cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Debt Financing, Firm Value, and the Cost of Capital

This note explores how managers determine the proper amount of debt financing to use to fund a firm's operations. It examines the fundamental differences between debt financing and equity financing and the factors that drive the choice between them. The note is suitable for an introductory MBA course on corporate finance.
Recruiting through mothers: you made them strong, we’ll make them Army Strong

ABSTRACTThis article uses narrative analysis to examine how the military relies on gender inequality to recruit new enlistees through parents, specifically focusing on mothers. Recently, the military shifted strategy to consider parents a critical gateway to enlisting new recruits. Using a network of websites aimed at convincing mothers service is right for their children, military recruiters sell enlistment as an avenue where children become adults and productive citizens. To do this, the military draws on gendered understandings of fatherhood and motherhood in recruitment materials. The military shows fathers approving their children’s enlistment. In contrast, recruitment advertisements spend time addressing and challenging mothers’ perceived emotions and misconceptions about the military. Mothers are assumed to not understand the military institution (as women), and to ‘naturally’ worry about safety (as mothers). By recruiting through mothers, the military strategically reinforces gendered divisions of...
A STUDY OF TRENDS AND IN-HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES IN ACUTE MYOCARDITIS: RESULTS FROM THE NATIONAL INPATIENT SAMPLE (NIS) DATABASE

We investigated recent trends in-hospital outcomes and mortality in patients admitted with primary diagnosis of acute myocarditis. We performed a secondary analysis of the NIS (2008 to 2012) for patients with primary diagnosis of acute myocarditis. Various demographic/clinical parameters, including
Glycogen content of normal lymphocytes.

Summary and ConclusionLymphocytes were isolated from the blood of normal individuals. Glycogen content of these cells was determined by the anthrone technic. A significant amount of this polysaccharide was found in these cells suggesting that normal lymphocytes contain more of this substance than the granulocyte. These findings are in contradiction to observations made on these cells by PAS method and assumptions based on chemical glycogen determinations of leukemic lymphocytes.
The influence of pressure on the capillary flow of poly(methyl methacrylate)

Pressure effects in the capillary flow of a single sample of poly(methyl methacrylate),Mv = 1.33 · 105, were evaluated. The length/diameter ratios of the different capillaries used varied from 4 to 100. The tests were made with an Instron rheometer in the range 160–250 °C. The pressure-viscosity model, derived from the free volume-WLF equation, was used to pressure correct the capillary data. The corrected data agreed well with data obtained at atmospheric pressure using aWeissenberg rheogoniometer. A derived expression to calculate an increase in the flow activation energy with increasing stress predicts the observed increase in activation energy.
Pressure-independent hypertrophy of veins and pulmonary arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Characterization of function, structural and histochemical changes.

1. Portal veins, vena cavae and pulmonary arteries from spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats were found to undergo medial smooth-muscle hypertrophy when compared with corresponding blood vessels from age- and sex-matched Wister—Kyoto (WKy) normotensive rats. There was an increase in the density of the mucopolysaccharide and glycoprotein staining in veins, pulmonary arteries vena venorum and ventricular myocardium of SH rats. 2. Electron-microscopic examination of the blood vessels and myocardium of SH rats suggested enhanced protein synthesis and hypertrophy both in the smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Central venous, portal venous and right ventricular pressures were measured in SH rats and were not elevated when compared with corresponding values for WKy rats. Veins and pulmonary arteries from SH rats developed more tension when challenged with vasoconstrictor stimuli than corresponding vessels obtained from WKy rats. 3. Veins and pulmonary arteries obtained from SH rats demonstrated a greater uptake of [ 14 C]glycosamine than corresponding blood vessels from WKy rats. 4. These findings demonstrate the existence of pressure-independent hypertrophy of smooth muscle in blood vessels obtained from SH rats, associated with an increase in glycoprotein synthesis and an enhanced contractile activity of the muscle. The data suggest that the enhanced contractility of blood vessels from SH rats reflects the enhanced muscle mass. It may represent an aberrant humoral or cellular mechanism which results in the hypertension.
Study on Function and Safety Situation of Soy Isoflavone Health Foods in China

