cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward a taxonomy of attention shifting: individual differences in fMRI during multiple shift types.

Although task switching is often considered one of the fundamental abilities underlying executive functioning and general intelligence, there is little evidence that switching is a unitary construct and little evidence regarding the relationship between brain activity and switching performance. We examined individual differences in multiple types of attention shifting in order to determine whether behavioral performance and fMRI activity are correlated across different types of shifting. The participants (n=39) switched between objects and attributes both when stimuli were perceptually available (external) and when stimuli were stored in memory (internal). We found that there were more switchrelated activations in many regions associated with executive control—including the dorsolateral and medial prefrontal and parietal cortices—when behavioral switch costs were higher (poor performance). Conversely, activation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) and the rostral anterior cingulate was consistently correlated with good performance, suggesting a general role for these areas in efficient attention shifting. We discuss these findings in terms of a model of cognitive-emotional interaction in attention shifting, in which reward-related signals in the VMPFC guide efficient selection of tasks in the lateral prefrontal and parietal cortices.
One Teaspoon at a Time: Saving a Company by Engaging the Community

How does a grease recycling program pull a community together and help put a local utility company back in the black…or green? In 2005 a new manager was hired to manage risk and reputation, as well as increase profitability of a water utility company. While accomplishing that, the GM wished to improve the attitude, management, and branding of a utility company which had lost five million dollars over the course of 12 years. Several improvements and changes took place under new management. One of the many transformed areas was sewage spills. One sewage spill can cost tens of thousands of dollars to clean up. A $12,000 grease recycling program helped reduce the company costs through fewer sewage spills. The general manager used the program as an opportunity engage and bond with the community. Communication was the key and the General Manager had found a story about a teaspoon of grease that could be told in different ways to relate to and educate all age groups in the community. In the end, the company helped to successfully engage the community which improved the company’s worker morale, reputation, image, brand, and profitability.
Development of a Smart City and its Adoption and Acceptance: the Case of New Songdo

South Korea's new Songdo city provides a spectacular example of a smart city, which is developed as an aerotropolis, and a ubiquitous city (U-City). An intriguing aspect of the development of the new Songdo city is that supportive formal and informal institutions are the primary reason why the U.S.-developed smart city technologies have been first implemented in Korea rather than anywhere else. Nonetheless, these institutions also pose challenges that are yet to overcome. This article aims to provide new insights into how formal and informal institutions have shaped the development of the new Songdo city and its adoption and acceptance by the targeted end users.
A Reinvestigation of Stress-Intensity Factors for Surface and Corner Cracks in Three-Dimensional Solids

Surface and corner cracks usually initiate at imperfections and voids in metallic structures. These cracks usually grow into near or part-elliptical shapes [1]. Therefore accurate stress-intensity factors for these crack configurations are needed for predicting the growth of these cracks and for predicting fracture strengths.
Comparative Morphology of the Gastrointestinal Tract in the Feeding Specialist Sciurus aberti and Several Generalist Congeners

Abert's squirrel (Sciurus aberti) is a highly specialized mammal dependent upon ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) for a significant part of its yearly diet. For up to six months of the year, these squirrels only eat ponderosa pine phloem, which is a high-fiber, low-quality diet. We compared gross morphologies of the gastrointestinal tract in specialized Abert's squirrels to those of generalist fox squirrels (S. niger) and found that Abert's squirrels have significantly longer gastrointestinal tracts with greater tissue surface area and weight than do fox squirrels. Published data describing the eastern gray squirrel (S. carolinensis) and the western gray squirrel (S. griseus) indicate that these generalist species have body weights and a gut morphology very similar to that of the fox squirrel. We conclude that the morphology of the digestive tract of Abert's squirrel has become adapted to its low-quality diet.
Abstract 3402: Relief of feedback inhibition of HER3 transcription by RAF and MEK inhibitors attenuates their antitumor effects in BRAF mutant thyroid carcinomas.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The RAF inhibitor vemurafenib (PLX4032) increases survival in patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma, but has limited efficacy in patients with colorectal cancers. A trial with vemurafenib for thyroid cancer patients is now in progress. We compared the response of thyroid and melanoma cell lines harboring BRAFV600E to vemurafenib and found that the majority of thyroid cancer cells were refractory to the inhibitor (IC50 > 1.5 μM). In addition, thyroid cancer cell lines showed a rebound in pERK beginning 6h post-treatment and a transient activation of pAKT. Expression profiling and pRTK array screens of PLX4032-treated cells showed higher expression and activation of HER family receptors, particularly HER2 and HER3. Phosphorylation of HER3 represented the most consistent PLX4032-dependent RTK activated across thyroid cancer cell lines (5/6 lines tested) and was not detectable in any of the melanoma or colorectal cancer cells we investigated. HER3 phosphorylation was also induced by the allosteric MEK inhibitor PD0325901 in thyroid cancers of TPO-Cre/LSL-BrafV600E mice. We identified HER2 as the main HER3 heterodimerization partner, which was activated via a neuregulin-dependent autocrine loop, which was specific to the thyroid cancer lineage, as it was not observed in either melanoma or colorectal BRAF-mutant lines. HER3 transcription was induced by MAPK inhibition, via dissociation of the CTBP1/2 transcriptional repressors from the HER3 gene promoter. Finally, the HER2/HER3 kinase inhibitor lapatinib sensitized BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells to growth inhibition by RAF or MEK inhibitors in vitro and in vivo, providing rationale for combination therapies in this disease. Hence, the early response of BRAF-mutant cancers to selective MAPK pathway inhibitors is marked by the relaxation of oncoprotein-driven negative feedback events, which differ between tumors of various lineages, and which predict a requirement for distinct therapeutic strategies. Citation Format: Cristina Montero-Conde, Sergio Ruiz-Llorente, Jose M. Dominguez, Jeffrey A. Knauf, Agnes Viale, Eric J. Sherman, Mabel Ryder, Ronald A. Ghossein, Neal Rosen, James A. Fagin. Relief of feedback inhibition of HER3 transcription by RAF and MEK inhibitors attenuates their antitumor effects in BRAF mutant thyroid carcinomas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3402. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3402
Keirsey's Temperament Types and Religious Preference for a Conservative Church Setting

