cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comment, Rationalizing Liability for Nondisclosure Under 10b-5: Equal Access to Information and United States v. Chiarella,

Chiarella provided the Second Circuit with an opportunity to resolve an important issue on which there previously had been no square holding: whether a person who is not an insider and has no inside knowledge about the company whose securities he is trading nevertheless has a duty to disclose nonpublic material information in his possession about impending stock market events. The court viewed such a person as a "market insider"'" and found a duty to disclose. To evaluate the propriety of imposing liability in this situation, this comment will first trace the development and expansion of liability for nondisclosure under rule 10b-5. Section I concludes that although most of the cases tie the duty to disclose to the defendant's insider status, they can plausibly be read in terms of an underlying regulatory principle of equal access to information. To test this hypothesis, Section I then examines cases involving outsiders who, since they owe no fiduciary duty to the shareholders of an issuer's securities, would have no duty to disclose absent another principle. Section II of the comment then turns to the legislative history of the Exchange Act to determine if it supports an equal access principle. Section II finds, as did the case law prior to Chiarella, that legislative history fails to provide definitive support for an equal access principle. The comment concludes in Section III, however, that strong policy reasons favor adoption of such a principle. In section IV the comment focuses on the Chiarella opinion, which adopted the principle of equal access and created a test to effectuate it. The comment concludes by endorsing Chiarella's adoption of the principle, criticizing the test adopted, proposing an alternative one for defining the scope of liability, and exploring its application in a variety of nondisclosure situations involving outsiders.
Plasmonic Thermal Emitters for Dynamically Tunable Infrared Radiation

Periodic bimetallic microstructures using nickel and gold are fabricated on an elastomeric substrate by use of strain-induced buckling of the metallic layers, which can be compatible with roll-to-roll manufacturing. The intrinsically low emissivity of gold in the midinfrared regime is selectively enhanced by the surface plasmonic resonance at three different midinfrared wavelengths, 4.5, 6.3, and 9.4 µm, respectively, which directly correspond to the structural periodicities of the metallic microstructures. As the thermal emission enhancement effect exists only for the polarization perpendicular to the orientation of the microstructures, substantially polarized thermal emission with an extinction ratio close to 3 is demonstrated. Moreover, the elastically deformed plasmonic thermal emitters demonstrate strain-dependent emission peaks, which can be applied for future mechano–thermal sensing and dynamic thermal signature modulation.
Considering the Use of Walled Gardens for FLOSS Project Communication

At its core, free, libre, and open source software (FLOSS) is defined by its adherence to a set of licenses that give various freedoms to the users of the software, for example the ability to use the software, to read or modify its source code, and to distribute the software to others. In addition, many FLOSS projects and developers also champion other values related to “freedom” and “openness”, such as transparency, for example in communication and decision-making, or community-orientedness, for example in broadening access, collaboration, and participation. This paper explores how one increasingly common software development practice - communicating inside non-archived, third-party “walled gardens” - puts these FLOSS values into conflict. If communities choose to use non-archived walled gardens for communication, they may be prioritizing one type of openness (broad participation) over another (transparency). We use 18 FLOSS projects as a sample to describe how walled gardens are currently being used for intra-project communication, as well as to determine whether or not these projects provide archives of these communications. Findings will be useful to the FLOSS community as a whole as it seeks to understand the evolution and impact of its communication choices.
Meta-analysis of selected toxicity endpoints of CDK4/6 inhibitors: Palbociclib and ribociclib.

Abstract Purpose Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors such as palbociclib and ribociclib are associated with distinct adverse effects (AEs) compared to other targeted therapies. This meta-analysis of clinical trials summarizes these agents' toxicity profile. Methods A librarian-guided literature search was conducted in March of 2017. The trials needed to have at least one of the study arms consisting of palbociclib or ribociclib monotherapy at currently FDA approved dose regimens. Heterogeneity across studies was analyzed using I2 statistics. Data were analyzed using random effects meta-analysis for absolute risks. Results Seven randomized trials and 1,332 patients were included in our meta-analysis. There was evidence of significant heterogeneity between studies for serious AEs but not for death. The pooled absolute risk (AR) for all-causality serious AEs and treatment-related death were 16% and 0%, respectively. Patients treated with CDK 4/6 inhibitors had an AR of grade 3/4 neutropenia of 61%; neutropenic fever and infections were rare (1% and 3%, respectively). Grade 3/4 nausea, vomiting, and rash were rare. There was no significant correlation between age of patients at study entry and the risk of grade 3/4 neutropenia. Conclusion Treatment with CDK 4/6 inhibitors is well tolerated and associated with a low risk of treatment-related deaths. There is an increased AR of grade 3/4 neutropenia but a low AR of associated infections.
Integrating Oil Debris and Vibration Measurements for Intelligent Machine Health Monitoring

