cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retardation by Glandless Cottonseed Flour of Lipid Oxidation and Discoloration in Raw Ground Beef Containing Salt

Salt (NaCl) was added to raw ground beef at levels of 0, 0.5, 1, 2 or 3% of the weight of the meat and defatted glandless cottonseed flour (GCF) was added at 0 or 3% levels. Patties were made with these mixes and stored for 3 or 6 days at 4°C or for 30 or 60 days at –20°C. Lipid oxidation (TBA values) in samples stored at 4° and –20°C and discoloration in samples stored at 4°C were determined. In samples made with salt only, TBA values within each storage period for each storage temperature increased with increasing salt levels up to 2%; increasing salt from 2 to 3% decreased TBA values. GCF markedly reduced TBA values at each salt level. Discoloration of samples stored at 4°C was also decreased by GCF.
Time-Step Considerations in Particle Simulation Algorithms for Coulomb Collisions in Plasmas

The accuracy of first-order Euler and higher-order time-integration algorithms for grid-based Langevin equations collision models in a specific relaxation test problem is assessed. We show that statistical noise errors can overshadow time-step errors and argue that statistical noise errors can be conflated with time-step effects. Using a higher-order integration scheme may not achieve any benefit in accuracy for examples of practical interest. We also investigate the collisional relaxation of an initial electron-ion relative drift and the collisional relaxation to a resistive steady-state in which a quasi-steady current is driven by a constant applied electric field, as functions of the time step used to resolve the collision processes using binary and grid-based, test-particle Langevin equations models. We compare results from two grid-based Langevin equations collision algorithms to results from a binary collision algorithm for modeling electron-ion collisions. Some guidance is provided on how large a time step can be used compared to the inverse of the characteristic collision frequency for specific relaxation processes.
Hartree‐like methods in electronic structure theory

We consider the “Hartree Problem,” here defined as the problem of finding the orthogonal one-electron states which in a single determinant minimize the electronic energy, excluding exchange contributions. These states may provide a useful basis for correlation-energy studies. It is shown how the “Hartree Problem,” although superficially not of pseudoeigenvalue form, can nevertheless be cast in such a form and solved by an iterative diagonalization process.
Etch Process Optimization and Electrical Improvement in TiN Hard Mask Ultra-Low K Interconnection

As critical dimensions decrease, key dimension-related dielectric etch challenges emerge, including via and trench uniformity and etch depth profile. The transition to ultra-low-k films such as BDIII (Black Diamond; k=2.55) dielectrics requires consideration of film sensitivity to compositional modification, polymer interactions at pores, and the effect of diffusion. Use of N2/O2 plasma at 60 ˚C to modify the M1 trench profile has been demonstrated to lower the RC delay by 14% as compared to traditional CO2 plasmas at 60˚C. Use of a DHF solution to clean the etching residue in the dual damascene structure results in >97% yield with a tight range of via chain resistance.
Insomnia in Primary Care Practice with a Special Focus for the Midlevel Practitioner

Insomnia is the most common sleep complaint in a primary care setting and the second most overall complaint after pain. The 2005 Sleep in America Poll by the National Sleep Foundation, however, found that less than one-third of patients were asked about sleep by their primary care provider and only 45% of responders said they would think to discuss sleep issues with their provider, even though 75% said they had experienced problems with sleep several nights a week within the past year. For these reasons, it is incumbent upon the provider to evaluate and treat sleep complaints. Since midlevel providers (NPs and PAs) are being represented in larger numbers in today’s health-care field especially in primary care, it is important for them to realize the importance of insomnia as a complaint and what to do about it.
Justice and job engagement: The role of senior management trust

Summary We examined whether job engagement mediated the effects of organizational justice dimensions on work behaviors and attitudes. Considering distributive and procedural justice from a motivational perspective, we proposed that job engagement would mediate these two dimensions' relations with the work outcomes of task performance, organizational citizenship behavior, and job satisfaction. We also expected this mediation effect would be magnified when senior management trust (SMT) was high. Our results showed that the simple mediation model was supported only for distributive justice. Alternatively, the indirect effect of procedural justice on work outcomes through job engagement was significant only when SMT was high. Implications of our findings and areas for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Major Protein of Frog Otoconia is a Homolog of Phospholipase A2

We have purified the major protein of the otoconia of Xenopus laevis; its molecular weight is about 22,000. The corresponding otoconial protein from Rattus norvegicus has a molecular weight of 90,000. Polyclonal antibodies raised against both proteins do not cross react. Both antibodies are highly specific for tissues of the inner ear of the respective animal. A cDNA library has been made from X. laevis inner ear tissue and positive clones have been identified using DNA probes designed after the partial amino acid sequence.
The anxiety condition and psychological nursing intervention of the families of the children in the intensive care unit

