cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PUBLIC PROTECTION OR PRIVATE EXTORTION

We analyze the strategic interaction between a firm, an extortionary mafia, and a potentially corrupt government. The model identifies several results. First, government spending is not monotonic in revenues. Second, although the firm wants the government to challenge the mafia (it uses the threat of electoral sanctions to induce the government to do so), in equilibrium, the firm does not directly appeal to the government for protection even though it is extorted. The more likely the government is to uncover mafia extortion independent of an appeal from the firm, the more effective the firm's threat of electoral sanction is at motivating the government to invest in law enforcement. This is because the electoral threat to punish failure on the government's part is only a compelling reason to invest in law enforcement when the government actually expects to confront the mafia. This same logic also implies that the relationship between mafia strength and government corruption is somewhat counterintuitive. When the mafia is strong in equilibrium (i.e. pervasive and extorting large fees), the government is not very corrupt. When the mafia is weak, the government is highly corrupt. Finally, an extension shows that if the mafia and government can collude, then the harsher the threatened sanctions against the mafia, the less likely the government is to challenge the mafia because the mafia is more willing to bribe the government.
The effects of vitamin D repletion on endothelial function and inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease

Adequate vitamin D levels may promote cardiovascular health by improving endothelial function and down-regulating inflammation. The objective of this pilot trial was to investigate the effects of vitamin D repletion on endothelial function and inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Using a double-blind placebo wait-list control design, 90 subjects with CAD and vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/ml) were randomized 1:1 to 50,000 IU of oral ergocalciferol or placebo weekly for 12 weeks. Endothelial function (reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry, RH-PAT), circulating adhesion molecules, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. The median increase in serum 25-vitamin D from baseline was 26 ± 17 ng/ml in the active group and 4 ± 8 ng/ml in the placebo group (between-group difference = 22 ng/ml, p < 0.001). The median within-subject change in RH-PAT score was 0.13 ± 0.73 with active treatment and -0.04 ± 0.63 with placebo (between-group difference = 0.17, p = 0.44). Within-group and between-group differences in intercellular adhesion molecule levels were greater with placebo (between-group difference = 6 ng/ml, p = 0.048). Vascular cell adhesion molecule levels decreased in both groups by a similar magnitude (median difference between groups = 8.5 ng/ml, p = 0.79). There was no difference between groups in magnitude of reduction in interleukin (IL)-12 (-8.6 ng/ml, p = 0.72) and interferon-gamma (0.52 ng/ml, p = 0.88). No significant differences in blood pressure, e-selectin, high-sensitivity c-reactive protein, IL-6 or the chemokine CXCL-10 were found with treatment. In conclusion, repleting vitamin D levels in subjects with CAD failed to demonstrate any benefits on surrogate markers of cardiovascular health. These results question the role of vitamin D supplementation in modifying cardiovascular disease.
Anti-Ia antibody in the sera of normal subjects after in vivo antigenic stimulation

We showed that sera from normal subjects after antigenic challenge with intradermal PPD or Candida antigens or with subcutaneous tetanus vaccine contain a factor that blocks the binding of mouse monoclonal anti-Ia antibody to Ia-positive T cells or to B35 M cells, an Ia-positive human B cell line. The blocking activity appears 48 to 72 h after antigenic challenge and is gone by day 7. The appearance of the anti-Ia blocking activity coincided with a drop in the percentage of Ia-positive T cells and non-T cells in the peripheral blood of these subjects and also with a decrease in the density of surface Ia on the non-T cell population. The blocking was not genetically restricted; that is, serum from a given subject blocked anti-Ia binding to Ia-positive T cells of subjects with different DR haplotypes. The blocking activity was contained in the IgM fraction of the sera. The blocking activity of the sera was eliminated after absorption of the sera with Ia-positive but not with Ia-negative human cell lines. It would appear, therefore, that the blocking of monoclonal anti-Ia binding is caused by an IgM anti-Ia antibody that appears in normals after in vivo antigenic challenge.
VALIDATION OF POLITICAL SIMULATION MODELS ‐WATER RESOURCE PROJECTS1

. The critical role of political processes in water resource projects has recently been placed in a new perspective [Hall, 1970]. The “political hassle” period of institutional interaction which serves to resolve political conflicts over such aspects as organizational growth and survival, responsibility for economic liabilities, and responsibility for economic benefits, requires systematic analysis in order to improve our capability to implement water projects. Failure to properly assess the political aspects of a proposed water project may result in extensive delays with significant economic losses. The complexities associated with water use and re-use have created the need for new institutional arrangements which can more effectively function to implement policies and programs. One tool which has recently become available for the research investigator concerned with institutional interactions and political processes associated with water resource projects is the technique of computer simulation of such institutional interaction. In theory, this new approach will enable the investigator to assess the political feasibility or political acceptability of a proposed water project given existing institutional structures. Furthermore, the investigator has the opportunity to experiment with new and innovative institutional arrangements which may in turn enhance the political acceptability of a proposed project. The specific material presented within this paper reports upon the validation of an existing computer simulation model designed to replicate political interactions in resource allocation problems-including water resource problems. This validation effort is done by taking an actual water problem and comparing what the political simulation models predicts in terms of political outcomes with what actually takes place. The case study in question is the formulation and legislative development of the Michigan Bond Issue for Water Pollution Control.
Role of glucose in the expression of Cryptococcus neoformans antiphagocytic protein 1, App1.

