cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suicide Mortality among Patients Treated for Depression in an Insured Population

Studies of inpatient and specialty samples have estimated that 15% of depressed patients eventually die by suicide. This report examines suicide mortality among members of Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, a large health plan in western Washington state, who were treated for depression. Computerized discharge diagnoses, outpatient visit diagnoses, and outpatient prescription records were used to identify all enrollees who received treatment for depression during 1992, 1993, and 1994. Computerized death certificate data were used to identify all deaths and all suicide deaths in this sample before January 1, 1995. During the study period, 35,546 individuals received some treatment for depression and accounted for 62,159 person-years of follow-up. Of 850 deaths, 36 (4.2%) were classified as definite or possible suicides. Overall suicide mortality rate was 59 per 100,000 person-years, and was significantly higher among men than women (118 vs. 36 per 100,000 person-years, respectively). Risk per 100,000 person-years declined from 224 among patients who received any inpatient psychiatric treatment to 64 among those who received outpatient specialty mental health treatment to 43 among those treated with antidepressant medications in primary care to 0 among those treated in primary care without antidepressants. These data suggest that overall suicide risk among patients treated for depression is considerably lower than previous estimates based on specialty and inpatient samples. Risk is strongly related to treatment history--a likely indicator of illness severity.
Time-varying risk premia, imperfect information and the forward: Exchange rate

Abstract The evidence for the hypothesis that forward exchange rates incorporate time-varying risk premia implies that risk premia are highly volatile and that their sign changes often. I argue that existing models of asset pricing are unlikely to yield risk premia whose sign changes often. I show that a model in which individuals learn over time about exchange rate dynamics yields forecasting errors for the forward exchange rate whose time-series properties would be suggestive of a time-varying risk premium even in the absence of a risk premium.
The quality–quantity trade-off in fertility across parent earnings levels: a test for credit market failure

The dominant economic theory of the family explains the negative correlation between family size and child achievement, a ‘quality–quantity trade-off’, through borrowing constraints and credit market failure. This paper presents a model in which the opportunity cost of time spent with children is increasing, thus creating a trade-off even in economies with perfect credit markets. While both produce a family size effect, temporal and financial constraints predict different patterns for the trade-off across levels of parent income. Using data from the National Child Development Study, the trade-off is found even among high-earning families who presumably do not face credit constraints. Moreover, the trade-off does not grow as parent earnings diminish. Both of these findings suggest that temporal and not financial constraints explain the quality–quantity trade-off.
Ultrawide bandwidth transmitted-reference signaling

Transmitted-reference (TR) signaling, in conjunction with an autocorrelation receiver (AcR) offers a low-complexity alternative to Rake reception. Due to its simplicity, there is renewed interest in TR systems for UWB systems. To assess the performance of such systems, we develop an analytical framework based on a sampling expansion approach. In particular, we derive closed-form expressions for the exact SEP of TR systems with AcR that can be used to exploit multipath diversity inherent in wideband channels. We further extend the SEP derivation to include noise averaging. Our methodology does not require the Gaussian approximation and is applicable for any fading scenario given that the correlator output signal-to-noise ratio can be characterized by a moment generating function.
The ABC of Alzheimer's Disease: Behavioral Symptoms and Their Treatment

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are a common manifestation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementia syndromes. Patients experience prominent and multiple symptoms, which are both distressing and a source of considerable social, health, and economic cost. Development of symptoms is in part related to progressive neurodegeneration and cholinergic deficiency in brain regions important in the regulation of behavioral and emotional responses including the cortex, hippocampus, and limbic system. Cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors offer a mechanism-based approach to therapy to enhance endogenous cholinergic neurotransmission. Studies using ChE inhibitors have demonstrated their clear potential to improve or stabilize existing BPSD. Differences have been noted between selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors (donepezil and galantamine) and dual ChE inhibitors (rivastigmine) in terms of treatment response. While donepezil has shown efficacy in moderate to severe noninstitutionalized AD patients, conflicting results have been obtained in mild to moderate patients and in nursing home patients. Galantamine has been shown to delay the onset of BPSD during a five-month study but has been otherwise poorly studied to-date. Both donepezil and galantamine have not as yet demonstrated efficacy in reducing psychotic symptoms or in reducing levels of concomitant psychotropic medication use. Studies with the dual ChE inhibitor rivastigmine in mild to moderately severe AD and in Lewy body dementia (LBD) have shown improvements in behavioral symptoms including psychosis. Improvements have been maintained over a period of up to two years. In addition, institutionalized patients with severe AD have shown symptomatic benefits with a reduction in the requirement for additional psychotropic drugs following treatment with rivastigmine. The psychotropic properties associated with rivastigmine may in part be mediated through effects on butyrylcholinesterase. Current treatment options are limited for patients with dementia syndromes other than AD. However, data concerning rivastigmine in patients with LBD and preliminary studies in Parkinson's disease dementia and vascular dementia suggest a role for ChE inhibitors across the spectrum of dementia syndromes. Finally, studies that incorporated a delayed start design demonstrate that ChE inhibitors may delay the progression of BPSD.
Distributed economic MPC: Application to a nonlinear chemical process network

