 for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) entry inhibition and as an intracellular portal for targeted drug delivery was evaluated. Novel DV3 ligands (1DV3, 2DV3, and 4DV3) were designed, synthesized and conjugated to various probes (fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or biotin) and cargos with sizes ranging from 10 to 50 nm (polyethylene glycol (PEG), streptavidin, and a polymeric nanoparticle). 4DV3 conjugated probes inhibited HIV-1 entry into the CXCR4-expressing reporter cell line TZM-bl (IC50 at 553 nM) whereas 1DV3 and 2DV3 did not. 4DV3 also inhibited binding of anti-CXCR4 antibody 44,708 to TZM-bl cells with nanomolar potency, while the small-molecule CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 did not. Molecular modeling suggested simultaneous binding of a single 4DV3 molecule to four CXCR4 molecules. Differences in CXCR4-binding sites could explain the discrete inhibitory effects observed for 4DV3, the 44,708 antibody and AMD3100. In the Sup-T1 cell chemotaxis assay, the 4DV3 ligand functioned as a CXCR4 allosteric enhancer. In addition, 4DV3 ligand-conjugated cargos with sizes ranging from 10 to 50 nm were taken up into CXCR4-expressing Sup-T1 and TZM-bl cells, demonstrating that CXCR4 could serve as a drug delivery portal for nanocarriers. The uptake of 4DV3 functionalized nanocarriers combined with the allosteric interaction with CXCR4 suggests enhanced endocytosis occurs when 4DV3 is the targeting ligand. The current results indicate that 4DV3 might serve as a prototype for a new type of dual function ligand, one that acts as a HIV-1 entry inhibitor and a CXCR4 drug delivery targeting ligand.
Response by Beddhu et al to Letters Regarding Article, "Influence of Baseline Diastolic Blood Pressure on Effects of Intensive Compared With Standard Blood Pressure Control"

We very much appreciate the thoughtful comments by Stavropoulos et al on our article on baseline diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and cardiovascular outcomes in SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial).1 They wondered whether participants with baseline DBP >70 mm Hg with reductions to 70 mm Hg (71±2 mm Hg).1 As shown in Figure 1, the achieved DBP in the intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) group was lower than that of the standard SBP group (65.2±6.6 versus 71.6±6.8 mm Hg), and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, there was no evidence that the intensive SBP group had worse cardiovascular outcomes, irrespective of the baseline DBP.1 Achieved DBP is a reflection of a multitude of factors, including the underlying arterial stiffness (patients with stiffer arteries …
The Interface Between a Metal and a Solution in the Absence of Specific Adsorption

The theory of the double layer at the interface between a metal and an electrolyte solution dates back to the work of Helmholtz [1] in 1881. He pointed out that a difference in the electrostatic potential between the metal and the solution implies a charge separation at the interface, and that the resulting charge configuration resembles that of a parallel plate condenser. Gouy [2] in 1910 and Chapman [3] in 1913 developed the theory of the diffuse double layer, based on a model in which the solution consists of point ions in a dielectric continuum (the solvent), and the metal is a perfect conductor. In 1924, stern [4] introduced a charge-free layer, named the Stern layer or the inner layer, into the model of Gouy and Chapman, and the resulting Gouy-Chapman-Stern theory dominated double layer theory for more than five decades.
Counseling Competencies in Audiology: A Modified Delphi Study

Purpose Counseling practices in audiology play a critical role in helping patients and families understand, accept, and adjust to the dynamic impacts ear-related disorders have on their lives. The ...
NiAu single atom alloys for the selective oxidation of methacrolein with methanol to methyl methacrylate

Abstract The oxidative cross-coupling of unsaturated aldehydes and alcohols with methanol is catalyzed by O-activated gold surfaces in both ambient pressure and UHV conditions. From liquid-phase studies it has been found that either the addition of a base or the use of a basic support is necessary for high yields of the corresponding methyl ester. Here we demonstrate that addition of a small amount of Ni, at the single atom limit, on supported Au nanoparticles, without the aid of a base in the reaction solution or the use of a basic support, is sufficient to activate Au for the selective oxidative esterification of methacrolein with methanol. The Ni concentration and dispersion are followed by ICP-AES and in situ DRIFTS, respectively. The active site appears to be the same for both NiAu and Au NPs; namely, an [Au-Ox]- species, as similar apparent activation energies of the reaction were found in kinetic studies over these two catalysts. Ni was also shown to allow for lower methanol concentrations to be used without affecting the catalytic activity and selectivity to the desired product, methyl methacrylate. In situ vibrational spectroscopy studies were conducted in an ATR-IR cell, where the reaction progress was monitored by detecting the gradual conversion of adsorbed reactants on the catalytic surface to intermediates and finally to the desired product, which was produced at close to 100% selectivity at conversions exceeding 25% at 60 ℃ on NiAu single atom alloy nanoparticles.
Antidepressant discontinuation in treatment resistant depression.

