cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Auditory Decision Aiding in Supervisory Control of Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Objective: This article is an investigation of the effectiveness of sonifications, which are continuous auditory alerts mapped to the state of a monitored task, in supporting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) supervisory control. Background: UAV supervisory control requires monitoring a UAV across multiple tasks (e.g., course maintenance) via a predominantly visual display, which currently is supported with discrete auditory alerts. Sonification has been shown to enhance monitoring performance in domains such as anesthesiology by allowing an operator to immediately determine an entity’s (e.g., patient) current and projected states, and is a promising alternative to discrete alerts in UAV control. However, minimal research compares sonification to discrete alerts, and no research assesses the effectiveness of sonification for monitoring multiple entities (e.g., multiple UAVs). Method: The authors conducted an experiment with 39 military personnel, using a simulated setup. Participants controlled single and multiple UAVs and received sonifications or discrete alerts based on UAV course deviations and late target arrivals. Results: Regardless of the number of UAVs supervised, the course deviation sonification resulted in reactions to course deviations that were 1.9 s faster, a 19% enhancement, compared with discrete alerts. However, course deviation sonifications interfered with the effectiveness of discrete late arrival alerts in general and with operator responses to late arrivals when supervising multiple vehicles. Conclusions: Sonifications can outperform discrete alerts when designed to aid operators to predict future states of monitored tasks. However, sonifications may mask other auditory alerts and interfere with other monitoring tasks that require divided attention. Applications: This research has implications for supervisory control display design.
The Role of Needs Assessment in Program Planning and Evaluation

Appropriately interrelating needs assessment strategies with program planning and evaluation efforts aids a school district's abilities to fulfill increasing demands for "accountability." The discrepancy approach to needs assessment facilitates short- and long-term planning processes necessary for effective leadership and flexibility in our rapidly changing culture. Needs assessment may be used to develop program standards as a process of formative evaluation and as a process of summative evaluation. The needs assessment process utilizes principles of organization development, including involvement of all levels of individuals within the organization and developing congruency between individual and organizational needs and goals. Intra-organizational professional growth results from increased interaction and communication by participants using this model.
Naturally occurring nanoparticles from English ivy: an alternative to metal-based nanoparticles for UV protection

Background Over the last decade safety concerns have arisen about the use of metal-based nanoparticles in the cosmetics field. Metal-based nanoparticles have been linked to both environmental and animal toxicity in a variety of studies. Perhaps the greatest concern involves the large amounts of TiO2 nanoparticles that are used in commercial sunscreens. As an alternative to using these potentially hazardous metal-based nanoparticles, we have isolated organic nanoparticles from English ivy (Hedera helix). In this study, ivy nanoparticles were evaluated for their potential use in sunscreens based on four criteria: 1) ability to absorb and scatter ultraviolet light, 2) toxicity to mammalian cells, 3) biodegradability, and 4) potential for diffusion through skin.
Selective Activation of sar Promoters with the Use of Green Fluorescent Protein Transcriptional Fusions as the Detection System in the Rabbit Endocarditis Model

The global regulatory locus sar is composed of three overlapping transcripts initiated from a triple-promoter system (designated P1, P3, and P2). To explore if the individual sar promoters are differentially expressed in vitro and in vivo, we constructed a shuttle plasmid (pALC1434) containing a promoterless gfpUV gene (a gfp derivative [Clontech]) preceded by a polylinker region. Recombinant shuttle vectors containing individual sar promoters upstream of the gfpUV reporter gene were then introduced into Staphylococcus aureus RN6390. Northern and immunoblot analysis revealed that P1 is stronger than the P2 and P3 promoters in vitro. Additionally, the levels of the gfpUV transcript driven by individual sar promoters also correlated with the growth cycle dependency of these promoters in liquid cultures, thus suggesting the utility of pALC1434 as a vehicle for reporter fusion. Using the rabbit endocarditis model, we examined the expression of these three GFPUV fusions in vivo by fluorescence microscopy of infected cardiac vegetations 24 h after initial intravenous challenge. Similar to the in vitro findings, P1 was activated both in the center and on the surface of the vegetations. In contrast, the P3 promoter was silent both in vivo and in vitro as determined by fluorescence microscopy. Remarkably, P2 was silent in vitro but became highly activated in vivo. In particular, the sar P2 promoter was activated on the surface of the vegetation but not in the center of the lesion. These data imply that in vivo promoter activation of sar differed from that observed in vitro. Moreover, the individual sar promoters may be differentially expressed in different areas within the same anatomic niche, presumably reflecting the microbial physiological response to distinct host microenvironments. As the sar locus controls the synthesis of both extracellular and cell wall virulence determinants, these promoter-gfpUV constructs should be useful to characterize many aspects of S. aureus gene regulation in vivo.
Memory as a key factor in retarded learning – A brief report

