cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Repair in vivo of liver deoxyribonucleic acid damaged by hycanthone and related compounds.

Liver DNA damage and its subsequent repair in vivo , induced by the antischistosomal drug hycanthone methanesulfonate and its analogues, was studied by sedimenting DNA in alkaline and neutral sucrose gradients. Within 1 hr after administration to rats, hycanthone methanesulfonate (25 µg/g of body weight) caused liver DNA damage which could be monitored as slowly sedimenting DNA (compared with control) in alkaline as well as neutral sucrose gradients. By 24 hr the hepatic DNA of rats given hycanthone (100 µg/g of body weight) sedimented into the 2.3 M sucrose layer of the neutral sucrose gradients, suggesting repair of the DNA lesions. However, when the same DNA was sedimented in alkaline sucrose gradients, anomalies were observed even 48 hr after administration of the drug. At the same dosage, two analogues of hycanthone, the chloroindazole derivative and its N -oxide, which are less hepatotoxic, teratogenic, and mutagenic than hycanthone, failed to induce the DNA damage measurable as slowly sedimenting DNA in neutral sucrose gradients. Nonetheless, these two analogues, like hycanthone, intercalated into DNA. Niridazole (200 µg/g of body weight), another antischistosomal drug, neither intercalated into DNA non induced hepatic DNA damage measurable as slowly sedimenting DNA in either neutral or alkaline sucrose gradients. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We thank Drs. E. Farber, E. Bueding, and Prema M. Rao for valuable discussions, and Margie Tartaglione and Barbara A. Briesmiester for their excellent technical assistance.
Context-based unsupervised ensemble learning and feature ranking

In ensemble systems, several experts, which may have access to possibly different data, make decisions which are then fused by a combiner (meta-learner) to obtain a final result. Such ensemble-based systems are well-suited for processing big-data from sources such as social media, in-stream monitoring systems, networks, and markets, and provide more accurate results than single expert systems. However, most existing ensemble-learning techniques have two limitations: (i) they are supervised, and hence they require access to the true label, which is often unknown in practice, and (ii) they are not able to evaluate the impact of the various data features/contexts on the final decision, and hence they do not learn which data is required. In this paper we propose a joint estimation---detection method for evaluating the accuracy of each expert as a function of the data features/context and for fusing the experts decisions. The proposed method is unsupervised: the true labels are not available and no prior information is assumed regarding the performance of each expert. Extensive simulation results show the improvement of the proposed method as compared to the state-of-the-art approaches. We also provide a systematic, unsupervised method for ranking the informativeness of each feature on the decision making process.
The Beta Spectrum of Au198, and the Conversion Coefficients of the 412-keV Line in Hg198

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the beta spectrum of Au 198 , and the conversion coefficients of the 412-keV line in Hg 198 . Most of the first forbidden, nonunique β-transitions have a statistical distribution, that is, a shape factor independent of energy. Some of the transitions show a marked deviation from the statistical shape. It is because the constant leading term for the transition is reduced and energy-dependent terms are not negligible any longer. In these special cases, an investigation of the shape factor C ( W ) permits—together with the results of other measurements such as β-γ angular correlation—β-γ circular polarization correlation or electron polarization measurements, a determination of the matrix elements responsible for the transition. Studies have shown that the β-spectrum for the transition has a nonstatistical distribution. The β-spectra are measured with the iron-free β-spectrometer—solenoid type—having a uniform magnetic field.
Sperm-bound antisperm antibodies prevent capacitation of bovine spermatozoa.

Abstract It was hypothesized here that sperm-bound antisperm antibodies (ASAs) impair the ability of bovine spermatozoa to undergo capacitation, bind to the zona pellucida, and complete the acrosome reaction. The effect of ASA binding on these functions was evaluated in frozen/thawed spermatozoa from four bulls before and after induction of ASAs. Ejaculates were divided into ASA negative ( R 2 = −0.48) but not IgG binding. Sperm binding to the zona pellucida was lower in IgA-positive (six spermatozoa/oocyte; 3–10 spermatozoa/oocyte) than IgA-negative ejaculates (seven spermatozoa/oocyte; 4–13 spermatozoa/oocyte) (P = 0.019). Zona binding was negatively correlated with the percentage of IgA-bound spermatozoa (P = 0.04; R 2 = −0.24) but not IgG-bound spermatozoa. The percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa was higher in calcium ionophore A23187-treated than control aliquots in both ASA-negative and ASA-positive ejaculates (P
Interannual Variability in the North Atlantic Ocean’s Temperature Field and Its Association with the Wind Stress Forcing

