cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relative quantitation of monoamine histofluorescence in young and old non-human primates.

The relative content of monoamines within identified brain stem neurons in 4 and 20-year old monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) was determined with microspectrofluorometric techniques. Intraneuronal monoamine content was found to decrease with age in the locus coe-ruleus, substantia nigra and raphe and was found to be reduced further in the locus coeruleus by the presence of lipofuscin granules. These data indicate that intraneuronal monoamine content is reduced in the aged macaque.
Parasexual genetic analysis of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum A3.

Haploid strain A3 of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum is valuable for biochemical studies because it is capable of axenic growth. Mutants of A3 temperature-sensitive for growth and resistant to the drugs cycloheximide, acriflavin, or methanol were isolated.—Heterozygous diploid recombinants, formed at low frequency by cell and nuclear fusion, were isolated by selecting temperature-resistant progeny of mixed cultures of two nonallelic temperature-sensitive haploids (Loomis 1969). Each drug-resistant mutation was found to be recessive. Two independently isolated methanol-resistant mutants were in one complementation group.—Diploids of A3 heterozygous for drug resistance formed drug-resistant segregants with a frequency of approximately 10-4. Segregants selected for resistance to a single drug were either haploid or diploid; the fraction which was haploid varied from 0.11 to 0.86, depending on the selected marker. Segregants selected for resistance to two or three drugs were almost all haploid.—Using this parasexual cycle of diploid formation and haploidization, linkage of these temperature-sensitive and drug-resistance mutations to each other and to mutations studied by Katz and Sussman (1972) and by Williams, Kessin and Newell (1974b) was analyzed. The methanol-resistant mutants were found to be partially resistant to acriflavin, and unlinked to the mutant selected for acriflavin resistance, which was methanol-sensitive. Of the expected seven linkage groups in D. discoideum, five, and a possible sixth, have been marked.—Linkage analysis of a mutant abnormal in morphogenesis showed that its phenotype results from two unlinked chromosomal mutations.
Centralization of Penile Cancer Management in the United States: A Combined Analysis of the American Board of Urology and National Cancer Data Base.

Objective To assess the potential benefit of centralization of care in penile cancer. Centralization of care in other disease processes standardizes treatment and improves outcomes. Because penile cancer is a rare malignancy with unchanged mortality rates over the last two decades, we hypothesize that there may be a benefit to centralization. Methods We identified surgeon, patient, and hospital characteristics captured by the National Cancer Data Base (1998-2012) and American Board of Urology case logs (2003-2013) for all penile cancer cases and procedures. Differences in patient demographics, stage of disease, referral patterns, and surgical quality indicators were assessed between academic and community hospitals. Results Using case logs to evaluate the distribution of penile cancer care, we found that only 4.1% of urologists performed a penile surgery and 1.5% performed a lymph node dissection (LND). Academic centers treated higher-stage cancers and saw more cases/year than community centers, suggesting informal centralization. Two guideline-based quality indicators demonstrated no difference in use of penile-sparing surgery but a higher likelihood of having an LND performed at an academic center (48.4% vs 26.6%). The total lymph node yield was significantly greater at academic centers (18.5 vs 12.5). Regression modeling demonstrated a 2.29 increased odds of having an LND at an academic center. Conclusion Our data provide the first evidence for centralization of penile cancer in the US. At the time of diagnosis, equal number of patients is treated with penile-sparing surgery but there is greater use of LND and higher lymph node yield at academic centers. Ultimately, longer follow-up is necessary to determine if this improves survival of patients with penile cancer.
NUCLEAR STATUS OF TWO SUILLUS SPECIES

The nuclear events following meiosis in the basidium usually result in the formation of four basidiospores, each of them receiving one haploid nucleus. However, extensive studies done by Kiihner and co-workers (e.g., Kiihner, 1980, 1984) revealed a high degree of variation in the Agaricales. In many cases meiosis is followed by mitosis in the basidium or in the basidiospore. This can result in the establishment of binucleate spores. That case is commonly encountered in the dark-spored Agaricales (Kiihner, 1980). Spores in the Boletales have generally been found to be uninucleate in European species (Arpin and Kiihner, 1977). Ducamp et al. (1986) however, found a small percentage of binucleate spores in Suillus granulatus (L.: Fr.) 0. Kuntze. In order to examine the nuclear status of North American Boletales, two species of Suillus have been studied. A modification of the method described by Lowry (1963) was used for nuclear staining. Small bits of mature hymenium from Suillus cothurnatus Singer and Suillus americanus (Pk.) Snell were fixed in Newcomer's (1953) solution, i.e., isopropylalcohol: propionic acid: petroleum ether: acetone (6:3:1:1; v/v). Fixation time was a few weeks. The fixed material was hydrolysed for 5 min at room temperature and then at 60 C for 30 min in a solution of 1 N hydrochloric acid containing aluminum alum, chrome alum and iodic acid (all 2% w/v). The hydrolysed bits of hymenium tissue were washed for 1 h in double distilled water and subsequently stained in fresh iron-hematoxylin solution (2% w/v hematoxylin, 0.5% w/v iron alum in 45% acetic acid) for several hours. The amount of time was modified depending on the intensity of the staining results. Small pieces of the stained hymenium were squashed under a cover slip and gently heated in a flame prior to observation. Six samples of 200 spores each of S. cothurnatus were randomly checked under a microscope for their nuclear content. These samples were used to verify the number of sterigmata on the basidia (50 basidia per sample). Two samples of S. americanus of identical sample size were tested the same way. A spore suspension from a spore print of S. americanus (TR 882) was placed on a slide covered with a thin film of egg albumin. After drying, the slide was fixed for 2 h in Newcomer's solution and stained as above. Two hundred spores from the spore print were checked for their nuclear condition.
Transparent Back Contacts in CdTe/CdS: Evaluation for Tandem Cells

