cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Feeding Damage in Macadamia Nuts by Using a Biological Stain

Damage caused by southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.), to macadamia nuts, Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche, is normally determined after nuts are harvested and processed, which may be many months after damage occurred in the field. We developed a method using ruthenium red dye to stain stink bug feeding probes and indirectly assess feeding activity in macadamia nuts. By using the staining method, feeding probes were easily detected on the husk, shell, and kernel. Husk probing was highly correlated (0.80-0.90) with feeding and damage to the kernel. Failure rate to detect kernel damage from stained husk probes was generally <6%. The staining method was equally effective for immature and mature nuts; therefore, N. viridula feeding activity can be monitored throughout the season to evaluate pest management tactics and forecast outbreak populations.
Translations| Perils of Translation in a Conflict Situation: Lessons from Kashmir

The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within the context of the Kashmiri movement for self-determination. In this situation of conflict, the central term azadi is intensely contested, with different parties to the conflict inflecting the term with their own politically motivated interpretations. In addition, the act of translation itself becomes politicized, with the Indian government, the Indian mainstream press, and minorities within Kashmir insisting that Kashmiris reveal the “real” meaning of azadi and Kashmiri protestors refusing to pin down its meaning, using its polyvalence as part of the movement repertoire. In this fraught situation, engaged translation by progressive intellectuals is necessary to move beyond mutually exclusive interpretations of azadi so that new futures for Kashmir can be imagined.
Trading Policy: Constituents and Political Party in U.S. Trade Policy

Scholars have argued that constituent interests and political parties affect voting on trade policy legislation in the U.S. Congress. The existing empirical research on trade policy voting, however, has not utilized research designs that allow us to disentangle how constituents and parties affect legislative voting. In this paper we apply one-to-one matching research designs to compare the effects of constituency and party on trade policy voting in both the U.S. House and Senate. The research design allows us to account for a variety of different constituent factors that could influence voting, and then determine if party has any effect beyond constituent interests. The results suggest that party plays a significant role in legislative voting on trade policy once we account for constituency effects. Between 1824 and 1930, political party almost completely determines trade policy votes and although the effect of party is weaker since 1930 it is still significant. These results suggest that to understand the political economy of trade policy we need to incorporate the way that partisan politics affects trade policy.
The developmental expression of the heat-shock response in Xenopus laevis

We have investigated the Xenopus heat-shock response of somatic cells, oocytes and embryos. Xenopus defolliculated oocytes displayed a highly variable response to heat shock depending on the culture medium. Intact follicles, however, respond to heat stress by synthesizing an invariant pattern of hsps. Although a subset of the hsp70/68 complex is expressed constitutively in the absence of heat shock in oocytes and embryos (hsc70), actual induction of hsps in response to stress does not occur until the blastula stage when transcription of the zygotic genome is first activated. By gastrulation, the hsps of somatic cells, including members of the hsp30/26 complex, were expressed coordinately in response to heat shock. We further show that Xenopus hsps have different solubilities perhaps reflecting their different subcellular locations. The 26,000-30,000 Mr complex (hsp30/26) was present almost exclusively in a detergent-insoluble fraction, as was 25-50% of the hsp70/68 complex and greater than 50% of hsp56, suggesting that these hsps may be associated with the cytoskeleton during a heat shock. In contrast, the other Xenopus hsps (hsp86, hsp75 and hsp61) were totally solubilized in a low-salt buffer.
A comprehensive assessment of PM motor topology impact on magnet defect fault signatures

This paper presents a detailed study on topology dependent magnet defect fault signatures in permanent magnet (PM) motors. A new mathematical approach is introduced to analyze the fault signature behaviors in PM motors with different design specs such as combinations including winding types, number and location of stator coils / magnet defects etc. Thanks to the flexible features of the proposed method, it is possible to analyze various winding configurations (including full, short and fractional pitch, single and double layer, delta and star connection) and combination of multiple magnet defect effects on the motor variables' frequency spectrum. It is shown that depending on the motor topology, the corresponding spectrum can be different from others and the generalized fault models may not be valid. In addition, current or back-emf spectrums do not include any fault related harmonics in some cases or the fault components showing up in the stator back-emf do not show up in the stator current. Comparative 2-D Finite Element (FE) simulation and experimental results justify the theoretical magnet defect fault analysis and show the efficacy of proposed approach.
Word-of-Mouth, Observational Learning, and Product Adoption: Evidence from an Anime Platform