Abstract Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a growing problem in psychiatric practice with some 15–20% of depressed patients becoming chronically depressed and perhaps as many as 40% in tertiary settings. Several groups have championed the idea that TRD may be attributed to the long-term treatment with antidepressant drugs (AD). Subjects with the short form of the serotonin transporter gene (both heterozygotes and homozygotes) have an increased risk for depression in the setting of adversity compared to people with the long form. Moreover, these same individuals have a reduced likelihood of responding well to antidepressants, with reports of no response, delayed response, and increased side effects. This hypothesis needs to be examined in a randomized clinical trial. The study will examine the effect of discontinuation versus continuation of serotonergic antidepressants on disease progression in patients with treatment resistant depression. We will recruit 30 subjects and assess the depressive symptoms and disease progression. Genetic testing will be performed to optimize clinical outcome in both groups, but will also be used to evaluate if the short form of the serotonin transporter predicts disease progression and long-term antidepressant treatment response.
Political Pioneer of the Press: Ida B. Wells-Barnett and Her Transnational Crusade for Social Justice

During nearly five decades of activism, Ida B. Wells-Barnett used a variety of communication strategies that are the focus of Political Pioneer of the Press, an edited volume examining her relentle...
Environmental Barriers Disrupt Grid-like Representations in Humans during Navigation

Summary Environmental barriers fundamentally shape our behavior and conceptualization of space [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Evidence from rodents suggests that, in contrast to an open-field environment, where grid cells exhibit firing patterns with a 6-fold rotational symmetry [ 5 , 6 ], barriers within the field abolish the 6-fold symmetry and fragment the grid firing fields into compartmentalized repeating “submaps” [ 5 ]. These results suggest that barriers may exert their influence on the cognitive map through organization of the metric representation of space provided by entorhinal neurons. We directly tested this hypothesis in humans, combining functional MRI with a virtual navigation paradigm in which we manipulated the local barrier structure. When participants performed a fixed-route foraging task in an open field, the functional MRI signal in right entorhinal cortex exhibited a 6-fold periodic modulation by movement direction associated with conjunctive grid cell firing [ 7 ]. However, when environments were compartmentalized by barriers, the grid-like 6-fold spatial metric was abolished. Instead, a 4-fold modulation of the entorhinal signal was observed, consistent with a vectorized organization of spatial metrics predicted by rodent models of navigation [ 5 ]. Collectively, these results provide mechanistic insight into why barriers compartmentalize our cognitive map, indicating that boundaries exert a powerful influence on the way environments are represented in human entorhinal cortex. Given that our daily environments are rarely wide open and are often segmented by barriers (e.g., the buildings of our home city), our findings have implications for applying models of cognitive mapping based on grid-like metrics [ 8 ] to naturalistic circumstances.
Robotic level II inferior vena cava thrombectomy for metastatic melanoma.

Abstract We report on a case of a 38-year-old female who presented with metastatic malignant melanoma of her right kidney with Level II tumor thrombus. This is the first ever presented case of a renal melanoma IVC tumor thrombus. Furthermore, in an effort to expand the surgical scope of minimally invasive and robotic surgery, we report management of this lesion as the first case of non-renal cell carcinoma IVC tumor thrombus treated with a robotic thrombectomy.
Case report of a partially thrombosed ACoA aneurysm presenting with bilateral foot drop.