Objective Analyze the anxiety condition of the families of children in pediatric intensive care unit and explore effective psychological care interventions. Methods 60 patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit of our hospital in the near future were selected as the research subjects,and the selected families of the children were randomly divided into two groups of A,B. In group A,the families of the children were implemented routine care ,in group B,the families of children were given psychological intervention care,and the self-rating scale questionnaire was used to investigate the anxiety conditions of the two groups of families after 1 or 3 days the children admitted into the intensive care unit respectively. Meanwhile,investigate the main factors that causing the anxiety of the families of children. Results The main factors that caused the anxiety of the families of children included:fear of the lack of effective treatment in children,fear of sequelae after treatment,worried that the children were notwell cared. The anxiety scores of the two sets of families of children were significantly higher than the national norm,after the implementation of care,the scores of the two groups were significantly reduced,and the scores in group Bdeclined more than that in group A(P 0.05). Conclusion The families of the children in intensive care unit tended to bring out anxiety by various factors,so in the clinical implementation process of the treatment of children,we should pay attention to the psychological changes of the families of children and timely provide necessary psychological intervention for families of children,which can effectively alleviate the negative emotions of the families,striving for their active cooperation on the treatment of children,so as to help the children a speedy recovery.
The Analysis on the Surveillance Results of Cholera in 2008 Guangzhou,China

Objective To review the surveillance results of cholera in Guangzhou and take early prevention and control measures to prevent the spread of the epidemics. Methods The data of epidemic reported system,surveillance system,and field investigation report were analyzed. Results In 2008 the city reported two local cases of dissemination of cholera cases only,with no imported cases reported. The number of cases reported in 2008 compared with 2007 (8 cases) reduced by 75%. The intestinal outpatient registration number and the proportion of retrieved cases number over the hospital outpatient number of the same period were 1.95‰ and 0.44‰,respectively. The city's average proportion of gastro-intestinal clinic retrieved cases to the total registered number was 22.68% ; 6 positive specimens were found in the routine and emergency monitoring of external environment,of which four were identified as Ogawa,1 as Inaba and 1 as O139,and the virulence gene CTX detection was negative. Conclusion In 2008,two epidemics cholera dissemination were monitored timely by the gastro disease detection system in Guangzhou. And the epidemic did not cause the proliferation and spread when the timely investigation and treatment were carried out. Monitoring information was in timely reported and got feedback and the flow of information was smooth. The cholera surveillance system in Guangzhou is running in a good condition.
Phyllodes Type of Atypical Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Report of 3 New Cases

We report 3 new cases of phyllodes type of atypical prostatic hyperplasia. This lesion is characterized by epithelial and stromal proliferation. Stromal changes are the most characteristic finding in phyllodes type of atypical prostatic hyperplasia, which show atypical cells with enlarged, hyperchromatic sarcomatoid nuclei. Mitotic figures are not present. Although the histological appearance may mimic that of cystosarcoma phyllodes of the breast, this pattern is present only focally or not at all in phyllodes type of atypical prostatic hyperplasia. On computerized tomographic imaging phyllodes type of atypical prostatic hyperplasia has a distinct appearance. These patients can be expected to have a benign clinical course and distant metastases have not been reported. Treatment is by surgical excision as in benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Effects of secretin and caerulein on enzymes of cultured pancreatic acinar cells.

We examined the effects of secretin (0 to 200 nM) and caerulein (0 to 100 nM) on rat pancreatic acinar cells cultured 0 to 48 h in serum-free medium. The effects of 100 nM secretin with 1 nM caerulein were also studied because secretin may potentiate the effects of caerulein. Cellular and media (secreted) lipase and amylase were analyzed as were cellular DNA and protein content. Cellular lipase and amylase activities significantly decreased (P<0.0001) over time in all treatment groups, whereas media amylase and lipase significantly increased (P<0.0001). Neither secretin nor caerulein affected cellular lipase or media amylase. However, secretin significantly increased (P<0.04) and caerulein tended to increase (P<0.08) media lipase in a dose-dependent manner. At 12 h, 10 nM secretin maximally increased media lipase (58%), suggesting that cultured acinar cells remain responsive to secretin in vitro. Caerulein, at all concentrations, significantly decreased (P<0.001) cellular amylase but exhibited a dose-dependent effect only at 24 h when 100 nM caerulein maximally decreased cellular amylase (34%). Secretin (100 nM) did not alter these effects of caerulein. These results support the proposed role of caerulein in the regulation of amylase but not a direct role of secretin in the regulation of lipase.
Laser-particle stimulated emission (LASE) microscopy with super resolution

We introduce a novel microscopy technique that utilizes optically pumped, nano-lasers as imaging probes. The lasing threshold and narrow spectrum of laser particles enables optical sectioning, sub-diffraction, and low-background imaging. Using nanowire lasers, we demonstrate ∼180 nm resolution with large beam sizes of a few microns (>10-fold enhancement).
The role of imaging in the clinical practice of radiation oncology for pancreatic cancer