We quantify the effects of word-of-mouth and observational learning on consumers' product adoptions. Understanding whether these two forces provide different and unique information or whether one is redundant in the presence of the other is crucial for companies' information provision strategies. We differentiate between the effects of word-of-mouth and observational learning from friends ("personal network") and the effects of word-of-mouth and observational learning from the whole community (``community network"). The relative importance of word-of-mouth and observational learning at each network level provides guidance for companies regarding their platform design. Our unique data come from an online anime platform containing individual-level data on users' networks, product adoptions, and ratings of animes. Our results reveal two segments of users: a small segment of "Enthusiasts" who tend to watch more animes and to adopt them earlier, and a larger segment of "Regular Watchers" who tend to watch fewer animes and to adopt them later. For both segments of users, word-of-mouth from the community network is the largest driver of users' product adoptions followed by observational learning from the community network. Thus our results show that word-of-mouth and observational learning provide unique and different information that individuals use in their product adoption decisions and that the community network is the primary source of information. Lastly, using our results, we test for image utility, for observational learning creating product awareness versus transferring unobserved quality information, and for rational herding.
The Effects of Prayer as a Coping Strategy for Nurses

Purpose To determine the effects of prayer as a coping strategy for nurses. Design Quantitative descriptive design. Methods The population was the 15,000 members of the American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses. Twelve hundred fifty nine subjects completed a demographic questionnaire and the Prayer Functions Scale. The surveys were available on SurveyMonkey.com for 2 weeks in the fall of 2014. Findings Results indicated at α = 0.05 that the nurses surveyed experienced the effects of prayer, providing assistance, providing acceptance, providing calm, and deferring as benefits of use of prayer as a coping strategy. Conclusions Reduction of nurses' stress through prayer is one way to ameliorate the ill effects that can impact nurses through stress. Nursing administration, nursing organizations, and academics could consider use of prayer as an effective coping mechanism in teaching, studying, and exploration of methods to help nurses cope with the inherent stressors of their profession.
An experimental evaluation of ultra-lean burn capability of a hydrogen-enriched ethanol-fuelled Wankel engine at full load condition

Abstract This paper experimentally investigates the effect of hydrogen addition on the lean burn capability of an ethanol-fuelled Wankel rotary engine at Wide Open Throttle (WOT) operating conditions in order to observe the resultant engine economy and the hydrocarbon emissions. During the tests, a monorotor Wankel engine operating at 3000 rpm was modified to run on an ethanol–hydrogen blend with 0% and 5% hydrogen energy fractions in the intake. The excess air ratio was varied from 1.7 to the Ultra-Lean Operating Limit (ULOL) of a specified hydrogen–ethanol mixture. With hydrogen addition, the test results show that the ultra-lean operation limit of pure ethanol fuelled Wankel engine was extended and the engine stability was enhanced. Moreover, the engine fuel economy was increased and Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions were reduced after hydrogen addition.
Face recognition for vehicle personalization with near infrared frame differencing

This paper describes a system of practical technologies to implement an illumination-robust, consumer grade biometric system based on face recognition to be used in the automotive market. Most current face recognition systems are compromised in accuracy by ambient illumination changes. Outdoor applications including vehicle personalization pose an especially challenging environment for face recognition. The point of this research is to investigate practical face recognition used for identity management in order to minimize algorithmic complexity while making the system robust to ambient illumination changes. First, a frame differencing method is presented with an active near-infrared illumination control that produces images independent of the ambient illumination. Second, an end-to-end face recognition system is presented including foreground/background segmentation, motion detection, face detection, motion interpolation, pose clustering and face recognition modules. It is shown that the frame differencing method makes the modules more robust to the ambient illumination variation. Vehicular application videos were taken in extremely challenging outdoor illumination and shadowing conditions and used to test each module. Finally, extensive test results of vehicular scenario are provided to evaluate the end-to-end systems1.
Dendritic cell KLF2 expression regulates T cell activation and proatherogenic immune responses

Dendritic cells (DCs) have been implicated as important regulators of innate and adaptive inflammation in many diseases, including atherosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanisms by which DCs mitigate or promote inflammatory pathogenesis are only partially understood. Previous studies have shown an important anti-inflammatory role for the transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) in regulating activation of various cell types that participate in atherosclerotic lesion development, including endothelial cells, macrophages, and T cells. We used a pan-DC, CD11c-specific cre-lox gene knockout mouse model to assess the role of KLF2 in DC activation, function, and control of inflammation in the context of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. We found that KLF2 deficiency enhanced surface expression of costimulatory molecules CD40 and CD86 in DCs and promoted increased T cell proliferation and apoptosis. Transplant of bone marrow from mice with KLF2-deficient DCs into Ldlr-/- mice aggravated atherosclerosis compared with control mice, most likely due to heightened vascular inflammation evidenced by increased DC presence within lesions, enhanced T cell activation and cytokine production, and increased cell death in atherosclerotic lesions. Taken together, these data indicate that KLF2 governs the degree of DC activation and hence the intensity of proatherogenic T cell responses.
Intracellular Concentration Gradients That Mirror External Gradients in Microfluidic Flows: A Computational Analysis

