cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determining the Sources of Regional Haze in the Southeastern United States Using the CMAQ Model

A detailed sensitivity analysis was conducted to help to quantify the impacts of various emission control options in terms of potential visibility improvements at class I national parks and wilderness areas in the southeastern United States. Particulate matter (PM) levels were estimated using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, and light extinctions were calculated using the modeled PM concentrations. First, likely changes in visibility at class I areas were estimated for 2018. Then, using emission projections for 2018 as a starting point, the sensitivity of light extinction was evaluated by reducing emissions from various source categories by 30%. Source categories to be analyzed were determined using a tiered approach: any category that showed significant impact in one tier was broken into subcategories for further analysis in the next tier. In the first tier, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides, ammonia, volatile organic compound, and primary carbon emissions were reduced uniformly over the entire domain. During summer, when most class I areas experience their worst visibility, reduction of SO2 emissions was the most effective control strategy. In the second tier, SO2 sources were separated as ground level and elevated. The elevated sources in 10 southeastern states were differentiated from those in the rest of the domain and broken into three subcategories: coal-fired power plant (CPP), other power plant, and other than power plant [i.e., non–electric generating unit (non EGU)]. The SO2 emissions from the CPP subcategory had the largest impact on visibility at class I areas, followed by the non-EGU subcategory. In the third tier, emissions from these two subcategories were further broken down by state. Most class I areas were affected by the emissions from several states, indicating the regional nature of the haze problem. Here, the visibility responses to all of the aforementioned emission reductions are quantified and deviations from general trends are identified.
Izod impact fracture morphology of rubber‐toughened polysulfone and poly(phenylene sulfide) blends

Blends of polysulfone (PSF) and poly-phenylene sulfide (PPS) exhibit ductile behavior, below 35% by weight PPS, under tensile loading conditions. However, the blends are notch sensitive to Izod impact. The use of a core-shell type rubber-modifier effectively toughens the blends. Notched Izod impact strength rises, from ∼ 50 J/m to about 900 j/m, by increasing rubber content from 0% to 10–15%. It remains constant at a rubber content > 10–15%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to study the morphology of the fracture surfaces. At low modifier content (5%), smooth or mesa-like fracture surfaces are observed. Voids and interfacial debonding are revealed. With a higher concentration of toughening agent (> 10%), some crazing is evidence but not consistent. However, matrix yielding and extensive plastic flow of the PSF/PPS matrix are seen throughout, with a higher level of rubber modifier.
Substances and Persons: on the Culinary Space of the People of the Centre

This paper refers to a cultural ensemble of groups of northwest Amazonia who selfdesignate as the People of the Centre (Witoto, Ocaina, Nonuya, Bora-Mirana, Muinane, Andoque). The production of food and the production of ‘true people’, in People of the Centre’s discourse, are referred to with a same set of terms; and the instruments and technical transformations of cooking (heating, pounding, filtering, combining and separating) are conceived of as bodily processes. The first section presents the main substances that constitute such a culinary space, both ritual and everyday. The second section, addresses the main technical processes that they undergo to transform them into foods. The third section discusses the meaning of the combination of different processed foodstuffs. It addresses these substances, processes and combinations—this alchemy—as the culinary and technical expression of the formation of true persons.
Failure of LCP condylar plate fixation in the distal part of the femur.

To The Editor: I read with great concern the article entitled, “Failure of LCP Condylar Plate Fixation in the Distal Part of the Femur” (2006;88:846-853), by Vallier et al. The authors have attempted to provide a detailed analysis of the reasons for implant failure, but I believe that this article falls far short of the intended goal. By definition, these fractures occurred in the setting of severe soft-tissue injuries, and whether or not one uses “minimally invasive” operative technique probably will not affect healing rates under the circumstances described. In addition, four of the six failures were in patients with type-IIIA open fractures. I believe that there are some details, not specifically addressed in this small series of plate failures, that need both recognition and explanation. All patients who had a failure in this series had comorbidities associated with the femoral fracture. These comorbidity factors, acknowledged by the authors, had a high probability of adversely affecting the healing outcome. Several patients had severe polytrauma, three had initial spanning of the open fracture with external fixation or had a traumatic condition that precluded immediate internal fixation, several were obese, one had bilateral …
Surveying Medical Students to Gauge Library Use and Plan for a New Medical Library

In spring 2015, a 45-question survey was e-mailed to 585 medical students at the University at Buffalo (UB) in order to gauge their use of library spaces, resources, equipment, and services at UB's Health Sciences Library and plan for a library space located within a new medical school building. Students' self-reported use of the library during the academic year is presented along with the features they would like to see in their ideal library space. The responses generated in the survey are a barometer of current use and will be used in the planning process.
Histological Studies of Testes in Rats Treated with Certain Insect Chemosterilants

