cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An R package for reading EPANET files

The EPANET software for modeling piping networks is widely used for the design and analysis of water systems. This short communication describes epanetReader, an R package for reading EPANET files. The package reads network and simulation data in text-based file formats into R and provides summary and plotting functionality. epanetReader also introduces sparklines as a visualization of water network simulations. The package is available through the Comprehensive R Archive Network and GitHub.com. The paper documents an R package for water network data.Files from the EPANET and EPANET-MSX simulators are supported.Package functions visualize data as maps and sparklines.
From Economic Man to Economic System: WHERE ECONOMIC MAN DWELLS

L et me introduce you to economic man. but, wait, you know him already. He is Scrooge before being reformed by ghosts of past and future times. He is the landlord in Puccini's La Boheme , who has the audacity to ask his poor, unemployed, and fun-seeking artist tenants for the rent due him. He is the banker who pressures a destitute widow to make the due mortgage payment. He is Veblen's predatory businessman of the 1890s, skilled at calculating and at pressuring rivals into submission. He thinks only of himself and, mainly, only of his wealth. He is ridiculed by critics who see him as a caricature of a real person, and who, therefore, drum him out of the human species by reclassifying him as Homo economicus . Yet, he is present within each of us and, more important for these essays, he is alive and well in economics. In this essay, I consider why this is so. First, however, I note the following three points: The task of understanding market processes is different from that of understanding a human being and even from that of understanding issues that are not ordinarily resolved through market processes. Except with respect to human intelligence, economics does not describe a person in a way that might serve the needs of biologists, sociologists, and philosophers. It did not, until fairly recently, give much thought to the workings of institutions other than markets. […]
Pathway Assembly and Optimization

Abstract With the current advancements in DNA technology, from cheap synthesis to synthetic biology, it is now possible to design, in a modular and combinatorial fashion, not only the genes that will structure the heterologous metabolic pathways, but also the regulatory elements that will ensure the optimal expression levels of such genes. In the realm of biofuels, such biotechnologies have established a clear path toward successfully engineering microbes with features like high yields, titers, and productivities, which are the main goal in any industrial production. This chapter summarizes outstanding technologies that have shown capability to assemble pathways in a standard, quick, and efficient manner. Combinatorial pathway assembly, a trend that has been enabled by exponential emergence of synthetic biology tools will be discussed in the main body of this chapter. To finalize, we discuss the current challenges revolving around the availability of high-throughput screening techniques and automated processes. These technologies aim to potentiate the assembly of pathways for the production of biofuels and other metabolites of interest.
Current Status of Thermodynamic Properties of Cryogenic Fluids

A review of the current status of mathematical models and correlations for the calculation of thermodynamic properties of cryogenic fluids is presented. This review provides the practicing engineer and interested scientist with information on the thermodynamic properties of air, argon, carbon monoxide, deuterium, ethane, fluorine, helium, hydrogen, krypton, methane, neon, nitrogen, oxygen, parahydrogen and xenon. We have included the most accurate formulation for each fluid available at this time. We have referenced the original works that contain details of the mathematical models and correlation methods, and provide the user with sources of information about using the computer formulations for applications. We have included information about Internet access to computer programs for thermodynamic properties of the fluids. Estimates of the accuracies of properties calculated using the available computer models are also included.
On food security and the economic valuation of food

The paper presents an economic evaluation of food and the cost of food insecurity. Building on behavioral regularities of consumer behavior, the analysis estimates the benefit of food at the individual level and at the world level. It finds an inverted-U relationship between food benefit and income. At the individual level, the “food benefit/income” ratio starts at 0 under extreme poverty, increases with income to reach a maximum of 4.4 when income per capita is around $13,000, and then declines slowly as income rises. The paper shows very large aggregate net benefit of food. The analysis also evaluates the cost of food insecurity. It shows that aversion to food insecurity is pervasive, the coefficient of relative risk aversion to food insecurity being around 2.7. The analysis evaluates empirically the cost of food insecurity. We report the cost of food insecurity under alternative scenarios, documenting that it can be large in situations of exposure to significant downside risk.
Numerical modeling and implementation in circuit simulator of SOI four-gate transistor (G4FET) using multidimensional Lagrange and Bernstein polynomial

This paper presents two efficient numerical models developed for simulating circuits containing silicon-on-insulator four-gate transistors (G4FET). First the model is developed using one set of available data and then it is validated using another set of test data. These models provide a single multivariate polynomial expression that is valid across different biasing regimes as long as it falls within the range of data set used to develop the model. Lagrange form of interpolating polynomial and Bernstein Form of approximating polynomial are used to generate these models. Both forms have the advantage of being computed from a limited number of data points. Since these polynomial models and their derivatives are continuous, they are suitable for implementation in circuit simulator. The models have been developed and validated for both n-channel and p-channel G4FETs using both TCAD and experimental data and are successfully implemented in SPICE simulator for simulating circuits containing G4FETs.
Co-oxidation of CO and propylene on Pd/CeO2-ZrO2 and Pd/Al2O3 monolith catalysts: A light-off, kinetics, and mechanistic study

