cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Needed Emphases in Southern Sociology

often do counteract them.29 This study is not a comprehensive analysis of the Navy or of any other bureaucracy. Beginning with Weber's ideal bureaucratic type, we have discussed the military variant of bureaucracy chiefly in terms of its special emphasis on authority and tradition. These elements require such emphasis because of the situational pressures of uncertainty and organizational self-maintenance. Devices for meeting those pressures were shown to be disfunctional at times as well as functional for the organization. Significant latent structures, such as those making for legalism and avoidance of responsibility, were outlined. i Points of articulation between this paper and other studies of largescale organization, particularly those by Merton and Barnard, were indicated as part of the generalized theoretical system upon which the present observations depend for much of their scientific relevance. This study suggests the great plasticity of individual behavior in response to occupational discipline. What was it that almost overnight made us all buckpassers? that steeped us in a psychology of affirm-and-conform? The answer-in this case bureaucracy-may be sought in the structure of the action situation. In industrial society the occupational pattern is a primary aspect of that situation. Further light would be shed on the problems of this paper by investigation of the following hypothesis: the effectiveness of military leaders tends to vary inversely with their exposure to a conventionally routinized military career. Some outstanding military leaders were men who (1) had had experi. ence in non-military occupations; or (2) rose with phenomenal rapidity through the ranks; or (3) belonged to military organizations newly created or renovated-e.g. the German and Soviet armies and the several air forces. Conventional career soldiers on the other hand have frequently resisted essential innovations like automatic firearms in the nineteenth century, tanks in World War I, the modern conception of air power, the unified command. 29 0. L. Nelson, National Security and the General Staff (Washington: Infantry Journal, 1946), pp. 578580, mentions the tendency of peacetime Army departments to aggrandize their authority, often under the impetus of "pride of place" and unclear lines of responsibility. Such patterns need further research.
Emotional and Behavioral Aspects of Diabetes in American Indians/Alaska Natives: A Systematic Literature Review

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) bear a disproportionate burden of diabetes and associated long-term complications. Behavioral interventions play a vital role in promoting diabetes medical and psychological outcomes, yet the development of interventions for AI/AN communities has been limited. A systematic review was conducted of studies focused on the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of diagnosed diabetes among AI/ANs. Ovid and PubMed databases and published reference lists were searched for articles published between 1987 and 2014 that related to the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of type 1 or type 2 diabetes in the AI/AN population. Twenty studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Nineteen studies were observational and one study was intervention based. Two of the studies used community-based participatory research methodology. Of the 20 studies, 2 discussed cultural influences associated with diabetes self-management and 10 identified the specific tribes that participated in the study. Tribal affiliations among the studies were broad with the number of AI/AN participants in each study ranging from 30 to 23,529 participants. Emotional and behavioral topics found in the literature were adherence ( n = 2), depression ( n = 9), physical activity ( n = 3), psychosocial barriers ( n = 1), social support ( n = 3), and stress ( n = 2). Relatively few studies were identified using AI/AN populations over a 27-year period. This is in stark contrast to what is known about the prevalence and burden that type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus place on AI/AN communities. Future research should promote community engagement through the use of community-based participatory research methodologies, seek to further understand and describe the emotional and behavioral context for diabetes self-management in this population, and develop and test innovative interventions to promote the best possible diabetes outcomes.
Epidemiological analysis of viral hepatitis in Anxi county from 1963 to 2011

Objective To study the epidemiological trend of viral hepatitis in Anxi to provide bases for control and prevention.Methods The data were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology method to explore epidemic situation and trend.Results There were 27155 cases of viral hepatitis from 1963 to 2011,31 deaths.Annual morbidity and mortality rates were 67.10 per 100 000 and 0.07 per 100 000,respectively.The epidemic trend was periodic and the incidence rate shown an increasing trend in recent years.The male-to-female ratio of the patients was 2.48:1.64.13% of the patients were 15～44 years old,and 50.63% was farmers.Conclusion Improve HAV and HBV vaccination rate is the key for the disease control,and at the same time we should also pay attention to HCV,HDV and HEV infection.
Reading-writing relationships in first and second language academic literacy development

Reading and writing relations, as this concept applies to academic learning contexts, whether as a major way to learn language or academic content, is a pervasive issue in English for academic purposes (EAP) contexts. In many cases, this major link between reading/writing and academic learning is true even though explicit discussions of this relationship are commonly identified in other ways. For example, research on summarizing skills is an aspect of abilities that come under reading-writing relations. Similarly, topics including synthesis writing, note-taking, plagiarism, content-driven essay exams, term papers, theses, and dissertations, among other topics, are all aspects of reading-writing relations. These core academic skills become even more complex aspects of reading and writing together, when we add electronic texts, web page resources, and other media sources.
Participatory Zoning to Balance Conservation and Development in Protected Areas