Significant differences were found between the expected frequencies of Keirsey's temperament types expected in the general population and the observed frequencies of Keirsey's temperament types fou...
METABOLISM OF DI-SYSTON BY INSECTS, ISOLATED COTTON LEAVES, AND RATS.

Di-Syston® ( O,O -diethyl S[2-(ethylthio)ethyl] phosphorodithioate) was absorbed, metabolized, and excreted rapidly by fifth-instar bollworms, Heliothis zea (Boddie), and adult boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman. Insects excreted the toxic oxidative derivatives as well as the hydrolytic products of Di-Syston metabolism, but rats slowly excreted only hydrolytic products. As many as 4 oxidative and 9 hydrolytic metabolites of Di-Syston were detected in the biological systems used. The oxidative products included the sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives of Di-Syston and of the oxygen analog of Di-Syston. In animals and plants, the initial oxidative reaction with the Di-Syston molecule occurred at the mercapto sulfur atom. In plants, Di-Syston was converted almost quantitatively to its sulfoxide derivative during the first few minutes after treatment. The chief hydrolytic products of Di-Syston metabolism were diethyl phosphate and O,O -diethyl phosphorothioate. In addition, small concentrations of ethyl phosphate, phosphoric acid, and 5 unidentified products were detected in certain samples. O,O -diethyl phosphorodithioate was not formed in insects or plants but trace amounts of the metabolite were detected in the urine of treated rats. Similar products were formed in the different biological systems but the rates of metabolism varied considerably.
Spectroscopic Constants for GaAs2-, GaAs2, Ga2As-, and Ga2As

Low-lying electronic states of Ga2As-, Ga2As, GaAs2-, and GaAs2 are investigated using complete active space multiconfiguration self-consistent field technique followed by multireference singles + doubles configuration interaction calculations that included 5.5 million configurations. Our computations reveal the existence of two excited states of the Ga2As- anion close to the neutral ground state of Ga2As, which also exhibits two nearly degenerate states of Cs and C2v geometries. Assignments to the recently observed anion photodetachment and far-IR spectra are suggested.
Evidence for the Double F Model of the M Center

Evidence is presented that the M center is produced by the association of two F centers (i.e., 2F -- M). The xirradiation production of M and F centers is studied at liquid N/sub 2/ and He temperatures in KCl and KBr, and the M and F center equilibria are studied at room temperature in NaCl and LiF. It is found that the M center cencentration varies quadratically with the F center concentration. It is shown that the quadratic variation implies 2F -- M, in the temperature range studied. (T.F.H.)
PARTICIPATORY POLICYMAKING ACROSS CULTURAL COGNITIVE DIVIDES: TWO TESTS OF CULTURAL BIASING IN PUBLIC FORUM DESIGN AND DELIBERATION

Deliberative theorists posit that highly structured face-to-face policy discussions can transcend ideological differences. By contrast, cultural cognitive theorists argue that people's cultural orientations constrain policy-relevant information processing and forestall the public's ability to reach consensus. Two studies examine whether deliberative processes can span divergent cultural orientations. The first assesses a prominent deliberative forum programme's capacity to frame policy solutions across the quadrants of a two-dimensional cultural grid. The second study examines whether deliberation generates policy recommendations that transcend biases to yield cross-cultural agreement. Results show that public deliberation can encompass multiple cultural orientations and encourage participants to look beyond their biases to discover common ground. When it comes to framing and implementing deliberative public forums, cultural orientations appear to be surmountable obstacles.
Labor Rights and Multinational Production: Conclusions and Issues for the Future