The generation of stable intracellular concentration gradients is a useful method for local control of cell function, selective manipulation of cellular structures and testing hypotheses related to dynamical intracellular processes. Cell culture in a microfluidic device allows the presentation of a stable gradient of small molecules across a single cell. This method has been used to selectively label mitochondria in portions of the cell, trypsinize specific cellular domains, and trigger receptor-mediated endocytosis in specific portions of the cell. Given the small length scales of a typical cell (~30 μm) and short cytoplasmic diffusive time scales of small molecules, it is surprising that cells can be labeled locally with this method. Here we developed models to explore the parametric space over which stable intracellular concentration gradients can be maintained in a microfluidic device. We show that gradients can develop and be maintained indefinitely for high rates of mass transfer across the membrane compared with diffusion, that is, for Sherwood number greater than 1. We show how these gradients can result in gradients in ligand–receptor binding and enzyme substrate binding. This analysis can help interpret and design microfluidic experiments for cytoplasmic partitioning.
Microsatellite Instability Is Infrequent in Medullary Breast Cancer

Microsatellite instability (MSI), characterized by contraction or expansion in microsatellite length or short tandem repeats compared with germline lengths, is found in 85% to 90% of colon cancer arising in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer families. These cancers commonly have characteristic histologic appearances, including medullary features with intense lymphoid infiltrates. In pancreatic cancer, a rare medullary histologic subtype more often demonstrates MSI than the more common adenocarcinoma subtype. We hypothesized that the medullary histologic pattern might correlate with MSI in additional tumor types and analyzed 8 cases of typical and atypical medullary carcinoma of the breast. Tumor and normal DNA was extracted from paraffinized tissue blocks of tumor and histologically uninvolved axillary lymph nodes, respectively. We analyzed the tumors for instability in 5 primary (BAT25, BAT26, D17S250, D5S346, D2S123) and 3 alternative (BAT40, D18S55, D18S58)
Vapor–liquid–solid synthesis of ZnSnN2

A series of experiments was carried out to explore the conditions under which ZnSnN2 would form by vapor–liquid–solid synthesis from a Zn–Sn melt exposed to a nitrogen plasma. ZnSnN2 precipitated at melt temperatures between 455 and 560 °C for melt compositions between 1.5 and 15 at.% Zn. Sn3N4 formed for temperatures between 440 and 560 °C for melt compositions below 1 at.% Zn. Zn3N2 apparently grew only in the vapor phase, and only at melt temperatures between 409 and 463 °C. Each of the materials was identified by its characteristic Raman spectrum and by Auger chemical analysis. The composition profiles of the melts were modeled as a function of time using the measured temperature profiles. The results were compared with post-growth measurements of the melt compositions. These comparisons support the visual observation that exposure of the melt to the nitrogen plasma suppressed Zn evaporation substantially even prior to the formation of a solid crust of precipitate. This work helps define the range of growth conditions available for synthesis of ZnSnN2 by this vapor–liquid–solid method. Material yielded as a function of synthesis temperature and the composition of the melt, measured post-synthesis by EDS. The two ZnSnN2 samples labeled with asterisks were grown with a plasma power of 60 W. All others were grown using a plasma power of 240 W.
Factor Analysis of the Coping Resources Inventory Scales for Educational Enhancement

This study examined the factor structure of the Coping Resources Inventory Scales for Educational Enhancement (W. L. Curlette et al., 1993), an instrument designed to measure coping resources in youth.
Adaptive focused beamforming

Sonar (sound navigation ranging) is an apparatus that detects the presence and location of submerged objects (as a submarine) by means of sonic waves reflected back from or produced by an object.
Effects of confinement, geometry, inlet velocity profile, and Reynolds number on the asymmetry of opposed-jet flows

The opposed-jet counterflow configuration is widely used to measure fundamental flame properties that are essential targets for validating chemical kinetic models. The main and key assumption of the counterflow configuration in laminar flame experiments is that the flow field is steady and quasi-one-dimensional. In this study, experiments and numerical simulations were carried out to investigate the behavior and controlling parameters of counterflowing isothermal air jets for various nozzle designs, Reynolds numbers, and surrounding geometries. The flow field in the jets’ impingement region was analyzed in search of instabilities, asymmetries, and two-dimensional effects that can introduce errors when the data are compared with results of quasi-one-dimensional simulations. The modeling involved transient axisymmetric numerical simulations along with bifurcation analysis, which revealed that when the flow field is confined between walls, local bifurcation occurs, which in turn results in asymmetry, deviation from the one-dimensional assumption, and sensitivity of the flow field structure to boundary conditions and surrounding geometry. Particle image velocimetry was utilized and results revealed that for jets of equal momenta at low Reynolds numbers of the order of 300, the flow field is asymmetric with respect to the middle plane between the nozzles even in the absence of confining walls. The asymmetry was traced to the asymmetric nozzle exit velocity profiles caused by unavoidable imperfections in the nozzle assembly. The asymmetry was not detectable at high Reynolds numbers of the order of 1000 due to the reduced sensitivity of the flow field to boundary conditions. The cases investigated computationally covered a wide range of Reynolds numbers to identify designs that are minimally affected by errors in the experimental procedures or manufacturing imperfections, and the simulations results were used to identify conditions that best conform to the assumptions of quasi-one-dimensional modeling.
Fundamentals of Incisions and Skin Closures