Objective To understand the characteristics of ingestion dose and health function of soy isoflavone and possible problems,and to provide reference and evidence for licensing new product.Method Data of soy isoflavone health foods authorized before 2007 were collected.Ingestion dose of soy isoflavone,the functions claimed,and other related information were analyzed.Meanwhile,research on soy isoflavone and the situation of applications abroad were reviewed to suggest that some potential functions and safety problems need to be given attention to the procedure of examination and approval.Results 9 kinds of functions were involved in all of the authorized soy isoflavone health foods.The number of increasing bone density and antioxidation function occupied approximately 60 percent of the sum of all functions.The number of products that the ingestion of soy isoflavone was below 126 mg/d approximately occupied 95 percent of all.Conclusion It was implied that the ingestion of soy isoflavone and functions of soy isoflavone health foods in China in general was accordance with international situation.In addition,there are lots of conflicting research results related to functions and safety of soy isoflavone still need to be continually observed and further explored by authority administration.
Back Stiffness Is Associated with Physical Health and Low Back Pain-Related Disability in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Objective. Back stiffness is a common complaint among older adults with low back pain. Nonetheless, self-reported back stiffness has received little exploration in this patient population. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of self-reported low back stiffness with physical health and low back pain-related disability among older adults with low back pain. Design. Cross-sectional analysis Subjects. Data included in this study were obtained from the Retirement Community Back Pain Study, a population-based survey of older adults. Methods. Participants completed the Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Form 36 and the modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire. Physical health, derived from the Short Form-36, was represented by the physical component summary score. Back stiffness was rated on a 0–10 scale, where 0 indicated “no back stiffness.” Results. Covariates—that is, intensity and duration of low back pain, age, sex, weight, education level, and comorbidities—explained 27% of the variance in physical health ( P < 0.0001) and 38% of the variance in low back pain-related disability ( P = 0.0002). Self-reported stiffness explained an additional 6% of the variance in physical health ( P < 0.0001) and 10% of the variance in low back pain-related disability ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions. Back stiffness in older, community-dwelling adults with low back pain may help explain physical health and low back pain-related disability, above and beyond demographics and pain. Future longitudinal research is needed to evaluate low back stiffness as a predictor of physical health and disability. Ultimately, assessment and treatment of back stiffness in older adults with low back pain may improve patient outcomes.
Gα12 is required for renal cystogenesis induced by Pkd1 inactivation

ABSTRACT Mutation of PKD1 , encoding the protein polycystin-1 (PC1), is the main cause of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The signaling pathways downstream of PC1 in ADPKD are still not fully understood. Here, we provide genetic evidence for the necessity of Gα12 (encoded by Gna12 , hereafter Gα12 ) for renal cystogenesis induced by Pkd1 knockout. There was no phenotype in mice with deletion of Gα12 ( Gα12 −/− ). Polyinosine-polycytosine (pI:pC)-induced deletion of Pkd1 ( Mx1Cre + Pkd1 f/f Gα12 +/+ ) in 1-week-old mice resulted in multiple kidney cysts by 9 weeks, but the mice with double knockout of Pkd1 and Gα12 ( Mx1Cre + Pkd1 f/f Gα12 −/− ) had no structural and functional abnormalities in the kidneys. These mice could survive more than one year without kidney abnormalities except multiple hepatic cysts in some mice, which indicates that the effect of Gα12 on cystogenesis is kidney specific. Furthermore, Pkd1 knockout promoted Gα12 activation, which subsequently decreased cell–matrix and cell–cell adhesion by affecting the function of focal adhesion and E-cadherin, respectively. Our results demonstrate that Gα12 is required for the development of kidney cysts induced by Pkd1 mutation in mouse ADPKD.
Economic analysis of CO2-enhanced oil recovery in Ohio: Implications for carbon capture, utilization, and storage in the Appalachian Basin region

Abstract A cost-benefit analysis is presented to evaluate the economic feasibility of carbon dioxide (CO2)-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in Ohio. Ohio-specific data is integrated with reservoir performance and economic models to define the analysis framework. The analysis is applied to two Ohio oil fields to illustrate how the methodology can be used to constrain project economics and profitability. The regression derived from the CO2 break-even price calculated for a range of oil prices indicates that the change in the unit value of CO2 for EOR is approximately four times the corresponding change in the unit value of oil. A similar correlation observed in other oil fields suggests differences in reservoir properties may not significantly alter the price elasticity of CO2 relative to the prevailing oil price. The break-even correlation presented here represents a standalone metric that can be applied for project screening purposes to determine the price conditions at which CO2 becomes a viable purchase for EOR and a marketable asset for power plants with capture technology.
Open Anterior Component Separation

Since its original description in 1990, the anterior components separation technique for reconstruction of large and complex abdominal wall defects has evolved as an elegant and indispensible tool for surgeons across specialties. In contrast to historically used techniques which often involved placement of a large piece of spanning synthetic mesh to cover hernia defects, separation of components recreates the native physiology of the abdominal wall by restoring the normal anatomic relationship of the bilateral rectus sheaths. Refinements to Ramirez’s originally described procedure include mesh reinforcement of midline closure and minimal dissection techniques, which spare musculocutaneous perforators in the periumbilical region. Discussion among experts continues regarding the optimal type of mesh, position of mesh placement, and role of endoscopic and other minimally invasive methods for flap dissection. Herein the authors discuss these trends and controversies, and describe their personal technique and algorithm for application of the anterior components separation method.
Severe TSH Elevation and Pituitary Enlargement After Changing Thyroid Replacement to Compounded T4/T3 Therapy:

We present the first case of iatrogenic hypothyroidism as a result of compounded thyroid hormone (T4/T3) therapy. The thyroid replacement was changed from 175 µg levothyroxine (LT4) to 57/13.5 µg compounded T4/T3 daily in order to improve the T3 level, despite normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This resulted in clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism and high TSH level (150 µIU/mL). Six months later, the patient was referred to our clinic for abnormal pituitary magnetic resonance imaging. On reinitiating a physiologic dose of LT4, clinical and biochemical abnormalities resolved and the pituitary gland size decreased. Our case emphasizes the importance of using TSH level to gauge dose adjustments in primary hypothyroidism. Also, it underscores the current American Thyroid Association recommendation against routine use of compounded thyroid hormone therapy.
Effect of infused branched-chain amino acids on muscle and whole-body amino acid metabolism in man

1. Using the forearm balance method, together with systemic infusions of L-[ring-2,6-3H]phenylalanine and L-[1-14C]leucine, we examined the effects of infused branched-chain amino acids on whole-body and skeletal muscle amino acid kinetics in 10 postabsorptive normal subjects; 10 control subjects received only saline. 2. Infusion of branched-chain amino acids caused a four-fold rise in arterial branched-chain amino acid levels and a two-fold rise in branched-chain keto acids; significant declines were observed in circulating levels of most other amino acids, including phenylalanine, which fell by 34%. Plasma insulin levels were unchanged from basal levels (8 +/- 1 mu-units/ml). 3. Whole-body phenylalanine flux, an index of proteolysis, was significantly suppressed by branched-chain amino acid infusion (P less than 0.002), and forearm phenylalanine production was also inhibited (P less than 0.03). With branched-chain amino acid infusion total leucine flux rose, with marked increments in both oxidative and non-oxidative leucine disposal (P less than 0.001). Proteolysis, as measured by endogenous leucine production, showed a modest 12% decrease, although this was not significant when compared with saline controls. The net forearm balance of leucine and other branched-chain amino acids changed from a basal net output to a marked net uptake (P less than 0.001) during branched-chain amino acid infusion, with significant stimulation of local leucine disposal. Despite the rise in whole-body non-oxidative leucine disposal, and in forearm leucine uptake and disposal, forearm phenylalanine disposal, an index of muscle protein synthesis, was not stimulated by infusion of branched-chain amino acids. 4. The results suggest that in normal man branched-chain amino acid infusion suppresses skeletal muscle proteolysis independently of any rise of plasma insulin. Muscle branched-chain amino acid uptake rose dramatically in the absence of any apparent increase in muscle protein synthesis, as measured by phenylalanine disposal, or in branched-chain keto acid release. Thus, an increase in muscle branched-chain amino acid concentrations and/or local branched-chain amino acid oxidation must account for the increased disposal of branched-chain amino acids.
Thrombocytosis Increases the Risk of Chemotherapy-Associated Thrombosis.

Abstract Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent and significant complication of cancer and of chemotherapy, with an estimated risk of 0.04%/month (0.5%/year). Patients with thrombocytopenia are widely perceived to be at low-risk for VTE. Conversely, thrombocytosis may contribute to risk of VTE, but this has not been well-studied. We conducted a prospective analysis to determine the association of platelet counts with the incidence of symptomatic VTE in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: The Awareness of Neutropenia in Cancer (ANC) Study Group is currently enrolling patients with breast, lung, colon, ovary and other cancers, at 137 sites nationwide, with an accrual goal of 4,500 patients. Patients are registered at the time of initiation of a new chemotherapy regimen, and followed for 4 cycles. The association of VTE with platelet counts and other clinical variables was studied in univariate analysis and in a multiple logistic regression model. Results: A total of 2,151 patients treated with at least one cycle of chemotherapy were available for analysis. Of these, 18.1% had platelet counts Conclusion: This is the first report describing an independent association of platelet counts with symptomatic VTE in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Patients with platelet counts of ≥ 350,000 prior to initiation of chemotherapy are at a three-fold greater risk for developing VTE. The role of platelets in the pathogenesis of chemotherapy-associated thrombosis warrants further study. Platelet counts should be taken into account when defining high-risk patients for thromboprophylaxis. Download : Download high-res image (160KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
Visualizing multistep elevator-like transitions of a nucleoside transporter

Membrane transporters move substrates across the membrane by alternating access of their binding sites between the opposite sides of the membrane. An emerging model of this process is the elevator mechanism, in which a substrate-binding transport domain moves a large distance across the membrane. This mechanism has been characterized by a transition between two states, but the conformational path that leads to the transition is not yet known, largely because the available structural information has been limited to the two end states. Here we present crystal structures of the inward-facing, intermediate, and outward-facing states of a concentrative nucleoside transporter from Neisseria wadsworthii. Notably, we determined the structures of multiple intermediate conformations, in which the transport domain is captured halfway through its elevator motion. Our structures present a trajectory of the conformational transition in the elevator model, revealing multiple intermediate steps and state-dependent conformational changes within the transport domain that are associated with the elevator-like motion.
Wartime Transportation of Farm Products