CdS/CdTe solar cells with 2.3 μm CdTe were prepared with four different types of p+/n+ transparent back contacts (TBCs) - ZnTe:Cu/ZnO:Al, ZnTe:N/ZnO:Al, ZnTe:Cu/ITO, and ZnTe:N/ITO. ZnTe:N/ITO was found to give the best results. This back contact was then used to make cells of lesser (1.8 μm and 0.7 μm) CdTe thickness, in those cases giving good performance up to 9.1% efficiency. Bifacial J-V was performed on all cells with the optimum ZnTe:N/ITO back contact.
Encouraging employees to speak up to prevent infections: Opportunities to leverage quality improvement and care management processes

Background Central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and cost for U.S. hospitals, but many infections are preventable. Employees' willingness to speak up about errors or opportunities for improvement has been associated with a stronger safety culture in hospitals. However, the link between organizations' efforts to promote speaking up and prevent CLABSIs has not been studied. Methods This exploratory, qualitative study included interviews with 158 key informants, including hospital executives, managers, and staff employees, in 6 hospitals that participated in the federally funded On the CUSP—Stop BSI initiative. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed to examine whether and how speaking up was addressed in CLABSI prevention efforts. Results Hospitals implementing evidence-based practices for CLABSI prevention facilitated employees' improvement-oriented speaking up by leveraging quality improvement and care management processes. Leader behavior, employee training, and error reporting systems also facilitated speaking up. Although the focus of this study was on CLABSI prevention, broader organizational practices to improve patient safety were salient in creating a nonpunitive, highly inclusive environment in which employees felt comfortable speaking up. Conclusions These findings provide insight into the factors that may support speaking up to foster a safety culture and prevent health care–associated infection at unit and organization levels.
Carbapenem‑resistant Lactobacillus intra‑abdominal infection in a renal transplant recipient with a history of probiotic consumption

Lactobacillus sp. is a low virulence bacterium, which rarely causes infection in immunocompetent individuals and usually is considered a contaminant. Normally this organism is susceptible to β-lactam antibiotics, yet resistant strains have been reported. Here, we report a case of a 60-year-old renal transplant recipient who developed an intra-abdominal abscess which grew a carbapenem-resistant Lactobacillus casei. This is significant since it is the first report of a clinical isolate of Lactobacillus sp. that demonstrated both microbiological and clinical resistance to carbapenem use. Moreover, the probiotic supplement that the patient had taken also grew a similar organism raising the concern of probiotic associated infection in immunocompromised individual.
Crab spiders (Thomisidae) attract insect flower-visitors without UV signalling

1. Crab spiders (Thomisidae) indirectly affect insect flower-visitor and flowering plant interactions by consuming and altering the behaviour of insects. 2. Although one expects insect flower-visitors to avoid crab spiders actively, some crab spider species are known to attract flower-visitors. Crab spiders may use UV signalling to lure potential prey to the flowers they occupy. 3. In the present study, a field experiment was conducted to examine the effects of crab spiders occupying three prairie plant species for the insect flower-visitor community. Pollinating insects were significantly attracted to inflorescences with crab spiders compared to inflorescences without crab spiders for two plant species, and herbivorous insects were attracted to inflorescences with crab spiders for one of these plant species. The two flowering plant species with increased pollinator visitation showed increased seed weights for plants with crab spiders, indicating crab spider presence indirectly increased pollination. 4. To test the UV signalling hypothesis, inflorescences with crab spiders of one plant species were observed under both a UV-blocking plastic and a clear plastic control. Contrary to our prediction, flower-visitors were not more likely to land on inflorescences under the clear plastic; the UV signalling hypothesis was not supported. Other unknown explanations underlie prey attraction to inflorescences with crab spiders.
Simplified Han-Kobayashi region for one-sided and mixed Gaussian interference channels

The Han-Kobayashi (HK) encoding scheme is simplified for the one-sided Gaussian interference channel and a class of mixed interference channels, with Gaussian codebooks. The simplified region significantly decreases the computational complexity of the HK region. It also provides better insight into how to use the HK scheme for these channels. It shows that time-sharing with power allocation over two dimensions is enough to achieve the border of the HK inner bound, for these channels. Moreover, a new representation of the HK region for these channels is introduced.
Predictors of Delayed Intervention for Patients on Active Surveillance for Small Renal Masses: Does Renal Mass Biopsy Influence Our Decision?