Abstract In the present work, we focus on the development and application of Lyapunov-based economic model predictive control (LEMPC) designs to a catalytic alkylation of benzene process network, which consists of four continuously stirred tank reactors and a flash separator. We initially propose a new economic measure for the entire process network which accounts for a broad set of economic considerations on the process operation including reaction conversion, separation quality and energy efficiency. Subsequently, steady-state process optimization is first carried out to locate an economically optimal (with respect to the proposed economic measure) operating steady-state. Then, a sequential distributed economic model predictive control design method, suitable for large-scale process networks, is proposed and its closed-loop stability properties are established. Using the proposed method, economic, distributed as well as centralized, model predictive control systems are designed and are implemented on the process to drive the closed-loop system state close to the economically optimal steady-state. Extensive simulations are carried out to demonstrate the application of the proposed economic MPC (EMPC) designs and compare them with a centralized Lyapunov-based model predictive control design, which uses a conventional, quadratic cost function that includes penalty on the deviation of the states and inputs from their economically optimal steady-state values, from computational time and closed-loop performance points of view.
The Rat Adrenal Medulla. II. Proliferative Lesions

Many strains of rats develop spontaneous or drug-induced adrenal medullary proliferative lesions. However, there is often ambiguity about whether the changes observed are hyperplastic or neoplastic and if the term “pheochromocytoma” is appropriate for the lesion in rodents. Various considerations are presented, and the evolution and morphology of the changes are discussed. The lesions are of practical interest because they have at times impeded drug licensing applications.
A novel dengue virus detection method that couples DNAzyme and gold nanoparticle approaches

Recent epidemics of dengue viruses (DENV) coupled with new outbreaks on the horizon have renewed the demand for novel detection methods that have the ability to identify this viral pathogen prior to the manifestation of symptoms. The ability to detect DENV in a timely manner is essential for rapid recovery from disease symptoms. A modified lab-derived 10-23 DNAzyme tethered to gold nanoparticles provides a powerful tool for the detection of viruses, such as DENV. We examined the effectiveness of coupling DNAzyme (DDZ) activation to the salt-induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles (AuNP) to detect dengue virus (DENV) progeny in mosquito cells. A DNAzyme was designed to recognize the 5’ cyclization sequence (5’ CS) that is conserved among all DENV, and conjugated to AuNPs. DDZ-AuNP has demonstrated the ability to detect the genomic RNA of our model dengue strain, DENV-2 NGC, isolated from infected Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells. These targeting events lead to the rapid aggregation of AuNPs, resulting in a red to clear color transition of the reaction mixes, and thus positive detection of the DENV RNA genome. The inclusion of SDS in the reaction mixture permitted the detection of DENV directly from cell culture supernatants without additional sample processing. Specificity assays demonstrated detection is DENV-specific, while sensitivity assays confirm detection at levels of 1 × 101 TCID50 units. These results demonstrate DDZ-AuNP effectively detects DENV genomes in a sequence specific manner and at concentrations that are practical for field use. We have developed an effective detection assay using DNAzyme catalysis coupled with AuNP aggregation for the detection of DENV genomes in a sequence specific manner. Full development of our novel DDZ-AuNP detection method will provide a practical, rapid, and low cost alternative for the detection of DENV in mosquito cells and tissues, and possibly infected patient serum, in a matter of minutes with little to no specialized training required.
Change in Biochemical Composition During Development of Snow Crab, Chionoecetes opilio, Embryos

Abstract Adult oveigerous female snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, were obtained approximately bimonthly from the eastern Bering Sea for embryonic sampling and biometric information. Biochemical analysis of embryo samples included determination of moisture, ash, total lipid, protein content, fatty acid profile, and lipid profile. Moisture increased as the embryos matured. Protein content remained unchanged, ash content increased, and lipid content decreased on a dry weight basis coincident with embryonic development indicating that lipids were the main energy source of developing embryos. The utilization of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acid categories during development was similar but individual fatty acids within each category varied considerably. Over 75% of the C14:0, C18:4(n-3), and C20:1(n-11) fatty acids were consumed during the embryonic development from nauplius to pre-hatch while C22:5(n-3), C20:5(n-3), and C18:1(n-9)cis fatty acids were utilized at 49%, 57%, and 48% respe...
The emerging role of the Web for enterprise applications and ASPs