T HE combination of many independent farmers each owning one or more motor vehicles and of a considerable number of companies and individuals who supply trucking service has resulted in the development of transportation habits and customs that are more or less wasteful of motor vehicle mileage. While inefficiencies were generally recognized, relatively little had been done to ascertain their nature or extent prior to the beginning of World War II. The shortage of strategic materials and of manpower arising out of the war effort now makes it imperative that all transportation be conducted as efficiently as possible. Consequently an increasing amount of attention is being devoted to this problem. From one standpoint, the scope of this paper is more limited than that suggested by the title, but from another it is more inclusive. It is more limited in that it is concerned chiefly with transportation by motor vehicle rather than by rail, water, or air. It is more inclusive in that it deals with the local transportation of the farm family, and with the local hauling of supplies to farms as well as with the hauling of farm products to local and distant markets. In the preparation of this paper it has been necessary to draw rather heavily upon a war emergency transportation study made in Martin County, Minnesota by the Division of Agricultural Economics and the Agricultural Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture, University of Minnesota.1 At other points the present writer has drawn heavily upon the published works of others. Martin county was selected because it was believed that farm motor vehicle and commercial truck transportation arrangements in this county were fairly typical of most of south central and southwestern Minnesota. It is located about midway in the state from east to west, bordering Iowa on the South. The average size of farm is about 175 acres. It is an important agricultural county producing considerable beef, pork, dairy, and poultry products.
Penile Fracture Following a Fall in a 7-Year-Old Male

We report a rare case of isolated penile fracture in a prepubescent male caused by an accidental fall. The patient presented with swelling and ecchymosis on the base of the penis and along the penile shaft. A flexible cystoscopy was performed, which did not reveal any concomitant urethral injury. The penis was degloved and the corporal tear was closed with absorbable suture. Due to the location of the injury, ventral mobilization of the urethra was required. The pathophysiology of penile fracture as well as the diagnosis and management of this rare injury are discussed in this report.
Comparison of Edwards Personal Preference Schedule Data for Three Groups

The study is designed to provide comparative data on the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule for Edwards’ norm group, Allen’s (1957a; 1958) group, and a local group of 292 entering college freshmen. Raw and T score means and standard deviations for the local sample indicate few differences from the norm group. The men show fewer dominance and heterosexual choices, with more abasement. The women indicate fewer choices on heterosexual only. This indicates the possibility that the students were answering partly in terms of traits perceived as desirable in the college setting. An examination of the significant variable intercorrelations upon which all three samples agreed suggests the emergence of a personality continuum along the dimension of interpersonal dependence-independence, with three clusters of the variables falling at both extremes and an indeterminant intermediate position. It is finally concluded that the judgmental question of whether the need scores are, in fact, relatively independent may not yet be answered affirmatively.
Policy review: Is inequality a policy choice?

Abstract. The paper is a short literature review that suggests that trade policy as opposed to general measures of openness does correlate with inequality. The review suggests that developing countries are not ready to fully integrate with global trade because significant segments of populations are unskilled whereas global trade patterns benefit only skilled or semi-skilled. Keywords. Inequality, Integration, Trade Policy. JEL. F10, F13, F19.
Frontline Therapy of CLL: Evolving Treatment Paradigm

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has multiple current frontline therapy options, including chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) and most recently, ibrutinib. Here, we review the most recent updates in the frontline treatment of CLL, including updates in CIT, updates in targeted therapies, and ongoing clinical trials. Ibrutinib was FDA-approved for the upfront treatment of CLL in 2016 after being studied in older patients and those with 17p deletions or TP53 mutations. The introduction of ibrutinib has dramatically changed the treatment paradigm of CLL. Recent updates in CIT include that immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (IGHV) gene mutation status is strongly predictive of response to CIT. Regarding targeted therapy, next-generation BTK and PI3K inhibitors are currently being studied in the upfront treatment of CLL, which may have less toxicity than their first-generation counterparts. Other novel targeted therapies are being studied in the frontline setting, most notably venetoclax including in combinations, with hopes to achieve chemotherapy-free, time-limited treatment options. Multiple key ongoing phase 3 clinical trials will be answering these important clinical questions.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction Study of NBS Fly Ash Standard Reference Materials

The fly ash Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) issued by the U.S. National Bureau of Standards have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Based on observations of large diffuse scattering maxima in their X-ray diffractograms, it was evident that all of the ashes had a high glass content. SRM 1633a and 2689, derived from the combustion of bituminous coal, contained different amounts of quartz, mullite, hematite and ferrite spinel (magnetite). SRM 2891, derived from subbituminous coal had quite a different chemical composition and a more complex crystalline phase assemblage, that included these four phases plus anhydrite, tricalcium aluminate, lime, periclase and minor phases. SRM 2690, also derived from subbituminous coal, had only quartz, mullite and ferrite spinel as detectable phases in its diffractogram. Analytical CaO is an important factor in determining the phase assemblage; SRM 2691 had 25.8 wt%, SRM-2690 had 8.0%, and the ash derived from bituminous coals had only 1.6-3.0%. The changing composition of the glass phases in the SRMs is detected in a shift in the position and shape of the diffuse scattering maximum in the diffractograms. Use of an internal intensity standard permitted quantitative comparisons of the relative amounts of crystalline phases among the four fly ash SRMs.
Trophic Transfer of Macroalgal Fatty Acids in Two Urchin Species: Digestion, Egestion, and Tissue Building