A diagnostic tool for detecting damage to gears was developed. Two different measurement technologies, oil debris analysis and vibration were integrated into a health monitoring system for detecting surface fatigue pitting damage on gears. This integrated system showed improved detection and decision-making capabilities as compared to using individual measurement technologies. This diagnostic tool was developed and evaluated experimentally by collecting vibration and oil debris data from fatigue tests performed in the NASA Glenn Spur Gear Fatigue Rig. An oil debris sensor and the two vibration algorithms were adapted as the diagnostic tools. An inductance type oil debris sensor was selected for the oil analysis measurement technology. Gear damage data for this type of sensor was limited to data collected in the NASA Glenn test rigs. For this reason, this analysis included development of a parameter for detecting gear pitting damage using this type of sensor. The vibration data was used to calculate two previously available gear vibration diagnostic algorithms. The two vibration algorithms were selected based on their maturity and published success in detecting damage to gears. Oil debris and vibration features were then developed using fuzzy logic analysis techniques, then input into a multi sensor data fusion process. Results show combining the vibration and oil debris measurement technologies improves the detection of pitting damage on spur gears. As a result of this research, this new diagnostic tool has significantly improved detection of gear damage in the NASA Glenn Spur Gear Fatigue Rigs. This research also resulted in several other findings that will improve the development of future health monitoring systems. Oil debris analysis was found to be more reliable than vibration analysis for detecting pitting fatigue failure of gears and is capable of indicating damage progression. Also, some vibration algorithms are as sensitive to operational effects as they are to damage. Another finding was that clear threshold limits must be established for diagnostic tools. Based on additional experimental data obtained from the NASA Glenn Spiral Bevel Gear Fatigue Rig, the methodology developed in this study can be successfully implemented on other geared systems.
Sympathetic introspection as method and practice: Cooley's contributions to critical qualitative inquiry and the theory of mind debate

In the work of Charles H. Cooley, sympathy is (1) a central subject matter of sociology and social psychology (as the faculty humans use to acquire knowledge of other humans), (2) a descriptive and explanatory method similar to “interpretive understanding,” and (3) an evaluative method used for social critique and arguments for social reforms (as the basis for making moral judgments). The latter feature of the value-orienting qualitative method of sympathetic introspection is pertinent in light of discussions regarding the development of a critical qualitative methodology. The uniqueness of Cooley's method, when compared to value-neutral approaches in the interpretive tradition, is its theoretically- and methodologically-grounded license for social scientific thinking to cultivate concern for the people it studies, with the following practical implication: arguments for social reforms rooted in a form of knowledge that embeds individuals in the social whole. Further, Cooley's notion of sympathy contributes to the theory of mind debate by theorizing both a philosophical-anthropological and sociological foundation for attributing mental states to others in order to participate in social action.
Decoding the Code of Silence

The code of silence—the informal prohibition of reporting misconduct by fellow police officers—has long been viewed as a serious obstacle in control of police misconduct and achievement of police a...
Chaotic Vibrations of Beams

In this chapter, we continue our discussion on nonlinear vibrations by concentrating on chaotic vibrations of beams. Study of chaos is an important branch of nonlinear vibrations that has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years as one of the fastest-growing disciplines in science, mathematics, and engineering. Early study of chaos in structural dynamics was associated with buckled elastic beams. Nonlinear vibrations of buckled beams were investigated by Eisley (1964) and by Tseng and Dugundji (1971). Chaos was observed experimentally and confirmed numerically by the latter authors, although the name was not mentioned. Later, chaos in beams buckled by nonlinear magnetic body forces was investigated by Moon and described in his books (1987, 1992). A systematic account of nonlinear dynamics and chaos has also been given in the books by Guckenheimer and Holmes (1983) and by Thompson and Stewart (1986).
Using Univariate Time Series Models to Forecast Unemployment Rates: Evidence from State of Maine

Unemployment rate has been always one of the major issues that policy makers deal with. Having a future forecast of unemployment rate can really help policy makers in making right decision. Forecasting is a process that determines what will happen to the desired variable in future, which involves lots of uncertainties and risks, by studying and analyzing the past and the present. This paper uses ARIMA models to constructing a time series model based on historical data and then projecting it to the future to have a forecast on unemployment rate in the state of Maine. ARIMA models have the advantage of relatively low research costs compared to other econometric models and also a good efficiency in short-term forecasting. The time interval for the data is 1996M1-2015M4 and the data are taken from the “Center for Workforce Research and Information” website
Tobacco price elasticity and tax progressivity in Moldova

The study estimates the tobacco price elasticity of demand for the population of Moldova, and the price elasticity for 10 income groups is obtained. This appears to be the first tobacco price elasticity estimation for income groups in Moldova. The study undertakes an extended cost-benefit analysis to estimate the distributional effect of a rise in tobacco taxes on income distribution. As inputs, it uses tobacco price elasticity, mortality attributed to tobacco, and the medical costs of tobacco-attributed diseases.
The distribution of carbohydrate side chains along the polypeptide chain of glucoamylase