Participatory zoning projects promise to balance conservation and development at a landscape scale, but such efforts face serious political and institutional challenges. Case studies from Bolivia, Philippines and Peru reveal that governance, funding commitments, ecological context, and the use of innovative mapping techniques can stall or advance zoning outcomes.
ENHANCED FLOTATION SEPARATION OF PHOSPHATE AND DOLOMITE USING A NEW AMPHOTERIC COLLECTOR

Among the impurities present in phosphate ore, dolomite is the most difficult to remove. This is because dolomite and phosphate have similar chemical compositions and because the dissolved species of dolomite is adsorbed on the surface of the phosphate mineral. A new amphoteric surfactant was found to be a suitable collector for the separation of dolomite and phosphate. Flotation results showed that the new amphoteric collector had a high flotation selectivity for dolomite over a wide pH range. Studies on the flotation of francoIhe and dolomite in each other’ s supernatant demonstrated that the dissolved ions had little effect on the selectivity of the new collector. It was found, however, that the dissolved ions were detrimental to the flotation separation using sodium oleate as collector. From a mixture of francolite and dolomite containing 26.2% P2O5, a phosphate concentrate containing 35.2% P2O5 with a 90% recovery was obtained using 290 g/t of the amphoteric collector. The rejection of MgO was 81.41%.
A meshfree approach for homogenization of mechanical properties of heterogeneous materials

Abstract In this paper, asymptotic homogenization and meshfree Solution Structure Method (SSM) are combined to develop a hybrid homogenization technique. This hybrid method makes it possible to capture accurate geometric information of material microstructure, directly from micrographs or Computed Tomography (CT) scans, and offers a completely automated numerical procedure. Homogenization methods often employ FEA to incorporate realistic geometry of the material's microstructure. However, generating a finite element mesh from images or 3D voxel data could be tedious, error-prone, and expensive. Also, in many practical situations, considerable manual modifications are often required. On the other hand, the SSM uses implicit mathematical functions to represent the geometric model. It could be implemented using different types of basis functions, either on a non-conforming structural grid or cloud of points. Adaptive numerical and geometric algorithms assure good geometric flexibility of SSM in handling complex structures. Furthermore, to accommodate material homogenization equations, the SSM is extended so it can provide the exact satisfaction of periodic boundary conditions without using any spatial meshes. To validate the developed method, the architecture of a computer software package is designed that provides an automated computational pipeline for material homogenization. Numerical examples are provided to evaluate the developed platform against other methods and previously published data.
An international foodfest.

(1987). An International Foodfest. Health Education: Vol. 18, International Health, pp. 22-22.
Pediatric renal transplant biopsy with ultrasound guidance: the ‘core’ essentials

This review provides a comprehensive and practical approach to pediatric percutaneous renal transplant biopsies, highlighting techniques and strategies to optimize adequate sample yield and ensure patient safety. In children with end-stage renal disease, transplantation is the preferred choice of therapy, providing for overall lower long-term morbidity and mortality compared with dialysis. In the ongoing management of renal transplant patients, core tissue sampling via a percutaneous renal biopsy remains the gold standard when transplant dysfunction is suspected. Indications for renal transplant biopsy and techniques/tools for adequate sample yield are discussed. Strategies for common challenges such as poor visualization and renal transplant mobility are addressed. We discuss the clinical signs, techniques and imaging findings for common complications including hematomas, arteriovenous fistulas and pseudoaneurysms. Although the percutaneous renal transplant biopsy procedure is generally safe with rare complications, care must be taken to ensure major complications are promptly recognized and treated. Adequate tissue samples obtained via renal biopsy are imperative to promptly identify transplant rejection to provide valuable information for patient diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. Radiologist and nephrologist attention to proper ultrasound techniques and optimal biopsy tools are critical to ensure tissue adequacy and minimize complications.
SI traceable determination of arsenic species in kelp (Thallus laminariae).

A dietary supplement, kelp contains a significant amount of arsenic that is mostly arsenosugars. The determination of arsenosugars is difficult due to a lack of arsenosugar calibration standard, because arsenosugar compounds are not commercially available. This work reports the determination of arsenicals in a kelp extract with traceability to the International System of Units (SI). The hydrophilic fraction of arsenicals was reproducibly extracted from a candidate Standard Reference Material® (SRM) 3232 Kelp Powder (Thallus Laminariae) in development at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Arsenosugars and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) were separated into fractions using analytical liquid chromatography (LC) cation and anion columns. The arsenic in the fractions was determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Cation exchange separation was used for INAA determination of arsenosugar 3-[5′-deoxy-5′-(dimethylarsinoyl)-β-ribofuranosyloxy]propylene glycol (As(328)) for the first time, while DMA and arsenosugars 3-[5′-deoxy-5′-(dimethylarsinoyl)-β-ribofuranosyloxy]-2-hydroxypropyl 2,3-dihydroxypropyl hydrogen phosphate (As(482)) and 3-[5′-deoxy-5′-(dimethylarsinoyl)-β-ribofuranosyloxy]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid (As(392)) were determined following anion exchange separation. The contents of DMA, As(328), As(482), and As(392) were 0.41 mg kg−1 ± 0.09 mg kg−1, 1.10 mg kg−1 ± 0.25 mg kg−1, 5.23 mg kg−1 ± 0.46 mg kg−1, and 13.17 mg kg−1 ± 0.67 mg kg−1, respectively. Separately, components of arsenic species in the kelp extract including DMA, As(328), and inorganic arsenic were determined using LC-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results of DMA and As(328) were 0.485 mg kg−1 ± 0.024 mg kg−1 and 1.14 mg kg−1 ± 0.03 mg kg−1, respectively, which were in good agreement with those determined by INAA in fractions of LC eluent. The most toxic species, AsIII and AsV, were found to be <0.07 mg kg−1 and 0.231 mg kg−1 ± 0.018 mg kg−1, respectively. The results were traceable to SI.
Essential Evidence Plus.