Advances in technology have enabled the delivery of high doses of radiation therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with low rates of toxicity. Although the role of radiation for pancreatic cancer continues to evolve, encouraging results with newer techniques indicate that radiation may benefit selected patient populations. Imaging has been central to the modern successes of radiation therapy for PDAC. Here, we review the role of diagnostic imaging, imaging-based planning, and image guidance in radiation oncology practice for PDAC.
Recent development of optical methods in rapid and non-destructive detection of aflatoxin and fungal contamination in agricultural products

Abstract The demand for developing rapid and non-destructive techniques that is suitable to real-time and on-line detection of aflatoxin and fungal contamination has received significant attentions. Measurement techniques based on fluorescence spectroscopy (FS), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) have provided interesting and promising results for detecting aflatoxin and/or fungal contamination in a variety of foods. As such, the main goal of this article is to give an overview of the current research progress of FS, NIRS and HSI techniques in rapid detection of aflatoxin and fungal contamination in different varieties of agricultural products. These techniques are described in terms of their working principles, features and application advantages in detecting aflatoxins and fungal contamination. The research advances of each technique applied in different agricultural products are reviewed and the results obtained from different studies are compared and discussed. Perspectives on their future trends and challenges are also addressed.
Empire and Ecology in the Bengal Delta: The Making of Calcutta

What happens when a distant colonial power tries to tame an unfamiliar terrain in the world's largest tidal delta? This history of dramatic ecological changes in the Bengal Delta from 1760 to 1920 involves land, water and humans, tracing the stories and struggles that link them together. Pushing beyond narratives of environmental decline, Bhattacharyya argues that 'property-thinking', a governing tool critical in making land and water discrete categories of bureaucratic and legal management, was at the heart of colonial urbanization and the technologies behind the draining of Calcutta. The story of ecological change is narrated alongside emergent practices of land speculation and transformation in colonial law. Bhattacharyya demonstrates how this history continues to shape our built environments with devastating consequences, as shown in the Bay of Bengal's receding coastline.
BlockCIS—A Blockchain-Based Cyber Insurance System

While the cyber insurance market has been growing significantly in recent years, its insurance providers face several challenges: first, there is a lack of standardized frameworks to rate ""cyber""; second, there's a shortage of relevant data to calculate premiums; and third, security postures of insured organizations constantly change. Unlike other types of insurance, cyber insurance requires creating a continuous feedback loop between customers and insurers. In this article, we introduce BlockCIS, a blockchain-based continuous monitoring and processing system for cyber insurance. BlockCIS aims to realize an automated, real-time, and immutable feedback loop between the insurer, its customer, third parties and potential auditors. As an example instantiation, we prototype BlockCIS using the open source Hyperledger Composer blockchain framework.
Role of Radioimmunoassay in the Cardiac Patient—Principles and Applications

The English physician William Withering introduced digitalis therapy for the management of cardiac disorders around 200 years ago. Although the crude preparations were effective in heart failure, they were accompanied by gastrointestinal upset, visual disturbances, and often death. The dangers associated with digitalis therapy have continued to plague physicians until the present day, since they have had to contend with the narrow margin that exists between beneficial dosage and dosage resulting in toxicity, the variations in tolerance, absorption, excretion, sensitivity, and the lack of a sensitive assay for monitoring the drug blood and tissue levels.
Impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with multiple sclerosis at 8 weeks and 12 months: A randomized clinical trial.

Background:Mindfulness training is often used as a therapeutic intervention to manage stress and enhance emotional well-being, yet trials for multiple sclerosis (MS) are limited and few have used a...
Chemical-Catalytic Approaches to the Production of Furfurals and Levulinates from Biomass

The synthesis and chemistry of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF), 5-(chloromethyl)furfural (CMF), and levulinic acid (LA), three carbohydrate-derived platform molecules produced by the chemical-catalytic processing of lignocellulosic biomass, is reviewed. Starting from the historical derivation of these molecules and progressing through modern approaches to their production from biomass feedstocks, this review will then survey their principal derivative chemistries, with particular attention to aspects of commercial relevance, and discuss the relative merits of each molecule in the future of biorefining.
Orchestrating Difference: Representing Gender in Video Game Music

As long as video games have been studied academically, the representation of gender in video games has been a particularly important topic of inquiry. However, research on the representation of gender in video games has also been almost exclusively ocularcentric, focusing solely on visual depictions of gender within games and most often ignoring the aural domain. Taking various games from the fantasy genre as case studies, this chapter investigates the ways in which gender—and masculinity in particular—is represented in and through video game music. I argue that compositional conventions, especially orchestration or instrumentation, are used to represent gender in a game’s score. I also discuss various ways that music confirms or undermines gendered expectations and stereotypes associated with a video game.
Comparison of Two Models of Family-Based Treatment for Childhood Obesity: A Pilot Study

