cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical generation of crystalline, quasicrystalline, and arbitrary arrays of torons in confined cholesteric liquid crystals for patterning of optical vortices in laser beams.

Condensed matter systems with topological defects in the ground states range from the Abrikosov phases in superconductors, to various blue phases and twist grain boundary phases in liquid crystals, and to phases of skyrmion lattices in chiral ferromagnets and Bose-Einstein condensates. In nematic and chiral nematic liquid crystals, which are true fluids with long-range orientational ordering of constituent molecules, point and line defects spontaneously occur as a result of symmetry-breaking phase transitions or due to flow, but they are unstable, hard to control, and typically annihilate with time. Here we describe the optical generation of two-dimensional crystalline, quasicrystalline, and arbitrary ensembles of particlelike structures manifesting both skyrmionlike and Hopf fibration features---dubbed ``torons''---composed of looped double twist cylinders and point defects embedded in a uniform director field. In these two-dimensional lattices, we then introduce various dislocations, defects in positional ordering of the torons. We show that the periodic defect lattices with and without dislocation are light- and voltage-tunable reconfigurable two-dimensional diffraction gratings and can be used to generate various controlled phase singularities in the diffracted laser beams. The results of computer simulations of optical images, diffraction patterns, and phase distributions with optical vortices are in a good agreement with the corresponding experimental findings.
Steroids versus dietary therapy for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis.

Purpose of review Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a condition characterized by dense mucosal eosinophilia in conjunction with symptoms of esophageal dysfunction. Since both the incidence and prevalence of EoE are on the rise in both children and adults, understanding the various treatment options available is imperative in choosing the proper treatment for each patient. This article will highlight the major strides in both medical and dietary treatment of EoE in the past year. Recent findings Whereas prior studies have shown that medical therapy with topical corticosteroids is effective in treating EoE, this more recent literature highlights some of the limitations of this approach, raising awareness that development of better drug delivery models is greatly needed. The review also describes the recent advances in the field of dietary therapy for this disease, particularly in adults, and further supports the notion that the pathophysiology of this disease in children and adults is similar, with food antigens driving this disease. Summary Both medical and dietary therapy are effective for treating adults and children with EoE. Choosing the optimal treatment approach should be individualized based both on patient goals and on available local resources. Future prospective clinical trials comparing these two treatment modalities are needed to help understand comparable effectiveness as well as to help understand potential predictors of response to treatment and identify optimal therapeutic endpoints.
Hydrochlorothiazide Induced Lichen Planus in the Emergency Department A Case Report

Lichen planus (LP) is a mucocutaneous inflammatory disease that involves papulosquamous eruption of the skin, scalp, nails, and mucous membranes. This uncommon condition has a higher prevalence in African Americans and females. Women accounts for 50% of cutaneous LP (CLP) and 60% to 75% of oral LP (OLP) cases. Diagnosis is centered around clinical presentation. Patient evaluation requires a comprehensive physical examination to identify any potential sites of involvement. LP is usually described by the "Six P's": planar, purple, polygonal, pruritic, papules, and plaques. Drug-induced LP, or lichenoid drug reactions, is uncommon and usually indiscernible from other forms of LP. Lichenoid drug reactions exhibit parakeratosis, dermal infiltrates of eosinophils, or perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates affecting the reticular dermis. An extended time interval between the initiation of drug to the onset of symptoms usually does not exclude potential diagnosis of a lichenoid drug reaction. We describe a case of hydrochlorothiazide-induced LP without prolonged exposure to sunlight diagnosed in the emergency department (ED). In this case, a pharmacist-conducted medication reconciliation played an integral role in accurately recognizing this adverse drug reaction. Our case report adds to the limited available literature on the topic, most of which originated more than 30 years ago.
The research of DC anti-icing for Jiangxi grid

The paper outlines the significance and the objective of carrying out DC anti-icing for the Jiangxi Power Grid and establishes the calculation model of DC anti-icing critical current and anti-icing time model.In accordance with the parameters of Jiangxi power transmission line above 110kV,it calculates the critical current and the anti-icing time of the typical 110kV,220kV and 500kV transmission line of Jiangxi Power Grid.
Management of Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer

The management of recurrent head and neck malignancy can be one of the most frustrating experiences faced by the head and neck surgeon. A recent study indicates that twice the number of patients succumb to distant metastasis from primary tumors than did 20 years ago. This article discusses the operative management of these patients and the role of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in their treatment.
Pebble Watch security assessment

Security for Pebble Watch is necessary. The lack of security and efficient connection leads to major attacks. In this paper, we introduce a two way authentication process to improve the pebble watch security. This two way authentication uses a secured Bluetooth pairing. The main aim of this paper is to find the major factors which are attacking pebble and to find a way in solving these issues. There might be a chance of obtaining hardware issues in this pebble, so to find the possibilities to avoid these issues we introduced a simple algorithm for the two way authentication (TWA) process and introduced to the pebble. Malicious apps that connect to the Pebble Watch is the major problem. The flaws in the Pebble must be thoroughly investigated to make it much safer than the older one preventing these apps connecting to pebble watch. In order we used java tool to implement this project. This paper will help in building a more secured pebble watch.
Against High Discount Rates