Objective To review our clinical T1a renal mass active surveillance (AS) cohort to determine whether renal mass biopsy was associated with maintenance of AS. Materials and Methods From our prospectively maintained database we identified patients starting AS from June 2009 to December 2011 who had at least 5 months of radiologic follow-up, unless limited by unexpected death or delayed intervention. The primary outcome was delayed intervention. Clinical, radiologic, and pathologic variables were compared. We constructed Kaplan-Meier survival curves for maintenance of AS. Cox multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess predictors of delayed intervention. Results We identified 118 patients who met criteria for inclusion with a median radiologic follow-up of 29.5 months. The delayed intervention group had greater initial mass size and faster growth rate compared to those who continued AS. Rate of renal mass biopsy was similar between the 2 groups. In the multivariable analysis, size >2 cm (hazard ratio [HR] 3.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-10.38, P = .015), growth rate (continuous by mm/year: HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.12-1.41, P P = .29), were associated with increased risk of delayed intervention. Time-to-event curves also showed that size was closely associated with delayed intervention whereas renal mass biopsy was not. Conclusion At our institution, growth rate and initial tumor size appear to be more influential than renal mass biopsy results in determining delayed intervention after a period of AS. Further analysis is required to determine the role of renal biopsy in the management of patients being considered for AS.
Abdominal multi-organ segmentation of dynamic PET studies using modified fuzzy clustering algorithm

In dynamic PET, to analyze functional changes or estimate physiological parameters, regions of interest (ROIs) are applied to the images to extract the underlying tissue time-activity curves (TACs). Manual delineation of ROIs is commonly performed, but is time consuming and operator dependent. Also, most semi-or automated segmentation methods proposed are based on static images. However, with dynamic PET images available, the temporal information can also be employed to differentiate different tissues. Clustering analysis has been used for the segmentation problems in dynamic PET brain studies and lesion studies, with wide applications of these methods in 3D CT and MR studies. The goal of this study was to develop a multiorgan segmentation system for abdominal dynamic PET studies. We applied a modified fuzzy clustering algorithm with spatial information incorporated (sFCM) to both simulated dynamic PET data and human data focusing on the pancreas with 18F-FPDTBZ. With different tracer kinetics among organs, sFCM analysis successfully differentiated multiple abdominal organs, and shows promising initial segmentation results of dynamic abdominal PET studies, for both simulation and real patient data.
Successful treatment of donor-derived hepatitis C viral infection in three transplant recipients from a donor at increased risk for bloodborne pathogens.

We report here the successful treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmitted from a nucleic acid testing (NAT)-negative donor to 3 HCV-negative recipients – 2 renal transplants and 1 liver. Both renal recipients underwent standard deceased-donor renal transplantation with immediate graft function. The liver recipient underwent standard orthotopic liver transplantation and recovered uneventfully. The donor was a 39-year-old woman with a terminal serum creatinine of 0.7 mg/dL. She was high risk for bloodborne pathogens, based upon a history of sexual contact with an HCV-infected male partner. Recipient 1 was a 45-year-old man with a history of end-stage renal disease from systemic lupus erythematosus. Recipient 2 was a 62-year-old woman with a history of end-stage renal disease due to hypertension and insulin-dependent diabetes. Recipient 3 was a 42-year-old man with acute liver failure from acetaminophen ingestion. All recipients became HCV polymerase chain reaction positive on post-transplant follow-up. Both kidney recipients were treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir combination therapy for 12 weeks without side effects or rejection episodes. Recipient 3 was treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in combination with ribavirin for 12 weeks without side effects. All patients achieved a sustained viral response at 12 weeks (SVR12) and are considered cured of HCV. The kidney recipients maintained good allograft function with a serum creatinine of 1.4 mg/dL and 1.0 mg/dL, respectively. Both renal recipients maintained normal liver function post treatment and did not develop any evidence of fibrosis. The liver recipient's liver function tests returned to normal without further incident. This case report provides evidence for the successful treatment of donor-derived HCV in transplant recipients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Nitride surface chemistry influence on band offsets at epitaxial oxide/GaN interfaces

GaN surface and near-surface chemistry influence on band offsets of oxide overlayers is demonstrated through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements using epitaxial (111)-oriented MgO films on (0001)-oriented Ga-polar GaN as a case study. For identical cleaning and MgO growth conditions, GaN subsurface oxygen impurities influence the GaN bare surface band bending and the ultimate band offset to MgO heterolayers. As the GaN surface oxygen concentration increases from an atomic concentration of 0.9% to 3.4%, the valence band offset to MgO decreases from 1.68 eV to 1.29 eV, respectively. This study highlights the sensitivity of the oxide/nitride interface electronic structure to GaN epilayer preparation and growth conditions.
Impact of Doximity Residency Navigator on Graduate Medical Education Recruitment