AbstractSpectral analyses of the North Atlantic temperature field in the Simple Ocean Data Analysis (SODA) reanalysis identify prominent and statistically significant interannual oscillations along the Gulf Stream front and in large regions of the North Atlantic. A 7–8-yr oscillatory mode is characterized by a basinwide southwest-to-northeast–oriented propagation pattern in the sea surface temperature (SST) field. This pattern is found to be linked to a seesaw in the meridional dipole structure of the zonal wind stress forcing (TAUX). In the subpolar gyre, the SST and TAUX fields of this mode are shown to be in phase opposition, which suggests a cooling effect of the wind stress on the upper ocean layer. Over all, this mode’s temperature field is characterized by a strong equivalent-barotropic component, as shown by covariations in SSTs and sea surface heights, and by phase-coherent behavior of temperature layers at depth with the SST field. Recent improvements of multivariate singular spectrum analysis (...
Spatially Resolved Non-Contact Bulk and Surface Photovoltage Response in Semiconductors

The early work of Brattain and Bardeen [1] demonstrated that under illumination, a semiconductor surface develops a potential which can be measured with non-contact, capacitive coupling. Since then, the surface photo-voltage (PV) effect has received sporadic experimental as well as theoretical considerations. A number of experiments have been reported (with and without contacts) which make use of both dc and ac surface PV (see, for example, Ref. 5). In the latter form, the incident light is modulated at frequencies ranging from a few Hz to a few MHz. Both the dc and ac embodiments of the surface photo-voltage effect have been used to study various minority and majority carrier transport mechanisms in the presence of various degrees of inversion (or accumulation) of the semiconductor surface.
A Discursive View from Somewhere: Foucault’s Epistemic Position

Michel Foucault’s work is concerned with positioning knowledge in discourse and power. Despite being defined by multiple reorientations, an underlying focus remains the rejection of any transcendental or essentialist notion of the subject, truth, or meaning. Foucault’s efforts are driven by the aim to situate subjects, knowledges, and truths; experience is understood to be defined by specific settings. Yet if Foucault’s concern is thus the concrete positioning of our experience, the question arises how such positionings are themselves undertaken: from which discursive position is the reconstruction of discourses itself possible? And in which way is the analyst of power herself embedded in power practices, possibly engaged in acts of domination and objectification? In this essay I follow Foucault’s own (in the end problematic) attempts to answer these methodological questions. Through a careful reconstruction and engagement of Foucault’s efforts to define his approach as a pure description of discursive events, or to situate his genealogy alongside the oppressed and marginalized agents, the essay arrives at a hermeneutic grounding of discourse and power analysis which avoids the pitfalls of his own proposals. At the core of Foucault’s discursive view from somewhere, we shall find the hermeneutic potential for a dialogical reciprocity between theorist and agent. The new vision of a mutual perspective-taking between discourse analyst and social agent fuses both sides into the perspective of situated reflexive agency.
A review of early influences on physical activity and sedentary behaviors of preschool-age children in high-income countries.

Purpose Promoting physical activity (PA) is a key component of preventing and controlling childhood obesity. Despite well-documented benefits of PA, globally, rates of PA among young children have declined over the past decades, and most children are not accruing sufficient PA daily. Helping children develop the foundation for PA habits early in life is critical for the promotion of health in childhood and prevention of chronic diseases later in life, and will ultimately promote longer and healthier lives for individuals and the general population. The purpose of this review is to provide a synthesis of current evidence on influences on PA and sedentary behaviors of preschool-age children in high-income countries. Design and Methods A systematic review of three databases was performed. Studies conducted in high-income countries and published from 2000 onward that addressed influences on PA and sedentary behaviors of preschool-age children were identified and reviewed. Additionally, reference lists of identified articles and relevant published reviews were reviewed. Studies that met the following inclusion criteria were considered: (a) sample included preschoolers (age ≤5 years); (b) PA and/or sedentary behaviors or factors associated with PA and/or sedentary behaviors was assessed; (c) published in English; (d) used either quantitative or qualitative methods; and (e) conducted in a high-income country. Data were extracted from selected studies to identify influences on PA and sedentary behaviors of preschool-age children and organized using the social–ecological model according to multiple levels of influence. Results Results from included studies identify multiple factors that influence PA and sedentary behaviors of young children in high-income countries at the various levels of the social–ecological model including intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental, organizational, and policy. Practice Implications Given pediatric nurses’ role as primary care providers, and their frequent and continued contact with parents and their children throughout childhood through well-child visits, immunization, and minor acute illnesses, they are well positioned to promote and support the development of early healthful PA habits of children starting in early childhood.
The Weisner Method

Weisner [1] has devised a method for obtaining generating functions for sets of functions which satisfy certain conditions. Among the functions which do satisfy these conditions are the Hermite (see Weisner [2]), the Bessel (see Weisner [3]), the generalized Laguerre, and the Gegenbauer.
Primary mucinous eccrine carcinoma of the buccal space: A case report and review of the literature.