Glucoamylase is a starch-hydrolyzing enzyme with a glycoprotein structure, used industrially for the conversion of starch to glucose, citric acid, corn syrups, and high-fructose sweeteners. This enzyme possesses an unusual type of structure in which many carbohydrate side chains are linked O-glycosidically to serine and threonine residues of the polypeptide chain. The carbohydrate side chains may be single monosaccharide residues or oligosaccharides of mannose, glucose, galactose, and in some cases N-acetylglucosamine. New data from experiments on the CNBr fragmentation of glucoamylase followed by chemical and immunological characterization of the fragments show that the carbohydrate side chains are distributed randomly along the polypeptide chain. Such a structure is appropriately termed a random model reprensentation for the glucoamylase molecule.
Macular Pigment Density and Age-Related Maculopathy in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study: An Ancillary Study of the Women's Health Initiative

Purpose To examine the association between intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the optical density of macular pigment (MPOD), which is composed of lutein and zeaxanthin from the diet. Design Cross-sectional cohort study. Participants We included 1698 of 2005 women ages 54 to 86 years and participating in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study, an ancillary study of the Women's Health Initiative. Methods The MPOD was measured noninvasively by heterochromatic flicker photometry. Fundus photographs were taken to document prevalent AMD. Main Outcome Measures Intermediate AMD (n = 305) and two subtypes—large drusen (n = 233) and pigmentary abnormalities (n = 157). Results After adjusting for covariates, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for AMD among women in quintile (Q) 5 (n = 339) versus 1 (n = 340) for MPOD was 1.4 (0.9, 2.1). However, after excluding women with possible unstable diets and recent supplement use due to chronic disease history, associations reversed (OR Q2–5 vs. 1, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.5–1.2), but remained nonsignificant. Associations also differed between middle-aged (54–69 years) and older (≥70 years) women ( P -interaction = 0.09), but less so, after excluding women who were likely to have unstable diets: adjusted ORs (95% CI) were 0.5 (0.3–1.0; P = 0.08) for intermediate AMD among middle-aged women (n = 516) with MPOD in Q2 to Q5 versus 1 and 1.0 (0.5–2.0; P = 0.90) for older women (n = 422). Conclusions The MPOD is not cross-sectionally associated with AMD. The inconsistency of relationships across age groups and in subgroups of women who are likely to have more stable diets suggests that cross-sectional associations may be biased and highlights the need to study these relationships prospectively.
Microbial activities during composting of pulp and paper-mill primary solids

In this study, bench-scale aerobic reactors were used to monitor microbial activities and determine the degradability of pulp and paper-mill primary solids. Over the 43-day composting period, the level of microorganisms detected increased four-fold. However, based on amounts of CO2 produced, the increase expected was 19-fold, suggesting lysis of some cells in the population. The composition of the microbial population, determined through species identification by the BIOLOG® method, and by spot plating, changed throughout the composting process with Cellulomonas spp. not appearing until day 22. Chemical analyses suggested a fall of 33% in the cellulose content, but no other statistically significant chemical changes were observed.
The Economic Modeling of the Gateway Effect

Although a significant number of empirical studies provide evidence of sequencing in drug use, economic theory remains focused on addiction to a single substance. This paper presents a general model of substance use that allows for the possibility of multi-commodity habit formation and can be used to analyze the intertemporal relationship between the consumption of legal and illicit drugs, or the gateway effect. A simple two drug model is analyzed and conditions for the existence of multi-commodity habit formation are examined. It is found in the case of multi-commodity habit formation that the marginal utility of initiating a new drug is higher when there is prior consumption of the other drug. Further, it is found that the individual will initiate drug consumption with that drug that has the lowest marginal cost. The particular sequencing of drug use that is observed in empirical data is explained by differences in the marginal cost of consuming legal and illegal drugs.
Nanotechnology and the Poor: Opportunities and Risks for Developing Countries

Among the high hopes surrounding nanotechnology is the hope that it will solve a number of pressing problems in developing countries. The counterpoint to that hope is the fear of a nano-divide—benefits accruing only in the global North. This volume has already included several references to possible disparities, in Foladori and Zayago Lau’s discussion of workers, Harsh’s portrayal of decision processes in Kenya, and the reprinted article on regulation of nanotechnology in Uganda that closed the last section. This chapter charts the issues involved in a more comprehensive way.
FERRITIN IRON CORES: VARIABLE IRON BIOMINERALS

The iron core of ferritin is a mineral formed inside an organic coat of protein; the core can be as large as 80A in diameter and contain as many as 4500 iron atoms in an oxo/hydroxo polynuclear complex. Ferritin stores iron for multiple purposes, in plants, animals and microorganisms, that include synthesis of iron proteins for, e.g. DNA synthesis, respiration, photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. Ferritin also detoxifies excess iron. (Excess iron forms redox active complexes and can catalyze deleterious free radical reactions involving active oxygen.) Several recent reviews on the general properties of ferritin include those by Crichton and Charloteaux-wauters, 1987; Harrison et al., 1987; and Theil, 1987, 1989.
Observations, Narrative, and Data in Nineteenth-Century Asylum Medicine