The cryptococcus-specific protein antiphagocytic protein 1 (App1) regulates Cryptococcus neoformans virulence by controlling macrophage-driven fungal phagocytosis. This is accomplished through complement receptors (CR), specifically CR3. When inhaled, C. neoformans can cause a life-threatening meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients. Because glucose starvation can significantly change the gene expression and virulence of C. neoformans and because App1 is critical for phagocytosis in the lung—a low-glucose environment—we investigated the role of glucose in App1 expression. We found that App1 was upregulated dramatically under low-glucose conditions, and it was upregulated when C. neoformans cells were incubated in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid, which are low-glucose environments. Characterization of App1's regulation based on mammalian lung physiology revealed that App1 is upregulated via both increases in transcription and increases in mRNA stability. Our data provide new insights regarding C. neoformans adaptations to low-glucose environments.
Lithium use in bipolar disorder: Summary of evidence for acute mania, acute depression, and maintenance treatment

Lithium has been used for more than 50 years for the treatment of bipolar disorder. There is a substantial body of literature about use of lithium in this condition, much of it with conflicting results. Many guidelines and algorithms support the use of lithium for treatment of episodes of acute mania and depression. However, additional research exploring prevention of depressive and manic relapse, treatment of acute depression, and use of combination treatments are needed.
Animal welfare in cross-ventilated, compost-bedded pack, and naturally ventilated dairy barns in the upper Midwest

The objective of this cohort study was to investigate animal welfare in 2 newer dairy housing options in the upper Midwest, cross-ventilated freestall barns (CV) and compost-bedded-pack barns (CB), compared with conventional, naturally ventilated freestall barns (NV). The study was conducted on 18 commercial dairy farms, 6 of each housing type, in Minnesota and eastern South Dakota. The primary breed in all farms was Holstein; 1 CV and 1 NV herd had approximately 30% Jersey-Holstein crossbreds. All freestall herds used sand for bedding. Farms were visited 4 times (once in each season) between January and November 2008, and approximately 93% of all animals in each pen were visually scored on each visit. Outcome-based measurements of welfare (locomotion, hock lesions, body condition score, hygiene, respiration rates, mortality, and mastitis prevalence) were collected on each farm. Lameness prevalence (proportion of cows with locomotion score ≥3 on a 1 to 5 scale, where 1=normal and 5=severely lame) in CB barns (4.4%) was lower than that in NV (15.9%) and CV (13.1%) barns. Lameness prevalence was similar between CV and NV barns. Hock lesion prevalence (proportion of cows with a lesion score ≥2 on a 1 to 3 scale, where 1=normal, 2=hair loss, and 3=swelling) was lower in CB barns (3.8%) than in CV (31.2%) and NV barns (23.9%). Hygiene scores (1 to 5 scale, where 1=clean and 5=very dirty) were higher for CB (3.18) than CV (2.83) and NV (2.77) barns, with no differences between CV and NV barns. Body condition scores, respiration rates, mastitis prevalence, culling, and mortality rates did not differ among housing systems. The CV and NV barns were evaluated using the cow comfort index (proportion of cows lying down in a stall divided by all animals touching a stall) and the stall usage index (proportion of cows lying divided by all animals in the pen not eating). The CV barns tended to have greater cow comfort index (85.9%) than the NV barns (81.4%) and had greater stall usage index (76.8% and 71.5%, respectively). Dairy cattle housed in CB barns had reduced lameness and hock lesions compared with those housed in freestall barns and had no adverse associations with body condition, respiration rates, mastitis prevalence, culling, or mortality. When comparing the 2 freestall housing options, CV barns had improved cow comfort indices compared with NV barns. Although cows in CB barns had better feet and leg health, as indicated by the reduced lameness and hock lesion prevalence, acquiring bedding and managing the bedded pack could limit their use.
The Impact of Ru Contamination of a Pt ∕ C Electrocatalyst on Its Oxygen-Reducing Activity

Rotating disk electrode experiments were used to demonstrate the influence of dissolved Ru species on the oxygen reduction activity of a Pt/C electrocatalyst. Dissolved Ru in micromolar levels was found to deposit instantly onto Pt, thereby blocking the electrode surface for ORR at low overpotentials. Ru contamination can decrease oxygen reduction kinetics by eightfold or increase the overpotential by ca. 160 mV. This facet of fuel cell durability needs special attention from the perspective of appropriate materials choice, i.e., preventing the leaching of Ru from PtRu anodes and its crossover to the cathode across the membrane electrolyte.
Gene-based and pathway-based genome-wide association study of alcohol dependence.