Abstract Importance Mucinous eccrine carcinoma is a rare entity that most commonly affects the head and neck. Due to its low frequency of occurrence, review of its etiology, histopathology, and treatment strategies is beneficial to all clinicians who may encounter similar appearing masses. Observation An 84-year-old male presented with a blue mass on the left cheek. This mass started as a small bump and grew significantly over one year. His primary care physician monitored its growth and ultimately referred to an otolaryngologist. Imaging findings revealed a multi-lobular solid and cystic left buccal lesion. FNA was suggestive of low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Intervention Patient underwent surgical excision with primary closure of the defect. Frozen section was consistent with low grade salivary malignancy. Final pathology revealed primary mucinous eccrine carcinoma of the skin. Conclusions and relevance Mucinous eccrine carcinoma is a rare entity commonly seen in the head and neck region. Mucinous deposits to the skin from primaries elsewhere in the body are much more common than primary lesions of the skin. Histology is a key component of the diagnosis but full oncologic workup is required. Treatment typically includes wide local excision with possible adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation for high risk features.
The risks and rewards of conditioning noncooperative designs to additional information

A fundamental challenge in multiagent systems is to design local control algorithms to ensure a desirable collective behaviour. The information available to the agents, gathered either through communication or sensing, defines the structure of the admissible control laws and naturally restricts the achievable performance. Hence, it is fundamental to identify what piece of information can be used to produce a significant performance enhancement. This paper studies, within a class of resource allocation problems, the case when such information is uncertain or inaccessible and pinpoints a fundamental risk-reward tradeoff faced by the system designer.
Soil–Geosynthetic Interface Shear in Different Testing Scales:

Geosynthetics have been used to improve mechanical performance of roadway layers (e.g., geosynthetic-reinforced asphalt, geosynthetic-stabilized bases) and a wide range of transportation infrastruc...
Follicular Neoplasms of the Thyroid in Men Older Than 50 Years of Age: A DNA Flow Cytometric Study

The clinical behavior of follicular neoplasms of the thyroid in elderly men can be difficult to predict on histologic grounds alone. To assess the usefulness of DNA flow cytometry in predicting the metastatic potential of these tumors, the authors studied 44 primary and metastatic follicular neoplasms of the thyroid by DNA flow cytometry of paraffin-embedded tissue. The neoplasms were obtained from 44 men ranging in age from 50 to 79 years (mean, 60). There were 29 follicular adenomas, 11 primary follicular carcinomas (neoplasms with capsular and/or vascular invasion), and 4 metastatic follicular carcinomas. Follow-up information was available on 40 of the 44 patients. The mean follow-up was 114 months. Twenty-five of the 29 follicular adenomas had a diploid DNA content, 2 (7%) were tetraploid, and the DNA histograms on 2 were not interpretable. All patients with follicular adenomas had no evidence of disease (NED) at last follow-up. Eight of the 11 primary follicular carcinomas were diploid. Six of these patients had NED, one died with carcinoma at 82 months, and no follow-up was available on one. Three (27%) of the primary follicular carcinomas were aneuploid or tetraploid. Two of these patients had NED, and the third died with carcinoma 84 months after diagnosis. Two of the four metastatic follicular carcinomas were diploid and two (50%) were aneuploid or tetraploid. One of the two patients with diploid metastatic follicular carcinomas died with carcinoma, as did one of the two patients with aneuploid metastatic follicular carcinomas. These results suggest the following: (1) follicular carcinomas are more likely to be aneuploid or tetraploid than are follicular adenomas; (2) follicular neoplasms without capsular or vascular invasion may include a small number of aneuploid or tetraploid tumors; and (3) DNA ploidy does not add to the prognostic value of histologic studies alone.
Abstract 3313: Outcomes of "Drip-and-Ship" Paradigm Among Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke. Results of a State Wide Study

Background: “Drip-and-ship” denotes patients in whom intravenous (IV) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is initiated at the emergency department (ED) of a community hospital, followed by transfer within 24 hours to a comprehensive stroke center. Although drip-and-ship paradigm has the potential to increase the number of patients who receive IV rt-PA, comparative outcomes have not been assessed at a population based level. Methods: State-wide estimates of thrombolysis, associated in-hospital outcomes and mortality were obtained from 2008-2009 Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) data. Patient numbers and frequency distributions were calculated for state-wide sample of patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Patients outcomes were analyzed after stratification into patients treated with IV rt-PA through primary ED arrival or drip-and-ship paradigm. Results: Of the 21,024 admissions, 602 (2.86%) received IV rt-PA either through primary ED arrival (n=473) or drip-and-ship paradigm (n=129). The rates of secondary intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage were higher in patients treated with IV rt-PA through primary ED arrival compared with those treated with drip-and-ship paradigm (8.5% versus 3.1, p=0.038). The in-hospital mortality rate was similar among ischemic stroke patients receiving IV rt-PA through primary ED arrival or drip-and-ship paradigm (5.9% versus 7.0%). The mean hospital charges were $65,669 for primary ED arrival and $47,850 for drip-and-ship treated patients (p Conclusions: The results of drip-and-ship paradigm compare favorably with IV rt-PA treatment through primary ED arrival in this state-wide study.
Proof that Solovay randomness is equivalent to Martin-Löf randomness

In his brilliant book-length manuscript on AIT dated May 1975, which unfortunately was never published, Solovay reformulated Martin-Lof’s statistical definition of a random real. The resulting definition is, in my opinion, a substantial improvement: it’s much easier to apply. And in the next chapter we’ll be able to use it to show that Ω is strong Chaitin random.
The impact of positive contextual factors on the association between adverse family experiences and obesity in a National Survey of Children.