Abstract Objective To assess residency applicants' use and perceptions of Doximity Residency Navigator (DRN) and to analyze the impact of Doximity reputation rankings on application, interview acceptance, and match list ranking decisions. Participants and Methods We developed and distributed a survey seeking feedback from residency applicants to describe their use of DRN during the 2017 residency recruitment and match process. The dates of the study were March 1, 2017, through May 8, 2017. Results We received responses from 2152 of 12,617 applicants (17%) across 24 graduate medical education programs. Sixty-two percent of respondents (n=1339) used DRN during the residency application, interview, and match list process. Doximity reputation rankings were noted to be valuable or very valuable to 78% of respondents (958 of 1233). Overall, 79% of respondents (977 of 1241) reported that Doximity reputation rankings influenced their application, interview acceptance, or match list ranking decisions. When asked about the accuracy of Doximity reputation rankings, 56% of respondents (699 of 1240) believed that rankings were slightly accurate or not accurate. The most commonly used resources to research potential residency programs were residency program websites, American Medical Association resources, and DRN. Conclusion Most survey respondents used DRN during the application, interview, and match ranking process. Doximity reputation rankings were found to be the most valuable resource in DRN, although more than 50% of responders had doubts about the accuracy of reputation rankings.
Cholelithiasis in pancreas and kidney transplant recipients with diabetes.

Background. Vascularized pancreas transplantation (PTx) for type I diabetes mellitus results in euglycemia at the expense of chronic immunosuppression, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia. However, the effect of PTx on native biliary lithogenesis remains unknown. Methods. To address this issue, we retrospectively studied 72 consecutive pancreas transplant recipients and compared them with patients both with (n=35) and without (n=52) diabetes mellitus undergoing Kidney transplantation alone (KTA). All patients underwent pretransplantation abdominal ultrasonography, which was repeated at 6- to 12-month intervals after transplantation. PTx recipients were managed with quadruple immunosuppression with OKT 3 induction. Kidney transplant recipients received cyclosporine and prednisone
Nonfluencies of preschool stutterers and conversational partners: observing reciprocal relationships.

Nonfluencies produced by 12 stutterers (2–6 years old) interacting in three dyadic sessions were analyzed. A stutterer played with his own mother, own father, and a familiar peer for 10 rain. Resul...
Pretreatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors partially attenuates ischemic preconditioning in rat hearts

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) confers cardioprotection against a prolonged ischemic insult. Tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors have been shown to attenuate IPC; however, it is unclear whether TK is i...
Effects of corrosion-inhibiting surface treatments on irradiated microstructure development in Ni-base alloy 718

Abstract The objective of this study is to understand the influence of surface treatments, namely laser shock peening (LSP) and ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM), on the irradiation tolerance of a Ni-base alloy. Surface treatments such as LSP and UNSM have been shown to mitigate the potential for primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC). As such, there is emerging interest in the development and implementation of LSP and UNSM for nuclear reactor components. The LSP process utilizes a laser-generated plasma, while UNSM utilizes mechanical contact at ultrasonic vibration speeds, to create near-surface compressive residual stresses, high dislocation densities, twins and subgrains, and nanostructuring of the workpiece. These resultant microstructural changes can substantially affect the creation and evolution of irradiation damage. Herein, we study precipitation hardened Ni-base Alloy 718+, which is utilized in reactor components exposed to PWSCC-inciting environments. Specimens are treated with LSP or UNSM, then irradiated with 2.0 MeV protons to 7 displacements per atom (dpa) at 500°C. The dislocation line density is roughly an order of magnitude larger in the unirradiated LSP and UNSM specimens than in the baseline (untreated) specimen. Irradiation-induced dislocation loop nucleation results in an increase in the areal density of dislocation-type defects. Irradiation also induces disordering of the γ′ precipitates; this disordering appears more extensive in the baseline than in the LSP and UNSM specimens. Results are considered in the context of overall sink strength. Finally, irradiation-induced softening is observed in all specimens through nanoindentation, and is ascribed to the overall change in sink strength, resulting from the competition between γ′ disordering and dislocation loop nucleation.
Part I: New World Symphony

“Part I: New World Symphony” provides a brief introduction to the chapters “Rattling Soundscapes of Witch Drama and the New World” and “Hell’s Bells: Delight in Transatlantic Jinglings.” The title references Antonin Dvořak’s Ninth Symphony, which I employ in order to expand the meaning of “symphony” to include sonic collaborations between different cultures rather than to colonize the sounds of the early modern “New World” within a Western musicological framework. “New World” is also a fraught phrase because it temporally and physically negates the millions of peoples who had been living in the region for centuries before Europeans arrived and called this world “New.” I retain this terminology deliberately to remind readers that travelers to the “New World” possessed—at best—a perfunctory understanding of the Occidental hemisphere.
Understanding Provider Attitudes Regarding Father Involvement in Early Intervention

The interest in fathers as active parents has increased dramatically over the past 30 years among researchers and the popular press with considerable attention given to direct child-rearing activit...
Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection of Primary Human Spinal Astrocytes Produces Intracellular Amylin, Amyloid-β, and an Amyloidogenic Extracellular Environment.