Research was initiated in 1966 to determine the histological effects of 3 insect chemosterilants on testicular tissue in male albino rats. The 3 compounds, hydroxyurea, triphenyltin acetate, and triphenyltin chloride, were administered orally to 20 rats each, at dosage rates of 40, 20, and 20 mg per kg per day, respectively, over a period of 19 days. Animals were killed on the 20th day, and histological preparations of the testes were made. Hydroxyurea produced no noticeable effects on testicular structure or on the general physiology of animals to which it was administered. However, treatment with the 2 tin compounds produced several degenerative changes in testicular tissue, including a decrease in the number of cell layers per seminiferous tubule, a decrease in tubule diameter and overall testicular size, a depletion of the more advanced cell forms from the tubules, and a closing of tubule lumina. Effects were more pronounced in rats treats with triphenyltin acetate.
Survey on Under-reporting of Causes of Death Monitoring Data Among Residents,Wuhua County,2009-2011

Objective To understand the under-reporting rate of death monitoring data among residents of Wuhua county. Methods During July-October,2012,a survey was conducted on the resident death monitoring data of Qiling town, Wuhua county during 2009-2011. Results The total death during 2009-2011was 1 300.The annual average death rate was 5.82‰,under-reporting 322.The total under-reporting rate was 24.77%.The under-reporting rate during 2009-2011 was 23.49%,25.62%and 25.17%respectively(P 0.05).The rate of male and female was 22.67% and 27.55% respectively(P 0.05).The under-reporting rate for age 0-4,age 5-14,age 15-44,age 45-64and age above 65was 28.00%, 35.71%,27.78%,25.10%and 24.12%respectively(P 0.05).The causes of death of those with high under-reporting rate were other disease,acatalepsy,endocrine and nutritional,and metabolic diseases,nervous system disease and blood, hematopoietic organ and Immunological diseases.The under-reporting rate was 82.35%,42.22%,40.00%,37.50% and 33.33%respectively.The under-reporting rate of those resident who died in other places was 41.30%,those died at home 24.52% and those died in hospital 17.50%. Conclusion The under-reporting rate of resident death in Wuhua county is high.
Adam Smith's Original Application of an Interval Estimate Approach to Probability in the Wealth of Nations (1776)

Adam Smith was the first economist or mathematician in history to present an explicit, detailed, interval estimate approach to probability in an application involving the economic analysis of occupational choice.In general, the expected value and/or expected utility (subjective expected utility) rules can’t be applied in the real world of decision making because there is missing evidence that does not allow the decision maker to use point probabilities.Smith presented an Ellsberg like choice between two problems-the risky shoemaker occupation problem and the uncertain, ambiguous lawyer occupation problem.Smith also recognized the nonlinear, subproportional nature of the trade off between the outcome and the probability in the Expected Value (Expected utility) model.
MR imaging of shoulder impingement and rotator cuff disease

A number of imaging modalities, such as conventional radiography, arthrography, ultrasonography, and MR imaging, can be used in the evaluation of shoulder pain related to impingement, tendinosis, and rotator cuff tear. Of these techniques, only MR imaging provides anatomic information coupled with superior soft-tissue contrast. MR imaging of the shoulder effectively demonstrates a variety of morphologic abnormalities that may be associated with tendon degeneration. Rotator cuff tears are also well depicted and may be further characterized with regard to tendon involvement, degree of retraction, and secondary muscular atrophy.
Tracking cancer trends: incidence and survival.

The NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program has been collecting and analyzing data on cancer incidence and survival in the United States for more than a decade. Surveys show that data from selected, relatively small population centers accurately reflect nationwide trends. Variations among ethnic groups are often substantial.
Minimum Average Cost

The average cost of producing output q is of the form $${\rm{\bar C}}\left( {\rm{q}} \right) = {{\rm{F}} \over {\rm{q}}} + {\rm{c}} \cdot {\rm{q}}^{{\rm{\eta - 1}}}.$$ (1) Since $${\rm{\eta = }}\left\{ {\matrix{ {{1 \over {\left( {1 - {\rm{\beta }}} \right)}}} \hfill & {{\rm{in}}\,{\rm{the}}\,{\rm{short}}\,{\rm{run}}} \hfill \cr {{1 \over {\left( {1 - {\rm{\beta }}^{\rm{R}} } \right)}}} \hfill & {{\rm{in}}\,{\rm{the}}\,{\rm{medium}}\,{\rm{run}}} \hfill \cr } } \right.$$ and η > 1 in any case, the average cost curve C(q) must be U-shaped.
Demography alters carbon flux for a dominant benthic suspension feeder, the giant barrel sponge, on Conch Reef, Florida Keys