Abstract Adverse family experiences (AFEs) are associated with childhood obesity. We evaluated whether certain positive contextual factors reduce the risk of obesity and overweight among children exposed to AFEs in a nationally representative sample. Using data derived from the National Survey of Children's Health 2011–12 (N = 43,864), we calculated the distribution of positive contextual factors (very good/excellent maternal mental health, neighborhood and school safety, and child resilience) and AFEs across weight status. The AFEs composite score was modeled as a categorical measure (0 or ≥1 AFEs). Positive contextual factors, AFEs and their interactions were evaluated in weighted, adjusted, multinomial logistic regression models predicting the odds of overweight and obesity. Children exposed to lack of very good/excellent maternal mental health and at least one AFE were at risk for overweight (OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.16, 1.76) and obesity (OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.22, 1.93). Unsafe school or neighborhood environment and exposure to 1 or more AFEs was. associated with overweight (OR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.61) and obesity (OR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.34, 2.05). Lack of child resilience and exposure to 1 or more AFEs was associated with an increased risk of obesity (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.90) and overweight (OR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.57). These odds of obesity and overweight all decreased when positive contextual factors were present. Among children exposed to AFEs, overweight and obesity risk is reduced with positive contextual factors. Optimizing the early childhood environment can impact obesity risk.
Do School Discipline Policies Treat Students Fairly? Evidence From Arkansas:

It is well documented that Black students are more likely to receive expulsions and suspensions than their White peers. These disparities are troubling, but researchers and policy makers need more ...
The negative effect of NCAA football bowl bans on university enrolment and applications

Universities provide consumption amenities to students in addition to their educational services. Collegiate sports programs have been characterized as one of these consumption amenities. Previous ...
Feasibility of Hyperfunctioning Parathyroid Gland Localization Using [ 18 F]fluciclovine PET/CT

To evaluate the ability of anti-1-amino-3-anti-1-amino-3-[18F]fluorocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid ([18F]fluciclovine) positron emission tomography/X-ray computed tomography (PET/CT) in comparison to Technetium-99m 2-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile ([99mTc]sestamibi) single-photon emission computed tomography/CT (SPECT/CT) for the localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands in patients with hyperparathyroidism. Four patients with hyperparathyroidism underwent 60-minutes sequential neck and thorax PET/CT after [18F]fluciclovine (352 ± 28 MBq) injection. Lesion uptake and target-to-background ratios (TBR) were compared with [99mTc]sestamibi (798 ± 27 MBq) SPECT/CT in the same patient. Both techniques detected 4/5 hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands identified at surgery. The highest [18F]fluciclovine uptake and TBRs were at 5–9 min with rapid washout. [99mTc]sestamibi had significantly higher TBRs compared with [18F]fluciclovine (5–9 min) for blood pool (10.9 ± 4.7 vs 1.3 ± 0.6; p < 0.01) and reference muscle backgrounds (5.8 ± 3.0 vs 1.7 ± 0.6; p < 0.01), with non-significant trend for thyroid tissue background (1.3 ± 0.5 vs 1.1 ± 0.5; p = 0.73). Hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands can be detected on [18F]fluciclovine PET/CT at early imaging, but conspicuity (TBR) is better with [99mTc]sestamibi. [18F]fluciclovine PET/CT does not seem promising in the detection of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands.
Adabase: a data base for Ada programs

A central part of any programming support environment is the data base that stores all project information. This paper presents the design of Adabase, a data base that manages Ada program families. Program families consist of multiple versions and configurations, and family members share a significant number of common parts.Besides Ada program modules and configurations, Adabase stores documentation and project control information. A set of high-level operations perform controlled update, propagation of interface changes, and automatic system generation. The logical data base structure is an attributed, directed graph. Since the standard, intermediate representation of Ada programs, Diana, is also an attributed, directed graph, we achieve a seamless integration of the two by formulating Ada-base in IDL, the metalanguage in which Diana is described.
Determining the energetic and informational components of speech-on-speech masking in listeners with sensorineural hearing loss.