Abstract The light-off (ignition) and steady-state behavior for individual oxidation and co-oxidation of CO and propylene under near-stoichiometric conditions was studied using Pd/Al 2 O 3 and Pd/CeO 2 -ZrO 2 monolith catalysts. CO and propylene are shown to be self- and mutually-inhibiting, with inhibition mitigated by the promotional effect of CeO 2 -ZrO 2 . Oxidation is enhanced at low temperatures for CO, and at intermediate and high temperatures for propylene. Light-off behavior during CO and propylene co-oxidation is similarly improved at low and high temperatures. Steady-state differential kinetics measurements using Pd/Al 2 O 3 show reaction orders of ∼−1 with respect to CO and propylene. Using Pd/CeO 2 -ZrO 2 , the reaction order with respect to CO shifts towards zero and the activation energy decreases, suggesting an alternate reaction mechanism for CO oxidation when enough ceria is present. Mechanisms for CO and propylene oxidation that are consistent with the kinetics and inhibition trends are presented.
A new EEG-based causal information measure for identifying brain connectivity in response to perceived audio quality

In this paper, electroencephalography (EEG) measurements are used to assess cortical functional connectivity in response to perceived audio quality. Specifically, in the conducted experiment the brainwave response patterns of human subjects are directly recorded using a high resolution EEG while they listen to audio whose quality varies with time. A new causal bi-directional information (CBI) measure is proposed which quantifies the information flow between EEG electrodes by appropriately grouping them into specific regions of interest (ROIs) over the cortex. It is shown that CBI can be intuitively interpreted as a causal bi-directional modification of directed information applied to a generalized cortical network setting, and inherently calculates the divergence of the observed data from a multiple access channel with feedback. The proposed measure is used to analyze and compare the information flow between ROI pairs for the case when the subject listens to high quality audio compared to when the subject listens to low quality audio. The results indicate that CBI is a more robust measure for inferring connectivity when compared to using standard directed information measures.
Properties and Structural Anisotropy of Gel-Spun Lignin/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Fibers Due to Gel Aging

In contrast to traditional techniques for fiber spinning, the gel-spinning of biobased lignin/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fibers yields higher mechanical performance. To further improve upon the mechanical properties and molecular anisotropy of gel-spun lignin/PVA fibers, gel-fibers were aged in chilled solvents prior to fiber drawing. Fibers, containing 5% and 30% lignin to PVA, were spun from gel-fibers aged in 25/75 (v/v) water/acetone for up to 30 days at 5 °C. The best values of mechanical performance were obtained from 5% lignin fibers, where the average tensile strength was 1.4 GPa after 1 day of gel aging in water/acetone. After 14 days of aging 5% lignin fiber, the Young’s modulus was 54 GPa, and toughness was 25 J/g. Gel containing 30% lignin yielded high mechanical properties after 30 days of aging; however, some lignin gradually diffused into the aging solvent. The strongest fibers had the highest degrees of crystallinity and molecular anisotropy among PVA and lignin functional groups. Interesti...
Spur Theory of Radiation Chemical Yields: Diffusion and Stochastic Models

This chapter describes the spur diffusion model that arose from the necessity of explaining the variation of molecular and radical yields in water radiolysis with particle LET and scavenger concentration. The chapter describes several 1- and 2-radical models to explain the radiation-chemical yields. Samuel and Magee in 1953 employed a 1-radical model to find the relative forward yield in water radiolysis as a function of radiation quality. In such models, no distinction is made between the reactive radicals or the molecular products. The products of radiolysis are called forward (F) to denote the observable molecular yield, or radical (R), denoting the yield of scavenger reaction at small concentration. The aim of the theory is to calculate the relative forward yield G(F)/[G(F) + G(R)]. The Ganguly–Magee model is a 1-radical-1-scavenger model where competition between recombination and scavenging reaction is represented. Fricke in 1955, Flanders and Fricke in 1958, and Schwarz in 1955 have used somewhat different versions of the 1-radical model employing numerical or semianalytical techniques and arriving at similar conclusions. Schwarz's treatment gave for the first time a universal relation connecting the suppression of molecular yield and the scavenger concentration in water radiolysis. Schwarz's model is a multi-radical extension of the Ganguly–Magee model with some additional improvements.
Measuring Ocean Turbulence

Ocean turbulence (and turbulence in general) tends to be tremendously intermittent, events often dominating average values. Or, put another way, the distribution of turbulence tends to be highly skewed, requiring significant systematic observations to capture the important dynamics that control time and space averages. It is thus imperative to link large-scale processes (macroscale) to turbulence energetics (microscale) to characterize the dynamics of a particular regime and to develop a quantitative understanding of the role of turbulence in ocean momentum and scalar budgets.
Taxpayers in Court: A Systematic Study of a (Misunderstood) Standing Doctrine