SummaryThe relationship between intelligence level and the use of logical elimination procedures to solve concept problems was studied under two conditions (a) where clues had to he retained in short term memory, (STM), and (b) where effects of STM deficits were controlled. The relationship was examined in terms of three dependent variables: (a) the number of correct outcome trials; (b) total latency; (c) the number of consistent hypothesis sets. Thirty mildly retarded children (I.Q. range 60–80) and thirty children in the normal intelligence range (I.Q. 90–110) were randomly assigned to the two treatments. Results indicated (a) STM was the key factor hindering problem solving by retarded Ss; (b) retarded Ss were no different to normal Ss in the use of hypothesis testing in the problems solving situation, but were unable to apply them in a logical sequence because of STM problems. Educational implications of these results are discussed.
Grasping nettles: cellular heterogeneity and other confounders in epigenome-wide association studies

Platform technologies for measurement of CpG methylation at multiple loci across the genome have made ambitious epigenome-wide association studies affordable and practicable. In contrast to genetic studies, which estimate the effects of structural changes in DNA, and transcriptomic studies, which measure genomic outputs, epigenetic studies can access states of regulation of genome function in particular cells and in response to specific stimuli. Although many factors complicate the interpretation of epigenetic variation in human disease, cell-specific methylation patterns and the cellular heterogeneity present in peripheral blood and tissue biopsies are anticipated to cause the most problems. In this review, we suggest that the difficulties may be exaggerated and we explore how cellular heterogeneity may be embraced with appropriate study designs and analytical tools. We further suggest that systematic mapping of the loci influenced by age, sex and genetic polymorphisms will bring important biological insights as well as improved control of epigenome-wide association studies.
Access Point Checking to Improve Security in Wireless Infrastructure Networks

Security issues are taken into consideration for many applications and are also an integral part of computer networks. On one hand, security especially comes into picture when transferring data from one device to another. On the other hand, rapid migration of networks from wired to wireless increase security complications among these networks. This research paper, initially describes the security issues over wireless infrastructure networks, and identifies different types of attackers. The 802.11 standard security mechanisms as well as some encryption techniques such as RSA are discussed. A new methodology called Access Point Checking is then proposed which relies on a checksum-bit check at the access point before completing the data transfer. This technique outperforms traditional security mechanisms in terms of timing characteristics.
Influence of Gypsy Moth Egg Mass Dimensions and Microhabitat Distribution on Parasitizaton by Ooencyrtus kuwanai

Egg masses of the gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), from various parts of Connecticut were examined during fall and winter of 1970–71 for parasitism by Ooencyrtus kuwanai (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Significant negative correlation occurred between percent parasitization of egg masses and egg mass size (number eggs per mass) for the data when all locations were pooled, but not for data at some locations when these were considered separately. Correlation between percent parasitization and egg mass dimensions (surface:volume ratio) was also site-dependent. Thus, although inability to reach all eggs in a mass (as measured by lower percent parasitization as egg mass size increases) may impose an upper limit to the percent parasitization attainable by O. kuwanai , this limit is not consistently reached in nature. Analysis of data on parasitization by O. kuwanai of egg masses distributed in different parts of trees showed that height, aspect, and site had no significant influence on variations in parasitization by O. kuwanai . However, intertree variation was greater than intratree variation, suggesting that the parasitoid has limited tree to tree dispersal or perhaps responds to microhabitat conditions associated with individual trees.
Defense Mechanisms of Arthropods. VI. Para-benzoquinones in the Secretion of Five Species of Millipedes

This is the first of several papers from our laboratories on the chemical defenses of millipedes. Studies on the anatomy of the glands, their mechanism of operation, and their defensive effectiveness, will be presented in forth-coming papers of this series. We shall deal here only with the chemistry of the secretions.
Prepaid Cards and Overdraft

In the last few years, store gift certificates have matured into a diverse set of products including "open loop" prepaid cards capable of providing services traditionally reserved to banks. At the same time, tighter regulations on banks have raised the cost of bank accounts and driven many out of the banking market. Prepaid card providers including merchants like Walgreens are seeking to serve this new "unbanked" population with bank-like services including overdraft protection. Consumer groups have not given these new services a warm reception. In some cases, their concerns were warranted as prepaid programs made an end run around payday lending laws. However, recent actions have left companies in a quandary as to the precise limits of laws against deceptive and unfair practices. This paper seeks to survey regulatory actions, guidance, and current law to suggest a set of best practices that will allow companies to provide the innovative products that consumers are demanding while ensuring that they remain financially sound.
External Insulation Characteristic and Insulation Co-ordination for 500 kV High Altitude Compact AC Transmission Line