The ability to identify the words spoken by one talker masked by two or four competing talkers was tested in young-adult listeners with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). In a reference/baseline condition, masking speech was colocated with target speech, target and masker talkers were female, and the masker was intelligible. Three comparison conditions included replacing female masker talkers with males, time-reversal of masker speech, and spatial separation of sources. All three variables produced significant release from masking. To emulate energetic masking (EM), stimuli were subjected to ideal time-frequency segregation retaining only the time-frequency units where target energy exceeded masker energy. Subjects were then tested with these resynthesized “glimpsed stimuli.” For either two or four maskers, thresholds only varied about 3 dB across conditions suggesting that EM was roughly equal. Compared to normal-hearing listeners from an earlier study [Kidd, Mason, Swaminathan, Roverud, Clayton, and Best, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 140, 132–144 (2016)], SNHL listeners demonstrated both greater energetic and informational masking as well as higher glimpsed thresholds. Individual differences were correlated across masking release conditions suggesting that listeners could be categorized according to their general ability to solve the task. Overall, both peripheral and central factors appear to contribute to the higher thresholds for SNHL listeners.
Skeletal kinematics of the hyoid arch in the suction-feeding shark Chiloscyllium plagiosum

White-spotted bamboo sharks, Chiloscyllium plagiosum, generate strong suction-feeding pressures that rival the highest levels measured in ray-finned fishes. However, the hyostylic jaw suspension of these sharks is fundamentally different from the actinopterygian mechanism, including more mobile hyomandibulae, with the jaws and ceratohyal suspended from the hyomandibulae. Prior studies have proposed skeletal kinematics during feeding in orectolobid sharks from indirect measurements. Here, we tested these hypotheses using XROMM to measure cartilage motions directly. In agreement with prior hypotheses, we found extremely large retraction and depression of the ceratohyal, facilitated by large protraction and depression of the hyomandibula. Somewhat unexpectedly, XROMM also showed tremendous long-axis rotation (LAR) of both the ceratohyal and hyomandibula. This LAR likely increases the range of motion for the hyoid arch by keeping the elements properly articulated through their large arcs of motion. XROMM also confirmed that upper jaw protraction occurs before peak gape, similarly to actinopterygian suction feeders, but different from most other sharks in which jaw protrusion serves primarily to close the mouth. Early jaw protraction results from decoupling the rotations of the hyomandibula, with much of protraction occurring before peak gape with the other rotations lagging behind. In addition, the magnitudes of retraction and protraction of the hyoid elements are independent of the magnitude of depression, varying the shape of the mouth among feeding strikes. Hence, the large variation in suction-feeding behavior and performance may contribute to the wide dietary breadth of bamboo sharks.
Supine thoracolumbar sagittal spine alignment: comparing computerized tomography and plain radiographs.

Study design Imaging supine sagittal alignment study. Objective Our goal was to determine differences between plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans in supine sagittal alignment and to establish supine reference Cobb angles for both. Summary of background data Few studies have compared plain radiographs versus CT scans with regard to sagittal spine alignment. None have utilized supine patients. Methods Fifty sequential blunt trauma individuals who had routine clearance of the thoracolumbar spine had their plain radiographs and CT scans reviewed independently by 2 spine surgeons. The Cobb method was utilized to determine angles at each spine level from T4 to L5. All imaging was obtained in the supine position, and no patient had acute ligamentous or bony pathology. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were utilized to determine intraobserver, interobserver, and method reliability. Results Every level within the thoracic region was kyphotic, with a peak at T6. The lumbar region demonstrated a fairly linear progression from a near-neutral alignment at L1 to approximately 50° of lordosis at L5. The intraobserver reliability was consistent, with ICCs for Observer 1 plain radiographs at 0.653, Observer 2 plain radiographs at 0.891, Observer 1 CT scans at 0.677, and Observer 2 CT scans at 0.648. The interobserver reliability was very high, with ICCs for plain radiographs at 0.902 and 0.895 for CT scans. Finally, method reliability (between plain radiographs and CT scans) was excellent as well, with ICCs of 0.808 for Observer 1, 0.781 for Observer 2, and 0.817 after averaging the 2 observers. Conclusion The results from this study provide a supine reference for sagittal spine alignment using the Cobb method for both CT scans and plain radiographs. It also demonstrates the high degree of reliability between measurements from 2 imaging sources and various observers as shown with the ICC values.
Young donors with severe acute kidney injury offer an opportunity to expand the donor pool

Abstract Background This study assessed our experience transplanting kidneys from young donors with severe acute kidney injury. Methods We performed a single center retrospective analysis of 315 kidney transplants between 1/1/2014-12/31/2016. Donor kidneys were classified according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria. A case-matched cohort was created using recipient age, history of diabetes, donor specific antibody, donor age and donor after cardiac death. Primary endpoints were graft function measured by eGFR at 90 days and at 1-year. Results Stage 3 AKIN recipients had significantly greater eGFR at one year (63.9 ml/min v. 51.2 ml/min, p 0.05). Donor and recipient characteristics on eGFR at 1 year were analyzed using linear and logistic regression. Only donor age had a significant impact on recipient eGFR. Conclusions Donor kidneys with severe acute injury can achieve optimal 1-year outcomes. Donor age is the most significant predictor of eGFR >45 ml/min after transplant.
Effects of urbanization on herbaceous forest vegetation: the relative impacts of soil, geography, forest composition, human access, and an invasive shrub