Abstract Background: Family-based weight loss treatment (FBT) for childhood obesity, the current “gold standard,” is typically provided in weekly groups for 6 months. Although this program is consi...
Competing (4+2) and (2+2) cycloaddition reactions of tetrafluorothiophene-S,S-dioxide with phenylacetylene: A computational study

Abstract Tetrafluorothiophene-S,S-dioxide reacts with terminal acetylenes by two pathways to give (2 + 2) cycloaddition and (4 + 2) Diels-Alder addition products, the latter being accompanied by extrusion of SO2 and aromatization. The (4 + 2) process is orbital topology-allowed to proceed in concerted fashion, while the former is forbidden to do so, yet the (2 + 2) cycloaddition can dominate the course of reaction. Here the two pathways using phenylacetylene are explored by DFT (B3LYP-D3/6-311G**++), illustrating that the (2 + 2) cycloaddition reaction proceeds via a low energy stepwise pathway involving a singlet diradical intermediate, which competes with the orbital symmetry allowed Diels-Alder path.
Chronic cough and cystic lung disease caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica in a patient with AIDS.

A 24-year-old man with a history of HIV and large B cell lymphoma (currently in remission) presented with fever, dry cough and dizziness. His CD4+ count was undetectable, and the HIV viral load was 109 295 cop/mL. Physical examination revealed fever, hypotension and tachycardia with coarse breath sounds in the middle and lower chest zones bilaterally. Chest imaging showed diffuse abnormal micronodular and patchy infiltrates, without focal consolidation. A cavitary lesion was noted measuring 5×2 cm in axial dimensions within the left lower lobe and multiple small cystic lesions in the background. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid culture grew Bordetella bronchiseptica. The patient was empirically treated with vancomycin and piperacillin–tazobactam for multifocal pneumonia with concerns for sepsis and was started on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) with abacavir/dolutegravir/lamivudine. Symptoms improved after day 3 of therapy, and the patient was discharged home on 2 weeks of moxifloxacin, in addition to the cART and appropriate chemoprophylaxis.
Response to "Technical approaches to reduce interference of Fetal calf serum derived RNA in the analysis of extracellular vesicle RNA from cultured cells"

We read with great interest the article by Driedonks and colleagues (2019) on “Technical approaches to reduce interference of fetal calf serum derived RNA in the analysis of extracellular vesicle R...
The pathophysiology of arthritis due to viruses and vaccines

Viral infections frequently cause arthralgias as part of their acute presentation but can occasionally result in a chronic arthritis. Viruses that establish latent or chronic infections such as hepatitis C, HIV, and Chikungunya are more likely to be arthritogenic. The need to differentiate viral infection from rheumatoid arthritis relies on clinical features and laboratory results such as anti-CCP testing. The factors that regulate viral growth and persistence such as genetic predisposition, innate and adaptive immune responses, and the host’s comorbidities at times lead to autoimmune phenomena such as Sjogren’s syndrome or vasculitis. Vaccinations against viruses commonly trigger arthralgias with frank arthritis being an unusual consequence. The autoimmune syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) syndrome has been proposed to categorize autoimmune phenomena after vaccination, focusing on the role of adjuvants contained in the vaccine.
Soft Robotic Compression Garment to Assist Novice Meditators

Long-term mindfulness meditation is known to improve one's health. However, many novice meditators find long-term adoption of the practice challenging due to difficulties in maintaining focused attention (FA). With the positive effects provided by the sense of touch (warmth, compression), this work seeks to investigate if haptic-based wearable technologies can help promote FA in novice meditators and improve the meditation experience. A user study on novice practitioners (n=10, 4M/6F) showed potential in using compression/warmth stimuli to positively augment meditation and we discuss implications for future haptic meditation practices.
A Frequency Control Method for Islanded Microgrids Using Energy Storage Systems

Islanded microgrids are vulnerable to frequency fluctuations due to the presence of low-inertia distributed energy resources (DERs). Moreover, implementation of both synchronous-based and inverter-based DERs with a significant difference in inertia leads to a power imbalance between generation and consumption during transients. This results in frequency variations which might have severe consequences such as blackouts. This paper develops a control scheme for battery energy storage systems (BESSs) to enhance the dynamic response of islanded microgrids by mitigating the frequency fluctuations. A piecewise linear-elliptic (PLE) droop characteristic is proposed and employed in BESS to achieve a faster power balance between generation and consumption during transients, resulting in enhanced frequency responses. Different case studies are carried out to validate the viability of the proposed approach in improving the dynamics of islanded microgrids.
Utility of a self-regulated learning microanalysis for assessing learning during professional development

A key process in the discipline of science is argumentation, which has recently been receiving more attention in K-12 classrooms. The purpose of this multiple case study was to concurrently examine...
Biomechanical evaluation of mandibular fixation techniques in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a human cadaveric study