In order to get the air gap characteristic parameters of tower for the Dehong-Mojiang 500kV AC compact transmission line,by simulation-tower test method ,and on the basis of the tower and conductor bundle configuration of the first 500 kV high altitude (the highest region is at an altitude of 3000 m) transmission transformation project,in Yunnan province,we studied the standard switching impulse voltage,long wave-front(500 μs,1000 μs) switching impulse voltage and standard lightning impulse voltage flashover characteristic of side and middle phase insulation gap between the 'V' string conductor to tower. Several important air gap flashover characteristic curves have been got. The insulation co-ordination problem is analyzed from the test and the overvoltage simulation results. Results show that the design values of insulation gap are respectively 4.2 m and 4.3 m,at the altitude of 2500 m and 3000 m. Under the premise of enough external insulation safety in operation,the conclusion optimizes the tower design and reduces the project cost.
The significance of ethylenediamine hydrochloride dermatitis caused by a generic nystatin-triamcinolone II Cream

Generic Myco-Triacet II Cream would seem to be analogous to Mycolog II Cream. However, Myco-Triacet II Cream still contains the common and potent sensitizer, ethylenediamine hydrochloride, which is no longer present in Mycolog II Cream. This is another instance in which a rose by an other name does not smell as sweet.
The Case for Utopia: History and the Possible Meanings of Brexit a Hundred Years On

AbstractHow likely are utopian futures of the kind that Jeremy Corbyn has recently envisioned for the future of post-Brexit Britain? Such utopian scheming to restore the welfare state at the cost of the state gibes with the forecast of austerity from the Chancellor’s office, and pronouncements from canny observers that a post-EU Britain will need cash to support even its current programs, and therefore be forced to come to terms with the demands of banks and corporations. Corbyn’s utopianism is ridiculous unless we take into account long-term forces like the rebellion against expert rule and advocacy of democratic accountability by participatory movements. A deeper history of state, democracy, and expert rule in Brexit can highlight the underlying tensions and point to some sources of possible outcomes.
Electrostatic Approximation of Vector Fields

This paper provides expressions for the boundary potential that provides the best electrostatic potential approximation of a given \(L^2\) vector field on a nice bounded region in \({\mathbb R}^N\). The permittivity of the region is assumed to be known and the potential is required to be zero on the conducting part of the boundary. The boundary potential is found by solving the minimization conditions and using a special basis of the trace space for the space of allowable potentials. The trace space is identified by its representation with respect to a basis of \(\varSigma \)-Steklov eigenfunctions.
Dislocation After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Modularity in total hip arthroplasty (THA) allows surgeons to optimize implant reconstruction to patient anatomy intraoperatively. Dual-modular femoral neck stem or “dual-taper” THA implants possess interchangeable necks, providing additional modularity at the neck stem interface. Modular taper designs have the potential to allow precise reconstruction of center of rotation of the hip by facilitating adjustments in limb length, femoral neck version, and hip offset in order to optimize hip biomechanical parameters. Recently, there is increasing concern regarding this stem design as a result of the growing numbers of clinical failures due to fretting and corrosion at neck-stem taper junction, in a process that has been described as mechanically assisted crevice corrosion (MACC). Implant, surgical, and patient factors have been identified as likely contributing factors responsible for taper corrosion in dual-modular neck stem THA. There should be a low threshold to conduct a systematic clinical evaluation of patients with dual-modular neck stem THAs as early recognition and diagnosis will ensure prompt and appropriate treatment. As painful dual-modular neck stem total hip arthroplasties have various intrinsic and extrinsic causes, patients should be evaluated utilizing systematic risk stratification algorithms. Although specialized test such as metal ion analysis and cross -sectional imaging modalities such as MARS MRI and ultrasound should be used to optimize clinical decision- making, over-reliance on any single investigative tool in the clinical decision-making process should be avoided. Further research is required to gain understanding of implant, surgical, and patient risk factors associated with taper corrosion in dual- modular neck stem THA.
Addressing Disparities: The 10th Anniversary of the AACR Cancer Health Disparities Conference

During my AACR presidency, I am focusing on cancer health disparities and what we as scientists can do to reverse an embarrassing truth in our society today. That is, being born into a non-white race and/or lower socioeconomic class today still means having a greater chance of dying from a diagnosis
Using Medicare Prices - Toward Equity and Affordability in the ACA Marketplace.

Legislation requiring that providers be paid traditional Medicare prices for out-of-network services provided to marketplace enrollees would have both direct and indirect salutary effects on the insurance market and expenditures.
Comment on: Negative ions, molecular electron affinity and orbital structure of cata‐condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by Rustem V. Khatymov, Mars V. Muftakhov and Pavel V. Shchukin