In the economics of climate change, the future benefits of greenhouse gas emissions abatement are commonly discounted at a rate equal to the long-run return on corporate stocks, which averaged 6% per year during the 20 century. Since a 6% discount rate implies that one dollar of benefits obtained one century from the present attains a present value of less than one cent, this method implies that only modest steps towards greenhouse gas emissions are economically warranted. This chapter critiques this approach to discounting the future based on three distinct lines of reasoning. First, the use of high discount rates is inconsistent with classical utilitarianism, which holds that equal weight should be attached to the welfare of present and future generations. Second, the approach violates the principle of stewardship, which holds that it is morally unjust for present generations to engage in actions that impose uncompensated environmental costs on posterity. Third, the use of a 6% discount rate is appropriate in the analysis of public policies that have risk characteristics that are similar to those associated with corporate stocks. Economic theory, however, suggests that discount rates of 1% or less should be used to evaluate policies that reduce future risks. Since a main objective of climate change policies is to reduce the risks faced by future society, the use of high discount rates in the analysis of climate change policies is arguably inappropriate.
Heme-dependent Metabolite Switching Regulates H2S Synthesis in Response to Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress

Substrate ambiguity and relaxed reaction specificity underlie the diversity of reactions catalyzed by the transsulfuration pathway enzymes, cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and γ-cystathionase (CSE). These enzymes either commit sulfur metabolism to cysteine synthesis from homocysteine or utilize cysteine and/or homocysteine for synthesis of H2S, a signaling molecule. We demonstrate that a kinetically controlled heme-dependent metabolite switch in CBS regulates these competing reactions where by cystathionine, the product of CBS, inhibits H2S synthesis by the second enzyme, CSE. Under endoplasmic reticulum stress conditions, induction of CSE and up-regulation of the CBS inhibitor, CO, a product of heme oxygenase-1, flip the operating preference of CSE from cystathionine to cysteine, transiently stimulating H2S production. In contrast, genetic deficiency of CBS leads to chronic stimulation of H2S production. This metabolite switch from cystathionine to cysteine and/or homocysteine renders H2S synthesis by CSE responsive to the known modulators of CBS: S-adenosylmethionine, NO, and CO. Used acutely, it regulates H2S synthesis; used chronically, it might contribute to disease pathology.
Landscape and the Spaces of Metaphor in Ancient Literary Theory and Criticism

This study explores a previously uncharted area of ancient literary theory and criticism: the ancient landscapes (such as the Ilissus river in Athens and Mount Helicon) that generate metaphors for distinguishing styles, which dovetail with ancient conceptions of metaphor as itself spatial and mobile. Ancient writers most often coordinate stylistic features with country settings, where authoritative performers such as Muses, poets, and eventually critics or theorists view, appropriate, and emulate their bounties (for example springs, flowers, rivers, paths). These spaces of metaphor and their elaborations provide poets and critics with a vivid means of distinguishing among styles and an influential vocabulary. Together these figurative terrains shape critical and theoretical discussions in Greece and beyond. Since this discourse has a remarkably wide reach, the book is broad in scope, ranging from archaic Greek poetry through Roman oratory and 'Longinus' to the reception of critical imagery in Proust and Derrida.
Introduction to Special Issue on Multicultural Competence in Consultation

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this special issue is to highlight current research on multicultural consultation in school psychology, broadly defined. Given the need to advance multicultural consultation, articles addressing research, practice, and training issues are included. The articles in this issue collectively bring to the fore the importance of the voice and perspective in the culturally sensitive consultation process. For example, trainers must consider not only the voices of their students, but also their own voices in how they teach consultation. Researchers have to consider their own voices as well as the voices of the participants and how those participants might perceive a dominant or more powerful group, including researchers. Therefore, these articles reflect the complex nature of engaging in culturally sensitive consultation, due in large measure to the process of being able to incorporate differing, sometimes competing, perspectives and then using that information to transform consultation serv...
Robust Min-system oscillation in the presence of internal photosynthetic membranes in cyanobacteria

The oscillatory Min system of Escherichia coli defines the cell division plane by regulating the site of FtsZ-ring formation and represents one of the best-understood examples of emergent protein self-organization in nature. The oscillatory patterns of the Min-system proteins MinC, MinD and MinE (MinCDE) are strongly dependent on the geometry of membranes they bind. Complex internal membranes within cyanobacteria could disrupt this self-organization by sterically occluding or sequestering MinCDE from the plasma membrane. Here, it was shown that the Min system in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 oscillates from pole-to-pole despite the potential spatial constraints imposed by their extensive thylakoid network. Moreover, reaction-diffusion simulations predict robust oscillations in modeled cyanobacterial cells provided that thylakoid network permeability is maintained to facilitate diffusion, and suggest that Min proteins require preferential affinity for the plasma membrane over thylakoids to correctly position the FtsZ ring. Interestingly, in addition to oscillating, MinC exhibits a midcell localization dependent on MinD and the DivIVA-like protein Cdv3, indicating that two distinct pools of MinC are coordinated in S. elongatus. Our results provide the first direct evidence for Min oscillation outside of E. coli and have broader implications for Min-system function in bacteria and organelles with internal membrane systems.
Virtual Fit Study of Pediatric Heart Assist System