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical characteristics of 1 plate with 2 positional screws and a 3-dimensional (3-D) ladder plate for fixation of the sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) in large mandibular advancement. Methods This was a cross-sectional cadaveric study. The sample consisted of 30 hemimandibles of human cadavers provided by the Anatomic Donor Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Medicine (Birmingham, AL). The biomechanical evaluation consisted of the load resistance value, which was measured during the peak load, and allowed for 1-, 3-, and 5-mm displacements at the osteotomy site. The load resistance was recorded in newtons (N). Results The means of the strengths of the 1-, 3-, and 5-mm displacements were determined by using 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the post hoc Tukey's test. Statistically significant differences were observed only for the 5-mm displacement. There was a difference in the 3-mm group, although it was not significant. Conclusions The biomechanical evaluation and load resistance value at the osteotomy site of 1 plate with 2 positional screws is higher than those of the 3-D ladder plate for fixation of the sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) in large mandibular advancement.
A Longitudinal Study of Psychiatric Disorders in Offspring of Parents With Bipolar Disorder From Preschool to Adolescence.

Objective To compare the prevalence of psychopathology, particularly bipolar disorder (BD), between preschool offspring of parents with BD and community controls. Method A total of 116 offspring of BD-I/II parents and 98 controls (53 parents with non-BD psychopathology and 45 healthy parents) were recruited at ages 2 to 5 years and followed on average 9.6 years (on average: 2−5: 1.6 times; after age 5: 4 times) (average ages at intake/last follow-up: 3.8/13.4, retention: 98%). Participants were evaluated with standardized instruments blinded to parental diagnoses. Results After adjusting for confounders, offspring of BD parents only showed more attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during ages 2 to 5 years than the other 2 groups. After age 5, offspring of BD parents did not differ from offspring of parents with non-BD psychopathology, but they had more anxiety, ADHD, and behavior problems than offspring of healthy parents. Only offspring of BD parents developed BD-I/II: 3.4% (n = 4) and BD−not-otherwise-specified (BD-NOS): 11.2% (n = 13), with mean onset ages 11.4 and 7.4, respectively. About 70% of offspring with BD had non-BD disorders before BD. Only ADHD, diagnosed before age 6 years, and early-onset parental BD were significantly associated with BD risk. Conclusion Most offspring of BD parents did not develop BD, but they were at specific high risk for developing BD, particularly those with preschool ADHD and early-onset parental BD. BD symptoms were scarce during the preschool years and increased throughout the school age, mainly in the form of BD-NOS, a disorder that conveys poor prognosis and high risk to develop BD-I/II. Developing early interventions to delay or, ideally, to prevent its onset are warranted.
Disordered eating in college women: associations with the mother–daughter relationship and family weight-related conversations

Extensive work in the field has found multiple risk factors of disordered eating among women; however, there is limited research regarding the associations of maternal influence and family weight-related conversations during childhood with eating disorder psychopathology later in adulthood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore how the mother–daughter relationship and family weight-related conversations may influence the development of disordered eating in college-aged women. A diverse sample of 551 college-aged women completed an online survey with instruments that assessed disordered eating risk (dependent variable) with the following independent variables: aspects of the mother–daughter relationship (maternal regard and responsibility) and family weight-related conversations (emphasis on maternal weight, appearance weight control, and parent weight talk). Mediation analysis was performed using hierarchical regression analyses to examine the influence of maternal factors in combination with family weight-related conversations with disordered eating risk. Using hierarchical regression analyses, aspects of the mother–daughter relationship were significantly associated with risk of disordered eating. However, this significant relationship was diminished in the presence of family weight-related conversations. Furthermore, a test of the mediation suggests that family weight-related conversations may act as a pathway for influencing perceived maternal factors in the development of disordered eating. Findings illustrate the important role mothers may have in shaping their daughters eating attitudes and behaviors. Future disordered eating prevention programs and interventions may consider developing strategies in educating parents on conversations regarding weight. Descriptive cross-sectional study, Level V.
Covid-19 related stress and uncontrolled asthma among adults