The legal literature reflects a widespread belief that taxpayers do not have standing to challenge government spending decisions in federal court - this study dispels that belief. Through an investigation of every published judicial opinion addressing a taxpayer's challenge to government spending between the years 1865 and 2002, this article demonstrates that taxpayer standing is alive and well in federal court; indeed, data indicate that federal courts have granted standing to the majority of taxpayers in the last twenty-five years. This article first describes the types of controversies that taxpayers bring into court and then investigates the legal rules that govern the court's decision to grant or deny standing. The study reveals a surprising finding: federal courts grant standing to federal, state, and municipal taxpayers to challenge government expenditures under the federal constitution. While the courts have devised a clear standard for determining when federal taxpayers have the right to bring a lawsuit, the same courts have failed to create a clear and coherent standard for state and municipal taxpayers seeking to challenge government spending decisions on constitutional grounds. A qualitative analysis of the cases, however, indicates that both the clear and the ambiguous standing rules produce illogical results in certain circumstances. Accordingly, the study ends with a normative discussion of the issues and problems that arise when we allow taxpayers to bring lawsuits in federal court, thereby enabling the judiciary to question the legislative decisions regarding the allocation of public revenue. This article raises questions about the judicial decision making process and federal courts' adherence to legal rules. I investigate these subsidiary questions using statistics to analyze the data in an article entitled, "Modeling Standing," NYU Law Review (forthcoming 2004).
Whole and refined grain intake and risk of incident postmenopausal breast cancer (United States).

Objective: To assess the relation between whole and refined grain intake and risk of incident postmenopausal breast cancer. Findings from case–control studies of whole and refined grain intake and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer have been inconclusive. Methods: The Iowa Women's Health Study is a prospective cohort study of women initially 55–69 years old that relates diet and other lifestyle factors to cancer risk. After exclusions a total of 29,119 menopausal women who answered a 1986 baseline and a 1989 follow-up questionnaire were followed for 9 years for incident breast cancer. Results: Compared to women who at baseline rarely ate whole grain foods, women who habitually ate whole grain had a healthier lifestyle, including a higher likelihood of prior screening mammography. The multivariate-adjusted risk of incident breast cancer was 20% higher in women in the highest quintile of whole grain intake, compared to women in the lowest quintile of whole grain intake (95% confidence interval 0.95–1.5; p-value for trend = 0.03). No increase in breast cancer risk was found in women who had not undergone screening mammography before 1989; the apparent increase in risk was therefore likely due to increased use of screening mammography. Refined grain intake was not associated with breast cancer risk. Conclusion: Consistent with inverse but not statistically significant associations between whole grain intake and breast cancer in case–control studies, both whole and refined grain intakes are unrelated to risk of postmenopausal breast cancer in these Iowa women.
Ecological Economics 2

The real economy is much broader than the market economy. It includes everything that contributes to human well-being, and that includes a whole range of nonmarketed ecosystem services and natural and social capital assets. This broader ‘ecological economy’ needs to be the focus of analysis, planning, and policy if our goals are to provide sustainable human well-being.
Aberrant glycosylation of plasma proteins in HIV-infected patients (P6361)

Background: Glycosylation is one of the most abundant post-translational modifications, and is involved in protein structure formation and protein-protein interactions. Aberrant glycosylation profiles are often observed on plasma proteins from patients with inflammatory diseases. Increased levels of non-galactosylated glycans have been reported on serum IgGs of HIV-infected patients. We investigated the effects of HIV infection on protein glycosylation by N-glycomic profiling of plasma and plasma IgG. Methods: We obtained plasma samples of 22 HIV infected patients (11 therapy-naive, 11 receiving anti-retroviral therapy) and 11 HIV-negative controls. First, a nano-LC-TOF-MS strategy was employed for the evaluation of plasma N-glycan profiles in each of the samples. Then, a UPLC-QQQ-MS method was used to evaluate the IgG specific glycosylation patterns. N-glycan peak integrals were used for biostatistical analysis. Results and conclusion: Several neutral, fucosylated and sialylated glycan compositions as well as high mannose type glycans in plasma samples were significantly altered in therapy-naive HIV infected patients compared to controls. Moreover, galactose-deficient glycans were increased on the IgG in these patients, independent of IgG subclass. Interestingly, these effects were largely reduced in HIV infected patients receiving therapy. These results suggest an important role for protein glycosylation in immune dysfunction that is driven by active HIV infection.
Association Between Outdoor Air Pollution Levels and Inpatient Outcomes in Pediatric Pneumonia Hospitalizations, 2007 to 2008.

