cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adolescent weight history and adult cognition: before and after bariatric surgery.

Abstract Background Cognitive deficits occur in a subset of individuals with obesity. Deficits can be reversed with bariatric surgery, though cognitive recovery is not equally exhibited across patients. Recent work has found that obesity during adolescence portends medical complications in adulthood; it is unknown if obesity in adolescence predicts adult cognition or cognitive recovery after weight loss surgery. Objectives The present study examines the relationship between weight history and cognitive function in obese adults undergoing bariatric surgery. Setting Academic medical centers with bariatric care services. Methods Seventy-eight bariatric surgery patients (mean age = 43.2 years) enrolled in an ancillary study to the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) project completed a questionnaire recalling weight history at age 18. Cognitive testing was completed preoperatively and at 12-month follow-up. Results Weight status at age 18 was linked to performance in several aspects of cognition. Higher body mass index at age 18 predicted poorer preoperative verbal fluency (B = –.26, P = .045) as well as postoperative cognitive recovery in attention (B = –.30, P = .01) at 12-month follow-up. Conclusion Higher body mass index at age 18 predicts verbal fluency performance in adults with obesity, as well as postoperative recovery of attention after bariatric surgery. The mechanisms underlying this connection are not fully clear, though findings may reflect effects of obesity on the brain during a crucial period of neural maturation or duration of obesity and cumulative impact of co-morbidities on cognition. Future work examining possible causal factors involved in these relationships is needed.
Multi-variable mathematical models for the air-cathode microbial fuel cell system

Abstract This research adopted the version control system into the model construction for the single chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cell (MFC) system, to understand the interrelation of biological, chemical, and electrochemical reactions. The anodic steady state model was used to consider the chemical species diffusion and electric migration influence to the MFC performance. In the cathodic steady state model, the mass transport and reactions in a multi-layer, abiotic cathode and multi-bacteria cathode biofilm were simulated. Transport of hydroxide was assumed for cathodic pH change. This assumption is an alternative to the typical notion of proton consumption during oxygen reduction to explain elevated cathode pH. The cathodic steady state model provided the power density and polarization curve performance results that can be compared to an experimental MFC system. Another aspect considered was the relative contributions of platinum catalyst and microbes on the cathode to the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Simulation results showed that the biocatalyst in a cathode that includes a Pt/C catalyst likely plays a minor role in ORR, contributing up to 8% of the total power calculated by the models.
Synergistic Photothermal and Antibiotic Killing of Biofilm-Associated Staphylococcus aureus Using Targeted Antibiotic-Loaded Gold Nanoconstructs

Resistance to conventional antibiotics is a growing public health concern that is quickly outpacing the development of new antibiotics. This has led the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) to designate Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species as "ESKAPE pathogens" on the basis of the rapidly decreasing availability of useful antibiotics. This emphasizes the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies to combat infections caused by these and other bacterial pathogens. In this study, we used Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) as a proof-of-principle ESKAPE pathogen to demonstrate that an appropriate antibiotic (daptomycin) can be incorporated into polydopamine-coated gold nanocages (AuNC@PDA) and that daptomycin-loaded AuNC@PDA can be conjugated to antibodies targeting a species-specific surface protein (staphylococcal protein A; Spa) as a means of achieving selective delivery of the nanoconstructs directly to the bacterial cell surface. Targeting specificity was confirmed by demonstrating a lack of binding to mammalian cells, reduced photothermal and antibiotic killing of the Spa-negative species Staphylococcus epidermidis, and reduced killing of S. aureus in the presence of unconjugated anti-Spa antibodies. We demonstrate that laser irradiation at levels within the current safety standard for use in humans can be used to achieve both a lethal photothermal effect and controlled release of the antibiotic, thus resulting in a degree of therapeutic synergy capable of eradicating viable S. aureus cells. The system was validated using planktonic bacterial cultures of both methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains and subsequently shown to be effective in the context of an established biofilm, thus indicating that this approach could be used to facilitate the effective treatment of intrinsically resistant biofilm infections.
Decreased expression of hyperpolarisation-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 3 in Hirschsprung’s disease

AIM: To determine if hyperpolarisation-activated nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels exist in human colon, and to investigate the expression of HCN channels in Hirschsprung’s disease. METHODS: We investigated HCN1, HCN2, HCN3 and HCN4 protein expression in pull-through specimens from patients with Hirschsprung’s disease (HSCR, n = 10) using the proximal-most ganglionic segment and distal-most aganglionic segment, as well as in healthy control specimens obtained at the time of sigmoid colostomy closure in children who had undergone anorectoplasty for imperforate anus (n = 10). Fluorescent immunohistochemistry was performed to assess protein distribution, which was then visualized using confocal microscopy. RESULTS: No HCN1 channel expression was observed in any of the tissues studied. Both HCN2 and HCN4 proteins were found to be equally expressed in the aganglionic and ganglionic bowel in HSCR and controls. HCN3 channel expression was found to be markedly decreased in the aganglionic colon vs ganglionic colon and controls. HCN2-4 channels were seen to be expressed within neurons of the myenteric and submucosal plexus of the ganglionic bowel and normal controls, and also co-localised to interstitial cells of Cajal in all tissues studied. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate HCN channel expression in human colon for the first time. Reduced HCN3 expression in aganglionic bowel suggests its potential role in HSCR pathophysiology.
Topography of the Chloroplast Cytochrome b6