This chapter will address the principles that guide the decision of where to place and how to close common incisions utilized in routine general surgical procedures. A strong understanding of anatomy, wound behavior, and healing will herald successful outcomes. The major goal in choosing the optimal surgical incision is assuring adequate visualization. There are a wide range of general surgery operative sites and incisions. Common abdominal incisions include the vertical midline, paramedian, transverse, oblique, and thoracoabdominal. Additionally, the retroperitoneum, cervical area, and breast are specialized sites that will be discussed in this chapter. The principles of wound closure can be summarized into three major components: achieving primary skin closure, minimizing wound-healing complications, and optimizing cosmesis. Additional elements of incision closure including primary closure, delayed closure, wound complications, and cosmesis will also be discussed.
THE EFFECT OF PROLONGED ISOLATION ON THE CATECHOLAMINE AND SEROTONIN CONCENTRATION OF DISCRETE AREAS OF THE RAT BRAIN

Publisher Summary The role of the external environment on mental health is as important as that of the internal milieu on the maintenance of physiological functions. A lack of social interaction and stimulation, as induced by prolonged isolation, has been shown to result in behavior abnormalities in many species of animals. Monkeys, rats, and mice develop an aggressive behavior after a long period of isolation. The phenomenon has been studied in mice and the behavioral changes have been termed as the “isolation syndrome,” which consists of increases of locomotor activity, general reactivity, response to painful stimulation, vocalization, irritability, and development of compulsive aggression. Certain changes in biogenic amine dynamics are found to accompany the behavioral changes. With prolonged isolation, an increase in brain norepinephrine (NE) of rats has been found. Methods for measuring NE, dopamine, and serotonin in discrete areas of the brain have been developed.
The determinants of rural population growth and decline, 1950-1990: the roles of government policy, human capital, and farm and nonfarm income

In the past few decades, changes in economic conditions for off-farm labor markets and improvements in agriculture technology have led to substantial reductions in farm population in the United States. However, rural populations are not decreasing uniformly, either across counties or over decades. Rates of change in farm and nonfarm populations vary widely across rural counties. The variation of population growth across counties and between farm and nonfarm population raise two questions in this study: (1) What affects the population growth and decline in US rural counties? (2) Do those factors affect farm and nonfarm populations differently?;This study is based on the human capital model of migration which emphasizes economic returns as the driving force for moves. For that reason, the study concentrates on individuals of working ages 20-64. Previous studies and human capital theory have shown that younger people have a greater incentive to move than older people. To focus on the population most sensitive to migration factors, the moves of a younger working age subgroup (individuals aged 20-34) are also examined;The results show that human capital investment, average income, the diversity of industrial mix, and predicted per capita local government tax revenue are major determinants of rural county population changes. Rural county population growth is neutral toward self-financed increased local government services in both age groups;Some major determinants of rural population growth, such as human capital, farm income, and local labor market conditions affect farm and nonfarm population differently. In addition, farm and nonfarm populations are sensitive to different local government policies.
Preclinical Visualization of Hypoxia, Proliferation and Glucose Metabolism in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Its Metastasis

Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths than any other cancers; most cancer-related deaths are due to the development of metastatic diseases rather than the progression of the primary tumors. Tumor hypoxia has been commonly observed in a broad spectrum of primary solid malignancies, which is associated with tumor progression, increased aggressiveness, enhanced metastatic potential, and poor prognosis. Hypoxic cancer cells are resistant to radiotherapy and some forms of chemotherapy. In this chapter, nuclear molecular imaging microenvironment including hypoxia, proliferation, and glucose metabolism in lung cancer metastases was discussed.
A Less Basic, Basic Organic Flow Battery

In this issue of Joule, Michael Aziz, Roy Gordon, Alan Aspuru-Guzik, and colleagues report a new derivative of anthraquinone that exhibits greater solubility and stability in basic solutions. Cells operated at ambient temperatures at pH 12 that contain the new quinone and potassium ferri-/ferrocyanide show remarkably improved stability.
Irving Penn: Preserving the Myth of the American Woman