using a gene-set-rich analytic approach. Approximately one million genetic markers were tested in the discovery sample which included 1409 European-American (EA) alcohol dependent individuals and 1518 EA healthy comparison subjects. An additional 681 African-American (AA) cases and 508 AA healthy subjects served as the replication sample. Results: We identified several genome-wide replicable risk genes and risk pathways that were significantly associated with alcohol dependence. After applying the Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, the ‘cellextracellular matrix interactions’ pathway (p<2.0E-4 in EAs) and the PXN gene (which encodes paxillin) (p=3.9E-7 in EAs) within this pathway were the most promising risk factors for alcohol dependence. There were also two nominally replicable pathways enriched in alcohol dependence-related genes in both EAs (0.015≤p≤0.035) and AAs (0.025≤p≤0.050): the ‘Na+/Cl- dependent neurotransmitter transporters’ pathway and the ‘other glycan degradation’ pathway. Conclusions: These findings provide new evidence highlighting several genes and biological signaling processes that may be related to the risk for alcohol dependence.
Statistical Nanomechanics of Ice and Effect of Embedded Carbon Dioxide

While the macroscopic mechanical properties of pure ice has been investigated by laboratory tests and its behavior has been characterized by existing fracture mechanics models, the effect of environmental conditions — such as the concentration of embedded carbon dioxide (CO2) — is not fully understood. It is known that the chemical environment can have significant effects on the mechanical properties of ice. Using full atomistic molecular dynamics (MD), we probe the tensile strength of a single ice crystal. We systematically introduce a random concentration of CO2 molecules by replacing H2O molecules on the ice crystal lattice (e.g., substitutional defects). As anticipated, we observe a drop in strength with an increase in CO2 concentration. The decreased ice strength is not merely caused by material defects induced by the CO2 inclusions, but rather by the fact that the strength of hydrogen bonds — the chemical bonds between water molecules in an ice crystal — is actively disrupted under increasing concentrations of CO2. The inclusions provide both stress concentrations and nucleation points for crack/void formation. We then assume a Poisson distribution to reflect various concentrations of CO2 and apply nanoscale Weibull statistics (NWS) as a brittle material failure model. The results can be used to help predict the strength range of bulk ice.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Cryptopeniculus nigrosetus n.g., n. sp. (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) from the Namaqualand region of South Africa

Cryptopeniculus nigrosetus, a new genus and species of spider beetle from Namaqualand, western South Africa, is described. It is characterized by a unique pronotal vestiture composed of a V shaped flocculant pale brown setal tuft covering most of the dorsal surface that is partially obscured by an outer layer of thick darker colored setae forming two peaks. Characteristics differentiating this new genus and species from all others are discussed and illustrated and the probable biology hypothesized.
The Reciprocal Theorem and Other Integral Relations

This Chapter will develop reciprocal theorems for both fluids and elastic solids and will combine the fundamental solutions derived in the last Chapter with those theorems to obtain general integral representation expressions and integral equations. We will also develop a more generalized electromechanical reciprocity theorem which is applicable to all the elements (electrical, piezoelectric, and mechanical) of an ultrasonic measurement system. These results will serve as the foundation for many later applications, including transducer modeling (Chap. 8), flaw scattering (Chap. 10), and a general model of the entire ultrasonic measurement process (Chap. 12).
Strategically recruiting women students into your undergraduate computing major

As we witness tremendous growth in computing occupations' size and influence over our lives, economy, and security, women continue to be deeply underrepresented. Research on technology organizations demonstrates that gender-diverse teams are more likely to stay on schedule and under budget and have improved employee performance overall. This tutorial will show faculty can contribute to increasing women's participation in computing by developing a comprehensive strategy for recruiting undergraduate computer science students using a "high yield in the short term." This approach encompasses strategies to maximize return with the least efforts for faculty.
Finite-temperature analysis of a quasi-two-dimensional dipolar gas

We present a finite-temperature analysis of a quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) dipolar gas. To do this, we use the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov method within the Popov approximation. This formalism is a set of nonlocal equations containing the dipole-dipole interaction and the condensate and thermal correlation functions, which are solved self-consistently. We detail the numerical method used to implement the scheme. We present density profiles for a finite-temperature dipolar gas in Q2D and compare these results to those for a gas with zero-range interactions. Additionally, we analyze the excitation spectrum and study the impact of the thermal exchange.
The impact of cataract surgery on glaucoma care

Purpose of review To summarize the effects of cataract surgery on the management of glaucoma, in terms of the effect on both the intraocular pressure (IOP) and postoperative diagnostic as well as therapeutic considerations. Recent findings Recent evidence corroborates prior data demonstrating significant and sustained IOP reduction after cataract extraction, particularly in closed-angle variants of glaucoma, but also in individuals with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Performing cataract surgery after trabeculectomy increases the odds of filtration failure with the likelihood of this adverse effect being inversely proportional to the duration between the glaucoma and cataract procedures. Although cataract has a significant effect on the results of visual field testing, the Visual Field Index may be less influenced than other parameters such as the mean and pattern deviation. The accuracy of time-domain ocular coherence tomography and spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography are also negatively impacted by cataract. Summary Considering cataract surgery as an IOP-lowering procedure may be appropriate in select patients. Performing cataract extraction prior to glaucoma surgery has numerous benefits. The sequence of the procedures performed has implications in terms of complications, surgical success, and diagnostics. Reestablishing perimetric and structural baselines with imaging modalities is appropriate after cataract surgery is performed in glaucoma patients.
Thyroglossal Duct Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and Synchronous Lingual Thyroid Atypia