Cytochrome b 6 contains 4 His residues in membrane-spanning helices that are conserved in the cyt b of the b-c 1 complex of mitochondria from many phyla as well as in photosynthetic bacteria, cyanobacteria, and chloroplasts (1–3). The hydropathy plots for the amino acid sequences of these cytochromes were highly correlated mathematically (1,4). This led to the prediction that the four His residues used to coordinate the two hemes of the cytochrome are located on two of the membrane-spanning helices, with a His pair coordinated to a heme on each side of the membrane thereby cross-linking the two helices. The cyt b 6 protein of oxygenic photosynthesis which is ∼½ the size of cyt b (b-c 1) constitutes the heme-binding domain of the latter.
Altitude Correction of Switching Impulse Flashover Voltage of Tower Gaps With V-shaped Insulator Strings for HVDC Power Transmission Lines

The results obtained from contrast tests on switching impulse flashover characteristics of tower gaps under different altitudes by two simulation models with true sizes and actual layouts for V-shaped insulator strings are presented.Based on the curves of switching impulse flashover characteristics of tower gaps obtained respectively from test bases located at Beijing and Tibet individually and the latter is at the region with altitude of 4 300 m,the curves of switching impulse flashover characteristics for tower gaps located at the regions with altitudes of 4 000 m and below are calculated by interpolation method.After analysis and calculation,the altitude-corrected calculation formula of switching impulse flashover characteristics curves for tower gaps,which is suitable to the regions with altitudes of 4 000 m and below,is obtained.The comparison of altitude correction computing formula obtained from tests with the formula recommended by IEC 60071-2: 1996,which is common used currently,is performed,and the difference between the values of correction factors m in the two formulae as well as the impact of the two correction factors on switching impulse flashover voltage are analyzed.
Wind-solar-diesel hybrid power supply system

For the grass-roots unit with power shortage stationed in the remote areas,the wind and the solar energy resources are in abundance.Based on present condition,a wind-solar-diesel hybrid power supply system was put forward.It consists of windpower generator technology,solar photovoltage generator technology and diesel-electric technology.The ways of design and calculation was illustrated by the application instance of a wind-solar-diesel hybrid power system in Gansu province.Practice indicates that this system is safe,reliable and feasible.It is an effective approach to resolve the power shortage problem of the grass-roots unit in remote areas.
Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Variation in Hippopotamus amphibius from Kruger National Park, Republic of South Africa

Populations of Hippopotamus amphibius have declined throughout Africa in recent years, and are expected to decline further. An understanding of the population genetics of individual populations of hippos is necessary for effective management. To that end, we sequenced a portion of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region or D-loop from 37 H. amphibius, from six herds in the central region of Kruger National Park (KNP), Republic of South Africa. We amplified a 453 bp segment by PCR, and identified 21 polymorphic sites and seven haplotypes. All of these haplotypes are private alleles, not found in other populations of hippos from southern Africa. Overall nucleotide diversity (π) was 0.01739, and haplotype diversity (hd) was 0.8273, within the range observed in other parts of Africa. Mismatch analysis conformed more closely to a model of constant population size than either rapid demographic or spatial expansion. An analysis of molecular variance demonstrated no significant differentiation among herds, a...
Anorexia nervosa: a literature review -

Anorexia nervosa, more common in females, is characterized by low body weight due to restricted intake of food, and fear to gain weight as well as distorted body image of oneself. It has a number of medical complications, such as low heart rate, hypotension, etc. These complications need consideration before starting medication for anorexia nervosa. Although, antidepressants have shown no more effectiveness as compared to placebo according to a research.
Stiff-person Syndrome.

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a progressive neurologic disorder characterized by 1) stiffness that is prominent in axial muscles, with co-contraction of agonist and antagonist muscles; 2) sudden episodic spasms; and 3) absence of another disease that causes similar symptoms. The diagnosis of SPS is based on clinical grounds and requires a high degree of suspicion. The diagnosis is, however, aided by electromyography, which demonstrates motor unit firing at rest simultaneously from the agonist and antagonist muscles, and by high serum titers of antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the rate-limiting enzyme for the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is the brain’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter. The reduced GABA level in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid explains the patients’ stiffness and justifies the clinical improvement observed by drugs enhancing GABAergic transmission. The association of SPS with other autoimmune disorders or autoantibodies, the intrathecal GAD-specific immunoglobulin G antibody synthesis, and the suppression of GABA by the patient’s antibodies supports the autoimmune nature of SPS and justifies the use of immunotherapies. At present, GABA-enhancing agents, such as benzodiazepines, valproate, vigabatrin, tiagabine, gabapentin, and baclofen, provide symptomatic relief. Plasmapheresis, steroids, and periodic intravenous immunoglobulin infusions provide additional and lasting benefit. In this article, the treatment options for patients with SPS are discussed based on the authors’ experience and that of others. The beneficial effects from the first controlled study conducted in SPS using intravenous immunoglobulin are presented.
Why Selective Colleges Should Become Less Selective - and Get Better Students