Summary A challenge to understanding ecosystem processes is that the functional roles of species are linked with the demography of populations. In many systems, and particularly on coral reefs, the dynamics and structure of populations of many functionally important species has significantly changed over recent decades due to a variety of disturbances, and the changes in the ecological processes mediated by them are poorly understood. Benthic suspension feeders are allogenic ecosystem engineers that contribute to the flow of materials and energy in aquatic systems. There is increasing evidence that sponges dominate this functional group on Caribbean reefs. Using demographic data from 2000 to 2012 and measurements of filtration rates of particulate and dissolved organic carbon, we parameterized a stage-based matrix model of population-mediated carbon flux for the Caribbean giant barrel sponge Xestospongia muta on Conch Reef, Florida Keys, to investigate the demographic mechanisms that mediate changes in benthic-pelagic coupling. Population-mediated carbon flux increased over time with increasing sponge density and volume, with the largest individuals making the greatest contribution. Elasticity analysis revealed that the growth of sponges in all stages, the survival of sponges in the two largest stages, and the production of new recruits by the largest sponges had the greatest influence on changes in population-mediated carbon flux. We estimate the mean carbon flux over 2000-2012 for X. muta at Conch Reef was 1575 mg C d-1 m-2, a value that exceeds that of any other single-species rate. Projections indicated that population-mediated carbon flux will continue to increase under present conditions; thus, X. muta is expected to play an even larger role in the transfer of carbon from the water column to the benthos on Caribbean coral reefs. Rather than being fixed, the functional role of species within a community are often dynamic and influenced by the demography of populations. The general framework developed here, a conversion of the basic unit of measurement for population models (i.e. the individual) into quantifiable metrics of species traits or activities, may be more broadly applied by further efforts to examine interrelationships between population and ecosystem processes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Effectiveness of Measles Vaccination and Immune Globulin Post-Exposure Prophylaxis in an Outbreak Setting-New York City, 2013.

Background Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) or immune globulin (IG) are routinely used for measles post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). However, current literature on the effectiveness of measles PEP is limited and variable. Here, we examined the effectiveness of MMR and IG PEP among children exposed to measles during an outbreak in New York City (NYC) in 2013. Methods Contacts were identified by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene between 13 March 2013 and 30 June 2013. Immunity to measles and receipt of PEP was determined for contacts. PEP effectiveness [(1 - relative risk of developing measles) × 100] was calculated for MMR, IG, and any PEP (MMR or IG) for nonimmune contacts aged <19 years. Results A total of 3409 contacts were identified, of which 208 (6.1%), 274 (8.0%), and 318 (9.3%) met the inclusion criteria for analysis of MMR, IG, and any PEP effectiveness, respectively. Of the contacts included, 44 received MMR PEP and 77 received IG PEP. Effectiveness of MMR PEP was 83.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 34.4%, 95.8%). No contact who received IG PEP developed measles; effectiveness of IG PEP was 100% (approximated 95% CI, 56.2%, 99.8%). Effectiveness of receiving any PEP (MMR or IG) was 92.9% (95% CI, 56.2%, 99.8%). Conclusions Contacts who received PEP were less likely to develop disease. Our findings support current recommendations for administration of PEP following exposure to measles. These results highlight the importance of a rapid public health outbreak response to limit measles transmission following case identification.
Many-Particle Systems

Our considerations in the preceding chapters were valid for systems which consist of just one particle. We learned how such one-particle systems are to be described quantum-mechanically. Now we have to give thought to the question what is to take into consideration additionally when treating many-particle systems. It will turn out as necessary to strictly separate the so-called distinguishable particles from the indistinguishable ones, i.e., from the so-called identical particles. Distinguishable means that there exists some physical property (mass, charge, spin, …), by which the single particles set themselves apart from the other ones, so that it is in principle possible, to identify the particles by an appropriate measurement. On the other hand, identical particles have all their properties same, and can thus be distinguished from each other by no measurement. In this sense, electrons and protons are distinguishable because of their different masses and different charges, while the electrons among themselves as well as the protons among themselves are identical.
An Economic Model to Measure Costs and Benefits of Eradication

Fruit flies can be found in most fruit producing regions throughout the world. Countries such as the United States and Mexico use quarantines, monitoring, and eradication programs to prevent entry of fruit flies, particularly medfly. Other countries with permanent populations frequently entertain notions of large-scale eradication programs. This paper discusses the use of economic tools within a systematic decision framework to measure the costs and benefits of eradication programs. Several conclusions follow from the review and economic analysis. First, a systematic decision framework can aide researchers and policymakers define and structure the problem. Second, eradication programs can affect groups within and outside of agriculture; a comprehensive assessment of the associated costs and benefits should include all relevant impacts. Finally, a comprehensive analysis requires multidiscip1inary teams to develop basic biological data, identify conflicting objectives, and measure the social, economic, and environmental consequences.
AGBT meeting report.