An innovative pediatric ventricular assist device (PVAD) is being developed to treat young children (2.5kg-15kg) with severe heart failure that otherwise have very few options due to their small size. To optimize the design of the PVAD for the target patient population, three-dimensional anatomical compatibility studies were conducted. The aim of this project was to evaluate the utility of three dimensional reconstructions to obviate fit studies in human subjects. Serial CT scans of the thorax of children (n=3) were obtained as part of routine treatment. The images were pre-processed to enhance contrast segmented semi-automatically, and reconstructed to create surface renderings of the rib cage, chest wall, heart, lungs and liver. These data were then amended with solid models of the implantable hardware, including the PVAD, cannulae and drive line. Manipulation of the relative orientation of the components revealed surgical constraints that may be anticipated and motivated design modifications to improve the anatomic compatibility. Unique challenges associated with these data sets include the availability of pediatric CT images and difficulty of segmentation due to the small scale of the anatomic features as compared to the resolution of the images.
Role of 11,12,15-Trihydroxyeicosatrienoic Acid as a New Endothelium-Derived Relaxing Factor

3 The endothelium regulates vascular tone through the release of relaxing factors including nitric oxide, prostacyclin, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and others not yet identified. The purpose of this study was to characterize the 15-lipoxygenase product, 11,12,15-trihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (11,12,15-THETA), as a new endothelial relaxing factor. In phenylephrine-constricted rabbit aorta, acetylcholine induced a dose-dependent relaxation in the presence of cyclooxygenase blockade with indomethicin (10 μM) and nitric oxide blockade with nitro-arginine (30 μM) which was eliminated by pretreatment with cinnamyl-3,4,-dihydroxy-a-cyanocinnamate (CDC)(1 μM) a specific lipoxygenase inhibitor, and miconizole (1 μM) a cytochrome P450 inhibitor. Additionally, arachidonic acid (1 nM - 10 μM) relaxed precontracted rabbit aorta, and this relaxation was maximally inhibited by 50% either by increasing the potassium (K + ) concentration from 4 mM to 20 mM or by the addition of the K + channel blockers, apamin (100 nM) plus charybdotoxin (100 nM). In patch-clamp studies of inside-out patches of rabbit aortic smooth muscle, we have identified a 20 pS K + channel, which is activated by increased calcium concentrations and blocked by apamin (1 μM). Structural analysis of arachidonic acid metabolites from rabbit aorta by gas chromatography/mass spectometry has revealed two 15-lipoxygenase product regioisomers; 11,12,15-THETA and 11,14,15-THETA. The synthesis of these metabolites was inhibited by CDC and miconizole. The addition of the 11,12,15-THETA fraction to precontracted rabbit aorta resulted in a concentration-dependent relaxation, which was blocked by elevated K + . The other regioisomer was without effect. These results suggest that 11,12,15-THETA, a 15-lipoxygenase metabolite, represents a novel endothelium-derived relaxing factor, which induces relaxation possibly through the activation of apamin-sensitive K + channels located in the vascular smooth muscle.
Phase I study of nab-paclitaxel, gemcitabine, and bevacizumab in advanced cancers.

2526Background: Gemcitabine (gem) with nab-paclitaxel (nab-p) is known to have antitumor activity and a favorable toxicity profile. The addition of bevacizumab (bev) to nab-paclitaxel has also been found to enhance nab-paclitaxel cytotoxicity. Methods: We therefore performed a modified 3+3 dose escalation study with 15 dose levels of fixed dose gem 1000 mg/m2IV (day 1, 8, 15) and escalating doses of nab-p IV (day 1,8, 15) and bev IV (day 1,15) every 28 days. The study design allowed for the possibility of multiple MTDs. Correlative studies on VEGF polymorphism and response were planned. (NCT01113476). Results: 103 patients (45 male) with advanced cancers were enrolled (19 ovarian, 18 pancreatic, and 18 gastroesophageal (GE) cancers among the most common). All patients were ECOG PS 0-2, median age was 60 years (range 17-85), and 51 patients (50%) were gem refractory with a median of 3 prior lines of therapy. 3 DLTs were observed during dose escalation - one with nab-p 50 mg/m2 and bev 10 mg/m2 (grade 3 dys...
"Rho"ing a Cellular Boat with Rearward Membrane Flow.