Thyroglossal duct and lingual thyroid ectopic lesions are exceedingly rare synchronous findings. Papillary thyroid carcinoma of these ectopic thyroid sites is well understood but still a rare finding. This case points to some management nuances in regard to ectopic thyroid screening with imaging and also shows the effectiveness of minimally invasive transoral robotic surgery for lingual thyroid.
Biochemical fractionation and purification of high-molecular-mass APOBEC3G complexes

Human APOBEC3G (A3G) is a cytidine deaminase that broadly restricts the replication of many retroviruses, including HIV-1. In different cell types, cytoplasmic A3G is expressed in high-molecular-mass (HMM) RNA-protein complexes or low-molecular-mass (LMM) forms displaying different biological activities. LMM A3G has been proposed to restrict HIV-1 infection soon after virion entry in resting CD4 T cells, monocytes, and mature dendritic cells. Cellular activation and specific cytokine signaling promote the recruitment of LMM A3G into HMM complexes that are likely nucleated by the induced expression of Alu retroelement RNAs. HMM A3G sequesters these retroelement RNAs away from the nuclear LINE-derived enzymes required for Alu retrotransposition. However, assembly of A3G into HMM complexes suppresses its enzymatic activity and may render cells permissive to HIV-1 infection. During HIV-1 virion formation, newly synthesized LMM A3G is preferentially encapsidated when the HIV-1 viral protein viral infectivity factor is absent and employs sequential actions to restrict HIV-1. A3G's biological activities are tightly regulated by its ability to assemble into HMM complexes. Here, we describe in detail the procedures for biochemical fractionation and purification of HMM A3G complexes. Purified HMM A3G complexes will be useful for studying many aspects of the A3G biology, including A3G's roles in restricting retroviral replication, inhibiting retroelement mobility, and potentially regulating cellular RNA function.
ZnCl2 Capture Promotes Ethylene Polymerization by a Salicylaldiminato Ni Complex Bearing a Pendent 2,2′-Bipyridine Group

The effect of ZnCl2 additives on a series of (salicylaldiminato)Ni ethylene polymerization catalysts is reported. While ZnCl2 acts solely as a pyridine scavenger for simple imine catalyst frameworks such as the biphenylimine 4, in the case of complexes containing a 2,2′-bipyridine pendent group such as 5, ZnCl2 can coordinate to generate a bimetallic Ni/Zn active species that produces a polymer with significantly higher Mn value. 5 is not catalytically active in the absence of ZnCl2, and control experiments indicate that Zn coordination of the bpy pocket to generate a heterobimetallic Ni/Zn complex is critical for productive catalysis to occur. A heterobimetallic Ni/ZnCl2 precatalyst 7 has also been synthesized and structurally characterized and shows activity similar to that of the in situ bimetallic generated from 5 + ZnCl2.
The sooner the better: Our laboratory experience with chorionic villus sampling (CVS) HLA typing prior to HSCT

Aim Allogeneic Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT) will prolong and improve the quality of life of babies born affected by inherited metabolic diseases. Genetic testing and preparation for a potential HSCT starts at 10 weeks of mother’s pregnancy. This study aims to describe our strategy to obtain an HLA typing from the minuscule tissue fragments submitted for HLA typing in preparation for an HSCT just after birth. Methods Mothers carrying babies that may be affected with Hurler or Krabbe A syndromes are the most frequent challenges at Duke Hospital. As needed, CVS is submitted to our laboratory and DNA is extracted using a micro method developed specifically for these samples to allow High Resolution HLA typing. Since maternal blood contamination of the CVS is a common finding, High Resolution HLA typing on the parents is also done to assist with the identification of all HLA alleles present on the CVS. Our laboratory sequencing strategy for HLA-A, B, C, DRB1 & DQB1 identifies most alleles in a hemizygous form and duplication of the same allele (potential homozygosis) is always resolved by both parents HLA typing. All positive SBT amplification reactions obtained for the CVS DNA are sequenced, and based on parents typing results we are able to identify, first the paternal haplotype present followed by the maternal one. The software SeqPilot®, used for high resolution data analysis, allows the analysis of all positive reactions chosen to be sequenced. Results The CVS samples we have tested (total of 20 cases) have provided the correct pool of alleles expected to be present and it facilitated cord blood searches for these unborn babies, providing an increased chance for successful treatment. Conclusions The HLA typing strategy we apply to CVS is only possible due to our level of expertise extracting DNA from small tissue fragments and the flexibility and data quality offered by the High Resolution HLA Typing methodology and software data analysis we use. The affected and genetic carrier unborn babies get a much higher chance at cure and survival when their diagnosis and treatment can be done earlier in their lives.
Method, Measurement, and Management in IPCC Climate Modeling