Essential Evidence Plus (EEP) is a point-of-care tool that was created to assist clinicians with evidence-based practice.
Subthreshold micropulse laser reduces anti-VEGF injection burden in patients with diabetic macular edema.

Purpose:To evaluate the efficacy of micropulse laser in the early treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) and its associated burden of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections.Me...
On the Problem of Irreducibility of the Algebraic System of Irreducible Plane Curves of a Given Order and Having a Given Number of Nodes

Let k be an algebraically closed group field of characteristic zero. The following result is well known (see Severi [3], Anhang F):
Rapid, Selection-Free, High-Efficiency Genome Editing in Protozoan Parasites Using CRISPR-Cas9 Ribonucleoproteins.

Trypanosomatids (order Kinetoplastida), including the human pathogens Trypanosoma cruzi (agent of Chagas disease), Trypanosoma brucei, (African sleeping sickness), and Leishmania (leishmaniasis), affect millions of people and animals globally. T. cruzi is considered one of the least studied and most poorly understood tropical disease-causing parasites, in part because of the relative lack of facile genetic engineering tools. This situation has improved recently through the application of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) technology, but a number of limitations remain, including the toxicity of continuous Cas9 expression and the long drug marker selection times. In this study, we show that the delivery of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes composed of recombinant Cas9 from Staphylococcus aureus (SaCas9), but not from the more routinely used Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9), and in vitro-transcribed single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) results in rapid gene edits in T. cruzi and other kinetoplastids at frequencies approaching 100%. The highly efficient genome editing via SaCas9/sgRNA RNPs was obtained for both reporter and endogenous genes and observed in multiple parasite life cycle stages in various strains of T. cruzi, as well as in T. brucei and Leishmania major RNP complex delivery was also used to successfully tag proteins at endogenous loci and to assess the biological functions of essential genes. Thus, the use of SaCas9 RNP complexes for gene editing in kinetoplastids provides a simple, rapid, and cloning- and selection-free method to assess gene function in these important human pathogens.IMPORTANCE Protozoan parasites remain some of the highest-impact human and animal pathogens, with very limited treatment and prevention options. The development of improved therapeutics and vaccines depends on a better understanding of the unique biology of these organisms, and understanding their biology, in turn, requires the ability to track and manipulate the products of genes. In this work, we describe new methods that are available to essentially any laboratory and applicable to any parasite isolate for easily and rapidly editing the genomes of kinetoplastid parasites. We demonstrate that these methods provide the means to quickly assess function, including that of the products of essential genes and potential targets of drugs, and to tag gene products at their endogenous loci. This is all achieved without gene cloning or drug selection. We expect this advance to enable investigations, especially in Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp., that have eluded investigators for decades.
Verbal intelligence in bilinguals when measured in L1 and L2.

This study was aimed at studying the Verbal IQ in two groups of Spanish/English bilinguals: simultaneous and early sequential bilinguals. 48 Spanish/English bilinguals born in the U.S. or Latin Ame...
Will a digital camera cure your sick puppy? Modality and category effects in donation-based crowdfunding

Abstract Project descriptions in donation-based crowdfunding are supposed to give a full account of the incidents and help compensate for the lack of social cues, on which donors rely to judge if donations are worthwhile. The study examines three common communication modalities in project descriptions, including video, picture, and text, in terms of their effects on crowdfunding outcomes. Using webpages of a major crowdfunding platform (N = 4123), the author found that only a limited number of projects leveraged the benefits of embedding videos and pictures. Although having more videos and pictures generally predicted an increase in donation, the increase was unevenly distributed across different categories of projects. Meanwhile, topic modeling distinguished word clusters from description texts. While a variety of topic words relating to factual details positively predicted the fundraising outcomes, clusters featuring the overuse of requesting words such as “help”, “money”, and “thank” seemed to backfire. The findings shed light on the complex contingencies of communication modality effects across different types of projects and provide guidelines for more effective message design in crowdfunding campaigns.
Pro-tumorigenic AMPK in glioblastoma