Multinational corporations often are the targets of human and labor rights activists. Whereas some activists view MNCs as partners in corporate social responsibility efforts, the relationship more often is an adversarial one. Labor rights activists are suspicious of MNCs’ commitments to improving workers’ rights, and they often treat MNCs as agents of repression in developing nations. The activists, in fact, may have a point. Indeed, some types of global production in which MNCs are involved have negative consequences for workers’ rights. We observe these most easily where subcontracting and arm’s-length relationships with suppliers are the tools of market entry. In these situations, the cost concerns associated with global competition can generate downward pressures on labor standards. The activists’ point lacks nuance, however, as this downward pressure is only part of the story. Directly owned production often has positive consequences for labor rights, as MNCs bring their best practices to their subsidiaries, and as MNCs strive to hire and retain the most productive workers in host economies.
Hugo Chavez’s Regime Endurance and the Constitution and Reconstitution of Political Identities: The 2012 Presidential Reelection in Venezuela

This paper examines the endurance of Hugo Chavez's regime in Venezuela. Supplementing traditional comparative studies, it argues that continued support for Chavez's policies is more than just the outcome of redistributive policies and the current institutional arrangements. The continued deterioration of living standards for both supporters and opponents of the regime renders these explanations to Chavez's permanence in power necessary but, on their own, not sufficient. This paper undertakes an approach that explores consistent support for Chavez through the process of constitution of voters as popular subjects, and the context in which a populist logic emerged and consolidated in Venezuela. Drawing on post-structuralist discourse theory, I show that during a decisive moment such as the 2012 presidential reelection, Chavez's discursive emphasis on the “emancipatory promise” of populism served to reconstitute people's political identity. Drawing from the original rupture with the established order and aspiration to construct a “Bolivarian” totality provided the representational space to redraft the purpose of Chavez's “Bolivarian” project and reconstitute people's role within it.
Microwave assisted synthesis of [BMIM]BF_4 and application in the extraction of cefalexin

In this paper,ionic liquid of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate([BMIM]BF_4) was rapidly synthesized under the microwave assistance.The yield of [BMIM]BF_4 could be arrived to 92% in less than 30 min of reaction time.The effects of the aqueous two-phase system formed by [BMIM]BF_4 and MgSO4 aqueous solution on the extraction of cefalexin were also discussed.The results suggested that the extraction efficiency of cefalexin could be up to 97% in the aqueous two-phase with 6.85mL [BMIM]BF_4 and 3.53g MgSO4.
Ureteroscopic treatment of urothelial carcinoma of the ureter and renal pelvis.

AbstractFrom June 1987 to September 1990, 12 patients were evaluated for ureteroscopic treatment of upper urinary tract neoplasms. Four patients were not considered candidates because of technical reasons. Each of these patients was treated by nephroureterectomy. A total of 8 patients underwent ureteroscopic therapy with a neodymium:YAG laser 1 to 11 times (median 2) for the treatment of 3 proximal ureteral or pelvic lesions and 7 distal ureteral lesions. One patient had local progression and 1 failed subsequent laser treatment for technical reasons. Both of these individuals were salvaged with an operation. Three patients were without recurrence for 15, 21 and 36 months. Two patients had multiple superficial local recurrences and continue to be managed endoscopically without local progression for 12 and 32 months. One patient was asymptomatic 16 months after treatment but he has refused followup evaluation.Of 7 patients with ureteral tumors who were believed to be candidates for endoscopic therapy 5 have...
ATP-mediated Ca2+ signaling in preglomerular smooth muscle cells.

We performed studies to determine the effect of extracellular ATP on the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in freshly isolated microvascular smooth muscle cells (MVSMC). Suspensions of preglomerular MVSMC were prepared by enzymatic digestion and loaded with fura 2. Single cells were studied using a microscope-based fluorescence spectrophotometer during superfusion of a physiological salt solution with 1.8 mM Ca2+ and during exposure to similar solutions containing ATP. Under control conditions, baseline [Ca2+]iaveraged 107 ± 6 nM (n = 86 cells from 34 animals). ATP administration elicited concentration-dependent increases in [Ca2+]i. Exposure to ATP concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 μM increased intracellular Ca2+ to peak concentrations of 133 ± 20, 338 ± 37, and 367 ± 35 nM, respectively (P < 0.05 vs. respective baseline). Steady-state [Ca2+]iincreased to 113 ± 15, 150 ± 16 (P < 0.05 vs. baseline), and 180 ± 12 nM (P < 0.05 vs. baseline) for the same groups. The [Ca2+]iresponse to ATP was also as...
Morbidity and mortality of the Confederate generals during the American Civil War.