The IPCC is the world’s leading scientific body addressing climate change, but there is growing dissatisfaction with its heavily economic and econometric approach to analyzing the climate-relevant aspects of human thought and behavior. This article documents and discusses the problem before sketching two examples of how other cultural domains besides the economic—the political and cosmological—might be incorporated into modeling the human dimensions of climate change. In conclusion, the article deploys these examples to explore why the IPCC has been reluctant to model non-economic realms of culture. The results underscore the importance of Victor’s (Nature 520:27–29, 2015) call for a parallel global mechanism to address the IPCC’s evasion of controversial policy-relevant questions.
Dreiste Lügen und Statistiken

Zwar suchen viele Menschen gezielt nach statistischen Analysen von Sportereignissen und lesen sie, die meisten anderen Formen von Statistiken werden aber mit Abscheu betrachtet. Dennoch ist es fast unmoglich, ihnen aus dem Weg zu gehen: Praktisch jede offentlich bekannte politische Entscheidung kann man nur mit statistischen Methoden verstehen. Die Effekte einer Entscheidung auf den Einzelnen zu prophezeien, ist so gut wie unmoglich, aber welche Gesamtwirkung sie auf die ganze Bevolkerung einer Stadt, eines Staates oder Landes hat, lasst sich oft mithilfe der Statistik prazise voraussagen.
Selecting Replacements for Undetectable Path Delay Faults

Path selection procedures select the path delay faults that are the most important to detect as targets for test generation. When the criteria for path selection can be evaluated locally at the gate level, it is possible to consider the detectability of path delay faults during the path selection process. This flexibility does not exist if path selection is performed based on more complex conditions, or by a tool that cannot be modified to take into consideration the detectability conditions for path delay faults. For this scenario, this brief describes a procedure that accepts a set $P$ of path delay faults, and replaces every undetectable path delay fault $p \in P$ with a detectable path delay fault $r$ that is as similar to $p$ as possible. This brief defines similarity as the length of the longest contiguous subpath that is common to $p$ and $r$ . Experimental results demonstrate the extent to which similarity can be maintained when path delay faults that are associated with the longest paths are considered for benchmark circuits.
Are Religious Parents More Satisfied Parents? Individual- and Couple-Level Religious Correlates of Parenting Satisfaction:

Using data from the 2014 Baylor Religion Survey, we examine the relationship between various aspects of religion and parenting satisfaction. Results confirm prior research findings that personal re...
Do individuals respond to cost-sharing subsidies in their selections of marketplace health insurance plans?

Abstract The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides assistance to low-income consumers through both premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions (CSRs). Low-income consumers’ lack of health insurance literacy or information regarding CSRs may lead them to not take-up CSR benefits for which they are eligible. We use administrative data from 2014 to 2016 on roughly 22 million health insurance plan choices of low-income individuals enrolled in ACA Marketplace coverage to assess whether they behave in a manner consistent with being aware of the availability of CSRs. We take advantage of discontinuous changes in the schedule of CSR benefits to show that consumers are highly sensitive to the value of CSRs when selecting insurance plans and that a very low percentage select dominated plans. These findings suggest that CSR subsidies are salient to consumers and that the program is well designed to account for any lack of health insurance literacy among the low-income population it serves.
The Neuropsychology of Human Learning and Memory

Publisher Summary Neuropsychological descriptions of memory disorders date back to the late nineteenth century, the same era as the beginning of psychology as a science. Cognitive psychologists, who study mental abilities in normal individuals, have generally characterized memory in terms of the processes that operate within a general cognitive system. In contrast, neuropsychologists, who study the effects of brain damage, have characterized memory in terms of multiple brain systems, with each system playing a specific role in memory functioning. This chapter discusses that the conceptual processing deficit hypothesis has been weakened by the many findings of normal performance by amnesic patients on a variety of conceptual implicit tests. A number of more recent studies of skill learning in patient groups have suggested that the basal ganglia may play a central role in the memory function. Amnesic patients have exhibited impaired binding in explicit tests of memory. A component process contributing to explicit memory is the use of organizational memory strategies. A relationship between working memory and memory strategy use has been suggested by findings that the performance of frontal patients improved when the working memory load required for using organizational strategies was reduced.
Long-term impacts of college sexual assaults on women survivors' educational and career attainments

Objective: To examine the well-documented mental and physical health problems suffered by undergraduate women sexually assaulted while on campus with an exploration of how the trauma impacts a surv...
Influence of nano-fibrillated cellulose (NFC) on starch digestion and glucose absorption.