Abstract Objective Pneumonia is a leading cause of pediatric admissions. Although air pollutants are associated with poor outcomes, few national studies have examined associations between pollutant levels and inpatient pediatric pneumonia outcomes. We examined the relationship between ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter with a diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) and outcomes related to disease severity. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we obtained discharge data from the 2007 to 2008 Nationwide Inpatient Sample and pollution data from the Air Quality System. Patients ≤18years with a principal diagnosis of pneumonia were included. Discharge data were linked to O3 and PM2.5 levels (predictors) from the patient's ZIP Code (not publicly available) from day of admission. Outcomes were mortality, intubation, length of stay (LOS), and total costs. We calculated weighted national estimates and performed multivariable analyses adjusting for sociodemographic and hospital factors. Results There were a total of 57,972 (278,871 weighted) subjects. Median PM2.5 level was 9.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 6.8–13.4) µg/m3. Median O3 level was 35.6 (IQR 28.2–45.2) parts per billion. Mortality was 0.1%; 0.75% of patients were intubated. Median LOS was 2 (IQR 2–4) days. Median costs were $3089 (IQR $2023–$5177). Greater levels of PM2.5 and O3 were associated with mortality, longer LOS, and greater costs. Greater O3 levels were associated with increased odds of intubation. Conclusions Greater levels of O3 and PM2.5 were associated with more severe presentations of pneumonia. Future work should examine these relationships in more recent years and over a longer time period.
Feasibility and Acceptability of a 3-Day Group-Based Digital Storytelling Workshop among Caregivers of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Patients: A Mixed-Methods Approach

ABSTRACT Family caregivers are essential partners for patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). The caregiving role is emotionally, physically, and financially demanding. Intervention efforts to provide relief for caregiver stress during HCT are highly warranted. Storytelling interventions are accruing evidence for efficacy in therapeutic contexts. The purpose of this study was to conduct a 3-full consecutive day digital storytelling (DST) workshop to build knowledge on caregivers' lived experiences during HCT, to pilot test DST with a small group of HCT caregivers, and to demonstrate feasibility and acceptability using qualitative and quantitative measures. Six adult caregivers of allogeneic HCT recipients (mean age, 60.2 years) attended a 3-day DST program (66% female, 83% white). All successfully created their personal audiovisual digital story (2 to 3 minutes long) and completed a survey. All participants rated the DST workshop as highly acceptable and therapeutic (mean score 5, on a scale of 1 to 5). Group discussions and interviews with participants further demonstrated high satisfaction and acceptability of the workshop format, setting, process, and structure. The survey results showed decreases in anxiety and depression from before to after the DST workshop with all participants showing change in the expected direction. This study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of a 3-day DST workshop as a distress-relieving tool for HCT caregivers. Future research is needed to test the efficacy of DST relative to a control condition.
Mitigating alkali-silica reaction induced concrete degradation through cement substitution by metakaolin and bentonite

Abstract This paper reports the results of an investigation on the efficiency of cement modification with clay minerals in preventing deteriorations of concrete due to alkali-aggregate reactions. Coupled substitution of metakaolin and bentonite in Portland cement was studied for a synergistic effect to mitigate alkali-silica reactivity (ASR). The expansion and cracking behavior of mortar bars were investigated. Hydration products of cement blends in two environments, immersion in saturated lime water and “mortar bar test” environment (i.e., in 1 N sodium hydroxide solution at 80 °C), were characterized. The role of the clay-based minerals in mitigating ASR was also evaluated by monitoring the strength development and characterizing the microstructural defects of the cement blends. The results indicate that cement modification with a combination of metakaolin and bentonite can effectively mitigate ASR-induced concrete deteriorations. By replacing 10% and 30% cement, expansion of mortar was decreased from deleterious to innocuous level. With 50% cement substitution, no ASR expansion was observed, and accordingly, no crack could be detected. The incorporated aluminum originating from the minerals slowed down the SiO2 dissolution, and formation of gel and its swelling potential. In addition, the decreased alkalinity and consumption of calcium in the modified cement matrix also contributed to the suppressed ASR. This paper demonstrates a low-cost approach to mitigating ASR; and metakaolin, bentonite, or both can effectively replace other supplementary cementitious materials used for the same purpose (e.g., fly ash) which may not be available or cost effective.
In Your Defence: Stories of Life and Law, by Sarah Langford, Doubleday, 2018, 320 pp., £16.99, ISBN 978-0857525284

As an American academic trained in US law schools, the British legal profession is at times mystifying to me. This extends beyond the obvious differences such as court dress, the arrangement of the...
Power Losses in the Front Transparent Conductive Oxide Layer of Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells: Design Guide for Single-Junction and Four-Terminal Tandem Applications

In silicon heterojunction solar cells, optimization of the front transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer is required in order to minimize both electrical and optical losses. In this article, design guidelines for this overall power loss minimization are presented—extending previous TCO optimization work that was limited to the maximization of the short-circuit current density alone—and these are used to prescribe the best TCOs for both single-junction and silicon-based four-terminal tandem applications. The employed procedure determines the loss associated with the front TCO layer as a function of the TCO carrier density, mobility, and thickness, as well as the pitch between the front electrode fingers. For a representative indium tin oxide (ITO) film with a mobility of approximately 20 cm2·V−1·s−1 and a carrier density of 2.5 × 1020 cm−3, the loss over the 700–1200 nm infrared wavelength range—the spectrum reaching the silicon bottom cell in a typical tandem structure—is minimized by using a finger pitch of 3 mm and an ITO thickness of 100–110 nm. This compares with an optimal finger pitch of 2 mm and an optimal ITO thickness of 70 nm for the same cell operating as a single-junction device under full spectrum. The methodology presented can also readily be applied to TCO materials other than ITO, to a wide variety of specific four-terminal tandem architectures and, with minor modifications, to rear TCO layers.
Severe, Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis: an Update on the Diagnostic and Treatment Tools in Our Arsenal