Abstract Background and importance Foot drop is defined as a weakness in the ankle and foot dorsiflexors. A disruption of the neural pathway starting from the mesial frontal cortex and ending in the peroneal nerve can lead to foot drop. Unilateral foot drop due to lower motor neuron injury is well documented. However, bilateral foot drop due to a central cause is very rare. Clinical presentation A 29-year-old male presenting with bilateral lower extremity weakness in addition to rigidity. The patient is known to have bipolar disorder and an Anterior communicating artery aneurysm (ACoA) for which he has not followed up. A CTA showed a partially thrombosed 5 mm × 6 mm ACoA aneurysm. The patient underwent placement of flow diverter PED. Conclusion Central causes of acute bilateral foot drop are rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Thrombo-embolism due to a partially thrombosed aneurysm is a well known phenomenon, all treatment options should be considered keeping in mind the risks associated with the different techniques due to the intra saccular thrombus.
Non-cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema

The etiology of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema includes increased capillary permeability and decreased plasma oncotic pressure. The conditions predisposed to non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema include acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), lung re-expansion, central nervous system injury, and transfusion-associated lung injuries (Gutschow and Walker, Thoracic imaging: the requisites. Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2018). CT, chest x-ray, and lung ultrasound are modalities that are commonly used for evaluation of ARDS. Ground-glass opacity, dependent dense consolidation, and anterior lung with normal aeration are a few features of ARDS on CT (Gutschow and Walker, Thoracic imaging: the requisites. Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2018). Air bronchogram, normal heart size, and reduced or normal vascular pedicle width are a few key features of chest x-rays (Milne et al. AJR 144:879–894, 1985). Lastly, as a point of care tool, lung US can be used for ARDS evaluation. Lung US findings include air bronchogram, lung pulse, lung consolidations, pleural line abnormalities, and “spared areas” (Assaad et al., Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia 32:901–914, 2018).
Rate of force development is related to maximal force, muscle quality and physical function in patients with chronic kidney disease predialysis

ABSTRACT Background Physical function is severely compromised in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and worsens with continued decreases in kidney function. Neuromuscular force capacity is a key determinant of physical function in healthy older adults, though its importance in persons with CKD is less understood. Methods This study aimed to determine the relationships among rate of force development (RFD), muscle quality and physical function in a group of community-dwelling, middle-aged and older men (n=14; age=71.2±6.2 years) with CKD stages 3 and 4 (eGFR=37.5±10.4 ml/min per 1.73 m2). Force characteristics were determined from maximal knee extensor isometric contractions and muscle quality was estimated using ultrasound grayscale analysis. Physical function was assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and 5-repetition sit-to-stand (STS) test. Results eGFR was directly related to SPPB (r=0.54, p=0.044) and inversely related to STS (r=-0.62, p=0.029). RFD was positively related to SPPB at time points 0-50 ms, 50-100 ms, and 0-300 ms (RFD0-50, r=0.73, p=0.010; RFD50-100, r=0.67, p=0.022 and RFD0-300 r=0.61, p=0.045); and inversely related to STS at time points 0-50 ms, 50-100 ms, and 0-300 ms (RFD0-50, r=-0.78, p=0.007; RFD50-100, r=-0.78, p=0.006 and RFD0-300 r=-0.76, p=0.009), respectively. RFD was positively associated with maximal voluntary force (MVF) at times 50-100 ms, 100-200 ms, and 0-300 ms (RFD50-100, r=0.72, p=0.011; RFD100-200, r=0.66, p=0.025; and RFD0-300 r=0.70, p=0.016), respectively. Neither MVF nor muscle quality was significantly associated with functional measures. Conclusions RFD is an important determinant of physical function in middle-aged and older men with CKD stages 3 and 4.
Fueling Clinical and Translational Research in Appalachia: Informatics Platform Approach.

Background: The Appalachian population is distinct, not just culturally and geographically but also in its health care needs, facing the most health care disparities in the United States. To meet these unique demands, Appalachian medical centers need an arsenal of analytics and data science tools with the foundation of a centralized data warehouse to transform health care data into actionable clinical interventions. However, this is an especially challenging task given the fragmented state of medical data within Appalachia and the need for integration of other types of data such as environmental, social, and economic with medical data. Objective: This paper aims to present the structure and process of the development of an integrated platform at a midlevel Appalachian academic medical center along with its initial uses. Methods: The Appalachian Informatics Platform was developed by the Appalachian Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s Division of Clinical Informatics and consists of 4 major components: a centralized clinical data warehouse, modeling (statistical and machine learning), visualization, and model evaluation. Data from different clinical systems, billing systems, and state- or national-level data sets were integrated into a centralized data warehouse. The platform supports research efforts by enabling curation and analysis of data using the different components, as appropriate. Results: The Appalachian Informatics Platform is functional and has supported several research efforts since its implementation for a variety of purposes, such as increasing knowledge of the pathophysiology of diseases, risk identification, risk prediction, and health care resource utilization research and estimation of the economic impact of diseases. Conclusions: The platform provides an inexpensive yet seamless way to translate clinical and translational research ideas into clinical applications for regions similar to Appalachia that have limited resources and a largely rural population.
Protease-activated receptor 4 causes Akt phosphorylation independently of PI3 kinase pathways.