Web technologies were initially used for Web publishing and advertising in enterprises. However, over the years Web technologies have merged with other distributed computing technologies and assumed a vital role in satisfying enterprise business needs. This paper takes a systematic and practical look at Web evolution from static HTML to Web-enabled business components that are at the foundation of currently popular Web services (WS). In particular, WS is a result of convergence of the Web with distributed object technologies and is positioned to play a central role in building and integrating enterprise applications in the future. However, the impact of WS is not limited to enterprise boundaries - business-to-business trade and outsourcing through application service providers can also be profoundly impacted. This paper highlights the key aspects of these developments because they will drive the requirements to be satisfied by the current and future Internet technologies. The possible deterrents to these developments and approaches to address these deterrents are also discussed.
Smells Like Teen Spirit: Evaluating a Midwestern Teen Court

Teen courts have grown rapidly in the United States despite little evidence of their effectiveness. A survival analysis of 635 teen court and 186 regular diversion participants showed no significant differences in recidivism, although program completers were half as likely to reoffend as noncompleters. Older offenders survived significantly better than younger ones, and girls better than boys. For the full sample, increasing the number of sanctions resulted in earlier reoffending. This effect disappeared when noncompleters were removed from the analysis, suggesting that increasing sanctions may lead certain teens to drop out and/or reoffend. Implications for policy include screening younger juveniles out of teen courts and reconsidering their panacea status.
Shear Wave Dispersion Ultrasonic Vibrometry for Measuring Prostate Shear Stiffness and Viscosity: An In Vitro Pilot Study

This paper reports shear stiffness and viscosity “virtual biopsy” measurements of the three excised noncancerous human prostates using a new tool known as shear wave dispersion ultrasound vibrometry (SDUV) in vitro. Improved methods for prostate guided-biopsy are required to effectively guide needle biopsy to the suspected site. In addition, tissue stiffness measurement helps in identifying a suspected site to perform biopsy because stiffness has been shown to correlate with pathologies, such as cancerous tissue. More importantly, early detection of prostate cancer may guide minimally invasive therapy and eliminate insidious procedures. In this paper, “virtual biopsies” were taken in multiple locations in three excised prostates; SDUV shear elasticity and viscosity measurements were performed at the selected “suspicious” locations within the prostates. SDUV measurements of prostate elasticity and viscosity are generally in agreement with preliminary values previously reported in the literature. It is, however, important to emphasize here that the obtained viscoelastic parameters values are local, and not a mean value for the whole prostate.
Straining of a polycrystal of Fe–Pd with martensite structure by uniaxial loading

This paper proposes a method to calculate the uniaxial stress/strain relationship of polycrystalline Fe/Pd, which has a martensite structure produced by cooling. Strain is caused by changes in the fractions of the three Bain corresponding variants which form the martensite structure within each grain. Internal stress and elastic energy are accumulated as straining proceeds and are caused by differences of eigenstrain (transformation strain) between differently oriented grains. The stress and elastic energy are evaluated on the basis of micromechanics. The stress acting on a grain due to surrounding grains is calculated using a mean field method. In this procedure, an averaging method is introduced, by which the mean field of grains having the same tensile direction, but having random lateral directions, are written in a closed form. The averaging method facilitates computations. It is shown that tension and compression differ in the stress/strain relationship. # 2002 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Ultralow Oxygen Treatment for Postharvest Control of Western Flower Thrips on Broccoli

Laboratory studies were conducted to develop ultralow oxygen (ULO) treatment for controlling western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on broccoli at a low temperature of 1°C. Complete control was achieved in 5 d at 0.003% oxygen. Oxygen level affected efficacy of ULO treatment. At a higher oxygen level of 0.03%, 6-d treatment killed ≈85% of thrips, and 10-d treatment killed all thrips. The 5-d ULO treatment with 0.003% oxygen was successfully tested on iced commercial broccoli of several cultivars without any noticeable negative effects on shelf-life and postharvest quality. The ULO treatment provided a safe and effective alternative to methyl bromide fumigation for postharvest control of western flower thrips on exported broccoli for industrial development.
In vivo location and mechanism of EDHF-mediated vasodilation in canine coronary microcirculation

Responses of epicardial coronary arterioles to ACh were measured using stroboscopic fluorescence microangiography in dogs (n = 38). ACh (0.1 and 0.5 μg ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1ic) dilated small (<100 μm, 11 ...
Optimal Regulation of Invasive Species Long-Range Spread: A General Equilibrium Approach

Economic activity is implicated in the long-range spread of invasive species, resulting in ecological and economic damages. Current policies that are used to prevent such spread include specific and ad valorem taxes. However, these taxes are often created under ecological and economic uncertainty. To address this concern, this paper develops a general equilibrium model capable of evaluating the efficiency of specific and ad valorem taxes under uncertainty. Results show that specific taxes are more efficient at achieving a social optimum under imperfect information and that a combination of taxes is needed for multiple forms of long-range transmission.
Racialization and its paradigms: From Ireland to North America