Marlene Dietrich blew into Irving Penn’s Fifth Avenue studio to have her portrait taken for a 1948 issue of Vogue. “The first thing she said was ‘you have to put the light there!’ I said, ‘Now, look: in this experience you be Dietrich and I’ll be the photographer.’ And, boy, she was boiled, but she stayed with it”(Fielden). To Penn’s bewilderment, Dietrich ultimately was unhappy with the portrait and the next time she saw him she, “turned on her heel” and walked the other way (Fielden). Dietrich was a new brand of American celebrity. She had made a name for herself by bending the rules of gender representation, often wearing men’s clothing in sexually provocative settings (Chauncey). To “be Dietrich” is for Marlene to control her self-presentation and expression. To forgo her agency is for her to hand her identity to its capturer. In his portrait of Marlene Dietrich, Irving Penn controls Dietrich’s presentation thereby manipulating her identity and imposing an unwarranted sense of shame onto her body forcing her to conform to the myth of the midcentury American woman.
Sociomaterial Configurations and Resources Supporting Observations in Outdoor Learning: Results from Multiple Iterations of the Tree Investigator Project

Guided by a sociocultural framework that considers the intersection of people, tools, and settings, we describe research and development aims of a mobile app and the pedagogy supporting its use in outdoor learning. Our research investigates sociomaterial configurations that can influence youths’ observational practices with tablet-mediated collaborative knowledge-building activities. Our work includes field tests with hundreds of learners and seven design-based research (DBR) iterations with 185 consented subjects. We report findings across these iterations of research, which are related to (1) the material conditions of the technology design and redevelopment and (2) the evolving theoretical framework focused on the concepts of scientific talk and practice. This chapter describes how we conducted our iterations of research leading to our trialogical approach to learning. As such, we describe how the materiality of the outdoor setting influenced our work and how various sociomaterial configuration for learning emerged based on our research findings. Implications for tablet-supported collaborative learning and technologically enhanced informal learning are drawn in the conclusion of this chapter.
Carbon Dioxide Absorption from Anaesthetic Atmospheres : (Section of Anaesthetics).

Abstract A safe and practical technique for the application of carbon dioxide absorption from anaesthetic atmospheres is described. It has been found satisfactory in over 20,000 administrations over a period of fifteen years. High-grade soda lime is utilized as the chemical absorbent. Granules are placed in a canister between face mask, and breathing bag. The canister is carefully checked for efficiency by both chemical analyses and physical experiments. Its size, shape and arrangement is shown to be important for safety and maximum efficiency. Detailed techniques are described for the use of various agents. Advantages of carbon dioxide absorption are set forth. The “Apnœa” suggested by Guedel is described under the term “Controlled Respiration” and attention is called to certain of its advantages.
Inversion 16 (inv(16)) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following treatment with radiation, capecitabine, and temozolomide in a patient with metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET)

Treatment-related AML (t-AML) accounts for approximately 7% of patients with AML. The most common cytogenetic abnormalities seen in t-AML include chromosome 5 and 7 abnormalities (as seen with alky...
Navarro, Tomás (1884–1979)

This article surveys the life and career of Tomas Navarro Tomas (1884–1979), the leading Spanish specialist in phonetics and dialect geography of his time. His research also includes work on questions of phonology and intonation. He directed the preparation of the Atlas linguistico de la Peninsula Iberica.
Improving the Timing of Normal Saline Bolus Delivery to Hospitalized Children

Purpose/Objective: International guidelines recommend that fluid resuscitation be completed as quickly as possible in a patient with signs and symptoms concerning for shock. At our institution, significant variability exists in time to Normal Saline (NS) bolus delivery for patients based on location (PICU, ED and inpatient floor units). The objective of this project was to decrease the time between NS bolus order entry and fluid …
Year in Review 2018: Pediatric Mechanical Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation is frequently used in pediatric patients to ensure adequate gas exchange, ameliorate respiratory distress, and enable resolution of pulmonary or other disorders. However, a number of important challenges remain in the pediatric population because there is a paucity of large-scale randomized controlled trials to generate data and inform clinical practice. This review summarizes a number of discoveries and advances that have been made in pediatric mechanical ventilation from June 2017 to December 2018.
The Ecosystem Service Impacts from Invasive Plants in Antietam National Battlefield

Following their memorialization as protected landscapes, battlefield parks can provide a blend of cultural and other ecosystem services. Among the many threats to providing these services are non-native invasive plants. In this chapter, we assess the threats imposed by biological invasions of non-native plants in battlefield parks and discuss management strategies. We use evidence from the scientific and economic literature and the expert judgment of biologists, economists, and park managers to identify the harms caused by invasives and to characterize their effects on park ecosystem services. Based on this evidence, we propose four generic stressor-response relationships to describe the relationships between invasion extent and ecological endpoints such as park vegetation structure and diversity. Using Antietam National Battlefield as a case study, we tailor the general stressor-response curves to four specific species representing different functional groups of invasive plants: trees, shrubs, vines, and herbaceous forbs. We next link the ecological response of changes in vegetation structure and diversity to relevant ecosystem service impacts using interviews with national park service personnel and the economic literature. We identify four broad categories of parks users who might be affected by these losses of services: causal visitors, avid recreationalists, park neighbors, and non-use beneficiaries. Our findings reveal a general lack of experimental evidence quantifying the ecosystem service impacts of invasive plants. This lack of evidence, combined with the likely non-linear effects of non-native plant invasions on ecological endpoints, could catch managers unaware of dangerous thresholds in long-term resource management of battlefield landscapes.
Robotic kidney transplantation in the obese patient: 10-year experience from a single center.