Rationale The anion mass spectral lifetimes for several aromatic hydrocarbons reported in the subject article were related to significantly different electron affinities. The different values are rationalized using negative ion mass spectral data. Methods Electron affinities for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are reported from the temperature dependence of unpublished electron capture detector data. These are compared with published values and the largest values are assigned to the ground state. Results The ground state adiabatic electron affinities: (eV) pentacene, 1.41 (3); tetracene, 1.058 (5); benz(a)pyrene, 0.82 (4); benz(a) anthracene, 0.69 (2) anthracene, 0.68 (2); and pyrene, 0.59 (1) are used to assign excited state adiabatic electron affinities: (eV) tetracene: 0.88 (4); anthracene 0.53 (1); pyrene, 0.41 (1); benz(a)anthracene, 0.39 (10); chrysene, 0.32 (1); and phenanthrene, 0.12 (2) and ground state adiabatic electron affinities: (eV) dibenz(a,j)anthracene, 0.69 (3); dibenz(a,h)anthracene, 0.68 (3); benz(e)pyrene, 0.60 (3); and picene, 0.59 (3) from experimental data. The lifetime of benz(a)pyrene is predicted to be larger than 150 μs and for benzo(c)phenanthrene and picene about 40 μs, from ground state adiabatic electron affinities. Conclusions The assignments of adiabatic electron affinities of aromatic hydrocarbons determined from electron capture detector and mass spectrometric data to ground and excited states are supported by constant electronegativities. A set of consistent ground state adiabatic electron affinities for 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is related to lifetimes from the subject article.
Improved student independence through competitive tinkering

Two recent trends in engineering education are gamification and application of makerspace concepts. We have combined these to develop multiple open-ended competitive active learning activities. Assessment data show that relative to a baseline offering, the treatment group developed a marginal improvement in attitude and motivation but a significant improvement in student confidence and self-assessed abilities. Student self-assessed independence rose 9% across the baseline offerings and 16% in the treatment offerings, with at least 18 respondents per group. This manuscript discusses the course structure, the activities, the assessment data, and lessons learned from student focus groups and instructor observation. The focus groups reported that the factors that improved their skills and motivation the most were the competitions, the use of small teams for projects, and the open-ended nature of the projects; whereas the most detrimental factors included not enough live lecture time (a flipped classroom was employed so that contact hours focused on the projects) and not enough example problems were covered for the students to learn the mathematical mechanics. We conclude that a balance must be struck to let students learn sufficient basic skills through more traditional approaches while still providing some open-ended activities to inspire them.
High Tumor Volume to Fetal Weight Ratio Is Associated with Worse Fetal Outcomes and Increased Maternal Risk in Fetuses with Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

Objective Tumor volume to fetal weight ratio (TFR) > 0.12 before 24 weeks has been associated with poor outcome in fetuses with sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT). We evaluated TFR in predicting poor fetal outcome and increased maternal operative risk in our cohort of SCT pregnancies. Methods This is a retrospective, single-center review of fetuses seen with SCT from 1997 to 2015. Patients who chose termination of pregnancy (TOP), delivered elsewhere, or had initial evaluation at > 24 weeks were excluded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis determined the optimal TFR to predict poor fetal outcome and increased maternal operative risk. Poor fetal outcome included fetal demise, neonatal demise, or fetal deterioration warranting open fetal surgery or delivery Results Of 139 pregnancies with SCT, 27 chose TOP, 14 delivered elsewhere, and 40 had initial evaluation at > 24 weeks. Thus, 58 fetuses were reviewed. ROC analysis revealed that at ≤24 weeks, TFR > 0.095 was predictive of poor fetal outcome and TFR > 0.12 was predictive of increased maternal operative risk. Conclusion This study supports the use of TFR at ≤24 weeks for risk stratification of pregnancies with SCT.
Precarity and structural racism in Black youth encounters with police

Youth experience increased surveillance by and involuntary contact with police officers compared with other age groups. Studies that explore the experiences of youth during these encounters are scant and focus on youth with criminal histories. This research aims to explore the experiences of college-attending youth between 18 and 24 years old in two southern states. The study was designed and conducted according to the tenets of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Twelve Black youth were recruited and interviewed between April 2015 and April 2016. Three superordinate themes (and subthemes) were identified: (1) negative feelings towards the police; (2) precarity of police encounters (subthemes: police as a threat to welfare; it could be me; steps to follow during police encounters; behavior is irrelevant) and; (3) police response is part of structural racism (subthemes: racism is everywhere; media contributes to racism). The importance of these findings for social work practice and research will be discussed.
Multispectral cross-polarization reflectance measurements suggest high contrast of demineralization on tooth surfaces at wavelengths beyond 1300 nm due to reduced light scattering in sound enamel.