This article offers a template for understanding and analyzing racialization as a paradigm. Further, this template is applied to the North American case – an important one because it has endured and spread across the globe despite the enormous weight of scientific evidence against it. The fallacy of race (and in particular the North American Anglo-origin variant) endures for two reasons. First, social agents seeking to gain or maintain power and control over paradigm-relevant resources benefit from reinvesting in pseudoscientific racial paradigms. Second, new science proving the fallacy of race is ignored because ignoring new paradigmatic science is in fact the way normal science operates. Thus, a paradigmatic analysis of race may help to explain why current social science approaches to the demise of racial thought may be ineffective.
Nonclassical Antimetabolites XIII: Simulation of the 5'-Phosphoribosyl Moiety of 5'-Adenylic Acid at the Enzyme Level by ω-Carboxyalkyl and Aralkyl Groups Attached to Adenine

5'-Adenylic acid can inhibit both lactic dehydrogenase and glutamic dehydro-genase; since both the phosphate and adenine moieties are necessary for good in-ibition, the 5'-adenylic acid presumably competes with DPN. This inhibition by 5'-adenylic acid can be duplicated by 9- (4'-carboxybutyl)-adenine (XVIII) on both enzymes, indicating that the ω-valeric acid side chain can simulate the binding of the 5-phosphoribosyl group when the latter is attached to adenine. 9-(para-Carboxy-benzyl)-adenine (XVI), a compound with a conformation-fixed side chain, can simulate the binding of 5'-adenylic acid to glutamic dehydrogenase but not lactic dehydrogenase; this difference has been attributed to the difference in conformation of 5'-adenylic acid (and DPN) when bound to the two enzymes.
THE EFFECTS OF GENETIC BACKGROUND ON THE ECOLOGY OF SELECTION IN TRIBOLIUM POPULATIONS.

The present paper describes the results of a selection experiment with two strains of Tribolium castaneum Herbst, one the standard wild type strain of our laboratory, the other marked with bb, the autosomal semi-dominant black (linkage group III; Sokoloff, 1966). This black strain had been backcrossed repeatedly into the wild type strain and thus presumably shared the genetic background of the latter, except for the black locus and other closely linked loci. Two further selection experiments with the wild type and original black strains were used as controls. This study is the outgrowth of an earlier, similar series of selection experiments (Sokal and Sonleitner, 1968) in which, however, the bb strain had a different background than the wild type strain. The genetic consequences of differences in the ecological properties of these two strains, and the ecological responses to genetic changes resulting from hybridization of the two strains, were investigated for a period
Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on binge‐eating disorder

Objective To investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on food craving, intake, binge eating desire, and binge eating frequency in individuals with binge eating disorder (BED). Method N = 30 adults with BED or subthreshold BED received a 20-min 2 milliampere (mA) session of tDCS targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC; anode right/cathode left) and a sham session. Food image ratings assessed food craving, a laboratory eating test assessed food intake, and an electronic diary recorded binge variables. Results tDCS versus sham decreased craving for sweets, savory proteins, and an all-foods category, with strongest reductions in men (p < 0.05). tDCS also decreased total and preferred food intake by 11 and 17.5%, regardless of sex (p < 0.05), and reduced desire to binge eat in men on the day of real tDCS administration (p < 0.05). The reductions in craving and food intake were predicted by eating less frequently for reward motives, and greater intent to restrict calories, respectively. Discussion This proof of concept study is the first to find ameliorating effects of tDCS in BED. Stimulation of the right DLPFC suggests that enhanced cognitive control and/or decreased need for reward may be possible functional mechanisms. The results support investigation of repeated tDCS as a safe and noninvasive treatment adjunct for BED. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.(Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:930–936)
Assessing the current state of juvenile probation practice: A statutory analysis

ABSTRACTThe 2002 Desktop Guide to Good Juvenile Probation Practice indicated that a state's juvenile justice system should reflect a “balanced and restorative justice” (BARJ) model. Over a decade has passed since this publication, yet little is known about whether juvenile probation followed the BARJ. This study employed a statutory analysis to examine the differences between the legally prescribed roles of juvenile probation officers and the BARJ model across 50 states and the District of Columbia. Results indicated that even with significant reforms and statutory changes overtime, juvenile probation practices still fall short of meeting the basic tenets of restorative justice.
Environment matters for all

Nanotechnology-induced risks to the environment are of greater concern than envisaged, although different groups of people are concerned for different reasons, as Chris Toumey explains.
Do Views Toward Homosexuality Differ Based on Age? An Empirical Study of United States Opinion

Homosexuality is generally viewed negatively. That is certainly the case in the Jewish and Christian holy books as well as the Quran, although opinions differ as to interpretation. The practice has been condemned by these religions. An Imam in Orlando, Florida, the site of the mass murder of homosexuals, has gone so far as to say that killing homosexuals would be the compassionate thing to do.It is not the purpose of this paper to review the history of homosexuality, or the pros and cons or moral standing of the practice. Readers can obtain that information by reading the items listed in the reference section of this paper. The goal of this study is more limited, to determine whether views toward homosexuality differ by age in the United States.The present study is part of a series on homosexuality. Other studies in the series look at trends on the acceptance of homosexuality and examine specific demographic variables such as gender, level of education, income, social class, religion and region to see whether these variables are significant. One study ranks the acceptance of homosexuality for 98 countries. Citations to some of those studies (with links) are listed in the reference section of the present paper.
Application of informed consent principles in the emergency department evaluation of febrile children at risk for occult bacteremia.