In the process of admissions to selective colleges and universities, both the institutions and the applicants are trying to maximize. Applicants want to get into the “best” college and colleges want the “best” applicants. This paper argues that in this context, as in many others, maximizing is a fool’s errand, partly because no one knows what the best college (or student) is, and partly because differences among applicants are smaller than the error in the instruments used to assess them. Moreover, it is a fool’s errand with grave consequences, since it puts enormous pressure on students throughout their pre-college education and induces them to do what will impress rather than what they are actually passionate about. I propose, instead, a system in which all applicants who cross an acceptability threshold are entered into a lottery, with the winners (admitted students) chosen at random from that pool. Such a system might produce better, more engaged college students because they will be freer to pursue their passions and develop their intellects in high school. It might also teach students about the role of luck in many of life’s outcomes, making them more empathic when they encounter people who may be just as deserving as they are, but less lucky. Finally, I suggest that maximizing in general may be a fool’s errand, and that satisficing may produce better decisions, and greater satisfaction.
Recovery and immune priming modulate the evolutionary trajectory of infection‐induced reproductive strategies

In response to parasite exposure, organisms from a variety of taxa undergo a shift in reproductive investment that may trade off with other life history traits including survival and immunity. By suppressing reproduction in favor of somatic and immunological maintenance, hosts can enhance the probability of survival and recovery from infection. By plastically enhancing reproduction through terminal investment, on the other hand, hosts under the threat of disease-induced mortality could enhance their lifetime reproductive fitness through reproduction rather than survival. However, we know little about the evolution of these strategies, particularly when hosts can recover and even bequeath protection to their offspring. In this study, we develop a stochastic agent based model that competes somatic maintenance and terminal investment strategies as they trade off differentially with lifespan, parasite resistance, recovery, and trans-generational immune priming. Our results suggest that a trade-off between reproduction and recovery can drive directional selection for either terminal investment or somatic maintenance, depending on the cost of reproduction to lifespan. However, some conditions, such as low virulence with a high cost of reproduction to lifespan, can favor diversifying selection for the coexistence of both strategies. The introduction of trans-generational priming into the model favors terminal investment when all strategies are equally likely to produce primed offspring, but favors somatic maintenance if it confers even a slight priming advantage over terminal investment. Our results suggest that both immune priming and recovery may modulate the evolution of reproductive shift diversity and magnitude upon exposure to parasites. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Association of travel distance and cerebral aneurysm treatment.

BACKGROUND The management of cerebral aneurysms requires a significant level of expertise, and large areas of the country have limited access to such advanced neurosurgical care. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of longer travel distance on aneurysm management. METHODS Adult patients treated for cerebral aneurysms from January 1, 2013 to January 1, 2016, were retrospectively identified. Demographic data, socioeconomic data, aneurysm characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated with univariate and multivariable analysis to determine factors that influenced treatment prior to or after rupture. RESULTS Two hundred fifty aneurysms (87 ruptured) were treated during the study period. Patients treated after rupture were more likely than those treated before rupture to live in areas with lower median household income (62% vs. 45%, P = 0.009), to live further from the treatment center (68% vs. 40%, P < 0.001), and to have aneurysms in the anterior communicating artery, anterior cerebral artery, or posterior communicating artery (P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, longer travel distance (OR 3.288, 95% CI 1.562-6.922, P = 0.002), lower income (1.899, 95% CI 1.003-3.596, P = 0.049), and aneurysm location (P = 0.035) remained significantly associated with treatment after rupture. CONCLUSIONS Patients who must travel further to receive advanced neurovascular care are more likely to receive treatment for their aneurysms only after they rupture. Further inquiry is needed to determine how to better provide neurosurgical treatment to patients living in underserved areas.
Revision of the Serrulati species of Penstemon section Saccanthera subsection Serrulati

A revision of Penstemon sect. Saccanthera subsect. Serrulati includes a new species (P. salmonensis), a new variety (P. triphyllus var. infernalis), and the elevation of a subspecies to species (P. curtiflorus), bringing the total number of species to eight, which are keyed and described, complete with nomenclature and type citations.
Optimal sequencing of heterogeneous, non-instantaneous interventions