Abstract Nano-fibrillated cellulose (NFC) is of interest in several fields due to its unique physical properties derived from its nanoscale dimensions. NFC has potential use in food systems as a dietary fiber that increases viscosity and limit diffusion of glucose. This study focused on the effects of added NFC on solution viscosity, starch digestion and glucose absorption. NFC did not affect α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity, but significantly retarded glucose diffusion, delayed amylolysis and reduced the amount of glucose released during in vitro digestion of starch. Specifically, 1% NFC retarded ∼26.6% of glucose released during the amylolysis process. The greatly increased viscosity of NFC at concentrations >0.5% was thought to be the main mechanism for its potential hypoglycemic effects. NFC suspensions also had higher glucose adsorption capacity than those containing cellulose. In addition, NFC bound 35.6% of the glucose when the initial glucose level was within the range of 5–200 mM. These results suggest that NFC may be useful for building viscosity in food products and serving to inhibit glucose absorption in vivo in starch-containing products.
Epistemic games in substance characterization

Problem solving is lauded as beneficial, but students do not all learn well by solving problems. Using the resources framework, Tuminaro J., and Redish E. F., (2007), Elements of a cognitive model of physics problem solving: Epistemic games, Physical Review Special Topics-Physics Education Research, 3(2), 020101 suggested that, for physics students, this puzzle may be partially understood by paying attention to underlying epistemological assumptions that constrain the approaches students take to solving problems while working on them. They developed an approach to characterizing epistemic games, which are context-sensitive knowledge elements concerning the nature of knowledge, knowing and learning. As there is evidence that context-activated knowledge influences problem solving by students in chemistry, we explored identifying epistemic games in students’ problem solving in chemistry. We interviewed 52 students spanning six courses from grade 8 through fourth-year university, each solving 4 problems. Using 16 contexts with substance characterization problems, we identified 5 epistemic games with ontological and structural stability that exist in two larger epistemological frames. All of these epistemic games are present at all educational levels, but some appear to grow in across educational levels as others recede. Some games also take lesser and greater precedence depending on the problem and the chemistry course in which students are enrolled and the context of the problem. We analyze these results through a frame of learning progressions, paying attention to students’ ideas and how these ideas are contextualized. Based on this analysis, we propose teaching acts that instructors may use to leverage the natural progressions of how students appear to grow in their capacity to solve problems.
Incorporating fluorescent dyes and quantum dots into magnetic microbeads for immunoassays

Microbeads that are both paramagnetic and fluorescently labeled are commercially available in colors spanning the visible spectrum. Although these commercial beads can be bright, polydispersity in ...
Chemical Mixing in Multicomponent Solutions: An Introduction to the Use of Margules and Other Thermodynamic Excess Functions to Represent Non-Ideal Behaviour

Our principal goal in devising thermodynamic models for the chemical behaviour of crystalline solutions is to provide a realistic basis for the calculation of reaction equilibria, phase diagrams or reaction kinetics. We recognise in this that the activities of the chemical components of crystalline solutions are usually unequal to the mole fractions of those components, and we attempt in forming our models to express chemical activity as a function of composition and of some minimum number of additional variables, preferably not a function of composition.
Artificial Neural Networks as Alternatives to Statistical Quality Control Charts in Manufacturing Processes

The concept of quality has reentered the vocabulary of American business. The perception, whether founded in reality or not, that American products are inferior to their foreign counterparts, has contributed to the competitive disadvantage now faced by many American firms.
Geometry of Surfaces in E 3

This chapter focuses on the geometry of surfaces in Euclidean space R 3 . The geometrical study of a surface M in Euclidean space R 3 separates into three distinct categories: the intrinsic geometry of M, the shape of M in R 3 , and the Euclidean geometry of R 3 . Geometry of R 3 is based on the dot product and consists of those concepts preserved by the isometries of R 3 . The chapter emphasizes that the geometry of M is also based on the dot product—applied only to vectors tangent to M—and that it consists of those features preserved by the isometries of M. The shape of M in R 3 is the link between these two geometries. To study the geometry of a surface M in R 3 the chapter uses the Cartan methods. Along with the Frenet theory of a curve in R 3 , this requires putting frames on M and examining their rates of change along M. Formally a Euclidean frame field on M⊂R 3 consists of three Euclidean vector fields that are orthonormal at each point. The chapter also define the integral of a 2-form over a compact oriented surface using the integral calculus on surfaces, using which it describes congruency of surfaces.
Critiques of Ptolemaic Astronomy in Islamic Spain

This article announces the discovery of a hitherto unknown text called al-lstidrāk by an anonymous eleventh-century Andalusian astronomer who was personally acquainted with Azarquiel and who has attempted to raise doubts concerning the Greek astronomical tradition. On the basis of this new evidence, the article argues against the oft-repeated characterization of the critical tradition in Islamic astronomy as being philosophical in al-Andalus and more mathematical in al-Mashriq. Other evidence from both sides of the Mediterranean is brought to bear on the issue which also demonstrates the continuity between the two shores. The article stipulates that the fallacy in characterization has stemmed from the false comparison between the works of philosophers in the west with those of astronomers in the east. When the works of astronomers from both sides were compared they revealed very clearly that the same problems motivated astronomical work all over the Islamic world. What also became clear is that eastern astronomers, like Ibn al-Shāṭir of Damascus, were also deeply aware of the philosophical issues that preoccupied the Andalusian philosophers and managed to respond to them directly with some ingenious philosophical insights of their own.
Other Head and Neck Sites