PI-3 Kinase plays an important role in platelet activation mainly through regulation of RASA3. Akt phosphorylation is an indicator for the activity of PI3 kinase. The aim of this study is to charac...
Radiologic Assessment of Muscle and Fat Stores in Long-Term Type I Diabetics Referred for Pancreas Transplant Compared to Healthy Controls

Type 1 diabetes (DM1) is associated with loss of skeletal muscle and bone mass and may affect body fat stores. This study employs computed tomography (CT) scans to assess the body composition of DM1 patients referred for pancreas transplant compared to healthy controls. A 1:1 case-control design matched study patients with otherwise healthy patients from the trauma database. Matching criteria included age ± 5 years, gender, and body mass index (BMI) ± 2kg/m2. Nutrition variables included serum albumin and protein levels, BMI, and CT measures of muscle mass and fat stores. There were 22 subjects and 22 controls (median DM1 duration 24 years). DM1 patients had less muscle mass and less subcutaneous fat but no difference in visceral fat. Patients with the greatest muscle deficit were those with DM1 greater than 20 years and those younger than age 40. DM1 patients maintain similar BMI and protein levels compared to healthy controls but have marked deficits of muscle and subcutaneous fat. These results inform the nutritional management of DM1 patients and quantify the muscle and fat deficits present in these patients. At highest risk are young patients and those with duration of DM1 over 20 years.
WWTR1(TAZ)-CAMTA1 reprograms endothelial cells to drive epithelioid hemangioendothelioma

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a poorly understood and devastating vascular cancer. Sequencing of EHE has revealed a unique gene fusion between the Hippo pathway nuclear effector TAZ (WWTR1) and the brain-enriched transcription factor CAMTA1 in ∼90% of cases. However, it remains unclear whether the TAZ-CAMTA1 gene fusion is a driver of EHE, and potential targeted therapies are unknown. Here, we show that TAZ-CAMTA1 expression in endothelial cells is sufficient to drive the formation of vascular tumors with the distinctive features of EHE, and inhibition of TAZ-CAMTA1 results in the regression of these vascular tumors. We further show that activated TAZ resembles TAZ-CAMTA1 in driving the formation of EHE-like vascular tumors, suggesting that constitutive activation of TAZ underlies the pathological features of EHE. We show that TAZ-CAMTA1 initiates an angiogenic and regenerative-like transcriptional program in endothelial cells, and disruption of the TAZ-CAMTA1-TEAD interaction or ectopic expression of a dominant negative TEAD in vivo inhibits TAZ-CAMTA1-mediated transformation. Our study provides the first genetic model of a TAZ fusion oncoprotein driving its associated human cancer, pinpointing TAZ-CAMTA1 as the key driver and a valid therapeutic target of EHE.
Triggering change in stimulation protocols: a matter of oocyte maturation and beyond

Since the birth of Louise Brown, in vitro fertilization (IVF) stimulation protocols have evolved significantly. One particular area of focus has been the process of final oocyte maturation, during which the oocyte gains competence to support fertilization and early embryonic development up to implantation. The field of human assisted reproductive technology (ART) is witnessing increased utilization of GnRH agonists (GnRHa) as trigger agents, in addition to or instead of the traditionally used human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Future translational studies will reveal whether oocyte developmental competence, as reflected in live birth outcomes, are not only non-inferior, but also superior with the use of GnRHa as a trigger for both nuclear and cytoplasmic oocyte maturation.
Security and Privacy for Distributed Optimization & Distributed Machine Learning

The tutorial will include an introduction to (i) distributed optimization and distributed machine learning, (ii) security or fault-tolerance for distributed optimization and learning, and (iii) privacy in distributed optimization and learning. The presentation will cover the basic principles, and some representative solutions. Server-based and peer-to-peer solutions will be discussed. In particular, Byzantine fault-tolerant algorithms for distributed optimization and learning will be discussed. Privacy mechanisms to be discussed include differential privacy and its variations for systems based on multiple servers.
Fuzzy Aided Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm to Solve Optimization Problem