The enamel scattering coefficient decreases markedly with increasing wavelength from the visible to the near-infrared (NIR). However, beyond 1300 nm, the scattering coefficient is difficult to measure, and it is not known whether light scattering continues to decrease significantly at longer wavelengths. It is hypothesized that water absorption is a major contributor to the contrast between sound and demineralized enamel beyond 1300 nm since deeply penetrating photons in sound enamel are likely absorbed by water. Reflectance images of demineralization on tooth surfaces were acquired at wavelengths near 1450, 1860, 1880, and 1950 nm. The magnitude of water absorption is similar at 1450 and 1880 nm but varies markedly between 1860, 1880, and 1950 nm. Multispectral comparisons of lesion contrast provide insight into the mechanism responsible for higher contrast at longer NIR wavelengths. The highest contrast was at 1950 nm; however, the markedly higher contrast at 1880 compared to 1450 nm and similar contrast between 1860 and 1880 nm suggests that the enamel scattering coefficient continues to decrease beyond 1300 nm, and that reduced light scattering in sound enamel is most responsible for the higher lesion contrast at longer NIR wavelengths. This has important implications for the choice of wavelengths for caries detection and diagnostic devices, including the performance of optical coherence tomography beyond 1300 nm.
Setting the World Aflame: Divestment, Ethics, and Jesuit Identity at Boston College

This paper seeks to determine whether Boston College’s decision to keep its investments in fossil fuel companies is consistent with the ethical responsibilities of a Jesuit university. A student group that advocates for the university’s divestment has had a troubled relationship with the school’s leadership. The main obstacle has been that the divestment group claims that Boston College’s refusal to divest does not align with the ethics to which it subscribes as a Jesuit and Catholic university. This inconsistency is particularly striking as Boston College itself has a historical precedent of divesting from a sector of the economy for moral reasons. The Apartheid divestment movement catalyzed the university to develop ethical investment guidelines to ensure that the school’s finances were consistent with its Jesuit mission. Moreover, canon law requires Catholic universities to adhere to Church teaching in all of its commitments and activities. by investing in fossil fuel companies, the University defies the teachings of the encyclical laudato si’, which is an infringement on canon law. This paper is an abridged version of the senior thesis completed for the Perspectives Honors sequence.
The Slaveholding Crisis: Fear of Insurrection and the Coming of the Civil War. By Carl Lawrence Paulus. (Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 2017. Pp. xi, 311. $49.95.)

It is the argument of this book that “the fear of revolt—or revolution—being mounted by the enslaved became a defining characteristic of the slaveholding South” between the actual slave revolution ...
Deep Learning of Aftershock Patterns Following Large Earthquakes

Aftershocks are a response to changes in stress generated by large earthquakes and represent the most common observations of the triggering of earthquakes. The maximum magnitude of aftershocks and their temporal decay are well described by empirical laws (such as Bath’s law1 and Omori’s law2), but explaining and forecasting the spatial distribution of aftershocks is more difficult. Coulomb failure stress change3 is perhaps the most widely used criterion to explain the spatial distributions of aftershocks4–8, but its applicability has been disputed9–11. Here we use a deep-learning approach to identify a static-stress-based criterion that forecasts aftershock locations without prior assumptions about fault orientation. We show that a neural network trained on more than 131,000 mainshock–aftershock pairs can predict the locations of aftershocks in an independent test dataset of more than 30,000 mainshock–aftershock pairs more accurately (area under curve of 0.849) than can classic Coulomb failure stress change (area under curve of 0.583). We find that the learned aftershock pattern is physically interpretable: the maximum change in shear stress, the von Mises yield criterion (a scaled version of the second invariant of the deviatoric stress-change tensor) and the sum of the absolute values of the independent components of the stress-change tensor each explain more than 98 per cent of the variance in the neural-network prediction. This machine-learning-driven insight provides improved forecasts of aftershock locations and identifies physical quantities that may control earthquake triggering during the most active part of the seismic cycle. Neural networks trained on data from about 130,000 aftershocks from around 100 large earthquakes improve predictions of the spatial distribution of aftershocks and suggest physical quantities that may control earthquake triggering.
Risk of solid cancer after chemotherapy.

Platinum-based chemotherapy continues to be linked with the subsequent development of various solid tumours. In a large analytical study of >5,800 survivors of testicular cancer, Groot and colleagues observed statistically significant dose-dependent increases in gastrointestinal cancer incidence after platinum-based chemotherapy, providing evidence for a potential dose-dependent relationship.
A Population of Navigator Neurons Is Essential for Olfactory Map Formation during the Critical Period.

Summary In the developing brain, heightened plasticity during the critical period enables the proper formation of neural circuits. Here, we identify the “navigator” neurons, a group of perinatally born olfactory sensory neurons, as playing an essential role in establishing the olfactory map during the critical period. The navigator axons project circuitously in the olfactory bulb and traverse multiple glomeruli before terminating in perspective glomeruli. These neurons undergo a phase of exuberant axon growth and exhibit a shortened lifespan. Single-cell transcriptome analyses reveal distinct molecular signatures for the navigators. Extending their lifespan prolongs the period of exuberant growth and perturbs axon convergence. Conversely, a genetic ablation experiment indicates that, despite postnatal neurogenesis, only the navigators are endowed with the ability to establish a convergent map. The presence and the proper removal of the navigator neurons are both required to establish tight axon convergence into the glomeruli.
Becoming Maker: Creating Transmedia Knowledge