AMPK is a key metabolic sensor promoting cellular energy homeostasis under low-nutrient conditions and other stresses. However, its role in cancer is context-dependent and not fully understood. A study now shows that glioma stem cells co-opt an AMPK-dependent pathway to rewire metabolism, promoting tumour growth.
Monte Carlo Simulations of Glycoproteins

The preferred three dimensional structures and dynamical behavior of the glycoprotein that forms the CH2 domain of immunoglobulin G1 as well as of the N-terminal glycopeptide derived from glycophorin AN were calculated using the newly developed force field program GEGOP (Geometry of Glycoproteins). The conformation of the CH2 domain with the lowest energy agrees very well with the data found by X-ray crystal structure analysis of the Fc fragment of IgG1. We found that stabilizing interactions between the carbohydrate and the protein part force the carbohydrate to adopt a conformation different from that of the reducing decasaccharide in solution. The mutual stabilizing interactions of the carbohydrate and the protein are calculated to −59 [kcal/mol]. Individual glycosyl residues have interaction energies with the protein of up to −15 [kcal/mol] (Gal-′) and amino acids have interaction energies with the sugar of up to −11 [kcal/mol] (Phe243. Metropolis Monte Carlo (MMC) simulations were used to determine the conformational flexibility of the oligosaccharide and the protein. It turned out that the trisaccharide linked to the 3−position of the s-D-mannose is as flexible as the trisaccharide attached to the 6−position. The flexibility of the oligosaccharide attached to the protein is significantly lower than that of the free oligosaccharide.
Analysis of volatile organics by supercritical fluid extraction coupled to gas chromatography: II. Quantitation of petroleum hydrocarbons from environmental sample

A coupled supercritical fluid extraction-gas chromatography (SFE-GC) method has been developed for the quantitative extraction and analysis of gasoline and diesel range organics from real world environmental samples. Petroleum-contaminated samples containing gasoline- to diesel- and motor oil-range hydrocarbons (total hydrocarbon content typically ranging from 2 to 26 mgg) could be quantitatively extracted by a 15-min SFE-GC extraction using 400 atm (1 atm = 101 325 Pa), 60°C CO2. The SFE-GC hydrocarbon recoveries from real-world samples were comparable to those obtained by sonicating the samples in methylene chloride for 14 h, except for the gasoline recovery which was higher by SFE-GC analysis due to the more efficient collection of the more volatile analytes. Reproducibilities for replicate SFE-GC extractions and analyses were typically <5% (R.S.D.) for the quantitation of both individual organics and total hydrocarbon content. Gasoline- to diesel-range organics (as volatile as n-pentane) could be quantitatively retained during the SFE step of the SFE-GC analysis using a thick-film (30 m × 0.32 mm I.D., 5 μm film thickness) DB-1 column operated at a cryogenic trapping temperature of −25°C. Using split SFE-GC operated at a high split ratio (100:1) relatively large 1-g sample sizes could be extracted, and by using a drying agent (molecular sieve 3A) very wet (25%, ww, water) samples could be analyzed without extracted water freezing and plugging in the GC column during the SFE step.
Iron and oxygen: a biologically damaging mixture.

Iron is a remarkably useful metal in Nature, but iron ions not safely sequestered in storage or transport proteins are hazardous because they can stimulate damaging free radical reactions. Biological examples of these are Fenton Chemistry leading to the formation of highly reactive species, such as the hydroxyl radical (.OH) and the ferryl ion (FeO2+), and lipid peroxidation. The need to conserve body iron stores has closely evolved with an essential requirement for antioxidant protection and, several 'acute-phase' proteins involved in iron metabolism such as caeruloplasmin, haptoglobins and haemopexin in collaboration with the iron binding proteins transferrin and lactoferrin contribute to our defense against oxidative damage.
Barbed suture technology

Abstract: This review summarizes barbed suture technology. It discusses their development, materials used, design and manufacture, testing and properties as well as applications.
C3-Receptor Sites on Leukocytes: Possible Role in Opsonization and in the Immune Response

In recent years the membrane of lymphocytes has been the subject of intensive study by immunologists, geneticists, and cell biologists. The reasons for this interest are multiple. For example, lymphoid cells can be readily obtained in suspension and in relatively large numbers. They may constitute a model for problems of cellular recognition and differentiation, since they may acquire and lose membrane markers during differentiation (Boyce and Old, 1969; Takahashi et al., 1970; Owen and Raff, 1970), and furthermore, in contact with antigen and other substances, they may be induced to proliferate in vitro. For the immunologist, the plasma membrane of lymphocytes is of particular interest because it may contain the specific recognition unit which, after interaction with the antigen, triggers the immunological process (and also the synthesis and/or release of other substances, specific or nonspecific, some of which are mediators of the inflammatory process; Lawrence and Landy, 1969). In addition, the plasma membrane of lymphocytes, as we shall see, bears the markers which allow for their separation into subpopulations which probably have distinct functions in the immune response.
Microelectronic Systems Education in the U. S.