We aim to provide the cardiovascular clinician with an update on the classification and diagnosis of severe AS and an evidence-based guide to the treatment options available for severe, symptomatic AS. The classification of AS is evolving with increasing recognition of hemodynamically distinct AS subtypes and the importance of transvalvular flow in both the diagnosis and management of severe AS. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has continued to expand its safety and efficacy to include patients with symptomatic, severe AS at low risk for surgical AVR (SAVR). There is emerging data supporting the use of TAVR among patients with asymptomatic, severe AS, bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) anatomy, and surgical bioprosthetic failure, but additional studies are needed. As treatment options for managing patients with symptomatic, severe AS continue to grow at a rapid rate, it is essential to improve the recognition and diagnosis of the spectrum of clinical and hemodynamic presentations of severe AS. Despite the rapid expansion of TAVR, there remains a role for SAVR among a unique subset of patients. Future research should focus on optimizing the timing of valvular intervention while ensuring the acquisition of longer-term data on the durability of TAVR.
Narrative review of clinical practice guidelines for treating people with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND Practice guidelines (CPGs) provide informed treatment recommendations from systematic reviews and assessment of the benefits and harms that are intended to optimize patient care. Review of CPGs addressing rehabilitation for people with moderate/severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), has not been fully investigated. OBJECTIVE Identify published, vetted, clinical practice guidelines that address rehabilitation for people with moderate/severe TBI. METHODS Six data bases were accessed using key word search terms: "Traumatic Brain Injury" and "Clinical Practice Guidelines" and "Rehabilitation". Further inclusions included "adult" and "moderate or severe". Exclusions included: "mild" and "concussive injury". Three reviewers read abstracts and manuscripts for final inclusion. The AGREE II template was applied for additional appraisal. RESULTS There were 767 articles retrieved using the search terms, 520 were eliminated because of content irrelevance; and 157 did not specify rehabilitation treatment or did not follow a process for CPGs. A total of 17 CPGs met all criteria and only 4 of these met all AGREE II criteria. CONCLUSION There are few CPGs addressing rehabilitation for people with moderate/severe TBI. More interventional trials are needed to determine treatment effectiveness. Timely and methodologically sound vetting of studies are needed to ensure CPG reliability and facilitate access to quality, effective treatment for people with moderate/severe TBI.
Meta-Analysis of Food Effect on Oral Absorption of Efflux Transporter Substrate Drugs: Does Delayed Gastric Emptying Influence Drug Transport Kinetics?

The oral route of drug administration is the most convenient method of drug delivery, but it is associated with variable bioavailability. Food is one of the major factors that affect oral drug absorption by influencing drug properties (e.g., solubility and dissolution rate) and physiological factors (e.g., metabolism and transport across the gastrointestinal tract). The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of food on the high-affinity intestinal efflux transporter substrate drugs. We hypothesized that transport efficiency is higher in the fed state as compared to the fasted state because of the lower intestinal lumen drug concentration due to prolonged gastric emptying time. A systematic analysis of reported clinical food-effect (FE) studies on 311 drugs was performed and the association of the efflux transport efficiency was investigated on the FE magnitude, i.e., changes in maximal plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration–time profile curve for both solubility and permeability-limited drugs. In total, 124 and 88 drugs showed positive and negative FE, respectively, whereas 99 showed no FE. As expected, the solubility-limited drugs showed positive FE, but interestingly, drugs with a high potential for efflux transport, were associated with negative FE. Moreover, a high-fat diet was associated with a higher magnitude of negative FE for high-affinity efflux transporter substrates as compared to a low-fat diet. To account for changes in drug absorption after food intake, the prolonged gastric emptying time should be considered in the physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling of orally absorbed efflux transporter substrate drugs.
The challenges of electrolytic valorization of carbon dioxide

Electroreduction of carbon dioxide is an enabling technology that can produce valuable chemicals, notably C1 (for example, formic acid and carbon monoxide) and C2 chemicals (for example, ethylene and ethanol), with a minimal or even negative carbon footprint. Now, a techno-economic analysis shows that only the C1 products can achieve competitive prices, while substantial improvements in process economics are needed for C2.
Isolation of AmpC- and extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales from fresh vegetables in the United States.