The physicist Edward Purcell wrote in 1977 about mechanisms that cells could use to propel themselves in a low Reynolds number environment. Reporting in Developmental Cell, O'Neill et al. (2018) provide direct evidence for one of these mechanisms by optogenetically driving the migration of cells suspended in liquid through RhoA activation.
TO THE QUESTION OF NULL CELLS IN THE AVIAN BURSA OF FABRICIUS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the possible existence of null cells in the bursa and their in vivo potential to differentiate to functional T cells. A study described in the chapter utilized a T-cell/B-cell chimera model, prepared by intravenous transfer of 20 × 106 chromosomally marked 19 day embryonic bursal cells into histocompatible 5-day-old chicks that had received daily injections of 3 mg cyclophosphamide (Cy) on each of the first 4 days after hatching. This regimen of Cy-administration results in the destruction of host B cells in the bursa but preserves the bursal follicular architecture. Transferred embryonic bursal cells initially and preferentially migrate to the host B-cell depleted bursal structure, leading to restoration of the bursal lymphocyte population by donor cells. Lymphocytes from the thymus, spleen, and blood of chimeras up to 1.5 years old were cultured with the specific T-cell mitogen ConA and with the selective B-cell mitogens anti-immunoglobulin (anti-CIg) and dextran sulfate (DxS). Five T-cell/B-cell chimeras were evaluated at times ranging from 2 months to 20 months after establishment of chimerism.
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) und spinale Afferenzen partizipieren am postoperativen Dickdarmileus bei der Ratte

Wir konnten kurzlich zeigen, das CGRP und spinale Afferenzen teilweise die postoperative Hemmung der Magenmotilitat vermitteln [1]. Die Dauer des postoperativen Ileus wird jedoch uberwiegend durch die postoperative Atonie des Dickdarmes bestimmt [2]. Ziel unserer Studie war es, den Einflus von CGRP und spinalen Afferenzen auf den postoperativen Dickdarmileus zu untersuchen.
Mitochondrial DNA Analysis

Unlike autosomal DNA markers, such as short tandem repeats (STRs), that are inherited from both parents and shuffled with each generation, lineage markers are uniparentally-passed from one generation to the next without changing (except for mutational events). Maternal lineages may be followed as mothers pass their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) on to their children. Mitochondrial DNA testing, which is not as informative as autosomal DNA analysis, is in many cases a last resort with difficult evidentiary samples such as bones, teeth, or hair. Success rates improve with mtDNA analysis because mtDNA is present in hundreds of copies per cell. MtDNA results are more time consuming and labor intensive to generate than STR typing making it more challenging to perform routinely. Thus, there are a limited number of mtDNA labs compared to STR typing facilities.
Standard Libraries on Containers and Algorithms

C++ provides many standard libraries such as 〈iostream〉, 〈cmath〉, 〈complex〉, and 〈vector〉, which are not part of the language but are very convenient and useful. These libraries are more efficient, robust, and portable than what a typical expert programmer can write. They come with any standard C++ implementation.
Crystal growth of InGaAs by the Bridgman method in microgravity

Ternary compound semiconductors of In 1-x Ga x As (X=0.03) have been grown by the Horizontal Bridgman (HB) and the Vertical Bridgman (VB) methods on Earth and by the Bridgman method in microgravity in order to study a segregation phenomenon of Ga, which is strongly affected by a melt convection. The segregation coefficient (Keff) is 2.6 in a crystal grown in microgravity. This value is closer to unity than the value of 3.2 for a crystal grown by the HB method on Earth. Unfortunately we could not obtain a homogeneous Ga composition even in a seed part of a crystal grown in microgravity where the diameter is thinner. However, a crystal grown by the VB method on Earth shows a homogeneous concentration profile and an initial transient region, which means that the crystal was grown under the condition whereby melt convection was extremely suppressed.
Differences in Response to Nicotine are Determined by Genetic Factors

Genetic influences on several behavioral and physiological responses elicited by acute injections of nicotine have been detected in a screen of inbred mouse strains. Some (35–40%) of the between strain variability may be due to differences in the number of brain nicotinic receptors (nAChR), and, given that restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis has detected polymorphisms for several of the known nicotinic receptor genes, variability may also arise as a result of strain specific nAChR alleles. Acute sensitivity to nicotine also seems to predict the propensity for developing tolerance to nicotine and oral self administration. These genetically-determined differences seen in the mouse might help to explain individual differences in smoking-related behaviors in humans.
Different Methods of Numerical Analysis of Shells

Advances in the capabilities of computerized numerical methods over the past two plus decades has pushed those techniques to such a level that the analyst now has the tools which allow him to investigate shells while including in his analysis consideration of the complex details present in the real structure. Of particular importance is the ability to model the actual or near actual manner of supporting those structures. Any discussion of shell analysis nowadays should focus on these numerical methods. The majority of these methods are based upon an energy formulation. The major exceptions being the numerical integration schemes described initially by Goldberg [15], Zarghamee [41], Cohen [10], and Svalbonas [40]. Also the early finite difference methods reported by Radkowski [36], Septeoski [39] and Budiansky and Radkowski [5] represent simple direct implementation of these mathematical techniques.
Robust Stabilization of Linear Differential Inclusion Using Adaptive Sliding Mode Control