In the United States, a variety of microelectronic systems courses have been developed during the past two decades. Government and industry actions have played a significant role in shaping these developments inspite of the fact that no coordinated policy existed. These events are chronicled and additional measures are proposed to enhance microelectronic systems education not only in the U.S. but throughout the world.
Prevalence of Cannabis Use in Electronic Cigarettes Among US Youth.

This Research Letter examines the prevalence of electronic cigarette use and association with cannabis use among US middle and high school students.
The Rules are Changing: Force Measurements on Single Molecules and How They Relate to Bulk Reaction Kinetics and Energies

This paper addresses the question how to relate force measurements taken on individual molecules (force spectroscopy) to quantities that have been traditionally measured in bulk, such as the energies and rates of a reaction. For this purpose, two fundamentally different reactions need to be distinguished: Reactions that proceed at equilibrium and those that don't. In equilibrium reactions, an applied force induces a thermodynamic- ally reversible transformation and the free energy of the reaction can be extracted from single molecule force measurements. In non-equilibrium reactions, an applied force induces a thermodynamic- ally irreversible change and the dissociation rate can be extracted from single molecule force measurements. Thus, it is possible to extract thermodynamically relevant parameters from single molecule force measurements.
Towards Practical Protection of Data Access Pattern to Cloud Storage

The oblivious RAM model provides a provable approach to protect a client's data access pattern to cloud storage. Most of existing ORAM schemes have communication efficiency as the major optimization priority, but the server-side storage efficiency has been overlooked. Motivated by the observation that, the server-side storage efficiency is as important as communication efficiency when the storage capacity is large or the outsourced data are not frequently accessed, we propose in this paper a new ORAM scheme to address the limitation. Through extensive security analysis and performance comparison, we demonstrate that, the proposed ORAM is secure; also, compared to the state of the art, it significantly improves the server-side storage efficiency and achieves the comparable level of communication efficiency, when consuming the similar amount of client-side storage.
Assessing the safety of beta-blocker therapy in cirrhosis patients with ascites: A meta-analysis

Background & aims Beta-blocker therapy is effective at reducing risks of variceal bleeding. However, beta-blockers may detrimentally exacerbate the underlying haemodynamic changes in cirrhosis. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate impact of beta-blockers on all-cause mortality among cirrhosis patients with ascites. Methods A literature search identified studies that evaluated beta-blocker vs no beta-blocker therapy in cirrhosis patients with ascites. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality with subcohort analysis of patients with refractory or severe ascites. Quality of observational studies was assessed with Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and overall certainty of the evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results Eight observational studies, representing 3627 cirrhosis patients with ascites (1630 treated with beta-blockers and 1997 not treated), were included. Pooled all-cause mortality was 38.6% in beta-blocker group vs 42.2% in no beta-blocker group (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.77-1.13, χ2 = 54.03, I2 = 87%). Subcohort analysis of cirrhosis patients with refractory or severe ascites demonstrated 33.3% mortality in beta-blocker group vs 32.1% in no beta-blocker group (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.70-1.40, χ2 = 32.99, and I2 = 82%). Three studies were good quality and five studies were fair quality. GRADE rating was 'very low' certainty of evidence, given concern for bias and inconsistency stemming from significant heterogeneity. Conclusion No significant increase in all-cause mortality was observed in cirrhosis patients with ascites treated with beta-blockers. However, given the low certainty of the evidence, high quality prospective studies are needed.
Exploring Processing In-Memory for Different Technologies

The recent emergence of IoT has led to a substantial increase in the amount of data processed. Today, a large number of applications are data intensive, involving massive data transfers between processing core and memory. These transfers act as a bottleneck mainly due to the limited data bandwidth between memory and the processing core. Processing in memory (PIM) avoids this latency problem by doing computations at the source of data.In this paper, we propose designs which enable PIM in the three major memory technologies, i.e. SRAM, DRAM, and the newly emerging non-volatile memories (NVMs). We exploit the analog properties of different memories to implement simple logic functions, namely OR, AND, and majority inside memory. We then extend them further to implement in-memory addition and multiplication. We compare the three memory technologies with GPU by running general applications on them. Our evaluations show that SRAM, NVM, and DRAM are 29.8x (36.3x), 17.6x (20.3x) and 1.7x (2.7x) better in performance (energy consumption) as compared to AMD GPU.
A high-speed, bright, red fluorescent voltage sensor to detect neural activity.

Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) have emerged as a technology to optically record neural activity with genetic specificity and millisecond-scale temporal resolution using fluorescence microscopy. GEVIs have demonstrated ultra-fast kinetics and high spike detection fidelity in vivo, but existing red-fluorescent voltage indicators fall short of the response and brightness achieved by green fluorescent protein-based sensors. Furthermore, red-fluorescent GEVIs suffer from incomplete spectral separation from green sensors and blue-light-activated optogenetic actuators. We have developed Ace-mScarlet, a red fluorescent GEVI that fuses Ace2N, a voltage-sensitive inhibitory rhodopsin, with mScarlet, a bright red fluorescent protein (FP). Through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), our sensor detects changes in membrane voltage with high sensitivity and brightness and has kinetics comparable to the fastest green fluorescent sensors. Ace-mScarlet’s red-shifted absorption and emission spectra facilitate virtually complete spectral separation when used in combination with green-fluorescent sensors or with blue-light-sensitive sensors and rhodopsins. This spectral separation enables both simultaneous imaging in two separate wavelength channels and high-fidelity voltage recordings during simultaneous optogenetic perturbation.
Reduced neural response to reward and pleasant pictures independently relate to depression.