RATIONALE: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with detrimental effects on mental as well as physical health. Studies on the impact of the psychosocial stress associated with the pandemic on adults with asthma are limited. We examined the associations of COVID-19 related stress with asthma control in adults. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted with US adults with asthma. Study invitations were shared with potential participants via social media and email lists. Stress was measured using a 5-point Likert scale to capture participants' responses to 8 questions on being worried, sad vs. happy, relaxed vs. nervous, not fidgety vs. extremely fidgety, not fatigued vs. fatigued, focused vs. unfocused, not irritable vs. extremely irritable, and not lonely vs. extremely lonely. Responses were summed for a score ranging from 8-40 with higher values indicating higher stress. Stress scores were categorized into 4 levels (low: 8-16, moderate:17-24, high: 25-32, very high: 33-40). Participants also completed the asthma control test (ACT), answered questions about health care utilization during the pandemic, and reported the level of life changes they and their families experienced due to the pandemic. Results: Participants (N=909) were mostly female (82%), white (80%), from urban areas (61%), with at least a college degree (69%), and had a mean age of 44±15 years. Of participants, 13% and 15% were put into self-quarantine with and without symptoms, respectively;14% lost their job;and 21% had reduced ability to earn money. Less educated, non-white, and those who rent or live with family were more likely to experience significantly higher levels of stress in the 2 weeks before the survey. Almost 58% had an asthma exacerbation since the pandemic and 43% had uncontrolled asthma (ACT≤19). In adjusted multiple logistic regression models, we observed a significant dose-response (p trend<0.0001) direct relationship of COVID-19 related stress levels with the odds of uncontrolled asthma. Compared to participants with low stress score, the odds of having uncontrolled asthma were 1.58 (95% CI=1.04,2.41), 2.74 (95% CI=1.72,4.37), and 6.46 (95% CI=3.18,13.12) for those at moderate, high, and very high levels of stress, respectively, after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions: Adults with asthma are significantly impacted by the pandemic. Our findings show a significant and dose-response detrimental effect of COVID-19 related stress on asthma control. Health care providers should attempt to assess the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on adults with asthma and provide the necessary mental health care and referrals.
Chronic fatigue and physical distress influence the outcomes of immunotherapy treatment in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer

Objectives: In vivo preclinical studies have shown that chronic stress augments tumor proliferation and promotes an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment through activation of beta-adrenergic receptor signaling. The deleterious effects of chronic stress and resulting fatigue on immune responses have also been well characterized in several disease entities, however the impact of these on response to immune check point blockade is still not known. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between the different dimensions of patient reported fatigue and distress on response to immune check point inhibitor (ICI) treatment in a cohort of women undergoing immunotherapy treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer. Methods: A single-arm phase 2 clinical trial (NCT02853318) was recently completed at our center on 40 patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive or platinum-resistant ovarian cancer using anti-PD1 pembrolizumab in combination with bevacizumab and oral cyclophosphamide, showing an overall response rate of 47.5% with a median progression free survival (PFS) of 10.0 months. A validated 30-item Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form (MFSI-SF) was administered to all patients at baseline, after 3 months and 6 months of treatment, and at the time of disease progression to assess the multidimensional nature of fatigue and chronic stress (general, physical, emotional and mental fatigue, and vigor). Each subscale has a maximum score of 24 points to generate a total overall MFSI-SF score up to 96, whereby a higher score indicates greater exhaustion. Scores for each dimension as well as the composite scores were correlated with PFS using Pearson correlation. Results: The overall MFSI-SF fatigue score at baseline prior to starting ICI was 31.3 (n=40, SD ±10.8) and remained stable throughout the treatment until disease progression, indicating that the ICI combination treatment did not lead to increased fatigue in any dimensions. Patients who had shorter PFS ( 10 months), despite similar score on vigor subscales (p=0.9). There was no statistical difference in general, emotional and mental fatigue scores between patients with absent or abbreviated response to ICI, compared to patients with a durable clinical response. Conclusions: Patients experiencing greater chronic physical distress and chronic overall fatigue had poor response to an immune checkpoint inhibition combination with shorter PFS compared to the median among a cohort of women undergoing treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer. These findings further support the emerging evidence on the adverse effects of chronic fatigue and stress on beta-adrenergic signaling pathways, which may well modulate immunotherapy treatment responses.
American Public Service: Radical Reform and the Merit System

Changes in State Civil Service Systems: A National Survey Steven W. Hays and Jessica E. Sowa Framing Civil Service Innovations: Assessing State and Local Government Reforms R. Paul Battaglio, Jr. and Stephen E. Condrey At-Will Employment: Origins, Applications, Exceptions, and Expansions in Public Service Sally C. Gertz Bringing Back Boss Tweed? Could At-Will Employment Work in State Government and, If So, Where? Robert Maranto and Jeremy Johnson The Demonization of Patronage: Folk Devils and the Boston Globe's Coverage of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks Domonic A. Bearfield Ending Civil Service Protections in Florida Government: Experiences in State Agencies James S. Bowman and Jonathan P. West: At-Will Employment in Government: Its Impact in the State of Texas Jerrell D. Coggburn The Attraction to At-Will Employment in Utah Governments Richard Green Dissin' the Deadwood or Coddling the Incompetents? Patterns and Issues in Employee Discipline and Dismissal in the States Richard C. Elling and Lyke Thompson At-Will Employment and Racial Equality in the Public Sector: The Demise of a Niche? George Wilson Federal Labor-Management Relations Under George W. Bush: Enlightened Management or Political Retribution? James R. Thompson
The dynamin-related GTPase Dnm1 regulates mitochondrial fission in yeast