UNLABELLED Informed consent requires that the risks and benefits of a particular diagnostic and therapeutic plan be reviewed with the patient, including the disclosure of alternative diagnostic and treatment approaches. Although it could be argued that it is difficult to present all the diagnostic and therapeutic options to parents in the E.D. management of febrile children at risk for occult bacteremia, it is the purpose of this report to describe the experience with following these principles of informed consent in a group of these children. METHODS Convenience sample of febrile children presenting to an E.D. at risk for occult bacteremia. A standardized information sheet was presented. A parent survey of preferences followed. RESULTS In 37 patients, most of the parents chose no tests and preferred to be involved in the medical decision making process for their child. CONCLUSIONS While preferred by parents and supported by AAP, the process of informed consent, for febrile children at risk for occult bacteremia, is time consuming and often not possible when the E.D. is busy. Physicians may find it desirable to make decisions from an informed consent perspective to a comfort level dependent on time availability, parents' comprehension ability, and individual personal practice preference.
The Development of the Liberal Tradition, Part 3

In the two previous sections in our account of the development of the liberal tradition, we have sketched that development in broad terms. It is necessary in this section to fill in certain details and amplify certain points which limitations of time did not permit in Parts I and II.
'A parcel of heart': the business of love in Peregrine Pickle

McCloskey (2010) has linked modern economic growth with a change in rhetoric about the bourgeoisie and virtues such as prudence. She locates this shift in the 17th and 18th centuries in northern Europe. I build on that argument in analysing a unique novel published on the cusp of the industrial revolution - Tobias Smollett's The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle. In which Are Included, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality (2014) - which focuses on two representatives of the rising bourgeoisie: a real woman (Lady Vane) and her fictional counterpart, Peregrine. I argue that, through tracing their adventures, this work illuminates the transition in rhetoric about prudence and the bourgeoisie: it does not simply depict the bourgeoisie as dignified but shows how people negotiated the meanings of key terms such as 'gentleman', 'prudence', 'love', and 'contract'.
Future Directions in “Food Addiction”: Next Steps and Treatment Implications

The purposes of this study were to examine future directions regarding food addiction and to discuss potential treatment implications. Foods likely differ in their ability to trigger addictive-like eating, with highly processed foods being the most closely associated with addictive processes. Harm reduction approaches may be relevant to the treatment of addictive-like eating. Food addiction is more closely associated with wanting for food, rather than liking the taste of food. Exposure to food cues increases wanting for food and increasing strategies to cope with cravings may be an important treatment approach. Negative affect likely increases vulnerability to overeating. Increasing emotion regulation capabilities may be important in reducing signs of food addiction. The role of addictive mechanisms in problematic eating requires additional research, but an addiction perspective may also have important treatment implications.
Factors Affecting the Bacterial Activity of Saccharides and Polysaccharides Modified Through Reaction with Organostannanes

The biological activities of tin-containing materials derived from numerous saccharides and polysaccharides is discussed. Emphasis is placed on bacterial results. In general, inhibition is only secondarily dependent on the percentage of organostannane incorporation. Inhibition follows the general inhibition order for alkyl-substitution where general activity decreases as the length of the alkyl chain increases. Finally, general activity is dependent on the nature of the saccharide.
Drosophila Model of Leishmania amazonensis Infection

This protocol describes how to generate and harvest antibody-free L. amazonensis amastigotes, and how to infect adult Drosophila melanogaster with these parasites. This model recapitulates key aspects of the interactions between Leishmania amastigotes and animal phagocytes.
A low maintenance particle pollution sensing system using the Minimum Airflow Particle Counter (MAPC)

The Minimum Airflow Particle Counter (MAPC) is a portable, low-power, low-cost, wireless optical counter which has been specifically designed for ultra-low-maintenance operation in heavily polluted environments. When exposed continuously to air with high particulate matter concentrations, the primary mode of failure for particle counters is a build-up of dust within the instrument. The MAPC circumvents this failure mode by severely restricting airflow through the system, enabling an estimated 5-year maintenance cycle. Such a long operational lifetime makes this instrument particularly suitable for IOT applications such as environmental air quality monitoring and pollutant source attribution using spatially distributed wireless sensor networks. Here, we present the theory of operation, instrument design, and collected data from a two-month field deployment in Beijing. We find that the MAPC performs comparably to other low-cost optical counters, but with a significantly enhanced maintenance-free operational lifetime.
Some New Perspectives on Maximum Entropy Techniques in Water Resources Research