Background Herpes zoster is linked to amyloid-associated diseases, including dementia, macular degeneration, and diabetes mellitus, in epidemiological studies. Thus, we examined whether varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-infected cells produce amyloid. Methods Production of intracellular amyloidogenic proteins (amylin, amyloid precursor protein [APP], and amyloid-β [Aβ]) and amyloid, as well as extracellular amylin, Aβ, and amyloid, was compared between mock- and VZV-infected quiescent primary human spinal astrocytes (qHA-sps). The ability of supernatant from infected cells to induce amylin or Aβ42 aggregation was quantitated. Finally, the amyloidogenic activity of viral peptides was examined. Results VZV-infected qHA-sps, but not mock-infected qHA-sps, contained intracellular amylin, APP, and/or Aβ, and amyloid. No differences in extracellular amylin, Aβ40, or Aβ42 were detected, yet only supernatant from VZV-infected cells induced amylin aggregation and, to a lesser extent, Aβ42 aggregation into amyloid fibrils. VZV glycoprotein B (gB) peptides assembled into fibrils and catalyzed amylin and Aβ42 aggregation. Conclusions VZV-infected qHA-sps produced intracellular amyloid and their extracellular environment promoted aggregation of cellular peptides into amyloid fibrils that may be due, in part, to VZV gB peptides. These findings suggest that together with host and other environmental factors, VZV infection may increase the toxic amyloid burden and contribute to amyloid-associated disease progression.
Enhancing SWAT+ simulation of groundwater flow and groundwater-surface water interactions using MODFLOW routines

Abstract This paper presents a version of SWAT + that uses MODFLOW to simulate groundwater flow and groundwater-surface interactions within a watershed system. The modeling code is applied to the 470 km2 Middle Bosque River Watershed (Texas, USA) to demonstrate accuracy and differences with SWAT+. The model is tested against field-measured stream discharge, groundwater levels and fluctuation patterns, runoff, baseflow, recharge, watershed boundary groundwater flow, groundwater-surface water interactions, and evapotranspiration. The model captures the dominant baseflow patterns throughout the watershed and the key patterns of water table dynamics and relation to nearby streams. Whereas annual rates of runoff, lateral flow, and annual percolation are unchanged from a stand-alone SWAT + simulation, annual groundwater discharge rates increase by 50% (37 mm–54 mm). In particular, temporal patterns of groundwater discharge are governed by the physically-based rise and fall of groundwater near streams, rather than storm-induced recharge pulses as in the SWAT + simulation.
Staged Surgical Resection of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations

Background Staged treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is sometimes necessary to minimize risks associated with sudden changes in cerebral hemodynamics. With the increasing availability and optimization of endovascular techniques, multiple surgical resections are rarely necessary, although, due to specific anatomic circumstances, some AVMs still require staged surgery. Here, we describe the largest reported series of staged surgical resections of brain AVMs. Methods This is a retrospective review of surgically resected AVMs at a single institution from 1998–2018. Patients who underwent ≥2 resections within 1 year were reviewed. Only those in whom initial resection was terminated with intention for further resection were included in analysis. Results Twenty patients underwent deliberately staged resection from 1998–2018. Average age at treatment was 36.2 years (SD 16.5 years). Eleven patients (55%) were female, and 12 (60%) had left-sided AVMs. Median Spetzler-Martin grade was 4 (interquartile range [IQR]: 3–4). Average AVM nidus diameter was 5.0 cm (SD 1.7 cm). Seven patients (35%) presented with AVM rupture, and 12 (60%) presented with focal neurologic deficits without hemorrhage. Seventeen patients (85%) underwent preoperative embolization, median number of embolizations was 3 (IQR: 2–4). Three patients (15%) underwent preoperative radiosurgery. Median number of days between surgeries was 28 (IQR: 8–41 days). Perioperative course was complicated by hemorrhage in 3 patients (15%); 1 required decompressive hemicraniectomy prior to the second stage of surgery. Good functional outcome (defined as modified Rankin Scale score ≤2) was achieved in 14 patients (70%). Conclusions Staged surgical resection of large and complex AVMs can be performed with good outcomes in carefully selected patients.
P47 Healthy Meal Kit Program Improved Long-term Food Security Status for African American Families with Low Income

Background Food insecurity is a serious issue in the US, with 10.5% of households experiencing food insecurity in 2019. Food insecurity rates are higher among households with children and those with low income as well as among racial/ethnic minorities. Creative approaches to improving food security status (FSS) are needed. Meal kits have become a popular service for households with higher income and may help improve food access and FSS for households with low income if they are affordable. Objective To assess the impact of a healthy meal kit program on long-term FSS of African American families with low income. Study Design, Setting, Participants A 6-week pilot study was conducted with African American participants with low income (n = 36). Participants were given meal kits, recipe cards, cooking tools, and nutrition handouts. Data were collected at baseline and at long term follow up 6 months post-intervention (LTFU). Measurable Outcome/Analysis Sociodemographic characteristics were collected with a demographic survey and computed using descriptive statistics. FSS was characterized with the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module, and a paired-samples t test was used to determine whether there was a difference between FSS at baseline and LTFU. Results Participants were on average 44.1 ± 13.6 years of age, had a household size of 4.2 ± 2.0, were primarily female (90.0%), had an annual household income Conclusion Findings suggest the meal kit program helped improve FSS over the long-term, but results should be interpreted with caution due to the lack of a control group. Participants may have learned food resource management strategies to make better use of food dollars. Future interventions should explore the mechanism behind this improvement.
Entrepreneurial Beliefs and Agency under Knightian Uncertainty