The dynamin-related GTPase Dnm1 controls mitochondrial morphology in yeast. Here we show that dnm1 mutations convert the mitochondrial compartment into a planar ‘net’ of interconnected tubules. We propose that this net morphology results from a defect in mitochondrial fission. Immunogold labelling localizes Dnm1 to the cytoplasmic face of constricted mitochondrial tubules that appear to be dividing and to the ends of mitochondrial tubules that appear to have recently completed division. The activity of Dnm1 is epistatic to that of Fzo1, a GTPase in the outer mitochondrial membrane that regulates mitochondrial fusion. dnm1 mutations prevent mitochondrial fragmentation in fzo1 mutant strains.These findings indicate that Dnm1 regulates mitochondrial fission, assembling on the cytoplasmic face of mitochondrial tubules at sites at which division will occur.
Improving MPI-IO output performance with active buffering plus threads

Efficient collective output of intermediate results to secondary storage becomes more and more important for scientific simulations as the gap between processing power/interconnection bandwidth and the I/O system bandwidth enlarges. Dedicated servers can offload I/O from compute processors and shorten the execution time, but it is not always possible or easy for an application to use them. We propose the use of active buffering with threads (ABT) for overlapping I/O with computation efficiently and flexibly without dedicated I/O servers. We show that the implementation of ABT in ROMIO, a popular implementation of MPI-IO, greatly reduces the application-visible cost of ROMIO's collective write calls, and improves an application's overall performance by hiding I/O cost and saving implicit synchronization overhead from collective write operations. Further, ABT is high-level, platform-independent, and transparent to users, giving users the benefit of overlapping I/O with other processing tasks even when the file system or parallel I/O library does not support asynchronous I/O.
Incidence, risk, and prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in adult cardiac surgical patients: a systematic review.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in postoperative heart surgery patients. We present a systematic review of the literature on the incidence, risk factors, and prevention of this condition in a population at heightened risk. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12260 (J Card Surg 2014;29:196–203)
Hemopericardium resulting from attempted internal jugular vein catheterization: A case report and review of complications of central venous catheterization

An unusual case of hemopericardium and presumed fatal cardiac tamponade complicating attempted right internal jugular vein catheterization by the posterior approach is reported. Reports of complications in a series of internal jugular vein catheterizations using various approaches (posterior, central, anterior, supraclavicular) and subclavian vein catheterizations are reviewed. Internal jugular vein catheterization is not necessarily safer than subclavian vein catheterization: numerous factors determine success rate and complication rate in central venous catheterizations.
Behavioral effects of chronic imipramine treatment in genetically nervous pointer dogs

The genetically nervous pointer dog has been proposed as a model for human anxiety disorders. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, seventeen nervous pointer dogs were treated for four weeks with imipramine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg), a potent antipanic agent in humans. Although three of the dogs demonstrated marked improvement to imipramine but not placebo treatment after short-term administration, chronic imipramine failed to modify the aberrant behavior in any of the dogs. These findings are discussed in the context of the nervous pointer dog as a model for human anxiety disorders.
Study of the ignition overpressure suppression technique by water addition

The main objective of this study is to gain an understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the suppression of the ignition overpressure observed when water is injected through discrete nozzles into a rocket exhaust. A simplified launch-vehicle/launchpad configuration of relevant importance is selected for this study. This configuration is then numerically modeled using two-phase computational fluid dynamics with a representative motor startup sequence and a series of water addition configurations. The study focuses on the interaction between the ignition overpressure wave and the injected water. Chemical reactions are not included in the model; therefore, the effect of afterburning of fuel-rich exhaust is omitted in this study. A total of 11 water addition configurations were studied. The study demonstrated that ignition overpressure is strongly affected by the cooling of the plume and the amount of obstruction restricting the expansion of the plume. Also, the study suggests the existence of an optimal water addition rate with a weak dependence on the water nozzle pressure drop.
Laboratory Assessment of a Self-Healing Cementitious Composite

This paper presents work in the laboratory assessment of a new family of self-healing materials that hold promise for "crack-free" concrete or other cementitious composites. This innovative system features the design of passive smart microcapsules (PSMs) with oil core and silica gel shell, prepared through an interfacial self-assembly process and sol-gel reaction. Methylmethacrylate monomer and triethylborane were chosen as the healing agent and the catalyst for use in the system and were microencapsulated. The microcapsules were subsequently dispersed in fresh cement mortar along with carbon microfibers. The morphology of the microcapsules was examined by using a field emission scanning electron microscope. Mechanical tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were carried out to evaluate the self-healing effect of PSMs and the possible physicochemical changes or interactions in the carbon microfiber-reinforced mortar matrix.
A novel form of manually assisted ventilation.