After a brief expository account of the Shannon-Jaynes principle of maximum entropy (POME) for discrete and continuous variables, we give here an account of some recent research work which (i) a “histogram” method to contrast the discrete and continuous modes computation and the role of histogram in actual practice when dealing with continuous probability distributions. (ii) The idea of mean logarithmic decrement associated with a probability distribution is introduced and is shown to be related to the concept of differential entropy. The mean with respect to an arbitrary probability distribution of the logarithm of the ratio of the probability density function for an exponential distribution is discussed in the context of hydrological investigations. Unlike the entropy of a continuous probability distribution introduced in (i), this quantity which is an example of the Kullback-Leibler (KL) Information, is always positive and invariant under coordinate transformation. (iii) The constraints entering into POME as well as a minimum K L information are identified as a class of sufficient statistics which determine the unknown parameters in the probability density functions that occur in the most commonly used hydrological models. (iv) An example of (iii) where only the first two moments in a semi-infinite domain are givens is discussed to shed light on the limitations of POME, recentky recognized by Wragg and coworkers, and is made relevant to the work of Sonuga on rainfall-run off relationship. Finally, (v) a method of generating probability distributions starting from one basic distribution employing coordinate transformations is given. This in conjuction with (iii) leads to the notions of “Physical constraints” in contrast to the “mathematical constraints” in examing parameter estimation.
Drugs for treatment of patients with high cholesterol blood levels and other dyslipidemias

Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (ASCAD) is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in most developed nations. Dyslipidemia increases the risk of ASCAD. Diet, lifestyle habits, and/or lipid-acting drugs that favorably affect lipid blood levels have been shown to decrease progression, or in some cases induce regression of ASCAD. Therefore, lipid-acting drugs have been recommended for dyslipidemic patients with ASCAD, or at high risk for ASCAD, who do not correct their lipid blood levels after diet and lifestyle recommendations. The choice of the type of lipid-acting drug/s should be based on the blood lipid profile, as well as the potential effectiveness, tolerance, and toxicity anticipated in the individual patient.
Chronic immune response dysregulation in MDS pathogenesis

Chronic innate immune signaling in hematopoietic cells is widely described in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and innate immune pathway activation, predominantly via pattern recognition receptors, increases the risk of developing MDS. An inflammatory component to MDS has been reported for many years, but only recently has evidence supported a more direct role of chronic innate immune signaling and associated inflammatory pathways in the pathogenesis of MDS. Here we review recent findings and discuss relevant questions related to chronic immune response dysregulation in MDS.
Cynoglossum creticum in the North American Flora

The naturalized North American distribution of the Old World native, Cynoglossum creticum Mill. (Boraginaceae), is detailed. The species has now been documented from a number of sites in six counties in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas, as well as from the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Zacatecas.
Probing ligand removal and ordering at quantum dot surfaces using vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy

Abstract Hypothesis Controlling nanomaterial interfaces for emerging technologies has driven the need to understand the molecular species located there; however, challenges arise using traditional analytical techniques to directly characterize the molecular structure and local environments of these interfacial species due to their low relative populations. We hypothesized that vibrational sum frequency generation (vSFG) spectroscopy would be uniquely sensitive to the chemical modification of nanoparticle surfaces that is obscured using traditional bulk sensitive methods. Experiments Octadecylamine ligands were removed from model CdSe quantum dot surfaces using a common precipitation-resuspension procedure with polar protic and aprotic nonsolvents. Vibrational spectra of the ligands at the surface were collected with vSFG to directly probe the ligand ordering and coverage. Photoluminescence (PL), optical absorption, NMR, and mass spectrometry measurements were conducted for comparison. Findings vSFG was found to be sensitive to subtle changes in ligand disorder over multiple precipitation-resuspension washes, and a limit to the number of ligand molecules removed from the surface and subsequent amount of disorder introduced to their packing was clearly observed. We also find that nonsolvents do not remain associated with the surface after washing.
Dialoging with Bigger Thomas: A Reception History of Richard Wright’s Native Son

This essay develops a reception history of the Communist Party of the USA’s (CPUSA) responses to Richard Wright’s Native Son. Drawing on what Fiona Paton calls “cultural stylistics,” I argue that t...
Chemical Interactions of Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs) and Glycerol with Protein Functional Groups: Applications to Effects of PEG and Glycerol on Protein Processes