French asylum doctor Ludger Lunier’s effort to measure the causal force of war and revolution in the production of insanity involved reasoning from data in an unfamiliar form. Lunier built up what we can call a medical database from an accumulation of about four hundred compact case narratives, some of them based on his direct experience. Although the conclusions he sought were purely quantitative ones, he returned repeatedly to these elemental accounts of the genesis of madness. This essay is part of a special issue entitled Histories of Data and the Database edited by Soraya de Chadarevian and Theodore M. Porter.
Defining how mitochondrial DNA stress regulates innate immune responses

Polymerase gamma (pol γ) is nuclear-encoded protein responsible for mtDNA replication. POLG mutations are recognized as a significant cause of primary mitochondrial diseases and are implicated in a range of disorders. Several mouse models of POLG-related disease have been reported, the most well studied is the POLG-mutator mouse. Animals homozygous for the mutant alleles exhibit elevated mtDNA instability, and POLG-mutator mice exhibit pathology that mirrors various aspects of human POLG-related diseases. The literature has few descriptions about the immune system of POLG-mutator mice or patients with POLG-related disorders, despite the fact that aberrant immune responses have been implicated in the pathology of diseases with similar phenotypes. We have found that mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting from POLG mutation, alters innate immune responses at baseline and after challenge, which we hypothesize may exacerbate pathology in POLG-related mitochondrial disorders. To explore this hypothesis, we have stimulated macrophages from WT and POLG-mutator mice with various innate immune stimuli, and have uncovered that POLG-mutator macrophages display alterations in type I interferon responses, but strikingly, exhibit profound decreases in inflammasome-dependent interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b) secretion. Ongoing work will determine how mitochondrial dysfunction impairs inflammasome activation and IL-1b secretion in order to appreciate how aberrant innate immune responses influence POLG-related disease progression.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1–Loaded Polymeric Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic) Acid Microspheres Improved Erectile Function in a Rat Model of Bilateral Cavernous Nerve Injury

Abstract Background Previous studies have documented improvement in erectile function after bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI) in rats with the use of pioglitazone. Our group determined this improvement to be mediated by the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) pathway. Aim To eliminate the systemic effects of pioglitazone and evaluate the local delivery of IGF-1 by polymeric microspheres after BCNI in the rat. Methods Male Sprague–Dawley rats aged 10–12 weeks were assigned at random to 3 groups: sham operation with phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-loaded microspheres (sham group), crush injury with PBS-loaded microspheres (crush group), and crush injury with IGF-1–loaded microspheres (IGF-1 group). Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid microspheres were injected underneath the major pelvic ganglion (MPG). IGF-1 was released at approximately 30 ng/mL/day per MPG per rat. Outcomes Functional results were demonstrated by maximal intracavernosal pressure (ICP) normalized to mean arterial pressure (MAP). Protein-level analysis data of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2, and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) were obtained using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry for both the cavernosal tissue and the MPG and cavernous nerve (CN). Results At 2 weeks after nerve injury, animals treated with IGF-1 demonstrated improved erectile functional recovery (ICP/MAP) at all voltages compared with BCNI (2.5V, P = .001; 5V, P Clinical Translation Local up-regulation of the IGF-1R in the neurovascular bed at the time of nerve injury may help men preserve erectile function after pelvic surgery, such as radical prostatectomy, eliminating the need for systemic therapy. Strengths & Limitations This study demonstrates that local drug delivery to the MPG and CN can affect the CN tissue downstream, but did not investigate the potential effects of up-regulation of the growth factor receptors on prostate cancer tissue. Conclusion Stimulating the IGF-1R at the level of the CN has the potential to mitigate erectile dysfunction in men after radical prostatectomy, but further research is needed to evaluate the safety of this growth factor in the setting of prostate cancer. Haney NM, Talwar S, Akula PK, et al. Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1–Loaded Polymeric Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic) Acid Microspheres Improved Erectile Function in a Rat Model of Bilateral Cavernous Nerve Injury. J Sex Med 2019;16:383–393.
Effects of Sleep Restriction on Food-Related Inhibitory Control and Reward in Adolescents.