There is minimal to no data regarding the use of SBRT as definitive primary treatment in other head & neck disease sites. Limited data support the use of brachytherapy or SBRT as a boost to EBRT in the definitive setting for nasopharyngeal (Chap. 1), paranasal sinus, and oropharyngeal SCC. Generally indicated for T1-2 tumors. Efficacy and complication rates are similar between brachytherapy and SBRT.
ZMYM2-FGFR1 fusion as secondary change in acute myeloid leukemia

Gene fusions in hematopoietic malignancies are often primary drivers that define many aspects of these diseases. For example, BCR-ABL1 fusion is a diagnostic marker that encodes a therapeutic targe...
Proportional cross-ratio model

Cross-ratio is an important local measure of the strength of dependence among correlated failure times. If a covariate is available, it may be of scientific interest to understand how the cross-ratio varies with the covariate as well as time components. Motivated by the Tremin study, where the dependence between age at a marker event reflecting early lengthening of menstrual cycles and age at menopause may be affected by age at menarche, we propose a proportional cross-ratio model through a baseline cross-ratio function and a multiplicative covariate effect. Assuming a parametric model for the baseline cross-ratio, we generalize the pseudo-partial likelihood approach of Hu et al. (Biometrika 98:341-354, 2011) to the joint estimation of the baseline cross-ratio and the covariate effect. We show that the proposed parameter estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal. The performance of the proposed technique in finite samples is examined using simulation studies. In addition, the proposed method is applied to the Tremin study for the dependence between age at a marker event and age at menopause adjusting for age at menarche. The method is also applied to the Australian twin data for the estimation of zygosity effect on cross-ratio for age at appendicitis between twin pairs.
Accelerated podocyte detachment early after kidney transplantation is related to long-term allograft loss of function.

Background Kidney allograft half-life has not improved despite excellent short-term survival. Recent long-term surveillance biopsy studies identify accumulating glomerulosclerosis (GS) to be associated with late allograft loss. While podocyte depletion is well known to drive proteinuria and GS in animal models and human glomerular diseases, its role in renal allograft loss of function is generally not recognized. Methods To address these questions, we collected urine from 125 kidney allograft recipients in the first posttransplant year for urine pellet messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein analysis, with a median follow up of 4.5 years. Results Using multivariable linear models adjusted for proteinuria, transplant, recipient and donor factors, we observed that the average urine pellet podocin mRNA normalized to urine creatinine (UPodCR) in the first posttransplant year was significantly associated with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline (P = 0.001). The relationship between UPodCR and eGFR decline persisted even among recipients who were nonproteinuric and who had no recurrent or de novo glomerular disease identified on 1-year protocol biopsy. Finally, we identified recipient, donor and recipient:donor body surface area mismatch ratio to be independently associated with UPodCR early after transplantation. A larger donor was protective, while a larger recipient and increased recipient:donor size mismatch ratio were associated with increased UPodCR. Conclusions These findings support the concept that in kidney allografts, accelerated podocyte loss precedes proteinuria and is associated with inferior long-term allograft outcomes as measured by eGFR decline and may be initiated by recipient:donor size mismatch. Modulating factors driving early podocyte detachment after kidney transplantation may help improve long-term outcomes.
Prescription opioid misuse among middle-aged and older adults in the United States, 2015–2016

Abstract Adults ≥50 years of age have high rates of prescription opioid use. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence and correlates of prescription opioid misuse among middle-aged and older adults in the United States who use prescription opioids. Data from adults age ≥ 50 from the two most recent cohorts (2015 and 2016) of the National Survey of Drug Use and Health were examined (N = 17,608). Characteristics of past-year prescription opioid misusers, including demographics, substance use, depression, chronic disease, and emergency department (ED) use, were compared to adults who used prescription opioids as prescribed in the past year and non-users. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine correlates of prescription opioid misuse among adults who used prescription opioids. Among the entire sample, 61.4% reported no past-year prescription opioid use, 36.0% reported past-year prescription opioid use without misuse, and 2.5% reported past-year prescription opioid misuse. Among past-year prescription opioid users, 6.6% reported misuse. Past-year misuse was higher among males, adults age 50–64, misusers of prescription sedatives, stimulants, and tranquilizers, users of other substances (i.e., tobacco, marijuana, cocaine), and those with alcohol use disorder. Past-year misuse was lower among adults with 2 or more chronic diseases. Past-year prescription misuse of sedatives (AOR 4.08 [95% CI 2.05–8.12]), stimulants (AOR 3.88 [95% CI 2.00–7.53]), and tranquilizers (AOR 10.02 [95% CI 6.48–15.50]) were all associated with past-year opioid misuse. Characteristics of opioid misusers determined in this study—particularly misuse of other substances—may help determine middle-aged and older adults at risk for prescription opioid misuse.
Introduction to Belief Systems in Higher Education