Control of the linear polytopic Differential Inclusion system in the presence of bounded disturbance is studied. An adaptive sliding mode control is proposed to achieve the asymptotic stability of the differential inclusion systems. The convergence conditions of the dynamics of sliding mode to zero and adaptive rules to update the control signal are derived. A new Lyapunov analysis-based theorem is formulated that proves the states' convergence to zero. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed control is illustrated via simulations of a numerical linear polytopic differential inclusion system. Keywords: Differential inclusion systems, adaptive sliding mode control.
The derivation of a Reference Dose (RfD) for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) based on immune suppression.

Abstract Exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is ubiquitous in populations and environments worldwide. Its long half-life in humans, indefinite persistence in the environment, and awareness of its widespread presence in drinking water make the human health assessment of PFOS a priority. While developmental, endocrine, and hepatic effects, and increased serum cholesterol are among the outcomes resulting from PFOS exposure, immunosuppression has also consistently emerged as an adverse effect. An in-depth review of the relevant scientific literature on the toxicology of PFOS has identified immunosuppression as a sensitive endpoint for PFOS toxicity. Here, we focus specifically on that endpoint and provide a detailed derivation of a Reference Dose (RfD) of 1.8 × 10−6 mg/kg/day for chronic human exposure to PFOS. This RfD is based on decreased plaque-forming cell (PFC) response in mice, an endpoint that reflects suppression of the immune response to a foreign antigen. We additionally identify two endpoints in the epidemiology literature, decreased vaccine response and increased incidence of childhood infections, that are associated with PFOS exposure and that are consistent with and support the decreased PFC response endpoint from animal studies. We provide a weight of evidence analysis integrating the evidence from animal and epidemiology endpoints. Finally, we compare this RfD to the PFOS RfD derived by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Office of Water based on a developmental endpoint. Based on this comparison, and given our assessment, the USEPA RfD does not provide sufficient protection against the adverse health effects of PFOS. The RfD derived herein is intended to be public health protective and appropriately minimizes PFOS exposure based on available evidence.
Blood eosinophils and inhaled corticosteroids in patients with COPD: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background COPD is a highly heterogeneous disease. Potential biomarkers to identify patients with COPD who will derive the greatest benefit from inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment are needed. Blood eosinophil count can serve as a predictive biomarker for the efficacy of ICS treatment. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess whether a blood eosinophil count of ≥2% in patients undergoing ICS therapy was associated with a greater reduction in COPD exacerbation rate and pneumonia incidence. Materials and methods An electronic search was performed using the keywords "COPD", "eosinophil", and "clinical trial" in the PubMed and EMBASE databases to retrieve articles, up to 2017, relevant to our focus. Data were extracted, and a meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5 (version 5.3.5). Results Five studies comprising 12,496 patients with moderate-to-very severe COPD were included. At baseline, 60% of the patients had ≥2% blood eosinophils. Our meta-analysis showed a 17% reduction in exacerbation of moderate/severe COPD in patients with ≥2% blood eosinophils undergoing ICS therapy compared to the non-ICS/ICS withdrawal/placebo group. The difference between the two types of treatment was significant (risk ratio [RR], 0.816; 95% CI, 0.67-0.99; P=0.03). Furthermore, the risk of pneumonia-related events was significantly increased in the subgroup with eosinophil count ≥2% undergoing ICS-containing treatments (RR, 1.969; 95% CI, 1.369-2.833; P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the subgroup with eosinophil count <2% (RR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.888-1.879; P<0.181). Conclusion The results of our meta-analysis suggest that the 2% threshold for blood eosinophils could accurately predict ICS treatment response in patients with COPD, but increased the risk of pneumonia.
Crystallization in the Fractional Quantum Hall Regime Induced by Landau-Level Mixing.

The interplay between strongly correlated liquid and crystal phases for two-dimensional electrons exposed to a high transverse magnetic field is of fundamental interest. Through the nonperturbative fixed-phase diffusion Monte Carlo method, we determine the phase diagram of the Wigner crystal in the $\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\kappa}$ plane, where $\ensuremath{\nu}$ is the filling factor and $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ is the strength of Landau-level (LL) mixing. The phase boundary is seen to exhibit a striking $\ensuremath{\nu}$ dependence, with the states away from the magic filling factors $\ensuremath{\nu}=n/(2pn+1)$ being much more susceptible to crystallization due to Landau-level mixing than those at $\ensuremath{\nu}=n/(2pn+1)$. Our results explain the qualitative difference between the experimental behaviors observed in $n$- and $p$-doped gallium arsenide quantum wells and, in particular, the existence of an insulating state for $\ensuremath{\nu}l1/3$ and also for $1/3l\ensuremath{\nu}l2/5$ in low-density $p$-doped systems. We predict that, in the vicinity of $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/5$ and $\ensuremath{\nu}=2/9$, increasing LL mixing causes a transition not into an ordinary electron Wigner crystal, but rather into a strongly correlated crystal of composite fermions carrying two vortices.
Placemaking and implementation: Revisiting the performance principle