In this work, we obtain the data needed to predict chemical interactions of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and glycerol with proteins and related organic compounds and thereby interpret or predict chemical effects of PEGs on protein processes. To accomplish this, we determine interactions of glycerol and tetraEG with >30 model compounds displaying the major C, N, and O functional groups of proteins. Analysis of these data yields coefficients (α values) that quantify interactions of glycerol, tetraEG, and PEG end (-CH2OH) and interior (-CH2OCH2-) groups with these groups, relative to interactions with water. TetraEG (strongly) and glycerol (weakly) interact favorably with aromatic C, amide N, and cationic N, but unfavorably with amide O, carboxylate O, and salt ions. Strongly unfavorable O and salt anion interactions help make both small and large PEGs effective protein precipitants. Interactions of tetraEG and PEG interior groups with aliphatic C are quite favorable, while interactions of glycerol and PEG end groups with aliphatic C are not. Hence, tetraEG and PEG300 favor unfolding of the DNA-binding domain of lac repressor (lacDBD), while glycerol and di- and monoethylene glycol are stabilizers. Favorable interactions with aromatic and aliphatic C explain why PEG400 greatly increases the solubility of aromatic hydrocarbons and steroids. PEG400-steroid interactions are unusually favorable, presumably because of simultaneous interactions of multiple PEG interior groups with the fused ring system of the steroid. Using α values reported here, chemical contributions to PEG m-values can be predicted or interpreted in terms of changes in water-accessible surface area (ΔASA) and separated from excluded volume effects.
Playing Fairly: The Satiric Tradition in Football Fiction from Latin America

Works by eminent authors Jorge Luis Borges, Adolfo Bioy Casares and Mario Benedetti are early precursors to a tradition of satirizing transgressions of fair play through literary football fiction. ...
Am I Invisible?! Millennial Invisibility in America

With social media in the 21st century, Americans can argue that the United States has become an interconnected society that exposes all people to different cultures and lifestyles. Although a powerful medium, social media has presented adverse effects that decreases the trust that Millennials, especially Black Millennials, have in American society. In this paper, Millennials ask, what is the value of the Millennial population to American society? Millennials, a creative class of individuals, are working within a system that was created without them in mind and without developing a values-based system that is comprised of empathy and an understanding of the societal challenges, Americans will continue to perpetuate a divided America amongst age groups without the proper solutions for correction. This conversation is rooted in the essence of empathy, equity, and understanding where policy and decision-making in the public and governmental organizations must incorporate to increase Millennial visibility and build a culturally competent and mentally healthier America that will benefit all.
Deletion and overexpression of the scaffolding protein IQGAP1 promotes HCC

IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1) is a ubiquitously expressed scaffolding protein that is overexpressed in a number of cancers, including liver cancer, and is associated with many pro-tumorigenic processes including cell proliferation, motility, and adhesion. IQGAP1 can integrate multiple signaling pathways and could be an effective anti-tumor target. Therefore, we examined the role for IQGAP1 in tumor initiation and promotion during liver carcinogenesis. Unexpectedly, we found that Iqgap1-/- mice had a higher tumor burden than Iqgap1+/+ and Iqgap1+/- mice following DEN-induced liver carcinogenesis. Iqgap1-/- tumors as well as knocking down IQGAP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines resulted in increased MET activation and cellular proliferation. On the other hand, we uncovered IQGAP1 overexpression accelerates HCC development by YAP activation and subsequent NUAK2 expression. We demonstrate that increasing IQGAP1 expression in vivo does not alter {beta}-catenin or MET activation. Taken together, we identify that both loss and gain of function of IQGAP1 promotes HCC development by two separate mechanisms in the liver. These results demonstrate that adequate amount of IQGAP1 is necessary to maintain a quiescent status of liver.
Association of Cancer Screening Deficit in the United States With the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance The COVID-19 pandemic led to sharp declines in cancer screening. However, the total deficit in screening in the US associated with the pandemic and the differential impact on individuals in different geographic regions and by socioeconomic status (SES) index have yet to be fully characterized. Objectives To quantify the screening rates for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in different geographic regions and for individuals in different SES index quartiles and estimate the overall cancer screening deficit in 2020 across the US population. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study uses the HealthCore Integrated Research Database, which comprises single-payer administrative claims data and enrollment information covering approximately 60 million people in Medicare Advantage and commercial health plans from across geographically diverse regions of the US. Participants were individuals in the database in January through July of 2018, 2019, and 2020 without diagnosis of the cancer of interest prior to the analytic index month. Exposures Analytic index month and year. Main Outcomes and Measures Receipt of breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer screening. Results Screening for all 3 cancers declined sharply in March through May of 2020 compared with 2019, with the sharpest decline in April (breast, −90.8%; colorectal, −79.3%; prostate, −63.4%) and near complete recovery of monthly screening rates by July for breast and prostate cancers. The absolute deficit across the US population in screening associated with the COVID-19 pandemic was estimated to be 3.9 million (breast), 3.8 million (colorectal), and 1.6 million (prostate). Geographic differences were observed: the Northeast experienced the sharpest declines in screening, while the West had a slower recovery compared with the Midwest and South. For example, percentage change in breast cancer screening rate (2020 vs 2019) for the month of April ranged from −87.3% (95% CI, −87.9% to −86.7%) in the West to −94.5% (95% CI, −94.9% to −94.1%) in the Northeast (decline). For the month of July, it ranged from −0.3% (95% CI, −2.1% to 1.5%) in the Midwest to −10.6% (−12.6% to −8.4%) in the West (recovery). By SES, the largest screening decline was observed in individuals in the highest SES index quartile, leading to a narrowing in the disparity in cancer screening by SES in 2020. For example, prostate cancer screening rates per 100 000 enrollees for individuals in the lowest and highest SES index quartiles, respectively, were 3525 (95% CI, 3444 to 3607) and 4329 (95% CI, 4271 to 4386) in April 2019 compared with 1535 (95% CI, 1480 to 1589) and 1338 (95% CI, 1306 to 1370) in April 2020. Multivariable analysis showed that telehealth use was associated with higher cancer screening. Conclusions and Relevance Public health efforts are needed to address the large cancer screening deficit associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased use of screening modalities that do not require a procedure.
Abstract MP55: Bardet-biedl Syndrome 3 Gene In Pomc Neurons Regulates Glucose Homeostasis And Baroreflex Sensitivity