The Annual Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) General Meeting was held in Orlando, Florida, USA, on the 12–15 February 2018. Professors Ami S. Bhatt and Christina Curtis from Stanford University, USA, report advances and applications in the field that were discussed at the meeting.
Flexible resource management and its effect on project cost and duration

In practice, most projects result in cost overruns and schedule slippage due to poor resource management. This paper presents an approach that aims at reducing project duration and costs by empowering project managers to assess different scenarios. The proposed approach addresses combinatorial modes for tasks, multi-skilled resources, and multiple calendars for resources. A case study reported in the literature is presented to demonstrate the capabilities of this method. As for practical implications, this approach enhances the decision-making process which results in improved solutions in terms of total project duration and cost. From an academic viewpoint, this paper adds empirical evidence to enrich the existing literature, as it highlights relevant issues to model properly the complexity of real-life projects.
Hypertension control in ambulatory care patients with diabetes.

PURPOSE Hypertension (HTN) control among diabetics is essential to preventing macrovascular complications. We investigated correlates of HTN control among a national sample of 1313 patients with diabetes receiving care in ambulatory care settings. METHODS The current study employed extant data from the 2008 National Ambulatory Care Survey. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the relationship between HTN control and candidate covariates, including race, income, provider, and facility characteristics, and patient demographic and health status indicators among patients with diabetes receiving care in ambulatory care facilities. RESULTS Approximately 28.7% of patients achieved HTN control at the level of 130/80 mm Hg and 57.0% at 140/90 mm Hg. Patients seen at physician offices or academic medical center/hospital settings had greater probability of HTN control compared with outpatient departments and community health centers. Patients seen in academic medical centers or other hospital settings had the greatest probability of control (47.9% at 130/80 mm Hg and 70% at 140/90 mm Hg, P < .0001). Despite being more likely to be on antihypertensive medications, black patients with diabetes had the lowest probability of HTN control at the level of 140/90 mm Hg (41.1%) or 130/80 mm Hg (19.0%) compared with other race/ethnic groups (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Patients with diabetes seen in diverse primary care settings had a low probability of having blood pressure (BP) controlled to the recommended levels. Care setting-specific policies may prove useful in improving BP control. Continued attention is still warranted for racial and ethnic disparities in HTN control.
Time-dependent nonlinear metasurfaces (Conference Presentation)

In this talk I will describe a new concept/application of high-Q semiconductor metasurfaces:P spectral shifting of the incident radiation through the phenomenon of photon acceleration. Semiconductor metasurfaces represent a unique platform for linear and nonlinear optics. Because semiconductors typically have a high refractive index, the resulting meta-molecules can support a wide selection of sharp Mie resonances that can be used for shaping their optical response to incident light. Mid-IR photonic has additional benefit: the optical response can be tuned through optical injection of free carriers because of the lambda^2 scaling of the refractive index change. I will describe how ultra-intense femtosecond laser pulses rapidly create free carriers in a spectrally-selective metasurface, thereby blue-shifting its resonant frequency during the lifetime of a trapped mid-IR photon. As the result, the photon is “accelerated”, and can contribute to spectrally blue-shifted and broadened harmonics generation. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental demonstration of a metasurface that is simultaneously time-dependent and nonlinear. The fundamental importance of photon acceleration is that it overcomes what was considered a key limitation of the resonant efficiency enhancement of nonlinear processes using spectrally-selective metasurfaces: that it must come at the expense of the bandwidth. Our results demonstrate that both the efficiency and the bandwidth can be simultaneously enhanced.
100.43 Dedicated Bifurcation Stenting in Coronary Bifurcation Lesions: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Provisional stenting of the main vessel with a drug-eluting stent is the preferred strategy for coronary bifurcation lesions. Dedicated bifurcation stents (DBS) have been studied in a small number of trials and have proven to be as safe and effective as standard technique. However, their role has
Impact of Heart Failure Type on Thromboembolic and Bleeding Risk in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation on Oral Anticoagulation

Heart failure (HF) increases stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Differential impact of HF category on thromboembolic and bleeding risk in AF patients on oral anticoagulation (OAC) is unknown. We used Medicare data for beneficiaries with new AF diagnosed between 2011 and 2013 to identify patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and no HF. The primary endpoint of admission for ischemic stroke was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models that controlled for patient demographics, comorbidities (including CHA2DS2-VASc and HASBLED scores), and OAC use as a time-dependent covariate. Secondary endpoints included all-cause mortality, admissions for gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or HF. The 3groups included 47840, 32360, and 718392 patients respectively. Patients with HFrEF and HFpEF had higher comorbidity burden, CHA2DS2-VASc and HASBLED scores compared with patients without HF. In multivariable analysis adjusting for patient comorbidities and OAC, HFrEF and HFpEF were associated with higher risk of ischemic stroke, HF and AMI compared with no HF. HFrEF was associated with higher all-cause mortality and HF-hospitalization risk compared with HFpEF. In conclusion, in AF patients, HFrEF and HFpEF are both associated with higher risk of ischemic stroke, HF and AMI admissions, even after adjusting for OAC use, compared with patients without HF.
Keeping it 100: Social Media and Self-Presentation in College Football Recruiting.