Using a survey of cities that participated in a statewide placemaking plan assistance program, this study contributes to the plan implementation literature in two ways. First, unlike most studies of plan implementation, this study evaluates the implementation of project plans. Second, departing from the largely conformance-based recent work on plan evaluation, the study expands the depth of our understanding of performance-based plan evaluation. The study finds that although survey respondents reported little concrete implementation progress, the plans had already been influential in changing conversations and priorities around placemaking. This study suggests that planners should expand their conceptualizations of how plans can impact communities.
Influence of root restriction and ethylene exposure on apical dominance of petunia (Petunia x hybrida Hort. Wilm.-Andr.)

Reducing rooting volume restricted root growth during theproduction of Petunia x hybrida'Orchid’ and resulted in an unfavorable increase in apicaldominance. Exposing young petunia seedlings to ethylene counteracted theeffects of root restriction. Rooting volumes of 9, 28, 58, or 160mL restricted the development of lateral shoots, therebyincreasing apical dominance compared to plants grown in 162 mLrooting volumes. Ethephon, an ethylene-producing compound, increased thedevelopment of lateral shoots of seedlings grown in rooting volumes rangingfrom 28 mL to 160 mL. At a rooting volume of 9mL, ethylene exposure was not capable of reducing the growth ofthe main shoot; apical dominance remained strong in both the control andethephon-treated plants. Because lateral shoot development was not restrictedby rooting volumes greater than 160 mL, exposing these plants toethylene did not result in supplementary lateral shoot development. Levels ofindole-3-acetic acid (IAA), isopentenyladenosine (iPA), and zeatin riboside(ZR) decreased on a whole shoot basis as rooting volume decreased from 162 to58 mL. Indoleacetic acid levels in ethephon-exposed plantsdecreased 20% compared to the control. The cytokinins iPA and ZR showedno response to ethylene exposure; however, the ratio of auxin/cytokinindecreased 24% compared to the control. The decrease in theauxin/cytokinin ratio was associated with an increase in the number and lengthof lateral shoots.
A trust management framework for clouds

Abstract In today’s cloud computing platforms, more and more users are now working or collaborating in the multi-cloud environment, in which collaborators, clouds, computing nodes may belong to different institutions or organizations. Those different organizations might have their policies. Security is still a big concern in cloud computing. To help cloud vendors and customers to detect and prevent from being affected by potential attacks, we propose a trust management framework. We consider link/flow’s level trust, node’s level trust, and task/mission’s level trust. We introduced a new security metric trustability (trust–reliability) and a new algorithm to calculate it. Trustability measures how much a system can be trusted under a specific attack vector. Trustability can be used to explore the design space of resource configuration in order be able to choose the right trade-off between trustability and cost of redundancy. We show that our trust management framework can guide the administrators and customers to make decisions. For example, based on the real-time trust information, cloud administrators can migrate tasks from suspect nodes to trustworthy nodes, dynamically allocate a resource, and manage the trade-off between the degree of redundancy and the cost of the resource.
The primary cost drivers of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery: a cost-minimization analysis of 40,618 cases.

Background An estimated 250,000 rotator cuff repair (RCR) surgical procedures are performed every year in the United States. Although arthroscopic RCR has been shown to be a cost-effective operation, little is known about what specific factors affect the overall cost of surgery. This study examines the primary cost drivers of RCR surgery in the United States. Methods Univariate analysis was performed to determine the patient- and surgeon-specific variables for a multiple linear regression model investigating the cost of RCR surgery. The 2014 State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases were used, yielding 40,618 cases with Current Procedural Terminology code 29827 (“arthroscopic shoulder rotator cuff repair”). Results The average cost of RCR surgery was $25,353. Patient-specific cost drivers that were significant under multiple linear regression included black race (P Conclusion There are several patient-specific variables that can affect the cost of RCR surgery. There are also surgeon-controllable factors that significantly increase cost, most notably subacromial decompression, distal clavicle excision, use of regional anesthesia, and number of suture anchors. Surgeons must consider these factors in an effort to minimize cost, particularly as bundled payments become more common.
Synthesis of some dibenzodiazepinone derivatives as potent and m2-selective antimuscarinic compounds

Two series of 5-[[4-[4-dialkylamino)butyl]-1-cyclohexyl]acetyl], and 5- [(dialkylamino)acyl]-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin-11-ones were synthesized as potential m2-selective ligands (1),(2). Their affi- nity and selectivity for the muscarinic cholinergic receptor m-AChR su- btypes were determined. Replacing a nitrogen with CH in the piperidine ring of 5-[[4-[4-dialkylamino)butyl]-1-piperidinyl]acetyl]-10,11-dihy- dro-5H-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin-11-ones (3) significantly altered the affinity and selectivity to the muscarinic receptor subtypes
The Law of 1/n Revisited: Distributive Politics, Legislature Size, and the Costs of Collective Action