During the American Civil War (1861-1865), 426 men were commissioned generals by Jefferson Davis and the Confederate Congress. Eighty (19%) died of battle wounds (versus 8% in the Union army) and 3 per cent died of disease. 1 During the war, 211 (49%) were wounded; of these, each was wounded a mean 1.9 times. When noncombatants are excluded, 52 per cent sustained wounds. Of those who served in five or more major engagements, 62 per cent were wounded; of those who fought in more than 10, 71 per cent sustained wounds. Sixty-five per cent of battlefield deaths were immediate and 85 per cent were from gunshot wounds. Mortality did not vary by state of birth, age group, rank (brigadier, major, lieutenant, full), formal military education, or prewar profession. Professional soldiers fared no better or worse than prewar civilians appointed to the rank of general. Of those who survived the war, mean age at death was 68.0 years.
Galois groups for integrable and projectively integrable linear difference equations

Abstract We consider first-order linear difference systems over C ( x ) , with respect to a difference operator σ that is either a shift σ : x ↦ x + 1 , q-dilation σ : x ↦ q x with q ∈ C × not a root of unity, or Mahler operator σ : x ↦ x q with q ∈ Z ≥ 2 . Such a system is integrable if its solutions also satisfy a linear differential system; it is projectively integrable if it becomes integrable “after moding out by scalars.” We apply recent results of Schafke and Singer to characterize which groups can occur as Galois groups of integrable or projectively integrable linear difference systems. In particular, such groups must be solvable. Finally, we give hypertranscendence criteria.
The Value of UV, Fluorescence, and FTIR Spectroscopy in Biopharmaceutical Development

Optical spectroscopy may be viewed as a variety of clever ways to beam light through samples to enable deductions about the materials with which the collected light interacted. This chapter gives an overview of three spectroscopic techniques commonly employed in the biopharmaceutical development laboratory: ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Each of these techniques is applied in a multitude of incarnations across the entire breadth of therapeutic protein discovery, development, and product quality control. The emerging field of biosimilars and the impact of robotic-based high-throughput screening instrumentation are two major factors that are currently driving a renewed embrace of these spectroscopic methods in support of a protein pharmaceutical development.
Probing the Energetics of Dynactin Filament Assembly and the Binding of Cargo Adaptor Proteins Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Electrostatics-Based Structural Modeling.

Dynactin, a large multiprotein complex, binds with the cytoplasmic dynein-1 motor and various adaptor proteins to allow recruitment and transportation of cellular cargoes toward the minus end of microtubules. The structure of the dynactin complex is built around an actin-like minifilament with a defined length, which has been visualized in a high-resolution structure of the dynactin filament determined by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). To understand the energetic basis of dynactin filament assembly, we used molecular dynamics simulation to probe the intersubunit interactions among the actin-like proteins, various capping proteins, and four extended regions of the dynactin shoulder. Our simulations revealed stronger intersubunit interactions at the barbed and pointed ends of the filament and involving the extended regions (compared with the interactions within the filament), which may energetically drive filament termination by the capping proteins and recruitment of the actin-like proteins by the ext...
Understanding How People Attend to and Engage with Foreign Language Posts in Multilingual Newsfeeds

We explore how language affects people’s attention to and engagement with social media posts in an eye-tracking experiment in which participants viewed a mock newsfeed containing English and foreign language posts, half with and half without images. Participants spent less time looking at foreign language posts than English posts, and more time looking at posts with images than those without images. Participants reported being more likely to like or comment on posts in English and posts with images. We suggest some new design ideas for supporting people’s interaction on multilingual social media sites.
Abstract P339: The Mechanistic Relationship Between GRK2 and eNOS During Cardiac Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Background: Previous studies have shown that both cardiac-specific GRK2 transgenic (TG) (αMHC-GRK2) mice and eNOS knockout (KO) mice have larger infarcts after I/R compared to control mice. In contrast, cardiac-targeted eNOS TG mice and cardiac specific GRK2 KO mice show cardioprotection after I/R, suggesting a dynamic interaction between the two proteins. Mechanistically, GRK2 can be inhibited by cellular NO through S-nitrosylation with Cys340 being the major site; meanwhile GRK2 has been shown to directly bind to and inhibit Akt, which is a strong activator of eNOS. Aim: to investigate the potential novel interaction between GRK2 and eNOS, and the consequent functional impact on the protein activity and cardiac phenotype after I/R injury. Methods: αMHC-GRK2 mice were crossed with either eNOS TG or eNOS KO mice. All mice were subjected to sham or 30min myocardial ischemia via coronary artery ligation followed by 24hrs of reperfusion. Infarct size, cardiac function, and tissue apoptosis were examined. Co-IP was used to test the interaction between GRK2 and eNOS, and phosphorylation of eNOS was studied in neonatal myocytes. Results: 1).αMHC-GRK2/eNOS TG hybrid mice showed a significantly reduced infarct size after I/R compared to αMHC-GRK2 mice, accompanied by improved cardiac function measured by echocardiography and hemodynamics, and significantly less apoptosis tested by TUNEL assay, implying a rescue effect by eNOS. 2). αMHC-GRK2/eNOS KO mice exhibited a bigger infarct size compared to either αMHC-GRK2 mice or eNOS KO mice. 3). CO-IP confirmed the interaction between GRK2 and eNOS in cardiac tissue, which was increased upon β-AR agonist treatment. 4). In neonatal ventricular myocytes, GRK2 overexpression significantly decreased eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177 after exposure to H2O2, while GRK2 knockdown by siRNA led to slight increase in pSer1177. Conclusions: eNOS interacts with and may be a downstream target of GRK2 in the heart. Decreased activation of eNOS may mediate the deleterious effect of GRK2 overexpression during cardiac I/R injury.
The Changing Pattern of Nutrition Intake by Social Class in Contemporary China, 1991-2011.