Belief systems, spirituality, and religion are all integral components of culture. In any society, culture permeates institutions in ways that are both visible and unseen. Furthermore, belief systems are important to understand in cultures where higher education plays a prominent role in educating students, producing knowledge, and serving the purpose of creating good citizens. However, because of commitments to objectivity, positivism, and formal science, the role of belief and knowledge that are outside the canons of science is not often considered within the core functions of a university. This volume seeks to engage these questions directly and explore the various ways in which belief systems are part of the fabric of higher education—whether implicitly or explicitly. Throughout the Asia Pacific region, there are predominant philosophies, belief systems, and religions in societies, including Buddhist, Muslim, Shinto, Christianity, Marxism, and derivatives of Confucianism. In this chapter, we pursue a deeper understanding of the role of belief practices as it is played out in both private and public higher education and provide an overview of each section and chapter throughout the volume.
WrecksAll Drug Company

ABSTRACT WrecksAll Drug Company is a fraud investigation case in which students use financial and nonfinancial data to develop and test hypotheses related to irregularities in deposits. The case te...
HOUSES Index as an Innovative Socioeconomic Measure Predicts Graft Failure Among Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND Despite extensive evaluation processes to determine candidacy for kidney transplantation, variability in graft failure exists. The role of patient socioeconomic status (SES) in transplantation outcomes is poorly understood because of limitations of conventional SES measures. METHODS This population-based retrospective cohort study assessed whether a validated objective and individual-level housing-based SES index (HOUSES) would serve as a predictive tool for graft failure in patients (n = 181) who received a kidney transplant in Olmsted County, MN (January 1, 1998 to December 8, 2016). Associations were assessed between HOUSES (quartiles: Q1 [lowest] to Q4 [highest]) and graft failure until last follow-up date (December 31, 2016) using Cox proportional hazards. The mean age (SD) was 46.1 (17.2) years, 109 (60.2%) were male, 113 (62.4%) received a living kidney donor transplant, and 40 (22.1%) had a graft failure event. RESULTS Compared with Q1, patients with higher HOUSES (Q2-Q4) had significantly lower graft failure rates (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.92; P < 0.029), controlling for age, sex, race, previous kidney transplantation, and donor type. CONCLUSIONS Although criteria for kidney transplant recipients are selective, patients with higher HOUSES had lower graft failure rates. Thus, HOUSES may enable transplantation programs to identify a target group for improving kidney transplantation outcomes.
KLF5 mediates the hyper-proliferative phenotype of the intestinal epithelium in mice with intestine-specific endogenous K-RasG12D expression.

Oncogenic K-Ras activation is a common mutational event in colorectal cancer. We previously showed that transcription factor, Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5), contributes to intestinal polyposis in mice with K-Ras activation. At 14 months of age, Villin-Cre/LSL-K-RasG12D mice developed small intestinal and colonic hyperplastic polyps while LSL-K-RasG12D had none. The intestinal crypts of Villin-Cre/LSL-K-RasG12D mice contained a higher number of mitotic figures and increased crypt heights compared to controls. The intestinal epithelium of Villin-Cre/LSL-K-RasG12D mice showed prolific KLF5 expression throughout and above the elongated crypts. In contrast, KLF5 expression was limited to the upper crypt region in the controls. The levels of K-Ras effectors were significantly increased in Villin-Cre/LSL-K-RasG12D as compared to controls. The Villin-Cre/LSL-K-RasG12D mice showed decreased survival upon treatment with azoxymethane (AOM) as compared to controls. Furthermore, loss of one of Klf5 alleles reduced levels of K-Ras effector proteins and prevented mortality of Villin-Cre/LSL-K-RasG12D mice upon AOM treatment. The Villin-Cre/LSL-K-RasG12D mice spontaneously develop hyperplastic intestinal polyps and display a hyper-proliferative intestinal phenotype with elongated crypts, increased numbers of mitotic figures, elevated expression of KLF5, and other pro-proliferative targets. Induction of colonic tumorigenesis with AOM is detrimental to Villin-Cre/LSL-K-RasG12D mice that is in part dependent of KLF5.
Values of Iwahori-fixed vectors in the non-split Bessel model on GSp(2n)

We realize the non-split Bessel model of Novodvorsky and Piatetski-Shapiro in [22] as a generalized Gelfand-Graev representation of GSp(4), as suggested by Kawanaka in [17]. With uniqueness of the model already established in [22], we establish existence of a Bessel model for unramified principal series representations. We then connect the Iwahori-fixed vectors in the Bessel model to a linear character of the Hecke algebra of GSp(4) following the method outlined more generally in [3]. We use this connection to calculate the image of Iwahori-fixed vectors of unramified principal series in the model, and ultimately provide an explicit alternator expression for the spherical vector in the model. We show that the resulting alternator expression matches previous results of Bump, Friedberg, and Furusawa in [6]. We extend all results to GSp(2n), under the assumption that the aforementioned uniqueness property of the model holds for n > 2.