Abstract Social media provides a platform for individuals to craft personal brands and influence their perception by others, including potential employers. Yet there remains a need for more researc...
Seed Source Effects on Growth and Flowering of Coreopsis lanceolata and Salvia lyrata

Abstract Coreopsis lanceolata L. and Salvia lyrata L. from local (Monticello, FL) and nonlocal seed sources were transplanted into a field and maintained under low input, noncompetitive landscape c...
Microbial carbon use efficiency predicted from genome-scale metabolic models.

Respiration by soil bacteria and fungi is one of the largest fluxes of carbon (C) from the land surface. Although this flux is a direct product of microbial metabolism, controls over metabolism and their responses to global change are a major uncertainty in the global C cycle. Here, we explore an in silico approach to predict bacterial C-use efficiency (CUE) for over 200 species using genome-specific constraint-based metabolic modeling. We find that potential CUE averages 0.62 ± 0.17 with a range of 0.22 to 0.98 across taxa and phylogenetic structuring at the subphylum levels. Potential CUE is negatively correlated with genome size, while taxa with larger genomes are able to access a wider variety of C substrates. Incorporating the range of CUE values reported here into a next-generation model of soil biogeochemistry suggests that these differences in physiology across microbial taxa can feed back on soil-C cycling. Microbial respiration releases carbon from the soil. Here, the authors estimate bacterial carbon use efficiency in soils for over 200 species using constraint-based modeling, incorporate the values into an ecosystem model, and find that shifts in community composition may impact carbon storage.
Molecular Snapshots of the AKT1-CIPK23 Complex Involved in K+ Uptake.

Potassium (K+) is the most abundant intracellular cation in all living organisms and is an important macronutrient for plant growth and development, contributing up to 10% of plant dry weight. K+ plays critical roles in energy metabolism, transport of minerals and metabolites, protein synthesis,
Heart and kidney transplant: should they be combined or subsequent?

Aims End-stage heart failure patients often present with severe kidney failure and have limited treatment options. We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes among end-stage heart and kidney failure patients who underwent combined heart and kidney transplant (HKTx) with those who underwent kidney transplant after heart transplant (KAH). Methods and results All patients from 2007-2016 who underwent combined HKTx (n = 715) and those who underwent KAH (n = 130) using the United Network for Organ Sharing database were included. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox models compared survivals and identified predictors of death. Number of combined HKTx performed annually in United States increased from 59 in 2007 to 146 in 2016 whereas KAH decreased from 34 in 2007 to 6 in 2016. Among KAH patients, average wait time for kidney transplant was 3.0 years, time to dialysis or to kidney transplant after heart transplant did not differ with varying severity of kidney disease at baseline (P for both >0.05). Upon follow-up (mean 3.5 ± 2.7 years), 151 patients died. In multivariable models, patients who underwent combined HKTx had 4.7-fold greater risk of death [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.4-9.4) than KAH patients upon follow up. A secondary analysis using calculation of survival only after kidney transplant for KAH patients still conferred higher risk for combined HKTx patients [hazard ratio (HR) 2.6 95% CI 1.33-5.15]. In subgroup analyses after excluding patients on dialysis (HR 3.99 95% CI 1.98-8.04) and analysis after propensity matching for age, gender, and glomerular filtration rate (HR 3.01 95% CI 1.40-6.43) showed similar and significantly higher risk for combined HKTx patients compared with KAH patients. Lastly, these results also remained unchanged after excluding transplant centres who performed only one type of procedure preferentially, i.e. HKTx or KAH (HR 4.70 95% CI 2.35-9.42). Conclusions National registry data show continual increase in combined HKTx performed annually in the United States but inferior survival compared with KAH patients. Differences in patient characteristics or level of kidney dysfunction at baseline do not explain these poor outcomes among HKTx patients compared with KAH patients. Consensus guidelines are greatly needed to identify patients who may benefit more from dual organ transplants.
The Reason that Motivated Jonah’s Escape:

The author of this research seeks to clarify what was the reason that motivated Jonah’s escape from his responsibility to give Nineveh the message of salvation. The methodology used response to the...
Neural Correlates of Conflicting Social Influence on Adolescent Risk Taking

Adolescence is often characterized by heightened risk-taking behaviors, which are shaped by social influence from parents and peers. However, little is understood about how adolescents make risky decisions under conflicting influence. The valuation system in the brain may elucidate how adolescents differentially integrate conflicting social information. Twenty-eight adolescents (M(age) = 12.7 years) completed a social influence task during a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. Behaviorally, adolescents took more risks only when their parent endorsed risky decisions but not when their peers endorsed risky decisions. At the neural level, adolescents showed enhanced vmPFC-striatum functional connectivity when they made risky decisions that followed their parents' risky decisions. Results suggest that parents' decisions may guide youths' risk-taking behavior under conflicting influence.
The addition of clonidine to ropivacaine in rectus sheath nerve blocks for pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy: A double blinded randomized prospective study.