Objectives. To explore the changing pattern of nutrition intake by social class in contemporary China.Methods. We defined social class in 2 ways. The first definition was based on employment, and the second definition was based on per capita household income levels. We used China Health and Nutrition Survey data from 1991 to 2011 to show the changes in the relation between social class and nutrition intake.Results. The relation between social class and nutrition intake in China changed significantly within the 2 decades. For example, in the early 1990s, the lowest social class (defined by employment or income) had more caloric intake than did the highest social class; 20 years later, however, the relation reversed, and the lowest social class consumed significantly fewer calories.Conclusions. China has seen a great reversal in its social class–nutrition relationship since the early 1990s. Our study calls for wider recognition that insufficient consumption of food and nutrition is increasingly an issue for...
Savagely Sentimental: The Creation and Destruction of the Sentimental Indian in Lydia Maria Child’s Hobomok

Lydia Maria Child, known during her time for controversial writing, has largely fallen out of focus in current feminist studies. As an activist, many of her pieces questioned the role of gender, race, and sexuality in the early nineteenth century. Hobomok, published in 1824, is considered one of her most radical tales. Detailing the marriage and procreation of a white woman and a Native American man, Hobomok shocked audiences with its content. Many critics have come to view Hobomok as a piece of feminine rebellion, seeing Mary Conant as an example of feminine refusal. Although such interpretations hold merit, they often ignore the role of Hobomok, the titular character. Hobomok is the first visible experimentation of the sentimental male. Other adaptations of the sentimental male do not appear in literature until Harriet Beech Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. I argue that Child attempts to create one of the first sentimental males through Hobomok by compounding the qualities of masculinity and femininity of the era. Child is able to attempt such a task due to the pre-established concept of the “Noble Savage,” which already imbued Indians with sentimental attributes, and provides a valid and even rational justification for his extinction. Once establishing Hobomok as a “Noble Savage” and compounding masculine and feminine qualities within him, Child can easily and completely dismiss him so as to minimize his threat to white nineteenth century society. It is the compilation of his “noble savagery” and his feminine qualities that engenders his extermination.
Leveraging Engineering of Cells for Drug Delivery.

ConspectusCell therapy has become a momentum-gathering treatment strategy for a variety of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, hemophilia, and cardiomyopathy. However, clinical applications of conventional cell therapies have often been compromised by rapid decline in viability and function of the transplanted cells due to host recognition and subsequent foreign body rejection. Along this line, cell engineering technologies such as cell encapsulation within microcapsules and immobilization in porous scaffolds have been implemented to address the immunosuppression concerns. As a recent emerging research topic, drawing inspiration from the ways that natural cells interact with the body has opened new avenues for cell engineering, such as direct modification of whole cells with synthetic materials and “top-down” integration of biological membranes with micro/nanomaterials, which aim to alleviate immune response while harnessing the complex biological functions of cells.In this Account, we summarize our rec...
Long-term outcomes after re-entry device use for recanalization of common iliac artery chronic total occlusions.

OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of re-entry device (RED) use on 1- and 5-year outcomes after endovascular treatment of common iliac artery (CIA) chronic total Occlusions (CTOs). BACKGROUND There are not enough data regarding the long-term safety and efficacy of RED. METHODS We performed a two-center retrospective study of 115 patients (140 lesions) undergoing CIA CTO endovascular intervention between 2006 and 2016. Baseline characteristics and long-term outcomes were described. A Cox proportional hazard model was developed to determine if REDs were associated with target lesion revascularization (TLR) or major adverse limb events (MALE) after 1 and 5 years. RESULTS Among 140 lesions, 43 (31%) required use of a RED. The mean age was 63.9 years and the majority (n = 80) of patients were male. An antegrade crossing approach and treatment of restenotic lesions were less common in the RED group (10% vs. 29%, P < .05 and 0% vs. 21%, P < .05, respectively). There were no significant differences in Rutherford class, pre-procedure ABI, or patient presentation. The procedural complication rates were similar between the two groups. The 1- and 5-year TLR rates for lesions treated with re-entry device vs. standard approaches were 11% vs. 9%; P = 0.8 and 29% vs. 29%; P = 0.9 respectively. The 1 and 5-year MALE rates for lesions treated with re-entry device were 5% vs. 6%; P = 0.8 and 11% vs. 11%; P = 0.9 respectively. CONCLUSIONS This retrospective analysis found that recanalization of CIA occlusions using a RED is safe and is associated with long-term clinical outcomes similar to that of standard crossing techniques.
A Public Transit Assistant for Blind Bus Passengers

Public transit is the key to independence for many blind persons but, despite recent progress in assistive technology, remains challenging for those without sight. To this end, the authors developed a prototype mobile application that communicates information via Wi-Fi access points installed in buses and at bus stops to help blind bus passengers reach their destination. A user study of the system yielded insights into general accessibility issues for blind public transit riders as well as ways to improve the proposed system.
air-sea interaction studies by the Department of Meteorology, Imperial College, London