We consider a stochastically deteriorating system that generates reward at a rate that depends on its condition. There are three heterogeneous interventions/actions that can be performed. Two of these are one-time interventions, each of which is either ineffective or effective with some known probability after a specific delay period. The third intervention is palliative in nature (i.e., does not affect the deterioration process), and has no effectiveness delay. To maximize the total expected reward generated by the system, we examine the problem of optimally sequencing these interventions to simultaneously balance three inherent trade-offs: the time until (potential) effectiveness is revealed, probability of effectiveness, and cost. This problem is motivated by decision-making in the treatment of chronic diseases where providers must determine the order in which to prescribe treatment options (e.g., medications) with uncertain outcomes. We provide both theoretical conditions and numerical examples that indicate when it is optimal to reserve the palliative intervention as a last resort and in what order to implement the other two interventions.
The Foreign Emoluments Clause

Because of the foreign business dealings of President Donald Trump and his family, interpreting the Foreign Emoluments Clause has become a nearly fulltime job for political pundits, with stories about the clause appearing in every conceivable media outlet. The clause provides that “no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under [the United States] shall, without the Consent of Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” If the president is benefiting economically from business dealings with foreign governments (or organizations that might be treated as agencies of foreign governments) and the benefits constitute emoluments, he is arguably violating the clause. This article considers several interpretive issues, including whether the clause applies at all to the president and what the meaning of “emolument” is. The article supports an expansive interpretation of the clause, to ensure, as much as possible, that American officials, including the president, don’t have divided loyalties—loyalty to the foreign state as well as to the United States.
Functional inactivation by interleukin-1β of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in insulin-secreting cells

Aims/hypothesis: It is well established that long-term exposure of isolated β cells to cytokines [e.g., IL-1β] results in increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and subsequent release of nitric oxide, which in turn, has been shown to mediate a wide array of effects, including alterations in cellular high-energy metabolism. In this context, several extant studies have demonstrated significant reduction in adenine and guanine nucleotide triphosphate levels in β cells exposed to IL-1β. Herein, we examined the functional status of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [GAPDH] in insulin-secreting cells exposed to IL-1β, since it represents the first enzyme in the glycolytic pathway that is involved in the generation of ATP.
Influence of Stimulus Intensity on Multimodal Integration in the Startle Escape System of Goldfish

Processing of multimodal information is essential for an organism to respond to environmental events. However, how multimodal integration in neurons translates into behavior is far from clear. Here, we investigate integration of biologically relevant visual and auditory information in the goldfish startle escape system in which paired Mauthner-cells (M-cells) initiate the behavior. Sound pips and visual looms as well as multimodal combinations of these stimuli were tested for their effectiveness of evoking the startle response. Results showed that adding a low intensity sound early during a visual loom (low visual effectiveness) produced a supralinear increase in startle responsiveness as compared to an increase expected from a linear summation of the two unimodal stimuli. In contrast, adding a sound pip late during the loom (high visual effectiveness) increased responsiveness consistent with a linear multimodal integration of the two stimuli. Together the results confirm the Inverse Effectiveness Principle (IEP) of multimodal integration proposed in other species. Given the well-established role of the M-cell as a multimodal integrator, these results suggest that IEP is computed in individual neurons that initiate vital behavioral decisions.
Beyond Dualisms: Interdependence and Possibilities in Education Today

Looking also at the past, Asher considers the present-day relevance of working through dualistic thought in order to move towards engaging interdependence and possibilities in education today. Heightened polarities of race, class, nation, and gender mark the current U.S. context, even as we find ourselves in unprecedented proximity with diverse others in a digital, global age. Drawing on curriculum and postcolonial and feminist theorizings, as well as the works of James Baldwin and Hanif Kureishi as illustrative examples, I develop the discussion in four sections—Roots and Branches, Head and Heart, Here and There and Then and Now, and Present and Future—in order to consider possibilities for our shared, multicultural, global future across different contexts.
50. PARENT COACHES: A NOVEL APPROACH TO TRAINEE FEEDBACK

Conducting direct observation and providing immediate feedback can be a valuable method for training learners as effective participants in patient- and family centered rounds (PFCR). These are traditionally done by faculty and are time consuming to do consistently for a large number of trainees. A new innovative role found on some hospital interprofessional teams is the parent advisor. This role is filled by a parent of a child with complex medical needs who is an experienced user of the hospital system. We speculated a novel use of parent advisors to serve as coaches for trainees and developed a program to observe and provide feedback on PFCR performance. A parent coach was identified and trained by members of our study team in PFCR observation, family communication, and provision of feedback to medical learners. Structured tools used included the PEA-21 checklist (a validated tool for observing presenters on PFCR), a structured form for interviewing families of patients, and an 8 item PFCR rounds checklist. The parent coach rounded with two inpatient teams weekly and met 1-on-1 with trainees to give feedback. Trainees also completed a survey about the coaching experience which included 9 items on a 5-point Likert scale and 4 items on a 3-point Likert scale related to learner impressions on receiving feedback from the parent coach. Data analysis includes descriptive statistics of survey responses. A total of 229 presentations given by 128 unique learners were observed during 85 rounding sessions from November 2017 to December 2018. 162 in-person feedback sessions occurred. 139 surveys were completed. 88% of trainees agreed (answered agree or strongly agree) sessions were important to their clinical success and 85% agreed there were actionable steps they would take as a result of receiving feedback. 87% of trainees agreed parent coaching sessions were valuable uses of their time and 82% recommended parent coaching for other trainees. We established the feasibility of trained parent coaching program and reached 128 students and residents during this period. In addition the learners found the feedback sessions valuable for their training.
MessageFusion: On-path Message Coalescing for Energy Efficient and Scalable Graph Analytics