StudioLab’s first mission is to democratize digitality. The call to adventure involves a different image of knowledge, a transmedia knowledge composed of thought-action figures that mix ideas and images, logic and stories, episteme and doxa. At a deeper level, transmedia knowledge incarnates digitality, an emerging onto-historical apparatus whose modes of subject formation, social organization, and technical infrastructure mix the apparatuses of Platonic literacy and Homeric orality. StudioLab seeks to democratize digitality just as nineteenth-century educators sought to democratize literacy. The call to action here: become maker of transmedia knowledge, use the CAT frame to explore the conceptual, aesthetic, and technical dimensions of thought-action figures by combining learning activities found in seminar, studio, and lab spaces.
Curcumin and arterial function in health and disease: impact on oxidative stress and inflammation.

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to provide a concise overview of the polyphenol curcumin for improving arterial health, specifically endothelial function and arterial stiffness, to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and to highlight potential mechanisms of action by which curcum
What do outdoor recreationists think of fracking? Politics, ideology, and perceptions of shale gas energy development in Pennsylvania State Forests

Abstract This study examined the influence of political ideology and perceptions of benefits and risks upon State Forest recreationists’ support and opposition towards shale natural gas energy development (SGD) on public and private lands in Pennsylvania. Much of the ongoing and proposed Pennsylvania SGD infrastructure is either within or adjacent to public lands, waters, and protected areas, raising concerns about the potential environmental and social impacts upon recreation stakeholders. On-site face-to-face survey interviews were used to gather data from Pennsylvania State Forest recreationists from June to September of 2018 (n = 392). The predominantly local, educated, experienced, and politically moderate sample in this study demonstrated relatively low levels of support towards SGD on Pennsylvania public lands and relatively neutral stances towards support for SGD on private lands in Pennsylvania. Structural equation modeling results suggested that political ideology and perceptions of risks were significant predictors of support for SGD on both public and private lands in Pennsylvania. The relationship between political ideology and support for SGD on public and private lands was also partially mediated through the perceived risk of SGD in the model. Study findings contributed to previous research suggesting political attitudes may influence and supersede other factors when predicting support for SGD. A series of one-way analyses of variance further explored differences by political ideology in this study. In each of these analyses, a similar statistical trend prevailed. Those identifying themselves as conservative were significantly more likely than their moderate and liberal counterparts to support SGD on both public and private lands in Pennsylvania and perceive fewer risks from SGD on Pennsylvania State Forests. This research lent itself to the theory of landscape fit and construal level theory as State Forest recreationists may have perceived the ‘fit’ of SGD negatively and could have construed SGD abstractly, lending themselves to political ideology. From a policy and management standpoint, study findings highlight the importance of assessing and communicating State Forest recreationists’ perceptions and subsequent opinions when planning, developing, and managing SGD and related decisions in the United States.
A descriptive study of racial inequalities in mortality from hepatocellular cancer before and after licensure of lifesaving drugs for hepatitis C virus in the United States.

Abstract Background Since 1979, mortality from hepatocellular cancer (HCC) has doubled in the United States (US). Lifesaving drugs, prohibitively expensive for some, were approved and marketed to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major risk factor for HCC, beginning in 1997. After the prior introduction of other lifesaving innovations, including active retroviral drug therapy for human immunodeficiency virus and surfactant for respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn, racial inequalities in their mortalities increased in the US. In this descriptive study, we explored racial inequalities in mortality from HCC before and after licensure of HCV drugs in the US. Methods The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) were used to describe HCC mortality rates from 1979 to 2016 in those 55 years of age and older, because they suffer the largest disease burden. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze trends. To estimate excess deaths, we applied White age-sex-specific rates to corresponding Black populations. Findings From 1979 to 1998, racial inequalities in mortality from HCC in the US were declining but from 1998 to 2016 racial inequalities steadily increased. From 1998 to 2016, of the 16,770 deaths from HCC among Blacks, the excess relative to Whites increased from 27.8% to 45.4%, and the trends were more prominent in men. Concurrently, racial inequalities in mortality decreased for major risk factors for HCC, including alcohol, obesity and diabetes. Interpretation These descriptive data, useful to formulate but not test hypotheses, demonstrate decreasing racial inequalities in mortality from HCC which were followed by increases after introduction of lifesaving drugs for HCV in the US. Among many plausible hypotheses generated are social side effects, including unequal accessibility, acceptability and/or utilization. Analytic epidemiological studies designed a priori to do so are necessary to test these and other hypotheses.
Corrosion resistance of selective laser melted Ti–6Al–4V alloy in salt fog environment