Background Multiple studies have found a reduced reward positivity (RewP) among individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). Event-related potential studies have also reported blunted neural responses to pleasant pictures in MDD as reflected by the late positive potential (LPP). These deficits have been interpreted broadly in terms of anhedonia and decreased emotional engagement characteristic of depression. Methods In the current study, a community-based sample of 83 participants with current MDD and 45 healthy individuals performed both a guessing task and a picture viewing paradigm with neutral and pleasant pictures to assess the RewP and the LPP, respectively. Results We found that both RewP and LPP to pleasant pictures were reduced in the MDD group; moreover, RewP and LPP were both independent predictors of MDD status. Within the MDD group, a smaller RewP predicted impaired mood reactivity in younger but not older participants. Smaller LPP amplitudes were associated with increased anhedonia severity in the MDD group. Conclusions These data replicate and merge separate previous lines of research, and suggest that a blunted RewP and LPP reflect independent neural deficits in MDD – which could be used in conjunction to improve the classification of depression.
Invisible No More: Social Work, Human Rights, and the Syrian Refugee Crisis

The Syrian refugee crisis began in March 2011 and continues today with increasing conflict in northwest Syria. To date, it is the largest refugee crisis with an estimated 6.7 million refugees and more than 13.5 million Syrians in need of humanitarian aid. Policies have done little to hold countries accountable and have had little to no impact on the millions of families seeking asylum from war and persecution in Syria. In the USA, the Refugee Act of 1980 allows the sitting president to have power over refugee resettlement, resulting in record low admission numbers under President Trump’s administration. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has clearly articulated that all persons have a right to seek asylum. Despite this, millions of displaced persons are denied this right to asylum due to their religion, race, or country of origin. Social work has taken a bystander role to refugee problems in the past and continues to do so with Syrian refugees, despite the standards and ethics of the profession that call for advocacy and social justice. This article highlights the implications of social work’s silence regarding Syrian refugees.
Topological magnon bands in a room-temperature kagome magnet

Topological magnon is a vibrant research field gaining more and more attention in the past few years. Among many theoretical proposals and limited experimental studies, ferromagnetic kagome lattice emerges as one of the most elucidating systems. Here we report neutron scattering studies of ${\mathrm{YMn}}_{6}{\mathrm{Sn}}_{6}$, a metallic system consisting of ferromagnetic kagome planes. This system undergoes a commensurate-to-incommensurate antiferromagnetic phase transition upon cooling with the incommensurability along the out-of-plane direction. We observe magnon band gap opening at the symmetry-protected $K$ points and ascribe this feature to the antisymmetric Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interactions. Our observation supports the existence of topological Dirac magnons in both the commensurate collinear and incommensurate coplanar magnetic orders, which is further corroborated by symmetry analysis. This finding places ${\mathrm{YMn}}_{6}{\mathrm{Sn}}_{6}$ as a promising candidate for room-temperature magnon spintronics applications.
Report of a Small Collection of Kohlsia mojica Tipton and Méndez, 1966 (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) from Costa Rica with a Discussion of Several Enigmatic Species of Kohlsia Traub, 1950

A collection of fleas was acquired independently from Costa Rica by two different field teams. Among these collections were a sizable series of Kohlsia mojica Tipton and Mendez which were previously reported only from the northern province of Bocas del Toro, Panama. These new records were present in two provinces of Costa Rica (Alajuela and Puntarenas). Additional specimens discovered in the Robert Traub flea collection in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, heretofore unreported, included specimens from San Jose and Cartago provinces, Costa Rica. The primary host for K. mojica is the Mexican deer mouse, Peromyscus mexicanus Saussure. Collectively, five species of Kohlsia have been reported within the geographical boundaries of Costa Rica and Panama [K. mojica, K. azuerensis Tipton and Mendez, K. keenani Tipton and Mendez, K. graphis graphis (Rothschild), and K. traubi Tipton and Mendez]. A key is provided for these five species. Specimens of K. g. graphis are reported herein for the first time from Guatemala and Mexico, and the variegated squirrel Sciurus variegatoides Ogilby represents a new host record for K. g. graphis. Table 1 is included to illustrate the distribution of all known Kohlsia species. In addition, Kohlsia campaniger Jordan (an extralimital species) described from a single female specimen from Ecuador is discussed. Several morphological characters are provided to distinguish K. campaniger and Kohlsia felteni Smit. Jellisonia ortizi Vargas (currently valid in Kohlsia) is hypothesized to be a new synonym of Kohlsia fournieri Vargas. Kohlsia keenani is reported for the first time from Handleyomys alfaroi (J. A. Allen), Handleyomys chapmani (Thomas) and Nephelomys albigularis (Tomes).
The phosphatase inhibitor Sds23 promotes symmetric spindle positioning in fission yeast