At the centenary of Frank H. Knight’s Risk, Uncertainty, and Profit (1921), we explore the continuing relevance of Knightian uncertainty to the theory and practice of entrepreneurship. There are three challenges facing such assessment. First, RUP is complex and difficult to interpret. The key but neglected element of RUP is that Knight’s account is not solely about risk and uncertainty as states of nature, but about how an agent’s beliefs about uncertain outcomes and confidence in those beliefs guide their choices. Second, RUP is Knight’s only effort in this area. His subsequent career led elsewhere, so he did not engage with subsequent interpretations of this work. Third, much of the current literature emphasizes that decisions must be different under the two states of nature with a consequent misunderstanding of entrepreneurial agency. This paper addresses each challenge in sequence. First, we explicate Knight’s (1921) approach and explain why that approach is murky. Second, as a complement to Knight’s interpretation, we examine Frank P. Ramsey’s approach to subjective probabilities to help clarify Knight’s murky approach. What links Knight and Ramsey is a shared pragmatism about entrepreneurial agency under uncertainty that depends upon the beliefs about, and confidence in, their judgments of possible outcomes. This Knight-Ramsey approach does not require actor’s behaviors to be determined by the class of uncertain environment (whether risk, uncertainty, or ambiguity) they face. We focus on the response by the entrepreneur to the existence of uncertainty in all its forms. We argue that this reductive account provides a foundation to examine common problems in management, including managerial hubris, the interaction between entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, and the need for experimentation (such as prototyping and market research) in advance of new product and venture launches. Third, we critique current literature that favors epistemic purism about the ontology of risk and uncertainty and ignores Knight-Ramsey pragmatism in meeting uncertainty, such as using formal and informal institutions for uncertainty mitigation. Our account locates Frank Knight’s subtleties in entrepreneurial behavior firmly in the literature on entrepreneurial agency a century later.
Rethinking Learning: What the Interdisciplinary Science Tells Us:

Theories of learning developed in education and psychology for the past 100 years are woefully inadequate to support the design of schools and classrooms that foster deep learning and equity. Neede...
Escaping Saddle Points in Nonconvex Minimax Optimization via Cubic-Regularized Gradient Descent-Ascent.

The gradient descent-ascent (GDA) algorithm has been widely applied to solve nonconvex minimax optimization problems. However, the existing GDA-type algorithms can only find first-order stationary points of the envelope function of nonconvex minimax optimization problems, which does not rule out the possibility to get stuck at suboptimal saddle points. In this paper, we develop Cubic-GDA -- the first GDA-type algorithm for escaping strict saddle points in nonconvex-strongly-concave minimax optimization. Specifically, the algorithm uses gradient ascent to estimate the second-order information of the minimax objective function, and it leverages the cubic regularization technique to efficiently escape the strict saddle points. Under standard smoothness assumptions on the objective function, we show that Cubic-GDA admits an intrinsic potential function whose value monotonically decreases in the minimax optimization process. Such a property leads to a desired global convergence of Cubic-GDA to a second-order stationary point at a sublinear rate. Moreover, we analyze the convergence rate of Cubic-GDA in the full spectrum of a gradient dominant-type nonconvex geometry. Our result shows that Cubic-GDA achieves an orderwise faster convergence rate than the standard GDA for a wide spectrum of gradient dominant geometry. Our study bridges minimax optimization with second-order optimization and may inspire new developments along this direction.
Cardiovascular and Somatic Disorders

Neuropsychological testing has experienced enormous growth in recent years. It is a standard procedure for pre- and postassessment of neurosurgical patients in most medical centers and many smaller hospitals. Referrals for neuropsychological testing from neurologists and neurosurgeons are growing and are a testament to the usefulness of these assessment batteries. While the use of these tests presently enjoys some success, the continued growth and potential of neuropsychological testing is limited by injudicious interpretation. One factor contributing to problems with these tests is the false-positive, the case where a neuropsychological problem is found when none actually exists. A variant of this problem is the case where a neuropsychological deficit is found and attributed to closed, or other, head trauma when the actual deficit is due to other pathology affecting the nervous system. Such is the case with many somatic illnesses. Hall, Popkin, Devaul, Faillace, and Stickney (1978), for instance, report that 9.1% of psychiatric referrals are actually somatic diseases producing psychiatric symptoms. And, as Tarter, Edwards, and van Thiel (1989a) point out, even though the number of acute illnesses have declined, chronic illnesses have increased thus exacerbating the risk of neurological complications from somatic disease.
Hydrodenitrogenation of indole over NiMo sulfide catalysts