The foundational model of distributive politics predicts a positive relationship between the number of legislative districts and the level of inefficiency of projects approved by the legislature—Weingast, Shepsle, and Johnsen's “Law of 1/n.” This relationship has been tested extensively in the empirical literature, with mixed results. This article presents a model wherein passing the omnibus legislation typical of distributive politics is a costly process. The model predicts a nonlinear relationship between legislature size and spending as increasing the size of the legislature also increases the costs of collective action. Results from an empirical exercise based on U.S. state legislatures (1962–2014) are consistent with the proposed model, showing a 1/n effect which diminishes at the margin as the legislature's size increases, especially in the lower chamber.
Personality and space: Introversion and seclusion

Abstract Two studies examined whether extraversion was associated with different types of geographical preferences. During the first study, participants were given free time and directed to return to the designated location after 45 min, where they completed a questionnaire. This study found that extraversion is inversely associated with the seclusion level of the space in which participants preferred to spend this free time. In Study 2 participants in various university campus locations completed a personality questionnaire. Extraversion was positively associated with the openness of the location, and inversely associated with the distance from the center of the campus. These findings suggest that extraversion is systematically associated with different space preferences and use.
Individual Social Capital and the HIV Continuum of Care in a Rural Setting of the Southeast United States

Social capital is associated with the health of people living with HIV, and yet few studies have examined social capital in relation to the HIV continuum of care in the United States. The current study assessed individual social capital within social networks of 251 people living with HIV and residing in a rural area of the southeastern United States. Participants completed computerized self-administered measures that included markers of social capital and disclosure of HIV status to network members. We estimated individual social capital for each relationship identified in the social network interviews and tested regression models at three points along the HIV continuum of care: receiving ART, ART adherence, and HIV viral suppression. Results indicated that one in four participants had not disclosed their HIV status to at least one member of their social network and disclosure was not associated with social capital. Regression models showed that participants with larger social networks and less social capital were more likely to be receiving ART and more likely to have HIV suppressed viral loads. Alcohol use, not social capital, was related to ART non-adherence. Participant's depressive symptomatology was unrelated to any HIV care continuum metrics assessed in this study. We conclude that social capital is drawn upon at critical points along the HIV continuum of care. Interventions should focus on building social capital within social networks and provide support to key network members when patients are transitioning into care, initiating ART and experiencing HIV unsuppressed viral loads.
Pattern graphs: a graphical approach to nonmonotone missing data

We introduce the concept of pattern graphs--directed acyclic graphs representing how response patterns are associated. A pattern graph represents an identifying restriction that is nonparametrically identified/saturated and is often a missing not at random restriction. We introduce a selection model and a pattern mixture model formulations using the pattern graphs and show that they are equivalent. A pattern graph leads to an inverse probability weighting estimator as well as an imputation-based estimator. We also study the semi-parametric efficiency theory and derive a multiply-robust estimator using pattern graphs.
Pharmacologic therapy for pulmonary artery hypertension.

Purpose of review Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease that carries a significant mortality left untreated. This article aims to review pharmacotherapeutics for PAH. Recent findings PAH-specific therapies have evolved over the last three decades and have expanded from one therapy in the 1990s to 14 FDA-approved medications. Current therapies are directed at restoring the imbalance of vasoactive mediators that include nitric oxide, endothelin and prostacyclin. Although these agents are effective as monotherapy, recent trials have promulgated the strategy of upfront combination therapy. The availability of oral prostacyclin agonists has also allowed for expanded treatment options. Risk assessment is vital in guiding therapy for PAH patients. There is ongoing focus on targeting pathological mechanisms of the disease via novel therapies and repurposing existing drugs. Summary There is an array of medications available for the treatment of PAH. Prudent combination of therapies to maximize treatment effect can improve morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the data supporting these therapies and attempts to outline an approach to patient management.
Optimal spacecraft swarm reconfiguration through chief orbit refinement