A hallmark of cell division in eukaryotic cells is the formation and elongation of a microtubule (MT)-based mitotic spindle. Proper positioning of the spindle is critical to ensure equal segregation of the genetic material to the resulting daughter cells. Both the timing of spindle elongation and constriction of the actomyosin contractile ring must be precisely coordinated to prevent missegregation or damage to the genetic material during cellular division. Here, we show that Sds23, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases, contributes to proper positioning of elongating spindles in fission yeast cells. We found that sds23∆ mutant cells exhibit asymmetric spindles that initially elongate asymmetrically toward one end of the dividing cell. Spindle asymmetry in sds23∆ cells results from a defect that is distinct from previously identified mechanisms, including MT protrusions and enlarged vacuoles. Combined with our previous work, this study demonstrates that Sds23, an inhibitor of PP2A-family protein phosphatases, promotes proper positioning of both the bipolar spindle and cytokinetic ring during fission yeast cell division. These two steps ensure the overall symmetry and fidelity of the cell division process.
Technical Note: Convergence analysis of a polyenergetic SART algorithm

Purpose: The authors analyze a recently proposed polyenergetic version of the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART). This algorithm, denoted polyenergetic SART (pSART), replaces the monoenergetic forward projection operation used by SART with a postlog, polyenergetic forward projection, while leaving the rest of the algorithm unchanged. While the proposed algorithm provides good results empirically, convergence of the algorithm was not established mathematically in the original paper. Methods: The authors analyze pSART as a nonlinear fixed point iteration by explicitly computing the Jacobian of the iteration. A necessary condition for convergence is that the spectral radius of the Jacobian, evaluated at the fixed point, is less than one. A short proof of convergence for SART is also provided as a basis for comparison. Results: The authors show that the pSART algorithm is not guaranteed to converge, in general. The Jacobian of the iteration depends on several factors, including the system matrix and how one models the energy dependence of the linear attenuation coefficient. The authors provide a simple numerical example that shows that the spectral radius of the Jacobian matrix is not guaranteed to be less than one. A second set of numerical experiments using realistic CT system matrices, however, indicates that conditions for convergence are likely to be satisfied in practice. Conclusions: Although pSART is not mathematically guaranteed to converge, their numerical experiments indicate that it will tend to converge at roughly the same rate as SART for system matrices of the type encountered in CT imaging. Thus, the authors conclude that the algorithm is still a useful method for reconstruction of polyenergetic CT data.
Relations among sweet taste preference, body mass index, and use of E-cigarettes for weight control motives in young adults.

Abstract While weight control is anecdotally reported as a motive for e-cigarette use, empirical evidence on correlates of weight control vaping motives is largely absent. This study evaluated main effect and interactive associations of body mass index (BMI) and sweet taste food preference—a construct defined by difficulty resisting sweet foods and consuming foods for mood regulation— with e-cigarette weight control motives among young adult e-cigarette users. Young adults (N = 99; 35% women) between the ages of 18–35 who currently used e-cigarettes ≥1 day/week for ≥1 month were recruited in Los Angeles, CA in January–August 2016. Participants completed an e-cigarette product appeal experiment that also involved questionnaire-based measures of vaping motives and participant characteristics, which are this paper's focus. Regression analysis of e-cigarette use for weight control motive outcomes revealed no main effect of BMI, a significant main effect positive association for sweet taste food preference, and a BMI x sweet taste preference interactive relation. The interaction was underpinned by a positive association between sweet taste preference and use of e-cigarettes for weight control at mean and + 1SD levels of BMI and no relation at -1SD BMI levels. Higher sweet taste preference might increase use of e-cigarettes for weight control, particularly in young adults with higher weight. Taking into account sweet taste preference might be useful in interventions promoting healthy weight control strategies instead of e-cigarette use to address overweight/obesity in young adults.
Robust α-synuclein pathology in select brainstem neuronal populations is a potential instigator of multiple system atrophy.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is an insidious middle age-onset neurodegenerative disease that clinically presents with variable degrees of parkinsonism and cerebellar ataxia. The pathological hallmark of MSA is the progressive accumulation of glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) in oligodendrocytes that are comprised of α-synuclein (αSyn) aberrantly polymerized into fibrils. Experimentally, MSA brain samples display a high level of seeding activity to induce further αSyn aggregation by a prion-like conformational mechanism. Paradoxically, αSyn is predominantly a neuronal brain protein, with only marginal levels expressed in normal or diseased oligodendrocytes, and αSyn inclusions in other neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and Dementia with Lewy bodies, are primarily found in neurons. Although GCIs are the hallmark of MSA, using a series of new monoclonal antibodies targeting the carboxy-terminal region of αSyn, we demonstrate that neuronal αSyn pathology in MSA patient brains is remarkably abundant in the pontine nuclei and medullary inferior olivary nucleus. This neuronal αSyn pathology has distinct histological properties compared to GCIs, which allows it to remain concealed to many routine detection methods associated with altered biochemical properties of the carboxy-terminal domain of αSyn. We propose that these previously underappreciated sources of aberrant αSyn could serve as a pool of αSyn prion seeds that can initiate and continue to drive the pathogenesis of MSA.
Computer Tracking Method for Assessing Behavioral Changes in the Nematode C aenorhabditis elegans