Objective This experimental study evaluated associations between sleep duration, food-related inhibitory control, and food reward in adolescents aged 12-18 with normal weight and overweight/obesity. The potential moderating effect of weight status on the associations between sleep, inhibitory control, and food reward was also examined. Methods Thirty-two adolescents with normal weight and 32 adolescents with overweight/obesity (ages 12-18) participated in this study. Participants spent 5 hr in bed per night (restricted sleep) or 9 hr in bed per night (habitual sleep) for five nights with experimental periods separated by 3 weeks. Participants completed a food-related inhibitory control task and a questionnaire assessing food reward on the sixth day of each study phase. Results Repeated measures analyses of variance revealed that adolescents performed more poorly on a food-related inhibitory control task and had heightened food reward following sleep restriction. Adolescents with overweight/obesity demonstrated heightened food reward compared with adolescents with normal weight; there was no main effect of weight on food-related inhibitory control. There was a significant interaction between sleep condition and weight status on food reward, with adolescents with normal weight demonstrating heightened food reward following sleep restriction. Adolescents with overweight/obesity showed consistently high food reward with no effect of sleep duration. Conclusions When sleep restricted, adolescents demonstrated heightened food reward and were less able to inhibit prepotent responses to food images. Adolescents with normal weight who experience acute sleep restriction may perceive foods to be more rewarding relative to normal sleep.
An Image Retrieval System for Video

Since the 1970’s the Content-Based Image Indexing and Retrieval (CBIR) has been an active area. Nowadays, the rapid increase of video data has paved the way to the advancement of the technologies in many different communities for the creation of Content-Based Video Indexing and Retrieval (CBVIR). However, greater attention needs to be devoted to the development of effective tools for video search and browse. In this paper, we present Visione, a system for large-scale video retrieval. The system integrates several content-based analysis and retrieval modules, including a keywords search, a spatial object-based search, and a visual similarity search. From the tests carried out by users when they needed to find as many correct examples as possible, the similarity search proved to be the most promising option. Our implementation is based on state-of-the-art deep learning approaches for content analysis and leverages highly efficient indexing techniques to ensure scalability. Specifically, we encode all the visual and textual descriptors extracted from the videos into (surrogate) textual representations that are then efficiently indexed and searched using an off-the-shelf text search engine using similarity functions.
Perioperative complications of complex abdominal wall reconstruction with biologic mesh: A pooled retrospective cohort analysis of 220 patients from two academic centers.

Abstract Background Perioperative outcomes in patients who undergo complex abdominal wall reconstruction (CAWR) may be associated with severe complications, mainly when these procedures are done urgently or emergently. This study aims to identify perioperative predictors of outcomes after CAWR with biologic mesh (BM). Materials and methods In a retrospective study, perioperative complications (length of hospital stay, ventilator support, surgical site infection, need for wound VAC, reoperation, total complications, and mortality), were analyzed in all patients who underwent open CAWR with BM over six years in two academic centers. Furthermore, we examined the effect of cardiac disease, BMI, diabetes, COPD, case mixed index, hernia size, wound classification, mesh technique, the setting of surgery, on perioperative complications. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results There were 220 patients: 134 patients from center A and 86 patients from center W Mean age was 54.9 ± 14.8 years, 47.7% were females, 33.8% of the patients had BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and median hospital length of stay was 7 days. Center W patients had increased need for mechanical ventilation (10.5% vs. 3%, p = 0.02) and higher need for wound VAC (19.8% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.003). On multivariable linear regression, independent patient predictors of increased hospital length of stay (HLO) were: urgent/emergent surgery (β 6.93, 95% CI 1.65–12.22, p = 0.01), cardiac disease (β 7.84, 95% CI 1.23–14.46, p = 0.02) and epigastric defect (β 13.68, 95% CI 0.29–27.06, p = 0.045). Addition-ally, urgent/emergent setting (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.69–5.55, p Conclusions Perioperative complications of patients undergoing CAWR are considerable and depend on defect complexities, the setting of surgery, comorbidities, wound classification, procedural factors, and case-mix index. Prospective studies on perioperative complications are needed.
Pathogenicity of Ureaplasma urealyticum serotype 1 and 8 in the genital tract of female BALB/c mice

Objective To compare the pathogenicity between Ureaplasma urealyticum serotype 1 (Up1)and 8 (Uu8) in the genital tract of BALB/c mice.Methods A total of 48 BALB/c mice were randomly and equally divided into four groups:blank control group receiving no treatment,estradiol group pretreated with intramuscular injection of estradiol followed by intravaginal inoculation with sterial liquid culture media,Up1 and Uu8 groups pretreated with intramuscular injection of estradiol followed by intravaginal inoculation with suspensions of Up1 and Uu8 respectively.Three mice were randomly selected from each group to be sacrificed after the collection of vaginal lavage fluid on day 3,7,14 and 21 after the inoculation.Vaginal and uterine tissue specimens were obtained from these sacrificed mice and underwent hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining.Vaginal lavage fluid samples were subjected to culture of Uu and measurement of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).Results No evidences were observed for Uu growth in either the blank control group or estradiol group at any of the time points after the inoculation,with the average level of TNF-α in vaginal lavage fluid being (4.17 ± 0.85) pg/ml at these time points in both groups.Uu grew in all the vaginal lavage fluid samples from the Up1 and Uu8 groups at the four time points,with the color change unit (CCU) value decreasing with time.The level of TNF-α in vaginal lavage fluid peaked on day 14 after the inoculation in the Up 1 ((14.93 ± 1.11) pg/ml) and Uu8 ((27.04 ± 24.26) pg/ml) groups.Both Up1 and Uu8 infection caused acute and chronic inflammatory responses in the mice,which were mainly located in the uterus,and Up1 might cause intrauterine adhesion.Conclusions At the same inoculation concentration,no significant difference is found in the pathogenicity between Up1 and Uu8,both of which appear to mainly cause cervicitis.Upl might be partially responsible for intrauterine adhesion in mice. Key words: Ureaplasma urealyticum; Mice, inbred BALB/c; Virulence
Beyond continuationism: climate change, economic growth, and the future of world (dis)order