Abstract This work presents a novel approach to minimizing delta-v for spacecraft swarm reconfiguration through refinement of the real or virtual chief spacecraft orbit, which is a closed orbit of arbitrary eccentricity. Given a desired relative motion configuration, the optimal target end-state of the swarm is solved for to provide minimum delta-v expenditure. The relative orbital elements (ROE) representation of relative motion is leveraged to produce two quadratically constrained linear programs (QCLPs). One program minimizes the sum of delta-v usage across the swarm, and the second minimizes the maximum delta-v usage among the swarm or co-orbiting spacecraft. The two objectives are designed to balance delta-v usage across the swarm to maximize mission lifetime. Furthermore, both optimization programs can be solved efficiently with interior point methods. While the minimization is applicable to any ROE set, the quasi-nonsingular ROE are exploited in this work to produce analytical solutions for arbitrary swarm geometry reconfigurations in non-equatorial orbits. If analytical solutions are not available, guidance is provided to minimize the effort required by convex optimization solvers in finding solutions. The delta-v savings enabled by the refinement of the swarm’s reference orbit are demonstrated using a state-of-the-art solver that produces the minimum reachable delta-v for a given reconfiguration. Therefore, leveraging a small refinement in the reference orbit for swarm reconfiguration through a QCLP can provide significant delta-v savings, extending mission lifetime.
The Pond Separates Cultures but Not Values: A Comparative Look at the French Codification of Right to Withdrawal of Labor and the American Concept of At-Will Employment

The differences and similarities of the United States common law concept of “right to work” and the modern development in France of the right to withdraw labor, after the “yellow vest” movement in 2018, demonstrate a parallel diminution of workers’ rights. These changes are motivated by the same values inherent within capitalism that are superimposed through the law. This article analyzes the social and legal context in both countries that demonstrate that the superimposition of these values through law is a continuing modern western trend. The key difference is that while the French model is designed to decrease the pressure for strike actions by workers, it also serves as a protection to workers as compared with the American model which exists as a tool to remove workplace protections by substantially altering the terms and conditions of employment. Further, this article demonstrates that these concepts are both divergent and convergent in terms of core shared values and the peripheral aspect of laws setting cultural norms. This article then concludes through comparative analysis that while the French right to withdraw labor is a product of legislative supremacy, and the American view within the common law is that at-will employment is the standard, the French model is a product of generations of social negotiations. The American model is a product of the easily swayed influences within the common law that allow a new legal theory with little to no precedential value at the time of its proposal to be adopted in sweeping fashion with very little civil discourse.
Disparities between Operative Time and Relative Value Units for Plastic Surgery Procedures.

BACKGROUND Plastic surgeons are evaluated not only by the number of patients served but also by relative value, quantified by the Medicare relative value unit system, which can affect advancement and compensation. Procedures that demand a high operative time without an increase in relative value units are, by definition, inefficient. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the number of relative value units actually corresponds to operative time. METHODS The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data sets over a 9-year period were queried for plastic surgery operations. The primary CPT codes representing the 100 most common operations were compared for operative time and total relative value units. RESULTS A total of 53,701 cases were included. There was a high degree of correlation between operative time and number of relative value units (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.82). The average efficiency was 10.201 ± 3.386 relative value units per hour. Pressure ulcer excisions and breast reconstruction were among the most efficient (e.g., Excision, sacral pressure ulcer, CPT 19357, generated 20.819 relative value units per hour). Skin excisions, debridements, and flap delays were among the least efficient (e.g., Excision, excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue, CPT 15847, generated 1.752 relative value units per hour). CONCLUSIONS As a general trend, the most common plastic surgical procedures requiring longer operative times are associated with more relative value units. Cases with higher relative value units assigned tended to be more efficient. For the 100 most common procedures, relative value units and operative time are not evenly distributed. These data suggest modifications to the current relative value unit designation system to more equally allocate these units based on effort and time.
Complexities in predicting mountain pine beetle and spruce beetle response to climate change

Abstract Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) and spruce beetle (D. rufipennis) are two significant native tree mortality agents with expansive distributions throughout North America. The range of spruce beetle is considered coincident with Picea across North America. Although the distribution of mountain pine beetle in Pinus forests has historically been restricted by climate, recent warming has accelerated migration northward in western Canada. Both species are being directly influenced by changes in climate, particularly warming temperatures that can reduce winter mortality and shorten lifecycles from one generation every 2 years to one generation every year. The two species are similar in development rates, and they both have diapause states in two life stages that serve to synchronize cohorts with appropriate seasons, although diapause in mountain pine beetle is more variable and less prevalent than in spruce beetle. We review thermally dependent traits in both species and discuss how evolved physiological processes could both promote and restrict population success of the two species as climate continues to change.
Brown midrib corn silage in dairy cattle rations

Abstract Two groups of 12 Holstein cows past peak lactation were fed complete mixed diets containing either brown midrib corn silage or its normal genetic counterpart. All cows were fed a standardization ration containing another corn silage prior to and after the experimental period. Performance during the experimental period was expressed as deviation from standardization. Cows fed brown midrib silage produced .66kg more milk per day that tested .28 percentage units less fat during the 4-wk experimental period than during standardization. Control cows produced .10kg more milk per day in the experimental period as compared to standardization without difference in fat test. On a fat-corrected basis (4%) there was no difference in milk yield between treatments.
Explosion dynamics of methane clusters irradiated by 38 nm XUV laser pulses

Explosions of methane clusters using 38 nm XUV laser pulses were studied. Ion fragmentation dynamics depends upon cluster size. Coulomb explosion of protons followed by recombination of methane fragments has been observed.