Computer tracking of Caenorhabditis elegans, a free-living soil nematode, is a promising tool to assess behavioral changes upon exposure to contaminants. A short life cycle, a known genetic make-up, thoroughly studied behavior, and a completely mapped nervous system make C. elegans an attractive soil test organism with many advantages over the commonly used earthworm. Although many toxicity tests have been performed with C. elegans, the majority focused on mortality, a much less sensitive endpoint than behavior. A computer tracking system has been developed to monitor behavioral changes using C. elegans. Because conditions unrelated to specific toxicant exposures, such as changes in temperature, developmental stage, and presence of adequate food sources, can affect behavior, there is a need to standardize tracking procedures. To this end, we have developed reference charts for control movement comparing the movement of four and five day-old adult nematodes. The use of K-medium versus deionized (DI) H 2 O for pretracking rinses was also investigated. A final reference chart compared the behavioral responses of nematodes at various food densities (i.e. bacterial concentrations).
Aclarubicin in the Treatment of Refractory Acute Leukemias

Only a minority of patients with relapsed acute leukemia can achieve a complete remission (CR). Aclarubicin (ACA), a relatively new anthracycline antibiotic, has previously been shown to have definite antileukemic activity, mostly in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) [1]. Similarly, VP 16-213 (etoposide) has been shown to be effective as a single agent in AML [2] as well as in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) [3]. Because of the significant antileukemic activity of these two drugs as single agents, a clinical phase I/II study was initiated at the University of Rochester to evaluate the drug combination of ACA and etoposide in heavily pretreated patients with acute leukemias. Results of this study in AML [4] and in ALL [5] have been previously published. This report summarizes the overall results of this trial.
Finite element modeling of human brain response to football helmet impacts

The football helmet is used to help mitigate the occurrence of impact-related traumatic (TBI) and minor traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) in the game of American football. While the current helmet design methodology may be adequate for reducing linear acceleration of the head and minimizing TBI, it however has had less effect in minimizing mTBI. The objectives of this study are (a) to develop and validate a coupled finite element (FE) model of a football helmet and the human body, and (b) to assess responses of different regions of the brain to two different impact conditions - frontal oblique and crown impact conditions. The FE helmet model was validated using experimental results of drop tests. Subsequently, the integrated helmet-human body FE model was used to assess the responses of different regions of the brain to impact loads. Strain-rate, strain, and stress measures in the corpus callosum, midbrain, and brain stem were assessed. Results show that maximum strain-rates of 27 and 19 s(-1) are observed in the brain-stem and mid-brain, respectively. This could potentially lead to axonal injuries and neuronal cell death during crown impact conditions. The developed experimental-numerical framework can be used in the study of other helmet-related impact conditions.
Association of paraoxonase 1 gene polymorphism and enzyme activity with carotid plaque in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To investigate the relationship of genetic and biochemical determinants of paraoxonase 1 activity to carotid plaque as a surrogate marker of cardiovascular (CV) risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods The relationships between paraoxonase 1 activity, PON1 genotype (for the functional polymorphism at position 192), and carotid plaque presence were determined in 168 RA patients. After an overnight fast, blood was collected for lipoprotein analysis, and paraoxonase 1 activity was measured using paraoxon as the substrate. The PON1 Q192R genotype was determined for all patients. Lipoprotein cholesterol levels, traditional CV risk factors, medication use, and RA disease characteristics were assessed for all patients. Results Paraoxonase 1 activity values in the RA patients were highest for the RR genotype, intermediate for the QR genotype, and lowest for the QQ genotype (P < 0.0001). Compared to patients with either the QQ genotype or the QR genotype, patients with the RR genotype demonstrated decreased risk of carotid plaque on multivariate analysis, controlling for traditional CV risk factors, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, prednisone use, and cholesterol-lowering medication use (P < 0.05). Additional multivariate logistic regression analysis controlling for the above factors also revealed a significant association of plasma paraoxonase 1 activity with carotid plaque in RA patients. Lower plasma paraoxonase 1 activity was associated with increased risk of carotid plaque (P < 0.05). Conclusion The current findings suggest a relationship of the genetic determinants and activity of paraoxonase 1 to CV risk in RA patients, as assessed by the presence or absence of carotid plaque. Further CV outcome studies are warranted to validate the utility of paraoxonase 1 as a biomarker of CV risk in patients with RA.