Abstract Indole HDN has been investigated over sulfided Ni-Mo catalysts in a vapor phase flow reactor. Experiments were performed in a wide range of temperatures and feed concentrations to study the role of o-ethylaniline (OEA), and the effect of the Ni promoter and sulfur compounds in the reaction network. Subsequent to the hydrogenation of the heterocyclic ring in a reversible step which leads to indoline formation, two major pathways were proposed, accounting for the formation of ethylcyclohexane and ethylbenzene, the two main HDN products of indole. One was from the hydrogenolysis of indoline to OEA and the other from the hydrogenation of the benzene ring of indoline. Although somewhat inhibited by the presence of indole/indoline, the reaction of OEA was found to be a significant route. The role of Ni was shown to be the promotion of the hydrogenation steps in indole HDN. The effect of sulfur compounds was especially pronounced on the product distribution, by selectively enhancing the hydrogenolysis steps. The product distribution and the inhibition/enhancement effects were found to be strong functions of the reaction temperature.
The 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase of Cucurbita. Purification, properties, expression in Escherichia coli, and primary structure determination by DNA sequence analysis.

The key regulatory enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of the plant hormone ethylene is 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase (EC 4.4.1.14). We have partially purified ACC synthase 6,000-fold from Cucurbita fruit tissue treated with indoleacetic acid + benzyladenine + aminooxyacetic acid + LiCl. The enzyme has a specific activity of 35,000 nmol/h/mg protein, a pH optimum of 9.5, an isoelectric point of 5.0, a Km of 17 microM with respect to S-adenosylmethionine, and is a dimer of two identical subunits of approximately 46,000 Da each. The subunit exists in vivo as a 55,000-Da species similar in size to the primary in vitro translation product. DNA sequence analysis of the cDNA clone pACC1 revealed that the coding region of the ACC synthase mRNA spans 493 amino acids corresponding to a 55,779-Da polypeptide; and expression of the coding sequence (pACC1) in Escherichia coli as a COOH terminus hybrid of beta-galactosidase or as a nonhybrid polypeptide catalyzed the conversion of S-adenosylmethionine to ACC (Sato, T., and Theologis, A. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86, 6621-6625). Immunoblotting experiments herein show that the molecular mass of the beta-galactosidase hybrid polypeptide is 170,000 Da, and the size of the largest nonhybrid polypeptide is 53,000 Da. The data suggest that the enzyme is post-translationally processed during protein purification.
Product feedback regulation implicated in translational control of the Trypanosoma brucei S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase regulatory subunit prozyme.

Human African sleeping sickness (HAT) is caused by the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei. Polyamine biosynthesis is an important drug target in the treatment of HAT. Previously we showed that trypanosomatid S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC), a key enzyme for biosynthesis of the polyamine spermidine, is activated by heterodimer formation with an inactive paralog termed prozyme. Furthermore, prozyme protein levels were regulated in response reduced AdoMetDC activity. Herein we show that T. brucei encodes three prozyme transcripts. The 3’UTRs of these transcripts were mapped and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter constructs were used to identify a 1.2 kb region that contained a 3’UTR prozyme regulatory element sufficient to up regulate CAT protein levels (but not RNA) upon AdoMetDC inhibition, supporting the hypothesis that prozyme expression is regulated translationally. To gain insight into trans-acting factors, genetic rescue of AdoMetDC RNAi knockdown lines with human AdoMetDC was performed leading to rescue of the cell growth block, and restoration of prozyme protein to wild-type levels. Polyamine and AdoMet metabolite analysis showed that prozyme protein levels were inversely proportional to intracellular levels of decarboxylated AdoMet (dcAdoMet). These data suggest that prozyme translation may be regulated by dcAdoMet, a metabolite not previously identified to play a regulatory role.
Pot-in-pot production of six Intermountain West native herbaceous perennial species grown in containers

Abstract We investigated the performance of six Intermountain West (IMW) native herbaceous perennial species grown in a pot-in-pot (PIP) or conventional above-ground (CAG) production system for two years. Three different species were grown for two production cycles each year. Root zone temperature (RZT), plant and container water loss, stomatal conductance, plant height, and final biomass were measured. The RZT of plants in the PIP system were as much as 7C cooler than the CAG system, with temperature differences greater at the edge than at the center of the container. Water loss was approximately 10% lower for PIP plants on five of eight measured dates despite higher stomatal conductance on five of seven dates. Higher RZT and lower gas exchange reduced top growth more than root growth for CAG produced plants, but results varied with species and season. Conventional above-ground plants showed no visible damage but had slower growth rates compared to PIP plants. Lower elevation species were more tolerant o...
II Methods of Synthesis for Dielectric Multilayer Filters