Abstract Study objective The primary goal of this study was to determine if the addition of clonidine to ropivacaine prolonged periumbilical numbness compared to ropivacaine alone in pediatric patients receiving ultrasound guided rectus sheath nerve blocks for laparoscopic appendectomy. The secondary goals were to evaluate differences in perioperative pain scores, analgesic consumption, sedation, anxiolysis, and hemodynamic effects from clonidine. Design This was a single center, randomized, double-blinded prospective study. Setting This study was conducted within the pediatric operating rooms at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, a large university-based academic medical center. Patients Fifty pediatric patients (ages 10-17 years old) without pre-existing cognitive impairment, developmental delay or chronic pain undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy during weekday hours were enrolled and randomized to control versus intervention groups. Intervention Ultrasound guided rectus sheath nerve block injections were performed at the beginning of surgery with either ropivacaine 0.5% plus normal saline or ropivacaine 0.5% plus clonidine (2 mcg/kg, maximum of 100 mcg). Measurements The duration of periumbilical numbness, Numeric Pain Rating Scale scores, University of Michigan Sedation Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, analgesic consumption, heart rate, blood pressure, and mean arterial pressures, were recorded for each patient at several time points in the perioperative setting. Main results There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between groups. The median duration of periumbilical numbness did not significantly differ between the ropivacaine only and the ropivacaine plus clonidine groups 540.0 minutes [360.0 -1015.0] (median [interquartile range (IQR)]) versus 823.5 minutes [509.5- 1080.0], p = 0.451. There were no significant differences in perioperative analgesic consumption, pain and anxiety scores, PACU sedation, or hemodynamic instability. Conclusions The addition of clonidine did not significantly prolong rectus sheath nerve block duration and was well tolerated in pediatric patients. Perioperative analgesia, hemodynamics, anxiety, and PACU sedation did not differ between groups. Trial registration Clinical Trials NCT02439281
Russian Industrial Sector in January 2020

Downward trend in demand curbs growth of industrial output. At the same time, plans and projections of enterprises still remain optimistic. In the context of personnel shortage businesses put out considerable efforts aimed at keeping their workers and plan to increase employment.
Using structurally fungible biosensors to evolve improved alkaloid biosyntheses

A key bottleneck in the microbial production of therapeutic plant metabolites is identifying enzymes that can greatly improve yield. The facile identification of genetically encoded biosensors can overcome this limitation and become part of a general method for engineering scaled production. We have developed a unique combined screening and selection approach that quickly refines the affinities and specificities of generalist transcription factors, and using RamR as a starting point we evolve highly specific (>100-fold preference) and sensitive (EC50 <30 M) biosensors for the alkaloids tetrahydropapaverine, papaverine, glaucine, rotundine, and noscapine. High resolution structures reveal multiple evolutionary avenues for the fungible effector binding site, and the creation of new pockets for different chemical moieties. These sensors further enabled the evolution of a streamlined pathway for tetrahydropapaverine, an immediate precursor to four modern pharmaceuticals, collapsing multiple methylation steps into a single evolved enzyme. Our methods for evolving biosensors now enable the rapid engineering of pathways for therapeutic alkaloids.
Radiobiology of the Liver

Advancements in imaging and radiation treatment planning have resulted in the increasing use of radiation therapy (RT) for liver cancer. However, Radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) remains a major limitation of RT. The pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of RILD are discussed in this chapter. Classic RILD manifests with hepatomegaly, anicteric ascites, and thrombocytopenia, and alkaline phosphatase elevated out of proportion to other liver enzymes, 1–3 months after liver RT. The pathological hallmark is that of veno-occlusive disease (VOD) and sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS). In addition to endothelial cell damage, hepatic stellate cell activation is noted in patients with severe congestive changes of classic RILD. There are multiple clinically useful tools, such as Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) classification, ALBI and PALBI grades to quantify liver function changes following RT. Other more interventional laboratory measures that have been investigated to measure liver function include Indocyanine green (ICG) and HepQuant SHUNT test that require administration of ICG or cholate and measuring their clearance rates. Potential biomarkers of liver toxicity include those related to endothelial injury and increased expression of adhesion molecules, pro-inflammatory and procoagulant cytokines. In patients suspected of developing classic RILD, early diagnosis and intervention can potentially improve outcomes. Baseline and serial imaging using ultrasound, portal venous perfusion imaging by dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may help detect early signs suggestive of VOD/SOS and more importantly to exclude diagnoses other than VOD/SOS. The current management of RILD is mostly supportive with no approved pharmacologic therapy to date. Strategies to potentially treat RILD including TGFβ inhibition, Hedgehog inhibition, CXCR4 inhibition, hepatocyte transplantation, and bone marrow-derived stromal cell therapy are currently under investigation. Taking advantage of radiation as an immunomodulatory drug for in situ tumor vaccination provides the rationale for combining SBRT with immunotherapy for the treatment of liver cancer.
Putting the Genie Back in the Bottle: Review of Axel Hilling and Daniel T. Ostas, Corporate Taxation and Social Responsibility (Kluwer, 2017) [Forthcoming]