A report of the air-sea interaction studies being undertaken at the Department of Meteorology, Imperial College, London, is given. The instrumentation for measuring profiles of wind speed, temperatures and humidity and fluxes of momentum and sensible heat is described. Photographs showing the field site are included.
Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Peripheral Auditory Neurons Form Neural Connections with Mouse Central Auditory Neurons In Vitro via the α2δ1 Receptor

Summary Integration of stem cell-derived neurons into the central nervous system (CNS) remains a challenge. A co-culture system is developed to understand whether mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived spiral ganglion neuron (SGN)-like cells (ESNs) synapse with native mouse cochlear nucleus (CN) neurons. A Cre system is used to generate Cop-GFP ESCs, which are induced into ESNs expressing features similar to auditory SGNs. Neural connections are observed between ESNs and CN neurons 4–6 days after co-culturing, which is stimulated by thrombospondin-1 (TSP1). Antagonist and loss-of-function small hairpin RNA studies indicate that the α2δ1 receptor is critical for TSP1-induced synaptogenesis effects. Newly generated synapse-like structures express pre- and post-synaptic proteins. Synaptic vesicle recycling, pair recording, and blocker electrophysiology suggest functional synaptic vesicles, transsynaptic activities, and formation of glutamatergic synapses. These results demonstrate the synaptogenesis capability of ESNs, which is important for pluripotent ESC-derived neurons to form functional synaptic connections to CNS neurons.
Genetic diversity in cucumber (cucumis sativus L.): Iii. An evaluation of Indian germplasm

Genetic variation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. var. sativus) accessions from India was assessed by examining variation at 21 polymorphic isozyme loci. Forty-six accessions acquired by the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) before 1972 were compared with 146 accessions collected during a 1992 U.S.–India expedition to the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, India. Isozymic profiles of these Indian accessions were also compared with 707 previously examined U.S. NPGS cucumber accessions. Two distinct groups (Group 1 and Group 2) were identified within accessions collected in 1992 (0.025 > P > 0.01). Variation at Ak-2, Fdp-2, Gr, Mdh-2, Mpi-1, Per, Pgm and Skdh was important in the detection of this difference. A previously unreported Pgm allele [Pgm (3) – 105] was detected in accessions collected in a market in Pali, Rajasthan. Group 1 contained 37 (27 Madhya Pradesh + 10 Uttar Pradesh) accessions and Group 2 contains 102 (84 Rajasthan + 18 Madhya Pradesh) accessions. Seven accessions (5 Madhya Pradesh + 2 Rajasthan) were not associated with either group. The accessions 20664 (Tonk, Rahjasthan), 20666 (Jaipur, Rahjasthan), 20872 (Sehore, Madhya Pradesh), 20881 (Ashtok, Sehore, Madhya Pradesh) and 21026 (Bhatta, Dehra Dun, Uttar Pradesh) were heterozygous for at least nine loci and represent the genetic diversity within this collection. Isozymic variation in U.S. NPGS accessions acquired before 1972 differed significantly (P > 0.005) from those collected during 1992. All loci were important in the detection of this difference, except Ak-2, Pep-pap, and Pgd-2. When Indian accessions taken collectively (i.e., those acquired before 1972 and during 1992) were compared with an array of 707 C. sativus accessions examined previously, relationships between accessions grouped by country or subcontinent differed from those found in previous work.
Electrogastrography for Evaluation of Patients with Suspected Gastroparesis

Electrogastrography (EGG) refers to methods for recording gastric myoelectrical activity with electrodes placed on the surface of the abdomen. The signal is termed an electrogastrogram or EGG. The EGG signal reflects gastric slow-wave activity and plateau or spike potential activity from the stomach. The normal EGG rhythm is 3 cycles per minute (cpm). The amplitude of the 3 cpm EGG waves increases after meals when slow waves are coupled to plateau or spike potentials. Gastric dysrhythmias are termed tachygastrias and bradygastrias and are seen in nausea syndromes and in the majority of patients with gastroparesis. EGG recordings provide insights into the pathobiology of gastroparesis and are complementary to gastric emptying tests.
Relationships among affective states, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in children: Moderation by perceived stress.

Objective: We examined the acute bidirectional relationships between affective states and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or sedentary behavior (SB) in children, and whether perceived stress moderates these associations. Method: A total of 180 children (mean age = 9.6 years, 51.7% female, 53.9% Hispanic) completed a 7-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study, where they received 3–7 random prompts per day asking about their current affective states. MVPA and SB during this period were measured by waist-worn accelerometers. Children’s and mothers’ perceived stress were measured by paper questionnaires. Multilevel models tested the within-person (WP) and between-person (BP) associations of (a) MVPA and SB 30 and 60 min before an EMA prompt with subsequent affective states at the prompt, and (b) affective states at the prompt with MVPA and SB in the subsequent 30 and 60 min after the prompt. Interaction terms were used to assess whether children’s and mothers’ perceived stress moderated these associations. Results: Children reported a higher positive affect after engaging in more MVPA than usual (WP; s = 0.04, SE = 0.02, p < .05) and a lower positive affect after spending more SB than usual (WP; s = -0.02, SE = 0.01, p < .05) in the previous 30 min. Children’s affective states were unrelated to time in MVPA and SB within the subsequent 30 min. Parent’s perceived stress level attenuated the relationship between children’s time spent in MVPA 60 min before a prompt and self-reported positive affect at that prompt (s = -0.01, SE = 0.01, p < .05). Conclusions: MVPA and SB acutely impacted children’s psychological well-being, with the benefits of MVPA on positive affect across longer intervals attenuated among children whose mothers had higher perceived stress.
Impacts of cattle grazing on seed production in Rainwater Basin Wetlands