Sea urchins are ecosystem engineers of nearshore benthic communities because of their influence on the abundance and distribution of macroalgal species. Urchins are notoriously inefficient in assimilation of their macroalgal diets, so their fecal production can provide a nutritional subsidy to benthic consumers that cannot capture and handle large macroalgae. We studied the assimilation of macroalgal diets by urchins by analyzing the profiles of trophic biomarkers such as fatty acids (FAs). We tracked macroalgal diet assimilation in both Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis and S. purpuratus. Juvenile S. droebachiensis and adult S. purpuratus were maintained for 180 and 70 days, respectively, on one of three monoculture diets from three algal phyla: Nereocystis luetkeana, Pyropia sp., or Ulva sp. We then analyzed FA profiles of the macroalgal tissue fed to urchins as well as urchin gonad, gut, digesta, and egesta (feces) to directly evaluate trophic modification and compare nutritional quality of urchin food sources, urchin tissues, and fecal subsidies. In the S. purpuratus assay, there were significantly more total lipids in the digesta and egesta than in the algae consumed. The FA profiles of urchin tissues differed among urchin species, all diets, and tissue types. Despite these differences, we observed similar patterns in the relationships between the urchin and macroalgal tissues for both species. Egesta produced by urchins fed each of the three diets were depleted with respect to the concentration of important long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), but did not differ significantly from the source alga consumed. Both urchin species were shown to synthesize and selectively retain both the precursor and resulting LCPUFAs involved in the synthesis of the LCPUFAs 20:4⍵6 and 20:5⍵3. S. droebachiensis and S. purpuratus exhibited consistent patterns in the respective depletion and retention of precursor FAs and resulting LCPUFAs of Pyropia and Ulva tissues, suggesting species level control of macroalgal digestion or differential tissue processing by gut microbiota. For both S. droebachiensis and S. purpuratus, macroalgal diet was a surprisingly strong driver of urchin tissue fatty acids; this indicates the potential of fatty acids for future quantitative trophic estimates of urchin assimilation of algal phyla in natural settings.
Effects of synthetic jet disturbances on the movement of the shear layer

The main application of this study is the discussion of the shear flow movement of a SJA (synthetic jet actuator acting) on the BFS flow. Reynolds number Re h = 1.18 × 104, the range of measurement x / h = 0.05−12, y / h = 0.2 ∼ 1.5. The velocity of the flow field was measured by hot wire anemometers, and uses the phase average method to discuss the eddy current structure of the flow field. In this study, the signal generator is used as a reference signal to the synthetic jet device, and the average of each phase in the calculation is more than 50. The results show that the phase averaging method can observe the periodic change of the flow field, and the obvious periodic change can be seen from the results of the axial velocity. If the velocity gradient is used to define the position of the shear layer, the synthetic jet device can produce a strong shock of the flow and the effective field limits the flow recirculation zone in the x / h <2.5h, the purpose of controlling the flow field.
Quantitative Genetics of Life History Evolution in a Migrant Insect

As he did with so much of population genetics, T. Dobzhansky provided the clearest insights into the nature of adaptations (Dobzhansky 1956). With his characteristic eloquence he stressed that adaptation does not involve simply the acquisition of single advantageous traits, but rather the development of arrays of characters that interact with one another in “complexes” or “syndromes”. Frazetta (1975) called such syndromes “complex adaptations” and likened them to machines in which all parts must blend together operationally to make the machines work. For the organism the parts are morphological, developmental, physiological, and behavioral traits, the “eco-behavioral traits” of Parsons (1983a,b), and studies of the ways selection has combined such traits should produce greater understanding of adaptation than analysis of single characters alone. The truth of this assertion is amply demonstrated, for example, in studies of temperature regulation in house mice (Mus musculus) from both field and laboratory populations. Adaptation to cold involves size, shape, pelage, metabolism, and nest-building behavior, all of which are phenotypically and genetically correlated (Berry and Jakobson 1975; Sulzbach and Lynch 1984). The genetic architecture provides the blueprints for the machine.
Changes in daily manifestations of Openness to Experience during intensive cognitive-behavioral treatment