Abstract In this study the corrosion resistance of an additively manufactured (AM) titanium alloy Ti–6Al–4V (Ti64) in a simulated marine environment was investigated. Selective laser melting (SLM) process was used to fabricate Ti64 coupons that were tested in a simulated marine environment using a salt fog chamber. The corroded specimens were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The AM printed Ti64 was determined to form a protective oxide layer that develops after approximately 400 ​h of exposure in a salt fog chamber, after which mass change plateaued. The protective oxide formed was determined to be a mixed oxide primarily consisting of TiO2and Al2O3.
Aristotle on Thought and Feeling

Aristotle's discussion of the motivation of the good person is both complicated and cryptic. Depending on which passages are emphasized, he may seem to be presenting a Kantian style view according to which the good person is and ought to be motivated primarily by reason, or a Humean style view according to which desires and feelings are or ought to be in charge. In this book, Paula Gottlieb argues that Aristotle sees the thought, desires and feelings of the good person as interdependent in a way that is sui generis, and she explains how Aristotle's concept of choice (prohairesis) is an innovative and pivotal element in his account. Gottlieb's interpretation casts light on Aristotle's account of moral education, on the psychology of good, bad and half-bad (akratic) people, and on the aesthetic and even musical side to being a good person.
Skeletal Frailty in a Medieval Poland Early Piast Dynasty Cemetery

The objective of this project is to assess skeletal frailty, as estimated using a skeletal frailty index (SFI), at the medieval Polish site of Kaldus to better evaluate the impacts of living and social environments on individuals within this urbanizing population. We assessed biological frailty in adults from the Global History of Health Project database. 11 skeletal and dentoalveolar biomarkers were selected as representative of childhood and adulthood frailty and aggregated into an SFI by summing their occurrence in each individual. Cumulative skeletal frailty scores were tabulated for each individual and could range from 0 (no skeletal markers of stressors present) to 11 (all skeletal markers of stressors present)based on the presence or severity of lifetime stressors that altered their living bones. As many skeletal frailty markers correlate with age, SFIs were compared between individuals within specific age groups: 18-25 (n=21), 26-35 (n=31), 36-45 (n=31), and >45 (n=25) years. In the overall sample, SFI averaged 4.13 (range 0-9, sd=1.98). Among males (n=56), SFI averaged 4.45 (sd=1.90; range 1-8); among females (n=52), it was 3.79 (sd=2.03; range 0-9). SFI was lowest in the youngest age group, 2.38 (sd=1.83; range 0-6) and highest in the oldest, 5.48 (sd=1.50; range 2-9; p < 0.001). In these medieval skeletons, SFI distributions were significantly different between males and females only when accounting for age (p = 0.044), with females exhibiting higher mean frailty within each age group. Skeletal frailty, as estimated from biomarkers of skeletal stress, suggests these individuals were exposed to considerable stress throughout their lives. As Poland’s written history in the medieval period is sparse, assessing skeletal frailty provides an alternative way to understand the lives and experienced stressors of its inhabitants. Further research connecting skeletal frailty to burial context and isotopic evidence will illuminate connections of SFI with diet, lifestyle, and health in medieval Poland. DOI https://doi.org/10.5671/ca.45.1.2
Purpose in business association statutes: much ado about something (but not much)

In recent years much attention has focused on identifying or creating legal forms for business associations that enable and promote social enterprises and socially responsible behavior. One strategy in enterprise governance that has received renewed attention is formal legal definitions of the purpose of a business association. This chapter examines two questions. First, what do current legal rules and norms applicable to most business organizations say about the proper purpose of a company, and how much do those rules constrain businesses from pursuing social missions that do not prioritize, and may sometimes reduce, profit? The chapter considers statutory and case law for corporations and LLCs, and argues that Delaware corporate law does create a presumption that corporate purpose is to maximize shareholder wealth, but this does little to constrain corporate social responsibility or social enterprise. Second, how effectively can companies use statements of purpose to help them behave responsibly and pursue social missions? The chapter looks at four forms of business association that attempt to encourage social enterprise: L3Cs, benefit corporations, nonprofit corporations, and cooperatives. All four use purpose as a governance tool in some fashion, suggesting that purpose has some use in promoting social responsibility. However, the forms of association which use varied strategies beyond purpose achieve much stronger commitment to desired social goals.
Hypothalamic–pituitary sarcoidosis with vision loss and hypopituitarism: case series and literature review