We studied how degree of urbanization affected forest-floor herbs in deciduous forest along an urbanization gradient from west to east of Cincinnati, OH. We measured species diversity, richness, and abundance of herbs in 16 30 × 30 m plots at two Urban, two Exurban, and two Wildland sites. Because the invasive shrub Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) negatively affects richness and abundance of native herbs, half of these plots contained honeysuckle, except at the Wildland sites where honeysuckle was absent. We used General Linear Models or Generalized Linear Mixed Models to determine the effect of edaphic, geographic, forest composition, human effects, and honeysuckle variables on herbs and used model comparison techniques to identify those variables that significantly affected herbs. Human effects (e.g., proximity to roads) and geography (e.g., aspect, slope) were the most important factors affecting herb richness and abundance, and geography (e.g., elevation) was the most important factor affecting herb diversity. Honeysuckle (measured as diameter of primary stem) had no effect on diversity or richness of herbs, but positively affected herb abundance. Herb diversity did not vary significantly along the urbanization gradient, but higher herb richness and abundance in Exurban and Wildland sites along the urbanization gradient were associated with higher tree diversity, richness, and abundance, shallower slopes, greater distance to roads, and smaller honeysuckle shrubs.
Full-chip simulation analysis of power MOSFET's during unclamped inductive switching with physics-base device models

To clarify current and temperature distribution inside single power MOSFET chip, we have developed technology-based computer-aided-design (TCAD)-based, full-chip transient-analysis framework. In conventional design, a single power device chip is assumed as a “lumped element” i.e. a spatial distribution inside each device is neglected. In some cases, the assumption is inadequate. So, we have constructed a simulation framework that takes into account the RC distributions inside a chip, and analyzed the internal state of power MOSFET chips during unclamped inductive switching (UIS).
The Role of Vitamin A in Wound Healing

Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient that comes in multiple forms, including retinols, retinals, and retinoic acids. Dietary vitamin A is absorbed as retinol from preformed retinoids or as pro-vitamin A carotenoids that are converted into retinol in the enterocyte. These are then delivered to the liver for storage via chylomicrons and later released into the circulation and to its biologically active tissues bound to retinol-binding protein. Vitamin A is a crucial component of many important and diverse biological functions, including reproduction, embryological development, cellular differentiation, growth, immunity, and vision. Vitamin A functions mostly through nuclear retinoic acid receptors, retinoid X receptors, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. Retinoids regulate the growth and differentiation of many cell types within skin, and its deficiency leads to abnormal epithelial keratinization. In wounded tissue, vitamin A stimulates epidermal turnover, increases the rate of re-epithelialization, and restores epithelial structure. Retinoids have the unique ability to reverse the inhibitory effects of anti-inflammatory steroids on wound healing. In addition to its role in the inflammatory phase of wound healing, retinoic acid has been demonstrated to enhance production of extracellular matrix components such as collagen type I and fibronectin, increase proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and decrease levels of degrading matrix metalloproteinases.
Controlling “Spivs”: The ILO and Emergency Communal Labor, 1952–1960

During the 1950s the Mau Mau war in central Kenya posed a serious threat to colonial rule. Faced with this danger, the administration transformed communal labor into a punitive labor regime known as Emergency communal labor. In violation of the Forced Labour Convention, the administration used Emergency communal labor as a form of punishment against civilian members of the communities that comprised the bulk of the Mau Mau fighters. By the 1950s, however, the international climate regarding the use of forced labor had changed. The administration’s manipulation of Emergency communal labor brought criticism from international trade unions like the ICFTU and TUC as well as the ILO. However, the administration’s response to these criticisms revealed the difficulty in enforcing compliance with ILO conventions.
Mechanism and effect of thermal degradation on electrolyte ionic diffusivity in Li-ion batteries: A molecular dynamics study