The natural ability of graphs to capture complex relationships within a large amount of data makes graph-based algorithms critical kernels for a wide range of data-analytics applications. Recent processing-in-memory solutions based on a network of 3D-stacked memory, such as Hybrid Memory Cubes (HMCs), have been shown to be a good fit to run graph-based algorithms. However, the communication bandwidth of the network limits their energy and performance efficiencies. In this work, we propose MessageFusion, a domain-specific architecture that greatly reduces network traffic by computing many vertex-updates at the source node, as well as in the network. To this end, we observe that, for many algorithms, vertex-updates need not be atomic, but can be decomposed and computed in a distributed manner. MessageFusion leverages a novel edge-reordering mechanism to boost the number of partial update operations that can be completed before reaching their destination. In addition, to counteract the power overhead introduced by Message-Fusion’s edge-reordering mechanism, our solution employs module-level utilization-based, power-gating techniques. Our experimental evaluation shows that MessageFusion achieves a 3× energy savings over a highly-optimized processing-in-memory solution, while also improving performance by 2.1×, on average.
Automethylation of PRC2 promotes H3K27 methylation and is impaired in H3K27M pediatric glioma

The histone methyltransferase activity of PRC2 is central to the formation of H3K27me3-decorated facultative heterochromatin and gene silencing. In addition, PRC2 has been shown to automethylate its core subunits, EZH1/EZH2 and SUZ12. Here, we identify the lysine residues at which EZH1/EZH2 are automethylated with EZH2-K510 and EZH2-K514 being the major such sites in vivo. Automethylated EZH2/PRC2 exhibits a higher level of histone methyltransferase activity and is required for attaining proper cellular levels of H3K27me3. While occurring independently of PRC2 recruitment to chromatin, automethylation promotes PRC2 accessibility to the histone H3 tail. Intriguingly, EZH2 automethylation is significantly reduced in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) cells that carry a lysine-to-methionine substitution in histone H3 (H3K27M), but not in cells that carry either EZH2 or EED mutants that abrogate PRC2 allosteric activation, indicating that H3K27M impairs the intrinsic activity of PRC2. Our study demonstrates a PRC2 self-regulatory mechanism through its EZH1/2-mediated automethylation activity.
Introduction: Cities on Paper: On the Materiality of Paper in Urban Planning:

This introduction to this special section, “Cities on Paper: On the Materiality of Paper in Urban Planning,” explores the vital role played by paper documents in the practice of urban planning link...
Terahertz spectral characterization of NIR nanomaterials (Conference Presentation)

Terahertz Spectral Characterization of NIR Nanomaterials Jillian P. Martin, M.E. Gkikas, C.S. Joseph and R.H. Giles Biomedical Terahertz Technology Center, University of Massachusetts Lowell, MA, USA Near-infrared responsive (NIR) nanomaterials are currently being developed for use in photothermal and photodynamic cancer treatment therapies. The NIR nanomaterials under investigation for such therapies include gold nanorods, gold nanoshells, lanthanide-doped nanomaterials, and graphene oxide. To date, researchers have shown that terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) can be used to track the concentration of gold nanorods. In this work, a THz-TDS system is utilized to investigate the terahertz spectral characteristics of various solutions of NIR nanomaterials.
Experimental Evaluation of a 1-Meter-Scale D-Shaped Test Coil Fabricated from a 23-Meter Length of Internally Cooled, Cabled Superconductor

Superconducting magnets have generally been cooled by means of pool-boiling helium within a cryostat vessel. The internally cooled, cabled superconductor ICCS, on the other hand, requires only the circulation of helium through its passages.
Effect of oxygen scavenging films and modified atmosphere on the color quality of hot‐filled freestone peach puree