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with only one facet of the synthesis for dielectric multilayer filters consisting of thin layers of homogeneous refractive index. The layers are assumed to be plane-parallel and deposited on a flat dielectric substrate, usually glass. By synthesis, the process of specifies the desired energy reflectance, expressed as a function of frequency, and deducing the required refractive indices of the layers. All of the true synthesis methods assume that the layers have equal optical thicknesses. In the case of differential correction, however, the optical thicknesses and the refractive inches, are regarded as variable parameters. Some of the methods described are originally developed by electrical engineers for the design of quarter-wave impedance transformers and microwave coupling devices. The methods of synthesis are arbitrarily subdivided into four classes: special methods, approximate methods, exact methods, and methods of differential correction. The usefulness of the derived filter prototype depends strongly on the coefficients in the series.
OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox A) for Neurogenic Detrusor; Evidence for 200 U vs. 300 U

OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox A) has gone from investigational to a recognized standard for neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in patients intolerant or inadequately managed by anticholinergics. A large number of initial studies were done using the 300 unit dose, including the initial report on 200 vs. 300 U. There was a suggestion that 300 units may have some advantage but statistical sample size was small. Two pivotal phase 3 studies compare 200 units to 300 units of BotoxA for NDO. The result of these studies did not show an advantage to the higher dose. These studies did lead to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, in August 2011, of BotoxA 200 units for refractory or inadequately treated NDO patients. A subsequent pooled extension study was performed. Patients were then followed for five to eight treatment cycles of onabotulinumtoxinA. The data demonstrated no significant increased efficacy of the higher dose of onabotulinumtoxinA for patient management.
Communication Fault-tolerant Wireless Network Control of a Load-sharing Multiphase Interactive Power Network

We demonstrate the effectiveness of a network control technique for load-sharing multiphase interactive power networks (IPNs) using radio-frequency (RF) based wireless communication. We investigate the impacts of time delays and communication-channel disruption on the stability and performance of such IPNs. Further, in case of communication link disruptions, we present network protocols that can be used to reroute data or to decompose the nominal network into smaller clusters. Such a wireless network control scheme may lead to a more redundant/reconfigurable design for IPNs, while ensuring that the performance and stability bounds are not violated.
Municipal waste conversion to hydrogen sulfide adsorbents: Investigation of the synergistic effects of sewage sludge/fish waste mixture

Abstract Mixtures of sewage sludge and fish waste of various compositions were prepared and pyrolyzed at 950 °C in an inert atmosphere. On the pyrolyzed samples an activation with CO2 was carried out at 850 °C. The materials were used as H2S adsorbents at ambient conditions. Initial and spent samples were characterized using thermal analysis, XRD, XRF, SEM/EDX, sorption of nitrogen and surface pH measurements. An enhancement in the H2S removal capacity on the composite samples was linked to the synergistic effects of chemical composition. The adsorbents’ surface reactivity was linked to the presence of Na, K, Ca, Mg and Fe in various configurations. Activation had a detrimental effect on the composites’ performance as adsorbents of H2S. The sludge component provides an active iron phase, which is important for hydrogen sulfide oxidation. Potassium and sodium polysulfides and iron sulfite, sulfate, sulfide are the products of reactive adsorption. The strongest synergistic effect was found for the composite with the lowest content of the fish component. With an increase in the content of the fish waste this effect diminishes owing to the reactions of alkaline metals with silica during pyrolysis.
Serum stimulation of parathyroid hormone-related peptide gene expression in ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells through transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.

The gene encoding PTH-related peptide (PTHrP), a protein that plays a primary role in the development of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, is widely expressed in normal and neoplastic tissues. This study demonstrates that expression of the PTHrP gene has features of early response genes, including up-regulation after serum repletion of serum-starved ROS 17/2.8 (rat osteosarcoma) cells. The PTHrP messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were induced within 30 min and peaked at 4 h. Elevated mRNA levels were accompanied by an increase in secreted PTHrP. The serum effects on PTHrP mRNA levels were blocked by actinomycin D, suggesting a requirement for gene transcription. Nuclear run-on assays revealed a 3-fold increase in PTHrP gene transcription 4 h after exposure to serum. Deletions of the 5' flanking sequence of the rat PTHrP gene fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene and transfected into ROS 17/2.8 cells showed that the serum-responsive region is located between -1.05 kb and -0.3 kb upstream of the t...
Current management of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome require that management decisions be made to control the gastric acid hypersecretion and treatment directed at the gastrinoma itself. The advent of newer antisecretory drugs and increased knowledge of the natural history of this disease have led to major changes in the management of each of these two areas. Recent studies have demonstrated that treatment with the currently available histamine H2-receptor antagonists (cimetidine, ranitidine) with or without an anticholinergic agent will control gastric acid secretion in almost all patients. These studies have also shown that most patients require higher doses than those used routinely to treat peptic ulcer, treatment is only successful if an adequate dose of antisecretory drug is used and must be monitored by measuring gastric acid hypersecretion, and established criteria to regulate the dose must be used. Newer more potent antisecretory drugs such as famotidine or omeprazole will facilitate management of gastric hypersecretion but are not yet currently available.