An apocalyptic zeitgeist infuses global life, yet this is only minimally reflected in International Relations (IR) debates about the future of world order and implications of climate change. Instea...
Stochastic Permanent Breaks

This paper aims to bridge the gap between processes where shocks are permanent and those with transitory shocks by formulating a process in which the long run impact of each innovation is time varying and stochastic. Frequent transitory shocks are supplemented by occasional permanent shifts. The stochastic permanent breaks (STOPBREAK) process is based on the premise that a shock is more likely to be permanent if it is large than if it is small. This formulation is motivated by a class of processes that undergo random structural breaks. Consistency and asymptotic normality of quasi maximum likelihood estimates is established and locally best hypothesis tests of the null of a random walk are developed. The model is applied to relative prices of pairs of stocks and significant test statistics result.
Blood lactate response to active recovery in athletes vs. non-athletes

Optimal active recovery is 80% of lactate threshold for trained individuals, yet this may differ for untrained individuals. Therefore, our goal was to investigate the lactate response during optimal active recovery for athletes vs. non-athletes. Sixteen adults (21 ± 1 year, BMI: 26.5 ± 3.6 kg·m−2) were enrolled in a cohort study (collegiate athletes vs. non-athletes). Visit one determined participant lactate threshold and VO2max. Visit two consisted of a brief, but intense running protocol followed by active recovery at 80% of lactate threshold. Heart rate and lactate were taken at rest and every four minutes during active recovery. General mixed linear modeling was used (Alpha p < 0.05) and Cohen’s d was calculated for effect size. Post hoc analysis of individual time points used Bonferroni adjustment. There was a significant difference in overall lactate (β = − 2.34 mmol·L−1·min−1, p < 0.001, d = 2.32) favoring athletes and at each time point during active recovery (all p < 0.005). There was a significant difference in overall heart rate favoring athletes (β = − 14 bpm, p = 0.003, d = 1.64) and individual time points (all p < 0.005). Lactate removal during active recovery (80% of lactate threshold) demonstrated a significant difference between athletes vs. non-athletes. Optimal intensity of active recovery for non-athletes should be further investigated.
Utilizing computer vision and artificial intelligence algorithms to predict and design the mechanical compression response of direct ink write 3D printed foam replacement structures

Abstract Additive Manufacturing (AM) of porous polymeric materials, such as foams, recently became a topic of intensive research due their unique combination of low density, impressive mechanical properties, and stress dissipation capabilities. Conventional methods for fabricating foams rely on complex and stochastic processes, making it challenging to achieve precise architectural control of structured porosity. In contrast, AM provides access to a wide range of printable materials, where precise spatial control over structured porosity can be modulated during the fabrication process enabling the production of foam replacement structures (FRS). Current approaches for designing FRS are based on intuitive understanding of their properties or an extensive number of finite element method (FEM) simulations. These approaches, however, are computationally expensive and time consuming. Therefore, in this work, we present a novel methodology for determining the mechanical compression response of direct ink write (DIW) 3D printed FRS using a simple cross-sectional image. By obtaining measurement data for a relatively small number of samples, an artificial neural network (ANN) was trained, and a computer vision algorithm was used to make inferences about foam compression characteristics from a single cross-sectional image. Finally, a genetic algorithm (GA) was used to solve the inverse design problem, generating the AM printing parameters that an engineer should use to achieve a desired compression response from a DIW printed FRS. The methods developed herein present an avenue for entirely autonomous design and analysis of additively manufactured structures using artificial intelligence.
47982 Reversing the resistance to chemotherapy in White and Black patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