Vegetables may serve as a reservoir for antibiotic resistant bacteria and resistance genes. AmpC β-lactamases and extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) inactivate commonly used β-lactam antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins. In this study, we determined the prevalence of AmpC and ESBL-producing Enterobacterales in retail vegetables in the United States. A total of 88 vegetable samples were collected for the screening of AmpC and ESBL-producing Enterobacterales using CHROMagar ESBL agar. These vegetables included washed ready-to-eat salad (23), microgreens/sprouts (13), lettuce (11), herbs (11), spinach (5), mushrooms (5), brussels sprouts (4), kale (3), and other vegetable samples (13). AmpC and ESBL activity in these isolates were determined using double disk combination tests. Two vegetable samples (2.27%), organic basil and brussels sprouts, were positive for AmpC-producing Enterobacterales and eight samples (9.09%), including bean sprouts, organic parsley, organic baby spinach, and several mixed salads, were positive for ESBL-producing Enterobacterales. Whole genome sequencing was used to identify the bacterial species and resistance genes in these isolates. Genes encoding AmpC β-lactamases were found in Enterobacter hormaechei strains S43-1 and 74-2, which were consistent with AmpC production phenotypes. Multidrug-resistant E. hormaechei strains S11-1, S17-1, and S45-4 possess an ESBL gene, blaSHV66 , whereas five Serratia fonticola isolates contain genes encoding a minor ESBL, FONA-5. In addition, we used shotgun metagenomic sequencing approach to examine the microbiome and resistome profiles of three spinach samples. We found that Pseudomonas was the most prevalent bacteria genus in the spinach samples. Within the Enterobacteriaceae family, Enterobacter was the most abundant genus in the spinach samples. Moreover, antibiotic resistance genes encoding 12 major classes of antibiotics, including β-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycoside, macrolide, fluoroquinolone, and others, were found in these spinach samples. Therefore, vegetables can serve as an important vehicle for transmitting antibiotic resistance. The study highlights the need for antibiotic resistance surveillance in vegetable products.
Comparison of Outcomes for Classic-Type Lobular Carcinoma In Situ Managed with Surgical Excision After Core Biopsy Versus Observation.

Studies report low upgrade rates following excision for classic-type lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) with radiologic-pathologic concordance. Thus, in the absence of other high-risk lesions, observation has become standard. We report long-term outcomes of excision versus observation following a core biopsy diagnosis of classic-type LCIS. Women with LCIS treated from 2013-2020 and managed with excision or observation were identified from a prospective database. Women with cancer upgrade at excision or history of cancer were excluded. We compared rates and characteristics of subsequent breast cancers by clinical management strategy. Of 312 women, 170 (54%) underwent excision and 142 (46%) were managed with observation. Among the excision group, 36 of 170 (21%) had radiologic-pathologic concordant LCIS without other high-risk lesions, mass, or symptoms (concordant LCIS excision group). Overall, at 3.1 years median follow-up, 11 (6.5%) women managed with excision and 11 (7.7%) women managed with observation developed cancer. Cancer development was not associated with management choice (overall excision cohort vs. observation group [p = 0.8]) and did not differ between the concordant LCIS excision and observation groups (p > 0.9). The 5-year cancer development rate was 8.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3–31.6%) in the concordant LCIS excision group and 10.3% (95% CI 5.5–18.6%) in the observation group. No difference in breast cancer rates existed among women with a core-biopsy diagnosis of classic-type LCIS managed with excision or observation. These data support management of LCIS as a risk factor, with consideration of chemoprophylaxis, rather than as an indication for surgical excision.
On the Almeida-Thouless transition line in the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model with centered Gaussian external field.

We study the phase transition of the free energy in the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick mean-field spin glass model with centered Gaussian external field. We show that the corresponding Almeida-Thouless line is the correct transition curve that distinguishes between the replica symmetric and replica symmetry breaking solutions in the Parisi formula.
Behavior of Liver Enzymes in Hepatocarcinogenesis

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on behavior of liver enzymes in hepatocarcinogenesis. Carcinogenic processes are usually studied with several objectives in mind. The ultimate object of the study of carcinogenic mechanisms also lies in the expectation that a certain degree of understanding of the processes of neoplastic alterations will put the investigator in a better position to design chemotherapeutically effective weapons to combat neoplastic disease in the human. The chapter discusses the biological aspects of liver carcinogenesis. The main question that may be raised is what type of information may be gained by studying enzymatic activities and what the special considerations and conditions are that may have to be taken into account in the evaluation and interpretation of enzymatic data. In terms of biological aggressiveness, the Novikoff hepatoma is outstanding, as the injection of about 50 million cells results in the death of the rats in 5 to 7 days. A counterpart and contrast to the rapidly growing and biochemically dedifferentiated Novikoff tumor is the very slowly growing, morphologically and biochemically well differentiated Morris hepatoma.
Abstract 15774: Impaired Autophagy Contributes to Toll Like Receptor-4 Induced Osteogenesis in Human Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells

Objective: Stimulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) induces inflammatory and osteogenic responses in aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs). Autophagy protects against vascular calcification. We therefore hypothesized that LPS impairs autophagy, and this contributes to osteogenesis in human AVICs via mTOR signaling. Methods: AVICs were isolated from the adult explanted heart transplant recipients without aortic valve abnormalities. Cells were treated with LPS. Autophagy activity was investigated using chemical inhibitors and genetic techniques. The osteogenic markers bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as mTOR associated signaling molecules, were analyzed. Results: LPS inhibited autophagy as indicated by changes of protein levels of LC3-II. Suppression of autophagy by 3-methyladenine, bafilomycin, or short hairpin-mediated silencing of Becn1 gene increased the expression of BMP-2 and ALP. Conversely, upregulation of autophagy with rapamycin or overexpression of Becn1 decreased the levels of BMP-2 and ALP in response to LPS and decreased ALP activity and calcium nodule formation. Mechanistically, inhibition of autophagy was mediated at least partly by increased mTOR signaling. Conclusions: LPS suppressed autophagy and induced mTOR-mediated osteogenic responses in human AVICs. The results suggest that autophagy regulates inflammation-induced osteogenic responses in human AVICs. Inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin may have a therapeutic implication for initiation and progression of calcific aortic valve disease.
COBE DMR Observations of CMB Anisotropy

The COBE Differential Microwave Radiometers (DMR) have produced preliminary full-sky maps at frequencies 31.5, 53, and 90 GHz. Galactic emission is seen unambiguously at all three frequencies. The only large-scale anisotropy detected in the cosmic microwave background is the dipole anisotropy. There is no clear evidence for any other large-angular-scale feature in the maps. Without correcting for systematic effects, we are able to place limits ΔT/T o > 3 × 10-5 for the rms quadrupole amplitude, and ΔT/T o > 4 × 10-5 for Gaussian fluctuations at the 95% C.L. with T o taken to be 2.735 K. We briefly review the DMR experiment and discuss some implications of these results for cosmology in general, and inflationary models in particular.
Mechanisms of binding of recombinant extrinsic pathway inhibitor (rEPI) to cultured cell surfaces. Evidence that rEPI can bind to and inhibit factor VIIa-tissue factor complexes in the absence of factor Xa.

Extrinsic pathway inhibitor plays a key role in modulating tissue factor-dependent blood coagulation. We have studied binding of radioiodinated recombinant extrinsic pathway inhibitor (rEPI) to cultured cell surfaces. rEPI in the absence of added reactants bound to a limited extent to three cell lines studied. Binding of rEPI to two cell lines possessing surface tissue factor, but not to a cell line lacking surface tissue factor, was markedly increased in the presence of both factor VIIa and factor Xa, and calcium ions. Moreover, some increased tissue factor-dependent binding was also demonstrated with factor VIIa alone. Binding isotherms of rEPI to factor VIIa-tissue factor obtained with an ovarian carcinoma cell line were hyperbolic. Scatchard plots indicated the following: a Kd value of 4.5 +/- 1.5 nM and 335,000 +/- 84,000 sites/cell when factor Xa was present; a Kd value of 11.9 +/- 3.5 nM and 236,000 +/- 68,000 sites/cell when factor Xa was absent. In functional studies, high concentrations of rEPI, e.g. 27-67.5 nM, were found to inhibit factor VIIa-tissue factor-catalyzed release of activation peptide from tritiated factor IX in the absence of factor Xa. Whereas factor Xa was thus shown not to be required for rEPI to inhibit factor VIIa-tissue factor catalytic activity, its presence markedly enhanced rEPI's inhibitory function. Since the local concentration of extrinsic pathway inhibitor achieved at a site of tissue injury is unknown, the physiologic significance of the observation of extrinsic pathway inhibitor-induced inhibition of factor VIIa-tissue factor activity in the absence of factor Xa is not clear. However, factor Xa-independent inhibition could play a significant role when large doses of rEPI are administered in experimental studies of thrombosis.
Silicon Oxidation and Oxynitridation in the Ultrathin Regime: Ion Scattering Studies

The paper reviews our recent studies of the mechanistic and structural aspects of ultrathin (<5 nm) dielectric lms (oxides, SiO2, and oxynitrides, SiOxNy) thermally grown on silicon surfaces. High resolution medium energy ion scattering (MEIS) has been used as the primary tool in these studies. We discuss: (i) the growth mechanism of ultrathin lms using isotopic (O2/O2) labeling methods, (ii) the initial stages of the interaction of oxygen with silicon surfaces under di erent temperature and pressure conditions, including a new roughening regime, (iii) the transition region near the oxide/substrate interface, and (iv) silicon oxynitridation in N2O and NO.
Properties of the insulin receptor of isolated fat cell membranes.