Despite increasing obesity rates in the dialysis population, obese kidney transplant candidates are still denied transplantation by many centers. We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of a robotic-assisted kidney transplant (RAKT) cohort from January 2009 to December 2018. A total of 239 patients were included in this analysis. The median BMI was 41.4 kg/m2 , with the majority (53.1%) of patients being African American and 69.4% of organs sourced from living donors. The median surgery duration and warm ischemia times were 4.8 hours and 45 minutes respectively. Wound complications (mostly seromas and hematomas) occurred in 3.8% of patients, with 1 patient developing a surgical site infection (SSI). Seventeen (7.1%) graft failures, mostly due to acute rejection, were reported during follow-up. Patient survival was 98% and 95%, whereas graft survival was 98% and 93%, at 1 and 3 years respectively. Similar survival statistics were obtained from patients undergoing open transplant over the same time period from the UNOS database. In conclusion, RAKT can be safely performed in obese patients with minimal SSI risk, excellent graft function, and patient outcomes comparable to national data. RAKT could improve access to kidney transplantation in obese patients due to the low surgical complication rate.
Climatologies of blocking highs detected by a unified Eddy-ABS approach

Typical blocking indices in longitude or both longitude and latitude are compared to demonstrate: (1) the central blocking latitude (CBL) should be any of 40–80° N; (2) reversals of meridional gradients in absolute fields (ABS) about specified CBLs or in combination with time anomalies exceeding a threshold missed blocking patterns or misidentified non-blocking structures. Blocking highs are identified by a new Eddy-ABS index. A large-scale high is represented by a local maximum of zonal eddy anomalies, its immediately surrounding points and subsequent contiguous grids with decreasing anomalies but exceeding the 75th percentile. A high with any ABS reversal is an instantaneous blocking (IB). Maximum overlapping IBs become quasi-stationary when moving less than 10° longitudes per day. Four and more quasi-stationary IBs form a blocking event (BE). This unified index has identified IBs and BEs at vertical levels in the Northern (NH) and Southern Hemispheres (SH) during different seasons. In the NH, BEs exhibit strong seasonality, geographical preference and quasi-barotropicity. The lifetime, maximum intensity, impact area, and moving speed have a log-linear, log-normal, log-normal, and normal distribution, respectively. These features occur similarly in the SH, except for very small occurrences at 200 hPa in JJA and a normal distribution for the maximum intensity. Properties other than the moving speed significantly correlate with the maximum intensity in both hemispheres. The missing and misidentification issues are reasonably well resolved by this new index.
Radiographic evaluation of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in patients treated with bevacizumab and irinotecan

12512 Background: Recurrent GBM carries a poor prognosis after first-line therapies have been exhausted, even in the setting of gross total resection. Bevacizumab and Irinotecan have shown promisin...
The highly variable time evolution of star-forming cores identified with dendrograms

We investigate the time evolution of dense cores identified in molecular cloud simulations using dendrograms, which are a common tool to identify hierarchical structure in simulations and observations of star formation. We develop an algorithm to link dendrogram structures through time using the three-dimensional density field from magnetohydrodynamical simulations, thus creating histories for all dense cores in the domain. We find that the population-wide distributions of core properties are relatively invariant in time, and quantities like the core mass function match with observations. Despite this consistency, an individual core may undergo large (>40%), stochastic variations due to the redefinition of the dendrogram structure between timesteps. This variation occurs independent of environment and stellar content. We identify a population of short-lived (<200 kyr) overdensities masquerading as dense cores that may comprise ~20% of any time snapshot. Finally, we note the importance of considering the full history of cores when interpreting the origin of the initial mass function; we find that, especially for systems containing multiple stars, the core mass defined by a dendrogram leaf in a snapshot is typically less than the final system stellar mass. This work reinforces that there is no time-stable density contour that defines a star-forming core. The dendrogram itself can induce significant structure variation between timesteps due to small changes in the density field. Thus, one must use caution when comparing dendrograms of regions with different ages or environment properties because differences in dendrogram structure may not come solely from the physical evolution of dense cores.
Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of the STAT6-regulated genes in advanced-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) is a critical up-stream mediator of interleukin-13 (IL-13) and IL-4 signaling and is constitutively activated in malignant lymphocytes from Sezary syndrome (SS) and mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common subtypes of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. By combining genome-wide expression profiling with pharmacological STAT6 inhibition, we have identified the genes regulated by STAT6 in MF/SS tumors. We found that STAT6 regulates several common pathways in MF/SS malignant lymphocytes that are associated with control of cell-cycle progression and genomic stability as well as production of Th2 cytokines. Using ex vivo skin explants from cutaneous MF tumors as well as Sezary cells derived from the blood of SS patients, we demonstrated that inhibition of STAT6 activation downregulates cytokine production and induces cell-cycle arrest in MF/SS malignant lymphocytes, inhibiting their proliferation but not their survival. Furthermore, we show that STAT6 promotes the protumoral M2-like phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages in the tumor microenvironment of advanced stage MF by upregulating the expression of genes associated with immunosuppression, chemotaxis, and tumor matrix remodeling. Thus, we show STAT6 to be a major factor in the pathogenesis and progression of MF/SS, promoting proliferation and invasion of the malignant lymphocytes while inducing a progressive depression of the antitumor immune response. Together, our results provide new insights into disease pathogenesis and offer new prospective targets for therapeutic intervention.
The evolution of pediatric sedation and anesthesia patient safety: An interview with Dr Charles J. “Charlie” Coté