We report an individual with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy who has devised a way to assist her respiration by using her hands braced against the tray of her wheelchair. Utilizing this method, she was able to increase her tidal volume (Vt) and lower her respiratory rate compared to unassisted spontaneous breathing, thereby maintaining a stable minute volume. The manually assisted Vt measurements were comparable to those achieved using an intermittent abdominal pressure respirator (pneumatic belt). We believe that others with neuromuscular syndromes could use this technique, possibly decreasing their dependence on mechanical ventilatory assist devices.
Mass movement within a slope streak on Mars

[1] Slope streaks on Mars represent a currently active geological process. Various theories for slope streak formation have suggested that slope streaks form by disturbing only a thin surface veneer, or by staining of the surface, preserving pre-existing topography within the streak. Theories also vary as to whether the formation mechanism requires the presence of water or another liquid. We present observations of a slope streak that reveal topographic mounds within the streak. These mounds do not continue outside the streak, and we suggest that they formed with, or immediately after, the slope streak. We use estimates of the total volume of mounds in this particular streak, compared with the estimated excavation volume, to extrapolate to a global sediment transport rate from slope streak formation. If this slope streak is typical, then this calculated rate is greater than estimates of the total volume of material transported by dust storms each year.
Plasma effects on the interaction of a comet with Jupiter

I consider some plasma effects to be expected when the fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 crash into Jupiter. Emphasis is put on pre-impact effects, and on the possibility of significant radio emission. It is shown than an ionizing shock will develop at altitudes below about 600 km, and that significant ionization will exist above that altitude. The incoming comet and its surroundings will then represent a rapidly moving conductor in a strong magnetic field and will induce large currents in Jupiter's magnetosphere, similar both qualitatively and quantitatively to a way in which Io interacts with Jupiter's magnetic field and with the plasma of the torus. This process is thought to be involved in the generation of decametric radiation, so that the impact of the comet may also produce such radiation. The power involved in this interaction is estimated to be at least 1/15th of the power due to Io, and its duration to be for 10-20 s before the comet's impact with the surface of Jupiter.
Two-dimensional fluid simulations of the ITER SOL plasma

Abstract Simulations of scrape-off layer plasmas in ITER have been performed using a 2-d fluid model with a set of perpendicular energy and particle transport coefficients matching those determined in a limited number of experiments on presently operating tokamaks. These simulations include single- and double-null magnetic configurations, and ignited and driven operation. Predictions are made of divertor power loading, density scrape-off length, effective core/edge recycling coefficient, and divertor sheath electron temperature.
High-speed sequential readout for infrared CID arrays with DC-coupled injection

A high-speed readout scheme for the single-gate charge injection device (CID) linear array using DC-coupled injection (DCI) is described. In contrast to the conventional readout techniques with AC-coupled injection (ACI), DCI provides better time management in reading out the signal charge. Lower device lag is achieved by the longer injection time facilitated by DCI for a given elemental readout cycle. >
Re-evaluating technical services workflow for integrated library systems

Les systemes integres de bibliotheque permettent d'aplanir la gestion electronique des services techniques en combinant les processus realises a une meme station de travail et en eliminant la division traditionnelle entre catalogage, acquisition et gestion des periodiques. L'article offre quelques suggestions d'ordre general pour tirer parti des fonctionnalites des systemes integres en reevaluant et en reorganisant les services techniques.
Hydrogen bonding Part 57. Stoichiometry and IR spectra of the lower hydrates of N,N′-dimethyltriethylenediammonium, decamethonium, hexamethonium, and (attempted) N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylpiperazinium hydroxides

Abstract We have examined the lower hydroxide hydrates of the dipositive quaternary ammonium ions N , N ′-dimethyltriethylenediammonium (DMTED 2+ ), decamethonium (DMO 2+ ), hexamethonium (HMO 2+ ), and (attempted) N , N , N ′, N ′-tetramethylpiperazinium (TMP 2+ ). TMP(OH) 2 cannot be prepared; the cation is destroyed by concentrated aqueous OH − through E 2 reactions. Since TMPF 2 ·2H 2 O can be prepared, this demonstrates the greater facility of OH − over F − in such eliminations. DMTED(OH) 2 forms a hexahydrate (OH − ·3H 2 O) and a tetrahydrate (OH − ·2H 2 O), DMO(OH) 2 forms a hexahydrate and a dihydrate (OH − ·H 2 O), and HMO(OH) 2 forms a hexahydrate, a trihydrate (OH − ·1.5H 2 O), a dihydrate, and possibly a fourth hydrate, HMO(OH) 2 ·4.5H 2 O. The two hydroxide hydrates of DMTED(OH) 2 give poorly resolved IR spectra which shows that free (not hydrogen bond donor) OH − is present in the tetrahydrate and H 2 O…HOH…OH 2 bridges are present in both. The four hydroxide hydrates of HMO(OH) 2 all contain very tightly bound H 2 O with no H 2 O…HOH…OH 2 bridges. Free OH − is present in all four hydrates. The hexahydrate appears to contain a water—hydroxide structure similar to that found in tetraethylammonium hydroxide trihydrate, while the trihydrate shows a modified form of this structure. The IR spectrum of the dihydrate is consonant with the presence of planar (H 2 O·OH − ) 2 clusters. The hexahydrate of DMO(OH) 2 has a generic framework clathrate spectrum, while the dihydrate has spectral properties similar to those of HMO(OH) 2 ·2H 2 O.