Effect of oxygen scavenging (OS) films and modified atmosphere on hot‐filled peach puree was investigated based on the results of color quality throughout storage. OS films and modified atmosphere with nitrogen aimed to protect against color degradation and browning for shelf life extension. Color differences of peach puree based on the results of L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness), and chroma (saturation) were observed between films, but not atmospheres. Films significantly impacted color preservation, and a lower total color difference (∆E*) at the end of storage as ordered after 9 weeks; ultra‐high‐barrier multilayer film with an OS (UHB‐OS), inorganic‐barrier multilayer film with an OS (IB‐OS), and ultra‐high‐barrier multilayer film without an OS (UHB). Meanwhile, the most effective film to prevent puree from darkening during accelerated storage (35°C) was IB‐OS (36 weeks). Nitrogen influenced a lower ∆E* for the first 5 weeks and resulted in a lower browning index throughout storage compared to ambient air, demonstrating a protective effect. This study demonstrated that OS films significantly extended shelf life of peach puree. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Oxygen scavengers were effective in the protection of peach puree quality. Color was analyzed for indicating quality change of peach puree. Modified atmosphere with nitrogen had no significant effect on hue, color change, and browning index. Color degradation of peach puree was driven by oxygen‐related reactions.
Implementation of hepatic artery infusion (HAI) chemotherapy for unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM): The University of Miami experience.

96Background: In patients with unresectable liver-confined CRLM, regional chemotherapy via HAI in combination with modern systemic chemotherapy (CT) can achieve hepatic disease control and expand s...
The effect of applied salinity and water stress on chemical suppression of Phytophthora ramorum from soilborne inoculum in Rhododendron

A serious concern for nurseries is the potential for Phytophthora ramorum and other Phytophthora species to colonize roots without inducing aboveground symptoms in plants that then serve as cryptic...
Euler Alignment System

This chapter focuses solely on the long time behavior of the pressureless Euler Alignment System. We will recast the basic flocking results, similar to the micro- and meso-systems, in the hydrodynamic context of the EAS with convolution-type communication. Further discussion will shift to local kernels demonstrating capabilities and limitations of the spectral method. This will motivate the introduction of the topological models later in the later section.
Past is prologue: transforming the discipline and democracy

Democracy, civic engagement, and the study and practice of communication share a dynamic relationship that serves as the basis of the discipline and provides a rich path for its future. Recent even...
AIBO – A Sicko AI Brainwave Opera

OpenAI created the algorithm GPT-(Generative Pretrained Transformer 2) (now GPT-3) in February 2019. The algorithm creates imitations of human dialogue producing fake but surprisingly realistic interactions. Using GPT-2, a ‘sicko’ AI was created as a live time entity running in the Google cloud. AIBO (Artificial Intelligent Brainwave Opera) was one of two characters, the other being a human wearing a brain computer interface, both part an emotionally intelligent artificial intelligent brainwave opera. The opera asked two questions - "Can an AI be fascist?" and "Can an AI have epigenetic, or inherited traumatic memory?" This paper discusses aspects involved in building the GPT-2 cloud-based character AIBO and its synthetic emotions in a performative spoken word opera.
Consolidating corporate control

Abstract Dual-class recapitalizations and leveraged buyouts have similar effects on ownership of corporate voting rights but very different effects on ownership of residual claims. We predict that firms with greater growth opportunities, lower agency costs, and lower tax liability are more likely to consolidate control through dual-class recapitalizations. We find strong support for the growth hypothesis and weaker support for the other hypotheses. These results increase our understanding of the causes of change in organizational form by illustrating that the method and effects of consolidating corporate control are systematically related to firm attributes.
VALIDITY OF DWBA IN A THREE-BODY MODEL OF STRIPPING

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the validity of distorted wave Born approximation (DWBA) in a three-body model of stripping. A major assumption made in DWBA amplitude for deuteron stripping is that the three-body wave function ψo describing the deuteron in the presence of the unexcited target nucleus may be replaced by a product of the deuteron ground state wave function (φd). Three-body model calculations have shown that the angular distribution obtained in the stripping matrix element was in agreement with the exact model angular distribution. The chapter explains that while DWBA produces reasonable angular distributions in the model, it does not provide good agreement in detail. The implication for many-body reactions from these results is that DWBA is not as accurate as the adiabatic approximation.
Instructional Software for Reliability Estimation and Fault Tree Analysis

This paper describes a software tool to introduce fundamental concepts of reliability and fault tree analysis to engineering students. Students can fit common failure distributions to failure data. The data can be complete, singly censored, or multiply censored. The software computes distribution and goodness-of-fit parameters. The students can use the tool to validate hand calculations. Failure distributions and reliability values for various components can be identified and stored in a database. Various components and sub-systems can be used to build series- parallel or complex systems. The components data can also be used to build fault trees. The software tool can compute reliability of complex state independent and state dependent systems. The tool can also be used to compute failure probability of the top node of a fault tree. The software was implemented in Visual Basic with SQL as the database. It operates on the Windows 7 platform.
Choice and uncertainty in games

We consider an agent choosing between two acts A , B , whose outcomes are uncertain and depend on factors which the agent does not fully know. But for each pair of possible outcomes the agent does know how she would choose. Does the agent then have a way of choosing between the acts which will work at least some of the time?
An objective morphologic parameter to aid in the diagnosis of flat urothelial carcinoma in situ