The Rainwater Basin region of Nebraska is a critical stopover area for spring migrating waterfowl. Management concerns focus on producing sufficient wetland seed to meet the needs of these waterfowl. Cattle grazing is commonly used both alone and in combination with other management techniques to reduce invasive species such reed canarygrass that suppress seed production, but it was unknown what effect the grazing has on seed production, and how that effect might differ by vegetation type. This project examined the impact that different durations of grazing had on seed production in three sites containing both moist-soil and reed canarygrass dominated areas. We also examined the magnitude of the effect that grazing had on reducing reed canarygrass biomass with differing durations of grazing. The results suggest that cattle grazing impacts seed production differently in moist-soil and reed canarygrass dominated areas. Grazing decreases seed production in moist-soil areas, and longer grazing results in a greater decrease. In contrast, the highest seed production in reed canarygrass dominated areas was in areas grazed until July 15, and the lowest seed production was in areas grazed until September 15. The relationship between grazing and seed production in reed canarygrass areas is complex, but seed production in reed canarygrass areas was universally lower than in moist-soil vegetation at all grazing durations.
Serotonin-induced hyperactivity in SSRI-resistant major depressive disorder patient-derived neurons

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most prescribed antidepressants. They regulate serotonergic neurotransmission, but it remains unclear how altered serotonergic neurotransmission may contribute to the SSRI resistance observed in approximately 30% of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. Patient stratification based on pharmacological responsiveness and the use of patient-derived neurons may make possible the discovery of disease-relevant neural phenotypes. In our study from a large cohort of well-characterized MDD patients, we have generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from SSRI-remitters and SSRI-nonremitters. We studied serotonergic neurotransmission in patient forebrain neurons in vitro and observed that nonremitter patient-derived neurons displayed serotonin-induced hyperactivity downstream of upregulated excitatory serotonergic receptors, in contrast to what is seen in healthy and remitter patient-derived neurons. Our data suggest that postsynaptic forebrain hyperactivity downstream of SSRI treatment may play a role in SSRI resistance in MDD.
On the relocation of the amino functionality to the ethyl side chain in aminoglutethimide: Synthesis and aromatase-inhibitory activity of 3-(2′-N,N-diethyl-amino)ethyl-3-phenylpiperidine-2,6-dione

Aminoglutethimide [3-(4-aminophenyl)-3-ethylpiperidine-2,6-dione] has been used clinically in the treatment of metastatic breast carcinoma. Inhibition of tumor growth is due to interference with estrogen biosynthesis. However, its action is not specific and its metabolism gives rise to toxic and non-inhibitory metabolites. We sought to explore the impact of relocating the amino group in aminoglutethimide to the ethyl side chain. To that end, we now report the synthesis and aromatase-inhibitory activity of 3-(2′-N,N-diethylamino)ethyl-3-phenylpiperidine-2,6-dione 5. The introduction of the amino functionality on the ethyl group is accomplished via reductive animation of aldehyde 8, prepared in three steps from benzyl cyanide. The synthetic route presented can be used for the preparation of related derivatives of aminoglutethimide.
Orientation Planning in the Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printing of Anatomical Spine Models

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has revolutionized medical training and patient care. Clinically it is used for patient-specific anatomical modeling with respect to surgical procedures. 3D printing is heavily implemented for simulation to provide a useful tool for anatomical knowledge and surgical techniques. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a commonly utilized method of 3D printing anatomical models due to its cost-effectiveness. A potential disadvantage of FDM 3D printing complex anatomical shapes is the limitations of the modeling system in providing accurate representations of multifaceted ultrastructure, such as the facets of the lumbar spine. In order to utilize FDM 3D printing methods in an efficient manner, the pre-printing G-code assembly must be oriented according to the anatomical nature of the print. This article describes the approach that our institution's 3D printing laboratory has used to manipulate models' printing angles in regard to the print bed and nozzle, according to anatomical properties, thus creating quality and cost-effective anatomical spine models for education and procedural simulation.
Digital agriculture to design sustainable agricultural systems

The global food system must become more sustainable. Digital agriculture — digital and geospatial technologies to monitor, assess and manage soil, climatic and genetic resources — illustrates how to meet this challenge so as to balance the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable food production.
Neoadjuvant-modified FOLFIRINOX vs nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine for borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients who achieved surgical resection.