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) proteins have emerged as critical regulators of various physiological functions including energy and glucose homeostasis, autonomic function and blood pressure. BBS3 pro...
Structural Re-use of FRP Composite Wind Turbine Blades as Power-Line Utility Poles and Towers

The production of wind energy worldwide has increased 20-fold since 2001. Composite material wind turbine blades are beginning to come out of service in large numbers. In general, these de-commissioned structures, composed primarily of glass fibers in a thermoset matrix and generally between 13 and 80 m long, are demolished and either landfilled or incinerated. This research seeks to establish structural re-use applications for wind turbine blades in civil engineering infrastructure. This paper presents design concepts along with materials and engineering analysis for high voltage electricity transmission structures made from re-used wind turbine blades. This re-use application targets wind blades in the 25 to 50-m overall length range, with single blades considered for use as cantilevered poles, and multiple blades used as replacements for waist-type truss or guyed towers. Strengths of the composite materials are established from coupons cut from de-commissioned wind blades – and section properties are established from blade geometries acquired using LiDAR scanning, through proprietary algorithms developed as part of the research effort. The section analysis is based on two common commercially available blades in the European and U.S. markets: the Vestas V52 and the Clipper C96. The paper reports on preliminary strength design allowables for the typical wind blade laminates and uses these as the basis for design under gravity, wind, and ice loading. Preliminary design of connections and physical mockup testing of these connections are presented.
Determination and Presentation of Compressive Stress-Strain Data for Thin Sheet Metal

Various methods of obtaining the compressive stress-strain curve of thin sheet metal are described, and their advantages and limitations are briefly discussed. The presentation of stressstrain data in dimensionless form is outlined, and the advantages of such a presentation in correcting for the effect of variations in yield strength and in Young's modulus are brought out. Attention is called to a classification of stress-strain curves by shape factors following a three-parameter formula proposed by Osgood.
Isfahan and its Palaces: Statecraft, Shi`ism and the Architecture of Conviviality in Early Modern Iran

1. Introduction: Conviviality, Charismatic Absolutism, and the Persianizing of Shi'ism 2. Peripatetic Kings and Palaces: From Tabriz to Qazvin in the Sixteenth Century 3. Dwelling in Paradise, or Isfahan "Half the World" 4. Architectural (Re)Persianization of Muslim Kingship: The Daulatkhane (The Abode of Felicity) Royal Precinct 5. Inventing the Spatial Choreography of Feasting: the Talar Palaces of Isfahan 6. Feasting and the Perso-Shi'i Etiquette of Kingship 7. Safavid Dynastic Chart 8. A Buildings' Chart Bibliography.
Calcitonin as an Anorectic Agent

Calcitonin is a peptide hormone secreted by the C cells of the thyroid gland. Its primary physiological effect is to decrease plasma calcium and phosphorus concentrations. This action of calcitonin is particularly pronounced whenever plasma calcium becomes elevated (cf. Anast and Conaway, 1972; Copp et al., 1962; Copp, 1969; Hirsch et al., 1963; Munson and Gray, 1970). Calcitonin was discovered in 1962, after Copp and his colleagues (1962) found that perfusion of the thyroid-parathyroid complex with hypercalcemic solutions caused a lowering of plasma calcium concentrations. These results could not be explained in terms of decreased secretion of parathyroid hormone, which increases plasma calcium. Thus, it eventually became established that the thyroid secretes calcitonin, a hormone that decreases plasma calcium (Anast and Conaway, 1972; Copp, 1969; Talmage et al., 1980).