ABSTRACT IMPACT: Reversing tumor microenvironment (TME) immunosuppression will help to increase the overall efficacy of treatment of chemo-resistant triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and mitigate racial disparities in treatment response. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: We have developed an ex-vivo whole tissue culture model to test the feasibility of reversing local immunosuppression in TME by chemokine modulatory (CKM) regimen. Our current objective is to analyze the molecular changes in CKM-treated chemoresistant TNBC from White and Black women and identify factors determining response to CKM. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Freshly resected residual TNBC from 20 White and 20 Black women ≥18 yrs old treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) will be procured. Tumor explants will be prepared & cultured in the absence and presence of CKM (Interferon-ð 〉1/4, TLR3 agonist rintatolimod and COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib). Chemokines implicated in cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)- & MDSC/ Treg attraction will be analyzed using Taqman & ELISA. We will have 80% power to detect a 0.7 standard deviation difference in chemokines between untreated & treated samples within and between cohorts using ANCOVA. Bulk RNA sequencing will be performed on both untreated & treated samples from CKM responding (highest aggregate increase in CTL- and highest decrease in Treg/MDSC-favoring chemokines in the top quartile) and non-responding (bottom quartile) tissues. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Our preliminary data show that Black patients (pts) with breast cancer (BC) have an immunosuppressive TME associated with poor outcomes. This is similar to other existing literature showing that Black pts with BC have less favorable and more unfavorable chemokines in the TME. We anticipate the chemokine changes with CKM treatment will be larger in the Black cohort given their ability to elicit a robust inflammatory response. Therefore, we expect that CKM treatment will result in favorable TME in both groups and improve outcomes in TNBC, which has the worst prognosis of all subtypes, eliminating a key area of disparity in BC. The proposed transcriptome analysis will help identify key gene networks involved in response to CKM treatment and guide modulating the targets for non-responsiveness to improve efficacy of CKM. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Pts with residual disease (RD) after NAC have a 3-yr overall survival 68% vs. 94% for pts with complete response. Blacks have a higher incidence of TNBC with more likelihood of RD & mortality. We anticipate that the existing TME differences can be abrogated by our current CKM regimen or via developing an alternative CKM regimen optimized for Black pts.
A Tale of Two Cities: Reflections on Robinson's Twinning of International Criminal Law and Criminal Law Theory

Contribution to book symposium: Darryl Robinson, Justice in Extreme Cases: Criminal Law Theory Meets International Criminal Law (Cambridge University Press, 2020).
Functional magnetic resonance imaging adaptation reveals a noncategorical representation of hue in early visual cortex

Color names divide the fine-grained gamut of color percepts into discrete categories. A categorical transition must occur somewhere between the initial encoding of the continuous spectrum of light by the cones and the verbal report of the name of a color stimulus. Here, we used a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) adaptation experiment to examine the representation of hue in the early visual cortex. Our stimuli varied in hue between blue and green. We found in the early visual areas (V1, V2/3, and hV4) a smoothly increasing recovery from adaptation with increasing hue distance between adjacent stimuli during both passive viewing (Experiment 1) and active categorization (Experiment 2). We examined the form of the adaptation effect and found no evidence that a categorical representation mediates the release from adaptation for stimuli that cross the blue–green color boundary. Examination of the direct effect of stimulus hue on the fMRI response did, however, reveal an enhanced response to stimuli near the blue–green category border. This was largest in hV4 and when subjects were engaged in active categorization of the stimulus hue. In contrast with a recent report from another laboratory (Bird, Berens, Horner, & Franklin, 2014), we found no evidence for a categorical representation of color in the middle frontal gyrus. A post hoc whole-brain analysis, however, revealed several regions in the frontal cortex with a categorical effect in the adaptation response. Overall, our results support the idea that the representation of color in the early visual cortex is primarily fine grained and does not reflect color categories.
Regulation of acyl-CoA synthetase. II. Effect of glucose and tricarboxylic acid intermediates.

1. 1. Acyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.3) activity of homogenates prepared from livers of starved, starved-refed or non-starved rats was determined. Feeding of only glucose either prior to or subsequent to starvation resulted in decreased acyl-CoA synthetase activity. In contrast, neither starvation nor feeding only fat or refeeding starved rats a complete diet containing 15% corn oil plus 53% sucrose caused any change in acyl-CoA synthetase activity. 2. 2. Triglyceride content of livers prepared from rats fed glucose for 48 h or from rats fasted 48 h and refed glucose for 48 h was 2–3-fold greater than the triglyceride content of livers from control-fed rats. The triglyceride content of livers from rats fed only fat or a complete diet containing 15% corn oil was 7–10-fold greater than the triglyceride content of livers from rats fed a control diet. 3. 3. Glucose, l-α-glycerolphosphate, acetyl-CoA, NADPH or citric acid cycle intermediates did not affect acyl-CoA synthetase activity directly during in vitro assay. 4. 4. The role of acyl-CoA synthetase in the regulation of liver fatty acid utilization after glucose or fat feeding is discussed in view of the above observations.
The evolving roles of cell surface proteases in health and disease: Implications for developmental, adaptive, inflammatory, and neoplastic processes