We conducted an institutional study to compare the clinical and pathological efficacy between the neoadjuvant therapy (NAT)-modified FOLFIRINOX (mFOLF) vs nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (nab-P/G) for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) and locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) patients who completed resection. The study retrospectively enrolled patients with pathologically confirmed BRPC or LAPC from 2010 to 2018 at our institution. The survival rates were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test was used to test differences. Cox's proportional hazard model was used to assess survival with respect to covariates. Seventy-two patients who completed at least two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical resection were included, with 52 (72.2%) patients receiving mFOLF and 20 (27.8%) receiving nab-P/G. Patients treated with mFOLF had statistically higher rates of RECIST 1.1 partial or complete response (16/52 vs 1/20, P = .028). Additionally, mFOLF patients had greater pathological tumor size reduction, fewer positive lymph nodes, and higher treatment response grade compared to the nab-P/G patients (all P < .05). The median overall survival was 33.3 months vs 27.1 months (P = .105), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) was 21.3 months vs 14.6 months (P = .042) in the mFOLF vs nab-P/G groups, respectively. On multivariate analysis, mFOLF (hazard ratio, 0.428; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.186-0.987) and abnormal postoperative CA 19-9 (hazard ratio, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.06-5.76) were associated with DMFS. Among patients with BRPC and LAPC who complete surgical resection, neoadjuvant mFOLF was associated with improved pathological and clinical outcomes compared with nab-P/G.
Bridging the GAAPs

Inconsistencies in accounting treatment across countries are a major obstacle for global equity investment. Adoption of a single accounting standard (IFRS) has been received with much excitement, where apples to apples comparison across countries will become easier. However, adopting a global accounting standard may not necessarily mean that financial reporting in all countries will become standardized. Taking an example from HOLT, a private sector that offers standardized data for global portfolio investment, the case examines i) HOLT's adjustment process for differences in local accounting standards and ii) how IFRS adoption could change HOLT's global valuation framework. The case offers an interesting setting to examine how harmonizing accounting standards can affect global equity valuation.
Maternal Transfer of Cetirizine Into Human Milk.

IntroductionCetirizine hydrochloride is a second-generation H1 histamine antagonist with Food and Drug Administration approval for treatment of allergic rhinitis and urticaria. Currently, the Food ...
Environmental Injustice: Transformative Change Toward Justice

Environmental injustice occurs at the intersection of the local and the global and is inextricably linked to structural oppression that has deep roots. It is a systemic problem with personal and community consequences and implications. This injustice is intersected with racial, gendered, and socioeconomic forces exacerbating conflicted outcomes among populations pervasively affected by ecological degradation, natural disasters, and other impacts of climate change and human-caused degradation. Those communities marginalized by poverty and race/color have experienced systemic degradation as they have been ravaged for resources and used as a dumping ground for trash and chemical waste. As climate change increases the risk, it is vulnerable populations in developed countries and those in developing countries who first and foremost feel the impact. Those with economic and political resources can escape some of the immediate consequences. Case studies are provided that exemplify the issues and highlight the commitment to change. Women and communities of color provide lessons in facing the oppression and fighting for environmental justice.
Role of air temperature and humidity in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States

Improved understanding of the effects of meteorological conditions on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for COVID-19 disease, is urgently needed to inform mitigation efforts. Here, we estimated the relationship between air temperature or specific humidity (SH) and SARS-CoV-2 transmission in 913 U.S. counties with abundant reported infections from March 15 to August 31, 2020. Specifically, we quantified the associations of daily mean temperature and SH with daily estimates of the SARS-CoV-2 reproduction number ( Rt ) and calculated the fraction of Rt attributable to these meteorological conditions. Both lower temperature and lower SH were significantly associated with increased Rt . The fraction of Rt attributable to temperature was 5.10% (95% eCI: 5.00 - 5.18%), and the fraction of Rt attributable to SH was 14.47% (95% eCI: 14.37 - 14.54%). These fractions generally were higher in northern counties than in southern counties. Our findings indicate that cold and dry weather are moderately associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility, with humidity playing a larger role than temperature.
Quantify Change of Inertia and Its Distribution in High Renewable Power Grids Using PMU.

This paper proposed an approach to identify the change of inertia distribution in high renewable power systems. Using the footprints of electromechanical wave propagation at the distribution level, this approach provides a new and non-invasive way to aware the system inertia distribution for primary frequency response. Actual measurements and high renewable dynamic models validated effectiveness of the approach.
Book Review–Measure, Use, Improve! Data Use in Out-of-School Time

Measure, Use, Improve! Data Use in Out-of-School Time offers out-of-school time (OST) professionals practical lessons and approaches to measurement and data use. Editors Christina A. Russell and Corey Newhouse assembled notable contributors who offer conversant perspectives on evaluation systems within diverse OST organizations. Its 4 thematic sections address issues and provide action-oriented solutions from OST programs, evaluation intermediaries, and funders. Key discussions across chapters include (a) moving forward using data to inform continuous quality improvement, (b) supporting youth development professionals, (c) ensuring equity and inclusion in the evaluation process, and (d) recognizing what it takes to move forward.