The career of Dr Charles J. Cote covered a period of major advances in pediatric anesthesia patient safety. Dr Cote (1946 --), Professor Emeritus in Anaesthesia at Harvard Medical School, helped develop pediatric sedation guidelines, conducted influential clinical research, edited a major textbook, and promoted pediatric anesthesia training fellowships in low- and middle-income countries. Based on a series of interviews with Dr Cote, this article reviews the career of this Robert M. Smith Award winner through the lens of improvements in pediatric sedation and anesthesia patient safety.
Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum NRRL B-1927 with Skim Milk Processed via Ultra-High-Pressure Homogenization

Several health benefits are associated with the consumption of probiotic foods. Lyophilized probiotic cultures are commonly used to manufacture probiotic-containing products. Spray drying (SDR) is a cost-effective process to microencapsulate probiotics. However, the high temperatures of the drying air in SDR can inactivate significant numbers of probiotic cells. Ultra-high-pressure homogenization (UHPH) processing can modify the configuration of proteins found in skim milk which may increase its protective properties as microencapsulating agent towards probiotic cells during SDR. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of microencapsulating probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum NRRL B-1927 (LP) with UHPH-treated skim milk after SDR or freeze drying (FD). Dispersions containing LP were made with either UHPH-treated (at 150 MPa or 300 MPa) or untreated skim milk and dried via concurrent SDR (CCSD), mixed-flow SDR (MXSD) or FD. Higher cell survival (%) of LP was found in powders microencapsulated with 150 MPa-treated skim milk than in those microencapsulated with non-UHPH-treated and 300 MPa-treated skim milk via FD followed by MXSD and CCSD, respectively. Increasing UHPH pressures increased the particle size of powders produced via CCSD; and reduced particle agglomeration of powders produced via MXSD and FD. This study demonstrated that UHPH processes improves the effectiveness of skim milk as a microencapsulating agent for LP, creating powders that could be used in probiotic foods.
Microaggressions Experienced by LGBTQ Students With Disabilities

While research on microaggressions has exploded, most scholarship explores singular dimensions of identity, including race, gender, or sexual orientation. To date, little work has considered the ex...
MARLISA: Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning with Iterative Sequential Action Selection for Load Shaping of Grid-Interactive Connected Buildings

We demonstrate that multi-agent reinforcement learning (RL) controllers can cooperate to provide more effective load shaping in a model-free, decentralized, and scalable way with very limited sharing of anonymous information. Rapid urbanization, increasing electrification, the integration of renewable energy resources, and the potential shift towards electric vehicles create new challenges for the planning and control of energy systems in smart cities. Energy storage resources can help better align peaks of renewable energy generation with peaks of electricity consumption and flatten the curve of electricity demand. Model-based controllers, such as MPC, require developing models of the systems controlled, which is often not cost-effective or scalable. Model-free controllers, such as RL, have the potential to provide good control policies cost-effectively and leverage the use of historical data for training. However, it is unclear how RL algorithms can control a multitude of energy systems in a scalable coordinated way. In this paper, we introduce MARLISA, a controller that combines multi-agent RL with our proposed iterative sequential action selection algorithm for load shaping in urban energy systems. This approach uses a reward function with individual and collective goals, and the agents predict their own future electricity consumption and share this information with each other following a leader-follower schema. The RL agents are tested in four groups of nine simulated buildings, with each group located in a different climate. The buildings have diverse load and domestic hot water profiles, PV panels, thermal storage devices, heat pumps, and electric heaters. The agents are evaluated on the average of five normalized metrics: annual net electric consumption, 1 -- load factor, average daily peak demand, annual peak demand, and ramping. MARLISA achieves superior results over multiple independent/uncooperative RL agents using the same reward function. Our results outperformed a manually optimized rule-based controller (RBC) benchmark by reducing the average daily peak load by 15%, ramping by 35%, and increasing the load factor by 10%. A multi-year case study on real weather data shows that MARLISA significantly outperforms the RBC in within a year and converges in less than 2 years. Combining MARLISA and the RBC for the first year improves overall initial performance by learning from the RBC rather than random exploration.
From a ‘super spreader of MERS‘ to a ‘super stopper‘ of COVID-19: Explaining the Evolution of South Korea’s Effective Crisis Management System