Abstract The diagnosis of carcinoma in situ (CIS) lacks objective criteria and is subject to misdiagnosis. We identified 20 bladder biopsy cases each of CIS, urothelial dysplasia, and normal urothelium according to the 1998 World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology consensus classification of urothelial neoplasms. Lymphocytes from 10 bladder biopsy specimens were chosen as reference cells. Using an image analysis system, we measured the following nuclear features: area, diameter, roundness, ellipticity, and optical density (maximum, minimum, mean, median, standard deviation, and quartiles). We measured a mean of 75 urothelial nuclei/case and a total of 500 lymphocytes. Roundness and ellipticity were not useful in distinguishing among the 3 groups. The best discriminators were mean nuclear area and mean nuclear area of the 25% largest nuclei (upper quartile) of urothelial cells compared with lymphocytes. The mean nuclear area relative to lymphocytes was 1.8 times (1.2 to 2.5 times) in normal urothelium, 2.4 times (1.6 to 3.0 times) in urothelial dysplasia, and 3.6 times (2.8 to 5.7 times) in CIS. The mean upper quartile nuclear area relative to lymphocytes was 2.2 times (1.4 to 2.8 times) in normal urothelium ( P P P P
Postnatal changes in erythropoietin levels in untransfused premature infants

The purpose of this study was to determine whether an inappropriately low erythropoietin reponse in premature infants might be a basis for the anemia of prematurity. Erythropoietin was measured by radioimmunoassay in conjunction with hemoglobin and reticulocyte count in untransfused premature infants between birth and 60 days of age. The 27 infants had a mean gestational age of 31 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1378 gm. Between 2 and 30 days, mean erythropoietin concentration was 9.7 mU/ml, significantly and substantially lower than 15.2 mU/ml in 15 concurrently studied healthy adults ( P
Preparation and properties of ferrimagnets in the RbMgF3-RbCoF3 system

Abstract Previously reported ABF3-type ferrimagnets with the hexagonal BaTiO3 structure all contain Ni2+ as the predominant magnetic ion. This paper reports the discovery of new ferrimagnetic compositions in the RbMgF3-RbCoF3 system where Co2+ is the only magnetic ion. Phase studies on this system show that at high temperatures the hexagonal phase is stable to about 70% RbCoF3. Single crystals were grown over this compositional range and their magnetic and optical properties studied. Compositions containing in excess of about 35% RbCoF3, are ferrimagnetic and their magnetic moments (as high as 24 e.m.u./g) and Curie temperatures (up to 36°K) vary with Co2+ concentration. The magnetization data are consistent with a model of a 1/3 − 2/3 ferrimagnetic spin arrangement. The B-B interaction, which is the resultant of the 90°Co2+-F-Co2+ and the direct Co2+-Co2+ interactions appears to be positive. Anisotropy measurements at 4.2°K yielded values from 2.2 × 10−6to8.9 × 10−6ergs/cm3 for K. Optical absorption data were used to determine the magnitude of the crystal field parameter Dq (870–880 cm−1) and the spin orbit interaction constant λ (190 cm−1). From the Dq values it is concluded that the strength of the crystalline field acting on the Co2+ ion in the hexagonal structure, where 2/3 of the CoF6 octahedra share faces, is not too different from that in cubic KCoF3 and RbCoF3, where they share corners.
Some applications of p-PRBS signals in frequency domain measurements

The use of pseudorandom numbers is not limited to cryptography. They play important role in many other fields, such as applied mathematics, numerical analysis, sampling, digital communications, programming, as well as for signal generation. This paper presents some applications of special class of pseudorandom binary sequences with adjustable switching probability (p-PRBS) in measurements and identification of process parameters, particularly in estimation of time delay. Both parametric and nonparametric p-PRBS driven time-delay estimation techniques are discussed.
Spontaneous splenic rupture in plasma cell leukemia

A case of plasma cell leukemia complicated by spontaneous rupture of the spleen is presented. Plasma cell leukemia occurs in less than 2% of patients with myeloma and is associated with an increased incidence of splenomegaly due to infiltration by malignant plasmacytes. Spontaneous splenic rupture is known to occur in patients with acute and chronic leukemia, but has been reported only once previously in a patient with plasma cell leukemia. Etiotogic factors and the need for prompt diagnosis and management are discussed. Cancer 46:212–214, 1980.
Between “National” and “Transnational”: Film Diffusion as World Politics

This article explores three modes of film diffusion (markets, festivals, and “alter-routes” facilitated by new technologies) and argues that despite significant lowering of barriers to cultural trade, films are often subject to structural and ideational firewalls linked to the state. Thus, political effects of cultural flows—and of the imaginaries they foster—remain highly contested and fundamentally uncertain.
A covariance inequality for coherent structures

Abstract We generalize a covariance inequality for coherent structures. We replace the earlier assumption of independence among components by association, a weaker assumption applicable to many situations encountered in practice. The proof of the more general result turns out to be simpler than that of the earlier, more restricted case.
Latino/a Student Misbehavior and School Punishment