Abstract Electrolyte ionic diffusivity significantly affects the power density and useable energy density of a lithium ion battery. During usage, electrolyte can decompose, leading to reduced ionic diffusivity. Understanding the degradation mechanism and its effect on ionic diffusivity is important for both battery design optimization to provide superior performance with a long cycle life and for better battery management during usage to extend the battery life. In this research, the ionic diffusivity of key electrolytes and their degradation, including DMC-LiPF6, EMC-LiPF6 and DEC-LiPF6, are quantitatively predicted with classical and ReaxFF molecular dynamics simulations. The electrolyte solvent structures and reaction pathways are characterized. The effect of temperature, salt concentration and degree of thermal degradation on electrolyte ionic diffusivity are identified. A list of gas-phase, solvent-phase and solid-phase degradation products are categorized. DMC-LiPF6 shows the highest thermal stability, while DEC-LiPF6 shows the lowest thermal stability because of a large amount of –CH3CH2 group in the molecule. PF 6 - tends to decompose first. The decomposed product of PF5 can further lead to C–O bond breaking in solvent molecules, causing them to decompose into products composed of smaller molecules. Simulations show that the diffusion coefficients of cations and anions decrease with thermal degradation. The mechanism is found to be related to the clustering of Li+, R-O- and (R–OCO2)-, which impedes ion diffusion in the electrolyte. This paper provides a quantitative understanding of electrolyte thermal degradation, revealing the underlying mechanisms and effects on electrolyte properties at the atomistic level by a systematic comparative study for the first time. The approach will provide valuable guidance to the development of lithium ion batteries.
Leveraging the United States Epicenter to Provide Insights on COVID-19 in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective To characterize patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to analyze associations of comorbidities and medications on infection outcomes. Methods Patients with SLE and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-confirmed COVID-19 were identified through an established New York University lupus cohort, query of 2 hospital systems, and referrals from rheumatologists. Data were prospectively collected via a web-based questionnaire and review of medical records. Data on baseline characteristics were obtained for all patients with COVID-19 to analyze risk factors for hospitalization. Data were also collected on asymptomatic patients and those with COVID-19-like symptoms who tested negative or were not tested. Statistical analyses were limited to confirmed COVID-19-positive patients. Results A total of 226 SLE patients were included: 41 with confirmed COVID-19, 19 who tested negative for COVID-19, 42 with COVID-19-like symptoms who did not get tested, and 124 who remained asymptomatic without testing. Of the SLE patients with confirmed COVID-19, hospitalization was required in 24 (59%) and intensive care unit-level of care in 4, and 4 died. Hospitalized patients tended to be older, nonwhite, Hispanic, have higher body mas index (BMI), history of nephritis, and at least 1 comorbidity. An exploratory (due to limited sample size) logistic regression analysis identified race, presence of at least 1 comorbidity, and BMI as independent predictors of hospitalization. Conclusion In general, the variables predictive of hospitalization in our SLE patients were similar to those identified in the general population. Further studies are needed to understand additional risk factors for poor COVID-19 outcomes in patients with SLE.
Social Class and Parenting in Mexican American Families

Parenting practices are a key mechanism in the transmission of class advantage from adults to children; however, Latinxs have not been a main focus of this work. Drawing on in-depth interviews with...
Spatiotemporal quantification of actin dynamics by non-bleaching nanoscale imaging

Actin dynamics plays an important role in cell activities and drives a large range of cellular process such as cell division and cell motility. To visualize the actin dynamics, we introduce non-bleaching nanoscale imaging to capture actin dynamics over long time scales. Here, we demonstrate the high resolution quantification of actin dynamics by non-bleaching nanoscale imaging for the purpose of revealing resulting mechanical properties. Through this method, we visualized and quantified actin twisting dynamics through disassembly process by actin binding proteins.
Searching for Flavor-Violating ALPs in Higgs Decays

Pseudo-scalar particles, often referred to as axion-like-particles (ALPs), arise in a variety of theoretical contexts. The phenomenology of such states is typically studied assuming flavor-conserving interactions, yet they can in principle have flavor-violating (FV) couplings to fermions. We consider this general possibility, focusing on models where the ALP has non-negligible coupling to the Standard Model Higgs boson $h$. For a lepton FV ALP $a$ of mass $m_a \gtrsim 2$ GeV, $a\to \tau \ell$, where $\ell\neq \tau$ is a charged lepton, could have $\mathcal{O}(1)$ branching fraction, leading to potentially detectable $h \to a a \to \tau \ell \tau \ell$ at the LHC and its future program. We examine this possibility, in light of existing bounds on FV processes, in a general effective theory. We obtain constraints on the effective couplings from both prompt and long-lifetime searches at the LHC; some projections for envisioned measurements are also provided. The implications of the recently announced first results of the muon $g-2$ measurement at Fermilab for the ALP interactions considered in our work are also briefly discussed.
The lasting effect of community police academies: Results of a 6-month follow-up:

Community police academies (CPA) are used by police agencies to educate the public on practices and expand community involvement. Using pre-test, post-test, and follow-up survey data, the current s...
Examining the association between adiposity and DNA methylation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Obesity is associated with widespread differential DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns, though there have been limited overlap in the obesity-associated cytosine-guanine nucleotide pair (CpG) sites that have been identified in the literature. We systematically searched four databases for studies published until January 2020. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, longitudinal, or intervention studies examining adiposity and genome-wide DNAm in non-pregnant adults aged 18-75 in all tissue types. Study design and results were extracted in the descriptive review. Blood-based DNAm results in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were meta-analyzed using weighted sum of Z-score meta-analysis. Of the 10,548 studies identified, 46 studies were included in the systematic review with 18 and nine studies included in the meta-analysis of BMI and WC, respectively. In the blood, 77 and four CpG sites were significant in three or more studies of BMI and WC, respectively. Using a genome-wide threshold for significance, 52 blood-based CpG sites were significantly associated with BMI. These sites have previously been associated with many obesity-related diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Crohn's disease, and depression. Our study shows that DNAm at 52 CpG sites represent potential mediators of obesity-associated chronic diseases and may be novel intervention or therapeutic targets to protect against obesity-associated chronic diseases.
Novel Foveal Features Associated With Vision Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis.