COVID-19 has placed global and national leadership under a serious stress test by threatening lives and livelihoods on an unprecedented scale. South Korea emerged as one of the first countries to f...
Evaluating the Feasibility of The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery for Autistic Children and Adolescents

This study evaluates the feasibility of the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIH-TCB) for use in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 116 autistic children and adolescents and 80 typically developing (TD) controls, ages 3–17 years, completed four NIH-TCB tasks related to inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, processing speed, and episodic memory. While the majority of autistic and TD children completed all four tasks, autistic children experienced greater difficulties with task completion. Across autistic and TD children, performance on NIH-TCB tasks was highly dependent on IQ, but significant performance differences related to ASD diagnosis were found for two of four tasks. These findings highlight the potential strengths and limitations of the NIH-TCB for use with autistic children.
Statins Are Associated with Improved 28-day Mortality in Patients Hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

BackgroundStatins may be protective in viral infection and have been proposed as treatment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. ObjectiveWe evaluated the effect of statins on mortality in four groups hospitalized with (SARS-CoV-2) infection (continued statin, newly initiated statin, discontinued statin, never on statin). DesignIn a single center cohort study of 1179 patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection, the outcome of death, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission or hospital discharge was evaluated. Patients statin use, laboratory data, and co-morbidities were determined via chart review and electronic health records. Using marginal structural models to account for timing of statin initiation and competing risks, we compared the likelihood of severe outcomes in the four statin exposure groups. SettingAcademic medical center in the United States ParticipantsPatients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection Measurements28-day mortality, ICU admission, or discharge ResultsAmong 1179 patients, 360 were never on a statin, 311 were newly initiated on a statin, 466 were continued on a statin, and 42 had a statin discontinued. In this cohort, 154 (13.1%) patients died by 28-days. With marginal structural model analysis, statin use reduced the hazard of 28-day mortality (HR 0.566 [CI 0.372, 0.862], p = 0.008). Both new initiation of statins (HR 0.493 [CI 0.253, 0.963], p=0.038) and continuing statin therapy reduced the hazard of 28-day mortality (HR 0.270 [CI 0.114, 0.637], p=0.003). Sensitivity analysis found that statin use was associated with improved mortality for patients > 65 years, but not for patients 65 years or younger. LimitationObservational design ConclusionStatin therapy during hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 infection, including new initiation and continuation of therapy, was associated with reduced short-term mortality.
Bringing the world to the child. Technologies of global citizenship in American education: by Katie Day Good, Cambridge, MIT Press, 2020, 296 pp., $30 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-262-53802-2

Nearly halfway through Bringing the World to the Child, the author reveals the source of the book title by way of an introduction of the many school museums established in the early 20th-century Am...
Interdicting interdependent contraband smuggling, money and money laundering networks

Abstract This paper focuses on the problem of interdicting the interdependent contraband smuggling, money and money laundering (ICSML) networks of a transnational criminal organization (TCO). There are four interdependencies among these networks: money flows from the physical contraband smuggling network to the money network, monetary support from the money network flows to the smuggling network, money flows from the money network to the laundering network and incentives from the laundering network flow to the physical and money networks. The goal of the TCO is to maximize a (weighted) balance between the profit and scale of the contraband smuggling business. The goal of law enforcement is to minimize the best possible performance of the TCO. A bi-level integer programming model is built to address the two-player nature of this decision-making environment that specifically captures the interdependencies of the criminal networks. A dual-based reformulation is applied to address the bi-level problem. Case studies of applying this reformulation technique to realistic data sets are presented with a particular focus on understanding how inaccurate information about the structure of the ICSML networks impacts the performance of interdiction decisions. Sensitivity analysis is performed to analyze this impact by examining selected interdictions for perturbations of the network. Insights obtained include an understanding of effective interdiction policies for these types of networks and what type of information is most critical to capture in order to make effective interdiction decisions.
The maturation of Kaokoveld environmental studies

The Kaokoveld of northwest Namibia was a backwater of the South African empire. Dominated by arid rangelands, nomadic pastoralists and desert-adapted wildlife, the region proved to be an unfruitful...