No legislature can ever enact a tax law that can be enforced entirely from the outside. No general anti-abuse rule or primary purpose test, and especially no economic substance doctrine, can prevent corporate taxpayers from abusing the law unless there is a strong corporate culture that tells them not to engage in transactions they know are abusive but think they can get away with. We need to put the genie of corporate tax shelters as an engine of shareholder value back in the bottle, so that corporate culture goes back to where it was before the great tax shelter wave of the last thirty years. This book is the beginning of doing so.
Nonlocal and Gradient Effects

Classical continuum theories such as elasticity, electrostatics, and piezoelectricity are the long-wave and low-frequency limits of the equations of lattice dynamics. The partial differential equations of these continuum theories can be obtained from the finite difference equations of lattice dynamics by Taylor expansions and truncations. The equations of classical continuum theories are accurate for phenomena with a characteristic length much larger than microscopic characteristic lengths, for example, the distance between neighboring atoms in a lattice. When the characteristic length of a problem is not much larger than the microscopic characteristic length, classical continuum theories do not predict results consistent with lattice dynamics, and hence are no longer valid. For example, lattice waves are dispersive but the theory of elasticity only predicts nondispersive plane waves which are the long wave limit of lattice waves. There are different ways to modify the classical continuum theories so that their range of applicability can be extended to problems with smaller characteristic lengths, with results closer to lattice dynamics in a wider range of wave lengths.
Polymeric Implant Materials

Polymeric materials have a wide variety of applications for implantation since they can be easily fabricated into many forms: fibers, textiles, films, and solids. Polymers bear a close resemblance to natural tissue components such as collagen which allows direct bonding with other substances, e.g., heparin coating on the surface of polymers for the prevention of blood clotting. Adhesive polymers can be used to close wounds or lute orthopedic implants in place.
Sexual activity prior to coital initiation: a comparison between males and females.

The sexual activities college students reportedengaging in prior to their first coital experience wereinvestigated. A volunteer sample of 311 students (120male and 191 female) completed a self-report anonymous questionnaire. Both males and femalesreported considerable precoital sexual experience.Although males reported more frequent activity thanfemales on all items of assessment, the difference between groups, with the exception ofmasturbation, was not significant. The majority of bothmales and females reported at least one experience, anda sizable minority reported considerably moreexperience, with cunnilingus and fellatio, risk behaviorsfor the transmission of STDs, prior to their firstcoitus. Attention is drawn to the dearth of informationon sexual activity prior to coital initiation. Given the potential risks of some of theseactivities, recommendations to further explore andaddress the precoital sexual behavior of adolescents aresuggested.
Streptococcus suis: past and present.

Staats, J.J., Feder, I., Okwumabua, O. and Chengappa, M.M., 1997. Streptococcus suis: past and present. Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (6), 381-407 Steptococcus suis is a Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic coccus that has been implicated as the cause of a wide range of clinical disease syndromes in swine and other domestic animals. In swine, the disease has spread worldwide but is more prevalent in countries with intensive swine management practices. The disease syndromes caused by S. suis in swine include arthritis, meningitis, pneumonia, septicaemia, endocarditis, polyserositis, abortions and abscesses. S. suis has also been implicated in disease in humans, especially among abattoir workers and swine and pork handlers. In humans, S. suis type 2 can cause meningitis, which may result in permanent hearing loss, septicaemia, endocarditis and death. The pathogenic mechanism of S. suis is not well defined. Several virulence factors have been identified, but their roles in pathogenesis and disease have not been well elucidated. Much work is in progress on characterization of virulence factors and mechanisms, with emphasis on the control of the disease. Because of the non-availability of suitable immunoprophylaxis, control of S. suis infection has depended mainly on the use of antimicrobials.
Measurement of body fat by neutron inelastic scattering: comments on installation, operation and error analysis.

The existing techniques for the in vivo measurement of body fat can be classified into three categories:
Strategies For Improving The Use Of The Clinical Laboratory: Computer Applications

Technological innovations including automation have made it possible for the clinical laboratory to provide, very rapidly, large quantities of data of high reliability. This circumstance contributes to a growing problem of effective use of clinical laboratory tests and data. This problem includes overuse and inappropriate use of tests and underuse of data. Strategies for improving the use of both tests and data, supported by computer techniques, are described and discussed.
A novel beta-glucoside-specific PTS locus from Streptococcus mutans that is not inhibited by glucose.