Purpose To characterize scattering and hyperreflective features in the foveal avascular zone of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) using adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) and to evaluate their relationship with visual function and MS disease characteristics. Methods Twenty subjects with MS underwent confocal reflectance and non-confocal split-detection AOSLO foveal imaging. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was measured using optic nerve optical coherence tomography. Blood pressure, intraocular pressure (IOP), and best-corrected high-contrast visual acuity (HCVA) and low-contrast visual acuity (LCVA) were measured. AOSLO images were graded to determine the presence and characteristics of distinct structures. Results Two distinct structures were seen in the avascular zone of the foveal pit. Hyperreflective puncta, present in 74% of eyes, were associated with IOP and blood pressure. Scattering features, observed in 58% of eyes, were associated with decreased HCVA and LCVA, as well as increased MS duration and disability, but were not associated with retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. Hyperreflective puncta and scattering features were simultaneously present in 53% of eyes. Conclusions Hyperreflective puncta were associated with parameters affecting ophthalmic perfusion, but they were not associated with MS disease parameters. Scattering features were associated with parameters corresponding to advanced MS, suggesting that they may be related to disease progression. Scattering features were also correlated with reduced visual function independent from ganglion cell injury, suggesting the possibility of a novel ganglion cell-independent mechanism of impaired vision in people with MS.
Mortality in Russia Since the Fall of the Soviet Union.

Adult mortality increased enormously in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union when the Soviet system collapsed 30 years ago. What has happened to mortality in Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union? What explains the wide swings of mortality over time? This paper documents changes in mortality in Russia since 1989, and reviews the research in the economics and public health literature on the causes of the changes. The focus is on the post-2000 period, and the possible role played in recent declining mortality rates by Russia's alcohol and tobacco control policies. The two themes that emerge are (1) that government policies are critical for understanding both rising and falling male mortality over this period, and (2) that the underlying causes of the mortality crisis and its reversal are difficult to clearly identify empirically and remain, at best, partially understood, leaving much scope for future research on this issue. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1057/s41294-021-00169-w.
Abstract 19678: Safety of Cryoablation of Atrial Fibrillation in the Presence of Mechanical Mitral Valve

Introduction: Pulmonary vein isolation is an effective therapy for recurrent, symptomatic, drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has long been the standard of care, while cryoballoon technology has emerged as a feasible approach with promising results in paroxysmal AF. There is risk of catheter entrapment during RFA in patients with mechanical mitral valve and the experience is limited. To the best of our knowledge pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with cryoablation has never been reported in a patient with a mechanical mitral valve. Case: A 52 year old male presented with symptomatic paroxysmal AF, nonischemic cardiomyopathy biventricular defibrillator, mechanical aortic and mitral valve replacement for rheumatic valvular disease. The patient was highly symptomatic while on sotalol therapy. We proceeded with PVI using cryoablation technology. Procedure: After a single transseptal puncture, a 28 mm cryoballoon catheter and 20mm 8 pole circular recording catheter were advance...
Modification to the k-& Turbulence Model for Vortically Dominated Flows

[Abstract] Vortically dominated flows (wingtip, vortex-fin interaction, jet into cross-flow) have traditionally been difficult to accurately model using two-equation RANS (Reynolds Averaged NavierStokes) CFD tools. However RANS models provide the “workhorse” for many aerodynamic simulations. Hence, modifying/extending classical RANS turbulence models to provide the best possible vortex simulation capability is highly desirable. Here we derive by examination and asymptotic solution of a local line vortex problem a modification to the k-�& model to be more accurate for curvature/vortex dominated flows. As with other vortex/rotation sensitization approaches, e.g. Spalart and Shur (1997) 1 the modification pertains to the turbulence model source terms, however, here we suggest that both production and dissipation should be enhanced; implying that vortical flows should honor local equilibrium. That both formulations will yield similar results follows from the fact that the effective viscosity is formulated as a ratio of k/�& and for equilibrium an attendant increase in turbulent kinetic energy is accompanied by an attendant increase in �& . Using a perturbation solution for the wall layer (log-law) with curvature problems, we show that the modification derived here correctly recovers law-ofthe-wall with curvature. Tensor generalizations are suggested for the modification and limiting behavior, i.e. no effect for minimal curvature is shown. Finally the magnitude of the modification term is estimated by consideration of a closed form and simple numerical solutions for the classical driven lid cavity problem. Though preliminary, this discussion provides a more formal mathematical/physical basis for a class of turbulence model curvature sensitization modifications.