OBJECTIVE Research examining relationships between trait Openness to Experience, psychopathology, and well-being has produced contradictory findings. Examining temporary manifestations of Openness may provide further insight into the interplay between Openness and symptoms in clinical populations. METHOD The present study validated a brief new measure to assess daily Openness in 271 adults (Mage = 34 years, 52% women, 83% White) taking part in 7 days of intensive treatment for acute psychopathology. Participants also completed a daily measure of depressive symptoms. RESULTS Participants overall experienced a significant but small increase in daily Openness during treatment. Two latent classes best characterized initial levels and trajectories of Openness in this sample: medium/increase (86% of sample) and low/decrease (14%). Daily Openness negatively related to depressive symptoms over the entire course of treatment and at the daily level. Daily Openness, however, did not predict depressive symptoms from one day to the next (or vice versa). CONCLUSIONS Results of this study contribute to the scientific understanding of positive personality change during challenging life circumstances. Future research could examine whether targeting Openness as part of treatment holds clinical value. Findings are limited by this study's short time frame and the lack of ethnoracial diversity in this sample.
Apremilast as a potential treatment for moderate to severe dermatomyositis: A retrospective study of 3 patients.

Dermatomyositis, one of the subtypes of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, presents with a prominent skin rash in up to 80% of patients with or without proximal muscle weakness.1 Dermatomyositis treatment can be very challenging. In particular, cutaneous disease is usually refractory and impacts the quality of life in patients with dermatomyositis.2 Systemic steroids are still considered first-line treatment; however, their chronic use should be limited.3 Many steroid-sparing agents have been used with variable outcomes.3 Currently used immunomodulators include antimalarials, azathioprine, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab, and oral calcineurin inhibitors.4Apremilast is a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor recently used in the treatment of several inflammatory diseases including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Behcet disease.5, 6 Apremilast was not previously reported in the treatment of patients with dermatomyositis. We report the efficacy of off-label use of apremilast in the treatment of 3 patients with recalcitrant dermatomyositis.
The Specter of ‘Politics’ and Ghosts of ‘Alternatives’ Past: Lebanese ‘Civil Society’ and the Antinomies of Contemporary Politics:

The Lebanese scene has witnessed important developments since the onset of the garbage crisis, particularly in the translation of ‘civil society’ activism and political disaffection into ‘alternati...
The role of conceptualization during language production: evidence from event encoding

As Pim Levelt proposed in Speaking, language production begins with the preverbal, conceptual apprehension of an event or state of affairs that the speaker intends to talk about. Despite the obviou...
Crash risk, crash exposure, and the built environment: A conceptual review

This paper reviews the literature on the relationship between the built environment and roadway safety, with a focus on studies that analyse small geographical units, such as census tracts or travel analysis zones. We review different types of built environment measures to analyse if there are consistent relationships between such measures and crash frequency, finding that for many built environment variables there are mixed or contradictory correlations. We turn to the treatment of exposure, because built environment measures are often used, either explicitly or implicitly, as measures of exposure. We find that because exposure is often not adequately controlled for, correlations between built environment features and crash rates could be due to either higher levels of exposure or higher rates of crash risk per unit of exposure. Then, we identify various built environment variables as either more related to exposure, more related to risk, or ambiguous, and recommend further targeted research on those variables whose relationship is currently ambiguous.
Fusaricidin Produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa WLY78 Induces Systemic Resistance against Fusarium Wilt of Cucumber

Cucumber is an important vegetable crop in China. Fusarium wilt is a soil-borne disease that can significantly reduce cucumber yields. Paenibacillus polymyxa WLY78 can strongly inhibit Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cucumerium, which causes Fusarium wilt disease. In this study, we screened the genome of WLY78 and found eight potential antibiotic biosynthesis gene clusters. Mutation analysis showed that among the eight clusters, the fusaricidin synthesis (fus) gene cluster is involved in inhibiting the Fusarium genus, Verticillium albo-atrum, Monilia persoon, Alternaria mali, Botrytis cinereal, and Aspergillus niger. Further mutation analysis revealed that with the exception of fusTE, the seven genes fusG, fusF, fusE, fusD, fusC, fusB, and fusA within the fus cluster were all involved in inhibiting fungi. This is the first time that demonstrated that fusTE was not essential. We first report the inhibitory mode of fusaricidin to inhibit spore germination and disrupt hyphal membranes. A biocontrol assay demonstrated that fusaricidin played a major role in controlling Fusarium wilt disease. Additionally, qRT-PCR demonstrated that fusaricidin could induce systemic resistance via salicylic acid (SA) signal against Fusarium wilt of cucumber. WLY78 is the first reported strain to both produce fusaricidin and fix nitrogen. Therefore, our results demonstrate that WLY78 will have great potential as a biocontrol agent in agriculture.
Understanding plasticity in irradiated alloys through TEM in situ compression pillar tests