In ant colony optimization technique (ACO), the shortest path is identified based on the pheromones deposited on the way by the traveling ants and the pheromones evaporate with the passage of time. Because of this nature, the technique only provides possible solutions from the neighboring node and cannot provide the best solution. By considering this draw back, this paper introduces a fuzzy integrated ACO technique which reduces the iteration time and also identifies the best path. The proposed technique is tested for travelling sales man problem and the performance is observed from the test results.
Application of Oxidized Starch in Bake-Only Chicken Nuggets

UNLABELLED There is a need to reduce the fat content in fried foods because of increasing health concerns from consumers. Oxidized starches have been utilized in many coating applications for their adhesion ability. However, it is not known if they perform similarly in bake-only products. This study investigated the application of oxidized starch in bake-only chicken nuggets. Oxidized starches were prepared from 7 starches and analyzed for gelatinization and pasting properties. Chicken nuggets were prepared using batter containing wheat flour, oxidized starch, salt, and leavening agents prior to steaming, oven baking, freezing, and final oven baking for sensory evaluation. All nuggets were analyzed for hardness by a textural analyzer, crispness by an acoustic sound, and sensory characteristics by a trained panel. The oxidation level used in the study did not alter the gelatinization temperature of most starches, but increased the peak pasting viscosity of both types of corn and rice starches and decreased that of tapioca and potato starches. There were slight differences in peak force and acoustic reading between some treatments; however, the differences were not consistent with starch type or amylose content. There was no difference among the treatments as well as between the control with wheat flour and the treatments partially replaced with oxidized starches in all sensory attributes of bake-only nuggets evaluated by the trained panel. PRACTICAL APPLICATION There is a need to reduce the fat content in fried food, such as chicken nuggets, because of increasing childhood obesity. Oxidized starches are widely used in coating applications for their adhesion ability. This study investigated the source of oxidized starches in steam-baked coated nuggets for their textural and sensorial properties. The findings from this research will provide an understanding of the contributions of starch source and oxidation to the texture and sensory attributes of bake-only nuggets, and future directions to improve the batter formulation for bake-only nuggets.
Protein phosphatase 1 and an opposing protein kinase regulate steady-state L-type Ca2+ current in mouse cardiac myocytes.

Studies have suggested that integration of kinase and phosphatase activities maintains the steady-state L-type Ca2+ current in ventricular myocytes, a balance disrupted in failing hearts. As we have recently reported that the PP1/PP2A inhibitor calyculin A evokes pronounced increases in L-type ICa, the goal of this study was to identify the counteracting kinase and phosphatase that determine ‘basal’ICa in isolated mouse ventricular myocytes. Whole-cell voltage-clamp studies, with filling solutions containing 10 mm EGTA, revealed that calyculin A (100 nm) increased ICa at test potentials between −42 and +49mV (44% at 0mV) from a holding potential of −80mV. It also shifted the V0.5 (membrane potential at half-maximal) of both activation (from −17 to −25mV) and steady-state inactivation (from −32 to −37mV) in the hyperpolarizing direction. The broad-spectrum protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine (300 nm), was without effect on ICa when added after calyculin A. However, by itself, staurosporine decreased ICa throughout the voltage range examined (50% at 0mV) and blocked the response to calyculin A, indicating that the phosphatase inhibitor's effects depend upon an opposing kinase activity. The PKA inhibitors Rp-cAMPs (100 μm in the pipette) and H89 (1 μm) failed to reduce basal ICa or to block the calyculin A-evoked increase in ICa. Likewise, calyculin A was still active with 10 mm intracellular BAPTA or when Ba2+ was used as the charge carrier. These data eliminate roles for protein kinase A (PKA) and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) as counteracting kinases. However, the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors Ro 31-8220 (1 μm) and Go 6976 (200 nm) decreased steady-state ICa and blunted the effect of calyculin A. PP2A is not involved in this regulation as intracellular applications of 10–100 nm okadaic acid or 500 nm fostriecin failed to increase ICa. However, PP1 is important, as dialysis with 2 μm okadaic acid or 500 nm inhibitor-2 mimicked the increases in ICa seen with calyculin A. These in situ studies identify constitutive activity of PP1 and the counteracting activity of certain isoforms of PKC, in pathways distinct from receptor-mediated signalling cascades, as regulatory components that determine the steady-state level of cardiac L-type ICa.