Hypothalamic–pituitary (HP) neurosarcoidosis (NS) accounts for 0.5 % cases of sarcoidosis and 1 % of HP masses. Correlative data on endocrine and neurological outcomes is lacking. Retrospective case series and literature review of presentation, treatment and outcome of HP NS. Our series includes 4 men, ages 34–59, followed for a median of 7.3 years (range 1.5–17). All had optic neuropathy, multiple pituitary hormone abnormalities (PHAs) and other organ involvement by sarcoidosis (lung, sino-nasal, brain/spine and facial nerve). Two patients had central diabetes insipidus and one impaired thirst with polydipsia. After treatment with high-dose glucocorticoids, optic neuropathy improved in one case and stabilized in the others. After treatment, HP lesions improved radiologically, but PHAs persisted in all cases. Review of four published series on HP NS in addition to ours yielded 46 patients, age 37 ± 11.8 years, 65 % male. PHAs consisted of anterior hypopituitarism (LH/FSH 88.8 %, TSH 67.4 %, GH 50.0 %, ACTH 48.8 %), hyperprolactinemia (48.8 %) and diabetes insipidus (65.2 %). PHAs were the first sign of disease in 54.3 % patients. Vision problems occurred in 28.3 % patients, but optic neuropathy was not well documented in previous series. Most patients (93.5 %) received high-dose glucocorticoids followed by taper; 50 % also received other immunomodulators, including methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, azathioprine, infliximab and hydrochloroquine. Only 13 % patients showed improvement in PHAs. All-cause mortality was 8.7 %. HP NS is a serious disease requiring multidisciplinary treatment and lifelong follow-up. Prospective multicentric studies are needed to determine a more standardized approach to HP NS and outline predictors of disease outcome.
Zonal-Centrifuged Purified Duck Embryo Cell Culture Rabies Vaccine for Human Vaccination

Abstract Rabies virus produced in duck embryo cell culture was concentrated from volumes of 14 to 30 liters to 400 to 800 ml by zonal centrifugation. Virus titers of peak fractions were from 100- to 1,000-fold greater than those of the starting material. Vaccines were prepared by combining fractions with peak virus titers and diluting back to 10 times concentration. The resulting β-propiolactone-inactivated vaccines, when prepared as lyophilized vaccines with AlPO4 adjuvant diluents, were low in protein nitrogen (0.01 mg/ml), and three of four lots passed the National Institutes of Health potency test when tested as equivalent to a standard 10% suspension of duck embryo or mouse brain tissue vaccine. These vaccines also induced good sero-conversion in adult rabbits after a single 1-ml dose of vaccine. Guinea pigs sensitized with zonal-centrifuged purified duck embryo vaccine (with AlPO4 adjuvant) did not exhibit anaphylactic shock reactions when challenged with homologous vaccine. Also, no anaphylactic shock reactions were observed when guinea pigs were sensitized with either a 10% experimental duck embryo vaccine or cell culture vaccine and then challenged with the zonal-purified vaccine. However, guinea pigs sensitized with cell culture or zonal-purified vaccine and then challenged with the 10% experimental vaccine did show slight transitory congestion. The 10% experimental whole duck embryo vaccine was responsible for all observed anaphylactic shock reactions whether homologous or heterologous.
Determinants of the localization, magnitude, and duration of a specific mucosal IgA plasma cell response in enterically immunized rats.

The origin and fate of specific IgA plasma cells in intestinal lamina propria were studied in rats immunized enterically with cholera toxin (CT). Our major goal was to define how an anti-CT response is focused and sustained at the site of antigen challenge. To distinguish antigen-dependent from antigen-independent mechanisms, CT exposure was restricted to defined portions of intestine and, in some studies, the distribution of antitoxin-containing plasma cells (ACC) was examined in nonimmune adoptive recipients of post-challenge thoracic duct lymphocytes. After enteric priming and challenge, ACC appeared throughout the gut, but were most numerous at the challenged site. About 25% of ACC appearing at the site of jejunal challenge were due to antigen-driven proliferation of memory cells within the lamina propria; the remainder arose elsewhere, apparently in mucosal follicles or mesenteric lymph nodes, and migrated systemically as antitoxin-containing plasmablasts before homing to the lamina propria. The homing of these migrating ACC precursors was not affected by mucosal exposure to CT, nor did they undergo appreciable antigen-driven division after arrival in gut lamina propria. However, homing was specific for the organ from which they arose, i.e., precursors arising from duodenal challenge homed selectively to jejunum, whereas those from colonic challenge homed to the colon. The organ specificity of homing was determined during the challenge response and was independent of the origin of memory cells participating in the response. The survival of migrating ACC precursors did not differ in segments of gut exposed or nonexposed to CT. However, CT exposure at the time of their migration evoked another secondary-type response, due to stimulation of comigrating memory cells, thus sustaining the secondary response at a high level. These results and those in a previous report identify important mechanisms that affect the localization, magnitude, and duration of a specific IgA response, at least in the intestine. These include: 1) organ-specific homing of migrating IgA plasmablasts, 2) antigen-driven generation of IgA plasma cells from memory cells within the lamina propria, 3) enhanced memory at the site of mucosal priming compared to that a distant mucosae, and 4) regeneration of memory cells during the secondary response.
In Situ Vitrification of Soils Containing Various Metals

In situ vitrification (ISV) converts contaminated soil into a glass and crystalline product by melting it with electrical energy. Pacific Northwest Laboratory, the developer of ISV, is currently co...