Depth-sensing transmission electron microscopic (TEM) in situ mechanical testing has become widely utilized for understanding deformation in irradiated materials. Until now, compression pillars have primarily been used to study the elastic properties and yield of irradiated materials. In this study, we utilize TEM in situ compression pillars to investigate plastic deformation in two ion-irradiated alloys: Fe–9% Cr oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloy and nanocrystalline Cu–24% Ta. We develop an algorithm to automate the extraction of instantaneous pillar dimensions from TEM videos, which we use to calculate true stress–strain curves and strain hardening exponents. True stress–strain curves reveal intermitted plastic flow in all specimen conditions. In the Fe–9% Cr ODS, intermitted plastic flow is linked to strain bursts observed in TEM videos. Low strain hardening or strain softening is observed in all specimen conditions. TEM videos link the strain softening in irradiated Fe–9% Cr ODS to dislocation cross-slip, and in Cu–24% Ta to grain boundary sliding.
Pd‐Catalyzed C−C, C−N, and C−O Bond‐Forming Difunctionalization Reactions of Alkenes Bearing Tethered Aryl/Alkenyl Triflates

Over the past few years our group has described a new type of alkene difunctionalization reaction in which aryl or alkenyl triflates bearing tethered alkenes are coupled with various nucleophiles to afford carbocyclic products. The products are formed in moderate to good chemical yield, with generally high levels of stereoselectivity. Our progress to date in this area, which includes reactions of amine, alcohol, enolate, and indole nucleophiles, is described in this review.
Sonar Signaling Employing Braid-encoded Features on Sparse Gabor Dictionaries

We present a general approach is to utilize the interconnections between sonar acoustic color features towards robust sonar signaling. We design active sonar signaling schemes for different targets that encode the scattering physics unique to a given target onto sparse dictionary representations. The proposed technique is highly appropriate for battlespace scenarios, e.g. for detecting manmade targets of unknown geometry as well as for discovering moving covert targets that may exhibit transient albeit morphable spectral features.
Emergency medicine physicians infrequently perform pediatric critical procedures: a national perspective.

OBJECTIVE To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study using a nationally representative database to estimate the frequency of critical procedures (endotracheal tube intubation [ETI], cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR], and central line insertion [CLI]) in children and adults. METHODS The study was based on the secondary analysis of the 2010-2014 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. We included adult and pediatric patients undergoing critical procedures in the emergency department. We extracted demographic and clinical information, including the performance of critical procedures. For frequent procedures (≥1 per year), we estimated the annual number of critical procedures per emergency physician (EP) by dividing the total number of annual critical procedures by the total number of EPs (estimated at 40,000). For infrequent procedures, we calculated the average interval between procedures. We summarized the data with descriptive statistics and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS There were an estimated 668 million total emergency department visits (24% pediatric). On average, a single EP performed 8.6 (95% CI, 5.5 to 11.7) CLIs, 3.7 (95% CI, 2.4 to 5.0) CPRs, and 6.3 (95% CI, 5.3 to 7.4) ETIs per year in adults. In comparison, a single EP performed one pediatric CLI, CPR, and ETI every 3.2 (95% CI, 1.9 to 9.8), 5.2 (95% CI, 2.8 to 33.5), and 2.8 (95% CI, 1.6 to 8.9) years, respectively. CONCLUSION Our nationwide findings confirm those of previous smaller studies that critical procedures are significantly fewer in children than adults. We suggest that. METHODS to retain skills in pediatric critical procedures should be developed for general EPs to ensure that they deliver the highest level of care across the entire age spectrum.
Diffraction and photon exchange processes at the LHC and parton saturation

We present a review of the recent theoretical and experimental developments related to the field of diffraction, parton saturation, and forward physics. We first discuss our present understanding o...
Osteoporosis in Men

With the aging of the population, there is a growing recognition that osteoporosis and fractures in men are a significant public health problem, and both hip and vertebral fractures are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in men. Osteoporosis in men is a heterogeneous clinical entity: whereas most men experience bone loss with aging, some men develop osteoporosis at a relatively young age, often for unexplained reasons (idiopathic osteoporosis). Declining sex steroid levels and other hormonal changes likely contribute to age-related bone loss, as do impairments in osteoblast number and/or activity. Secondary causes of osteoporosis also play a significant role in pathogenesis. Although there is ongoing controversy regarding whether osteoporosis in men should be diagnosed based on female- or male-specific reference ranges (because some evidence indicates that the risk of fracture is similar in women and men for a given level of bone mineral density), a diagnosis of osteoporosis in men is generally made based on male-specific reference ranges. Treatment consists both of nonpharmacological (lifestyle factors, calcium and vitamin D supplementation) and pharmacological (most commonly bisphosphonates or PTH) approaches, with efficacy similar to that seen in women. Increasing awareness of osteoporosis in men among physicians and the lay public is critical for the prevention of fractures in our aging male population.
Impulsividad en el trastorno bipolar-II: ¿rasgo, estado o ambos?