A regulon from Streptococcus mutans that plays a role in the utilization of β-glucosides has been isolated, sequenced and subjected to sequence analysis. This regulon encodes a β-glucoside-specific Enzyme II (EII) component (bglP) of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) and a phospho-β-glucosidase (bglA) which is responsible for the breakdown of the phospho-β-glucosides within the cell. Both the bglP and bglA gene products have significant similarity with proteins that have similar functions from Clostridium longisporum, Listeria monocytogenes, Erwinia chrysanthemi, Escherichia coli, Klebsellia oxytoca and Bacillus subtilis. The potential functions of the BglP and BglA proteins are supported by phenotypic data from both S. mutans and E. coli. A chromosomal deletion in S. mutans spanning the bglP and bglA genes resulted in a strain that was unable to hydrolyse the β-glucoside aesculin in the presence of glucose. When glucose was removed from the medium, the deletion strain regained the ability to break down aesculin. These data suggest that S. mutans possesses an alternative mechanism from the one described in this report for breaking down β-glucosides. This second mechanism was repressed by glucose while the regulon described here was not. Complementation studies in E. coli CC118 also suggest a potential role for this regulon in the utilization of other β-glucosides. When a plasmid containing the 8 kb β-glucoside-specific regulon was transformed into E. coli CC118, the transformed strain was able to break down the β-glucoside arbutin.
Removal of Instrument Signature From Mariner 9 Television Images of Mars

The Mariner 9 spacecraft was inserted into orbit around Mars in November 1971. The two vidicon camera systems returned over 7300 digital images during orbital operations. The high volume of returned data and the scientific objectives of the Television Experiment made development of automated digital techniques for the removal of camera system-induced distortions from each returned image necessary. This paper describes the algorithms used to remove geometric and photometric distortions from the returned imagery. Enhancement processing of the final photographic products is also described.
Long Correlations and Levy Models Applied to the Study of Memory Effects in High Frequency (Tick) Data

Long term memory effects in stock market indices that represent internationally diversified stocks are analyzed in this paper and the results are compared with the S&P 500 index. The Hurst exponent and the Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) technique are the tools used for this analysis. The financial time-series data of these indices are tested with the Normalized Truncated Levy Flight to check whether the evolution of these indices is explained by the TLF. Some features that seem to be specific for international indices are discovered and briefly discussed. In particular, a potential investor seems to be faced with new investment opportunities in emerging markets during and especially after a crisis.
Fast ethernet: 100BaseTX and 100BaseT4 network interface adaptor architectures

Fast Ethernet is an order of magnitude faster than regular ethernet, but the rampup, cost reduction and commercialization also appears to be happening ten times quicker. The PCI bus and its performance improvements has also made Fast Ethernet a much more viable solution. The first generation 10/100 Network Interface Cards (NIC), Switches and Repeaters arrived in 1994. Now there are several versions of each available. The PRO/100 series NIC (adapter) began volume shipments in October 1995. The IEEE Standard IEEE-802.3u/D5.3 was passed in record time for technologies of this magnitude. The standard includes 100BaseTX and 100BaseT4. The former requires two pair of Category 5 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) wiring and the latter four pair of Category 3 UTP. 100BaseTX is full duplex capable. 100BaseT4 operates over ordinary telephone wiring cables. The rapid integration into less silicon of all the 10/1000 blocks, and attendant cost reduction is causing even a more viable Fast Ethernet solution, since pricing is converging to that of regular ethernet NICs and Repeaters.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Biochemical Consequences of Heritable Mutations in the α-Tocopherol Transfer Protein†

Tocopherol transfer protein (TTP) regulates vitamin E status by facilitating the secretion of tocopherol from liver to circulating lipoproteins. Heritable mutations in the ttpA gene, encoding for TTP, result in ataxia with vitamin E deficiency (AVED) syndrome, typified by low vitamin E levels and a plethora of neurological disorders. The molecular mechanisms by which TTP facilitates tocopherol secretion are presently unknown. We recently showed that vitamin E is taken up by hepatocytes through an endocytic process and that, shortly following uptake, the vitamin is found primarily in lysosomes. We showed further that TTP is localized to late endocytic vesicles and that it facilitates the intracellular trafficking of tocopherol from lysosomes to the plasma membrane. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms that underlie TTP actions, we studied the physiological impact of three naturally occurring heritable mutations in the ttpA gene (the R59W, R221W, and A120T substitutions). We found that these mutations impair the ability of TTP to facilitate the secretion of vitamin E from cells. Furthermore, the degree of impairment corresponded to the severity of the AVED pathology associated with each mutation. In cells that express mutated TTP proteins, vitamin E did not traffic to the plasma membrane and remained "trapped" in lysosomes. In addition, we observed that substitution mutations that cause the AVED syndrome impart a marked instability on the TTP protein. These observations suggest that the physiological role of TTP is anchored in its ability to direct vitamin E trafficking from the endocytic compartment to transport vesicles that deliver the vitamin to the site of secretion at the plasma membrane.