Publisher Summary Cell surface proteolysis is an important process, crucial in a growing number of biological functions including development, normal homeostasis and adaptive responses, degenerative diseases, inflammation and repair, and several aspects of the neoplastic process. In addition to a growing appreciation of the general importance of cell surface proteolysis there has also been a growing appreciation of the diversity of enzymes and enzyme systems which are involved in this process. This chapter illustrates cell-surface proteolysis in each of these areas. Protease activities are crucial during development. In addition to extracellular matrix remodeling, cell surface proteases are essential in modulating cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation as well as in signaling cell attraction and repulsion. Maintenance of homeostasis entails a continuous, dynamic response to the environment that sometimes may include controlled proteolytic responses crucial for modulation of local growth factor levels, optimal functioning of the clotting and complement systems, and remodeling of our connective tissues and vascular system.
Multiresponse optimization by a normalized function approach

Abstract A simple new method, called Normalized Function Approach (NFA), was developed for simultaneously optimizing systems defined by several output variables (response functions) and a common set of input variables (factors). For each original response function the difference between the estimated response and its individual optimum was evaluated and normalized over the experimental space. The individually normalized functions were then weighted for their importance and combined into an overall function using a “sum of squares” approach. Simultaneous optimization was completed by minimizing the overall function. Some numerical examples were considered to introduce the new method and several reported applications in the food area were used for verification and comparison with other multiresponse optimization methods.
An Approach to the Initial State Reconstruction of a Clock-Controlled Shift Register Based on a Novel Distance Measure

The initial state reconstruction problem of a clock-controlled shift register is considered when the characteristic polynomial, a segment of the output sequence and the probability of ones in the clock sequence are known. This problem is more general than the considered one (in [2]), and it is solved using a quite different approach. A novel distance measure for comparison of two different length binary sequences is proposed and its main characteristics relevant for the cryptanalysis is derived. An algorithm for the cryptanalysis based on the proposed distance measure is presented and its main characteristics are pointed out. Expected minimal length of the observed sequence for the unique initial state solution is estimated. Illustrative numerical examples are included.
Public Subsidy Of Health Care And Health Outcomes In OECD Countries

This study determines if differences in per capita health care cost and health outcomes among OECD countries can be explained by the extent to which national health expenditures is publicly financed. The study controls, whenever multicollinearity issues can be avoided, for indicators of the quality of the health care system, health inputs and health risk factors. Using multiple regression analysis, the study finds that the quality of the health care system, not the extent of public subsidy, is the more statistically significant determinant of the cross-country variance in health outcomes.
Early postmenopausal bone loss and what to do about it

The pattern of lifelong changes in bone mass in women characterized in several publications generally shows that peak adult bone mass is achieved at about the end of adolescence or later, and begins to decline as menopause approaches. Uncertainties remain regarding the exact age at which peak bone mass is reached and when it starts to decline. The data indicate that the onset of rapid bone loss in healthy women begins at about two years before the last menses and is complete at about four to five years after the last menses. The bone loss at the spine, total body, and femoral neck over these years is equal to about one T-score and is largely irreversible after it occurs. This presentation examines the data on these questions and focuses on the perimenopausal pattern of rapid bone loss and the implications for identifying and managing the later-life risk of fracture.
A new approach for identifying ionospheric backscatter in midlatitude SuperDARN HF radar observations

[1] The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) is a network of HF radars that are traditionally used for monitoring phenomena in the Earth's ionosphere at high latitudes. The radar backscatter is due primarily to reflections from plasma irregularities in the ionosphere, known as ionospheric scatter, and to signal reflected from the ground, known as ground scatter. In recent years, SuperDARN has expanded to midlatitudes to provide improved coverage of the auroral region during times of enhanced geomagnetic activity. In addition to high-speed auroral flows, the radars commonly see a variety of low-velocity plasma drift associated with the quiet time midlatitude ionosphere. The traditional method of distinguishing between scatter types in SuperDARN data was developed for high latitudes and depends solely on the Doppler velocity and Doppler spectral width of each data point. This method has proven inadequate for identifying quiet time midlatitude ionospheric scatter. In this paper, we present a new technique for the classification of SuperDARN data, which operates on a distributed range time basis and involves procedures similar to “depth first search.” Using the new method for classification of ground and ionospheric scatter, we show a dramatic improvement in the determination of ionospheric scatter within extended (>1 h) events. Compared to the traditional method, the number of ionospheric measurements resolved increases by more than 50%. The new classification algorithm identifies discrete events of ionospheric scatter and can be applied to statistical analysis of event occurrence and characteristics.
Direct spectrophotometric estimation of amniotic fluid volume

Abstract Coomassie's blue was used in the estimation of amniotic fluid volume in 13 patients prior to volumetric measurement at cesarean section. Amniotic fluid volume was calculated by dye dilution, determined by direct spectrophotometric analysis. The optimum time for sampling was found to be 30 minutes after injection. Results with the dilution method correlated to within ±15 per cent of the collected volume, indicating that this technique is sufficiently accurate as well as simple to be clinically useful.