Antecedentes.En el trastorno bipolar-II (BP-II), la impulsividad (definida en el DSM-IV-TR como desarrollo de actividades con riesgo excesivo) es uno de los sintomas la hipomania, pero no esta claro si la impulsividad es tambien un rasgo del BP-II.Objetivo.Determinar si la impulsividad es tambien un rasgo del BP-II.Metodos.Ciento treinta y seis pacientes ambulatorios con BP-II derivados consecutivamente (evaluados por depresion en la presentacion por un psiquiatra especializado en trastornos del animo con la Entrevista Clinica Estructurada para DSM-IV), con autoevaluacion del rasgo de impulsividad durante el seguimiento, usando el Cuestionario de Personalidad de la Entrevista Clinica Estructurada para los Trastornos del Eje II del DSM-IV, en una consulta privada. Los rasgos de cambios bruscos del estado de animo tambien fueron autoevaluados, usando el TEMPS-A. La naturaleza del rasgo de impulsividad en el BP-II podria confirmarse si se encontraba (1) una frecuencia relativamente alta, (2) una asociacion entre el rasgo de impulsividad y los sintomas de hipomania pasada, sobre todo, impulsividad, (3) una relacion dosis-respuesta entre el numero de sintomas de hipomania pasados y el rasgo de impulsividad, y (4) una asociacion entre el rasgo de impulsividad y los rasgos de cambios bruscos del estado de animo (un rasgo tipico del BP-II).Resultados.Sencontro el rasgo de impulsividad en el 41,1% de los pacientes con BP-II. Comparados con los pacientes con BP-II sin impulsividad, entre los pacientes con BP-II con impulsividad habia significativamente mas hombres, mas rasgos de cambios bruscos del estado de animo, mas sintomas de hipomania pasados (animo irritable, locuacidad, aumento de actividad para conseguir un objetivo) y actividades con riesgo excesivo (es decir, estado de impulsividad), que correspondio a una sobreactividad de riesgo irritable. El estado de impulsividad pasado y el rasgo de impulsividad se asociaron significativamente. El numero de sintomas de hipomania pasados y el rasgo de impulsividad se correlacionaron significativamente. Se encontro una relacion dosis-respuesta entre el numero de sintomas de hipomania pasados y el rasgo de impulsividad.Discusion.Los resultados sugieren que el rasgo de impulsividad puede ser una caracteristica del BP-II. Deberia tenerse en cuenta la limitacion de la autoevaluacion de los rasgos de personalidad. Estos resultados pueden tener un impacto importante sobre el tratamiento, ya que la combinacion de rasgo de impulsividad y cambios bruscos del estado de animo puede facilitar las recaidas y los estados mixtos, que los estabilizantes del animo podrian prevenir/retardar.
Rising occurrence of hypocitraturia and hyperoxaluria associated with increasing prevalence of stone disease in calcium kidney stone formers.

To evaluate metabolic risk factors in calcium kidney stone formers from two different decades, comparing changes in metabolic profiles over time. A retrospective analysis was performed of calcium k...
Repurposing Immunomodulatory Therapies against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Era of Cardiac Vigilance: A Systematic Review

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in efforts to identify therapies to ameliorate adverse clinical outcomes. The recognition of the key role for increased inflammation in COVID-19 has led to a proliferation of clinical trials targeting inflammation. The purpose of this review is to characterize the current state of immunotherapy trials in COVID-19, and focuses on associated cardiotoxicities, given the importance of pharmacovigilance. The search terms related to COVID-19 were queried in ClinicalTrials.gov. A total of 1621 trials were identified and screened for interventional trials directed at inflammation. Trials (n = 226) were fully assessed for the use of a repurposed drug, identifying a total of 141 therapeutic trials using a repurposed drug to target inflammation in COVID-19 infection. Building on the results of the Randomized Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) trial demonstrating the benefit of low dose dexamethasone in COVID-19, repurposed drugs targeting inflammation are promising. Repurposed drugs directed at inflammation in COVID-19 primarily have been drawn from cancer therapies and immunomodulatory therapies, specifically targeted anti-inflammatory, anti-complement, and anti-rejection agents. The proposed mechanisms for many cytokine-directed and anti-rejection drugs are focused on evidence of efficacy in cytokine release syndromes in humans or animal models. Anti-complement-based therapies have the potential to decrease both inflammation and microvascular thrombosis. Cancer therapies are hypothesized to decrease vascular permeability and inflammation. Few publications to date describe using these drugs in COVID-19. Early COVID-19 intervention trials have re-emphasized the subtle, but important cardiotoxic sequelae of potential therapies on outcomes. The volume of trials targeting the COVID-19 hyper-inflammatory phase continues to grow rapidly with the evaluation of repurposed drugs and late-stage investigational agents. Leveraging known clinical safety profiles and pharmacodynamics allows swift investigation in clinical trials for a novel indication. Physicians should remain vigilant for cardiotoxicity, often not fully appreciated in small trials or in short time frames.
No, I’m not crazy: a Black feminist perspective of gaslighting within doctoral socialization

I problematize my first semester in a PhD program using autoethnographic methodology drawing from my perspective as a Black feminist scholar as well as give suggestions for gaslighting as a theoret...