Abstract The interaction of 125I-insulin with crude membrane preparations from isolated fat cells has many properties in common with the interaction of insulin with biologically significant receptors in intact fat cells. Specific binding of 125I-insulin to the membranes is a saturable process with respect to insulin and to membranes, and native insulin competes for binding in a way expected from the biological identity of the 2 molecules. Reduced and desoctapeptide insulins do not compete with 125I-insulin for binding, and desalanine insulin is indistinguishable from native insulin. Proinsulin binds to the membranes with an affinity which is 20 times less than that of native insulin. Insulin in the incubation medium containing fat cell membranes is not significantly destroyed under the conditions used in the binding assay. The 125I-insulin-membrane complex can be dissociated by acid, and the insulin thus released from this complex is similar to native insulin by several physical properties, by its ability to bind to membranes, and by its ability to stimulate glucose oxidation in isolated fat cells. The rate constants of insulin-membrane association (8.5 x 106 mole-1 sec-1) and dissociation (4.2 x 10-4 sec-1) have been measured independently, and the dissociation constant (5 x 10-11 m) based on these rate constants is similar to that (7.5 x 10-11 m) calculated separately from equilibrium data. These constants are similar to those calculated for the interaction of insulin with intact fat cells. Measurements of the rate constants at various temperatures indicate that binding is much tighter at lower temperatures because the decrease in dissociation rate is disproportionately greater than the decrease in association rate. Thermodynamic calculations reveal a ΔF of -14 kcal mole-1, a ΔH of -28 kcal mole-1, a ΔS of -45 cal mole-1 deg-1. Binding of 125I-insulin to membranes is unaffected by the nature of the buffer used or by a number of different ionic species, heavy metals, or by metal-complexing agents. The optimum pH for binding occurs sharply at about 7.5, and the pH range over which binding occurs is rather narrow. A sharp thermal transition, with a midpoint at 53°, results in irreversible inactivation of binding activity. Insulin binding to membranes is markedly affected by the ionic strength of the medium. Increasing concentrations of NaCl up to 2 m cause a dramatic (6-fold) increase in insulin binding. This probably results from the appearance (unmasking) on the membrane of new binding sites for insulin. The latter are kinetically identical with those normally exposed. These effects of 2 m NaCl, which appear to be qualitatively similar to the effects of digesting the membrane with phospholipase C, are readily reversible by decreasing the ionic strength of the medium. Modification of the membranes with several protein reagents suggests that tyrosyl and possibly histidyl residues may be important in the binding interaction. No evidence is present for the involvement of sulfhydryl, tryptophanyl, or carboxyl groups of the membrane.
Enhanced Immune Recognition of H-2 Antigen-deficient Murine Lung Carcinoma Cells following Treatment with Dimethyl Sulfoxide

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has previously been shown to increase the surface expression of H-2K and H-2D antigens on cultured line 1 carcinoma cells. H-2 densities increase from initial levels barely detectable with flow cytometry to those found on normal BALB/c spleen cells. Here we compare the susceptibilities of untreated and DMSO-treated line 1 cells to lysis mediated by H-2d specific monoclonal antibodies and complement, cytotoxic T-cells, and natural killer cells. Induced H-2 antigens appear to function normally in that DMSO-treated cells are highly susceptible to all types of H-2-restricted immune lysis, whereas untreated line 1 cells are not. DMSO does not increase lysis of line 1 cells mediated by natural killer cells. Our results suggest that DMSO could be used to make the growth of major histocompatibility complex antigen-deficient tumors more sensitive to T-cell-mediated immunological resistance.
A new concept in the development of a very large field electrographic camera

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the 5-cm, magnetically focused Mark II electrographic camera, which is being used extensively over the past four years by astronomers of various institutions and countries, producing thousands of electrographs. The Mark II camera competes efficiently with other modern detectors because of its unique combination of high-resolution, distortion-free imaging, sensitivity, linear response, lack of threshold, high dynamic range, uniformity of photocathode response, and ease of operation. Mathematical analysis and calculation have proved that a split solenoid can be built, providing a very uniform magnetic field between the photocathode and the electronic focus. Building a distortion-free electronic camera requires a highly uniform magnetic field, but, in practice, some distortion and field curvature can be accepted, still compatible with the astrometric capability of the detector.
A Cross-National Comparison of Victims of Crime: Victim Surveys of Twelve Countries

Comparison of national crime surveys must be made very cautiously because of differences in sampling, methodology and content, in this report methodological differences between the United States’ National Crime Survey and victimization surveys of other countries are examined and survey estimates of victimization are adjusted. It is found that U.S. rates of assault/threat, robbery, and burglary are not extraordinarily higher than those of other eleven other countries or regions. However. U.S. levels of gun use are much higher and U.S. levels of both sun and non-gun lethal violence (using Killias. 1990) far exceed those of other industrialized societies.
Autonomy and procedural justice in strategic systems planning

Job characteristics and procedural justice theories offer an avenue through which to better understand the effectiveness of the strategic planning of decision support and other information systems in the subsidiaries of multinational firms. The first theory suggests that greater autonomy leads to greater perceptions of fair treatment, and the second suggests that perceptions of fair treatment lead to greater commitment and performance. A postal survey of 130 chief information officers of the US subsidiaries of multinational firms collected data to test hypotheses based on the theory.