Although Latino/as are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. student population, Latino/a youth face a number of educational hurdles, such as disproportionate school punishment. This topic is particularly relevant today in the midst of the current social, political, and economic debate over the influence of Latino/a immigration in the US school system. This study draws from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 and utilizes hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to analyze the relationships between gender, generational status, misbehavior, and school punishment for 7,250 Latino/a and White students. Findings reveal that Latino/a students, regardless of gender or generational status, are not misbehaving more than White students. For school punitive measures, however, third-generation Latino and Latina students are more likely to be punished. The implications of the disparate school punishment patterns for Latino/a students in the US school system are discussed more generally.
An enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-picrasin B

Abstract An enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-picrasin B (1) from the R-(-)-enantiomer of the Wieland-Miescher ketone (4) employed an A-AB-ABC-ABCD sequence to assemble the tetracyclic skeleton and relied upon a free radical cyclization of an α-bromoacetal to an enone in order to introduce the D ring and a manganese(III) acetate oxidation of a tricyclic enone intermediate in order to introduce the C-11 oxygen substituent.
FEEDBACK INHIBITION OF PURINE BIOSYNTHESIS IN H. EP. 2 CELLS BY ADENINE ANALOGS.

Abstract Fifteen analogs and derivatives of adenine have been evaluated as feedback inhibitors ofpurine synthesis in H. Ep. # 2 cells in culture. Of these compounds, only four—2-fluoroadenine, 2-fluoroadenosine, 8-aza-adenosine, and 7-deaza-adenosine (tubercidin)—were as active as adenine, which inhibited by 50% or more at a concentration of 3.7 μM. 4-Aminoimidazo (4,5- d )pyridazine also caused feedback inhibition at relatively low concentrations. 4-Aminopyrazolo(3, 4- d )pyrimidine, although toxic to H.Ep. #2 cells at about the same concentration as fluoroadenine, produced feedback inhibition only at concentrations much in excess of the toxic concentration. Substitution of adenine or fluoroadenine at the 9-position destroyed or markedly reduced the capacity for feedback inhibition. The results suggest that feedback inhibition may be a factor in the growth-inhibiting activity of some of these agents.
Spontaneous Reduction of Somatic Chromosomes in Haplopappus gracilis

THE occurrence of spontaneous1, as well as induced2, haploidy has been observed in several plant genera. Haploidy has been reported in cultures from secondary phloem tissue of carrot3, and haploidy and somatic pairing have also been noted in cultured stem tissue of Haplopappus gracilis4. Recently, haploid cells were observed to occur spontaneously in leaf primordia of young seedlings of Haplopappus gracilis5. The purpose of this communication is to report spontaneous reduction in the number of somatic chromosomes in the root meristem of Haplopappus gracilis.
Initial Results from VIRUS Production Spectrographs

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX) uses a novel technique of replicated spectrographs (VIRUS) to measure dark energy at intermediate redshifts (2 < z < 4). VIRUS contains over 30,000 bers and over 160 independent and identical channels. Here we report on the construction and characterization of the initial batch of VIRUS spectrograph cameras. Assembly of the rst batch of 16 is in progress. A brief overview of the assembly is presented, and where available performance is compared to specication.
Low-dose dopamine infusions do not ablate luteinizing hormone pulses in women

The effect of dopamine on the secretion of luteinizing hormone in 15 euprolactinemic and 15 hyperprolactinemic women was investigated using infused doses of doparhine that achieved circulating levels from 2 to 100 times basal physiologic concentrations. The normal women were studied in the early follicular phase of the cycle. Different concentrations of dopamine were maintained at each dose level for 2 hours. Blood samples were obtained every 15 minutes and concentrations of dopamine, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin quantified. Mean basal concentrations of estradiol were 53 ± 19 pg/ml in the euprolactinemic and 33 ± 12 pg/ml in the hyperprolactinemic women; mean prolactin levels were 8.1 ± 3.9 ng/ml in euprolactinemic and 183 ± 174 ng/ml in hyperprolactinemic women; mean basal dopamine concentrations were 323 ± 308 pg/ml in euprolactinemic and 337 ± 232 pg/ml in hyperprolactinemic women. All doses of dopamine achieved some degree of prolactin suppression, but doses that achieved nanomolar circulating concentrations did not significantly affect luteinizing hormone secretion. Eight of the women in each group exhibited high-amplitude luteinizing hormone pulses, which persisted during the dopamine infusions. Neither the amplitude nor frequency of luteinizing hormone release correlated with basal estradiol, luteinizing hormone, or prolactin levels. We conclude that low doses of dopamine infused into the peripheral circulation do not achieve significant suppression of luteinizing hormone release. In some women during the early- follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and in some amenorrheic hyperprolactinemic women; luteinizing hormone is secreted in a pulsatile manner characterized by high-amplitude low-frequency bursts. These bursts of luteinizing hormone were not influenced by elevations in circulating dopamine concentrations sufficient to suppress prolactin.